Ramblin' Jan

So long Comcast, sending Xfinity into the beyond...

2012-02-01T20:31:00.000-05:00

It's been a very frustrating few weeks. I've finally decided that my only option is to ditch Xfinity / Comcast and move over to Uverse or whatever it's called...

My emails have been vanishing into thin air. Some go through, some don't. I thought it was my web host as I have umpteen different websites and multiple email accounts for each site. I have it set up so they go to three different computers so I can keep up with them a little easier.

When they couldn't find a problem I figured I had a corrupt file and so spent time deleting emails, reloading programs, cleaning out things, and doing all the things you do when you have huge email files.

Nothing worked.

I receive emails just fine. It's when I reply or send that I have problems. I decided to call my web host instead of opening an on-line ticket and get to the bottom of it today after doing some experimenting on which ones were vanishing, trying to find a pattern, etc. After a loooonnnngggg time we finally discovered that my IP address was being blocked by pbl, zen.spamhaus and others. Six all told. The only solution they could come up with was to have Comcast assign a new IP address.

Ha ha ha on me.

The Xfinity woman-with-attitude that I talked with dumped it back in my lap but not until she messed up my Internet service. She had me unplug their modem and she tried to reset the IP address. She dorked it up trying to do something -- she admitted it. Because of whatever it was she did, I couldn't get back on to the Internet via wireless. I was on hold multiple times while she talked with her supervisor, they tried various things... THEN finally told me I had to call Comcast's Signature Support as it was over their heads.

She neglected to tell me that I had to PAY for the privilege of talking with Signature Support.

She messes up my system and I have to pay to get it fixed. You know I was a bit uptight about that one...but I make my living on the computer and you do what you have to do. I paid.

While working with the $$$ignature $$$upport guys (yep, took two), I learned that I shouldn't be using my Netgear router --- which the Xfinity guy who installed the new router when we bundled phones into the system NEGLECTED to tell me... So, after they got everything up and running, yours truly had to run to the store to buy an adapter 'cause my main computer was too far away from their modem to work. My other computer is, luckily, near enough to plug in directly.

I am livid. I STILL don't have my email working. Turns out I'm not alone with this problem. After talking with some tech friends and doing some research I learned that having a Comcast IP address blocked on the receiving end is not unusual. Seems that Comcast is supposedly the most abused email system when it comes to spamming. And, if what I've read is correct, Comcast isn't going to do diddly-squat about it.

I wasted an entire day on this mess and it's still not resolved. I decided to wait until tomorrow to try Comcast again. I want my money back for Signature Support. I also want them to find a solution for the email problem. If not, adios Xfinity.

Wish I'd NEVER decided to bundle phone, Internet and TV.

Gotta tell you NOT to do the phone thing... they told us incorrect dollar amount (extra monthly $8 not shared during multiple discussions), told me modem had 12 hour back up so wouldn't lose phones during Comcast outage. Lost service during first outage...they had to come out & put in a new modem. I could bore you to tears on the subject of Comcast phones (assuming you haven't already gotten bored and quit reading, of course ;-). I will tell you that to solve THAT problem I have to unhook the TV modem they gave us, travel to their center & exchange it...time, time, time.

Now this email problem with the modem. IP address can't be changed 'cause of the type modem, or that's what they told me.

I know U-Verse AT&T will more than likely bring its own set of problems, but I'm tired of fighting with Comcast. And, I need my email to work.

Guess that's enough venting for now. Writing a blog and sharing with whoever reads this is SO much better than kicking the wall or hitting a pillow .

Storm - 1 Comcast / Xfinity - 0

2011-08-07T07:49:00.004-04:00

We had a bad storm yesterday and it knocked out our electricity. Just ours, no one else in the neighborhood got hit.

The first thing I did was pick up the Xfinity / Comcast phone to call the electric company. No dial tone. The phone said "Searching...." and it kept at it until the phone beeped... and then beeped again a bit later. I finally took the battery out of the phone. The land-line phone we have, the one without any computerized or electrical gadgets, the one that has always worked in the past (pre-Comcast) was dead as the proverbial doornail.

Luckily in our modern world we all had cell phones and I was able to report both the electrical outage and the phone outage. Comcast said the battery failed on the modem and they'd be out next week to fix it. Uh huh.

We switched to Comcast phone last week. We already have cable and Internet. When I compared their latest deal (it included Fox Business News Channel for as long as we have the phone and some movie channel, plus a whole bunch of others) to our current deal with AT&T we saved some money. Not a ton, but in the end, after the two year 'deal' period, we'd still save a few pennies so I decided to give it a try.

My biggest concerns had been losing phone service when we lost cable / Internet and/.or electricity. I asked the guy on the phone AND the service tech when he came out to install. All kinds of assurances flowed... backup battery gave 4 hours of talk time or 8 hours of phone in the event electricity was out... the phone was separate from cable / Internet and would work in the event either or both of those went out.

Four days later, electricity is out and that brand spanking new modem has what they say is a defective battery. They actually had me open the modem to ensure that they put a battery in the thing. Nice people, can't complain on that front. Every experience has been good with the individuals I've encountered at Comcast / Xfinity.

Problems continue to be length of time it takes to get them out here. It's usually three or four days to get into the rotation. Then they cancel and reschedule (have had that happen twice).

Now I'm going to get a new modem or new battery or maybe both. My problem is going to be that I'll have to wait until the electricity goes out to know whether it'll actually work or not. I'm sure they'll have a little tester, but it won't tell me whether the battery holds a charge. It won't tell me if the modem connects correctly with the battery.

Oh, and lest someone suggest that maybe it got hit with lightening, it didn't. The fuse blew at the main pole coming into our house. I watched them replace it and voila, all the lights came back on... and the phone.

Not happy thus far. I do like having Fox Biz though.

Over 15 "Freedom Riders" Set to Journey Across the Country From Atlanta to New York City as a Means of Tribute to September 11th Fallen Heroes

2011-07-16T15:15:00.002-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Ask any citizen on the street and they can tell you vividly where they were when our country came under the worst attack on our homeland. Imagine being a first responder and going out to help the innocent victims of September 11th, 2001. Almost ten years to the day, a cycling tour (Freedom Ride) has been organized from Atlanta to Ground Zero to commemorate the first responders and pay tribute to the fallen heroes and their equally courageous survivors.

In 2009, on the eighth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, firefighter, Mike Palmeri of Atlanta Fire Station 21, was working the same shift he was the day of the attacks. An avid cyclist, he envisioned a ride covering more than 1,000 miles on two wheels. That vision became a reality. Now, with 15 cyclists, they have been dubbed, "The Freedom Riders." The riders are made up of both Georgia-based firefighters and public safety officers.

On Friday, August 26th, these intrepid Freedom Riders will take to their two wheels as they embark on a journey of a lifetime. A send off ceremony will take place on Cafe Street, the outdoor lobby of The Terminus Building in Buckhead, Georgia at approximately 9 am. A moment of silence will be observed at 9:11 am. The riders will continue through the city of Atlanta's Midtown and Downtown communities before heading north through Ellijay and the ominous challenges of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Every day for 16 days, the Freedom Riders will press on through weather and an average of 100 miles a day as they head for their pilgrimage goal, Ground Zero in New York City. Their "family," the American Fire Service at the end of each day's ride, will greet the Freedom Riders in every city. A solemn remembrance service, at Ground Zero, will culminate the ride on the ten-year anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2011.

For a complete list of Freedom Riders, ways to support and volunteer, please visit www.FreedomRide2011.com. Connect with the Freedom Riders on Facebook and Twitter to follow them on their journey.

Mission:
Demonstrate the American Spirit of duty, honor and country
Raise money for the Atlanta Fire Foundation

Had my thermography scan this morning

2011-03-14T16:54:00.000-04:00

I wrote earlier that I was considering having a thermography scan rather than suffering through another mammogram. After I shared my thoughts on it, I went out and researched the subject as I indicated I would (see some of the links at the end of my blog).

I read and read and read and then read some more. I am now a semi-expert on the issue. After all my reading and research I concluded that it's was worth giving it a try. Generally it was considered a viable alternative by some and a good addition to health care by others. I didn't find any that said "NO, HORROR, DO NOT DO THIS".

I checked around, couldn't find any place locally that did it other than Health Concepts in Fayetteville. There was one place listed in Peachtree City, but they didn't have a website. I may be an Internet snob, but if some place doesn't have a website, I'm not going. It looked like they used some kind of mobile service anyway.

I had my appointment this morning at 10 a.m. I had already filled out my paperwork, which they conveniently post on-line so you can print and complete prior to the appointment. Saved me time, saves them paper and toner!

I walked in, handed over my paperwork, sat down and before I got comfortable they were ready for me to take my scan.

It was painless. It was fairly fast given they do six different scans. I didn't have to sit in a room with a whole bunch of other women wearing a little paper top. I wasn't cold. They didn't mash my boobs. The tech explained everything to me prior to starting, then answered questions and volunteered more info as we went through the process.

After it was all said and done, I was able to look at my scans on the computer. They had a huge chart showing the various things to look for and she took time to point out and compare some of my results with those on the info chart. Of course, we didn't get into "gee, that looks bad" or any kind of suggestion regarding the results. She just explained what the various colors meant and things along those lines. I was able to see just how tense I was in the neck area!

I was back in my car in half an hour. Loved the turn around!

Now I wait. I was pleased to learn that they send the scans to Duke to be read by experts. She said it can take a week, but typically they're much faster. She explained what they'd be looking at, how they did it, what they were looking for when they manipulated the scans. I won't bore you with all the details. If they find something I'll get a call. If they don't, I'll get a letter. This is one time when I'm willing to sacrifice a tree to make paper for my letter!

I found it to be a very easy process. It wasn't demeaning or uncomfortable in any way. I would prefer not to have spent the $175 but it was certainly worth it given the alternative.

In three months I'm supposed to go back for another scan. I wasn't real thrilled about that one - it'll be another $150 dollars. However, after learning why they wanted the scan, it made sense. Cancer cells grow fast enough that in a three month period they'll be able to see if there have been any changes. If I have what they think might be a 'hot spot' they'll compare today's scan with the one they take in three months. If it's grown or gotten 'hotter' then I'll be off to see my insurance-covered doctor to get a mammogram.

According to the tech this process can detect many cancers years earlier than a mammogram or self exam. In my reading I learned that mammograms detect roughly 80% of cancers, ultrasounds around 83% and thermography, 90%.

It made sense that thermography might find more cancers. You have to have something big enough to feel to find it with a self-exam. It has to have reached a certain size to be detected in a mammogram. The thermography scan picks it up as it's picking up steam. In my laymen's terms, cancers start changing things around the corrupt cell. It needs nutrients, it's working, it's hot even when it's just beginning to cause trouble.

It's not meant to completely replace having to have a mammogram. Here's a disclaimer that I found typical on most sites I looked at "Disclaimer: Breast thermography offers women information that no other procedure can provide. However, breast thermography is not a replacement for or alternative to mammography or any other form of breast imaging. Breast thermography is meant to be used in addition to mammography and other tests or procedures. Breast thermography and mammography are complementary procedures, one test does not replace the other. All thermography reports are meant to identify thermal emissions that suggest potential risk markers only and do not in any way suggest diagnosis and/or treatment. Studies show that the earliest detection is realized when multiple tests are used together. This multimodal approach includes breast self-examinations, physical breast exams by a doctor, mammography, ultrasound, MRI, thermography, and other tests that may be ordered by your doctor."

Given that mammograms can detect some cancers that thermography scans might not pick up, it's probably not a good idea to eliminate those nasty things completely. I think if I had a history of breast cancer in the family or high risk factors I would probably do both. If I had to do test frequently as some with high risk factors must, then I might opt for thermography the majority of the time to keep from subjecting my body to even tiny amounts of radiation.

So, bottom line for me, in three months I'll go plop down more money for the baseline comparative scan. In a year I'll have another scan. I'm having my regular exam by the doctor in June so she'll do a touch and feel scan that's probably better than the ones I do.

I'm going to look into the ultrasounds, too. Maybe in a year or two, insurance will start to cover more preventative options like thermography and ultrasounds as opposed to mammograms. A girl can dream...

Here are some articles. Read them with the knowledge that many are protecting their bread and butter, and that anything 'new' is suspect by some.

Thermography vs Mammogram

2011-03-12T06:54:00.003-05:00

I'm going Monday to a local clinic to have a thermography scan. I'm working on the terminology, this is all pretty new to me!

I've been overdue for a mammogram and have been putting it off, putting it off, and putting it off. Did I say putting it off? Oh, man, do I hate those things. I'm one of the unfortunate few who always gets called back to have a second scan. It's bad enough having them mash your boobs once, but to sit there in the waiting room still wincing from the pain of the first one knowing you're getting ready to do it again is about as much fun as... well, can't think of anything to compare.

I got into a conversation with a friend who works with breast cancer survivors. She convinced me I should get my butt (and breasts) in to get a mammogram. A couple of other girlfriends joined the conversation and we started sharing horror tales about the process. Yes, it's true. If you lay on the ground and have a car roll over your breasts it's good prep for this procedure.

Smashing them in a refrigerator door will also help prepare for the pain. I'm sure you've seen the many cartoons and jokes, just like I have. Problem is, they're not really funny when they're true!

So, the breast cancer friend suggested we try thermography. I'd heard a bit about it, but figured it was probably expensive and that insurance wouldn't cover it. I called and asked and learned that no, most insurances won't cover the scans. There is one that will do it, but you pay extra so it's probably less expensive just to pay for the scan out of pocket.

I'm getting ready to go do some research. I have an appointment Monday morning at Health Concepts in Fayetteville, GA. The cost for the torso scan is $175. Then you're supposed to do a follow up in around 3 months for $150 to establish a baseline. Then it's $150 a year for a scan.

I heard there's a clinic in Peachtree City that also does scans. I'm going to track them down and compare pricing. I'm willing to drive a bit to save some money!

I'm also out doing research on the procedure itself. If they find something I know I'll then need to schedule a mammogram so I can get under my insurance and go the doctor route. Of course, I'm hoping they won't find anything!

I'm going to end this, go do my research and will share more with you later on what I find.

Grab your tissues and prepare to be inspired

2011-03-09T06:22:00.000-05:00

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;This &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

This is a video from 1999. It is a timeless example of true love and inspiration.

The young man in the wheelchair being helped in the Iron Man has cerebral palsy, is mute and a quadriplegic. His family was told he'd be a vegetable and to put him away. Instead, his parents (now divorced) and two brothers treated him as a regular member of the family.

When he, Rick, was 15 his Dad pushed him in a 15K race. He wrote on his computer that it made him feel like he wasn't handicapped.

At the time of the video above Rick was 37. His dad, Dick Hoyt, was 59. They were the first tandem couple to ever complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. It took them just over 16 hours.

In thinking and reading more about the father-son duo a myriad of positive messages flitted through my mind. Think about what it takes for a Dad, who I understand wasn't a runner prior to their first race, to push through and become strong enough, determined enough, to do this for his son. How can I complain about the petty things in my life when I watch that video and reflect on their lives? How can I whine about the aches and pains I have from walking or running when I'm in perfect health, have healthy children, after reading about this family?

The pair are still running together and have a website, http://www.teamhoyt.com/. Reading through the pages on the site it turns out that the duo have now completed six Ironman competitions!

I guarantee you'll need tissues to watch this.

---

Father-son marathon duo finds a new challenge
Celebrity owner reopens Holland landmark
DICK HOYT TAKES ON RESTAURANT BIZ
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090623/NEWS/906230344

Tea Drinker Discrimination

2011-01-28T07:18:00.000-05:00

I'm a hot tea drinker. I don't drink coffee and unlike many of my fellow coffee abstainer friends, I don't even like the smell. For some reason the fact that I don't like the smell seems to shock people more than the fact that I don't drink it. I'm not a snob, I'm just as addicted to my hot tea as coffee drinkers are to their brew. A morning without hot tea becomes a day with a major headache. Caffeine is addictive no matter how you swill it.

I'm a minimum two huge cups a morning type. I measured my cup recently, it holds two cups of fluid thus I'm getting four cups a day minimum of tea and caffeine.

My tea of choice is PG Tips, a British tea that is very strong. Pam, who's from Great Britain, at the Broadway Diner in Fayetteville turned me onto the tea. I thought initially I'd have to just stop in there to get a cup or two or ten, but turns out you can buy it at Kroger, at least you can buy it at "my" Kroger on the south end of Fayetteville, Hwy. 85. There are 40 bags to a box, it usually runs around $4 - $4.50 for a box. Not a bad price at all for a good cup of tea.

By now you're possibly wondering why I titled this blog "Tea Drinker Discrimination". If you're not, you should be given all the rambling prior to that statement...

One of my pet peeves is restaurants who give unlimited coffee (they pretty much all do) for one price but charge me for each and every cup of tea I drink. They charge the same for coffee as they do for tea usually, yet some, a few, restaurants charge me $2.25 or $1.75 or whatever for each and every cup of tea. I was actually told the other day at one Peachtree City restaurant that no, they didn't charge per cup. If I used the same tea bag over and over they would allow me to have three cups of hot water to go along with the one measly tea bag they were willing to allow me to have. Yep, I could re-use that puny thing they called a tea bag three times. I drink my tea with cream or milk -- reusing a tea bag that's been soaked with sweetener and milk isn't pretty, nor does it taste like anything other than weird water.

Once I discover a restaurant discriminates against tea drinkers I mark them off my list. I never return. I used to politely, nicely, try to let them know why but after a few blase responses (ala, we don't give a flying flip, there aren't enough of you tea drinkers to make a difference) I quit telling them why. I just don't go back.

There are two restaurants that I've marked off my list in Fayette County. One in Peachtree City and one in Fayetteville. I'm not naming names as they're fairly popular with my friends and I like the owner of the one in Peachtree City, would very much like her to succeed. I doubt my aggravation about her tea discrimination would hurt her business anyway. Now I think I may have hurt the business of the one in Fayetteville because they were positively snotty when I raised my eyebrow about being charged. I canceled my dessert order and left the restaurant they were so snippy about it. Since then I have taken enough business from them that I've cost them much more than it would have to just give refills on 10-15 cent cups of hot tea...

Think about it. How many people drink tea like I do? I may have two cups after dinner, maybe three if it's cold outside. It's going to cost them maybe 50 cents for those three cups of tea if I'm drinking the better selection. I'm going to buy dessert. I'm going to be a happy customer. I'm going to come back if the food was good and the service at least decent.

Given the small percentage of people who drink tea and the even smaller percentage who drink multiple cups, what's the big deal about free refills? The vast majority of restaurants don't charge for tea refills, from the nicest upscale places to the lowest end dive. Why do some restaurants try to grab a nickel on tea? What's the cost of a lost customer? What's the cost of having someone pull business meetings to other restaurants? I like to enjoy my meal. I don't enjoy some meals without my after meal, sometimes during meal, hot tea. And no, I don't always drink hot tea with a meal when I'm out. It's a mood thing, and sometimes a weather or time of day thing. I rarely have hot tea with lunch unless it's really cold.

I know all you coffee drinkers and caffeine abstainers are rolling your eyes at the idea of someone walking out of a restaurant, never to return, over being charged for a second cup of tea. It's the principle of the thing. It's part of the enjoyment of my meal. I pay pretty hefty prices for the privilege of eating at many restaurants. I don't mind, I know they need to cover their costs and hopefully make a profit. Tea isn't going to make or break them. But it can cost them if they charge for refills.

So there.

Ditching Nexium...

2011-01-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I started getting killer heartburn. I tried all the normal over-the-counter remedies, even tried Prilosec for 60 days straight. As soon as I stopped taking it, wham, the horrible keep-me-up-all-night heartburn was back. It was getting worse.

I finally decided it was time to talk with my doctor. She put me on Prilosec, prescription (not sure if there's a difference) for a month or so. Either they have to go through the 'try-this-first' hoops due to insurance or she didn't believe I'd already done it I suppose. Of course it didn't help. Just as soon as I stopped taking it the heartburn came back with a vengeance. Again, it seemed like it was worse than ever.

She sent me to a specialist who knocked me out and took a look. He said I had acid reflux, my little dooflotchy (lower esophogeal spincter (LES) muscle) that normally stopped acid from coming up the esophagus was weak, not doing its job. He told me I need to take Prilosec. Every day. Forever. Due to changes in my insurance he had to switch me to Nexium after a few months, but both did the job.

I did NOT like having to take a drug. Unlike my norm, I didn't go out and do any research, I just meekly filled my prescription and did away with the heartburn. Pain will do that to you... completely knock out the intelligent questioning part of the brain!

If I forgot to take it one day I knew it before the end of the day. I would end up taking two pills to be able to sleep,

I've been compliantly taking my medicine for almost three years now I guess. Off and on I've wondered how it works but have gotten sidetracked before I hit the computer and forgot to look it up. During that time frame I did a bone scan and discovered I had the beginnings of Osteoporosis, the you're-not-there-yet-but-if-you-don't-take-a-drug-you-will-be kind. I now take a weekly drug to help keep my bones in tip-top shape.

This morning I finally remembered to go look up Nexium. I wanted to bang my head on the desk. Guess what one of the side affects can be? Bone loss. Osteoporosis. Another is vitamin B12 deficiency which can lead to various brain problems. (Hah, now I have an excuse!).

