Worst year in decades for elephants

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? It's been a disastrous year for elephants, perhaps the worst since ivory sales were banned in 1989 to save the world's largest land animals from extinction, the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC said Thursday.

A record number of large seizures of elephant tusks represents at least 2,500 dead animals and shows that organized crime ? in particular Asian syndicates ? is increasingly involved in the illegal ivory trade and the poaching that feeds it, the group said.

Some of the seized tusks came from old stockpiles, the elephants having been killed years ago. It's not clear how many elephants were recently killed in Africa for their tusks, but experts are alarmed.

TRAFFIC's elephant and rhino expert Tom Milliken thinks criminals may have the upper hand in the war to save rare and endangered animals.

"As most large-scale ivory seizures fail to result in any arrests, I fear the criminals are winning," Milliken told The Associated Press.

Most cases involve ivory being smuggled from Africa into Asia, where growing wealth has fed the desire for ivory ornaments and for rhino horn that is used in traditional medicine, though scientists have proved it has no medicinal value.

"The escalation in ivory trade and elephant and rhino killing is being driven by the Asian syndicates that are now firmly enmeshed within African societies," Milliken said in a telephone interview from his base in Zimbabwe. "There are more Asians than ever before in the history of the continent, and this is one of the repercussions."

All statistics are not yet in, and no one can say how much ivory is getting through undetected, but "what is clear is the dramatic increase in the number of large-scale seizures, over 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) in weight, that have taken place in 2011," TRAFFIC said in a statement.

There were at least 13 large seizures this year, compared to six in 2010 with a total weight just under 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds).

In the most recent, and worst, case Malaysian authorities seized hundreds of African elephant tusks on Dec. 21 worth $1.3 million that were being shipped to Cambodia. The ivory was hidden in containers of handicrafts from Kenya's Mombasa port. Most large seizures have originated from Kenyan or Tanzanian ports, TRAFFIC said.

Fifty elephants a month are being killed, their tusks hacked off, in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, according to the Washington-based Environmental Investigation Agency.

With shipments so large, criminals have taken to shipping them by sea instead of by air, falsifying documents with help of corrupt officials, monitors said.

Milliken said some of the seized ivory has been identified as coming from government-owned stockpiles ? made up of confiscated tusks and those of dead elephants ? in another sign of corruption.

"In 23 years of compiling ivory seizure data ... this is the worst year ever for large ivory seizures. 2011 has truly been a horrible year for elephants," said Milliken.

Rhinos also have suffered. A record 443 rhino were killed in this year in South Africa, compared to 333 last year, according to National Geographic News Watch. South Africa is home to 90 percent of the rhinos left on the continent.

Africa's elephant population was estimated at between 5 million and 10 million before the big white hunters came to the continent with European colonization. Massive poaching for the ivory trade in the 1980s halved the remaining number of African elephants to about 600,000. Following the 1989 ban on ivory trade and concerted international efforts to protect the animals, elephant herds in east and southern Africa were thriving before the new threat arrived from Asia.

A report from Kenya's Amboseli national park highlighted the dangers. There had been almost no poaching in the park, which lies in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, for 30 years until a Chinese company was awarded the contract to build a highway nearby two years ago. Amboseli has lost at least four of its "big tuskers" since then.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-12-29-AF-Africa-Elephants/id-166567cb9ef54fbd93c0450a3437aa01

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I know something you don't know -- and I will tell you!

Public release date: 29-Dec-2011
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Roman M. Wittig
wittig@eva.mpg.de
49-034-135-50204
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

This release is available in German.

Many animals produce alarm calls to predators, and do this more often when kin or mates are present than other audience members. So far, however, there has been no evidence that they take the other group members' knowledge state into account. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and the University of St. Andrews, Great Britain, set up a study with wild chimpanzees in Uganda and found that chimpanzees were more likely to alarm call to a snake in the presence of unaware than in the presence of aware group members, suggesting that they recognize knowledge and ignorance in others. Furthermore, to share new information with others by means of communication represents a crucial stage in the evolution of language. This study thus suggests that this stage was already present when our common ancestor split off from chimps 6 million years ago.

The ability to recognize another individuals' knowledge and beliefs may be unique to humankind. Tests of a "theory of mind" in animals have been mainly conducted in captivity and have yielded conflicting results: Some non-human primates can read others' intentions and know what others see, but they may not understand that, in others, perception can lead to knowledge. When there are negative results, however, the question remains whether chimpanzees really cannot do the task or whether they simply do not understand it. "The advantage of addressing these questions in wild chimpanzees is that they are simply doing what they always do in an ecologically relevant setting", says Catherine Crockford, a researcher at the University of St. Andrews.

Catherine Crockford, Roman Wittig and colleagues set up a study with wild chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Uganda. They presented them with models of dangerous venomous snakes, two gaboon vipers and one rhinoceros viper. "As these highly camouflaged snakes sit in one place for weeks, it pays for the chimp who discovers it to inform other community members about the danger", says Crockford.

The researchers have monitored the behavior of 33 different chimpanzees, who saw one of three snake models and found that alarm calls were produced more when the caller was with group members who had either not seen the snake or had not been present when alarm calls were emitted. "Chimpanzees really seem to take another's knowledge state into account and voluntarily produce a warning call to inform the others of a danger that they [the others] do not know about", says Roman Wittig of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of St. Andrews. "In contrast, chimpanzees were less likely to inform audience members who already know about the danger."

This study shows that these are not only intentionally produced alert calls, but that they are produced more when the audience is ignorant of the danger. "It is as if the chimpanzees really understand that they know something the audience does not AND they understand that by producing a specific vocalization they can provide the audience with that information", concludes Wittig. Some scientists suggest that providing group members with missing information by means of communication is a crucial stage in the evolution of language: why inform audience members if you do not realize they need the information? Until now it was not clear at what point in hominoid or hominid evolution this stage evolved. It has been assumed that it was more likely to be during hominid evolution. This study suggests, however, that it was already present when our common ancestor split off from chimps 6 million years ago.

