Thursday, December 31, 2009

Affidavit: Anger at government motivated Wytheville post office suspect


The 53-year-old disabled man accused of holding three hostages Wednesday night in an eight-hour standoff at the Wytheville Post Office told investigators he had planned to create his disturbance in Roanoke and that his motive for the attack "was a result of his growing anger towards the Federal Government about a variety of issues," according to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint against him.

Postal Inspector J. David McKinney wrote that Warren A. Taylor of Bristol, Tenn., left his home about 9 a.m. Wednesday with the intent of traveling to Roanoke.

McKinney testified that: "Taylor stated he packed his vehicle with handguns, and mock explosive devices. Taylor indicated he had been planning this event for months or years in advance. Taylor indicated that his motive for his incident was a result of his growing anger towards the Federal Government about a variety of issues. Taylor indicated that he got tired while traveling from Tennessee to Roanoke, Virginia, so he stopped for gas and food in Wytheville, Virginia. He stated that he then made a decision to 'end it' at a Post Office in Wytheville, Virginia. Taylor admitted to firing one of the handguns he was carrying numerous times in the post office and also admitted to holding the hostages, according to the affidavit.

In an initial hearing this morning in federal court in Roanoke, Taylor was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, kidnapping and possession of a firearm in a federal facility.
Taylor’s attorney, federal public defender Randy Cargill, submitted a motion for a competency evaluation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Giorno did not object. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski ordered that Taylor be transported to Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina for an evaluation, hospitalization and treatment.

Urbanski said that once a competency evaluation is complete, Taylor will be returned to court.

Taylor rolled into court in a wheelchair. His left leg was fitted with a prosthesis he described as partially made of Kevlar. Urbanski noted that the heavy-set man suffers from diabetes and other health problems and suggested he be transported as soon as possible for evaluation.

Aside from confirming he understood his rights and the purpose of the appearance, Taylor spoke only once.

“I’m sorry I got everybody out on Christmas,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s forearms displayed several tattoos that featured an American flag motif.

The standoff ended peacefully around 11 p.m. Wednesday after Taylor released the hostages and surrendered.


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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Upset Watch: Embattled USC Meets Motivated Boston College in Emerald Bowl


2009 will be remembered as a forgettable year for many people. The USC Trojans, who failed to win at least a share of the Pac-10 conference and qualify for a BCS Bowl game for the first time since 2001, are no exception.

Many factors led to a disappointing season for the Men of Troy on offense, defense, on the field, and off the field.

Matt Barkley was named the starting quarterback only nine days before the first game against San Jose State. All seemed well with the true freshman through two games, but the rigors of competing at the college level eventually wore him down toward the latter half of the season.

He regressed from wunderkind golden boy to battered, bruised, and turnover-prone game manager.

Stafon Johnson would have served as a valuable asset to the Trojan running game had a weighted bar not crushed his throat during a September bench-press session gone awry.

This type of injury is rare, but accidents happen, and the near-tragic incident in the Trojan gym was but one on a long list of telltale signs that pointed to a down year for USC.

Southern Cal would end up playing the sixth toughest schedule in the nation. Armed with the 58th-ranked offense in the nation against a very competitive Pac-10, and hampered by an exodus of high-profile coaches, USC had to make up for injuries, inexperience, and a paucity of quality coaching personnel outside of Pete Carroll.

While the mediocre 5-4 conference record and fifth-place Pac-10 finish speak for themselves, the void left by departed coordinators such as Norm Chow, Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin starts to become more noticeable once key players become academically ineligible for the postseason, and star running backs become the focal point of school investigations.

Senior tight end Anthony McCoy, freshman offensive tackle Tyron Smith and senior defensive lineman Averell Spice will all miss Saturday’s game due to respective academic ineligibilities.

Although he practiced with the team in the days leading up to the Emerald Bowl, the status of RB Joe McKnight is still yet to be determined.

Southern Cal’s leading rusher is being investigated for driving a sport-utility vehicle that was supposedly purchased for his girlfriend by a Santa Monica businessman.

The Trojan coaching staff may end up benching McKnight so as not to risk getting into hot water with the NCAA brass, but not having the explosive McKnight could prove problematic against Boston College's 16th-ranked rush defense if backup RB Allen Bradford and fullback Stanley Havili are unable to step up in his absence.

Instead of lamenting the loss of some of the Trojans’ premiere talent, the ever-optimistic Carroll sees opportunity for some of his second-stringers to impress coaches and fans before season’s end.

"Guys are jumping at this chance and hopefully they can do something with it," he said.