I decided to get off the drug. All it's doing is wiping out 90% of the acid created in my stomach. I didn't go into any great depth as to what that could do to your digestion, but I did see a ton of comments from people who were having difficulties that stopped once they weaned themselves off Nexium (I'm assuming Prilosec is the same).

One of the things commonly noted was the rebound affect -- try to get off and your heartburn problems increase tremendously. All annecdotal, but I did see some links to studies that supposedly supported their assertions.

I'm going to list some suggestions to get off the drug in case you're interested.

low carb or no carb / no sugar diet. (I'm already doing that, started about 10 days ago so I suppose my timing in trying to get off Nexium is good.)
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar every day. Mix with water, take straight or mix with honey. (I tried that for weight loss, couldn't handle the taste so hopefully won't need to go that route. It is the most common 'cure' noted though... I guess I could put it on my salads, maybe that would work just as well.)
take Nexium for two days, Zantec for one - alternate like that for 2 - 3 weeks. Then go to every other day. Finally after about 2 weeks of that move to Zantec every day for 20 days. (I may try that one. I have no earthly idea why it should work, but it's one of the most common ways I found on the forums I read.)
papaya enzyme before ever meal, also one after if that doesn't help. Aids digestion, a good idea if you have any digestive problems in my opinion. (I keep a jar)
ginger - the kind you buy at the health food store. Good for digestion. (I'm going to try.)
DGL - a type of licorice (Info) (I'm going to pick up some & have just in case.)
chewing gum after every meal. Gets the juices going, helps digestion. I'd guess that peppermint would be more helpful than fruity gums, but that's a guess. (My mom always said my siblings and I looked like cows chewing cud when we chewed gum... I am scarred for life, can't chew it except on rare occasions!)
don't eat two hours before laying down. (Good idea to help prevent heartburn, acid reflux, something I'm already doing... a bit late in the game as I used to love a late-night snack, but sticking with it now that it hurts if I don't!)
eat apples (helps digestion)
avoid fried foods
loose weight
eat smaller portions, frequent meals rather than large meals
sleep with the head of your bed slightly raised. It helps to stop the acid from traveling up from your stomach to your esophagus.
take probiotics to help with digestion. (already doing sporadically, guess I'll make it a regular thing)
D3 supplement (I already take, supposed to help with so many different things, including wrinkle reduction... who knows about things like that, they say it will then years later say it really didn't. Can't hurt as long as I don't overdo it!)
cut back or eliminate caffeine. (Not giving up my hot tea, ever.)
stop smoking (not an issue for me)
baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon for symptoms or take it as a preventative twice a day. (Not me, no way.)
surgery if you have loose lower esophogeal spincter (LES) muscle, although some of the above remedies may still help per forums

I'm not a doctor (obviously...) and I can't tell you whether any of the above are good, bad or ugly, or whether they work. I'm getting off the stuff one way or the other. I have the kind that is due to a weak muscle so not sure that any of the above are going to do me any good. We'll see.

I'll try to pop on here off and on and let you know how I'm doing. I didn't take a pill this morning --- may end up taking one tonight to be able to sleep. I just figured I'd see if being on a low-carb, no sugar diet for a couple of weeks did the trick... I don't have my licorice, apples, ginger, Zantec, etc. yet so I don't have anything to allay symptoms. If I end up with bad heartburn tonight I'll wait until I can go to the store before beginning the weaning process!

A few links:

Butterbeer just SOUNDS like it has to be good...

2011-01-06T16:12:00.000-05:00

The word just rolls off the tongue so nicely it makes you want to repeat it. And hearing the description in the press release below, it made my mouth water. If I ever make it back to Universal Orlando I'm going to have to try one!

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT CELEBRATES ONE-MILLIONTH BUTTERBEER SOLD AT THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

Popular Beverage Hits Major Milestone: Universal Orlando Marks Moment with 1,000 Complimentary Butterbeers

In celebration of selling its millionth Butterbeer inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort shared 1,000 complimentary Butterbeers with guests on the streets of Hogsmeade.

Butterbeer appears as a favorite drink inside the Harry Potter books and films and is only available inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is a nonalcoholic, frothy drink reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch and is served cold or frozen.

Much has been written about Butterbeer since it made its debut on June 18, 2010, making it one of the most talked about beverages of 2010. There has been much speculation about its secret ingredients – but Universal Orlando will not share the closely guarded recipe. Universal has implemented special security procedures to protect the details.

Butterbeer quickly became a guest favorite. To help meet the strong demand, Universal Orlando added a fourth Butterbeer location within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

“You can see the excitement on our guests’ faces as they wait in line – and then the smile that comes with their first sip,” said Ric Florell, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Resort Revenue Operations for Universal Orlando. “Butterbeer is not just a beverage. It’s an experience.”

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most spectacularly themed environment ever created. It is the only place in the world where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life.

Talk about starting the New Year off right! Lottery Jackpot is $242 million!

2010-12-30T15:17:00.000-05:00

Mega Millions is bringing the fireworks to the celebration on New Year’s Eve. The jackpot for Friday’s drawing is an explosive $242 million to a single annuity winner. It only takes $1 for a chance to start 2011 with a bang.

Any lucky player who matches all five white ball numbers, along with the Mega Ball number, could win approximately $9.3 million a year for 26 years with the annuity option. Or a player could select the cash option and win a single payment worth approximately $154 million.

Any Georgia Lottery retailer who sells a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus payment. If more than one winning jackpot ticket is sold in Georgia, the retailers selling the winning tickets will share the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in the state of Georgia. Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $12.1 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.25 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

MEGA MILLIONS FAST FACTS
Draw Date: December 31, 2010
Estimated Jackpot Amount: $242 million
Annuity Amount: Approximately $9.3 million a year for 26 years
Cash Option Amount: Approximately $154 million
Cost to Play: $1 per play
Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Tuesday and Friday
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:40
Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:175 million
Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Nov. 12, 2010
Number of Rolls: 14
Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: Nov. 9, 2010 in Ohio
#1 Georgia Lottery Jackpot: Mega Millions = $390 million; March 6, 2007; Ga./N.J. winners

For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corporation and Mega Millions, please visit:
www.galottery.com and www.megamillions.com

Play Responsibly – It’s All About Fun!

Fayette County Commission Changes Selection Process for Board of Elections

2010-12-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

Last night I attended our local Fayette County Commission meeting. A number of things happened that have me scratching my head, but there's one that really tweaked my curiosity.

The Board voted to give themselves the final approval over who gets to serve on the Board of Elections.

In the past the Republican Party appointed one person, the Democrat Party appointed one and the County Commission appointed the third member. Done, finis, job complete.

Now however both the Democrat and Republican appointees will have to be approved by the County Commission.

I did a little research today, made a few phone calls, and as the county attorney Scott Bennett stated, the selection process is handled in a variety of different ways including the "new" way Fayette will be handling things. The only one I found that gives the County Commission final approval of who is appointed is Henry County. There may be others --- there are a LOT of counties in Georgia!

I can't imagine that the Democrat Party is going to be happy with this one. The County Commissioners are all Republicans. I'd have heartburn about it if I were a Democrat... and who's to say that at some point the tables won't be turned and Republicans will have to go before an all Democrat Board for approval of their appointee.

My research indicates the Board of Elections is supposed to be an independent board. This change seems to be trying to make them a little or possibly a lot less independent.

County Commissioner Eric Maxwell brought up some good reasons NOT to make the move. One being the one I raised in the paragraph before this one.

Another was the way it popped up kind of as a last minute issue. Per Maxwell the County Commissioners have had a policy for the past four years that they would discuss issues like this one in their monthly workshop and / or have at least three Commissioners look into the matter.

He said he first saw the measure two days before the meeting and that to the best of his recollection it had never been discussed at a workshop.

I asked outgoing Chairman Jack Smith what prompted the change after the meeting. He said that it was the only Board that had appointees who weren't approved by the Commission. He also indicated there had been some disputes over control of the budget and other items and this would give them more control. I asked the logical question "how would having final approval over appointees by local political parties change their control, affect budget disputes". I got a shrug type non-answer, a wellll... I really can't remember exactly what Smith said but it really wasn't an good explanation.

I guess at the end of the appointees four-year term if they haven't towed the Commission line they could block their re-appointment?

Now, behind the scenes I've been hearing there's a lot going on in this arena. I've heard that County Manager Jack Krakeel has been bumping heads with some of the appointees. I've heard that the Commissioners don't like that it's possible for the Republican Party to appoint a political opponent... and that they don't care for the fact that they could dump someone they've appointed only to have the Republican Party turn around and appoint them... I'm hearing all kinds of tings and have no idea where the truth lies.

I don't see any reason for the Board to sneak this one in as a last-minute last-vote of the year without some kind of something going on that I'd love to know!

This isn't one that is really going to affect me personally one way or the other. At least I don't think it will. I think it's just another power grab. I also think that we may see the Fayette Democrat and Republican parties working together to try and stop this one... we may also see Henry County Democrats joining forces with Fayette Democrats to try and stop it.

I'm including the video of the vote and discussion on the issue. Let me know what you think about it.

Good morning world! Ready for a little self-discipline?

2010-12-09T08:01:00.000-05:00

My dad is a person of discipline and habit. He's flexible where it matters but in his day-to-day routine he never varied when I was growing up. I'm not so sure about now given he's not trekking off to an office everyday, but back then, we could set the clock by his morning ritual.

Up every morning long before my little peepers started to stiffly open. Showered, dressed and to the kitchen for breakfast by the time my feet finally hit the floor.

He would have a small bowl of cornflakes with a teaspoon or two of bran atop and just enough milk to match the amount of cereal precisely. He'd take half a sandwich wrapped in wax paper and a bag of potato chips for lunch. He left the house at the same time and pretty much got home at the same time every work-day.

I have no idea what his weekend ritual was since yours truly never got up early enough to see it!

Later when the cost of cereal started to sky-rocket he quit putting bran on top of his cereal. Hope that didn't cause him any problems! For a long time I bought him a box of bran for his birthday and Christmas. He was appreciative but Mom finally told me that it wasn't a good idea as when he ran out he didn't replace them.

My morning ritual isn't quite so locked in stone but I do have a few regular habits. I must, must have at least one cup of hot tea in the morning. I like to have the biggest cup available and usually will end up having two (perfecto!). I typically wake up, take care of business, then walk straight to the computers, reboot if needed or start them up. Then I head back to the kitchen to make my tea. I drink my first cup in front of the computer catching up with the world on Twitter and Facebook.

Then it's back to the kitchen for my second cup and breakfast. I've kind of gotten into a habit when it comes to breakfast, too. I now eat either one whole wheat low-fat waffle or the Pepperidge Farm thin whole wheat sandwich bread with some low-fat cheese and / or two Morning Farm fake sausage links.

I make my breakfast and head back to the computer. Usually by then Twitter is going full-force making me completely forget about whatever I'm eating. After the food is gone and the cup of tea is history, I open up my email and settle down to delete spam and read the rest.

After that my morning goes in so many directions I couldn't begin to share!

I wish I had half my Dad's discipline and ability to focus, stay the path. About the closest I come to emulating some of his good traits is my morning structure, which I admit could change tomorrow. Now that I'm older I see how important self-discipline is to success. Sure sometimes people back into something good without having a modicum of self-discipline and inner strength. They're also the ones you read about who had it all and blew it, too!

I've tried through the years to be more structured and focused. I've failed every time. I'm just one of those people who's head is continually turning to see what else is happening. I want to try everything. I can't say no to a good cause and somewhere deep down inside I really do believe I'm superwoman and I can take on any challenge. Note I said take on any challenge --- I said nothing about succeeding!

Oh well. Time to get busy. I have a newspaper to update and the studio is calling.

How good it feels...

2010-12-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

Photo (left to right): Maggie Lachmayr, Bob Crutchfield, President/CEO of Christian City, Pat Sams, Phyllis Bennett, Victoria Hughes, Janet Dunn, Belinda Fitch, Debi Lenox, Dana Forse, Angela Bean, Chair of Volunteer Committee, Angela White, Randy Hall, Heidi Becker, Director of Marketing and Development at Christian City, State Representative Matt Ramsey, and Missy Ramsey

I participated once again this year in the Chair-ity Event, helping to raise much-needed funds for The Children's Village at Christian City. (That's me behind the two elves in the photo above) What a fabulous group of volunteers! What a wonderful cause.

I may have shared my feelings on giving and how I choose who to support before so skip this paragraph if you remember this particular soapbox! I was the local president of a large national charity for a number of years. We raised a ton of money for the cause. Along the way I also joined in efforts to raise dollars for other well-known organizations. Until I traveled to the headquarters of one of the groups. I realized where a lot of our hard-fought donations were going!

I started doing research and decided that I would only support organizations I could see, touch, visit, and get to know personally. I support a wide variety of local groups - the Joseph Sams School, the Promise Place, Southwest Christian Care, The Breast Cancer Survivor's Network... I know I'm missing some... but I'll end the list with "my" charity of choice, Christian City.

The volunteers and staff at Christian City are a stellar group of people who do so much to help so many. They not only support children through numerous programs, but they help our senior population. They're now working on a new program which will provide assistance to adult children with special needs. That's going to be a program I'll be getting behind 100%.

Christian City is well-run. Everyone I've ever gotten to know is committed to what they do and they all go way above and beyond. I'm so impressed with every aspect of their mission and the way they go about the business of helping others.

It makes me feel good to do my tiny, tiny part to help this great organization! I wish I could do more.

The Chair-ity Event is an annual Christmas event that raises money through sponsorships, donations and the auctioning of chairs painted by local artists and other donated items. It is completely volunteer driven. We just held the event and raised over $30,000. Not bad for a 2-hour event. Next year we're going to raise more.

I am primarily in 'charge' of collecting and managing the artists. Many fantastic artists donated their time and talent to paint some of the cutest and most beautiful chairs for the event. I've looked on-line at similar chairs --- our artist's chairs would sell for over $500 retail! I also try to keep up with the website for the event and do whatever else that's needed. Everyone works their tushes off to make the event a success!

This year we held the event at the Dolce in Peachtree City. Very wonderful group who worked with us and truly gave a lot to support our efforts!

Ah well, I'm ramblin' now... it's easy to do when I start writing (or talking) about something important. It's Christmas -- I hope you'll consider checking out Christian City's Children's Village and maybe you'll feel led to sponsor a child.

Like to get involved in next year's Chair-ity event (our 5th annual) or another fund-raiser to support the group? janet at georgiafrontpage dot com.

A few of the customer reviews on Verizon's Samsung Intensity II cell phone

2010-12-07T11:49:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a few of the reviews I found on the phone. I haven't gone out to see what kind of reviews there are on Verizon Wireless, the company. I promise, this is the last I'll write on this issue -- at least until I get a response from the letter I'm mailing (assuming I will) and my talk with Clark Howard (consumer guru) if I get through to him.

These are the reviews I found with similar problems / issues. There are a ton of bad reviews but I only grabbed phone shut-down, freeze issue related. I learned my lesson well -- I will do some research BEFORE I get a phone in the future!!!

---

"Terrible Phone" on August 13, 2010 by spacetime6 (1 review)

Pros: It look nice and the camera is good for being 1.3 megapixels

Cons: Terrible battery, feels cheap, slow, freezes

Summary: My whole family got this phone and it has been nothing but problems. It has terrible battery life. It barely makes it through a day of average use before it dies. The phone is slow and lags when going through menus or typing messages. It also freezes and occasionally, buttons will not work. The phone also restarts itself for no reason. We have talked to Verizon about our problems and they don't seem to think the phone really has a problem.

http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-intensity-ii-deep/4852-6454_7-34140451.html?tag=contentMain;userRate

"Great phone - QWERTY & numbers." on November 29, 2010 by cableguyjro (1 review)

Pros: QWERTY key board AND normal phone dialing on front. Slides easily, cool menu. Very attractive.

Cons: Sometimes freezes or stops. No video.

http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-intensity-ii-deep/4852-6454_7-34140451.html?tag=contentMain;userRate

"A couple of the Cons are a real problem." on September 20, 2010 by SophieMorris (1 review)

Pros: So far (3 weeks) I don't have a complaint about the battery life. The microphone and sound quality are acceptable.

Cons: Major Cons: Phone freezes in an unresponsive state. Keyboard lock is frequently ineffective.

Summary: I, too, have had problems with the phone locking up and battery removal/reinstall is only way I've found to bring it back to life. Also the keyboard lock isn't very effective and random dialing is a problem. Text messages aren't organized in a user-friendly fashion. The camera is of poorer quality than you would expect these days. And after three weeks I am still having problems hitting the incorrect buttons on the front screen...poor layout and too cramped.

http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-intensity-ii-deep/4852-6454_7-34140451-3.html?tag=userReviews;page

"I will not recommend this phone to anyone." on September 17, 2010 by mittaluser (1 review)

Pros: I like the keyboard

Cons: I do not like the text message set up. you cannot organize your texts efficiently. numerous internet based sites just suddenly open up and log themselves on. Buttons are too easy to push to talk even if the keyboard is locked.

Summary: This phone does not function properly. This phone would shut off with no other way to turn it back on than to remove the battery and replace it. I took the phone back to the phone sales department within the 30 day warranty period. I purposely took it back when phone was in this state and unable to reboot or start up. The salesman told me there was nothing wrong with this phone and that it was working when I brought it in even though he had to remove the battery and replace it to get it to power up. This phone is useless to me. It has already cost me a few very valuable calls. I will not and cannot recommend this phone since it has software problems and shuts down so that you cant get it powered up at all. The salesman was trying to claim the phone was in sleep mode. I think it was in dead mode. The battery had a full charge each time these episodes would happen and once the battery was reset the charge would go down a bar. This had happened several times and is not my imagination as the salesman would like to have implied. there is definetly something wrong with this phone. When the phone shut down, I had someone call the phone, just to make sure there was no connection. There was no call received on the phone and no text message was received. This phone is a rip off.

http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-intensity-ii-deep/4852-6454_7-34140451-3.html?tag=userReviews;page

"Worst phone ever, except when it works" on October 8, 2010 by horsegalJPJ (1 review)

Pros: Looks nice

Cons: This phone works properly from one-half to three-quarters of the time, depending on its mood that day.

Summary: So many, many things wrong with this poor excuse for a phone!! Some of them: 1) Sometimes, it won't stay on Contacts list, just instantly returns to the main screen, over & over & over. 2) Won't always complete calls: rings once, then cuts off and returns to the main screen (with 2 or more reception bars). 3) Doesn't always answer calls. If locked, asks you to Unlock, then when I hit Send, this cuts off the call; or just hitting Send first works sometimes, sometimes not. I've been through all the locked/unlocked combinations so NO it's not my error. 4) Has sent blank texts before I hit any keys at all. 5) Does not always alert if a new text comes in. 6) When I get a new text, it tells me "2 (or 3 or 4 etc.) New Messages, but there's just one. 7) The one text that I definitely wanted to Save was the one text that simply disappeared from the phone the instant I opened it. 8) Hitting center select key (while on Main screen) can make it try to do any random function of its own choosing. 9) Power connector is in middle of left side so that if you want to talk on the phone (some of us still use phones for talking!) while it's powering, the jack is exactly where my hand wants to hold it - this could be a personal issue, I realize. Well, that's probably most - but not all - of the problems I've encountered with this phone, from Day One. I have never dropped the phone. I've been using cell phones for about 10 years and have never had any problems like this before. I absolutely hate this phone and can't wait to take over my daughter's old phone instead, since she upgraded to the Droid. I may have had more problems than most - maybe got a real LEMON - but if you read the other reviews, except for the one Pollyanna who accuses the rest of us of stupidity, how could you want to buy this?

http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-intensity-ii-deep/4852-6454_7-34140451-4.html?tag=userReviews;page

JUNK!

Posted November 26, 2010

simpleman

I have used this product for: less than a month

Expertise: intermediate

# of SAMSUNG products I own: 1-2

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Posted November 26, 2010

"The Intensity II has been great for pocket dialing (even when "locked"), not unlocking to allow me to answer incoming calls, repeatedly trying to access the web so I can pay for unwanted web access, and new for today not letting me make outgoing calls to my wife who wonders why I won't return her voice mails. Don't buy this phone. The software STINKS!"

Cons: Poor quality, Did not meet expectations, unlocks in at least two unintended ways

http://reviews.us.samsung.com/7463/sch-u460eaavzw/samsung-samsung-intensity-ii-full-qwerty-cell-phone-reviews/reviews.htm

Garbage...a tin can and yarn is more dependable.

Posted November 2, 2010

Sparky99

from Clover,SC

I have used this product for: less than a month

Expertise: intermediate

# of SAMSUNG products I own: 1-2

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Posted November 2, 2010

"Within five days of owning the phone it locked up with a screen "USB Main Download". I could not get it to power off or anything. I had to remove the optional hard shell cover (not an easy task), remove the battery, and then I was able to turn on the phone. The very next day, the phone was dead and I could not get it to power on! Again I had to remove the hard shell cover, remove the battery, and then turn the phone back on. UghHH!
What is worse is the USB Mass Storage or memory card accessory will not recognize my photos. They are JPEG which is in the JPG format, yet I can't use the card for what I wanted. This fancy looking paperweight is going back to the Wireless/Cellphone store today!
I have alot of respect for Samsung. I have owned a great digital video camera in the past (still works great) and I still own a 42-inch plasma, both by Samsung.
This purchase has impacted my likelihood of ever purchasing another Samsung product."

