Dems sweeten health bill, set showdown Sunday vote

Dems sweeten health bill, set showdown Sunday vote

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 18, 2010.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Historic health care change in the balance, Democrats plowed fresh billions into insurance subsidies for consumers on Thursday and added a $250 rebate for seniors facing high prescription drugs, last-minute sweeteners to sweeping $940 billion legislation headed for a climactic weekend vote.

President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats seeking favors.

"It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation," predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill - 16 tumultuous months in the making - meant to expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.

The health care portions of the bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.

Beginning in 2014, most Americans would be required for the first time to purchase insurance, and face penalties if they refused. Millions of families with incomes up to $88,000 a year would receive government help to defray their costs. Large businesses would face fines if they did not offer good-quality coverage to their workers.

As Democrats trumpeted their bill, particularly its potential impact on the deficit, Republicans attacked it relentlessly as a government takeover of the health care industry financed by ever higher Medicare cuts and tax increases, including a new Medicare payroll tax on upper income wage earners.

"The American people are saying, 'Stop' and they're screaming at the top of their lungs," said House GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio. Citing reports that Obama had told members of the Hispanic caucus that his presidency depends on the bill's passage, he added, "I'm sorry, Mr. President, this isn't about you."

It was, though, at least in part, and has been ever since last summer, when Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., predicted the bill's defeat would mark Obama's Waterloo.

Democrats set a Sunday showdown in the House, and while Pelosi and others expressed confidence about the outcome, Obama's decision to put off a scheduled Asian trip until later in the year was a confession that the votes were not yet secured.

Support for the legislation appeared to be growing.

Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, a moderate Democrat who is retiring at the end of the year, announced he would vote in favor of the bill after opposing an earlier version. He did so as Democratic leaders included in their revisions a provision worth an estimated $99 million over two years in higher Medicaid payments to Tennessee hospitals that treat large numbers of uninsured.

Rep. Betsy Markey, a first-termer from Colorado, quickly followed, citing improved deficit cuts.

That made three conversions in recent days, following liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, with the White House and congressional leaders in search of more.

In Washington's time-honored tradition, the conversations with the president ranged widely. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois said he agreed to vote for the health care overhaul on the understanding that Obama and congressional Democrats would begin attempts quickly to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. Within hours, Senate Democrats unveiled a bill, and the president praised it in a written statement.

Obama and Democratic leaders focused their lobbying on two groups of Democrats, 37 who voted against an earlier bill in the House and 40 who voted for it only after first making sure it would include strict abortion limits that now have been modified.

After weeks of secrecy-shrouded meetings, Democrats unveiled 153 pages of last-minute changes that included another of Obama's top priorities. Federally guaranteed student loans would now be made only by the government, ending a role for banks and other for-profit lenders who charge fees.

The savings, an estimated $60 billion over a decade, would increase the maximum Pell grants for needy college students as well as support for programs such as aid to historically black colleges, a priority of the Congressional Black Caucus.

As for health care, the additions fell generally into three categories.

- To address concerns of House Democrats, subsidies were raised by an estimated $25 billion over a decade for consumers who would face a first-ever requirement to purchase coverage.

- To ease concerns among governors, about $8 billion was added for 11 states and the District of Columbia, which already provide the level of Medicaid coverage that is required under the bill.

- Seniors who experience a gap in coverage in the Medicare prescription drug program would receive a $250 rebate this year - an election-year bragging point for Democrats as they look toward the fall campaign with control of Congress at stake.

Beginning in 2011, pharmaceutical industry discounts would cover 50 percent of the costs of drugs that seniors buy once they enter the gap in coverage. That share would rise to 75 percent over a decade. That would bring it into line with the program's basic benefit, in which Medicare recipients generally pay 25 percent of their costs and the program picks up the rest.

To help pay the cost of increased benefits, the legislation would increase Medicare payroll tax 0.9 percentage point, to 2.35 percent, on wages above $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. In a change sought by the White House, beginning in 2013, a new 3.8 percent tax would be imposed on interest, dividends, capital gains and other investment income for individuals making more $200,000 and couples making more than $250,000.

The measure also erased a Senate-passed provision to give Nebraska a greater share of Medicaid funds than other states would receive under an expansion mandated under the bill. Republicans had made that politically radioactive, calling it a Cornhusker Kickback, and it was one of the reasons most often cited by in recent weeks by rank-and-file House Democrats unhappy they were being asked to approve a Senate-passed bill they disdained.

In a gesture to public sentiment as well as the sensitivities of moderate members of the rank and file, Democrats and Obama sought to focus public attention on the deficit reduction they said would result from the revised legislation. The Congressional Budget office put the 10-year savings at $138 billion, but Democratic leaders said that would be dwarfed by a projected $1.2 trillion in the following decade.

But Republicans countered quickly, pointing out that the revisions raised the levels of planned Medicare cuts and would mean higher taxes, as well.

"The Senate bill that Speaker Pelosi said Democrats are so afraid to take a vote on cut Medicare by $465 billion. This latest bill increases those cuts by about $60 billion more.," said the Senate Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

"How about taxes? The Senate bill that Democrats are so afraid to take a vote on raises taxes by $494 billion. This bill increases those tax hikes by at least $150 billion."

The package of changes released during the day involves the second of two bills that Obama hopes lawmakers will send him in coming days.

The first, at more than 2,700 pages, cleared the Senate late last year but went no further because House Democrats demanded significant changes - the very types of revisions now incorporated into the fix-it measure.

Sparking outrage by Republicans, Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders are likely to try and pass both bills with a single vote in hopes of avoiding a stand-alone roll call on the unpopular Senate measure.

Passage in the House would send the first bill to the president for his signature, and the other measure to the Senate for a final vote expected by the end of next week. Over GOP objections, it will take place under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning Democrats will not be required to post a 60-vote majority.

Republicans said during the day they would challenge select provisions of the measure by claiming they were not eligible to be included in a measure considered under non-filibuster rules.

The Term 'Negro' on 2010 Census Form Sparks Controversy

by KYW's Karin Phillips

Some people are objecting to the use of the word "Negro" on the 2010 census form.

One of the ten questions on the 2010 US census form asks for the race of each person in the household. And one of the choices is "Black, African American, or Negro."

A number of people have been complaining that the term "negro" is disrespectful and antiquated. This woman in Philadelphia's Love Park would agree:

"I feel like for us black people, and I'm going to speak for them, it's wrong. It is wrong."

Media specialist Monica Davis says the US Census Bureau has been getting complaints but it appears that, at least a decade ago, a number of Americans still identified with the term negro:

For full story go to:

http://www.kyw1060.com/

Islam Expert Disputes Group's Claim That Books are Anti-Muslim

by KYW's John McDevitt

A Muslim organization in Pennsylvania is launching a national campaign against a series of books that it claims promote anti-Islam bias.

The Pennsylvania chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-PA) claims that a 10-part series of books designed for middle school and high school students published by Broomall, Pa.-based Mason Crest Publishers promotes hostility toward Islam and suspicion of Muslims.

CAIR-PA civil rights director Moein Khawaja:

"The book is rife with incorrect information and fear mongering, and ultimately seeks to paint the picture that Muslims in America are to be treated with suspicion and that they all have links to terrorism."