The Trojans will square off in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco against an overachieving Boston College team that is led by Dave Shinskie, a 25-year old freshman quarterback who spent six years playing minor league baseball.

The Eagles will also feature star tailback Montel Harris, who has accumulated 1355 rush yards and 14 total touchdowns this season. But the defense is what has turned Boston College into a bowl team.

BC was picked by some preseason prognosticators to wind up dead last in the conference. Instead, they finished second in the ACC Atlantic with a 5-3 record.

Unlike USC, the Eagles, winners of eight of their last nine bowl games, are thrilled to travel to the Bay Area for a chance to play in Saturday's postseason game at AT&T Park.

While their overall records may be the same, these two programs seem to have completely different mindsets headed into Saturday's matchup. This contest could come down to desire and motivation, which would spell trouble for Southern Cal.

A win would mean much more for Boston College’s program than USC’s. In fact, an ‘SC loss would, in many Trojan fans’ eyes, provide a fitting end to a season fraught with mediocrity and disappointment.


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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Dallas Cowboys motivated by doubters vs. New Orleans Saints


"We Dat!"

For 13 weeks New Orleans Saints fans have been asking the NFL "Who Dat Talkin' Bout Beaten Dem Saints?" On Saturday night at Superdome, the Dallas Cowboys had the answer:

"We Dat! -- 24-17."

The Cowboys did it by keeping quarterback Drew Brees and the league's hottest offense bottled up most of the night. And they did it with great play from their own quarterback, Tony Romo, who entered the gamer with the reputation of having a hard time winning in December.

Romo shredded the Saints' defense for 312 yards on 22-of-34 passing for a 104.0 rating. He was especially clutch on third down, converting eight of 15 opportunities.

And he did it with a little help from an unlikely source -- former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.

"The coaches showed us a clip from Tony Dungy today, and he was asked what our chances were in this game -- and he said we had no chance, " Romo said.

"That came as surprise, considering it was an ex-coach who said it. It was able to motivate us.

"It's funny. We don't normally go into a game thinking we don't have any chance. But a lot of people were thin king that, and I can understand it, how we've been playing lately. But it motivated us."

Romo said his teammates took special pride in knocking off the undefeated Saints in the rowdy Superdome environment.

"It's a tough, tough place to play football, and (we) stepped up and played well, " he said. "I'm proud of the way our guys played."

Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips said his team's defensive game plan was "not to give up big plays" to the Brees-led Saints offense, especially in the first quarter.

"We wanted them to come down the field, to work for the things they were going to get, and to try to keep them off the field, " he said.

The Cowboys pressured Brees all game, sacking him four times and forcing two fumbles.

Desperately needing a win, the Cowboys set the tone early, taking their first drive 79 yards in just five plays with Romo hitting Miles Austin on a 49-yard touchdown pass.

By the end of the first quarter, Dallas had 195 yards -- the most yards for a single quarter by a Cowboys team in 18 years -- en route to a 14-0 lead

"That was big, getting the lead, " Phillips said. "I don't think we can play a better quarter of football. And against this team, you need all the point you can get."


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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Chatzky: With hiring scarce, staying motivated, inspiring others builds job security


If you’re lucky enough to have a job right now, you should do everything you can to hold on to it. If you’re in the ranks of the unemployed, you want to be the candidate who stands out in an increasingly large pool. And if you’re a boss at an organization struggling to stay afloat, you want to motivate your employees to hang tight, despite the bumps in the road.

There are endless ways to do it. You can fine-tune your résumé. Speak up at meetings with interesting, fresh ideas. Dress for the job you want rather than the job you have. But, as it turns out, one of the best ways to make your presence known is by being respectful and, quite simply, kind. You’ll get the same back in return.

That’s the theme of Deborah Norville’s new book, “The Power of Respect: Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success.” Norville, who’s anchored “Inside Edition” for 14 years, clearly knows about success. Here are her tips, whether you’re in the job market, trying to get recognized at work, or trying to be an effective leader:

START WITH YOURSELF
It’s important to respect others, but self-respect, particularly at a time when you might be feeling down, is the starting line. “You have to tap back into what makes you a rock star. What is your skill set? Write it down, get it on paper and then look at it when you need to remind yourself why you deserve success,” Norville said. It’s nearly impossible to sell yourself in an interview if you don’t believe you’re the best person for the job, and it’s very difficult to motivate employees around you if you’re feeling insecure about your own abilities.

RECOGNIZE OTHERS
When people are acknowledged for their efforts, they want to achieve more. I’m not talking about an employee of the month bulletin board, which often comes across as superficial recognition at best and patronizing at worst. If employee morale is down, one of the best ways to bring it up is to make a big deal when someone goes above and beyond the call of duty. And not in private, either − shine the spotlight.

