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Contribution of quorum-sensing systems to virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an experimental pyelonephritis model
Rahul Mittal, Saroj Sharma, Sanjay Chhibber, Kusum Harjai
Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Received: November 11, 2005 Revised: December 1, 2005 Accepted: December 26, 2005
Corresponding author:
Background and purpose:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported to monitor its cell density as well as expression of virulence determinants by quorum-sensing signal mechanisms operative through autoinducers. In the present investigation, we studied the contribution of quorum-sensing signals during the course of P. aeruginosa-induced pyelonephritis in mice.
The standard parent strain of P. aeruginosa (PAO1), possessing functional las and rhl quorum-sensing systems and its isogenic mutant strains, PAO-JP1 (single mutant), harboring a mutated lasI gene and PAO-JP3 (double mutant), harboring mutated lasI and rhlR genes were employed. One uroisolate of P. aeruginosa belonging to serotype O8 and deficient in production of quorum-sensing signals was also used.
The parent strain of P. aeruginosa was significantly more virulent compared to its isogenic mutant strains and quorum-sensing negative clinical strain, as assessed by neutrophil influx, malondialdehyde production, renal bacterial load and pathology induced in experimental animals.
Quorum-sensing systems play an important role in the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa in pyelonephritis. Both the las and rhl quorum-sensing systems are important for the virulence of P. aeruginosa in the development of pyelonephritis.
Key words:
Animal disease model, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , quorum sensing, virulence
J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2006;39:302-309.
CommentsRespond to this article


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It's always fascinating to see that all the tutor groups, whilst different, share similar questions misconceptions. Some think they've 'done puberty' but they still need lots of basic anatomical and biological ideas clarified and corrected. In the new era of de facto zero-filtering on the internet, a high proportion of students have seen sex depicted via pornography or, at least, have engaged with porn-driven ideas via the playground. That's clear from the questions box. The anonymous 'questions in the box' technique remains the staple of the lesson sequence. Here's a sample from recent lessons – this is what Yr8s want to know:
- When do you start puberty? Why does puberty happen? How does puberty work? Do you get horny during puberty?
- How big is the average penis when not erect? At 13, how big should your penis be? What happens if a boy has an erection in school? If you have a big penis does the baby grow more quickly? What if your penis is too big or too small to fit in the vagina?
- How does it feel to have sex? If breasts are sexual, what do you do with them?
- What do you do if a condom splits during sex? Why do condoms rip?
- What happens when you have sex under 16? What are the punishments for having sex when under-aged? What would happen if you are both under age and both people want to have sex?
- What happens when you have sex during your period? Do men have to use protection? Could you use your period as contraception? Do periods hurt? Why do periods hurt? Can you stop your period or slow it down?
- How can women die from giving birth? How does a woman's vagina open when giving birth? What if the egg gets damaged during pregnancy?
- Is 'oral', sex? Why do people have oral sex? What is 'sex'? What does 'spit or swallow' mean?
- If you have unprotected sex what is the probability of getting pregnant?
- Why to people have orgasms?
- Why are some vaginas 'flappy' and others are not?
- Is having sex more than twice a day healthy?
- Do you have to have sex at a certain stage – as in a certain time for the period? Or for boys?
- What happens if you have to pee when you are having sex?
- What happens if you put your penis into an anus? Is anal sex hard? Is it true you can get pregnant from sex up the bum?
- When a boy's penis touches your vagina does it feel like their penis is going up into your belly?
- Can a transgender man have a vagina?
- How do gay people/ lesbians have sex?
- How does an 'after pill' work?
- What is discharge?
- How do women get twins or triplets? How is it possible to have three kids at the same time? Do you give birth to both twins at once?
- How come with porn they don't get pregnant?
- Can you die of sex?
- Do/ How do women masturbate?
The challenge is to give a non-judgemental factual answer to all of these questions, keeping positive consensual relationships at the forefront with straight and LGBT students in mind at all times, stressing that variation in physical characteristics and preferences is normal and natural. I'm on the team again next year.
from headguruteacher | Zest for Learning… into the rainforest of teaching and school leadership http://ift.tt/2aifXNz
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subset: commoncrawl


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All Films.All Above Board.NOW INCLUDES TV SHOWS & TV LISTINGS
Emotional drama starring Kathryn Worth as Anna, an upper-middle class English woman who feels she has always lived her life on the periphery of events. Childless and in a deteriorating marriage, she takes refuge with an old school friend's family on holiday in Tuscany. Over the course of a hot summer's fortnight, sexual tensions simmer - and Anna believes she may have found a second chance at happiness. But as events slowly unravel, and the strains within the affluent bourgeois clique are revealed, she is finally forced to confront her inner turmoil and sadness.


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Bombogenesis eve. The phone call we were anxiously awaiting finally came: No school tomorrow! The kids high-fived each other. I curled up a little tighter under my blanket. I was relieved I could "sleep in" the next morning and that I had already braved grocery store-maggedon earlier in the day.
I'm a creature of habit when it comes to snowstorms. While milk and bread are practical purchases, I go into a trance as I walk the grocery aisles, loading up on sweets as if tapping into some primal need for chocolate, brownies and chocolate chip cookie dough. Of course, I throw some bananas and carrots in the top of my cart, just in case I should see someone I know.
Now I focus on all the things I will accomplish on my "snow day." I could easily catch up on my 2018 to-do list, which was really a carryover of my 2017 to-do list, which may or may not have included some 2016 items that never quite seemed to rise to the level of importance.
Honestly, I knew what was ahead … a day spent with my family with no commitments, a day of eating, and zero being accomplished on that to-do list.
It went something like this:
6 a.m.: Bombogenesis is here. My snow day starts as my day usually does … waking up around 5:30 a.m. Why can't I turn off my internal clock and sleep an extra hour on the days I don't have to get up? Try as I might, I can't fall back to sleep. I sneak downstairs to steal a quiet hour but my teenage son is already in the basement on his Xbox. OK, still quiet until the 6-year-old wakes up. Soon the entire house is awake and we take a moment to thank our lucky stars that we are inside, warm and together.
7 a.m.: Breakfast. The usual. Cereal, toast, yogurt, fruit. OK, so far so good. Not a chocolate cookie in sight (but I know they're there).
It's a new year and I am trying to make better food choices, but what's a girl to do when at the computer bombarded with Girl Scout cookie ads? Is this some mastermind plot by the Girl Scouts, knowing everyone in New England will be home at their computers setting the Internet on fire during the record Bombogenesis? I resist ordering the cookies but reward myself with a brownie.
11 a.m.: The kids are playing on various electronics but they're already asking me what's for lunch.
11:30 a.m.: I give in and we have lunch. Does this mean that dinner will be at 3 p.m., followed by after dinner snacks at 7 p.m.?
4 p.m.: I honestly don't know why grocery stores are inundated with customers the moment news of a storm hits. It really should be a craft store or the library … something to keep everyone's mind busy, and not our stomachs. Construction paper, crayons, markers, board games, and puzzles are much healthier choices. Unplugging allows for re-connection. Conversation flows smoothly and unhurried when you're all around the table coloring together. Although I won't be able to post a picture of the blanket I had planned to crochet, the blackboard wall in the kitchen I finally intended to finished, or the satisfaction of a completed to-do list, I will have the memories of quality (and in this case, quantity) time spent with family.
8 p.m.: We survived. My advice for the next snow day is to make sure you have plenty of bread and milk (and chocolate and brownies and chocolate chip cookies), but don't forget to keep everyone busy doing something fun and creative, engaged — and unplugged — even for a few minutes. And hopefully there will be school tomorrow.


