Jumat, 31 Mei 2013

Storm brings tornadoes dumps heavy rain on Oklahoma Missouri

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(CNN) A storm system that wrought havoc on the Oklahoma City metropolitan area generating a handful of tornadoes that killed five people and sent tens of thousands scrambling for shelter moved late Friday over Missouri.

The National Weather Service warned a confirmed and extremely dangerous tornado was near the city of Harvester about 25 miles northwest of St. Louis.

There were no immediate reports of catastrophic damage or major injuries in the St. Louis area said Jeff Rainford the chief of staff for Mayor Francis Slay. Lambert St. Louis International Airport was closed because of the severe weather and minor damage was reported to a terminal he said.

As authorities in Missouri urged people to take shelter officials in Oklahoma were working to determine how many people had been killed and injured in the storm that battered the state's largest city.

Watch as tornado nears ground in OK

A mother and a child were among five people killed as a result of severe weather and another 14 were injured authorities said.

At the height of the storm the National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for a number of areas in and around Oklahoma's capital city with tornadoes reported outside Moore near the suburb of Bethany north of Union City and outside Tinker Air Force Base.

Parts of Interstates 35 and 40 which cut through Oklahoma City and Moore were a parking lot the weather service said warning that those caught in the heavy rush hour traffic are in danger.

We've got a nightmare situation going on right now Betsy Randolph a state Highway Patrol spokeswoman told CNN.

They are essentially sitting ducks on the interstate.

Overturned big rigs and cars littered portions of the roadway and thousands more were believed to be stuck in the traffic.

My biggest concern right now is the traffic that is out on the highway right now Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said.

She said she has called out the National Guard the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the state Office of Emergency Management to try to get the traffic moving and get people to shelter.

The weather service issued the tornado emergency for Oklahoma City as well as its suburbs of Moore Yukon and Bethany.

Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport was evacuated over the threat from the approaching tornado and travelers were sheltered in the airport's basement at the height of the storm authorities said.

They are now in the process of slowly allowing people out of their shelter. They are bringing employees up now and then the passengers will be able to come up once the terminal is properly staffed said Karen Carney a spokeswoman for the airport.

Right now the airport has no power. Without power they probably will not be able to allow passengers into the secure areas of the airport. But they obviously can't allow any takeoffs and landings without power either.

Even those in the National Weather Center a building on the University of Oklahoma campus with tenants that include the National Severe Storms Laboratory and NOAA's Storm Prediction Center have been urged to stay away from windows due to potential for 80 90 mph winds according to a tweet from weather service's Norman office which also is based in the building.

Police and firefighters were responding to reports of damage in El Reno just outside Union City but it was not immediately known how bad the damage was Mayor Matt White said.

Authorities were urging people in the path of the tornado to take immediate cover and Fallin was urging residents not to take any risks.

In Moore where a massive tornado leveled much of the city this month Mayor Glenn Lewis said it was unimaginable that the city was in the path of another tornado.

A reported tornado moved four miles northwest of Moore according to the National Weather Service forecasters and storm spotters.

The storm was so fierce that the Weather Channel's Mike Bettes known for his on the ground severe weather reports said his Tornado Hunt vehicle was thrown about 200 yards.

Airbags deployed. All are safe Bettes said in a post on Twitter.

More than 50 000 customers were without power by early Friday evening in the Oklahoma City area because of severe weather the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. said.

More than half the city of Mustang 17 miles south of Oklahoma City was without power Mustang Fire Chief Roy Widmann said.

CNN's Joe Sutton Jennifer Feldman Chandler Friedman and Dave Alsup contributed to this report.

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Chris Andersen Suspended For Game 6

Don't Worry Miami

The numbers say the Heat are a better team offensively and defensively this series when Chris Andersen is on the bench as well as just a tad better on the boards. Here's a look at the Heat with Andersen on/off the floor per 48 minutes this series

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After Earth Review Will Smith and son hard to watch in bland predictable film

Will Smith has become the master of saving the world during summer blockbuster season and it almost seemed almost that the Fresh Prince could rescue helmer M. Night Shyamalan from losing even more cache.

But with After Earth Smith can t even save himself his film or its director.

After Earth is the second desolate Earth film in as many months. (There s a few more coming too) The Tom Cruise vehicle Oblivion also dealt with characters returning to the blue planet for an existential experience and even though Oblivion is derivative of so many previous science fiction movies it still feels fresh. After Earth partly covers similar terrain but is just banal from the start. It s not a good sign when the derivative movie is more imaginative.

This isn t Shyamalan s worst film though it is his blandest. Even in his weaker or more contrived films the Sixth Sense director usually provides something worthwhile to take away mostly with his scene compositions or cinematography a performance or two or even his refreshing use of James Newton Howard s music. But with After Earth even the minutest of his signatures are missing. This is the least M. Night Shyamalan M. Night Shyamalan film.

After Earth is like a failed gift from father to son. Though Shyamalan co wrote the script with Gary Whitta the film was conceived by Will Smith as a vehicle for his son Jaden. What a nice present right Here s a Hollywood tent pole film. Have at it. While that s nice for the Smiths the overall package is severely lacking. Jaden is not his father. He doesn t have the experience or the talent and unfortunately the entire film rests on his shoulders. Jaden is running from some animal for the majority of the film and proper acting isn t much required. But it s the moments where he needs to emote or interact with his father that are troublesome. They are rough to watch to say the least.

But it s not just Jaden s performance or the mediocre story that sinks this film. The spark that has made Will Smith so popular is all but extinguished here. Smith is Cypher a futuristic Marine that hunts an alien race that feeds on humans. To defeat these monsters which can smell fear he must conquer that emotion. (Okay Shyamalan hasn t quite dropped his blaring use of metaphors) So Cypher has removed fear as well as every other emotion making him less alive than the walking dead. Smith then plays this with the personality of a brick. Granted Cypher is immobile physically and emotionally for the entirety of the film but Smith s performance is dead on arrival.

The story is so simple it s frivolous. Estranged father and son crash land on Earth which has become a quarantined zone after an ecological disaster hundreds or thousands of years earlier. Without the interference of humans the ecosystem has evolved. Animals are bigger and meaner (there are flying snakes) and the jungle freezes at night. Injured and immobile Cypher sends his defiant but fallible son Kitai on a quest from their wreckage to some other point in the dangerous jungle to retrieve a homing beacon. Determined to prove himself to dad and conquer his own fear Kitai runs from point A to point B to save their hides all the while chased by beasties including one of those alien monsters from their home planet. It s an hour and forty minute chase movie that is stuck running in place.

The special effects are adequate but are noticeably fake compared to other effects driven films out now like Star Trek Iron Man or even the beautiful Oblivion.

The film tries to tackle on the most superficial level the rites of passage but with such a bland story and weak performances the underlying meaning in the film only leads to indifference. Just as the Smiths are marooned awaiting rescue from this After Earth so too will the audience.

MPAA Rating PG 13. Running time 1 hour and 40 minutes.

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Heat scorch Pacers to get within one win of NBA Finals

The Miami Heat took a 3 2 lead in their best of seven NBA Eastern Conference final on Thursday night defeating the Indiana Pacers.

By Christopher Hartman Correspondent / May 31 2013

Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives between Indiana Pacers guard D.J. Augustin (14) and forward Paul George (24) during the second half of Game 5 in the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals Thursday May 30 2013 in Miami.

Lynne Sladky/AP

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The Miami Heat riding largely on the shoulders of LeBron James clutch second half shooting are now one game away from their third NBA Finals appearance defeating the Indiana Pacers 90 79 Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.

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James led all scorers with 30 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists (including 3 of 7 shooting from behind the three point arc). But Miami got an additional if unlikely boost from the inspired play of former Florida Gators star Udonis Haslem who had 16 points all of them in the second half with a string of key field goals in the opening minutes of the third quarter. And some of those buckets it appeared were largely uncontested due to James being constantly double teamed. Indiana had led 44 40 at the break but Haslem s 8 for 8 field goal surge together with James scoring (they combined for 26 points in the third quarter alone) effectively K.O. d the Pacers who were outscored in the penultimate quarter 30 13.

