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How to SELL your services, your brand and your communicationby Jo Ann Sweeney - 08:00 on 18 January 2016 One of the worst feelings in business is knowing you have something valuable, whether that's a product or service or a message but no one seems interested. It's not just a bad feeling, sometimes it can be the death of a business. So I'm going to share the number one way to dramatically boost your persuasive power… Mistaking features for benefits is one of the most common selling mistakes that people make. There's an old but useful slogan in copywriting circles that goes 'features tell, benefits sell.' That's worth writing on a post it note and sticking above your desk. Features are what the product or service has. They are the component parts of it. Benefits are what the customer will gain by having the product or service. WIIFM? You might have heard of that other famous slogan WIFFM: What's In It For Me? This is the silent question in every potential customers head when you are pitching your product or service. The Power of emotions You need to let the customer know the benefits to them. People don't buy logically, they buy emotionally. That is, they need to be emotionally engaged first and then a little logic can help to convince them afterwards. You need to work out what the benefits to your target market are and then communicate them. Think about these examples of features vs benefits… A Mattress- Features: Polyester external covering, quilted top, hypoallergenic Benefits: Will help you get the best night sleep of your life so you can wake up with a smile every day! Smile Happy Private Dentist- Features: family friendly, hygienic, good customer service, experienced dentists Benefits: Each visit will be so relaxing that you'll actually enjoy going to the dentist and feel pampered afterwards Come up with a list of all the features and benefits of your business and start communicating them to your potential customers today and you'll soon see the results of being more persuasive! If you're interested in becoming more persuasive, effective and powerful as a communicator and leader then why not join me and a host of inspiring speakers in March at the Evolved Employer Conference in Central London? For information and tickets click here. Add your comment |
Recent ArticlesHow to SELL your services, your brand and your communication Prevent Company Communication Confusion How to communicate so that people listen, understand & implement 8 must-have communication roles for projectsEssential communication skills for project managementGamification – recognition on steroidsAvoiding communication howlers Adding spice to meetings with buzzword bingoChecking people understand what we meanAccessing hard-to-reach executives |


text: This is an idea I got at SCRAP in Portland. They had made a very large instillation but I'm down to doing things small because there is no room on the wall. They had a box of assorted pencils so I picked out the ones I liked and I bought a flat square mirror at Craft Warehouse and glued the pencils in place. The twig was Nancy Palimino's idea. Love it!

subset: commoncrawl


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The MRCOOL DIY Multi-Zone Series ductless mini-split is the only whole-home mini-split solution that you can install yourself. Simple, easy air comfort in up to four zones.
MRCOOL's DIY Multi-Zone heat pump air conditioner, the latest and greatest iteration of the only ductless mini-split system on the market explicitly designed for amateur installation, is now even more efficient, versatile and easy to install. You don't need special tools or training to install this high-efficiency heat pump.
Between the money you save by installing yourself and the rebates available for ENERGY STAR models, the MRCOOL DIY is the most cost-efficient air conditioner on the market today.
When appropriately sized this system is the ideal DIY solution for room comfort and with the factory-installed low ambient cooling technology it's also the ideal DIY solution for server rooms, greenhouses, and any other application that requires cooling all year.
The MRCOOL DIY includes the new SmartHVAC Wi-Fi control module that features an easier setup process, improved functionality, and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. If you want great air comfort without paying an arm and a leg for installation, you want an easy-to-use MRCOOL DIY Series ductless heat pump.
There are several combinations of BTU ratings to choose from for the DIY Multi-Zone series.
DIY 3-Zone Includes:
BTU options:
Note: *If all indoor units (handlers) run simultaneously, their combined BTU output will not exceed the BTU rating of the outdoor unit (condenser).
*Note: MRCOOL DIY 3-zone units use either the 27,000 BTU or 36,000 BTU indoor condenser depending on model. Using the larger 36k condenser will give you more flexibility in the future to upgrade one of your indoor heads for a larger BTU unit. If you have no plans to make any chnages to the set up in the future, choose the 27k unit to cut down on cost.
Need more zone options for air conditioning in multiple areas? Check out the MRCOOL DIY 2-Zone and MRCOOL DIY 4-Zone
One Hose, One Solution
Multi-zone technology gives you flexibility and control whenever and wherever you want it.
Easy DIY® Installation
Precharged 410 Quick Connect Lineset
Available in 16' and 25' options, pre-charged linesets allow you to install this innovative ductless system without special tools, equipment, or training.
Smartphone App
Enhanced Control from Anywhere
Control your MRCOOL DIY® anywhere with your Apple or Android smart device and an internet connection.
Follow Me® Function
Personalized Performance
Keep the remote close by, and MRCOOL DIY® will track the air temperature around you to ensure you receive maximum comfort.
Leakage Detection
Protecting Your Investment
When the MRCOOL DIY® detects low coolant an alarm will sound to alert you to the problem. This will prevent damage to the compressor while you maintain high air comfort.
Low Ambient Cooling
Cooling down to 5°F
This feature makes the MRCOOL DIY® the ideal system for server rooms, greenhouses, and any other application that requires cooling all year.
Auto Restart
Never Lift a Finger
Power outage? Don't worry, the MRCOOL DIY® auto restart will have the unit running again in no time at all.
Sleep Mode
24-Hour Comfort
We made Sleep Mode easy to program to save money, and let you sleep a little easier.
Louver Position Memory
Remembers So You Don't Have To
Horizontal louver will automatically move to the same position as you set last time the unit was turned on.
Gold Fin Condenser
Corrosion Resistant
Live on the coast? Don't worry, our condenser is built to resist long term corrosion.
Digital Assistant Ready
Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa
The new MRCOOL® Smart HVAC Controller® Module and App fully support Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa out of the box.
The MRCOOL DIY Quick Connect Line Set is 100% accurately precharged with R410A refrigerant. This makes installation quick and easy with no vacuum required. The MRCOOL DIY® Quick Connect® Line Set is intended for use with the MRCOOL DIY Single or Multi-Zone Units.
NOTE ON EXTENDING LINE SETS: To properly extend MRCOOL DIY line sets, you must match the line set and coupler size with the indoor air handler that you are needing to expand. The MRCOOL Quick Connect Line Sets and line set couplers come in two size options depending on the BTU rating of your air handlers you are needing to extend.
*For example, if you need to extend the line set on a 9k, 12k, or 18k air handler you would need to purchase the DIY Quick Connect Lineset for 9k,12k, or 18k air handlers as well as a matching coupler for the same size air handler. If you are trying to extend the line set for a 24k indoor air handler you would need DIY Quick Connect Lineset for 24k or 36k air handlers as well as a matching coupler for the same air handler. If you are unsure about proper fitment, please give us a call before placing your order.
For extending the DIY QUICK-CONNECT LINESET
When one standard size DIY QUICK CONNECT LINE SET is not long enough, two standard QUICK CONNECT LINE SETS can be combined using our DIY COUPLER to increase the desired length of the QUICK CONNECT LINE SETS.
It is imperative that you get the correct coupler for your lineset for it to be compatible. If your original lineset is 1/4" & 1/2" then you will require the same size coupler and same for 3/8" & 5/8"
Select the DIY QUICK CONNECT LINE SET size to be lengthened (1/4 or 1/2) or (3/8" or 5/8"). Then select the second standard line set with corresponding specifications for combined connection using the coupler (as shown here).
Use a wrench to assemble the coupler with both F1 and F2 on the corresponding lineset. Make sure the thread is screwed to the bottom until it stops (as shown here).
After the connection is complete, cover the F1, F2, and coupler connections with the grey insulating sleeve to help prevent condensation. Slide the insulation sleeves together ensuring no copper wiring is exposed and secure in place using tape.
Need helping finding the correct parts for your custom linesets? Give us a call and one of our dedicated sales reps will be able to help you find the correct and compatible parts for your MRCOOL DIY Multi-Zone setup.
Brand | MRCOOL |
Lead Time | This product ships in 1-2 business days |
ETL Listed | No |
UL Listed | No |
Prop 65 | No |
Warranty | 5-year Parts/7 year Compressor |
Weight (lb.) | 338.7 |
Height (in.) | 34.06 |
Width (in.) | 19.69 |
Length (in.) | 42.91 |
Air Conditioner Type | Mini-Split |
Installation Type | Quick Connect or DIY |
Air Conditioner BTU's | 27,000 BTU |
Cooling Capacity | 27,000 BTU |
Line Set Included | Yes, 75FT R-410A Line Set |
Built-In Heat Pump | Yes |
Heating Capacity | 27,000 BTU |
SEER Rating | 22 |
Number of Zones | Three Zones |
Voltage | 240 Volts |
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All trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective trademark holders.


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Soren Anderson
Session Guitarist
Soren Andersen, a Danish guitarist / producer / songwriter, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Influenced by the classic 70's rock, he's now one of the busiest rock guitarists in Scandinavia, who also tours extensively throughout the rest of the world. You might know him as the guitarist for Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple), but the list of people he worked with is much longer: Mike Tramp (ex-White Lion), Marco Mendoza & Tommy Aldridge (ex-Whitesnake / Thin Lizzy), Electric Guitars, Jesper Binzer (D:A:D), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow),Pretty Maids, The Dead Daisies, The Answer, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Eric Martin (MR. Big),Artillery, Tygers Of Phan Tang ETC…Soren Andersen is also a well-respected music producer. He does most of his productions in his co-owned Medley Studios in Copenhagen, hands on everything in the control room. The multi-talented musician received amazing reviews as the producer and guitarist of Resonate, the latest Glenn Hughes solo album. This is what Joe Satriani quoted about that: Joe Satriani: "This guitarist is somebody I don't know who's also the co-producer, Soren Andersen, and man, he's so good… It's funny that I started this list by talking about Howlin' Wolf, because a guy like Soren Andersen is totally into the future. His playing is very natural-sounding, and he manages to perform to the songs while still putting in some crazy textures. His choice of notes is interesting… Every time I put the record on, I go, "Hey, I didn't hear that before." Soren: "Because I work in both production and performance, I care a lot about the guitar sound. All the gear I use is selected very carefully, so I can get the right tone every night."


