WHITNEY HOUSTON IS STILL "THE VOICE"

WHITNEY HOUSTON IS STILL "THE VOICE".

BORN: August 9, 1963 in New Jersey
DIED: February 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, Califotnia.

HAS THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA FORGOTTEN WHITNEY ALREADY?

I HAVE NOT.

Sources: Wikipedia, YouTube

Whitney Houston Performs "Star Spangled Banner", 1991 Super Bowl (That Voice)

Whitney's Super Bowl national anthem was a classic

Among the annals of national anthems as a prelude to sporting events, few have topped the one delivered by Whitney Houston, who died Saturday, before Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa. Just a woman, her incredible voice and the bare minimum of extraneous notes.

Her rendition came at a particularly patriotic time, just after the onset of the Persian Gulf War, and was released as a single. It was re-released after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Houston donated all proceeds to charity. There was some controversy over whether she had pre-recorded the song, but it still ranks among the best all-time because of the circumstances and ... that voice..



Whitney Houston’s Star-Spangled Secret

It was what turned a star into a superstar: Whitney Houston’s mesmerizing rendition of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl. Houston’s powerful “Star Spangled Banner” performance came at a poignant, patriotic time — the U.S. had just entered the 1991 Gulf War.

But here’s what you didn’t know: What the Super Bowl audience and hundreds of millions of TV viewers heard was lip-synched.

“The music was pre-recorded, and so was the vocal,” confirmed Rickey Minor, who was Houston’s musical director at the time.

Minor, now the band leader on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,” said that in a crowd that large and loud, it was impossible for Houston to hear herself. Though she did sing, it was her pre-recorded voice that the audience heard.

Here’s another surprise: Minor and Houston changed the national anthem to ensure a better performance.

“The original version is in 3/4 time, which is more like a waltz,” Minor explained. “What we tried to do was to put it in 4/4 meter… We wanted to give her a chance to phrase it in such a way that she would be able to take her time and really express the meaning.”

Minor was nervous that the altered anthem wouldn’t be well received, but that story, at least, has a happy ending: Houston’s performance electrified the stadium and soon after, popular demand prompted Houston’s record label to release a single that hit the top 20 on the Billboard charts.

“I think it might well be the best Super Bowl performance of all time, ” said Billboard Magazine editor Danyel Smith. “It may well be, with the exception of her version of Dolly Parton’s, ‘I Will Always Love You,’ the most remembered thing about her.

I think our grandkids will look at the video for ‘I Will Always Love You’ and they will look at the video of Whitney Houston singing at Super Bowl twenty-five.”


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Sources: AP, ABC News, Washington Post, Youtube, Google Maps

Sean Payton Suspended By NFL For Bounty System Which Encouraged Serious Injuries

Saints coach Sean Payton suspended for 2012 season by NFL


New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for the 2012 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was banned indefinitely on Wednesday because of the team's bounty program that targeted opposing players.

Handing down sweeping and serious punishment for a system that paid out thousands of dollars when hits knocked specific opponents out of games, Goodell also suspended Saints general manager Mickey Loomis for the first eight regular-season games next season, and assistant coach Joe Vitt for the first six games.

In addition, Goodell fined the Saints $500,000 and took away their second-round draft picks this year and next.

After the NFL first made its investigation public on March 2, Williams admitted to -- and apologized for -- running the program as the Saints' defensive coordinator from 2009-11. He was hired by the St. Louis Rams this offseason.

Goodell will review Williams' status after the upcoming season and decide whether he can return to the league.

The Saints now must decide who will coach the team while Payton is barred, his suspension is effective April 1, and who will make roster moves while Loomis is out.

After the NFL made clear that punishments were looming, Payton and Loomis took the blame for violations that they acknowledged "happened under our watch" and said Saints owner Tom Benson "had nothing to do" with the bounty pool, which reached as much as $50,000 in 2009, the season the Saints won the Super Bowl.

The NFL said payoffs went to 22 to 27 defensive players for inflicting game-ending injuries on targeted opponents, including quarterbacks Brett Favre and Kurt Warner.

"Knockouts" were worth $1,500 and "cart-offs" $1,000, with payments doubled or tripled for the playoffs.
All payouts for specific performances in a game, including interceptions or causing fumbles, are against NFL rules. The NFL warns teams against such practices before each season, although in the aftermath of the revelations about the Saints, current and former players from various teams talked about that sort of thing happening frequently -- although not on the same scale as the NFL found in New Orleans.

Punishment for any Saints players involved will be determined later, because the league is still reviewing the case with the NFL Players Association.

So far, though, the discipline for the Saints' involvement in the bounty scheme is more far-reaching than what Goodell did in 2007, when the NFL came down on the New England Patriots for illegally videotaping an opponent. Goodell fined the Patriots $250,000, stripped a first-round draft pick, and docked their coach, Bill Belichick, $500,000 for what was known as "Spygate."



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Sources: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Google Maps

NY Giants Rule: 21-17! Mayor Bloomberg To Host Ticker Tape Parade For Team! Congrats!

Giant parade awaits Super Bowl winners


A ticker tape parade awaits the New York Giants this week when the team returns home as Super Bowl champions after defeating the New England Patriots 21-17 on a last-minute touchdown.

The Super Bowl victory Sunday night was the fourth for the Giants; the team defeated the Patriots 17-14 in the 2008 title game.

New England fans who had hoped their team would avenge the 2008 loss were left crestfallen. But for Giants supporters, the celebration was just beginning.

Early Monday, the Empire State Building was bathed in Giants blue. Later in the day, New York City will conduct a public giveaway for 250 winners for a post-parade ceremony on Tuesday at City Hall Plaza where the team will be given keys to the city.

"After nearly missing the playoffs, the Giants have made history by becoming the first NFL team to win the Super Bowl after going 9-7 in the regular season," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said after the Sunday night win. "I look forward to celebrating this victory with all New Yorkers."

Clutching the championship trophy, Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the MVP award winner, said "I just stayed positive" during the seesaw struggle.

