Violent Kids

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by LifesBlogger

Martial arts, one of the greatest ways to gain self-confidence, muscle, and tons of other benefits. Millions of people around the world train for years and lifetimes to compete in tournaments to win huge prizes and to win the hearts of countries and nations.

Such a great workout and a wonderful experience. But are some people taking it too far?

Ive been in the martial art Tae Kwon Doe for about 3 years now. Achieving my black belt withing the first year was a 1st for where i went to. But as i watched my Tae Kwon Doe classes get bigger and more exciting. I also saw the violence and the overconfidence it was giving people.

Slowly and surely more and more people were getting into fights. Then on top of that people who weighed about 50 pounds were overconfident and challened non martial artistic people that weighed 3 times their size and weight to fights. Getting injured severly and at times even breaking their necks.

Others see movies and again with the extreme confidence buildup think they can jump off of buildings and survive. Though this is also just a movie stunt, there are those to try and attemp feats such as breaking bricks with their heads, jumping and shoulder rolling off of VERY high places and other such things that are causing people to get hurt.

Little kids are very succeptable to things in the world so thats why many parents choose to teach their kids when they are young. But is this truly a good idea when so many kids ARE joining but a small percentage, not many but still SOME, are getting severly injured and even killed?

As martial arts advances, many dojo's and places of practice are becomming more eager for money. Thus inrolling more kids who are NOT ready for such things.

In the old days, martial arts was only taught to those who were mature enough to handel it. But now when we have 6 month olds side kicking boards (and other 6 month olds) has it evolved into a money buisness?

You tell me, shoulds kids pay the price of money greedy instructors or is this just a coincidence with the violent acts of kids too young to understand the consequences of their actions.

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Las Ramblas Golf Course

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by Gary Cotter

You are thinking of playing some golf on holiday, you look up the local courses and see that Las Ramblas is nice and short, "it will be an easy game" you think.... wrong! Yes it is very short by modern standards (under 6000 metres) but I doubt you will play a trickier or tighter course in your life. It follows a couple of gorges (Ramblas) through the hills and although there is no long rough, there doesn't need to be if your ball is behind one of the many pine or olive trees or even worse, dissappeared fifty feet down a chasm.

There are a few blind shots as well, but my advice is to play only where you can see, in other words, leave the driver in the bag on those holes, remember it is very short and you really do not need to thump every shot. A nice accurate shot with a five wood or even a five iron will enable you to post a good score, if not take plenty of balls. At peak times it can be rather slow, but you are on holiday, so take a few drinks with you, sit in the sun and enjoy it. I always take my camera with me to las Ramblas, the "lads" at home won't believe you otherwise.

Some of the tees leave a lot to be desired and can be a bit patchy, but most are acceptable and some are very spectacular from high points or across a gorges and cliffs. If you do see your ball carry into an abyss, they are generally marked as lateral water hazards, so take your punishment and drop another ball where it crossed the markers. Having said that, I have seen people literally risk their lives climbing down a ravine looking for a battered old "pinnacle" and then return with a pocket full. To sum it up, relax, take your time, play within yourself and have a good game.

More details and contacts can be found on Las Ramblas Golf Course plus photos

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Bicycle Buying Guide

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by Bob Shanty-22044

Bicycles can be used for a number of purposes, including recreation, fitness, transportation and sports. If you are planning on purchasing a new bike, consider the terrain you will be riding on as well as your body weight. Are you finding it difficult to choose a new cycle? Go through this buying guide for exhaustive information on bicycles and make the right choice.

What types of bicycles are available?

Different types of bicycles, such as BMX, road, racing, touring, comfort, kids, womens, tandem and more, are available for sale. Here is an in-depth look at some popular models.

Road Bikes:

Road bikes are built for paved roads. They have thin tires, dropped handlebars and lightweight frames made of aluminum or carbon. The majority of these cycles have 21 speeds. Sport bikes, touring bikes, racing bikes, triathlon bikes, cruisers and choppers also fall under this category.

