text:
(September 2017)
Overview | Health Plan Basics | Health Plan Costs | Health Plan Benefits | Group vs. Individual Health Plans | Your Rights and Protections | Shopping for Coverage | Losing Your Insurance | Health Care Programs | Get Help from TDI
Getting sick can be expensive. Even minor illnesses and injuries can cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat. Major illnesses can cost many times that. Health insurance helps you get the care you need and protects you and your family financially if you get sick or injured.
This publication provides information about health care coverage in Texas. You can also visit TexasHealthOptions.com to learn more about health coverage. Texas Health Options is a free service of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
If you don't have health insurance through your job or a government program, you can buy it from an insurance company or agent. This type of insurance is called individual coverage because it's sold directly to individuals, not to members of a particular group. For lists of companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) selling individual coverage in Texas, visit TDI's Lists of Companies and HMOs. You can also buy coverage through the federal health insurance marketplace at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
Open enrollment. You usually must buy health insurance during the annual open enrollment period. The open enrollment period is from November 1 to January 31 each year. You may buy health insurance at other times of the year only if you have a qualifying life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving, or losing your current coverage.
Preexisting conditions. Health insurance companies must sell a plan to anyone who applies during the open enrollment period. Companies may not deny you coverage or charge you more because of a preexisting condition or disability.
Premiums. Premiums are what you pay to have coverage. When deciding your premium, insurance companies may consider only your age, where you live, whether you smoke or use tobacco, and whether the coverage you're buying is for one person or a family. They may not consider your health status, medical history, claims history, genetic information, gender, disability, or other health factors.
Premium Subsidies
You might qualify for a subsidy to help pay for coverage if your income is between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2017, this means an income between $11,880 and $47,520 for a single person, or between $24,300 and $97,200 for a family of four. If your income is below the poverty level, you aren't eligible for a subsidy.
Subsidies are available only when you buy a health plan through the marketplace. You can't get a subsidy if you buy directly from an insurance company or if you can get affordable health insurance at work.
For more information about subsidies, visit the HealthCare.gov subsidies page.
Health Plan Basics
Health plans are legal contracts between you and an insurance company or HMO. State and federal laws require plans to cover specified benefits, but each plan works differently. Plans can also vary in how much they'll pay – and how much you'll have to pay – toward your health care. Plans that cover a broad range of doctor and hospital services and that meet all of the legal coverage requirements are called major medical health benefit plans.
It's important that you understand what your plan covers and how it works. Review the Summary of Benefits and Coverage that comes with your plan. Before buying a plan, ask the company to give you a written description of the plan's terms and conditions or a sample contract.
Types of Plans
There are four types of major medical health benefit plans in Texas:
- point-of-service plans,
- HMO plans,
- preferred provider (PPO) plans, and
- exclusive provider (EPO) plans.
The main differences between the four types are the extent to which you can choose your own doctors, whether you must have a doctor to oversee all of your health care, and how the plan covers out-of-network care.
Point-of-service Plans
Point-of-service plans negotiate agreements with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to treat the plan's members at a discounted rate. These providers make up the plan's network. You must choose a doctor from the plan's network to oversee all of your health care. This doctor is called your primary care physician. You must get a referral from your primary care physician to see a specialist. You can usually go to providers outside of the network, but you'll pay more out of pocket if you do.
HMO Plans
HMO plans are similar to point-of-service plans. They also negotiate agreements with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to treat their members at a discounted rate. You must use providers in the HMO's network, or you might have to pay the full cost of your care yourself. There are exceptions for medical emergencies and for medically necessary services that aren't available in the HMO's network.
HMOs operate within specific geographic service areas. To be in an HMO, you usually must live or work in its service area.
You must choose a primary care physician to oversee your health care, and you usually must get a referral to see a specialist. Women don't need a referral for routine OB/GYN appointments if the doctor is in the HMO's network.
Some HMOs offer a point-of-service option that gives you more flexibility to choose your doctors. You'll still have to choose a primary care physician, but you may go to out-of-network doctors without a referral. If you use out-of-network doctors, however, you'll have to pay more out of pocket. An HMO point-of-service plan may exclude the option for out-of-network care for some medical conditions. The point-of-service option is usually offered as an add-on – or rider – to the plan for an additional fee.
PPO Plans
PPOs have networks of providers that have agreed to treat the PPO's members at a discounted rate. The difference between an HMO and a PPO is that a PPO allows you to go to any doctor you choose. Your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you use providers in the PPO's network, though. In addition, you'll probably have to pay a separate deductible and higher copayments and coinsurance for care you receive outside the network. You don't have to choose a primary care physician in a PPO.
EPO Plans
EPOs also negotiate agreements with doctors and hospitals to provide care to their members at a discounted rate. You must use doctors and hospitals in the EPO's network. An EPO won't pay for care you receive outside its network. There are exceptions for medical emergencies and for medically necessary care that isn't available in the EPO's network.
Other Types of Health Insurance
The following types of health insurance provide only limited coverage. In addition, these policies can still deny you coverage or charge you more if you have a preexisting condition, and they usually have dollar limits on coverage.
- Specified disease policies pay only if you are diagnosed with the illness or condition named in the policy. Policy provisions are very specific. For instance, a cancer policy will pay only for services medically necessary to treat cancer. It won't pay to treat other illnesses.
- Hospital surgical policies cover only expenses directly related to hospital and surgical services, such as daily room rates, surgery, and doctor charges.
- Short-term policies provide coverage for a limited time, usually six to 12 months. Most people who buy short-term policies do so to protect themselves while they're in between jobs or waiting for other health coverage to start.
Health Plan Costs
Regardless of the type of plan you have, you must pay some of the cost of your health care yourself. This is called cost sharing. The cost will vary by the type of plan you have. Here are some of the costs you usually have to pay:
- A premium is a fee you pay to have health coverage. Most people pay premiums monthly. Employers who offer health insurance often pay some or all of their employees' premiums. They typically don't pay premiums for family members covered by an employee's plan, however. If you have health insurance through your job, your premium is usually deducted from your paycheck.
- A deductible is an amount you must pay for covered health care before your plan will pay. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, your plan won't pay anything until you've paid $1,000 out of pocket for your care. You'll usually have to meet a deductible each year. Some plans have more than one deductible. For instance, you might have one deductible for in-network care and a separate deductible for out-of-network care. If your plan covers your family, you'll usually have a separate deductible for each family member and a deductible for the family.
- Copayments are amounts you pay each time you go to the doctor, fill a prescription, or get a covered health service. For example, your plan might charge you $25 to go to the doctor, $50 to see a specialist, $150 to go to the emergency room, and $15 to fill a prescription. The amount you pay in copayments varies by plan.
- Coinsurance is the percentage of the cost of a covered service that you pay after you've met your deductible. For example, your health plan might pay 80 percent of the cost of a service, leaving you to pay the remaining 20 percent in coinsurance. HMOs rarely have coinsurance.
Federal law sets maximum dollar limits on the amount you have to pay out of pocket in a plan year. In 2017, the out-of-pocket limit is $7,150 for an individual and $14,300 for a family. In 2018, the limit is $7,350 for an individual and $14,700 for a family. Some plans might have lower out-of-pocket limits. Once you reach the limit, you won't have to pay copayments or coinsurance for the rest of the plan year. You'll still have to pay premiums.
Plan Comparisons
|Primary care physician
|Out-of-network care
|Yes, with referral or for emergencies
|Yes for emergencies or with point-of-service option
|Yes, but cost will be higher
|No, except for emergencies
|Geographic restrictions
|Coverage may be limited to a specific service area in the state; limited benefits while traveling
|Coverage limited to a specific service area in the state; limited benefits while traveling
|Coverage may be limited to a specific service area in the state
|Coverage may be limited to a specific service area in the state; limited benefits while traveling
|Filing claims
|You rarely have to file in-network claims; you may have to pay out-of-network doctors and hospitals in full and file for reimbursement
|You rarely have to file claims
|You rarely have to file in-network claims; you may have to pay out-of-network doctors and hospitals in full and file for reimbursement
|You rarely have to file claims
|Average annual premiums
|Usually lower than PPO
|Generally lowest of all plans, but may depend on plan
|Generally highest of all plans, but may depend on plan
|Usually lower than PPO
|Consider a higher deductible for a lower premium
|Consider a higher deductible for a lower premium
|Consider a higher deductible for a lower premium
|Consider a higher deductible for a lower premium
|Consider a higher copayment for a lower premium
|Consider a higher copayment for a lower premium
|Consider a higher copayment for a lower premium
|Consider a higher copayment for a lower premium
Health Plan Benefits
State law requires health plans sold in Texas to cover a set of benefits called state-mandated benefits or mandates. The mandated benefits are different for individual plans, small-group plans, and large-group plans. Learn more about what Texas law requires at TDI's Mandated Health Benefits page.
Federal law requires individual and small-group plans to cover a set of health care services called essential health benefits. The essential health benefits include:
- ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital),
- emergency services,
- hospitalization (including surgery),
- maternity and newborn care,
- mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy),
- prescription drugs,
- rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
- laboratory services,
- preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and
- pediatric services, including oral and vision care.
Plans may cover more services than the law requires. You can compare plans side by side on HealthCare.gov to see the benefits they offer. Federal law requires health plans to cover many preventive services for free. Depending on your age and gender, you may get free check-ups, blood pressure and diabetes testing, contraceptives, mammograms, cancer screenings, and flu shots.
Some plans require you to get approval from the plan before you receive a covered health service. Make sure you check with your plan before you receive nonemergency services to find out whether you need prior approval.
Note: For more information about mental health and substance use disorder coverages, visit our Insurance coverage and parity for mental health and substance use disorder services page.
Covering Dependents
Adult children may stay on their parents' plans until age 26. They don't have to live at home, be enrolled in school, or be claimed as a dependent on their parents' tax return. A parents' policy may cover married children, but not a married child's spouse and children.
Children with mental or physical disabilities who can't financially support themselves may continue to get coverage after age 26.
Except for emergency care and authorized referrals, HMOs can require dependent students to return to the plan's service area for doctor appointments and other health care services.
If two spouses are covered by separate health plans, and both plans cover their dependents, the parent whose birthday occurs first during the calendar year is the child's primary coverage. This means that plan will pay first for the child's health care. If the spouses divorce, a court usually determines which parent's plan is a dependent's primary coverage.
Texas law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for dependent grandchildren up to age 25.
Group vs. Individual Health Plans
Individual and group plans have different legal requirements. The coverage, cost-sharing, and process for resolving disputes may be different.
Group Health Plans
If you have health insurance through your job, you have a group health plan. Employers often offer group health plans as part of an employee benefits package. Other organizations – such as church-related organizations, fraternal societies, and other membership organizations – may offer group health insurance to their members. In a group health plan, you can choose to cover only you, or you and your spouse and dependents.
State and federal laws for group plans differ depending on the size and nature of the group.
Small-employer Plans
Small employers aren't required to offer health plans to employees. If they do, they may offer coverage to only full-time employees (those who work 30 hours or more per week) or to both full-time and part-time employees. Employers may not discriminate when deciding whom to offer coverage. Employers with between two and 50 employees are considered small employers.
Small-employer plans must cover essential health benefits.
Large-employer Plans
Employers with more than 50 employees provide large-employer plans. Every 120 hours worked by part-time and seasonal employees in a month counts as a full-time equivalent to determine whether a business has more than 50 full-time employees. Large-employer plans don't have to cover all of the essential health benefits that individual and small-employer plans cover. They must provide free preventive services, however. They can't have dollar limits on coverage or deny coverage because of an employee's preexisting conditions or health history.
Large employers who offer only an HMO plan must make a point-of-service option available. The point-of-service option allows plan members to use out-of-network doctors. Members who use out-of-network providers will pay more out of pocket, however.
Large-employer requirement. Large employers that don't offer a health plan that meets affordability criteria and pays at least 60 percent of the cost of covered services must pay a penalty if any of their full-time employees get a subsidy through the health insurance marketplace.
Self-funded Plans
Employers who self-fund their health plans pay the costs of their employees' health care themselves, rather than buying coverage from an insurance company or HMO. Coverage may vary by plan and employer. Self-funded plans may require employees to contribute to the cost of the plan.
Self-funded plans often use insurance companies to help administer the plan. For example, the plan may use an insurance company's provider network or claims processing system.
Note: Most people who have health insurance in Texas have a self-funded plan. The U.S. Department of Labor regulates self-funded plans, so TDI has limited authority over them. These plans have their own procedures for complaints and dispute resolution. Direct questions and complaints about self-funded plans to the Labor Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration at 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).
To find out if your health plan is self-funded, look at your insurance card. If your card shows "TDI" or "DOI" your plan is regulated by TDI. If you don't see this, your plan is self-funded and regulated by the Department of Labor.
Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement Plans
A Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) is a plan offered by a group of employers that have joined to offer health coverage. Self-funded MEWAs are regulated by both the U.S. Department of Labor and TDI. MEWAs must have a TDI license unless a licensed insurance company has assumed all of the MEWA's liabilities.
Individual Health Plans
Individual health plans can cover only you, or you and your spouse and dependents. They're called individual plans because they're sold directly to individuals, not to members of a group. You can buy an individual plan from an insurance company, agent, or broker, or through the federal health insurance marketplace.
You can buy an individual plan only during the annual open enrollment period. You won't be able to buy insurance year-round, so don't wait to buy coverage until you need it.
Health insurance companies must sell a plan to anyone who applies during the open enrollment period. Companies may not deny you coverage or charge you more because of a preexisting condition, disability, other health factor, or your gender. When deciding what to charge you, companies may consider only your age, where you live, whether you smoke or use tobacco, and whether the coverage you're buying is for one person or a family.
Individual plans must cover the essential health benefits.
Your Rights and Protections
Appealing a Claim Denial
If an insurance company denies your claim, it must explain why in writing. If you're not satisfied with the explanation:
- ask the company to show you the policy language it used to deny the claim, and
- ask the doctor or hospital to send a letter explaining anything unusual about the procedure or the amount charged.
You may appeal the denial. To appeal a claim denial, first call your plan. Health plans must have a process to resolve claim disputes. You can skip the appeal process if you or your doctor believes your condition is life-threatening. The appeal process may be different if your plan is self-funded. Self-funded plans must follow the federal appeal and review process.
If you're not satisfied after an appeal, you might be able to have an independent review organization (IRO) consider the denial. An IRO is an independent third party certified by TDI. The insurance company or HMO must pay for the review, and it must follow the IRO's decision.
You have a right to an independent review for denials of:
- treatments the plan doesn't consider medically necessary,
- treatments the plan considers experimental or investigational, and
- medications that your doctor says are medically necessary but aren't on the carrier's formulary A formulary is a list of a health plan's approved prescription drugs. Formularies vary by plan. If a drug is not on a plan's formulary, the plan typically won't pay for it.
You may get an IRO review only if the denial was for services covered by your policy. Insurance companies and HMOs must give you an independent review request form when they deny a treatment and again if they deny your appeal.