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James and Haslem were joined in double figure scoring by teammates Mario Chalmers (12 points and 6 assists) and Dwyane Wade (10 points). But Miami s margin would have been even greater had they not continued their poor free throw shooting they were only 7 of 12 from the line (58%). However they returned to their stingy ways with turnovers (10) as opposed to the Pacers who once again were sloppy with the ball (17 turnovers). Miami also allowed only 32 points in the paint forcing Indiana into an outside game that just couldn t get clicking. The Heat for their part were able to ratchet up the tempo which favors their quick and highly athletic style of play.

Indiana continues to get good production from Paul George who had a double double with 27 points and 11 rebounds as well as Roy Hibbert with 22 points and David West with 17 points and eight rebounds. Hibbert and George combined for all of Indiana s first quarter points where their lead crested at 7 points. But a key void for Indiana was the poor play of Lance Stephenson who had only 4 points and fouled out courtesy of Haslem with two important minutes remaining in the game.

Miami seemed to get charged up for this home game with some extra curricular activities bridging the second and third quarters. Early in the second the Heat s Chris Andersen and the Pacers Tyler Hansbrough each got technical fouls when Andersen hit Hansbrough in two instances (Andersen was also assessed a flagrant 1 foul). And out of the intermission Chalmers and Haslem got in a shouting match with the Pacers David West after Indiana s George Hill drew an offensive foul the Heat players thought was overly aggressive. This effectively lit Haslem s fuse and shortly thereafter went on a tear with his baseline jumpers flashing a big smile at his opponents each time he hit from the corner.

Haslem s precision shooting James superior post play and Wade s pick and roll conversions made it a long night for Indiana who see the remainder of this series as a watershed in their progress as a budding NBA power. Game 6 is Saturday in Indianapolis.

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After Earth Starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith

A father son encounter session tricked out with science fiction clich s and steeped in motivational uplift After Earth opens with a teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) washing out from some kind of ranger academy. It s a bummer because all he wants to do is please his father (Will Smith Jaden s father) a heroic if unfortunately named general Cypher. Daddy Dearest has risen having honed tremendous self control and a useful protective technique ghosting which renders him invisible to the monsters plaguing human civilization the nonbearlike Ursa.

These shrieking creatures are introduced in one of those opening expositional heaves that filmmakers use to sketch in the who what when where and why oh why. In this case the back story goes after ruining Earth humans relocated to Nova Prime where they wear a lot of white and decorate their homes with flowing sailcloths. It s a nautical motif that winds though the movie which was directed by M. Night Shyamalan who wrote the script with Gary Whitta ( The Book of Eli ) from a story by Mr. Smith. There s even a nod to Moby Dick shortly before Cypher and Kitai s spaceship crashes to Earth throwing them together for the usual and less so life lessons like Root yourself in this present moment. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.

Casual students of Scientology may find their ears pricking up at those maxims because fear and its overcoming receive a lot of play in Dianetics a foundational text by the creator of Scientology the pulp science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. There are five ways in which a human being reacts toward a source of danger he wrote in Dianetics. These are also the five courses he can take on any given problem. These options are attack flee avoid neglect or succumb. Kitai would understandably like to split 1 000 years after humans abandoned Earth he and Dad have landed on a now seemingly pristine healed world teeming with cawing clawing menace and some cute baby critters. But Cypher is made of sterner righter more rational stuff.

The story kicks in slowly beat by predictable beat after a debris storm downs Kitai and Cypher s spaceship and they fall to Earth in a smashup that looks like someone decorated the set with wet toilet paper and plastic wrap. There they trade bitter words clench their jaws and hold back the tears amid long pauses and inert action scenes most involving Kitai racing through the dense woods and confronting digitally rendered animals. For the most part it is an uninteresting slog alleviated only by the occasional unintended laugh and moments of visual beauty. Mr. Shyamalan generally torpedoes his movies with overweening self seriousness. But here and there he also offers up an image as with a close up of Kitai s face dusted with glistening snowflakes that rises out of the torpor.

Those images are few and far between in a movie that loses its way long before Kitai reaches the belching volcano that leads to his inevitable destiny. Mr. Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith are producers on After Earth which suggests that there was no one on the production who could really say no to him. An often affable screen presence he spends much of the movie in a chair on the spaceship pursing his lips and watering his eyes. It s a calamitously one note unpersuasive performance that s a match to that of Jaden a pretty teenager with jumpy eyebrows whose character remains an insufferable brat. Once upon a time Hollywood parents gave their children sports cars as gifts. These days apparently nothing less than a big screen vanity project will do for Junior.

After Earth is rated PG 13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Spaceship crash alien monsters parental peril.

After Earth

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan written by Gary Whitta and Mr. Shyamalan based on a story by Will Smith director of photography Peter Suschitzky edited by Steven Rosenblum music by James Newton Howard production design by Tom Sanders costumes by Amy Westcott visual effects supervisor Jonathan Rothbart produced by Caleeb Pinkett Jada Pinkett Smith and Mr. Smith James Lassiter and Mr. Shyamalan released by Columbia Pictures. Running time 1 hour 40 minutes.

WITH Jaden Smith (Kitai Raige) Will Smith (Cypher Raige) Zo Isabella Kravitz (Senshi Raige) Sophie Okonedo (Faia Raige) Glenn Morshower (Commander Velan) and Kristofer Hivju (Security Chief).

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MVP James lifts Miami Heat over Pacers

LeBron James scored 16 of his 30 points in a pivotal third quarter to lead the Miami Heat to a 90 79 victory over Indiana and to within one win of returning to the NBA finals.

The reigning NBA champion Heat on Thursday took a 3 2 lead over the Pacers in the best of seven Eastern Conference finals.

The winner of the series will face Western Conference champion San Antonio in the league's title series beginning June 6.

Trailing 44 40 at halftime the Heat out scored Indiana 30 13 in a third quarter that may prove to be the difference in what has been a close physical and sometimes testy series.

Fittingly it was James who recently collected the fourth regular season Most Valuable Player award of his career leading the charge.

He single handedly out scored the Pacers by three points and also handed out four assists of his six assists and grabbed four of his eight rebounds.

That's LeBron showing his greatness and making it look easy Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. His engine in that third quarter was just incredible.

He was tireless. He was making plays on both ends of the court rebounding covering so much ground defensively and making virtually every play for us offensively.

It's really remarkable and a testament to his conditioning and to his greatness his ability to make big plays when you need them.

The Heat will try to finish off the Pacers in Indiana in game six on Saturday and return to the NBA finals for the third straight year.

Udonis Haslem delivered a key effort for Miami scoring 16 points on 8 of 9 shooting. Mario Chalmers scored 12 for the Heat who forced 18 turnovers to help make up for quiet offensive nights from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh who combined for just 17 points on 6 of 14 shooting.

Haslem sparked Miami's third quarter charge with a dunk and finished a perfect 5 of 5 from the floor in the period.

Paul George scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Pacers.

Our backs are up against the wall again said Pacers coach Frank Vogel whose team fell in six games to the Heat in last year's conference semi finals.

Even if the Pacers win Saturday to force a game seven they'll have to return to Miami for the decider.

With the win the Heat avoided the sort of desperate situation they faced last year when they went down 2 3 to the Boston Celtics in the conference finals but won the last two games to reach the finals where they beat Oklahoma City for the crown.

After connecting on 51 percent of their shots from the floor in the first half the Pacers made just three field goals in the third quarter.

A basket by George gave them a 53 51 lead with 5 33 left in the third but that was the last time they would lead.

The Heat scored 16 of the next 18 points James scoring seven points in surge.

I was just in attack mode in the third quarter said James who also had some choice words for his teammates on their lack of urgency after the first half. I looked for my shot and luckily I was able to make some.

A three pointer by George and a Tyler Hansbrough layup to start the fourth quarter saw the Pacers pull within 70 72 but that was as close as they would come in the final frame.

George and Roy Hibbert combined for all 23 of Indiana's points in the first quarter when the Pacers took a four point lead.

Tempers flared in the second when Miami's Chris Andersen lowered his shoulder into an unsuspecting Hansbrough sending him to the floor. The two exchanged words and bumped chests before Andersen shoved the Indiana player drawing a flagrant foul.

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Kamis, 30 Mei 2013

Boston Strong Concert Rock bands raise money for Boston Marathon bombing ...

By AMY CRAWFORD

BOSTON City residents rocked Thursday at a benefit concert for victims of the deadly Boston Marathon bombing jamming to songs from the Dropkick Murphys Boston and other musical acts and even laughing at a joke about the capture of a bombing suspect.

