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The final disembowelment of the New Zealand welfare state? Maybe, Maybe maybe not!
Last week's release of the Welfare Working Group's report and the Government's intention to set up another working group on compulsory superannuation signals one thing - that the last edifices of the welfare state are being smashed.
Ever since the time of the Ballance-Seddon Liberal governments and the First Labour Government of 1935-49, New Zealanders have (more or less) been able to access the support offered by the state in times of need. Not only that, the state has previously fully supported people raising families and individuals in their old age. The welfare system created a sense of social solidarity and equality, something that has gradually diminished since 1984. It also gave people an expectation that they could enjoy a minimum standard of living, even in the hardest times. As the 1972 Royal Commission on Social Security commented, the welfare system enabled even the lowest income earning New Zealanders to participate within their society through, for example, having some money to buy birthday presents or go out occassionally.
In 1990, that ideal was smashed by the Fourth National Government's benefit cuts. Jenny Shipley and Ruth Richardson, ideological diehards both, attacked the welfare system with a viciousness not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Benefit rates were slashed while entitlement criterion were tightened. This impacted on the most vulnerable groups in society, namely, the unemployed, sick, those living with disability and single parents.
It now appears that the current National Government wants to finish the job. Last week's report of the Welfare Working Group, chaired by former Securities Commission head Paula Rebstock and stuffed with neoliberal sympathisers like former Act president Catherine Judd, made some hysterical assertions about the costs of the welfare state. The group estimated that if every New Zealander currently on a welfare benefit (like me) were to stay on it for a large chunk of their lifetimes, then the welfare system could cost up to $50 billion a year by 2025.
This $50 billion figure was designed to whip up a sense of 'crisis' about the system. Deliberately creating crises has always been a favourite tactic of the New Right. This was based on many assumptions and one is that most people on a benefit tend to stay there. True, there are issues around long-term receipt for people on sickness and invalids benefits but I would contend that has more to do with discrimination against disabled people in the labour market than anything else. Another thing is that many long-term ACC clients who were culled from that system during the 1990s (who are collectively known as 'the tail') were placed on sickness and invalids benefits. Furthermore, more disabled people and those with health issues are likely to be laid off in recessionary times like these (as happened to me) and the best place to go if you want to survive is onto an invalids benefit. But that is not to say that me and other disabled people might stay there forever. In my own case, once I have completed my Masters degree (and given that I have a work history), I will probably be more employable. However, recent research undertaken by Workbridge and CCS Disability Action also shows that many well qualified disabled people have the same job placement rate as those who are unskilled - which is pretty low. And I personally know of many well qualified disabled people who have found the job search process extremely difficult.
All these issues show that there are more complex issues involved. But the National Government and their big business allies aren't prepared to listen to these. They simply want to destroy the welfare state in order to further alleviate the tax burden on their wealthy mates. That's why they want results pretty soon.
I can't help but think too that the desire for further welfare reform is being driven in tandem with proposed labour market reforms. Wait, hasn't this happened before? Yes, it was in 1991 when both the benefit cuts and the Employment Contracts Act were both introduced at around the same time. This was in accordance with neoliberal supply-side theory which holds that to create 'incentives' to encourage beneficiaries into work, you have to lower wage rates and attack working conditions. This, in turn, creates an oversupplied labour market where the price of labour is further reduced, thus lowering employer costs and raising their profit margins. Now, it all makes sense!
In fact, if you think I'm being conspiratorial about this, I'm not. In one part of their report, the working group looks at a scheme designed to get long-term ACC recipients into work. It mentions, as part of this example, that relatively high benefit levels as well as personal grievance and minimum wage laws essentially 'hurts more than helps' the most vulnerable people in our society. This assertion was not supported with any empirical evidence and is merely being used to create a justification for scrapping both protective labour and welfare laws.
And as for the cost of superannuation, yes, I believe in the need for some contributory super scheme but it should remain voluntary. In fact, we have KiwiSaver and the Cullen Fund right now. Even so, I saw a report from an economic think tank the other day which held that even with a dramatic increase in the over 65 year age group population, superannuation will still be affordable given that there will fewer young people requiring an education or even appearing before our justice system. Therefore, this will create savings that could be put into paying for additional superannuation payments.
Right now, the John Key National Government is popular. They are supposedly presenting a 'centrist' image to the electorate but, yet, they are planning to implement extreme right-wing policies in a piecemeal manner. No more the blitzkrieg approach adopted by Sir Roger Douglas or Ruth Richardson in days gone by. Getting the electorate to placidly swallow things is electorally better for National and makes it supposedly more difficult for opponents to pin the Tories down. But we on the left can see the benefit and superannuation working groups for what they are - a mere prelude to a welfare state massacre that even Jenny Shipley would blush at!
That would be true if the situation of a year ago still existed; but I believe that things are slowly going to custard for John Key and his Rusty Lock administration. Everybody has forgotten wily Winston Peters and his lost 4.5% of the vote in the last election campaign; something National didn't have and wasn't utilised - the government was decided on 95.5% of votes cast.
Acknowledgements: Voxy.co.nz


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I also managed to squeeze in a few challenges. Who would of thought ;)
Crafty Pad: Snowflakes
Fabulou card! Love your coloring and sweet layout.
wow this is stunning thanks for joining us at the crafty pad this week, I hope you can join us next week for our special 100th challenge x
WOWZER this is awesome your design is perfect so is that super cute image I love it. thank you for joining us at OSCC this week.
Lorraine x
What a cute image! I love the added snowflakes and ribbon!
Great card. Thanks for playing along with us at FCCB this week.
This is the sweetest ever! Love your coloring and design!
I love the way you used the ribbon on your card! Thanks for joining in the fun at FCCB!
awww how cute !! What lush papers. Thank you for playing along with Ellephantastic hugs x x
Love this little tutu gal! You have made her up beautifully!
cute card! thanks for playing with us at FCCB
What a gorgeous card!! Thanks for playing along with us at FCCB this week:)
Beautiful card, i love the colours and the image is very sweet! Well done and thanks for taking part in our challenge this time,
Ellephantastic DT
This is so beautiful! TFS. Thanks for joining us at FCCB!

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, May 23, 2014
Life After High School
Welcome to the real world. Forget the social rules you learned to obey in school. You don't belong in any category now. You're free to choose your own path, free to follow your dreams. Dreams need regular care though: thought, and time, and nurturing; if you neglect them, they will die. Yes, they're important. They're who you really are. Never give up on what matters to you. Keep trying. Keep dreaming. Now is the best time to pursue what you really want in life, but it's never too late, unless you settle for something less. And even if you do settle, make sure it's only a temporary condition.
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See the website
Key Information- Application dates Close: 29 July 2016
English Language RequirementsIf your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
Further information can be found on .
International studentsCountry-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from .
Degree InformationStudents learn about the relationship between the mind and the brain in patients and healthy individuals, alongside the ideas, methodology, and current state of knowledge in cognitive neuroscience. They receive case demonstrations of brain-damaged patients, insights into transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation, and experience with functional neuroimaging techniques.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
- Key Skills
Communication Skills in Cognitive Neuroscience
Generic Research Skills
- Options
Group One:
Structure and Function of the Brain
Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience I: Lesion Approaches
Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience II: Neuroimaging
Designing and Analysing fMRI Experiments
Group Two:
Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience I: Fundamental Processes
Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience I: Elaborative and Adaptive Processes
Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience I: Translational Research
- Dissertation/report
All students undertake an empirical research project in the area of cognitive neuroscience, which culminates in a dissertation of 10, 000–12, 000 words.
Teaching and LearningThe programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, problem classes, laboratory classes and student presentations. Depending on the chosen taught modules, it includes case demonstrations of neuropsychological patients, hands-on experience with the analysis of neuroimaging data, critical analyses of published scientific papers, and discussion seminars. Assessment is through examinations, essays, practical exercises, reports and the the research dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure available on the department web site Cognitive Neuroscience MSc
FundingScholarships relevant to this department are displayed (where available) below. For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .
CareersThe MRes is a very selective programme that develops key research skills in the field of cognitive neuroscience and serves as a basis for PhD study in an academic setting or a research career in industry or business. The MRes also promotes key skills that prepare students for more general careers in clinical psychology, marketing, teaching, and consultancy. The first cohort of students on the Cognitive Neuroscience MRes graduated in 2013, therefore very limited information on specific graduate destinations is currently available.
Top career destinations for this degree:
- PhD student, UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (2014)
- Research Assistant, UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (2014)
- PhD Student, University of Utecht (2014)
- Assistant Clinical Psychologist, National Hospital for Neurology (2014)
- Research Assistant, University of California (2011)
- Employability
Students will have the opportunity to study and conduct cutting-edge research alongside some of the leading researchers in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Students will be immersed in this research environment and will learn directly from experts in the field rather than just text books.
Why study this degree at UCL?UCL is among the principal research centres in the world in this area and offers an ideal environment to study cognitive neuroscience.
Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources such as a behavioural neuroscience laboratory, a centre for brain imaging, and extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, and cognition.
Opportunities for graduate students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation. The division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
Student / staff ratios › 304 staff including 129 postdocs › 741 taught students › 439 research students
Application and next steps- Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
- Who can apply?
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of the applicant's degree and degree institution; the quality of the references; the relevant skills and experience; the quality of the personal statement; the suitability of the applicant's career plans.
What are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would therefore like to learn via your personal statement:
- why you want to study Cognitive Neuroscience at graduate level
- why you want to study Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL
- which module (s) on the Cognitive Neuroscience programme interest you most and why
- if you have a particular research project in mind
- your knowledge and interest in the subject demonstrated by briefly discussing a specific book or article that you have read that aroused your interest in the topic of cognitive neuroscience
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous programme
- how completion of the Cognitive Neuroscience MSc will help you obtain your short- and long-term career goals


