text:
Somalia Population: 10,817,354NO VISITORS FROM HERE YET!
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|Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule characterized by the persecution, jailing, and torture of political opponents and dissidents. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims the regions of Sool and Sanaag, and portions of Togdheer. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in south-central Somalia) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. In 2000, the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC) held in Djibouti resulted in the formation of an interim government, known as the Transitional National Government (TNG). When the TNG failed to establish adequate security or governing institutions, the Government of Kenya, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), led a subsequent peace process that concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of a second interim government, known as the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic. The TFG included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU), withdrew from the country. The TFP was doubled in size to 550 seats with the addition of 200 ARS and 75 civil society members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former ICU and ARS chairman as president in January 2009. The creation of the TFG was based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlined a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. In 2009, the TFP amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011 and in 2011 Somali principals agreed to institute political transition by August 2012. The transition process ended in September 2012 when clan elders replaced the TFP by appointing 275 members to a new parliament who subsequently elected a new president.
Strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
|Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
|Geographic coordinates:
| total: 637,657 sq km
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km
Size comparison: almost five times the size of Alabama; slightly smaller than Texas
|Land Boundaries:
|total: 2,385 km border countries (3): Djibouti 61 km, Ethiopia 1,640 km, Kenya 684 km
|3,025 km
|Maritime claims:
|territorial sea: 200 nm
|principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
|mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
|Elevation extremes:
|Natural resources:
|uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
|Land use:
| agricultural land: 70.3% arable land 1.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 68.5% forest: 10.6%
other: 19.1% (2011 est.)
|Irrigated land:
|2,000 sq km (2012)
|Natural hazards:
|recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
|Current Environment Issues:
|famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
|International Environment Agreements:
| party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
|^Back to Top
| noun: Somali(s)
adjective: Somali
|Ethnic groups:
|Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)
|Somali (official), Arabic (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
|Sunni Muslim (Islam) (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter)
|10,817,354 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2016 est.)
|Age structure:
| 0-14 years: 43.42% (male 2,345,536/female 2,351,886)
15-24 years: 18.87% (male 1,031,804/female 1,009,831)
25-54 years: 31.47% (male 1,762,093/female 1,641,699)
55-64 years: 4.02% (male 213,259/female 221,520)
65 years and over: 2.22% (male 92,966/female 146,760) (2016 est.)
|Dependency ratios:
| total dependency ratio: 98.1%
youth dependency ratio: 92.5%
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6%
potential support ratio: 17.9% (2015 est.)
|Median age:
| total: 17.9 years
male: 18.1 years
female: 17.8 years (2016 est.)
|Population growth rate:
|1.92% (2016 est.)
|Birth rate:
|40 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Death rate:
|13.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Net migration rate:
|-7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
| urban population: 39.6% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 4.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
|Major urban areas - population:
|MOGADISHU (capital) 2.138 million; Hargeysa 760,000 (2015)
|Sex ratio:
| at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
|Maternal mortality rate:
|732 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
|Infant mortality rate:
| total: 96.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 87.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
|Life expectancy at birth:
| total population: 52.4 years male: 50.3 years
female: 54.5 years (2016 est.)
|Total fertility rate:
|5.89 children born/woman (2016 est.)
|Contraceptive prevalence rate:
|14.6% (2006)
|Physicians density:
|0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
|Drinking water source:
| improved:
urban: 69.6% of population
rural: 8.8% of population
total: 31.7% of population
urban: 30.4% of population
rural: 91.2% of population
total: 68.3% of population (2011 est.)
|Sanitation facility access:
| improved:
urban: 52% of population
rural: 6.3% of population
total: 23.6% of population
urban: 48% of population
rural: 93.7% of population
total: 76.4% of population (2011 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|0.5% (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|30,200 (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|2,000 (2015 est.)
|Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
|3.9% (2014)
|Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
|23% (2009)
|Education expenditures:
|^Back to Top
|Country name:
| conventional long form: Federal Republic of Somalia
conventional short form: Somalia
local long form: Jamhuuriyadda Federaalkaa Soomaaliya
local short form: Soomaaliya
former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic
etymology: "Land of the Somali" (ethnic group)
|Government type:
|federal parliamentary republic
| name: Mogadishu
geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 20 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
|Administrative divisions:
|18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabeelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabeelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
|1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic)
|National holiday:
|Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
|previous 1961, 1979; latest drafted 12 June 2012, approved 1 August 2012 (provisional) (2016)
|Legal system:
|mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law (referred to as Xeer)
|18 years of age; universal
|Executive branch:
| chief of state: President HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (since 10 September 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE (since 24 December 2014); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamad Omar ARTEH (since 6 February 2015)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by the National Parliament elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament by two-thirds majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 10 September 2012 (next to be held on 30 November 2016); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the Federal Parliament
election results: HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud elected president; Federal Parliament second round vote - HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 190, Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (ARS) 79; Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE approved as prime minister; Federal Parliament vote - 218 for approval, none against (6 members not present for vote)
|Legislative branch:
|description: unicameral National Parliament or Golaha Shacabka Soomaaliya consists of the House of the People (275 seats; members directly elected to serve 4-year terms) note: the inaugural House of the People was appointed in September 2012 by clan elders; elections scheduled for 23 October to 10 November 2016, the National Parliament will become bicameral with the formation of an upper house that will consist of 54 seats with members indirectly elected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms; composition of lower house NA
|Judicial branch:
| highest court(s): the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal- and federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia Islamic courts
|Political parties and leaders:
|CADHI [Abdirahman IBRAHIM] Cosmopolitan Democratic Party [Yarow Sharef ADEN] Democratic Green Party of Somalia or DGPS [Abdullahi Y. MAHAMOUD] Democratic Party of Somalia or DPS [Maslah Mohamed SIAD] Green Leaf for Democracy or GLED Hiil Qaran Justice and Communist Party [Mohamed NUR] Liberal Party of Somalia National Unity Party (Xisbiga MIdnimo-Quaran) [Abdurahman BAADIYOW] Peace and Development Party or PDP Somali National Party or SNP [Mohammed Ameen Saeed AHMED] Somali People's Party [Mahamud Hassan RAGE] Somali Green Party (local chapter of Federation of Green Parties of Africa) Tayo or TPP [Mohamed Abdullahi MOHAMED] Tiir Party [Fadhil Sheik MOHAMUD] United and Democratic Party [Salad Ali JELLE] United Somali Parliamentarians
|Political pressure groups and leaders:
|other: numerous political associations and clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the incumbent president
|International organization participation:
|ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU (candidate), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO
|National symbol(s):
|leopard; national colors: blue, white
|National anthem:
| name: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag)
lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE
note: adopted 2012; written in 1959
|Diplomatic representation in the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed Issa AWAD (since 17 September 2015)
chancery: 425 East 61st Street, Suite 702, New York City, NY 10021
telephone: [1] (212) 688-9410, 688-5046
|Diplomatic representation from the US:
|the US Mission to Somalia, operating out of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, is headed by Ambassador Stephen M. SCHWARTZ (since 9 August 2016)
|^Back to Top
Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia maintains an informal economy largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Somalia's government lacks the ability to collect domestic revenue and external debt – mostly in arrears – was estimated at 93% of GDP in 2014. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Economic activity is estimated to have increased by 3.7% in 2014 because of growth in the agriculture, construction and telecommunications sector. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal. In recent years, Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu, has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu, and within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services.
|GDP (purchasing power parity):
| GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.431 billion (2014 est.) $4.186 billion (2013 est.) $5.607 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
|GDP (official exchange rate):
|GDP (official exchange rate): $5.8 billion (2014 est.)
|GDP - real growth rate:
|2.6% (2010 est.) 2.6% (2009 est.) 2.6% (2008 est.)
|GDP - per capita (PPP):
|GDP - per capita (PPP): $400 (2014 est.) $400 (2013 est.) $600 (2008 est.)
|GDP - composition, by end use:
| household consumption: 72.1%
government consumption: 8.7%
investment in fixed capital: 19.8%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 0.3%
imports of goods and services: -1.7% (2015 est.)
|GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
| household consumption: 72.1%
government consumption: 8.7%
investment in fixed capital: 19.8%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 0.3%
imports of goods and services: -1.7% (2015 est.)
|Agriculture - products:
|bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
|light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication
|Industrial production growth rate:
|3.5% (2014 est.)
|Labor force:
|3.109 million (2013 est.)
|Labor force - by occupation:
| agriculture: 71% industry and
services: 29% (1975)
|Unemployment rate:
|Population below poverty line:
|Household income or consumption by percentage share:
| lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
| revenues: $145.3 million
expenditures: $151.1 million (2014 est.)
|Taxes and other revenues:
|2.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
|Fiscal year:
|Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|Inflation rate (consumer prices): -71.1% (2014 est.) note: (2014 est.)
|Current account balance:
|-$644 million (2014 est.)
|$819 million (2014 est.) $779 million (2013 est.)
|Exports - commodities:
|livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
|Exports - partners:
|UAE 45.8%, Yemen 19.7%, Oman 15.9% (2015)
|$3.482 billion (2014 est.) $3.322 billion (2013 est.)
|Imports - commodities:
|manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat
|Imports - partners:
|Djibouti 18.7%, India 16.5%, China 11.8%, Oman 8.7%, Kenya 6.1%, Pakistan 4.4% (2015)
|Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|$30.45 million (2014 est.)
|Debt - external:
|$3.054 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
|Exchange rates:
|Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - 20,227 (2014 est.) 20,227 (2013 est.)
|^Back to Top
|Electricity - production:
|300 million kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - consumption:
|300 million kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - exports:
|0 kWh (2013 est.)
|Electricity - imports:
|0 kWh (2013 est.)
|Electricity - installed generating capacity:
|81,000 kW (2014 est.)
|Electricity - from fossil fuels:
|100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from other renewable sources:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Crude oil - production:
|0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - imports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - proved reserves:
|0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
|Refined petroleum products - production:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - consumption:
|5,700 bbl/day (2014 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - imports:
|5,679 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - production:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - consumption:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - exports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - imports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - proved reserves:
|5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
|Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
|900,000 Mt (2013 est.)
|^Back to Top
|Cellular Phones in use:
|total: 5.836 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (July 2015 est.)
|Telephone system:
| general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging the lowest
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2012)
|Broadcast media:
|2 private TV stations rebroadcast Al-Jazeera and CNN; Somaliland has 1 government-operated TV station and Puntland has 1 private TV station; the transitional government operates Radio Mogadishu; 1 SW and roughly 10 private FM radio stations broadcast in M (2007)
|Internet country code:
|Internet users:
|total: 187,000 percent of population: 1.8% (July 2015 est.)
|^Back to Top
|61 (2013)
|Airports (paved runways):
| total 6
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
|Airports (unpaved runways):
| total 55
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 6 (2013)
| total 22,100 km
paved: 2,608 km
unpaved: 19,492 km (2000)
|Merchant marine:
| total 1
by type: cargo 1 (2008)
|Ports and terminals:
|major seaport(s): Berbera, Kismaayo
|^Back to Top
|Military branches:
|National Security Force (NSF): Somali Army (2011)
|Military service age and obligation:
|18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
|^Back to Top
|Transnational Issues
|Disputes - International:
|Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists
|Refugees and internally displaced persons:
|refugees (country of origin): 3,268 (Yemen) (2015) IDPs: 1.133 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources; 2011 famine; insecurity because of fighting between al-Shabaab and the Transitional Federal Government's allied forces) (2015)
|^Back to Top
Back to Flag Counter Overview
Source: CIA - The World Factbook


