ELIOT SPITZER ACCUSED OF BEING IN PROSTITUTION RING

UPDATE: Video:




This is the classic "Big Story". According to The New York Times, but the NY Post has better and more detailed information, reporting that Fix News has stated that Spitzer's set to resign:

Feds last week busted a diamond-studded international call-girl ring that offered well-heeled johns "fashion models, pageant winners and exquisite students" for up to $5,500 an hour - after one of the prostitutes turned on her pimp. The Times reported that it was unclear whether this was the ring Spitzer was involved with...The Emperors Club, an upscale escort service, ranked its hookers on a seven-diamond scale on its Web site and then charged its wealthy clientele accordingly for "dates," court papers said.
Four people were charged with prostitution and tax crimes for allegedly raking in more than $1 million with a stable of 50 girls that serviced clients in New York, Washington, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, London, Paris and Vienna.

You will hear accounts that Spitzer was a "clean cut" person and that as Attorney General, he essentially picked on the Wall Street establishment, and the online ticket industry. In the latter, without success.

Now Spitzer's speaking and appologizing to his family. He says that he failed to live up to the standard of himself the people of New York. He did not say he would step down but that he would get back to the public. He did not deny being part of the prostitution ring.

More later.

N.Y. Times: New York governor linked to prostitution

Governor Spitzer has been reportedly linked to a prostitution ring, The Emperor's Club, which charges $1000-5500 per hour for their promiscuous services. Undoubtedly, a damaging black eye for the maverick governor and former Attorney General for the Empire State.

In addition, the crime fighting governor has been reported by MSNBC to have sent text messages requesting various services to the ring.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Times is reporting that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told senior advisers that he had been involved in a prostitution ring.

On its Web site, the newspaper cites an anonymous administration official as the source and says Spitzer was meeting with his top aides.

Spitzer officials wouldn't immediately comment on the story to The Associated Press. An announcement was scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at his Manhattan office

SXSW - Sara Lacy Of Business Week Gets Hammered for Softballing Mark Zuckerberg

Sara Lacy's being described as having given an interview of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg that was "flirtatiously awful" at SXSW. I usually don't hear about such matters on the blogsphere from SXSW in the past, so this one must have been a real toilet-dweller of a talk.

I'll go over to my friends Owen Thomas and Paul Boutin at Valleywag for the ulitmate take on all of this, since both were there while I'm here in Oakland playing host to my Mom, who's visiting. Owen agrees with the reviewers regarding the audience's behavior. Paul, who can turn a phrase with the best of them, wrote "if you really hated yesterday's big event, Austin attendees, blame yourselves. SXSW only gave you exactly what you wanted: A chance to relive Spring Break and the senior prom, but with you and your self-styled "geek" friends as the popular kids."

So just what happened? You can see it here, along with the audience reactions:



Just eyeballing it, it seems that Lacy was doing more talking than listening. It's as if Mark was the spectator.

Here's Sara's explaination of what happened:



According to Sara, the questions were a product of discussion by her and Mark, but she's taking the fall. Tisk. Well, this will all blow over in a few days, especially since bigger news like New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's alledged involvement in a prostitution ring is holding the Monday Zeitgeist space.

Lindsay Lohan - Who Is Lindsay Lohan - Video

I realized I don't even know who Lindsay Lohan really is, so I posted this video that was created to show her.

New England Patriots Spygate - NFL Near Deal With Matt Walsh - NY TIMES

Once the evidence he presents hits the media, the image-aware NFL will take swift action, for sure.


Let’s Make a Deal, Starring Matt Walsh
By ANDREW DAS - NY TIMES

In statements released to the news media Sunday night, the N.F.L. and the lawyer representing the former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh revealed that the sides were nearing a deal that would finally allow Walsh to reveal what he knows about spying in the N.F.L.

Corzine and Rendell Want To Back Florida and Michigan Revote? NO WAY JOSE!

Aww, come on! You've got to be kidding me. Let's see. We've got two Clinton-backers New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell offering to raise money for new revotes in Florida and Michigan?

You gotta be kidding me!

Just say no way Jose. Look, not only are they Clinton-backers, they're not known as having the greatest clean reputations in the World. Just go and type "Corzine Scandal" and "Rendell Scandal" in Google and you'll get a combined 245,000 results, and that's no accident.

We need a process Americans -- not to mention people in Florida and Michigan -- can trust. I'm way not for this at all. I don't think Senator Obama should be either.

"Breaking Bad" Is Great Television - Just Saw It

Ok, so I'm flipping channels and up comes the start of a program which features this shaved-headed, bespectacled man sitting next to a rather attractive , yet plain-looking woman. They're listening to a rather boring school PTA meeting presentation when we suddenly see the man slowly place his hand under the table and run it up the skirt of the woman. She takes his hand and places it away from her -- for a second. Then she takes it and moves it slowly up her skirt.

Just when it seems the hand will meet its destination, his name is called by the presenter, and he and she, and we, are snapped back to reality.

Welcome to "Breaking Bad."

"Breaking Bad" is a new show on AMC (American Movie Channel), which took the genius move of hosting it, is a story about your typical high school chem teacher who discovers he has lung cancer and elects to use his talents to create meth for sale on the open market. That's where things get interesting.

You'll have to tune in for the rest. Check it out.

Sean Hannity's Messed-Up Obama Reporting Features Security Threat

Yes, you read my title correctly. Fox News' Sean Hannity should be FIRED. Yanked off the Fox News telecast by his legs, upside down , by the Secret Service and in full prime-time view of the American Public.

Sean Hannity's a total jerk of a TV personality who thinks it's cool and good ratings to assist by association in placing a respected U.S Senator in danger, which is what he has done by featuring one man, a friend of Sean's who's a white supremacist named Hal Turner and who Sean's frequently had as a guest, and who also threatened Obama.

Yes, you read that correctly. Sean Hannity is -- as newshounds put it -- "ever-vigilant-against-black-racism but ever-sympathetic-to-white-racism". But to the point of allowing a person he's friendly with to threaten the life of Barack Obama? This is nuts, and Sean's just plain horrible.

Hal Turner's had bomb-making tips on his website and has written such dangerous and really sick words as ""smart Frenchman Burned The Place Down To Prevent More Savage Negros From Gaining Access To France" and who's page is linked to from a Neo-Nazi groups website. And add to that, he's not even supposed to have a webpage, because he's been rejected by so many people. Maybe the Secret Service should take this down.

