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As Iran mulls a fresh offer of U.S. and European Union incentives to halt its nuclearweapons program, the regime's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, this week brandished the oil state's most powerful weapon - disrupting Middle East energy supplies.
In a speech marking the anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the regime's founder, Khamenei said: "If the Americans make a wrong move toward Iran, the shipment of energy will definitely face danger - and the Americans would not be able to protect the energy supply in the region."
This isn't the first time Iran has wagged its fundamentalist finger at the world, making these - or more vicious - threats. In fact, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arguably raised menacing remarks to an art form.
But with oil at $70-plus a barrel, energy markets increasingly skittish and patience with Iran wearing thin, it's worth giving this threat another look.
On the "oil weapon," Iran has two choices: It can a) simply restrict its own energy production; or, b) attack nearby foreign energy production or oil tankers/natural gas carriers.
And it could pull either one off - but only at a significant price.
Withholding production would let Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, put a sizeable (if temporary) dent in the U.S. and world economies.
But Tehran's actions would come at a steep cost. Iran's economy relies heavily on energy. According to the Energy Information Agency, oil generates 80 percent to 90 percent of Iran's total export earnings, and 40 percent to 50 percent of the total government budget.
And, despite big oil profits, the Iranian economy is still troubled, suffering inflation of 15 percent or more, similar unemployment and chronic budget deficits due to government handouts/subsidies such as food and gas (costing 40 cents a gallon!).
In 1979, Iran had the most advanced economy in the Middle East; today, it's a mess. And the Washington Times reported this week that concerns over the nuclear crisis have already led $200 billion in capital to flee Iran recently. That's gotta hurt - and any escalation of tensions can only make the problem worse.
Plus, a boycott would quickly lose the support of Iran's energy-starved backers, like China.
Bottom line: Iran cutting off its own oil/gas exports would be akin to cutting one's nose off to spite one's face.
The other plausible Iranian option is to attack neighbors' energy assets - e.g., strike oil/gas production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates - or Iraq.
The regime might launch Shahab-class ballistic missiles to strike energy infrastructure just across the Gulf in mega-producer Saudi Arabia, or send xplosive-laden suicide boats against Gulf oil/gas ports and facilities.
Tehran could also attack non-Iranian flagged shipping. Or, better yet, close the Strait of Hormuz - the 40-mile wide bottleneck linking the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf, through which passes 40 percent of the world's oil - using mines, subs, patrol boats or even antiship cruise missiles.
Even limited attacks on the region's energy resources would skyrocket oil to $100 a barrel or more in a New York minute. Worse, it would send "crisis diplomacy" - which rarely achieves good outcomes - into overdrive.
But this ploy is also fraught with problems. Sure, Iran has the military capability to attack unarmed shipping, maybe, even (temporarily) close the Strait of Hormuz by scuttling a ship - but such actions wouldn't go unopposed.
Enter the U.S. Navy. While America's brave soldiers, Marines and airmen are fighting the good fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. naval forces in the Middle East stand ready on a moment's notice to deal with any Iranian aggression.
Yes, Iran could - temporarily - wreak havoc in the Persian Gulf, using sea-skimming, near supersonic Chinese C-801/802 anti-ship cruise missiles (and older Silkworm missiles), quiet Russian Kilo diesel and mini-submarines, stealthy mines and lethal, high-speed patrol boat "swarm" tactics. But U.S. naval power - surface, subsurface and air - would make fast work of Iran's misguided military efforts.
The Navy could also guard shipping, as it did in the infamous "Tanker War": During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, U.S. warships escorted oil tankers in the gulf to deter attack by Tehran or Baghdad.
Playing the oil card puts Tehran in a risky, high-stakes game. Sure, it could commit economic hara kiri by cutting its oil/gas production. Or alienate the entire world by attacking regional oil/ gas facilities and/or shipping. But Iran's leaders should understand that either course would be tantamount to being hoist by their own petard.
Sadly, you can never discount the possibility of unfathomable
Peter Brookes, a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation, is the author of "A Devil's Triangle: Terrorism, WMD and Rogue States."
First appeared in the New York Post


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Looking for a new challenge? Lace up your trainers and book your place for the Great North Run 2018!Embark on the largest, most prestigious half-marathon in the world. Join #TeamOrange today with our early bird offer of just £29! Take on an exciting challenge whilst raising funds to help beat muscle-wasting conditions. Let's turn the Tyne orange! Sign up here >> qoo.ly/jc5qt. ... See MoreSee Less
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It's just two weeks until our Duchenne Dialogue Day on 2 December. You will get to hear the latest news on exon-skipping treatments from the drug company Sarepta Therapeutics and find out about developments in gene therapy from Professor George Dickson. There will also be workshops on adaptations, bone health and our #FastTrack campaign. You'll also have the opportunity to socialise and meet other families living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Book your place today >> qoo.ly/jby6i. ... See MoreSee Less
Duchenne Dialogue Day
Book now for Muscular Dystrophy UK's free Duchenne Dialogue Day. It takes place on Saturday 2 December from 10am to 4pm.
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Brilliant news - our team "50 For Luke" just passed its £10,000 fundraising target following the Town & Gown 10k in Cambridge last month! ... See MoreSee Less
Welcome to our Q&A on adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants. Demelza Stuart, our in house OT, will be live from 2pm until 3.30pm to answer any queries you may have. You can also leave questions following this and we will answer them as soon as we can. Muscular Dystrophy UK has produced information to assist people with a condition to access the right support and to advise professionals on what to consider for those who they work with. We also have information about the process in applying for grants throughout the UK. Please leave your questions as comments below. ... See MoreSee Less
Kathy Garcia
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***FREE****Anyone like watching tennis? READ ON:Are you free Saturday (18th Nov) and can get to the o2? It's the semi finals of the NITTO ATPI have a wheelchair + carer ticketFor 12pm match AND 18.00 matchSorry it's short notice. I intended to go myself, but have decided not to go. So I'm genuinely looking to donate these. PM me if you're interested. ... See MoreSee Less
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Rice Krispies Treats Original - 20 / Box
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Java Draw Created Jul 05, 2013 460 x 640px Unless noted Copyright 2013 sweetlove15.
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ULAN-UDE, Russia, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Russian authorities have accused a Siberian woman of strangling her elderly neighbor with her bra after he refused to give her money to buy liquor.
The 26-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.
Police said the woman's male companion, who allegedly witnessed the attack, might also face charges.
An investigation was ongoing.


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Medicaid Empire: Why New York Spends so much on Health Care for the Poor and Near Poor and How the System Can Be Reformed
No. 284
Monday, March 20, 2006
by John C. Goodman, Michael Bond, Devon M. Herrick, Joe Barnett, and Pamela Villarreal
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Overview of Medicaid
- What Difference Does Medicaid Make?
- How New York Compares to Other States
- Recommendations for New York Medicaid Reform
- How the Federal Government Can Help
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Appendix I: The Federal Medicaid Matching Formula
- Appendix II: Medicaid Regression Methodology
- About the Authors
How New York Compares to Other States
New York has less than 7 percent of the U.S. population, but spends about 14 percent of the nation's Medicaid dollars.51 The average New Yorker spends more on Medicaid (through taxes) than the average citizen of any other state. The state also spends more on each Medicaid enrollee than almost any other state. Including federal, state and local spending, in 2004, the latest year for which complete data is available:52
- New York spent $10,349 per Medicaid enrollee, compared to the nationwide average annual cost of about $6,834. [See Figure VIII.] Only New Hampshire spent more.
- New York Medicaid spent about $2,165 for every man, woman and child living in state — more than any other state and almost two-and-one-half times the national average of $873.
"New York spends more per Medicaid enrollee than almost any other state."
Why Does New York Spend So Much More Than Other States? Some might assume that Medicaid costs are higher in New York because the cost of living is higher than in other states, especially in New York City. However, we compared New York City to Columbus, Ohio, where the local cost of living is at the average for the nation as a whole. The findings:53
- In fiscal year 2003-2004, Medicaid spending in New York City averaged $9,842 per enrollee, almost twice as much as the $5,082 spent in Franklin County (Columbus).
- Adjusted for the cost of living in each area, New York City spending per enrollee was still twice as high as in Columbus, Ohio.
Thus higher living costs do not account for the relatively high Medicaid spending in New York.
New York spends more because of policies that encourage higher spending and discourage cost control. Other states share some of these same problems, but none have such a wide array of perverse incentives. Specifically:
- Unlike most other states, New York offers coverage to virtually all optional populations and covers virtually all optional services.
- New York underpays physicians and overpays hospitals, even though physician therapies are often more cost effective than hospital therapies.
- New York does not use smart buying techniques, such as selective contracting, to reduce costs.
- Compared to other states, New York pays premium prices for drugs and imposes few restrictions on doctors who prescribe the most expensive drugs, when lower-cost alternatives are often just as effective.
- The political incentives to spend are greater since the New York legislature bears only a fraction of the cost (less than almost any other state) of the benefits it confers; a substantial share of the cost is borne by county property-taxpayers in addition to federal taxpayers.
- New York does not aggressively pursue fraud — even failing to spend a substantial portion of the federal funding available for antifraud efforts.
- New York's insurance regulations raise the cost of private insurance, and make (free) Medicaid coverage more attractive.
Let's look at how each of these features of the system raises costs.