Mountain Bikes:

Mountain bikes are durable enough to withstand serious off-road racing. Sturdy frames, strong brakes, flat handlebars and 26-inch wheels make these bikes highly popular. Their low gears assist you in off-road racing, especially when going uphill and riding through mud. These cycles are heavy and can withstand rough handling. In a few models, the front suspension and rear suspension offer comfort, even while riding over uneven ground.

Comfort Bikes:

These bikes are good for beginners. Comfort bikes come with adjustable vertical handlebars, comfy seats, 26" wide and low pressure tires and suspension forks. They are made for short rides on well-maintained bike paths.

Hybrid/Cross Bikes:

These all-purpose bicycles combine the features of road and mountain bikes. They have a wide gear ratio, upright handlebars and narrow tires. Their frames are lightweight, making these perfect for pavement riding and minor off-road racing. Hybrid/cross bikes usually come with mudguards.

Recumbent Bikes:

If you cannot handle the physical strain associated with traditional bicycles, consider recumbent cycles. These bikes can go fast and provide comfortable seating. However, they do have some pitfalls. They are expensive compared to most standard bikes and their transportation by car may prove to be more difficult as well, especially long wheelbase models.

BMX Bikes:

BMX (Bicycle Motocross) bikes owe their invention to the popularity of motocross dirt bike racing. These bikes can be ridden through woods or around dirt-tracks. Though BMX cycles resemble mountain bikes, their wheels and frames are comparatively smaller. These bikes are suitable for kids and young riders. BMX racing bikes are built for racing on dirt tracks. BMX freestyle bikes are designed for doing tricks whereas BMX dirt jumping bikes are made for getting airborne on dirt tracks.

Chopper Bikes:

These bikes are based on chopper motorcycles. Chopper bikes feature wide rear tires, large cushioned seats and extended handlebars. These bikes are not recommended for off-road racing.

Womens Bikes:

Womens bicycles are smaller, designed to suit the build of the average woman. They have narrow handlebars, short top tubes and wide saddles.

Kids Bikes:

Is your child pining for a bicycle? Compact bikes with small frames are ideal for children. These bikes are easy to ride and durable. Many kids bicycles come with training wheels attached. Other cycles give you the option to attach separately sold training wheels. Go for kids bikes with spoke guards and coaster brakes that allow children to stop when pedaling backwards.

Tandem Bikes:

Do you want to make cycling more fun? Get a tandem bike that accommodates two or more people at one time.

What are other factors to consider when purchasing a bike and getting into the rewarding sport of cycling?

Frame Materials:

Frames are made of different materials depending on the type of bicycle.

Steel

The most commonly used frame material is steel. Chromoly (chromium-molybdenum steel) is lighter than carbon steel, but both are strong and durable.

Carbon Fiber

These strong and lightweight frames offer a good ride.

Titanium

Titanium is one of the most rugged, durable and costliest frame materials you can get.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a stiff and strong material. Aluminum frames are good for riders looking for lightweight bikes.

Suspension:

Hybrid, comfort and mountain bikes feature suspension forks. Forks assist you in riding over rough tracks more easily and comfortably.

Wheels:

Wheels play a vital role in bikes. Single-alloy hubs with rubber axle seals, few spokes and sealed bearings are recommended. Stainless steel spokes and aluminum rims are lightweight and rust free.

Gears:

Gears are crucial to ride on uneven surfaces. On flat surfaces, only 3 or 4 gears are needed. When it comes to hills and challenging terrain, a bike with a 21, 24 or 27 speed drivetrain is necessary. Go for bikes with gears that are easy to shift.

Brakes:

Most bikes are equipped with either rim brakes (V-brakes), linear brakes or hub brakes. Disc brakes, the latest brake type, provide brilliant braking and low maintenance, but are expensive.

Seats:

Look for anatomical shapes, flexible frames, gel padding and cushioning springs in your seats.

What accessories are available for bicycles?

If you are getting a new bicycle, you should check out the following accessories. Some accessories are absolutely necessary, while others are strictly for your own convenience.

Helmets:

Helmets are vital accessories to avoid head injuries. They come in kid and adult sizes as well as many colors.

