text:
World Opinion
- Africa
- Asia/Pacific
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East/
N. Africa
- United States/
- Global/Multi-region
- Development/Aid
- Environment
- Globalization/Trade
- Governance
- International Security
- Justice/
Human Rights
- United Nations
- Views on Countries/
- Other Topics
Comprehensive analyses that integrate polls from a wide variety of sources on numerous international issues. Includes analyses of world opinion and US opinion.
G7 Citizens Critical of Putin's Impact on Russian Democracy: BBC Poll
World Publics Think China Will Catch Up With the USand Thats Okay
Negative Attitudes toward the United States in the Muslim World: Do They Matter?
World Publics Reject US Role as the World Leader
Israel and Iran Share Most Negative Ratings in Global Poll
How Muslims and Americans View Each Other
America's Image in the World
World Publics See European Union as a Positive InfluenceMarch 21, 2007
Most would like to See Europe Grow More Influential than the U.S.
The European Union celebrates its 50th birthday March 25 with its members embroiled in controversies over enlargement, a proposed constitution and how to create jobs while spurring growth.
But EU boosters can take comfort in the fact that publics both inside and outside of Europe tend to view the union positively. In 24 out of 27 countries surveyed in recent months for the BBC World Service, people mostly approve of the EUs influence in the world. Overall an average of 53 percent worldwide say the EU has a positive influence while only 19 percent say it has a negative one.
Moreover, when asked whether they would like Europe to become more influential than the United States, majorities around the world say yes.
European publics are among the most positive about the EUs global role. Even when EU member states are excluded, however, the unions image is rosy: in 16 out of 19 non-EU countries the most common opinion is that the EU plays a constructive role in world affairs. On average 48 percent say the EUs influence is positive while only 22 percent say that it is negative.
Two of the three exceptions are in the Middle East: Egypt and Turkey. The other is Brazil.
The EUs positive image contrasts starkly with that of the United States: the same poll finds that the United States influence is viewed more negatively than the European Union in 24 of the 27 countries polled. The three countries where the EUs negative ratings are the same or higher than the United States are Nigeria and Kenya, where roughly one in five see both countries negatively, and the Philippines, where 14 percent rate the EU negatively and only 11 percent see the US that way.
Majorities around the world would prefer to see Europe, rather than the United States, play a leading role. A 23-nation poll conducted in 2005 by the BBC found that on average 58 percent favored Europe becoming more influential than the United States in world affairs.
The United States neighbors and NAFTA partners are among the most enthusiastic about European leadership: 66 percent of Mexicans would like to see Europe surpass the United States as would 63 percent of Canadians. Strong majorities in China (66%), South Africa (63%), Australia (62%) and Russia (60%) agree.
High Marks in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa
The BBC World Service has asked countries about their views of EU influence for two consecutive years. Among the 19 countries that the BBC also polled the previous year, views of the EU are largely unchanged, though certain countries have shown significant shifts.
In Europe, majorities in all of the member states polled say its influence is positive, with views ranging from 79 percent positive in Portugal to 50 percent in Hungary, one of the unions newest members. In Russia, a non-EU member, about half rate the EUs influence positively (46%) and less than a fifth (18%) call it negative.
On the other side of the Atlantic, most Canadians (70% to 17%) think the EU has a constructive impact on the world as do a smaller majority of Americans (53% positive, 20% negative). Both Canadians and Americans have become more positive about the EU over the past year, with favorable views in Canada up 19 points from 51 percent and those in the United States rising 11 points from 42 percent.
In Latin America, three of the four countries polled consider the EU to have a more positive than negative impact: Chile (66% to 14%), Mexico (43% to 15%) and Argentina (35% to 21%). Brazilwhich has clashed with European leaders over trade policyis the exception. Thirty-eight percent of Brazilians judge the EUs influence as negative and only 31 percent see it as positive. A year ago, a plurality of Brazilians (45%) saw the EU influence as positive.
Majorities in four of the six Asian/Pacific countries polled see the EUs influence as positive as do pluralities in the other three. South Koreans are the most likely to give the EU a good score (63%) though this has declined over the past year (from 71%). Positive ratings have gone up in Australia (59%, up from 46%) and the Philippines (49%, up from 39%). They have remained stable in China (58%) and Indonesia (52%).
Less than a third of Indians see the EU as a positive influence, though this is still the most common view in their country. Twenty-nine percent of Indians view the EUs role favorably, down from 37%. Twenty percent say it is negative.
The two sub-Saharan African countries polled are quite favorably disposed toward the EU: Majorities in Nigeria (64%) and Kenya (64%) say the EU plays a positive role in the world.
Mixed Views in the Middle East
Two of the four countries polled that have mainly negative views of EU influence are in the Middle East. Egyptians tend to see its influence as negative (33%) rather than positive (10%). Attitudes in Turkeywhich has so far seen EU states spurn its efforts to secure membershipare quite mixed and growing more negative. Turks are evenly divided between positive views (30%, down from 40%) and negative (32%, up from 16%). Large numbers declined to answer.
Two other majority-Muslim countries take a more favorable view of Europe. The United Arab Emirates tend to be positive (33% to 25%) though many decline to answer. And a majority of Lebanese express approval of the EU: 54 percent say it has a positive influence on the world while only 27 percent say it has a negative one.
The BBC poll was conducted by GlobeScan and the Program on International Policy Attitudes of the University of Maryland, which publishes WorldPublicOpinion.org. Interviews took place between November 2006 and January 2007. More details are available here.
Share article on:


text:
2016 Republicans should study Obama's heralded ground game
Generally, I think values and ideas matter more in an election than tactics and strategies. But the former matter only so much if you don't have the latter. And that's why I think the focus on Obama's superior ground game is legitimate.
The presidential race was essentially tied going into the last week. Obama had the lead in several swing states, but the lead was in the margin of error for polling data. Both campaigns needed a way to get the ball over the goal at the last.
Obama did that, much like a football team wins at the end of a tight game by having the right field-goal kicker or two-point play. (I just watched TCU win at the last over West Virginia Saturday, so hence my football focus.)
I'm no ground-game expert, but those who are point to how Obama's team has spent years perfecting their get-out-the-vote effort. And it doesn't start as the election draws near. His group works with their likely voters over a long period, staying in touch, letting them know what's going on in Obama World.
Those who next want to seek the GOP nomination may want to bone up on the Democrat's approach. As much as I would like to think ideas and values made the difference, it may have really been a superior machine that won it for Obama as the election ended. Somehow, he got enough of his voters to the polls in a very tight election.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
After a tumultuous week of dueling public statements from Jon Gosselin and his girlfriend, Hailey Glassman, reports surfaced that the couple have split – but a source tells PEOPLE the situation is not cut-and-dried.
"This was all a carefully orchestrated sequence: First, Hailey laments how hard her life has been lately and how bad Jon treats her, then Jon repents. Next, Jon plans to announce that he is going to be spending some time alone," the source tells PEOPLE. "It has all been designed so that it doesn't seem as though Hailey got dumped."
As for whether the pair are actually over, the source says it remains to be seen. "Jon has said he was done [with Hailey] before, but he basically hasn't been single since he was 19 ... He doesn't really know how to be alone. He'll probably still spend most of his time either with Hailey, or some new girl."
On Wednesday, Glassman opened up about her relationship with the reality star dad, telling The Insider that he was frequently angry and emotionally abusive. "He'll call me and take his anger out on me," Glassman, 22, said. "He has 'mantrums.' .... I cry and say, 'Why are you so mean to me?' "
Still, she insisted that she wanted to stay with the father of eight. "I don't want to leave him all alone," she said. "When I love someone I would never hurt them."
A day later, Gosselin apologized to his girlfriend, saying in a statement, "I am grateful for her emotional support and I regret any pain that my actions have caused her."
Gosselin then announced that he planned to reconnect with his "deeper, more spiritual, more altruistic self" by studying with celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. "I have allowed myself to become somewhat severed from my own moral anchor and [to] be carried away by the challenges of fame," Gosselin, 32, said Friday.
Boteach seemed to foreshadow the couple's possible decision to spend time apart. "A husband must be faithful and he cannot be with another woman (while still married) and he cannot humiliate his wife by being photographed with other women," he said Friday. "Jon has to take responsibility for that and ask for forgiveness."
Added the rabbi, "For example, he should not be with Hailey Glassman right now and when things are resolved with his wife, then he should think about that."
A rep for Gosselin had no comment.
With reporting by LIZ MCNEIL
Are Jon Gosselin and Hailey Glassman Over?
Splash News Online


text:
How far along? 20 weeks today! Can you believe I'm halfway already! These past 20 weeks have flown by, I feel like we were just waiting for that positive test results. These next 20 weeks (give or take of course) I'm sure are going to go by even faster!
Total weight gain: I have a Dr appointment at the end of the month, so I'll know my true weight gain for then. I weighed myself at my in-laws this weekend and I'm up +2.5lbs so I'm happy about that.
Maternity clothes: Not yet, anything I've bought has been pregnancy and post pregnancy friendly so far. Just sizing up in tops and the KLR jeggings I bought fit below the bump, but I haven't bought anything else yet. My sister-in-law gave me some cute stuff that I hope fits, we'll see! She has the shape of a Barbie, so I'm not holding my breath, only crossing my fingers.
Sleep: Still sleeping well, but I wake up really early, before my alarm goes off. I always have, but I feel like now that I'm pregnant it's worse. I've also had the craziest dreams! Some pretty racy ones too ;)
Best moment this week: Finding out we're having a little baby girl! I'm so thrilled. Of course I'd be happy either way, but I'm elated about a girl. Shopping for a girl is so.much.fun.
Also, when I was at the store buying supplies for the gender reveal, the sweetest girl was asking me about the pregnancy and how far along I was. When I told her, she replied "Are you serious? How have you stayed so skinny??" I wanted to kiss the woman! Bless her heart.
Worst moment this week: Can this say most awkward moment? Our ultrasound lady this week was a dud (of which, I'm totally going to call in about her) and she asked me if I ever had a belly button ring (which I haven't) because I have scar tissue by my belly button. Isn't that weird? I've never had a piercing or injury there, so I have no clue why I would have scar tissue. I guess it would just be from birth? No idea.
Have you told family and friends: Yes and the gender reveal was this past week! All secrets are out of the bag. Well, except the name. We've told people, but my husband and I haven't decided if we want to put it on social media before the baby is born.
Miss Anything? Nothing this week. The sushi/soft cheese cravings have subsided for the time being. Shopping for non-bump clothes. There's so many cute things that isn't bump friendly. I found the cutest dress that would be perfect for maternity pics and a shower, but by the time those events get here, the dress will be short enough to show everyone where the baby is coming from.
Movement: It's been determined that all the flutters I've felt the past few weeks are definitely baby's. I love feeling them, it makes me giddy each time. We went to a work event on Tuesday for my husband's work and they had a band there. The baby was moving with the music, but when they played Michael Jackson the baby went nuts! I think we'll have a little dancer on our hands.
Food cravings: Carbonation! I've been dying for a Sprite, so I had some this past weekend. My husband and I haven't bought soda in forever, but gave in this past week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, and I'm so thankful this pregnancy has been so easy.
Have you started to show yet: Um, yes. I think I'm almost to the point that complete strangers will start asking to touch the bump.
Gender: Team pink baby!
Symptoms: Peeing 24/7. I've been super thirsty, so that makes sense, but even on the days I'm not drinking as much I still have to go all the time. Are you ready to be grossed out? Are you sure? Ok. Constipation. First time throughout this whole pregnancy.
her little mouth is open and she was gulping!


