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It is offering $1 million for information on members of Congress engaged in “infidelity, jimmy choo sandals shoes on sale us sexual impropriety or corruption.”Flynt’s bounty offer was made today in a full-page ad in The Washington Post.He is seeking documented evidence of claims against lawmakers or other “prominent” government officials. The $1 million will be paid, the ad says, if the magazine decides to use the material for a story in print.It’s not the first time Flynt has tried to get dirt on members of Congress or prominent politicians.In the 1990s amid President Clinton’s impeachment trial, Hustler was preparing an article about sexual impropriety of Republican and other GOP lawmakers. Livingston, at the time set to succeed Newt Gingrich as House speaker, stunned his colleagues and instead announced his resignation from Congress.In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle last year, Flynt said these bounty offers are not about sex. “Politicians have one thing in common: They have huge egos and these egos are fed through their sexual conquests. And that’s what gets them in trouble,” .

It has yet to fit in with the but to have a legitimate shot at repeating as jimmy choo sandals shoes on sale us champions they’ll need him to — and quickly.By Debby Wong, US PresswireMavericks power forward Lamar Odom is averaging 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and shooting 35.7% from the field in 21.4 minutes, all career lows.By Debby Wong, US PresswireMavericks power forward Lamar Odom is averaging 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and shooting 35.7% from the field in 21.4 minutes, all career lows.Odom hasn’t played since Feb. 20 because of a family matter. On Saturday afternoon, Odom will make his first D-League appearance when the Texas Legends play the Austin Toros in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas.Odom’s slow start was blamed on conditioning because of the 149-day lockout, but after playing 32 games with the Mavericks it’s evident that Odom hasn’t fit in coach ‘s offense since being traded from the to start the season.Carlisle has been frustrated with Odom, who wasn’t expected to miss this many games during his leave of absence. He wants answers now.”When he comes back, we’re going to find out very quickly where things are at,” Carlisle told an ESPN Dallas radio station Friday, before the Mavericks played at the . “He’s going to have to show us with his actions and attitude that he’s in.”(Owner) Mark (Cuban) asks a fundamental question with anybody in our franchise: ‘Are they in or are they not in?’ Our fans want to know that Lamar’s in. Our players want to know that Lamar’s in. It’s not about how many points he’s scoring or rebounds. Those things are a factor. Our fans, our players want to see the guy playing like his pants are on fire and we haven’t seen that so far and that’s got to change.Odom, a versatile 6-10 forward, is averaging 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and shooting 35.7% from the field in 21.4 minutes, all career lows. He hasn’t had a double-double in backing up Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who has missed time because of right knee and back injuries.Last season with the Lakers, Odom averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shot 53% from the field when he was named the league’s Sixth Man of the Year. Through the first 32 games of 2010-11, Odom had 13 double-doubles.For his 13-year career, Odom averages 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 46.7% shooting from the field.”We got to find ways to get better and we’d love to have him,” Nowitzki said after morning shootaround Friday. “I still think when he’s playing at a high level our team can take it to a whole another level. We’re going to be patient with him and then see what he can give us.”If he can play every night and be there for us, then it’ll be OK and it’ll work out. … His versatility on both ends of the floor is something not a lot of teams have, so we’d love to give it a shot and go from there.”Odom got off to a good start in his first appearance with Dallas but that quickly fizzled. To a loud ovation at , he appeared with 5:38 left in the first quarter of the season opener vs. the Miami Heat on Christmas Day.Odom hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 11, and it has been all downhill since in Dallas. Odom was ejected with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls with Dallas trailing 82-54. He finished with four points on 1-for-6 shooting, four rebounds and four fouls.In Odom’s last game to end the 2010-11 season with the Lakers, who were swept in the Western Conference semifinals second round by Dallas en route to its first NBA championship, jimmy choo slingbacks shoes on sale us Odom was ejected, too.While Odom is playing for the Legends on Saturday, the Mavericks will be playing a home game vs. the Utah Jazz.

