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Today, the JREF's Isaac Asimov Library reached a total of 1,920 books, not counting another around-the-corner annex with some additional 30 feet of shelf space jammed with skeptical journals from around the world, plus 18 shelf-feet of DVDs – 762 of them! Damn! That's quite a record! The data contained there is a valuable record of the foolishness in which our species has been involved. Perhaps in another two centuries, our descendants will be able to take some amusement in the naïve beliefs of their ancestors…? Well, 29" of shelf space will assure them that at least somebody was not taken in by nonsense – those are my own books, in Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Parsee, Polish, and Spanish, 36 of them in various editions. Add to that to almost 4 feet Martin Gardner, Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan, and Michael Shermer, alone, and at least 5 feet of other skeptical writers. That looks small, compared to our total of 162 feet of book shelves, but it's significant… And we've four complete sets of encyclopedias, as well…
While working with Chris Cochran, the dedicated volunteer who has been organizing this mass of literature for the JREF, I took a bit of time to look over a few of the rarer items in our library, and was particularly fascinated by one among the 37 hefty tomes we have on the subject of phrenology – surely one of the greatest wastes of time ever to have been embraced by the public and by the academic world. It's a copy of the 25th edition of "A Phrenological Chart of Character (with Supplementary Tables) by Stackpool E. O'Dell & Mrs. Stackpool E. O'Dell, Consulting Phrenologists," 54 pages of gold-edged nonsense with an added "Definitions of the Mental Faculties" by Gaspard Spurzheim and an advertisement on the back cover for another powerful book by the same authors, "Heads, and How to Read Them" – a volume we also have on our shelves. A notice is included in the text:
Lectures by Mrs. Stackpool O'Dell can be arranged by applying to the London Phrenological Institution (Founded 1868, established in London, 1879)
Wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity, but I fear we're too late.
Shown above is an illustration from the book, which needs little explanation and indicates the biases of the authors and the entire silly notion of phrenology…
Speaking of lists and indexes, the Committee for Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal (CSICOP) now has available a DVD or CD-ROM – your choice – data source with the 29-year-long contents of The Skeptical Inquirer (henceforth to be known as The Magazine for Science and Reason) dealing with subjects from aliens to zombies… This incredibly rich database, from the early issues of the magazine first known as The Zetetic, to the present, is being offered to the public for $150 – call 1-800-634-1610 to order. This is a big forward step for CSICOP, and for the skeptical/rational movement, worldwide!
Incidentally, any reader who would like to have a printout of the complete contents of our library (it runs 34 pages, single-sided) can receive same by sending a check for $12 payable to the JREF. A similar printout listing the DVDs will be available shortly. Next week, I'll give readers a list of the really rare books the JREF has here for perusal.
Reader "Susan," in Toronto, Canada, tells us about Jayne Hunter:
…a woman who sings to tap water in an unspecified "ancient language" (that even she does not understand, she says), transfers her intentions (compassion, forgiveness, etc.) to the water, bottles it (with a spot of brandy, as a preservative) and sells it for $20 per. She has excellent profit margins on this product, by the way. No kidding!
Check out Ms. Hunter's website for more info. I gather she's doing well, so once again, we have proof that "fools and their money are soon parted." Some outfit in the States has also latched onto this scam, and, likewise, is doing a booming business. One can't help but wonder whether it's the transferred intentions or the brandy that's really providing the good feelings here!
If I didn't have a conscience, I could be singing to Toronto's finest H20, fresh from our beloved Lake Ontario, and selling it for a huge profit. Riches could be mine. Alas, pesky things, consciences.
But go to www.rashanasoundessences.com/about.htm for the real woo-woo aspects, including a visit from someone's mother named Mary. Is this Hunter woman delusional, or what? Singing to water…? Sheeesh! But the suckers are buying…!
Reader Jon Rosen, MPH, RN, has observed an interesting article in Nature Magazine, one with a JREF twist…
The key to Stradivari's tone. Antique violins may have been chemically tuned.
The above headline from the website of the science journal Nature at tinyurl.com/ydlu4j describes research that may finally have uncovered the secret to the smooth, unique tone of the Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesù stringed instruments.
Or maybe not…!
But the article on this subject that most piqued my interest was the one in which an expert says that he and his colleagues are unable to tell the difference between a Stradivarius and a modern instrument in a "blind test." Here's the quote from LiveScience.com – tinyurl.com/yltkvz:
"I played a Strad for some time," said Christopher Whiting, a professional violinist and a writer for Strings Magazine. "Now I have daily contact with a Guarneri del Gesù. I don't believe that expensive old violins sound better than good modern violins. I have never been able to hear the difference when doing a 'blind test,' listening to several violins, one after the other, without looking to see which one is being played. Nobody I've met has been able to do it either. But it's easy to tell the difference between a good violinist and a bad violinist!"
"I played a Strad for some time," said Christopher Whiting, a professional violinist and a writer for Strings Magazine. "Now I have daily contact with a Guarneri del Gesù. I don't believe that expensive old violins sound better than good modern violins. I have never been able to hear the difference when doing a 'blind test,' listening to several violins, one after the other, without looking to see which one is being played. Nobody I've met has been able to do it either. But it's easy to tell the difference between a good violinist and a bad violinist!"
I know this doesn't really debunk any woo-woo beliefs, but it's a nice demonstration that what everyone often agrees is true, may simply not stand up to rigorous scrutiny.
How true, Jon! And herein lies the secret to the imagined effects of homeopathy, the wonders wrought by the faith healers, and so many other spurious miracles supported and endorsed by enthusiastic clients. It also gives us insight into such "experts" as those editors at Stereophile Magazine who think they can hear quite non-existent changes in audio systems brought about by magic stones and "quantum" devices that they spend fortunes to possess, and endorse – to the detriment of their trusting readers.
Estonian reader Elver Loho alerts us:
[Recently] the glorious nation of Estonia was visited by US president George W. Bush. Our military has some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and I guess that was partly the reason we were visited by the most important man in the world. But that's not what I want to talk about.
After Bush had left, a local newspaper published a story about a strange man from the bomb squad of the Estonian police force. He was part of the team that secured each location before Bush arrived. The photos show this man in uniform walking around with a dowsing rod and the article identifies him as a bomb squad expert.
Martin Luige, a police PR person, describes the dowsing rod as "a tool for checking for electricity, communications, and the presence of bombs." The Estonian Rescue Board PR manager Rain Porss describes the dowsing rod simply as "a special tool" belonging to the bomb squad. Apparently he can't go into details of how it works, because then the bombmakers would figure it out and lives would be lost.
So when George W. Bush was visiting Estonia, the Estonian bomb squad was looking for bombs using a dowsing rod. Hmmm... Must be some budget cuts I haven't heard about.
Elver, I think that all Estonians should abandon hope of being secure, if it all depends on swiveling sticks waved about by uninformed "experts." I'm sure that there's a room full of crystal-gazers and seers probing the entrails of pigeons, just down the hall from the magic stick distribution center. Just as scary is the fact that a professionally-made dowsing rod has been sold to U.S. government agencies here, for some time now. The Homeland Security people have considered – and perhaps invested in it…
From UK reader Steve Clennell comes this news:
I am driven to write to you by an experience last night. I am an Explorer Scout Section Assistant here in Burton on Trent in the UK (an interesting position for a skeptic, but the benefits of providing a service to the kids outweighs the nuisance of the small religious aspect). Last night we had an event arranged by one of the leaders and attended a presentation and "Ghost Walk" by a local group: the Swadlincote Paranormal Society. See www.swadlincoteparanormal.co.uk.
I was surprised to discover that this wasn't one of the increasingly popular "tour of town and a few spooky stories" type entertainments, but a group of serious people telling us about their work in investigating the paranormal. Their number included various "experts," cameramen, first-aiders and a medium.
Randi comments: To be more precise, Steve, I'd suggest the modifier "claimed" should appear in front of that last word…
The short presentation to kick things off spent some time outlining the equipment used (laser thermometers, EMF readers... the usual) and the locations investigated, before moving on to show us some "evidence" – most of these images are on the website. Mostly these were "orbs" in which could "clearly be seen" faces (and in one, a small child could apparently be seen clearly – looked like blobs of color, to me) but one was an apparition – a cloud of mist that (again) was "clearly" a person. This produced the first of many comments along the lines of "...the next images were even more spectacular... but they aren't included here." Erm... why not?
The tour aspect was quite amusing, as we were taken to various locations and told of the work that they had done there. At one point the medium indicated me, and said she'd keep an eye on me because I had a black spirit lurking with me! Nice.
I was very impressed with the lads and lasses of our group as they were all well behaved but also very enquiring, and pressed the guide on a number of occasions to clear up some of his allusions. Here, I was delighted to witness the usual falling back onto "facts." Apparently it is a fact that the body weighs less after death – thus proving the departure of the soul (yes, they used that old chestnut). Even better: it is a fact that the solar plexus contains orbs which manipulate our DNA in order to control our actions!
The guide refused to go past the Thornton's chocolate shop, as he has antagonized a spirit in there which regularly beats him up. This understandably disappointed us – we felt that witnessing a guide being beaten up by a specter would provide some of the proof which they were determined to have us accept. Apparently, during an investigation in this shop, police were called to a disturbance, and the guide was able to film two police officers being attacked and chased from the shop... but the film had to be destroyed, as the evil spirits attach themselves to such things!
The people here were keen to promote their close ties with TVs "Most Haunted," although amusingly they were very disparaging of Derek "not a fake at all" Acorah, even going as far as to say that "Most Haunted" is censored from showing most of their findings because the government are worried about mass panic and the possibility that proving the existence of ghosts would "set off the Islams" [sic]. At the end, we participated in a Q&A session over the phone with Phil Whyman from "Most Haunted." I took the opportunity to ask him about why he had never applied for the JREF million-dollar prize if he has all of this proof of paranormal existence...
His answer was that Mr. Randi moves the goalposts on these things and the requirements are so exacting that it is impossible to win. He also quoted, "A believer needs very little evidence, whereas a skeptic can never have enough evidence," which I interpret as, "A believer will accept any old codswallop as fact, whereas a skeptic will question everything."
Randi comments: how does Mr. Whyman know these things, if he's never applied for the prize? He's read some nonsense on the Internet, he's chosen to believe it, and he uses that as his escape-hatch. He obviously doesn't believe it's true, but he won't countenance any confrontation with reality, so he smugly takes comfort in retreat. So that he will have his fears allayed, I'll state this: First, I have never "moved the goalposts" at any time, and I challenge him to show me one example of this – except for the frequent repetition of this canard on the Internet. Our "requirements" are set by you, Phil; if we were to set them, it would be unfair and possibly biased. You set them, Phil. As for your claim that we require more evidence than is necessary, it is quite wrong. The amount and the strength of the evidence is set in advance, with your agreement, Phil…
Phil, are you still there? Hello, Phil…? Well, while we're waiting for Mr. Whyman, Steve wants to finish his account…
Anyway, I apologize for rattling on. The comments from the Explorers (girls and boys 14–18 y.o.) afterwards were that they'd enjoyed themselves, but that it was a load of b*ll*cks wasn't it? They all picked up on the guide's claim that his thermometer had read 1,000 degrees centigrade during one visitation and commented that "his equipment needs fixing." All in all, I was very chuffed [delighted] to see that this group of youngsters have the principles of enquiry down pat! From what I read of the US, that wouldn't necessarily be seen as a good thing if we were an American Scout troop!
Gee, that guide's thermometer must be something to see! If there are any copper or silver parts, they'd melt away at 1,000°C…! Your students deserve kudos for their attitude, and I'm sure you're proud of the work you've done to instill that attitude in them…!
In previous SWIFT entries such as www.randi.org/jr/02-23-2001.html (do a search for "martial") I described some of the outrageous claims that have been made over the years by the martial artists of various schools and nationalities. Now, reader Aaron Knapp has created a site you can see at www.badmartialarts.com that addresses itself to these departures from rationality and reality that seem to "sell" the idea of supernatural self-defense to the naïve. I hope that those of you who have an interest in such matters will keep that address at hand and refer to it regularly.
Yes, you guessed it – James Van Praagh is back. A reader reminded me of an Entertainment Tonight broadcast back in December in which James said he was communicating with Marilyn Monroe's ghost through a set of Clairol hair curlers said to have been found in her home. In "psychic talk," this means that he handled the curlers, and thereby obtained a sort of spiritual connection with the deceased star – vibrations and that sort of really scientific stuff. His unperceived problem with this scenario was that those curlers had been manufactured in 1974, twelve years after the star's death – though this is not the sort of thing that ever slows down any of these ridiculous people. What would stop any other sort of investigation in its tracks, is only a slight bump in the road for "psychics."
It seems, according to the Guardian newspaper in the UK, that following the July 7 terrorist attacks there, the Church of Scientology have been involved in a serious effort to win over police officers from the City of London force. More than 20 officers, from constables to chief superintendents, have attended a series of engagements by the scientologists over the last fifteen months, says the newspaper. That included guest invitations last May for two constables and a sergeant to attend the premiere of "Mission Impossible 3" in Leicester Square, where they were able to rub shoulders with the best-known scientologist of them all, the star of the film, actor Tom Cruise. And recently, a senior officer from the City of London appeared as a guest speaker at the opening of the £23m [US$43m] Scientology centre near St. Paul's Cathedral.
At the lavish ceremony, Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley, the fourth most senior officer in the force, praised the scientologists for the support they provided after the July 7 attacks, when followers of L. Ron Hubbard's movement appeared at the police cordons of the Aldgate bomb site, offering help to those involved in the emergency operation. What was not made known was that that "help" consisted mostly of "assists" – "finger-pointing" – at which the scientologists excel. See www.randi.org/jr/2006-05/052606action.html#i13 for an explanation of this powerful phenomenon.
The scientologists invited four police constables, an inspector, and a chief superintendent to a charity dinner at their British headquarters in West Sussex, where the officers received a donation of £5,000 for a City of London children's charity. Most of the engagements, said the Guardian, were approved by a senior officer: either Frank Armstrong, the assistant commissioner of City police, Mr. Hurley, or Chief Superintendent Ken Stewart.
This bizarre relationship between the police force and the scientologists comes despite controversy that the tactics adopted by the church are those of a cult, and the Charity Commission's refusal to recognize it as a religion in the UK. The City of London police declined to comment on this report.
Reader Helena Jeny tells us:
I remember that some time ago you announced that you became thoroughly disillusioned with PBS. I still watch it, and, I admit, some of their programs (like Nova) can be very good, but this week they amply justified your opinion. They reran the first episode of the series "Walking the Bible." In it, Bruce Feiler took it upon himself to walk all the places mentioned in the Bible, starting with the account of the Creation in Genesis, and he climbed Mr. Ararat, where Noah's Ark is supposed to have rested.
And now things got interesting – or farcical. Feiler met the self-appointed "mayor" of Mt. Ararat, whatever the duties of such a person can be, who refused to give his name and was presented by his nickname "Parachute" (?). The importance of Parachute is that he has evidence that Noah's Ark existed, which means, of course, evidence that the Flood took place. He found a piece of wood 5,000 years old, obviously from Noah's Ark. What more evidence for the truth of Genesis could anybody ask for?
Needless to say, Parachute never explained how he knew that the piece of wood was 5,000 years old. How did it endure for 5,000 years, anyway? By a miracle? Did he conduct any tests? If so, what tests? Not that it matters. Feiler, naturally, asked him to show him the place where he found it. Parachute beatifically smiled and refused, without giving any reason why. End of story, although he generously offered to take Feiler (or anybody else) up Mr. Ararat – for a price, of course. Feiler was only too happy to oblige.
Later, Feiler did acknowledge that, first, he was shown no evidence for Parachute's claim, and, second, that it is obviously in Parachute's interest to claim that he found a piece of wood from Noah's Ark, not that any child wouldn't have realized that. And Feiler's conclusion, after all this? That he is only half–sure that Parachute found evidence that the Flood took place.
I am not surprised at Feiler's naivety and lack of ability to reason logically, at least where his beliefs are involved. Obviously, he is so utterly convinced that everything in the Bible took place, that total lack of evidence means nothing to him, and never will. But I am surprised that PBS didn't notice the incredible silliness of this. Or do they just not care, as I suppose you'll tell me?
Just one thing more: in the first episode of Walking the Bible, Feiler also said that maybe, after all, it doesn't really matter where the events in the Bible took place: what matters is the spiritual dimension. Very well: in that case, why not go the whole hog, as Huck Finn would say, and acknowledge that it also does not matter if the events in the Genesis are myths which never took place at all? But I suspect he would consider that a blasphemy.
Re that last observation by Feiler, I'm reminded of a TV comedian/juggler who used in his act what he referred to as "George Washington's original axe, the one with which he chopped down the cherry tree." Then he would add, "Of course, this isn't the original handle, which was eaten up by termites many years ago, and I had to replace the axe-head, too, since it rusted away. But it still occupies the same space!" In other words, it's in the same "spiritual dimension," as Mr. Feiler would say. One has to wonder why Feiler didn't stay where he lives – in New York – to shoot "Walking the Bible." After all, isn't that in the same "spiritual dimension"…? Maybe not.
Reader David Stafford, in Cornwall, England, observes, re our item at www.randi.org/jr/2006-11/112406water.html#i5:
When I looked at the link to the amazing DVD Rewinder, I was amused to see that people who bought this item also bought:
Hitachi C10FM 10" Mitre Saw
Stiletto 14 oz Titanium Hammer
Book, Breaking Through Limitations
Hitachi C10FM 10" Mitre Saw
Stiletto 14 oz Titanium Hammer
Book, Breaking Through Limitations
I can only assume that the above items were used to turn the DVD Winder into dust...
Reader Sandra L. Hubscher reports:
The Christian Science Monitor ran an article on Nov. 30, titled "In Congo, superstitions breed homeless children." It appears that as poverty has been increasingly plaguing this nation, children are being turned out of home after being accused of witchcraft. Javier Aguilar, a UNICEF child protection officer, states that of the 20,000 street children in the city of Kinshasa, 70% of them have been accused of being witches. The article implies that many of these children were living with step-parents or extended family members who no longer wanted to have to support them and so, voila, an easily-explained incident such as a broken glass or a still-born child becomes an excuse to turn them out of home as practitioners of black magic. Any who hide behind the excuse that pseudo-science can be tolerated out of respect to the beliefs and feelings of others, should realize that this type of situation is the ultimate consequence of tolerance of dangerous nonsense. We certainly don't need to force people to be sensible, but neither should we remain quiet when we see truth and logic being assaulted.
I agree enthusiastically, Sandra. Another example from Africa:
In Zimbabwe, John Munkombwe, 29, has been charged with having sex three times with an under-age girl, and impregnating her. He offered the court the explanation that the girl had in fact slept with goblins. Munkombwe has denied the charge of statutory rape. He told the court:
I have been tried before in the chief's court but I have maintained my innocence, and I still deny the charges. I have heard it said that she was impregnated by goblins. I certainly don't know her.
What makes this of interest to us, is that Zimbabwe is a country steeped in supernatural beliefs. As evidence, consider that the country just recently changed their old colonial law to now recognize the existence of witchcraft. Folks, this is no way to join the community of international nations. This is not only standing still, it's moving backward – rapidly.
New Zealand considers itself a modern country. From this next item, that's hard to believe. Apparently there's been much concern about a number of fatal car crashes on two of their major highways. Now, we might expect that administrators would try to ascertain what proper changes to make in the conditions and physical circumstances of these roadways, and provide better surveillance and enforcement of local laws; this is what modern countries do. Perhaps a budget was not available for such common-sense moves, since it was decided to turn to woo-woo techniques – which are much, much cheaper, though they don't work. That's something that NZ apparently hasn't yet discovered.
Last week, a special police convoy carrying Maori elders sprayed 10,000 liters of Waikato River water on the troubled highways "to free the spirits of crash victims." You see, Maori elders consider the combination of blessed river water and prayers to be a trigger for the release of the spirits of those trapped in the area by having suffered violent deaths on the roads. But the authorities were quick to say that this spell was for all NZ citizens, and despite the fact that prayers were offered up during the spraying, they said that the exercise was non-religious and not just for Maori fatalities. Keep everyone happy…
The procedure, a "first for the country," as one politician proudly announced, has already been declared "very successful," even though no period has passed in which any decline in accident rate – in fact, any effect at all – could possibly have been logged. Maybe no accidents occurred during the spraying?
A local official assured concerned citizens that the 2½-hour exercise was cost-free, with people donating labor and resources. "Some people don't have an understanding why we are doing it," said another responsible authority. "They should find out more about Maori protocols before making comment… Anything that helps is worthwhile, isn't it?"
No, silly person, not if all it does is further superstition and ensure that officials get re-appointed or re-elected because they went along with nonsense to show that they're easy to manipulate. Is this a "faith-based initiative"? We Americans can tell you that it won't work…
Reader Nigel Dobson-Keeffe, in Australia, informs us that Monash University – see www.randi.org/jr/2006-12/120106dumb.html#i3 – isn't the only center of higher learning in his country to look into woo–woo matters. The University of Adelaide, keeping up with Monash, has just issued a questionnaire – 26 questions – a sort of test of psychic gullibility. Looking this over, I was struck at one pair of consecutive yes-or-no items:
#12: I believe in life after death
#13: I believe that some people can contact spirits of the dead.
#12: I believe in life after death
#13: I believe that some people can contact spirits of the dead.
If the response to the first question is "no," does it not follow that the next question must also be answered that way…? See the questionnaire at www.psychology.adelaide.edu.au/expts/esp.html. One question is always omitted in these lists: "Is there anything you don't believe to be true?"
Reader Ben Bacarisse also writes concerning the Monash University item:
My curiosity piqued by this item, I went to see if the survey is available, and it is. You can see it in all its grotesque dishonesty by following the link from the project page: community.education.monash.edu.au/projects/paranormal
Ms. Breen clearly knows there are some strange things going on out there, and the questions will help her find out if boys start getting touched by ghosts at a younger or older age than girls do.
One truly breathtaking question is:
Have you ever thought or dreamt that something unexpected had happened, was happening, or was about to happen, and later learnt you were right (premonition)?
I cannot attribute to this any meaning other than one that will require almost everyone to answer "yes." To paraphrase it:
Have you ever thought that something unexpected was happening, and it was?
Have you ever thought that something unexpected was happening, and it was?
Only those who don't think much, and those with very predictable lives, can answer "no."
In another, you cannot be close to death without having a "near-death experience." Logically true, you might think, but biased by the paranormal meaning usually given to that phrase (and this survey).
Maybe a whole bunch of respondents who (a) have never had anything odd happen to them; and who (b) have been able to explain everything in their lives so far, could inject some much needed sanity into the responses.
Reader Steven Keck:
I recently stumbled onto something you may find interesting. I live in the state of California and am in the process of earning a Class A commercial drivers license. One of the requirements is that you must submit to a standardized Department of Transportation physical, which must be performed
…by a U.S. licensed doctor of medicine (M.D.), osteopathy (D.O.), licensed physician assistant (P.A.), a nurse practitioner (N.P.), advance practice nurse, or chiropractor.
(California Commercial Drivers Handbook 2006, page 3, VC 12517.2)
…by a U.S. licensed doctor of medicine (M.D.), osteopathy (D.O.), licensed physician assistant (P.A.), a nurse practitioner (N.P.), advance practice nurse, or chiropractor.
(California Commercial Drivers Handbook 2006, page 3, VC 12517.2)
But then it goes on to say
Drivers who hold certificates to drive school buses, SPAB (School Pupil Activity Bus), youth buses, GPTV (General Public Transit Vehicle), or farm labor vehicles must have their medical examinations given by doctors of medicine.
Drivers who hold certificates to drive school buses, SPAB (School Pupil Activity Bus), youth buses, GPTV (General Public Transit Vehicle), or farm labor vehicles must have their medical examinations given by doctors of medicine.
So, according to CA law, if you're going to be driving a vehicle transporting people, your physical must be held to a higher standard. Lives are at stake, after all. However, if you merely want to drive a 75' long, 80,000-lb tractor trailer truck that would totally crush any bus full of kids it collided with, well then, examination by a witch doctor with no medical training, who thinks diabetes, high blood pressure, and epilepsy, can be cured with a back rub – that's just fine…
Steven, years ago here in Florida I had to obtain a health certificate for the son of a friend to attend a local school, so I visited the local permits office. I was given an instruction sheet – very much like what you were given, which listed a chiropractor as one of the classes of expert I could consult for a test, and the clerk – unbidden – stapled to the form the business card of a local chiropractor, as if to simplify my life. Though I sent the Broward Board of Health a letter of complaint about this blatant endorsement, I never had a response. How could a chiropractor ascertain whether a youth is free of communicable diseases and/or physically fit for school attendance? Using tarot cards or feng shui, perhaps? For all I know, a quack might still be regularly suggested by clerks at that office. Maybe witch-doctors are now included…
Reader Robert Craig Harman wrote to correct me. It seems that Dr. Steven Haltiwanger's "CCN" certification – see last week's www.randi.org/jr/2006-12/120106dumb.html#i4 – apparently stands for "Certified Clinical Nutritionist" (not "Computer and Communication Networks," as I thought), a rating which is provided by a "Clinical Nutrition Certification Board" (CNCB), headquartered in Addison, Texas. Whatever that is, I dunno. However, I'm also told that this year, LifeWave patches now claim to work by "heating and cooling your body cells to encourage energy production." What happened to the cell phone transmitting qualities of the patches from 2005 and early 2006, we must ask?
Go to www.tinaja.com/glib/bashpseu.pdf for an excellent outline by Don Lancaster on "How to Bash Pseudoscience."
Finally, reader John Weber tells us:
The Vatican has declared St. Isidore of Seville as the patron saint of the Internet. He lived in the fourth and fifth century, which is about right for the Catholic Church, I guess. Boston College "celebrates" the saint with a stained glass image in the window of the data center. Sure, it looks nice, but can he Google?
Another distinction for the JREF thus occurs to me: Google now lists 910,000 – the number changes often – references to my name. How can people find so many comments to make about me?
Foolish question. Forget it…