Assisted by crucial late receptions by Mario Manningham, Manning marched the Giants down the field in the closing minutes of the game. The go-ahead touchdown was scored by running back Ahmad Bradshaw from 6 yards out with 52 seconds remaining.

But the Patriots and Tom Brady, who was vying for his fourth championship ring, weren't quite done. They moved the ball, but had only enough time for a "Hail Mary" pass that bounced away from receivers in the end zone.

After trailing the Patriots 17-9 early in the third quarter, the Giants put up the last 12 points of the game to win 21-17.

In the final three minutes of the game, Twitter saw an average of 10,000 tweets per second, the company said.

An estimated 111 million U.S. TV viewers were expected to tune in to the game. Exact figures were not available early Monday morning.

As in years past, many watched as much for the ads and the halftime show as for the game itself.

Halftime entertainer Madonna provided an eclectic set, morphing from a Roman Empire theme to a high school cheerleader, complete with pom poms and a marching band.


She led a collection of performers through a medley that included "Vogue," "Music," "Like a Prayer" and "Give Me All Your Luvin.'"

But it was a guest performance by artist M.I.A. that generated most of the show's buzz. She gave network cameras a middle finger salute, while rapping "I don't give a sh*t."

The apologies from the NFL and the broadcaster, NBC, came quickly -- they blamed each other.

"There was a failure in NBC's delay system," said Brian McCarty, the league's vice president of communications. "The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans."

"The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show," NBC said. "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers."

The episode was reminiscent of the 2004 Super Bowl when singer Janet Jackson's nipple was briefly exposed during a performance with singer Justin Timberlake.

The American president who saved football

A bevy of celebrities, including Jerry Seinfeld, Clint Eastwood and Elton John, showed up in commercials during this year's broadcast.

David Beckham provided eye candy in an H&M underwear ad, which tended to spend more time on his chiseled and tattooed looks than the briefs he was wearing.

Another commercial featured a slimmed-down dog chasing after a Volkswagen Beetle.
The ads went for a record $3.5 million per 30-second spot.

Pop singer Kelly Clarkson started off the festivities with a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," managing to get through the lyrics without a hitch, unlike Christina Aguilera, who caught flak after botching the words at last year's game.

What does Indianapolis have to offer?

The city itself strove to prove it could be a major player.
It kept one key goal in mind.

"I honestly think the best report would be people saying, 'The game was great and -- oh yeah, by the way, Indianapolis was really nice. I had a really good time,' " said Tom Griswold, longtime co-host of the Indy-based syndicated radio program "The Bob & Tom Show."


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Sources: CNN, ESPN, Wikipedia, Google Maps

GOP Leaders Angry Because Obama Stops Bowing & Serving Them!

Why Are U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell & Other GOP Leaders Suddenly So Angry At Pres. Obama?

Is It The Debt Ceiling Talks Or Taxes? NO!

Its Because Pres. Obama Has Finally STOPPED Bowing To Republicans For "Bi-Partisanship" Sake.

Remember When Soon After His Inauguration He Served Food Like A Butler To GOP Leaders From A Tray During His White House Superbowl Party?

Now Do You Think If U.S. Senator John McCain Won The 2008 Election He Would Bow & Serve Food To Democrats Or To A BLACK Man? Just For The Sake Of Bi-Partisanship??

NO!

Don't Get It Twisted!

I Completely Understand Why Pres. Obama Felt It Necessary To Serve Congressional Members During His Superbowl Party But There Are Some Things An Elected U.S. President Can NOT Do Because His Political Colleagues & Opponents Might Use It Against Him Later.

There Are Times When Your Professional Colleagues May See Your Kindness As A Sign Of Weakness Or Passiveness.

Thank God Pres. Obama Has Awakened!

He's PRESIDENT Of The United States! NOT A Butler!!

Does Pres. Obama Still Need GOP Support To Govern This Country?

Of Course!

Should He Bow Down To WHITE GOP Congressional Members To Get The Help He Needs?

NO!

There Is A Huge Difference Between Compromise & Becoming A Servant To One's Professional Colleagues.

Pres. Obama, GOP & Democrat Congressional Leaders Were ALL Elected To Serve The American People NOT One Another!

I Repeat: Thank God Pres. Obama Has Finally Awakened.

He's PRESIDENT Of The United States NOT A Butler Or A BOY!

For GOP Leaders To Hold The United States' Economy Hostage Just To "Teach" Barack Obama, Our Nation's First BLACK Elected President A Lesson In Humility, Is Wrong & Will Most Certainly Backfire In 2012.

However If Pres. Obama Continues To Cave In To GOP Leaders At The Expense Of Democrats, Independents, Senior Citizens, Veterans, College Students, Hispanics, Middle Class, Low Income Voters, Come November 2012 He WILL Be A One Term President!

VOTE OBAMA IN 2012!!







Debt talks test Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama

Two days after the 2008 election, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was staring down the frozen food aisle at the local grocery store when he got a call from the newly elected president.

McConnell and Barack Obama agreed that if they worked together, they could accomplish big things for the country.

Now’s their chance, and it’s not looking good.

As the August deadline approaches to raise the debt ceiling, the Kentucky Republican and Obama not only have no real personal relationship, they’ve had limited exposure to one another and they are both being driven away from deal making by partisans who do not want to give in on what will become a defining vote not only for this Congress but for the financial health of the U.S. economy.

Since being sworn in as president in January 2009, Obama and McConnell have met together just three times without other congressional leaders — the first meeting was in August 2010 and the most recent one occurred Monday.

This week’s meeting didn’t seem to go very well, with McConnell telling senators later that they were still no closer to resolving their impasse and a Democrat familiar with the session saying the president was “tough” on the leader. McConnell even stayed longer to speak with Vice President Joe Biden, who also sat in the Obama meeting, a person familiar with the matter said. Both the White House and McConnell’s office refused to give details about the meeting. (See: McConnell dishes on meeting with Obama)

Tensions have only escalated since their Monday meeting. Obama scolded congressional leaders for not doing their jobs, blasted Republicans for posturing by opposing tax hikes and compared Congress to children unable to finish their homework on time.