Costly Policy: Offering More Benefits to More People. One reason New York Medicaid is so costly is that the state covers virtually all optional populations and provides virtually all optional benefits.54 Medicaid covers an estimated 4 million New Yorkers,55 or one in every five residents. New York has a higher proportion of residents in Medicaid than most states — about 50 percent more than the national average (21 percent versus 14.3 percent).56
There are 35 optional Medicaid services for which the federal government will provide matching funds. New York provides 31 of these services. These include, for instance, podiatry, which is only funded in 26 other states. Only 17 other states fund "personal care" and only 15 others offer private duty nursing.57 [For a list of optional benefits, see Appendix Table IIa-c.]
"New York covers virtually all optional populations and benefits."
Following is a detailed discussion of three of these optional benefits that are widely utilized in New York: long-term or nursing home care, home care and personal care, and transportation services. Long-term care is an optional benefit every state provides, but the New York program is unusually costly. In other states, home and personal care substitute for more expensive institutional care, but all three types of benefits are utilized in New York to a greater extent than other states. Finally, New York provides the most extensive, and expensive, transportation services of any state.
Optional Benefit: Long-Term Care. Among the optional benefits New York provides is long-term care. Although every state provides some nursing home benefits, New York spends more than the average state on institutional long-term care.
- About 17 percent of the Medicaid money spent on long-term care in the United States is spent in New York.58
- Nationally, Medicaid pays for two-thirds of nursing home care; in New York it pays for more than three-fourths of nursing home care (78 percent).59
What accounts for the higher spending on long-term care? One reason is that New York Medicaid has a higher proportion of blind, aged and disabled beneficiaries than the U.S. average — accounting for nearly one-third (32 percent) of its enrollees compared to the national average of 24 percent.60 Adding to this is the higher labor and long-term care costs in New York City. A comprehensive study of all the states by the federal government found that nursing homes in New York state were about 46 percent more expensive than the national average, and even after adjusting for differences in the cost of living are approximately 29 percent higher than the national average.61 Another study of metropolitan areas found nursing home costs in New York City were more than double that of other major cities.62
"One-fourth of all Medicaid personal care dollars are spent in New York."
Optional Benefit: Personal and Home Care. Another widely utilized benefit is personal care and home care. Personal care, sometimes referred to as "custodial care," generally involves assistance with activities related to daily living (bathing, toilet assistance, eating and housekeeping). Home care can also include assistance with daily living activities, but also includes skilled nursing.63 Some 13 percent of New York Medicaid enrollees utilize personal care and 8 percent use home care, compared to a nationwide average of 11 percent and 2 percent, respectively.64 And, according to the Citizens Budget Commission — a taxpayer watchdog group — New York provides much more home care than any other state:65
- Whereas those receiving home care benefits in other states get helpers an average of 11 hours per week, the average is 30 hours per week in New York.
- Average spending on personal care per capita is $18.11 across the country, but New York spends $91.21, more than four times as much.
- Overall, fully a fourth of all Medicaid dollars spent on personal care nationwide are spent in New York!
Home health aides typically come once a day to wash dishes, perform light cleaning, deliver or prepare meals, and help with bathing and dressing. Enrollees often begin receiving personal care after discharge from a hospital, when a Medicaid official assesses their level of disability and calculates the number of hours of assistance they need for daily living activities.
Once recuperated, most recipients have come to expect the higher level of service they were receiving (due to illness) and resist having the number of hours of personal care assistance cut back. If clients complain, the system generally favors clients over administrators. In New York, Medicaid enrollees often use home care attendants for nonmedical tasks such as shopping. Furthermore, in some cases, assistants are chosen by the recipients themselves, and can include other members of the household, relatives or neighbors. Thus, Medicaid often pays family members to do what they would have done anyway.
Home- and personal-care services may be justified when they allow the disabled or frail seniors to avoid institutional care, but many New Yorkers receiving home care could perform more of the tasks themselves and are receiving more assistance than is needed to keep them out of institutionalized care. Thus, apart from skilled nursing services, home care often amounts to free maid service.
Optional Benefit: Transportation. New York also provides such nonmedical services as transportation. For example, New York Medicaid pays for wheelchair-accessible vans (called ambulettes) to transport Medicaid enrollees with mobility problems to and from medical treatments. The service is intended to provide transportation only to those who use wheelchairs or who cannot walk without assistance. But most of those taking ambulette rides have no mobility problems and, for them, the service is actually a free taxi service. In 2005, the New York Times reported:66
- Two doctors each ordered more than 90 trips per day for patients.
- At another clinic, one patient used the service 153 times in a single year while another patient used the service 152 times — about one ride every two-and-one-half days.
- Other patients used the service more than 130 times.
"New York pays $60 to transport patients who could ride a bus for $2."
For patients who qualify for the service, cheaper alternatives exist. A typical bus ride in New York City costs $2 and a taxi ride costs $10, according to the New York Times. But Medicaid typically pays contractors $25 or $31 each way to transport patients to their appointments in an ambulette. Overall, New York Medicaid spent $316 million to transport patients to doctors' offices and hospitals in 2003. This works out to 10.5 million to 12.5 million rides per year.67
Costly Policy: Underpaying Physicians and Overpaying Hospitals. Routine examinations and treatments — including minor surgical procedures — can be provided more efficiently in a doctor's office than a hospital. But many doctors who could provide such services do not do so. They do not participate in Medicaid because reimbursement is so low. As a result, the patients turn to much costlier settings, such as hospital clinics and emergency rooms.
The Effects of Underpaying Physicians. Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians are typically lower than what physicians receive from the private sector in every state. But in New York the discrepancy is even greater. In fact, New York has some of the lowest physician payment rates found anywhere in the country. For instance:68
- New York doctor receives $30 for a visit by an established patient requiring a highly complex exam, whereas Mississippi pays a physician about $100 for the same exam. [See Table II.]
- An eye doctor in New York receives $30 for a comprehensive examination of a new patient, whereas Texas and Florida pay more than twice as much for the same service.
"New York underpays physicians."
Another way to think about Medicaid physician payments is to compare them to what Medicare pays:
- Medicare pays physicians only 83 percent as much as private insurers, on the average, nationwide.69
- Medicaid fees for physician services are 69 percent of what Medicare pays, nationwide, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics,70 and perhaps as little as 62 percent, according to an Urban Institute estimate.71
- By contrast, in New York, Medicaid pays physicians only about 45 percent of what Medicare pays.72
Only two state Medicaid programs — in New Jersey and Rhode Island — pay physicians so little compared to Medicare. In New York City, for instance, Medicaid will only pay a specialist $30 for a consultation of moderate complexity, while Medicare pays $200.73 Medicaid physician payments also vary by type of service. For example:74
- New York Medicaid pays 65 percent of what Medicare pays obstetricians.
- It pays primary care providers only 40 percent of what Medicare pays.
- Other specialists are only paid about 31 percent of what Medicare pays.
"Hospital care substitutes for physician visits."
These reimbursement rates affect access to care. Laurence C. Baker and Anne Beeson Royalty found that a 10 percent increase in Medicaid fees raised the number of poor patients visiting office-based (private) physicians by 3.4 percent, and correspondingly reduced the number visiting public physicians (such as in public health clinics) by 3 percent. 75 When physicians are rewarded for taking complex cases, they have an incentive to accept them. When fees are not adjusted for the complexity of the case, they have an incentive to avoid complex cases.
"New York spends nearly three times as much as the average state on hospital care."
The Effects of Overpaying Hospitals. When access to private physicians is limited, patients rely more on inpatient treatment. In New York state, 18 percent of Medicaid patients receive inpatient care compared to just 11 percent nationally.76 [See Figure IX.] Furthermore, in contrast to its treatment of physicians, New York pays hospitals generously. When New York deregulated the hospital industry in 1997, the system of Medicaid fee-for-service was left largely intact, allowing Medicaid enrollees to go to any hospital, regardless of its efficiency. Consequently, Medicaid began to pay the highest fees of any payers — including private insurers.77 In most states Medicaid pays the lowest fees of any payer.
This generous payment policy does not give hospitals any incentive to increase productivity or reduce costs. As a result, in 2003, New York Medicaid paid about $10 billion to hospitals for inpatient care, subsidies for graduate medical education and hospital-based clinics — more than any other state Medicaid program. Furthermore:
- New York spends nearly three times as much per state resident on inpatient care ($530) as the national average ($185).78 [See Figure X.]
- The inpatient cost per Medicaid enrollee in New York is also greater than in other large states — $1,794 in 2003, compared to $725 in Texas, $815 in California and Ohio, and $884 in Florida.79 [See Figure XI.]
For instance, some New York hospitals have high fixed operating costs — due to a large number of empty beds. (Empty patient rooms generate no revenue, but incur costs — such as heating and cooling.) In fact, New York has 21 percent more hospital beds per capita than the national average. Statewide, about 9,100 hospital beds were eliminated from 1990 to 2005, but experts suggest that closing another 20,000 beds would make the system more efficient while meeting the demand for beds.80 New York has somewhat reduced excess capacity, but instead of closing the most inefficient and underutilized hospitals, it has closed a few beds at a number of hospitals.81
"New York spending per patient is higher than in other large states."
Furthermore, average administrative costs in New York hospitals are more than 13 percent higher than the national average and the cost of patient care is nearly 10 percent higher — after controlling for case severity and higher regional labor costs.82 For similar cases, Medicaid-paid hospital stays in New York cost about 30 percent more than the national average.83 [See Figure XII.] And patients spend 37 percent longer in the hospital, on the average, than patients with similar conditions in other states.84
"New York spends 30 percent more than average on similar cases."