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I have recently discovered digital art but only on the level of Microsoft Paint and a very rudimentary exposure to the free online program GIMP. I love digital art and wish I could afford a proper rendering program and a course in utilizing it. One of the aspects of digital art that I really appreciate is that you can upload any of your "real" art or even a doodle and work it further ad infinitum in digital. This allows for even the oldest or most arbitrary scribble to be photographed with your phone and then to be worked into the phenomenal piece it was meant to be. I also appreciate the process as you can save at every pivotal junction leaving a series of artwork as the art develops. Lets see what I mean in visual by looking at some of my digital attempts.
In my Spanish dance digital project already blogged before I reached several significant juncture of this was one. the picture evolved from a pen and ink sketch into the final artwork that I sold to a paying client.
This was the final product.
After the sale I decided that I'd like a full length version. This is its current state and as far as I'm concerned its not finished. this is the wonder of digital. you can keep going and save at any stage, leading to many different artworks.
I often doodle, especially in ballpoint pen, my favourite medium. Digital allows me to use my phone camera to take these doodles to a much further level.
This pen drawing was destined to be turned into a digital artwork.
The digital rendering of the lion done in pen seems more like a real painting now.
This artwork is one of my favourites. It started as an acrylic painting. I hate acrylics and gave up even though I loved the concept. So my Blackberry camera and MS Paint and GIMP came to the rescue. I loved doing it.
Digital really is the future, but don't think lack of skill for actual art principles will help you if you can only work the program. You must still be a real artist, digital is just a tool.


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Went to City Park for a big yoga class - about 1,300 people showed up, and it was surprisingly hot in the beautiful fall sun. Short video here. And then to St. Marks to cap it off. Great. Still thinking about a long/bad lecture I had on climate change on Thursday. Hey, I'll stop by the library on the way home - I remember a friend mentioning "Super-Freakonomics" had something contrarian and half-interesting on the subject. Of course Denver library still has all the bike racks fenced off, so I locked up to the fence. Went in, of course it was checked out (unless I wanted to read it in French), and walked out.
Then things happened quickly, and here's how I explained it to the police officer:
-My cut lock was hanging from the fence - no bike.
-I look up and there is a guy on a red big-box store mountain bike ghost riding my bike away.
-I drop my bag (bad idea, as it turns out), kick off my flip-flops (it was a yoga morning) and start running after the guy.
I get almost to the guy's shoulder, and he turns on 14th Ave. (the Denver Marathon is tomorrow, so the street is closed. I'm yelling my lungs out. There are a bunch of marathon-type people - in running shoes - who all stand around doing their best grazing-cow imitation.
-I suddenly realize that my bag - containing my computer - is now sitting out in front of the library - the same library where guys are apparently hacking locks at noon on a Saturday.
-I start running back towards my bag as fast as I can. As I turn away, I see the guy pass off my bike to another guy, who looks like he's getting ready to ride it away.
-I get there, and two other guys are now converging on my bag. There's a very nervous woman with her baby in a front-carrier looking at my bag, looking at the two guys, and looking like she very much wished she wasn't there.
-I go into the library, where two security guards also doing their best grazing cow impression are more than happy to call the police and let me fill out a report.
I come home and yup I still have the receipt and serial number for my 2003 closeout Giant OCR3. Goodbye bike. Not good to get attached to things, but we had some good times together. Like this.
Additional thoughts:
-I wish I hadn't seen the guy stealing my bike. I could have thought, "Well, maybe I just botched locking it up and it fell down and some poor homeless guy took it." Instead, I now know there is a team of bicycle thieves who work the library - the guy who rode the bike away didn't have cutters, and there was at least one other guy (the one who was going to keep riding it away) involved.
-I wish I hadn't thrown my bag down, as my computer screen is now quite damaged (bottom right corner square does not display).
-Prior to this morning, I had been pretty smug about my bike. It had a great patina/aura of crappiness, while still quite useful for road rides (used it for my Denver/Boulder commute, etc.) I guess I was wrong. But I'm not sure what the hell those idiots are going to do with it. The frame is covered in stickers, some of which have been on there for five-six years. The components have never been updated. So a team of thieves ended up with something they can sell for...maybe $100? Less.
-And it's lose-lose. The replacement cost is high. Maybe my venerable Giant OCR3 isn't worth much, but a replacement road bike is going to cost a lot. And now I can add in a new computer screen/computer at some point in the near future. Arg.
-Last thing. So the security guys say, "Oh, this happens all the time." The officer says the same thing. But the library still has no secure bike racks at that location. Not that I'm a litigious lawyer or anything, and not that I'd spend oh, maybe three years trying to get $700 out of the city to buy a new bike, but governmental immunity only goes so far. Especially when the city knows there's a problem. At noon. On a Saturday. At a major public edifice.
Oh, well, live and learn.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Love and (bicycle) Theft
Posted by Will Stenzel at 6:20 PM
Labels: biking
2 comments:
- catherinekleier said...
This truly sucks. It's like having your oatmeal stolen - you're trying to do something good...
- October 20, 2010 at 12:46 PM
- catherinekleier said...
What was the love part of this post?
- October 20, 2010 at 12:47 PM
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By Gary Muller
So now our community's future is held up while individuals with private agendas "go to war" to stop redevelopment of the former Fort Ritchie once again.
Not having been part of countless hours of behind-closed-doors meetings and not being privy to negotiations with various suitors, how are we supposed to form an opinion of a fair contract from long newspaper articles and various letters to the editor?
That is why a board of qualified individuals was selected and approved by the Washington County Commissioners to serve on the PenMar Development Corp. board. Anyone can apply to serve, and in recent years most appointed have been from surrounding communities.


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A total of 25 schools having an enrolment of 801 students - 410 boys and 391 girls - will move with the migratory population.
"These schools have been provided 45 teachers for running the schools in higher reaches during the annual migration to higher reaches in Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
He said district development commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary finalised the plan at a meeting of senior officers from various departments and heads of migratory schools along with staff.
The annual migration of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwal families is beginning later this month.
The spokesman said another 41 schools for tribal population would remain stationary which will cater to 1,451 students including 802 boy students and 651 girl students where 95 teachers have been posted.
Mr Choudhary directed that books and uniform be provided to the students before migration.
It was decided in the meeting that apart from educational aids, the department will also provide sports equipment and first aid kits for each migratory school.
A comprehensive plan for self-defence training was also discussed and finalised. The students are also being provided scholarship by the Tribal Affairs Department, the spokesman said.
He said the Chief Education Officer was directed to regularly monitor attendance in migratory schools during the period and the heads of schools were instructed to hold mandatory parent-teacher meetings twice a month during the period of migration.
A special squad would check the attendance. Record and pictures of such meetings and classes will have to be shared online, the spokesman said.
He said Mr Choudhary directed that all girl students would be provided with special education kits this year and scholarship to meritorious students. He asked the departments to lay special focus on skill development and to organise courses for these students which would be monitored by his office.
The schools migrating to Drass, Kargil, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Gurez, Budgam, Kangan, Dachigham and Sukhnai would be provided with gadgets, stationery, tents, ration and other requirements, the spokesman said.
He said other issues related to ration, training, examination, awards to best performers and ICDS support were also discussed in the meeting.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


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Olive is a 6 years old greyhound rescued 1 1/2 years ago from the race. She is so sweet and gentle. Unfortunately nobody never cared before for her buccal hygiene and she develop severe dental disease as u can observe on the top picture. Several extractions are necessary and even if Miami Natural Pet Care was able to remove most of the tartar and plaque, she needs to get some extractions and medication. Her breath got so much better.
Please call us before your loving pet's teeth get to the point where nothing else can be done other than being extracted.
After extractions performed, Miami Natural Pet Care will maintain healthy and white teeth thanks to regular cleanings without anesthesia.