On the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell blasted back at the president, saying Obama “does not get it” when he calls for higher tax revenues, saying any plan with tax hikes would fail to pass Congress as part of a deficit-reduction deal.

“So let me do something that I think would be constructive,” he said. “I’d like to invite the president to come to the Capitol today to meet with Senate Republicans. Anytime this afternoon he’s available, to come on up to the Capitol and meet with Senate Republicans, hear directly from them, and we can discuss what he has in mind. And we can … maybe finally start talking about what’s actually possible.”

The White House dismissed the effort as pure theater.

“What the senator invited the president to do was to hear Senate Republicans restate their maximalist position,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said. “We know what that position is.”

The hardball approach is a departure from a vision for divided government that McConnell has often spoken highly about. Many times, McConnell has spoken of the 1983 Social Security deal between Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill, and the 1996 welfare reform breakthrough between the Republican Congress and Bill Clinton, as a model for compromise.

But with the current president — and the more conservative Republican caucus behind him — McConnell has shown no signs of compromising on tax increases or other forms of revenue in a debt deal. (Related: Mitch McConnell holds ground on taxes)

Beyond the political divisions, McConnell and Obama don’t have much in common personally.

While they both are sports fans, Obama golfs while McConnell doesn’t. Obama is an orator who can capture a crowd but can be distant from his colleagues. McConnell likes to give rousing partisan speeches but keeps his personal feelings and thoughts over policy and strategy extremely close to the vest. The 69-year-old McConnell is 20 years older than Obama and never developed much of a relationship with the president in his short time in the Senate.

“They’re incompatible,” one Democratic source said.

McConnell also turned off many Democrats when he said after last November’s elections that his main goal in this cycle is to defeat the president in 2012.

“He certainly is not someone who is playing a very constructive role in trying to solve the problems, that’s for sure,” said Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a member of Democratic leadership. “I think you have to decide what your goals are, what your motivation is. I think the leader unfortunately indicated what his goal was back at the beginning of the year.”

Republicans believe it’s Obama who hasn’t taken Republicans seriously, saying that for the past two years, he ignored McConnell and tried to pick off a handful of Republicans to pass a partisan agenda, including the health care law. It wasn’t until it appeared Republicans were on their way to a landslide election victory in 2010 that Obama started reaching out to McConnell.

Asked if Obama and McConnell had a relationship, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the GOP policy chairman, said, “I don’t think they have much of one.”

Deciding not to deal with Republican leaders has been “to their detriment,” Thune said, adding that, “I think they paid a political price for that.”

In a recent breakfast briefing with reporters, McConnell said the phone calls between him and the president have picked up since the last election — and he said he doesn’t fault the president for not calling earlier.

“They had the numbers, they had the agenda and they didn’t need us,” McConnell said, referring to the last Congress when Democrats had huge majorities in both chambers. “There’s nothing personal about it.

“We get along fine; I like the president,” McConnell continued. “I particularly like the vice president for a long time. But it’s, frankly, just business. Now they need us, they didn’t before, we have a lot of interaction — a lot.”

White House officials dispute that they blew off McConnell before the 2010 elections and say there were frequent interactions over the past 2½ years.

McConnell is actually closer to Biden, with whom he served in the Senate for 24 years, and that relationship holds out hope that there could still be a breakthrough — McConnell and Biden worked together on the deal to extend the Bush-era tax cuts last December.

Now, Democrats know they need some buy-in from McConnell to win some cover for a highly contentious vote with far-reaching implications for the budget, government programs and their parties. If McConnell’s conference doesn’t filibuster a debt ceiling hike, they could force 51 Democrats — several of whom are in tough races — to vote for increasing the national borrowing limit with no GOP support.

Obama has been working on his relationship with the other leading Republican in Congress — Speaker John Boehner. The two engaged in a much publicized golf match two weeks ago and worked closely during the April budget fight that averted a government shutdown.

Asked why Obama’s relationship with McConnell may be different, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said with a laugh, “Boehner plays golf.”


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Sources: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NY Daily News, NY Times, Politico, Youtube, Google Maps

New Orleans' "Who Dat?" Superbowl Parade For The Saints

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Sources: CNN, Google Maps

11 Best, Funniest 2010 Superbowl Commercials

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=116f413e-e1fc-4b09-80e9-2c29009d76a8&amp;from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videocentral" target="_new" title="Snickers: Betty White">Video: Snickers: Betty White</a>



2010 Super Bowl Commercials: 10 Best


Snickers -- Betty White

Any commercial with Betty White and Abe Vigoda is a winner in our book no matter what it’s about. In this case, the spunky Golden Girl is playing pickup football with the guys, though she’s struggling. “Man, you’ve been riding me all day,” she says before eating a Snickers bar that not only transforms her into a regular guy but also raises Vigoda from the dead. What, “Fish” is still alive? Twenty-eight years after People Magazine erroneously reported his demise, the answer is yes!


CBS' Late Show--Oprah, David Letterman, Jay Leno

Late night fans got the surprise of a lifetime during the second quarter of the Super Bowl tonight when they saw Jay Leno sitting side-by-side with David Letterman in a promo for CBS’ Late Show. Appearing with Oprah Winfrey, Letterman laments about how bad the party is, and Leno retorts “he’s just saying that because I’m here.” Minutes after the spot, CBS sent out word that the two late night stars taped the spot last Tuesday at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. The spot was a revisit, of sorts, to a 2007 Super Bowl spot that featured Letterman and Winfrey. A Late Show spokesman said the spot was Letterman’s idea, and Leno and Winfrey were willing participants.

Coca Cola -- The Simpsons

The Simpson and Coke. Perfect together. Who wouldn’t like to see Monty Burns lose all his money? But the goodness of Coke makes for feel-good ending for all. Big props for a Spider-pig cameo on the swings.


