Sports At Phila. Front Page News; Playoffs preview: Questions abound for all 12 contenders

Sports At Phila. Front Page News; Playoffs preview: Questions abound for all 12 contenders

	es

By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

With the NFL playoffs set to kick off, USA TODAY examines 12 questions that could shape the path to Super Bowl XLIII:

ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL: Matchups, game information

1. Is Steve Smith the best clutch receiver?

While the Carolina Panthers' impressive backfield of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart considers itself "Double Trouble," the go-to player in tough times is still the 5-9 wide receiver who calls himself "Little Playmaker." Without Smith's leaping, 39-yard catch on the game-winning field goal drive at the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers are likely in the wild-card round rather than recharging with a bye. Despite a two-game suspension to start the season, Smith ranked third in the NFL with 1,421 receiving yards on 78 catches — which equates to a career-high 18.2 yards a catch and a major headache for defenses needing to account for him while trying to stuff the league's No. 3 rushing game. Sunday's big catch was just the latest example of Smith's tendency to produce in the most critical situations. Chances are he has something left for January.

2. Are the Eagles flirting with destiny?

FIND MORE STORIES IN: New England Patriots | Philadelphia Eagles | New York Giants | Indianapolis Colts | Denver Broncos | Pittsburgh Steelers | Miami Dolphins | Peyton Manning | San Diego Chargers | Baltimore Ravens | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Arizona Cardinals | Donovan McNabb | Week | Philip Rivers | Larry Fitzgerald | DeAngelo Williams | Jonathan Stewart | Tomlinson | Wildcat | Steve Breaston | Tim Hightower | MVP Award

The New York Giants won last season's Super Bowl as the NFC's fifth seed. Three years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers rolled to a title as a sixth seed. Now, the Philadelphia Eagles are thinking big after claiming a sixth seed. Philadelphia won four of its last five games, since Donovan McNabb was benched at the Baltimore Ravens. Besides the Giants, the Eagles are the only team in the playoffs with top-10 units on both offense and defense. While much hinges on McNabb, coaches have relied more on the 22nd-ranked rushing game in recent weeks. After calling more passes than rushes in their first 11 games, the Eagles have more rushing attempts than passes in three of the last five outings.

3. Will LaDainian Tomlinson win a Super Bowl?

The miles are adding up for the San Diego Chargers' star running back, whose eighth NFL season has been his most physically challenging. Tomlinson, whose 292 rushes and 1,110 yards are career lows, started the season with a toe injury. He left Sunday night's win against the Denver Broncos with three TDs — and a groin injury that raises concern about his playoff readiness. Tomlinson expects to play in the opener against the Indianapolis Colts. But the latest injury is a reminder of how Tomlinson sat idle for all but a handful of plays in the AFC title game at the New England Patriots last January because of a sprained knee. Even so, the resilient Chargers — the first team to make the playoffs after starting 4-8 — seem less dependent on L.T. than they did in the past. No team in the playoff field scored more points in 2008 than San Diego (439), an achievement that vouches for the growth of quarterback Philip Rivers, who carried the offense this season.

4. What trick plays might the Dolphins have?

In becoming the second team in NFL history to post a 10-game improvement from the previous season, the Miami Dolphins added spice to their remarkable rise with the use of their unpredictable "Wildcat" formation. On 91 Wildcat snaps, Miami averaged 6.4 yards a play and scored eight TDs. This was essential production for a team that scored the fewest points (345) of any team in the playoff field. Still, new tricks might be needed to outfox Baltimore's defense Sunday. In a Week 7 game at Miami, Baltimore allowed a grand total of 4 yards on five Wildcat snaps.

5. Is anybody hotter than Peyton Manning?

Two months ago, the Colts quarterback was in the midst of arguably his worst start to a season since his rookie year — a lingering effect from offseason knee surgery. His timing, rhythm, balance and leg strength were out of whack as Indianapolis stumbled to a 3-4 start. Now the Colts have an NFL-long nine-game winning streak and Manning is expected to win a record-tying third MVP Award. An ultimate test comes at San Diego and its 3-4 defense. Manning threw a career-high six interceptions at San Diego last year. And besides stopping the Colts' bid for a perfect season in 2005, the Chargers knocked Indianapolis out of last season's playoffs.

6. Is Edgerrin James the secret weapon?

The Arizona Cardinals are the fifth team in league history to field three 1,000-yard targets (Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston) in a season. But being one-dimensional is a tough ticket in January. To advance deep, Arizona will need to run the football with authority at some point — for a tough yard on third-and-short, to milk the clock or to deal with outdoor elements. That's where James, who lost his starting job to rookie Tim Hightower (2.8 yards a carry) in midseason, might play a key role. The Cardinals had three 100-yard rushing games this season, and two came from James. After riding the bench for much of the season and logging a career-low 133 rushes, his legs should be fresh enough.

7. Have the Giants lost too much momentum?

After rolling to an 11-1 start, the Giants lost three of their final four games. That's no reason to panic. The Giants bring the NFL's No. 1 rushing game and a seventh-ranked defense. And with a top seed secured, Tom Coughlin rested key starters such as Eli Manning and bread-and-butter back Brandon Jacobs for much if not all of the regular-season finale. Still, there is no comfort zone. The Giants have been beatable of late. They needed a furious second-half rally and overtime to beat Carolina in Week 16, and the offense was dreadful in back-to-back losses to the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Even with Jacobs back in the flow, the residual effect of the Plaxico Burress self-inflicted gunshot wound lingers. Domenik Hixon doesn't force the double coverage that Burress consistently drew, allowing another defender key on the running game. The Giants embraced their underdog status during the last postseason. To become the fourth repeat champion in 16 years, they are looking to avoid upset traps.

8. Can the Ravens win with a rookie QB?

Defense has been the Ravens' calling card for years. And with Ray Lewis, ballhawking safety Ed Reed and creative coordinator Rex Ryan in tow, that identity hasn't changed under first-year coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore led the league with 34 takeaways. Still, there's more playoff mettle to prove with the offense guided by a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. The Atlanta Falcons can relate. Flacco and Atlanta's Matt Ryan are the first rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to start all 16 games and lead their teams to the playoffs. But since 1970, rookie quarterbacks are 2-6 in playoff games. Support from strong rushing attacks help. Baltimore and Atlanta ranked 1-2 for rushing attempts (592 and 560) and tied for 29th with 27.1 passing attempts a game. Even so, every quarterback is required to make a few clutch throws. In Flacco's case, he's coming off a season-high 297-yard game against the Jacksonville Jaguars accented by five completions of at least 20 yards. The NFL's fourth-ranked rushing game and No. 2 defense offer added value.