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Elizabeth Claire (Pelzer) Schmidt
Elizabeth Claire (Pelzer) Schmidt
Elizabeth Claire (Pelzer) Schmidt, 95, of Superior, WI, died on Monday, December 11, 2017, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital in Superior from heart failure. She was born on November 30, 1922, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, daughter of Kathryn (Devitt) Pelzer and John F Pelzer. She was one of four siblings.
She graduated in nursing from Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs Iowa, 1944. She served in the United States Army nurse corps from 1945, spending nearly a year in France and Germany towards the end of World War II.
On January 19, 1945, she was married to Joseph Schmidt, a high school English teacher, and they celebrated forty-one years of marriage before his passing in February of 1986. From 1946, they lived in Superior, Wisconsin and had six children.
She was an active member of Cathedral of Christ the King Church and in 2005 received the diocesan Pax Christi Award for exceptional volunteer work. She worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital and taught nursing at Wisconsin Technical College. For over twenty years, she was an advocate for the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA). She was also a long-term member of the Befrienders Group and in 1993 was awarded Citizen of the Year. She went to Nicaragua two times with Pax Christi, once in 1988. In 1992 she went to Israel with the Grandmothers for Peace. She flew to Washington D.C. with other veterans of World War II on the Honor Flight in 2011.
She is survived by six children, son, Joseph Schmidt of Superior, WI, daughter and son-in-law, Jan Schmidt and Arthur Rivers of New York, NY; daughter, Catherine Schmidt of Los Angeles, CA; son, Paul Schmidt with Melissa McLeod of Atlanta, GA, and former daughter-in-law, Chris Brandt of Minneapolis, MN; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Linda Schmidt of Eau Claire, WI; daughter and son-in-law, Miriam (Schmidt) and David Austin of Superior, WI; four grandchildren David Hall, of Oconto, WI; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Harrison Schmidt and Tracey McCall of Minneapolis MN; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Hannah Gunnufson-Schmidt and Mike Gunnufson; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Elizabeth (Schmidt) and Andrew Atter, of Eau Claire, WI; and great-grandchildren, Kaleb Hall of Oconto, WI, Emily (Hall) Maeleon of Green Bay WI, Lorence and Aiden Ruxton and Ezra Gunnufson, Amaya and Corey Atter of Eau Claire, WI, all of Eau Claire, WI; sister, Mary Ann Wager of Council Bluffs, IA.
She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph, brother Patrick Pelzer and sister Francis (Pelzer) Emarine.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church and continue until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci as celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Superior. Pallbearers for the service will be Joseph Schmidt, Paul Schmidt, Mark Schmidt, David Hall, Arthur Rivers and David Austin.Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Elizabeth's name to Cathedral School.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to family members Joseph Schmidt and Miriam Austin for the kind and loving care they gave to Elizabeth and to the professional staff at Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital for the wonderful care.
The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.


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You Have a Ministry
by Sterner, R. Eugene•
James L. Fleming 2005
From the Preface: "This book is addressed to the layman-businessman, carpenter, lawyer, doctor, crane operator, engineer, teacher, or laborer. It comes from an ordained minister who feels that if the church is to get out beyond its cloister into everyday vocational and family life, the ministry must be shared by all Christians."
With the Logos Bible Software edition of You Have a Ministry all Scripture passages are linked to your favorite Bible translation in your library. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference.
Key Features
- Preface by the author
- Questions at the end on each chapter for further discussion
- Chapter I - The Church and Its Ministry
- Chapter II - Person to Person
- Chapter III - Your "World"
- Chapter IV - The Person Behind the Face
- Chapter V - Your Ministry
- Chapter VI - Friend to Friend
- Chapter VII - For the Common Good
- Chapter VIII - To Equip His People
- Chapter IX - Your Ministry Goes On and On
Product Details
- Title: You Have a Ministry
- Author: R. Eugene Sterner
- Publisher: Warner Press
About R. Eugene Sterner
R. Eugene Sterner is also the author of The Pastor's Class, Where Are You Going, Jesus, and We Reach Our Hands.


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Here is the power point presentation in French (Séminaire Œuvre Durable)
Category Archives: climate change
Corn Yields Are Growing More Sensitive To Heat And Drought
According to Stanford research U.S. corn yields are growing more sensitive to heat and drought. Farmers are faced with difficult tradeoffs in adapting to a changing climate in which unfavorable weather will become more common.
The study, which appears in the journal Science, was led by Stanford's David Lobell, associate professor of environmental Earth system science and associate director of the Center on Food Security and the Environment. "The Corn Belt is phenomenally productive," Lobell said, referring to the region of Midwestern states where much of the country's corn is grown. "But in the past two decades we saw very small yield gains in non-irrigated corn under the hottest conditions. This suggests farmers may be pushing the limits of what's possible under these conditions."
He predicted that at current levels of temperature sensitivity, crops could lose 15 percent of their yield within 50 years, or as much as 30 percent if crops continue the trend of becoming more sensitive over time.
As Lobell explained, the quest to maximize crop yields has been a driving force behind agricultural research as the world's population grows and climate change puts pressure on global food production. One big challenge for climate science is whether crops can adapt to climate change by becoming less sensitive to hotter and drier weather.
"The data clearly indicate that drought stress for corn and soy comes partly from low rain, but even more so from hot and dry air. Plants have to trade water to get carbon from the air to grow, and the terms of that trade become much less favorable when it's hot," said Lobell, also the lead author for a chapter in the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, which details a consensus view on the current state and fate of the world's climate.
Rain, temperature, humidity
The United States produces 40 percent of the world's corn, mostly in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. As more than 80 percent of U.S. agricultural land relies on natural rainfall rather than irrigation, corn farmers in these regions depend on precipitation, air temperature and humidity for optimal plant growth.
According to the research, over the last few decades, corn in the United States has been modified with new traits, like more effective roots that better access water and built-in pest resistance to protect against soil insects. These traits allow farmers to plant seeds closer together in a field, and have helped farmers steadily raise yields in typical years.
But in drought conditions, densely planted corn can suffer higher stress and produce lower yields. In contrast, soybeans have not been planted more densely in recent decades and show no signs of increased sensitivity to drought, the report noted.
Drought conditions are expected to become even more challenging as temperatures continue to rise throughout the 21st century, the researchers said.
Lobell said, "Recent yield progress is overall a good news story. But because farm yields are improving fastest in favorable weather, the stakes for having such weather are rising. In other words, the negative impacts of hot and dry weather are rising at the same time that climate change is expected to bring more such weather."
Lobell's team examined an unprecedented amount of detailed field data from more than 1 million USDA crop insurance records between 1995 and 2012.
"The idea was pretty simple," he said. "We determined which conditions really matter for corn and soy yields, and then tracked how farmers were doing at different levels of these conditions over time. But to do that well, you really need a lot of data, and this dataset was a beauty."
Lobell said he hopes that the research can help inform researchers and policymakers so they can make better decisions.
"I think it's exciting that data like this now exist to see what's actually happening in fields. By taking advantage of this data, we can learn a lot fairly quickly," he said. "Of course, our hope is to improve the situation. But these results challenge the idea that U.S. agriculture will just easily adapt to climate changes because we invest a lot and are really high-tech."
Lobell and colleagues are also looking at ways crops may perform better under increasingly hot conditions. "But I wouldn't expect any miracles," he said. "It will take targeted efforts, and even then gains could be modest. There's only so much a plant can do when it is hot and dry."
Laura Seaman is the communications and external relations manager for Stanford's Center on Food Security and the Environment, a joint program of Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.
From: http://www.haccpeuropa.com/2014/05/02/corn-yields-growing-sensitive-heat-drought/
Ocean acidification feedback causes increased warming
Mapping World Stressed Countries
WRI's Aqueduct project recently evaluated, mapped, and scored water risks like these in 100 river basins, ranked by area and population, and 181 nations—the first such country-level water assessment of its kind. 37 countries face "extremely high" levels of baseline water stress (see list at bottom). This means that more than 80 percent of the water available to agricultural, domestic, and industrial users is withdrawn annually—leaving businesses, farms, and communities vulnerable to scarcity.
See more at: http://www.wri.org/blog/world%E2%80%99s-37-most-water-stressed-countries?utm_campaign=socialmedia&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=wri-page
The Bottom-up Approach and the Co-construction of Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of the Communities in the face of Climate Change and Variability
Caribbean Policymakers Get Climate Adaptation Tool
An adaptation plan to deal with the detrimental effects of climate change can be seen as a planning tool to be used to examine the issue of climate change in context and in all fields of activities of a municipal government, to identify and prioritize the key risks, and to adopt a vision as well as to provide steps for implementing short, medium and long-term adaptation measures to changing climatic conditions.
A decision-support website has been launched to help policymakers in the Caribbean build resilience to the risks that climate change poses to activities such as tourism and agriculture.
The Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation TooL (CCORAL), unveiled last month (12 July) in Saint Lucía, allows users to identify whether their activity is likely to be influenced by climate change and how to deal with this.
It helps project managers to understand climate influence on decisions, and to choose and apply risk management processes.
"The site is not set up to tell a manager what decision they should make, but rather to help them understand the factors involved and to explore and weigh options."
ReFARM Database
Overcoming the threats to agriculture and food security in a changing climate requires a strong scientific evidence base to both help smallholder farmers choose resilient strategies and to guide development policy and investments.
Building on a Bioversity and CCAFS systematic review of the role of diversification in agricultural systems, the Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research is now hosting the ReFARM (the Resilience Framework for Agriculture and Risk Management) Database, to feature hundreds of reviewed case studies on these issues.
Case studies can be quickly screened according to a range of categories including region, scale, climate risks, diversification type and other management categories, along with other features of agricultural systems. Practitioners who would like to contribute their own work are invited to submit a case directly through the site.
So far the database has 37 case studies on diversification and livestock …
Follow the link to the web site ReFARM


text: Today I wanted to share a story about my first year teaching. I was hired to teach 3rd grade at a title 1 school in the same district I graduated from. I was SO excited to start this new journey, and couldn't wait to meet my students. I would be teaching ESL at a Dual Language campus. That meant that there… Read More


