Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.
Source: http://xml.truveo.com/rd?i=4000882025&a=rss&p=1&h=4efb88234be86c:0c9aecb78853a417486bd75b0b4c793b
terminator salvation rockefeller center art basel 2011 art basel 2011 straight no chaser straight no chaser bcs standings
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. With a vote planned for Friday on the second of two anti-regulation bills, House Republicans have launched their most ambitious, pro-business effort yet to rein in Obama administration regulators. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. With a vote planned for Friday on the second of two anti-regulation bills, House Republicans have launched their most ambitious, pro-business effort yet to rein in Obama administration regulators. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON (AP) ? House Republicans intend to propose a gradual increase in Medicare premiums for wealthy seniors to help cover the cost of renewing Social Security payroll tax cuts and benefits for the long-term unemployed, officials said Wednesday.
The precise details remain to be worked out as the leadership consults with rank-and-file Republicans about the legislation, which has grown significantly in recent days and is expected on the House floor next week.
GOP officials described the plan on condition of anonymity because no final decision has been made.
In addition to the extension of payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits that are at the heart of President Barack Obama's jobs program, House Republicans plan to include a provision to avert a 27 percent cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients. All three face a Dec. 31 deadline for action.
In addition, GOP leaders eager to attract votes for the measure are likely to include conservative-backed provisions to speed the construction of a controversial oil pipeline from Canada to Texas and block a proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule restricting toxic emissions from industrial boilers.
Across the Capitol, Democrats set the stage for a second politically charged vote in the Senate later in the week on their proposed surtax on million-dollar earners to help pay for the renewal of the tax cuts and unemployment benefits.
Senate Republicans blocked an earlier bill along the same lines, and the Democrats' decision to call for a second showdown comes as they seek to brand GOP lawmakers as protectors of the rich at the expense of the middle class.
The move is "nothing more than another bill that's been designed to fail, so Democrats can have another week of fun and games on the Senate floor while tens of millions of working Americans go another week wondering whether they're going to see a smaller paycheck at the end of the year," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Republicans oppose higher taxes, and GOP aides in the House pointed out that the proposed higher Medicare premiums for the wealthy would fall on some of the same individuals whom Democrats want to tax.
Senate Republicans included higher premiums in their own alternative measure last week. It would have required seniors earning more than $750,000 to pay more for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and other costs apart from the expense of hospitalization.
According to Medicare's website, monthly Part B premiums will be $99.90 in 2012 for beneficiaries with individual income of $85,000 or less. The cost rises gradually, reaching $319.70 for anyone whose income exceeds $214,000.
The dispute over taxes is one of several that must be settled before legislation can reach Obama's desk, and Democrats sought to put the onus on Republicans.
Republicans have said in recent days that to cover the cost of doctor fees under Medicare, they intend to cut funds from the year-old health care bill that is the president's signature domestic achievement.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, dismissed that approach during the day as "not a good idea. That's going to cause more problems than it solves," he said, and urged Republicans to concentrate on drafting legislation that can clear both houses.
Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other GOP leaders must contend not only with Senate Democrats, but also with disgruntled lawmakers inside their own party who are reluctant to extend a payroll tax cut that they claim has failed to produce any jobs. The proposal to take a piece out of the president's health care bill is likely to be an attractive addition to these Republicans, as is the renewal of current reimbursement rates for doctors who treat Medicare patients.
Officials said the emerging House bill is also likely to extend several features of Medicare that would otherwise revert to lower payments for some hospitals as well as for ambulances in rural areas, some mental health services and therapy services from non-hospital providers.
Associated Presswhen does ios 5 come out christopher columbus trina the green mile the green mile james whitey bulger rachel uchitel
NEW YORK ? Verizon Wireless is blocking the new flagship phone running Google Inc.'s Android software, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, from running Google's in-store payment application, the Wallet.
The smartphone is the first to run a new version of Android, and is due to be released soon by Verizon. Examinations by Wired and other publications reveal that the international version of the phone has the chip necessary to run Google Wallet.
The previous model in the "Nexus" line, which Google uses to launch new software and features, is sold by Sprint and works with the Wallet.