text:
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Conan performs a bit of a song that he himself wrote about a girl who looks like Conrad Bain, the actor who played Mr. Drummond on the hit sit-com Diff'rent ...
Actor Conrad Bain Talks About TFT and Grief
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
November 29, 2014
CDC report
ATLANTA (AP) -- A new government report says construction workers, miners and food service workers are the occupations that smoke the most. Experts say that may have as much to do with education levels as the jobs themselves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found 19.6 percent of working adults smoke, but as many as 30 percent in the mining, construction and food service industries smoke. Librarians and teachers smoked the least, at less than 9 percent.
Also, people who work outdoors are less likely to face indoor smoking bans seen in other workplaces.
The study is based on in-person interviews of more than 113,000 working adults in the years 2004 through 2010.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Welcome to Veritas Advisors, LLC
St. Louis Financial Advisors
Please feel free to explore this site to gain a better understanding of our firm and how we help our clients plan for and meet their financial goals. If you are looking for an investment professional to manage your company's retirement or pension plan, you have come to the right place. If you are a successful individual looking for a financial professional, you are in the right place.
Goals are not something that happens overnight, but something we can achieve by taking a step foward each day. Veritas Advisors prefer to start by asking the simple question: What have you only previously talked about that you would now like to pursue?
Helpful Content
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
When considering life insurance, it's important to understand your options.
Is Term Life Insurance for You?
Term insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. Here's how it works.
Perception vs. Reality
There's an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.
U.S. Personal Savings Rate
What can be learned from the savings rate?
The Cost of Procrastination
Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.
Financial Strategies in a Post-DOMA World
The Supreme Court's declaring DOMA unconstitutional may require some same-sex couples to reconsider their financial strategy.
Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time
Tax preparation may be the perfect time to give the household budget a check-up.
When Should You Take Social Security
Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.
Money that Buys Good Health is Never Ill Spent
It's important to make sure your retirement strategy anticipates health-care expenses.
View all articles
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
Long-Term-Care Needs
Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
Interested in a Fuel Efficient Car?
Estimate how many months it may take to recover the out-of-pocket costs when buying a more efficient vehicle.
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Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Tax Management Strategies
Learn more about taxes, tax-favored investing, and tax strategies.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
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Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Here are 3 steps to take right now that may make a difference if you find yourself suddenly single.
Retiring the 4% Rule
A portfolio created with your long-term objectives in mind is crucial as you pursue your dream retirement.
Estate Management 101
A will may be only one of the documents you need—and one factor to consider—when it comes to managing your estate.
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
Events on Wall Street
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market's signals.
Making Your Tax Bracket Work
Have you explored all of your choices when it comes to managing your taxable income?


