http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Taking-Questions-on-Health-Reform-in-New-Hampshire/
The President hosted a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on health insurance reform, telling the crowd, "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That's the health care system I believe in." The President was introduced by Lori, a woman who can’t find coverage because of her medical condition. We all know someone like Lori who has been discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions, and can't receive the care they need. This is a personal issue for the President, who recounted his mother's battle with insurance companies as she battled with cancer in the last months of her life.
The President outlined how his plan will end these unfair, and often deadly, practices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cqQl3lZzzE
We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on.
Do you think it is far-fetched to design applications in United States classrooms, using mathematics and sports? Science, physics and chemistry can also be blended with sports for an interdisciplinary learning experience for students at all levels.
My article on "The Nitty-Gritty of the NFL Football" and an article in the Official Pro Football Hall of Fame Yearbook (2007) discuss the characteristics and "Evolution of the Football." On pages 100-104 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame magazine, you learn that the football is not a pigskin. You see images of the early football in 1894, the Duke Football, and the White Football in 1956.
Once more, you read:
"On January 1, 2006, New England Patriots backup quarterback Doug Flutie converted the NFL's first successful dropkick since 1941. He converted an extra point in the fourth quarter of the season-ending game against the Miami Dolphins.
"Prior to Flutie's kick, the league's last successful dropkick was on December 21, 1941--two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor--when Ray "Scooter" McLean drop-kicked an extra point as the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants, 37-9, in the NFL championship game."
Why is the above quote so important? Here is the answer:
"Changes to the football made the art of drop-kicking significantly more difficult due to the more erratic bounce (physics) of a tapered ball.
"The upward bounce of the older, rounder version of the ball was much more predictable (physics and mathematics)."
The NFL archives enlighten the 2009 fans, telling us that in 1899 the Official Football Rules Book contained a definition to include the descriptive shape.
The 1899 Rules Book says that "the football used shall be of leather, enclosing an inflated rubber bladder. The ball shall have the shape of a prolate spheroid."
Prolate spheroid? You mean to say that the football officials knew the mathematics term, prolate spheroid! Yes, and it could mean that the students in 1899 may have known and loved mathematics more than the students in 2009.
Well, it's clear to me that there is so much knowledge embedded in the world of sports that we must be like "gold diggers." We should, perhaps, chisel through the surface and get to the deeper things that need to be revealed in the world of sports.
Why? We need to motivate our students to the highest level of excellence, again, so as to maintain our position and rank in an international setting.
In January 2009 at the Joint Mathematics Meeting, in Washington, D.C., there were several sessions, conducted by mathematicians, disseminating information on sports and mathematics. One session was led by Howard Penn of the United States Naval Academy.
The topic I prepared for presentation in the 2009 Washington, D. C. meeting was titled, "New Ways of Assessing NFL Players." The inspiration came from the observation that many NFL players who made outstanding contributions to the sport, have been misrepresented by statistics which lacked the dimensionality to describe their intensity and integrity as sportsmen.
Data was collected from public databases. Mathematical modeling was used to compare players, and interesting results were evident. I tagged a term "sport's prodigy" because some guys were able to set records in a much shorter time frame than others.
The argument could go like this: Just as we marvel over the 13 year-old B/R writers who publish such powerful and outstanding work at such a young age, there are NFL players who performed on the playing field, doing marvelous feats, yet their career was not long.
Bleacher Report encourages us to give credit where credit is due. As a sports writing site, we, then, must give credit to the players when credit is due.
It's the 21st century. We need not rant and rave about who is the better player. We must, I believe, use more sophisticated analysis and assessment strategies to measure and identify impact in the games, and in the entire sports industry.
Not only have I and other B/R sportswriters been perceived as underrated, there are many sportsmen of my generation who have been both underrated, and I might add, berated.
They have been berated by faulty reasoning, and incomplete analysis with gaps in understanding.
In some cases, too little emphasis has been placed on athletic performance, and too much on personal challenges which are intimately connected with, in my opinion, the culture of the sports and entertainment industry.
There have been growth and "forgiveness" in the media recorded images of the lives of some great sportsmen. For example, Kobe Bryant and Majic Johnson have been able to move forward in their lives, although human error put pimples on their careers in the past.
