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Excoecaria agallocha
|Scope: Global
Language: English
|Scientific Name:
|Excoecaria agallocha L.
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Least Concern ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Ellison, J., Koedam, N.E., Wang, Y., Primavera, J., Jin Eong, O., Wan-Hong Yong, J. & Ngoc Nam, V.
|Polidoro, B.A., Livingstone, S.R. & Carpenter, K.E. (Global Marine Species Assessment Coordinating Team)
This species is widespread and common. There are some localised threats and overall population decline from coastal development throughout its range. There has been an estimated 21% decline in mangrove area within this species range since 1980. However, this back mangrove species is able to grow quickly and colonize disturbed areas. Mangrove species are more at risk from coastal development and extraction at the extremes of their distribution, and are likely to be contracting in these areas more than in other areas. It is also likely that changes in climate due to global warming will further affect these parts of the range. There are overall range declines in many areas due to habitat loss or extraction, but not enough to reach any of the threatened category thresholds. This species is listed as Least Concern.
|Range Description:
|In South Asia this species is found in Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam. The species also occurs in the Maldives.
In Australasia it can be found in Northwest Australia, Northeast Australia, Southeast Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu.
|Countries occurrence:
Native:Australia; Bangladesh; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; China; Fiji; India; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Maldives; Micronesia, Federated States of ; Myanmar; New Caledonia; Niue; Norfolk Island; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; Taiwan, Province of China; Thailand; Tonga; Vanuatu; Viet Nam
|FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Indian Ocean – western; Indian Ocean – eastern; Pacific – eastern central; Pacific – northwest; Pacific – southwest; Pacific – western central
|Additional data:
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|This species is reasonably abundant throughout its range and is a very widespread species. Although there is no species specific population information, it can be assumed that there are areas of population decline throughout its range due to coastal development.
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|This is a back mangrove species and often exploits open areas and is tolerant of distrurbed areas. It is a small to medium sized tree with extensive cable roots. It has multiple stems. It can be decidiuous in cooler/drier areas. It produces a latex (milky sap) that causes temporary blindness. Hibiscus tiliaceus is its main associate in China (Peng and Xin-men 1983).
|Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine
|Generation Length (years):
|Use and Trade:
|This species is used for furniture and ornaments. In Papua New Guinea it is used for pain relief from fish stings. It is also used as a poison to catch fish.
|Major Threat(s):
Sea level rise is a major threat, especially to back mangroves that have no area in which to expand. Mangrove species with a habitat on the landward margin may be particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise if owing to coastal development their movement inland is blocked. Howevever, species that are easily dispersed and fast growing/ fast producing will cope better than those which are slower growing and slower to reproduce. Although local estimates are uncertain due to differing legislative definitions of what is a 'mangrove' and to the imprecision in determining mangrove area, current consensus estimates of mangrove loss in the last quarter-century report an approximately 21% decline in mangrove areas in countries within this species range since 1980 (FAO 2007).
All mangrove ecosystems occur within mean sea level and high tidal elevations, and have distinct species zonations that are controlled by the elevation of the substrate relative to mean sea level. This is because of associated variation in frequency of elevation, salinity and wave action (Duke et al. 1998). With rise in sea-level, the habitat requirements of each species will be disrupted, and species zones will suffer mortality at their present locations and re-establish at higher elevations in areas that were previously landward zones (Ellison 2005). If sea-level rise is a continued trend over this century, then there will be continued mortality and re-establishment of species zones.
In addition, mangrove area is declining globally due to a number of localized threats. The main threat is habitat destruction and removal of mangrove areas. Reasons for removal include cleared for shrimp farms, agriculture, fish ponds, rice production and salt pans, and for the development of urban and industrial areas, road construction, coconut plantations, ports, airports, and tourist resorts. Other threats include pollution from sewage effluents, solid wastes, siltation, oil, and agricultural and urban runoff. Climate change is also thought to be a threat, particularly at the edges of a species range. Natural threats include cyclones, hurricane and tsunamis.
|Conservation Actions:
|There are no conservation measures specific to this species, but its range may include some marine and coastal protected areas. Continued monitoring and research is recommended, as well as the inclusion of mangrove areas in marine and coastal protected areas.
|Ellison, J., Koedam, N.E., Wang, Y., Primavera, J., Jin Eong, O., Wan-Hong Yong, J. & Ngoc Nam, V. 2010. Excoecaria agallocha. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T178842A7623953. . Downloaded on 22 September 2018.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


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A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)
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text:
Blues ready for another shot at Kings
Apr. 30, 2013
ST. LOUIS (AP) — This time around, the St. Louis Blues are determined not to be a mere speed bump for the Los Angeles Kings.
Coach Ken Hitchcock likes his team's chances of making a deep playoff run, but scoffed away a suggestion that the Blues and Kings have a lot of similarities. After sweeping the Blues in the second round last spring en route to the franchise's first Stanley Cup, Los Angeles won all three games this season, too, and have taken eight in a row overall.
"Look, we haven't beaten them in two years," Hitchcock said Monday. "I think we're really hungry for this series. It's a matchup that quite frankly if we're going to go far, the confidence if we could win this series would be astronomical."
The Blues have won 12 of their last 15 with a mix of stingy goaltending, tight checking and just enough offense. They won their last six at home to claim the fourth seed in the Western Conference after finishing one point ahead of the Kings.
Forward T.J Oshie, expected back from ankle surgery for Game 1 Tuesday night, believes the key to the series is "probably not let them push us around and intimidate us."
"I think last year, not everyone, but we had some guys that just didn't really want to go into the hard areas," Oshie said. "They're going to come hard and we're going to do the same."
Hitchcock said the Kings' pace was a bigger factor last spring and added "physical play is the most over-rated thing in playoffs."
Yet the Kings didn't downplay expectations it'll be a physical series.
"Big bodies on each side, I don't anticipate anything else," forward Justin Williams said. "If you're a slow team, you're going to get hit.
"If you skate the puck quick, get out of your zone quick, you're not going to be hit."
The Kings were the first No. 8 seed to win the Cup last year, bumping off the No. 2-seeded Blues, and begin their bid for a repeat as a well-respected No. 5.
"Los Angeles is the only team that has the knowledge of what it takes to win," Hitchcock said. "Everybody else can talk about it, but they have it, they know how deep you have to go."
Captain Dustin Brown, who scored twice in the Kings' clinching victory over St. Louis last season, said it's important to remember how grueling the playoffs can be.
"We went through it just last year," Brown said. "But sometimes you've got to really focus on how hard it is, how much work you have to put in to be successful this time of the year. Shift by shift, literally taking it one period at a time."
Part of that mind-set means not taking their recent dominance in the series for granted. The Blues made significant moves on defense for the stretch and after the final meeting against the Kings, picking up Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold.
Jeff Carter had 26 goals and Anze Kopitar had a team-leading 42 points for the Kings.
"The playoffs are about players stepping up," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Experience has got to help. It's not necessarily winning, it's understanding how long the haul is. We didn't play St. Louis until the second round last year, so St. Louis knows how to win, too.
The goalies figure to be in the spotlight, especially with neither team generating much offense. The Kings totaled two or fewer goals in five of their last seven and the Blues scored two or fewer goals in eight consecutive games this month.
Jonathan Quick was ready for it last year, allowing five goals against the Blues and taking the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP with a 1.41 goals-against average.
Brian Elliott gets the Game 1 start for St. Louis ahead of Jaroslav Halak, recovered from a groin injury, off a spectacular rebound from early-season difficulties that included a benching and conditioning stint in the minors. He won nine games in April with three straight shutouts on the road.
Hitchcock said there was a good reason Elliott struggled in the Kings series last year. He was treated for an inner-ear infection throughout the series, and Hitchcock said "I wasn't in the medical thing, all I knew was he had no balance."


