June 30, 2006
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The BuzzFlash Mailbag
The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. More reader opinion is at "Contributors." You can write to Mailbag at http://www.BuzzFlash.com/contact/mail.html. Guidelines for submissions are at BuzzFlash FAQ #18.
Subject: Midday Eclipse
Thank you for today's Thought Heard Round the World!
Subject: Bush v. Constitution, aka Hamdan v. Rumsfeld
Yesterday our Supreme Court showed the entire world what our form of Government, which is based on our Constitution, is all about. Although it may be quite complicated and hard to understand, what is easy to understand for everyone in the world is that in America even "terrorists" will be given a fair trial because of our Constitution.
I think perhaps this landmark (it will be) ruling could do more to spread Democracy throughout the world than any military action by bush could ever achieve. The headlines should be, "Despite bush, America's Constitution Prevails in Law," sub lined by "Gitmo Detainees Learn First Hand About Democracy!"
I've always thought that American should lead by example, and yesterday's ruling is a giant step that Americans everywhere should applaud and work towards getting this positive momentum running. Instead of criticizing our Supreme Court upholding our Constitution's laws and respecting the Geneva Convention, and trying to write legislation that will only cause further contempt for America around the world today, Americans should loudly embrace this triumph of our Constitution and its Third Branch of Government.
If America's government is going to claim "superiority," they should act in a dignified and respectful manner as demonstrated by yesterday's ruling.
Subject: Supreme Court Ruling Against Tribunals
As we approach the Fourth of July, our anniversary remembering the founding father's signing of the Declaration of Independence, citizens of character are heartened by the high court's ruling.
We are not pleased by the back door left open, giving the Bush administration the ability to seek retroactive cover through congressional authorization of tribunals. Nor were we pleased when Senators DeWine and Specter authored legislation to retroactively release George Bush from legal action for his violation of U.S. law regarding spying on American citizens.
It is not surprising that Justices Scalia, Alito and Thomas dissented with the majority opinion. Chief Justice Roberts properly recused himself since he had previously ruled against the defendant Hamdan while serving on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. In essence, as pointed out on PBS's Newshour, the Supreme Court in this ruling overturned the current Chief Justice. We have little doubt how Roberts would have ruled had he been eligible to decide on this case, as his previous opinions have consistently sided with private interest rather than the public good.
George Bush has inarguably demonstrated that he serves private interests at the cost of American lives, American health and American welfare.
This American, while briefly enthused about the prospect for a return to democracy, is still extremely uneasy about the unilateral power seized by this administration which has documented ties to defense industries-producers of WMD.
I believe it is imperative to expose the widespread election fraud and voter intimidation, also well-documented, which brought this administration to power. The purport of logic and reason herein asserts that a president whose ascent to power is fraudulent cannot legally appoint any Supreme Court nominee, Circuit Court nominee, cabinet official or any representative of the United States -- period. The complicity of Congress to approve such nominees where Congressional approval was required could be said to be done under duress. All recess appointments are automatically invalid.
If election fraud can be proven in congressional and senate races as well, insidious legislation that has served private over public interest can and should be rescinded.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Bush Ally, Osama Bin Laden
Just heard on PBS a tape played purportedly of the voice of Osama bin Laden - remember him of Tora Bora fame? - extolling the fine work of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who served the cause well, etc. What do you know? How very serendipitous that, yes, indeed, we have slain a very significant dragon!
Call me too skeptical if you wish, but I suspect this quite fortuitous tape is another rather crude example of Rovian type disinformation issued by Bush's select few to exaggerate the significance of al-Zarqawi and thus aggrandize the good work of the administration in pursuing their war. Bin Laden announcing the death of his all-important associate, so-called? Gimme a break.
I suspect that between now and the November elections we'll be treated to more and more of the creative announcements of the Bush-Cheney-Rove-Rumsfeld axis. I would be thoroughly and thus self-protectively skeptical of every word issued between now and November that has any kind of official ring to it. Don't even trust their semicolons, commas and periods. Their modus operandi feeds on lies like snails on algae in fish tanks.
Indeed, be prepared for more well-timed statements from such as bin Laden, whether he's dead or alive, because he and Bush are in a macabre symbiotic relationship, which I examine somewhat, by the way, in my brief play, "Friends In Need", at http://www.mybarbaricyawp.net/. I wouldn't be surprised if the Republican National Committee were to place bin Laden or surrogate on their pay roll. The Party and such need him to help justify those sparkling lapel flags.
Subject: Thoughts at Large
Just a few thoughts at large over the past few days:
1. Last night on either Hardball or Countdown, there was a video clip of some blond named Nicolle (with two L's) who is listed as the White House Communications Director talking about the USSC ruling on Bush's military tribunals. She mentioned the administration was going to "sit down with some smart policy people." Who, pray tell, would that be? I haven't seen any smart people in the administration.
2. What is it with female neocon talking heads? I'm not familiar with too many of them, however the past few days I've seen: Ann Coulter, Melanie Morgan, and Kate O'Beirne -- all of them blondes. They start screeching, contort their faces and take on such diva attitudes. I haven't seen Mary Matalin or Michelle Malkin lately so I don't include them for purposes of this observation.
3. Bush says he's going to work "with Congress" to try and resolve the "what to do with the Gitmo detainees." DUH? Did it ever occur to these idiots in the executive branch that this is what they SHOULD have been doing all along? Instead of using his infamous signing statements to proclaim his interpretation of what congress passed, why wasn't Alberto sent to the Hill to get clarification?
4. Bush says he doesn't think judges should "legislate from the bench." Isn't that what judges are SUPPOSED to do? Interpret the law? What am I missing here?
5. Jenna Bush is moving to Latin America? Is it so bad here now that even one of the twins is leaving the country to live elsewhere? I hope she doesn't move to Venezuela. At least Hugo Chavez is trying to help the poor and needy of the world -- she could blow that all to hell for us.
Subject: Swift-boating the media
I sent this to the editor of my local newspaper:
This White House is waging an intense war, not only in Iraq, but also against the American media. Currently its sights are set on The New York Times. When the Bush administration isn't directly sending out ill will and threats towards the so-called liberal media, the Fox network, along with national and local radio right-wing ditto heads do the job for them (witness the assault on Mike Luckovich and the AJC). I don't know what more the media can do to make this White House happy. In my opinion the media has been largely cowed and sufficiently frightened from reporting the news the way that it did prior to the Bush-Cheney regime. Under the guise of refraining from aiding and abetting terrorists, America's media is becoming more like that of Russia's Pravda. In fact, if the Swift-boating of America's media and Bush critics continues, Americans will soon find themselves saying "heil to the chief"!
Subject: Hamdan v. Rumsfeld
Bush is very happy with the idea of going to the Republican Congress for new legislation to authorize his military tribunals.
Not only is he sure that the Republicans there will pass a bill according to his specifications, but I'm sure he's already preparing a signing statement to complete his drive to do whatever he wants.
It makes the SC's suggestion to go back to Congress seem rather silly, but at least procedural due process will be satisfied.
Subject: Next White House Resident
To Shirley in St. Louis,
There is no mystery as to whom the squatter will put in the white house next! I'm putting my money on Jeb! rising out of the ashes!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Latest S/C Ruling Re: Gitmo
Let me guess: Now that The New York Times has published a report on a Supreme Court opinion which is going to adversely affect the administration's antics on the Isle of Cuba, Bush and Cheney will respond tomorrow with tirades about how the latest article in the Times has further hurt our war on terror.
Subject: Rubber-Check Republicans
I'll explode if the GOP persists in presenting itself as the fiscally responsible party again in the mid-term elections this fall. Bill Clinton proved that Democrats' "pay-as-you-go" philosophy is the best way to run the government.
Subject: Mailbag ... 6/29/06
The story about Terri Lisk, the dead soldier on the ground in Iraq...made me catch my breath.
I remember well, when my brother died in Vietnam...and we wondered how he died...at the time, the war was covered by media...but, it was not personal...it was not like you could read about one soldier. When their buddies have to carry their lifeless bodies, in a body bag...crying all the way...it is so sad. At those times...I do not feel sadness...I feel rage!
I have never in my life even held a gun...I have had a horrible feeling for guns since the Vietnam war...even the 21 gun salute was horrible, I jumped with every shot. while the bugle playing taps...we were so sad!
... 2500 is just a number when you have never seen war...none of your relatives have ever seen war, and in essence...you have made fun of two of the most decorated military persons in the battle of Vietnam. We thought Jane Fonda was bad...hey, meet the present republican party...including the wicked witch of Ohio...Jean, whatshername [Schmidt]...then you will know what evil is...you can look into the eyes of evil! In fact, most of the republican party now...is pure EVIL!!!!!
Shirley ... St. Louis
Subject: Taepodong-2 Missile Interception
