text:
Record first step
In an attempt to improve local government transparency, an effort is underway to investigate the feasibility to record Wapakoneta City Council meetings and to air them on local television outlets and computer websites.
Council's Communications and Rules Committee members agreed improving transparency of government actions and decisions prompted the hour-long meeting to investigate possible options to video record meetings.
"I am a believer that people need to be able to trust their government and the first step to that is transparency," 4th Ward Councilor Chad Doll said Wednesday after chairing the committee meeting. "If people feel the government is hiding something then there is no trust and it is hard to move the community forward so I think this is a valuable tool — it is one way to alleviate those fears and to add to the transparency."
The city already posts meeting minutes on its websites and the media, specifically the Wapakoneta Daily News, is present at most meetings to inform the public, Doll said, "but anything we can add to improve that transparency, adds to that level of trust."
Committee members made no recommendation Wednesday regarding the recording of council meetings.
"Tonight we didn't get much further then this is something we may want to do and I think we have a lot of research to do to determine how we want to do it and how much we want to invest in a program like this," Doll said. "I really think this is something we want to do and we will go from there."
Committee members only decided to further investigate the possibility of televising council meeting through a taped-delay system. Airing council meetings on television was first discussed by councilors approximately five years ago.
Game Face Ohio representative Todd Utrup discussed options with the setting up of cameras and recording devices with committee members and city administrators.
Utrup said city officials need to determine how many cameras they want in council chambers and then how much they intend to spend on a switcher, which changes the view between cameras and sends the signal to a recording device, cameras and a recording device.
He suggested a three-camera system would be most desirable, with one providing a wide view of council, a second providing a view of the gallery and a third being a pan-tilt-zoom camera to focus on a councilor or guest speaking.
Utrup said the city could go with a simple one-camera system to save money.
"If you take shortcuts in dollars, the system will be more complex to use," Utrup said. "You have to decide are you doing this for government transparency or are you doing it for the people to watch. If you are doing it for people to watch, then you will want a better system."
Councilor-at-large Randy Fisher said he would not support a one-camera system, expressing his favor for at least a two-camera system that shows councilors and the gallery.
"If we are not going to do it right then we shouldn't do it at all," Fisher said. "If we start with a low quality system then nobody will watch it and then there will be no reason to advance to a higher quality system."
Councilor-at-large Dan Graf said he would like Council Clerk Terry McDonald to contact the state municipal clerks association or the city's information technology (IT) employee Steve Schuler to learn of other municipalities that record their meetings and how they record and air the meetings.
Graf said they could talk with administrators from these communities to learn the advantages and disadvantages of the systems.
Mayor Rodney Metz and Safety-Service Director Bill Rains estimated a system would cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
Doll said the cost of the system would influence the committee's recommendation, but their decision would likely not garner unanimous approval from residents.
"I think anytime you talk about spending any type of money — whether we go low end, middle of the road, or high end — there will be disagreement in how it was done," Doll said. "I think with most projects people would see the value in having a record of what goes on at city council meetings and with other city business."


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|2006-05-30, 10:37
|Link #1
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: new york city
PS3 Discussion Thread
We all know that the ps3 controller will support some BullSh*t half-assed motion sensor technology, and replace the rumble feature (which we all have grown to love). Sure, that motion sensor technology might even be the next big thing in video game controlling, but wouldn't it be great to have the rumble feature along with it? I mean, if we had to choose to get rid of something, then I would rather do away with some motion sensor sh*t, then do away with the rumble feature. Like a good buddy of mine said:
"Whether it's smashing your car along side another vehicle or drowning your enemies with ak-47 rounds, you can always feel the devastation your cuasing right in the palm of your hands [when using the ps2's rumble feature], and I think this feeling is almost irreplacable."
Basically, I could care less if my ps3 controller allows me to control an airplane up, down or side to side, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. So I was wondering if it might be a possible loop-hole to use our (now old) ps2 controllers (with the rumble feature) on future ps3 games. I mean, it would be sweet if the developers (like konami) would anticipate people using their ps2 controllers with their ps3 games and have hidden rumble support within their popular games (like MGS4). Do you guys think such a feat is even plausible?
|2006-05-30, 13:22
|Link #5
I can see time itself!
I'm still wondering how it feels to fly a plane with the axis motion sensoring, because... Well, you usually fly a plane with a stick, and I can't be the only one who gets so engrossed in gaming that you actually lean to the left and right and lean forwards and backwards at times...
So how the hell will that work with that? :P
|2006-05-30, 19:45
|Link #6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Since Sony got sued by Immersion they probably decided that they could do without rumble (and avoid paying MS in the process, they're share holders now) and simultaneously steal Nintendo's thunder by adding a gyro (edit: Oh yeah, that plan didn't work).
And you can't use the PS2 controller with the PS3. There are no controller ports. Even if there were, none of the developers would make rumble an option because the standard PS3 controller does not have it.
I remember seeing an interview with Kojima and they asked him about the controller. He was not pleased to say the least. I bet he was probably building MGS4 around the Dualshocks rumble feedback and now he has to scrap it because Sony didn't tell any of the developers that they were removing rumble. Kojima did say that he will now use the tilt sensor in MGS4 but admits that it does not make up for the lack of rumble.
Last edited by rdkenshin; 2006-05-30 at 22:07.
|2006-05-30, 23:11
|Link #7
the Iniquitous
Inmersion commented that they would help sony to put rumble back if they drop the appeal.
|2006-05-30, 23:38
|Link #8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
I read its transcript, and there was no mention of him being not pleased. He says something along the lines of "we've lost one, and we've gained one", indicating that they'll try to maximize use of the tilting technology. I can imagine it being used for tilting to peek across corners and such.
It's unlikely Sony will drop the appeal, and I wonder how Microsoft's 10% stake in the company will affect this hoo haa.
|2006-05-31, 00:15
|Link #9
the Iniquitous
I think that the excuse that sony gave was pretty lame, and immersion answer is kind of mocking and making fun of sony. The wiimote has not only motion sensing but a pointing device and even a speaker, and that doesnt seem to present much of a problem with the rumble feature of the controller, this practically confirms that the real reason behind dropping the rumble was the lawsuit and not technical limitations. Immersion comments on sony are borderline insulting when they sid "is not that difficult to do".
|2006-05-31, 14:31
|Link #10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Yeah, I was thinking he would use it to peak around corners, too. That would be a good use for it.
Last edited by rdkenshin; 2006-05-31 at 16:11.
|2006-05-31, 21:29
|Link #11
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: new york city
Regarding MGS4, I think Kojima has to change much more of the gameplay then he's letting in on (because of the missing rumble feature in the ps3 controller). I'm making this assumption because he did that whole cell-phone (rumble) thing in metal gear solid 2, and generally, likes to include the rumble (very innovatively) within the gameplay itself. But I don't think he's the only developer who has to rework their game.
In either case, I was wondering what you guys think about losing the rumble feature as a whole, and how it will impact the way you enjoy your games.
|2006-05-31, 23:21
|Link #12
Is rather bored...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Florida USA
Age: 30
I think the rumble feature adds another level of detail and feeling of immersion to games. The loss of the rumble feature sucks. But, will the motion feature be worth it? It remains to be seen, I doubt it though. The motion sensor here just isn't the same as the Wii's and may not be worth the loss of the rumble.
|2006-06-01, 02:49
|Link #13
Sui Yein Ng 13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Canada
Age: 34
Oh that sucks! I thought that the rumble feature was delayed and Sony got sued for their analog sticks!
Anyway, I'd rather take rumber over motion! Like Orchunter226 said, it does make a difference in gameplay, I love to see my gf freak out playing Fatal Frame and just so the controller shakes and scares the sh*t outta her!
|2006-06-01, 18:35
|Link #14
In a professional standpoint, the reason why they said that the rumble feature was missing due to hardware limitations (or you can say "lied") was because of business relations with other companies. Usually, on lawsuits, representatives are NOT supposed to say that "Immersion is suing us and they can go **** themselves". Not only would the Sony reps be getting in trouble for violating non-disclosure agreements, but speakin of such terms could lead to misunderstandings/rumors that could give a negative impact to the company in general (as if Sony and software developers aren't hurt), regardless if they know the corporate deals with the lawsuit or not.
|2006-06-03, 01:00
|Link #16
ロリ is life~
Join Date: Dec 2005
Unlike the Wii controller which can detect 3D space and movement, the PS3 controller has limited motion detection to 3 axis'. Basically it only senses tilt and acceleration. Also the fact that the shell is basically a "dual shock" style controller limits those movements further.
If it's not a gimmick, then I don't know what is.
|2006-06-03, 02:32
|Link #17
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: new york city
What exsactly does your specifics on the ps3 half-assed montion sensor feature (which has already been established to suck compared to the competition), have to do with the discussion at hand?
|2006-06-03, 04:04
|Link #18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
I guess the easiest way round it is to just remove them from the game.
|2006-06-03, 06:17
|Link #19
Join Date: May 2006
Location: where Grudge is Greatest, Rancour Endless and Malice Eternal(at school^^;;)
This rumble thing you guys talk about, is that the build in thingies that make controllers vibrate?
I was just thinking, are there any ps1/ps2 games which has levels that actually requires the vibrations? (ie. where the player would partially/completely depend on it)
If there are then it's yet another slap on sony, because I remember they were all proud to mention the ps3 being backwards compatible, it was one of their sales argument.
*slaps sony*
|2006-06-13, 02:46
|Link #20
I will eat your cookies!!
PS 3 Discussion
okay.. so i been reading some topics around here and some thought's passed my mind.
ps3 will beusing blue ray disks right? expensive much
ps3 cant be chiped? blue ray disks +games ar wayyy too expensive
the ps3 might cost alot itself
so is it worth it... buying a ps3?
|console, ps3, sony
|Thread Tools

