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Opinion & Commentary
Opinion and Commentary contains media articles written by CIS researchers. Communications Manager: Karla Pincott 0411 759 934
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The East and South China seas debate Australia has to have
Beyond some mooted language changes on the US-Australian alliance and Japan-Australia relations, traditional foreign policy was largely left out of the discussion about Labor's new national... Read More
Australia must choose between China and the US
The high-wire diplomatic juggling act of managing Australia's all-important ties with China and the US has for years been the subject of a solid bipartisan consensus. Read More
Beijing will beat Washington in the South China Sea's battle of wills
At the opening of the seventh annual United States-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue earlier this week, US Vice-President Joe Biden launched yet another diplomatic broadside against Chinese territorial... Read More
Australia should stay out of the South China Sea
Canberra looks set to wade into the South China Sea's turbulent waters. Read More
The United States should not seek strategic primacy in Asia
The strategic sands in Asia are steadily shifting in China's favour. Read More
The real and present threat of China's territorial claims
The temperature just surged a few degrees in the South China Sea's heated territorial dispute between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours. Read More
Hugh White is right even when wrong
Foreign policy commentary in Australia can be a fratricidal business. Read More
Beijing's hypocrisy on Ukraine discredits Chinese foreign policy
Last week's three-way meeting between the Russian, Indian and Chinese foreign ministers in Beijing offered a stark lesson in diplomatic dishonesty. Read More
Don't rule out war with China
Canberra should offer no assurances of neutrality and should leave open the option of joining a US-supported Japanese war with China. Read More
Mercantilist mindset and good fortune make successful China policy
While the Abbott government trumpets its China-Australia free trade agreement win, it continues to stumble over the non-commercial aspects of China policy. Read More
Why Bob Carr is right about China
Canberra must remain ready to point out with 'absolutely unruffled' confidence that pursuit of Australia's national interest will not always be synonymous with pursuit of a deeper embrace with Beijing. Read More
Comment: Democracy with Chinese characteristics
Beyond inspiring global solidarity, the impassioned pleas for genuine democracy in Hong Kong are even converting mainland Chinese to the cause. Read More
How to counterbalance China's swelling military power
At the peak of American power in the immediate post-Cold War period, then-US President George H.W. Bush declared the birth of a 'new world order.' According to Bush Senior, it would be a world in... Read More
Hard-headed realism needed in the South China Sea
Hopes of resolving the South China Sea's bitter territorial disputes have once again proven illusory. Read More
Beijing sinks South China Sea code of conduct
In the South China Sea, Beijing still refuses to accept the rules of conduct, preferring to bully its way to control of disputed territory. Read More
Beijing's real international ambitions
Beijing will continue to violently revolt against Asia's territorial status quo. Read More
China's Leninist impulses hold the country back
Each year the CCP summarily incarcerates and places under house arrest activists, journalists and academics it worries will "provoke unrest". Read More
The real threat to China's security is internal
The CCP is failing to rise to the challenge of maintaining social stability and internal order among diverse ethnic minority provinces. Read More
China's rise is waking up the neighbours
Worryingly for Beijing, key Asian powers are banding together in a bid to contain China's territorial and strategic ambitions. Read More
US military might ensures Beijing's bark is worse than its bite
Washington should continue to use its security presence in the Western Pacific to caution against and undercut Chinese attempts to alter the territorial status quo. Read More
Washington should not give ground in Asia
Will a weary Washington soon be forced to concede regional leadership to a bullish Beijing? Read More
China's adaptive authoritarianism is here to stay
Capitalist liberal democracy's twentieth century victories against expansionist fascism and communism were hard-won and yet also unequivocal. Read More
Beijing's reforms entrench a democratic deficit
China's enduring authoritarianism seems out of place at a time of explosive protest movements in Turkey, Brazil, Egypt and elsewhere in the developing world. Read More
Banking on China's democratic deficit
The scale of China's challenges is staggering but the CCP is well placed to tackle mounting institutional, social, political and environmental problems. Read More
Age of prosperity no longer a path to democracy
Increasing prosperity will encourage minor democratic reforms, but it will only push nations a few steps down the long and arduous path to democracy. Read More
Nothing to fear from China's foreign policy
Chinese President Xi Jinping knows Asian stability will only help his ambitions. Read More
Revitalising the China story
China faces profound challenges that will require bold action on the part of party leaders. Read More
Business didn't wait for White Paper
We can expect meagre policy returns from the Asian Century White Paper. Read More
A cultural revolution to celebrate
In a very real sense, Australia is already Asian. Read More
Sorry, Malcolm, Australia needs the US in the Asian century
Now is the time for our friendship with America to prosper and thrive. Read More
Reduced defence spending may well be sound public policy
Australia is under US protection and the world is a more peaceful place now. Read More
Faith placed in Uncle Sam as neighbourhood warily welcomes China
Australians have become used to thinking about the rise of China, the role of America, and what the interplay between these two powers means for us. Related Read More
Avoiding conflict but quietly waving flag
Southeast Asian governments will welcome increased US involvement in the region. Read More
Complacency is the danger in Asia's power games
Even if one disagrees with Wolfowitz's thinking on the Middle East, this viewpoint on China policy cannot be easily dismissed. The assistant secretary of state for east Asia and the Pacific when Ferdinand... Read More
Complacency is the danger in Asia's power games
Even if one disagrees with Wolfowitz's thinking on the Middle East, this viewpoint on China policy cannot be easily dismissed. The assistant secretary of state for east Asia and the Pacific when Ferdinand... Read More
Pakistan a Chinese pawn to stall India
AT the Shangri-La Dialogue meeting of defence ministers in Singapore last month, Indian Defence Minister Pallam Raju was asked whether India could exercise similar self-restraint should another terrorist... Read More
China's exports don't fuel boom
While China undoubtedly needs both for the communist party to remain in power, the dilemma for the country's leaders is that the way China achieves rapid economic growth is increasingly the reason behind... Read More
ASEAN must include US in talks on South China Sea
Indonesia was positioning itself as an 'honest broker' in the South China Sea dispute. Now it appears much more circumspect. Read More
US will Remain the Preeminent Player in Asia
In early May, I gave an interview to the Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper arguing that China was probably 'the loneliest rising great power in world history' Read More
Beware China's control of rare earth minerals
China's rare-earth quota policies will have global repercussions. Read More
China and the tactical utility of international norms
China is finding it difficult to translate economic size into normative leadership, let alone dominance. Read More
Missing the woods for the trees
China won't be happy if India becomes an Asia power. Read More
China's influence gap
Beijing is finding that translating its economic size into regional strategic and diplomatic leverage is more difficult than it first appeared. Read More
Japan's economic demons dog China
The enduring flaws in Japan's political economy's continue to stunt its growth. Read More
China's self-defeating currency policy
Although a stronger yuan would be better for the economy, it would hurt the Chinese Communist Party. Read More
China's America Obsession:
Osama bin Laden's death will only accelerate America's reengagement with its Asian allies and partners at China's expense. Read More
PM may trump Rudd in managing China
Gillard's lack of foreign policy experience and ambition could well be a blessing in disguise. Read More
The China hedge
Beijing's mantra of 'building mutual respect and trust' remains hollow. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to change since ambiguity is at the heart of China's military grand strategy. Read More
Why Taiwan will fail
Taipei has a plan to make a virtue out of the necessity of greater integration. But Beijing will demand reunification and time is on its side. Read More
Cracks in 'Great Firewall of China'
A blogger's disappearance in China reveals nervous despots. Read More
Good news for Chinese banks, bad news for reforms
Beijing has been increasing the spread in Chinese banks to improve the quality of their assets. Put simply, the more money China's dominant state-owned banks lend, the greater their profits. Read More
Haunted by China's ghost cities
If Australia thinks it can avoid the 'Dutch disease' by relying on the relentless construction of empty Chinese shopping malls, ghost cities and unused infrastructure, then we too could be in for a... Read More
Why Australia's socialist Prime Minister now loves America
Hedging against authoritarian China by strengthening the U.S.-led hub-and-spokes security system in the region is now Australia's preferred—and possibly only—option. Read More
Party needs to loosen its grip
The Chinese mode of governance is highly corrupt and dependent on questionable lending practices, while local wards gain revenue through unsustainable and often illegal property development enterprises. Read More
The problem with China's banks – unknown and unknowable
The official accounts of China's banks indicating reasonable financial health simply do make sense. Just as senior banking executives cannot predict what the majority of their branches will do, they... Read More
Watching Egypt crumble: Mideast chaos emboldens China's hard-liners
But while many Western observers hope the unrest in Egypt might cause the CCP to think twice about maintaining its iron grip, unrest in the Middle East is bring home some very different lessons for Beijing. Read More
Hu's real agenda
An improvement in Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations is not the same as cooperation. Read More
Cooperation and the Chinese Hydra
The Chinese leader does not have the authority to make the hard decisions that Obama will be pressing him to make—meaning that doing business with China will be a lot more chaotic and unpredictable than... Read More
How the U.S. Can Manage Expectations of U.S.-China Talks
Whoever is leading China is not a dominant leader with real power, but a figure riding a streak of tigers often pulling in different directions. Read More
Beijing's motives behind rare-earth metals
There's a growing suspicion that China is increasingly taking a zero-sum rather than 'win-win' approach to open markets and free trade. Read More
Watch out for Russian wild card in Asia-Pacific
Russia is pulling out all the stops to court India to maintain its position in Asia's future balance of power. Read More
People's republics
By 2040, the world may be talking, not about a Washington or Beijing consensus, but a 'Mumbai Consensus' on economic development. Read More
China's national insecurity
Beijing sees Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize as part of an international strategy to contain China's rise. Read More
China and India's Growing Energy Rivalry
Competition for oil and gas resources will be the most likely cause of serious tension between the two Asian giants in the years ahead. Read More
Tearing Chindia apart
It was obvious that China and India in particular had coordinated strategies before the summit to scupper any binding agreement. Read More
Rudd deserves points for confronting some brutal truths
The leaked conversation between Hillary Clinton and Kevin Rudd contradicts the perception that the former Australian prime minister was "soft" on China. Read More
What if the Chinese Bubble Bursts?
If the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008 is any guide, we already know what Beijing will do in the event of a bursting of its bubble. Read More
U.S. envoy to ASEAN
A productive American relationship with ASEAN, particularly when it joins the East Asia Summit as a full member in 2011, is critical to stability in an increasingly tense region. Read More
In the Asian century, Washington must still offer leadership
Tensions between the US and China should not present any fundamental dilemmas for Canberra since the capacity of Beijing to make Australia choose is quite weak. Read More
The end of the charm offensive
China's neighbours welcome a strong China, just not a dominant one -- and that's where the United States comes in. Read More
The stakes at the East Asia summit
