text:
package org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.rtree.dataflow;

import org.apache.hyracks.api.context.IHyracksTaskContext;
import org.apache.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IMissingWriterFactory;
import org.apache.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.RecordDescriptor;
import org.apache.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.common.api.ISearchOperationCallbackFactory;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.common.api.ITreeIndex;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.common.dataflow.IIndexDataflowHelperFactory;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.common.dataflow.IndexSearchOperatorNodePushable;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.common.tuples.PermutingFrameTupleReference;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.rtree.impls.SearchPredicate;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.am.rtree.util.RTreeUtils;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.common.ISearchPredicate;
import org.apache.hyracks.storage.common.MultiComparator;

public class RTreeSearchOperatorNodePushable extends IndexSearchOperatorNodePushable {
    protected PermutingFrameTupleReference searchKey;
    protected MultiComparator cmp;

    public RTreeSearchOperatorNodePushable(IHyracksTaskContext ctx, int partition, RecordDescriptor inputRecDesc,
            int[] keyFields, int[] minFilterFieldIndexes, int[] maxFilterFieldIndexes,
            IIndexDataflowHelperFactory indexHelperFactory, boolean retainInput, boolean retainMissing,
            IMissingWriterFactory missingWriterFactory, ISearchOperationCallbackFactory searchCallbackFactory,
            boolean appendIndexFilter) throws HyracksDataException {
        super(ctx, inputRecDesc, partition, minFilterFieldIndexes, maxFilterFieldIndexes, indexHelperFactory,
                retainInput, retainMissing, missingWriterFactory, searchCallbackFactory, appendIndexFilter);
        if (keyFields != null && keyFields.length > 0) {
            searchKey = new PermutingFrameTupleReference();
            searchKey.setFieldPermutation(keyFields);
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected ISearchPredicate createSearchPredicate() {
        ITreeIndex treeIndex = (ITreeIndex) index;
        cmp = RTreeUtils.getSearchMultiComparator(treeIndex.getComparatorFactories(), searchKey);
        return new SearchPredicate(searchKey, cmp, minFilterKey, maxFilterKey);
    }

    @Override
    protected void resetSearchPredicate(int tupleIndex) {
        if (searchKey != null) {
            searchKey.reset(accessor, tupleIndex);
        }
        if (minFilterKey != null) {
            minFilterKey.reset(accessor, tupleIndex);
        }
        if (maxFilterKey != null) {
            maxFilterKey.reset(accessor, tupleIndex);
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected int getFieldCount() {
        return ((ITreeIndex) index).getFieldCount();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The Pine Box store has reopened!
Items are back up for sale pardners!
Any chance that the bottlecaps (that are currently sold out) will go back up in the future ?
They sold out faster than anything else we've had. We'll definitely be doing them again. No worries.


G&L USA Custom Made Jerry Cantrell Superhawk Signature Guitar in Ivory - Free shipping! Twenty-something years ago,Jerry Cantrell bought his first G&L Rampage while working at a Dallas music store,and he still rocks 'em hard today. But what Jerry didn't discover at the time was the G&L Superhawk,a hard-charging model like the Rampage but equipped with twin 'buckers. That's changed and so will rock history.
It's been well over two decades since a G&L Superhawk was last produced. Now G&L is proud to announce the launch of the Superhawk Jerry Cantrell Signature Model,available in two USA-made versions as well as a surprisingly affordable G&L Tribute Series version.
This Superhawk starts out with the same soft maple body and fast-playing hard rock maple neck with ebony fingerboard as the Rampage. It even shares the same Seymour Duncan JB pickup in the bridge position,but adds a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck position as well as a 3-position pickup selector and tone control with push/pull coil split. The Rampage's Kahler bridge is swapped for a G&L Saddle Lock bridge for improved comfort,stronger sustain and rock-solid tuning stability. This axe is all about capturing the Jerry Cantrell feel while offering more tonal versatility.


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Advanced NSCLC: Expert Talks Recent Advancements, Shortcomings
Recent years have brought landmark changes to the treatment of advanced lung cancer, but there is still more work to be done.
The treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has drastically changed within recent years, thanks to the advent of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy also still has a place for many patients, too, explained Heather Wakelee, MD.
Wakelee discussed the conversation she has with patients when they are first diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. "I talk to them about the 3 pillars of therapy: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. I always talk about chemotherapy because it's still important, though not an 'advance,'" she said in an interview with OncLive, a sister publication of Oncology Nursing News.
"We never completely move away from chemotherapy, but a lot of patients say, 'Oh I don't want it.' However, they don't have a reason for saying that other than they just they just think they don't want it."
Chemotherapy may not always be the optimal option, Wakelee said, though it is what she recommends for patients who require immediate treatment and are waiting for molecular testing to come back—which typically takes about 1 to 3 weeks.
After testing comes back, then the treatment team can decide if the patient should switch to a targeted therapy or immunotherapy regimen.
Targeted Therapy Advancements
Targeted therapy has been around for nearly 2 decades, and throughout that time, clinicians have always known to look out for EGFR mutations, and give patients who have them a TKI instead of chemotherapy.
Now, thanks to findings from the FLAURA trial, we know that patients with an EGFR mutation may be better off being treated with osimertinib (Tagrisso) because on average, it has a longer duration of response and improved overall survival compared with other EGFR TKIs.
"In general, for patients, [osimertinib is] better tolerated, although we do need to be mindful about cardiac and some other toxicities," Wakelee said.
Additionally, there are 5 drugs that are FDA-approved to treat ALK-positive NSCLC, and development for other targets, including BRAF, ROS1, NTRK, RET, MET exon 14 skipping mutation, and KRAS.
"If you look, you are going to find these driver mutations in the patients' tumors," Wakelee said. "There are so many different medications available, [and ongoing] clinical trials for the rarer subsets so we can better understand these patients. That's a big development."
Immunotherapy Advancements
Immunotherapy has become a major part in treating advanced NSCLC, Wakelee said.
"Now when you go to conferences, [we discuss] immunotherapy for 2 days and then half a day on other things. That speaks to the importance of immunotherapy, and also how much we still don't understand."
Patients without driver mutations who express high PD-L1 stats are typically given single-agent immunotherapy, Wakelee explained. If they have a high disease burden or any level of PD-Lw with no driver mutation, they may receive immunotherapy plus chemotherapy.
"There are multiple drugs now that we have as options in that setting, and that has been really exciting."
However, besides PD-L1, there are not great biomarkers to determine treatment, so there is still more work to be done in this space.
There are also other considerations when thinking about immunotherapy, too, including: the host, the host immunity, the microbiome, and others.
"We talk about it so much because, as much as it's tremendously helped a good percent of patients, there's another huge percentage of patients who are not necessarily helped with the checkpoint inhibitors," Wakelee said. "We need to understand that better."
A version of this article originally appeared on OncLive as, "Therapeutic Advances Promote Personalized Medicine in Advanced NSCLC."
Lung CancerImmuno-Oncology
Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Gets FDA Approval in NSCLC
Firstline Nivolumab/Chemotherapy Continues To Outperform Chemotherapy Alone for Advanced Gastric/GEJ/Esophageal Cancer At 3-Year Follow-Up

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Vision Board – Its a Wonderful Life!!!
What is a vision board!
Vision board is a board where all of your dreams, goals or the things which make you happy are placed or assembled on one place in order to complete your life goals you are dreaming of.
We all want our life to be happy and joyful with all of our dreams to be fulfilled and we all want to achieve the best things in life for better and good future. This is what for vision board is. It's a board of your dreams just like a picture collage to remind you of your dreams and goals to be fulfilled.
If you have seen the movie "the Secret" or read the "Secret" book then you might have seen the experience by "John Ashraf" , He had created an vision board when he was young, i.e. long time ago and that was about a house, he had totally forgotten about it. And years later when he checked his vision board he was living in that house. It somehow manifested to him.
Everybody will be having different experience with Vision Board, it may not be as shown in the secret movie But its good to have a idea or goal about life ahead and thinking about it will make us to take action. As its written in scripture "Without a Vision People Perish".
I'm not a big fan of "Law of Attraction" as its mentioned in lot of places but what I'm trying to say is when you have some vision for life then you will take some action to achieve it and that is what Vision board will be doing. Don't think this as some magic. Your Goals, Dreams, Aspirations should go into your subconscious so that You start to believe in it and would take some action to achieve it.
Some of the pictures I had collected for my Goals. This is a collage which I had created using Microsoft collage creator. I searched online for different goals which I wanted to achieve and then took printout of all the pictures and created a Vision board out of it.
How to make vision board!
Making vision board is really helpful in making your all goals achieved and make you feel happy in your life. In this blog we are here giving you some tips to manage your vision board and how to make it for a better, happy and pleasurable life.
If you are willing to make a vision board of your goals to have an eye upon your dreams to be accomplished you need to follow these guidelines.


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Mervyn King slams pessimism about pensions challenge
There is no reason to be pessimistic about the pensions challenge confronting the nation says former Bank of England governor, Lord Mervyn King.
Speaking during a debate at the London School of Economics on 18 January, he acknowledged the UK faces demographic headwinds but argued there are solutions to these pressures. These include higher labour...


The Bridgeport Bluefish will celebrate Zoo Day at the Bluefish stadium while hosting their arch rivals, the Long Island Ducks! Zoo staff will be inside the stadium offering special drawings for great prizes and Zoo merchandise, while sharing information about the new animals coming to Connecticut's only zoo this summer. Through Labor Day, Zoo visitors may present their Zoo ticket stub at the Bluefish stadium to receive $2.00 off any admission.
It's our birthday and we're having a party! Kids of all ages will enjoy activities galore and spectacular surprises all day long. You never know who will be here with special birthday greetings and tasty treats to share. so plan to be here and bring the whole family!
In collaboration with The Fairfield Arts Center, The Cardinal Sheehan Center, and Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, this art exhibit features 28 original works by the talented children of The Cardinal Sheehan Center and the animals at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. This is the first program in the country to pair animal artists with children artists. The exhibit is free with paid admission to the Zoo. To learn more about the Bridgeport Art Trail, visit Bridgeport-Art-Trail.org.


