The vice President of the United States Joe Biden reported a few hours ago today (Monday morning January 24, 2011) for jury duty alongside almost 100 other Americans of different races, economic scales and stations in life at the New Castle County courthouse in his home state of Delaware.





For those, especially in my recent immigrant community of Nigerians/Africans who simply wonder why a "whole" sitting vice President made time to attend to the basic assignment of jury duty, the well-spoken former senator said it best: "I don't consider myself different than any other person. This is important ... It is an honor to be a part of the system" - he is quoted as having told The News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.



In respect of these issues, I will make five quick points:



One, forgive my sheer audacity to ask: can you imagine a Vice President or President of Nigeria, Africa, the Arab/Persian world and the "third world" countries standing in line and taking basic, legal instructions and routine citizenship roles of law and order and civic dedication at the level of jury duty....



Two, even with different judicial methods of law and order, for most of Nigeria, Africa, the Arab/Persian world and the "third world" countries, the processes of law and order are held in severe contempt by many leaders; as judicial orders are flouted, bought or sold or coerced!



Three, I bear witness to the knowledge that democracy and civic development is not only about voting but the learned and lived patterns of civilized conduct. The government of the U.S did not move, wholesale and in toto, to the historic courthouse



of New Castle county because the U.S Vice President came, like any other citizen, to fulfill a civic duty. No.



Four, in another sense, it is understandable because the U.S government takes care of and defends its citizens anywhere in the world! On the other hand, how many Nigerians were wasted in Odi, Jos, Johannesburg, Tripoli, Baghdad, and in the city I was born, Aba, the once great Enyimba city and few are truly held responsible? How many Kenyans were slaughtered in the ethnic war called elections almost 18months ago? Who will protect the every day Ivorian?



Fifth, I am compelled to ask a rather harsh question of the lying and thiefing toads who rule and ruin various parts of Nigeria, the Arab/Persian regions and the rest of the developing world: when will you learn the successful civic habits of American and European societies where you deposit your financial loot, import the most exotic cars and expensive artifices and hedonistic indulgences you can only enjoy behind your barricaded fences called homes? You buy and fly into Nigeria, Riyahd, Dubai, Johannesburg and elsewhere the car of impression called the Maybach Exelero, the exotic Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead coupe, the Bentley Azure and Flying Spur all fit for the maintained roads of modern cities but you remain unable to enjoy a decent drive in those marvels of automobile engineering in your own countries. Imagine driving the Maybach Exelero from Ojota to Onicha, from Minna to Maiduguri, or from Ujari to Ubiaja? Again, imagine how many kidnappers and potholes and gulleys and....



Anyway, while some leaders focus on buying cars and toys, others look at building effective institutions.



Accordingly, I bear witness in deep respect of the iron-clad dedication and abiding civic sense of duty by an overwhelming number of Americans who daily, every minute, make this system work to the best possible interests (amidst imperfections and biases) of an overwhelming number of its citizens and non-citizens; like in no other country.



I bear witness that only in America will a young man like me, who after only 28months of coming here to the U.S as a youth of very modest beginnings and limited resources fly the flag of USAfrica multimedia networks from Houston, Texas, and the entire word takes responsible notice and respects and rewards our efforts, signally and substantially.

The vice President of the United States Joe Biden reported a few hours ago today (Monday morning January 24, 2011) for jury duty alongside almost 100 other Americans of different races, economic scales and stations in life at the New Castle County courthouse in his home state of Delaware.





For those, especially in my recent immigrant community of Nigerians/Africans who simply wonder why a "whole" sitting vice President made time to attend to the basic assignment of jury duty, the well-spoken former senator said it best: "I don't consider myself different than any other person. This is important ... It is an honor to be a part of the system" - he is quoted as having told The News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.



In respect of these issues, I will make five quick points:



One, forgive my sheer audacity to ask: can you imagine a Vice President or President of Nigeria, Africa, the Arab/Persian world and the "third world" countries standing in line and taking basic, legal instructions and routine citizenship roles of law and order and civic dedication at the level of jury duty....



Two, even with different judicial methods of law and order, for most of Nigeria, Africa, the Arab/Persian world and the "third world" countries, the processes of law and order are held in severe contempt by many leaders; as judicial orders are flouted, bought or sold or coerced!