Mattel abandoned its claim that christian louboutin shoes a rival toy maker infringed on its copyright by developing the popular Bratz doll line but it has appealed a $310 million award that came after an eight-year legal saga.MGA Entertainment/APPart of the 2010 collection of Bratz dolls.MGA Entertainment/APPart of the 2010 collection of Bratz dolls.In court papers filed this week with the 9th , attorneys for Mattel said the company disagreed with the jury finding that didn’t steal the idea for the pouty-lipped, hip hop-inspired dolls but wouldn’t challenge it after the grueling legal battle.However, Mattel, based in , Calif., did ask the appeals court to reverse the financial judgment entered by a judge based on a jury verdict. The award included $172 million in damages for MGA for misappropriation of trade secrets, and $137 million for MGA in attorney fees and defense costs., the CEO of MGA, said he was pleased Mattel would not challenge the ruling on copyright infringement.”Bratz and its ownership has always belonged to MGA and was built with the hard work and ingenuity of MGA employees,” he said. “As for the damages and legal fees award of $310 million … I am confident we will prevail upon appeal.”The Bratz dolls were a blockbuster hit for Los Angeles-based MGA when the line debuted in 2001 and generated nearly $1 billion in sales at their peak in 2006.The two companies have been dueling for years over who owned the copyright to Bratz.Mattel first sued in 2004, claiming Bratz designer was working for Mattel when he did the initial drawings on the provocative, urban-themed dolls with large eyes, heads, lips and feet, and tiny noses. The dolls were an overwhelming hit with “tweens” as sales of Mattel’s Barbie line declined.A federal jury found in favor of Mattel in a 2008 copyright infringement trial and awarded the company $100 million in damages.The verdict was overturned on appeal, however, and a second jury last year found in favor of MGA on the copyright issue.That jury was also asked to consider allegations in a countersuit filed by MGA that accused Mattel of sending spies to toy fairs and trade shows to steal MGA’s trade secrets.Jurors found that Mattel stole 26 of the 114 trade secrets MGA listed, ultimately resulting in $85 million in damages for MGA.The federal judge overseeing the case later awarded MGA an additional $85 million in punitive damages for trade secrets misappropriation, and MGA, Larian and the company’s affiliate $137 million in legal fees.Mattel argued in the court papers filed Monday that MGA’s lawsuit on trade secrets was filed too late and shouldn’t have been included in the trial.christian louboutin short shoes outlet The court also abused its discretion and made errors when calculating the attorney fees and defense costs expended by MGA, the papers said.Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke threw cold water on the improving economic outlook Wednesday, saying further significant declines in unemployment are not likely without stronger economic growth.abercrombie fitch mens sweatpants By Alex Brandon, APFederal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.By Alex Brandon, APFederal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.”Continued improvement in the job market is likely to require stronger growth in final demand and production,” Bernanke told the in his semiannual report to Congress on monetary policy.His remarks came on the same day the said the economy grew at a 3% annual pace in the fourth quarter, up from its previous 2.8% estimate.STORY: MORE: Bernanke said the steep drop in the jobless rate since September, from 9% to 8.3%, has been surprising in light of relatively tepid economic growth. The economy expanded at a 2.3% annual rate in the second half of last year, which was far better than the first half’s growth of less than 1% at an annual rate, but still a modest pace.While the sharp drop in unemployment is partly due to average monthly nonfarm job gains of 183,000 the past five months, a large number of workers have dropped out of the labor force and are not counted among the unemployed. As job openings increase, unemployment could rise again if those workers resume their job searches.Fed policymakers expect the jobless rate “to continue to edge down only slowly” this year, Bernanke said. In January, the Fed projected the economy would grow 2.2% to 2.7% this year and unemployment would be 8.2% to 8.5% by year’s end.The Fed could reevaluate its outlook if the job market continues to show surprising gains, he said. But Bernanke also indicated the Fed is not planning to take any additional measures to stimulate the economy.Stocks turned lower Wednesday after those comments made it appear less likely that the Fed will buy more bonds to juice the economy even though the Fed referred to the possibility of doing so in its latest policymaking statement on Jan. 25.Bernanke noted that consumer spending, particularly on autos, has picked up with the easing of supply-chain disruptions stemming from Japan’s earthquake last year. Also, factory output and business investment have continued to grow and a widely followed private research report out Tuesday said consumer confidence in February reached the highest level in a year.Still, Bernanke noted, “the fundamentals that support spending continue to be weak,” with inflation-adjusted income flat in 2011 and lenders still tight-fisted. The sluggish housing market has shown hints of improving, but foreclosures and high vacancy rates are still pushing down prices.Last year, the Fed took several steps to stimulate the economy, including huge purchases by the Fed of long-term Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities to help drive down borrowing costs for homebuyers, and policymakers agreeing that short-term interest rates would likely stay near zero for at least two years. That has drawn criticism from Republicans who say the Fed’s moves risked stoking inflation. But Bernanke reminded lawmakers Wednesday that the Fed’s interest-rate forecasts aren’t written in stone.” If there is a substantial change in the outlook, we have to adjust accordingly,” he said.Bernanke declined to wade into the current battle in Congress that has Democrats advocating further government spending on infrastructure to create jobs, and Republicans opposing such measures because they’ll add to the multitrillion-dollar federal debt.If Congress passes further stimulus, it must be balanced by a long-term deficit-reduction plan, he said.”You need to think about both of these things together,” he said.abercrombie fitch scarves