And with all of this, Sean Hannity has a relationship with this idiot? WFT?!

(I'd link to Turner's page, but it makes me barf to even write the link code to do it. But on second thought, if it helps the FBI and the Secret Service, I'll do it...here's the link.)

This means Fox News speaks for Hal Turner.

I can't believe Fox News is to desparate for rating that on top of the whole short skirts, upskirt legs habit they've launched on the part of their female hosts, they harbor as a TV personality a guy who has no problem -- none at all -- giving voice to someone who wants to eliminate Barack Obama.

I can't figure out which is worst: Hannity or Turner, or Fox News itself. I guess I'll take all three of them put together.

According to Newshounds, Hannity, this total piece-of-shit fuck in my free-speech opinion regarding a public figure who's played agent to the threat of Barack Obama, has " has never renounced Turner." Moreover, according to McSweeney's Internet Tendency , Hannity has helped Turner overcome a drug problem and has invited him to the set of his TV show. Think about it. Sean Hannity maintains a friendship with a person in Hal Turner who -- again according to McSweeney -- advocates killing African Americans, and I'm way not making this up.

It's about time Sean rejected Turner on his show, or get booted from his show. But really, it's about time Fox News got some real balls and kicked Hannity off the air, regardless of the appology. It's totally un-American to have a person who's arguably a threat to national security on the public airwaves. Get his stupid, ignorant, racist ass off television now.

Now for those of you who think Hannity has a point about "The real Barack Obama," you're smoking something other than a very good Mike Ditka Cigar. According to Newshounds, which "watches Fox so you don't have to" ...

Obama has renounced Farrakhan and the radical organization the Weather Underground, of which two former members developed a seemingly loose association with Obama 40 years later. Naturally, those renunciations were not good enough for Hannity. But Hannity, to my knowledge, has never renounced Turner.

Obama’s “connection” to Farrakhan is tenuous at best. Obama’s pastor’s daughters awarded Farrakhan some kind of lifetime achievement award. It’s worth noting that Obama has said he disagrees with the award. But that did not satisfy the ever-vigilant-against-black-racism but ever-sympathetic-to-white-racism Hannity.

Obama’s connection to Ayers is also sketchy. It has been reported that Obama met with the two former radicals, Bill Ayers and his wife, Bernadette Dohrn, in 1995; Obama served with Ayers on the board of an anti-poverty group; Ayers donated $200 to Obama's 2001 state senate campaign;

I'm glad Patriot Boy called the Secret Service about Hal Turner; the Secret Service should keep a watch on Sean Hannity, too. I've seen the real terrorists, and they're Hal Turner and Sean Hannity.

There are some who say Hannity is a moron , but I say he's just plain a threat to our country. Please get him off the air; he's done far more damage than Don Imus ever did, and Imus got the boot. Hannity should get the jail.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger puckers up to Kim Klein

Arnold and Kim, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger puckers up to congratulate Kim Klein, the winner of the Fitness International Competition at The Arnold Classic. The Arnold Classic is an annual bodybuilding event the Governor established well before he became Governor of California.

Dick Morris: It's Over For Hilary Clinton

In Real Clear Politics, former Clinton aide and now enemy Dick Morris writes in a real clear way that it's over for Hillary Clinton:

"The real message of Tuesday's primaries is not that Hillary won. It's that she didn't win by enough.

The race is over.

The results are already clear. Obama will go to the Democratic Convention with a lead of between 100 and 200 elected delegates. The remaining question is: What will the superdelegates do then? But is that really a question? Will the leaders of the Democratic Party be complicit in its destruction?..

I don't think "The Superdelegates" will do that, because by the time we get to Puerto Rico, many of the undecideds will have moved to support Obama anyway. I think what will be written after all of this is just how much the Mainstream Media missed this story of Obama's rise, so intent were many in that camp on crowning Hillary Clinton.

HillaryIs44 Is Ran By Alex Rodriguez - Politico's Ben Smith

The anti-Barack Obama website called HillaryIs44 has existed for some months without anyone knowing who ran it. But thanks to Ben Smith of The Politco , that's not true anymore. The person's name is Alex Rodriguez. Somehow, Ben figured out that it was him and either played a hunch, formed a lie, and then watched as Alex Rodriguez took the bait, or he really did know.

In either case, the jigs' up.

Kellyanne Conway's Racism Shows Again - This Time On Larry King

Republican Pollster Kellyanne Conway's a person who just can't watch her mouth, and what comes out of it is not good at all. On November 24th of 2007, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann taggged her "The Worst Person In The World" for this comment:

"'It is,' she says, 'one day going to blossom into two air traffic controllers who don't speak great English because political correctness has made us appoint them to those positions. We're going to have two planes crashing in the sky. And that's not a dramatic example. That's what happens with slippery slopes.'"

Let me chime in here and explain how stupid that is. Not every air traffic controller in the World speaks perfect English, and in some cases they don't speak much at all, yet there's not been a major air accident tied to a language difference. I guess Conway didn't know that. Keith was right to tag her, but what she said on Larry King's show Friday March 7th 2007 at night makes her a far worst person in the World.

This is what she said:

KING: Kellyanne, you think he (Senator McCain) is enjoying this Obama-Clinton fight?

CONWAY: He ought to be. I have to slightly disagree. I don't know that he showed his temper. It's not like he hauled off and let her have it, or called her a monster or a liar like the other two are doing. But she really didn't have a follow-up question, Larry. He sort of politely gave her an opening to change the subject and she was tongue-tied in doing so.

John McCain is in New Orleans tonight addressing the Council on National Policy. It's been reported these are just the cream of the crop conservatives. This is what he's doing behind the scenes now while Hillary and Obama argue about whether she should let him sit on the back of the bus of her presidential ticket, or he argues whether or not she lied us into war in 2002.

So there he is doing something out of the headlines. For all the arguments that John McCain's not a part of the headline and the byline and the story line now, he's going to suffer. Hey, if the headlines are who is a monster, McCain's better off being in New Orleans, addressing these top of the line conservatives.

SIMMONS: Larry, we have to address that. We have to address that. This back of the bus comment is beyond the pale. I think Senator Clinton, whatever our disagreements are between the two candidates, Senator Clinton has never done or said anything that would imply that she would rather have Barack Obama sitting in the back of her campaign bus.

