text:
From the sketches it appears the buses use a rail on one side to help guide them, this is probably the biggest failure point. All it will take is someone crashing into the rail to cause a delay for the bus until it can be repaired. Seems like they would be better off just building an elevated road for buses only. My first though was that the buses would just use rails like a train that were set to be flush with the road so cars could easily change lanes. Only problem there would be debris de-railing them. T
Yeah I'm not sure how this will interact with the way the Chinese drive. My wife has been there for business before, and she says that while Chinese people are generally better drivers than people here in the states, they have to be because the streets are like a giant game of no-contact bumper cars. People basically just do whatever the hell they want.
I was with you until you said "no-contact". Now I don't believe your wife has ever been to China.
Horse. Shit.
And I have proof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QESfEd180rQ [youtube.com]
Horse. Shit.
And I have proof. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QESfEd180rQ [youtube.com]
I hate to say it, but I definitely woulda considered hitting the idiots standing in the middle of the road at roughly 2 minutes and at roughly 2m12s.
The best solution would be to let everyone telecommute and invest in laying fiber for greater bandwidth.
That would be a wonderful solution if nobody MADE any thing.
you know those nasty, dirty people who produce everything you own.
I have not been able to find a way to run my cabinet shop from my desk. I'll be damned if I don't have to keep traveling to the shop to cut things and assemble things and those darned customers think that we should deliver and install too.
please crawl back under your bridge now.
If 90% of the office workers could telecommute and you removed them from the roads, wouldn't that alleviate much of the congestion in the first place? Assuming a mixed load of white and blue collar commuters, of course?
They've already moved to India, but there's still congestion. Next step, this train thing?
sure, a country should make things and the people who do can commute to work. But that's still would leave a huge chunk of the population who could work from anywhere. we're wasting time and fuel being on the roads, only 5% of days at most would I physically need to be present at work or at client.
Some of us like the social interaction - thankyouverymuch.
One way to improve things would be to have staggered shifts. Having everyone arrive at the same time along with everyone leaving at the same time creates traffic jams.
Now in a place that makes things that gets difficult, but not impossible. You just need a reasonable amount of shift overlap with different departments starting/ending their shift at different times than other departments.
If anything, the places I've worked building things are a lot better at that than the office jobs I've had. My first blue-collar job would let people work basically any hours they liked. One guy would come in at 2am, then leave at 10am. Another guy would get in at 4pm and stay until midnight. Some people would work night shift (and be a pain in the ass when we went out on the weekends.)
I have not been able to find a way to run my cabinet shop from my desk
3D Printing, my friend. Go to IKEA's Web site, download the plans to your 3D printer, and print.
NOTHING, I own that I have bought in the last twenty years is/was/has been made wholly or mostly in the USA, with the exception of service, food and desktop support almost everybody in the USA could telecommute at least several times a week.
Seems like any accident could leave debris in the tracks. I can't imagine that would end well. It would also be very easy to sabotage.
Seems like any accident could leave debris in the tracks. I can't imagine that would end well. It would also be very easy to sabotage.
Light rail systems have been around in various forms for over a century now. I'm sure they're aware of the potential issues of them. I'm curious what would happen if a vehicle under the bus were to veer into the the side. How strong is the support structure, and could it withstand multiple vehicle impacts if there were to be a serious accident under it. I could see the thing freaking out some drivers.
It also seems like having a giant structure zoom across/around your car could be rather distracting. Not to the level that every time it occurs there will be a pile up, but I'd wager that there will be a significant increase in accidents with that cause. And given your example of accident debris getting on the tracks, you have a bad little cycle.
Overall, while it might be only a fraction of the cost of a subway system, I don't think this idea will stand the test of time nearly as well.
From the sketches it appears the buses use a rail on one side to help guide them, this is probably the biggest failure point. All it will take is someone crashing into the rail to cause a delay for the bus until it can be repaired. Seems like they would be better off just building an elevated road for buses only. My first though was that the buses would just use rails like a train that were set to be flush with the road so cars could easily change lanes. Only problem there would be debris de-railing them. The best solution would be to let everyone telecommute and invest in laying fiber for greater bandwidth.
Building elevated roads seems like it would cost many many times what building elevated buses and street-level rails would cost. That said, I'm all in favor of telecommuting as much as possible.
My first though was that the buses would just use rails like a train that were set to be flush with the road so cars could easily change lanes.
That's called a tramline/tramway, and the vehicles trams. (In the US I think they call them streetcars.) I assume they keep the gap for the wheel flange clean, but I don't know how.
However, if cars can drive over the rails you aren't going to avoid severe congestion -- someone will always be stopped in the tram's path.
For 0.01% of the cost I suggest the Chinese paint one lane of the road red and mark it "Buses Only".
mmm at least in the UK trams don't tend to share the road with cars. Sure they cross roads and sometimes run along them for short sections but for the most part they run along dedicated routes.
The ones in the UK made of reclaimed railway line have much less street-running than normal, but most others (worldwide) are on-road most of the time. Of course, when there's space the trams have their own bit of land not shared with cars -- often in the median.
(If you're not running at street level for most of the time it's more light rail than tram, IMO.)
Not sure that's correct.
Nottingham tram is dedicated only at the ends / outskirts - all the central part is on road and shared with cars.
Sheffield I don't know as well, but it definitely has some long stretches along shared roads.
Manchester I believe runs on roads in the centre (but has converted old rail lines - on the outskirts).
Edinburgh has definitely dug up a road, but whether it will ever get trams running on it is anyones guess.
What other major ones are there ?
From the sketches it appears the buses use a rail on one side to help guide them, this is probably the biggest failure point. All it will take is someone crashing into the rail to cause a delay for the bus until it can be repaired. Seems like they would be better off just building an elevated road for buses only. My first though was that the buses would just use rails like a train that were set to be flush with the road so cars could easily change lanes. Only problem there would be debris de-railing them. T
Do they have trucks in that area? Wouldn't that pose a minor issue?
Do they have trucks in that area? Wouldn't that pose a minor issue?
I don't speak Chinese but from watching the video it appears that there is a warning signal when a truck is detected as approaching from behind or in front of the bus. In addition to this there are black and yellow poles that apparently act as truck detractors like the upside down U-shaped hoops in lawn croquet. The bus would fit over these perfectly but a truck in this same section of traffic would hit one of these before endangering the bus. It appears that this would designate which lanes are okay for trucks (however they then also pose a bit of a traffic obstacle where they come down in between lanes).
My bigger concern is turning and how the sections bend and twist between themselves (as seen at around 5:30 in the video). Is this on a rail or not? Because I could see that being potentially problematic and accident prone if drivers fail to yield to you. I'm interested that they're already planning on deploying this as I think there are things to iron out yet.
"Is this on a rail or not?"
Yes. At least, from what I understand through the translated text, the bus could run both on a rail (for maximum energy efficiency) and also like a bus, using video tracking technology to follow white lines on the pavement. Although, I think I'd prefer a human driver instead.
...using video tracking technology to follow white lines on the pavement.
So this wouldn't work in the U.S. where some drunk teenager bent on revenge over an imagined slight is bound to reroute the white line to their former-BFF's house.
Or where the government is too cheap to paint white lines more frequently than once a century.
"Is this on a rail or not?"
Yes. At least, from what I understand through the translated text, the bus could run both on a rail (for maximum energy efficiency) and also like a bus, using video tracking technology to follow white lines on the pavement. Although, I think I'd prefer a human driver instead.
Actually, according to the video in TFA, there is a human driver.
There is a translation in the source article (it took me a while to find it). Damn blogs that masquerade the actual content.
Here is the translation:
What you can see from the video is traffic jams, what you can hear is noise, and there is also invisible air pollution. At present, there are mainly 4 types of public transits in China: subway, light-rail train, BRT, and normal bus. They have advantages and disadvantages, for example, subway costs a lot and takes long time to build; BRT takes up road
My bigger concern is turning and how the sections bend and twist between themselves (as seen at around 5:30 in the video). Is this on a rail or not?
Articulated tram [wikipedia.org]. Similar technology also works for buses [wikipedia.org], subway trains [wikipedia.org] and normal trains [flickr.com] (some of those are internal pictures).
I can read Chinese...well I mean I am a Chinese that RTA and let me do the translation for you.
Their answer is to have traffic light system that will allow the bus to turn in the intersection while stopping traffic that will be going straight through.
Also as you can see in the simulation, there are 4 lanes (In fact a lot of major local roads in Beijing are 4 lanes per direction, so does the beltway).
I wonder if you want to change lane from the inner two to the outer two...you gotta make the decision fast be
Couldn't you get trapped under a bus when there's congestion and end up missing your destination?
Gives a whole new meaning to the term "throwing them under the bus"
Damn you!
I was very impressed by the video, but I also worry about how to change the lange when under the "bus."
In the video they say it is much faster to build such a highway than building subway. And the bus is driven by both solar energy and electricity.
What I find also cool, if not better, is the suspended railway [wikipedia.org] in the German town Wuppertal. It seems to me it as all of the advantages, minus maybe time and money, and avoids the trap problem.
The main question is how you're supposed to see road signs and traffic lights when under there. As long as you know where your exit is, you can always wait until the thing is gone.
Very cool, and while the video seems to touch on it and explain the system (don't understand Chinese), I'm still worried about the whole cars passing underneath it and tall trucks getting told to move to the side. The buses would need to be super communicative to avoid any kind of collisions.