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Nov. 30, 2013
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery | GT Photo Gallery
ATLANTA (AP) – Todd Gurley ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns, including two scores after regulation, and Georgia rallied after trailing by 20 points in the first half to beat Georgia Tech 41-34 in overtime on Saturday night.
Gurley's 25-yard touchdown run in the second and final overtime gave Georgia its first lead.
Vad Lee passed for a career-high 232 yards for Georgia Tech, but his fourth-down pass for Darren Waller was deflected by Georgia's Ramik Wilson to end the game.
Hutson Mason overcame a shaky first half in his first start to lead the comeback for Georgia (8-4), which has won 12 of 13 games in the series under coach Mark Richt, including five straight.
Georgia Tech (7-5) blew leads of 20-0 in the second quarter and 20-7 at halftime.
Lee threw two touchdown passes to DeAndre Smelter as Georgia Tech, which usually emphasizes the run in its spread-option offense, instead attacked Georgia through the air.
Mason completed 22 of 36 passes for 299 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Georgia won the toss to start overtime and chose to play defense. Smelter ran for 12 yards on a reverse to help set up Lee's scoring run from the 2.
Georgia answered with a strong dose of Todd Gurley on its first overtime possession. Gurley had gains of 8, 11 and 6 yards on the Bulldogs' quick three-play touchdown drive.
Georgia Tech then elected to play defense in the second extra period. Gurley ran straight through the Georgia Tech defense for a 25-yard touchdown run and the Bulldogs' first lead at 41-34.
Georgia Tech's Robert Godhigh was tackled by Leonard Floyd for a loss of three yards to set up a fourth and 5 from the 6. Wilson tipped Lee's pass for Darren Waller before cornerback Damian Swann batted the ball out of the end zone for the incompletion to end the game.
Georgia players then rushed the field, their dominance in the state rivalry still intact.
Georgia Tech did not have a turnover until Lee, throwing off his back foot, had his pass intercepted by Josh Harvey-Clemons in the fourth quarter. Clemons returned the ball 18 yards to the Yellow Jackets 25.
Jeremiah Attaochu's fourth sack of the game helped force Georgia to settle for Marshall Morgan's 32-yard field goal for a 27-27 tie with 4:17 remaining.
The Yellow Jackets took a 20-0 lead before Georgia scored 17 unanswered points to cut the lead to three points. Lee's 7-yard scoring pass to Smelter in the fourth quarter pushed the lead back to 10 points.
Gurley's 2-yard touchdown run with 6:37 remaining again trimmed Georgia Tech lead to three points at 27-24.
Mason struggled through most of the first half and appeared tentative in some of his passing decisions.
Of Georgia's 152 yards in the half, 86 yards came as Mason looked more comfortable running the 2-minute offense in the Bulldogs' final drive. Mason completed each of his five passes on the drive, including back-to-back completions of 17 and 22 yards to Chris Conley.
Gurley scored on a 9-yard pass, taking off from about the 4-yard line and soaring with his body out of bounds but the ball stretched out over the corner at the goal line.
Georgia Tech dominated most of the half. A big pass from Lee to Waller on the Yellow Jackets' opening possession set the pace for the half. On third and 8 from the 26, Lee's lofted a deep pass to Waller, who caught the ball in stride behind the coverage of cornerback Sheldon Dawson for a 68-yard gain to the Georgia 6. Lee scored on a keeper from the 3.
The Yellow Jackets used another big pass play on their next possession, a 43-yarder from Lee to running back Robert Godhigh, to set up Harrison Butker's 37-yard field goal.
Mason, under pressure, threw a weak attempt for Conley late in the opening quarter that was intercepted by Jemea Thomas at the Georgia 36. Lee's 26-yard pass to Smelter gave Georgia Tech a 17-0 lead. Butker's 22-yard field goal in the second quarter pushed the lead to 20-0.
Georgia's lost senior defensive end Garrison Smith to a left ankle injury in the third quarter. Smith did not return.
Former Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson and former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, both of the Detroit Lions, were in the stadium for Saturday's game.


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After 46 years as a postman, a Montgomery County man began his retirement Friday by taking in the spectacle that is the Wing Bowl.
Paul Lyons of Jenkintown, and his sons, spent Friday morning at Wing Bowl 21 where Lyons would get to see a fellow postman take home the award as best local eater.
"It was one hell of an experience. Everyone had fun and did what they wanted to do," said Lyons. He had listened to it on the radio for years.
Lyons' children surprised him with tickets last week after they heard Wing Bowl was on his bucket list. Lyons along with his friends and sons recalled their first Wing Bowl experience in the parking lot.
His son Patrick Lyons described it as "a cross between the Mummers Parade and a nudie bar."
A sold-out crowd watched the Wingettes parade the competitors into the Wells Fargo Center. More than two dozen wing-eaters partook in SportsRadio 94WIP's annual world-championship of wing consumption.
The top overall eater – consuming 287 wings in 30 minutes -- was first-time competitor James McDonald. Known as "The Bear," the Granby, Conn. resident represented New England.
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"It was a lot closer, a lot more intense than I thought it would be, but it's exciting," said McDonald.
The Wing Bowl record of 337 wings was set by Takeru Kobayashi in 2012. "I'm happy to win, but my goal was to set a record. I will be back next year," he said.
As top overall eater, The Bear won $20,000 in cash from Steven Singer Jewelers, a $7,500 Wing Bowl 21 ring and a medal. Jonathan "Super Squibb" Squibb of Berlin, N.J. fell five wings short of winning his fourth Wing Bowl.
With Squibb competing with the rest of the country, the top local eater was Voorhees, N.J. postman Dave "U.S. Male" Goldstein. For his 266-wing effort, U.S. Male won a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder S-L from Montgomeryville Acura. He also won best entourage for his "Bynumland -- Where Dreams Never Come True" entrance, according to CSNPhilly.
Of course the eating is only part of the spectacle. While leaving, Steve Rode of Franklinville said, "The wing-eating contest was my least favorite part."
A portion of Wing Bowl's proceeds go to benefit the Philadelphia Police Department Survivor's Fund, The Police Athletic League, the Comcast-Spectator-Charities and other beneficiaries.


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What's the News: We've all fantasized about a cell phone battery that won't quit. Now scientists hoping to harness the power generated when you walk are developing a device that might eventually use your footfalls to power small electronics
. But will it overcome the hurdles of efficiency and cost? How the Heck:
When your heel hits the ground, as much as 20 watts of power (that's 20 joules of energy per second) are generated as heat. To capture some of that energy, researchers developed a system that involves pressing droplets of liquid metal against an electrode.
Here's how it works: The team's device resembles an electrostatic capacitor, which consists of two flat electrodes wired together with a small space between. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, their opposing charges freeze them in place, but pushing on them changes the circuit's capacitance, increases the voltage, and causes a current to run through the circuit, which can then be harvested.
But getting the electrodes close enough to each other to generate meaningful power is difficult because of the roughness of metals (see ScienceNOW's great explanation of this process for more). To address that problem, the researchers essentially replaced one of the electrodes a liquid metal alloy that could conduct electricity, and inserted an extremely thin insulating material in between it and the other electrode, resulting in a mere 10-50-nanometer wide gap between. This set up could yield far more power when compressed.
If such a device were inserted into a shoe, 2 watts of power could be harvested, the researchers say---more than 1000 times what had been harvested with other systems. A two-hour walk could recharge a cell phone battery, the lead researcher told ScienceNOW.
A prototype of the device, depicted here, is in development.
What's the Context:
Scientists and engineers have been interested in energy harvesting for decades: for a long time, DARPA was hoping to generate power from devices in soldiers' boots, and such gleaning is the topic of this vintage Wired piece on electricity-harvesting shoes. But systems developed so far only get small amounts of wattage from each step.
If you remember the early '90s, you probably remember shoes equipped with small LEDs that flashed when you walked. Those were powered by piezoelectricity, the charge that accumulates in crystals and metal when they are squeezed or stressed. Many previous harvesting schemes have tried to make use of piezoelectricity, which was discovered by Pierre Curie and keeps the beat in modern watches, but no one has succeed is getting significant amounts of power that way.
Not So Fast:
Outside scientists have noted that the plan seems quite optimistic---they're not sure that that much power can be salvaged from walking, and want to see it in action.
If such a device is developed, it wouldn't necessarily save people very much money, in terms of electricity bills, so it would have to be very cheap to have a wide adoption. Of course, for some people, the lure of being able to salvage some of the energy lost when walking could be create demand all on its own.
But getting the power from your shoes to your phone is another problem again---a dangling cord that plugs into your heel is no fashion statement. The researchers think they could set up a Wi-Fi hotspot in the shoe, which could take the burden of long-range transmitting off the phone and thus save energy, but that does restrict the device's usefulness to other electronics.
The Future Holds: The scientists have founded a company, InStep NanoPower
, to commercialize the technology, and they're working on a prototype shoe insert that they hope to start testing in a couple years. Reference: T. Krupenkin and J. A. Taylor, Nature Communications (23 August 2011) DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1454
Images courtesy of jordanfischer / flickr and InStep NanoPower