text:
Just when you thought every conceivable time-travel premise had been taken for a spin, along comes Looper. Even with its echoes of sci-fi thrillers past, from La Jette to The Terminator, Rian Johnson's mind bender feels fresh — fresh enough to be forgiven for sputtering off the rails in the final act.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, a hit man plying his trade in the middle of the current century. But he's no garden-variety assassin. He takes out the garbage from the future, sent by crime bosses through a time portal to meet their maker. There's something comically lazy about the bloodless ease of Joe's work: His targets arrive pre-bound on a plastic tarp at a specific time and place. All the Loopers do is pull the trigger and dispose of the corpses.
Then, one sunny day, Joe looks his new prey in the eye and finds his future self (in the person of Bruce Willis) staring back. Hey, you might flinch, too. His loop left open, the big crime boss (a bearlike Jeff Daniels), breathing down his neck, Joe goes on the lam, his target — himself — in pursuit.
Johnson brought a unique neo-noir patter to his first feature, the 2005 high school murder mystery Brick (also starring Gordon-Levitt), and he creates a similarly vivid universe in Looper. Everyone in the movie has a code to live by (Omar from The Wire would approve), an outlook and way of living and talking cobbled and skewed from old movie conventions. The movie shows how a wise hand can make something brand new from the shards of the past.
After a classic diner confrontation with his middle-age self, Joe holes up in a farmhouse with a tough mom (Emily Blunt) and her troubled young son (Pierce Gagnon). This is where Looper started to lose me. The kid, it seems, has some special powers that Willis' Joe has reason to fear. The younger version wants to protect mother and son. In the movie's parlance, Looper soon has too many loops to close. It doesn't help that the supernatural kid thing has been done to death.
It's a sign of Johnson's conviction and vision that his movie never sinks even as it takes on excess baggage. In the tradition of the best sci-fi, Looper creates a world that feels much like our own but strange enough to fire the imagination.
Follow Chris Vognar on Twitter at @chrisvognar.
B+ Directed by Rian Johnson. R (strong violence, language, some sexuality and nudity, and drug content). 118 mins. In wide release.


text:
He'll Be Back
Has the American Dream come to an end? Certainly, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression has convinced most Americans that attaining the dream will not be easy in the future.
In a National Journal poll last September, 62% thought the economy would experience more severe cycles of boom and bust than in the past, and 79% said average families in the future would suffer economic reversals more often than in the past.
But this pessimism about the economy as a whole is tempered by considerable personal optimism about the future. In a December AP poll, an amazing 82% said they were optimistic about what the year 2010 would bring for "you and your family." And in a Center for American Progress poll last February, when the economy was teetering on the brink of a complete meltdown, three-quarters of the public said they had either already achieved the American Dream (34%) or would in their lifetime (41%).
Read more here.
To speak with our experts on this topic, please contact:
Print: Liz Bartolomeo (poverty, health care)
202.481.8151 or email@example.com
Print: Tom Caiazza (foreign policy, energy and environment, LGBT issues, gun-violence prevention)
202.481.7141 or email@example.com
Print: Allison Preiss (economy, education)
202.478.6331 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Tanya Arditi (immigration, Progress 2050, race issues, demographics, criminal justice, Legal Progress)
202.741.6258 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Chelsea Kiene (women's issues, TalkPoverty.org, faith)
202.478.5328 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Print: Beatriz Lopez (Center for American Progress Action Fund)
202.741.6255 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Spanish-language and ethnic media: Rafael Medina
202.478.5313 or firstname.lastname@example.com
TV: Rachel Rosen
202.483.2675 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Radio: Sally Tucker
202.481.8103 or firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
I believe this has been done
i am going to do a vote to see what people think is the best wii game to be coming out or is out now.
1. zelda tp games coming out
2.red steel ..........super smash bros.
3. excite truck ..................fifa 08
4.tiger woods 07 .............simpsons game
5.tiger woods 08 .................wwe smasckdonw raw
6.medal of honour .........resident evil umbrella chronicles
8. godfather
9.spiderman 3
10resident evil 4
thats all
I believe this has been done
Brawl Friend Code 1976-9830-7448 If you want to brawl and you live in Florida I'll add you if you add me!
You don't even have MSC??? And you have WWE??? You need to at least be open to all games. And theres a thread like this.


text:
BAY CITY, MI — A Bay City teen is heading to prison for vandalizing two Bay County churches in one night.
Bay County Circuit Judge Harry P. Gill on Monday, Sept. 30, sentenced Mackenzie A. Coyer, 19, to 29 months to 10 years in prison, with credit for 223 days credit for time served. The judge also ordered Coyer to pay a total of $20,647.08 in restitution to the churches he targeted and their respective insurance agencies.
Coyer in August appeared before Gill and pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering with intent and one count of arson of real property. In exchange for his pleas, prosecutors dismissed two counts of malicious destruction of property more than $1,000 and single counts of larceny in a building and safe breaking, the last one being a life offense.
The charges stem from break-ins that occurred at First Baptist Church, 1145 W. Center Road in Hampton Township, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1705 Nebobish Ave. in Essexville.
The morning of Feb. 19, Coyer walked into the Bay County Sheriff's Office and told Lt. James Chlebowski he had just vandalized a church. Hampton Township Police Lt. Michael Wedding picked up Coyer and drove him around until he recognized First Baptist Church as the one he vandalized.
Wedding previously said that Coyer apparently poured hydrochloric acid on various items in the church, including a Bible and a safe, the latter in an attempt to obtain money.
Police alleged Coyer also visited Pilgrim Lutheran Church, where he stole several bottles of Manischewitz Concord grape wine, poured it about the place, knocked over a processional cross and lit a cloth draped across the marble altar and the communion rail on fire.
Coyer told police he was angry with God and intended to blow up the Baptist church and to burn the altar of the Lutheran church, Essexville Public Safety Director Daniel J. Hages has said. He also claimed to have been drugged against his will before the incidents, Wedding said.


text:
Created in this Craftsy class
Sewing Knits That Fit taught by Dyanne Marte
Your best knit garments will fit perfectly and look as fabulous as they feel. Learn to fit knit necklines, bodices, sleeves, skirts, pants and more.
Other projects made as part of this class:
SewingMock Up
SewingColorblock Sheath Dress
SewingA Knit Camas
Offer some kudos...
Join the conversation...
Ask a question...
Add your comment...
Great looking dress and fit!
06/26/2014 Flag
So cool and well fitting - you look just fabulous! I want to make it too now!
06/29/2014 Flag
Very nice, the fit is great. What did you use for your lining?
06/30/2014 Flag
Love this dress!!
07/02/2014 Flag
Lovely dress. The neckline turned out perfect
08/03/2014 Flag