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(Reuters) - Despite the players' best efforts to give the event a more competitive edge, the NFC cruised to a Pro Bowl record 62-35 victory over the AFC in Honolulu on Sunday.
The season-ending game that features the league's best players not involved in next Sunday's Super Bowl had come under fire for being a glorified exhibition and with its future said to be in doubt, those taking part rallied to raise its profile.
NFC tight end Kyle Rudolph rose to the occasion with 122 receiving yards and a touchdown to grab MVP honours, while rookie quarterback Russell Wilson tossed three scoring passes in a performance he hopes will help secure the game's future.
"I think everyone played really hard," Wilson told reporters.
"Just being around (quarterbacks) Drew Brees, and the Eli and Peyton Mannings of the world is (once in a lifetime). That's why I hope they keep the Pro Bowl. It's special and means something."
The Pro Bowl offers a welcome trip to Hawaii after a gruelling season but the players were clearly concerned with its reputation and tenuous status.
AFC defensive tackle J.J. Watt was left with blood splattered across his jersey, proof that he had given his all, while others went out of their way to exhibit extra effort.
The NFC fell 14-10 behind in the second quarter but took control with 28 straight points.
Eli Manning tossed a pair of TDs while Andrew Luck threw a couple of late scores for the AFC and A.J. Green caught three in the defeat.
"It's an honour (to be here)," Green said. "I just go out and work as hard as I can. I love this game."
The NFC surpassed the previous high total of 59 points scored by the AFC a year ago that set off complaints about the annual contest.
"It's extremely important to keep this game for the NFL and all the local Hawaiians," Rudolph said.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)


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The 5 Dovetailing Personalities
I've taught a lot of people to cut dovetails through the years, and I'm convinced there are five different personality types of people who learn to cut dovetails. Here is my short list.
Morgo Will DESTROY the Instructor
Yup, I always build the project that the students are building for the class. As a result, some students want to race me. No matter what, they want to be done with an operation before I am. Yes, I have 15 other students to manage. Yes, I have to prepare for the next lesson in the class. But yes, you really kicked my butt on getting your baselines scribed.
I go at my own pace. I'm fast, but I won't rush my work to beat you. Sorry.
Accuracy at All Costs
Some students will agonize over every layout mark and every cut. They will produce flawless work, but they will have one joint complete when the rest of the class is done with the entire project. It's hard to argue with good craftsmanship. It's also hard to argue with "done."
It's Perfect, Right?
Some students make lots of mistakes. Then they show them to me and want me to say: "It's OK. That's not a mistake. It will go together fine."
Sometimes that is actually the case. Other times I see Godzilla's dentistry.
It's Terrible, Right?
Other students think their work is the plague and are almost frozen by their conviction. They will do anything to delay finishing the project. They will learn Sanskrit if that will help them pare to a joint's baseline. (It won't.)
Have You Ever Seen THIS Before?
Some students make incredible circus-style mistakes. After 20 years of cutting dovetails, I thought I had seen them all. I haven't. Students are ingenious error machines.
But please, keep it coming.
Tonight after finishing up class at The Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking, most of the students and I went to Frank Pepe's Pizzeria – perhaps the best pizza I have had in 10 years. We ate until we were about to puke.
Just another Thursday night.
— Christopher Schwarz


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Transforming Construction Waste
A version of this article appears in the September/October 2007 issue of Home Energy Magazine.
November 01, 2007
Recycling construction waste makes sense for this Wisconsin home builder.
You've managed to achieve an impeccable yard, with brilliant green grass, healthy trees, and beautiful landscaping. You recycle your cans and bottles and even participate in some backyard composting. But your home's environmental impact started long before you moved in. In fact, your commitment to living in a greener home started when you chose your home builder. Home builders are finding a number of smart ways to lessen their environmental footprint. Specifically, construction debris recycling is proving to be a win-win choice for the builder and the environment. In early 2007, Shawn Fahey and his wife moved into their new house in McFarland, Wisconsin, just south of Madison. The two can look out over their lawn and know that the green they see is in part due to the environmentally sound way their contractor chose to deal with their home's construction debris. "I do a lot of outdoor activities," Fahey, a former construction manager, says. "So I'm always conscious of what I'm doing for the environment." According to EPA, every new home built in Wisconsin creates an average of 4.38 lb of construction waste per square foot. That ...
To read complete online articles, you need to sign up for an Online Subscription.
Once an order has been placed there is an automatic $10 processing fee that will be deducted with any cancellation.
The Home Energy Online articles are for personal use only and may not be printed for distribution. For permission to reprint, please send an e-mail to email@example.com.


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Challenging, Fun Word Puzzle Games on Dictionary.com
Looking for a fun way to train your brain?
Challenge yourself to new puzzles and games every day in our unique collection of brainteasers. Maybe you're looking for a mathematical game, a crossword puzzle, or a word search. Play a new game today on Dictionary.com.
Never Played Before?
Crossword puzzles
are word games where clues prompt players to solve for words in horizontal and vertical boxes within a grid. Play a new crossword every day.
is a Japanese puzzle game using math and numbers in 9x9 Latin square. Beat the famous Japanese puzzle game.
is a mathematical puzzle game based on math problems in cages within a confined grid. Play a mathematical twist on Sudoku.
Word Roundup
is a fun and challenging version of the classic game word search. Find the hidden words as crossword clues come to word search.
formerly known as QuickCross is a fast-paced, simpler, short crossword puzzle game. Conquer this quick, challenging four-by-four puzzle.
Up & Down Words
is a word game where the last word of each two-word crossword clue's solution is the next clue's first word. Join these phrases in a new twist on crossword-style clues.


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Home > NSI Nail Products > Balance Coloured UV Gel by NSI
Model: B7745Brand: NSI
A versatile range of permanent colour UV gels that are as easy to apply as polish and can be used to create stunning nail designs. . Exceptional strength and adhesion in over 50 colours that can be easily blended together Create vibrant nail art two-tone French or permanent polish Thicker consistency offers deeper colour intensity for permanent polish Application is quick and easy because the gel will not drip or run off of your brush Cures in 2 minutes flat with a full hand lamp .
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NSI Dura Files in Various Grits£9.00 £5.40
NSI Nail Pure£6.75 £4.05
NSI Polish Remover£1.75 £1.05
The Nail Warehouse


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Joseph Lamar Lanier
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1983.
Joseph Lamar Lanier, textile manufacturer, was born February 12, 1906, in Jackson, Georgia. He earned the B.S. degree in the School of Commerce, Washington and Lee University in 1927. He attended Lowell Textile Institute, Lowell, Massachusetts, and Harvard Business School, Boston.
He began working for West Point Manufacturing Company in 1927 and became assistant treasurer in 1939. He was appointed assistant treasurer of Dixie Mills in 1939 and assistant treasurer of Lanett Bleachery and Dye Works in 1941. He was named president of the West Point Manufacturing Company in 1951; Dixie Mills, 1952; Columbus Mill, 1952; Wellington Sears Company, 1954; and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, West Point-Pepperell Inc., 1965. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1971.
He was a director of several enterprises: Western Railway of Alabama; Atlanta and West Point Railroad Company, First National Bank, Atlanta; and Liberty National Life Insurance Company.
He was associated with several professional organizations: Alabama Textile Manufacturers Assn., Associated Industries of Alabama; American Textile Manufacturers Institute, and the Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
He was involved with numerous public service activities: Boy Scouts of America, County-Valley Library Foundation, Valley, Alabama; the Lurleen B. Wallace Cancer Hospital Fund; and the National Safety Council.
He served as a trustee of the National Safety Council, Washington and Lee University, LaGrange College, Institute of Textile Technology, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Walter F. George School of Law Foundation.
He received many honors: Medal of Freedom Award by direction of President Harry Truman, Liberty Bell Award, and the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America.
He was awarded the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws by LaGrange College, June 6, 1971. He is listed in Who's Who in America.
He married Lura Brown Fowlkes on February 17, 1931, and they have three children: Joseph Jr., Lure (Lanier) Edge, and Anne (Lanier) Pearce. Joseph Lamar Lanier died in November 2000.


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South Florida has relinquished its ranking as the nation's top spot for foreclosures.
After posting the No. 1 foreclosure rate for two consecutive months, the metro area covering Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties fell to third in April, according to RealtyTrac Inc.
One in every 269 homes in the tri-county region was in some stage of foreclosure last month, RealtyTrac said. Akron, Ohio, ranked first, at one in 211 homes, and Ocala was second at one in 225 homes.
The Irvine, Calif.-based listing firm monitors public records for three types of foreclosure filings: new cases, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions.
South Florida had 9,127 total filings in April, up slightly from a year earlier, but new cases declined by 35 percent, said Daren Blomquist, a spokesman for RealtyTrac.
"It appears that lenders have caught up with these delayed foreclosures," he said. "Banks are pushing through the backlog, so we're getting closer to seeing a resolution with these distressed homes."
Foreclosures mounted across the country during the housing bust. But some lenders held back on filings starting in late 2010 over concerns about possible paperwork errors.
While Florida last month had the nation's second-highest foreclosure rate, after Nevada, filings are down sharply across the Sunshine State since the 2009 peak, Blomquist said.