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Private prisons profit off race prejudice
OPINION - The reality that this industry has in fact been acquiring massive wealth off of communities of color at least since the 1860s Reconstruction Era...
Arizona's controversial immigration law is actually a business model carefully crafted by private prisons rather than a law aiming to fix anything about America's broken immigration system. The seeds of this law — SB 1070 — were planted last year when two men from a private prison company showed up in Benson, AZ to sell the idea of a prison made specifically for illegal immigrants.
When NPR broke a story revealing the link between the private prison companies and SB 1070, many expressed outrage at how the prison industry is working to profit off of immigrant communities. What was not much discussed is the historical roots of private prisons and the reality that this industry has in fact been acquiring massive wealth off of communities of color at least since the 1860s Reconstruction Era.
The privatization of prisons in modern American history is directly linked to society's desire — specifically in the South — to find cheap labor to replace the workforce lost to slave owners after emancipation. After the Civil War, prison populations in the south skyrocketed — mostly by the flow of newly freed slaves into correctional facilities as a result of the Black Codes, vagrancy laws, and other policies specifically targeting them. The convict lease system was quickly set up to return the newly freed slaves who were being funneled into prison back to their employers who had just lost their slave labor.
Private companies paid the state a fee in return for the ability to lease out convicts (who did not receive wages at that time). Many southern businessmen acquired massive amounts of wealth by doing this — including Nathan Bedford Forrest, the cofounder and first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, who made a portion of his millions trading slaves and running a prison farm camp on President's Island in the late 1800's. Although the convict lease system was phased out across the country through the 20th century, its legacy lives on not only in the continued disproportion of minorities in America's prisons — which house over 2.3 million people, over 2/3 of them people of color — but also through the private prison industry.
Today's private prison are for-profit contractors who enter into agreements with local, state, or federal government to run correctional facilities and receive per diem funding based on the number of people they confine. America's "war on drugs" has led to mass incarceration and overpopulation of our prisons and jails, becoming too large a burden for governments to manage. The situation created a most ideal opportunity for private sector involvement in the prison system. The trend quickly evolved to complete private building, ownership, and management of facilities — beginning with the Corrections Corporations of America (CCA — the largest private prison corporation in the U.S.) being awarded a full contract for a prison in Tennessee in 1984. Today, over 264 private correctional facilities exist in the U.S, housing roughly 100,000 inmates.
Although private prison companies claim they provide more cost efficient ways to manage an overflowing prison population, studies cast serious doubt on whether they have provided actual cost savings. Much of the research has produced inconclusive findings, and many studies have actually been tied to financial backing, by the private prison industry itself.
Even the Bureau of Justice Statistics has admitted that savings promised by private prisons "have simply not materialized." But what is abundantly clear is a host of other private businesses — from food services, to medical care, to communications and transportation services — also profit off of inmates and their families. Private phone companies, for example, charge notoriously high prices for collect calls that inmates make to their friends and families.
One analysis shows that prisoners in at least 10 states pay over $1/minute for out of state calls. And according to reports, feeding prisoners is an industry totaling $1 billion a year, and growing between 10-15 percent annually. In fact in the late 1980's, Campbell Soup Company who has contracted with private prisons, recognized America's prison system as "the fastest growing food service market."
And the latest example of how private prisons accrue wealth and stay in business by targeting communities of color is Arizona's controversial SB 1070. This past Spring, SB 1070, which forces local law enforcement to act as pseudo immigration officers by asking for immigration papers from people they stop, generated much emotionally charged debate around the nation. But few looked into the source of this controversial bill, until NPR revealed the result of their investigation last week: SB 1070 was the brainchild of representatives of the private prison industry and Arizona sate politicians. Together, they devised a perfect and profitable plan to operate new private facilities, filled with "illegal" immigrants that would be funneled in via SB 1070 – and eventually other copycat laws that began to pop up across the country.
Once again, private prisons succeeded in targeting communities with no political power. And through political campaign contributions — for example, the donation of $100K by CCA and $50K by Correctional Medical Services to a political action committee during two key election cycles — the private prison industry and other corporations who stand to gain from continued incarceration ensure that politicians who are friendly to their cause remain in power and that profit flows to their pockets at the expense of communities who have no similar influence to wield. And so, the story of the private prison industry's role in Arizona's immigration law is nothing but business as usual.


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1961 Ferrari 156 F1 Replica - The "Sharknose"
As a child, it's easy to dream of something and then make it an aspiration for your adult life. Even if you crave, say, a Ferrari 250GTO, you 'only' have to wait and work very hard (or perhaps win the Lottery…). When you have 30 million euros to spare, you can start to look at one of the 36 cars around the world – and then you can realistically be a GTO owner.
Yet if you dream of buying a Ferrari 156 F1, the situation is far more complex; not because very few of these iconic cars were built, but because none survived. However, one 55-year-old dreamer finally saw his ambition realized on a rainy day in August 2010, as he lapped Spa-Francorchamps in a yellow 156 F1, nicknamed 'Sharknose' because of its distinctive nostrils.
Belgian chemical industry consultant Jan Biekens spent his childhood reading about racing cars from the Tour Auto, Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. As a young man he even briefly tried his hand at rallying. Having then established his own company, got married and sired four children, he bought a 1955 Mondial and went racing in the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge. A few years later he added a 275GTB and Stanguellini single-seater to his collection, and his life ran smoothly until 1997, when he saw the Chris Rea movie La Passione about von Trips and the 156 F1.
'I was deeply impressed by this car,' Biekens explains. 'However, nothing serious happened until 2001, when I visited Wolfgang von Trips' home, and read Ed McDonough's book Ferrari 156: Sharknose. From then on, I dreamed only of owning and driving a 156 F1. The problem is that, as was the way in the 1960s, Enzo Ferrari had the cars crushed once they were no longer useful, which meant none of the originals had survived.'
Historically, the 156 F1 is an incredibly important machine. In 1959, Ferrari asked then-technical director Carlo Chiti to dream up a solution to race (to Enzo that, of course, meant 'to win') in the 1960 F2 and thereafter the 1961 F1 Championship under the new, downsized 1.5-litre engine rules. Chiti's answer was a revolution for the Scuderia: a single-seater with the engine behind the driver, in order to 'push' the car. It was a simple and clever design, with a tubular chassis clothed in aluminum panels.
The engine was the DOHC 65° V6 derived from the Jano 2.4, and in the hands of Phil Hill the 156 F1 went on to win the 1961 Championship in the same Monza race in which Hill's friend and teammate von Trips lost his life. Just after the very first race of 1961 – the Monaco GP – all of the cars underwent very significant modifications, with the V opened to 120°, a slightly different chassis and reworked suspension struts.
Jan Biekens recalls: 'I looked around for a few years, hoping to find something interesting. In the end I realized that, even if I don't like replicas, the only solution to having a Sharknose was to recreate one. The sole point I was sure of was that the car had to be as the original chassis #002, used by Olivier Gendebien in the 1961 Belgian GP. He finished fourth for the Equipe Nationale Belge, with the support of Scuderia Ferrari, and the car was yellow. Chassis #002 was further connected with Belgium: Willy Mairesse crashed it at Spa in 1962, and the ensuing fire destroyed it.'
Biekens goes on: 'Next, I had to decide where to build the car. In my opinion only two places could have been correct: Italy, because the Modena area has the technical competence and right soul, or England, for the long tradition of craftsmanship and manufacturing. I choose the latter mainly because I speak the language… and Jim Stokes Workshop was the place for me. Jim had already replicated the Alfa Romeo 8C and Lancia D50, and he knew exactly what I was talking about and loved the idea from the beginning. He even dictated some rules; rules I absolutely agreed with. First of all, we would use as many original parts as possible. Also, before everything else, we had to find an original gearbox and transaxle, as these would be too difficult, time-consuming and expensive to remanufacture.'
To Biekens, the target was simple: the Sharknose had to be exactly as it was in 1961, down to the smallest detail. 'I went shopping-crazy, buying every 156-related item I could find – from the 'net, collectors and at swapmeets. I uncovered many invaluable blueprints, spares, information, pictures [mostly from the Klemantaski Collection] and so on. In August 2004 we found the correct Weber 42 DCN carbs, in an ad in America's Ferrari Market Letter magazine. We bought them immediately.
'A month later we found a third carburetor in Italy, completing the set. In the meantime we selected other specialists to work with: Setford Racing for the engine and mechanicals, and Roach Manufacturing and then Vintage Cars for the body. On 3 June 2004 we finally started work on the 156 F1, as opposed to simply projecting it or accumulating parts.'
He continues: 'The easiest part was the engine: the 246 is not especially rare and was the perfect base – as in the past it had been for Ferrari himself – to make our 1.5-litre. We located one in pretty good condition, and what we couldn't find we simply rebuilt. We didn't have a single major issue, the one you fear could stop everything, but there were many little things to take care of. I'll always be grateful to Mike Mark, project leader at Jim Stokes, for all the incredible support and trust in the project, and all the old and new friends who, knowing about our work, gave us their support, information and knowledge.'
Most challenging was the car's rear end, due to its incredible suspension set-up. Biekens explains: 'Simply deciding the right shape of each piece took us more than five months. We had to be really sure, because once you give the pattern to the foundry it is final. Working out the exact shape of the chassis with the 120° engine was also time-consuming. The blueprints all related to the 65°, and we suspect the original modifications were never printed but simply arrived at in the workshop. In the end we were able to define the exact shape, studying every picture we had of the 156 F1. Some pipes had simply been modified, mainly folded, to let the new engine pass through.'
Studying the photos revealed many new details, and as usual with racing cars from the past – and probably even those built today – numerous small components changed from one race to the next. This meant the team needed to track down every single modification. In this the help of such authorities as Doug Nye was invaluable. Biekens also recalls that the windscreen was time-consuming to make, because it was so easy to crack.
As ever, luck also played a part: 'One example was the shock absorbers. The originals were made by Koni, so we thought we could just ask the firm about them. We couldn't have been more wrong… the blueprints had been destroyed in 1975 and nothing was left as documentation. We were saved by a retired employee, who had worked in Koni's technical department. He had a copy of the project, simply because he loved Ferrari and wanted to keep a souvenir of his work for the marque!'
In all, the project lasted for about six years – and Biekens says the team was in no hurry until 2009, when the Sharknose received a Goodwood Revival invitation; something you really don't want to pass-up. He recalls the 156 F1's very first outing on an open road: 'Everything went smoothly from the very beginning, but it took a while to work out the correct suspension and engine settings. The car is very reactive, and if you modify something – even very lightly – it affects other components, so it seems an almost never-ending process.'
The Sharknose is a delight to drive, if not very easy: 'You have to be very careful in opening the throttle and in fast corners, where reactions can be very quick. Every second it reminds you that it was built to be piloted by the greatest drivers. Today we are enjoying the final results, racing and driving the 156 F1 around the world, and if someone notes that it is a replica, I agree without hesitation. I would never, ever do something like that if even only one original car was still in existence.
'To avoid any risk that someone, even in the far future, could try to push it as an original "barn discovery", we added an "R" to the chassis number and shared all the main aspects of our recreation in the most public way, on the internet. But when I drove the car for the first time on its "home" circuit at Spa on 18 August 2010, I felt very proud and lucky. I felt the souls of all the vanished 156 F1s were looking down at us with approval.'
Thanks to Mike Mark at Jim Stokes Workshop (www.jswl.co.uk) and engine specialist and restorer Daniel Setford (www.setfordracing.co.uk).
1961 Ferrari 156 F1 'Sharknose' replica
Engine Rear-mounted Type 188, 1476cc, 65° V6, DOHC per bank, 12 valves, triple Weber DCN42 carburetors.
Power 180bhp @ 9200rpm
Transmission Type 543/5 five-speed manual, multi-plate clutch, rear-wheel drive
Steering Rack and pinion
Suspension Front and rear: double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar
Brakes Dunlop discs, inboard at rear
Weight 440kg
Performance Top speed 150mph
Published Dec 7th, 2015