Locks:

Protect your bicycle from theft with a bike lock. Locks are highly recommended if you plan on leaving your bicycle in any public area unattended.

Flat Kits:

For long rides, it is wise to carry a flat kit and a small frame-mounted pump to fill your tires with air. The kit should include a new tube, basic patch kit, tire iron, wrench, rag and small seat bag.

Pumps:

To fill your tires with air whenever you need, buy bicycle pumps.

Computers and Monitors:

A cyclocomputer is a digital speedometer that shows speed, distance and time traveled during your bicycle ride. High-end models come with GPS functions and can measure your heart rate and power output.

Mudguards:

Keep yourself and your bike clean with mudguards.

Baskets and Panniers:

Attach baskets and panniers to your bike to carry heavier loads.

Covers/Storage:

Protect your bicycles with cycle covers and storage solutions, such as lightweight aluminum storage stands.

Carriers:

For small cars, carriers (also referred to as bike racks) that attach to the roof are ideal. For big cars, like vans an SUVs, use carriers that attach to the rear of your vehicle.

Bob Shanty has been researching and writing articles that help shoppers make more educated buying decisions on cycling for online shopping mega store BIGshop for years. For more articles by Bob please visit http://www.bigshop.com.au.

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MLB Revenge Betting System

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by bleuze

Baseball is not a sport where you will win 75 or so win rate and you will make money

1) A team has to get swept in a 3 or 4 game series for us to bet the next series that these 2 teams meet to play.

In the next 3 game series they play against each other (THIS IS WHERE THE "REVENGE" PART COMES INTO PLAY), play against a road team in game #1 of a series if its their 3rd or 4th straight road series if they were swept in the prior series.

2) Thus, during the MLB season, circle all the 3 or 4 game series sweeps and then look at the schedule ahead and circle the next series that those 2 teams play each other. You will be betting the next series that those 2 teams play and you will be betting the team that got swept in the previous series!

3) Another important key to this betting program is that you will buy 1.5 runs when the team that you are betting on is the underdog and when the team that you are betting on is the favorite, then you bet the moneyline.

4) All that we want to do is win 1 of those 3 games. Once you have won a game in the series, you will take your winnings and wait for the next series. If you lose the game, then double up on the 2nd game. If you lose game 2 of the series, then bet game 3 to win back your losses in game 1 & 2 plus enough to make a profit.

5) A FEW KEY NOTES: if the best hitter on the team or the best pitcher is missing due to an injury, it is best to skip the series and wait for the next series. Also, do not bet in September using this system since many teams start calling up their minor league players and alot of the teams do not play quality baseball since they are out of the playoffs.

6) Be disciplined with your bankroll. There is no such thing as a lock! I suggest no more than 1% of your bankroll.

By following this system and not betting outside of it, you will make alot of money this season.

My recommend sports books to use for this "Revenge Betting System" are 5Dimes and BookMaker. Both books can be found on this site.


About the Author:

Richard's articles and picks can be found on http://www.24-7wagering.com

He also provides horse racing articles on http://www.bettingthehorsesonline.com

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What Comes Next for Cycling Teams T-Mobile & RaboBank?

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by Claudia Beckford

The T-Mobile team was first created in 1991 as a professional road cycling team which was at that moment sponsored by Deutsche Telekom but a few years later the name was changed to T-Mobile. The group has been part of major classic races such as: Tour de France and Il Giro d'Italia as well as the UCI Pro Tour.

During the early beginning back in 1993 the Telekom team raised to the top of the cycling world and remained in that privileged position for about 11 years; in both local races and international presentations specially the Tour de France. Among some of the most successful team riders that were part of the team's Golden Age we can mention; team leader Jan Ullrich, Georg Totschnig, Alexander Vinokourov, Cadel Evans, and Santiago Botero

A most controversial situation took place during the 2006 Tour de France when several riders were implicated and taken out from the competition due a doping scandal which dated from many previous years and which shadowed the sport of cycling as well as the favourite stars such as the German Jan Ullrich; Tour de France winner and Olympics medallist. Ullrich was then fired from the team and banned from any competitions due to his involvement with illegal substances.