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Here is the second excerpt from Pledged. Pledged is the kick off to Gwynneth White's Soul Wars saga, and the book is available from Swallow Press.Make sure to read last week's excerpt if you missed it, and order the book if it sounds interesting!
Here's the synopsis for the book:
Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?
Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient promise is tearing him away. And Reuel, the demon to whom the promise was made, will stop at nothing to force Seth to forsake Erin and to worship him.
How can Erin win against a pledge so binding that it has damned countless others to the same fate she and Seth will face if Reuel wins – an eternity alone?
The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a promise.
Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya to break the pledge that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.
EXCERPT: Pledged by Gwynneth White
Meet Caleb and Talitha . . .
Erin flicked her hair behind her ear and watched Caleb straighten his clothing. He took a deep breath and entered the hut. They followed right after him, drifting through the closed door as if it didn't exist. Seth laughed, holding his hand up to Erin for a high-five – until he noticed that Caleb's Gefallen had also wafted into the cabin with them. Even though he had no idea how to defend Erin from a ghost, he stepped in front of her to protect her. But the wraith ignored them and sailed over to Caleb.
A tall, blonde-haired girl with almond-shaped brown eyes was waiting for Caleb. For Erin, the recognition was instantaneous; it was Talitha. "She's so beautiful!"
"She's okay," Seth replied, looking her over critically. "But I don't think Caleb's here for her looks."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You said yourself that Caleb's a good-looking guy. I bet he could have any girl he wants around here."
Erin frowned; then she smiled as understanding dawned. "So, in guy-talk, you're saying he loves her?"
Seth chuckled as he picked up Erin's hand and put it on his heart. "Tell me what you're feeling?"
Erin gasped at a disconcerting pulse thrumming in Seth's chest, over-riding his own heartbeat. "It's . . . no . . . It's not possible."
"I'll bet it is. It's Caleb's heart beating."
"How do you know it's him? It could be Talitha."
"It started the moment I saw him. It's like it's there to stop me denying that he and I were once friends. And I was watching Talitha when he walked in. She smiled, and it felt as if someone had just shot a thousand volts through him."
"It's amazing you're so connected that you can feel him."
Seth wasn't so sure he agreed; it made being here just a little too real.
Erin felt her own heart and could faintly discern Talitha's heartbeat; it was nowhere near as strong as the thump in Seth's chest, but then, she figured, she wasn't in denial the way he was.
They fell into silence as Caleb opened his arms to embrace Talitha. She draped her arms around his neck, twisting the dark curls tumbling onto his shoulders. He kissed the nape of her throat and ran his lips up her neck, over her chin to her mouth.
"This is awkward," Erin murmured, looking away.
"You don't say. All this way just to watch them making out."
These excerpts are issued by Swallow Press for use by bloggers participating in launch and blog tour of Pledged by Gwynneth White. Any queries can be addressed to Andrew at firstname.lastname@example.com
You can pre-order Pledged by clicking the widget below


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Steve Sorensen, outdoor columnist for the Warren Times Observer, was an award winner at the annual Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association conference on May 4, in Franklin, Pa.
Sorensen received the Association's award for an article called "The Deer Scrape and Old Spice," which appeared in the September 2012 issue of Deer & Deer Hunting magazine. Outgoing POWA President Richard Faler presented the award.
Sorensen's newspaper Times Observer column is called The Everyday Hunter®. Visit it here to read more of his work.
He is the editor of the Havalon Sportsman's Post, and a field editor for Bear Hunters Online. He also contributes freelance work to many magazines, serves as pastor of Pine Grove Christian Fellowship in Russell, Pa., and speaks frequently at sportsman's events.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Demi Lovato to perform with Fifth Harmony; LeAnn Rimes duets with Carly Rose Sonenclar; Little Big Town joins Tate Stevens
One Direction and Pitbull perform and winner announced on two-hour grand finale Thursday, Dec. 20
Online auditions for season three of "The X Factor" now open at TheXFactorUSA.com
Pop singer and "The X Factor" judge Demi Lovato, and country superstars LeAnn Rimes and Little Big Town join the top three finalists for special duets during the last performance of the season Wednesday, Dec. 19 (8 p.m.), on FOX. Lovato joins Fifth Harmony, Rimes pairs up with Carly Rose Sonenclar and Little Big Town performs with Tate Stevens.
On Thursday, Dec. 20 (8 p.m.), tune in to the two-hour live results show as hosts Khloé Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez announce which act will be crowned the winner of "The X Factor" and receive a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
The star-studded event will feature special performances from One Direction - the global sensation that rose to fame on the U.K. version of "The X Factor" - and world-renowned rapper Pitbull.
"Like" "The X Factor" on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #xfactor.


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These Short-Shorts Are Empowering!
A slide show of embarrassing tampon ad clichés.
And lo, are those conventions ripe for mocking. Back in February, DoubleX editor Hanna Rosin hosted a panel discussion at the Housing Works Bookstore in New York City on how companies sell embarrassing products to women. Former Colbert Report executive producer Allison Silverman, Target Women creator Sarah Haskins, and Flow author Susan Kim joined us for a lively and hilarious dialogue about pads, 'pons, and pills. During the program, Silverman led the audience through a guided tour of the weird world of fem-care marketing, replicated here in aslide-show essay about ridiculous pad and tampon ads.
Become a fan of Slate on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
Become a fan of Slate on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.


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A Post-it Note proposal
Relatives, holidays, faith brings them together.
Marrying someone four years younger wasn't on the radar screen for Lindsay Evans.
Lindsay knew Levi Fickenscher, who was a classmate of her sister Brittany, but never gave it a second thought when she packed up her bags for Hastings College.
"There was no spark at that time," said the 2002 graduate of Gothenburg High School. "He was an eighth grader when I was a senior."Levi, a 2006 GHS graduate, also attended Hastings College until transferring to a college in Minnesota and later to Omaha where he graduated from a massage school.
Their paths didn't really begin to intersect until Levi's cousin, Brett Sall of Lexington, married Brittany.
The wedding and subsequent family get-togethers and holidays brought the two together.
"I remember that we would always flirt and somehow find a way to talk to one another," Lindsay recalled.
At the time, Levi said he thinks they had crushes on each other but never thought seriously about becoming a couple because of the age difference.
Lindsay also believes it wasn't the right time.
"We were both finding out who we were in Christ," she said.
Circumstances changed during the Christmas and New Year's holiday in 2009 when the two found themselves spending time together—without Brittany and Brent.
A spark started to ignite as they played basketball, went ice-skating and enjoyed some good heart-to-heart talks.
Their first official date, according to Levi, was Jan. 9, 2010 when they went to Cheeseburger & Paradise restaurant and to Scooters in Omaha where they played cards.
Lindsay remembers beating Levi in a card game called Speed. They also played a question game where the couple asked and answered "every question you can think of under the sun."
"Levi was so easy to talk to, there was never an awkward turtle moment," she said.
Early in the relationship, Lindsay knew Levi was the man for her.
"We had probably dated for three months or so, but when you know, you know," she said. "God brought him into my life at the perfect time."
Levi shared the same sentiment.
"We were always in the relationship for marriage, but we didn't know when it would happen," he said.
At about six months, they first told each other: "I love you."
"I knew earlier than that but that was when I really started to think about when I was going to propose," Levi said.
What attracted Levi to Lindsay was her faith.
"She loves the Lord with all of her heart and I knew that if it wasn't her that I was going to end up with, then it was going to be someone who had a faith like her," he said.
Levi described Lindsay as making him a better man of God.
"She is very strong, great with kids and outgoing and fun. I know that I will always have a good time when we are together," he said. "She is also the easiest person to talk to. We've never had an awkward conversation."
Lindsay said Levi has all of the qualities and more she wanted in a mate, noting that her standards are high and she wasn't going to settle for anything less.
His best quality?
"He loves Jesus," she said, adding that her future mate is also funny, goofy, genuine and has a big heart. "He loves sports, is close to his family and treats women with respect."
Levi balances her, Lindsay said, because he's more laid-back, spontaneous and shy at times.
"I'm more outgoing, loud and a planner so he's definitely my better half," she said. "He completes me and I'm very blessed to have him as my future husband."
She said she wouldn't change anything about Levi since he complements her so well.
"He makes me want to be a better person and when I'm not around him, I don't feel complete," Lindsay said. "He's my other half, my better half."
Once a plan to propose began to take shape in Levi's head, he asked permission of Randy and Janet Evans to marry their daughter.
Even though Randy is Levi's former high school principal, he said the conversation was not awkward although he felt somewhat nervous about asking the question.
When the time came to propose to Lindsay, her love of Post-it Notes helped him come up with a unique idea.
The colorful square-shaped pieces of paper, which Lindsay describes as her fetish, has been a part of their dating life.
In fact, for anniversaries the past year, she said Levi has always made her Post-it Notes creations such as a Post-it Note picture frame and calendar.
But what happened on Oct. 23—her 24th birthday—was the Super Bowl creation of Post-it Notes.
On that day, Levi invited Lindsay to his apartment for breakfast, telling her she had to call him on the phone when she arrived.
"He walked me to his door and had me close my eyes. I didn't really know what to expect, maybe some balloons and confetti," she said. "Boy, oh boy, was I wrong."
She opened her eyes and all three walls were covered in different colors of bright Post-it Notes with romantic words.
"It was fantastic and I was in Post-it Note heaven," Lindsay said. "Needless to say I was shocked. He definitely surprised me."
After Lindsay regained her composure, Levi sat her down and read her a five-page poem about their journey together.
The last line said, "I can't wait any longer for you to become my wife."
Levi then walked to the window and flipped the blinds to show a message, in Post-it Notes of course, that read: "Marry me."
When Lindsay turned to look at him, Levi had dropped to one knee, flashed a ring and popped the question.
"I said 'yes.' "
"It was the perfect proposal and the best birthday ever," Lindsay said.
Later, she discovered her fiance had spent 8 hours and used more than 3,000 notes to create
Find the complete story in our print edition. Receive the entire issue of the Gothenburg Times on-line in PDF format each Wednesday for only $25 per year. Call 308-537-3636 to subscribe.
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The Screen Actors Guild announced its nominees for the 18th annual SAG Awards this morning, and to say there were some surprises would be an understatement.
I was happy to see Patrick J. Adams from USA's "Suits" earn a berth in the best dramatic TV actor category—although it is a bit puzzling when you consider all the other possible nominees.
I love Adams on "Suits," and I applaud the guild for giving a young actor encouragement, but I'd give that spot to anyone from this list first: Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins from "Justified," John Noble from "Fringe," Damian Lewis from "Homeland," Aaron Paul and Giancarlo Esposito from "Breaking Bad," Charlie Hunnam from "Sons of Anarchy," Kelsey Grammer from "Boss," Emmy winner Peter Dinklage from "Game of Thrones," etc.
Where is Claire Danes from "Homeland" in the dramatic actress ranks? Or Emmy winner Margo Martindale for "Justified?" That Kathy Bates makes this list over either of those two irks me.
The SAGs lump both lead and supporting roles into one category, which could explain some of the weirdness. Still, how does anyone from "Two and a Half Men" get nominated?! And does Betty White really deserve two nominations?
Quality shows and their ensembles such a "Justified," "Sons of Anarchy," "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" also were overlooked. But I'm in a good mood this morning, so I won't bitch.
The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be handed out Jan. 29. Check out the complete list of TV nominees below. Did your favorites make the cut?
Male Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
James Woods, Too Big to Fail
Female Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
Betty White, The Lost Valentine
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Male Actor, Drama Series
Patrick J. Adams, Suits
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Female Actor, Drama Series
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Glenn Close, Damages
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Male Actor, Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Steve Carell, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Female Actor, Comedy Series
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Ensemble, Comedy Series
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Modern Family
The Office
Ensemble, Drama
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mary Tyler Moore


