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Reid RO, Friedberg MW, Adams JL, McGlynn EA, Mehrotra A. Associations Between Physician Characteristics and Quality of Care. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(16):1442–1449. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.307
© 2023
Information on physicians' performance on measures of clinical quality is rarely available to patients. Instead, patients are encouraged to select physicians on the basis of characteristics such as education, board certification, and malpractice history. In a large sample of Massachusetts physicians, we examined the relationship between physician characteristics and performance on a broad range of quality measures.
We calculated overall performance scores on 124 quality measures from RAND's Quality Assessment Tools for each of 10 408 Massachusetts physicians using claims generated by 1.13 million adult patients. The patients were continuously enrolled in 1 of 4 Massachusetts commercial health plans from 2004 to 2005. Physician characteristics were obtained from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. Associations between physician characteristics and overall performance scores were assessed using multivariate linear regression.
The mean overall performance score was 62.5% (5th to 95th percentile range, 48.2%-74.9%). Three physician characteristics were independently associated with significantly higher overall performance: female sex (1.6 percentage points higher than male sex; P < .001), board certification (3.3 percentage points higher than noncertified; P < .001), and graduation from a domestic medical school (1.0 percentage points higher than international; P < .001). There was no significant association between performance and malpractice claims (P = .26).
Few characteristics of individual physicians were associated with higher performance on measures of quality, and observed associations were small in magnitude. Publicly available characteristics of individual physicians are poor proxies for performance on clinical quality measures.
To improve the quality of care received by their beneficiaries, some health plans use physician report cards and tiered physician networks to steer their members toward physicians who provide high-quality care. However, most patients do not have access to physician quality measures. Furthermore, the quality metrics available to some patients are limited in scope and reflect only a few aspects of overall quality of care. Patients are therefore encouraged to use publicly available proxies for clinical performance when choosing a physician. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality advises patients to consult state medical boards and to seek information on board certification and training as a way to assess the quality of care physicians provide.1 The consumer Web site HealthGrades2 limits its "recognized doctor" and "5-star doctor" labels to physicians who are board certified, who have never had their license revoked, and who are free of disciplinary actions or malpractice claims. Malpractice claims and board certification status, along with procedure-specific experience, are judged by consumers to be much more indicative of the quality of care delivered by a physician than ratings by government agencies or independent medical institutions.3
There seems to be a tacit belief that these physician characteristics are a signal for clinical quality. However, the value of publicly available individual physician characteristics as predictors of clinical quality is unclear. Few definitive or broadly applicable conclusions have emerged from previous studies that examined the relationship between individual physician characteristics and quality of care. The relationship between performance on quality measures and physicians' history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions has not been studied to our knowledge.4-6 In general, studies have found an inverse relationship between years of experience and performance on quality measures.7-9 There have been mixed findings in the relationship between quality and other characteristics such as sex,8-14 board certification status,8,15,16 and medical school site (ie, international vs domestic).8,17,18 Previous investigations of relationships between individual physician characteristics and performance on quality measures have been limited by the number of physicians assessed, the available physician characteristics, and the scope and validity of quality metrics used. Much of the previous literature related to physician characteristics and clinical quality has had a narrow clinical focus, each study examining only a limited range of processes, conditions, or specialties.
In this study we examined, in a large sample of Massachusetts physicians, the relationship between a number of physician characteristics and performance on a broad range of quality measures.
Physician performance scores were created using a deidentified aggregated claims data set of 1.13 million patients ages 18 to 65 years who were enrolled continuously in 1 of 4 Massachusetts commercial health plans in 2004 to 2005. Taken together, the 4 plans constituted over 85% of the commercial market in the state. The data set included all professional, inpatient, facility, and pharmacy claims. Physicians were linked across the 4 health plans using a crosswalk developed by the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) that connects a unique physician identifier to the health care provider (physician) numbers used by each health plan.19 Children younger than 18 years were excluded because no pediatric quality measures were used. Elderly persons (>65 years) were also excluded because coinsurance with Medicare was inconsistently recorded, and the plans could not reliably identify those for whom Medicare was the primary payer.
The MHQP maintains a database of all health care providers who have a contract with any of the major commercial health plans in the state. From this sample of health care providers, we eliminated those who practiced outside Massachusetts and those who did not bill at least 1 claim to any of the 4 health plans in 2004 to 2005. We then eliminated nonphysicians (ie, podiatrists, chiropractors, acupuncturists), physicians with no assigned specialty, pediatricians, and specialties with no applicable quality measures or direct patient care (eg, pathology, radiology). After these exclusions, physicians in 23 specialties contributed data to the analysis.
Publicly available data on individual physician characteristics were obtained from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.20 The board publicly releases, for each physician, information on birth date, medical school graduation date, medical school attended, board certification status, sex, payment on malpractice claims, and disciplinary actions. These data are entered and updated by physicians at the time of licensure and relicensure. However, malpractice and disciplinary information is maintained by the board, and data are not self-entered by physicians. From this database we eliminated physicians with a limited license (ie, residents). Experience was measured by years since medical school graduation. Medical schools in the United States were matched to their 2008 US News and World Report 's rankings in research and primary care.21 Malpractice claims included those on which a payment was made from March 30, 1998, to February 28, 2008. The board's disciplinary archives listed all disciplinary and public actions by the board from June 9, 1999, through June 18, 2008.22 We did not include 5 publicly available variables for analysis. Two of these variables (criminal convictions, hospital disciplinary actions) were very rare among physicians. Two variables (number of articles published, awards) were inconsistently entered by physicians, and 1 variable (work site) had unclear definitions. For example, it was unclear how a physician might choose between "educational institution," "hospital," or "clinic."
We used the RAND claims-based Quality Assessment (QA) Tools to assess performance on measures of clinical quality. The development of the QA tools measures has been described in previous publications.23,24 Briefly, RAND staff selected conditions that were identified as leading causes of death, illness, and utilization of health care; staff physicians reviewed established national guidelines and medical literature to identify key processes of care subject to potential overuse and underuse throughout the continuum of care for each condition. Four 9-member multispecialty expert panels, each with a diversity of geography, practice setting, and sex, were convened to assess the validity of the indicators using the RAND–University of California, Los Angeles, modified Delphi method. The QA Tools measures were initially developed to be abstracted from medical records and included 439 measures; these have been subsequently adapted to be scored using claims records. The claims-based QA Tools measures used in our analyses include 124 indicators of quality of care for 22 acute and chronic conditions, as well as preventive care which are listed in the eAppendix.
Instances when recommended care was indicated or provided were attributed to the individual physicians who triggered the indicator. Each physician's composite performance score was created by dividing the number of instances in which recommended care was delivered by the number of instances in which patients were eligible for such care and were assigned to that physician. This composite method has been described as the "overall score" method in previous literature.25 To prevent differences in the ease of delivering needed care (eg, the mean rate of mammography for the state is much higher than the mean rate of cervical cancer screening) from affecting physicians' overall performance scores, we standardized the expected performance on each indicator by subtracting its statewide mean from each physician's score on that indicator. This process created a "measurement difficulty-adjusted" performance composite score, the mean of which was zero across all physicians.26
We created multivariate linear regression models to examine the associations between physician characteristics and performance scores. The unit of analysis was the individual physician. The dependent variable was the composite difficulty-adjusted performance score. The independent variables were physician sex, board certification status, experience (years since graduation from medical school), medical school location (domestic or international), medical school ranking (within or below the top 10 in the 2008 US News and World Report rankings), malpractice claims (none vs ≥1 in the past 10 years), and disciplinary actions by the board (none vs ≥1 in the past 10 years). The regression was weighted by the number of quality measure opportunities attributed to each physician.
We ran several different versions of the regression model using different subsets of physicians and performance data: (1) all physicians and all indicators; (2) all physicians, but with separate regressions for acute, chronic, and preventive care indicators; (3) all physicians, but with separate regressions for female-patient–specific and male-patient–specific indicators (eg, recommended prenatal or mammography care for women, and recommended benign prostatic hypertrophy or sexually transmitted infection care for men); and (4) all indicators, but with separate regression models for the 5 specialties that averaged greater than 150 quality measure opportunities per physician (internal medicine, family/general practice, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and endocrinology).
Performance scores are presented as the mean score for the group of physicians possessing each characteristic. We created these scores by solving the regression model created for each care type or physician specialty to find the percentage-point difference in difficulty-adjusted performance score attributable to that characteristic. We then added that quantity to the unadjusted mean performance score to arrive at a quantity representing the percentage of recommended care that physicians with that characteristic provide, adjusted for the degree of difficulty of each measure. To address the testing of multiple comparisons, we calculated the critical P value that limited the false discovery rate (the expected rate of type 1 error among all significant statistical tests) to 5%.27P values below this threshold were considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software (version 9.2; SAS Institute Inc, Cary, North Carolina).
Of the 30 122 physicians in the MHQP database, there were 12 959 physicians in the 23 selected specialties who had a full license, who practiced in Massachusetts, and who submitted 1 or more claims in 2004 to 2005. We then excluded the 2249 physicians with no attributed quality measures and the 302 physicians who could not be linked to the physician characteristics data set. The remaining 10 408 physicians (80.3%) were the basis of our analysis. There were 1 704 686 quality measure opportunities included in the analysis, a mean of 163.8 events per physician (range, 1-3329).
Most physicians were male (70.1%), board certified (92.8%), domestically trained (83.0%), and in possession of allopathic medical degrees (97.7%) (Table 1). They had a wide breadth of experience in practice; 15.2% had less than 10 years, and 24.7% had 30 or more years of experience. Few had made payments on malpractice claims in the past decade (10.2%), and fewer had disciplinary actions against them in that time (1.0%). Approximately 1 in 10 attended schools ranked in the top 10 by US News and World Report21 for research (12.6%) or primary care (9.8%) (Table 1). The physicians were distributed across the 23 specialties, but 34.5% of the physicians in the sample practiced internal medicine (Table 2).
Among all physicians, the mean unadjusted overall performance score was 62.5%, with a 5th to 95th percentile range of 48.2% to 74.9%. Performance scores varied by condition, ranging from 30.9% for cataract care to 68.0% for congestive heart failure care. Unadjusted performance scores for all physicians for the 20 most frequently occurring indicators are shown in Table 3.
In a multivariate model including all physicians and all types of care, female physicians scored higher than male physicians (1.6 percentage points; P < .001), board-certified physicians scored higher than those without board certification (3.3 percentage points; P < .001), and domestically trained physicians scored higher than internationally trained physicians (1.0 percentage point; P < .001) (Table 4). There were no statistically significant associations between performance and allopathic vs osteopathic degree, medical school rankings, disciplinary actions, malpractice claims, or years of experience. The available physician characteristics explained only 2.8% of overall variation in physician performance.
Separate regressions models for acute, chronic, and preventive care demonstrated that board certification was associated with higher quality on 2 of the 3 types of care (1.8 percentage points for acute care [P = .001]; 5.9 percentage points for preventive care [P < .001]) (Table 4). Of the physician characteristics, the greatest differences in quality were generally seen among the preventive care measures (female physicians, 5.3 percentage points higher than male physicians [P < .001]; board-certified physicians, 5.9 percentage points higher than noncertified physicians [P < .001]; domestically trained physicians, 2.7 percentage points higher than internationally trained physicians [P < .001]; having paid a malpractice claim, 3.7 percentage points higher than vs no paid malpractice claim [P < .001]).
Using separate regression models for male- and female-specific measures, we found that female physicians had significantly higher performance scores than male physicians on female-specific measures (4.4 percentage points higher; P < .001) and male-specific measures (5.2 percentage points higher; P = .22). The latter difference was not statistically significant (Table 4).
Using separate regression models for each of 5 common specialties in our physician population, we found no physician characteristics that were consistently associated with higher clinical quality across all specialties (Table 5). However, the associations seen overall for all physicians and for all types of care paralleled those seen in internal medicine.
Consumers are encouraged to use physician characteristics, such as board certification and lack of paid malpractice claims, as a signal for quality.1,2 Yet in our study, few individual physician characteristics are consistently associated with higher quality, and when present, these associations are small in magnitude and are generally not significant in a practical sense. If one looks just at the 3 physician characteristics that had an association with quality, the difference in overall composite performance between the average physician with the best combination of these characteristics (female, board-certified, domestically trained), and the average physician with the worst combination (male, noncertified, internationally trained physician) is only 5.9%. Also, this is the average difference. Among physicians with the best combination there is a wide range of performance (48.8.5%-75.3%, 5th to 95th percentile); this range is quite similar to the range of all physicians (48.2%-74.9%). Thus, there is little evidence to suggest that a patient will consistently receive higher quality care by switching to a physician with these characteristics. Overall, the results highlight the need for externally available quality information for consumer use.
Despite the finding that physician characteristics are imprecise proxies for consumers to use in assessing quality, we did find some characteristics that were associated with higher performance. Board certification was associated with high performance scores at the overall level and with both acute and preventive care. We recognize that this is an association and does not imply that board certification itself drives the difference between higher- and lower-quality physicians. However, this association does provide preliminary evidence, suggesting that there may be some quality-of-care benefit to be derived from maintenance of certification programs or the inclusion of board-certification activities as a requirement for maintenance of licensure.28 Furthermore, while past studies15,16 have examined the relationship between board certification and quality in an assortment of specific clinical areas, to our knowledge, this is the first to demonstrate a robust relationship between board certification and clinical quality across a broad range of clinical conditions and types of care.
It is striking that we found no consistent association between the number of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions and quality. Although malpractice claims have strong associations with measures of physician communication,29 physician communication style and other physician attributes associated with malpractice claims may have an inconsistent relationship to the process measures of quality that we investigated. Our results in this regard are similar to those of previous research, showing little association between malpractice claims and negligent care.30 In addition, the very low numbers of physicians with disciplinary actions against them by the board in our sample make it difficult to detect any association.
In contrast to the previous literature, we did not find any associations between physicians' years of experience and quality. There are several potential explanations for this difference. The previous systematic review by Choudhry et al7 used a much broader definition to measure quality, including performance on theoretical evaluations such as written examinations or hypothetical clinical scenarios, guideline adherence for therapy or prevention, or health outcomes such as mortality; and included individual studies with narrow areas of clinical quality assessment. Our study used only process-based measures of quality of care across a broad range of clinical areas. Furthermore, while the studies included in the systematic review assessing academic knowledge as a marker of quality all showed consistently negative associations between age and quality, results were somewhat more mixed when quality was measured by adherence to guidelines, a method more analogous to our own work. Finally, while most studies in the systematic review found a negative association between experience and quality, 21% of the studies in the review reported no effect, similar to the findings of our work.
Our study has limitations. The investigated physician characteristics are the major publicly available data on individual physicians that are easily accessible to consumers. However, we recognize that in the future, patients may have access to physician-level performance on some quality metrics. When available, these metrics may be different and narrower in scope than those used in this study. In addition, although we used a broader range of clinical quality measures than any other study to our knowledge, the scope of the quality metrics is inherently limited. The RAND Quality Assessment Tools covered 22 conditions and included solely process-based measures. It is possible that there are stronger associations between physician characteristics and performance on quality measures that were not investigated, (eg, measures of patient experience or mortality). Owing to inherent limitations in medical claims, quality measurement using claims is less robust than quality measurement based in a medical records review. However, one key advantage of using claims is that it allowed us to assess quality of care for a large number of physicians.
Others have noted relationships between selected practice characteristics and quality measure performance,8,31 but these practice characteristics were not available for the current analysis. Few physician practice characteristics are publicly reported by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, and their availability to patients who are choosing a physician is relatively limited. The question of whether generalists or specialists provide better care for specific conditions is not well addressed by our study because we assessed the quality of care across an aggregated group of conditions rather than on a condition-by-condition basis. This question has been investigated in other settings.32,33
Our study was limited to Massachusetts, a state with a high density of academic medical centers and higher overall quality of care than the national average.34 It is possible that in this setting of higher clinical quality, the effect of physician characteristics may be less important than it would be in a setting where the overall quality of care is lower.
In conclusion, we found that individual physician characteristics are poor proxies for performance on clinical quality measures and are not well suited for use as such by patients. Public reporting of individual physician quality data may provide the consumer with more valuable guidance when seeking providers of high-quality health care.
Correspondence: Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Pl, Ste 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (email@example.com).
Accepted for Publication: January 27, 2010.
Author Contributions: Ms Reid had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: Reid, Adams, and Mehrotra. Acquisition of data: Reid, McGlynn, and Mehrotra. Analysis and interpretation of data: Reid, Friedberg, Adams, McGlynn, and Mehrotra. Drafting of the manuscript: Reid and Friedberg. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Reid, Adams, McGlynn, and Mehrotra. Statistical analysis: Adams. Obtained funding: Reid, McGlynn, and Mehrotra. Study supervision: McGlynn and Mehrotra.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Funding/Support: This research was supported by a contract from the US Department of Labor and a grant from the Commonwealth Fund. Dr Mehrotra's salary was supported by a career development award (KL2 RR024154-03) from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health. Ms Reid was supported by a stipend from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Dean's Summer Research Program.
Previous Presentations: This study was presented at the American College of Physicians' Internal Medicine Annual Meeting; April 24, 2009; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Society of General Internal Medicine's Annual Meeting; May 14, 2009; Miami, Florida; and the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, Health Care Workforce Interest Group Meeting; June 27, 2009; Chicago, Illinois.
Additional Contributions: Julie Lai, MPH, and Scott Ashwood, MA, provided excellent programming for this study. Barbra Rabson, MPH, and Jan Singer, MA, MPH, from the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners, facilitated obtaining access to the data sets used in this project.