The Boston Strong Concert kicked off with the rock band Boston playing songs including its 1970s hit More Than a Feeling.

Tonight we are all Boston lead singer Tommy DeCarlo declared to a crowd of thousands of people including victims and first responders at the TD Garden.

The Dropkick Murphys whose rousing rendition of I'm Shipping Up to Boston was a crowd favorite were introduced by former New England Patriots player Joe Andruzzi who was watching the April 15 marathon when the bombs went off and helped victims at the scene.

When I looked around that day the image that's in my mind is seeing more people run to the site than run away Andruzzi said. That is truly Boston Strong.

Concertgoer Harry Donovan said Boston residents weren't going to let any violence any hatred bring this town down.

This city took a hit there's no doubt but Boston like a lot of other cities is resilient said Donovan of nearby Wellesley.

Bombing victim Jeff Bauman who lost his legs in one of the blasts and was led from the scene in a wheelchair also attended and smiled on a massive television screen.

As the members of 1990s Boston boy band New Kids on the Block took the stage to perform member Joey McIntyre who had finished running in the marathon 10 minutes before the bombs went off choked up.

I happened to be on a bench in Copley Plaza Copley Square McIntyre said but I don't care where you were that day because this happened to all of us.

Surprise guests Boyz II Men joined NKOTB on stage for One Sweet Day in tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack.

Other acts taking part in the benefit show included country singer Jason Aldean and comedian Steven Wright. James Taylor performed Sweet Baby James with Carole King on piano.

More than once the words Boston Strong were met with cheers and fist pumps from the energetic crowd.

I love that phrase enthused Boston comic Lenny Clarke whose cathartic set featured a foul mouthed one man reenactment of the capture of bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. You know what I don't love 'Shelter in place.'

Boston area residents were locked down told to shelter in place a few days after the bombing while authorities searched for Tsarnaev who was found hiding in a boat in a backyard in suburban Watertown. Tsarnaev's older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev had died after a shootout with police.

The suspects ethnic Chechens from Russia are accused of setting off two pressure cooker bombs packed with shrapnel near the marathon's finish line killing three people and injuring more than 260 others. Their mother has insisted they are innocent.

Concert proceeds will go to One Fund Boston the compensation fund established by Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino to help bombing victims.

The amount of money raised by the concert won't be available until next week a spokesman for the event's producer said. Ticket prices for the sold out show ranged from $35 to close to $300.

It was a night of joy tears laughter and standing ovations but co organizer and NKOTB member Donnie Wahlberg said the artists on stage were not the true stars.

You deserve the credit the Dorchester native told the crowd. I think we've shown the world in the last few months what many in Boston have already known that we are not just one of the greatest cities in the world we are one of the greatest families in the world.

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Lets Prancercise

She also wouldn t be an Internet sensation which is something of an understatement. Since Rohrback recently revived the hilariously original aerobic routine she created in 1989 but shelved for more than two decades the Coral Springs Florida woman has been bombarded with so many clicks at her website that it crashed Wednesday and she s scrambling to figure out how to add more server capacity. She can barely keep track of the interview requests galloping in. It s such a big deal that its founder can t find the time to prancercise.

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The Voice sends two singers home

Holly Tucker left is declared safe as Judith Hill and Sarah Simmons are eliminated on The Voice on May 28 2013. / Tyler Golden/NBC

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Rangers coaching search Who replaces John Tortorella

Following the dismissal of head coach John Tortorella the New York Rangers will begin their search for a new bench boss. During his media availability on Wednesday afternoon general manager Glen Sather opted to speak generally about the state of the team's power structure with the exception of confirming his intent to remain as manager and president.

When asked about potential candidates to replace Tortorella Sather merely stated the organization was going to find the right guy. This ambiguity has sparked a wealth of speculation about who that guy might be. Unsurprisingly the assumed candidates also happen to be the marquee names of this summer's free agent class of coaches.

Alain Vigneault and Lindy Ruff were both employed as head coaches at the start of the 2013 season but failed to remain so at the end of it.

Ruff was relieved by the Buffalo Sabres 17 games into the year ending a tenure that began in 1997. During his time in Buffalo Ruff coached in 1 165 regular season games and accumulated a 571 432 84 (78 ties) record. He also coached in 101 postseason games which included an appearance in the 1999 Stanley Cup Final. During his playing days Ruff was a member of the Sabres before ending his career with the Rangers. In addition Ruff's former teammate Jim Schoenfeld is New York's assistant general manager. Whether these ties impact Ruff's candidacy remains to be seen.

Vigneault is largely viewed as the most attractive free agent coach available. Despite the Vancouver Canucks failure in the 2013 playoffs the team was a contender virtually every season under Vigneault. Leading the team to consecutive President's Trophies and a Stanley Cup appearance in 2011 Vigneault seems a likely target of the Rangers. When the Rangers were searching for a coach in 2002 Vigneault was apparently a candidate for the job though he never had a chance to interview for the position.

Another candidate the Rangers might consider is Phoenix Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett. The situation surrounding Tippett is unique in that his contract ends on June 30 which will allow him to pursue any opportunity of his choosing. Given the uncertain future with the Phoenix franchise it's largely believed that Tippett wants to see how the situation plays out before agreeing to terms with the team. From the outside it appears as though Tippett wants to remain with Phoenix as long as they remain in Phoenix.

However other teams have been calling general manager Don Maloney asking to speak to Tippett. Maloney has denied these requests. In the event that Tippett becomes available he will garner plenty of attention which likely would include the Rangers. Tippett interviewed for the New York opening in 2002 before becoming the head coach of the Dallas Stars.

These likely aren't the only names the Rangers are considering for their next head coach but they're certainly the names everyone assumes they're considering. According to Sather he hopes to have a new coach in place prior to the NHL Draft on June 30.

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Bachmann Facing Inquiries Will Not Seek Re election in 2014

Mrs. Bachmann defiant as ever as she insisted that she would have won re election had she tried said the legal inquiries had nothing to do with her decision. She vowed to continue to fight for the principles she said she holds dear religious liberty traditional marriage family values and opposition to abortion.

I fully anticipate the mainstream liberal media to put a detrimental spin on my decision not to seek a fifth term she said in a gauzy network television quality video posted on her campaign Web site. They always seemed to attempt to find a dishonest way to disparage me. But I take being the focus of their attention and disparagement as a true compliment of my public service effectiveness.

Like other conservative politicians with a national profile Sarah Palin Newt Gingrich Rick Santorum Mrs. Bachmann 57 may find numerous options many of them lucrative available to her in talk radio television advocacy for conservative causes and the speaking circuit.

Given the uncertain political and legal paths that she faced a new career in the private sector may have presented a more attractive option.

Mrs. Bachmann spent heavily in her last Congressional campaign and eked out a victory by less than two percentage points. Her opponent in that race had already declared his intention to run against her again in 2014. And so far this year her fund raising has been paltry.

Mrs. Bachmann raised less than $700 000 during the first three months of the year according to the most recent federal disclosures. That is less than half of what she raised during the same period in 2011.

In addition to a tough fight for re election Mrs. Bachmann faces growing legal troubles. The Office of Congressional Ethics a quasi independent House agency that acts like a grand jury to examine allegations of ethics violations has been conducting a review of Mrs. Bachmann and her staff since early this year.

That inquiry first disclosed in March will soon result either in a move to dismiss the allegations or a recommendation for a formal investigation by the House Ethics Committee as there is a strict time limit of about 100 days for how long such preliminary investigations can go on.

The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported this month that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was conducting its own investigation joining the Federal Election Commission and the Iowa Senate Ethics Committee on the growing list of investigative bodies looking into her campaign activity.

Mrs. Bachmann s lawyer William McGinley declined to comment on Wednesday.

Mrs. Bachmann is facing allegations that her campaign improperly used money from an affiliated political action committee MichelePAC to pay a fund raising consultant who worked for her during the 2012 Iowa caucuses. Her campaign has also been accused of making secret and improper payments to Kent Sorenson an Iowa state senator and popular Republican conservative leader in the state in advance of the nominating caucuses. And she has been accused of improperly using her presidential campaign staff to help promote her book Core of Conviction.