For questions or more information about IROs, call TDI's Managed Care Quality Assurance Office at 1-866-554-4926.
Handling Other Complaints
If you're unable to resolve a complaint against an insurance company or HMO, file a complaint with TDI. For more information about filing a complaint, visit TDI's Insurance Complaints Resource Page or call the TDI Consumer Help Line.
If you have a complaint against a plan sold on the health insurance marketplace, call the marketplace.
For complaints against doctors, physician's assistants, or acupuncturists, call the Texas Medical Board at 1-800-201-9353 (Complaint Hotline) or visit the Medical Board's website.
For complaints about health care facilities, call the Texas Department of State Health Services at 1-888-973-0022 (Complaint Hotline) or visit the DSHS website.
For complaints against pharmacists and pharmacies, call the Texas State Board of Pharmacy at 1-800-821-3205 or visit the Board of Pharmacy's website.
Handling Surprise Bills (Balance Billing)
Health plans that have provider networks negotiate discounted rates with providers. Your health plan will usually pay only the discounted rate, even if you go to an out-of-network provider and the out-of-network provider's rates are higher than the discounted rate. An out-of-network provider may bill you for the difference between what the provider charges and what your health plan pays. This is called balance or surprise billing.
For instance, if you go to an out-of-network doctor that charges $150 for an office visit, but the plan's negotiated rate with its in-network doctors is $25, the plan will likely pay only $25 for the visit. The out-of-network doctor may then bill you the remaining $125.
Surprise billing happens most often when you're in the hospital and some of the providers who treat you are not in your plan's network. Even if the hospital is in your network, some of the hospital-based providers who treat you might not be. This can happen, for instance, if you have surgery. You might have an in-network surgeon but an out-of-network anesthesiologist.
To avoid being balance-billed, make sure in advance that your health care providers - including hospitals, clinics, other facilities, and doctors who practice at the facilities - are in your plan's network. If you're in the hospital, ask that all of the providers assigned to treat you are in your network. This might not always be possible, however, so make sure you understand which providers are not in your network and how much they charge.
If you get a bill from an out-of-network provider, ask the provider to give you an itemized statement of the charges. Texas law requires most providers to give you an itemized statement if you ask for one. Review the charges carefully.
Ask the provider to negotiate the charges with the insurance company or HMO. You can compare your charges to the average cost of the procedure by going to our Texas Healthcare Costs website. Other websites like guroo.com, fairhealthconsumer.org, and txpricepoint.org can also help you estimate the prices of various procedures.
Also discuss the issue with your health plan. Your health plan contract must describe how the plan determines payments to out-of-network providers.
If you think your health plan didn't pay the appropriate amount, file a complaint with TDI. You can file a complaint online.
For more information, visit TDI's Surprise Medical Bills (Balance Billing) web page.
Mediating Hospital-based Out-of-network Provider Claims
If you have a dispute about a bill from a hospital-based out-of-network provider or an emergency care provider, you might be able to reduce the amount you owe through TDI's mediation process. During mediation, the provider and your health plan discuss your bill. The goal is to agree on how much the provider will charge, how much your plan will pay, and how much you must pay.
Not all claims are eligible for mediation. You may request mediation if your claim meets the following criteria:
- You have a PPO plan or have coverage through the Employees Retirement System of Texas or the Teacher Retirement System. Mediation isn't available for self-funded plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.
- Your claim is for a health care service or supply provided by a hospital-based provider that's not in your network or by an out-of-network emergency care provider.
- Your claim is for nonemergency care in a facility that's a preferred provider under your PPO plan, or for emergency care from any emergency care provider.
- The amount you owe the out-of-network provider (not including copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and amounts paid by the insurer directly to you), is more than $500.
If you're eligible, request mediation by submitting the Health Insurance Mediation and Authorization Request Form at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/forms/consumer/mediationform.pdf
Once your provider receives notice that you've requested mediation, the provider may not attempt to collect payment (other than for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance) until the mediation ends or you withdraw your request for mediation.
For more information about mediation, visit TDI's mediation web page.
Your Rights under the Affordable Care Act
Preventive services. You can get some preventive services free (with no copayments or deductibles). Depending on your age and gender, you may get check-ups, blood pressure and diabetes testing, contraceptives, mammograms, cancer screenings, and flu shots. See the full list of preventive services. Health plans that existed on or before March 23, 2010, don't have to provide free preventive services.
No dollar limits. Insurance companies may not put dollar limits on the amount they will pay for covered health services. Previously, insurance companies could set limits on the amount they would pay.
No rescissions. Insurance companies may not rescind your policy because you made a mistake on your application. Companies may rescind a policy only if you commit fraud or intentionally misrepresent a fact. Rescind means to cancel a policy back to the effective date as if it had never been issued.
Your Rights to an Adequate Network of Health Care Providers
Texas law requires HMOs, PPOs, and EPOs to make covered health care services available within a certain distance of your home or office. Health plans also must:
- have enough providers and facilities to meet the needs of their members,
- allow members to continue seeing providers that are no longer in the plan's network for a certain period under special circumstances -- such as a terminal illness, disability, life-threatening condition, or pregnancy -- as long as the provider agrees to continue treatment at the plan's contracted rate,
- pay for emergency care to stabilize medical conditions that are serious enough to seek immediate care. If you get emergency treatment at a facility outside your network, you may be transferred to a network hospital after your condition is stabilized, and
- allow the use of out-of-network doctors and hospitals when medically necessary covered services aren't available within the network.
Under some circumstances, HMOs must allow members with ongoing, disabling, or life-threatening illnesses to use specialists as their primary care physicians.
Your Rights in a Group Plan
Insurance companies and HMOs may not cancel or refuse to renew a plan based on the health of the group's members. In a large-group plan, they may use health factors to set premiums, however.
Insurance companies and HMOs may not offer or deny coverage only to select employees in a group. They must give employers at least 60 days' notice before raising premiums and 90 days' notice before discontinuing a plan.
Insurance companies and HMOs must allow new employees at least 31 days from the first day of employment to decide if they want to enroll in a plan. They must also offer a 31-day open enrollment period each year to allow existing employees to join the plan. Employees experiencing a major life event -- such as a birth, adoption, marriage, or divorce -- may enroll before the next annual enrollment period.
Shopping for Coverage
- Decide what coverage you want and need. Choose a plan based on your needs. Plans with higher deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance have lower premiums. But you'll have to pay more out of pocket if you need medical care.
- Consider factors other than cost. A company's financial rating, network of providers, and history of consumer complaints are other important considerations. You can learn a carrier's financial rating from an independent rating organization, its complaints history, and its license status by calling TDI's Consumer Help Line at 1-800-252-3439 or by viewing company profiles on our website.
- Make sure you buy only from federally regulated or Texas-licensed entities. If you buy health insurance from the federal marketplace, you might use a person called a navigator, assister, or counselor to help you. Call the federal health insurance marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 for more information. If you buy from an insurance agent or broker, make sure the agent or broker is licensed by TDI. Make sure the insurance company is licensed too. If you buy from an unlicensed insurance company, your claim could go unpaid if the company becomes insolvent. You can learn an agent's or insurance company's license status by calling the Consumer Help Line.
- Get several quotes and compare policies. When comparing prices, understand what each policy covers. If you have doctors that you want to keep, make sure they're in the plan's network. Otherwise, you might have to change doctors. Also make sure that any medications you take are on the plan's formulary.
- Visit HealthCare.gov to buy a marketplace plan. You may be able to get a subsidy to help you pay for insurance if you buy through the marketplace. If you buy health insurance from an agent or broker or directly from an insurance company, you're not eligible for a subsidy.
- Fill out all applications accurately and completely. If you knowingly provide incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information, an insurance company may cancel your coverage or deny benefits. Never sign a blank policy application. If someone else fills out the application, double-check that all of the information is correct. Make payments by check or money order payable directly to the insurance company or HMO, not the agent. Ask for a signed receipt on official letterhead.
- Take your time. Don't be pressured into buying a policy. Ethical agents will not pressure you into buying a policy before you know what you want and need.
- Ask questions. Ask the plans you're considering these questions deciding:
- Will the plan allow you to visit your choice of doctors and hospitals?
- Are your current doctors in the plan's network?
- Will the plan cover the medications you're currently taking?
- Are there limits on medications, referrals to specialists, or treatments and surgeries?
- Are there benefit limits per person, family, illness, treatment, or hospital stay?
- What are the rules for out-of-network care and emergency care?
- Never pay more than two month's premiums until you've gotten a copy of your policy, HMO certificate, or group membership certificate.
Important! If you change health insurance companies, be aware of the effective date of the new policy. Most companies don't begin coverage until they approve your application and deliver your policy. A lapse in coverage could leave you vulnerable if you're sick or injured.
Rate Increases
Premiums for individual plans are locked in for one year. Rates usually go up when the plan is renewed to reflect your age and any increase in the cost of medical care. If your premiums are increasing beyond your ability to pay, you might be able to save money by shopping for a different plan. Remember that you can usually only buy insurance during the open enrollment period.
Federal law requires companies to justify rate increases of 10 percent or more before the increase takes effect. For more information about rate increases, visit HealthCare.gov's Rate Review page.
Losing Your Insurance
If an insurance company becomes insolvent, or unable to pay its claims, a guaranty association may pay the company's claims. The guarantee association pays claims up to the maximum dollar limit specified by state law. There are separate guaranty associations for different lines of insurance. The Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association pays claims for life insurance, health insurance, and annuities.
The guaranty association doesn't cover HMOs, MEWAs, self-funded plans, or fraternal benefit societies. If an HMO can't pay its claims, state law authorizes the commissioner of insurance to assign the HMO's members to another licensed HMO in the area.
Individual health plans that cover hospital, medical, and surgical expenses are guaranteed renewable. This means your insurance company can't decline to renew your policy, even for health-related factors. A plan can legally cancel your coverage, however, if you:
- don't pay your premiums or pay late,
- intentionally misrepresented information in your policy application, or
- filed a false claim or commit fraud against the plan.
Insurance companies may discontinue a plan as long as it drops the plan for all policyholders. If an insurer drops your plan, it must offer you another plan it sells. If an insurer withdraws from the Texas market entirely, it may not reenter the market for five years.
Losing Employer Group Coverage
If you have group coverage, you may lose your coverage if you:
- quit or lose your job,
- reduce to part-time status, or
- end your membership in the association or group sponsoring the plan.
Group plans must continue to offer coverage for up to three years for dependents who lost coverage because of the primary policyholder's retirement, divorce, or death. To qualify, a dependent must have been covered by the group policy for one year or be less than a year old. Dependent benefits are the same as those provided by the group health plan. Continuation of coverage will end early if the dependent gets new coverage, premiums aren't paid, or the group policy is terminated.
COBRA Protection
If you lose your group coverage, you can usually continue coverage under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). COBRA is a federal law that gives employees - and some retired employees - the right to continue group health coverage for a certain period.
COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees. It doesn't apply to plans sponsored by the federal government and some church-related organizations.
Employees aren't eligible for COBRA coverage if they're fired for gross misconduct. Courts have generally ruled that gross misconduct means doing something harmful, reckless, or criminal. Employees who lose coverage because of a reduction in the number of hours they work are usually eligible. An employee's spouse qualifies for COBRA coverage when the employee becomes eligible for COBRA or Medicare, or when the employee divorces or dies. An employee's children qualify for COBRA if the employee is eligible or if the child loses dependent child status under the rules of the health plan.
An employee, spouse, or dependent child has 60 days after qualifying for COBRA coverage to decide whether to enroll. If they enroll, they must pay the full premium and a 2 percent administrative fee. Coverage can continue for at least 18 months and up to 42 months, depending on the situation. If you have a disability that meets the standards of the Social Security Administration, your coverage period may be extended by an additional 11 months. Your COBRA coverage will be the same as the coverage you had with your employer's plan. If you continue HMO coverage through COBRA and move out of the service area, you will be covered only for emergency services. COBRA coverage will end if the group sponsoring the coverage stops offering health insurance to its members. For more information about COBRA, call EBSA at 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).
State Continuation of Group Coverage
Texas law requires some group plans to continue coverage for an additional six months after your COBRA coverage ends. For state continuation to apply, your coverage must have been through an insurance company or HMO subject to Texas insurance laws and rules. You might not qualify for state continuation if you were fired.
In addition, you must have been covered under the group contract for at least three consecutive months immediately before the end of your employment.
If you're not eligible for COBRA coverage, you can continue your group coverage for nine months. The continuation period begins immediately after your employment ends.
|If you are eligible for COBRA as a…
|COBRA applies for...
|Texas continuation applies for...
|For a total continuation period of…
|Primary plan member
(direct employee)
|18 months
|6 months
|24 months
|Secondary plan member
(spouse, ex-spouse or dependent child)
|36 months
|6 months
|42 months
|If you are not eligible for COBRA as a…
|Primary or secondary plan member
|0 months
|9 months
|9 months
Note: If your coverage is through a family member who is retiring, has passed away, or whose family relationship with you has ended, you may have a separate right under state law to continue coverage for 36 months. See your plan documents for details
State and federal law requires employers to tell you about continuation of coverage within 30 days from the end of your employment. If you want to continue your insurance coverage, you must notify your employer in writing by the 60th day after your coverage ended.
State continuation does not apply to self-funded plans.
Health Care Programs
The following federal, state, and local groups and agencies offer health coverage or provide low-cost care:
|Agency / Program
|Find government benefits that you might qualify for
|Federal health insurance marketplace
|Access to private health insurance plans and federal tax credits to reduce the cost of health insurance premiums
|Federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and certain people under age 65 with disabilities
|Health plan for active duty and certain retired U.S. military personnel
|1-800-403-3950 (families and doctors and hospitals) www.mytricare.com
1-800-444-5445 (Humana Military Tricare South)
|U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
|Offers health care for veterans
|Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
|Provides health care to children of families who earn too much money for Medicaid but can't afford health insurance
|Medicaid (administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission)
|State/federal health insurance program for low-income Texans
|Texas Health and Human Services
|Department of Aging and Disability, Department of Family and Protective Services, Department of State Health Services, Healthy Texas Women
|Texas Health Steps
|Provides medical and dental checkups and care to children from birth to age 21 who are on Medicaid
|Texas Workforce Commission
|Provides rehabilitative services, including vocational training, for Texans with disabilities
|Your Texas Benefits
|Learn about state benefit programs that help people with little or no money who are in need
|County Indigent Health Care Program
|Provides health care services to eligible
residents through the counties, hospital
districts and public hospitals in Texas
|Hill-Burton Program
|Federally funded program that contracts with local hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to provide free or low-cost care to individuals eligible because of income. Services vary by provider and may not be available in all areas
|Provides free information about services in your area
Note: Find more health care coverage resources on our Health Resources web page.
Get Help from TDI
For insurance questions or for help with an insurance-related complaint, call the TDI Consumer Help Line at 1-800-252-3439 or visit our website.
Visit HelpInsure.com to shop for automobile, homeowners, condo, and renters insurance, and TexasHealthOptions.com to learn more about health insurance and your options for coverage.
The information in this publication is current as of the revision date. Changes in laws and agency administrative rules made after the revision date may affect the content. View current information on our website. TDI distributes this publication for educational purposes only. This publication is not an endorsement by TDI of any service, product, or company.