text:
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
99 Cent Sale!
The Fifth Day by Kaia Bennett!
The Fifth Day by Kaia Bennett!
Kaia Bennett Publication Date: October 1, 2014 Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
Kaia Bennett is a native of New Jersey, a college graduate and U.S. Army veteran who loves music, movies, astrology, tattoos, martial arts, animals and, of course, the written word. She heard the siren call of the writer as a teenage girl, but took her sweet time answering it until she had lived and loved enough to share her work with the masses. She is an erotic author who loves to write stories with diversity, depth, realism and viscerally hot encounters that flirt shamelessly with the taboo. A lover of all genres and a voracious reader, she aims to write stories that are transformative for her characters and readers alike.
Posted by Randa at 11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM 1 comments
Monday, November 17, 2014
$50 Giveaway! 99 Cent Holiday Bundle!
Candy Cane Kisses & Enchanted Embraces!
Candy Cane Kisses & Enchanted Embraces!
Woohoo! The 99 Cent Holiday Bundle, "Candy Cane Kisses & Enchanted Embraces" Releases today November 17th, 2014! In Celebration of the release the Authors are throwing a Release Day Party over at Facebook from 4pm – 7pm PST.
Posted by Randa at 11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM 2 comments
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Holiday Movies in Review with Simply Ali
November 4: Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywlcCvegBJA
Summary: Disney's biggest stars shine in a magical, heartwarming movie sure to become a holiday classic! Mickey, Minnie, and their famous friends Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto gather to reminisce about love, magic, and surprises in three wonder-filled stories of Christmas past. In the fine tradition of Disney's superb storytelling, Minnie and Mickey recall the year they both gave up what was most important to them for the sake of the other, making for one unforgettable Christmas. Goofy and Max retell when they experienced a series of hilarious but season-shaking events ... until a visit from the real Santa made it a most magical holiday. Thinking back to when they wished Christmas was every day, Donald's nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie remember their dream turning into a comical catastrophe, eventually teaching them what true holiday spirit is all about. Featuring the entire cast in a finale of merry, magical Christmas songs -- all the excitement of MICKEY'S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS is ready to unwrap for holiday family fun!
This animated Disney film features three different tales narrated by Kelsey Grammer…
Stuck On Christmas stars Donald Duck, his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, along with Aunt Daisy, Uncle Scrooge and Aunt Gertie. I found it to be a fun tale about being careful what you wish for, in this case celebrating Christmas every day. Along the way, Donald's nephews learn the true meaning of Christmas.
A Very Goofy Christmas stars Goofy and his son, Max. Goofy and Max mail out a letter to Santa Claus, but soon afterwards, Max is told by their neighbor, Pete, that Santa does not exist. Goofy tries to prove to Max that Santa is real, but only seems to make matters worse in his usual comical fashion. Once Max sees that his father has given up hope of Santa coming, as well, he does everything in his power to try to make Goofy happy and believe, even going as far as dressing up as Santa. In the end, the magic of Christmas prevails. This was a lovely story that shows, as with the other two tales, how much we are willing to do to make those we love happy.
Mickey and Minnie's The Gift of the Magi is a retelling based on the story by O. Henry. Both Mickey and Minnie want to get the other something special for Christmas. Mickey decides to buy Minnie a chain for her watch, while Minnie decides to buy Mickey a case for his harmonica. Both try to work hard for the funds to buy the gifts to no avail. In order to get the gift, Minnie decides to turn in watch in exchange for the harmonica case. The sadness is that Mickey has already traded in his harmonica for a chain for Minnie's watch. The Gift of the Magi is one of my favorite Christmas stories and I've seen and enjoyed different retellings. The main lesson, I feel, behind the story is that it's the thought behind each gift that counts.
Overall, the three stories are wonderful and definitely makes one feel the holiday spirit. The animated tales are short, but still have a lot of story. The animation itself is beautiful with vibrant colors and a feel for the holidays.
I'm glad I took the time to watch this movie… it made me feel better as I try to get over this cold J
Family Friendly: Yes, this is an animated film from Disney and definitely one for all ages.
Romantic: There is of course the bit of romance between Mickey and Minnie, which makes me smile and warms my heart
Holiday-ish: Yes, this is definitely a holiday movie about family, love, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Rewatch: Yes, with or without kids around, I'll definitely re-watch this movie, if only for the warm nostalgic feelings it gives me.
Posted by Randa at 11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: Holidays
Monday, November 10, 2014
The Holidays are upon us! Ten Bestselling and Award-Winning Authors are in the Christmas spirit and ready to share! These Authors have put together a one of a kind Holiday Bundle and they cannot wait to share it with readers. Beginning tomorrow Candy Cane Kisses and Enchanted Embraces will be available for 99 Cents Pre-Order via your favorite digital retail venues.
Posted by Randa at 11/10/2014 01:15:00 AM 2 comments
Labels: #99Cent, #HolidayBundle, #MadeEvent
Saturday, November 08, 2014
99 Cents TODAY ONLY!
IN HIS CONTROL by Nina Bruhns!
IN HIS CONTROL by Nina Bruhns!
ON SALE TODAY ONLY!!! 99 cents
by New York Times Best Selling author NINA BRUHNS
Enemies by Day... Detective Jean-Marc Lacroix is obsessed with catching a clever art thief who has outwitted him at every turn.
Lovers by Night... Little does he know the thief is really the beautiful woman he just seduced. Or does he...?
Posted by Randa at 11/08/2014 07:21:00 PM 1 comments
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Holiday Movies in Review
from Simply Ali Day 3!
from Simply Ali Day 3!
Now we are ready for the next Holdiay Movie Review :)
Summary from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (http://www.
hallmarkmoviesandmysteries. com/a-christmas-wish/about):
When Martha Evans (Kristy Swanson) finds herself homeless with her two young daughters and stepson just a week before Christmas, she puts her trust in a new town full of friendly strangers and prays for the best.
Martha's no good husband, Cal (Bart Johnson), has left her for the last time, emptying her bank account and disappearing without a word. Hopeless, Martha takes the kids to a sleepy town where she moves into a motel and begs the owner of the local diner, Trudy (Tess Harper), to hire her as a waitress. Taking a chance, Trudy decides to help Martha and her children, even as things go from bad to worse when Martha's car breaks down and her bills start piling up. Then, as Martha begins to meet more of the locals, including handsome sheriff Joe (K.C. Clyde), perky teenage babysitter Jeanie (Danielle Chuchran) and grumpy but warm-hearted diner regular Les (Edward Herrmann), Martha finds her faith just be restored—-until Cal returns. Can the town still give Martha the merry Christmas she needs, or will her past prevent her from the happiness she's found this holiday?
YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Posted by Randa at 11/06/2014 12:00:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: #HallmarkMovies, #SimplyMovies
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
HOLIDAY MOVIES in Review
with Simply Ali #2
with Simply Ali #2
November 2nd's Holiday Movie was a Hallmark Channel Movie
YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Posted by Randa at 11/05/2014 12:00:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: #MovieReviews, #SimplyHolidayFun
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Holiday Movies in Review
from Simply Ali!
from Simply Ali!
Is everyone ready for the Holidays? Simply Ali is getting in the mood with some Holiday Movies and she will be sharing her thoughts here throughout the season! Enjoy!
The First Holiday Review is of CHRISTMAS BOUNTY
Posted by Randa at 11/04/2014 12:00:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: #MovieReviews
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
- Ali's Review (22)
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text:
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Responsibilities: Create new features from scratch, enhance existing features and optimize existing functionality, from conception and design through testing and deployment Architect and develop new software products using C/C++ in a Unix/Linux environment Work9/30/2014 Mountain View, CA Save This Job
Responsibilities: Create new features from scratch, enhance existing features and optimize existing functionality, from conception and design through testing and deployment Architect and develop new software products using C/C++ in Windows and Unix/Linux environment9/30/2014 Mountain View, CA Save This Job
Company Overview Cloudmark produces high performance messaging security solutions to the world?s largest ISPs, mobile and social networks, located in San Francisco. Our customers include over 100 of the world's largest Internet service providers, including the majority of tier-19/29/2014 San Francisco, CA Save This Job
About Apigee, the Platform for Digital Business Apigee?s market is comprised of businesses undergoing digital transformation in response to the sudden dominance of mobile end-user computing and related new forms of competition. This is a new style of computing. It cannot be10/18/2014 New York, NY Save This Job
Description Senior Java Architect/Engineer At Good Technology, we secure enterprise information and applications on today?s most popular mobile devices?such as iPhone, iPad, and Android?protecting both company and personal data. An exceptional user experience enhances10/27/2014 Sunnyvale, CA Save This Job
Description At Good Technology, we secure enterprise information and applications on today?s most popular mobile devices?such as iPhone, iPad, and Android?protecting both company and personal data. An exceptional user experience enhances productivity, whenever and wherever10/27/2014 Sunnyvale, CA Save This Job
ID 2014-1252 Job Location US-VA-McLean Posted Date 6/18/2014 More information about this job: Overview: ABOUT LOGI ANALYTICS: Logi Analytics enables enterprises to make better use of their data by delivering on the promise of analytics everywhere. By providing both a Web-based10/7/2014 McLean, VA Save This Job
OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW Vormetric is making the world a better place by enabling organizations around the world ? including 17 of the Fortune 25 ? to both reduce their risk and lower their costs as they protect what matters: their sensitive data. The threats to our customers?9/29/2014 San Jose, CA Save This Job
Senior Software Engineer ? Computer Vision We?re looking for a Senior Software Engineer ? Computer Vision to be one of our early team members. You?ll be a lead architect of and contributor to our visual gesture recognition platform, focused on code that will ship on real10/21/2014 Portland, OR Save This Job
ABOUT US Television today spans far beyond the traditional TV set. It?s the last few seconds of a basketball game streamed to your iPhone ? and all of season two on your tablet. Clearleap?s software products allow TV networks, cable and satellite providers, and major studios to11/25/2014 Duluth, GA Save This Job
We?re looking for a Senior Software Engineer - Android to be one of our early team members. You?ll be a lead architect of and contributor to our visual gesture recognition platform, focused on code that will ship on real products and not just experiments that work great in the10/21/2014 Portland, OR Save This Job
Job Description Come join the Bitcasa team! Take advantage of an amazing opportunity to be a part of a fast-growing start up company. Work in a laid back environment that offers magnificent perks including daily catered lunch, gym memberships to Crunch Fitness, a prime location10/5/2014 San Mateo, CA Save This Job
More information about this job: Overview: Aerohive Networks reduces the cost and complexity of today's networks with cloud-enabled Wi-Fi and routing solutions for medium and large enterprise headquarters, branch offices and teleworkers. Aerohive?s award-winning cooperative11/3/2014 Sunnyvale, CA Save This Job
Distributed Systems Software Engineer Flipboard, a social magazine service, has millions of daily readers who read tens of millions of articles per day. Every single one of our user's documents and events generate data that we use to monitor, report, and build products. Reliable10/31/2014 Palo Alto, CA Save This Job
Recommind has just been recognized as one of the ?World?s Ten Most Innovative Companies in Big Data? by Fast Company and as one of the ?Fastest Growing Companies in the Bay Area? by the San Francisco Business Times. Our technology is sophisticated, but our mission is simple: to10/19/2014 San Francisco, CA Save This Job
As a Customer Solution Architect, Community Engineering at Mirantis you will drive the collaboration of our upstream Community Engineering teams with the work our customers and partners are doing in the Community. You will play a key role working with our strategic customers to10/18/2014 Mountain View, CA Save This Job
About Gilt Gilt.com is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion for10/14/2014 New York, NY Save This Job
About us: Revionics delivers the industry?s most powerful End-to-End Merchandise Optimization solution, enabling retailers of all sizes to execute a fact-based Omni-channel merchandising strategy utilizing the most comprehensive set of shopper demand signals to enhance financial10/12/2014 Austin, TX Save This Job
Description: WindLogics provides innovative forecasting and optimization solutions that enable low cost, reliable and sustainable power systems.The Senior System Administrator is responsible for effective provisioning, installation, configuration, operation, and maintenance of10/20/2014 St. Paul, MN Save This Job
Do the following words raise your eyebrows? Cloud, Multi-Tenant SaaS, Portal Framework, No-SQL, Algorithms, Puzzles, Gamification, MVC, Map-Reduce. If so this job posting is for you! A serious mission, a fun energetic place to get it done, Xactly. We are a growing,10/20/2014 San Jose, CA Save This Job