text:
UPDATE: Police: Horses killed by husband who suspected wife was having an affair with stable owner
JAMESTOWN TOWNSHIP – Police say a Conklin man angry with his wife after a Friday night argument at the stable where they board their 12-year-old Quarter Horse returned to the Jamestown Township residence and killed their animal and a 6-year-old Palomino that belonged to the property owner.
The 47-year-old suspect faces multiple counts of animal cruelty and property destruction offenses, Ottawa County sheriff's Lt. Mark Bennett said.
The allegations stem from a 11 p.m. argument between the suspect and his wife in the 3700 block of Eighth Avenue in Jamestown Township. Police say the couple were at the stable when they began fighting.
He left and returned to the scene early Saturday, allegedly killing the horses then, investigators said. The two animals are valued at about $20,000, Bennett said.
Investigators did not say how the animals were killed.
The suspect's identity was withheld pending an arraignment hearing. The man has been jailed since being taken into custody at his Conklin home on Saturday.
The property owner called police after finding the animals dead.
E-mail Nate Reens: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Enter your Email address:
Wolters Kluwer Health may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed
to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without
your express consent. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Zhang, Jun PhD, MD; Landy, Helain J. MD; Ware Branch, D. MD; Burkman, Ronald MD; Haberman, Shoshana MD, PhD; Gregory, Kimberly D. MD, MPH; Hatjis, Christos G. MD; Ramirez, Mildred M. MD; Bailit, Jennifer L. MD, MPH; Gonzalez-Quintero, Victor H. MD, MPH; Hibbard, Judith U. MD; Hoffman, Matthew K. MD, MPH; Kominiarek, Michelle MD; Learman, Lee A. MD, PhD; Van Veldhuisen, Paul PhD; Troendle, James PhD; Reddy, Uma M. MD, MPH; for the Consortium on Safe Labor
From the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Health, Washington, DC; Intermountain HealthCare and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts; Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Summa Health System, Akron City Hospital, Akron, Ohio; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas; MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio; University of Miami, Miami, Florida; University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Delaware; Indiana University–Clarian Health, Indianapolis, Indiana; and The EMMES Corporation, Rockville, Maryland.
Corresponding author: Dr. Jun Zhang, Epidemiology Branch, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Building 6100, Room 7B03, Bethesda, MD 20892; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.
The Consortium on Safe Labor was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, through a contract (contract HHSN267200603425C).
Presented in part at the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine 29th Annual Scientific meeting, January 26–31, 2009, San Diego, California.
Financial Disclosure The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest.
OBJECTIVE: To use contemporary labor data to examine the labor patterns in a large, modern obstetric population in the United States.
METHODS: Data were from the Consortium on Safe Labor, a multicenter retrospective study that abstracted detailed labor and delivery information from electronic medical records in 19 hospitals across the United States. A total of 62,415 parturients were selected who had a singleton term gestation, spontaneous onset of labor, vertex presentation, vaginal delivery, and a normal perinatal outcome. A repeated-measures analysis was used to construct average labor curves by parity. An interval-censored regression was used to estimate duration of labor, stratified by cervical dilation at admission and centimeter by centimeter.
RESULTS: Labor may take more than 6 hours to progress from 4 to 5 cm and more than 3 hours to progress from 5 to 6 cm of dilation. Nulliparous and multiparous women appeared to progress at a similar pace before 6 cm. However, after 6 cm, labor accelerated much faster in multiparous than in nulliparous women. The 95th percentiles of the second stage of labor in nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia were 3.6 and 2.8 hours, respectively. A partogram for nulliparous women is proposed.
CONCLUSION: In a large, contemporary population, the rate of cervical dilation accelerated after 6 cm, and progress from 4 cm to 6 cm was far slower than previously described. Allowing labor to continue for a longer period before 6 cm of cervical dilation may reduce the rate of intrapartum and subsequent repeat cesarean deliveries in the United States.
Defining normal and abnormal labor progression has been a long-standing challenge. In his landmark publications, Friedman was the first to depict a labor curve and divide the labor process into several stages and phases.1,2 Abnormal labor progression in the active phase was defined as cervical dilation less than 1.2 cm per hour in nulliparous women and less than 1.5 cm per hour in multiparous women. No appreciable change in cervical dilation in the presence of adequate uterine contraction more than 2 hours was considered as labor arrest.3 These concepts have come to govern labor management.
However, these criteria created 50 years ago may no longer be applicable to contemporary obstetric populations and for current obstetric management.4 Increasing maternal age and maternal and fetal body sizes have made labor a more challenging process. Moreover, frequent obstetric interventions (induction, epidural analgesia, and oxytocin use) may have altered the natural labor process. The purpose of this study was to use contemporary labor data in a large number of parturients with spontaneous onset of labor to examine the labor patterns and estimate duration of labor in the United States.
We used data from the Consortium on Safe Labor, a multicenter, retrospective, observational study that abstracted detailed labor and delivery information from electronic medical records in 12 clinical centers (with 19 hospitals) across nine American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists U.S. districts from 2002–2008; 87% of births occurred in 2005–2007). Detailed description of the study is provided elsewhere.5 Briefly, participating institutions extracted detailed information on maternal demographic characteristics, medical history, reproductive and prenatal history, labor and delivery summary, postpartum, and newborn information. Information from the neonatal intensive care unit was linked to the newborn records. Data on labor progression (repeated, time-stamped cervical dilation, station, and effacement) were extracted from the electronic labor database. To make our study population reflect the overall U.S. obstetric population and to minimize the effect of the various number of births from different institutions, we assigned a weight to each patient based on American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists district, maternal race or ethnicity (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic African American, Hispanic, and others), parity (nulliparous compared with multiparous women), and plurality (singleton compared with multiple gestations). We first calculated the probability of each delivery with these four factors according to the 2004 National Natality data. Then, based on the number of patients each hospital contributed to the database, we assigned a weight to each patient.5 We applied the weight to the current analysis. This project was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of all participating institutions.
There was a total of 228,668 deliveries in the database. A total of 62,415 parturients were selected. Figure 1 depicts the sample selection process for the current analysis. Women were grouped by parity (0, 1, 2+). We used a repeated-measures analysis with eighth-degree polynomial model to construct average labor curves by parity.6 In this analysis, the starting point was set at the first time when the dilation reached 10 cm (time=0) and the time was calculated backwards (eg, 60 minutes before the complete dilation, −60 minutes). After the labor curve models had been computed, the x-axis (time) was reverted to a positive value, ie, instead of being −12 → 0 hours, it became 0 → 12 hours.
To estimate duration of labor, we used an interval-censored regression7 to estimate the distribution of times for progression from one integer centimeter of dilation to the next (called "traverse time"), with an assumption that the labor data are log-normally distributed.8 The median and 95th percentiles were calculated. Because multiparous women tended to be admitted at a more advanced stage labor than nulliparous women, many multiparous women did not have information on cervical dilation before 4 cm. Therefore, the labor curve for multiparous women started at 5 cm rather than at 4 cm, as for nulliparous women.
Finally, to address the clinical experience wherein a woman is first observed at a given dilation and then measured periodically, we calculated cumulative duration of labor from admission to any given dilation up to the first 10 cm in nulliparous women. The same interval-censored regression approach was used. We provide the estimates according to the dilation at admission (2.0 or 2.5 cm, 3.0 or 3.5 cm, 4.0 or 4.5 cm, and 5.0 or 5.5 cm) because women admitted at different dilation levels may have different patterns of labor progression. We then plotted the 95th percentiles of the duration of labor from admission as a partogram. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.1 (PROC MIXED for the repeated-measures analysis and PROC LIFEREG for interval censored regression). Because the objective of this article is to describe labor patterns and estimate duration of labor without comparing among various groups, no statistical tests were performed.
Table 1 presents the baseline characteristics of women by parity. With increasing parity, both maternal age and body mass increased. The median cervical dilation at admission was 4 cm, 4.5 cm, and 5 cm for parity 0, 1, and 2+, respectively, whereas the median effacement was 90%, 90%, and 80%, respectively. Oxytocin for augmentation was used in nearly half of the women. Approximately 80% of women used epidural analgesia for labor pain. The median number of vaginal examinations from admission to the first 10 cm was five for nulliparous women and four for multiparous women. The majority of women had a spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Figure 2 depicts the labor curves for various parities. In multiparous women, labor appears to accelerate after 6 cm of cervical dilation. Parity 2+ entered the active phase earlier than parity 1. In contrast, the average labor curve for nulliparous women did not show a clear inflection point.
Table 2 shows the duration of labor from one centimeter of dilation to the next. The 95th percentiles indicate that at 4 cm, it could take more than 6 hours to progress to 5 cm, whereas at 5 cm, it may take more than 3 hours to progress to 6 cm. Surprisingly, the medians and 95th percentiles of duration of labor before 6 cm were similar between nulliparous and multiparous women. Only after 6 cm did multiparous women show faster labor than nulliparous women, which is consistent with the labor curves. Table 2 also suggests that at 6 cm or more, almost all women who had vaginal delivery and normal neonatal outcomes had a 95th percentile of first stage of labor of less than 2 hours, particularly in multiparous women. In the second stage of labor, the 95th percentiles for nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia were 3.6 hours and 2.8 hours, respectively. The duration of the second stage was much shorter in multiparous women.
We then calculated cumulative duration of labor from admission to the first 10 cm in nulliparous women. Table 3 presents the median and 95th percentile of duration of the first stage of labor. The 95th percentiles are also plotted as connected staircase lines in Figure 3. Each specific dilation at admission (2, 3, 4, or 5 cm) has its own corresponding line. At any time in the first stage, if a woman's labor crosses her corresponding 95th limit to the right side of the curve, then her labor may be considered as protracted. Figure 4 illustrates three cases. Each letter represents a pelvic examination for the corresponding patient. Patient A was admitted at 2 cm. Her labor progressed to 10 cm without crossing the corresponding 95th percentile boundary. Patient B was admitted at 4 cm. Her labor progressed to 6 cm and then stopped despite oxytocin augmentation. After 10 hours from admission, she passed the 95th percentile and may be considered as having labor arrest. Patient C was admitted at 5 cm. She reached 9 cm after 13 hours but passed the 95th percentile.
The definitions of "normal labor" and "labor arrest" have profound effects on labor management and cesarean delivery rate. Our study used data from a large number of contemporary parturients across the United States who had a singleton term pregnancy with spontaneous onset of labor, a vertex fetal presentation, vaginal delivery, and normal neonatal outcomes. We found that labor may take more than 6 hours to progress from 4 to 5 cm and more than 3 hours to progress from 5 to 6 cm of dilation. Nulliparous and multiparous women appeared to progress at a similar pace before 6 cm. However, after 6 cm, labor accelerated much faster in multiparous than in nulliparous women. The 95th percentiles of the second stage of labor in nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia were 3.6 and 2.8 hours, respectively. Utilizing data from this study, we produced a partogram for contemporary nulliparous women.
Labor curves and normal values in labor progression are still largely based on the work by Dr. Emanuel Friedman several decades ago.2,3 However, our study with a contemporary population observed several important differences from the classic Friedman curve.2 First, after having plotted a large number of labor curves, it became clear that there are a substantial number of parturients who may not have a consistent pattern of the active phase of labor, particularly in nulliparous women. Labor may progress more gradually but still achieve vaginal delivery.
Second, even in women who had an active phase characterized by precipitous cervical dilation in the late first stage, the active phase often did not start until 6 cm or more. This seems to differ materially from prevailing concepts that the active phase starts before 4 cm2,3 and that 4 cm is a commonly used milestone.9 Rouse et al10,11 defined the active phase in induced labor as cervical dilation at 4 cm with 90% or more effacement or 5 cm dilation regardless of effacement. However, Peisner and Rosen12 found that among women who had no active phase arrest, 50% of them entered active phase by 4 cm dilation, 74% entered active phase by 5 cm, and 89% entered active phase by 6 cm. These findings point to the importance of separating an average starting point of active phase from a clinical diagnosis of labor arrest. Judging whether a woman is having labor protraction and arrest should not be based on a research definition of an average starting point or average duration of labor. Instead, an upper limit of what is considered "normal labor" should be used in patient management. As long as the labor is within a normal range and other maternal and fetal conditions are reassuring, a woman should be allowed to continue the labor process. Our study suggests that in the contemporary population, 6 cm rather than 4 cm of cervical dilation may be a more appropriate landmark for the start of the active phase.
Finally, consistent with clinical experience, our data demonstrate that cervical dilation often accelerates as labor advances. No appreciable change in dilation for 4 hours may be normal in early labor but is probably too long after 6 cm (Table 2). This nonlinear relationship should be reflected in the definition of labor arrest.
For a more objective evaluation of labor protraction and arrest, a partogram may be a useful tool. Such a tool was originally utilized to prevent prolonged and obstructed labor in developing countries.13,14 The central feature of the partogram recommended by the World Health Organization consists of two straight, diagonal, parallel lines based on the phase of maximum slope in the Friedman curve. The alert line starts at 4 cm of cervical dilatation to the point of expected full dilatation at the rate of 1 cm per hour,15 indicating that attention is needed if cervical dilation is slower than 1 cm per hour starting at 4 cm. The action line is parallel, and 4 hours is to the right of the alert line. Several studies,14–16 but not all,17 have shown that the partogram reduces the risk of prolonged labor, cesarean deliveries, and perinatal mortality in developing countries.
Our partogram differs from the one by the World Health Organization15 in that: 1) we do not consider the alert line necessary in the United States because most women give birth in a hospital setting; 2) our 95th percentile lines, equivalent to the action line, are exponential-like stair lines rather than straight lines because cervical dilation is not recorded as a continuous measure. The progression patterns (exponential) are more consistent with the physiology of dilation acceleration in the late first stage; and 3) our partogram allows much slower labor progression before 6 cm of dilation but much shorter duration than 4 hours after 6 cm. Finally, in contrast to the purpose of the World Health Organization partogram, our partogram is intended to prevent premature cesarean delivery. Its validity and usefulness have yet to be confirmed.
The limitations of the current study are worth mentioning. First, defining "normal labor" remains a challenge. To best define this process, we examined labor patterns in women who had spontaneous onset of labor, vaginal delivery, and normal neonatal outcomes. Second, given the very high frequency of obstetric intervention (induction and prelabor cesarean delivery) in contemporary practice, only one-third of all births in our large population comprised women who were at term, had spontaneous onset of labor, and had vaginal deliveries. Third, because intrapartum cesarean deliveries were performed according to the prevailing definition of labor arrest, some cesarean deliveries may be performed too soon (before 6 cm), which can cause early censoring of observation. This censoring may have resulted in a bias toward a shorter labor, particularly at the 95th percentiles. Fourth, nearly half of the parturients included in our analysis were administered oxytocin for augmentation, which may have altered the natural labor progression. Thus, findings from our study must be interpreted within the context of current obstetric practice. Finally, we recognize that assessment of cervical dilation is inherently somewhat subjective. The inaccuracy of cervical dilation is likely caused by random error, which increases standard error but does not necessarily bias the point estimate. Given the large number of patients in our study, our point estimates (the average labor curve, median, and 95th percentile) are stable.
The differences in study population and obstetric practice may partly explain why the contemporary labor curves differ substantially from those from 50 years ago,18 even though exactly the same statistical method was used. Women are older and heavier, and these factors are known to affect labor progress and duration. Labor appears to progress more slowly now than before, even though more labors are being treated with oxytocin for augmentation. The current study observed that the inflection point between latent and active phases on the labor curve emerges at a more advanced cervical dilation. For instance, the inflection point in multiparous women previously was described as occurring at 5 or 5.5 cm 50 years ago,18 but our data show that now it is at 6 or 6.5 cm. These findings indicate that the labor process in contemporary obstetric populations needs to be reevaluated and the definitions of "normal" and "abnormal" labor need to be re-examined. Avoiding cesarean delivery before the active phase of labor is established may reduce the rate of cesarean delivery (intrapartum and subsequent repeat cesarean deliveries).
© 2010 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Colleague's E-mail is Invalid
Your Name: (optional)
Your Email:
Colleague's Email:
Separate multiple e-mails with a (;).
Thought you might appreciate this item(s) I saw at Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Send a copy to your email
Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague.
Some error has occurred while processing your request. Please try after some time.
An Existing Folder
A New Folder
Folder Name:
The item(s) has been successfully added to "".
Login with your LWW Journals username and password.
Username or Email:
Forgot Password?
Enter and submit the email address you registered with. An email with instructions to reset your password will be sent to that address.
Link to reset your password has been sent to specified email address.
What does "Remember me" mean?
By checking this box, you'll stay logged in until you logout. You'll get easier access to your articles, collections,
media, and all your other content, even if you close your browser or shut down your
To protect your most sensitive data and activities (like changing your password),
we'll ask you to re-enter your password when you access these services.
What if I'm on a computer that I share with others?
If you're using a public computer or you share this computer with others, we recommend
that you uncheck the "Remember me" box.
Looking for ABOG articles? Visit our ABOG MOC II collection. The selected Green Journal articles are free through the end of the calendar year.
If you are an ACOG Fellow and have not logged in or registered to Obstetrics & Gynecology, please follow these step-by-step instructions to access journal content with your member subscription.
Save my selection
Article Level Metrics