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Whistler Film Festival
To Dec. 8 | Various venues (Whistler)
Tickets and info: whistlerfilmfestival.com
For acclaimed documentary director Lucy Walker, the debut of her latest feature The Crash Reel during the closing gala Sunday night at the Whistler Film Festival qualifies as a homecoming party. The British-born, Los Angeles-based director, who will be at WFF for the screening, spends a lot of time on the mountain because her boyfriend, economist John McArthur, is from Vancouver.
"I love to holiday at Whistler. I love skiing there, and now I'm really excited for the premiere at Whistler, because it's partly my home."
It also feels like homebase for the movie since so many of the scenes in the film about the career of — and the potentially career-ending head injury suffered by — American snowboarder Kevin Pearce include subtitles indicating how many days away the 2010 Winter Olympics were, how many days away the top-ranked snowboarder on the planet was from going for the gold on the slopes at Whistler.
Talking to The Sun from Los Angeles the night after receiving the news her movie had made the short-list of Oscar contenders for Best Documentary, Walker was still reeling from the good news about The Crash Reel.
"It's incredible validation," said Walker. "It's absolutely, really, the most tremendous honour."
Walker's track record with the Academy is phenomenal. Of her six films to date, four have been short-listed and two (her feature Waste Land and her short doc Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom) have been nominated.
Walker was already interested in making a documentary about extreme sports when she came across the story of the horrific injury Pearce suffered during a training run.
"My first thought was, 'What an amazing guy. What an amazing story.'"
But she wasn't sure there was a movie to be made in the story of an injury that had ended the young superstar's career until she realized he planned to risk his life to attempt a comeback.
"I thought, 'Oh my gosh! Is it possible he could come back? Or will he die trying? Or is he going to compete and grow and change and find a new way to come back?'
"It wasn't clear how that was possible because it's really hard to change your identity and your goals for anybody, let alone a 23-year-old with a brain injury. So I didn't know what was going to happen. I was hanging out with Kevin for a couple days and I fell in love with him and his family and I thought, 'This could be an amazing film.' Then I dropped everything to go make it."
The family offered Walker phenomenal access — including the chance to be a fly on the wall at a Thanksgiving dinner where one of Pearce's brothers, who was born with Downs Syndrome, attempted an intervention to stop the comeback.
"I have a lot of tricks and tips for getting access and intimacy," said Walker. "One of the key tricks was a small crew." The crew — Walker and her director of photography, Nick Higgins.
The film — which explores the impact of impacts on the brain — takes on a special resonance in Canada, debuting on the heels of the class-action suit in which NHL players are suing the league for hiding the risks of concussions.
Walker's work with Pearce prompted her to launch the "LoveYourBrain" campaign targeted at raising awareness for young athletes about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries and the importance of both helmets and insurance. For more on Love Your Brain visit thecrashreel.com/loveyourbrain/ or check out Instagram at #loveyourbrain.
High Times at Whistler
B.C.'s marijuana martyr Marc Emery gets a biopic biopsy in a new documentary by husband-and-wife filmmaking team Roger Evan Larry and Sandra Tomc. The film Citizen Marc, which received its west coast premiere on Friday night at the WFF, looks at the evolution and imprisonment of the Canadian cannabis crusader who was extradited to the U.S. in 2010 for selling marijuana seeds from his B.C. base. In the film, the larger-than-leaf activist-entrepreneur proudly wears the label "The Prince of Pot", but also suggests he's the Mandela of Marijuana, the Gandhi of Ganja, and the Jesus of Joints.
Larry, who is in Whistler for the premiere, says Emery has not yet seen the film — although he has been sent a transcript.
"His close associates are split in their opinions, some passionately. The film takes a hard look at Emery's 'Tea Party' libertarianism, and we expected some negative reaction around that. But instead, many of Emery's associates are concerned with revelations about his private life."
The film is set to be released across Canada on April 18 — "just before the annual 4/20 celebration," says Larry.
The Downtown Eastside Travels Up The Mountain
Down here moves up the hill as the drama about Vancouver's Downtown Eastside debuts at Whistler today. Talking to The Sun at the WFF's launch party Thursday night, one of the film's stars, Tantoo Cardinal, said, "It's about a cop who has seen better days, and he's kind of hanging at the bottom of the barrel in the Downtown Eastside and I'm kind of a little bright spot."
Then Cardinal pulled costar and cowriter Dean Wray (aka the cop) over to explain why the film is set in the Downtown Eastside: "I grew up around there," says Wray. "I know the paradoxes down there and I know the people and I love the people down there."
Teach Grant, who called himself "cowriter, director and resident transvestite"(yes, he does dress up in women's clothes in the movie), considers the WFF screening the hometown debut. "I'm really interested in experiencing people as they experience that movie. I'm really hoping we please this hometown audience."
The Naked Truth About Brazeau
Jay Brazeau has worn a lot of hats in his lengthy acting career but the beloved Vancouver actor who has a proudly plus-sized physique is usually wearing something. In his latest film Sex After Kids (which premieres Sunday at WFF) Brazeau takes it all off for a nude scene with on-screen spouse Mimi Kuzyk. Brazeau told The Sun he warmed up for the role with his first-ever visit to Wreck Beach — alongside director Jeremy Lalonde. "The director walked around with his butt hanging out too, so the experience was kind of a chubby-chasers dream," says Brazeau. "I think it's a lovely film."
For tickets and info on WFF visit whistlerfilmfestival.com, or call 1-877-838-FILM (3456)


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Whether you're starting a new business or looking for ways to improve your marketing communication for one already established, we can help you each step of the way by first listening to your goals and objectives, and understanding your needs. Secondly, we help you identify your target audience, research competition, define and create a marketing strategy that will put it all into action — starting with logo design or evaluating branding that you already have in place.
We understand that starting a new company can be challenging and down right scary, but don't sweat it, we're here to be a part of your team and provide you with the graphic design and marketing support you need to make your business a success.
Our Marketing Services Include:
- Target Market Identification
- Research
- Brand Assessment for Businesses Already Established
Our Graphic Design Services Include:
- Logo Design
- Web Design and Development
- Social Media and Email Marketing
- Print Design / Publication Design / Brochure Design / Annual Reports
- Event Promotion / Poster Design / Banner Design
- Environmental Design / Signage
- Exhibition Design / Trade Show Booths
- Illustration


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What is a home store?
A home store is a collection of food and household items that your family could use to survive for a significant amount of time should the need arise. Your home store should include food items such as grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, beans and dairy, as well as household items like toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, detergents, etc.
Why do you need a home store?
Having a home store is like having food insurance. You insure your home in case it is damaged in a natural disaster, you insure your car in case you are in an accident, you insure your life to the benefit of your surviving family members. You and your family members will be able to rely on the items in your home store should you ever face an emergency such as a natural disaster, food shortage, breakdown in food distribution, civil unrest or even a personal financial crisis.
How much food do I need in my home store?
First you need to decide what emergencies you may need to be prepared for, and how long each emergency situation could last. For example, if you need to be prepared for a severe blizzard, it is possible that you may not be able to get to the store for up to a week (longer if you live in a remote area). If you live in an area that is at high risk for a large scale earthquake, you may want to be prepared to live off the items in your home store for 30 days. If the primary (or only) breadwinner in your family suddenly lost his job, how long could it be before you could afford to buy food again?
Once you answer these questions and consider all of the possibilities, it is time to get started with the Thrive Q Calculator! This nifty little system takes all of the guess work out of food storage. Just enter your family information, decide how much you want to spend and when, then start your shipments.
Please make sure that I have started your customer account before you place your first Thrive order - this will ensure that you always get the lowest prices!
Other item that should be included in your Home Store
- Honey – never goes bad! Edible honey has been discovered in Egyptian pyramids.
- Cooking Oil – will need to be rotated regularly as even the highest quality will only last about a year. Corn oil in an opaque container is best. Thrive shortening powder can serve the purpose of cooking oil in many recipes.
- Peanut Butter – while gourmet nut butters may be delicious, they don't tend to have a very long shelf life. Good old fashioned Jif or Skippy will do the trick. It is an excellent source of protein and doesn't need to be refrigerated after opening.
- Tea – lose leaf teas should be stored in an air tight container with oxygen absorbers (you can purchase these online) for maximum shelf life.
- Instant coffee – avoid metal cans as they may rust over time.
- Candy – hard candies will last a long time and will make even the grumpiest child feel better.
- Chocolate – chocolate chips and baking chocolate.
- Maple Syrup – 100% pure will generally have a longer shelf life, but syrup can be made from your Thrive food storage. Recipe available here.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – choose a well sealed, opaque container. Plastic is preferred over metal because it won't rust.
- Yeast – this will also need to be rotated. Store in your refrigerator for a longer shelf life.
- Various Condiments – mustard, hot sauce, vinegar, dry salad dressing mix, peppers, etc.
- Personal Hygiene Items – shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental floss, lotion, lip balm and feminine items. Use your super couponing abilities to stock up on these items.
- Toilet paper – use your super couponing abilities to stock up on free and inexpensive toilet paper. When you purchase a package for your home, purchase an extra for your home store.
- Paper towels – washable kitchen towels are best (less waste, reusable) but paper towels are also extremely useful! Aim to store at least one 8 pack for each month of food storage.
- Cleaning Supplies – ask Lindsey for recipes to make your own at home!
- OTC Medications – fever reducers, pain meds, benedryl, topical creams, cough drops.


