Obama Administration Lifts Blanket Ban on Media Coverage of the Return of Fallen Soldiers
"[February 26, 2009]Today Secretary of Defense Robert Gates lifted a blanket ban on news media coverage of the honor guard ceremonies that mark the return of military casualties from abroad. The new policy will permit media coverage of the ceremonies, during which caskets draped with American flags are brought home from war, after consultation with the families of the fallen. The Obama administration’s move restores press access to the honor ceremonies, which had been the practice from World War II through the Panama invasion of 1989. During the lead-up to the Gulf War in 1991, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney instituted the ban. The news media lost a first amendment challenge to the ban, but Professor Ralph Begleiter and the National Security Archive forced the release of hundreds of images taken by military photographers under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 2005."
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
FTC Obtains Court Order Halting Internet Payday Lenders Who Failed to Disclose Key Loan Terms and Used Abusive and Deceptive Collection Tactics
"In a case filed by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Nevada, a federal court has ordered a halt to certain practices by seven U.S.-based companies and an individual operating as part of an international Internet payday lending operation. They were charged with failing to disclose key loan terms and using abusive and deceptive collection tactics in violation of federal and state laws. The U.S.-based companies and their principal agreed to the court order, which will remain in effect pending trial. The FTC and Nevada seek to permanently bar the defendants from future violations and make them give up the money they obtained using the allegedly illegal collection tactics...
The defendants named in the court order are Leads Global, Inc., Waterfront Investments, Inc., ACH Cash, Inc., HBS Services, Inc., Lotus Leads, Inc., First4Leads, Inc., and Rovinge International, Inc., and Jim Harris. Also charged in the complaint but not named in the order are four United Kingdom-based companies operating in the U.S. as Cash Today, Route 66 Funding, Global Financial Services International, Ltd., and Interim Cash, Ltd., and their principals, Aaron Gershfield and Ivor Gershfield."
"In a case filed by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Nevada, a federal court has ordered a halt to certain practices by seven U.S.-based companies and an individual operating as part of an international Internet payday lending operation. They were charged with failing to disclose key loan terms and using abusive and deceptive collection tactics in violation of federal and state laws. The U.S.-based companies and their principal agreed to the court order, which will remain in effect pending trial. The FTC and Nevada seek to permanently bar the defendants from future violations and make them give up the money they obtained using the allegedly illegal collection tactics...
The defendants named in the court order are Leads Global, Inc., Waterfront Investments, Inc., ACH Cash, Inc., HBS Services, Inc., Lotus Leads, Inc., First4Leads, Inc., and Rovinge International, Inc., and Jim Harris. Also charged in the complaint but not named in the order are four United Kingdom-based companies operating in the U.S. as Cash Today, Route 66 Funding, Global Financial Services International, Ltd., and Interim Cash, Ltd., and their principals, Aaron Gershfield and Ivor Gershfield."
GROWTH IN NATIONAL HEALTH EXPENDITURES EXPECTED TO SLOW BY 2009 AS A RESULT OF RECESSION
"Growth in national health expenditures (NHE) in the United States is expected to significantly outpace economic growth in 2008 and 2009 due to the recession, according to a report issued today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The report was prepared by CMS’s Office of the Actuary and published online by the journal Health Affairs.
In 2008, growth in national health expenditures is expected to be 6.1 percent, as health spending increases from $2.2 trillion in 2007 to $2.4 trillion in 2008, while growth in the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) is anticipated to be 3.5 percent. For 2009, health spending is projected to increase 5.5 percent while GDP is expected to decrease 0.2 percent. The health share of GDP is expected to increase from 16.2 percent in 2007 to 16.6 percent in 2008 and to 17.6 percent in 2009. This represents about one-third of the total increase in the health share of GDP for 2008 through 2018."
"Growth in national health expenditures (NHE) in the United States is expected to significantly outpace economic growth in 2008 and 2009 due to the recession, according to a report issued today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The report was prepared by CMS’s Office of the Actuary and published online by the journal Health Affairs.