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Updates from the Web is written/edited by John Montét, developer for Minnesota State College Southeast, with extensive support from the entire Information Technology Department.
Contact John Montét at firstname.lastname@example.com
Man, are you lucky! You live every day with things that could easily ruin your day, week, or decade. One slip and you are toast.
I'm not talking about your shower or the main stairs in your house. I'm talking about all that living you do online. Facebook, Google, Amazon - you could be running with scissors and not even know it!
A recent article from LifeHacker.com outlines "The Stupid Things You Do Online (and How to Fix Them)". I highly recommend giving it a careful read. Here are the "stupid things" in order.
Truly, these are the critical aspects of living online that need serious attention. Evaluate your own behavior and see where you can improve. It will keep you from getting into some fairly serious trouble.
While you are reading, I'll be backing up my Google Docs.
The Stupid Things You Do Online (and How to Fix Them)
© 2018 Minnesota State College Southeast
RED WING CAMPUS | 308 Pioneer Road | Red Wing, MN 55066 | 651-385-6300
WINONA CAMPUS | 1250 Homer Road | Winona, MN 55987 | 507-453-2700
Minnesota State College Southeast is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. ADA accessible. MSC Southeast is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or sexual orientation. In addition, discrimination in employment base on membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.
Minnesota State College SoutheastA member of Minnesota State
This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 877-853-8324 or 507-453-2700.


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As summer temperatures climb, competitive heat is also rising in the processor market. With new tablets and smartphones popping up like weeds in a vegetable garden, the demand for faster, more powerful system-on-chip designs has come to the spotlight like never before.
In demand for their high-speed and low-power consumption, modern SoCs combine multiple application and graphics processor cores on a single die and are well suited for today's increasingly mobile, increasingly networked prosumers. Here's a look at some of the hottest CPUs and GPUs so far in 2012.


text:
Sustainability Ethics: 5 Questions seeks to identify the key ethical concepts of sustainability while clarifying the points of interest that allow scholars to engage in debate.
"Through this book we seek to improve theoretical and policy discussions surrounding the contested meanings of sustainability," says Evan Selinger, associate professor of philosophy. "We hope that it helps citizens and professionals alike better grasp the complexity involved in guiding people and institutions toward sustainable outcomes."
The volume, co-edited by Wade Robison, the Hale Professor of Ethics, and Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics, features scholars in philosophy, political science and ethics who answer questions surrounding the development and use of sustainability.
Web extra: Hear Wade Robison discuss his book: www.rit.edu/podcasts.


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Initially showcased in April at the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, #UNRAVEL is a collection of devices making up a gallery-based, reactive sound installation, through which the audience will attempt to unravel the truth about the narrator's life by playing records from his collection. The user choices a 7″ vinyl that will play a memory narrated by Aidan Moffat, which will then be accompanied by music from the attached machines tailored to the global mood and environment. Just as a real narrator alters the way they tell a story depending on their mood, audience and context, the memories embodied in the installation will distort, evolve and warp depending on external influences: the time of day; the size of #UNRAVEL's audience; the local weather; and what people are writing about the installation on twitter from moment to moment. Making it difficult to uncover what is fact or fiction. To continue its international showcasing, century old whiskey purveyor Dewar's sponsored #UNRAVEL at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh last month by creating a limited edition 16-year-old single cask scotch whiskey. – Hypebeast
Dewar's X UNRAVEL from Protein® TV on Vimeo.


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January 31. 2013 11:58AM
By JASON SCHREIBER
Union Leader Correspondent
Epping dump worker charged with raping teen
EXETER - An Epping man accused of raping a teenage girl was found dead of an apparent suicide Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The body of Donald Tilbe, 46, of 74 Railroad Ave., was discovered around 2 p.m. in a wooded area at the Connor Farm Wildlife Management Area, located off Route 101, police Capt. Bill Shupe said.
The death came less than a week after Epping police charged Tilbe with two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. Tilbe, who resigned his position as an employee at the Epping town dump last week, was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl at his residence last October and on Jan. 7.
He was arraigned Jan. 25 and was due back in court Feb. 1 for a probable cause hearing.
According to a police affidavit, Tilbe admitted to police that he had sexual relations with the girl on several occasions.


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Lane closures are upcoming on Interstate 540 for planned improvements.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department said the work will take place between Arkansas 22 in Fort Smith and Interstate 40 in Van Buren. Warning signs will be installed on Jan. 17, with additional signs being placed Jan. 22 on multiple roads connecting to I-540.
Work will begin Jan. 28 with the main lanes of I-540. Initially, the left northbound and southbound lanes from Arkansas 22 to I-40 will be affected. The maintenance is necessary to allow workers to reconstruct the inside shoulder of the northbound lane as well as any temporary crossovers and ramps in the median along the route.
The work is being done in accordance with the Arkansas Highway Commission project that was awarded to Kiewit Infrastructure South Company, a $78.8 million project, to replace the driving surfaces of two bridges and bridge structures along with the reconstruction of nine bridges along the route.
The project is expected to be finished by the middle of 2014.


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Founded in 1974, ARC South was the first major club in WNC to be devoted primarily to tennis. During the four decades since its inception, the Club has played a major role in the game of tennis in the community.
The Asheville Racquet Club Downtown is located on the property of the Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort and offers tennis, fitness, a 9-Hole Golf Course, Swimming, and Adelaide Spa and Salon for members and guests of the hotel.


text:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior White House officials met with chief executives from top defense contractors on Wednesday to discuss the impact to their businesses of deep automatic federal spending cuts slated to take effect on March 1, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.
The meeting came the day after President Barack Obama urged Congress to come up with some short-term spending cuts and find new tax revenues to postpone the $85 billion in across-the-board "sequester" cuts, which economists have said could hurt the economy.
Top Republican lawmaker John Boehner, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said on Wednesday that he would oppose any delay in the sequester without other spending cuts and reforms.
The meeting with Obama's top economic advisers included executives from Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, ITT Exelis, Huntington Ingalls and privately held Aurora Flight Sciences Corp, Carney said.
"The focus of their conversation was the potential devastating impact of the sequester going into effect," Carney said.
For example, Northrop Grumman has about 20,000 small businesses that supply the massive contractor - businesses that also would be hurt by the spending cuts, he said.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Vicki Allen and Cynthia Osterman)


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September 03. 2013 8:00PM
Lawyer: Privacy laws protect Derry administrator
By HUNTER MCGEE
Union Leader Correspondent
— The attorney representing Town Administrator John Anderson said Tuesday that his client is innocent of allegedly inviting a DirectTV salesman into his home in the nude and other conduct.
Anderson, 50, is charged with lewdness and indecent exposure for allegedly inviting the salesman into his house on July 11 while in the nude and performing a sexual act on himself. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 11 in 10th Circuit Court, Derry District Division.
Anderson's attorney, Cornelius Sullivan, said the case shouldn't have been brought against his client since federal law affords him the right to privacy in his own home. Sullivan said the law is clear on this point.
"Whatever happened, happened in the privacy of Mr. Anderson's home," Sullivan said.
He declined to comment on what did happen or on what Anderson has told him about the case, citing attorney-client privilege.
Sullivan said this is the first time his client has been charged with a crime, adding that Anderson is adamant about his innocence.
"Mr. Anderson has never been involved in any trouble in the past, and I'm confident that he'll be exonerated," Sullivan said.
County Attorney James Reams responded, saying that the state is confident with the charges and will move forward with its case against Anderson.
"We think New Hampshire law stands on pretty good ground and would be happy to litigate it," Reams said, adding that "as a general rule, federal law doesn't necessarily trump state law."
Anderson has remained on administrative leave since July 12, the day after the alleged incident at his house. He is a former town manager from Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
The state isn't releasing the name of the DirectTV salesman to protect his privacy, Reams said.


