Summer Solstice 2010: first day of summer roundup

Today is Summer Solstice 2010, the first day of summer. According to Wikipedia, Summer Solstice, or the "first day of summer," is "when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'." It's the longest day of the year, with the shortest night, and thus the best reason to have a round up of what's happening. So, picking through the national and local issues and trends...

Oakland, CA

Oakland Police, who have gone without a cost-of-living adjustment for four years, are bracing for job cuts as the Oakland City Council sends signals that it is considering eliminating up to 200 jobs. Some officers say that they've given quite enough in adjustments and feel like they're being used as political footballs while the Oakland City Council tries to look like it can make tough decisions.

The best move for the Oakland City Council is to cut pay temporarily rather than jobs, as many officers would rather have a brief pay hit than a job elimination. Whatever the decision, the City Council should do it and communicate to police that they're more than valued, as many officers don't get that message.

Alameda, CA

Interim City Manager Ann Marie Gallant is under heavy fire for a consistent practice of hiring out of town contractors for work. According to The Island, Gallant ignored a local black financial advisor, Lonnie Odom, president of Stinson Securities LLC, and selected a firm, Westhoff, Cone & Holmstedt, that includes a person Gallant worked with when that person was with another firm, Westhoff-Martin and Associates, and Gallant worked in another city. Gallant selected Westhoff, Cone & Holmstedt without a competitive bid. The job is to have an underwriter for public infrastructure refinancing bonds.

From my experience in the Oakland Mayor's Office, that work is commonly subject to competitive bid because the bond dollar amounts are so large, generally in the millions and in some cases billions, no one in city government wants to be accused of favoritism or racism. Gallant is dealing with both perceptions. Given her years of experience, it's shocking for Gallant to take such a brazen action and doesn't say much good about her style or intent. If Gallant's not careful, the Summer Solstice could mark the beginning of the end of her employment with the City of Alameda.

Atlanta, GA

The sad top story at The Atlanta Journal Constitution is of Christa Scott, a 26-year old Midtown club employee, who left work with a blood-alcohol level of .229, three times the legal limit and up there in Chris Klein-territory, and smashed into a car driven by Jordan Griner, an intern for Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. Scott ran a red light and hit Griner's driver's side door. He died at Grady Memorial Hospital.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly, portrayed as Godzilla on The Wall SF Forum, has floated a proposal to merge the San Francisco Police Department with the Sheriff's Department and placing control in the hands of the elected sheriff, thus eliminating the position of Chief of Police, and with it George Gasćon. Chris Daly needs six votes from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to get the proposal on the November ballot. Let's see if he gets them this summer.

More later...stay tuned.

Tila Tequila: 3 Adoptions in 1 year.. -- Nikky Raney

Kazakhstan Adoption Claims

Russian Adoption Claims:

Haiti Adoption Claims:

I have not edited any of the tweets posted. I have not added any of the text. The tweets are directly from Tila's twitter and sites that have archived her tweets.

The reason I made this blog post is because I take adoption seriously. It's not okay to lie about adoption. If the adoption is 100% approved - then keep up with it and post more information. Adoption can be a long process. If these children are actually real;who she met and agreed to adopt; then I feel bad if she ended up decided not to. I would feel even worse if this was made up, because I am sure no matter what -- the child would be happy to be out of the current environment.

