Verbal Abuse

Seventeen years ago, a program was formed in Doylestown to help embattled parents take control of their lives and address problems with their children in a clear and deliberate manner. Called Tough Love, the program now has an international presence and a growing number of chapters. Phyllis York of Doylestown, the group's founder and a Tough Love International board member, said the program's resurgence is due in part to growing referrals from professional psychologists and legal authorities.

A Montgomery County commissioner who in October was the subject of a protection-from-abuse petition filed by his ex-fiancee publicly apologized for "verbal abuse" yesterday. However, County Commissioner Tom Ellis avoided discussing other alleged abuses contained in the petition, including that he backed a car into her and raised a golf club in a threatening manner. In a statement read during the county commissioners meeting, Ellis said that his apology wasn't "compelled" by any legal agreement with Lisa Ann Whalen, with whom Ellis has a year-old son. "I want to apologize to Lisa," Ellis said.

They couldn't shake the Oakland defenders all day. And when the Eagles offensive players sprinted off the field at the end of yesterday's embarrassingly inept exhibition, they had no better luck escaping their angry fans. Moving toward the runway to their locker room after a 20-10 loss to the Raiders, the Eagles were pelted with boos and the boozy verbal abuse that poor performances in 4 p.m. home games typically produce. One player, wide receiver Dameane Douglas, even answered them with a obscenity of his own. "You can't blame them," Eagles back Brian Mitchell said of the fans.

Four simple words from former University of Pennsylvania economics professor Rafael Robb yesterday in a Montgomery County court described why he blud- geoned his wife to death last year. "I just lost it," Robb said. Ellen Robb, 49, was wrapping Christmas gifts Dec. 22, 2006, when she was beaten to death in her home on Forest Road in Wayne. Before pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter on the day his trial for murder was set to begin, Robb told a packed courtroom and Common Pleas Court Judge Paul W. Tressler that on Dec. 22, he got into an argument with his wife over a trip she planned to take with their preteen daughter, Olivia.

In response to concerns raised about an audio recording on which Cherry Hill School District staff allegedly verbally abused a special-education student, the district superintendent issued a statement Tuesday saying that the individuals heard on the recording were no longer employed. "I want to assure our parents that the individuals who are heard on the recording raising their voices and inappropriately addressing children no longer work in the district and have not since shortly after we received the copy of the recording," said Maureen Reusche.

Those aren't just "forceful protests" by people opposed to abortion going on out there at the Northeast Women's Center. A mob is forming, and it is not going to stop until someone is hurt. It may not stop then. It takes something powerful to transform groups of like-minded people into a mob - some dangerous, volatile and compelling combination of fear, hatred, self-righteousness, and a conviction that any means to an end is acceptable. Anyone not part of the mob is seen as its enemy.

A citizens' panel yesterday recommended that the Philadelphia Police Department establish a special committee to review officers' conduct and make recommendations to the police commissioner. The Citizens Crime Commission released a six-page report outlining 30 objectives and 80 strategies that could make the police more responsive to the community. Many of the non-profit group's recommendations were praised by Police Commissioner Willie L. Williams as worthy of implementation.

Citing more than 30 deficiencies, state Health Department officials have criticized a Bucks County-run nursing home for violations of state regulations, including some that they say "jeopardize the health, welfare and safety of the patients. " In a nine-page report, released by the county yesterday, health officials cited 33 deficiencies at Neshaminy Manor Home in Doylestown Township, ranging from questions about injuries to criticisms about the cutting of a patient's hair in a corridor.

Jeff Tarango yesterday was fined $15,500, the heftiest fine ever assessed by Wimbledon officials. The temperamental tennis player then read a statement that said, in part, "my wife and I had to stand alone and defend ourselves against overwhelming pressures. " Tarango had quit his third-round match against Alexander Mronz in the second set Saturday after a dispute with chair umpire Bruno Rebeuh over a service call. During the on-court outburst, Tarango called Rebeuh "corrupt," and then after the match Tarango accused Rebeuh of fixing matches so that Rebeuh could gain friendship with certain players.

Upon further review On Wednesday night, LeBron James was hailed as the first NBA player in 34 years to post a 50-point triple-double. But after three days of intensive film review, the NBA issued a correction Saturday night, ruling that James had only nine rebounds in the 107-102 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The last guy to have a 50-point triple-double was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. The only others to do it were Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Richie Guerin.

