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What rides on the rider
John Schwenkler February 13, 2012 - 11:40am
In their statement on the revised version of the HHS regulations, the U.S. bishops write that under the new terms, the mandate "would allow non-profit, religious employers to declare that they do not offer such coverage [of sterilization and contraception]. But the employee and insurer may separately agree to add that coverage. The employee would not have to pay any additional amount to obtain this coverage, and the coverage would be provided as a part of the employer's policy, not as a separate rider."This redfaced point, which as far as I know has not been contested in any of the descriptions of the regulations that are out there, seems to me to matter quite a bit. For in order for there to be a meaningful sense in which the HHS mandate doesn't require employers to provide insurance coverage for sterilization and the purchase of contraceptives, there needs to be a meaningful sense in which the insurance policy provided by the employer is different from the one that covers these things. Otherwise, we end up with a situation where, while an employer-sponsored policy may not cover sterilization and contraception at the moment that it is issued by the employer, once the employee requests the insurer to add such coverage that same (employer-sponsored) policy now does cover these things, and such coverage is integrated seamlessly with the rest of what the policy covers. It may be true that the default employer-sponsored policy does not pay for anything that the employer finds morally objectionable, but if the modified policy is also an employer-sponsored one, and coverage for sterilization and contraception is a part of it, then the employer has sponsored a policy that covers sterilization and contraception. And surely it will not matter that the employer did not have to tell the employee that there was an employer-sponsored plan available that covered these things, or that the insurer happens to be making it available to the employer at a reduced rate.By contrast, if coverage for these things is on the books as an additional rider that the employee is offered the opportunity to add for free, then -- so long as it really is free for the employer -- the force of this worry diminishes significantly. For then it strikes me the most accurate way to describe the situation would be as one where it must be in the terms of the employer-sponsored policy that it includes an option to add some separate policy that would bring with it some additional coverage, albeit of a sort the employer would rather not provide. I do not expect that everyone who is worried about the mandate's effects on religious liberty would be persuaded by this, but I think I might (though I would still oppose the mandate on other grounds). In any case it would go some way to addressing the concern about the "seamlessness" of employer-sponsored coverage as described in the paragraph above.I will now be shouted at in the comboxes. Please be charitable, as I am not in anyone's pocket here, and I have been thinking a lot about these questions and working hard to set my thoughts straight.
Commenting Guidelines
Anitra: I see you're quite anxious for an answer from this Mr. Gallico character. I've finally heard back from him, and, in response to your query, he proposes the following deadline: February 30.
As I suspected.
Unless they have already done all the work on this and have it all stored on a computer ready to print out, I think this is more like a 6 months project to get to a final draft to issue for formal comments. During that time they need to nail down whether the insurance companies will go along with providing free contraception and the mechanics of how to do it - and then have listening sessions with the stakeholders, including USCCB, before issuing a draft for public comments. Public comments requires 2 months and evaluating comments and revising the draft probably another 3 monthsOn that schedule, the draft would go out for public comments in August and comments would end in October, just before the elections. The final rule could be adopted at the beginning of January. If there is a new President, he would probably put a hold on all recently adopted regulations pending review. So, To the extent it affects the way anyone votes, their decision will probably be based on the draft sent out for comments.qGiven the amount of criticism that has been based on lack of detail in he Federal Register, I think hey will want to be sure he comments draft is bulletproof before they release it.
"Jim Pauwels, I suppose because 85% of employees already have contraception included in their health benefit plans."But not, I assume, with no co-pay requirement, at least in the majority of cases.But that 85% of employees already have it covered supports my belief that the new regulation is a solution in search of a problem.
"Right now, it cant do that because the bishop wont allow them to solicit the hospital employees. The new regulations will require them to do it, so the bishop can no longer prevent it."Is this true - that insurance companies will have the right to *actively solicit* employees of Catholic institutions, using the enrollment lists provided by the employer, in order to push contraception, for financial reasons? I had not seen that active solicitation was part of the plan. That seems to me pretty morally objectionable (if you believe that contraception is morally objectionable). That would strengthen the bishops' case considerably.I had assumed that the employee would initiate the request.If contraception is the financial no-brainer for insurers that is being alleged here, then I would expect that insurers would have been flooding young female employees of all their clients, not just the Catholic clients, with contraception solicitations. Granted that I am neither young nor female (although I am married to someone who is younger and female and whose career has mostly been with large corporations with decent benefits plans), I've never heard of this happening.Suppose, for the sake of conversation, an employee receives the insurance company free-contraception email blast, buys a contraceptive product online, takes it, and becomes gravely ill. That sounds like the kind of thing insurance companies, which in my experience don't lack for legal counsel, would wish to avoid.
JIm Pauwels, I believe all contraceptives require a doctor's prescription. Presumably you take the prescription to a drug store or send it to a mail-order pharmacy and they bill the insurance company. The Federal Register says that the insurance company will "offer contraceptive coverage directly to the employers plan participants (and their beneficiaries) who desire it, with no cost-sharing."THis is a change from the Hawaii plan, which required the employer to notify employees where to go to get contraception. Some people (USCCB ?) objected to requiring the employer to do that. To respond to that, HHS said that the insurance company would offer contraceptives to the employees.
Doerflinger explicitly rejected the Hawaii arrangement because of the referral policy. I also believe CHA let the administration know such a setup was unacceptable.We've been over the actuarial studies several times, Jim. Along with the experience of large group policies that added contraception coverage, they show that insurers incur no additional long-term costs by offering free contraception coverage.
John H - there is a difference between "offer" and "solicit". The former could simply mean, "fulfill any requests that come in from employees". The latter encompasses active promotion. If I were the chief executive of a Catholic institution (and my views on contraception align with the church's), I would have a moral objection to supplying a list of employees to a 3rd party so it could actively solicit to give away contraception. That seems to take the Catholic institution into the realm of immediate cooperation with evil. Conceivably, it could be immediate cooperation under duress, which would mitigate the Catholic institution's culpability. Cf. the description of immediate cooperation at what is quickly becoming one of my favorite little landing pages.http://www.ascensionhealth.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article...)
If I were the chief executive of a Catholic institution (and my views on contraception align with the churchs), I would have a moral objection to supplying a list of employees to a 3rd party so it could actively solicit to give away contraception.-- Jim PauwelsYou don't have to do that. They already have the list of people you told them to insure under your contract. Those are the people they will notify.
"They already have the list of people you told them to insure under your contract."Certainly - because I gave it to them. That I gave it to them earlier, during the most recent open-enrollment period, doesn't seem to make any moral difference. That I gave it to them for some other reason, knowing that it would also be used for this reason, doesn't seem to make any moral difference.
My recollection has been (at least some) Amish individuals were exempt from Social Security taxes because of their religious objection to any kind of insurance - but that Amish employers were not exempt from paying Social Security taxes on their employees. I hunted this down this morning and found this Supreme Court decision:Congress has accommodated, to the extent compatible with a comprehensive national program, the practices of those who believe it a violation of their faith to participate in the social security system. In 1402(g) Congress granted an exemption, on religious grounds, to self-employed Amish and others.[11] Confining the 1402(g) exemption to the self-employed provided for a narrow category which was readily identifiable. Self-employed persons in a religious community having its own "welfare" system are distinguishable from the generality of wage earners employed by others.Congress and the courts have been sensitive to the needs flowing from the Free Exercise Clause, but every person cannot be shielded from all the burden incident to exercising every aspect of the right to practice religious beliefs. When followers of a particular sect enter into commercial activity as a matter of choice, the limits they accept on their own conduct as a matter of conscience and faith are not to be superimposed on the statutory schemes which are binding on others in that activity. Granting an exemption from social security taxes to an employer operates to impose the employer's religious faith on the employees. Congress drew a line in 1402(g), exempting the self-employed Amish but not all persons working for an Amish employer. The tax imposed on employers to support the social security system must be uniformly applicable to all, except as Congress provides explicitly otherwise.U.S. v. Lee, 102 S. Ct. 1051 (1982)http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/oasi/45/SSR82-44-oasi-45.html
Jim Pauwels, I suppose it depends on how great an evil you believe it is that the insurance company will use the list to notify your employees that, if they wish, it will pay their costs for contraception.You are giving them the list in order to obtain insurance for your employees so there is no formal cooperation. I would think that the good of providing insurance for your employees would outweigh any remote cooperation you might see in it. But that is a decision you would have to make.
Weve been over the actuarial studies several times, Jim. Along with the experience of large group policies that added contraception coverage, they show that insurers incur no additional long-term costs by offering free contraception coverage.You've "been over" them only the sense of quoting a few sentences about them, not in the sense of describing or having any idea what their data and methodology was. In any event, if those studies were well-done and accurate, you just proved that the mandate is completely superfluous, or even that it has no conceivable purpose other than to coerce religious objectors. After all, if what you say is true, everyone (employers, insurance companies) outside of religious objectors would be happy to provide contraceptive coverage without any mandate.
If contraception is the financial no-brainer for insurers that is being alleged here, then I would expect that insurers would have been flooding young female employees of all their clients, not just the Catholic clients, with contraception solicitations. Exactly. And employers would virtually all be doing likewise. No one who is defending the administration has any answer to that point.
Oh, Stuart. You're persistent. I'll give you that. For the moment, let us forget the documented fact that according to experience and actual actuaries, contraception coverage is at least revenue-neutral for insurers. What if the reason insurers didn't offer it for free was that, in concert with drug manufacturers, they knew they could make a little extra money on it? That seems the simplest explanation to your query.For the record, a huge percentage of health-care policies include contraception. Something like 80 or 90 percent. Has either of you ever negotiated a group policy? Perhaps insurers include contraception as a matter of course, and group purchasers must opt out. Maybe brokers are urged by insurers to push contraception coverage. I doubt you know.