Celebwitter

Celebrity Tweet

Favstar

Celebrities Who Tweet

This will be the last post about Tila for a while. After the fiasco last night it is clear that my posts truly affected her, and that she was very upset by them. She made so many blog entries about how she doesn't care about "haters." She claims to love her haters, and she wants them to keep talking. Out of all the people who speak of her, there are many people who actually call her names & make wrongful assumptions about her. I have never directly attacked her or called her any derogatory names. I have never said anything that did not have evidence to justify it. I have many times said that I do not hate Tila, and that I was once a fan of hers. I do this all so that the lies will be exposed and I can shed light on the situations. It's strange that so many people constantly attack her, call her names and say such cruel things to her like telling her to die, etc. but all I do is comment about her tweets and assess her blog posts & I get attacked through her tweets & the Tila Army tweets. So for this blog entry the only evidence I am using will be from Tila Tequila herself. That way she cannot say I am lying, attacking, etc. Tila, I apologize if I hurt your feelings. I never meant to actually upset you. Maybe my posts will help you to come to terms with your lies and realize that you need to make some changes. You are almost 30, and I hope that you will realize all the potential power that you have, and how much you could accomplish if you changed some things about yourself. I hope that Dr. Drew can help you out, and I will be watching. I watched both seasons of Shot at Love, and I was in love with it. It was sweet, and you and Bobby were cute. So, I feel bad that out of all the mean posts, the one that affected you the most were the posts that were NOT mean to you, but the ones that exposed you WITHOUT being mean or calling names. I guess it's time to focus on Perez. I will probably do a Perez vs Tila post comparing the two. I am working on a Future of Journalism post dealing with Skype interviews for journalism. I do have to thank Tila. Your attention helped to promote me, had me gain more followers, and showed people how mature and how much of an impact I actually have. I have been complimented on my skills as a journalist & blogger and how I am able to criticize and expose without personally attacking. This however is a personal message to you. I decided to make it public like your posts to Lindsay, because I would like this to be read by all. By the way, I am listening to your song Paralyze at the moment - I love that song and I wish that you would record more songs like it. I wish you the best Tila, and I hope that you can see that I never attacked you or was "out to get you." I never even insulted you. Good luck with everything, and I hope one day you can look back and maybe thank me or maybe even apologize to me for all the things you said to me & all the tweets you made attacking me. Even attacking my weight when you said yourself we all need to stick together as women and support each other's bodies. I am not concerned with my weight, because I am not insecure and I am not fat. I do not comment on your blog by the way. My name "nikky" is not even able to be in your comments. So, I hope that one day you may actually apologize and realize I was never a "hater" and I never directly insulted or attacked you. Wish you the best of luck, and I hope that maybe you'll try to be more honest and live up to what you say. I still may make the occasional post if there are any new fiascos, but for now I will leave the investigating to Tila's Rot Spot - they are very good at what they do & they actually have tried to reach out and help you as well. I have respect for them. I will let them continue to do what they do, and if I see something really needs to be covered then I will assist. If you don't make anymore lies or actually adopt a child, create a charity, keep your stories consistent, stop contradicting yourself, fly a fan out to live like a celebrity, or create a web site that doesn't focus on yourself then I may even post about how you have changed & how you are living up to your words. Hope you read this & see where I am coming from. - Nikky Raney

Nikky Raney - The Future of Journalism

Keep up with me on Twitter

Barton, Bachmann, and BP, oh my!

It's ironic that when voters think the President isn't getting enough done, they often use the off years to make it harder for him. Logic goes out the window - and if it happens this time...?

Veteran Texas Congressman Joe "BP" Barton is the ranking GOP member (and former chair) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  That means if the Republicans gain a simple majority of seats in the House, Barton is the heir-apparent for the chairmanship. You can bet your BP that big oil is looking forward to that day, even if they only make it partway in November of 2010.

Consider the 2^nd District in Minnesota, where a below-the-radar Congressman, John Kline, is hoping nobody will notice how closely his votes parallel Bachmann and Barton's.  As his challenger Shelley Madore (a former MN House Rep) has been saying since she announced her campaign for U.S. Congress in January of this year, Kline is no less extreme than Michelle Bachmann of the 6th District if you look at his votes. Kline, on the opposite side of the Twin Cities metro from the infamous Bachmann, is just Michelle in sheep's clothing.

And I use "sheep's clothing" with all seriousness, because John Kline has done almost nothing but follow the GOP herd during his entire time in office.

We all know that the "off years" are when the party that doesn't hold the presidency traditionally gains traction. People realize the President can't actually get done everything they hoped he could, and so they decide to make it harder for him.

What? You were expecting logic from the voters?

Here's a simple truth: Most folks vote for a gut reason, not a head reason.  They can cite reasons that sound logical, but the truth is they mostly vote for politicians they like, or they think they'd like to have a beer with.

Here's more simple truth: The GOP is about to spend a lot of money in key races, including big oil money, and the more headway they make the less Washington stands up to Wall Street, big oil, big mining, the insurance companies, or any other big business.

