The Walking Dead, Season 3

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) in 'The Walking Dead.'

Photo by Gene Page/AMC.

There?s one question reviewers and critics have been asking since a Woodsbury shooter dispatched Oscar in last night?s midseason finale of The Walking Dead: Seriously?

?It now is a weird and silly thing on the part of The Walking Dead writers, as they are indeed in the habit of killing off their current black, male character once a new black, male character is introduced,? writes Eric Goldman of IGN. ?I?d seen multiple people on the boards joke that Oscar was going to die once Tyreese was introduced, and it was pretty ridiculous and sigh-worthy when that?s exactly what happened.?

?It's like Highlander ? there can be only one!? gibed Slate commenter Geoff.

And Michonne?s stark refusal to say anything, instead engaging Andrea in a glowering contest, again miffed viewers.

?At what point will Michonne learn to use her words?? wrote Slate commenter Formyle. ?The standoff with Andrea could have been resolved with a quick ?He sent Merle to kill me, so I came back to kill him. Your old pals Rick and Daryl are attacking to free Glenn and Maggie, who Merle kidnapped.??

?It was at LEAST worth a try,? writes Jon Lachonis of TV Overmind. It seems likely that Andrea would at least hear her out; Andrea trusted Michonne long before she trusted the Governor. Perhaps Michonne thought time was too short to explain all that had transpired.

Still, we?ve already become accustomed to these problems, and, despite them, last night?s episode dropped the dominoes quite effectively and demonstrated again how this show has so summarily closed the gap between its production value and its story value. As Alan Sepinwall of Hitfix writes, ?The zombies are almost besides the point now.?

?By using the zombies not as primary antagonists, but as the inciting incident forcing all these people to make hard?at times monstrous?choices, The Walking Dead has become a much more morally complicated show, in addition to remaining one that's great at action and suspense,? Sepinwall writes. No one can doubt that after the nail-biting fight between Michonne and the Governor, which handedly outdoes any other tussle in the show?s history.

Like any good finale, the episode?s emotional moments matched its deftly executed suspense, showing viewers that even though the show spends less and less time unwinding Rick and Carl?s psyches , Lori?s death is still raw for them both. For Rick, an unexpected hallucination of Shane shows that his vision quest in the prison did not expunge his guilt, and Oscar?s death reminds us that his psychosis doesn?t sit in a display case for us to examine but as a serious liability to his group. For Carl, Lori?s death has transformed him into a stoic native of this apocalyptical world. ?He?s a proper child soldier now, and while I applaud how bad-ass he?s become, it?s still a bit unnerving,? writes Eric Kain of Forbes. Unnerving indeed. Whereas Rick childishly goes off the deep end in his self-loathing and grief, Carl, the actual child, appears detached, almost uncaring. A coolness, even remorselessness, tinges everything he does with Tyreese?s group: demanding that Tyresse?s group finish off their bitten companion, locking Tyreese?s people in an adjacent cell, standing composedly as one of Tyresse?s survivors excoriates him through the bars. His business-like handling of these wretched people seems unfitting for a boy who should be reading Harry Potter or listening to Justin Bieber or doing whatever tweens do these days. But your average tween hasn?t watched his mother?s agonizing death and his father?s subsequent derailment.

Carl has adapted so well, in fact, that it?s disturbing, maybe more so than zombie heads in fish tanks. You can cut up this show in a lot of ways. Maybe it?s about the Holocaust. Considering the Governor?s comments last night, maybe it?s about terrorism. Maybe it?s about how the pressure to survive determines how individuals and groups interact and conflict. It?s probably about all of these things and more, but the most resonant aspect of this show to me is trauma and how people respond to it. Do they adapt, like Shane and Carl? Do they blame themselves, like Rick? Or do they blame God and clutch desperately to what once was, reach for unscrupulous power, and try hopelessly to raise the dead ? like the Governor? Each response allows an individual to endure, unlike Jacqui, but each has its own price. For Carl, it?s innocence. For Rick, it?s his leadership. For the Governor, it?s sanity.