Pros: Inexpensive

Cons: Poor quality, Not high def, Too big, Did not meet expectations, corrupted software

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

http://reviews.us.samsung.com/7463/sch-u460eaavzw/samsung-samsung-intensity-ii-full-qwerty-cell-phone-reviews/reviews.htm

Retrevo Real Time Reviews (compiles reviews from across the Internet)

Quote: “The majority of people had negative reviews and opinions about this product.”

Based on the facts above, Retrevo's recommendation is: Buy with caution if you really want it

http://www.retrevo.com/s/Samsung-Intensity-II-Cell-Phones-review-manual/id/23736ci658/t/1-2/

(Amazon Review Page) This review is from: Samsung Intensity II SCH-U460 Phone, Metallic Blue (Verizon Wireless) (Wireless Phone)

I'm on my 2nd one in 2 weeks - both of 'em like to lock up while the screen is lit up and run the battery down.
These things are junk!

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Intensity-SCH-U460-Metallic-Wireless/dp/B003XRF066

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It likes to lock up, November 18, 2010

By Matthew S. Fite (Fernley, NV United States) - See all my reviews

Monday, Monday...

2010-11-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

I took yesterday off. Yup, gave myself a day off. I only spent maybe a half-hour on the computer... shock! Went out to eat, watched Avatar on the tube, vegged all day. It was nice.

Noel November on Saturday night was fun. The food at the Towne Club Center in Peachtree City is superb! I thought the Noel folks had hired a caterer and went looking to find out who they were... only to be told it was the regular chef at the Towne Club. I told them the food was enough to make me want to sell my home and move in immediately . I did learn that the public can stop in for lunch or dinner, they'll let you hold meetings there, etc. A friend told me that they'd recently changed chef's and the food improved substantially. That's second-hand info...

I went to Noel November last year and it seemed to me that the money being spent by attendees at the auction this year was a LOT less. Last year trees sold close to a thousand dollars, this year they were getting $200 - $400. I left before the auction ended so maybe the prices increased later.

I hope they raised a lot of money for the causes. I know the Realtors who put on the event worked at the Clothes Less Traveled in Peachtree City to raise money prior to the event. The Clothes Less Traveled does a phenomenal job of supporting numerous local charities. Love the organization!

I spent the day-time on Saturday at the Apples & ArtFest in Fayetteville. It was also fun. The attendance could have been better. I think part of the problem is they're not on any main roads, you have to know how to get there. It was a lot of crafts. I came home with some cool pieces, sold a few of my own, spent a lot of time talking with friends who stopped by... It was a good day, think that if I do it again next year I'll make Christmas ornaments, smaller items in the craft-price range.

The apple cobbler and zucchini-apple muffins were drooling-good! Laurie Bean made them, sold them (with a little help from Mom and a cousin). They also sold red-velvet-cake-in-a-cup, which was a big hit. Laurie is a chef, caters... everything I've ever tried that she made is excellent.

I have one more charity to go this year and that's the Chair-ity Event to benefit The Children's Village at Christian City. Let me know if you'd like information, tickets, to make a donation..

It's Monday and I'm back at work. First thing I had to do was figure out what was eating up the memory on my computer, slowing my system. I think I may have it fixed, we'll see. I thought I'd fixed it once before and it came back...

OK, enough ramblin', I'm going back to work. Monday, Monday...

It's the giving time of year... local artists are giving, too!

2010-11-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

Thought you might like to see a few of the chairs that will be auctioned at the Children's Chair-ity Event to benefit the Children's Village at Christian City. The event is December 2nd, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Dolce in Peachtree City.

I have tickets! Give me a call at 404-290-3638 and I'll be happy to deliver them (or send via snail-mail). The cost of the ticket equals the amount it takes to take care of one child for one month at Christian City. It's not as much as you'd think, it's only $30.

They're always in need of sponsors for the children so think hard about taking care of a child for the entire year by giving $30 per month. These kids have sometimes suffered horrific circumstances before coming to Christian City. I've been out there many times and met the kids, seen the love they receive... and met some of the grown-up kiddos who went on to live happy, productive lives as a result of the care they received at Christian City.

This is a favorite event of mine! It combines the talents of many local artists who donate their talents to paint the chairs with the big hearts of many in our community who volunteer, donate or attend the event.

I don't give to "big" charities any more. I worked with them for years, then realized how much of my efforts went into paying salaries and big taj-mahal type office buildings... I read the percentages they actually gave to the cause I was supporting, saw horror tales on the tube about problems, and finally decided my giving efforts would only go to local charities that I could visit, look into, get to know.

The people at Christian City are fabulous. They give, and give, and give... I hope you'll consider giving.

Just a footnote - while Southwest Christian Care (hospice, etc.) was started by the same folks that started Christian City, they are two completely different organizations. When you give to one, you're not helping the other. They work together, support each other, but have different functions. I support both.

A funny one from Jay Leno...

2010-11-10T08:21:00.002-05:00

President Obama was in India yesterday, visiting our jobs. Tomorrow he goes to China, to visit our money.

Mystery missile an airplane?

2010-11-10T07:17:00.000-05:00

A couple of days ago someone caught what appeared to be a missile launching just off the California coast. Everyone has been speculating about it, especially since the military, the Pentagon and anyone who should know what it is denies responsibility, or admits any knowledge of the missile. They're currently inventorying their missiles to ensure it wasn't one of theirs.

Now they're saying that it's probably an optical illusion, that it's an airplane. Could be. I only know what I've read. I think it's weird to say the least. If it's an airplane, why with all the airplanes hasn't anyone caught something like this before? It would seem it would be a fairly common occurrence. I'd "assume" that someone who was flying at that time might have come forth and said, 'oh, that's me'. Or, if that's a regular flight path that it the next day or an hour later or the next morning someone would see another airplane flying that route.

I wonder if someone is going to try and recreate the 'illusion'? I did see a side-by-side photo of the so-called missile contrail and a jet plane contrail. The looked very similar. But then I go back to wondering why they haven't checked flight paths and figured out that an airplane flew that route at the time the video was made...

I have a feeling this is one that's going to be fodder for discussion for a select few for quite some time.

There is going to be a contingency who'll think it's something ominous like an alien spaceship. Or we'll find out it's something benign like a private company is experimenting with missiles (although that avenue has been explored already per the articles I scanned this morning). People are already wondering if it's a foreign missile... I would guess there's speculation also about a foreign stealth submarine firing off a missile just to get our goat.

The words 'government cover-up' will be attached to the story soon, if not already by some.

Who knows? In today's fickle news cycle this is already old news.

Here's a link to the video of the missile / airplane. I was going to embed the video but for some reason it's not showing up when I post the code. http://www.cbs8.com/global/category.asp?c=155799&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=149659&topVideoCatNoB=155712&topVideoCatNoC=155713&topVideoCatNoD=155710&topVideoCatNoE=155711&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5276101&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

If for some reason that doesn't work, here's a link to a story that includes the video: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/experts-unexplained-missile-may-just-be-a-jet-plane/

And, here are a few more articles:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/09/mystery-solved-missile-launch-jet-contrail/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/mystery-missile-was-probably-an-aircraft-government-says.html

Working on two charity events and... and...

2010-11-09T13:47:00.000-05:00

I've been a little busy lately. OK, OK, yes, I'm always busy... When I was a kid my Mom's constant complaint was that I could never sit still. I haven't changed!

I should probably put this in my Hummingbird Hollow blog as most of the things I'm doing lately are somewhat or mostly arts related. I'll probably pop something over there later, too... but with a different focus.

Here's a quick run down of a few things on my current calendar:

I'm currently working with a number of other artists to create a Christmas tree for Noel November. We're doing an 'Ocean Blues' theme. None of us looked at each others ornaments, we just created what we thought fit the theme. It's going to be interesting on Friday when we put it all together!

Noel November is an annual event hosted by realtors in Fayette County from all or most realty companies. Groups donate beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and other items which are auctioned off. It's a day long event with lots of fun things for the entire family. They choose one or more charities to receive the funds raised. More info here.

I'm also working on our annual Children's Chair-ity Event to benefit the Children's Village at Christian City. Local artists paint chairs which are auctioned, along with many other cool items. This year the event will be held at the Dolce in Peachtree City on Thursday, Dec. 2nd. The cost of the ticket equals one month of supporting a child at the Village.

It's a wonderful group and one I'm proud to support.

I also have a number of pottery shows coming up in the near future so I'm trying to squeeze in some studio time. I'm participating in one that will benefit the Life Enrichment Center (Fayette Senior Services) this weekend. It's called Apples and ArtFest. They have over 30 artists who'll be selling their art this Saturday.

Tonight I have a Board meeting for the Clothes Less Traveled. This is a fantastic organization! They take in donations from the surrounding community, sell them to others, then donate the proceeds to many, many well-vetted local charitable groups. They run a tight ship and I'm proud to serve on the Board. I volunteer over there once a month and wish I could do it more often.

I'm also in the process of switching a couple of websites I manage from Miva Merchant to another service. If you're looking for a store-front service I would highly recommend that you don't choose Miva. It has to be the most labor intensive, pain in the tush, convoluted, expensive, hard to manage service I have ever worked with. It doesn't have to be that difficult and it doesn't have to cost as much as they charge! Every little thing that you want to do has to be done with a module --- which you have to buy. Grrrr...

Let's see, what else? I can't forget our news websites (Arts Across Georgia, Georgia Front Page, Fayette Front Page)! They require constant updating and attention. Plus I handle my own pottery website (Hummingbird Hollow Studio) and some rabble rousing political sites. Oh, I also have at least ten Twitter accounts... we have over 200 blogs...

I'm trying to get into a routine, but it's tough. Between painting chairs for the Chair-ity Event, trying to corral artists to get their bios and chairs complete, working on the Christmas tree ornaments and getting the artists together for that, spending time with my family (yep, they are extremely important and I drop everything to spend time with them), getting ready for shows, scheduling shows, trying to set up websites for my customers, going to meetings for the various charities, closing bank accounts (previous blog), shopping (food, not fun stuff), oh, you get the idea.

Busy is the word of the day.

Couple of good things I'm looking forward to: We're going to see the Canadian Tenors in two weeks, then we're going to see Joe Bonamassa! Love Joe's music...

With all that going on I took time out to whine a bit in my blog... critically important! Seriously, I'm not complaining at all. I love every minute of my life and I love doing all the things I do. I just wish that time didn't fly by so quickly, that I could do more, that I had more time for friends, family, could wrangle a bit more time in the garden... oops, now I'm getting into whining territory for real!

Did I mention that I usually read a book a day? Good thing I'm a fast reader...

Hmmm, just saw a cat heading toward the porch. They like to hang out under the back porch, birth, and do whatever cats do. Mothballs keep them away, but they're not good for the environment and they stink. Wonder if that deer repellent would work? Kind of expensive, but worth a try.

Where was I? Doesn't matter, I'm going to go grab a bite to eat, work on my websites a bit then head out to buy something at the Clothes Less Traveled to finish up my tree ornaments. Board meeting tonight.

p.s. you can check out my Facebook page (facebook.com/ArtsAcrossGeorgia) to see pictures of some of the artist's chairs (Chair-ity Event) and tree ornaments (Noel November)

Big Bank vs Community Bank...

2010-11-01T09:03:00.000-04:00

Late last week I stopped by my bank of countless years, Regions Bank, and canceled my three checking accounts. Out of the blue they decided to start charging a monthly fee for my tiny little accounts so rather than pay them to use my money I picked up the phone and easily found a lot of other banks that didn't charge. I had two business accounts and a personal account (no fee on that one). None of them had a lot of money in them, but since the money just sat there for months without being used, thus allowing them to earn money on my money it was silly to stay with Regions Bank.

I planned my day to allow time to answer questions when I canceled my account. I wasn't upset and I really like some of the people at the bank who I've known for years so no way I'd fuss even if I did have a problem! However, no one asked why I was canceling. I walked in, asked the teller who I needed to talk with about canceling my account and was told she could do it. Five minutes later my accounts were closed, I had my cash and I left. Not one question. Not one "gee, we're sorry you're leaving" (even before they saw my small balances!).

As said, I'd found quite a few banks that didn't charge. I had talked face-to-face with some of the various bank reps at the Fayette County Chamber Expo in September. It's a great event and I was able to get a good feel for the people plus got to take home a lot of info to compare.

I settled on Charter Bank. It's a small community bank with branches in Fayette County, Coweta County, and then a few going down into LaGrange and over into Alabama. The only thing they didn't have that I would have liked is ATM fee reimbursement given the small number of locations... but since I never use them that wasn't a biggie for me, but might be for others.

The people were fantastic. Not over the top fake gushing friendly, but real, down-to-earth, gee we really appreciate the fact that you chose us fantastic. I walked out of there feeling that I'd made some friends. I also walked out with a pair of computer speakers and a good thermos. How many banks these days give you gifts for opening an account? I got a kick out of it and had to joke that I was glad they weren't handing out toasters! Then I looked at the list and saw that back in the early part of the year they handed out little bread-toasting sandwich grills... close.

I like the idea of a community bank. I like feeling like I'm more than a number. I like it that while they of course want the big accounts, they still appreciate all the small accounts. I like the free checking, too.

I had forgotten what excellent customer service felt like. Sure, my old bank had really nice people and I liked them. However, their hands were tied when it came to making decisions... understandably so given their size. They didn't know much about me or my account. Only one person in the branch that I've gone into for years remembered my name, and that was because we knew each other outside the bank. I have the feeling that when I walk into Charter Bank they'll remember my name.

I hear SunTrust's commercials saying they give you an individual banker who cares. I like the concept, but somehow I can't imagine that two little start-up businesses like mine would warrant a whole lot of individual attention! I think I have found a bank where I'll get the kind of attention that makes me feel like I matter. That's a rare thing these days in the world of big, bigger and biggest.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Oh, the reason Regions Bank gave me for starting to charge a fee is that the changes in the way ATM withdrawals work will cost them a lot of revenue... they have to make it up somewhere. The new regs don't allow them to overdraft your account when you make a withdrawal but don't have the funds. I gather that in the past if you took out a hundred dollars but only had fifty in the account they'd give you the money, then charge your overdraft fees or the overdraft protection would kick in, which also cost money. Now you have to designate which way you want it to work. I found it ironic that I was being charged a fee on my banking account due to ATM fee changes and yet I never use an ATM card on the Regions accounts... I do on my main personal account, which is with another bank. If things go well at Charter, that account may be moving, too...

On fixing those hurting feet...

2010-10-18T08:51:00.000-04:00

Recently I've been experiencing some major (to me) foot problems. I won't go into all the technical gobbledygook I've been told and learned while trying to fix said problems. Basically, the pad of my foot hurts when I put pressure on it right under the toe area. Bones are pushing a nerve which is swelling and causing a lot of pain. My toes were hurting and cramping, and I was walking on my heel to avoid putting any pressure on the pad as it felt like it was badly bruised.

I tried fixing it myself with padding, soaking, massage but nothing helped so I trekked over to see my fave podiatrist. He's great. He told me the problem, said I needed a cortisone shot to stop the swelling. I said no, we tried pads. No help. Second visit I did the shot with pads and taped toes.

Shot didn't help and it wasn't exactly fun although not as bad as I've heard. I'm a wimp when it comes to needles, will pretty much do anything to avoid a shot, so you should know I was hurting pretty bad to acquiesce to the thing... especially since I don't like anything foreign being pumped into my bod.

When I went back for the next visit we tried the "boot". It holds your foot stable. Hated it.

I had to do a show in Florence, South Carolina --- three days of standing on concrete from 7 something in the morning until after 6 p.m. I spent the day switching shoes. Crocs, the boot, two different sets of tennis shoes... nothing really helped. The boot made me walk lopsided and my knees started hurting and swelling.

My son, who was with me, has bone spurs in his feet and he limps at times from the pain. He was also going back and forth to a podiatrist.

The second day I was there a couple walked up and we got into a friendly conversation with the husband. At one point he glanced down at my son's feet and said 'bet you have bone spurs'. We both did a double-take. He then said he probably had problems with painful corns and he'd bet he had plantar faciitis. Wow... right on the mark.

We were properly awed. He then looked at my tennis shoe encased feet (no boot at the time) and correctly told me where I was hurting.

Then he told us that we were wearing the wrong size shoes. Ummm... measured at the shoe store, bought the shoes, they seemed to fit... Turns out he owns a shoe store, Jack's Comfort Shoes, and boy did he know feet and shoes!

I won't go into all the stuff he told us, although I'm sure you'd like to know, right? He correctly 'diagnosed' every ache and pain our poor feet shared with us every time we put pressure on them!

We wanted to go to his store and buy some shoes but couldn't due to time constraints. We both spent part of the following week doing some Internet research, verifying the things that he'd told us.

The next week we planned to be in Columbia so we made plans to go early and visit his shoe store, get fitted properly.

Didn't quite work out. However, we did find a place in Columbia that had pretty much the same philosophy. We went there and had them measure and suggest shoes. They didn't quite come up with the same thing the Florence shoe store owner did, so I had them change out my shoes until they worked like the guy from Jack's said they should. They added extra arch supports for my high arches and put in the little med-pads to spread my bones while I walked. We played with it until I knew it was right.

I spent three blissful, pain-free days walking on concrete floors, same hours as the Florence show. I was shocked and amazed. I really didn't quite 100% accept what the Jack's owner had said until I experienced it!

Last week we found a store here in Tucker, Georgia that has a comparable philosophy and "fits" properly. None of the stores, including the one in Tucker mentioned one important thing that the guy in Florence insisted upon --- and that is that you make sure your heel doesn't slide around in your shoe.

See, most of us measure based on length and width. We may find a shoe that fits us in both aspects, but it leaves our heel moving a little to a lot from side-to-side. My son has bad dryness on his heel --- he thought it was dry skin. The guy in Florence (and I'd use his name but I lost the business card, arrrggghhh) said it was due to his foot moving around in the shoe.

My heel didn't slip out of the shoe, but when I fit the width for the top of my foot I always had room to move sideways. If my heel didn't slide back and forth, the top of the shoe would start to pinch after I'd worn it for a while. I'm not talking about slipping up out of the shoe. It's the kind of movement you don't notice until you're paying attention.

I also thought my pronating was due to my legs, knees, posture, etc. After getting fitted and tested, I realized I had high arches. I pronate, slide inward, when I don't have proper arch support. Duh.

I've become a convert and I know when I slip my foot into a shoe whether it 'fits' properly. I picked up some pads at the Village Shoe Service in Tucker and have rigged some of my shoes (including my Crocs) so they have arch support and extra padding where I need it. The guy in Florence said he won't sell Crocs, horrible for your feet. My podiatrist said they're fine to use as slippers around the house. I compromised by adding the supports!

OK, long post and I didn't cover a fraction of what I learned over the past couple of months about my feet!

I'm still pain-free and am in the process of replacing every single pair of shoes I have (given time and dollars!). Once I learned how my shoes SHOULD fit and feel, it's not necessary for me to spend a small fortune on each pair. However, I'm willing to spend whatever is needed to get good support and continue to walk without pain.

Oh, one quick note --- I'm not wearing clunky medical ugly shoes. I'm in a pair of 'normal-looking' Brooks tennis shoes. And as for dress shoes, there are many, many that are comfortable and stylish, pretty, dainty looking.

Bottom line -- go at least once to a GOOD shoe store, not one where they pull out the old silver thing to measure your foot. Go to one where you get on those machines, can discuss your specific foot issues, get someone with years of experience and training to help you find the right shoes. Go to a store where they'll add the little pads under the cushion to give you the support you need.

And a tip -- never go shoe shopping early in the day. Your feet swell as the day goes on. Shoes that fit in the morning may hurt in the afternoon.

I highly recommend Village Shoe Service in Tucker, Georgia (http://villageshoeservice.com/) and
Jack's Comfort Shoes in Florence, South Carolina 1506 2nd Loop Road, phone (843) 662-4551
(I hope that's the right store! All I remember is that the store had the name "Jack" in it... if you find more than one with Jack in the title, call and talk to them about how they fit shoes).

Hotel Blues

2010-10-12T12:31:00.000-04:00

I've been on the road for the past two weekends, both times in South Carolina. I was working at some flower shows, helping my son on short notice. It was hard work, but loads of fun. I loved spending time with my son!

The first weekend we stayed at an older hotel in Florence, The Thunderbird. While it was older, it was clean and the people were outstanding. The breakfast, a full buffet, was included. I think I gained ten pound in four days just eating at that buffet! Omelets to order, a fruit bar, waffles, pancakes, four or five different meats... even salmon cakes. They offer a great golf package that includes room, two meals, games at your choice of a whole bunch of great golf courses. It's a good basic place to stay.