The GOP has decided to prove that government is ineffective, as part of their "small government" platform that sounds so good until you realize that only our elected leaders -- our government -- has sufficient power to hold BP accountable.  The Free Market economy sure the heck can't do it, as we proved by deregulating Wall Street (with predictable, and now well-documented, results.)

Will voters pick the party of Joe "BP" Barton and Michelle Bachmann, with their faithful flock of followers such as John Kline to take on the aftermath of the disaster in the Gulf?  Opinions vary, but I'd rather see folks running the government who not only know how to get things done, but who believe there's more to being in Congress than saying the government should apologize and get out of BP's business.

That's why I like Shelley Madore's track record, and leadership, and her chances running against a "below the radar" extremist in Minnesota (where, let's face it, all eyes are on the Bachmann~Clark contest, and massive amounts of money are being raised and spent.) It's time for proven, effective leadership that knows how to partner with small businesses, not bail out and apologize for big business.

I hope voters like that kind of candidate this time around.

Thomas Hayes is an entrepreneur, journalist, political staffer, and photographer who contributes regularly to a host of web sites on topics ranging from economics and politics to culture and community.

BP Gulf Oil Spill - oil eating bacteria; Gov. Crist visits Osprey Biotechnics

This update to the blog post on the call for oil-eating bacteria to be used in the clean-up of the BP Gulf Oil Spill Disaster: Florida Governor Charlie Crist visited the firm that makes the oil-eating bacteria.

Crist needs to tell Obama about Munox 

According to The Bradenton Herald, Governor Crist was the guest of Sarasota, Florida-based Osprey Biotechnics and to see their product, Munox, first hand, last Thursday. Crist said he was "impressed" with the oil-eating bacteria product.

Crist reportedly met with Osprey Biotechnics officials for 40 minutes, and Secretary Mike Sole, of the Department of Environmental Protection called Osprey officials last Thursday.

Crist said he "may" mention Munox to President Obama in his weekly conference call. Governor Crist should change that "may" to a "will". The only logical reasons Governor Christ would stall on mentioning the Munox product to President Obams is, again, a lack of desire to have the BP Oil Spill problem quickly resolved, or because someone connected with the oil industry has said they don't want their oil assets destroyed.

Governor Crist's response should be not to care about the oil assets, or the oil that was spilled into The Gulf of Mexico. Governor Crists' first responsibility is to the health and welfare of the people of the State of Florida. And right now, both have been severely compromised.

Osprey calculates that 55 gallons of Munox could treat 36.5 square miles of water in the Gulf of Mexico. That's just a little more than about the amount of gas a large Ford F350 holds. That means Munox is powerful stuff. Governor Crist should hold Osprey to its performance claims and get that product into the Gulf of Mexico as soon as possible, like now.

Tila Tequila Attacks Nikky Raney in Twitter Updates - Nikky Raney

I would like to allow the tweets to speak for themselves.

I have made it clear I do not hate her, and she has decided to personally attack me.

Which, would count as defamation of character because she is maliciously attacking me.

And continues to call me fat.

Anyone who has read any of my posts about her will know that all my posts are backed up with facts, screenshots, and other posts. I have not posted any lies or any attacks toward Tila Tequila. It's unfortunate that she has chosen to attack me and call me fat, but her attention proves that I have done something of an impact. I am still not a hater, I don't hate her and will not attack her. I will continue to expose her, and hopefully I will get her to stop lying. Seriously.

If my twitter gets deleted I will be disappointed, but at least I will know that my point has gotten across. Now, as for me being fat

I must admit I do feel honored that Tila Tequila, the mogul, took time out of her busy celebrity life to make over 20 tweets about me. Let's see if she makes a blog post about me. This will be interesting. *yawns* Looks like my work here is done. There's nothing left to say about her. For a 28 year old to attack and defame and maliciously post those things to a 20 year old that has never said she hated and has never attacked her, quite immature and shows what kind of person she really is.

Tom Hanks films Larry Crowne; Larry Crowne script draft is excellent

Tom Hanks working on Larry Crowne

On Twitter, Skyline High Oakland (Class of '74) Graduate Tom Hanks posted a link to a recent June 18th photo of the actor reviewing playback on his movie, the comedy Larry Crowne. It's the first movie Hanks has written and directed for in 14 years, the last one being That Thing You Do in 1996.