Ok guys read this article and tell me what you think about this set up.
Not ready, aim, fire! (Toledo Blade)
I don’t want to be a big conspiracy nut, but…what if America worked out a back room deal (similar to the coalition of the coerced deals leading up to the Iraq war) with N. Korea. Now hear me out before you scream conspiracy nut.
What if this so-called sky shield that the neo cons have had a boner for since Reagan was to prove successful against a vague threat like a N Korean missile. Wouldn’t that just make the day of the neo cons, the defense industry and the homeland security boys, I think it would. Follow the money is the name of the game. Now imagine Kim Jung Il was to test fire one of the only (if not the only) long range missiles he has and the US military had the exact coordinates of the test fire.
That patriot missile would of course intercept it and destroy it. What a coupe for the neo cons that would be huh? OK so knowing that the current guys in charge are ruthless megalomaniacs willing to screw the nation to remain in power what is to stop them from 1) supplying the ancient Russian (later made by the Chinese and topped with a worthless knock off from N Korea) missile to KJII and 2) require that KJII give all the info to the states before the fire of said missile. Remember the price Turkey turned down for complicity in Iraq was 1 billion USD, do you think Kim Jung Il would let that kind of scratch go? If you think about it the pieces start to fall into place.
If it is proof you seek about this scenario look at the build up to the “secret” launch of the only real long range missile KJII has in his possession. The proof is in the weeks of build up to the “secret launch” in the 24 hour entertainment news in America in the hopes of paralyzing the public with fear. The political gold involved in turning the tide back in favor of an all but defunct political ideology that the republicans have recently embraced (at all of our peril). Finally; who stands to benefit the most from such a test fire?
The missile in question is already known to be capable of what it has been said to be capable of which in fact isn’t that much (a Russian missile of old technology recreated by the Chinese and duplicated by the N Koreans.) The missile is an inferior Chinese CSS-2 missile topped with North Korean No-Dong missile (or something that is merely a modification of one). The truth about this “some kind of penis” missile (or Taepodong-2 pronounced “type of dong-2 “) can be found here…
The Taepodong-2 Missile (astroprof.spaces.msn.com/blog)
So I guess that brings us back to the question of …“Who stands to gain the most from this launch and subsequent interception?” The logical answer is the Bush administration and the military industrial complex here in America (not to mention the sweat shops of N Korea and Kim Jung Il.) After all these three groups stand to make billions of your tax dollars if the interception is successful and stand to lose trillions if not more for a failure in the interception.
People please think logically and critically. Who stands to lose from a miss fire…? Well the military industrial complex does; the bush administration does and the N. Koreans do also (not to mention that megalomaniac Kim Jung Il.) Think about it without faux news on for just a few minutes.
Thanks for your time and have a great day.
Subject: Bu$h and Company
With all that is happening, the scandals, disclosures, lies, lies, and more lies and now today with the Supreme Court's ruling and his response, thumbing his nose at it, this "village idiot" is getting away with it!!!!!!!!!!!!
It makes a person shake their head in bewilderment, and walk away, mumbling to themselves like some "street person."
Subject: Bush/Cheney Attacks on NY Times
Notice how Bush and Cheney are selectively bashing the NYTimes for reminding us of the international effort to track transfers of money around the world. They ignore the LA Times because it doesn't have the clout the NYTimes does and the WSJ because they love its editorial page. Although both papers published similar "news." Of course, as a BuzzFlash reader reminded us in the June 29 Mailbag, in Sept 2001 the White House itself touted its efforts.
I guess the Bushies think everyone is stupid.
They want to do everything in "secret."
What they're saying is they'd rather try to catch terrorists than actually prevent terrorism! If following the money flows actually impedes al Qaeda etc., then it makes it harder for them to plan and finance terrorism. Isn't that the goal? Bush Cheney & Co. would rather eavesdrop and peek through keyholes than actually do anything. It looks better on the nightly news if you can claim to have nabbed a bad guy than be able to say that all the government's efforts might actually have made us safer.
Slimeballs! Dangerous slimeballs hating democracy!
John Dean is absolutely right about the toxicity of secretiveness - "Worse Than Watergate" indeed!
Subject: Annual Congressional Pay Raises Are Unconstitutional!
Ten years go by with NO increase in the minimum wage. It's incredible that the Republi¢an ¢ongre$$ gives itself pay raise after pay raise, and plenty of ¢ongre$$ional Republican$ talk about their "Golden Society" while those at the bottom get nothing.
People on Social Security, who are no longer able to work, get cost of living increases every year. Shouldn't those who work at the minimum wage be allowed the same right?
Meanwhile the Republi¢an ¢ongre$$ is only interested in dumping a lot of hot air to appease their pals in the religious right. Seeing the Republi¢an ¢ongre$$ in action, it sure proves the Peter Principle, doesn't it? The more incompetent you are, the higher you rise! Just like ¢ongre$$ional pay¢heck$!
I find it amazing that there is TOTAL SILENCE about the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1992.
That amendment plainly states that:
According to the 27th Amendment, Congress CANNOT have an annual pay raise. It is ILLEGAL and UNCONSTITUTIONAL. They can only have a pay raise after a Congressional election. Therefore they can only get a pay raise the year AFTER an election. The Constitution plainly states they CANNOT have a pay raise every year!
And, as usual, the so-called Main$tream Media $tenographer$ (YES, THAT INCLUDES THE $¢REW YORK TIME$) are totally silent.
Every "Think Tank" in D.C. is ALSO silent.
Has anyone heard even ONE "talking head" even utter anything about this? I sure haven't.
Where are Common Cause, the A.C.L.U. and even Ralph Nader on this? Not a peep...
Is there ANYONE who will rise to the challenge and enforce this article?
[BuzzFlash Note: Evidently, the Ethics Reform Bill of 1989 established the annual cost of living increases, and the courts have said that it is not a raise (which the 27th Amendment forbids), according to Wikipedia.]
Subject: Big Brother Is Watching Everyone!
I strongly suggest everyone read this article:
I strongly suggest that everyone do the tracert on every site you go to. You will be amazed at how invasive the illegal spy game is.
While I'm venting about invasion and illegal searches: I recently found out that in the state where I live, if you renew your driver's license, you must allow them to take your fingerprints. What's next, a DNA sample for the mega database of illegally gained info on each one of us? It is like Nixon on steroids!!!
Next, if they don't like you it will be off to the concentration camps for you - brought to you by that $385 million contract for Halliburton. You don't actually think all those concentration camps are for illegal aliens do you? They have already changed the law so that those in these camps can be forced into labor. Sound like any crazy man in power in the 1940's yet?
If you aren't outraged, you must be in a freekin coma.
Subject: Voting Machines
.To Shirley in St Louis ............You and I agree...........It doesn't mean "one whit" how many Dems are "SUPPOSED" to win...If you don't get rid of all of the Diebolds in the poll booths...the same thing is going to happen again...and I don't hear very much to make be believe that they are being gotten rid of.......I am watching along with you Shirley.......
Subject: Darkness at Noon for Democracy
Nice editorial. Unfortunately the 35-49% of Americans who still call themselves Republicans don't care about reality. Anyone who calls himself a Republican after the Bush takeover is either a Fascist or a fool. As I have stated previously, the Democratic Party is dead, and they prove it every day. Watch the videos of the corrupt corporate boot lickers in the Senate debating flag burning.
The US was never a true Democracy and we are now a bankrupt banana republic police state - soon to be a dictatorship. All with an unbelievable moron at the helm. Face it, America as a Republic is toast. This country is a toxic lunatic asylum and the only thing a principled individual can do is get the Hell out and quit paying taxes to this regime.
Depleted uranium and the dirty nuclear war we are conducting in Afghanistan, Iraq and at military installations around the world is the BIG STORY - focus on that. DU will end up killing us all.
Subject: Precedents for Presidents: Darkness for Democracy
One more sign that the radical right plans to rid itself of the inconveniences of democracy is that they have no fear of the dangerous unconstitutional precedents they are setting and/or attempting to set (you know, Guantanamo, torture is ok as long as you don't intentionally damage vital body organs, wiretapping without judicial review, the Patriot Act, etc., etc.).
Right-wing Republicans would never, never allow Hillary Clinton or Al Gore such power. Such power can only be given to those who represent the corporations and only the corporations in their drive to global economic empire. Hillary knows she has to appear to be one of them in order to have any hope of avoiding being totally destroyed by them (given that the media are now so very corporate). Paradoxically, she must risk losing the base of Democrats to the left in order to try to dampen the right's instinctive hatred of her.
Yes, it's one of many brilliant but totally evil and immoral strategies on the right: pander to us or we will destroy you...oh, and yes, we do know, your pandering to us will certainly alienate your base. Oh, well, life's tough.
They have several other strategies...including, of course, use of electronic voting systems and machinery to steal elections especially in divided right/blue states. For example, they could be using data mining of telephone system records to find not just potential terrorists but also probable liberals so these liberals can be deleted from the voting registries (just as they're doing with blacks today).
They must have very clear plans to ensure that they will win "elections" from now on or they would be concerned about the precedents of giving so much power to the Presidency.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Good Ol Flag
From Bush's Brain page 138:
"[Atwater] talked about wedge issues like gun control and flag...His whole thing was wedges and magnets...creating new coalitions...dividing opponents."
That was late 1970's. So when the Iraq war is pulling GW down in the polls he goes back to his right-wing basics. Nothing new.
The soft-on-torture liberal
Subject: Bush/Supreme Court Decision
Is Georgie-boy having a difficult time abiding by the decision of the Supreme Court about the Guantanamo prisoners?
He sure didn't have any trouble abiding by their decision in December 2000....did he!
...and his supporters don't think Georgie flip-flops....
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Gene Lyons Editorials
I enjoy reading Mr. Lyons editorials in the Southeast Missourian published in Cape Girardeau, Mo. It is surprising to me that this Republican newspaper would consider publishing Gene's articles. Being a good Democrat it pleases me to read articles exposing the Bush administration's fallacies and lies. The Iraq war is political and mostly about oil, in my opinion. Cheney's Halliburton Co. receiving no-bid lucrative contracts in Iraq is so crooked, I cant understand why people can't see this as the fraud it is. Keep the editorials coming Gene, I say bravo, bravo!
Sherman E. Hill
Subject: Great Editorial RE: Darkness at Noon
Great editorial, Buzz, it is time to call a fascist a fascist. Joan Vennochi’s column in the Boston Globe serves as a fine compliment to your piece.
A White House win in diverting the message at home (Boston Globe)
Both pieces emphasise the problem we face. We don’t have a viable free press. How many swing vote fence sitters read Buzz? As long as the fascists control the mainstream press we are doomed.
Maybe we should take a tip from the neo-cons and “stay the course.” Let’s not get diverted by their red herrings and swiftboating. Let’s respond with one of georgie’s signature “heh heh” snickers and say “yeah, nice try, guys, we’re not gonna get caught up with your sloganeering.” Let’s keep exposing their death threats to democracy. Let’s keep on them about the unitary executive, the presidential signings, the torture, the eavesdropping, the fixed elections, the disenfranchisement of voters, let’s just keep on them.
You’re doing great, Buzz, maybe we should air drop leaflets of your editorial. We might reach the unknowing oppressed citizens relegated to reading the bad guy’s sound bites in the mainstream press.
Sirs, enough is enough!! I'm tired of Rove/Bush running dead Bin Laden up the flag pole when things get dicey for Bush!!! Enough of ALL this. It's time the American people called for and brought Bush up on charges. Where do I sign?????
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: What Are We, Chumps?
You have to have at least $100,000 for your elected rep. in Washington to pay any attention to you. Voter fraud is covered up by the right and the left. Bush has packed the courts so it's hit and miss now for that avenue of justice. I'm seeing the same attacks on the press in Canada, I live at the border and get Canadian news on TV. Their new PM started out attacking the press. One of the newspeople said, "He wants to put journalists in jail. I'm sure he didn't mean that." I'm sure he did...Meanwhile their terrorists have already struck. One of the them wants to cut off PM Harper's head. I am not making this up. The Toronto News, AP and NY Times are suing for the prisoners' charges.
So, this newest round of madness from Bushco against the NY Times has global implications. No taxation without representation. We have to fight for our country again. Does it seem odd to you that all of the great democratic leaders die under similar circumstances? Not one Republican has met with this fate. The closest they have come was Reagan...and his death would have allowed G. Bush the first to become president. Time to quit paying taxes and boycott Exxon, buy CITGO. That money pays for health care for poor people. It's a matter of time before Venezuela is a target. He has lots of oil. It's time to stop pretending we live in a democracy. Tax dollars pay to fight oil wars, while we get ripped off at the pump.
Subject: Democrats and the '06 Elections
To the good people at this invaluable website:
While contemplating what the Democrats should be doing for the upcoming election this November, it occurred to me that what these pseudocons have done is nothing short of creating anarchy through deregulation and filleting of our Constitution. They have also created an economic apartheid system here in the US. By using the media as their mouthpiece, they control the propaganda, and the majority of Americans only see and hear what these "people" want them to see.
This behavior, to me, is that of sociopaths. One characteristic of theirs is the use of projecting their own psychopathology onto their adversaries, trying to make it appear that their opponents are the ones with the faults. "Traitors," "soft on terrorism," "unpatriotic," etc. are terms they use about others when really it's they who are the guilty ones.
I suggest that Democrats predict that Republicans will use this strategy, and respond with the facts, the truth, and confrontation of the person with whatever unethical, illegal, hypocritical behavior they have engaged in (Ney, Abramoff, DeLay, Boehner, Hastert, need I continue?).
I'd also like to see governors use the National Guard come election eve, election day, and the day(s) after the election, to enforce the election laws. Bumper stickers could read, "Count Every Vote. Vote Democratic."
One other bumper sticker I thought of (I don't know if Democratic management has the stomach for it) could read something like: "Stop the Bleeding. Start the Healing. Vote Democratic."
Well, that's about all I have. Thanks for letting me speak my mind.
Subject: Oil Industry Millionaires
There have been stories over the past several months in the Lubbock, Texas, newspaper about the chief financial officer of Patterson-UTI Energy Incorporated embezzling 78 million dollars from that company. Jonathan Nelson, 36, has pled guilty and his incredible estate is being auctioned.
A 5.5 million dollar 19,000-square foot home, a half-dozen other homes, 5 or 6 airplanes, dozens of expensive vehicles, boats, cattle ranch, and countless other expensive items and equipment are among Nelson's assets. He spent $100,000 on one birthday party for his wife.
During eight years of employment as CFO, VP, Secretary and Treasurer, Nelson was legitimately paid $10 million.
If a person can embezzle $78,000,000 from his employer and get away with it for eight years, what in the hell kind of accounting systems do oil companies have? And how justified are the freaking prices we now pay for gasoline? And what about the IRS?
A BuzzFlash Reader
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Washington, D.C., November 21, 2019 – As U.S. life expectancy declined over the past three years, primarily due to overdoses and suicides, new Milliman data shows insurers failed to adequately cover lifesaving care. With the release of this report, no insurance company can honestly say it is doing enough to tackle the biggest public health crisis of our time. More than 70,000 Americans died of overdoses in 2017, yet insurers spent a paltry 1% of their total health care reimbursement on substance use disorders—a decrease compared to two years earlier.
The new Milliman data from 2016 and 2017 also shows that insurers are by and large failing to address huge out-of-network utilization disparities between mental health/addiction and medical/surgical care for inpatient facilities, outpatient facilities, and office visits. This means people are paying more out-of-pocket for mental health/addiction care than they are for medical care—largely because insurers continue to reimburse mental health/addiction providers at significantly lower rates than their primary care/specialist counterparts, causing those providers to stop accepting insurance altogether. Consequently, people are depleting retirement accounts and taking out second mortgages to cover costs on their own. Frustrated families are often forced to give up and just hope for the best.
This report clearly shows that the insurance industry looked the other way as Americans were dying at record rates. It is time for insurers to double down on their own efforts to comply with the law. Insurance companies should be aggressively investing in innovative technologies and services to help providers extend their reach beyond the traditional care infrastructure, reimbursing mental health and addiction treatment providers on par with other providers, and being transparent in parity reporting.
But the reality is, everyone needs to step up if we are going to curb this crisis! The new Milliman data is not only an indictment of insurers, it is an indictment of our nation’s employers and regulators as well. Pharmaceutical companies can’t bear the burden of the opioid crisis alone—insurers and other stakeholders have roles to play.
Employers and regulators should be demanding proof of compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes or cancer. Additionally, families and advocates must speak up and put pressure on the system to change instead of waiting for government and industry leaders to do the right thing.
To encourage action around the new Milliman data, The Kennedy Forum, along with Congressman Jim Ramstad and the heads of NAMI and Mental Health America, have submitted a letter to Chairman Frank Pallone of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and to Chairman Bobby Scott of the House Education and Labor Committee calling for congressional hearings on mental health parity. We urge the Committees to prioritize policy solutions, including these recommendations put forth by The Kennedy Forum, which will increase access to care and hold insurers accountable under the law.
Equality for those with mental health and substance use disorders is a matter of civil rights. The silence that pervades this space serves no one, as the data clearly shows.
About Patrick J. Kennedy:
Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) is a lifelong mental health advocate and former member of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. He is the founder of The Kennedy Forum, a convening think tank tackling mental health and addiction issues and co-founder of One Mind, a global leader in open science collaboration for brain research. In 2015, he co-authored A Common Struggle, a New York Times best seller, which details his personal journey and provides a roadmap for the future of mental health policy. Mr. Kennedy is pushing for full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. He was the lead sponsor of this groundbreaking legislation, which requires health plans cover mental health, eating disorder, and addiction care health benefits the same way they cover physical health benefits. To learn about Mr. Kennedy’s efforts, please visit www.patrickjkennedy.net.