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Second Amendment advocates mingled with the lunatic fringe, celebrating the American Revolution and Tim McVeigh. John Avlon reports from the front lines of gun-rights rallies.
The paranoid style in American politics is alive and well.
It was thriving on both sides of the Potomac Monday at separate Second Amendment rallies offering a cast of characters including militia members, a fundamentalist Mormon family, a sheriff, a Patrick Henry re-enactor and a pistol-packing transsexual.
What connected them all is a belief that our constitutional republic is being undermined by the Obama administration. As one typical rallying cry vented: "It's not about guns—it's about freedom!" And they let their freak flag fly.
At the Virginia rally, the armed participants were almost outnumbered by the press, creating a militia petting-zoo atmosphere. Foreign and domestic reporters fell all over themselves to interview what they saw as self-appointed members of the lunatic fringe.
This crowd didn't need signs; they had assault rifles to get their primary point across. Earnest members of the crowd discussed conspiracies ranging from JFK to 9/11 to Timothy McVeigh, all ending up with guns protecting us from global government. But there was a specific irony undercutting their intensity—namely that President Obama, who attendees say is threatening their Second Amendment rights, signed the law which made this first armed rally in a national park possible.
I asked two attendees from North Carolina why the Second Amendment protest seemed so apocalyptically urgent, given that gun laws have been loosened in recent years.
"As far as Obama signing anything, I think that's just a ploy," said Randy Dye. "I think he's just trying to appease us for today. But down the road, I still feel that our Second Amendment rights are going to be threatened."
"I'll add to that," offered his compadre, Chuck Hadley. "Once the Second Amendment is gone, your Bible is going to be gone, too. They will take your Bible from you—just like in Canada, right now. It is now illegal in Canada for people to preach certain things from the Bible because they think that it's hateful—especially about homosexuality."
From guns to God to gays in one synaptic spasm—the culture-war trifecta. That's impressive by any standard.
I was surprised to see one more or less mainstream conservative group represented, the William F. Buckley-sanctioned Young Americans for Freedom, now led by its executive director John Marks, who I'd last seen on TV ably debating wingnut Democratic Representative Alan Grayson. I asked Marks what brought him to the armed rally.
"We are being supportive of Second Amendment rights," he replied. "It's not a militia meeting, just good American people." When I pointed out that Three Percenter militia leader Mike Vanderboegh had spoken at the morning's earlier rally, Marks barely skipped a beat. "I have no problem with militias; it is a constitutional right."
• John Avlon: A Holiday of Hate When a speaker named Eric Stinnett compared the current state of the nation to 9/11 United Flight 93—making the Obama administration the equivalent of al Qaeda hijackers, which he dubbed "Commie-Kazis," I think I could see Marks wince upon realizing there was a YAF banner in the camera shot.
The rally by the Washington Monument was supposed to be the straight-laced, less dangerous Second Amendment gathering, fit for senior citizens, children, and the Washington press corps. But sincerity and strangeness ran neck-and-neck.
There was the archetypal Hatriot hero, former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, firing off well-traveled applause lines like, "the greatest threat to our God-given constitutional liberty is our own federal government," with neat new anti-health-care digs thrown in: "The states can opt out—they cannot compel us to take part in their socialist schemes."
When a speaker mentioned California Senators Boxer and Feinstein as well as House Speaker Pelosi, a burly bald member of the crowd shouted, "Burn them all at the stake like the witches they are!"
When he offered an anecdote about California Senators Feinstein and Boxer as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, things briefly got old-school, Salem-style; a burly bald member of the crowd shouted, "Burn them all at the stake like the witches they are!"
Still, communist was the preferred epithet. Lynn Myers from Pennsylvania bedecked his Soviet fur hat with Obama pins. "Basically, I'm calling Obama a communist," he said. "Philosophically, he grew up around communists; his father and mother were ones. If he's not a communist, he's a Marxist. But right now, a lot of his policy is being run by dictionary-definition fascists."
The anti-Obama forces shared the stage with others engaged in an unexpected—and unintentional—celebration of America's endearing strangeness.
When a child ambled up to me covered in buttons with images of the Constitution with the slogan "Miss Me Yet?" images of child-labor law infractions danced in my head. But when the kid's father appeared, wearing a long beard and hat, I assumed this was some kind of Amish tradition and my heart softened, not wanting to pass cultural judgments.
Turns out the man, Mark Easterday from Kentucky, was a self-described fundamentalist Mormon and a proud bigamist ("my second wife is in Kansas tending to her mother"). He is concerned for the future of his children, Elijah and Hannah; both Bush and Obama have let him down. But he has a prescription: "I'd like to see Ron Paul as president and Sarah Palin as vice president… they would understand that the power is in the people and I believe they would work to turn this country around." What would they do? "Bring our troops home. One of their jobs is to defend our borders and I don't think we belong in other countries. The Muslims don't want us there. They've got to sort out their own differences." He'd also like to see a return to the gold standard.
Just over the Mormon fundamentalist's shoulder was a post-op transsexual named Nicki Stallard, a member of a gay pro-gun-rights group called Pink Pistols, offering a half-standup, half-serious statement of Second Amendment principles. The onetime Navy seaman's speech went off the rails a good deal of the time, but she ultimately won over the crowd. It was a welcome sign of pluralism enduring in the Petri dish, alongside the strains of super-patriotism and paranoia.
Democracy can be a dirty business; dissent is patriotic, no matter which party is in power. The danger is when dissent crosses over into demonizing the current president and his administration. It comes when losing an election starts to feel like living under tyranny. On a date when we mark both the start of the American Revolution and the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, we owe it to ourselves to keep a sense of perspective. Our political opponents are not our enemies; they are fellow Americans. And cultivating fear is contrary to celebrating freedom.
John Avlon's new book Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America is available now by Beast Books both on the Web and in paperback. He is also the author of Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics. Previously, he served as chief speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun.


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Millions more see lower prescription drug costs, stand to gain health insurance coverage
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Under the Affordable Care Act, 45.1 million women – including 20.4 million women with private health insurance and 24.7 million women with Medicare – can receive recommended preventive services with no cost-sharing, new data released today by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius show.
More than one million young adult women have already gained health insurance coverage because of the law and 13 million more women will gain coverage by 2016. Without the health care law, these women would remain uninsured.
The data highlighted in an issue brief by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation show that Affordable Care Act provisions are already improving women's health by making recommended preventive care services more accessible and increasing access to health insurance coverage.
"From increased health coverage to free preventive services and lower prescription drug costs, our mothers, grandmothers, daughters, friends and neighbors are already benefiting from this law and will continue to in the months and years to come," said Secretary Sebelius.
Most women with private insurance do not have to pay for such important preventive health services under health reform; mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, flu shots and regular well-baby and well-child visits will be covered at no cost. Beginning in August of this year, many health plans must also cover, with no cost-sharing, recommended preventive services, such as well-woman visits, domestic violence screening, and breastfeeding supplies.
An estimated 8.7 million more women who buy coverage in the individual market will gain maternity benefits, beginning 2014, as a result of the health care law's requirement for health insurance plans in that market to cover essential health benefits.
Additionally, the ASPE issue brief notes that more than two million women in Medicare have saved $1.2 billion on the cost of prescription drugs in the "donut hole" coverage gap. The Affordable Care Act helps seniors and people with disabilities who have Medicare pay less for their prescription drugs in the donut hole, which by 2020, the will be closed.
For more information about this topic, see the ASPE Research Brief at http://aspe.hhs.gov.
For more information about the Affordable Care Act and its impact on you, see http://www.healthcare.gov/.
Share your stories on how health reform impacts you and your family at http://www.healthcare.gov/mycare.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
News Division
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America District of Columbia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Seniors Women Health Hospitals Public Policy/Government Healthcare Reform Other Health Other Policy Issues Public Policy White House/Federal Government Professional Services Insurance Consumer Family General Health
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free forum : Bedlam is a world of warcraft guild on the server Grim Batol-eu
Free forum : Grim Sword is a Dagorhir chapter in Manor, Texas. Manor is located roughly 20 minutes east of Austin. Dagorhir is a foam fighting boffer LARP (live action role playing game). Dagorhir is
Enigma on Grim Batol PvP EU. Enigma. Free forum, . Enigma
counter strike clan. clan _--GRIM--_. counterstrike clan
Home of the most badass legions in Aion. Legions include Circle of the Reaper, Scythes of Tyrael, Brothers of Sacred Steel, and Legends of Aion - all from Siel server.
Free forum : Grim Reapers is a motorcycle club on SAMP servers.
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Twentyfourseven a world of warcraft guild @ Grim Batol EU
twentyfourseven, world, warcraft, guild, #grim, batol
Equestria has been invaded. The sisters have vanished, their warriors defeated, their heroes scattered, and the Griffons have claimed Canterlot and lordship over Equestria.
role, play, little, pony, equestria, grimdark, mane, occupation, dawn, twilight, sparkle, rarity, pinkie, battle, fight, story, lore, friends, dystopian, #grim, griffon, kingdoms, griffin, kingdom, fantasy
Free forum : HI WELCOME TO INTEGRITY FORUM. A HORDE GUILD ON GRIM BATOL
Free forum : The forum of the Brothers GriM. The Brothers GriM Forum
The forum is based off of the Chatlands concept of the 'in limbo state', or state of being between heaven and hell, in order to travel through worlds and time. The theme would span from the past to future, for the mascot 'Limbo' is a grim reaper who
limbus, forum, based, chatlands, concept, limbo, state', state, being, between, heaven, hell, order, travel, through, worlds, time, theme, would, span, from, past, future
Ashes Of Phoenix is a high end raiding guild on the server Al'akir EU.
cataclysm, ashes, phoenix, spirit, dragon, gameangel, al'akir, crimson, order, #grim, zalgradis, europe
Eon, Horde guild on Grim'Batol. Free forum : Eon. Eon Horde Guild Grim'Batol
Eon Guild Forums. Eon Guild Forums. Eon Guild GB Grim Batol World of Warcraft WoW Horde
free forum : The Battle for Malachor 3. The grim battlefield
free, #grim, battlefield
A coding/chat/fun site!
just, another, generic, coding, site, coding/chat/fun, site!