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Britain's prime minister, David Cameron, paying his respects at the memorial for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, declared Tuesday that societies must work to prevent young minds from being poisoned by a "radical extremist narrative.''
Later in the morning, he stopped by MIT and chatted with young inventors and entrepreneurs.
"Look, there is really a vital role for law enforcement, a really vital role for intelligence. There's a tough side to all of this that we have to get right," Cameron, accompanied by Governor Deval Patrick, said at the Copley Square memorial on the second day of his Boston visit.
"But there's also a side, as I said, of challenging the narrative of violence, of extremism, that we have to get right. . . . And there's always more work to do on that," he added.
Cameron said that the way to challenge that narrative is "by standing up for the values we believe in, for freedom, for democracy, for the fact we're proud to live in an open and tolerant society.
"It's hard to believe that people can do these things to countries like ours, when we are freedom-loving, when we are democracies, when we do value people's rights. But these things do happen, and we have to fight them and challenge them, and that's what I know you're going to do right here in Boston," he said in a transcript of his remarks provided by Patrick's office.
After his solemn stop at the memorial, Cameron traveled to MIT's Media Lab, where he sat and talked with students.
Cameron witnessed a demonstration by doctoral candidate Kenton Williams, whose project, called Affective Intelligent Driving Agent, is a personal navigation robot for vehicles that is capable of "social interaction" with the driver.
The small, square robotic unit rose from the dashboard and greeted the prime minister by name and even chuckled during the demonstration, drawing a hearty laugh from Cameron.
The prime minister toured the Media Lab to learn more about how the institute combines innovation with entrepreneurship. He sat on a couch with about a dozen students, graduates, and staff.
"It's much easier for him to understand that when we introduce him to students who do this every day, who have these incredibly impressive projects that come out of the labs, and we join people across campus, the business school students, the engineering school students, and they work together,'' said Fiona Murray, faculty director for the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship.
Murray, a British citizen, said entrepreneurship is a key component of the United Kingdom's push to reinvigorate its economy through a European "prosperity agenda."
"It was a pretty cool experience to be an undergraduate and talk to a head of state about my experiences here,'' said Akshar Wunnava, 20, a third-year undergraduate majoring in chemical engineering and economics.
As part of his US visit, Cameron met with President Obama Monday. At a White House press conference, Cameron called the Marathon attacks "an appalling outrage."
On Monday evening, he visited Patrick at the State House in Boston.Brian Ballou can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Despite years of offering the entirety of its music catalog to both free and premium users, music streaming service Spotify is reportedly going to release some new releases exclusively to its premium users.
As The Verge reported Thursday, Spotify is working to renegotiate their expired licensing deals with various music labels. Although the deal may still be months from going live to its users, Spotify has already begun the process to eventually release some new music releases locked only to premium users.
According to the Financial Times, Spotify will, in turn, receive a reduction in royalty fees that is paid out to the record labels associated with the streaming service.
The Verge also reported the move to limit the exclusivity is an apparent move to make their services 'more attractive ahead of an initial public offering' in the future.
Currently, Spotify offers a 30-day free trial. Spotify Premium costs $9.99 per month, with both a discounted Family and Student option.


text:
Skip to comments.Poison Photo-Drop .. decision to release photographs .. will imperil nation .. its defenders.
Posted on 05/12/2009 9:31:18 AM PDT by Sergeant Tim
If President Obama wanted to refrain from releasing these photos in order to protect the military forces he commands or promote the security of Americans his two highest obligations as president he could do so by simply issuing an executive order. The applicable statute expressly allows for it, just as it provides for Congress now in the firm control of the president and his party to withhold the photos from disclosure. Instead, Obama and congressional Democrats are choosing to release the photos.
They are making that choice fully aware that it will cost lives. It is a sedulous Democrat talking-point, repeated most recently by Carl Levin, the Senate Armed Services chairman and a key Obama ally, that the revelations of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib inspired new terrorist recruits, caused American combat casualties, and made the United States more vulnerable to terrorist attack. This has long been Obamas own position. It is a charge he made throughout the 2008 campaign, and it is one he repeated just a month ago in his Strasbourg speech: When we saw what happened in Abu Ghraib, that wasnt good for our security that was a recruitment tool for terrorism. Humiliating people is never a good strategy to battle terrorism.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
It will be great to see these photos...wait, wrong thread. I thought this was the photos of the joy-ride around NYC...
Okay, so we can release photos of prisoners being interrogated.
But not photos from inside presidential plane flown over Manhattan?
Smells fishy.
In the spirit of openness, I'm sure he'll release his birth certificate as well.
Had it been marked as an editorial, I would have seen it.
That is why Obama and Pelosi favor this evil act. If they can trade a few hundred (or even thousand) more dead soldiers for another chance to blame Bush, they consider it a great deal. They don't like our military anyways, not when soldiers are just potential terrorists, and they love energizing the CodePink/MoveOn Hate-America-First wing of their party.
And I assumed you werethinking of Miss California.
Woulda helped if it wasn't in chat, too...
My title search must have been just a minute or two before the other post went up. Then I made a last check in the editorial section. I tried.
Before he is done I fully expect him to release the names, addresses and phone numbers of anyone anywhere in the world who has ever provided any information to agency workers.
The damage to US intel will last multiple generations.
Happens to me all the time.
The Obama administration DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE USA or the safety of its citizens as long as they can score political points with other liberals and socialists.
This is being done for only one reason - to cut the legs from the US Military and discredit the prestige of American Military power and integrity.
So many good 0bama talking points will extend from that:
- the US is a more civilized country
- we aren't war mongers any more
- this is an example of what the world gets when a liberal Democrat is not in command of the US forces
- etc.
Some will say that the president wont do that because he does not want to anger the anti-war Left, a significant part of his base. In truth, the president is the anti-war Left. He wont issue an executive order of this kind because he wants the photos revealed. It is important to understand that disclosure here is not an inevitable outcome. It is a choice. It doesnt have to happen unless Obama wants it to happen.
The same can be said of the Democratic Congress. The Second Circuit ruling that Holder chose not to appeal did not say the Constitution mandated public dissemination of photos that will imperil Americans. It said FOIA required it. FOIA is just a statute. Congress writes the statutes and it can amend the statutes. Democrats control both houses, as well as the White House. If they wanted to bar disclosure of the photos, they could do that tomorrow. And with the overwhelming support theyd get from Republicans, they could do it with veto-proof margins. But legislative override would likely be irrelevant: Obama wouldnt dare veto a non-disclosure bill he wants disclosure, but only if he can snooker people into believing it wasnt his choice.
And we can't release photos of the 3,000 dead from 9-11. Because that too would rile up the citizens.
That is a dereliction of duty as Commander in Chief.
Okay, so we can release photos of prisoners being interrogated.
But not photos from inside presidential plane flown over Manhattan?"
Were there not photos from 9-11 that were not released to the public because they were too gruesome?
We saw pics of people jumping out of burning towers, but I surely do not recall pics of the splattered remains on the sidewalks and streets. Did I miss something-—or was SOME SORT of DISCRETION practiced?
How long will it take for the voters who folled NObama like the Pied Piper to realize that he does NOT have the best interests of this country at heart???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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By Laken Litman
Big 12 Campus Correspondent
If you had told Texas' second baseman Travis Tucker four years ago that he would be one of the most productive players starting under the lights of UFCU Disch-Falk Field, playing for the most winning coach in college baseball at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, he would never have believed you.
It wasn't that he didn't think he was good enough, but not the path he originally intended to take.
Tucker started his college career at junior college because his mentor and cousin K.J. Hendricks, who has played professional baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization since 2001, took that route before playing Division I ball.
"I have always wanted to play pro," Tucker said. "My cousin, who was a real big factor, is seven years older than I and he went the (junior college) route. Since I looked up to him and he was my mentor, that is what I wanted to do. I wanted to go to a junior college, then go to UTA."
But after Tucker played for McClennan Junior College in Waco, Texas, his freshman season, he realized he could have the chance to play D-I ball at Texas.
"I wasn't really in the spotlight when I came to Texas," Tucker said. "But I knew if I worked hard and played my game, then I would earn a starting spot."
And he kept his word. Beginning his sophomore season, Tucker has been at starter since.
"He's continued to improve the three years he's been here and he's been a starter the whole time," Texas head coach Augie Garrido. "He's an invaluable part of this team."
Tucker is the type of player all coaches want. A guy whose drive, ambition and energy is purposefully contagious.
"He's totally committed to the philosophy of the team," Garrido noted. "That's to do things right and to give the best effort every day. He's totally committed to giving himself to the team, his teammates and the people around him. He's always trying to help people and he's always doing the best he can to be the best he can."
One of the reasons Tucker shines is in his ability and willingness to learn from his mistakes.
"I dealt with a lot of failure last year when I probably had one of the worst years swinging the bat," he said. "But that got me more mentally stronger to deal with this season. Without having that season, I don't know where I'd be at right now."
Many get discouraged when they make mistakes. But instead of hanging up his bat and glove, Tucker opted for the learning experience and turned his mistakes into an opportunity.
"I told myself that stuff happens," he said. "A ball goes a foot or two and it's a hit, and that's just how it goes. I didn't have one of those lucky years, so I kept on working and didn't give up and kept on persevering."
Now in his senior season, Tucker leads the team with 55 hits and 35 runs, and has recorded 21 RBI. He believes that his most shining moment as a Longhorn is yet to come.
"I think our team can go to the College World Series. Without a doubt," Tucker said. "We have great pitching ¢ we probably have the best pitching staff in the country and our hitting is coming around and we're going to be a tough team to beat.
"I will just keep on working hard, keep on showing the guys that hard work does pay off and the determination that we have to win and go as far as we can is there. We just need to keep it going and don't get discouraged. Anything can happen."
Tucker is a true believer, and still frequently pinches himself because he feels he is actually living the dream.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself here playing at the University of Texas," Tucker said. "Just stepping on this field, I mean I still look at my jersey and think, æWow, I'm playing for the University of Texas.' It's a pretty neat deal playing for the best coaches in the best facilities in the country."
What sets Tucker apart from other players is his personality. Garrido says that what makes Tucker unique is he can overcome the adversities of baseball and stay upbeat, positive and confident, and then radiate those qualities to others around him.
"He's a good player, a scrappy player and gets the job done," said shortstop Brandon Loy. "He's a funny kid. We just joke around a lot and talk about who's covering second base and joke about that."
Loy says that when there is an opposing runner on second, he and Tucker always talk to him.
"If we talk about him, we're talking to him because (Tucker) knows a lot of our opponents," Loy said. "He'll always introduce me to them."
Not only does Tucker have a pure, undying love for the game, but he always makes his baseball experience enjoyable. He also takes the opportunities to teach the younger players. Although Tucker begs to differ, he is definitely a mentor.
"I don't really see myself as a mentor," he said. "I see myself as someone that likes to help. All the older guys always helped me along the way telling me what to do and what not to do. I just want to see people play well. I just want everybody to have the chance and opportunity to play as well as they can."
Tucker recalled that he when he was an under classmen, Nick Peoples and Randy Boone were his role models.
"Peeps was always on me helping me out," he said. "Boone was a leader. He was a pitcher so he was more intense and more fierce. Peeps took me under his wing. I really looked up to those guys. It's kind of like what goes around comes around I guess. I was fortunate enough to have those guys around so I might as well help somebody else out."
As his final season at Texas winds down, Tucker explains that in looking back through his collegiate career he would not have changed at thing.
"One of my goals is to play professionally. If I get the opportunity I'll be fortunate, but if not, I won't have any regrets," he said.