9. Will Ben Roethlisberger's concussion hurt the Steelers offense?

While carted out of Heinz Field on Sunday strapped to a stretcher, the Steelers quarterback flashed a thumbs-up. Tests were negative, and Roethlisberger checked out of the hospital without staying overnight. Yet a typical concern is that a player is more susceptible to subsequent concussions. And that's something to think about, considering the spotty protection that contributed to Roethlisberger taking 46 sacks this season, more than any other playoff-bound quarterback. Add the inconsistency of a 23rd-ranked rushing game to the mix and the best answers might exist with a No. 1 defense that has allowed a league-low 13.9 points a game.

10. Is Atlanta's defense up to the task of a championship run?

Here's a pattern that has served the Falcons well in their amazing turnaround under first-year coach Mike Smith and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan: When Atlanta has scored first this season, it is 11-0. When its opponent scores first, Atlanta is 0-5. Fast starts undoubtedly take pressure off a 24th-ranked defense that didn't have a Pro Bowler. Now the first postseason task is a tough matchup against the Cardinals' explosive offense. No defense enters the playoffs with fewer takeaways than Atlanta's unit (18). Then again, the Falcons have the league's No. 2-ranked rushing attack, propelled by the 1-2 backfield punch of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. And that can go far in controlling the clock and keeping the opposing offense off the field.

11. Should the Titans feel secure as a top seed?

Being a No. 1 seed is never a sure ticket to the Super Bowl — especially in the AFC. Never mind the much-deserved perk of home-field advantage. In playoffs dating to the 1992 season, the top seed in the AFC has advanced to the Super Bowl five times. The top-seeded Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl last season, but in the three previous seasons San Diego, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh all fell as the AFC's top seed. When the Tennessee Titans last earned the No. 1 seed for the 2000 season, they were upset by the Ravens. It's an intriguing bit of recent history worth watching — and worth a warning to the Titans, whose 10-game streak to start the season as the league's last unbeaten team was snapped with a loss at home.

12. Why is Pat Williams crucial to the Vikings' chances?

After missing two games with a broken shoulder, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams hopes to return for the playoff opener. The stout, 317-pounder is the best run-stuffer on arguably the NFL's best defensive line. He and D-tackle mate Kevin Williams (no relation) made headlines recently for suing the NFL in a pending case over the merits of their since-tabled suspensions for using banned weight-loss supplements. They form the heart of the No. 1-ranked run defense (76.9 yards a game). And with running the football traditionally increased in the playoffs, the Vikings need the pattern to continue — which causes matchup issues that benefit pass-rusher Jared Allen (14½ sacks).

311 System Launches in Phila.

311 System Launches in Phila.

by KYW's Mike Dunn

Mayor Michael Nutter closes out his first year in office on Wednesday by fulfilling one of his campaign promises: he is opening a 3-1-1 non-emergency call center, offering one-stop shopping for all your complaints and problems.

Nutter says 311 will solve a longstanding problem: getting lost in the shuffle when you call for help:

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com/

Miami QB Pennington wins 2nd Comeback Player award

Miami QB Pennington wins 2nd Comeback Player award

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington signals a play during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Dolphins beat the Jets 24-17.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Chad Pennington has mastered NFL quarterbacking. And personal comebacks. For the second time in three years, Pennington is The Associated Press 2008 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Miami Dolphins star is the first player in the 11 seasons of the award to win it twice.

"This time last year, I'm getting ready to watch the ball drop in Times Square. No playoffs, no starting job, no anything," Pennington said Wednesday, reflecting on the end of his 2007 season with the New York Jets.

"Now here we are playing in a wild-card playoff game with a team that was 1-15 the year before," he added. "We were able to move the dash over one and be 11-5, so it's pretty special."

As special as the way Pennington turned around his fortunes.

This time, Pennington was coming back from being benched in New York last season, then discarded this summer when the Jets acquired Brett Favre. Two years ago, Pennington returned from two rotator cuff operations in eight months in 2005 and led the Jets to the playoffs to grab comeback honors.

What's his secret?

"Get hurt the following year and then come back," he said, laughing.

"It's a reflection upon this organization and upon my teammates. This could have easily been an awkward situation with the new guy coming in the day of the first preseason game. It could have been a situation where there could have been sides chosen. These guys in this locker room wanted no part of that. They just wanted whoever to come in and help win.

"It has been a blessing. I've been blessed to have good teammates and good coaches and I'm real thankful."

The Dolphins needed to lean on Pennington as a leader as much as a passer. They rallied around his work ethic, his preparation and his cool demeanor in the toughest circumstances, and it resulted in an AFC East championship, Miami's first since 2000.

"One of the things Chad has been tremendous with is he has been able to take the message you send every day to the team," said coach Tony Sparano, a prime contender for AP Coach of the Year. "From my standpoint, it's almost like you have another coach in the locker room all the time. To have a guy like him be a little bit of the torch carrier with your message to the team is very important.

"It was very special for the entire organization for Chad to be able to get that award."

Pennington received 19 of 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. That was 13 more than quarterbacks Kerry Collins of Tennessee and Jake Delhomme of Carolina. Another quarterback, Arizona's Kurt Warner, received four votes, as did his teammate, wide receiver Anquan Boldin. So did Tampa Bay wideout Antonio Bryant.

Two of Pennington's teammates also received votes: linebacker Joey Porter (three) and running back Ronnie Brown (one).

Also with one vote were San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark and Baltimore tackle Willie Anderson.

Porter was among Pennington's biggest supporters for the award.

"He was our savior," Porter said. "He changed this whole team. He's not the one that's going to brag about it. He's just an old, humble country boy. So I'm going to brag for him."

Ill. Senate appointee plans to attend swearing-in

Ill. Senate appointee plans to attend swearing-in

U. S Rep. Bobby Rush speaks after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announces his choice of former Ill. Attorney General Roland Burris, right, to fill President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Chicago.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's choice to take Barack Obama's Senate seat plans to be in Washington next week when new senators are sworn in, but he won't make a scene if he's turned away by Senate leaders who object to his appointment.

"That is not my style. I am not seeking to be confrontational," former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday.

Blagojevich's decision to tap Burris for the seat thrust the 71-year-old political veteran back in the spotlight and immediately into a corner.

The Illinois secretary of state refused to certify Burris's appointment, the lieutenant governor called the selection an insult and Senate Democrats said they would not seat him. Even the president-elect was cold to the appointment.