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Farming Photos
Photographs of farming activities in Upper Broughton.
Early history of farming in Upper Broughton
The geology of the parish and its influence on the first farming families to live here.
Upper Broughton in the Domesday Book
The village as described in the Domesday Book and what it might have looked like.


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Kent State University students, faculty and staff members who have not yet registered to vote have until Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 9 p.m. to complete their registration in time to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.
To register in person, come to the Reference Desk on the first floor of the Kent State University Library to fill out an Ohio voter registration form. Ohio residents will need to provide the last four digits of their social security number or driver's license number to complete the registration form. Unfortunately, there is not enough time for out-of-state residents to complete a registration form in Kent and have it processed in their home state.
The Reference Desk at the library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but those wishing to register are encouraged to be at the library no later than 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in order to complete the registration form by the 9 p.m. deadline.
More than 900 voter registration forms have been completed at the library so far this fall.
For more information about registering to vote at the Kent State University Library, visit http://libguides.library.kent.edu/voting.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Emily Vincent, email@example.com, 330-672-8595
Eric Mansfield, email@example.com, 330-672-2797


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Bringing artwork to life, each cotton poly canvas features UV fade resistant inks using state of the art color technology ensuring vivid designs. Finished with hanging brackets, canvases are ready to hang as soon as it arrives and can be placed on any wall in your home. They are perfect wall decoration for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, offices, bathrooms, or nurseries, and great gifts for birthdays, holidays, and special days.
Artisan quality, each canvas is hand stretched and secured on solid wood frames. Gallery wrapped; each canvas has art flowing from each side, so no need for additional framing. Our designers are handpicked for their artistry. Artists, authors, and illustrators, each with their own unique style and stories, bringing our canvas to life. From children's favorites to colorful abstracts, we are sure to have something for your home.
Designed by artist & painter April Cornell, her colorful patterns show her bohemian design sense. Each vibrant pattern has its own unique personality and color palate creating wall designs that are truly a work of art. Inspired by a magical jungle garden as one peers through the brush is captured in beautiful watercolor, providing a stunning canvas for an empty wall.