text:
In fiscal year 2010, the federal government spent about $113 billion on the Medicare Advantage program, a private plan alternative to the original Medicare program that covers about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans are paid a fixed monthly amount to provide beneficiaries with the same services as traditional Medicare. Most of these plans receive larger payments than would be required to provide traditional Medicare services. This allows them to provide additional services not covered by traditional Medicare.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers Medicare, adjusts payments to Medicare Advantage plans based on the health status of each plans enrollees. This adjustment is intended to provide higher payments for sicker patients and lower payments for those who are less sick. CMS calculates a risk scorewhich is a relative measure of health statusfor every beneficiary. The risk score is based on a beneficiarys demographic characteristics, such as age and gender, and major medical conditions. To obtain information on the medical conditions of beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, CMS generally analyzes diagnosesnumerically coded by providers into Medicare defined categorieson the claims that providers submit for payment. For beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, which do not submit claims, CMS requires plans to submit diagnostic codes for each beneficiary. Analysis has shown that risk scores are higher for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than for beneficiaries in traditional Medicare with the same characteristics, and CMS has taken steps to reduce Medicare Advantage payments, saving $2.7 billion in 2010.
Risk scores for beneficiaries with the same demographic characteristics and health conditions should be identical, regardless of whether the beneficiaries are in a Medicare Advantage plan or traditional Medicare. This will be true if Medicare Advantage and traditional providers code medical diagnoses with the same level of reliability and completeness. However, Medicare Advantage plans and providers in traditional Medicare may code diagnoses differently. Medicare Advantage plans have a financial incentive to ensure that all relevant diagnoses are coded, as this can increase beneficiaries risk scores and, ultimately, payments to the plans. Many traditional Medicare providers are paid for services rendered, and providers have less incentive to code all relevant diagnoses. If Medicare Advantage risk scores are higher than traditional Medicare scores for beneficiaries with the same demographic characteristics and medical conditions simply because Medicare Advantage diagnostic coding is more comprehensive, then CMSs payment adjustment will not be accurate and Medicare Advantage payments will be too high.
Policymakers have expressed concern that risk scores for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have grown at a faster rate than those for traditional Medicare beneficiaries, and some believe that systematic differences in coding diagnoses have contributed to this growth. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 directed CMS to conduct an analysis and adjust risk scores for differences in coding practices, to the extent that such differences could be identified in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 directed CMS to continue adjusting risk scores until the agency implements risk adjustment using Medicare Advantage data. In 2010, CMS estimated that 3.41 percent of Medicare Advantage risk scores were due to differences in diagnostic coding practices, and it reduced the scores by 3.41 percent, thereby saving $2.7 billion.
As GAO reported in January 2012, three major shortcomings exist in CMSs method for adjusting Medicare Advantage payments to reflect differences in diagnostic coding practices between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare. A revised methodology that addressed these shortcomings could have saved Medicare between $1.2 billion and $3.1 billion in 2010 in addition to the $2.7 billion in savings that CMSs 3.41 percent adjustment produceda total savings of between $3.9 billion and $5.8 billion. GAO expects savings in 2011 and future years will be greater. However, CMS has continued to use, or plans to use, its 2010 adjustment of 3.41 percent in 2011 and 2012.
First, CMS did not use the most recent data for its estimates. For 2010, the agency did not incorporate in its estimates 2008 data, the most recent data available. Similarly, the agency did not incorporate 2009 and 2010 data as it became available to update its estimates for 2011 and 2012. The most recent risk score data used by CMS in any of these estimates was 2007.
Second, CMS assumed that the annual impact of coding differences remained constant relative to coding differences from 2004 to 2007, despite evidence that the impact was increasing over time. Although CMSs 2010 estimate accounted for the cumulative impact of coding differences over the 3 prior years, CMS did not account for any additional years of accumulated impact in its 2011 or 2012 estimates.
Third, CMS only accounted for differences in age and mortality between the Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare populations. GAO accounted for additional beneficiary characteristics, such as sex, diagnoses as a proxy for health status, Medicaid enrollment status, beneficiary residential location, and whether the original reason for Medicare entitlement was disability, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimate.
CMS could enhance its efforts to estimate effects of coding differences between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare and realize even greater cost savings than the $2.7 billion that it has identified. GAO demonstrated a methodology which incorporated additional data and identified additional savings$1.2 billion to as much as $3.1 billion in payment reductions to Medicare Advantage plans. In January, 2012, GAO made the following recommendations:
To help ensure appropriate payments to Medicare Advantage plans and improve the accuracy of the adjustment made for differences in coding practices over time, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Administrator of CMS
The information contained in this analysis is based on findings from the report listed in the related GAO product section. GAO estimated the impact of coding differences between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare on Medicare Advantage risk scores and payment to plans. GAO compared risk score growth for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with an estimate of what risk score growth would have been if they had been in traditional Medicare.
GAO provided a draft of its January 2012 report to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services did not comment on GAOs recommendations but provided general and technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate. The Department of Health and Human Services characterized GAOs results as similar to those obtained by CMS, and found GAOs methodological approach and findings informative.
For additional information about this area, contact James C. Cosgrove at (202) 512-7114 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
GAO found that diagnostic coding differences exist between MA plans and Medicare FFS. Using data on beneficiary characteristics and regression analysis, GAO estimated that before CMSs adjustment, 2010 MA beneficiary risk scores were at least 4.8 percent, and perhaps as much as 7.1 percent, higher than they likely would have been if the same beneficiaries had been continuously enrolled in FFS...
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"Bestof2012" (Used 28 times)
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jason on 01/09/2013 at 11:00AM
Best of 2012: Recent Music Heroes' Picks
Recent Music Heroes (agier.blogspot.com) is a free music review site from Estonia run by Kert Semm, a journalist and musician (Autharktos). He says, "My blog's purpose is to spread the word about those artists who have no possibility to find their way to well-known sites and webzines."
Recent Music Heroes' Favorite Free CC Albums of 2012:
|Plusplus - Game Over (La bèl)
2 additional favorite not-free cc albums:
Recent Music Heroes' Favorite Free CC Tracks of 2012:
dvd on 01/08/2013 at 10:00AM
Best of 2012: dvd's Picks
Hey! I'm David - former FMA librarian, admin, and thing-doer. I spent a lot of time this year hunting the virtual stack for lost gems and Creative Commons treasures, and I come to you now with my Top 10 Albums to hit the Free Music Archive in 2012. They're presented below in alphabetical order... enjoy the tunes, and here's to another couple years of free sonic goodness at the FMA!
As a sucker for all things Krautrock, this Creative-Commons licensed demo from Finnish psych-rockers Hisko Detria hit all the right buttons for me. Long cuts of interstellar guitar/keyboard explorations, delay-laden vocal outbursts, and a steady rhythm section from a group that doesn't shy away from its influences. Looking forward to hearing them build on this sound in 2013!
If you haven't been keeping up with The Howie Tapes pseudo-label here at the FMA, then you're missing out on some of the, er... freshest archival recordings on the net. David Mitchell, son of famed Hammered Dulcimer player Howie Mitchell, has been methodically digitizing and releasing his father's recordings - so far dating all the way back to this unreleased 1958 tape. They're all excellent!
TAGGED AS:best of 2012, bestof2012, year-end lists
pluspunkt on 01/04/2013 at 07:00AM
Best of 2012: Nice Cover, Great Music
My name is Moritz Grünke. I am an artist based in Berlin, working with riso printing and design. I am very into artzines, which is why I write a blog about self-publishing artists, and I am one half of the small press called Gloria Glitzer (with Franiska Brandt). I also support the Free Music Archive as a community curator.
Nice Cover is my collection of great sounds and beautiful cover artworks that I really enjoy. It's a blog dedicated to free music, mostly under Creative Commons, and I also encourage supporting the artists via flattr, donations, purchases and other means.
Favorite Creative Commons Albums of 2012:
Favorite Creative Commons Tracks of 2012:
Nainen farina by Violeta Päivänkakkara — »Kuu« (La Gramola)
Time Bending by Phonotrash — »Elsewhere« (Headphonica)
Big Up by Grace et Volupte — »Van Van« (Dogmazic)
Slow Burning Bliss by Dead Times – »S/T« (Bad Panda)
Old Time Primitives by Big Blood — »Old Time Primitives« (Dontrustheruin)
Steps, Stairs, Mountains & Valleys by The Plastic Jazz Orchestra — »39°« (Headphonica / 2419)
NetMusic_Life on 12/28/2012 at 10:00AM
Best of 2012: Drizzi (NetMusic Life)
Hello, I'm Drizzi from North-West Italy. I started NetMusic Life in June 2010 to feed my growing passion for the netlabels movement and Creative Commons Music. Every day, I keep up to date about new CCMusic and netlabel releases. There's so much music out there, I select music that reflects my personal taste, the originality of work, the inspiration and sentiment that I feel into the music that I listen. This is my contribution to the artists and netlabels that every day offer your art and commitment to the world.