CONWAY: No, as V.P. You aren't paying attention.

SIMMONS: No, you are not speaking clearly, because that's out of line.

CONWAY: No, she doesn't want him to be the first black president. She wants him to be her V.P. She said that this week. She would consider putting him on her ticket, but I guess he wouldn't consider putting her on his ticket, would he?

KING: Did you use the term back of the bus?

CONWAY: I did. I just said --

KING: Meaning? CONWAY: Meaning that she wants -- she has said she would have Barack Obama as her V.P. Thereby she is denying something that many Republicans are not denying, that Barack Obama has a very strong chance of becoming this country's first black president, that someone like me respects.

That's called "foot in the mouth disease" and it's no wonder Conway was not seen after this segment. I can see the show producers smacking their heads and saying "What the....Get her outta here!"

And they did.

One online publication will cry that this is an example of political correctness run amok. But I will assert that any such argument is an example of the blind acceptance of racism.

One has to ask of all the possible statements Conway could have made, why in living hell did she have to use that one? Moreover, she doesn't even realize how incendiary her statement was. She just kept talking on and sticking her foot way down her mouth.

Good for Larry King to catch her statement however. Bravo.

Jason Calacanis' How To Save Money Running A Startup Misses Mark - Sort Of

There's a firestorm going on and at the hub of this is none other than Mahalo founder Jason Calacanis. Jason wrote a blog post called "How To Save Money Running A Startup" which has upset a number of people because it seems to reduce his employees to slave status.

Having ran Sports Business Simulations for over five years and without a million dollar or more investment -- we started with just $25,000 and later a loan from me to the firm of $18,500 -- I think I have a good list to "sort of" add to what Jason wrote.

Well, OK, more modify what he wrote.

First, don't hire employees, bring in independent contractors. The reason is that you do save money on liability issues and health insurance and equipment. Look, you're a startup, that's what startups do.

Second, don't promise a level of pay you can't achieve. If you know what you're going to have coming in, use that as a basis. Then offer percentage revenue deals to the contractor. In five years, I have yet to experience a controversy because I said I could make a payment I could not indeed do.

Third, work out of your house. You really don't need a large office and telecommuting is all the rage, so use your house or apartment and have a dedicated workspace. For extra space, use the kitchen and dining room.

Fourth, learn to love the Internet Cafe. There a lot of places to go to just get out of the house with your partners in work and get coffee, work on the computer, and admire the single talent when your mind wanders -- and you're single yourself.

Fifth, think of your co-workers as just that, co-workers; not slaves, or insects, or idiots, or expendable units. But you have to seek out people who themselves are entrepreneurial. Be very careful not to find people who want you to provide an employment structure because they will sap your energy dry. Remember, you're a startup. Start with contractors, make great deals, and grow the business first.

Sixth, make sure to find people who don't use company party time to get royally smashed and have you wonder why you contracted with them in the first place. Remember, startups are known for parties, but that doesn't mean you have to have a high booze tab.

Seventh, Jason's right about the cell phones.

In closing, you too can grow a startup with my advice. But don't stop with me, ask around. And remember that startups are fun!

Racist GOP Congressman Steve King Opens His Big Mouth

That's about all I'll say regarding GOP Congressman Steve King of Iowa. He's racist in my view, and thinks that the old trick of using Barack Obama's middle name, thinking that there are racists out there who will agree with him. Maybe someone will let him know this is 2008 and not 1808.

Barack Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

CNN's Jessica Yelin announced that Senator Barack Obama won the Wyoming Caucus. I'm watching now and he has 58 percent versus 41 percent for Clinton. There are 18 delegates at stake.

Samantha Power On The "Clinton Is A Monster" Statement - Video

Obama Gains 4 Delegates From California Primary

According to Talking Points Memo and the DailyKos, Senator Barack Obama gained 4 delegates in the California Primary. In other words, Obama has 4 more California Delegates that was reported by CNN and other news outlets. That means Senator Clinton's initial pick up of 8 delegates on March 4th has been cut in half by this and will be eliminated by the outcome of the Texas Caucus.

Samantha Power Is Right; Clinton Is A Monster

Samatha Power, a celebrated foreign policy expert from Harvard and the director of Senator Obama's foreign policy strategy as he runs for Preident, resigned today , after referring to Clinton as "a Monster."

The trouble is, Power's right. Hillary Clinton has exacted a terrible toll of destruction of the ideals o the Democratic Party, from race-baiting campaign tactics, to insulting Martin Luther King's lagacy, and spreading the false idea that Senator Obama is Muslim, Clinton is a Monster.

Power is right. She always is. I think the Obama campaign should bring her back.

Larry David Says Hillary Clinton is Nuts - Larry David's Obama Ad

Larry David, the main writer behind "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiam" has set off a real barnburner of a blog post over at The Huffington Post.

David, as of to come to the aide of Obama Foreign Policy guru Samatha Power (who said Clinton was a monster), writes that Senator Hillary Clinton is nuts, and wonders how great it would be if Clinton actually did answer the phone at 3 AM.

This is a sample of David: Here's an idea for an Obama ad: a montage of Clinton's Sybillish personalities that have surfaced during the campaign with a solemn voiceover at the end saying, "Does anyone want this nut answering the phone?"

read more | digg story

Senator Clinton Brings NOTHING To Military Efforts

That's the view. Senator Clinton is in reality a FOREIGN POLICY LIGHTWEIGHT who has zero substantive experience that one can draw from. Barack Obama is in a better place to judge American Foreign policy.

Clinton Blueprint For Victory Would Tear Dems Apart

In today's Column, Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza outlines what the Clinton Campaign considers its way to victory. It includes two actions that will drive the Democratic Party apart: 1) Clinton as fighter, which really means Clinton using racist means of campaigning, and 2) having Florida and Michigan count.

Look, I don't care what anyone else writes, Florida and Michigan are using their voters as tools to get what they want. That's smelly. Both states signed a contract and then violated that contract. So the voters should stay put and if they're pissed off about it, then they should throw their elected officials out of office.

Barack Obama's ahead -- deal with it.

Obama Raised $55 Million In February - A Record

I just got this from the Obama campaign:

Zenophon --

I want to add some more news to David's note about the state of the race.

As you know, we've won 27 of 41 contests and have maintained our commanding lead among pledged delegates.