"We believe in clean government, and Rod Blagojevich has unclean hands," said Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who called Blagojevich's actions an "insult to the people of Illinois."

On Tuesday, Blagojevich repeatedly sought to distance his surprise selection from his own woes. "Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man," the governor said, turning to the smiling Burris standing by his side.

"This is about Roland Burris as a U.S. senator, not about the governor who made the appointment," Blagojevich said.

For his part, Burris said he was "humbled to have the opportunity" and promised citizens he would "uphold the integrity of the office and ask for their continued confidence in me."

Burris said earlier in December that the charges against Blagojevich describe "appalling" and "reprehensible" behavior. He told The Associated Press that he "absolutely" stands by those statements, but that the governor remains innocent until proven guilty.

Burris would not say whether he thinks Blagojevich should resign.

The appointment injected race into the drama surrounding the Democratic governor. Burris, the first African-American elected to major statewide office in Illinois, would replace Obama, who had been the Senate's only black member.

Rep. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat who was invited to speak at Blagojevich's news conference, urged Senate leaders not to block Burris. He told reporters that Senate Democrats should not "hang and lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer."

Burris didn't back away from Rush's assertion Wednesday in an interview on NBC's "Today."

"It is a fact, there are no African-Americans in the United States Senate," he said. "Is it racism that is taking place? That's a question that someone may raise."

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 after federal prosecutors allegedly recorded conversations in which he discussed appointing someone Obama favored in exchange for a position in the new president's Cabinet or naming someone favored by a union if he got a high-level union job.

On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald filed a motion seeking a 90-day extension to return an indictment against Blagojevich. It says "multiple witnesses" have come forward in recent weeks and investigators have to review "thousands of intercepted phone calls."

Federal prosecutors normally have 30 days to file an indictment against a defendant. That deadline would have been Jan. 7, and the extension would give prosecutors until April 7 instead.

A U.S. attorney spokesman says a federal judge is scheduled to review the motion at a Monday hearing.

The governor has faced a flood of calls for his resignation, and the Illinois House has begun impeachment proceedings. He maintains his innocence, and has vowed to stay in office.

Illinois law gives the governor sole power to fill a Senate vacancy. Lawmakers considered stripping Blagojevich of that power after his arrest, but could not agree on legislation.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Democrats maintained that Blagojevich should not make the appointment because doing so would be unfair to Burris and to the people of Illinois.

"Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus," the statement said.

Obama struck the same tone.

"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision," the president-elect said in a statement.

NY Democratic advisers talk up 'caretaker' senator

NY Democratic advisers talk up 'caretaker' senator

In this Oct. 12, 2008 file photo, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. stands with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, during a campaign rally in Scranton, Pa.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Sen. Bill Clinton? Sen. Mario Cuomo? Don't completely rule it out. The former president and the former New York governor are among several boldface names being touted as possible "caretakers" for New York's Senate seat - people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn't be interested in running to keep the job.

As the process of picking Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's replacement gets messier, the option may become increasingly attractive to Gov. David Paterson, who has sole authority to name a successor.

A spokesman for Bill Clinton, Matt McKenna, said Wednesday that the former chief executive isn't interested in the job and plans to continue the work of his foundation. Cuomo declined through a spokesman to discuss the Senate seat.

A big name could have an immediate impact for New York in the Senate while letting the large field of hopefuls duke it out in 2010, according to three Democratic Party advisers in New York and Washington who are close to the discussion with Paterson's inner circle on this issue.

Two others in the party confirmed that Paterson is still considering the caretaker option. The advisers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to comment.

"You could find a very senior person who could serve New York well" on an interim basis, said Gerald Benjamin, a political scientist and dean at the State University of New York at New Paltz. "Then you can say to Caroline Kennedy, `You know, you'd make a good senator. Run for it.' And you can tell everyone else that it's a level playing field."

Paterson has made it clear in recent days that he's getting annoyed by the constant jockeying by supporters of high-powered hopefuls including Kennedy, half a dozen members of Congress and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of the former governor.

The candidates - especially Kennedy - have made daily headlines as Paterson tries to focus on a fiscal crisis of historic proportions, his first budget proposal and preparations for his first full legislative session as governor. He took office last spring after disgraced Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned.

The caretaker option was exercised last month by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, who picked a former aide to Vice President-elect Joe Biden to succeed him in the Senate until a new senator is elected in 2010. By then, Biden's son, state Attorney General Beau Biden, will have returned from a tour in Iraq with the National Guard - just in time to run for his father's seat.

A week ago, Paterson said he favored appointing a senator soon after Clinton is confirmed to start building seniority, and he ruled out an interim placeholder. Under state law, there will be an election to fill the last two years of Hillary Clinton's term in 2010 and another for a full six-year term in 2012.

The process, however, wasn't supposed to be a big distraction.

Some of the other names circulating as possible caretakers among party operatives include the state's retired top jurist, Judith Kaye, and former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, now president of the New School in New York City.

Kaye declined through a spokesman Tuesday to discuss the Senate seat; Kerrey and Paterson did not respond to questions Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College poll, said the caretaker option wouldn't surprise him. "To pick a caretaker is to say ... win it in the court of public opinion."

An interim appointment also could sidestep an internal struggle in New York's Democratic Party.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver - the longest-serving and most powerful legislative leader in the state - has reservations about Kennedy, and Paterson needs Silver if he wants to battle powerful labor interests to turn around the state's fiscal problems.

But Kennedy's supporters include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent who is another important ally for Paterson.

Meanwhile, the handicapping continues about the prospects of some of the lesser-known contenders.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York City, who is known as a tenacious legislator, has been endorsed by three women's advocacy groups: the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and the National Women's Political Caucus. Political observers say Paterson is under pressure to pick a woman because all the state's top leaders - except Clinton - are men.

In the political blog Connecting.the.dots, media critic and editor Robert Stein wrote Sunday that a caretaker would show that Paterson has the best interests of the state in mind during the fiscal crisis, while letting powerful political families fight it out in an election two years down the road.

Doug Muzzio, professor of politics at Baruch College, isn't convinced.

"If in fact you are looking to appoint a senator who can be an effective advocate for the people of the state, those two years you can learn a lot and to give that up is problematic."

But Muzzio also sees some benefit to Paterson in picking a caretaker.

"If he is feeling trapped about this Caroline Kennedy thing, this gives him, in a sense, a way out ... without naming someone else that would really anger the pro-Kennedy people," he said.

Who will pay for the Harrisburg Incinerator debacle?