But Verizon is part of a consortium of carriers that are planning its own payment application, and the company says its waiting to provide a wallet application until it can provide "the best security and user experience."
order of operations carrie underwood eric church sara evans lionel richie cma awards cma awards
APThe 13th Sunday of the NFL season brought bad luck for plenty of teams.? But good luck for others.
And that?s the extent to which I?ll force a triskaidekaphobia-inspired introduction onto this week?s edition of the Monday 10-pack.
Actually, I could also expand the normal list of 10 takes to 13.? Luckily enough, I know not to take on the extra work.
1.? Packers close in on 16-0.
Many believed that, if the Packers could get past the giant-killing Giants in Week 13, the defending Super Bowl champs would be virtually guaranteed a perfect regular season.
Given the current state of the four remaining opponents, that outcome is looking more and more likely.
For starters, the Raiders looked ragged in Miami; they next come to Lambeau Field on Sunday.? Then, the Packers head to Kansas City.? Though the Chiefs possibly will avoid being blown out, it?s a stretch to imagine them beating the Packers.
Then come the back-to-back season-ending home games, which suddenly look a lot easier, given the injury-fueled implosion of the Bears and the penalty-driven collapse of the Lions.
The broader question becomes whether the Packers can win the following three games ? the ones that really count.? The added pressure of becoming the first 19-0 team in league history won?t help.? The larger challenge could come, ironically, from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.? If it?s cold, wet, windy, etc. on a January day when a team like the 49ers come to town, the Packers? home-field advantage could be neutralized, since the Niners excel at running the ball and stopping the run.
2.? Silver lining for the Giants.
In 2007, the Giants hosted the 15-0 Patriots.? In a game with no playoff implications for either team, New York stayed within three points, losing late by a score of 38-35.? The near miss gave the Giants a surge of confidence that propelled them through the playoffs and into a rematch with the Patriots.
And if you don?t know what happened when they played again, the sport is called football.? We hope you become a fan of the game.
This time, another 38-35 home loss to another unbeaten juggernaut could provide similar confidence to a Giants team that sits one game behind the Cowboys, with two games to play against them.? Though there are many differences, the Giants could use the fact that they gave the Packers everything they could handle as the bucket of ice water to snap the Giants from yet another late-season funk.
If it doesn?t happen, it could be the last late-season funk over which coach Tom Coughlin ever presides.
3.? Bears ready to break glass in event of emergency.
When Sunday began, the always-accurate Jay Glazer reported that the Bears are ?absolutely not interested? in free-agent quarterback (and Chicago native) Donovan McNabb.
When Sunday ended, our colleague John Mullin of CSNChicago.com was reporting that the Bears would now consider adding McNabb.
The change of heart demonstrated the degree of desperation that the Bears already are feeling.? Quarterback Caleb Hanie has been dreadful (three more picks on Sunday), rookie Nathan Enderle isn?t ready, and Josh McCown is, well, Josh McCown.? Although serious questions remain regarding the fitness, work ethic, and skills of the 13-year veteran, McNabb remains a better option than any of the three healthy quarterbacks currently on the roster, combined.
But even McNabb may not be enough to make a difference, especially if running back Matt Forte misses more than a game or two with a partially torn MCL.
With offensive coordinator Mike Martz already reportedly set to be dumped, coach Lovie Smith could be on the hot seat (again) in 2012, if the Bears don?t make it to the postseason in 2011.? That?s why they?re now inclined to consider giving McNabb a chance, even if there?s not much of a chance he?ll make them any better.
4.? Chargers aren?t dead yet.
It?s easy to assume that the San Diego Chargers will end up on the outside looking in when the season ends.? At 4-7 and with six straight losses, there?s no reason to believe that Chargers can turn it around.
But there?s one curious fact, based on something the Chargers accomplished three years ago.
In 2008, the Chargers lost eight of the first 13 games, and they trailed the 8-5 Broncos with three weeks remaining in the regular season.? But San Diego won the final three games.? Just as importantly, the Broncos lost the final three games.
When the dust settled, the Chargers made it to the postseason as the AFC West champs, they beat the Colts in the wild-card round, they gave the Steelers more of a fight than expected the following week, and the Broncos fired Mike Shanahan.