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Rainbow carrots...South Shore to the Cape?
- CapeCodGuy Dec 11, 2012 06:03 PM
Title says all. Would like to add these to my Christmas menu. Any ideas? Outside of Sid Wainer in New Beige, I'm at a loss. I tried a few of the local produce guys and they can get me a case.....lol. Just cooking for 10.
Buy the case, share some with the horses?
We're held captive out here in the Land of Fish and Chips.
I've learned to grab it when I see it.
"A bird in the hand..."
re: dordalina
Thanks! It would be great to find them locally!
re: dordalina
Thanks Dordalina...Windfall it was! Nice store btw. Terrific baked goods.
re: CapeCodGuy
Glad I could help! They do have terrific pastries. They also carry quite a bit of produce from local suppliers which is always nice to see and their staff is super friendly.
Did you try the Market Basket? They seem to have a great variety of veggies, give them a call; they say they can get anything you don't see and will order it for you. I just love, love that store, we drive to and from it in Cape season but now drive down from Scituate because it's so wonderful.
re: taddybelle
Thanks for the thought! Yes, went today actually and no rainbows. Like you, I LOVE that store and will only go to Stop and Shop or Shaw's kicking and screaming.
re: CapeCodGuy
Did you try Whole Foods in Hingham? Cape Cod Organic Farm distributed some earlier this fall as part of the CSA share, but I doubt they have any left now.
I'm at the other end of the state, where I pick up rainbow carrots at farm stands or at Guido's in the off season. If you don't want to share the rest of the carrots with the horses, could you share them with some neighbors? Good luck.