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Latest on Jamaal Tinsley
February 11, 2009 in Basketball, Indiana Pacers, NBA by pacejmiller
With the February 19 trade deadline coming up, the Indiana Pacers are desperately trying to get rid of dormant point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Here's what's been in the headlines the last couple of days.
NBA Players Union files grievance on Tinsley's behalf
After threatening to do it a week or two ago, the NBA Players Union have now officially filed a grievance on Jamaal Tinsley's behalf. According to Tinsley's agent, Jamaal just wants to play. However, Tinsley has not played since last season and the Pacers have essentially cut all ties with him, not allowing him to practice or travel with the team – but they are refusing to release him or buy out his contract (still over $14 million in his last 2 years). Pacers management have made it abundantly clear that Jamaal Tinsley will never be an Indiana Pacer again.
Unless the Pacers manage to stuff this up even more by not finding a team for Tinsley by the trade deadline, I don't see this grievance having any impact at all. Chances are, Tinsley will be gone by 19 February, but the big question is where and what the Pacers will get in return.
Since they've already killed off any trade value Tinsley had left in him, I think the Pacers need to stop being so stubborn and just take whatever deal (within reason, of course) that is out there.
Potential deals
Just from publicly available sources, there appear to be two teams desperate enough to be willing to take a gamble on Tinsley – the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Bobcats.
Miami Heat
The Indianapolis Star reports a potential trade with the Heat in which the Pacers would probably have to take another point guard in Marcus Banks, or preferably, center Mark Blount. Banks is averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 assists in 16 games this season, but only playing 10.4 minutes per game. Blount, on the other hand, is averaging 4 points and 1.9 rebounds in just 10.9 minutes over 17 games. Both are not hot commodities, though they have been (in the past) relatively decent players. The important thing is that both are averaging more than Tinsley (a big zero in all categories).
I see no point in taking Banks if the Pacers already have Ford, Jack and Diener. Blount, on the other hand, would be a semi-decent addition because the Pacers need tough bodies and at least he can play a little D compared to the other Pacer big men. But it would only be worth it if they don't lose another big man or young player in the trade.
Charlotte Bobcats
Another rumoured trade reported by both the Indianapolis Star and ESPN is with the Bobcats. Sources say the deal would involve trading Jamaal Tinsley, Jeff Foster (6.8ppg, 6.7rpg), and Brandon Rush (5.9ppg, 2.5rpg) for Raymond Felton (13.4ppg, 6.7apg), Nazr Mohammed (2.5ppg, 2.0rpg) and Sean May (4.0ppg, 3.1rpg).
However, reports say that the Pacers have no intention of parting with fan favourite Foster, who just received a 2-year contract extension in October, and Rush, a young guard the Pacers raved about and traded to get.
If the Pacers could say trade Stephen Graham or Marquis Daniels instead of Rush, then I think they should jump at the deal. Despite how badly Rush has played in his first season, at least he has some potential. He has range and has the ability to be a good defender. There is a possibility that he'll end up as just another player the Pacers raved about before the draft but give up on a season or two down the track (remember Shawne Williams, James White, David Harrison, James Jones, Primo Brezec?), but I think the Pacers will end up regretting it if they traded Rush now.
Foster is still as reliable as always on the boards and is a decent defender, but he can't hang with the more physical, powerful PFs and Cs in the league. It's just a fact. The Pacers are simply too soft in the middle and Mohammed and May can provide some much needed toughness (when healthy). Yes, Felton is another PG, but he's been playing great this season and could form a legitimate rotation with Ford and Jack at the PG and SG spots. In any case he would be a big upgrade on Diener.
I'm kind of surprised how unappealing these deals look, but the Pacers have no one but themselves to blame and it's best if they just bite the bullet and get this Tinsley saga over with.


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Veterans were remembered during the First Church worship service, Sunday, November 13. Over the church's 125 years, men and women have served in the country's wars beginning with World War I in 1917. More than 20 young men from First Church were part of the more than 1.25 million Pennsylvanians who served in World War II fighting against the Axis powers. Of that number, more than 33,000 were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners of war.
Vietnam was a vivid reminder of the horrors and tragedy of war with the untimely death of 20-year-old Larry Bach. The son of Edward and Jane Bach, Larry was a graduate of the Spring-Ford class of 1964 and was an outstanding football player. Also serving in the armed forces but fortunate to return home safely were John Shaffer and David Shanaman.
A special collection was taken for the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, one of six centers across the state of Pennsylvania. The money collected, $215.00 will be used to aid the 262 men and 30 women currently living at the center, guests of state very grateful for what these unsung heroes are and what they did in helping to preserve our freedom and way of life. Each veteran lives in his own apartment and enjoys the 24-hour services of doctors, and nurses trained to help patients cope with issues like mental health, podiatry, speech/audiology, and dementia.
Other amenities include a post office, bank, library, gift shop, and pharmacy, all included as a daily reminder that while many of these veterans continue their struggle against the wounds of war, the American people and its government have not forgotten them.
Adding to the special service were three of our country's favorite patriotic songs, "My Country, 'tis of Thee," "O Beautiful, Our Spacious Skies," and "This Is My Song." Veterans Day, 2016. To quote Winston Churchill, Great Britain's war-time Prime Minister, "Never have so many owed so much to so few."


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10:25am PT by Ryan Parker
Fans Outdid Themselves With These Adam West Tributes
Pretty much everyone was a fan of Adam West.
The iconic TV actor who brought Batman to life on the small screen in the 1960s never took himself too seriously, and fans appreciated him even more for being in on the joke.
And as soon as news broke that West died Saturday at the age of 88, social media exploded with mourners who just couldn't believe the actor, who was also a fan favorite on Family Guy, was gone.
Along with the heartfelt messages from fans and colleagues alike were tributes, most of which were Batman related.
From a Bat-Signal from Heaven to West greeting Christopher Reeves, here are some of the most moving pieces shared on social media.
One more tribute to the passing of Adam West that I thought was pretty awesome... pic.twitter.com/lKG7TVFNLH— Old School 80s (@OldSchool80s) June 13, 2017
Ed Hall tribute to Adam West. pic.twitter.com/IF8rLT84Ok— Bob AKA Robert (@BobTrek) June 12, 2017
Another great Adam West tribute. RIP Adam pic.twitter.com/GnEM5cbVZ0— Simone Guglielmini (@SGuglie) June 11, 2017
Tribute to Adam West - THE BATMAN! pic.twitter.com/GhmhdLWqIy— Hazy Cosmic Jive (@ObscureAaron) June 12, 2017
Another lovely tribute to the great #AdamWest #RIPAdamWest #Batman #Batman66 pic.twitter.com/8fopHVw5F2— Holy BatCast (@HolyBatCast) June 11, 2017
Perfect tribute to Adam West - via @joefortunato (artist unknown) #jaws #AdamWestRIP #adamwestbatman #adamwest #shark #sharkrepellent pic.twitter.com/JnXOGxhK0x— The Daily Jaws (@thedailyjaws) June 11, 2017
Ryan firstname.lastname@example.com theryanparker


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This book connected with me on all cylinders.
Surprised by Hope is Wright's attempt to explain the biblical teaching on the resurrection of the dead, what happens when we die, heaven and how the church should act in light of these teachings.
Then he throws in the typical Wrightian thoughts on the Kingdom of God and global debt forgiveness for good measure.
It may have been the season in which I was reading this book but I could not put this down. It seemed as if every chapter had moments where I wanted to scream out, "Hallelujah".
As with other works by Wright, he builds each chapter upon what was discovered from the previous one. He breaks this book into three parts: Setting the Scene in which he explains the different views of life after death and how there is so much confusion out there. He walks us through the early church thought of Easter and the ramifications.
Part two is God's Future Plan. This was the biggest emotional, spiritual, intellectual boost and encouragement for me. This is where Wright explains about the Kingdom of God and how Jesus understood it, moving on to what the second coming is all about and how Jesus acts as judge. Lastly he discusses what the redemption of our bodies will be and how Scripture refers to a physical bodily resurrection and not some sort of spirit resting in paradise.
Wright's thoughts on Purgatory, Paradise and Hell are refreshing even as this book was written before Rob Bell's Love Wins. Even if this isn't the book for an exhaustive study, it may have set more people at ease.
The final part deals with what we can do, as the church, now that there is a fuller understanding of what the Kingdom of God is all about and what it should look like as we live the rest of our lives.
Simply a terrific book. I can't wait for the next Wright book.