This has been a great season by any measure. The show is not only more entertaining, it feels more realistic than it used to, if that means anything for a show about zombies; Rick?s group spends less time housekeeping and more time struggling for survival. Major characters die unexpectedly. Above all, the writers seem more adept at staging conflict. The zombies are less dangerous, but the apocalypse itself is more dangerous as the dust settles and the surviving tribes of humanity struggle to survive and rebuild. In a few episodes, the show turned itself from a nauseating stew of inconsistencies and banalities into everything I?d hope a zombie show should be. The Walking Dead is now brutal and bizarre and actually good TV, and it?ll be a long wait to see how the rest of the season will unfold starting in February.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=720d33a91d5113d95657b66c65b8bb36

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Figure Skating - Winter Sports - PracticalSports & Outdoors

There are ice rinks out there that are good for ice hockey and recreational skating and there are other rinks that cater to figure skaters. These rinks may offer coaching services for first time ice skaters along with coaching services for expert figure skaters.

This article was written to assist those that are just starting out in the figure skating sport. You want to know what to look for when it comes to finding the right ice arena for your individual needs.

Anyone that is curious about figure skating should know that all ice arenas are different.

Read more: http://figureskating.about.com/od/getstartedfigureskating/a/How-To-Choose-An-Ice-Rink-To-Match-Your-Figure-Skating-Goals-And-Needs.htm

Tags: Recreation

Source: http://site.practicalsports.com/blog/figure-skating-winter-sports.html

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Broncos, Patriots, Falcons win divisions

On the first weekend of December, four teams made the NFL playoffs.

With four weeks to go in the regular-season, New England owns the AFC East title, Denver has the AFC West and Atlanta won the NFC South.

Houston has not clinched the AFC South, although it has a three-game lead over Indianapolis, but it secured at least a wild-card spot on Sunday.

The Patriots beat Miami 23-16. Denver defeated Tampa Bay 31-23, and with that loss by the Bucs, the Falcons were guaranteed their division title.

The Texans beat Tennessee 24-10.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions-021700587--nfl.html

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Could food stamps be part of `fiscal cliff' solution? (Los Angeles Times)

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Guards testify on Army GI's time at Quantico brig

FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) ? Some former guards at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va., are testifying against an Army private charged with sending hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the secret-spilling WikiLeaks website.

The guards are prosecution witnesses in a pretrial hearing that resumes Saturday morning for Pfc. Bradley Manning. He's seeking dismissal of the case, contending his nine months in isolation at Quantico amounted to illegal punishment.

The military maintains the restrictions were to prevent Manning from killing or hurting himself.

A former guard testified Friday that Manning partly collapsed and started whimpering one day in January 2011 after jailers admonished him about this attitude.

He says Manning seemed to strike at his own head during an argument later that day, causing the brig commander to place him on suicide watch.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-01-Manning-WikiLeaks/id-8dd09895330f45c2b7ed0054da462f9b

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Hilton Head's ISLAND HOUSE TO ?ELIMINATE DOGS?? ? Pet City

Island House will soon need a Dogs NOT Welcome sign.

Island House is a small condo complex on Hilton Head Island, SC. In a recent letter to homeowners from ASSOCIA, Association Services Management, Inc.,?signed by Marv DeGraw, ?President?? of what the letter doesn?t say?they are asking homeowners to agree to the ?ELIMINATION? (my emphasis) of all dogs except Seeing Eye dogs. Despite the violation of the ADA which allows ALL SERVICE DOGS ANYWHERE, ( with a few exceptions) not just Seeing Eye dogs,? as a dog lover, and animal rights defender, I?DETEST the use of the word ELIMINATION. Mr. DeGraw and this organization are not only out of touch with the reality of how dogs are an integral and essential part of family life and society, but could use a good thesaurus as their?word choice is draconian and demeaning to all dogs,?pet parents at Island House and everywhere. GET WITH IT? pet travel?is increasing greatly, the recession didn?t?even make a slight decrease in the amount of money spent on pets as?shown in the statistics below. Don?t you realize a dog is a family member? These??certainly aren?t people I?d want in charge of my HOA.