Three, I bear witness to the knowledge that democracy and civic development is not only about voting but the learned and lived patterns of civilized conduct. The government of the U.S did not move, wholesale and in toto, to the historic courthouse



of New Castle county because the U.S Vice President came, like any other citizen, to fulfill a civic duty. No.



Four, in another sense, it is understandable because the U.S government takes care of and defends its citizens anywhere in the world! On the other hand, how many Nigerians were wasted in Odi, Jos, Johannesburg, Tripoli, Baghdad, and in the city I was born, Aba, the once great Enyimba city and few are truly held responsible? How many Kenyans were slaughtered in the ethnic war called elections almost 18months ago? Who will protect the every day Ivorian?



Fifth, I am compelled to ask a rather harsh question of the lying and thiefing toads who rule and ruin various parts of Nigeria, the Arab/Persian regions and the rest of the developing world: when will you learn the successful civic habits of American and European societies where you deposit your financial loot, import the most exotic cars and expensive artifices and hedonistic indulgences you can only enjoy behind your barricaded fences called homes? You buy and fly into Nigeria, Riyahd, Dubai, Johannesburg and elsewhere the car of impression called the Maybach Exelero, the exotic Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead coupe, the Bentley Azure and Flying Spur all fit for the maintained roads of modern cities but you remain unable to enjoy a decent drive in those marvels of automobile engineering in your own countries. Imagine driving the Maybach Exelero from Ojota to Onicha, from Minna to Maiduguri, or from Ujari to Ubiaja? Again, imagine how many kidnappers and potholes and gulleys and....



Anyway, while some leaders focus on buying cars and toys, others look at building effective institutions.



Accordingly, I bear witness in deep respect of the iron-clad dedication and abiding civic sense of duty by an overwhelming number of Americans who daily, every minute, make this system work to the best possible interests (amidst imperfections and biases) of an overwhelming number of its citizens and non-citizens; like in no other country.



I bear witness that only in America will a young man like me, who after only 28months of coming here to the U.S as a youth of very modest beginnings and limited resources fly the flag of USAfrica multimedia networks from Houston, Texas, and the entire word takes responsible notice and respects and rewards our efforts, signally and substantially.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies late Monday night, shocking a world that was prepared to see the 32-year-old lefty ace end up with the Yankees or Rangers. It's a move that makes the Phillies into World Series favorites, but it's also a move that will take some other moves to make payroll space, as Lee isn't coming cheap. And that's where Joe Blanton comes in.

Jerry Crasnick reported on Monday that the Phillies have been trying to trade Blanton to clear up salary, and the names we've heard in connection so far are the Red Sox and Brewers. The Phillies talked to the Red Sox, but no deal was struck. Meanwhile, the Brewers are interested in adding Blanton, but they would need the Phillies to eat some salary.

Blanton is due to make $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The 30-year-old righty is coming off a 4.82 ERA, but he also had a 4.05 ERA the year before, and he's proven himself to be an innings-eating strike-thrower who can fit into the back of any rotation. He's likely to be seen as a fallback option for teams that miss out on signing Carl Pavano.

Stay tuned, as the Joe Blanton rumors should stick around until the righty is finally moved.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies late Monday night, shocking a world that was prepared to see the 32-year-old lefty ace end up with the Yankees or Rangers. It's a move that makes the Phillies into World Series favorites, but it's also a move that will take some other moves to make payroll space, as Lee isn't coming cheap. And that's where Joe Blanton comes in.

Jerry Crasnick reported on Monday that the Phillies have been trying to trade Blanton to clear up salary, and the names we've heard in connection so far are the Red Sox and Brewers. The Phillies talked to the Red Sox, but no deal was struck. Meanwhile, the Brewers are interested in adding Blanton, but they would need the Phillies to eat some salary.

Blanton is due to make $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The 30-year-old righty is coming off a 4.82 ERA, but he also had a 4.05 ERA the year before, and he's proven himself to be an innings-eating strike-thrower who can fit into the back of any rotation. He's likely to be seen as a fallback option for teams that miss out on signing Carl Pavano.

Stay tuned, as the Joe Blanton rumors should stick around until the righty is finally moved.