text:
No candidate likes to face a lawsuit heading into an election, and the allegations found in this court filing are doozies.
A lawsuit filed against Iowa House District 39 Republican nominee Jake Highfill claims that he brought a shotgun to a college party, argued with his roommate during the event and smashed a glass bottle across the man's face, permanently disfiguring him.
Highfill denies any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit filed in Polk County District Court claims Highfill assaulted his roommate and lifelong friend, Carson Kness, at the University of Iowa by striking him with a glass bottle.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
N'Oscars: Westport Cinema Initiative showcases Academy Awards fun
Films were the focus downtown for a standing-room-only crowd Sunday afternoon at Oscar's Deli as a new Westport tradition celebrated the Academy Awards.
The third annual "N'Oscars" event -- "Not the Oscars" -- was a rollicking run-up to the movie world's annual Oscars ceremony broadcast later that might.
Sponsored by the Westport Cinema Initiative, the event showcased the group's mission to bring a moviehouse back to downtown Westport. Updating attendees on that goal, WCI officials reported that an architectural design for the theater has been prepared, but the structure still is more than a year or two away from being a reality.
Film critic Susan Granger, whose reviews are published in the Westport News, and actor/producer Scott Bryce served as the event's the N'Oscars masters of ceremonies. They discussed film history and quizzed the audience about movie trivia.
WCI Director Sandy Lefkowitz and state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg were on hand to provide information about the group, as well as to distribute donated prizes for winners of the trivia contest.
The moviehouse atmosphere was further enhanced by fresh-made popcorn made by WCI board member Larry Perlstein.