text:
"My choice would be to go ahead and choose a name that puts it in the record books, that puts one in the win column for feminism."
i love it; thanks for posting, grenadine.
but i still don't know, and it's a topic on my mind since mr.nick and i are talking marriage. professionally, i'd keep it, but am i too lazy to have to constantly remind banks, insurance companies, other people, etc. that yes, we're really married?
good discussion on Feministing, via Sarah Michelle (Gellar) Prinze's new name-change.
PS it's almost 2008 and we're still debating....


text:
Giving Care Tips
Active within 2472 Days
Name: Healthy Critter Tips
Size/Category 1-Gallon Freshwater
Type: Glass
Shape: Standard
List of Fish:
1 - Betta
Invertebrates: Looking for a holiday gift for your fish? Look no further than the simple things, such as a bottom feeder or a rock shelter!
Other Accessories: Now available in Fish, Cat and Small Animal!
See all awards »
I've had 716 friends visit me.
I'm the 3,838th member on FishChannel.com.
10 friends have voted for me since I joined Fish eClub!
Come visit me, & .
shannon, Temple, PA.
Come visit me, Brotherhead.
Come visit me, my Betta, Bill Coco, William Coco & my fresh water tank.
Come visit me, cichlid lover, Bichir Tank, community tank, Rosy Barb Tank & catfish and cichlid tank.
Come visit me, OutdoorFishPond.
Come visit me, Great White's Cichlid Tank, Great Whites GoldFish Pond, Patio Pond & Great White's AngelFish Tank.
Tell a Friend |
Report inappropriate content on this page.
Hi, my tank is
Nature in a glass box.
Visit the photo gallery to cast your vote »
Your source for freshwater, reef, and saltwater aquarium keeping information, tips, and species profiles.
Sign up to get updates delivered straight to your inbox.
FishChannel takes your privacy seriously. To learn more, please read our privacy policy.


text:
The state will purchase approximately 15 businesses and one home to make way for the $250 million port access road project in North Charleston, a state highway official said Tuesday.
The cost to acquire the properties will run in the tens of millions of dollars, said DOT Project Manager Jae Mattox.
North Charleston City Council told Mattox to return for another meeting with more information about the affected real estate.
"Council needs to know what property you are trying to get. The community needs to know that," said Councilman Bob King.
In an interview, Mattox said that the affected property owners are aware of the situation.
The port road project needs the City Council's approval to move forward.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State Ports Authority and the DOT have monthly meetings about the project. The Council said that it wants a city representative to attend those meetings.
About 70 tracts of land are needed for the project, Mattox said.
The project will radically change the look of I-26 at about the 218 mile marker where the Spruill Avenue exits are located for westbound traffic.
A three-tiered interchange will rise about 40-feet above the interstate to create the new port access road, which will be about a mile long. The elevated road will gradually slope down to ground level when it reaches the site of the new port terminal, officials said.
Neighborhood changes will include the knitting back together of Union Heights, which was split by the Spruill Avenue ramps when they were built in the 1960s.
Some residents at the meeting wanted to know what will happen to the land when the ramps are torn down, and they hoped it would be used to benefit the community.
Now, traffic traveling west out of Charleston can exit at Spruill Avenue, but vehicles traveling east into Charleston cannot. The new interchange will be accessible from both directions.
As part of the project, the Rosemont neighborhood will get a sound wall, officials said.
A total of $182 million, most of it state funds, has been identified for the new port road. Officials said that the SPA will make up the difference in project cost.
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey predicted that costs for the project will rise. "I don't think $250 million is going to do it," he said.
The port road project schedule presented by Mattox calls for construction to begin as early as 2016, with the new port terminal opening in 2019.
The State Ports Authority is in the process of developing a marine container terminal on 288 acres at the south end of the former Charleston Naval Base. The new road will serve the terminal.
The General Assembly approved $172 million for the project.
The federal government is providing $10 million.
- Keywords