On Thursday, Peter O'Malley said Los Angeles and the Dodgers deserve a better owner than Frank McCourt.
On Friday, Joe Torre, one of baseball's most respected managers, said he is stepping down after the season.
Coincidence? Probably.
What isn’t a coincidence? O'Malley's statement and Torre's decision say the same thing about the Dodgers: The once-proud franchise is in the dumps.
Few around the game expressed surprise about Torre's decision.
"Looking at it from the outside, I think Joe knows what is best for Joe and what's best for the Dodgers," Padres manager Bud Black said before his team's game in St. Louis on Friday. "I am sure for Joe it was pretty clear."
"His body language when I saw the Dodgers recently wasn't good," an NL scout said. "I think the situation there has worn on him. I think it's wearing on everyone."
Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are going through a divorce that has stagnated payroll and cast an uncertainty over the franchise. The club's two-year run of winning the NL West is all but over as the Dodgers head toward their first losing season since 2005. Until the divorce case is over and the ownership situation settles, the future doesn’t hold much more hope.
Turning to a rookie manager, Don Mattingly, also is a risk. Mattingly has worked beside Torre since their years with the Yankees but has no managerial experience.
Black, for one, doesn’t see that as a problem.
"He's equipped," said Black, who took over the Padres prior to the 2007 season despite having no managing experience. "I know from my own experience of coaching under Mike Scioscia. Don has coached under Joe Torre so he's been right next to one of the best there is. Some type of osmosis does occur. He'll handle the transition just fine."
When talking with Sporting News last year about his managing style, Mattingly said he was ready for the challenge. "I feel really comfortable with the game," he said. "I felt like I was ready when I was with the Yankees (and interviewed for their job when Torre left). These years in the NL have helped me."
Torre, 70, figures to have plenty of options. A club release about the managerial change said Torre is "retiring." A source told the Los Angeles Times that Torre could take another job with the Dodgers. With numerous teams likely to replace managers at the end of the season, Torre could have his pick of jobs. How he might fit in a few of those places:
Cubs. Chicago plans to go young next season and is likely to hire Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, who has managed many of their youngsters in the minors, or Mike Quade, who has displayed a high-energy style that has been well received in an interim basis since he replaced Lou Piniella.
Mets. This potential opening would have been much more attractive if Johan Santana’s status for next season weren’t uncertain after shoulder surgery. Still, the Mets might be willing to offer Torre big bucks in the battle for attention with the Yankees.
Braves. When Fredi Gonzalez turned down a chance to interview for the Cubs' job, speculation followed that he is first in line to replace the retiring Bobby Cox. Torre's availability, however, could change Atlanta's thinking.
Mariners. It would be more difficult to see Torre in a baseball outpost such as Seattle than it was to see him switch from Yankees pinstripes to Dodgers blue.
Marlins. See Mariners.
Cardinals. If St. Louis’ late-season fade pushes out Tony La Russa -- a long shot -- Torre would make an attractive replacement.

On Thursday, Peter O'Malley said Los Angeles and the Dodgers deserve a better owner than Frank McCourt.
On Friday, Joe Torre, one of baseball's most respected managers, said he is stepping down after the season.
Coincidence? Probably.
What isn’t a coincidence? O'Malley's statement and Torre's decision say the same thing about the Dodgers: The once-proud franchise is in the dumps.
Few around the game expressed surprise about Torre's decision.
"Looking at it from the outside, I think Joe knows what is best for Joe and what's best for the Dodgers," Padres manager Bud Black said before his team's game in St. Louis on Friday. "I am sure for Joe it was pretty clear."
"His body language when I saw the Dodgers recently wasn't good," an NL scout said. "I think the situation there has worn on him. I think it's wearing on everyone."
Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are going through a divorce that has stagnated payroll and cast an uncertainty over the franchise. The club's two-year run of winning the NL West is all but over as the Dodgers head toward their first losing season since 2005. Until the divorce case is over and the ownership situation settles, the future doesn’t hold much more hope.
Turning to a rookie manager, Don Mattingly, also is a risk. Mattingly has worked beside Torre since their years with the Yankees but has no managerial experience.
Black, for one, doesn’t see that as a problem.
"He's equipped," said Black, who took over the Padres prior to the 2007 season despite having no managing experience. "I know from my own experience of coaching under Mike Scioscia. Don has coached under Joe Torre so he's been right next to one of the best there is. Some type of osmosis does occur. He'll handle the transition just fine."
When talking with Sporting News last year about his managing style, Mattingly said he was ready for the challenge. "I feel really comfortable with the game," he said. "I felt like I was ready when I was with the Yankees (and interviewed for their job when Torre left). These years in the NL have helped me."
Torre, 70, figures to have plenty of options. A club release about the managerial change said Torre is "retiring." A source told the Los Angeles Times that Torre could take another job with the Dodgers. With numerous teams likely to replace managers at the end of the season, Torre could have his pick of jobs. How he might fit in a few of those places:
Cubs. Chicago plans to go young next season and is likely to hire Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, who has managed many of their youngsters in the minors, or Mike Quade, who has displayed a high-energy style that has been well received in an interim basis since he replaced Lou Piniella.
Mets. This potential opening would have been much more attractive if Johan Santana’s status for next season weren’t uncertain after shoulder surgery. Still, the Mets might be willing to offer Torre big bucks in the battle for attention with the Yankees.
Braves. When Fredi Gonzalez turned down a chance to interview for the Cubs' job, speculation followed that he is first in line to replace the retiring Bobby Cox. Torre's availability, however, could change Atlanta's thinking.
Mariners. It would be more difficult to see Torre in a baseball outpost such as Seattle than it was to see him switch from Yankees pinstripes to Dodgers blue.
Marlins. See Mariners.
Cardinals. If St. Louis’ late-season fade pushes out Tony La Russa -- a long shot -- Torre would make an attractive replacement.

