“Obama gives Rogge the word on Chicago's 2016 bid - USA Today” plus 4 more |
- Obama gives Rogge the word on Chicago's 2016 bid - USA Today
- U.S., Cuba talk about restarting direct mail - MSNBC
- Many teams will establish their identities this weekend - ESPN.com
- America’s coolest college towns - MSNBC
- Airbus sees signs of recovery after rocky spell - Boston Globe
| Obama gives Rogge the word on Chicago's 2016 bid - USA Today Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:36 AM PDT "He did not speak about eventually coming to Copenhagen," Rogge said in a teleconference with reporters Thursday. The White House announced last week that Michelle Obama will be in Copenhagen to lobby on Chicago's behalf when the IOC chooses the 2016 host. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are in a race considered so close that Rogge said he believes that "if you can convince two people more, you might win." When the IOC chose the 2012 Olympic host in 2005, then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair attended the vote, and his presence was instrumental in helping London edge Paris by four votes. Two years later, then-Russian President Vladimir Putin was present when the IOC awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics to Sochi, Russia. Despite such precedent, Rogge said Thursday that such a political presence "is absolutely not a requirement of the IOC." Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and King Juan Carlos of Spain plan to be in Copenhagen. "If they come, we are glad they come. We are honored. But we don't want them to come at all stakes," Rogge said. Obama told Rogge "that the fight to pass health insurance reform keeps him from committing at this time to travel to Copenhagen," according to a White House press release. His call to Rogge, however, was a show of respect and support that is sure to resonate with the IOC. "He was very clear to say that he's totally behind the bid and will remain behind the organization should Chicago get the Games," Rogge said. Obama also assured the IOC leader that he was sending his better half. Michelle Obama was raised on Chicago's South Side. "He said with, I would say, a sense of humor that he would send the best part of his couple and that the First Lady would probably be the best stand-in that he could have imagined for himself," Rogge said. The Obamas hosted a White House event Wednesday in conjunction with Chicago's bid. President Obama also has established a White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| U.S., Cuba talk about restarting direct mail - MSNBC Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:36 AM PDT HAVANA - Cuba and the United States sat down for rare talks aimed at re-establishing direct mail service Thursday, a modest but positive step that caps a bitter week of recriminations over the extension of Washington's trade embargo against the communist-run island. A U.S. delegation led by Bisa Williams, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, traveled to the Cuban capital for the negotiations. It was the first time State Department officials have traveled to Cuba for talks since late 2002, Gloria Berbena, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Interests Section, which Washington maintains here instead of an embassy, told The Associated Press. Representatives of the U.S. postal service were also present. The Cuban government had no immediate comment, not even to confirm the talks were taking place. Neither side would say where in Havana they were being held. Stopped in 1963 The U.S. first suggested restarting direct service back in 1999, then repeated the offer in 2000, 2002 and 2008. Cuba accepted in May, and formalized its offer to host the talks when representatives of the two nations met on the sidelines of bilateral migration talks held in New York in July. Berbena said the talks would take all day and be limited to mail service. She said President Barack Obama's administration sees the negotiations "as a potential avenue to improve communication between our countries' peoples." Those were rare positive sentiments in a week of snubs that have dashed hopes for a comprehensive breakthrough in relations anytime soon. Embargo still an issue But some had hoped the president would withhold his signature — which would have been a powerful sign that it was time for a new debate on bilateral relations. Two days later, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded that Washington do away with the embargo without waiting for anything in return, saying his country would not make any political or policy concessions — no matter how small — even in the unlikely event the U.S. were to meet those demands and ends sanctions. U.S. officials have said for months that they would like to see the single-party, communist state accept some political, economic or social changes, but Rodriguez said his country was under no obligation to appease Washington. The embargo "is unilateral and should be lifted unilaterally," he said.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Many teams will establish their identities this weekend - ESPN.com Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:36 AM PDT Take An IdentityBy Rece Davis, ESPN.com Who are you? I really wanna know. I doubt those lyrics from The Who grace the kids' iPods these days, but they perfectly capture what we're going to find out this weekend. It is a season-shaping, identity-securing weekend for teams like Notre Dame and Michigan State, Arkansas and Georgia, Nebraska and Virginia Tech, Auburn and West Virginia, Cincinnati and Oregon State. Lou Holtz constantly reminds us everybody gets a different team every week. That's true. But it's amazing how one identity-establishing game early in the season can have repercussions that last throughout the year.
 Leon Halip/Getty Images Kirk Cousins has played well for the Spartans this season, but it wasn't enough against CMU. Michigan State is coming off an embarrassing loss to Central Michigan. I don't mean to imply the Chippewas aren't good. They are. Dan LeFevour is one of the most exciting players in the game. But we might as well be honest. When a Big Ten team loses to an in-state MAC foe, it's embarrassing for the big brother. And it was for Sparty. At least Michigan State gets to go home to South Bend. The Spartans have planted a big block-S flag at midfield and should be assessed property taxes on the Golden Dome because they've owned the place. The last Irish coach to beat Michigan State in Notre Dame Stadium was Holtz. It was 1993. Since then, the Spartans have won six straight trips to South Bend. We'll find out who Notre Dame is Saturday. Jimmy Clausen should have a big day against a defense that gave up more than 300 yards passing to the Chippewas. Michigan State can get some pressure on the passer, but Clausen has yet to be sacked. Holtz's prediction of Notre Dame playing for the national title probably is out the window, but Notre Dame still can create an identity as a player on the national scene this season. If the Irish don't start Saturday by beating Michigan State, we'll know who they are. The Irish are just a run-of-the-mill team with some nice offensive weapons. That won't satisfy ND nation. We'll know plenty about Michigan State, too. Another win in Irish territory could mean the Central Michigan debacle was a hiccup. Getting thumped by the Irish could mean a season that was expected to show a giant step forward might actually be a step backward. Don't think for a second that Michigan State's performance Saturday won't be measured against how Michigan played against the Irish. It might not be fair, but that's life for the Spartans, trying to measure up to the Wolverines. Arkansas has the toughest road schedule in the history of football. That might be a bit of hyperbole, but how would you like to stare at trips to Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and LSU? I thought all summer that the Hogs would steal at least one of those games. The potential springboard comes Saturday night at home against Georgia. We don't know who the Razorbacks are yet, but we know who Bob Petrino is. The second-year theory for a coach applies here. With an elite-level coach, it all seems to click in the second year. Better still for Arkansas, the really talented quarterback theory applies. Ryan Mallett faces his first SEC competition. This is a pivotal game for both teams. If the Hogs win, they still are an extremely long shot to win the SEC West because of their road schedule, but it'll be apparent they'll have a major effect on who does win it. Arkansas has three talented running backs in Michael Smith, Broderick Green and freshman Ronnie Wingo Jr. to go with the big-armed Mallett. The Hogs take aim at a Dog D that has given up a lot of yards and points and forced only one turnover in their first two games.
 AP Photo/April L. Brown How will Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett fare against Georgia in his first SEC start? Georgia narrowly missed starting 0-2 for the first time in 13 years. A second poor performance on the road would be very un-Mark-Richt-like for a coach who is 30-5 in true road games. Richt said practice Wednesday was a little sluggish and the guys were a little tired. We shouldn't minimize the fact that Arkansas has been getting ready for this game all summer while the Dogs are headed for their third straight gut-wrencher. Is Georgia careening toward a middle-of-the-pack season in the SEC? We'll have a good idea Saturday night. Can Nebraska hang with the big boys? Is Virginia Tech still one of the big boys? The Hokies maintain their goals are intact after losing to Alabama. Any remote national-title aspirations will be gone with a loss to Nebraska, as will the ACC's reputation of being on equal footing with powers from other conferences. The Huskers have smashed a couple of overmatched teams. Their trip to Blacksburg is a measuring stick in Bo Pelini's second year. The Hokies have won 31 in a row at home against nonconference opponents. A Huskers win in Lane Stadium would make me re-evaluate the power structure in the Big 12. Just how close is Nebraska to being more than just a threat in the North and joining the Texas-Oklahoma realm? The answer will come in how well Zac Lee handles pressure from the Hokies, particularly Jason Worilds. Auburn looks rejuvenated with Gus Malzahn running the offense for new head coach Gene Chizik. West Virginia appears to be coping without Pat White. But who are these teams really? Auburn has two of the top 10 rushers in the country in Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb. Can the Tigers move the ball against a legitimate defense? Does West Virginia even have one of those? The Tigers checked out about the time they turned off the sideline heaters on a chilly night in Morgantown last year. A win over the Mountaineers would help the Auburn faithful further warm up to Chizik, no heaters necessary. It could be a huge weekend for the Big East. Not only does West Virginia have a chance in SEC country, but Cincinnati goes to Oregon State. Tony Pike has been brilliant early for Brian Kelly's team. The Bearcats have rolled up 117 points in two games. Mardy Gilyard became the first player in four seasons to score on a punt return, run and reception in the same game last week against Southeast Missouri. But the Beavers aren't SEMO. At least they aren't when they get to stay at home. If Cincinnati is more than just a Big East power, it will announce that by winning this game. If Oregon State is a threat to USC in the Pac-10, it will protect its turf. Who are you? I really want to know. Mark May, Lou Holtz and I will serve up answers aplenty on "College Football Final" on Saturday night. See you then. Weekend WatchBy Mark Schlabach, ESPN.com Here's a list of five things to watch in college football this weekend: 1. How many points will No. 1 Florida score against Tennessee? Meyer continues to say the game is about the players, but Meyer tends to hold grudges (ask Georgia coach Mark Richt). Meyer also has a lot of respect for Kiffin's father, Monte, who is Tennessee's defensive coordinator. If Tennessee plays like it did in last week's 19-15 loss to UCLA, this game might get ugly very early.