Larry Crowne, played by Tom Hanks and starting Julia Roberts is described in this way on IMDB.com:

After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college.

While that sentence may read as simple, it invites some interesting assumptions of how Larry Crowne "reinvents himself."

Whatever the case, the cast is an interesting combination of new and established stars: Julia Roberts, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Vardalos (who's also co-writer with Hanks), Pam Grier, Maria Canals-Barrera, George Takei (from Star Trek), and Cedric the Entertainer are just some of the names reported to be in the movie.

Slated for 2011 release, Tom Hanks' assistant Bo Stevenson posted a Facebook note that "This film is different than most of the ones Tom has been a part of in the past - it's independent, it's low budget (well, ok low budget for Tom but still...).



The full story of Larry Crowne is about a popular but middle-aged team leader and 22-time "Employee of The Month" at a store called "Unimart" who loses his job due to corporate restructuring. Crowne's the highest paid employee, so the corporate execs feel they have to "make up a reason" to get rid of him.

Larry does not have a college degree, which the corporate execs say he must have to advance up in the firm's management ranks, so they say they have to release him. That, even though Larry served in the Navy, and all of this just as he's named Employee of The Month for the 22nd time.

What follows is a story of a normal every-man being turned away by his bank and picky, potential employers in the middle of this credit-crunch economy. It's a well-written view of what Americans of every stripe have experienced.

Frustrated, Larry enrolls in college.

For the rest, you'll have to read the script. I have and while it has it's funny moments, it's also one that has a perfect read on American Culture. It' feels like every story you've seen and in a way is a Norman Rockwell painting turned sideways...by Tom Hanks.

The Larry Crowne Script is online

A copy of the 139-page, November-2009-Draft of the Larry Crowne script was placed online and turned up in two places: one a pay-for-access script page, the other a Julia Roberts fan website. Turning it into a document for placement on Scribd was easy. Here it is:

Script

Tom Hanks has another hit on his hands with Larry Crowne, and it's not due for release until 2011. I don't think the script, at 139 pages, is exactly what we will see in 2011, because, at one minute of screen time per page, it's over 2 hours long. Getting it down to 120 pages, and thus 2 hours, is something I'm sure Hanks has done.

Stay tuned.

World Cup Soccer 2010: Heart and Dagger Saloon in Oakland, CA has it

Not soon after this space blasted Oakland for not having enough bars and restaurants showing World Cup Soccer matches, and slammed Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums for not hosting an Oakland City Hall outdoor viewing party for World Cup Soccer, did an email fly in from some where in Oakland. This one:

Zennie,

With as much as you follow Oakland business, I find it hard to believe you aren't following the Heart and Dagger Saloon on Lake Park Avenue. Since you didn't list it in your post and lamented how Oakland isn't with it, let me fill you in. Heart and Dagger is opening early on weekends (11am) for the games and are offering drink specials. Follow them on Facebook, they post about it all the time.

Natalie

Okay!

The Heart and Dagger Saloon is located at 504 Lake Park Ave, where the quirky Seranader bar was located, which is that little street that starts where the Grand Lake Theater is at Grand and Lake Park and extends to Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland.

Here's a map:


View Larger Map

I paid my first visit to Heart and Dagger Saloon Friday night and ended up watching the movie Zombie Strippers with Jenna Jameson and Robert Englund.

I'm not kidding.

It's a fun place. Check it out!

World Cup Soccer 2010: New Zealand shocks Italy 1-1

Maybe Italy needed Koman?

Defending World Cup Soccer champion Italy came in with so much promise, but so far has miserably failed to live up to its billing. Italy Azzurri battled the New Zealand All Whites to a 1-1 draw, making kiwis happy on Father's Day, while causing the World to scratch its head over Italy's performance.

Italy has not won a game in World Cup Soccer as of this writing. They have two matches and two draws. Not bad if you're the USA, but this is Italy, the assumed juggernaut of World Cup Soccer.

New Zealand, the 78th ranked team, tied the 5th ranked Italy Soccer team.