Hyundai -- Brett Favre

OK, Hyundai’s commercials are getting better (with as many as they’re running, the odds are at least ONE had to be good). As much as we’re all getting sick of Brett Favre’s indecision every year, obviously he has a sense of humor about. I thought it was funny when he was saying most of the fans are younger than him, and that was before I noticed it was the 2020 MVP award he was winning. I thought he was talking about the current season. Because he’s already old.


TruTV -- Punxatawney Polamalu

Punxsutawney Polamalu. Awesome. So much better than a commercial about his hair. Let’s see PETA complain about THIS one. Unfortunately, there won’t really be six more weeks of football.


FloTV -- Spineless man

We all know this spineless male. Some of us know him all too well. Yeah, watching TV on a little screen can save some male dignity. But good luck getting your girlfriend to allow that.


Bud Light -- Stranded on an island

Passengers from an airplane crash are moping around on a desert island until the beverage cart full of Bud Lights washes up on shore. That’s when the party begins! Maybe the pilot had a few too many before he crashed the plane -- who knows? But the commercial proves that Homer Simpson was right: Beer truly is the cause of -- and solution to -- all of life’s problems.


Kia -- Toys fantasy

A life-sized sock monkey, a robot and a red monster you’ll recognize if you have kids all experience a wild weekend in a Hyundai. Not sure why this was funny, but it was.


HomeAway.com -- The Griswolds

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their roles as quirky parents from the classic “Vacation” movies, except this time they’re exasperated travelers getting screwed by extra hotel charges. The solution, says the ad, is to rent a house. It’s a pretty good spot, but we were hoping Christie Brinkley would make an appearance at the hotel pool. This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy!


Google -- French love story

Really clever commercial showing only the Google searches of a traveler in Paris as he tries to find the Louvre, then a cafe, then woos a French woman, then finds a job in France, then gets instructions on how to assemble a crib for their child. It shows how Google can help create a happy life instead of being used just for finding naked pictures of celebrities.


Audi -- Green Police

Funny. Sure, we all need to be more environmentally conscious. But it’s always funny when stuff like that is taken to the extreme. If a car could allow you to go around real police checkpoints like the one in the commercial, it’d be well worth it. Until that day, I’ll try to avoid a ticket for recycling.


Sources: Fox Sports, MSNBC, CBS, Entertainment Weekly, Youtube

Saints Take Home Win To Bourbon Street! 31-17!

Saints Overcome Early Deficit, Stop Colts Late To Seal Victory


Who Dat won the Super Bowl? The New Orleans Saints, that's who.

Ain't kidding.

Put away those paper bags forever: Drew Brees and the Saints are NFL champions, rallying to upset Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 Sunday night in one of pro football's most thrilling title games.

Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining. The Pro Bowl quarterback was chosen Super Bowl MVP.

"We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us," Brees said. "What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time and it's better than expected."

A surprise onside kick sparked the Saints' second-half comeback. Their 25th-ranked defense made several key stops, and Tracy Porter's 74-yard interception return on a pass from Manning, of all people, clinched it.

Manning gave futile chase, but was blocked by a New Orleans defender and fell awkwardly as the cornerback raced by. The four-time NFL MVP forlornly walked to the sideline as the Big Easy celebrations began. Who would have thought the biggest mistake of the game would have come from Manning?

"It's time for the Saints to celebrate," he said. "It's their field and it's their championship."

An NFL embarrassment for much of their 43 years, the Saints' football renaissance, led by Brees and coach Sean Payton, climaxed with Shockey's touchdown and Lance Moore's 2-point conversion catch. The conversion pass originally was ruled incomplete, but Payton challenged the call and won.

Porter's pick, just as dramatic as his interception of Brett Favre's pass to force overtime in the NFC title game, was the game's only turnover. It's one Manning will forever regret.

The Saints (16-3) won three postseason games this winter after winning only two in the previous 42 years. They beat Arizona, Minnesota and Indianapolis (16-3) -- all division winners -- for their first title, scoring 107 points and allowing only 59.

The championship came 4 1/2 years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, making the Saints nomads for the 2005 season. There even was some doubt they would return, but the NFL refused to abandon the Big Easy. The Superdome was rebuilt and the Saints won the NFC South in '06, their first season with Brees and Payton.

That was the season Manning won his only Super Bowl. He had the Colts, favored by 5 points, in front for much of this one, but New Orleans' league-leading offense, which scored 510 points this season, outscored Indy 31-7 after falling behind 10-0. That matched the biggest comeback in a Super Bowl.

Payton held the Vince Lombardi Trophy high over his head and ran into the end zone toward several hundred fans chanting the Saints' rally cry: "Who dat, who dat, who dat say gonna beat dem Saints?"

Nobody can say it now.

"Everybody back in New Orleans gets a piece of this trophy," he said.

"I think I could kiss him," owner Tom Benson said.

Before many of the 74,059 fans got settled following the Who's halftime show, the Saints worked a little voodoo. Garrett Hartley's onside kick was touched by the Colts' Hank Baskett, then recovered by Chris Reis at the New Orleans 42.

"I just told our guys you've got to make me look good on this," Payton said. "That really becomes like a turnover."

Looking like the NFL's most potent offense, the Saints seized the opportunity to take their first lead. It came on Pierre Thomas' brilliant 16-yard run with a screen pass, capped by a dive into the end zone.

Manning simply shrugged, found Dallas Clark for 45 yards on a 76-yard drive, and Joseph Addai used a spin move a figure skater would envy to score from the 4.

But that was it for Indy.

Hartley, the hero of the NFC title game with his 40-yard field goal in OT, made a 47-yarder later in the third period. After Matt Stover was wide left on a 51-yarder early in the final quarter, Brees led the biggest drive in Saints history.

Manning looked sharp on the Colts' first two series, taking them 53 yards to a 38-yard field goal by Stover, at 42 the oldest player in Super Bowl history.