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Michael Skindrud & Todd Cleary
Wisconsin LawyerVol. 84, No. 12, December 2011
In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)1 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Reconciliation Act)2 (together referred to as the "Reform Law"). The primary purpose of the Reform Law is to extend coverage of essential health-care services to most Americans. Its secondary purpose is to change the way Americans pay for health-care services. The Reform Law will have a significant impact on individuals, the health-insurance market, employers, and health-care providers in Wisconsin and throughout the nation.
Wisconsin lawyers will encounter the effects of the Reform Law as they seek health-care coverage for themselves and their employees and as they counsel their business clients. They also should have a basic understanding of the impact of this law on the physicians and hospitals in their communities.
This article updates Wisconsin lawyers on the current status of the Reform Law, notes some of the key provisions and Wisconsin's response to them, and indicates its impact on Wisconsin lawyers, their clients, and their communities. Although in early 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court will review several challenges to the law's constitutionality, which mostly focus on the individual mandate, many of the provisions of the Reform Law are likely to continue in effect after resolution of the constitutional issues.
How Individuals Are Affected
Individual mandate. Beginning with tax year 2014, most individuals are required to maintain for themselves and their dependents "minimum essential coverage," which means coverage obtained from a governmental program, an eligible employer-sponsored plan, or a plan offered in the individual market, and certain other coverages.3 This is often referred to as the "individual mandate."
Any taxpayer who fails to maintain such coverage is required to pay a penalty for each month and each person for whom such coverage is not maintained, to be paid with his or her tax return for the tax year of the month(s) without such coverage.4 The amount of the monthly penalty is 1/12 of the greater of 1) a flat dollar amount for each person without coverage for whom the taxpayer is responsible or 2) a percentage of the taxpayer's income that exceeds the taxpayer's threshold income for filing a return. The flat dollar amount is $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015, and $695 in 2016, and indexed to inflation thereafter. The percentage of the excess income is 1 percent for 2014, 2 percent in 2015, and 2.5 percent thereafter. Plan issuers and other entities providing minimum essential coverage are required to file annually a return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with information on the names and taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) of those who are covered and other information.
Increased taxes on individuals. Currently, individuals pay two types of so-called employment taxes on their wages and self-employment income: the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance tax and the Medicare Hospital Insurance tax. This latter tax is imposed at the rate of 1.45 percent on wages and 2.9 percent on self-employment income. Beginning in 2013, individuals with wages or self-employment income in excess of $200,000 (or joint filers with combined wages and self-employment income in excess of $250,000, or married individuals filing separately with wages or self-employment income in excess of $125,000) will be subject to an additional 0.9 percent Medicare Hospital Insurance tax on their wages and self-employment income above the applicable threshold (so that the Medicare Hospital Insurance tax rate will be 2.35 percent on wages in excess of that threshold and 3.8 percent on self-employment income in excess of the threshold).5
Another tax provision imposes the Medicare Hospital Insurance tax on the unearned income of individuals. Before enactment of the Reform Law, individuals paid no employment taxes on their nonwage or non-self-employment income. Under the Reform Law, however, individuals with a modified adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 (or $250,000 for joint filers, or $125,000 for married individuals who file separately) will be subject to a 3.8 percent "unearned income Medicare contribution tax" on some or all of their interest, dividend, annuity, royalty, rental, and passive-activity income and net capital gain, minus any allowable deductions properly allocable to such income or gain.6 The new 3.8 percent tax will be imposed on the lesser of 1) an individual's net investment income or 2) the amount by which the individual's modified adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable threshold. The new tax will first be imposed in 2013.
Impact on the Health Insurance Market
Coverage. A significant goal of the Reform Law is to broaden and maintain the coverage provided to insureds. To accomplish this, insurers are required to include many coverages and otherwise change certain of their policy provisions, as is discussed below in more detail.
The Reform Law also significantly extends Medicaid coverage to populations without any coverage. Before the Reform Law, state Medicaid programs were not required to cover childless adults under 65 who are not disabled and not pregnant. The Reform Law, beginning Jan. 1, 2014, requires Medicaid programs to provide benchmark benefits to such individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size, who are not otherwise eligible under other Medicaid programs or Medicare.7 The federal government will bear the cost to states for this "newly eligible" group fully for years 2014-16 and then by decreasing percentages until 2020, when the federal share will be 90 percent.
Establishment of health benefit exchanges. The Reform Law provides for the creation of a health benefit exchange in each state, and federal grants are provided to help establish their creation. Each state is required to have an exchange established by Jan. 1, 2014.8 The exchange may be a governmental agency or a nonprofit entity that is established by the state.
Wisconsin received two grants totaling $39 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist with the development of the Wisconsin exchange. In January 2011, Gov. Walker established by executive order the Office of Free Market Health Care. It will be jointly directed by the Department of Health Services and the Commissioner of Insurance and will design, implement, and operate the Wisconsin exchange.
Exchanges described. Each exchange is intended to be a marketplace that operates alongside the existing market through which employers and individuals find and purchase health insurance plans. The initial focus of the exchanges is to provide a market for insurance for individuals and for small employers who currently often struggle to find affordable coverage.
Participation in the exchanges is voluntary. Insurers may offer plans both within and outside the exchanges, and qualified individuals and employers may purchase plans either within or outside of the exchanges.9
Each exchange will offer only qualified health plans to qualified individuals and employers. The exchanges will certify plans as qualified plans, operate websites and telephone hotlines, present the options of each plan in a standardized format, provide information on the availability of the Medicaid program, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and state and local public programs, determine screening and eligibility of purchasers, and in other ways facilitate the marketing and purchase of qualified plans and access to public programs. Exchanges are to be self sustaining once up and running.
Only qualified individuals and employers may purchase plans through the exchanges.10 Qualified employers initially are limited to small employers (up to 100 employees) that elect to make all full-time employees eligible for one or more qualified health plans offered in the small-group market through an exchange. Beginning in 2017, states can allow large employers (more than 100 employees) to become qualified employers and purchase qualified health plans through the state's exchange.
Keeping insurance affordable. To help make policies purchased through the exchanges affordable, for tax years 2014 and thereafter, the Reform Law provides for payment of a premium assistance amount to taxpayers who purchase qualified health plans through exchanges and whose household income for the taxable year is between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty line for a family of the size involved.11 The premium assistance amount is determined on a sliding scale, such that households at 100 percent of the poverty line will pay up to 2 percent of household income for coverage, with the balance being covered by the premium assistance amount, and households at 400 percent paying 9.5 percent, with the balance being covered by the premium assistance amount. The premium assistance amount will be paid monthly by the Treasury to the issuer of the plan purchased by the taxpayer. The same taxpayers described above are also eligible for reductions in the out-of-pocket limits under the plans that they purchase through the exchanges.
How Employers Are Affected
The Reform Law has already had a profound impact on employer-sponsored group health plans, because many of its requirements went into effect in 2011. Most of the Reform Law's significant provisions apply to all group health plans, whether insured or self-insured (that is, the employer pays claims out of its general assets) without much distinction. However, a few of the most notable Reform Law requirements do not apply to "grandfathered" plans, and other Reform Law rules have a limited application to those plans.
For these purposes, a "grandfathered plan" generally is one that was in existence on March 23, 2010, complies with certain notice and record-retention requirements, and has not experienced certain changes in benefits, cost sharing, employer contributions, or annual limits. Grandfathered plan status is determined on a benefit package by benefit package basis.12 As a result, a plan may include one benefit package (for example, an HMO) that is grandfathered, and another benefit package (for example, a PPO) that is not. If a given Reform Law requirement does not apply to grandfathered plans, that fact is noted below in the description of the requirement.
Highlights of Changes Related to Group Health Plans
Lifetime or annual limit restrictions. Group health plans may not impose lifetime dollar limits on the value of certain "essential health benefits" (for example, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs). The regulatory agencies must issue guidance to further clarify what is an essential health benefit for this purpose. Effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, group health plans may not impose any annual limits.13
Preventive services. Nongrandfathered group health plans generally must provide first-dollar coverage (without requiring copayments or deductibles) for certain preventive services (including immunizations and certain services for women and children).14
Nondiscrimination. Historically, insured group health plans have not been subject to certain Internal Revenue Code (IRC) nondiscrimination tests that apply to self-insured plans. These tests are designed to ensure that the plan does not discriminate in favor of certain "highly compensated individuals" as to eligibility and benefits. For this purpose, a highly compensated individual generally is any person who owns more than 10 percent of the company, any of the five highest-paid officers, and any employee in the top 25 percent of pay. However, effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, these tests generally apply to nongrandfathered insured plans.15 Failure of an insured plan to comply with the nondiscrimination tests will result in imposition of an excise tax of $100 per day per individual discriminated against. Consequently, the potential cost of noncompliance is significant.
There are several unanswered questions as to how these rules are to be applied to insured plans. As a result of these uncertainties, the IRS has indicated that it will not impose the excise tax until clarifying guidance is issued.
Preexisting conditions. Group health plans may not impose any preexisting-condition exclusion for participants who are under age 19. For plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, this prohibition on preexisting-condition exclusions is extended to all participants.16
Dependent coverage. Under the Reform Law, a group health plan that covers dependent children generally must continue to make that coverage available to eligible employees' adult children (unmarried and married) until they reach age 26. However, for plan years beginning before Jan. 1, 2014, this requirement does not apply to a grandfathered plan with respect to an adult child who is eligible to enroll in another employer-sponsored plan (other than as a dependent child).17
The Reform Law also changed the federal tax treatment regarding dependent coverage so that an adult child's coverage is exempt from taxation through the end of the tax year in which the child turns age 26. However, Wisconsin did not adopt that change for state tax purposes until Nov. 4, 2011.18 Before that date, an employer was required to subject a Wisconsin employee to state income tax on the value of his or her adult child's medical and dental coverage (and health-care flexible spending account reimbursements) unless the child qualified as a dependent under the IRC's pre-Reform Law rules.
Now that Wisconsin has retroactively conformed its tax law to the applicable federal tax rule (effective Jan. 1, 2011), an employer is no longer required to impute this income to an affected employee or withhold Wisconsin state income taxes on the applicable amounts. An employer that has already imputed this income should not include it on an employee's 2011 Form W-2. Furthermore, it is not necessary for Wisconsin employers to refund any previously withheld Wisconsin taxes in connection with the imputed Wisconsin income. Because employers must include the exact amount of Wisconsin income taxes withheld on the employee's Form W-2, any affected employee will be credited for those withheld taxes when the employee files his or her 2011 Wisconsin tax return. Please note, however, that an employer must continue to impute income with respect to any adult child who 1) will turn age 27 or older during the tax year, and 2) does not qualify as a dependent under the IRC's pre-Reform Law rules.
FSAs, HRAs, and HSAs. Health-care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) may no longer reimburse participants for over-the-counter medicines or drugs (other than insulin) purchased without a physician's prescription. Similar restrictions apply to health savings accounts (HSAs). Further, the tax on HSA distributions that are not used for qualifying medical expenses has increased from 10 percent to 20 percent. Additionally, effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2012, a $2,500 cap (indexed for inflation) will be imposed on annual contributions to a health-care FSA offered under a cafeteria plan.19
Tax credit for small employers. The Reform Law provides for a temporary "sliding-scale" tax credit to help certain small employers offset the cost of health care.20 The credit is available for employers with 25 or fewer full-time employee equivalents whose average annual wages per employee do not exceed $50,000 (indexed for inflation) for any year until 2013. (Owners and their family members generally are disregarded when calculating the number of employees, average annual wages, and the premiums that the employer paid.) The credit applies only if the employer pays a uniform percentage of at least 50 percent of the cost of employees' premiums, and is reduced if the employer has more than 10 full-time employee equivalents or average annual wages of more than $25,000. The credit generally is 35 percent (25 percent for nonprofit employers) of the premiums the employer pays toward health coverage for its employees. For tax years beginning after 2013, the credit generally is increased to 50 percent (35 percent for nonprofit employers), subject to the reductions described above, but the employer must participate in an insurance exchange to claim the credit, and the credit that may be taken after 2013 is limited to two consecutive tax years.
W-2 reporting. Starting in 2013 (for coverage in 2012), employers will be required to report on the employees' W-2 forms the annual cost of all health plan coverages (for example, medical, dental, vision) received by employees.21 The reported amount must include the employee-paid portion of the coverages. This reporting requirement does not mean that the value of the coverages is taxable. (There has been a tremendous amount of misinformation and confusion regarding this rule.)
Shared responsibility payments by employers that do not offer satisfactory coverage. Beginning in 2014, if an employer that had 50 or more full-time employee equivalents during the preceding calendar year fails to provide minimum essential coverage to full-time employees for any month, and at least one full-time employee receives federal premium assistance under an exchange for that month, then the employer will be required to pay a fine equal to $166.67 times the number of its full-time employees (minus 30 employees) for each such month.22 The employer only needs to identify its full-time employee equivalents for the purpose of determining whether an employer has 50 or more full-time employee equivalents. For purposes of determining who must be offered coverage and calculating the amount of the penalty, a full-time employee is generally one who works an average of 30 hours per week, determined on a monthly basis. The number of employees is calculated by including employees of certain affiliated employers.
Shared responsibility payments by employers that do offer satisfactory coverage. Beginning in 2014, a penalty generally will be payable if an employer that had 50 or more full-time employee equivalents during the preceding calendar year does offer minimum essential coverage to full-time employees for any month, but the coverage is unaffordable and at least one full-time employee opts out of that coverage and receives federal premium assistance under an exchange.23 The coverage will be unaffordable if an employee's share of the premium exceeds 9.5 percent of household income or the plan's share of the total allowed costs provided under the plan is less than 60 percent. In that event, the employer generally must pay a fine equal to $250 times the number of employees who receive the federal premium assistance for the month. However, the monthly penalty is capped at $166.67 times the number of full-time employees (minus 30 employees). For this purpose, a full-time employee is determined in the same manner as described in the preceding paragraph.
Many people have speculated that the shared responsibility rules will result in many employers ceasing to provide health insurance. The assumption is that employers will compare the costs of providing health insurance to the cost of paying the applicable penalty. Given that the penalty will often be smaller than the cost of insurance, some people believe many employers will choose to drop the coverage and pay the penalty.
Of course, the jury is still out on this issue. However, the necessary analysis is not as simple as comparing the penalty to the cost of insurance. For example, many employers view health insurance as an effective recruiting tool, and so insurance may provide some value to employers that is difficult to measure. Furthermore, some employers believe that they can structure their health and wellness programs in a way that will improve employees' health and decrease absenteeism, and that ability will be reduced if they stop providing health insurance coverage. Also, it is important to note that health insurance is deductible by the employer, and the penalty will not be.
Michael E. Skindrud, U.W. 1975, is a shareholder of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. He chairs the firm's health-care practice group, and represents hospital systems, physicians, and health-care insurers statewide. Contact him at the firm's Madison office at (608) 284-2619 or Michael Skindrud
Todd M. Cleary, Cornell 1999, is a shareholder of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. and a member of its employee benefits practice group. He works out of the firm's Madison, Milwaukee, and Waukesha offices. Contact him at (414) 287-9433 or Todd Cleary.
Finally, and perhaps most important, many people believe employees would demand concessions from employers in exchange for the elimination of their health insurance. The most logical substitute for health insurance would be increased wages. However, wages are subject to income tax and payroll taxes (on both the employer and the employee), while health insurance generally is not. Consequently, a dollar spent by an employer on wages might not provide as much value as a dollar spent on health insurance.
The Impact on Hospitals and Physicians
Uncertain future. Physicians and hospitals in Wisconsin face an uncertain and difficult future. The increasing cost of health care is not sustainable, and so pressures are intense to bring these costs under control. This in turn is triggering consolidation in the health-care industry.
A significant problem is the method by which Americans pay for health care. Under today's fee-for-service payment system, health-care providers are paid for each service and procedure they provide, without consideration for the quality of the care, the efficiency with which it is delivered, or whether they are keeping their patients healthy. Achieving high-quality and efficient health care designed to keep patients healthy is hard in communities where health care is highly fragmented among independent providers that do not coordinate and manage the care they provide on a patient-by-patient basis.
Integrated health-care systems of hospitals and physicians and other providers, which are in a better position to coordinate and manage care, exist in many Wisconsin communities, and in fact some integrated health-care systems in Wisconsin (ThedaCare in the Fox Valley and Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse are examples) are nationally recognized for high-quality care that is delivered at lower cost as a result of the integration they have achieved among the providers within their clinical service lines and their proactive care management. One of the key drivers for consolidating health care is to achieve the integration that is necessary to coordinate the delivery of care. When independent physicians seek employment with integrated health-care systems, and when smaller hospitals seek alignment with such systems, they are positioning themselves for survival as the world changes around them.
Many provisions of the Reform Law contain pilot programs for payment for quality, efficiency, and keeping patients healthy, to move away from the fee-for-service mechanism now in place. In the coming years, the programs that work on a pilot basis are likely to be incorporated into Medicare, Medicaid, and the commercial-payer market.
What follows are brief descriptions of several provisions in the Reform Law that illustrate the move to new payment mechanisms. Also noted are other payment risks, which illustrate just how uncertain the economic future is for physicians and hospitals.
Provisions that Move to a New Payment Mechanism
Cuts to Medicare payments for physicians. The Reform Law did not establish how physician compensation for Medicare is determined each year. Most Medicare payment rates are adjusted for inflation. However, the rates for physician services are set by the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. When growth in health-care costs exceeds economic growth, the SGR formula automatically cuts Medicare's physician-reimbursement rates. 24 For the last several years, Congress has passed legislation to suspend cuts in reimbursement rates called for by the SGR formula. If Congress does not act to further suspend these cuts by Dec. 31, 2011, the Medicare pay rate to physicians will automatically be reduced by almost 30 percent beginning in 2012. Several policy commentators believe that allowing this to happen will force further consolidation within the health-care industry, resulting in a greater ability to control costs and improve quality.
Cuts to Wisconsin Medicaid. The Wisconsin Medicaid program provides coverage for almost 20 percent of Wisconsin residents. Gov. Walker's budget added money to Medicaid as federal support is cut back but also proposes a $500 million cut over the next two years. It is not yet clear whether the cuts will reduce the number of persons covered, reduce the services covered, or both. As a result, fewer Wisconsin residents will have Medicaid to help pay for their care. Uncompensated care will increase, particularly in the state's hospital emergency rooms.
Medicare hospital initiatives. Beginning in 2012, hospitals that meet certain performance standards will receive Medicare value-based incentive payments.25 The standards include measures covering specified medical conditions and efficiency measures, namely Medicare spending per beneficiary. Each hospital will receive an aggregate performance score, which will determine whether it will receive an incentive payment. The performance score of each hospital will be made public.
Also beginning in 2012, Medicare will pay a reduced amount to hospitals for excess readmissions arising from certain conditions.26 These are admissions following an earlier admission for certain conditions (heart failure, acute myocardial infarctions, and pneumonia) that represent high volume or high expenditures for Medicare.
Hospitals that are in the top quartile nationally for hospital-acquired conditions (such as infections) will have their Medicare payments for all admissions reduced, beginning in 2015.27 The relevant hospital-acquired conditions are those that have a high cost or high volume for Medicare and could reasonably have been prevented through the application of evidence-based guidelines.
Limits on growth of Medicare spending. The Reform Law established the Independent Medicare Advisory Board, the purpose of which is to reduce the rate of growth of Medicare expenditures. Beginning in 2014 and for each year thereafter, if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services projects that Medicare's spending per beneficiary would grow more rapidly than the medical inflation rate or the growth in per capita medical spending, the board will propose changes to the Medicare program to limit its spending growth for that year. These changes will take effect automatically unless Congress votes to block them.28
Accountable care organizations. The Reform Law establishes a Medicare shared-savings program to begin operation by Jan. 1, 2012, to reward accountable care organizations (ACOs) for the provision to Medicare beneficiaries of high-quality care at lower cost relative to a benchmark.29 ACOs are groups of providers that are jointly responsible for the cost and quality of health care for a defined group of Medicare beneficiaries. These organizations receive bonuses when they provide high-quality, efficient care that saves money for Medicare. Medicare shares its savings with the ACOs that generate them. Providers must work together to accomplish these goals by reducing the duplication of services, eliminating unnecessary procedures, and cutting unnecessary visits to the emergency room.
Payment bundling for episodes of care. The Reform Law creates a national, voluntary pilot program that provides bundled payments to providers for services to Medicare patients for an episode of care. On Aug. 23, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the start of this program and invited applications for participation.30
In Wisconsin, the Partnership for Healthcare Payment Reform, a project of the Wisconsin Health Information Network, is working with Wisconsin providers and insurers to establish a similar program for commercially insured patients, starting with two pilot programs.31 One pilot program will cover an acute-care episode, total knee replacement, covering the period from hospital admission to the 90th day following the admission date. The other program, for coverage of chronic care, will cover a one-year episode of care for adult diabetics. An insurer will make a bundled payment to a group of providers who agree to provide all the care necessary for the patients participating in the pilot program for the episode of care. If the providers provide high-quality care such that there are fewer complications and no hospital readmissions and they control costs by avoiding duplication of services, then the bundled payment is likely to exceed what the providers would have received on a fee-for-service basis. The providers take the risk that poorly managed care will reduce what they would have received were they paid on a fee-for-service basis.
Constitutional Challenges
Two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the PPACA were filed within minutes after President Obama signed the legislation. One action was brought by Virginia's Attorney General32 and the other by Florida's Attorney General along with the attorneys general of 12 other states.33 Both suits contend that this law exceeds the constitutional power of the federal government and usurps powers reserved to the states under the 10th Amendment, by mandating that individuals have health insurance coverage or pay a tax and by forcing states to use their resources to expand Medicaid and administer portions of the Act. More than 20 separate challenges to the Reform Law are pending.
On June 29, 2011, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld the constitutionality of the minimum-coverage provision of the Reform Law.34 On Aug. 12, 2011, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta struck down the individual mandate as unconstitutional but allowed the rest of the law to stand.35 On Sept. 8, 2011, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled that Virginia lacked standing to challenge the individual mandate, vacating the lower court's ruling in the matter.36 On Nov. 8, 2011, the D.C. Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate in a 2-1 ruling. The majority opinion of the D.C. panel, written by Judge Laurence H. Silberman, an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, concluded the individual mandate is a valid exercise of Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause.37
The U.S. Supreme Court, on Nov. 14, 2011, granted certiorari to review certain issues raised in the 11th Circuit case.38 In addition to reviewing whether the individual mandate exceeds federal power under the Commerce Clause, the Court will review the severability issue, that is, whether the individual mandate is so intertwined with the rest of the law that other provisions of the law must fall if the individual mandate is held unconstitutional. It also will review whether the Reform Law's expansion of Medicaid intrudes on state authority. Finally, the Court will review the question of whether actions challenging the individual mandate can be brought now or must wait until taxes are levied for a failure to purchase health insurance, which was the basis of several lower courts' decisions to dismiss the challenges as premature under the Anti-Injunction Act. Oral arguments in the case likely will be in March, with a decision in early summer.
If the individual mandate is finally ruled unconstitutional, a key goal of the Reform Law to extend coverage to most Americans will be endangered, because young and healthy Americans may opt out of the insurance market, leaving an older and less healthy risk pool, which in turn will drive up the cost of insurance. Many other provisions of the law are likely to remain in place and will in time change the way Americans pay for health-care services.
Health care consumes between 15 percent and 20 percent of our nation's economic output, and for a number of Wisconsin communities provides the greatest number of jobs of any business sector. Wisconsin lawyers counsel clients who are seeking coverage for their employees, provide counsel to physicians, serve on hospital boards, and seek coverage for themselves and their employees.
Wisconsin health-care providers are also leaders in the national movement to provide better and more affordable care through coordinated care management and adoption of electronic medical records technology, and Wisconsin insurers have been active participants as well. It is a stressful time for the health-care industry but also a productive time.
1Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (March 23, 2010) (PPACA).
2Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-153, 124 Stat. 1029 (hereinafter Reconciliation Act).
3PPACA § 1501, adding I.R.C. § 5000A(a), (f).
4Id. § 1501, adding I.R.C. § 5000A(b), (c).
5PPACA §§ 9015(a), 10906(a), amending I.R.C. § 3101(b).
6Reconciliation Act § 1402, adding I.R.C.§ 1411.
7PPACA § 2001, amending 42 U.S.C. § 1396a.
8PPACA § 1311(b), adding 42 U.S.C. § 18031.
9PPACA § 1311(d), adding 42 U.S.C. § 18031; PPACA § 1312(d), adding 42 U.S.C. § 18032.
10PPACA § 1312(d), adding 42 U.S.C. § 18032.
11PPACA § 1401, adding I.R.C. § 36B, as amended by Reconciliation Act § 1001.
12PPACA § 1251, adding 42 U.S.C. § 18011.
13PPACA §§ 1001(5), 10101(a), amending 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-11.
14PPACA § 1001, amending 42 U.S.C.§ 300gg-13.
15PPACA § 2716, amending 42 U.S.C.§ 300gg-16.
16PPACA §§ 2704, 10103(e), amending 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-1, 3, 4.
17PPACA § 2714; Reconciliation Act § 2301, amending 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-14.
18Reconciliation Act § 1004(d), amending I.R.C. § 105(b).
19PPACA §§ 9003, 9004, 9005, amending I.R.C. §§ 106, 125, 220, 223.
20PPACA § 1421, adding I.R.C. § 45R.
21PPACA § 9002, amending I.R.C. § 6051.
22PPACA §§ 1513(a), 10106(e), (f), 10108(i)(1)(A), adding I.R.C. § 4980H.
23PPACA § 1513(b), adding I.R.C. § 4980H(c).
24See generally Congressional Budget Office Economic and Budget Issue Brief (Sept. 6, 2006), available at www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=7542.
25PPACA § 3001, adding 42 U.S.C.§ 1395ww(o).
26PPACA § 3025, adding 42 U.S.C.§ 1395ww(q).
27PPACA § 3008, adding 42 U.S.C.§ 1395ww(p).
28PPACA § 3403, adding 42 U.S.C.§ 1395kkk.
29PPACA § 3022, adding 42 U.S.C. § 1395jjj.
30PPACA § 3023, adding 42 U.S.C.§ 1395cc-4.
31See the Partnership of Healthcare Payment Reform, available at http://www.phprwi.com.
32Virginia v. Sebelius, No. 3:10CV188-HEH (E.D. Va) (filed March 23, 2010).
33Florida v. U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., No. 3:10-cv-91-RV/EMT (N.D.Fla.) (filed March 23, 2010).
34Thomas Moore Law Center v. Obama, No. 10-2388 (6th Cir. June 29, 2011).
35Florida v. U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., Nos. 11-11021, 11-11 (11th Cir. Aug. 12, 2011).
36Virginia v. Sebelius, No. 11-1057 (4th Cir. Sept. 8, 2011).
37Seven-Sky v. Holder, No. 1:10-cv-00950 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 8, 2011).
38Florida v. U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., 648 F.3d 1235 (11th Cir. 2011), cert. granted sub nom., Nat'l Fed'n of Indep. Bus. v. Sebelius, 2011 WL 5515162 (U.S. Nov. 14, 2011) (Nos. 11-393, 11-398, 11-400).
Wisconsin Lawyer