Also not sure how much infrastructure would need to be modified to accommodate the buses, apparently they need two lanes and quite a bit of clearance that might currently be blocked by power lines and the like. I'd lov
I dont like the idea at all. When one gets derailed what in gods name is going to take it away for repairs? All it takes is one idiot with a kayak or something mounted to the roof of his vehicle to cause a traffic jam. And what about exits and side streets? Couldn't they just build a separate rail system next to the road or are they too cramped for space? And what happens to traffic when one of these is knocked off the rail? I would love to see what they would have that could haul that thing away from traff
I just saw the concept, and I must say. "DO NOT WANT!"
This looks cool, but I have to wonder how practical it is. First, you'd have to design all your roads and bridges to accommodate it, but second, you'd have issues with things like turning traffic (don't forget to look for a giant bus over your head or coming from behind before you make that turn!) and possibly even pedestrians, although I'm sure they'll have a clever solution like not putting it right next to the sidewalk.
Just thinking of how things are on my bike sometimes, though, the turning traffic was the first thing that came to my mind.
you'd have issues with things like turning traffic
From what I can see in the video (it's in Chinese but just judging from the graphics...) they seem to have thought of that. These mega-busses would be in the left-most lanes, and if they need to turn at an intersection, the lights at that intersection go red in all directions. The mega-bus then has the right of way to make a wide turn, cutting across many lanes safely because everyone is stopped.
I don't know if this is a good solution, mind you. First, the mega-bus has to be able to communicate-with/cont
These mega-busses would be in the left-most lanes, and if they need to turn at an intersection, the lights at that intersection go red in all directions. The mega-bus then has the right of way to make a wide turn, cutting across many lanes safely because everyone is stopped.
That's pretty much how trams work in every city I've seen -- where the tram needs to move across a junction and can't keep to the standard lane of traffic other traffic is stopped. (With the tram waiting, if necessary). The same system controls the points (switches).
(Also, the last two large cities I visited, both in Europe, were laying new tramlines.)
I think the use of the word 'bus' is problematic here.
I think of it more as a substitute for light rail.
I don't see it being too useful for new developments, but I could definitely see it being useful in areas where you can't just add another lane for busses or put light rail on its own. A lot of our cities are built up.
So the alternative is either bore underground with an expensive subway, go overhead with an expensive skytrain (like vancouver), or do something like this. I'm idealizing a bit here just from the video. But if the only infrastructure needed in the guide rail... it could definitely be cheaper.
Safety wise... no doubt there are issues. I'm especially worried about drivers thinking they are going to miss their turn while being stuck under the bus. They might end up doing some stupid things. I really dont see trucks swerving out of the way like in the video. They would probably either be content to stay behind the bus or go the next lane gradullay.
It may be useful for congested central areas with no trucks, or at least 3 lanes where small trucks will only stay in the right lane. It looks more like a tram and not a bus. But is it really "better" than a tram?
What about:
- cars slowing down, and congesting traffic behind them, in order to get out of under the bus to change lanes, park, turn, etc.? This could easily cause more congestion than a bus
- cars accelerating to pass the bus and do the above would also be dangerous
- cars getting stuck (because of
I RTFA and the video.
It's sounds easier to upgrade then building subway.
In the video, the presenter said either rail on the level could be embedded (like light rail) to save energy, or have the bus run on wheel and follow solid white line painted on the road.
Energy are solved when the bus travels under the charge poles attached to light poles, as well as charging the super-capacitor at each station (BTW they are running super-capacitor bus in the Expo, Shanghai).
It is much easier to imagine this product when you realize that China is still building its infrastructure and can do dang near anything it wants at this stage because the institutional inertia isn't present like it is in the rest of the developed world.
Ok, I've got a couple problems with this... First, if that bus wants to turn left/right, then I'd feel bad for anyone who's underneath that bus at the time. (Or likewise, if it's going straight, and you want to turn left/right while underneath.) Second, people drive like idiots. I can't imagine how much damage a car accident with this thing would do. Third, maintaining the tracks that these things run on has got to be expensive and/or difficult. I can imagine the amount of loose change, or little kid shoes
Seems like a good idea until you start imagining rush hour traffic.
You're the driver of this "bus" and someone is stopped in between lanes as he's trying to merge/switch. But there is a long line of traffic and a bunch of people are switching. Now the "bus" is stopped waiting for the cars to clear the track. And the cars underneath it are unable to switch as well. Imagine a stalled vehicle or accident and now all cars underneath are now, stuck.
If everything works flawlessly, great, but it seems it would
Which is why I only see this as practical for long straight runs, where it would move with traffic lights just like a car, and would not have to turn. Otherwise there's going to be serious confusion down below. And considering that "confused" was the kindest thing I can say about Chinese street traffic (at least per videos I've seen)...
Well, I for one like the the Beijing Subway. Line 10 goes between my house and my workplace, it is two yuan (US$0.30) to go anywhere on the extensive network, trains are clean and frequent and best of all: when you change lanes, you don't have to worry about it being on top of you with its support struts engulfing you from all sides like some monster, ready to shear you in half if you, um, well, behave like a Chinese driver.
By definition a subway is under ground where you can just ignore it when you are no
The design obviously requires at least 3 lane roads - two lanes for cars and small trucks where the bus goes, and one lane for taller vehicles. So many large cities are also old cities, with many narrow streets; certainly digging subway tunnels and establishing infrastructure is expensive, but employing this solution basically requires a pre-planned city with huge thoroughfares. The larger the street infrastructure, though, the less need you have for a bus that allows traffic to go underneath it.
All this
Hard to say. Some of the renderings of the buses seem to show some sort of 'arms' sticking up out of the top of the buses, similar to some electric train designs I've seen which use such arms to get power from overhead wires/bars, so it might be powered that way. Alternatively, it looks like the 'buses' ride on some sort of rails, so they could possibly electrify the rails the way some electric passenger train systems are designed.
and hilarity ensues.
Since it rides on tracks in the street it's more like a trolly car (or LRV) on stilts than a bus. And because of the tracks drivers in cars on the street will know how to get of it's way, since the 'bus' has to follow the tracks.
The advantages of el trains and monorail systems is that they don't compete with street traffic. The advantage of buses is that they can pass each other -- one stalled car doesn't take the whole line down as currently happens with light rail. Elevated bus lanes seems to me the best of both worlds.
Regarding earthquakes, elevated roadways are a mature technology. Nothing is 100% safe -- if you're looking for absolute safety we'd never build anything -- but built to today's standards, elevated roadways shouldn't be any less safe than any of the other tall structures hanging over you -- overpasses, skyscrapers, bridges, etc.
Parenthetically, light rail on the street is the worst of both worlds. The disadvantages of light rail (the system moves as a whole or not at all) with the disadvantages of buses (the system competes with street traffic). When I was living in San Jose, cars being t-boned by light rail in low speed collisions was so common that people started scrawling under the ubiquitous "Taking 217 cars off the road" the addition "One car at a time".
Elevated bus lanes seems to me the best of both worlds.
I know, this is Slashdot, but I think that you need to read the article. Don't worry, it is only one paragraph, a few pictures, and a short embedded video which you can probably skip. They are not talking about elevated bus lanes, which would be a good idea---dedicated bus lanes in Seattle and LA seem to work pretty well in those cities, and taking it one step further sounds good to me. Instead, they are talking about building buses that are two lan
That's a fascinating idea. Some postings claim that construction will start this year, but it seems unlikely. They'd have to build a prototype and a test track first, and if they had that, there would be pictures.
The thing runs on road wheels, not tracks. Steering is at least semi-automated, to keep it properly positioned. It's electrically powered, with recharging as it passes through stations. The electrical contact mechanism for recharging, as drawn, is wildly optimistic about the difficulties of making contact with a moving vehicle. The illustrations show solar cells atop buses and stations, but no way can those yield enough power for this thing.
They're vague about how the articulated bus corners. The trick with articulated buses is avoiding crush points. Real articulated buses have turntables and bellows at the joints, and they narrow at the join region. That's going to be tough with a vehicle this wide. Also, it's not at all clear how transitions to hills are handled. Does it articulate in pitch, too? All that can be made to work; San Francisco, of all places, has large articulated buses. The joints were troublesome at first, but the second generation of joints seems to work adequately.
Also, on sharp turns, there had better not be cars underneath.
The emergency evacuation slide system is a bit much, as is the roof entry stair system.
I can't see how this solution could possibly work as well as a small footprint elevated train similar to Bangkok's Skytrain. For this you need a 3m median for support pillars, and a slightly wider (4m?) median to support stations. Entrances and exits are stairways to the sidewalks.
Skytrain type solutions have zero probability of having to stop for gridlocked cross traffic.
I've not researched it, but I'm guessing that the only advantages of the megabus are lower upfront capital outlays (not TCO), and that
This is the original article: http://www.chinahush.com/2010/07/31/straddling-bus-a-cheaper-greener-and-faster-alternative-to-commute/ [chinahush.com]
Unlike the one posted on the story, that adds nothing (except for stealing ads money from the actual source).
It also includes a translation of the video.