Only one year later Jan Ullrich publicly ended all kind of speculations and announced his retirement on February 26, 2007.

On the other hand, we have cycling Dutch team Rabobank which was founded 1996. The team has been a very successful cycling force in the Dutch national championships such as: the Elite Road Race, Cyclo-cross and the Mountain Bike races and in international classics like: Amstel Gold Race, Paris-Tours, Milan-San Remo, Tour de France and Vuelta de España. (Spanish Vuelta).

Nevertheless, doping has also been present in the team's history as most recently one the team's main cyclists – mountain climber Michael Rasmussen – was involved in the Spanish Doping scandal therefore; he was removed from the 2007 Tour de France competition despite wearing the yellow jersey.

Rabobank's manager Theo de Rooij did state at the time that there had been several internal team codes violations on behalf of the cyclist nicknamed "The Chicken"; as he was required to take some tests but he did not show up to the appointments therefore, they had decided to end his contract. At first Rasmussen strongly denied any type of wrong doing but later on admitted some of the charges.

After all the previous uproar not only at T-Mobile or Rabobank but most of the cycling teams; the cycling authorities have initiated a strong anti-doping campaign and have decided to deny the entry of several well known teams such as: Astana, Crédit Agricole, Bouygues and High Road (former T-Mobile) to world class competitions such as; Il Giro. This in order to push the teams to restore their reputation as well as to be more strict with the riders' background and the day-a-day checkups.

From this point forward there is a bumpy road ahead for the cycling discipline but if that is what it takes to restore the credibility in the sport we must then embrace the new regulations and prepare for the new generation of athletes.

Claudia Beckford provides outstanding Pro Tour Cycling content as well as information in the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

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BBC Wins Wimbledon Contract

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by Leah Bransko

The BBC has successfully managed to secure the rights to broadcast Wimbledon (www.wimbledon.org) until 2014, in a deal that will see them overhaul their coverage of the tennis event for the digital age.

Wimbledon is an internationally renowned sporting event that's famed for its Chelford 52 tennis courts, Pimms, rain, and of course, Cliff Richard who nearly always seems to be in attendance. The BBC has covered Wimbledon since 1927, so maintaining the rights is seen as a major victory for the broadcaster.

The BBC's retention of Wimbledon has come as a shock to rival broadcasters who had expected the event's organisers, the All England Club, to put their broadcast rights out to tender for the first time.

The BBC's new five-year deal with the All England Club permits them to screen tennis matches via their on demand and iPlayer service for up to seven days after they have been played. This means that tennis-mad viewers will be able to watch matches via broadband and even on their mobile phones. The Wimbledon deal is also said to grant the BBC exclusive radio rights.

BBC Sport Director Roger Mosley promised that the BBC's dedication to new technology would make coverage of Wimbledon the most extensive ever. He said: "The BBC is deeply proud of its historic ties with Wimbledon, but this new agreement is focused on delivering state-of-the-art digital services. We're determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the club to innovate across digital platforms."

Chief executive of the All England Club Ian Ritchie was also positive about the new deal. He said: "Our lengthy partnership with the BBC, which started in 1927, has been highly successful and we are delighted to extend that association up to 2014. We are always looking to bring the championships to a wider audience at the same time as improving the overall quality of the coverage."

Just last week, the BBC paid around £160 million for the broadcast rights to Formula One, after rivals ITV were forced to drop out of the race in order to secure the rights to live Champions League football until 2012.

The BBC also has a contract with Six Nations rugby until 2013, which means that it now boasts an substantial selection of programmes for sports fans, despite a distinct lack of football coverage. The BBC's lack of football coverage is because it failed to bid for the live rights to the Champions League matches and lost the rights to broadcast FA Cup and England international games to rival ITV and specialist sports channel Setanta.

In other tennis news, Scottish player Andy Murray has admitted that he is learning to control his temper on the court. He said: "It's a question of keeping control of my feelings and emotions during a match, which you have to learn to do when you get a bit older. When I do, I think I will be a better player." Perhaps this means that we can expect a much calmer player when he appears at this year's Wimbledon.