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William Morris & Co Fabrics
William Morris (1834 - 1896) was the top influential designer of the nineteenth century. An outstanding designer that grew into a flourishing and fashionable firm. Internationally recognised for their designs for both fabrics and wallpapers. Many actually present in National Trust properties and parks across the UK. Each design is considered an extension of the Brand and their timeless archive runs deep through British heritage. Traditional styles in a mixture of fabrics from linens, velvets, embroideries and many more.
Style Library comprises of Harlequin, Scion, Sanderson, William Morris & Co, Anthology and Zoffany.
Lethaby features classic designs from the 1870's, with co-ordinating plains. Suitable for made to measure curtains, Roman blinds, accessories and upholstery.
View Lethaby Weaves >
Pure Morris Kindred Fabrics
Morris & Co Kindred Weaves is a collection of neutral coloured jacquards, weaves and wools.
View Pure Morris Kindred Fabrics >


Welcome to Wayland Union Food Service, a partner of Chartwells and 2016 Chartwells Great Lakes Account of the Year! Our food program offers healthy Breakfast and Lunch options for today's fast paced students. All of our buildings offer numerous daily choices and have food bars full of fresh vegetables, fruits and other accompaniments.
Our cafeterias offer many healthy food choices that meet and exceed the high nutrition standards of the Healthy Hungry Free Kids Act.
Our goal is 100% satisfaction of our students, staff and community. Providing variety of choices is a key component in our program. Elementary menus offer 2 daily hot choices as well as an option of a fun lunch or peanut butter & jelly. Pine Street Elementary offers 5 daily hot choices as well as a daily chef salad or made-to-order deli sandwich. Our secondary menus offer numerous choices such as made to order deli sandwiches, homemade pizza and specialty hot sandwiches such as burgers & wraps. At the high school, the American Classics station features a more traditional fare while the Sono station highlights Mexican cuisine. Our Mongolian grill is the focal point of the cafeteria featuring fast-paced exhibition cooking -- a community must-see!
Your child's nutrition is a priority. We offer a Grade Specific Nutrition Program to help encourage children to make responsible choices. Having the proper information is key and we do our part by assisting teachers in instructing everyone on how to reach our goal of Healthy Eating Habits.
You can make payments directly to your child's lunch account by using the Parent Portal. Cash or check payments can be brought to the school. Our computerized lunch system makes serving your child much easier and faster. Features such as real time access to your students balances and account histories are available on the Parent Portal.
All meals served in cafeteria.
Don't forget to fill out a Free & Reduced Price Application for the new school year!
All students are offered breakfast and lunch daily in the cafeteria. In an effort to keep negative balances at a minimum, student account balances for all grade levels shall be set at a level not to exceed a negative balance in the amount of $10. Click here to view the District Meal Charge Administrative Guidelines.
We hope you and your children enjoy our program and we appreciate your business. If you have any questions or comments, please free to call Scott Larson at 269-792-3150 x 2610.
2018-2019 Free & Reduced Price Meals Application NEW!
FAQ's about Free & Reduced Price Meals Applications NEW!
Instructions for Completing a Free & Reduced Price Meals Application NEW!
Adult Menu - Delivered to your school!


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Your Tanzania Service Program
Amazing things have been happening in Global Volunteers' Tanzanian partner communities! The first volunteer team back following the Covid shutdown served in August 2021. Village leaders, parents, and our Tanzanian staff warmly welcomed them with open arms, demonstrating they hadn't missed a beat in moving the Reaching Children's Potential (RCP) Program forward during the pandemic. More than 700 families from five villages are now enrolled in RCP, and they were excited and pleased to engage with volunteers in their communities after a long pause in service.
families from five villages are now enrolled in RCP
reduced stunting in the children of families enrolled in RCP
volunteers helped RCP families
Use your $350 deposit to register for your Tanzania service program now so you don't forfeit this amazing experience. Along with your teammates, you'll make a tremendous contribution to the health and well-being of these rural villagers and their children.
The most exciting news is that families enrolled in the RCP Program have reduced stunting in their children by 57% during the four years since we started the program in the summer of 2017. This is a truly remarkable result, a large part due to the tremendous dedication and hard work of mothers and the support 400 volunteers have offered their families. In addition, there are now five women cooperatives offering a variety of products and services which they sell to volunteers, international organizations, and their village neighbors. 150 babies were born at Global Volunteers' Ipalamwa General Clinic (IGC) since the beginning of the pandemic. And more than 100 village men and women participated in five mental health workshops conducted during the August service program.
A lot of good things are happening, but YOU remain the vital missing resource!
The RCP program depends on short-term volunteers to present parent workshops; participate in home visits; teach English at the primary schools; tutor math, science, and geography at the secondary schools; work with the women's cooperatives; help families construct chicken coops and fuel-efficient vented stoves; work in the greenhouse; serve alongside the Tanzania medical professionals at IGC; paint and repair community buildings; visit with and counsel pregnant women at the House for New Moms while they await their delivery date, and help with other community-based projects.
Your assistance now is more important than every before. Two family foundations have provided generous grants to the RCP program. One is funding earth boxes, chicken coops, and fuel-efficient vented stoves for 100 village families. Another provided money for the construction of a "House for New Moms" (HNM) which will offer a safe and healthy place for pregnant women to stay during the week or two before their delivery date. You'll enjoy immersing in the Tanzanian culture by working work hand-in-hand with local people, under the direction of local leaders on projects that help children reach their full potential.
2022 SERVICE PROGRAM DATES
You can begin your two-week service program in 2022 on February 26, March 26, or any Saturday from April 30 through December 3. One- and three-week programs are also possible during most of the year.
Register Now with your prepaid deposit