domain: medical


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North Texas Food Bank and Atmos Energy Donate Hunger Bugs Me! Book to 785 Elementary Schools
The book creates a conversation about the issue of hunger with children. Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz helped celebrate the gift by reading the book at White Rock Elementary School.
El Banco de Alimentos del Norte de Texas (NTFB) in partnership with Atmos Energy, donated copies of its ¡El hambre me molesta! children’s book to 785 elementary school libraries across the 13 counties served by the food bank.
In celebration of the book distribution, Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz volunteered on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to read the book to students at White Rock Elementary School.
Biadasz said after volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank, he was shocked to learn that the number of people facing hunger in North Texas could fill AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys play, eight times. He wanted to get more involved and said he was excited for the chance to read ¡El hambre me molesta! as it’s never too early to start learning about issues like hunger.
Published in 2021, this book was produced by the NTFB to create a conversation about the issue of hunger in the community. In the book, Ladybug and her friends embark on an adventure in Jan’s Garden at the NTFB Perot Family Campus to help their friend, Butterfly, who is facing hunger. Through the story, children are able to learn about the complex problem of food insecurity in an easy-to-understand way and walk away with ideas about how they can be a part of the solution.
“It is surprising to most that North Texas has the fourth-highest number of people facing hunger across the nation – about 640,000, and tragically more than one-third of those are children,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “The ¡El hambre me molesta! book was created to engage children and help them not only understand the issue of food insecurity in their community but also show them that they can be a part of the solution.”
Since the book’s launch, ¡El hambre me molesta! has received overwhelmingly positive support, with teachers, librarians, children and families recognizing the book’s important message about children facing hunger. In addition to the book, there are Recursos descargables that accompany the book. The PDF includes a conversation guide that has some quick tips to help adults talk to children about the issue of hunger.
Written by Jeremy Gregg and illustrated by Arlene Soto, the book was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Richard and Mary Templeton Foundation. ¡El hambre me molesta! is a charming story about friendship and compassion written with the goal of enabling a conversation about the issue of hunger; making it easy for children to understand this complex problem.
Distribution of the books to the 785 schools located in 106 school districts was made possible through a generous $100,000 donation from Atmos Energy. In partnership with hundreds of organizations, Atmos Energy’s Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities outreach benefits school districts, nonprofits, after-school programs and food banks through everything from backpacks and laptops to nutritious breakfasts to books that help early childhood learners.
“Atmos Energy has been a long-standing supporter of the North Texas Food Bank and helping to fund the distribution of the ¡El hambre me molesta! book was a natural collaboration as it supports our goals of addressing food insecurity as well as education in the communities that we serve,” said Kelly Bielger, Atmos Energy vice president of public affairs. “We are pleased to partner with the North Texas Food Bank in distributing this book to elementary schools across North Texas.”

domain: library


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Students enrolled in HCA’s G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education) program visited LAN Associates to learn about engineering and architecture before embarking on their bridge building project.
Fourth grader Irene Hsu won second place in AAA’s Traffic Safety Poster Contest. Her poster, encouraging the use of helmets, was chosen from more than 1,000 submissions in the elementary level of competition.
Representatives from six Christian schools competed in Field Day at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield on April 30th.
Caleb Hart won the javelin event and reached a new personal best with a throw of 152' 7" at the April 23rd meet. Kristen Frawley won the 100 hurdles and is looking forward to vying in the league championships.
In their words...
"...the teachers are awesome, because they pray with you before every class and they're...so passionate about everything they teach you."
— HCA High School Student

domain: news


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FUKUI (TR) – Fukui Prefectural Police have arrested an 86-year-old man over the alleged fatal stabbing of his granddaughter in Fukui City, reports TBS News (Sept. 11).
On Wednesday night, Susumu Tomisawa is alleged to have repeatedly stabbed the girl, 16-year-old Tomomi, at his residence in the Kuromarujocho area.
Immediately afterward, Tomisawa called Tomomi’s father. Upon his arrival at the residence, the father found his daughter, a second-year high school student, collapsed on the first floor.
The girl, who had suffered multiple stab wounds, including to her chest, was later confirmed dead at a hospital.
Upon the arrest of Tomisawa on suspicion of murder, police did not reveal whether the suspect admits to the allegations.
According to police, Tomomi usually lived with her parents and siblings at another residence in Fukui City. However, she began staying at her grandfather’s residence about two months ago.
Police are now investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.


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Pusha T Speaks On Taking Shots At Baby And Drake On His "Infrared" Track
Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)
(AllHipHop News) The closing song on Pusha T's new Daytona album includes references to Young Money/Cash Money representatives Baby/Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Drake. Push's feud with the YMCMB camp goes back years.
So why did the Clipse member bring the beef back up again in 2018? Hot 97's Ebro In The Morning show asked Pusha about the "Infrared" tune.
"I was actually speaking about how when we were going through that time, that issue - how everybody was like, 'Damn, Push. Why you saying this? Why you saying that? Why you doing that?' Then Ross recently had a situation where he spoke on it," stated King Push, referring to Rick Ross' song "Idols Become Rivals."
Pusha continued, "Just showing people, like damn, just a minute ago everybody was like, 'Yo, Push chill.' Then Ross did it, and it was like, 'Yeah, Ross. You're right about that.' Which he was."
The 41-year-old spitter also explained his lyrical takedown of Drake. "Infrared" featured bars about Drizzy using "ghostwriters" on some of his projects.
Previously, Pusha fired shots at Drake on "Exodus 23:1" in 2012. Four years later, the OVO leader responded on his own "Two Birds, One Stone" track.
"I feel like the Drake thing, more recently, was just about the ‘Two Birds, One Stone’ record. A lot of talk about the record, I guess, just speaking his truth, questioning my validity to the streets within that verse," Push told Hot 97. "It’s fine. That’s what it was. But if we’re gonna question things. It’s my turn to question.”
The G.O.O.D. Music head added, "In response to ‘Two Birds, One Stone,’ I feel like he was doing his rapper thing. It’s ‘Infrared’ time, so I’m gonna do my rapper thing."
In addition, Pusha T made an appearance on The Breakfast Club. That interview included him speaking further on his issues with Drake and Birdman.
"I seen Baby the other day in an elevator," revealed Pusha. "He was like, 'What's bracking?' I was like, 'Ain't nothing, wassup?' He was like, 'You good?' I was like, 'Yeah, I'm good.' He was like, 'You sure?' I said, 'I'm positive.' [I then] got off [on] floor 6."

domain: celebrity


|Peter Henlein (A Franz Meiss Statue in Nuremburg)|
Peter Henlein (also spelled Henle or Hele) (1485 - August 1542), a locksmith and clockmaker of Nuremberg, Germany, is often considered the inventor of the watch. He was one of the first craftsmen to make small ornamental taschenuhr, portable clocks which were often worn as pendants or attached to clothing, regarded as the first watches. Many sources also erroneously credit him as the inventor of the mainspring.
Little is known about Henlein's life. He apparently apprenticed in his youth as a locksmith. At the time, locksmiths were among the few craftsmen with the skills and tools to enter the new field of clockmaking, and Henlein also became a clockmaker. On September 7, 1504, he was involved in a brawl in which a fellow locksmith, George Glaser, was killed. He sought asylum at a local Franciscan monastery, where he stayed for four years, until 1508. In 1509 he became a master in the city's locksmith guild. He became known as a maker of small portable ornamental spring-powered brass clocks, very rare and expensive, which were fashionable among the nobility of the time. These were sometimes worn as pendants or attached to clothing, and so may be considered the first watches, although at over 3 inches long they were bigger than the first true pocketwatches which appeared about a century later, and were not able to fit in pockets. He is mentioned in the city's records as the supplier of small spring-driven clocks, which were given as gifts to important people. He was supposedly the first craftsman to build clockworks into "Bisamkopfe", small containers fashioned from precious metals for fragrances or disinfectants. For example a Nuremberg paper records that in 1524 he was paid 15 florins for a gilt musk-ball watch. He also built a tower clock for Lichtenau castle in 1541, and was known as a maker of scientific instruments.
Henlein's fame is mostly due to a passage by Johann Cochläus in the 1511 Cosmographia by Pomponius Mela:
Peter Hele, still a young man, fashions works which even the most learned mathematicians admire. He shapes many-wheeled clocks out of small bits of iron, which run and chime the hours without weights for forty hours, whether carried at the breast or in a handbagHis reputation as the inventor of the watch came after his rise to popular consciousness in the 19th century, through a novel by Karl Spindler, Der Nürnberger Sophokles. This was made into a 1939 film, and his likeness appeared on a 1942 German stamp. However, although he was a notable and talented clockmaker, there were other clockmakers making small clocks at the time, and no contemporary source from his time credits him with inventing anything. The mainspring which made portable clocks possible, often attributed to him, actually appeared in the early 1400s, almost a century before his work. Perhaps the most that was said of him by his peers comes from Johann Neudorfer in 1547 shortly after his death:
This . . . Henlein was very nearly the first of those who invented how to put small clocks into little boxes.Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Henlein
Being able to accurately know the time is something we take for granted in modern life. After all clocks and timepieces are everywhere: wrist watches, wall clocks, i-pods, radios, clock-towers, parking machines, bus stops, railway stations, etc etc. But someone had to first conceive of a mechanical device that could tell the time, Peter Henlein was one of those men. He may not have been the first clock maker nor made any great innovations in clock-making but he did design and make small clocks that could be easily carried around, thereby making the clock a more practical device; a device that could be used in a number of geographical locations rather than being fixed to one particular spot. Which is useful in the same way that many things are more useful when they are mobile rather than stationary (e.g. engines/motors, communication devices, computers etc).
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10 steps to prevent heart disease-Asian Heart Institute
Although you might know that eating certain foods can increase your heart disease risk, it's often tough to change your eating habits. Whether you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt or you simply want to fine-tune your diet, here are eight heart-healthy diet tips. Once you know which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit, you'll be on your way toward a heart-healthy diet.
1. Control your portion size
How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Overloading your plate, taking seconds and eating until you feel stuffed can lead to eating more calories than you should. Portions served in restaurants are often more than anyone needs.
Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions. Eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods. This strategy can shape up your diet as well as your heart and waistline.
Keep track of the number of servings you eat. A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such
2. Eat more vegetables and fruits
Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.
Featuring vegetables and fruits in your diet can be easy. Keep vegetables washed and cut in your refrigerator for quick snacks. Keep fruit in a bowl in your kitchen so that you'll remember to eat it. Choose recipes that have vegetables or fruits as the main ingredients, such as salads or fresh fruit mixed into salads.
3. Select whole grains
Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health.
4. Limit unhealthy fats
Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
5. Choose low-fat protein sources
Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs are some of your best sources of protein. But the yellow of the egg is to be avoided as it has high cholesterol content.
But be careful to choose lower fat options, such as skim milk rather than whole milk and skinless chicken breasts rather than fried chicken patties.
Fish is another good alternative to high-fat meats. And certain types of fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood fats called triglycerides. You'll find the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Though one should avoid frying fish.
6. Reduce the sodium in your food
Eating a lot of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reducing sodium is an important part of a heart-healthy diet. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
Healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) or 23 grams per day of sodium a day (about a teaspoon of salt).
People age 51 or older, African-Americans, and people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease have no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day
Although reducing the amount of salt you add to food at the table or while cooking is a good first step, much of the salt you eat comes from foods such as papads, pickles, chiwdas(salted mixtures) and packed processed foods.
7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus
You know what foods to feature in your heart-healthy diet and which ones to limit. Now it's time to put your plans into action.
Create daily menus using the six strategies listed above. When selecting foods for each meal and snack, emphasize vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Choose lean protein sources and healthy fats, and limit salty foods. Watch your portion sizes and add variety to your menu choices.
For example, if you have grilled salmon one evening, try a black-bean patties the next night. This helps ensure that you'll get all of the nutrients your body needs. Variety also makes your meals and snacks more interesting.
8. Allow yourself an occasional treat
Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. A candy bar or handful of potato chips won't derail your heart-healthy diet. But don't let it turn into an excuse for giving up on your healthy-eating plan. If overindulgence is the exception, rather than the rule, you'll balance things out over the long term. What's important is that you eat healthy foods most of the time.
Incorporate these eight tips into your life, and you'll find that heart-healthy eating is both doable and enjoyable. With planning and a few simple substitutions, you can eat with your heart in mind.
9. Eating at regular intervals
Avoid staying hungry for long times. Prolonged hunger makes you hog calories and put on weight faster than ever.
It is hence advisable to eat at regular intervals and plan a diet where all the vital substances required by the body are included in proper proportions.
(Make an appointment with our dieticians today)
10. Track your Diet
With all the inputs from the dietician and nutritionist about a planned diet, it is equally our responsibility to maintain the same.
Below is a diet chart which will help you with the same.

domain: food


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The LIVE Taste of Home Cooking School is coming to Alexandria! Join us at the LIVE Cooking School event happening October 1st at The Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center brought to you by Lagniappe Broadcasting of Alexanria. the live cooking show will feature different offerings of Taste of Home's best dishes! Our Culinary Specialists share their favorite cooking tips and tricks while demonstrating each recipe step-by-step. We look forward to cooking with you soon! You don't want to miss out!
General Admission is $12 and VIP seating is $20.


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Kristol: Maher tea party charge ‘bull’
The Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol fired back at liberal comic Bill Maher for saying the tea party was about President Barack Obama being black, calling the claim “total bulls—-.”
Maher began by slamming the tea party for condemning the bailouts during his HBO program “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Friday.
However, Kristol disagreed saying the bailouts happened in 2008 under the Bush administration and before the tea party, which he said was founded for different reasons.
“They were right to be worried about [the bailouts] and to think they were a really bad precedent, but that is not the origin of the tea party. What happened — what was the origin of the tea party 5 years ago? It wasn’t about bailouts,” Kristol said.
“Sure it was,” Maher said.
“It was not. It was about a mortgage bill. Then it was about Obamacare and then it was about the stimulus—” Kristol replied.
Maher interjected, “It was about a black president. But let’s—”
“That’s bulls—-! That is total bulls—-!” Kristol said. “You think tens of millions of people, just out there, they just—-even you don’t believe that. You’re just saying that.”
“I totally believe that,” Maher responded. “It happened a month after he took office. Suddenly white people were very upset about debt, even though [former President George W.] Bush had raised the debt way more than Obama had.”
Kristol argued that the tea party was upset with Bush as well and they were “rebelling against the Republican establishment as well as the Democratic establishment.”
“I don’t remember a tea party then,” Maher said, adding that members of the group were “suddenly” at town halls.
Jumping in, CNN political contributor Margaret Hoover said that the movement did start under Bush for fiscal reasons.
“Republicans had been trying to get people … revved up to think fiscal issues were sexy for a really long time and finally they codified behind this mass movement to really rein in federal spending. That was a good thing,” she said.
However, Hoover added “it got of the rails a little bit after 2010” and noted that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, was “nowhere near them.”
Maher pointed out that on one tea party website, they were not talking about debt, but rather impeaching Obama, Benghazi and Obamacare.
“I wonder if they ever really cared about the debt that much,” Maher said.
Hoover pushed back saying the group had been “co-opted.”
“It was co-opted by more organized forces that, frankly, had less and less to do with fiscal discipline and more and more to do with … whatever their pet issue was,” Hoover said.

domain: sociology


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To Be One’s Amazing “Do You” Rehearsal Video: Idolator Premiere
It’s no secret that To Be One know how to move. After all, pop’s hottest new boy band first came to fame on America’s Best Dance Crew and took choreography to dazzling new heights in their epic “Wherever You Wanna Go” video. Well, the talented trio plan to go even harder in their “Do You” visual and have the rehearsal tape to prove it.
Madison, Mikey and Jason really switched up their sound for the band’s second single. “Do You” has a slick hip-hop edge, which is reflected in their dance moves. The boys tear up the rehearsal studio — taking us through some of their new choreography. Watch To Be One in action up top.
Are you excited for To Be One’s video? Let us know in the comments below.

domain: entertainment


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The Open PHACTS project will develop an open source, open standards
and open access inno
vation platform, Open Pharmacological Space (OPS), via a semantic web
approach. OPS will comprise data, vocabularies and infrastructure needed to accelerate drugoriented
research. This semantic integration hub will address key bottlenecks in small molecule drug discovery:
disparate information sources, lack of standards and shared concept identifiers, guided by well defined
research questions assembled from participating drug discovery teams.
Open PHACTS draws together multiple sources of publicly-available pharmacological and physicochemical data, accessible via the Open PHACTS Explorer, an intuitive interface, and the powerful Open PHACTS API.


