Porter Goss Resigns From The CIA - Did Mary McCarthy's Problem Cause This?

All I know is CIA chief Porter Goss was on the job for about two years. Then, today, he resigns. Blogger News Network seems to have a view of what happened that's connected to the firing of Mary McCarthy for alledged leaks of classified information. Here's the rest of the story from CNN:

Porter Goss resigns as CIA chief
'I honestly believe that we have improved dramatically,' he says

Friday, May 5, 2006; Posted: 4:03 p.m. EDT (20:03 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CIA Director Porter Goss is resigning, President Bush announced Friday.

"Porter's tenure at the CIA was one of transition, where he's helped this agency become integrated into the intelligence community, and that was a tough job," Bush said in a photo session with Goss at the Oval Office.

"He's got a five-year plan to increase the number of analysts and operatives, which is going to help make this country a safer place and help us win the war on terror," the president said. (Watch Bush's Oval Office announcement -- 2:38)

Goss told Bush: "I believe the agency is on a very even keel, sailing well, I honestly believe that we have improved dramatically."

No reason was given for Goss' resignation, but the White House has been in the midst of an administration shakeup since Josh Bolten took over as chief of staff.

Goss' resignation was based on a "mutual understanding" between Bush, national intelligence director John Negroponte and Goss, a senior Bush administration official told the Reuters news agency.

"The best way to describe it is when you ask somebody to do very difficult things during a period of transition, it often makes sense to hand off the reins to somebody else to take the agency forward," the official told Reuters.

No replacement was announced.

Goss became CIA chief in September 2004. He had previously served 16 years as a Republican congressman from Florida. During his congressional tenure, Goss served as chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

From 1962 to 1972, Goss was a CIA clandestine service officer.

Goss' deputy, who may take over in the interim, is Vice Adm. Albert M. Calland.

Reaction to Goss' resignation from lawmakers emphasized that the CIA needs to continue to change, regardless of who takes the reins.

"Director Goss took the helm of the intelligence community at a very difficult time in the wake of the intelligence failures associated with 9/11 and Iraq WMD," Sen. Pat Roberts, a Republican from Kansas who is chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a written statement. "Porter made some significant improvements at the CIA, but I think even he would say they still have some way to go."

Former CIA Director Stansfield Turner told CNN that Goss may have resigned because he was passed over for the position of director of national intelligence, which went to Negroponte.

Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr agreed with Turner's speculation and added, "I think there's going to be more coming out; we don't know the whole story."

"This is a devastating blow, the importance of which really cannot be overestimated," Barr told CNN. "It indicates again a continuing downward slide in the intelligence capabilities of our government, it indicates again the disorganization on the part of our intelligence agencies at a time when we can ill afford to see that happen."

The agency was recently rocked when Mary McCarthy was fired, reportedly for allegedly leaking information about secret prisons to The Washington Post. McCarthy's lawyer denies that she was the source for the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting.

McCarthy's firing was seen as part of a crackdown by Goss on the leaking of classified information.

There has also been media reports of dissatisfaction with Goss' leadership among the rank-and-file within the agency and the exodus of several high-level staff members.

Matt Leinart Parties With Paris Hilton -- And 200 Others -- In Las Vegas

Well, I can say I ordered him a free cocktail last week. We -- just the two of us -- were at the bar at Gustavino's in NYC last Thursday and I said "I'll never get the chance to say this, so 'Buy the bar a round?"

I just hope Matt can focus on the field once training camp starts, but I think he can. It's a new level. Still, it's like he's turning 21 again -- what's one more big bash?

Thing is, he's a very nice person, so those 200 people who were in attendance were not there just for his name.

Paris Hilton & Matt Leinart: Cozy in Vegas

Thursday May 04, 2006 3:50pm EST
By Stephen M. Silverman
Hilton and Leinart on May 1
CREDIT: ALPHAX / X17

Matt Leinart celebrated being drafted into the NFL by partying at a Las Vegas nightclub on Tuesday with Paris Hilton.

For the record, Leinart was joined at the club PURE by more than 200 of his closest friends, including Nick Lachey, Wilmer Valderrama and Danny Masterson – but he spent the better part of the evening with the newly single Hilton, a source tells PEOPLE.