So how do we use these ideas in the classroom?
We teach cognitive, affective and psycho-motor skills. The content for the cognitive lessons can be draw from sports databases.
The biographical sketches of the stars who achieved, stumbled in some social or legal way, and then are in recovery and redemptive stages, can be used to educate in the affective domain.
Finally, the archival records demonstrating superior athletic skills, feats of endurance, courage and compassion, can be used to teach in the psycho-motor domain.
In early October 2009, another conference, sponsored by the U. S. Department of Education will convene in Washington, D. C. I will be there representing the National Association of Mathematicians, and my good experiences of learning more about sports through my interactions with the Bleacher Report (B/R) will be shared with some of my colleagues.
Many of the articles on B/R are loaded with wisdom, knowledge and analysis in each of the cognitive, affective and psycho-motor domains. The concepts in these domains are taught in curriculum and instruction.
Once we eradicate the "warts" on our complexion, we will display a beautiful image of the creative uses of the Bleacher Report.
B/R is an excellent outlet to demonstrate that sports can entertain, educate and even elevate academic achievement in America, if we collaborate and put our best foot forward.
One of the amenities of our mission is to share the concept:
Sports can help entertain, educate, and elevate academic achievement in America, and in the international community.
Finally, one good way to get started on this mission is to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame website or contact Mr. Jerry Csaki, the education director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio.
When can you get started? My answer: In a few days the 2009 Enshrinement Ceremonies will begin. Not only should you be there for that historical event, but also spend a little time visiting the education division of the Hall of Fame.
Stand with President Obama on Health Care
I know this is long, but it is very important. We can’t afford to be apathetic, and carefree this time. I am calling on you, ordinary citizens, Democrats and Republicans, Independents every citizen from the Appalachian Mountains to the Youth in the Hood to put aside your politics and support health care reform. The debate going on now should not be political; we are at war with the powerful lobbyists for the health and life of our families.
Everyone agrees that we need health care reform. It is the number one expenditure for most families other than their rent and mortgage. Millions of Americans have inadequate health care or no health care at all. Of these millions of uninsured and underinsured, I am certain that they are not all just Democrats. These uninsured and under insured, are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. So why have we allowed this debate to be a political one. Republicans and Independents need health care too. It is ridiculous too to assume that the only people who are uninsured or under insured are Democrats. Get real people, health care reform is for all Americans not just for one political party. Let put politics aside and support our President’s effort to help all of US.
GOP Senator Jim DeMint told a special-interest attack group that if they're "able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." And Republican Chairman Michael Steele backed up DeMint's statement 100%. At the same time, the Republican National Committee is running deceptive ads to scare Americans away from the reform we need.
Their plan is simple: oppose health care reform as a political ploy to weaken the President and defeat his entire agenda of change. The GOP is playing with our lives to stop Obama!!!! That’s what this debate has been about for them. Well, I am outraged, and you should be too.
President Obama said, "Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses and breaking America's economy. And we can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care. Not this time, not now. There are too many lives and livelihoods at stake."
I am asking all citizens of every stripe to stand with the President, stand with US. Stand against special interests, lobbyist and opponents of health care reform in Washington who have made their priority clear: attack President Obama at any cost. President Obama is not just President of the Democrats, he is the President of All the citizens of the United States of America. America, please support YOUR President.
It’s obvious what the crooked politicians get out of it, however, this corruption is widespread, lobbyist have even gotten to the media. We can't let this kind of slash and burn politics succeed. We can fight back by collecting as many signatures as possible backing the President's principles for health care reform. A huge response will show Washington and the media that when Republicans try to "break" the President, Americans are ready to stand up for what's right.
The President has consistently argued that health care reform must: reduce costs, guarantee choice -- including the choice of a strong public insurance option -- and ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. These principles are the key to keeping our country healthy -- and protecting our families, businesses, and economy from costs that are spiraling out of control. It's the change the American people voted for and so desperately need.
But special interests and Republican leaders are so concerned with scoring points and destroying Obama that they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their face. They seem to think health care reform is a political game. They are literally playing politics with our lives and livelihood, and it has to stop.