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Seven Deaths Confirmed in Arkansas
Authorities have now confirmed seven deaths in Arkansas after a severe storm
Category: General News
Washington Wildfires - Persisting
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — There's no relief forecast for firefighters battling Washington's wildfires.
National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Van Horn says the fires could kick up a little bit Friday with instability in the atmosphere, and a lightning storm is forecast for Saturday with little rain.
Firefighters are taking down dead trees to create a fire line on U.S. Highway 97 between two large fires that may merge. The highway over Blewett Pass is closed to allow firefighters to work.
Several fires in the Table Mountain fire complex north of Ellensburg have already merged to cover 47 square miles. Residents of 161 homes in that area have been urged to leave.
That large fire is now burning close to another fire in the Wenatchee fire complex.


text:
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) – A northeast Ohio man charged with violating the federal Clean Water Act is suspected of having an employee repeatedly dump gas-drilling wastewater into a storm sewer, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Hardrock Excavating LLC owner Ben Lupo, of nearby Poland, appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said.
Lupo, 62, faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a year of supervised release if convicted.
No attorney was listed for him in court records and there was no immediate comment in response to a message left at his office.
Authorities allege Lupo repeatedly directed that unknown amounts of drilling mud and brine be discharged into a sewer that empties into the Mahoning River watershed. They say Lupo admitted giving such orders six times, but an employee told authorities waste was dumped into the drain at least 20 times.
The employee told the investigators that Lupo had issued a directive to say, if questioned by officials about it, that the dumping had occurred only four or six times.
Investigators following up on an anonymous tip about the illegal dumping visited Hardrock, a brine hauler, two weeks ago and found a hose running from a storage tank into a storm drain, Dettelbach said. The facility's approximately 58 storage tanks each can hold about 20,000 gallons.
An Ohio Environmental Protection Agency crew went to the scene the following morning and found a tank drained to within 18 inches of the bottom. The amount allegedly drained wasn't specified.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources revoked the permits of Hardrock and D&L Energy after workers at the companies' Youngstown headquarters reported seeing the material being dumped.
Dettelbach said the investigation is ongoing and declined to comment on whether others might be charged.
"Obviously the existence of Utica Shale and natural gas under our feet provide a great opportunity for Ohio, but it also provides a challenge for us," he said. "Companies and workers must follow the rules when they extract this valuable natural resource."
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said the state intends to take civil action in the case in regard to allegations of illegal storage, transportation and disposal. DeWine says fines for such violations could total thousands of dollars daily.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


text:
of degrees
& programs
Fall: April 15
Spring: November 1
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into the applicant's academic abilities and talents, as well as comment on the applicant's aptitude for graduate study and research, particularly as related to Translational Research. Recommendations from college/university faculty members are preferred.
Proficiency in Statistics and Basic Clinical Medicine is highly desired.
A baccalaureate in a Clinical or Basic Science is required.
The Statement of Goals should be no more than 750 words in length. It should describe important academic and research achievements and specific interests in Translational Research. It also should specify how your research interests relate to your ultimate career goals in Clinical Medicine and/or Translational Research.
The GRE or MCAT is required. Scores on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE should be 500 or higher. Test scores must be from the past five years.
Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based.
A resume or curriculum vitae is required.
An interview is required.
Test Waivers:
Postdoctoral applicants who hold a terminal degree from an accredited institution may request a waiver of the GRE/MCAT.
Total Number of Credits Required: 36
Required Courses:
Core courses in the College of Health Professions (12 s.h.)
Core courses in the School of Medicine (9 s.h.)
Elective courses in an area of research interest (9 s.h.)
Research project (6 s.h.)
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
The master's thesis documents the independent research of the student and demonstrates mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Thesis research is conducted under the direct supervision of an academic advisor from both the School of Medicine and the College of Health Professions. The specific topic for research should be of current interest in the professional community and relevant to Translational Research. After a research topic is selected, a thesis proposal is submitted describing a plan for completion of the proposed research. The student may continue the research only after the initial proposal is approved by the committee.
Department Information:
Department of Public Health
College of Health Professions
Ritter Hall Annex, 9th Floor (004-09)
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Deborah Nelson, Ph.D.
Henry Parkman, M.D.
Graduate Chairperson:
Alice Hausman, Ph.D.
Department Chairperson:
Alice Hausman, Ph.D.
The M.S. program in Clinical Research and Translational Medicine provides detailed training in the requirements for conducting clinical research and an understanding of the complex scientific, ethical, and regulatory issues associated with such research. This degree program addresses the increased emphasis on high-quality clinical research to help translate the findings of basic research into clinical care.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Courses are also offered at the Center City and Health Sciences Center campuses.
Full-time study is required.
Ritter Hall Annex, 9th Floor (004-09)
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Required and elective courses are offered through the College of Health Professions, School of Medicine, and other departments within the University.
The program is collaboratively offered by the College of Health Professions and the School of Medicine.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Graduates of this program are prepared to be faculty members or researchers in colleges and universities or to hold research-related positions in a wide range of organizations. Graduates may be employed in health systems, hospitals and clinics, public health departments, and public health and other healthcare and human service agencies. Graduates also work in pharmaceutical companies, non-profit and for-profit corporations, foundations, and consulting firms with a focus on interdisciplinary and translational research.
Students are permitted to take up to 9 s.h. of coursework before matriculation. Entry into these courses as a non-matriculated student is at the instructor's discretion. If accepted into the program, those courses may be applied toward the degree requirements. Course selection should be made in consultation with an advisor, and students should be aware that completion of coursework does not ensure admission into the program.
Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Research Assistants (RAs) provide 20 hours of service per week. TAs may be assigned to assist in the teaching of courses, including grading examinations and papers or teaching laboratory sections. Some TAs independently teach undergraduate courses. RAs perform supervised research activities. Both assistantships carry a minimum stipend and full tuition remission for up to 9 credits per semester. Applications for assistantships are available from the Department of Public Health and must be submitted by January 15 for the following Fall semester. The application requires a statement of previous teaching and/or research experience, areas of interest, and future goals; unofficial copies of transcripts; and a curriculum vitae. The department makes offers of assistantships following admission to the program. Applications should be addressed to Dr. Alice Hausman, Chair of the Department of Public Health, Temple University, Ritter Hall Annex, 9th Floor (004-09), 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091.
Updated 3.11.09


text:
Event: Bollywood celebs Arjun Rampal, Neha Dhupia, Salim-Suleiman, Kabir Bedi, Nana Patekar, Mandira Bedi, Nisha Jamwal and others were snapped at Percept Excellence Awards.
Guest List: Neha Dhupia, Mehr Rampal, Dipti Bhatnagar, Arjun Rampal, Mandira Bedi, Nisha Jamwal, Shweta Salve, Shama Sikander, Bhushan Kumar, Kabir Bedi, Parveen Dusanj, Nagesh Kukunoor, Nana Patekar, Divya Khosla Kumar, Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant, Ranjeet
Bollywood celeb Aamir Khan along with wife Kiran Rao were spotted at PVR.
Bollywood producers-directors Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Krishan Kumar, Ravi Bahl, Divya Khosla Kumar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Wardha Nadiadwala celebrate diwali with Bhushan Kumar
Bollywood celebs Kareena Kapoor Khan, Malaika Arora, Sonali Bendre, Nimrat Kaur among others were snapped by paparazzi.Bebo looked super cool in a casual look. She wore a white t-shirt with yoga pants...
Bollywood actress Shama Sikander celebrated Diwali festival at her residence.
Bollywood celebs Aamir Khan, Zaira Wasim, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Anil Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari, Aparshakti Khurrana, Bhushan Kumar, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajkumar Hir...