Stuart: I have no obligation to verify the methods of the several actuarial firms who have confirmed what I guess you're denying again. They are actuaries. They set the bloody tables. They say it costs insurance companies nothing to offer contraception cover, and in the long run it may save them money. Of course it doesn't take an actuary to understand why such coverage could save employers money (lost productivity). I don't know why this is difficult to accept. The largest group plan in the United States added contraception coverage in the middle of the fiscal year -- after the terms of the policy has been set. The insurers who covered those employers were offered a period of redress during which they could lodge complaints that the added coverage presented a financial burden none did. There is nothing left to complain about except that insurance companies didn't behave how you think they should have given this information. As though the insurance market is just like the produce market. Give it up, Stuart. The data do not support your theory.
Grant, that's all fine, but the more you argue the point that providing contraceptive coverage is at worst cost-neutral, the more you're proving that a mandate is completely pointless except for the purpose of coercing religious objectors.For the record, a huge percentage of health-care policies include contraception. Something like 80 or 90 percent. Well, if that's true, the marketing of contraceptive coverage has already worked remarkably well, and employers have indeed signed up in overwhelming numbers. In fact, pretty much the only holdouts would have to be those employers that have serious moral concerns or religious objections. So you've just basically argued that a mandate can't accomplish anything other than forcing conscientious objectors to go along.I take it then that you would strenuously object to the whole idea of mandating something when the only people whose conduct would be forcibly changed by the mandate are your fellow believers.
What I just said there explains why the Obama administration wouldn't barely allow any exemption for religious objectors. After all, a broader exemption would mean that the mandate wouldn't accomplish anything -- no extra contraception coverage would result if you exempted the only people who weren't already providing it.
would barely . . .
Grant is also helping to illustrate why the mandate will likely not survive legal scrutiny. If 90% of restaurants in America already serve pork with the only exceptions being Jews and Muslims, then if you bring forth a federal mandate to serve pork and refuse to provide a religious exemption beyond the narrowest one possible, it looks all the more like specifically targeting those religions.
Of course it doesnt take an actuary to understand why such coverage could save employers money (lost productivity).Maybe it does save money, but it most certainly does take an actuary to see why. It's far too simplistic to compare the cost of contraception with the cost of pregnancy. You'd also have to know rates of substitution and elasticities of demand absent coverage, takeup rates given coverage, pre-existing rates of pregnancy and how those rates change in the presence of coverage, abortion rates, etc. That's just to start. Then you'd have to balance in how much it would cost if some employees shifted away from condom usage and hence acquired more STDs (which cost something), or how many employees would get breast cancer, stroke, etc., based on increased contraceptive usage (which in turn would be affected by other risk factors that make contraception more dangerous, such as smoking). You may be entirely right that contraception saves money, and that hence the mandate has no purpose beyond violating the conscience of objectors, but to suggest it's a simple question is wrong.
"Weve been over the actuarial studies several times, Jim"I'm not debating the findings of the actuarial studies. It makes intuitive sense (financially) that fewer pregnancies may mean fewer expenses for the insurance company.
According to the studies of real-life actuaries, I am right that contraception coverage is for insurers at least cost-neutral. I didn't say that one need not be an actuary to do actuarial work. I meant that it takes little more than common human reason to understand that workers who get pregnant eventually become less productive as a result of the pregnancy and then maternity leave. Just as one can understand why insurers would prefer to cover women who don't get pregnant over those who do because having babies ends up being more expensive than not having babies.
" I suppose it depends on how great an evil you believe it is that the insurance company will use the list to notify your employees that, if they wish, it will pay their costs for contraception... I would think that the good of providing insurance for your employees would outweigh any remote cooperation you might see in it. But that is a decision you would have to make."John H, I agree. Note that the substantial degree of judgment you're describing here: "depends on how great an evil you believe it is ... I would think the good outweighs ... a decision you would have to make." These are judgments that the Catholic employer (or any employer) is able to make under the status quo, in which the employer and the insurer enter into a private contract that includes the terms and conditions of contraceptive coverage. If the employer has a moral objection to contraception, she can negotiate to exclude it. If she has an objection to her employees being solicited for it, she can negotiate a non-solicitation policy.That arrangement seems appropriate to me, because it allocates the moral agency where it belongs. If the employee wants to use contraception, she's morally responsible for that decision. If the employer wants to cooperate in it, then under the status quo, she's freely chosen to cooperate, and bears whatever moral responsibility that entails. If the insurer, for some financial reason or some other reason, wants to actively solicit the employer's employees to utilize contraception, then the appropriate measure of moral responsibility accrues to the insurer.Under the President's proposal, the employee's responsibility remains, but the moral freedom of the employer is taken away. If the insurer is required to actively solicit, then its freedom is also taken away. I can see that the President's accommodation would put an employer who strongly opposes contraception in a moral bind.I believe that the bishops, in their Taco Bell franchisee scenario, have a point.
I can see that the Presidents accommodation would put an employer who strongly opposes contraception in a moral bindSticking to non-profits for now (hospitals, universities, charities):If the government announced that it would set up a program that would pay the cost of contraception for anyone who has a job but doesn't get free contraception from their employer's insurance, would that mean that I shouldn't hire anyone because giving them a job would qualify them to receive free contraception? Should I fire all my existing employees?I don't think so. Essentially, that is what the government is doing when it uses insurance companies to pay the cost of contraception for those employees. You, as the employer, have no control over that and, I would say, no moral responsibility for it.
Just as one can understand why insurers would prefer to cover women who dont get pregnant over those who do because having babies ends up being more expensive than not having babies.Right, but that's still a simplistic and naive way to view the issue. Covering contraception doesn't necessarily mean all that much reduction in the number of women who get pregnant in the first place. To understand this requires one to know that 1) many women of childbearing age want to get pregnant; 2) many women of childbearing age are going to use contraception whether it's covered or not (one study suggests that subsidizing contraception increases the usage rate by a mere 1% to 1.8%); 3) many women of childbearing age are just going to switch from using condoms to using the subsidized contraception, which means greater expense without much (if any) reduction in risk of pregnancy; 4) some women for whatever reason don't particularly want to get pregnant but aren't going to use contraception even if it's covered; and 5) even if there's a tiny increase in pregnancy from not covering contraception, some of those women will abort, which doesn't cost the insurance company anything. Anyway, let's grant that the actuaries are right in all of their estimations here. Now you've just proved that the mandate is completely unnecessary except for the purpose of violating objectors' conscience. After all, you still can't come up with any theory as to what else a mandate could possibly accomplish if contraceptive coverage saves money and nearly everyone is already doing it. The only thing left for a mandate to do is force your co-religionists to violate their conscience. Why wouldn't you be a bit more upset about that? Why be a pawn for the administration on this issue?
"If the government announced that it would set up a program that would pay the cost of contraception for anyone who has a job but doesnt get free contraception from their employers insurance, would that mean that I shouldnt hire anyone because giving them a job would qualify them to receive free contraception? Should I fire all my existing employees?"Nobody's talking about firing or not hiring anyone. There are two ways I can think of to keep the employers well out of it. One is to set up a new government entitlement - free contraception for all. Employment status doesn't matter. It wouldn't depend on employer cooperation: the employer doesn't provide any lists or help with enrollment in any way. Women would get their free contraceptives some other other way - through public health clinics, or through gynecological practices (although that would set up a new set of problems for Catholic practicioners), or Social Security offices, or some other way. Maybe they would just show up at the pharmacy with the prescription; the pharmacy rings it up at no charge; and the pharmacy bills HHS. Sounds simple enough.The other way is to maintain the status quo, in which the employer freely negotiates with the insurer, and no special classes are defined for religious institutions. Under the status quo, the employer is still saddled with trying to discern how proximate or remote the cooperation with evil is in providing contraceptive subsidies to his employees, but at least he's free to make that discernment as best as he can. There's a lot to be said for freedom. The putative disadvantage to maintaining the status quo is that there would not be a no-charge contraception benefit for all women. But I've made no secret of the fact that I'm absolutely fine with that state of affairs. (In fact, I'd be inclined to go in the other direction and invent a new "sin tax" - let the state tack on a 200% surcharge on every pill sold. I'd bet the states' fiscal houses would be in order in no time.)
You're Freudian slip is showing if you're equating contraception with sin.
Jeanne - there is nothing Freudian about it, and it's not a slip. Of *course* contraception is a sin.
Yes, let us grant that actuaries know more about this than we do. But you misunderstand my position. I don't have a settled opinion of the mandate. I don't think it's irrational, given the policy goal as supported by the advice of independent medical experts. I found its original iteration objectionable for reasons I've already repeated dozens of times. I believe this one to be imperfect, but an improvement in that it addresses two of the bishops' and other Catholic groups' major complaints: that religious groups would have to contract and "pay for" services contrary to Catholic teaching; and that any compromise could not involve the employers in a referral scheme. The revised proposal satisfies those objections. If the rumors are true and HHS is going to exempt self-funded health programs, it will be much improved. But I don't see Obama, given his policy commitments, letting any Catholic group that mostly employs and serves non-Catholics off the hook. Incidentally, this is not about conscience, not at the institutional level. Institutions don't have consciences. People do. And if a Catholic group is forced by law not to contract and pay for contraception services, and they do not have to refer for such services, then the cooperation is quite remote, and therefore licit, when weighed against the greater good of providing health coverage to workers.
I dont think its irrational, given the policy goal as supported by the advice of independent medical experts. The question isn't whether it's "irrational" from a secular perspective, but whether a Catholic should be in any way supporting a policy that pretty much everyone already follows -- except for religious objectors, who are the only ones left whose behavior could be affected by the mandate. religious groups would have to contract and pay for services contrary to Catholic teachingIf that was your ground of objection, how does it not equally apply to the suggested revision? Under either proposal, 1) employers buy a health insurance policy, and 2) insurance companies provide an employee with contraceptive coverage. No one has explained how it makes any moral difference whether the insurance company goes through the transparent charade of doing (2) as a "free supplement" or "rider" or whatever you want to call it. (2) still ineluctably goes with (1), neither one ever appearing without the other.