I think I *might* have an explanation for one of the points - I'm not sure if this is why you put (???) at the end of this point, but let's look at it:
"each vehicle reduces use of gasoline 864 tons and green house gas 2640 tons"
How can the amount of "green house gas" reduced be that much *greater* than the amount of gasoline reduction? I think it's because CO2 combines 1 Carbon from the fuel with 2 Oxygen from the atmosphere, (also, hydrogen in the fuel gets combined with oxygen to form water vapor, I think
Each honest calling, each walk of life, has its own elite, its own aristocracy based on excellence of performance. -- James Bryant Conant


text:
Read this article in the Fall-Winter 2012 issue of Carolina Law.
Mary Boney Denison '81 has spent her career working in trademark law, so it didn't surprise her that one of her daughter's first words was "Visa." "Trademarks, which are product identifiers, play a very important role in everybody's life," Denison says. "We all recognize them; even children know trademarks by the time they are able to talk."
Although she didn't plan on a career in trademark law when she graduated from UNC School of Law, Denison became fascinated by the field after working on trademark infringement counterfeiting cases during her time as an associate in a New York law firm. "Trademark decisions are rarely black and white, which makes the work fun," she says. "An added bonus is that trademark lawyers are known to be congenial and creative."
Denison went on to a 30-year career in private practice, including 15 years as a founding partner at the firm of Manelli Denison & Selter PLLC in Washington, D.C. "In my practice, I worked as an advocate," she says. "I was developing global trademark strategy, clearing trademarks, filing opposition and cancellation proceedings, and providing strategic advice to clients," which were primarily small and medium-sized businesses in a wide range of fields.In June 2011, Denison left private practice to become the deputy commissioner for trademark operations at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she is in charge of operations, overseeing the work of more than 500 employees.
"I'm involved with examination of trademark applications, maintenance of trademark registrations, budget planning and execution, and outreach," she says. "It's exciting to work for the federal government because you can change things that you think need to be fixed."
She encourages young lawyers to work for the government and is enthusiastic about the "hardworking, bright and devoted" employees in her organization. "We're still hiring, which is exciting in this economy," Denison says. "The salaries can't compete (with private practice), but the reward is clearly there: the work is fascinating, it's possible to improve the system, and you provide a valuable service to fellow citizens."
Denison is glad that Carolina Law encourages students to go into the public service sector. She says that her Carolina Law education prepared her well for her career in both the public and private worlds. "The Socratic method helped me learn to think on my feet," she says. "I was on the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, which helped significantly with my writing. It also opened up my mind to international considerations in the law, something that's important in trademark law."
She stays involved with Carolina Law because of her appreciation for her education. "UNC gave me the opportunity to earn a good living and to have a fascinating career, and I want to give something back," she says. She served on the Carolina Law Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2006 to 2011, focusing primarily on fundraising. She supports the school financially, hosts events in D.C. for visiting alumni, and hired a summer intern from Carolina Law this year. This past spring, she spoke at the law school about working at the USPTO.
While Denison loved working in the private sector, she says that it's a privilege to be in public service. "I know that it may sound hokey, but I think that every day USPTO employees are helping people to build their American dream," she says.
-December 3, 2012

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Comments on the Department of Health's Revised, Proposed Regulations Implementing the 1998 HIV Reporting and Partner Notification Law (Amending Articles 21 and 27 of the Public Health Law)
January 21, 2000
January 14, 2000
Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H.
By Facsimile and E-Mail
We submit the attached comments on the revised, proposed regulations released by the Department of Health on December 15, 1999 on behalf of members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Smart AIDS Laws, a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to ensuring that laws and policies on HIV and AIDS reflect current knowledge and experience on treating and preventing HIV infection.
The current set of proposed regulations are an improvement over the original proposal in several important respects. The purging of the names of index patients' contacts one year following contact notification, and the elimination of a provision allowing disclosure of the identity of HIV positive index patients to officials in other jurisdictions are safeguards that better protect individual privacy interests.
Nevertheless, the proposed regulations do not sufficiently and fairly reflect or respond to the weight of public comment, public health science, or applicable law. A number of major recommendations and comments of community-based service providers, based on the experience of being, or serving, people with HIV, were categorically rejected. In addressing several of the issues raised by many members of the community, the DOH summarizes comments and then rejects them with little or no explanation; other comments and recommendations on important issues such as the availability of anonymous testing are not even acknowledged, let alone addressed. Some of the Department's responses discount or ignore the weight of public and expert opinion, experience and research on issues such as domestic violence and genuine transmission risks. Since the agency declined to hold public hearings on these regulations, its legal obligation to respond is significantly determined by written comments, which must be addressed through an assessment containing "a summary and an analysis of the issues raised and significant alternatives suggested" in the comments, a "statement of the reasons why any significant alternatives were not incorporated," and "a description of any changes made in the rule as a result." New York State Administrative Procedure Act §202 (4-a)(b).
Finally, the Department's explanations for provisions such as those requiring the repeated reporting of CD4 counts under 500, or insisting that federal law requires provision of HIV-related information to emergency response personnel without requiring a baseline HIV test, represent a misinterpretation or clear violation of applicable law.
In short, we believe that the regulations as drafted still fail to reflect the carefully thought-out, medically sound policies that invite at-risk persons into testing and care, reverse the stigmatization of people with HIV, and provide the public with accurate information about risks of transmission. In several important respects, they still violate basic rights to informed consent and confidentiality, exceed statutory authority, reinforce unsound popular assumptions about HIV transmission and fail to adequately balance the potential benefits of contact tracing with the profound danger of domestic violence. For these reasons, the proposed regulations unnecessarily risk deterring people from testing and care, and dangerously mislead members of the public into believing that government warnings about exposure to infected individuals, rather than the consistent practice of sound risk-reduction practices, is the single most important way to protect one's health.
Comments and Recommendations
Requiring that an index patient document a threat of severe physical harm to defer notification artificially elevates the potential benefits of partner notification over a range of harmful consequences to the index patient-- emotional and financial as well as physical -- that can profoundly affect not only the health of the patient but the safety and well-being of individuals in her/his care.
By limiting deferral of contact notification to situations involving a risk of "severe negative effect on the physical health and safety" of individuals, the DOH has again ignored the universally accepted definition of domestic violence used by the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV). This provision is unnecessarily restrictive, offering no real protection to individuals at risk of other forms of recognized violence and rendering them vulnerable to continued or increased abuse. The protocol should be revised to focus on the total health and safety of individuals, rather than merely their "physical" well-being. The regulations also must make clear, at a minimum, that an index patient will not be expected or requested to sacrifice secure housing in order to allow partner notification to proceed.
Section 63.8(a)(3) and (b), which addresses prioritizing cases meriting contact notification, in fact leaves the setting of priorities to the discretion of local health officials, vaguely suggesting only that these officials consider contacts who have been reported, and contacts of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV, in determining which cases merit follow-up. These "factors" are far too broad to ensure that local priorities for use of available resources are appropriate and consistent state-wide. The Commissioner should provide meaningful, explicit direction. The regulations and the informed consent form also should make it clear that index patients can state a preference as to who should complete notification; some individuals may prefer assistance through DOH personnel, while others will prefer contact notification by their physicians or by doing it themselves.
A serious shortcoming of Section 63.8(d) is its failure to include any criteria for ensuring that contact notification activities will reflect the unique circumstances of younger people, individuals in group residential and institutional settings, and other members of vulnerable populations. Instead, the regulations merely require that notification activities be "consistent with guidelines acceptable to the commissioner." Contact notification standards that meet the needs of special populations can best be developed with the input of the community-based providers who serve these populations. This is particularly important for adolescents, a population in which risk-taking behavior is high and where the consequences of mishandling counseling and partner notification activities can be disastrous. Guidelines for dealing with this populations should be made available for appropriate public input prior to their implementation.
At a time when unfounded fears persist about risks posed by individuals with HIV, it is disturbing that the Commissioner and other state health officials are abdicating their responsibility to eliminate this root cause of discrimination. Rather than demonstrate leadership by refusing to accommodate the fears and biases reflected in much of the HIV-related legislation proposed around the country, the Commissioner inappropriately exercises her discretion by adopting provisions which reflect political rather than public health concerns.
The identification of occupational exposure for emergency response and criminal justice personnel as a transmission risk justifying breach of an index patient's confidentiality perpetuates unwarranted fears of infection. There is no evidence that HIV transmission has ever occurred as a result of occupational exposures for emergency response personnel. There also is a complete lack of evidence that occupational transmission of HIV is anything more than an extremely remote risk for criminal justice personnel, and the potential for misuse of this information in the correctional setting militates against including such personnel in the definition of "contacts" through occupational exposure. We are aware that the DOH has adopted the policy for notification of emergency response personnel in order to secure additional federal Ryan White funding; even if we believed that the availability of funding for such an initiative is sufficient basis for the state's health officials to endorse it, it clearly is inappropriate to incorporate this type of funding-driven provision into formal regulations.
Putting aside for the moment the legitimacy of including emergency response personnel in the definition of "contact," there is no sound legal or medical basis, in the Ryan White Act or elsewhere, to exclude such personnel from the regulations' requirement of HIV testing of potential contacts prior to release of HIV-related information of the index patient. There certainly is no basis for the Department's odd assertion that "federal preemption" somehow ties the Department's hands in this aspect of the regulations.