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Northern Illinois University is committed to appropriately providing information about the university to requestors.
Much of the information is readily available on-line or through a simple, verbal or email request through the university's Institutional Communications office 815-753-1681 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Media and individual requestors of information about Northern Illinois University are encouraged to contact NIU's Institutional Communications office via phone or email to determine if the information requested is immediately available PRIOR to filing a formal Freedom of Information request, pursuant to Public Act 096-0542.
Freedom of Information Act requests
Complex requests or those that will require significant research should be filed using the Freedom of Information Act online submission form.
The Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications processes all university freedom of information requests (FOIA) in accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
As permitted by law, for administrative and environmental purposes, we prefer but do not require FOIA requests to be submitted using this online submission form. You may submit your request using this FOIA form (PDF) or other clear form of communication should you prefer to print your request and submit it manually.
FOIA Information
To read about changes to the Freedom of Information Act enacted in 2010, see IL Public Act 096-0542. For more information about FOIA, see the Illinois Attorney General's website.


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Pugh, Thomas A. M. and Ryder, James and MacKenzie, A. Robert and Moller, Sarah J. and Lee, James D. and Helfter, Carol and Nemitz, Eiko and Lowe, Douglas and Hewitt, C. Nicholas (2010) Modelling chemistry in the nocturnal boundary layer above tropical rainforest and a generalised effective nocturnal ozone deposition velocity for sub-ppbv NOx conditions. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 65. pp. 89-110.


text:
Moderator: Tuefish
Tzan wrote:Quantumsurfer wrote:I generally agree with TzanWarhead wrote:I agree with QuantumSmurfer.
I agree with Warhead.
Zupponn wrote:Because Canada is America's little brother and they're jealous of that.
Han Solo wrote: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side kid.
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pitbullmamaliz wrote:Are you going to get to see him?
Pit♥Bull wrote:Hope Connor has a swift recovery and you are able to keep that new vehicle
Pit♥Bull wrote:I've heard of 'soap on a rope' but not 'bone on a rope'
mnp13 wrote:Pit♥Bull wrote:I've heard of 'soap on a rope' but not 'bone on a rope'
Never a dull moment with Connor! We grind our chicken and turkey, but there's no way to grind deer femurs. I can't imagine that was the first bone chunk that he has ever swallowed, but having it end up wrapped up with the rope was the main problem.
mnp13 wrote:pitbullmamaliz wrote:Are you going to get to see him?
No. I asked the Dr about it, and she said they are keeping him heavily sedated and it's best if he doesn't get excited. It's really hard for me not to though.
maberi wrote:I can try to find that inflatable e-collar if you need it Michelle. I can't imagine a plastic one will hold up on Connor
maberi wrote:I'm SOOOO glad to hear Conner came out of surgery ok. He really is one of the sweetest dogs I have met. Connor's symptoms sound just like Kaydens when he had his obstruction. Shaking and wouldn't eat at home and then as soon as I got him into the e-vet he was all excited and I had to try to convince them he really was acting odd at home.
Ino wrote:I am so glad to hear Connor will be ok! I am sure that had you freaking out!!! Blockages and bloat are the 2 things I am paranoid about when it comes to Ino because of hearing tragic stories. Eventhough Ino tries to spit things out when he kills his toys- sometimes pieces get stuck on his tongue and go down. Rope toys are the hardest things for him to spit pieces of out. They get soggy and stuck in his teeth cause he is determined to shred them at super speeds- so I have to limit him with them. Once he starts shredding them- I have to take them away cause he would do that all day if I let him and I am sure he would end up in a bad situation. Thank you for sharing your story, Michelle. Ino was starting to make me feel guilty for taking toys away (he's the king of dirty looks) when he starts getting pieces off but now I realize it can get dangerous fast- especially since this years vet visits already have me in the hole and I am not sure how I would afford surgery. How does care credit work? I read about it once but think it said something about certain vets taking certain plans but I cant remember if that was care credit or a pet insurance plan insurance.
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If the economy' s been kicking you hard in the balls for the last couple of years causing the prices to skyrocket and your life quality to dramatically drop, but still, somehow you want your wedding to be unforgettable, then it's probably high time you started browsing through the offers of some low budget photograpgers. You know you want our astonishing and clever methods, don' t you? Right? Wrong! Low budgeters are good for nothing amateurs wielding expensive looking cameras! What we offer are the professional and cost efficient services of the highly respected wedding photographer dublin (dkphoto.ie)
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Clue: Parsons or Paton
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text:
The Healthcare Penalties Are Coming!!
John Lynn is the Founder of the HealthcareScene.com blog network which currently consists of 10 blogs containing over 8000 articles with John having written over 4000 of the articles himself. These EMR and Healthcare IT related articles have been viewed over 16 million times. John also manages Healthcare IT Central and Healthcare IT Today, the leading career Health IT job board and blog. John is co-founder of InfluentialNetworks.com and Physia.com. John is highly involved in social media, and in addition to his blogs can also be found on Twitter: @techguy and @ehrandhit and LinkedIn.
We all know about the Meaningful Use penalties. The PQRS penalties. The Value Based Modifier penalties. Individually, they'd all be annoying, but I don't think most healthcare organizations have understood what these penalties will be in aggregate.
This hit home to me when I was reading a smartly titled post by Jim Tate called "What you don't do in 2015 will cause 9% CMS penalties in 2017" Here's how he describes the penalties that are in store for healthcare:
MU: Failing to achieve MU in 2014 will bring a 2% penalty beginning in 2016 with a 1% annual increase up to 5%.
Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS): Non-participation brings a Medicare reimbursement reduction of 2.0% in 2016 based on 2014 data.
Value-Based Modifier(VBM): The VBM, which many providers are not aware of, is linked to PQRS. Beginning in 2016, eligible providers (EPs) in groups with 10 or more EPs will be subject to a penalty based on performance. In 2017, this will include all EPs, not just those in larger groups.
Taken together, this adds up to a 9% penalty in 2017 based on 2015 participation.
To avoid these penalties, immediately assess your current participation in the MU, PQRS, and VBM programs. If you are not on track you must take steps to mitigate your risk as soon as possible.
Risk mitigation is the right way to describe it. As I mentioned in the beginning, I don't think that many providers are planning ahead to avoid these penalties. I also don't think they realize the long term consequences of the choices they make today.
Thanks Jim for waking us up to the reality.


text:
ST. PETERSBURG | Federal agents raided Universal Health Care's headquarters early today, according to employees who were escorted from the building shortly after 8 a.m.
ST. PETERSBURG | Federal agents raided Universal Health Care's headquarters early today, according to employees who were escorted from the building shortly after 8 a.m.
The insolvent St. Petersburg Medicare insurer is in the process of being liquidated by state regulators, with nearly 800 employees losing their jobs and thousands of Medicare members forced to seek other coverage.
Agents entered the building around 8 a.m. and told employees that they needed to evacuate.
Hundreds of employees, including some of whom already had been laid off, were expected to be at Universal today for a job fair beginning at 9 a.m.
The workers were told the fair in a large first-floor meeting room would likely still go on but were given no specifics.
Several employees said that for a week they have noticed people patrolling the halls, uncertain whether they were police or other authorities.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has accused the company of a broad pattern of financial mismanagement, including fraud and diversion of funds.
The Florida Department of Financial Services has been appointed as receiver overseeing Universal's dismantling. A spokeswoman for the department acknowledged "a lot of confusion" regarding Medicare options, but deferred any questions about the transition to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS indicated that impacted Universal customers are initially being placed in original Medicare and "a comparable prescription drug plan." Members are being notified that they're allowed to change their coverage to a privately run Medicare Advantage plan from now until May 31, but the onus is on individual members to make the move.
The hitch is that any change in coverage won't become effective until the first day of the month after the request is received. So if enrollees wait until next week to pick a new private plan, they will have to wait until May 1 for it to become effective — and shell out a copay in the meantime.
Effective April 1, the state is liquidating two related Universal Health Care companies with nearly 140,000 members combined: Universal Health Care Insurance, which has about 37,500 Medicare policyholders, and Universal Health Care Inc., an HMO with about 60,000 Medicaid members and 40,000 Medicare members.
Most of the insurer's roughly 800 employees are losing their jobs this week. The bulk of them work out of its downtown St. Petersburg headquarters.