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Power Must Change Hands
Power Must Change Hands, popularly known as PMCH, is a special service held once a month at MFM Prayer City. This programme is held every FIRST Saturday of each month from 7 AM to 12 PM WAT. PMCH is also broadcast LIVE on satellite tv and over the internet for people residing outside Lagos or the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cape May…
About the Book:
Henry and Effie, young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon. It's the end of the season and the town is deserted. As they tentatively discover each other, they begin to realize that everyday married life might be disappointingly different from their happily-ever-after fantasy.
Just as they get ready to cut the trip short, a decadent and glamorous set suddenly sweep them up into their drama – Clara, a beautiful socialite who feels her youth slipping away; Max, a wealthy playboy and Clara's lover; and Alma, Max's aloof and mysterious half-sister.
The empty beach town becomes their playground, and as they sneak into abandoned summer homes, go sailing, walk naked under the stars, make love, and drink a great deal of gin, Henry and Effie slip from innocence into betrayal, with irrevocable consequences that reverberate through the rest of their lives…
My Thoughts:
Well this was a massive let down. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but it seems you should extend this to the praise by others printed upon said cover as well. This just didn't work for me. Effie and Henry are on their honeymoon, and they are so young, fresh out of high school and already married. They barely know how to be adults themselves, much less adults together. There was definitely an atmospheric 1950s feel to this novel, for sure, but I think the dead weight of it came from being narrated entirely from Henry's perspective. Everything we learn about Effie is through the haze of Henry's gaze, and I'll be frank here, Henry was boring. And very much a stereotypical 1950s young man. This story would have greatly benefited from the addition of Effie's perspective along with ditching that final chapter that told the reader every miserable thing that happened to them for the rest of their married lives, post honeymoon.
The content of this novel became a little too much after a while. It's entirely about sex and people behaving badly. In the beginning, sex between Henry and Effie, and even though they are on their honeymoon, it became repetitive. Particularly as the writing style was very mechanical. We read about everything without distinction: Effie sweeping the floor, Henry's bowel movements (or lack thereof), what they order at the diner, what sexual position they utilise next – and then it starts all over again in the same dry, mechanical manner. In the middle, Henry is having sex with both his wife and another woman – on his honeymoon! – and the story just goes from bad to worse from here on in. He is such a despicable liar and then he has the audacity to get angry at Effie when the pair of them get caught up in a swinging situation (not sure how else to describe this) as he watches Effie's reactions while she is having sex with another man and doesn't like what he sees. I must point out that while he is watching this, he is of course having sex with a third woman.
'His little Effie, his wife: he didn't know her anymore. What she'd done, what she'd let him do to her. It was one thing for Henry, but for her, his wife, his girl. A lady. He should have stopped it before it started, he should never have let it go so far. But he didn't know himself either. A degenerate with no fixed centre. Less than a man.'
Honestly, this is just trash dressed up as literature because someone along the production line decided to compare it to The Great Gatsby (which many may argue is really not that great). The characters are all below par when it comes to morality. They drink all day long, don't even really like each other, break into other people's empty beach houses and make messes they don't clean up, and then they just wake up the next day and do it all over again. In the end, Henry gets away with every single atrocious thing he does whilst on honeymoon, retains his good looks into old age and goes on to have multiple affairs throughout his marriage. Of course he does. While Effie, as described by Henry, gets fat and mean. Yes, you read that right. I've rarely had occasion for a novel to make me so angry. This one tops the lot, that's for sure. Needless to say, I don't recommend this novel at all.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Cape May for review.
About the Author:
CHIP CHEEK's stories have appeared in the Southern Review, Harvard Review and Washington Square, among others. He's been awarded scholarships to the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the Tin House Summer Writers' Workshop, and the Vermont Studio Centre. CAPE MAY is his debut novel.
Cape May
Published by Hachette Australia (W&N)
Released on 23rd April 2019