Beijing wants to ease America out of the region, but other nations want to entrench the U.S. role. Read More
China won't revalue the yuan
No amount of hectoring by Barack Obama is going to change the calculus of Chinese leaders. An undervalued currency may be critical to their very survival. Read More
The end of smile diplomacy?
Beneath the façade of unity in Chinese decision-making is the gradual but inexorable fragmentation in the formulation of regional strategy and the conduct of foreign policy itself. Read More
China-Japan tensions will rise
Tension between China and Japan is structural, strategic and institutional – something that can only be managed rather than resolved. Read More
The resurrection of Kevin Rudd
The question now is whether Mr. Rudd has learned from his mistakes and will be a team player, or whether he plans to use his profile and foreign-policy experience to rebuild his leadership credentials... Read More
Don't rush to back Beijing over Delhi
While China's efficiency hides a brittleness, chaotic India's model is deceptively resilient. Read More
If only China were more like Japan
China is heading toward a Japanese-style economic debacle and that the process won't be as gradual or peaceful, says John Lee in Business Week, 1 September 2010. Read More
China's water grab
Forget the South China Sea. If America really cares about strengthening its presence in Asia, it'll focus on the Mekong River instead, says John Lee in Foreign Policy, 24 August 2010. Read More
China's rise and the road to war
As with Germany a century ago, an emerging power is overestimating its capabilities, says John Lee in The Wall Street Journal, 6 August 2010. Read More
Obama switching sides over China
There is renewed American preparedness to join with regional allies and partners in checking China's ambition. Read More
Unpacking the black box
China's dicey statistics tell us a lot, says John Lee in Newsweek, 30 July 2010. Read More
The uncurious case of Xue Feng's jail sentence
The geologist and U.S. citizen was charged with stealing Chinese state secrets. A case of Deja Hu? Read More
Hardsell soft power
China dedicates considerable more resources to building 'soft' power than India. Read More
The great China tech rip-off
China's resilient economic growth has prevented the economic crisis from becoming an economic catastrophe for the world but among the dark sides of China's rising economic power is an astonishing disrespect... Read More
A well-timed currency kowtow
China's currency reform is meant to appease foreign politicians, not rebalance the domestic economy. Read More
India's edge over China: soft power
In the struggle to win support around Asia, India's openness gives the country a big advantage compared with China, says John Lee in Business Week, 18 June 2010 Read More
China's got a secret
China's policy of concealment and fostering uncertainty are the main impediments to deepening its military-to-military ties with the United States. Read More
Opaqueness at heart of Chinese military's U.S. strategy
Chinese reluctance to commit to meaningful high level military-to-military talks with America is not as much about Taiwan but a reluctance to show its perceived military weaknesses and creating ambiguity... Read More
Don't buy China's growth mirage
Rural-to-urban migration is having less and less influence on the rising levels of fixed and asset investment activity occurring throughout China. Read More
EU not on China's chessboard
European nations are making a mistake courting China as to maintain relevance they need to align with the US. Read More
Authoritarian China won't bow to US policy
Australia needs to rethink its special relationship with the US if it wants to be China's friend. Read More
China will not be tamed
Shaping Chinese tactics is one thing, but taming China, by attempting to determine its destiny, is another, says John Lee in the Business Spectator, 6 May 2010. Read More
What did Hu expect?
Only the willfully stubborn or the ignorant will argue that Stern Hu's admission of guilt on the charge of bribery means that concerns held about the Chinese economic legal and political environment... Read More
In dealing with Beijing, overambition tends to backfire
Obama and Rudd are having more trouble with China than Bush and Howard. Read More
Inflated expectations of a rising yuan
Chinese inflation in theory can lift the currency, but don't hold your breath. Read More
Why China is stepping on toes
Foreign companies will be watching the outcome of the Stern Hu trail very carefully. Read More
China between T-bills and a hard place
Despite Beijing's addiction to US bonds, the proportion of US government debt financed by Chinese foreign exchange reserves has been falling significantly since 2008. Read More
Perception gap
American faith in the transformative power of China's economic rise might be misplaced. Read More
Paper tiger: China's no threat to the US
Some Chinese leaders think Beijing can use its financial clout to punish the US, but there's little reason for the White House to worry. Read More
Confronting Beijing's new bipolar reality
America's attempts to 'manage' China's rise are failing. Read More
Big trouble with big China
Relations between Washington and Beijing are looking more tense than ever. Read More
Why China won't be a 'responsible stakeholder'
The U.S.-China bilateral relationship is the most important one in the world. But the flaws in the relationship model constructed by Washington are becoming more apparent. Read More
China's new Silk Road geo-strategy in Asia
China is seeking to change the geostrategic parameters of the existing game for influence in Asia. Read More
Why Rudd has overstayed his welcome in Asia
John Howard had far more gravitas and influence in Australasia than Kevin Rudd, who is starting to look like he doesn't know how to respond to China's rise in Asia. Read More
China's next generation of leaders
The appointment of five provincial-level Chinese Communist Party chiefs in early December is a reminder that the ascension of China's next generation of leaders, who will take power in 2012, may be the... Read More
China's intransigence is a sign of its insecurity
Recent events have convinced many observers that we are entering an unprecedented era marked by rising Chinese power and influence at the expense of the West. Read More
China fears climate change openness
Beijing, which fears that external monitoring might reveal internal dysfunction, was backed into a corner by the United States at Copenhagen. Read More
Don't overlook India's consumer market for China's
Urban consumers in India will likely drive more global business than their Chinese counterparts while India's rural development far outpaces China's. Read More
Chinese Urbanization Put on Hold
Beijing will gradually relax the hukou, or household registration system, to give rural Chinese citizens an opportunity to seek a better life in the city – not just speeding up the rate of poverty alleviation... Read More
Pacific angst
The very fact that America needs to negotiate with its Asian allies and partners – and sometimes even compromise – means that Washington will adapt in ways that allow it to remain the preferred security... Read More
China woos Africa – and not just for its resources
While much of the world still views Africa as a basket-case continent, Beijing is thinking ahead and busy establishing a foothold in Africa's potentially large consumer markets. Read More
Rudd fails to court New Delhi
If Australia wants to remain an active, relevant and influential middle power in Asia, then spending the next half decade improving our bilateral relationship with countries such as India is much more... Read More
India Fast Becoming Asia's 'Swing State'
If India's unpredictable political parties remain committed to continue reforms, and the bilateral partnership between Washington and New Delhi continue to deepen, a rising India (along with a still-dominant... Read More
China's potential enemy is US' good friend
If India's unpredictable political parties remain committed to continue reforms, and the bilateral partnership between Washington and New Delhi continue to deepen, a rising India (along with a still-dominant... Read More
Beijing birthday spin distorts reality
As the week-long celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of modern China roll on, the message coming out of Beijing is that China's evolution into a confident, strong, just and prosperous... Read More
China's statistical setback
Although China has been decentralizing and officials have multiplied, it is not the building of institutions that encourages public accountability. Read More
The Party's Not Over: Why China's 60th birthday is nothing to celebrate
Inone important respect, authoritarian China is failing: while the Chinese state is rich and the party powerful, civil society is weak and the vast majority of people remain poor. Read More
China's Ring of Power
While nobody was paying attention, Beijing was busy cornering the market on a little-known, but much coveted, strategic commodity. Read More
Foreign Policy: Why Beijing Needs To Be Brutal
After scolding the West for interfering in the internal affairs of Iran, Beijing's public relations department will now be on the defensive following riots in Urumqi, the capital of the westernmost region... Read More
China's Empty Land Reform
Recently, Beijing announced new procedures to 'give an effective guarantee' to rural citizens that their land rights would be respected by 'standardising' arbitration procedures. This is explicit... Read More
Why China fears Obama: The danger of an attractive America
The enthusiasm with which Obama's election was received in Europe will not be replicated in China. Read More
The Year of the Ox will bring little prosperity for the Chinese
Beijing's "authoritarian capitalist" model has gone as far as it can. Chaos, corruption and indecision have been ignored. Read More
PAP replacing PLA as the Party's army
Following the crackdown of Tibetan protesters in March, President Hu Jintao issued a call for "greater security guarantees" against protesters and other disruptive forces leading up to the August Olympic... Read More
China's complicit universities
It is true that intellectuals tend to give more weight to their role in society than is generally warranted. But it is also true that intellectuals are one of the first groups targeted by authoritarian... Read More
Democracy's slowboat to China getting slower
Around 320,000 Britons visited China in 2007. One of the world's great cultures has finally embarked on a path towards prosperity. China is a much more comfortable and welcoming place than it has ever... Read More
Reassessing China's future beyond the Beijing Olympics
China has averaged double digit growth each year for over three decades and its economy has grown four times in size over this period. Now the second largest economy in the world (by PPP measurement,)... Read More
Why China's loyal youth no longer want democracy
In the last two decades, China's economy has tripled in size. The numbers of young, relatively affluent people (15–25 years) number around 17–20 million, almost the size of Australia's population.... Read More
Democracy for the few
China's transformation from the backward, autocratic economy of just three decades ago is probably the most spectacular and rapid in history. Read More
'China's unbalanced economy providing silver lining
Chinese leaders and economists have been saying for a decade that its economy is pulled by two strong horses and one weak donkey. China is much too reliant on unsustainably high levels of (inefficient)... Read More
Bachelors wreaking havoc in China
China's leaders seem to be good at fixing big problems. They have transformed a backward economy into perhaps the most dynamic one in the world. More recently, their response to the earthquake in Sichuan... Read More
What does China really want from the Pacific?
Why is China so interested in the Pacific? After all, despite the differences in size, population, wealth, and influence between China and islands in the region, the Chinese have literally rolled out the... Read More
Capital flows the wrong way in China
China has recently indicated that it intends to move away from an investment-driven growth strategy toward a consumption based one in order to sustain the next stages of its economic growth. This was reiterated... Read More
The danger of pursuing 'Harmony' in Chinese foreign policy
The recently concluded five-yearly congress in Beijing reaffirmed two things. First, President Hu Jintao is unchallenged as China's supreme leader. Second, Hu's 'Three Harmonies' policy will continue... Read More
A contrarian view of the economic miracle
In Will China Fail? The Limits and Contradictions of Market Socialism, author John Lee takes on the growing parade of China experts who offer optimistic scenarios for the nation's 'peaceful rise'... Read More
Will the China boom last? – don't bet your house on it
Ask anyone in Western Australia whether China presents an economic risk or opportunity and there will be few takers for the former - and with good reason. While other major economies such as America and... Read More
China: Death of the Dragon?
In his final press conference as Chinese Premier in March 2003, Zhu Rongji confidently declared that, 'all the tasks needed to sustain economic growth over the past four years have been completed.' Read More
Game of Pacific cop and dodgers
The Howard Government's decision to help the Solomons by restoring civil order to the South Pacific islands is welcome. Read More