By Diane F White, FPN Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) considered Harrisburg an "environmental justice" community, but has done nothing to stop pollution from harming Harrisburg's communities of color. In fact, it's the DEP that has given out the permits, allowing industrial pollution in South Harrisburg.

The area closest to the Harrisburg incinerator has the highest percentage of minority residents in the county. South Harrisburg has been home to the country's most polluting trash incinerator for over 40 years. Toxic ash piles will sit there forever. The soot and emissions will continue to poison people, leading to more cancer and asthma, and contamination of our air, water and soil.

Mr. Chivis died on 4/9/2004.

He was a courageous and principled

man and he is greatly missed.

The state NAACP passed a resolution opposing the project on environmental justice grounds. Yet in the midst of loud public outcries and ongoing protests from city residents, Steven Reed, the Harrisburg Authority and the County Commissioners pressured the Harrisburg City Council members into approving their plan.

A plan which allowed the city residents to be exploited by greedy
politicians. We never needed an 800-ton a day incinerator to handle the trash that the city produces. The city maintained that by increasing the size of the incinerator it would be able to produce more electricity to sell to utility companies. Big whoopy, city residents are footing the bill for the rest of the county's waste removal and lining the pockets of the utility companies, who are on the verge of raising our rates anyway. While the rest of the world is trying to clean up the environment and looking for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar, we are going in the opposite direction and creating brownfields.

Mayor Reed, the Harrisburg Authority and the County Commissioners are seeking to bring waste from outside of Harrisburg to feed the incinerator. By attracting other people's waste to the incinerator the city, the county and the state continue to subject neighborhoods in Harrisburg, Steelton, and Swatara Township to the environmental and economic consequences.

The best made plans of mice and men have been known to fall apart. This plan fell apart at the seams. Now the County is being asked to help foot the bill to operate the incinerator and they are not happy about it. Problem is, the County entered into a flow control agreement with the Harrisburg Authority which binds them to bring their MSW to the Harrisburg Incinerator. What started out as an offer which was too good to be true, turned out to be just was it was from its inception, a complete debacle.

What is the going rate for polluting an Environmental Justice community? Inquiring minds want to know. Whatever the rate, for the residents of Harrisburg it amounts to exploitation.

It is unconscionable that the County Commissioners are fighting in the courts to keep from paying their share of the proposed rate increase and its even more unconscionable that the courts are entertaining it. In fact, It is down right disgraceful that the DEP and the Feds have not stepped into the picture, if for no other reason, then social justice. Where is the accountablity?

For Now, All Phila. Library Branches to Stay Open

For Now, All Phila. Library Branches to Stay Open

by KYW’s Steve Tawa

Judge Heidi fox has ruled in favor of library advocates. Mayor Nutter cannot close 11 branches without first getting Philadelphia city council approval.

The end result, all of the branches slated to be permanently closed as of New Years Eve will remain open. Library advocates have maintained through this two day hearing that library branches are essential to the fabric of the community; for the children, their homework and hobbies and staying out of trouble.

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com/

Sports At Phila. Front Page News; Broncos fire coach Mike Shanahan after collapse

Sports At Phila. Front Page News; Broncos fire coach Mike Shanahan after collapse

In this Nov. 25, 2007 file photo, Denver Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan watches his team during the first quarter of a football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 in Chicago. Shanahan has been fired as Broncos coach after the team lost a three-game lead with three games to go in the AFC West.

DENVER (AP) -- Mike Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third straight year. Shanahan joined Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel on the unemployment line after going 24-24 over the last three seasons, including three straight losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

Despite that, and the 52-21 loss to the Chargers that ended Denver's season Sunday, this was a shocker: The ouster of a 14-year coaching veteran who won two Super Bowl titles for Denver and was considered my many in this town to be a lifer.

"After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos," owner Pat Bowlen said.

Shanahan's record was 146-89, but the Broncos remained stuck at only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 after Denver's second championship.

This season was especially ugly. It included a historic collapse that saw Denver become the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

The Broncos' defense gave up 448 points, third worst in the NFL, including 112 during the three-game collapse at the end. It was ranked 29th in yards allowed and tied for last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover margin.

In years past, Shanahan had relieved defensive coordinators - Greg Robinson, Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer and Jim Bates - in almost revolving-door fashion.

This year, as the defense floundered, it became obvious it wasn't just a coaching problem. It was an issue of talent on the field, and in Denver, Shanahan makes all the personnel decisions.

His top two draft picks in 2007, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, were barely a factor this season. Two of Denver's top veteran acquisitions from last year, Niko Koutouvides and Dewayne Robertson, also did very little.

"I'm very shocked, extremely shocked," said rookie Spencer Larsen, who played fullback and linebacker this year. "I don't think any of us saw this coming."

Messages left on Elway's cell phone by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Bowlen and Shanahan were scheduled to hold news conferences Wednesday. Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million.

Known as "The Mastermind" during his tenure with the Broncos, Shanahan shouldn't have much trouble getting another job if he's interested - and willing to part with the 35,000-square-foot house he's building in a fancy part of Denver.

He earned the reputation honestly, returning to lead the Broncos after a short, unsuccessful stint with the Oakland Raiders, where he was fired by Al Davis in a contentious parting that still isn't fully resolved. (Shanahan still claims he's owed $250,000).

Shanahan became a coaching star as a coordinator and confidant of Elway's while the Broncos were being coached by Dan Reeves. But Reeves ended up firing Shanahan, accusing him of insubordination for supposedly conspiring with Elway to hatch game plans behind the head coach's back.

That made for a great subplot for the Super Bowl 10 years ago, when Denver met Reeves and the Falcons, for what turned out to be the last great moment for a franchise that Shanahan took to the top.

Denver's two Super Bowl victories came behind the running of Terrell Davis and the brilliance of Elway, but Shanahan pulled the strings and finally helped deliver the title to a city that had been through four painful Super Bowl losses, three with Elway at the helm.

Shanahan was regarded as a coaching genius when it came to creating mismatches on the field, confusing defenses by using different personnel groupings to run the same set of plays, series after series and game after game.

Davis. Olandis Gary. Reuben Droughns. Clinton Portis. Tatum Bell. They all ran for 1,000 yards for the Broncos and the basic thought was that anyone could do it.

But after Elway retired, it was never quite the same.

His replacement, Brian Griese, never panned out. Jake Plummer got the Broncos to the AFC title game in 2005, but Denver was blown out by Pittsburgh. Shanahan drafted Jay Cutler the next year - an indication he was blowing up a team that had come so close a year before.

Cutler, along with receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, make up the core of what could be a very promising offense in years to come. But the defense Shanahan assembled was wretched - allowing more than 400 points over the past two seasons - and the Broncos hardly looked like contenders.