On his way into the bash, the 22-year-old, 6'5", Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, who was recently drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, told PEOPLE, "After this, it's all business, all NFL."

Inside, he danced with Hilton, 25, on the club's VIP beds. She called him "baby" and rested her head on his back, sometimes holding his hand, says the source.

The pair danced the night away – and at one point disappeared together behind closed doors in the club's private suite.

Later, Hilton treated the crowd to an impromptu concert, jumping on top of the DJ booth and belting out several songs from her upcoming album, including a rendition of Rod Stewart's "Do You Think I'm Sexy" – which she dedicated to Leinart.

When not on the dance floor, the pair nestled themselves into the corner of a VIP bed, where they kissed and hugged before leaving around 3:30 a.m.

Hilton and Leinart have been spotted together several times recently. On May 1, Hilton, wearing a brunette wig, shopped at the Grove in Los Angeles with Leinart, PEOPLE reports. That night, they partied together at L.A. club Shag. "They seemed really into each other," said one witness. "He was very touchy-feely."

Leinart's rep denies that they're dating, and Hilton's publicist, Elliot Mintz, says, "She knows Matt, she likes Matt. They are friends. I don't want to go any further than that. They have known each other a while."

Russian Youth Exhibit Signs Of Mental Illness -- Attacking People Just Because Of The Color Of Their Skin

I saw this on Yahoo! and wanted to call for a medic. Read it because it's as stupid as it reads. The Russian youth need to be institutionalized. Their behavior is sick.

Think about it. DOGS don't even do that. DOGS!

Oakland Raiders Legend Michael Dotterer's Advice To The New Raider Draftees - Video

Oakland Raiders running back Michael Dotterer -- who was also on the Stanford team that lost to Cal because of "The Play" in the 1982 Big Game -- has been my friend for about 11 years now. He played for the Silver and Black during their LA years and was part of the 1984 Super Bowl Championship Team. He is also one of only 24 two-sport all stars in Stanford University history.

During my trip to the NFL Draft, I asked Mike if I could do a kind of walking interview of him and his advice for the Raiders newest draftees on the eve of the NFL Draft. He was more than happy to allow this. The result is a talk and walk through Midtown Manhattan on the way to dinner at The 21 Club restaurant. My favorite.

Along the way, Mike reveals that his Raiders roommate was none other than the legendary Lyle Alzado, a true character and so much in the Raider mold it's easy to forget he played for the Denver Broncos. Mike also instructs rookies to listen.

We covered a lot of ground and in more ways than one.

Here's my conversation with Michael Dotterer:

"Beyond The Call" - Adrian Belic and Michael Dotterer Introduce Adrian's New Film "Beyond The Call" At The Tribeca Film Festival

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the premier of a new film called "Beyond The Call" at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It's a really good and moving work about three ex-military Americans who travel around the world making sure that food and other resources get right to the people who need it.

My friend Michael Dotterer's helping Adrian market the film, and so I thought I'd take a video of Adrian and Michael talking about a documentary that's certainly oscar-material.

This is the first of three videos on the movie.

Here's the video:

Prom Hairstyles - It's That Time Of Year!

You can tell what America's doing just by a simple visit to The Lycos 50, a website that tracks the most popular searches conducted with engines like, well, Lycos.

The most popular search this week is for something as simple as prom hairstyles. What's number one in that category? Click on the title of this post to find out.

Proof that NBA Basketball Is a Contact Sport - Watch Your Mid Section

Last Saturday, Reggie Evans had the nerve to do something that may be considered ok only in the ranchiest of gay bars (Heck, I don't know.) What did he do? Click on NBA Business Blog to find out.

"BuziBUZZ" - BuziBuZZ: My Friend J. Randy Gordon's Book Is Out -- And It's A Hit!

At the EA Sports Super Bowl party in Detroit, I ran into my friend Leigh Steinberg, who knows a thing or three about the "buzz" business and was the boss of my good friend J. Randy Gordon, who's just finished and released his long awaited book "BusiBUZZ."

"When is his book coming out!?" Leigh asked.

Well, it's out.