We ran into a bit of trouble getting into a hotel the second weekend as we were in Columbia, SC at the same time as the South Carolina vs Alabama game. Hotels were packed and the rates were high. Given the number of shows and amount of time spent in hotels Chris had numerous discount cards. Pretty much none of the hotels were giving discounts. Usually he books in advance, but there weren't any deals on-line. Sometimes you'll get better deals showing up at the hotel when the on-line offerings are nil -- and many of your smaller hotels aren't on-line or don't update with deals.

We spent some time trying to find a decent hotel but the prices were a bit high given the quality of the hotels. We finally settled in on one that looked good, had decent rates and per the front desk, the new management was in the process of upgrading the rooms, renovating the hotel. All good. The lobby was beautiful at night, in low light --- spiral staircases on both sides, beautiful hand-painted murals, and a nice sitting area. It didn't offer a continental breakfast, but given the rates we were OK with the lack of what's usually not-so-good food anyway.

We soon discovered that the looks of the front lobby were misleading. The side door closest to our room didn't close without a good shove, nor did the access key work. We had to travel through the front area to get to the room. No biggie, we knew they were working on the place, right? I was a bit concerned about safety given the entry door didn't close easily...

The room wasn't great, but it looked fairly clean. The lights were all low wattage bulbs so until daylight it was hard to see the corners.

I had forgotten my bug spray and spray disinfectant, new additions to my travel packing since the bed bug stories started circulating. I checked the mattresses thoroughly, no bugs, no signs of bugs, no stains. The bathroom looked OK, although they shorted us on the washcloths and hand towels.

We popped the air conditioner on and settled in for the night. I clicked on the computer to hook into the WI-FI they advertised on their marquee. It was down. The front desk said they expected to have it on by midnight. Yours truly planned to be snoozing soundly by midnight. Stuff happens, I figured I'd catch up the next night on updating my websites.

The air conditioner didn't work, something we didn't fully realize until we were hitting the sack. The fan worked and tepid air circulated, but it never got cold. I was OK, barely, but my son was miserable. He played with the thing off and on, slept on the floor next to it to suck up the breeze for a while only to wake up with his back hurting.

The next morning I was able to see the crud build-up in the corners, the stains on the walls (was that blood?), the holes and other problems. It's rare that anyone can please me when it comes to cleanliness in a hotel, this one wasn't filthy, you could tell they vacuumed and cleaned... I could smell the disinfectant. I think that over time things built up and weren't corrected. I decided I could handle it for two more nights if they fixed the air conditioner.

As we left we stopped by the front desk and told them about the air conditioner. They said they'd either get it fixed or move us to another room.

We got back to the hotel around nine that night after eating dinner with some friends. The key to the room didn't work so we figured they'd moved us. Nope, the key just didn't work. We then "assumed" they must have fixed the air conditioner. Nope to that one, too.

Chris went down, talked with the front desk, they gave us the option of two different rooms, both on the second floor.

The first one looked OK, it even had sliding glass doors leading out to the balcony. Chris opened the door, started to step out and luckily realized that there wasn't a balcony before taking that next fatal step. One foot out the door and he'd have dropped down two stories to the cement path. It was "in the works" and had a few other problems -- Chris shared them with me but I've forgotten what they were as we ultimately chose the second room.

In the second, the room was still undergoing renovations also. Things weren't connected, electrical outlets were missing covers, the mirror wasn't on the wall... but it was OK and there was a balcony.

We moved. By the time we settled in all I had time to do was turn on the computer and check a few emails. I was pooped.

No bed bugs, but yes, bugs. Chris went down to the front desk and got a spray bottle of bug killer. We sprayed the entire room down, including the mattresses. Then let everything air out. We talked about checking out, but given the trouble we'd had finding a room we figured we'd end up sleeping in his truck so decided to stick it out.

I spent a restless night, expecting to see bugs. If I'd seen the bug that someone drew on the door jam before getting settled, I might have opted to stay in the other room... or slept in the truck! No more bugs, the spray worked. We sprayed again before leaving the next morning and again when we got in the next night.

I could regale you with more details of the horrors of the hotel, like the key not working on our door again (I guess they check you out every day?), but this would be a book, not a blog. The poor girl at the front desk was in tears one time when we stopped by sobbing that she liked to make people happy but, sob, sob, but...

I hate to pan the hotel forever as a place to stay given that they are renovating. I understand they have new management --- but it's the same owner. New owners would have made me feel better. You don't own a hotel and let it go down that far!

I'm debating on whether to share the name only because maybe when it's finished it'll be OK. I'll go this far --- it's near the hospital, within viewing distance. And, it's NOT the Holiday Inn or Days Inn or any of the other major names you're probably familiar with.

My biggest lesson? From now on I want to see the room before checking in. On-line reviews don't really help when choosing a room because the owners, management, staff or friends will go out and write nice things... and generally the only others who'll share are those who've had a bad experience. It's also hard to tell when someone writes a bad review how much of the problem emanated from their end. There are just some people who find fault with everything or try to scam the system in order to get free rooms or discounts.

Aside from the hotel, everything else about Columbia was great! Wonderful people, great food and it's a beautiful city. I'd like to spend more time there... in a different hotel.

Noodling on Name Brands

2010-09-23T09:07:00.000-04:00

As I was making my first cuppa tea this morning I started making a grocery list. I've thought about it before but something about the list triggered a repeat morning musing on the use of name brands in our vocabulary.

My list has "Tide" on it, "Kleenex", and a few other name brands. I do use some of the name brands on the list, but in most cases I'm happy with whatever is on sale, or I am attached to a new brand. When I go to the "Kleenex" aisle, for instance, I buy Puff with lotion. Before I settled in on Puff I usually bought whatever was on sale. I like Kleenex, but cost usually rules. I got stuck on Puff's with lotion when I had a lingering cold, the kind that keeps your nose red and raw. It was the best. I will also grab a few boxes of a store brand or something on sale to keep in the closet for those who could care less or prefer no lotion.

We also use Tide. I grew up in a Tide family, ditto for my hubby. I had long since moved away from sticking with the brand before we got married, but not so for my husband. I'm fine with using it because that's what he prefers, even though there are others I've found that are less expensive and do just as well. When it's on sale I stock up.

Many of us simply go down the aisles and pick up the name brands. We do it for a number of reasons. It's what we grew up using and we don't even consider changing. We trust the brand. We like it better than others. We get good coupons. We believe the commercials. I guess there are probably some studies that have been done with more insightful and scientific reasons, but those are the ones that popped into my head during my morning tea fixin'.

It is interesting though that whether we actually buy or use the name brands some brands are forever identified with a type of product. Some people don't think peanut butter, they think Jiff and that's what they say.

Soda is 'Coke', 'Pepsi" or... pop, cola or any other number of names. In the south though, home of Coca-Cola, your more apt to hear "gonna grab a coke" even when they're reaching for a Kroger brand knock-off.

I've found that many have loyalty to their mayonnaise brand. It's not real unless it's Helmans... or Duke... For some it's not mayonnaise at all, it's Miracle Whip. Toilet paper? Oh, man, I could probably write a dissertation on toilet paper attachment!

In this day of having a store-full of choices for sneakers (Keds?) it has to be hard if not impossible for a company to garner the kind of loyalty they did in days past. We've gone from one to three TV stations to having hundreds and hundreds. We've learned to ignore advertising because it's in and on everything. Great commercials stick in the old brain, but many times we remember the commercial but the brand doesn't stick. Marketing has become a science.... and a very expensive venture.

Check your vocabulary. How many name brands are a part of your day-to-day thinking and speech? Have your kids picked up the same habits? Do you still use many of those name brands?

Gary Bauer on Moratorium, Shutting Down Oil Rigs

2010-07-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

New Moratorium Threatens Jobs

Ignoring back-to-back losses in the federal courts, the Obama Administration issued a new ban on so-called “deep water” drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Far from satisfying the concerns of those opposed to the initial ban, the new ban has already come under fire. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) blasted the administration’s latest action in her testimony yesterday before the commission investigating the disaster. Here is an excerpt of her remarks:

“I am particularly alarmed by the Department of the Interior’s continued insistence that allowing deepwater drilling to move forward ‘would pose a threat of serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to the marine, coastal, and human environment.’ That claim contradicts testimony given by drilling experts and ignores the history of oil and gas operations in the Gulf.

“…we must put this accident into perspective. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, more than 42,000 wells have been drilled in the Gulf from 1947 to 2009, producing 16.5 billion barrels of oil. It is important to note that in the last 10 years, non-hurricane related spills only totaled about 7,000 barrels. … the record is clear that the Deepwater Horizon accident is the exception rather than the rule.”

“...Gulf Coast businesses and investors still lack the certainty they need to move forward with future plans. Whether you call it a moratorium, a suspension, or a pause, the result will still be a substantial loss of jobs. Even the revised moratorium will force thousands of hard-working Louisianians and others along the Gulf Coast into the unemployment lines.”

Sen. Landrieu is right. Some energy industry executives have expressed fears that the new ban may be even more restrictive. As the Wall Street Journal reports today, “a group representing shallow-water drillers said Monday uncertainty about Interior Department drilling policy has frozen activity in their industry, affecting hundreds of rigs.” One company executive said a third of their “shallow-water fleet has been idled.”

Because the administration is refusing to lift the ban, one drilling company has already begun plans to relocate three deepwater rigs – to Egypt, Brazil and the West African coast. The company’s president testified, “My concern is that if we shut down for six months there won’t be much of a U.S. industry left.”

That may be music to the ears of radical environmentalists, but it will only compound the tragedy of the spill for many Gulf Coast families and increase America’s dependence on foreign sources of oil.

A little medical light-hearted fun! Very cool, very good...

2010-04-21T20:33:00.000-04:00

Is it me, or are books being dumbed down?

2010-03-31T14:19:00.000-04:00

I'll confess right up front that I'm a read-aholic. If I go to your bathroom and you don't have something to read, I'll find a shampoo bottle label to peer at while I do my business... Most people are nice enough to at least leave a magazine laying around so I rarely resort to bottles thank goodness!

Being a voracious, and eclectic. reader it seems to me that I'm noticing a trend in books. They're being dumbed down. Authors are making their sentences shorter and they've using fewer "big" words. You know, the difficult words like "voracious" and "eclectic". Sentence structure is 1st - 3rd grade reader level in many books now, or so it seems.

I used to love reading James Patterson. Maybe it's me, but I zip through one of his books in less than an hour now and feel like the meat is missing. Ditto with Stuart Woods. They're entertaining but nothing you can sink your reading teeth into. I won't buy the hardbacks and only pick them up used to read as fillers when the really good stuff runs out.

I've also stopped reading another of my used-to-be-favorites, Patricia Cornwell. I don't know that she has dumbed down her writing style as the last book I bought was the one on Jack the Ripper, but she changed her style and lost me. That's just a peculiarity of mine though, I think she probably got bored writing in the same-old same-old and changed things up a bit. I guess it's time to check her out again to see if she's gone back to her old style.

Another thing while I'm complaining. Is it me or have more of our favorite authors come out of the closet regarding their political leanings? I get really tired of reading the slanted view of conservatives or Republicans in books. If they want to make someone a bogey man, many authors slide in that he's a nasty Republican. They'll talk about a bad character who steals from little children to make a buck and note they've been Republicans for generations.

Sometimes it's not quite that blatant. They just make the good guy a Democrat who loves everyone, saves the day and helps the poor. The liberal President is an almost saint who is so huggable and lovable when they do something questionable.

If you read enough a very clear image of snobby, rich, white Republicans or conservatives comes through in many of our fictional books. Add that to the way many in Hollywood portray conservatives and it's a wonder college kids are surrounding their Republican neighbors houses holding pitch forks.

I always encourage parents to read the books their children are reading. I have read the entire Harry Potter series, the Twilight series and pretty much any book that catches the attention of our kids. Recently I picked up two of the Wicked series books at a book sale. I have to say that for the first time in my entire life I threw a book way. I threw both books in the trash. I'll let you read them for yourself to discover why. I think you should, although I suggest you pick them up used rather than pay face value.

I don't know where the country or the world is heading. I know that the books we read help to shape our view of the world and they are a mirror of all that's happening in the world. It bothers me that authors and editors are seemingly taking the reading level of popular books down a notch or two or ten. It also bothers me that incorrect pictures of certain segments of our population are being painted by popular authors.

I'm thrilled that the majority of books on the best seller lists are written by conservatives. I found it interesting that the Liberal elements were pushing to have a separate conservative best seller list!

Excuse me if I stop with more to write whirling around in my brain... I'm in the middle of a really good book and I must find out what happens next...

Bud Light Clothing Drive... ROFL

2010-02-04T21:49:00.001-05:00

Groundbreaking Best Practices Manual from Major Professional Association Replaces 'Mental Retardation' with New Term 'Intellectual Disability'

2010-02-04T08:54:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Society's labels have consequences. But no label damages more than being called "mentally retarded". Two pivotal developments in the disability world seek the common goal of replacing the pejorative label of "mental retardation" with the more respectful terminology of "intellectual disability": The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) publishes the 11th edition of its "Definition Manual", renaming it Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports. In it, the association presents a progressive system of defining and diagnosing intellectual disability as a condition that can be enhanced by providing appropriate supports, rather than a static life-long trait. Close on its heels comes Rosa's Law, a bill recently introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) to eliminate the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from the U.S. federal law books.

"We understand that people with intellectual disabilities face enough challenges every day that they don't need to deal with a pejorative label. And as medical, educational, and legal professionals, we know that intellectual disability is far more complex than a low score on an IQ test," said AAIDD president Joanna Pierson, Executive Director of The Arc of Frederick County, Maryland.

Intellectual Disability presents an advanced model of defining and diagnosing intellectual disability that includes a combination of IQ, age of onset, and adaptive skills of a person. Rather than look at deficits, the AAIDD system is based on evaluating the supports someone needs in life to reduce the mismatch between the person's capabilities and skills. That way, every person is able to participate in all aspects of life in society, whether it's riding the bus or playing with children.

Rosa's Law and Intellectual Disability share the same spirit of "passion for social justice and compassion for the human condition" as Senator Mikulski puts it. "Rosa's Law represents a critical step forward in ending societal discrimination and it will help create a path toward full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in our country," said Doreen Croser, Executive Director of AAIDD. "Furthermore, the bill is particularly timely as the new AAIDD Definition Manual provides essential information on intellectual disability for policy makers and for professionals."

The 11th edition of Intellectual Disability is an invaluable resource for many professionals, including:

-- Physicians to diagnose a child or an adult
-- Teachers and school psychologists to determine special education
services and eligibility
-- University professors and students as a key reference in health and
medicine
-- Lawyers and public defenders in the criminal justice system while
handling cases involving people with intellectual disabilities

The 11th edition of Intellectual Disability is written over by a committee of 18 experts based on seven years of work synthesizing current scientific information and best practices as well as critiques of the previous edition. To listen to interviews with authors, read FAQs, and purchase Intellectual Disability, www.aaidd.org/intellectualdisabilitybook.

Founded in 1876, AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. Learn more at www.aaidd.org.

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Richard Viguerie is Keynote Speaker for Tea Party Group; Cautions Against Forming a Third Political Party

2010-01-30T08:29:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, delivered the keynote address at the January 29 meeting of the Leadership Tea Party, a conservative grassroots training event, at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Westin Hotel.

Viguerie praised the Tea Party movement for providing new energy to conservative grassroots throughout the nation.

"You've brought fresh, new reinforcements into the battle against big, corrupt government," he told the group.

Viguerie credited the Tea Party for helping stop many liberal initiatives from quickly being enacted into law.

"If there had been no Tea Party opposition to the President's legislative program, Obamacare, Cap and Trade, Union Card Check, and much more federal spending would probably have been enacted into law in 2009," he said.

Viguerie told the Tea Party leaders that they should work to be a third force in politics but should not try to organize themselves into a third party. "A third party would be a disaster for the cause of limited government," he warned.

Tea Party members and other grassroots conservatives should focus exclusively on the 2010 Republican and Democratic primaries, he said.

"Don't think about 2012 at all. In fact, don't even think about November 2010. Your focus should be to challenge every establishment Republican and Democrat in all federal, state, and local races," Viguerie emphasized.

"Our country didn't get into the mess we're in because of the policies and skills of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid. The people who are responsible for handing power to the liberals in 2006 and 2008 are George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Tom DeLay, Dennis Hastert, Bill Frist, and other GOP leaders. The disastrous policies of the big government Republicans caused the voters to want to fire all Republicans," he said.

"Unfortunately, most conservative leaders just kept quiet while Bush, Rove, DeLay, Hastert, and Frist ran full speed ahead with all their spending and deficits. But Tea Party activists are different. You believe in principles, not just political power. What a tremendous improvement," Viguerie exclaimed.

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Props for the President at His State of the Union Address

2010-01-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- President Obama will need several props to get him through his first State of the Union address, including lifejackets, a box of teabags, a paper shredder, and a new "No Fly" list. Here's why:

"The President should begin the address by taking the 2,074 page Senate health bill and stuffing it into a paper shredder. Then he should promise the public a 20-page bill in plain, honest English," says Betsy McCaughey, a critic of the current health legislation. "Twenty pages should be enough," says McCaughey. "The framer of the Constitution established the entire federal government in just eighteen pages." The public is outraged over the backroom deals, payoffs, and deliberately inscrutable language hidden in the 2,074 pages.

In the last year, tea partiers have delivered a clear message that the President needs to embrace in his speech: Don't let big government take our wealth and freedom away. They understand that the more of a country's goods and services are consumed by government, the fewer choices are left for individuals and families to make. In France, well over 50% of GDP is taken by government. In Britain, government's take of GDP is soaring perilously to that same level. Americans don't want to be Europeanized. They didn't want it in 1773, when they threw the tea overboard, and they don't want it today. Obama better show that he gets the message. No more stimulus bills, no new middle class entitlements for retirement and college, and no new taxes.

National security is an American president's top responsibility, and this President needs to make up for his delayed and tepid response to the near-tragedy aboard a commercial jet on Christmas Day over Detroit. Under the federal policy in place then, nearly all known or suspected terrorists are allowed on flights. Less than 1% of the 540,000 or so names on the suspected terrorist lists are put on the "no fly" list, and less than 3% even have to undergo additional screening before boarding a plane. "That means you and I are unknowingly sharing flights with these dangerous people, and we don't even have the choice to get off the plane," says McCaughey. The top goal should be to identify terrorists and keep them off planes with a new, highly inclusive "No Fly" list.

And the lifejackets? The President should be ready to toss them to fellow Democrats in Congress. He may not mind being a one-term president, but many Democratic members of Congress are worried about their re-elections because of Obama's radical policies.

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Bauer Says it's 'Not Too Late' For Obama, But This is a Defining Moment

2010-01-27T08:31:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer said Wednesday, on the eve of the President's State of the Union address, that "it's not too late" for Obama to save his presidency but only if he changes course.

The president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families made the following statement:

"It is not too late for President Obama to regain the confidence of the American people, but it is too late for Obama to ram through more big government, higher tax, and big deficit proposals that are actually preventing economic growth. A skeptical public now rejects Obama's plans to take over large segments of the economy. The fact that Obama's health care proposals included fines for hard-working Americans who don't buy insurance says it all. Average Americans do not want Washington politicians running their lives.

"A State of the Union Address that recommits to big government, to more regulation and to anti-free enterprise doctrines will be rejected by the voters in 2010. This is a moment of decision for Obama.

"Unfortunately, the president appears to be in denial. In the wake of tremendous losses in Virginia, New Jersey and the very blue Massachusetts, Obama and his spokespeople claimed that the rejection of Democrats was somehow a win for him and his ideas. The time is now for the president to scale back grand, socialist plans in favor of policies that stimulate investment, job growth and entrepreneurship."

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'Doomsday Clock' Moves One Minute Away From Midnight

2010-01-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Citing a more "hopeful state of world affairs" in relation to the twin threats posed by nuclear weapons and climate change, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) is moving the minute hand of its famous Doomsday Clock one minute away from midnight. It is now 6 minutes to midnight. The decision by the BAS Science and Security Board was made in consultation with the Bulletin's Board of Sponsors, which includes 19 Nobel Laureates.

BAS announced the Clock change today at a news conference in New York City broadcast live at http://www.turnbacktheclock.org/ for viewing around the globe. The new BAS Web platform allows people in all nations to monitor and get involved in efforts to move the Doomsday Clock farther away from midnight.

In a statement supporting the decision to move the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock, the BAS Board said: "It is 6 minutes to midnight. We are poised to bend the arc of history toward a world free of nuclear weapons. For the first time since atomic bombs were dropped in 1945, leaders of nuclear weapons states are cooperating to vastly reduce their arsenals and secure all nuclear bomb-making material. And for the first time ever, industrialized and developing countries alike are pledging to limit climate-changing gas emissions that could render our planet nearly uninhabitable. These unprecedented steps are signs of a growing political will to tackle the two gravest threats to civilization -- the terror of nuclear weapons and runaway climate change."

Created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Doomsday Clock has been adjusted only 18 times prior to today, most recently in January 2007 and February 2002 after the events of 9/11. By moving the hand of the Clock away from midnight -- the figurative end of civilization -- the BAS Board of Directors is drawing attention to encouraging signs of progress. At the same time, the small increment of the change reflects both the threats that remain around the globe and the danger that governments may fail to deliver on pledged actions on reducing nuclear weapons and mitigating climate change.

