With Detroit, trust but verify

Analysis

By Ron Brownstein

updated 8:29 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 12, 2008

Ron Brownstein • E-mail

WASHINGTON - American automakers could learn a great deal from their Japanese competitors, starting with the value of a ritualized public apology for failure.

Aid to the beleaguered but often benighted American auto industry might be easier to swallow if the companies' senior executives and their counterparts in the United Auto Workers were required to stand on the Capitol steps and apologize for managing into the ground an industry that once symbolized America's industrial might. It would be even more appropriate if they were joined by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., and all of the industry's other putative congressional defenders, who helped run it into the ditch by relentlessly but myopically blocking mandated improvements in fuel economy that might have compelled Detroit decades ago to shift its focus from gas-guzzling behemoths to the attractive high-mileage passenger cars now synonymous with Toyota and Honda.

Yoichi Kato, the Washington bureau chief for Asahi Shimbun, Japan's most prominent newspaper, says that in an analogous situation in Japan the responsible parties might publicly declare: Gomeiwaku wo okakeshita kotowo owabishimasu. Roughly, that translates as, "I apologize for all the troubles that we caused."

When Levin, Dingell, or Detroit's other defenders make their case for billions of taxpayer dollars to keep their foundering charges afloat, maybe they could start with that mea culpa.

They certainly have plenty to apologize for. It's difficult to overstate how shortsighted the industry, the union, and their political allies have been in resisting policies that might have avoided today's crisis.

Most people have probably forgotten that as far back as 1990 a clear majority of senators backed legislation that would have required auto manufacturers to raise their fleet-wide fuel economy to nearly 40 miles per gallon by 2001 (up from 27.5 mpg for cars). In September 1990, 57 senators voted to impose that higher standard. But the measure could not overcome a filibuster led by Michigan's senators. Even if the Senate had passed that bill, it might not have mattered, because Dingell, positioned like the cork in a bottle as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, refused even to consider fuel-efficiency legislation.

Video What now for Big Three automakers? Dec. 12: As the U.S. Senate blocks a $14 billion auto bailout bill, CNBC’s Phil Lebeau looks at the road ahead for the Big Three automakers. Today show

The same iron triangle of the companies, the union, and their auto-state political allies succeeded in blocking any increase in mileage standards under President Clinton, who didn't resist very much when the Republican Congress passed legislation barring him from raising the requirements through regulation. The wall held through President Bush's first term, too. Only after soaring gasoline prices made absolute opposition politically untenable in 2007 did Congress approve and Bush sign a requirement that the automakers reach a fleet-wide average of 35 mpg by 2020. That's 5 miles per gallon less and nearly 20 years later than the 1990 bill would have mandated.

Timeline Road to ruin The last few months of 2008 will go down as a pivotal time for the U.S. automotive industry. Click to see the events leading up to the auto industry's crisis.

Does anyone doubt that Detroit would be in a stronger position today if Washington had forced it onto a path toward building more high-mileage cars two decades ago? Instead, the industry venerated the bigger-is-better illusion that deepened its dependence on trucks and sport-utility vehicles -- and heightened America's reliance on foreign oil.

The companies rejected even the most creative incentives to smooth the transition. When Sen. Barack Obama first arrived in Washington, he offered the manufacturers an ingenious deal: Washington would assume some of their "legacy" costs for retirees if they agreed to invest the savings in hybrids. Once more, the industry said no.

barack obama

HAVANA - Cuba's communist leadership has long cast itself as David standing up to the U.S. Goliath and the crippling force of America's punitive trade and travel embargo.

Now they have a problem: If Barack Obama follows through on campaign promises to ease restrictions on the island, he could chip away at the Castro brothers' best case for staying in power.

And if a new Democrat-dominated Congress takes Obama's moves even further, Cuban leaders may have a hard time maintaining their tight control over Cuban society.

"They'd have to throw out the whole script about American imperialism," said Phil Peters of the Lexington Institute, a Washington-area think tank.

Top Cuban ideologues are already worried.

"We have before us the immense challenge of how to face a new chapter in the cultural struggle against the enemy," Armando Hart, 78-year-old patriarch of Cuban communists, warned last week in Granma, the party newspaper.

If Cuban-Americans are allowed to visit more frequently and send more money to the island, it could spark "a new chapter in the ideological war between the Cuban revolution and imperialism," Hart wrote.

Trade and travel embargo
The U.S. government's Cuba policy has been frozen in time since 1962, when it imposed the embargo with the aim of bringing down Fidel Castro's government at a time when U.S.-backed exiles mounted the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and Soviet missiles in Cuba pushed the world close to nuclear war.

Sporadic congressional efforts to end the embargo since then have failed, largely due to the political influence of powerful Cuban exiles who insisted on isolating Cuba and trying to strangle its economy to force Castro out.

But Castro, now 82, remained in power until he ceded the presidency to his brother in February due to illness. And Raul Castro, 77, shows no sign of making any fundamental changes.

The embargo is "a policy that hasn't worked in nearly 50 years," said Wayne Smith, a former top U.S. diplomat to Havana and a Cuba fellow at John Hopkins' Center for International Policy. "It's stupid, it's counterproductive and there is no international support for it."

Obama has promised to lift limits that President George W. Bush tightened on Cuban-Americans wanting to visit and send money to relatives. He also says he's open to a dialogue with Raul Castro — something the Cuban president has indicated he would welcome.

If Obama really wants to force the Castros to open up, he should push Congress to eliminate the embargo altogether, and allow Americans to freely travel to Cuba, said Smith. "Lifting travel and remittance restrictions on Cuban-Americans just doesn't get to the heart of the problem."

So far, Obama has said he supports the embargo. But many hope his initially modest moves will encourage the Democrat-controlled Congress to do something bold.

"Today for the first time there is real political space for an incoming administration to try something new on Cuba policy," said Jake Colvin, vice president of the National Foreign Trade Council, which opposes all unilateral sanctions.

Shifting voter attitudes
When Obama visited Florida during his campaign he was hosted by the Cuban American National Foundation, a longtime bastion of Republicans who shot down any attempt to ease the embargo. Obama ended up carrying Florida, winning even in counties that re-elected Republican representatives who have been the most stalwart proponents of isolating Cuba.

Even these Cuban-Americans, while they still support the embargo, may sense a shift in voters' attitudes. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and brothers Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart de-emphasized Cuba in their campaigns, focusing on the economy, health care and Iraq.

Obama is unlikely to ignore their views, but if he wants to force a change in Cuba policy, he might not need their votes.

In Havana, dissident journalist Miriam Leiva says toppling the embargo could be agonizing for communist leaders who have long used it to "justify their errors and efficiencies, to repress and jail anyone of differing opinions."

But Cuban officials insist they want all U.S. restrictions toward the island to end.

"We expect that the new president will change the policy toward Cuba after nearly 50 years," Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque told The Associated Press after the U.N. General Assembly last month voted 185 to 3 (the U.S., Israel and Palau) with 2 abstentions (Micronesia and the Marshall Islands) to repeal the embargo.

Many Cubans are hoping a new U.S. administration will encourage openings that improve their lives.

In a congratulatory letter to Obama, government opponent Hector Palacio Ruiz expressed hope the new administration would allow direct financial aid to dissidents and "eliminate the obstacles that impede us from putting an end to the tyranny that our people suffer."

Leiva argued in an essay that a freer flow of visitors to the island "could favor the sharing of democratic ideas indispensable at this time, when urgent change is required."

the backwoods rootss

NASCAR- The Backwoods Roots
Author: Christopher Dicicco
This article helps to explain the backroots of how Nascar began. It will give you a greater appreciation of how it all began.
NASCAR stands for the National Stock Car Auto Racing Association. The organization itself is a conduit for many companies to market their products while giving fans of auto racing a thrilling experience. The roots of NASCAR go back to the very thing that spawned the American Revolution: a disdain for excessive taxation. Yes, NASCAR roots actually begin around the year 1794 and at the heart of the Whiskey Rebellion.

The Whiskey Rebellion was spawned because the new United States Federal Government imposed a tax on farmers who distilled their extra grain so as to bring it to market as well. Back in those days, there were not sophisticated highways and rail systems to get grain to market and farmers did the best they could to deliver it. Any grain left over would be distilled into spirits rather than let it go bad. The spirits of course would be imported to the markets and sold in that form. It was this that Alexander Hamilton wanted to tax. Of course the farmers rebelled because this was part of their very livelihood.

Some farmers secretly distilled the spirits and transported the end product in secret and under cover of darkness to their end markets. Thus the seeds of NASCAR were planted although at this time there was no such thing as cars. Thus the spirit of NASCAR came to pass.

In the 1920s and early 1930s, the Federal government would again try to control the production and transportation of spirits through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution known as Prohibition. It was one thing that the farmers would manufacture the spirits in secret for personal use but that of course was unprofitable. So the “bootlegger” was born. Bootleggers were those who would run illegal spirits (also known as moonshine) to secret markets in high-speed cars under cover of darkness. The activity was characterized by Federal agents chasing and hunting them down. It was risky business and sometimes even mortal.

Bootlegging began to create competition among the drivers of the moonshine cars and it was sport to see who had the fastest car. Over time, they would even collectively get together and have races on Sunday afternoons. All the local people would come out and spend a Sunday afternoon watching the races and that night, the drivers would turn their sport into work and run the illegal moonshine to secret buyers.

In 1938, Daytona Beach Florida would become the place of the first NASCAR race. Daytona Beach was a good place for racing because the beach sands were firm and the beach area was wide. The prizes for the winners were simple and could be things like a case of motor oil, a bottle of spirits, or a box of cigars. The organizer and promoter of this event was a man named Bill France. Bill France would go on to build the organization we known as NASCAR today.

In the 1950s, the business model of NASCAR began to form and it continues today. Many promoters of products will pay drivers and car teams to carry their logo on their car and on driver suits. If the team is a winner it is a great position for a promoter to be in. Plus, many companies enjoy having the NASCAR logo associated with their businesses and products.

And for the fans of NASCAR, it is great fun and excitement.
About Author
Chris DiCicco owner of www.nascarsupershop.com is also the senior editor and website developer for his store. 1000’s of collectibles including Nascar Books and Nascar Blankets at great prices everyday!

nascar the driver's

NASCAR – The Driver’s Physical Conditioning

Author: Christopher Dicicco
This article helps you to understand how physically fit a NASCAR driver must be to withstand the high demands of his sport.
So does NASCAR driver physical conditioning matter? Some would debate that NASCAR drivers are not athletes but one must consider the conditions inside of a NASCAR stock car race vehicle. The interiors of these cars are not designed for driver comfort with air conditioning and surround sound. Everything about a NASCAR stock car is focused on speed—not on comfort. So NASCAR driver physical conditioning must be such that it builds a driver’s endurance to withstand some harsh conditions and G-forces. And, the NASCAR driver physical conditioning is very similar to athletes in other sports except different areas are built up.

The temperatures in the driver’s cockpit of a NASCAR race car can reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine this temperature with a 500-lap race at 200 mph along with lack of air flow and you will see that NASCAR driver physical conditioning to build in endurance is critical. Plus, a NASCAR driver will need to steer and maneuver a 3,400 pound vehicle around curves, other cars, and over bumps. This can cause a lot of impacting against the driver plus just the strain of controlling the steering wheel. Then there are the G-forces that will result from banking turns at speeds close to 200 mph causing pressure on the driver’s torso as it presses against the side of the vehicle.

Oxygen is a problem too. Since the cars are very aerodynamic so as to increase speed, the air is guided around the car but does not reach the inside. The driver’s cockpit is not pressurized like an aircraft. So, the driver has to be able to process what oxygen he gets very efficiently. Therefore, NASCAR driver physical conditioning will include aerobic exercises so as to optimize the processing of oxygen by the body.

Part of any good physical athletic training is the proper amount of nutrition and rest and NASCAR driver physical conditioning is no exception to this. By including the proper amount of nutrition and rest in NASCAR driver physical conditioning, the driver can maintaining alertness and quick reflexes which are crucial to a safe drive. Not getting the proper amount of rest can cause a driver to make mistakes which at 200 mph could be dangerous and even fatal.

Without the proper nutrition and rest in NASCAR driver physical conditioning, a driver can become confused and disoriented during the race. This is especially true when combining the lack of air in the cockpit mixed with carbon monoxide fumes and tremendous G-forces (which cause disorientation as well). G-forces can also affect vision but proper nutrition and vitamins combat against their effects.

NASCAR driver physical conditioning also includes weight training but not in order to build mass. The weight training performed by a NASCAR driver is to build up strength for steering and breaking. It is also so that the driver’s body can withstand the abuse from bouncing around and getting slammed from excessive G-forces.

NASCAR driver physical conditioning separates those who can make it for an entire racing event and those who would wear out during the qualification races. It is very important and the sport should be taken just as serious as any other professional sport.
About Author
Chris DiCicco owner of www.nascarsupershop.com is also the senior editor and website developer for his store. Great deals on Nascar Jackets and Nascar Apparel

Go karts

Go Karts - Exciting At Any Age!
Author: Synapse India
Go Kart is an exciting hobby that casts its spell on all of us. Many of us have tried it when we were young.
Go Kart is an exciting hobby that casts its spell on all of us. Many of us have tried it when we were young. However, one needs to fulfill the mandatory criterion to drive legally in many parts of the world especially in the UK. Generally, kart racing has been defined as the basic activity for racing other types of cars of course after getting a certain level of experience and age. After this step, a person can always move to V8’s, rally cars and general race built cars. Daring and extreme racing enthusiasts can move towards the formula 1, which is considered as the highest peak in the racing world.

Off Road Karting: At a Glance
Go karting activity were initially started in 1950 in California by Kurtis Kraft, a veteran hot rodder. Due to its exciting features, the game became popular in other countries around the world. In addition to it, it has a very large following in Europe. There are mainly two types of go karting activity that can be enjoyed; one is Sprint Karting and another one is Enduro Karting. Let us know about them in brief.

Sprint Karting is more of a prototypical kart & track, developed in amusement parks, recreational facilities, and many other such places. The tracks of Sprint Karting are sleek and sturdy. In this type of karting, short tracks are preferred over the long tracks, usually made up of materials from asphalt to concrete.

On the other hand, Enduro Karting can be better defined as the prolonged version of Sprint. They are upgraded versions of Sprint and use aerodynamical steering on tracks. In this type of racing, oval tracks are designed to add fun in your racing pleasure. As this karting is longer than Sprint, durability of karts and maintenance of pit shops are given special attention rather than just on speed.

Choose anything from Sprint Karting to Enduro Karting, try to get the maximum pleasure of driving fearlessly on some of the complex tracks.
Best Adrenalin Pumping Adventures in Australia
Author: Luke Felstead
This articles showcases the best adventures and adrenalin activities in Australian and things to do in Sydney.
If you're an adrenalin junkie or on a kamikaze mission then below is a list of adventures that you must tick off before you leave an ugly corpse!

1. Shark Diving - Australia has some of the best shark diving spots in the world. The best spot would have to be arguably in South Australia around the Port Lincoln area. Here you'll meet some the most fierce creatures of the sea including the Great White.

2. Outback Hunting - Head to Northern Territory for some of the best hunting in Australia. The flood plains are filled with hundreds of Water Buffalo and Wild Boar that will provide you with challenging kills.

3. Bungee Jumping - Feel like jumping nearly 200m with a some rope tied around your? Then get to Cairns in Far North Queensland to experience a thrill of a lifetime. There are multiple jump options, from simply diving off, to sitting in a trolley or kayak!

4. Skydiving - For those that would prefer to dive out of a good plane, then Sydney has some of the most experienced skydivers and some of the best views to match. From the Blue Mountains all the way down the south coast, this will be an adrenalin adventure you must experience whilst in Sydney

5. Cave Diving - For the best cave diving in the world, you must head to the Limestone Coast and the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia. The Nullarbor Plain is famous for having some of the longest caves in the world, however the Limestone Coast has more than 500 known features, over a hundred of which contain crystal clear water. The most popular cave diving sites in the region include Piccaninnie Ponds, Ewens Ponds, Tank Cave, Kilsbys Hole, The Shaft, Little Blue Lake and The Pines.

6. Big Wave Surfing - Surrounded by fierce oceans, Australia receives some of the biggest waves found anywhere in the world. From famous Bells Beach to Margaret River in Western Australia, our coasts are being battered by massive 30 - 40 foot swells constantly. Though the premier big wave location seems to be in Tasmania, and though you wont find to many keen surfers willing to take to drop, the location is a secret.
About Author
Luke Felstead is the director of http://www.edocket.com.au/adventures.asp

Adventure

Benefits of Adventures Days out
Author: Synapse India
Most people are not quite active in their normal day-to-day life. For them, normal jogging and walking is a tough task. Many of these people feel hesitant to go on adventurers’ days out as they might have to jog around the neighborhood, walking the dog or playing with the kids.
People who have physical problems such as osteoarthritis or even difficulties such as aches and pains, outdoor activities may be a problematic situation. However, it is keep in mind that an active lifestyle is an integral part of keeping oneself fit and fine. It also improves the overall status of life.

People who do not exercise at all have to face many kinds of problems in their day to- day life. Lack of exercise may further raise the chances for cardiovascular disorders and other chronic illnesses. Also, the body’s muscle might get inefficient and a person might feel stressful and anxious.

Taking regular adventures days out helps in proper body movement and helps in eliminating aches and pains. Also, proper rest and movement allow body to build strength and improve sleep, mood and energy levels.

If you are planning to enjoy the adventure days out, following tips might help you to enjoy the activity without causing any pain to your body:

• Indulge into everyday body movements such as Gardening, housework, mowing the lawn, washing the car and climbing stairs.

• Allow yourself to have a brisk walk for about 30 minutes everyday.

• Try to warm up before doing exercise or starting any activity that might be stressful for you. It will allow your body to prepare itself for any tough task.

• Take proper and nutritious diet.

• Use pain reliever for getting rid of pains from the body.

You need to be active to enjoy your life to the fullest, follow simple tips and see what life has to offer for you!
About Author
I webmaster of http://www.southernpursuits.co.uk/ dealing in all types of outdoor activities such as off road buggies, off road karting, quad biking, Clay shooting, 4x4 driving, archery, team building, corporate events all over the UK. Choose from our program for the ultimate adventure day and experience something new with your friends and colleagues.

rock climbing danger

Rock Climbing Danger
Author: Lucas Baier
This article provide you information about dangers of rock climbing.
So you’ve got the climbing gear, you know some of the more advanced climbing holds and you’ve even got the climbers attitude. You think you have it all, and this feeling can be a climber’s worst enemy as they scale a rock wall. Rock climbing is both the wrong place and the wrong time to prove how much of a man (or woman) you are to all of your buddies. Making a mistake on the rock wall could not only endanger you, it could cost the lives of those you are with.

When a climber feels they have it all they can lose focus on the fact that their life is at stake when rock climbing. Every climber, whether it is their first climb or their thousandth, knows the fear that can come from ascending rock walls. It’s the fear of not knowing, the fear of wondering what’s next. And while many people look forward to the day when the fear ends, more experienced climbers understand that it is the fear that helps to keep them alive.

Studies have shown that when people feel safe, they spend less time paying attention to what’s in front of them. This feeling of safety leads to accidents not only in rock climbing, but in other areas as well. One sad fact being that mandatory insurance for motor vehicles has led to an increase in collision fatalities.

This idea may very well leak into rock climbing. Losing the fear could cause the climber to take an unnecessary risk such as trying for a hold that is just out of reach or descending the rock wall at a rate that may be fun, but is flat-out unsafe. And just because people think climbers are insane doesn’t mean we have to prove it to them.

While becoming fearless may be your best friend in a game of checkers, it could be your worst enemy while you’re scaling the rock walls. Fearlessness can cause you to take chances that are not only dangerous, but flat-out stupid. And in rock climbing, stupidity leads to traction...or even death.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that rock climbing is a safe activity. While there are things a climber can do to increase their level of safety, rock climbing will forever be a dangerous activity; but that danger is where most of the enjoyment comes from. Learning to embrace your fear will not only help increase your alertness on the rock wall, it can even help you feel more alive. And the feeling of being alive is what rock climbing is all about. When you reach for the next foot or hand hold, you will do it with desire, as if your very life depends on it; and to be honest, it does.
About Author
Check out more cool rock climbing information and join our extreme sports community at http://www.sackupsports.com where you've got to sack up to go downhill hard!

duit

Sebenarnya mencari duit itu sangat mudah tidak seperti yang kita bayangkan,tapi yang paling susah adalah mengalahkan ego ,mengalahkan diri sendiri , mengalahkan minder pada diri kita,
Mudah saja kalau kita sebagai karyawan yang hanya libur hari minggu saja, maka manfaatkan libur itu untuk mencari duit,
Waktu libur memang betul harus kita manfaatkan untuk istirahat, namun tidak ada salahnya kita pergunakan untuk olahraga, dan ini peluangnya yang dimaksud berolahraga sambil nyari duit
Caranya…..?
Asah pikiran kita pasti ada peluang dan anda pasti bisa

Pencak silat

Silat is an umbrella term used to describe the martial art forms practiced throughout the Malay Archipelago. Internationally it is now called Pencak Silat. Silat is a combative art of fighting and survival and it has been evolved in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam civilizations for centuries into social culture and tradition. During the colonization era, both in Malaysia and Singapore as British Colonies and in Indonesia as Dutch colonies, practitioners (locally known as pesilat) used the martial art as a form to liberate[citation needed] from foreign authorities.
The distinctive forms of silat with other Asian martial arts, such as kung fu, tae kwon do or karate, lie on the cultural aspect. Silat is not only for combative purposes. When accompanied with traditional instruments, such as kendang, silat transforms into a folk dance. In Minangkabau area (the West Sumatra province of Indonesia), silat was the oldest men's tradition known as silek and it is one of the components to perform the Minangkabau folk dance of randai.[1] In Malaysia, one form of silat known of silat pulut also shows the harmonic silat styles as a dance accompanied by traditional instruments, and so in Brunei Darussalam "silat cakak" also performed with the presence of "gulintangan". A silat form in West Java province of Indonesia, known as pencak, is usually accompanied with music, notably by the traditional Sundanese suling instrument

Eriksson

as Eriksson Tricked or Not?
Author: Guest

England’s Soccer Team Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, was caught making controversial revelations to an undercover journalist from the News of the World.

England’s Soccer Team Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, was caught making controversial revelations to an undercover journalist from the News of the World.

During this “interview”, Eriksson affirmed that in case England won the Soccer World Cup 2006, he would quit his job and find a new one managing the Aston Villa if they were taken over by a rich benefactor, even though he has a contract valid thru the year 2008.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also mentioned some names as David Beckham who according to Eriksson would return to play in the Premiership if he asked him to. The soccer coach also brought up that striker Michael Owen was unhappy at Newcastle, defender Rio Ferdinand was lazy and striker Wayne Rooney could have been a boxer like his father.

Two senior sources connected to the Football Association declared that if the revelations had emerged after the Soccer World Cup instead of before, the reaction would have been different.

Instead, Eriksson was asked to issue a statement and personally telephone the players involved.

Eriksson claims he has "no problem" with his soccer star players and insists he has not embarrassed them but his assistant Tord Grip admitted the expose had come as a shock to his fellow Swede.

About Author

Julie Smith
Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for http://www.instantactionsports.com
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
Visit Julie Smith Website http://www.instantactionsports.com/

soccer

basic rules of soccer

Author: Michael Malega

Useful information on basic rules of soccer. Come visit our site to learn more about basic rules of soccer....

This papers is all about the topic that you have been looking for, take your time to read.

Association football is a very popular sports game. In this game you have two opposed teams trying to score a goal for their team by hitting the ball into the other side’s soccer goal. While this can be a sport game both to watch and play there are a few basic rules of soccer that need to be followed. These are principally way to keep the game from turn rowdy and very dangerous.

In the first part of game you will have to have two teams who are willing to play against each other. The very first basic rules of soccer should come into play as soon as both of these teams are on the field. There should be Eleven people on the field who are sledding to play the game. The rest of the squad should be posing or wait on the sidelines only. They must stay there unless they are needed to go on the field.

In the most basic rules of soccer also having play you should make sure that you assure the ball with the rest of your body. You want to be sure that your hands and arms come perfectly no where near the soccer ball or the other team will get a free turn at performing and your team will have to begin the defensive soccer ball game.

When you are performing this game you will need to make sure that you don’t tackle the goal keeper. Doing a move like this will only gain your team a foul. This is a penalization which will let your opponents have a free turn at trying to score a goal. Of all the basic rules of soccer is that of Taking the game by having the most goals scored. You must try to accomplish this by acting fairly, otherwise your squad will lose valuable points.

So as well the basic rules of soccer what else can you expect? You should try and void any diving event tackles as this can cause hurt to the person that you are tackling. You will need to invest in the right soccer equipment that your soccer squad approves of. In addition to this there is only one main rule that you will need to remember. From all of the basic rules of soccer this one counts the most – have fun.

Well now that you know a few of the basic rules of soccer you can try this game out for yourself. There are very few rules for you to truly remember but if you want to know some of the other rules that are around for more formal (big matches) soccer games you can see what the FIFA World Wide Web site has about these association football rules.

I’am glad you have found this article I trust you found the information useful.

About Author

Michael Malega presents several basic rules of soccer articles for your information. You can visit Michael's web site at: http://www.soccer-tricks-rules.com/index.php

golfing

Golfing - The Joy Of Golf

By: Bill McRea
I started playing golf as a way to entertain clients and socialize with my business vendors. If you have decided to take up golf as a hobby you will be rewarded with the benefits of fresh air, exercise, and the addition of many new friends and acquaintances. You will also be humbled by the process of learning HOW to golf. Like any project you approach in life your attitude and expectations will determine your enjoyment of the game.

You will learn that the road to a low handicap is earned through countless bad shots, bunkers, water hazards and triple digit scores. You will invest a lot of time in practice. Welcome every hook, slice and 3 putt as a learning opportunity. Even the most horrendous mistake is a learning opportunity.

Golfing provides a rich opportunity to meet new people and provides you with opportunities for social interaction. You will get to meet new people in a setting in which you both have an avid interest, which makes for easy conversations. Golfing is also an excellent opportunity to meet like minded single people if you are looking for new people to meet.

How much golf equipment do you actually need? Golf is a very expensive game but there are affordable options. A high-end brand name set of clubs can set you back several thousand dollars but there are quality and affordable alternatives. Before buying clubs you should visit several golf stores and club pro shops. Test different types of clubs, determine which club length is best for you, get to know the different types of grips available and learn the difference between graphite and steel shafts. Take time to learn about the different types of golf balls, gloves, shoes and tees.

When you are choosing a golf bag you will first need to decide if you are going to walk the coarse or ride a cart. Golf bags are available in a range of materials make sure to choose one that is suited to your climate. Golf shoes are important; make sure they are comfortable and waterproof.

Should you take lessons from a golf professional? The answer to this question should be yes, but it depends on your budget. Golf lessons are expensive but will make learning the sport considerable more enjoyable, and you will be playing good golf in considerably less time. A more affordable alternative is to purchase one of the many training programs available by dvd. You can also use the internet as your open resource to learning more about the game without spending a lot of money,

Before you lift a club, you need the right attitude, and remember to remain positive, quiet your mind and remember it's only a game. And game are supposed to be fun, so make golf fun and you can play for the rest of your life.
Article Source: http://www.golfarticles.net