WHEN thoughts turn to summer, the sun-drenched plains of Africa are never far from designers’ minds.
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Traditional references continue to inspire. Animal prints – particularly big-cat spots – are a perennial favourite, and this season they’re scattered across flowing gowns and cocktail numbers. Safari suiting is also back, with khaki jackets, crisp skirts and white shirts still holding appeal, while Balenicaga brought modernity to the look with safari trousers featuring a techno sheen.
This season’s Africana also mixes ethnic prints, raffia-work, tribal sketches and intricate beading into a modish melting pot of ancient techniques and avant-garde ideas.

WITH the London 2012 Olympics looming, there is a spirit of athleticism in the air and fashion is on a fitness streak.
But the new luxe sportswear isn’t just about hi-tech anoraks- which did see a makeover at Victoria Beckham, DKNY and Kenzo – but taking performance fabrics and fusing them with feminine lines.
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At Stella McCartney, swirls of asymmetrical sporty mesh gave dresses a sporty spin, while silky track pants at Lanvin, Antonio Berardi and Hakaan were teamned with loosely tailored tops for a modern evening look.
One word of warning – to score a winning look avoid sporty brights by night and stick to a clean monochrome palette for an air of elegance.

Go beyond the champagne, red wine or chardonnay and try something new and alluring for Valentine’s Day. When planning a Valentine’s Day romantic dinner or a fun evening for singles, cocktails can be fun to create and serve as a great conversation piece. Pair the perfect cocktail with classic chocolates and desserts associated with a romantic Valentine’s Day, or a complete Valentine’s Day dinner menu.

Cocktails can offer exotic and sensual flavors to create a mood. For cocktail creations at home, make sure you have all the essential tools for delicious and tasty concoctions.

Proper glassware such as martini glasses, champagne glasses, high and low ball glasses, shot glasses and measurers, shakers, mixers and tooth picks for garnishes are all important items to have on hand for cocktail creating on Valentine’s Day.

Olives, onions, lemons, limes, berries and other fruits should be part of cocktail creations too.

Presenting cocktails with decorative or funny napkins will also add to the cocktail hour.

Creative cocktails also require sophisticated liquors, juices, specific alcohols and other mixing items.

Sugar, salt and food coloring for rimming glasses are essential items for that extra special touch for a cocktail. Review recipes for the cocktails you would like to serve on Valentine’s Day, and bring the list with you when you shop for ingredients.

Love Potion #9

Ingredients:

1 ounce strawberry, vanilla or clear vodka
1/2 ounce white crme de cacao
1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
Scoop of vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup ice
Strawberry for garnish

Directions:

Pour the ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a chilled margarita glass. Garnish with a strawberry. If the mix is too thick, add berries or milk. If the mix is too thin, add ice or ice cream.
Passionate Martini

Ingredients:

1 part vodka
1 part vermouth
2 parts green tea
1/2 lemon
Several drops of red food coloring
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

In a small bowl, add sugar and a drop of red food coloring. Mix and let sit to dry for a few minutes. Rim a martini glass with the lemon and then rim the glass with the red sugar. In the glass, pour the alcohol ingredients and then add the ice. Then pour in a drop of the red food coloring. Garnish with chocolate covered hearts, flowers and what ever else strikes the moment.
Chocolate Cherry Bomb Shot

Ingredients:

1/2 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur or white Creme de Cacao
1/2 ounce cream
1/2 ounce grenadine syrup

Directions:

In a shot glass, layer grenadine, Godiva chocolate liqueur and cream.
Spicy Chocolate Cherry Bomb Cocktail

Ingredients:

1/2 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur or white Creme de Cacao
1/2 ounce red pepper vodka
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
Splash of grenadine

Directions:

Fill a shaker with ice, add red pepper vodka, chocolate liqueur, grenadine and chocolate syrup and shake. Strain into glass.
Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Champagne
1 ounce brandy
Orange slice for garnish
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Directions:

Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute. Use the dashes of Angostura bitters to saturate the sugar cube. Add the brandy. Fill with champagne.

Garnish with the orange slice and cherry.

Add some romance to your Valentine’s Day celebration with simple and delicious cocktails. Pick up the necessary ingredients at the grocery the day before to avoid forgetting any key items. Follow these simple instructions for the perfect drink to toast your Valentine’s Day company.

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