newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Nets feel it’s ‘important’ to get revenge against Raptors

Every time he ’ s asked about lineups , Kenny Atkinson always dips ...

All games are created equal, but circumstances make some bigger than others.
The Nets’ game Wednesday against the Raptors is one of those — especially after losing a 119-118 heartbreaker at Toronto on Saturday.
“I kind of feel like it’s an important game,” Kenny Atkinson admitted. “They’re all important, but it is one [that’s very important].“I’ve said us getting momentum going into the All-Star break, getting this win [Monday’s 106-105 victory at Indiana] and then trying to get a little revenge on Toronto — a last-second loss that was tough to swallow, tough pill to swallow. So [Monday’s victory] will give us some good momentum going into that game. But [it’s an] important game for us.”
Saturday’s last-second loss came after the Nets had fought back from an 18-point third-quarter deficit, only to miss a potential winning tip-in at the buzzer. They relish the chance to get some payback on the defending champions, and go into the All-Star break on a positive note.
“A little bit of both,” said Caris LeVert, who had a career-high 37 points Saturday. “We definitely want to get a win going into All-Star break. We know Toronto is one of the top teams in the league, champions last year, so we definitely want to play our best basketball. We just lost to those guys, so we definitely want to get them back.”
The Nets are 6-18 against winning teams, having lost six straight before their win at Indiana. That win also snapped a sobering 0-9 skid on the road against teams over .500.
Now they’ll look for consecutive quality wins.
“The guys in the locker room want to keep the momentum going and get a win before the break and ride that wave into a nice little break,” said Spencer Dinwiddie, who added the Nets are looking to turn the tables on Toronto.
“That’s what it’s definitely about. It’s not like this game determines the playoffs, so we’re not going to put too much pressure on. But you definitely want to go into the break with a win, go in with momentum, playing well. And for everybody that’s going to go on vacation, isn’t it better to put your feet in the sand after a nice win versus a loss?”
Kyrie Irving (right knee sprain) will miss Wednesday’s game.
Rodions Kurucs was back in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Tuesday for a brief hearing on his misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an alleged incident involving his live-in girlfriend last June.
The Latvian forward’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office presented him with a folder of new evidence on Tuesday morning, which he hadn’t had time to read through prior to the hearing. Judge Quynda Santacroce set another hearing for March 30.
— Andrew Denney contributed to this report


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Two Ohio State football players, including one from Brooklyn, accused of rape

Two Ohio State football players , one hailing from Brooklyn , were arrested for allegedly raping a woman in their @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday .
Amir I. Riep and Jahsen L. Wint , both 21 , allegedly @ @ @ @ @ her against her will in their home on Feb. 4 , according to WSYZ-TV in @ @ @ @ @ to force the unnamed victim to give her name on video and admit that the @ @ @ @ @ woman can be been crying in the video as Riep laughs at her , court @ @ @ @ @ and Wint were charged with rape and kidnapping , according to Franklin County Municipal Court @ @ @ @ @ a statement that both players were suspended .
“ We are aware that two of @ @ @ @ @ and criminally charged , ” a spokesman , Ben Johnson , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ suspended from all activities involving the football program .
We will share more information when @ @ @

Two Ohio State football players, one hailing from Brooklyn, were arrested for allegedly raping a woman in their Columbus apartment, a report said Tuesday.
Amir I. Riep and Jahsen L. Wint, both 21, allegedly attacked the woman and held her against her will in their home on Feb. 4, according to WSYZ-TV in Columbus.
The suspects tried to force the unnamed victim to give her name on video and admit that the sex was consensual. The woman can be seen crying in the video as Riep laughs at her, court documents state.
Wint played football at Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Both Riep and Wint were charged with rape and kidnapping, according to Franklin County Municipal Court.
Ohio State said in a statement that both players were suspended.
“We are aware that two of our students have been arrested and criminally charged,” a spokesman, Ben Johnson, said in a statement.
“They have been suspended from all activities involving the football program. We will share more information when available.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Man busted for murder, sexual assault after woman’s complaint leads to body stuffed in suitcase

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas police found a woman ’ s body in a suitcase and arrested a man on suspicion of murder and other charges after another woman told a court officer she ’ d been sexually assaulted and another woman had been killed , authorities said .
The Clark County coroner ’ s office said the body of 22-year-old Morgan Amaya was found Wednesday inside the suitcase and that she died after being shot in the head .
Gary Walker , 55 , remained jailed Friday on suspicion of murder , eight counts of sexual assault , first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a deadly weapon .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations .
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that a woman told a marshal at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas that she needed help .
Police didn ’ t say why the woman was at the courthouse .
Walker was with the woman at the courthouse and he was detained , police said .
Detectives were told the woman had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed at the apartment by Walker , the statement said .
Homicide detectives found a woman ’ s body in a suitcase at the apartment , the statement said .
Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure said Walker had multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions in other states and he ordered him held without bail .
Amaya ’ s sister-in-law , Nicole Marie , told KSNV-TV that Amaya had been battling drug addiction and trying to get clean so she could get custody of her 1-year-old daughter .
Marie said she and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought he was a friend who was helping Amaya by giving her a place to stay since she and her husband separated .

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas police found a woman’s body in a suitcase and arrested a man on suspicion of murder and other charges after another woman told a court officer she’d been sexually assaulted and another woman had been killed, authorities said.
The Clark County coroner’s office said the body of 22-year-old Morgan Amaya was found Wednesday inside the suitcase and that she died after being shot in the head.
Gary Walker, 55, remained jailed Friday on suspicion of murder, eight counts of sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon. It wasn’t immediately known whether he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that a woman told a marshal at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas that she needed help. Police didn’t say why the woman was at the courthouse.
Walker was with the woman at the courthouse and he was detained, police said.
Detectives were told the woman had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted at an apartment and that another woman had been killed at the apartment by Walker, the statement said.
Homicide detectives found a woman’s body in a suitcase at the apartment, the statement said.
Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure said Walker had multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions in other states and he ordered him held without bail.
Amaya’s sister-in-law, Nicole Marie, told KSNV-TV that Amaya had been battling drug addiction and trying to get clean so she could get custody of her 1-year-old daughter.
Marie said she and her fiance had met Walker and that they thought he was a friend who was helping Amaya by giving her a place to stay since she and her husband separated.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Rangers’ Jacob Trouba gets icy welcome in return to Winnipeg

WINNIPEG , Manitoba — It was just about what Jacob Trouba expected for a reception .
And he was happy he walked out with a win .
The Rangers defenseman returned to the city he called home for six seasons and was booed often during his new team ’ s 4-1 win over the Jets on Tuesday night .
“ I was looking forward to it , ” Trouba said after he played a team-high 22:24 and had four shots on goal .
“ It ’ s definitely fun .
We wanted to win the game , and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I was going to go remember it either way.
” Trouba was a restricted free agent this summer and had made it clear he didn ’ t want to re-sign in Winnipeg .
So the Rangers traded a first-round pick — one they had gotten from the Jets in the Kevin Hayes deal — along with defenseman Neal Pionk for the rights to sign Trouba to what ended up being a seven-year , $ 56 million deal .
There was a short video tribute to Trouba late in the first period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ Pionk ’ s better !
” It didn ’ t seem like Trouba noticed , as he played one of his most assertive games of the season .
“ I thought Trouba had a great night , ” coach David Quinn said .
“ I ’ m really happy for him .
I ’ m proud of him , the way he played tonight .
This isn ’ t an easy situation to come into , and he played a really good game.
” Also returning to Winnipeg was winger Brendan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasons in the organization before being traded to the Rangers almost exactly a year ago as part of the Hayes deal .
He got a bigger opportunity in New York , and signed a one-year , $ 925,000 deal this summer .
He is a restricted free agent again after this season .
“ I was over the moon when I got traded and I ’ m happy to be [ with the Rangers ] , ” said Lemieux , who got 9:18 of ice time in this one while on fourth-line duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recent call-up Phillip Di Giuseppe remained in the lineup for the fifth straight game , playing 10:39 on the third-line wing with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko .
Brendan Smith was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game .
“ I know [ Smith ] hasn ’ t been playing a lot , ” Quinn said , “ and that probably is more because we like what the other guys are doing .
”

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — It was just about what Jacob Trouba expected for a reception. And he was happy he walked out with a win.
The Rangers defenseman returned to the city he called home for six seasons and was booed often during his new team’s 4-1 win over the Jets on Tuesday night.
“I was looking forward to it,” Trouba said after he played a team-high 22:24 and had four shots on goal. “It’s definitely fun. We wanted to win the game, and it was nice that we won the game. But I was going to go remember it either way.”
Trouba was a restricted free agent this summer and had made it clear he didn’t want to re-sign in Winnipeg. So the Rangers traded a first-round pick — one they had gotten from the Jets in the Kevin Hayes deal — along with defenseman Neal Pionk for the rights to sign Trouba to what ended up being a seven-year, $56 million deal.
There was a short video tribute to Trouba late in the first period, which was followed soon thereafter by chants of “Pionk’s better!” It didn’t seem like Trouba noticed, as he played one of his most assertive games of the season.
“I thought Trouba had a great night,” coach David Quinn said. “I’m really happy for him. I’m proud of him, the way he played tonight. This isn’t an easy situation to come into, and he played a really good game.”
Also returning to Winnipeg was winger Brendan Lemieux, who played parts of five seasons in the organization before being traded to the Rangers almost exactly a year ago as part of the Hayes deal. He got a bigger opportunity in New York, and signed a one-year, $925,000 deal this summer. He is a restricted free agent again after this season.
“I was over the moon when I got traded and I’m happy to be [with the Rangers],” said Lemieux, who got 9:18 of ice time in this one while on fourth-line duty with Greg McKegg and Brett Howden.
Recent call-up Phillip Di Giuseppe remained in the lineup for the fifth straight game, playing 10:39 on the third-line wing with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. Brendan Smith was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game.
“I know [Smith] hasn’t been playing a lot,” Quinn said, “and that probably is more because we like what the other guys are doing.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders a limp leader after barely squeaking by in New Hampshire