Whites and blacks in the United States already have a collective birthrate that is less than replacement. All the talk of contraception is at least partly motivated out of an unspoken (of course) desire that fertile Hispanics start having fewer babies. Maybe that's the reason for not exempting Catholic agencies/organizations -- lots of Hispanic Catholic employees.
I'll leave the genocidal theories to you.But as to the moral-theological one: I've explained this several times. That you disagree or refuse to accept the distinctions as developed by the Catholic moral tradition does not mean "no one has explained how it makes any moral difference." If the bishops are after a situation in which Catholic institutions that employ and serve the public are able to avoid all entanglements with evil, they will be disappointed in the end. So the question is: At what point is the cooperation with evil remote enough to be licit? There is a moral difference between agreeing to a contract that includes payment for a benefit that is contrary to the institutions religious beliefs and agreeing to a contract that excludes that benefit. Just as there is a moral difference between directly referring for contraception services and not having to refer at all. Every degree of separation between moral agent and evil outcome matters. One does not have to favor the mandate to see that when weighed against the proportionate good of providing health care to employees, the very remote material cooperation required by the mandate is not much different from the remote material cooperation hundreds of Catholic organizations have accepted voluntarily by paying insurance companies at all.
Oh, there's no genocidal intent whatsoever, and a careful or even not-so-careful reader would have noticed that I didn't say that. People on your side certainly think of themselves as purely altruistic and benevolent in helping Hispanics hold down the number of children. But that's who the policy has to be aimed at -- no one could possibly be worried that whites, for example, are the ones who need more contraception. As for the moral-theological distinction you're trying to draw, it still isn't convincing. You say, "There is a moral difference between agreeing to a contract that includes payment for a benefit that is contrary to the institutions religious beliefs and agreeing to a contract that excludes that benefit." But this supposed difference is utterly semantic. The second contract "excludes that benefit" ONLY by pretending to be unaware of what's going on. In both contracts, the employer agrees to a contract that involves payment, and the insurance company ultimately provides the same package of benefits. If one objects to providing any of those benefits, it is no consolation that the objectionable benefit is going to be provided under the complete fiction of a separate and "free" arrangement.
You have a habit of staking out a position and then defending it by saying no one can disagree with it -- not honestly, not intelligently. It's unfortunate and unnecessary, because you alienate interlocutors who might otherwise be disposed to engage you. And "people on your side"? Stop making assertions about the minds of people you don't know. It's presumptuous.Here is one reason whites might favor the mandate: most prescription contraception is not all that cheap. A white friend of mine was telling me that her insurance provider classifies her prescription contraception drug as Tier 3, and it costs her $50 a month. Now, that isn't impossible for a lot of people to cover. But for a lot of people it's not easy. So for her it's not just a question of "needing" more contraception, but of being able to access it for free.It is not a complete fiction according to Catholic moral theology because intent means something to Catholics -- as does the level of duress. The awareness of the arrangement finally supports the view that this is licit remote material cooperation with evil -- because no one involved is under the impression that the Catholic Church is contracting for benefits it deems immoral. The bishop of Madison decided that it was more important to provide health coverage including contraception than to take the morally pure route by self-funding the diocesan employee health plan, which would have been quite costly. He weighed the goods. That's how Catholics do moral theology.
There are lots of things that I'd like to get for free. A smart-phone, for example, which I don't have because of the expense. Why don't I get a federal mandate? The bishop of Madison decided that it was more important to provide health coverage including contraception than to take the morally pure route by self-funding the diocesan employee health plan, which would have been quite costly.The fact that he made this tradeoff isn't relevant when the question is whether to require such a tradeoff in the first instance, or whether your efforts would be better spent lobbying against the mandate instead of defending it as kind-of OK after all.
And look, if someone decides that they have to have the most expensive contraceptive pill that is still patented, rather than settling for the $9-a-month pills at Walmart or Target, that's just one of the choices that we have to make in life, just as we might have to choose between the $50 designer shampoo at the salon vs. the $3 bottle of generic shampoo at Walmart. Life is tough.
"There is a moral difference between agreeing to a contract that includes payment for a benefit that is contrary to the institutions religious beliefs and agreeing to a contract that excludes that benefit. Just as there is a moral difference between directly referring for contraception services and not having to refer at all. Every degree of separation between moral agent and evil outcome matters."FWIW, I agree with this.Stuart, you and I agree about many things, but my own opinion is that the argument that there is essentially no moral difference the original mandate and the proposed accommodation, is not a winning one. There is a real moral difference between the original plan and the revised plan as Grant has outlined here. To that extent, the accommodation is more beneficial to Catholic institutional employers.Also FWIW, I think the bishops and others are correct when they point out that the accommodation creates new problems of its own. But the term "shell game" has been thrown around a lot by detractors, even in some cases by bishops, and I really don't see that it is a shell game. I've tried to explain in some of my comments why that is so. There are still many things to dislike about the mandate and the accommodation. Even if you grant that the accommodation solves one narrow issue to some extent, it still poses fundamental religious liberty problems; religious liberty belongs, not just to institutions, but to individuals, including the proprietors of businesses and other organizations that employ others. Also, alleviating the concerns of Catholic hospitals and universities by shifting it to Catholic insurers and institutions that self-insure is the equivalent of treating one patient of smallpox by transferring the virus to another patient and then taking credit for the brilliant cure of the first patient. And beyond the religious-liberty issues: that the government can mandate what two other parties must privately agree to do is offensive to me. That the government can order a third party to give away a good or service for free is offensive to me. That the government is trying to solve exigent social problems by promoting immorality rather than virtuous behavior is profoundly offensive; that it is attempting to entangle third parties in its official program of immorality is even more offensive; and that it wants to include Christian organizations in its webs of immorality is most offensive. And referring to contraception as "women's health" rather than what everyone knows what it really is - contraception - is an exercise in Newspeak. I thought we took sledgehammers to the Berlin Wall so that we wouldn't have to be subject to that kind of thing.
An analogy: Republicans come up with a plan to mandate that all insurance policies must cover a particular drug (call it X) that is made solely from organs harvested from political prisoners in China, and that is used to remove wrinkles from one's forehead. Some people object, including on religious grounds (we shouldn't be subsidizing drugs made in that way).So Republicans offer a compromise position: Insurance plans don't have to literally include Drug X. Instead, anytime an employer buys an insurance plan, the plan must merely be accompanied by an offer of "free" Drug X to any insured person who asks. Who would be happy with that compromise solution? Who would think that it insulated oneself (as an employer) from being involved with an insurance plan that provided such drugs to one's employees?
Stuart: Problem solved: You can get a free smartphone from any U.S. mobile carrier. Enjoy.I wouldn't want to curtail your lobbying efforts, but I do think the bishops conference will have to start availing itself of the moral-theological resources provided by the Catholic tradition.The $9/month pills available at Target, etc., are not the same as the more expensive ones. They are older models. They work differently because they contain much higher doses of hormones, and therefore have stronger side effects, and greater potential to cause cancer. The difference between the cheap high-dose pills and the more expensive low-dose pills is nothing like the difference between generic and name-brand shampoo.
Stuart: you seem to believe that there is a universe in which moral agents may easily engage in morally pure acts. The Catholic tradition developed categories of cooperation precisely because that universe is a fantasy, and to help us figure out when and how it's permissible to cooperate with evil.
I rather doubt that Stuart thinks that. I think he thinks only that the federal government was not created to force us to cooperate with evil in ways we'd rather not.
The difference between the cheap high-dose pills and the more expensive low-dose pills is nothing like the difference between generic and name-brand shampoo.OK. But I have a novel idea: how about using condoms, which don't involve any dangerous hormones at all, and which are very cheap, and which have the added bonus of protecting against STDs? (Yes, there are a few women who take artificial contraception for real medical reasons, but no one objects to that, and Humanae Vitae expressly approved such medical treatments.)
It's not a few, Stuart. It's something like 40 percent of women who use prescription contraceptives. And the failure rate of condoms is about 15 percent.
Then what is the burden of the word "insulate," John? If one doesn't like being forced to cooperate with evil (by the government or by free-market capitalism), there's always the monastery.
Yes, there is that option. Too, there is the option of hoping (and working) for a government that is less prone to force such things on us. (And of course there are many such things, including lots that are much more serious than cooperation in the provision of contraceptives, that our government has a way of forcing.)
Its not a few, Stuart. Its something like 40 percent of women who use prescription contraceptives. And the failure rate of condoms is about 15 percent.40%? The overwhelming majority of those are for situations like, "I'll take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, and oh isn't it nice that the menstrual cycle is a bit more regular or less crampy." Its not a few, Stuart. Its something like 40 percent of women who use prescription contraceptives. And the failure rate of condoms is about 15 percent.The failure rate of anything not used properly (or at all) is going to be high. That's not the condoms' fault.
Evidence for the usage claim: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/Beyond-Birth-Control.pdf That report is pretty comical for how it presents information like the following:
Reliance on birth control pills for noncontraceptive reasons is highest among pill users who are teenagers. In fact, teens are more likely to report using the pill for noncontraceptive purposes than for birth control: Some 82% of 1519-year-olds who use OCPs say they do so for noncontraceptive reasons.
This is all written with a straight face, as if there's no possible reason that 15 year olds might not tell the full truth about why they were really using contraceptives. In other news, the research arm of a condom company might issue a report about the marvelous benefits of condoms, in which it might say 82% of teenage boys who carry a condom in their pockets are overwhelmingly doing so to 1) use as a water balloon for practical jokes, or 2) use as a glove when handling raw meat. Hmm, why would we ever think that something was being oversold there?
And yet, Stuart, that is their failure rate. The pill has a failure rate too. It's just a lot lower.Your knowledge of the female mind is impressive in its range. I hope you'll forgive me if I remain unpersuaded by it.