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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – As the pageant honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks a dozen years earlier, Miss America contestants from Oklahoma and Minnesota won the second night of preliminary competitions in the pageant on Wednesday.
Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold won a $1,000 scholarship for the swimsuit competition.
'It's been very hard work,' she told reporters afterward. 'This is not natural by any means. I was in the gym every single day for several hours a day.'
Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh won a $2,000 scholarship for the talent competition for a classical violin performance. She said she began playing as a child because her brother also did, and she wanted to surpass him.
'It's been a huge way for me to give back to other people,' Yeh said. 'I love sharing with other people whenever I can.'
The two joined contestants from Mississippi and New Hampshire who won preliminary contests Tuesday night.
One more night of preliminaries is scheduled for Thursday.
The show began with a solemn tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Hours before the first preliminary competition of the 2001 Miss America pageant was to take place, the attacks took place.
'No one knew what to do,' said Sam Haskell, CEO of the Miss America Organization. 'Should we cancel? There was no book to follow.'
The contestants all joined hands, cried and prayed for guidance before deciding to go on with the show. Haskell said they felt the Miss America pageant epitomized the values that make America great.
'They'd be damned if they let a vicious enemy keep them from celebrating those values,' Haskell said at the start of Wednesday's preliminary competition. 'Those girls stood up. And they are still standing.'
Following a moment of silence for the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks, Wednesday's program began with the Spotlight Performers Show Choir from the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company performing 'God Bless the USA.' The audience rose to its feet and cheered as the song reached its chorus and the lead singer proclaimed, 'I'm proud to be an American!'
Then the program got down to business, with the 53 contestants – one from each state plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico – striding into Boardwalk Hall to pumping pop music.
Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, began the talent portion of the competition by singing an operatic piece from Puccini. She has been the hot pageant topic of the last 24 hours after baring tattoos including the serenity prayer during her swimsuit competition Tuesday night. A smaller tattoo on her back was visible as she walked offstage in a white strapless evening gown.
Tuesday night, Miss New Hampshire Samantha Russo won the talent competition by singing a Barbra Streisand song from the musical 'Funny Girl.' And Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick won the swimsuit competition.
The new Miss America will be crowned Sunday night in a nationally televised finale.
Wayne Parry can be reached at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC


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The change of editorship at Indian publications is (usually) a graceless cloak-and-dagger affair, done in the dead of night after the janitors have left the building. Media consumers are rarely ever told why the helmsman has left or why a new one has come in, especially when there is a cloud shrouding the midnight operation.
At the crack of the new year, however, the business daily Business Standard had a more civilised change of captaincy. Here, the veteran editor and wordsmith T.J.S. George, founder-editor of Asiaweek magazine and a longtime editorial advisor of The Indian Express group, offers his salute.
Appointments inside a newspaper are usually of no concern to the general public. But what happened in Business Standard last week should interest every citizen.
For it was a re-assertion of values we all hold dear and yet are vanishing almost unnoticed by us.
Outwardly it was a simple matter of re-styling. The editor of the paper was made chairman of the company and a new editor appointed in his place. But the significance of the move is wide-ranging for a variety of reasons—its rarity, the quality of the players involved, the importance of the values they represent, and the universality of stake-holders in this field.
Editor turning chairman is a rare phenomenon anywhere in the world. In India it has never happened before outside family-run newspapers.
In Britain it happened when Denis Hamilton, editor-in-chief of The Times was made chairman as well. In the US, Peter Kann who was covering Asia for the Wall Street Journal from Hong Kong was recalled and made publisher in 1988 and, four years later, chairman of the Dow Jones Company.
What is noteworthy here is that only papers that had achieved high public confidence through their editorial excellence entrusted the company itself to the editors who had helped attain that excellence.
In the news business there is no greater asset than credibility.
In many other cases also credibility was gained when the owner/chairman allowed the editor to rule unfettered. The Washington Post and The Guardian are examples. In the latter case, owner John Taylor willed that the paper be sold to editor C.P.Scott.
That's where the quality of players, both owner and editor, comes in.
Hamilton, the most innovative editor in England at the time, became chairman when the owner was Roy Thomson, a man of inherent virtue who respected the high traditions of The Times. When the company was sold to Rupert Murdoch, a man of inherent faith in his own virtues, Hamilton left and became chairman of Reuters.
T.N. Ninan became editor of Economic Times (1988) when it was a staid, uninteresting paper. He completely re-invented it, gave it variety, liveliness and freshness. This approach of comprehensiveness was to become the template for other financial dailies.
In that sense, Ninan can be called the Father of Business Journalism in India.
He is effective because of his non-projection of himself, his habit of delegating powers and his knack of picking top-notch team mates. His choice for the chair he vacated at BS was Sanjaya Baru, perhaps the most accomplished scholar-academic-administrator-analyst in the newspaper business.
Unfortunately for Ninan, there was no Roy Thomson in Economic Times. Worse, the ghost of Rupert Murdoch lurked in every corridor. Ninan moved to Business Standard where owner Aveek Sarkar was conducting the Ananda Bazaar Patrika group rather like the Sulzburger family was conducting the New York Times company. He revamped BS on Ninan's advice, but eventually sold the title.
Uday Kotak, the new majority shareholder, is said to have decided on investing only after getting an assurance from Ninan that he would mind the company as well. The chairmanship now conferred on Ninan is thus the culmination of a philosophy already in place.
It is important that this philosophy succeeds. Journalism has already sunk to unacceptable levels in our country.
How unethical this socially responsible profession has become was demonstrated last year when the greatest newspaper scandal in the democratic world hit India. Several leading newspapers took money from politicians to publish reports praising them at election time. This was disguised as news—a clear case of cheating readers.
Is that the journalism India wants?
BS has progressed from 8000 copies to 185,000. But it is said to be facing problems typical of these uncertain times. In publications where values are upheld even when times are hard, every citizen is a stake-holder.
If honourable publications suffer, we all suffer.
If they succeed, we all succeed.
Photographs: courtesy Business Standard
Also read: It's all official about the return of Sanjaya Baru
Sauce for a paper ain't sauce for a TV station?


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To predict prices, we're using a machine learning model known as long short-term memory (LSTM). We've trained the model with information from our API's Aggregated OHLCV Candles endpoints, which provides daily prices for thousands of cryptocurrencies. Predictions are only generated in USD.
The current 30-day mean error rate for GuidlFi is 12.77%.All prediction data is provided for entertainment purposes only and should be taken at your own risk. Learn more
Over the last 7 days, the price of GuidlFi has changed by an unknown amount. .
Today's trading volume is the same as yesterday.
Please keep in mind that these price predictions should not be taken as trading or investment advice. Investments and trading in cryptoassets involve substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.
Nomics tracks market volume for each asset across a number of exchanges, with data from unknown exchanges being used to generate our current GF price. We then apply calculations explained above to help with the predictions used on this page.
The GuidlFi price today is $0.083495
The highest recorded GuidlFi price was $3.2207 on .
Predicting the price of cryptoassets so far into the future is an almost impossible task. This applies to GuidlFi and any other cryptocurrency we have predictions for.
While many people are curious about our data here, right now we don't have any predictions for 2025, though we are considering updating our predictions algorithm to make forecasts that are further out. We would love your feedback, so if such a prediction is something you would like—even just for entertainment purposes—please let us know via Twitter or email.
For now we are sticking to short-term predictions in order to increase the accuracy of where we see an asset price heading.
The further out a date, the more likely it is that our prediction is inaccurate. While it would be fun to look at price predictions for 2030 or even 2050, we think that would be taking things a little bit too far.
Nomics currently tracks that GuidlFi is available on — exchanges, with the most active being —.
Due to the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, we do not have a GuidlFi price prediction for 2030. As mentioned further up the page we are looking to see if it's worth doing predictions as far out as 2025, but we're much more focused on shorter-term predictions for now.