Berni Sanders won in the worst way in New Hampshire .
Of course , a victory is far better than a defeat , but Sanders got 75,000 fewer votes in 2020 than he received in the Granite State four years ago — with 26 percent , compared to his 60 percent in 2016 .
You can attribute all this to the fact that Sanders had only one rival in ’ 16 and he was able to consolidate the anti-establishment and anti-moderate vote that was repelled by Hillary Clinton .
But consider this : If Elizabeth Warren , Bernie ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the race last week and he had gotten all her voters , Sanders would still have come up 50,000 votes short of his 2016 total .
Nor can you point to lower voter participation across the state to explain it , because it appears turnout was up somewhere between 10 and 20 percentage points over last time .
You just have to say that in what was arguably his best state in 2016 , Sanders underperformed in 2020 .
He spent a reported $ 3.5 million in advertising in New Hampshire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand .
The final average of New Hampshire polls had Sanders beating Buttigieg by 7.4 points .
He wound up outdistancing Buttigieg by less than 2 .
So with what appears to have been a tie in Iowa with Buttigieg and a razor-thin victory over Pete in New Hampshire , Bernie moves ahead as the front-runner — but a weak one .
Now , weak early front-runners do win their party ’ s nominations .
Mitt Romney was one .
It ’ s better to be one than not to be one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Sanders received almost exactly the same percentage of voters in New Hampshire as in Iowa last week .
That makes the Sanders challenge going forward reasonably obvious .
He has to show he can do better than 26 percent in the Nevada caucuses in 10 days .
And he has to show he can build still further on that when the first major state primary , South Carolina , takes place a week after Nevada .
Once again , Buttigieg shows himself a once-in-a-generation talent , spending a year campaigning without putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform of a 100,000-population city as a springboard into a possible presidential nomination .
Pete ’ s great challenge is now to hold off and reverse the gains of the surging Amy Klobuchar , who outperformed as dramatically as Sanders underperformed .
They will face off in a debate in a week , and she will be coming off a debate performance that voters told exit pollsters was the reason they made the last-minute call to stand with her .
Buttigieg has his work cut out for him ; Klobuchar ’ s speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As for the others : The pricked Joe Biden balloon is out of helium .
The only question is when he realizes it .

Bernie Sanders won in the worst way in New Hampshire.
Of course, a victory is far better than a defeat, but Sanders got 75,000 fewer votes in 2020 than he received in the Granite State four years ago — with 26 percent, compared to his 60 percent in 2016.
You can attribute all this to the fact that Sanders had only one rival in ’16 and he was able to consolidate the anti-establishment and anti-moderate vote that was repelled by Hillary Clinton.
But consider this: If Elizabeth Warren, Bernie’s fellow progressive candidate, had dropped out of the race last week and he had gotten all her voters, Sanders would still have come up 50,000 votes short of his 2016 total.
Nor can you point to lower voter participation across the state to explain it, because it appears turnout was up somewhere between 10 and 20 percentage points over last time.
You just have to say that in what was arguably his best state in 2016, Sanders underperformed in 2020.
He spent a reported $3.5 million on advertising in New Hampshire, while Pete Buttigieg spent a few hundred thousand. The final average of New Hampshire polls had Sanders beating Buttigieg by 7.4 points. He wound up outdistancing Buttigieg by less than 2.
So with what appears to have been a tie in Iowa with Buttigieg and a razor-thin victory over Pete in New Hampshire, Bernie moves ahead as the front-runner — but a weak one.
Now, weak early front-runners do win their party’s nominations. Mitt Romney was one. It’s better to be one than not to be one. But it’s an interesting portent that Sanders received almost exactly the same percentage of voters in New Hampshire as in Iowa last week.
That makes the Sanders challenge going forward reasonably obvious. He has to show he can do better than 26 percent in the Nevada caucuses in 10 days.
And he has to show he can build still further on that when the first major state primary, South Carolina, takes place a week after Nevada.
Once again, Buttigieg shows himself a once-in-a-generation talent, spending a year campaigning without putting a foot wrong and using the tiny platform of a 100,000-population city as a springboard into a possible presidential nomination.
Pete’s great challenge is now to hold off and reverse the gains of the surging Amy Klobuchar, who outperformed as dramatically as Sanders underperformed.
They will face off in a debate in a week, and she will be coming off a debate performance that voters told exit pollsters was the reason they made the last-minute call to stand with her. Buttigieg has his work cut out for him; Klobuchar’s speech Tuesday night was far better than his.
As for the others: The pricked Joe Biden balloon is out of helium.
The only question is when he realizes it.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Holden Matthews admits to torching churches in the name of ‘Black Metal’

A Louisiana man pleaded guilty to torching three predominately black churches in 2019 and then bragging about the arsons online @ @ @ @ @ Metal ” image , authorities said .
Holden Matthews , 22 , pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ Church Arson Prevention Act for the church-burning spree in the Opelousas area , according to @ @ @ @ @ Tobacco , and Firearms .
Matthews was inspired to torch the churches by another Black @ @ @ @ @ crimes in Norway in the 1990s , prosecutors alleged .
He admitted to recording the @ @ @ @ @ videos to Facebook to brag about the crimes and raise his profile in the Black @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations , @ @ @ @ @ St. Landry Parish , ” FBI Special Agent Bryan Vorndran said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ years in prison for the crimes .

A Louisiana man pleaded guilty to torching three predominately black churches in 2019 and then bragging about the arsons online to promote his “Black Metal” image, authorities said.
Holden Matthews, 22, pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act for the church-burning spree in the Opelousas area, according to the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Matthews was inspired to torch the churches by another Black Metal artist who committed similar crimes in Norway in the 1990s, prosecutors alleged.
He admitted to recording the arsons and then posting the videos to Facebook to brag about the crimes and raise his profile in the Black Metal community, the ATF said.
“His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations, as well as all of St. Landry Parish,” FBI Special Agent Bryan Vorndran said in a statement.
Matthews faces up to 70 years in prison for the crimes.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Mets’ strategy for handling teammates stuck in Astros mess

How often do the Mets look at Twitter and actually ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — Michael Conforto isn’t about to dwell on who might have been involved in the Astros’ illegal sign-stealing scheme and the implications.
J.D. Davis and Jake Marisnick both played for the Astros in 2017 when electronic surveillance was used by the team to steal catchers’ signs, but both are Mets now and Conforto doesn’t want either to feel unwelcomed in the clubhouse.
“Our involvement with it was Carlos [Beltran] and we have kind of moved on from that, but I don’t see us dwelling on that at all,” Conforto said Tuesday. “I think J.D. and Jake, they are our guys now and moving forward they are going to be part of a winning season this year.
“There’s not going to be any animosity toward them. When you are in a team setting, any of these guys that are in here now they are our guys and that’s the way winning teams are. They bring their guys in and we’re one winning group. They will probably talk about it, but there won’t be anything more from there.”
Beltran departed as Mets manager after just 77 days on the job, having been named last month in MLB’s report detailing the Astros’ illegal sign-stealing. A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora were fired as managers in Houston and Boston, respectively, in the fallout.
“There is a line that definitely shouldn’t be crossed, and Carlos’ involvement with that is what it is, and moving forward I think it’s best we just focus on us and the season,” Conforto said.
Dellin Betances, who played for the Yankees team that lost Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS to the Astros, indicated he doesn’t need an explanation from Davis or Marisnick.
“After hearing everything that happened, I think as a team we knew that stuff was going on, we just weren’t sure what it was,” Betances said. “It definitely sucks looking back on it, but to spend too much time on it, I think it’s not fair to the guys I am here with now. I am looking forward to the 2020 season with the Mets, so I don’t think I am going to harp too much on that.”
New manager Luis Rojas indicated he’s had conversations with Davis and Marisnick, but declined to provide details about those talks.
New manager Luis Rojas acknowledged Jacob deGrom will “probably” be the Mets’ Opening Day starter but wouldn’t go beyond naming the two-time defending NL Cy Young Award winner to the rotation. DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha give the Mets six starting pitchers for five rotation spots.
“We have six starters, guys that have the recent history of being good starters at the major league level, so right now we are not defining the roles,” Rojas said. “It probably won’t be a surprise that Jake is probably Opening Day,” Rojas said, “but we are not defining roles right now of two, three, four, five or sixth starter so we’re not there yet.”
Wacha and Matz have both worked as relievers previously. Matz’s relief experience came in two appearances last season before the All-Star break.
“But right now they are starters,” Rojas said. “Our plan is to have fun watching them pitch throughout spring training.”
Yoenis Cespedes has been running and hitting, but Rojas indicated it’s too early to say if the veteran outfielder might be a possibility to start the season with the Mets.
Cespedes has missed the past 1½ seasons, after undergoing surgery on both heels then sustaining multiple ankle fractures on his ranch trying to elude a wild boar. Cespedes has missed the past 1 ½ seasons, after undergoing surgery on both heels then sustaining multiple ankle fractures on his ranch trying to elude a wild boar.


newyorkpost--2020-02-11--Standard poodle Siba wins best in show at Westminster

Primped and poised , Siba the standard poodle owned the ring .
Even with the crowd at Madison Square Garden chanting for a popular golden retriever , the statuesque Siba strutted off with best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night .
Adorned with black puffs and pompoms , the 3-year-old Siba was the absolute picture of what many see as the epitome of a show dog .
Not everyone shared that view .
As judge Bob Slay studied Siba in the best-of-seven final ring , a fan shouted out : “ No way , Slay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he saw .
“ She ’ s beautiful and has that something , ” handler Chrystal Murray-Clas said .
Bourbon the whippet finished second .
Daniel the golden retriever was clearly the crowd favorite — a golden has never won at Westminster — and fans chanted his name as Slay deliberated .
Bono the Havanese , Wilma the boxer , Conrad the Shetland sheepdog , and Vinny the wire fox terrier also made the final grouping .
Poodles come in three sizes and this was the 10th time one of them has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first since 2002 .
A standard last won in 1991 .