text:
Tales of horses and humans
Revisit this horsey Late Night Live. The horse plays a significant part in our national story. There are the stockmen – both indigenous and settler; the Light Horse Brigade; the Melbourne Cup; the Man from Snowy River; and Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby children's novels.
The earliest horses in the northern hemisphere, smaller than those we know now, were probably eaten. But humans soon realised the potential for working with this non-migratory animal, and domestication is known to have occurred in Central Asia by 4000 BC.
By the late 17th century, the respected horseman William Cavendish, the Duke of Newcastle, was writing about understanding a horse's mind.
In this discussion, first broadcast in January this year, we follow the horse through time, and around the world, from the American frontier to Phillip's memories of 'Blossom', in a fun celebration of the special relationships forged between humans and the noble equus.
- Elaine Walker
- Novelist and non-fiction author; authority on 17th century horseman William Cavendish, the Duke of Newcastle; breeder of Appaloosas, in North Wales
- Karen Jones
- Senior lecturer in American and environmental history, University of Kent.
- Monica Mattfeld
- Lecturer in the English department, University of Kent. Research interests include 18th century horsemanship and masculinity, and circuses.
- Helen Thomas
- Journalist, Manager of ABC News Radio and author of books on horse-racing in Australia. Co-host of ABC NewsRadio's 'Hoof on the Till'.
- Title
- Horse
- Author
- Elaine Walker
- Publisher
- Reaktion Books
- 9781861893956
- Description
- Part of the 'Animal' series
- Title
- The Horses (a novel)
- Author
- Elaine Walker
- Publisher
- Cinnamon Press
- 978-1-907090-09-7
- Title
- The Horse that Bart Built
- Author
- Helen Thomas
- Publisher
- Ebury Press (Random House)
- 978 1 74275 501 4
- Description
- Subtitle: So You Think's incredible journey
- Title
- A Horse Called Mighty
- Author
- Helen Thomas
- Publisher
- Random House Australia
- 978 1 74051 395 1
- Description
- Subtitle: The Might and Power Story
- Producer
- Ann Arnold
Comments (9)
Margaret Hurle :
29 Jan 2013 2:27:02pm
I read once that in the early 20th century someone predicted that the horse would be extinct within a hundred years because it was no longer needed. I guess we proved that we need horses for more than just transport.
Miss jolicoeur :
29 Jan 2013 6:04:17pm
One horse worth mentioning is the black and white Overo "Diablo" ridden by the Cisco Kid in the television series from 1950 to 1956.
The actor, Duncan Renaldo, an orphan who never knew his parents or his exact birthdate, was born 1904 in Spain, died 1980. He had a disgust for guns although he wore them in the tv series, saying "A gun has become a plaything" and said the quick draw was a "fallacy" in real western life, which he saw as being painted with criminality and barbarism in films.
He was saved from deportation from the US as an illegal immigrant by Eleanor Roosevelt who had bought one of his portrait paintings, an occupation he took up before and whilst struggling to earn a living as an actor.
The striking looking horse Diablo that he rode was one of the most intelligent and unusual I've ever seen in films. Renaldo wore an equally unusual, Spanish style ornate outfit which matched the horse's coat.
I believe Duncan Renaldo was later subjected to a work ban from the film industry because of his outspoken, leftist views.
M.H.Mitchell :
31 Jan 2013 2:59:37am
Interesting info. Thanks.
In the 1960s, to promote their afternoon children's programmes, the old Channel 9 brought Duncan Renaldo to Australia (along with Sheena, Queen of the Jungle - wow!).These actors had to pretend to be their TV characters, for the kids.
By then the Cisco Kid was long finished; and Renaldo a grey-haired, distinguished gentleman. He had to pretend that his off-sider Pancho (Leo Carillo)could not make the trip, but sent his regards. Carillo - a veteran actor by the time of Cisco, with strong ties to Southern California - had died some years before.
I wonder if anyone has any footage of these quite strange and touching appearances?
miss jolicoeur :
01 Feb 2013 10:15:23am
Yes, I remember Duncan Renaldo and Sheena appearing in Nine's promotions for their trip to OZ - it was all very exciting because at the time I had an early adolescent crush on Renaldo's Robin Hood chivalry and good looks and I wanted to be Sheena.
I think Renaldo's life story would be an interesting subject for a bio; book and film. You can buy the old Cisco tv series at Amazon, and the other films that Renaldo acted in.
Mudlark :
29 Jan 2013 10:59:54pm
wow - this program just covered a fraction of how amazing and intuitive horses are.
One thing though - one guest said that in early times running a herd of bison (or whatever) over a cliff was 'the most efficient way' to get a meal. What? An entire herd killed out when only one animal was needed?
Humans - we have so far to go to catch up with the decency of the rest of nature.
Crassus :
30 Jan 2013 10:30:48am
As usual, I enjoyed listening to this edition of late Night Live. It had a rather British accent but that might be expected on Australia Day.
There was reference to the employment of horse in warfare and World War I appeared to be the last of the wars in which horses were used.
I thought everyone knew of the Polish Cavalry attack in World War II. More importantly, the German war machine would have ground to a halt much more quickly had it not been for the horses.
The Soviets also used great numbers of horses, including cavalry units striking conjunction with tanks.
The Germans and Russians are said to have employed more than five million horses.
Geoff Robertson :
31 Jan 2013 12:24:12pm
We've all heard the story of how the Australians in Egypt shot all their horses instead of leaving them to the tender mercies of the natives.
Shame it isn't really true.
Most of the fit horses were actually transferred to the Indian cavalry or sent to Europe to be sold. According to the AWM there is no evidence of any of the horses being shot by their riders.
DrGideonPolya :
01 Feb 2013 9:52:52am
My nicest horse experience was wandering up to the top of a treeless hill on a relative's farm and thence being surrounded by a herd of galloping horses.
Missing from these sentimental interviews was the historic reality set out in biologist Professor Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" of the dominance of the East-West axis Eurasian cultures because of rapid East-West transmission (by horse) of plants, crops, domesticable animals and related technologies - benefits highly restricted in isolated Australia and the North-South Axis regions of Africa and the Americas, all regions that were subsequently subject to invasion, devastation and genocide by horse-borne conquerors. Indeed, for example, neither the Australians nor the Mayans had the wheel (kangaroo-drawn carts not being very feasible) but the Mayans invented the wheel as a children's toy.
Dame Mary Gilmore described the horse-based Aboriginal Genocide as an eye witness. She describes how an uncle acquired a whip - he had found the dead body of a 12 year old Aboriginal girl tied to a tree by the stock whip, her rapist and killer evidently having forgotten where he had left her during the massacre of her tribe (for documentation see Chapter 17, "Jane Austen and the Black Hole of British History", now available for free perusal on the web). Similar horse-based Southern Hemisphere genocides were conducted in Argentina (see "Exterminate All the Brutes" by Sven Lindqvist), New Zealand and by the British, Boers and Germans in Southern Africa.
jacquetta beauchamp :
20 Jun 2013 11:08:19am
Fascinating & enjoyable.
Regarding pros & cons of side-saddle - my grandmother was an accomplished horsewoman in her youth. She rode both side-saddle and astride, and always said that she preferred to hunt side-saddle because you could lock your right foot under your left knee (nobody could see0 and it was almost impossible to fall off!