###

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 29-Dec-2011
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Roman M. Wittig
wittig@eva.mpg.de
49-034-135-50204
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

This release is available in German.

Many animals produce alarm calls to predators, and do this more often when kin or mates are present than other audience members. So far, however, there has been no evidence that they take the other group members' knowledge state into account. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and the University of St. Andrews, Great Britain, set up a study with wild chimpanzees in Uganda and found that chimpanzees were more likely to alarm call to a snake in the presence of unaware than in the presence of aware group members, suggesting that they recognize knowledge and ignorance in others. Furthermore, to share new information with others by means of communication represents a crucial stage in the evolution of language. This study thus suggests that this stage was already present when our common ancestor split off from chimps 6 million years ago.

The ability to recognize another individuals' knowledge and beliefs may be unique to humankind. Tests of a "theory of mind" in animals have been mainly conducted in captivity and have yielded conflicting results: Some non-human primates can read others' intentions and know what others see, but they may not understand that, in others, perception can lead to knowledge. When there are negative results, however, the question remains whether chimpanzees really cannot do the task or whether they simply do not understand it. "The advantage of addressing these questions in wild chimpanzees is that they are simply doing what they always do in an ecologically relevant setting", says Catherine Crockford, a researcher at the University of St. Andrews.

Catherine Crockford, Roman Wittig and colleagues set up a study with wild chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Uganda. They presented them with models of dangerous venomous snakes, two gaboon vipers and one rhinoceros viper. "As these highly camouflaged snakes sit in one place for weeks, it pays for the chimp who discovers it to inform other community members about the danger", says Crockford.

The researchers have monitored the behavior of 33 different chimpanzees, who saw one of three snake models and found that alarm calls were produced more when the caller was with group members who had either not seen the snake or had not been present when alarm calls were emitted. "Chimpanzees really seem to take another's knowledge state into account and voluntarily produce a warning call to inform the others of a danger that they [the others] do not know about", says Roman Wittig of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of St. Andrews. "In contrast, chimpanzees were less likely to inform audience members who already know about the danger."

This study shows that these are not only intentionally produced alert calls, but that they are produced more when the audience is ignorant of the danger. "It is as if the chimpanzees really understand that they know something the audience does not AND they understand that by producing a specific vocalization they can provide the audience with that information", concludes Wittig. Some scientists suggest that providing group members with missing information by means of communication is a crucial stage in the evolution of language: why inform audience members if you do not realize they need the information? Until now it was not clear at what point in hominoid or hominid evolution this stage evolved. It has been assumed that it was more likely to be during hominid evolution. This study suggests, however, that it was already present when our common ancestor split off from chimps 6 million years ago.

###

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/m-iks122911.php

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NKorea calls Kim Jong Un 'supreme leader' (AP)

PYONGYANG, North Korea ? North Korea declared Kim Jong Il's son and successor "supreme leader" of the ruling party, military and the people during a memorial Thursday for his father in the government's first public endorsement of his leadership.

Kim Jong Un ? head bowed and somber in a dark overcoat ? stood watching from a balcony at the Grand People's Study House overlooking Kim Il Sung Square, flanked by the top party and military officials. Also on the balcony was Kim Jong Il's younger sister, Kim Kyong Hui, who is expected to play a guardian role for her young nephew.

Given Kim Jong Un's inexperience and age ? he is in his late 20s ? there are questions outside North Korea about whether he is equipped to lead a nation engaged in sensitive negotiations over its nuclear program and grappling with decades of economic hardship and chronic food shortages.

But support among North Korea's power brokers was unequivocal at the memorial service, attended by hundreds of thousands of people filling Kim Il Sung Square and other plazas in central Pyongyang.

"The fact that he completely resolved the succession matter is Great Comrade Kim Jong Il's most noble achievement," Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, told the massive audience at the Kim Il Sung Square.

"Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un is our party, military and country's supreme leader who inherits great comrade Kim Jong Il's ideology, leadership, character, virtues, grit and courage," said Kim, considered North Korea's ceremonial head of state.

Life in Pyongyang came to a standstill as mourners packed the plaza from the Grand People's Study to the Taedong River for the second day of funeral ceremonies for the late leader.

Kim Jong Il, who led his 24 million people with absolute power for 17 years, died of a heart attack Dec. 17 at age 69, according to state media. He inherited power from his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, who died of a heart attack in 1994, in what was the communist world's first hereditary succession.

Attention turned to Kim Jong Un after he was revealed last year as his father's choice among three sons to carry the Kim dynasty into a third generation.

The process to groom him was rushed compared to the 20 years Kim Jong Il had to prepare to take over from his father, and relied heavily on Kim family legacy as guerrilla fighters and the nation's founders.

Kim Jong Un was made a four-star general last year and appointed a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party. Since his father's death, state media have bestowed on him a series of new titles signifying that his succession campaign was gaining momentum: Great Successor, Supreme Leader and Sagacious Leader.

Kim Jong Un's leadership is not expected to become formal until top party, parliamentary and government representatives convene to confirm his ascension.

He is expected to formally assume command of the 1.2 million-strong military, and become general secretary of the Workers' Party and chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, said Yoo Ho-yeol, a professor at Korea University in South Korea.

In a speech during the memorial, Gen. Kim Jong Gak, a top political officer in the Korean People's Army, said the military will dedicate itself to protecting Kim Jong Un, calling him the "supreme leader of our revolutionary armed forces."

This week's events have been watched closely for clues to who in the military and Workers' Party will form Kim's inner circle of trusted aides during the sensitive transition to leadership.