But today I want to share another staggering number: supporters like you donated more than $55 million to this campaign in the month of February.

That's a humbling achievement, and I am very grateful for your support.

No campaign has ever raised this much in a single month in the history of presidential primaries. But more important than the total is how we did it -- more than 90% of donations were $100 or less, and more than 385,000 new donors in February pushed us past our goal of more than 1,000,000 people owning a piece of this campaign.

From the beginning, this campaign has always been funded by a movement of grassroots supporters giving whatever they can afford. And unlike Senator Clinton and Senator McCain, we have never taken money from lobbyists or PACs.

Senator Clinton has decided to use her resources to wage a negative, throw-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink campaign. John McCain has clinched the Republican nomination and is attacking us daily. But I will continue to vigorously defend my record and make the case for change that will improve the lives of all Americans.

Despite your generosity in February, I need your help to continue this battle on two separate fronts.

Please make a donation of $250 today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/delegatemath

Thank you for your support,

Barack

Charlotte Allen's WashPost Anti-Feminist Column Causes Firestorm

I first learned about Charlotte Allen's controversial column in a response writen by Alex Leo in the Huffington Post and titled "Charlotte Allen Is a Bigot", which is bound to get anyone's attention. But before I jumped on the Anti-Charlotte bandwagon, I figured I'd do two things: 1) read her column and 2) contact her.

I did both.

I got this response from Charlotte, who was kind enough to take the time to write back. Now, "CA" is her and "ZA" is me.

CA: Zennie:
I'll try to respond to your queries, but briefly:

ZA: I write a blog called Zennie's Zeitgeist
http://zennie2005.blogspot.com and I have a question for my post about
your column that has caused such controversy.

What was the movivating factor for writing it?

CA: Just fun--a friend of mine and I had been ventilating about all the dumb things women say and do.

ZA: Also, is there some discomfort with being a woman?

CA: I love being a woman?

ZA: In other words, what's wrong with essentially being how you're wired?

CA: Nothing--I'm not one of those gender studies types who believe that gender traits are all socially imposed.

ZA: Also, isn't it true that a lot of women aren't that way?

CA: Sure--I carefully pointed that out in the article.

ZA: I'm just curious. Also, did you expect to launch a controversy?

CA: I knew the piece would be loathed by many feminists, but not quite on this scale.

ZA: Would you still write the column if you knew it was going to piss off so many people?

ZA: It's been overwhelming trying to answer all the e-mails, but of course I'd do it. I refused to be intimidated by humorless politically correct types.

CA: Thanks! Hope this helps!

Actually, it does. I figured that Charlotte had -- as I told her -- her tongue way down her cheek when she wrote the column. I took the episode as something where she wanted to piss off a particular group of women who perhaps take themselves too seriously and she hit the mark -- bullseye.

Still, now there's a bullseye on her back. With so many calls for her head amoung the 1,000 comments and 10,000 blog responses, it will be interesting to see what happens to her. My bet is that she winds up on some TV show. Hey look, the WashPost editors must be loving this stuff. It's online churn of the first order.

I disagree with Alex Leo as I do think it was satrical and also balanced; not the divisive work Leo painted it to be.

NY Times Square Explosion - Biker Nearby Before Blast

The NY Post reports that a person on a bike acting suspiciously was seen just before a bomb went off at 4 AM EST today and wrecked a U.S. Military Recruiting Station there. No one was hurt and the person who did this is still at large.

Clinton / NAFTA - Campaign Told Canada's Ian Brodie Not To Worry About NAFTA

Once again the mainstream media screwed up a story. This one on NAFTAgate. It turns out that not just an Obama advisor talked to Canada's PM's Chief of Staff, Ian Brodie, but a Clinton Campaign representative did as well.

According to the Winnipeg Sun , Brodie said: "someone from (Hillary) Clinton’s campaign is telling the embassy to take it with a grain of salt ... That someone called us and told us not to worry.”

Government officials did not deny the conversation took place."

This news makes the Clinton campaign's claims regarding Obama look hypocritical. Read this take from the ObamaBlog , and here's the whole story from the Winnipeg Sun:

OTTAWA — If the prime minister is seeking the first link in the chain of events that has rocked the U.S. presidential race, he need look no further than his chief of staff, Ian Brodie, The Canadian Press has learned.

A candid comment to journalists from CTV News by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s most senior political staffer during the hurly-burly of a budget lock-up provided the initial spark in what the American media are now calling NAFTAgate.

Harper announced Wednesday that he has asked an internal security team to begin finding the source of a document leak that he characterized as being “blatantly unfair” to Senator Barack Obama.

What is now a swirling Canada-U.S. controversy began on Feb. 26, when the usually circumspect Brodie was milling among droves of Canadian media on budget day in the stately old building that once housed Ottawa’s train station.

Reporters were locked up there all day, examining the federal budget until they were allowed to leave once it was tabled in the House of Commons at 4 p.m.

Since the budget contained little in the way of headline-grabbing surprises, some were left with enough free time to gather around a large-screen TV to watch the latest hockey news on NHL trade deadline day.

Brodie wandered over to speak to Finance Department officials and chatted amiably with journalists — who appreciated this rare moment of direct access to the top official in Harper’s notoriously tight-lipped government.

The former university professor found himself in a room with CTV employees where he was quickly surrounded by a gaggle of reporters while other journalists were within earshot of other colleagues.

At the end of an extended conversation, Brodie was asked about remarks aimed by the Democratic candidates at Ohio’s anti-NAFTA voters that carried serious economic implications for Canada.

Since 75 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S., Obama and Clinton’s musings about reopening the North American free-trade pact had caused some concern.

Brodie downplayed those concerns.

“Quite a few people heard it,” said one source in the room.

“He said someone from (Hillary) Clinton’s campaign is telling the embassy to take it with a grain of salt ... That someone called us and told us not to worry.”

Government officials did not deny the conversation took place.

They said that Brodie sought to allay concerns about the impact of Obama and Clinton’s assertion that they would re-negotiate NAFTA if elected. But they did say that Brodie had no recollection of discussing any specific candidate — either Clinton or Obama. CTV News Vice-President Robert Hurst said he would not discuss his journalists’ sources.

