Apple Releases iOS 5.0.1 To Fix iOS 5 Battery Issues

iPhone 4SRemember those frustrating iOS 5 battery issues? It looks like they're about to be a thing of the past, as Apple has just released an update to its iOS mobile operating system, iOS 5.0.1, designed to fix the problem. The software update includes a few of other tweaks, too, including bug fixes for document syncing via iCloud, the addition of multi-tasking gestures for iPad 1 and improved voice recognition for Australian users.

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Fannie Mae Wants Another Bailout at Taxpayers' Expense (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | In a surprising move, Fannie Mae has asked taxpayers for $7.8 billion in aid to help offset $7.6 billion in losses.

This is unreal to me. I can't imagine giving Fannie Mae another dime of taxpayer money. In 2008, Fannie Mae was bailed out along with Freddie Mac to the tune of $169 billion. Fannie Mae was also appointed a financial regulator to prevent another bailout in the future. That bailout was one of the biggest in 2008.

To date, Fannie Mae has received $112.6 billion. That's a financial drain, and Fannie Mae still hasn't pulled itself out of unprofitability as evident by the company's latest request. It's not taxpayers' fault that Fannie Mae is still unprofitable. It is Fannie Mae's fault that Fannie Mae is still unprofitable, and if Fannie Mae were a private business, it would be out of business. Let's not forget the hundreds of banks and businesses that have shuttered their doors in the last three years: Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns, Circuit City, Linens And Things, Borders and many more. Those businesses were not profitable and closed as a result. Fannie Mae should not be any different.

What's even more shocking is that both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac think they deserve $12.8 million in bonuses for their top 1- executives, and it was approved by Congress. Like Sen. John Barrasso said in the article by Fox News: "Why Does Obama continue 'to reward failure.'"?

Under no circumstances should the executives at either company receive millions of dollars in bonuses while requesting $7.8 billion in additional funds. If Fannie Mae doesn't have the money to continue operations, than it does not have the money to hand out bonuses. It's that simple.

While I understand why we bailed Fannie Mae out the first time, I do not see any benefit to giving a failing company more taxpayer money. The initial fear was that if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac failed, the housing market would completely explode into chaos.

The housing market is in chaos as evident in an article by the Associated Press . It was reported that home prices fell in nearly three-fourths of all US cities during the last financial quarter. That's obviously why Fannie Mae is requesting another $7.8 billion dollars, but it is not a good reason to give Fannie Mae more money. In fact, it's a good reason not to give that company more money. Fannie Mae should have braced itself against any more financial losses, reduced more staff, and taken other cost cutting measures. The economy has not improved in three years. There are very few reasons to believe that it's going to improve in the next quarter much less in the next three years.

In short, Fannie Mae needs to be told to sink or swim on its own. This taxpayer is tired of bailing to big to fail companies out. It needs to stop. I'd rather see my tax money spent on programs and projects that would truly benefit the American people.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/personalfinance/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111111/bs_ac/10400485_fannie_mae_wants_another_bailout_at_taxpayers_expense

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NBA union: No deal; no fear of ultimatum, either

Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the NBA players' association, speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the NBA players' association, speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher, center president of the NBA players' association, and union executive director Billy Hunter, left, look on during a news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Union executive director Billy Hunter, speaks during a news conference as Player's association president, Derek Fisher, right, and other NBA players look on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Union executive director Billy Hunter, speaks during a news conference as NBA players look on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the NBA players' association, speaks during a news conference speaks, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in New York. NBA players are meeting to discuss whether to accept the league's current proposal to end the lockout. Players have until Wednesday afternoon to take the deal. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(AP) ? NBA players made it clear Tuesday: No deal.

No fear of Commissioner David Stern's ultimatum, either.

"The current offer on the table from the NBA is one that we cannot accept," players' association president Derek Fisher said.

Instead, the players said they will ask for another meeting with owners before Stern's Wednesday afternoon deadline ? and sound willing to agree to a 50-50 split of revenues under the right circumstances ? in an attempt to end the lockout and save the season.

In an interview on NBA TV, Stern said that whether he agrees to meet "would be guided by the labor relations committee."