Ultimately, Section 63.8(m) of the proposed regulations, establishing a protocol for "significant occupational disclosure [sic]," does not reflect the prevailing positions of medical experts. The CDC does not recommend post-exposure prophylaxis following occupational exposures occurring in non-health care settings, likely recognizing that all but a few cases of occupation HIV transmission have occurred through needle-stick accidents involving hollow-bore needles. By relying on political rather than medical or scientific considerations in determining the definition of "contact," the Commissioner has abused her discretion by effectively using the rule making process to implement legislative proposals with the NY legislature repeatedly has declined to adopt.
The plain language of the law does not provide for including the first CD4 or viral load test after implementation of the law as an initial diagnosis of HIV.
The public health law limits case reporting to, at most, three instances over the course of each individual's HIV disease progression:
Section 63.4 of the regulations exceeds the statute's authority by requiring laboratories to make unlimited reports to the DOH concerning a test subject, whenever the individual's test results show the presence of HIV antibodies, a detectable viral load, or CD4 count less than 500. The proposed regulations define "initial diagnosis" for laboratory purposes to mean "the first such test... performed on a specimen submitted after the effective date of the regulations." Section 63.4(a)(4)(i). Because an HIV positive individual in treatment will have, on average, 6-10 blood specimens submitted for viral load and CD4 testing each year, under the proposed regulations only laboratories that maintain lists of individuals who have positive HIV-related tests can avoid multiple case reports per individual, even when no change has occurred in that individual's clinical diagnosis.
Moreover, it should be noted that a CD4 count between 200 and 500 has no independent clinical diagnostic significance to physicians, public health officers, or the Centers for Disease Control, nor is such information in any way relevant to the legislation enacted. In fact, the CDC's Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection (December 10, 1999) does not recognize CD4 counts of greater than 200 as a basis to include an individual in an HIV surveillance report. Even if reporting of this information were not beyond the authority granted the Department under the law, it is unclear how the DOH and other local health authorities will manage the collection and analysis of data that includes information that is not reportable to the CDC or usable to document the incidence of HIV diagnoses as a basis for funding.
The DOH's scheme to mandate duplicate reporting by laboratories and then to employ "designated staff" to "unduplicate" the multiple reports is more than a clear violation of the law's authority and intent. This scheme also does nothing to further public health objectives and is a waste of precious public resources. Better solutions would be:
Finally, the reference in the reporting and notification regulations to the comprehensive newborn testing program, through the addition of Section 63.3(b)(2)(vi) (as a situation in which informed consent is not required), fosters confusion on the reporting of newborn testing results. Section 63.8 should clarify that such tests are not reportable as to either the newborn or the mother, as Dr. Gus Birkhead confirmed at an April 7, 1999 meeting of the AIDS Advisory Council. Such clarification is consistent with the requirements of the CDC's Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection (December 10, 1999), in which reporting criteria for children aged less than 18 months requires positive results through HIV nucleic acid detection, HIV p24 antigen test (for a children one month of age or older), or HIV isolation through viral culture.
After examining all of the available data on the viability of the unique identifier, including the CDC-sponsored evaluation of the Maryland and Texas systems, we concluded that a unique identifier case reporting system would accurately track the HIV epidemic without triggering the privacy and social risk issues which deter individuals from testing and unnecessarily increase the level of government acquisition of sensitive personal information about already-marginalized individuals. We specifically recommended that a unique identifier system be adopted at least on a pilot basis to accommodate the legitimate concerns and suggestions on development of a workable system that would respond to the majority concerns and meet the goals for the epidemiological tracking of HIV.(1) The DOH fails to adequately address these concerns, repeating instead the same justification for names-based reporting on which it relied prior to the public comment period.
The regulations do not recommend, and the approved consent form does not contain, reassurances that the law prohibits the imposition of civil or criminal penalties for failure to provide names of contacts. The Department of Health explains this rejection of requested clarification for patients facing the possible trauma of a positive HIV test by stating that, "63.3 was not amended to require counseling on the absence of penalties for non-cooperation in partner notification, because this would send a confusing message to persons whose cooperation was being sought." In this response, the DOH appears concerned that advising index patients of their rights under the law might encourage them to exercise those rights, and deals with this concern by approving a consent form that seems to suggest that these rights do not exist. Withholding information about an individual's rights as a way of increasing patient participation in identifying contacts is unethical and contrary to the fundamental concept of informed consent.(2)
Also, written informed consent should precede, at minimum, a physician's initial administration of any form of HIV-related test that will trigger reporting and contact notification procedures; counseling must include the same range of information for all forms of HIV-related testing. Consent forms should include confirmation that counseling was provided in the language of the individual to be tested.
Finally, although both Public Health Law Sec. 2781(1)(2)(b) and the proposed regulation 63.3(a)(1)(iv) require that individuals be informed that their consent to an HIV test may be withdrawn at any time, no mechanisms are proposed to insure this right or to address specific situations, such as where an individual tests and does not return for test results. Indeed, the proposed informed consent form does not even mention that individuals have a right to withdraw consent, a clear violation of PHL Sec. 2781(1)(2) that requires the informed consent "statement" to include such information.
Responsible staff must record any release of HIV-related information, whether with or without informed consent. Access of non-medical staff reviewing confidential records for purposes related to program administration also must be documented in, at minimum, a central file. Preservation of confidentiality, and the potential for inappropriate disclosures, cannot be monitored without tracking all disclosures of private patient information.
In their comments to the Department of Health, dozens of organizations endorsed the expansion of access to anonymous HIV testing. Additional anonymous testing opportunities, particularly through clinics, are warranted in view of the state law requirement that such testing be a real alternative, and the recognition, most recently in the CDC's Guidelines for National HIV Case Surveillance, that the availability of anonymous testing is an important component of an HIV testing and surveillance scheme. Studies have shown that the availability of anonymous HIV testing is associated with increased numbers of individuals seeking testing services,(3) and that those who test anonymously enter care earlier.(4)
Inmates retain the right to the confidentiality of HIV-related information. See., e.g., Powell v. Schriver, 175 F.3d 107 (2nd Cir. 1999) (disclosure of inmate's HIV positive status absent legitimate penological purposes could constitute deliberate indifference to substantial risk of harm); Nolley v. County of Erie, 776 F. Supp. 715 (W.D.N.Y. 1991) (finding inmate's privacy rights were violated by unwarranted disclosure of HIV+ status by holding center's policy of placing red sticker on outside of HIV+ inmate's medical files); Hetzel v. Swartz, 917 F. Supp. 344 (M.D. Pa. 1996) (approving appointment of counsel for HIV+ former inmate who claimed prison officials invaded his privacy by disclosing HIV status to prison staff). Given the documented instances of illegal disclosure of HIV information in the criminal justice setting and the widely recognized fact that it is nearly impossible to maintain the confidentiality of private medical information in a correctional setting, it is unwise and inappropriate to permit disclosure of HIV information to criminal justice personnel without patient consent or a court order. See Section 63.8(m).
Accordingly, the regulations must be clarified to ensure that only those personnel directly involved in the provision of medical care be provided information about the HIV status of a correctional facility inmate, probationer or parolee. HIV status is not an appropriate part of general institutional inmate files, or parole or probation files, particularly in that these files are frequently accessible by other members of the public.(5)
While we applaud the Commissioner for including a new provision providing for the elimination of identifying information within a year following completion of contact notification, the provision fails to address those circumstances when there is no final confirmation that notification to the contact has been completed, e.g., in those circumstances when the individual can't be located and the indefinite use of resources to attempt to locate the individual is unwarranted or unwise. We recommend that all such information should be purged within one year of the DOH's and other local health officials' receipt of such information.
If the DOH is to ensure that the proposed program for name reporting and partner notification is genuinely effective with respect to encouraging testing and prevention and promoting access to health care, as well as accomplishing effective surveillance, it is essential that the Commissioner mandate an independent review of the program. The primary goal of any such public health initiative must be control and prevention of disease; it is critical that the DOH confirm that the new surveillance and notification program serves this overriding goal. The DOH repeatedly has asserted that "no instances of improper disclosure have resulted" from such a system while failing to explain the basis for this assertion, apparently assuming that the lack of wide publicity about such events constitutes sufficient confirmation. A proper system of evaluation will ensure that threatened or actual inappropriate disclosures of HIV-related information will be detected and documented.
While the regulations and approved consent form reference the right to be tested anonymously, and the right of individuals with HIV to be free from discrimination and unwarranted disclosure related to their status, they offer no guidance as to how affected individuals can exercise their rights in the event they are violated. Telephone inquiries made to several HIV service providers suggests that even physicians who act as spokespersons on the issues of HIV testing, surveillance and reporting have failed to ensure that they and their staff fulfill their responsibility under the law to provide information on the availability of anonymous testing.(6) The DOH should ensure that all providers of HIV testing and health care services are able to provide location and contact information on available anonymous testing sites throughout the state, and legal service and advocacy organizations that will assist those who experience discrimination or violations of their privacy as a consequence of seeking diagnosis and treatment.
Hayley Gorenberg
Dennis DeLeon
Jennifer Flynn
Robert Bacigalupi
Alisa Costa
Andres Duque
Robyn D. Fisher
Danielle Greene and Cyra Quinones-Borsy
Elsa A. Rios and Kimberly M. Mutcherson
Michael Kink
Laurell A. Lesaenburg
William P. Nelson and Mildred Pinott
Cynthia Schneider and Matthew Carmody
Robert Vazquez-Pacheco
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Just take a plate over and hand t to them witha cheerful, "Here you are!' I'd be hoping they'd take the hint.