The BAS statement explains: "This hopeful state of world affairs leads the boards of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists -- which include 19 Nobel laureates -- to move the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock back from five to six minutes to midnight. By shifting the hand back from midnight by only one additional minute, we emphasize how much needs to be accomplished, while at the same time recognizing signs of collaboration among the United States, Russia, the European Union, India, China, Brazil, and others on nuclear security and on climate stabilization."

The statement continues: "A key to the new era of cooperation is a change in the U.S. government's orientation toward international affairs brought about in part by the election of Obama. With a more pragmatic, problem-solving approach, not only has Obama initiated new arms reduction talks with Russia, he has started negotiations with Iran to close its nuclear enrichment program, and directed the U.S. government to lead a global effort to secure loose fissile material in four years. He also presided over the U.N. Security Council last September where he supported a fissile material cutoff treaty and encouraged all countries to live up to their disarmament and nonproliferation obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ..."

Lawrence Krauss, co-chair, BAS Board of Sponsors, foundation professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics departments, associate director, Beyond Center, co-director, Cosmology Initiative, and director, New Origins Initiative, Arizona State University, said: "The time to begin to free ourselves from the terror of nuclear weapons and to slow drastic changes to our shared global environment is now. We encourage scientists to fulfill their dual responsibilities of increasing their own, as well as the public's understanding of these issues and to help lead the call to action. We urge leaders to fulfill the promise of a nuclear weapon-free world and to act now to slow the pace of climate change. Finally, we call on citizens everywhere to raise their voices and compel public action for a safer world now and for future generations. Even though we are encouraged by recent developments, we are mindful of the fact that the Clock is ticking. "

Stephen Schneider, member, BAS Science and Security Board, professor of environmental biology and global change, Stanford University, co-director, Center for Environment Science and Policy of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and senior fellow, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, said: "We can no longer prevent global warming -- it is upon us. Rapidly melting polar icecaps, acidification of the oceans, loss of coral reefs, longer droughts, more devastating wildfires, and sea level rise that threatens island nations and seacoasts everywhere are clear signs of change in Earth's climate. Disruptions of the monsoon seasons in India and China already threaten crop yields resulting in more frequent and severe food shortages than in the recent past ... If we continue 'business as usual' our habitat could be disrupted beyond recognition, with consequences for our way of life that we cannot now foresee. Without vigorous and immediate follow-up to the Copenhagen conference and well-conceived action we are all threatened by accelerating and irreversible changes to our planet ..."

Jayantha Dhanapala, member, BAS Board of Sponsors, president, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, and chair, 1995 UN Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Conference, said: "In the saga of human history civilizations have been threatened both by natural causes and by man-made folly. Some have survived by making the necessary rational responses to the challenges. Others have gone under leaving only their ruins. Today it is the entire planet that stands imperiled by the danger of nuclear weapons and the real risk of climate change inexorably threatening our ecosystem. Both impending disasters are within our capabilities to remedy. The opportunity must be seized now out of a recognition that these are global dangers that transcend national boundaries."

Pervez Hoodbhoy, member, BAS Board of Sponsors, professor of high energy physics, and head, Physics Department, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, said: "We may be at a turning point, where major powers realize that nuclear weapons are useless for war-fighting or even for deterrence. Threats to security are more likely to come from economic collapse, groups bent on terrorizing civilians, or from resource scarcity exacerbated by climate change and exploding populations, rather than from conflict between nuclear-armed superpowers. Against these new threats, nuclear weapons are a liability because their possession by a few countries stimulates desire in other countries and complicates things immensely."

Kennette Benedict, executive director, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, said: "The emerging trends in international cooperation will provide a basis for collaborative problem-solving for a safer world. But a handful of government officials, no matter how bold their vision, will not be able, on their own, to deal with the threats to civilization that we now face. Leaders and citizens around the world will need to summon the courage to overcome obstacles to nuclear security and climate protection. That is why we have created TurnBackTheClock.org to allow citizens around the world a means by which to get involved and to inspire leaders to take action."

RECOMMENDED ACTION STEPS

The BAS statement outlines the need for action on the following:

-- Developing new nuclear doctrines that disavow the use of existing
nuclear weapons, reduce the launch readiness of U.S. and Russian
nuclear forces, and remove them from the day-to-day operations of
their militaries;
-- Finishing the job of consolidating and securing military and civilian
nuclear material in Russia, the United States, and elsewhere and
continuing to eliminate the excess;
-- Completing negotiations, signing and ratifying as soon as possible the
new U.S.-Russia treaty providing for reductions in deployed nuclear
warheads and delivery systems;
-- Upon signing of the treaty, immediately embarking upon new talks to
further reduce the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the United States;
-- Completing the next review of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in
May 2010 with commitments to weapons reduction and nuclear
nonproliferation by both the nuclear haves and have-nots;
-- Implementing multinational management of the civilian nuclear energy
fuel cycle with strict standards for safety, security, and
nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, including eliminating
reprocessing for plutonium separation;
-- Strengthening the International Atomic Energy Agency's capacity to
oversee nuclear materials and technology development and transfer;
-- Adopting and fulfilling climate change agreements to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions through tax incentives, harmonized domestic
regulation and practice;
-- Transforming the coal power sector of the world economy to retire
older plants; and
-- Vastly increasing public and private investments in alternatives to
carbon-emitting energy sources, such as solar and wind, and in
technologies for energy storage, and sharing the results worldwide.

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On Call International Opens Haiti Earthquake Emergency Hotline

2010-01-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Medical and travel assistance company, On Call International, has set up a national, emergency hotline for the family and friends of travelers visiting Haiti, who might have been affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake striking the area 15 kilometers (10 miles) west of the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Anyone attempting to connect with family members or friends traveling or living in the region should call the On Call International hotline: 800-576-5172. Or, they can call On Call International collect at 603-328-1924. Callers should have as much information as possible readily available at the time of call, including tour operator name, itineraries, hotel information or cell phone numbers.

On Call International is a leading provider of customized medical, security and travel assistance for international business and leisure travelers, as well as expatriates, students and others away from home. Operating 24/7/365, On Call International specializes in emergency evacuations from any point on the globe, assisting more than seven million travelers. The U.S.-owned and trained assistance company serves the travel, insurance and maritime industries. On Call is a member and the U.S. representative of the 26-partner International Assistance Group, a global network of independent assistance companies. For more information, visit www.oncallinternational.com.

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Which Governors Will Be Chosen for Assisting Homeland Defense?

2010-01-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

Or will they assist in giving up their rights and the rights of their populations? Can a governor say, "Thanks, but no thanks"?

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

The President today signed an Executive Order (attached) establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities.

The bipartisan Council will be composed of ten State Governors who will be selected by the President to serve two year terms......http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2010/01/president-obama-signs-executive-order.html

Executive Order: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/2010executive_order.pdf

Here's one take on the states and what we could lose:

Obama Executive Order Stokes Martial Law Fears

(PaulWatson) – Some warn expansion of military involvement in domestic security could lead to “end of United States as a Republic”

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

An Obama executive order that creates a council of state governors who will work with the feds to expand military involvement in domestic security has stoked fears that the administration is stepping up preparations for martial law.http://dprogram.net/2010/01/12/obama-executive-order-stokes-martial-law-fears/

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Medical Specialists Petition Congress to Preserve Access to Care for Millions of Medicare Patients

2010-01-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) sent a petition to Congress today signed by 1,325 AACE members, non-AACE member physicians, allied health professionals and patients opposing a new Medicare policy which would eliminate consultation codes for specialists. Overturning this policy would preserve access to care for millions of Medicare patients seen by a medical specialist.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) new policy, which went into effect on January 1, 2010, no longer allows endocrinologists and other cognitive specialists to bill for consultations provided for patients referred to them by primary care physicians.

In December, AACE surveyed its members. The results of that survey indicated that if consultation codes are eliminated, four out of five endocrinologists would be forced to drastically reduce or eliminate the number of Medicare patients seen in their practices.

AACE is also extremely concerned about the hasty implementation of this new policy. Guidance on how to comply with the new policy was only made available to health care professionals and Medicare contractors less than two weeks before the January 1st implementation date. The new policy will severely restrict patient access to specialty care, and the expedited implementation of this policy will cause major disruptions in the health care system in the weeks ahead as new Medicare claims are processed.

As a result, AACE is urging Members of Congress to adopt Senate amendment 3163, introduced by Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), as part of the final health care reform agreement or as part of any legislative vehicle that is expected to imminently pass Congress. The Specter amendment would delay the new CMS policy for one year to allow more time to adequately prepare for this policy change and fully consider its impact.

"The result of CMS' decision will be a significant reduction in the quality of care received by older Americans," AACE President and Chief of Endocrinology at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Dr. Jeffrey R. Garber said. "AACE applauds the continued efforts of Senator Specter to delay this flawed (CMS) policy."

In addition to AACE, the Specter amendment has been endorsed by numerous societies representing medical specialists. AACE is encouraging all medical specialists and their patients to write their Members of Congress asking them to support the Specter Amendment.

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January 14 is the Date the Doomsday Clock is Reset

2010-01-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

RJ Note: Here I was thinking the doomsday clock was about the end of the world as we know it to be. The clock was brought into existence in 1947. And now, climate change is included? Just what did those scientists of the Manhatten Project know?

Hands of 'Doomsday Clock' To Be Moved in New York City and Seen Live on Web For First Time Ever

Factors In Change to Include Nuclear Proliferation, Weapon Stockpile Shifts, and Climate Change; Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Will Open Event to World With Real-Time Streaming Web Broadcast.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) will move the minute hand of its famous "Doomsday Clock" at 10 a.m. EST/1500 GMT on January 14, 2010 in New York City. For the first time ever, the event will be opened up to the general public via a live Web feed at http://www.turnbacktheclock.org/.

The last time the Doomsday Clock minute hand moved was in January 2007, when the Clock's minute hand was pushed forward by two minutes from seven to five minutes before midnight.

The precise time to be shown on the updated Doomsday Clock will not be announced until the live news conference in New York City takes place on January 14, 2010. Factors influencing the latest Doomsday Clock change include international negotiations on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, expansion of civilian nuclear power, the possibilities of nuclear terrorism, and climate change.

Founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists subsequently created the Doomsday Clock in 1947 as way to convey both the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero). The decision to move the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock is made by the Bulletin's Board of Directors in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes 19 Nobel Laureates. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world's vulnerability to catastrophe from nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies in the life sciences.

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Consumer Watchdog to Pelosi: Push for Health Insurance Industry Oversight

2010-01-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- In a letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) today, Consumer Watchdog called for strengthened oversight of the health insurance industry and greater affordability protections for consumers in negotiations with the U.S. Senate on final health reform legislation.

In the letter, Consumer Watchdog wrote:

"With the public option apparently off the table, thanks to a single Senator allied with the insurance industry, it is more important than ever for the House to insist on comprehensive regulation of the industry to ensure affordability and accountability for Americans who will now be required to buy private insurance."

Download the letter here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/PelosiLetter.pdf

Consumer Watchdog called on Pelosi to make eight affordability and accountability changes to the health reform legislation before it is sent to President Obama:

1. Rate regulation. The House and Senate legislation require every American to buy coverage under threat of tax fines, yet both bills fail to regulate insurer premium increases.

2. Fully defined benefits. The "essential health benefits" called for under the mandated insurance policies in the House and Senate bills are left undefined in the legislation.

3. Preserve superior state patient protections. The Senate bill's new "multi-state" plans and the House and Senate bill's interstate "compacts" allow insurance companies to override more protective state patient laws.

4. Legal accountability for all health insurance providers. The House and Senate bills provide no legal accountability for insurers when employers pay for health coverage.

5. Employer fair-share payments. The weak employer penalties of the Senate bill would create financial incentives for employers to drop coverage, pushing workers into state exchanges where they would be forced to buy individual policies that offer less care for more money.

6. Better plan value. The Senate bill has lowered the overall value of the cheapest "bronze" plan to below that of almost any current employer-sponsored plan, which will result in individuals and families bearing more of the cost of coverage.

7. Tougher ban on policy rescissions. The Senate bill allows insurers to game its rescission ban.

8. No annual coverage limits. The Senate bill allows insurers to place "reasonable" annual limits on insurance policy coverage.

The group also called on Pelosi to support changes to Senate filibuster rules to provide that legislation may be approved without a 60-vote supermajority at every major step. Consumer Watchdog wrote:

"Real health care reform and the coming climate change legislation are too important to be held hostage by one lawmaker with parochial, personal or industry-allied motives, be it Joe Lieberman, Kent Conrad or Ben Nelson."

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U.S. Report: Rape, Sexual Abuse Rampant in Juvenile Corrections Facilities

2010-01-07T10:38:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- A long-awaited report from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) finds that youth in juvenile corrections facilities are sexually abused at alarming rates and are victimized significantly more often than adult inmates.

A shocking 12.1 percent - or almost one in eight - of the detained youth who participated in the survey reported sexual abuse at their current facility during the previous year. On any given day, there are approximately 93,000 youth confined in juvenile facilities, more than half of whom are 16 or younger.

"These figures are unconscionable, and even more so when you consider that the survey did not include youth locked up in adult facilities, where many are at even greater risk for abuse," said Lovisa Stannow, Executive Director of Just Detention International.

The study - "Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09" - is based on a survey given to 9,198 youth detainees in 195 facilities from all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The BJS report also included these findings:

-- 80 percent of the reported abuse was perpetrated by a member of the
facility's staff.
-- 95 percent of youth who alleged abuse by staff reported at least one
female perpetrator.
-- Victimized youth usually endured repeated sexual abuse, often more
than ten times, and frequently by multiple perpetrators.
-- 65 percent of youth who had previously been sexually assaulted at
another facility also reported having been sexually abused in their
current facility.
-- Youth with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual reported being
sexually abused by another inmate at a rate more than ten times higher
than that of youth who identified as heterosexual.

In June 2009, as mandated by Congress, the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission issued a comprehensive report on sexual violence in U.S. detention facilities. The bipartisan Commission, led by U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton, found that many corrections facilities do a poor job preventing, identifying, and responding to the sexual abuse of those in their custody.

The Commission's report emphasized that sexual abuse is an especially complex problem for younger inmates, explaining that "juveniles are not yet fully developed physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally and are ill-equipped to respond to sexual advances and protect themselves."

"The BJS study confirms the Commission's findings, underscoring the fact that young people are a particularly vulnerable population needing special protections," said David Kaiser, chair of the board of Just Detention International. "Abused youth emerge from what ought to be a rehabilitative experience deeply traumatized, hindering their reintegration into society and limiting their development and future prospects."

The Commission's report includes proposed standards - which Just Detention International helped develop - for addressing and preventing the sexual abuse of inmates, including detained youth. By law, the Department of Justice has until June 2010 to codify final standards based on those recommendations.

"The Attorney General needs to issue comprehensive, zero-tolerance standards, and he can't do so a moment too soon," Stannow said. "Every day without them is another day in which incarcerated children are getting raped. No matter what crime a person may have committed, rape should never be part of the punishment."

The BJS report, "Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09," is available online at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=2113.

Just Detention International works to ensure government accountability for prisoner rape; to change ill-informed public attitudes about sexual violence in detention; and to promote access to resources for those who have survived such abuse.

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Writers Ask Congressional Authors: Do You Know What Google and the Authors Guild Want to Do with Your Copyright?

2010-01-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Writers Union, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America have written to their author peers in Congress, seeking their support in encouraging the Department of Justice to continue its opposition to the Google Books Settlement.

The Google Books Settlement is being negotiated between Google and several parties that sued it in 2007 for copyright infringement. Among those groups is the Authors Guild, which purports to represent the interests of all authors in the Settlement. In its letter to Congressional authors, the groups assert that their interests are not being fairly represented by the Authors Guild.

Award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin's recent resignation from the Authors Guild highlights the growing tensions between the organization and its constituency. In her letter of resignation, Le Guin commented, "You decided to deal with the devil, as it were, and have presented your arguments for doing so. I wish I could accept them, but I can't. There are principles involved, above all the whole concept of copyright; and these you have seen fit to abandon to a corporation, on their terms, without a struggle."

In their letter, the author groups criticize the Settlement for the lack of notice to authors, the complexity in opting out, a new regulatory board that overrides individual contracts, the exception for publisher plaintiffs to have private side deals, the mockery of existing copyright law, and its attempt to supplant efforts to pass orphan works legislation.

"Opposition to this sweetheart commercial deal from the Department of Justice and nearly 400 other interested parties radically changed the course of this debate. However, the amended version of the settlement still creates a de facto monopoly for Google at the expense of all Americans," reads the letter. "The Constitution says copyright is essential and gives Congress responsibility for it, not Google and a gaggle of lawyers."

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Archivist of the United States Announces Establishment of the National Declassification Center

2009-12-30T08:20:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero announced today the establishment of the National Declassification Center (NDC) within the National Archives and Records Administration.

The creation of the NDC is specified in the new Executive Order on Classified National Security Information signed by President Obama on December 29, 2009. Specifically, the NDC is charged with streamlining declassification processes, facilitating quality assurance measures, and implementing standard training for declassification reviewers.

In making the announcement, Mr. Ferriero said, "The Federal government has reached a watershed moment in records declassification. The current backlog is so huge that Americans are being denied the ability to hold government officials accountable for their actions. By streamlining the declassification process, the NDC will usher in a new day in the world of access, allowing the National Archives to make more records available for public scrutiny much more quickly."

Initially, the NDC will be located at the National Archives College Park, MD facility and focus on clearing the backlog of referrals in reviewed documents both in Federal records and in Presidential materials. Dr. Michael Kurtz, Assistant Archivist for the Office of Records Services, Washington will serve as Acting Director of the NDC pending the selection of a permanent director. The NDC will be advised by an inter-agency Policy Planning Group made up of senior managers from the Departments of State, Defense, and Energy as well as the Central Intelligence Agency, Director of National Intelligence, the Information Security Oversight Office, and the National Archives.

"The establishment of the NDC provides a unique opportunity for the National Archives and its agency colleagues to create new strategies to protect essential national security and release hundreds of millions of pages to researchers and the public," said Dr. Kurtz

In anticipation of the establishment of the NDC, an inter-agency Program Management Team that has begun examining current declassification review processes throughout the government. The National Archives is working with the Defense Change Management Organization to conduct a study to determine how processes can be improved by reducing process cycle time, defects and costs. The recommendations from this effort will be incorporated into the new NDC processes.

Public input, questions and comments may be sent to NDC@nara.gov . Information about upcoming forums and NDC initiatives may be found at the NDC website: http://www.archives.gov/declassification.

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Facebook to charge for service? Not true...

2009-12-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

Does Facebook’s Business Plan Include Premium Memberships?

The world’s largest social network sometimes gets flack from bloggers and industry pundits for not having much of a business model. It’s true that for now, Facebook is more focused on growing its number of users – which passed 200 million this week – than its bottom line. But the company is generating revenue from advertising, as chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg pointed out in her talks with BusinessWeek editor-in-chief Stephen Adler on Apr. 7:

There is a lot of like, “What is the business? What is your business model?” And it’s a really simple answer, which is that our business is advertising. We’re not waiting to find our business, but we found it and it’s actually working very well.

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/04/does_facebooks.html

Thanks to Amy Allen for sharing this article.

Big Whoppers of 2009 from FactCheck.org

2009-12-28T08:49:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Double check what was said by Lori Robertson, managing editor of FactCheck.org. Ms. Robertson is frequently in over her head, especially when she purports to know the contents of federal legislation. That's why FactCheck.org's "Whoppers of 2009" is not to be believed.

Robertson admits that she does not read the bills in their entirety and has no training in analyzing legislation beyond her BA in advertising. What she does is spot check, not fact check.

Ms. Robertson writes that Betsy McCaughey "falsely claimed that the stimulus bill required that doctors follow government orders on what medical procedures can and can't be performed." What McCaughey actually said was that the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology would "monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and 'guide' your doctor's decisions" (442, 226 of the bill). Robertson, who admitted in a telephone interview that she had not read the entire stimulus bill, had difficulty locating the provisions on health information technology and confused them with another section of the bill that addresses comparative effectiveness research. But it is the health information technology that establishes the framework for guiding doctors' decisions.

Dr. David Blumenthal was appointed by the President to head the system of computer-guided medical care as National Coordinator of Health Information Technology. In March, Blumenthal settled the debate on whether the system will control doctors' treatment decisions. In an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (April 9, 2009), he stressed that the real importance of computers is to deliver "embedded clinical decision support." He predicted that if controls are too tight, physicians may resist the government encroaching on their treatment decisions: "many physicians and hospitals may rebel -- petitioning Congress to change the law or just resigning themselves to...accepting penalties." Dr. Blumenthal's article corrects Robertson, who insisted incorrectly that nothing in the stimulus legislation indicated "the government is going to tell your doctor what to do."

Robertson is wrong again on what HR 3200 said about end-of-life counseling. She claims the bill "merely called for Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling sessions." If this were the case, it could have been accomplished with a line or at most a paragraph. Instead, the end-of-life section went on for six pages and was highly prescriptive, detailing what doctors "shall" discuss. That should be left to the doctor and patient. Medicare billing codes already permit doctors to bill for time spent counseling patients and families.