Given her growing troubles Mrs. Bachmann would have been one of the Democrats top targets in the 2014 elections. But now they are left with an unknown opponent in a conservative leaning district who will probably not have her political baggage.

Top Democrats said they took her decision not as a sign that the Tea Party movement s influence was on the decline in Congress where a recent spate of controversies involving the Obama administration has emboldened Republicans but as a reason to believe that the political right is only just getting revved up.

Michele Bachmann is not retiring because she thinks her Tea Party views are out of touch she s retiring because she s under investigation said Representative Steve Israel of New York chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. What really concerns me now is the competition that will emerge in the House G.O.P. to fill her shoes. That competition is going to pull House Republicans even further to the right of where they are now.

Though she was not always a reliable yes vote when the House Republican leadership needed her Mrs. Bachmann enjoys the trust of Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio who thanked her on Wednesday for her service and called her a courageous voice for freedom in the people s House.

She was never as problematic as some of the other members of the Tea Party Caucus a group she founded in 2010 though she did have a history of making provocative statements that sometimes drew unwanted attention because they were either unprovable or false. Just this month she said it was fair to ask given the Internal Revenue Service s recent disclosure it had targeted conservatives whether the Obama administration might deny health care benefits to people it disagrees with politically.

And at a prayer service in the Capitol recently she suggested that God s judgment was responsible for the attacks on the American compound in Benghazi Libya on Sept. 11 2012. Our nation has seen judgment not once but twice on Sept. 11 she said.

In a video announcing her decision Mrs. Bachmann indicated that she had no plans to withdraw from the limelight. I will continue to do everything I can to advance our conservative constitutional principles that have served as the bedrock for who we are as a nation she said.

So far at least one option for a post politics career seems to be off the table. A spokeswoman for Fox News a coveted landing spot for conservative politicians who leave public office said it has had no discussions with Mrs. Bachmann about joining the network.

Eric Lipton and Derek Willis contributed reporting.

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Watch Miranda Lambert make America cry

Well I m spent. And I m not even that into cute/sad animals or country music Here s Miranda Lambert performing The House That Built Me during tonight s Healing in the Heartland benefit concert in Oklahoma on NBC. You feel like crying first thing in the morning correct That s what everyone wants to see from you right now Perfect

There s a higher quality non embeddable version here.

To donate to help Oklahoma tornado victims Text Rebuild to 52000 to make a one time $10 donation call 1 800 890 4999 or visit United Way.

Read more Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton s Oklahoma tribute on The Voice

Follow EWAnnieBarrett

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Rabu, 29 Mei 2013

Blake Shelton Reba McEntire More Support Oklahoma at Tornado Benefit ...

Everyday people are the ones who are making miracles / And it's beautiful Reba McEntire sings on the chorus of Everyday People her 2007 duet with Carole King.

On Wednesday night (May 29) as McEntire performed the song in Oklahoma those words held truer than ever before especially with the backdrop of destruction and the hope that it brought.

McEntire was just one of many performers at the Healing in the Heartland concert in Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy Arena which benefitted those whose lives were impacted by the tornadoes that ravaged parts of the state on May 20. The one hour show organized by country artist and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton featured a number of musicians all of whom urged viewers to donate to United Way's tornado relief fund by texting calling or visiting the organization's Facebook page.

Shelton kicked off the evening with a heartfelt performance of God Gave Me You he and his backing band donned in black. But you stay here beside me / Watch as the storm blows through / And I need you he sang before explaining the methods viewers and attendees could follow to donate to the relief efforts.

Shelton wasn't the only Oklahoma native to perform. Fellow country star Vince Gill served up one of the more poignant moments of the evening. It's sure good to be home. I'd like to do this song for 24 people that didn't make it Gill said referencing the lives lost in the tornado before performing an intimate Threaten Me With Heaven.

Fellow Oklahoman and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder Shelton's Tulsa buddy appeared sans his usual band on Counting Stars one of the more upbeat tunes of the evening against a backdrop of shooting stars while he danced across the stage.

Shelton's wife Miranda Lambert sang a tribute to the pets lost or displaced during the storms. The House That Built Me featured shots of animals found in the rescue efforts while Lambert overcome with emotion prompted the audience to sing along while she gathered her composure.

The evening's only collaboration included The Voice cohorts Shelton and Usher who teamed up on Michael Buble's Home.

Luke Bryan Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts filled out the evening's country music leanings. Bryan performed one of the night's more upbeat tunes with Crash My Party while Rucker delivered a positive message on True Believers. Rascal Flatts meanwhile delivered a stripped down I'll Stand By You flanked by hundreds of lighters in the crowd.

In addition to the performances many celebrities appeared onscreen to express their support for the relief efforts including country legend Garth Brooks NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and NBC late night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno.

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Adam Levine explains I hate this country remark

Adam Levine on The Voice May 28 2013. / NBC

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Toontown Evacuated After Explosion at Disneyland

ANAHEIM Calif. (KTLA) A Disneyland employee was arrested in connection with a small dry ice explosion in the theme park s Toontown area Anaheim police said on Wednesday.

The employee was identified as an outdoor vending cast member 22 year old Christian Barnes of Long Beach.

He was arrested late Tuesday and booked on suspicion of possessing a destructive device according to a news release from the Anaheim Police Department. His bail was set at $1 million.

Mickey s Toontown was evacuated after an explosion inside a trash can on Tuesday.

Barnes is cooperating with investigators and has indicated this is an isolated incident with unanticipated impacts according to the news release.

The explosion was reported about 5 30 p.m. on Tuesday in a trash can in Mickey s Toontown.

Dry ice appeared to have been placed in a plastic bottle that was left in the trash can police said.

There were no injuries and no damage reported but the incident forced the evacuation of the area.

The Orange County Sheriff s Department Bomb Squad was called in to assist with the investigation.

We were only there a minute or two when a Disney person came up and told us we needed to evacuate the area visitor Mark Rohrbaugh said.

There was probably at least 25 Disney personnel heading into Toontown as we were heading out his wife Nanette said.

Disney employees formed a line blocking the entrance to Toontown.

This afternoon a small bang was heard in a trash can at Mickey s Toontown Disneyland said in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday.

In an abundance of caution the area was evacuated. There were no injuries and no reported damage. We are working with local authorities who are now on site and reviewing.

Around 7 30 p.m. Disneyland announced that Toontown had been cleared by police and was reopened to visitors.

It remained unclear if the explosion was intentionally set off or if it was an accident police said.

These are very common unfortunately in our neighborhoods so we do respond to these quite a bit said Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn.

Anaheim police were reviewing surveillance video and looking at Internet postings and social media as part of their investigation.

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Adam Levine explains I hate this country remark

Adam Levine on The Voice May 28 2013. / NBC

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Mara Wilson Mrs. Doubtfire Actress Explains Why Child Stars Go Crazy

Tweet From one child star to another Matilda cutie Mara Wilson is giving some tough love to stars like Amanda Bynes who she suggests should get out of Hollywood fast

Mara Wilson who starred in Matilda Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street wrote an article for the humor website Cracked and she says there are seven reasons why not many child stars like Amanda Bynes make it out of Hollywood alive or sane.

Mara Wilson Child Stars Can Go Crazy Her Advice To Amanda Bynes

Mara goes really in depth with her seven reasons why child stars can go insane but here are a few reasons that stuck out the most for us.

Parents Are To Blame

I chose to start acting when I was 5. It was my decision and my parents tried their hardest to discourage me. When I insisted they allowed me to act but were always very protective of me. I saw many child actors who did not have that and they were all miserable.

The Love Attention Is Like A Drug

Combine the regular amount of free stuff celebrities get with all the presents people give kids just for being cute and you ve got a recipe for one spoiled ass child.

Mara says that her parents tried to make her life as normal as possible by keeping her in public school and making her still share a bedroom with her sister.

There s Too Much Pressure To Be A Role Model

Having to live up to your fan base is a little like having to deal with a million strict parents who don t actually love you. As soon as you have the freedom you act out on a much larger scale she says.

Acting Being A Celebrity It s All They Know

Mara gives some advice to Lindsay Lohan. She says I d encourage her to get the hell out of acting and into something soothing. Take up botany or something. But she s been acting all her life she has little education and in her mind there s nothing else she could do.

And her advice to future child stars Make sure it s really your choice get out of it when it stops being fun and get an education.

Read the full article at Cracked.com. It s definitely worth the read.