Primped and poised, Siba the standard poodle owned the ring.
Even with the crowd at Madison Square Garden chanting for a popular golden retriever, the statuesque Siba strutted off with best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night.
Adorned with black puffs and pompoms, the 3-year-old Siba was the absolute picture of what many see as the epitome of a show dog.
Not everyone shared that view. As judge Bob Slay studied Siba in the best-of-seven final ring, a fan shouted out: “No way, Slay, no way!”
Slay stuck by what he saw.
“She’s beautiful and has that something,” handler Chrystal Murray-Clas said.
Bourbon the whippet finished second. Daniel the golden retriever was clearly the crowd favorite — a golden has never won at Westminster — and fans chanted his name as Slay deliberated.
Previous 1 of 10 Next Advertisement Siba, a standard poodle, took best in show at the 2020 Westminster Kennel Club. Getty Images Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Advertisement Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Advertisement Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Competitors at the 2020 Westminster Dog Show Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Advertisement
Bono the Havanese, Wilma the boxer, Conrad the Shetland sheepdog, and Vinny the wire fox terrier also made the final grouping.
Poodles come in three sizes and this was the 10th time one of them has become America’s top dog, the first since 2002. A standard last won in 1991.


newyorkpost--2020-02-11--The spectacular collapse of Joe Biden as Democratic frontrunner

Former Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday night that ...

MANCHESTER, N.H. — He was once the presumptive Democratic nominee, but on Tuesday, Joe Biden fled New Hampshire with his tail between his legs — and headed to South Carolina, where he watched his dismal results come in.
Sensing a humiliating defeat in the Granite State, Biden’s team announced the former vice president was throwing in the towel before the polls had even closed, spending Tuesday evening at a campaign launch party in Columbia, SC, about 1,000 miles away.
Biden ended up placing fifth in New Hampshire, capturing less than 9 percent of the vote and none of the state’s pledged delegates.
Despite the potentially disastrous showing, Biden rallied with supporters in South Carolina, insisting the first two states in the primary season are not bellwethers.
“Tonight, though, we just heard from the first two of 50 states. Just two,” Biden said. “It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started.”
Political experts, however, saw a campaign with little to offer new voters.
“It’s never a good sign when you leave a primary before the results are in,” said University of Southern California political scientist Robert Shrum, who managed Democrats Al Gore’s and John Kerry’s White House campaigns.
“It’s probably not a good message to people who might be inclined to vote for him, but on the other hand, [Biden’s team is] anticipating a mediocre result.”
Biden started out as the untouchable front-runner when he entered the presidential race in April 2019, but 10 months later, he is engaged in a battle for his political survival after a devastating fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.
Political experts said the 77-year-old Biden’s campaign has been dealt repeated blows by poor debate performances, his family’s ties to the Ukraine scandal, cringe-worthy gaffes, low-energy events and a lackluster ground game in early states.
University of Iowa political science professor Timothy Hagle said that at least one of his colleagues was turned off by Biden because of the “whole Hunter thing” — referring to Hunter Biden’s controversial and lucrative stint on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma while his then-veep dad was in charge of US policy on Kiev.
“A lot of Democrats, their main issue is they want someone who can beat Trump,” Hagle told The Post.
“They thought it was a weakness in the general election that Trump could go after,” the professor added, referring to the Hunter debacle, which was amplified during the House impeachment hearings and Senate acquittal of President Trump.
Shrum and Hagle suggested that Biden has focused too much on the past instead of promoting his vision for the future.
Poor debate performances also left doubt in voters’ minds about his strength as a candidate, they said.
“So much of his argument has been about the past, and elections really are about the future,” Shrum said.
“Al Gore had a line that elections are not a reward for past performance, and I think that’s largely true.”
Hagle said Biden also had a terrible ground game in New Hampshire and Iowa, where his team couldn’t decide how much to commit to the lily-white states.
“I’m not sure how hard he was working in New Hampshire. I got the impression he was working harder in Iowa … He was at least trying,” Hagle said.
“Now, to leave [New Hampshire] on night of election … it’s a tough thing for him. It doesn’t make his campaign look good,” he said.
Biden was already fighting off questions about his electability after the Iowa debacle when a Quinnipiac national poll released Monday showed that Sen. Bernie Sanders had pulled well ahead of him.
At his peak last May, Biden led Sanders by 26.8 percentage points, according to a RealClearPolitics national average. By Monday, Sanders was leading him 25 percent to 17 percent.
By ditching New Hampshire, Biden has essentially bet the house on the Feb. 29 primary in South Carolina, where he has by far the most support from black voters.
He is hoping for a resounding victory there, in what his campaign is betting will be a firewall state for him.
But even that scenario seems to be in jeopardy, the experts said.
The Quinnipiac poll showing Sanders beating him also has nearly half of Biden’s previous African American supporters abandoning him nationally — with many now backing Mike Bloomberg.
“Biden needs to recover and recover in a very strong way in South Carolina,” Shrum said.
“To do that, he would need to defy history. People say Bill Clinton lost the first several primaries in 1992, but his second-place finish in New Hampshire was effectively victory.”
Added Hagle, “Maybe Biden ends up being right and South Carolina ends up being a big victory for him, but whether that is enough to save his campaign, we just don’t know.”
Both pundits suggested that Biden’s exit would be an opening for Bloomberg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, fellow moderates.
Bloomberg’s “bet was Biden would falter,” Shrum said. “That was the whole premise of his campaign — and so far, it looks like a pretty smart premise.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-11--P.J. Carlesimo gives this Seton Hall team the ultimate praise

Every year around this time , there is hope .
Hope one ...

P.J. Carlesimo sees a superstar guard. He sees loads of size. He sees an elite defensive team. He sees experience and depth.
When he looks at this Seton Hall team it gives him flashbacks to 1992-1993 — the last time the Pirates won the Big East regular-season crown and he was patrolling the sidelines.
“I would say there are a lot of similarities to the ’93 team,” the former Seton Hall coach told The Post in a phone interview, referring to his group that included Pirates all-time leading scorer Terry Dehere and NBA first-round draft pick Luther Wright. “They’re similar to a couple of our teams — the combination of good defense, good frontline size and a great player or two. They also have good guards. Guards are important all the time, but they’re especially important in March and April. You like to be able to control a game, and they have guards who know how to do that, which is a great luxury to have.”
The 70-year-old Carlesimo — now living in Seattle and working for Westwood One, ESPN and the Pac-12 Network — is excited, like most Seton Hall fans are, about this team’s prospects. He’s formed a close bond with coach Kevin Willard, frequently text-messaging him after games, and tunes in whenever possible. Carlesimo went to college at Fordham, but still sees himself as a Pirate, after leading Seton Hall to six NCAA Tournaments in 12 seasons, three Sweet 16s and the 1989 national championship game.
“Seton Hall feels like my alma mater, and obviously I follow them very, very closely,” he said.
After knocking off Villanova on Saturday — beating the Wildcats on the road for the first time since 1994, when Carlesimo was the coach — the Pirates lead the Big East by three games with seven left. Led by National Player of the Year candidate Myles Powell and an experienced supporting cast, 10th-ranked Seton Hall (18-5, 10-1) is projected as a two- or three-seed by most bracketologists, on pace for a program-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Not even Carlesimo was able to do that in his time running the program.
“That to me is maybe the most significant thing,” he said. “When you can do it consistently at Seton Hall, I don’t think you’re doing a good job, you’re doing a great job. Kevin has done a fabulous job.”
Carlesimo and Willard go back a long time — dating to his friendship with Willard’s father, Ralph. Ironically, it was Ralph Willard’s Western Kentucky team that ended the second-seeded 1993 Pirates’ season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Seton Hall hasn’t been seeded higher than sixth since and last reached the Sweet 16 in 2000. But this has the potential to be a throwback year, especially with the opening weekend of the tournament in Albany and the East Regional being held at Madison Square Garden.
“I thought they could be pretty good [this year]. Frankly, they’re better than that right now,” Carlesimo said. “They’re built very, very well for a good run in the tournament. They’ve got big guys, they defend, they’re obviously well-coached and they have one of the best players in the country. That’s a nice combination.”
Unless Seton Hall is shipped out west, Carlesimo probably won’t get to see them the first two weekends, since he typically stays close to home for those rounds of the tournament, calling the West Regional games on Westwood One. But a reunion could still happen, if the Pirates advance all the way to the Final Four.
“I wish I could get Albany and Madison Square Garden,” he said, “but that doesn’t bother me at all if I hook up with them in Atlanta.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-11--‘World Wide Wes’ won’t be in Knicks’ front-office after all

The basketball mover and shaker known as “ World Wide Wes ’ ’ apparently won ’ t join the Knicks after all .
Reports last week said William Wesley would be joining incoming president Leon Rose in the team ’ s front office .
Tuesday night , however , The Athletic , reported Wesley will not join the Knicks in any official capacity .
Wesley has been a longtime business partner of Rose and a longtime fixture as confidant to current Kentucky coach John Calipari , who is on record saying he won ’ t coach the Knicks but would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Wesley has a slew of business ventures in the basketball industry , likely making any formal role with the Knicks not ideal .
League insiders , however , believe Wesley probably can help Rose behind the scenes , even as the NBA ’ s tampering rules have been more strictly enforced .
According to an NBA source familiar with the situation , there was never a verbal agreement for Wesley to join the Knicks as there is with Rose .
Rose , meanwhile , is still going through the process of leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said Rose is expected at the All-Star Weekend festivities in Chicago , but not in an official Knicks ’ role .
A formal announcement on Rose is likely to occur after the All-Star break .

