Eagles waste no time replacing TO

The Philidelphia Eagles wasted no time replacing the recently suspended hot head Terrell Owens. Chad Lewis, the former tight end who injured his foot last year in the NFC championship game, was resigned this year after the Eagles officially suspended TO. Lewis has had an important career with the Eagles, at one point being Donovan McNabbs favorite target. In 2000 he had 69 catches for over 750 yards, and racked up 3 touchdowns. While inactive he broadcasted the Super Bowls in China via being fluent in Mandarin.
I was glad to read this article becuase it shows that the Philidelphia Eagles have completely moved on from the TO ordeal. Although he was a huge part of there offense, and was one of the best recivers or distractions in the league, with the decision that Andy Reid made they needed to replace him. Chad Lewis is a tight end that had been with the Eagles for many years, and the coaches have been commenting that since he was resigned he has not shown signs of his foot bothering him, and has been a huge asset to the team. Though I may not be an Eagles fan, I am happy to see that the loss of TO has not phased them. And although there game play may be affected, they are working through the problem and trying to move on.

Eagles lower Boom on Owens

Interviews with the Philidelphia Eagles coaches and administrators show that TO had not only been warned about what he says to the press multiple times, but he had also been giving a warning which if followed could have prevented this mess. Coach Andy Reid was quoted saying that he warned TO to watch what he said or there will be consequences, and after his remarks to Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid he was officailly suspended from the team. But that is not the only thing that caused his suspension, besides past altercations with McNabb and Reid, he got into a fist fight with veteran defensive end Hugh Douglass which resulted in both of them being suspended.
I think TO deserves the punishment the Eagles are giving him, though he deserves some pay, thats just morally wrong in my opinion. But his statement about how "We would have won a super bowl if Brett Farve was our QB and not Donovan", was inexcusable. His comment about the Eagles organization though, I dont think deserves as much punishment as he is recieving. He said he didnt get enough recognition by the Eagles for his 100th touchdown catch, which is in some cases understandable. If you look at when Walter Payton broke Jim Brown's record, he asked for just an annoucement of the feat, not for anything special. But then again, comparing Walter Payton and Terrell Owens is a sin.

Can the Union Save TO... AGAIN?

The players union of the NFL may be the last hope for TO getting to play in the rest of the 05 season. They filed a claim in TO's favor saying that the Eagles extensive suspension is going overboard, and they should let him play. Although they bring a good case before the officals, because after TO's four game suspension is lifted and he is deactivated, he will be on payroll once again. In the Eagles defense, the league can fight on the premesis that he is under contract, and they can relate to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers deactivating Keyshawn Johnson.
I dont think the union should fight on behalf of TO becuase this is the second time they have had to stick there necks out to better his situation. Though it seems the Eagles will not change there position in the case, the union will put up a fight anyway. But in my opinion I think the league officals have had enough of TO and based on the results of the Tampa Bay case they will rule in favor of the Eagles organization. Another part of this ordeal I don't like is TO's agent Drew Rosenhaus. He is doing his job fighting TOs case, but he sounds like a pest. Saying that the media has portrayed him wrong and defending him with other cases of former players being caught with drugs and violence is a fallacy. Although it might have not been a crime it was a direct attack on his organization and teammates and he deserves what hes getting.

Eagles brotherhood has turned to strife

In an article in the New York Times, Eagles veteran safety Brian Dawkins spoke his thoughts about TO. He said that in his ten years as an Eagle he thought that by TO coming they were going to go places. He underestimated TO, thinking that he would understand the team brotherhood, and work with them to win a super bowl. But the Eagles organization is not saying much, Dawkins commented on his disappointment in TO, and head Coach Andy Reid when asked if it was any weight off his back, replied, "I weighed myself this morning, and I'm the same weight I was last week. I don't look at it that way. I look at it as part of my job."
In my opinion the Eagles organization is handling the situation very maturely. The players who were discouraged by TO's words have not shot back at him, just commented on what it could have been. The coaches have kept quiet, giving very little on what there thoughts are. Despite the fact that TO is one of the most dominant players and biggest play makers in the league, I respect the coaches for being able to block this situation out and move on. This week is there biggest game of the year, and a crucial game in them getting to the playoffs, and without TO they are going to have a tough game. It shows alot of maturity from the players to not lash out at TO, or even to the coaches if they are against the idea of suspending him.