Robertson fails to mention the penalties against doctors for non-compliance. "Quality" measures of a doctor's performance would be determined in part by the percentage of patients who created living wills, and the percentage of those documents that were adhered to.

Fortunately, members of the House heard the concerns expressed by me and countless Americans, and removed these alarming requirements before voting on the health bill. FactCheck.org should rely on more qualified analysts than Ms. Robertson to critique lawmakers and policy experts.

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Guess Who Hasn't Read the Health Care Reform Bill He Voted On?

2009-12-24T10:44:00.000-05:00

This story is priceless. The good Congressman suggests that immediate help will be available to Americans with the passage of the Health Care Reform Bill. Guess he didn't read the part about paying for it starting in 2010 and benefits not until years later.

Rep. Fattah Thanks Senate Democrats and Predicts Healthcare Reform Will Bring Immediate Help in 2010

/PRNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) releases the following statement upon Senate passage this morning of comprehensive healthcare reform legislation:

"Senate Democrats deserve our thanks and congratulations for their extraordinary vote this morning. We have work to do, but I am confident that the House and the Senate will soon work through our differences. Early in the new year we will be sending President Obama a final bill that meets his objectives and brings immediate help in 2010 for Americans who have been asking for, and waiting for, comprehensive, historic healthcare reform for far too long."

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Historic Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage Cedes Control to Medical/Insurance Industries

2009-12-24T08:28:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Senate bill's historic expansion of health care coverage cedes control of a much greater portion of the health care system to the medical and insurance industries. This sweeping legislative act creates a responsibility for federal and state governments to monitor and police these industries and fix failures as they occur. For example:

* While the legislation requires every American to buy coverage under threat of tax fines, provisions requiring health insurers to justify rate increases are insufficient checks on insurance companies seeking to use the mandate as a profit enhancer. Government must ensure that coverage is affordable by requiring insurers to seek "prior approval" of health insurance rate increases, as auto insurers are required to do under California's Proposition 103. The Senate bill's requirement that insurers spend 80% or 85% of the premiums they collect on health care services will--absent strict rate regulation--perversely encourage insurers to raise their premium rates. In the same way that a Hollywood agent who gets a 20% cut of an actor's salary has an incentive to seek the highest salary, insurers will have incentive to increase health care costs and raise premiums so that their 20% cut is a larger dollar amount.

* The "essential health benefits" called for under the mandated policies are left undefined in the legislation. Those benefits must be robustly defined in order to ensure that Americans get the coverage they pay for, rather than the current cycle of delay and denial of care.

* Weak employer penalties may create incentives for employers to drop coverage, pushing workers into the state exchanges where they would be forced to buy individual policies that offer less care for more money. Employers must be required to pay their fair share of the cost of health care.

* The Senate bill's new "multi-state" plans and interstate "compacts" allow insurance companies to override more protective state patient laws. "Exchange" policies will also weaken more protective state laws by forcing state budgets to fund the cost of additional protections. Minimum federal standards should set a floor, not a ceiling, on state health care protections. States have traditionally been the laboratories of innovation in health care and have a greater ability to respond quickly to local needs.

* The bill provides no legal accountability for insurers when employers pay for health coverage. Patients who have health coverage paid for in part or full by employers will not be able to hold insurers legally accountable for denying medically necessary treatments. 132 million Americans with private employer-paid health coverage cannot recover damages against an insurer even if the company's failure to approve treatment kills a loved one. The legislation does not fix this loophole denying patients justice that was created by a 1987 Supreme Court decision in the case of Pilot Life v. Dedeaux even as it requires individuals and employers to share in the cost of health coverage or face tax penalties. If government requires the purchase of health insurance policies it should guarantee access to justice when insurers wrongfully deny treatment to patients.

"If Congress is going to cede such a huge increase in control over our health to the insurance industry, it is incumbent upon Congress to fix the major consumer protection problems with the bill," said Jerry Flanagan of Consumer Watchdog. "The Senate bill will provide health insurance for roughly 30 million Americans and allow those with coverage more freedom to switch policies if they choose. However, by requiring most Americans to buy health insurance policies or face stiff tax penalties without adequate constraints on what insurers can charge for coverage, the bill looks more like a health insurer holiday present than a consumer protection bill."

The Senate bill's additional requirements of transparency--for instance, on the costs for common treatments, use of simple language in insurance documents, studies on coverage denials by insurers, and disclosures of insurer claims and payment practices--are beneficial. They will certainly lead to greater public awareness. But regulators must also respond by using the information to improve the system, said Consumer Watchdog.

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The Worst Scandal of 2009: Big Money in Politics

2009-12-23T16:35:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Common Cause and Public Campaign:

What was the biggest scandal of 2009?

Blagojevich trying to sell a Senate seat? Senators, governors, and their mistresses? Allegations that lobbyists were lining up defense earmarks in exchange for straw donations?

No, the biggest scandal of 2009 was that the entire pay-to-play system that dominates Washington and occupies Congress' time and attention sidetracked bold policies.

One year after President Obama was swept into office on a ticket of change, a wall of big money from the health interests, banks, and Big Oil thwarted, slowed, or deep-sixed legislation in Washington. Special interests were on track to spend $3.3 billion to shape policy outcomes, according to a recent story in Politico. Despite the voters' mandate for change, the underlying problem of Washington - what author and Washington Post reporter Robert Kaiser calls "too damn much money" - remained unaltered and in many ways, more powerful than ever before.

The bottom line is that America will not see the significant change that a majority of people are demanding until we change the way we pay for political campaigns by getting special interests out of the business of paying for our elections.

"Yes we can" has been blocked by "no you don't."

Here are some facts to consider:

-- The health care debate is a perfect example of all that is wrong.
Everyone agrees health care must be made more affordable, and that
more people need coverage. But with the health care industry spending
more than $1 million a day this year to lobby for their bottom line,
and contributing more than $200 million to candidates for Congress in
the 2008 election cycle and first nine months of 2009, it's not a
surprise that reform proposals were watered down.
-- At the beginning of December, the U.S. House passed legislation to
reform the financial regulatory industry. The vote came fifteen months
after the collapse of the financial sector and the $700 billion
bailout of Wall Street banks. Reform of Wall Street shouldn't have
been so hard -- these firms exploited a weak regulatory regime to
wreak havoc on our economy -- but throughout 2009, financial, real
estate, and insurance interests poured $85 million in campaign
contributions into Washington, D.C. They succeeded at watering down
sections of the House bill, and have declared all out war on the
Senate bill.
-- As the climate change conference in Copenhagen comes to a close,
President Barack Obama's hands were tied not just by China and India's
unwillingness to negotiate far-reaching agreements. He was also hemmed
in by the politics of passing climate legislation through the U.S.
Senate - and the stranglehold that Big Oil and coal companies have
over our elected officials. The energy sector has contributed more
than $4.5 million to Senators just this year - an off-election year.
Senators like Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have declared that any action on
climate change in the Senate faces an uncertain future. Inhofe has
received more than $1.2 million in contributions from oil and gas
interests during his career.

The swamp of special interest money is rising in Washington and Congress needs a way out.

The Solution: The Fair Elections Now Act

One year later, it's become clear that change doesn't come simply with the election of a new president or new members of Congress. To dramatically change the way Washington works we need to change the way campaigns are financed in this country.

It's time for the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752, H.R. 1826), legislation that would sever the ties between big money campaign contributors and members of Congress. With Fair Elections, candidates would be able to run a competitive race for congressional office with a blend of small dollar donations and limited public funds. Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), this voluntary system would put people in office unencumbered by special interest influence. In addition to Rep. Larson, the House bill has the broad bipartisan and cross-caucus support of 124 members.

There have been a lot of political scandals and intrigue in Washington this year, but the worst of them all is the sordid impact of money in our political process. The scandal is what is legally permitted day in, day out, in Washington, D.C. It is time to change the system and pass the Fair Election Now Act.

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform introduced in Congress

2009-12-23T08:14:00.000-05:00

Note: This is a press release, as are many of the things I add in here. Just 'cause it's here, doesn't mean I support it... agree with it... or like everything or anything... use this to blog, act, get involved...

24-7 - On December 15, 2009, Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act" (CIR ASAP) in the U.S. House of Representatives. In keeping with the Obama Administration's campaign promise to bring badly needed immigration law reform to the table early in its first term, the CIR ASAP proposes sweeping changes to the broken US immigration system that will help to protect the borders, protect US workers, unify families and legalize the status of millions of "undocumented" immigrants already in the US. Congress will likely move on the CIR ASAP very quickly, as the Act's name alone reflects Congress' recognition that change is needed urgently: CIR ASAP: "As Soon As Possible!"

Over the past 13 years since Congress passed the "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act" (IIRIRA), a hastily passed and extremely damaging "immigration enforcement first" overhaul of the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) little has been done to ameliorate its harsh effects. Families have been torn apart, employers have been forced to wait several years for specialty workers in short supply, including nurses, and millions of "undocumented immigrants" have been forced to remain in the US due to the dreaded "3 and 10 year bars" IIRIRA implemented, that effectively keep undocumented people in the US, for fear that if they leave, they will not be able to return for up to 10 years!

Although many politicians have noted the absurdity of the visa backlogs and notion that the US could somehow deport all 15 million or so "undocumented immigrants" in the US, few have risen to the occasion and introduced legislation for fear that they be labeled a supporter of "amnesty." "Amnesty" has been a politically unpopular word for many years as Conservative politicians throughout much of the U.S. have used "undocumented immigrants" as scapegoats for many of the nation's problems, including crime, budget deficits and high unemployment. The situation has gotten even worse over the last couple of years, as the economic crisis has forced even moderate politicians to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the immigration debate in order to secure reelection.

With the commitment of the new administration and a Democratic majority in both houses, however, the stage is set for the sorely needed reforms the CIR ASAP will bring. CIR ASAP contains four main sections to address Border Security and Enforcement, Employment verification, Visa reforms and the Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants.

The Border Security provisions will create a security task force among Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies to thwart violence along the Mexican border and provide additional manpower, training and support for all Customs and Border Patrol agents throughout the US. The ports of entry to the US will be studied to identify security risks and necessary improvements and modernization to reduce threats to our national security, among other upgrades.

The CIR ASAP creates a comprehensive Employment Eligibility Verification System to replace the obsolete patchwork system established in 1986, which will eventually become mandatory for all employers and their newly hired workers. This entirely computerized system will include enhanced penalties for employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers, while forbidding employers to discriminate against workers on the basis of nationality.

In the area of Visa Reforms, the bill will alleviate the extreme backlogs in the family and employment-based categories, allowing the "recapture" of previously unused visa numbers from 1992-2008 and allowing such unused future numbers to be "roll over" to the following year. Beneficiaries of employment-based petitions (I-140) will be issued work authorization while waiting for their priority date, instead of being ineligible to work regardless of their employer's needs under the current system. US educated foreign nationals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields will be exempted from the skilled worker visa quota altogether and Nursing occupations, which are pre-certified as "Shortage Occupations" by the US Department of Labor, will be exempt from the current numerical quotas the current system inexplicably includes them in, despite their "Shortage Occupation" status.

The Visa Reforms will also create a special "Prevent Unauthorized Migration" (PUM) Visa for citizens of currently oversubscribed countries facing the longest backlogs, which could include the Philippines and Mexico. The law will allow issuance of 100,000 PUM visas annually, to selected individuals present in the US with college degrees and no other means to immigrate. After three years in PUM status, such individuals may apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the US.

Perhaps the most urgently needed, and most controversial, of the bills proposals is the program to Legalize Undocumented Immigrants. The CIR ASAP will allow qualified applicants to obtain conditional immigrant status for a period of 6 years, after which they may obtain permanent resident or green card status. To be qualified, an applicant must establish that he or she was illegally in the US prior to December 15, 2009; has made contributions to the US through employment, education, military or other volunteer and community service; and pay an application fee plus a fine of $500.00. Criminals, including any felon or person with three or more misdemeanors, will be permanently ineligible.

The Bill will also make the long-awaited Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act "DREAM Act" law. The new version of the DREAM Act will allow people who were brought to the US while under the age of 16 to apply for legalization in the US in accordance with the general legalization rules. The DREAM Act provision, however, will allow for speedier LPR status for these applicants upon their graduation from High School, completion of two-years of college, military service, or employment. These applicants will become eligible for Naturalization in the US three years from the date they acquire their LPR status, as opposed to the usual 5-year wait.

While the CIR ASAP presents many laudable and necessary reform provisions, there is a long and hard-fought battle ahead as the US Congress undertakes debate over the bill early next year. Before CIR ASAP becomes law, it must pass in the House, pass in the Senate and be signed into law by the President. As for now, undocumented immigrants and students in the United States who feared that attending college in the US was an impossibility should remain hopeful.A chance to work in the US, attend college at one of this nation's fine institutions and live the American dream may be just around the corner.

Article provided by Hanlon Law Group, P.C.

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Michael Jackson Investigative Files Released

2009-12-22T14:14:00.000-05:00

In response to Freedom of Information Act requests, the Bureau has released its investigative files on the late entertainer Michael Jackson, who died earlier this year.

The records total 333 pages, divided into seven files. They detail the FBI’s investigation of a man who threatened to kill Jackson, as well as various forms of assistance to California authorities in two cases involving allegations that Jackson had abused children. It should be emphasized that none of these allegations were ever proven in court.

The files are available on the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy website, but here is a quick rundown of what they contain.

The first file—9A-LA-142276—was opened by the Los Angeles FBI office when it was asked to lead a federal case against a California man already under arrest for sending numerous threatening letters. The man—who falsely claimed to be the son of mobster John Gotti—had staked out Jackson's house and threatened to kill him, the U.S. president, and others. He was ruled incompetent to stand trial and sent to prison for two years.

The second and third files—62D-LA-162715 and 62D-LO-11779—involve the Bureau’s support of local law enforcement. In 1993, the Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara Police departments formed a task force to investigate an allegation that Jackson had molested a young boy. FBI field divisions in Los Angeles and New York—as well as Bureau overseas offices in Manila and London—provided assistance in that case. Investigators gathered public records on Jackson, interviewed a potential witness, and followed various other leads. The FBI assisted Los Angeles Police Department detectives who traveled to the Philippines to interview possible witnesses and shared news reports from London about a potential victim. The U.S. Attorney declined to pursue a federal investigation, including a possible violation of the Mann Act (transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes), and no charges were filed by the state.

The fourth file—95A-HQ-1148159—concerns a 1995 request by a U.S. Customs agent in Florida that the Bureau examine a VHS videotape connected with Jackson to see if it contained child pornography. Forensic specialists discovered that the tape was a “poor quality third or fourth generation recording” and informed the Customs Service of their findings.

In 2003, Jackson was charged by the state of California with molestation and other counts. The final three files—62D-LA-236081, 252B-IR-6808, and 305B-LA-239205—detail the Bureau’s support to local law enforcement during the ensuing investigation. The first of these files describes an FBI response to a Los Angeles Police Department request to analyze computers and digital media obtained from Jackson's home under court warrant. The second involves a request by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney for help and guidance from behavioral analysts in the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group. In the last of the three files, an FBI agent from Los Angeles traveled to New York to interview a potential witness. The agent found this individual unwilling to cooperate and closed the matter. The case went to court in 2005, and Jackson was acquitted of all charges.

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Group Offering 'Hypocrisy Offsets' to Carbon-Spewing Climate Conference Attendees

2009-12-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Center for Public Policy Research is showcasing the hypocrisy of the carbon-emitting travels of global warming activists at COP-15 in Copenhagen by offering conscience-clearing "hypocrisy offsets" to attendees.

The hypocrisy offsets parody carbon offsets sold and traded allegedly to allow people to live carbon-neutral lives. The hypocrisy offsets also highlight the insincerity of world-traveling, energy-guzzling COP-15 delegates.

"Many of those in attendance to press for additional commitments for carbon reductions traveled thousands of miles and used substantial amounts of carbon-emitting jet-fuel just to get to the conference," said David Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "We are exposing the hypocrisy by offering them 'hypocrisy offsets' to alleviate their green guilt. As one who is skeptical of the necessity of draconian carbon cuts, I plan to do my part to ensure plenty of hypocrisy offsets are available. I'll refrain from reducing my own personal carbon footprint."

"Environmentalists are in Copenhagen demanding global limits on emissions, but they don't want to follow the very rules they are proposing for the rest of the world," said Amy Ridenour, president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "Their participation may earn them some media coverage, but it is having no effect on an agreement. In fact, the United Nations mostly banned them from even entering the conference, so their voluntary contribution to carbon emissions -- emissions they insist imperil the planet -- from this unnecessary travel is a stunning act of hypocrisy. Because we know they must be feeling very guilty about what they've done, and in most cases intend to continue doing indefinitely, we invented hypocrisy offsets as a humanitarian act."

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The Reid Bill and What We Know: Higher Taxes and Less Capital - Higher Health Costs and Red Tape for Small Business

2009-12-17T15:11:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- A leading advocacy group for small businesses said that the secrecy and manipulation that has come to define health care reform in the Senate is not only fueling widespread opposition to the legislation, but also undermines the confidence that is desperately needed to get the economy back on a solid growth track.

According to the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), what is already known about the bill will be harmful to small business, job creation and the health care system. What we don't know could prove to be more harmful to the economy, as the covert approach to legislation being crafted creates more uncertainty and public distrust. This, in turn, is making business owners more nervous about the disconnect Democrat leaders continue to flaunt in the face of U.S. fiscal and economic conditions that are rather perilous.

"Business owners can't afford any new burdens imposed on them by Washington. Yet, and in stunning fashion, the Democratic leadership continues to push legislation that will take more capital and resources away from small firms. Entrepreneurs can't create jobs when Congress is planning to take more of their capital, and they certainly can't afford the higher health premiums and new business costs that will result from the Reid bill. Moreover, they are waiting for the other shoe to drop regarding the secret measures that Senator Reid refuses to make public. We are flabbergasted that members of the Senate are actually announcing support for a bill when they have not seen its details," said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.

This failure in leadership is appalling, according to Kerrigan. Business owners and the American people are watching the political circus in disbelief. The overwhelming majority wants reforms that bring down the cost of health insurance and improves the quality of the system, but they see a massive tax and spending bill that will make their own personal situation much worse.

"Legislation that revamps one-sixth of the economy should not be secretly designed by a small band of partisans who are merely trying to get to sixty votes," said Kerrigan. It is no surprise, she added, that public support for the health care bill is tanking.

SBE Council has urged the Senate to start the legislative process over, and include small business reforms within the core bill. The group has long advocated a national marketplace for health care, robust tax incentives for businesses and individuals, the expansion of health savings accounts, tax parity for the self-employed, medical liability reform as well as support for local and state programs that are helping to deliver health care and insurance to those who lack access. Such market reforms and tax incentives will do far more to cover the uninsured -- and at far less cost to taxpayers -- than the $2.5 trillion Reid bill, according to SBE Council.

SBE Council is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit www.sbecouncil.org.

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Nations Capping Carbon Emissions Mocked as 'Suckers' at Climate Change Conference... With Suckers

2009-12-16T15:16:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of candy suckers are being distributed at the U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark today to mock nations that are imposing harsh limits on their carbon emissions at great economic cost for little or no environmental benefit. The group distributing them is the Washington, DC-based free market National Center for Public Policy Research.

The suckers bear the caption "Sucker for CO2 Limits."

"They say a sucker is born every minute, and looking around here, I'd have to say they're right," said David A. Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "In the midst of the worst global economic downturn in decades, delegates are actually pressing for additional commitments for carbon reductions that would sap economic strength further."

The National Center contends that efforts to reduce emissions have not only proven expensive, but ineffective in reducing emissions.

"Despite spending many billions on their climate programs, Europe's emissions steadily rose until the global recession hit. In fact, they grew by 1.6% between 2003 and 2006 while the U.S.'s grew by just .6% during the same period," said Ridenour, who is leading the group's delegation to the conference. "Making matters worse is that the scientific house of cards upon which these climate policies were built seems to be collapsing following revelations that some key scientists were cooking the books."

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Make Wall Street Washington's partner

2009-12-16T08:24:00.001-05:00

By Armstrong Williams

If President Barack Obama truly wants America's financial community to help accelerate the recovery, he should stop publicly blaming it for the recession and unemployment.

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/economy-a-budget/72331-make-wall-street-washingtons-partner

Senate Democrats Face Moment of Truth on Obama Tax Pledge

2009-12-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The Senate will vote today on an amendment which would send the healthcare bill back to the Finance Committee to strip out its numerous tax hikes on families making less than $250,000 per year. The vote sets up a showdown for Senate Democrats as President Barack Obama has made a "firm pledge" not to raise "any form" of taxes on these families. The amendment was offered by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

"A vote in favor of this amendment would allow Obama to keep his tax pledge. Any Senator who votes against this amendment believes that Obama knowingly lied his way into office," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

Obama's promise remains for all to see at the Change.gov website: "no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase."