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Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms Relieved Davis
When you originally presented to the officeyou presented with very very intense peripheral neuropathy pain in the lower legs and feet.How have you been responding to our peripheral neuropathy treatments, and how do you feeltoday? Today I feel real good, when I first started i couldn't feel a thing under thebottom of my feet. I couldn't feel the carpet, now I can walk on my carpet at home and ifthere are any crumbs I can feel those and find them. Before I couldn't feel them. Asfar as my legs go I had it felt like there were thousands of needles jabbing them. Nowthat is gone and I have a little pain once in a while but nothing like before. I can,I have little unbalances still walking, but
otherwise I feel 100% better than I did whenI came in here. Well congratulations on your results and we're very proud to have you hereas a patient. Oh well I'm glad you could do something for me. Thank you.
Treating Neuropathy and Nerve Pain in the Feet
Let me start with I'm a diabetic. I developedneuropathy, which basically you lose all sensation in the feet, but it's over a period of time.It was very painful. I would have sensations in my feet like I was standing on fire, walkingon glass. Last October it got so bad that I couldn't sleep at night. Then I met Bullard, because he's just a great physician. I wouldn't think twice, I'd recommendhim to anybody. Very compassionate, very thorough, I can't say enough about Bullard. He'sjust a great physician and I don't know if there's anything he couldn't do hecould probably move mountains if he wanted to!Glen, probably one of the biggest questions
people are asking you is what'd we do, what'shappened. Of course, you had a tremendous improvement in your pain and the tinglingand the numbness. Easiest explanation is, to tell everybody, that this big nerve here,which is on the inside part of your left foot, was getting strangled. There was a noose aroundit. What we did is we went in and loosened the noose, and that allows that nerve to beginto function and work like it's supposed to.Now, the sensation is coming back, it's something that's going to take time butI can feel more. My quality of life has greatly improved since I had the procedure done by Bullard. There's no other physician
that I would recommend.Glen, in the next couple weeks, what we're going to do is make sure that the swellingis improving, hopefully begin to transition you out of your compression socks, becauseI know it's kind of hot right now, and then look at making sure that your shoe gear andthings like that are where they're supposed to be, fitting you well, protecting your feetand stuff. Ok? Very good. Thank you, I appreciate it, havea good weekend! You do the same. Alright, see ya.


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Happy New Year! Storylines to Watch in 2013 | Election Academy happy-new-year-2013.jpg2013 - 2013 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2013th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 13th year of the 3rd millennium, the 13th year of the 21st century, and the 4th year of the 2010s decade.. Historical events in 2013. See what famous, scandalous and important events happened in 2013 or search by date or keyword.. United States 2013 – Calendar with American holidays. Yearly calendar showing months for the year 2013. Calendars – online and print friendly – for any year and month.
Dec 11, 2013 · To celebrate 2013, we invited some YouTubers to star in a mashup of popular moments this year. Can you spot all the references? WATCH THE TOP VIDEOS OF 2013: http. Upper Arlington is a suburb in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area. As of July, 2015, the population was estimated to be 34,907.. History. Upper Arlington was founded by the real estate developers Ben and King Thompson, who purchased most of the farmland that was to become Upper Arlington in 1913. This land was bought from the former slave and millionaire Pleasant Litchford. It was directly adjacent to the Marble Cliff Quarry Co. They originally wanted to call it the "Country Club District" after the Country Club.
Remembering Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) When Nelson Mandela turned 95 in July, we took a look back at the life and legacy of the beloved anti-apartheid leader and first black president of South Africa.. Title: What If (2013) 6.8 /10. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.. Dec 17, 2018 · 2 reviews of 2013 - Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival "This review is for the 2017 UA Arts Festok, I have read the reviews and I don't think it is fair.I just went to the UA labor day arts fest and I thought it had a lot of different.
The Upper Arlington Alumni Association welcomes you to our online gathering place for those who graduated from Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio. We're proud to bring you information concerning our community, UAAA-sponsored events such as our annual Fourth of July Block Party and other events, and to provide a forum for the exchange of information about employment.
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Our standard hours of operation vary slightly from department to department. See the chart below for typical hours. In the event of a college-wide closing due to weather or other unanticipated events, please refer to either Nightingale College's home page, social media page, or local TV and radio stations for details. Current learners will be notified by email and through Canvas.
Academic advising is made by appointment.
|Mon – Fri
|Admissions & Records
|8:30 am-6:00 pm
|Administrative Offices
|8:30 am-5:00 pm
|Financial Aid Office
|8:30 am-5:00 pm
|Learner Support Service
|8:30 am-5:00 pm
|Library – Learning Resources
|8:30 am-5:00 pm
|Administration & Operations
|9:00 am – 5:00 pm


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Contact me through the Contact Form in the blog sidebar.
Please include my name and the title of the artwork in the subject line.
CAPE COD LIGHTHOUSE by Texas Artist Dyan Newton
Cape Cod Lighthouse
11 x 14 Oil on Panel
Took this photo while visiting a friend on Cape Cod. Of course, added my palette of vibrant colors


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Tia Tormen was born and raised in sunny CA but currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA; in an insanity of her own design. She is a co-author of Naked in the Light, book 1 and book 2, with SydelineWorks, and several convoluted photo-comic books. All can be found on Amazon
Her loves include writing, photography, videography, video editing, poetry, double chocolate chunk ice cream and of course, CK.
She firmly believes that life is what you make it.
Tia can be found on:
CK Stone has always been an avid reader and when the stories he read didn't entertain him, he wrote his own. He writes naughty limericks, short stories, erotic and otherwise, and of course, the occasional blog post. He has also written a sexy, urban fantasy thriller with Tia Tormen called "Hidden Design". His eclectic erotic journey grew out of his passionate adventures with Tia and happily, those adventures are ongoing and show no signs of slowing down. Serious about his writing, he has the scars of self-flagellation to prove it. Unfortunately for all his seriousness about writing, sometimes the world demands a lot less solemnity. Go figure. He charges at life from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where he resides with the beautiful Tia and a variety of ghosties and ghoulies and long leggedy beasties.
CK can be found on:


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The Iriedaily Crackle Bird Tee comes with artwork print by Sikoe and is comfy to wear.
With its roots in Berlin, Iriedaily focus on responsibility and respect while constantly striving toward one goal: staying different. Collection after collection of on trend streetwear keeps you on your toes and makes you want to go back for more.


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H&R Block is implementing changes throughout its operations in order to stem client closses. The tax services chain, which had a weak 2016 tax season, has reworked "all customer-facing parts of the business," according to CEO Bill Cobb.
Cobb made his comments during a recent webcast of the company's financial results for the second quarter ended October 31.
Cobb said the company does not expect to produce client growth this year. However, he commented, "We believe we will be able to significantly reduce client loss as we move to client growth." However, growth is expected in Block's do-it-yourself products.
The changes included the client-service delivery model which "hasn't changed much in decades," he says. These include changes to how Block attracts tax clients and how it services them. In addition, "We have addressed gaps in our pricing and product strategy," he said.
Pricing changes include matching Intuit's Absolute Zero. The Block program offers free online filing for 1040EZ and 1040A, which includes the Earned Income Tax Credit and state return.
The company is also pushing Refund Advance, its no-interest refund anticipation loan. Loans are available for $500, $750 and $1,250. Cobb anticipates use of the service particularly by clients claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, whose refunds are being held until February 15.
Block is also charging a fee of $32 to $36 per client. However, those fees are not past on to clients, but will be recorded as a cost of revenue.
For the second quarter, Block lost $143 million for the most recently ended quarter, unchanged from a year earlier. Revenue was $131.3 million, up .5 percent from $128 million in last year's corresponding period.
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We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to make it easier for you to understand what information we collect, how and why we collect it.


