text:
Fong and CalPERS
In response to "Two state agencies, one management culture" (Editorial, utsandiego.com, March 5): The U-T San Diego Editorial Board crossed the line in your March 5 piece bashing CalPERS and the High Speed Rail Authority. This article cannot in good conscience be designated an editorial. It was instead a smear of a respected individual and two forward-thinking organizations. We'd like to set the record straight.
CalPERS is in the midst of unprecedented change from which we don't shy away. We have been active participants in ensuring public pensions are sustainable, and will continue to adjust our strategies and methods to keep promised benefits affordable and secure for public workers. Russell Fong has been a leader within our organization as we work toward these goals.
During Mr. Fong's tenure, CalPERS increased transparency and oversight that elevated our financial integrity. Within the Financial Office, he created a new approach to cash management to help staff actively monitor and manage our cash flow. He established collections procedures to ensure timely payments to CalPERS and he improved the reconciliation process and transparency of our investment expenses. When the High Speed Rail [Authority] hired Russell Fong, they got a seasoned professional – with a strong history of oversight and independence.
In future pieces, we challenge you to meet at least some of the standards you require of your online commenters: Be relevant, respectful, honest, discreet and responsible. – Brad Pacheco, Chief, CalPERS Office of Public Affairs
Double-barreled 'doublespeak'
[Chula Vista] Mayor [Cheryl] Cox's statement at the end of the recent article on her support for the gun ban legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Feinstein ("Republican mayor backs gun control," March 8) illustrates precisely why politicians are held in such low regard by the electorate. Though claiming that she is not "… chipping away at the right to buy arms legally or … hold legal weapons, …" that is precisely what she is doing in supporting a bill that will, with the stroke of a pen, outlaw more than 150 firearms that are currently legal for sale and ownership by law-abiding citizens in this country. Regardless of political party affiliation, that's just more of the same old "doublespeak" that we citizens have had to put up with for far too long. – John Turner, San Diego
Fashioning political vagueness
Michael Gerson's column, "Jeb Bush's reform," (Opinion, March 8), ends up being more of a politically expedient refutation. In fact, the U-T's Elizabeth Aguilera, in her March 6 report, "Jeb Bush's new book adds spice to debate on immigration," confirms that Bush's position changed from one of being resolutely opposed to access to citizenship for those here illegally to a "clarification" that would "support a pathway to citizenship if reform is done in way that prevents future illegal immigration."
It is quite apparent that the Republicans are so desperate to get the issue of immigration off of the table, due to the lack of support among Hispanic voters, that they are willing to be complicit in re-enacting the dismal failure of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which granted amnesty to the then 2.7 illegal immigrants in the country without effectively implementing the strict enforcement measures included in the law. Of course, this only resulted in the 11 million illegal immigrants now in question.
The ever-changing positions of Jeb Bush and his Florida colleague, Sen. Marco Rubio, are obviously designed to create a political vagueness, which will serve to enhance their potential presidential candidacies for 2016.
However, this is not about what is in the best interests of one ethnic group or one political party. It is about the erosion of respect for the tradition of American law, and the devaluing of American citizenship, purely for political purposes, and which is certainly not in the best interests of our great nation. – Jim Redhead, San Diego
Signing a contract isn't a civil right
In response to James Caldwell (Letters, March 7) over Mayor Filner's refusal to sign the hotel contract, the author states. "Signing or not signing his signature on a document is a civil right." Are we really this uneducated? Signing a contract is not a "civil right," although an individual's right to contract is protected.
Everyone thinks everything they do is a "civil right." Our basic "civil rights" are in the first 10 amendments, expanded slowly and sparsely by the court because such basic rights cannot be tread on by government intrusion. No government can have a "civil right" since that is the entity required to protect those rights. The Supreme Court is widely expected to determine whether "same-sex" marriage is a Constitutional "civil right," which would give it the status of "not being infringed upon" and applicable to all of the states.
Filner can sign any contract he chooses as a person, binding only him. Signing as mayor, he binds the city, to which he has duties and obligations to the people of city a private person doesn't have. The issue appears to be the question of his legal authority as mayor to create the particular conditions he wants, to a contract that would effectuate the hotel-tax law. The legality of the law itself will be determined by a court of law, since it has been sued on. Until then, or unless he obtains an injunction, he is bound to enforce it as written. This law apparently requires a signed contract between the mayor and city, which means it is not self-executing. Whether Filner is operating legally in withholding his signature depends on the wording of the law regarding the "contract," and if it allows the mayor to put any (reasonably related) conditions on it he wants, it was a stupid law, but his withholding would be legal. "Civil rights" have nothing to do with the law of this case. – Noel Spaid, Del Mar
Keystone pipeline will improve efficiency
Your editorial "Keystone pipeline: Reason trumps hysteria" (March 5) finds the Keystone XL pipeline a positive for our country, yet Joseph Kraatz (Letters, March 7) indicates it will not increase gasoline in this country or lower prices, because he claims oil companies will export the additional oil and we will still be purchasing our oil from the Middle East. Besides his unsubstantiated claims, let's look at facts.
First, U.S. oil consumption is not all for gasoline. According to the Institute for energy Research, the U.S. oil consumption is 71 percent transportation, 22 percent industrial (plastics for cars and other uses) and about 6 percent other uses. So, refining to meet EPA standards of gasoline is the largest, but not all the requirements.
Second, our huge balance of payments trade deficit is more than half due to oil imports. We are literally shipping our earned wealth to other countries, some not our friends. According to the Institute for energy research, we import 41 percent of oil from OPEC countries.
Third, the Keystone pipeline is not just about Canadian oil delivery. Our most recently developed northern fields are currently dependent upon truck and rail to get to refineries or plastics processing plants. That's not an environmentally friendly alternative. Canada is being pressed to get their oil to West Coast ports, where China can do the importing.
Keystone will improve the efficiency of our northern oil delivery. So we can maximize domestic production. That increase will help reduce our trade deficit. And, Keystone will shift more of our foreign purchases to our northern neighbor, through pipelines, not tanker shipments across the oceans. – Leland E. Bolt, San Diego
Clean up mess at home first
I had a real laugh in your March 3 Sunday edition. No, not in the funnies, but on page A19 under the headline: "Kerry: Egypt needs political compromise."
He suggests Egypt's government and its opposition need to overcome their differences to create "a sense of political and economic viability" and urged them to "compromise for the good of the country."
The Egyptian leader also must have chuckled over his remarks when you consider they could have been directed to Kerry's new boss and former Senate colleagues who have evidently left "compromise for the good of the country" out of their own political agenda.
Seems to me if we want other nations to take us seriously as a world leader we need to clean up our own political mess before dictating to others how to clean up theirs. – Jack Oakes, Borrego Springs
Filibuster an act of courage
In response to "Senate confirms Brennan to CIA post (March 8): Abraham Lincoln (a former president of the United States) said, "America will never be destroyed from outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
So one lone U.S. senator had the audacity and courage to stand up against tyranny and bring attention to the Constitution's Bill of Rights by initiating a filibuster on the floor of the Senate. Sen. Rand Paul stood against the domestic enemy to clarify if the government could violate the Fifth Amendment and kill a citizen without due process.
Then a day later, Sen. John McCain takes Paul to task and suggests he should learn what he's talking about.
Once again, McCain was collaborating with the enemy when there was a battle for freedoms being waged, this time on the floor of the Senate against domestic enemies.
After all, a pen in the (left) hand of this president is far more dangerous than a gun in the hands of 250-million law abiding citizens. The most dangerous thing to American freedoms is a Democrat senator. Lest we forget the Democrats are the party of death.
Isn't it something how those elites who would disarm the masses by banning guns live under the protection of them?
You may not like guns or choose to own one or even believe in God; that is your right and choice. However, if someone breaks into your house, the first two things you are likely to do is: (1) call someone with a gun, and (2) pray to God they get there in time. – Rolla Rich, Spring Valley
Touching 'replay' isn't teaching
[The March 8] article "Flipped classrooms turning tradition on its head" did not consult on how students feel about technology.
As a current high school student, I wonder why the school would spend thousands of dollars on "new and advanced" technology and ideas when the studies show students can learn just as much with a blackboard. I mean, c'mon, does San Diego Unified or any other districts think that just because we have the technology in our possession, that we need to learn and use it in every way possible? Is Jo-Ann Fox that lazy that she would rather have her students learning from a video? Anyone can go on YouTube to find the next math lesson, but my classmates and I would rather have someone actually there to follow along to. It's called public school for a reason.
Students would like to see that their teachers care for them especially in the time of need. Simply touching "replay" isn't going to answer all your questions. – Asha Abdirahim, Morse High School, Paradise Hills
Telecommuting off the table
In response to "The ups and downs of telecommuting" (Opinion, March 7): How generous of Mr. Navarrette to cut through the haze and tell us that "it's all about priorities."
Ignoring for the moment his inability to inform readers that the new Yahoo! CEO had a nursery built next to her office so she could attend to her newborn at "work," he makes the mistake of belittling common sense. That is, he ignores his job to dig a bit deeper in his opinions, typed in a local coffee shop I am sure, and consider how many employees have secured houses miles from work where prices/rents may be lower based, on the premise of being allowed to work from home.
At least we can take comfort in the fact that Ms. Mayer's newborn will get immediate attention from her CEO-mommy, while her workers can "herald" her parental dedication as they spend hours slogging their way home after work to see their kids. – Richard P. Burgoon Jr., Scripps Ranch
Let students work at their own level
In response to "Are study clubs hurting students?" (utsandiego.com, March 6): This is one more example of the trend of teaching down instead of teaching up.
In the mid-'80s approximately 25 percent of college entrants required remedial courses to ready them for their college education. Now about 45 percent of college entrants require remedial courses and it is believed that in some states that percentage is actually more than 50 percent.
Even when I was in high school in the '60s taking "honors" classes, the school did not teach at my capability level and things are so much worse now. Why would any student want to give up the ability to learn with her/his peers? It is challenge and an education that they seek, not a continuation of dumbing down.
If a student feels altruistic enough to mentor less capable students there are other ways to do so than to impinge on the right of students to learn at their own level and speed. – Joanne Mell, El Cajon
Liberty common ground?
Jason Frye, local Humanist Association president, presents "secularism" as "having the courage to share the government with others" (Letters, Feb. 16). Our Founding Fathers called this belief "liberty" when they created our democracy. While disagreeing about personal Christian doctrines, they all advocated these public religious beliefs: 1) intervention by God/Providence among nations; 2) human rights granted/guaranteed by a creator God; 3) no government sponsorship of or interference in religion; 4) liberty's need for a virtuous public; and 5) liberty's endangerment by human wickedness.
For example, President Thomas Jefferson, in his first inaugural address, praised America's "benign religion, professed … in various forms, yet all … inculcating honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude and the love of man, acknowledging and adoring an overruling providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here, and his greater happiness hereafter." During his presidency Jefferson regularly allowed, and sometimes personally attended, religious services in the House of Representatives and other major government buildings. For the Founders, religion was essential to liberty.
Perhaps Mr. Frye and I share common ground here.
(Thomas Kidd, God of Liberty, pp. 6-8, 241-42; see also Library of Congress' documentary exhibit, "Religion and the Founding of the American Government," www.loc.gov/exhibit/religion.) – Howard Killion, Oceanside
City schools have spending problem
All the taxpayers that voted for Prop. 30 last fall must be real happy to see how the Board of Education for city schools is ripping through the money, hiring their friends and people we don't need. They (the board) are just like the [people] in Washington, D.C. They have a spending problem and they can't fix it.
It is time for the taxpayers to start a few recalls to fix the problem and get people who can make the right cuts in office. – J.B. McCormick, San Diego
An insult to Marines
In response to "Trestles closer to historic status" (Local, Feb. 9) Let's never forget one of the Marines' original slogans which is "By Sea and By Land."
It is unconscionable that the state would try to use a pencil-pushing bureaucrat in Sacramento to recommend a designation of [historic place] for Trestles in an effort to kick the Marines off of land that they own.
I know the Marines will not forget this insult by the state when the state's lease for Trestles is up in seven short years. The Marines are currently allowing the State to lease the entire San Onofre State [Beach] for about two cents a year.
And as a thank-you, the state sides with Surfrider Foundation and recommends keeping the Marines from training on their own property. We won't forget this, Surfrider, and neither will the Marines. – Nancy Clancy, Laguna Woods


