newyorkpost--2020-01-28--The shock of losing Kobe Bryant

The shock of losing Kobe Bryant

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 ) We discuss celebrity reactions and Kobe ’ s legacy off the court .
Maggie and Ian also dive into all the behind the scenes drama at the Grammys and discuss Britain ’ s new royal hunk !
Kanye West , Ellen DeGeneres , and former president Barack Obama were among those who paid tribute Sunday to Kobe Bryant , who was killed in a helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant ’ s 13-year-old Gianna and Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli were also among the dead , according to TMZ .
“ Kobe , We love you brother , ” West wrote on Twitter , also sharing a photo with Bryant .
“ We ’ re praying for your family and appreciate the life you ’ ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.
” The biggest names in music gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night for the 2020 Grammys Awards .
Although it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kobe Bryant ) and controversy ( the ousting of Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan ) , in the end it was all about the music .
But there were other hits — and — misses during a long ceremony that stretched to nearly four hours .
He ’ s been billed as the new royal hunk .
And aside from showing off his rippling muscles on Instagram , Arthur Chatto — the queen ’ s great-nephew — is the first member of the royal family to admit he watches “ The Crown.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line to the throne as the son of Lady Sarah Chatto , Princess Margaret ’ s daughter , told the Telegraph ; “ Yes , I have watched it … I guess it ’ s only an interpretation .
So I just kind of remember what they ’ re actually like and don ’ t let the TV persona mar my judgment of any of them .
”

Kobe Bryant’s untimely death has shocked the world.
We discuss celebrity reactions and Kobe’s legacy off the court. Maggie and Ian also dive into all the behind the scenes drama at the Grammys and discuss Britain’s new royal hunk!
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Kanye West, Barack Obama and more mourn Kobe Bryant
Kanye West, Ellen DeGeneres, and former president Barack Obama were among those who paid tribute Sunday to Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41.
Bryant’s 13-year-old Gianna and Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli were also among the dead, according to TMZ.
“Kobe, We love you brother,” West wrote on Twitter, also sharing a photo with Bryant. “We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
Grammys’ biggest snubs and surprises of 2020
The biggest names in music gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night for the 2020 Grammys Awards. Although it was a ceremony marred by sadness (the death of Kobe Bryant) and controversy (the ousting of Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan), in the end it was all about the music.
But there were other hits — and — misses during a long ceremony that stretched to nearly four hours.
Meet the new royal hunk, Arthur Chatto
He’s been billed as the new royal hunk. And aside from showing off his rippling muscles on Instagram, Arthur Chatto — the queen’s great-nephew — is the first member of the royal family to admit he watches “The Crown.”
Chatto, 20, who is 26th in line to the throne as the son of Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter, told the Telegraph; “Yes, I have watched it … I guess it’s only an interpretation. So I just kind of remember what they’re actually like and don’t let the TV persona mar my judgment of any of them.”
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--‘Four Good Days’ is another cookie-cutter addiction movie

PARK CITY , Utah — The opioid addiction crisis is officially a movie genre now .
In 2018 , two were released , “ Beautiful Boy ” and “ Ben Is Back , ” and yet another premiered Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival .
Called “ Four Good Days , ” the drama stars Glenn Close as the mother of a 31-year-old heroin addict played by Mila Kunis , who is given a precious chance to beat her addiction with a special medication .
The catch ?
To use it , her body needs to be drug-free for four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-written by Rodrigo Garcia , “ Four Good Days ” moves forward addiction films by millimeters at most .
The previous two I mentioned , as their titles would suggest , were about teenage boys .
Kunis and Close ’ s film instead uniquely centers around an adult mother-daughter relationship .
Two , actually .
Kunis ’ character , Molly , is herself a mom .
That ’ s an enlightening dynamic , because life on the street with homeless addicts whose judgment has been warped by substance abuse is a much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and even with two strong lead performances , “ Four Good Days ” feels awfully well-worn .
These movies are truly becoming addicted to meh .
Molly starts off at rock-bottom , gets better , gets worse and gets better , just as in all the others .
And like Julia Roberts ( “ Ben is Back ” ) and Steve Carell ( “ Beautiful Boy ” ) , Close ’ s Deb is an iron-willed parent determined to get her daughter the help she so desperately needs .
Deb is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molly ’ s 15 failed stays in 3-day detox clinics .
When Molly arrives at Deb ’ s door at the beginning of the film , dirty and nearly toothless from drug use , her key doesn ’ t work .
“ We changed the locks last year after you and Eric stole the guitars , ” Deb coolly tells her and refuses to let her in .
But she relents and drags Molly to a nearby detox clinic , where an attendant asks her what she uses .
“ Heroin , methadone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” are all on her illicit grocery list .
After the doctor schedules an appointment to start her miracle medication , Molly goes to stay with Deb , simultaneously mending and testing a fractured relationship .
Close and Kunis manage to form a realistic and affecting mom-daughter bond , and Close especially employs her bellowing power in a “ Don ’ t f–k with me , fellas !
” way that adds some oomph .
But good though they are , the actors can ’ t overcome the grating tidiness of Garcia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberate devices such as a complicated puzzle Molly is working on , and a door alarm that eventually stops beeping are too “ Chicken Soup For The Soul ” for a film in which the main character has almost destroyed herself .
America ’ s opioid crisis must go away , and the glut of films about it should too .
At least until they have something new to say .

PARK CITY, Utah — The opioid addiction crisis is officially a movie genre now.
In 2018, two were released, “Beautiful Boy” and “Ben Is Back,” and yet another premiered Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival. Called “Four Good Days,” the drama stars Glenn Close as the mother of a 31-year-old heroin addict played by Mila Kunis, who is given a precious chance to beat her addiction with a special medication. The catch? To use it, her body needs to be drug-free for four days — an eternity.
Directed and co-written by Rodrigo Garcia, “Four Good Days” moves forward addiction films by millimeters at most. The previous two I mentioned, as their titles would suggest, were about teenage boys. Kunis and Close’s film instead uniquely centers around an adult mother-daughter relationship. Two, actually. Kunis’ character, Molly, is herself a mom.
That’s an enlightening dynamic, because life on the street with homeless addicts whose judgment has been warped by substance abuse is a much more dangerous existence for a woman.
Regardless, and even with two strong lead performances, “Four Good Days” feels awfully well-worn. These movies are truly becoming addicted to meh. Molly starts off at rock-bottom, gets better, gets worse and gets better, just as in all the others. And like Julia Roberts (“Ben is Back”) and Steve Carell (“Beautiful Boy”), Close’s Deb is an iron-willed parent determined to get her daughter the help she so desperately needs. Deb is a bit meaner, though, hardened by Molly’s 15 failed stays in 3-day detox clinics.
When Molly arrives at Deb’s door at the beginning of the film, dirty and nearly toothless from drug use, her key doesn’t work.
“We changed the locks last year after you and Eric stole the guitars,” Deb coolly tells her and refuses to let her in. But she relents and drags Molly to a nearby detox clinic, where an attendant asks her what she uses. “Heroin, methadone, some crack, Vicodin and Adderall” are all on her illicit grocery list.
After the doctor schedules an appointment to start her miracle medication, Molly goes to stay with Deb, simultaneously mending and testing a fractured relationship.
Close and Kunis manage to form a realistic and affecting mom-daughter bond, and Close especially employs her bellowing power in a “Don’t f–k with me, fellas!” way that adds some oomph. But good though they are, the actors can’t overcome the grating tidiness of Garcia and Eli Saslow’s script. Overly deliberate devices such as a complicated puzzle Molly is working on, and a door alarm that eventually stops beeping are too “Chicken Soup For The Soul” for a film in which the main character has almost destroyed herself.
America’s opioid crisis must go away, and the glut of films about it should too. At least until they have something new to say.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--House passes $10M for Holocaust education amid rise in anti-Semitic attacks

WASHINGTON — In a bid to ensure that future generations of Americans “ never forget , ” students would be taught the horrors of the Holocaust as part of a $ 10 million federal funding bill that passed the House on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Monday .
The “ Never Again Education Act ” introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney ( D-NY ) comes amid a troubling rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the Big Apple and fears that memories of the Holocaust will fade with the rapidly declining population of survivors .
Democrats and Republicans in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s impeachment trial but managed to work across the aisle in the House to get the bill passed .
“ I know that our children , our students , are not born with hate in their hearts .
Prejudice , hatred , anti-Semitism are learned over time , ” Maloney said Monday before the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support .
“ It is up to us to give our children , the antidote to such viral hatred , ” she said .
A stunning two-thirds of American millennials polled in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 22 percent said they had not heard of the Holocaust , according to the Anti-Defamation League survey .
“ Today far too many students in our country grow up , grow up without a basic knowledge of the horrors of the Holocaust , ” Maloney continued .
New York City is reeling after more than a dozen senseless anti-Semitic attacks over the holiday period .
The city has seen an alarming uptick in hate crimes against Jews , with a 26 percent spike between 2018 and 2019 .
Holocaust survivor Esther Peterseil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held back tears as she spoke about the recent hate crimes against Jews on US soil which had left the community “ afraid.
” “ For those of us fortunate to survive , many of us went to America where we realized our dream of being whole again , of being equal , and of being free , ” Peterseil said .
“ I cry when I say these words because today these dreams are under attack .
They are slowly being taken away from me , from us as Jews , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before asking US lawmakers to “ close the gates to hatred and bigotry.
” “ The Never Again Education Act can make that happen .
This is a history that can not be forgotten.
” The bill , introduced 20 years ago , was finally passed by the House with bipartisan lobbying from lead co-sponsors Rep. Don Bacon ( R-NE ) and Rep. Elise Stefanik ( R-NY ) .
“ Studies show that the Holocaust is fading from public memory , ” Stefanik said on Monday after more than 300 co-sponsors added their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educating students about the horrors of the Holocaust , we can take proactive measures to reject the hate and reject the bigotry that is fueling this dangerous trend , ” she continues .
The bill , if it passes the Senate , will expand the U.S .
Holocaust Memorial Museum ’ s education programming , providing lesson guides , learning materials and other resources to teachers across America .