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This challenge isn't at all impossible, plus I PROMISE that it will be both an educational and valuable exercise for any of you who pick up the thrown gauntlet. As well, likelihood is extremely high that you will have new &/or improved narratives to use in your marketing, demos, and training videos.
First a small disclaimer to frame this up: As you know, I don't participate in either the CRM Idol contest judging or reviews. (Although I do vote on finalists at the end of the competition.) There are several reasons for this, not the least of which is that as the CRM Idol Community Manager, it is very important that I keep my focus on each of you as people, rather than vendors of solutions. Which is not to say that I don't discuss any CRM or Enterprise 2.0 vendors with the Judges in a professional context as industry colleagues – of course I do. But during CRM Idol season, with the panelists and judges I do my best to limit discussions about contestants to pointing out their feedback on experiences gained through participation, and highlighting examples of their contributions to the competition and the entire CRM community.
But during the off-season, you're all fair game!
I can, will, and do, test and review offerings in my professional capacity. But my approach to assessment of products is much different from how the Judges approach and evaluate it, mostly because I'm deep in the trenches servicing CRM customers daily. Perspectives are different when you are the one selling, designing, implementing, and supporting social business, CRM, and Enterprise solutions. The CRM Idol judges offer you the 10,000′ vision and strategy perspective, while I am digging around with the wiring 5′ under the hood from the consultant's vantage point.
I'm going to let you in on a secret that is both a coaching guide and your challenge:
It doesn't matter what CRM or SCRM product I review, I use the same scenario as my testing framework for every single offering. His, yours & the other guy's. And this is it:
Why do I use this 'old school, traditional' CRM process flow as a testing framework methodology?
- Because I have used this same trade show scenario in hundreds of demos myself to tell an 'end-to-end' story about CRM.
- It might not be a trade show, but ALL organizations have events of some sort or another. The events vary, but the end-to-end processes don't change much.
- That's a screen shot from one of my demos. During the demo, I click into each and every one of those icons to show features & functionality while I am telling a use case story.
- The flow above is pretty much the same for marketing campaigns, new product launches, promo code sales, etc.
- (Some orgs may not create quotes, credit checks or order acknowledgements, but those are usually backend processes anyway, so they are there as placeholders for integration examples with ERP/Order Entry systems.)
- This testing framework allows me to assess your product (and his, hers & theirs,) consistently on key deliverables & comparables:
- Which of these same processes, functions, features and analytics can I do? Which ones are missing?
- If any are missing, are they in planned development? Can I integrate with other products that fill in the gaps? If so, which ones?
- How would I implement this in your product?
- Can I configure &/or customize rules, logic, and flow?
- Can I set data requirements or standards to collect/store what I need at each step of the process flow and the underlying processes, too?
- How would I migrate data to your offering? Is the data information architected well for integrations?
- Can I get the reports and data I need to do a robust analysis of the whole flow and select processes/phases?
- Do I like the user interface? Is it intuitive as I work through & navigate this flow?
- How would I fit your innovations into this traditional example of a CRM flow.
- Where are the logical spots to incorporate your social capabilities into my story & demo?
- How could this process flow be improved and made more efficient using your Product/Service?
So there it is – your challenge, should you choose to accept it. Step back and review your product with a proven use case story like the one above.
Most of you won't put tickmarks beside all of these processes and features or you'd already be selling like the big platform players, (and for the record, in 15 years I've only worked with one product to date that did all of this easily, so don't be discouraged – very few other vendors could check every box either). But… you can write your own new narrative about the things you can do innately, and via integrations, and craft kick-ass use case demos!
For those of you who are real keeners, I've created a slide deck for you with loads more coaching, strategy, and examples for telling more compelling CRM and social business stories.
It is up to you to decide if you'd like to share your discoveries & experience if you take on this challenge, but I'd be interested if you are willing. It'd be fun to compare notes between contestant perspectives & learning, wouldn't it? I know I'd love to see that trade show image totally reworked with a flow that demonstrates your own compelling use case. Tell us a story.
I'll leave you to it. Queue the Mission Impossible theme again… :-p


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Why Are My Impatiens Dying?
Your impatiens bed seems to be melting away and it could be that it is being taken away by a disease called downy mildew. What was once a lush bed of flowers and foliage is now absent of petals and leaves and just bare stems. Impatiens downy mildew symptoms begin as a light-green yellowing or stippling of infected leaves. Very subtle gray lines or markings are sometimes observed on the top of the leaf. Infected leaves may curl downward at the edges, but generally this is a more advanced symptom of infection. Young plants and immature plant tissues are especially susceptible to infection. As such, leaf symptoms are often first observed on the younger or terminal growth. Seedling cotyledons are also highly susceptible to infection. Plants infected at an early stage of development may be stunted in both height and leaf size, yet may show no visible signs of sporulation if environmental conditions are not favorable for disease expression.
To scout for this disease turn the leaves over and look for a light dusting or coating of white. Severely affected leaves will shrivel and fall off just loaded with disease and spores to keep the infection going. So what happened that impatiens can just seem to die overnight? Well, classic plant pathology teaches us about the disease triangle. In this situation we had masses of susceptible host, the impatiens which is a common bedding plant. Secondly we had a new pathogen, a water mold, a very aggressive water mold, and thirdly and most importantly is the correct environment to favor this disease, which is cool nights and moisture. We had these components come together perfectly for the perfect downy mildew storm. Once you have the disease it's too late.
Sanitation is key, this disease is highly aggressive and can spread very rapidly, so be sure to remove and destroy infected plants as soon as you find them. Because you can't control downy mildew in the landscape, you have to look at alternative plants that will do well in the landscape such as begonias and alyssum, petunias and geraniums are also a good choice. Another substitute for color is the New Guinea impatiens which are a tad more expensive, and have a more upright than spreading form; but, they do not get the downy mildew disease. Because we can't control downy mildew disease, don't plan on using impatiens in infected beds for a number of years. Research is being done to determine how this disease can best be managed.
I have planted impatiens in the same flowerbed for a number of years. The last couple of years, I have had problems with parts of some plants suddenly wilting and dying. They appear to have been cut at the stem. Sometimes the whole plant dies.
This is probably cutworm activity. By now, the larvae probably have morphed into the adult moth and laid eggs for next year's feeding. You can place a granular insecticide, such as Sevin, into the soil at planting time to take care of this pest. It is a good idea to alternate your plant species each year to prevent insect and disease problems from developing. Window box plantings, and container plantings almost always use pasteurized, fresh soil each year, which eliminates this problem.
I have several potted impatiens. They were growing great in large pots and cascading over the sides. Lately, they have been getting leggy. The branches are growing straight up, with flowers at the top only. I also have a problem with a pink double impatien. The base of the stems appears to be rotting. The plants are kept in moderate shade, good dirt and not overwatered. What am I doing wrong? (e-mail reference)
A: Impatiens can be cut back to force them to bush out. The plant that is rotting at the base most likely has a soil-borne pathogen. It isn't anything you are necessarily doing wrong. It just happens sometimes. Consider using a soil drench fungicide, such as Funginex, in the future before replanting.
Want more pertinent horticulture information delivered directly to your home computer? Subscribe to the new Lee County home horticulture e-mail list. Simply send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com with subscribe leehomehort in the body of the message. You will then be a member of email@example.com.
Brenda Larson is the Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County.


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It's no secret that Kylie Jenner has opted to remain out of the spotlight for quite some time now, and with her rumored pregnancy still unconfirmed, fans are drawing their own conclusions regarding her latest magazine shoot.
In the past, the youngest Jenner was never one to shy away from a camera crew or photo shoot, but fans were naturally surprised upon learning her photos and interview for LOVE Magazine were organized by her family.
That's right ... The lovely photographer for the shoot was none other than her sister Kendall. And who performed the interview you wonder? Her mom Kris, of course!
Merry Christmas! Thank you @thelovemagazine @kegrand for this special cover shot by @kendalljenner & interview by @krisjenner #love19 ????
2.1m Likes, 591k Comments - Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Instagram: "Merry Christmas! Thank you @thelovemagazine @kegrand for this special cover shot by @kendalljenner..."
What's up with that?
According to the Twitterverse, fans believe this is another attempt to hide Kylie's baby bump. At this point, it would be much too risky for Kylie to invite a camera crew into her home, in fear that they would leak photos of her baby bump.
For the record, we happen to agree with this conspiracy theory. It seems spot on.
Incidentally, TMZ obtained photos of Kris Jenner's Christmas party which Kylie attended with her rumored baby daddy, Travis Scott. However, Kylie's abdomen was not featured in the photo. Shocking (eye roll!)
Kylie, can you please just confirm that you're pregnant already?! This is seriously getting old ...
Molly on Twitter
I have a conspiracy theory! Kendall took this photo for the cover because Kylie won't do shoots with other people in case they leak her pregnancy!! https://t.co/4W7WH8WCVZ
Shelby Boze on Twitter
Okay don't hate me, but to add to this Kylie conspiracy, does anyone else find it a little odd that Kendall took all the pics for the LOVE magazine shoot and Kris was the one who interviewed her? No outsiders came in. ???? whatchu hiding?!
QCWriter is a journalist who is fueled by espresso and motivated by determination. She specializes in pop culture, country music, and news content. You can follow her on Twitter by clicking here: @QCWriter.