text:
pegasus53r on Family Tree Circles
sort: Date Alphabetical
view: full | list
view: full | list
Journals and Posts
looking for Joseph Clark b1789
Looking For Joseph Clark who married Frances Elsworth 29 Feb 1816 at All Saints Parish Church,Northampton, Northants.
Need birthdate, birthplace names of parents and sibs if possible.
Also looking for
Jane Bacon b 04 June 1831 inleicestershire. Need birthplace and and parents.
- Displaying 1-1 of 1 Journals
- 1
- of1

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This month, after a bit of a break, I am returning as the sketch creator for write.click.scrapbook. So, if you don't remember, every third Saturday of the month there will be a new sketch along with a few other challenges to help inspire and kick-start your scrapbook pages. This month I created a sketch based off of Deb's gallery layout:
And here is the layout I created from the sketch:
Last weekend Gabe celebrated his sixth birthday! As a surprise, my husband took him to the U.S.S. Midway Museum for a tour of the bridge. You have to meet a height requirement in order to take the tour. The last time we all went together they were already closing the tours for the day. And when they go with Nathan, they can't take the tour because he isn't tall enough. Gabe later told us that this was his favorite birthday present! It was very sweet.
By the way, we have a membership to the museum and the boys go somewhat often. If you are ever visiting the San Diego area and are a history or military history buff, I highly recommend a visit to the Midway. The docents are all very kind and knowledgeable, and we always come away learning something new.
That's all for today. I hope you are having a great weekend!


text:
Peony II. 30"x40"
Peony II. 30"x40"
Acrylic on canvas.
30" x 40".
All art sales are final.
With each boldly hued petal and bursting bloom, Bay Area-born Bridgette Thornton engages in playful exploration of the relationship between depth and color. Her subjects - whether arranged in a vase or sprouting in a field - take on the organic vibrancy typically reserved for things found only in the natural world.


text:
The SpecSeal Ready split sleeve is designed for firestopping existing electrical telephone delete comma or data cabling passing through rated or non-rated walls. This UL -classified firestop sleeve is half the weight of threaded products, according to the company, and requires no field fabrication. It is supplied in a ready-to-install kit including: a 12-in.-long 12 in. long steel split sleeve available in 1-, 2-, or 4-in. diameter 1 in., 2 in., or 4 in., diameter; corresponding sized steel split escutcheon plates that lock the device in place; and SpecSeal firestop putty to seal the ends of the sleeve to the required 1-in. 1 in. depth.
Specified Technologies
For more information, visit www.stifirestop.com.
Hide comments


text:
Gunman kills 26 at mother's school
A gunman killed 26 people, including 20 young children, at a US school where his mother worked in one of the worst school shootings in the country's history.
Frightened pupils who were rushed from the building by police were told to close their eyes.
"Our hearts are broken today," President Barack Obama said, wiping his eyes during brief comments to reporters in one of the most emotional public moments of his presidency. He said the children killed were aged between five and 10.
He said the nation had been "through this too many times" with recent mass shootings and has to come together to take meaningful action, "regardless of the politics". He did not give details, even as the debate over the issue of gun control in America exploded once again.
A law enforcement official said the suspect, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and was the son of a teacher at the school. A second law enforcement official said the mother, Nancy Lanza, was presumed dead. The first official said Adam Lanza's older brother, 24-year-old Ryan, was being questioned by police. An earlier report from a law enforcement official mistakenly transposed the brothers' first names.
The attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School, just two weeks before Christmas, was the latest of several mass shootings in the US this year, and it approached the deadly scale of the Virginia Tech university massacre in 2007 that left 32 dead.
This time, many victims were young children. Photos from the scene showed students, some of them crying, being escorted by adults through a car park in a line, hands on each other's shoulders. Children told their parents they had heard bangs and, at one point, a scream over the intercom.
State police said 18 children were found dead at the school and two died later in hospital. Six adults were found dead at the scene. They said the shootings occurred in one section of the school but did not give details. Police said another person was found dead at a second scene, leading to a total death toll of 28. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy said someone who lived with the gunman died.
According to the second law enforcement official, the suspect drove to the scene in his mother's car. Three guns were found - a Glock and a Sig Sauer, both pistols - and a .223-caliber rifle. The official also said Lanza's girlfriend and another friend are missing in New Jersey.
Police officials said later that Lanza's brother had been "extremely co-operative" and was not under arrest. Ryan Lanza, of Hoboken, New Jersey, was still being questioned but was not in custody and was not believed to have any connection to the killings. He reportedly told authorities he had not been in touch with his brother in recent years. His computers and phone records were being searched but only "in an abundance of caution", the officials said.
PA Media


text:
Holy Toledo! The Cosby Show has officially knocked Prince clean out of the race! How could this have happened? (I don't know, but I'm guessing that Raven-Symoné is behind it.) And that's just the 80s conference. Over in the 90s stadium, we had another tight race, but, in the end, the Spice Girls werr able to push ahead of the Babysitters Club for the win. 2 become 1, indeed.
Today repping for the 80s, pop culture royalty is teasing their hair, popping their collars and struggling into their very tight and age-inappropriate Calvin Klein jeans as the Brat Pack (think about what that means — John Hughes movies like The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, Rob Lowe and his sex tape, Molly-freaking-Ringwald!) gets ready to face off against the quintessential 80s campaign model Brooke Shields. Mess with the bull and you're gonna get the horns.
For the 90s, short lived soft drink Crystal Pepsi goes up against Titanic (which includes Leo-Mania, mind you), one of the biggest movies of the decade. I'd say that Crystal Pepsi needs a lot of luck to pull this win off, but you know what they say — a real soda makes his own luck. Also: "I want you to draw me like one of your French girls."