During the mourning period, Kim made at least five visits to his father's begonia-bedecked bier when the late leader was lying in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, accompanied at times by the old guard that is expected to support him.

At Wednesday's funeral procession, he was accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law and a vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission, who has family ties to the military and is expected to be crucial in giving his nephew guidance.

On Thursday, North Koreans packed the main square as well as the plaza in front of a Workers' Party monument of a hammer, sickle and writing brush.

They bowed their heads as eight artillery guns fired; military officers removed their hats while the booms resonated across the square.

North Korea's senior officials, including Kim Jong Il's sister, Kim Kyong Hui, stood in silence on the platform during the gun salute.

Workers, citizens, children and soldiers across the country then bowed for three minutes of tribute to Kim Jong Il as trains and boats blew their sirens.

State TV showed people lined up neatly in rows, or outside their places of work, on sidewalks, in squares, beneath giant portraits of Kim Jong Il.

His two other sons, Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Chol, were not spotted at either the funeral or memorial.

___

Associated Press Korea bureau chief Jean H. Lee and writers Hyung-jin Kim, Foster Klug and Sam Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. Follow AP's North Korea coverage at twitter.com/newsjean, twitter.com/APKlug and twitter.com/samkim_ap.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111229/ap_on_re_as/as_kim_jong_il_the_funeral

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Why Google Just Can't Quit the Muppets

It?s no longer news when the company that once famously refused to run commercials does so ? another sign of conventionality in the company that?promised not to be conventional?? but it is still rare enough to be worthy of analysis.

Above is the Google holiday commercial, where the Muppets do a Google+ Hangout.

You get a sense of Google?s strategic priorities by seeing that it?s spending millions to promote Google+. The war for personal information is crucial to Google, and it?s the impetus behind Google+, as I?ve written?here. Further information comes in a follow-up interview with?Bradley Horowitz,?a co-leader of the project.

You get a sense of what works well in Google+ by noting that the focus of the ad is?Hangouts, a relatively late addition to Google+ that has helped hone its purpose. It?s a cool feature, but also makes a statement: This product is about what?s happening now. Google is well-placed to be a leader in real-time presence, and merging group chat into a social experience has been a win.

But there?s another message, too. You get a sense of Google?s culture ? and who the people of Google are ? by the choice of the?Muppets?as the stars of the commercial. Muppets are central to the lives of Googlers. The vast majority of Googlers are people in their twenties and thirties who have completed the perilous obstacle course of the meritocracy, probably starting when their ambitious parents plucked them in front of the telly to absorb the lessons of Big Bird and Count Von Count. (My bet is that many of those parents were otherwise parsimonious with tube time.) Along with the lessons, they bonded with the puppets, much as toddlers get fixated on blankies and stuffed animals.

As a result, even the most math-geeky Googlers kind of melt at the sight of Miss Piggy. It?s not even too much of a stretch to claim that the do-goody ethic of Sesame Street was the forerunner of Don?t Be Evil.

The Muppets keep popping up at the Googleplex. Google?s very first paid employee, Craig Silverstein, was the founder of the internet group??rec.arts.henson+muppets

One of the languages included in?Google?s translation program?is the weird (?bork, bork, pork!?) pidgin of the Swedish Chef from the Muppets Show.

According to Doug Edwards (in his memoir?I?m Feeling Lucky)?in Google?s early days, the most important chart on the internal web site was the measure of search quality of various engines. Each line on the chart (representing the effectiveness of a given company in delivering results) was labeled by a Muppet character. Google?s label for itself was ?The Great Gonzo.?

Continue reading ?Why Google Just Can?t Quit the Muppets? ?

Pages: 1 2 View All

Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r5668966095

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Mike Munchak Not Interested in Coaching Penn State Football

Jim Wyatt The Tennessean

2:35 p.m. EST, December 28, 2011

Titans Coach Mike Munchak has quashed the rumors about him bolting for Penn State, and he hopes it will be the last time the subject comes up.

"I love my alma mater, but I have no interest in being the head coach at Penn State," Munchak told The Tennessean this morning. "I never want to leave Tennessee. I have a great deal of respect for Penn State and I hope they find a great coach there. But I am happy where I'm at."

It's not the first time Munchak has addressed speculation about Penn State, yet it intensified on Tuesday when several outlets in Pennsylvania reported he remained on the top of the list to replace the fired Joe Paterno.

For more on the story click here.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Wpmt-MorningNews/~3/sgK9nxa2mBg/wpmt-munchak-says-no,0,6957105.story

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Preventive care: It's free, except when it's not

In this photo taken Dec. 2, 2011, Bill Dunphy poses for a photo in Phoenix. Dunphy, a 61-year-old small business owner, thought his colonoscopy would be free under the nation's year-old health care law. But when the doctor removed two non-cancerous polyps, turning a preventive screening into a diagnostic procedure, it allowed his insurance company to bill him $1,100. "That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

In this photo taken Dec. 2, 2011, Bill Dunphy poses for a photo in Phoenix. Dunphy, a 61-year-old small business owner, thought his colonoscopy would be free under the nation's year-old health care law. But when the doctor removed two non-cancerous polyps, turning a preventive screening into a diagnostic procedure, it allowed his insurance company to bill him $1,100. "That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

In this photo taken Dec. 2, 2011, Bill Dunphy poses for a photo in Phoenix. Dunphy, a 61-year-old small business owner, thought his colonoscopy would be free under the nation's year-old health care law. But when the doctor removed two non-cancerous polyps, turning a preventive screening into a diagnostic procedure, it allowed his insurance company to bill him $1,100. "That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

In this photo taken Dec. 2, 2011, Bill Dunphy poses for a photo in Phoenix. Dunphy, a 61-year-old small business owner, thought his colonoscopy would be free under the nation's year-old health care law. But when the doctor removed two non-cancerous polyps, turning a preventive screening into a diagnostic procedure, it allowed his insurance company to bill him $1,100. "That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

In this photo taken Dec. 2, 2011, Bill Dunphy poses for a photo in Phoenix. Dunphy, a 61-year-old small business owner, thought his colonoscopy would be free under the nation's year-old health care law. But when the doctor removed two non-cancerous polyps, turning a preventive screening into a diagnostic procedure, it allowed his insurance company to bill him $1,100. "That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

CHICAGO (AP) ? Bill Dunphy thought his colonoscopy would be free.