text:
Bailie Stone
Posted on September 22, 2010
Bailie Stone Gets Fucked In This Tube Video From Mofos Network
Bailie Stone fucked and filmed by boyfriend: My boyfriend just came back from his trip and like a naughty girlfriend I made him a sex video of us for him to enjoy. However, after making this video I found out he cheated on me! So, I figured if he doesn't appreciate my tight body you guys will. Enjoy!
Check out the full video in HD format at Mofos Network!
Next Page >>


text:
|09 Jan 2013
Homegroup Troubles
I am trying to connect my laptop and my netbook in a homegroup (both have windows 7) so that I can share files. I joined the netbook's homegroup from my laptop.
Now my netbook shows the laptop in the homegroup, but my laptop says that there are no other computers in the homegroup and lists my netbook as a media device in the network.
Any suggestions as to how I can make my laptop recognize my netbook as a computer?
|My System Specs
|09 Jan 2013
It's important to point out that just about any Antivirus software will prevent those machines from seeing each other so configuring access through the A/V may be required.
When in doubt it's best to leave the Homegroup from all machines then create a new one then rejoin, you might try creating the Homegroup on the laptop this time then join that Homegroup using the netbook.
Most other Homegroup related problems can be fixed by following the link below. :)
Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues
|My System Specs
|09 Jan 2013
Thanks so much! I made the homegroup on my laptop and then joined it with the netbook as you suggested and it worked.
|My System Specs
|09 Jan 2013
|My System Specs
|Thread Tools
|Similar help and support threads
Unable to join homegroup, homegroup creating computer is no more
The computer that originally created the homegroup on my network is no more. It seems that because of this that my new computer is unavailable to join the homegroup that already exists. Other computers that were part of the homegroup before the "host" computer died are still part of the homegroup...
|Network & Sharing
HOMEGROUP troubles
Basically I have a desktop that is connected by Ethernet cable to my router, and laptop connected to the same router via WiFi. I have set up homegroup on both systems, when I share a folder from the desktop and select specific people > Homegroup, the folder does share and is accessible by the...
|Network & Sharing
Windows 7 Control Panel Homegroup not revealing Homegroup Password
I installed Windows 7 on my laptop, and I also have a desktop running Windows 7. I am trying to connect my laptop to my homegroup with the password for my homegroup, but my desktop will not reveal it. Is there any other place that I can find it? Thanks in advance for your help. theAdmiral
|Network & Sharing
Homegroup encountered an error / This computer cannot join a homegroup
I get a "Homegroup encountered an error" message when I try to join my laptop and desktop to a homegroup. It does not matter which one sets it up and which one tries to join. It errors in either direction. I have tried leaving and creating, no use. The desktop is wired to a Belkin 300N router and...
|Network & Sharing
Con't get my wirelss Laptop homegroup to find my pc ethernet homegroup
Hello all, I have connected my pc to the Linksys Wireless-G 2.4GHz directly with an Ethernet cable and created a homegroup. I then connected my laptop to the linksys with a wireless connection which has a WPA Personal security key. I tried to connect the laptop to the homegroup but instead of...
|Network & Sharing
|Our Sites
|Site Links
|About Us
|Find Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 19:21.


text:
67 440 6 pack Coronet
And a v8 dual quad Volvo, someone has a warped sense of humor and spare car parts here.
The 1931 from Old School Hot Rods.. on a Model T frame, so it's actually streetable I suppose.
8009 Balboa AveSan Diego, CA 92111
Better pics at http://choosingscars.blogspot.com/2007/06/two-from-old-school-hot-rods.html#links from June at the Clairemont center 4th Saturday of the month car get together.
Waiting for tech to look them over... all they need are NHRA standard rules compliant for their speed. Seat belts, pants, shoes, battery hold down, no leaks, a radiator over flow catch can... the usual.


text:
Never off Duty
Matt Porteous
The Studio_M, 1-3 La Colomberie, St. Helier
As a young boy, Matt showed an unusual interest in photography and in his parent's photo albums. His first yellow, underwater Minolta accompanied him everywhere. It was through that simple lens that he learnt to capture the sublime beauty of nature.
Matt's love and delight in his surroundings is evident in his work. He captures and reveals the expression and detail that is seldom evident to the naked eye. His images are alive with emotion and movement; he enters the world of that image and allows us a glimpse of his excitement, his humour, his soul.
His mentors, close friends and travel opportunities have all influenced his approach to his work over the past 20 years. He is passionate about his photography and always has been. The love he has for his work, the people and places that he encounters along the way is apparent in the detail and perspective, in the stories he tells in his photographs.
Matt Porteous has won UK awards for Sports, Travel and Wedding Photography....