Eagles wont let TO back

According to a meeting with representatives of the Philidelphia Eagles organization, despite TO's apology and plea to return, they are holding there ground and refusing to let him back. Owen's agent Drew Rosenhaus went on to explain how going from a 1 to 4 game suspension without pay, and further more deactivating him for the remainder of the season without pay is wrong and against the rules. Owens and the players union are having a hearing with the Eagles Organization to attempt to reinstate Owens or get him paid. If they cannot get full reinstatement, they plan on using the rule book to get him half of his signing bonus and the remainder of his salary. The Eagles organization's position has not changed and they look to trade him after the season or at least release him.
In TO's defense going without pay for that long is unfair. But I side with the Eagles organization. The trade that brought TO to Philidelphia was the best thing thats happened to the Eagles, but he turned the relationship into a disaster. I don't know what TO was thinking starting all this controversey. He had so much potential to win the Super Bowl with all the talent that surrounded him, compared to what he brought to the team. I hope that the results of the trial do give Owens some money, but at the same time I want the Eagles to stand there ground and not sign him back.

Owens is on everyones mind

In an LA times article about the on going TO controversy Monday Night is the one year anniversary of TO and Nicolette Sheridan's infamous towel scandal. But quoted from the article, "TO will catch as many balls as Nicolette Sheridan." As he sits out another game of his suspension, probably the biggest and most important game of the rest of the Eagles schedule, they move on without him. In an interview with TJ Houshmandzadeh on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period", he brought up a good point, why bench him now, you should get your moneys worth and trade him at the end of the season.
I would argue on the side of Houshmandzadeh because the Eagles did spend alot of money acquiring him, why not get your moneys worth. After all he did play a huge role getting the to the Super Bowl last year, and even playing the game with a hurt ankle. I think this is a very good point because despite what hell he has caused, if the Eagles want a Super Bowl they need to play him. He is such an explosive player that it is stupid of them to bench him.

"Would be bomber" in Jordan confesses

A woman in Jordan was arrested and charged with attempting to suicide bomb a wedding in a Jordanian Hotel. She and he husband had rented a flat in Jordan, and her husband made two bomb belts, and explained how to use it, but when the time came the belt failed. Although over 50 people were killed, many people were able to flee from the attack. Al Queda has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the woman who survived has connections with the leader of Al Queda in Iraq. The Prime Minister showed the press the belt used, and the ball bearings it contained.
I think something needs to be done about these occuring bombings, despite the stepped up security in the world, these people are still able to forge passports and sneak these bombs into places. I think it is ridiculous that these people want to commit suicide just to hurt other people, and besides killing innocent civilians I dont see how it is effective. These people claim Allah told them to do it, but doesnt religion tell us not to kill or harm our neighbors? I understand that Islam is different from Chrisitianity, but I would like to see it the Quran where it says it's ok to blow yourself up if you killing your enemies.

Mcnabb Moves On

In recent sports news, the Philidelphia Eagles have suspended wide reciever Terrell Owens for 4 games, and plan on deactivating him for the remainder of the season, without pay. When Owen's refused to apologize to the team and to the individuals he hurt, they took action against him. Recently TO along with his agent Drew Rosenhaus gave an official apology to the Eagles organization, Donovan McNabb and head coach Andy Reid. Donovan Mcnabb had a press conference on the issue where he spoke in a very passive manner saying that he would move on without him, and not say anything about him.
In TO's offense I think it is wrong of the Eagles to take away his pay. I do believe he should be suspended for the remainder of the season becuase of the controversy he has caused, but to make him put his house on the market so he can have money is wrong. I also think that the way Mcnabb is responding to the whole situation is very professional. He has had numerous chances to fire back at TO, and chances he could have gotten away with, but he has chosen the silent route. He has decided to pass on it because there is nothing he can do, and he wants to move on to the Super Bowl without TO. Although I think TO has made bad choices and deserves what hes getting, and I respect Donovan and the Eagles organization for what they are doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/football/11eagles.html