His insurance company told him it would be covered 100 percent, with no copayment from him and no charge against his deductible. The nation's 1-year-old health law requires most insurance plans to cover all costs for preventive care including colon cancer screening. So Dunphy had the procedure in April.

Then the bill arrived: $1,100.

Dunphy, a 61-year-old Phoenix small business owner, angrily paid it out of his own pocket because of what some prevention advocates call a loophole. His doctor removed two noncancerous polyps during the colonoscopy. So while Dunphy was sedated, his preventive screening turned into a diagnostic procedure. That allowed his insurance company to bill him.

Like many Americans, Dunphy has a high-deductible insurance plan. He hadn't spent his deductible yet. So, on top of his $400 monthly premium, he had to pay the bill.

"That's bait and switch," Dunphy said. "If it isn't fraud, it's immoral."

President Barack Obama's health overhaul encourages prevention by requiring most insurance plans to pay for preventive care. On the plus side, more than 22 million Medicare patients and many more Americans with private insurance have received one or more free covered preventive services this year. From cancer screenings to flu shots, many services no longer cost patients money.

But there are confusing exceptions. As Dunphy found out, colonoscopies can go from free to pricey while the patient is under anesthesia.

Breast cancer screenings can cause confusion too. In Florida, Tampa Bay-area small business owner Dawn Thomas, 50, went for a screening mammogram. But she was told by hospital staff that her mammogram would be a diagnostic test ? not preventive screening ? because a previous mammogram had found something suspicious. (It turned out to be nothing.)

Knowing that would cost her $700, and knowing her doctor had ordered a screening mammogram, Thomas stood her ground.

"Either I get a screening today or I'm putting my clothes back on and I'm leaving," she remembers telling the hospital staff. It worked. Her mammogram was counted as preventive and she got it for free.

"A lot of women ... are getting labeled with that diagnostic code and having to pay year after year for that," Thomas said. "It's a loophole so insurance companies don't have to pay for it."

For parents with several children, costs can pile up with unexpected copays for kids needing shots. Even when copays are inexpensive, they can blemish a patient-doctor relationship. Robin Brassner of Jersey City, N.J., expected her doctor visit to be free. All she wanted was a flu shot. But the doctor charged her a $20 copay.

"He said no one really comes in for just a flu shot. They inevitably mention another ailment, so he charges," Brassner said. As a new patient, she didn't want to start the relationship by complaining, but she left feeling irritated. "Next time, I'll be a little more assertive about it," she said.

How confused are doctors?

"Extremely," said Cheryl Gregg Fahrenholz, an Ohio consultant who works with physicians. It's common for doctors to deal with 200 different insurance plans. And some older plans are exempt.

Should insurance now pay for aspirin? Aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke is one of the covered services for older patients. But it's unclear whether insurers are supposed to pay only for doctors to tell older patients about aspirin ? or whether they're supposed to pay for the aspirin itself, said Dr. Jason Spangler, chief medical officer for the nonpartisan Partnership for Prevention.

Stop-smoking interventions are also supposed to be free. "But what does that mean?" Spangler asked. "Does it mean counseling? Nicotine replacement therapy? What about drugs (that can help smokers quit) like Wellbutrin or Chantix? That hasn't been clearly laid out."

But the greatest source of confusion is colonoscopies, a test for the nation's second leading cancer killer. Doctors use a thin, flexible tube to scan the colon and they can remove precancerous growths called polyps at the same time. The test gets credit for lowering colorectal cancer rates. It's one of several colon cancer screening methods highly recommended for adults ages 50 to 75.

But when a doctor screens and treats at the same time, the patient could get a surprise bill.

"It erodes a trust relationship the patients may have had with their doctors," said Dr. Joel Brill of the American Gastroenterological Association. "We get blamed. And it's not our fault,"

Cindy Holtzman, an insurance agent in Marietta, Ga., is telling clients to check with their insurance plans before a colonoscopy so they know what to expect.

"You could wake up with a $2,000 bill because they find that little bitty polyp," Holtzman said.

Doctors and prevention advocates are asking Congress to revise the law to waive patient costs ? including Medicare copays, which can run up to $230 ? for a screening colonoscopy where polyps are removed. The American Gastroenterological Association and the American Cancer Society are pushing Congress fix the problem because of the confusion it's causing for patients and doctors.

At least one state is taking action. After complaints piled up in Oregon, insurance regulators now are working with doctors and insurers to make sure patients aren't getting surprise charges when polyps are removed.

Florida's consumer services office also reports complaints about colonoscopies and other preventive care. California insurance broker Bonnie Milani said she's lost count of the complaints she's had about bills clients have received for preventive services.

"'Confusion' is not the word I'd apply to the medical offices producing the bills," Milani said. "The word that comes to mind for me ain't nearly so nice."

When it's working as intended, the new health law encourages more patients to get preventive care. Dr. Yul Ejnes, a Rhode Island physician, said he's personally told patients with high deductible plans about the benefit. They weren't planning to schedule a colonoscopy until they heard it would be free, Ejnes said.

If too many patients get surprise bills, however, that advantage could be lost, said Stephen Finan of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. He said it will take federal or state legislation to fix the colonoscopy loophole.