The basketball mover and shaker known as “World Wide Wes’’ apparently won’t join the Knicks after all.
Reports last week said William Wesley would be joining incoming president Leon Rose in the team’s front office. Tuesday night, however, The Athletic reported Wesley will not join the Knicks in any official capacity.
Wesley has been a longtime business partner of Rose and a longtime fixture as confidant to current Kentucky coach John Calipari, who is on record saying he won’t coach the Knicks but would help Rose as “a resource.’’
Wesley has a slew of business ventures in the basketball industry, likely making any formal role with the Knicks not ideal. League insiders, however, believe Wesley probably can help Rose behind the scenes, even as the NBA’s tampering rules have been more strictly enforced.
According to an NBA source familiar with the situation, there was never a verbal agreement for Wesley to join the Knicks as there is with Rose.
Rose, meanwhile, is still going through the process of leaving CAA and his many clients.
A source said Rose is expected at the All-Star Weekend festivities in Chicago, but not in an official Knicks role. A formal announcement on Rose is likely to occur after the All-Star break.


newyorkpost--2020-02-11--Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire primary in razor-thin victory over Pete Buttigieg

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren will ...

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Sen. Bernie Sanders narrowly edged out Pete Buttigieg in a nail-biting New Hampshire primary, winning a razor-thin victory in the Granite State after the chaotic Iowa caucuses, according to ABC, NBC and CBS network projections.
The self-described “Democratic socialist” and party outsider from Vermont won 26 percent of the vote but failed to turn out a revolution in his New England neighborhood and shake Buttigieg after they virtually tied in Iowa.
“The reason that we won this tonight in New Hampshire and we won in Iowa is our volunteers,” said a jubilant Sanders.
“We have an unprecedented grassroots movement from coast to coast. We are putting together a multi-gender, multiracial political movement. This is the movement from coast to coast that we finally have an economy and a government that works for all of us.”
And in a none-too-veiled swipe at Mike Bloomberg, he told the crowd, “At this point in the campaign, we are taking on billionaires and campaigns funded by billionaires.”
Buttigieg, the ex-South Bend, Ind., mayor, came very close to defeating the Vermont senator, posting a second-place finish with 24.3 percent of the vote and just over 4,000 ballots separating the two.
“Thanks to you, a campaign that some said shouldn’t be here at all has shown that we are here to stay,” the Afghanistan military veteran told the crowd just minutes earlier to cries of “President Pete!”
The New Hampshire result crowns Buttigieg as a serious contender for the nomination despite being constantly criticized for his lack of Washington experience, and sets up a fierce battle between the two candidates who dominate the progressive and moderate factions in the Democratic Party.
As Buttigieg told the crowd that he had admired Sanders since he was in high school and reminded them to “vote blue no matter who,” bitter Sanders fans on the other side of town loudly booed and cried, “Wall Street Pete.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was also a big victor Tuesday night, finishing in third place with 19.8 of the vote after her lackluster fifth-place finish in last week’s Iowa caucus.
She will now expand her campaign operation in Nevada, South Carolina and several Super Tuesday states.
“Hello, America! I’m Amy Klobuchar, and I will beat Donald Trump,” she told the crowd at a rally in Concord. “My heart is full tonight. While there are still ballots left to count, we have beaten the odds every step of the way.”
Despite the overall win, Sanders and Buttigieg got the same number of New Hampshire’s 24 delegates, at nine apiece, with Klobuchar grabbing the other six.
It was a devastating night, however, for the campaigns of Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and especially former Vice President Joe Biden, who finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with 9.4 percent and 8.4 percent of the vote.
With less than 15 percent of the vote, both candidates walk away from the first-in-the-nation primary with zero delegates.
Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet also suspended their long-shot campaigns after finishing with less than 3 percent of the vote.
Warren addressed her followers early in the night, accepting the bruising results but vowing to stay in the race and touting herself as the only candidate to unite the Democratic Party.
She also warned of a bitter factional battle between Sanders, the field’s most progressive candidate, and Buttigieg.
“We can’t afford to fall into factions. We can’t afford to squander our collective power. We will win when we come together,” the 70-year-old told her faithful.
Biden was 1,000 miles away in South Carolina, fleeing town before the polls had even closed to host an event where he vowed he would make a comeback with black voters by his side.
“It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--David Robertson’s painful Yankees memory sparks Astros tirade: ‘It’s a disgrace’

TAMPA — It was Gary Sanchez ’ s turn to bash the ...

Ex-Yankees reliever David Robertson joined a long list of pitchers who have complained they were personally victimized by the Astros sign-stealing operation in 2017.
“It’s a disgrace what they’ve done and they’re going to have to live with it and everyone knows,” Robertson, starting his second season with the Phillies, told reporters in Clearwater, Fla., on Wednesday.
Robertson, who was in his second stint with the Yankees in 2017, allowed just four runs in 30 games for New York after getting traded from the White Sox. Through six appearances that postseason, including a scoreless two-inning stint in Houston, he allowed just one run in 11 innings. But then he had the worst postseason outing of his career.
Entering in the bottom of the eighth with the Yankees trailing Houston 3-1 in Game 6 of the ALCS, Robertson was lit up for four hits and four runs, unable to retire any of the four batters he faced.
“I got roughed up in Game 6,” Robertson said. “And I felt like in that game, I threw as well as I’ve ever thrown in my entire life. I had some pitches that got hit that I was a little shocked by and some pitches that didn’t get swung at that I was a little shocked by. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about what we know now. But it all comes together now and, you know, I’m upset about it, that’s for sure.”
The Astros steamrolled the Yankees 7-1 to tie the series before taking the series in Game 7 the next night. Houston went on to defeat the Dodgers and win the World Series.
It was revealed in 2019 that the Astros were stealing signs through a technology-based scheme.
“I’m never going to get 2017 back,” Robertson said. “I can’t say moving forward I’ll never get to pitch in a LCS again, but I’ll never get that season back with that group of guys and that opportunity to win a World Series.”
Carlos Beltran, who was teammates with Robertson on the Yankees, reportedly spearheaded the sign-stealing operation. Robertson admitted he was surprised by Beltran’s extensive involvement.
“I always respected him as a player, especially being a veteran player on our team when I got a chance to play with him in New York,” Robertson said. “I enjoyed the way he played and the way he went about his business. He’s got to live with it.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Jameela Jamil denies suffering from Munchausen’s Syndrome

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) We can ’ t wait for the miniseries about this .
Embattled “ Good Place ” actress Jameela Jamil has defended herself after a thread by writer Tracie Egan Morrissey on the latter ’ s Instagram Stories that accused Jamil of having Munchausen ’ s Syndrome went viral this week .
While a variant of Munchausen ’ s Syndrome , Munchausen by proxy , was at the center of Hulu ’ s “ The Act ” — the story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s many stories about her personal health — and the alleged contradictions within those stories — are indicative of the “ main ” disorder , where an individual repeatedly and knowingly fakes mental or physical illnesses for attention .
The thread was spreading across social media Tuesday , and Jamil evidently caught wind of it Wednesday , returning to Twitter to knock down the rumors .
“ First I ’ m lying about my sexuality , now I ’ m now being accused of munchausens ?
” she wrote .
“ By an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize in all her ‘ research ’ that my car accident injury stories are ‘ different ’ because they were about TWO SEPARATE CAR ACCIDENTS 13 years apart ?
You can keep it.
” Jamil went on a lengthy point-by-point clarification of Egan ’ s accusations , ultimately concluding , “ Not afraid of you or your dumb internet conspiracy theories .
Keep them coming .
You just add to my relevance .
I ’ m gon na keep helping people with eating disorders , and changing laws and global policies to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s NOTHING you can do about it.
” Previously on the Jameela Jamil Twitter show , the actress , 33 , came out as queer after receiving backlash over her involvement in the forthcoming HBO show “ Legendary , ” which focuses on drag and ballroom culture .
After pinning part of the blame for the controversy on “ mistakes ” of the journalists involved , Jamil announced that “ Twitter is brutal ” and said she ’ d be taking a break from the platform .

We can’t wait for the miniseries about this.
Embattled “Good Place” actress Jameela Jamil has defended herself after a thread by writer Tracie Egan Morrissey on the latter’s Instagram Stories that accused Jamil of having Munchausen syndrome went viral this week.
While a variant of Munchausen syndrome, Munchausen by proxy, was at the center of Hulu’s “The Act” — the story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose — Morrissey theorized that Jamil’s many stories about her personal health, and the alleged contradictions within those stories, are indicative of the “main” disorder, where an individual repeatedly and knowingly fakes mental or physical illnesses for attention. The thread was spreading across social media Tuesday, and Jamil evidently caught wind of it Wednesday, returning to Twitter to knock down the rumors.
“First I’m lying about my sexuality, now I’m now being accused of munchausens?” she wrote. “By an unhinged idiot who didn’t even realize in all her ‘research’ that my car accident injury stories are ‘different’ because they were about TWO SEPARATE CAR ACCIDENTS 13 years apart? You can keep it.”
Jamil went on a lengthy point-by-point clarification of Egan’s accusations, ultimately concluding, “Not afraid of you or your dumb internet conspiracy theories. Keep them coming. You just add to my relevance. I’m gonna keep helping people with eating disorders, and changing laws and global policies to protect kids and their mental health and there’s NOTHING you can do about it.”
Previously on the Jameela Jamil Twitter show, the actress, 33, came out as queer after receiving backlash over her involvement in the forthcoming HBO show “Legendary,” which focuses on drag and ballroom culture. After pinning part of the blame for the controversy on “mistakes” of the journalists involved, Jamil announced that “Twitter is brutal” and said she’d be taking a break from the platform.
Related Video Jameela Jamil ‘chose an inappropriate time to come out as queer'
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newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Iowa Democratic Party head Troy Price resigns after caucus chaos

The chair of Iowa ’ s Democratic Party resigned on Wednesday , just over a week after the problem-plagued Iowa caucus that threw the party and 2020 presidential primary into chaos , according to a new report .
Amid intense pressure from the campaigns and his own party , Troy Price announced he was stepping down from the organization still reeling from the bungled first-in-the-nation race , The Des Moines Register reported .
“ While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion , I do believe it is time for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult , ” he said in a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s State Central Committee , obtained by the Register .
“ Therefore , I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement , ” he wrote .
It is unclear who will replace Price , who got his start as a political director for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Iowa , but an interim chair will be appointed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the report .
A disastrous system meltdown caused by a poorly-designed app saw the results delayed for days and both Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg declare victory .
Concerns over the validity of the results led to a bitter round of finger-pointing within the Democratic Party and both the Sanders and Buttigieg calling for a recanvassing of the votes .
“ Whomever is elected will oversee the completion of the recanvass and recount process and begin the process of healing our party , ” Price wrote .