text:
Girl in boots
Monika came by to stay at the apartment. She was a tall, pretty young thing with a sexy face. She had long luscious legs and a sweet pair of tits. I gave her the option of paying the rent by making a masturbation video and she took a moment and decided to do it. She slowly undressed and played with her sweet pussy. Then, she pulled out a dildo and stroked her wet pussy. She had back spasms and muscle twitches as she had an orgasm spread out on the couch. The rent was paid . Click here to see more from this Hot Girl in Boots


text:
Work together with MailChimp
Set up a MailChimp account as an Admin and grant permission to Managers, Authors, and Viewers, based on the level of access you want them to have. With multi-user accounts, agencies can easily manage clients, and teams of any size can collaborate. MailChimp will adapt to your workflow—and maybe even improve it.
Admins have total access to MailChimp. Only Admins can handle billing and assign user privileges.
Managers can design templates, send campaigns, manage mailing lists, and view reports.
Authors can notify managers and admins when a campaign is ready to go. They can create, design, and edit campaigns, but not send them.
Viewers can log in and see reports. They don't have access to campaign creation or list management.


text:
Becoming an artist / Devenir artiste
No one just becomes an artist overnight, and the transition between something else and artist is worth looking at.
On ne devient pas artiste du jour au lendemain, et il est utile de regarder la transition entre être autre chose et être artiste.
I talk more about who inspired me to make that transition here.
Je parle plus de celui qui m'a fait croire que je pouvais faire cette transition ici.
- How to make a living as an artist
- On networking
- Making a living is like making a painting
- Comment vivre de son art
- L'artiste fauché et le vendu
- The home studio / L'atelier à la maison
(4) Comments / Commentaires: Becoming an artist / Devenir artiste
I have noticed some similarities in those I've known who have succeeded in becoming artists early in their lives: They has a lot of support, emotional and or financial, and tended to come from a more or less healthy background of good parents so that they had strong self-esteem. Many of the famous painters came from parents who also were artists or educated, or they grew up surrounded in that melieu. It can be difficult to achieve if you lack these things, but if you are in it for the long haulI believe you can achieve it even if you didn't get the financial or emotional support. I still haven't accomplished supporting myself as an artist, and may never do so; but for myself I have set goals of trying to make art that, if I saw it in a gallery would make me jealous that I hadn't done it. Maybe my art will speak for me since I don't have the other advantages. Besides, supporting yourself or not, the making of it does transform you and make you see the world differently. I think the making of good art can make a difficult life a very good life.
Absolutely. Art heals and makes the world a better place, one person at a time!
And while it's true that support can be helpful in any endeavor, I also think that certain personalities actually achieve less when they have a lot of support. They become too comfortable and cannot conceive of living and struggling as an artist. (I know plenty of wannabe artists who are like this.) So really, it's less about background or privilege and more about determination and work ethic.
wonderful! this is such a terrific post! currently in the transition cocoon i have wondered how others did it. did they just unfurl their wings from go? bravo to your generous posts! it is clear that you model open culture etc in how you approach other artists and offer your own knowledge- and it is much appreciated. If your art didn't make me a fan (which it did!), your freedom and kindness would.
Thank you, Cole! I felt like this was an important story to share, but then as I was recording the video I was second-guessing myself. Your comment puts my mind at ease!


text:
By Jeff Black, Staff writer, NBC News
Attorney General Eric Holder speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington on Tuesday.
In a major crackdown on healthcare fraud across the country, 89 people, including 14 doctors and nurses, were charged for their roles in various Medicare scams that bilked taxpayers of some $223 million through bogus charges, federal officials said Tuesday.
Some people allegedly posed as doctors and wrote bogus prescriptions for drugs and psychotherapy therapy and then billed the government $12 million.
Others are accused of bribing Medicare patients for their ID numbers, then using those numbers to bill $20 million in home health care never performed or not medically necessary.
The lead suspect in that case used the money to buy luxury cars, including two Lamborghinis and a Ferrari, officials said.
About 400 federal agents were involved in Tuesday's arrests, raiding businesses, seizing documents and charging suspects in Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Tampa, Fla., and Baton Rouge, La.
The dragnet was announced by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as the latest in a series of busts over the past four years to crack down on fraud that is believed to annually cost Medicare billions of dollars.
In all the schemes, profit was a driving force, officials said.
"Today's takedown is the latest sign we are beginning to turn the tide on Medicare fraud," Sebelius said in a news conference.
Holder said during the four-year crackdown by a federal strike force that 1,500 people have been arrested in connection to schemes involving nearly $2 billion in fraudulent billings.
He claimed that $8 dollars are returned to the U.S. Treasury for every dollar spent on the investigations.
Still, he said the battle against health care fraud is being affected by the across-the-board budget cuts called sequestration, which have trimmed $1.6 billion in funding from the Justice Department in the current fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
"Unless Congress adopts a balanced deficit reduction plan and stops the reductions currently slated for 2014, I fear our capacity to protect the American people from healthcare fraud ... will be further reduced," Holder said.
Sebelius said the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, gives the government more tools to combat fraud.
"By expanding our authority to suspend Medicare payments and reimbursements when fraud is suspected, the law allows us to better preserve the system and save taxpayer dollars." Sebelius said. "Today we're sending a strong, clear message to anyone seeking to defraud Medicare: You will get caught and you will pay the price. We will protect a sacred trust and an earned guarantee."
In Miami, where 25 people were charged for their role in various fraudulent schemes totaling $44 million, federal officials allege that in one scheme three suspects bribed Medicare patients for their identification numbers, then used the information to bill the government $20 million for medically unnecessary home health care services.
"The lead defendant spent much of the money from the scheme and purchased multiple luxury vehicles including two Lamborhinis, a Ferrari and a Bentley," according to a statement from Health and Human Services and the Justice Department.
In Detroit, 18 people, including two doctors, a physician's assistant and two therapists, were charged in various scams totaling some $49 million in false claims for medically unnecessary services, including home health, psychotherapy and infusion therapy.
In one Detroit case, three people allegedly posed as licensed physicians and wrote bogus prescriptions for drugs and psychotherapy services totaling $12 million, according to the HHS-DOJ statement.
Tuesday's announcement on the Medicare-fraud sweep was overshadowed by reporters inquiring about two other scandals involving Holder's Justice Department: That the attorney general's office seized Associated Press phone records in a probe of a national security leak and a DOJ probe into reports that the IRS gave extra scrutiny to some conservative groups when auditing nonprofit organizations.


text:
Take a look at a few additional shots showing off the Wii Mini.
If i didn't know any better i'd think this was a repackaged Wii U or a new console entirely.
Great work Nintendo, let's make this even more confusing.
NES > NES Top Loader
SNES > SNES Mini
No revisions for N64 or GCN, just colors. And now back to their old patter with the Wii Mini.
I cant tell you how little I care about this, Wii just like WiiU is old news


text:
HONOLULU (AP) — SMU has accepted an invitation to play in the Hawaii Bowl.
SMU will meet a team from the Mountain West on Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium.
The Mustangs finished second behind Tulsa in the Conference USA West Division with a 5-3 league record. SMU is making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance under coach June Jones.
Jones says he's excited for his players, staff and fans.
Jones took SMU to the Hawaii Bowl in 2009. He coached the University of Hawaii for nine years.