Well, you could look at what the survey actually says (86% report using contraception for -- surprise -- contraceptive purposes), while some of those claim that there's a supplemental benefit as well (mostly the reasons I stated).And as for the women (often teenagers) who claim that there's no contraceptive purpose at all, you could exercise some critical thinking, as journalists sometimes do, and ponder whether teenagers always tell the full truth about their sexual activity.
About the Author
John Schwenkler is an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy at Florida State University.


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Here is a submission by Kirk D in Sales!
To date November-2011, the bag has over 2800 miles on it (as does this bike) for the year. The first one (bag) went south after a little over one year of hard rides and 100+ degree days. Not bad considering only the zipper failed! It was replaced under warranty and to date no problems have arisen.
* One must make note that I ride in all the seasons including winter. One year of riding this way is about equivalent to 3 years of normal wear and tear on the average commuter bike.
At 22 cubic inches, this pouch easily managed a spare set of glasses on one side and extra batteries for lights and my MP3 on the other. Mounting was simple thanks to the Velcro straps and held without indecent. During rain storms and other inclimate weather the interior remained dry, MP3 and battery back up ran clean.
Thanks for the great review Kirk!
|Click here for information about the Otravo 4003x Bicycle Bag.
|Click here for information about Bicycle Racks & Bags.
|Thanks for reading! Jay Tamez – Discount Ramps LLC
Tags: bicycle bag, Bicycle Storage, Otravo

subset: commoncrawl


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About LIM College
LIM College Book Club Meeting
Join us to discuss Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
The next LIM College Book Club meeting will be held on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Maxwell Hall (1st floor). Join us as we discuss Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.
Synopsis of Sarah's Key
Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a 10 year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.
Paris, May 2002: On Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.
For more information on the LIM College Book Club please email firstname.lastname@example.com
"A haunting, riveting novel... This book grabs your heart in the opening chapter, and its scenes and characters stay with you long after you finish."


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App Giveaway: Run Roo Run HD for iPad
Run Roo Run HD is a platformer game where you, a kangaroo, must avoid obstacles by jumping, swinging, riding clouds, and launching from cannons. Each level is a single screen, not scrolling.
This is a great little game, but the main levels are not very challenging. It took me less than an hour to complete the main levels in all 20 chapters. The extreme levels, however, are very difficult - some even too difficult, in my opinion. Even though I didn't feel particularly challenged, I enjoyed playing the game - I was able to casually play while watching an episode of Battlestar Galactica!
Your joey has been captured and you need to get him back!
Hop, skip, and jump your way across tons of unique and interesting obstacles in the Australian outback! Run Roo Run is a micro-platformer featuring single screen levels filled with unique, fun obstacles and easy to learn one-touch gameplay. Play for a few minutes, or a few hours; your journey to Sydney always picks up where you left off!
- Over 420 Levels!
- Get 10 new free levels every week!
- Over 100 extreme levels!
- Leaderboards
- Achievements
- Full Retina Graphics Support!
- GameCenter Support
- Easy to learn one-touch gameplay
- Fun power-ups including - human cannons, tire swings, ridable clouds, gravity defying umbrellas, invisibility, and much more!
There's no such thing as too many casual games, so iMore is giving away 5 copies of Run Roo Run HD to you, our awesome readers! For a chance to win, just leave a comment below!
Run Roo Run HD is available on the iPad for $1.99.
Have an app you'd love to see featured on iMore? Email us at email@example.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we'll take a look.
[gallery link="file"]
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
App Giveaway: Run Roo Run HD for iPad
i wanna play this game! it looks awesome! :D
I haven't tried the game yet, but I love the 5th Cell, has to be a great game. :P
I'd love To have Run Roo Run. Aloha, Jonathon
I want this game cause I like em joeys! Also because I like beer and kangaroo boxing!!!
This looks quite a cool little game
I'd love to win a copy for my iPad! Thanks for the chance to win one!
I really like this company, this game would be nice. :-)
Marsupial on the run? I can dig it.
Woohooo In it to win it! :)
all for the win... thanks for the opportunity
Pick me! I would really love to win it!
Jump, jump K-Boy.
run roo run.... to me!


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Is this latest "disagreement" a big deal? Some think it has huge political implications. Will there be a big fight? Will one side back down?
Catholics are fired up over new rules implementing Obama's health care reform law forcing Catholic universities, hospitals, and charities to provide insurance for their employees covering contraception -- even though that violates church teachings.
In an extraordinary move this past weekend, New York Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan and other archbishops throughout the nation had their priests read letters denouncing the Obama administration policy from the pulpit at Sunday Mass.
"Never before has the government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience," Dolan said in a web video that takes the battle online. "This shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights. How about letting our elected leaders know that we want religious liberty and rights of consciences restored and the administration's mandate rescinded? We can't afford to strike out on this one."


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Opening STATEment: Epiosode 5
Aug. 11, 2012
Raleigh, N.C. - On July 31, State football returned to the field for the first time since the spring game, as camp opened with a flock of media in attendance. GoPack.com will follow two players: T.Y. McGill and Anthony Talbert, through their camp experience with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their daily activities.
Each installment of this series will cover the development of both players as they fight for a spot on the depth chart leading up to the Pack's season opener against Tennessee.
In today's episode, both Anthony Talbert and T.Y. McGill talk about the Pack's picture day and the annual Meet the Pack Day.


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No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut.
Channing Pollock
No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut.
Channing Pollock
Back to top.
If you're like most people, conquering your appetite is one of the biggest challenges you face in your fitness and weight loss journey. As soon as the word "diet" crosses your lips, you may find yourself craving all the junk you know you're not supposed to eat. The secret is eating the right foods to help calm the cravings for the wrong ones. Adding these 9 easy-to-find, tasty foods to your meal plan can help you rein in your appetite before it gets out of control!
Related Articles
"The 5 Best Fats for Getting Lean"
"6 Ways to Fire Up Your Metabolism"
"10 Vegetarian Sources of Protein"
Questions about your workout program, diet, the latest newsletter, or anything wellness related? Chat with Steve Edwards, the overseer of Beachbody's fitness and diet development (who also serves as your Fitness Advisor on the Message Boards), in the Beachbody Chat Room on Monday, April 4th, at 3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT.
If you'd like to ask a question or comment on this newsletter article, click here to add a comment in the newsletter review section or you can email us at email@example.com.
Check out our Fitness Advisor's responses to your comments in Steve Edwards' Mailbag on the Message Boards. If you'd like to receive Steve Edwards' Mailbag by email, click here to subscribe to Steve's Health and Fitness Newsletter. And if you'd like to know more about Steve's views on fitness, nutrition, and outdoor sports, read his blog, The Straight Dope, recently named one of the Top 50 blogs covering the sports industry by the Masters in Sports Administration.
In a perfect world, countries would stop fighting, cars would emit rose-scented oxygen, and broccoli would taste like chocolate cake. Sadly, that's not the case. But there's always hope. Beachbody® may not be able to stop wars or global warming (yet), but we can certainly give you a few tips on getting your veggies to taste better. It's easier than you think.
There are a number of books on the subject of sneaking healthy foods into kids' meals, including a few The Sneaky Chef titles and Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food. Basically, the same principles you'll find in these books apply to grown-ups. The only difference is your mind-set. Given that you're the one who'll be doing the cooking, you won't really be sneaking healthy foods into meals—you'll just be altering healthy foods to suit your tastes.
There are other easy ways to make sure you get your veggies, including taking green nutritional supplements and drinking everyone's favorite prebiotic, micronutrient-packed nutritional shake, Shakeology®, but remember that most healthy diets are supposed to be made up primarily of fruits and veggies. If you can drink your Shakeology and sneak a couple of servings of cauliflower into your Texas chili, you'll be in great shape.
The gist of the Sneaky Chef and Jessica Seinfeld cookbooks is simply to steam veggies for 10 to 15 minutes, throw them in a blender or food processor with a couple of tablespoons of water, and puree them into a fine goop. Then you introduce the goop into foods that overwhelm its veggie-goop flavor. It's that easy.
Although the books offer a near-infinite variety of goops, I'm going to boil it down (so to speak) to two goops.
Directions: Mix ingredients into a paste with a food processor or blender. Done!
If you've eaten enriched flour pasta and white rice your whole life, it's understandable that brown rice and whole wheat pasta would taste weird. After all, brown rice and whole wheat pastas have flavor!
The solution is simple. Make a 50/50 mix. It's half as healthy, but it also tastes half as different. Once you're used to that, cut the white out and go 100 percent brown. You'll never look back.
Bonus Split Tip! Next time you make mashed potatoes, go half potato/half yam or sweet potato. You'll be adding flavor, which means less need for salt and butter. Also, you'll be adding the fiber you're probably not getting enough of, especially if you don't like veggies.
While all the stuff I've mentioned works great for fussy eaters young and old, keep in mind that at your age, techniques for sneaking healthy food into anyone's daily diet shouldn't always have to be so covert. Here are a few ideas that are slightly less sneaky but effective nonetheless. Do any or all of these and you'll be adding a very subtle taste to a strong, rich food.
No, we don't live in a perfect world. Pollution is a bummer, and there will probably always be countries that just can't seem to coexist on the same planet. But there's no reason why—with a little effort and a few tricks—nutritious and delicious can't live together happily on the same plate.
Related Articles
"Tropic Thunder II: 6 More Super-Healthy Exotic Fruits"
"10 Tips for Controlling Your Inner Cookie Monster"
"10 Foods to Boost Your Health"
March is National Nutrition Month, and Slim in 6® creator Debbie Siebers has some healthy eating tips that'll help you in your efforts to get and stay fit. Here, she offers advice on how to plan mini-meals and snacks in advance so you can resist the temptation to fall back on unhealthy fast food.
This salad isn't your traditional leafy variety—rather, it's a medley of flavorful ingredients that'll make your taste buds feel like they're cruising old Route 66 from Amarillo to the West Coast. To really let the flavors blend, you'll want to cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before you serve it.