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Burzynski Patient Elena K.'s Story
*An appeal to encourage Congress to investigate this follows Elena's story*Detroit area homeschooling mother of seven (wow!) Elena K. had four girls under the age of seven when she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in March of 2011. She seems to have been on chemotherapy, as her daughter said on her fundraising website:
She was nursing little Liberty when she had to stop because of her special medicine.
On November 10, Elena's friends learned that her recent weakening condition is related to the cancer spreading to her liver. In late November 2011, her cancer is stage IV, and the family is looking into the Burzynski Clinic. Elena and her family went on television to appeal for funds to take her to the Clinic. The news did not focus on the clinic. It almost never does. At this time, the cancer is in her bones as well.
There is not a lot of information about this case, actually. On her daughter's appeal site, savemymommy.com, the prognosis given to Elena by her doctors is less than six months. Their appeal on the website says:
My daddy loves my mommy and us a lot too. He says that there is a place down in Texas that helps people who are sick just like mommy. It's called the Burzynski Clinic. They are very expensive. I was hoping that if we had enough money we could take our mom down there and maybe she could get well. We are taught not to ask for things from people, but we might not have enough money to be able to get her down there in time.
The week after the news segment, the family held a spaghetti dinner at their church. (There are so many spaghetti dinners…I wonder if the Clinic encourages this?) Her husband has the understanding that:
Dr. Burzynski's therapy, until "Phase III" trials are complete, is considered "experimental" and does not qualify for medical insurance coverage.
This suggests to me that they believe that they are going down for antineoplastons. He's had 35 years. Never completed a trial. Most pharmaceutical startups can bring their trial to market in a few years, and they don't have the type of cash that bought Burzynski his gated mansion. The cost, according to her husband:
The FUNDRAISER is for Elena [K's] Cancer Therapy at the Burzynski Clinic in Houston Tx. $30,000 to start and $4500 monthly thereafter for up to a year or more.
He then cites Eric Merola's misleading hagiography to quackery, Burzynski.
December 6th, the family is on its way to Texas. Her church reports:
Pray for the [K] family as they are traveling to Texas for her treatments. Pray that the doctor will be able to do the treatments on her.
On the 4th of January, the Church has an intriguing prayer request:
Elena [K] – having problems with the medicine she is taking for the cancer and in need of finding a doctor who will work with the clinic in Texas
This is not uncommon. Most doctors don't want their name to be associated with Burzynski. That's his reputation among his…betters. The problem is that once the families are trained in administering the medications, they return home to be treated. I wonder if they are in a trial, as that needs someone to monitor the patient when they are at home. They have been there for a month, which suggest that they are getting the standard ANP bag training.
In January, it's hard to say what treatment she is on at the Clinic, when her church asks:
Pray for Elena [K] who will be undergoing strong chemo treatments to help control her cancer.
Usually, ANP is not described as "chemo" (though it really, really is), but the other route that they seem to take at the Clinic is low-dose standard chemo in cocktail form. Who knows? In March 2012, a fundraiser is being held for Elena by a local photo studio.
In August 2012, Elena is looking to raise money for the next round of cancer treatments, some $20,000 this time. I don't know which treatment she is raising money for.
We find out that she has been in the hospital in her last days. She came home from on November 13th and died on November 15th.
Her friend, Luanna, lamented:
Those of you who knew my good friend Elena [K] and her struggle with breast cancer, it ended Thursday at 4:40p she went home to be with Jesus. Her family and friends around her bed at home. I had been with her since she came home on Tuesday from the hospital helping to care for her. I loved her like my own sister I will miss our late night talks the most. I stayed in bed all day Friday but today it was time to face the world with out her. Thanks to all of you who came to the fund raiser in support of her and all the prayers you sent her way.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Elena's family.Usually, this is where we would put an appeal to donate to St. Jude's. You may still do that, if you like, but we are now actively campaigning for an investigation into how the FDA decided to allow Burzynski not only to continue his ridiculous trials, but to actually get a phase III trial after a decade of abominable site visits. Go to thehoustoncancerquack.com and you will find the resources you need to put primary documents–the FDA inspection notes–into the hands of your representatives so they can conduct an investigation. All appeals to understand this made to the FDA have failed, so now we need to press the issue onto the committees that oversee the FDA. Please help us uncover what went wrong so we can fix it and so this never happens again. Find out about real clinical trials by visiting clinicaltrials.gov.


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St-Lambert, QC
Data source: Statistics Canada
Data source: Public Storage
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text:
Winkler Global Partners, LLC
Health & Wellness Specialists
Your Health Is Our
Main Concern
About Us...
Regardless of your goals:
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text:
|One Day Lily of many brightened by sun beams in our garden June 2014 ASA
Click by Click Culpability
You and I ... and everyone
have an interconnected choice.
One by one word by word,
take a crime, talk it up and
do a Washington Post Jennifer Rubin,
spinning it/anything
to inflame rage, bigotry
misinformation and more war... and/or
Equally obtuse ignore the Islamists,
ignore the escalating pain, poverty,
destruction, and despair wrought
by religious tyrants armed with excuses
and guns. Some funded by governments.
Some funded by charity and fraud.
All funneling money away
from the people's needs.
Post by post and click by click,
argument by argument
be the bridge. Be the bridge
into extremism, escalating strife and insults
exasperating the Israel-Palestine conflict.
.... Or be the bridge into inclusiveness,
and the rule of fair and just laws.
Comment by comment and
fact by fact, forward by forward
be the bridge into distortion and despair
or be the bridge building community
with Golden Rule enlightenment
and a lasting peace.


text:
Please note; I did not write this excellent piece – but thank you to whoever wrote it.
It is a reminder of what we are being walked into with all around being devious and telling whoppers.
What Westminster does:
– They want us all to work longer, and want you to pay more into your pension- yet the state pension in the UK is one of the lowest in Europe.
– They over-tax companies thus restricting foreign investment, costing the UK jobs and keeping employment down.
– They want new laws to "snoop" into our personal affairs- yet wish to allow greater secrecy for the royal family; and recently brought in a new "gagging law" designed to disable criticism of the government in election years.
– They want to introduce another £25 billion in cuts, regardless of the fact that they say we are now "out of recession"
– They want to drastically cut back on public employees and services.
– They wilfully allow tax avoidance at the very top, through loopholes and "off-shore" banking- costing the UK billions a year in lost earnings.
– They over-claim "expenses" and even if they get caught, rarely have to pay the money back or face legal proceedings.
-They use public money to buy and "flip" properties- JUST staying within the law. (Laws THEY write)
– They do NOTHING about the serious levels of inequality that now pervade the entire country, but affect Scotland the worst with 1 in 5 living below the breadline.
– They REFUSED the "Devo-Max" option to be allowed in the referendum.
– They LIED about the cost of setting up an independent Scotland- multiplying by 12 fold the actual cost.
– They blame the poor for the stress the UK economy is under saying the welfare bill is too high- yet 80% of welfare is spent on pensions.
– They have said "90% of all Scots are scroungers"
– They want MORE fracking in the UK despite the fact that it is a serious danger to the environment and is banned in many other countries.
– They REFUSE to create an "oil fund" and currently the UK and Iraq are the only two oil-producing countries in OPEC that do not have this facility.
– They have privatised the NHS in England, thus threatening the funding for the NHS in Scotland.
– They refuse to publish important documents relating to the referendum saying they are "internal memos" despite having paid over £300,000 of taxpayers money on them.
– They want to replace Trident, even though the majority of people do not want this, and even the American administration has said they would rather have a strong "conventional" ally.
– They refused to deal with the bankers, and in fact still pay out massive bonuses to them- despite the fact that they continue to lose money.
– They actively encourage bias in the mainstream media, and "gag" opposition voices.
– They have LIED about Faslane, exaggerating the amount of jobs that rely directly on trident- the figure according to the MOD is 520.
– They have LIED about shipbuilding on the Clyde, saying they do not award contracts to "foreign countries" but have awarded a contract in Korea.
– They hide Scotland's true wealth by applying certain taxes/ collecting revenues in England, making Scotland look poorer than it is.
– They REFUSE to ask the EU for "clarity" on Scotland position should we become independent.
– They have lied about Scotland not being "allowed" to use the pound- even though we OWN our share of ALL UK assets. On-shore revenue accounts for about 10% of UK GDP, and Scottish oil another 10%, so it is hard to see how (or why) they can/would refuse a currency union.
– They "talk down" Scottish oil- even though it is the BIGGEST single sector in the FSTE- 100 index, and in 2012 created £22 billion in revenue.
– They ENDORSE political censorship by disallowing the true voice of the Yes Campaign and its supporters to be heard across the land.
This is what Westminster "gives" Scotland, and that is not all of it by ANY stretch of the imagination- they give us a lot more than that.
That is the REALITY of Westminster.
Please think about this when you vote.
Westminster simply does NOT serve Scotland.


text:
As you know (or should know), my novel
Whenever I am in a bookstore, or library, I find the place on the shelves where my novel will take up space, visualize my as-yet-unpublished novel, try to fill the space with good vibes, and mentally rejoice/curse my nearby shelfmates.
I mean, I'd love to be next to Michael Redhill. The man can write! But more often than not, especially in stores that do not differentiate between Canadian literature and the other stuff, I find myself buttressed up against James Redfield. *shudder* *gag*
There. Confession over. Hope it'll tide you over for awhile.


text: I am just beginning to use the Wing IDE Personal, and I am new to python. I am trying to use the "import" command at the interactive prompt. I have simple scripts that work in the IDE, but when I go to the interactive shell and enter "import filename" I get a response that the file cannot be found: Traceback (most recent call last): File "<string>", line 1, in <string> ImportError: No module named chaos I have read as much as I can about paths, Pythonpath, etc., but I can't get it to work. I also have Cygwin, and if use that shell, and by changing the directory to to where my scripts are located, I can use the "import" command successfully. I have tried adding to my Windows XP Path variable the following: C:\Python25;C:\Python25\DLLs;C:\Python25\Lib;C:\Python25\Lib\lib-tk;C:\Pytho n25\Lib\compiler; and the following directory listings to where I keep the scripts (they are actually in the last entry): C:\cygwin\bin;C:\cygwin\home\ "me-the user)";C:\cygwin\home\"me-user"\bin;C:\cygwin\home\"me-user)"\python; I also created a "Pythonpath" variable: C:\Python25;C:\Python25\DLLs;C:\Python25\Lib;C:\Python25\Lib\lib-tk;C:\Pytho n25\Lib\compiler None of this seems to do the trick. As you can see, I've added everything under the sun. Do I need all these entries? I've Googled for the proper solution, and I haven't been able to get it. For informational purposes, how does the "Pythonpath" differ from the system path. Is it just a subset, does it replace that part of they system Path, etc? Why is it necessary? Any help would be appreciated. Jim Roberts -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/wingide-users/attachments/20070129/7c8383f1/attachment.html


text:
This is pretty straightforward and self explanatory. Complete the survey, get 1,000 Priority Club points.
Survey has 17 questions but didn't take very long. The server is a little jammed, so took longer to load the page than to complete the survey.
1,000 points might not seem like much, but Priority Club is actually my favorite hotel loyalty program. The main reason because they have Point Breaks which are rooms available all over the world, for only 5,000 points per night, including Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza brands! The selection of hotels rotate about once a quarter.