text:
SPL EQ Rangers Vol.1 2890 Plugin
(On Ciao since: 11/2009)
User reviews
Musical Instruments & Equipment > Music Software
Best Service Blazin RnB & HipHop Vol.2
ASK Video Tutorial DVD Internal Mixing Vol. 1
(On Ciao since: 02/2010)
Toontrack New York Studios Vol.2 SDX
(*) Reviews by Ciao members
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Roundabout - Vol. 1 [DVD]
Roundabout - Vol. 1 [DVD]
Roundabout - Vol. 1
Ballbusters - Vol. 1 [DVD]
Ballbusters - Vol. 1 [DVD]
Ballbusters - Vol. 3 [DVD]
Ballbusters - Vol. 3 [DVD]
Vol. 10 - Sorentinos
Vol. 10 - Sorentinos
Release Date: 2007-05-29, Audio CD, CD Baby
Taekwondo - Vol 1 [DVD]
Taekwondo - Vol 1 [DVD]
Release Date: 2006-01-23, Rating: Exempt
Vol. 1 - Deep
Vol. 1 - Deep
Release Date: 2014-06-01, Audio CD, Code 7 - Transubstans
Guatemala, Vol.1
Guatemala, Vol.1
Release Date: 2004-06-27, Audio CD, Marco Polo
Omniphony Vol.1
Omniphony Vol.1
Release Date: 2003-04-28, Audio CD, Rer
Vol. 1 - Anyma
Vol. 1 - Anyma
Release Date: 2005-11-22, Audio CD, CD Baby
Ballbusters - Vol. 2 [DVD]
Ballbusters - Vol. 2 [DVD]
Gravion - Vol. 3 [DVD]
Gravion - Vol. 3 [DVD]
Release Date: 2005-10-17, Rating: Parental Guidance
Jackass Vol 2 [DVD]
Jackass Vol 2 [DVD]
Jackass is very probably the most perfectly named programme in the history of television. The cult MTV hit is the sort of exceedingly stupid thing that can only...... more
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Vol2 - Hurt
Vol2 - Hurt
Audio CD, Capitol
Wellness DVD - Vol. 1
Wellness DVD - Vol. 1
Release Date: 2008-05-21, Rating: To Be Announced
Pipkins - Vol. 2 [DVD]
Pipkins - Vol. 2 [DVD]
Release Date: 2005-09-26, Rating: Universal, suitable for all
Edition Vol. 2
Edition Vol. 2
I will ship by EMS or SAL items in stock in Japan. It is approximately 7-14days on delivery date. You wholeheartedly support customers as satisfactory. Thank...... more
Goa Vol.50
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Audio CD
IGPX Vol. 2 [DVD]
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Release Date: 2006-11-20, Rating: Parental Guidance
Jackass Vol 3 [DVD]
Jackass Vol 3 [DVD]
Herve Gheldman, national technical Director and international expert, Sambo Sport Master of Russia and sportsman in martial art for more than 40 years,...... more
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Microsoft Musical Instruments
Advantages: very informative, fun to use, very educational
Disadvantages: hard to find in stores, can only be used on a Mac
I began the year teaching the students about the different families of instruments and after digging through my dusty files, I found a real treasure! Microsoft created a CD called "Microsoft's Musical Instruments" about 12 years ago. It is one of the best programs I have found for introducing the various families of instruments and learning about instruments from other countries. It only...
14.09.2008 21:33 ·
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Review of Microsoft Musical Instruments 1.0 Complete package
Harry Partch Vol 1 - Explorations with Unique Instruments
Advantages: Valuable and fascinating collection; Unique original recordings
Disadvantages: Some slight inconsistency in track mastering
...In the tradition of 20th Century American musical non-conformists and experimenters, Partch holds a special place in terms of his early rejection of traditional western compositional process. A song cycle ("Eleven Intrusions"), a suite ("Plectra and Percussion Dances") and a stand alone piece ("Ulysses at the Edge") comprise the 26 tracks on this CD re-issued by New World Records. The sounds...
17.07.2011 16:33 ·
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Review of The Harry Partch Collection, Vol. 1
A Blunt Instrument - Crime Fiction by Heyer
Advantages: Great characters, good writing, hard to put down, some dry humour
Disadvantages: Not as clever or detailed as an Agatha Christie plot
...of considerably better characterisation, and a little mild satirical humour, if one is in the mood to appreciate it. This is balanced out by somewhat inferior plotting; Heyer simply did not have Christie?s brilliant ability to plant false clues and red herrings, nor her impeccable logic.
'A Blunt Instrument' is, in my view, one of Heyer?s better crime fiction novels. It features...
09.09.2013 12:52 (09.09.2013 12:53) ·
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Review of Blunt Instrument - Georgette Heyer
© 2014 Shopping Guide GmbH