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Wheel to Wheel
I have spent a lot of time in many different forms of motorsports, as well as simply being immersed in the culture of cars. I love cars. I like anything that's fast. Even if it isn't "fast," or my style, I'd like to think I have an open enough mind to appreciate the hard work that other people put in on their cars. Maybe that's because I've put in the time and know what it takes to achieve a quality result.
I grew up with old Chevys. My father restored, and eventually drag raced a '57 Chevy, which is the car that started my love affair with cars and racing. Over the years I remember a lot of different cars in and out of the backyard, but the Chevys of the '50s, '60s, and early '70s are the one that stuck with me. I have a soft spot in my heart for Novas, Chevelles, and Camaros. In fact, I still have my '67 Chevelle drag car that I built with my father when I was 15.
When I reached the age that I could start driving, I wanted a '68 Chevelle, but quickly came to the realization that there was no way I could afford it working at a pet food store. So I looked for a less expensive performance option. This is when I found Mustangs. The Fox-body Mustangs of the late '80s and early '90s offer great performance, are easily upgraded, and above all, are reasonably affordable. I have had street Mustangs, road race Mustangs, drag race Mustangs, and now I even have a circle track Mustang—you know it as City Boy. (Before the lynching begins, City Boy will be back in the shop very very soon, and hopefully on track before long.)
When it comes to race cars, my taste in cars remains unchanged. I love the vintage Late Models, Modifies, and Street Stocks built from old Chevys, and I am head-over-heels in love with the new stock-appearing Mustang bodies (Circle Track has one, and that too will be on track very soon!) The "wedge" bodies are great for downforce and aerodynamics, but when the cars don't look anything like "real cars," I think there is something lost. Especially when you look at the younger race fans, who may have never seen stock cars that look like "stock cars."
NASCAR has even taken hold of the concept, debuting all-new bodies for this year's Sprint Cup season. Granted, the Nationwide series has had "stock appearing" bodies for a few years now, but let's be honest, it looked like you molded a stockish looking nose on a COT. The idea was good. It gave the cars some form of brand recognition, but when the bodylines and accents have to be painted on, you lose some of the realness of it.
The new Cup cars needed to happen, and I applaud NASCAR for making the moves they did. Fans should be able to recognize what each car is from any angle. I understand that we will never get back to racing production cars, but this is a huge step in the right direction!
Now we just need the stock appearing bodies to become more popular at the short tracks across the country, and maybe we can attract some of the younger fans who might not "get it."


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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Costco Wholesale (COST) shares are up 0.4% to $118.26 on Thursday after the company released June sales numbers showing a 6% growth in year over year same-store sales.
The company also reported a 10% increase in net sales to $10.9 billion during the month.
Analysts had been expecting growth of 5.4% during the month but the big box retailer credited the robust sales to higher fuel prices.
Must Read: Warren Buffett's 25 Favorite Stocks
TheStreet Ratings team rates COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:
"We rate COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, increase in net income and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins."
Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows:
- The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 5.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 7.1%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
- The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.42, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Despite the fact that COST's debt-to-equity ratio is low, the quick ratio, which is currently 0.57, displays a potential problem in covering short-term cash needs.
- The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the Food & Staples Retailing industry average, but is less than that of the S&P 500. The net income increased by 3.0% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $459.00 million to $473.00 million.
- Net operating cash flow has increased to $1,490.00 million or 10.45% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite an increase in cash flow, COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP's average is still marginally south of the industry average growth rate of 12.44%.
- COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP's earnings per share improvement from the most recent quarter was slightly positive. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. However, we anticipate underperformance relative to this pattern in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP increased its bottom line by earning $4.63 versus $3.90 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 1.1% in earnings ($4.58 versus $4.63).
- You can view the full analysis from the report here: COST Ratings Report


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Express Pick Up and Delivery Durack are your local bulky goods delivery specialists.
John is your local Express Pick Up and Delivery Durack operator servicing Karama, Leanyer, Nightcliff, Malak, Rapid Creek, Coconut Grove, Walagi, Tiwi, Millner, Anula, Alawa, Wagaman, Moil, Nakara, Humpty Doo, Nhulunbuy, Woodroffe, Rosebery, Gray, Moulden, Bakewell, Howard Springs, Driver, Durack, Gunn, Maningrida, Galiwinku, Virginia and surrounding suburbs.
John offers contracts with local businesses carrying out services such as:
- Local Pick Up and Deliveries
- Furniture Assembly
- Stock Transfer
- Depot Stock Collection
- Warehouse Work
- Shop Front Displays
- Rubbish Removal
- Building Supply Deliveries
- Landscaping Material Deliveries
- Packing
Contracted 4 ways:
- Hourly Rate
- Casual Rate
- Radios Rate (10km intervals)
- Weight
John and his team are here to be your muscles; no job is too big or small!
John has been a local to Karama for most of his life, spending the majority of his life in the automotive and building industry, in the management, staff organisation, logistics and stock ordering side of business operations.
With extensive knowledge into backend and management business operations, John understands the importance of customer service which is why Express Pick Up and Delivery Durack will always strive to provide you with 100% satisfaction guarantee.
John has a passion for sports; he enjoys spending his spare time watching AFL, Cricket and NRL. He frequently fishes along the coast line of Darwin or spends his time on the golf course.
For same day delivery, call 1300 EXPRESS today!