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This long range open fisherman is proof that beauty can be more than skin deep.
The upsacale cabin is spacious for a 31' vessel, with berths for four, full galley, teak and holley sole and enclosed head with shower. Cockpit amenities include bait prep center, transom fishbox, dual washdowns, and transom door with gate. The bridgedeck lifts hydraulically for engine access. Always noted for the obsessive attention to details, this Cabo is no exception and a must see if you are considering a 31' Express Cabo.
For more details and to schedule a viewing contact Larry Davis at 251.989.5787.
4851 Wharf Parkway, Suite D-224
P.O. Box 650
Orange Beach, AL 36561
United States


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Reviewed by Lindzie B. (age 11)
I really liked the book because I liked how Lucy changed her mind at the end of the book. She reminded me of myself when I always ate a hamburger at Max's until one day I decided to get something else.
I felt good reading the book because it was interesting and it made me think about how California looked a long time ago. I recommend this book to people who like unique books about the olden days.


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Some people do so much with so little.
Some people do so little with so much.
Some people do so little with so much.
Just a thought.
Charles C. Goodin
Posted by Charles C. Goodin on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Charles C. Goodin (email@example.com) is a Karate researcher and writer, and the head of the Hawaii Karate Museum. These are his personal thoughts... and those of some excellent Guest Writers. See our Table of Contents.
"Karate Jutsu" means "China Hand art". Karate came to Okinawa from China. Only in the 1930s or so, was the term "Karate" changed to mean "Empty Hand". "China Hand" was used in Hawaii until after World War II, and is still used in some dojo.
For more information, please visit the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai website.
The spirit of Karate is the Aloha spirit.


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August Auto Sales Boom, But Is The Party Over?
September 5, 2013 by RVBusiness Comments Off on August Auto Sales Boom, But Is The Party Over?
Automakers sold new cars and trucks so fast in August they blew past even the most optimistic forecasts.
USA Today reported that the month's annualized sales pace was 16.1 million, Autodata reported, a rate not seen since November 2007 before the Great Recession. A year ago, the pace was 14.5 million, and that didn't seem bad at the time.
The raw numbers: 1.5 million new vehicles sold in August, up from a bit fewer than 1.3 million a year ago.
Year to date, car companies have sold 10.6 million new vehicles, up from 9.7 million a year ago and a difference enough to keep three or four big auto factories running full blast.
The people buying all those cars and trucks are making big ones their favorites — as if there'd never been $4 gasoline — and are paying higher prices. TrueCar.com said the average transaction price in August hit a record $31,252.
And the Japanese brands — so beloved before the recession, then somewhat out of favor — have roared back. Toyota displaced Ford in the No. 2 U.S. sales spot in August; Honda inched past Chrysler into fourth.
But just as the party seems unstoppable, the high times might, in fact, be about over. If retired Fed chairman Alan Greenspan were noodling the auto business, he might be muttering "irrational exuberance."
"We expect September to retreat a little," cautioned Volkswagen Group of America CEO Jonathan Browning, a master at understatement, after VW announced sales Wednesday, foretelling the tone of others.
"Some might say we're back to the heady days of 2007 with the same kind of sales rate as in the pre-Great Recession era. To that we might caution 'Not so fast,' " says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
What's up, why it might go down:
• Trucks, big and profitable, boomed in August. Ford sold more than 70,000 F-Series pickups, only the second time this year. Chevrolet's big-pickup sales rose 24.3% even though it's just now getting the redesigned 2014 models fully launched. Chrysler's Ram standard-duty pickup jumped 31%.
Commercial users buy a lot of the trucks, so that's a vote for optimism on the economy. But big pickups also are an indulgence among gentrified truckers, who fled their size and costs when the economy turned down. And just because business users hope the economy's got legs — and helps pay for their new pickups — that's no guarantee they're right.
• Interest rates still are low, though in some arenas — home mortgages are obvious — they've begun to rise, slowing purchases. If the Federal Reserve decides the economy's sturdy enough to let them go higher, they could make car loans too expensive for some buyers. Or, the higher-interest loans could mean buyers take less-expensive cars, still bad news for automakers' profits.
• Automakers are in tall cotton. "Incentives are down and transaction prices are up," says Fred Diaz of Nissan. More cars are selling because of "the age of the vehicles out there" and a boost in consumer confidence.
But so-called marginal buyers will start to re-enter the market, probably next year, GM execs pointed out. They won't buy such expensive cars and might demand bigger rebates.
• Pent-up demand isn't satisfied. Not everybody who nursed a car through the recession has traded the old buggy for a new one yet. Some might never, deciding to keep the old one running or worrying about their jobs. It's not clear yet just what's the true, free-market level of auto sales and what's still a wave of leftover demand.
Sales rose last year, for example, even though the average age of vehicles on the road increased. Not a bad sign, but confusing.
Says Nerad, "The overall economic recovery is weak and fragile, so another shock could send sales back. The short-term outlook for the industry is good, but a more robust economy and better employment figures would turn caution into full-blown optimism."


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Robert James McFall Papers
A specialist in agricultural marketing, Robert J. McFall arrived at the Massachusetts Agricultural College in January 1920 to take up work with the Extension Service. A graduate of Geneva College and Phd from Columbia University (1915), McFall had worked with the Canadian Bureau of Statistics for two years before his arrival in Amherst.
The McFall collection includes a suite of published and unpublished works in agricultural economics, including an incomplete run of Economic Reports from MAC on business conditions (1921-1925), and papers on agricultural cooperation in Massachusetts, municipal abattoirs, business regulation in Canada, agriculture and population increase, and the New England dairy market. Of particular note is a monograph-length work co-authored by McFall and Alexander Cance, entitled "The Massachusetts Agricultural College in its Relations to the Food Supply Program of the Commonwealth."
- Subjects
- Agricultural economics
- Cance, Alexander E. (Alexander Edmond), 1874-
- Dairy products industry--Massachusetts
- Food supply--Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Agricultural College--Faculty
- Massachusetts Agricultural College. Department of Agricultural Economics
- Contributors
- McFall, Robert James, 1887-1963


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Markham's competitive advantage is our available employment lands which can accommodate industrial and commercial activities. There are opportunities to build on our designated employment lands, and we have a total of 1624 acres of both unserviced and serviced and market ready lands for commercial and industrial development.
Search our vacant land database
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Add vehicles to compare. You can compare up to 3 vehicles at a time.
Despite our best efforts to provide you, our customers, useful and accurate information regarding our vehicles, errors may appear from time to time. Please call ahead and confirm any details that are critical to your purchasing decision. We want you to be completely satisfied! All prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice. Some vehicles have added Genuine GMC and Buick Accessories that are not reflected in the advertised price. Contact dealer for most current information Thank You for the opportunity to earn your business. Tax, title, license and dealer fees (unless itemized above) are extra. Not available with special finance or lease offers. Prices include all incentives. Please contact dealer for details. Tax, title, license (unless itemized above) are extra. Not available with special finance, lease and some other offers.
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text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Teaching In Israel Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Teaching In Israel Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Israel View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message shalomyishaiJoined: 09 Nov 2009Posts: 3 Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: Teaching In Israel So I am a 45 year old Jew seriously contemplating moving to Israel. And obviously I need to think about what I would do for work there. What is the situation in terms of teaching English in Israel? I have a BA in English Literature and Writing. I plan to get a CELTA Certifcation in the next six months. Is there a good number of positions available? What are the requirements? What is the pay like? What are the jobs like? Look forward to peoples thoughts. thanks, Gideon Back to top scot47Joined: 10 Jan 2003Posts: 15323 Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: http://www.etai.org.il/ Back to top Captain_FilJoined: 06 Jan 2011Posts: 604Location: California - the land of fruits and nuts Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:36 am Post subject: I am in a similar situation. I'm a 47 year-old man who has a BA degree and who plans to hopefully complete a CELTA certification within the year. From reading these forums, I've heard that China, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea are best for newbies. Asia will be my destination. Good luck to you in finding an ESL job in Israel. Shalom. Back to top piglet44Joined: 26 Aug 2010Posts: 157 Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject: There is plenty of work if you are qualified and you know Hebrew and want to work in the school system.However if you are looking to teach adults there is very little work even for highly experienced and qualified teachers as there are many English speakers living here,and the work available is very badly paid. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Israel All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