text:
Repair • Sales • Installation
License# 8605
Plumbing and Air Conditioning Services in Rockleigh
Do you need AC repair or heating repair in Rockleigh?
Super Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning has been helping people in Rockleigh for the past 40 years, and we've seen it all; There's nothing we can't handle in the way of plumbing, heating or cooling system issues, and we even do all sorts of appliance work, including installations, repairs, and replacements. Don't hesitate to call us for immediate AC repair, sewer and drain cleaning, or heating emergencies! Our experts have a natural drive for helping home and business owners keep their HVAC systems, plumbing, and even appliances all running at their best Estimates for all our services are free like always, and we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction. Give us a call and let us know what's going on with your home or business, and we'll find options that work for your schedule and your budget!
Some of our many services include:
- Insulation & Frozen Pipe Maintenance
- Garbage Disposal Repair
- Appliance Repair for Any Type, Make or Model
- Water Line and Drain Line Leak Detection
- Plumbing Services - Home & Business
- Heating System and Heater Repair Services
- Water Heater Installations, Repair & Service
- Oil-to-Gas Conversions for Appliances
- Boiler and Furnace Installations, Repairs & Replacements
- HVAC System Diagnostics, Repairs & Installations
- AC Repair, AC Unit Installations, & Air Conditioner Replacements
- Ongoing Maintenance Services
- Digital Thermostats and Programmable Thermostats
- Ductwork Cleaning, Repair, and Inspection
- Sewer & Drain Cleaning
- Sump Pump Repair & Installation
- Hydro Jetting Service
- Emergency 24/7 Services Available 365 Days a Year
Plumbing Services
We have been serving Rockleigh in the way of just about any plumbing repairs, replacements, and installations. When it comes to leaks, clogs, or even burst pipes, our plumbers work diligently to fix the problem, fast. We're also here for you if you need 24-hour plumbing emergency services, and yes, we mean 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Just call us and we'll get there to get your home or office running as it should again, and quickly!
Sewer and Drain Cleaning
If you have sewer pipes and drains full of gunk or grime that aren't allowing liquid to travel through them as fast as they once did, Super Service Plumbing has the experience to get your system cleaned up and running faster than ever before. No more slow drains or clogged pipes that lead to sewer lines backing up in the middle of the night when you aren't expecting it! Call us for 24-hour emergency sewer and drain cleaning service. The majority of plumbing problems that get expensive to repair are preventable through a maintenance routine and regular cleaning schedule. So don't neglect smaller sewer and drain issues, when our licensed and insured plumbing pros here at Super Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can get them taken care of now and avoid further issues. We guarantee you'll be 100% satisfied with our services, so there's no risk or obligation. Call us today!
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
At Super Service Plumbing, we understand the value of a residential and commercial heating system. Likewise, we know exactly what a nightmare it can be when you have air conditioning or other ventilation and cooling problems when the temperatures skyrocket in the summer. We never want you to go for even an hour without heat or hot water in the colder months, or without something to keep you cooled off to a degree in the hot summers... Our HVAC contractors are 100% licensed and insured to do work and are very knowledgable on all makes and models of heaters, hot water heaters, and cooling systems and components. They also know when your ductwork simply needs a good cleaning to get your HVAC running at its maximum efficiency, which is great when other companies might misdiagnose your problems as something much more severe that racks up a huge bill...Whether you have a boiler, furnace, tank, or tankless hot water heater, or some other way to keep your living and working spaces warm, our technicians have the skills and dedication to address your issues and get the problems solved so you don;t have to deal with the problems for even another day. Call us to inquire about your heating, ventilation, or cooling problem, and we'll have some answers and be happy to help our neighbors!
Air conditioners are key to keeping your business or home comfortable during the summer months. Regardless of what type of air conditioner you have, we offer 24-hour emergency AC repair in New Jersey. At Super Service Plumbing, we're available 24/7, 365 days a year in case your AC unit breaks down at the worst of times, or fix whatever is preventing your fridge keeping your costly groceries from spoiling overnight. No matter what kind, make or model of appliance you have and need help with, we can diagnose the problem and get it fixed or replaced quickly and affordably. We install new and used appliances of all types, and even offer maintenance services to proactively prevent problems and breakdowns,, no matter where you purchased them. . . so call today for more information! Super Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning offer affordable and efficient plumbing, heating, and cooling services in Rockleigh! We are always here to help, and we're only a phone call or a click away!
New Jersey
Bergen County
- Allendale
- Alpine
- Bergenfield
- Bogota
- Carlstadt
- Cliffside Park
- Closter
- Cresskill
- Demarest
- Dumont
- East Rutherford
- Edgewater
- Elmwood Park
- Emerson
- Englewood
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fair Lawn
- Fairview
- Fort Lee
- Franklin Lakes
- Garfield
- Glen Rock
- Hackensack
- Harrington Park
- Hasbrouck Heights
- Haworth
- Hillsdale
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Leonia
- Little Ferry
- Lodi
- Lyndhurst
- Mahwah
- Maywood
- Midland Park
- Montvale
- Moonachie
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Northvale
- Norwood
- Oakland
- Old Tappan
- Oradell
- Palisades Park
- Paramus
- Park Ridge
- Ramsey
- Ridgefield
- Ridgefield Park
- Ridgewood
- River Edge
- River Vale
- Rochelle Park
- Rockleigh
- Rutherford
- Saddle Brook
- Saddle River
- South Hackensack
- Teaneck
- Tenafly
- Teterboro
- Upper Saddle River
- Waldwick
- Wallington
- Washington
- Westwood
- Woodcliff Lake
- Wood-Ridge
- Wyckoff
Essex County
Hudson County
Morris County
- Boonton
- Budd Lake
- Butler
- Chatham
- Chester
- Denville
- Dover
- East Hanover
- Florham Park
- Hanover
- Harding
- Jefferson
- Kenvil
- Kinnelon
- Lake Telemark
- Lincoln Park
- Long Hill
- Long Valley
- Madison
- Mendham
- Mine Hill
- Montville
- Morris
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mountain Lakes
- Mount Arlington
- Mount Olive
- Netcong
- Parsippany-Troy Hills
- Pequannock
- Randolph
- Riverdale
- Rockaway
- Roxbury
- Succasunna
- Victory Gardens
- Washington
- Wharton
- White Meadow Lake
Passaic County
Services We Offer
Plumbing Services
Hot Water Heaters
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Sump Pump & Water Removal
Sink & Faucet Repair
Toilet & Shower Repair
Gas Lines & Water Lines
Drain Cleaning Services
Sewer Repair & Cleaning
Air Conditioning Repair
Central Air Conditioning Installation
Boiler & Furnace Repair
New Boilers & Furnaces
Appliance Installations


text:
Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Education
Inclusive Practices for the Young Child
Three semester hours.
A survey of information regarding children with special needs including possible causes and characteristics of exceptionalities, inclusive practices, intervention strategies, available resources, and the advocacy role. Emphasis will be placed on working with families and specialists.
Home - General Information - Student Services -
Academic Undergraduate Regulations -
Undergraduate Degrees - Academic Graduate Regulations -
Graduate Degrees - Course Descriptions - Faculty -
Appendix A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D


text:
Brit D-cell torpedo in icepack-bottom probe
Icebreaker crew landed with 4 tonnes of dead batteries
A British robot submarine has penetrated under the Western Antarctic ice shelves to a distance of 60km, plunging to depths greater than 1000m. The "Autosub", built by boffins in Southampton, was powered by tens of thousands of ordinary D-cell batteries during its forays beneath the ice.
Autosub comes from the UK's National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and has been operating from the US icebreaker Nathaniel B Palmer off the floating Pine Island Glacier in the Amundsen sea. Here's a NOC vid of the yellow, torpedo-esque machine being recovered aboard ship:
"Autosub is a completely autonomous robot: there are no connecting wires with the ship and no pilot," says the NOC's Steve McPhail. "It has to avoid collisions with the jagged ice overhead and the unknown seabed below, and return to a pre–defined rendezvous point, where we crane it back onboard the ship.
"Adding to the problems are the sub zero water temperatures and the crushing pressures at 1000m depth. All systems on the vehicle must work perfectly while under the ice or it would be lost. There is no hope of rescue 60km in, with 500 metres of ice overhead."
The NOC describes Autosub's just-completed series of six cruises under the Pine Island shelf as "high risk" - understandably so. However, the yellow submarine carried out each mission without bother, bringing back large amounts of data for further analysis.
Boffins are particularly keen to figure out what's going on with the Western Antarctic ice shelves, as they have relatively little idea what sort of behaviour is normal. The Pine Island glacier has been getting thinner and moving into the sea faster since the 1970s, and the whole western shelf is currently putting enough loose ice into the ocean to raise sea levels by a quarter-millimetre annually.
"The picture we should get of the ocean beneath the glacier will be unprecedented in its extent and detail," says Adrian Jenkins of the British Antarctic Survey. "It should help us answer critical questions about the role played by the ocean in driving the ongoing thinning of the glacier."
Not least among the costs of the research will have been a substantial bill for batteries. The Autosub uses 5,000 alkaline D-cells on each trip, so the six-dive series will have seen 30,000 batteries used - some four tonnes of them. ®
Sponsored: What next after Netezza?


text:
I've just finished posting the report of my 2013 Nevada ghost town trip on my website!
My 2013 trip was a real adventure in every sense of the word! I saw some wonderfully preserved sites, many historic ruins, and a mine big enough to drive a car in; ancient log cabins and fascinating machinery; thunderstorms, flash floods, wildlife encounters, and a blue sphinx!
I also had a variety of car problems, a near-disaster, and my first-ever call to 911, and being on the receiving end of Mineral County's Search and Rescue! I visited many interesting sites, most of which Id never seen before, and a few I had not seen in many years.
I hope you'll enjoy reading about it. If you discover any broken links or other issues, please let me know. Also I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions as to how I could improve the site or make it easier to navigate.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
If you wish to withdraw from one or more classes, but will still be attending at least one other class during the term, you must complete an Undergraduate: Single Course Withdrawal form for each course and take it to your college office.
You may obtain permission to withdraw from a class with a W grade during the period extending from the day following the close of late registration until the date specified in the academic calendar. After this period, you will no longer be given permission to withdraw from classes except for serious non-academic reasons (e.g., injury, family crisis).
There may be a tuition adjustment as a result of withdrawal from a class. See the withdrawal schedule.
If you wish to withdraw from all classes during the term, you must formally withdraw from the university.
If, at any time, you fail to manifest those qualities judged to be appropriate and necessary to the professional field for which you are preparing, withdrawal from the program may be required.
The Office of the Registrar is the official keeper of academic records including course registrations, grades, transcripts and diplomas.
Find information about...
Trouble finding something? Contact the Office of the Registrar