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Lisa's Blog
How to achieve Health Worth Celebrating with 10 % Effort
How can a Nutritionist or Nutritional Therapist Help Me?
How would you like to wake up without your alarm clock, feeling rested. You jump out of bed as the sun comes up, you feel like getting some exercise straight away and then instead of going for a walk around the block you skip around the block? Nothing is too much of a challenge, you breeze through the day, with a clear head, you're organized, alert, energized, effective and feeling powerful. You are excited about the day ahead, you get results, you excel. You come home after work, you are able to switch off and relax without needing a glass of wine or a stiffer drink, you enjoy helping to prepare the evening meal and you settle in to enjoy a nice dinner with your family, good conversation and an easy enjoyable evening, the cleaning up is done effortlessly, you are at peace with the world, in control and in love with life. You get into bed and fall straight to sleep and wake up completely refreshed for the new day!
Any of that sound appealing? Is that you now? Or…
Do you wake up in a haze with the alarm clock or the sound of your kids? You hit the snooze button or pull the covers over your head. Eventually you drag yourself out of bed, you still feel tired. You head for the kitchen and your caffeine hit. Time starts to register, and you rush around like a maniac trying to get ready and going. You arrive at your destination, already exhausted, stressed and irritable. More coffee. The hunger begins to hit, but you are busy, busy, busy, too busy to eat. You push through. You chase your tail, your day is unstructured and stressful. You grab some food, something quick and easy and high energy and high fat. You get home late, tired and cranky. You don't feel like cooking, you need a stiff drink, you don't want to talk to anyone or have to be nice. You make it through the evening, you hit the sack, but you don't sleep well. Your mind is racing, you are trying to figure out how you are going to do today's unfinished tasks on top of the ever increasing work load. The alarm clock sounds…
What does your nutrition status affect?
Mood, motivation, energy levels, weight, power, strength, mental and physical ability, disease risk
Do you suffer with any of the following?
Cramps, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, sinusitis, acne, arthirtis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, gout, weight gain, weight loss, diabetes, headaches, irregular menstruation, low libido, food addiction, allergies, food intolerances, eczema, psoriasis, frequent colds and flu, more immune system, Poor memory, fatigue, aches and pains…
Many people seem unclear about what it is a nutritionist or nutritional therapist does, or why they might want to see one.
Basically nutritionists help you to get more out of your life. They do this by identifying underlying causes of disease or health concerns. While nutritionists are prevention focused, this often translates into restoring health, PROMOTING LIFE and preventing pre-mature death. If you have a health concern, it is good to start with the basics, the root or core of the problem. Every cell in your body requires nutrients to function, that means every process, everything you do, requires nutrition. If your nutrition status is sub-optimal, this is going to spill over into every other area of your life. Your performance will be sub-optimal, you will feel and be below your game, your mind cannot operate clearly… and life becomes a drag… something you get through day to day… rather than something you LOVE, ENJOY and CELEBRATE!
"Nutritionists work with each client to produce a tailor-made programme to address specific issues and help you reach your health goalsThis could be clearer skin, more energy, improved digestion or weight loss. Nutritional therapy can also help more complex issues such as overcoming infertility, alleviating migraines or supporting a particular medical condition."
The results are you feel more in control of your life, you have more energy, you are more productive, you feel more alive, you have better relationships with your self and others, and experience an overall better quality of life.
Why isn't this enough of an incentive?
You can know what to eat, and hear all the healthy messages out there in the world and still not implement it or change or even WANT to change. We all have a relationship with food. Food services much more for us than just nutrients. We use it to reward or punish, to celebrate, to commiserate… Much more important than the type of food you eat, is the way you are thinking about the food you eat. The internal processing, what are you telling yourself about the food you eat, the guilt, the shame, the peace, the praise, the associations… all the sub conscious stuff.
Nutritional Therapists are aware of the multvariate factors that prevent individuals from implementing appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes, and will work with them at their own pace to adapt to new circumstances.
I like to take it one step further, working with you to understand the triggers, the motives, the underlying stuff and then look at practical ways of moving forward, empowering you, supporting you to implement lifechanging, sustainable strategies, to heal yourself and take back control of your life!
For more information of nutrition or nutritional therapy, these are two of my favourite sites!
Recent Posts
- Inspirational Story of Someone Living Strong
- A Soft Drink a day Keeps Good Behaviour Away
- Best Medicine for ... just about everything
- Low Calorie Diet Meal Plan
- Think carefully about what you want, when you say "weightloss"
- Low GL diet
- All calories are not created equal
- What is glutamine and why is it beneficial
- Chocolate, Cheese, Meat and Sugar are Addictive!
- You are more beautiful that you think you are