Costly Policy: Ineffective Managed Care. Managed care was introduced into Medicaid in order to increase access to care, and to provide services efficiently. In New York City, Medicaid managed care has done a poor job of pursuing both goals.85
Managed care organizations usually contract with area hospitals and doctors to provide services at negotiated discounts. However, most New York City Medicaid managed care plans are administered by large public hospitals, which are the primary providers of health services.86 These organizations do not have the same incentives to control costs as private sector insurers. For instance, a private sector insurer would seek to hold down the cost of caring for enrollees by contracting selectively with health care providers who were efficient at providing specific services. Yet a public charity hospital that has contracted to care for the same group has the incentive to perform all medical services in-house even if its facilities are not as efficient at providing some medical services as other hospitals. Even if the hospital is inefficient and losing money, keeping all medical services in-house minimizes loses. Whereas a nonprofit or for-profit health plan would go out of business, a charity hospital often uses political clout to increase subsidies.
Furthermore, most New York City public charity hospitals lack large networks of participating physicians and have to rely on outpatient clinics affiliated with the hospital.87 As a result, access to physicians is less convenient and many enrollees cannot see the same doctor each time they schedule an office visit. This reduced access to primary care physicians often leads to over-use of emergency departments in situations when a physician office visit would have been less costly.
Most states, including New York, have enrolled a significant proportion of their Medicaid beneficiaries in managed care plans. However, like most states, New York exempts substantial patient populations from its mandatory managed care enrollment: the elderly and disabled. Seventy percent of Medicaid costs in New York are for the elderly and disabled. The average yearly cost per person to care for them is 10 times higher than for nondisabled children and five times the cost of caring for the parents of nondisabled children. Exempting the most intensive users of Medicaid services from cost-control efforts is an expensive missed opportunity. These patient groups have problems accessing care, and could benefit from the continuum of care and case management that managed care networks can offer. For many of them, managed care is not even available on a voluntary basis.
Uniquely, New York applied for and received a special waiver to allow managed care plans, community groups and clinics to recruit new enrollees and help them fill out the enrollment forms. This process, known as "facilitated enrollment," makes it easier to sign up ineligible people and gives HMOs the ability to steer enrollees to their own firms.88 It also allows managed care contractors to sign up less costly patients and avoid more costly ones.
An alternative to managed care is to allow patients to manage their own health care dollars and shop for care as empowered consumers in the medical marketplace. We will consider this option below.
"New York spends more on drugs than any other state."
Costly Policy: Paying Premium Prices for Drugs. New York spends more on drugs than any other state — about $3.413 billion in 2002.89 It also pays higher average prices for drugs than any other state except New Jersey.90 And it spends more on drugs per enrollee than any of the other 10 most populous states, at about $957 per enrollee.91
Why? One reason is that the New York state program provides few incentives for enrollees to economize on drug costs, despite evidence that there is wide variation in prices for the same drug as well as less expensive generic and therapeutic alternatives for many drugs.92 Furthermore, according to a 2004 Inspector General's report, New York consistently paid some of the highest prices of any state for Medicaid drugs.93 For instance:
- New York pays $3.67 per dose for the acid reflux drug Omeprazole even though an identical drug, Prilosec, is available over-the-counter for about 75 cents per dose.94
- New York paid $18.70 per container of the asthma drug albuterol while Texas Medicaid only pays $6.63.
Another reason for New York 's high drug costs is that the state does little to restrict the drugs for which it will pay. Many private health plans have some type of preferred drug list with increased cost sharing for drugs that have significantly cheaper alternatives. Most state Medicaid programs have a drug formulary, which is a list of prescription drugs for which the program will pay. The drugs are selected through a competitive bidding process, and drug companies usually agree to reimbursement rates that are steeply discounted from the retail price. Many states will only include one drug from a class in the formulary. Another way to save money is negotiating discounts with drug manufacturers.95 New York has taken steps to reduce drug spending, but their efforts have lagged behind other states and have so far been ineffective. It recently began encouraging the use of generic drugs, but doctors can easily substitute higher-priced brand drugs.96
"The State of New York pays $1 for every $4 in benefi ts it confers."
As with other types of managed care there is a danger that drug formularies can become bureaucratic obstacles that prevent patients from getting the drugs they need. Also, administrators may be tempted to sacrifice quality care in order to reduce costs. Ideal drug policy minimizes costs without harming patient welfare. Poor drug policy harms patients and may (because of adverse health effects) not even reduce costs.97 Frank Lichtenberg of Columbia University has found that newer, more expensive drugs may offer more effective treatment and reduce total health care costs. Lichtenberg found that lowering the average age of drugs used by roughly a decade (that is, from 15 years to 5.5 years) results in an increase of $18 in drug spending but a net reduction in total health care spending by $111. Most of the net reduction was due to decreased hospitalizations and fewer office visits. 98
"Counties have cut services and raised taxes to pay for Medicaid."
Costly Policy: Shifting the Cost of State Mandated Benefits onto Local Governments. One reason for the higher cost of New York Medicaid is the unusual way in which the program is financed. Unlike other states, New York requires its counties to pay a substantial portion of Medicaid costs.99 Figure XIII shows the break-down of New York Medicaid funding. Counties bear about 17 percent of the total cost of Medicaid. New York City's local contribution is another 8 percent of the total. The federal government pays half the cost. Thus the State of New York pays only one-quarter of the cost of Medicaid.
For every dollar the state spends, it can confer $4 of benefits. Politicians, therefore, are tempted to continue to confer benefits paid for by someone else. This means the state has much less incentive to economize.100 As a result, New York State spends about 28 percent of its budget on Medicaid — plus the counties' spending — compared to about 22 percent of state budgets nationally.101 [See Figure XIV.]
According to the New York Times , many counties raised taxes more than 40 percent from 2003 to 2005. For instance, taxes in Albany County increased by about 70 percent over the past few years — largely to pay its share of Medicaid costs.102 To pay their Medicaid bills, some New York counties have cut other services:103
- Sparsely populated Chemung County closed a library two years ago.
- Chautauqua County cut back on bus routes and sheriff's deputies.
- Oswego County reduced its work force by 16 percent and sold its nursing home.
- In 2005 Niagara County cut 96 staff positions.
Since property taxes are the main source of county revenue, Medicaid has caused substantial property tax increases. 104 According to the Public Policy Institute of New York, taxpayers living in upstate New York pay nearly $1 billion a year in additional taxes compared to an average state due to Medicaid.105 This has negatively affected the state's economy.106 County leaders complain the tax rate is slowing business development. A 2004 Moody's Investors Service report claims that counties in New York are facing financial trouble because of increasing costs, including employee wages and benefits, and the counties' share of Medicaid.107
Costly Policy: Ignoring Fraud. As noted above, 10 percent of Medicaid spending nationwide may be lost to fraud.108 In New York, a former State Inspector General estimates that waste and unnecessary services that don't rise to the level of criminality may add another 20 to 30 percentage points to this amount.109
"New York Medicaid spending equals more than one-third of the state budget."
The New York Times found massive fraud merely by analyzing data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The state has failed to try reforms that other states have used successfully. It has also failed to pursue cases when fraud is found.110 A 2000 press release from the Office of the New York State Attorney General illustrates the size of the problem. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the New York Medicaid antifraud unit, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office announced a total of $326 million in fines, overpayments and restitution had been recouped since the unit's inception 25 years earlier.111 Yet the amount they recovered in two-and-a-half decades was equivalent to only about 7 percent of the estimated cost of fraud that occurred in 2005. In the past 15 to 20 years, the number of people dedicated to fighting Medicaid fraud in New York has fallen by about 70 percent. Interestingly, the amount of money recovered by the antifraud team has fallen by about that same percentage since 2000.112 In 2004, New York Medicaid paid about 400 million claims, but only 37 cases of suspected fraud were uncovered.113
Other states are far more aggressive in rooting out fraud. In recent years California added about 400 people to its antifraud staff. The Medicaid budgets in Ohio and Illinois are only about one-quarter of the budget in New York, but they audit three times as many providers each year.1140 The federal government is willing to pay 75 percent of the cost of beefed-up state antifraud efforts, but New York does not spend enough to receive the full federal match.
"New York uncovered only 37 cases of fraud in 2004."
Until recently, New York counties were not allowed to police the Medicaid providers within their areas, even though they pay a significant portion of the costs. They could not investigate doctors and providers who where bilking the program with questionable billings, and were not even allowed to find out what local providers were billing Medicaid for services.115 The state alone had the power to investigate fraud. Unfortunately, the state has done a dismal job.116
In the fall of 2005, the New York State Department of Health finally allowed 12 counties to look for unusual patterns in billings from Medicaid providers that might indicate fraud.117 After examining just a small portion of the program, investigators in Rockland County discovered what appeared to be $13 million in questionable charges over a period of less than two years.118 Even when patterns of fraud are found, local officials are not allowed to prosecute, sue or even suspend the providers. Only the state Department of Health has that authority.119
Costly Policy: Crowding Out Private Insurance . As noted, Medicaid crowds out private insurance coverage by offering a free alternative. New York exacerbated this effect by enacting two regulations in 1993 that raised the cost of private insurance : community rating and guaranteed issue . These laws allow people to obtain insurance once they become ill (guaranteed issue) and require insurers to charge the same price regardless of age and health status (community rating). As a result, young, healthier people are substantially overcharged for their insurance while older, sicker people generally pay less than their true cost of care. For instance:
- Just prior to enactment of these laws, a New York family of four headed by a 30-year-old could obtain coverage for about $4,000 per year.
- Immediately after enactment, that family's cost rose to $7,680.
- After a decade of premium increases, health insurance now costs the same family about $11,000.120 [See Figure XV.]