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Enjoy FREE shipping on all orders $150 and over - shop now and save!
Introducing our Delightful Pistachio Calcite Tumbles, a charming and distinctive addition to any crystal collection. These tumbled stones showcase the gentle green hues and soothing energy of Pistachio Calcite in a polished form, perfect for meditation, healing work, or as a unique decorative accent. Measuring approximately 1 to 1.5 inches, these tumbles are an ideal size for various applications.
Soothing Pistachio Calcite: Known for its calming pale green color and gentle energy, Pistachio Calcite is a gemstone associated with emotional healing, relaxation, and heart chakra balancing. Each tumble displays the stone's delightful color and natural beauty.
Perfectly Sized for Versatility: Our Pistachio Calcite Tumbles measure approximately 1 to 1.5 inches, making them an ideal size for holding during meditation, placing on your chakras for energy work, carrying in your pocket, or using as decorative accents in your home or office.
Expertly Polished: Each Pistachio Calcite Tumble is meticulously polished by skilled artisans, ensuring a smooth and tactile surface that highlights the stone's gentle color and enhances its visual appeal.
Versatile Uses: These delightful Pistachio Calcite Tumbles are not only visually captivating, but they also offer numerous applications, such as meditation aids, energy healing tools, decorative accents, or as thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
Unique and Individual: As with all natural gemstones, each Pistachio Calcite Tumble has its own distinct color variations and patterns, making your purchase a one-of-a-kind piece of nature's art.
Embrace the soothing energy and natural charm of our Delightful Pistachio Calcite Tumbles, an exquisite representation of Mother Earth's gifts and the perfect addition to any crystal enthusiast's collection.

domain: hobby


Washington, DC — (AP) Rep. Mark Kennedy, an opponent of drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, voted for a defense bill Monday that authorizes it.
"I have consistently and repeatedly opposed drilling in ANWR," Kennedy, R-Minn., said in a statement. "However, it would be the height of irresponsibility to vote against a bill that funds our troops and our military while our nation is at war."
Kennedy is running for Senate next year and ANWR is likely to be an issue in the campaign, as it was in the last Minnesota Senate race.
In 2002, then-candidate Norm Coleman pledged to oppose efforts to drill in ANWR. On Monday, the Minnesota senator said he was undecided on how he would vote on the defense bill, which the Senate is likely to take up this week.
Kennedy issued a statement Saturday night saying he was "outraged" that GOP leaders included the drilling provision in the defense bill, and that he would do all he could to strip it from the legislation.
"Including ANWR in this bill is nothing but a cheap trick to exploit members' commitment to supporting our troops while they are at war," Kennedy said in the Saturday statement, prior to the 308-106 vote early Monday.
Meanwhile, Coleman said in a telephone interview Monday that he expected the Senate to vote on an amendment to take the oil drilling provision out of the defense bill this week.
"I certainly will be supporting that," said Coleman, a Republican.
Environmentalists say drilling would threaten the ecology of the refuge's coastal plain, which is used by caribou, polar bears, musk oxen and millions of migratory birds that land there during warmer parts of the year.
Coleman voted against a budget bill last month because it called for drilling in ANWR, and on Monday, he said his campaign pledge was important.
"On the other hand, you've got funding for troops, avian flu (prevention money) Katrina (aid) - everything but motherhood and apple pie in this bill," he said. "I think we'll have a shot on the Senate side to have a specific ANWR vote. So I'm clear on that. Beyond that, let's wait and see."
He said he wouldn't support a filibuster of the defense bill.
"We've got to have a defense bill," Coleman said.
He said he was "genuinely undecided" on how he would vote if ANWR stays in the bill, but added, "I'm angry at the way this has been handled, that we're forced to revisit this issue again and again."
Minnesota DFL Chairman Brian Melendez criticized Kennedy for his vote.
"Mark Kennedy's middle-of-the-night flip-flop further shows the people of Minnesota why we need better leadership," Melendez said in a statement. "... I can only hope that Senator Coleman can distance himself from his party's cold and strategic deceit."


Historic Bengal health bill clears legislative hurdle
The path-breaking West Bengal Clinical Establishments ( Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2017 was passed in the Assembly on Friday. This first of its kind regulation anywhere in the country is aimed at preventing harassment of patients and their relatives during treatment at hospitals.
The West Bengal Clinical Establishment regulatory Commission will be set up and will be headed by a sitting or a retired High Court judge or a former chief secretary.
The Bill proposes stringent measures to check malpractices by private health players.
Private healthcare establishments may be fined up to Rs 10 lakh for deficiency in service and functioning without a license. They may be fined up to Rs 5 lakh for fudging documents. Treatment to accident, acid attack and rape victims will be mandatory.
Tabling the bill, chief minister Mamata Banerjee who is also the health minister said it would bring transparency, prevent unnecessary harassment of patients and their relatives and ensure compensation in case of medical negligence. Describing the bill as "historic", she said it would serve as a role model for other states.
Justifying her move to place the bill she said that state government hospitals were under the close scrutiny of the health department and those guilty of dereliction were suspended and in some cases even sacked. Congress MLAs wanted the bill to be sent to the select committee as "it was tabled in haste." Brushing aside their demand Banerjee said that complaints were piling up against private hospitals and there could not be any delay in implementing the bill. She thanked those who had opposed the bill " as they would later realise the mistake they made by not supporting it." Looking at Congress MLAs she said, "Are you owners of private nursing homes that you're trying to delay the bill?" However, the bill was later passed unanimously.
She spoke of her meeting with the authorities of private hospitals on 22 February and after that, she had a marathon meeting lasting for over six hours with the state chief secretary Basudeb Bandopadhyay, home secretary Malay Dey and health secretary RS Shukla.
Banerjee said the state government had closely analysed the complaints it had received from people for more than a year. Now, data from private hospitals in the districts was being collected by the health department.
Citing the case of Sanjay Roy whose death in SSKM had brought the neglect of patients in private hospitals to light, she said Apollo Hospitals had taken away FD receipts, PAN card and even deed of the house as a security deposit. In another case, the same hospital took three cheques collectively worth Rs 5.97 lakh from a patient and he had to submit the deed of his ancestral house as security deposit. "What is this? Everything has a limit. A hospital cannot behave in such an inhuman manner." She said Apollo had charged Rs 24,000 from a patient for a medicine whose price was actually Rs 10,000. "Apollo hospital has removed its former CEO and this proves that our charges are true," she said.
In many private hospitals operations were carried out at night so that bills could be inflated. "Either you change or law will take its own course," she maintained. Banerjee said that private hospital authorities often pressurise doctors to follow their draconian diktats and encourage them to do private practice at government hospitals.
She said in government hospitals an additional 27,000 beds had been provided. People from neighbouring states like Odisha, Bihar and northeast are coming to state-run hospitals for treatment. Of 42 super speciality hospitals, 33 are functioning. 112 fair price medicine shops and diagnostic centres are also functional. Out of 16, nine mother and child hubs are functioning. Institutional delivery has reached 90% from 35 %. Seven new health districts will come up soon.


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So who needs to keep a blog schedule, right? Today I'm supposed to talk about something political; but I'd rather talk about something music related. Music is a lot more fun than politics most of the time anyway. What have I been listening to recently? The last week or so has been devoted to the new album called Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust by Sigur Rós (there's a lovely pronunciation of the album name on Wikipedia and the translation is 'with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly). I would go further in explaining the awesomeness of this album if I thought it was necessary, but everyone knows how fantastic these Icelandic post-rockers are so I'll just leave it at that.
What I really want to talk about is the band Mates of State. Their newest album, Re-Arrange Us, is my first experience with the band even though it is their fifth release. The band is made of of a husband-wife (Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner) team who make great music. Their sound is fairly simple yet sonically powerful at the same time. I know that is probably not a very convincing statement but it's the best I can do with it. From what I can understand, Jason provides most of the rhythm and Kori is most frequently on the keyboards, she also handles most of the vocals on this particular album. There are significantly intricate drum rhythms that hold up the drive of the songs and this spine keeps the keyboard from feeling naked without a guitar alongside--something that bands like Keane fail to do. Mates of State, however, does use the guitar occasionally but it is certainly not a feature of their sound.
The best feature of the band has to be their fantastic vocals combined with the insightful lyrics. Neither of their voices are what I could consider great, but they work so well with the sounds that accompany them. I am convinced that marriage brings a certain closeness that can be felt when two people sing together and that is certainly the case for Jason and Kori. There exists a tightness in their harmonies that is nearly unexplainable. Jason often pushes toward the top of his range but it is complemented by the subtle energy of Kori's jangly voice. At the top of their voices they occasionally push beyond what seems comfortable and it sounds almost ethereal rather than forced.
Overall, it's a wonderful album and I'm rather excited to get deeper into their catalogue.
Also, they look so cool.

domain: artistic


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Thursday, April 15, 2021
Skill up your fashion game to dress up your cute model as she takes on other fashion divas in this entertaining game that’ll keep you glued to the screens.
Win against players from around the world and unlock new accessories to make your model look even better. Enjoy complete creative freedom when it comes to grooming your model.
Friday, March 26, 2021
Get hooked on this delightful dress up game that you can enjoy in the comfort of your phone.
Dress up a variety of different characters according to your liking and preferences. Acquire new accessories and dresses as you progress through the game and utilize them in creative ways.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Stun the crowd with a glamorous ramp walk and become the ultimate fashion diva in this exciting game that impresses on all fronts.
Customize your avatar the way you want and pose elegantly in front of the cameras to impress the judges. Unlock trendy new clothes to take your fashion game to the next level.
Friday, January 15, 2021
Do you think you have what it takes to run a successful fashion boutique? Try out your caliber now in this fun filled game.
Design a huge variety of dresses and display them in your boutique for women to purchase. Decorate your shop and make your investor happy by completing fashion tasks in the game.
Friday, January 15, 2021
Play this fun and addicting mobile based game in which your fashion sense is definitely going to be tested.
Test your outfits against others in each level of the game and come out on top with your superior dressing. Unlock exciting new dresses as you progress through the game.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Can you hear the jingle bells in the distance? The most festive season is finally here!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Gain access to a secret store stocked with outfits never seen before in the game!
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Winter, we have had enough - It's time to bring back the color in our lives and to our wardrobes!
Friday, March 10, 2017
Pursue your dreams of becoming a fashion superstar in Dream City
Participate in the Star Show and show your opponents that you mean business! Design your own virtual home, take care of an adorable pet and manage your shop along the way
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
The game is now available for North American and Australian players on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Don't wait - Climb the ranks of stardom and become #1 in Dream City!