I don't write this just because he's my friend and I'm biased, but as a follower of the Zeitgeist, this is it! He's got the one book you want. I know you've wanted that one book full of all the popular saying's you've been within earshot of someone uttering: "Close The Deal," "et It Across The Goal Line" , "I'm shagged", "I need to drop a bomb." They're all here and many you never knew existed.

I decided to have fun with Randy and his book, so I interviewed him at a great place: The Golden Gate Perk Cafe in San Francisco on Bush near Kearny. This talk is laced with the buzz words that appear in his book, and it's fun to hear.

Check out Randy Gordon talking with me about his new book "BuziBuzz" then go out and buy it!

Here's the video, followed by a press release about the book, BusiBUZZ. (As a note, the video is a LARGE file, which may take a few minutes to load depending on browser and service. Go get some wine, then come back. Also, YouTube may be down for service, too!)



New Book Exposes the 'Real' Language Heard in Today's Boardroom

More than 5,000 Buzzwords and Catch Phrases Brought to the Forefront by
Marketing Executive, J. Randy Gordon in His Book, BusiBUZZ(TM): Business
Buzzwords for Survivin' and Thrivin' in the Big City

LOS ANGELES, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether it's "going after the low
hanging fruit," or "fast tracking the project," America's boardroom
maintains its very own corporate speak and first-time author, J. Randy
Gordon has captured it in his book, BusiBUZZ(TM): Business Buzzwords for
Survivin' and Thrivin' in the Big City (Booksurge Press -- an amazon.com
company). With more than 5,000 buzzwords, catch phrases, euphemisms, short
anecdotes and general business speak, BusiBUZZ(TM) discloses a
"behind-the-scenes" view of the interaction that's taking place in the
executive offices of corporate America.
With the foreword written by famed sports agent and author Leigh
Steinberg, BusiBUZZ(TM) goes where no outsider has gone before -- the inner
sanctum of the business world's most exclusive circles. Readers will
experience corporate-speak at its best -- ranging from negotiation
terminology to the daily vernacular reflected in various industries found
in such words or phrases as "podcasts," "traction," "going nano,"
"hotspots," "blogging" and "mash-ups," among thousands more.
"This book will hopefully level the playing field for many people in
business or just getting started in the business world," said Gordon.
"Boardroom chatter is not necessarily a secret code but it's easy to feel
as though your colleagues are speaking an unfamiliar language. I've made it
easier to feel a part of the inner circle."
Gordon, who has held positions at some very prestigious companies
including The Coca-Cola Company, Sony Computer Entertainment America,
Universal McCann and Ubisoft Entertainment, recorded more than 15 years of
executive daily dialogue and interaction by listening to those around him
and attending meetings, conferences and interviews.
"Every profession and field has its own lexicon and jargon which needs
translation," commented Leigh Steinberg, CEO, Leigh Steinberg Enterprises.
"In the world of sports representation, language can either serve as either
a barrier or a bridge. With so many catch phrases in today's sports lingo,
one needs a vivid imagination just to keep up."
The book, BusiBUZZ(TM): Business Buzzwords For Survivin' and Thrivin'
in the Big City, is available for purchase on http://www.booksurge.com for $19.95
and will soon be available on Amazon.com. The ISBN number is:
1-4196-2124-6.

2006 NFL Draft - Sights And Sounds Before The Start Of The Draft

I took my camcorder on a kind of tour around the main theater of Radio City Music Hall just before the start of the NFL Draft. It was kind of like the crew of the Starship Enterprise preparing the big vessel before it leaves drydock. A cool scene.

During my rounds I reconnected with Todd Barnes, who, with Jerry Andersen formed the plans for the use of the Oakland / Alameda County Coliseum for the 2005 Super Bowl in1999-2000. He's a very nice person, who's landed well as the architect for the NFL. The segment where I almost ran into him wasn't fake -- it really happened.

I also feature Bill Chachkes, who as you know if you regularly read this has attended more NFL drafts than perhaps all but a handful of people in the room. I also catch ESPN's Mike Golic, who at the 2005 NFL Draft was tossing his cookies to the audience. No kidding. (He later told me that security really got on him for that, so he didn't do it this time.)

I also met Jerry Davis, Al Davis brother, whom I refered to earlier. You can see how much he's really like the man who runs the Oakland Raiders.