WASHINGTON — In a bid to ensure that future generations of Americans “never forget,” students would be taught the horrors of the Holocaust as part of a $10 million federal funding bill that passed the House on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Monday.
The “Never Again Education Act” introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) comes amid a troubling rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the Big Apple and fears that memories of the Holocaust will fade with the rapidly declining population of survivors.
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are bitterly divided over President Trump’s impeachment trial but managed to work across the aisle in the House to get the bill passed.
“I know that our children, our students, are not born with hate in their hearts. Prejudice, hatred, anti-Semitism are learned over time,” Maloney said Monday before the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“It is up to us to give our children, the antidote to such viral hatred,” she said.
A stunning two-thirds of American millennials polled in 2018 did not know what Auschwitz was, while 22 percent said they had not heard of the Holocaust, according to the Anti-Defamation League survey.
“Today far too many students in our country grow up, grow up without a basic knowledge of the horrors of the Holocaust,” Maloney continued.
New York City is reeling after more than a dozen senseless anti-Semitic attacks over the holiday period. The city has seen an alarming uptick in hate crimes against Jews, with a 26 percent spike between 2018 and 2019.
Holocaust survivor Esther Peterseil, 95, of New York, held back tears as she spoke about the recent hate crimes against Jews on US soil which had left the community “afraid.”
“For those of us fortunate to survive, many of us went to America where we realized our dream of being whole again, of being equal, and of being free,” Peterseil said.
“I cry when I say these words because today these dreams are under attack. They are slowly being taken away from me, from us as Jews, from us as Americans,” she continued before asking US lawmakers to “close the gates to hatred and bigotry.”
“The Never Again Education Act can make that happen. This is a history that cannot be forgotten.”
The bill, introduced 20 years ago, was finally passed by the House with bipartisan lobbying from lead co-sponsors Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
“Studies show that the Holocaust is fading from public memory,” Stefanik said on Monday after more than 300 co-sponsors added their names to the bill.
“By educating students about the horrors of the Holocaust, we can take proactive measures to reject the hate and reject the bigotry that is fueling this dangerous trend,” she continues.
The bill, if it passes the Senate, will expand the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s education programming, providing lesson guides, learning materials and other resources to teachers across America.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--7th heaven: Roger Federer saves 7 match points, advances to Australian Open semifinals

MELBOURNE , Australia — Roger Federer was not going to go gently , of course , no matter how daunting the number of match points — his opponent accumulated seven !
— no matter how achy his 38-year-old legs , no matter how slow his serves , no matter how off-target his groundstrokes .
Federer still plays for the love of these stages and circumstances .
Still yearns for more trophies , too .
Down to his very last gasp , time and again , against someone a decade younger , 100th-ranked Tennys Sandgren of the United States , Federer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach the Australian Open semifinals for the 15th time .
Despite all sorts of signs he was not quite himself for much of the match , Federer beat the biceps-bearing , hard-hitting , court-covering Sandgren 6-3 , 2-6 , 2-6 , 7-6 ( 8 ) , 6-3 on Tuesday in a rollicking quarterfinal that appeared to be over long before it truly was .
“ As the match went on , I started to feel better again and all the pressure went away , ” 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer said afterward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , but I ’ m standing here and I ’ m obviously very , very happy.
” Federer was involved in a dispute with the chair umpire over cursing .
Left the court for a medical timeout early in the third set , then was visited by a trainer later for a right leg massage .
And , above all , found himself in a tense tussle with Sandgren , a 28-year-old from Tennessee who ’ s never been a major semifinalist and was trying to become the lowest-ranked man in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick McEnroe — John ’ s younger brother — was No .
114 in 1991 .
Oh , how close Sandgren came to the monumental upset .
After rolling through the second and third sets as Federer ’ s serves dropped from an average of 112 mph to 105 mph and his unforced errors totaled 30 , Sandgren led 5-4 in the fourth set .
With Federer serving , Sandgren had a trio of opportunities to end things and complete a career-defining victory .
On the first , Sandgren dumped a backhand into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pushed a forehand wide .
On the third , another forehand found the net .
On they went to a tiebreaker , which included the bizarre sight of a ballkid running into Sandgren ’ s right calf at the 3-all changeover .
Didn ’ t seem to bother the guy , though , because he grabbed the next three points to put himself a single point from winning .
But Sandgren failed to close the deal at 6-3 … or at 6-4 … or at 6-5 … or at 7-6 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll tell you that , ” Federer said .
“ Because in those seven match points , you ’ re not under control.
” On Federer ’ s own second chance to take that set and force a fifth , Sandgren hit a ball that landed near the baseline .
Federer thought it might be out — he turned to look at a line judge for a call that never came — yet barely flicked it back in a defensive manner , and Sandgren ’ s overhead smash went long .
Federer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the universal sign for “ I ’ m No .
1 !
” — and was on the right path .
He ended the victory with a service winner at 119 mph , a little more than an hour after first staring down defeat .

MELBOURNE, Australia — Roger Federer was not going to go gently, of course, no matter how daunting the number of match points — his opponent accumulated seven! — no matter how achy his 38-year-old legs, no matter how slow his serves, no matter how off-target his groundstrokes.
Federer still plays for the love of these stages and circumstances. Still yearns for more trophies, too. Down to his very last gasp, time and again, against someone a decade younger, 100th-ranked Tennys Sandgren of the United States, Federer somehow pulled off a memorable comeback to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the 15th time.
Despite all sorts of signs he was not quite himself for much of the match, Federer beat the biceps-bearing, hard-hitting, court-covering Sandgren 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-3 on Tuesday in a rollicking quarterfinal that appeared to be over long before it truly was.
“As the match went on, I started to feel better again and all the pressure went away,” 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer said afterward. “I don’t deserve this one, but I’m standing here and I’m obviously very, very happy.”
Federer was involved in a dispute with the chair umpire over cursing. Left the court for a medical timeout early in the third set, then was visited by a trainer later for a right leg massage.
And, above all, found himself in a tense tussle with Sandgren, a 28-year-old from Tennessee who’s never been a major semifinalist and was trying to become the lowest-ranked man in the Australian Open’s final four since Patrick McEnroe — John’s younger brother — was No. 114 in 1991.
Oh, how close Sandgren came to the monumental upset.
After rolling through the second and third sets as Federer’s serves dropped from an average of 112 mph to 105 mph and his unforced errors totaled 30, Sandgren led 5-4 in the fourth set. With Federer serving, Sandgren had a trio of opportunities to end things and complete a career-defining victory. On the first, Sandgren dumped a backhand into the net. On the second, he pushed a forehand wide. On the third, another forehand found the net.
On they went to a tiebreaker, which included the bizarre sight of a ballkid running into Sandgren’s right calf at the 3-all changeover. Didn’t seem to bother the guy, though, because he grabbed the next three points to put himself a single point from winning.
But Sandgren failed to close the deal at 6-3 … or at 6-4 … or at 6-5 … or at 7-6.
“Got to get lucky sometimes, I’ll tell you that,” Federer said. “Because in those seven match points, you’re not under control.”
On Federer’s own second chance to take that set and force a fifth, Sandgren hit a ball that landed near the baseline. Federer thought it might be out — he turned to look at a line judge for a call that never came — yet barely flicked it back in a defensive manner, and Sandgren’s overhead smash went long.
Federer wagged his right index finger overhead — the universal sign for “I’m No. 1!” — and was on the right path. He ended the victory with a service winner at 119 mph, a little more than an hour after first staring down defeat.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Kobe Bryant remembered by late night hosts after tragic death

LeBron James said he is “ not ready ” to say goodbye ...

You can add late-night hosts to the list of those who admired Kobe Bryant.
Several hosts delivered monologues dedicated to the memory of Bryant, who tragically died with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash Sunday morning.
An emotional Jimmy Fallon recalled meeting Bryant at a party when the NBA star was a 17-year-old rookie with the Lakers. Fallon re-told a story of making a beer run with Bryant to Pink Dot, a delivery-only grocery store in Los Angeles. After being told the store only delivers, Fallon described Bryant using his status as an NBA player to acquire beer.
“Kobe takes out his ID and he puts it up against the glass and he goes, ‘I’m a Laker!’” Fallon recalled with a laugh. “The guy opened the door and we walked out with five cases of beer and saved the party.”
Conan O’Brien, who films his late-night show “Conan” in Burbank, California, called Bryant a “hero.” The 56-year-old comedian went on to praise Bryant’s sense of humor before showing a montage of the NBA legend’s appearances on the show.
“He was naturally very funny and charming, he really was,” O’Brien said. “A terrific guest. A superstar does not have to be a great guest but he just was. Whenever he was on our show, he was a joy to talk with.
“That’s the guy I’ve been thinking about the last 24 hours.”
Jimmy Kimmel also shared memories of the future Hall of Famer, noting he had appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” 15 times as a guest.
Out of respect to Bryant, Kimmel said there was no studio audience for Monday’s show, according to Deadline.
“That was a punch in the gut for many of us,” Kimmel said of the tragedy. “Kobe was a hero, in the way Superman is a hero. He was so…big and full of life, it was almost like he was a fictional character.”
Monday’s late-night monologues are just the latest in a series of tributes to the life and career of the 18-time All-Star.
“Kobe, when we meet again, we’re going on a beer run,” Fallon said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--How 49ers’ assistant Katie Sowers became Super Bowl trailblazer