Combine all ingredients in a large serving bowl. Cover and chill before serving. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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Obesity in Toledo: Businesses combat obesity through programs, incentivesWritten by Evan Brune | | firstname.lastname@example.com
Toledo has one of the highest obesity rates in America, a nation in which one in three adults is obese. To combat these growing trends, Toledo-area businesses are developing fitness and health programs for employees and city residents.
The riverfront walking path developed by Owens Corning is one of the offerings that can be found in the city.
"[The path] is very nice. I'm glad we have something Downtown," said Jonas Westrin, an avid runner. "With a combination of this and a group exercise, I don't have to take blood pressure medicine anymore. My doctor said, 'Just keep doing what you're doing.'"
The local produce offered by the Toledo Farmers' Market is part of another program designed to keep Toledo residents healthy.
The Market's "Double Up Food Bucks" program allows shoppers with Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Ohio Direction Cards to double their purchasing power. If shoppers on benefit programs spend $20 at the market, they get an additional $20 to spend on local produce. The program was initially created by the Fair Food Network, based in Ann Arbor.
"The idea was to get people on assistance to eat more nutritious foods," said Dan Madigan, executive director of the Farmers' Market Association of Toledo. "The only place they have to buy food is the corner convenience stores, so they end up buying junk food. We're trying to show the USDA that there's better ways to implement food stamps."
The only limitation shoppers have is they must spend the $20 benefit on locally grown produce.
"That's one thing we have to educate shoppers on," Madigan said. "Use the double-up bucks first for your produce and then use your card to buy everything else."
Madigan said the market also offers other resources.
"We offer a once-a-month canning demonstration," he said. "We demonstrate how to cook them as well as how to save them."
Madigan said the response from shoppers is overwhelming.
"It's just really nice, all the people who stop and say thanks," he said. "I just had a woman last week talk about how she canned all last year and was able to have fresh produce through the winter. It's the highlight of their summer, being able to come out here and buy fresh food."
The Fair Food Network has plans to expand the "Double Up Food Bucks" program in Ann Arbor, but Madigan said he doesn't see much expansion for the Toledo-area program unless more funds become available.
"It's a very small number of people compared to those who are on food stamps, but we're small," Madigan said. "We're always looking for funding next year."
Fighting with Imagination
Toledo residents can also learn about personal wellness at Imagination Station, where the "Eat It Up!" exhibit focuses on teaching kids the benefits of eating healthy and staying active.
"It's not uncommon for a science center to have a health exhibition," said Lori Hauser, CEO of Imagination Station. "Obviously, childhood obesity is a serious problem that affects lots of children. Eat It Up! puts the focus on nutrition and exercise."
The program came about through a partnership between the center and ProMedica, which focused on creating a permanent exhibition to promote a joint healthy kids initiative.
"In Ohio, we are 12th in childhood obesity rates, and it can lead to serious issues as an adult," Hauser said. "If they leave here with just a little bit of information, then that has an impact. I think there are some really cool experiences that they might have and go home and say, 'Hey, Mom and Dad, this is what I did today. I want to try this.' Our goal is to try to have a family dialogue going on."
The exhibit features eight different activity stations, ranging from the Heart Rate Rally, where kids race a series of flashing lights, to the Lifestyle Camera, which shows how lifestyle choices affect future appearance.
"Lifestyle Camera is one of the most popular ones," said Sloan Mann, assistant director of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education at Imagination Station. "You enter your eating habits, exercise habits, and it shows you what you look like years from now. We also have the food smasher, and it's pretty graphic, but it's also educating people on what is inside their food."
Mann said there are a lot of variables to consider when developing a plan to combat childhood obesity.
"The science center sees ourselves as a piece of the puzzle," she said.
Owens Corning seeks health
Owens Corning, a Toledo-area industrial giant, offers health benefits to its employees in an effort to promote overall well-being.
"Having healthy employees is important to us," said Mark Snyder, benefits director at Owens Corning.
Employees have access to an onsite fitness center, health seminars and spinning classes. Food in the cafeteria is labeled with nutritional values and on-site health screenings are available.
"We're trying to create a culture where it's easy to be healthy," Snyder said.
Employees have opportunities to reduce what they pay in health care premiums by participating in the various programs.
"Each employee has a health target that they try to reach to lower their health care premiums, but if they don't reach that in their annual screenings, they have other ways to earn incentive dollars," Snyder said.
Jeremy Hervey, pricing analyst at Owens Corning, started his job weighing 348 pounds. Thanks to the Owens Corning fitness programs, he now weighs 286 pounds and has run the 5K in the Glass City Marathon.
"I am a huge believer in what the OC Fitness Center had offered me," Hervey said in an email. "When I got hired into Owens Corning on Oct. 10, 2011, Mindy Calgie, fitness director at Owens Corning, gave me a one month free pass. I was miserable and she gave me hope that I could do something about it. She had me do a mile run as fast as I could do it. I couldn't run the entire time because it hurt my legs, knees and every other part of my body."
Hervey said he made a commitment to himself in August of 2012 to do 50 miles on a treadmill in 31 days.
"I finished the 50 miles with four days to spare and I attribute that success to posting a tracking sheet around my team at work and they kept me encouraged and accountable," he said. "Mindy set up a walking session at lunch two days a week, to walk the bridges and other paths around Owens Corning. That kept me motivated."
One year after he made his pledge, Hervey is signed up to run his first half-marathon in Dublin, Ohio, on Aug. 25.
"I am not done yet," he said. "My ultimate goal is to weigh 245-250 pounds and have a total loss of 100 pounds. In all the success I have had with feeling better, breathing better, sleeping better, the most impactful part has been helping others start their own journey. It's through helping others that I realize that I can't stop doing what I'm doing. Every time I hear a compliment on how I look and the energy level I possess, it fuels the fire to keep going. This world is hurting for hope in many ways, including a healthier lifestyle."
Snyder said Owens Corning continues to look for ways to improve on benefit programs offered to employees not only in the Toledo area, but around the world.
"It's the right thing to do," he said. "We want our employees to be healthy. A healthy employee feels good. If you feel better, you're going to be a better worker, a better dad, a better husband."
Tags: Dan Madigan, Farmers' Market Association of Toledo, Heart Rate Rally, Imagination Station, Jeremy Hervey, Jonas Westrin, Lori Hauser, Mark Snyder, Ohio Direction Cards, Owens Corning, Sloan Mann, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Toledo Farmers' Market


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Friday, March 28, 2014
Cpt. Tripp Mobley, Summerville Fire Departments new public education/assistant training officer, has a bunch of ideas and a lot of enthusiasm.
He began his new position March 17 and he is already planning to promote public education throughout Summerville.
SFD already has a smoke detector program, but Mobley wants to make sure everyone knows about it.
Summerville Fire will provide free checks of existing smoke detectors and free smoke detectors if there are none is homes, he said. We will change batteries for a resident or do whatever needs doing. The only stipulation is that they live in the town of Summerville.
Mobley plans on visiting every school in the SFD coverage area to talk with children about fire safety. SFD has a fire house that helps children learn how to feel a door for heat before opening it, how to crawl to safety and how to go out a window. The house is set up with a childs bedroom and a kitchen area. Using the acronym EDITH Exit Drills In The Home he can teach children to design a plan, pick a place to meet and exit safely.
A brand new educational self-help project Mobley is excited about is the Vial-of-Life. Although this has been around for a while, Mobley doesnt think many know about it.
The Vial-of-Life is literally a small plastic pill-type bottle, which is always stored in the refrigerator, and contains a persons medical history, list of meds and allergies. EMS know to look for it when responding to a call. This can save valuable time in treatment if medical personnel immediately have this information. Often EMS personnel try to gather up meds they can see and take them with the patient to the hospital. This method is not foolproof.
The Vial, which is free, if kept up to date, will ensure a patients medical team knows what it needs to know.
Mobley also plans to begin visiting businesses in town, to provide fire extinguisher training.
He will assist with the established Child Car Seat program that Cpt. Terry Keefer runs for the SFD.
Mobley hopes to work with DREAM and get a booth at Third Thursday events to get the word out.
Each month we would have different fire safety tips, he says. For example, in December, Christmas tree safety, October, Halloween safety, June, fireworks safety, etc.
A Third Thursday booth would also be a point for handing out Vial-of-Life bottles, making appointments to check and/or install smoke detectors or car seats, he continues.
Mobley is also taking over the public safety event planning responsibility. He will be in charge of such events as the annual fire safety parade that culminates at Lowes with a big festival.
Further, anyone wanting a fire truck at their event or a station tour should now contact Mobley.
I am really excited to be doing this, he grins. We have a lot going on.
Mobley will no longer be working the 24/48 shifts, which, he says, he doesnt mind because it gives him more time with his wife and kids. But I will miss being on the truck with the guys, he says. Mobley was on the B shift at Station 1, Engine 1.
To reach Cpt. Mobley, call 873-5107, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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High quality, budget accommodation ideal for both families and business travellers. Spacious, en suite bedrooms feature tea and coffee making facilities, and Freeview TV in most hotels. Internet acces...More about Premier Inn Weston-Super-Mare (Seafront)
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Each year, the National FFA Organization is proud to honor FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. That honor, the American FFA Degree, is bestowed upon a select group of individuals for years of academic and professional excellence.
After all the votes were in for Pushmataha County, it was clear that this is a Red County, but nevertheless, President Barack Obama was reelected for a second term as our Nation's Commander and Chief.
In the race for U.S. State Representative for District 2 race, it was a little tighter but Markwayne Mullin carried 53.98% of the votes; Rob Wallace collected 41.73% and Michael Fulks received a grand total of 4.29%. On the State level, with 402 of the 530 precincts in, Mullin was carrying the votes by 56.8%.