But others said the content of Brodie’s remarks was passed on to CTV’s Washington bureau and their White House correspondent set out the next day to pursue the story on Clinton’s apparent hypocrisy on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Althought CTV correspondent Tom Clark mentioned Clinton in passing, the focus of his story was on assurances from the Obama camp.

He went to air on Feb. 27 with a report that the Democratic front-runner had given advance notice to Canadian diplomats that he was about to engage in some anti-NAFTA rhetoric, but not to take it too seriously.

The report wound up on YouTube and caused an uproar in the U.S. race — influencing the final days of the critical Ohio primary, with every indication it will also play a role in the upcoming Pennsylvania vote.

Obama has been pilloried by his opponents and faced the most aggressive questioning of his heretofore smooth-sailing campaign.

Clinton used the story to cast him as a double-talking hypocrite — winking and nudging at Canadians while making contrary promises to American voters.

Republican nominee John McCain — who proudly dubs himself a straight-talker — has also seized on the incident to paint the Democratic front-runner as anything but.

When Obama’s campaign and the Canadian government denied the allegation, a leaked document was obtained by The Associated Press written by a Canadian diplomat. It chronicled a conversation between Obama economic adviser Austan Goulsbee and diplomats at Canada’s Chicago consulate.

The Obama aide has challenged the wording of the memo and says it characterized the conversation unfairly. A government official said that memo was initially emailed to over 120 government employees.

Harper has rebuffed opposition requests to call in the RCMP and also investigate the source of the original tip that led to the CTV report that triggered the diplomatic tempest. But a team of internal security agents has begun an investigation that will see dozens of bureaucrats and political staff questioned about their knowledge of the leak.

“This kind of leaking of information is completely unacceptable. In fact, it may well be illegal,” Harper told the House of Commons.

“It is not useful, it is not in the interests of the government of Canada — and the way the leak was executed was blatantly unfair to Senator Obama and his campaign.

“Based on what (investigators) find, and based on legal advice, we will take any action that is necessary to get to the bottom of this matter.”

NDP Leader Jack Layton is asking Harper to call on the Mounties to find out how the leaks occurred, and whether the Security of Information Act or any other privacy legislation was breached.

“There can be no doubt about it: the leak from within the Canadian government has had an impact now on the American elections,” Layton said Wednesday.

“That is about the worst thing a country could do to another country — to have an effect on their democratic process. . . If Mr. Harper isn’t willing to call in the RCMP that confirms our suspicion that this was intentional.”

Layton said Canadians would never accept Americans interfering in our elections, and we shouldn’t tamper with theirs. He said the incident is far more serious than another one last year in which the government called in the RCMP.

A temporary employee at Environment Canada was arrested in his office and marched out in handcuffs for allegedly leaking details of a government climate-change plan to the media.

Layton said that’s small potatoes compared with inflicting political damage on one of the three contenders to lead the world’s biggest superpower, and Canada’s neighbour and largest trading partner.

“He’s unwilling to treat it with the level of serious attention that he did when there was a junior bureaucrat at environment ... He called in the RCMP on that one.”

OK. The Racists Have Had Their Day and Are Gone - Back To Work

Barack Obama was right: no matter what happens tonight, we're on our way to winning this nomination. Clinton did not do a freaking thing to close the delegate gap, and is still chasing her tail. The mainstream media plays this up for ratings: "Tune in next week to see if Obama can bounce back." But they're also -- the mainstream media -- fueled by ads purchased by companies that have lobbyists that give money to Clinton.

Those lobbyists have a vested interest in an Obama loss. And Clinton's not above playing up the racist fears of the country, fears that are prevalent in Texas and Ohio. I think Obama has done very well and still has the lead and the nomination is still his to lose. Obama went into two very racist states, Texas and Ohio, and came away with near victories when just two months ago the campaign was double-digits behind.

Now, the race is still Obama's to lose and he's holding serve.

Now we're leaving the place where anyone Latino who may be like that Texas woman I pointed out who was so openly racist are out of the way. But now we need a strategy to "out and destroy" the message of anyone who is racist. The Obama supporters and campaign need to crush them. Grind those sickos into a fine dust.

That's the next step. With that, Obama can continue on his path to winning the Democratic nomination.

Mike Huckabee Drops Out Of The Race Tonight

I'm watching Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee give a speech that eventually will lead to his annoucing that he's dropping out of the Presidential Race according to the Associated Press. It's too bad because I thought in many ways he was a more compelling candidate than John McCain, who's the obvious Republican Presidential nominee at this point.

Well, he just is.

Congrats to McCain, but kudos to Huckabee for giving it his all.

Obama Ahead In Texas But With 2 Percent of The Vote

MSNBC's reporting that Obama's ahead and this is confirmed by a more reliable source, the webpage of the Texas Legislature. A review with just over 2 percent of the total votes reporting shows Obama actually increasing his lead by a percent, and is as of this writing about 11 percent ahead of her.

Right now, I'm at an Obama election party at Tosca, one of two I signed up to attend. And yes, I brought my video camera.

Super Tuesday Two - Early Returns Obama & McCain Wins Vermont

That's the report from a number of news sources but with 20 percent of the votes in, Barack Obama's projected to win Vermont, and John McCain has taken the state as well.

Campbell Brown's Legs: CNN Ratings Cure - Campbel Brown Should Wear Short Skirts

As it stands, CNN's getting clobbered by Fox News in the ratings, except for when CNN has debates and it's Super Tuesday coverage, but other than that, it's Fox all the way. Now, I personally don't like CNN's biased reporting, covered by the "idea" that they're the best political reporting team and all that crap, but if Dave Bohrman and the rest of the CNN producers get their act together they're on to something.

I think a good place to start is with Campbell Brown.

I mean have you seen her legs? And after she had her little one she's looking better than ever. Look, everyone knows CNN's biased and that's been quite obvious during this election with their constant pushing of Senator Clinton, who's not going to beat Senator Obama for the Democratic Primary. Why not just take off the venir of being unbiased and let it all hang out like Fox does.

Have fun. And while the fun's going, show Campbell Brown at her female best.

Look. NBC had no problem showing Campbell's legs as you can see here. And she didn't seem to have much of a problem with it either. Plus, if they bump up her pay and make her more of a focus, the ratings will skyrocket!