domain: game


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Mountain Highway, Sat.
Mountain Highway is a family of bluegrass fans who love to play and sing bluegrass and gospel music. The four children range in age from 11 to 16, and began attending bluegrass concerts and festivals regularly when they were ages 2 to 7. For years, they’ve spent afternoons and evenings singing music together, which has helped them to develop a crisp, family harmony sound.
But it wasn’t until June of 2016 that they picked up instruments for the first time. While attending HoustonFest 2016 in Galax, Virginia, the kids visited an “Instrument Petting Zoo” hosted by the Blue Ridge Music Makers Guild. There, they learned about chords for the first time and spent hours getting acquainted with guitars, banjos, and fiddles. Within a week of returning home to Lynchburg, one child had received a guitar as a birthday present and another had been loaned a guitar by a family friend. They were hooked. The two younger children soon began learning to play the fiddle and the mandolin.
The family travels frequently in Virginia and North Carolina, mostly to destinations where the family can listen to bluegrass music and perform music themselves. Their favorite places to go involve frequent travel on mountain roads, which is why they chose the name “Mountain Highway” for their group. They’ve sung in churches, community centers, festival jams, restaurants, and even at popular bluegrass venues like Lorraine Jordan’s Coffee House in Raleigh, NC and the historic Earle Theatre in Mt. Airy, NC. If you like traditional bluegrass and gospel music, you'll enjoy hearing Mountain Highway sing at the Wind Gap Bluegrass festival!


Award Winning Documentaries and TV programs from Nick Mollé Productions featuring Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Protected Places around the world. As seen on PBS Stations across the country.
Scott Denning is a climate scientist and professor of atmospheric science. In this clip from our film, 'Nature of the Beasts', Nick talks with Scott about the impact of climate change in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Animation by - Timothy Buck


The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has been appointed to replace Ken Ofori-Atta as the caretaker of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Abu Jinapor assumes this role on 16th January 2023.
A statement from the Presidency on Friday said the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, will instead assume responsibility for the Trade Ministry.
This comes on the back of the public outrage that greeted the decision to appoint the embattled Finance Minister, Mr. Ofori-Atta as caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry following the resignation of Alan Kyerematen.
Kyerematen, who has had his eye on the presidency, tendered his resignation letter on Thursday 5 January 2023.
He has served as Trade Minister since President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo came to power in 2017.
Jinapor, the current Minister of Lands and Natural Resources will take charge of the trade and industry ministry until a substantive minister is appointed.
The Minister for Agric, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto also resigned on January 10 over similar reasons.


It is twice as expensive to insure in parts of Australia’s north, compared to the south. Insurers have never shied away from this fact, or the factors that cause it. Discussions usually focus only on the risks but that’s only part of the story.
The Insurance Council Of Australia is often told that insurers should fund mitigation to protect communities. After all, the argument goes, they are the prime beneficiary of damage being prevented. Is this really the case?


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Chicago-based investor David Askar talks international real estate investment.
With costs skyrocketing in the U.S. real estate markets, it can be quite daunting to get your property investments started. However, overseas real estate investments can be a great way to get the ball rolling on cash flow and setting up a sizeable nest egg. Depending on the foreign market you’re considering to get involved with, you can even see significant returns on your investment property value in as little as a few years.
An advantage of real estate investment is that it’s viewed as a tangible, real asset, which can be helpful in establishing a reputable worth for building up your portfolio for future business ventures. The following regions are currently ripe for the picking when it comes to foreign real estate investments:
Despite some tumultuous economic and political landscapes, the various European real estate markets are swiftly recovering. While major cities are still on the forefront of investors minds, secondary European locations are gaining traction as being fertile grounds for urban development.
London, England — As one of the lead cities for investment opportunities, international investors have flooded the London market. From a five-year period between 2010 and 2015, prime properties priced above £1,000 a square foot have risen 46.3% in East London. In the same time frame, properties in Central London also increased 30.7% — making for conditions that will offer huge returns.
Marbella, Spain — With gorgeous weather year-round and the enviable laid-back Spanish lifestyle, Marbella is a highly visited destination. Investment rental properties in this coastal city are sure to provide a massive return as the city invests in long-term economic and urban development plans. The typical return on a rental property between €200,000 and €700,000 averages roughly 3.5% annually.
Krakow, Poland — Low-interest rates in Poland and the push for updated urban infrastructure makes the city a prime location for real estate investment. Studios and one-to-two-bedroom apartments are most desired, with about 10% to 20% of the properties being turned into rentals. Since mid-2008, house prices in Krakow are down by 15.2% and overall have been fuelled by an inflow of investment due to the country’s accession to the EU, record low-interest rates, and mortgage financing development.
The oil economy is booming and with many corporate headquarters located within the Middle East, the region is seeing a spike in tourism and relocation.
Amman, Jordan — In recent years, instability throughout surrounding countries like Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon have prompted many real estate investors to view Jordan as a safe haven for property growth potential. Land values have soared due to a shortage in housing with the incoming migrant populations. The quality of life, financial benefits, and various other strategic economic benefits make Amman a unique investment opportunity.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) — Considered the Las Vegas of the greater Persian Gulf region, the great real estate investment potential stems from government-provided subsidies and incentives for individuals and/or companies, which has prompted relocation efforts by many affluent business and professionals. With a rapidly-expanding economy, Dubai’s GDP is projected at $107.1 billion with a growth rate of 6.1% in 2014. Despite being the 22nd most expensive city in the world, prices for high-end real estate in Dubai are up only 6%, while they’re up 18% in New York and 8% in London.
This region is certainly having its moment in the sun with newly reformed tourism incentives and laws. While some countries are going through political instability, others are experiencing rapidly booming economies. The following cities are sure to wow even the most seasoned of investors.
Panama City, Panama — While it is still a developing nation, Panama has a growing stable economy thanks to retirees, plentiful opportunities with vacation rentals, and economic instability in nearby Venezuela to fuel the housing market. A brand new, full-amenity condo on the coast is likely to cost less than $300,000 and resale properties commonly cost less than $250,000.
Granada, Nicaragua — The colonial city of Granada is located in one of the safest Central American countries, and Nicaragua’s tourism incentive laws ensure that real estate developers and investors don’t need to pay taxes on properties for up to 10 years. Investing in Nicaragua is safe and almost entirely hassle-free with very few restrictions.
Alajuela, Costa Rica — In this tropical buyer’s market, most investors are looking for gated communities, low-rise condominium towers, and mixed-zone residential and commercial areas. The Costa Rican culture and sights, along with its thriving economy, make for an impressive investment when it comes to vacation rental properties. Closed-end real estate funds in Costa Rica have reported average annual returns between 7% and 8% since 2007 and have been attributed to occupancy rates, price indexation clauses, and the strategic value of various key properties.
Factor in Affordability and Taxes
When you’re spending so much time and effort to find that perfect real estate investment location, affordability factors in considerably. Financially speaking, the tax benefits of purchasing real estate in the U.S. also applies to foreign investments — you can write off the costs of maintenance for foreign property holdings, along with any travel associated with scouting for, purchasing, and managing rentals. Not to mention that potential tax benefits can extend to the foreign country as well. Many countries impose very low property taxes (including France, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia), have no property taxes at all (Croatia and New Zealand), or don’t even impose capital gains taxes on real estate sale earnings (Argentina, Belize, Nicaragua, Croatia, and New Zealand).
Whether you’re buying raw land, investing in a planned urban development, or launching a business abroad, there are certainly gains to be had when diversifying your investment portfolio by taking up property abroad. Developing countries make for many opportunities related to business ventures or creating a relationship with a foreign government for retirement benefit purposes. The extra cherry on top of investing overseas is that in many countries, owning local real estate can also be grounds to qualify you for a residency visa, should the need ever arise.
Read more from David Askar, a Chicago-based real estate expert.

domain: finance


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Political Coverage from Austin to Texas on the Potomac in D.C.
Posts filtered on Tag
Joined by jubilant students, happy lawmakers and officials who oversee the workforce and education in Texas, Gov. Rick Perry signed into law Monday a high-profile public education measure to overhaul graduation requirements and reduce high-stakes testing. Perhaps sensitive to concerns over changes for schools in House Bill 5, Perry emphasized the concerns he initially shared […] [Read More]
Gov. Rick Perry is throwing his weight behind an evaluation of the number of high-stakes exams that Texas students take in the wake of an outcry that kids are over-tested. Perry also told the Texas Business Leadership Council on Tuesday that school ratings should be easier to understand. “We need to continue holding our schools […] [Read More]