Dunphy, the Phoenix businessman, recalled how he felt when he got his colonoscopy bill, like something "underhanded" was going on.

"It's the intent of the law is to cover this stuff," Dunphy said. "It really made me angry."

___

AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/CarlaKJohnson

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2011-12-28-Preventive%20Care%20Confusion/id-d6422fd2695c4d31887f97373f292a1b

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Australia beat India at the MCG by 122 runs

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 9:28 AM on 29th December 2011

Australia's pace attack produced a bowling display reminiscent of the side's era of dominance as they swept India aside to secure a 122-run victory in the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The performances of Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle carried shades of Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath in their pomp, as the tourists fell some way short of the 292 they had been set to win.

The quick trio bowled with tremendous accuracy throughout a devastating 47.5-over innings that spanned all three sessions on the fourth day, with Pattinson, who took four for 53, narrowly shading the honours.

Aussie rules: The hosts celebrate their 122-run win over India at the MCG

But despite the 21-year-old rising star taking the most wickets, it was a collective effort that saw the Baggy Green across the finish line, with the three-pronged attack showing enough to suggest they can spearhead a bid to return to the top of the Test rankings - something that was taken for granted by Australians for almost a decade.

India had occupied that position until their whitewash in England earlier this summer and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side again showed worrying signs overseas.

Dhoni said afterwards: 'I think they bowled a really good line close to that off-stump area... I think the length and line they bowled was very crucial.

'We thought if we could get them out for 240 or 250-odd runs that's a very gettable score, but I felt 290-odd runs was also a score we should have achieved.

'The wicket was pretty good. It's not like there was too much wear and tear in the wicket. I think our batting line flopped in both the innings.

Special delivery: Peter Siddle and the rest of his pace attack ripped through India

In the second innings, we kept falling at regular intervals which meant getting close to 300-odd runs was becoming more and more difficult.'

The tourists were always likely to be up against it chasing what was a fourth-highest MCG winning total, but their mindset could have been so different had they not allowed Pattinson and Hilfenhaus to take them on with the bat.

When Mike Hussey, who should have been given out when he edged Umesh Yadav behind, was snared by Zaheer Khan for 88, the margin was 249 but, 10 overs of improvised batting from the bowlers later, it was 43 runs greater.

Hilfenhaus fell to Ishant Sharma for 14 and then delivered with the ball in a nine-over spell before lunch, getting one to climb on Virender Sehwag who could only find Hussey in the gully.

India returned after lunch on 24 for one, but by the time they were back in the pavilion for tea, the score was 117 for six as Australia dominated a stunning middle session.

First an out-of-form Gautam Ghambir was tied in knots by Siddle - surviving twice in one over - before diverting an almost unplayable delivery from the same bowler into the hands of Ricky Ponting at second slip.

That brought Sachin Tendulkar to the crease - the master batsman still chasing an elusive 100th international ton - and even he showed signs of pressure as he narrowly avoided a run out from the arm of David Warner.

He had another elder statesman, Rahul Dravid, for company, but that did not last long as 'The Wall' misread one from Patterson and lost his middle stump for 10.

Making a stand: Not even Virender Sehwag could stop his team's slide

The same bowler then got rid of VVS Laxman, who failed to spot Ed Cowan lurking at square leg when he flicked one off his legs and, when Hilfenhaus, who took two for 39, trapped Virat Kohli in front for a golden duck, India were sinking fast at 69 for five.

That quickly became 81 for six as Siddle, with the first ball of his second spell, got one to grow on Tendulkar who gave Hussey an easy catch in the gully.

Dhoni and R Ashwin then had a swinging session leading in to tea, but the latter fell just after it for 30, gloving a climber from Siddle (three for 42) to Cowan who had come in to short square leg.

Taking the plaudits: James Pattinson continued his rapid rise with four wickets

Zaheer Khan decided to have some fun and clubbed Pattinson for six but paid with the very next ball, walking across his stumps to try and hit the 21-year-old out of the ground but only serving to fudge one to the ever-alert Cowan.

Dhoni (23) then lost his off stump to Pattinson as India fell apart at nine for 142 and, although Yadav had a late slog, he perished on 21 when he took on spinner Nathan Lyon and was caught out by a sprinting Warner on the boundary to wrap things up.

?

?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dailymail/sport/~3/Sz4xxnTkE8s/Australia-beat-India-MCG-122-runs.html

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Full Circle (talking-points-memo)

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Russia Replaces Head Of Military Spy Agency

Monday 26th December, 2011

Russia Replaces Head Of Military Spy Agency ??

---

?????Monday 26th December, 2011??Source: Spero News ??

Russia has replaced the head of its military intelligence organization, according to a Defense Ministry statement. A ministry spokesman said that "Major General Igor Sergun has been appointed the head of the GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) through a Kremlin decree." Sergun replaces Aleksandr Shlyakhturov, who had spearheaded a shake-up of...

Breaking News Monday 26th December, 2011

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Sony unveils North American PS Vita launch titles, pricing

Sony unveils North American PS Vita launch titles, pricing

DVDBack23 @ Dec 23, 2011 18:14 | 3 comments

Sony has revealed all of the PS Vita's launch titles for when it hits Canada and the U.S. on February 22nd.

The games will cost $10 to $50 although the company has not put specific price tags on each game, yet. PSN downloads are expected to be on the lower range, while games like uncharted are expected to be the very high end.