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers Is Mara referring to Amanda s recent behavior

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Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Game 4 Score Highlights and Analysis

In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals bigger was better.

The Indiana Pacers used size and interior strength to outmaneuver the Miami Heat for a 99 92 victory. The win evens up this series at two games apiece and means the San Antonio Spurs will wait even more time to find out their opponent in the NBA Finals.

The Pacers outrebounded Miami 49 30 and poured in 50 points in the paint to just 32 for the Heat. Both Roy Hibbert and David West posted double doubles and all five starters scored in double digits.

Hibbert was the biggest going for 23 points and 12 rebounds six on the offensive end. He was simply dominant in controlling the paint holding Chris Bosh to 1 of 6 shooting and three boards. No matter who played the frontcourt for the Heat Hibbert came out on top.

West went for 14 points and 12 rebounds coming up with some big runs to freeze the Heat charge.

Lance Stephenson put in 20 points on 9 of 15 shooting going toe to toe with Dwyane Wade numerous times. George Hill was all over the floor winning 50 50 balls. He finished with 19 points and six assists grabbing a clutch loose ball late in the game to preserve a possession.

LeBron James put in 24 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Mario Chalmers chipped in 20 points going 8 of 8 from the line.

The move that has haunted Indiana throughout this series came back to bite them again at the end of the first half. James blew by the perimeter defense with Hibbert sitting on the bench. His 11 points brought the Heat to within one at intermission 48 47.

LeBron finishes half with no Hibbert inside by getting to rim. Miami will feel good about trailing by just one 48 47.

Ethan J. Skolnick ( EthanJSkolnick) May 29 2013

Chalmers was having his way with the Pacers' backcourt throughout the game. He netted six points early in the third quarter pushing the Heat ahead 60 54 with 7 35 to go.

Have to admire Mario. mchalmers15 aggressive attacking Pacers defense all night. 16 pts his highest scoring gm in 2013 NBA playoffs.

Eric Reid ( EReidMiamiHeat) May 29 2013

A 10 0 run going the other way gave the lead right back to Indiana. West scored seven points getting to the line twice during the streak. A pair of freebies with 4 28 remaining put the Pacers up 64 60.

See how West doesn't even bother telling Battier not to push him like that after the whistle. He knows Shane knows. Don't gotta even say it.

Jared Wade ( 8pts9secs) May 29 2013

The end of the third quarter featured a pair of ridiculous plays. First James raced back and underneath easily blocking a George Hill layup.

Then at the buzzer Hill caught Wade out of position and hit Stephenson who launched a prayer from the corner while falling into the courtside seats. His three fell through the net giving the Pacers a 77 70 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

With Bosh on the bench nursing an ankle injury the Pacers continued to go to work in the paint. Ian Mahinmi scored on a put back and Hibbert tossed in a nice little hook to put Indiana ahead 81 72 at the nine minute mark.

A questionable shot clock violation once again changed the game's momentum this time in the favor of the Heat. Despite a Pacer shot attempt hitting the rim late in the possession the clock was not reset and the referees ruled it Miami's ball. This set off an 11 2 run by the Heat who deadlocked the game at 83 with 6 15 left with James connecting on a three to tie it.

That layup waved off would have given the Pacers an 11 point lead. Instead Miami runs off a 11 2 run to tie the game at 83 w/ 6mins left.

Scott Agness ( ScottAgness) May 29 2013

Having himself another great game Stephenson helped the Pacers withstand a ridiculous Ray Allen trey. His jumper with 3 28 left knotted the game at 89. Allen finished 4 of 13 on the night with 11 points.

Lance Stephenson basketball player drops his 17th and 18th points of the night on an iso pull up against the clock. TwentyWatch

Jared Wade ( 8pts9secs) May 29 2013

The paint train kept chugging right along for Indiana. Thanks to some timely offensive rebounding the Pacers got three shots out of one possession which ended with a Hibbert basket and a foul. Hibbert's three point play put Indiana up 94 89 with 90 seconds to go.

That's all Chris Bosh. Caught snoozing.

Tom Haberstroh ( tomhaberstroh) May 29 2013

James drilled an enormous three to cut the deficit to just two but after another Stephenson bucket LeBron fouled out knocking down Stephenson while setting a shaky screen to free up Wade. The league's MVP was done for the night Udonis Haslem replaced him with just 56 seconds remaining.

Wow. LeBron James fouls out with 56 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/Cftt1RCNyi

Bleacher Report ( BleacherReport) May 29 2013

Things continued to go off track for Miami Wade was whistled for a traveling violation with under 30 seconds left and Indiana up 96 92.

LeBron James has fouled out for just the 2nd time in his postseason career. He also fouled out last year vs Celtics.

ESPN Stats Info ( ESPNStatsInfo) May 29 2013

Paul George who had a surprisingly quiet game given his series so far sank a pair of free throws to ice things over for Indiana. The Pacers have earned a trip back to Miami Thursday night and the right to play a best of three series for a trip to the Finals.

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Selasa, 28 Mei 2013

Why Child Stars Go Crazy From the Perspective of Insider Mara Wilson

In light of Amanda Bynes's recent arrest one former child star is speaking out about why child actors have a tendency to get into trouble later in life. You may remember Mara Wilson as the adorable 6 year old who made your heart melt in Mrs. Doubtfire. But after starring in movies as a kid she stepped out of the limelight to attend New York University a choice she made because she knew she didn't want to be famous. In an article published Tuesday on Cracked.com Mara writes of the early pitfalls of stardom saying Not many child stars make it out of Hollywood alive or sane and at any given time there are at least three former ones having very public breakdowns.

So why do child stars fall apart Mara breaks it down into seven reasons based on her knowledge and experiences. Read on for the highlights ...7. Their Parents Won't Help Them

Mara pens I chose to start acting when I was 5. It was my decision and my parents tried their hardest to discourage me. When I insisted they allowed me to act but were always very protective of me. I saw many child actors who did not have that and they were all miserable.

6. Or Their Parents Can't Help Them

The former child star explains When Miley Cyrus went through a series of scandals in 2010 one involving the scarier than pot but somehow more legal salvia Billy Ray Cyrus went on record saying that he had very little control over his daughter anymore. Her Disney entourage had long since taken over. Even if he wasn't telling the complete truth about his role in his daughter's scandals it was clear that he the parent was not in control.

5. They Get Used to Love and Attention and Then Lose It

Mara writes Adults know that infatuation is fleeting but kids don't understand this. A year in a kid's life seems like an eternity and they think anything happening now will happen forever.

4. They Have Been Sexually Exploited

To be a teen idol is to be vulnerable. Brooke Shields has said that being a sex object led her to feel like she wasn't in control of her own body and is one of the reasons she didn't have sex until she was 22.

3. They Need to Rebel but Can't

Mara explains Having to live up to your fan base is a little like having to deal with a million strict parents who don't actually love you. They reward you for your cuteness and cleverness but are quick to judge and punish. And they do not want you ever to grow up. How do you react The way any sullen teenager does You get resentful and as soon as you have the freedom you act out.

2. They Don't Know What Else to Do

She says If I were to talk to Lindsay Lohan I'd encourage her to get the hell out of acting and into something soothing. Take up botany or something. But she wouldn't be likely to listen to me and not only because I'm younger and way less hot than her. It's because she's been acting all her life she has little education and in her mind there's nothing else she could do.

1. They Can't Escape It

She concludes It's a constant damned if you do damned if you don't situation If former child actors bring up their past they're washed up opportunists shilling for attention. If they never do they're clearly in denial.

It seems like this former child star got it right Check out the vid to hear what sage advice Mara has for future child stars

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Original Six Rivalry Goes to a Game 7

We feel like we deserve to be where we are Jonathan Toews the Blackhawks captain said Tuesday. Something about playing a Game 7 you want to go out there and feel like every shift every chance you get there might be an opportunity to change the game in favor of your team.

I mean to look at the attitude we ve had over the last couple of games and where we were just a few days ago it s a huge credit to the guys for keeping their heads up and staying loose and being positive.

Game 7 is a fitting conclusion to the long running Original Six rivalry. The Red Wings are moving to the Eastern Conference next season and Chicago will remain in the West changing any future meetings to a Stanley Cup finals encounter.