MIAMI — Google , a list of goals and a greater sense of purpose instilled by her father helped turn Katie Sowers into a trailblazer .
Sowers was earning $ 800 a month working in elementary school education in 2010 .
Was she happy impacting children ?
Yes .
Was she fulfilled ?
Not even close .
“ There was a point in my life where I wrote down my goals when I felt lost , and one of the things I wanted to do was something that nobody ever has done before , ” Sowers said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just knew I was meant to be a coach .
My dad was a coach.
” Sowers , an offensive assistant coach for the 49ers , will become the first woman and the first openly gay person to participate in a Super Bowl when her side battles the Chiefs .
She didn ’ t set out to be the first .
“ Then you are racing other women , ” Sowers said .
“ It ’ s more important than I ’ m not the last.
” Sowers was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opening Night ” at Marlins Park not because of her role running the scout team , drawing up play cards or filling a position on the practice field .
Her gender and sexual orientation are the reasons .
“ I will know we are successful when it ’ s not a headline anymore , ” Sowers said .
Younger women send Sowers notes thanking her for setting forth a path to football at all levels .
Older women send Sowers notes wistfully admitting they wish years ago they had the opportunities she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-time WNBA all-star , was hired as an assistant coach by the NBA ’ s Spurs in 2014 .
On the day that happened , Sowers posted a note to her Instagram account : “ Coming for the NFL.
” “ When I found football it all made sense , ” Sowers said .
“ Google does a lot of good things .
I was done with all my sports I played in college and I was bored and I was trying to figure out what ’ s next .
I found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey.
” Sowers played in the Women ’ s Football Alliance from 2013-16 and found a way into an NFL coaching internship with the Falcons with help from Scott Pioli — the longtime executive for the Patriots , Chiefs ( general manager ) and Falcons , and son-in-law of Bill Parcells .
Pioli ’ s daughter was coached by Sowers in youth basketball .
By then , Sowers already had been turned down for a women ’ s basketball coaching job at her alma mater , Goshen College , based on her sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Indiana state law .
With Sowers sharing her story on the national stage , Goshen issued an apology this week and pointed to its non-discrimination policy adopted in 2015 .
Too little , too late for Sowers , but never too late for someone else .
“ I have no hard feelings , ” Sowers said .
“ Adversity is something that always happens , no matter who you are , where you are .
You can see it as a roadblock or you can see it as a detour .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led me here .
We just continue to make progress .
If we just turn hatred toward the ignorance , it ’ s never going to get better.
” Now the star of a commercial for the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 laptop , Sowers hopes young girls see the ad — which will be difficult to miss on televisions this week — and ask questions that lead to big dreams .
“ It was almost to the point where I had to think about if I was really , truly watching it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole life was kind of coming full circle .
[ Players ] are always saying , ‘ Katie , you are on the commercial again !
’ ” Sowers met open-minded offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in the Falcons organization , and he brought her with him through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship when hired as the 49ers head coach in 2017 .
She was promoted to full-time assistant in 2019 and describes her coaching style as “ more of a teacher , more player-oriented ” but not a “ screamer.
” What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s needed , ” Sowers said .
“ That ’ s the mindset you have to have .
You are never too good .
I walked people ’ s dogs when I first started as an NFL coach .
You are never too cool to walk someone ’ s dog .
You do whatever is necessary to get the job done.
” Gaining acceptance in a male-dominated profession was not as difficult as you think , once in the door , she says .
“ Not when you work with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ I had to be myself .
The more authentic you are , the more people trust you , the more people buy into what you are saying .
If you try to be someone else , you lose all respect.
” Sowers certainly commands the respect now .
It only will continue growing with a Super Bowl ring .
Or a coordinator job .
Or , dare to dream , a head coaching position .
“ The future is left to be told , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m going to take a job where I know I can continue to impact .
That ’ s here and today and right now in the present moment .
”

MIAMI — Google, a list of goals and a greater sense of purpose instilled by her father helped turn Katie Sowers into a trailblazer.
Sowers was earning $800 a month working in elementary school education in 2010.
Was she happy impacting children? Yes. Was she fulfilled? Not even close.
“There was a point in my life where I wrote down my goals when I felt lost, and one of the things I wanted to do was something that nobody ever has done before,” Sowers said. “I kind of spoke it into existence. I just knew I was meant to be a coach. My dad was a coach.”
Sowers, an offensive assistant coach for the 49ers, will become the first woman and the first openly gay person to participate in a Super Bowl when her side battles the Chiefs. She didn’t set out to be the first.
“Then you are racing other women,” Sowers said. “It’s more important than I’m not the last.”
Sowers was one of the stars Monday night at “Super Bowl Opening Night” at Marlins Park not because of her role running the scout team, drawing up play cards or filling a position on the practice field. Her gender and sexual orientation are the reasons.
“I will know we are successful when it’s not a headline anymore,” Sowers said.
Younger women send Sowers notes thanking her for setting forth a path to football at all levels. Older women send Sowers notes wistfully admitting they wish years ago they had the opportunities she has helped create.
Becky Hammon, a six-time WNBA all-star, was hired as an assistant coach by the NBA’s Spurs in 2014. On the day that happened, Sowers posted a note to her Instagram account: “Coming for the NFL.”
“When I found football it all made sense,” Sowers said. “Google does a lot of good things. I was done with all my sports I played in college and I was bored and I was trying to figure out what’s next. I found a team in Michigan and began my football journey.”
Sowers played in the Women’s Football Alliance from 2013-16 and found a way into an NFL coaching internship with the Falcons with help from Scott Pioli — the longtime executive for the Patriots, Chiefs (general manager) and Falcons, and son-in-law of Bill Parcells. Pioli’s daughter was coached by Sowers in youth basketball.
By then, Sowers already had been turned down for a women’s basketball coaching job at her alma mater, Goshen College, based on her sexual orientation, as allowed at the time under Indiana state law.
With Sowers sharing her story on the national stage, Goshen issued an apology this week and pointed to its non-discrimination policy adopted in 2015. Too little, too late for Sowers, but never too late for someone else.
“I have no hard feelings,” Sowers said. “Adversity is something that always happens, no matter who you are, where you are. You can see it as a roadblock or you can see it as a detour. That moment is part of my path that led me here. We just continue to make progress. If we just turn hatred toward the ignorance, it’s never going to get better.”
Now the star of a commercial for the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 laptop, Sowers hopes young girls see the ad — which will be difficult to miss on televisions this week — and ask questions that lead to big dreams.
“It was almost to the point where I had to think about if I was really, truly watching it,” Sowers said, “because my whole life was kind of coming full circle. [Players] are always saying, ‘Katie, you are on the commercial again!’ ”
Sowers met open-minded offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in the Falcons organization, and he brought her with him through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship when hired as the 49ers head coach in 2017. She was promoted to full-time assistant in 2019 and describes her coaching style as “more of a teacher, more player-oriented” but not a “screamer.”
What are her day-to-day responsibilities?
“Anything that’s needed,” Sowers said. “That’s the mindset you have to have. You are never too good. I walked people’s dogs when I first started as an NFL coach. You are never too cool to walk someone’s dog. You do whatever is necessary to get the job done.”
Gaining acceptance in a male-dominated profession was not as difficult as you think, once in the door, she says.
“Not when you work with the group of guys I work with,” she said. “I had to be myself. The more authentic you are, the more people trust you, the more people buy into what you are saying. If you try to be someone else, you lose all respect.”
Sowers certainly commands the respect now. It only will continue growing with a Super Bowl ring. Or a coordinator job. Or, dare to dream, a head coaching position.
“The future is left to be told,” she said. “It’s still unwritten. I’m going to take a job where I know I can continue to impact. That’s here and today and right now in the present moment.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Good Samaritan stops ski mask-clad sex attacker in Brooklyn subway station

A good Samaritan helped stop a ski mask-wearing assailant who was sexually assaulting a woman in a Brooklyn subway station @ @ @ @ @ .
The suspect followed a woman into the bathroom of the 95th Street R station @ @ @ @ @ 10 a.m. , punched her in the face several times and started sexually assaulting her @ @ @ @ @ The woman screamed for help during the attack , and a good Samaritan opened the @ @ @ @ @ said : “ What ’ s going on in here ?
” The attacker shut @ @ @ @ @ good Samaritan pounded on it until the suspect stopped the attack and ran off .
@ @ @ @ @ all black and a black ski mask , police said .
The woman suffered bruising @ @ @ @ @ rushed to a nearby hospital after the attack .

A good Samaritan helped stop a ski mask-wearing assailant who was sexually assaulting a woman in a Brooklyn subway station Monday morning, cops said.
The suspect followed a woman into the bathroom of the 95th Street R station in Bay Ridge at about 10 a.m., punched her in the face several times and started sexually assaulting her, according to police.
The woman screamed for help during the attack, and a good Samaritan opened the door to the restroom and said: “What’s going on in here?”
The attacker shut the door, but the good Samaritan pounded on it until the suspect stopped the attack and ran off.
He was last seen wearing all black and a black ski mask, police said.
The woman suffered bruising to her face and was rushed to a nearby hospital after the attack.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Adorable dog saved after running onto NYC highway

An adorable dog needed to be saved after he got loose and ran onto the FDR Drive on the East @ @ @ @ @ night , cops said .
Daiki , a 4-year-old Shiba Inu , darted into the @ @ @ @ @ Drive just before the Manhattan Bridge at around 9 p.m. — and a good Samaritan @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
Sgt .
Carlos Nieves said on Twitter that he arrived to @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There ’ s a guy chasing her on the highway , ” he @ @ @ @ @ gentleman catches her .
First thing he tells me is ‘ I ’ m afraid @ @ @ @ @ Nieves brought Daiki to safety and able to locate his owners .
“ Just wish @ @ @ @ @ the good Samaritans name that saved Daiki , ” he wrote .

An adorable dog needed to be saved after he got loose and ran onto the FDR Drive on the East Side of Manhattan on Monday night, cops said.
Daiki, a 4-year-old Shiba Inu, darted into the northbound lanes of the FDR Drive just before the Manhattan Bridge at around 9 p.m. — and a good Samaritan helped save the day, according to police.
Sgt. Carlos Nieves said on Twitter that he arrived to witness Daiki playing in traffic.
“There’s a guy chasing her on the highway,” he wrote. “And the gentleman catches her. First thing he tells me is ‘I’m afraid of dogs.'”
Nieves brought Daiki to safety and was able to locate his owners.
He posted a reunion video to Twitter.
“Just wish I would’ve gotten the good Samaritans name that saved Daiki,” he wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Eli Manning Hall of Fame debate is no-brainer for Richard Sherman

It ’ s unfair to measure an athlete ’ s career by such a ...

There is no debate in Richard Sherman’s mind:
Eli Manning belongs in the Hall of Fame.
To Sherman, Manning is a Hall of Famer because he twice led the Giants to magical Super Bowl runs and beat Tom Brady and the Patriots twice, once ruining a perfect season for him and them.
“I do think Eli’s a Hall of Famer,” the elite 49ers cornerback said in response to a “Super Bowl Opening Night” question by The Post. “I think people underestimate what it means to run through the Super Bowl … there’s a reason so few low seeds have never won a Super Bowl. The teams that he’s done it with are probably 30, 40 percent of the low seeds that have won Super Bowls.
“And he’s played at a high level. His teams haven’t always been great, he hasn’t always been surrounded by talent and when he has, he’s played pretty well.
“But to run through the playoffs, some of the teams he beat, he beat the all-time great quarterback of all time twice — and two of the best teams of all time. He beat an undefeated team of all time. He beat an undefeated team that had Randy Moss on it who had just come off a record-breaking season. Who does that?
“And so for those reasons, I believe he’s a Hall of Famer.”
Asked if he had intercepted Manning, Sherman smiled and said: “I got him a couple of times. That’s why you want him in the Hall of Fame — the more Hall of Fame quarterbacks you get, the more chance you got to be in there.”
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Accused Hanukkah stabber Grafton Thomas unfit for trial, psychiatrist finds

Accused Hanukkah stabber Grafton Thomas was found by a psychiatrist to be incompetent to stand trial on federal hate crime charges for allegedly stabbing five Orthodox Jews last month , his lawyer said Monday .
Thomas ’ attorney , Michael Sussman , has asked a federal judge to hold a competency evaluation for his client , the lawyer said Monday in a statement .
The federal court gave the US Attorney ’ s office two weeks to respond to Sussman ’ s request .
Thomas , 37 , is facing federal hate crimes charges for the alleged Dec. 28 attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monsey , New York .
He is accused of using an 18-inch machete to carry out the bloodbath .
The most seriously injured victim , 72-year-old Josef Neumann , remains in a coma with a fractured skull and other injuries .
Thomas has pleaded not guilty to 10-hate crime charges .
Thomas has also pleaded not guilty to state charges , including attempted murder , stemming the same attack .
At his arraignment for those charges , prosecutors argued he was mentally fit to stand trial for the “ deliberate and intentional ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail in federal custody .

Accused Hanukkah stabber Grafton Thomas was found by a psychiatrist to be incompetent to stand trial on federal hate crime charges for allegedly stabbing five Orthodox Jews last month, his lawyer said Monday.
Thomas’ attorney, Michael Sussman, has asked a federal judge to hold a competency evaluation for his client, the lawyer said Monday in a statement.
The federal court gave the US Attorney’s office two weeks to respond to Sussman’s request.
Thomas, 37, is facing federal hate crimes charges for the alleged Dec. 28 attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York.
He is accused of using an 18-inch machete to carry out the bloodbath.
The most seriously injured victim, 72-year-old Josef Neumann, remains in a coma with a fractured skull and other injuries. Thomas has pleaded not guilty to 10-hate crime charges.
Thomas has also pleaded not guilty to state charges, including attempted murder, stemming the same attack.
At his arraignment for those charges, prosecutors argued he was mentally fit to stand trial for the “deliberate and intentional” crime.
Thomas is being held without bail in federal custody.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--How Tyreek Hill went from ugly accusation to Super Bowl 2020

It would have been hard to imagine Tyreek Hill playing ...

MIAMI — There was a time last spring that it would have been hard to imagine Tyreek Hill sitting on a podium here Monday night at Marlins Park talking about playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Hill was accused of breaking his 3-year-old son’s arm in March, then audio surfaced in April of him speaking in a threatening tone to his fiancée. He was not permitted to participate in any activities with the Chiefs all spring or go to their building. Ultimately, the district attorney in Johnson County, Kan. decided not to press charges and the NFL said there was not enough evidence to suspend him, clearing the way for Hill to play this season.
Now, he is at Super Bowl 2020 with a chance to be a star on the biggest stage.
“I had a rough patch or whatever but I was able to bounce through because of my faith and because of the people I had around me and my support cast,” Hill said at the “Opening Night” extravaganza here. “I was able to still see my son. My son knows what’s going on. Having my son around me during those moments was a real big thing I needed and realize that, ‘Hey bro, I’m always going to be here and I’m always going to be your father. I love you.’ He still tells me to this day, ‘Daddy, you’re my best friend no matter what.’ ”
Even though it appeared Hill might face a lengthy suspension or even jail time, the 25-year-old said he never doubted he would be in a Chiefs uniform this year.
“I always knew I was going to play,” Hill said. “Some things had to get worked out. I had to trust the process and that’s it.”
The Chiefs were confident, too.
“We felt confident in the information that was presented before us,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. “We have been around the kid and feel good about where he is and where he’s going.”
Before the season started, the Chiefs signed Hill to a three-year, $54 million contract extension. Hill went from a possible suspension to financial security.
“I feel like the Chiefs, they gave me this opportunity and I’m not going to take it for granted,” Hill said. “I’m not only playing for myself. I’m playing for my kids. I’m playing for my city and I’m playing for the organization. Everything I do is going to be on them and it’s going to be on my kids.”
Hill missed four games with a broken collarbone, but starred for the Chiefs when he was on the field. He had 58 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. Hill said the contract extension from the Chiefs did not only mean a lot to him, but to the people in his hometown of Douglas, Ga.
“It gave a lot of people hope where I’m from. I came from a small city,” Hill said. “A lot of people don’t have a lot of money where I’m from. I’m the first kid from my city to ever make it this far. For the Chiefs to give me the amount of money, I’m truly blessed. I thank them for that.
“I would never let those guys down.”
Hill could make the Chiefs look awfully smart for sticking by him if he can blow the lid off the 49ers defense Sunday with his speed.
“I feel like this game right here is where you leave a legacy at,” Hill said. “If you want to be remembered, whether it’s good or bad, I feel like this is the game. The media is watching. This game is where you separate yourself from a lot of players. A lot of people say I want to be the best receiver in the league, I want to be this, I want to be that. Well, here’s your chance to prove it. You want to be the best? Prove it on the biggest stage in the world.”
Hill will likely face 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, a matchup he is looking forward to.
“Richard Sherman, I respect your game, man,” Hill said. “Thank you for locking down all the receivers you have faced. You are truly a GOAT, man, and I really hope we can jersey swap after the game. Much respect to you. Stay healthy, stay humble and keep grinding.”
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie could take Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s duties: royal expert

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could easily step up to the plate and take on some of the responsibilities previously looked after by their cousin Prince Harry — if they choose to .
Royal biographer and “ The Crown ” consultant Robert Lacey told Hello !
magazine on Monday that the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew could take on more prominent members of royal family following “ Megxit.
” “ It ’ s quite clear that one of the consequences is that Beatrice and Eugenie will now be brought forward — if they ’ re willing to be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If two go out , two have got to come in , and those two have got to be Beatrice and Eugenie .
I ’ m sure they will step forward and be greatly welcomed .
It ’ s what the family needs as it ’ s another 15 years before Prince George ’ s generation steps up .
It ’ s ironic that Harry mentioned his cousins as models of how he wants to be.
” Currently , both princesses have regular full-time jobs that they balance with their royal duties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 31 , works as the vice president at data and software company Afiniti .
Meanwhile , her sister Eugenie , 29 , is an art gallery director .
Royal expert Phil Dampier previously shared that Sophie , Countess of Wessex would be the ideal royal to step up and take over after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced they were taking “ a step back ” as senior royals .
Sophie , 55 , is the wife of Prince Edward , the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II .
“ With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew taking a back seat because of the Epstein scandal , [ the royal family is ] becoming seriously under-staffed , ” Dampier told UK ’ s Daily Mail .
“ Prince Philip is retired at 98 , the queen is nearly 94 and Charles and Camilla are in their 70s.
” Dampier also noted that Princess Anne turns 70 this year and the queen ’ s cousins are in their 80s .
“ Prince Edward has kept a very low profile in recent years but his wife , Sophie , has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he continued .
“ She is very close to Her Majesty and is a favorite of hers .
Recently she has been on several overseas trips and done fantastically well .
Now that her children are a bit older I think there could be a great role for her to play.
” “ I think [ Sophie ] wants to do more and would happily step up to the plate and take over more duties if asked , ” Dampier continued .
“ Charles has to realize that you can slim down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of royals to do the nitty-gritty work.
” He added : “ Sophie would be perfect to take up some of the slack and I think she has the potential to be a royal superstar given the chance .
If it was Sophie ’ s choice I think she would grab it with both hands.
” Harry and his wife Meghan , the Duchess of Sussex , announced on Jan. 8 they will take “ a step back ” as senior members of the royal family and instead work independently , splitting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said their decision came “ after many months of reflection and internal discussions.
” “ We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution , ” the couple shared on Instagram .
“ We intend to step back as ‘ senior ’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent , while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen .
It is with your encouragement , particularly over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make this adjustment .
“ We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America , continuing to honor our duty to The Queen , the Commonwealth , and our patronages , ” they continued .
“ This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born , while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter , including the launch of our new charitable entity.
” The couple added they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monarch , 93 , as well as Harry ’ s father Prince Charles and his older brother , Prince William .
“ We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course , as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen , The Prince of Wales , The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties .
Until then , please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support , ” the Sussexes wrote .
They will keep their royal titles .

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could easily step up to the plate and take on some of the responsibilities previously looked after by their cousin Prince Harry — if they choose to.
Royal biographer and “The Crown” consultant Robert Lacey told Hello! magazine on Monday that the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew could take on more prominent members of royal family following “Megxit.”
“It’s quite clear that one of the consequences is that Beatrice and Eugenie will now be brought forward — if they’re willing to be brought forward,” said Lacey.
“If two go out, two have got to come in, and those two have got to be Beatrice and Eugenie. I’m sure they will step forward and be greatly welcomed. It’s what the family needs as it’s another 15 years before Prince George’s generation steps up. It’s ironic that Harry mentioned his cousins as models of how he wants to be.”
Currently, both princesses have regular full-time jobs that they balance with their royal duties, Harper’s Bazaar reported. Beatrice, 31, works as the vice president at data and software company Afiniti. Meanwhile, her sister Eugenie, 29, is an art gallery director.
Royal expert Phil Dampier previously shared that Sophie, Countess of Wessex would be the ideal royal to step up and take over after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced they were taking “a step back” as senior royals.
Sophie, 55, is the wife of Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II.
“With Harry and Meghan off the scene and Andrew taking a back seat because of the Epstein scandal, [the royal family is] becoming seriously under-staffed,” Dampier told UK’s Daily Mail. “Prince Philip is retired at 98, the queen is nearly 94 and Charles and Camilla are in their 70s.”
Dampier also noted that Princess Anne turns 70 this year and the queen’s cousins are in their 80s.
“Prince Edward has kept a very low profile in recent years but his wife, Sophie, has become a star in her own right,” he continued. “She is very close to Her Majesty and is a favorite of hers. Recently she has been on several overseas trips and done fantastically well. Now that her children are a bit older I think there could be a great role for her to play.”
Dampier called Sophie “fit and full of energy.”
“I think [Sophie] wants to do more and would happily step up to the plate and take over more duties if asked,” Dampier continued. “Charles has to realize that you can slim down too much and they are running out of royals to do the nitty-gritty work.”
He added: “Sophie would be perfect to take up some of the slack and I think she has the potential to be a royal superstar given the chance. If it was Sophie’s choice I think she would grab it with both hands.”
Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced on Jan. 8 they will take “a step back” as senior members of the royal family and instead work independently, splitting their time between the United Kingdom and Canada.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said their decision came “after many months of reflection and internal discussions.”
“We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple shared on Instagram. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honor our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” they continued. “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”
The couple added they will continue to work with the reigning monarch, 93, as well as Harry’s father Prince Charles and his older brother, Prince William.
“We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support,” the Sussexes wrote.
They will keep their royal titles.
Fox News’ Nate Day contributed to this report.


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Jets castoff Darron Lee on ‘crazy’ Super Bowl 2020 journey with Chiefs

MIAMI — One year ago Darron Lee was a member of the Jets , coming off his third losing season in three years in the NFL and had just finished a four-game suspension .
A year later , he is at the Super Bowl as a member of the Chiefs .
“ Surreal , ” Lee said on Monday night , standing on the field at Marlins Park as part of Super Bowl 2020 ’ s “ Opening Night.
” “ Life ’ s a crazy journey .
It ’ s a hell of a journey , honestly .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m here to see this and hopefully bring this thing home and continue to win a lot more in my career.
” The Jets drafted Lee in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft .
He did not do a lot of winning .
The inside linebacker went 14-34 in his three seasons with the Jets .
He fell out of favor with inconsistent play and then his suspension for violating the league ’ s drug policy last season .
The Jets gave everyone a clue they were ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C.J .
Mosley in March for $ 51 million guaranteed .
Still , Lee held out hope he would stay with the Jets .
Lee was shipped to the Chiefs on May 15 , just hours after Mike Maccagnan was fired as general manager .
Adam Gase sent Lee to Kansas City for a sixth-round pick , his first move as interim GM .
One funny sidenote to the Lee trade was how he had campaigned for new uniforms for the Jets for several years .
The team finally got new uniforms in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I never got to wear them .
Talk about irony , ” Lee said .
“ I loved them .
I ’ m glad the fans love them .
I ’ m glad they can enjoy them.
” Lee said he did not expect to be traded , but was not upset .
“ It ’ s a business .
You can ’ t be too emotionally attached , ” Lee said .
“ They made a business decision on what they felt was going to be better for their team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mad about that .
I gave everything I had to that organization .
I ’ m very thankful to the organization .
They drafted me and they made a little boy ’ s dream come true.I ’ ll forever be grateful for that .
I don ’ t feel any raw emotions about that .
I miss them .
I hope they ’ re doing all right , the guys and everything .
But it ’ s business.
” Lee started two games this season and played in all 16 regular-season games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been inactive for every playoff game and likely will be again on Sunday .
Still , he will be in line for a Super Bowl ring if the Chiefs win .
Lee said he believed the Chiefs could win it all when he got to Kansas City .
“ I had that feeling in my stomach .
Now , we ’ re here , ” Lee said .
“ All we have to do is play 60 minutes of hard-nosed football on Sunday and we ’ ll go home with it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to the latest episode of the “ Gang ’ s All Here ” podcast :

MIAMI — One year ago Darron Lee was a member of the Jets, coming off his third losing season in three years in the NFL and had just finished a four-game suspension.
A year later, he is at the Super Bowl as a member of the Chiefs.
“Surreal,” Lee said on Monday night, standing on the field at Marlins Park as part of Super Bowl 2020’s “Opening Night.” “Life’s a crazy journey. It’s a hell of a journey, honestly. The best part is I’m glad I’m here to see this and hopefully bring this thing home and continue to win a lot more in my career.”
The Jets drafted Lee in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He did not do a lot of winning. The inside linebacker went 14-34 in his three seasons with the Jets. He fell out of favor with inconsistent play and then his suspension for violating the league’s drug policy last season. The Jets gave everyone a clue they were ready to move on from Lee when they signed C.J. Mosley in March for $51 million guaranteed. Still, Lee held out hope he would stay with the Jets.
Lee was shipped to the Chiefs on May 15, just hours after Mike Maccagnan was fired as general manager. Adam Gase sent Lee to Kansas City for a sixth-round pick, his first move as interim GM.
One funny sidenote to the Lee trade was how he had campaigned for new uniforms for the Jets for several years. The team finally got new uniforms in April and he was gone in May.
“I never got to wear them. Talk about irony,” Lee said. “I loved them. I’m glad the fans love them. I’m glad they can enjoy them.”
Lee said he did not expect to be traded, but was not upset.
“It’s a business. You can’t be too emotionally attached,” Lee said. “They made a business decision on what they felt was going to be better for their team moving forward. I can’t be mad about that. I gave everything I had to that organization. I’m very thankful to the organization. They drafted me and they made a little boy’s dream come true.I’ll forever be grateful for that. I don’t feel any raw emotions about that. I miss them. I hope they’re doing all right, the guys and everything. But it’s business.”
Lee started two games this season and played in all 16 regular-season games, mainly on special teams. He has been inactive for every playoff game and likely will be again on Sunday. Still, he will be in line for a Super Bowl ring if the Chiefs win.
Lee said he believed the Chiefs could win it all when he got to Kansas City.
“I had that feeling in my stomach. Now, we’re here,” Lee said. “All we have to do is play 60 minutes of hard-nosed football on Sunday and we’ll go home with it.”
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Man charged with drug possession busted for smoking joint in front of judge

This court hearing really went to pot .
A Tennessee man allegedly lit up and smoked a joint during his @ @ @ @ @ possession charge Monday .
Spencer Boston , 20 , addressed the judge and argued for @ @ @ @ @ putting on a blunt act in Wilson County court , the Tennessean reported .
As @ @ @ @ @ the smell of weed wafted through the air and the courtroom burst into laughter .
@ @ @ @ @ things I ’ ve ever seen , ” Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan told WTVF @ @ @ @ @ smoke , and in a joint effort , deputies led Boston out of the courtroom @ @ @ @ @ was booked on a second charge of simple drug possession and was hit with ten @ @ @ @ @ of court .
The man ’ s bond was set at $ 3,000 .

This court hearing really went to pot.
A Tennessee man allegedly lit up and smoked a joint during his court appearance on a drug possession charge Monday.
Spencer Boston, 20, addressed the judge and argued for new marijuana legislation moments before putting on a blunt act in Wilson County court, the Tennessean reported.
As he lit the doobie, the smell of weed wafted through the air and the courtroom burst into laughter.
“One of the craziest things I’ve ever seen,” Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan told WTVF.
Through a cloud of smoke, and in a joint effort, deputies led Boston out of the courtroom, Bryan said.
He was booked on a second charge of simple drug possession and was hit with 10 days in jail for contempt of court.
The man’s bond was set at $3,000.


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Sofia Kenin’s surprise Australian Open run reaches semifinals

MELBOURNE , Australia — Sofia Kenin ’ s breakthrough run at Grand Slam tournament has continued to the semifinals at the Australian Open .
The 21-year-old Kenin beat No .
78-ranked Ons Jabeur 6-4 , 6-4 in the first match Tuesday on Rod Laver Arena .
Both were playing in the quarterfinals at a major for the first time .
Jabeur , a 25-year-old Tunisian , was the first Arab woman to make it to the last eight at a major .
For Kenin , who was born in Moscow but moved to the United States as a baby and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of difficulty increased dramatically .
In the semifinals , she ’ ll play either top-ranked Ash Barty , the French Open champion who is aiming to break an Australian drought at the national championship , or two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova , who reached the final here last year .
Kenin planned to watch the match , which followed hers on Rod Laver Arena , and enjoy it .
She didn ’ t have a preference for who she plays next .
“ I ’ m in the semis , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re playing really well.
” Kenin is playing her best tennis , too .
Her best previous run at Melbourne Park ended in the second round , when she lost to Simona Halep last year .
He best previous run at a Grand Slam tournament was to the fourth round at the French Open last year .
She finished the year ranked 14th , and could match No .
1 Barty in one category : they were tied for most hard-court wins on the women ’ s tour last year with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run here included a comeback win in the third round against 15-year-old Coco Gauff , when she made only nine unforced errors across the second and third sets .
In the second set against Jabeur , she saved three break points in a long sixth game , then broke serve in the seventh game to set up the win .
“ It was a tough moment , ” Kenin said .
“ I didn ’ t know it was 10 minutes [ but ] it was pretty long , the game .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later men ’ s quarterfinals , 20-time major winner Roger Federer was playing 100th-ranked Tennys Sandgren , and seven-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic had a night match against Milos Raonic of Canada .

MELBOURNE, Australia — Sofia Kenin’s breakthrough run at Grand Slam tournament has continued to the semifinals at the Australian Open.
The 21-year-old Kenin beat No. 78-ranked Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4 in the first match Tuesday on Rod Laver Arena. Both were playing in the quarterfinals at a major for the first time.
Jabeur, a 25-year-old Tunisian, was the first Arab woman to make it to the last eight at a major.
For Kenin, who was born in Moscow but moved to the United States as a baby and grew up in Florida, the degree of difficulty increased dramatically.
In the semifinals, she’ll play either top-ranked Ash Barty, the French Open champion who is aiming to break an Australian drought at the national championship, or two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who reached the final here last year.
Kenin planned to watch the match, which followed hers on Rod Laver Arena, and enjoy it. She didn’t have a preference for who she plays next.
“I’m in the semis,” she said. “”Anyone I play, they’re playing really well.”
Kenin is playing her best tennis, too. Her best previous run at Melbourne Park ended in the second round, when she lost to Simona Halep last year. He best previous run at a Grand Slam tournament was to the fourth round at the French Open last year.
She finished the year ranked 14th, and could match No. 1 Barty in one category: they were tied for most hard-court wins on the women’s tour last year with 38 wins each.
Kenin’s run here included a comeback win in the third round against 15-year-old Coco Gauff, when she made only nine unforced errors across the second and third sets.
In the second set against Jabeur, she saved three break points in a long sixth game, then broke serve in the seventh game to set up the win.
“It was a tough moment,” Kenin said. “I didn’t know it was 10 minutes [but] it was pretty long, the game. After that I got my momentum.”
In later men’s quarterfinals, 20-time major winner Roger Federer was playing 100th-ranked Tennys Sandgren, and seven-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic had a night match against Milos Raonic of Canada.


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Kobe Bryant gear pulled from Nike’s online shop in wake of tragic death

Nike has stopped selling Kobe Bryant merchandise on their website to prevent resellers from profiting on the NBA legend ’ @ @ @ @ @ said .
When shoppers search for Bryant ’ s products on the Nike website , @ @ @ @ @ to a statement from the company about the star ’ s death .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ the digital sale rack was made to thwart buyers who will likely resell the gear @ @ @ @ @ ESPN reported , citing company sources .
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed @ @ @ @ @ when the helicopter they were flying in crashed near Los Angeles in California .
In @ @ @ @ @ , Nike called the five-time NBA champion “ one of the greatest athletes of his @ @ @ @ @ our deepest sympathies to those closest to Kobe , especially his family and friends , @ @ @ @ @ “ He was a beloved member of the Nike family .
We will miss him @ @ @ @ @ ” they added .

Nike has stopped selling Kobe Bryant merchandise on its website to prevent resellers from profiting on the NBA legend’s death, a report said.
When shoppers search for Bryant’s products on the Nike website, they’re now directed to a statement from the company about the star’s death.
The decision to pull the merchandise off the digital sale rack was made to thwart buyers who will likely resell the gear at higher prices, ESPN reported, citing company sources.
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were killed along with seven other people when the helicopter they were flying in crashed near Los Angeles, California.
In the statement on its website, Nike called the five-time NBA champion “one of the greatest athletes of his generation.”
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those closest to Kobe, especially his family and friends,” the company wrote.
“He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly. Mamba Forever,” it added.


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Alan Dershowitz tells Senate ‘abuse of power’ is not an impeachable offense

Alan Dershowitz , the Harvard law professor brought in to assist ...

Alan Dershowitz, the 81-year-old Harvard Law professor hired by President Trump’s legal team, railed against House Democrats’ “vague and open-ended” impeachment charges Monday.
“Purely non-criminal conduct, including ‘abuse of power’ and ‘obstruction of justice,’ are outside the range of impeachable offences,” Dershowitz told the Senate in his hour-long address.
“That is the key argument I am presenting today.”
The constitutional scholar said he feared future presidents would be charged under “unconstitutional grounds.”
“‘Abuse of power’ is an accusation easily leveled by political opponents against controversial presidents in our long history,” he said.
“Many presidents have been accused of abusing their power.”
Dershowitz, a former adviser to O.J. Simpson’s legal team, made the remarks on the second day of arguments from the White House legal team, who will finish presenting their defense on Tuesday.
He also railed against the new bombshell from John Bolton’s upcoming tell-all memoir that President Trump allegedly confessed to withholding nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine until it committed to investigating Joe Biden.
“Nothing in the Bolton revelations, even if true, would rise to an impeachable offense,” he said.
It was a complete 180-degree flip from his position during the 1998 impeachment trial of Bill Clinton where Dershowitz argued a crime was not necessary to impeach.
The celebrity lawyer, 81, said he had gone back and after “extensive research” found the framers only intended impeachment be used for criminal acts such as treason and bribery.
“If you don’t like the president’s policies and climate change, vote for the other candidate, find a candidate who has better policies on climate change,” he said.
“If you don’t like the president’s tweets, find somebody who doesn’t tweet — that will be easy — but don’t allow your subjective judgments to determine what is and is not an impeachable offense,” he continued.
Dershowitz’s opponents say Trump has been charged with two “common law” crimes, and while they aren’t part of the federal criminal code, have been the law of the land for centuries, which means Trump is eligible for impeachment.
Dramatically bringing with him to the stand weathered legal books from the 18th century, the attorney accused a Democrat-controlled Congress of using impeachment as a political tool.
“Quid pro quo alone is not a basis for abuse of power. It’s part of the way foreign policy has been operated by presidents since the beginning of time,” he said.
The Harvard Law professor has made headlines himself over the past year for representing convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his 2005 trial and negotiating his controversial 2008 plea deal with then-US Attorney Alex Acosta.
Accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre named Dershowitz as one of the men she claims the late Epstein lent her out to for sex, allegations the attorney has vehemently denied.


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--The untold origins of Kobe Bryant’s famed Mamba Mentality

Former Knicks assistant coach Phil Weber was not the least ...

As the sports world eulogizes Kobe Bryant — who died Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a tragic helicopter crash — most will remember his scoring, others his work ethic and winning. Some even his storytelling and underrated humor.
But all will recall his toughness, his famed Mamba Mentality that was ahead of its time, the Freud of sports psychology. And The Post spoke with some of those who were around to see it germinate from its early stages, before Bryant ever reached the NBA he went on to dominate.
Jim Sturgis and Rich Kosik were working the famed ABCD Camp in Teaneck (N.J.) when Bryant came before his junior (1994) and senior (’95) seasons at Lower Merion (Pa.) High School. The camp included academic classes, but Bryant didn’t need the SAT prep work. What he dove headfirst into was Critical Thinking and Sports Psychology.
“He sat right in front and asked questions. It was at a time people didn’t think much about the mental aspect of the game, it wasn’t talked about,” said Sturgis, a senior guidance counselor at St. Raymond High School in The Bronx and a double major at Columbia University. “He sat up front, asked great questions about that, and he wanted to become good at it.”
Bryant became great at it, arguably the mentally toughest player the NBA has seen. And as the Mamba’s legend grew, Sturgis watched with pride from afar.
“Years later he came back to the camp and mentioned, ‘Listen to the guys talking about the mental aspect of basketball, using your mind to become a better player.’ It’s gratifying. Not many players at that age come into a camp [thinking that way]. They just want to play ball, they want to dribble, rebound, shows skills. Kobe was different.”
While Sturgis taught the sports psychology class — along with George Zografos, an assistant principal in Cherry Hill (N.J.) — Kosik oversaw them all. He was the academic director of a camp that required players do three hours of classwork daily before basketball. And he saw in this inquisitive teen the seeds of the perfectionist he would later become.
“Each day he’d linger at the end of class, talking to the teachers. You’d see him at lunchtime asking further questions about this or that. It wasn’t the typical reaction,” Kosik told The Post. “The one thing that impressed me was he came back for two or three years. He was just great. You just knew he was going to be successful.
“What really struck me was three or four years after he got into the NBA, he came back to speak in the camp. … He gave a great talk to the kids — which LeBron James referred to Friday after he passed Kobe [on the NBA scoring list]. He remembered being in the audience to hear Kobe talk to the kids. I was just totally impressed with him. This was a guy that got it.”
And that it went beyond just the five NBA titles he went on to win, or the 18 All-Star berths he earned or the 33,643 points he scored. It was understanding as a teen — not much older than Gianna had been — that the most important muscle was the mind. That’s what led to Bryant crafting such a successful life.
“He wanted to do something with his life,” Kosik said. “He didn’t go to college, but he’d educated himself. His eyes were wide open, his ears piqued and listening to people. With all the life experience he’d gathered a great base of information and able to do significantly positive things.
“He was just an impressive young man, and just look how he turned out. It’s just very sad that he and his daughter and the other two or three other little girls on her team were on that [helicopter]. It’s just a terrible loss, a terrible loss.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-27--Yankees hire Doug Davis as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager

The Yankees ’ revolving door of Triple-A managers continued Monday , when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre named Doug Davis its fourth manager in four seasons .
Davis takes over for Jay Bell , who left the organization this offseason because the former big-leaguer wanted “ to pursue major league coaching positions , ” general manager Brian Cashman told The Post in October .
Bell ended up going down a level to become manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas , the newly formed Double-A affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels in Madison , Ala .
Despite the never-ending managerial turnover , the RailRiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 and won the league championship in 2016 under Al Pedrique , who now is the Oakland Athletics third base coach .
Davis was the RailRiders ’ bullpen coach last season , and has worked various roles under Bell , Bobby Mitchell ( 2018 ) and Pedrique ( 2017 ) .
The 57-year-old Davis played seven major league games between the Angels and Rangers in 1998 and 1992 , and has managed 999 games in the minors ( 515-484 ) .
Davis will retain pitching coach Tommy Phelps and hitting coach Phil Plantier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were added as defensive coaches .
Bossi signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and became a coach within the organization as 2017 .
Dominguez was with the Trenton Thunder ( Double-A ) last year , and is embarking on his 14th season with the Yankees .

The Yankees’ revolving door of Triple-A managers continued Monday, when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre named Doug Davis its fourth manager in four seasons.
Davis takes over for Jay Bell, who left the organization this offseason because the former big-leaguer wanted “to pursue major league coaching positions,” general manager Brian Cashman told The Post in October.
Bell ended up going down a level to become manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the newly formed Double-A affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels in Madison, Ala.
Despite the never-ending managerial turnover, the RailRiders have made the postseason every season since 2015 and won the league championship in 2016 under Al Pedrique, who now is the third base coach for the Oakland Athletics.
Davis was the RailRiders’ bullpen coach last season, and has worked various roles under Bell, Bobby Mitchell (2018) and Pedrique (2017).
The 57-year-old Davis played seven major league games between the Angels and Rangers in 1988 and 1992, and has managed 999 games in the minors (515-484).
Davis will retain pitching coach Tommy Phelps and hitting coach Phil Plantier, while Aaron Bossi and Raul Dominguez were added as defensive coaches.
Bossi signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and became a coach within the organization as 2017. Dominguez was with the Trenton Thunder (Double-A) last year, and is embarking on his 14th season with the Yankees.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Bernie Sanders’ profitable public service and other commentary

For all that socialist Bernie Sanders talks about “ the collective good , ” his “ 30 years in Washington , DC , ” have largely helped his own good , notes Peter Schweizer at Fox News — making the senator and his family “ quite wealthy.
” Case in point : When Vermont elected Sanders to Congress in 1990 , his wife Jane became “ one of her husband ’ s top aides , ” eventually “ setting up a company that operated under three different names to provide income tied to Bernie ’ s political career.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which “ brought in a huge sum of money , ” of which “ nearly $ 83 million ” went to a “ mysterious limited liability company ” tied to Jane Sanders .
In short , Sanders has always made sure that taxpayer and donor money “ went to the family.
” “ With Bernie Sanders gaining steam a week before the Iowa caucuses , tormented Democrats are second-guessing ” their “ hands-off ” approach to him , reports Politico ’ s Natasha Korecki .
“ They fear ” a left-wing version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the idea that Donald Trump could ever win the nomination , until he became unstoppable.
” The Dem establishment worries “ a self-described Democratic socialist would cede must-win battlegrounds to Trump , ” but it ’ s “ caught in a catch-22 : Attack Sanders and risk galvanizing his supporters and turning him into a martyr of the far-left .
Or leave him alone and watch him continue to gather momentum.
” Some say “ Sanders ’ competitors should have hit him harder on the debate stage and on the campaign trail.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody likes ” him , she “ suffered a backlash , and Sanders has only gained strength.
” The initial rave reviews for Jeanine Cummins ’ latest novel , “ American Dirt , ” should have made for a “ grand old-fashioned literary success story , ” sighs The American Conservative ’ s Robert W. Merry — but it tells of “ a desperate mother fleeing Mexican narco gangsters with her 8-year-old son in a frenzied quest for safety in the United States , ” and critics decided that Cummins has “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” New York Times reporters Jennifer Schuessler and Alexandra Alter even seem to suggest that “ there is a legitimate debate over who gets to decide how a story is told before any book is published or perhaps even written , ” Merry says — an argument with “ a tinge of totalitarianism.
” The simple response : “ Let writers write , ” because the critics ’ arguments are “ a danger to the principle of free expression.
” When she “ taught at Washington and Lee University last spring , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ buy a couple dozen copies ” of The News-Gazette , the weekly newspaper in Lexington , Va. , for her class .
It showcased “ the importance of localism and community in the digital age ” for her students — after all , “ the most trusted news stories come from reporters who are actually part of the localities on which they are reporting.
” Yet “ more and more local newspapers across the country are closing , ” forcing locals to rely on national media .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” as News-Gazette publisher Matt Paxton puts it ; by avoiding “ the general polarization of national politics , ” they are “ the heart of where the trust in news lives.
” Buffalo , Chicago and Washington , DC , are all moving to K-12 classroom use of The 1619 Project , The New York Times Magazine series that , Reason ’ s Robby Soave explains , “ posits that the institution of slavery was so embedded in the country ’ s DNA ” that “ the American Revolution was launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though top liberal historians have called it “ flat-out wrong.
” One of its most egregious claims : Plantation economics led directly to modern capitalism .
“ Mandating the use of The 1619 Project in K-12 curricula is at best premature until these issues are resolved and the Times makes a good faith effort to answer its critics , ” historian Phil Magness told Reason , adding that “ it continues to be marred by its empirically debunked and explicitly anti-capitalist assessment of the economics of slavery .
”

Conservative: Bernie’s Profitable Public Service
For all that socialist Bernie Sanders talks about “the collective good,” his “30 years in Washington, DC,” have largely helped his own good, notes Peter Schweizer at Fox News — making the senator and his family “quite wealthy.” Case in point: When Vermont elected Sanders to Congress in 1990, his wife Jane became “one of her husband’s top aides,” eventually “setting up a company that operated under three different names to provide income tied to Bernie’s political career.” That extended to his 2016 presidential campaign, which “brought in a huge sum of money,” of which “nearly $83 million” went to a “mysterious limited liability company” tied to Jane Sanders. In short, Sanders has always made sure that taxpayer and donor money “went to the family.”
Eye on 2020: Dems’ Freak-Out Over Sanders
“With Bernie Sanders gaining steam a week before the Iowa caucuses, tormented Democrats are second-guessing” their “hands-off” approach to him, reports Politico’s Natasha Korecki. “They fear” a left-wing version of 2016, when “mainstream Republicans scoffed at the idea that Donald Trump could ever win the nomination, until he became unstoppable.” The Dem establishment worries “a self-described Democratic socialist would cede must-win battlegrounds to Trump,” but it’s “caught in a catch-22: Attack Sanders and risk galvanizing his supporters and turning him into a martyr of the far-left. Or leave him alone and watch him continue to gather momentum.” Some say “Sanders’ competitors should have hit him harder on the debate stage and on the campaign trail.” But after Hillary Clinton declared “nobody likes” him, she “suffered a backlash, and Sanders has only gained strength.”
Culture critic: More ‘Appropriation’ Censorship
The initial rave reviews for Jeanine Cummins’ latest novel, “American Dirt,” should have made for a “grand old-fashioned literary success story,” sighs The American Conservative’s Robert W. Merry — but it tells of “a desperate mother fleeing Mexican narco gangsters with her 8-year-old son in a frenzied quest for safety in the United States,” and critics decided that Cummins has “no business writing about the travails of Mexicans.” New York Times reporters Jennifer Schuessler and Alexandra Alter even seem to suggest that “there is a legitimate debate over who gets to decide how a story is told before any book is published or perhaps even written,” Merry says — an argument with “a tinge of totalitarianism.” The simple response: “Let writers write,” because the critics’ arguments are “a danger to the principle of free expression.”
Media watch: The Reporters People Trust
When she “taught at Washington and Lee University last spring,” the Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito would “buy a couple dozen copies” of The News-Gazette, the weekly newspaper in Lexington, Va., for her class. It showcased “the importance of localism and community in the digital age” for her students — after all, “the most trusted news stories come from reporters who are actually part of the localities on which they are reporting.” Yet “more and more local newspapers across the country are closing,” forcing locals to rely on national media. That’s why community newspapers are “needed and critical,” as News-Gazette publisher Matt Paxton puts it; by avoiding “the general polarization of national politics,” they are “the heart of where the trust in news lives.”
Education beat: ‘1619’ Debunked, But in Schools
Buffalo, Chicago and Washington, DC, are all moving to K-12 classroom use of The 1619 Project, The New York Times Magazine series that, Reason’s Robby Soave explains, “posits that the institution of slavery was so embedded in the country’s DNA” that “the American Revolution was launched” to ensure its survival — even though top liberal historians have called it “flat-out wrong.” One of its most egregious claims: Plantation economics led directly to modern capitalism. “Mandating the use of The 1619 Project in K-12 curricula is at best premature until these issues are resolved and the Times makes a good faith effort to answer its critics,” historian Phil Magness told Reason, adding that “it continues to be marred by its empirically debunked and explicitly anti-capitalist assessment of the economics of slavery.”
— Compiled by Karl Salzmann & Kelly Jane Torrance


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--The latest bogus dating term ‘whelmed’ has us crying fatigue

Dating in 2020 comes with an unusual obligation : to keep up with an entire lexicon that ’ s updated every three minutes , with quippy terms meant to encapsulate every conceivable type of heartbreak .
As if just getting out there isn ’ t insufferable enough .
The latest tedious entry is “ whelming.
” Coined by writer Patia Braithwaite in a Self magazine essay , “ whelming is what happens when my matches spontaneously lament about how overwhelmed they are by their other matches instead of , you know , flirting with me , ” writes Braithwaite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actual dating apparatus , the guilty party will “ vent ” about how they ’ re juggling so many potential paramours on so many sites — on a date with an actual potential paramour .
“ I ’ ve matched with quite a few men who have felt the need to tell me that they have so many matches and that they ’ re overwhelmed , ” one exasperated single tells Braithwaite .
Yet “ whelming ” actually has us longing for simpler days when “ ghosting ” was a quaint novelty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps painful ) compendium of the worst dating terms of the past decade , including cougar ( an older woman who dates younger men ) , catfish ( to trick someone through a false online persona ) and the now-ubiquitous “ Netflix and chill ” ( to invite someone over under the guise of streaming shows together , with the actual intention of hooking up ) .
This month , The Post added to its end-of-decade dating dictionary , including “ Fleabagging ” ( to serially date people who just aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hit TV series ) , “ White Clawing ” ( to date someone exclusively for their good looks — inspired by the popular brand of hard seltzer ) and , naturally , to bring it full circle , “ Caspering ” ( to ghost someone but offer an explanation for it ) .
Forget bringing roses and chocolate on your date this Valentine ’ s Day — a dictionary may come more in handy .

Dating in 2020 comes with an unusual obligation: to keep up with an entire lexicon that’s updated every three minutes, with quippy terms meant to encapsulate every conceivable type of heartbreak.
As if just getting out there isn’t insufferable enough.
The latest tedious entry is “whelming.” Coined by writer Patia Braithwaite in a Self magazine essay, “whelming is what happens when my matches spontaneously lament about how overwhelmed they are by their other matches instead of, you know, flirting with me,” writes Braithwaite.
Instead of talking about something outside of the actual dating apparatus, the guilty party will “vent” about how they’re juggling so many potential paramours on so many sites — on a date with an actual potential paramour.
“I’ve matched with quite a few men who have felt the need to tell me that they have so many matches and that they’re overwhelmed,” one exasperated single tells Braithwaite.
Yet “whelming” actually has us longing for simpler days when “ghosting” was a quaint novelty. The Post compiled an exhaustive (and perhaps painful) compendium of the worst dating terms of the past decade, including cougar (an older woman who dates younger men), catfish (to trick someone through a false online persona) and the now-ubiquitous “Netflix and chill” (to invite someone over under the guise of streaming shows together, with the actual intention of hooking up).
This month, The Post added to its end-of-decade dating dictionary, including “Fleabagging” (to serially date people who just aren’t good for you — inspired by the hit TV series), “White Clawing” (to date someone exclusively for their good looks — inspired by the popular brand of hard seltzer) and, naturally, to bring it full circle, “Caspering” (to ghost someone but offer an explanation for it).
Forget bringing roses and chocolate on your date this Valentine’s Day — a dictionary may come more in handy.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Kobe Bryant’s death ‘hits home’ for his Mets idol Darryl Strawberry

Kobe Bryant may have been born in Philadelphia , but when it came to baseball the late NBA legend loved the Amazins .
“ He would always tell me he was a Mets fan and that I was his favorite player , ” Mets great Darryl Strawberry told the team ’ s official blog on Monday .
“ I was always honored when a great player like Kobe would say I was his favorite .
So what happened Sunday naturally hits home for me.
” On Sunday , the 41-year-old Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California helicopter crash while traveling to Bryant ’ s basketball facility .
“ I am heartbroken for his wife and [ three ] daughters , ” Strawberry said .
“ I just can ’ t imagine what they are feeling like today.
” Strawberry didn ’ t say how Bryant , who had a unique upbringing , became a Mets fan .
The Lakers great was born in Philadelphia but spent most of his childhood in Italy , where his father Joe continued his professional basketball career after retiring from the NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area for high school , where he dominated before jumping straight to the NBA for a career that spanned two decades and five NBA titles .
Bryant was born eight years before Strawberry and the Mets won the World Series in 1986 .
“ What happened to Kobe just makes you understand that you can ’ t take anything in life for granted , ” said Strawberry , a survivor of colon cancer who also has fought drug and alcohol addictions .
“ Nothing is given .
You have to be thankful for @ @ @ @ @

Kobe Bryant may have been born in Philadelphia, but when it came to baseball, the late NBA legend loved the Amazin’s.
“He would always tell me he was a Mets fan and that I was his favorite player,” Mets great Darryl Strawberry told the team’s official blog on Monday. “I was always honored when a great player like Kobe would say I was his favorite. So what happened Sunday naturally hits home for me.”
On Sunday, the 41-year-old Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others close to the family were killed in a Southern California helicopter crash while traveling to Bryant’s basketball facility.
The tragedy rocked the world, Strawberry included.
“I am heartbroken for his wife and [three] daughters,” Strawberry said. “I just can’t imagine what they are feeling like today.”
Strawberry didn’t say how Bryant, who had a unique upbringing, became a Mets fan.
The Lakers great was born in Philadelphia, but spent most of his childhood in Italy, where his father, Joe, continued his professional basketball career after retiring from the NBA.
Bryant eventually returned to the Philly area for high school, where he dominated before jumping straight to the NBA for a career that spanned two decades and five NBA titles.
Bryant was born eight years before Strawberry and the Mets won the World Series in 1986.
“What happened to Kobe just makes you understand that you can’t take anything in life for granted,” said Strawberry, a survivor of colon cancer who also has fought drug and alcohol addictions. “Nothing is given. You have to be thankful for each new day.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--Video resurfaces of Kobe Bryant’s incredible HS slam dunk contest

LOS ANGELES — They are not ready to heal .
Not ...

Even at the age of 15, Kobe Bryant was a prodigy. Years before he would take the NBA by storm and win five championships, he was dunking like a pro.
In the wake of his tragic death in a helicopter accident on Sunday, footage of Bryant’s first slam dunk contest had come to light and it’s a spectacle, back in high school days at Lower Merion in Philadelphia. It includes a tomahawk dunk, Bryant slamming over two youngsters kneeling in the lane and Bryant tossing the ball in the air, catching it at its apex and flushing it backwards.
Bryant won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie.


newyorkpost--2020-01-28--What these modern diners get right — and wrong — about the New York diner

It took his latest run-in with the law , but troubled ...

New Yorkers love their diners. But what is a New York diner, exactly?
New iterations of the breed keep popping up: There’s Carnegie Diner & Cafe, open from 6 a.m. to midnight, at Seventh Avenue and West 57th Street, and the new Soho Diner, chef Ken Addington’s 24-hour spot at the Soho Grand Hotel.
But these latest “diner” simulations are not the greasy spoons we once knew and loved.
It used to be that diners, the ultimate all-American eateries, were defined by their structure. Traditionally, these all-day restaurants were harbored in free-standing replicas of train cars. Some of NYC’s most iconic examples, like the Moondance in Soho, are sadly extinct, while a precious few — such as Square Diner in Tribeca, the Pearl in FiDi and Neptune Diner in Astoria — hang in there.
But “coffee shops” — diners in all but architecture, occupying storefront spaces inside larger buildings — are still kicking, despite some highly publicized closings. Among my modern-breed Manhattan favorites are New Amity, on the Upper East Side, and Midtown’s the Red Flame and Park Café.
New York City’s modern diners have some shared traits: They serve breakfast all day, stay open late (ideally, all night) and pour the worst coffee in town. Sugar-bomb cakes and pies hold court in display cases, while patrons slouch in square, laminated booths — the most luxurious restaurant seating in the universe, and a diner’s reason for being. There’s an anything-goes culinary spirit (lasagna and a chocolate ice cream soda? Sure!) and an emphasis on speed: Any diner worth its rice-crusted salt shakers can turn out large platters of London broil as swiftly as they can English muffins.
New Amity co-owner Mario Stivaros said his cozy eatery with colonnaded booths “feels like home. The waiters know everybody. The people are happy.”
They shouldn’t be “gussied up,” says diner doyen Richard J.S. Gutman — author of “American Diner: Then and Now” and three other books on the subject — although they increasingly are. Newer diners, he says, “stretch the limits of design features,” leaning hard into the 1920s aesthetic that call back to the eatery’s heyday. But a true diner should still be “pretty plain,” he says.
So, how do Carnegie and Soho measure up?
Carnegie, run by Stix chef Stathis Antonakopoulos, isn’t as plain as it could be, with its trendy subway-tiled walls and vivid images of musicians from the concert hall across the street. And Soho is so full of HoJo-like decor — counter seats, chrome, Formica, a jukebox — that my dining companion Stephen Silverman announced, “I feel like I’m in Hollywood Studios at Disney World!” (As the author of “The Amusement Park: 900 Years of Thrills and Spills, and the Dreamers and Schemers Who Built Them,” he would know.)
Carnegie Diner & Cafe, 205 W. 57th St.
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And can we really call them diners when the coffee I had at both was actually tolerable?
Still, Carnegie and Soho are a lot more authentic than other joints that hijacked the diner moniker. The Spanish Diner at Hudson Yards is a sprawling brasserie. The mercifully short-lived Bowery Diner served whelks — whelks! — along with scrambled eggs.
Soho Diner avoids that particular embarrassment. Still, more standard offerings, like huevos rancheros and kasha knish, share the menu with decidedly un-diner-like vegan matcha milkshakes and glasses of orange wine. French fries, problematically, are labeled “market sides.” A high-proof “orange Julius” has a suspicious air of boozy pretension. But juicy, porterhouse-size ham steak and scrambled eggs made up for the shtick.
Soho Diner, 310 West Broadway
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For all its modern touches, Carnegie Diner is more comfortingly old-school. Its menu focuses on the classics — waffles and a (damn good) thin-sliced pastrami sandwich — plus a few eyebrow-raisers — Israeli couscous? — as is wont to be the case on the best diner menus. Don’t expect typical diner speedy service — we waited and waited for our food — but they won us back with their lovable, old-timey spirit.
Take that questionable couscous. Arriving after a long wait (“They couldn’t find it,” the waiter explained), it resembled the cold quinoa and chickpeas of any salad bar.
Were they sure this was “Israeli”?
“I’m not sure what nationality,” the waiter said sheepishly. “I’m Greek.”