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On this day — Newt Gingrich's campaign explodes, setting off another round speculation over a possible Perry run for the presidency; the school finance debate drags on late into the night; ICE announces they're closing their 'tent city' on the border; and Sarah Palin's e-mails will be released today.
Wherever you are, whenever you need it — get the latest from the Houston Chronicle/San Antonio Express-News Austin Bureau by subscribing to our RSS feed, following us on Tumblr and Twitter @txpoliticsblog , and get the latest in your Facebook newsfeed by liking us on Facebook.
***Gingrich Supernovas
In space, when a supernova explodes, it blasts it's matter across the cosmos. That matter begins to clump together and begins to form the basic building blocks for new stars and planets. And it went that in politics yesterday, as the Gingrich campaign imploded under the weight of the candidates verbal miscues, Tiffany's tabs and cruises in the Mediterranean. Among those leaving the Gingrich campaign — Dave Carney and Rob Johnson, both of whom played key roles in Governor Rick Perry's most recent re-election campaign for Governor. Houston Chronicle/Express-News Austin Bureau Chief Peggy Fikac reports:
Further heightening interest, the Washington Post reported late Wednesday that, according to someone close to Perry, it would be unimaginable for the governor to make a presidential race without Carney.
Perry has said he will think about running after the special session. His spokesman, Mark Miner, said Thursday that was just where it stood, and Carney added by email, "Nothing has changed."
Carney said Gingrich's professional team sought a campaign direction that was "incompatible" with the former House speaker's vision. Asked if the move signaled a possible Perry run, Carney said, "No, it is totally unrelated to the governor."
The denials did not dampen discussion of whether Perry will run, as they never do.
"Let's put it this way. I don't think it means Perry is definitely running. But if he does run, he's got a made-to-order campaign staff," said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
***Problems for a Perry Candidacy
Nature abhors a vacuum and that law seems to be one of the forces pushing Perry into the race. There hasn't been a Republican candidate so far that's been able to gain any traction in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. However, there is no guarantee that Perry is the anecdote that Republicans are looking for.
When asked by pollsters for The Texas Tribune/University of Texas, Texans Republicans said they weren't enthused about the prospects of a Perry candidacy — only 4% said they would back him.
There is the harsh spotlight the national media casts on every Presidential candidate; for Perry that means reporters from the New York Times, Washington Post, 60 Minutes and everyone else will be taking another whack at the Cameron Todd Willingham/Forensic Science Commission controversy; the questions about using the Texas Enterprise and Emerging Tech Funds to induce political support and reward contributors; several questionable real estate deals, like the Horseshoe Bay land sale; giving Jeff Sandefer, a key donor, significant influence in crafting higher education policy and a whole host of other controversies.
And then there are the questions of organization — is there still enough time before the Iowa caucuses for Perry to be able to build the sort of grassroots operation he'll need to compete there?
Below the fold — Nick Anderson cartoons on that other form of Congressional 'sexting;' in 'The Clips' the House passes one part of a school finance overhaul; and in 'EXTRA!,' today's the day Sarah Palin's e-mails are released.
***Nick Anderson on That Other Form of Sexting
***The Clips
– Chronicle/Express-News reporter Gary Scharrer breaks down the arduously long debate over the school finance bill, which past after 2 a.m.
Only Republicans voted for SB 1 in the 81-62 tally.
Public school supporters plan to rally the public in next year's elections against legislators who supported the public education cuts.
Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston made a passionate appeal before the vote.
"I don't know what's going on that we are not willing to invest in public education. Maybe we are looking at the schools and not liking what we see," he said.
– Chronicle/Express-News reporter Nolan Hicks writes that the bill nearly came off the tracks after a raucous debate over Rep. Wayne Christian's 'pansexual' amendment.
His proposal was withdrawn after Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, raised a point of order against the entire bill, which could have derailed the entire budget process. Martinez agreed to pull down his point of order in exchange for Christian removing his amendment.
While the debate had it's lighter moments, it quickly grew contentious as it featured emotional appeals by Democratic representatives, who complained Christian's amendment was codifying discrimination into law.
"This is all about creating hate," said Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin. She said that hatred of those that are different from the majority straight population had fueled conservative support for Christian's amendment and that the debate reminded her of the previous debates over hate crimes legislation.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said the state was inviting a lawsuit if the proposed amendment became law.
"Bring it on," Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington. called out from his chair in response to Thompson's remark.
– The Associated Press reports that the Texas House passed additional measures that would forbid state money to go to local hospital districts that spend local tax dollars to help pay for abortions, it's a situation that only exists in liberal Travis County, where voters approved a measure to help pay for the procedure.
A conservative lawmaker has succeeded in tacking an anti-abortion rule onto a fiscal matters bill.
Republican Rep. Wayne Christian won approval Thursday night for a measure that would cut state funding to any hospital district that spends local money on abortions. The bill must still clear a conference committee where the Senate and the House will work out any differences before it becomes law.
Currently the Travis County Hospital District is the only one in the state that performs abortions, with local approval. Christian said he opposes abortions and doesn't think state funds should go to any organization that performs them, regardless if other funds are used to pay for the abortion.
– The Guardian (UK) reports that Gov. Rick Perry has ignored pleas from the federal government and Mexican government to stop the planned execution of Humberto Leal Garcia. Opponents of the execution say the sentence resulted from a conviction that was aided by an incompetent defense and that the Mexican consulate was never allowed to provide for his defense.
The governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has vowed to press ahead on 7 July with the execution of Humberto Leal Garcia, despite condemnation across the political and legal realms. Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama have, while in office, opposed the execution, and Congress is likely to soon introduce legislation designed to make such a judicial killing impossible.
The almost blanket condemnation of Texas's position stems from the fact that Leal was prosecuted without the benefit of consular support and advice from the Mexican authorities, as is required under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. He was found guilty in 1994 of sexually assaulting and murdering a 16-year-old girl in San Antonio.
But the Mexican authorities were never informed of his arrest, and at his trial he was assigned court-appointed lawyers whom his current attorneys say were unprepared and incompetent. One of the trial lawyers has twice been suspended from practising law and reprimanded two other times for failing to carry out his obligations to his clients, according to the attorneys.
– The Express-News' Lynn Brezosky reports that ICE is going to be closing down it's tent city along the border, which had been used as a detention center.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Nina Pruneda said the agency is making plans to relocate about 1,000 detainees from Raymondville's Willacy Detention Center and reassign some 99 ICE employees to a location elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley.
"ICE will use other local facilities that the San Antonio Field Office contracts with," she said.
Pruneda's statement followed local news reports that Centerville, Utah-based Management and Training Corporation, the private company under contract to manage the Center, had laid off about 110 employees.
– Brezosky also reports on an shoot out between federal forces and a Mexican drug gang on the border.
– The Los Angeles Times reports that Sarah Palin's e-mails are scheduled to come out today.