Conversely, in 1993, a family headed by a 60-year-old paid $11,640 annually. Immediately after guaranteed issue and community rating were enacted this fell to $7,680 and 10 years later stood at about $11,008. So, in effect, the expected health care costs of the older, more-expensive-to-treat couple was shifted to the younger, healthier couple.
"Insurance regulations raise the cost of private coverage."
Defenders of these laws claim that they protect consumers by guaranteeing access to coverage — especially for those who are ill and need care the most. But the only people who have an incentive to purchase coverage are those who are ill. After all, why pay premiums when you are healthy if you can always insure (at the same rate) after you get sick. But if only ill people join a health insurance pool, the cost per person will be enormously high. As more and more healthy people drop insurance and those remaining in the pool are sicker and more expensive to treat, premiums must be raised. This creates an incentive for the young and the healthy to drop their coverage or to avoid buying insurance in the first place. One study found that community rating and guaranteed issue in the small group market increased the likelihood of being uninsured by more than 28 percent.121
The Politics of Medicine. We have seen that Medicaid spending in New York is unusually high. But why do taxpayers and policymakers tolerate such high costs? New York City has an especially large number of medical schools, teaching hospitals and research centers. Higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospital services pay for these resources.122 New York labor unions are powerful, and hospital labor is well paid.123 In 2002, the New York State legislature increased Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals in order to raise the wages of certain health care workers.124 Although recruiting and retaining health care workers might sound like a worthy goal, the move was largely due to strong health care unions that primarily represent low-skilled workers.125 About 10 percent of New York's nonagricultural workforce (800,000 people) is employed in health care, making providers politically powerful opponents of reform.126
Whenever fiscal restraint is suggested, reform opponents fight tooth and nail to derail the process. In 1999 the Service Employees International Union local 1199 and the Greater New York Hospital Association launched an expensive lobbying campaign warning of huge layoffs and closed hospitals.127 Again, in 2005, when Gov. Pataki announced plans to restrain Medicaid costs, the same union and the Greater New York Hospital Association ran advertisements using scare tactics to attack the plan.128


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The Decemberists – Live @ Riviera Theatre
November 13, 2006
The Decemberists filled the Riviera Theatre with the warm sounds of accordian and twelve string acoustic guitars on Saturday night and the sold-out Chicago audience ate it up. Preluding the band was a set of Scottish folk tunes from Alasdair Roberts (could they not get Laura Veirs?), which thankfully for the restless audience was over quickly. We listened to the entire production of Peter and the Wolf, a a welcome departure from the usual house music that the venue provides, and cheerful voice invited us to close our eyes and play the imagination game. By the time we had heard the sound of baying wolves and squinted to see form of six figures ambling toward you along the edge of the canyon wall, the band had entered in front of the backdrop of Japanese lotus flowers and old fishing boats.
The Decemberists jumped immediately into storytelling mode playing to lyrics such as "My name is Leslie Ann Levine" and "I am a writer, writer of fiction." The band members are all multi-instrumentalists and they were each incredibly tight, whether playing organ, violin, or hurdy-gurdy, but during the whole show the spotlight never left Colin Meloy. With his pinstriped jacket and loose Regis Philbin style tie, he acted like the song conductor, invoking a mass-sing-a-long everytime he opened his mouth. By the time set highlight, Crane Wife 1 & 2 begins, Colin showed a huge flair for showmanship stumbling across the stage and raising the tear-shaped guitar high above his head as he strummed. Yankee Bayonet featured the most recent Decemberists addition, Lisa Molinaro who harmonized beautifully during the song.
Colin Meloy was very personal and humorous with the audience during the night telling tall tales of how John Cougar Mellencamp was almost born in Chicago but had to be flown to Alaska and teasing people on the side balconies who had come in late. At one point, on request the band improvised a few bars of The Clash's "Waiting for the Clampdown" of which Meloy said "We're going to regret doing that the rest of the tour." As if the band didn't already have the audience's full attention they proceeded to play each of their three most popular songs (arguably), starting with the jaunty beat of "O Valencia" and continuing with the anthemic "July, July", which was enlivened with John Moen's accelerated drum beat. "Sixteen Military Wives" was next and if you've read any review of the show I'm sure you know all about the splitting of the crowd during the La-De-Dah part of the song. What could have seemed routine though, was spiced up by Colin Meloy's wonderful conducting in which he seemed to stage a political debate with leering, fist waving, and plenty of rebuttals.
"The Island" in it's three-part glory rocked the house and the progged-out organ solo was spotless. As the set came to a close Colin invited everyone standing backstage (which ended up being a lot of people) to join him on stage in singing the refrain to "Sons and Daughters." Before the song began he made a few remarks about how proud he was about the results of the election day telling the Republicans in the crowd "better luck next time." On that note, he led the entire theatre in singing "hear all the bombs fade away" and temporarily left the stage as the audience enthusiastically cheered for more.
Colin Meloy returned to do a solo performance of "Red Right Ankle" and after respectfully side-stepping requests to sing "The Mariner's Revenge" (which they've retired for a little while) they launched into "A Cautionary Song." What really made the song though, was the appearance of three of the Decemberists parading through the crowd with their percussion instruments. During a break in the song, the ban reinterpreted the final scene from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" with Colin narrating. They originally casted Lisa as the orc which she was hesitant to play and caused Colin to joke "but, that's what we hired her for". Eventually they finished their reinterpretation with some help from the audience and left the stage. Overall, I was entertained at this show as much as any I have ever been to. The Decemberists are truly something everyone needs to experience live.
Before you go, check out the Filter tour blog, which is following the band on each step of the tour through the eyes of various bloggers (myself included). Visit Perfect Porridge for the next review in the series. I have all my pictures from the show up at Pictures For Kids Who Can't Read Good. Click here to see them.
MP3 The Decemberists – The Engine Driver
MP3 The Decemberists – Sons and Daughters


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Energy and intensity modulated electron beams for treatment of breast cancer
Presenter: Charles Ma
Affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine
Breast cancer has traditionaly been treated with photon beams. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using energy and intensity modulated electron beams for breast cancer treatment. The use of Electron Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (EIMRT) has the potential advantages of significantly improving dose uniformity in the target volume and decreasing the adverse effects to normal tissues including reducing the dose to the contralateral breast.
An inverse planning system based on Monte Carlo dose calculations was developed with the intention of optimizing electron beam energy and incident angles to achieve conformal doses near the skin surface. A specially manufactured multileaf collimator (MLC) was designed for electrons which would shape the incident beam, decrease scatter and replace cutouts. Electron beams from 4-20 MeV were analyzed. Ionization and field measurements were taken for comparison.
- EIMRT described here seemed to have the advantages of reducing penumbra by 50% when compared to conventional photon beams.
- The use of the Monte Carlo system is essential for to the accuracy of EIMRT dose distribution to account for heterogeneous target volumes and air gaps. Doses were found to be higher to the target volume and less to the lung and heart.
- The contralateral breast did not recieve any dose.
- EIMRT may result in more conformal dose administration than conventional photon therapy for breast cancer.
- Use of EIMRT may reduce dose to the contralateral breast
- EIMRT, while not currently in routine clinical use, may prove to be a better modality than conventional photons for the treatment of breast cancer.
ASTRO coverage is sponsored, in part, by Varian Medical Systems, Inc.


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SEARCH: Raymond Scott's 'Soothing Sounds For Baby'
― The Scheiß Age (S-), Monday, 7 May 2012 15:23 (five years ago) Permalink
We love all the Caspar Babypants albums.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 06:13 (five years ago) Permalink
The Songs for the Young at Heart compilation put out by a couple of guys from Tindersticks a few years ago is excellent. Includes a fine version of "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Bonnie Prince Billy.
― my father will guide me up the stairs to bed (anagram), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 08:26 (five years ago) Permalink


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In the last few years NZXT has emerged as a popular choice for computer builds with stylish cases for a variety of needs. The newest member of the H series, the H440, promises quiet performance and offers a clean look by eliminating optical drive bays entirely from the design. While this might be a deal-breaker for some, the days of the ODD seem to be numbered as more enclosures are making the move away from the 5.25" bay.
Image credit: NZXT
But we aren't looking at just any H440 today, as NZXT has sent along a completely custom version designed in alliance with gaming accessory maker Razer to be "the ultimate gamer's chassis". (This case is currently available direct from NZXT's online store.) In this review we'll look at just what makes this H440 different, and test out a complete build while we're at it. Performance will be as big a metric as appearance here since the H440 is after all an enclosure designed for silence, with noise dampening an integral part of NZXT's construction of the case.
Green with Envy?
From the outset you'll notice the Razer branding extends beyond just special paint and trim, as custom lighting is installed right out of the box to give this incarnation of the H440 a little more gaming personality (though this lighting can be switched off, if desired). Not only do the front and side logos and power button light up green, but the bottom of the case features effects lighting to cast an eerie green glow on your desktop or floor.
Image credit: NZXT
Continue reading our review of the NZXT H440 Designed by Razer!!
NZXT's H440,now with Razer on the front
Subject: Cases and Cooling | December 1, 2014 - 05:18 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: razer, nzxt, h440
The NZXT H440 Razer Edition matches the layout and design of the regular H440 but now you can show off additional brand loyalty if you are into that sort of display. There is glowing Razer logo embedded in the front panel with clear plastic over top to protect it and give it a raised look. The interior is now much darker, which can make your LED lighting stand out more and does improve the looks of the cases interior. When all is said and done there is nothing about the case that has been improved over the base model; as Benchmark Reviews rightfully points out, you are paying $30 for looks if you chose this case and there will be those that do.