This is only the second time in Blackhawks history which dates to the founding of the N.H.L. in 1926 that they have forced a Game 7 after trailing 3 1. The first time was in 2011 when the Blackhawks recovered against the Vancouver Canucks only to lose Game 7 in overtime 2 1 at Vancouver. Wednesday s Game 7 is also the first between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings since 1965 which Chicago won 4 2 in Detroit.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau 48 teams have recovered from 3 1 series deficits and half went on to win Game 7.

Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock put a positive spin on the game despite his team s deflating two game slide.

If I would ve told Detroit and Michigan we would play in Chicago in Game 7 I think everybody would be excited about that Babcock said. I love Game 7 s. We ve got a chance to push them out of the playoffs. It should be a lot of fun.

The Blackhawks recovery reflects what made them the top team in the regular season. Stars such as Toews and Marian Hossa regained their scoring touches Corey Crawford has been mostly steady in goal and supporting players like Bryan Bickell Michal Handzus and Michael Frolik have provided timely help.

In a sweeping change of momentum the Red Wings gave up three goals in the third period of Game 6. The period has been a weakness for the Red Wings who have allowed 20 goals in 13 playoff games. And the Blackhawks had not shown an ability to win games in the third during this playoff run. Game 6 was their first win in four games when trailing entering the final period.

They re a good team let s get the facts straight Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard said. They weren t going to go away quietly. But now it s down to one game. Game 7 you dream about winning these when you re a kid.

Bickell a left wing has been a particularly potent force for the Blackhawks providing a physical presence that agitates the Red Wings as well as scoring. He has five goals in the playoffs and has been a tough presence for the Red Wings to deal with.

He s strong and tough and he is always working said Handzus who tied Game 6 at 2 2 early in the third period. That s what we do when we are good. Everybody is doing that. We get help from everybody.

Frolik supplied the game winner off a third period penalty shot flicking a backhand over Howard s left shoulder for a 4 2 lead.

I think the room still always believed in the big picture and we knew it was possible for us to come back Frolik said. We still believe in each other and I think we show good character now. We ve tied up this series now we have to prepare for a huge game at home.

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Tim Duncan Forgets He Has Arms Rediscovers Them to His Own Amazement

We re about to discuss Tim Duncan finding his arms for the first time ever. So if you re not down with T.D.E. (Tim Duncan s Extremities) it s time for you to bounce.

That being said Tim Duncan discovered his arms on Saturday night. It was a moment of sublime Duncan ness that one person noticed and chose to give back to the world where Deadspin picked it up.

Duncan was sitting on the sideline doing strange Duncan things during Game 3 against the Grizzlies when creeping Jehoshaphat Arms Basil What are these

One viewer noticed the revelatory moment and uploaded the footage with the title Tim Duncan Realizing He Has Arms thus adding yet another delicious layer to Duncan s bone deep goofiness.

The footage is pure spun gold. Duncan who d finished the game and was sitting on the bench with his killer stat line on full display begins brushing his arms with a towel only to start gawking at them as if he had been expecting crab pincers instead of man arms and opposable thumbs.

The same appendages he d used all night to help build the Spurs a 104 93 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies were a mystery. One that he accepted with a shrug that said Welp guess I m a person.

Not to rain the parade or suggest that the video can t plausibly be a 37 year old man noticing his limbs for the first time but perhaps the towel was covered in cat dander. Nothing is worse than sitting in cat dander except perhaps sitting in experimental hair plugs.

I m looking at you Manu Ginobili.

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Blackhawks Win Again to Force Game 7 Vs Red Wings

Michael Frolik skated toward Jimmy Howard faked a wrist shot and flipped a backhander into the net. Now it's on to Game 7.

Frolik's penalty shot proved to be the winning goal Monday night giving the Chicago Blackhawks a 4 3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 and forcing a deciding game between the Original Six rivals in their last Western Conference postseason series.

Frolik became first player in league history to score two goals on penalty shots in the playoffs.

I was kind of surprised that I was the first one in history Frolik said. It's a little bit special.

He hopes his latest goal on a penalty shot in the playoffs helps the Blackhawks more than the previous one did. Frolik scored on a penalty shot on April 24 2011 to pull Chicago into a third period tie with the Vancouver Canucks who went on to win the game.

Vancouver bounced back to beat the Blackhawks at home in overtime of that Game 7 handing them their first of two opening round exits after they hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2010.

The NHL's top seeded team hopes home ice is an advantage this time when its hosts seventh seeded Detroit on Wednesday night in Game 7.

The Red Wings meanwhile are counting on playing with confidence after beating second seeded Anaheim on the road in Game 7 of their first round series.

We've been there before Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. Now we just have to do that again.

Corey Crawford didn't let the Red Wings score again after allowing a fluttering puck to go from the top of the left circle past his glove and into the net.

I pretty much told myself it can't get any worse Crawford said.

It did for Detroit.

The Blackhawks picked up their crestfallen goalie by scoring three times in the first half of the third period to win a second straight game after trailing 3 1 in the series their last against Detroit because it will play in the East next season as part of the NHL's realignment plan.

We've got that momentum Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. We want to keep it.

The Blackhawks seized it when Michal Handzus tied the game in the opening minute of the final period and kept it when Bryan Bickell scored about 5 minutes later.

Frolik's goal on a penalty shot at the 9 43 mark put the Blackhawks ahead 4 2 and silenced the once raucous crowd.

Chicago needed that cushion because Damien Brunner scored with 52 seconds left to pull Detroit within one. The Red Wings pulled their goaltender but they were unable to score with the extra skater.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock though refused to sound disappointed that his team has failed on its first two chances to eliminate the Blackhawks.

We've got a chance to push them out of the playoffs Babcock said. It should be a lot of fun.

The Blackhawks shifted the series back to Detroit with a 4 1 victory in Game 5 and then jumped in front on Marian Hossa's goal in the first period of Game 6. Patrick Eaves tied the game late in the first and Joakim Andersson put the Red Wings up 2 1 with a long wrister 10 11 into the second period.

Toews won the first faceoff against Henrik Zetterberg after the penalty was called and ended up with an assist on Hossa's goalmouth scramble 3 53 into the game.

Eaves who revived his career during the lockout delayed season after having a concussion scored for the first time this postseason off a rebound 18 51 into the first.

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Grizzlies face key personnel calls after Spurs sweep

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (left) and small forward Tayshaun Prince (right) react on the bench in the second half of game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at FedEx Forum.(Photo Spruce Derden USA TODAY Sports)

MEMPHIS Tenn. There was a moment right before the Western Conference Finals began when the NBA's least glamorous franchise became its trendiest team.

Devoid of star power with no championship pedigree and the league's second smallest media market the Memphis Grizzlies had suddenly become a popular pick not just to beat the San Antonio Spurs but potentially give the Miami Heat problems in the NBA Finals.

Coming off a powerful series against the Oklahoma City Thunder the Grizzlies seemed perfectly positioned to do something special against the Spurs a team they'd beaten two years ago in the playoffs. Memphis' frontcourt combination of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph appeared practically unstoppable. Grit and Grind a local anthem had become a national phenomenon.

SCHEDULE Conference finals breakdown

GRIZZLIES What went wrong for Memphis

And then when the Grizzlies finally arrived at the most jubilant and promising moment in franchise history it was over. Almost as soon as it began.

They didn't let us up for air at all Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said.

Memphis' season is now finished having been done in by the Spurs in a conference finals sweep that hardly anyone could have seen coming. The Grizzlies so powerful and gritty and composed in the first two rounds of the playoffs competed only in the sense that they made the Spurs work hard for the last three wins of this series.

But that was little consolation for a group that saw all its weaknesses exposed at the most important moments. Though two of the four games went to overtime the Grizzlies only damaged the Spurs in two of the series' 16 quarters.

They taught us a lesson how to play at this stage this far into the season this far into the playoffs Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said. They taught us a lesson in how to execute how to play how to read schemes. They taught us a lesson all around and I think we're going to be better because we played against to me one of the greatest teams there's been in the past 15 years.

PHOTOS Grizzlies Spurs series

Last SlideNext Slide

But before the Grizzlies can move forward from their conference finals flop there are several key personnel decisions that will determine their course.