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Senior Bowl 2013 Live Stream: TV Schedule, Start Time, Live Scores
by burnattenboroughwrite
Senior Bowl 2013 Live Stream: TV Schedule, Start Time, Live Scores
When, Where and How to watch Senior Bowl 2013 Live Streaming Online North Vs South Game HD Broadcast Coverage, Live NFL telecast North vs South Live Stream Senior Bowl 2013 Senior Bowl South vs North Game Kickoff Time, TV Schedule, Radio Commentary, Match Odds, Scores, Results, Highlights Videos : Senior Bowl 2013 will be played on JANUARY 26 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The kickoff time is 4:00 pm. You can watch North vs South live stream broadcast coverage on NFL TV Channels.

Click Here To Watch Live Football Stream

Senior Bowl is a huge pre-NFL Draft chance for college football players to showcase their talents, and it kicks off Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, some of the nation's best college football seniors take the field for the Senior Bowl in their continuing efforts to boost potential rankings and interest for the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft.

The Senior Bowl, which will take place at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., kicks off at 4 p.m. ET and will be aired on the NFL Network. Coaching the South team throughout the week has been Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and his staff, while Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen and his coaches are guiding the North squad.

2013 Senior Bowl: North vs. South

Ladd-Peebles Stadium – Mobile, AL

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET

TV: NFL Network

Senior Bowl Live Stream, Senior Bowl Live Streaming, Senior Bowl 2013 Live Stream, Senior Bowl  2013 Live Streaming, North vs South Live Stream

© 2013


text:
Ask Hayley Volume 1: Real Answers for Today's Teen - Slightly Imperfect
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Product Description
Teens just like you have asked Hayley DiMarco these kinds of questions and tons more at askhayley.com. With an understanding of your day-to-day struggles and the culture you live in, Hayley offers straightforward, honest, biblical advice about everything from boys and breakups to fashion and friendship. Styled as a "bookzine," the first issue of Ask Hayley also has quizzes on stuff like friendship, crushes, and whether your bff is a Mean Girl.
Author Bio: Hayley DiMarco is chief creative officer and founder of Hungry Planet, where she writes and creates cutting-edge books that connect with the multitasking mind-set. She has written and co-written numerous bestselling books, including Dateable, Mean Girls, Sexy Girls, and Stupid Parents. Hayley lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Product Information
|Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 120
Vendor: Revell
Publication Date: 2007
|Dimensions: 10.75 X 8.00 (inches)
Availability: In Stock
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text:
The last huskies.
Australia kept huskies in Antarctica from 1954. In 1991 Australia signed an environmental treaty on Antarctica that required all dogs to be removed to reduce the impact of introduced species.
The last Australian huskies, including Morrie and Ursa, were removed from Mawson research station in December 1993; Morrie and Ursa lived in retirement for over six years after returning to Australia.
They will be on display throughout International Polar Year.
Hi Kerrie, a couple of museum Preparators went out to meet Ursa before she passed away. Ursa was also met by several other staff when she came to an office once occupied by museum staff at 222 Exhibition St Melbourne while the Melbourne Museum at Carlton was being built.
We love receiving comments, but can't always respond.
Hi, it looks like a fantastic exhibition, and I will certainly be sure to visit. I'm just wondering whether you uncovered any further info about Herbert Cec...
To read the latest tweets from @melbournemuseum
Follow Melbourne Museum on
Hi Vicky,
Unfortionately we do not have any further details on Vida Turner, nor could I find any images of her work. I did however find an article about ...


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Interest Free Holiday Finance
Escape Travel is excited to offer our customers interest free finance^. Purchase your dream holiday today and then make easy interest free repayments over the next six months on packages over $999. Our interest free finance will allow you to take advantage of fantastic holiday packages tailored especially for you and lock in your holiday ahead of time.
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- Visit your selected Escape Travel store to finalise your holiday.
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10,293pages on
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Category page
This category contains a list and associated pages of vehicles in all GTA games. A vehicle is only considered a vehicle if the game classifies it as such. Static map objects like the USS Numnutz and interactive transport like the Jetpack are not classified as vehicles and therefore should not be in this category.
If you are creating a vehicle page, please add it to this category by placing [[Category:Vehicles]] at the bottom of the page and a relevant subcategory.
Pages in category "Vehicles"
" The Stinger Z29 is a sports car in Grand Theft Auto 1. Though fast, with good handling, it...
Stinger Z29
" The Roller is a Beta car which intended to feature in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, however it...
" Not to be confused with the Statistics from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas The Fat is a compact...
" The Bulwark is a vehicle in Grand Theft Auto 2, used by the Russian Mafia gang. It can be found...
" These are the list of vehicle manufacturered by Western Motorcycle Company, in the GTA series.
WMC Vehicles


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School Supply List
Summer hours and back-to-school events
Lacamas Fun Run
Thank You Camas Meadows!
First Grade: Muffins with Mom
Taste of Camas Choice Award Winner
Please click here to view the Columbian Newspaper Article.
MSP Dates
April 23rd: MSP Assembly
April 24th: 3rd and 4th Grade Reading Assessment
April 29th: 4th Grade Math Assessment
May 1st: 4th Grade Writing 1 Assessment
May 6th: 3rd Grade Math and 4th Grade Writing 2 Assessment
Make Up Assessments:
We will make every attempt to make up any missed assessment the day a student returns. Our final make up day is May 13. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Julie Mueller.