If youŌĆÖve ever wanted to understand what it means to be an infantry platoon leader in Afghanistan, understand what it is that our men and women endure or are captivated by the inner workings and strategies of war, then Sean ParnellŌĆÖs ŌĆ£Outlaw PlatoonŌĆØ should be on your ŌĆśmust readŌĆÖ list.
Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc. hosted a luncheon on Friday, November 2nd, to honor many Pushmataha County residents who participate in the agencyŌĆÖs Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Little DixieŌĆÖs Executive Director, Brenda Needham, said: ŌĆ£This annual event is the least we can do to recognize these men and women volunteers who give so freely of their time to provide valuable services to their communities. Without them, it would be difficult if not impossible for many organizations to remain in operation.
Following a win two weeks ago against Stigler that sent them to the playoffs, the 3rd Grade Antlers Bearcats squared off against the Wewoka Tigers last Saturday evening in Wewoka. The Bearcats received an outpouring of support from cheerleaders, parents, and fans who had traveled the 100 miles to see them play.
The Bearcats had previously played the Tigers early in the regular season, suffering a loss. But time has a way of changing things. After working hard and honing their skills all season long, the Bearcats returned, ready for a rematchŌĆ".ready to win.
Pushmataha County author, Nancy Pyle, has just brought out her third childrenŌĆÖs book, ŌĆ£The Little Old Woman and her PigŌĆØ, a folk tale that she has illustrated with bright pictures of a pioneer woman coping with a difficult situation.
ŌĆ£I really enjoyed it,ŌĆØ said Mrs. Pyle, ŌĆ£Pigs are such fun to draw!ŌĆØ
Her first two books, ŌĆ£Down on the RanchŌĆØ and ŌĆ£Alphabet CountryŌĆØ are also full of bright illustrations depicting country life.
Mrs. Pyle will be holding a book signing at the Antlers Public Library on Saturday, November 3, 2012, between 9:00 a.m. and 12-noon.
Reports of cool weather and the onset of hunting season draw many outdoor enthusiasts to the field, but Nov. 1 also marks an important day on the water - the opening day of Oklahoma's winter trout season.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation operates two year-round trout fisheries - at the Lower Mountain Fork River (LMFR) and the Lower Illinois River - but seasonal opportunities exist in several other areas, including Lake Pawhuska, Robbers Cave, Blue River, Lake Watonga and Lake Carl Etling.
Early this month, the Adjutant General for Oklahoma, Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, brought all of his senior commanders and many other senior leaders together at the Oklahoma National Guard's Regional Training Institute to meet with behavioral health specialists. The topic of the meeting was combating Soldier suicide and Deering made sure that all in attendance knew that preventing suicide is one of his top priorities.
Rosamond Henderson Park was born August 12, 1933 in Jumbo,to Harvey L. and Rosie N. (Maxey) Napier. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 16, 2012 in Dallas, TX., at the age of 79. Rose spent many years as the owner/operator of a wholesale jewelry company. She was a Realtor for Remax in Garland, TX., for several years prior to retiring. She had a flair for dress and loved bright colors and jewelry. While residing at Atria Assisted Living in Richardson, her friends often commented on her sharp dress and style. Rose had a keen sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Jesse Carl Joslin was born October 29, 1957 in Antlers. He passed from this life on October 18, 2012 in Wichita, KS. ŌĆ£CarlŌĆØ is survived by Beloved Companion of 17 years Myra Belle Sorrell of the Home; son, Rev. John Jerome Werner of Boardman, OH, Sisters: Sally (Mike) Andrews, Pixie Wilson, Sarah (Randy)Westbrook and Brother Dennis Wilson and numerous nieces and nephews as well and other extended family members. He was proceeded in death by Mother, Anna Pearl Wilson, Step-Father, Clifton Wilson.


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Gallery: Marshall vs. Eastern Kentucky, Nov. 10, 1990. Final game at Fairfield Stadium
Marshall University (dark jerseys) plays against Eastern Kentucky University, (light jerseys) on Nov. 10, 1990, at Fairfield Stadium. Marshall lost, 12-15, in its final game at Fairfield Stadium. The 1991 season would open at the new Joan C. Edwards Stadium at 3rd Avenue and 20th Street.
More Marshall Football Photos
The 1990 team had a 6-5 record under coach Jim Donnan.
We are cracking open the archives from past Marshall University football seasons.
What game would you like to see again? E-mail online editor Andrea Copley-Smith at email@example.com.
1990 Marshall University football roster
(Information from the 1990 Marshall media guide. Numbers might not match the photos.)
2, Charles McGregor, RB, Sophomore, Miami, Fla.
3, Tim Mitchell, LB, Senior, Decatur, Ga.
4, Derek Grier, CB, Junior, Atlanta, Ga.
5, Will Brown, WR, Freshman, Harrisburg, Pa.
6, Ricardo Clark, WR, Junior, Tignall, Ga.
7, Andre Motley, WR, Senior, Canton, Ohio.
8, Mark Lutz, QB, Sophomore, Ironton.
9, Rocky Croy, DB, Sophomore, Wheelersburg, Ohio.
10, Dewey Klein, PK, Junior, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
11, Scott Woods, QB, Sophomore, Bellaire, Ohio.
12, Layne Vranka, LB, Layne Vranka, Senior, Monroeville, Pa.
13, Ahmed Witten, DB, Sophomore, Charleston, W.Va.
14, Michael Payton, QB, Sophomore, Harrisburg, Pa.
15, John Saccoccia, QB, Sophomore, Stuebenville, Ohio.
16, Gregg Supsura, QB, Senior, McMurray, Pa.
17, Cliff Scott, QB, Freshman, Buffalo, N.Y.
18, David Johnson, TB, Senior, Lewisburg, W.Va.
19, Mike Bartrum, TE, Sophomore, Pomeroy, Ohio.
20, William King, DB, Freshman, Charleston, W.Va.
21, Joe Chirico, DB, Freshman, Logan, W.Va.
22, Michael Bryant, FB, Junior, Atlanta, Ga.
23, Reggie Pittman, RB, Sophomore, Cottondale, Fla.
24, Orlando Hatchett, RB, Sophomore, Canton, Ohio.
25, Brian Dowler, WR, Junior, Plant City, Fla.
26, Todd Benway, DB, Freshman, Watonga, Okla.
27, Shannon Morrison, DB, Freshman, Oak Hill, W.Va.
28, Scott Crouch, CB, Senior, Winfield, W.Va.
29, Stacy Hamilton, CB, Junior, Rialto, Calif.
30, Kevin McHenry, DE, Sophomore, Miami, Fla.
31, Shawn Goodwyn, DB, Freshman, Sussex, Va.
33, Eric Morgan, FB, Sophomore, Hanover, W.Va.
34, Brae Bryant, SS, Junior, Weirton, W.Va.
35, Andy Bowen, WR, Sophomore, Huntington.
36, Paul Runnels, RB, Freshman, Jacksonville, Texas.
37, Eric Wiley, SS, Sophomore, St. Albans, W.Va.
38, Eric Gates, LB, Senior, Parkersburg, W.Va.
39, Craig Brown, DB, Sophomore, Winfield, W.Va.
40, Matt Caton, LB, Junior, Pittsburgh, Pa.
41, Vince Parker, LB, Freshman, Chicago, Ill.
42, Jim Bernardoni, DE, Junior, Grand Island, N.Y.
43, Matt Downey, LB, Senior, St. Albans, W.Va.
44, Kerry Parks, TB, Senior, Okeechobee, Fla.
45, Mark Mason, DE, Junior, Charleston, W.Va.
46, Anthony Elby, FB, Senior, Hershey, Pa.
47, Tom Moore, DB, Sophomore, Beckley, W.Va.
48, Casey Hill, LB, Sophomore, Pt. Pleasant, W.Va.
49, Damon Garner, DB, Freshman, Chicago, Ill.
50, Jim Dunn, LB, Sophomore, Sissonville, W.Va.
51, Stephen Rocco, LB, Sophomore, Monroeville, Pa.
52, Donahue Stephenson, LB, Sophomore, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
53, J.D. Cyrus, OL, Freshman, Ironton.
54, Don Mahoney, OG, Senior, Greensburg, Pa.
55, Brian Stolarik, C, Sophomore, New Martinsville, W.Va.
56, Phillip Ratliff, OG, Sophomore, Louisa, Ky.
57, John Visnic, DT, Sophomore, Monroeville, Pa.
58, Jim Durning, DT, Sophomore, New Orleans, La.
59, Mike Harmon, OL, Freshman, Lexington, Ky.
60, Frank Featner, OG, Sophomore, Mingo, Ohio.
61, Michael Gill, NG, Junior, Pataskala, Ohio.
63, Greg Groothuis, OL, Freshman, Venice, Fla.
64, John Masterson, C, Senior, Mahopac, N.Y.
65, Jim Lanzo, OL-DL, Freshman, Struthers, Ohio.
66, Chris Noble, DE, Sophomore, Mason, W.Va.
67, Willie Alexander, DL, Freshman, Muskogee, Okla.
68, Kevin Harrison, OT, Senior, Bahama Islands.
69, Madison Sayre, OT, Junior, Charleston, W.Va.
70, Stephen Geoly, C, Junior, Greenwood, S.C.
71, Terry McConkey, OT, Junior, Wheeling, W.Va.
72, Rob Cunningham, NG, Junior, Winfield, W.Va.
73, Jim Grugan, OL, Freshman, Orlando, Fla.
74, Keenan Rhodes, DL, Freshman, Los Angeles, Calif.
75, Chris Deaton, Sophomore, Paintsville, Ky.
76, Pete Woods, OG, Junior, Bellaire, Ohio.
77, Ricky Carter, OT, Freshman, Sussex, Va.
78, Kevin McCarty, OT, Sophomore, Van, W.Va.
79, Kevin Starr, DE, Sophomore, Matewan, W.Va.
80, Robert Thompson, DB, Freshman, Pittsburgh, Pa.