It?s not likely that the Chargers will pull it off again, but that one slice of history means that, for now, we can?t rule anything out.? Especially with the Raiders suddenly looking worse-than-ordinary and the Cinderella Broncos a shattered slipper away from falling apart.
5.? Team Tebow will be tough to beat in January.
It would be dangerous, however, to assume that the clock will strike midnight for Tim Tebow before the postseason.? With each passing week, the Broncos gain more and more confidence, knowing that as long as they can stay within a score of the opponent, Team Tebow can ultimately prevail.
And that attitude will serve them well in January, when confidence becomes nearly as important as talent.? Adversity eventually strikes every playoff team (except for the 1985 Bears), and the Broncos know how to overcome it because they?re doing it on a weekly basis.
Then there?s the fact that, as the media attention increases, Tebow will continue to be the focal point of it, he?ll be ready for it based on all the attention he has absorbed throughout his career, and it?ll allow his teammates to go about their business without being caught up in the distractions.
Some thought Michael Irvin was crazy to suggest Tebow can take the Broncos to the Super Bowl.? It arguably would be crazier to presume that he can?t.
And it?s even crazier to continue to assume that he?s a gimmick quarterback.? On Sunday, Tebow ran the ball only four times.? In contrast, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, good for a passer rating on 149.3.
Though his mechanics remain flawed and his accuracy remains at times coincidental, Tebow?s passing numbers compare favorably to those of his predecessor, Kyle Orton.? As Football Night In America editorial consultant Elliott Kalb pointed out after Sunday?s game, Tebow has now thrown 158 passes; Orton threw 155.? While Orton has more completions and a higher completion percentage, Tebow has more yards, a higher per-attempt average, more touchdowns (10 for Tebow, eight for Orton), far fewer interceptions (one for Tebow, seven for Orton), and a passer rating more than 12 points higher.
Most importantly, Tebow has six wins in seven starts.? Even if John Elway?s body language suggests that he doesn?t like the way it?s happening, it?s impossible to argue with the results.
It?ll be even harder to do that if (when) the Broncos start knocking off some of the supposedly elite AFC teams in the playoffs.
6.? Ravens may no longer need Ray Lewis.
After Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis injured a foot three weeks ago in Seattle, rumors swirled that Lewis would not play again this season.? Coach John Harbaugh dismissed the notion that Lewis won?t be back, but he already has missed three of the final seven games.? Jason La Canfora of NFL Network suggested on Sunday that Lewis could be back in Week 15, if Baltimore needs to win the game.
Given that the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, and Texans are each 9-3, the Ravens will need to win the game.? But here?s the thing.? They?ve shown they don?t need Ray Lewis.
And this could be the best way for the post-Ray Ravens to realize that they?ll be fine after he inevitably retires.? The training wheels came off on the fly, the Ravens kept peddling, and they?re 3-0 without him.
More importantly, they?ve found a way to win against an inferior foe on the road the week after a huge victory.? That?s something Lewis couldn?t will them to do in three prior chances this season.
Though the Ravens will find a place for Lewis as long as he wants one, the team?s success without him suggest that, if the foot keeps Lewis from playing again this year and if the Ravens can continue to thrive, it could be the right time for him to realize that it?s the right time to move on.
7.? Peyton?s place may no longer be in Indy.
Another face-of-the-franchise-type player could be leaving his team under far different circumstances.? The Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning continue to careen toward an inevitable No. 1 pick in the draft and a $28 million option bonus that comes due to Manning in early March.
In a lengthy interview on the CBS pregame show, which somehow seemed even longer than it was, Manning disputed the recent suggestion from Vice Chairman Bill Polian that the two men discussed the possibility of the team picking a quarterback, explaining that the conversation occurred two years ago.? That discrepancy suggests a deeper disconnect that could drive the two sides apart.
Then there?s the ominous explanation from Manning that the eventual decisions regarding his future will become apparent in March.? That?s a far cry from Manning?s past proclamations that he?ll never play for another team.
Don?t be surprised, then, if Manning decides to move on.? The bigger question is whether he?ll play elsewhere in 2012 or whether, like former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, Manning won?t find an alternative destination that will pay him top-of-the-market money and that will give him the ingredients for the success that Peyton craves.
8.? Raheem is nervous, and he should be.
