plus 2, The rise of 'Anti-Mom' - Straits Times

The rise of 'Anti-Mom' - Straits Times
Bills LB Mitchell motivated to earn starting job after knee rehab - NFL
U.S. offers jobs grant to Florida space workers - CNN Money

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 12:28 AM PDT

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'There are a bunch of nut-job mothers out there,' says Julia Louis-Dreyfus (CBS' 'The New Adventures of Old Christine'). -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES - The anti-mom is in. Contrasting starkly with such '80s sitcoms as 'Family Ties' and 'The Cosby Show,' in which the moms were accomplished career women as well as expert nurturers, a host of TV mothers are now yelling, smothering or just plain neglectful.

'There are a bunch of nut-job mothers out there,' says Julia Louis-Dreyfus (CBS' 'The New Adventures of Old Christine'). Although her own character may sometimes be 'just shy of heinous, at the very heart of it, she does mean to do well. But there are so many other issues for her that get in the way. She's definitely driven by a feeling of anxiousness and desperation.'

Anxiety and desperation may be a sign of our times -- and not just for Christine, whose show was recently cancelled. Television, which has always been much quicker to respond to social trends than film (where movies can spend years in development before they reach the big screen), could simply be reflecting the stresses of an era in which women have had to handle jobs, families and a recession.

'Television tends to lag a little bit behind what's going on in the real world, but these portrayals do reflect the changing reality of motherhood,' says Martha Lauzen, executive director of the Centre for the Study of Women in TV and Film at San Diego State University. 'Part of this also could be attributed to the presence of women working behind the scenes, where perhaps female writers and producers are more willing to tell a more honest story of what motherhood is like.'

Certainly, in committing to 'Christine,' Louis-Dreyfus was conscious of that dynamic. The actress spent a year trying to develop a show with a mother role for herself, before she hooked up with 'Christine' creator Kari Lizer.

Effective it may be, but it is certainly a marked departure from past TV moms -- whether in the 'The Donna Reed Show' in the 1950s or the 'The Brady Bunch' in the 1970s. -- REUTERS

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Bills LB Mitchell motivated to earn starting job after knee rehab - NFL

Posted: 06 Jun 2010 02:55 PM PDT

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Having resumed practicing for the first time since hurting his knee in October, Buffalo Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell considers himself to be both ahead of and behind schedule.

Mitchell's ahead of schedule because he didn't figure he'd be back on the field for another three weeks before taking part in four of five voluntary minicamp practices this weekend. And yet, the seven-year NFL veteran realizes he and his surgically repaired right knee have plenty of catching up to do given the numerous changes the Bills have made this offseason.

For Mitchell, there's making a good impression upon a new coach in Chan Gailey, learning his role in a new 3-4 defensive scheme the Bills intend to use this season and being part of a suddenly growing competition for the inside linebacker job.

"The way I see it, I'm basically in the biggest dogfight I've been in my whole career," Mitchell said Sunday, after the Bills completed a six-day stretch of practices. "I've accepted that. It's my situation that I'm in."

Nothing's a given in Buffalo these days, even for a workhorse performer such as Mitchell, who's been a respected leader in his previous two years with the Bills, and a regular starter since 2004 in Kansas City, his second NFL season.

Gailey and first-year general manager Buddy Nix have made clear that no one's job is secure. It's a message that was re-emphasized to the linebacking corps on Saturday, when the team agreed to terms to a two-year contract with sixth-year linebacker Reggie Torbor.

"Nobody's got anything set in concrete at this point," Gailey said, following Torbor's addition. "I think he'll add something to our football team."

With Torbor, who has experience playing both the inside and outside positions, the Bills now have 15 linebackers on their roster, making it the second-most competitive position behind defensive back entering training camp.

Mitchell is considered an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and is competing with Paul Posluszny for the spot to play alongside Andra Davis, an offseason free-agent addition who's taken over the play-calling duties. Also in the mix are Torbor, returning players Keith Ellison, Nic Harris and rookie sixth-round draft pick Arthur Moats.

"Right now, we've got six guys in our room," said Mitchell, who's spent his entire career primarily playing in a 4-3 defense. "I don't know if they'll keep three or four, but I know there's going to be some people going."

Selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2003 draft out of South Florida, Mitchell is coming off the first significant injury of his NFL career. He was hurt while being bowled over by two Browns blockers during a 6-3 loss to Cleveland in Week 5 last season.

The initial prognosis was for Mitchell to begin practicing during the team's mandatory minicamp in the final week of June, and be ready for the start of training camp, which opens July 28. Holding his thumb and forefinger about a half-inch apart, Mitchell said he's very close to being 100 percent, but is still experiencing some stiffness in his knee.

That didn't stop him from testing it out this weekend.

"This is my comfort zone, man. This is where I live," said the ever-competitive and intense Mitchell, who sheared off his long hair after being hurt in order to mark his fresh start. "Just hitting the bags and stuff, it feels good putting my hands on something."

Notes:Torbor was absent from practice and has not yet signed his contract. ... Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy was on hand at the end of practice, where he was greeted by players and coaches. ... The Bills open a three-day voluntary minicamp on Tuesday. ... Sunday's practice was closed to all media except for representatives of the team's website, who were allowed to report and film most of the 90-minute session.

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U.S. offers jobs grant to Florida space workers - CNN Money

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 09:38 AM PDT

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(Adds details and background)

By Irene Klotz

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - The U.S. Labor Department on Wednesday announced a $15 million emergency grant to help space shuttle workers start new careers in Florida, a politically important swing state with a high jobless rate.

The shuttle program is scheduled to end after two more launches from the Kennedy Space Center this year and about 8,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs.

The first shuttle flew in 1981. Flights have been used to launch satellites, space probes and the Hubble Space Telescope and, since 1998, to carry astronauts and big components to the International Space Station.

"We know we have a tremendous challenge here," Labor secretary Hilda Solis said during a visit to the space center.

The Labor Department grant is in addition to a pending $40 million request by President Barack Obama to help displaced shuttle workers in Florida, a state already struggling with an unemployment rate above the national average.

Florida's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 12 percent in April, compared with 9.9 percent nationwide, and Obama's decision to scrap a follow-up program to the shuttles has been unpopular in the state.

The high U.S. jobless rate is expected to affect elections in November that could cost Obama control of Congress.

The Labor Department grant is intended to provide counseling and training for about 3,200 people employed under shuttle contracts held by United Space Alliance, which is a joint venture of the Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp , and other firms.

Under a proposal from the Obama administration, the Kennedy Space Center would still be in charge of a five-year, $5.8 billion effort to help private companies develop space transportation services. It was unclear how many new jobs that might create, though some estimates put it at about 2,500. (Editing by Jane Sutton and David Storey)

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