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FRANKLIN, INDIANA -- On June 19 and 20, 2013, I visited Affordable Dentures, Franklin, Indiana, to receive same-day partials. From the clinic published offerings, I selected what is termed "The Premium Package," at a cost of $1780. The Package consists of a set of full or partial dentures, with the promise of being allowed to return at any time during the first year of wear for repair and adjustments. A final set is then placed in the patient's mouth. The words "at any time" echo throughout the clinic as the patients are being fitted for teeth, and again, as they leave: "You may come back any time you need to." That promise turns out to be a lie, particularly for purchasers of The Package.
At the time of my visit, I had eight teeth remaining, with only the two upper teeth to be extracted. I had been wearing partials and bridges for 17 years. The price schedule the assistant put in my lap showed extractions at $75 each. I was charged $105 for each one, and not told of the inflated price until after surgery. Dr. ** made the dollar amount out of whole cloth. This is bait and switch.
Patients are given two prescriptions and are told these have to be filled immediately or surgery will not be done. At the beginning of my visit I completed a medical history revealing a thyroid condition. The medication Dr.** prescribed came with a printed indication of potential death to those with thyroidism. The prescription is given to every patient, no matter their medical condition. This is malpractice.
Over fifty patients were seen on the day I was. They were herded through the clinic, with their dentures made as fast as credit cards can be swiped, and regardless of quality. When mine were placed in my mouth, a definite elevation on the upper right was noticeable; the length of the right side teeth was pronouncedly shorter than the other side. I noticed this after I went to my car and called in the message. The hateful assistant **, left a recorded reply, "Your teeth were made the way they are supposed to be, so I don't know what your problem is." No mention of "We'll fix it any time." Certainly, no consideration for the pain of the patient was forthcoming.
I went back anyway. When looking into my mouth, ** told me, "Nothing is wrong with the partial. It's you." You have a lip like Elvis. You snarl like Elvis and that's why you think the teeth look funny." I am 61 years old and never in my life have I been told I look like Elvis. I have never had elevated teeth on one side, either. I asked to speak to the dentist and in came Dr. **, owner of the practice. She looked at my mouth and told me I shouldn't criticize her work and I should leave. I asked her to take the partial and make the teeth the same length.
She stormed out of the room shouting at me, "I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. I DON'T HAVE TO DO IT." I told ** that Dr. ** had better do it. ** grabbed my arm (I was still sitting in the exam chair) and shook me, saying, "You don't talk to US like that." In a few minutes, Dr. ** returned and added length to my teeth, so that miraculously, after 61 years, I no longer looked like Elvis! And then she said, "We added lots and lots to your teeth!" The same teeth that minutes before didn't have anything wrong with them, according to her. One month later, her crummy addition to the partial is now crumbling off, and I again have lopsided teeth.
The lower partial was three times the size it needed to be. It wouldn't fit into my jaw, particularly the right side. Dr. ** continued to tell me my mouth would "adjust" to a denture so big that my tongue wouldn't lay flat. I could not chew, couldn't talk, and couldn't get the partial into my jaw. The week after this bizarre act of dental malpractice, I called for an appointment to have the lowers decreased. I was told that no one could come back until two weeks post-op; even those of us who had no gum swelling, and who had paid for The Package.
The shoddy work of Drs. ** and ** resulted in blisters, lesions, sores and bleeding in my mouth. All caused by Affordable Dentures' defective product. The lowers would not allow my mouth to rotate or chew. And I was expected to be tortured like this for no less than one year and up to two years! Subsequently, I was examined in an emergency room and by a dentist in federal practice, all advising me to contact Dr. ** for adjustment.
Work was done to make the partials smaller, but still do not fit my mouth and are completely unusable. Sores and lesions continue to form on my gums due to the defective workmanship of this garbage for a product. Parts of the upper partial have chipped off during normal wear, leaving a gap between the teeth. I called again ("You can come back anytime!") in early August for repair. The nasty ** told me I could only come on a Tuesday between 1 and 2 o'clock.
She then said, "You come when I tell you to, or you won't get an adjustment or repair." So I haven't been back. I live with the worst excuse for a set of partials ever made. The chewing surfaces are almost non-existent. The lowers cannot be worn. The uppers continue to chip. These substandard, inferior teeth are causing pain and suffering as well as embarrassment by not being wearable.
Most new denture issues are caused by gums adjusting to extractions and the placing of artificial teeth. These are not problems particular to me. My gums were ready for permanent partials, yet Affordable Dentures refused to provide them. At one point, Dr. **, in an effort to deflect responsibility for her inferior work, pointed to my natural tooth #22, and said, "It's this one that's causing all the trouble. This tooth gave us FITS!" Tooth #22 had nothing to do with the creation or placement of her shoddy partials. My #22 is perfectly normal and was not in the way of anything. Dr.** simply had to divert attention from her fraud by projecting away from herself.
Affordable Dentures, Franklin, Indiana, should be closed and prohibited from operating in the state. An investigation of this office and the qualifications of its staff are imperative. When I paid $1990 on my credit card to the assistant named "**", I asked for a copy of my file. **'s reply was, "What do you need it for?" I said I have the right to access my medical records. She said, "We don't do that." Affordable Dentures willfully violates HIPPA law.
Two weeks prior to submitting this complaint, I sent an electronic message to the corporate office of Affordable Dentures, Kinton, North Carolina. The narrative here reflects that message. I allowed corporate ten days to provide an answer and nothing has been received, nor have I heard from the Franklin office.
BOREDMAN/YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO -- Had a great experience with affordable denture of Boredman Ohio. 16 teeth extracted, immediate dentures, this is only my 3rd day post op, no sutures, I love my new smile.
TYLER, TEXAS -- I went to Affordable Dentures in Tyler, because I could not afford a regular dentist. I had 7 teeth to be extracted and a full lower plate to be put in. These are the beginning stages, as this is the first temporary plate. The permanent plate will not come until 6mo to 1yr after this initial plate... First of all, call ahead and get the information about their hours. Anyone wanting a consultation needs to be at the office at 1 P.M. They only do consultations in the afternoon. Also remember to bring a book, as this place is packed with poor people and there will be a long wait. It may be 5:30 P.M. until you are seen, but you will be seen...
I went for a consultation and it took about 2 hours before seeing the dentist. I was taken in and a full lower x-ray was done, then the dentist came in and looked at it and we discussed my options. My teeth (only 7 left in my mouth) were so bad, that he decided I should go ahead and get a lower plate. He does not recommend a full lower, as there is always trouble with them. A full lower plate is a life changing event. You will not be able to eat any crunchy or hard foods. That's the truth. You will have to eat ground meats and soft foods the rest of your life. They will not tell you that, but I am telling you that.
After deciding on having the extractions and the full plate, I decided on the "Premium" denture. You can see 3 different types of dentures. Economy, Good and Premium. It's pretty easy, if you want the longest lasting, then get the premium. Economy dentures often break after a couple years... I had to pay the full amount right then, before they would go any further. They want all the money in advance or they don't do the dentures. Be prepared to pay up front in full, before you go, or don't go.
They do not use insurance, so don't ask. It's cash or credit card up front. I paid $1,330.00 for 7 extractions, a temporary denture till I heal and a permanent denture within a year. I know first hand that going the other way with a super good dentist, would have resulted in an Oral Surgeon, a Dentist and an expensive Denture Lab. It would have cost me over $5,000 if I had gone the best way... I made an appointment for a week later, to have the teeth removed and before that I went one morning to have my form made, so the temporary denture could be ready for the extraction day... The following lines are my thoughts about the people there...