"Razer, creator of all things peripheral, has finally released their hotly anticipated entry into the chassis market. This is the NZXT H440 – Designed by Razer. With a completely new appearance featuring a matte black exterior and interior, four black NZXT fans, a large tinted window, and plenty of LED lighting, this chassis will be sure to make every Razer fan's wish list, especially given that it retains the original H440 quality and simplicity."
Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:
- NZXT Source 340 Mid-Tower @ eTeknix
- NZXT S340 Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
- Quiet ATX Gamer, Fractal R5 Version @ Silent PC Review
- Reeven Ouranos RC-1401 Review @ OCC
- Enermax LIQMAX 120S @ techPowerUp
- Alpenföhn Brocken ECO @ eTeknix
- Reeven Okeanos RC-1402 Review @ OCC
- Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Canucks
A half dozen pairing suggestions; does your mouse match your keyboard?
Subject: General Tech | September 11, 2014 - 03:10 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: input, corsair, logitech, Mad Catz, razer, roccat, steelseries, gaming mouse, keyboard, round up
The end of summer brings more than just pretty coloured leaves, you can also expect to see round ups of products released this year. The Register has put together an article looking at the best mice and keyboards for gamers which are currently available. In most cases they pair a keyboard and mouse from the same company so that your desk will look impressive with matching peripherals. It is not just about the aesthetics though, they also provide you with an overview of what features make each pairing unique and the features that should intrigue you. Check it out right here.
"In the case of the keyboards and mice I'm reviewing, it might be difficult to put forward a convincing argument that they are to blame, as they are all developed to make the very best of my gaming talents, but often this comes at a preposterous price."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- CM Storm Mizar, TteSports Saphira and Balista MK-1 Head-to-Head Mouse Review @ eTeknix
- GAMDIAS ZEUS Laser Gaming Mouse Review @ NikKTech
- Cougar 700M Mouse @ HardwareHeaven
- Zowie FK1 Gaming Mouse @ eTeknix
- Tt eSPORTS THERON Gaming Mouse Review @ Legit Reviews
- EVGA TORQ X10 Carbon Gaming Mouse Review @ Hardware Asylum
- ROCCAT Kone XTD Gaming Mouse @ Benchmark Reviews
- Aorus Thunder M7 Mouse @ HardwareHeaven
- Tt eSPORTS Poseidon ZX Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review @ TechwareLabs
Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Chroma Announced
Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling | August 18, 2014 - 09:17 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: razer, mechanical keyboard
Earlier in the year, we reported on Corsair's exclusivity over Cherry MX RGB-based mechanical keyboards. The thing is, Razer develops their own switches and is not reliant on ZF Electronics (Cherry Corporation). The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Chroma mechanical keyboard uses their own switches, not Cherry's, and is not subject to Corsair's exclusivity. The keyboard can be ordered now for $179.99 USD and will be available in September.
I contacted Razer and asked them about their technology. They could not provide any direct comparison between their design and the Cherry MX RGB, but they were able to add a few details to their offering. The BlackWidow Ultimate Chroma was designed with its LEDs positioned away from moving parts and lined up with the keycap imprint. The LEDs are pointed upward for brightness.
Razer will be providing developers with Chroma SDK, allowing games and applications to control the Chroma-enabled device lighting to assist or immerse their users. I say "Chroma-enabled device" rather than "Chroma keyboards", because they already have plans for mice and headsets with the same technology. At the very least, they expect that users will appreciate coordinated colors across their gaming peripherals.
The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Chroma is available to order, for $179.99 USD ($199.99 CDN), and ships in September. A Chroma-enabled mouse, based on the DeathAdder design, and a Chroma-enabled headset, based on the Kraken model, are announced but do not yet have pricing or availability information.
Razer and NZXT Announce H440 "Special Edition" Case
Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling | June 17, 2014 - 06:39 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: nzxt, razer, cases, steel
There does not seem to be much difference between the newly announced Special Edition H440, "Designed by Razer", and the original. The announcement claims: a custom paint design, LED lighting, a tinted window, and more. The design includes four fans (3x 120mm and 1x 140mm) and supports water cooling radiators up to 360mm.
By the specifications, nothing is different, functionally. That said, when you are dealing with a company who will budget out hundreds of thousands of dollars in research and development for a USB port color, it is entirely possible that a few screws might have moved slightly, and so forth. Then again, the images on the product pages seem fairly identical. Speaking of Razer's expensive USB ports, it looks like the USB 3.0 ports are that shade of green. Call it, "Extending their return on investment"?
Annnnd of course, no pricing or availability. That is, apart from: "Coming Soon".
Podcast #291 - EVGA GTX 780 ACX, Building a PC for Titanfall, NVIDIA's 800m GPU Lineup and more!
Subject: General Tech | March 13, 2014 - 02:58 PM | Ken Addison
Tagged: podcast, video, evga, gtx 780, 780 ACX, acx, titanfall, 750 ti, nvidia, 800m, 860m, razer
PC Perspective Podcast #291 - 03/13/2014
Join us this week as we discuss the EVGA GTX 780 ACX, Building a PC for Titanfall, NVIDIA's 800m GPU Lineup and more!
You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE.
The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends!
- iTunes - Subscribe to the podcast directly through the iTunes Store
- RSS - Subscribe through your regular RSS reader
- MP3 - Direct download link to the MP3 file
Hosts: Ryan Shrout, Josh Walrath, Allyn Malventano, and Morry Teitelman
Be sure to subscribe to the PC Perspective YouTube channel!
Week in Review:
0:41:35 This podcast is brought to you by Coolermaster, and the CM Storm Pulse-R Gaming Headset
News items of interest:
Hardware/Software Picks of the Week:
Allyn: Leaving in the middle of podcasts
Razer Designs New Mechanical Switches
Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling | March 6, 2014 - 10:22 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: razer, Cherry MX, cherry, mechanical keyboard
So Razer has a history of doing the unexpected. The peripheral manufacturer has branched out into other segments, including laptops, tablets, software, exercise equipment, and so forth. Their April Fools announcements are often hilarious but their real products sometimes feel as far-fetched, except that they release and apparently find an audience. If Project Christine comes out then it would be the best example, but Project Fiona and the Razer Blade seemed just as unlikely - and I've seen multiple Blades in the wild.
And yet it is their keyboard announcement which surprises me, today.
It turns out that Razer decided to design their own key switch modules, instead of ordering them off-the-shelf from ZF Electronics (Cherry). Razer will not manufacture these key modules, and they look enough like Cherry MX switches that I could guess who their third party manufacturer is, but they did push their own specifications. Razer claims that the main advantage is a higher actuation point, leading to less latency between when your finger starts moving, and when it has moved enough to activate the button.
Razer has developed two switches: "Green", which is their analogy of the Cherry MX Blue, and "Orange", which is analogous to the Cherry MX Brown. The former is clicky while the latter has a relatively silent bump.
The Green switches are available in the BlackWidow, BlackWidow Tournament, and BlackWidow (with the Orange switches in each Stealth variant). Some models will ship in late March with the rest shipping in April.
Quick Deals: Razer Edge 64GB and Pro 256GB Tablets
Subject: General Tech | February 8, 2014 - 02:08 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: Razer Edge, razer
If you have spent the last year eyeing the Razer Edge 64GB and Edge Pro 256GB gaming tablets, now might be your time to pounce. Amazon is knocking $300 (30%) off of the 64GB version as well as $350 (24%) off of the 256GB one. This puts their prices at $700 and $1100, respectively.
The tablets have fairly decent internals, considering their price points. Both contain the comination of Intel HD4000 integrated graphics backed by an NVIDIA GT 640M LE discrete GPU (albeit the Pro version seems to have an extra gigabyte of vRAM). The Pro includes a dual-core Core i7 CPU, with hyper-threading, while the non-pro includes an i5. The Pro has 8GB of RAM, and the non-pro has 4GB. I probably would have little use for this device but, then again, I am a desktop guy.
The accessories, such as the gaming controller case and the docking station, unfortunately seem to remain at full price. Since they seem to be a sizable "point" of the Edge, that could slightly sour this price reduction.
Like most Amazon deals, it is anyone's guess when or if prices will go back up.
CES 2014: Razer Project Christine & Nabu... Because CES.
Subject: General Tech, Shows and Expos | January 8, 2014 - 03:30 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: razer, Project Christine, Nabu, CES 2014, CES
Razer has a long history of announcing odd products at any given CES. Some of those products win prestigious awards such as Best of Show. A few of them also never see the light of day. This year, the company has two major announcements: a wristband computer called "Razer Nabu" and a modular computer concept called "Project Christine". The last one feels more like their April 1st announcements.
First: the wristband. The Razer Nabu (isn't it ironic that the god of wisdom and writing is a homonym of JarJar's home planet) is said to be somewhere between a Nike+ FuelBand and a smartwatch. Track the number of steps you take, calories you burned, floors you climbed by stairs, distance you traveled, hours you slept, and do some stuff with location data. They can sense one another, if someone nearby is also wearing theirs, and optionally share information. It is also expected to connect to Razer Comms at some point. It is unclear how many of these applications can be done directly with the device and how many require an Android or iOS smartphone nearby.
Razer is currently accepting requests from developers looking to purchase the device for $49 USD. That may or may not be the final consumer price for whenever it makes a real launch.
The other product is a little less, concrete.