First and foremost Memphis will have to figure out how badly it wants to bring back Hollins whose contract runs out at the end of June. Hollins has led the Grizzlies to three straight playoff appearances and his value as a free agent has never been higher. With several openings around the league notably the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers new Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and team president Jason Levien could be forced to decide whether they want to be involved in a bidding war over a coach they didn't hire in the first place and who publicly disagreed with the decision to trade Rudy Gay to Toronto.

Meanwhile shooting guard Tony Allen will be an unrestricted free agent and likely in line for a raise over the $3.3 million he made this season. Guard Jerryd Bayless who averaged 8.7 points off the bench has a player option for next season at $2.9 million and is probably a good bet to test the free agent market. And given the Grizzlies' perpetual shooting struggles they were 32.2% from the 3 point line in the playoffs they will undoubtedly be searching for help in that area via free agency.

The problem of course is that Memphis already has $57.5 million committed to eight players (not including Bayless). With the luxury tax threshold expected to be around $70 million that doesn't leave a ton of room to re sign Allen get legitimate shooting help and fill in any other holes.

NBA Tracy McGrady is headed to Finals

MORE Best pass of Western Conference Finals

In the meantime there will be a lot of chatter about whether the Grizzlies might make another move to increase their financial flexibility perhaps even trading Randolph who had a poor series against the Spurs and turns 32 this summer.

Randolph even hinted that he's heard the speculation saying after the game he plans on living permanently in Memphis if I get traded or not.

You never know. (The offseason) is important Randolph said. We have to be hungry and hope this core stays and comes back next year and adds more pieces some shooters and just come back hungrier and more focused and determined.

In other words the Grizzlies could come back next year and look very much like the same team that just made a run to the conference finals. Or they could have a new coach and major roster turnover.

Either way the hope would be that Memphis can stay relevant by building around Gasol and point guard Mike Conley who are 28 and 25 respectively and coming off the best seasons of their respective careers.

Whether that means the Grizzlies' championship contending window is just now opening or a one time shot this season will very much depend on how the roster is shaped moving forward. And how much the returning players absorb from the clinic the Spurs just administered.

I think our guys really dug deep to get as far as we did guard Quincy Pondexter said. San Antonio is a tremendous team and we're going to take a couple pages out of their book and move on.

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Obama offers salute to Korean War vets as Afghanistan War winds down

(CNN) President Barack Obama gave a special salute Monday to Americans who lost their lives fighting in the Korean War noting the upcoming 60th anniversary of the conflict's end and asked Americans to remember the troops' work in Afghanistan as that war winds down.

Last Memorial Day I stood here and spoke about how for the first time in nine years Americans were no longer fighting and dying in Iraq. Today a transition is under way in Afghanistan and our troops are coming home the president said after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This time next year we will mark the final Memorial Day of our war in Afghanistan.

He delivered Memorial Day remarks the week after addressing America's controversial counterterrorism strategies and a rash of sexual assaults in the military that he said could threaten national security.

Calling Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery a monument to a common thread in the American character Obama asked the audience not to forget the men and women who are willing to give their lives and lay down their lives for the freedoms the nation enjoys.

A serviceman recently wrote the president to say he feared our work in Afghanistan is fading from memory Obama said. And he's right. As we gather here today at this very moment more than 60 000 of our fellow Americans still serve far from home in Afghanistan. They're still going out on patrol still living in spartan forward operating bases still risking their lives to carry out their mission.

Alex Burgess gets emotional at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday May 27 as he visits the grave of a friend who was killed in Iraq. People across the country paid tribute to fallen military service members throughout the Memorial Day weekend. President Barack Obama greets people while visiting Arlington National Cemetery on May 27. Obama delivers Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery on May 27. This time next year we will mark the final Memorial Day of our war in Afghanistan he said. Crowds listen as Obama honors U.S. military service members on Memorial Day. He called Arlington National Cemetery a monument to a common thread in the American character. Obama lays a commemorative wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Friends and family gather at Arlington National Cemetery on May 27 to visit the grave site of Army Capt. Ronald George Luce Jr. He died in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in 2009. Flowers honor the memory of a veteran at the National World War II Memorial in Washington on May 27. More than 400 000 Americans died during the war. Desiree Neal visits the grave of her grandfather Army Sgt. Lyle Johnson with her daughter Sophia and her husband Ryan during a Memorial Day weekend service at the State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls Minnesota on Sunday May 26. Johnson was a Korean War veteran who died in 2011. Korean War veteran Bob Pellow 84 carries a flag during the ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls on May 26. People make impressions of a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington on May 26. A group participates in a Memorial Day parade on May 26 in Waterbury Connecticut. A couple dressed as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln embrace while waiting for the Memorial Day parade in Waterbury to pass on May 26. Members of the Mattatuck Drum Band billed as the country's oldest fife and drum band warm up before joining the Memorial Day parade in Waterbury on May 26. Jim Cloyes salutes riders taking part in Rolling Thunder's Ride to the Wall on May 26 in Washington. Every Memorial Day weekend thousands of motorcyclists gather in the nation's capital and make their way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Motorcyclists wave American flags during the Rolling Thunder event in Washington on May 26. Participants remember veterans during a Memorial Day weekend ceremony on May 26 in Williams Township Pennsylvania. Children warm up with their instruments before joining a Memorial Day parade May 26 in Waterbury Connecticut. Phillis LeSage left and Julie Foret play a game during a living history event in observance of Memorial Day at the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery in Chalmette Louisiana on May 26. Patricia Corral makes calas deep fried rice cakes that were a popular breakfast dish in New Orleans dating back to the 1800s during the living history event May 26 in Chalmette. Boy Scout Patrick Mach places an American flag on a veteran's grave in Moore Oklahoma on Saturday May 25. The annual project took place in Moore Cemetery which is next to a neighborhood that the May 20 tornado heavily damaged. James Venable 82 carries flags to place on veterans' graves at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City New Jersey on May 25. Jahvanni Gifford 4 walks through Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City on May 25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Photos Memorial Day weekend President Obama hopes to reset agenda Memorial weekend in D.C. Honoring the troops Obama Hold fallen heroes in your hearts

And when they give their lives they are still being laid to rest in cemeteries in the quiet corners across our country including here in Arlington.

Obama cited a handful of troops by name who were buried at Arlington after making the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan

Capt. Sara Cullen a West Point graduate and Black Hawk helicopter pilot died after a crash during a training mission near Kandahar.

Staff Sgt. Frankie Phillips a combat medic was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol. He was so humble that his parents never knew how many lives he had saved until soldiers started showing up at his funeral from thousands of miles away Obama said.

Staff Sgt. Eric Christian served five tours of duty because he felt responsible for his team and was determined to finish the mission. He was killed escorting a U.S. official to meet with Afghan leaders.

For those of us who bear the solemn responsibility of sending these men and women into harm's way we know the consequences all too well Obama said. I feel it every time I meet a wounded warrior every time I visit Walter Reed and every time I grieve with a Gold Star family.

Chuck Hagel a former Army sergeant who volunteered for the Vietnam War and is the first enlisted combat veteran to hold the post of defense secretary told CNN's Barbara Starr that he remembers soldiers who served alongside him including a captain who was killed 14 days into his tour. Hagel was next to him when he died he said.

Anybody who has ever been in combat remembers the names remembers the faces remembers the fun remembers the uniqueness of every person the defense secretary said.

Obama arrived at the cemetery amid a 21 gun salute and was met by Hagel cemetery Executive Director Kathryn Condon and Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington commander of the Army's military district of Washington.

Linnington escorted the president to the tomb where Obama laid the wreath and observed a moment of silence before speaking at the Memorial Amphitheater.

Home and Away Remembering those we have lost

The president who used last year's occasion to pledge his support for Vietnam War veterans spoke Saturday about the 1% of the American people (who) bear the burden of our defense.

They are heroes each and every one he said. They gave America the most precious thing they had the last full measure of devotion. And because they did we are who we are today a free and prosperous nation the greatest in the world.

What to know about Memorial Day

He continued They risk their lives and many give their lives for something larger than themselves or any of us the ideals of liberty and justice that make America a beacon of hope for the world. That's been true throughout our history from our earliest days when a tiny band of revolutionaries stood up to an empire to our 9/11 generation which continues to serve and sacrifice today.

Obama further urged Americans to do more than remember to care for the loved ones the fallen soldiers leave behind to ensure that veterans have adequate care jobs and benefits and to support military missions at home and abroad.