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Showing all 13 results
View cart "Resolution Bra and Tank" has been added to your cart.
Escapade Top and Dress
It can be a bikini, tank, tankini, swim dress, summer dress...let's just call it a staple. Women's sizes XXS-5XL are included in this PDF sewing pattern. Read below for more details.
Rated 5.00 out of 5$9.95 Add to cart
Girls' Agility Tank and Dress
PDF Sewing pattern for a sports bra, A-line tank and dress, slim tank, and overlay tank. All options include choice of T-back or strappy back. The Girls' Agility looks great when paired with the Girls' Riptide Reversible Shorties. As always, you can save 15% on your cart if you buy three patterns and use the code buy3! You can read more about this pattern here.
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Girls' Virginia Tank & Maxi
"No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself." -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own The Girls' Virginia Tank and Maxi can be the perfect way for your daughter to dress up on her own terms.
Jenny Cross Front Tunic
Since you're a good friend of mine, I want to introduce you to the Jenny Cross Front Tunic. The hottest tunic on the block!
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Journey Tank and Dress
The Journey Tank and Dress is your reminder that life is all about the journey, not the destination. I've always had the motto that if you look good, you feel good...and if you feel good, you play good (how's that for bad grammar??). It doesn't matter what stage of life you're in, this tank and dress has options that will help you have the most fun while you're dealing with all of the curve balls life throws at you. You can use the tank for low-impact workouts such as weight lifting, yoga, or wrangling kids. You can make the perfect summer dress (in two lengths!). No matter what kind of "play" you're doing, this is the pattern for you.
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Lakeshore Tank
It gets hot here in the summer...like crazy, face-melting, stand-too-long-in-one-place-and-your-feet-might-stick-to-the-ground hot. I like to wear as little clothing as possible while still keeping things classy. :) This is when the Lakeshore Tank becomes an essential wardrobe item.
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Laura Swim Suit, Tankini, and Dress
What is your heart saying? The Laura Swim Suit, Tankini, and Dress has your answer. Make Laura as a Bikini Top (or crop top), a One-piece Swim Suit, Tankini (or Tank) or a Dress. SO many ways to wear Laura all summer long! Read below for more details!
Resolution Bra and Tank
Did you make a New Year's Resolution? You know what makes working out a lot more fun? Having some cute workout clothes. :) Then you can show off your sewing skills and your workout skills at the same time! The Resolution Bra and Tank is a quick sew and is perfect for combining fun fabrics or adding a cute heat-transfer-vinyl saying to the front of it!
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Stella Girls' Romper
I don't know about you, but I love one piece outfits for my kids. I feel like if they have a romper for an option, they won't be crazily mismatched. They might still try and wear cowboy boots with it, but at least their clothing is all the same genre. The Girls' Stella Romper is the perfect summer staple pattern. You can make a romper or you can make the tank and shorts separately. Plus, you can create super cute Mommy and Me matching sets! You can find the Women's Version of the Stella Romper pattern here.
Stella Women's Romper
Romper. To romp means "to play roughly or energetically" according to Webster's dictionary...I think a one piece outfit is ideal for that. What? You don't like to take off your shirt to go to the bathroom? No worries...this romper can actually be made as a separate tank and shorts. Woot. The ultimate romper. Say it with me now, "STELLLLAAAAAA!"
Rated 5.00 out of 5$9.95 Add to cart
Versatility Tank & Pants
PDF Sewing pattern for regular, nursing, and maternity tank top with bra options, a nursing and pullover sports bra, and relaxed fit knit pants in three lengths.
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Women's Virginia Tank & Maxi
Meet Virginia! Sometimes I like to mix and match patterns...sometimes I like a solid. Sometimes I like short skirts and sneakers...and sometimes I like maxi dresses and heels. Virginia can be ALL OF THAT!
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X Factor Bikini and Tankini
What is an "X Factor"? It's that special variable that could have an enormous impact on a situation or a quality that is special in some way. I'm pretty sure this swim top will be the X Factor in your summer plans.


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888 Opens First Real Money Facebook Casino
1.06 billion active users log into their Facebook account each month. When you consider there are not quite 7 billion people walking around on planet Earth, that is a staggering number. Those numbers were released by the social networking giant at their most recent earnings call, and in one bit of information accompanying that mind-numbing reality is exactly where people go when they are on Facebook. Month in and month out, some of the most popular destinations on Facebook are casino applications.
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Thursday 03-14-13
Posted in Casino
New Jersey Online Gambling Creates Unique New Bonus Packages
Just last week New Jersey became the third state in the US to legalize online gambling. Governor Chris Christie had long been a proponent of online gambling both as an activity that his state's residents enjoyed, and also as a financial boon for that state. New Jersey's Atlantic City casinos, in the brick-and-mortar variety, have always been known as the King of casino gambling on the eastern seaboard. But with the recent offerings in Philadelphia and other nearby locations, New Jersey's physical casino revenue has slipped drastically the past few years.
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Thursday 03-07-13
Posted in Casino
Las Vegas USA Virtual Comps Available 24/7 Online
Las Vegas, USA is a physical destination for millions of gamblers annually. Coming from all around the world, they travel to Nevada to experience the exciting sights, sounds, and thrills of the most popular brick-and-mortar gambling destination in the world. But you needn't spend your vacation time and your hard-earned money traveling for the same experience. The Las Vegas USA casino delivers a well-earned reputation for online gambling excitement to your favorite PC or smartphone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Thursday 02-28-13
Posted in Casino
For Cirque du Soleil CEO Guy Laliberte High Stakes Poker is Out of This World – Literally
From a Canadian street hustler who would do anything to make a buck, including walking on stilts, eating fire and playing accordion, to billionaire CEO of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberte has just about seen it all. When he brought a successful circus troupe from Québec to Los Angeles in 1987, he was making a huge gamble. He did not even have return fare for the company, but his bet paid off. That original group would go on to Las Vegas, where they would become the world famous Cirque du Soleil. Guy is also a high-stakes poker player, and he has taken his game to levels that are truly out of this world.
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Wednesday 02-20-13
Posted in Poker
OnBling Casino Bonuses Add a Lot of Bling to Your Bankroll
The OnBling Casino is a relative newcomer to the online gambling community, but they are operated by a casino group with years of experience in running virtual Vegas style properties. The website delivers more than 100 casino table games, video poker games, progressive slots games including the globally popular Real Series Slots, as well as the industry leading RealTime Gaming (RTG) software experience. And while those are definitely some awesome features, what we are here to discuss and what really gets the "bonus geek" in us going are the awesome bonuses and player rewards this flashy and exciting website offers.
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Tuesday 02-12-13
Posted in Casino