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Airlines Push Surveys on Fliers, Make Big Changes
Airlines have gotten much more aggressive about surveying customers, tying executive bonuses directly to surveys and even giving individual captains survey scores. Scott McCartney joins Lunch Break looks at how fliers can make their voices heard (really).
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... a twenty doubts when does that a complaint to the airlines will ... more than you'd think Middle Seat columnist and inched up a frequent flier ... Scott McCartney he joins us right now to talk about this caught ... you think the airlines are peppering the fly the Flyers with the survey's to learn about why we might DD dissatisfied ... I do now ... will that they want to know ... basically when you're satisfied with the airline would you recommend to others ... they can get lots of good feedback from the survey's but but also the more they didn't I intercepting fake passengers that ... you are in some cases they can ... keep it from filing complaints with the Department transportation to the office ... social media I mean if you if you can know ... lah soon all the over your customers ... the new year year much better off parents adopting this as they wanna improve things for us the Senate contests as they wanted this to complain that the DNC and keep its all social media ... the truth lies somewhere between a toaster but let's let's let's go for the PAS inside ... when they hear about our complaints are Bespoke exchanges ... are they actually making ... no really when you see is the smallest units on ... the consumer surveys have influenced a boarding procedures ... until those trying and baggage differences because the survey is going to install more wide eyed because I ... pointed out why Fi and a molar schoolers ... aam only down note the little things ... Virgin America added to the girls onto it said BHP addition to its inflight entertainment ... and because the complaints in their requests and in customer surveys Alaska Airlines and coach ... started pouring wine from of bottles because the customers complained they didn't like those little ... single serving ... Max is an ... Indian and American Airlines debt and each sprout channel to its inflight entertainment because customers complained or when any good rock music is now the most popular channel on your point Scotland said Virgin America and girls to their flights all the traders Heads Down Wall Street just pick right up and yet it and in the months progress and ... technology making this again a bit easier though I would imagine that within the past where they had to cut eyed News newspaper war ... yes ... just five years ago airlines are still doing surveys on paper and that's obviously of ... cumbersome but of blasting email last July United started of ... Opel ... every customer after every play with the with the survey requests on it's it's mostly the ease of getting survey out and he's using technology to process ... I can find someone one great example United as the asthe text analyzer ... that can automatically went for a particular complaint says to me in flight entertainment and work on your plate ... then you complain they know what when you're on a knoweth seat you're in ... and that system automatically triggers a maintenance to get on that see ... why instinctively knows this to myself I'm much more likely to complain that airlines and other things so ... I can see this now


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D. Kenneth Shinn
D. Kenneth Shinn passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 23 from 5:00-7:00pm at Regency Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, April 24 at 10:00am at Regency Funeral Home with Brother Shawn Holland and Brother James Hughen officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Bayou Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prairie Bayou Cemetery Association, in care of, Elderie Efird, 20133 Hwy 84, Malvern.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at www.regencyfuneralhome.com.


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Melinda Rakes didn�t know how to initially react.
Melinda Rakes didn�t know how to initially react.
Jacksonville�s second-year volleyball coach was almost at a loss for words following the Cardinals� 3-0 loss to Union Pines on Saturday in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs.
A season that saw Jacksonville (16-5) share the Coastal Conference title and enter the playoffs as the league�s second seed ended in a match that was separated by just six points.
Union Pines won 28-26, 26-24, 25-23.
�Honestly, I told them (the players) that I wasn�t prepared to give a tough loss speech,� Rakes said. �I really honestly expected us to win.�
Rather, it was the Vikings (17-7) who emerged victorious. Union Pines, the third seed from the Cape Fear Valley Conference, will visit Wilson Fike (19-4) on Tuesday in the second round. Fike defeated West Brunswick 3-0 on Saturday.
�First of all, I want to give credit to Jacksonville. They got a great team, they play hard and they scrap,� Union Pines coach Valerie Maness said. �That�s just volleyball and that�s the way it works. It�s a game of momentum, and if you can grab the momentum and keep it, to me that�s the key because I thought we were equally matched.�
Both teams shared momentum spurts. The Vikings took a 5-1 lead in the third set, but Jacksonville rallied with an 8-0 run to take a 9-5 lead.
Later, Union Pines had a 5-0 spurt to grab a 16-13 lead, but Jacksonville came back to go up 21-18. The set was then tied 22-22 before the Vikings scored the next two points to make it 24-22. The two teams then traded service errors, with Jacksonville�s serving mistake ending the match.
The second set was tied 24-24 when a service error put the visitors up one before a sideout gave the Vikings the 26th point.
�We came out strong. We came out the way we needed to, but then we gave them like a six- or seven-point rally and it killed us. It killed our momentum and it killed our spirits,� Rakes said. �At the start of set two, you could almost see it in their faces and they kind of went into this �Let�s play safe mode.��
In the first set, the Cardinals used a 9-0 run to take a 13-5 lead. That run featured a pair of aces from Cassie Padilla, who ended with 10 kills and four aces.
Junior Kennan Marks added 22 assists for JHS.
However, Union Pines managed to tie it at 23-23 following a 5-0 spurt. After taking a 24-23 lead, Jacksonville had four set points, but came up empty. With the Vikings up 27-26, Union Pines sophomore Alex Prots had a kill to win the set.
�She�s worked a lot of hitting sets that are off,� Maness said. �Usually she is a tight-set hitter, but she has been working on the ones that are off so she doesn�t get blocked as easily.�
So what was the overall difference?
Rakes said the Cardinals had 12 hitting errors and 10 service errors. She said JHS had eight hitting errors and four service errors in the first set, six and five in the second and four and one in the third.
�That�s the game right there,� Rakes said. �It�s the way it goes when you make the errors.�
Union Pines was led by Prots, who stands at 5-foot-6.
�They definitely took advantage of our free balls,� Rakes said. �We sent over too many free balls and they kind of ran a tandem where both of their middles would go, and No. 3 (Prots) had some nice shots against us.�
The Vikings also had the edge at the net as they have six players at least 5-foot-9, including four 5-10 or taller.
�We just try to let our defense evolve around our height and we channel our height to get blocks to help our defense, especially against teams who have hard hitters,� Maness said. �We try to tell them to get their hands on it.�
And in the end, the Vikings were just a little too much for the Cardinals.
But despite the loss, Rakes is pleased with the season and how much the Cardinals progressed.
�It was a fun ride and the girls definitely molded together,� she said. �Going back to the start of the season, we lost 86 percent of our points. Some girls had to step up and fill some big shoes and I think they did a great job. We did more than what we thought we would this season.�
The Cardinals lose four seniors in Padilla, Kayla Malu, Dani Hayden and Olivia Torres.
�We maintain everybody but our middles and our libero,� Rakes said. �Our outside, at one point was our weakest point, will be our strongest point.�
Union Pines 28 26 25
Jacksonville 26 24 23
LEADING PLAYERS�U: Prots 10 points; Hicks 9 points. J: Padilla 10 kills, 4 aces, block; Ochs 8 kills; Marks 22 assists, 4 kills, 2 aces. RECORDS�U: 17-7, at Wilson Fike on Tuesday in second round. J: 16-5, season complete.


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Almost people like modern and minimalist bathroom interior design. And, to create these design ideas, usually use some modern bathroom furniture design. Sonia Furniture Company has made some innovative stunning wall mounted bathroom sink and cabinet. This is perfectly solution to suitable for space of a bathroom. The wall mounted vanity from Sonia, especially made from any person that looking for luxury and modern bathroom interior decorating. This furniture design have beautiful curved design which can optimize space by mounting sink and cabinet combination's straight to the wall, freeing up floor space and helping to make any visual space. Visit the furniture manufacturer site for more detail information, and new innovation of modern, contemporary, minimalist and luxurious bathroom furniture.
minimalist bathroom furniture ideas
minimalist bathroom furniture design