81, Eric Ihnat, TE, Senior, Columbus, Ohio.
82, Chris Hamilton, LB, Freshman, Charleston, W.Va.
84, Curt Nethercutt, TE, Sophomore, Huntington.
87, Mike Miller, LB, Sophomore, Bluefield, W.Va.
88, Rodney Garrett, TE, Freshman, Sussex, Va.
89, Lee Carlisle, WR, Freshman, Cincinnati, Ohio.
90, John Humphreys, DT, Sophomore, Sissonville, W.Va.
91, Trevor Thomas, NG, Sophomore, Fairmont, W.Va.
92, Grant Place, LB, Sophomore, Beverly, Ohio.
93, Alfie Winfield, DL, Freshman, Chicago, Ill.
94, Bob Ando, LB, Freshman, Pittsburgh, Pa.
95, Mike Simons, P, Sophomore, Mellany, W.Va.
96, Tim Meech, DT, Senior, Rialto, Calif.
97, Bryan Litton, DT, Sophomore, Parkersburg, W.Va.
98, Jason Cassell, LB, Junior, Kingston, Mass.
99, Bob Lane, DE, Junior, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Steve Bailey, RB, Freshman, Pikeville, Ky.
- LeRon Chapman, RB, Freshman, Huntington.
- Joe Fumi, LB, Junior, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Carlos Higginbotham, RB, Freshman, Houston, Texas.
- Glenn Pedro, RB, Freshman, Staten Island, N.Y.
- Tony Williams, RB, Freshman, St. Albans, W.Va.


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Three weeks ago, Paul received an email urging him to volunteer to help the Inaugural Committee in Washington, DC, during the President's Big Weekend.
He signed us up.
The email gave no promises that we would be chosen from thousands of prospective volunteers, so we were overjoyed when Paul got a call from a Committee phone-elf asking us to distribute tickets from 2 to 9:30 pm on the Saturday before the inauguration.
She told him there would be follow-up emails with more specifics.
A day passed. Two. No emails.
But…the call really had been specific. So I called our favorite DC hotel for a room for Inauguration Weekend, Friday through Monday night.
The price was $50 higher than usual for Sunday and Monday, and the clerk warned me that it was nonrefundable. I took a deep breath and booked it.
The next day, we got a follow-up email: The Committee regretted to inform us that we had not been chosen to volunteer for Inauguration Weekend. However, our name would be added to a waiting list.
Paul emailed back for clarification.
A second email arrived: the Committee regretted to tell us that we had not been chosen from the waiting list.
Paul emailed back. I emailed an addy called "Questions," which was supposed to serve confused volunteers.
I emailed again. And again.
No reply; nothing. Nothing.
On Friday morning, still unclarified, we took the train to Washington, DC.
Late that night, in our nonrefundable hotel room, I ordered two nonrefundable tickets on-line, a "donation" of $44 each, for the inaugural parade. The tickets entitled us to sit in the bleachers. A splurge—but how many Inaugural Parades would I experience? I'm short—the only thing I see in a crowd at ground-level is shoulders.
We had to pick up the tickets at the DC Convention Center, the place where we'd report as volunteers. If, indeed, we were volunteers.
Saturday morning, we stood in line outside the Convention Center. A man handed us an orange plastic card; we went in and stood in line with others holding orange plastic cards until we reached a room, where we stood in line until we reached a table. A man behind the table gave our names to another man; he walked behind a curtain and returned with tickets to the Green Ticket bleacher section.
The men wore tags around their necks that said "Ticket Distribution Volunteer."
In the hall, we buttonholed a woman whose little earpiece with a crinkly cord marked her as a leader. We explained our volunteer dilemma.
She said she could use us: we should come back at 1:30 and tell the coordinator Josie sent us.
We stood in line at the door at 1:30. When at last we found the coordinator, she didn't care that Josie sent us, because our names were already in her computer, entered three weeks ago.
The coordinator gave us "Ticket Distribution" tags and sent us to the ticket room. Where a young woman named Brianna, wearing the leaderly earpiece with a crinkly cord, grabbed us and replaced our tags with tags that read "Security." She hustled us to separate points on a line that snaked around the exhibition hall and, ultimately, to a room on the other side.
For the rest of the day, I checked that people had a blue plastic card, which indicated they'd bought tickets through TicketMaster for the parade or one of the official inaugural balls. People with orange plastic cards, which meant they'd bought their tickets directly from the Committee site, went to a different line.
I sent my blue-ticket people down the length of the hall to Paul; he sent them down the width, to another volunteer. This third volunteer sent them around another corner, to a fourth volunteer, who sent them to the ticket room. It was a long, long walk.
At 3 pm, a great onrush of ticketholders made it a long, long line—one that doubled back on itself, a la Disney World.
But by 8:30 pm, only stragglers were left. Many came directly off planes, trains and buses, luggage in tow, desperate to pick up their tickets before 9, after which they became a true donation. Brianna sent us home, our mission accomplished.
On Sunday, we strolled the Mall. The sky was cloudless; the weather warm. Entrepreneurs hawked T-shirts, buttons, Obamacondoms ("Remember the election with your next erection!"). CNN broadcast from a slapped-up booth; tourists craned for a glimpse of Wolf Blitzer and waved at crowd-cams. Elves set up jumbotrons and barricades and plastic flooring for tomorrow's Big Day. The place swarmed with guys with little earpieces attached to crinkly cords. They didn't need tags that said "Security."
Monday morning: Showtime. The Mall teemed with humanity. We stood in the shadow of the Washington Monument to watch the inaugural ceremony on a jumbotron. Americana abounded: Dads hoisted babies on their shoulders; children waved flags; families took pictures of each other. Entrepreneurs hawked T-shirts, buttons, Obamacondoms ("A souvenir that's actually fun!"). It was cold and bright and festive, and as Obama laid his hand on the bible, the screen crackled and went black.
The crowd groaned in near unison. The screen pixilated and sizzled to life, then the sound clicked and skipped, recovered, and cut out entirely. The screen strobed on, off, on. Audio returned, ten seconds behind the video.
"Low bidder," Paul said.
Obama's inaugural address hitched and blurred like a train announcement, and the video—when it worked—froze and faded.
Paul suggested that Mitt might be scurrying about, pulling plugs.
We—and most everyone else—gave up before the President left the podium.
We set off to claim our piece of the Green Ticket parade bleachers. It was 12:30; the parade was scheduled to step off at 2:30.
"Plenty of time," Paul said.
Except we couldn't get there.
We started at 15th Street. The police sent us up Constitution Avenue to 17th. From there, they sent us past Pennsylvania Avenue, where all the bleachers were set up, to I Street. Then down I to 13th Street, to wait en masse for Security to check us through to our Green Ticket zone on Pennsylvania.
In other words, we surrounded the zone, stretching a half-mile trip into a two-mile square (honest: I mapped it out).
Even so, we might have gotten seats before the parade started if Paul hadn't gotten hungry. We stopped to eat. It took a half-hour, from order to exit. "See? Plenty of time," Paul said.
At 1:45, we reached the pack of humanity that stretched from 13th and I to Pennsylvania Avenue. Thousands of us crammed into a half-mile, two-lane granddaddy-of-all-lines.
Somewhere up front was a tall wire fence and a white Security tent. Two young doctors who'd been working all night stood beside us. They could see the tent. Paul could see the tent. I could see shoulders.
We stood for 15 minutes, moved three feet, stood. Stood for 20 minutes, moved six inches. Stood. Stood. Stood.
At 2:15, one of the young docs texted a friend, a reporter, who told them the President was still speaking at a dinner.
"Let's pray he keeps on talking," said the woman next to me. I agreed: the later the parade started, the better our chance of getting there in time to see Obama wave from his limo. And we all wanted to see Obama wave from his limo; it was why we'd come.
"Maybe Biden will speak," said the young doc. "That'd be good for an hour."
At 2:30, we'd inched halfway up the street. Entrepreneurs on the sidewalk hawked T-shirts, buttons, Obamacondoms ("Be a patriot, even when you're on your back!"). The day grew colder. Paul saw the white tent. I saw shoulders. The parade, amazingly, still hadn't stepped off.
At 3:00, the doc's reporter told him the parade had started.
The woman next to me groaned. "Obama's in the front, or the rear?"
"He's in the front," I told her. "It's Santa's who's in back of his parades."
Still, there was hope: the start was a long way from us.
A gaggle of gawkers filled a low balcony near us. One of the women pointed toward the parade route. "There's people coming now," she yelled to us all.
We heard motorcycles. Paul craned his neck to see them pass beyond the white tent. The docs saw them as well. I saw shoulders.
"I think that's HIM," the balcony woman yelled. "It's HIM!" Then, "Oops—not him."
At 3:30, we were three rows behind the gate in the tall wire fence when a stern-looking man on the other side pushed it closed. "Aw, man—c'mon! We been here two hours," the guy next to the gate on our side said.
The young docs shook their heads. "I can't believe we drove all this way—"
The stern man inside stood his ground, saying nothing.
The woman on the balcony screamed, "It's HIM!" She fanned herself with her hand. "It's really HIM, and he's out of the car—"
"Can you see him?" I asked Paul.
"No—I can't see beyond the tent."
Far, far away—miles away, a half-world away—just beyond the white tent, on Pennsylvania Avenue, the crowd went wild.
And then, silence.
"Aw, man!" said the guy at our side of the gate.
The stern man on the other side listened to an earpiece attached to a crinkly cord. People started to leave the pack. Somewhere behind us, entrepreneurs hawked T-shirts, buttons, Obamacondoms ("Salute the Big Man like a big man!"). I blew on my frozen fingers.
"Can't you at least let us in to see the rest of the parade?" the man on our side of the gate pleaded.
"I think he's going to open it," one young doc told the other. "He keeps nodding."
"Hunh," said the woman beside me. "He's been nodding for the last half-hour. I think maybe he's on something."