Warren's inauguration prayer could draw more ire

Warren's inauguration prayer could draw more ire

In this Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 file photo, Pastor Rick Warren signs his book in New York. President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation drew one kind of protest. Whether the evangelical pastor offers the prayer in the name of Jesus may draw another.

President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation drew one kind of protest. Whether the evangelical pastor offers the prayer in the name of Jesus may draw another. At George W. Bush's 2001 swearing-in, the Revs. Franklin Graham and Kirbyjon Caldwell were criticized for invoking Christ. The distinctly Christian reference at a national civic event offended some, and even prompted a lawsuit.

Warren did not answer directly when asked whether he would dedicate his prayer to Jesus. In a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press, Warren would say only that, "I'm a Christian pastor so I will pray the only kind of prayer I know how to pray."

"Prayers are not to be sermons, speeches, position statements nor political posturing. They are humble, personal appeals to God," Warren wrote. His spokesman would not elaborate.

Evangelicals generally expect their clergymen to use Jesus' name whenever and wherever they lead prayer. Many conservative Christians say cultural sensitivity goes way too far if it requires religious leaders to hide their beliefs.

"If Rick Warren does not pray in Jesus' name, some folks are going to be very disappointed," Caldwell said in a recent phone interview. "Since he's evangelical, his own tribe, if you will, will have some angst if he does not do that."

Advocates for gay rights protested Obama's decision to give Warren a prominent role at the swearing-in. The California megachurch founder supported Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in his home state. Obama defended his choice, saying he wanted the event to reflect diverse views and insisting he remains a "fierce advocate" of equal rights for gays.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a United Methodist who is considered the dean of the civil rights movement, said he hasn't yet written the benediction for the Jan. 20 ceremony. But he said "whatever religion the person represents, I think he has a right to be true to his religion."

Caldwell, also a Methodist, said no one from the Bush team told him what to say in his 2001 and 2005 benedictions.

The Houston pastor said he had "no intention whatsoever of offending" people when he quoted from Philippians and delivered the 2001 prayer "in the name that's above all other names, Jesus the Christ." In 2005, he still prayed in Jesus' name, but added the line, "respecting persons of all faiths." In the 2008 election, Caldwell supported Obama.

Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, who was a presence at presidential inaugurations for several decades, said it's wrong to expect members of any faith to change how they pray in public.

"For a Christian, especially for an evangelical pastor, the Bible teaches us that we are to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. How can a minister pray any other way?" Franklin Graham said. "If you don't want someone to pray in Jesus' name, don't invite an evangelical minister."

Graham, who in 2001 stepped in for his ailing father, ended the invocation with, "We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit."

The lawsuit, which claimed that inaugural prayer was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion, failed in federal court. It had been filed by atheist Michael Newdow, who separately sued to remove the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Billy Graham, now 90, didn't say Jesus' name during presidential inaugurations, but made obvious references to Christ.

At Richard Nixon's 1969 swearing-in, Graham prayed "in the Name of the Prince of Peace who shed His blood on the Cross that men might have eternal life." In 1997, for Bill Clinton's inaugural, Graham prayed "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Leaders of other traditions with experience in interfaith work said they respected Christians who felt strongly that they should pray in Christ's name.

But they argued that a request for some modification is reasonable for a presidential inauguration, considering it's an event representing all Americans.

Imam Yahya Hendi, a Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University who travels to Muslim countries on behalf of the State Department, said that at interfaith events, he refers to Allah, or God, as "almighty creator of us all."

Rabbi Burt Visotzky, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the flagship institution of Conservative Judaism, said he invokes "God" for interfaith prayer.

"I know that for Christians, Jesus is part of their Trinity," said Visotzky, who has taught at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and at Protestant seminaries in the U.S. "For me as a Jew, hearing the name of a first-century rabbi isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's not my God."

Defiant Ill. governor names Obama replacement

Defiant Ill. governor names Obama replacement

Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris takes questions after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announces Burris as his choice to fill President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Chicago.

CHICAGO (AP) -- A defiant Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday named a black political trailblazer to Barack Obama's Senate seat, a surprise move that put the governor's opponents in the uncomfortable position of trying to block his choice from becoming the Senate's only black member.

Blagojevich's appointment of former state Attorney General Roland Burris injected race into the drama surrounding the embattled governor, who repeatedly sought to distance his selection from charges that he tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

"Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man," the governor said, turning to the smiling 71-year-old standing by his side.

"This is about Roland Burris as a U.S. senator, not about the governor who made the appointment."

Burris was the first African-American elected to major statewide office in Illinois, serving as comptroller and running for governor three times - the last time losing to Blagojevich.

He said he has no connection to the charges against Blagojevich, who was arrested earlier this month.

Even before the announcement, which was leaked several hours before, the governor's move ran into opposition.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said Tuesday he will not do so. And Senate leaders reiterated that they would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Democrats maintained that Blagojevich should not make the appointment because doing so would be unfair to Burris and to the people of Illinois.

"It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," the statement said.

"Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus."

Obama struck the same tone.

"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision," the president-elect said in a statement.

Senate leaders, who were scattered for the holidays, immediately convened a conference call. Some involved in the call were wary of being seen as denying a black man a seat in a chamber where, with Obama's departure, there are no blacks, according to two officials knowledgeable about the talks who requested anonymity in order to speak freely.

"We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris' ability, and we respect his years of public service," the leaders wrote. But the issue is not about Burris, they said. "It is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat."

Rep. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat who was invited to speak at Blagojevich's news conference, urged Senate leaders not to block Burris. In fact, he almost dared them to try to stop Burris' appointment.

"There is no rhyme or reason why he should not be seated in the U.S. Senate," Rush said. "I don't think any U.S. senator ... wants to go on record to deny one African-American from being seated in the U.S. Senate."

He told reporters that Senate Democrats should not "hang and lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer."

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 after federal prosecutors allegedly recorded conversations in which he discussed appointing someone Obama favored in exchange for a position in the new president's Cabinet or naming someone favored by a union if he got a high-level union job.

The governor has faced a flood of calls for his resignation, and the Illinois House has begun impeachment proceedings. He maintains his innocence, and has vowed to stay in office.

Blagojevich's own lawyer said recently that there would be no point in the governor naming someone to the Senate because leaders there would reject his appointment.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said Blagojevich's decision to appoint Burris is an "insult to the people of Illinois."

"We believe in clean government, and Rod Blagojevich has unclean hands," Quinn said.

Republican House Minority Leader Tom Cross compared Blagojevich to "a rabid dog in a corner who's just going to lash out."