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Latest job opportunities in the Middle East
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By Paul Sandle
LONDON (Reuters) - Private healthcare patients in Britain are paying too much because of a lack of competition, the country's market regulator said in a ruling that could lead it to force some operators to sell hospitals.
The Competition Commission (CC) said on Wednesday it had identified 101 private hospitals that faced little local competition, some of them in clusters owned by one of the major hospital groups BMI Healthcare, Spire and HCA International.
It could force operators to sell some hospitals in areas where they dominated, it said, adding that it had pinpointed about 20 such sites.
Asked about the discrepancy between the two figures, a commission spokesman said many areas had local monopolies or duopolies, so forcing sales would make no difference.
The state-run National Health Service (NHS) is by far the leading provider of treatment in Britain, where the market for privately funded healthcare was worth 6.4 billion pounds in 2011, according to consultants Laing and Buisson.
Mark Jackson, special adviser at advisory and restructuring practice Zolfo Cooper, said forced hospital sales would create uncertainty for lenders and investors in the sector which was already under pressure from a decline in the take-up of private medical insurance and an increase in lower-margin NHS work.
The CC said that the major health insurance groups, Bupa and AXA PPP, did not have the power to fully offset the dominance of the big private hospital groups.
Presenting the provisional findings of an investigation into the sector, it said this dominance raised insurance costs for all private patients because premiums, often paid by employers, are set nationally.
"The lack of competition in the healthcare market at a local level means that most private patients are paying more than they should either for private medical insurance or for self-funded treatment," said Competition Commission chairman Roger Witcomb.
"The lack of available and comparable information, often less than is available to NHS patients, also makes informed choices - which could help drive competition - for these patients difficult."
BMI, partly owned by South Africa's Netcare and private equity group Apax Partners, is the biggest private operator, with 69 hospitals, while Spire, owned by private equity group Cinven, owns 38.
HCA International, owned by U.S. group HCA Holdings Inc, charged significantly higher prices than other operators, the CC said, even allowing for higher costs of running its six London-based hospitals.
The three operators also faced little competition from new entrants in the market because of the high costs of setting up a hospital and flat demand for private healthcare services in recent years, it said.
The top five healthcare providers, which also include Ramsay Health Care UK and Nuffield Health, accounted for about 77 percent of the market by revenue in 2010, according to a 2011 report by the Office of Fair Trading. Smaller providers include Abbey, Aspen Healthcare, The London Clinic and The Horder Centre.
BMI said it disagreed with many of the findings of the investigation, and said it did not "hold the whip hand" in its relationship with insurers.
"We reject absolutely any assertion that BMI Healthcare and its hospitals exercise market power or that we make excess profits at the expense of patients," Chief Executive Stephen Collier said in a statement.
"The vast majority of BMI's 69 facilities, in a UK market with over 500 rival facilities, face very significant local competition from other private hospitals and, increasingly, from the NHS."
HCA International said it was disappointed in some of the findings. "London has witnessed a strong record of new entry and expansion of private health providers in recent years, demonstrating that barriers to entry are low," it said.
Spire disagreed with the CC's view that its hospitals faced little competition, made excess profits and had a disproportionate bargaining power over insurers.
"We believe these findings, and the remedies proposed, are based on an unrealistic assessment of the markets in which we operate and the level of investment necessary to operate a high-quality hospital," Chief Executive Rob Roger said in a statement.
The Competition Commission's consultation is open until next month and a final report will be published by April 2014.
(Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Erica Billingham)


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Atlassian Sourcetree is a free Git and Mercurial client for Windows.
Atlassian Sourcetree is a free Git and Mercurial client for Mac.
rope, a python refactoring library ...
Rope is a python refactoring library.
New Features
- codeassist: better handling of unicode in docstrings
- codeassist: handling builtin unknowns, such as sys.stdout
- codeassist: proposals scopes and types revised
- fscommands: handle hg crew ui changes
- patchedast: handle ExtSlice node
Getting Started
- List of features: docs/rope.txt
- Overview of some of rope's features: docs/overview.txt
- Using as a library: docs/library.txt
- Contributing: docs/contributing.txt
To change your project preferences edit $PROJECT_ROOT/.ropeproject/config.py where $PROJECT_ROOT is the root folder of your project (this file is created the first time you open a project).
Bug Reports
Send your bug reports and feature requests to rope-dev (at) googlegroups.com.
This program is under the terms of GPL (GNU General Public License). Have a look at COPYING file for more information.


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a bit of news that you lucky forumites will be the very first to hear! it's not official yet, so if anything that i say in this post ends up NOT happening, then you'll know why i'm announcing it here instead of the front page.
i've got a little side project going on now, that has been getting less and less little as the summer chugs on... it's something that i'm very excited about, and may also be the answer to my recent frustrations about comic stripping. there's a chance that it will usurp Quid Pro Quo in my creative affections.
here's what the project is, basically: Chris Renk -- a good friend and creative comarade -- and i are collaborating on a children's book... we're both in the process of conceiving the story now, but he's going to do the writing and i'm going to draw the pictures. it will give me an excellent chance to try for some rich, quality art (the best I can do anyway) and to work on something bigger and fresher in a different kind of narrative. we are trying, most of all, to have a good time, which is something i can't always accomplish in the world of comic strips. i will, with Chris's permission, be putting it on this page in its entirety.
what this all means for QPQ is basically a hiatus or an extreme thinning of its production. i doubt i'll be able to cover all these projects at once, and i really do need to take a breather from the strip. perhaps when i come back from this venture i'll be a fresher and more inspired cartoonist, and i can continue making comics. i don't think about the future too much, so we'll have to see. will this mean the end of Quid Pro Quo? i very much doubt it.
i hope you all will tag along to see where this thing goes.. if children's picture books aren't your bag, then you have my permission to bail out. questions? please use this space for them.