text:
CFNM Clinic
Vintage CrossDressing
HQ Movie 1
HQ Movie 2
HQ Movie 3
Cocks And
Free Movie 1
Free Movie 2
Free Movie 3
She Sado Me
HD Video1
HD Video2
HD Video3
Ballbusting Fantasies
Free Movie 1
Free Movie 2
Free Movie 3
Femdom Crossdressing
HQ Movie 1
HQ Movie 2
HQ Movie 3
My favorite galleries of female domination porn
Clothed Female Nude Male - Femdom Adventures - Domination - cfnm humiliation - cfnm stories - cfnm movies...
Bad Girls
Bad, cruel, dominant girls. Skilled using whips and strapons
Male Forced Milking
Sado Girls Forsed Helpless Boys To Orgasm
Femdom Camp
Presentation of some of the nets most popular Female Domination Sites
Doctor Mature
Sex With Mature Doctor
Testicles Squeeze
She Squeezed my Testicles
Catheter Fetish
Femdom-medical, Bizarre...
Cbt, spanking, ponyplay for men, tits and pussy torture for ladies
First Femdom
The top of femdom on the web
Desire to Serve
Brutal femdom nurses torture male patients with vicious Cbt, anal fisting and use them as human toilet slaves...
24/7 Slave
Submissive Male Slaves and Female Domination
Evil Female
Balls tortured by women in heels
Top Bizarre Porn
Extreme bizarre porn. All dark fantasies. Free fetish porn galleries
Under Uniform
Glance under a uniform of beautiful women
Domme For Sissy
Aggressive strapon dominations and humiliations. Sissified losers moaning like female sluts
Strap-on Education
Now my comfortable asshole always ready for mistress`s strap-on
Ferro Fetish
Ferro Fetish
Bdsm and FemDom
All Dominations and humiliations
Female Doctors - Male Patients
Nude male patients peckers was touched, measured, inspected, jerked by fully clothed female doctors and nurses
Fetish Dominas
Fetish Dominas strapon fuck crossdressed sissies. Collection of free Strap-on fetish
Doctor Strapon
Nurses with strapons Fuck Guys in hospital
Penis Exam Videos
Penis exam and full male medical check up in the clinic
The Power Girls
The home of femdom, foot worship, trampling, strapon, latex, leather, highheeled boots and dominant lesbians
Princess Evil
All the hottest, free bondage, slaves, discipline, sadism, masochism, brutal torture and punishment pics and videos.
Evil Bitch
Your ultimate guide to bizarre femdom: strapon torture, toilet slave domination, facesitting and Cbt
DEMENTED BALLBUSTING! Nut girls punished male balls New
Gyno Exam Videos
Medical examination of pretty girls. They takes off clothes and shows to a doctor their intimate parts
Femdom Base
The top of the nets best femdom site. Only the most popular sites gets listed here
Sadistic mistresses administer cock and ball torture, femdom nurse therapy and anal slave abuse: only the most brutal...
Extreme electro Cbt movies and pictures of clothespin, bondage and vise cock and balls torture
Nurses - Uniform Girls
Nurses fucked by patients, patients fucked by a doctors and nurses fucking with a doctors
Alpha Female
Cock and ball torture, femdom teasing and orgasm denial movies and pictures here
Handjob List
Daily updated list of the best free Cfnm handjob pics and vids
Medical Handjob CFNM
Free Galleries of CFNM, Gyno Orgasm, Gyno Lesbians, Medical handjobs
Femdom galleries
Best Femdom Sites and Free Galleries
Cfnm HandJobs
Handjob Pic and Video of the Day
Femdom Medical Exam
Nude men humiliated and abused by fetish female doctor and medical mistresses. Rectal exam after femdom cock inspection New
Goddess De Sade
Worship the suppreme and pure race of dominant Goddesses
Medical Fetish
Medical domination and fetish-fueled explorations
Medical FemDom Tgp
Male physical exam become a nightmare when clothed female doctors humiliate their Naked patients in medical Cfnm way
Cfnm 100
Clothed females humiliating naked male
Cock Milking
Handjob, Femdom-cfnm, Medical...
Slave Humiliation
Naughty Slave Husbands...
Cock Shame
Small penis humiliation, cuckhold Mistress, strapon wife, sissy training
Male Physical Exam Videos
Medical handjobs, medical cbt, male ejaculation and penis test
Sexy Queening
Sissy Training, Cbt and Ass Smother Sluts Making Mens Lives A Living Sexual Hell
Cruel Women
Superiourcruel women using whips, ropes, feet, high heels, boots and strapons to dominate males.
Prime Femdom...
Galleries of erected slaves in femdom action
Penile Torture Game
Lesson in ballbusting
Kinkiest Handjob
Kinkiest content of handjob Welcome for Free
Forced Cfnm Handjob
More cfnm handjobs than anywhere else
Femdom Porn Movies
Free femdom porn flash stream videos. Free full sex movies online
Fetish Tube69
Free fetish sex tubes New
Nude Nurses
Pretty nurses posing naked, fucking with patients and playing lesbo games
Bdsm Cbt
Free Bdsm Cbt
Hetero Handjobs
Handjobs Domination
Femdom Clinic
Medical devices (stethoscope, weigher, tonometer, rectal dilator), basic measurements, ordinary and bizarre tests.
Ballbusting (Kick in balls)
Horny girls kicks a man in the balls. Ballbusting Movies. Cbt ( Cock and Ball Tortures )
Medical Domina
Double dominated patient of a femdom clinic
Clothed Female Naked Male
clothed female doctors measuring dicks of naked male patients
Mature Women Handjobs
100 Real handjobs Free, daily updated jerking movies 100 Free
Nurse Top
Clinic rectum exams, hardcore anal inspection from the doctor, anal probes and injections, gyno exams, deep anal checkup
Cfnm Movies
Nude men are humiliated by a clothed girls and women in the jails, schools, at the parties, etc
Cock Ball Torture (Cbt)
Genital Tortures, Ball Busting, Testicle Torture, Extreme Cbt, Cock Ball Torture, Femdom Cbt, Cock Trampling
Penis Exam
Female doctors and nurses humiliates their male patients and forces them to wank
Bizarre Insertions
Bizarre fisting in hospital
Femdom Blue
A Free Femdom Tgp
Cbt Genital Torture
Cock and Ball Tortures - Ballbusting - Genital Tortures - Pain Femdom Cbt - Cbt Whipping - Balls Trampling...
Naked Nurse
Best nurses and other uniform
Cfnm Guide
Daily updated list of the best free Cfnm handjob pics and vids
Yucking Dicks
Ready To Cum for women only
Hard ballbusting and beating - extremely painful kicks New
Testicle Torture
Cock Ball Tortures...
Cock And Balls Torture
Two nurses in blue Cock And Balls Torture
Bizarre Rituals
All Medical Fetish
Forced Handjob
Femdom handjobs with forced milking Cfnm hetero handjob sites
Kinkiest FemDom
Real Free Femdom Movies
Girls Touching And Milking Cocks
Extreme Handjobs And Blowjobs
Xxx Hospital Pictures And Videos
Site of Medical Fetish
World S&M Mistress Kinky Fetish Ranking
Femdom queens having their kinky ways with male slaves
Clothed Females And Naked Males
Group Sexual Games With Enslaved Men
Male Medical Exam
Male cock forced milking, checked and measured at male medical exam.
HandJob 100
Best of free handjob porn New handjobs every day Cock storking heaven
Medical Fetish
Fetish Sites Gyno Exams, Rectal Exams, Enema Exams, Male Exams free pix and vids
Medical Genital Massage
Live Reports Of Forced Ejaculations
Handjob Toplist
Handjob picture and video links collection
Ball Busting Web
Ballbusting, FemDom, Umiliation and more
Cfnm Galleries
Naked boys humilated and abused by wicked clothed women
Clinic Femdom
Sexy clinic femdom New
Thumbs Handjob
HandJob On
Sexual Medicine
Gyno Exams, Rectal Exams, Enemas, Breast Exams, Speculums & More
Cumshot 100
Free, daily updated, handjob movie galleries
Femdom Cbt Trampling
Cock trampling, Balls trampling, Trampling tortures, Ball busting, Testicle torture, Cock Ball Torture, Femdom Cbt...
Handjobs at Legjob
Female Doctors Touching Dicks Of Male Patients