Author: Leah Bransko
Leah is an expert on home DIY projects including bathroom and kitchen tiling. Minerals Marketing is a supplier of mineral fillers. Tile grout is made from silica sands and calcined kaolinte is often used in decorative paints.

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Steroid Use among America`s Youth

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by Grant Eckert

Although it is typically high school students who are encouraged to participate in organized sports, children of all ages do participate. Participating in organized team sports is a great way to achieve physical benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and a sense of well being. Organized sports are also a great way to develop camaraderie and character building.

In addition to the positive lessons of teamwork, work ethic, and social skills, the heightened sense of competition which sports develops can be a negative strain on a child's life. The obsession with winning, emulating their heroes in professional sports, or reaching the professional level can lead to steroid use. While the encouragement of children to strive to be the best is a positive guideline, some can turn it into a negative by experimenting with substances that can harm their bodies and their minds.

It is perhaps because of these extremely high standards that dangerous practices begin to take hold of young athletes. Also, it may be due to increases in news coverage of professional athletes using steroids. These are athletes who are idolized by kids. They are athletes who used steroids and achieved great success within their respective sports, albeit at a price. It is the responsibility of parents and coaches to make sure that all children, especially teenagers, are training in a safe and healthy way without the use of steroids.

Steroids are drugs that can help athletes achieve certain physical goals such as increased muscle mass, strength, and endurance. However, these drugs are extremely dangerous and illegal when used in competitive sports ranging from the professional level to even high school competitions.

Drug use, however, even the use of steroids, is sometimes glorified in movies and the media. Children may see an athlete set a record only to be accused years later of using steroids. America's youth can interpret this as an easy way to achieve success.
The American media tends to report only on steroid use among professional athletes mainly in baseball, football, and basketball. What is missing, many times, in these reports is the rampant use of steroids among the nation's youth. The use of steroids within the United States is increasing in dangerous numbers and should be a focus of the media in order to bring attention to parents, coaches, and teenagers.

As recently as 2003, it was found by the Youth Risk and Behavior Surveillance System that 5.3% of females and 6.8% of males have used anabolic steroids at least one time. These statistics are more than double of a study conducted almost a decade prior.
Steroid use, as well as other drugs, is an ongoing problem among America's youth. Steroid use not only can become addictive, but can also have long-term health risks associated with it. First and foremost, extended steroid use can lead to kidney failure, high blood pressure, and electrolyte imbalances. Additionally, steroids can lead to increases in harmful cholesterol and risk of heart disease and even strokes, which can ultimately lead to death.

Any teenager using steroids is at risk of altering his or her growth patterns and development as well. Steroids in the system can lead to premature closure of growth plates thus preventing the teenager from achieving his or her full grown form. Even more upsetting is the cessation of menstruation in girls combined with the deepening of the voice, baldness, and growth of facial hair. Steroids are particularly dangerous for young adolescents and young adults because their bodies are going through natural changes which can be severely altered or hindered by the use of these drugs.

In addition to these physical effects, steroid use can also affect a teenager's mental well-being. Use of steroids, as we know, can alter the amounts of growth hormone in the body as well as other hormones and neurotransmitters. This can lead to wild mood swings which can materialize into depression and even suicidal thoughts. It has been reported that teenagers who had stopped using steroids had fallen into depression (which is a common feeling among teens but can be exemplified by drug use), and taken their own lives.

Many parents and coaches today agree that something must be done to deter today's youth from using steroids. The best way to do this is through education, so many schools and sports programs today are incorporating drug education into their curriculums. However, much more is needed to encourage steroid avoidance. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, only 45% of high school seniors believe that using steroids can be physically harmful. The media can also do its part to help America's youth as well. More coverage on the risks associated with the use of steroids would go a long way, especially among today's impressionable teens.

About Author:
Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about sports and leisure activities, similar to what consumers read in Baseball Digest | Baseball Digest Magazine

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