You also see both ESPN's crew and the NFL Network's hosts getting ready to go into action.

Along the tour one can gain a keen idea of the complexity of this massive production.

Here's the video:

Tiger Woods' Father Passes Of Prostate Cancer At 74 - I Feel His Pain

I just learned that Tiger Woods' father Earl Woods passed on from prostate cancer at 74. Last year, I lost both my father and stepfather to that something I hate so much.

For us a black men, hit hardest by prostate cancer, it's very important to get annual PSA level checks, eat as much fish as possible, stay fit and not overweight, and keep vitamins in our system and our blood pressure low.

I think we can beat this thing if we try.

Tiger's father got to see his son at his best. I'm sure he went to rest in peace.

2006 NFL Draft - "From A White Game To A Black Game" - S.I.'s Paul Zimmerman On The NFL Draft, Pro Football, and Katie Couric - Video

I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with the legendary Sports Illiustrated writer, Paul Zimmerman at the 2006 NFL Draft. While our conversation was short -- we were all getting ready for the drama that was to unfold after the Houston Texans officially annouced their selection of defensive lineman Mario Williams -- it was blunt, honest, illuminating, and fun.

Some of the highlight of our conversation: "If I were the Texans, I'd have taken the best player I thought was available, and busted my hump to sign him. Maybe they did that...Football has changed from a white game to a black game. It's a speed game... If I were the Texans, I'd have taken the best player I thought was available. Maybe they did that. Time will tell... You tell me. What has Katie Couric done for $15 million?"

Well, you get the idea. This was totally off the cuff. Paul didn't know this guy was going to come with with a camcorder and ask for an interview. We didn't go over exactly what was going to be asked. I just filmed our conversation. It was that simple.

For those of you who don't know who "Dr. Z" is, here's his bio from S.I.com:

"Paul Zimmerman, a senior writer at Sports Illustrated since 1979, videotapes and charts as many as eight NFL games a week from his home. It's safe to say that Dr. Z has watched more NFL games than any other person on the planet. In addition to his regular columns for SI, he contributes Insider, Power Rankings and Mailbag columns to SI.com.

Dr. Z is the author of seven books on the NFL, including The Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football. His inside analysis and opinions are rooted in more than 50 years of playing and watching football.

As a 15-year-old, Zimmerman sparred with Ernest Hemingway in a Manhattan gym. He sustained four broken noses as an offensive lineman in high school (Horace Mann High in the Bronx, N.Y.), at two colleges (Stanford and Columbia) and for his Army team (the Western Area Command Rhinos, in Germany). He also played semi-professionally in New Jersey for the Paterson Pioneers and the Morristown Colonials.

Before joining SI, Zimmerman worked for the New York Journal-American and the New York World-Telegram & Sun, and spent 13 years at the New York Post, where he covered pro football and three Olympic Games. He was one of the few journalists to get close to the Israeli compound during the 1972 hostage-taking in Munich; he bucked two lines of security guards and took a rifle butt to the head.

Zimmerman and his wife, to whom he often refers in his columns on CNNSI.com, live in Mountain Lakes, N.J.

Dr. Z refered to his wife in our conversation, too.

Here's the video of my conversation with Paul Zimmerman:

2006 NFL Draft - A Neat Sign-Off: Bill Chachkes Takes Us Out, NFL Network's Pat Kirwan and NLS John Murphy Give Views

While it's not the last video from the NFL Draft you'll see on this blog, it was the last one taken there. It's a sign off, and starts with Bill Chachkes of www.nextlevelscoutinginc.com and Fieldposition.com and now nflbusinessblog.com signing off, Mel Kiper giving an opinion just as he's called away by someone at ESPN, NFL Network's Pat Kirwan providing his views, and John Murphy of www.nextlevelscoutinginc.com chiming in as well.

In this, you'll not only get a view of Radio City Music Hall, but also an idea of just how many people are required to put on what really is a TV production. Also notice how fast everyone was working. That's because Radio City's security people kept coming by and asking us to pack up. It was a little much, especially considering that we had not received the on-paper results from the 7th and final round. Some draft attendees write down each pick. I did that last year; not this year and because the NFL's going to give them to us, and I figured I needed the time to produce video and blog content.

Here's the video: