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Rights Group Accuses Israel of War Crimes in Gaza

A leading international rights group on Thursday alleged that Israel committed war crimes during this summer's Gaza war, saying it reached that conclusion after investigating three attacks on or near …

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Hosemann Group Studies Election Fixes

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said he plans to push in the 2015 Legislature to remove voters' birth dates from poll books, saying they are sensitive information that's no …

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Devon Still

Devon Still wasn’t just focused on making a football team this preseason. He was focused on the health of his 4-year-old daughter Leah, who is battling cancer with a 50-percent …

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UN: Syrian Rebels Free 45 Fijian Peacekeepers

Al-Qaida-linked Syrian rebels on Thursday released all 45 Fijian peacekeepers they had held captive for two weeks, the United Nations said, bringing an end to a crisis that had pulled …

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9/11 Commemoration Begins with Bell Toll

With the toll of a bell and a solemn moment of silence, the nation paused Thursday to mark the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack.

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Judge: Pistorius Can't be Found Guilty of Murder

In a lengthy verdict phase climaxing Oscar Pistorius' trial, the judge said Thursday he can't be found guilty of murder but that he was negligent in the shooting death of …

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Syria, Iran Slam US Strategy in Fighting Militants

Syrian and Iranian officials criticized the Obama administration on Thursday for excluding them from an international coalition coming together in the battle against the Islamic State group, while a state-run …

Entry

September 11, 2014

MY NFL Week Two Picks

By bryanflynn

It was a bloodbath for my picks in week one. I scratched and clawed my way to ten correct picks. TEN! That is good enough to get in the playoffs most seasons but instead I felt like the 2013 Arizona Cardinals after the week was over.

I was just one game above .500 to start the season. That puts me in a hole early.

Here is what I missed:

I picked the Saints over the Falcons but how was I supposed to know that the New Orleans 2012 defense would show up against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Either Atlanta is really going to bounce back this season or the Saints are really going to struggle. Saints fans hope last Sunday was an aberration.

It was a toss up between the Rams and Vikings. Matt Cassel versus Shun Hill quarterback battle didn't inspire confidence in either choice. Cassel and the Vikings pounded the Rams as Hill went out with an injury and former Southern Miss quarterback Austin Davis didn't have any better luck.

So the Bills outlasted the Bears and I took Chicago. Buffalo is forced three turnovers making me wonder if the Bears are going to be a contender with Jay Cutler at quarterback. Chicago should be a better team than Buffalo. Maybe the Bills will be the surprise team of 2014.

I thought Washington would be a better team this season than Houston. Sure, there is a quarterback controversy building in Washington but Robert Griffin III should be a much better choice than Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Texans defense dominated the game and Fitzpatrick managed the game and made plays when he had to make them. If RG3 play doesn't improve quickly it, he could be on the bench in favor of Kirk Cousins.

Jake Locker out-dueled Alex Smith making my pick of the Chiefs over the Titans. Smith was Kansas City's leading rusher against Tennessee which is a bad sign. The Chiefs looked like they were ready to turn the corner and be a contender but maybe they were just a product of a weak schedule last season. If Locker can stay healthy it looks like the Titans might have some hope in the AFC South.

I totally blew the Patriots over the Dolphins. New England's offensive line was dreadful against the Miami. Brady had little to no time each time he dropped back to pass and there was zero running game. I don't think I have ever seen an offensive line play that badly after the team traded away a guard. Is the Patriots run finally coming to end? Is Miami, New York or Buffalo ready to take over the AFC East?

The first week is always tough to make picks. Week two isn't a cakewalk as teams that lost in week one know they need to bounce back quickly. Teams know going 0-2 means they need to throw the kitchen sink at their opponents the next two weeks. …

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Playoff Probs

Two weeks into the college football season, the Big Ten faces an uphill climb. This past Saturday was a disaster for the conference.

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Voyage into the Mind of Jenny Lewis

If you've ever heard Jenny Lewis sing, you may be surprised that her interest in music came after hearing The Beastie Boys.

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Lit Highlights September 2014

Fall might mean football season to a lot of people, but the conscientious bookworm knows changing leaves mean that your favorite bookstores are changing their shelves.

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The Fontourage

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Bride On A Budget

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Prevent Summer Slide: Coach Kids Into 'Soft Skills'

If you're looking for ways to ensure that your kids and mentees don't fall backward next summer, start planning and thinking about "soft skills" training now. Better yet, become an …

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Tips from Troop 5441

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Do Kids Pay for Lazy Summers? Why We Must Prep Now for Next Year

For far too many children in the United States, there is such a significant academic regression during the summer months that studies have shown it is responsible for most of …

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Hosemann Twists Voter ID Facts, Again

At last July's Neshoba County Fair, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann upped the ante on the usual GOP talking points of "business good, government bad"; state's rights; Obama's failures.

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Editorial

MPB: Don’t Treat Us Like Children

Once again, Mississippi Public Broadcasting—which receives public dollars—has initiated a form of censorship to keep certain controversial content away from a Mississippi audience.

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The Dollars and Sense of the Costco Fight

In looking to relocate to the Jackson area, Costco is not making an altruistic overture, bestowing a gift on the people of the capital city and expecting nothing in return.

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Inside MPB's Decision on Abortion Film

Mississippi Public Broadcasting Executive Director Ronnie Agnew decided to replace PBS' "POV" documentary series "After Tiller" with other programming due to its controversial nature.