text: BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, DC 20401 In the Matter of ) ) the Appeal of ) ) GRAPHICDATA, INC. ) Docket No. GPO BCA 35-94 Program D306-S ) Purchase Order 94586 ) DECISION AND ORDER ACCEPTING APPEAL AND DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS On January 3, 1995, the Board conducted a hearing pursuant to Rule 5 of its rules of practice and procedure for the purpose of receiving the parties' arguments on the question of whether it had jurisdiction to decide the claim of Graphicdata, Inc. (Appellant or Contractor) because the Contracting Officer had failed to render a final decision within a "reasonable time", or, on the other hand, was the appeal premature? See, Decision and Order Scheduling a Hearing, dated December 21, 1994, at 6-7 (Hearing Decision); GPO Instruction 110.12, Subject: Board of Contract Appeals Rules of Practice and Procedure, dated September 17, 1984, Rule 5 (Board Rules). The issue was raised when the Respondent filed a "Motion to Dismiss" (Motion) on November 4, 1994, contending that the Contracting Officer, Richard Weiss, had not had a reasonable amount of time to resolve the claim, and thus the Contractor's appeal of October 21, 1994, should be dismissed as premature.1 See, Hearing Decision, at 2. At the hearing, both parties were represented by counsel who presented oral argument concerning their respective positions.2 In addition, the Appellant offered testimony with regard to the question being heard. The parties waived the filing of post-hearing briefs in this matter (Tr.: 72-73).3 Board Rules, Rule 23. Based on the testimony and arguments at the presented at the hearing, the Board has concluded that the appeal should be ACCEPTED and the Motion should be DENIED. Board Rules, Rule 1(c).4 A. STATEMENT OF FACTS The facts pertaining to the jurisdictional question are essentially undisputed and are set forth here only to the extent necessary for this decision. 1. Program D306-S involves the printing and distribution of U.S. patents (Tr.:26).5 Under the contract, the Appellant is required to perform approximately 2 million printing impressions each week, and make daily deliveries (Tr.: 26-27). 2. The contract was for nine months, divided into two production periods-one of two months (eight issues) and the other of seven months (31 one issues)-totalling 39 weeks of performance (Tr.: 27-28). Although the contract is scheduled to end on February 28, 1995 (Tr.:11), it is so structured that there is an overlap period which will require the Appellant to produce work until the end of April 1995 (Tr.: 49).6 3. The work under the contract was originally estimated to be approximately 2 million impressions for the first production period only, with a lower production rate of approximately 1 million impressions for the second period (Tr.: 28). This estimated reduction in output was based on the U.S. Patent Office's (Patent Office) intent to submit patents electronically in the second production period, instead of in hard copy (Tr.: 28). However, the Patent Office changed its mind and decided to continue provide patents for reproduction in hard copy, so the lower impression rate for the second production period never materialized; i.e., the Appellant continues to produce approximately 2 million impressions a week (Tr.: 29).7 4. Because of this change, the Appellant was asked to submit its proposal for an equitable adjustment in the contract price. On August 22, 1994, the Contractor sent its equitable adjustment claim to the Respondent (Tr.: 33; App. Exh. No. 1). Thereafter, on September 20, 1994, in response to a telephone call from the Contracting Officer, the Appellant certified its claim (Tr.: 34; App. Exh. No. 1). The next day, September 21, 1994, the Contracting Officer sent a memorandum to GPO's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) requesting an audit of the claim (Tr.: 9). The Contracting Officer believed an audit was necessary because the claim contained a number of line items and issues and was complex (Tr.:59). 5. Between October 4, 1994, and October 7, 1994, the Contracting Officer and the Appellant were in touch with each other daily, exchanging proposals in an effort to find an appropriate equitable adjustment figure and avoid a Government audit (Tr.: 43-47: App. Exh. No. 1). When their efforts proved unsuccessful, the Contracting Officer told the OIG to proceed with the audit of the claim (Tr.: 47; App. Exh. No. 1).8 6. On October 12, 1994, Edwin L. Hawse, an OIG Supervisory Auditor, telephoned the Contractor and said that a Ms. Anna Sud had been assigned to inspect the claim, and that while Ms. Sud would begin the audit as soon as possible, he could not give the Appellant a definite date when it would be performed (Tr.: 48; App. Exh. No. 1). Thereafter, on December 21, 1994, the OIG sent a letter to the Appellant informing it that the audit would be conducted at its New Jersey offices on January 9, 1995 (Tr.: 7, 8, 53).9 7. The OIG auditors promised to have a final audit report in the Contracting Officer's hands by the end of January 1995, and he has committed to issue a final decision on the claim two weeks after that (Tr.: 7, 71).10 8. In the interim, when the Contracting Officer failed to issue a final decision on the claim by October 14, 1994, as demanded by its attorney (App. Exh. No. 1), the Appellant, on October 21, 1994, filed its appeal with the Board. B. QUESTION PRESENTED The only issue in this proceeding is whether the Board has jurisdiction over the Appellant's claim because the Contracting Officer has had a "reasonable time" to render a final decision, or should the appeal be dismissed because it is premature? C. CONCLUSIONS From the parties' oral argument and the testimony of the Appellant's witness at the hearing, the Board draws the following conclusions: 1. Rule 1 of the Board Rules parallels section 605 of the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), 41 U.S.C. § 605, to the extent that a contracting officer is allowed 60 days to issue a final decision for claims of $50,000 or less, or a "reasonable time" for claims in excess of $50,000. Compare, Board Rules, Rules 1(b) and 1(c) with 41 U.S.C. §§ 605(c)(1),(3). 2. What constitutes a "reasonable time" under the CDA is determined by taking into account such factors as the size and complexity of the claim and the adequacy in support of the claim provided by the contractor. 41 U.S.C. § 605(c)(3). See, Universal Contracting, DOT CAB Nos. 1565, 1600, 1601, 85-3 BCA ¶ 18,326. However, the Board's reading of the CDA cases tells it that whatever constitutes a "reasonable time", it will most likely be more than 60 days.11 See, Roebbelen Engineering, Inc., DOT BCA No. 1814, 87-1 BCA ¶ 98,628; 3. There is no comparable definition of "reasonable time" in the Board Rules, although the similarity between those regulations and the CDA with respect to other relevant language, as well as their shared procedural philosophy, warrants the conclusion that the CDA's definition is implied in the Board Rules. See, Banta Company, GPO BCA 03-91 (November 15, 1993), Sl. op. at 34. 4. By any definition, the claim in question clearly meets the standard of a complex claim. Moreover, under GPO's procurement regulations, as well as the terms of the contract, given the size and scope of the claim it was not unreasonable under the circumstances for the Contracting Officer to ask the OIG to audit the claim before issuing a final decision. See, PPR, Chap. X, ¶ 4.a.; GPO Contract Terms, Solicitation Provisions, Supplemental Specifications, and Contract Clauses, GPO Publication 310.2, Effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 9-88), Contract Clauses, ¶ 40. Therefore, the Board concludes that when the Appellant filed its appeal with the Board on October 21, 1994, at the expiration of 60 days, it was acting prematurely. See, Executive Elevator Service, Inc., VABCA No. 2741, 88-3 BCA ¶ 20,964. 5. However, it is well settled that prematurity is not always fatal to the justiciability of an appeal. See, Briggs Engineering and Testing Company, Inc. v. United States, 230 Ct.Cl. 828 (1982); So-Pak-Company, Inc., ASBCA No. 38906, 93-3 BCA ¶ 26,215; Rice King, ASBCA No. 43352, 92-2 BCA ¶ 24,805; Emerson Electric Company, ASBCA No. 31184, 86-2 BCA ¶ 18,979.20. For example, under the CDA the filing of a premature appeal does not relieve a contracting officer from rendering a final decision on a claim in excess of $50,000 within the 60-day period prescribed by the statute. Atherton Construction, Inc., ASBCA No. 41414, 91-1 BCA ¶ 23,635; ACS Construction Company, ASBCA No. 36535, 89-1 BCA ¶ 21,406. 6. It is also settled that an audit alone will not shield a contracting officer from his responsibility to issue a decision. See, Robert Augustine & Sons, Inc., supra, 90-1 BCA ¶ 22,506. In conducting the audit in this case, the OIG auditors are acting as the representative of the Contracting Officer and their obligations are no less than his. See, Computer Systems & Resources, Inc., GSBCA No. 8434-TD, 86-3 BCA ¶ 19,017. 7. What bothers the Board about the audit in this case is the delay involved. As it observed during the hearing, from the time the Contracting Officer requested the OIG audit of the claim (September 21, 1994) to the date it began (January 9, 1995), three and one-half months had elapsed (Tr.: 8-9). Looked at another way, between the date the claim was filed with the Contracting Officer (August 22, 1994) and the date of the OIG audit 131 days had disappeared from the calendar. 8. The OIG auditors promised the Contracting Officer that they would complete their examination by end of January 1995, and he in turn has made a commitment to issue a final decision within two weeks after he receives their report. Taking the OIG at its word, the audit report should be in the Contracting Officer's hands any day now. Therefore, while the Board is not pleased with the dilatory and casual manner in which the OIG handled the arrangements for the audit, it seems that the appropriate remedy at this stage is to give both OIG and the Contracting Officer a reasonable period of time in which to complete review of the Appellant's claim and to issue a decision. See, Computer Systems & Resources, Inc., supra, 86-3 BCA ¶ 19,017. See also, James Reeves Contractor, Inc., ASBCA Nos. 35280-281, 35281-282, 87-3 BCA ¶ 20,173. That is exactly what the Board will do here. As the Board indicated during the hearing, it believes that dismissal of the appeal at this time, followed by the taking of a new appeal, and then redocketing, would here appear to be inefficient and an elevation of form over substance (Tr.: 23). See, Cessna Aircraft Company, ASBCA No. 43196, 92-1 BCA ¶ 24,425, at 121,909. See also, So-Pak-Company, Inc., supra, 93-3 BCA ¶ 26,215. 9. THEREFORE, the Board DENIES the Respondent's Motion and ACCEPTS the Contractor's appeal. Board Rules, Rules 1(c), 2 and c. FURTHERMORE, pursuant to Rule 1(d) of the Board Rules, the Contracting Officer is hereby directed to issue a final decision on the Appellant's claim which was submitted to him on August 22, 1994, within two weeks after receiving the OIG's audit report, but in no event later than February 28, 1995, and furnish a copy of such decision to the Board. Board Rules, Rule 1(d). ACCORDINGLY, further proceedings in this matter are STAYED until such time as the Contracting Officer issues his final decision in accordance with this Decision and Order. Id. See, EPCo Associates, GPO BCA 26-93 (November 18, 1993). Accord, Improved Petroleum Recovery, EBCA Nos. 348-1-86, 349-1-86, 87-1 BCA ¶ 19,431 (1987).12 It is so Ordered. January 31, 1995 STUART M. FOSS Administrative Judge _____________ 1 When the Board scheduled the jurisdictional hearing in this matter, it understood that the Appellant's claim amounted to $532,092.74. See, Hearing Decision, at 1, fn. 1. On January 20, 1995, after the close of the hearing, Counsel for the U.S. Government Printing Office (Respondent or GPO or Government) furnished the Board with a copy of a letter from the Appellant's President, Kenneth Margulies, to the Contracting Officer, dated January 17, 1995, contending that the correspondence showed that during the audit process, the Appellant revised its claim upward without certifying it as required by the Respondent's regulations governing the procurement of printing, see, Printing Procurement Regulation, GPO Publication 305.3 (Rev. 10-90) Chap. X, Section, ¶ 3 (PPR), and thus the Contracting Officer could not be expected to issue a final decision. See, Notice of Filing, dated January 20, 1995, p. 1 (Notice of Filing). On January 23, 1995, Counsel for the Appellant responded with a document entitled "Motion to Strike GPO Notice of Filing Dated January 20, 1995 and Motion for Sanctions Pursuant to Rule 31" (Motion to Strike), which, among other things, flatly denied that the Contractor was increasing its claim, but rather was supplying the auditors with more detailed information, and moreover, the $532,092.74 claim it submitted was properly certified. Motion to Strike, at 2-3. The Board has read the letter from Mr. Margulies to the Contracting Officer and sees nothing to alter its belief that it is dealing with a $532,092.74 claim. However, there is nothing in the Board's procedural rules which contemplate a Motion to Strike, nor has the Appellant established any basis for such a motion at this preliminary stage of the appeal under the Federal rules. FED. R. CIV. P. 12(f). In the Board's view, the Respondent's Notice of Filing is mere argument supplementing the position it took at the hearing, and is not a defensive pleading. Furthermore, nothing in the Notice of Filing warrants the conclusion that the Respondent is attempting to interfere with "the orderly prosecution or defense of an appeal" so as to justify the imposition of sanctions under Rule 31. Board Rules, Rule 31. Accordingly, the Motion to Strike is DENIED. 2 References to the official transcript will be cited as "Tr." followed by a full colon (:), with an appropriate page number thereafter. 3 However, the Counsel for the Appellant did submit a copy of the written statement which he had prepared for the hearing (Tr.: 72). 4 Rule 1(c) of the Board's procedural regulations provides: "Where the contractor has submitted a claim in excess of $50,000 and has requested a final decision from the contracting officer and the contracting officer has failed to issue a decision within a reasonable time, the contractor may file a notice of appeal as provided in subparagraph (a) above, citing the failure to issue such decision." Board Rules, Rule 1(c). 5 The record does not contain the Contracting Officer's appeal file. Board Rules, Rule 4(a). However, for the purposes of background, the Board accepts the testimony of the Appellant's witness, Mr. Margulies, describing the scope of the agreement. The Contractor also submitted a contemporaneously written memorandum to the file from Mr. Margulies, recording his recollection of events from October 4, 1994 to October 12, 1994, as Appellant's Exhibit No. 1 (hereinafter App. Exh. No. 1) (Tr.: 35-39). 6 Consequently, at the time of the hearing the Contractor had been performing under the contract for only five months (Tr.: 49). 7 The Contracting Officer informed the Appellant of the Patent Office's decision on or about July 11, 1994, approximately two or three weeks before the commencement of the second production period (Tr.: 29-30, 31). Thereafter, on July 21, 1994, the Contracting Officer provided the Contractor with a letter stating that ". . . there would be no reduction in print volumes, and `present print volumes will continue until further notice. These projected volumes were faxed to you on July 13, 1994.'" See, App. Exh. No. 1. 8 Among other things, the record shows that the Appellant submitted a revised settlement proposal to the Contracting Officer on October 6, 1994, which increased the rate on line item I.(a)(3) for the second production period from $3.00 to $4.21 (Tr.: 45; App. Exh. No. 1). The Contracting Officer countered by offering to pay a rate of $3.65 for the same line item (Tr.: 45: App. Exh. No. 1). The Contractor did not accept the Contracting Officer's proposal, but offered to split the difference between $4.21 and $3.65 to settle the matter (Tr.: 46; App. Exh. No. 1). However, the Contracting Officer rejected this second offer and told the Appellant that he would have the claim audited by the OIG (Tr.: 47-48; App. Exh. No. 1). In reply, the Contractor requested the issuance of a contract modification increasing the rate on line item I.(a)(3) in the second production period from $3.00 to $3.65-the rate proposed by the Contracting Officer-which would have provided a partial settlement of the dispute and narrowed the scope of the audit to the .56 rate difference between the Government and the Appellant, but the Contracting Officer refused to do so (Tr.: 48; App. Exh. No. 1). 9 At the hearing, Mr. Margulies testified that he had not received the letter and was thus unaware that the audit was to begin the following week (Tr.: 53). The Board was not surprised because the letter was mailed during the U.S. Postal Service's peak season-Christmas-and was sent by regular mail. 10 However, as Counsel for GPO pointed out at the hearing, the OIG's ability to keep its promise may only be as good as current funding and staff levels, which are generally low throughout the agency (Tr.: 7-8). 11 For certified claims in excess of $50,000, the only CDA requirement imposed on a contracting officer who fails to issue a decision within 60 days is to notify the contractor of the time within which a decision will be issued. 41 U.S.C. § 605(c)(2)(B). See, John C. Grimberg Company, Inc., ASBCA No. 42695, 91-3 BCA ¶ 24,074; Robert Augustine & Sons, Inc., VABCA No. 3079, 90-1 BCA ¶ 22,506. The Board Rules do not contain a comparable provision. See, Hearing Decision, at 6, fn. 8. 12 Shortly after the close of the jurisdictional hearing, the Appellant submitted a motion asking the Board to order the Contracting Officer to issue a contract modification increasing the price of line item I.(a)(3) of the contract from $3.00 to $3.65 as the undisputed portion of the claim, because the "undisputed testimony" indicated that the Contracting Officer agreed with the increase. See, Motion to Order Contracting Officer to Pay Undisputed Portion of Claim Immediately," dated January 3, 1995, at 1 (Motion to Pay). The Respondent opposes the Motion to Pay on the ground that Appellant has mischaracterized the evidence which shows that the parties never had a meeting of the minds regarding the amount due the Contractor as an equitable adjustment. See, Respondent's Opposition to Appellant's Motion to Order Contracting Officer to Pay Undisputed Portion of Claim Immediately, January 11, 1995, at 1-2. GPO's printing procurement regulation provides, in pertinent part: "In the event of an appeal, the amount, if any, determined to be payable in the decision of the Contracting Officer, less any portion previously paid, should be paid in advance of any decision by the board without prejudice to the rights of either party or the appeal." PPR, Chap. X, Sec. 1, ¶ 5.g. [Emphasis added.] The plain meaning of the regulation tells us that the sine qua non of a contractor's right to be paid the undisputed amount of a claim while its appeal is pending is the issuance of a final decision from the Contracting Officer establishing that amount. THEREFORE, regardless of any testimony at the hearing, the Appellant's Motion to Pay is premature and is hereby DENIED. Once a final decision is rendered on the claim, the Appellant may renew its demand for payment of the undisputed amount (whatever that may be), but the matter should first be presented to the Contracting Officer.