text:
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2011 - Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous insurgents and detained several others in operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported.
Security forces in Kunduz province's Imam Sahib district killed numerous armed insurgents and detained several suspected militants. Afghan and coalition troops were searching for a Taliban district leader responsible for weapons trafficking, kidnappings and recruiting insurgents. Several armed insurgents were killed after opening fire on the approaching security force. Troops came under attack again during their search through the compound. Two more insurgents were killed during the second attack. Several suspected insurgents were taken into custody for additional questioning.
In other operations yesterday:
-- Afghan forces killed two armed insurgents who attacked an Afghan-coalition patrol in Ghazni province's Andar district. Security forces spotted the two insurgents planting roadside bombs yesterday morning. Afghan forces tracked the insurgents to a nearby mosque and killed them. Afghan troops found two assault rifles, a pistol and several bombs in the dead militants' possession.
-- Security forces in Khost province's Sabari district detained several suspected insurgents in an operation to take down a Haqqani network leader. The leader is responsible for trafficking weapons and explosive devices to militants throughout the province.
-- Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban leader and two of his associates in Nangahar province's Sherzad district. The Taliban leader is responsible for assassinating local villagers who cooperate with security forces. Tips for local residents led troops to the Taliban leader's location.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained an alleged Taliban leader Zabul province's Shah Joy district. The suspect reportedly is connected to a recent attack that wounded four Afghan civilians in the area. He is also responsible for killing a member of the local peace council. Two other suspects also were detained.
-- Security forces captured a Taliban leader in Wardak province responsible for planning and carrying out attacks on Afghan and coalition troops in the province's Sayyidabad district.
-- Afghan and coalition forces destroyed a Taliban bomb factory in Kunduz province. Security forces identified five buildings in the area that contained bomb-making materials, artillery rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and homemade explosives. Security forces cleared the area of innocent civilians before requesting the air strike, which destroyed the facility.
©2013- Veterans Internet Service
Not Affliated with DOD or any Government agency