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Brussels -- In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply properly with their obligations under EU law. These decisions covering many sectors aim at ensuring proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
The Commission has taken today 143 decisions, including 15 reasoned opinions and 5 referrals to the European Union's Court of Justice. Below is a summary of the main decisions. For more information on infringements procedure, see MEMO/12/12.
1. Referrals to the Court of Justice
Digital Agenda: Commission refers Estonia to EU Court of Justice over independence of national telecoms regulator
The European Commission has decided to refer Estonia to the Court of Justice of the EU over its national law which does not guarantee the impartiality of the national telecoms regulator. According to EU telecoms rules, national authorities exercising regulatory tasks cannot at the same time be involved in the ownership or control of telecoms companies.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in Estonia carries out some regulatory tasks, in particular over the allocation of radio frequencies and procedures for granting frequency authorisations. At the same time it exercises control of the state-owned company Levira Ltd, the largest TV and radio broadcast network operator in Estonia, which provides telecoms services such as broadcasting and wireless broadband access.
The Commission sent Estonia a formal request to comply with EU rules in June 2012 (IP/12/630) but Estonia has not adapted its national law to guarantee the impartiality of the telecoms regulator and this can have negative consequences for competition in the sector.
(for more information: IP/13/480 – R. Heath – Tel. +32 229 61716 - Mobile +32 460 75 0221)
Taxation: Commission refers France to the Court of Justice over discriminatory property tax rules
The European Commission has decided to refer France to the EU's Court of Justice for discriminatory tax rules on new residential property. The French rules allow investments in new residential property in France to benefit from accelerated depreciation, but do not allow the same for similar investments abroad.
The French tax provisions allow accelerated depreciation to be applied to new residential property in France which is intended for letting for a minimum of 9 years. This results in favourable tax treatment for these investments. By contrast, a French taxpayer who invests in residential property to let in another EU Member State cannot benefit from accelerated depreciation, and hence cannot enjoy these tax benefits. In practice this means that taxpayers investing the same amount in immovable goods abroad would face a higher tax liability.
The Commission considers such provisions to be incompatible with the free movement of capital, a fundamental principle of the EU's Single Market. The referral to the EU Court of Justice is the last step in the infringement procedure.
(for more information: IP/13/473 – E. Traynor - Tel. +32 229 21548 - Mobile +32 498 98 3871)
Environment: Commission takes Greece to Court over landfill in Peloponnese
The European Commission is concerned that Greece is failing to protect its citizens from the effects of badly treated waste in the Peloponnese region. Despite earlier warnings, the Kiato landfill is operating in breach of EU waste and landfill legislation and thus represents a serious risk for human health and the environment. In an effort to urge Greece to speed up its actions in this area, the Commission is taking Greece to the EU Court of Justice, on the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik.
The Landfill Directive imposes stringent technical requirements for landfills, to prevent adverse effects on human health, water, soil and air. Various on-site inspections have revealed that space has run out at the Kiato landfill, but that it continues to operate without a valid permit, creating a serious threat to health and the environment. Although the Greek authorities recognise the problem and are trying to address it, the necessary measures to clean up the landfill have still not been taken and Kiato continues to operate in breach of EU waste legislation.
(for more information: IP/13/483– J. Hennon - Tel. +32 229 53593 - Mobile +32 498 95 3593)
Disability benefits: Commission refers Slovakia to Court of Justice for discriminating against severely disabled people living abroad
The European Commission has referred the Slovak Republic to the EU's Court of Justice for not paying disability benefits to severely disabled persons living in other Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, in breach of EU law on social security coordination.
Under Slovak law, three Slovak care benefits for the severely disabled, namely the carer's allowance ('peňažný príspevok na opatrovanie'), disability allowance ('peňažný príspevok na osobnú asistenciu') and cash allowance for compensation of increased costs for severely disabled persons ('peňažný príspevok na kompenzáciu zvýšených výdavkov') are provided only to those who live in Slovakia.
According to the case-law of the EU's Court of Justice, cash benefits for long-term care which improve the standard of living of persons in need of care and compensate for the additional expense brought about by their condition, must be regarded as a sickness benefit within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems. The entitlement to these cash benefits cannot be conditional on the person living in the Member State where he or she claims the benefit. This rule enables persons who are dependent on care to move to another Member State whilst retaining their right to cash benefits for long-term care from their country of insurance.
(for more information: IP/13/476 – J. Todd - Tel. +32 229 94107 - Mobile +32 498 99 4107)
Social security benefits: Commission refers the UNITED KINGDOM to Court for incorrect application of EU social security legislation
Under EU law, social security benefits in question have to be granted to people from other EU Member States on condition that their place of habitual residence is in the United Kingdom. This condition, and the criteria for the determination of habitual residence, were unanimously reaffirmed by Member States at EU level in 2009 as part of an update of EU rules on social security coordination (Regulation EC/987/2009 laying down the implementing rules for Regulation EC/883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems). According to these criteria, in order to be considered genuinely habitually resident in a Member State, a person has to show that his or her habitual centre of interest is located there.
The Commission considers that these criteria laid down by EU law are strict enough and thus ensure that only those people who have actually moved their centre of interest to a Member State are considered habitually resident there and no longer resident in the Member State where they previously lived. A thorough and strict application of these criteria for determining habitual residence constitutes a powerful tool for Member States to make sure that these social security benefits are only granted to those genuinely residing habitually within their territory.
(for more information: IP/13/475 – J. Todd - Tel. +32 229 94107 - Mobile +32 498 99 4107)
2. Other case with specific interest
Air transport: Commission urges Belgium and Greece to proceed with ratification of the agreement with the Western Balkans on a Common Aviation Area
The European Commission is concerned that Belgium and Greece have failed to ratify the Agreement between the European Union, its Member States and the Western Balkans establishing a European Common Aviation Area (the 'ECAA Agreement'). Lack of ratification of the ECAA Agreement by Belgium and Greece affects the opening of markets in aviation with the Western Balkans. If the Belgian and Greek authorities fail to deposit the instrument of ratification of the ECAA Agreement in compliance with the relevant EU provisions within the next two months, the Commission may refer both cases to the EU Court of Justice.
(for more information: IP/13/479– H. Kearns - Tel. +32 229 87638 - Mobile +32 498 98 7638)
European Health Insurance Card: Commission expresses concerns about refusals by Spanish public hospital to recognise EHIC
The European Commission has requested information from Spain about complaints that Spanish hospitals providing public healthcare are refusing to recognise the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The Commission is concerned that Spain might be failing to fulfil its obligations under EU law to provide emergency healthcare to temporary visitors from other Member States on the same terms and conditions as are available to Spanish nationals under the public healthcare scheme.
The Commission's request for information follows an increasing number of complaints it has received concerning hospitals providing public healthcare services, mainly in tourist areas of Spain, which refuse to treat citizens on the basis of their European Health Insurance Card and instead request a travel insurance policy and credit card details. Public healthcare is generally free of charge in Spain and the European Health Insurance Card entitles its holder to be treated on the same terms as Spanish nationals. However, in some cases, citizens have been erroneously informed that their European Health Insurance Card is not valid if they have travel insurance. Other patients believed they were being treated on the basis of their European Health Insurance Card, but later found out that their travel insurance company had been sent a bill for treatment.
(for more information: IP/13/474 – J. Todd - Tel. +32 229 94107 - Mobile +32 498 99 4107)
3. Reasoned opinions
Renewable Energy: Belgium and Estonia called upon to comply with EU renewable energy rules
Today the Commission has formally request Belgium and Estonia to take action to ensure full compliance with EU rules on renewables. The European Commission has sent reasoned opinions to Belgium and Estonia for not informing the Commission about the full transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive (Directive 2009/28/EC). The Renewable Energy Directive had to be implemented by Member States by 5 December 2010. However, Belgium and Estonia have not informed the Commission of all the necessary transposition measures for fully transposing the Directive into their national legislation. If the two Member States do not comply with their legal obligation within two months, the Commission may decide to refer them to the Court of Justice. These two reasoned opinions complement similar procedures involving Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Latvia and the Netherlands.
More information here: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/targets_en.htm
(for more information: M. Holzner - Tel. +32 229 60196 - Mobile +32 498 98 2280)
Gender equality: Commission continues legal action against Austria on rights of the self employed
Today, the Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Austria due to its failure to fully transpose the Directive on equality between men and women in self-employed activity. The transposition deadline for this Directive expired on 5 August 2012 and a letter of formal notice was sent to Austria in September 2012. Until now, Austria has still only partially transposed the directive into national law. It has notified a number of transposing measures, but further measures are still missing both at federal and at regional level.
The Directive on self-employed workers and assisting spouses (2010/41/EU) guarantees social protection rights for millions of women in the labour market, strengthening female entrepreneurship. Under the rules, female self-employed workers and assisting spouses or life partners of self-employed workers are granted a maternity allowance and a leave of at least 14 weeks, should they choose to take it. At present only one in three entrepreneurs is a woman. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission can refer Austria to the Court of Justice of the EU.
(for more information: M. Andreeva - Tel. +32 229 91382 - Mobile +32 498 99 1382)
Data Retention Directive: Commission asks Belgium to comply with EU rules
The European Commission has asked Belgium to bring its laws into line with EU legislation on data retention, after the country failed to inform the Commission of adequate measures to transpose the rules in national law. The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion (the second step in the three-step EU infringement process).
The Data Retention Directive makes it mandatory for telephone companies and Internet service providers to store telecommunications traffic and location data (not data on the content of the communications) for law enforcement purposes. It was adopted in 2006 and should have been transposed into national law by 15 September 2007, with the option of postponing the retention of communications data relating to Internet access, Internet telephoning and Internet e-mail until 15 March 2009.
Belgium has failed so far to transpose fully. In particular, the Belgian authorities still need to bring national legislation in line with the EU rules on requiring companies to retain data for between 6 months and 2 years with appropriate data security and data protection safeguards. Belgium now has two months to comply with European Union rules. If Belgium does not comply, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the EU's Court of Justice.
(for more information: M. Cercone - Tel. +32 229 80963 - Mobile +32 498 98 2349)
Free movement of goods: Czech Republic to remove barriers to import of jewellery from other Member States
The European Commission has requested that Czech Republic changes its rules and administrative practice so articles of jewelleries from other Member States can be sold there. In this particular case, the Czech Assay office refuse to recognise hallmarks used by the Dutch Assay office on jewellery, claiming that these hallmarks don't allow them to distinguish between products originating in the EU and products originating from third countries (such as China and Hong Kong). According to the Commission, the current rules create a barrier to the free movement of goods in the EU's internal market and so are contrary to Articles 34 and 36 of the TFEU.
Concerning the trade in products made of precious metals, the Court of Justice of the EU has previously stated that Member States cannot require a fresh hallmark to be affixed to products imported from another Member State in which they have already been lawfully marketed and hallmarked in accordance with the legislation of that State, provided that the information on the hallmark is equivalent to that prescribed by the Member State of importation and also intelligible to consumers of that State. The Commission has therefore issued a reasoned opinion asking Czech Republic to change its laws to allow the free movement of goods in the Single Market. If the Czech legislation is not appropriately modified within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU.
(for more information: C. Corazza - Tel. +32 229 51752 - Mobile +32 498 99 2862)
Social security: Commission asks Finland to remove restrictions on migrant workers' entitlement to unemployment benefits
The European Commission has asked Finland to remove a discriminatory condition affecting migrant workers' entitlement to unemployment benefits. Like most EU Member States, Finland has a general condition requiring workers to have a minimum period of employment or self-employment to qualify for unemployment benefit. However in Finland migrant workers applying for unemployment benefit must in addition have worked in Finland for at least four weeks as an employee, or four months in self-employment. If this requirement is not met, the applicant's insurance for employment or self-employment periods completed in another Member State are not taken into account and he or she is thus not entitled to unemployment benefits.
The Commission considers that the requirement of minimum employment or self-employment periods in Finland in order for previous periods completed in another Member State to be taken into consideration is in contradiction with EU legislation. The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Article 45) and Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 (Article 6) require Member States to take into account periods of insurance, residence and employment periods completed under the legislation of any other Member State as though they were periods completed under their own legislation. This requirement constitutes one of the basic principles for the coordination of social security schemes in the European Union. It ensures that by exercising the right to free movement, migrant workers are not deprived of social security advantages to which they would have been entitled if they had spent their working life in only one Member State.
The Commission's request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement procedures. Finland has now two months to notify the Commission of the measures taken to comply with EU rules. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer Finland to the EU's Court of Justice.
(for more information: J. Todd - Tel. +32 229 94107 - Mobile +32 498 99 4107)
Insurance: Commission requests Greece to comply with EU law
The European Commission has today requested Greece to correctly apply the First and Third Non-life Insurance Directives (73/239/EEC and 92/49/EEC) in its law on roadside assistance services. Under the Greek law, insurers are obliged to systematically (on an annual basis) notify the responsible insurance supervisor of their roadside assistance insurance policies. The Commission considers that this constitutes an infringement of EU law.
Common rules agreed since the 1970s include conditions for initial authorisation, on-going prudential supervision, in particular with regard to their overall state of solvency, their technical provisions and assets covering those provisions. They also include the abolition of prior approval or systematic notification of policy conditions and tariffs which encourages insurance companies to enter new markets, increasing competition. Greece is therefore being asked to waive this obligation. The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. If no measures are notified to put an end to the violation of EU law within two months, the Commission may decide to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
(for more information: C. Hughes - Tel. +32 2 2964450 - Mobile +32 498 964450)
Free movement of goods: Commission requests Greece to remove barriers to trade for parallel exportation of medicines
The Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Greece as the country created obstacles to the exportation of pharmaceuticals, thus denying potential exporters of the products the benefits of parallel exporting. Greek laws provide that wholesalers may export medicines abroad only when they have bought the medicines to be exported directly from pharmaceutical companies. This is not possible if they buy them from other wholesalers. Also pharmaceuticals stores which export pharmaceuticals cannot act as an intermediary in the exports conducted by other pharmaceutical stores. These wholesalers can sell these medicines as an intermediary within Greece, but when doing so they cannot export these products. The Greek restriction in question has thus the same effect of a quantitative restriction on exports, which is discriminatory and is hence in breach of Article 35 TFEU.
Member States may impose certain obligations on marketing authorisation holders and distributors of medicines, proportionate to the public health objective pursued – e.g. to ensure appropriate and continued supplies of medicines in a given Member State. When a restriction is proportional to the objective of public health protection it is compatible with EU rules. However, if it goes beyond what is necessary to ensure continuous supply, it is an unjustifiable measure of equivalent effect to a quantitative restriction on export.
Therefore, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Greece as the country created obstacles to the exportation of pharmaceuticals. If the Member State concerned does not inform the Commission within two months of measures taken to ensure full compliance with its obligations, the Commission may decide to refer it to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
(for more information: C. Corazza - Tel. +32 229 51752 - Mobile +32 498 99 2862)
Environment: Commission asks HUNGARY to transpose EU rules on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
The European Commission is urging Hungary to transpose EU legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes into its national law. The Directive in question aims to minimise the use of animals in experiments, and requires alternatives to be used where possible, while ensuring that research in the EU remains of top quality. The Directive had to be transposed into national legislation by 10 November 2012. As Hungary missed the deadline, a letter of formal notice was sent on 31 January 2013.
Hungary informed the Commission about the relevant domestic provisions in March 2013, but the Commission is still concerned that certain provisions have not been included in Hungary's law. In particular, Hungarian laws do not seem to ensure sufficient protection for primates used in experiments. The Commission is therefore sending a reasoned opinion and if Hungary fails to act within two months, the case may be referred to the EU Court of Justice, where financial penalties may be imposed.
(for more information: J. Hennon - Tel. +32 229 53593 - Mobile +32 498 95 3593).
Working time: Commission asks Italy to respect doctors' right to minimum daily and weekly rest periods
The European Commission has requested Italy to respect the rights of doctors working in public health services to minimum daily and weekly rest periods, as required by Working Time Directive (Directive 2003/88/EC). Under Italian law, several key rights contained in the Working Time Directive, such as the 48-hour limit to average weekly working time and minimum daily rest periods of 11 consecutive hours, do not apply to 'managers' operating within the National Health Service. The Directive does allow Member States to exclude 'managing executives or other persons with autonomous decision-taking powers' from these rights. However, doctors working in the Italian public health services are formally classified as 'managers', without necessarily enjoying managerial prerogatives or autonomy over their own working time. This means that they are unjustly deprived of their rights under the Working Time Directive.
In addition, Italian law contains other provisions and rules that exclude workers in the national health service from the right to minimum daily and weekly rest. The Commission has received several complaints concerning the fact that, as a result of the Directive not being correctly applied, doctors are obliged to work excessive hours without adequate rest.
The request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement procedures. Italy now has two months to notify the Commission of the measures taken to bring national legislation in line with EU law. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer Italy to the EU's Court of Justice.
(for more information: J. Todd - Tel. +32 229 94107 - Mobile +32 498 99 4107)
Free movement: Commission continues action against Lithuania to uphold EU citizens' rights
The European Commission has given Lithuania two months to comply with EU rules on the free movement of EU citizens and their families across the EU. The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion (the second step in the three-step EU infringement process). Lithuania does not sufficiently ensure that national authorities may only expel those EU citizens who are a real, serious and present danger to society. The Free Movement Directive aims to ensure EU citizens can fully enjoy their rights to freely travel, live and work anywhere in the European Union. It also contains a number of safeguards in case Member States want to restrict the right to free movement.
In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission can refer Lithuania to the Court of Justice of the EU. The Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC) should have been fully transposed by Member States in their national rules by April 2006.
(for more information: M. Andreeva - Tel. +32 229 91382 - Mobile +32 498 99 1382)
Electronic money: Commission requests Poland to implement EU rules
The European Commission has today requested Poland to fully implement the Directive on the taking up, pursuit and supervision of electronic money institutions (Directive 2009/110/EC). This Directive, commonly referred to as the second e-money Directive, replaces Directive 2000/46/EC and had to be implemented in all EU Member States by 30 April 2011.
The Commission's request takes the form of a complementary reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. A first reasoned opinion was issued at the end of April 2012, after Poland had failed to report that it had transposed the directive into national legislation (IP/12/418). Poland then notified the Commission that it had taken over part of the required provisions and that full transposition was expected before the end of 2012. Failing notification of full transposition of the Directive by Poland since then, the Commission has decided to issue a complementary reasoned opinion. If no measures on full transposition of EU law are notified within two months, the Commission may decide to refer Poland to the Court of Justice of the EU. More information:
(for more information: C. Hughes - Tel. +32 2 2964450 - Mobile +32 498 964450)
Taxation: Commission requests United Kingdom to ensure private boats do not use lower taxed fuel
The European Commission has formally requested the United Kingdom to amend its legislation to ensure that private pleasure boats such as luxury yachts can no longer buy lower taxed fuel intended for fishing boats. Under EU rules on fiscal marking for fuels, fuel that can benefit from a reduced tax rate has to be marked by coloured dye. Fishing vessels for example are allowed to benefit from fuel subject to a lower tax rate but private boats must use fuel subject to a standard rate.
Currently the UK law does not impose fuel distributors to have two separate fuel tanks, one with marked fuel subject to a lower tax rate and the other with regular fuel subject to a standard tax rate. As a consequence, private leisure boats can not only use fuel intended for fishing vessels but also risk heavy penalties if they travel to another Member State and the ship is controlled by the local authorities.
The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may refer the United Kingdom to the EU's Court of Justice.
(for more information: E. Traynor - Tel. +32 229 21548 - Mobile +32 498 98 3871)