Five minutes later, the stern man opened the gate. We stepped in, unzipped our jackets, put our electronics on a table, turned front and back so a guy could wand each of us. Four tables; four wand-ers. For a crowd of thousands.
We zipped up, picked up our phones and cameras, and walked off to the Green Ticket bleachers.
They were not full. Obama was long gone.


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DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Corpus Christi native Charles Sablatura overcame much to become a successful tackle seller. He caught this redfish on one of his newer products. The LunkerMAX is a belly-weighted rattling weedless hook for soft plastics.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES This 18-inch flounder went for a Bass Assassin attached to a black Rockport Rattler jighead.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Charles and Vicky Sablatura own and operate Chicky Tackle, which began as Rockport Rattler. Today Chicky Tackle products are sold in 150 stores in a dozen states.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Rockport Rattler jigheads and Chicky Tackle weedless rattling hooks are made to work with most brands of soft plastic swim baits.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Charles Sablatura prepares to release a redfish caught using a Bass Assassin on a LunkerMAX belly-weighted rattling hook.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Fishing guide and tournament angler Jay Ray Watkins, of Rockport, is one of a dozen or so professional anglers who use and endorse Chicky Tackle products. He caught this 24-inch trout using a LunkerMAX weighted rattling weedless hook.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Vicky Sablatura nets a trout while fishing this past week with Jay Ray Watkins, one of the professional anglers sponsored by Chicky Tackle.
DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES This flounder completed a Texas Slam for us. We caught trout, redfish and this flounder with soft plastics attached to either a Rockport Rattler or LunkerMAX.


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Republicans and anti-abortion activists Tuesday tried to regain control of the contentious debate in the Legislature as a House panel heard passionate testimony late into the night on a sweeping package designed to limit the procedure.
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Today's tests at the Nurburgring were stopped by a BMW F80 M3 crash ten minutes before the end of the session. The accident occurred at a section called "Metzgesfeld" where the driver lost control and crashed into the right guide rail.
Fortunately, the test driver is OK and was only fitted with a neck collar. The F80 M3 prototype was transported back to the BMW technical center at the Ring.
Unfortunate that this happened, but it gives us more looks at the advanced M3 and M4 prototypes … CONTINUED
We have added and updated more technical specs for the F80 M3 / F82 M4 in our Official Technical Guide.
Please see inside.
We've shared with you the M3/M4 official specs and our ride-along/workshop notes, now have an on board look as we ride with Bruno Spengler in the M4 prototype at BMW's proving grounds near Munich.
Bruno shares his thoughts on the EPS (electric power steering), turbos, transmission and testing on the Nurburgring.
And if you're wondering whether the in-cabin sounds you hear are artificially enhanced via Active Sound, we asked and were told by one of the BMW engineers that there was absolutely no artificial sound feature. … CONTINUED
BIMMERPOST correspondent Jens Meiners just spent a day at BMW's testing center near Munich for the BMW M3/M4 workshops and ride-along. Here is our report:
Thanks, BMW, for the earth-hugging i3 and the i8, but what enthusiasts really care about is the next M3 – and its two-door variation, the M4. Production of the current one has ended in July, while the next models won't go into production before Spring. Why the gap? We hear that BMW has essentially run out of parts to build them.
It … CONTINUED
We share with you the first official specs and technical details of the 2014 BMW M3 (F80) and M4 (F82)!
Inline 6 cylinder engine with two mono-scroll turbochargers
Direct Injection
closed-decked crankcase
twin-wire arc-spray coating (instead of liners) in cylinder … CONTINUED
BMW M has held workshops revealing some technical aspects of the M3/M4. Our coverage and more official specs will come later.
For now, you should know that the BMW M3 and M4 will officially feature 425 HP and more than 370 LB-FT torque, in line with what we've been reporting.
Keep in mind that the F80 M3 /F82 M4 will weigh less than the E90/E92 M3.
BIMMERPOST member ///Megalomaniac got up close and very personal with an F80 M3 prototype this past weekend. He recounts his spotting with us all:
Today I spotted this F80 M3 on my way back home. Thought I should share it with you!
First thing what came in my mind was: "Yes, I'm the first who can show a picture of the redline!" But as I came closer and looked into the car, the whole speedo was blacked out and nothing was to see! I think it … CONTINUED
We have added a video of a black F80 M3 sedan advanced prototype out on the highway.
The F82 M4 coupe and F83 M4 convertible continue testing and we continue sharing pics with you.
Once it's fully revealed, we will see an M4 convertible which shares the M4 coupe's styling (and mechanicals), save for the roofline and trunkline. To give you an idea for how the M4 convertible will look once all the camo comes off, check out our production M4 renders below.
The one clear difference is that the M4 convertible features a different roof — in the form of a non-carbon fiber … CONTINUED
We recently showed you an advanced F80 M3 prototype in what looked like Singapore Gray Metallic (reposted below). Now see the latest prototypes in black and Silverstone.
Once again, we're treated to some great looks the F80 M3′s massive fenders. The F80 M3 shares virtually the same styling as the M4 except for the more prominently flared fenders and a different trunk design (no CSL style curve). The two share the same front front fascia and headlights, rear bumpers, sideskirts, hood bump, exhaust design, double-bubble carbon … CONTINUED
Last year, Mr. Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, confirmed to us an inline 6 cylinder engine for the upcoming M3/M4, and we showed you spy photos of the engine. Despite these confirmations, stubborn rumors pop up periodically regarding a potential V6 configuration for the upcoming s55 engine.
If you needed any further convincing, now hear it from the BMW NA CEO himself (again). Speaking at an event that we are currently attending for the launch of the new X5 and 4 … CONTINUED
Don't possess X-ray vision to see past all that camouflage which remains on the F83 M4 convertible prototype? No worries, we give you this digital preview.
As the spy photos and our renders show, the M4 convertible will generally share the M4 coupe and M3 sedan's styling, and of course powerplant/drivetrain.
The biggest difference will be the M4 cabrio's folding hardtop. Unlike the M4 and M3′s carbon fiber double-hump roof, the M4 convertible will be metal and operate and fold in the same manner we're used to … CONTINUED
We've heard the upcoming M3/M4 at high speeds on the Nurburgring, but haven't had many chances to hear it accelerating from a stop. Well, here's a good listen, as this F80 M3 prototype was spotted by BIMMERPOST member KKM3 on the Pacific Coast Highway last night.
The M3 here doesn't accelerate to redline nor at wide open throttle, and the clip is short, but we nonetheless get a good sound preview of the car's inline 6 cylinder S55 engine and exhaust.
Here is KKM3′s reaction to … CONTINUED
So, how do you current M3 owners feel about the upcoming M4 coupe? Let us know inside.
This F83 M4 convertible spotted yesterday completes the M3/M4 trifecta … until the M4 Gran Coupe comes along that is.
As one can see, the F83 M4 will generally share the M4 coupe and M3 sedan's aero parts (and mechanicals). Even the trunk, which is of the automatically opening variety (to store the hardtop), appears to feature a similar CSL style curve. Parts such as the front/rear bumpers and mirrors may appear different than the M4 coupe, but that's due to the heavier camouflage which … CONTINUED
We showed you the latest F82 M4 coupe prototype today, and now feast your eyes at the F80 M3, also in the most revealing form yet! This is the first we've seen the F80 M3 in what appears to be Singapore Grey Metallic color.
The first thing that pops out (literally) at us are the fenders. Check out the nearly widebody look of the rear fenders. While the M4 is a svelte and sexy sports coupe, the new M3 looks like its bruiser brother with … CONTINUED
Following the reveal of the BMW M4 Concept, testing continues on the production M4 Coupe and here we have our best look yet at the production bound F82 M4.
Spotted in Germany, this prototype looks nearly the same as the concept. The only significant differences are the absence of the concept's carbon fiber front lip, rear diffuser fins, carbon fiber exhaust tips and black kidney grilles, which may all become available as part of the M Performance Parts catalog for the M4.
Everything else is virtually identical … CONTINUED
Here's our exterior comparison of the F82 M4 Concept revealed last week, against the E92 M3 and E46 M3.
The E92 and E46 are both in the Phoenix Yellow color, while the M4 Concept features a custom Aurum Dust color, which is similar to Phoenix Yellow in person, but with much more metallic properties and a less green hue.
Here's how the 4 Series dimensions compare to the E92 and E46.
4 Series Dimensions:
Length: 182.6 in (+1 in than E92 / +5.8 in than E46)
Width: 71.9 in … CONTINUED


text:
CONCORD, N.C. – A Super Tech Update document has been posted to WorldKarting.com, which includes all rule updates from January 2013 to October 1.
The updates included in this Super Tech Update will be published in the 2014 WKA Technical Manual. The new manual is mailing to WKA master members this week. Once shipment is received at the WKA Office, 2014 manuals will be shipped to non-members who have pre-purchased the book.
Click here to view and print the Super Tech Update.
Included in the Super Tech Update are important rule items for the 2014 RLV Gold Cup, VEGA Road Racing and Mazda / Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series class structure. Of course, the Road Race and Man Cup series open in just a little over one month with the Road Race Championships and Margay Sprint Championships at Daytona International Speedway.
The class that has junior sprint racers abuzz is the new Parilla Junior division for drivers age 12 to 15. Based off pre-entries already received, Parilla Junior – open to IAME Leopard and X30 power plants – appears it will be a premier division at this December 27-30 Margay Sprint Championships at Daytona.
Parilla Junior class rules are published in this Super Tech Update.
Also published are rule updates for the new Kid Kart and Senior Piston Port division, which replaces Komet Pro and Yamaha Senior and includes both the Yamaha KT100 and KPV as legal engines.
Road Racing class structure updates include the Clone and Yamaha Sprint categories.
The 4-cycle sprint Gold Cup's new 2014 class structure is included, as well.
Direct questions to the WKA Office at 704-455-1606.