In 2008, growth in national health expenditures is expected to be 6.1 percent, as health spending increases from $2.2 trillion in 2007 to $2.4 trillion in 2008, while growth in the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) is anticipated to be 3.5 percent. For 2009, health spending is projected to increase 5.5 percent while GDP is expected to decrease 0.2 percent. The health share of GDP is expected to increase from 16.2 percent in 2007 to 16.6 percent in 2008 and to 17.6 percent in 2009. This represents about one-third of the total increase in the health share of GDP for 2008 through 2018."
Women's Health.gov:the National Women's Health Information Center
"The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) is the most reliable and current information resource on women’s health today. We offer FREE women’s health information on more than 800 topics through our call center and web site."
"The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) is the most reliable and current information resource on women’s health today. We offer FREE women’s health information on more than 800 topics through our call center and web site."
Women's Health Calendar, 2009
"Our 2009 Women's Health Calendar offers information about common health problems and important symptoms to watch out for. You'll also find charts that describe the screenings and immunizations you need, tips on how to get a second opinion and how to read a drug label, and more – all in a handy, portable calendar you can keep with you year round!"
"Our 2009 Women's Health Calendar offers information about common health problems and important symptoms to watch out for. You'll also find charts that describe the screenings and immunizations you need, tips on how to get a second opinion and how to read a drug label, and more – all in a handy, portable calendar you can keep with you year round!"
Monday, February 23, 2009
Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients Recommendations of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage
"In 1986, the American College of Surgeons developed the Field Triage Decision Scheme (Decision Scheme), which serves as the basis for triage protocols for state and local EMS systems across the United States. The Decision Scheme is an algorithm that guides EMS providers through four decision steps (physiologic, anatomic, mechanism of injury, and special considerations) to determine the most appropriate destination facility within the local trauma care system. Since its initial publication in 1986, the Decision Scheme has been revised four times. In 2005, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CDC began facilitating revision of the Decision Scheme by hosting a series of meetings of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage, which includes injury-care providers, public health professionals, automotive industry representatives, and officials from federal agencies. The Panel reviewed relevant literature, presented its findings, and reached consensus on necessary revisions. The revised Decision Scheme was published in 2006. This report describes the process and rationale used by the Expert Panel to revise the Decision Scheme."
"In 1986, the American College of Surgeons developed the Field Triage Decision Scheme (Decision Scheme), which serves as the basis for triage protocols for state and local EMS systems across the United States. The Decision Scheme is an algorithm that guides EMS providers through four decision steps (physiologic, anatomic, mechanism of injury, and special considerations) to determine the most appropriate destination facility within the local trauma care system. Since its initial publication in 1986, the Decision Scheme has been revised four times. In 2005, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CDC began facilitating revision of the Decision Scheme by hosting a series of meetings of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage, which includes injury-care providers, public health professionals, automotive industry representatives, and officials from federal agencies. The Panel reviewed relevant literature, presented its findings, and reached consensus on necessary revisions. The revised Decision Scheme was published in 2006. This report describes the process and rationale used by the Expert Panel to revise the Decision Scheme."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
American Church, Club and Community Cookbooks: Selected Titles from the General Collections
Titles in the Science Reference Section of the Science, Technology and Business Division of the Library of Congress.
Titles in the Science Reference Section of the Science, Technology and Business Division of the Library of Congress.
Science Tracer Bullets Online: e-Science
"The term e-Science refers to large scale science that is carried out through distributed global collaborations enabled by the Internet. Typically, such collaborative scientific enterprises require access to very large data sets, very large scale computing resources, and high performance visualization. e-Science is a digital infrastructure that allows scientists to conduct research in new ways. Common terminology related to e-Science include cyberinfrastructure, grids, grid computing, distributed networks, and high performance computing..."