So recently DH and I had a few family members over for dinner. While it was finishing cooking, we put out some cheese, crackers, napkins, and plates in the living room. Our guests proceeded to eat the cheese and crackers while sitting on our couch... without using plates. I was sitting there watching crumbs fall on the floor, under the couch, in the cushions, and I didn't know what to say. It feels presumptuous to tell someone twice my age to use a plate to catch crumbs. At one point I said something along the lines of "don't worry about making more dishes or anything - that's what the dishwasher is for! Feel free to use a plate if you like." The response was something like, "Oh, I'm okay." Is this expected behavior? Is it okay to get crumbs all over when you're at someone else's house? Or can I say something? And if so, what can I say that doesn't come across as condescending or rude, but makes it clear that I expect a plate to be used?
Although not fully PA, you were very passive and got what you asked for. Next time, ask for what you want.
Quote from: artk2002 on December 12, 2012, 05:59:01 PMAlthough not fully PA, you were very passive and got what you asked for. Next time, ask for what you want.This line really stood out to me. So often we try to ask something in a passive way and are upset when we don't get what we want. I needed this reminder today for other reasons, so I'm grateful for this.
How about saying, "Oh dear, I didn't realize the crackers were so crumbly. Here, let me get you a plate." That way, you're accusing the darn crackers of being messy, not the guests.
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On Thursday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will make his first public appearance since succeeding Steve Ballmer in early February. Microsoft has confirmed only that Nadella will address the intersection of cloud and mobility, but several reports claim the new Microsoft leader will make his mark by introducing a product on which his predecessor often appeared to waver: a version of Microsoft Office for iPads.
Given that such a product is both a multibillion-dollar revenue opportunity and a potential death blow to Microsoft's Surface line, Nadella will face enormous expectations when he takes the stage. But that would have been true even if commentators weren't predicting a major product announcement.
[Is Office 365 Personal right for you? Read Office 365 Personal: 5 Questions Answered.]
Nadella was selected after a six-month search during which numerous candidates were briefly reported as front-runners. If the drawn-out process demonstrated anything, it was that whoever got the job would face impossible scrutiny. Tech visionary, charismatic leader, shrewd businessman, public-friendly brand champion -- to meet expectations, the new boss would need to possess a variety of rare traits, any one of which might be enough for the CEO of a less complicated enterprise.
Nadella is well respected and boasts a history of impressive technical accomplishments as a Microsoft exec. He is one of the principle architects behind Microsoft Azure, which has become the most important pillar in the company's long-term plans. But will it be enough to appease the critics Microsoft accrued during the Ballmer era, or to unify the company as it executes its "One Microsoft" reorg?
Nadella will have several chances to impress, first at Thursday's press conference, and then next week at Build, the company's conference for developers. Here are five things to watch as Nadella becomes the public face of Microsoft.
1. What will Nadella do that Ballmer wouldn't?Ballmer's failure to release Office for iPads has been a long-running point of controversy, so if Nadella debuts the product he already will have distanced himself from earlier leadership. But let's get real -- it's not as if Office for iPad was cooked up in the six weeks since Nadella took over the top job. In fact, Ballmer had already confirmed, albeit in broad terms, that the product was coming. Most of the product's development occurred on his watch. Nadella will get credit for finally making the move, but the product isn't necessarily a declaration of bold new leadership.
Office for iPads speaks to major questions Microsoft faces, notably the dissolving bond between the Windows operating system and the most essential software and services. As CEO, Ballmer often seemed determined to protect Windows while also advancing concepts such as Azure and Office 365. But as the ongoing struggles of Windows tablets demonstrate, this balancing act is harder than it sounds.
Azure might become for the cloud era what Windows was for the desktop PC era. Windows isn't going to vanish overnight, or even over a decade, but it won't be as sacrosanct as it once was. Given Nadella's background and expertise, he could be better-equipped than Ballmer to navigate this tricky path. He'll get his chance at Build, when the company is not only expected to reveal a Windows 8.1 update, but will also face growing tension over Windows XP's April 8 end-of-service deadline.
2. Will Nadella unite Microsoft?As the new CEO, Nadella inherits, not only Windows, Azure, Office, and other valuable Microsoft properties, but also a company in the midst of a top-to-bottom reorg. He has excelled at leading engineers but now will be responsible for streamlining one of the largest and most complicated technology companies in the world. Microsoft insiders Tony Bates, the executive VP of business development, and Tami Reller, executive VP of marketing, both recently left the company, indicating that Nadella's core team is shaping up. Still, Microsoft's challenges involve, not only technology, but also company culture and branding. It will take more than flashy product announcements to bring all the pieces together.
3. How will Nadella pursue devices and consumers?Of all the strategies Nadella describes, those that involve devices and consumers are sure to receive disproportionate attention. Many Microsoft


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Mediterranean Steak & Egg Pitas Recipe
5 2 2
Traditional steak and eggs get a Mediterranean makeover in this oh- so-easy entree. Hearty and fun, these pitas are loaded with flavor! Taste of Home Test Kitchen
VERIFIED BY Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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- 1 beef top sirloin steak (1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon Greek seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- 4 whole pita breads, warmed
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
- 2/3 cup crumbled garlic and herb feta cheese
- Sprinkle beef with the Greek seasoning, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, saute beef in oil for 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
- In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, fry eggs as desired. Spoon steak over pita breads; top with tomatoes, olives, cheese and eggs. Yield: 4 servings.
Originally published as Mediterranean Steak & Egg Pitas in Simple & Delicious March/April 2010, p12
Reviews forMediterranean Steak & Egg Pitas
My Review
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review
Average Rating
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2011
"Absolutely I'll make this again! It was super easy and SUPER yummy! Great mixture of texture's and flavors! I've never heard so many mmmmmm's throughout a meal!"
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2010
"The balance of flavors is great and it comes together in a flash! Both my husband and I gave this one an enthusiastic thumbs-up!"


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I actually managed to get Charles and Rice in my leagues draft.
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I just started doing some writing for a new fantasy football website. I wanted to do an article on the Thomas Jones/Jamaal Charles situation. It really turned into more about just Jamaal Charles, but wanted to post it here to see what everyone thinks. I know most of you won't like the last line, but keep in mind I'm writing for people that probably know little about the Chiefs other than they always lose.
Oh how the days of the Running Back have changed. It wasn't but three years ago when perennial fantasy football league champions had a prescription for one thing in their draftgrab their running backs in the first two rounds. Since then, the average NFL team's running back depth chart has become clogged with confusion as week 1 Fantasy No Names (see Arian Foster, Justin Forsett, and the entire array of Redskins RBs last year) leap frog can't miss backs on draft day. This, in combination with the sudden abundance of PPR leagues, has destroyed the philosophy of grabbing your RBs in the first two rounds to assure fantasy success.
One interesting situation pins Jamaal Charles, last year's fantasy savior for many teams in the playoffs, in a fantasy point battle with the Chiefs' newly acquired Thomas Jones, who ran for 1402 yards and 14 TDs in 2009, both career highs. There's no question that fantasy owners plan on Charles being the main guy. In 12 team leagues, he's currently being drafted late 2nd to early 3rd round while his counterpart is going in the early 8th round. The Chiefs' running back by committee approach has certainly made fantasy owners out there weary about Charles, because he's simply being drafted too late!
Too late you say? Charles is like that unpopular, yet hot girl that you knew in high schoolonly you never talked to her because nobody else did. Well, look what she's doing nowshe's hotter than all the popular girls, has two less kids, and makes more as a Doctor than all of them combined. You passed her up because you didn't want to do something none of the other kids were doing. Well now here's your chance to redeem yourself: don't be afraid to grab Charles in the late 1st or early 2nd round.
Charles accounted for 43% of the Chiefs carries in 2009, yet he still managed to finish 11th in the league in rushing yards. There is no question that everyone on the Chiefs, most importantly Todd Haley, saw the raw talent in Charles. Going forward, he will be the centerpiece of the Chiefs' offense. In the 8 games that Charles started he had 5 runs of 40+ yards, only two less than a man by the name of Chris Johnson had all year. And nobody was more effective than Charles on a per touch basis, to the tune of 5.9 YPC.
What can we expect this year? Count on him getting 60% of the carries and a ton of work in the passing game, with Thomas Jones being the blessing that keeps him fresh and healthy well into fantasy playoffs. Sure, Jones will steal the occasional goal line touchdown, but you can count on Charles to blow past defenders to punch another one in. Owners will tell you to look at the schedule he played at the end of the season. Agree with them, and take him anyways. At the very least, you can count on him for 1300+ yards on the ground, another 450+ yards through the air on 50+ receptions (can you say PPR), combined with 10 all-purpose TDsand that's being conservative What do you get out of all that? A poor man's Ray Rice, going almost 2 rounds later (which by the way, if you can manage to snag both of these guys, don't hesitate). Can you say value? Count on Charles being a top 5 fantasy RB by year's end.
As far as Thomas Jones is concerned, he'll be a sneaky flex play who's limited to early and non-passing down duty with goal line work. But don't expect a lot of consistency from him, as the Chiefs will once again figure to be down early and passing often.
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I actually managed to get Charles and Rice in my leagues draft.
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remember Chiefs fans, Carl gave away Jared Allen for:
Jamaal Charles and Branden Albert.
5 years down the line, if they are still on the team (and making an impact), this *might* have been a decent trade for us. a top RB and LT for a top DE? sounds about right, maybe even good for us. As good as JA was, our defense still blew. hard.