The office people and assistants must be low wage workers. They have the typical low paid, high stress lack of concern for the patient. The person who did my form did not do it well. That was evidenced in the quality of the temporary denture. The Dentist who did the extractions was the absolute best dentist I have ever seen in my 55+ years. They give you a pill to take an hour before you get there and if needed, one when you arrive. It relaxes you and one was enough for me. I was ready to go to sleep. They took me straight in and the dentist took 20 minutes numbing every tooth with a local anesthetic.
He was very good and I did not once feel the needle. Then he extracted the 7 teeth is less than 5 minutes! I was amazed at the skill he used. I had some really bad ones, that a regular dentist would not have touched, but this guy was the best... Once the teeth were out, he put in the temporary denture and had to make a couple small adjustments, because it was too tight. He used a "liquid bandage" substance over the wounds and put the denture in...
Pain is not my thing. I have a low tolerance for it and if you have several teeth removed, it will hurt like hell. I believe that this dentist did a great job, but of course the pain is terrible and they did give me a prescription for pain killers...
The denture itself is not very good. Again, I fault this due to a low paid lab worker, who is probably texting while he makes the denture. It clearly did not fit properly, too much in one area, too little in another. I am glad that I have had a partial for years and an upper for years, as I know what can be done to alleviate the pressure points. I had to remove material in several spots on the lower edges of the denture, to keep it from bruising my gums.
I will ask to see the dentist when I return and tell him that if the permanent denture is not going to be formed with any more care than this, I want the remainder of my money back and I will go elsewhere. Even for an "affordable denture" the quality of this temporary is not worth the mouth pain and I will never be able to wear it for 6mo to 1yr while I wait for the permanent one. If you can afford better, then please do, as you will not be happy with the poor quality results.
MADISON, WISCONSIN -- I worked at Affordable Dentures located in Madison WI for 2.5 weeks, and after working 8 years in the Dental field I've never worked with a company that treated their patients and employees with such disrespect and rudeness. They had patients in and out of the Dental Chair in 2 minutes, it was like an assemble line, only to keep them waiting for hours for crappy dentures that were poorly made, and if for any reason a patients had a complaint or a problem about the fit of the denture the assistant was VERY rude to patients.
From my experience I think it's just a rip off they are all about money, there's no good customer service skills at all. Patients complain all the time!! Be warned!
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA -- Just like your schedule should be if you do business with these folks. I'll get to that later... On my interview/x-ray process I was told everything would be taken care of and there was nothing more to be said about it. The receptionist and doctor re-insured me that I would get everything included with the package I chose. Example : any repairs, adjustments, and even the final dentures that were even customizable were all included for the low price of roughly $2600! There wasn't any implication of time restriction or additional costs. So I said "great: sign me up!"
Next week I came into get my top teeth removed and replaced with dentures. With my check in hand for the top of the line single set denture plan, I was excited! I must admit they were fast after payment was made to get me and and pull the teeth. I believe over-all process from first meeting to actual teeth pulling was less than 2 weeks. Amazing! That's about all the good things I have to say... if you're still with me get ready for the bad news... So the healing process takes time and about 6 months later I walked in (no appointment) and they saw me that day for adjustments to refit the denture. Wait time was roughly 45 minutes.
Fast forward 8 months later. Again : no appointment, or payment required. Fairly quick service this time ~ 30 minutes ish. Need more adjustments because loose denture and I started seeing cracks on the corners of my mouth. A quick Google search showed one reason was incorrectly fitting dentures. When I asked about this the doctor and assistant both shunned my question saying I shouldn't believe everything I read.
Let's look about 9 months later. No appointment or cash needed. Waited an hour and a half before being seen. Now was unbearable, the denture was too loose and I had to get it changed. It was definitely too big and the cracks on the corners of my mouth weren't healing. On more thorough research I found it to be angular cheilitis. So I wasn't taking no for an answer...The assistant agreed and made new ones for me. Excellent!
Fast forward 11 months....Real issues arise. NOW all of a sudden all people seen are by APPOINTMENTS ONLY! Now I don't expect a memo to be sent or even a letter or phone call. But it's the new age. I'm sure as much money as they make they could spend 200$ on a free lance programmer to create a program and make it text message or email all Panama City clients: Hey Affordable Dentures is now going by appointments only! Sorry for the inconvenience of making you drive 30 miles to find this out yourself if that's you! =P O.K. that one was stretching... anywho...
So yep : I'm stuck with my dentures because I am a nice guy and didn't want to bother them, because I know they are busy folks. If you've ever been there, they always have people in the lobby waiting to be seen. I've probably only been to that office, including first exam, 8 times. I never broke my dentures or caused any excess out of pocket cost for them. I only did mandatory walk-ins as needed.
Now they will not give me my finals that have already been promised and paid for. They are saying there's a time limit now that was never explained or ever seen in my contract be neither my wife nor me. They say I paid for a 3 year term, yet they sometimes give people up to an extra 6 months if the doctor approves this. That last statement is straight from the receptionist up front, and I'm sure others have heard this: Which validates my entire story. I've tried to be patient with these folks, now I'm taking matters into my own hands and I hope this helps someone else out there that may be interested in doing business with these folks. Have a great day!
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY -- I went to Affordable Dentures in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2011. The employees were very nice and helpful at this time. I bought their full economy set for new wears. I got my temporary set before I got my teeth extracted. They worked out great, had no problems with them. After a year, I went in to get my permanent set. That's when the trouble started. While eating frozen yogurt one day, with CRUSHED UP, powder like candy bar, my lower denture broke in half. I went into Affordable Dentures that day, to see what could be done, since they have a year warranty.
They said that they could repair them for no cost. I thought wonderful. I came back the next day to get them. They did repair them by adding a very small, thin metal piece and melted them back together. They put them back in, and checked my bite. And sent me my way.
No more than a month later, I was eating a salad. Nothing hard or crunchy!!! Just lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. I felt my dentures splitting half again. This time, the metal piece was holding the dentures together. So I went back to the office, and was told there was nothing they could do. Because I was eating hard food. I thought to myself "hard"? And walked out. And told myself, well the metal is holding it together pretty much, maybe they will be OK.
Well, I was wrong. For the next 3 months this lower denture caused me so much pain. While talking and eating my tongue would get caught in the spilt, which caused sores. I had a big gap that people could see, which was embarrassing. And it was hard to talk, and eat. So my husband decided to make me appointment to go in and see what they would do.
Just got home from the appointment. They are going to "repair" them again to be NICE. Even though I still have a warranty for 4 more months. But I was informed, that eating even ice cream, YES ice cream could break the dentures again. Let see how long this repair last. They said this will be the last time they will fix it, matter what.
The employee at this office, are very kind and helpful when you are looking into getting dentures, but once they get your money, watch out they are not there to be nice or helpful. And very disrespectful!!!!! They talk to you like you are scum. They don't stand behind their warranty, or their dentures. BEWARE!!! Wouldn't recommend Affordable Dentures to anyone!!!!
SHEPHERDSVILLE, KENTUCKY -- My dad needed new dentures because the old ones he had, kept having teeth that fell out. I took him to my dentist and they wanted $1600 for a full set. I called around and other places charge $1500-$5000. He's in his 70s and I'm a student, so we don't have that type of money. I noticed a place called Affordable Dentures offering full dentures for $435 while looking online. I thought it was a scam and thought their dentures might be generic. I was so scared to take my dad, but I prayed about it and took him. Well I'm going to tell you all about it.
Make sure to visit the website and look at the price list. 2. Don't go by the website or 1800 number for office hours. You need to call your local office for the real hours of operation because the Dr sets his own hours and days of the week.