text:
Apartment for Rent in Hip Zizkov- 24,000czk (Prague)
We are renting our fabulous apartment in hip Zizkov starting May 1st, Protected content 3 months or long term!!!
We are located about a 5 minutes' walk to the number 5, 9, and 26 trams (two night trams) and a 10 minute walk from Jiriho z Podebrad metro station. By tram, it's a 9 minute ride to the city center!!!
The flat is a fully furnished Protected content the 4th floor/ attic apartment with lift in a newly reconstructed/remodeled building. The apartment has great natural light, central heating, lots of windows for a nice breeze in the summer! Includes: Washing machine, dish washer, stove, oven, internet, balcony, etc! Each room has a full/double bed, dresser, and wardrobe. Landlords speak Czech and German and a little English and they are very prompt in responding to any issues related to the flat.
About you: You will be clean, respectful, and tidy. You will pay rent on time and will respect the building and its tenants. Females preferred.
Tenant would take over lease until August. You would then have the option to sign a new contract for another year, or to find new accommodations as well. Rent is 24,000czk per month, which includes utilities and internet!!!
Protected content


text:
Here is the land where you'll restore your prairie. This land is in a dry soil region. Consult the field guide to compare dry prairies with wet and mesic prairies.
|The first step is to plant prairie grasses. Considering your prairie and soil type, which grasses will you chooses? Click in the selection boxes to choose the four best grasses.
"Build-A-Prairie" is part of the Bell LIVE! 1999 "On the Prairie" program.
College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences
© 1998-2011 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota


text:
Silicon Valley giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft were among the 97 companies that filed court papers on Sunday in their support to a challenge to President Donald Trump's ban on immigrants from seven countries. The companies termed the ban as unlawful, discriminatory and arbitrary while adding that it would hurt their businesses. It is noteworthy that all seven of those countries are Muslim-majority nations.
The 97 companies, most of which are technology companies, opposed Trump's temporary ban on all visitors from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Syria and Libya saying that the ban was detrimental to their business interests while also being in violation of the United States' Constitution. Two days ago, a lower court had temporarily put a halt on crucial parts of the ban, only to have the Trump administration retaliate by saying that it would fight to have those parts reinstated.
The amicus brief, which was filed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals located in San Francisco, extolled the "drive and creativity of USA's immigrants". While it underlined the importance of protecting the country's interests through increased and comprehensive background checks, it also urged the court to uphold America's "fundamental commitment to welcoming immigrants".
"The tremendous impact of immigrants on America – and on American business – is not happenstance," the companies said in the filing. "People who choose to leave everything that is familiar and journey to an unknown land to make a new lift necessarily are endowed with drive, creativity, determination – and just plain guts."
"The energy they bring to America is a key reason why the American economy has been the greatest engine of prosperity and innovation in history," it added.
The companies also mentioned the "immediate, adverse effects" the ban has had on the employees of American companies.
The brief, which was signed by heavyweights such as Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Airbnb, Intel and Uber, would be considered in the court this week. Although most of the signees were tech firms, clothing company Levi Strauss, yogurt company Chobani, and eyewear retailer Warby Parker were also a part of the companies who have become the latest to join the anti-ban lobby that extends across the political, commercial and ethical spectrum of the country.
The companies added that the ban could evoke retaliation from the seven banned countries, who could respond by imposing their own travel bans on Americans or by penalizing U.S.-based companies.
"Indeed, U.S. diplomats already are reporting that General Electric may lose out on business deals in Iraq potentially worth billions of dollars," the amicus curiae states. "Additional actions against American citizens or business will have a further ripple effect."
Equally in the limelight were the companies that did not sign the friend-of-the-court filing. Tech Goliaths like Oracle, Hewlett-Packard and Tesla were conspicuous by their absence from the list of companies that signed the amicus brief.
"Activists should be pushing for more moderates to advise President, not fewer. How could having only extremists advise him possibly be good?" tweeted Elon Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. Musk is also a member of President Trump's economic advisory council.


text:
Lottery Partner Benefits
High commission rates
We offer the flexible system of rewards and a variety of cooperation plans, including the RevShare, CPA and the Hybrid Plan.
Instant commission accrual
As soon as a user who was attracted by you makes a purchase, the money is automatically transferred to your account.
Low payout threshold
The minimum withdrawal amount is $ 30. We offer the lowest withdrawal threshold among the similar affiliate programs.
Profound statistics
Detailed statistics for monitoring progress on many essential parameters.
Unique API Abilities
Dynamic and convenient API to address a variety of tasks.
Multiple-level system
Invite new partners to the Lottery Partner Program and get a commission on their fees!
About Lottery Partner
Lottery Partner is a new-generation affiliate program in the lottery business. We've developed the perfect platform for monetization of any web services and electronic mailings. With Lottery Partner, bloggers, developers and entrepreneurs from around the world convert Internet users into the continuous source of residual income.
- Most popular lotteries
- Promo materials in 8 languages
- Detailed reports
- Responsive customer support
- Multiple languages
- Cross-platform UI
- Easy payout system
- Financial transparency
Sign Up!
API 2.0: we've launched an advanced version of the API
New in July 2018: we'll again visit the Affiliate Conference in Amsterdam!
Testimonials ‹ ›
An efficient affiliate network and one can earn good from it. Good conversion of european and australian traffic
Lottery Partner has a very user-friendly interface, and it makes this affiliate program much better than the rest.
I am a Lottery Partner affiliate for several months already. During this time I've received a few payments, and my income continues to grow!
Great support and collaboration with lotterypartners.
I managed to monetize my subscribers effectively thanks to the excellent marketing materials!
Never met such a comprehensive and high-paying affiliate program. Much appreciated.
In the list of the best APs for me. They offer 25% commission/sale & 30% commission/second tier affiliate commission.
LP has good marketing solutions for media traffic. I've been promoting their offers for 2 month and received 4 or 5 payouts already. Payments are made weekly.
I work with Lottery Partner for 2 months already. It brings me a significant income from my blog.


text:
A gift of $1 million from an alumnus of the
residency program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has funded a new endowed professorship in pediatric
ophthalmology as part of the comprehensive campaign to support the Medical
Kiper Nelson, M.D., who completed his residency
training in ophthalmology at Wake Forest Baptist in 2000, and his wife, Laura
Lee Nelson, made the gift to endow the Laura Lee and Kiper C. Nelson, M.D.,
Professorship in Pediatric Ophthalmology.
Grey Weaver Jr., M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at the Wake Forest Baptist Eye Center, was honored as the first recipient of the Nelson
Professorship during a ceremony on April 8.
"This donation will allow Wake Forest Baptist to
continue to attract top-notch surgeons like Dr. Weaver to the program," said Kiper
Nelson, who is a surgeon with the Southern Eye Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
"He helped train me and played such an integral role in my development as a
surgeon. I am so happy to have the opportunity to honor the energy and time Dr.
Weaver and the Wake Forest Eye Center faculty invest in ophthalmology students.
"My wife and I have a genuine concern for children
and are delighted to make a donation that benefits a cause near and dear to our
Weaver is a 1977 alumnus of the Wake Forest School
of Medicine. He joined the faculty in 1983 after completing his residency at
the University of Iowa and a fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist.
"This endowed professorship lays the foundation for
the future of pediatric ophthalmology at our Eye Center," Weaver said. "I and
whoever is in the position to receive it in the future will have the
opportunity to commit ourselves fully to the care of pediatric ophthalmology patients
and to research in the field."
Craig Greven, M.D., chair and professor of
ophthalmology at Wake Forest Baptist, said he and the Nelsons had discussed
their giving priorities and their interest in supporting the Eye Center for
"Their generous donation to endow this professorship
will impact the lives of children in our region in perpetuity," Greven said. "The
amazing thing about this gift is there are children with vision problems who
are not even born yet who will benefit from this endowment. We are humbled by
their generosity and will steward this endowed professorship in a way that will
make the Nelson family proud."
The gift helped increase Wake Forest Baptist's comprehensive
campaign total to more than $232 million, as of May 31.
Forest Baptist is raising $350 million as part of a campaign to further its
mission in patient care, education and research. Areas of focus for the campaign include cancer, aging and Alzheimer's
disease, children's health, diabetes and obesity, heart and vascular,
regenerative medicine and medical education.
The effort is part of Wake Will, the campaign for
Wake Forest University, which has a goal of raising a combined $1 billion for
the University and the Medical Center.
Media Inquiries 336-716-4587Patient Information 336-713-0000Satellite Interviews 336-716-4434
Bedwetting Can be Due to Undiagnosed Constipation, Research Shows
Learn how the Eye Center combines state-of-the-art technology with excellent service and patient care at Wake Forest Baptist in North Carolina.
Research conducted by Wake Forest Baptist Medical
Center and reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference
shows that lower blood pressure reduces the risk of mild cognitive impairment
and dementia.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.


text:
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Donald Trump officially introduced Terry Branstad on Thursday, Dec. 8, as his pick to be the US ambassador to China during a rally in the Iowa Republican's home state, the latest stop on the President-elect's "thank you" tour.
"The man I've chosen as our ambassador to China is the man who knows and likes China," Trump said. "And knows how to deliver results and he will deliver results just like he's been delivering results for 23 years for the great farmers and the people of Iowa."
Trump's transition team cited Branstad's experience in public policy, trade and agriculture as attributes that led to his selection as Trump's envoy in Beijing, as well as his pre-existing relationship to China's leaders.
"One of the most important relations we must improve, and we have to improve, is our relationship with China," Trump said at his rally in Des Moines. "The nation of China is responsible for almost half of America's trade deficit … they haven't played by the rules and I know it's time they're going to start. We're all in this thing together, folks. We have to play by the rules, folks."
Trump has had a contentious relationship with China since his emergence in national American politics, blaming China for stealing US jobs and has threatened high trade tariffs against the country.
And in his speech, as he has done at rallies while he was campaigning, Trump has made China's alleged currency manipulation a regular issue.
Trump also broke protocol last week by chatting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who passed along her congratulations to the President-elect.
China views Taiwan as a renegade province and, since 1979, the US has acknowledged Beijing's claim that Taiwan is part of China, with US-China relations governed by a set of protocols known as the "one China" policy. So this means there are no formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Taiwan — but Trump's decision to take Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's call could pose problems for relations between the US and China.
Branstad will confront important diplomatic challenges with China, including growing tensions over the disputed South China Sea, the implementation of the Paris climate change agreement, and the US and China's economic and trade relationship.
And China can make things complicated for the Trump administration. It could refuse to help slow the nuclear program of close ally North Korea, impose tariffs on US goods or make it more difficult for American businesses to operate in China.
Trump was in Des Moines as one of his stops on his "thank you" tour of rallies in swing states that helped deliver the real estate mogul his surprise general election win last month.
During his speech, Trump also alluded to his comments last week where he suggested people who burn the US flag should be jailed or lose their citizenship. He said he'd be putting forward something soon "in the not so distant future."
"And to all veterans who wore the uniform before, I say to you now in behalf of a very grateful nation, thank you, thank you thank you … We'll honor your service, your sacrifice," Trump said. "And that really begins with defending and respecting our American flag. I think you'll be liking some of the things we'll be putting forward in the not so distant future. You know what I mean?"
He also took the time at the beginning of his speech to honor the late John Glenn, a US senator and astronaut from Ohio who died Thursday at the age of 95.
"When Pearl Harbor was attacked, one man who immediately enlisted to defend his country was John Glenn," he said. "For the next seven decades, he devoted his life to defending the American people … he was a giant among men and a true American legend."
"We will honor his legacy by continuing to push new frontiers in science, technology and space," he said.