text:
Shay Chen
Hacktics ASC, Ernst & Young
Shay Chen is the CTO of Hacktics, an advanced security center of Ernst & Young.
As the co-author of Diviner and WAVSEP, he was involved in the publication of several large-scale researches in the field of automated security scanners (including the latest 2012 comparison of 61 web application scanners).
He is also a prominent blogger and researcher, and is responsible for many security publications, including new application level attacks, open source projects, testing methodologies and various security tools comparison initiatives.
Shay is an experienced speaker, and regularly instructs a wide variety of security related courses. He has over ten years in information technology and security, including a strong background in software development.


text:
I'm a relatively small investor, and I'm interested in building my own fully-automated quantitative trading strategy. I also read about dark pools, and how difficult it is to get good prices on orders.
My question is, in the context of the other players on the market, how much capital is necessary to create a viable trading strategy? I realize that getting a high profit margin will be nearly impossible.
The kind of trading strategy I'm referring to would hold securities anywhere from a day to a year. I'm not looking to do HFT or scalping.


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Fiona worked with me at Anam Cara Writers and Artists' Retreat last May, on a week-long workshop entitled 'The Short Story - So Much More than it Seems'. We had a great time - the place was abuzz with ideas, writing games, talk about story craft, and writing exercises to practice the theory. There were lots of tips shared, tips that work for me as a writer - with the caveat that of course, they may not work for everyone. But they certainly worked for Fiona.
Fiona sent me this just now: (reproduced here with her kind permission!)
Hi Vanessa,
After a few years of entering short story competitions and not getting shortlisted, I've finally made the runner's up list in The Fish Short Story Prize which is a mighty leap forward for me!
I followed your advice among the gems you shared with us at an Anam Cara workshop last year - I started writing Wrong Whisky at the drowsy point just before going to sleep and the story took over, so there's lot to be said for putting pen to paper in a tired/about to fall asleep state, that's when the story was born. I wrote the bulk of it over a few nights in the sleepy state and I had no idea at any point what would happen next. Also I remembered your other advice about getting stories into competitions way before the deadline which I did for once.
So many thanks for the good advice, I'm glad I followed it, and look what happened - I got shortlisted in a highly regarded competition, made it to the runner up list and Wrong Whisky will be published in the anthology (my first short story to be published), so happy days! I would highly recommend drowsy/sleepy writing to other writers.
All the best,
Fiona O'Rourke (Wexford, Ireland)
That's the best thing, for a teacher - to know that something passed on has made a difference. Good stuff, innit! So here's a second pint...
I'm delighted to be running "The Short Story -so much more than it seems" again this year, at Anam Cara Writers' and Artists' Retreat from June 9th to 16th. If you are interested in finding out more, about this or any of the inspirational workshops and retreat possibilities at this wonderful place, check out the Anam Cara website and workshop schedule, Link HERE In the 30 acre grounds are these cascades - the sound of the waterfalls lulls you to sleep at night, and in the day, you can find a nook to make your own, to write in or dream in for as long as you like... it is just blissful.


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"Beware the Ides of March," the prophetic Roman soothsayer wails. The dismissive dictator replies, "He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass."
Aye, bitter irony. On March 15, the Ides of March, 44 B.C., assassins murdered Caesar.
In 2013, the Ides of March fell on a Friday. In Washington, D.C., 21st century America's version of a gaudy Roman circus, Friday is the day for dumping on our mute national press corps those large and inconvenient truths that embarrass the Obama administration.
Make haste, loyal White House press corps! Assassinate this story, and let the dark soil of weekend celebrity chatter and sensationalism bury its foul corpse. To quote our former secretary of state, Lady Macbeth, "Out damn Benghazi spot."
On Friday, the Ides of March, 2013, recently confirmed Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel quietly announced that the Obama administration would deploy an additional 14 Ground Based Interceptors (GBIs) long-range anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs). GBIs are the "long arrow" in the prophetic U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) very limited ABM system.
The system is designed to deter and, if necessary, intercept a 21st century form of political agitation, economic extortion and en masse assassination: a rogue power, such as Iran or North Korea, acquiring nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and then on some truly terrible day launching a nuclear attack.
With a few noticeable exceptions (e.g., the Wall Street Journal), Hagel's jaw-dropping turnabout announcement drew a press shrug, then got buried -- interred with Caesar's bones.
President Obama, however, couldn't man up and pull the switcheroo himself. Nope, the superficially Republican Hagel delivered the decision, which vindicates the bete noir of American leftists, Ronald Reagan. It also vindicates the B-Team analysis of North Korea's 1998 missile test.
The Obama administration decision reverses three decades of left-wing Democratic Party opposition to missile defense. According to these peacenik scoffers, missile defense wasn't just a dream, it was a delusion. The decision radically deflates (though does not erase the memory) of the peaceniks ugly, partisan ad hominem assaults on missile defense soothsayers.
MDA was originally SDI, Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. An interim acronym existed during the Clinton administration, BMDO, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. A handful of Democrats, Les Aspin among them, knew that new missile, sensor and weapons technologies rendered the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty a Cold War fossil. But these Dems faced an awkward opponent. According to their own party peaceniks and their political collaborators in the national press, Ronald Reagan couldn't be right.
Recognizing the genuine threat, BMDO served as political cover for keeping SDI research, acquisition and potential deployment alive.
The peacenik hackery and thuggery revived when the George W. Bush administration withdrew from the ABM treaty, however. Oh, provocation! A threat to world peace!
No, hacks. North Korea's threat to wage nuclear war on South Korea and America -- that is a provocation, and one so large even Barack Obama can't ignore it.
If you think 14 missiles simply wasn't a big enough number for today's trillion-dollar press corps, recall that in September 2009, 10 GBIs was an earthshaking bigfoot deal. That's when the Obama administration cancelled the Bush administration's carefully structured deployment of 10 GBIs to Poland. Those missiles were a critical part of a layered NATO ABM system designed to defend Western Europe against an Iranian missile.
President Obama cashed them in for a "reset" in relations with Russia. That "reset" failed, abysmally.
Obama's 2008 campaign pledge to negotiate an end to Iran's nuclear weapon quest has been another diplomatic zero. On March 14, President Obama himself told us Iran is "a year or so" away from developing nuclear weapons. "But obviously we don't want to cut it too close."
Aye, ironists. The noble Barack doth echo George W.'s description of Saddam Hussein's Iraq as a "grave and gathering danger," which consciously paraphrased Winston Churchill's assessment of Adolf Hitler's mounting threat.