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File-It-Under: Apps for Android By: D.F.Skin
Its time show I some love to the Android users and report that if your current user of OneDrive good news,Microsoft will allow the app to share and organize files much easier all while your on the move. Thanks in part to the 2.5 update,the cloud storage option will allow Google powered devices to share via an invite,link or send file to an outside app. The new update will also allow users to download multiple files all at once,while moving and sorting individual items and folders per need.There is also some new additions on the desktop which includes adding items to a previous shared stash, publishing video content to your Facebook.custom albums covers etc. This current new version app is now on Google Play,the desktop version will roll out to users in increments in the coming days


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Media Statement by Dr. Ong Kian Ming, MP for Serdang, Tony Pua, MP for Petaling Jaya Utara and Zairil Khir Johari, MP for Bukit Bendera, on the 29th of March 2017
The Ministry of Education is guilty of gross incompetence in administering the 2015 PISA test
The poor performance of Malaysian students in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2009, where Malaysia was ranked in the bottom third of all countries, was highlighted in the National Education Blueprint 2013 to 2025 (See Figure 1). Malaysia's performance in the 2012 PISA test did not show significant improvement. Not surprisingly, there was much attention on the 2015 PISA test scores to see if the efforts of the Ministry of Education would be able to boost Malaysia's performance in Reading, Mathematics and Science.
Figure 1: Comparison of Malaysia's PISA 2009+ ranking and scores against other countries (selected)
Unfortunately, even though Malaysia's scores for Reading, Mathematics and Science did show an increase from 2012 to 2015 (from 398 to 431 for Reading, from 421 to 446 in Mathematics, from 420 to 443 in Science), Malaysia was not included in the 2015 PISA ranking. According to the 2015 PISA report, "In Malaysia, the PISA assessment was conducted in accordance with the operational standards and guidelines of the OECD. However, the weighted response rate among the initially sampled Malaysian schools (51%) falls well short of the standard PISA response rate of 85%. Therefore, the results may not be comparable to those of other countries or to results for Malaysia from previous years".[1]
In a parliamentary reply to MP Tony Pua, on the 22nd of March, 2017, the excuses given by the Ministry of Education for this low response include: (i) students were not used to answering the questions using computers resulting in their response not being recorded and (ii) technical problems such as damaged data and data which were lost during the taking of the test.
These excuses are unacceptable for the following reasons:
- The Ministry of Education had at least 2 years, starting in 2013, to prepare for the 2015 PISA test.[2]
- This is not the first time which Malaysia is going through the PISA process. In 2009, the response rate for the students selected was 99.3% and in 2012, it was 100.0%. How was it that in 2015, the response rate had dropped to 51%?
- Before the release of the PISA report, the Ministry of Education had given assurances that both students and teachers had been adequately prepared for the taking and administering of the PISA tests.[3]
The admission of these technical failures shows that the Ministry of Education was grossly incompetent in administering the 2015 PISA tests. In doing so, it has put Malaysia in an embarrassing situation of not being featured in the PISA rankings.
The Ministry of Education should not be boasting about Malaysia's improvement in its PISA scores since the PISA report has clearly stated that our 2015 scores cannot be compared to past PISA scores. Instead, it should issue a detailed report on why the sample of schools included in the PISA test and explain why the response rate of 85% was not reached. Deputy Education Minister, Chong Sin Woon, promised in December 2016 that such a detailed report would be released but till now, we have seen no such report.[4]
Figure 2: Reasons given on why Malaysia only managed a 51% response rate for the 2015 PISA test
Dr. Ong Kian Ming
Member of Parliament for Serdang
[1] PISA 2015 Results – Policies & Practices for Successful Schools Vol.II, pg. 261.
[2] http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/malaysia-capable-improving-its-position-pisa-2015-26809
[3] http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/02/13/students-being-prepped-for-pisa-assessment/
[4] http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/report-on-malaysias-pisa-disqualification-underway


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The City of Toronto plans to narrow lane widths to improve traffic safety. However, traffic-engineering experts believe that narrow lane widths are associated with higher accident rates.
While John Tory, the mayor-elect, has already endorsed the City's plans, he and the traffic experts at the City must review traffic safety studies that conclude otherwise.
A front-page story in the Globe and Mail reported that the city is exploring options to reduce road lane widths to improve traffic safety. City's traffic department believes that narrow lane widths will result in reduced speeds, which they think will improve traffic safety. Stephen Buckley, the general manager of the City's Transportation services department, told the Globe that lane widths in the downtown core in American cities are already down to 10-feet.
While the City's traffic department sounds confident in its assertions, its recommended guidelines on lane widths are in stark contradiction to what we know from traffic engineering and safety studies. Narrower lane widths by default have higher accident rates. Even more disconcerting is the City's backgrounder on lane width guidelines, which states that traffic "throughput is independent of speed." Nothing could be more wrong about traffic flow than this statement.
I had the privilege of studying under Professor Emeritus Ezra Hauer, who is a world-renowned expert on traffic safety. In a paper addressing lane widths, Prof. Hauer wrote: "under identical traffic conditions, roads with 10 foot lanes have 5% more crashes and roads with 12 foot lanes have 1% more crashes than roads with 11 foot lanes." He further explained that while 3-metre wide roads had more crashes than 3.75-metre wide roads, the difference between 3.65-metre and 3.75-metre roads was not significant.
Professor Hauer is not alone in raising concerns about narrow lane widths. Most traffic-engineering experts have concluded the same. In a paper published in 2014 in the journal Safety Science, the University of Alberta's academics found a statistically significant and negative correlation between lane widths and accident rates. They explain the reasons why wider lanes are safer than narrower lanes. "Basic engineering knowledge suggests that wider lanes contribute to safer transportation facilities" because "any action that makes a task easier to perform will make that task safer to perform." Remember, wider lanes make it easier to drive and hence improve traffic safety.
There are even gender dimensions to this issue. A study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention concluded that that women were likely to experience more accidents than male drivers in "heavy traffic volume, reduced median widths, narrow lane widths, and large number of lanes."
It is important to note that some published research concluded that wider lanes increase accident frequency. Individuals, who are not traffic engineering experts, have usually authored such studies. Consider, for example, a study by Prof. Reid Ewing and Eric Dumbaugh in which they argue that accidents increase "as lanes exceed 11 feet in width." The authors, unfortunately, have misread and misquoted Prof. Ezra Hauer's research that concluded exactly the opposite.
Toronto's traffic services department plans to exempt bus and transit routes from lane width reduction. The exemption is motivated by a concern about buses being wider than cars and hence the need for wider lanes. Just like public transit buses, fire engines, ambulances, and school buses are also wide-body vehicles, which are not restricted to operate on designated routes. Narrowing lane widths will influence the ambulatory response times in the downtown core.
It is important to recognize that downtown Toronto is not merely an employment hub, but also a hub for health care facilities. Most advanced trauma centres, birthing centres, specialized hospitals for women and children are located in downtown Toronto. Narrowing lane widths in and around downtown Toronto will worsen travel times and consequently increase access and egress times to and from the primary health care facilities.
The backgrounder on lane with guidelines states that traffic flow is independent of speed or lane widths. This is in contradiction of the fundamental equation of traffic flow, which states that throughput (traffic flow) is essentially a function of two variables, i.e. traffic density and speed. Narrow lane widths will lead to lower traffic speeds, which will reduce the traffic flow through the urban core.
The City's backgrounder on lane widths further states that regardless of their speed, cars maintain two second spacing between them. Again, the fundamental equation of traffic flow states that the spacing between vehicles increases with speed.
What concerns me even more is that the City's guidelines claim that reducing lane widths will not reduce traffic speeds or traffic flows. However, the City's traffic department gives a different message to the newspapers revealing that the purpose of lane width reduction is primarily to reduced traffic speeds. What is the logic behind issuing contradictory statements?
Traffic engineering offers a whole host of traffic calming solutions to lower speed on urban arterials. Accidents occurring at lower speeds have lower fatality rates than those at higher speeds. However, system-wide narrowing of lane widths is likely to worsen traffic safety in the City and not improve it.
Remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Let us not be narrow-minded about lane widths.


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When renovating your bathroom you want a reputable and reliable contractor to carry out the work. This is not only to ensure the work is done to the highest standard, but it's also imperative so that you know they will meet the schedule, be on time, professional and have the knowledge to carry out the work effectively.
Here are some tips to help you find the right contractor in your area.
Get a Number of Quotes
Don't only ask for one quote and settle for it. Getting a number of professionals in, gives you the chance to see how professional they are and also gives you an opportunity to decide between a number of contractors.
It is so important to remember that cheaper isn't always the best option, you want to choose the contractor that is knowledgeable, professional, has good reviews and can carry out the job in the required time frame.
Ask each contractor to come to your home to carry out the quote, they will probably ask to do this anyway, if they don't, it's a big red flag. They cannot quote without seeing and knowing exactly what needs to be done.
Ask Questions
Once the contractor arrives to give you a quote, ask questions. Maybe have a list of questions and ask each of the contractors the same questions, this can be on easy plumb and fast flow waste, how they install it, how long will it take or even which of the waste solutions they suggest.
This is your chance to determine their knowledge. Also when they come to your home you can see how professional and reliable they are. Did they arrive on time?
Once you've met all the contractors and they have agreed on a start date and given you a price to complete the job, you can sit down and compare the quotes against each other. Once you have one in mind that really appeals to you, it's time to do your homework.
The one that appears to know what they're talking about, may not be the most reputable. The last thing you need is having the easy plumb and fast flow waste installed only to find leaks a few weeks or even months later.
Go online, the internet is the best place to find customer reviews. Search the forums and see what comes back. If the contractor only has good reviews and the customers are very happy, then hire them and get the installation underway.