Much of the credit goes to New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert's bold move to aggressively attack Italy with three strikers to open the game; the result was the match's first goal, scored by New Zealand.

And were it not for a penalty on Tommy Smith for grabbing and pulling down Daniele De Rossi, thus leading to a successful penalty kick for Italy, the New Zealand team would have won.

It's clear Italy was outplayed, but if it was by one of the lowest ranking teams in the World Cup, what's next?

Stay tuned.

World Cup Soccer 2010: few TV watching chances in Oakland, CA

For all of its claims to be moving ahead as a city, Oakland, California is still light years behind it's neighbor, San Francisco, and other cities like Atlanta and Seattle in World Cup Soccer viewing opportunities.

If you don't have a television or happen to live with roommates who don't care about World Cup Soccer 2010 (boring people they must be), you're almost out of luck in Oakland.

There are only eight establishments showing World Cup Soccer, and spread out between North Oakland and the Claremont District of the Central Oakland Hills. The one I most recommend is Barclay's at 5940 College Avenue.

Why this blog post? I just got this email:

Hi there,

I just came across your video shot right after the game on Friday, and I noticed you were in Oakland. I'm originally from Germany (another lucky team that day...), and none of my roommates give a damn about the World Cup, so I was hoping you could point me in the right direction, as to where in Oakland one can watch the games, both, USA and Germany, that early in the morning.

Thanks,
Name not published

Oh if you're wondering what game, this game's outcome:



San Francisco has scores of World Cup Soccer viewing places

San Francisco's unique brand of urban party town is such that you can see The World Cup matches at cafes like The Steps of Rome in North Beach, or bars like Kesar on the corner of Cole and Stanyan. Why, the City and County of San Francisco even had a live broadcast of the France v. Mexico match in the middle of City Hall Plaza on Friday!

Seattle is mad for World Cup Soccer

Seattle, a city that has a professional soccer team, is teaming with places to watch World Cup Soccer. So many that Seattle Weekly has a directory of them. From The George and Dragon Pub to Azzurri and scores of other establishments, you can't miss a chance to watch World Cup Soccer with others in Seattle.

Atlanta has events around World Cup Scocer

The Atlanta International Soccer Fest, a giant contest featuring 20 teams representing international organizations based in Atlanta, was timed with the start of World Cup Soccer. And bars from downtown to Buckhead have World Cup Soccer viewing parties and special times.

Oakland must wake up to The World Cup

What does Oakland have? Well, a lot less. I have a television set and a good one, but it's fun to watch the World Cup with others. My good friends invited me to watch the epic USA v. Slovenia match in San Francisco at The Steps of Rome, but as I needed a day close to home, I elected to stay in Oakland.

Then I got the urge to go out and see it, really to capture how others were reacting to it on video, only to learn the hard way that in Adams Point, no bar or cafe had World Cup Soccer. The one place I'd expect to have a morning game, the bar Smitty's at 3331 Grand Avenue, had some guy watching it for himself behind a looked screen door and saying to me "we're closed." I didn't want to drive all the way over to Rockridge because there wasn't enough time left in the game.

So I went to the gym, Gold's Gym, to watch it. But by then it was over. No talk. No anger expressed by patrons other than me. Nothing.

Meanwhile, my friends in San Francisco were calling and texting me about the World Cup Soccer game.

For a city that tried to bid to host the World Cup, you'd think it would be easy to find places showing it in Oakland. It's not so easy but as I wrote, there are eight places showing the World Cup matches on a regular basis in Oakland.

The first place you should go is Barclay's at 5940 College Avenue in Oakland's Rockridge District and just up the street from Rockridge BART, as they have a great soccer crowd. Their website reports they will be open for all games at 6:30 AM.

Oakland North's Jill Replogle wrote a great, if not widely seen, article on this subject, and unearthed a few more Oakland places showing the World Cup games, but not all on a regular basis (she recommends you call first). They are:

Commonwealth Café and Public House at 28th and Telegraph Ave
Oasis Food Market on 30th and Telegraph
Kerry House on Piedmont near 41st
Dareye Hide A Way Ethiopian Restaurant: 6430 Telegraph Ave.
The Grand Tavern: 3601 Grand Ave (way up the street from Smitty's)
Luka’s Taproom & Lounge: 2221 Broadway
McNally Irish Pub: 5352 College Ave.
La Calaca Loca: 5199 Telegraph Ave.