Sony's own titles include:

Escape Plan (PSN Only)

Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational

Hustle Kings (PSN Only)

Little Deviants

ModNation Racers: Road Trip

Super StarDust Delta (PSN Only)

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

wipEout 2048

Titles from third-party developers:

Army Corps of Hell

Asphalt Injection

Ben 10 Galactic Racing

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend

Dungeon Hunter Alliance

Dynasty Warriors Next

F1 2011

EA Sports FIFA Soccer

Lumines Electronic Symphony

Michael Jackson: The Experience

Plants vs. Zombies (PSN Only)

Rayman Origins

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen

Tales of Space: Mutant Blobs (PSN Only)

Touch My Katamari

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition

Additionally, the company has revealed their "release window" games, which will likely be available for the handheld console within 6 months:

Gravity Rush

MLB 12 The Show

Reality Fighters

Unit 13

Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention

Ninja Gaiden Plus

Ridge Racer

Silen Hill Book of Memories

Supremacy MM: Unrestricted

Finally, the company has officially confirmed the prices of its memory cards. The memory cards are required to save games or use PSN downloads:

4 GB Memory Card $19.99

8 GB Memory Card $29.99

16 GB Memory Card $59.99

32 GB Memory Card $99.99

Source: http://www.blasteroids.com/news/news_item.cfm/33441

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GeorgeJulian: @jaxrafferty I have gone off tweet deck since got iPad / find the twitter app much easier, and use same on iPhone. Enjoy.

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@jaxrafferty I have gone off tweet deck since got iPad / find the twitter app much easier, and use same on iPhone. Enjoy. Il y a environ 4 heures via Twitter for iPhone en r?ponse ? jaxrafferty

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InstaPad: The Instagram Browser For iPad ? Download Now!

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With the rising popularity of social media platforms, it should come as no surprise that some of the most downloaded applications on handheld devices are both the official and unofficial mobile versions of the social networking sites. Popular services such as Facebook and Twitter have countless third party applications in the App Store, and when it comes to Twitter; the third party iterations are generally favored over the official offering due to their more intuitive interfaces and extended functionality.

If you are a regular user of the Twitter social network, you will notice that people in your timeline generally make use Instagram as a photograph sharing service, especially if the people you follow are iPhone users as Instagram is still an iOS exclusive service. One of the reasons Instagram has been so widely adopted and highly thought of is due to the emotional response that the sharing of precious moments invokes within people.

Red Foundry Inc. have realized the popularity of the Instagram network and have developed an unofficial application designed to allow users to browse through uploaded photographs in a beautiful interface. The application is called InstaPad and offers a multitude of features which are sure to please even the hardcore Instagram fans.

So what exactly can you expect from the InstaPad iPad application? The user interface is definitely the first part of the app that the user will notice. It is evident that a lot of design work has been put into InstaPad and this shows in a well crafted, intuitive application front end.

Upon launch of InstaPad you are prompted to log in using a valid Instagram account which then gives allows full access to the application. After a successful log in, users can browser through popular photographs which are presented in a beautiful grid like interface which displays the posting user name and the expected like and comment boxes.

As expected, familiar features exist within InstaPad including the ability to browse through galleries posted by users that you follow on the network along with being able to like, comment on, and mark photographs as favorite for later viewing. When viewing the application, your logged in username appears in the top right hand corner of the display. Tapping this username allows users to view the entire photo stream of images that they have uploaded, viewing comments and all associated information.

After using InstaPad you get the feeling that the developers have placed a large amount of work on implementing an eye catching, beautiful design. One of the negatives is the immediate laggy feeling surround the interface of InstaPad. Scrolling through photographs seems to be a labored affair, and saying as that is the apps primary function it is definitely something that will need to be addressed by Red Foundry.

Download InstaPad for iPad [iTunes link]

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Happy Holidays from The Gadgeteer

Whether you’ll be sipping egg nog, watching holiday movies, putting together an eleventy billion piece LEGO set that Santa brought, or just kicking back with family and friends, I hope everyone has a wonderful relaxing day today. If you were fortunate enough to receive some nifty gadgeteer worthy gifts, please share the news so that [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/12/25/happy-holidays-from-the-gadgeteer-3/

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Looking For: Galaxy Nexus for iPhone 4 (rogers) + Cash

HowardForums is a discussion board dedicated to mobile phones with over 1,000,000 members and growing!

For your convenience HowardForums is divided into 7 main sections; marketplace, phone manufacturers, carriers, smartphones/PDAs, general phone discussion, buy sell trade and general discussions. Just scroll down to see them!

Only registered members may post questions, contact other members or search our database of over 8 million posts. Why don't you join us today!

If you have time check out our sister site: Niknon.com - a forum about Digital Photography.

Source: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1749621-Galaxy-Nexus-for-iPhone-4-(rogers)-Cash?goto=newpost

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Betsy_RSHC: Today's News:Bristol best in 2011,War on cancer is 40,Deadly flu debate continues,Tough policy year for pharma in Indiahttp://ow.ly/8aZEV

Today's News:Bristol best in 2011,War on cancer is 40,Deadly flu debate continues,Tough policy year for pharma in Indiahttp://ow.ly/8aZEV Il y a environ 2 heures via HootSuite

Source: http://twitter.com/Betsy_RSHC/statuses/151644017522769920

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vtdnews: All-County Football: Coach of the Year http://t.co/U3VyD4br

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All-County Football: Coach of the Year vtd-tar.co/tZ1yF2 Il y a environ 3 heures via twitterfeed

vtdnews

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Will retail campaigning help 'the others' rise? (AP)

DeWITT, Iowa ? Rick Perry drew standing-room-only crowds. Michele Bachmann lost her voice. Rick Santorum made a duel pitch _for votes and cash.

And all mixed serious policy talk with everyday chit-chat while doggedly, if not desperately, traveling the state, from Dubuque in the east to Council Bluffs in the west and back again in their individual quests for late-game surges in the Republican presidential race.

Running behind in the polls ahead of the Jan. 3, Iowa caucuses, this trio of conservatives campaigned the old-fashioned way, in town squares, coffee shops and community centers, with routes so well-trodden that they sometimes came within hours of crossing paths in the same city.