But the Senate healthcare bill is loaded with taxes that would break Obama's pledge if signed into law:

Health Insurance Mandate Taxes on Working Families

Individual Mandate Tax (Page 324/Sec.
1501/$8 bil): Starting in 2014, anyone
not buying "qualifying" health insurance
must pay an income surtax according to
the following schedule (capped at 8
percent of income):
Single Single +1 Single +2<

2014 $95 $190 $285
2015 $350 $700 $1050
2016 etc. $750 $1500 $2250

Exemptions for religious objectors,
undocumented immigrants, prisoners,
those earning less than the poverty
line, members of Indian tribes, and
hardship cases (determined by HHS).

Employer Mandate Tax(Page 348/Sec. 1513/$28 bil): If an employer does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $750 for all full-time employees. Applies to all employers with 50 or more employees.

If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer).

Small business owners pay their taxes on their owners' personal tax returns. Since this provision does not exempt business owners making less than $250,000 per year, this employer mandate tax will violate President Obama's promise in some cases.

Tax Hikes on Healthcare Spending Accounts

Medicine Cabinet Tax (Page 1997/Sec. 9003/$5 bil): No longer allowable to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin).

HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike(Page 1998/Sec. 9004/$1.3 bil): Increases additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.

FSA Cap(Page 1999/Sec. 9005/$14.6 bil): Imposes cap on FSAs of $2500 (now unlimited).

Tax Hikes on Medical Spending for Those Making Less Than $250,000

Raise "Haircut" for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI(Page 2034/Sec. 9013/$15.2 bil): Waived for 65+ taxpayers in 2013-2016 only.

Tax on Cosmetic Medical Procedures (Page 2045/Sec. 9017/$5.8 bil): New 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery to be paid by the surgery patient.

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Hurry! We Have to Save the Planet Now! Oh, We Can Wait for a Few Years

2009-12-14T09:38:00.000-05:00

All the chatter about how we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions today is about to be put on hold for at least six years at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Guess the world isn't quite ready for the "gotta make a decision this instant"....

Copenhagen stalls decision on catastrophic climate change for six years

The key decision on preventing catastrophic climate change will be delayed for up to six years if the Copenhagen summit delivers a compromise deal which ignores advice from the UN’s science body.

World leaders will not agree on the emissions cuts recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and are likely instead to commit to reviewing them in 2015 or 2016.....http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/copenhagen/article6955237.ece

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Supplemental Notification of Authors and Publishers About Google Book Search Settlement Begins Today

2009-12-14T08:48:00.001-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Distribution of the Supplemental Notice in the Google Book Search Settlement is now taking place. The Supplemental Notice summarizes the principal changes from the Original Settlement to the Amended Settlement. The Court overseeing the case preliminarily approved the Amended Settlement, and approved the Supplemental Notice, on November 19, 2009.

Please visit http://www.googlebooksettlement.com/ for detailed information, including the Supplemental Notice and revised key dates. The website is available in 36 languages.

The Court will hold a hearing on whether to grant final approval of the Amended Settlement on February 18, 2010.

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Tell Him to Keep His Change

2009-12-11T13:01:00.000-05:00

"Don't look now but here they come...."

"Tell him to keep his change..."

Tap your toes and sing along-- after all, it's Friday! Just love this song.....

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Tea Party Nation to Host National Tea Party Convention

2009-12-10T20:25:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Tea Party Nation is pleased to announce the First National Tea Party Convention. The convention is aimed at bringing Tea Party representatives together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' principle goals.

Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and the 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Rep. Michele Bachmann will be a breakfast speaker at the convention. Also speaking at the convention are Rep. Marsha Blackburn and former Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore.

Other participants include: Phil Valentine (Nationally Syndicated Conservative Talk Radio Host), Bruce Donnelly (President, SurgeUSA), Ana Puig, Dr. B. Leland Baker (author of Tea Party Revival), Mark Skoda (The Memphis Tea Party), Keli Carender (aka Liberty Belle), Dr. Rick Scarborough (author of "Enough is Enough"), Lori Christenson (The Evergreen Conifer Tea Party), David DeGerolamo (NC Freedom Tea Party), Walter Fitzgerald (Tea Party Nation - Emergency Preparedness), The Leadership Institute, Judicial Watch, SurgeUSA, FAIR, National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Smart Girl Politics

Topics to be covered:

How to Defeat Liberalism via the 2010 Elections (Panel Discussion with Q&A)

Where Does the Tea Party Movement Go From Here? (Panel Discussion with Q&A)

Correlations Between the Current Administration and Marxist Dictators of Latin America and How to Stop it

Grassroots on the Ground

Using New Media for Conservative Activism

How to Do Voter Registration Drives and Where to Find Conservative Voters

Women in Politics

Fundraising

How to become a Precinct Committee Chairperson

Collaboration in the Cloud-Applied Technology in the TEA Party Movement

How to Unite State Tea Party Groups

How to Organize a Tea Party Group

Emergency Preparedness

How to stop Illegal Immigration Legislation

*topics subject to change

Website: www.nationalteapartyconvention.com

About Tea Party Nation (www.teapartynation.com):

Last February, Judson Phillips organized a tea party in downtown Nashville, TN for a crowd of 600. On April 15, he joined forces with other tea party organizers across the nation and held a second Tea Party in downtown Nashville, drawing a crowd of 10,000. He founded Tea Party Nation that April hoping to be a connecting thread between conservatives and those involved in the Tea Party movement.

Since that time, Tea Party Nation has grown and continues to grow into a force to be reckoned with in the 2010 and 2012 elections. Tea Party Nation is a user-driven group of like-minded people who desire our God-given individual freedoms written by our founding fathers. We believe in limited government, free speech, the Second Amendment, our military, secure borders and our country. We are doing together what we could not do alone, to preserve that which we value.

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FAIR's New Report Takes Administration to Task

2009-12-09T19:36:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) released a first of its kind, comprehensive report detailing the numerous areas where the Obama administration has deliberately weakened the ability of the United States to enforce its immigration laws.

The Road to Amnesty provides an in-depth examination of the Obama administration's record on immigration policy and enforcement during its first year in office. Refuting Secretary Napolitano's claims of more a pragmatic approach to immigration enforcement, The Road to Amnesty shows that effective enforcement strategies have been systematically dismantled. Instead the administration has vigorously pursued its political goal of a mass illegal alien amnesty.

Among the key findings of The Road to Amnesty are:
-- Effective worksite enforcement - including the removal of illegal
workers and prosecution of employers - has been gutted. This strategy
has been replaced by paperwork audits that result in minor penalties
or inconveniences to employers, while illegal workers are allowed to
remain in the country.
-- The effective federal/local immigration enforcement program known as
287(g) has been limited to the removal of dangerous criminal illegal
aliens.
-- Implementation of E-Verify protections for American workers was
repeatedly delayed, despite soaring unemployment. The administration
refused to back a permanent extension of the program.
-- The administration undermined the REAL ID Act, which would make
American identity documents more secure, and is aggressively
advocating that Congress replace it with the much weaker PASS ID bill.
REAL ID enacted the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

"After nearly a year in office, it is clear that enforcement of U.S. immigration laws is not a goal of the Obama administration," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "On the contrary, their actions are all geared toward building pressure for a mass illegal alien amnesty program.

"The administration has pursued its amnesty agenda at great harm to American workers and great expense to American taxpayers," Stein continued. "At a time of skyrocketing unemployment and huge government deficits at all levels, the administration has consistently placed the interests of illegal aliens and their advocates ahead of those of the American people.

"Based on its record so far, there is little reason for the American people to have any confidence that promises of future enforcement in exchange for mass amnesty would be fulfilled, as the administration promotes its version of an immigration overhaul in 2010," concluded Stein.

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No Cap and Trade to Pass? Not to Worry, EPA will Regulate

2009-12-09T13:59:00.000-05:00

Now if this doesn't just make you feel warm and cuddly all over, then I just don't know what will. It would appear that the White House will have its cap and trade, either by legislation or by the strong arms of the EPA. Interesting.

Control' Regulation Over Emissions
FOXNews.com
The Obama administration is warning Congress that if it doesn't move to regulate greenhouse gases, the Environmental Protection Agency will take a "command-and-control" role over the process in way that could hurt business.....http://ow.ly/167Q8N

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Black Activists Condemn Senate Leader Harry Reid Playing the Race Card in Health Care Debate

2009-12-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Race-related comments by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are offensive and historically inaccurate, says the Project 21 black leadership group.

"Harry Reid has resorted to the most shopworn trick in the liberal playbook. He deployed the race card in the ugliest way while debating health care reform," said Deroy Murdock, a Project 21 member and a media fellow with the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University. "It is astonishing and outrageous to equate those who seek the defeat of Reid's 2,074-page, $2.5 trillion legislative monstrosity with those who were happy to keep blacks in chains, unpaid for their back-breaking labor and traded back and forth like cattle. The fact that Reid would use such deplorable, insulting and insensitive rhetoric indicates that he is out of credible arguments to defend his own proposal."

Murdock added: "The Senate's top Democrat owes an immediate apology to Republicans on Capitol Hill, the 39 House Democrats who voted against Obamacare on November 7 and the 51 percent of Americans from coast to coast who a Rasmussen survey recently found are against Obamacare. If Reid believes these Americans who object to his high-cost, low-quality legislation also hold warm feelings for slavery, he is further removed from reality than anyone so far has feared. If he does not believe this, he should stop cynically firing rhetorical mortar shells at decent Americans who merely disagree with his spendthrift, Big Government approach to health care."

Reid's comments are historically inaccurate, as his own Democratic Party stood in the way of slavery abolition and civil rights legislation in the past.

"Why is history so confusing to Harry Reid?," asked Project 21 Chairman Mychal Massie. "Six of the nine original planks of the Republican Party at its inception in 1856 were based on opposition to slavery and promoting civil rights. Did Reid also forget what party Lyndon Johnson worked with to get the Civil Rights Act of 1964 not only passed but to even get it through committee and onto the floor for a vote? One of the Democratic opponents - Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), a former Klansman - is still serving today and is third in the presidential line of succession as the President pro tem. Reid's daring to brand opponents as racist is indicative of how far liberals are willing to go in order to control Americans from the cradle to the grave."

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In Fayette County? Rumors of Strange Sightings?

2009-12-06T07:28:00.000-05:00

Gotta tell ya that this caught my eye. I know the area of Lee's Mill Rd and I even know some fine people who live on that road. Lee's Mill Rd has a bunch of homes along its route, and there are even more trees and woods along it than homes. Bigfoot sighting? In Fayette County? Gee, I guess I must have missed that one. Interesting, but then I've always loved a good mystery......

On the Trail of the Georgia Bigfoot...Latest Sighting-Fayette County

The Georgia Bigfoot, other than being the title of my next book, is also an ongoing mystery in the Peach State. With sightings dating back to the early 1800s in Georgia, and ranging from the mountains to the coast, there is much to be said for the possible existence of the elusive creature in Georgia....http://georgiamysteries.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-trail-of-georgia-bigfootlatest.html

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Rep. Nadler, 9-11 Widows, Distinguished Military Leader Take Stand Supporting Federal Trials in NYC

2009-12-04T10:45:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Brigadier General (ret.) James P. Cullen and four 9/11 widows who were largely responsible for the establishment of the 9/11 Commission that examined the tragic events of that day say efforts to block federal trials for the men accused of plotting the attacks threaten national security and delay justice for thousands of victims' family members in New York and across the nation. The group will hold a conference call on Friday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. to discuss their concerns and urge that the facts be put before fear-mongering as the trials approach.

This conference call comes just one day before the 9/11 Never Forget Coalition plans to gather at the federal court house, a site that is within Rep. Nadler's New York City district, to protest the trials. Participants on the call say that coalition, which has close ties to Liz Cheney's Keep America Safe organization and was joined by ultra-conservative "Tea Baggers" during a press conference last week, does not speak for all elected officials, national security experts or 9/11 victims' family members - many of whom support Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to hold suspected 9/11 terrorists accountable in federal courts. They note that federal courts are the only venue that has successfully tried such cases and that bringing these common criminals before military commissions threatens soldiers overseas who face an enemy that uses "special courts" as a recruiting tool.

WHAT: Congressman, Retired General, 9/11 Widows Support Federal Trials in NYC

Say fear-mongering tactics threaten national security, justice for suspected terrorists

WHEN: Friday, December 4 at 1 p.m. EST

WHO: U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Brigadier General (ret.) James P. Cullen
Lorie Van Auken, 9/11 Widow
Monica Gabrielle, 9/11 Widow

CALL INFO: 800-894-5910; Code: Human Rights First

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS:

U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York's Eighth Congressional district. The Eighth, one of the most diverse districts in the nation, includes Manhattan's West Side below 89th Street, Lower Manhattan, and areas of Brooklyn including Borough Park, Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sea Gate, Bay Ridge, and Bensonhurst. Congressman Nadler was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 after serving for 16 years in the New York State Assembly. He was re-elected to his seventh full term in 2004 with a resounding 80 percent of the vote. Throughout his career he has championed civil rights, civil liberties, efficient transportation, and a host of progressive issues such as access to health care, support for the arts and protection of the Social Security system. He is considered an unapologetic defender of those who might otherwise be forgotten by American law or the economy, and is respected specifically for his creative and pragmatic legislative approaches. Rep. Nadler is an Assistant Whip and a senior member of both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Transportation Committee.

Brigadier General (ret.) James P. Cullen is a retired Brigadier General in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's Corps and last served as the Chief Judge (IMA) of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. He currently practices law in New York City. Cullen was among the military leaders who stood with President Obama in the Oval Office as he signed Executive Orders ending the use of torture and ordering the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility and joined dozens of military leaders urging Congress to stay the course toward closure of the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and to see past the fear-mongering tactics designed to delay the Administration's efforts to close the facility and bring those held there to justice.

Lorie Van Auken knows first-hand why the federal trials in New York City are important to 9/11 widows. Van Auken, the mother of two, lost her husband Kenneth Van Auken in the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Lorie is one of the "Jersey Girls" who, along with Kristen Breitweiser, Mindy Kleinberg, and Patty Casazza, advocated for a commission to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Monica Gabrielle is a 9/11 widow who fought for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation into the collapse of the World Trade Center. She was also an advocate for the commission to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks.

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Legion to Support WWII Veteran's Fight for Flagpole

2009-12-04T08:46:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Legion has joined the fight being waged by a Medal of Honor recipient against a Virginia homeowner association's demands to remove a flagpole.

Col. Van Barfoot, 90, a World War II and Vietnam veteran, was ordered by the Sussex Square Homeowner's Association to remove the flag pole from his front lawn after he flew the U.S. Flag on Labor Day and Veterans Day. The association is claiming that the flag pole is not "aesthetically appropriate."

"The association underestimated the fight left in this elderly veteran and now they have to contend with the determination and persistence of Col. Barfoot's 2.5 million friends in The American Legion," said National Commander Clarence E. Hill. "Col. Barfoot has hired legal counsel. The American Legion is prepared to help with the expenses and fight these disgraceful actions by the association. Where is the common sense here? Is this anyway to treat any American, much less a true hero like Col. Barfoot?"

Fighting for the flag is not new to The American Legion, the nation's leading authority on flag etiquette. Since 1989, The Legion has been fighting for a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress the authority to protect Old Glory from desecration.

"The flag is a symbol of our country," Hill said. "People should fly it proudly. That's all Col. Barfoot wants to do. If he were desecrating the flag, instead, the association couldn't do a thing to stop him. We proudly stand with Col. Barfoot and say 'enough already!' Let him keep the flagpole and fly the flag as often as he wants. He certainly earned that right."

"What the association is doing is especially disgraceful given the fact that our president has ordered another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in defense of our freedom," added Joseph Caouette, The American Legion's Chairman of Americanism. "I wonder what they think of all of this."

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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Federal Insurance Office Proposal, Allowing Treasury to Preempt State Insurance Laws, Sullies House Financial Reform Package

2009-12-02T12:29:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Legislation to undermine state insurance protections, including laws requiring insurers to hold enough money to pay all claims, passed the U.S. House Financial Services Committee today. Insurance deregulation should not be part of a financial re-regulation package, said the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, who called on members of Congress to reject preemption of state insurance laws when financial reform legislation reaches the House floor.

"A plan to roll back oversight of the insurance industry does not belong in the financial re-regulation package," said Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog.

The bill, H.R. 2609 (Kanjorski, D-PA), would undermine state insurance protections by empowering a new Federal Insurance Office in the Treasury Department to preempt state capital, solvency, and other prudential measures on behalf of foreign insurance firms. International agreements made by unelected federal officials would allow foreign regulators to set their own rules for companies selling insurance in the United States, said Consumer Watchdog.

"This bill is part of the insurance industry's ongoing push to deregulate insurance by limiting state regulators' authority and is sure to weaken consumer protection. It is a real disappointment that Congress would move to weaken state insurance oversight when the failures of bank deregulation are all too obvious to every American who lost a job, home or business in the financial meltdown and its economic aftermath," said Balber.

Legislation creating a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to improve oversight of consumer financial products, approved by the Financial Services committee in October, similarly allows for preemption of some state banking consumer protection laws.

"Members of Congress should stand strong against any efforts to weaken state protections through federal preemption as the financial reform package comes to the House floor next week," said Balber.

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Douglass Descendants Declare War on Human Trafficking - Modern-Day Slavery

2009-12-01T13:51:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- "Slavery exists today and it is time to educate ourselves about the brutal exploitation people in our own communities are experiencing."

These are the words of Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., but they echo those of a famous ancestor who escaped slavery at age 20 and went on to become a defender of human rights and one of America's greatest leaders. The family of the great Abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, wants your help in ending all forms of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. "It's the world's second most profitable illegal industry, yet the buying and selling of people is a crime that's poorly understood, " says Mr. Morris, President of the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation.

Students from middle schools and high schools across the country have been selected to help the foundation launch an awareness campaign beginning December 2nd. The campaign, being touted as the beginning of a new Abolitionist Movement, happens in concert with the United Nations' International Day for the Abolition of Slavery which commemorates a 1949 UN convention to end human trafficking and the exploitation of people everywhere in the world.

How can you help? On December 2nd, young people all over the USA will communicate the message of Abolition Day to friends, family and as many people as they can reach through the Internet and the media. Non-profit organizations and government agencies that deal with this issue will use December 2nd as a day to talk about the work they do. The foundation also asks:

-- Parents to learn: how their children could become victims of human
trafficking and discuss it openly with the entire family (go to
www.fdff.org/adproject for ideas),
-- Community and church leaders to host: open forums about human
trafficking,
-- Law Enforcement to visit: schools and create programs in which
students can participate.

The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation's Chairwomen, Nettie Washington Douglass, says that, "Women and children are most frequently the victims of these tragic crimes." Mrs. Douglass is the great great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and she is the great granddaughter of Booker T. Washington. Mr. Morris is her eldest son.

The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information about the Abolition Day project go to www.fdff.org/adproject. For information about the foundation contact Robert Benz at 702-523-4845 or email rbenz@fdff.org.

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Amoena and Young Survival Coalition Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors With Contest and Cruise

2009-11-30T17:17:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Amoena USA Corporation, the worldwide leader of post-surgery breast care products, is sponsoring the 4th Annual Breast Cancer Survivors Cruise. In 2010, for the first time, Amoena will honor survivors and the people who helped them through their recovery by awarding a cabin for the one with the most inspirational story to tell.

As part of the contest, Amoena wants to hear about young mothers who bravely endured treatments; women who, despite their diagnosis, remain positive and optimistic; friends who were there when a survivor was diagnosed, went to appointments and made the recovery process a little easier. The contest is a celebration of survivorship and friendship.

"Amoena's mission is to help restore dignity and a positive self-image to women who have fought breast cancer and won. No woman can go through the battle alone. They need someone by their side encouraging them," said Malissa Magyar, Marketing Manager for Amoena. "We're inspired by the women who have fought this fight, and we're inspired by those who helped them every step of the way to recovery. This contest is our way of celebrating them."

Amoena approached the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), an organization focused on addressing critical issues of women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer, to help sponsor the contest and spread the word among its affiliates.

"As a survivor, I know how important it is to have a support system while you undergo treatment and the emotional ups and downs following a breast cancer diagnosis," said Courtney Bulger, Executive Director, YSC, Greater Metro Atlanta. "We're happy to join Amoena in promoting a contest that honors that support system."

Nominations are now being accepted through March 1, 2010. To nominate, write in 500 words or less, the inspirational story of the woman who never gave up and the people who encouraged her to keep fighting. Amoena will select one winner to receive a cabin for two on the 2010 Breast Cancer Survivors Cruise, May 2-8. YSC will cover travel costs for the winner and guest to the cruise's port city, Ft. Lauderdale.

To nominate someone, simply fill out the online form available at www.amoena.com/cruise.

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First-hand Stories from Marine Corps Boot Camp

2009-11-30T09:48:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- From the rifle range to the mess hall, the obstacle course to swimming, "A Few Good Memories, Tales of Marine Corps Boot Camp" (published by Trafford Publishing) by Marine Bob Taylor shares more than 400 first-hand stories of Marines and their experience during an amazing time of each of their lives -- boot camp.

"My book is a collection of stories collected through my web site in 1999," Taylor said, who also got a chance to spend two weeks in 2000 at camp at Parris Island. "Over the years, I had read many Marine books - most were of the 'blood and guts' variety. I published the web site and requested first-hand humorous stories about Boot Camp from the Marines who experienced them.