ICE GOLF

Ice Golf - are you cool enough?
By: Gary Hall
Want to try the ultimate golf challenge on a course where you'll have no trouble staying cool over even the most testing putt? You should consider taking up Ice Golf - the most amazing development that the golf world has seen for decades.
Every year thirty six golfers (or lunatics, depending on your viewpoint) gather in Greenland to play in the World Ice Golf championship. This year's event takes place in late March and early April. The course is marked out on the ice of the frozen fjord and you can expect icebergs or the occasional polar bear for company! As the organisers say: "if you've played on the greens of Europe, then you'll find the "whites" of Greenland rather special."
The World Ice Golf Championship was the brainchild of Mr. Arne Neimann, a local resident and hotel proprietor on a small island called Uummannaq, off Greenland's North West coast. He and a friend designed the first course in 1997 and the sport took off from there.
The world championship is played on the ice in years when the conditions make the ice fields safe and predictable. Players compete over two days and play thirty six holes of stroke play. There is a "warm up" tournament the day before although "cool down" might be a more applicable phrase to describe the effect it has on the golfers. In March, when the world championships are held, the average temperature is minus 13.9 degrees Celsius, but temperatures as low as minus 25 can occur. The dry climate and the strong sunshine can make it seem slightly less cold than that - but not by much!
The organisers also try to keep the golf course open and accessible for several weeks each year for other open icegolf tournaments.
The greens are white and the balls are red. The "whites" are defined by a small wall of snow or by a red line on the ice. Players are allowed to use a scraper to smooth the snow on the white in front of their putt - the only time in golf that a player can legitimately improve the line of his putt. The snow and ice conditions underfoot vary from hole to hole and contestants need to wear polar ice gloves, artic boots and countless layers of clothing. Anti-glare sunglasses are also a good idea.
One contestant a few years ago quipped that "the only hole in one I scored was when one leg disappeared through a seal's breathing hole in the ice." There is also a local rule to deal with the unlikely situation of a polar bear interfering with your ball!
The organisers are looking for a new sponsor this year but in previous years the Drambuie liqueur company took the lead. Players and spectators were able to warm themselves by sampling some of the sponsor's finest product. As always however, even that feature has a twist to it. Rather than ice cubes in the drink, the drink was served in "ice cubes" or glasses carved out of ice to be more exact. Trophies were presented from tables carved out of ice and the scorer's tent was to be found in an igloo!
If you get the chance to visit Greenland for a game of ice golf then sieze it with both hands. It'll be the most unique game of your life.
Article Source: http://www.golfarticles.net

GOLF & Bussiness

Golf & Business?.Go Together Like A Horse & Carriage!

By: Bobby Lopez, PGA

I guess it doesn’t have the same ring that the Sinatra song had but it’s accurate. Golf is the game of business. More deals are closed in a golf course club house or through the relationships cultivated while playing golf than with any other endeavor.

There are a couple of reasons for this. One, even though in America the game of golf has spilled over to the “common man”, having lowered the costs through municipal golf courses, daily fee courses and other like facilities the is not as common in other countries, especially Europe. Golf is still considered the game of kings and royalty. It is still considered a prestigious game. Outside the US golf is expensive.

Two, the game of golf is difficult to play well, takes four and a half hours to play and has a built it social factor by including lunch after nine holes in a fancy clubhouse and then drink afterwards. In America you include the golf cart which allows you to schmooze your prospective client all the way around the golf course for the entire four and a half hours. As if that’s not enough, golf is also the only game I know that you can play with a drink in your hand! In fact golf courses jockey up to get the best looking beer cart ladies in hopes of attracting more golfers.

Now that we know that golf is the game of business how does one improve their bottom line through this advantageous endeavor? Let me offer some tips for those that play golf and those who don’t. Yes even those who don’t play golf and take advantage of the golf market. I’ll also offer some tips on how to market to golfers directly.

First for those who play golf, if you are going to take your clients out to play golf make sure you are at least proficient enough to score 90 – 95. If you’re shooting over a hundred you’ll be doing more harm than good. The old adage of letting your client always win is not true. He/she will loose respect for you. In fact having a good golf game and beating the pants off your client will gain not only their respect but their admiration. Good golf equals “talent” in your client’s mind.

Most importantly if you have a bad day DON’T SHOW IT! Don’t let your golf game influence the mood! Just apologize for having a bad day, pick up your ball if you’ve hit it too many times to not slow up the pace and laugh it off.

If you are shooting consistently over 90 – 95 then you need to look at taking some professional instruction and work on your game a little before attempting to do business “with your golf game” on clients.

For those who aren’t playing well enough or do not play at all and want to take advantage of impressing a golf client may I suggest you do the following, explain to your client you love golf but are not proficient enough as yet but you’re working on it and would love to play with them once you do. Find the better golf course in your area and offer them as a gift two (2) cart & green fees to that golf course. Yes make sure you get two or he/she might never use the gift. Just hope they don’t take your competitor, (that’s why you should learn how to play). Another very good choice is to inquire about a nine hole playing lesson at a golf course. Getting your client a playing lesson with a PGA pro may not cost anymore than the two cart & green fees and be more impressive. Of course you need to do your home work here and make sure the pro you choose has an excellent reputation.

Another very good choice is to purchase your client some golf balls. If you have the chance to ask your client what ball they prefer get them that very golf ball. If you don’t have the chance may I suggest getting the Titleist V1star. They might be a little pricey but you’ll come off like a champ.

If you have a product you would like to market to golfers, you’ll find that golfers are easy to get to. Any good direct mail house that rents lists can rent you very specific lists by income, number of rounds played etc. There are internet companies that do the same for email blasts. These are double opt-in emails so you’re not sending spam.

You’ll also find tons of web sites that offer advertising space on a pay per click basis as well as Google ads with keywords that relate to golf.

Almost every town has a small golf related magazine or newspaper that is circulated around golf courses. Visit a few golf courses in your area and look around the club house. Usually the stated materials are in the pro shop or dining area or the front door as you exit for golfers to pick up.

Golfers are generally a higher income demographic. Only about 12 – 15% of the population in America plays golf but they’re worth going after and easy to find through their common interest – GOLF!
Article Source: http://www.golfarticles.net

The History of football

Football, the most famous sport worldwide at this moment, captures the attention of fans all around the Globe. The technological advance allows persons of all ages to find out information about sports and to watch free football online anytime. The TV or the Internet are all the means we need to find out anything interesting or useful. You can also watch free soccer online or free football online any time and any place you like, as long as you are connected to the Internet and know your possibilities. The present offers us no surprises when it comes to football, but the past does. Because the past is relevant for the present, we´ve made a little research about the history of football and decided to tell you about some interesting aspects.