I bought the Economy (cheapest) full set (upper and lower) for dad for a total of $435. This included office visit and fitting, no other hidden fees. This is for someone that was already a denture wearer. They are able to give cheaper rates because they have their own lab on site, so they don't have to pay for sending out the dentures or a lab off site. If this is your first time as a denture wearer or you need teeth pulled also, it will cost more money.
The Economy is a strong material. You pick the color of the gum and color of teeth. So don't worry that they will give you yellow teeth. 5. There is only two differences between Economy and the other more expensive ones. One, you get to try on the dentures and decide if you want them to change it. Two, the gum area looks more natural. The teeth on dad's Economy look natural, but the gum is a little glossy looking so that part is not as natural looking. But you can't tell unless you get really close and he's smiling so hard that you can see he's gum area, which doesn't really happen.
The bad thing is the Dr doesn't have good bedside manner. He came in the room, didn't say hello, and quickly started the procedure without explaining anything. He's a little rude and harsh. So be ready for that. The good thing is that they are clean, I see the nurses and Dr wash their hands between procedures. 7. Conclusion, very worth it! Good economy dentures. Good quality. Can't beat the price.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA -- I was there last spring (2012). 1) I have very easy gag reflex. There is a spray product to reduce the gag reflex while having dental work done. 'Dental' personnel angry that I insisted on this spray, as though it was too much work and I was a hypochondriac. I insisted on the spray. 2) 'Dental' personnel saw something of interest in my mouth and loudly call to other 'dental' personnel to come look! No explanation to me what the problem was.
3) Brought in the dentures which had a painful burr on the inside. As she literally jammed the dentures into my gums, it almost brought tears to my eyes. I could not get her attention to stop pressing, I touched her arm to get her to stop. She yelled...and I do mean yell as though I was trying to strangle her, "Don't touch my arm". I said "listen, I won't touch your arm if you quit ramming that into my gums. I will raise one finger and when I do you will stop pressing."
4) After many times of trying to sand the burr off, the dentures cracked. Of course, she didn't tell me that had happened. Within a week the crack had discolored and was obvious. I live 2 hours drive away, so I couldn't go back right away. Within another 2 weeks the denture crumbled into many pieces. Luckily I still had my old ones.
5) No! I will never go back to the Asheville office. I've used Affordable Dentures in another part of the country. I was treated with respect, care and could not have praised them enough. Tomorrow, I try a new Affordable Denture, also 2 hours away. Crossing my fingers that it will not be anything like Asheville. 6) Run away from this branch of Affordable Dentures.
CARTERSVILLE, GA, GEORGIA -- I want to praise the Cartersville Ga Affordable Dentures office. The dentist, Dr. **, is absolutely Spectacular. I had one of those Complicated Tooth extractions because a bottom tooth broke off at the gum line and right in the front of my mouth. I immediately went to this office and they explained what they could do. I chose their recommendation and extremely happy I did. It is so nice to have a dentist and staff that you can trust to be honest with you. She had to pull that Complicated Tooth extraction and she did it so good I didn't even know the tooth had been pulled until it was lying on the tray.
Now that is awesome, and shows you how great she is. I had been to the office earlier because I had lousy top dentures made in another dentist office and this Affordable Dentures office made me a new top denture that is great and I love it, and so that is why I trust them explicably. She recommended I get a partial for my bottom and I immediately said yes. I trust her and I trust the competent staff to give me the best service possible. Their price is right, they are so caring, and they get everything right to make you happy. All I can keep saying is: "I am so happy I went there."
And I want everyone to know that they are the Absolute Best Dental Office Anywhere. I cannot praise them enough and give them 5 big Gold Stars. Not only is Dr. ** good, but she has a great staff that compliments her strength in excellent dentistry. The staff is great from first telephone call, they are friendly, and helpful, very polite and knowledgeable, even when taking an x-ray, or when the lab technicians are taking impressions. Everyone is as professional as they can be, which is a blessing because going to the dentist office is usually not fun, but they make it a pleasurable experience.
Yes, there will be some waiting, but let me assure you that a few extra minutes waiting in their office is well worth your time... you will be very happy that you chose them and the waiting will become just a minor thing. I promise you your teeth will be beautiful. I don't know how they do such a fantastic job for the price they charge.... their prices are so affordable that everyone can afford them and they do not rob you of your money like a lot of dentist offices do.
I cannot praise them enough, so all I can do is highly recommend the office and their services. KUDOS to Dr. ** and her entire staff.... they are absolutely great! I will most definitely use them for any future dental work I need and I will always recommend them to all of my friends and neighbors.
SOUTH HILL, VIRGINIA -- I just wanted to write a review on my recent experience at the affordable denture office in South Hill Virginia. I am a 49 year old man and for one reason or the other I have always had trouble with my teeth, and I have seen many different dentist in my life. I have had teeth pulled in Chester Va., Richmond Va. Petersburg Va. and even in New Mexico. It is a long story but I have never been able to afford to get the work done that I needed done. And if you are in a similar point in your life I would HIGHLY recommend the office located in South Hill Virginia.
I ended up going there because the office in Chester Va. did not take "care credit" and I'm so glad they didn't. I don't have that much experience with the Chester office only when I called the lady that answered the phone was short with me and told me that they don't take the Care Credit card, which I applied for and was easily approved for for three thousand dollars so that is the way I wanted to pay for my dentures that I knew I needed. I first went to a very reputable dentist in Midlothian Va. They pulled three teeth and it was very expensive, they were good people but way overpriced and pushy.
Anyhow I said all that to say this, when I called the Affordable denture office in South Hill the Receptionist was so nice just on the phone. She told me about how they do things there. It is not like a "typical" practice. Anyway I asked her about cost and if they accepted my credit card. She told me every thing I wanted to know and the hours and what time I needed to be there and the office is a hour drive for me but well worth every mile. I drove there and back! Patience is the key. If you are like me and have been suffering for years one whole day won't be that bad.
So I get called back there and I don't know what to expect really I mean I've never had all my teeth pulled or had dentures or anything but the Dental Hygienist got me in the x ray machine and made me feel very relaxed and comfortable. After that I had to get upper and lower impressions of my mouth so the upper dentures I was getting would line up, again very friendly staff. And then I met The Dentist at the South Hill office Dr. ** the best dentist I have ever been to, and I have seen a lot, (unfortunately) anyway he assured me I would be fine and everything would go good.
Well after that he prescribed me my medicine and they told me to return at 1:30. It was only about ten or so. Like I said patience... so I went to the nearby Walmart and two of the three medications I was given were only 4 bucks each. Total for all meds 15 bucks granted it may be different for you but I can't imagine by much.
So I go back at 1:30 and did not get called back until 4:00. But finally after all those years I had been waiting it was the big moment. And I a 49 year old man don't mind telling you I was scared to say the least, but again the Doctor and his Assistant were very reassuring. And he shot me full of novocaine and waited a few minutes and came back and gave me a little more. And the only pain I felt at all was the needle behind the teeth when he put it in the front. To my amazement very very little pain. Well I didn't keep my eyes open because I was scared.
But people let me tell you what I had to get 11 teeth pulled and it really seemed like by the time they had laid me back, they were setting me up I mean I was and am very impressed with Dr **. I do not write reviews but I had to for this Dr. and my temporary dentures were in and they took the time to get it right and wow I look good! lol But I really do, the dentures have made me smile again. They are awesome.
Thank everyone there at Affordable dentures South Hill Va. office. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions for me but the best thing to do is call them. It is a very sad day when you realize you have messed up and neglected your natural teeth but I'm telling you Dr. ** is THE best dentist ever bar none.