text:
Australia's eBay shopping grows strongly
Who knows by how much?
American companies drive Australian journalists to distraction with their refusal to provide any detail about their local operations.
If a US company condescends to hold a "latest quarter results" press conference in Australia, there's no point in turning up. The question "how did your performance in Australia this quarter/year compare to last year?" will be answered by the bland statement that "we're not required to report on this individual geography" (or some similar bromide).
Of course, with a rising Australian dollar, an economy that remained if not buoyant then at least more robust than many countries, steady employment and growing awareness, any other result would have been a spectacular failure.
The question is how much we can interpret from eBay's results.
Australia is, at best, a minor market. With net revenues for the quarter topping $US2bn, the common rule-of-thumb that Australia probably represents three per cent of a multinational's global revenue suggests local income in the vicinity of $US60m.
Let's expand that number to $US100 (about 4.4 per cent of eBay's quarterly total): it still means Australia is so small a market that it doesn't get detailed in SEC filings, and that whatever statements eBay makes about Australia cannot be verified against any objective published data.
According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald on 24 January, eBay CEO John Donahoe said that Australia, South Korea and Britain grew more quickly than the company's overall global revenue growth of nine per cent and merchandise volume growth of 11 per cent.
But what exactly does this mean down under?
If its revenues are around the hundred-million mark, then its revenue growth in Australia was around nine million dollars.
Although eBay's minor and unverifiable statement received front-page treatment, the company is a retail minnow, right now incapable of significantly affecting the performance of major retailers.
The mouse swallows the elephant
The national retail trade data released in November 2010 has been widely cited as evidence of the impact of companies like eBay and Amazon on Australia's retail trade.
Over the 12 months to November 2010, the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) Retail Trade, Australia publication assesses total retailing as being worth more than $242bn dollars.
Working out the sales volume eBay Australia might generate isn't easy because of its tiered commissions. Rather than trying to model the tiering, I'm going to assume that between low-price and high-price products, eBay generates commissions of about 3.5 per cent of all sales. Its $100m in Australia (remember that this is only my estimate) would therefore stand as a proxy for around $2.85bn of quarterly sales.
That would make eBay sellers a moderate slice of total retailing – 4.64 per cent of the total retail trade market.
If we exclude those, and focus merely on non-food retailing (the ABS segments are household goods, clothing, department stores and other), eBay sellers have carved out nearly 10 per cent of the available market.
Bankrupting the government
Then there's the matter of GST – Australia's Goods and Services Tax which isn't collected for international purchases below $1,000.
The total GST applicable to eBay purchases (whether collected or not) would be less than $300m: even ignoring the controversial sub-$1,000 exemption, it's not going to bankrupt the government.
And that's only if we assume that all the business going through eBay Australia is purchased from offshore sellers and that all of it is either under $1,000 or the seller and buyer are ignoring GST.
Here, again, the lack of hard data about eBay's activities is frustrating. There is no reliable way to estimate the Australia/international split in buying behaviour.
All we know is this: not all Australian transactions are with international sellers.
And I have to confess, at this point, that all my assumptions, calculations and models may be completely wrong.
The opacity of eBay's reporting is frustrating in another way: how much does the performance of a local subsidiary reflect customer buying behaviour in a particular geography?
As with all the other unknowns in the eBay accounts, the answer is that we don't know. If an American vendor is advertising a product for sale through eBay Australia, and the purchase is made by an Australian-registered eBay user clicking "buy it now" from a sale advertised on eBay.com.au, in which geography is the sale reported?
Although eBay said that Australian growth ran ahead of the global revenue growth of nine per cent, the only number we have is that global number.
If I assume that only half of the eBay purchases made by Australians turn up in eBay's Australian subsidiary, then using that figure of 9% growth suggests that commissions generated in Australia were worth perhaps $US18m. At the 3.5 per cent average commission I estimated previously, then all eBay purchases by Australian customers grew by about $50m for the quarter.
That's less than the change in value of the household goods sector. In the year to November 2009, that segment was worth $42.698bn; in the year to November 2010, it was worth more than $42.781bn – a relatively flat $83m.
This reflects far more than merely the "eBay factor". Remember that this reports the value of the sector, not the turnover of inventory.
As well as making offshore destinations more attractive, the appreciation of the Australian dollar has, at least in markets in which prices are allowed to move with the currency, made imports cheaper. So the bricks-and-mortar retailers can move more boxes without enjoying a corresponding growth in income.
eBay is having an impact. Without usable data from the online store itself, that impact is impossible to assess – but I believe it's overstated. The brand has mesmerized Australian journalists, retailers and analysts alike. ®


text:
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text:
Health Reform Act Contains New Requirements for Tax Exempt Hospitals
By James Saling, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, Jackson, MS
The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act ("PPACA") 1 , as amended by the Health Care and Education Reform Act 2 , contains four new requirements for tax exempt hospitals. 3 A tax exempt hospital must now: 1) implement financial assistance and emergency care policies and programs and notify patients of the same; 2) restrict charges of uninsured and indigent patients to the amounts charged to insured patients; 3) restrict extraordinary collection actions until the hospital has made reasonable efforts to determine whether the individual is eligible for financial assistance; and 4) conduct a community health needs assessment ("CHNA") at least once every three years. 4 These new requirements are embodied in Section 501(r) of the Internal Revenue Code. 5
In order to preserve its status as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, a hospital should promptly adopt and implement, at a minimum, the required procedures relating to financial assistance, limitations on charges and collection processes. 6 A hospital is given an additional two years to adopt and implement a CHNA. Compliance is essential as the penalties for noncompliance can be severe, including revocation of exempt status and excise tax penalties.
1. Definition of a Hospital
The new requirements only apply to organizations that operate a facility required to be licensed, registered, or similarly recognized as a hospital, and to any other organization that the Treasury Secretary determines has the provision of hospital care as its principal function or purpose constituting the basis for its tax exemption. 7 Section 501(r) applies separately to each hospital facility operated by an entity.
2. The New Requirements
a. Financial Assistance PolicyTax exempt hospitals must adopt a financial assistance policy and a policy relating to emergency medical care. 8 The financial assistance policy must include: (1) eligibility criteria for financial assistance and whether the assistance includes free or discounted care; (2) the basis for calculating amounts charged to patients and the method/process a patient would use to apply for financial assistance; (3) in the case of an organization that does not have a separate billing and collection policy, the actions the organization may take in the event of nonpayment including collections action and reporting to credit agencies; and (4) measures to widely publicize the policy within the community to be served by the organization.
A tax exempt hospital must also have a written policy requiring the hospital to provide care for emergency medical conditions to individuals without discrimination and regardless of their ability to pay. 9 Most hospitals already have these policies as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act; 10 however hospitals should review their policies to ensure that the above elements are incorporated.
b. Limitation on Charges Tax exempt hospitals must now limit the amount charged to patients eligible for assistance under the hospital policy to not more than the amount generally billed to insured patients. 11 A hospital may not use gross charges when billing individuals who qualify for financial assistance (i.e., no chargemaster rates). 12 Hospitals generally have methods to charge less than chargemaster rates for patients receiving partial financial assistance, but they should review their methods to ensure compliance with Section 501(r) requirements.
c. Billing and CollectionsPPACA also requires that a hospital forego extraordinary collection actions against an individual, even if otherwise permitted by law, without first making reasonable efforts to determine whether the individual is eligible for assistance under its financial assistance policy. 13 The legislative history provides that lawsuits, liens, arrests and body attachments are examples of extraordinary collection actions. 14
A hospital is also required to report on its Form 990 annual return a description of how the organization is addressing the needs indentified in each CHNA conducted under Section 501(r)(3) and a description of any needs that are not being addressed, along with the reasons why the needs are not being addressed. 18
The IRS released Notice 2010-39 on June 14, 2010, which addresses the IRS's role in providing guidance as to the implementation of the new requirements for tax exempt hospitals. The notice is primarily a request for comments, 19 however it does suggest that the IRS will be influenced by the Technical Explanation from the Joint Committee on Tax. 20 The notice incorporates the following comments from the Technical Explanation: 1) the CHNA may be based on current information collected by a public health agency or non-profit organizations and may be conducted together with one or more organizations, including related organizations, 21 2) with respect to limitation on charges, it is intended that amounts billed to those who qualify for financial assistance may be based on either the best, or an average of the three best, negotiated commercial rates, or Medicare rates; 22 and 3) the definition of "reasonable efforts" as it relates to the hospital's eligibility determination for financial assistance "includes notification by the hospital of its financial assistance policy upon admission and telephone calls, before collection action or reporting to credit agencies is initiated." 23
While PPACA did not radically change the requirements for tax exempt hospitals to maintain or obtain federal income tax exemption, hospitals should promptly adopt and implement, at a minimum, the required procedures relating to financial assistance, limitations on charges and collection processes. Hospitals should also begin preparations for a CHNA to be conducted within three years. Further, as the IRS develops guidance for implementation of the new requirements, hospitals should be mindful that their financial assistance and billing policies and practices and CHNA methods may need additional reflection and revision.
The ABA Health eSource is distributed automatically to members of the ABA Health Law Section . Please feel free to forward it! Non-members may also sign up to receive the ABA Health eSource.