“When people are genuinely recognized, the residual effect is that euphoria activates the same part of their brain in charge of strategic thinking, reasoning and logic. So when you as the authority make people within the organization feel good about working there, you’ve enhanced their ability to be better workers,” Norville said. Not only that, but because you’ve recognized them in a public way, other employees strive for their turn in the spotlight.

APPRECIATION
This goes above and beyond sending a handwritten thank you card after each interview, although that’s a good place to start. Before any job interview, take the time to learn about the person you’ll be speaking to.

“People forget the little things like complimenting someone, or making sure you’re saying something positive about the company, and not just about how you need a job,” said Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO of the Kaplan Thaler Group and co-author of “The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness.” Start with a compliment − something you’ve been impressed by while reading about the organization − and then move into your hard sell, telling them why you’d be a benefit to the admirable outfit they’ve built. You may not get that job, but every connection counts. If you leave a positive imprint on the interviewer, she may recommend you to someone else in her network.

BEYOND YOUR BUSINESS CARD
One of the best ways to garner respect at work is to go above and beyond your job description. Not just for the recognition − although that’s a nice byproduct − but because you’ll inspire your higher ups to believe in you and your abilities.

“If you are intimately aware of the processes involved in your work, and most of us are, try to recognize an inefficiency and a way to correct it,” Norville said. Sure, the bigger picture might be someone else’s job, but if you have an idea worth mentioning, speak up − particularly if it will help the bottom line. A good manager will respect you for contributing and even come to you for ideas in the future. Establishing that pattern is key to climbing up the ladder.

SHARE THE CREDIT
Let’s face it − as a boss, you are recognized all the time. Why not pass on some credit to the people who support you? It will give them a little boost, and that increased productivity will reflect positively on you.

With Arielle McGowen
Your Money columnist Jean Chatzky is financial editor of NBC’s “Today” show, a contributing editor at More magazine and a contributor to “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” She’s the author of six books, including, “The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times.” Check out her blog at jeanchatzky.com.


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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Adalius Thomas is neither motivated nor a Jetson


I theorized earlier that Bill Belichick blowing up on his team yesterday was a good thing. Obviously, not everyone will agree with that, and that's fine. One guy who really, really doesn't agree, though, is one of the four guys sent home from practice, linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Will the incident serve as motivation for him? Here's Adalius's response, from ESPNBoston.com:

"Motivation is for Kindergarteners. I'm not a Kindergartner," Said Thomas. "Sending somebody home, that's like 'He's expelled, come back and make good grades.' Get that [expletive] out of here. That's ridiculous. Motivation?"

Does he understand why Belichick did what he did? Again, from ESPNBoston.com:

"I think everyone woke up to the snow yesterday. I didn't know it was going to snow. There was traffic. I can't run people over getting to work. I don't do that. I actually almost had a car accident. It is what it is. He did what he thought was best for him. That's what he did."

Thomas broke out a cartoon reference when asked about being stuck in traffic, saying, "What do you do? It's not the Jetsons, I can't jump up and just fly. What the heck am I supposed to do?"

It is difficult to side against any guy who evokes the Jetsons in an argument.

Really, though, none of this matters much. Thomas has become a situational player, almost certain to be playing elsewhere next year. If he's mad, he's mad, but he also noted that he'll continue to do what he's told to do. If he's more careful now about showing up on time, and he's there and working in practice, then it's mission accomplished for Belichick.

The more important reaction comes from team captain Randy Moss(notes). He did show up to practice on time today, but he didn't talk to the media. We'll see what things look like on Sunday.


Source

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Darling’s ‘Politically Motivated’ Bonus Tax Attacked (Update1)


Dec. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said the U.K. will force banks awarding discretionary bonuses of more than 25,000 pounds ($40,800) to pay a one-time levy of 50 percent.

The tax, effective today, will be paid by all banks that operate in the U.K., including U.S. firms such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Employees will still have to pay income tax on their bonuses, the Treasury said. The top tax rate on earnings of more than 150,000 pounds will rise to 50 percent in April, a measure announced earlier this year.

Today’s levy will raise about 550 million pounds, less than 1 percent of the U.K.’s total tax revenue, according to KPMG LLP. Darling, whose Labour Party faces an election by June, is trying to mollify voter anger after providing more than 1 trillion pounds to prop up lenders including Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc in the credit crisis. Barclays Plc President Robert Diamond said yesterday the measure risks driving business away from the City of London.