Plus that trade practically solidified Carl and Herm's undoing, ultimately landing us Scott Pioli.
Scott Pioli is a badass.
So... thanks Carl!
Back on point (sorry)... i am one of the FEW who actually think J5 (charles) might not be worth a top 2 round pick. I would consider him in the 3rd, but thats the most I would give for him. You have Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, and T. Jones to thank for that. Our offense might be really, really good this year, and i see us transforming more into a high passing attack team that runs it with a comittee, ala New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals....
as opposed to everyone who thinks we will just run it down everyone's throat. That's not Haley's style, he wants to score.
Last edited by KottkeKU; 07-22-2010 at 03:16 PM.
J5, Cassel, Tamba, Brandon Flowers, all going pro bowl in 2010, Chiefs go 9-7, make Wild Card playoffs...
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I think that in fantasy, anyone splitting time is going to be less valuable than a full time back.
i dont think either one will have a blow out year. It will most likely be devided pretty equally. which i dont think either player would care as long as we are winning..thats the beuty of these to unselfish guys..
It is going to be tough, the other thing you missed in this analysis is Dexter McCluster as well. You mention that Charles will be used in the passing game and I am sure he will, but McCluster was drafted more for those types of abilities than Charles was.
We have three pretty good backs this year and all of them are going to see playing time. That hurts the value of Charles.
I am in agreement, third round is about as high as I would go.
Are you man enough? Eric Berry? Apparently Not!
i managed to get gore and charles along with ronnie brown and cj spiller in my draft
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(RNN) - A Miami man has reportedly admitted to killing his wife and posting a picture of her dead body on Facebook.
Derek Medina, 31, turned himself into the Miami-Dade police after claiming to have shot and killed his wife, Jennifer Alfonso, reported the Miami Herald.
A confession to the murder appeared on Medina's personal Facebook page. It read: "I'm going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife. Love you guys. Miss you guys. Take care. Facebook people you'll see me in the news."
Before the confession appeared on Medina's Facebook page, a gruesome photo of Alfonso, dead and mangled. Above the photo says, "RIP Jennifer Alfonso."
Facebook friends commented on the photo, asking "What happened?"
After the photo was posted, a message was posted saying Medina was fed-up with being physically abused by Alfonso.
"My wife was punching me and I'm not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did. Hope u understand me," the message read.
CBS Miami says Alfonso's 10-year-old daughter from a previous relationship was in the home at the time of the murder, but she was unharmed.
Medina has been charged with first-degree murder.
However, based on his Facebook statements and a statement by his father, Medina is likely to plead self-defense.
According to an arrest report obtained by the Miami Herald, Medina and Alfonso got into an argument, at which point Medina went to an upstairs bedroom and grabbed his gun. When he went downstairs, he claims, Alfonso had a knife. After he disarmed her, she began punching and kicking him - and that's when the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Medina shot her, according to the report.
Medina's father, Derek Medina, Sr. repeated his son's claims, telling the Miami Herald that Alfonso was shot only after she got physical.
Medina has an extensive online presence, including a Youtube channel with videos of him punching and kicking bags in a gym, singing along to a Bill Withers song, and meeting NBA star Ray Allen of the Miami Heat.
He is also a self-published writer with several books online. One title is Humans Who Are Gifted and Can See The Supernatural Spirit Ghost World We Live in Called Ghost Haunted Adventures.
According to the book's description, the story is about ghost-hunting in various locales around the country and describes a time when his wife was physically assaulted by a supernatural being.
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The Soldotna volleyball team is headed to the playoffs on a positive note.
Four days after their chances were dashed for a No. 1 seed to the postseason in a loss to Skyview, the Stars swept host Kenai Central 25-14, 25-16 and 25-18 in the regular-season finale Saturday.
SoHi moves to 10-4 overall and 6-4 in the Northern Lights Conference Southern Division. Kenai Central is winless in the conference.
With the NLC tournament beginning Thursday at Colony, SoHi coach Bruce King knows what his squad must do well if it hopes to advance.
"Passing and defense always wins," King said. "In conference tournaments, you can have all the big hitters you want, but if you can't pass or play defense, you can't win."
Kaillee Skjold paced the Stars with nine blocks and eight kills, while Heidi Westerman had 11 assists and six digs.
Reserve libero Natalie Kress posted a team-best 11 digs as she received significant playing time in Games 2 and 3. Kress was among a slew of second-stringers who saw major action.
"Today we got the reserves a lot of time to play, and they responded well," King said.
Efficient passing, especially on service-receive, was a point of emphasis for the Stars. In a five-set loss to Skyview on Tuesday, SoHi failed to pass with consistent accuracy.
Although King saw improvement against Kenai Central, the coach wasn't entirely satisfied.
"I think they did better today, but we are still going to have to pick it up another notch for the conference tournament," King said.
The match was never in doubt.
SoHi led the entire way to handily win the opening two frames, using a 15-7 run to take Game 1 and an 18-9 run to capture Game 2.
Kenai Central took a 12-8 lead in the third game, but fell apart after senior outside hitter Lauren Schams went down with an ankle injury.
The injury came in the midst of a 10-1 run by the Stars, who rode an 18-13 lead to the win.
Coach John Kennedy said the injury to Schams, who finished with a team-high six kills, deflated the Kardinals.
"When we lost Lauren it kind of took the sails out from us," Kennedy said. "She's a very good hitter and she's a senior."
It was senior night for Kenai Central, meaning it was the final home game for veterans Schams, Briana King and Gretta Kennedy.
Raquelle Reynolds added four kills for the Kards, who also received three kills from King and 15 digs from Cassie Ross.
Kenai Central enters the conference tournament as a No. 4 seed and will face the top seed from the NLC Northern Division.
A Kards postseason win is long shot given their regular-season record, but Kennedy said the team is headed in the right direction.
"What I was most impressed with was it was the most consistent three games we've had of the season," Kennedy said of Saturday's match. "We actually had moments where we did real well. That was a plus for us."
SoHi, meanwhile, faces the No. 3 seed from the NLC Northern Division in the opening round of the conference tournament.
Brackets have yet to be released.
Regardless of the opponent, the Stars are searching for a groove in the passing game.
"Without a good pass you can't get a good set, then you can't get a good swing," Kress said.
The Soldotna volleyball team is headed to the playoffs on a positive note.


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It's just been one of those days for Steve Mitchell, the USA TODAY Sports Images photographer who snapped the viral photo of Miami Heat fan Filomena Tobias giving Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah the finger. "I did not think it was going to be like this," Mitchell told For The Win, when asked about all the attention his picture is getting.
USA TODAY Sports Images Rumors
Mitchell was busy transmitting photos to his editors when Noah got thrown out of Game 2 Wednesday night. He said he didn't even see the play, but once the commotion started, he grabbed his camera and started shooting. "I see him arguing with the refs, so I quickly jump up and grab my Nikon 600 mm lens," Mitchell said. "I see him get ejected and I see him walking and I'm just taking pictures, and as I'm taking these pictures, the shutter, which is a Digital SLR, is going so fast I can't see her hand. I see him walking and I thought she was just trying to touch him."
As Mitchell's shutter kept going off, he caught Tobias looking mighty proud of herself, giving the man accompanying her to the game a high-five. "Then Taj Gibson gets ejected and she does the same thing to him," Mitchell said. As Mitchell's shutter kept going, he caught the man with Tobias in a wonderful action shot.


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(Reuters) – A small Dutch company behind the Western world's first approved gene therapy priced its shares above the expected range in a U.S. stock offering on Wednesday, showing the current investor appetite for biotechnology.
Amsterdam-based uniQure said it would sell 5.4 million shares at an initial public offering price of $17.00 each, netting it $81.9 million after expenses. It had previously indicated a price range of $13.00 to $15.00.
The stock was trading just below the issue price at $16.80 by 1600 GMT.
UniQure won approval in November 2012 to sell its drug Glybera in Europe and intends to start selling it as a treatment for the ultra-rare disease lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) with partner Chiesi in the first half of 2014.
The drug is likely to break new ground as the world's most expensive medicine, with a potential price tag of more than $1 million. A high price is needed because a single dose could last a lifetime, giving uniQure just one shot at recouping its investment.
Chief Executive Jorn Aldag said in 2012 that Glybera could sell for around 250,000 euros a year for five years, implying a total price of 1.25 million euros ($1.6 million).
The company has since said that no decision has been taken on price and its IPO prospectus also said it now believed that a one-time price, rather than an annuity-based system, was the most likely pricing model.
Glybera is a modified virus that delivers the correct version of a gene into people afflicted with LPLD, a hereditary disorder that raises the risk of potentially lethal inflammation of the pancreas.
Rare or so-called orphan diseases are winning increased attention from drug developers and several products from companies including Sanofi, Shire and Alexion already cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
UniQure is not the first gene therapy firm to float on Nasdaq. Bluebird Bio made its debut last June but the Cambridge, Mass.-based company has yet to win a regulatory green light for its products.
The decision by uniQure to float in the United States follows a trend by a number of European biotech businesses to tap into a deeper and more experienced capital pool on the other side of the Atlantic.
The results for the Europeans have been mixed.
Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals, which is developing cannabis-based medicines for pain, spasticity and other conditions, has seen its shares soar since listing depository receipts on Nasdaq but another Dutch firm, Prosensa, has flopped after a setback with its drug for muscular dystrophy.