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league has not yet heard from Hunter.

A month of the season has already been lost, and the NBA risks losing fans without an agreement soon. Some already appear to have forgotten: Blake Griffin, last season's rookie of the year, stood around in the lobby of a busy hotel off Broadway and was rarely approached by fans.

The league's current proposal calls for players to receive between 49 percent and 51 percent of basketball-related income, though union officials argue it would be nearly impossible to get above 50.2 percent.

"The players are clearly of the mind that it's an unacceptable proposal," union executive director Billy Hunter said. "But because of their commitment to the game and their desire to play, they're saying to us that we want you to go back, see if you can go back, get a better deal."

If players don't take the deal by 5 p.m. Wednesday, the next offer will call for salary rollbacks, a 53-47 revenue split in the owners' favor and essentially a hard salary cap.

"Our proposal on the table now goes away (Wednesday)," Stern said. "Our next proposal will then go to the players, and we will see where negotiations go."

Players are willing to negotiate further on the revenue split if they get some concessions on the salary cap system. Without them, Fisher said "we don't see a way of getting a deal done between now and end of business" Wednesday.

The league is seeking to limit the spending options of teams above the luxury tax threshold, believing that would lead to greater competitive balance. Players want all teams to be options for free agents.

When asked if there's still wiggle room on system issues, Stern said that as of 3 a.m. Sunday there was none left.

The players insisted they will not be forced into taking a bad deal by an ultimatum ? though Stern refused to call it that.

"The players are saying that we understand their position, but unfortunately we're not intimidated by all that," Hunter said.

With more than 40 players ranging from All-Stars to minimum salary players behind them, Fisher and Hunter dismissed Stern's warning, had hard words for Michael Jordan and repeated that they are willing to negotiate and believe they have made more than enough economic concessions to get the salary cap system they want.

That message was not just for the owners.

They also were speaking to the players and agents who advocate disbanding the union in an attempt to take on the league in court. Union leaders said there was very little discussion about decertification, saying they understand there would be differences of opinion with a membership of 450, but that the team representatives summoned to New York knew the best interests of their teammates.

The union called the meeting after Stern issued his ultimatum early Sunday morning following an eight-hour bargaining session with a federal mediator. Fisher said 43 players, including superstars Carmelo Anthony and Griffin, attended the meeting and that 29 of the 30 teams were represented.

Jordan provided perhaps the most memorable moment of the last lockout, chastising former Washington owner Abe Pollin that he should sell his team if he couldn't make a profit without concessions from players. Jordan now owns the Charlotte Bobcats and is considered one of the hardliners who never wanted Stern to offer the players a 50-50 split.

"I would give him the advice that he gave to Abe Pollin," Hunter said.

After the press conference, Fisher bumped into an old acquaintance from Arkansas, former President Bill Clinton, who was at the hotel preparing to appear on an evening talk show. Clinton signed a copy of his new book, "Back to Work," for Fisher as players looked on.

Next, Fisher would like to meet with Stern, believing there is room to compromise.

After previously saying they wouldn't go below 52.5 percent of BRI, players said Saturday they would be willing to go down to about 51 percent, with 1 percent going to a fund for retired player benefits.

They might go even further, but only with some movement on the system issues.

"We're open to discussions, open to negotiation," Fisher said. "We're open minded about potential compromises on our number, but there are things in the system that are not up for discussion that we have to have in order to able to get this season going."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-11-09-NBA%20Labor/id-cd0a4ef77bdf4501a51b04c5ace2427c

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Venezuela vows all-out hunt for Nationals' Ramos

24-year-old catcher kidnapped after finishing his rookie season

By IAN JAMES and JORGE RUEDA

updated 5:27 p.m. ET Nov. 10, 2011

CARACAS, Venezuela - The government sent top investigators Thursday to hunt for Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, whose abduction has shaken Venezuela's elite athletes and focused attention on the nation's sharp rise in kidnappings for ransom.

The 24-year-old player, who had returned to Venezuela after his rookie season, was just outside the front door at his home on Wednesday night when an SUV approached, armed men got out "and they took him away," said Ramos' agent, Gustavo Marcano.