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Play Slideshow >>
Color Composition
The HafenCity University U-Bahn-Station in Hamburg, Germany designed by Munich-based practices Raupach Architekten and Pfarre Lighting Design.
Raupach Architekten and Pfarré Lighting Design drew inspiration from Hamburgs architectural features and function as a port city in their design of the new HafenCity University subway station. Gunmetal steel panels line the station walls recalling the patina of a ships hull. This, in concert with the light emitted from the 12 light boxes suspended over the subway platform, recalls the shimmering effect of water, and is a nod to the harbor above.
Raupach Architekten and Pfarré Lighting Design drew inspiration from Hamburg's architectural features and function as a port city in their design of the new HafenCity University subway station. Gunmetal steel panels line the station walls recalling the patina of a ship's hull. This, in concert with the light emitted from the 12 light boxes suspended over the subway platform, recalls the shimmering effect of water, and is a nod to the harbor above.
The light boxes are a visual reference point throughout the station with its 30-foot-high ceilings.
Metal halide downlights provide illumination at the ticket vending machines.
Markus Tollhopf
The light boxes are each equipped with two distinct lighting systems: fluorescent luminaires located along the bottoms of the containers provide illumination to the subway platform and RGB LEDs infuse the side and end panels of each container with a wash of color.
The light boxes are each equipped with two distinct lighting systems: fluorescent luminaires located along
the bottoms of the containers provide illumination to
the subway platform and RGB LEDs infuse the side and end panels of each container with a wash of color.
HafenCity is the largest urban redevelopment project currently under way in Europe. It involves the transformation of an underused, 388-acre section of the Port of Hamburg, Germany, into an upmarket, inner-city district with mixed residential, work, cultural, and recreational uses. One of the centerpieces of the redevelopment plan is a new home for HafenCity University Hamburg, which was founded in 2006 as Europe's only higher education and research institution dedicated solely—according to the school's website—to "contemplating and concretising what the future of metropolitan areas could and should look like." To service the new quarter and university, the city expanded its subway system—the U-Bahn—with the construction of a new station, the HafenCity University subway station, which opened in November 2012.
Designed by Munich-based practices Raupach Architekten and Pfarré Lighting Design, the new station seeks to establish an associative connection with the activities of the port and the architectural character of the harbor district. "We took our inspiration from the brick façades of the warehouses changing their appearance due to daylight, and the steel hulls and modules of transport containers changing their colors with the seasons," says Christian Raupach, principal of Raupach Architekten. In the station, the design team translated these inspirations into a moody yet sleek subterranean space where light and material interact in much the same way as they do above ground.
The designers clad the interior of the station, with its soaring 30-foot-high ceilings, entirely in steel panels with a bluish-brown gunmetal finish that is somewhere between glossy and matte. Above the platform, they hung 12 light boxes made of shipping-container-size steel and matte-white glass, each of which measures 21 feet long by 9 feet high by 9 feet wide and weighs 6 tons. "We were thinking of many different materials for the light containers such as layers of fiberglass or resin to make them lighter," says Pfarré Lighting Design principal Gerd Pfarré. "At the end, we decided that it had to be glass. Glass is the best from the standpoint of lighting quality and [light] transmission, and in terms of achieving a surface that is easy to clean, which is an issue in such a project."
The light boxes are each equipped with two distinct lighting systems. The bottoms of the containers are outfitted with fluorescent fixtures that provide the necessary soft white illumination to the platform. The side and end panels of each box, on the other hand, are brought to life by 280 RGB color-changing LED fixtures. Each container requires 1,100W of power, a large amount and one that would not be possible in the U.S., where energy codes for public projects restrict such power usage. In Germany, there is no such code. Access doors at the end panels of the containers allow entrée for maintenance. The station's ticketing and entrance areas are lit with recessed, compact fluorescents and a smattering of 35W metal halide downlights.
The light boxes, which are connected to a central control system, can change color individually or as a coordinated unit. Pfarré's intention was for the containers to morph color in calm, smooth transitions, moving slowly through the boxes like a ship moving through a harbor—extending the design's metaphorical connection to the Port of Hamburg. "The entire concept for the containers and colored light was not to turn it into entertainment," Pfarré says. "It's more like a color composition that you would like to look at while listening to classical music, rather than something funky."
Whether or not the city's transportation department will carry out the slow-style color change was unknown at press time. Pfarré withdrew from the project during the third phase due to difference of opinion with the client on this point. "This project resulted from a competition initiated by the city government inviting architects to design a subway station that would be [more than just] an infrastructure project," he explains. "When we won, we thought we'd explain our concept and find open-minded people, but it was the opposite."
Despite client–designer difference of opinion, there can be no mistaking HafenCity University subway station as another run-of-the-mill infrastructure project. The interaction between the light—whether white or colored—and the mottled surface of the steel paneling, which is reflective without creating glare, makes for a brooding yet animated experience. In Pfarré's words, it's "a breathtaking atmosphere."
DetailsProject: HafenCity University Subway Station, Hamburg, Germany • Client: Hamburger Hochbahn AG, Hamburg, Germany • Architect: Raupach Architekten, Munich • Lighting Designer (competition schematics through Phase 3): Pfarré Lighting Design, Munich • Lighting Designer (phase 3 to project completion): D-Lightvision, Munich • Light Box Designer and Fabricator: Design Stauss Grillmeier, Munich • Project Size: 51,667 square feet • Project Cost: Not Available • Lighting Cost: Not Available • Watts per Square Foot: Not Available • Energy Code Compliance: In Germany, there is no energy code regulation that restricts energy usage for public spaces. • Manufacturers/Applications: Alexander Weckmer GmbH (custom color-changing LEDs for light boxes); Erco (35W metal halide downlights in the ticket areas); manufacturer unknown for fluorescent covelights throughout station.
Lighting Design
Transportation Projects
Gerd Pfarré
Aaron Seward
As new technologies emerge and raise the bar for product discussions, so too must we...
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The glass-walled pavilion lit by Sean O'Connor Lighting on the site of a former prison gives visitors full views of an historic stone wall.
Parties to Enter Into Long-Term Partnership Agreement.
Brian Stacy of Arup shares his perspective on lighting design in this One-on-One interview.
A precise constellation of LEDs takes shape and becomes the focal point for the Museum of the City of New York's lobby.
The IALD has named three new members to its College of Fellows; lighting designers Claude R. Engle, Dawn Hollingsworth, and Kaoru Mende.
Mark Loeffler, Director of Atelier Ten's New Haven, Conn., office has been named a 2014 LEED Fellow by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
This October, Philadelphia-based lighting design firm, The Lighting Practice, celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
Copyright ©
2014 Hanley Wood Media, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Arizona State Sun Devils
'Charlie Brown' actor to serve sentence in rehab
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The man who was the original voice of Charlie Brown in "Peanuts" television specials was sentenced Wednesday to a year in jail for threatening his former girlfriend and stalking her plastic surgeon, then immediately released to a residential drug treatment center.
A judge warned Peter Robbins that he could be sent to prison for nearly four years if he violates the terms of his probation.
"Don't be a blockhead," Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring told Robbins, borrowing a line from Charlie Brown's friend Lucy.
Robbins, 56, choked back tears as he told the judge that treatment for alcoholism and addiction to prescription medications would be a first step toward becoming "the fun-loving person" he was. He said he loved his former girlfriend, and he apologized to her and her plastic surgeon "for any fear that I caused."
Robbins, who has been in jail since his arrest in January and pleaded guilty in April, received five years' probation and must undergo treatment for domestic violence and stalking. He was ordered to pay the plastic surgeon $15,082 in restitution and to avoid contacting her for 10 years.
Prosecutors have said Robbins called the former girlfriend as many as 37 times over 24 hours, threatening to kill her and her son if she didn't return his dog and car. He allegedly followed the plastic surgeon, calling her office so frequently that she moved to a hotel and hired an armed guard. Prosecutors said he demanded a refund for his ex-girlfriend's breast enhancement.
The plastic surgeon wrote to the judge that Robbins wrote a note on her office door, threatening to break her "in half."
Robbins starred as Charlie Brown in the 1965 debut "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and held the role in five other television specials, including "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" in 1966.
Scott McGuire, who helps run a Peanuts history website called FiveCentsPlease.org, said every "Peanuts" producer since Robbins' final television special in 1969 has sought actors who can match his voice. McGuire said they have generally succeeded, but Robbins "remains the definitive version of Charlie Brown."
Robbins, whose acting career ended soon after his final Peanuts show, told National Public Radio in 2006 that he was living in the Los Angeles area, where he owned and managed several apartment buildings. At the time, he said he was single and had a dog named Snoopy.
The former child actor was recently the voice of Charlie Brown for a version of the 1965 animated classic that was made for smartphones.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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- Jeff Van Raaphorst-Former ASU quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst believes that rivalry games affect fans more than they do players.
- Mark May, ESPN college football analyst ESPN college football analyst Mark May says this is the biggest Territorial Cup game he can remember