text:
If you are a subscriber to the JCSM (including members of the AASM), please login to access the journal.
Click here to Subscribe:
$75/volume year for individuals or $140/volume year for institutions to access all current articles and archives published in JCSM.
Click Here to DOWNLOAD the article*:
$20 to access a PDF version of a specific article from the current issue of JCSM.
*Purchase of an electronic download of JCSM provides permission to access and print the issue/article for personal scholarly, research and educational use. Please note: access to the article is from the computer on which the article is purchased ONLY. Purchase of the article does not permit distribution, electronic or otherwise, of the article without the written permission of the AASM. Further, purchase does not permit the posting of article text on an online forum or website.
Subscribers can download and print full articles from current and past issues of the JCSM
Login to JCSM
Join the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and receive a subscription to JCSM with your membership
(1) To describe the incidence rate of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and (2) to investigate MVC risk factors in OSA patients.
A retrospective case-series observational study was conducted using data from the West Australian Sleep Health Study at a tertiary hospital-based sleep clinic. Participants were patients (N = 2,673) referred for assessment of suspected sleep disordered breathing. Questionnaire data were collected including age, sex, years of driving, near-misses and MVCs, sleepiness, and consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Overnight laboratory-based polysomnography was performed using standard methodology.1 Poisson univariate and negative binomial multivariable regression models were used to investigate associations between risk factors and MVC and near-miss risk in patients with untreated OSA.
In patients with untreated OSA, the crash rate was 0.06 MVC/person-year compared with the general community crash rate of 0.02 MVC/person-year. The rate ratio comparing very sleepy men with normal men was 4.68 (95% CI 3.07, 7.14) for near-misses and 1.27 (95% CI 1.00, 1.61) for crashes, after adjusting for confounders. In women there was a significant association with sleepiness score (p = 0.02) but no dose effect across quartiles.
Untreated OSA is associated with an increased risk of near-misses in men and women and an increased risk of MVCs in very sleepy men. There is a strong association between excessive daytime sleepiness and increased report of near-misses. Our data support the observation that it is those patients with increased sleepiness regardless of OSA severity who are most at risk.
Ward KL; Hillman DR; James A; Bremner AP; Simpson L; Cooper MN; Palmer LJ; Fedson AC; Mukherjee S. Excessive daytime sleepiness increases the risk of motor vehicle crash in obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(10):1013-1021.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and is a significant independent risk factor for motor vehicle crashes (MVCs).2 Patients with OSA are up to seven times more likely to have a MVC than those without sleep apnea,3 and driver sleepiness has been identified as one of the major causes of highway accidents and fatal crashes.4 It has been shown that personal injury from crashes is much more common in OSA patients,5 and accidents involving OSA patients are more likely to be associated with major injury.5 This is probably due to the fall-asleep nature of these crashes.5,6
Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the risk of MVCs was higher in patients with OSA than in the general community and, if so, the nature of the risk. To do so, we examined the relationships of near-misses and MVCs with OSA severity, degree of daytime sleepiness, and other potential risk factors with a study design powered to address these associations using standardized measurement technologies for OSA.
Study Impact: Our study confirms that sleep clinic patients with untreated OSA have significantly more crashes than the general population. There is a strong association between excessive daytime sleepiness and increased report of near-misses supporting the observation that it is those patients with increased sleepiness regardless of OSA severity that are most at risk.
Sleep physicians are regularly confronted with the management dilemma of diagnosing the pathology of and treating sleepiness in occupational drivers. The prevalence of OSA among commercial drivers has been carefully investigated because crashes involving trucks and buses are particularly expensive, calamitous, and associated with higher fatality rates. In a large study of Australian commercial vehicle drivers, Howard et al. showed that 60% of drivers had sleep disordered breathing and 24% were excessively sleepy.7 In 2012, Sharwood reported that 41% of long-distance heavy vehicle drivers were likely to have sleep apnea.8 A recent study conducted in the UK demonstrated high rates of sleepiness and sleep-related accidents among bus drivers, and the authors concluded that screening for OSA among this group should be seriously considered.9 However, there remains a need to establish thresholds of disease severity for OSA that guide driving restriction in a similar way as for levels of alcohol consumption.10
It is unclear which risk factors associated with OSA contribute to motor vehicle crashes. The role of disease severity and daytime sleepiness has been assessed by systematic review. Risk of MVCs in non-commercial drivers with OSA was associated with increased sleepiness in half of the studies reviewed.11 A meta-analysis conducted in 2009 of studies examining commercial drivers with OSA concluded that the disease-related factors of body mass index (BMI), apnea hypopnea index (AHI), hypoxemia, and daytime sleepiness may predict crash risk.2 However, these conclusions were drawn from studies that had small sample sizes (most < 200 subjects), limited adjustment for confounders, and used various measurement technologies and scoring rules to diagnose OSA thresholds. Thus the relative importance of these risk factors remains unclear.
Further problems with the study of accident events are their low occurrence rates and their contentious nature, which creates barriers to data collection. Studying near-miss incidents has advantages in these respects. It is well recognized in safety research that near-misses have a similar profile to accidents and that study of near-misses can identify factors that either exacerbate or mitigate risk.12 There has been little attention given to sleepy near-miss driving crashes in the sleep research literature despite their likely relationship with actual driving crashes.13 However, there have been two large studies of sleepy driver near-misses that suggest such incidents may be precursors to an actual accident.13,14
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the risk of MVCs was higher in patients with OSA than in the general community and, if so, the nature of the risk. To do so, we examined the relationships of near-misses and MVCs with OSA severity, degree of daytime sleepiness, and other potential risk factors in a sleep clinic population with a study design powered to address these associations using standardized measurement technologies for OSA.
Patients referred to the West Australian Sleep Disorders Research Institute (WASDRI) for investigation of sleep disorders from January 2006 to April 2009 who had questionnaire and sleep study data available were included in the study (98% consent rate). These patients were part of the West Australian Sleep Health Study (WASHS) cohort.15 This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (No. 2004-083).
Prior to clinical and polysomnography (PSG) evaluation, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect potential risk factor information including age, sex, number of years driving, MVCs, sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Score [ESS]),16 and consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Weekly alcohol consumption was calculated from the average number of alcoholic drinks patients consumed in a typical week over the past year. The level of consumption was based on their response to the question On days when you drink alcohol, how many drinks of beer, wine and/or other type of alcohol would you have? based on a standard (10 g alcohol) alcoholic drink. Response options were: 0, 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, or 10 or more alcoholic drinks per day.
Caffeine intake was based upon the response to the question During the past month, have you used coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks to stay awake during your normal waking time? Possible responses were: never; rarely (has occurred but less than once a week); sometimes (1-2 times per week); frequently (3-4 times per week); always or almost always (5-7 times per week); or don't know.
To assess driving behavior, patients answered a series of 6 questions about years of driving, falling asleep while behind the wheel, near-miss crashes (How many "near miss" car accidents have you had due to sleepiness?) and actual MVCs (How many car accidents have you ever had while driving a car?). For each patient, the mean crash rate was calculated as MVC/person-year (questionnaire-based self-report). This was compared with data for the general community from the Office of Road Safety annual report (police report).17 The comparison of crash rate was made by calculating the crash rate ratio for subjects with OSA (AHI > 5 events/h) and comparing with the crash rate for the general community.
Overnight laboratory-based PSG was performed using conventional instrumentation (Profusion 2, Compumedics Ltd, Victoria, Australia) and analyzed according to the recommendations published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.1 Sleep and its various stages were documented by standard electroencephalographic, electrooculographic, and electromyographic criteria.18
The PSG methodology for this case series has previously been described.1,15 Obstructive apneas were defined as absence of airflow ≥ 10 seconds. Obstructive hypopneas were defined as ≥ 50% decrease in airflow, or a clear but lesser decrease in airflow associated with either 3% desaturation or arousal in the context of ongoing respiratory effort. The complete record was reviewed manually by trained sleep technologists for sleep stage, leg movements, arousals, apneas, and hypopneas. AHI and arousal index (ARI) were defined as the number of events per hour of sleep.
Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics (GradPack 17.0 Release 17.0.2, March 11, 2009) and R (Version 2.14.1, 2011-12-22). Statistical significance was defined at the 5% level. All data are reported as mean ± SD, or median (interquartile range [IQR]) for non-normal variables. Male and female patient characteristics were compared using independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests. The overall crash rate for all subjects was compared with community crash rate data for Western Australia from the Office of Road Safety 2006 report.17 Near-misses were categorized for all subjects and the proportion of subjects with at least one crash calculated, in addition to the proportion of subjects with near-misses who fell asleep driving. Linear-by-linear association tests were used to assess relationships between these variables.
Patients were stratified by gender and divided into 4 OSA severity categories based upon the AHI: "normal" (AHI < 5 events/h), "mild OSA" (5 ≤ AHI < 15), "moderate OSA" (15 ≤ AHI < 30), and "severe OSA" (AHI ≥ 30).1 Patients were also divided into 4 quartiles of subjective sleepiness according to their ESS: "normal" (0-5), "non-sleepy" (6-9), "sleepy" (10-14), and "very sleepy" (15-24). The latter 3 categories for sleepiness were compared with the reference category (i.e., "normal"). Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from Poisson univariate regression models, with offset log years driving. Trends across categories were assessed with Cochrane Armitage trend tests. Gender differences within each category of AHI and ESS were compared using rate ratio tests.
Generalized linear models (negative binomial with log link and offset log years driving) were used to test associations between each of the primary risk factors AHI and ESS (as both categorical and continuous variables) with the near-miss rates and crash rates. Models were adjusted for potential confounding variables (neck circumference, proportion of time spent with an arterial oxygen saturation of < 90%, age, sex, and alcohol and caffeine intake). Arousal index, lowest oxygen saturation, OSA presence, smoking, and BMI were tested but were not statistically significant in either univariate or multivariable modelling. As there was significant interaction between each primary risk factor and sex, the dataset was stratified by gender for analysis. Parsimonious models were developed by removing the least significant variable in a stepwise process, resulting in the simplest plausible model. The predictor variable coefficients in the parsimonious model were all significantly different from zero and the model was not a significantly worse fit than the full model.
To assess potential reporting bias, the proportions of missing data for crash questions were calculated. Chi-square tests were conducted across ESS quartiles for each driving question to assess differences in the proportion of missing data relative to sleepiness.
Questionnaire and PSG data were available for 2,673 patients. Patients were predominantly male, middle-aged, and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), and mean ± SD duration of driving was 30.2 ± 13.3 years (Table 1). Mean ± SD ESS was 9.9 ± 5.5, and 17% reported moderate to severe excessive sleepiness (ESS ≥ 16). Proportions of missing data for crash questions ranged from 0.4% to 3.4% but did not differ significantly across ESS quartiles. Table 1 presents study population characteristics by gender. Age and ESS did not differ significantly between men and women, but men had significantly higher median scores than women for AHI (31 vs 18 events/h respectively; p < 0.001) and ARI (35 vs 28 events/h respectively; p < 0.001), as well as lower BMI, lower minimum oxygen saturation, and higher proportion of time spent with an oxygen saturation < 90%.
Characteristics of the study population
(more ...)
At least one crash was reported by 69% of subjects. Of the reported crashes, 11% of subjects reported having a crash because they felt sleepy or fell asleep behind the wheel. A quarter of subjects (26%) reported at least one near-miss due to sleepiness, and 32% reported having fallen asleep behind the wheel. Table 2 contains data on the association between the number of near-misses and both the percent of subjects with at least one actual crash and those who fell asleep driving at least once. The number of near-misses has a linear relationship (p < 0.001) with the number of actual crashes and with fall-asleep driving episodes (Table 2).
Relationship between near-misses and both actual crashes and episodes of falling asleep driving
The mean overall crash rate of 0.06 MVC/person-year was 3 times higher (p < 0.0001) than the community crash rate of 0.02 MVC/person-year. The mean crash rate ratio for subjects with any OSA (AHI ≥ 5/h, n = 2,486) versus those with no OSA (community) was 3.07 (95% CI 2.98 to 3.17).
Trend analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the risk of near-misses across OSA categories in men (Table 3, Figure 1). For women, the opposite trend was seen (p < 0.001, Figure 1). The RR comparing severe OSA to no OSA was increased for men (1.50, 95% CI 0.68, 1.97) but decreased (0.65, 95% CI 0.52, 0.82) for women (Table 3). Men reported more near-misses in the moderate and severe categories, while women reported more near-misses in the normal and mild categories (Figure 1).
Rate ratios across OSA categories and ESS quartiles for near-misses and crashes in men and women
Error bars represent 95% CI. Asterisks represent a significant difference between men and women where p < 0.001. See Table 3 for number of subjects in each group.
Near-miss rate and severity of OSA for men and womenError bars represent 95% CI. Asterisks represent a significant difference between men and women where p
The near-miss rate increased significantly (p < 0.001) with increased sleepiness score in both men and women. For very sleepy men and women the rates were 6.13 and 2.51 times higher, respectively, than the rates for normal subjects (Table 3). With respect to gender differences within ESS quartiles, men reported more near-misses than women in the moderate (p < 0.001) and severe sleepiness categories (p < 0.001), while women reported more near-misses than men in the normal (p < 0.001) and mild sleepiness (p = 0.06) categories (Figure 2).
Near-miss rate and subjective sleepiness for men and womenError bars represent 95% CI. Asterisks represent a significant difference between men and women where p
Multivariable regression analysis showed that the near-miss rate was associated with sleepiness, age, and caffeine intake, but not with neck circumference, AHI, oxygen saturation, or alcohol intake (Table 4A). After adjustment for significant confounders, very sleepy men were 4.68 times (95% CI 3.07, 7.14) more likely to report a near-miss than normal men (Table 4A, parsimonious model). For women, there was a significant association with sleepiness scores (p = 0.02) but no dose effect across quartiles. When this model was refitted with the very sleepy quartile as the reference category for ESS, the rates in the non-sleepy and sleepy quartiles were significantly lower (sleepy: RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35, 0.86, p = 0.01; non-sleepy: RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23, 0.84, p = 0.01).
Negative binomial regressions modelling (A) near-misses, stratified by gender and (B) crashes, stratified by gender
Caffeine use was significantly related (p < 0.001) to near-misses for both men and women, and there was a dose effect (Table 4A). In multivariable regression analysis with AHI considered as the primary categorical risk factor (and ESS as an adjustment continuous variable), AHI showed no significant effect for men (p = 0.71) or women (p = 0.80).
Trend analysis showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the risk of crashes across AHI categories in men (Table 3, Figure 3). For women there was no significant trend across OSA categories (p = 0.98). With respect to gender differences within OSA categories, men with mild and moderate OSA reported significantly more crashes (p < 0.001) than women (Figure 3).
Crash rate and severity of OSA for men and womenError bars represent 95% CI. Asterisks represent a significant difference between men and women where p
There was a significant increase in crash rate with increased sleepiness score for men and women combined (p < 0.001). When men were analyzed separately (Table 3), there was a significant (p < 0.001) upward trend in crash rate with sleepiness. For women there was no significant trend (p = 0.40). With respect to gender differences within quartiles, men reported more crashes than women (p < 0.001) in the normal, sleepy, and very sleepy quartiles (Figure 4).
Crash rate and subjective sleepiness for men and womenError bars represent 95% CI. Asterisks represent a significant difference between men and women where p
Multivariable regression analysis showed that crash rate was related to age only and not sleepiness, AHI, neck circumference, oxygen saturation, or alcohol or caffeine intake in the full model (Table 4B). In the parsimonious model, although very sleepy men reported crashes 1.3 times more often than normal men (p = 0.049), ESS was not a significant predictor of crash rate.
This large study investigated risk factors for motor vehicle crashes and near-misses in sleep clinic patients. The study found that subjects with untreated OSA (AHI > 5 events per hour) reported crashes at a rate three times higher than the general community. However, in multivariable regression analysis the rates of reported near-misses in men and women were related more strongly to daytime sleepiness and not the severity of OSA as defined by the AHI metric. In subjects with moderate to severe OSA or sleepiness, women tended to report fewer near-misses and crashes than men.