After talking to some residents,? I found out that the majority of Island House Units are owned by off- property owners. These people rent out their condos?for long or short term periods. Taking kids to the beach more than ever includes the family pet and more luxurious locations on Hilton Head and elsewhere WELCOME PETS. How about the Hilton Head Westin Hotel? They have a fantastic Pet WELCOME policy even providing Heavenly Beds for? the dogs, food and water bowls, and treats. An owner?s investment in a rental property at Island House will diminish if they?re not able to offer their unit as Pet Friendly. What about people who rent out a unit at Island House as a transition to a home purchase when transferred there by their employment?? Do Island House owners want their property removed from every real estate list on the island for relocation if families with pets are not welcome? Is Rover to be left in a kennel for months while a suitable home for purchase is found?

But what about the owners that do live there? While the letter says the new regulation won?t affect current dogs in residence, will?the pet parent?be able to get another dog should their dog die? The letter doesn?t say they will and usually when a pet is ?grandfathered? in, a replacement is not allowed.?This is unconscionable, in particular to owners who are elderly. Dogs provide companionship, comfort, enhance the health of their owners by getting them out to exercise, and most of all make a house?whether it?s a small condominium or a mansion?a home. Where does Island House get the right to deny these property owners of ever having a canine companion in the future?

According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 72.9 million dogs are owned in the United States which equates to 46.2% of?U.S. households having a dog. Obviously in time, none of them will be a Island house. Dogs are not only family members, they are big business. According to Forbes Magazine, 92% of pet owners spent as much or more on their pets from 2010-2012. http://www.zoomroomonline.com/pet-services.html

Marv?s letter goes on to delineate what seems to be his personal dislike for dogs, and maybe life in general. He accuses owners of ?sneaking two dogs into a unit.? Does he make a habit of personally observing this? Where is the evidence that two dogs cause excessive damage? Quite the contrary as they keep each other company and ease anxiety of being alone. He takes offense that ?some dog owners even allow their dogs to pee on the white stones under the stairwells? and that ?poop on the grass is a constant problem.? Really? Ever think of putting up a container of bags for dog owners to use for cleaning up after their dog like every civilized city has visible everywhere and? Hilton Head Beach as well? How would you know a dog ?peed? on a stone unless you were on ready alert at all times watching them?

Marv goes on to say ?Dog abuses are hard to monitor.? Really? What do you mean here? Do you forget that this is where people LIVE?.this is their home. Does privacy end with?a purchase or lease at Island House? And again, you need someone to proof read your letter. I assume you don?t mean beating and maiming of dogs which is what ?dog abuse?? unfortunately means, but you must mean violations of your rules which appear completely without merit.

Marv goes on to say that ?most condo complexes no longer?allow dogs?? Do you have any statistics to prove this, because I have them to prove you WRONG. The trend in the United States today is toward?allowing more privileges for dogs like our neighbor to the North, Canada and most European Cities. There are restaurants that allow you to dine with your dog, airlines devoted to just pet travel, and most hotel chains allow dogs.

Service dogs perform many valuable services today and Island House will definitely face lawsuits if they only allow Seeing Eye Dogs. Dogs assist paralyzed individuals, there are hearing assistance dogs, dogs that are trained to retreive items from store shelves for people in wheelchairs,?or recognize the onset of a seizure. Dogs help kids become better readers, comfort people in nursing homes,?calm the distraught in hospitals at the bedside of a loved one in critical condition and?dozens of other services. Will police officers who have? a K-9 dog be barred from residence at Island House??Discrimination against these individuals is a serious problem for this company and Mr. DeGraw. Take a look at this website for more information: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101124134608AAWVtPK

I urge the owners and tenants of?Island House to confront Mr. DeGraw on this issue and to attend their HOA meeting on January 19, 2013?conveniently scheduled for?9:00 a.m. when many people are at work and the?only people available will be Marv?who?obviously is available to monitor dog behavior at all times and others who also have plenty of leisure time.? Contact the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, the SPCA and other animal rights groups to help you. Find a way to make your vote count and vote for decency, kindness, tolerance, and the right of people to have their best friend by their side. Oh, you might want to think about electing a new President of whatever Marv?s is in charge of and a new?Board of Directors that actually live on the premises and have a sense of the value of dogs.