Jefferies and Leerink acted as joint book-running managers for the uniQure offering, with Piper Jaffray as lead manager.
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The modular Daily System from Pottery Barn is a great way to create a home command center or organize all of your small business paperwork and electronics in one place. Some of our favorite components are Recharge Station for your iPod and cell phone and the Linen Pin Board which looks just a bit nicer than a regular cork board.
Each component can be purchased separately and hangs on the wall using a stainless steel rod.


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USFWS National Digital Library
The Supervisory Update # 8 - Janelle Quinn and Laura Jones host this informative program for supervisors. - Episode #8 of the Supervisory Update puts the focus on change. This episode will feature an overview of the new FBMS (Financial & Business Management System), provide you with the latest information to help you manage change and also includes segments on how to lead change and coach through change.
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


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WOODSTOCK – Suzanne Hoban can more or less sum up the Family Health Partnership Clinic's reason for excitement toward the coming new Crystal Lake facility in one statistic.
"We still turn away one patient for every one patient we get to see," said Hoban, FHPC executive director.
It's not the only reason for the move, but it's at the top of the list: The currently Woodstock-based clinic for the uninsured and underinsured needs more space.
Now, six years after management first started mulling over a larger location, ground might finally break on the project next week. From private donors only, the clinic has raised $2.75 million of the $3.2 million needed to build the new facility in Crystal Lake.
As the clinic makes its final push toward reaching that funding goal, it's getting help from a local organization and Dr. Lawrence DuBose, 92, a Carol Stream resident who decided through his longstanding friendship with former Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers Rotary President Sue Dobbe that he wanted to donate to the Rotary.
Dobbe and other Rotarians worked with DuBose to figure out a charity that fit his interests, and that would make a lasting, significant impact on the community.
DuBose donated $25,000 to the building of the new FHPC facility. The two organizations are asking community members to match that total by Aug. 1, calling it the "Rotary Challenge."
"It's something that provides a service to the county that helps all of us," Dobbe said of the decision to give to the clinic.
In addition to adding space – the new clinic will have 12 exam rooms compared with just six in the current building – the new facility will be more accessible, Hoban said. It's close to the Pingree Metra station and a bus route, and centrally located to several hospitals.
Hoban added the clinic also will start a transition to electronic medical records which – once the kinks are worked out – will improve efficiency.
Hoban said DuBose's donation was another gracious contribution in a long line of them since the clinic went public with its fundraising campaign last summer.
The center has received significant backing from the Foglia Foundation and will be called the Sage Center for Care.
"We have gotten a very broad and strong show of support from the community," Hoban said. "We have gotten donations from $50 up to donations of $100,000. It's been a wonderful community response to a community need."


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Jacksonville, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Expected to have one of the stronger squads in the FCS in 2014, Jacksonville State could be searching for a new head coach in the near future.
FootballScoop.com reported Sunday night that Bill Clark will leave the Gamecocks program after one season to become the head coach at UAB.
Clark would replace Garrick McGee, who resigned after two seasons and a 5-19 record at UAB to become the offensive coordinator at Louisville.
Clark, hired by Jacksonville State in December 2012, took over a squad that was 6-5 and went 11-4 this past season, guiding the Gamecocks to the FCS national quarterfinals in their first playoff appearance since 2010. The Gamecocks will return a veteran squad next season, including starting quarterback Eli Jenkins and All-American running back DaMarcus James.
Jacksonville State is expected to be the favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference race.


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Thrashman Exposes Five Of The Nastiest Bathrooms In The Wichita Falls Area [PHOTOS]
Now I know there are a lot of bathrooms in Wichita Falls and the surrounding area and I'm not even going to pretend to have visited them all, but after a little research in the form of asking a few peeps and from my own experience I've come up with a list of five of the grossest bathrooms in the area.
Let's start with the truck stop at Jolly. To quote my man Joe Cayden, this bathroom is straight out of the Saw movies. Dingy, dim and downright creepy this bathroom is not as foul smelling as some of the other bathrooms on the list, it's just in need of some serious renovation. I mean, look at that floor…what the hell happened there? It looks like years of piss flowing freely across it have eaten the sealer right off of the concrete. Jolly Truck Stop has an excellent reputation for their food, atmosphere and friendly staff but this bathroom is in need of some serious attention.
This should come as no surprise as most rest stops are pretty nasty, but I can't ignore the obvious. Like most of the bathrooms on this list, the pungent odor precedes the actually appearance of this crapper and it more than lives up to the smell. It comes as no surprise that three of the five bathrooms on this list are located on the highway because for some reason people feel like they a) don't have to flush the toilets or urinals there and b) it's perfectly okay to throw your toilet paper on the floor. I feel the need to scrub the soles of my shoes with a steel wool and bleach after I walk out of this bathroom.
Sorry City of Wichita Falls, but throwing ass loads of pine-sol down to cover up the odor doesn't make up for the fact that this bathroom is just damn gross. It's one of those fake-out bathrooms that you smell that fresh piney scent right before you walk into what amounts to the home of some serious "soup kitchen" antics. I seriously expected to find a used condom with a baby mouse in it in the corner. And what's up with that trail leading to the drain? It's not wet…it's a frickin' stain for god's sake! The soles of my shoes came nowhere near that stain because I actually want to be able to wear my shoes in the house again.
This was actually the first bathroom that came to mind when I chose this assignment. Not only has this bathroom been filthy every time I've used it but you can smell the sumbitch IN THE DINING AREA. It's absolutely horrible to have to sit through the smell of raw sewage while trying to eat a chicken plank. You can actually smell sewage outside of the building so it must be an issue beyond cleanliness but you can't tell me the employees haven't noticed it. So I'm officially calling 'em out…YOUR RESTAURANT SMELLS HORRIBLE! The really bad thing is that it sits right off the highway and for some people it is their only lasting impression of Wichita Falls. In their defense the food is fine and the service is okay but I usually get my food to go because I can't get over the smell.
Once again the City of Wichita Falls takes a hit. I understand they can't control what people do since there's not someone there monitoring it all the time and the whole sink incident could've happened right before I got there, but since it was in this kind of shape when I rolled up on it I have no choice but to include it in this post. Honestly it's not one of the worst smelling public bathrooms I've encountered so its got that going for it but I can't see anyone wanting to use a toilet in that bad of shape. The half-chewed dog bone actually added to the filthiness because upon first glance you think it's a turd on the floor. In defense of the Parks & Recreation Department the people who do stupid things like tear up sinks and think it's okay to just throw stuff on the floor of public restrooms are really the ones who are most accountable here.
I'm sure I didn't make a lot of friends with this post and there are probably equally or much nastier bathrooms that I haven't been in so that's something to keep in mind but there's no denying these bathrooms are in need of attention of some sort. Now I'm gonna go home and burn my shoes after walking on these surfaces.


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GREENWOOD, S.C. – Shanedra Lockett led Georgia Southwestern with her third career double-double as the Lady Hurricanes defeated Lander University, 79-76, on Thursday evening in Peach Belt Conference women's basketball. Lockett scored 17 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and collected five steals in the win.
The Lady Hurricanes broke ground tonight with their first win against Lander. The all-time record between GSW and Lander is now 1-7. The Lady 'Canes improve their record this season to 8-10 overall and 3-8 in the PBC. Lander moves dips to 8-11, 3-7 PBC.
GSW had four players scoring double-digits against Lander. Danisha Green handled the ball for the Lady 'Canes adding 17 points, grabbing five rebounds, with three assists, and four steals. Jasmine McSwain brought 13 points and six rebounds. Tiara Thompson rounded things out with 11 points and five rebounds. Shatoria Hudson was not far behind with nine points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
The Lady 'Canes were off to a seemingly good start at 19:27 with Tiara Thompson's good jumper in the paint. The next successful goal wasn't until Lander until 17:52 tying the score. After some back and forth leads between the two teams, GSW started to take command at 14:16 with a three-pointer by Danyelle Jones. To be followed by a layup and jumper from Sierra Barrino-Kennedy. At 9:43 McSwain brought GSW ahead by seven with a good jumper in the paint. Within the same minute Lander was able to bring it within a three point game. The Lady 'Canes went on a 8-2 run starting with a shot by Hudson at 7:11 followed by Lockett with four points, and two free throws from Tiara Thompson. These free throws brought the largest lead for GSW during the game by 11 points at 5:47. After a series of missed opportunities for GSW, Lander was able to finish the half leading by three.
Over the course of the second half, Lander was the clear leader until 7:06 when McSwain made a crucial three-pointer after just making two free-throws. Lockett followed suit by making her two free throws and Green made a steal and layup. Barrino-Kennedy finished up the 10-0 run at 6:03 closing the game within two points. The next run for GSW started at 4:19 with a made free-throw by Lockett, GSW trailing by eight. The next six points were from Green, GSW trailing by one. Thompson made the next jump shot putting GSW in the lead followed by a quick layup from Lander. Lockett made the next four points by 00:56. McSwain, Hudson, and Thompson finished the game with five more points. The Lady 'Canes finish the game with an 18-7 run over the Lady Bearcats winning 79-76.