Then Manning led a 96-yard, 11-play drive that appeared almost routine, even though it tied the longest march in a Super Bowl. Addai rushed for 53 yards on the series, and Manning found Pierre Garcon behind backup cornerback Usama Young for the 19-yard score on third down.

New Orleans couldn't match that, but did get a 46-yard field goal by Hartley to make it 10-3. Brees was sacked on third down by All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney, who sure looked frisky despite ligament damage in his right ankle that made his availability uncertain for two weeks.

Then Indy's defense, ranked 18th during the season but staunch in the playoffs, really showed some power. After the Saints marched 71 yards, including 40 yards on two receptions by Marques Colston, New Orleans had third-and-goal at the 1. Mike Bell slipped running right behind All-Pro guard Jahri Evans, and Thomas was stacked up at the line by Gary Brackett and Clint Session on fourth down.

But the Colts went against type and ran three times, leaving 35 seconds for the league's most prolific offense to get in position for Hartley's 44-yard field goal and a more manageable 10-6 halftime deficit.

Shootout? More like a slowdown. Indy had two three-and-outs and New Orleans had one.

But the points came quickly after halftime -- mostly for the Saints.


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Sources: ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, Funfactsandinfo.blog, Youtube, Google Maps

Sports Illustrated Super Bowl XLIV Highlights: Saints 31, Colts 17

Super Bowl XLIV Highlights


Final: New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17. This is one of the beautiful things about sports. They just won't play out like you expect. This game was supposed to be a high-scoring free-for-all. This game was supposed to go to Indianapolis ... especially after they took the 10-0 early lead. This game was supposed to come down to the brilliance of Peyton Manning. And instead, the Saints came up with a gutsy game plan, a tough defensive scheme, and a huge interception of Peyton Manning himself. It's a great win for the Saints and the city of New Orleans.

:44, 4th qtr: And there it is ... the Saints defense comes up huge, keeps the Colts out of the end zone with 44 seconds left, and after a kneel down (or three -- the Colts have two timeouts left), the New Orleans Saints will be World Championship. Who would have thought those words were possible?

3:10, 4th qtr: You hear the word unbelievable in sports way too often. But ... that was truly unbelievable. Third and five, and Peyton Manning throws the ball right into the hands of New Orleans Tracy Porter. And he goes -- open air, nobody around him -- runs 74 yards for a Saints touchdown. Un-be-lievable. Saints 31, Colts 17, and this place can feel it now. Can feel it. The New Orleans Saints; Super Bowl champs? There are still three minutes left ...

4:33, 4th qtr; It's impossible to see the score difference -- New Orleans by 7 -- without thinking about potential overtime, and the potential of a team winning the Super Bowl on a coin flip. First things first, of course. There's a lot of football left, and they Colts haven't tied this thing yet. But ... you can bet every sports columnist in America is sharpening the knife, just in case.

5:42, 4th qtr: Hold the phone ... after further review that are saying that the Saints DID score the two point conversion on a fabulous play by receiver Lance Moore. So the Saints lead by a touchdown, 24-17, and the ball is now back in the hands of Peyton Manning. Yes, settle in. The next half hour could be something you will never forget.

5:42, 4th qtr: Someone call the people at Alcoa ... this game setting up beautifully for a fantastic finish. The Saints after the odd missed field goal drive right down the field -- that offense is humming now -- and they finish off the drive when Brees hit Shockey on a two-yard touchdown pass. That gave the Colts the 5-point lead so, of course, they went for 2. And this time, Brees' pass fell incomplete. So Saints 22, Colts 17, there are 5:42 left and the ball goes back to perhaps the greatest quarterback ever. Buckle up.

9:07, 4th qtr: Speaking of being aggressive, the Colts coach Jim Caldwell let 42-year-old kicker Matt Stover try a 51-yard field goal. I don't want to sound like a second guesser by: Whah? What chance did Matt Stover have of making a 51-yard field goal? Would it help if I told you he had not made one that long since September of 2006. Meanwhile, you have perhaps the greatest quarterback in NFL history? Saints driving ... and Caldwell might live to regret that odd decision.

11:46, 4th qtr; The third quarter really flew by fast and now, another "biggest play of the game," on third and 12 Manning completed a 10-yard pass to Wayne. So fourth and 2 from the New Orleans 48 -- gigantic play -- Manning dropped back one step, threw to Wayne, who picked up the first down. Both coaches being aggressive which is making this game fun.

2:01, 3rd qtr; Commercial update: Apparently there is going to be a new Harry Potter Amusement Park opening up this spring at Universal. And based on the commercial both daughters want to go. Well, sure they do. I can already see myself spending way too much money getting them Quidditch jerseys and the right kinds of wands.

3:23, 3rd qtr; The Saints drive and settle for a field goal ... and the way this game is going right now that probably feels like a victory for the Colts defense. That makes it Indianapolis 17, New Orleans 16 ... so there could be a two-point conversion attempt at some point in our Super Bowl futures.

6:10, 3rd qtr: They just had one of those shuffling "find the football under one of the helmet" games on the giant video board. You know, it doesn't matter what sport it is, what town it is, or what kind of crowd: People just LOVE that game.

6:15, 3rd qtr: Well, the shootout seems to have arrived in South Florida -- maybe it was stuck on the bus with my good friend Bernie Miklasz. Joseph Addai spins and pounds his way into the end zone. Indianapolis 17, New Orleans 13. We're not getting to the 48-45 I predicted, but we might not see a punt for the rest of this game.

6:24, 3rd qtr: Just when you forget just how great Peyton Manning is, he will make a throw like he just made to Dallas Clark -- rolling right, thrown just over the outstretched arms of at least three defenders, dropped perfectly into his receivers arms. I always said Dan Marino was the best pure passer I ever saw and Joe Montana had the best touch. Peyton Manning, impossibly, is like a combination of the two.