It was the first known kidnapping of a Major League Baseball player in Venezuela, though the relatives of some ballplayers have previously been held captive for ransom.

Police found the kidnappers' vehicle abandoned in the nearby town of Bejuma on Thursday morning, Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said. He said anti-kidnapping units led by "the best investigators we have" were dispatched to the area in central Carabobo state.

He vowed to rescue Ramos and capture his abductors.

"We're taking on this investigation with everything we've got," El Aissami said.

Major League Baseball and the Nationals said the leagues' Department of Investigations was working with authorities.

"Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time," the team and the MLB said in a joint statement, adding there would be no further comment.

Ramos was outside with his father and two brothers in their working-class neighborhood of Santa Ines on the outskirts of Valencia when the SUV pulled up with four men inside, three of whom got out and seized the player, Marcano said.

"The abductors haven't made contact with the family or with anyone," said Domingo Alvarez, vice president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. "We're worried."

Ramos is a key young player for the Nationals. As a rookie in 2011, he hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in 113 games. He also threw out 19 of 67 runners attempting to steal a base, a 28 percent success rate that ranked third among qualifying catchers in the National League.

Washington acquired Ramos from the Minnesota Twins in a trade for All-Star relief pitcher Matt Capps in July 2010.

He is one of dozens of Venezuelans in professional baseball, and security while at home has increasingly become a concern for the players and their families as a rising wave of kidnappings has hit the wealthy as well as the middle class.

Venezuelan police said 618 kidnappings were reported in 2009, and the numbers have grown rapidly in recent years. In 1998, when President Hugo Chavez was elected, just 52 kidnappings were reported. Security experts say the real number of kidnappings today is much higher because many cases aren't reported to authorities.

The wealthy have taken steps to protect themselves. Sales of armored cars have soared in the past several years. Bodyguards typically shadow major leaguers when they return to their homeland to play in the winter league.

"Every major league player has his own security, but we don't know if he had his security there at that time," Alvarez said.

Former Boston Red Sox slugger Tony Armas, who lives in Venezuela, said young players have been taking additional security measures due to the risk of kidnappings.

"But many of them are careless sometimes. No one seriously thinks that this can happen to us, and much less in a country like ours where people love baseball," Armas said in a telephone interview.

"Most of us came from humble families. We still have relatives who live in poor areas; we frequent those places and unfortunately the criminals are getting more soulless all the time," he said.

In November 2009, the 56-year-old mother of Victor Zambrano, who retired after a seven-year Major League career, was rescued in a commando-style operation three days after she was kidnapped. The former pitcher's cousin, Richard Mendez Zambrano, had been kidnapped a few days earlier, and was later killed.

In June 2009, Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba's 11-year-old son and brother-in-law were kidnapped and released a day later.

The mother of former player Ugueth Urbina, who was a two-time All-Star pitcher, spent more than five months in captivity until she was rescued in early 2005.

Venezuela has one of Latin America's highest murder rates, and violent crime has worsened in recent years. As ransom kidnapping has soared, the government passed a revised law in 2009 that stiffened prison sentences for kidnapping and also allows authorities to freeze the banks accounts of victims' families to prevent them from paying ransom.

Ramos had been training and planned to start playing with his Venezuelan team next week. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Melvin Mora, also a Venezuelan, proposed that the Venezuelan league ought to call off its games "until he appears."

But league president Jose Grasso said that won't happen. "Turning out the stadium lights isn't a solution," Grasso said, calling Ramos' abduction "an isolated event."

? 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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State Dept. IG to review oil pipeline from Canada

Demonstrators march with a replica of a pipeline during a protest to demand a stop to the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline outside the White House on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Demonstrators march with a replica of a pipeline during a protest to demand a stop to the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline outside the White House on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Demonstrators march with a replica of a pipeline during a protest to demand a stop to the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline outside the White House on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Gerhard Grieb, of Sandy Spring, Md., holds an American flag with corporate logos during a protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline outside the White House on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(AP) ? The State Department's inspector general will review the Obama administration's handling of a Canadian company's request to pipe oil from western Canada to Texas, following complaints from 13 Democratic lawmakers and one independent.