Brett Farve Annouces Retirement Today - NFL.com

The NFL's Official Website NFL.com has a great tribute to Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Farve, who announced his retirement today. More on this development later, but it opens the door for Cal's Aaron Rodgers to take over the offense. Rodgers was the Packers number one pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Slate Delegate Calculator Shows Obama Lead Even With Clinton Wins

The sheer power of Senator Barack Obama's eleven straight primary wins and its impact on the delegate race can be seen just by using Slate's Delegate Calculator. It's an online device where one can test how overall or specific state-by-state percentage wins effect the overall delegate race.

I've found that even if Senator Clinton were to win all of the remaining contests by an average of 10 percent for each state, including today's "Super Tuesday" primaries -- a total of 16 primaries and contests -- Senator Obama would still hold an overall lead in pledged delegates, but need 392 superdelegates to reach 2,025.

Right now, he has 208 Superdelegates.

Now, think about this. Even if Clinton WON each -- each state -- from now on and by an average of 10 percent, Obama would still have the lead in delegates 1,633 to 1,576.

That's why there's so much pressure for Clinton to get out of the race. There's no realistic scenario where Clinton could win all of the states and have the delegate lead. The only one is totally unrealistic and that's for Clinton to win 60 to 40 in all of the remaining states, including today. That means she would have to see a 20 point average win.

That's not going to happen.

Now what would happen if Senator Obama won each state by an average of 10 percent? (Something more likely than the Clinton example.) Then Obama would have 1,732 delegates, with Clinton at 1,477 delegates; Obama needs 293 Superdelegates; he has 208 now.

That means if 95 undeclared Superdelegates move to back Obama, it's over under this scenario.

Obama By Four?

OK. So what if Obama won by a four percent average in each primary and caucus, including today's events? Then Obama would need 323 Superdelegates; since he has 208 as of this writing, then 125 undeclared Superdelegates would have to back Obama.

According to MSNBC, Obama's campaign says they have 50 Superdelegates ready to back Obama. If they all sign up, that means he only needs 75 more to support him and it's over. This may be the most likely outcome of all. At least we should consider it a benchmark.

Fox News Ainsley Earhardt Likes Wearing Skirts; Showing Legs

In more proof that Fox News ratings prowess comes from their female hosts showing their legs , we have Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt proudly proclaiming that at Fox News women wear skirts because they're, well, women. She then says that they could wear pants but the male show hosts explain they like the skirts.

I'l bet they do. Here's the video:



UPDATE:

Keith Olbermann Points To Clinton Fear-Mongering

Yep. IF you want to learn what crap the Clinton campaign's throwing at America on the eve of Super Tuesday Two, you've come to the right place. This is a video of Keith Olbermann's show featuring Rachel Medow of Air America Radio. They look at the Clinton 3:10 AM ad and pick it apart as "Something a person running for John McCain's Vice Presidential seat" would do.

Geez.

Clinton Racism Out Of Control: Clinton Caller Uses "Osama" Not "Obama"

On the eve of what some call the second "Super Tuesday" we have a Chicago Tribune report of an Ohio Clinton Campaign caller using the name "Osama" in place of Obama and saying "Osama Bin Laden".

I don't know when the Clinton racism will end, but I do know that regardless I'm not voting for Hillary Clinton at all. She's ran a campaign that just plain speaks to the worst of America, and I'm not happy that people like John Edwards have not come out to endorse Senator Obama, because their actions would help end her race-based campaign.

The Clintons are using the worst aspects of America to win. Is that any way to run a campaign? It's not worked for them to this point, but God help us all if it does. America should be ashamed of itself for even allowing this kind of political farse of a campaign to go on.

To use a term I find myself coming to again and again with repect to Clinton, it stinks. It really does.

Oh, this is the full text of what the Clinton caller said:

So last night around dinner time, the phone rings. It’s the Hillary campaign–official number, per the caller ID. The woman on the other end asks me if Hillary can count on my support Tuesday. I say I have not decided.
She asks what would help me decide. I say, “Well . . . maybe she can make Bill her vice president.” She does not know how to take me, of course, but has to assume I am serious. “I don’t think she can do that.” “Bill will have a significant role in major decisions, though, won’t he?” I ask. “Oh, certainly he will be very involved. Do you like Bill?” “Very much.” I reply.

She then launches into a two-minute spiel on all the very specific initiatives and proposals Hillary has put forth on health care, the war in Iraq, etc., etc. At the end of her spiel, she says, “And we haven’t heard anything that specific from Osama bin Laden.”

I say, “You did not just say that.” She replies, “I’m sorry . . . just a slip of the tongue.” She then thanks me for my time and encourages me to vote for Hillary on Tuesday.

Someone get Hillary to quit before she wrecks the Democratic Party.

Calvin Pace and Damien Woody Sign With Gang Green

General manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Eric Mangini remained exceedingly active in the free agent market today, signing Cardinals linebacker Calvin Pace and the Lions offensive tackle Damien Woody.

Pace, a former first-round pick in 2003, recorded 98 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season after managing a dismal 88 tackles and 7.5 sacks through his first four years in the desert.

Woody, a nine-year veteran from Boston College and member of the Detroit Lions for the past four seasons, will play right tackle for the Jets this upcoming season in an attempt to solidify New York's already formidable line.

Four-Time Pro Bowl TE Alge Crumpler To Tennessee

After being released last month by the Atlanta Falcons, tight end Alge Crumpler agreed to a two-year contract with the upstart Titans.

Transferring from one anemic offense to another, Crumpler will have a significant uphill battle with an embattled offense that struggled profusely last season to find the endzone.

During his first three seasons in Atlanta, the former second round pick out of the University of North Carolina was hampered by low reception and yardage total, but witnessed his productivity accelerate from 2004-2006. Crumpler compiled at least 48 receptions, 774 yards and five touchdowns en route to consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.

Within that same span, Titans starting tight ends managed a woeful 29 receptions, 370
yards and two scores at the very least. Quarterback Vince Young will receiver a much needed boost in the addition of Crumpler and a security blanket that he has not been privy to during his two seasons in Tennessee.

Alan Faneca To The New York Jets

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Alan Faneca has agreed to a five year,$40 million deal that includes $21 million in guaranteed money.

A distinguished member of the Steelers All-Time team, Faneca played an instrumental part in the teams overarching success over the past ten years and their 2005 Super Bowl victory.

Faneca will now join 24-year old tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold to establish one of the premier offensive lines in the NFL.