"I grew up with snow. I grew up a little farther north than most people realize," Perry told one packed diner here as snow began falling outside ? a Texas governor with a Southern drawl trying to connect with Midwesterners who craned their necks to snap pictures of him. He wandered through the Whisk Away Cafe to talk economics with patrons eating chicken and dumplings. Later, he walked through town and ducked into a barbershop to laugh it up with retired veterans in for a trim.

Hours after that, Bachmann was the center of attention in this eastern Iowa town, speaking to county Republicans at a community center and reminding them, as she does often, that she spent her childhood in Iowa. "This election is our last chance," the Minnesota congresswoman said, delivering a sober message in a raspy voice after shaking every voter's hand. "We cannot afford to get this election wrong. This is our exit ramp."

Bachmann and Perry each logged more than 1,000 miles last week aboard campaign buses that made stops at gas stations and catering companies, sports bars and churches. Santorum, who visited each of the state's 99 counties on his own tour earlier this year, is spending the run-up to the caucuses returning to many of those places.

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery," Santorum said, poking at Perry and Bachmann.

The three ? their presidential candidacies likely come down to strong finishes in Iowa_ are betting that Republicans here will reward them for engaging in the hand-to-hand, retail campaigning that Iowans typically demand of White House hopefuls. The leading contenders in polls ? Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul ? have simply bopped into the state on occasion to woo voters rather than planting themselves in the state.

To varying degrees, Romney, Gingrich and Paul have chosen to compete primarily through TV advertising, nationally televised debates and interviews on media outlets like Fox News Channel. And that strategy has seemed to pay off for them; they are clustered at the top of the GOP field ? at least for now.

Little more than a week before the caucuses, the race in Iowa is arguably any candidate's to win given that polls show that many likely caucus-goers are still undecided or willing to change their minds. So, it's not out of the realm of possibility that someone other than those three could get first, second or third place in the caucuses that typically winnow the presidential field ahead of the next-up New Hampshire primary.

To be sure, time is short for them to rise. And, for Bachmann and Santorum at least, money is, too.

Among the trio, Perry is the only one with the cash to run ads ? $4.4 million so far on the air here. Santorum, by contrast, has aired his first TV ad just twice so far for about $24,000, and just rolled out his second spot Friday. And the cash-strapped Bachmann is only just now starting to run radio and TV commercials in the homestretch, her first since before her August straw poll victory in Iowa. In them, she stresses her Christian values and that she's "an Iowa girl from Waterloo." The TV ads offer testimonials from voters she encountered so far on her 99-county tour. Until now, she'd largely been relying on constant interviews with national broadcast outlets to reach voters.

Given the time and money constraints, the candidates have little choice but to canvass Iowa's small towns to find votes with old-school persuasion ? and hope for the best.

Pack a bed and breakfast's living room for a rousing indictment of Washington? Perry is the guy to do it, even though his message isn't breaking through. Pose for pictures at a rest stop? Bachmann does it, even though only a dozen fans show up and she's there just minutes. Challenge Iowans on their knowledge of home-state trivia? Santorum is on it.

The schedules are tough.

In one day, Bachmann made 10 stops ? and a primetime appearance on Fox News Channel.

The voters are skeptical.

Dale Peters, a retiree, followed Perry from business to business hoping to hear him speak and was disappointed, complaining: "Is he going to do anything other than shake hands? People want to hear him, not just see him. So far, all he's done is smile."

For all three, the plea is the same in the closing days of the Iowa caucuses. And it's a humbling one.

"Don't defer to national polls or pundits," Santorum told supporters in an Iowa City living room. And Bachmann told the parents of high school students: "I need your support on Jan. 3 ... We are really going to surprise the nation on Jan. 3, Iowa."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politics/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111224/ap_on_el_pr/us_republicans_the_others

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Seeking moderator for an automotive forum. | Articles | Copywriting ...

• Project ID:

  1355180

• Project Type:

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• Budget:

  $750-$1500 USD
  

Project Description:

I seek a moderator for an automotive forum http://tiny.cc/5appf

I?m ready to pay $50 per month for your good work. Evaluation period is one month. I?m going to divide the forum into several parts and give a try to several bidders. After evaluation period (one month) expires, the only one will be chosen. Let the strongest win! Evaluation period will be paid to the person that will win.

Moderator responsibilities include:

On a daily basis keep making new quality posts which encourage users to reply that and make your contribution in user?s started thread. ? the forum has lots of unanswered threads - you should check for such threads on a daily basis and post answers (using different usernames) ? you could find answers using google etc.

Review new threads and posts, and post comments (using different usernames).

Periodically scan the forum for ?moderated? threads or posts, and take appropriate action (e.g., approve, disapprove, delete, etc.).

Prevent the use of rude or inappropriate language and the display of unprofessional behavior towards another member.

Prevent the discussion of an inappropriate topics, such as politics, religion, cultural heritage.

Monitor the forum for abusive posts, unauthorized spam or advertisements, and any other violations of the forum rules and edit or delete posts that violate these rules.

Keep in touch with Admin and send him a detailed report about your activity (how many posts you made and where, how many and which unanswered threads you answered etc.)

The main aim of a moderator is to show visitors that a forum is really active.