Inspector General Harold W. Geisel said the special review will center on whether the State Department "and all other parties involved" in the project followed federal laws and regulations related to the $7 billion Keystone XL project. The 1,700-mile pipeline proposed by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry oil derived from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur, Texas.

The pipeline would travel through Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma before reaching Texas. It would double the capacity of an existing pipeline that opened last year, carrying oil through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois.

Geisel's announcement of the review comes one day after thousands of protesters gathered in Lafayette Square across from the White House to oppose the Keystone XL plan. During Sunday's rally, the crowd linked hands to surround the White House, keeping up pressure on President Barack Obama as his administration decides whether to approve the pipeline project. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses a U.S. border.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Monday that Obama should delay a decision on the pipeline request until the inspector general's investigation is finished. The administration has said for months that it expects to decide by the end of this year, although in recent days officials have hinted that timeline could slip.

"This is a critically important issue for our environment and the energy future of our country," Sanders said. "At a time when all credible scientific evidence and opinion indicate that we are losing the battle against global warming, it is imperative that we have objective environmental assessments of major carbon-dependent energy projects."

It was not known how long the inspector general's review would take, although a spokesman for Geisel said Monday that a team has been assembled and has already begun work.

A spokesman for TransCanada said the company welcomes the review.

"At TransCanada, we conduct ourselves with integrity and in an open and transparent manner. We are certain that the conclusion of this review will reflect that," spokesman James Millar said.

Sanders and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., requested the review, saying they were disturbed by media reports that a company that performed an environmental review on behalf of the State Department had listed pipeline developer TransCanada as a "major client." Two other senators and 10 other House members ? all Democrats ? also asked for the IG review.

In a letter last month, the lawmakers asked the inspector general to look at all contractual or financial relationships between the consultant, Houston-based Cardno Entrix, and TransCanada.

They also asked for a review of State Department emails involving a TransCanada lobbyist who had worked in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.

Houston-based Cardno Entrix worked on the environmental impact study for the pipeline and helped conduct a series of public hearings this month. The State Department has said the company was one of three consultants TransCanada recommended for the pipeline project, although U.S. officials made the final decision. The company was hired in December 2008 under the administration of President George W. Bush. The firm also worked on the original Keystone pipeline starting in 2006.

Jim Teitt, director of client services for Cardno Entrix, said Monday that the firm listed TransCanada as a client because of its work on the original Keystone project.

Clinton told The Associated Press last month that that she had no reason to believe there was a conflict of interest involving the TransCanada lobbyist, Paul Elliott.

Supporters say the Keystone XL pipeline could significantly reduce U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil, while opponents say it would bring "dirty oil" that requires huge amounts of energy to extract and could cause an ecological disaster in case of a spill.

Obama said last week that his administration will be guided by what's best for the American people and the economy as it reviews the pipeline project.

"We need to encourage domestic oil and natural gas production," Obama told a Nebraska TV station. "We need to make sure that we have energy security and aren't just relying on Middle East sources. But there's a way of doing that and still making sure that the health and safety of the American people and folks in Nebraska are protected, and that's how I'll be measuring these recommendations when they come to me."

Many pipeline opponents took Obama's comments as a sign that he will personally decide on the pipeline, rather than leave it to the State Department.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday that the State Department is leading the Keystone review and will continue to do so, adding that the decision "is absolutely going to take into account the criteria that the president laid out" in the Nebraska interview, including the project's effect on jobs, public health and the environment.

"In the end, we fully expect that the decision or the resolution of this issue, the determination, will reflect the president's views," Carney said. "It is the Obama administration."

Cohen, who led the House effort for the IG review, called the allegations regarding Cardno Entrix and the TransCanada lobbyist "disconcerting," adding that the claims are serious enough to warrant a delay in the State Department's decision whether to approve or reject the pipeline. "Given the significant economic, environmental, and public health implications of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, the American people deserve an accurate, unbiased review," he said.