The chair of Iowa’s Democratic Party resigned on Wednesday, just over a week after the problem-plagued Iowa caucus that threw the party and 2020 presidential primary into chaos, according to a new report.
Amid intense pressure from the campaigns and his own party, Troy Price announced he was stepping down from the organization still reeling from the bungled first-in-the-nation race, The Des Moines Register reported.
“While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult,” he said in a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee, obtained by the Register.
“Therefore, I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement,” he wrote.
It is unclear who will replace Price, who got his start as a political director for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Iowa, but an interim chair will be appointed at an emergency meeting this weekend, according to the report.
A disastrous system meltdown caused by a poorly-designed app saw the results delayed for days and both Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg declare victory.
Concerns over the validity of the results led to a bitter round of finger-pointing within the Democratic Party and both the Sanders and Buttigieg calling for a recanvassing of the votes.
“Whomever is elected will oversee the completion of the recanvass and recount process and begin the process of healing our party,” Price wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Blues’ Jay Bouwmeester remains in hospital after collapsing on bench

ANAHEIM , Calif. — St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester remained hospitalized and was undergoing tests Wednesday one day after suffering a cardiac episode and collapsing on the bench during a game in Anaheim .
General manager Doug Armstrong said the 36-year old Bouwmeester was unresponsive after collapsing on the bench Tuesday night .
A defibrillator was used and he regained consciousness immediately before being taken to an Anaheim hospital .
“ He is doing very well and is currently undergoing a battery of tests .
Things are looking very positive , ” Armstrong said during a news conference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Pietrangelo immediately called for help after Bouwmeester slumped over with 7:50 left in the first period .
Emergency medical personnel rushed to the Blues bench .
After a couple of minutes , Bouwmeester was taken out on a stretcher through a tunnel under the stands as players stood in shocked silence on the ice .
The game was postponed .
Pietrangelo said he visited Bouwmeester in the hospital Tuesday night and the rest of team got to see him via FaceTime .
The team stayed overnight in Southern California before taking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will play the Golden Knights on Thursday .
“ It was important for us to see him .
It made everyone feel a lot better that he was in good spirits , ” Pietrangelo said .
The last player to collapse on an NHL bench before Bouwmeester was Dallas forward Rich Peverley in 2014 .
Peverley had an irregular heartbeat , and the quick response of emergency officials made sure he was OK. Detroit ’ s Jiri Fischer had a similar episode in 2005 .
The NHL has had standards in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems for several seasons .
They include having a team physician within 50 feet of the bench .
An orthopedic surgeon and two other doctors are also nearby .
Defibrillators must also be in close range .
The home team has one on its bench and the away team must have theirs no further away than their locker room .
Each medical team regularly rehearses the evacuation of a severely injured player before the season and all players are screened for serious cardiac conditions .
“ The Peverley and Fischer incidents and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to have team doctors close to players ’ benches and defibrillators easily accessible in short notice , ” said Edmonton Oilers general manger Ken Holland , who was with Detroit in 2005 when Fischer collapsed on the bench .
“ It has probably saved all their lives .
Incredible job by league and team medical people.
” Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and his fitness and conditioning has always been a source of pride .
He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season and won an Olympic gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was skating in his 57th game this season and the 1,241st of his NHL career .
He had skated 1:20 in his last shift before collapsing and logged 5:34 of ice time as the game got going .
“ His training and the way he takes care of himself , it crystallizes how things can quickly change .
It is a testament to the NHL and teams to have everyone positioned when something like this takes place , ” Armstrong said .
Bouwmeester ’ s father was at the game as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accompanied his son to the hospital .
The Blues and Ducks are talking with the league about making up the game Armstrong said a full 60 minutes will be played and it will resume with the game tied at 1 .

ANAHEIM, Calif. — St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester remained hospitalized and was undergoing tests Wednesday one day after suffering a cardiac episode and collapsing on the bench during a game in Anaheim.
General manager Doug Armstrong said the 36-year old Bouwmeester was unresponsive after collapsing on the bench Tuesday night. A defibrillator was used and he regained consciousness immediately before being taken to an Anaheim hospital.
“He is doing very well and is currently undergoing a battery of tests. Things are looking very positive,” Armstrong said during a news conference in Las Vegas.
Teammates Vince Dunn and Alex Pietrangelo immediately called for help after Bouwmeester slumped over with 7:50 left in the first period. Emergency medical personnel rushed to the Blues bench. After a couple of minutes, Bouwmeester was taken out on a stretcher through a tunnel under the stands as players stood in shocked silence on the ice. The game was postponed.
Pietrangelo said he visited Bouwmeester in the hospital Tuesday night and the rest of team got to see him via FaceTime. The team stayed overnight in Southern California before taking a chartered flight to Las Vegas, where they will play the Golden Knights on Thursday.
“It was important for us to see him. It made everyone feel a lot better that he was in good spirits,” Pietrangelo said.
The last player to collapse on an NHL bench before Bouwmeester was Dallas forward Rich Peverley in 2014. Peverley had an irregular heartbeat, and the quick response of emergency officials made sure he was OK. Detroit’s Jiri Fischer had a similar episode in 2005.
The NHL has had standards in place to deal with potential life threatening cardiac problems for several seasons. They include having a team physician within 50 feet of the bench. An orthopedic surgeon and two other doctors are also nearby.
Defibrillators must also be in close range. The home team has one on its bench and the away team must have theirs no further away than their locker room. Each medical team regularly rehearses the evacuation of a severely injured player before the season and all players are screened for serious cardiac conditions.
“The Peverley and Fischer incidents and now Bouwmeester reminded us all how important it is to have team doctors close to players’ benches and defibrillators easily accessible in short notice,” said Edmonton Oilers general manger Ken Holland, who was with Detroit in 2005 when Fischer collapsed on the bench. “It has probably saved all their lives. Incredible job by league and team medical people.”
Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and his fitness and conditioning has always been a source of pride. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season and won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014.
Bouwmeester was skating in his 57th game this season and the 1,241st of his NHL career. He had skated 1:20 in his last shift before collapsing and logged 5:34 of ice time as the game got going.
“His training and the way he takes care of himself, it crystallizes how things can quickly change. It is a testament to the NHL and teams to have everyone positioned when something like this takes place,” Armstrong said.
Bouwmeester’s father was at the game as part of the team’s annual dads trip and accompanied his son to the hospital.
The Blues and Ducks are talking with the league about making up the game Armstrong said a full 60 minutes will be played and it will resume with the game tied at 1.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--‘Students’ of accused Sarah Lawrence sex-cult leader Lawrence Ray attend his arraignment

A cadre of about 10 young people calling themselves “ students ” of accused Sarah Lawrence College sex-cult leader Lawrence Ray showed support for the Svengali-like leader as he entered a not guilty plea Wednesday .
Ray , 60 — who faces a slew of charges including sex trafficking , extortion , and forced labor — appeared in Manhattan federal court in a dark-blue prison jumpsuit , scanning the audience as he walked in and eyeing the large press presence .
The ex-convict and father of a former Sarah Lawrence College student , was arrested by a joint NYPD-FBI task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for allegedly preying on students at the elite Bronxville school and extorting some $ 500,000 from them over the last decade .
At his arraignment , men and women who appeared in their mid-20s and were dressed in spiffy outfits , including suits and blazers , squeezed into a single row and stared , straight-faced for much of the proceedings .
Asked who they were by reporters , they responded that they were Ray ’ s “ students.
” Most of them arrived and left separately .
Among them were two women named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of Ray ’ s victims in a New York Magazine expose on his alleged crimes published in April .
A neighbor of Ray ’ s in Piscataway said he ’ d seen both women at and around Ray ’ s property .
Neither responded to requests for comments after court on Wednesday .
Feds said Ray — who once served as best man at former top city cop Bernie Kerik ’ s wedding — subjected his victims “ to sexual and psychological manipulation and physical abuse.
” In one case , Ray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman , forced her to have sex with a male victim while he watched and blackmailed her into more than four years of prostitution , raking in $ 500,000 from the trafficking , prosecutors said .
The alleged victim ’ s iCloud account includes a video of Ray berating her and “ sexually explicit content that relates to extortion , ” prosecutors said at the arraignment .
Ray used her phone to take a sexually explicit video of her that he could use as blackmail , prosecutors said .
Authorities seized 20 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , including some that belonged to his alleged victims .
They also recovered journals that Ray allegedly “ directed victims to write sensitive and incriminating things in ” to hold against them , according to prosecutors .
Prosecutors said Ray had filed no tax returns throughout the course of his alleged crimes , which they say began in 2010 , when he moved into the on-campus pad where his daughter , then a sophomore at the prestigious school , lived with seven female and male roommates .
As he was taken back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters and smiled at one , a tall man in a grey peacoat and glasses standing near the aisle , who then looked down and walked out .