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New York City and Long Island officials have ordered a temporary gasoline-rationing system - starting Friday morning - in which people there can buy fuel only on certain days, depending on their license-plate numbers.
The moves, designed to reduce wait times and lines at gas stations in the area, come more than a week after Superstorm Sandy damaged petroleum infrastructure in the region and made it difficult for people to get fuel for their vehicles, especially because many gas stations were without power for days.
Under the temporary system, people with odd-numbered license plates can buy fuel only on odd-numbered days, and people with even-numbered vehicles can buy fuel only on even-numbered days, according to officials in New York City and Long Island's Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Vehicles with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can buy fuel on odd-numbered days. Commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses and paratransit vehicles, medical doctor plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission are exempt, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office said.
"Last week's storm hit the fuel network hard - and knocked out critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline," Bloomberg said in a news release. "Even as the region's petroleum infrastructure slowly returns to normal, the gasoline supply remains a real problem for thousands of New York drivers. Earlier today, I signed an emergency order to alternate the days that drivers can purchase gas, which is the best way to cut down the lines and help customers buy gas faster."
New Jersey instituted a similar system last weekend in 12 counties.
The New York/Long Island system - starting at 6 a.m. Friday in New York City, and 5 a.m. on portions of Long Island outside the city - comes as the Northeast is dealing with a nor'easter that is dumping snow and downing more power lines a week after Sandy.
I think we should start Odd-Even protesting in front of Gracie Mansion. So on the Odd Gas filling days the Even will be protesting, and on the even Gas filling days the Odd will be protesting........ Let's see then how long it will take to get Gas in NYC. ....................
Great idea Alan.
Bet Bloomberg's plates are odd and even.
why not protest the Wh where has our fearless leader been (crying) If u want to blame someone blame the Obama admin for its lack of caring and getting the resources into NYC/NJ. This has nothing to do with the Govs of states affected this was declared a federal emergency not just state so it is upon the Feds not local govt...Remember Katrina when it was Bush fault so why does Obama get a free ride on this?
Yay... =/
I agree! Bloomberg is a dick!! None of these issues affect him so he could care less about everyone else...Greedy little Dictator
and so is obama he is the biggest worthless D in the world. where has he been on all this?
socialist pig
Why don't you fix the problem so you dont have to ration gas!
btw, i'm from CT and driving a pickup truck full of gas there for people tomorrow.....No Charge, on me.
The election is over. You're not important anymore. But fear not, Big Brother Bloomberg will take care of you.
How hard is it to get a 10 wheeler w/trailer full of gas there? These government workers are worthless.......worthless!
Getting the gas here is not the problem. Getting power to all the gas stations that have lost it is the problem. If there is no electricity, you can't pump gas.
Hey TREY they can pump the gas right out of the truck w/out electricity have you ever heard of hand pumps
They keep trying to frame this as a problem created by people 'hoarding gas'. That isn't the case at all. 75% of gas stations are closed right now in Brooklyn (actual number), cut the supply of gas by 75% and you don't need hoarders to have a bad situation. I am on empty – not hoarding, I just need gas! There is one station open in my vicinity, waits were estimated at 3+ hours today. All stations have power now, they can pump if they will just get deliveries. It's really hard to believe that this is such a crisis.
I am Sorry for all your troubles over there. We on the west coast are one big earthquake away from experiencing the same fate.
This is now like a military campaign. It can be done but it has to be organized by something at least like the Army. Looking after all the citizens who are affected one way or another should be the FIRST PRIORITY RIGHT NOW for the Pres.
Lardeau, you wrote "This is now like a military campaign." It certainly should be – but spending $2billion per week chasing hillbillies in Afghanistan apparently doesn't leave sufficient resources to defend Americans at home. Speeches and Red Cross tents don't cut it. I want to see massive deployment of military logistics teams, combat engineers, Navy Seabees, etc. taking charge, clearing roads, running supplies and restoring power. To hell with foreign wars – defense of America starts at our beaches!
First, FEMA was on the ground before the storm hit. The President made use of various Defense Dep't capabilities to facilitate getting power restored, supplies in, etc. The federal government is working with the state governments and the local utilities.
Things are improving. The No'Easter didn't help much but we are digging out. Will everybody have some patience, let people do their jobs and realize it will take some time. Yeah, I got as little frustrated when it took 8 days to get my power back but I also saw that others were getting their power and damage was being cleared out, so I let everyone do their job.
So try..... why did FEMA pull out before the snowstorm..and why wont LIPA let in any other electrical workers that are non-uinion. I work for NYS and i have been hearing all the complaints from u people down in the city so dont come on here and say FEMA was there before the storm...Heck FEMA hasnt even paid up the upstate people from Issac oh thats right u dont remember Issac cause it didnt affect the city...there are people still upstate waiting for FEMA to come thru but nothing yet
This really isn't gas "rationing". It's simply easing the lines at the pumps. Rationing is allotting a driver a certain number of gallons.
After the second day of the Odd/Even system in NJ, my area had no long lines.
we go back to the old depression times, this new governments never can repeat the nice words: G-od bless america, when the politics openly refuse fallow from our G-odwe want to know what kind of christian or jews are these politics and all the people vote for them , don't matter the race they are, or what kind of jews they are when the support that pervert from the rainbow party, leviticus: 18: 22 and leviticus 20: 13 And is a man lie with mankind , as womankind , both of them have committed abominations : they shall surely be put to dead, their blood shall be upon them. no excuses for jews or christian in general, this politics and the the people vote for them, sale their soul to the devil for some benefits is anathema to both of these politics and supported of them said G-od bless america, or G-od bless the actual democracy of israel
Why can't someone get a generator hooked up to run the pump at a gas station?
In my neck of the Island, we have electric, but no gas.
The gas shortage isnt just in NYC, its in a large portion of NY. In areas that have power, so what is the real problem?


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Dec. 4, 2012 -- Massmart has once again been recognised as one of the top 10 best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE's 2012 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index, the results of which were announced on Wednesday (28 November 2012).
The SRI Index comprises of listed companies which meet criteria related to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, management practices and reporting. The intention of the index is two-fold: to encourage companies to operate responsibly and transparently and to prompt institutions to consider ESG factors when evaluating investments. The SRI Index is a key benchmark for broad-based environmental, social and governance practice amongst listed companies.
This year Massmart met all 39 core indicators and 42 out of 49 desirable indicators in social performance. For governance and related sustainability concerns, 32 out of 32 for core indicators and 32 out of 33 for desirable indicators were met. All environmental performance indicators were met.
Massmart has been a constituent of the SRI index since its inception in 2004. Last year saw Massmart achieve full marks in the governance and related sustainability concerns dimension, meeting all 32 core indicators as well as all 33 desirable indicators. It also met 92 out of 98 criteria on the social dimension making it one of the best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE's 2011 SRI Index. Massmart achieved best performer status in the SRI in 2007 and 2008.
The criteria covered in the index provide a comprehensive framework for monitoring corporate responsibility. In this sense the Massmart Social & Ethics committee reference the draft and final results as a key part of their efforts to track responsible practise at Massmart. The SRI Index has evolved considerably since its inception in 2004. This year, the total number of constituents stands at 76 out of an assessed universe of over 100 companies. The incremental success of participants, especially in the face of increasingly demanding criteria, demonstrates deepened commitment to principles of sustainability and corporate South Africa's increased comfort with the assessment criteria.


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Freshmen contribute early for the Gators
There are many factors involved in the Florida Gators' improvement from a 7-6 team in 2011 to an 8-1 team (and 7-1 in the SEC) in 2012. One important factor has been the contribution of the true freshmen, some who enrolled early, others who didn't.
True freshmen have combined to start 11 games this season, and they have provided the Gators with critical depth on both lines of scrimmage, at linebacker, wide receiver and tight end.
The kids have shown they can play.
Here's a look at what the true freshmen contributed:
Raphael Andrades, WR — A late addition to the recruiting class, Andrades has started two games (Kentucky and Vanderbilt) and played in four others, giving the Gators depth at receiver. He's caught two passes for five yards, but his playing time has increased in recent weeks.
Willie Bailey, CB — Redshirting this season. Early enrollee who needs to gain weight and strength.
Jonathan Bullard, DE — This five-star recruit has played a pivotal role on the defensive line, where he has played in every game, with two starts (Vanderbilt and Kentucky). He's one of three true freshmen to appear in every game. He has recorded 20 tackles, including four for losses, and has five quarterback hurries. He had a career-high seven tackles in the Vandy game.
Bryan Cox Jr., DE/LB — Redshirting this season. Missed a large portion of his senior season in high school due to injury.
Jessamen Dunker, OG — He's an early enrollee who appeared set to see considerable playing time this season. But after playing in the opener, he's now going to redshirt this season. He'll battle for a starting role in the spring.
Dante Fowler Jr., Buck linebacker — Like Bullard, this five-star recruit has been a major contributor — and he has great upside moving forward in his career. He made his first start this past Saturday against Missouri and had a career-high five tackles, including two for losses. On the season, he's recorded 22 tackles, five for losses, and two sacks.
Austin Hardin, PK — Solid prospect who is redshirting this season.
D.J. Humphries, OT — Another five-star recruit who has become a significant contributor this season. He's started two games (South Carolina and Missouri) and has played in every game. He figures to be the starting left tackle next season.
Matt Jones, TB — Has emerged as the No. 2 tailback behind Mike Gillislee. He's played in eight games, with one start (Tennessee). He's rushed for 117 yards on 32 carries and has two receptions for nine yards. Scored his first career touchdown against South Carolina.
Rhaheim Ledbetter, S — The high school teammate of Bullard, Ledbetter is redshirting this season.
Jafar Mann, DT — Given a look at defensive tackle and guard. He decided earlier this week to transfer after not playing this season.
Marcus Maye, DB — This excellent prospect had knee surgery this summer and is redshirting. He's expected to compete for a starting role at safety in the spring.
Alex McCalister, LB/DE — UF coach Will Muschamp has mentioned him several times this fall. He's redshirting this season to gain weight and strength.
Skyler Mornhinweg, QB — Only the fourth scholarship QB on the roster, he's redshirting this season.
Antonio Morrison, MLB — An early enrollee who has played a major role. Has started three games (Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt) for the injured Jelani Jenkins at outside linebacker. He also plays middle linebacker and has played in all nine games, recording 26 tackles, one for a loss. Led the team in tackles (six) against Vanderbilt.
Latroy Pittman, WR — Early enrollee who has played in eight games, with two catches for six yards. His playing time has increased in recent games.
Brian Poole, CB — Moved to safety early in preseason camp but is now a full-time cornerback. He has seen a good amount of playing time on special teams. Coaches have said he has a chance to be special one day.
Jeremi Powell, LB — A little bit undersized, Powell is redshirting this season.
Kent Taylor, TE — A pass-catching tight end who has played in four games, with one reception for zero yards. If Jordan Reed leaves early for the NFL, Taylor will vie for the starting role in the spring.
Colin Thompson, TE — Redshirting after undergoing foot surgery in the preseason.
Quinteze Williams, DL — Redshirting this season to gain weight and strength.
Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or email@example.com. Also check out Andreu's blog at Gatorsports.com.


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2 (1 pound) packages cheese tortellini, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 packages fresh spinach
2 (26 ounce) jars marinara sauce
Heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until aroma fills the kitchen. Add mushrooms and continue. Add spinach and cook until moisture is eliminated. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer briefly. Mix cheese tortellini into sauce and serve.


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And so the book has been launched, and it is really nice to hold a book with my name on the front cover. :).
That's me on the extreme right, with (L-R) Jahnavi Barua, Teresa Bhattacharya, Usha KR, who released the book.
Another picture, with Rachna Chhabria. Both our stories make up this book.
The front cover of the book
The back:
It says about my story:
This delightful story tells you how little Meenu sets out on a mission to save this arid world by bringing back stories that fill our lives with colour and delight. Shruthi Rao succeeds in exploring the profound world of creativity and imagination using terms that even a child can understand.
Soon, I will update the blog with details on how and where you can buy a copy of the book.
Edited to Add: The book is now Available on Flipkart and in Reliance TimeOut outlets


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Research firm IDC is out with its latest semi-annual tracking of IaaS public cloud vendors and while the top provider in this market – Amazon Web Services – will not surprise you, numbers two and three just might.
IDC estimates that IBM's Infrastructure-as-a-Service cloud revenues are larger than those of Microsoft in this still-emerging market.
+MORE AT NETWORK WORLD: Gartner says cloud will be "default" software deployment option by 2020 | Top 5 Storage vendors shows massive shift to cloud +
"AWS isn't the only game in town when it comes to cloud," says IDC analyst Melanie Posey. The cloud market is sometimes seen as a two-horse race with Microsoft trailing AWS, but Posey says not to count out IBM. "It's not necessarily the case that everything not running in the public cloud has to get there by a certain date," she explains. "IBM's approach has been informed by its customer base, who have all types of workloads that need different deployment models." Whereas AWS focuses mostly on public IaaS cloud, Microsoft and IBM have a broader offering of cloud and non-cloud offerings, she says.
Cloud numbers game
IDC estimates that AWS's pure IaaS revenue in 2015 topped $5.516 billion. IBM is a distant second at $761.7 million, while Microsoft pulled in $729.6 million in 2015, IDC says.
Rackspace, AliCloud (the IaaS component of Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba) and Google round out IDC's list of the top five IaaS cloud vendors in terms of worldwide revenue.
Do consider this, though, when looking at these numbers: Cloud vendors are notoriously opaque when it comes to reporting revenue. Amazon reported that it collected $7.8 billion in 2015 from AWS. IDC doesn't count all AWS offerings as pure IaaS though; the company's Relational Database Service (RDS) and support services are not lumped into IDC's IaaS estimate for example, hence the discrepancy in the numbers from IDC and what Amazon reports.
Microsoft provides a cloudy view of its Azure financials. The company lumps IaaS Azure revenue in with on-premises server license revenue, which stood at $5.1 billion as of last year. IDC estimates less than 20% of that is from Azure's IaaS. Azure also has many PaaS offerings, which IDC would not count. Microsoft also says its Office and Office 365 revenues were more than $6.5 billion. So, if a more holistic view of cloud is considered with IaaS, SaaS and PaaS, Microsoft could be earning more than AWS from cloud operations.
IBM is in a similar boat as Microsoft in that it says it counts $10.2 billion in cloud revenue, including $4.5 billion from "as a service" revenues, but does not break out numbers for IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.
IDC (a sister company of Network World) bases its Worldwide Public Cloud Services Tracker on multiple factors, including public filings, vendor interviews and survey results, end user surveys and analyst estimates. The Tracker only takes into account pure IaaS, so it does not involve application development platforms, SaaS apps and other non-virtualized, single-tenant hosted services.
Until cloud revenues are more robust, don't expect vendors to willingly break out their financials. In the meantime, we're left with these rough estimates.


text: Last week the Museum of Modern Art hosted a two-day symposium entitled "The Feminist Future: Theory and Practice in the Visual Arts" which featured a keynote address by art historian and critic Lucy Lippard, a closing address by art historian Linda Nochlin, with a roster of artists and curators presenting in between. The event was sold out for weeks prior and this report by Holland Cotter gives us a window to this important event. Art Radio WPS1.org, the internet radio station of P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center provided a live audio feed of the event streamcast in its entirity; I hope that we will be able to hear this symposium within their archives before too long (be sure to check out their podcast offerings).


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Table of Contents:
Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Internal market > Motor vehicles > Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies
Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry
Document or Iniciative
Communication from the Commission of 25 February 2009 – Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry [COM(2009) 104 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This Communication has the aim of getting the European automotive sector, which has suffered badly since the crisis of October 2008, moving again.
The position of the automotive sector in Europe
The European Union is the world's largest producer of motor vehicles, producing over 18 million vehicles a year – a third of the world's passenger cars. More than two million people work directly for this sector and twelve million indirectly.
The automotive sector therefore plays a strategic role in the Union. It makes a major contribution to GDP with an annual turnover of 780 billion EUR and a value added of more than 140 billion EUR.
However, since the beginning of the crisis during the last quarter of 2008, industrial production has dropped by 8.4%. The automotive sector is encountering many difficulties for the following reasons:
- demand for passenger and commercial vehicles has dropped significantly, in particular due to the reduction in credit availability and declining purchasing power;
- some companies in the automotive industry are having financial difficulties, in particular due to the reduction in credit;
- long-term structural problems of overcapacity (currently 20% in Europe) are a handicap for automotive producers.
In addition, the forecast is for a reduction in demand for vehicles of between 12% and 18% in 2009, which will probably lead to a fall in production and threaten the jobs of 15 to 20% of the workers in the sector.
Planned strategy
The automotive sector must react quickly to the crisis by concentrating on three main challenges:
- technology;
- environment;
- safety.
Europe must invest in research and development in "green vehicles" so as to implement a low-carbon economy. European regulations will enter into force in 2012 to this effect.
Industry and the public sector have an essential role to play in an approach which has four main aims:
- to support demand in order to assist with remedying the effects of the credit squeeze;
- to facilitate the adjustment by cushioning the costs associated with restructuring;
- to encourage the modernisation of industry;
- to adapt industry to the challenges of climate change.
The CARS 21 process is a strategic framework and may be modified according to future road transport and sustainable mobility requirements.
It appears to be essential to reinstate easy access to credit, by re-establishing financing at reasonable conditions and by restoring liquidity, so that consumers may once again purchase new vehicles.
Aid must be given to the financial sector and to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A temporary State aid framework was adopted in December 2008 (pdf ). This provides for subsidised loans for the manufacture of "green products" such as "green cars".
The Commission and the European Investment Bank have planned to support industry that decides to invest in future technologies, in particular green technologies, through the 7th Research Framework Programme and the research partnership planned therein. This is a partnership between the public and the private sector covering:
- the design of "green" vehicles (passenger cars, buses, trucks, urban vehicles, etc.);
- infrastructure (for electric cars and hydrogen vehicles);
- logistics.
The Commission has also studied the possibility of adopting a scrapping scheme.
The question of employment must also remain at the heart of the strategy for the automotive sector. The Commission proposes to implement the following measures via the European Social Fund (ESF):
- support for short-time workers;
- supporting company restructuring in this sector;
- financing retraining;
- anticipating change requirements;
- matching skills.
Fair competition must become the basic principle in force on the market and a return to protectionism must be avoided.