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Home > News > Laboratory grows world record length carbon nanotube
September 14th, 2004
Laboratory grows world record length carbon nanotube
University of California scientists working at Los Alamos National Laboratory in collaboration with chemists from Duke University have recently grown a world record-length four-centimeter-long, single-wall carbon nanotube.
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Tesla NanoCoatings Increasing Use of SouthWest NanoTechnologies Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) for its Infrastructure Coatings and Paints: High Quality SMW� Specialty Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated into Teslan�-brand coatings used by Transportation, Oil and Gas Companies November 19th, 2014
Graphene/nanotube hybrid benefits flexible solar cells: Rice University labs create novel electrode for dye-sensitized cells November 17th, 2014
SouthWest NanoTechnologies to Demonstrate 3D Capacitive Touch Sensor Featuring Transparent, Thermoformed Carbon Nanotube Ink at Printed Electronics USA 2014 (Booth J25) -- �Conductive and Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Inks� will be Topic of Company Presentation November 10th, 2014
Neural Canals Produced in Iran for Recovery of Sciatica Nerve November 8th, 2014
NMTI announces breakthrough solutions for HAMR nanoantenna for next-generation ultra-high density magnetic storage November 21st, 2014
Leica Microsystems Presents Universal Hybrid Detector for Single Molecule Detection and Imaging at SfN and ASCB: Leica HyD SMD - the Optimal Detector for Precise and Reliable SMD data November 20th, 2014
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Category Archives: #AceHealthNews
#AceHealthNews – Nov.09 – Dining out when you have Crohn's can be difficult, but it's not as hard as you may think as long as you look for quality.
A good restaurant should be able to accommodate your needs within reason and do it well.
Source: 6 Tips for Dining Out With Crohn's Disease.
UNICEF ` Begins` Mass Polio Vaccine Campaign' in Iraq, Syria, Egypt after Reported Case '
#AceHealthNews – A large five-day vaccination campaign against polio has been launched in Iraq, Syria and Egypt after health officials reported a suspected polio case in Baghdad.
According to UNICEF, the program aims to vaccinate more than 20 million children, including 5.6 million in Iraq alone.
"Polio eradication is a global priority," said UNICEF's representative in Iraq, Marzio Babille. The contagious, crippling disease which affects children under 5 years, cannot be cured but it can be prevented.
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` World Health Day ` April 07 – 2014 – Topic – Vector Bourne Diseases '
#AceHealthNews - WHO – April 07 – World Health Day – 7 April 2014
The topic for 2014 is vector-borne diseases
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The Day provides an opportunity for individuals in every community to get involved in activities that can lead to better health.
The topic for 2014 is vector-borne diseases.
What are vectors and vector-borne diseases?
Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another. Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by these pathogens and parasites in human populations. They are most commonly found in tropical areas and places where access to safe drinking-water and sanitation systems is problematic.
The most deadly vector-borne disease, malaria, caused an estimated 660 000 deaths in 2010. Most of these were African children. However, the world's fastest growing vector-borne disease is dengue, with a 30-fold increase in disease incidence over the last 50 years. Globalization of trade and travel and environmental challenges such as climate change and urbanization are having an impact on transmission of vector-borne diseases, and causing their appearance in countries where they were previously unknown.
Read More: WHO
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1. World Health Organisation(WHO) – Air Pollution
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`Obamacare Pro's and Con's of Enrolment by 31 March 2014 or risk paying a fine '
#AceHealthcareNews says according to WASHINGTON (AP) that everyone is sick of hearing about the health care law?
With plenty of people have tuned out after all the political jabber and website woes.
But now is the time to tune back in, before it's too late, as we are being told that the big deadline is coming March 31.
By that day, for the first time, nearly everyone in the United States is required to be signed up for health insurance or risk paying a fine.
Here's what you need to know about this month's open enrolment countdown:
Most people don't need to do anything. Even before the health care law passed in 2010, more than 8 out of 10 U.S. residents had coverage, usually through their workplace plans or the government's Medicare or Medicaid programs. Some have private policies that meet the law's requirements.
If you're already covered that way, you meet the law's requirements.
Since October, about 4 million people have signed up for private plans through the new state and federal marketplaces, the Obama administration says, although it's not clear how many were already insured elsewhere. In addition, many poor adults now have Medicaid coverage for the first time through expansions of the program in about half the states.
President Barack Obama is urging people who have coverage to help any uninsured friends and relatives get signed up.
Chances are you'll hear more reminders about health care this month. The push is on to reach millions of uninsured people.
The administration, insurers, medical associations and non-profit groups are teaming up with volunteers to get the word out and guide people through the sometimes-rocky enrollment process. They plan special events at colleges, libraries, churches and work sites.
Singing cats, dogs, parrots — even a goldfish — are promoting the message in TV and online spots from the Ad Council.
A big hurdle for the effort: As recently as last month, three-fourths of the uninsured didn't know there was a March 31 deadline, according to polling conducted for the Kaiser Family Foundation. Most said they didn't know much about the law and had an unfavourable opinion of it.
Plus, many worry they won't be able to afford the new plans.
The enrolment campaign is emphasizing that subsidies are available on a sliding scale to help low-income and middle-class households pay for their insurance.
How to enrol? Start at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. Residents of states running their own marketplaces will be directed there; people in other states go through the federal exchange.
After March 31, many people won't be able to get subsidized coverage this year, even if they become seriously ill.
The next open enrolment period is set to begin Nov. 15, for coverage in 2015.
There are exceptions. The big one is the Medicaid program for the poor.
People who meet the requirements can sign up any time, with no deadline.
Also, people remain eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.
If you are insured now and lose your coverage during the year, by getting laid off from your job, for example, you can use an exchange to find a new policy then. People can sign up outside the open enrolment period in special situations such as having a baby or moving to another state.
You can choose to buy insurance outside the marketplaces and still benefit from consumer protections in the law.
People who do that wouldn't normally be eligible for premium subsidies. But the Obama administration says exceptions will be made for people whose attempts to buy marketplace insurance on time were stymied by continuing problems with some enrolment websites.
Some 12 million people could gain health coverage this year because of the law, if congressional auditors' predictions don't prove overly optimistic.
Even so, tens of millions still would go without.
That's partly because of immigrants in the country illegally; they aren't eligible for marketplace policies.
Some of the uninsured will not find out about the program in time, will find it confusing or too costly, or will just procrastinate too long. Some feel confident of their health and prefer to risk going uninsured instead of paying premiums. Others are philosophically opposed to participating.
Figuring out just how many of the uninsured got coverage this year won't be easy because the numbers are fuzzy.
The administration's enrolment count includes people who already were insured and used the exchanges to find a better deal, or switched from private insurance to Medicaid, or already qualified for Medicaid before the changes.
Some who sign up will end up uninsured anyway, if they fail to pay their premiums.
The budget experts predict enrolment will grow in future years and by 2017 some 92 percent of legal residents too young for Medicare will have insurance.
But even then, about 30 million people in the United States would go uncovered.
A gap in the law means some low-income workers can't get help.
The insurance marketplaces weren't designed to serve people whose low incomes qualify them for expanded Medicaid instead. But some states have declined to expand their Medicaid programs. That means that in those states, many poor people will get left out.
People who fall into the gap won't be penalized for failing to get covered.
Some others are exempt from the insurance mandate, too: American Indians, those with religious objections, prisoners, immigrants in the country illegally, and people considered too poor to buy coverage even with financial assistance.
The law says people who aren't covered in 2014 are liable for a fine. That amounts to $95 per uninsured person or approximately 1 percent of income, whichever is higher. The penalty goes up in later years.
A year from now, the Internal Revenue Service will be asking taxpayers filing their forms for proof of insurance coverage. Insurance companies are supposed to provide that documentation to their customers.
If you owe a penalty for being uninsured, the IRS can withhold it from your refund.
The agency can't put people in jail or garnishee wages to get the money. But it can withhold the penalty from a future year's tax refund.
Courtesy of: #ConnieCass
` Plastic Chemical `Azodicarbonamide ' found in nearly 500 foods and supplied by around 130 Companies'


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Does this come with the adapter for use within aircrafts?
- Asked by Virginia C from Penrith
- 26/10/2009
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this come with the adapter for use within aircrafts?)
1 Answer from the Community
That would depend on the type of aircraft power outlet. Although some aircraft still have the regular aircraft socket, many now use AC power outlets. If the aircraft has AC outlets, then this kit should fit all outlets. If the craft uses the traditional DC outlets (power sockets), then no.
- Answered by Robert S from Port Jefferson
- 22/03/2010
- Flag as inappropriate Answer 1
Related Questions
does it come with an adapter?
- Asked by Sindy A from Mississauga
- 3/02/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (does it come with an adapter?)
- Asked about: Urbanears Plattan Plus On-Ear Headp…