We know that they will not "break" President Obama or the movement that supports him. And if we work together, they will not stop congress from enacting the real health care reform that Americans need and demand.
They don’t care about US
Why is it that all the people speaking out against health care reform have health insurance for themselves and their families. Shouldn’t they be listening to US. What we want, what we need!
But this is more than just the GOP playing politics some how that perhaps could have been expected. But it is also about corruption and greed. I think that some of the Democrats, Republicans and Independents have succumbed to the millions of dollars being thrown around by Insurance, Pharma and Hospital lobbyist.
Some senators who oppose this are not listening to the constituents that put them in office. They are not listening to YOU. You put them in office, however, the insurance companies have deep pockets and they cannot resist the lure of all that money. They sold US out to the highest bidder. I believe that some senators are brought and paid for and some in the media too. Sadly, it is working they want to line their pockets instead of support health care reform.
Congressional Budget Office Director commented that the House and Senate health bills would not rein in health care costs. But what they were saying is that health care reform cannot happen unless we are more efficient in the delivery of health care and cut out the waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.
Republicans pounced on the remarks to fan the flames and sow discord among the Democratic Senators. Those comments taken out of proportion has given the greedy just the excuse they needed. They are still working on the bill, and will find the cost savings.
Another thing the GOP and the Media have pounced on are the comments made by Max Bacus that The President is not helping. What he meant is that President Obama’s doesn’t want to tax health benefits and that does is making it harder to fund health care reform.
Well I have my own ideas about funding. I want to privatize NASA and let the private industry that benefits the most take it over. The technology that is advanced from the NASA experiments benefit private industry so they should pay for it. I would rather use those trillions of dollars saved to fund health care for American citizens. Space exploration is a luxury that we cannot afford. Take care of home first, take care of the problems on this planet before we waste money in outer space, this is ridiculous we need that money here on earth. All the GPS systems, satellites, etc that are built from the technological experiments that are conducted in space are sold back to the United States by private industry. We are paying twice for technology that we discovered, I really don’t get that.
The other funding method that I advocate is to reform Medicare so that we are not paying for Medicare benefits for multi-millionaires. At this time every person over 65 is eligible for Medicare whether they need Medicare or not. It is just automatically given out to anyone who turns 65. Medicare is not Social Security. Every one who worked all their lives is entitle to the commensurate amount of Social Security that they heard. But Medicare should only be for those who need it. If you are a millionaire, you don’t need Medicare, you know you can afford your own health insurance. Its there for the taking so people just take it without thinking. There should be an income cap on Medicare. I don’t want to tax the wealthy to pay health care reform. I just want those who can afford to pay for their own to do just that. That’s my idea and I am sure you can think of some other cost saving methods. We can do it, yes, we can.
Don’t be scared by all the crazy ads you see on TV sponsored by the powerful lobbies. There will be no rationing or exclusion of pre-existing conditions. It is time, for the richest Country in the World to provide health care for All it citizens now.
Cut and trim and find the money. Look at NASA and all the other programs that don’t have any intrinsic value to the people. Oh it nice to ooh and aah about the space program, but it is time for the government to get out of that business, it is really not value added to the people.
I heard some one in the media suggest recently that the reason some politicians won’t support health care reform is that the millions of people who are uninsured or under insured don’t vote. So it back to that old adage that if you don’t vote, you don’t count. They have already counted you out of this equation. You better have your say on this before its too late.
Politicians are only concerned about their voting constituents. Well voting or not, you represents all of the people in your districts. We must let our voices be heard. Tell your representatives loud and clear. WE WANT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS NOW!
Wake up people we can’t expect some one else to do this, we must rise up and do this for ourselves. Go to http://www.democrats.org/declare and sign the declaration of support for health care reform. Go to www.whitehouse.gov and enter your zip code to find the contact information for your congressional and senate representatives and let them know you want health care for ALL.
Again, please declare your support today. Sign your name in support of the President's health care principles. Or if you've already signed, please forward this message to all your friends and neighbors.
Raise a Rukus today.
On Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th, Empowerment Partners is sponsoring the "One America Celebration: Mobilizing National Service" weekend. The weekend program includes a Welcome Reception at Fernbank Museum, National Panel Discussion on Healthcare Reform at Emory University; Community Service projects/Food Drive; Celebrity Golf Tournament at Cherokee Run Golf Club and conclude with "One America Red Carpet and Awards Gala" where we are saluting community leaders such as: Juanita Baranco, COO of Mercedes of Buckhead; Elizabeth Omilami, CEO of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Medical Correspondent. The goal of "One America Celebration" is to educate, empower and increase understanding of public policy issues that impact our communities. Empowerment Partners is a non-partisan organization that encourages all Americans to step forward and to take the lead in bridging our divides, strengthening our communities and building a more vibrant democracy. Today, there is a strong initiative all across our nation that transcends age, nationality or social status. Americans are renewed with pride to help rebuild our great country by donating time and talents to schools, churches, hospitals and local nonprofit organizations in an effort to improve communities and to serve a purpose greater than themselves.
Register at: www.oneamericacelebration.org
In Forrester’s 2008 Customer Experience Index (CxPi), we ranked 113 companies across 12 industries. I recently published a snapshot of the health plan industry looking at the results from the eight plans on the list (Aetna, Anthem (BCBS), CIGNA, Kaiser, Medicaid, Medicare, TriCare, and United Healthcare). Here’s some of what we found:Experiences are “very poor” and getting worse. As a group, the eight health plans ended up with a “very poor” rating of 51%; the lowest score of any of the 12 industries we examined. Making matters worse, the industry dropped three percentage points from the 2007 CxPi results.Kaiser led the pack. With an “okay” score of 70%, Kaiser led all health plans. All of the other plans ended up with ratings of either “poor” or “very poor.”Medicaid is as bad as it gets. With a terrible rating of 38%, Medicaid was the lowest scoring plan. It also ended up in next to last place across all 113 organizations in our rankings.Only Kaiser improved. When we compared the 2008 results with those from 2007, only Kaiser showed an improvement. CIGNA and Medicaid, on the other hand, declined the most.Some big shifts in CxPi components. There were five double-digit changes in the scores for the three underlying elements of the CxPi: Kaiser’s improvement in being easy to work with and enjoyability, Anthem’s decline in enjoyability, and both CIGNA’s and Medicaid’s drop in being easy to work with.The bottom line: Put customer experience on the health care reform agenda.
FROM TPM:
I'ved poked around Washington today, talking with friends on the Hill who confirm the worst: Big Pharma and Big Insurance are gaining ground in their campaign to kill the public option in the emerging health care bill.You know why, of course. They don't want a public option that would compete with private insurers and use its bargaining power to negotiate better rates with drug companies. They argue that would be unfair. Unfair? Unfair to give more people better health care at lower cost? To Pharma and Insurance, "unfair" is anything that undermines their profits.
Read more here
Posted May 11, 2009 by theindustryradar Categories: Business, Human Resources, Leadership Tags: star trek
The new Star trek movie is a spectacular summer fun ride whether you are a “Trekkie”, or like my 9 year old Star Wars crazed son, a newbie to this iconic story and its characters.
I have loved Star Trek since it came out in 1966 when I was 13. Until seeing the new movie I had never really thought how revolutionary it was in 1966 presenting a crew made up of a black woman, an Asian, a Russian, a Scot, a rebellious Iowa farm boy and an alien. 1966…43 years ago..
Today a team this diverse is not that unusual and the movie is also is a great reminder, especially in difficult times like these, what is required for any organization to succeed:
Now your business may not have Klingons or Romulans to fight but your challenges are just as real.
It is challenging times like these that demand some bold thinking and action and true team work if, as Spock would say, you want to “Live, long and prosper”.
So on this Monday morning are you ready to say – “Beam me up Scotty” – I am ready to go?
“Aye Captain!”….Have a good week!!