Football history shows that England is its major promoter, but there are documents that prove the presence of such a game a long time ago in China or Japan. The desire of men to compete and make their skills in this game recognized by others dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. in China. There is a document, a military manual, dating back from the Han Dynasty that has among other physical exercises one named the "cuju". This exercise that was meant to strengthen the body was very similar to the present football game. Another game that has the same characteristics as soccer is considered to be the roman game inspired from the Greeks, "harpastum". This rough game implied great physical strength to pass the ball over a line in any way possible (somehow similar to rugby). This meant flexible rules that left room for a lot of violence.

Modern versions of football are considered to be born in England in the XIIth century. There were different versions of the game at that time, depending on the place in which it was played. Each school or community had its own regulations. When playing against teams from different areas, with different traditions, the rules were a subject of dispute between them. So, people felt the need to write an official list of rules that would apply to everyone, no matter the region where they came from.

Football is now played everywhere in the world. The sport is famous and entertains the audience no matter what social background they have or the region they come from. However, even football has had some alterations with time and therefore the game can bear different names; you´ve probably heard about rugby, American football or soccer.

An interesting aspect we learned while researching is that English football was played in the beginning by peasants, while the aristocrats preferred sports that included horse riding. It was, as it still is, a way of entertainment through running and kicking the ball, a method to incite spirits and teach about competition and team work. The sport was not yet developed and there were no professional paid players. However, in 1892 things started to change. That year, the idea of a paid player appeared. Today, the concept is already accepted by everyone and some people train all their lives to be good at this game, to become famous and well paid. In fact, capitalism made it easy for some to be able to profit from football. With the help of the media, some actually started making money from selling tickets to games and from turning sport info into merchandise.

What does the modern age offer us? Options. Since not everyone can play football as good as professionals, they can watch others do it. They can support their favorite teams and players with the help of fan-clubs, websites, journals, halls of fame, they can keep in touch with the best news out there through cable TV, satellite TV and the Internet and they can bring their contribution to the development and fame of the team they prefer.

By simply understanding that people (who love sport games and don´t play them simply because they don´t have the time or the skills) need to keep in touch with football at least as a hobby, website owners have been able to come up with something new: free soccer online and free football online. These concepts refer to 2 ways of entertainment with the help of football. The first one consists in free football online games or free soccer online games played on a virtual field with real or virtual players. The second one refers to watching free football online or free soccer online. Anyone who has Internet access (and a lot of people do) can also benefit from a world of advantages regarding anything. Sport makes no exception and fans that have discovered the benefits of the Internet connection choose to leave aside satellite or cable TV just to be able to watch free football online or free soccer online.

History has therefore reached a point where sport, as well as many other things, has been transported into the virtual space. Of course this does not mean that real live football isn´t played anymore. On the contrary, it is, but it is played by professionals and regular people choose to watch the matches of free football online. They do loose the thrill of playing themselves, but they get to win something else; the possibility to enjoy sports whenever they want by simply going online, to relax and unwind together with their friends, drink beer and watch free football online as a hobby.

Our website invites you to visit and see our offers to watch free football online. or if you are in the USA free soccer online

FA CUP

The FA Cup is better known as, the football association challenge cup. It is a knockout cup competition in English football. Which is the oldest football competition in the world, beginning in 1871-72. The FA Cup also refers to the English men tournament. Chelsea currently holds the FA Cup and successfully beat Manchester United on May 19th. Overtime is were they scored guaranteeing themselves as the winners.The FA Cup involves clubs in the English Football League System. Six Welsh clubs that are currently playing in the FA Club are: Wrexham, Cardiff City, Newport County, Swansea City, Colwyn Bay and Merthyr Tydfil. All football league clubs and premier leagues may enter.Non-league clubs may also enter if they participated in the earlier season's of the FA Trophy or the FA Cup.They all must have a suitable stadium to play in. The competition begins in August.There are then 4 Qualifying Rounds and 6 rounds of the competition proper. The next to be played are Semi-Finals and then followed by the Final.The finals are played in May.Winning the entire competition of English football is a great honor. Only 8 teams who played outside the top level have done so since the start of the FA Cup.Matches in the FA Cup are held at the home ground of one of the two teams. Villa Park is the most used stadium, having been used for 54 semi-finals. At the end of the finals, the winning team is presented with a trophy, which they keep until the following year. On July 20th an idea was proposed by C.W. Alock. During the seasons of 1888 and 1889 qualifying rounds were brought in. It included clubs participating on regional basis and would continue til there was a single left, Which would be for the 4th Qualifying Round.In 1872 Wanderes became the first winners of the FA Cup. fifteen clubs had entered and only twelve played, there were thirteen games in total. Wanders, Blackburn Rovers, and Tottenham Hotspur have all won the FA Cups consecutively more than one time.Six clubs have won the competition as part of the league and cup double, they are: Manchester United, Preston North End, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Hotspur FC. Kettering have scored the most goals in FA Cup history. Although the FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world, its trophy is not, that title is claimed by the Scottish Cup. The present trophy is the fourth one, with the first, the "little tin idol", used from 1871-72 was stolen. It was never seen again and thought to have been melted down. A new bigger trophy was bought by the FA in 1911. It still exists, but to fragile to use, so an exact replica has been in use now since 1992. Qualifying rounds were introduced in 1888-89 season. During the same year Warwick County was the first non-league side to beat a first division club. In 1914 George V was the first monarch to FA Cup final between Burnley and Liverpool. The oldest FA Cup finalist was Walter "Billy" Hampson. He played for Newcastle United and was 41 years old. In the 1950's, Newcastle United held the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period.

