{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.21.2507;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\b\f0\fs48 Red Reporter Bereavement Pool\par \f1\par \pard\fs20 Cost per entry: \b0 $10. \par \b Payout: \b0 $20 for second, $10 for third. Winner takes the rest. Ties will be split.\par \b Rules\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-450\li450 Select 20 famous folks whom you expect to pass by the end of the year. For each person on your list who dies, you get 125 points minus their age. (A 24-year-old is worth 101 points, a 95-year-old just 30.) \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}25 bonus points if one of your winners is a unique entry; that is, if no one else picks that person. \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}The person's obit must appear on the front page of either cnn.com or espn.com. This is to ensure the person is properly famous.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Actual date of death, and not official declaration of death or revelation of death, is the determining factor.\par \b{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Schiavo Rule:\b0 No person who is famous \i only \i0 for being ill is allowed. If the person wouldn't receive a national obit on his or her own merit, he or she cannot be picked.\par \b{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Proxy Rule:\b0 No people who are only famous for being family members or friends of celebrities. But if the family member in question has inserted himself or herself into the public spotlight and has become a celebrity in his or her own right, then that person is permissible. The relative must have a legitimate wikipedia page not created by an entrant as proof of his or her independent fame.\par \b{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Saddam Rule:\b0 No person on death row, in any country or capacity, is allowed.\par \b{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Barbaro Rule:\b0 No animals allowed. Also, no fictional characters. Only real human people count.\par \b{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Steve Fossett Rule:\b0 No missing people allowed, because it's often too difficult to determine actual date of death. \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}If you are involved in the deaths of any of your selections, you are disqualified. And you're going to jail.\par \pard\par I (boobs) reserve the right to resolve all disputes. If I find names to be suspect before posting the full list of entries, I will contact the entrants and ask them to change their picks. If anyone has issue with the entrants of another participant, notify me and I will make a quick and fair decision. After the first week, it will be assumed there are no contested entries.\par \par \b Deadline:\b0 All entries must be postmarked no later than Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, and the contest begins 12:01 a.m. Feb. 1. \b DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE ENTRY FEE. \b0 Any entries postmarked after Jan. 31 will be voided and entrance fees will be returned. I will post a list of all entries when I have received them. The contest runs through 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31. If a person dies after \par Jan. 31 and before next Jan. 1, he or she counts.\par \par E-mail me at renewkir@gmail.com with your 20 selections, and I will reply with an address to which you can send your entry fee. \fs16\par \fs20\par \par }