text:
Login/Create Account
Check Out the new Remax App
Ask Me Anything
I would like to be your trusted resource for answers about the process of home buying, selling and investing. I love my job because I can help people to find HOMES!I have the expertise and ability to targeted home searches. Living and working in the North Dallas area for 25 years have a network of professionals to effectively support you though the closing and beyond. With strong negotiating skills I will help you to get top dollar and quick turnaround! Please call me with confidence.


text:
Housing in Indiranagar ASAP-July (Bangalore)
I`m looking for housing in Indiranagar. It can be a flat, but if someone`s got a spare bedroom that would be equally great! I`m searching for something I can get access to within a week. I`m staying in India till early July.
If you know someone who is looking to rent out a spare bedroom or a flat till the beginning of July in Indiranagar, please let me know.
You can get in contact with me on Protected content


text:
Strong silver coloured waistband buckles. Ideal where no belt is used; a feature of high quality suit trousers.
Measure 3cm wide x 2.5cm tall.
Our Price (inc VAT):
Classic corset boning in a variety of sizes
Our Price From: £0.29
Essential for authentic detail on period clothing.Used on waistcoats and trousers, specifically mentioned in the The Laughing Moon frock coat and Cali...
Our Price From: £0.82
Cotton Corset laces with silver metal aglets (end tags)
Our Price From: £3.28
The easiest way to add boning channels to corsets, crinolines, bustles etc
Our Price From: £5.75
Spiral Wire on rolls, just add end to make your own custom sized wires.
Our Price From: £3.30
These are a heavier weight than our standard spiral wires, the thicker gauge of steel makes them more supportive.
The second image shows the heavy ...
Our Price From: £0.43
Please fill in the following form to contact us.


text:
http://humansolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/HS-navi-logo-310x100.gif 0 0 Lisa Frack http://humansolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/HS-navi-logo-310x100.gif Lisa Frack2015-11-02 13:07:292015-11-02 13:07:29Rosewood Plaza -- Waitlist Open 11/16-11/23
Rosewood Plaza — Waitlist Open 11/16-11/23
Rosewood Plaza offers affordable housing along a vibrant and rapidly developing corridor.
We are located in the Rockwood neighborhood on the 181st Avenue Corridor—offering easy access to services, such as medical and dental clinics, as well as grocery stores, shopping, and a MAX station. Rosewood Plaza features units ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms.
Here is a list of some of the fantastic features at Rosewood Plaza:
- Newly Constructed and Newly Rehabbed Units: All units at Rosewood Plaza are newly rehabbed or newly constructed and feature new interiors and appliances.
- Community Room: There is a planned community space in the new building, which will feature exercise classes.
Smoke Free Property: Rosewood Plaza is a smoke free property.
- Onsite Laundry and Access to Storage Units: Rosewood Plaza is equipped with onsite coin operated laundry as well as additional storage units for resident use.
Rosewood Plaza has income restrictions, occupancy requirements, and student status rules, so please follow this link for more information: Rosewood Lease Up


text:
- Worldwide Rank #34,053,718
- Follower/Following Ratio 1.02
- Daily New Followers 0
大西 悠紀 Twitter Stats
@012413294 - Tracking 大西 悠紀 Twitter profile since March 15, 2013
大西 悠紀's story
大西 悠紀, also known as @012413294 has a reasonably significant presence on Twitter and is ranked by us in the 30% percentile for account strength. Active on Twitter since March 2013, 大西 悠紀 made it to having a respectable 347 Twitter followers and to being ranked 34,053,718 for number of followers among all Twitter users.
Uh-oh... seems like someone has fallen asleep while on duty and is dropping in social relevance. The plot thickens when considering 大西 悠紀's follower-to-following ratio, which is 1.02. This means that this account basically has the same amount of followers as it follows other accounts. It kind of makes one wonder about tactics...
Tweeting is apparently one of @012413294's favorite pastimes, with an average of 0 tweet(s) per day in the past 30 days. That's pretty consistent with a total of 8,393 since @012413294 joined Twitter.
This account is tracked by us for quite some time now, actually since March 2013. As of August 18 2018 we track 290722354 Twitter accounts, so feel free to search for other accounts you're interested in and reveal their Twitter story!
大西 悠紀 Tweets
@012413294 has posted 0 tweets in the last 30 days, which translates to an average of 0 tweets per day.
大西 悠紀 Twitter Followers
@012413294 has 347 followers on Twitter.
This account is #34,053,718 in the worldwide rank of the most popular Twitter users.
大西 悠紀 Following on Twitter
@012413294 is following 339 Twitter accounts.
Last month this account followed 50 users.
大西 悠紀 Predictions & Milestones
@012413294 will hit 347 followers in the next 3 months, and 347 in one year.
You are on 大西 悠紀's Twitter stats page
We track these Twitter stats since March 15, 2013 . You can see how many followers 大西 悠紀 lost or gained and what the prediction is for tomorrow or the next 15 days, together with all kinds of other stats like rank compared to all Twitter users, tweets etc.
Why don't you give it a try and compare 大西 悠紀 to yourself ? Or if you are 大西 悠紀 get even more feature rich & up-to-date stats with our premium Twitter Stats.
Twitter Counter is the #1 Twitter stats site powered by Twitter. It all started in June 12, 2008 and we grew rather rapidly because of our Twitter Counter badge. The button is a nice small image that shows your visitors how many followers you have on Twitter. Within a year the button was on many many blogs around the world and we displayed more than 100 million buttons in one month. We track follower stats for over 290.722.354 users now.


text:
Marlon Brando, acclaimed the best actor of his generation, led a chaotic and often tragic life.
April 3, 1924: Marlon Brando, Jr. is born in Omaha.
1930s: He spends a tumultous childhood in Evanston and Libertyville as well as in Orange County, Calif. Between
1938 and 1940, he attends Libertyville High School, where he fails classes and is chronically truant.