Bill Parcells Building Dolphins for 4-3 Not 3-4 - RealFootball.com

Personally, I prefer a hybrib combination defense, but regardless, Dolphins Guru of Rebuilding Bill Parcells is gathering talent suitable for a 4-3 defense and not a 3-4. Let's see if it's enough to help their leaky run defense of last year.

Randy Moss Back With Patriots For 3 years, $27 Million, with $12 Million Signing Bonus

From "Sox And Dawgs" - New England Patriots free agent wide receiver Randy Moss has agreed to terms to return to the Patriots. The contract is 3 years for $27 million, with a $12 million signing bonus. It is not known at this time how much guaranteed money was added in the value of the contract.

Moss came to New England in 2007 on a draft day trade with Oakland for a fourth round draft pick. He played for $3 million plus incentives under a restructured contract in which saw him catch almost 100 balls and set a NFL record with 23 TD catches.

In addition to two seasons in Oakland the five-time Pro-Bowler was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings out of Marshall University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

US Soldier throws puppy off cliff (video) - Barack Get Us Out Of Iraq!

US Soldier throws puppy off cliff - Watch more free videos

This is causing a lot of outrage around the Internet and for good reason. This solidier -- on video -- threw a puppy off a cliff. It makes one wonder what kind of people the military recruit! It's also a good reason to bring the troups home. This is what our tax money is paying for!? Ok Barack Obama: get us out!

Want to see how people feel? Check out Digg.

They said his name and showed his face. He and his buddy ought to get arrested by the military police and have the book thrown at them.

read more | digg story

Adelfa Callejo's Racist Rant - Clinton Supporter Shows Racism On Texas TV

Here's another example of racism as a mental illness: Adelfa Callejo's racist rant on a Houston television program, where she crowed that Obama's problem was that he's Black.

This -- Adelfa's sick statements -- were not fully denounced by Senator Hillary Clinton, who herself came off as less than supportive of efforts to denounce false claims that Obama is Muslim.

If you want to see how great America can be, join the Obama campaign. If you want to see how ugly America can be, join the Clinton campaign. That's how it looks to me.

Will Ohio Racism Block Obama Win There? 60 Minutes Gives A Preview

Last night, Sunday it was, CBS' television's "60 Minutes" program gave an unflinching look at the State of Ohio during this presidential campaign, and given what I saw, I came away with this view: Ohio is racist.

I hope I'm wrong, but between the Neo-Nazi marches and other reports, and now this comment by an Ohioan that Obama doesn't sing the National Anthem and that he's Muslim, I wonder what the hell's going on up there to allow such obvious displays of mental illness to spread?

What's the deal?

Why does a person have to have someone to hate? Why is it that in Ohio, this seem to be a terrible problem? Are the polls wrong? Is it that the pollsters are ignoring young people in Ohio? I hope so, because it seems that you've got a certain type of non-Black up there who is poor and not well-educated and thus easily manipulated by Clintons supporters, who feed on Amercan racism to advance their campaign.

Sick stuff if you ask me.

I'm not at all happy with the Clintons and I do pray that Senator Clinton does not win at all.

Clinton Keeps Donation From SEXIST IPA Company With 103 Female Victims

Wow. I can't think of a more explosive and really not smart decision on the part of Hillary Clinton as she runs for President. Clinton took $170,000 from a firm called International Profit Associates (IPA), which, according to reports has been accused of "sexual assault, innuendo, and anti-female language, with claims from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) of 103 female victims."

International Profit Associates is a business consulting firm with a record of sexual harrassment so bad it was featured on the Oprah show and The Big Idea with Donnie Deutch. But IPA has also been the subject of 470 complaints to the Better Business Bureau across the nation in the past three years. Moreover, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and George Bush have taken money from IPA.

It's reported that Former President George Bush was paid $82,000 to speak at a company banquet in 1999, and former President Bill Clinton received $125,000 to appear in 2001.

Here's the video of women who worked at IPA and appeared on "The Big Idea With Donnie Deutch." The video shows the woman complaining that the IPA manager asked for her to perform oral sex on him.

Jack Nicholson's Clinton Video: "Saluting A Woman Is Sexy"

I'm not sure if it really helps much, but here's Jack Nicholson's ad for Hillary Clinton. Now I like Jack; he's one of my favorite actors and should be backing Barack Obama, but this video -- yikes -- was good right until he said "Saluting A Woman is Sexy", which is great, but she's running for President! I don't know.

Here's the video:

Clinton Camp Trying To Cheat Obama Voters in Texas

The Clinton campaign is telling its supporters to show up at Caucuses in Texas at 6:30 PM, whereas the Obama campaign has said 7 PM. It seems the idea is to essentially block Obama supporters from entering the caucus. Here's a note going around the Internet listservs:

The Clinton camp is telling folks to arrive at the caucus at 6:30 and
Obama is stressing 7:00pm.

This was forwarded to me. Please pass this around to all your Texas
Groups and anyone you know in the media! I was wondering today why
Hillary was telling her supporters to be at the caucus at 6:30!

In addition to the comments below, be aware that the potential impact of
this is that a full parking lot at 6:30 PM could dissuade late Obama
voters from casting their Primary ballot because they cannot find a
parking space. This could be considered impeding voting.

For Obama Precinct Captains who are monitoring their voting location on
March 4 (100 feet from the polling location until 7:00 pm or until the
last voter is done) stay alert and report any questionable activities to
the election judge and call the Obama Precinct Captain Hotline for
election day questions and concerns at 1-877-48-OBAMA (62262) or the Texas
Democratic Precinct Convention at 1-800-336-3254.

"Clinton has been telling her supporters to show up at 6:30
[Dallas/Mesquite speech on Saturday, March 1], while Obama keeps stressing
7:00. I'm afraid there's going to be some shenanigans involving closing
the doors at caucus sites when at capacity or at 7:15 PM whichever comes
first. There was a similar gambit run in Nevada where the Clinton camp
shut out a good number of caucus goers by barring the doors.

Anybody who has got a line on Obama folks or Texas caucus goers please
pass along the heads up to show up early and not to get muscled. Know your
rights!

Compounding this issue is the possibility there may not be enough caucus
chairs to go around for the 8,000 sights leading to the 1st person in the
door being the caucus arbiter (TDP's apparent policy).

Again let's try to get the word out about this possibility as there is no
doubt the Clinton camp is going to try to game this one."

