Chicago Sun Times

Good morning -- Joe Gibbs -- Back in the playoffs after all these years and you've still got to go up against a quarterback named Simms. Question of the day Will Texas quarterback Vince Young be successful in the NFL? Selected responses to today's question will be printed Tuesday on The Kickoff page. Please e-mail your answer (about 25 words) to sports@baltsun.com by 3 p.m.Monday. Include your name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. THEY SAID IT "No guts, no glory."

Speaking of ranting ... If I recall correctly, wasn't Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen ordered to take sensitivity training a couple of years ago for using inappropriate language regarding sexual orientation to describe sportswriter Jay Mariotti? Well, whatever they hoped to accomplish in that sensitivity training, Guillen continues to have a flair for colorful language and imagery. For instance, during the opening days of spring training, Guillen said that he felt it would be beneficial to his team if he wasn't so constrained in his approach, to wit (as quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times)

Two journalists from The Sun have won a national award from the Society of Professional Journalists for a series published last fall that focused on the plight of two homeless Baltimore teenagers. Reporter Liz Bowie and photographer AndrM-i F. Chung won the organization's Sigma Delta Chi Award for nondeadline reporting for newspapers with circulations of 100,000 or more. Their entry was the series "On Their Own," which documented the lives of Iven Bailey and Gary Sells as they struggled to complete their senior year at Lake Clifton-Eastern High School.

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation. Articles • One less independent thinker in Washington:  Ron Paul won't seek re-election to Congress. ( The Facts )  • Classy, as always:  Bill Maher hopes Bachmann and Palin split the MILF vote. ( Huffington Post )  • Probably a good idea: Casey Anthony might live in disguise upon release from prison ( Chicago Sun-Times )

WASHINGTON -- Common Cause, a citizens' lobbying group, has asked the House ethics committee to investigate reports questioning Rep. Dan Rostenkowski's rented campaign office space and postage-stamp purchases.The group asked the committee to look into whether any of Mr. Rostenkowski's activities violated House rules prohibiting converting campaign funds to personal use. Common Cause did not raise any new allegations against Mr. Rostenkowski, D-Ill., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, but it cited newspaper reports in calling for the investigation.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan was to meet with NBA officials in New York today to discuss revelations that he gambled with individuals of questionable character, according to published reports.The Chicago Sun Times reported today that NBA vice president of public relations Brian McIntyre confirmed the meeting, but would not disclose its time or location.The NBA declined to provide additional information yesterday, and Jordan was unavailable for comment. The Bulls were en route to New York last night for a game tonight with the New York Knicks.

CHICAGO -- Hollinger International Inc., a newspaper conglomerate that owns the Chicago Sun-Times, said yesterday that it is selling 45 of its small U.S. papers to an Alabama company for approximately $475 million.The Chicago chain, which owns newspapers in the United States, Canada, Britain and Israel, also said it would buy the Effingham Daily News, a 13,300-circulation daily in Illinois. Terms of that purchase were not disclosed.Twenty-eight of the newspapers are dailies, most in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.

Manager Jim Essian might be fired by the Chicago Cubs, a report published yesterday says.The Chicago Sun-Times, quoting unidentified sources in the Cubs organization, says the firing could occur shortly after the season ends, possibly as early as Monday.Essian took over for the fired Don Zimmer on May 23. The Cubs, 17-19 under Zimmer, have won 57 and lost 64 under Essian. They've lost 24 of the past 35.* ASTROS: Owner John McMullen reportedly has terminatenegotiations with a Houston group trying to purchase the club.

Jordon whistled for foulMichael Jordan isn't flying very high with some of the Chicago media, who are crying foul that the city's basketball hero-in-residence was a no-show at a meeting with President Bush on Tuesday at the Rose Garden.Some say he should be fined. Others say that if Bush can golf during the Persian Gulf war, why shouldn't Jordan golf through a presidential photo opportunity?Not that Jordan actually was playing golf. He told reporters yesterday during a team media availability that he was spending much-needed three-day vacation with his family.