11:41, 3rd qtr: Many times, I think halftime talks are overrated. But it seems to me that in this halftime, Sean Payton was able to get through to his offense: "Hey, you guys are unstoppable too! You guys scored almost 100 more points than the Colts. Now let's play our game. And they drove right down the field, capped off the drive with and fantastic catch and run by Pierre Thomas. Now it's New Orleans 13, Indianapolis 10, and the whole feeling of this game is different. Now it's the Colts that look tentative, like they're wondering how things got away.

15:00, 3rd qtr: Well, that was unexpected. The Saints start off the second half with an onside kick ... that's the sort of gutsy call that everyone loves when it works and hates with every fiber of their being when it doesn't. And -- after what seemed like a 45 minute meeting by the officials as they untangled everyone -- it WORKED. Saints with the ball. Now this is a ballgame!

Halftime: The Who Started out with Pinball Wizard which sounded oddly polka. They then jumped into Baba O'Riley, and there were some really cool lasers, we got some of Townshend's whirlwind guitar playing which was also cool. Then it was into "Who Are You," and the crowd was supposed to do a little dance with their cell phones, which really didn't work. But we did get some good and loud guitar. They did a snippet of "See Me, Feel Me." And they finished it off with a little "Won't Get Fooled Again." I didn't think The Who was an inspired halftime choice -- and compared to recent shows by Prince, Tom Petty, U2 and Springsteen it wasn't especially inspiring -- but for nostalgia's sake it was fun enough to see them perform.

Halftime: And now, The Who performs or, as a friend of mine calls them: "The Who Knew They Were Still Performing?" The big question with The Who performing is this -- what gets broken, Pete Townshend's guitar or Pete Townshend's hip?

Halftime: Well, it was an entertaining first half, but probably different from what most of us expected. The two teams only scored one touchdown between them, and the biggest play of the half -- Gary Brackett's stuffing of Pierre Thomas and fourth and goal -- was a defensive play. Saints seemed on the brink of getting blown out but did just enough, offensively and defensively, to stay in the game. But they're only just in the game ... the Colts get the ball at the start of the second half.

End of 2nd qtr: Excellent and gutsy timeout by New Orleans Saints when the Colts faced third and one paid off. The Saints got the ball back, drove 22 yards and managed a field goal on the last play of the half. Indianapolis 10, New Orleans 6.

1:30: 2nd qtr: Wow, no, the Saints did not put the ball in Brees hands. Instead, they gave it to Pierre Thomas, tried that right side again, and Gary Brackett just stuffed the play. Incredible. Another gigantic turn. The Colts will probably be happy now to run out the clock ... they get the ball at the beginning of the second half.

1:55, 2nd qtr: It was Mike Bell over the right side, and he had nothing so he tried to bounce the play outside. No go. Fourth and goal from the 1. The Saints pretty much have to go for it, and it looks like they will. But they'll probably put the ball in the hands of Brees this time.

2:00, 2nd qtr: Well, here you go, our first "biggest play of the game." Third down and goal from the Indianapolis 1. The Saints clearly need a touchdown here ... I suspect they will go for it on fourth down if they don't make it. Look for Pierre Thomas or mike Bell over the right side of the line, behind Jahri Evans.

3:47, 2nd qtr: Huge play for Saints -- third down and 2, it appears that everyone on the Colts forgot to the cover Lance Moore. He picked 21 and the Saints are back in scoring range. Amazing how quick the complexion of a game can change. ... And just as I wrote those words, Drew Brees connected with Marques Colston to move the ball to the Indianapolis 3.

8:14, 2nd qtr: And what do you know ... New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma made that big play, stuffing Joseph Addai on 2nd and 1. Then Pierre Garcon dropped a pass on third down and the Colts punted for the first time. Things might be settling down a bit.

Commercial update: Margo said the girls liked some commercial featuring a beaver and a violin. No update on what it was for or why the beaver was playing the violin or even the quality of his fiddle playing. I guess they liked it and the rest is left to my imagnation.

11:35, 2nd qtr: A late hit by the Colts seemed to give the Saints a little bit of energy and hope ... exactly what they needed. Saints into Colts territory now. Scoring is pretty much mandatory if they want to stay in this game.

Commercial update; I, of course, have no access to the television commercials, so I am relying on the critical skills of my wife Margo, and my two daughters Elizabeth (8) and Katie (5 today). Their first report: "The girls liked the Simpson's Coke commercial, though Katie thought it was an ad for Sprite." ... That seems like a flaw when someone is not entirely sure what product is being advertised.

End of first quarter: That went just about as poorly as it possibly could have gone for the Saints. They suspected that they could not stop Manning before the game began ... now they know. The offense looks jittery. The score is already 10-0 and they are deep in their own end. They need something good and something fast because this is exactly how Super Bowls become blowouts.

:34, 1st qtr: And now it's scary time for the Saints. The Colts complete their 96-yard yard on a perfect 19 yard pass from Manning to Garcon, who had slipped behind defenders. If the Saints can't stop the run -- and it appears they can't -- they really have almost no chance of stopping this Colts offense tonight. Drew Brees and that offense better wind it up or this could turn ugly quick. Indianapolis 10, New Orleans 0.

1:00, 1st qtr: Colts were the worst rushing team in the NFL this year. But it's important to remember that the Saints can't stop the run either. And the Colts have gashed New Orleans early. Joseph Addai just faked the cleats off Saints safety Darren Sharper and ran for 23. The Colts already have 62 yards rushing, scary for a team that averaaged barely 80 per game this season.

3:14, 1st quarter: Manning just (seemingly) changed the play at the line, went with a handoff to Joseph Addai that picked up 16 yards. How frustrated does that have to be for a defense and defensive coordinator when Manning, time and again, changes into the perfect play for your defense? Colts on the march again.

5:00, 1st qtr: Wow, Marques Colston just dropped a pass thrown right in to his hands with nobody around him. For you old time NFL Films fans, I could not help but think of only one thing: "Bless Marques Colston's heart, he's got to be the sickest man in America." Drop leads to punt and once more Saints defense is on the spot.