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In brief - Relief against penalties to be available in wider range of scenarios
The High Court has rejected the position that relief against a penalty is only available for payments arising as a result of a breach of contract.
Decision may downplay current concepts of freedom of contract
On 6 September 2012, the High Court handed down a joint decision in the case of Andrews v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (2012) 290 ALR 595. The case is notable because the High Court rejects the position, previously adopted by Australian courts, that relief against a penalty is only available for payments arising as a result of a breach of contract.
As a consequence, it would appear that the doctrine of relief against penalties will be available in a much wider range of scenarios in the future. The decision, with its emphasis on proportionality of compensation, supports the view that courts should not be unduly swayed by concepts of freedom of contract in circumstances where an unreasonable detriment might be suffered by a contracting party.
Applicants seek declarations that bank fees unenforceable as a penalty
The High Court judgment relates to certain grounds of appeal, from a decision of a single judge of the Federal Court, that were removed to the High Court. The ongoing Federal Court proceedings concern certain fees levied by ANZ against customers, such as fees for unauthorised overdrafts, overdrawn accounts and credit card fees that apply where users have exceeded credit limits. The contracts between ANZ and its customers allow ANZ to charge these fees. The applicants in the case are part of a representative action and seek declarations that the fees are void or unenforceable as a penalty.
The questions removed to the High Court concern the nature and scope of the jurisdiction to relieve against penalties and the question of whether relief is available only after the penalty is imposed upon a breach of contract [at 18].
Amount recoverable is a penalty if totally out of proportion to maximum loss
The famous case of Clydebank Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Limited v Don Jose Ramos Yzquierdo y Castenada [1905] AC 6 provides a much-quoted example of how the doctrine of relief against penalties often applies. Party A may enter into a contract where A agrees to build a house for B within a year for £50. A further agrees to pay B the sum of £1,000,000 in the event that A fails to complete construction on time.
When A does not complete construction on time, a breach of contract occurs. However, the £1,000,000 is a penalty because the amount recoverable is totally out of proportion to the maximum loss that B will suffer for late performance.
Relief does not depend on breach of contract occurring
In Andrews v ANZ, in which the High Court carried out a detailed examination of the long history of penalty jurisprudence, the Court confirmed that:
- The jurisdiction of the doctrine of relief against penalties is equitable.
- Because jurisdiction is equitable and not based on contract law, relief does not depend upon a breach of contract having occurred.
- It is the substance (and not the form) of a clause that matters. If a fee or any other stipulation is out of proportion to the obligation that is sought to be secured, it may be a penalty.
A "penalty" exceeds the compensation necessary to compensate the other party
The formulation used by the High Court is expressed in slightly complex terms. In essence, the Court held that a stipulation, on its face, imposes a penalty on one contracting party (the first party) if:
- first, as a matter of substance, the stipulation is collateral to a primary stipulation in favour of the other party. A stipulation is collateral if its purpose is to force the first party to satisfy the primary stipulation; and
- secondly, upon the failure of the primary stipulation, the collateral stipulation imposes upon the first party an additional detriment (the penalty) to the benefit of the other party. The detriment is "additional", and hence a penalty, if it exceeds the compensation that is necessary to compensate the other party. However, no penalty exists if the collateral stipulation is not capable of being quantified in monetary terms or if the detriment is a genuine pre-estimate of damage.
Importantly, if the collateral stipulation involves some additional accommodation by the person benefitting from it, it will not be a penalty. The High Court gives an example of where a film exhibitor has a right to hire a film for public showing at certain times but may hire the film at other times provided the exhibitor pays a hiring fee of four times the usual hiring fee. The much higher price is not a penalty because the higher payments are made in exchange for an option to purchase additional hiring rights.
Relief to be available for wider range of contract clauses
Andrews v ANZ represents a significant change in characterisation of penalties under Australian law. Going forward, relief will be available to parties to contracts and other legal instruments regarding a wider range of contractual clauses and stipulations, where they are construed as penalties.
Take care to ensure your contracts are not open to challenge
We recommend that, in commercial dealings, clients closely scrutinise any payments or other "detriments" (such as obligations to transfer property or forfeit proprietary interests) to assess whether, if enforced, they reflect a genuine pre-estimate of a party's loss or damage. Commercial dealings that are likely to be impacted include:
- Service level agreements (such as those used in the IT industry)
- Performance payment mechanisms (used in public private partnerships and facilities management contracts)
- Fees applied to non-performance of obligations under leases and franchise agreements
- Fees charged under utilities contracts and telecoms services contracts
- Amounts payable under indemnities
- Contractual restraints in construction contracts


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Ella can wax poetic about family and Passover and birthdays and cake and all that other stuff, but there's really only one thing I care about: golf. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time with everyone, and I loved surprising Gramma Lea for her birthday, but for me, Coopy, my heart is somewhere between the tee box and the pin. All I have to say is that it's a good thing Gramma Lea and Papa live on a golf course, and it's an even better thing that it was nice enough for me and Daddy to sneak away and play a little bit.
I'm getting pretty good too. Watch out Tiger, I'm comin' for you!


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Warrenpoint Town manager Barry Gray refused to use the excuse of not having number one goalkeeper Jonny Parr available for their home defeat against Glenavon on Saturday.
Parr, who has been in sparkling form since returning to the side following a long lay-off, had to sit out Saturday's match after picking up a leg injury a fortnight ago against Crusaders.
Stefan Graham came in for his first start at only 17 years of age and Gray felt his players didn't help him enough, with Declan O'Brien scoring two unmarked headers, one in either half to set the Lurgan Blues on their way to victory.
Although Liam Bagnall did pull one back 13 minutes from time with a well-taken goal, Mark Sykes ensured the three points would travel back to Mourneview Park with a late header for the third goal.
"The players had a responsibility to make sure we didn't miss him [Parr]. Stefan has done well for us and you can't fault him too much. Yes, if Jonny had been in it would have added an extra structure to us but we're well past having one or two players out and using that as an excuse," said Gray.
"You can't go in and just blame the keeper because we've conceded three goals."
Glenavon defender Kris Lindsay, who had to go off at half-time after being briefly knocked unconscious by a fiercely struck Stephen Murray shot, was pleased with the way his side managed the game, given their opponents' recent upturn in form.
"Warrenpoint have been in a great run of form since the turn of the year, since they brought their loan signings in. They have been smashing for them," he said.
"Marty Murray's been on fire and you saw again today, he gave Rhys [Marshall], who's probably the best full-back in the league, a good game. It was always going to be tough to come down here so we've got to be happy with the win," said Lindsay, who praised the patience shown by O'Brien for waiting for his chance to become a regular starter.
"He's had to bide his time with the quality we have. He's come in the last couple of weeks and he's a different type of player to Skinner [Eoin Bradley] and to Kevin [Braniff], he plays on the shoulder and he plays inside the six-yard box and you saw that with his two goals from close range. The quality we have in wide positions is good. Joel Cooper was missing today but Andy Hall puts in some smashing deliveries and strikers like Fabio thrive on that and he got his just rewards with two goals and he probably could have had another with a bit more luck."
Warrenpoint: Graham, M Hughes, McVeigh, Dane, Moan, Bagnall, Clarke, McDonald (Donnelly 67), S Hughes (McMurray 67), M Murray, S Murray
Subs not used: Smith, McCabe, McCoy
Glenavon: Tuffey, Dillon, Lindsay (Elebert H-T), Kilmartin, Hall, Sykes, McGrory, O'Brien (Patton 88), Marshall, Hamilton (Kelly 82), Martyn
Subs not used: Marron, Burns
Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Dundonald)


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People often ask where I come up with these words. Do I tap into some magical conduit of GRE words that are actually on the test (if only!)? Do I drop a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and see what page it lands on (my downstairs neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate this)? Or do I have some savant-like ability to predict which words will be on the test?
The answer is far more prosaic than the questions above would imply. Basically, I crack open GRE books that ETS has written, including the College Board for the SAT, to get a sense of what words ETS likes to use. Since I've been teaching the GRE for awhile, I've developed a pretty good sense of which words are common; I've also—at least I tell myself so—developed a sense of what words are used in an academic context and/or are used relatively frequently but aren't that easy to define. Finally, I look at GRE word lists to make sure I didn't miss anything.
All that said, there are sometimes words that don't really fall into any of those categories—words that I feel could have a fair chance of showing up on the GRE. Don't worry—I won't choose obscure words like haecceity, sophrosyne or quidnunc.
One way I have of determining whether a word is obscure is to enter it into the nytimes.com search box. Doing so allows me to see how often the word has come up in the New York Times over the last 100+ years. A "common" word should show up at least five times a year.
The words below are all relatively common words, according to the New York Times. Yet, they are words that don't typically come up on GRE word lists or GRE tests that I've perused. At the same time, they are words whose definitions may elude you.
I know—phonetically it sounds like something malicious you'd say to someone you just duped. Succor actually means aid or assistance, especially during trying times. For instance, the one time that I ran a marathon my mom was at the halfway point to provide me with liquid succor in the form of a Gatorade bottle.
The hurricane was so devastating that much of the population did not receive succor—food, assistance, shelter—for nearly a week after the storm had hit.
Imagine a judge, stern-faced and black robed, presiding over a court. He or she probably isn't going to crack a joke anytime soon. The judge's manner and bearing are gravitas personified. In other words, gravitas is used to describe a serious, dignified manner.
The incumbent vice president was known for his gravitas, rarely smiling in public and always holding his head high.
Something that is accepted or reputed to be the case—though it may not actually be true—captures the essence of putative. Though I'm the titular head of household, my wife is the putative head of household. Meaning anyone who comes over knows that my wife takes care of most of the household stuff, a role that includes delegating stuff to husband. Other contexts include, a government in which the president is supposed to lead the country, though the putative leaders—the one's who truly control the country—are usually part of the president's inner circle.
After an unrelenting rainstorm, the streets will be strewn with debris: tree branches, litter spewed out by overflowing drains, yesterday's newspapers. This scattered material is collectively known as detritus. Of course, we don't need some violent event to spawn detritus. Just looking at my desk, I can see the detritus of wasabi nuts and almonds that I've been nibbling on over this week (hmm…I should probably clean that up).
Bereft can be a confusing word. It is either the past tense of the verb bereave or an adjective meaning deprived of something. Bereave—we are talking about the verb now—means to deprive someone of a loved person. In other words, when somebody loses a loved one he or she is in a period of bereavement. This definition isn't all too different from the adjective bereft—though the context is very different:
Massive oil spills have left the surrounding water bereft of any aquatic life.
After the economic downturn, the city center was bereft of the dynamism that had once made it such a coveted place to live.