subset: commoncrawl


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|24 posts found
TLDR: From your experience as a current or recent Rift player, how is the community of Rift?
How is pugging and grouping? What is the overall maturity level of the community, based on your experience?
I'm coming to have a greater appreciation of community. I want to play the game with the general community for a while before I join a guild. I play at Oceanic times, so if you have any information relevant to that, I would appreciate it, too.
I just unsubscribed to a game about 10 minutes ago and I'm looking for another one to take it's place. I'm really not bothered by much, but though this game is very crowded, I have never felt more alone in a game or had worse experiences -- recently. My guild left that game and moved on to another, which I also play from time to time. I don't want to name the game. This thread isn't about that.
I play TSW and I like the community I've played with there a lot , but the last couple of weeks the server has seemed very dead when I play (Oceanic times, Dragon faction, I like to pvp). I'm still in Valley of the Sun God. I also liked the community I met in Darkfall, though there has been a lot of negative stuff written about that game. Yes, there are jerks in every game, but I met some really nice people and great players there.
I play GW2, as well. But I have room for one sub game with a decent population. I have played Rift in the past, and while feeling it was a solid game, never got involved in a guild or met a lot of friends in game. I'm ready to revisit Rift, but I *think* I've matured as an mmorpg player to the point where I have an better appreciation of community.
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Advanced Member
Joined: 1/12/04
I've actually been thinking about coming back also, after hitting 55 in GW2 then i just lost steam and totally interest. The lack of progression for your character is nill. Ive got a lvl 20 warrior and a lvl 28 mage souls and im looking to resub. But my only problem is the populations are a bit low right now..maybe once SL comes out then they'll rise.
I love the community though, met nothing but really nice people...but i just have no friends in-game that play which sucks. I find it alot of fun to get a buddy and maybe go do dungeons or something even PvP.. i find that stuff fun.
Its a guild driven game. Rift has a TON of great people that play it, and youll find them in just about any guild. outside of guilds though, the community is typical MMORPG rubbish. No one talks during groups or events. instance groups want to finish as fast as humanly possible (not quite as bad as go go go mentality of WoW, but definitely not patient....I have seen people berated for wanting to practe their support role). And the level 50 chat channel is a complete cesspool.
But again, Rift is FILLED with great people, but guild is essential. Pretty much every game is like this now though.
Advanced Member
Joined: 1/30/04
Hows your google-Fu?
Im on Faeblight an RP-PVE server, and community is great, no issues, and very helpful,
and I'm not in a guild.
Originally posted by strangiato2112
This reminds me of what happened to me. I wasn't even given the human blessing of being berated. I was just summarily kicked without warning on the last boss. Now, I feel like this has been a long time coming, as I have felt the change in the community over the years and read other people talking about it. It finally happend to me -- the final straw.
I have played for a lot of years and only been kicked from a group twice. Most recently, it was last night when I was healing a pug in a dungeon finder group racing to lvl cap. It was an instance that we had all run till our eyes were bleeding. It was my first run with this particular pug. It wasn't fun anymore, but we were all doing it -- together but alone.
The tank kept racing through withougt stopping at all, so I was continually rushing to keep up. I had plenty of mana, sp, etc to do the job, but if I even stopped to loot, he could be out of range. He died twice because of this. I rezzed him and we moved on. I even said, "sorry, I was looting" as a kind of hint to slow down just a bit. I stopped looting after that, sadly because I love my loots, it's a hard habit to break.
Well, the hint came back to me on the last boss when I was kicked. There wasn't even a word, like "noob healer -- why do you need to loot?" etc.
It just made me ask myself "why am I playing this game?" I realized it was just compulsion and that it was a totally empty experience. The great experiences I've had all involved other people. Friends I had met online. None of those people were playing this game now. None.
I told my wife about the experience and she just laughed, when I told her I was looting. She said, "that's old fashioned. People don't play like that anymore."
Seriously? Sometimes, it's hard to accept change. I still remember days when the tank would say is everyone alright on mana? or when support players would buff up the party before the dungeon. I even remember when people used to say "hi" when they joined an LFD group. I haven't seen those days for a while. I usually say "hi" but more and more often, it is unreturned. I felt really old. It's kind of funny -- now that I look back at it.
I have friends in RL. I don't think I'm asking for too much. I expect there to be jerks in every community, just like in RL. I'm just asking for a minimal degree of decency and civility.
/rant off
Finding a guild in a stable game to play for a couple hours in the evening sounds great right now.
Novice Member
Joined: 5/31/12
I play on Wolfsbane and there are always PuGs going for T1 and T2 raids especially right after the lockout reset on Wednesday. There are many guilds that have regular raid schedules, and some that are in the T3 raids. I just got enough hit to get into the T1 raids today, and was able to get into two raids tonight (Running experts, IAs, and crafting while paying attention to level 50 chat for PuG announcements) which got me almost enough upgrades to move straight into T2. The groups I played with were very helpful and informative which including teaching the newbies the fights and not getting frusturated when a wipe happened.
Overall, I very much like the community Rift has. There are always raids looking for new people to fill them up, and with the role system you can very easily fill at least three of the roles (Tank, DPS, Heal, Support). If you're planning on starting I would recommend joining a medium population server. I don't think anyone would find them too crowded and they're never quiet; especially level 50 chat. The chats are somewhat mature, although they have the usual trolls and with the political debate much of the chat seems to be republican vs. democrat and we get the occassional WoW player on the trial looking to start an argument about which game is better.
In my experience, the Rift community is definitely one of the better out there. I played on Wolfsbane and for the most part, people are very often helpful and supportive both in chat and in open world. Even in the PUG groups brought together by the random dungeon finder, people will tend to chat back and forth...something very few and far between in other games. The guild I was in was constantly hosting PUG raids, and a good many of the people we grouped with became close friends and frequent party members.
If I had to recommend an MMO community, Rift would certain be near the top of my list.
Joined: 5/31/08
two things:
1. the usual rift community is nice unless you derp or more importantly are a derp.
2. as for support in dungeons, they aint needed and you slow down and punish the group by running them as is. This will change quite dramatically in SL tho i reccon if dungeons stay as they are.
Originally posted by Alyvian
1. People that use words like 'derp' and 'baddie' tend to be tremendous negative influences on a community. For instance I did a WoW dungeon yesterday, with a Druid tank. We had two wipes on the last boss, both times got him down under 20%. Healer died both times, one time due to being caught in the bosses's special ability (happens first time doing these fights) and the second time was because of adds wreaking havoc. Tank went on about how the healer was a baddie and vote kicked him.
Now there are a few things here...If the healer really was bad, kicking him before the final loot isnt going to make him better. How about helping him? And here is the kicker. The boss's special ability leaves the tank with 5 seconds or so time where he s doing nothing. On neither wipe did the Druid battle rez the healer, and with the boss below 20% both times a battle rez would have almost definitely secured a win. And the battle rez was not on cooldown, so it was an option. So the guy going off about how bad someone else is, and kicking them, was just as at fault, if not more so, for the two wipes.
2. How are they punishing the group? Maybe it takes an extra couple minutes to complete the dungeon, but thats about it. If doing dungeons is fun, then why worry about an insignificant amount of time added on?
Originally posted by Alyvian
1. I think this is just the MMO community as a whole. There is very little patience in the MMO crowd nowadays with "learning your role". It is an unspoken expectation that you magically be the best at your class the moment you hit max level. I have found that in Rift, the occasional mess up will not warrant too much flame, but consistent "derps" (as the above poster so ineloquently put it) will get you in some trouble while grouping. However, this is just the state of the games we play. I find the Rift community to be more forgiving than most.
2. Support roles in dungeons are for the better part unused, except for in the situation that someone is having some trouble pulling their weight. As a Mage, I find that having my roles (Chloro, DPS, Archon) easily available for switch makes it easy for me to pull the party through some tough runs in a situation where the healer or DPS aren't cutting it. Support roles aren't necessarily a waste, they are just more situational. Having a player who can easily run support in a tough fight is much better than an extra DPS anyday.
Joined: 5/31/08
i wont even reply to the guy above ya but, support would be usefull if ALL content (short of raids) wasnt completly and utterly trivial for most players.
Originally posted by Alyvian
All content short of raids isn't trivial.
1. Story. Content inside of dungeons/chronicles as well as rifts plays into the lore of the world AND the higher tier raid instances.
2. Mechanics. Players learn mechanics FOR the raids inside dungeons and rift content.
3. Gear. Some of the gear (not much but a few choice items) are actually best in slot until you reach the ultra-high raid content. Hell, some of it is better even then.
4. Difficulty. Some of the fights are tough.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 4/03/12
Originally posted by strangiato2112
It depends. If you are using support to hide behind a lack of skill, you will get berated. You are better off going as an undergeared DPS. Problem is, as a support role, you can really mess up group dymanics if you don't know what you are doing. If you want to role in an Expert as a Bard and you are in the group with a Chloro healer, and you don't know BOTH classes, you WILL piss him off. You need to know every buff you cast as a buffer, you also need to know every buff every one else casts, what they are for, when they cast it and why, It's more important to know when to NOT cast a buff, then when to cast it.
Originally posted by GeezerGamer
Very true.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 10/02/11
The Critical Hit Pretzel!
A lot of the core community of Rift does revolve around more 'raid based' players and you can find a lot of great players, though there are plenty of bad apples just like any other game. I just happen to know most players I play with tend to be more mature. Its quite rare to see children around in the game compared to others.
Novice Member
Joined: 1/05/07
Originally posted by 7star
1. You punish the group for playing support. You don't learn anything that you couldn't do by yourself by playing support in 5-mans
2. Looting should only take 1 click from any of the party members. One click loots loots multiple mobs at the same tme. You don't have to stop anything for looting. On the chance a blue or purple drops, it does not take more than 5s to hit Need or Greed
Originally posted by GeezerGamer
Non-sense. Bunch of baloney. I hate people like you who post this sensationalism. There is literally nothing a bard can do that is detrimental to the chloromancer. NOTHING. Now if you were doing a 10-man or 20-man, the bard might get a little agitated, every minute, on a boss fight (emphasize on the "little"), because one of the chloromancers cooldown abilities does overwrite a bard's spamming debuff. That's all! There are no several abilities; it's just one that you can setup an add-on to remind you. Finally, support can not mess up any group dynamics. All they can do is make a boss fight easier, and some boss fights require support to take care of special mechanics.
Originally posted by TheBlackbeard
No, just no. It's optional -- not important. It's the icing on the cake. Personally, I don't care how a few debuffs interact with eachother. I use Karuul to let me know if I can use a debuff. You don't even have to pay attention at all; one debuff won't make or break a boss fight. If you were a truely hardcore player, you could go research and waste a headache on figuring out all the interactions. I'm a reasonably hardcore player, and I just use the add-on to let me know if I should cast a debuff.
Elite Member
Joined: 4/29/10
How elitist is it? My assumption is that it's pretty elitist as it seems to focus on end game raids.
Novice Member
Joined: 3/23/08
Originally posted by FrodoFragins
Not really, if you have the hit/focus required you won't get fucked with in raids because of low dps or something like that, which I find different from World of Warcraft.
The community in Rift is pretty good in my opinion. There are a few bad apples but not nearly as much as other mmo's I've played.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 4/03/12
Originally posted by magisbladius
I wasn't talking about which buff does what or what one is better. I am talking about Chloro's getting pissed at bards for canceling out their Living Energy buff with Anthem of Fervor. I've done it as a Bard, and I've pissed off a Chloro doing it. (Granted it was a while ago) This is the standard expectation in the game. If you tell someone they can roll as a Bard and they can go into any group content and do whatever the hell they want without consideration to the group, they will get kicked.
It's all in here:
(The guide has an error about this very issue that is addressed in the 1st follow-up post)
It tells you not to use Anthem of Fervor if there is a Chloro.
By the way, posting "I hate people like you....." pretty much invalidates anything you'd have to say after that.
Originally posted by GeezerGamer
Unless its been changed, the dungeon finder lets you roll as support. So the group really has no right to tell you what you should or should not play...provided that you are doing your job competently.
A good support does improve the group's efficiency to mostly counteract the personal dps drop.