5:55, 1st qtr: Reggie Bush with a catch and run leading to the Saints first first down. You would have to say that Bush has been a pretty big disappointment in his early carer, but there really is a jolt of excitement that hits when he gets his hands on the ball. Anything seems possible. Maybe tonight is his kind of night.

7:17, 1st qtr: From where I'm sitting, I can see John Cougar Mellencamp enjoying the game. Being an Indiana guy, I can only assume he's seriously rooting for the Colts. Will tonight hurt so good? Will it R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A? Will it ... OK, I'm pretty much out of Mellencamp song puns.

7:25: 1st qtr: I don't know if this was one of the betting lines, but here's a good one. Will Matt Stover make a field goal tonight longer than his age. He is 42. He fell just short on this 38 yarder.

7:30. 1st qtr: And the Saints do get a third down stop -- when Manning and Pierre Garcon just miss. That's the sort of thing New Orleans will need -- they will need to disrupt the Colts offense just enough to get incompletions on third down. Matt Stover kicks a 38 yard field goal to make it Indianapolis 3, New Orleans 0.

8:30, 1st qtr: Wow, Colts convert on first two third downs. That's a bad sign for New Orleans. The Saints' only hope to keep the Colts in check is to get off the field on third down. Manning looking as sharp and invulnerable as expected.

11:00, 1st qtr: A three-and-out for the Saints ... Colts came out in hard man-to-man, challenging the Saints. That was a bit of a surprise. Now, we see if the Saints can actually slow down Manning. Even Saints defenders seemed dubious.

15:00, 1st qtr: Saints start off with the ball, and we should get a pretty good feel right away for their frame of mind. The one thing several people noticed this weeks is the Saints seemed awfully happy to be here. Not that there's anything wrong with that -- they SHOULD be happy to be here. But are they here to win or here to celebrate a great season?

Pregame: Huge, huge thumbs up to Carrie Underwood's National Anthem. Not only did she go old school -- no music, no choir, no props, no gimmicks -- she also sang the song as it is written, without the various key changes to show offer her voice. Awesome version. Just awesome.

Pregame (6 minutes before gametime): They are now giving out the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the winner is: Kansas City's Brian Waters. I have known Brian for a long time -- written about him many times -- and I could not be happier or prouder. He's one of the great guys in football, and one of the great stories.

Pregame (8 minutes before gametime): My good friend Bernie Miklasz, excellent columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, is apparently stuck on a bus and circling the stadium in some sort of unending nightmare. No one will let them in. No one will let them park. This has to be like some sort of psychological torture test.

Pregame (12 minutes before gametime): The first full-throated Who Dat chant from the crowd. I suspect it won't be the last one tonight.

Pregame: Early indications are that there are a few more Saints fans here than Colts fans. I'd say 60-40, Saints fans. What does this mean? Probably not a lot. But I don't think it will be particularly quiet for Peyton Manning when he's trying to change plays at the line.

Pregame: The general feeling here seems to be that this could be a great Super Bowl. In fact, I cannot remember a Super Bowl game where people -- media people, fans, everyone -- seemed so HOPEFUL before a game.

This, of course, is just my feeling -- but as I remember it, nobody seemed too jazzed before last year's Steelers-Cardinals game, though it turned out to be a great game. Most seemed to believe the Patriots would annihilate the Giants the year before, and that the Colts were quite a lot better than the Bears the year before that. I think you have to go back to the Broncos-Packers game in 1998 to find a game that people honestly seemed to think, coming in, had a chance to be a classic. And people seem even more excited about this game.

I suppose this is because the feeling coming in is that neither team will be able to stop the other. The mind imagines something like that classic Dolphins-Chargers playoff game, the one where neither team had any chance of stopping the other, the one where San Diego tight end Kellen Winslow died four times during the game and still came back to make winning plays at the end.

Of course, it might not work out that way. The Saints might just be happy to be here. The Colts might suffer with a wounded Dwight Freeney. Turnovers could turn the game into an early rout. Who knows? But as Super Bowl XLIV begins, there are big hopes for something that everyone will remember.


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Sources: Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC

Pres. Obama Pulling For Colts To Win

President Obama Predicts Colts Win


President Barack Obama joined with most odds fixers on Sunday and called the Indianapolis Colts the favorite in the Super Bowl, even though he is rooting for the New Orleans Saints.

“I think the Colts probably have to be favored, mainly because they’ve got perhaps the best quarterback in history,” Obama said in an interview with Katie Couric, anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News.”

“I mean, Peyton Manning is unbelievable. They’ve got a team that has complete confidence in him. Everybody knows the system. There’s enormous continuity with that team. So they are tough.”

The interview, live from the White House Library, was aired during the Super Bowl pregame show.

“I do have a soft spot in my heart for New Orleans, mainly because of what the city’s gone through over these last several years, and I just know how much that team means to them,” Obama continued.

“And I got to know Drew Brees when we shot a commercial for having kids get more active and get off the couch. And he’s just a class act, terrific guy, wonderful family. But I would say that the Colts have to be favored. Now, one other factor that I have to confess here is that when my Bears went to the Super Bowl several years ago, it was the Indianapolis Colts that beat ’em.”

The president joked that he’d like to issue an executive order “mandating a close game.”

“We had a great game last year, and I’m hopeful that we’ve got the same kind of game we had with the Cardinals and Steelers,” Obama concluded.

Obama said Monday during an interview with Diane Sawyer, anchor of “World News”: “You know, I think both teams are terrific. I guess I'm rooting a little bit for the Saints as the underdog partly just because when I think of what's happened in New Orleans over the last several years and how much that team means to them. You know, I'm pretty sympathetic. And Drew Brees came to visit here at the White House, a terrific young man, and he's done a lot not just for New Orleans, but also for military troops. I'm very impressed with him.”