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Dead Space 3 concept art is full of suits and weapons
Dead Space 3 concept art has appeared online, courtesy of Enizr. The artwork shows weapons like the Ripper, Tesla Beam and a Line Gun, as well as the Legionary and Snow suit armor. A demo for Dead Space 3 will go live on January 20, but if you have an Origin account, you an get in on it early. Dead Space 3 is out in February for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. Head below for the shots.


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Nasu no Dengaku is traditionally made by broiling slender Japanese eggplants, spreading them with a sweet miso glaze, then broiling them again until the glaze is caramelized and sizzling. It's an extraordinarily simple but extraordinarily tasty dish that is probably my favorite appetizer at a Japanese restaurant.
Now, broiling is all well and good, and I've even had excellent deep-fried-then-broiled versions of the dish, but with my grill in almost constant use, I decided to up my eggplant game by grilling the sucker first before. Deep, rich miso is a natural partner for the smoky flavor of the grill. The combination rears its head all the time in Japanese cuisine (think, for example, miso soup made with miso and a broth of smoked bonito).
I start by splitting the eggplants in half lengthwise and grilling them over charcoal until nice hash marks appear but they still retain an un-cooked core—they're going to continue to cook under the broiler.
I tried finishing them 100% on the grill by spreading them with the miso glaze (a mixture of miso, sake, and mirin), transferring them to the cooler side, and covering them with a lid, but the miso glaze never got quite the level of caramelization and crustiness I was after. Tasty, to be sure, but not ideal.
Instead, I prefer to transfer the grilled, miso-spread eggplant halves to a broiler-safe pan and finish them off in the oven. If you've got other things to cook, like, say, these awesome beef and scallion rolls (negimaki), you can pull off the eggplant, get'em in the broiler pan, and hold them until you're ready to eat. Then it's just a few minutes under a hot broiler to crisp up, and you're good to go.
A shower of scallions and toasted sesame seeds are entirely unnecessary, but look pretty and taste nice, so on they go.


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Do you have a question about the conference or a problem with your registration? Maybe you want to find out more about group discounts, or are hoping to sponsor our event? Let us know how we can help.
You can reach us with your questions about the conference or your registration by contacting us through the form below. We'll do our best to be back to you within 24 hours. Or you're welcome to call us at (800) 588‑9855 or +1 (978) 327‑5561.
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'Walking Dead' companion series announced
AMC is developing a companion series for "The Walking Dead" to launch in 2015, with Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert acting as executive producers.
Network boss Charlie Collier called the spin-off a "no brainer." "We look forward to working with Robert, Gale and Dave again as we develop an entirely new story and cast of characters," he said in a statement. "It's a big world and we can't wait to give fans another unforgettable view of the zombie apocalypse."
Fall TV Preview: Where we left off with returning shows
Added Kirkman, who authors the comics on which the show is based: "I couldn't be more thrilled about getting the chance to create a new corner of the 'Walking Dead' universe. ... The opportunity to make a show that isn't tethered by the events of the comic book, and is truly a blank page, has set my creativity racing."
Season 4 of "The Walking Dead" premieres on AMC on Sunday, Oct. 13. Will you watch the spin-off series?
View original AMC Announces "Walking Dead" Companion Series at TVGuide.com


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New Jersey's tight gun laws ensnare out-of-staters
TRENTON — When Shaneen Allen was pulled over in New Jersey last year, the Philadelphia woman assumed it would be a routine traffic stop.
But instead of getting a traffic ticket, the single mother of two young children was arrested on weapons charges that could send her to prison for three years.
The charges came after Allen told the officer she had a handgun in her vehicle and has a concealed carry permit issued by Pennsylvania. But that license carries no legal weight in New Jersey, which has some of the nation's strictest gun control laws.
Allen's case and others like it have highlighted the legal problems often faced by out-of-state residents who bring weapons to New Jersey, unaware of the rules that govern how guns can be brought into and transported throughout the state.
New Jersey requires that guns be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gun box or securely tied package or locked in the trunk. The state also imposes strict limits on how and where weapons can be transported, and it doesn't recognize carry permits issued by other states.
Critics say these strict laws unfairly punish law-abiding citizens who are legally licensed in their home states and have no nefarious intentions. They have called on the state to support proposed federal legislation that would mandate concealed carry license reciprocity among states.
Gun control groups and other advocates say gun owners should realize that different states may have different rules for possessing weapons.
Among those backing a federal reciprocity measure is Evan Nappen, an Eatontown-based lawyer who represents Allen and has handled numerous cases like hers. He says Allen, a 27-year-old phlebotomist, didn't know it was illegal to have her .380 Bersa Thunder handgun with her at the time she was pulled over in Atlantic County in October.
"She voluntarily gave him her driver's license and gun license, as she was trained to do," Nappen said. "She was open and honest with the officer from the beginning."
Allen was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and armor penetrating bullets. She initially was accepted into a pretrial program for nonviolent offenders that could have led to lesser penalties or having the charge expunged, but Nappen said the Atlantic County Prosecutor's office opposed that.
"There's no way a hard-working woman like this should be considered a felon," Nappen said. He also represented Brian Aitken, a New Jersey man who was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found with guns he had purchased legally in Colorado. The case drew nationwide attention, and Aitken's sentence was eventually commuted by Gov. Chris Christie.
Speaking about Allen's case, the prosecutor's office would only confirm that a pretrial conference is scheduled for early August.
Gun control advocates and others applaud the state's laws, saying public safety should be a main governmental priority.
"Quite frankly, ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the law," said Nicola Bocour, project and legislative director for Ceasefire NJ, a group devoted to reducing gun violence. "Anyone who wants to go to New Jersey should know our laws, and the information is readily available."
It doesn't appear that the state will be easing gun restrictions soon.
Christie has said he supports the current laws. He also opposes federal legislation that would mandate concealed carry license reciprocity among states, saying individual states should be allowed to make their own decisions.