Another living legend, John Robert “Joe” Cocker, showed up in the most talked about show, the American Idol.
He surprised the crowd and performed at the end of the Finale together with Crystal Bowersox and the Idol Winner, Lee DeWyze singing Cocker’s hit song “with a Little Help From My Friends”.
He has still the “it” to the people. That night, he became the perfect median between Crystal and Lee’s styles.

Another living legend, John Robert “Joe” Cocker, showed up in the most talked about show, the American Idol.
He surprised the crowd and performed at the end of the Finale together with Crystal Bowersox and the Idol Winner, Lee DeWyze singing Cocker’s hit song “with a Little Help From My Friends”.
He has still the “it” to the people. That night, he became the perfect median between Crystal and Lee’s styles.

John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE (born on 20 May 1944 in Sheffield, England) is an English rock/blues musician, composer and actor who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles. He is the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his song "Up Where We Belong", a duet which he performed with Jennifer Warnes. He was ranked #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list.

A British rock/R & B singer who's been a solo act from the start, Joe Cocker isn't a top-rank artist by any means. He writes very little of his own material, plays no instruments, and finds himself completely at the mercy of whatever producer and backing musicians he lands with. Over the years he's had sporadic success, without a solid hit album since 1970. Despite this, Cocker deserves credit for his gravelley, soulful, and distinctive singing - his phrasing and stage antics were lifted straight from Ray Charles, but he always managed to put his own stamp on the proceedings. Furthermore, he was closely tied in to the late-60s British rock scene, and during that period he brought together a lot of its best elements to produce a few fine records.

A note on sidemen: Cocker is most closely associated with Leon Russell in many people's minds, and in fact Russell was largely responsible for Cocker's two biggest records (joe cocker! and Mad Dogs). However, his most loyal collaborator over the years has been keyboardist and occasional songwriter Chris Stainton. Other than that, there's little consistency to Cocker's backing band, which on most records includes a dozen or more performers.

You Can Leave Your Hat On Lyrics

Baby
take off your coat
real slow.
Take off your shoes
I'U. take off your shoes.
Baby
take off your dress
yes
yes
yes.
You can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on.
Go on over there
turn on the light
no
all the lights.

Come over here
stand on that chair
yeah
that's right.
Raise your arms in the air
now shake 'em.
you give me reason to live - you give me reason to live -
you give me reason to live - you give me reason to live.

Sweet darling - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on
baby - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on.

Suspicious minds are talkin'
they're tryin' to tear us apart !
They don't believe that it is love of mine -
They don't know what love is - they don't know what love is -
They don't know what love is - they don't know what love is -
I know what love is !

There ain't no way - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on - you can leave your hat on -
Give me the reason to live - you can leave your hat on!


Tags: joe cocker, janet jackson, janet jackson new haircut, jermaine jackson, latoya jackson, janet

John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE (born on 20 May 1944 in Sheffield, England) is an English rock/blues musician, composer and actor who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles. He is the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his song "Up Where We Belong", a duet which he performed with Jennifer Warnes. He was ranked #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list.