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Movie star Seth Rogen, actress Andrea Martin, Olympic skating medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and retired astronaut Chris Hadfield are among those joining Canada's Walk of Fame this year. The organization announced its list of inductees Monday morning. It…
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text:
LAS VEGAS – While the Great Recession has affected almost all Americans, Nevadans may be the hardest hit. The state leads the nation in unemployment (13 percent) and home foreclosures (three times the national average).
Because of the faltering economy and slowed tax revenue, the Clark County School District needs to cut $78 million from its budget over the next two years. The district must do this either by freezing teacher pay and finding a more affordable employee health insurance carrier, or by laying off 1,000 educators as early as next month.
The first alternative is obviously preferable, because students would be adversely affected by larger class sizes and the loss of many enthusiastic young teachers. Unfortunately, the second option may be unavoidable, because the district has been unable to negotiate a new contract with its teachers union, the Clark County Education Association (CCEA).
CCSD is the fifth largest school district in the nation, serving around 310,000 students in 340 schools in and around Las Vegas. The district is also the largest employer in Nevada with some 33,000 employees, 18,000 of which are teachers.
The main sticking point seems to be the district's desire to find a less expensive health insurance provider. CCEA members currently receive health insurance from the Teachers Health Trust, a company actually owned and operated by their union.
Most people would describe the union's insistence on selling its own company's expensive insurance product to the school district as a conflict of interest, but union officials either don't agree or don't care.
The teachers union declared a bargaining impasse last summer. While the two sides could conceivably still reach a deal, it seems most likely that an arbitrator will make the final decision about wage freezes and the fate of the union-owned insurance company. The arbiter is legally bound to choose one side over the other.
"There's no middle ground," said district spokeswoman Amanda Fulkerson. "If the district wins, no layoffs and a pay freeze. If the union wins, some get raises, and others get laid off."
Is the union protecting Health Trust?
The question must be asked: Why is the teachers union jeopardizing the careers and financial futures of 1,000 of its members?
CCEA President Ruben Murillo, Jr. has made it clear the union does not want to accept a pay freeze and has charged school officials as being "disingenuous to the public regarding [the district's] financial situation."
"Listen, teachers don't go into teaching to get rich, but they certainly don't go into the profession to live in the poorhouse," Murillo recently wrote in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
A pay freeze would be a hardship for teachers, but it would be nothing more than many other employees in the public and private sectors have accepted in recent years. CCSD's administrators, support staff and police have all agreed to a pay freeze, "leaving the teachers standing alone," writes the Review-Journal.
Apparently union leaders and veteran teachers, who are in little jeopardy of layoff, are more interested in a raise than allowing their younger peers to remain on the job and provide smaller class sizes for students. Sadly, that attitude is fairly common among teachers' unions around the nation. School administrators describe it as union members "eating their young."
Many observers believe CCEA officials are also determined to preserve the monopoly the union-owned Teachers Health Trust has on the school's health insurance business.
The Teachers Health Trust was established in 1983, after the Clark County district got fed up with regular rate increases from another carrier.
It was written into the district's collective bargaining contract with the CCEA that the district would pay a monthly per-employee fee to the union-owned Teachers Health Trust. In return, the union would be solely responsible for managing the insurance fund for members. The CCEA president even selects the individuals who serve on THT's Board of Trustees.
The deal written into the collective bargaining agreement gives Teachers Health Trust a monopoly on the school's health insurance business. If other insurance companies were allowed to bid for the district's business, it would almost certainly drive prices down.
In some states, union-affiliated insurance companies openly share their profits with the union. While we have no evidence that this occurs in Clark County, we have to wonder if the union would stand to lose a lot of kickback money if Teachers Health Trust lost the school district's $10 million-a-month business.
What we know for sure is that the inability to seek competitive insurance bids has cost the school district a bundle.
The district believes it can significantly trim those costs by switching to a private health insurance provider, although the amount of the savings has not been announced.
"Savings to the taxpayers will be in the millions of dollars, monies which will be used to offset lost positions and potential salary cuts and to fund district programs and operations that enhance student achievement," reads a district fact sheet.
Union insurance scams in other states
The CCEA is not the first teachers union to form its own insurance company and pressure local school boards into purchasing that company's overpriced coverage.
The Maine Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, established its own insurance entity, the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust, in 1993.
The Benefits Trust " facilitates" the purchase of employee health insurance for Maine's public schools, essentially selling them coverage provided by the state's largest carrier, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Nearly every school district in the state has been lulled into joining this system over the years, according to officials in several Maine school districts. The Benefits Trust/Anthem scam, which discourages outside competition, has driven insurance prices through the roof for Maine schools.
The Michigan Education Association owns its own insurance company, called the Michigan Education Special Services Association (MESSA). For years local union negotiators have pressed school boards to purchase MESSA employee health insurance, despite its high cost.
As a result, roughly half of the districts in the state carry some form of MESSA insurance, and many are struggling with the continually rising cost of premiums. As in Maine, many Michigan school officials have accused MESSA of refusing to provide insurance claim records that are necessary to attract bids from competitors.
The Michigan Education Association also receives annual kickbacks from MESSA, in exchange for effective representation at the school board bargaining table. In 2009, MESSA reported net assets of $259 million. In 2010, MESSA shared $5 million with the MEA.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council also created an insurance entity, called WEA Trust, several decades ago. For years local union negotiators pressed school boards to purchase employee health insurance from WEA Trust, often at a very high price.
At one point, about three-quarters of the state's school districts purchased insurance from WEA Trust, helping the union-affiliated insurance company build assets worth $674 million in 2008, according to government records.
EAG published a 2010 analysis of WEA Trust, which revealed that most of the school districts in the state with the highest insurance costs are clients of WEA Trust. Many school administrators said it was very difficult to convince their local unions to allow them to seek bids for less expensive health coverage.
All three of those union-affiliated insurance companies have attracted close scrutiny since a wave of reform-minded lawmakers were elected in November 2010.
Lawmakers in Maine, Wisconsin and Michigan have recently taken steps to give school districts more freedom to accept competitive bids for employee health insurance, thereby ending or at least eroding the expensive monopoly held by union-affiliated insurance companies.
In Clark County, that job is being left to an arbitrator. All the students and taxpayers can do is hope the arbitrator does the right thing for the school district and community, even if that angers the self-serving union.


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Your go-to guide for waste & recycling in the Twin Cities.
Cellular phones contain hazardous components and should not be disposed with regular trash. Phones in good working order may be reconditioned and reused.
Businesses can recycle worn-out cell phones at no charge by contacting Minnesota Waste Wise at (800) 821-2230. Some manufacturers of cell phones also accept cell phone accessories for recycling. The Wireless Association lists a variety of manufacturers and possible recycling options. Many donation opportunities exist; search the Internet using the key words "cell phone recycling." Some electronic equipment recyclers also recycle cellular phones (see Computers, Electronics and Office Equipment). Contact your county environmental office for further disposal options.
Search for recycling and disposal facilities near you.
© 2017 Rethink Recycling. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use


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Free Parent Support Group through Nebo School DistrictPublished by chelsie.young on Fri, 09/08/2017 - 09:56
Do you feel like a "Deer in the Headlights" when it comes to Parent/Teacher Communication?
Join us for some great tips to help you navigate with new "eyes!"
Nebo District FREE Parent Support Group
For parents who have children with Special Needs
Thursday, September 21, 2017
7 p.m.
Nebo School District CTE Building (350 S. Main Street Spanish Fork)
Adults only, please! There is no childcare available.


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The cast and crew at Todmorden's Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road, are getting closer to performing this year's adult musical The Addams Family - and they are pulling out all the stops to get into character.
On Sunday the family donned some pieces of costume and headed out to some of Todmorden's more spooky locations, said a Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.
"It was a miserable, wet Sunday morning but this team of dedicated cast were all prepared to head out and got right into the 'spirit' of it.
"In this particular cast we see new and old faces alike, and it often helps to learn from other performers to help enhance and fine tune your own performance, especially when it comes to characterisation.
"Each character is clearly brought 'back to life' and some of the finer details of these characters are clear from the set of pictures we took on Sunday," he said.
It is not just the cast hard at work, he added.
"The technical crew are well under way with building the set, of course there are other elements to consider as well.
"The lighting designer has been in and has already started to put together some of the special effects that will feature in the show.
"We are also proud to announce two new associations with businesses in Todmorden.
"You can get 20 per cent discount on your food bill at the White Hart Wetherspoons, also get yourself olives, Pizza and a drink for £10 at Site Pizzeria Todmorden.
"Both offers available on the day of the show when you produce a valid show ticket.
"All in all with such a dedicated cast, crew and production team.
" It is clear that Todmorden is in for a treat."
For more information about how to book tickets and also see more of Sundays photo shoot you can find us at www.todhip.org.
Tickets are also available from the Tourist Information Centre.
The Addams Family runs from the April 21 to 25 at the Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road.


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Mobile has become more popular with retailers and other brands, and there has been a steady flow of app releases in 2010.
This is certainly true in the case of mobile commerce, and many of the UK's big names in retail, Tesco, Argos, M&S etc, have been launching mobile products this year.
I've reviewed more than 40 iPhone and iPad apps this year, and I've collated them together in one handy post…
Mobile commerce apps
2010 has seen many more app mobile releases from retailers. While some, like M&S and John Lewis have opted for a mobile site, many are still releasing apps.
The best are those that make full use of the iPhone's features, providing location-based services, or useful shopping comparison tools like barcode scanners.
Honourable mentions must go to the Kiddicare and Debenhams apps, while the Argos app, though not transactional, allows customers to check and reserve stock locally.
Social media
The Digg app took a long time coming, and wasn't the most impressive ever, but the Stuck app, developed by Axa's innnovation team, deserves a mention.
Restaurants / fast food
Honourable mentions should go to Voucher Cloud, which provides mobile vouchers, and Auto Trader.
Sainsbury's and Waitrose store finder / recipe apps
iPad apps
While the Next iPad app is little more than an enlarged version of the iPhone app, the rest are worth checking out. The Twitter iPad app provides an excellent user experience, while Net A Porter takes a magazine format and makes it interactive.