Project Christine reminds me of that period where the tech world went nuts over the thought that Apple would design a modular Mac Pro. The thought is that you could swap modules in and out for upgrading purposes with peace of mind that you never need to open anything. Everything is external connections to black boxes. Razer seems to have taken that idea and run with it. Suffices to say, I am highly skeptical. I can think of about a dozen complications ranging from bandwidth to inventory to relative need compared to other solutions.
Sure, it looks cool, but just think about it (if it ends up being a legitimate project rather than a CES talking point). Are you really going to have Razer versions of every possible upgrade SKU? Would you really save anything over a custom solution or paying someone to do the technical work?
Interesting thought experiment, if nothing else, but I would be fairly shocked if we even see this mentioned again more than 8 months from now.
PC Perspective's CES 2014 coverage is sponsored by AMD.
Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!
Podcast #270 - AMDs new GPU lineup, SteamOS, the Steam Box, and more!
Subject: General Tech | September 26, 2013 - 02:41 PM | Ken Addison
Tagged: video, valve, SteamOS, Steam Box, steam, razer, R9 290X, R9, R7, podcast, Naga, corsair, amd
PC Perspective Podcast #270 - 09/26/2013
Join us this week as we discuss AMDs new GPU lineup, SteamOS, the Steam Box, and more!
You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE.
The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends!
- iTunes - Subscribe to the podcast directly through the iTunes Store
- RSS - Subscribe through your regular RSS reader
- MP3 - Direct download link to the MP3 file
Hosts: Jeremy Hellstrom, Josh Walrath, Allyn Malventano, and Morry Teitelman
Week in Review:
0:43:15 Happy 10th anniversary Hammer!
Hardware/Software Picks of the Week:
Ryan: A pair of coconuts supporting a beautiful
Jeremy: Portable OS
Allyn: Remote Mouse
Morry: AT&T U-Verse
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Im'very confused why do I use salt with EZ-100 when it is stressed to rinse and rerinse the salt out of a cape after pulling out of a pickle.It's said that salt left in a cape will cause sweating during humid weather.
Next ?, I went to neutralize my deer cape and before adding any baking soda I checked the ph level and it was 4.5, every thing I read says to add baking soda until you reach 4.0,it tans best at 4.0 .I added 3 tablespoons of baking soda to 5gls of water(tap)with 2 capes,ph level was 5.5 now will this be alright?I'm using EZ100.
Thank for any help. Jeff S.
Return to Category Menu
Jeff you are gojng the wrong way. Use vinegar (white) to drop the ph back to 4.0
Baking soda raises the PH
Dave Toms
So if I put in 5 gallons of tap water and check ph and its 4.5,then add capes and remains between 4.0/4.5 then I don't need to add anything to neutralize capes?
thanks for helping.
Jeff S.
It's way too acidic. Call a plumber before your pipes are destroyed. At that pH
you should have bad stains in your shower and sink, from the acidic water.
The water will eat through your copper pipes, causing them to leaken, leak
and possibly burst. If the plumber you call, doesn't sell the filter and supplies
to correct the problem, he/she will tell you who can.
If you were already at 5 something, did you pickle? That would have you at around 2 or 3. Maybe you should contact Bruce Rittel direct before you loose a cape. Hes the one who sells the ez 100. I believe the salt would help open the skin one last time, but ask Bruce.
Thanks everyone for responding!,
Yes I did pickle the capes,in fact I pickled them for 4 days,shaved,then left in pickle for an additional 3 days while maintaining a 1.5 ph level,then I put water in container and cked. ph before adding baking soda it was 4.5,what I'm confused about is I need to know do i still need to add baking soda?or should i put capes in and see if that lowers ph then worry about adding the nessasary amount of baking soda to raise it to
thank 4.0?, if it does go lower than 4.0.
Thanks again
Jeff S.
according to my directions you should neutralize the cape prior to putting it in the ez tan 100. Once you put the capes in the EZ tan then just maintain it at 4.0. Vinegar to lower, baking soda to raise, it don't take much so go slow. Good Luck
Dave Toms


text:
See Also: Motorcycle Intercom Reviews | wBW Reviews Home
▪ wBW Reviews Home
▪ Owner Comments (Below)
▪ wBW Sena SR10 Bluetooth Hub Review
▪ wBW Sena SMH10 Review
▪ wBW Sena SMH5 Preview
▪ wBW Motorcycle Intercom Reviews
Part 1: Sena SMH5 Introduction and Basics
Part 2: SMH5 Connectivity and Road Report
Also: Sena SMH5-FM Review
The Sena SMH5 offers a lot of performance at a "How do they do it?" price.
It's small, easy to use, feature-rich and designed for "every day use or casual riders who require must-have features at an affordable price".
The mounting system is simple and robust. The SMH5 slides on to an all-metal helmet mount and a single connector cable connects the headset, microphone and speaker assembly. There are no other contact pins on the SMH5.
There is no doubt that the SMH5 will bring in huge numbers of new owners to the Sena family...which is exactly the idea!
The feature-to-price ratio of the Sena SMH5 will surely give nightmares to the other motorcycle intercom manufacturers.
UPDATE April 16, 2012 - Sena announced that a firmware update for the SMH5 will be available, probably during the week of April 23, 2012. The SMH5 will have regular firmware updates as required.
We introduced the new Sena SMH5 in this preview from the 2012 Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana in February of this year. We've been riding with a pair of the SMH5 intercoms since then and this is our report.
The SMH5 intercom is basically a 2/3-scale version of the very popular Sena SMH10 (review). It is a slightly de-contented version of the SMH10 or, rather, the SMH10 can now be considered the "Professional" version and it will be the "flagship" top-of-the-line intercom in the Sena product mix.
The firmware in both the SMH5 and SMH10 can be upgraded and Sena is poised to announce the Version 4 firmware upgrade (report) for the SMH10 very soon.
The SMH5 is smaller than the SMH10 and, as always, smaller is better when it comes to helmet-mounted intercom systems. But it has nearly all the features anyone needs for wireless rider-to-pillion or rider-to-rider communications.
Owners can also stream music from their Bluetooth-enabled MP3 or music player, GPS system or, heaven forbid, cell phone. The SMH5 is effectively the equal of the original Sena SMH10 units but at $129.00 each or $249.00 for the dual pack (does anyone buy just one intercom?), the SMH5 is a certified steal.
At these prices, everyone can afford and own an intercom -- it's the Henry Ford Model T strategy of motorcycle communications -- intercoms for the masses!
We're sure the first question to be asked is "What's the difference between the SMH10 and the SMH5?". The answer is: not much, actually.
In fact, we're sure the SMH5 will crib a lot of sales from the SMH10. But Sena didn't seem worried about this when they were queried at the Dealer Expo. They apparently have lots more "headroom" in the SMH10 and many advances are on the way.
So the strategy is to bring in more first-time intercom owners into the Sena family with a "can't miss", "no brainer" intercom purchase at prices that surely will have the other intercom manufacturers scrambling back to their CAD systems and Excel spreadsheets.
The difference between the two intercoms was described in the Sena SMH5 preview, but just to reiterate, here goes:
Besides the size (the SMH10 is about 1/3 smaller than the SMH10), the SMH10 has the following features that are not included on the SMH5:
Sena told us at the Dealer Expo that the "SMH10 is targeted towards more professional riders, such as group riding or touring, while the SMH5 is more for everyday-use riders who require must-have features at affordable price. We believe SMH5 will contribute considerably to the popularity of motorcycle Bluetooth, and add more fun and safety during riding as well."
Let's take a closer look at the SMH5. As we mentioned in the recent Interphone F5 review, it's now a lot easier to review motorcycle intercom systems than it was in the past.
A few years ago, there were no standards for how a wireless (Bluetooth) motorcycle intercom system worked. Owners had to tape a "cheat sheet" to the fuel tank to remind them of the various button-pushing sequences needed to get the darned things to work. It was a real pain.
But the systems have become standardized, more or less, over the years, what with the ubiquitousness (whew!) of Bluetooth. Sena invented the "Jog Dial" interface, which was a revelation (revolution) at the time it was introduced, and it made using an intercom even easier.
The Jog Dial is now a Sena "calling card", and it's employed on the SMH5 to raise and lower the volume (by turning the dial) or for mode selection (by tapping or pressing the Jog Dial). In fact, other than the red "Phone" button on the back of the SMH5, used to turn the intercom on or off (along with a press of the Jog Dial), there are no other buttons to remember or push on the system. It's so easy, even a caveman could do it (remember him?)!
The SMH5 is covered in a matte rubbery sort of coating, which offers a good grip but does seem to attract lint and dust. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth solves that problem, however. The SMH-5 and SMH5-FM (review) are "water resistant for use in inclement weather", according to Sena.
Other than a micro-USB charge port, the only other opening on the SMH5 is the port for the microphone-headset-speaker unit. The headset terminates in an angled connector and it's plugged in to the SMH5 module at the lower rear. Why that port can't also be used for charging is a mystery known only to the engineers.
The back of the SMH5 is clean; that is, there are no connection pins or anything else other than a slot that fits over the helmet mount. The original SMH10 units had two rows of pins that were a weak point, literally, in the system. The pins could break if the intercom module was incorrectly aligned when mounting it on the headset receiver.
On the SMH5, the headset connects via a shrouded connector plug with no exposed pins and no large headset mounting plate.
The helmet mount is a simple, robust metal clamp and it's thin enough to fit between the helmet shell and EPS on most helmets...although some of the newer helmet designs have moldings around the bottom, which prevent the clamp-type intercom mounting system from working correctly. In that case, the stick-on mount will have to be employed instead.
The other big news is the voice prompting system built into the SMH5. We assume this will become a feature of all new Sena intercoms [voice prompting will be enabled in the SMH10 with the upcoming Version 4 firmware upgrade (report)].