A British rock/R & B singer who's been a solo act from the start, Joe Cocker isn't a top-rank artist by any means. He writes very little of his own material, plays no instruments, and finds himself completely at the mercy of whatever producer and backing musicians he lands with. Over the years he's had sporadic success, without a solid hit album since 1970. Despite this, Cocker deserves credit for his gravelley, soulful, and distinctive singing - his phrasing and stage antics were lifted straight from Ray Charles, but he always managed to put his own stamp on the proceedings. Furthermore, he was closely tied in to the late-60s British rock scene, and during that period he brought together a lot of its best elements to produce a few fine records.

A note on sidemen: Cocker is most closely associated with Leon Russell in many people's minds, and in fact Russell was largely responsible for Cocker's two biggest records (joe cocker! and Mad Dogs). However, his most loyal collaborator over the years has been keyboardist and occasional songwriter Chris Stainton. Other than that, there's little consistency to Cocker's backing band, which on most records includes a dozen or more performers.

You Can Leave Your Hat On Lyrics

Baby
take off your coat
real slow.
Take off your shoes
I'U. take off your shoes.
Baby
take off your dress
yes
yes
yes.
You can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on.
Go on over there
turn on the light
no
all the lights.

Come over here
stand on that chair
yeah
that's right.
Raise your arms in the air
now shake 'em.
you give me reason to live - you give me reason to live -
you give me reason to live - you give me reason to live.

Sweet darling - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on
baby - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on.

Suspicious minds are talkin'
they're tryin' to tear us apart !
They don't believe that it is love of mine -
They don't know what love is - they don't know what love is -
They don't know what love is - they don't know what love is -
I know what love is !

There ain't no way - you can leave your hat on -
You can leave your hat on - you can leave your hat on -
Give me the reason to live - you can leave your hat on!


Tags: joe cocker, janet jackson, janet jackson new haircut, jermaine jackson, latoya jackson, janet

Saratoga Springs received many millions of dollars through Joseph Bruno’s office over the years. Those walking on Broadway on a sunny and breezy Wednesday morning expressed mixed feelings about the former senator’s fate, to be decided in federal court this afternoon. Turns out, even some Democrats feel some sympathy toward the man.
“I’m actually pretty torn,” Julie Takac of Milton, sitting outside a coffee shop with a laptop computer. “I think he’s done a lot for the community, but he obviously seems to have done something wrong.” Takac, 34, said, “he needs to be responsible for the actions he’s taken.”(photos by Michael Farrell)
The judge should be lenient in the sentencing because of Bruno’s age, said Arnold Alfert, a retired dentist and “liberal Democrat” of Saratoga Springs. “Most of the politicians have the same problem,” Alfert, 66, said while on a trip to return library books and videos. “He was great for Saratoga. You can see the difference already in town without him. I don’t think we would have these problems with racing if he was still there.”

Bruno did more to grow the Capital Region than any politician, and his age makes jail time inappropriate, said Al Callucci of Saratoga Springs. “What do they want, for him to die in prison,” Callucci, 66, said. He suggested Bruno get a suspended sentence and pay a fine.

Saratoga Springs received many millions of dollars through Joseph Bruno’s office over the years. Those walking on Broadway on a sunny and breezy Wednesday morning expressed mixed feelings about the former senator’s fate, to be decided in federal court this afternoon. Turns out, even some Democrats feel some sympathy toward the man.
“I’m actually pretty torn,” Julie Takac of Milton, sitting outside a coffee shop with a laptop computer. “I think he’s done a lot for the community, but he obviously seems to have done something wrong.” Takac, 34, said, “he needs to be responsible for the actions he’s taken.”(photos by Michael Farrell)
The judge should be lenient in the sentencing because of Bruno’s age, said Arnold Alfert, a retired dentist and “liberal Democrat” of Saratoga Springs. “Most of the politicians have the same problem,” Alfert, 66, said while on a trip to return library books and videos. “He was great for Saratoga. You can see the difference already in town without him. I don’t think we would have these problems with racing if he was still there.”

Bruno did more to grow the Capital Region than any politician, and his age makes jail time inappropriate, said Al Callucci of Saratoga Springs. “What do they want, for him to die in prison,” Callucci, 66, said. He suggested Bruno get a suspended sentence and pay a fine.