“This will further damage the image of the City as a global financial centre,” said Shaun Springer, chief executive officer of Square Mile Services Ltd., which advises London financial firms on pay. “This is politically motivated.”

The government introduced the measure after firms that had benefited from taxpayer bailouts began to allocate more money to employee remuneration. Bonuses for U.K. financial services employees may rise by 50 percent to 6 billion pounds this year, the Centre for Economics & Business Research Ltd. said in Oct.

‘Giving Them a Choice’

“There is no bank that has not benefited either directly or indirectly from this help,” said Darling, who ruled out a tax on banks’ profits. “I’m giving them a choice. They can use their profits to build up their capital base, but if they insist on paying substantial rewards, I’m determined to claw money back for the taxpayer.”

The levy is effective until April, when the 50 percent income tax rate will start. The measure may be extended beyond that date if the Treasury finds banks are deferring payments.

About 20,000 bankers will be affected, according to Treasury estimates. The levy will apply to discretionary bonuses, which account for “substantially all” bonuses, according to Patrick Steven, a tax partner at Ernst & Young in London. The measure is unlikely to apply to executives working at private equity funds or insurers owned by banks, according to Bill Dodwell, head of tax policy at Deloitte LLP.

‘Righteous Anger’

It will now cost a bank 162,800 pounds to provide an employee with a 59,000-pound bonus after tax, compared with 112,800 pounds before, said Jill Storey, a partner at KPMG LLP.

“On a bonus of 1 million pounds, the new tax will be 500,000 pounds, National Insurance will be 130,000 pounds, and personal income tax is 400,000 pounds,” said Chris Maddock, tax director of Vantis Group Ltd. “This makes a total of 1.03 million pounds for the Treasury.”

Darling is “speaking to the righteous anger people are feeling toward the people who wrecked the financial system,” said Ken Miller, the former vice chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston and now a private investor. “But this is better short- term politics than long-term economic policy,” he added. “Even if it is unpopular, it is unlikely to ruin London as a world financial center.”

Tax rates in Britain are still far below the levels of the 1970s when Mick Jagger, together with the rest of the Rolling Stones, moved to France briefly to escape liabilities in the U.K.

Callaghan, Thatcher

When Labour was last in power, in the late 1970s under James Callaghan, the top tax rate was 83 percent on earned income and 98 percent on unearned income. The rates were cut to 60 percent and 75 percent when Margaret Thatcher took office in 1979 as her Conservative government tried to revive the economy. By 1988, Thatcher had cut the top income tax rate to 40 percent.

Britain’s financial services industry generates about 61 billion pounds of tax revenue, about 12 percent of the U.K. total, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers and the City of London Corporation, the municipality for the U.K.’s main financial center.

International securities firms such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan both base their European headquarters in the square mile. Goldman Sachs International Ltd., one of Goldman’s more 25 U.K. divisions, employed 5,831 people and allocated a total of 81 million pounds in gross wages and salaries in the year through November 2008, according to filings at the Cardiff, Wales-based registrar Companies House.

London ‘Less Attractive’

“London may well look to them now like a significantly less attractive place to build a business,” said Angela Knight, chief executive officer of the British Bankers’ Association, which lobbies for 260 financial companies. “Only concerted international agreements will succeed in reforming remuneration in the financial sector.”

The U.S. House approved in March a 90 percent tax rate on bonuses at companies that received more than $5 billion in government aid in response to disclosures of retention pay for employees of American International Group Inc. The Senate retreated from a similar proposal after President Barack Obama said the U.S. shouldn’t “govern out of anger” and AIG employees began returning their bonuses.

“You may find Obama coming on board now and saying ‘due to what London is doing we are doing the same,’” said Jason Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of recruiter Kennedy Associates in London. “People are pretty depressed today in the City. At this point there’s no way out.”


Source

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Reports show downtown assaults were racially motivated


DENVER - Newly-released reports from the Denver Police Department suggest a series of assaults in Downtown Denver were driven by racial hatred.

Police think these attacks were the work of gangs trying to claim turf in LoDo; the Crips and the Black Gangsta Disciples.

Thirty-five suspects have been arrested in the cases. Their arrest affidavits released Friday explain why their attacks were directed at whites.

"Just white people getting knocked out," said one suspect.

The suspect says they targeted white people because they "looked like they had money."

A victim reported an attacker said it "smells like white people" before he was jumped.

Another victim reported being called racial slurs.

The arrest affidavits say suspects told police that the gangs "own that area" and they were sending a message to white people "not to come downtown without their friends for protection."

The suspects specifically said they were looking to keep white people away from the Bash nightclub.

A call left for the managers there wasn't returned to 9NEWS on Friday.

There were dozens of these allegedly racially-motivated assaults in LoDo in July and September, which is a lucrative time of year for entertainment venues and businesses in that area.

Denver Police didn't acknowledge the attacks until pressed by reporters and did not initially admit the assaults had a clear pattern: white men being attacked by gang members.


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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Many O'Leary constituents are 'motivated by a nickel'


Sen. Robert O'Leary wants us to "think outside the bottle." I would like him to think more about conservation. His litter bill would bring us back to a time when bottles littered our streets and highways.

He has never addressed how many people would be out of work if his bill were to pass. The last time he was working on this and was on the local radio station he said he did not know how many people would lose their jobs.

During these trying economic times there are many people picking up bottles to turn in for money to buy food. Our local sports teams and other charities receive money from bottles that are redeemed. I disagree with Sen. O'Leary when he says "people are less and less motivated by a nickel." He is clearly out of touch with his constituents and more interested in big business than the good of the public.

Karen Collings

East Sandwich


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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Noble, selfish intentions both motivated ‘Christmas Carol’


After years of writing feverishly, Charles Dickens desperately needed a break from his demanding schedule and money to finance a year abroad.

England’s best-known author hoped “A Christmas Carol,” a tale about ghosts haunting the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, would be his ticket to a yearlong Italian vacation for him, his wife, five children and servants.

“He lived very lavishly. He entertained very lavishly. ... Money was a concern,” said Michael Slater, a London-based scholar and author of a new Dickens biography, “Charles Dickens: A Life Defined by Writing.”

But Dickens also had a nobler motivation. During “the hungry 1840s,” rural people crowded into urban tenements and children worked under frightful conditions in factories and mines.

These reports struck a nerve because Dickens’ education was interrupted at age 11 when his father was thrown in debtors’ prison. He wound up working in a shoe-polish factory pasting labels on bottles.

“He felt so abandoned and desolate and betrayed and the future seemed so hopeless,” said Slater, emeritus professor of Victorian literature at Birkbeck College at the University of London. “He thought his life was lost forever.”

One night, after speaking in Manchester, a town known for its coal mines and factories, the now-famous author had an idea:

“He would write a story which would highlight concern for the poor man’s child. ... Tiny Tim stood for all poor children in Britain,” said Slater, author of six other books about the 18th-century British novelist.

Dickens insisted on hiring John Leech to draw the illustrations and a whole group of women to hand-color them, both major expenses.

Released just in time for Christmas 1843, “A Christmas Carol” was an enormous hit. But financially, it was a bitter disappointment.

The first 6,000 copies gave Dickens a profit of 230 pounds. In today’s dollars that figure would be $28,000, according to the Web site www.measuringworth.com.

Dickens’ classic tale has been republished many times since and made into movies, including the just-released Disney version.

Professor John O. Jordan, director of The Dickens Project at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said that Dickens contributed “to the modern idea of Christmas as a family celebration, moving it out of church and into the middle-class home.”

“Everyone responds powerfully to the idea, the possibility, that in midlife or late in life, one can still change and be a better person,” Jordan said.


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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sid Hartman: Bears motivated to beat Vikings


The Bears are 4-6 this season and are 1-3 against the Vikings since they lost the Super Bowl XLI in 2007. They lost to the Eagles 24-21 in their last home game.

But if you check with Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway and defensive end Jared Allen, the Vikings expect a tough game Sunday at the Metrodome.

"You know, records don't seem to mean anything this time of the year," said Allen, who had 4 1/2 sacks against the Bears last season. "It's Bears versus Vikings, that's all that matters. They're going to come in and we're going to get their best, and we're going to have to come with our best."

Allen made it clear that this isn't like playing the Lions.

"You know what? Anything can happen on any day, but I think as long as we take the right mindset and we approach it, this isn't going to be a game where we're going to be lax," he said. "This isn't like you're going to Detroit overlooking an 0-and-whatever Detroit at the time; this is a game we're going to prepare for and we're going to prepare hard for."

Greenway, who like Allen is having a fantastic season, agrees with Allen.

"We're just treating it like a one-game season," said the former Iowa star. "You have to do that. At this point we're sitting at 9-1 and they're sitting, I think they're 4-6. It doesn't really matter.

"We know they're going to come in here and try to win this one game regardless of what the situation is; as far as records, you've got to throw it out. They're going to come in and play a tough game. They always play us tough, so if we go in with the attitude that we just want to win this one and not look ahead, we'll be OK.

"They have good players, there's no doubt about that. You can say that every week in the NFL, and you can continue to say it this week.


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