Tornado Survivors Question Siren Warning System

In Evansville, Indiana on November 7 a tornado struck the small town leaving massive destruction and a death toll reaching over 22. Many of the citizens complained that the alarm system that went of to notify the citizens was not heard, or very weak. One citizen said, "I didnt hear a thing". And others commented that they woke up to the storm in there beds, and only had a few seconds to get their families to the basement. For those who did hear the siren, they complained that it was only a 15 minute warning and it was a very weak sound. According to the law enforcement, they sirens aren't "perfect" and the town sheriff commemented that he couldn't hear it one mile from his house.
This is a very important topic, because if a town or city in America cannot warn their citizens about a disasterous storm coming, then it is a major problem. In this towns case 22 people died and many lost there homes to the storm, and those who were fortunate were lucky enough to hear it or to be awake. Towns in Tornado or other storm prone areas should check their systems and get up to times with technology. They should have these sirens located all over the towns instead of just one central area so people can hear the sirens. In my opinion it was irresponsible of the sheriffs to not be able to warn everyone and to not have checked out the systems in response to the occurance of the storms.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/08/national/08tornado.html

Liberal Church May Lose Funds Over Sermon

In Los Angeles a church is being threatened by the IRS to lose their tax exemptions if they don't provide an apology for a sermon given by Reverend George F. Regas regarding Bush's decisions. Although the church did not tell the congregation who to vote for, they spoke out against Bush's decision to go into Iraq, and also about his tax cuts. The IRS threatened them becuase it is against the law for such a religious organization to speak out and get involved politically. The church and it's 3,500 members have not given a response, and feel they are being singled out. As stated in the article, this organization has had its charitable designation rights revoked at least once. Similarly, a church in New York had lost its status after creating commercials that went against Bill Clinton.
I think that the church would be ignorant to not come out with an open apology becuase it is illegal for them to talk about things that involve politics. Despite the fact that they have been speaking out against certain topics for the past decade, they are going against the law and should be punished. The IRS should be very harsh and take away there tax exemption, and in my opinion further punish them if they dont choose to respond quickly. If something like this is lawfully illegal I believe they should be punished to the full extent, and even if they are claiming that they are being "singled out" they need to be repremanded.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ANTI_WAR_SERMON?SITE=CAOAK&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Allen Iverson plays by the rules

Since the NBA has impressed the "buisness casual" dress style for the players there has been alot of controversy. Allen Iverson was one of those people, and was quoted saying " ill fight it". He showed up to there loss to the Bucks in a tan shirt with matching pants, a leather jacket and wallabees. Then in the locker room he was laughed at by teammates for admiring one of Chris Weber's suits and commenting that he wanted to wear one. Usually Iverson is one of the people to put up a fight against anything the NBA makes him do, but now he is giving in and wearing these buisness clothes instead of his standard baseball hat, chains and baggy clothes.
I dont know if I agree with the League's rules becuase although some of the things the guys wear are ridiculous I dont think it should matter what they show up to the game in. If they want to be comfortable or if they are superstitious and wear the same thing to every game, I don't think they should hold them back. I understand one of the things that the league officals don't like is the things they wear to the interviews after the game, and in my opinion the rule should require them to wear something team affiliated while being interviewed. For instance they should wear a t shirt with the teams logo on it and if desired a hat with the teams logo. I think that seeing the stuff the players wore was interesting, but at the same time the rule is understandable becuase it brought a more pop culture look to the game and attracted individual attention.

Story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/01/AR2005110102078.html?sub=new

Chicago Cop Sentenced to Jail for Drug Shaking

Larry Hargrove, a 62 year old Detective in Chicago was put on trial for "violently shaking" drug dealers to find drugs money and guns that would fall out. He was sentenced to 18 years in jail, and other police members of his crew were arrested, while one remains a fugitive. What they would do is make fake warrants, bust into drug dealers house and take all the stuff they found. Then they would turn around and sell them back to other dealers and/or use them. I think what they did was wrong because their whole mission as cops is to find this stuff legally and keep it off the streets. The fact that they would make fake warrants and take the stuff from them didnt really bother me because with all the rights and laws we have to today, we need people that are willing to take the stuff from these dealers. But the fact that they would turn around and sell them to the dealers and people is terrible. Keeping them and using them is their problem, but putting them back on the streets is stupid.

I think the sentence he got is fair, but I think that police forces should go under investigation to find the other police like him to keep drugs and guns off the streets.

Story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051101hargrove,1,7172150.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true