Contrary to an early report on Wednesday morning, the Bruins are still trying to work out a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes to bring Ray Whitney to Boston, according to a source.
The hang-up still seems to be Whitney's desire for an extension with any team that acquires him. The 37-year-old (who will be 38 by the end of the playoffs) has reportedly been looking for a two- or three-year extension.
The Bruins could be trying to negotiate a package for Whitney and defenseman Joe Corvo.

Contrary to an early report on Wednesday morning, the Bruins are still trying to work out a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes to bring Ray Whitney to Boston, according to a source.
The hang-up still seems to be Whitney's desire for an extension with any team that acquires him. The 37-year-old (who will be 38 by the end of the playoffs) has reportedly been looking for a two- or three-year extension.
The Bruins could be trying to negotiate a package for Whitney and defenseman Joe Corvo.

The Twins have not officially confirmed or denied a report by WCCO-TV in Minneapolis that the team has agreed to a 10-year contract extension with star catcher Joe Mauer.

The sides do have mutual interest in reaching a long-term deal, raising the likelihood of an agreement. With the team expanding its payroll and opening a new ballpark this year, the signing of Mauer, a local icon, is a high priority.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the St. Paul Pioneer Press over the weekend that he doesn't "sit and fret about" Mauer's future with the club.

"I think the right thing's going to happen," Gardenhire said, according to the newspaper. "I think we all do. I think we all know the ramifications if something were not to happen and it'd go the other way. ... Everyone knows the right thing to do here and the smart thing, and everybody's trying to get that done."

Without a new contract, Mauer would become a free agent after earning $12.5 million this year. The St. Paul native turns 27 in April.

Mauer took 27 of 28 first-place votes in winning the American League's MVP Award last season, becoming only the second catcher in 33 years to win an MVP.

He hit a career-high .365, the highest average for a catcher in MLB history, to win his third batting title and second in a row.

He is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner.

The Twins have not officially confirmed or denied a report by WCCO-TV in Minneapolis that the team has agreed to a 10-year contract extension with star catcher Joe Mauer.

The sides do have mutual interest in reaching a long-term deal, raising the likelihood of an agreement. With the team expanding its payroll and opening a new ballpark this year, the signing of Mauer, a local icon, is a high priority.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the St. Paul Pioneer Press over the weekend that he doesn't "sit and fret about" Mauer's future with the club.

"I think the right thing's going to happen," Gardenhire said, according to the newspaper. "I think we all do. I think we all know the ramifications if something were not to happen and it'd go the other way. ... Everyone knows the right thing to do here and the smart thing, and everybody's trying to get that done."

Without a new contract, Mauer would become a free agent after earning $12.5 million this year. The St. Paul native turns 27 in April.

Mauer took 27 of 28 first-place votes in winning the American League's MVP Award last season, becoming only the second catcher in 33 years to win an MVP.

He hit a career-high .365, the highest average for a catcher in MLB history, to win his third batting title and second in a row.

He is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner.

Aerosmith's Joe Perry is still my hero
So I'm hanging with Joe Perry, lead guitarist for Aerosmith. (Wow, I've never had more fun writing a lead sentence in my life.) We're lounging on his tour bus, a rock-nirvana-on-wheels idling almighty outside a St. Pete radio station. The 59-year-old has been driving around the country, chatting up critics about his new solo album, Have Guitar, Will Travel, out Oct. 6. A few weeks ago, his PR rep asked if I wanted to "informally hang" with Joe. I informally answered, "Are you (bleepin') kidding me?" • The man who has ripped solos on Walk This Way, Love in an Elevator and all those classics ingrained in our DNA is long and thin, with a skunk stripe of white blazing through the middle of his black mane. He has myriad necklaces hanging from his tan, leathered neck; his black belt should be sporting six-shooters. The interior of the bus is all high-roller suite; the color schemes are leopard-print and badass. Joe Perry rolls down the blinds. • "Can I get you a drink?" he asks. In my mind: Askforbourbonaskforbourbon. Instead: "I'd love a water." Gutless. • I was told I'd have 30 minutes; Joe gives me 90. Here are excerpts from our chat, complete with notebook scribblings as I tried to look smooth sitting knee-to-knee with rock royalty:

On the vibe of his new album, especially the great blues track Slingshot:

I wanted the feel of driving into Las Vegas at 6 in the morning with the top down after being up for three straight days. I've had nights like those.