Matthew Daly can be followed at http://twitter.com/MatthewDalyWDC

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2011-11-07-Oil%20Pipeline/id-6c830f45a5174cccb355e7c407bf8963

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House of Representatives to Spend More Time Campaigning Than Working (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | The House of Representatives is scheduled to be in session for only 109 days in 2012, according to CBS News. The House will be in recess for 151 days in order to allow candidates time for campaigning. Really? My initial reaction to this announcement was to write an article expressing my outrage that our leaders are opting to work so little when our country is facing so many challenges. After all, shouldn't our Representatives be working double-time to address the myriad of economic, social and global problems on our collective plate?

Pick an issue...any issue and do something. Perhaps begin with an earnest debate of the jobs bill resulting in the enactment of even one measure to address unemployment.

Upon reflection, perhaps it is not the lack of work days the House has scheduled that has me frosted. It may, instead, be our leaders' lack of effectiveness when they actually do show up for work. The polarized politicians in Washington seem so concerned with posturing that our government is experiencing a complete pre-election paralysis.

At a time when every minute counts and we should be circling the wagons, our proverbial horses have gone lame. A clear example is the so-called "super-committee" charged with creating a 10-year plan to cut $1.2 trillion from the U.S. deficit, says CNN.

Not surprisingly, the committee appears to be grid-locked. Democrats on the panel proposed a plan to cut $3.2 trillion from the budget by cutting entitlement programs and raising $1.3 trillion in new tax revenues. John Boehner (R), has staunchly insisted Republicans would never sign any measure that would raise taxes, however, it seems that there may be a bit of compromise on this point as this article is written.

The Republican proposal would cut $2.2 trillion through cuts to entitlements and revised tax codes. Democrats refuse the plan because it fails to increase revenue. The committee has until Nov. 23 to produce a 10-year deficit reduction plan. If no agreement is reached, a sort of default plan goes into effect that will automatically cut $1.2 trillion across the budget, including billions in cuts to U.S. defense and Medicare.

Tough choices about the deficit and so many other matters of government will not be effectively addressed until leaders get serious about compromise and prioritize the work of government over political image and campaigning. Both sides of the aisle will need to work together to develop and implement innovative solutions.

Voters might actually be more impressed by candidates who spend time working productively with others to effect change than with those stomping the campaign trail.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/uscongress/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111109/us_ac/10401191_house_of_representatives_to_spend_more_time_campaigning_than_working

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Twins dismiss GM Smith, return Ryan as interim

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2007, file photo, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan, right, discusses his decision to step down from his post effective Sept. 30, 2007, to be replaced by Bill Smith, left, during a news conference in Minneapolis. The Twins have fired Smith and returned Ryan to the role on an interim basis. The change was announced Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Smith was one of Ryan's assistants who took the job four years ago when Ryan stepped down to become a special assistant, citing burnout. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2007, file photo, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan, right, discusses his decision to step down from his post effective Sept. 30, 2007, to be replaced by Bill Smith, left, during a news conference in Minneapolis. The Twins have fired Smith and returned Ryan to the role on an interim basis. The change was announced Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Smith was one of Ryan's assistants who took the job four years ago when Ryan stepped down to become a special assistant, citing burnout. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter, File)

This Sept. 13, 2007 file photo shows Minnesota Twins general manager Bill Smith during a news conference in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Twins have fired general manager Bill Smith and returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. The change was announced Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Bruce Bisping) PIONEER PRESS OUT MINNEAPOLIS-AREA TV OUT MAGS OUT

In this Feb. 23, 2009, photo, Minnesota Twins general manager Bill Smith speaks in Fort Myers, Fla. The Twins have fired Smith; the move was announced Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Jerry Holt) ST. PAUL OUT MINNEAPOLIS-AREA TV OUT MAGS OUT

In this Sept. 13, 2007, photo, Bill Smith speaks during a news conference in Minneapolis at which he was introduced. The Twins have fired Smith and returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. The change was announced Monday, Nov 7, 2011. Smith was one of Ryan's assistants who took the job four years ago when Ryan stepped down to become a special assistant, citing burnout. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Bruce Bisping) ST. PAUL OUT MINNEAPOLIS-AREA TV OUT MAGS OUT

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2007 file photo, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan announces his resignation during a news conference in Minneapolis. The Twins have fired general manager Bill Smith and returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. The change was announced Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter, File)

(AP) ? The fallout from a 99-loss season for the Minnesota Twins has started with the firing of general manager Bill Smith.