 G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images Will Nebraska be able to slow down Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor this season? 2. Can the Cornhuskers slow down Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor? Containing Taylor will be the key when No. 19 Nebraska plays at No. 13 Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium on Saturday, according to Cornhuskers linebacker Blake Lawrence. "There were a lot of times last year when Taylor slipped out of a tackle in the backfield or broke containment," Lawrence said. "We have to keep him in the pocket. When he gets out of the pocket, he becomes a dual threat." Nebraska's defense played well in its first two games, allowing only 12 points combined in victories over Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. But Virginia Tech figures to be a much stiffer test on the road. In last week's rout of Marshall, the Hokies ran for 444 yards. They also moved the ball well in a loss to Alabama in their opener. 3. Can Taylor Potts do what Graham Harrell did against Texas? Last season, Harrell threw the game-winning pass to Michael Crabtree with one second left to upset the No. 1-ranked Longhorns 39-33 in Lubbock. Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said Potts might be the best quarterback to play in his system. He is bigger than Harrell and has a stronger arm. Texas Tech will need Potts to play well if it is going to upset No. 2 Texas again Saturday night at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. "They all look alike," Texas coach Mack Brown said of Tech's quarterbacks. "They're accurate and don't give up sacks. He's 60 percent in accuracy and leads the country in passing again. It looks like the same guy every year with different jersey numbers." 4. Which Florida State team will show up at BYU? FSU's defense will get a stiff test from BYU quarterback Max Hall at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday night. The Cougars have won 18 games in a row at home, and Hall has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his first two games this season. FSU is allowing close to 300 passing yards per game. The No. 7 Cougars have their highest ranking since 1996, after upsetting then-No. 3 Oklahoma 14-13 and routing Tulane 54-3 last week. 5. Can Washington play with USC? But former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has the Huskies playing much better, and Washington ended a 15-game losing streak with a 42-23 victory over Idaho last week. Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt, another former USC assistant, also knows the Trojans very well. USC quarterback Matt Barkley, who engineered the winning drive at Ohio State, has a bruised right shoulder and didn't throw in practice all week. Aaron Corp will start if Barkley can't play.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| America’s coolest college towns - MSNBC Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:36 AM PDT On a recent afternoon along Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, young aspiring actors recited passages from Shakespeare's Henry V as jugglers, break-dancers, and blowers of didgeridoos displayed their skills nearby, creating a visual and aural cacophony. Just another day in a thriving college town—this one happening to be home to the University of Vermont. There are notable distinctions between college towns and other American cities. In the student-centric spots, bicycles seem to outnumber cars. Affordable restaurants serve up authentic cuisines from all around the world. The streets are densely packed with businesses, making for a highly pedestrian-friendly environment. Nature is usually accentuated: the shimmering Lake Champlain, backdropped by a sawtooth silhouette of peaks, forms the western edge of Burlington. Madison, Wis., is situated on an isthmus between two lakes that draw hordes of hikers and bikers. Boulder, Colo., is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. And don't forget the bars. Each of these locales offers plenty of opportunities for imbibing, many of them ideal for both people-watching and soaking in the scenery. It's hard to beat sunset cocktails at Austin's Oasis, where tiered decks jut from a 450-foot-high cliff over Lake Travis. These attractions are mainly geared toward the students, naturally, but they can be readily enjoyed by those with no homework assignments or college connections. After all, few sports experiences can top the rafter-shaking raucousness in Chapel Hill, N.C., during a Tar Heels basketball game. Many schools benefit from world-class art collections in glittering facilities designed by marquee architects; Chapel Hill's Ackland Art Museum, featuring a wing by Polshek Partnership, tempts visitors with Warhols, Titians, and Dalís in a way that many university-less cities cannot. The performing arts also abound. Most campuses host an array of dance, theater, and performing arts to rival a season at Lincoln Center. Not to mention rock. This fall, for instance, the Boulder Theater, near the University of Colorado, will host the Psychedelic Furs, Aimee Mann, and Dinosaur Jr. So, as students zip up their backpacks for a return to the classroom, it's a good time for any traveler to pack up a trunk and visit one of these bustling campus locations. Just don't count on peace and quiet if you go to bed early.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Airbus sees signs of recovery after rocky spell - Boston Globe Posted: 17 Sep 2009 09:29 AM PDT Overall, Airbus' latest 20-year forecast has swelled by 700 aircraft. Laurent Rouaud, head of market strategy, said he cut 700 planes from his previous forecast due to lower traffic growth, but that drop has been more than compensated for by higher expectations of airlines retiring old planes due to higher fuel bills and replacing them with new, more efficient ones.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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