"Hardly two months had passed when I had received over a thousand stories," he added. "I began a difficult selection to filter the best. Most were the humorous type I had envisioned, but a few nostalgic and sad stories made the cut because of their quality - and the balance they provided."

Readers are sure to enjoy the first-hand stories of the men and women of the United States who have volunteered to train to be Marines and defend the country against foreign enemies as well as the highly professional Marine drill instructors, who work day and night to produce the best fighting men and women in the world.

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Snappy Tune for 2010

2009-11-25T08:35:00.000-05:00

Tap, tap, snap, snap, I'm singing right along---

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'Dare to Believe in the Man in the Red Suit': Delivering the True Message of Christmas

2009-11-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Thanksgiving is next week and retailers are advertising their merchandise and Black Friday deals everywhere you turn. With the bad economy, many families are feeling the pressure of the holidays and stress of not being able to buy the gifts their children are asking Santa to bring on Christmas morning. Melissa Larsen's "Dare to Believe in the Man in the Red Suit," published by AuthorHouse, helps parents and children remember the true reason for the season and reminds them to focus on the seven gifts of Christmas.

Tabby Mae, the story's main character, starts to question Santa Claus as she notices the stress and tension between her parents. Like many families this year, her parents don't have the money to buy new decorations and host their annual Christmas Eve party. They're left with the dilemma of telling their daughter the truth because they won't be able to afford the presents she wants this year.

After overhearing her parents' conversation, the little girl goes to bed and prays for her parents and to help them have the best Christmas. An angel suddenly appears and helps Tabby Mae to recall all of the wonderful Christmas memories stored in her heart and recreated all of the child's favorite family traditions and decorations for her to see. In the middle was the man in the red suit.

Suddenly, Tabby Mae sees the man in the red suit kneeling beside a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. She overhears Santa praying to the baby Jesus explaining that he delivers small presents to people each year as a reminder of the gifts Jesus gives us each year and the red suit represents Jesus' love and life.

The angel explains to the little girl that the man is St. Nick and that to focus on the seven gifts of Christmas: hope, peace, faith, joy, comfort, love and knowledge. Tabby Mae was then able to realize the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to believe in the man in the red suit.

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Attorney General Holder Reveals Aggressive Gun Control In Response to Ft. Hood Terror Attack

2009-11-19T20:42:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Before the Senate Judiciary Committee November 18th, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder revealed a stunningly broad and aggressive anti-gun agenda.

"The President of the United States asked that politicians not use the Ft. Hood attack to engage in 'political theater.' It appears those committed to attacking gun owners and the Second Amendment simply can't help themselves and are engaged in blaming guns and gun owners on the heels of this terrorist attack. Sadly it looks like 'politics as usual,'" said LEAA's spokesperson, Ted Deeds.

After explaining and defending his decision to give enemy combatants constitutional protections and the right to public trial in civilian courts, Attorney General Holder revealed his support for a national gun owner registration scheme and authorizing the government to ban firearm possession for any person by merely adding that person's name to the terror watch list.

Drawing reasonable conclusions from what Holder publicly said, we now know:

-- Holder wants a national, permanent gun registration system
administered by law enforcement. A registration of honest citizens
that have cleared the federal background check for gun purchases with
those records permanently retained by and shared among law
enforcement.

-- Holder wants new federal authority to prohibit any person on the
federal watch list (reported to be 400,000 names) from buying guns and
supports confiscating guns from those on the list who possess them.

Transcribing General Holder: "The position of the Administration is that there should be a basis for law enforcement to share information about gun purchases." "... [It's not] inconsistent to allow law enforcement agencies to share that kind of information, for that information to be retained and then to be shared by law enforcement." "It seems incongruous to me that we would bar certain people from flying on airplanes because they are on the terrorist watch list and yet we would still allow them to posses weapons." {Emphasis added}

LEAA's Executive Director Jim Fotis said, "Those behind the badge don't believe more restrictions on honest gun owners is a reasonable, practical or constitutional response to acts of terrorism. As a retired officer, I know that America's men and women in blue want to fight terrorism, to stop terrorists; not waste time keeping records on innocent gun owners!"

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"Reels for Radicals" is Back on November 22!

2009-11-19T08:46:00.000-05:00

The Georgia Tea Party(TM), a non-partisan advocacy group focused on impacting public policy by teaching the principles of individual liberty and constitutionally-limited self-government, will present the documentary film, America: Freedom to Fascism, at the AMC Theater Barrett
Commons 24, Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 pm.

The film, which challenges the legality and constitutionality of the income tax and the Federal Reserve System, is a chilling expose of the increasingly frequent attacks on our freedom by our own government. The film also explores controversial issues such as terrorism, the Patriot Act, immigration, IRS tactics and privacy, and concludes that the responses to these issues are
driving the country toward something that is not American, but could be better defined as fascism.

A Time for Choosing, Ronald Reagan's famous speech to the 1964 Republican Convention, will also be shown as an added feature. The audience will be amazed that the topics and logic of
Reagan's speech are even more relevant now than they were 45 years ago. Healthcare,
Social Security, big government, welfare and unemployment are all covered in the manner typical of the "Great Communicator." It's a classic that we should never forget.

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Study: Every GM Vehicle Sold Costs Taxpayers $12,200

2009-11-19T07:01:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The American taxpayer has put up $12,200 for every General Motors vehicle sold through the beginning of 2011, and $7,600 for every Chrysler vehicle sold as well, according to a new report issued by the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU).

The report, The Auto Bailout - A Taxpayer Quagmire, authored by NTU Adjunct Scholar Thomas D. Hopkins, Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, does the math on what the government bailout of the auto industry - including General Motors, Chrysler, and GMAC - actually means to American taxpayers, including how much each taxpayer has contributed to the auto industry since December 2008 and how much each vehicle is costing us.

"Every time someone in your neighborhood drives home in a shiny new Chevy Silverado, remember that it cost American taxpayers more than $12,000," said Pete Sepp, NTU Vice President for Policy and Communications. "Between this and GM's plan to payback their bailout debt with other taxpayer funds, I wonder if all those Americans without work right now could think of any better ways to spend that money. This is a play out of the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme playbook, and would be the equivalent of paying your Master Card bill with your Visa."

The study found that the average American taxpaying family has invested roughly $800 in the auto bailouts so far. Moreover, the study found, the government support poured into General Motors, Chrysler, and GMAC - the financing subsidiary that supports sales at both - now stands at a towering $78.9 billion. Given that figure, and an estimate of how many vehicles GM and Chrysler will sell through the end of 2010, the study finds that each vehicle one of the bailed-out companies sells costs taxpayers $10,700.

Finally, breaking down the costs by company, the study reports that every Chrysler vehicle sold costs taxpayers $7,600, and every GM vehicle sold costs taxpayers $12,200.

The research is based upon a November study released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), entitled "Continued Stewardship Needed as Treasury Develops Strategies for Monitoring and Divesting Financial Interests in Chrysler and GM," a follow-up report on the "Troubled Asset Relief Program," as well as statements and reports released from the U.S. Treasury.

Additional Findings Include:
-- GMAC receives government guarantees not available to most private
firms. Coincidentally, these are the same private firms that are
forced to compete with GMAC's taxpayer-assisted bank, Ally Bank.
These guarantees save GMAC about $500 million annually in interest
costs.
-- During the first ten months of 2009, GM and Chrysler sales fell
further than other major auto producers, down 33.4 percent and 38.9
percent, respectively.
-- While the prospect of repayment of GM and Chrysler loans might be
expected, after bankruptcy the vast majority of the bailout funds are
no longer legal obligations of the newly-structured GM and Chrysler.
-- If Americans are to believe public officials' claims that the
government will eventually reprivatize the auto industry, the
necessity of a thoughtful exit plan is essential. However, at this
time no such plan exists, making it likely that the Treasury will not
recover its investment.

"[T]he bailout has created moral hazard problems, inadvertently handicapping the progress of stronger, non-subsidized producers," Professor Hopkins concluded. "The problems extend beyond just the auto industry, as favored status for one financial company and its bank necessarily complicates prospects for non-subsidized rivals. The time has come to stop such bailouts, and in an orderly way, to seek at least some recovery for taxpayers."

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Doctors and Patients Rally in Atlanta This Saturday

2009-11-18T10:06:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Doctors for Patient Care rally across America to host physicians, allied health professionals and patients who demand responsible and meaningful healthcare reform - opposed to the current plans of government overhaul.

WHO: Doctors for Patient Care and Talk Show Host Mike Gallagher

WHAT: The leading voice of physicians fighting the government takeover of healthcare will rally with other concerned citizens to express problems with the current proposal and other options in the healthcare debate.

DATE: Saturday, November 21

TIME: 1:00 - 2:30 PM

WHERE:
Georgia State Capitol
206 Washington Street
Atlanta, GA 30334

Doctors for Patient Care is an organization of concerned physicians committed to the establishment of a health care system that preserves the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship, promotes quality of care, supports affordable access to all Americans, and protects patients' freedom of choice. They urge patients and physicians to get involved in order to preserve the good qualities of our healthcare system, address the problems, while preventing its bureaucratic destruction.

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No Treaty? No Problem! Obama Plans to Push Ahead With Cap-and-Trade

2009-11-17T20:42:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- President Obama's plan for an international cap-and-trade agreement negotiated at the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference to go into "immediate effect" may violate the Unites States Constitution, claim representatives of the No Cap-and-Trade Coalition (see www.NoCapAndTrade.com).

Quoted in a Reuters news story today, Obama said, "Our aim is not a partial accord or a political declaration but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect."

"Today President Obama exhibited the arrogance commonly associated with dictators and tyrants," said Jeff Davis, executive director of NoCapAndTrade.com. "It's hard to believe that a former constitutional law professor could forget that treaties require Senate ratification."

President Obama made the remarks amid heavy criticism from Europe about the lack of progress in the U.S. toward cap-and-trade legislation and the expected failure of the imminent Copenhagen negotiations.

But such "immediate operational effect" is impossible, said Davis.

"Article II of the Constitution requires that treaties are approved by two-thirds of the Senate, so President Obama can't just sign up the U.S. and then start enforcing treaty provisions," observed Davis. "Additionally, the cap-and-trade bill now in the Senate isn't anywhere close to having the 60 votes necessary to avoid filibuster -- trying to get 67 votes for a climate treaty looks pretty unlikely right now," Davis added.

President Obama might have been thinking of using the EPA to regulate carbon when he made his statement. The EPA has proposed to designate carbon dioxide as a hazard to the public welfare and to regulate it under the Clean Air Act.

"If President Obama signed an agreement in Copenhagen and then tried to implement it through the EPA and Clean Air Act," observed JunkScience.com's Steve Milloy, "the President would immediately be at war with Congress, including almost a two dozen Democratic Senators who are concerned about the harm cap-and-trade would do to the economy."

The German magazine Der Spiegel criticized President Obama this week, asserting he'd been "lying to" and "betraying" Europe in failing to advance cap-and-trade in the U.S.

"President Obama is Europe's last hope for ensnaring and crippling the U.S. with cap-and-trade," said Milloy. "His desperate statement today indicates he's feeling that pressure."

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Apocalypse Time Again

2009-11-13T09:43:00.000-05:00

The end of time as we know it is certainly food for thought, and for some, it's a way of life. As the new movie about the alleged apoclypse in a couple of years comes out, it's time to revisit some of the great apocalyses that, well, didn't happen.

Read more...

Ten Notable Apocalypses That (Obviously) Didn’t Happen
Apocalyptic predictions, such as those warning of global destruction in 2012, are nothing new – they have been around for millenia
By Mark Strauss

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Judicial Watch Appeals to U.S. Supreme Court to Consider Lawsuit Challenging Hillary Clinton's Constitutional Eligibility to Serve as Sec. of State

2009-11-12T14:06:00.000-05:00

/Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that on November 3rd it filed a "Notice of Appeal" as a first step to ask United States Supreme Court to consider its lawsuit filed on behalf of U.S. Foreign Service Officer David C. Rodearmel challenging Hillary Clinton's constitutional eligibility to serve as Secretary of State [Rodearmel v. Clinton, et al., (Civil Action No.09-171) (D.D.C.)].Following oral argument on September 16, a special three-judge panel of the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the challenge on October 29th, ruling that Mr. Rodearmel lacked "standing" to bring the lawsuit. The panel did not rule on the constitutional merits of the lawsuit.

Judicial Watch's lawsuit, filed on January 29, 2009, maintains that the "Ineligibility Clause" of the U.S. Constitution prohibits Hillary Clinton from serving as Secretary of State and that Mr. Rodearmel cannot be forced to serve under the former U.S. Senator, as it would violate the oath he took as a Foreign Service Officer in 1991 to "support and defend" and "bear true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution of the United States.

According to Article I, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution: "No Senator or Representative shall,
during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time." The text of the provision is an absolute prohibition and does not allow for any exceptions. However, as Judicial Watch notes in its complaint for Mr. Rodearmel, "the 'compensation and other emoluments' of the office of the U.S. Secretary of State increased during Mrs. Clinton's tenure in the U.S. Senate, including as many as three times during the second, six-year term to which she was elected."

Congress attempted to circumvent this constitutional provision by "rolling back" compensation for the position of Secretary of State to the level in effect on January 1, 2007. Judicial Watch's complaint maintains: "This [fix] does not and cannot change the historical fact that the 'compensation and other emoluments' of the office of the U.S. Secretary of State increased during Mrs. Clinton's tenure in the U.S. Senate."

With respect to the issue of standing, Judicial Watch contends that Mr. Rodearmel "has demonstrated that he is being injured in his employment by being required to serve under, take direction from, and report to a constitutionally ineligible superior, Mrs. Clinton" and that he has "been placed in a position where he either must violate his oath of office or risk substantial,
adverse consequences to his employment."

The "Ineligibility Clause" is seen by many as designed by our Founding Fathers to protectagainst corruption, limit the size of government, and ensure the separation of powers among the three branches of government. At least two other presidential appointees, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Army Secretary John McHugh are also ineligible to serve in their positions under the "Ineligibility Clause."

The lawsuit was reviewed on an expedited basis by a special three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Under applicable law, any appeal goes directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Our client's goal is to vindicate the U.S. Constitution," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "The Constitution clearly prohibits Hillary Clinton from serving as Secretary of State until 2013. We hope the Supreme Court assumes jurisdiction over this matter and puts a stop to this attempt to do end-run around the Constitution."

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Veteran-led Peer Support Combats Suicide

2009-11-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Last month in Washington, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki made a staggering announcement: more veterans have committed suicide since 2001 than have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Coming within weeks of the release of the US Army's suicide prevention guidebook, the VA Secretary's statement underscores the commitment to teaching service members and veterans the methods for overcoming combat stress.

While for many the manual will be an important tool, veteran-to-veteran peer support is often the best way to stay mentally healthy during and after wartime service.

For more than a decade, Survivor Corps has helped thousands of military and civilian survivors of war to recover and move beyond their combat trauma. Now, thanks to a committed group of American veterans, the organization is implementing their international expertise here at home.

In 2006, US Army Captain (Ret.) Scott Quilty lost his right arm and right leg to an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Iraq. Today, he is the US Program Manager for Survivor Corps.

"I quickly learned at Walter Reed that isolation will kill me," says Quilty. "After months of rehabilitation I started to sleep more and interact less. The only thing that motivated me to get out of bed for the first time in days was the news that my friend just arrived and lost both his feet."

Survivor Corps partners with the Massachusetts Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE) to implement a pioneering veteran peer support program.

Earlier this year, outreach workers from SAVE attended Survivor Corps' peer support training program, where they learned advanced techniques to identify mental health issues and reduce rates of suicide. Since the training, SAVE has reached over 7,000 veterans and service members.

Cameron Macauley, Survivor Corps' Health Education Specialist, conducted the peer support training in Massachusetts. "From our experience in post conflict countries around the world, it is clear that peer support is key to combating the social isolation felt by survivors. When we adapted our program to help veterans here in the United States we provided special training to our outreach workers in order to properly recognize the signs most commonly associated with suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI)."

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Congress Afraid of Pelosi? And Not Afraid of the Voters?

2009-11-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

Speaking volumes yet again are the actions of Speaker Pelosi....

Pelosi to House caucus: You can’t go home again

Byron York and the Washington Post agree on Nancy Pelosi’s plan to vote on her health-care bill this Saturday — she can’t afford to let Democrats go home to their districts before the vote. In fact, as John McCormack notes, she can’t even afford to keep her promise to have the bill on line for 72 hours before the vote so that their constituents can know what they’re doing. If they went home to face their constituents, Pelosi knows that they would never vote for her massive spending...http://hotair.com/archives/2009/11/06/pelosi-to-house-caucus-you-cant-go-home-again/

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Books-A-Million to Host Sarah Palin in Birmingham, AL and Jacksonville, FL

2009-11-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

Sarah Palin sign copies of her new book, Going Rogue.

Monday, November 23, at 7 p.m. Central
Brookwood Village Books-A-Million
757 Brookwood Village
Birmingham, AL 32509
(205) 870-0213

Tuesday, November 24, at 12 Noon Eastern
Orange Park Mall Books-A-Million
1910 Wells Road
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 215-2300

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Books-A-Million (NASDAQ:BAMM):

One year ago, Sarah Palin burst onto the national political stage like a comet. On September 3, 2008, Alaska Governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention that electrified the nation and instantly made her one of the most recognizable women in the world. In this eagerly anticipated memoir, Palin paints an intimate portrait of growing up in the wilds of Alaska; meeting her lifelong love; her decision to enter politics; the importance of faith and family; and the unique joys and trials of life as a high-profile working mother. She also opens up for the first time about the 2008 presidential race, providing a rare, mom’s-eye view of high-stakes national politics—from patriots dedicated to "Country First" to slick politicos bent on winning at any cost. Going Rogue traces one ordinary citizen's extraordinary journey and imparts Palin’s vision of a way forward for America and her unfailing hope in the greatest nation on earth.

Additional information: Line numbers for the Birmingham event will be distributed beginning at 12 noon on Sunday, November 22, at the event location. Line numbers for the Jacksonville event will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 23, at the event location.

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Doctor-Led Coalition Stunned by AMA Decision to Endorse Government-Run Healthcare…Again…

2009-11-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

-(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. Donald Palmisano, spokesman for the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights and former president of the American Medical Association (AMA), issued the following statement after learning the American Medical Association had decided to endorse H.R. 3962 just days before the AMA House of Delegates was scheduled to meet and discuss the Bill:

“I am absolutely shocked. It is unfathomable that the AMA leadership wouldn’t wait for the House of Delegates meeting this weekend to have a full, open, and honest debate on whether the AMA should support this piece of legislation.

“AMA leadership knows that the membership is opposed to continued government-expansion into medicine and it is long-standing AMA policy. And they also know the massive rank-and-file movement to debate health system reform legislation at the upcoming House of Delegates meeting. Current AMA policy is to support fixes in problems that exist in the health financing system and keeps patients in control of their care. H.R. 3962 thwarts that principle and should not have been supported by the AMA Board.

“What’s even more stunning is that at its last meeting in Chicago, shortly after President Obama spoke to the AMA membership, the House of Delegates specifically eliminated language to ‘support public option alternatives’ under certain circumstances. It was vigorously debated and voted down. Today, for the second time since that meeting less than six months ago, AMA leadership has gone behind closed doors and behind the backs of membership to support government-run healthcare.

“The current bill has disaster in the details.

“It cuts more than $500 billion from Medicare, costing seniors they healthcare they deserve. It also cuts billions in hospital payments, forcing hospitals to layoff essential personnel or even worse, close their doors. And it introduces a Medicaid-for-all government-run public insurance plan that will fix prices so low that patients won’t be able to get the care they need.

“I hope that the AMA leadership reconsiders its support of the bill and, instead, listens to its membership to oppose further government intrusion into the practice of medicine. The last thing patients need – when their life is on the line – is a government bureaucrat telling physicians what they can and cannot do or prescribe.”

The Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights supports reform that will help improve the healthcare system. The Coalition has made the follow points with Member of Congress and their staffs on health system reform:

1. The U.S. has the best healthcare in the world and any reform must enhance that care, not weaken it, and it must keep the patient in control.
2. The government-controlled public option is bad policy and divisive to the overall debate. If passed, it would lead to substandard care, waiting lines to see a doctor, and an end to medical innovation. It should be taken off the table.
3. Medicare currently reimburses doctors and hospitals less than the cost of providing many services. Any more cuts could affect seniors’ care. There shouldn’t be any cuts to Medicare.
4. Affordable access to healthcare for the uninsured must be expanded. There are market-based approaches that can accomplish this goal without a complete government overhaul.
5. The quickest way to slow the healthcare cost curve is through comprehensive medical malpractice reform.

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Tort Reform, Pelosi Style

2009-11-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

Seen this little nugget in the Affordable Health Pelosi Style? Read page 140 of H.R. 3962.

Pelosi’s Gift to Insurance Companies: Immunity from Lawsuits

Buried in the thousands of pages of the health care bills drafted by Democrats in the House and Senate is a provision to protect insurance companies from legal accountability for benefit decisions that cause injury or death to patients, Republicans warned on Wednesday......http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/05/pelosis-gift-to-insurance-companies-immunity-from-lawsuits/

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