It will be legally and morally catestrophic for the American society and its claim to democracy beyond its shores, if anything happens to Senator Obama. Protecting him will not be easy but neither will the rest of the world easily accepts US explanations. While non- American observers like me watch recent developments with facination and admire a new found courage found by US voters of all race and creed, we remain prayerful that the tempo sustains. One beautiful political card played by the O-Team and which will remain atop this weeks event, is how the Obama campaign team successfully provoked for the public to see, an easily ruffled Senator Clinton. That was a smart game. One wonders how she will cope with harpless thirdworld leaders on the loose, tamed diplomatic pugilist like Russias Mr.

Siemens holding the key to Disney's Spaceship Earth

Visitors to the newly updated Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot might experience the ride and miss the show.

Or they might experience the 26-year-old ride with a few new updates and spins, and catch the bevy of interactive games in the post-show area. And still, they might neither notice nor care about the real significance of the deal behind them, a pact that ties Walt Disney World and the global technology company Siemens AG with the kind of multifaceted partnership that illustrates how Disney World sells itself not just as a theme park but also as a marketing venue for all sorts of companies.

Siemens is a German company that generated about 68.6 billion euros (about $102 billion in today's U.S. currency) in sales last year making medical-device, power-grid, information-communication, transportation and automation and control systems, and has more than 6,000 employees in Florida, including those at the company's power headquarters on Alafaya Trail.

Seattle's soothing baseball voice headed to Cooperstown

I'm delighted that Dave Niehaus was named this year's recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, because this is as close as I'll come to having a close relative enter the Hall of Fame. Like everyone in the Northwest, I consider Niehaus a member of the family. He's been in my parents' home so many nights, he should pay rent, and he rides with me in my car so often, I should be able to use the carpool lane.

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Candidates press cases for Round 2

Yes he should back up his wife, but in the right manner. Every man who is a man should stand up for their woman. But i think the women are having to fight their husbands battles. AWWW Shame on you. I do think it is time for change. But Obama has not told us WHAT CHANGE. sorry I can't vote on that. But don't matter who it is they all give us hope and promises they don't keep. And why is it gay men can serve their country, as long as it is secret, But why can't gay women. I saw that on the commentary last night. could it be because you men feel we haven't earned our rights yet. But still you can't do without us. Who would have your babies. cook your meals, clean and do your laundry. not to mention, being home when you decided to come in after a night out comitting adultry, and the nerve to crawl in bed with your wife.

Woman accused of stealing $175,000 from Novato firm

A 34-year-old Napa woman has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling more than $175,000 from the Novato construction company where she worked as a bookkeeper, police said.

Kristy Lynn Gordon is in custody at the county jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. Prosecutors did not file charges Wednesday pending further review, and Gordon was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

The investigation began Friday when Gordon's employer, Tarrant Construction Inc. of Bel Marin Keys, told police it suspected the bookkeeper of stealing company funds. Gordon was arrested at work Tuesday morning.

Investigators suspect the embezzlement occurred from 1999 to the present, said Novato police Sgt. Keith Heiden. Police recovered items at Gordon's residence - including exercise equipment and electronics - they suspect were purchased with a stolen credit card, Heiden said.

Sports Columnists

Then again, he has been a football coach, an athletics director, a state icon and often all of those things at once during much of the past 44 years for barkers in the Bulldog Nation from Athens to Rome to Valdosta.

No question there.

A dance crew from Boston chases a shot at stardom on MTV

They grew up in some of Boston's roughest neighborhoods and found salvation in hip-hop dance. Now members of the troupe Status Quo are trying to survive their toughest professional challenge yet: capturing first place in MTV's "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" competition, a reality show pitting nine of the country's best, most energetic young dance crews in a can-you-top-this showdown offering a top prize of $100,000 and a shot at showbiz stardom.

Episodes of "Dance Crew" are taped Tuesdays in Los Angeles for broadcast Thursdays at 10 p.m. on MTV. Status Quo has already made it through two rounds and will compete again tonight. They could be dancing on thin ice this time, though, as the field shrinks and the show's three judges - rapper Lil Mama, singer-producer JC Chasez, and hip-hop choreographer Shane Sparks - grow stingier with their praise and start channeling their inner Simon Cowell.