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« Reiss' great record, loanees done great, transfers that won't happen, international insanity
Arsenal player wins Women's PFA player of the month »
Renaming Manchester City to make it sound more in keeping with its sponsors' activities
by Tony Attwood
According to Amnesty International, Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners are "brazenly trying to "sportswash" their country's "deeply tarnished image" by pouring money into the Premier League club."
And indeed given the level of support that Manchester City has, their success in the league, and the utter reluctance or perhaps inability of any organisation to challenge them, it looks like they have been stunningly successful. So far at least.
Amnesty point out that Arabtec, a firm that is central to the sponsorship arrangements, has been repeatedly criticised by both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch because of the way it treats its migrant workers.
Now it was thought at one time that involving Manchester City with a company as awful (in human rights terms) as Arabtec would damage Manchester City's image, but in fact the opposite has happened. TV stations, radio stations, newspapers – they all continue to report the affairs of Manchester City, without saying that they are sponsored by a company primarily known in the west for its appalling human rights violations.
Which raises the question: what little bit extra can we do to bring home the message that the club is funded by those who deliberately mistreat migrant workers?
No one is really answering that question; all we get back are comments from a few (and it is only a few I will admit that) Manchester City fans that if this were Arsenal we'd be happy to accept the money.
And yes I am sure many supporters would be. But not me. Now I don't impose my views on other writers on Untold – so anyone can come on and argue to the contrary, but I am personally unhappy about having the stadium called what it is. For years we tried to make the point by calling it the Ems. Now we just call it Arsenal Stadium, which is what Uefa calls it.
So I guess we have to invent a silly name for Manchester City, not because it will make its owners and supporters think again – I doubt anything will do that – but rather just to remind people whose minds are open on the issue, what is going on. Manchester Torture seems about right, but I am open to suggestions. Manchester HRV (human rights violations). Manchester MFA (money from anywhere).
Der Spiegel have even insisted that Manchester Torture's management team ignored its own PR team about the damage the deal with Arabtec could do. It doesn't seem to have done to do it much harm yet.
Amnesty recently said, "The UAE's enormous investment in Manchester City is one of football's most brazen attempts to 'sportswash' a country's deeply tarnished image through the glamour of the game. As a growing number of Manchester City fans will be aware, the success of the club has involved a close relationship with a country that relies on exploited migrant labour and locks up peaceful critics and human rights defenders."
We have also had the allegation now that on signing for Manchester Torture Roberto Mancini not only agreed a huge salary, but also a secondary salary with Al Jazira, which is of course controlled by Manchester Torture's owners.
Manchester Torture have stated that the reports that we have been using over the past week or two relates to "hacked and stolen" material and are part of a "clear and organised" attempt to smear the club.
Well, yes. That's true. Because the allegations made appear to be true. And although Untold is fairly chaotic we're organised enough to publish stuff. Sometimes even on the right day.
Few managers or directors of other clubs have said anything although Jürgen Klopp said Uefa must take action against any club that has flouted the rules of FFP.
Meanwhile the Danish newspaper Politiken has published what it says are details of a "legally-binding third-party player-ownership deal" the aim of which is to allow Manchester Torture to get the best African players from a Danish feeder club. In 2016 the president of FC Nordsjaelland, is said by the paper to have committed his club to supplying the best talent it finds via the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. The club has denied any wrongdoing.
The story continues by saying that Mohammed Kudus will now transfer to City for free.
So what next? Nick Hall, a football tax expert has said, "I would be very surprised if the HMRC (the UK tax and revenues investigation and collection centre) wasn't now looking at the Football Leaks. Some of the payments are very convoluted at best."
It is also worth noting that HMRC last month launched started a new investigation into tax avoidance in football, and is said to be looking at finances covering 171 footballers, 44 clubs and 31 agents." I wonder who.
How Infantino, now head of Fifa, fixed FFP on behalf of PSG and Man City.
How the media was persuaded not to follow Man City / Uefa corruption story
November 12th, 2018 | Category: Corruption, Football | 19 comments - (Comments are closed)
19 comments to Renaming Manchester City to make it sound more in keeping with its sponsors' activities
Alphie_Izzett
Have fun at our expense – it's all you will get from us this season for sure.
Before you start going on about City take a good look at your own club Emirates Stadium then look at the Human Rights in the United Arab Emirates which your lot have emblazoned all over the place.
Blueknight
Well just send all the migrant workers to amnesty and let them feed them and their families.
All so get British aerospace to sack all their workers as most of the products they supply go to the gulf states.
Then look at Tony Blair and George Bush think the two of them are a lot higher in the league of killers and murderers.
I really do enjoy these comments… if you actually read the articles here you would know that this site has been and remains very critical of the Emirates airlines. I criticise them, I don't call the stadium by its official name, I have regularly pointed out the horrors of the lack of rights of citizens in the Emirates,and do everything I can (which of course like my comments on Man City) is not that much, to make the point that I do not approve.
Indeed Blueknight there is a huge amount that is wrong – but for people who have a sense of humanity and decency there is still a need to protest, make hidden facts public, and do everything we can. The fact there are so many problems and so much to do is not an excuse for not doing anything one can, even if it is very little. I publicise what I think is wrong whether it is Man City or Arsenal or Fifa, or Uefa, or any other organisation. That does not mean anyone else has to agree with me, I just think these things are worth saying. If it is all nonsense I am not harming anyone.
WalterBroeckx
Manchester Cheaty would do fine for me
I'd say Manchester Shitty but that could be either of them.
@Tony, I read d site a lot. Have done for many years. But I haven't come across those articles where you criticized arsenal's business with Emirates. But you seem to always make that claim when man city fans challenge you based on your constant criticism of their Club. So, oblige me please, could you direct me to a few of those articles, maybe 5 of them will do(I'm sure you have posted over 500 criticizing man city, so 5 would be a mere 1%). Thanks in advance
To all of the people lamenting this article; are you saying that issues such as this should be swept under the carpet? This goes beyond football, we are talking about humans rights violations here. "Have fun at our expense" Oh, this just looks like a bit of fun to do, does it? Say nothing of the countless people who are exploited and put into life threatening situations just so that they can earn enough money to eat for the week, no, this is all about just trying to make Man City look bad, because that's what's really important here.
"But we'll beat you on the football pitch!" That's great, congratulations, who cares about the unimaginably horrific conditions these people have to endure day in day out, just as long as you can win a game of sport.
https://untold-arsenal.com/archives/70581
Thank you Ben. I can't recall everything I've written, because writing is what I do most of the day six days a week (and anyway my head reached full about 10 years ago) and I had totally forgotten "Does it matter if football is associated with the slave trade?" (the last of the three links). I think I could still stand by that.
I do get things wrong and I often change my mind (although that tends to happen less when it comes to fundamental points of human rights), but I seem to have stayed on track since.
https://untold-arsenal.com/archives/34097 – I can stand by that.
@Ben, I asked for articles from Tony criticizing arsenal, not articles where he mentions Emirates airlines in passing, or those where he tells us he's boycotted Emirates airlines, or the ones where he even makes excuse for arsenal. I take it that after your digging, you couldn't find even one article written by Tony about Arsenal's "distasteful association with UAE". Well, I thought so too
Aziz – Ben has listed 3 so chew on these and note the dates.
Remember Tony is just an Arsenal supporter with a conscience and an untold story that he tells without animosity.
Kamiel
Thank God that Arsenal's Emirates relationship is a sponsorship and nothing more. I hope that when that deal expires, there will be plenty more companies bidding to name our stadium and adorn our kits.
Anyway, to compare that to Man City's entire
ownership structure (as some seem to be doing) is just ridiculous. Arsenal fans couldn't give a toss about the company on the kit provided they paid us a lot and that the kits looked cool. Just because I am an Arsenal fan, doesn't mean I use O2 or bought a Sega console or JVC television, so it is stupid to assume that any of us have any kind of emotional link to the brand on our tops.
Man City, on the other hand, are instrinisically bound to the business and the country shown on their kit so there is an emotional link and their supporters damn well know it. They also know that should anything befall Mansour as a result, that the fairy tell well and truly would be over. But you would rather have bragging rights than the relief of thousands of indentured slaves. In fact the way the mass media has approached this topic (and even the topic of Emirates) versus the Visit Rwanda non-story just reeks of a pro-corporate agenda.
As for Untold Arsenal: In my decade of using their site, I have found them to be one of the most creditable and unbiased sources of footballing truths be it about Arsenal or otherwise. Those new to the site would easily find articles criticising Arsenal's ownership and sponsors if they bothered to look.
Agree Kamiel. LOL Arsenal having a shirt sponsor is somehow compared to being owned? And now let us for the sake of the argument go with their thinking and accept that any shirt sponsor from that part of the world is absolutely disgraceful and terrible. So what is being owned and having been gifted anything in the last 10 years or so by such a regime? It would be far worse I would think? It would be more disgraceful. It would be more terrible.
It reminds me of the saying that exists in my language: seeing the splinter in another person his eye but not seeing the big beam in your own eye. Emirates being the splinter and Etihad being the beam.
Like I said the other day: Kroenke might not be the perfect owner but at least he seems whiter than white compared to both the owners of Chelsea and Man Cheaty
@walter, kamiel etc. You have conveniently missed the point (maybe deliberately for Walter). The criticism of the article by man city fans is probably based on the fact that the person castigating man city's business is a diehard supporter of a club that equally takes money from the so called evil men. Its not an issue of ownership versus sponsorship, it's the fact that both clubs are comfortable taking money from the so called evil guys, so why should one be vilified, and for the other, silence. And kamiel, contrary to what Ben would have you believe, those few articles he highlighted, have no criticism of arsenal football club as regards their business with Emirates. I doubt city fans would have been pissed if the criticism was coming from mother Theresa. But how dare an akb call them out? That's pot calling kettle black.
Well Aziz I am glad you have had your thought confirmed. Quite what you expect to find on a web site that has as its banner headline "supporting the club, the manager and the team" I don't know. For most of the almost 11 years we've been publishing I've been criticised for supporting the manager too much. Now I seem to be criticised for not saying enough negatively about the source of our money.
Let me try and explain very simply: the whole premise of Untold from the start was that there appeared to me to be a consistent media bias against Arsenal, which even went to the stage of inventing fantasy statistics to show Arsenal in a negative light. So I determined to set up a blog that is positive about Arsenal.
I have been negative on occasion – most recently about the owner and the ownership model, which I have contrasted with the model set up in 1910 when the club was rescued from insolvency, that of having as many shareholders as possible while making a profit that could then be reinvested in the club.
But even though I do feel strongly about that, I have kept such criticism as well as that of Emirates airlines to a minimum.
So yes I could go down the line that you seem to think is important, of criticising Arsenal for the source of its money, but to do that I would have to abandon the whole basis of Untold. And indeed such a story would not be Untold because other people in other clubs have made the point quite strongly.
Snce we still get a pretty decent number of reads each day, and since I still think there is an issue in which Arsenal are attacked all the time, no I won't change the stance.
I don't like the sponsorship of Emirates airlines, I don't like the approach of the owner, I don't even like Emirates Airlines as an airline (and I have flown with them, but now use a totally different non-middle east airline for long distance flights) but that is not the theme of this blog. Likewise in the blog of the Arsenal History Society" I have just spent 17 months writing the story of Arsenal from 1910 to 1927 and exploring all the financial implications therein. I wrote that because I felt it was interesting and important; that is what writers do.
You seem to me (and of course it is just my impression) to think that somehow although every other blog, website, newspaper, TV station is biased and incomplete in its reportage this one should be different and should be utterly balanced. Well, I disagree, since I think it is vital to put across the story from a different point of view.
As so often expressed here, my view is that people who report do two things: they select the story they want to report, and the position they are going to take on that story. If you think that it is ever possible to publish a complete middle of the road story reflecting all points of view, and that doing so would make interesting reading, and that doing that would be anything more than writing for yourself, then I suspect the website UnbiasedArsenal is available I am sure you will henceforth produce such a blog or book or whatever. Whether people will read it I really couldn't say, but it is not what I am interested in. I am interested in reporting that which is not normally reported about Arsenal, so I set up a website called Untold Arsenal. Some people like it some don't, and really that's about it.
Nasir, I certainly did not mean that the key point of my writing on this topic should be that Arsenal is "a club that equally takes money from the so called evil men." Arsenal takes money from Emirates Airlines which I personally regret. But the main thurst of the series of articles is that Manchester City and PSG broke the Uefa rules, and then told Uefa that they were going to sue Uefa constantly until they went bust, unless Uefa let them get away with it.
OK if you think that there is a comparison between the way Arsenal has acted and the way Manchester City has acted that is fair enough – you have your view. Mine is different. For the rest of my explanation please see my reply to Aziz.
@Tony, fair enough. Though I believe the long response was unnecessary. It would have served better if that was your reply to Gordo and the other city fans. But unfortunately your reply was that you are also critical of arsenal's dealings with the "Evil men", that caught my attention as a regular reader of your blog, so I thought to myself, perhaps I missed those articles, maybe Tony can point me in the right direction. Then Ben came along and pointed me to articles which were totally irrelevant to the point.
As an arsenal fan, of course you are free to support the way you deem fit, however I think you can be bold enough to stand up for the way you do it. If you're not gonna criticize arsenal, so be it. When the man city fans complain, tell them to go to hell.