You are Cordially invited
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Celebrity Golf Tournament at The Celebrity Golf Club International
Saturday, July 25, 2009 9:00pm to 12am
The Celebrity Golf International: Dr. J (Julius Erving, NBA) and Harold Lewis (NFL)
Coordinators: Harold Lewis & Shelby Daffin
National Panel Discussion on Health and Education
"Emerging Leaders in the Era of Obama"
Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:00pm to 4:30pm
Special invited speakers Moderator: Senator Ronald Ramsey
Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Hosted by
WCalvin Andeson and Chuck Curry (Fox TV) and Media Associates
Food Provided by (Borage & Gourment Soul)
The Chic Unity Gala Event @ Twelve Banquet Hall
Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:00pm to Midnight
Senator Ronald Ramsey, Dove LLC and Georgia Young Professionals for ChangeMaster of Ceremony: Preston L. Harden (Obama Delegate)
Music By (Donnie Long Jazz Ensemble, BB Entertainment, DJ Passion and Colin Forde)Special Guests: Washington, DC New York and Georgia Legislative Leaders, Friends & CelebritiesMayor Shirley Franklin, Hon. John Lewis, Jane Kidd, Chair of Democratic Party of Georgia Food Provided by (Potz & Panz)
Benefiting Charities: Morris Brown College, Pan Hellenic Council Charities, 100 Black Men and 100 Black Women, Sloan Kettering Breast Cancer Research, Dalfur Relief Fund and Help the People, Inc. of Atlanta **********************************************************************************************************************************************
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Thank you for your support, Preston L. Harden,Georgia's 7th CongressionalDistrict Delegate GO OBAMA!!!!! 2008(404) 376-6833
Visit me at:www.prestonlharden.com
Obama Family,I hope all is well with you. Please check out our day-by-day slide show of The First 100 Days of the Obama Presidency, complete with 100-day summaries of U.S. presidencies going back to FDR! http://tinyurl.com/dencds
Thank you for your support, Preston L. Harden,Georgia's 7th CongressionalDistrict Delegate GO OBAMA!!!!! 2008(404) 376-6833You're invited to visit and join our movementwww.prestonlharden.com You're invited to join our group Georgia Young Professionals for Change on My.BarackObama.com:http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/YoungProfessionalsforChange
One method of putting money in the hands of middle class people who are struggling to make ends meet is to allow the withdrawal of funds from their 401K accounts without incurring penalties or excessive fees. Waiving restrictions on these withdrawals and IRS early withdrawal penalties will enable people to access their money and it will not add to the deficit while putting money in the hands of those in need.
Comments posted by Clay Smith are his personal views not those of any organization he represents.
CNBC PETITION SIGNED via MEDIA MATTERS http://mediamatters.org/index CNBC should publicly declare a drastic change of direction, committing to responsible journalism in an effort to hold Wall Street accountable in the future. As a first step, it should bring new economic voices on the air with a focus on those who were right about this crisis in the first place.
The stakes are too high for CNBC to continue acting as the unofficial mouthpiece of Wall Street. This is not a game. Together we can bring about the much-needed change we seek. That is why it is so important that you sign this petition today and then encourage your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.
M y (unsent) comments - Dear CNBC - OUCH!! That was a blistering scolding expose' of your satanic entrails wasn't it? Strike one. Now what are you going to do about it? I presume nothing but wait to see if we oppressed masses will pursue it. That's strike 2 - your apathy. What is this letter going to accomplish? Answer: You thinking its written for you. In truth it's a set up for you to lash out with stupid easily disproven Limbaugh/ Rove style attacks - strike three. Then we incite a no holds barred inquiry by the FCC, but with sustained pressure, force and scrutiny from the local, legal, elected and international communities. I'm lovin it, Can't wait to see the glutton's bank of deception gutted. Maybe we can seize your assets, savings and condemn your children to poverty and slave labor like you did ours! Better yet send you to JAIL FOR FRAUD/ INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING THE PUBLIC/ ACCOMPLICE TO FRAUD/ INSIDER TRADING ETC. and create another non-profit educational network form your holdings. Happily, you can work for cigarettes as Bubba's bEYACh!
Relax I did not send this. I stopped at signing the petition. I just had to have my little vent fantasy and post it to see if anyone felt as I do.
Dear Obama Friends,
For those of you who can, I'll meet you next Saturday in London (UK), at the Tottenham....
We wiil share our experiences and patos...
See you there,
Simone, your italian friend
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