A cadre of about 10 young people calling themselves “students” of accused Sarah Lawrence College sex-cult leader Lawrence Ray showed support for the Svengali-like leader as he entered a not guilty plea Wednesday.
Ray, 60 — who faces a slew of charges including sex trafficking, extortion, and forced labor — appeared in Manhattan federal court in a dark-blue prison jumpsuit, scanning the audience as he walked in and eyeing the large press presence.
The ex-convict and father of a former Sarah Lawrence College student, was arrested by a joint NYPD-FBI task force Tuesday at his New Jersey home for allegedly preying on students at the elite Bronxville school and extorting some $500,000 from them over the last decade.
At his arraignment, men and women who appeared in their mid-20s and were dressed in spiffy outfits, including suits and blazers, squeezed into a single row and stared, straight-faced for much of the proceedings.
Asked who they were by reporters, they responded that they were Ray’s “students.” Most of them arrived and left separately.
Among them were two women named as Isabella and Felicia and identified as some of Ray’s victims in a New York Magazine expose on his alleged crimes published in April.
A neighbor of Ray’s in Piscataway said he’d seen both women at and around Ray’s property. Neither responded to requests for comments after court on Wednesday.
Feds said Ray — who once served as best man at former top city cop Bernie Kerik’s wedding — subjected his victims “to sexual and psychological manipulation and physical abuse.”
In one case, Ray “sexually groomed’’ a young woman, forced her to have sex with a male victim while he watched and blackmailed her into more than four years of prostitution, raking in $500,000 from the trafficking, prosecutors said.
The alleged victim’s iCloud account includes a video of Ray berating her and “sexually explicit content that relates to extortion,” prosecutors said at the arraignment.
Ray used her phone to take a sexually explicit video of her that he could use as blackmail, prosecutors said.
Authorities seized 20 to 40 electronic devices from Ray’s home, including some that belonged to his alleged victims.
They also recovered journals that Ray allegedly “directed victims to write sensitive and incriminating things in” to hold against them, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Ray had filed no tax returns throughout the course of his alleged crimes, which they say began in 2010, when he moved into the on-campus pad where his daughter, then a sophomore at the prestigious school, lived with seven female and male roommates.
As he was taken back into custody on Wednesday, Ray eyed his supporters and smiled at one, a tall man in a grey peacoat and glasses standing near the aisle, who then looked down and walked out.
Ray is due back in court Feb. 26.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Snoop Dogg issues formal apology to Gayle King after explicit rant

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Prompted by a conversation with his mother , Snoop Dogg has apologized after lambasting Gayle King for discussing late basketball star Kobe Bryant ’ s 2003 rape case during an interview with WNBA legend Lisa Leslie .
“ Two wrongs don ’ t make no right , ” said the rapper , 48 , in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon .
“ When you ’ re wrong , you got ta fix it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he continued .
“ Gayle King , I publicly tore you down by coming at you in a derogatory manner based off of emotions , being mad at questions you asked … so I would like to apologize to you publicly for the language that I used and calling you out of your name and just being disrespectful.
” Snoop went on to say that he while he felt the need to defend Bryant — who died with daughter Gianna and 7 others in a helicopter crash last month — he now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
“ A lot of people look up to me and they love me … I want to let them know that anytime you mess up , it ’ s okay to fix it , it ’ s okay to man up and say that you ’ re wrong.
” “ I apologize .
Hopefully we can sit down and talk privately .
Have a good day , ” he concluded .
Snoop ’ s original post found the MC spewing expletives at the CBS correspondent in defense of Bryant , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitch ” who intentionally attempted to “ tarnish ” the NBA champ ’ s reputation .
He later clarified that he wanted “ no harm ” to come to King , but still faced backlash for his choice of words , including from actress Rose McGowan , who told him to “ grow the f—k up .
”

Prompted by a conversation with his mother, Snoop Dogg has apologized after lambasting Gayle King for discussing late basketball star Kobe Bryant’s 2003 rape case during an interview with WNBA legend Lisa Leslie.
“Two wrongs don’t make no right,” said the rapper, 48, in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon. “When you’re wrong, you gotta fix it.”
“So with that being said,” he continued. “Gayle King, I publicly tore you down by coming at you in a derogatory manner based off of emotions, being mad at questions you asked … so I would like to apologize to you publicly for the language that I used and calling you out of your name and just being disrespectful.”
Snoop went on to say that he while he felt the need to defend Bryant — who died with daughter Gianna and 7 others in a helicopter crash last month — he now knows he went about it the wrong way.
“A lot of people look up to me and they love me … I want to let them know that anytime you mess up, it’s okay to fix it, it’s okay to man up and say that you’re wrong.”
“I apologize. Hopefully we can sit down and talk privately. Have a good day,” he concluded.
Snoop’s original post found the MC spewing expletives at the CBS correspondent in defense of Bryant, calling the 65-year-old a “funky, dog-haired bitch” who intentionally attempted to “tarnish” the NBA champ’s reputation. He later clarified that he wanted “no harm” to come to King, but still faced backlash for his choice of words, including from actress Rose McGowan, who told him to “grow the f—k up.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Blac Chyna files motion to dismiss Rob Kardashian’s assault claims

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Blac Chyna has filed a motion to dismiss Rob Kardashian ‘ s assault and battery claims after he accused her of strangling him with an iPhone charger in September 2017 , Chyna ’ s lawyer told Page Six .
“ Chyna has submitted evidence to the court proving that she never committed assault and battery against Rob and that his case should be thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ciani said in a statement .
As a refresher , 32-year-old Kardashian filed a lawsuit in September 2017 claiming Chyna , 31 , strangled him with the charger after consuming significant amounts of drugs and alcohol .
The incident allegedly occurred in December 2016 .
Chyna and Kardashian are currently in a nasty custody battle over their 3-year-old daughter Dream .
Her claim against her baby daddy for allegedly posting revenge porn photos of her will also be tried before a jury on May 26 , the lawyer added .
Chyna also wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal battles with other members of the Kardashian clan .
“ Chyna ’ s claims against Kris Jenner , Kim Kardashian , Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for illegally getting Season 2 of her # 1 hit show on E !
cancelled [ sic ] will be tried before a separate jury immediately after the conclusion of the revenge porn trial against Rob , ” Ciani said in a statement , adding , “ Chyna already succeeded in getting Kylie Jenner to drop her bogus lawsuit against Chyna back in March 2018 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and refused to answer questions under oath.
” A rep for Rob Kardashian did not immediately respond to our request for comment .

Blac Chyna has filed a motion to dismiss Rob Kardashian‘s assault and battery claims after he accused her of strangling him with an iPhone charger in September 2017, Chyna’s lawyer told Page Six.
“Chyna has submitted evidence to the court proving that she never committed assault and battery against Rob and that his case should be thrown out of court,” attorney Lynne M. Ciani said in a statement.
As a refresher, 32-year-old Kardashian filed a lawsuit in September 2017 claiming Chyna, 31, strangled him with the charger after consuming significant amounts of drugs and alcohol. The incident allegedly occurred in December 2016.
Chyna has denied these claims but Kardashian stands by his accusations.
His lawyer, Marty Singer, told Page Six, “Blac Chyna’s motion seeking to dismiss the claims against her for assault and battery is without merit. She admitted in her deposition that she wrapped an iPhone charger cord around Rob’s neck. In addition, there are several third parties who witnessed the assault. We feel confident that the court will deny the motion.”
Chyna and Kardashian are currently in a nasty custody battle over their 3-year-old daughter Dream.
Her claim against her baby daddy for allegedly posting revenge porn photos of her will also be tried before a jury on May 26, her lawyer added.
Chyna also wants to put an end to her ongoing legal battles with other members of the Kardashian clan.
“Chyna’s claims against Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for illegally getting Season 2 of her #1 hit show on E! cancelled [sic] will be tried before a separate jury immediately after the conclusion of the revenge porn trial against Rob,” Ciani said in the statement, adding, “Chyna already succeeded in getting Kylie Jenner to drop her bogus lawsuit against Chyna back in March 2018 after Kylie refused to sit for her deposition and refused to answer questions under oath.”
A rep for Rob Kardashian would not comment.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Trump nominates ex-Brett Kavanaugh clerk to serve as federal judge in Brooklyn

President Trump has nominated two women to serve as federal judges in New York City — including one who previously worked for now US Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh , the White House announced on Wednesday .
Trump has tapped Saritha Komatireddy , a federal prosecutor in the US Attorney ’ s Office in Brooklyn , to serve as judge in Brooklyn federal court .
In 2009 , she clerked for Kavanaugh when he was on the US Court of Appeals in Washington , DC .
Komatireddy offered an endorsement for Kavanaugh when he was first nominated to the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release : “ I considered it a special privilege to train under a man who had such fundamental respect for the law and a complete commitment to getting it right.
” Her statement came months before Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct as a teen .
The allegations led to a contentious confirmation hearing , but he was ultimately cleared by the majority of senators .
Trump on Wednesday also nominated Jennifer Rearden — a partner at the big-time Manhattan firm Gibson , Dunn & Crutcher — to fill a vacancy on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s major clients included Verizon — in its court battle against Con Ed over a 2007 manhole explosion near Grand Central Terminal — and a coalition of community groups who successfully defeated a proposal to build a stadium for the Jets on Manhattan ’ s West Side .
If the Senate OKs both women , they will be the seventh and eighth Trump nominees serving in the three federal courts in New York City .
According to Ballotpedia , the Senate has confirmed 133 Trump picks for federal district courts .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , President Barack Obama had appointed 98 , while Persident George W. Bush had appointed 139 by that point in his tenure .
Komitareddy and Rearden did not immediately respond to requests for comment .