Zogby Survey: 67 Percent View Traditional Journalism as "Out of Touch"

This is the survey that I've been waiting for. I've known that more and more people and perhaps a majority get their information online, but I never had proof beyond old studies from 2006 -- two years ago.

But Zogby reports that 67 Percent View Traditional Journalism as "Out of Touch". I could have told them that.

Here's the rest of Zogby's findings:

Two thirds of Americans - 67% - believe traditional journalism is out of touch with what Americans want from their news, a new We Media/Zogby Interactive poll shows.

The survey also found that while most Americans (70%) think journalism is important to the quality of life in their communities, two thirds (64%) are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities.

Meanwhile, the online survey documented the shift away from traditional sources of news, such as newspapers and TV, to the Internet - most dramatically among so-called digital natives - people under 30 years old.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) said their primary source of news and information is the Internet, an increase from 40% who said the same a year ago. Younger adults were most likely to name the Internet as their top source - 55% of those age 18 to 29 say they get most of their news and information online, compared to 35% of those age 65 and older. These oldest adults are the only age group to favor a primary news source other than the Internet, with 38% of these seniors who said they get most of their news from television. Overall, 29% said television is their main source of news, while fewer said they turn to radio (11%) and newspapers (10%) for most of their news and information. Just 7% of those age 18 to 29 said they get most of their news from newspapers, while more than twice as many (17%) of those age 65 and older list newspapers as their top source of news and information.

Web sites are regarded as a more important source of news and information than traditional media outlets - 86% of Americans said Web sites were an important source of news, with more than half (56%) who view these sites as very important. Most also view television (77%), radio (74%), and newspapers (70%) as important sources of news, although fewer than say the same about blogs (38%).

The Zogby Interactive survey of 1,979 adults nationwide was conducted Feb. 20-21, 2008, and carries a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points. The survey results will be featured at this week's fourth-annual We Media Forum and Festival in Miami, hosted by the University of Miami School of Communication and organized and produced by iFOCOS, a Reston, Va.-based media think tank (www.ifocos.org). This is the second year of the survey.

"For the second year in a row we have documented a crisis in American journalism that is far more serious than the industry's business challenges - or maybe a consequence of them," said Andrew Nachison, co-founder of iFOCOS. "Americans recognize the value of journalism for their communities, and they are unsatisfied with what they see. While the U.S. news industry sheds expenses and frets about its future, Americans are dismayed by its present. Meanwhile, we see clearly the generational shift of digital natives from traditional to online news - so the challenge for traditional news companies is complex. They need to invest in new products and services - and they have. But they've also got to invest in quality, influence and impact. They need to invest in journalism that makes a difference in people's lives. That's a moral and leadership challenge - and a business opportunity for whoever can meet it."

The survey finds the Internet not only outweighs television, radio, and newspapers as the most frequently used and important source for news and information, but Web sites were also cited as more trustworthy than more traditional media sources - nearly a third (32%) said Internet sites are their most trusted source for news and information, followed by newspapers (22%), television (21%) and radio (15%).

Other findings from the survey include:

Although the vast majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism (64%), overall satisfaction with journalism has increased to 35% in this survey from 27% who said the same in 2007.
Both traditional and new media are viewed as important for the future of journalism - 87% believe professional journalism has a vital role to play in journalism's future, although citizen journalism (77%) and blogging (59%) are also seen as significant by most Americans.
Very few Americans (1%) consider blogs their most trusted source of news, or their primary source of news (1%).
Three in four (75%) believe the Internet has had a positive impact on the overall quality of journalism.
69% believe media companies are becoming too large and powerful to allow for competition, while 17% believe they are the right size to adequately compete.

More on this later.

DE Justin Smith Signs With 49ers

Justin Smith has decided to travel west to San Francisco for the opportunity of greener pastures and a completely fresh start with a rising organization.

The green will be overflowing in abundance for the fourth-pick in the 2001 draft after he agreed to a six-year, $45 million plus contract during the second day of free agency. Smith has been assured $20 million in guaranteed money.

At 6-4 and 275 pounds, Smith will be a valuable addition to a defense that ranked
25th last season en route to a 5-11 record.

Fresh Free Agent Signings Around The League

A plethora of impactful players switched zip codes Friday after agreeing to terms with their new teams.

Safety Gibril Wilson, who was instrumental in the Giants first Super Bowl Victory since 1990, signed a six-year, $39 million deal.

Veteran Issac Bruce, who amassed 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns in his 14 prolific seasons in the gateway city, secured a two-year, $6 million contract with rival San Francisco. Kick return specialist Allen Rossum signed with the 49ers as well.

Todd Collins, who guided the Redskins to an improbable playoff run last season, re-signed with Washington, agreeing to a three-year, $9 million deal.

Bill Parcells remained highly active in free agency,signing wide receiver Ernest Wilford, trading for the Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson and adding former Raiders quarterback Josh McCown.

Due to the departure of Quinn Gray, the Jaguars signed Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon to be their backup. Lemon led Miami to their lone victory last season.

Tampa Bay signed center Jeff Faine after electing to not re-sign John Wade.

Tommy Kelly resigned with the Oakland Raiders earlier this week to a seven-year contract worth more than $50 million. The productive defensive lineman has been assured more than $18 million in guaranteed money.

Rams Jeff Wilkins Retires, Kicker Josh Brown Signs

The same day after 14-year veteran and all-time leading scorer Jeff Wilkins announced his retirement, Josh Brown bolted from the division rival Seahawks to sign with the St.Louis Rams.

Brown agreed to a five-year, $14.2 million contract that includes a $4 signing bonus. Brown's new contract will propel him to the status of highest paid kicker in the league.

During his five seasons in the Northwest, Brown connected on 80% of field goals and 99.6% of extra points. The former Cornhusker has a knack for timely kicks, accumulating four game -winning field goals in 2006, two of which were against his new team.


Undrafted out of Youngstown State in 1994, Wilkins firmly established a name for himself as one of the premier place kickers in NFL history. Since joining the Rams in 1997, Wilkins played in very game except for five in the year 2000. Consistency evolved as the benchmark of Wilkins's career,as he connected on 307 of 375 field goals and 26 that were from 50 yards or greater.

“Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic - from top to bottom,” Wilkins said. “But retirement is the best for me, my family and the Rams.”