Democratic state Rep. Monique Davis of Chicago, a member of the impeachment committee, said Burris' appointment will have no bearing on its decision.

"Anybody that wants to put the race card in there, they're playing with the wrong group of people. We're not going to operate that way, we're not going to deliberate that way, we're not going to say, 'Oh, look what a good thing he's done.' We're not going to do it," Davis said.

Illinois law gives the governor sole power to fill a Senate vacancy. Lawmakers considered stripping Blagojevich of that power after his arrest but could not agree on legislation - a fact the governor, who had said he would support a bill calling for a special election, pointed out Tuesday.

Blagojevich might have thought he could gain some legal advantage by making the appointment.

"He could think he's gaining leverage - that's not implausible," said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia. "He's weaving these legal problems for Illinois, the Senate and the new administration. This is a mess."

White, the secretary of state who handles official paperwork, said he would not formally certify any appointment made by Blagojevich "because of the current cloud of controversy surround the governor."

It's not clear whether White's refusal would be enough to prevent a Blagojevich appointment from taking effect.

Burris is a native of Centralia in southern Illinois who graduated from Southern Illinois University before earning his law degree from Howard University.

He served as Illinois' comptroller from 1979 to 1991 and as the state's attorney general from 1991 to 1995. He also served as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1985 to 1989.

More recently, however, Burris has had a string of political disappointments.

He lost campaigns for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1994, 1998 and 2002 - the last time losing to Blagojevich. In 1995, he was badly beaten when challenging Chicago Mayor Richard Daley as an independent.

Burris has been a consistent donor to Blagojevich in recent years.

He donated $1,000 to the Friends of Blagojevich fund in both 2004 and 2005, $1,500 in 2007 and $1,000 in June 2008, according to Illinois campaign finance data.

Judge Stops Philly Mayor From Closing Libraries to Tackle Deficit Budget - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker

Judge Stops Philly Mayor From Closing Libraries to Tackle Deficit Budget - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker: "Judge Stops Philly Mayor From Closing Libraries to Tackle Deficit Budget
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter must get city council approve to close 11 libraries on the chopping block to close the city's $1 billion spending gap expected over the next five years."

Cynthia McKinney Aboard Boat Headed for Gaza, Intercepted by Israeli Naval Force - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker

Cynthia McKinney Aboard Boat Headed for Gaza, Intercepted by Israeli Naval Force - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker: "Cynthia McKinney Aboard Boat Headed for Gaza, Intercepted by Israeli Naval Force

FOXNews.com

The ex-congresswoman and long-time activist for the Palestinians was among a group of individuals turned back after their boat tried to enter Israeli waters in an attempt to land in Gaza to distribute medical supplies."

Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney, unimpeded by the "closed military zone" imposed by Israel, was among 16 people aboard a medical supply boat that collided with an Israeli naval ship Tuesday as it tried to enter coastal waters around Gaza.

The yacht, owned by the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement, was reportedly carrying 3.5 tons of medical supplies donated by Cyprus. A press release from the group claimed "several Israeli gunboats intercepted the Dignity she was heading on a mission of mercy to Gaza." They said the Israeli military fired machine guns into the water in an attempt to stop the Dignity's progress.

The boat, registered under the flag of Gibraltar and with an English captain, reportedly took on water and experienced engine problems, according to the group's Web site. It also said the incident occurred 90 miles offshore in international water. The boat's captain was given permission to dock in Lebanon, where it was regrouping to try again.

Israel's foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told Reuters that an Israeli vessel and the 60-foot Free Gaza Movement boat did make "physical contact," but only after the aid boat failed to respond to radio contact. He denied any gunfire had occurred, and he said no one was hurt in the incident. He told Reuters the Israeli ship escorted the damaged boat back to Cypriot territorial waters.

Now that they're in, Eagles turn focus to Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb celebrates after the Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 44-6 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Philadelphia. The Eagles secured a wild card playoff spot and will play the Minnesota Vikings next weekend.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb celebrates a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, left, celebrates with head coach Andy Reid, right, after the Eagles scored on a short pass play in the last seconds of the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — On a day that was supposed to start a critical offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles instead began preparation for a playoff game.

Hardly anyone could've imagined the Eagles (9-6-1) would be in this position.

They needed so much to go their way in Week 17 — but once everything fell in Philly's favor, the Eagles did the rest by destroying the Dallas Cowboys 44-6 to secure an NFC wild-card spot.

The wacky ending to an unpredictable regular season was fitting. With the Eagles, it was difficult to gauge what to expect from one week to the next.

So which team will show up to play the Minnesota Vikings (10-6) next Sunday?

Will it be the Eagles who played lowly Cincinnati to a tie, were routed by Baltimore the following game and failed miserably against Washington in a game that could've given them control of their playoff destiny last week?

Or will it be the same Eagles who beat the New York Giants on the road, had three other convincing wins over playoff-bound teams and dismantled the Cowboys in essentially a do-or-die game for both teams?

"Those things happen in this league," coach Andy Reid said Monday when asked why the Eagles can be dominant one game and feeble the next.

The Eagles are here, though, because they were dominant more often than not. They won seven games by 13 or more points and the other two victories (15-6 over Pittsburgh in Week 3 and 20-14 over the Giants on Dec. 7) weren't as close as the score indicated. Overall, Philadelphia's margin of victory was 20.2 points per win.

If the Eagles had better success in the close ones, they probably would be home resting this week with a bye. Five of their six losses were by a touchdown or less, meaning one or two plays could've changed the outcome. Even that ugly 36-7 loss to the Ravens was close for a half. It was 10-7 at halftime when Reid decided to bench Donovan McNabb for the first time in his career.

McNabb rebounded from shaky performances that led to his benching and played well down the stretch, helping the Eagles win four of their last five games to barely sneak into the playoffs.

"For people to just put us out for dead, roadkill, for that door to just open up just one more time for us, you never want to give a team another opportunity, because when that team gets in, it could be that team that you talk about that you don't want to play," McNabb said. "The way that we're feeling in this locker room, we can be that team."

Despite having to play in a dome at Minnesota, the Eagles are 3-point favorites against the Vikings. They'll have to win three road games just to reach the Super Bowl. That seems daunting, but the Giants did it last year and the Pittsburgh Steelers did it in 2005.

The Eagles couldn't win it all when they had an easier path — they lost two straight NFC championship games at home in 2002 and '03 and lost the Super Bowl to New England after finally winning the conference title game in '04.

Now they'll take the tougher road and try to win their first NFL championship since 1960.

