var ticker_heads = new Array();
var ticker_urls = new Array();
ticker_heads[0] = 'Steve McNair, a Super Bowl Quarterback, Is Shot (...)';
ticker_urls[0] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/sports/football/05mcnair.html?ref=sports&usg=AFQjCNE_Eaayl0-OcD9nGUaRUUFdX0oy2w';
ticker_heads[1] = 'NYC fireworks feature 'dance of light' beneath H(...)';
ticker_urls[1] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/07/04/2009-07-04_nyc_fireworks_feature_dance_of_light_beneath_hudson_river.html&usg=AFQjCNFx9G-ny1-VuwdDuoOzLMz4pzQyOw';
ticker_heads[2] = 'Weary Palin Sought to Regain Control';
ticker_urls[2] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/04/AR2009070402761.html&usg=AFQjCNG7kMgTJ0IiZk-XSPNmYASiWohKDQ';
ticker_heads[3] = 'Meeting Saturday, OAS prepares to shun Honduras (...)';
ticker_urls[3] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1127699.html&usg=AFQjCNEhl5bioQkshJK0gqPyUKnMPb5rKg';
ticker_heads[4] = 'Cherish your freedom on Independence Day';
ticker_urls[4] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/723183.html&usg=AFQjCNHZk8iibJ_BdmtSnNnC7kehmyhntA';
ticker_heads[5] = 'Calm urged after N Korea missiles';
ticker_urls[5] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8134462.stm&usg=AFQjCNF8P11V3wbazudZaJCackglr68Ubw';
ticker_heads[6] = '5th Death Tied to South Carolina Killer';
ticker_urls[6] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/us/05serial.html?ref=global-home&usg=AFQjCNHU1dGncvrHmIa0qUNm579abWuNZA';
ticker_heads[7] = 'Analysis: Iran crisis set to rage on';
ticker_urls[7] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8134484.stm&usg=AFQjCNGBnthT2uSq5VURooywA_ZJpH3BFg';
ticker_heads[8] = 'Obama says Iraq will see difficult days ahead';
ticker_urls[8] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0pvtM8IbI0_bcjLj0l8oVoD9vyQD99801681&usg=AFQjCNFPM5zYRFXzKdzIIQOt9thcACFsLQ';
ticker_heads[9] = 'UN chief: Myanmar leader promises to hold inclus(...)';
ticker_urls[9] = 'http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/05/content_11654565.htm&usg=AFQjCNGEJEYRaeilJ80FIxM0pplkVVzzdA';
// delay between characters
var delay_interval = 50;
// how many times slower then normal delay the dot "flash" is
var dot_factor = 10;
// how many times to show the dot
var dot_repeat = 7;
var itemPos=0;
var charPos=0;

function ticker_refresh(){
	ticker_elem = document.getElementById('ticker');
	if(!ticker_elem){return;}
	if(!ticker_heads[itemPos]){return;}
	text = ticker_heads[itemPos].slice(0,charPos);

	if(charPos > ticker_heads[itemPos].length){
		dot = (charPos - ticker_heads[itemPos].length) % 2;
		if(dot){
			text = text +'.';
		}
	}

	ticker_elem.href=ticker_urls[itemPos];
	ticker_elem.innerHTML = text;
	wait = delay_interval;
	
	if(charPos > ticker_heads[itemPos].length + dot_repeat){
		itemPos = (itemPos + 1) % ticker_heads.length;
		charPos=0;
	}else{
		if(charPos > ticker_heads[itemPos].length){
			wait *= dot_factor;
		}
		charPos++;
	}
	setTimeout("ticker_refresh()", wait)
}
ticker_refresh();