One of the foundational sectors of the world economy is the automotive sector. Its annual budgets for innovation and research top hundreds of billions of dollars. Over 15 million people work in the sector, which has assets worth more than $ 2 trillion.
Despite these encouraging signs, the industry is constantly facing challenges and is under pressure to improve. Environmental protection-related changes and additions necessitate an upgrade of current models during the design phase. A modern car should be built on entirely innovations that adhere to all technological advancement standards. Manufacturers are being influenced to create highly intelligent machines by the ongoing development of technologies in all facets of life and the computerization of many processes.
The changes also affected the global auto giant Bentley, which will say goodbye to the legendary W12 engine in 2024. The company has already warned potential customers to decide on the purchase as soon as possible since there will be no return to the past.
It is worth saying that Bentley is the epitome of luxury, elegance, and all the best that is in the automotive industry. Of course, such cars cost a lot, but thanks to the availability of car rental services and car rental companies, which are now extremely common all over the world, it is not difficult to try a little luxury on your own. In any part of the world, this will be possible, no matter if you would like to take Bentley rent a car Dubai, or hire an exclusive vehicle in Abu Dhabi, for instance.
So what is Bentley’s W12?
The world’s only production engine W12 6.0 was developed at the dawn of the 2000s by Volkswagen engineers and, in addition to Audi A8, VW Phaeton, and Touareg, registered under the hoods of Bentayga, Continental GT and Flying Spur, and other older Bentley models. Over the past years, the engine has been regularly upgraded, acquired a reinforced crankcase, an improved cooling system, more productive turbochargers, and a cylinder shutdown system if necessary.
As a result, the peak power of the current W12 increased by 37% compared to the 450-horsepower source 20 years ago, torque increased by 54%, and harmful emissions decreased by a quarter. With the 710-horsepower version of the engine, the Continental GT coupe accelerated to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in 3.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 336 km/h, making it one of the most high-tech vehicles. It is a record for Bentley cars.
What will happen to W12?
Already next year, the W12 will fall victim to the electrification strategy followed by Volkswagen and its constituent brands.
Unfortunately, further development and maintenance of the production of the 12-cylinder monster become impossible due to the constant tightening of environmental regulations. In April 2024, its production will be completed, reaching a total circulation of approximately 105,000 pieces. In the future, Bentley cars will be produced in a hybrid version, and from 2030 only in electric.
Thus, the latest novelty of the brand, which received the family W12, was the Bentley Mulliner Batur coupe. With a limited edition of 18 copies, the Batur is recognized as the most powerful production Bentley in history, since its modified W12 develops 730 hp and 1000 Nm in the range from 1750 to 5000 rpm.
The W12 6.0 engine will be removed from the assembly line of the factory in Crewe, UK, in April 2024. The last released model with such a motor (and with its most powerful version) The Bentley Batyr grand tourer from Mulliner, which debuted in the summer of 2022, will become. The coupe, we recall, received a modified W12 with a new intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers, and a reprogrammed control unit, which made it possible to remove 740 horsepower from six liters of working volume.
However, it will not be possible to buy the last car with the W12: the entire edition of the Bentley Batur, consisting of only 18 copies, has already been sold out. And the rest of the machines, on which a 12-cylinder unit is still installed, for example, the Flying Spur, are rapidly running out. The W12 will be replaced with V6 and V8 engines as part of hybrid powerplants.
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Camp under Ville-Marie Highway | Quebec will find homes for the homeless
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Well rate estimation & surveillance
The daily well rate estimation for an NCS asset was a time consuming manual process involving multiple custom spreadsheets. It took up too much valuable engineering time, it was hard to understand and open to error.
what we did
We built a digital twin of the wells and related equipment and connected it to the source systems as well as a new source for storing manual inputs. We then converted the spreadsheets into online, realtime calculations and built a set of input screens and templated dashboards that automated the information capture and sped up the whole process. We set up alerts and configured access via the Eigen Mobile Monitor app.
A manually intensive 4 hours process has been reduced to less than 30 minutes and the process runs in realtime and is auditable. Shared awareness throughout the company has improved.


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Had a great hunt in Idaho's unit 18, Hells Canyon Wilderness. It is a fantastic area and is loaded with mature bulls and a lot of nice mature mule deer. It is a controlled hunt access but luckily a fantastic outfitter has an allotment of 9 tags.
We hunted one on one. He was open to ethical long range shots as he knew I had done a lot of training and would only take a well considered shot. I harvested this beauty across a canyon... it was a great hunt in amazing wild country.
As if this weren't enough, we followed up with a trophy Mule deer in the breaks of the the canyon.[IMG]file:///Users/kevinrogers/Desktop/DSC00702.jpg[/IMG]
Over all it is steep rough country... a little intimidating. The outfitter however, new the country inside and out. We were able to quarter the bull and load it right onto the mules. The mules were pretty savvy and we followed game trails right to the elk.


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This is one of my official reviews for OnlineBookClub.org. View the review on the website here:
Who in your life has influenced you? What life lessons did they teach you and how did you apply them? Rob White’s And Then I Met Margaret tells the true story of the ordinary people who influenced him and taught him essential life lessons that have propelled him through his life and career. Each chapter introduces one of these people and the lesson they taught him, and gives an example of how he (or others) benefited from the experience. This inspiring nonfiction book is a gift to its readers, leading them to recognize their own influences and become greater because of them.
Rob White grew up in a small town where tradition was strong and sons took after their fathers. Breaking those traditions, he moved away from his home, went to college, and became a teacher. Later, he went into the real estate business and traveled across the United States. He gained a lot of experience and eventually became very successful financially, but felt like he was missing something. Needing to find the missing piece, he spent his life searching for gurus who could tell him how to succeed in life. Finally, he realized that he had been surrounded by them all along.
From the selflessness of his Aunt Theresa to the former peanut vendor who simply decided not to die, he recounts the lives that touched his, whether they knew it or not. Taking readers on a journey through his life from his childhood in a small mill town to the successful career he enjoys today, he gives recognition to those lives that changed him into the man he is today. He recognizes that the simplest of things can cause a ripple effect, from the plunking of a penny in a jar to a new red dress, causing good deeds to be paid forward and leaving people with a new mindset or even a fresh start.
The overall message of the book – to pay it forward – is an appropriate response to those who have taught someone a life lesson, even if some never know the effect that they had. An ordinary stranger’s generosity can have a multitude of positive effects. A simple act of kindness will be remembered years after it occurs. The innocence of a child can bring about a change in perspective. And the ripples that these small things have can last a lifetime, benefiting people more than can ever be known.
A fairly short book at 188 pages, And Then I Met Margaret is nothing but inspirational. It’s obviously professionally edited, with few mistakes that do not distract from the reading experience. The format flows well and gives the book the feel of a cohesive whole. With chapter titles such as “Shakespeare in My Left Pants Pocket” and “The $3M Shakeup”, the author’s humorous outlook at painful past experiences displays the wisdom he gained from them. With great satisfaction, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is an amazing read and a truly inspiring story. I heartily recommend it for anyone looking for a new perspective on their life.
Buy the book on Amazon here:


After a presidency during which the word "French" became taboo in congressional canteens, and an election campaign in which Republicans mocked Barack Obama for giving a speech in Germany, relations between Washington and Europe may be about to change: Air Force One, among the most powerful symbols of the American presidency, could be replaced with a European-made plane.
Airbus, based in Toulouse, is preparing to offer Obama an A380 superjumbo, its flagship aircraft and the world's largest passenger plane, to replace the ageing pair of Boeing 747s that currently do the job, it emerged yesterday. Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive, said the US was already thinking about new aircraft for the presidential fleet, and that it was "not completely absurd" to consider the superjumbo as an alternative.
Obama's transition team did not comment on the possible offer, but the A380 might also enable the new president to claim environmental points: although the 840-capacity plane is much bigger than the 747, which can carry around 500 passengers, Airbus claims the A380 is at least 25% more fuel-efficient and emits far fewer greenhouse gases.
But Enders said it was "much too early to speculate", and that Airbus was concentrating on winning the rerun $40bn (£27bn) Pentagon contract for 179 air-to-air refuelling aircraft against Boeing. Airbus won the contract last year after one of the fiercest lobbying battles ever witnessed on Capitol Hill, but the Pentagon later revised the tender under congressional pressure. Enders said Airbus had won that contest fairly and intended to win again - provided it was on a level playing field.
There are some fears within the European aviation industry that Obama, with his Chicago base, could favour Boeing, which has its headquarters there and carries enormous congressional influence. But senior sources said the new president, who is inaugurated on Tuesday, would be determined to be impartial.
Another perk and powerful symbol of the presidency was revealed this week: the state Cadillac, traditionally custom-built for each new office-holder. Nicknamed "the Beast", Obama's version is bulky and imposing and, according to the secret service, which helped design it, "the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world". It will make its debut at the inaugural parade.