At least four states in India are reeling under floods, or anticipating them, after incessant rains triggered by the much-awaited southwest monsoon. The states include Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Assam and Maharashtra. Jammu and Kashmir, which is still counting losses from the floods of September 2014, is already staring at another fury. As River Jhelum crossed the danger mark at a few places, the state government sounded a flood alert on Wednesday night. This is the fourth flood alert after 2014 floods that were the worst in six decades.
Residents of Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir are keeping a close watch on the Jhelum after the administration sounded a flood alert on Wednesday night. With incessant rains lashing the Valley, the Jhelum has crossed the danger mark in Anantnag and Pulwama districts. People are spending sleepless nights in Srinagar as they are worried that sudden flooding could leave them stranded in their homes, like it did during the flood in September 2014. This is the fourth flood alert issued by the administration since then.
he highly-anticipated June showers have left behind a trail of destruction in Gujarat's Saurashtra region. According to news reports, around 70 people have died so far as a result of widespread floods. Amreli district is the worst affected with 26 casualties while five deaths each have been reported from Bharuch, Jamnagar, Kutch and Rajkot districts. In Amreli, 400 of 619 villages have been affected.
Floods that hit Assam in the first week of June have affected at least 27,000 people in more than 70 villages across the state till now. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of about 300,000 people are facing the wrath of these floods, in 13 districts of the state.


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Долино-Каменка () — село в Знаменском районе Кировоградской области Украины.

Население по переписи 2001 года составляло 145 человек. Почтовый индекс — 27442. Телефонный код — 5233. Занимает площадь 1,678 км². Код КОАТУУ — 3522287402.

Известные уроженцы
 Николаев, Валентин Владимирович — советский борец классического стиля, олимпийский чемпион, Заслуженный мастер спорта СССР.

Местный совет
27446, Кировоградская обл., Знаменский р-н, с. Треповка, ул. Колхозная, 3а

Ссылки
 Долино-Каменка на сайте Верховной рады Украины
 Административно-территориальное устройство Кировоградской области

Населённые пункты Знаменского района (Кировоградская область)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This event is the Selection Evening for the Carnival Prince, Princess and Attendants, who will lead the Carnival Street Procession through the village on Carnival Day and officially open the 53rd Corfe Mullen Carnival at the Recreation Ground.
The event will be held in St Nicholas' Church, Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, starting at 7:00 pm - please do not arrive before 6:30 pm.
Download Selection Evening Entry Form - this document includes the contact details you will require when applying to enter.
All boys and girls aged from 7 to 18 (as of 23rd March 2019) can enter. Entrants must either live in Corfe Mullen or attend a Corfe Mullen School. Entrants should be available to take part in the Carnival Procession etc. on Carnival Day, Saturday 8th June 2019.
Entry forms are available from this website by using the link above, or from shops/businesses in the village. Forms must be returned to Maggie Fray, our Prince & Princess Coordinator; contact details are on the form.
What time does the Evening start?
The evening will start at 7.00 pm. We ask that you do not arrive before 6.30 pm.
This will depend on the number of entrants, but is usually around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Ideally the judges would like to see smart outfits/party dresses. Ultimately entrants should wear whatever they feel comfortable in.
Each entrant is given a number on arrival. They will walk onto a small stage where they will be asked a couple of questions about themselves by the Reverend Jane Burgess.
Our judges are representatives from the charities which we have selected to be Carnival 2019 beneficiaries. We ask them to ensure that they are completely impartial, so that judging is fair and equitable. They have set criteria to follow and after they have seen all the entrants they adjourn to a separate room to deliberate.
What else happens on the evening?
During the evening, representatives from our nominated charities will give a brief presentation about their work and how proceeds from the carnival will be used. Refreshments will also be available to buy.
If successful, what happens next?
Maggie, our Princess Co-ordinator, will keep in touch to make arrangements for the 'big day', including outfit and dress fittings, hair appointments etc.


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Bi-partisan 'Trusted Elections' tour heads for Albemarle
In an era of hyper-partisanship, Democrats and Republicans in North Carolina have found something to work on together: democracy.
In one of its first initiatives, the NC Network for Fair, Safe and Secure Elections is hosting a series of 15 town halls across the state, one in each congressional district and a virtual event for those unable to attend in-person.
This Trusted Elections Tour aims to provide information on the electoral process, build trust in the voting system and strengthen civil discourse.
These 90-minute town halls will feature cybersecurity experts, election officials, and election law attorneys from both sides of the aisle. They will address public concerns about electronic voting machines and hacking, explain the secure process for collecting and counting votes and advise on how challenges, recounts and fraud allegations are dealt with through proper legal channels.
The seventh stop of this town hall series will take place in Albemarle from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre – featuring panelists Colin Campbell, news editor at Business North Carolina; Carol Soles, director of elections for Cabarrus County; Beverly Earle, former legislator and current board member of the Mecklenburg Board of Elections; Bill Rigsbee, Republican member of the Stanly County Board of Elections; and Zachary Deason, election law attorney.
All events are free, open to the public and media. For more information about the network and the tour schedule, visit www.NCTrustedElections.com.
The North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections is a bipartisan, grassroots effort initiated by The Carter Center. Led by former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, the network is made up of civic, business and religious leaders and citizens from both sides of the political aisle. Members will serve as community advocates for peaceful political engagement and trusted elections, and work to foster confidence in electoral processes and address disinformation.
More News Main
Albemarle Council approves safety, security improvements for City Hall
Albemarle council receives update on alleyway project
Albemarle Council approves of firm to complete asbestos, lead-based paint testing of public housing


This granola isn't called "super" by accident. It's got delicious pumpkin spice flavor, but it comes with super foods like chia and hemp. I used maple syrup both for the flavor and because it doesn't cause a blood sugar spike like regular sugar (but feel free to sub honey or brown sugar, if you want – they'd taste delicious, too).
If you're not familiar with hemp or chia, they're two types of amazing seeds that are chock full of nutrition. Chia seeds are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, and hemp seeds are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Both can be purchased at health food stores, and maybe even your regular grocery store since they've gotten to popular. I also threw in pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, to up the pumpkin vibe and add some crunch.
This makes a crunchy, drier granola that I love on yogurt – I don't see the point in adding additional fat when I'm eating it on whole milk yogurt. However, if you'd like a slightly richer, more buttery granola, swap out a couple of tablespoons of the pumpkin purée for butter.
1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the pumpkin, vanilla, and maple syrup.
2. Add the spices and salt to the liquid. Stir well to dissolve.
3. Stir the seeds and oats into the liquid.
4. Spread the granola over a parchment covered or lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until granola is crispy. I've noticed the cooking time varies greatly because the water content of pumpkin purée can be so different.
*I used homemade pumpkin purée, which has a higher water content. If your granola looks really dry at step 3, add a splash of water or another spoonful of pumpkin.


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Buying a Ray-Ban sunglass at Brandfield is safe and easy in our online shop. We are official dealer of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Take a look at the complete collection of Ray-Ban sunglasses in our online shop.


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Ko Yee Estate () is a public housing estate in Yau Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is built as a part of the demolished Ko Chiu Road Estate. The estate comprises four blocks offering 1,300 units completed between 1994 and 2000.

Background
The estate was formerly known as blocks 3 to 6 of Ko Chiu Road Estate, it was completed in 1972 and the demolition project started in 1991. The blocks were only 19 years old at the time of demolition. Four new houses were rebuilt as part of the demolished Ko Chiu Road Estate.

Houses

Demographics
According to the 2016 by-census, Ko Yee Estate had a population of 3,326. The median age was 46.4 and the majority of residents (99.1 per cent) were of Chinese ethnicity. The average household size was 2.8 people. The median monthly household income of all households (i.e. including both economically active and inactive households) was HK$23,360.

Politics
Ko Yee Estate is located in Yau Tong East constituency of the Kwun Tong District Council. It is currently represented by Ricky Kung Chun-ki, who was elected in the 2019 elections.

See also

Public housing estates in Yau Tong

References

Yau Tong
Residential buildings completed in 1994
Residential buildings completed in 2000
Public housing estates in Hong Kong
1994 establishments in Hong Kong
2000 establishments in Hong Kong


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'Black Widow' ensnares new pandemic record with $215M between theaters & Disney+
July 11, 2021, 11:22 AM ET
Credit: The Walt Disney Studios
Natasha Romanoff's standalone adventure is a certified hit. According to Disney, Black Widow hit the ground running this weekend with a new COVID-era record of $215 million between theaters and Disney+ Premier Access. Directed by Cate Shortland, the latest MCU offering is the first Marvel tentpole to receive a hybrid rollout after it was delayed for more than a year by the global pandemic.
With $80 million domestically, $78 million internationally, and $60 million via streaming purchases, Black Widow now has the biggest weekend opening since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker debuted in December of 2019. Combined, the movie's North American totals make it the first major studio release to pass $100 million domestically since the start of the pandemic. It's also the biggest Stateside opening for an MCU origin story after Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
"Once again, Marvel has delivered an exceptional film to the delight of fans worldwide with Black Widow achieving numerous milestones in the current marketplace," Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, said in a statement. "Black Widow's strong performance this weekend affirms our flexible distribution strategy of making franchise films available in theaters for a true cinematic experience and, as COVID concerns continue globally, providing choice to consumers who prefer to watch at home on Disney+."
"It's incredible to see audiences enjoying Black Widow after two years without a new Marvel Studios film, and this spectacular opening weekend shows just how eager fans have been to see this beloved Avenger in her own story," added Alan Bergman, Chairman, Disney Studios Content. "There's no question it's been worth the wait — Cate Shortland, Scarlett Johansson, and the Marvel Studios team have delivered an exceptional film that continues a legacy of creative excellence as the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands and enters a new era."
Set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, the film takes a deep dive into Natasha's mysterious past as a deadly assassin for the Red Room (a clandestine Soviet program that turned young women into mindless killers). After learning that the program's nefarious leader, General Dreykov (Ray Winstone) is still alive, Natasha sets out to take Dreykov down with the help of her estranged family members: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz).
"It was indeed striking and welcome that Disney reported both the theatrical box office numbers and the Disney+ Premier Access global consumer spend for Black Widow," Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, tells SYFY WIRE. "The takeaway is that for a blockbuster Marvel movie, audiences exercised their freedom of choice and both platforms succeeded, but the movie theater experience was the clear choice for Marvel fans with $158.8 million banked this weekend. Great news for the industry overall this weekend."
Now in its third frame, Universal's F9 took second place at the North American box office this weekend with an additional $10.88 million. The ninth chapter in the 20-year-old Fast Saga now has $141 million in its domestic gas tank. Thanks to another $24 million in sales abroad, F9 boosted its international haul to $400 million. As of Sunday, the film has made a little over $541 million worldwide.
Universal also nabbed the third and fourth North American slots with The Boss Baby Family Business (now at $34.7 million) and The Forever Purge (now at $27 million), respectively. Their global cumes stand at $37.2 million and $34 million, respectively.
A Quiet Place Part II rounded out the Top 5 with another $3 million that brings its domestic tally to $150 million. Now in its seventh outing, the horror sequel is now closing in on $300 million globally. For comparison, the first A Quiet Place ended its global box office run with just over $350 million.
Other genre holdovers include: Disney's Cruella ($80 million domestically), Sony's Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway ($37 million and $138 worldwide), Warner Bros.' The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It ($63 million domestically and $183.5 million worldwide), Warner Bros.' Godzilla vs. Kong ($453.7 million worldwide), Pixar's Luca ($21 million worldwide).
(Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation & SYFY WIRE are all owned by NBCUniversal)