"The term e-Science refers to large scale science that is carried out through distributed global collaborations enabled by the Internet. Typically, such collaborative scientific enterprises require access to very large data sets, very large scale computing resources, and high performance visualization. e-Science is a digital infrastructure that allows scientists to conduct research in new ways. Common terminology related to e-Science include cyberinfrastructure, grids, grid computing, distributed networks, and high performance computing..."
Top Ranking Industries Organized by State
"Industries in which the selected state leads all other states either in per capita sales or receipts or in total sales or receipts in the 2002 Economic Census."
"Industries in which the selected state leads all other states either in per capita sales or receipts or in total sales or receipts in the 2002 Economic Census."
Freight Facts and Figures 2008
"The Nation’s 114 million households, 7.6 million business establishments, and 88,000
government units are part of an enormous economy that demands the movement of
freight. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow, on average, almost 3percent per year between now and 2035, resulting in even greater demand for freight transportation. This growth will be driven by a population that is expected to increase from 300 million people in 2006 to 380 million in 2035..."
"The Nation’s 114 million households, 7.6 million business establishments, and 88,000
government units are part of an enormous economy that demands the movement of
freight. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow, on average, almost 3percent per year between now and 2035, resulting in even greater demand for freight transportation. This growth will be driven by a population that is expected to increase from 300 million people in 2006 to 380 million in 2035..."
The Code of the Street and African-American Adolescent Violence
"The “code of the street” theory, developed by Yale professor Elijah Anderson, presents an explanation for high rates of violence among African-American adolescents. Observing life in a Philadelphia African-American neighborhood, Anderson saw that economic disadvantage, separation from mainstream society, and racial discrimination encountered by some African-American adolescents may lead to anti-social attitudes and to violent behavior."
"The “code of the street” theory, developed by Yale professor Elijah Anderson, presents an explanation for high rates of violence among African-American adolescents. Observing life in a Philadelphia African-American neighborhood, Anderson saw that economic disadvantage, separation from mainstream society, and racial discrimination encountered by some African-American adolescents may lead to anti-social attitudes and to violent behavior."
Vacations, holidays, and personal leave: access, quantity, costs, and trends
"It is common for U.S. employers to offer paid leave to their workers in forms such as holidays, vacations, sick leave, and personal leave. Employers typically incur substantial costs in doing so. As of early 2008, State and local government workers averaged 11 holidays per year while workers in private- sector establishments averaged 8 days. Paid-leave costs were higher for government employers than for employers in private industry, both in number of dollars and as a percentage of total compensation. In March 2008, the average cost per hour worked for paid leave in the public sector was $3.12, which accounted for 8.2 percent of total compensation. The cost per hour in the private sector was $1.80, which accounted for 6.7 percent of total compensation."
"It is common for U.S. employers to offer paid leave to their workers in forms such as holidays, vacations, sick leave, and personal leave. Employers typically incur substantial costs in doing so. As of early 2008, State and local government workers averaged 11 holidays per year while workers in private- sector establishments averaged 8 days. Paid-leave costs were higher for government employers than for employers in private industry, both in number of dollars and as a percentage of total compensation. In March 2008, the average cost per hour worked for paid leave in the public sector was $3.12, which accounted for 8.2 percent of total compensation. The cost per hour in the private sector was $1.80, which accounted for 6.7 percent of total compensation."
SBA Warns of Fraudulent Attempts to Obtain Bank Account Information from Small Businesses
"The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert today to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.
The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.
These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them."
"The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert today to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.
The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.
These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Equal Pay and Compensation Discrimination
"The right of employees to be free from discrimination in their compensation is protected under several federal laws, including the following enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
EEOC
The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal. It is job content, not job titles, that determines whether jobs are substantially equal. Specifically, the EPA provides:
Employers may not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment..."
"The right of employees to be free from discrimination in their compensation is protected under several federal laws, including the following enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
EEOC
The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal. It is job content, not job titles, that determines whether jobs are substantially equal. Specifically, the EPA provides:
Employers may not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment..."
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