text:
Part 52 Araceae
Araceae are a medium sized family, 3,250 species in 105 genera, mostly tropical and subtropical in distribution with a few species from temperate areas. Most readers will recognize some members of the family owing either to their use as decorative plants, either indoors or in the garden, or unique morphologies (or aromas). A few familiar genera within Araceae are: Amorphophallus (A. titanum; one of the largest arums, from Sumatra); Anthurium (popular in Hawaiian Islands); Arisaema (Jack-in-the-pulpit); Caladium (colored foliage); Dieffenbachia (so-called dumb cane because it can cause numbness of the tongue); Lysichiton and Symplocarpus (skunk cabbages); Monstera and Philodendron (large epiphytic lianas); and Zantesdeshia, the 'Calla' of horticulture.
Some of the most conspicuous members of the family on the islands are the anthuriums. They are so common, in fact, that some visitors might be excused in thinking that they are the state flower. Anthurium is a large tropical American genus with at least 1,000 species (Mabberley, p. 52), or more than 1,500 (A. M. Alvarez et al., 2006). It is not listed in the Manual of the Hawaiian flora insofar as naturalization has not been documented. Anthuriums provide long lasting and colorful floral displays and are very common as decorative plants or as a source of cut flowers (see images). The four major producers of anthuriums in the world are the Hawaiian Islands, the Netherlands, Mauritius, and Jamaica, but with many other tropical countries, both in the New World and in Asia, growing for the commercial market as well. The level of production in the Hawaiian Islands peaked in 1980 with the shipments of up to 232,000 dozen flowers per month. The yield of 2.5 million dozen flowers that year did not meet demand (A. M. Alvarez et al., 2006).
Anthuriums are subject to several pathogenic organisms the worst of which, bacterial blight, is known to be caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae. Blight first appeared in the islands in 1972, but did not manifest itself as a major problem until about 10 years later. The epidemic peaked in the years 1985-1989 causing the failure of a large number of small farms. [Most commercial production at the present is done by a few large farms.] Several approaches to controlling the disease have been attempted including breeding the principal species of commerce, Anthurium andraeanum, with A. antioquiense, which resulted in offspring with increased resistance to infection, but with some changes in floral features. The possibility of developing a biological control of blight came from the work of microbiologists who discovered a suite of bacteria in susceptible strains of Anthurium that did not develop blight symptoms even at high inoculation levels in tests. Gene transfer techniques have been successful in developing lines of Anthurium that carry proteolytic enzymes active against the pathogen. There has also been a good deal of effort into means by which the pathogen, which is easily transmitted by contaminated tools, work areas, and certain irrigation methods, with steps to improve these culture methods. Although all of these attempts have been successful to some extent, total control has not been achieved, and work is continuing on all of these fronts.
More detailed information, and a thorough list of research sources, can be found in the article by Anne M. Alvarez and colleagues (2006) who are associated with the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences at the University of Hawai'i (Mänoa).
Two genera of particular interest to Hawaiians within Araceae are Alocasia, a tropical genus of perhaps 65 species, and Colocasia, which consists of seven species, also of tropical Asian origin. Polynesians brought one species of each, Alocasia macrorrhizos (see image), known as 'ape in Hawaiian, and as the very descriptive elephant's ear in English; and Colocasia esculenta, known to all as taro or kalo. Unlike taro, about which more will be said below, 'ape was of only marginal use as a food plant–mostly during times of famine–owing to the presence of high concentrations of calcium oxalate (technically, raphides) in the corms of this plant (corms are elongated, underground stems, as opposed to bulbs, which are modified leaves and leaf bases; both are food storage organs). Since calcium oxalate is only sparingly soluble in water, boiling the plant parts with several changes of water was necessary. Leaves of 'ape were used, however, in a preparation for dying gourds, and as a wrap for helping to induce sweating in some ritual healing practices (Krauss).
The key player in this drama, however, is Colocasia esculenta, (see image), which has been cultivated throughout the history of the Hawaiian Islands, and indeed, in Asia well before the Polynesians set out on their trans-Pacific migrations. Taro has been a major staple in the diets of Pacific peoples for a very long time. And, as we shall soon see, it is much more than just a source of carbohydrate. Before we delve into the social history of the plant it might be nice to see some of these plants where they are best appreciated, in the field. A small, private plantation in southern Moloka'i (see image) shows mature plants and patches being prepared for the next crop. Visitors to Kaua'i can see an ancient taro plantation when they visit Limahuli Botanical Garden (see image). One of the most accessible taro fields–and certainly one of the most often photographed–lies in the Hanalei Valley in Northern Kaua'i (see image). In addition to the overall view from the scenic point, it is possible to see the taro patches up-close by turning left onto the access road (just beyond the single-lane bridge). Walking along the road provides an opportunity to see taro plants in different stages of growth. But, the no trespassing restriction is for real! In addition to keeping visitors from wandering about on the levees, the area lies within the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge amongst whose residents are the protected nënë. It is thought that Polynesian colonists brought about a dozen varieties of taro with them, and that by the time of contact with Europeans (early 19th century) well over 300 varieties had been selected. Although cross pollination was known, most selection of new varieties was done by nurturing spontaneous mutations, or 'sports' in common terms. Varieties differed in leaf color and shape; stem color; and various characteristics of the corms, whether they were more or less fibrous; and the quality of the poi that was produced. Some varieties fared better than others under more limited irrigation regimes, a feature of importance during times of draught. The production of such a wealth of taro varieties attests to the skill of these early farmers.
When harvested the corms were steamed in an underground oven (imu), peeled, broken into pieces, and pounded using special mallets or flat, hard boards. A little water was added to make the mass tractable. At this stage the thick paste could be wrapped in ki leaves and stored for several months if necessary, or carried on a journey. A softer poi was used as soon as the desired amount of fermentation had occurred. It is also interesting to learn that planting, tending, harvesting, and preparation of poi were men's work. Women knew how to do all of these tasks, of course, but only performed them when men were not available, perhaps when they were otherwise occupied as with the business of war. Other parts of the taro plant were eaten as well, for example: young leaves were eaten as greens; peeled stems were steamed; some flower parts were eaten as a delicacy; and grated raw taro mixed with shredded coconut, coconut water, and sugar was wrapped in a ti leaf, steamed and eaten as a desert (Krauss).
But, taro isn't just a source of excellent dietary carbohydrate; the plant itself embodies the very spirit and being of the Hawaiian people. Why should this be so? All cultures have an account of creation upon which the very nature of their view of humankind is based. The Polynesian account of creation, varying in details, fundamentally involves a coupling of Father Sky with Mother Earth. The first offspring was a prematurely born, deformed boy (another version says the first birth was a root) who was buried and from the grave there sprung a taro plant. A second coupling produced a healthy boy, who was named Haloa (meaning long stalk); it is from Haloa that humankind has sprung. The significance of birth order in Polynesian life cannot be overemphasized, a point described best by E. S. C. Handy et al. (p. 74) which is quoted here in full:
"In Polynesian genealogical principle, precedence in birth, determines for all time status and deference. When, therefore, the learned men in early times, all of them taro planters, compounded the myth as a part of their heritage of ancient lore, which describes the birth of nature and man as the consequence of impregnation of Mother Earth by Father Sky, they sealed into their people's unwritten literature this idea, that the taro plant, being the first-born, was genealogically superior to and more kapu (sacred) than man himself, for man was the descendent of the second-born son of Sky and Earth. The taro belonged, then, in the native parlance of family status, to the kai kua'ana (elder or senior) branch of cosmic lineage, man himself to the kai kaina or junior. To the kai kua'ana, however many generations or degrees removed in actual kinship, the kai kaina owes deference and fealty.'
With the establishment of taro as the most important food crop of the Polynesians–and hence, present day Hawaiians–as well as a revered ancestor, the scene was set for confrontation when efforts to 'improve' the plant were undertaken. What was there to improve? Some background is necessary. There has been a downward trend in taro production over the past 50 years, not just because of reduced acreage under cultivation, but also because yield per acre has decreased. Several factors have played roles throughout the history of taro culture including loss of land to other commercial developments, increased competition for adequate water supplies, and a variety of pests and pathogenic organisms. Land and water are local issues; the arrival of potentially devastating organisms is a global problem. The Hawaiian Islands may be the most isolated archipelago on the globe, but they are only a matter of hours distant from continental land masses by air, and a matter of days by sea. The contamination of the Hawaiian Islands by all manner of organisms–ranging from the mosquito that brought avian malaria, to the green cancer (Miconia) that is ravaging forests on several islands, to the little coqui frog that enlivens the nights on the Big Island, to the ungulates that have devoured forests of mamane (among other native plants)–is an all too common phenomenon. In the case of taro, growers encounter Phytophthora leaf blight, Pythium corm rot, pocket rot (several pathogens), apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata), and a number of other uninvited guests. Likely none of these is a native either.
The potential devastation that these taro diseases can wreak on an agricultural system can be appreciated by considering some examples. Phytophthora, which appeared on Samoa in the early 1990s, led, in a matter of a few years to the loss of almost all of the varieties under cultivation and drastic reduction in taro yield. Taro cultivation in the Caribbean, where the plant was introduced to provide a familiar food source for displaced Africans, came under attack from Phytophthora in the early years of the 21st century. The crop was reduced by 80% in the Dominican Republic and totally decimated in Puerto Rico. An even more frightening prospect is effect that the Alomae-Bobone viral complex would have on the Hawaiian Island taro industry should this pathogenic threat make it to the islands. In 15 years this complex completely wiped out taro production on Makira in the Solomon Islands. Acutely aware of the potential disaster awaiting the islands should this complex gain access to Hawaiian taro, scientists from the University traveled to the Solomon Islands where they subjected several Hawaiian strains of taro to the local viral complex; none of the strains survived. The insect vectors of this viral system, taro leaf hoppers, are already present in the Hawaiian Islands.
The classical approach to meeting the problem of disease susceptibility in plants is based upon finding varieties that are resistant to a particular pathogen and breeding that resistance into the productive line. Although this approach has worked well with many systems in the past–and continues to be a reliable method–there are some drawbacks. One of these is that crossing two organisms results in a set of offspring out of which the ones with the desirable trait must be isolated. Another problem lies in the simple fact that the newly acquired resistance is not necessarily permanent. Pathogenic organisms are also capable of mutations some of which have the effect of increasing virulence and thus countering the new resistance trait. Plant breeders and pathologists alike are aware of the ongoing 'battle' between the virulence genes of the pathogens and the resistance genes of the host: the war rages on.
With the readily available tools of molecular genetics, developed over the past two decades or so, new approaches to confronting plant disease became available. Rather than searching for specific natural resistance features, the genetic engineering approach targets identifiable features of pathogenic organisms in general. For example, all fungal pathogens contain chitin in their cell walls. By inserting the gene for chitinase (from rice), an enzyme that specifically targets fungal cells, into a plant genome the recipient acquires a built-in defense against any fungal attacker. Similarly, insertion of the gene for resveratrol, an antifungal substance from grapes, provides another form of protection. In 2001 the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) of the University of Hawai'i, in association with Cornell University, undertook the genetic transformation of Chinese taro (var. Bun long) to include the two genes just mentioned as well as a gene for oxalate oxidase (produces hydrogen peroxide which inhibits pathogen growth). Results were mixed. The oxalate oxidase-transformed taro resisted Phytophthora colocasiae in contrast to non-transformed controls which died within 12 days of inoculation. The chitinase-transformed plant material, however, was not as effective against the pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii whose growth was slowed but the plant ultimately perished.
Reaction from the Hawaiian community toward the genetic manipulation of taro was swift and to the point. Don't mess with our ancestors! With cries of "We are Haloa! Haloa is us,' (Recall that Haloa was the name of the second son in the Hawaiian creation story, the son from whom humanity arose), it is clear that the issue hit a very sensitive spot. Emotions ran high–and still do!–a situation capitalized upon by a segment of society that is adamantly opposed to any genetic manipulation of food stuffs. Activists who oppose GMO (genetically modified organisms) foods in general were quick to seize this opportunity to further their cause, thus appealing to a broader audience. Discussions eventually resulted in a ten year moratorium on manipulation of the Hawaiian varieties of taro (the Chinese variety is exempt).
The frustration of the people, at least the activist component who claim to speak for the people, is well articulated in the following statement made by Walter Ritte Jr., one of the most outspoken of the critics of the GMO movement: "It is no small matter when an indigenous people share the importance of their traditional knowledge and genealogy, and the dominant culture refuses to listen. This is the time when we are making it perfectly clear that there is a kapu placed on all genetic modifications and patenting our genealogical brother the taro. There should be limits to academic research when it conflicts with indigenous culture. No one can own our traditional knowledge, intellectual property rights or our biodiversity.'
The activists demanded that all genetic manipulation on the Hawaiian taro cultivars be terminated, that the patents be withdrawn, and that the university stop all genetic manipulation work. The spokespeople claimed that traditional methods of taro improvement are sufficient to meet any challenges presented by pathogens. Activity at the political level, as opposed to the usual media, has also been noteworthy and vigorous. County by county there have been referenda calling for cessation of all genetic engineering activity–not just on taro–and that such activity become a criminal act. Response from the University has been to terminate genetic manipulation of the Hawaiian varieties for a period of ten years and withdraw patents; work on the Chinese variety is not involved in the moratorium.
Funding for the project ran out in 2007, and with the bad press that came out of the confrontation, other donors would understandably be reluctant to leap into the picture. Proponents of the genetic engineering approach point out a serious problem that arises from situations of this sort in that the entire enterprise of unrestricted research and academic freedom are put in harm's way. In a word, to stifle research that offers such potential, especially in view of the very nasty consequences should another pathogen, e.g., the Alomae-Bobone viral complex, make it to the island, is seen as terribly short-sighted and potentially disastrous.
In order to provide a broader view of the long-term historical setting in which the taro confrontation occurred, I will cite, in full, a paragraph from the introduction to the March 2009 background paper, entitled CTAHR and Taro: "The recent opposition to, or dissatisfaction with, CTAHR work on taro cultivar development arises from several sources. One source of opposition, and perhaps the most locally relevant, is members of the Hawaiian community that regard taro as a revered ancestor. They perceive manipulation of the taro genome as a desecration of their legendary heritage. This objection may, with some justification, be related to a broader resentment about usurpation of Hawaiian hegemony over the islands by Euro-American foreigners, and it also may be related to the current, diverse movement toward Native Hawaiian sovereignty. CTAHR, as a state and federal institution, may in some sense be a proxy for entities responsible for the historical intervention that ended the Hawaiian monarchy, resulted in the annexation of Hawai'i by the United States, and led to Hawai'i becoming a state.' The full report can be found at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/TAHR_and_taro.pdf. For readers not familiar with the sovereignty-related political unrest referred to above, I recommend reading Tom Coffman's 1998 the Nation Within. The Story of America's Annexation of the Nation of Hawai'i.
It is impossible to predict how the GMO situation will be resolved in such a way that the strongly held views on sacred ancestry are not abused, and the islands' taro-cultural future is secured. What worries me, if I am allowed a personal view in all this, is what will the response be some day when a disaster does occur, and someone comes out with the all too familiar question: "Why didn't somebody do something about this?'
Literature cited…
Alvarez, A. M., P. J. Toves and T. S. Vowell. 2006. Bacterial blight of anthuriums: Hawaii's experience with a global disease. APSnet Feature Story, February.
Coffman, T. 1998. Nation Within. The Story of America's Annexation of the Nation of Hawai'i. Epicenter, Käne'ohe, HI.
Handy, E. S. C. Handy, E. G. Handy and M. K. Pukui.1991. Native Planters in Old Hawaii. Their Life, Lore, and Environment. Revised edition. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.
Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture. University of Hawaii Press. Honolulu, HI.
November 10, 2012