Canadian And American Football

Differences Between Canadian and American Football
By: Jonathon Hardcastle
American and Canadian football both descended from rugby and began in Canada as a game played between British soldiers garrisoned in Montreal. The soldiers played a series of games against students at McGill University. McGill played several games against Harvard in 1874 and a tradition was born. Despite their mutual origins, the Canadian and the American game developed differently and now have substantially different rules and regulations.

The biggest difference between Canadian and American football is the size of the playing field. In Canada, football fields are 110 yards long and 65 yards wide. In America football fields are 100 yards long and 53 and 1/3 yards wide. The goal posts in Canadian football are placed at the front, rather than the back of the end zone which is also deeper in Canadian football than American.

Canadian football teams have twelve players as opposed to the eleven on American teams. Because the same number of players is required at the line of scrimmage in both games, this results in an extra backfield player on Canadian teams. This means that the typical Canadian offensive setup has two slot backs instead of a tight end and on defense, two defensive halfbacks and one safety instead of two safeties as is typical in the American game.

Another difference between the two games is the number of downs. Instead of four as in the American game, Canadian football has three. This results in a more pass and kick oriented game since there are fewer downs available for short-yardage running plays. The kicking rules are also slightly different with the kicker being able to recover and advance his own kick. For this reason, kicking is a much more integral part of Canadian football than American.

The biggest difference between the kicking rules in the two games is that there is no fair catch rule in Canadian football. In American football, if a kick returner thinks he will not be able to advance the ball after recovery, he can signal for a fair catch and be immune from contact. In Canadian football no player on the kicking team except the kicker and any players behind him on the field may ever be within 5 yards of the ball unless it has been touched by an opponent. Also, in Canadian football any kick that goes into the end zone is a live ball, except for successful field goals.

There are other minor differences as well including scoring, motion and time rules but they are not as significant as the major differences noted here.
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Football, Games, and Recreation

Baseball or Softball

6 Types of Baseball or Softball Pitching Machines You Can Consider

Author: Ecee
Do you know what are the 6 different types of baseball or softball pitching machines available in the market? Read this article to find out more.

Are you getting a baseball or softball pitching machine but fretting over the different brands and options available? Well, it's inevitable isn't it? After all, there are at least 6 different types of pitching machines and countless different brands and models out in the market today!

Here are the 6 major types :

(1) Real Ball Pitching Machines

As the name suggests, “Real Ball” pitching machines throws out real balls or those machine pitch dimpled balls you see at the commercial batting cages. Both types of baseballs weigh about 5oz.

Such equipment usually comes in 2 major categories which comprises of the Arm Styled Wheel Machines or the Compressed Air Machines. Although there may be exceptions, all require a batting cage. Invest in an auto feeder and remote control if you're opting for a one player mode and you're good to go.

(2) Wheel Style Pitching Machines

Ever seen those pitching machines used in leagues, high schools, colleges, pro ball or simply off someone else's backyard? Yes, these are the ones. One of the most popular choices, wheel style pitching machines can be used just for baseball, softball or in a combination package for both sports.

Through the support of a rubber wheel(s), a motor propelling the wheels' movements, dynamic parts with speed and directional adjustment knobs and a metal frame attached to a tripod, wheel styled pitching machines run on 110v power. If you're using them on fields without electricity supply, you'll need a power generator.

(3) Single Wheel Machines

These are entry level machines used to throw a straight pitch in a speed ranging from 25-70 mph. The price is usually set above $900. Currently, there are only a few single wheel machines out in the market which has the added feature of churning out curveball throws. Coaches may prefer the curveball option since they're more versatile when it comes to throwing the breaking ball from either of the “hand”. But be prepared to pay as they can cost $1,200 or more.

Overall, single wheel machines are still slightly cheaper than the real ball machine and is lightweight enough to be carried from your car boot to the ballpark. However, if you prefer higher speeds or a greater variety of pitch throws, you may want to consider the 2 wheeled machines instead.

(4) Two Wheel Machines

These machines can simulate almost every pitch regardless of the angle, hand (be it left or right) or speed you're talking about. Naturally because of the additional capabilities, they're also much more expensive than other types of pitching machines.

Their ability to throw all the different types of pitches and the added advantage of using them for ground balls, fly balls and even catchers pop-ups increases the thrill and fun practising with such machines. They are relatively portable too.

Some people dislike the fact that they can't see the movement of the “pitcher's arm” with such machines. But after a bit of getting used to, it's not really a major disadvantage. More importantly, however is that the consistency of their pitches drops with either wet, waterlogged balls or swollen balls. Like all wheel type machines So, if you're living in a region that's consistently dealing with rainy or wet weather, you may want to consider other options.

(5) Arm Style Pitching Machines

Yes, these are often the ones you see at the commercial batting cages. You know, those junky heap of steel affixed with the red lightbulbs alerting the batter on the impending pitch?

Equally suitable for both baseball or softball, these machines have been around for more than 50 years and can throw a straight and accurate ball at speeds that varies between 25 to 85 mph. Because of their bulk, instead of shoving them into your garage, the smarter move is to just cover them up and leave them where they are after the season. Otherwise, they're pretty durable.

(6) Rack Fed or Hopper Fed Pitching Machines

Such machines are pre-fed with baseballs or softballs so that no auto feeder are required. There are mainly 2 types. One is rack fed and can contain 38 baseballs or 28 softballs at one time. The other is hopper fed and can hold as much as 600 baseballs or 400 softballs.

These are professional base ball training equipment and are incredibly durable. Maintenance is often just a routine application of lubricating oils to a couple of the joints and even if you do need to replace a few of faulty parts, they're relatively inexpensive and easy to fix.

One advantage with these machines is that player can often see the pitcher wind up so that he can position himself for the swing in a more realistic timing. However, because of their bulk, they're not really as portable as the other types mentioned earlier.

About Author

E Cee is the owner of Pitching Machines Shop where discount Jugs Pitching Machines & Heater Pitching Machines can be found.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com