text:
AboutWell well well~ Now what are you doing here? I didn't think anyone bothered to visit little old Rasquathena in her corner of the world... but welcome all the same.
I'll keep the basic introduction brief for you: my name is Rasquathena, or Rasq (that Q is pronounced like a K) for short. I'm twenty-six, and have been stalking around Gaia since around '06 under multiple different aliases (needing to change my email often due to a nasty ex, and occasionally forgetting how to access some of those emails).
With any luck, I won't need to change my identity again. ^_~
Now on to the juicy bits:
For one reason or another, I seem to intimidate people. I don't know if it's because of my usually fairly proper manner of speech, or that I sound very business-like when you first meet me, but let me assure you it isn't intentional. I tend to come across as cold, blunt, and even apathetic from time to time... but you can't really let that fool you. If you take the time to make it to the second or third PM with me, you'll find out I'm a pretty friendly, goofy, nerd with a love of anime, horror, and fantasy novels. (Sparkly, effeminate, "pretty-boy" vampires need not apply. Alucard will eviscerate them on sight.) Fair warning though, if you don't talk to me at all, and send me a friend request, expect it to be declined. I don't accept requests from people I don't know or talk to.
I'm proud to call myself an Elite role player, even though I haven't been in that sort of role play in a while, so I highly advise you don't try to lord your literacy level over me. I've seen pretty much the best and worst, and all it will do is make that wonderful little anime vein pop up over my head.
That aside, I'm willing to give just about any sort of role playing a shot as long as I'm not expected to post two or more times a day, or I feel I might be a little overkill or overbearing on my fellow role players (you know, when they're posting maybe three sentences and I'm posting four paragraphs).
Viewing 12 of 77 friends
Assorted Info and Plots
Since I'm trying not to clutter my profile, you can find a bunch of info on my current goings on here.
Viewing 10 of 20 comments.
Bugs, Trash, Philosopher's Cache?
I'll gladly make them disappear for you. ^_~
Maleagant / Lavinia
Nishka Dusa / Ugo Corvi
Ruben / Sacheverell
Nephilion Ele'Dricht
Yediran Heyrabed
Saventieth Elfenbein
Ophirian Ammutseba


