Let's honor them and honor this great nation

The Turkish economy, which has seen several years of stronggrowth, has been battered by the currency global economiccrisis, and liquidity in the emerging markets destination hasalso dried up, further hurting companies. The IMF program wouldseek to bolster investor sentiment.(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Bonds. For those of us that watched Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. coming up through the ranks, we watched one of the most naturally-gifted fighters since the young Roy Jones Jr take on all comers in the Jr.

Lightweight/Super Featherweight division. He outclassed veteran Tony Pep to earn his shot at WBC 130lb Champion Genaro Hernandez, before pitching a virtual shutout and making the once-beaten champion quit in eight rounds. Mayweather then defended his prized belt against Angel Manfredy, Justin Juuko, Carlos Gerena, Diego Corrales (R.I.P.), Carlos Hernandez, and Jesus Chavez.Mayweather then moved up to the lightweight division and challenged its top fighter for his WBC crown, Jose Luis Castillo. He won a closely disputed decision, a decision which boxing fans (including myself) thought deserved an immediate rematch. Mayweather obliged. In the rematch he clearly outboxed Castillo and won a more clear decision (which was mysteriously closer on the scorecards) and put the critics to rest.Mayweather fought respectable opposition in the lightweight division before moving up to the Jr. Welterweight division and beating a still-dangerous Arutro Gatti (R.I.P.) for his WBC 140 lb title. Floyd fought Henry Bruseles and DeMarcus Corley in eliminator bouts to earn his shot at Gatti. Fans (including myself) wanted him to fight 140 lb kingpin Kostya Tszyu. Mayweather never fought Tszyu. He chose instead to move up to 147 and take his shot at the linear welterweight champion Zab Judah, a stop on the road to the biggest paycheck of his career, Oscar De La Hoya.He got his fight (and a reported $25-30 million) with De La Hoya. This marked the unquestioned end to Floyd Mayweather as a serious championship fighter, and opened the door to the era of "Money" Mayweather, the prize fighter...his prize being the money. Mayweather could have unified his welterweight title with any of the other titleists, but chose instead to oblige a disrespectful Ricky Hatton's challenge.After Floyd handed Hatton his first loss by impressive knockout he walked away from another record payday with De La Hoya and retired. If you thought that Floyd was really retired, you may be one of the few that thought Sarah Palin was properly-qualified to be a Vice Presidential candidate.In Floyd's absence Manny Pacquiao was crowned the pound-for-pound king after a (questionable) victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, and destructions of David Diaz, a dried-up De La Hoya, and an exposed Ricky Hatton.When Floyd ran afoul of the IRS he announced his comeback. Juan Manuel Marquez called him out after he battered Juan Diaz. Mayweather took the challenge and won a shutout victory over the little man that gave Pacquiao fits (albeit at a lighter weight division).Now the stage has been set for a make-shift welterweight tournament. Mayweather could fight Shane Mosely, Paul Williams, or the Pacquiao-Cotto winner. There are plenty of viable candidates at Mayweather's disposal. He spat in the face of Mosely's challenge, saying Mosely already had his chance to fight him (he really did). He has already scoffed at negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao and the uneven revenue split being offered up by Bob Arum. Mayweather is now entertaining the possibility of a fight with 19-year old Mexican prospect Saul Alvarez and a potentially sold out 100,000 seat Mexico arena, and all the money that would potentially come along with such a live gate.I've defended Mayweather adamantly, saying his talent cannot be denied. I could understand his chase of the almighty dollar, after spending so much time fighting for short money under the Top Rank banner. Despite Mayweather hand-picking his opponents, I've felt there was a methodical plot behind every one of his movements. I've offered up the hypothetical "Manny wouldn't be able to find Mayweather" argument, and the ever poular, "Cotto would be punching air" arguments. I'm running out of patience with Mayweather, a long-time favorite of mine. The pundits are right, Mayweather is alienating his fans. I love to see a skill-based domination of another fighter. After all, boxing is about "hit-and-don't-get-hit", isn't it But when a fighter goes so far out of his way to avoid the tangible possibility of a loss, it becomes too much to rightfully defend. Hell, even Mayweather himself couldn't defend his actions in yesterdays interview with Ra the Rugged Man, how in the hell am I supposed to continue to do soThere are few fights that actually matter for Mayweather: Pacquiao, Mosely, Cotto, and maybe even Paul Williams. Mayweather could easily negotiate a 50-50 split with Arum (for a Pacquiao or Cotto fight). Negotiations with Mosely and Golden Boy could be done in his sleep. Should Mayweather take another light trot down easy street and fight Alvarez, you won't hear me defending his decision. You may hear me bashing Mayweather, saying "to hell" with a long-time favorite of mine.. WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank'shalf point interest rate cut on Thursday is appropriate andreflects a further weakening in the global and Europeaneconomies, the International Monetary Fund said. Currencies Bonds "The cut reflects further weakening in global and Europeaneconomies and is necessary to stem disinflationary pressuresfrom the negative feedback between the financial sector and thereal economy," IMF spokesman David Hawley told a regularbriefing for reporters on Thursday. With the deepening global economic crisis, the euro-areawas now in recession, which is expected to deepen, beforemaking a slow recovery later in 2009, Hawley added. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; editing by Neil Stempleman) Currencies Bonds.

America's Workers United For ChangeWASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ On January 20, hundreds of America'sworking men and women will join representatives from across the country andour armed forces to participate in the official inaugural parade for thenation's 44th president, Barack Obama. The 2009 inauguration marks the firsttime in recent history that representatives from America's labor unions havebeen invited to march in the official parade. The 265-person ensemble willinclude members from Change to Win, the AFL-CIO and the National EducationAssociation. "From the membersof the armed forces who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation,to those who build our roads and bridges, teach our children, take care of thesick and elderly, transport our goods, process our food, and keep our nationrunning. Working families are excited to seize this moment and revive theAmerican Dream. "Our nation is built on the hardwork of people just like those marching in today's parade the nurses,teachers, firefighters, construction workers and others who are our nation'sunion members.Let's honor them and honor this great nation."The entire float was fabricated by union carpenters, welders, sculptors andpainters.

Constructed of steel, wood and foam, it will rise more thanseventeen feet in height and span twenty-four feet in length. Outlines of thedifferent "faces of labor" will surround the float to salute the backbone ofour country the hard working men and women that get up and go to workeveryday. "The 'America's Workers United for Change' parade unit,including the participation of 43 public school employees, provides organizedlabor the opportunity to emphasize the important role of America's workers inhelping to renew America's promise."SOURCEChange to WinNoreen Nielsen of Change to Win, 1-202-721-6047; Alison Omens of AFL-CIO,1-202-637-5018; or Staci Maiers of NEA, 1-202-822-7823. Now Raider Nation, I know what all you are thinkng: Bench Jamarcus, get a OC, fire Cable, kill Al Davis, and so on.Well, today, even though we lost, we still looked like a football team out there today. The running game was clicking today; we had a chance to win the game, but our defensive backfield let us down early, and our o line later. Cable finally ran the ball, and that is our key to this season.JaMarcus played decent today, and that is the key to our season.