Smith was dismissed Monday, when the Twins returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. Smith was Ryan's top assistant when Ryan stepped down in 2007, citing burnout, after holding the job for 13 years.

Widely recognized for their stability, class and ability to make the most out of a medium-range payroll, this was a startling move for the Twins despite the embarrassment and deep disappointment of the 2011 season following two straight AL Central titles.

This is the first time since the franchise moved from Washington to Minnesota in 1961 the Twins have fired a general manager. Calvin Griffith was the owner and general manager until selling the team in 1984. Andy MacPhail became the fulltime successor, leaving for a prime job with the Chicago Cubs, and Ryan followed him.

Ryan's moves helped turn the Twins from one of the worst teams in baseball in the mid-90s to one of the best the next decade. They won four division titles over Ryan's last five full seasons, without spending much money in free agency and instead drafting and developing their core players.

Shrewd trades were part of his success, too, fetching Cristian Guzman and Eric Milton for Chuck Knoblauch; getting Nick Punto and Carlos Silva for Milton; and landing Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan for A.J. Pierzynski.

Smith's decisions haven't turned out as well, dealing Johan Santana, Matt Garza, J.J. Hardy and Delmon Young for little production in return. Japanese shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka, the headliner acquisition last winter, was hurt for much of the season and a bust at the plate and in the field.

"No one in the Twins' organization wants to win any more than Bill," Twins owner Jim Pohlad said in a statement. "He is unquestionably loyal, committed and talented. The Twins' goal is to get better in 2012 and beyond. Bill was equally motivated to achieve that goal, but we differed in the scope and approach that was required."

Pohlad added that the Twins will speak with Smith about "an ongoing role within the organization." Smith has been with the club since 1986.

The Twins were division champions under his watch in 2009 and 2010, with Ryan, assistant general manager Rob Antony and vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff also serving as key officials around Smith.

But this season was a mess.

Injuries to Jason Kubel, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Nishioka and other key players didn't help, but the most expensive team in Twins history ? with an opening-day payroll of more than $112 million ? prompted Pohlad and the rest of the front office to take a hard look at an organization that has frequently been lauded as one of the finest in the game. The top of the farm system has dried up in recent years, and the rebuilding project will be a challenge for Ryan and the rest of his support staff.

Smith acknowledged when he was hired his strengths lied in administration and operations. He didn't play the game or scout it like Ryan did. He worked heavily with the team's development academies in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, and he played a large role in the plans to design Target Field, which opened in 2010.

Smith, in a statement released by the Twins, called his time with the team "the greatest professional privilege I could have ever imagined" and thanked everyone from the Pohlad family to the athletic trainers for their working relationship.

"It gives me great pleasure to hand this baton back to the best baseball man I have ever known, Terry Ryan," Smith said.

Smith didn't immediately return messages seeking further comment.

In addition to the usual general manager duties, the Twins said Ryan will be responsible for succession planning within the baseball department "to identify future leadership candidates." The 58-year-old Ryan, who pitched in the Twins' minor league system, joined the organization as the scouting director in 1986 and has been here since. He served as a special assistant since resigning from the GM role.

The Twins scheduled a news conference for later Monday with Ryan and team president Dave St. Peter.

"As we move ahead, I'm looking forward to the challenge of improving this club for 2012 and beyond," Ryan said in a statement. "We have many assets in place including a strong front office, manager, coaching staff and returning core of players. We have a lot of work to do in relation to development of our roster, but I'm optimistic in our collective abilities to ensure the future on-field success of this franchise."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2011-11-07-BBA-Twins-Smith-Fired/id-55a5bf7e8472451f927c3f8b768c9070

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Hell no, we won't go ... to economics class

By Marisa Taylor

The Occupy Wall Street movement has extended to college campuses ? or to at least one college campus, in the form of a protest against an economics professor?s alleged conservative views.