text:
It's been one of those weeks, you guys. Just one of those blurry, groggy, "not good for employment, responsibilities or the welfare of perfectly innocent houseplants" kind of weeks. I just cannot get my act together! Surely, you all understand. We've all been there. Sometimes brains and bodies just have to shut it down and RECOVER. For example, my depth perception and motor function have been so distorted that door frames might as well be keyholes. As of Wednesday, I think I was still typing entire emails using nothing but suggested words from spell check.
I mean, suuuure. I might have overdone it a little bit with the sun and fun over the long weekend, but COME ON. We're all adults here! I'm quite completely ashamed of my inability to rebound and rejoin the world of the mentally and physically competent.
Basically, my point is that I've been doing a lot of thinking about this whole Albert Pujols "what broken bone I have no clue what you're talking about or where you might have gotten that idea it's clearly all a figment of your overactive and possibly hallucinogenic imagination please seriously stop doing drugs I'M FINE FOR REALZ" scenario and I've come to at least two conclusions.
First of all, I am a HUUUUUGE pansy. I develop a compound hangover from drinking beers in the sun for a couple of days and can barely manage to climb out of bed without the assistance of a large crane, a cattle prod and one of the Transformers.
Meanwhile, THIS GUY!
I really mean no disrespect to his obvious and well documented awesomeness, but does he have to be such a goddamn showoff? The rest of us are just trying to GET THROUGH IT ALL. I had a full ten minute phone conversation with a client yesterday in which I didn't drool into the receiver or start reciting the alphabet and that is considered REAL PROGRESS! Yet, he gets legitimate, and at certain points, career threatening injuries that he appears to just magically recover from overnight. I am MYSTIFIED.
My second realization is that this is no accident. I don't mean to frighten you, my friends, but I think it's pretty clear that Mr. Pujols is leading the robot uprising. Any questions we might have had about his physical superiority have been totally laid to waste and it's getting to the point where I can't believe anyone is all that surprised. This man is a MONSTER and he cannot be stopped. He's going to outlive us, our children, our grandchildren and our flying hybrid hoverboard vacuum cleaner smoothie makers. He's leading a revolution in which only the strong will survive. Me personally? I just hope there's running water at whatever concentration camp I end up in. Because clearly he will have no use for an idiot who can't even unlock a car door without dropping the keys down a storm drain. My time has come and I am at peace with this. Besides, I already have a smoothie maker.
In other news, I'm traveling down to St. Louis this very afternoon to watch the rest of this four game series against the Diamondbacks. And unless he feels it necessary to capture me and my family over the weekend, I hope Albert hits 11 home runs and eats at least three relief pitchers. What can I say? I have early onset Stockholm syndrome.


text:
Kid Friendly Hotels in Branson
With its affordable price and wide variety of attractions, Branson, Missouri is a top choice for families on vacation. The Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show is one of the city's most popular attractions. Families can marvel at the amazing horse riding displays, while also enjoying a satisfying dinner. Another top choice for families is the New Shanghai Circus featuring the Acrobats of China. These extraordinary performers leave visitors, especially children, gasping at their skill, strength and daring moves. Both the old and young are fascinated by the wreck of the ocean liner, Titanic, and Branson's Titanic Museum features numerous actual artifacts recovered from its wreckage. The central attractions of Branson, though, are its many shows. One of the most appealing is Legends in Concert, where performers as varied as Elvis and the Blues Brothers deliver classic songs that everyone knows by heart.
Filter Kid Friendly Hotels in Branson
More Hotels in Branson
Popular Searches:
Points of Interest:
- Cadwell Classic Car Museum
- Bass Pro Shops Branson
- Bart Rockett Show
- Branson Arts Council
- Tall Timber Lumberjack Show
- Don Gardner Pitch N Putt Golf
- Holiday Hills Resort and Golf
- Skaggs Community Health Center
- Springfield-Branson Regional Airport
- Ozarks Technical Community Clg
Check Branson Hotel Deals:
Marriotts Willow Ridge Lodge
Tribesman Resort
Still Waters Resort
Village at Indian Point
Residence Inn Branson
Falls Village Resort
Pointe Royale Resort
Thousand Hills Resort and Golf Club
Wyndham Branson at The Meadows
Chateau on The Lake Resort & Spa
- 1
- 2
- Next ›


text:
When Jonathan Betz announced he was leaving WFAA-Channel 8 in late May after five years, he said only that he was going to New York City; he wasn't more specific, other than to say, "I'll still be doing the news." Now, officially, we know for whom: Al Jazeera America.
A release from the network names its first four anchors, Betz chief among them. The other three hail from Atlanta (Richelle Carey), Charlotte (Morgan Fogarty) and Washington, D.C. (Del Walters).
"This talented and trusted group of on-air talent is a further indication of the quality and depth of journalism experience that Al Jazeera America is attracting," says Bob Wheelock, senior executive producer for news and special projects, in a statement this morning. "Their previous work across the United States will help to ensure that our daily newscasts include objective reporting on the stories from around the block and around the globe that have a real impact on each American's lives."
Moments ago, via Twitter, Betz made his own announcement: "I'm extremely excited to be a part of the @ajam team! Really looking forward to our launch!"


text:
What Is an MRI?
So you've just seen your doctor, and he says that he wants you to have an MRI of your knee. You've heard the term MRI before, but you are not quite sure what it involves. Will it be painful? How long will it take? How much radiation will I be exposed to? And, why do I need this test?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a relatively new and painless technique that allows doctors to look at the soft tissues of the body. it is different from regular x-rays like you get in a doctor's office because it does not expose you to radiation. Instead, a radio frequency is used to knock your hydrogen atoms out of line. As they move back to their natural alignment, each hydrogen atom in your cells emits a tiny electric signal. The MRI scanner has very strong magnets in special coils to detect the electric signal. A computer uses these signals to create a detailed image of your soft tissues.
Magnetic resonance imaging allows doctors to see the image of many structures inside joints that cannot be felt by direct touch with their fingers. Some of these structures are ligaments (tissues connecting bones), menisci (tissues absorbing shock in the knee), and tendons (tissues connecting muscle to bone). The ability to look at these structures inside an injured joint has greatly improved patient care because, in many instances, it enables doctors to correctly diagnose and treat the injured structures earlier.
Looking inside the knee
The knee is commonly evaluated with MRI. Using this technique to help diagnose knee injuries was first described in 1987, and its use caught on quickly. Most often, doctors take knee MRIs so they can see if your menisci or your cruciate ligaments (ligaments that prevent the upper leg from moving too far forward or too far backward over the lower leg) are damaged. Both of the cruciate ligaments can be seen better on MRI than on any other currently used imaging techniques. Most tears of the medial (inner side) and lateral (outer side) menisci also can be seen on MRI. The MRI does not have the resolution, however, to create a detailed image of every structure in the joint.
In an uninjured knee, menisci and ligaments appear as dark structures that can be seen well (see linked figures). But, because both ligaments and menisci are composed of thick, tough cords (collagen) with little blood supply, there are only a few hydrogen atoms available to emit signals. Therefore, when ligaments are injured or torn, they may not appear at all, and menisci may appear as relatively white areas where joint fluid has entered a torn portion. Orthopaedic surgeons use MRIs also in the shoulder, ankle, elbow, spine, or any area of an arm or leg where they want to look at soft tissues rather than bones.
The main safety issue with MRIs is the strong magnetic field present. People who have metal aneurysm clips, metal shards in their eyes (automotive or factory workers are at risk), or pacemakers should not be examined by MRI. In these people, the magnetic field can displace the metal or cause the pacemaker to malfunction. Other metallic implants in the body generally are not affected by MRI, but they can distort the MRI signal. Remember, if you have any type of implant, you and your doctor should discuss whether an MRI is safe for you.
The other main problem for people who have an MRI is that they must be placed into the "tube" of the scanner and remain perfectly still for 30 to 60 minutes to obtain a good quality MRI. Typically, the scan lasts about 40 minutes. Although the procedure is painless, large people, people with claustrophobia, and small children generally do not tolerate this well. Your doctor may prescribe a sedative for you to help you relax or sleep during the scan if you are claustrophobic. Or, you may be placed in a scanner that is open on both ends.
During the scan, the machine will make knocking sounds. These sounds occur when the magnetic field is changed rapidly.
Magnetic resonance imaging has greatly improved doctors'
ability to view soft tissue injuries and has been especially useful in
speeding the diagnosis and improving the treatment of athletic injuries.
it is often an excellent supplement to your medical history and physical
examination. Further advancements in the use of MRI will allow doctors
to look at injured structures with even more precision. There is little
doubt that MRI will continue to be the imaging technique of choice for
soft tissue injuries in sports medicine for the foreseeable future.
Robert F. LaPrade, M.D.
Galveston, Texas


text:
Dow 15,000
The Dow Jones industrial average punched through another milestone Tuesday: its first close above 15,000.
The Dow rose 87.31 points to 15,056.20 points Tuesday, a gain of 0.6 percent.
It was another chapter in the market's epic ascent in 2013. Good economic reports, higher corporate profits and support from central banks have eased investors' concerns that another economic slowdown could upend the market.
Two months ago the Dow recovered the last of its losses from the financial crisis. So far this year it's up 15 percent.
Wall Street followed world markets higher Tuesday. U.S. stocks rose after companies including satellite TV provider DirecTV and watchmaker Fossil reported higher quarterly profits. Markets rose in Japan and Europe in response to good news about central bank stimulus and the German economy.
The Dow and broader Standard & Poor's 500 index are trading at record levels, driven by optimism that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover and as the Federal Reserve maintains its stimulus program. The Dow punched through 15,000 Friday after the U.S. government reported a sharp pickup in hiring.
"We don't think people are giving enough credit to the strength of the economy," said Ryan Detrick, a senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research. "We still like the market."