"What pressure does, it reveals who you really are," Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins said. "It reveals you. They say pressure busts pipes. It can, but it really reveals who you are. So, in those pressure situations, we came together. We talked among one another and we believed in one another. We didn't allow those troubled situations or those troubled times to get us down and keep us down. We rallied together."

Mayor Says After School Programs Will Survive Library Closures

Mayor Says After School Programs Will Survive Library Closures


by KYW's Kim Glovas

It was a raucous news conference with many interruptions from library supporters, booing, hissing and heckling the Mayor on library services. But mayor Michael Nutter had good news for the city's school students and their parents when he announced that an after school program will continue when school resumes.

For full story go to: http://www.kyw1060.com/

Phila. Judge Hears Legal Challenges to Proposed Library Closures

Phila. Judge Hears Legal Challenges to Proposed Library Closures

by KYW's Steve Tawa

While the Mayor was making the announcement on after-school programs, a judge - two flights up at City Hall - was hearing legal challenges to the library closings.

http://www.kyw1060.com/

Boondocks at Phila. Front Page News

Boondocks at Phila. Front Page News

Child maid trafficking spreads from Africa to US

Child maid trafficking spreads from Africa to US

Shyima Hall, 19, who was 10 when she was trafficked to a gated community as a domestic worker, is shown on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 in Beaumont, Calif. Hall worked as a servant for a wealthy Egyptian couple and was eventually taken by them to California, where she worked 20 hour days inside their posh home. She awoke before dawn and often worked past midnight to iron their clothes, mop the marble floors and dust the family's crystal. She earned $45 a month working up to 20 hours a day. The trafficking of children for domestic labor in the United States is an extension of an illegal but common practice among the upper class in Africa.

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- Late at night, the neighbors saw a little girl at the kitchen sink of the house next door.

They watched through their window as the child rinsed plates under the open faucet. She wasn't much taller than the counter and the soapy water swallowed her slender arms. To put the dishes away, she climbed on a chair.

But she was not the daughter of the couple next door doing chores. She was their maid.

Shyima was 10 when a wealthy Egyptian couple brought her from a poor village in northern Egypt to work in their California home. She awoke before dawn and often worked past midnight to iron their clothes, mop the marble floors and dust the family's crystal. She earned $45 a month working up to 20 hours a day. She had no breaks during the day and no days off.

The trafficking of children for domestic labor in the U.S. is an extension of an illegal but common practice in Africa. Families in remote villages send their daughters to work in cities for extra money and the opportunity to escape a dead-end life. Some girls work for free on the understanding that they will at least be better fed in the home of their employer.

The custom has led to the spread of trafficking, as well-to-do Africans accustomed to employing children immigrate to the U.S. Around one-third of the estimated 10,000 forced laborers in the United States are servants trapped behind the curtains of suburban homes, according to a study by the National Human Rights Center at the University of California at Berkeley and Free the Slaves, a nonprofit group. No one can say how many are children, especially since their work can so easily be masked as chores.

Once behind the walls of gated communities like this one, these children never go to school. Unbeknownst to their neighbors, they live as modern-day slaves, just like Shyima, whose story is pieced together through court records, police transcripts and interviews.

"I'd look down and see her at 10, 11 - even 12 - at night," said Shyima's neighbor at the time, Tina Font. "She'd be doing the dishes. We didn't put two and two together."

---

Shyima cried when she found out she was going to America in 2000. Her father, a bricklayer, had fallen ill a few years earlier, so her mother found a maid recruiter, signed a contract effectively leasing her daughter to the couple for 10 years and told Shyima to be strong.

For a year, Shyima, 9, worked in the Cairo apartment owned by Amal Motelib and Nasser Ibrahim. Every month, Shyima's mother came to pick up her salary.

Tens of thousands of children in Africa, some as young as 3, are recruited every year to work as domestic servants. They are on call 24 hours a day and are often beaten if they make a mistake. Children are in demand because they earn less than adults and are less likely to complain. In just one city - Casablanca - a 2001 survey by the Moroccan government found more than 15,000 girls under 15 working as maids.

The U.S. State Department found that over the past year, children have been trafficked to work as servants in at least 33 of Africa's 53 countries. Children from at least 10 African countries were sent as maids to the U.S. and Europe. But the problem is so well hidden that authorities - including the U.N., Interpol and the State Department - have no idea how many child maids now work in the West.

"In most homes, these girls are not allowed to use so much as the same spoon as the rest of the family," said Hany Helal, the Cairo-based director of the Egyptian Organization for Child Rights.

By the time the Ibrahims decided to leave, Shyima's family had taken several loans from them for medical bills. The Ibrahims said they could only be repaid by sending Shyima to work for them in the U.S. A friend posed as her father, and the U.S. embassy in Cairo issued her a six-month tourist visa.

She arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 3, 2000, according to court documents. The family brought her back to their spacious five-bedroom, two-story home, decorated in the style of a Tuscan villa with a fountain of two angels spouting water through a conch. She was told to sleep in the garage.

It had no windows and was neither heated nor air-conditioned. Soon after she arrived, the garage's only light bulb went out. The Ibrahims didn't replace it. From then on, Shyima lived in the dark.

She was told to call them Madame Amal and Hajj Nasser, terms of respect. They called her "shaghala," or servant. Their five children called her "stupid."

While the family slept, she ironed the school outfits of the Ibrahims' 5-year-old twin sons. She woke them, combed their hair, dressed them and made them breakfast. Then she ironed clothes and fixed breakfast for the three girls, including Heba, who at 10 was the same age as the family's servant.

Neither Ibrahim nor his wife worked, and they slept late. When they awoke, they yelled for her to make tea.

While they ate breakfast watching TV, she cleaned the palatial house. She vacuumed each bedroom, made the beds, dusted the shelves, wiped the windows, washed the dishes and did the laundry.

Her employers were not satisfied, she said. "Nothing was ever clean enough for her. She would come in and say, 'This is dirty,' or 'You didn't do this right,' or 'You ruined the food,'" said Shyima.

She started wetting her bed. Her sheets stank. So did her oversized T-shirt and the other hand-me-downs she wore.

While doing the family's laundry, she slipped her own clothes into the load. Madame slapped her. "She told me my clothes were dirtier than theirs. That I wasn't allowed to clean mine there," she said.

She washed her clothes in a bucket in the garage. She hung them to dry outside, next to the trash cans.

When the couple went out, she waited until she heard the car pull away and then she sat down. She sat with her back straight because she was afraid her clothes would dirty the upholstery.

It never occurred to her to run away.