Bucs coach Raheem Morris has become increasingly skittish this season, most recently dropping an ?F? bomb while discussing his decision to take a page from the Mike Singletary coaching playbook.? Morris is nervous for a very good reason.
Morris has a contract that runs through 2012.? While G.M. Mark Dominik received earlier this year a four-year extension, Morris hasn?t.
And so after the 2011 season, the Bucs need to decide whether to extend Raheem?s deal, to let him coach as a lame duck, or to move on.
Though there?s currently no obvious reason to believe that the Bucs will fire Morris, Morris knows that plenty of stuff can be happening behind the scenes.? He knows this because, in early 2009, he and Dominik were the guys who secretly were being lined up behind the scenes to replace former head coach Jon Gruden and former G.M. Bruce Allen.
So what?s happening behind Raheem?s back now?? He?s surely wondering about that, and that?s surely making him even more anxious than he should be.
Some would say that, by taking the job held by his former boss while his former boss didn?t know he?d be the former boss, Morris deserves a similar fate.? Regardless, his own experiences are now making him wonder what ownership may be cooking up without his knowledge.? And if ownership isn?t up to something, they need to extend Raheem?s contract sooner rather than later, in order to put the coach?s mind at ease regarding a dynamic that ownership utilized when hiring him in the first place.
9.? Chris Johnson moves closer to being Chris Johnson again.
Last week, Titans running back Chris Johnson rushed for 190 yards.? It created the impression that Johnson has finally rediscovered the magic that fueled a holdout that caused him to lose said magic.? But the tape showed a guy who still couldn?t explode like he did earlier in his career.
This week, Johnson added another 153.? And there were hints that he?s getting closer to rediscovering his ability to hit a hole and explode vertically, untouchable even by men who think they have an easy angle on him.
If Johnson can get it back this year, the Titans could be a major factor.? The No. 6 seed remains up for grabs, with a total of five five-loss teams, each of whom hold a two-game lead over the next cut of contenders.? The Titans are among that quintet, and they?re likely the most overlooked.? With Johnson churning up the yardage and getting closer to playing like his old self, maybe they shouldn?t be.
10.? Schwartz needs to get his team under control.
Much has been said about the stomping incident committed on Thanksgiving by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.? More should have been said about the role of coach Jim Schwartz in nudging his players toward the line over which Suh leapt, and then pretending to have no responsibility when it happened.
Schwartz wants his defensive players to be salty, nasty.? It makes them more aggressive, which makes them more intimidating and thus more effective.? The mindset traces directly to Schwartz?s time in Tennessee where, despite having an influential position on the Competition Committee, Titans coach Jeff Fisher cultivated a chippy defense that wasn?t above a periodic punch or kick or, as the case may be, cleat stomp on a bare forehead.
With Schwartz enabling and/or creating Suh, other players have followed suit ? on offense.? Last night, receiver Titus Young drew a drive-killing penalty for an open-handed blow to the head worse than the one that got Richard Seymour ejected in Miami.? Then, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, during a late-game drive even more deliberate than Donovan McNabb?s punt-pass-and-puke effort in Super Bowl XXXIX, actually shoved an official.? Amazingly, Pettigrew wasn?t ejected.
At some point, Schwartz needs to be held responsible for the conduct of his players.? The NFL decided this year to implement a procedure for fining teams based on certain player misconduct; the program needs to be expanded to take money out of the coaches? pockets, too.
Then again, if enough dumb penalties contribute to enough losses, coaches like Schwartz ultimately will be held accountable, since they?ll be fired.
ron paul social security social security intc barometer barometer cyclops
Customer service at companies like AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America and others can be an incredibly frustrating experience. And I'm willing to guess that most of you have had a poor experience with a customer service agent at a cellphone carrier, bank, or cable company. Today, Insidr, an independent customer service marketplace that connects you to people and customer service agents who have worked in big companies, is launching to help consumers handle these situations. Insidr lets you post an online question and, optionally, offer a reward for insider information from a big company. Insidr has a group of insiders, who are former or current customer service agents, engineers, and other employees from AT&T, DirectTV, Verizon, Bank of America, that can help answer your question. Clearly these insiders are better at cutting through red tape and getting answers.Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/zOpXOjWxcE4/
ronan diane sawyer clay matthews kenny chesney matt kemp derek fisher rumpelstiltskin
Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images
People rush into the entrance of Macy's department store as they open at midnight on Nov. 25, 2011 in New York to begin the "Black Friday" shopping weekend. Retailers showed mixed results in November.