Consultant for the "World of Islam" book series was the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Alan Luxenberg (right) is the institute's vice president:

City Council Holds Hearings on Nutter's Trash and Soda Taxes

by KYW's Steve Tawa

Philadelphia City Council held a daylong hearing Wednesday on two components of Mayor Nutter's proposed budget: the controversial new taxes on sodas and trash collection (see related stories).

At the hearing, the folks holding signs in the back of Council chambers could be polite only so long. During city health commissioner Donald Schwarz's testimony on taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (above), the catcalls began:

"A family that drinks a two-liter bottle of soda..." (boos, hisses)

The Nutter administration's spin was that the proposed two-cent-per-ounce soda tax could lead to less consumption, and healthier lifestyles.

Using that methodology, councilman Bill Green could not understand why the Nutter administration was pushing a flat $300 trash fee rather than having city residents pay $1 per bag of trash:

"A pay-as-you-throw system diverts much more waste into recycling. A (fixed) trash fee does not promote recycling in the least."

For full story go to:

http://www.kyw1060.com/

Black people must leave, NJ Walmart announcer says

Black people must leave, NJ Walmart announcer says

A worker gathers shopping carts near a Wal-Mart store Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in Washington Township, N.J. Wal-Mart officials are reviewing security tapes after an announcement was made for "all black people" to leave the southern New Jersey store. Shortly before 7 p.m., Sunday, a male voice came over the public-address system at the Route 42 store in Washington Township and calmly announced: "Attention Wal-Mart customers: All black people leave the store now." Management later apologized.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- A Walmart store announcement ordering black people to leave brought chagrin and apologies Wednesday from leaders of the company, which has built a fragile trust among minority communities.

A male voice came over the public-address system Sunday evening at a store in Washington Township, in southern New Jersey, and calmly announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now."

Shoppers in the store at the time said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized for the remark. And while it was unclear whether a rogue patron or an employee was responsible for the comment, many customers expressed their anger to store management.

"I want to know why such statements are being made, because it flies in the face of what we teach our children about tolerance for all," said Sheila Ellington, who was in the store at the time with a friend. "If this was meant to be a prank, there's only one person laughing, and it's not either one of us."

Ellington, of Monroe, and her friend Patricia Covington said they plan to boycott the retailer until they're assured the issue has been addressed so it doesn't happen again.

The pair said they were stunned when they heard the announcement and initially believed they had misheard it. But once the words sank in, they grew angry.

"I depended on Walmart for all my needs, because the store has pretty much everything you could want," Covington said. "But until this issue is addressed in a way I'm comfortable with, I can't walk through those doors again."

Officials with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., said that the announcement was "unacceptable" and that they're trying to determine who made it and how it happened.

"We are just as appalled by this incident as our customers," the company said in a statement. "Whoever did this is just wrong and acted in an inappropriate manner. Clearly, this is completely unacceptable to us and to our customers."

This is not the first time the retailer has faced such problems.

There have been several past instances of black customers claiming they were treated unfairly at Walmart stores, and the company faced lawsuits alleging that women were passed over in favor of men for pay raises and promotions.

In February 2009, the retailer paid $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in its hiring of truck drivers.

And the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company in May 2009, claiming some Hispanic employees at a Sam's Club subsidiary in California were subjected to a hostile work environment. That suit alleges managers failed to stop repeated verbal harassment, including the use of derogatory words, against employees of Mexican descent.

However, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has said the company has worked hard in recent years to show it cares about diversity.

Bill Mitchell, a former Walmart employee who was shopping Wednesday at the store, said that he was saddened to hear about the announcement but that "as a black man, I've heard worse things."

As customer Sharon Osbourne, of Williamstown, left the store Wednesday, she called the announcement "appalling, stupid and sad."

Hoop Gurlz At Phila. Front Page News

Hoop Gurlz At Phila. Front Page News

Shades of Blue

Some things -- like Tar Heels and Blue Devils -- just don't go together. But the Henson family will have to find a way to mix them up now that top recruit Amber has decided on Duke.

There are some things you just don't mix -- water and oil, white clothing and mustard -- Tar Heels and Blue Devils. So when Amber Henson gave her verbal commitment to Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie last week, it put her family in a predicament.

The rivalry in the Henson family has heated up since Amber announced she'll play for Duke while her brother suits up for North Carolina.

Henson's older brother, John, is a freshman at North Carolina and, much like Amber, was a highly touted recruit, ranked by ESPNU as the No. 6 prospect in the 2009 class. The two are incredibly close.

"He's always been a big part of my inspiration to play," Amber Henson said.

Amber said that when it came to her brother affecting her recruiting process, he offered support but applied no pressure to go to North Carolina or anywhere else.

For Henson the decision really came down to academics and style of play. She made unofficial visits to Duke, Florida, North Carolina and multiple visits to Texas. She also considered Maryland and Stanford but did not make visits to either school. The medical program at Duke was a major factor for her, including a special program with walk-throughs with doctors to see if practicing medicine, not just studying it, is right for the student-athlete.

Henson has been making a transition in her game, mostly accepting the fact that she is a go-to player and that she must carry the load for her teams to be at their best. It's something her father has been telling her frequently this year, that it's time to take games over.

"It's a process. My dad still gets on me for it," Henson said. "Sometimes I just lay back and let things happen. I need to develop that killer instinct. It's been like a learning process of learning when to do it."

Playing a bunch of games is one thing the 6-foot-3 forward from Tampa, Fla., is not too keen on. Though Henson, ranked No. 4 in the 2011 class by ESPN HoopGurlz, would love to earn the honor of the top-ranked player in the class, she is more focused on getting better, making the USA Basketball national team and, most importantly getting healthy.

North Carolina's John Henson told his little sister he would sit behind her bench, but he "didn't know about wearing a Duke shirt."

Henson went through a drastic growth spurt when she was young and had a painful condition known as Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is a the swelling of the patella tendon where it meets the tibia and is most common in children ages 10-15. She also suffers from tendonitis in her knees. She is currently rehabbing her knees to deal with a little bit of grinding she's feeling.

It is the pain and these lingering injuries that has Henson undecided about not only which club team she might play for this summer, but whether she'll play at all. If she does play during the April 16-18 spring evaluation period, she will go to the Boo Williams Invitational in Norfolk, Va. And, if so, she will choose from among her team from last summer, the Orlando Comets, and a number of suitors requesting she play with them.

Making the national team would eliminate a portion of the NCAA certified viewing period in July, but even if Henson does not make the team she wants to focus on building her skill level, not playing games.

"There's so many things I need to learn," Henson said.

One hard lesson may be the tough times ahead, considering the malice felt between Duke and North Carolina, if Amber and John Henson continue to support one another regardless of the rivalry.

Amber has agreed not to sit with the Cameron Crazies when the Tar Heel men play at Duke. She even said she'd be willing to sit behind the UNC bench in Carolina blue to support her brother. The love wasn't exactly reciprocated. John told his little sister that he would sit behind her bench, but he "didn't know about wearing a Duke shirt."

Duke fans on The Devil's Den online message boards have been pulling for John to enter the NBA draft early and spare everyone the trouble.

Sports: 30th Anniversary of the 1980 Phillies (Part 4)

by KYW's Paul Kurtz

Game five of the 1980 National League Championship Series was a test of wills and character.