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bustersmama wrote:Just to let everyone know - Pumpkins HW condition has worsened and no one has offered to help with transport legs through VA and MD.
Pumpkin will start her hw treatment here and after that - who knows. thanks for trying everyone.
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My brother seminarians,
I write to invite you to a national conference for seminarians from August 16-21 on the pastoral dimensions of pro-life activity.
My name is Eric Bowman and I am the National Director of Seminarian Life Link, a newly formed pro-life organization. Over the past two years, I have been working with Fr. Frank Pavone, Co-Founder of Priests for Life, and several seminarians to establish this organization. Our goal is to assist each other in spiritually forming holy priests who will live out their vocation on the cornerstone of the sacredness and dignity of all human life, born and unborn. This organization is designed to create a means of communication and sharing of resources, to network all seminarians across North America to support each other in defending the Gospel of Life. We share common goals and interact with Seminarians for Life.
One of our other major goals is to organize a national pro-life conference/retreat for seminarians. It will take place from August 16th-21st at the Gilmary Diocesan Center in Pittsburgh. Our format for the conference/retreat will be to have three days of conferences with break-out sessions and two days of retreat led by Fr. Frank Pavone. Some of the topics covered during the conference sessions will be John Paul II's Theology of the Body, post-abortive healing both in counseling sessions and in the confessional, preaching and teaching the Gospel of Life, and being the Gospel of Life.
Please click here for more details about location and speakers.
Thank you for your commitment to the Gospel of life!
With prayers,Eric BowmanNational Director