But that's still a small number compared to the places in Oakland that should be showing the game. First, as much as I love the place, it's a total shame The Lake Chalet doesn't have a television set, and two TVs hanging iconically near the two ends of that long bar, to watch the World Cup matches would be perfect to draw crowds. Crogan's in Montclair should be showing all the World Cup matches. The Oakland Marriott downtown should have viewing parties. Max's City Center should open early for the games. Pican just next to Luka's has great TV sets and should show all of the World Cup matches.

Come on Oakland! Get with it! I don't care that you don't want to be known as a sports bar, and such concerns are for neurotics anyway. The World Cup is once every four years! Mayor Ron Dellums should get his head out of where ever it is and open Oakland's City Hall Plaza for a World Cup viewing party.

This is awful. This town needs an enema, and fast before The World Cup is over!

Manute Bol dies at 47: Bol's sprit of giving not well known

Manute Bol

Former Golden State Warriors player Manute Bol (who also played with the Philadelphia 76ers, Seattle Supersonics, and Washington Bullets) sadly passed away Saturday at the young age of 47 and do to complications from "Stevens - Johnson syndrome," which Bol reportedly contracted while in Sudan.

Bol is being celebrated as one of the NBA's best defensive players in history, but Bol's also praised for his work in the sprit of giving. The Kansas City Star reported in May - as Bol was in the hospital for the condition that would ultimately take his life - that Manute Bol's charitable work for Sudan was not well-recognized by the public.

Bol's focus was helping those less fortunate in his home country of Sudan. One of the organizations Bol supported is called "Alliance For The Lost Boys of Sudan."

Alliance For The Lost Boys is an organization that supplies medical and dental coverage as well as educational funding and school supplies for the boys of Sudan. Specifically, the estimated 27,000 Sudanese boys who were displaced from their families during the Second Sudanese Civil War. A war where Bol himself lost several hundred family members. A war that saw 2 million killed; 3,800 boys were orphaned in America, mostly in the State of Arizona, Chicago and the State of Florida.

(That Arizona has Sundanese orphans makes one wonder if they too are being harmed by that states' Hitler-like illegal immigration law and the intense racism expressed by some there.)

This comment summed up Bol's thoughts: "There’s no way I can put the money in my pocket while my people are getting beat up. Whatever I can do to help my people I will do. I feel whatever I make here I make for my people."

The Kansas City Star 's Sam Mellinger wrote that Bol "has given so much and received little in comparison." And in a set of paragraphs that makes any one want to cry, Mellinger wrote:

He was once lured back to his home country with the promise of a cabinet post, only to find out he would be required to convert to Islam. When he refused, he was stranded for nearly five years. His trust and good intentions have been abused so many times.

Even while playing, he went into war zones to help the Lost Boys and other refugees. Sometimes, those visits were interrupted by bombings from warlords who viewed Bol as a threat.

His family was wiped out by Darfurians, but when that country became victims, Bol was one of the first Sudanese to speak out in support. A Christian, he told his people that extremists were the enemy, not Muslims.

he uncomfortable part of this is that we’ll appreciate Bol, 47, more when he’s gone, whenever that comes.

You know, there are times when I have said "I wish someone would have told me about that; I'd have done what I could to help." Manute Bol's story is one of those times I wish someone had contacted me. A person's story is a collection of small contributions; that's one I would have certainly made.

Manute Bol's in a better place. And, while it's after his passing, we should stop to celebrate Manute Bol's time on Earth.

God bless Manute Bol.

Manute Bol dies at 47: Bol a Golden State Warrior who will be missed

Manute Bol, the tallest player in Golden State Warriors in history, died today at 47 and of complications from "Stevens–Johnson syndrome" at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bol as a player was a sight to see: a literal cross between a stilt and a praying mantis. Bol, who towered at 7 feet, 7 inches, was one of the tallest NBA Basketball player in history and for a long time known as just a shot blocker, and is one of a just a few players with 12 or more blocks in one game.