Garry Maddox (above) is a spiritual man whose faith was tested many times during the 1980 season. He'd been benched by Dallas Green late in the season in favor of Del Unser.

Unser recalls that while Maddox stoically stewed, he was able to get his groove back:

"Getting that many consecutive at-bats, my timing got so much better. When I did get a chance to play, I didn't feel so strange at home plate."

For full story go to:

http://www.kyw1060.com/

''Shut Up and Dance'' Benefit is This Saturday in Center City

by KYW's Karin Phillips

Finishing touches are being put on performances for this year's "Shut Up And Dance," the benefit event this Saturday by members of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Expect to see anything and hear everything -- from Vivaldi to the Black-Eyed Peas -- on the stage of the Forrest Theatre this Saturday night for the annual benefit performance.

The event benefits the nonprofit organization Mana, which provides nutritious food for those with life-threatening illnesses.

Producing director Jonathan Stiles says the dancers have fun with this event each year but always remember what's behind it:

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com

Tiger Woods to return to golf at the Masters

Tiger Woods to return to golf at the Masters

FILE - In this April 13, 1997, file photo, Masters champion Tiger Woods receives his green jacket from the previous year's winner Nick Faldo, rear, at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. In a statement Tuesday, March 16, 2010, Woods said he will play at Augusta National after a four-month hiatus because of a sex scandal. The Masters begins on April 8.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods said Tuesday he will return to golf next month at the Masters, ending a four-month hiatus brought on by a sex scandal that shattered his image as the gold standard in sports.

"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect," Woods said in a statement. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta."

The Masters begins April 8.

The Associated Press first reported his plans to return at Augusta National last Thursday.

Woods has not competed since Nov. 15 when he won the Australian Masters for his 82nd victory worldwide. Twelve days later, he crashed his car into a tree outside his Florida home, setting off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife.

"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played," Woods said.

"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment," he said. "Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

There had been reports he would play the Tavistock Cup exhibition next week in Orlando, followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he is the defending champion and a six-time winner.

"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play," Woods said.

Already the major with the highest TV ratings, this Masters could be the biggest yet. The first two rounds are televised on ESPN, with CBS Sports on the weekend.

"Obviously, the ratings will be off the chart," Heath Slocum said. "It will be interesting to watch - not only the reaction from him, but from the fans, the media, the players. I would venture to say he might be nervous."

Woods twice has come into a major after a long layoff without playing, with mixed results - he missed the cut at Winged Foot for the 2006 U.S. Open after his father died, and he won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines while playing on a shattered left knee.

Woods is a four-time Masters champion, although he has not won at Augusta National since 2005, his longest drought there.

In some respects, the Masters makes sense for golf's No. 1 player to return. Media credentials are limited regardless of who's playing or what's in the news, and Augusta National has more control of its tickets than any other golf tournament.

Those with season badges risk losing them if they violate policies, or are caught selling them.

Woods has been the biggest draw at the Masters ever since he became its youngest champion at 21 in 1997, when he broke the tournament scoring record with a 12-shot victory.

That likely won't compare to this year.

Woods' world came crashing down on Nov. 27 when he fled his house in the middle of the night and ran his Cadillac SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree. About that time, allegations of womanizing began to emerge, and Woods' silence was replaced by rumors of what happened that night and how, as the world's most famous athlete, he could keep so many affairs a secret.

He eventually confessed to infidelity and said Dec. 11 he would take an "indefinite break" from golf. Woods spoke publicly for the first time on Feb. 19 at TPC Sawgrass, where he confessed to cheating on his wife, Elin.

"I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did," Woods said that day.

He was in a Mississippi clinic from Dec. 31 until Feb. 11, then went to an Arizona clinic for a week of family counseling. He returned to practice when he got home to Isleworth, and swing coach Hank Haney joined him last week.

This will be the first time Woods won't play Bay Hill, the only regular PGA Tour event he has never missed as a professional.

Meantime, the governing body of golf outside the United States said it hoped Woods would play at the British Open in July.

"We're pleased to hear that Tiger is to return to golf. ... Golf needs the world No. 1 to be playing," Royal & Ancient spokesman Malcolm Booth said.

Woods has not yet entered to play at the British Open at St. Andrews, but has until May 27 to send in his entry form. Booth says it's "normal that he hasn't" entered yet.

Judge: Winfrey must defend ex-headmistress's suit

Judge: Winfrey must defend ex-headmistress's suit

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2009 file photo, Oprah Winfrey arrives at the premiere of the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," at AFI Fest 2009 in Los Angeles. Winfrey must defend a defamation suit over remarks she made about a headmistress at her girls school in South Africa after a sex-abuse scandal erupted at the school, a U.S. judge ruled. The case is now set for trial on March 29, 2010 in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Talk show host Oprah Winfrey must defend a defamation suit over remarks she made about a headmistress at her girls' school in South Africa after a sex-abuse scandal erupted there, a U.S. judge ruled.

The case is now set for trial on March 29 in Philadelphia.

Judge Eduardo Robreno refused to dismiss the suit in a decision Monday, ruling that former headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane has enough evidence to pursue her defamation claims against the media mogul. Winfrey made the remarks in 2007 after the complaints surfaced at the $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, near Johannesburg.

A dorm matron who worked under Mzamane was later charged with abusing six students.

Mzamane accused Winfrey of suggesting she was not trustworthy through comments about the need for new leadership and remarks such as "I thought she cared about the girls of South Africa," according to the October 2008 lawsuit.

Winfrey's lawyers argued the remarks, made at an Oct. 20, 2007 meeting with parents and at a Nov. 5, 2007 press conference, reflected Winfrey's opinions.

But the judge agreed they were potentially defamatory.

"The implication that (Mzamane) was aware of abuse by the dorm parents and did not react accordingly is capable of defamatory meaning as it ascribes conduct which would render her unfit for her profession as an educator," Robreno wrote in the 128-page opinion.

Winfrey's lawyer, William Hangley, declined comment Tuesday on the judge's decision.

Mzamane's lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.

Mzamane, a native of Lesotho, previously held a leadership post at the Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia and returned to the area after her contract was not renewed at Winfrey's school. Mzamane has said she was unable to find work because of Winfrey's comments.

Honda to recall 410,000 vehicles for brake problem

Honda to recall 410,000 vehicles for brake problem

FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2006 file photo, unsold 2007 Elements sit on the lot of a Honda dealership in Littleton, Colo. Honda Motor Co. on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 said it is recalling about 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element small trucks because of problems with the brake pedals. The recall includes 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

DETROIT (AP) -- Honda Motor Co. will recall more than 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element small trucks because of braking system problems that could make it tougher to stop the vehicle if not repaired.

The recall includes 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

Honda said in a statement that over time, brake pedals can feel "soft" and must be pressed closer to the floor to stop the vehicles. Left unrepaired, the problem could cause loss of braking power and possibly a crash, Honda spokesman Chris Martin said.

"It's definitely not operating the way it should, and it's safety systems, so it brings it to the recall status," he said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported three crashes due to the problem with minor injuries and no deaths, Martin said. Honda notified NHTSA of the recall on Monday, he said.