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Elk Antler is one of the fastest growing living tissues. It can grow at a rate of two and a half centimeters per day. Like deer and moose, elk antler only grows on males. Elk Antler begins growing in spring and later becomes brittle and sheds in winter. The fallen antler is then consumed by other animals for it's calcium content. Elk Antler is covered and protected by a layer of soft skin called velvet. Velvet dries up and peels when the antler has reached it's maximum size.
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06.27.2012 (CONCORD, N.C.) – World Karting is proud to take part in a new program for the 2012 season where one WKA karter may find themselves in a Late Model Arrive and Drive deal through On Track Xperience (OTX).
The Late Model Racing Experience program, put together through the efforts of Tim Self and OTX, will afford a registered driver the opportunity to win an All Inclusive Package to Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, featuring two days of testing and one full day of racing in a NASCAR Late Model on a NASCAR-sanctioned three-eighth-mile short track.
The package includes the car, crew, fuel, one set of practice scuffs, and one set of new tires. Not included in the package are travel, meals, and hotel accommodations.
A minimum age limit will be set at 14, as per NASCAR rules. Participants wishing to register can do so online at http://www.ontrackxperience.com/register.html.
The OTX program is available March 1 through September 22, with the winning recipient of the program to be announced at the September 14-16 McLaughin Motorsports Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals event at Indiana's New Castle Motorsports Park. The winner would then be eligible for the program during the listed dates in 2013.
The program is open to all WKA participants in the five major programs: Manufacturers Cup, Gold Cup, Road Race, Speedway Dirt and Speedway Pavement.


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CHURUBUSCO — Saturday night's basketball game was most definitely a game of very contrasting halves.
The visiting Whitko Wildcats used stellar shooting from the field to win the first half, but the host Churubusco Eagles used a furious fourth quarter and an off-balance shot in the final seconds to win the second half, and the game, by a 42-40 score.
Fans in the stands watching the first half of the game probably believed that there was a runaway in progress. The visiting Wildcats went 5-for-5 from the field in the first quarter and hit a scorching 12-of-15 from the field in the first half.
They outscored the Eagles 16-11 in the second quarter to take a 27-17 lead at halftime.
With a 33-24 advantage going into the final quarter, the Wildcats extended the lead on two inside baskets by Bennett to push their advantage to 13 points at 37-24.
The Wildcats only managed a free throw and a basket for the rest of the game while the Eagles put on a furious rally.
Fueled by defensive pressure that caused seven Whitko turnovers in the final half of the quarter, the Eagles gradually whittled down the Wildcat lead.
Sarrazin's second basket of the quarter brought Churubusco to within two at 40-38. A 'Busco steal and a basket by Simmons knotted the score at 40 with 1:22 left on the clock.
The Eagles got the ball following a defensive stop, and worked the clock before a Whitko foul sent Beau Barkley to the line. Barkley missed the front end of the one-and-one with the rebound going into the corner.
Stoddard grabbed the ball for the Wildcats, but was pressured into a turnover, giving the ball back to the Eagles with barely 10 seconds left on the clock.
The Eagles worked the ball to Gross, who was forced to take an awkward left-handed hook from the top of the key that banked in with two seconds left on the clock.
A final heave by Cumberland sailed wide and the Eagles took the win, 42-40.
Simmons led Busco with 11 points with Gross adding nine and Sarrazin seven for the Eagles. Cumberland, Stoddard and Weber each notched eight for the Wildcats.
For a more in-depth look at this story, see the Feb. 18 issue of The Post and Mail. Don't have a subscription? Call (260) 244-5153 or subscribe to our e-edition. For breaking news, sports updates and additional coverage, bookmark the homepage and find us on facebook.View more articles in:


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The Snuggle Nest® is a portable infant sleeper designed to offer baby more comfort and stability in the adult bed. Sturdy, vented, support walls enclose baby, providing closeness and a sense of security. Baby's comfort is taken to the next level with two options for soothing sound: Brahm's Lullaby and Womb Sound by Pediasleep.com®. A soft LED nightlight enables easy checks throughout the night and a new Comfort Mesh Liner™ provides a more comfortable surface for baby. Great for sleeping by your baby, napping, travel, and also as a changing area and for moms with C-Sections and preemies. Lightweight and compact for travel.
- Surrounds baby for comfort and security
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- Flexible, side access for easy feeding


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The Beaba Babycook is a super versatile compact countertop appliance. It acts as a steamer, warmer, blender and defroster all in one! With the Babycook, you won't have to go through the hassle of using multiple appliances. Simply place your vegetables, fruits, meat or fish in the Babycook, steam and puree. It's that easy! In less than 15 minutes you can prepare fresh and healthy food for your little one that still contains all its nutrients and is free of preservatives, unlike store-bought baby food. You can even use it to reheat or defrost precooked foods.
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- 350W, 11" x 5 1/2" x 8" high
- BPA free


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Originally published on Thu November 10, 2011 1:11 pm
Imagine driving without a speedometer and still trying to go the speed limit. Chris Montag, chief operating officer of Ladybug Teknologies, says that's analogous to going out drinking without a Breathalyzer.
"It's something we've done for hundreds of years, and nobody's ever had a tool and we guess ... that we're OK," Montag says. "But, really, how do you know when you've never been able to measure it?"


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Submission + - Wikipedia will delete Nazi dinosaurs-> 1 1
joeszilagyi writes: First they came for Old Man Murray, then they came... Nazi dinosaurs? Dino D-Day began making the rounds on social media tonight and when I looked it up on Wikipedia, I found it was already up for deletion. Seriously, guys? A game about Nazi dinosaurs. What's unworthy there?
Link to Original Source
Link to Original Source


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Surely I'm not the only one in southwestern PA or in WV! Anyone else out there so we can start a chapter? (if it's just me, it would really just be a "page" rather than a chapter! LOL [;)] )
Sharel & Kevin
Aaron - 28 weeker
Born 5/2/02 due to preeclampsia & HELLP


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Discover More Ideas You'll Need
6" Mini Cast Iron Skillet 5 5
Keeps The Food Warm! I purchased 6 f these pans. I had a ''Fall Country Breakfast '' for some out of town guest. On the menu ''Shrimp & Grits'' These pans were perfect. They retain the heat very well and you can individually serve them. My guest were beyond pleased. November 6, 2014
Love This Product! I defy you to find an equal or higher quality product at even twice the price. We have had 2 mini cast iron skillets for more than a year and they are wonderful. In fact, we're about to buy two more. Cannot recommend these highly enough... August 10, 2014
I like These pans arrived quickly and in good condition. They are just what I wanted. March 21, 2014
it rarely leaves the stovetop! I lusted after this after seeing one at a friend's house. I had to special order it from my local hardware store. I live with 5 others--eggs are cooked by several people just about everyday. This pan rarely leaves the stovetop, scrambled, fried, it does it all. It washes up uber quick--and for some reason, no one has mis-treated it so badly that it needs reseasoning! The same cannot be said of the 12" one. Constantly need to rescue that fellow! Anyway, you'll find quick melty cheese sandwiches a snap as well. Everyone should have one of these! November 20, 2011
Nice mini cast iron pan When you want a couple of eggs this little pan fits the bill. I'm sure there are other uses for this pan and I will find them.. July 13, 2013
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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The drought is over for Paul Maholm.
The left-hander tossed six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs used an early offensive surge to beat the Cincinnati Reds, 6-1, in the middle test of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
Maholm (1-2) gave up one run on four hits and three walks to pick up his first win since July 10, 2011. He had gone 0-7 with a 7.03 earned run average in his previous nine outings.
"I need ground balls and I need to get ahead and execute pitches," Maholm said.
Darwin Barney and Steve Clevenger both had three hits and knocked in a run for the Cubs, who snapped a six-game losing streak.
Mike Leake (0-2) allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings for Cincinnati, which was vying for its third straight win. The Reds have dropped six of nine overall.
The teams traded runs in the first inning. After Brandon Phillips' one-out single plated Zack Cozart, Chicago tied it on a Bryan LaHair sacrifice fly.
The Cubs moved ahead with a four-run second, during which they set eight men to the plate. Clevenger led off with a single and scored when Joe Mather doubled into the left-center field gap.
After Maholm went down on strikes for the second out, David DeJesus, Barney and Starlin Castro strung together three consecutive hits.
DeJesus singled home Mather, who had advanced to third on failed pickoff attempt, and then crossed the plate when Barney doubled into the left-field corner. Castro contributed an RBI triple for a 5-1 Chicago lead.
The Reds loaded the bases in the fourth, but Maholm escaped the jam by retiring Leake on a fielder's choice.
"We had some chances to come back. We could have pecked away and got a little closer," said Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker.
Clevenger added a run-scoring single in the seventh.
Chicago was in the midst of its longest slide since an eight-game skid from May 30-June 7, 2011...Maholm improved to 6-1 in nine career starts against the Reds away from Great American Ball Park...Chicago outhit the Reds, 14-6...Castro extended his hit streak to nine games...The five runs were the most allowed by Leake in eight career starts against the Cubs...Before the game, the Cubs placed starting pitcher Ryan Dempster on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 18) with a strained right quad and recalled outfielder Tony Campana from Triple-A Iowa.