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Sources: Politico, CNN, Google Maps

Tim Tebow's Ad vs Planned Parenthood & Mancrunch (Videos)

CBS Reacts To Controversial Tebow Super Bowl Ad







CBS responded to complaints over a conservative group's planned Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow by saying that it had eased restrictions on advocacy ads and would consider "responsibly produced" ones for open spots in its Feb. 7 broadcast.

CBS said Tuesday it had received numerous e-mails -- both critical and supportive -- since a coalition of women's groups began a protest campaign Monday against the ad, which the critics say will use Tebow and his mother to convey an anti-abortion message.

Funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, the 30-second ad is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child. She later gave birth to Tim, who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and helped his Florida team win two BCS championships.

CBS said Tuesday that the decision to air the Tebow ad reflected a change in its policies toward advocacy ads that has evolved over the past several years.

"We have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms," said spokesman Dana McClintock. "In fact, most media outlets have accepted advocacy ads for some time."

He said CBS "will continue to consider responsibly produced ads from all groups for the few remaining spots in Super Bowl XLIV."

In 2004, CBS was criticized by many liberal organizations for rejecting an ad by the United Church of Christ highlighting the UCC's welcoming stance toward gays and others who might feel shunned by more conservative churches.

CBS said Tuesday that, under its new policies, the UCC ad would have been accepted for airing. The network said that it has run ads in the past year or so with divergent views on topics such as the health care overhaul, climate change and energy policy.

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

On Monday, a coalition led by the New York-based Women's Media Center, with backing from the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority Foundation and other groups, urged CBS to scrap the Tebow ad.

"An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year -- an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jehmu Greene, president of the media center.






Tebow versus Mancrunch


Today will see the New Orleans Saints, an American football team famed for its past haplessness, take on the Indianapolis Colts, a longtime powerhouse, in the Super Bowl. The on-field action should keep most fans glued to their couches, unless it's a blowout.

This year, political junkies will be on the edge of their seats for something else: a political controversy over the ads. Focus on the Family is running a spot about Tim Tebow—one of the best two or three players in college football, and a highly-touted future professional. Mr Tebow, with the biblical verses he wears on the black glare-protectors under his eyes, and his public promise to save his virginity for marriage, is probably the most outspokenly Christian sporting star in the country.

The ad will feature Mr Tebow and his mother, who was a missionary in the Philippines when he was born. She became ill and her placenta partially detached. Doctors, fearing for her health, counselled abortion. Insead, Ms Tebow will say, she prayed, and her superstar son was born healthy. Abortion-rights groups are furious. The Super Bowl's producers have, by tradition, rejected advocacy ads during the game.

CBS, the network airing the Super Bowl, then added fuel to the controversey by turning down, as "not within the network’s broadcast standards", a lighthearted ad for a gay dating site called ManCrunch. What was so offensive that CBS could not bring itself to air it? Two manly fans' hands meet in a bowl of crisps as they watch the game at home; humorously exaggerated passions ensue. We don't even see the men's lips meet, since one has practically tackled the other on the couch. A slightly stunned friend watches from the next chair.

CBS's decision to air the Tebow ad has gotten most of the attention, but it is the rejection of the ManCrunch ad that rankles me. America's first-amendment tradition is so robust that even though no one has a constitutional right to have their views disseminated by CBS, we understandably expect those who sell advertising space to sell it fairly.

And the decision not to air the ManCrunch ad can only be due to rank homophobia—the family-friendliness of past Super Bowl ads has allowed for bikini waxes, dogs attacking crotches, farting horses, erectile-dysfunction drug pitches and more, and that in just one typical year. One year, a Snickers bar, being eaten from its two ends, results in two sweaty non-gay males horrified to find themselves accidentally kissing. Acceptable, of course—becasue the joke is on the gays.

It's often said that outrageous ads are made to be rejected by the networks at Super Bowl time, for free publicity, and some think that this is what ManCrunch did.

But to believe that, you have to find the idea of two men kissing outrageous. Increasingly, Americans don't—we've just had the first gay love scene on a daytime soap opera. CBS is simply thinking as Bill Kristol does about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"—even if people's prejudices are unjustifiable, they must be deferred to. Shame on CBS, for making a decision both controversial and cowardly at the same time.






ManCrunch SuperBowl Ad REJECTED: Gay Dating Site Ad Denied By CBS


CBS has rejected an ad from gay dating site ManCrunch, telling the site that the ad "is not within the Network's Broadcast Standards for Super Bowl Sunday.", James Hibberd reports at The Live Feed.

CBS released the following statement:

"After reviewing the ad - which is entirely commercial in nature - our Standards and Practices department decided not to accept this particular spot. As always, we are open to working with the client on alternative submissions."

Hibberd reports that CBS believed ManCrunch was trying to generate free publicity by submitting an ad that was likely to be rejected.

"We're 100% serious," ManCrunch spokesperson Elissa Buchter said. "We have the money to pay for it. If the ad showed a man and woman kissing it would have been accepted. You see ads for erectile dysfunction morning, noon and night. It's discriminatory that they wont show this....They should call our bluff. If the ad doesn't air on the Super Bowl, it will air on another network. It's not like it plays like Adam Lambert [kissing another man on the AMAs]."

Original Post: CBS is considering airing an ad for gay dating site ManCrunch, Fox News reports.

On the heels of the network's decision that advocacy ads are acceptable, ManCrunch says CBS has not rejected its ad — which includes two male football fans making out.

A rep for ManCrunch told Fox News that CBS said "the spot hadn't been officially approved yet" as of last week, but "all the Super Bowl spots were sold out."

"ManCrunch requested the spot get reviewed anyway just in case another advertiser drops out and a spot becomes available, as often happens, and CBS agreed," the rep said.

A CBS rep told Fox News that "the ad is still under review, the process takes a little while....We still have a lot of ads we have yet to review."


Sources: CBS, Fox Sports, Fox News, MSNBC, Huffington Post, Economist.com, Democracy In America, Wikipedia, Planned Parenthood, Mancrunch, Youtube