Around 70 students at Harvard College walked out of economics professor N. Gregory Mankiw?s class last week after expressing discontent with what they viewed as conservative bias in course materials, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. The protest was intended to express solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street Movement, according to the story, as the students felt that Mankiw?s biases had led to policies that exacerbated income inequality.?

Prior to the walkout, one of the organizers gave a statement saying, ?We are deeply concerned about the way that this bias affects students, the University, and our greater society,? reported The Crimson.

Another student told The Crimson that Mankiw?s class, which enrolled more than 700 students, was ?a symbol of the larger economic ideology that created the 2008 collapse?. His conservative views are the kind that created the collapse of 2008.?

Mankiw is currently an economic adviser to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and formerly served as the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during President George W. Bush?s second term. He apparently knew that the walkout had been planned, and announced his office hours at the beginning of the lecture rather than at the end because he had ?a feeling people might leave a little early,? according to the story.

Coincidentally, Mankiw happened to be giving a lecture about income inequality that day, according to an interview he gave to NPR. And while he agreed that income inequality has risen since the 1970s, he doesn?t think it?s a result of government policy. ?I think it's primarily been driven by a variety of forces in the economy including, for example, technology,? he told NPR. ?But the question of whether it's something the government should worry about is an issue of political philosophy, as well as economics.?

Mankiw went on to say:

?Well, if you look at the data, one thing is very clear is that the changes in the tax code - even between, say, the Clinton era and the Bush era - are very, very small compared to the huge changes in inequality we've seen. So very little of the changes we've seen are due to taxes. It's almost in data quality, almost all in before-tax incomes. So, you know, we can debate as to whether we want an extra few percent at the top or not, but that's not really going to do much to change the long-term trend.?

Source: http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/08/8702606-hell-no-we-wont-go-to-economics-class

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Ride your dream car on Secured Automotive Loans | Google Statistics

Are you not happy with the loan presents you are getting to buy a car despite willing to position your property with lenders to take the loan? The fault might lie along with your method in direction of secured car loans. Buying your dream automobile, infect, might be made simpler offered sure precautions are taken care of.

To get secured automotive loans that fits your price range, give particular consideration to the collateral you are going to provide to the lender as security. Decrease interest rate and the loan amount depend lots on the value of the collateral. If secured car loans are taken in opposition to house, which always has high equity, then the lender will readily provide larger mortgage at lower curiosity rate.

Secured automotive loans are usually taken for a shorter duration starting from 36 to seventy two months. Maintain the mortgage compensation term as brief as possible with the intention to keep away from mortgage burden. A lower amount may also help in getting a lower interest rate.

Automobile consumers are concerned about interest rate. Secured automobile loans naturally include lower interest rate. To cut back interest rate further you must borrow an amount which is under the fairness of the collateral. Remember, a further slight reduction in interest rate on secured automobile loans saves great amount.

Evaluating completely different secured car loans packages of lenders also helps in lowering curiosity rate. Quite a few mortgage suppliers showcase mortgage merchandise online. Apply for secured automotive loans on-line so that you get number of loan supply responses. Select the lender who gives required quantity at lower interest rate.

In case of the borrowers having adverse credit historical past, secured automotive loans are no drawback to them. Such debtors could have to fulfill with the next curiosity rate. However, they too are in a position to avail the loan at lower curiosity rate. They should first repay straightforward money owed and improve their credit score report. If these debtors obtain a credit rating that is nearer to 620 then getting a decrease interest rate will be easier. A credit score approach beneath this mark makes the loan getting difficult at comfortable curiosity rate. Even if borrower is willing to offer collateral, lenders grow to be cautious about their loan as they do not need to take a time and money consuming route of the repossession.

Secured automobile loans are availed easily but one must be extra vigilant when deciding the mortgage quantity as extreme loan could make life troublesome for you. Make efforts to avail the mortgage at comparatively lower interest rate that can save lot of money.

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Source: http://googlestatistics.com/2011/11/ride-your-dream-car-on-secured-automotive-loans/

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