Click GSD Care to see instructions on care of your puppy after receiving him.
Deposits on our German Shepherd puppy will be $200.00. ALL DEPOSITS ARE REFUNDABLE!
We ask an extra $200.00 for "Pick of the Litter Male or Female". The first person who arranges for "Pick of the Litter" gets that privilege.
Balance is due when the puppy is picked up.
Your priority to choose a puppy will be in the same order that I receive the deposit.
include with your deposit a cover letter indicating whether you want a male or female puppy, desired color, and the female you prefer as mother of your pup. Please include your name, email address, home address and phone number (cell and home).
As soon as I receive the deposit, I will photocopy your check and cover letter and mail the photocopy as well as a litter deposit contract to you immediately.
Scroll down to see the deposit contract.
The deposit will hold a puppy, from any puppies of any litters that I have at the time. Your place in line is determined by the date that the deposit was received. When your priority date / turn to choose comes up, you may select a puppy, ask for your deposit to be applied to a future litter, or ask for your deposit back.
Your deposit will be refunded for any reason whatsoever. You can ask for your deposit back, at any time, for any reason, up to when your puppy is 7 weeks old (when most of the client have chosen their pup or indicated their preferences).
You will not be asked to wait for a puppy from a later litter, unless you request that it be applied to a later litter.
Each of the people who will receive a pup will be emailed links to You Tube videos of the entire litter, three times a week, to help them choose their puppy.
Scroll down to see the actual deposit contract, which will be mailed to you as soon as we receive your deposit, as well as a photocopy of your check, and your cover letter.
Payment may be certified check or money order; personal checks are accepted, but the check must clear the bank before the transaction is completed.
I have had problems with PAY PAL and ask that you not request to use Pay Pal. I do accept personal checks, made out to Sandra Weiland.
You will receive, with your German Shepherd puppy, AKC unlimited registration, A Baby Book with 9 weeks of observations , weekly puppy paw print, daily weight records, and health record on your puppy: complete schedule of wormings and vaccinations and nail trimming, and ear tattoo.
Your registration with AKC will be completed by me and you will get a signed guarantee.
Your German Shepherd puppy will be up to date on all vaccinations and worming; his or her schedule of treatments accompanies your German shepherd puppy.
We work with each puppy from 4 weeks, daily, and record its progress. You will get his progress notes from 4-9 weeks. Our German Shepherd puppies come with a full written guarantee.
Your German Shepherd puppy will have an identifiable tattoo (which goes on file with AKC) inside the right ear. This will facilitate your being able to easily identify your dog, should you choose to compete in trials or conformation shows, without the need of providing a microchip scanner. Also, if your dog is lost, it will alert whoever finds it that it can be identified through AKC.
Your payment will be refunded if the hips are proven to be defective, the ears do not develop to stand erect, or in the case of males, the testicles do not descend, or it will be applied to a future puppy, whatever your choice may be.
We prefer that you get your puppy from our home, or have him shipped by Delta.
Shipping an 8-9 week old puppy to most places in continental U.S.A usually costs around 425.00 including crate and health certificate (price as of October, 2014).
We prefer to ship via Delta, who fly out of Raleigh, NC, because the pup will fly in a climate controlled cargo area with heat and A/C.
As ethical German shepherd breeders we use only the best German shepherd stud and German shepherd females we can acquire. We use German shepherd dogs with great drive, extreme intelligence, working titles, and the best hips and elbows. We do DNA tests on our dogs, to produce pups that will not get DM as adults. We feel confident in our German shepherd pups and give a comprehensive guarantee for our German shepherds' hips and elbows.
You can click on any of the German shepherd dogs from the testimonials page to see individual photographs of each of our German shepherd puppies, comments from the owners of each puppy, as well as links to the webpage for that individual puppy, which we maintain for each owner of our puppies, and add photographs and progress notes on each German shepherd puppy's progress.
The buyers of our German shepherd puppies for sale in NC. have been unanimous in being enormously pleased with our adult German shepherds and the producing of their German shepherd puppies. Many of our buyers are repeat customers or friends and relatives of previous buyers.
This dog is guaranteed to pass the OFA hip certification at two years of age.
It is the responsibility of the buyer to have the dog x-rayed at two years of age. If x-rays are not taken between 24 to 28 months of age; then this guarantee will become null and void. Proof of failure is required. We guarantee elbows for any one of the three accepted genetically linked types of elbow dysplasia. We will refund your money or replace the dog (due to crippling hip or elbow dysplasia) as soon as possible with a dog of equal value to the dog at the time of original purchase, as you choose. We reserve the right to request that the x-rays be sent first for review to a board certified Veterinary Radiologist or other Veterinarian of our choice.
We guarantee that your dog will be free from DM (Degenerative Myelopathy). Full refund; 10 year guarantee.
We guarantee that a male dog's testicles will drop and that the dog's ears will stand erect.
This dog is in good health to the best of our knowledge at the time of sale. The required vaccinations and wormings are as indicated on the dog's health record. We advise the Buyer to have the dog examined by a licensed and competent Veterinarian of Buyer's choice within 72 hours after receipt of the dog. We recommend that you take a stool sample with you. If the Veterinarian finds the dog to be in poor health, the dog must be immediately returned to us at the expense of the buyer, unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon. Failure to see a Veterinarian within 72 hours will void this guarantee.
Should the buyer prefer to retain the said dog that is covered by the above guarantees, then the buyer hereby forfeits any replacement or other compensation.
Deposit of $200.00 has been received. Your deposit is refundable. Balance is due when the puppy is picked up, preferably bank money order or certified cheque. The puppy will be picked up no later than when it is 9 weeks of age. After 9 weeks of age, $25.00 a day board is charged.
You be given unlimited registration of your dog. You may choose to breed or neuter your dog as you wish. Buyer understands that the dog is not guaranteed for any specific use. Seller cannot guarantee the temperament, (because we cannot control how the dog is treated after it leaves our kennel) and Buyer has no obligation to Seller for showing, breeding or sport with this dog (nor for sharing stud fees or puppies resulting thereof).
No further guarantees are expressed or implied.
Purchase price of $2000.00 is mutually acknowledged, except for Pick of the Litter male / female, which is an extra $200.00 (if available).