The mean crash rate ratio (3.07) for our patients with OSA is consistent with a recent meta-analysis, which found that OSA was associated with a 1.21 to 4.89 increase in the mean crash rate ratio. It was reported that the characteristics that predicted crashes in drivers with OSA included AHI, hypoxemia during sleep, BMI, and possibly daytime sleepiness.2
We found a strong association between sleepiness and increased rate of reported near-misses. Very sleepy men (ESS 15-24) reported near-misses 4.68 (95% CI 3.07-7.14) times more often than normal men (ESS 0-5; Table 4A). For women there was a significant association with sleepiness score (p = 0.02, Figure 2), but no dose effect across quartiles. The relationship between sleepiness and increased risk of crash or near-miss has not been consistently demonstrated in past studies.2 Our results agree with one study that was adequately powered (n = 150) and adjusted for confounders, which found a significantly higher risk of near-misses in patients with higher ESS scores.19
More recently, two large community studies provided evidence that sleepy near-misses may be dangerous precursors to an actual accident, and that ESS score had an independent association with having a near-miss or actual accident.13,14 We found a relationship between the number of near-misses and the number of actual crashes (p < 0.001). Disturbingly, there was a relationship of similar magnitude between near-misses and fall asleep driving episodes. Thus our study confirms the findings of Powell and Phillip, who both reported a relationship between sleepiness at the wheel, near-misses, and actual crashes in large community-based samples.13,20
Patients who are referred to sleep clinics show higher levels of daytime sleepiness than the general population.21,22 The mean ESS of 9.9 for our patients was approximately double the mean ESS of 4.6 seen in 72 subjects without sleep disorders.23 Our data show that sleep clinic patients with an ESS > 10 have approximately 1.7 to 4.7 times higher risk of a near-miss. Although these data are self-reported, the large sample size and narrow confidence intervals further strengthen our results.
We found no association between OSA severity and near-misses or crashes in women. Although we found that near-misses were related to severity of OSA in Poisson regression analysis for men (Figure 1, Table 3), this relationship was not significant in multivariable analysis (Table 4A). Crash risk was associated with AHI, but the effect size was small and protective (Table 4B). This may be due to reporting bias in the very sleepy males or increased awareness of symptoms leading to driving avoidance behavior. Since report bias was low (< 5%), driving avoidance behavior is the more probable explanation. Our results for AHI are supported by a recent meta-analysis which showed that no definitive conclusion could be drawn for a relationship between severity of OSA and crash risk.2
It has long been recognized that there is a poor relationship between the AHI-defined severity of OSA and the degree of daytime sleepiness.24–27 It remains unclear why one individual with an AHI of 15 may be sleepy whereas another may be asymptomatic.28 This poor correlation between AHI and ESS is reflected in our WASHS cohort data (r = 0.18). Since disease severity does not correspond well with symptomology, it is not surprising that we found an association between risk of near-miss or crash and daytime sleepiness but not the severity of OSA. In our study, we did not find an association between BMI or hypoxemia and risk of near-miss or crash. Although we found an association between neck circumference and crash risk at the univariate level, after adjusting for other covariates this association did not remain statistically significant.
A marked gender difference in crash risk was found with women reporting fewer near-misses and crashes than men, particularly for subjects with moderate or severe OSA or an ESS > 10. The preponderance of men with increased near-miss and crash risk in this study is supported by data from the annual report on road crashes in Western Australia, where 75% of fatalities over the past 10 years were male.17 Similar gender differences have been reported in the community-based Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study.29 It has been postulated that men and women may perceive internal cues to sleepiness differently.29
The association between caffeine use and near-misses was strong (p < 0.001), and supports the notion that patients accurately perceive their increased sleepiness and self-medicate with caffeine in an attempt to remain functional during waking hours. Given that the question about caffeine use was not asked in relation to driving, it was thus less subject to bias.
The strong relationship between excessive sleepiness and near-misses demonstrated in this study is credible, since it has been shown previously that daytime sleepiness from any cause is associated with increased crash risk.30–32 Our finding extends existing knowledge because the most recent systematic review of this topic, which utilized mostly underpowered studies, found no substantial association between ESS scores and crash risk in studies of drivers with OSA. The large number of subjects and incidents in our study has provided the power to examine this association following adjustment for confounders. Most studies in this area of research are based on self-reported crashes or near-misses and are thus subject to some bias. The questions about driving in this study were asked as part of a general sleep health questionnaire answered at first attendance at the sleep clinic and not in relation to occupation. A high response rate was recorded, but the problem of non-response for near-miss and crash questions remains. Nevertheless, under-reporting of incidents would tend to bias findings towards the null hypothesis and strengthen the positive findings of our study.
A limitation of the data collection method used in our study relates to use of self-reported crash data over the entire driving history for the WASHS cohort, which may have resulted in some recall or report bias. The overall crash rate for patients was compared with police-reported crash rate for the community, and this difference of method may be confounded by measurement bias. Future studies would benefit from the use of objective crash records to improve accuracy. In general, published data supporting increased crashes in OSA are from studies of patients referred to a sleep clinic. However, Young and colleagues29 found that their results from a community sample free of clinic bias were comparable in magnitude to the clinic-based studies. Thus impaired drivers with sleep apnea were not over represented in clinic populations.29
The gender differences found in our study may be confounded by driving exposure, which we did not measure. More men than women are occupational drivers and thus at higher risk of crash.33 Future research should account for this important denominator when considering crash risk in OSA. Gender differences may be attributable to a higher degree of self-awareness of symptomology in women who self-regulate risk by avoidance of driving.29
These results for our sleep clinic patients can be used to guide clinical management. Our data support the belief that untreated patients with OSA have an increased crash risk but add to this the observation that it is those patients with increased sleepiness regardless of OSA severity who are most at risk. Current Australian Fitness to Drive guidelines have recommended that individuals should be advised to avoid or limit driving if they are sleepy, and should not drive if they are at high risk.34 High-risk individuals include: those with moderate to severe excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS 16-24), those with a history of frequent self-reported sleepiness while driving, and those who have had a crash caused by inattention or sleepiness. These guidelines are particularly relevant for commercial vehicle drivers, given that OSA approximately doubles crash risk and close to half of commercial drivers have OSA.7–9,35 Clearly it is important that OSA is diagnosed and the degree of associated sleepiness assessed to expedite treatment and minimize risk. It is known that effective treatment of OSA (e.g., with continuous positive airways pressure) reduces the risk of crash.36 Recently Sunwoo et al. have shown that a single administration of some objective tests of sleepiness (in particular, the psychomotor vigilance test and the divided attention driving task) can be used routinely in clinical practice to assess sleepiness for diagnostic purposes and for follow-up of outcomes of therapy.37 This study of commercial drivers provides evidence for a cost-effective routine test that can be applied to occupational drivers to assess risk.
There have been several large studies that have identified similar relationships between sleepiness on the ESS and MVCs in general driving populations.13,14,20 Phillip et al.20 reported that sleepy driving accidents were associated with an odds ratio of 5 where ESS was greater than 15 in a large sample of French drivers. Powell and colleagues13 conducted a large online survey of drivers in the US and found a significant dose-response relationship between self-report sleepy near-misses and an actual accident. Thus the relationship between sleepy driving and crash risk is not confined to those with sleep disorders, but may result from volitional sleep restriction.38
It is not yet clear why there is a substantial variation in the degree of sleepiness observed among individuals with equivalent severities of OSA as measured by AHI. Intuitively a patient with severely disordered breathing during sleep with consequent frequent arousals might be expected to be more disabled by sleepiness than one with less sleep disruption. Our findings demonstrate this is not consistently the case and the developing field of research addressing differing neurobehavioral vulnerability to sleep loss may shed light on this subject.39 Sleep deprivation studies in normal healthy subjects have shown significant variation between individuals in neurobehavioral deficits with sleep loss, although the effects on each individual are reproducible.40 It appears that up to 92% of the variance in cognitive deficits and subjective sleepiness between individuals may be explained by systematic variability.40
Cluydts et al. have suggested that "trait" or person-specific aspects of sleepiness have been largely ignored in sleep wake research.41 It appears likely that the sleepiness "trait" for an individual is comprised of several endogenous factors such as their genetic phenotype for sleep propensity (morningness or eveningness), arousal threshold, gender differences in perception, and sensitivity to both stimulant (e.g., caffeine) and sedative (e.g., alcohol) compounds. There will be an interactive effect with environmental or situational factors such as shift work and behaviorally induced insufficient sleep, and consideration must be given to medication use and comorbid medical conditions. Thus the sleepiness phenotype for an individual is likely to be defined by a complex interaction of endogenous and environmental factors. An individual's baseline or "trait" level of sleepiness will determine their vulnerability to the additional load of sleep loss imposed by OSA.
In summary, sleep clinic patients with untreated OSA have significantly more crashes than the general population. Our study suggests that sleepiness in untreated OSA is an important contributor to crash risk, particularly in men, underlining the importance of advising such patients, and the community generally, against drowsy driving.
This was not an industry supported study. Dr Hillman has conducted sponsored research for ResMed Incorporated and provided medical advice on the Medical Advisory Committee for Apnex Incorporated. WASHS was supported by Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Research Foundation, the Hollywood Private Hospital Research Foundation and the ARK, open source software for medical research (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Enabling Facility). K. Ward is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and Ad Hoc scholarships from the Sir Charles Gairdner Research Foundation and ResMed Ltd. The other authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
The authors gratefully acknowledge E. Hudson, J. Lee, G. Love, and patients who have participated in WASHS.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force, Sleep-related breathing disorders in adults: recommendations for syndrome definition and measurement techniques in clinical research. The Report of an American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force. Sleep. 1999;22:667–89. [PubMed]
Tregear S, Reston J, Schoelles K, Phillips B, authors. Obstructive sleep apnea and risk of motor vehicle crash: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Sleep Med. 2009;5:573–81. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Teran-Santos J, Jimenez-Gomez A, Cordero-Guevara J, authors. The association between sleep apnea and the risk of traffic accidents. Cooperative Group Burgos-Santander. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:847–51. [PubMed]
Sagaspe P, Taillard J, Chaumet G, et al., authors. Maintenance of wakefulness test as a predictor of driving performance in patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep. 2007;30:327–30. [PubMed]
Mulgrew AT, Nasvadi G, Butt A, et al., authors. Risk and severity of motor vehicle crashes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea. Thorax. 2008;63:536–41. [PubMed]
Pack AI, Pack AM, Rodgman E, Cucchiara A, Dinges DF, Schwab CW, authors. Characteristics of crashes attributed to the driver having fallen asleep. Accid Anal Prev. 1995;27:769–75. [PubMed]
Howard ME, et al., authors. Sleepiness, sleep-disordered breathing, and accident risk factors in commercial vehicle drivers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:1014–21. [PubMed]
Sharwood LN, Elkington J, Stevenson M, et al., authors. Assessing sleepiness and sleep disorders in Australian long-distance commercial vehicle drivers: self-report versus an "at home" monitoring device. Sleep. 2012;35:469–75. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Vennelle M, Engleman HM, Douglas NJ, authors. Sleepiness and sleep-related accidents in commercial bus drivers. Sleep Breath. 2010;14:39–42. [PubMed]
George CF, author. Sleep apnea, alertness, and motor vehicle crashes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007;176:954–6. [PubMed]
Ellen RL, Marshall SC, Palayew M, Molnar FJ, Wilson KG, Man-Son-Hing M, authors. Systematic review of motor vehicle crash risk in persons with sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2006;2:193–200. [PubMed]
Barach P, Small SD, authors. Reporting and preventing medical mishaps: lessons from non-medical near miss reporting systems. BMJ. 2000;320:759–63. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Powell NB, Schechtman KB, Riley RW, Guilleminault C, Chiang RP, Weaver EM, authors. Sleepy driver near-misses may predict accident risks. Sleep. 2007;30:331–42. [PubMed]
Sagaspe P, Taillard J, Bayon V, et al., authors. Sleepiness, near-misses and driving accidents among a representative population of French drivers. J Sleep Res. 2010;19:578–84. [PubMed]
Mukherjee S, Hillman D, Lee J, et al., authors. Cohort profile: the Western Australian Sleep Health Study. Sleep Breath. 2012;16:205–15. [PubMed]
Johns MW, author. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14:540–5. [PubMed]
Marchant RJ, Hill DL, Caccianiga RA, Gant PD, authors. 2006. Western Australia: Road Safety Council of Western Australia. Reported road crashes in Western Australia 2006.
Rechstaffen A, Kales A, authors. A manual of standardized terminology, techniques and scoring system for sleep stages of human subjects. 1968. Los Angeles: Brain Information Service.
Turkington PM, et al., authors. Relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea, driving simulator performance, and risk of road traffic accidents. Thorax. 2001;56:800–5. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Philip P, Sagaspe P, Lagarde E, et al., authors. Sleep disorders and accidental risk in a large group of regular registered highway drivers. Sleep Med. 2010;11:973–9. [PubMed]
Johns MW, author. A new perspective on sleepiness. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2010;8:170–9.
Chervin RD, author. Sleepiness, fatigue, tiredness, and lack of energy in obstructive sleep apnea. Chest. 2000;118:372–9. [PubMed]
Johns M, Hocking B, authors. Daytime sleepiness and sleep habits of Australian workers. Sleep. 1997;20:844–9. [PubMed]
Kribbs NB, Getsy JE, Dinges DF, authors; Saunders NA, Sullivan CE, editors. Investigation and management of daytime sleepiness in sleep apnea. Sleep and breathing. 1994. New York: Marcel Dekker; p. 575–604.
Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, Skatrud J, Weber S, Badr S, authors. The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. N Engl J Med. 1993;328:1230–5. [PubMed]
Gottlieb DJ, Whitney CW, Bonekat WH, et al., authors. Relation of sleepiness to respiratory disturbance index: the Sleep Heart Health Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999;159:502–7. [PubMed]
Kapur VK, Baldwin CM, Resnick HE, Gottlieb DJ, Nieto FJ, authors. Sleepiness in patients with moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep. 2005;28:472–7. [PubMed]
Stradling JR, Davies RJ, authors. Is it necessary to record sleep? Sleep. 1996;19:S251–4. [PubMed]
Young T, Blustein J, Finn L, Palta M, authors. Sleep-disordered breathing and motor vehicle accidents in a population-based sample of employed adults. Sleep. 1997;20:608–13. [PubMed]
Robb G, Sultana S, Ameratunga S, Jackson R, authors. A systematic review of epidemiological studies investigating risk factors for work-related road traffic crashes and injuries. Inj Prev. 2008;14:51–8. [PubMed]
Lardelli-Claret P, Jiménez-Moleón JJ, Luna-del-Castillo Jde D, García-Martín M, Moreno-Abril O, Bueno-Cavanillas A, authors. Comparison between two quasi-induced exposure methods for studying risk factors for road crashes. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;163:188–95. [PubMed]
Connor J, Norton R, Ameratunga S, et al., authors. Driver sleepiness and risk of serious injury to car occupants: population based case control study. BMJ. 2002;324:1125. [PubMed]
Knipling RR, Boyle LN, Hickman JS, et al., authors. CTBSSP Synthesis Report 4: Individual Differences and the High-Risk Commercial Driver. 2004. Washington, DC: Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program, Transportation Research Board.
Austroads. Assessing fitness to drive. 2012. Sydney, Australia: Austroads Ltd; p. 160.
Pack AI, Maislin G, Staley B, et al., authors. Impaired performance in commercial drivers: role of sleep apnea and short sleep duration. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006;174:446–54. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Tregear S, Reston J, Schoelles K, Phillips B, authors. Continuous positive airway pressure reduces risk of motor vehicle crash among drivers with obstructive sleep apnea: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep. 2010;33:1373–80. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Sunwoo BY, Jackson N, Maislin G, Gurubhagavatula I, George CF, Pack AI, authors. Reliability of a single objective measure in assessing sleepiness. Sleep. 2012;35:149–58. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Powell NB, Chau JK, authors. Sleepy driving. Med Clin North Am. 2010;94:531–40. [PubMed]
Van Dongen HP, Vitellaro KM, Dinges DF, authors. Individual differences in adult human sleep and wakefulness: Leitmotif for a research agenda. Sleep. 2005;28:479–96. [PubMed]
Van Dongen HP, Baynard MD, Maislin G, Dinges DF, authors. Systematic interindividual differences in neurobehavioral impairment from sleep loss: evidence of trait-like differential vulnerability. Sleep. 2004;27:423–33. [PubMed]
Cluydts R, De Valck E, Verstraeten E, Theys P, authors. Daytime sleepiness and its evaluation. Sleep Med Rev. 2002;6:83–96. [PubMed]