Honda has traced the problem to the device that powers the electronic stability control system, which selectively brakes each of the wheels to keep the vehicles upright during an emergency situation.

When the device, called a "vehicle stability assist modulator," tests itself when the vehicles are started, it allows a small amount of air into the hydraulic brake lines. Over time, an air bubble in the lines can cause a loss of braking power and require that the pedal be pushed farther toward the floor than normal to stop the vehicles, Martin said.

"Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly," Honda said in a statement.

Under the recall, which Honda said it volunteered to do, Honda said that owners should wait to get a letter from the company before scheduling a repair because the parts are not yet available. Letters should go out toward the end of April.

Drivers who fear that they've lost braking power should have their dealer check the brakes sooner, Martin said. The dealer can "bleed" air bubbles out of the hydraulic lines, which should fix the problem until the parts arrive for the final repair, he said.

Honda technicians will put plastic caps and sealant over two small holes in the device to stop the air from getting in, Martin said.

The automaker is still preparing a list of affected vehicles. After April 19, owners can determine if their vehicles are being recalled by going to http://www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option number four.

Phila. County IAP Committee Signs Author Khalid Moffitt -Author of Love & Life in My Language by Van Stone vspfoundation@yahoo.com (610) 931-8810

Phila. County IAP Committee Signs Author Khalid Moffitt -Author of Love & Life in My Language by Van Stone vspfoundation@yahoo.com (610) 931-8810


Khalid Moffitt

The Philadelphia Independent American Party (IAP) Committee has entered into a political community experience with poet and author Khalid Moffitt. The announcement was made Sunday, March 14, by Warren Bloom, Treasurer of Philadelphia IAP Committee.

Khalid Moffitt is an author, poet and promoter who rose from imprisonment and gun shot victim to citywide critical acclaim.

In 1992, following several hardships, including serving a prison sentence for illegal activities and having been shot while driving away from a dispute mix up, Moffitt began his professional writing career from a hospital sick bed.

As far as his prison time goes, it was in December of the year 1992 that Moffitt, the drug dealer, was sentenced to be incarcerated as a prisoner at the Graterford prison located at Pennsylvania 29 & Graterford Rd. The second prison he went to was Somertset prison. Eventually he ended up at Waymart prison where he finished up serving 5 years. Moffitt came out of prison a changed young man. He actually turned his life around from crime as he was very fortunate to avoid a 150 years of imprisonment judgment which the district attorney was seeking for his life. Standing before the judge, he was only 17 years-old at the time his illegal activity came to a crash.

Khalid overcame another life threatening dilemma after this time he was the victim living in the big sunny city.

In 2008 Moffitt was shot during a argument between his younger brother and an acquaintance of his younger brother at a North Philadelphia home.

Khalid had just begun finishing his first book for self-publishing when he was asked by his younger brother to accompany him to a friends house to help mediate a dispute. Shortly after arriving at the home of his brother's friend, Khalid's brother and friend began to yell at each other, the gunman jumped outside his home, made a threatening comment about arguing with Moffitt's younger brother, and began firing at close range into Moffitt's body, shooting him in the throat before Moffitt could get away from the argument. Moffitt was driving his car to avoid trouble when the perpetrator opening fire on both Moffitt and his brother. Still, his brother took a hit from the shots fired as the shooter fled the scene.

No one seemed to heard the shots fired. And by the time the police came on the scene Khalid had rushed his brother and himself toward the nearest hospital where police stopped Khalid and assisted getting both he and his brother to emergency. Moffitt's brother was hit far worse than he was as the shooting ended in his brother being paralyzed at the waiste.

After entering the hospital Moffitt survived the gun shot to the neck.

While thinking about how hard it was to live as a young man in the big city of brotherly love he finished his self-published book, "Love & Life in My Language". Khalid Moffitt's Love & Life in My Language is in paper back and it has about 40 poems which he personally pinned.

It is a 52 page poetry book that delivers, 20 love poems, and 20 life poems in his own expressions. The book was completed and released in March of ’09.

He had at least two book signings and two local radio appearances. And he has sold over 200 copies to date also. Moffitt says about his book “STILL SELLING. . . STILL WRITING”.

Khalid is a 35 year old African American male living in Philadelphia PA. He did not graduate from high school, but worked his way through the mean streets of Philadelphia to get a GED. He went on to complete 14 months of additional schooling at Community College. His major was International Business, and Psychology. Khalid has plans to get his degree.

Moffitt enjoys nature, traveling, movies, swimming, and tennis, mind boggling puzzles, creating new ways to change the world/life, and people who are the same each day, no matter what others feel or say.

Although his life has many challenges/commitments, there’s nothing that means more to Moffitt than his literature. He is a poet that has been writing since the age of ten, and continues daily. Poetry is his passion and form of expression.

Khalid is a member of the NAACP, as well as the Writers Guild of America.

Moffitt describes himself this way. “I am a self published author, that, while releasing my book, "Royal Man Expressions" my own publishing company was born! Royal Man Expressions also has a greeting card component currently in the makings,” he says.

“In addition to writing poetry," says Moffitt, "I am a hip-hop and R&B song-writer."

"I have written and completed 72 songs. The words that I’ve written have given me the inspiration, along with the encouragement from others to become a motivational speaker. I have spoken to children and adults about life, success, failure, never giving up . . . no matter what; to name a few topics. I also have an internet talk show entitled "Royal Talk with K. Moffitt". This is the same concept, but world issues are also discussed in conversation,” he says.

“By living in Philadelphia PA all of my life, I have designed a fitted hat collection labeled: "PHI Headwear". This concept was created because many Philadelphians refer to our hometown as "PHI" and some sports scoreboards do the same". "PHI through my definition, even though created from the word Philadelphia, stands for: "People Having Independence". I’ve sold 150 hats to date,” says Khalid.

Moffitt is currently a contributor for the Philadelphia Front Page News online newspaper, and has made appearances on local cable TV productions watched in North and West Philadelphia homes. He is a committee member, Vice President, for Philadelphia IAP Committee serving both the Philadelphia County and the city of Philadelphia in Pa.

Khalid Moffitt can be contacted at the following email addresses: khalid@kmoffitt.com, royalmanexpressions@kmoffitt.com, christel@kmoffitt.com, blogtalkradio.com/kmoffitt, His personal email address is khalidmoffitt@aol.com. You can reach Khalid Moffitt for book signings and/or readings and appearances at (215) 391-0033.

Hoop Gurlz At Phila. Front Page News

Hoop Gurlz At Phila. Front Page News

Oregon City Shocker

Southridge's smart fourth-quarter play unceremoniously ended Oregon City's season-long unbeaten streak at the state semifinals and relegated the 11-time state champions to third place

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Brittany Knighton's high school career ended with a win, but not the one she planned on.

The senior wing from Oregon City High School finished with what most would consider a stellar high school career -- a 95-11 overall record and four state trophies, including the 2009 state championship.

Oregon City girls' basketball arguably is the most dominant prep program in the state of Oregon. Entering the 6A tournament this year, the Pioneers were undefeated at 26-0 and on a collision course with Southridge, the last Oregon school to hand OCHS a loss.

On Friday, the top two teams in the state met in a semifinal, and the game didn't disappoint. Oregon City held a commanding lead early but Southridge slowly chipped away before pulling ahead permanently.

With six minutes to play and OCHS leading, 38-35, the Skyhawks of Beaverton went on a 9-3 run, and finished the game on a 20-9 tear. The final was Southridge 55, Oregon City 47. It was the Pioneers' first loss since March 2, 2008, when the Skyhawks beat them, 49-43, for the state title.

After his team's only loss of the season, Oregon City coach Kurt Guelsdorf knew exactly what to say.

"This is about Oregon City pride," he told his kids in the locker room after their loss.

The Pioneers have won 11 state championships. They pride themselves on working harder and longer and any other team in the state. The third-place game on Saturday against South Eugene was no time to pout.

"We've won 11 state championships and 15 other times we've played for trophies," Guelsdorf said. "Those kids didn't fold and our expectations are, 'You're gonna play harder.'"

Knighton, who played varsity all four years and will continue her career at Utah, took the words to heart.

"We didn't want to come out and lay another egg like we did [Friday] night," Knighton said. "We wanted to show everyone we're actually a pretty good team. Third place is pretty good."

Knighton said Friday's loss came because Oregon City got outplayed the fourth quarter, a rare occurrence. She had no intention of a repeat performance Saturday against the Axemen.

The Pioneers never trailed during their 55-47 win over South Eugene, and staved off a late Axemen run to hang onto the victory. OCHS junior guard Ashleigh Anderson hit five of six free throws in the final 58 seconds to ice the win.

"Being part of Oregon City basketball is really special because of the players who have come out of there," Knighton said. "To keep on the tradition is really special."

Southridge claimed the OSAA Class 6A championship with a 47-38 victory over Jesuit on Saturday night. It is the Skyhawks' fifth state title in the past six years. There are whispers that Southridge is on its way to being the new queen of Oregon girls' basketball, but Knighton thinks the Skyhawks still have work to do.

"They're definitely dominant but I don't think they're gonna replace us," she said. "We've won 11 state titles. They have a long ways to go."

And while her senior season didn't end the way she thought it would, point guard Taylor Belmont, the Pioneers' feisty, tenacious leader, has no regrets.

"The reason we're dominant is because we pour everything into it," Belmont said. "Since I was in the fifth grade I've been practicing to be here, last night and tonight [in the championship game]. Maybe it didn't happen that way but that's OK.

"I still had an amazing time."

Casino in Chester, Pa. Puts Out the ''Help Wanted'' Sign

by KYW's Steve Tawa

Harrah's casino in Chester (Delaware County), Pa. is hiring.

The gambling operation held a job fair on Monday as it looks for 500 service-oriented people for table game positions.

Vince Dunleavy, general manager of Harrah's Chester, says they'll be adding poker, roulette, craps, blackjack and other games. What are the qualities his staff is looking for?

For full story go to:

http://www.kyw1060.com/

Phila. Fire Dept. Opens Door to the Past

by KYW's Jim Melwert

The Philadelphia Fire Department celebrated its 139th birthday by opening an 85-year-old time capsule at the Fireman's Hall Museum in Old City.

The capsule was sealed in 1925. And sealed quite well:

"Like everything they built in the old days, I mean, it was a copper box," and soldered shut, says Fire fighter and museum curator Harry Magee. "So it was a heck of a job. Rescue 1, we brought them in, because they have the know how and they know how to be careful and they have the tools."

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com/

UConn, Stanford, Tennessee and Nebraska top seeds

UConn, Stanford, Tennessee and Nebraska top seeds

FILE - in this Feb. 24, 2010, file photo, Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, right, talks to his players during a timeout against Syracuse in an NCAA college basketball game in Syracuse, N.Y. Connecticut faces Southern University on Sunday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Connecticut's path to another perfect season could include a renewal of the most heated rivalry in women's college basketball.

The undefeated Huskies earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women's basketball tournament Monday night and will open against Southern in Norfolk, Va.

Geno Auriemma's Huskies have won an NCAA record 72 straight games, but none of them have come against Pat Summitt's Lady Vols. The two pre-eminent teams in the sport broke off their annual matchup in 2007 in a testy split.

The two teams could meet in the national semifinals in San Antonio if both come through their regions.

"I'm not surprised that they would line us up with Connecticut if we both come out," said Summitt, whose team earned a record 20th No. 1 seed. "They want to see that matchup. We're a long way from thinking about that matchup."

Auriemma isn't focusing on that game - yet.

"I would venture to say that after that game is over, if we are fortunate enough to win it, I think there will be a lot of coaches and players on our team that will be smiling a little bit," Auriemma said.

Ten teams have entered the NCAA tournament unbeaten; only five have emerged victorious. UConn and Auriemma have done it three times, including last season.

Stanford and Nebraska earned the other No. 1 seeds.

The Cardinal, the last team to beat Connecticut, earned their first No. 1 seed since 1998. Tennessee earned the No. 1 seed a year after getting bounced from the tournament in the first round. And Nebraska has its first No. 1 seed in school history after winning its first 30 games this season. The Cornhuskers lost their only game of the season in the Big 12 tournament semifinals.

"We evaluated Nebraska's resume, and even though they lost in the Big 12 tournament we felt that it was important to keep them on that first line," NCAA selection committee chair Jane Meyer said.

The Huskies (33-0), too, have run through their opponents this season, winning by an average of 35 points. In search of its seventh national championship, UConn is looking to become the fifth team to win consecutive titles. Tennessee last did it in 2007 and 2008.

Awaiting the Huskies in the second round could be former assistant Tonya Cardoza and the Temple Owls. They face James Madison in the first round. It's the second straight year that Auriemma could face his former assistant. Last season Temple lost in the first round to Florida.

While other teams look to make history in the tournament, the Lady Vols had enough of that last year. Tennessee, a No. 5 seed last season, lost in the first round to Ball State, marking the first time in the program's history that the team didn't advance out of the opening weekend.

Tennessee will open up at home against Austin Peay in the Memphis region. The Lady Govs (15-17) are the eighth team in NCAA history to make the tournament with a losing record. They upset Eastern Illinois to win the Ohio Valley tournament. The Lady Vols and Austin Peay are two of six teams from the state of Tennessee in the field.

ACC champion Duke earned a No. 2 seed and will host the first two rounds. The Blue Devils will play Mid-Eastern champion Hampton in the opener. LSU meets Hartford in the other game at Cameron.

If Duke gets through to the regional semifinals, a meeting with former coach Gail Goestenkors and Texas could await. The selection committee placed the Blue Devils and Longhorns in the same corner of the bracket, but that matchup didn't materialize last year.

"You can't think that far ahead anyway," Duke senior Joy Cheek said.

Five teams will be making their debut in the NCAA tournament - Dayton, Princeton, Arkansas-Little Rock, Portland State and Northern Iowa.

Baylor freshman Brittney Griner, too, will get her first taste of the NCAA tournament. The Lady Bears earned a No. 4 seed and will play Fresno State in the first round. Griner, who drew national attention coming into college as a dunking phenom, made headlines again on March 3 after throwing a punch in a game against Texas Tech. She was suspended for two games by the school for her actions.

But it all comes back to UConn.

The Huskies could face No. 2 seed Ohio State in Dayton in the regional finals - if the Buckeyes can get by third seed Florida State.

"There are some teams in our bracket that are a lot better than people give them credit for," Auriemma said. "I like when you are playing teams that you're seeing for the first time, and are seeing you for the first time."

That's certainly not the case with the Cardinal (31-1), who beat the Huskies in the 2008 NCAA tournament semifinals. Stanford will open this year's tournament hosting UC Riverside in the Sacramento region.

Louisville became just the third team to play in the national championship game and not make the tournament the next season. The Cardinals are one of seven schools that are hosting first- and second-round games that won't be playing in the NCAA tournament.

The Big East and Big 12 each garnered seven bids. The SEC and ACC each had six. In all, 12 conferences received multiple bids - the highest number since 2001.

AP Source: Jackson in $200M-plus recording deal

AP Source: Jackson in $200M-plus recording deal

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 1988 file photo, Michael Jackson performs during his 13-city U.S. tour in Kansas City, Mo. The estate of Michael Jackson has landed the late King of Pop the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the deal.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The estate of Michael Jackson has landed the late King of Pop the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The record-breaking contract through 2017 could be worth up to $250 million if certain conditions are met. One of the albums will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will come out in November, the person said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement is expected Tuesday.

Future projects may also include a DVD compilation of videos and a re-release of "Off the Wall," Jackson's fifth studio album, which first came out in 1979, accompanied by some unreleased material. Before his sudden death in June at age 50, the pop star had wanted to re-issue the album, people familiar with the deal said.

One of the projects already counted in the contract was the two-disc album that accompanied "This Is It," the film based on footage of concert rehearsals for what was to have been Jackson's comeback at London's O2 arena.

Including the more than 5 million copies of that special release, Jackson has sold some 31 million albums since his death in June, about two-thirds of them outside the United States.

"During his life, Michael's contracts set the standard for the industry," said John Branca, the co-administrator of the Jackson estate, in a statement prepared for release Tuesday. "By all objective criteria, this agreement with Sony Music demonstrates the lasting power of Michael's music by exceeding all previous industry benchmarks."

Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music's Columbia Epic Label Group, said in prepared remarks, "We're dedicated to protecting this icon's legacy and we're thrilled that we can continue to bring his music to the world for the foreseeable future."

Courtfighter Battles Injustice in Local Courts As Forwarded From University City Review by By Kaley Iacovetta Special to the UC Review

Courtfighter Battles Injustice in Local Courts As Forwarded From University City Review by By Kaley Iacovetta Special to the UC Review

Van Stone

In 2004, community activist Van Stone suffered the corrupt sting of judicial injustice. His ex-wife acquired, what he says, was an unwarranted Protection From Abuse Order against Stone, stripping the father of his rights to see his children. Stone was charged with violating this court order and sentenced to serve jail time at the George Hill Correctional Facility.

Stone experienced the court-induced trauma that many African American fathers have suffered. He told us that he has reason to believe that the judge acted unfairly, failing to objectively consider both sides of the case. Furthermore, he maintains, that the judge’s previous rulings seem to follow a pattern of what he desribes as "intentional discriminatory action against African American males."

However, Stone has not let the iron fist of the law have the last word. His harrowing experience led him to establish Courtfighter, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting against injustice in the local court system. "The fact that I was wrongfully incarcerated, the fact that my children were wrongfully taken from me, and the fact that it was a personal attack from a judge empowered to do such things began the process of developing Courtfighter," says Stone.

Shortly after Stone was released from jail, he contacted friend and current state representative candidate Warren Bloom Sr. for help. Bloom, who says he has also suffered judicial mistreatment, assisted Stone with his case, and the two men decided it would be beneficial to start a support group for others with similar cases.

Courtfighter was officially established in 2009 as an additional service to Stone’s existing community organization, Van Stone Productions Foundation (VSPF). Stone created VSPF in 1980 as a means to serve his community through skills-development programs. CF is the program’s arm of social justice, aiming to ensure that individuals are not denied their rights in court.

For Stone, the need for an organization like CF was crucial. When attempting to appeal his own case, he was directed to the Judicial Conduct Board. "The board is made up of attorneys and individuals connected to judges," Stone explains. "When you present a problem with proof of unfair conduct, they often turn a blind eye. So you’re left with no help at all." Thus, CF seeks to fill this void. "The program is unique," says Stone. "It’s the only one that exists in the state of Pennsylvania that is helping to deal with fighting for our civil liberties."

The organization, based at 3901 Market Street, is run by a group of nearly 100 volunteers. Some are lawyers, but most are individuals who, like Stone, have been mistreated by judges and seek to aid others in overcoming such injustices. When a person submits their case to CF, the group will refer the individual to a lawyer who specializes in their specific issue. CF also assists by alerting the media and by writing press releases and articles concerning the case to expose the injustice to the public. CF volunteers may also sit in court with the individual and act as a "support piece." CF’s services are free of charge, but donations are welcomed and encouraged.

There are some stipulations on what types of cases CF will take. The group only deals with local courts, and specifically those in Philadelphia and Delaware County. Most of their cases deal with family court issues of custody or property. Stone also advises, "It must be an unfair situation, where you could show that clearly something has happened with a judge and where due process was not respected. We don’t deal with personal disputes." Currently, CF has a 90 percent success rate. Stone himself was able to facilitate the decision reversal in his own case. Stone attributes this success to CF’s exposure of discriminating judges. "The reason we are so successful in dealing with cases is because the unfairness usually comes from a judge who could be a bigot or a racist or outright hypocritical. As a Courtfighter, you basically become a freedom fighter, fighting against bigotry, racism, and hypocrisy in courts."

The CF’s mission is crucial because, according to Stone, families are the targets of corrupt local judges. "It’s the ordinary family that gets destroyed, the working class or middle class…their [the judges’] targets are those who cannot defend themselves." Warren Bloom agrees, commenting, "There are thousands of parents who are suffering and need the justice they deserve, to have the right to visitation, to see their children, and to have full or partial custody. We want to be very proactive in preventing the separation and division of families." By fighting against the injustice in local courts, CF is helping families, specifically the children, get the support they deserve. "The early years shape the moral fabric of any individual," says Bloom. "If a child has a disturbing first five years [due to court-related family injustice] they may grow up to be an unhealthy member of our society." Thus, CF is dedicated not only to achieving justice, but also to protecting the families and children of the community from court-induced trauma.

It is the goal of Stone and other Courtfighters to alert and attract the attention of both the public and government officials. "We have a goal to seek out the existing authorities who can change the guidelines in the courts, so we can take away the power that these judges have." However, this mission is a challenge because, according to Stone, it is difficult to persuade government representatives that they indeed have the authority and ability to make changes. "They don’t believe they can stop the injustice, perhaps out of lack of education or according to what they know at face value. We as the Courtfighters have to convince them that they do have the power."

For the future, CF aims to serve as a catalyst for serious change. "We are hoping very soon that with the Courtfighter effort, and with the work of Warren Bloom, that we will begin a serious investigation of the unfairness occurring in local courts and that the whistle will be blown on this matter," says Stone.

If you have experienced unfairness or mistreatment in the local courtroom and would like support, or if you want to volunteer to make a difference, visit www.courtfighter.com or contact Van Stone at 610-931-8810.

by KYW's John McDevitt

Daylight saving time begins this weekend. We turned our clocks forward one hour on Sunday at 2:00am.

And as we prepare for the arrival of Spring, the Philadelphia's office of emergency management wants you to be ready in the event of an emergency.

"Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks" is a campaign sponsored by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Edward Vassallo is the readiness coordinator:

"Basically, what we want to do is remind people that when they are springing their clocks forward on Sunday to also check their emergency supplies -- to make sure have batteries, flashlights, first-aid kits, things like that. And also check their smoke alarms and change their batteries for that as well."

Vassallo says that when setting your clocks, it's also a good time to update emergency phone numbers and to review your family's home evacuation plan.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.phila.gov/ready or call 311.

Boondocks At Phila. Front Page News

Boondocks At Phila. Front Page News

Jr. Executive Music Program to Work With Phila. Schools

by KYW’s Karin Phillips

A local non-profit that works with kids who want careers in music is holding a fundraising event this week as it works to expand its program to schools.

Gilbere Forte is an up and coming hip hop artist, a success story from the Junior Music Executive program, which has vowed to take back our children from the streets by engaging them in careers in music with internship programs, volunteering, networking and speakers.

Executive Director Aisha Winfield says the next step is to take the program into Philadelphia schools:

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com/

Pacquiao dominates Clottey for decision

Pacquiao dominates Clottey for decision

Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines, lands a right to Joshua Clottey, from Ghana, during their WBO boxing welterweight title fight in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, March 13, 2010.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Fighting on the star, Manny Pacquiao showed once again why he is such a star.

With the biggest fight crowd in the U.S. in 17 years cheering him on at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao dominated a strangely passive Joshua Clottey from the opening bell Saturday night to retain his welterweight title and cement his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

The fight wasn't close, and it was never in doubt. It was so one-sided that even those in the cheap seats among the crowd of 50,994 could tell without looking at the giant video screens over the ring that Pacquiao was in total command.

One ringside judge gave Pacquiao every round, while the two others gave him all but one. The Associated Press scored it a shutout for the Filipino sensation.

It wasn't as flashy as his knockout of Ricky Hatton or as savage as the beating he gave Oscar De La Hoya, but there was no doubt Pacquiao was in command the entire way against a fighter who kept his gloves up high in front of his face and chose to engage him only in spurts. Clottey's strategy worked to keep him upright, but he was never competitive in the biggest fight of his career.

"He's a very tough opponent," Pacquiao said. "He was looking for a big shot."

Pacquiao was supposed to have been fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. instead of Clottey, but the megafight fell apart over a dispute over blood testing. He took out any frustrations over losing the biggest fight of his career by beating up Clottey on the biggest stage of his career.

"I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it's up to him," Pacquiao said. "I'm ready to fight any time."

That time won't come soon. Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1, and the earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather backs off his demands for blood testing.

The fight this night was more of an event than a real competition, bringing in the biggest crowd in the U.S. for a fight since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in 1993. It paid off handsomely for Pacquiao, though, who earned at least $12 million and built on the reputation he has gained as one of the greatest fighters of his time.

Promoters not only sold out the 45,000 seats available for the bout, but added thousands more standing room only "party passes" for fans who could get a glimpse of the action and see every drop of sweat on the huge overhead screens.

"It's one of the most incredible stories not just in boxing but anywhere," promoter Bob Arum said. "Fourteen years ago he was sleeping in a cardboard shack in the Philippines and tonight he puts 51,000 people in this palace in Dallas."

The tone of the fight was set early, with Pacquiao advancing against his taller opponent and throwing punches with both hands from all angles. It was the same style that gave him spectacular wins in his last three fights and, though Clottey was clearly the bigger fighter, he fought back only sparingly.

"Everything's working now," trainer Freddie Roach told Pacquiao after the third round. "It's easy."

It was easy, too, much to the delight of the crowd and much to the delight of an entire country back in Pacquiao's homeland. There, traffic came to a halt and huge numbers of Filipinos, including army troops and allied American soldiers, jammed theatres in shopping malls and military camps nationwide to root for Pacquiao. In what has now become a familiar scene, Filipinos repeatedly yelled his name and threw punches in the air after the country's boxing hero was declared the winner.

Unlike most of Pacquiao's fights, this one lacked suspense from the opening seconds of the fight, when Clottey assumed the peek-a-boo position he would remain in except for brief spurts the entire bout.

"He has speed, I lost the fight," Clottey said. "He's fast, that's why I was taking my time."

Arum said he wasn't disappointed in the effort put out by Clottey, who was guaranteed to make at least $1.25 million.

"What was he supposed to do? If he played offense he'd get knocked out," Arum said. "I can't blame the kid for trying to wear him down."

Clottey seemed content to hold his hands high in a peek-a-boo style through much of the early rounds, trying to pick off Pacquiao's punches and perhaps rally late. But he gave away round after round, despite landing some clean punches on the rare occasions when he would throw a combination.

"You gotta take a chance," Clottey's trainer, Lenny DeJesus, implored him after the sixth round. "You're in a fight and you gotta start taking chances."

Clottey didn't, though, and his prize was that he was the first fighter in Pacquiao's last six fights to make it to the final bell. The only suspense when it came time to announce the decision was whether the three ringside judges would give Clottey any of the rounds.

Pacquiao threw three times as many punches as Clottey, an average of 100 a round, and landed as many power shots as Clottey threw. Final punch stats showed Pacquiao landing 246 of 1,231 punches to 108 of 399 for Clottey.

Clottey had gotten the fight off a good performance in his last bout against Miguel Cotto, but he was clearly more concerned with surviving the all-out assault that Pacquiao is noted for than winning the fight.

"Joshua Clottey had the power to knock him out but was reluctant to punch," DeJesus said. "We clearly got beat. I don't think he won a round."

Roach agreed, saying he saw nothing in Clottey to win.

"He had a good defense, but defense isn't enough to win a fight," Roach said.

Obama promise: Brighter education futures for kids

Obama promise: Brighter education futures for kids

President Barack Obama speaks at the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference in Washington, Thursday, March 11, 2010. Obama's intense juggling of domestic issues reflects all the realities he faces: a vast agenda, a smaller window for results this year and a need to keep promises to constituencies that will have a huge say in the fall congressional elections.

ATLANTA (AP) -- President Barack Obama is promising parents and their kids that with his administration's help they will have better teachers in improved schools so U.S. students can make up for academic ground lost against youngsters in other countries.

A plan to overhaul the 2002 education law championed by President George W. Bush was unveiled by the Obama administration Saturday in hopes of replacing a system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and created a hodgepodge of sometimes weak academic standards among states.

"Unless we take action - unless we step up - there are countless children who will never realize their full talent and potential," Obama said during a video address on Saturday. "I don't accept that future for them. And I don't accept that future for the United States of America."

In the proposed dismantling of the No Child Left Behind law, education officials would move away from punishing schools that don't meet benchmarks and focus on rewarding schools for progress, particularly with poor and minority students. Obama intends to send a rewrite to Congress on Monday of the law.

The proposed changes call for states to adopt standards that ensure students are ready for college or a career rather than grade-level proficiency - the focus of the current law.

The blueprint also would allow states to use subjects other than reading and mathematics as part of their measurements for meeting federal goals, pleasing many education groups that have said No Child Left Behind encouraged teachers not to focus on history, art, science, social studies and other important subjects.

And, for the first time in 45 years, the White House is proposing a $4 billion increase in federal education spending, most of which would go to increase the competition among states for grant money and move away from formula-based funding.

The blueprint goes before the House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday as Obama pushes Congress to reauthorize the education law this year, a time-consuming task that some observers say will be difficult. Committee Chairman George Miller, a Democrat from California, praised Obama's plan.

"This blueprint lays the right markers to help us reset the bar for our students and the nation," Miller said in a prepared statement.

Meanwhile, the American Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 1.4 million educators nationwide, issued a statement Saturday criticizing the plan, saying "it just doesnt make sense to have teachers - and teachers alone - bear the responsibility for school and student success."

"It appears from our first review that despite some promising rhetoric, this blueprint places 100 percent of the responsibility on teachers and gives them zero percent authority," the statement said.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan briefed a handful of governors, lawmakers and education groups on the plan Friday, including Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican.

"The governor is very supportive of the direction the secretary is going," said Perdue's spokesman Chris Schrimpf.

A few other highlights from the blueprint:

- By 2020, all students graduating from high school would need to be ready for college or a career. That's a shift away from the current law, which calls for all students to be performing at grade level in reading and math by 2014.

- Give more rewards - money and flexibility - to high-poverty schools that are seeing big gains in student achievement and use them as a model for other schools in low-income neighborhoods that struggle with performance.

- Punish the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools using aggressive measures, such as having the state take over federal funding for poor students, replacing the principal and half the teaching staff or closing the school altogether.

- Duncan has said the name No Child Left Behind will be dropped because it is associated with a harsh law that punishes schools for not reaching benchmarks even if they've made big gains. He said the administration will work with Congress to come up with a new name.

Amy Wilkins, a vice president with The Education Trust in Washington, D.C., called the blueprint a "culture shift."

"One of the things America has not been clear about is what k-12 is supposed to do," Wilkins said. "In this, we're saying K-12 is supposed to prepare kids for college and meaningful careers."

The nation's first federal education law - Elementary and Secondary Education Act - was passed in 1965 as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's war on poverty. The law has been reauthorized several times since, most recently in 2001 under President George W. Bush.

It was criticized by educators for focusing too much on testing and not enough on learning. Daniel Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, said he is glad to see No Child Left Behind go away.

"We're delighted over that," he said. "We have not been a fan of No Child Left Behind."

AP Exclusive: Pentagon gun was from Tenn. police

AP Exclusive: Pentagon gun was from Tenn. police

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2007 file photo, Miami police chief John Timoney speaks during a news conference. Law enforcement officials say two guns used in high-profile attacks, one at the Pentagon, and another from the fatal January shooting of an officer at a Las Vegas courthouse, both came from the same unlikely place: the police and court system of Memphis, Tennessee.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two guns used in high-profile shootings this year at the Pentagon and a Las Vegas courthouse both came from the same unlikely place: the police and court system of Memphis, Tenn.

Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that both guns were once seized in criminal cases in Memphis. The officials described how the weapons made their separate ways from an evidence vault to gun dealers and to the shooters.

The use of guns that once were in police custody and were later involved in attacks on police officers highlights a little-known divide in gun policy in the United States: Many cities and states destroy guns gathered in criminal probes, but others sell or trade the weapons in order to get other guns or buy equipment such as bulletproof vests.

In fact, on the day of the Pentagon shooting, March 4, the Tennessee governor signed legislation revising state law on confiscated guns. Before, law enforcement agencies in the state had the option of destroying a gun. Under the new version, agencies can only destroy a gun if it's inoperable or unsafe.

Kentucky has a similar law, but it's not clear how many other states have laws specifically designed to promote the police sale or trade of confiscated weapons.

A nationwide review by The Associated Press in December found that over the previous two years, 24 states - mostly in the South and West, where gun-rights advocates are particularly strong - have passed 47 new laws loosening gun restrictions. Gun rights groups are making a greater effort to pass favorable legislation in state capitals.

John Timoney, who led the Philadelphia and Miami police departments and served as New York's No. 2 police official, said he doesn't believe police departments should be putting more guns into the market.

"I just think it's unseemly for police departments to be selling guns that later turn up," he said, recalling that he had once been offered the chance to sell guns to raise money for the police budget.

"Obviously, we always need the money but I just said, `No, we will take the loss and get rid of the guns'," said the former police chief, who now works for Andrews International, a security consulting firm.

One of the weapons in the Pentagon attack was seized by Memphis police in 2005 and later traded to a gun dealer; the gun used in the Jan. 4 courthouse shooting in Las Vegas as sold by a judge's order and the proceeds given to the Memphis-area sheriff's office. Neither weapon was sold by the Memphis law enforcement agencies directly to the men who later used them to shoot officers.

In both cases, the weapons first went to licensed gun dealers, but later came into the hands of men who were legally barred from possessing them: one a convicted felon; the other mentally ill.

The history of the two guns in the recent attacks was described by officials from multiple law enforcement agencies on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the investigations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provided reports on the gun traces to the investigating agencies, but is barred from publicly disclosing the results.

At the Pentagon, gunman John Patrick Bedell carried two 9 mm handguns, one of them a Ruger.

Law enforcement officials say Bedell, a man with a history of severe psychiatric problems, had been sent a letter by California authorities Jan. 10 telling him he was prohibited from buying a gun because of his mental history.

Nineteen days later, the officials say, Bedell bought the Ruger at a gun show in Las Vegas. Such a sale by a private individual does not require the kind of background check that would have stopped Bedell's purchase.

Mike Campbell, an ATF spokesman in Washington, would not confirm the details. He would only say Bedell "appears to have purchased the gun from a private seller."

The gun already had changed hands among gun dealers in Georgia and Pennsylvania by the time Bedell bought it. Officer Karen Rudolph, a Memphis police spokeswoman, said her department traded the weapon to a dealer in 2008 for a different gun that was better for police work. Rudolph said gun swaps are a way to save taxpayer money.

The Ruger had sat in Memphis police storage for years at that point, after being confiscated from a convicted felon at a 2005 traffic stop.

The trail of the gun used at the Las Vegas federal courthouse is older and harder to pin down. Johnny Lee Wicks, an elderly man enraged over cuts to his Social Security benefits, opened fire with the shotgun at the security entrance to the courthouse. He killed one officer, Stanley Cooper, and wounded another.

Wicks, like Bedell at the Pentagon, was killed by officers' return fire.

Before that courthouse attack, what records exist suggest officers in Memphis confiscated that gun in 1998.

A judge in Memphis ordered the sale of the shotgun as part of a criminal case, and the proceeds of that sale went to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, confirmed sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular.

He said the gun dealer who bought it later sold the weapon to a dealer in Nevada. It is not clear how Wicks got the shotgun.

Rich Wyatt, a former police chief in Alma, Colo., who now operates a gun store - and who has bought weapons from police agencies - defended the practice of police selling guns.

"Maybe if they put the money they made selling the guns into training those officers better, they'd be better off," said Wyatt. "Nobody ever, ever questions selling a car that was used in a crime. I am sad that officers were shot, but I don't care where the guns came from. To say we need to chase guns is not the issue, we need to chase people."