President Trump has nominated two women to serve as federal judges in New York City — including one who previously worked for now US Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the White House announced on Wednesday.
Trump has tapped Saritha Komatireddy, a federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, to serve as judge in Brooklyn federal court. In 2009, she clerked for Kavanaugh when he was on the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC.
Komatireddy offered an endorsement for Kavanaugh when he was first nominated to the Supreme Court, saying in a White House release: “I considered it a special privilege to train under a man who had such fundamental respect for the law and a complete commitment to getting it right.”
Her statement came months before Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct as a teen. The allegations led to a contentious confirmation hearing, but he was ultimately cleared by the majority of senators.
Trump on Wednesday also nominated Jennifer Rearden — a partner at the big-time Manhattan firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher — to fill a vacancy on the bench in Manhattan federal court.
Rearden’s major clients included Verizon — in its court battle against Con Ed over a 2007 manhole explosion near Grand Central Terminal — and a coalition of community groups who successfully defeated a proposal to build a stadium for the Jets on Manhattan’s West Side.
If the Senate OKs both women, they will be the seventh and eighth Trump nominees serving in the three federal courts in New York City.
According to Ballotpedia, the Senate has confirmed 133 Trump picks for federal district courts. By Feb. 1 of his fourth year in office, President Barack Obama had appointed 98, while Persident George W. Bush had appointed 139 by that point in his tenure.
Komitareddy and Rearden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--Scoot McNairy jumps from narrator to star in ‘Narcos: Mexico’

In Season 1 of “ Narcos : Mexico , ” the gruesome murder of DEA agent Enrique “ Kiki ” Camarena at the hands of drug lord Felix Gallardo ( Diego Luna ) was a turning point in the drug wars between Mexico and the US .
Camarena , played by Michael Pena , was kidnapped in 1985 by Jalisco police officers on Gallardo ’ s payroll and taken to his ranch .
Two days later he was murdered when a hole was drilled into his head .
Enter Walt Breslin , a DEA agent with “ carte blanche from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take it into his own hands , ” according to Scoot McNairy , the Dallas-born actor who plays him in Season 2 of the Netflix series , premiering Thursday .
“ They didn ’ t ’ want to be liable for it , but they gave the OK. ” McNairy , 42 , debuted on the series last season as an occasional narrator and appeared on-camera in the season finale .
This season , he expands his role through 10 episodes as Operation Leyenda — the homicide investigation ’ s official name — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camarena in hopes of catching Gallardo .
McNairy was well-versed in the material , having seen all three seasons of the Colombia-based “ Narcos , ” which chronicled Pablo Escobar ’ s rise to power and eventual murder , and its Mexican counterpart .
“ I was very excited to come on the show , ” says McNairy .
In his research , the actor met with former DEA agent James Kuykendall , who worked alongside Camarena in Mexico and was played in Season 1 by Matt Letscher .
He also interviewed contemporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it now , but it was completely different 30 years ago , ” he says .
Ultimately , McNairy relied on the show ’ s writers , who he says , compressed the 10-year Operation Leyenda into the three years ( 1986-89 ) covered by Season 2 .
Unlike Steve Murphy and Javier Pena , the real-life agents portrayed on “ Narcos ” by Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal , Walt Breslin is not the name of a real agent .
That doesn ’ t mean the character isn ’ t based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inspired by a guy who “ was with the agency for 20 years and stayed on after Operation Leyenda was over , ” but “ I ’ m not allowed to say ” his name .
Viewers will be dying to know that agent ’ s identity as Breslin and his team go to extremely unorthodox lengths to round up Camarena ’ s killers , which include a doctor who kept pumping the agent with adrenaline so he could remain conscious while being tortured .
“ In the past the DEA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ This character is doing something different .
We have to blame [ Camarena ’ s death ] on someone.
” Mexico City was the production hub for Season 2 , but the series also filmed in Durango and Puerto Vallarta , among other locations .
It was not McNairy ’ s first exposure to the cartel-ridden country .
He filmed a 2010 film called “ Monsters ” there and saw the destruction that ruined the country first-hand .
“ It was horrific , ” he says .
“ Kid coffins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why did the cartel come into this tiny town and kill all these people in this restaurant ?
So many people are killed every day .
[ Realizing ] how many people had to die for one person to get high was a shocking experience.
” In reality , Gallardo was arrested in 1989 for Camarena ’ s murder and sentenced to 37 years in prison ( he is still there ) .
McNairy does get to act in one scene with Luna before the season wraps as Breslin and Gallardo face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characters become a victim to the problem , ” he says .
“ Walt gets what he wants , but all he does is trigger a bigger problem .
They are just victims of the drug wars .
You take away all the bells and whistles and stigmas of who these guys are and it really humanizes the characters .
“ They are just real people doing what they have to do to survive .
”

In Season 1 of “Narcos: Mexico,” the gruesome murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena at the hands of drug lord Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna) was a turning point in the drug wars between Mexico and the US.
Camarena, played by Michael Pena, was kidnapped in 1985 by Jalisco police officers on Gallardo’s payroll and taken to his ranch. Two days later he was murdered when a hole was drilled into his head.
Enter Walt Breslin, a DEA agent with “carte blanche from the government to break the law and take it into his own hands,” according to Scoot McNairy, the Dallas-born actor who plays him in Season 2 of the Netflix series, premiering Thursday. “They didn’t’ want to be liable for it, but they gave the OK.”
McNairy, 42, debuted on the series last season as an occasional narrator and appeared on-camera in the season finale. This season, he expands his role through 10 episodes as Operation Leyenda — the homicide investigation’s official name — hunts down the men who worked over Camarena in hopes of catching Gallardo. McNairy was well-versed in the material, having seen all three seasons of the Colombia-based “Narcos,” which chronicled Pablo Escobar’s rise to power and eventual murder, and its Mexican counterpart.
“I was very excited to come on the show,” says McNairy.
In his research, the actor met with former DEA agent James Kuykendall, who worked alongside Camarena in Mexico and was played in Season 1 by Matt Letscher. He also interviewed contemporary agents. “Those guys are doing it now, but it was completely different 30 years ago,” he says. Ultimately, McNairy relied on the show’s writers, who he says, compressed the 10-year Operation Leyenda into the three years (1986-89) covered by Season 2.
Unlike Steve Murphy and Javier Pena, the real-life agents portrayed on “Narcos” by Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal, Walt Breslin is not the name of a real agent. That doesn’t mean the character isn’t based on one, though. McNairy says Breslin was inspired by a guy who “was with the agency for 20 years and stayed on after Operation Leyenda was over,” but “I’m not allowed to say” his name.
Viewers will be dying to know that agent’s identity as Breslin and his team go to extremely unorthodox lengths to round up Camarena’s killers, which include a doctor who kept pumping the agent with adrenaline so he could remain conscious while being tortured. “In the past the DEA has had their hands tied,” he says. “This character is doing something different. We have to blame [Camarena’s death] on someone.”
Mexico City was the production hub for Season 2, but the series also filmed in Durango and Puerto Vallarta, among other locations. It was not McNairy’s first exposure to the cartel-ridden country. He filmed a 2010 film called “Monsters” there and saw the destruction that ruined the country first-hand. “It was horrific,” he says. “Kid coffins and caskets. I was beside myself. Why did the cartel come into this tiny town and kill all these people in this restaurant? So many people are killed every day. [Realizing] how many people had to die for one person to get high was a shocking experience.”
In reality, Gallardo was arrested in 1989 for Camarena’s murder and sentenced to 37 years in prison (he is still there). McNairy does get to act in one scene with Luna before the season wraps as Breslin and Gallardo face each other. “Both of those characters become a victim to the problem,” he says. “Walt gets what he wants, but all he does is trigger a bigger problem. They are just victims of the drug wars. You take away all the bells and whistles and stigmas of who these guys are and it really humanizes the characters.
“They are just real people doing what they have to do to survive.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--My ‘Sex and the City’ experiment: A year of dating in NYC’s cutthroat meet market

A 28-year-old law student with two roommates in Washington Heights .
A 46-year-old private equity exec and dad of two , from Cos Cob , Conn. A 44-year-old college dean , who traveled all the way from Philadelphia for Sunday brunch .
Welcome to my yearlong dating experiment in NYC — a city famous for its cutthroat singles scene .
It all started in the middle of the night last February , shortly after a 4 ½-year relationship crumbled .
Lying in bed and squinting through tears , I downloaded Hinge and started scrolling .
I had two goals when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first : to have fun , and lots of it .
My breakup had been painful , and I wasn ’ t ready to be vulnerable again .
But I also wanted to meet my future husband .
Look , I turned 35 last year and want a family ; the next relationship had to be The One .
But I could still be cool about it .
See , I ’ m stubborn and determined .
A Type A personality with a work ethic that won ’ t quit .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackled homework in high school , or researched restaurants for my last vacation : obsessively .
After all , dating is a numbers game .
More dates meant better odds .
So I filled my calendar .
By the end of the year , I ’ d met with 25 men , gone on dozens of second and third dates , and chatted up contenders until my phone burned hot in my hands .
Here ’ s what I learned from 12 months of chasing romance in NYC .
Dating in NYC is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year o ’ dating , I always figured I ’ d end up with someone like me : a hard-working New Yorker , an extrovert , a connector .
But on Hinge , I decided to open up the applicant pool to those with different résumés .
Everyone always talks about how hard it is to meet people in New York .
So I set wide parameters for age and geography , and spent a lot of time combing through profiles in the app ’ s Discover section .
When it came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the app , you “ heart ” someone to express interest — I erred on the side of yes .
I definitely wasn ’ t wanting for options : I found myself matching with everyone from barely legal 19-year-olds ( no , we didn ’ t meet up ! )
to silver-fox dads .
Some people just wanted sex ; others wanted something more serious .
Creeps were easy to spot — and dismiss — before IRL encounters .
Evenings took me everywhere from the Upper East Side bar Dorrian ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overeager , to the batting cages at Chelsea Piers .
I locked lips all over the city — once , side by side on adjacent docked Citi Bikes before we both pedaled to our respective homes .
Yes , I had a lot of weird nights .
But I also had some pleasant surprises .
My first post-breakup date was with an openly Republican lawyer from New Jersey renting a Financial District pied-à-terre .
When he learned my favorite food was chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven , he bought raw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came over .
On the flip side , some dates who seemed the most similar to me on paper — a journalist , say , or an NYC native — were better fits for the friend zone than the bedroom .
If you care , get personal .
Some people swear by stock pickup lines , but I think it ’ s tough enough to make a connection online .
So when I was really interested in someone ’ s profile , I sent a specific message about one of their photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hello !
I ’ m a runner too , and your CHEESY Swiss joke made me chuckle out loud.
” To a pop-punk fan : “ Blink-182 has SUCH good karaoke songs.
” That strategy held true true offline , too .
When I met a guy who shared my love of architecture , I brought him to the Grand Central Oyster Bar — a favorite , in part , because of the arched ceilings lined with Guastavino tiles .
I knew he would appreciate it as much as I do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed .
Small gestures moved me , from flowers on my birthday to personalized playlists to someone buying The Post expressly to read my work .
You ’ re not too busy to date .
Like most New Yorkers , I ’ m busy .
But I wanted to go on as many dates as possible , without sacrificing work or family or friends .
That required a lot of organizing and planning — which , luckily , is something I excel at .
To avoid wasting excess mental energy on trivial stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I found a go-to first-date outfit : well-fitting jeans , cute flats and a sleeveless paisley blouse that showed just the right amount of cleavage ( or a white eyelet shirt , if I was tan ) .
I kept a makeup bag at my work desk , so I ’ d always be ready to roll .
Instead of clearing my calendar for dates , I wove men into my plans .
I brought guys to post-softball-game drinks and a friend ’ s ugly-sweater party .
To avoid losing hours commuting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near my Upper East Side neighborhood .
When that wasn ’ t possible , I made sure the meet-up was at a bar or restaurant I wanted to try — a soup dumpling spot in Flushing , for example .
I got good at this .
I even managed to make time for romance when I flew to Las Vegas for a conference : One fortunate guy met me for a romantic weekend of hiking , eating and putting a hotel room to good use .
There were too many guys , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t follow “ The Rules ” — waiting a few days to text after a good date , not sleeping with someone until the third date .
That stuff is stupid , and it doesn ’ t work .
Some women don ’ t like to eat in front of guys .
Screw that .
Years in a relationship had reduced my weeknight tolerance , and if I ’ d been ashamed to order food , I would have paid with a hangover .
Finally , I decided to be honest — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I told men that I was still hurting from my breakup , that I was afraid to be tied down .
Anyone who I had a real shot with would need to understand that , and being myself made the dating process feel like less of a burden .
Playing the field is fun and exciting — but you can ’ t do it forever .
Dating burnout is real .
Looking back , I can see the signs that I was getting a little too deep in the Hinge binge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great time last night !
” text .
.
.
sent to someone I hadn ’ t met yet .
The times I accidentally ghosted some lovely guys .
The jolt of anxiety I felt X-ing away a potential suitor .
I was so laser-focused on finding the “ perfect ” person that I freaked out when I met someone I actually liked .
Remember that Grand Central Oyster Bar date ?
It turned into a second , third and fourth rendezvous — all in one week .
I was having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What if the next person who shows up on Hinge for me to ‘ heart ’ is actually my future husband ?
” I wailed to a friend .
A year after I downloaded Hinge , dude No .
24 and I will spend Valentine ’ s Day together .
He ’ s English , actually likes romantic comedies and is an exceptional cook .
We ’ re planning to take a photography class together , and we ’ ve booked a trip to the Caribbean .
Are we living happily ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m happy for now — and relieved to trade my first-date jeans for pajama pants .

A 28-year-old law student with two roommates in Washington Heights. A 46-year-old private equity exec and dad of two, from Cos Cob, Conn. A 44-year-old college dean, who traveled all the way from Philadelphia for Sunday brunch.
Welcome to my yearlong dating experiment in NYC — a city famous for its cutthroat singles scene.
It all started in the middle of the night last February, shortly after a 4½-year relationship crumbled. Lying in bed and squinting through tears, I downloaded Hinge and started scrolling.
I had two goals when I dove back into dating. The first: to have fun, and lots of it. My breakup had been painful, and I wasn’t ready to be vulnerable again.
But I also wanted to meet my future husband. Look, I turned 35 last year and want a family; the next relationship had to be The One. But I could still be cool about it.
See, I’m stubborn and determined. A Type A personality with a work ethic that won’t quit. So I took on the dating scene like I tackled homework in high school, or researched restaurants for my last vacation: obsessively. After all, dating is a numbers game. More dates meant better odds. So I filled my calendar.
‘More dates meant better odds. So I filled my calendar.’
By the end of the year, I’d met with 25 men, gone on dozens of second and third dates, and chatted up contenders until my phone burned hot in my hands. Here’s what I learned from 12 months of chasing romance in NYC.
The app scene is chaos. Embrace it.
Before my year o’ dating, I always figured I’d end up with someone like me: a hard-working New Yorker, an extrovert, a connector. But on Hinge, I decided to open up the applicant pool to those with different résumés.
Everyone always talks about how hard it is to meet people in New York. So I set wide parameters for age and geography, and spent a lot of time combing through profiles in the app’s Discover section. When it came to reaching out or responding to suitors — on the app, you “heart” someone to express interest — I erred on the side of yes.
I definitely wasn’t wanting for options: I found myself matching with everyone from barely legal 19-year-olds (no, we didn’t meet up!) to silver-fox dads. Some people just wanted sex; others wanted something more serious. Creeps were easy to spot — and dismiss — before IRL encounters.
Evenings took me everywhere from the Upper East Side bar Dorrian’s, a brotastic haunt of the young and overeager, to the batting cages at Chelsea Piers. I locked lips all over the city — once, side by side on adjacent docked Citi Bikes before we both pedaled to our respective homes.
‘Some dates … were better fits for the friend zone than the bedroom.’
Yes, I had a lot of weird nights. But I also had some pleasant surprises. My first post-breakup date was with an openly Republican lawyer from New Jersey renting a Financial District pied-à-terre. When he learned my favorite food was chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven, he bought raw dough to have on hand when I came over. On the flip side, some dates who seemed the most similar to me on paper — a journalist, say, or an NYC native — belonged in the friend zone, not the bedroom.
If you care, get personal.
Some people swear by stock pickup lines. Or that old standby: “Hi.” But when I was really interested in someone’s profile, I sent a specific message about one of their photos or interests. To a cute athlete: “Hello! I’m a runner too, and your CHEESY Swiss joke made me chuckle out loud.” To a pop-punk fan: “Blink-182 has SUCH good karaoke songs.”
That strategy held true true offline, too. When I met a guy who shared my love of architecture, I brought him to the Grand Central Oyster Bar — a favorite, in part, because of the arched ceilings lined with Guastavino tiles. I knew he would appreciate it as much as I do.
When men shared my philosophy, I noticed. Small gestures moved me, from flowers on my birthday to personalized playlists to someone buying The Post expressly to read my work.
You’re not too busy to date.
Like most New Yorkers, I’m overscheduled. But I wanted to go on as many dates as possible, without sacrificing work or family or friends. That required a lot of organizing and planning — which, luckily, is something I excel at.
To avoid wasting excess mental energy on trivial stuff, I systemized my dating look. I found a go-to first-date outfit: well-fitting jeans, cute flats and a sleeveless paisley blouse that showed just the right amount of cleavage (or a white eyelet shirt, if I was tan). I kept a makeup bag at my work desk, so I’d always be ready to roll.
Instead of clearing my calendar for dates, I wove men into my plans. I brought guys to post-softball-game drinks and a friend’s ugly-sweater party. To avoid losing hours commuting, I scheduled the bulk of my dates near my Upper East Side neighborhood. When that wasn’t possible, I made sure the meet-up was at a bar or restaurant I wanted to try anyway — a soup dumpling spot in Flushing, for example.
I got good at this. I even managed to make time for romance when I flew to Las Vegas for a conference: One fortunate dude met me for a romantic weekend of hiking, eating and putting a hotel room to good use.
Games are for insecure 20-year-olds.
There were too many guys, and not enough time. So I didn’t follow “The Rules” — waiting a few days to text after a good date, not sleeping with someone until the third date. That stuff is stupid, and it doesn’t work.
‘There were too many guys, and not enough time.’
Some women don’t like to eat in front of guys. Screw that. Years in a relationship had reduced my weeknight tolerance, and if I’d been ashamed to order food, I would have paid with a hangover.
Finally, I decided to be honest — even if it risked turning people off. I told men that I was still hurting from my breakup, that I was afraid to be tied down. Anyone who I had a real shot with would need to understand that, and being myself made the dating process feel like less of a burden.
Playing the field is fun and exciting — but you can’t do it forever.
Dating burnout is real. Looking back, I can see the signs that I was getting a little too deep in the Hinge binge.
There was my flirtatious “I had a great time last night!” text . . . sent to someone I hadn’t met yet. The times I accidentally ghosted some lovely guys. The jolt of anxiety I felt X-ing away a potential suitor.
‘I was getting a little too deep in the Hinge binge.’
I was so laser-focused on finding the “perfect” person that I freaked out when I met someone I actually liked.
Remember that Grand Central Oyster Bar date? It turned into a second, third and fourth rendezvous — all in one week. I was having a blast, but hesitated to commit.
“What if the next person the app shows me is actually my future husband?” I wailed to a friend. “I should keep swiping, right?”
Wrong.
A year after I downloaded Hinge, Oyster Bar guy (aka first date No. 24) and I will spend Valentine’s Day together. He’s English, actually likes romantic comedies and is an exceptional cook. We’re planning to take a photography class together, and we’ve booked a trip to the Caribbean.
Are we living happily ever after? Not yet. But I’m happy for now — and relieved to trade my first-date jeans for pajama pants.