"I thought this was normal," she said.

---

If you could fly the garage where Shyima slept 7,000 miles to the sandy alleyway where her Egyptian family now lives, it would pass for the best home in the neighborhood.

The garage's walls are made of concrete instead of hand-patted bricks. Its roof doesn't leak. Its door shuts all the way. Shyima's mother and her 10 brothers and sisters live in a two-bedroom house with uneven walls and a flaking ceiling. None of them have ever had a bed to themselves, much less a whole room. At night, bodies cover the sagging couches.

Shown a snapshot of the windowless garage, Shyima's mother in the coastal town of Agami made a clucking sound of approval.

"It's much cleaner than where many people here sleep," said Helal, the child rights advocate. He explains that Shyima's treatment in the Ibrahim home is considered normal - even good - by Egyptian standards.

Even though many child maids are physically abused, child labor is rarely prosecuted because the work isn't considered strenuous. Many employers even see themselves as benefactors.

"There is a sense that children should work to help their family, but also that they are being given an opportunity," said Mark Lagon, the director of the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

That's especially the case for well-off families who transport their child servants to Western countries.

In 2006, a U.S. district court in Michigan sentenced a Cameroonian man to 17 years in prison for bringing a 14-year-old girl from his country to work as his unpaid maid. That same year, a Moroccan couple was sentenced to home confinement for forcing their 12-year-old Moroccan niece to work grueling hours caring for their baby.

In Germantown, Md., a Nigerian couple used their daughter's passport to bring in a 14-year-old Nigerian girl as their maid. She worked for them for five years before escaping in 2001. In Germany, France, the Netherlands and England, African immigrants have been arrested for forcing children from their home countries to work as their servants.

In several of these cases, the employers argued that they took the children with the parents' permission. The Cameroonian girl's mother flew to Detroit to testify in court against her daughter, saying the girl was ungrateful for the good life her employers had provided her.

Shyima's mother, Salwa Mahmoud, said her father believed she would have better opportunities in America.

"I didn't want her to travel but our family's condition dictated that she had to go," explained Mahmoud, a squat, round-faced woman with calloused hands and feet. She is missing two front teeth because she couldn't afford a dentist.

"If she had stayed here in Egypt, she would have been ordinary," said Awatef, Shyima's older sister. "Just like us."

---

On April 3, 2002, an anonymous caller phoned the California Department of Social Services to report that a young girl was living inside the garage of 28 Pacific Grove.

A few days later, Nasser Ibrahim opened the door to a detective from the Irvine Police Department. Asked if any children lived there beside his own, he first said no, then yes - "a distant relative." He said he had "not yet" enrolled her in school. She did "chores - just like the other kids," according to the police transcript.

Shyima was upstairs cleaning when Ibrahim came to get her. "He told me that I was not allowed to say anything," said Shyima. "That if I said anything I would never see my parents again."

When police searched the house, they turned up several home videos showing Shyima at work. They seized the contract signed by Shyima's illiterate parents.

Asked by police if anyone other than his immediate family lived in the house, Eid, one of the twins, said: "Hummm ... Yeah ... Her name is Shyima," according to the transcript. "She uh ... She works - she works for us at the house, like, she cleans up the dishes and stuff like that."

Twelve-year-old Heba got flustered: "Yeah. She's uh - my - uh - How do I say this? Uh ... My dad's ... Oh, wait, like ... She's like my cousin, but - She's my dad's daughter's friend. Oops! The other way. Okay, I'm confused."

Heba eventually admitted that Shyima had lived with the family for three years in Egypt and in California.

The police put Shyima in a squad car. They noted her hands were red and caked with dead, hard-looking skin.

---

For months Shyima lied to investigators, saying what the Ibrahims had told her to say.

She went without sleep for days at a stretch. She was put on four different types of medication. She moved from foster home to foster home. Her mood swings alarmed her guardians. In school for the first time, she struggled to learn to read.

Investigators arranged for her to speak to her parents. She told them she felt like a "nobody" working for the Ibrahims and wanted to come home. Her father yelled at her.

"They kept telling me that they're good people," Shyima recounted in a recent interview. "That it's my fault. That because of what I did my mom was going to have a heart attack."

Three years ago, she broke off contact with her family. Since then she has refused to speak Arabic. She can no longer communicate in her mother tongue.

During the 2006 trial, the Ibrahims described Shyima as part of their family. They included proof of a trip she took with the family to Disneyland. Shyima's lawyer pointed out that the 10-year-old wasn't allowed on the rides - she was there to carry the bags.

The couple's lawyers collected photographs of the home where Shyima grew up, including close-ups of the feces-stained squat toilet and of Shyima's sisters washing clothes in a bucket.

In her final plea, Madame Amal told the judge it would be unfair to separate her from her children. Enraged, Shyima, then 17, told the court she hadn't seen her family in years.

"Where was their loving when it came to me? Wasn't I a human being too? I felt like I was nothing when I was with them," she sobbed.

The couple pleaded guilty to all charges, including forced labor and slavery. They were ordered to pay $76,000, the amount Shyima would have earned at the minimum wage. The sentence: Three years in federal prison for Ibrahim, 22 months for his wife, and then deportation for both. Their lawyers declined to comment for this story.

"I don't think that there is any other term you could use than modern-day slavery," said Bob Schoch, the special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles, in describing Shyima's situation.

Shyima was adopted last year by Chuck and Jenny Hall of Beaumont, Calif. The family lives near Disneyland, where they have taken her a half-dozen times. She graduated from high school this summer after retaking her exit exam and hopes to become a police officer.

Shyima, now 19, has a list of assigned chores. She wears purple eyeshadow, has a boyfriend and frequently updates her profile on MySpace. Her hands are neatly manicured.

But in her closet, she keeps a box of pictures of her parents and her brothers and sisters. "I don't look at them because it makes me cry," she said. "How could they? They're my parents."

When her father died last year, her family had no way of reaching her.

---

EPILOGUE: On a recent afternoon in Cairo, Madame Amal walked into the lobby of her apartment complex wearing designer sunglasses and a chic scarf.

After nearly two years in a U.S. prison cell, she's living once more in the spacious apartment where Shyima first worked as her maid. The apartment is adorned in the style of a Louis XIV palace, with ornately carved settees, gold-leaf vases and life-sized portraits of her and her husband.

She did not agree to be interviewed for this story.

Before the door closed behind her, a little girl slipped in carrying grocery bags. She wore a shabby T-shirt. Her small feet slapped the floor in loose flip-flops. Her eyes were trained on the ground.

She looked to be around 9 years old.