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Super PACs Spend More Than $20M on 2014 Elections
By Tom Duggan on May 25, 2015 Comments Off on Super PACs Spend More Than $20M on 2014 Elections
Independent Expenditure "Super" PACs and other independent groups spent $20.4 million in the 2014 election, according to an OCPF review of disclosure reports filed by those entities. It was the first statewide election in Massachusetts in which Super PACs played a role.
The total in 2014 is twice the amount spent by independent entities in the last statewide election in 2010, when $11.5 million was reported.
More than half of the 2014 total, $11,012,216 was spent to benefit the gubernatorial winner, Republican Charles Baker. A total of $6,926,733 was spent to benefit the Democratic candidate Martha Coakley. The remaining funds were used for other statewide and legislative races.
Independent committees and groups spent more to support or oppose the party finalists for governor than the candidates spent themselves. Baker's campaign reported $5.6 million in expenditures and $1.2 million in in-kind contributions.
Coakley's campaign spent $3.9 million and received $2 million in in-kind contributions.
Almost all of the in-kind contributions came from the state parties for each candidate.
Independent expenditures are made to support or oppose candidates without coordinating with their campaigns. Super PACs (IEPACs) accounted for most of the independent spending in 2014, $19.2 million. Groups that are not political committees and spent money from their general treasuries reported an additional $915,970 in independent expenditures.
Most of the spending was done by two Super PACs: the Commonwealth Future IEPAC and the Mass IEPAC. Commonwealth Future reported $10.4 million in expenditures to benefit Baker, with $10,770,000 in receipts. All but $20,000 of the receipts was from the Republican Governors Association.
The next highest spender was the Mass IEPAC, which supported Coakley with $6,253,003 in expenditures. The Mass IEPAC raised $7 million from the Democratic Governors Association, Emily's List MA PAC, labor unions and individuals.
All reports by Super PACs and independent groups are available on the OCPF website by clicking here.
Super PACs originated in 2010 after two court decisions. In the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United vs. FEC decision, the court ruled that independent expenditures by corporations that are made to influence candidate elections cannot be limited, because doing so would not be consistent with the First Amendment.
The second court decision, SpeechNow.org vs. FEC, held that individuals, corporations and other groups can provide funds without limit to independent expenditure-only committees (Super PACs). This decision was made by the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. Massachusetts Super PACs are required to file campaign finance reports shortly after making an expenditure to support or oppose a candidate or candidates. The reports also disclose information about contributions to the Super PACs.
Super PACs were also required to file year-end reports, due by Jan. 20, 2015, disclosing all expenditures and receipts, including administrative costs for such things as consulting and legal expenses.
$20M, 2014 Elections, massachusetts, Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political FInance, OCPF, Super PAC
Super PACs Spend More Than $20M on 2014 Elections added by Tom Duggan on May 25, 2015
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SHUCKERS PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE FEATURES SOMETHING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
For Immediate Release Contact: Chris Harris – (228) 271-3464
Fun family entertainment, theme nights and premium giveaway items highlight promotional calendar
BILOXI, MS – As Brewers prospect and Shuckers' outfielder Brett Phillips chased down a possum last April at MGM Park, who would have ever guessed the moment might be commemorated with a one-of-a-kind fan giveaway! Well, wonder no more! The Biloxi Shuckers unveiled their full promotional calendar for the 2017 season on Tuesday, which includes a Phillips bobblehead that features the pesky possum that earned them both MiLB's 2016 Blooper of the Year. The bobblehead will also include a sound box that produces his infamous laugh.
Fantastic Fridays will showcase premium giveaways to the first 1,500 fans through the gates at MGM Park, including the Phillips bobblehead on July 14 presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union and WLOX. Other fan giveaways include a Boonie Hat presented by MS Organ Recovery Agency (Opening Night, April 12), Team Photo presented by Knight Abbey (April 14), Sand Koozie (21-and-over) presented by Corona (May 5), Camo Hat presented by Mississippi Forestry Commission (May 19), Beach Tote Bag presented by Beau Rivage (June 9), Mascot Bank presented by ACE Data Shredding & Storage (June 23) and Cooling Towel presented by Beau Rivage (July 7).
The promotional schedule will include five of the nation's top traveling entertainment acts. Returning to MGM Park for the 2017 season are the ZOOperstars! (April 23), Breakin' BBoy McCoy (May 7) and Fur Circus (August 13). Shuckers fans will get to experience a pair of acts making their MGM Park debut in 2017. Minor League Baseball favorite BirdZerk will entertain fans on June 25 and XPogo (Extreme Pogo Entertainment), who were featured on the hit show "America's Got Talent," will bring their 13 Guinness World Record Breaking performances to the ballpark on July 16.
The Shuckers will wear four specialty jerseys in 2017 and will include a pair of auctions benefiting local non-profits. The baseball world celebrates Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, and the Shuckers will pay tribute to the Southern Negro League's Biloxi Dodgers by wearing throwback gold and blue jerseys that were worn by the team in the 1960s and 70s. The club will partner with March of Dimes for a jersey auction on April 22. The jersey features a unique aquatic design, showcasing the beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and was designed by local tattoo artist Matt Stebly. On June 2, the Shuckers will team up with Favre4Hope and the Memorial Hospital Foundation for a pink jersey auction. Each Monday, the club will wear military-themed jerseys to salute our servicemen and women presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union. The jerseys will be auctioned during the final Monday of the season on August 26.
The Shuckers will be channeling flavors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast with popular theme nights. Come to the ballpark in your flip flops, board shorts, and grass skirts, and be a Parrot Head for the night on July 13. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll on August 11 for Halfway to Mardi Gras! Other theme nights this season include Star Wars Night (May 4) Superhero Night (May 14), Princess & Pirates Night (May 21) and Faith & Family Night (August 27). Bark in the Park presented by Raising Cane's is back at MGM Park as the Shuckers host two dog-friendly games on April 24 and May 25.
The MGM Park outfield will be transformed into a campground for a pair of overnight campouts for the Girl Scouts on May 5 and Boy Scouts on May 19. There will be two special Education Days, with a special 10:35 am first pitch featuring interactive exhibits for students.
The Shuckers, in partnership with Walmart, have kicked off the "Hit the Books" Reading Program, which aims to teach local students the importance of literacy. The incentive-based drive will reward students who reach their reading goals with a ticket to a Shuckers home game this season. Qualifying students will be invited to participate in an on-field parade before games on April 23, May 7, May 14 or May 21. The parade, led by Schooner, will allow Shuckers fans to honor "Hit the Books" participants for their commitment to reading.
The best pyrotechnics on the Gulf Coast will be back in full effect this season as fireworks will light up the sky above MGM Park and downtown Biloxi after all 12 Saturday home games plus a special Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4 that you won't want to miss!
The 2017 Promotional Schedule:
April 12 – Opening Day, Boonie Hat Giveaway presented by MS Organ Recovery Agency
April 13 – Magnetic Schedule Giveaway
April 14 – Team Picture Giveaway presented by Knight Abbey
April 15 – Post-Game Fireworks & Negro League/Biloxi Dodgers Tribute Night
April 22 – Post-Game Fireworks & March of Dimes Specialty Jersey Auction
April 23 – ZOOperstars! Performance
April 24 – Bark in the Park presented by Raising Cane's
April 26 – Education Day (10:35 am first pitch)
May 4 – Star Wars Night
May 5 – Sand Koozie Giveaway presented by Corona (fans 21 and older), Girl Scout Night with campout
May 6 – Post-Game Fireworks
May 7 – Breakin' BBoy McCoy Performance
May 13 – Post-Game Fireworks
May 14 – Mother's Day & Superhero Night
May 15 – Bark in the Park #2 presented by Raising Cane's
May 16 – Education Day (10:35 am first pitch)
May 19 – Camo Hat Giveaway presented by Mississippi Forestry Commission, Boy Scout Night with campout
May 21 – Princess & Pirates Night
June 2 – Breast Cancer Awareness Jersey Auction & Mystery Giveaway presented by Favre4Hope & Memorial Hospital
June 3 – Post-Game Fireworks
June 9 – Beach Tote Bag Giveaway presented by Beau Rivage
June 10 – Post-Game Fireworks
June 11 – Schooner the Seagull Birthday Celebration
June 23 – Strikeout ALS Night & Mascot Bank Giveaway presented by ACE Data Shredding & Storage
June 25 – BirdZerk! Performance
July 4 – Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza
July 7 – Cooling Towel Giveaway presented by Beau Rivage
July 8 – Post-Game Fireworks & Military Appreciation Night
July 13 – Parrot Head Night
July 14 – Brett Phillips Bobblehead presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union & WLOX
July 15 – Post-Game Fireworks & Christmas in July with Toy Drive
July 16 – XPogo Performance
Aug. 11 – Mystery Giveaway & Halfway to Mardi Gras
Aug. 12 – Post-Game Fireworks presented by Mercedes-Benz of South Mississippi
Aug. 13 – Fur Circus Performance
Aug. 25 – Mystery Giveaway
Aug. 26 – Post-Game Fireworks presented by Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
Aug. 27 – Faith & Family Night
Aug. 28 – Military Jersey Auction
Aug. 30 – Fan Appreciation Night
(Promo schedule is subject to change)
2017 Shuckers Weekly Promotions:
Sunday: Family Fun Day – Fans will have the opportunity to get autographs from Shuckers players prior to each Sunday home game. After the game, bring your glove and a baseball and play catch on the field. Also available on Sundays this season are Family 4 Packs, which include 4 Reserved Tickets and 4 Schooner Specials (Hot Dog, Chips, and Drink) for just $60
Monday: Military Mondays presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union – Discounted tickets will be available for active military and veterans. The Shuckers will wear military-themed jerseys during each Monday home game to salute our servicemen and women.
Tuesday: Two-For-Tuesday presented by Polk's Meat Products – The Shuckers will be offering $2 Polk's hot dogs on Tuesdays, and fans can bring in their Polk's Meat Products label to the MGM Park box office on Tuesdays and receive a BOGO reserved level ticket. Polk's is the official hot dog and sausage at MGM Park!
Wednesday: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesdays – Bring your appetite to MGM Park each Wednesday this season for an all-you-can-eat buffet in the left field terrace, which will include hamburgers and hot dogs plus additional food options provided by local restaurant partners. The all-you-can-eat ticket is just $20! Season ticket holders will have the option to upgrade their tickets each Wednesday for only $10.
Thursday: Thirsty Thursday presented by Yuengling, Coca-Cola and Kicker 108 – Fans asked for it and the Shuckers delivered! Each Thursday, fans can now enjoy $2 Yuengling Drafts, $2 Fountain Soft Drinks and $3 Weekly Draft Beer Specials.
Friday: Fantastic Friday – The first 1,500 fans through the gates on Fridays this season will receive a premium giveaway that you won't want to miss!
Saturday: Fireworks Saturdays – Join the Shuckers for a fireworks show above MGM Park after every Saturday home game.
Every Day: Kids Fun Run – Kids 12 and under will have the opportunity to come on the field and run the bases after every Shuckers' home game again this season.
Fans can guarantee the same great seat for every promotion at MGM Park this season by purchasing a 2017 ticket package. See all 70 home games with a Full Season plan, ensure your seat for each Fantastic Friday Giveaway Night and Fireworks Night with a 34-game Weekender Package, or choose from the 18-game Grand Slam Package, 10-game Diamond Deal or 20-game Flex Plan. Each of the Full Season, Weekender, Grand Slam and Diamond Deal plans include the same seats for each ticketed game date, with the convenience of avoiding ticket lines and going straight to the ballpark gates. Flex Plans are available in sets of 20 undated reserved or box level vouchers. Fans may use this DIRECT LINK to purchase their ticket plan NOW.
Tickets are currently ON SALE for the Shuckers' benefit exhibition game with William Carey University at MGM Park on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:35 pm. Tickets for individual games for the 2017 season will go on sale March 6 beginning at 10:00 am. Opening Day for the 2017 season is Thursday, April 6 at Montgomery. The Shuckers will open their third season at MGM Park on Wednesday, April 12 at 6:35 pm against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com.