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Key factsPrint summary
Welcome To PMC, Here we have a lovely BMW X5 M SPORT, **ULEZ EXEMPT**Full Service History, Mostly Dealer History, New MOT, Brand New Rear Tyres, Front & Rear Heated Seats, 360 Degree Cameras for Parking, Reverse Camera, Electric Boot, Sat Nav, Collision Warning System, Panoramic Roof, Home Lights, Door Handle Lights, Interior Mood Lighting, 2 keys, Memory Leather Seats, Electric Folding Mirrors, DAB, Bluetooth, Comfort & Sport Modes, Air-Con, M SPORT Alloys, All 4 Top Spec Continental Tyres, The Best Colour Combination, **HPI CLEAR,2-Keys**DELIVERY AVAILABLE** PX WELCOME, ** VIEWING 7 DAYS By Appointment Only ** CALL NOW ** ***ALL VEHICLES ARE FULLY VALETED/DATE CHECKED & SIGNED. All Our Vehicles Are Road Inspected/Tested & Undergo A Full Inspection Ready For Our Customers, We Pride OurSelves With The Quality Of Vehicles We Sell & Our Vehicles Are Fully Valeted On Viewing/Collection Day. FOR MORE STOCK Please Visit: WWW.PMC-MOTORS.UK , Black, 3 owners, £21,750
This car comes with
Adaptive Dynamic Suspension, Panoramic Glass Sunroof, 20in Alloy Wheels - Light M Double Spoke Style - 469M, Towbar - Electric, Speaker System - Harman Kardon, Park Assist, Adaptive Headlights, Surround-View, Interior Trim - BMW Individual - Piano Black, Reversing Assist Camera, Sun Protection Glazing, Door Mirrors - Folding - Automatically Dimming, Seat Heating - Rear, Seats - Front 4-Way Electric Lumbar Support, High-Beam Assistant, Dakota Leather - Black with Black Interior, 12V Power Socket - Luggage Compartment, 12V Power Socket - Rear of Centre Console, 12V Power Sockets, 19in Alloy Wheels - Light M Double Spoke Style - 467, 20GB HDD Memory, 40-20-40 Split Folding Rear Seats, ABS - Anti Lock Braking System, ADB - Automatic Differential Brake, ASC - Automatic Stability Control, Adaptive M Sport Suspension, Air Conditioning - Automatic with Two-Zone Control, Air Microfilter, Airbags - Curtain, Airbags - Driver, Airbags - Front Side, Airbags - Passenger, Airbags - Passenger Deactivation, Alarm System Thatcham 1 with Remote Control, Ambient Interior Lighting, Armrest - Front with Storage Compartment, Automatically Dimming Rear View Mirror, Auxiliary Input, BMW Apps Interface, BMW ConnectedDrive Online Services, BMW Emergency Call, BMW Professional Radio - Single CD and MP3, BMW TeleServices, Bluetooth Hands Free with USB Audio Interface, Brake Drying, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Force Display, Brake Pre-Tensioning, CBC - Cornering Brake Control, Central Locking - Remote, Check Control Warning System, Child Proof Locking System - Rear Doors, Child Seat ISOFIX Attachment - Rear, Control Display - 10.2in Colour Display, Courtesy Lights - Front with Soft On-Off Dimming, Crash Sensor - Activating Central Locking-Hazard Warning Lights-Fuel Cut Off, Cruise Control with Brake Function, Cup Holders - Front and Rear, DAB Digital Radio, DBC - Dynamic Brake Control, DSC - Dynamic Stability Control Plus, DTC - Dynamic Traction Control, Deformation Zones - Front and Rear, Door Handles - Body Colour, Door Handles - Exterior Puddle Lights, Door Mirrors - Electric and Heated and Aspheric, Door Sill Finishers - BMW M3 Designation, Double-Wishbone Suspension - Front, EBD - Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Electric Windows - Front and Rear with Open-Close Fingertip Control, Electro-Mechanical Parking Brake with Auto-Hold Function, Engine Immobiliser, Exhaust Tailpipes - Chrome Quadrilateral, Exterior Trim - High-Gloss Shadowline, First Aid Kit, Floor Mats - Velour, Follow Me Home Headlight Function, Footwell Lights - Front with LED, Fuel Cut-Off and Interior Light, Glove Compartment - Lockable and Illuminated, HDC - Hill Descent Control, Head Restraints - Front and Rear, Headlights - Automatic Activation, Headlights - Washer System, Headlining - Anthracite, Heated Windscreen Washer Jets, High Level Third Brake Light, Hill Start Assist, Indicator Lenses - Clear, Interior Trim - Aluminium Hexagon, Kidney Grille - Chrome with Black Vertical Slats, LED Fog Lights - Front, Locking Wheel Bolts, Luggage Compartment - Retractable and Removable Cover, M Aerodynamic Bodystyling, Multifunction Controls for Steering Wheel, Navigation System - BMW Professional Multimedia, OBC - On-Board Computer, PDC - Park Distance Control - Front and Rear, PDC - Park Distance Control - Rear, Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor - Front, Rain Sensor, Reading Lights - Front and Rear, Real Time Traffic Information, Rear Window Wiper with Wash-Wipe System, Roof Rails - High-Gloss Shadowline, Run Flat Tyres, Seat Adjustment - Front Electric with Driver Memory, Seat Belts - Front Inertia Reel with Pyrotechnical Belt Latch Tensioner and Belt Force Limiter, Seat Belts - Rear - Three with Inertia Reel, Securing Rings in Luggage Compartment x4, Servotronic Steering, Side Impact Protection, Smokers Package, Speaker System with Six Speakers, Sport Seats - Front, Start-Stop Button with Keyless Operation, Steering Column with Manual Reach and Rake Adjustment, Steering Wheel - Gearshift Paddles, Steering Wheel - M Leather Multifunction, Storage Compartment - Interior Door Panels with Anti-slip Mats, Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, TPWS - Tyre Pressure Warning System, Tailgate Split - Top Section with Remote Electric Release and Soft Close Function, Tool Kit Located in Luggage Compartment, USB Audio Interface, Upper Tailgate Operation - Powered, Voice Control - Phone, Windows - Heat Insulated Green Tinted, Xenon Headlights, iDrive Controller with Shortcut Buttons
- 202302114177266
- 2014
- 64
- £21,750
- 2175
- 82,000
- Cars
- Jg0Sw27eZNM=
Vehicle summary
|Body style
|Engine size
|2993 cc
|Fuel type
|Number of doors
|Number of seats
|Gearbox type
|Auto 8Spd
|CO2 emissions
|158 g/km
|Insurance group
|Standard manufacturer's warranty (miles)
|999999 miles
|Standard manufacturer's warranty (years)
|3 years
|Standard paintwork guarantee
|3 years
Performance & economy
|Fuel consumption (urban)
|41.50 mpg
|Fuel consumption (extra urban)
|51.40 mpg
|Fuel consumption (combined)
|47.10 mpg
|0 - 60 mph
|No details available
|Top speed
|142 mph
|Engine power
|254 bhp
|Engine torque
|413.00 lbs/ft
|1762 mm
|Height inclusive of roof rails
|No details available
|4886 mm
|2933 mm
|2184 mm
|Width including mirrors
|No details available
|Fuel tank capacity
|85.00 litres
|Minimum kerb weight
|2070 kg
|Interior features
|Exterior features
|12V Power Socket - Luggage Compartment
|19in Alloy Wheels - Light M Double Spoke Style - 467
|12V Power Socket - Rear of Centre Console
|Door Handles - Body Colour
|12V Power Sockets
|Door Mirrors - Aspheric - Tinted - Heated - Electric Adjustment
|20GB HDD Memory
|Electric Windows - Front and Rear with Open-Close Fingertip Control
|Adaptive M Sport Suspension
|Exhaust Tailpipes - Chrome Quadrilateral
|Air Conditioning - Automatic with Two-Zone Control
|Heated Windscreen Washer Jets
|Armrest - Front with Storage Compartment
|Kidney Grille - Chrome with Black Vertical Slats
|Automatically Dimming Rear View Mirror
|Locking Wheel Bolts
|Auxiliary Input
|M Aerodynamic Bodystyling
|BMW Emergency Call
|Roof Rails - High-Gloss Shadowline
|BMW Professional Radio - Single CD and MP3
|Run Flat Tyres
|Bluetooth Hands Free with USB Audio Interface
|Windows - Heat Insulated Green Tinted
|Control Display - 10.2in Colour Display
|Cup Holders - Front
|Cup Holders - Rear
|DAB Digital Radio
|Double-Wishbone Suspension - Front
|Floor Mats - Velour
|Follow Me Home Headlight Function
|Glove Compartment - Lockable and Illuminated
|Headlights - Automatic Activation
|Headlights - Washer System
|High Level Third Brake Light
|LED Fog Lights - Front
|Luggage Compartment - Retractable and Removable Cover
|Multifunction Controls for Steering Wheel
|Navigation System - BMW Professional Multimedia
|Rain Sensor
|Real Time Traffic Information
|Seat Adjustment - Front Electric with Driver Memory
|Seats - Front Heated
|Securing Rings in Luggage Compartment x4
|Servotronic Steering
|Smokers Package
|Speaker System with Six Speakers
|Sport Seats - Front
|Start-Stop Button with Keyless Operation
|Steering Column with Manual Reach and Rake Adjustment
|Steering Wheel - Gearshift Paddles
|Steering Wheel - M Leather Multifunction
|Storage Compartment - Interior Door Panels with Anti-slip Mats
|Tool Kit Located in Luggage Compartment
|USB Audio Interface
|Upper Tailgate Operation - Powered
|Xenon Headlights
|ABS - Anti Lock Braking System
|ADB - Automatic Differential Brake
|ASC - Automatic Stability Control
|Airbags - Curtain
|Airbags - Driver
|Airbags - Front Side
|Airbags - Passenger
|Alarm System Thatcham 1 with Remote Control
|Brake Drying
|Brake Fade Compensation
|Brake Force Display
|Brake Pre-Tensioning
|CBC - Cornering Brake Control
|Check Control Warning System
|Child Proof Locking System - Rear Doors
|Child Seat ISOFIX Attachment - Rear
|City Collision Mitigation
|Crash Sensor - Activating Central Locking-Hazard Warning Lights-Fuel Cut Off
|Cruise Control with Brake Function
|DBC - Dynamic Brake Control
|DSC - Dynamic Stability Control Plus
|DTC - Dynamic Traction Control
|Deformation Zones - Front and Rear
|Driving Assistant
|EBD - Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
|Electro-Mechanical Parking Brake with Auto-Hold Function
|Engine Immobiliser
|First Aid Kit
|Forward Collision Warning System
|Fuel Cut-Off and Interior Light
|HDC - Hill Descent Control
|Hill Start Assist
|Lane Departure Warning System
|OBC - On-Board Computer
|PDC - Park Distance Control - Front and Rear
|PDC - Park Distance Control - Rear
|Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor - Front
|Preventive Pedestrian Protection
|Rear Window Wiper with Wash-Wipe System
|Remote Control Locking
|Seat Belts - Front Inertia Reel with Pyrotechnical Belt Latch Tensioner and Belt Force Limiter
|Seat Belts - Rear - Three with Inertia Reel
|Side Impact Protection
|TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring
|Voice Control - Phone
|iDrive Controller with Shortcut Buttons
Please note
This includes MPG figures which are calculated under European Standards, in test conditions, and will vary under normal driving conditions. The information displayed above describes the typical specification of the most recent model of this vehicle. It is not the exact specification for the actual vehicle being offered for sale which may vary. Specifications for older models may also vary. Please contact us prior to purchase to confirm the exact specification of this vehicle.
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text:
In the days since Ted Gioia published his essay in the Daily Beast, alleging that music criticism has devolved into lifestyle reporting, with little or no attention paid to how the music itself works, I've been challenged by friends on Facebook to write a "not boring" piece that explains a successful pop song using music theory. My bet is that it'll be boring, but I'm going to do my best not to bore you!
I have picked Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." Because: this song's success seems to mystify all the Katy Perry haters in the world. Why did it go to No. 1? Let's start by talking about the ingenuity of the harmonic content. This song is all about suspension—not in the voice-leading 4–3 sense, but in the emotional sense, which listeners often associate with "exhilaration," being on the road, being on a roller coaster, travel. This sense of suspension is created simply, by denying the listener any I chords. There is not a single I chord in the song. Laymen, the I chord ("one chord") is the chord that the key is in. For example, a song is in G but there are no G-chords. Other examples of this, in hit singles: Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" and Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You"; almost-examples include Earth Wind and Fire's "In September" which has an I chord but only passing and in inversion; same with Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."
"Teenage Dream" begins with a guitar sounding the I chord but an instant later, when the bass comes in, the I is transformed into an IV (an IV7 chord, to be exact). The I chord will never appear again. Notice, too, how Katy's melody begins on the tonic—tonic: the root note of the missing I chord, the same note that the key is in. She stays around the tonic, reinforces the tonic, and the vocal melody establishes the key so clearly that there is no doubt: Katy's voice is "home"; the rest of the song is oscillating around her. Even when the tonic note would clash with the chord (as it does over the V chord, on "feel like I'm living a") she hammers it home. Her voice is the sun and the song is in orbit around it.
The "feeling of suspension" I mentioned is an effect of this. The insistence of the tonic in the melody keeps your ears' eyes fixed on the destination, but the song never arrives there. Weightlessness is achieved. Great work, songwriters!
The second key to this song's Enormous Chart Success has to do with the weighting of the melody lines. Perfect balance of tension and release. Each line of the verses begin straight, on the beat, but end with a syncopation: [straight:] "you think I'm pretty without any" [syncopated:] "makeup on.
A brief aside: Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) is sometimes criticized as not "R&B" enough by some music writers—these writers often cite Dev's previous work in rock band Test Icicles as indicative of some illegitimacy of intention. But Dev's songwriting trademark—his supposed weakness—is rooted in this exact thing, the weighting of syllables. Unlike most R&B, Dev writes songs where the melody has no syncopation; they sound like hymns. Boring, perhaps, to you, but other people (myself included) hear a glorious religious calm, a stateliness.
Similarly, think about Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," where almost every note is off the beat. "FI-nished with my woman cause sheeee WOULDn't help meeeee WITH myyyy LIFE." It's kind of a bad melody, no? Doesn't suit the lyrics at all, has an vaguely ESL vibe, weighted all wrong. But the song is called "Paranoid" and he is singing about how you should enjoy life and how he wishes he could do the same but it's too late. It suits the material, works great.
Back to Katy. Her lyrics stretch into each subsequent bar: "You think I'm pretty without any makeup/ on, you think I'm …" etc. The "on" is more part of the next line than the proceeding one. Her lines dovetail elegantly into each other. This contributes to the feeling of suspension that I mentioned above. As listeners, we're waiting for her to get to the point. And here it comes!
As Katy moves out of introspective mode and starts using imperatives "Let's go all the way tonight! No regrets! Just love!" she gets straight, more serious, no syncopation. Then—genius—the chorus inverts the weighting that we heard in the verse. [Syncopated:] "You make me [straight:] "feel like I'm living a …" [syncopated:] "teenage dream!" And the gooey heart of the song, the "skin tight jeans" bit, is rhythmically entirely straight, voice tumbling out of the tonic-focused cage of the verse and chorus, like long-hair from a scrunchie released.
A particular point of pleasure: The title of the song ("Teenage Dream") is sung syncopated on the chorus, but straight on the bridge. Compare the two in your head. Do you hear that? How brilliant. The title of the song is rhythmically weighted two ways—it's like a flank attack. Two sides of the same face. You WILL remember the name of this song.
How'd I do? This analysis was an easy one, because the song is straight fours and its ingenuities are easy to describe. If I were going to talk about "Get Lucky" I'd probably have to start posting score. That is a complicated song.
Update, March 25, 2014: This article has been updated to clarify that "Teenage Dream" is not the key of G.


