My very good friend I have know for 13 years has passed away. I helped train Ronny known as “Venezuela” as a kid at the Webster Police Athletic League in the Bronx. He showed some promise then but was lazy. As he matured and became more disciplined and started training hard everyday, he became a top prospect and won the NYC Golden Gloves three times.

There was hope for Ronny, he had a great chance to get out of the bad area in the Bronx where he lived but loved the people around him and probably would have stayed. He turned Pro and reached a record of 8-0 with 6 KOs.

Ronny was shot to death after an argument early Saturday in the Bronx. More New York Post, NYT and New York Daily News.

RONNY R.I.P.

Posted by Russell at 10:32 AM PDT

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Above: “Michael Phelps’s hands, only slightly ahead of those of Milorad Cavic of Serbia. Phelps won by one-hundredth of a second in the men’s 100-meter butterfly final, bringing him his seventh gold medal in these Olympics.” - NYT

Yes, he’s American, but we’re not going to be apologists. Michael Phelps is a fish, a wonderkind (for those about Mark Spitz’s age), and a modest yet confident professional. And, we love his mum, Debbie. Even if Phelps doesn’t get the eighth gold, we’re impressed with his athleticism and luck. One one-hundredth of a second is nothing to scoff, as Mother Nature is oft to say. That’s enough time for a lion to eat you or a bear to tear your face off. Think about it. Or not.

Posted by FA Editors at 12:45 AM PDT

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UPDATE: Oops, forgot to mention that Russell actually took this photo - from a distance of about three feet. He was, however, in a vehicle. And, the lion was full.

Posted by Linda at 1:30 AM PDT

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Oh, Cokie, Cokie, Cokie. This American Emmy Award-winning journalist, bestselling author and ABC News political analyst made the comment yesterday that Barack Obama’s vacation in Hawaii “does not make any sense whatsoever.” From Media Matters:

Roberts stated: “I know his grandmother lives in Hawaii and I know Hawaii is a state, but it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place.” Roberts continued: “He should be in Myrtle Beach, and, you know, if he’s going to take a vacation at this time.”

Maybe Cokie should comment on McCain’s ongoing vacation from Congress, where he’s missed far more votes than any other member of Congress. But, then McCain might run into all four Democratic representatives from Hawaii (Akaka and Inouye, Senate; Abercrombie and Hirono, House of Representatives).

Posted by Linda at 10:51 AM PDT

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