This division provides a wide variety of emergency management and disaster preparedness information. As you explore our site, it is our hope that you become increasingly aware of the services and information available to you from the Tacoma Fire Department.
If you have questions or are unable to locate the information that you are looking for, please call (253) 594-7980 or email us at Emergency Management.
We all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit.
One of the keys to surviving a disaster is to have seven to 14 days' worth of supplies on hand. Check out the following videos for details on the types of supplies to include in your disaster kit for home and for work.


A partnership is attempting to clean up, revitalize neighborhoods around the fairgrounds.
ZANESVILLE – If you go for a walk around the Brighton area and Springfield Township, you will see the vacant shells of old industrial properties, some which have sat unused for years.
But now city and county officials are attempting to do something about that.
A partnership between the city, Springfield Township Trustees and county commissioners is attempting to secure grant money from the EPA to clean up and revitalize the neighborhoods around the fairgrounds.
The project will focus on clearing or redeveloping brownfield properties – which are properties that cannot easily be expanded or developed due to polluted or otherwise hazardous conditions.
Zanesville Public Service Director Jay Bennett said the plan is in its early stages, adding that any real noticeable changes to the area may not be seen for years.
The city will begin the first phase of the project by seeking a qualified environmental consulting or planning firm to provide assistance with securing EPA grant money. Bennett said the city will seek three grants totaling $600,000.
If grant money is received, the firm would then help to implement environmental assessments, cleanup, planning and community outreach, among other duties.
But because no grant applications have yet been submitted. Bennett said outreach to the community is the most important aspect of this phase of the project.
The EPA has yet to make grant money available, although similar grants have been consistently awarded in past years. Use of grant money, if received, would not necessarily be limited to the Brighton area.


Outside the workers' comp world, opioid utilization and costs are increasing significantly, driven by greater use of long-acting opioids.
According to a Prime Therapeutics study of 15 million commercial insurance claims, short-acting opioid prescriptions dropped over a 15-month period, but utilization of all types of long-acting opioids increased.
In contrast, we work comp Neanderthals have been driving down opioid usage for years.
What accounts for the disparity between workers' comp and group health?
Work comp payers care deeply about outcomes, function, and return to work. Patients taking opioids are much less likely to return to functionality than those on NSAIDs or no drugs at all.
Some payers have dedicated units focused on chronic pain and prescription drug management. Others rely primarily on their PBMs, but almost all insurers and TPAs have been working this issue for years.
PBMs working in the comp sector dedicate a lot of resources to managing opioids. Investments in analytics, PBM – payer interfaces, staff training, clinical guidelines and the like are costly but drive these results. Staffing – clinicians, pharmacists, data analysts, program managers, highly trained customer service staff – focus on this issue 24/7.
That's not to say we don't have a very long way to go; data from CompPharma's annual survey of prescription drug management in workers' comp and NCCI indicate spend for controlled substances (mostly opioids) accounts for about 28% of total WC drug spend.
I'm gong to be speaking at this month's National Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Summit on what the real world can learn from workers' comp. The main takeaway -despite significant regulatory, economic, and legal barriers inherent in workers' comp, payers and PBMs have made significant progress.
It's time for the real world to get on board.
We CAN reduce opioid use – it just takes dedication, resources, and persistence.
AHCA has failed – what's the next step?
AHCA has failed, and with it the Republicans' efforts to repeal ACA.
Despite President Trump's threats, cajolery, and bribing the Freedom Caucus, the attempt to repeal ACA is, for now and probably for the long term, dead.
would help a lot, and that's not even adding a Medicare-for-all option. As I noted in a previous post, Democrats helped fix G W Bush and the GOP's Medicare Part D plan when it was cratering.
Unfortunately, it's more likely the administration will do everything it can to hamstring ACA – refuse to enforce the mandate, end premium support, defund the federal Exchanges, you name it. In the process, they'll likely blame the prior president, or Democrats, or whatever. And in so doing, they will hurt businesses, taxpayers, individuals, patients.
What's most likely is a concerted and persistent effort to defund Medicaid. This will be described as allowing states more flexibility, as refusing to use federal funds for abortions, as reducing the federal deficit, but make no mistake, the real priority is to shrink funding for the poor, elderly, kids, and disabled.
Lest you think that's harsh, recall that those are precisely the people Medicaid helps. It remains to be seen if Republicans will be successful, or if they will come together and heal the fractures so visible within the party. If they do, they will likely find Democrats willing to work with them, perhaps using the Cassidy Collins bill as a starting point.
There's been a lot of energy focused on blocking or passing AHCA. Let's take a few days to let the smoke clear, and then try to get Congress to work together to fix ACA.
Because it isn't going to be repealed.
I can't remember a busier and more portentous week in healthcare in the last thirty years.
When hospitals are going thru inspections by their accrediting agency, fewer patients die. That's the finding of a study published in JAMA. (thanks Steve Feinberg MD!) While the percentage reduction was small, the impact was not – if the lower rate prevailed for an entire year across all hospitals, 3,500 fewer Medicare beneficiaries would die – and likely thousands more younger folk. Why?
I'd suggest the Hawthorne Effect is at play: A researcher hypothesized the decrease may be more diligence.
Telemedicine prices are going up – from less than $35 per consult in 2009 to around $43 these days. That's one of the findings from a research report authored by IBISWorld's Anna Son. More details on this in a future post.
The American Chronic Pain Association has just published the updated 2017 ACPA Resource Guide to Chronic Pain Management: An Integrated Guide to Medical, Interventional, Behavioral, Pharmacologic and Rehabilitation Therapies. Another shout-out to Dr Feinberg, Lead Author.
I've been talking about the huge problem of opioids combined with benzos aka sedative hypnotics for some time now. Mitchell Pharmacy Solutions' Mitch Freeman PharmD. sent me the latest FDA blackbox warning – and reminded me that this is a much bigger issue than that involving combinations of opioids and certain antidepressants.
Finally, good friend and colleague Sandy Blunt of Medata did his usual incredibly competent assessment of a report, and drew some startling – and terrifying – conclusions.
I am still stuck on the math from an article early this year ("A Charleston Gazette-Mail investigation found drug wholesalers shipped 780 million hydrocodone and oxycodone pills to West Virginia in six years, a period when 1,728 people statewide fatally overdosed."). The math is staggering on averages. How can anyone with a straight face say they could only recommend a 0.001% suspicion rate to the DEA.
If the WV state avg pop from Census data during this time was about 1.84m and 780m pills were consumed over six years then each and every man, woman, and child in WV statistically consumed 1.36 pills a week –every citizen, every week of the year, for six years without ceasing. If we consider that 20% of the population was under 18 and adjust our data to exclude this group, then each and every man and woman 18 and up in WV had 1.7 pills a week.
Between 2007 and 2012 — when McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen collectively shipped 423 million pain pills to West Virginia, according to DEA data analyzed by the Gazette-Mail — the companies earned a combined $17 billion in net income.
Over the past four years, the CEOs of McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen collectively received salaries and other compensation of more than $450 million.
Thank you, for-profit healthcare system!
Is here at HealthWonkReview thanks to the estimable Louise Norris. She's picked the most insightful posts from around the web-o-sphere so you don't have to.
GOP Representatives are being strong-armed by President Trump and wooed by House leadership, and nowhere is the stress more intense then where I live – upstate New York.
While Trump blusters and leadership cajoles, wheedles, and bribes, Katko, Tenney, Faso et al (upstate GOP Congresspeople) are facing furious constituencies livid at the possibility that they and their neighbors will lose coverage – and that their state is being held hostage.
New York is the only state that requires counties to pay a chunk of Medicaid expense – 13% to be precise. In my home county, Onondaga, that amounts to just over $100 million, and costs the average homeowner about $600 annually in property taxes. In an effort to bribe/force upstate's Republican Representatives to support AHCA, the bill was modified to specifically force New York to eliminate counties' financial requirement and shift it to the state.
In Onondaga, 80,000 people, one out of six residents, is covered by Medicaid. There are 26,000 healthcare jobs in the county paying $58,000 each. If the AHCA passes and Medicaid expansion funding disappears, we're going to lose over a thousand jobs – and $60 million in wages. Sure property taxes will go down, but state taxes will have to increase.
Syracuse – the biggest part of the county – has the highest minority poverty rate in the nation, and the lowest economic opportunity of any municipality as well. Other upstate communities are better off – but not much.
If AHCA passes, an already desperate economic and health situation will get immeasurably worse. That's why Katko won't hold town halls and is avoiding any and all public appearances; he knows that a NO vote on AHCA will cause a tweetstorm while a YES vote will likely cost him his seat.
That's the dilemma facing all House Republicans, even those in "safe" seats. While Freedom Caucus members don't know it yet, passing AHCA would cost many their seats. Voters HATE losing things they already have, and now that they have health coverage, and were promised the replacement will be better/cheaper/with lower deductibles and more access, when that proves to be false they are going to be really pissed off.
Medicaid cuts will result in their parents losing coverage for nursing home stays, neighbors' disabled kids losing medical care, friends losing jobs in healthcare, and hospitals in rural America closing.
Fortunately, it's extremely unlikely AHCA will pass, as several Republican Senators are strongly opposed to AHCA and will not be intimidated by Trump tweets.
Elections have consequences – and so do votes.
If upstate Republicans vote to overturn ACA and the bill doesn't pass the Senate, they are going to pay a very heavy price from voters on both ends of the political spectrum.
The work comp meme is our industry is always 20 years behind the rest of the world.
Of late, that's been overly optimistic, as insurers actually turn the clock back even further as they adopt tried-and-failed methods of buying medical services. Methods that healthplans, Medicare, and Medicaid have found counter-productive at best and disastrous at worst.
I'm referring to the recent expansion of the role of purchasing and procurement. Several large workers' comp payers appear to be giving up on medical management by experts, and have ceded responsibility for medical management to procurement/purchasing.
This isn't just involving procurement/purchasing in the buying decision, but rather giving the P/P department authority over contracting with vendors that provide medical management services, networks, bill review et al.
This makes zero sense, for multiple reasons.
Premiums are lower, while profits are solid, primarily because of 1. above, and despite pretty low investment returns.
So, since things are going so well, some carriers have decided that the best way to keep the gravy train rolling is to squeeze prices for medical services. Because that's really what P/P departments do best.
And, as every other purchaser of healthcare has learned, it categorically DOES NOT WORK IN HEALTH CARE.
The value equation in health care is Value = Cost (price per service x volume of services x type of services) divided by Outcomes.
Price-driven decisions address one tiny part of that equation and do nothing to address volume or type of service or outcomes.
If controlling price was the answer, we wouldn't have cost inflation in Medicare, or Medicaid, or work comp PT in many jurisdictions. Because providers are really smart folks, and when they see the price go down, they adapt – instantly. Here's how this works.
John comes into the office with a sore ankle. Doctor wants to do an X-ray. Payer reimburses $22 for an X-ray. Doctor does several X-rays when one or two would be sufficient.
Worse, Doctor orders an MRI. Or two.
Price controls = higher utilization = higher cost and longer time out of work.
Value-based purchasing is a demand side strategy to measure, report, and reward excellence in health care delivery… making decisions that take into consideration access, price, quality, efficiency, and alignment of incentives. Effective health care services and high performing health care providers are rewarded with improved reputations through public reporting, enhanced payments through differential reimbursements, and increased market share through purchaser, payer, and/or consumer selection.
This is NOT what we're seeing in work comp, instead P/P is forcing vendors to cut prices. Of course, these vendors then have to get their medical providers to cut their prices. And those vendors no longer have the resources to do things like, say, focus on opioid over-utilization or over-use of PT services.
P/P-driven medical management decisions will increase costs for payers and employers; smarter payers will eat their lunch.
That view is now getting traction outside our little world, with the LA Times covering the issue earlier this week.
Premium decreases are now being seen in Medicaid-expansion states; here are a few examples.
Of course, other factors are also in play here, including expanding employment and state-specific reforms. However, when you compare "ACA adopting states" with other states, the overall picture is compelling.
Newswires are on fire with analysis of the AHCA and its impact on the nation's medically insured. Advocates point to the CBO's estimate that it could reduce federal deficits by $337 billion over the ten years 2017-2026. Detractors, and there are many, focus on the CBO's estimate that some 14 million Americans could lose healthcare coverage by 2021; climbing to 24 million by 2026.
New, 2016 industry data shows that the workers' compensation loss ratio in states maximally affected by the rollout of the ACA (aka ObamaCare) have begun to outperform states minimally impacted by the ACA (see nearby figure). Our delineation stems from a recent New England Journal study which found that states expanding Medicaid and those introducing state-based exchanges saw the largest increase in the medically insured. In 2016, the WC loss ratios in those 18 states outperformed the 15 minimally impacted states by 440 basis points. The maximally-affected states also outperformed nationwide averages in 2016.
This new data comports with intuition and, increasingly, the anecdotes we pick up from industry sources. The ACA has likely been a contributing factor to the favorable trend in WC loss ratios. The evidence is significant: steadily declining WC loss ratios during the ACA-years, historically low medical inflation and favorable WC loss-reserve development. Most industry experts believe the expansion of the medically insured has resulted in less case shifting and less cost shifting (e.g., fewer fraudulent claims and comorbidities treated under WC).
The AHCA, in its current form, should have the opposite affect; it seems likely to lead to more WC claims and cost shifting – rising loss ratios. The nearly complete unwinding of the expansion in medically insured could accelerate cost-shifting, in turn putting pressure on WC loss trends and reserve margins. The initial wave of newly uninsured (14 million by 2018 according to the CBO) would result from the repeal of the individual mandate. We don't have an estimate of the working population in that cohort but presume it's meaningful. The second wave of newly uninsured (another 10 million) would result from changes in Medicaid enrollment. According to WC experts (link here to one prominent blog) some 81% of Medicaid families have at least one member of their family working. That presents plenty of cost-shifting opportunities.
We'd expect the negative impacts of the AHCA, if rolled out in its current form, would first appear in the states benefitting the most from the Affordable Care Act. Large states including California and New York are among the 18 included in our figure above – contact us for a complete listing.
WC rates across the nation have begun to decline – evidence that WC insurers discount favorable trends into their ratemaking. Regulators will probably have little tolerance for preemptive rate increases based on this evidence, but it will be interesting to see if the pace of rate decreases slow. If not, WC loss ratios will have almost surely found their bottom in 2016.
Repealing ACA will be bad news for work comp premium payers, good news for service entities.
What's missing from the debate about AHCA and ACA is any discussion about what's making premiums so damn expensive. We are arguing over what we pay, not what we're paying for.
AHCA makes older folks pay more, and lets younger people pay less for health insurance. But it's a zero-sum game; all of us are going to pay, we're just arguing over who pays how much.
publication of prices and outcomes by provider.
ACA was – and is – an attempt to get insurers to compete for customers by lowering the cost of care. Some – Centene, Molina, Fidelis, and a few others – are succeeding, but the big commercial plans are mostly failing, resorting to hoary old "cost containment" techniques such as higher deductibles and copays instead of real innovation and effective branding and marketing.
This is especially striking as healthcare outcomes in the US are pretty awful, and research clearly proves spending more on physician care does NOT produce better outcomes. In fact, all credible research indicates the US lags well behind other developed countries in terms of health outcomes.
We pay more – a lot more – for health care than other countries.
So, here's the solution – but one our politicians won't pursue because they can't afford to piss off the healthcare lobbying industry.
Cut what we pay for medical care, drugs, facilities and other services, and reduce the volume of services we pay for.
Medical care drives premiums, and if we don't deal with medical care, we'll never control what you and I pay for insurance and taxes.