As I sip my water, Joe is cradling what looks to be a very expensive brown bottle. I casually try and scope out the label. Finally, across the bottom: ROOT BEER.

On the fate of Aerosmith after singer Steven Tyler fell off the stage during an August show, causing the band to scrap a summer tour, including a Tampa date:

There are plenty of tweets, Twitters, blogs saying the band broke up and that's bulls---. It's just not true. People can be so bitter and cruel. Just because you're anonymous doesn't mean you can lose your manners or your etiquette. . . . Aerosmith is not broken up. We're going to take a good healthy sabbatical.

(Perry was born in Lawrence, Mass., and there are still hearty remnants of a Boston accent. Case in point: He loves Ray "Chahhhles.")

On the whispers that Tyler is addicted to painkillers, brought on by the stage fall:

As far as I know, he was doing what his doctor said. The hardest thing for him to do is try and sit still. That guy is permanently on.

(Apparently falling off the stage is a common occurrence in Aerosmith lore. Perry said he himself plunged from a stage 25 years ago. "What goes up must come down," he says.)

On the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, the thrill ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Steven and I rode it 49 times the first day, to check all the music. The ride was already built when we saw it; that's their thing. But the music they left up to us.

Joe is all about the kids. The art for 2008's Guitar Hero: Aerosmith video game adorns the outside of his tour bus. "I'm not a gamer," he says. "But I have 6- and 7-year-olds coming up to me talking about Aerosmith songs I had forgotten about."

Aerosmith's Joe Perry is still my hero
So I'm hanging with Joe Perry, lead guitarist for Aerosmith. (Wow, I've never had more fun writing a lead sentence in my life.) We're lounging on his tour bus, a rock-nirvana-on-wheels idling almighty outside a St. Pete radio station. The 59-year-old has been driving around the country, chatting up critics about his new solo album, Have Guitar, Will Travel, out Oct. 6. A few weeks ago, his PR rep asked if I wanted to "informally hang" with Joe. I informally answered, "Are you (bleepin') kidding me?" • The man who has ripped solos on Walk This Way, Love in an Elevator and all those classics ingrained in our DNA is long and thin, with a skunk stripe of white blazing through the middle of his black mane. He has myriad necklaces hanging from his tan, leathered neck; his black belt should be sporting six-shooters. The interior of the bus is all high-roller suite; the color schemes are leopard-print and badass. Joe Perry rolls down the blinds. • "Can I get you a drink?" he asks. In my mind: Askforbourbonaskforbourbon. Instead: "I'd love a water." Gutless. • I was told I'd have 30 minutes; Joe gives me 90. Here are excerpts from our chat, complete with notebook scribblings as I tried to look smooth sitting knee-to-knee with rock royalty:

On the vibe of his new album, especially the great blues track Slingshot:

I wanted the feel of driving into Las Vegas at 6 in the morning with the top down after being up for three straight days. I've had nights like those.

As I sip my water, Joe is cradling what looks to be a very expensive brown bottle. I casually try and scope out the label. Finally, across the bottom: ROOT BEER.

On the fate of Aerosmith after singer Steven Tyler fell off the stage during an August show, causing the band to scrap a summer tour, including a Tampa date:

There are plenty of tweets, Twitters, blogs saying the band broke up and that's bulls---. It's just not true. People can be so bitter and cruel. Just because you're anonymous doesn't mean you can lose your manners or your etiquette. . . . Aerosmith is not broken up. We're going to take a good healthy sabbatical.

(Perry was born in Lawrence, Mass., and there are still hearty remnants of a Boston accent. Case in point: He loves Ray "Chahhhles.")

On the whispers that Tyler is addicted to painkillers, brought on by the stage fall:

As far as I know, he was doing what his doctor said. The hardest thing for him to do is try and sit still. That guy is permanently on.

(Apparently falling off the stage is a common occurrence in Aerosmith lore. Perry said he himself plunged from a stage 25 years ago. "What goes up must come down," he says.)

On the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, the thrill ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Steven and I rode it 49 times the first day, to check all the music. The ride was already built when we saw it; that's their thing. But the music they left up to us.

Joe is all about the kids. The art for 2008's Guitar Hero: Aerosmith video game adorns the outside of his tour bus. "I'm not a gamer," he says. "But I have 6- and 7-year-olds coming up to me talking about Aerosmith songs I had forgotten about."

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