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Why Abraham Lincoln's birthday isn't a federal holiday
President's Day celebrates Abraham Lincoln, right? Nope. There is no 'President's Day.' It's actually legally known only as 'Washington's Birthday,' leaving Old Abe out the cold.
Abraham Lincoln may be the greatest of all US presidents. He ended slavery, won the Civil War, and ensured that the United States would remain united in the modern world. His face is printed on the five-dollar bill and stamped on the penny. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the nation's iconic sites.
But Lincoln's Birthday on Feb. 12 is not a national holiday, and it never has been. Nor is Lincoln officially remembered on a federal President's Day in late February. That's just not the case, despite a widespread belief to the contrary.
True, people have tried to make Lincoln's birthday a US day of commemoration. One of the first was Julius Francis, a shopkeeper from Buffalo, N.Y. Beginning in 1874, he made the public remembrance of the 16th president his life's mission, according to a 2003 Buffalo News article on the subject. He petitioned both Albany and Washington. New York went along and made Feb. 12 a state holiday. Washington and Congress did not.
Remember that for decades following the Civil War the South and North remained split as to how to remember its sacrifice and heroes. Days to remember the fallen arose on separate dates in the two regions. In was only with the nationalizing tragedy of World War I that these combined into the Memorial Day we now celebrate.
Thus, a national Lincoln holiday would have been controversial to many in the South until well into the 20th century. Perhaps that's why Congress as a whole remained resistant.
That didn't stop states, of course, and many state governments followed New York's lead in establishing Lincoln's birthday as a holiday. On Feb. 13, 2012, state offices in Illinois will be closed to honor the Great Emancipator.
But in recent years, some states have ditched Old Abe, in part because it falls near the federal holidays of Washington's birthday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2009, the California legislature passed a bill ending Lincoln's birthday as a paid state holiday.
Then there is the persistent legend of President's Day – a legend formed around a nugget of truth.
In 1968, Congress considered the Uniform Monday Holidays Act, legislation that aimed to shuffle certain US holidays around so as to create three-day weekends and increased sell-a-thon opportunities.
Early drafts of this bill did include a Presidents' Day meant to supplant the existing Washington's birthday holiday. This name change was suggested by one of the bill's main proponents, Rep. Robert McClory, who was – you guessed it – a Republican from Illinois.
But the bill stalled in committee. Eventually Congressman McClory dropped his Presidents' Day proposal to mollify lawmakers from Virginia, who wanted Washington's prerogatives preserved, according to an account of the legislation in "Prologue," a magazine published by the US National Archives.
Momentum was restored, and the bill passed, creating the framework of three-day federal holidays Americans enjoy today. The name of the celebration on the third Monday in February remains "Washington's Birthday," as is clearly stated on the cover of the legislation.
Still don't believe us? Check out the US Office of Personnel Management list of 2012 holidays for federal workers. It lists "Washington's Birthday," with an asterisk, which leads to an explanation.
"Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law," says OPM.
In February 2001, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a Maryland Republican, made a final try at raising Old Abe's holiday profile by introducing a "Washington-Lincoln Recognition Act."
This bill called for the legal public holiday known as "Washington's Birthday" to be known by that name and no other. But it also requested that the president "issue a proclamation each year recognizing the anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln and calling upon the people of the United States to observe such anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities."
This legislation was assigned to the House Committee on Government Reform, and there it languished, unpassed. Thus, 203 years after his birth in humble circumstances in rural Kentucky, Abe Lincoln still doesn't have a federal day to call his own.


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Running Time: 0:48:00
1) Introduction
What have we been doing?
2) News
Canonical integrate Amazon suggestions into Unity Dash
How to handle a 65Gbps DDOS Attack
Cool podcast from Jupitre Broadcasting about Burnout from a developer and Ops perspective
Crashplan rocks for Small to Mid-size businesses
A series of unfortunate problems cut this one a little short. You just missed, like Brian did, Joes awesome closing to the show. Brian recorded a new one.
3) Conclusion
Recommendations for People to interview
E-Mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Facebook Fan Page
Follow us on Twitter and Identica as @linuxinstall
Google +
Look for us and comment on iTunes, odeo
Watch the Video on Youtube….
Listen to the Audio Version…


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Somewhere Over the Lightning
Were I a shepherd tending to my flock 4000 years ago, this is the kind of natural phenomenon that would have turned me into a scribe or an oracle, verily I say unto thee.
According to The Daily Mail, a clash of rainbow and lightning "was seen above the affluent city of Fort Smith, in the Southern state Arkansas" yesterday"¦ "as two of nature's most spectacular phenomena created an unusual alliance."
Check out the awe-inspiring photos here.


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- This event has passed.
September 8, 2021 at 6:30 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, repeating until May 25, 2022
Come Alive, Become Rooted, Tell The World! All 7th-12th graders are welcomed into the family every Wednesday from 6:30-9pm.
Awaken consists of tons of games, events and challenges…a full worship service including a student band…plus age and gender specific small groups where you get to be with people your age and talk life! We can't wait for you to experience what pulls in 100+ of young people a week!
Any questions, email email@example.com for more info!


text:
Former Rockets star Yao Ming said Friday's ESPN report that he would attempt to put together a group to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers was the first he heard of the possibility of him being part of an effort to buy the franchise.
"I just heard about it in the morning my time," Yao said Saturday via email. "I really don't know where this news came from."
Citing sources, ESPN reported that Yao was working to put together a group of Chinese investors to make a bid for the team. According to multiple reports, Clippers owner Donald Sterling had decided to authorize his wife Shelly negotiate a sale of the team.
Yao, 33, has been studying economics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and has been heavily involved with NBA Asia, various philanthropic projects and his Yao Family Wines winery in Napa, Calif. He purchased the Shanghai Sharks in 2009.


text:
Anguilla. Hotels, apartments, tripsHotels Travel Trips Flights Cars Cruises Ferrys Trains Tickets
Explore AnguillaCities in AnguillaTravel trips in AnguillaWhat to do in Anguilla
Cities in Anguilla
|Blowing Point Village
Island Harbour
|Long Bay Village
Meads Bay
Sandy Ground Village
Shoal Bay Village
South Hill Village
|The Valley
West End Village
Travel trips in Anguilla
Travel. The best travel trips for you
Departures from: any origin.
Choose between different durations and routes
Flights + Accommodation + Breakfasts + Lunch + Dinners + Visits + Transfers
Places visited: Visits to the most emblematic places with tourist guide, landmarks and monuments.


text:
Judge Sends Meek Mill To Jail For Parole Violation
A judge has sent Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill to jail for three to six months for violating his probation on a 2009 drug and gun case.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Mill and his lawyer spent almost four hours Friday trying unsuccessfully to persuade the judge not to lock him up.
Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, has been a regular in court for nearly two years. He has been disputing the terms of his probation.
The newspaper says Mill had booked concerts between July 11 and August 11, when the judge had ordered him to stop while she tried resolving his probation problems.
Photo: Chris McKay / WireImage.com
BET Hip Hop Awards, Boisfeuillet Jones Civic Center, Atlanta, Ga.
Mill was supposed to headline a concert Friday night in Washington. The judge told the 27-year-old rapper's attorney that wasn't going to happen.


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