In this video below called "Manute Bol: Welcome to the Block Party," Bol blocked four straight shots in the opening segment. Moreover, he did it so effortlessly, blocking shots seemed like child's play.



Bol is the only player in NBA history to have blocked more shots (2,086) than points he scored (1,599). Manute averaged 3.3 blocked shots per game, and under Don Nelson in his second stint with the Warriors in 1994, became a defensive terror.

Manute the Shooter

Manute Bol

But Manute was also a great three-point shooter (and you can see him making one with the Warriors as his teammate Chris Mullin looks on). Manute was the giant master of the "three": the person you least expected to try a shot from downtown and the one you least expected to make one from downtown. In his first stint with the Warriors from 1988 to 1990, Bol shot them with regularity, attempting a career-high 91 "threes" and making 20 of them.

Bol, listed in many headlines as a former Philadelphia 76ers player, will always be remembered as an Oakland, er Golden State Warrior, in this space.

Manute was the player you wished and cheered for because for all of his physical gift of height (Manute means "special blessing") and story that he fought a lion in Sudan, he seemed to be a very kind man.

Manute Bol lived almost exactly the same number of years as I have; he's gone and taken from us far too early. He died of Stevens–Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening condition where your skin and mucous membranes over react to a medication or infection, according to The Mayo Clinic.

Manute Bol was one of the great ones; he will be missed by many.

SAIC uses Crain's to defend itself CityTime tax payer's Titanic by Suzannah B. Troy

This is for people following my YouTube and blog postings on CityTime, the tax payers Titanic or want to know about a NYC technology scandal at City Hall that for far too long is  making consultants the big bucks off of CityTime's  flaws.  They  did their best  to keep this Orwellian techno dream of Bloomberg's quiet like Sleeping Beauty but more and more people are learning about this economic disaster. 

If you visit the Crain's piece I am giving you a link to SAIC and you can read what that stands  and how SAIC is using Crain's to defend it's reputation.   CityTime was suppose to save the city money by using technology from hand prints to using computers to sign in and instead it seems like a scam to make consultants even richer.   There are over 200 consultants and some are getting close to half a million and some a million but CityTime is about to bust the 1 billion dollar mark and CityTime is very flawed....flawed is a kind word for hunk of junk, a black hole sucking tax payers money, a scam or sham....read on....

I had made this YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/Suzannahartist#p/u/19/_Tz4eMcP2LU

May 27, 2010.

You can find the first blog posting that goes in to the CityTime and SAIC in the text portion of this YouTube link above.

I give you a link to this woman Ali Winston's article that gets in to SAIC and Iraq and even the FBI.

Check it out.

Go to my main blog and search under CityTime to find all my postings....www.suzannahbtroy.blogspot.com

Juan Gonzalez's work covering CityTime has been outstanding and indepth so you must check out Ali Winston's piece from City Limits that connects the dots with SAIC to federal level scandals  and Gonzalez's series that is focused here in NYC.   Juan Gonzelez's series of pieces exposing CityTime are all on The New York Daily News website are a must read.  

Renewal is this Sept. and I am one of many that feels rather than renew we need an investigation.

Even better would be a full refund of tax payers money which is moving towards the billion dollar mark for a massively flawed system and this article says Joel Bondy is laying low.

I would like to know how much he earns as a city employee vs. a consultant or what....?  What is his role with CityTime and NYC gov fully explained along with other consultants especially anyone that has ties to NYC gov and or Bloomberg and friends.   I don't have a press pass and I am finding NYC gov is not eager to answer questions and or be transparent.   Maybe a press pass would help....?

Actually on 2nd thought....

here is paragraph from Ali Winston's article from City Limits....

But SAIC has also had high-profile problems over the years. In the early 1990s, the company and six of its employees pleaded guilty to making false statements in their handling of work at EPA Superfund sites. In 2004, the Pentagon's inspector general faulted SAIC's performance on a contract to rebuild the Iraqi media. The following year, the FBI blamed SAIC for botching the development of the bureau's new "Trilogy" information management system (although the Justice Department inspector general said the FBI deserved much of the blame). And the company was still wrangling into 2007 with the Greek government over whether SAIC deserved full payment for a security system it developed for the 2004 Athens Olympics.