The system used in the SMH5 is fairly basic compared to the extensive voice prompting instruction set in the Interphone F5. For example, the SMH5 lets you know that it has been successfully turned on or off and it will inform you when it's placed into pairing mode, intercom mode or when pairing is successful.
It's just enough information to let you know what's happening without too much talking, and it's an improvement over the beeps that would signify success in Bluetooth systems of old.
The SMH5 Dual Kit comes with two SMH5 intercom modules; two all-metal helmet mounting brackets; two stick-on helmet mounts (if the metal bracket won't fit your helmet); two headset assemblies; two foam "wind socks" for the microphone tip and two USB cables.
To charge the units, you'll need to connect the USB cables to a powered USB port on your computer or invest in an el Cheapo USB $0.45 cent wall outlet charger; you can get a dual-port charger via that link for $0.45 (that's 45 cents!). Why Sena didn't include one in the kit is a bit of a mystery -- if you can buy one for 45 cents, surely it would only cost pennies to include one in the kit?
The single or dual kit comes with a very basic startup guide; the full manual is available for download from the Sena website. The instruction guide is printed in English, French and Spanish and it's image-heavy -- a bit too image-heavy in our opinion, making it difficult to understand for left-brainers like us. Download the full owner's manual instead.
But these are minor nits and the low price (and high performance) of the SMH5 intercoms definitely overwhelm any minor issues.
Operating the SMH5 is about as easy as it gets for a motorcycle intercom. Press and hold the red "Phone" button and the Jog Dial for about one second to fire it up. The blue LED light bar will start to blink.
When the SMH5 starts, the LED will flash red up to four times to indicate remaining battery life (illustrated in the video below).
To pair the SMH5 with another SMH5 or other Bluetooth devices, press and hold the Phone button for 5 seconds to place the intercom into pairing mode. The LED will flash in the standard fast red/blue to indicate pairing mode is active. Place the other device to be paired into pairing mode and hold them near each other and after a few seconds, they should be paired.
We had no problems pairing any and every Bluetooth device we have available with the SMH5...and this is another difference from just a few years ago, when pairing Bluetooth devices could be a real headache.
By the way, there's apparently no way to cancel pairing mode other than turning the SMH5 off, which is quickly done by holding the Phone button and pressing the Jog Dial simultaneously. Unlike other intercom systems, the Sena units turn off immediately when the two buttons are pressed.
We paired the SMH5 with various cell phones, Bluetooth-enabled MP3 players and, of course, other SMH5 units.
To pair the SMH5 with other SMH5 intercoms (up to 4 units can be paired) or with SMH10 intercoms, first turn on the SMH5, then press and hold the Jog Dial until the LED goes into a quick red on/off flashing mode. Do the same with the other SMH5 or SMH10 unit and after about 10 seconds, the units will pair. The voice prompting system in the SMH5 will let you know when pairing has been successful.
Once the intercoms are paired, intercom communications can be initiated by tapping the Jog Dial once (or two or three times to connect to more paired intercoms).
Once the intercoms are in talk mode, the communications are "real time" full duplex. There is no VOX system in the SMH5 and we don't miss it. Full duplex, "always on" communications may put a larger demand on battery life, but we think it's worth the tradeoff.
The SMH5 units have a reduced range of about 400 meters, compared to roughly 900 meters for the SMH10 intercoms. The paired and connected SMH5 intercoms will automatically re-connect when they come back into range if the connection has been broken.
Here's the chart that was published in the SMH5 preview, which illustrates the differences between the SMH5 and SMH10 intercoms. Note that the talk time (battery life) is reduced with the SMH5 and it does not have the multi-point connectivity or phone conferencing capabilities, among others.
[UPDATE (June 2012): Sena said that multi-point connectivity for the SMH5 will be available in the next firmware release. Currently, the multi-point feature is provided only in the SMH10 with audio overlay with SR10. The SMH10 will be further developed to support both normal interruption-based and audio overlaid multi-point in the future. The SMH5 will support only interruption-based multi-point, which means only one audio source at a time can be heard.]
Note also that the SMH5 uses Bluetooth 3.0 and the SMH10 will feature Bluetooth 3.0 in the upcoming Version 4 firmware update.
This graphic was provided by Sena. The SMH5 uses a plug-in connector and the SMH10 uses the 10-pin connector for attaching the headset module mounted on the helmet:
The SMH5 does not use the large headset mounting unit found on the SMH10. An all-metal clip can be slipped between the helmet shell and EPS liner in most helmets, although some of the newer helmets have a molding around the bottom of the helmet that prevents the use of the mounting clip.
If the metal mount can't be installed, the stick-on mount may be used instead. Clean the helmet shell surface with rubbing alcohol first to ensure a good seal.
Accessories available for the SMH5 include a wired mic kit, which can be used instead of the boom mic that comes with the system. A larger speaker kit is also available, as is a cigarette lighter style USB charger.
The SMH5 is easy to use. After the two units are paired and mounted on the helmets, press the Jog Dial once to initiate intercom communications and you're talking.
If the SMH5 has been paired with a cell phone, intercom communications are interrupted if a call comes in. We do not recommend using a cell phone when riding a motorcycle; in fact, we always turn off the cell phone when riding. If you need to make a call, safely pull off the road, get off the bike and make your call.
The cell phone can be controlled from the SMH5; for example, if a call comes in (and if your cell phone has the feature), the call can be answered by speaking into the SMH5 microphone. You can also tap the Phone button to engage the VOX voice command function of the cell phone to make a call or redial. Calls are rejected by pressing and holding the Jog Dial for 2 seconds.
Calls can also be transferred from the intercom to the cell phone only by pressing and holding the Phone button once the call has been engaged. Don't forget that if they've been previously paired and if your phone automatically connects, the SMH5 will automatically connect to the cell phone if the phone is on when the SMH5 is turned on.
So if, for example, you're standing in the garage or off the bike with the cell phone is in your pocket while the SMH5 is on your helmet off the bike, you may not hear the call coming in and you may not be able to talk on the cell phone unless you grab the helmet and transfer the call. This is the case with any motorcycle intercom and it's always puzzling until you realize what's happening.
The range of the SMH5 is about half the SMH10, although it's pretty much line of sight for your riding companions. The stated range is 400 meters, which seems about right more or less. As with the other Bluetooth intercoms, as soon as one motorcycle disappears over a hill or around a curve, the connection becomes difficult and communications start to break up.
If you really need long-distance comms, consider purchasing something like the Sena SR10 Bluetooth hub (review) and connect a pair of FRS/GMRS two-way radios.
The sound quality of the SMH5 is excellent, although the speakers are a bit smaller than average. We haven't tried the optional speaker set, so it's unclear whether the speakers or the amplifier will make a difference.
As with any motorcycle intercom system, the speakers must be placed as close to the ears as possible. This may mean that you'll have to add a layer of foam or material to the ear pockets of the helmet to bring the speakers closer to the ears.
We always wear ear plugs when riding, including evaluations of motorcycle intercom systems.
The boom mic used on the SMH5 seems to be sensitive to placement; we found it necessary to place the microphone as close as possible to the lips to get the best sound quality. So it may take some experimentation with the speakers and microphone to find the optimal setup for your helmets.
Otherwise, sound quality was good during normal riding adventures, although as it is with any motorcycle intercom system, this will vary quite a bit, depending on ambient noise levels generated by wind, engine noise, etc.
The Sena SMH5 intercom system provides a log of "bang for the buck". Although it's short a few of the high-end features available on the SMH10, it does pretty much everything most riders will need. If you want to talk to your passenger or one or more riding companions, listen to music or even make a cell phone call (not while riding, please!), the SMH5 is fully equipped to do it all.
The SMH5 is also very easy to use, so first-time intercom owners or casual users -- or anyone who doesn't require "Professional" style motorcycle communications, should be more than pleased.
And you simply can't beat the price, with Sena quality and a two-year warranty!
Part 2: Sena SMH5 Ride Report and Final Conclusions
Also: Sena SMH5-FM Review
From "C.K." (April 2015): "I was just reading your review of the SENA SMH5 dual unit. I have the same pair, and accidentally allowed my batteries to discharge too far, rendering them useless.
There is a great tutorial for replacing the Sena SMH5 battery with the OEM manufacturer battery from China. I really didn't fancy the battery cost and shipping charges from the original manufacturer, however, I found a very close Sena SMH5 battery replacement from a Robotics hobby store in Toronto Canada.
The molex connector is not the same as in the SENA SMH5, so I de-soldered the pigtail from the original battery and installed it onto the new one. The dimensions are slightly different but it drops right in without interference or modification other than the wire.
Best part is it only cost me $6.99 each plus shipping for a total of $22 CAD. I received it within 24 hours of ordering. Now my units are both fully functional!"
From "B.S." (March 2015): "Has any company stepped up and offered a battery pack for the Sena SMH5 intercom? Love mine, but I'm getting hours, not days out of it. I'll be damned if its going to end up in a landfill if it still works.
They don't offer replacement battery units, and service is a cost of a used one. Plus, they insist you go through their locked down forum setup, which is not the best.
So I have been searching for an aftermarket solution, other than strange Chinese battery sellers that want to sell you them by the gross.
Editor's Reply: I talked to Sena, they said the battery should "definitely last more than 2 years". They only replace it during the 2 year warranty period. They said they have many people still using original batteries from 2010 in the SMH10. They said there's a trade-off point between the actual cost and $$$ paid to replace the battery, including shipment to Sena, shipment back to the owner, labor cost, etc. It ends up costing the owner almost as much to buy a new one.
Unfortunately, this is the case with most intercoms. It does pay to keep the battery charged at all times; don't let it run down all the way and put it on the charger once and a while when it's not being used to help ensure best life.
From "T.G." (March 2014): "I am a big fan of your website and use it a lot for purchases. I tried 3 brands of intercoms: Sena, U-Clear and Cardo choosing the Sena SMH5 for us and sent the others back to Revzilla.
I am now faced with an unresolved issue of when the intercoms are on the open mode for instant communication there is a constant loud popping, hissing, crackling like frying fish or tearing paper and popping corn at the same time. It makes the headsets almost unusable.
I have been in contact with Sena and they at first said that it's normal (I quote from the website) That this noise is normal. They have offered to exchange mine for new but all reports that the new ones both SMH-5 and SMH-10's have the issue.
This static makes the instant on intercom function worthless as the static is so bad you have to not use it. It will work as a push-to-talk unit so you can play music and then just bump your ear button to initiate a call, but this takes many seconds. This puts the Sena in the same category as the UClear and Scala and removes their advantages. I'm going back to U-Clear.
The boom has never been an issue so this "booms suck" stuff is total BS as far as I'm concerned. Waiting 8 seconds for your riding buddy to get your call sucks. Here is the link to the SENA help forum with the thread."
H.B.C.'s Reply: We have actually identified in the various reviews and some follow-on response to feedback that the Sena systems can be or are noisier than others, particularly when comparing them to the Cardo scala rider Q1/Q3 and UClear products. But we know Sena has been working on this issue (or believe they were) and I haven't noticed any ongoing or severe issues with two of the SMH10B systems used here, running the latest firmware.
Sena systems do seem more susceptible to local and proximity related sources of interference -- electrical factors on the vehicle and/or in built-up areas, etc. -- that can become very evident in some metro areas and in busy traffic, where wireless and BT concentration is more prevalent
As we have also noted in the past, the user's operating environment can be a big factor as well. In all my experience in using Sena products, typically always with the intercom live (constantly), it has never been at the level that rendered the devices, or the intercom, unusable, not even close. And there are far more expensive systems on the market that have similar issues, but even more severe.
The switching delay issue identified is also new to me; I have never noticed or experienced any delay in Sena system switching between devices, particularly the intercom, and with the last firmware build it is virtually silent and instant, and even moving from the Universal Pairing intercom mode is probably no more than a second at best.
Boom vs. boomless is a personal thing, good to have both choices.
From "W2B" (September 2013): "I unfortunately utilized your review to purchase this unit. You rated the sound quality as "excellent" but I'd have to go with what one of the commenters mentioned, the speakers sound like cheap $5 to $10 plastic units that come with a cheap MP3 player.
I have heard cheap A.M. transistor radios that sound better than these two speakers. These units work better as magnets than they do as musical transmitters for the human ear.
The whole idea of this system "Bluetooth" is a great concept that works well. Wire free communications on your motorcycle, brilliant! Unfortunately listening to the awful sound quality is a painful and frustrating experience with this unit. Listening to my GPS unit's XM radio more often than not involved "is that Bob Seager or Bob Dylan -- geeze I can't hear who is playing."
The pain in your ears only gets worse as speed and wind noise increase because you've applied maximum volume level. Sadly more volume in these speakers should be considered torture to the human ear. Slower speeds and no care about music quality then these are decent units. Higher speeds and preference for quality musical or spoken podcast sounds, forget about it.
With sadness these units are being put back into the box and being returned for a full refund. I really wanted this to be a great product but unfortunately my ears know bad quality when they hear it. I read a few reviews prior to purchase that gave similar praise to the speakers.
Even when I first set them up and went for a short ride around town I was happy though not overly enthused about the sound quality. My first test ride was this weekend from Pismo Beach, CA to Long Beach, CA and back. It was awful regardless of low wind conditions.
Unfortunately I started digging deeper into the internet most notably Sena's website and discovered a lot of unhappy people. Like me they noticed sound and sound quality issues diminishing above 50mph. Back to my wired in ear Phillips noise canceling units. Sadly I think this is a case of high tech doesn't meet with high fidelity."
Editor's Reply: All of the intercom speakers we have tried of any brand -- including accessory speakers -- are all very small and very thin and have nowhere near the fidelity of a decent set of earbuds or system stereo speakers. Motorcycle intercom speakers were primarily designed to basically carry on a simple conversation with a passenger.
Also, riding a motorcycle will always cause a great deal of ambient noise and the faster you go, the louder it becomes and this greatly affects the quality of the sound heard through the speakers. It's probably not reasonable at this point to expect anything near high fidelity from a simple set of small, thin intercom speakers inside a motorcycle helmet, no matter the brand.
It's important to keep in mind that these type of speakers are very limited and meant for basic communication. That you might hear some background music is a bonus, but clearly discerning the music once speeds go past 20 MPH or so won't happen. Keep your expectations reasonable and you'll limit your disappointment.
From "IV" (April 2013): "After reading some reviews and looking at various other intercom units, I finally decided to buy an SMH5 for use while commuting. This unit was insanely simple to setup and use, so I can give it high marks for that.
The speakers, however, are virtually a war crime against your ears. The reviews I read were all over the place, but for those that listen to music at all, even the upgraded speaker kit ($20) only brings the audio quality up to that of $5-$10 headphones that would come with your cell phone or mp3 player. Since I mostly use the unit for podcasts and voice communication, the sound quality isn't a huge deal, but I figured I'd chime in for those that want music while they ride.
A major positive is that I can now wear proper ear plugs while I ride. That alone has improved my commute greatly. Can't recommend those enough."
From "R.G." (June 2012): "I bought a pair of these in mid-May and just wanted to pass on a tip. My wife and I both own Nolan helmets. Me: Nolan N43 Air (review). Her: Nolan N104 (review). Both have the moulding/trim around the base, so you can't just push the clamp in to secure.
I didn't want to use the stick on mount, as from experience I never found these to be up to the job. The answer. A Dremel and a grinding attachment.
Just cut a slot in the plastic trim, and hay presto you can fit the clamp in. I notice in your review a Schuberth C3 (review) with the same type of trim, so may work for other brands as well. And if you cock it up, It's all your fault for trying (does that get me off the hook?)."
From "I.V.H." (April 2012): "I didn't realize that intercom systems had gone down in price this much since I last looked. I don't ride with anyone often enough to buy the dual pack of intercoms, but having speakers and a mic built into my helmet would mean that I'd listen to music a lot more while riding.
Trying to keep a pair of earbuds on while riding can be a pain, so this would be great. Also, being able to control my phone via the helmet means I can get my navigation read to me, text messages, etc. Thanks for the awesome review!"


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From The Daily Brides: Go Ask Alice (Temperley)
(NEW YORK) You've heard all about her ready-to-wear line, famously adored by The Duchess of Cambridge. But did you know British designer Alice Temperley also has a booming bridal business? We sat down with Temperley to find out how she reinvents the white dress, season after season.
What can a client expect from a bespoke bridal dress from Temperley?
We pride ourselves on our family-like service, which seems to offer our brides something different. In terms of attitude, there's a Temperley type of bride, and they form a kind of community. We offer a truly personal experience using the finest silks and French lace. We just re-launched our Notting Hill store as a destination bridal boutique. We also created an atelier for private bridal appointments that offers a very special location for choosing the most important dress right underneath my design studio.
What changes have you made?
The Notting Hill boutique has expanded and now covers two floors. The retail space has a beautiful bridal floor, which sits below my studio with my tailors and pattern cutters in the adjoining building. I'm always there. The first floor bridal salon is stunning but homey, and consists of two private rooms. The front of the building has a huge Union Jack mural so it's quite an iconic space. It's a unique experience to create gowns for one of the most memorable moments in a woman's life.
Is it hard to reinvent the white bridal gown?
Bridal is a wonderful area to design for as you are designing the ultimate dress. It has to be the perfect blend of functionality and fantasy that is hopefully treasured forever and passed down for generations to come. Bridal gowns allow me to escape into the most escapist designs of fantasy and romance, which is the most enjoyable part of how I design. I've never found it difficult! We do have new styles, such as separates and jumpsuits, that I also bring across from my main line runway collection, so it always stays fresh. I design for every kind of bride, which gives me room to experiment with new shapes and styles. We also just launched a new range of shrugs, veils, and accessories.
How would you describe the Temperley bridal customer?
Everything is designed for the Temperley woman, who cannot be pinned down to one person, age or personality. She varies vastly. Someone who is independent, strong, sexy, and pays attention to detail, and doesn't follow trends for the sake of it. She's a timeless woman.
What styles are popular for today's bride?
We've introduced bridal separates into our collections. I think brides are moving towards more alternative styles and colors, too. My favorite look from the Titania Collection is the Heather skirt styled with the Petunia blouse. It's perfect for the modern bride, but has more volume in the skirt and still uses our signature Temperley lace.
You recently took on a new CEO, Ulrik Garde to expand your business. Does he have any plans in mind yet for your bridal line?
We want to become a leading independent luxury lifestyle brand, focusing on bridal as a strong part of the company. I truly believe, as we enter our 14th year of business, that the best is yet to come.
What's the best part of working in the bridal business?
I love seeing photos of all the amazing Temperley brides wearing our gowns! It makes me wonder why we even shoot campaigns when our brides are all so beautiful and wear my imagined dresses so perfectly! Those are the best moments—when you've been given the honor of designing the most important dress and see how happy and free they look in it.