Lander held their largest lead in the game in the second half at 8:22 by 12 points. Ty'hesha Renolds led Lander with 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
GSW bench contributed 35 points compared to zero from Lander. The Lady 'Canes also were successful in making 29 points off turnovers, while Lander was only able to make 20. GSW had two less turnovers over the course of the game than Lander. These subtle differences made the Lady Hurricane successful in the end.
The Lady 'Canes return to action on Saturday for the GSW Homecoming game against Young Harris at 1:30 p.m. in the Storm Dome.


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In a third-grade classroom at Glen Lake Elementary School in Minnetonka on Friday, children in brightly colored tissue paper crowns moved through a do-it-yourself trail mix line, choosing from crackers, popcorn, dried fruit and other healthful treats.
Teacher Kate Humphrey, in a rickrack-festooned party apron, directed one boy's attention to a bowl of crimson dried fruit.
"Have you ever had Craisins?" she asked, smiling as she popped one into his bowl. "Today you get to try one."
Many classrooms across the Twin Cities are changing their relationships with treats. Nutrition and health experts cite many reasons, namely childhood obesity and classroom management, for limiting outside food from the classroom. If treats are served, they often serve double duty, as part of a lesson on nutrition, math or culture. For Glen Lake third-graders, the last Friday of the month is Healthy Snack Friday. Often, students make their own snacks. They measure, add and try to multiply recipes to serve a crowd.
"People have to understand, more than anything, the gravity of where our children's health is at," said Barb Mechura, Hopkins Schools' director of student nutrition services. "Really, food has been woven into so many parts of the school environment and into the fabric of what schools are, and we have to unravel that and say, what's reasonable?"
Nationally, about 17 percent of people under age 20 are obese, according to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate has tripled since 1980, though it has leveled off in recent years. The federal agency also estimates that as many as 6 percent of children have food allergies that put cow's milk, eggs, nuts or wheat off-limits.
The Minnesota Department of Education doesn't track how schools approach treats and parties, said Debra Lukkonen, the state's supervisor of school nutrition programs.
But she said she knows schools are moving toward healthier eating outside of the lunchroom. Anoka-Hennepin's nutrition services will provide more healthful snacks -- veggies and dip, "ants on a log" and popcorn. St. Paul limits food celebrations to once a month.
Nutrition experts said special days could be marked with a small toy, extra recess time, a game, a craft, or a crown or button for a birthday child.
School nutrition directors noted that as our relationship with food and exercise has changed, so, too, must we change how we use them. In a class of 30 students, a 36-week school year can mean a birthday a week, in addition to other celebrations.
"If there are too many celebrations happening, or students are receiving too many treats, that can lead to issues of excess calories, and not necessarily the ones that are the most nutritious for kids," said Jean Ronnei, director of Nutrition Services for St. Paul Public Schools. "We look toward celebrating things, not necessarily focused on treats, to limit those and find other ways to celebrate."
In Anoka-Hennepin, efforts to find and market ideas for healthier school celebrations were funded by a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant. The party-catering service that launched this year was part of that.
"We haven't prohibited anybody from sending [cookies and cupcakes] from home," said Patty Dueno, the district's assistant director for child nutrition programs. "This is just another option for parents, so if they think it's important for children to have a different kind of snack that sets an example for their children and their children's friends, this is another option for them."
In some cases, limiting snacks helps teachers and parents of kids with allergies exercise a little bit of control over what comes into the classroom.
"It's a statewide issue." said Mary Heiman, president of the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota. "It's very difficult for us to say we can be peanut free or allergy free, allergy safe. ... It needs to be forefront on the classroom teacher's mind. That's a lot of responsibility, so why not take that away as best we can and not serve snacks?"
Rockford Area Schools parent Kari Heitke, of Corcoran, said she has mixed feelings about a general departure from unhealthy but yummy treats at school.
"In the United States, food is a celebratory thing, and if you want to have a birthday, I think you should be able to choose when you want to," she said. "It should be left up to the individual."
Still, she said, her experience as a substitute teacher colors her opinions.
"You see the big cupcakes or the big boxes of doughnuts, and as a teacher you think, 'oh no,'" she said "Kids do go crazy when they eat a full cupcake."
At Glen Lake, parents still may send in cupcakes and cookies for birthdays, but kids can tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy snacks.
"It's changed dramatically," said Julie Burke, another third- grade teacher at Glen Lake.
Between Humphrey's and Burke's classes, there was a girl with diabetes and a boy with food allergies. Their snacks had to be checked by the nurse and cross-referenced with a list from home.
"There's so much," Burke said. "When I started 30 years ago, you didn't even think about it."
Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409
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Creature Chaos - Pokemon/Digimon inspired game
Creature Chaos is a game with the emphasis on collecting and evolving creatures. It was largely inspired by Pokemon and Digimon.
Here is a video of what we were showing off at PAX this last weekend.
Core Gameplay:
The goal of the game is to explore and evolve your creatures. Exploration is the core of our game. We tried to accomplish this primarily in 2 ways.
- Procedurally generated worlds. Every world in the game is infinite and different every time you venture out. As the player explores the world and moves on to deeper areas the creatures strength will increase, but so will the chance of finding more rare creatures.
- Branching evolution paths. Unlike Pokemon when you evolve your creatures in Creature Chaos there is not strictly one evolution. Based on how you raise your creature you might get a different evolution.
We wanted battles to be a little more interesting and interactive than a classic turn based battle system. To accomplish this we gave every creature an element, which comes with strengths and weaknesses. Along with that when you attempt an attack a metronome-like bar appears and based on where you stop it you might miss, hit, or critical. The size of the bar is based on your creature's speed. So a fast creature has a much better chance to critical, but at the end of the day it's based on the players skill. We're experimenting with some other mini-games, but we don't want to get too gimmicky.
Currently we have about 60 creatures to collect and are expecting to have way more. Capturing creatures is very straight forward. When you defeat a creature in battle you get the opportunity to capture them.
Current Status:
We are at the point now where we are primarily working on adding in content. There is some polish work that needs to be done, but all core systems are in place and working. We're looking to be live in the app store later this month.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Last edited by B.I.G Games; 09-04-2013 at 01:47 PM.


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Lots of interesting things in this one.
1. Lucas Duda made his first start in AAA this year and was 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout while playing rightfield. If the plan was to send him to AAA to play leftfield and first base, putting him in right in his first game is a perplexing decision.
2. Gonzalez Germen was promoted from AA Binghamton to AAA. His line: 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. He's a right-hander who sits 90-91 and can touch 94. He throws strikes, but they're often over the fat part of the plate. His changeup is his best pitch, as he has good armspeed and some sink. His slider remains below average. He's been hittable, giving up basically a hit an inning at every stop across Savannah, St. Lucie and Binghamton. As we discussed on twitter last night, I see him as a reliever if he ever reaches the big leagues. He's just too hittable to go through big league lineups multiple times.
3. Zach Lutz had himself a great night, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances: 3-3, HR, 2 BB, 3 RBI, R.
4. Mike Baxter was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts. He should be back within a few days.
The B-Mets were rained out, so they'll play two on Friday. Cory Mazzoni returned from the disabled list, and will start Friday.


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While catching up on the news in education, I came across this article in The News & Observer out of North Carolina.
Students do better if their teachers have certification
"A report from the National Research Council found that students taught by teachers who received national board certification make greater gains on tests than students taught by teachers without such certification."
While I honor and respect teachers who are genuine in the pursuit of such certification, I disagree with the generalization that these are the better teachers.
When National Board Certification was first introduced in my district several years ago, many folks jumped at the opportunity to get another "title" and another stipend. Once folks got a grasp of the work that was involved though, many dropped out of the game, leaving a small group to forge ahead in the "quest" to be a better practitioner. These individuals, I am sure, were motivated by several things – the stipend, the title, the glory, and perhaps a sincere desire to become a better teacher. I don't know. What I saw was more of a false notion that being National Board Certified would bring you the respect that you did not already have.
I admit I almost joined them. My brother, also a teacher at the time, set my head straight as we talked about the pros and cons of this program. We both decided against it. I was also discouraged by the estimated $2500 it would cost in registration, materials, fees, and testing, not to mention the time it would potentially take me away from the classroom.
I was struck by the immediate super-stardom that these individuals enjoyed. They were coddled, and treated with such consideration. Their schedules were adjusted so that they might have opportunities to "get the work done". They had to video-tape themselves in action, so we manipulated classroom settings and student groups so the videos would come out just right.
Personally, I became disgusted at the whole thing as I watched folks put on very impressive shows. They were talking as if they had been "enlightened". They were rushing around, getting everyone involved in the frenzied effort to complete all the specific, detailed pieces of their submissions. Many of us were asked to write recommendations on behalf of them. Personally, knowing what I knew, I had a lump in my throat as I wrote two of these letters of support.
What a scam. Now, of the individuals I still come into contact with, I can only say that maybe one is a master of the fine art of teaching. The others are either faking it or doing nothing at all. They are less than mediocre. I give myself permission to say so, because I firmly believe in this profession and the urgency for teachers to be effective.
Actually, my students have made even greater gains, regardless of my not having National Board Certification. I have not worked the system, I have not sat on my ass, and I have not put on an act. I have worked very, very hard for my kids. I've held high expectations. I've been tough, but I've also been the person my kids could depend on. I have been present and I have been real.
As far as I'm concerned, in many cases, this extra certification is nothing more than a medal that you don't really earn. You have to buy it. And from where I'm standing, it doesn't mean a damn thing.