By Jessica Wohl, Reuters
Retailers that stuck with their same old holiday season strategies were dealt a blow in November, while earlier hours and bigger promotions were the keys to success for other chains.
Overall, November sales at stores open at least a year rose as they were expected, although there were clear winners and losers during a critical month for the retail industry.
Retailers rolled out midnight door-buster sales after Thanksgiving, free shipping for online orders and other special deals to entice those shoppers who may have been reluctant in the face of economic pressure.
Such tactics paid off for chains such as Macy's Inc and Saks Inc. Meanwhile, Kohl's Corp and J.C. Penney Co Inc were among the few that flopped.
"It's definitely a mixed bag," said Matt Arnold, a consumer analyst at Edward Jones in St. Louis. "It almost seems like the chains that were catering to a higher-income consumer seemed to be more the winners and more discount-oriented chains, in many instances, got off to a weaker start."
Kohl's 6.2 percent drop in same-store sales was the steepest decline among retailers and missed analysts' expectations by the widest margin. Its shares fell 6 percent.
Penney said its decision to open at 4 a.m. on Black Friday, rather than opening at midnight as Macy's, Kohl's and others did, hurt its performance on that day and sales in its stores remained soft throughout the holiday weekend. However, traffic on its website was strong over the weekend, but those sales will not be reported until the company's December tally.
The 20 chains that had reported monthly same-store sales as of Thursday morning posted an average increase of 3.1 percent, according to Thomson Reuters. In November 2010, such sales jumped 5.5 percent.
The tally provides just a glimpse into total spending, as major chains that do brisk holiday business, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Best Buy Co Inc, do not issue monthly reports.
?
Promotions rule
Retailers now must do what they can to see profitable gains for the rest of the holiday season -- a difficult task as many industry watchers expect that shoppers under financial stress will hold back after their weekend binge.
"Clearly, retailers bent over backwards to juice sales up for the holiday weekend," said Kurt Salmon retail strategist John Long.
He plans to closely watch traffic at stores this weekend to see if Black Friday was a sustainable trend for the season or just an anomaly.
Macy's shares rose to their highest level since October 2007 after the chain said quarterly same-store sales could surpass its expectations if November's trends continue.
Meanwhile, weaker-than-expected same-store sales at Target Corp and Gap Inc showed that shoppers remained selective.
"The consumer has become insanely focused on promotions," said David Bassuk, head of the global retail practice at AlixPartners. "The consumer is willing to spend money, that's the good news. But consumers needs to be convinced."
Gap's discounts were not as aggressive as analysts said they wanted to see.
"This is just the start of the holiday selling season and we expect December to remain fiercely competitive and highly promotional," said Glenn Murphy, chairman and chief executive officer of Gap.
Over at Target, people who bought did spend more, but fewer came out to make purchases. Toys, music and movies were among the worst performing categories, it said. Target said it expects a "competitive and promotional environment" to persist in December with the main focus still on value.
Women's clothing retailer Talbots Inc also expects a challenging and promotional holiday season. Its shares tumbled after it posted a deeper-than-anticipated quarterly loss.
Total retail sales for the weekend reached an estimated $52.4 billion, up from $45 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation, which expects full holiday season sales to rise 2.8 percent.
Michael Niemira, chief economist of the International Council of Shopping Centers, said a same-store sales gain of 3.2 percent in November came in slightly below his expectations of 3.5 percent to 4 percent. The ICSC expects December will be stronger, with same-store sales up 3.5 percent to 4 percent.
Analysts cautioned that investors need to look at the full holiday season, not just Black Friday weekend.
"Until the entire holiday season is over there is really no verdict that you can render," said Edward Jones' Arnold.
Sales growth at Buckle Inc, which caters to teens with jeans and other apparel, was stronger than expected.
Wet Seal Inc's same-store sales fell less than analysts expected. The women's clothing retailer said merchandise margins at its namesake chain over the holiday weekend were "significantly improved," while over at the Arden B chain, it is carefully managing inventories as it tries to improve business.
Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.surrogates james garner veteran aircraft carrier apocalypse now happy veterans day happy veterans day
WASHINGTON ? Lawmakers, responding to pleas from industry and foreign governments, have tentatively agreed to block the Obama administration from requiring that air shipments of lithium batteries be treated as hazardous cargo because of the danger of fires during flight.
The deal came in talks on a long-term funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., told The Associated Press. The bill will effectively block new battery-shipment rules by insisting the U.S. follow international standards, which are less stringent, said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Pilot unions said the international standards don't provide enough safety and are weaker than rules the administration proposed nearly two years ago but never made final. The unions and the National Transportation Safety Board for several years have sought new rules on air shipments of the batteries to prevent fires that can cause air crashes and deaths.
"We're very concerned that unless this issue is addressed we'll continue to see accidents and we'll continue to see fatalities," said Mark Rogers, who heads the Air Line Pilots Association's committee on hazardous cargo.
The U.S. shouldn't "adopt an existing international standard on lithium batteries that's generally recognized as inadequate," Robert Travis, president of Independent Pilots Association, which represents UPS pilots, said in a statement.
The FAA bill "is an opportunity for the U.S. to lead by setting a higher standard on the carriage of lithium batteries," Travis said.
A fire broke out five years ago in cargo containing lithium batteries and other goods on a United Parcel Service plane, forcing an emergency landing in Philadelphia. No one was killed, but one of the pilots said he was able to escape with seconds to spare. The cause of the fire wasn't conclusively determined, but batteries were suspected.
Last year, another UPS plane with a fire raging on board, and carrying thousands of lithium batteries, crashed near Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, killing both pilots. The accident is still under investigation, but preliminary reports indicate investigators have focused much of their attention on the batteries.
The use of rechargeable lithium-ion and non-rechargeable lithium-metal batteries has soared since the late 1990s. Millions of products from laptops to cellphones to watches contain the batteries. And, in an age of increasing globalization of trade, those products are often shipped by air to and from the United States and other countries.
But the batteries can catch fire if they are damaged, exposed to high temperatures or packaged incorrectly. Lithium-ion battery fires can reach 1,100 degrees, close to the melting point of aluminum, a key material in airplane construction. Lithium-metal battery fires are far hotter, capable of reaching 4,000 degrees.
The administration proposed regulations that would have threated lithium batteries and goods containing the batteries as hazardous materials requiring special labeling and training of workers who package and handle them.
But they were opposed by a broad swath of powerful industries, including battery-makers, electronics manufacturers and retailers, cargo airlines, and at least a half dozen foreign governments who said they would disrupt international trade. The opponents said the regulations would cost them hundreds of millions of dollars in added packaging, paperwork and employee training. The rechargeable battery industry alone says the rules would cost more than $1 billion in the first year.
Opponents of the proposed rules turned for help to Congress, where House Republicans passed an FAA funding bill that requires the U.S. to follow standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency, effectively blocking the rules. The Senate did not include the measure in its version of the funding bill, but under the tentative deal reached Friday, the House-Senate compromise bill would include it.
Kara Ross, a spokeswoman for United Parcel Service, said the cargo carrier wasn't aware of the agreement reached by lawmakers but supports the House provision.
A spokesman for PRBA-The Rechargeable Battery Association declined to comment.
Besides Rahall, the other lawmakers involved in negotiations were Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House committee, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Kay Bailey Hutchison, senior Republican member of the Senate committee.
___
Follow Joan Lowy at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy
pat buchanan susan sarandon susan sarandon motorola razr camille grammer camille grammer port charlotte florida
'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and 'Dark Knight Rises' also caught our attention with a single image.
By Kara Warner
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
Photo: Warner Bros
Although it doesn't always feel like the end of the movie season until the Golden Globes and Oscars come around in January and February, 2011 is coming to a close, so the MTV Movies team is reflecting on the cinematic year that was. We've already shared our 20 favorite trailers of the year, and now it's time for a look through the most artistic and silently titillating medium for movie marketing: posters.
10. "Ides of March"
How do you make a political drama look interesting? Before "The Ides of March" poster was unveiled, the answer to that question was likely "You can't. Political movies aren't sexy." Well, now they are, thanks to this stunner featuring the crafty and timely use of split-screen Photoshop action with handsome leading men Ryan Gosling and George Clooney.
9. "The Muppets"
When it comes to marketing a movie, we all know that the folks over at Disney are more than adept at engaging their target audiences. The recent "Muppets" ad campaigns were no exception, particularly the way in which the ads spoke to the older generations who grew up with Jim Henson's famous fuzzy friends. This clever, perfectly polished shot of Fozzie Bear, Kermit, Miss Piggy and Animal was a perfect appetizer.
8. "Drive"
There is not much more to say about Nicolas Refn's violent, arty, critical darling that hasn't already been said. Much like its trailer, the poster is cold and calculated and a fitting showcase for breakout, badass star Ryan Gosling.
7. "Shame"
Knowing what we do about "Shame," it's fitting that the most splendidly simple poster on this list represents the sauciest film of the year. Who would have thought that traditional white block lettering of the film's title over a mess of rumpled, wrinkled sheets could make you feel a little dirty just by looking at it.
6. "Midnight in Paris"
Just look at Owen Wilson, all relaxed and breezy taking a stroll along the river Seine in Woody Allen's romanticized vision of Paris. Not to mention the wonderful use of Van Gogh's famous "Starry Night" painted over half the scenery in the background. The poster captures the whimsical, caught-in-the-moment spirit of the film beautifully.
5. "Bridesmaids"
It is not often that a poster is enough to have us in line for tickets opening day, but this did just that. The pretty ladies in ridiculous dresses sporting their tough-girl expressions is a killer combo. This was an overwhelming case of love at first sight, and we're so happy the film went on to make a ton of money at the box office.
4. "The Dark Knight Rises"
Ever since he brought new life to the Batman franchise with 2005's "Batman Begins," Christopher Nolan's films have made headlines with brilliant marketing campaigns — most notably the "Why So Serious?" run for "The Dark Knight." Although we've barely scratched the surface of the promotional plans for "The Dark Knight Rises," this teaser poster certainly does the trick: interest and intrigue without a single actor or character featured. It also inspired some amazing fan art.
3. "50/50"
The tagline for this poster just about sums up everything we needed to know about the film: "It takes a pair to beat the odds." The fact that we later learned star Joseph Gordon-Levitt actually shaved his head for this scene only adds to this inspired and poignant "50/50" shot. That and Seth Rogen's appropriately appalled expression.
2. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
To say that David Fincher's English version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is highly anticipated is a gross understatement, much like saying this poster is simply provocative. There's so much going on in the subtext — if you can get past the cool sensuality of it all, that alluring tension between stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, who seem to be daring us to come see them on opening day.
1. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
As "Harry Potter" fans well know, the movies get progressively dark and more intense, just as J.K. Rowling's books did, so it makes sense that Warner Bros. chose to steady the course with their promotional campaign. We could have highlighted several posters from "Deathly Hallows, Part 2," particularly the individual character posters, but this menacing shot of Voldemort and his "army" gave us a thrill and a chill at the same time. And anything that features Helena Bonham Carter's brilliantly crazy Bellatrix Lestrange is win/win.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675188/best-movie-posters.jhtml
pumpkin carving patterns lizzie borden lizzie borden 20/20 maps directions josephine baker pumpkin patch
MF Global: Proof that the U.S. government is not able or willing to protect investors. (Thanks to Jeff H. for the link.)
Karl Smith: The Euro-Crisis is Much Worse Than It Looks
Just as if they were cranking up the printing presses: Top central banks move to avoid global liquidity crunch.
Meanwhile, overseas: China cuts reserve ratio in move to inject cash. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.)
Harrisburg: a city at war with itself. (The first major U.S. city to declare bankruptcy. The first of many, I fear.)
Items from The Economatrix:
Prepare For Riots In Euro Collapse, Foreign Office Warns
European Banks Frantically Trying To Dump $7 Trillion of Cr*p Assets, But No One Will Buy Them
Venezuela Brings Home Gold Reserves
Today's Currency War May Be Tomorrow's Crisis
Source: http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/12/economics_and_investing_1008.html
target walmart jcpenney loft old navy cyber monday best deals cyber monday best deals