text:
ALSC now accepting applications for 2015 Bechtel Fellowship
For Immediate Release
Tue, 08/12/2014
Courtney Jones
Awards Coordinator
CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Special Collections and Bechtel Fellowship Committee are now accepting online applications for the 2015 Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship. The Bechtel Fellowship is designed to allow qualified children's librarians to spend a total of four weeks or more reading and studying at the Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature, a part of the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
The Baldwin Library contains a special collection of 130,000 volumes of children's literature published mostly before 1950. The fellowship is endowed in memory of Louise Seaman Bechtel and Ruth M. Baldwin and provides a stipend of $4,000.
Each applicant will be judge on the following:
- the description of the topic of study for the fellowship period;
- the applicants' demonstration of ongoing commitment to motivating children to read;
- the applicants' willingness to spend a total of four weeks in Gainesville. The time spent does not have to be successive weeks.
Applicants must be personal members of ALSC, as well as ALA members to apply. Deadline for submissions is Oct. 1, 2014. For more information about the requirements of the fellowship and submitting the online application please visit: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/bechtel
ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC's website at www.ala.org/alsc.


text:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. presidential campaign mostly stood down Tuesday due to preoccupation with post-tropical Cyclone Sandy but politics was in play just the same.
The White House said President Barack Obama was focusing on the government's response to the storm -- which has been blamed for at least 39 deaths in the United States, and at least 107 overall -- and Republican nominee Mitt Romney held what his campaign called a storm relief event in Ohio.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie -- whose state took the first, and possibly the worst, hit from Sandy -- said in several interviews Tuesday the president has been handling the storm admirably.
He told NBC Obama "deserves great credit."
Christie said on Fox News he had been in constant contact with the president, who called the governor at midnight Monday night to ask "what he could do."
"I said, if you can expedite designating New Jersey as a major disaster area that that would help us to get federal money and resources in here as quickly as possible to help clean up the damage here," Christie said.
"The president was great last night," he said, telling Fox viewers he got a call 2 hours later from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the president signed the emergency declaration early Tuesday.
"He's done -- as far as I'm concerned -- a great job for New Jersey," Christie said.
When a Fox News host asked Christie whether Romney would go to New Jersey for "some storm-related event," Christie responded with the kind of blunt talk that has helped make him a national figure in the Republican Party.
"I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested," he said. "I've got a job to do here in New Jersey that's much bigger than presidential politics and I could [sic] care less about any of that stuff.
"I've got 2.4 million people out of power. I've got devastation on the shore. I've got floods in the northern part of my state. If you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics, then you don't know me."
At an event in Kettering, Ohio, near Dayton -- attended by former NASCAR driver Richard Petty and country music singer Randy Owen -- Romney helped gather donations and urged supporters Tuesday to help those affected by the storm.
"We have heavy hearts, as you know, with all of the suffering going on in a major part of our country," he said. "A lot of people are hurting this morning and they were hurting last night."
However, USA Today said the event "looked like a campaign rally and sounded like one."
Although Romney did not deliver his customary stump speech, the event featured the screening of a film biography of the nominee and some of those attending chanted, "We want Mitt!" before he spoke.
Former President Bill Clinton appeared at a campaign rally at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, using the storm as a context for criticizing Romney's policy on climate change, CBS News reported.
"He ridiculed the president [during their first debate] for his efforts to fight global warming in economically efficient ways," Clinton said.
"In the real world, Barack Obama's policies work better," he said.
The Romney campaign Tuesday released a memo from its political director claiming battleground states Minnesota and Pennsylvania -- which previously appeared to be in Obama's column -- were trending toward Romney, The Hill reported.
"With one week to go, and 96 percent of the vote on the table on Election Day in Pennsylvania, this expansion of the electoral map demonstrates that Governor Romney's momentum has jumped containment from the usual target states and has spread to deeper blue states that Chicago never anticipated defending," the memo read.
The Hill noted the RealClearPolitics average of polls show Obama leads Romney by 4.7 percent in Pennsylvania.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said the Romney campaign was posturing and Obama is "leading or tied in every battleground state across the country, and he leads early voting in every state across the country," The Hill reported.
"Three things are now absolutely clear in this race -- we have a significant early vote advantage in states from North Carolina to Nevada, there is no Romney momentum in the battleground states, and the Romney campaign has found itself with a tremendously narrow and improbable path to 270 electoral votes," Messina wrote in a memo.