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What's Happening
Ostomy Awareness Day
Testimonials & Videos
Friends We Remember
Past Events
Helpful Links
Fundraising Ideas
UOAA Newsletter
Phoenix Magazine
Ostomy Blog
Continent Diversions
Visiting Program
Are you a non-profit organization or individual looking to raise awareness for your cause?
Here are some ideas.
Dad Hats Factory
At DadHatsFactory.com, our mission is to provide smaller groups/volunteers, as well as non-profit organizations an opportunity to raise cancer awareness with our free dad hats. We believe if you are dedicated enough to go out and try to make a difference, cost of promotional products should never be the issue. These types of hats have been around for many years and don't necessarily offer anything new, but with a catchy phrase like, "dad hat" coupled with multiple celebrity endorsers… they are the most talked about hats in fashion.
Whether your movement is trying to increase awareness for a particular organization or for a specific cancer, we want to support you.
Wristbands and other accessories for fundraising:
Wristband Express
- Originally made famous by the LiveStrong Foundation
Sleek Wristbansds
- (offering a 15% off coupon, "DISC15")
Amazing Wristbands
Sell Shirts & Collect Donations
CustomInk created Booster to make it easy to raise money and awareness for your cause.
Engage your community with custom apparel.
Sell t-shirts and other custom apparel from CustomInk without buying any shirts upfront or worrying about handling inventory. Just pick products, then create and share your design and story. Boosters are perfect for any group, cause or community.


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When you purchase a Honda Powersports product, leaving the showroom with your brand-new motorcycle, ATV, scooter or PWC is merely the beginning of your Honda experience. Our products are legendary for their performance and reliability, and with each one comes a host of services and events geared toward ensuring your ownership experience is as exciting and unforgettable as the machine you've chosen to ride.
Helping riders develop safe and smart riding skills has always been one of Honda's foremost priorities, and nowhere has our commitment to this principle been better showcased than through the establishment of the Honda Rider Training Centers. Each site offers specifically designed training courses, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse, Experienced RiderCourse and DirtBike School, and ATV Safety Institute ATV RiderCourse. With our flagship center based in Colton, CA, along with locations throughout the U.S., proper and safe riding technique is just a phone call away.
Honda Services is designed to enhance the enjoyment of your Honda product.


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5 Ways to Kick Start Your Life After a BreakupWednesday, December 12th, 2007
Dear Jane, I just broke up with my long-time boyfriend and can't seem to find any energy for life. How long will it take before I can look forward to enjoying life again? No matter what the reason for a breakup—the relationship was stale; you outgrew it; it was abusive in some way; you were [...]» Read More


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From the publisher
For over 40 years Manufacturers' Monthly has kept Australia's manufacturing industry up to date with the latest industry news and developments. Delivering the critical information that Australian manufacturers rely on to stay competitive.
In every issue, Manufacturers' Monthly delivers contemporary management strategies, essential information technology news, in-depth application articles, indispensable exhibition previews, and the latest products from Australia and overseas, making the magazine essential reading for the industry's decision makers.
Manufacturer's Monthly magazine will also include an annual subscription to Safety First magazine and Logistics and Materials Handling magazine FREE.
Weeks delivery
This is published 11 times per year, please allow up to 4-7 weeks for your first delivery. Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
To view other titles by this publisher Click here


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It is time for a Christmas celebration this December and so I am going to host a few giveaways! What are we celebrating in particular you may ask? Well, my husband Kindal is going to publish his first novel this month and I've written two Christmas stories that I want to give to you this year in exchange for your super blogging powers.
There will be two weeks of celebration December 9th-23rd!
The first week 9th-16th I will give away two out of print copies of Anita Stansfield's Christmas novels Home For Christmas, and A Christmas Melody. Everyone who enters this week will get a coupon to download a free e-book copy of my short Christmas story The Missing Figurine at Smashwords.
The second week 16th-23rd I will give away an ARC of How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr, and everyone who enters will get a coupon to download a free e-book copy of my YA christmas story Christmas Cars at Smashwords.
Those who participate in both giveaways will be entered into a raffle to win an e-book copy of my husband's first book Wolfhound.
Entry details will be forthcomming on the 9th of December.


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New rules for naturopaths
Maybe Canada can open the path to considering alternative healing methods in a serious way, and fix the monopoly of medical care in the US. This article in The Globe and Mail discusses some complicated points on new rules for naturopaths
Eben Byers was a rich American steel industrialist and amateur golfer who fell and injured his arm during a train ride in 1927. All of these facts would be unremarkable, except for what Byers's doctor prescribed as a cure: radioactive water.
In those days, radium drinks were extremely popular, mostly among those with discretionary money to spend, to treat any and all sorts of physical ailments. Byers became a fervent believer in the healing powers of radioactive water, guzzling bottles a day until, less than five years later, most of his teeth fell out, his lower jaw was removed and holes started to form in his skull.
After his death in 1932, the U.S. government gave new, expanded powers to the Food and Drug Administration to crack down on snake oil salesmen and other peddlers of "medicines" that had no proof behind them and plenty of evidence of harm.
More than 80 years later, the world is a much different place. To sell a prescription drug, pharmaceutical companies must first spend millions of dollars on development and clinical trials and subject themselves to the (usually) rigorous approval processes used by agencies such as the FDA and Health Canada.
But in other ways, you would think that we were back in the 1920s.
For the past eight years, Ontario has been promising to implement new regulations governing the activities of naturopaths. The rules, which could come into force any day now, would give naturopaths the power to order dozens of lab tests, treat chronic diseases and prescribe a number of medications, even though it is unclear what, if any, formal pharmacologic training they receive. In British Columbia, naturopaths already have many of these powers, part of a growing trend toward legitimizing the offerings of these so-called alternative-health practitioners.
Read the rest of the article here


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Guidelines on Choosing a Mental Health Treatment Center
If you have never had reason to seek the help of a mental health provider, perhaps you do not have any idea regarding where to start on your hunt for one. With the right guidance, however, choosing the right treatment center should not be a problem. What considerations should you make prior to selecting any mental health treatment center?
Consider how long the center has been in operation. You need a facility that would give you the right type of support. In most cases,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Savannah
that boast of a longish history in this industry usually have the right resources to guarantee clients extensive services. In case you need comprehensive services, you should only work with facilities that would not let you down.
Inquire regarding whom you would be working with. Most treatment facilities usually have many mental health professionals. Asking whom you would be assigned to would give you the time to determine if choosing the facility would be a wise decision. In case you need a specialist, you should not choose a facility that hires only generalists. In case you need help with less common or complex disorders, it is integral that you choose a
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Aurora
that has the right types of experts for such disorders.
Consider location before making a move. While there is nothing wrong with choosing a facility that is far off, it would better to narrow down your search to nearby centers. This would help you avoid wasting time driving to and from the facility. If you would be visiting the center in the evening, it is obvious that location is something you should not ignore. A nearby facility would also be accessible in case you need emergency help. You can also learn more about mental health treatment by checking out the post at
Ask regarding the level of support that your choice facility would afford you or your love one. In case your loved one has a severe mental health issue, choose among centers that offer inpatient treatment programs. Get to know whether the facility offers individual or group therapy. If you need personalized attention, you should only work with a center that guarantees to give you exactly that.
Inquire regarding fees prior to making a decision. You have to ensure that the center you choose would not charge you an arm and a leg for the particular types of services you need. In case you would be billed per session, ask concerning how much each session would cost. If you have insurance, make certain that the center would accept it.