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MP-RAP FAQ for Programs (updated 09/29/2015)
What is the MP-RAP?
The Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP) is a program started by the AAPM Workgroup for Coordination of Medical Physics Residency Programs (WGCMPR) to do the following.
- Make it easier for applicants to apply for residency programs.
- Reduce administrative burden for residency programs that have to process these applications.
What are the browser requirements?
Recommended Browsers include:
- Internet Explorer 8 (or above)
- Firefox 6 (or above, for Mac and Windows)
- Chrome 11 (or above, for Mac and Windows)
- Opera 10 (or above, for Mac and Windows)
- Safari 5 (or above, for Mac and Windows)
Recommended minimum screen resolution: 1024 x 768
Other recommended settings:
- Allow Pop-up Windows from AAPM.ORG
- Browser plugin to display PDF (Acrobat 8 or higher)
- Accept/allow Browser cookies from AAPM.ORG
The application file shows up as a single blank page. How do I view it?
In order to deal with digitally-protected PDF content (e.g., official digital transcripts), we have updated to a new PDF file format that some PDF viewers are unable to process. If you have issues viewing applicant files, please try using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat.
I am an AAPM member. Can I just use my AAPM login information for the MP-RAP?
The MP-RAP institution and applicant databases are separate from the AAPM user database. If you are logged in to the AAPM site when you register, your AAPM credentials will be copied to the MP-RAP database. This is the recommended method, and you can see your AAPM login status in the black bar at the very top of any AAPM web page.
I am already registered in the MP-RAP. Do I have to register again?
If you registered in the MP-RAP, but are unable to access the Institution pages, you may have registered as an applicant instead of as a program. If so, you will need to go the Institution Login page to register your program. Your applicant ID will still be active in the applicant database, but that should not be a problem.
I registered but did not receive my activation email. Can you help me?
The activation email can get lost for a variety of reasons. If you were already logged in as an AAPM member, then you won't get an activation email. Try logging in to the MP-RAP using your AAPM credentials, or make sure you are logged at the AAPM home page before coming to the MP-RAP. If you were not logged in as an AAPM member when you registered, check your spam folder. If you need to resend the activation email, go to the Login page. You will find an entry blank for your MP-RAP user ID, and button to resend the email.
How do I get my program listed in the MP-RAP?
You must register and pay the fee for your program to be listed in the MP-RAP. Your first opening is included in the registration fee, and subsequent openings require payment of another fee.
I placed my ad on the AAPM careers site. Why is my program not listed in the MP-RAP?
The MP-RAP and the careers site are separate. Even if you indicate in the ad that you are using the MP-RAP, you must register as an institution in the MP-RAP (paying the fee), and then list your opening. It will then be available for applicants.
I have registered as an institution and paid the fee. Is there anything else I need to do?
On the Institution Info page, you should enter basic information about your institution or program. This is the information that applicants will see about your program, and applicants can bookmark your program (even if you don't have an opening). The Institution Users page can be used to add other users (e.g., administrative assistant) that can access your institutional pages. They do not have to register for the MP-RAP or activate their accounts. Only one person per institution should register. Finally, visit the Openings page to enter your opening. Doing that will make it available for applicants.
How can I get a receipt for my payment?
Click the Payment & Invoice link in the sidebar menu, then click on the invoice number for which you want a receipt.
Can I have multiple openings listed under one program or institution?
Yes. Although we expect that most institutions will have only one program, we do allow for more than one opening to be listed. For example, if you have a 2-year clinical training program and a 3-year clinical training program with a research component, you may want to list them separately. However, you will need to pay a separate fee for each listing. Note: For MedPhys Match positions, there is currently no fee associated with each posted position, and you are encouraged to have separate openings for each track. This allows applicants to rank their preference (e.g., 2-year versus 3-year program).
I would like my administrative assistant or associate program director to help with entering information and gathering the applications. Do they have to register for MP-RAP?
No. If you are already registered for the MP-RAP as an institution, you simply need to go to the Institution Users page and add them as a user. Only one person at each institution should register the institution, and that person should add other users. The other users can also add users if they wish.
The program director (or admin assistant) has changed, can you update the institution contact information for me?
Anyone that can log in to your institution page can add, change, or delete users for their institution. Look for the Institution Users link in the sidebar menu.
How can I see how many applicants have applied for my program?
Click on the Applicant List link in the sidebar menu. Applications that you see here should be complete, except possibly for reference letters. There are more details on that page.
How do I retrieve my applications?
The Applicant List page will show you a list of your openings. Clicking on the name of the opening will show you a list of individual applicants. Clicking on the name of the applicant will let the system know that you would like to retrieve the application. All of the files belonging to the application will be concatenated into a single pdf that can be downloaded.
Why do I have to pay to use the MP-RAP?
Both programs and applicants pay fees to use the MP-RAP. The fees that are collected cover the cost of creating and maintaining the system. Programs should find that the time saved by not having to manually match pieces of applications (e.g., transcripts, reference letters) should easily make the fee justifiable. Note: For MedPhys Match positions, there is currently no fee associated with each posted position. The fee that was paid to register with MP-RAP will remain in your account as a credit that can be used when the AAPM subsidy ends.
I have a valid credit card. Why was my payment rejected?
The payment is taken care of by the bank, not AAPM. For security reasons, the bank will check the entered billing address to verify that it matches your credit card information. The vast majority of payment issues are a result of a mismatch between the billing address and the address entered on the payment form. For example, if you enter your name in the address field, it will be rejected. If you are using a company credit card, the billing address is very often your home address. Before contacting us for help, you should make sure that all of the billing information is correct.
What information does the MP-RAP include?
The application will ask for the following information.
- personal information (name, address, contact information)
- ABR certification status
- disclosure of criminal behavior, academic violations, and/or licensure actions
- employment history
- military service history (if applicable)
- education (undergraduate and graduate)
- names of 3 references (including one from current advisor or department head)
- personal statement (max 3000 characters) indicating why you want to go into medical physics, and anything else you want to communicate to the applications reviewers (this is instead of a cover letter).
- uploaded CV (should include awards, publications and presentations)
- Uploaded Transcripts and a copy of TOEFL results (if applicable)
Our program requires that official transcripts be mailed directly, and a copy of the transcript is not sufficient. Can we require that applicants send us official transcripts?
You can require anything you like. The current recommendation is to verify official transcripts for those applicants that you choose to invite for interviews, or offer positions to.
I have a diagnostic physics residency program, and I don't want to see all of the therapy applications. Why isn't the applicant asked to indicate a preference for diagnostic or therapy to that I can more easily discard those that are not interested in my program?
Each program will only see applications from applicants that explicitly select that program from the list. Applicants are charged a fee to apply, so they should only be submitting applications to programs that they are interested in.
My program requires applicants to meet special requirements. How can I make sure that I don't get a bunch of applications from individuals that are not qualified?
Making the qualifications clear in any advertisements will help a lot. You can also included information in the description for the opening that lists any special requirements. However, there is no way to guarantee that non-qualified applicants do not submit applications. It is best to make sure that the qualifications are clear in the posted ad, and on any program website that you might have.
Is it possible for me to see all of the applications instead of just those that select my program from the list?
No, it is not possible, and this is by design. If an applicant does not select your program from the list, you probably shouldn't be taking the time to look at their application since they will probably not consider an offer from you.
I thought that one of the benefits of a Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP) would be that programs would see more good applications. Are you saying that will not be the case?
The MP-RAP will make it easier for applicants to apply for multiple programs. We anticipate that (on average) applicants will apply to more programs. Anecdotally, many programs are seeing 2-3 times as many applications with MP-RAP.
Why can't the MP-RAP include a match?
The MedPhys Match was created to satisfy this need. Similar to medical residency programs, we felt it best to separate the application and rank (match) processes.
Our application requires information not included in the current application. Can we get the application changed to conform to our requirements?
Changes to content are not possible at this time. The current application was created using information submitted by multiple programs. All programs were asked to contribute, so if the form does not include your information, your program probably did not respond to the initial request for application information. Please bring your requirements to the attention of the WGCMPR chair, and it will be considered for the next iteration of the MP-RAP. In the meantime, you can try to make it clear in your posting that you expect certain information to be sent directly to you.
What is the relationship between the AAPM careers site and the MP-RAP?
The AAPM careers site is primarily an career advertising and search site. They do allow job seekers to store files (e.g., CV) to send to employers via email. They also allow employers to specify whether applications can be sent via email or via a website. Sending residency applications via email does not meet residency program needs, so the MP-RAP was created to meet the needs of programs that did not already have an online application system.
What is the relationship between the MedPhys Match and MP-RAP?
The MedPhys Match is a matching program for medical physics residency programs being run by National Matching Services. Many programs that participate in the MedPhys Match also use MP-RAP to collect application data, but some may choose to collect applications in other ways. While there is some cooperation between MP-RAP and the MedPhys Match, the MedPhys Match is independent of AAPM.
The advertisement has a button to "Apply For This Job". How do I make that go to the MP-RAP?
When you are creating the ad, you can specify whether applications should be sent via email, or via an online form. If you specify the latter, you can enter any website address you like. You can enter the primary MP-RAP address (http://www.aapm.org/mprap/) so that job seekers are directed to the MP-RAP home page. In the future, you will be able to direct them to your specific program page within the MP-RAP that will have basic information about your program.
If I register for the MP-RAP, do I still need to place an ad on the AAPM careers site (or other place)?
No, but the MP-RAP is not intended for advertising positions. If you choose not to advertise (other than an open position in the MP-RAP), you will only reach those potential applicants that are already aware of the MP-RAP. Therefore, you may be restricting the pool of available applicants. Currently, the careers site has a generic MP-RAP ad that is updated once per month with a list of currently available positions. That may or may not be sufficient for your needs.
What does "incomplete data" mean?
Incomplete data has not been very well defined yet. The MP-RAP does basic checking of applications to see that major data elements have been filled in, but we are unable to check things like whether all transcripts have been uploaded. The original intention was to let applicants know whether applications would be considered if a reference was missing (for example). Some programs are going to be very strict on this aspect, and some will let it slide. Applicants should not really pay too much attention to how this is set (at this time) and should strive to make the application as complete as possible.
What does CAMPEP GRAD mean?
When entering data for an opening, you are asked to indicate a yes/no answer for CAMPEP GRAD. It is intended as a way for programs to indicate whether a CAMPEP degree or certificate is required for the position. Applicants can sort the list of openings based on this criteria, so you are encouraged to use it that way. If you require CAMPEP, indicate yes for CAMPEP GRAD, and also include that requirement in your description. If you are willing to accept non-CAMPEP graduates, indicate no for CAMPEP GRAD. If you prefer CAMPEP grads, feel free to include that in your description.
I have a question that is not answered here. Who do I contact to find an answer?
You can click the Contact Us link in the sidebar at any time to send us a question.If appropriate, questions and answers will be added to this page.


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Find Your Part Now
Are you looking for Used Wheel for your car? Look no further, we provide you the best way to find used OEM Wheel for you. No need to find any Used Auto Parts we already saved your time we have a list of them.
Start your search by selecting the Year, Make and Model of your vehicle on the right hand side followed by the part that you are looking from Auto Parts stores. Once you fill up the form we will send your requests to the stores that have the parts for your Car, Truck at discounted price and they will give you a call or email you with a quote.
Used Auto Parts for your car and truck is easy to find with us just fill up the form with the contact details of yours and we will send your request to the nationwide directory of used auto parts sellers directory like junkyards, salvageyards and auto recycler dealers.


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Please post your favorite unicorn recipes. Here's mine:
Marinate four filets of prime unicorn meat in the following:
- One cup of aged balsamic vinegar
- Two tablespoons of rosemary
- Eight large peppercorns, whole
- Two heavy pinches of salt
- If desired, add ground unicorn horn for a little extra kick
Marinate for two hours, or overnight for best results.
Sear the meat on both sides, and finish in the oven at 350 degrees.
Serve with hearty vegetables and a delicate red wine, such as Burgundy.
A simple but elegant dinner for any special occasion.