By the numbers Memorial Day and veterans

The speech comes at a time when the administration is dogged by controversy. While facing tough questions about the alleged IRS targeting of conservative groups and his administration's response to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi Libya Obama also answered questions last week about the use of drones the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention center and sexual assault in the military.

In a Thursday speech he said drones are a necessary evil but one that must be used more judiciously as the American security situation evolves. About Gitmo he said he would push Congress to allow him to shut down a facility that should never have been opened.

On Friday responding to a Defense Department report that the number of cases of unwanted sexual contact had jumped 35% between 2010 and 2012 Obama said the attacks threaten the trust and discipline that is the military's backbone.

That's why we have to be determined to stop these crimes. Because they have no place in the greatest military on Earth Obama said during remarks at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Opinion In Ohio signs of soldiers' sacrifice

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Senin, 27 Mei 2013

Bachelorette Recap Desiree Hartsock Finds Her Fiance On Season Premiere

Tweet The Bachelorette is back Desiree has totally forgotten about Sean and she is ready to find love with one of the many eligible babes on the show. Hooray Desiree

Desiree Hartsock is the coolest Bachelorette ever Sean Lowe totally missed out but all is good because Desiree is back and she has a bunch of hot guys competing to be her husband. On the May 27 premiere of The Bachelorette Desiree began her journey to find love and she met some seriously eligible bachelors including her future fiance

Desiree Hartsock Reflects On The Past

The episode began with Desiree reflecting on her past and how she missed out on a chance at love with Sean. Cue the sad music and pensive stares. Thankfully Desiree is totally over Sean and she is ready to have 25 hot guys vying for her attention Desiree and Chris Harrison sit down and chat about what her ideal man would be like and Desiree just wants someone she can wholeheartedly give my whole heart too.

That s not too much to ask

After rollerblading while wearing a stripper hat and chasing some seagulls Des was ready to meet her men.

Desiree Hartsock Meets Her Contestants

Des meets her 25 eligible dudes and they are some serious characters. There s Michael who nearly falls into the fountain Zak arrives shirtless and gets compared to a stripper and also Kasey who only talks in hashtags. shutup.

Des meets Ben who brings his son Brody. What a move Des is weak at the knees but I think Ben may turn out to be this season s Tierra LiCausi.

She meets hunky Brooks Juan Chris and the annoying magician Nick. Shirtless Zak jumps in the pool and he and Ben get first impression roses.

I really thought the girls were bitchy on The Bachelor but the boys are so much worse Sexy doctor Larry has a bee in his bonnet because he is not getting alone time with Des while Jonathon tries to force into the fantasy suite resulting in him getting sent home early. Good call Des

At this point my biggest competition is the remaining guys who don t have a rose Mikey T says deeply.

Elimination At The Rose Ceremony

Des sends home Diogo Nick Dr Larry Micah and Mike R.

Oh well

Between the boys bitchiness and Des one liners I think this is going to be an awesome season.

And we know that Desiree finds a fiance

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers Did Desiree send the right guys home

WATCH Desiree Hartsock Soulja Boy Her Contestants Rap

Eleanore Hutch

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Memorial Day in Oklahoma City

Eric Thayer for Time

Members of the veterans group Team Rubicon work on storm damaged homes in Moore Okla. on May 26 2013.

I spent Memorial Day weekend with Team Rubicon the great veterans disaster relief organization. We fought the battle of SW 7th Street in Moore Oklahoma.

We deployed in the post apocalyptic shadow of the local Imax theater. The landscape was the sort of thing you d normally see inside the theater total sometimes incomprehensible post tornado devastation. There were car doors in trees two by fours javelined into the sides of houses a hospital crushed strip mall banality interrupted obliterated by the awesome power of the storm and then resumed a quarter mile down the road. The Martians had attacked here. Godzilla had stomped the suburbs of Oklahoma City. I half expected the occupying army of aliens to come marching or floating down I 35.

Instead the occupying army consisted of relief workers local first responders exhausted but still humping it a week after the storm church groups from all over the country funny how you don t see organized groups of secular humanists giving out hot meals and there in the middle of it all with a purposeful military swagger were the volunteers from Team Rubicon. They looked tough mega tatted in camouflage pants gray t shirts and white hard hats. They moved with swagger and spirit equipped by Home Depot which has done brilliant work locating and funding the very best veterans service groups with an impressive array of chain saws power tools wheelbarrows tarps and wood.

(PHOTOS Honoring the Fallen One Photographer s Witness to 490 Dignified Transfers)

The Rubicon volunteers came from all over the country but most in this first phase of the deployment were from the midwest. This was a smaller operation than their last major mission Hurricane Sandy when 350 Team Rubicon members had organized 10 000 civilian volunteers.

The civilian volunteers in this case were a handful of locals a cadre of first responders cops from Ipswich Mass firefighters who seem particularly attracted to the Rubicon style a chaplain from Florida and me. My team leader Chad immediately gave me a nickname Grampa (ouch) and a wheelbarrow. We worked our way down SW7th street clearing debris and piling it on the streetfront (hence my wheelbarrow) chainsawing trees covering broken windows with boards nailing tarps to shattered rooftops. (Another group of Rubicon volunteers went high tech going door to door with smartphones equipped with Palantir software that enabled them to report on the condition of each house and submit emergency work orders from the owners. They did more than 1000 of these reports in 3 days the information was relayed to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.)

This was the first disaster relief deployment for about 40% of the Team Rubicon volunteers by my very unofficial count and it was a matter of joy and relief for them. These were enlisted men and women. Many of them had been feeling lost and alone back home. More than a few were suffering from post traumatic stress all of them missed the comraderie of the service a comraderie that sadly dangerously does not exist in civilian America. I feel blessed to have a mission again Isaiah Johnson of Oklahoma City an Army veteran told me. This feels like home. I m out here with my people.

Isaiah and his very extremely close friend Megan McKee a Navy Rescue Swimmer were part of a work team headed by Master Sergeant (Ret.) Michael Washington a 50 year old Seattle firefighter known as Top to his troops of course who lost his son in Iraq. Top was one of those guys you just follow. He radiated a natural authority taking the lead on the toughest jobs while puffing on a very complicated looking pipe. At the end of our Saturday labor Top called his work team together and told them This was a great team. We really learned how to do this work today. We may not work together tomorrow but you are all leaders now. You can do this.

These are magic words for most Team Rubicon members. Most have not heard that sort of praise or encouragement from anyone since they came home. The members of Top s team nodded at each other silently dirty sweaty and satisfied. As Top later told me it was good for him too like being out with his son s comrades (indeed during Hurricane Sandy he actually found himself working with kids who had served with his son in Iraq). I m in this for good Top told me. I m anywhere they want me.

At night back in the Team Rubicon barracks a not so nearby high school gymnasium the volunteers would often for an evening debrief. Some would talk about the day s work others would talk about how they d been feeling alone stressed angry passive back home and how being part of a unit once again part of something larger than themselves really mattered.

(MORE Memorial Day A Whole New Meaning)

On Sunday night as we sat in the dark bleachers of the high school s softball field a warm soft breeze blowing in from the Gulf an incredibly courageous Army Staff Sergeant named Chris Dominski remembered not just the men who had died under his command in Baghdad in 2004 but also the precise date and circumstances of their deaths the names of the wives and children they d left behind. He spoke softly. The effect was mesmerizing. Chris said he d had a hard time with survivor guilt after he came home. He said he d tried to commit suicide twice. I guess I wasn t too good at it but what I wanted to say here is that you Team Rubicon you saved my life.

On Monday there was a Memorial Day service this morning at the Team Rubicon Forward Operation Base in the parking lot of the Home Depot on SW 19th Street. Top led the service. He read the Gettysburg Address in a taut sharp military manner in a way that brought power and emotional resonance to the words.

Regular readers know that normally I post a poem an ode to service and sacrifice on Memorial Day. But Lincoln s words are I think better than any poem. And as you read them think of Master Sergeant Mike Washington chanting them with his son in mind

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense we can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.

After that Top reciting the names of dead comrades ending with that of his son. The flag was raised in honor of Team Rubicon co founder Clay Hunt and Taps was sung.

And then we all went back to work. The march down SW 7th Street continued and this time the men and women of Team Rubicon were winning their battle house to house.

MORE Iraq War Legacy Are Today s Vets Better Off

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