text:
"I can't take this any longer!"
Sounds familiar? How many times did you actually utter these phrases? A lot of us may have even screamed out these phrases because of those heavy burdens but then if you will only stop and think for a minute then you will surely realize that hope is just around the corner.
Hello there and welcome to Family Help blog! If you think that this blog is just like those regular blogs of tips and advices around the net, you're wrong! This is actually a special blog that will surely help you and your family to start all over again. You will find the tips and advices that will help you feel the hope again embracing your life.
I know how fate sometimes loves to play on us. It will bring immeasurable trials and problems. But then these trials ad problems are temporary. Soon it will find its exit door and will bid goodbye to you forever. You just have to be strong!
I tell you through this blog you will learn how to laugh again, be merry again! You will no longer need those boxes of Kleenex or you might still need it! But to shed those tears of joy!


text:
The House Oversight panel chairman startled many with his critique of IRS Commissioner John Koskinen's posture.
In Monday's rare evening hearing on lost emails at the Internal Revenue Service, House Oversight panel Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., startled many in the tension-filled room and around the country with his critique of Internal Revenue Commissioner John Koskinen's posture in holding up his hand to be sworn in.
"A little higher, thank you," a furrow-browed Issa said in the manner of, say, Steven Spielberg.
On Fox News Wednesday night, Issa was asked by host Megyn Kelly to explain. She told Issa, "some said that made you look arrogant."
Here the explanation, according to the transcript:
ISSA: In [Koskinen's] previous testimony he had held it down, and, you know, we all understand whether you're looking years back at the tobacco hearings or anything else, you raise your right hand. All I really asked [was] that he raise it to a normal level. I only asked it because in fact at the Ways and Means Committee earlier he had sort of held it down and it seemed a little petty and silly. We've had witnesses who have stepped away from the other Wednesday [hearing] and so on. We just ask them to do the routine ordinary 'You raise your hand.' There are photographers taking pictures of it. It is a moment, and it should look that way. That's all.
KELLY: All right.
ISSA: There was no attempt to be arrogant. In fact, this gentleman came in with a great deal of respect in Washington. I'm sorry that he's losing it with a certain amount of half-truths he's been involved in.
KELLY: Chairman Issa, Good to see you."


text:
Inspired by Honeycomb Stars from designer
Cindy Blackberg
Quiltmaker: Laura Boehnke
1/3 yards total assorted prints in purple, orange, teal, pink, blue, and green (Six-Pointed Stars)
1/2 yard light blue print (rows)
1/3 yard multicolor stripe (border, binding)
1/2 yard backing fabric
17x27" batting
Finished quilt: 13x22-3/4"
Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics.
Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated. {C}