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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Diagnosing Realism
One short-hand method for authors to add tone or apply a 'gritty-realism' to their work is to utilize elements of everyday life from gut-wrenching violence to sex scenes so detailed an artist could count the freckles to extensive use swearing that could put a sailor to shame. These elements bring the audience into a 'real world' and pull them in with their spell.
Or do they?
In many instances authors may use these elements as a means to apply realism to the world but are they really necessary? The power of writing is that it lets the audience take control with their imagination. The audience is what truly brings the piece to life. If too many of these elements are laced within the narrative what does it accomplish? Interestingly enough, not what one would think.
As these elements of 'gritty realism' are laced throughout the piece it may assist in world building but as the levels of these elements increase the author is actually decreasing their potential audience. In most instances of 'harsh language' it is actually superfluous. Much like adding extensive dialect to a piece, adding language is the same as repeating a detail. Not only can the audience already understand the details they may actually grow tired of it. This is why editors and publishers may filter these elements. They want a piece to reach as wide an audience as possible.
Adding 'gritty realism' to a piece can work really well but the levels of these elements will actually dictate the potential audience. Is it really wise to keep reducing the size of that audience?
10 comments:
- Michele Shaw said...
Great post! I always try to look at as, "Does this enhance, or detract? Is it a gimmick or really needed?" When I can answer those questions honestly, then I know what stays and what gets cut.
- May 31, 2011 at 10:52 AM
- Jacqvern said...
Quote: "The audience is what truly brings the piece to life." Loved this :)
Well, everything needs a measure. Not more and not less. It should be balanced. Of course, it depends on the target audience. But you mentioned above, in order to target a wider audience, some compromises must be made.
Thank you for the thought provoking post :)
- May 31, 2011 at 4:51 PM
- Amber said...
I do like to read certain stories with these elements, but if I step back and look at the big picture, I can see that it takes a certain element to pull it off.
This is something that we all need to be aware of, as writers.
Awesome post!
- May 31, 2011 at 4:51 PM
- PW.Creighton said...
Michele, it is certainly that sort of thinking but we often overlook dialog with regional phrases or even cursing. It just doesn't occur to us that things like that affect viewership/audience as much as they do.
Jacqvern, thank you for the comment. Certainly everything requires a measure but many things just aren't perceived. Like dialect tags, cursing is no different than repeating a detail but it does more than that. The levels of those elements can dictate whether a story can even be viewed by another audience ...say YA. It's the larger picture that most authors fail to examine.
Amber, thanks. Yeah that's why I keep looking at things from such a critical standpoint. Sure removing a particular word may seem like it's removing an element from the story but it's more than that. It's like creating a ripple that changes everything from perceptions to the audience.
- June 1, 2011 at 10:27 AM
- Jill Kemerer said...
Oh, I agree. Too much of anything just makes me tune out!
- June 1, 2011 at 12:06 PM
- Kimberly Krey said...
I thought this post was truly insightful; we can definitely over do it. I've read it in books or seen it done in movies, and it turns me off.
- June 1, 2011 at 12:21 PM
- PW.Creighton said...
Jill, thanks for the comment. Yeah, it certainly does. In an abstract sense they're just repeated details. Why repeat?
Kim thanks for stopping by! Just like any audience, when you repeat a detail it becomes old, repeated again and again it breaks the spell.
- June 2, 2011 at 8:57 AM
- Lisa Gail Green said...
These elements are reasonable only if important to the story and/or characters. You are right, you cannot throw in these things purely for shock value, or because you think it sells. It has to be done artfully. If Mrs. Weasly swore throughout HP, would her use of the word "Bitch" at the end have had as much meaning? No way.
- June 2, 2011 at 1:36 PM
- cherie said...
What an eloquent post!
I do agree: a repeated word or idea loses it's face value after a while. I remember reading a book where the author keeps bringing up this one 'event' over and over again. I talked to some friends who had read the book and they noticed it as well. There were admirable merits to the book, but we couldn't get past the repetition.
Always assume that your readers are smart. ;)
- June 2, 2011 at 4:25 PM
- PW.Creighton said...
Lisa, thanks for stopping by! You are absolutely right. If used appropriately it can be one of the most powerful and poignant elements but not many think in those terms. Excellent insight.
Cherie, quite true but most writers think in terms of dialog the usual 'how we speak.' Most fail to realize that these elements are just repeated details and how they affect readership. Thanks for the comment!
- June 3, 2011 at 8:23 AM


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400 Representative of Inventor or Owner
You can start a discussion about a section within this chapter by clicking on the small triangle to the right of the chapter name. The contents of the chapter will be shown beneath it. Select a section or subsection from the contents for discussion. You can read this chapter on the USPTO website.
No ideas found.


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Vision of the Seas - Alaskaby Kuki, CruiseMates Cruise Director
I'll be sharing with you the grandeur of Alaska, as the Vision of the Seas cruises Hubbard Glacier, and Misty Fjords. And we'll see what sort of trouble I can get into with stops at Skagway, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan.
I'll send you a sample when I stop to visit the Alaskan Fudge Factory, and something to wash it down with from the Red Dog Saloon. If the weather cooperates you'll join me on a helicopter flight to land on, and explore a glacier, and go salmon fishing with the bears.
I'll be including special reports from the bridge with Captain Bang, and you're sure to be happy you're not there when I'm driving the ship.Join in and share this cruise experience with me. I'm pleased to be bringing you along!


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Mixed media artwork. Photography taken at Morraine Lake in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, blended with vector graphics and patterns.
Within my artwork I explore an alternate future world.
I like mixing traditional landscape photography with punchy pop kaleidescopes of wind currents, rivers and formations of species... evolved from a fusion of graffiti, adverts, branding and packaging. Relics from long gone human days ...that over time, have woven together to become part of earth's natural elements, gradually forming into the fabric of a new evolution of nature.
Well you never know, it just might happen!
Image size: 70 x 70cm
Achival Quality Giclee Print
Limited Edition of 15
Signed and numbered
Postage is by recorded & tracked mail, worldwide.
All orders will be carefully rolled in large protective tubes (jumbo sized diameter) or packed in a thick and sturdy backed flat packet depending on the item and size.
Please allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery.
Exchanges & Refunds
I understand it's a big decision to buy an artwork online without seeing it in real life!
So, for your peace of mind, if you aren't happy with the artwork when it arrives, get in touch as soon as possible to let me know, and you can send it back in all it's original packaging, and I will be happy to organise an exchange or refund.
Feel free to email me with any questions or special requests.
All works copyright © La Shuks
If you share/re-post these photos elsewhere, please tag the artist's name: La Shuks
or please link back to: www.lashuks.com


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descor wrote:<snip>
Firstly, and most importantly, WELCOME BLITZGIRL!! Did I miss the party?
Nope! The party lives on! And thank you!!
htom wrote:BlitzGirl wrote:<snip>
I hope I got everything I was supposed to!
You've brought the most important thing -- yourself!
:scoops BlitzGirl up into a giant bearhug and twirls about: So good to meet you! :carefully puts her down and wobbles away:
Whee! Nice to meet you, too!
udscbt wrote:BlitzGirl wrote:<snip>
What an honor! So, uh...what is the official title? I just want to be clear before I muss up my sigpile again.
I think "Saint of the Timewaiters" should be ok.
Excellent! I think I might be able to fit that in my character limit!


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One local group is offering support to parents who have children in prison.
One local group is offering support to parents who have children in prison.
The Mothers of Incarcerated Children support group is a part of the Bethel Word Ministries. The group meets the third Sunday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church, located at 1675 Halltown Road.
Cheryl Cole, the founder of the group, said that her own struggles over her son�s incarceration led her to start the support system.
�My son is in prison,� she said. �When he got into trouble, I didn�t know anything about the system. I didn�t have anyone (except my husband) to talk to about the situation.�
Cole realized that there were probably other women in the Jacksonville community who felt the same way.
�There are other women out there who need support when their kids get into trouble,� she said. �All of the women in the group have kids in prison. Even though some have come home, the women still come to the group because you still need someone to talk to � You still worry about them.�
Cole said that while the group is mostly mothers, fathers are welcome and a few men have come to the group.
Cole said her son, who is 25 now, went into prison when he was 18.
�He was a good kid, good student. He graduated high school, came from a two-parent home and was raised in the church,� she said. �He just got in with the wrong crowd after high school and got into trouble with the law.�
Most people will not have to know what it is like to have a child behind bars.
�They don�t know how it is � You can�t see them when you want to, you can�t hug them and you can�t really talk to them on the phone much,� she said.
Cole said the holidays are one of the hardest parts of the year.
�Holidays are a big thing because you don�t have your child with you,� she said. �You don�t even want to celebrate sometimes.�
Another issue parents run into with a child in prison is transportation. Cole�s son, like many others, is in a facility that is hours from her home.
�I try to go maybe once a month because he�s three hours away from home,� she said. �That�s another burden on mothers, especially if they can�t afford to drive and see their kids.�
Overall, being able to talk about the hardships and have shared experiences with a group of people is the biggest motivation for the group.
�Once our kids leave the courtroom, you don�t really know what all happens to them,� she said. �There�s a lot you have to deal with when kids get into trouble. You really do need support.�
Assistant District Attorney Kaelyn Thompson said that all those who have been touched by crime need support.
�The non-offending family members are often overlooked because they are not a direct victim of the crime committed,� she said. �I think a support group for them is such a good idea. (The DA�s office has) the ability to get support for the victim, but we can�t get services for the family of the defendant.�
Thompson said that she doesn�t know who else, other than a support group, could provide services to a defendant�s family member.
�This group makes a lot of sacrifices,� she said. �They didn�t do anything wrong; their son or daughter did.
�I see a lot of parents of defendants asking themselves what they did wrong. I think it is important that they have an outlet to see that people make choices. It can help them to not put the blame on themselves.�
Thompson said she feels it is important for these family members to be encouraged to do the best they can with what they have and begin to pick up the pieces.
�They were not guilty of the crime, but society can see them that way. They should be criminalized no more than the victim,� she said.
Overall, Thompson said, the group is a good idea.
�It is a positive thing in the community,� she said. �Anything that benefits people who have to deal with crime in any way and helps them overcome that hurdle is a positive thing as a whole.�
For more information on the Mothers of Incarcerated Children support group, contact Cheryl Cole at 910-238-2394.
Contact Daily News Reporter Tabitha Clark at 910-219-8454 or email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter at @TabithaLClark or friend her on Facebook.