Tags: pets welcome

This entry was posted on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:36 am and is filed under Dogs, Patti Lawson, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://blogs.dailymail.com/petcity/2012/11/30/island-house-to-eliminate-dogs/

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Wright, Mets agree to $138M deal; Hanson traded

FILE - In this April 25, 2012 file photo, New York Mets' David Wright is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in New York. WFAN radio is reporting Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, that Wright and the New York Mets have agreed to a $138 million, eight-year contract that would be the richest in franchise history. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

FILE - In this April 25, 2012 file photo, New York Mets' David Wright is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in New York. WFAN radio is reporting Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, that Wright and the New York Mets have agreed to a $138 million, eight-year contract that would be the richest in franchise history. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

FILE - In this June 20, 2012, file photo, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Braves traded Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels for former closer Jordan Walden on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2012 file photo, San Francisco Giants' Brian Wilson watches as the Giants take batting practice before Game 3 of baseball's World Series against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit. The San Francisco Giants declined to tender a one-year contract to Wilson on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, making him a free agent as he recovers from a second ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, file)

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2011, file photo, Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jordan Walden (51) pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif. The Atlanta Braves have traded pitcher Tommy Hanson to the Angels for Walden on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2012, file photo, New York Yankees Russell Martin hits a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game in Baltimore. Martin, a free agent, signed a $17 million, two-year contract on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

David Wright agreed to the richest contract in Mets history, Tommy Hanson was traded to the Angels and Brian Wilson became a free agent on a busy day in baseball when dozens of players were dumped by their teams.

Houston scooped up Philip Humber, hoping he's a perfect fit, and Mariano Rivera returned for another season with the Yankees. He'll be throwing to a new catcher, though, after Russell Martin completed his $17 million, two-year deal with Pittsburgh on Friday.

Jair Jurrjens, Mark Reynolds, Mike Pelfrey and Geovany Soto were among the most notable names who became free agents Saturday after their former clubs declined to tender them contracts for next season.

Teams had until midnight EST on Friday to make 2013 offers to unsigned players on 40-man rosters. Clubs can re-sign those players, but by letting them go free now they are permitted to cut their pay by more than 20 percent.

Wilson, the All-Star closer with the overgrown beard who missed nearly all of last season with an elbow injury, was among 40 non-tendered players. The World Series champion San Francisco Giants chose not to offer him a contract as he recovers from a second Tommy John surgery.

Wright and the Mets settled on a $138 million, eight-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement replaces the All-Star third baseman's $16 million salary for next season and includes $122 million in new money, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized.

Some of the money in Wright's deal will be deferred.

A homegrown fan favorite, Wright is the club's career leader in several major offensive categories, including hits, RBIs, runs and walks. He turns 30 on Dec. 20 and would have been eligible for free agency after next season.

Wright plans to attend teammate Daniel Murphy's wedding in Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend, then travel to New York for a physical. His big deal probably will be announced at next week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., the person said.

Atlanta shipped Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels for former closer Jordan Walden, clearing a spot in the Braves' rotation for Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado or another young starter.

Hanson's velocity decreased as he battled rotator cuff tendinitis in 2011 and a lower back strain in 2012. But the 26-year-old right-hander was 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in 108 starts over four big league seasons with the Braves.

"It's a good risk on a pitcher we really believe in," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

Walden had 32 saves in 2011, making the All-Star team as a rookie, but lost his closer's role to Ernesto Frieri this year and finished 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA. He became expendable when the Angels agreed this week to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with reliever Ryan Madson.

Walden gives Atlanta another hard-thrower for its bullpen to help set up dominant closer Craig Kimbrel. His fastball has been clocked at close to 100 mph, and he had 48 strikeouts in 39 innings last season.

"We've been focused on adding a power arm to our bullpen all offseason," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We felt if we added one power arm we would have a bullpen that would stack up with the best bullpens in our league. Jordan Walden has closing experience and the kind of arm that will stack up well in a seventh- and eighth-inning role for us."

The ninth inning in New York belongs to Rivera, who accepted a cut in guaranteed money when he finalized a $10 million, one-year contract after missing most of the season with a knee injury.

The career saves leader, who turned 43 on Thursday, took a cut from his $30 million deal that covered the last two years ? but he can earn additional money in award bonuses.

Rivera was limited to nine games this year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3.

"Like I've been saying, I didn't want to go out like that," he said in a statement. "I didn't want that to be the last image. But it wasn't an easy decision because there's more than just baseball with me. ... I'm not just coming back to play. I'm coming back to win."