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Campaign launched for repeal of anti-abortion laws
By Kathy Newnam
A protest campaign has been launched in Brisbane against the charges bought against a young couple in Cairns under the anti-abortion provisions in the Queensland Criminal Code. The campaign was launched on May 9 when 80 people protested against an anti-abortion demonstration, blocking the anti-abortionists' way to the state parliament building. The campaign, organised by the Pro-Choice Action Collective, is demanding an immediate dropping of the charges and the repeal of all anti-abortion laws.
A young Cairns woman was charged in April under section 225 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises "unlawful" abortion. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to seven years. Her partner was charged under section 226, which criminalises anyone who assists an unlawful abortion. This charge carries a prison sentence of up to three years. It is at least 50 years since anyone was prosecuted under these laws. In 1986, charges were bought against two doctors under section 224, which criminalises anyone carrying out an unlawful abortion. This "crime" carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Gains won by feminist movement
The court in this historic case found the doctors not guilty. As in similar cases in Victoria and NSW in the 1980s, this ruling liberalised the interpretation of the law, providing a legal precedent for "lawful" abortion. This partial victory was in large part a result of the pressure of the women's liberation movement — the repeal of anti-abortion laws was a central demand of this movement during its upsurge in the 1970s and 80s. The movement had already played a role in staying the hand of Queensland government against enforcing the anti-abortion laws. For example, the Greenslopes Fertility Control Clinic, in southeast Brisbane, which was set up by Doctor Bayliss (one of the doctors charged in 1986), has operated openly since 1976. Similar situations existed in other states.
However, all of these clinics operated under extreme political pressure. In May 1985, for example, the Queensland government ordered a raid on the Greenslopes clinic, with the police interrogating women in the clinic and taking and copying 20,000 patient files. This raid was found to be illegal by the Supreme Court after which Director of Public Prosecutions Des Sturgess made a public appeal for women to come forward with any complaints against the clinic. A complaint was made, leading to charges being bought against the clinic's two doctors. The ruling on their case has allowed for limited access to legal abortion, though the ruling was explicit in not recognising "abortion on demand". Rather, it found that abortion was legal only if a woman's life was at risk from continuing the pregnancy. Actual practice is already far more liberal than this. For example, in Queensland in 2008 there were 11,000 abortions.
Many women are not even aware that abortion is still a criminal offence. According to media reports, this was the case for the Cairns couple who have been charged under the laws. This lack of awareness is in large part due to the decline of the women's liberation movement and the resulting decline in the sort of widespread education campaigns that took place during the upsurge of the movement two decades ago. It was these campaigns and the street protests that were a hallmark of this movement that won overwhelming public support for a woman's right to abortion. The 2003 Australian Survey of Social Attitudes, conducted by the Australian National University's Centre for Social Research, found that more than 80% of respondents supported a woman's right to choose abortion.
These gains are constantly under threat — and not only from the religiously motivated anti-abortion groups. These groups are nothing but the shock troops for the anti-woman agenda of capitalism — a system that profits from the oppression of women. The capitalist system relies on the unpaid domestic work done by women. This requires imprisoning women within the family institution. The family unit is the basic economic unit of consumption and reproduction of the labour force for the capitalist class. It is defended with the idea that every woman's primary role in capitalist society is as a mother and carer. The idea that every woman should have a right to abort a pregnancy, and thus be liberated from being prisoners of their reproductive organs, runs counter to this ideological straightjacket.
The Labor Party, just like the Liberals, support capitalism and the family unit as the best "welfare" system within the capitalist system. This is why it is a dead-end strategy to rely lobbying the "centre-left" ALP to advance women's rights. But this has been the political course of a significant number of women's liberationists over the last two decades. It is a strategy that has led to the demobilisation of the movement for women's liberation. But while it is a dead-end for the majority of women, this strategy has certainly paid off for many "sisters in suits" enabling them to pursue comfortable career paths in the ALP. Current Queensland Labor Premier Anna Bligh, a former feminist campaigner, is only the most high-profile of these "sisters in suits".
Reform v repeal
For decades the ALP and its feminist supporters have held back the struggle for complete decriminalisation of abortion in Queensland through assurances that the anti-abortion laws were a dead letter. Unsurprisingly, the Cairns charges have been met by deafening silence by the very same ALP politicians who made these assurances for years. Now the pro-Labor feminists are falling short of demanding the immediate repeal of the laws, calling instead for the Bligh government to refer the laws to the Law Reform Commission. This demand is of significance because it implies that the reform of the existing laws is sufficient. It isn't. Supporters of women's right to abortion should demand nothing less that the complete repeal of all anti-abortion laws. Abortion is a basic medical procedure and it should be treated as such in law. This is what women's liberationists have argued for decades and there is no room for compromise on it.
Furthermore, the legislative "reform process" does not always go in favour of women's rights. For example, there were changes to the abortion laws in Western Australia in 1999, ostensibly initiated in favour of abortion rights by then ALP MP Cheryl Davenport. While clarifying the law, these changes actually increased restrictions on abortion.
Abortion was decriminalised in the ACT in 2002 and in Victoria in 2008, though in both jurisdictions there are still legal restrictions placed upon a women's right to have the procedure. In Victoria, a woman requires the approval of two doctors to have an abortion after 24 weeks of gestation. Thus, even where the anti-abortion laws have been repealed, the struggle to have it made a woman's right to choose is far from over. The costs of abortion still restrict access for many working-class women. There are also the moral restrictions — the social "guilt-trip" that women are subjected to face if they choose abortion.
The strategy of law reform shifts the focus of the movement for women's liberation into back-room wheeling and dealing between capitalist politicians and abortion rights lobbyists. It allows for compromises to be made by such lobbyists on behalf of the vast majority of women — compromises that they have no right or authority to make. It is only through the mass women's liberation movement that limited access to abortion was won and it is only through mobilising the widespread public support for women's right to abortion through public rallies and marches that these partial gains can be defended and extended.
The charges bought against the young couple in Cairns highlights the urgency of rebuilding such a movement. This cannot be seen as an isolated case. Already these charges represent a victory for the anti-abortion campaigners by creating the "scare" that the anti-abortion laws can and will be used. If the charges are upheld it will mark the most serious setback for abortion access in decades. There is no room for complacency. There are significant forces that will use the opening provided by the Cairns case to seek a complete ban on abortion. They want to see the clock turned back to the days of backyard abortions when medically unsafe terminations were the second highest cause of maternal death in Australia. The charges against the Cairns couple must be dropped.
[The next Brisbane abortion rights rally will be held at 5pm on June 10 in Brisbane Square (top of Queen Street mall). For more information about the campaign and further protest actions, phone Kathy on 0400 720 757 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.]


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Google (s GOOG) is about to take a big step towards connecting the web with the apps on your phone. The company is scheduled to roll out in-app search, including app content in your mobile search results, by mid-November. In-app search is for now limited to about a dozen launch partners — but eventually, it could be key to transforming the Android ecosystem, while at the same time cementing Google's role as a gatekeeper.
Google first announced in-app search when it introduced Android 4.4 aka Kit Kat two weeks ago, but the feature will be included in Google's Search app and thus available on previous Android versions as well. Here's how it works:
Let's say you're looking to rent an apartment, and you're searching for open listings via Google. One of the first links is going to be a result from Trulia — and if you have Trulia's Android app…
View original post 644 more words


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Disruptive innovation is a great thing. In fact, we need this type of innovation to offer better products and services in time. The catch is, however, when a business model seeks to "disrupt" an existing system, the adjustment period can be very tough and harshly unbalancing for those disrupted. Which, in turn, raises the questions of "does innovation do more bad trying to do good? Or, "Is the "bad" more an excuse for big corporations to keep the status quo?"
The incredibly successful carpool platform known as UBER was officially launched in San Francisco, California in 2011. Built as a mobile application, the founders intended to shift the cab services from the "market economy" into the "shared economy", where every-day car owners could put their car to work and those who were carless could get a pleasant ride for cheap.
In theory it all seems great, more jobs have been created and people get cheaper rides. Why then, are there so many parties fighting against new e-based models?
The primary allegation comes from the taxi industry. The fact that UBER drivers don't have to face the strict regulations taxi drivers do creates a competition gap that is perceived as unfair.
According to an article from Bruegel.org, taxi licenses can cost as much as $1M in the USA, which, in turn, creates an entry barrier to the industry and keep the competition in check. With UBER previously requiring no license, taxi license prices went down by almost 30% in some states and taxi drivers were slowly being kicked out of the market. In Toronto, Canada "drivers have lost a third of their business since 2012" due to this issue.
On a similar note, fixed ride rates have also given UBER a significant advantage over the cab industry. UBER drivers are allowed to "surge price" and fix their rates depending on demand volumes and time of the day/year. Cab drivers, on the other hand, depend on the government for pricing regulations and are limited to an hourly wage.
So, even if it is understandable why Taxi drivers consider their UBER counterparts a "scam", the cab industry complaints went further to say UBER was unsafe and even threatening to passengers since drivers were not required to fulfill background checks and driving tests like taxi drives do.
Taking everything into consideration, UBER has advanced its application requirements by requesting a proper background check along with a vehicle check and a city-specific set of regulations.
The second allegation, though, comes from drivers themselves. Although UBER currently employs 160,000 drivers who seem happy with the job, many find it to be below decent standards.
UBER drivers get paid after every ride but 20% of what they make goes back to the company. On top of this they are responsible of covering gasoline, repairs, insurance and registration costs plus any depreciation. Drivers are also required to own a smartphone (unless they rent from UBER for $10/week) and do not receive proper worker compensations for they are considered contractors and not employees.
Taxation is the third allegation. UBER does not withhold any taxes; therefore drivers are responsible to pay the IRS their individual dues. Nonetheless, even if problems with tax debt and taxation loopholes are mostly each driver's responsibility, a lot of the blame has fallen on UBER as a corporation. Country governments blame the corporation from stealing millions in taxes and covering it up with the "contractor model".
In London, for instance, a ruling was put in place in 2016 stating that UBER had to pay drivers the minimum national wage along with vacation time to cover proper taxation. Also, the company was no longer allowed to declare its drivers as "self-employed" and it had to provide worker benefits.
Finally, there's a legal question of whether individual driver insurance can pay for any major road accident and of who takes care of issues such as discrimination or assault during the ride.
It is clear that big lobbyists and corporations that have found themselves disrupted by the new model are strongly committed to see it fall. Many drivers and users have also built their cause. UBER, however, stands strong. And why is this? Because even if there's many allegations, demand is still high.
Both the taxi industry and the country governments need to see UBER as part of something bigger and inevitable. Like Amazon and FedEX revolutionized the consumer goods and delivery industries, UBER has already revolutionized transport and there is no turning back. What can be done is set regulations in place that help those disrupted cope with the adjustment and the disruptors comply with federal laws.
In every city UBER operates the system works differently. Therefore, it would be beneficial for UBER to build relationships with government to better understand worker, taxes and benefits rules. Also, it would be good to set mutually benefiting agreements with insurance companies to help drivers cover accident costs (which is being done), create basic benefit plans for contractor drivers (which would be very new but necessary as innovation moves forward), set in place customized taxation plans and new corporate forms for tech businesses to avoid loopholes. Every company and its contractors must abide to laws regarding sexual assault and other social issues. And finally, help the taxi industry by allowing flexible pricing regulations that enables them to compete without ripping off passengers through loopholes.
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