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You Can Now Play Guitar With Your Pee
And now, for the discerning person with enough hubris and ego to actually think that even their urine is creative, we present Guitar Pee, an interactive urinal. Wait, what? No, make that WTF? We know, it's just wrong on all sorts of levels and we haven't even gotten to the hook yet. No pun intended.
Antiquiet reports that a Brazilian company has created a urinal that allows your pee to transmogrify into a guitar solo. Get one for your house and you'll never leave. Who needs Guitar Hero? While the guitar-shaped porcelain god looks like the real thing, this idea drifts into creepy territory and quick.
According to BuzzFeed, this urinal is actually set up in a bar called Bar Aurora right now. If you are into that whole, uh, "golden showers" thing, there is also a website that allows you to listen to the urine-based masterworks and play strings with the stream. Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned flushing?
Nevertheless, go here with your mobile device — not computer — to listen to Mpee3. No, we're not kidding.


text:
Sulu Archipelago
(under construction)
The picture of life, there as here, is drawn with the same elaboration of detail, colored by the same tints. Only in the cruel serenity of the sky, under the merciless brilliance of the sun, the dazzled eye misses the delicate detail, sees only the strong outlines while the colors, in the steady light, seem crude and without shadow. Nevertheless it is the same picture . . . And there is a bond between us and that humanity so far away. I am speaking here of men and women-not of the charming and graceful phantoms that move about in our mud and smoke and are softly luminous with the radiance of our virtues . . . I am content to sympathize with common mortals, no matter where they live, in houses or in tents, in the streets under a fog, or in the forests behind the dark line of dismal mangroves that fringe the vast solitude of the sea.
Joseph Conrad (Author's note to Almayer's Folly)
site will be devoted to the people, cultures, history, geography, politics and
current events of the Sulu Archipelago,
recent deployment of 700+
Thomas M. Kiefer, January 22, 2002 Please offer any suggestions or ideas mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com


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Yogg Saron. Raid-wide Sanity monitor. Need I say more? Download here!
I was quite happy when I found this Grid addon. What it does is pop up a sanity alert icon on the raid frame when that player drops below 50 sanity (or you can edit it in the Status menu to be a different threshold), at which point you can remind that player to get their tail over to one of Freya's sanity wells before they go all "Do you read Sutter Cane?" on the raid!
I tested it out this past weekend; the only setup it requires is that you decide a location on your Frames to have this alert pop up. Grid -> Frames -> (choose location and put a checkmark next to "Sanity" for that location). If you want a different threshold than the default, just alter it in the Grid -> Status -> Sanity settings.
I recommend putting it in a different frame location than your other Yogg Debuffs, such as Squeeze and curses/poison/magic/disease, so that it isn't hidden beneath those other statuses or otherwise conflict with them. For additional icon places for your frames, you can download CornerIcons or SideIcons.
An update from me and closing my guides
1 year ago


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Why Is Pa. Ground Zero for Same-Sex Marriage Fight?
JSPAN Newsletter - October 4, 2013
The newsletter contains articles and links to articles that we think will be of interest to
JSPAN members. They are included for informational purposes, but unless
otherwise stated, they do not necessarily reflect official JSPAN policy.
As an organization for change, JSPAN strives to advance progressive social policies on the critical issues of our time. Help spread the news about us by forwarding this email and the link to our website http://www.jspan.org to your family, friends, and colleagues who might have an interest in joining JSPAN or serving on any of JSPAN's projects. If you haven't joined JSPAN, please join now!


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PRINCETON — The Bureau County 4-H program will offer a model rocketry special interest club for area youth. All youth ages 8-18 as of Sept. 1, from Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties are invited to participate.
A 4-H Special Interest Club meets six or more times per year. Adult leaders work with the youth to learn about a specific topic or project that interests them. Youth have opportunities to achieve individual learning goals within the program topic. The model rocketry club will use information from the 4-H aerospace project and other related resources to help youth learn about building and flying model rockets.
The first meeting of the rocketry club will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Midwest Power Rocket Launch site north of Princeton. Registration is required. To register, or for more information, call the Bureau County Extension office at 815-875-2878.
At the meeting, representatives from the Midwest Power group will discuss their event with the club and share their experiences with model rockets. The club will also discuss future meeting topics and activities. Parent participation is encouraged.
Anyone needing a reasonable accommodation to participate should contact the extension office.


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If you have a system equipped with 3D Vision by using the key combination "ALT + F1" you can take stereoscopic 3D screenshots that you can share online or just store for viewing later on. The screenshots are saved by default in JPS file format which is practically a JPEG image file with both the left and right views saved in Side by Side format. The 3D screenshots get saved under your User account in the Documents folder in a specially named "NVStereoscopic3D.IMG" folder having the name of the executable file and a two digit number after that. The problem here is that by default the quality of the saved screenshots is not very good, however there is a solution, you can improve the quality by following this guide. Another issue with the default 3D screenshot functionality is the fact that you are limited to saving up to 99 screenshots per application, and then you need to move them in another folder and continue saving new screenshot. But there is another thing you can do…
Instead of saving screenshots in JPS format (Side by Side JPEG), you can save them in much better quality in PNS format (Side by Side PNG) and in order to do that you just need to add one new value in the registry. Just make a new DWORD value called StereoImageType and set it to 1 in the following location, depending on your OS type.
For 32-bit Windows:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Stereo3D]
For 64-bit Windows:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Stereo3D]
This will activate the PNS screenshot functionality instead of the used by default JPS format, and in order to bring back the default JPS screenshots you just need to set the value to 0 instead of 1 or just to delete what you've created from the registry. The PNS 3D screenshots are always saved in maximum quality and they may get quite big in size, but this way you get perfect quality that you can further compress and convert in order to get smaller file size should you need to. Another important thing regarding the use of PNS format for the 3D screenshots you save is the ability to take up to 999 instead of 99 screenshots per application.


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- Home
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Consumer Products & Retail
Consumer Products Advisory Service
Today's operating environment is very complex. We help you to navigate this complexity, while managing cost, protecting margins and delivering true value to your customers and consumers. Ultimately, we enable you to execute better.
To do this, we leverage decades of experience assisting many of the world's leading global companies in tackling their key strategic challenges.
Specifically, we have extensive experience addressing complex issues such as consolidation in the marketplace, margin squeeze, rising commodity prices, entry into new markets and new regulatory requirements, and have deep understanding of the social and environmental aspects of the industry.
We provide you with deep sector and capability knowledge, drawing upon our globally integrated organization bringing you the right multi-disciplinary teams to serve your needs. Together, we're focused on:
- Customer
- Strategy
- Supply chain
- Finance
- People & organizational change
- Risk
- IT risk and assurance
Contact us
Learn more about our approach to developing solutions. A complete list of our Global Consumer Products Leaders is available on our contacts page.


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If the federal government shuts down Friday, do will still have to pay our taxes that day?
We are free-market economy and that means we don't pay for goods or services we (or society as a whole) don't receive.
So if the ladies and gentlemen who are paid to respresent us in Washington decide to shut the city down as a fairly meaningless gesture, I see no reason the taxpayers should have to pony up for the day.
Millions of American workers have had to take furlough days in the recent economy. Why shouldn't lawmakers who are so quick to disrupt the lives of regular people?
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