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Autistic Quotes (displaying: 1 - 24 of 24 quotes )
Normal people have an incredible lack of empathy. They have good emotional empathy, but they don't have much empathy for the autistic kid who is screaming at the baseball game because he can't stand the sensory overload. Or the autistic kid having a meltdown in the school cafeteria because there's too much stimulation.
The blackness he woke to on those nights was sightless and impenetrable. A blackness to hurt your ears with listening. Often he had to get up. No sound but the wind in the trees. He rose and stood tottering in that cold autistic dark with his arms outheld for balance while the vestibular calculations in his skull cranked out their reckonings.
The inanity of her remark infuriated him. 'Good grief don't you understand Janet? At this point I'm thoroughly delusional. I'm as mentally ill as it's possible to be. It's incredible that I can communicate with you at all. It's a credit to my ego-strength that I'm not at this point totally autistic.
But how?" my students ask. "How do you actually do it?" You sit down, I say. You try to sit down at approximately the same time every day. This is how you train your unconscious to kick in for you creatively. So you sit down at, say, nine every morning, or ten every night. You put a piece of paper in the typewriter, or you turn on the computer and bring up the right file, and then you stare at it for an hour or so. You begin rocking, just a little at first, and then like a huge autistic child. You look at the ceiling, and over at the clock, yawn, and stare at the paper again. Then, with your fingers poised on the keyboard, you squint at an image that is forming in your mind -- a scene, a locale, a character, whatever -- and you try to quiet your mind so you can hear what that landscape or character has to say above the other voices in your mind.
I have no affinity for animals. I don't hate animals and I would never hurt an animal; I just don't actively care about them. When a coworker shows me cute pictures of her dog, I struggle to respond correctly, like an autistic person who has been taught to recognize human emotions from flash cards. In short, I am the worst.
It's very important for the parents of young autistic children to encourage them to talk, or for those that don't talk, to give them a way of communicating, like a picture board, where they can point to a glass of milk, or a jacket if they're cold, or the bathroom. If they want something, then they need to learn to request that thing.
I am much less autistic now, compared to when I was young. I remember some behaviors like picking carpet fuzz and watching spinning plates for hours. I didn't want to be touched. I couldn't shut out background noise. I didn't talk until I was about 4 years old. I screamed. I hummed. But as I grew up, I improved.


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I could never quite think of the perfect idea for a novel, the sequence of events would never quite fit together in my head, then I saw the film Never Been Kissed and Drew Barrymore uttered those wonderful words 'Write what you know' and I thought what brilliant advice!
I can write what I know…so I had to think, 'what do I know'? I know that Pi is 3.14, I know that acceleration due to gravity is 9.82 m/s ² on Earth, I also know that if you were to touch my neck in a specific spot with the right amount of pressure I could have an almost instant orgasm…
These are things I know for certain, I'll never stop knowing them if I can help it and at least two of them will remain true for eternity( Unless something goes horribly wrong).
There is one thing that I know I will never know, no amount of studying, exam taking, stressing, screaming, shouting, comforting, luring, coaxing or seducing will educate me in the subject, I don't know men.
Everyday I get further toward the conclusion that men actually ARE from Mars and we're from Venus, ok, maybe not those planets precisely but that we are from two different worlds!
I'm not complaining about men here, I'm not on a 'man-bashing' mission, I just want men out there to know we are as confused about them as they are about us. It's working both ways, believe me!
I know we have anthropological reasons stemming back thousands of years to explain our strange behaviour away (yes men you DO have some sort of back up excuse! that doesnt mean you can use it constantly) but isn't it about time we just get over ourselves, accept that we are different to each other, we will never fully understand why the other acts they way they do and just go make a cup of tea, eat a couple of biscuits and have done with it!


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Health insurance policies these days can be tough to locate without going on a deep search and knowing just what it is that you are looking for. With distinct sorts of insurance policies accessible and numerous different factors to contemplate, you require ideas and advice like that offered in this write-up to get you on the ideal research.
When taking into consideration a well being care insurance policy prepare from your employer, be certain to examine if your prescriptions are nonetheless lined in the coming calendar year. The supported manufacturers and kinds of medication can fluctuate from year to calendar year. Also, usually select a generic brand name if feasible. Also be positive to see if there are any discounts such as obtaining your prescriptions despatched by means of mail.
If you and your partner have been riding on a solitary health insurance coverage plan and one particular of you is nearing retirement, sit down and have an open up discussion about how that transition will happen. Coverages will adjust for the retired individual and many choices are available. They can carry on for a even though through COBRA and afterwards, they can utilize for a standalone plan if the rates are not prohibitively higher, but the critical factor is to walk into these conclusions proactively.
Obtaining well being insurance following the reality is not genuinely a excellent way to deal with sickness or injury, but in some states in the nation, you can in fact get an insurance policy policy following you have fallen ill to support just take the edge off of the payments. This is one of the new mandates with America's new healthcare laws, and it can certainly assist you out.
When buying for overall health insurance, examine to see if your favorite doctors – from basic practitioners to experts – are included in each provider's network. Whilst some suppliers will allow you to see out-of-network physicians, you will often spend considerably a lot more for people visits than you would for visits to in-network practitioners.
Verify into individual protection, as you could get a far better charge than with going with a team program. The downside to group protection is that everyone is recognized. This implies that the rates need to be greater to assist account for people who might turn out to be ill or need emergency treatment.
Do not let oneself to be taken in by new incentive programs. A number of health insurance coverage companies are providing "freebie" strategies, the place specific items will be lined at no additional demand. Check the by-strains for your firm, because they might have to offer you you this in any case and are attempting to scam you into signing a far more expensive program.
If you want to help save cash, search for group wellness insurance policies protection. Your employer could offer you this type of coverage at quite excellent costs because overall health insurance coverage businesses supply great discount rates for insuring huge teams of people. Giving good group health coverage helps employers retain excellent workers, so it really is a get-acquire scenario.
The particulars of a well being insurance coverage policy are often modifying. That is why it is essential you maintain up with its adjustments. For case in point, you could go to your medical doctor and uncover out you want a process that your insurance will not cover. For any concerns you may possibly have, you can call your insurance firm.
Honesty is the very best plan. As soon as you have found a appropriate overall health insurance program, just take treatment when filling it out, and be honest. If you make blunders, or are found to have stuffed everything dishonestly, your protection will most likely be denied. The ideal point to do is get issues slowly and feel about how you response each issue.
Make confident everybody in your household has well being insurance policies, and that consists of your youngsters. A amount of conditions, from braces to ADHD medication, can occur with your young children and prove really costly if they are uninsured. Insuring youngsters is extremely essential so you can be confident to be able to afford almost everything they require.
Appear for a plan that has limitations to your out of pocket expenditures, in the event of a catastrophic disease or injury. Catastrophic ailments are the most costly and your out of what happens when you die can include up quickly. If your policy spots a limit on your out of pocket expenses, it can have a optimistic impact on your monetary circumstance.
Ideally this article has offered you a lot more explanation to feel capable and in control of your wellness insurance policy future than like the "small guy" who is at the mercy of the large corporate equipment. Arm yourself with information and set it to sensible use since your wellness is much way too essential for everything but the best that you can provide for it!


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Looking for something to do tonight on the first night of February? For the 21 and up crowd there is a show happening at Bar None downtown which features the touring act Two Houses from Chicago. Stream some of Two Houses' music on the player embedded below. This show features a solid lineup of Two Houses and a couple of locals – hit Springfield band Attic Salt will also be playing. They will also be joined by newer Springfield pop punk band Starter Jackets from some of the same people that brought you Hospital Job.
This show will start at 9:00 pm and we are guessing the door charge is $5. This one is ages 21 and up, sorry! Check out a facebook event for that right here. Also check out our Springfield shows page for a list we are working on of shows coming up in town outside of Black Sheep.


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( 9:30 am to 6:00 pm IST, Mon to Sat )
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