text:
Quick Reference
(fl. late C2 bc–mid C1 bc).
Greek astronomer, inventor, and architect, named by Vitruvius, and known for one building, the Tower of the Winds or Horologium in Athens, a small octagonal structure intended as a sundial and weather-vane. Inside was a water-clock. The Order of the columns at the entrance was very influential, especially in England during the late C18 and early C19 (see illustration capital (h) ).
Crook (1972 a);Dinsmoor (1950);D. S. Robertson (1945)
Subjects: Architecture.
Related content in Oxford Index
Reference entries
Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Please, subscribe or login to access all content.


text:
_star_light on Nov. 30, 2007
In dream land at 4:14PM, Nov. 27, 2009
@drip that shouldn't be art theft. She could have at least referenced it. If she can't create a comic and post her own drawings she should just wait till she gets better at it. I started my first comic a week ago and I posted my OWN drawings. I think people have the right to feel they way they do. She probably just took this image from photobucket and claimed it as her own. She needs to draw or delete. :/ I feel that way. I don't want to start a fight with anyone *all though trolls make good lols* Sorry I don't want to be mean, but this gets a one.
drip at 9:01PM, July 15, 2009
hay quit on the hating every ones got to start somewhere
evil_incarnate at 11:14PM, Oct. 9, 2008
you have an avatar pic, drawn by CLAMP.......and claim that this is a comic. you couldnt wait until you had actually drawn anything, and of course, you couldnt post two images, or an actually comic. very disiapointing. and the title doest grabe people either
jissai at 3:53PM, July 16, 2008
wheres the comic ? o.o?
TheSwordUpsilon at 7:08PM, Feb. 6, 2008
Is there a point to this?


text:
Piper Wood Panel Bedroom
Why this room works
- The Piper bed's wood veneer panels lend a striking contrast to the steel. This is a timeless bed that will look beautiful in any bedroom.
- A small sofa is a great solution for sleepovers or creating an extra nook in a bedroom.
- A tall bookcase lets your kids display their favorite books, toys and other items. Its height offsets the low profile pieces in the rest of the room.
Piper Wood Panel Bed in Colors in Kids
$899 - $1,399
Copenhagen Dressers in Kids
$999 - $1,699
Addison 30w Bookcases
$900 - $1,300
Sheepskin Rugs
$109 - $549
Pitch Bird House
Washable Wool Blanket & Sham in Taupe
$99 - $239
Percale Bedding in Kids
$39 - $129


text:
Montauk Monster…real, Photoshop or plain fraud? You judge.
6 Comments
Welp, I am tongue tied at the moment!
If it is real, then i would guess it is some kind of bird maybe.
Will be interesting to see who claims responsibility for this and also to find out why nobody took it to be studied. Maybe the aliens got it 🙂
Comment by Mike | August 1, 2008
the most people in the world wide web mean it is a turtle!!
i just say its a mutant or something.
or a crossing like the mendel rules just a bit stranger.
but on the right arm there is a srtange piece i didnt know ehat it is.
greetz from germany
Comment by Tony | October 23, 2008
yeah that is definantly something alien or something close to it… i woder why no one did any studies on it in the first place. cut that sucker open and look at its insides to tell if it is even from this planet.. let alone this galaxy. BTW did you see the coconut crab!!! that thing is freakin huge, it could eat your trash can…..!!
Comment by chill | October 23, 2008
this is weird,
but i dont believe anything i see ubtil i see it in real life XD
Comment by Kimberly | November 19, 2008
Comment by Kimberly | November 19, 2008
this is soo ugly!! gross!!
Comment by Jahaira | November 19, 2008
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


text:
Support Home
We at OONYX, being the web junkies we are, we are online almost all of the time.
While we'll likely be online a lot more often (even on Sunday's), here are our official workhours for our Live Support Chat and Ticket Response team.
Monday to Friday
For Billing & Account Issues...
Important! The Ticket and Live chat team members cannot help with technical support. So for technical support, please use the options from the "tech support" section below.


text:
Most recent updates: August 18, 2018
What This Website Is All About
This website has no "official" connection to the Pet Shop Boys. It merely presents my own personal commentaryoften including attempted explanations and interpretationson the songs of my favorite contemporary pop band. Of course, this commentary has often been influenced by what the Pet Shop Boys themselves, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, have said about their music and by what others have previously written. Nevertheless, many of the observations I make here are original with me.
By no means am I suggesting that these are the "only" or "correct" interpretations. In fact, it's typical of great art, even great pop art, to lend itself to multiple interpretations. And I do consider the Pet Shop Boys to be the creators of great pop art. So you can take or leave my interpretations as you wish. If you disagree, please don't take offense. Rather, enjoy the fact that we're both fans of music rich enough to invite different interpretations.
Despite my best efforts, I have no doubt that I'm guilty of at least some factual errors. I recognize this fact and apologize in advance for any that may have slipped past me. I'll certainly correct any errors that come to my attention.
This site was originally posted on March 16, 2001, and was most recently revised on August 18, 2018.
by Yahoo! as a "Pick of the Week" (April 9, 2001)
and a "2001 Pick of the Year" (December 31, 2001)
Wayne Studer is the author of Rock on the Wild Side (1994: Leyland Publications).
Number of home page hits since March 16, 2001:
All text on this website aside from direct quotations (such as of lyrics and of other nonoriginal content) is copyright © 2001-2018 by Wayne Studer. All Rights Reserved. All lyrics and images are copyright
© their respective dates by their respective owners. Brief quotations and
small, low-resolution images are used for identification and critical commentary, thereby constituting Fair Use under U.S. copyright law. If, however, the owners of any copyrighted items object to their use on this site, I will immediately remove the pertinent items upon request and verification. Billboard chart data are copyright © their respective dates by Nielsen Business Media, Inc.