Skills required:

Articles, Copywriting, Customer Support, Forum Posting, Web Search

Source: http://www.freelancer.com/projects/Copywriting-Customer-Support/Seeking-moderator-for-automotive-forum.html

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StCyrlyMe2: #EdShow YourRight Ed #GOP will run on the WeJustGot2Get #Obama OutOfOffice TheySoDumb TheyDon'tRemember #Bush Yrs #p2 #dems #politics #naacp

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#EdShow YourRight Ed #GOP will run on the WeJustGot2Get #Obama OutOfOffice TheySoDumb TheyDon'tRemember #Bush Yrs #p2 #dems #politics #naacp Il y a environ 5 heures via web from Henderson, NV

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PFT: Vikings will take 'hard look' at Webb at QB

AP

Eighteen games remain in the 2011 NFL season: Bears-Packers tonight, Falcons-Saints tomorrow and 16 games on New Year?s Day. Here?s a rundown of how each team still in contention can have its playoff position affected by the results of those 18 games:

Patriots: Clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating Buffalo or by having both the Ravens and Steelers lose.

Ravens: Clinch the AFC North and a first-round bye with a win or a Steelers loss. Clinch home-field advantage with a win and a Patriots loss.

Steelers: Clinch the AFC North with a win and a Ravens loss. Clinch home-field advantage with a win, a Ravens loss and a Patriots loss.

Texans: Locked into the AFC No. 3 seed. Week 17 is meaningless to Houston, and the Texans may rest many of their key players.

Broncos: Clinch the AFC West and the No. 4 seed by beating the Chiefs, or a Raiders loss.

Raiders: Clinch the AFC West and the No. 4 seed by beating the Chargers and a Broncos loss. If the Broncos win, the Raiders can still get a wild card if they win and the Bengals lose, plus either the Titans lose or the Jets win.

Bengals: Clinch a playoff spot and the No. 6 seed if they win, or if the Jets lose and either the Raiders or Broncos lose.

Jets: Get the No. 6 seed if they win and the Bengals and Titans and either the Raiders or Broncos lose.

Titans: Get the No. 6 seed if they win and the Bengals lose, plus either the Jets win and the Broncos or Raiders lose, or the Jets lose and the Broncos and Raiders both win.

Packers: Clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs if they beat either the Bears tonight or the Lions next week, or if the 49ers lose next week.

49ers: Clinch a first-round bye with a win next week or the Saints losing either on Monday night or next week. The 49ers can still get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they win and the Packers lose to both the Bears and the Lions.

Saints: Clinch the NFC South if they win either of their two remaining games, and they could even clinch the NFC South if they lose both of their remaining games, if the Falcons lose in Week 17. The Saints can?t get home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, but they can get a first-round bye if they win both their remaining games and the 49ers lose next week.

Cowboys/Giants: Next Sunday night?s game is essentially a playoff game: The Cowboys-Giants winner wins the NFC East and is the No. 4 seed, while the loser?s season is over. If the game ends in a tie, the Giants win the division.

Falcons: The Falcons can clinch a playoff spot tonight by the Packers beating the Bears. They need just one more win or one more Chicago loss to get to the playoffs. They could still win the NFC South, but only if they beat the Saints Monday night and win next week, plus the Saints lose next week.

Lions: Detroit is an NFC wild card. Whether they?re the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depends on the results of their own game with the Packers and the Falcons? remaining games.

Bears: Chicago can still make the playoffs, but only if they win both their remaining games and the Falcons lose both their remaining games.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/25/vikings-will-take-hard-look-at-making-webb-quarterback-of-the-future/related/

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Mitt Romney?s Limited Understanding Of ?Jobs?

Mitt Romney seems to think his strongest issue in a general-election race against President Obama is jobs. I?d argue he has that backwards.

In an interview with TIME Magazine?s Mark Halperin, Romney said, ?I know that the Democrats will try and make this a campaign about Bain Capital?. 25 million people are out of work because of Barack Obama. And so I?ll compare my experience in the private sector where, net-net, we created over 100,000 jobs.?

?I?ll compare that record with his record, where he has not created any new jobs.?

This detachment from reality fascinates me, so let?s unwrap the argument.

First, the confused former governor believes 25 million people are out of work ?because of Barack Obama.? If Romney can explain why Obama is to blame for a recession that began in 2007, I?d love to hear it. For that matter, the economy lost 3.6 million jobs in 2008 ? the year before the president took office. How exactly is Obama responsible for that, too?

Second, Romney now claims to have created ?over 100,000 jobs? at his vulture-capitalist firm. Romney also appears to have made this number up out of whole cloth. Indeed, two weeks ago, when Romney?s Super PAC ran an ad claiming he ?helped create thousands of jobs? as CEO at Bain, Super PAC officials were asked to back that up with evidence. They refused.

Third, it?s remarkable that Romney is only willing to compare his ?experience in the private sector.? What about when Romney was willing to put his experience to work in the public sector, during his one term as governor of Massachusetts? Romney doesn?t want to talk about it for a reason ? his state?s record on job creation was ?one of the worst in the country,? ranking 47th out of 50 states in job growth. It?s one of the reasons Romney left office after one term deeply unpopular, and why his former constituents don?t want him near the White House.

And fourth, Obama ?has not created any new jobs?? The ease with which Romney lies continues to be disconcerting.

With one month remaining this year, the U.S. private sector has now added 1.67 million jobs in 2011, well ahead of last year?s private-sector total of 1.2 million, and the best year for businesses since 2006. Since March 2010, American businesses have created 2.9 million jobs.

I?d encourage Romney to consider this chart showing private-sector job growth by month since the Great Recession began?

?and this chart showing private-sector job growth by year over the last two decades (and 2011 isn?t over yet).

Reporters really need to brush up on this stuff. When Romney lies to their face ? which seems to happen just about every day ? they should be able to push back with reality.

?

By: Steve Benen, Contributing Writer, Washington Monthly Political Animal, December 23, 2011

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December 23, 2011 - Posted by raemd95 | Election 2012, GOP Presidential Candidates, Jobs | Bain Capital, Barack Obama, media, Mitt Romney, Politics

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Source: http://mykeystrokes.com/2011/12/23/mitt-romneys-limited-understanding-of-jobs/

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