text:
Frankfurt am Main hosts 2019 Jewrovision,
Largest Ever Musical Contest for Jewish Youth
Photocredit: © Rafael Herlich
Netta Barzilai, the Israeli singing sensation who earned Israel its fourth win at the Eurovision Song Contest last year and brought the 2019 competition to Tel-Aviv, performed as a special guest at the 18th and largest ever "Jewrovision" musical contest for Jewish youth in Germany. Jewrovision 2019 took place on February 2nd at the Messe Frankfurt, one of the world's largest trade fairs and performance venues, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Photo credit: © Central Council of Jews in Germany
Modeled on the Eurovision Song Contest, "Jewrovision" invites young aspiring Jewish performers ages 10 to 19 to compete against each other under the overarching theme of Jewish heritage. Since this was the 18th Jewrovision competition, the Hebrew word "chai" for "Life," whose numerical value is also 18, was chosen both as a motto for the competition and a challenge for the participants to reflect in their performances.
The participants, who represent 25 Jewish communities in Germany, performed covers of the famous pop songs with their own lyrics, and designed their own costumes, choreography and music videos. The jury for the competition was comprised of well-known figures in German show business, including singers, producers and TV anchors.
This year the competition, organized by the Central Council of Jews in Germany with the support of Genesis Philanthropy Group and the German federal and local authorities, drew a record 1,500 participants and 3,500 guests. It culminated in a nail-biting late-night win by the Olam Youth Center in Berlin, which means that Jewrovision 2020 will take place in the German capital.
"Many young Jews in Germany are currently asking themselves about the future of our country," said Dr. Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. "We respond to the growing climate of anti-Semitism with the 18th Jewrovision, and a strong Jewish community. Now 1,500 participants are going home with a strengthened Jewish self-confidence."
The membership of the Central Council of Jews in Germany includes 103 Jewish communities and 23 Jewish Regional Associations. Its principal mission is to defend the interests of Jewish communities within society as a whole and to promote mutual understanding between Jews and non-Jews in Germany.
Ilia Salita, President and the CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), told eJP, "given tremendous interest in Jewrovision shown by Russian-speaking Jewish teenagers in Germany, GPG views this competition as an important opportunity to support integration of the new generation of Russian-speaking Jews into Jewish life in Germany and in Europe as a whole."


Where will the Catholic Church be in 20 Years?
Introducing the CMF Prayer Network!
Men's Retreat, Next Weekend! – Last Call!
"Solid Answers to a Very Important Question"
Join Father Brian Mullady and Patrick Madrid as they provide key biblical and historical reasons for being Catholic. Discussions will include common reasons why Catholics leave the Church, why they return, and what lay Catholics can do to help people better under-stand the teachings of the Catholic Church.
To learn more about Catholic Men's Fellowship, please click on the video listed below. This video was graciously prepared by the very talented group of students at John Paul the Great Catholic University.
Catholic Men's Fellowship (CMF) is a lay ministry, fully approved by the Church, that reaches out to all Catholic men. We act to encourage one another to strengthen our faith in Christ and to become better sons, brothers husbands, fathers and friends. We meet regularly in men's groups at parishes, on campuses, at conferences and at retreats, to support one another, energize our belief and to build Christ-centered friendships. The Catholic faith is at the center of all our activities. We reach out across all denominations, working to build up the Body of Christ.
Our Purpose is to encourage men to become daily followers of Christ.
Our mission is to help men renew their minds and transform their hearts and lives for Christ.


Watch these two country music covers of "Landslide" and compare to the original version by Fleetwood Mac.
Here are 2 Country Music Covers of Landslide followed by the original version by Fleetwood Mac. See if you like the Dixie Chicks and Madde Poppe covers of the song as much as the original tune.
Maddie Poppe sang her cover of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac at the American Idol Finale in front of a live audience and Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on American Idol 2018. Maddie went on to win the competition and performed a mix of country, rock and pop songs.
The original version of "Landslide" was written by Stevie Nicks and performed by Fleetwood Mac. Enjoy the original music video below.
Hope you enjoyed three very different performances of this classic Fleetwood Mac song.
Remember to "share" this with other music fans.