text:
Pleased with outcome
January 1, 2014
In response to the Dec....
"Now our sagacious liberals will view this as a tragedy caused by conservative Republicans, when in fact the real tragedy of the matter is the ethics 1.3 million individuals in the United States lack!"
While I agree that there are some that take advantage of the system, I believe your broad brush labeling of everyone as unethical, is unfair.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year
13 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Not extending the UC is expected to drop the unemployment rate 3-5 points (.3 - .5) due to individuals either taking lower paying jobs that they otherwise would not take while collecting UC or dropping out of the work force entirely. It will be interesting to see how both parties spin this.
11 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
I know some people who would be glad to take a lower paying job. I know right now I make less per hour then I did in in the 1980's but my bills are higher.
10 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
"Now our sagacious liberals will view this as a tragedy caused by conservative Republicans..." - Paul S. Metzger
There was nothing Conservative, about Lil' Dumbya.
"The question now is not "will there be a recession?" but "how bad will it get?"
"U.S. Economy Screwed" - Business Insider
2 Agrees | 11 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Happy New Year All!! How many of those losing thier unemployment benefits will now end up on welfare? How many will now lose thier homes to forclosure? Many do milk the system but many just can't find a job.It seems the Fed. gov't is just shifting the expense to the states.
5 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Back in '81 I worked at a restaurant part time while going to WACC for welding. I quit there to go to work at Grumman's for a work-study job that paid me $4/hr to work there to repair engine cradles and a-frames for a bus line that Grumman bought out while I was continuing my education at WACC. I worked there from November '81 through the spring of '82 when I got laid off when they went about retooling for the new postal contract. I was working 68 hours/week (10 hours/day Mon-Sat and 8 hours Sunday) while going to school in the evening. I signed up for, and received, unemployment, since I had proven I was working full time and going to school. About that same time my father lost his job when Zenith closed it's doors in Watsontown. He also received unemployment. Back in those days you had to document that you were looking for a job, and we did. I applied everywhere I could think of, as did my dad. Both of us collected unemployment for 56 weeks.
5 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
cont'd... I was lucky in that the day I signed up for my last available unemployment check I was called to go to work at a local restaurant. I believe my dad spent a couple more months looking for a job before he finally found one washing dishes at Lycoming college. He picked strawberries and tomatoes and did other odd jobs in the mean time to find some cash to live on.
Obviously back then there wasn't the amount of fast food and retail store opportunities that exist today, but then again, there aren't the factory jobs today that existed back then.
But I know what it's like to have to depend on unemployment to pay your bills. It's what caused me to look for opportunities that existed where the possibility of getting laid off was low. Not everyone who collects the maximum number of weeks is holding out for that dream job.
10 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
I can't even find words to respond to this clown.My guess is the writer is past 55. Gained his employment when skilled, unskilled and industrial jobs were plentiful, has not needed to apply for a job in a few decades, knows there are programs but really doesn't understand that training and actual employment do not necessarily go hand -in-hand.Sorry Sir, this is not a party issue and you are the Grinch who will steal New Years!All the previous pesters are from various ideologies and not one is a "sagacious" liberal.
5 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Democrats are going to fight to raise the minimum wage. Of course the wealthy CEOs will fight it and threaten to leave the US for better pastures.
3 Agrees | 10 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
The best way to solve the unemployment problem is to have a robust economy, not increase unemployment benefits. This administration has done more to harm the economy and encourages the unemployed to vote for them so the other side doesn't take their benefits away. We're already hearing narrative encouraging more unemployment benefits that the mean other side is causing people to loose.
10 Agrees | 6 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Where are the jobs?
8 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
JerryfromRI-"Where are the jobs?"
Jobs are available if you look. I see help wanted signs all over the place. Yeah, some are part time and you may have to land a couple of them to make ends meet until you can work your way up, but they are available if you are willing to work.
8 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
I see for the New Year Bobbie has resolved to remain as ignorant to others as she has always been. Ever the antagonist, never any substance to go with the comments.
8 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Economic indicators show that the economy has grown and generated more wealth. Investors are getting their money's worth. Wall Street is rising. The 'job creators' are making money just not creating any jobs in the US.
5 Agrees | 7 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
The who is creating these jobs the President keeps touting every month?
7 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
What a hateful letter pointed at people who happen to be down and out, by and large through no choice of their own. It makes me wonder if Paul Metzger is just another church going person giving our Lord a bad name. 2boobies is, as usual making the ultimate arse of herself. I think her real name is David....... Go ahead insult my tribal name 2boobies, but I actually doubt you have "2" you're not much of a woman... It can't be a woman, it just can't be! Happy New Year everyone, make it a good one!!!
9 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
According to your side Gavin NO jobs have been created because Obama is holding back the job creators by attacking their wealth. So which is jobs created or not created? From what have I have been reading here not created because government has taken all their money and gave it to FRELOADERS.
3 Agrees | 5 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Happy New Year to all and to all those who can not afford a computer, laptop or internet or maybe even turn their heat up to 68. We are not the unfortunate by any means.
7 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Actually Chuck our side has been saying that job creation has been slow and anemic and there could be things that we could do to spur growth.
The 2 year budget deal that adds some stability in the Government is a good start.
No where has "our side" said no job's have been created. One would expect you to know better.
3 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
The unemployment picture shows a massive, growing segment of our nation no longer participate in the workforce.
That is sad.
Liberals do not see where a limit should be placed on unemployment benefits. Until now, there has been no time limit for benefits that liberals were not willing to cross.
5 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Mr. Reeder:
The minimum wage issue is a distraction from the failure of the Democrats-Only Obamacare debacle.
Liberals want to discuss anything other than the unpopular failure of their signature piece of legislation.
5 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Jobs don't expand the economy; an expanding economy creates jobs. There are fewer employed people today than when Democrats took control of our government. There's no way that can be an indication the economy is recovering at anything but a dismal rate, if at all. Narrative doesn't replace facts.
8 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
In 2014, Obama will renew the demagoguery and division with a push to "correct" the "economic inequality" in America.
Makers versus takers. Same old stuff.
4 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
If the minimum wage is increased, do you think the employer is going to pay it out of thier profits or pass it on to the consumers of all goods and services? If they raise it those getting paid min. wage will no longer qualify for food stamps, medicaid etc., saving the gov't $$. Those currently making over the proposed increase will not see an increase but will see thier cost of living increase, further destroying the middle class and widening the divide.Is this the plan?
7 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Gavin you fibbed your side says that Obama has lost more jobs than any other President. Your side gives him no credit for anything unless it is really bad. He has done nothing to create jobs it belongs to the job creators and it is not government.
2 Agrees | 6 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Showing 25 of 81 comments Show More Comments
Post a Comment
You must first login before you can comment.


text:
April 2014
Lee Memorial Health System
Hospital Volunteers a Valuable Part of the Team
"Norma Jasper works in the Volunteer Services office, where she uses her organizational and clerical skills she honed during her years in banking.
Norma Jasper spent 42 years in banking. When she retired and she and her husband moved to Florida permanently, she knew she wanted to volunteer at a hospital.
I was a candy striper in high school and always enjoyed working in the hospital, Norma says. In fact, I would say I was always a nurse wannabe so I checked out the volunteer options in Southwest Florida. I chose to volunteer with Lee Memorial Health System for a number of reasons, but particularly because of Golisano Children s Hospital and the Trauma Center.
Norma started volunteering twice a week in the operating room at HealthPark Medical Center. In her role, she served as liaison between the OR and the patient s family in the waiting room. Open-heart surgeries can last five or six hours, so I would update the family on where the doctors were in the operation, she says. At a certain point, I knew the surgery was almost over and I d let the family know. I couldn t relay any medical information, but I was there to provide updates and comfort. It was very rewarding.
The rest of the time, Norma would clean the operating room and get it ready for the next procedure. That was hard work mopping the floors, cleaning the equipment, she says.
In addition to her work in the OR, Norma also worked in the baby gift shop which is now the Uniform Store.
When my husband retired, I cut back to one day a week, so I gave up the work in the OR, Norma says. At that time, there was an opening in the Volunteer Resources office, and since office work is more in line with my background, I started volunteering there. I really enjoy it. As with my other volunteer jobs, I ve found you can make as much out of it as you want. Even though I m in the office now, I can still interact with families, patients and other volunteers.
Norma says she has always been impressed with the employees she s met in her volunteer posts. The employees appreciate what we do as volunteers, she says. They are very thankful for the volunteers and they communicate that, which is nice. I ve always looked at my volunteer work like it s a job because the people you re working for are counting on you to do your work.
Volunteering has been such a great experience for Norma that she recruited her neighbor, a snowbird, to volunteer at Golisano Children s Hospital of Southwest Florida while she is in Florida.
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available at each Lee Memorial Health System hospital. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, visit www. LeeMemorial.org/volunteer/index.asp.
You also can call:
- 239-424-2206 for Cape Coral Hospital
- 239-343-0636 for Gulf Coast Medical Center
- 239-343-5055 for HealthPark Medical Center or Golisano Children s Hospital
- 239-343-2388 for Lee Memorial Hospital


text:
The belief that irradiation of the breast following local removal of a carcinomatous mass is an alternative equal to mastectomy is based on certain assumptions—that radiation is "conservative," that surgery is "radical," that mammary carcinoma is radioresponsive if not radiosensitive, and that damage to the normal breast is inconsequential.
On the basis of 50 years of both clinical and experimental investigations of radiation effects on tissues and tumors and the study of mammary carcinoma since 1948 in a laboratory that has accumulated about 5000 cases of cancer of the breast in its files, I believe these assumptions are not necessarily correct.
My first acquaintance with the subject was as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School, Boston, in the laboratory of the late Dr Shields Warren, who used to show his trainees instances of radiation failure in carcinoma of the breast after both external and intramammary (radon seeds) treatment. Over
Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. It will be reviewed by JAMA Surgery editors. You will be notified when your comment has been published. Comments should not exceed 500 words of text and 10 references.
Do not submit personal medical questions or information that could identify a specific patient, questions about a particular case, or general inquiries to an author. Only content that has not been published, posted, or submitted elsewhere should be submitted. By submitting this Comment, you and any coauthors transfer copyright to the journal if your Comment is posted.
* = Required Field
Disclosure of Any Conflicts of Interest*
Indicate all relevant conflicts of interest of each author below, including all relevant financial interests, activities, and relationships within the past 3 years including, but not limited to, employment, affiliation, grants or funding, consultancies, honoraria or payment, speakers' bureaus, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, royalties, donation of medical equipment, or patents planned, pending, or issued. If all authors have none, check "No potential conflicts or relevant financial interests" in the box below. Please also indicate any funding received in support of this work. The information will be posted with your response.
Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.
Download citation file:
Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.
More Listings atJAMACareerCenter.com >
Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a link to reset your password.
Enter your username and email address. We'll send instructions on how to reset your password to the email address we have on record.
Need assistance?
Athens and Shibboleth are access management services that provide single sign-on to protected resources. They replace the multiple user names and passwords necessary to access subscription-based content with a single user name and password that can be entered once per session. It operates independently of a user's location or IP address. If your institution uses Athens or Shibboleth authentication, please contact your site administrator to receive your user name and password.