Rivera, with 608 saves in the regular season and 42 more in the postseason, is a 12-time All-Star. The Yankees say his recovery from June 12 knee surgery will be complete by opening day.

By then, Martin will be handling a new pitching staff in Pittsburgh after spending the past two seasons with New York.

The free-agent catcher goes from a franchise that's won a record 27 World Series titles to a team that has endured a record 20 consecutive losing seasons.

"It's going to be different," Martin said. "It's going to be a challenge but I think the Pirates have a young and electric club. There is a lot of talent there and I don't think we're as far away from winning as maybe people outside baseball think we are."

Humber, who threw a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox last season, was claimed off waivers by the Astros and agreed to a one-year contract. He gets an $800,000 salary next year and Houston holds a club option for $3 million in 2014 with a $50,000 buyout.

The 29-year-old right-hander went 5-5 with a 6.44 ERA in 26 games last season, including 16 starts.

Wilson was the 2010 major league saves leader with 48, but made only two appearances for the Giants this year after experiencing elbow trouble in April. He underwent ligament-replacement surgery April 19, his second such procedure on his pitching elbow after also having it done while in college at LSU in 2003, and missed the team's run to its second championship in three years.

The 30-year-old Wilson, who earned $8.5 million during his injury-shortened 2012 season, would be due to make at least $6.8 million next year under the rule limiting pay cuts to a maximum of 20 percent. By letting him go free, the Giants can sign him for a lower price, though the pitcher has apparently already hinted he will look for work elsewhere.

During the club's latest postseason run, Sergio Romo proved to be a reliable ninth-inning option in Wilson's place.

"I like our choices, including him being one, as we start the regular season," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said.

Jurrjens, an All-Star in 2011, was non-tendered by the Braves after getting demoted to the minors last season. Atlanta also declined to offer a 2013 contract to reliever Peter Moylan, but claimed right-hander David Carpenter off waivers from Boston.

The Red Sox cut ties with outfielder Ryan Sweeney and pitchers Scott Atchison and Rich Hill. Jack Hannahan was let go by Cleveland, clearing the way for youngster Lonnie Chisenhall to start at third base.

Baltimore chose not to offer a contract to Reynolds, the strikeout-prone slugger who hit 23 home runs last season after connecting for 37 the previous year.

Pelfrey, a 15-game winner in 2010, made only three starts this year before having season-ending Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. The Mets let him go Friday, along with outfielder Andres Torres and reliever Manny Acosta.

Washington cut ties with pitchers Tom Gorzelanny and John Lannan as well as catcher Jesus Flores.

Soto, once an All-Star catcher and the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, was let go by Texas.

Other players not offered contracts included pitcher Manny Parra (Milwaukee), outfielder Nate Schierholtz (Philadelphia), pitcher Jeff Karstens (Pittsburgh), outfielder Ben Francisco (Tampa Bay), third baseman Ian Stewart (Cubs) and reliever Daniel Schlereth (Tigers).

In other moves, the Angels claimed outfielder Scott Cousins off waivers from Seattle, the Yankees claimed right-hander Jim Miller off waivers from Oakland, and Miami claimed first baseman-outfielder Joe Mahoney off waivers from Baltimore.

Arizona released right-hander Brad Bergesen, and the Yankees designated infielder Jayson Nix for assignment.

Players agreeing to one-year contracts that avoided arbitration included Pittsburgh pitcher Charlie Morton ($2 million), Kansas City second baseman Chris Getz ($1.05 million), Oakland first baseman Daric Barton ($1.1 million) and infielder Adam Rosales ($700,000), and Indians right-hander Blake Wood ($560,000).

The Pirates also made a pair of small trades, acquiring minor league right-hander Zach Thornton from Oakland for reliever Chris Resop, and minor league pitcher Jhondaniel Medina from Baltimore for infielder Yamaico Navarro.

Elsewhere, former big leaguer Chan Ho Park announced his retirement. The first South Korean-born player in the majors and a 2001 All-Star, he holds the major league record for wins by an Asian pitcher (124).

___

AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-12-01-Baseball%20Rdp/id-f4bae297f9f945698fb5525b0041e73c

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