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North Central SARE Promotional Product
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Used Car Dealer Serving Brooklyn, Jersey City, Newark & Woodbridge, NY
Welcome to the pre-owned vehicle inventory of Manfredi Chrysler Jeep & Dodge. Conveniently located at 1239 Hylan Blvd in Staten Island, we're just a short drive from New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Newark and Woodbridge. As you can see, we carry a wide selection of high quality vehicles from many different manufacturers including used Chevrolet, used Chrysler, used Dodge, used FIAT, used Jeep, used Nissan and used Volkswagen. Call today to schedule a test drive!
We also have great Featured Vehicles and Pre-Owned Vehicle Specials right now. Don't forget to check them out!


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Google closed a lot of useful services to focus on Google+ and other core offerings. One of the best services that was recently shut down is Code Search, a search engine for open source code. If you go to google.com/codesearch, you'll see the following message:
"Sorry! Sadly, this service has been shut down. Much of Code Search's functionality is available at Google Code Hosting including search for Chromium. We're very sorry for the inconvenience."
Even though Google says that the service has been shut down, it hasn't. Just go to http://code.google.com/codesearch and you'll see the old homepage. All of the old features are still available and the results aren't restricted to Google Code Hosting projects.
January 19, 2012
Google Code Search, Still Available
This blog is not affiliated with Google.


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Discount Ramps would like to thank everyone who stopped by to say hello at the Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, KY, 2011. We enjoyed saying hello to some of our existing customers and seeing some new faces as well. Here are some photos of the show. Enjoy, and we'll see you all next year!
|Click here for more information about our Heavy Duty Products.
|Click here for more information about the Midwest Truck Show.
|Thanks for reading! – Jay Tamez – Discount Ramps LLC
Tags: Heavy Duty, Kentucky Truck Show, Mid-America Truck Show, Stepdeck Ramps


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Music theory master Eli Krantzberg has heard your requests for an in-depth series all about MIDI orchestration and has delivered big time. This series is designed for those of you who want to create realistic symphony orchestrations using todays awesome symphonic virtual instruments. If you want to compose for film, TV or just to get what's in your head outside for all to hear, this collection is for you.
Eli goes really deep in this offering, starting with MIDI, custom and traditional setups and articulations, solo instrument descriptions and usages, how to create production templates, how to group instruments correctly, working with MIDI layers and splits, all the way to macro and micro sequencing, motivic development, modern harmony, deconstruction and reconstruction and so much more.
If you've ever wanted to get into symphonic writing, this series will prove indispensable. Get ready to write your masterpiece, get MIDI orchestration Explained today.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started playing drums in high school at age fourteen. Like most kids my age around then, I was into progressive rock. Genesis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Yes. They rocked my world. A few short years later though, my musical life changed. While studying music in college I discovered Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt, and John Coltrane. Milt Jackson spoke to me in such a profound way that it left me no choice but to take up vibraphone.
These great players, along with �drummers like Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones changed not only the way I thought about drumming, but also music - and by extension, life - as a whole. I realized life was meant to be a creative endeavor. The idea of improvising based on a loose set of guidelines and rules permeated into my psyche even when I wasn't holding a pair of drumsticks or mallets. But if I am going to be perfectly truthful, I have to hold Henry Miller and Woody Allen equally responsible for shaping the way I view and experience the world around me.�
2. What training have you had?
I am currently an Apple certified Logic Pro. Young and cocky, and armed with only a partial University degree, I dropped out of school and �began playing steady commercial hotel engagements and jazz gigs when I could. This went on for many years until I decided it was time to complete my degree - which I ultimately did with a major in Political Science and a minor in music.�
It was at this point that I formed my current band Nightshift. We are going in to our twenty third year now - playing commercial one nighters like weddings, corporate events, etc. Don't turn your nose up at it though - it has allowed me a wonderful quality of life. It gave me the freedom to go back to school and complete a post graduate degree in Communications Studies - all the while supporting myself by playing weddings.
3. When did you get into recording?
It was in this graduate program - in the early nineties - that I found myself drawn to the fledgling emerging universe of hard disc recording and midi sequencing. Based on nothing more than the recommendation of one of my band mates who had an old Atari, I jumped in head first and bought a Mac LC ll, along with a version 1.1 of what was then Notator Logic. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, in hindsight, it was a decision of epic importance in my life - shaping my future as much as the music of Milt Jackson and Charlie Parker did fifteen years prior.�
I opened up my own commercial home studio in 1998 and began doing a variety of projects, working on radio jingles, artist CD projects, and whatever came my way. A couple of years later a colleague called me up - desperate. He was working at a post production house and one of the editors had just quit. They were doing audio post for a weekly TV series and needed a Pro Tools editor - and fast! And so, once again, I jumped in head first into what would ultimately open up my world even more - the world of Pro Tools.�
4. People you have worked with/for?
Focusing on Logic, I built up a small but loyal client base and my phone kept ringing for Logic tech support and instruction. Film composers and studio owners all over the city were calling me. Even the music stores were giving out my phone number at this point! This kind of stuff becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The more of it you do, the more calls you get to keep doing it. At least that's the way it should be!
As my Logic chops kept growing, I was hired by an old buddy of mine, Len Sasso, who was then an associate editor at Electronic Musician magazine, and began writing some columns for them. I had a blast doing them - and really learned to focus and express my thoughts in a concise and clear manner. This lead to a collaboration with LA based composer Terry Michael Huud on the 2006 film called Civic Duty - which was certainly one of the highlights of my professional life as a composer.�
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I wake up every day excited to boot up, and create. Whether it's instructional videos, creating music, working with a studio client, performing with my band, or teaching at the schools - my days are filled with what I love doing. Enriched by the stimulation and creative freedom this modern music making software brings to my life.�I bring that excitement and passion to each and every training product I create. My years of experience both using and teaching these programs has taught me the best way to make the user comfortable with these complex programs.


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Take a tour of top national parks
Published On: May 10 2011 06:25:40 PM EDT Updated On: Aug 25 2014 01:00:47 AM EDT
The National Park Service turned 98 years old on Monday. Learn more about some of America's top national parks here.
The views expressed are not those of clickorlando.com, WKMG or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum (Please note the 'Flag' button). By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms Of serviceblog comments powered by Disqus


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Terrible news to pass along. TMZ is reporting that Mike Starr, former Alice in Chains bassist and cast member on Celebrity Rehab 3 and Sober House 2, has passed away at the age of 44. His cause of death is currently unknown, but it's worth noting that Starr was arrested in Salt Lake City last month for possession of a controlled substance.
As we saw during the third season of Celebrity Rehab, Starr continued to harbor enormous feelings of guilt and regret over the death of his friend and Alice in Chains bandmate, Layne Staley, up until the time of his passing.
We'll continue to share more information with you as soon as it comes in.


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adidas Women's adizero Sport Golf Shoes
Product Information:
The adidas® Women's adizero Sport Golf Shoe provides comfort and stability in any conditions. Utilizing the revolutionary weight-saving technologies from the men's adizero, the women's family incorporates a sleek, sporty and feminine design. The adidas® Sport Golf Shoe was created to include only what's essential to perform, and deliver everything a golfer needs to finish strong when it's needed the most.
- Mesh and synthetic upper for enhanced breathability and comfort
- External SPRINTWEB TPU layer for unrivaled lateral movement stability
- Ultra-light, perforated tongue offers enhanced breathability and comfort
- SPRINTFRAME outsole provides superlight performance and support where needed
- Built on a athletic running last for a sneaker-like feel and comfortable fit
- CLOUDFOAM sockliner provides lasting comfort and lightweight cushioning with every step
- Spikeless configuration with triangular spike design throughout the swing gate for optimal traction, control and stability during the swing
- adidas
Country of Origin: ChinaWeb ID: 18799236
Customer Reviews:
Rated 5 out of 5 by 1 reviewer.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Mori Very comfortable great golf shoe I love these shoes. Light weight and so comfy. I will only buy Adidas golf shoes for now on. October 12, 2013
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