WASHINGTON - The accusations leveled against three Army generals over the last six months are as varied as they are striking, the highest-profile of a growing number of allegations of wrongdoing by senior military officials. A one-star general was flown home from Afghanistan last spring to face criminal charges, including sexual assault. A four-star general formerly in charge of the increasingly vital Africa command was accused of financial mismanagement, accepting inappropriate gifts, and assigning staff personal tasks.

In response to concerns raised about an audio recording on which Cherry Hill School District staff allegedly verbally abused a special-education student, the district superintendent issued a statement Tuesday saying that the individuals heard on the recording were no longer employed. "I want to assure our parents that the individuals who are heard on the recording raising their voices and inappropriately addressing children no longer work in the district and have not since shortly after we received the copy of the recording," said Maureen Reusche.

NEWARK, N.J. - Monday afternoon, before the 76ers faced the New Jersey Nets, the NBA fined Sixers coach Doug Collins $15,000 for verbal abuse of an official after Saturday's impressive 109-106 overtime win against the streaking Indiana Pacers. The object of Collins' ire appeared to be referee Zach Zarba. There was some contact down the stretch that Collins didn't care for, especially an apparent karate-chop swipe at Jrue Holiday that was not called. After the win, Collins was seen directing some choice words toward the officials.

Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson, who starred at Episcopal Academy, sat out Saturday night against the Washington Wizards after aggravating a back injury in Friday night's loss to the 76ers. Henderson missed Wednesday night's game against the Wizards, but returned to play against the 76ers. However, coach Paul Silas said he believed Henderson might have injured his back during a fall Friday night. Matt Carroll got the start in place of Henderson. Silas said guard D.J. Augustin and forwards D.J. White and Corey Maggette likely won't play during the team's four-game road trip because of injuries, but there's a chance guard Reggie Williams will return to practice Monday.

RE THE LETTER "Parenting Failures" (Oct. 12): I agree with every bit of what's said about black parents and their children. They say that kids will be kids, and it's common knowledge that children will get on your nerves every now and then. But when it comes to how they treat their children, some parents go to extremes. As a security guard, I've seen how some of these parents treat their offspring, black or otherwise. Their children are seen but the parents don't want them to be heard.

Gertrude Faye Johnson, a former auditor/accountant for the Detroit Housing Commission, said she always used to flinch when Carl Greene sauntered into her corner office. Her boss, then commission director, would shut the door, walk behind her chair, lean in and try to kiss her lips and fondle her breasts, Johnson told a Daily News reporter yesterday. "I told him he wasn't allowed to do that," she recalled. "I didn't like it. I pushed him away. He'd stand there for a moment and then he'd try to do it again.

Dear Amy: I'm a high school student and feel like I am being verbally abused by my brother, who constantly tells me I don't do things right. For example, he criticizes me for not putting dishes away after I'm done with them. When he criticizes me, he says things like "You're lazy. " Or he'll say, "If you continue to make these choices then you probably won't have the greatest path you can have in life. " He says he's smarter than I am because I have a GPA of 3.85 and his is 4.3 (he has taken AP classes)

BASED on the ceremony and statements surrounding Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's recent visit to Washington, it can only be concluded that the president has recognized that "making nice" is a better strategy in dealing with allies with whom we will, at times, disagree. Reaching out in an environment of mutual respect and friendship should not be reserved for those with whom we have more serious differences or are directly threatening, like Iran, Russia or China. Karzai is the leader of a country where the U.S. has spent nearly $1 trillion and 1,000 lives.

Upon further review On Wednesday night, LeBron James was hailed as the first NBA player in 34 years to post a 50-point triple-double. But after three days of intensive film review, the NBA issued a correction Saturday night, ruling that James had only nine rebounds in the 107-102 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The last guy to have a 50-point triple-double was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. The only others to do it were Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Richie Guerin.

Richie Incognito's alleged actions in St. Louis' first win of the season did not go unnoticed by the NFL. The league has fined the Rams offensive lineman a total of $35,000 for multiple offenses allegedly committed during last week's 19-17 win over Washington, according to an ESPN.com report. Incognito, penalized three times during the game, was fined $25,000 for repeated verbal abuse of a game official; $5,000 for a major facemask; and $5,000 for a chop block. Rams coach Jim Haslett spoke at length with Incognito this week about controlling his emotions.