Claims Examiner - Workers Compensation - Insurance Claims Jobs

Claims Examiner
Workers Compensation

CLAIM YOUR FUTURE AS A GREAT PERFORMER!

Providing both satisfying and challenging work along with a highly professional and friendly work atmosphere, Sedgwick has a strong commitment to its colleagues and its clients. If you are seeking place where you can do great things for those whose lives you touch while maximizing your own career possibilities, Sedgwick is the place for you. As the largest and most innovative Third Party Administrator in the claims industry and the first and only TPA to receive both recognition as the Best TPA in America and the coveted Employer of Choice designation, we invite you to come be a part of our team and, ?Claim Your Future.?

PRIMARY PURPOSE : To analyze complex or technically difficult claims to determine benefits due; to work with high exposure claims involving litigation and rehabilitation; to ensure ongoing adjudication of claims within service expectations, industry best practices and specific client service requirements; and to identify subrogation of claims and negotiate settlements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyzes and manages complex or technically difficult claims by investigating and gathering information to determine the exposure on the claim; manages claims through well-developed action plans to an appropriate and timely resolution.

Assesses liability and resolves claims within evaluation.

Negotiates settlement of claims within designated authority.

Calculates and assigns timely and appropriate reserves to claims; manages reserve adequacy throughout the life of the claim.

Calculates and pays benefits due; approves and makes timely claim payments and adjustments; and settles clams within designated authority level.

Prepares necessary state fillings within statutory limits.

Manages the litigation process; ensures timely and cost effective claims resolution.

Coordinates vendor referrals for additional investigation and/or litigation management.

Uses appropriate cost containment techniques including strategic vendor partnerships to reduce overall cost of claims for our clients.

Manages claim recoveries, including be not limited to subrogation, Second Injury Fund excess recoveries and Social Security and Medicare offsets.

Reports claims to the excess carrier; responds to requests of directions in a professional and timely manner.

Communicates claim activity and processing with the claimant and the client; maintains professional client relationships.

Ensures claim files are properly documented and claims coding is correct.

Refers cases as appropriate to supervisor and management.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supports the organization's quality program(s).

Travels as required.

QUALIFICATION

Education & Licensing
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university preferred. Professional certification as applicable to line of business preferred. Licenses as required.

Experience
Four (4) years of claims management experience or successful completion of Claims Examiner II training required. BS/BA degree may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

Skills & Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of appropriate insurance principles and laws for line of business handled, recoveries offsets and deductions, claim and disability duration, cost containment principles including medical management practices and Social Security and Medicare application procedure as applicable to line of business
• Excellent oral and written communication, including presentation skills
• PC literate, including Microsoft Office products
• Analytical and interpretive skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to meet or exceed Service Expectations

WORK ENVIRONMENT
When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines

Physical: Computer keyboarding, travel as required

Auditory/Visual: Hearing, vision and talking

NOTE : Credit security clearance, confirmed via a background credit check, is required for this position.

The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Sedgwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer

and a

Drug-Free Workplace

Additional Information: N/A
Requisition #: 11276

Source: http://jobs.insuranceclaimsweb.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=1635&jb=11816854

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Michael Medved: Liberals Stink, Government Sucks, Yay War (Little green footballs)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/273795127?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Re: Man killed in Jersey City Near St. Peters College McGinley Square area. [by MDM]

An unidentified male died after being shot multiple times in Jersey City yesterday evening, Gene Rubino, assistant prosecutor with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, said in a statement.
The man was shot multiple times near Bergen and Kensington avenues in Jersey City around 8 p.m., officials said.

He was transported by ambulance to the Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit and Jersey City Police Department are investigating this fatal shooting, Rubino stated.

No more information was immediately available.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit at (201) 915-1345.
JJ

Source: http://jclist.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=302984

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Woman in custody in NYC subway shoving death

Commuters wait on the platform as a train passes through the 40th St-Lowry St Station, where a man was killed after being pushed onto the subway tracks, in the Queens section of New York, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. Police are searching for a woman suspected of pushing the man and released surveillance video Friday of her running away from the station. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Commuters wait on the platform as a train passes through the 40th St-Lowry St Station, where a man was killed after being pushed onto the subway tracks, in the Queens section of New York, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. Police are searching for a woman suspected of pushing the man and released surveillance video Friday of her running away from the station. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A woman is in custody in the death of a man who was shoved in front of a speeding subway train, and she "made statements implicating herself," New York City police said Saturday.

Detectives questioned her but aren't releasing the 31-year-old suspect's name until she is formally charged, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said in a brief statement. Among other things, investigators were arranging for witnesses to positively identify the woman in custody as the attacker, police said.

Sunando Sen, a 46-year-old Queens resident who was born in India and ran a printing shop, died Thursday night when a woman who had been muttering to herself on a train platform in Queens suddenly knocked him on the tracks as a train entered the station.

The woman fled after the attack. Police released security camera video showing her running from the station.

The attack was the second time this month that someone was pushed to their death in a New York City subway station. A homeless man was arrested in early December and accused of shoving a man in front of a train in Times Square. He is awaiting trial, and claimed he acted in self-defense.

Further details on how police managed to identify the suspect in Sen's death were not immediately available.

Investigators had been following up on tips from people who had seen the security video and were checking homeless shelters and psychiatric units in an attempt to identify the woman.

It was unclear whether she had any connection to Sen. Witnesses told police the two hadn't interacted on the platform as they both waited for the train.

___

Information from: New York Post, http://www.nypost.com

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-29-Subway-Push%20Death/id-f124a9a6ca6941628168dd25e269e986

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Get Better Results When Making Home Improvements By Following ...

TIP! Windows will look much better if worn blinds are replaced. Over time, blinds become faded and shabby from everyday use.

The thought of home renovation frightens many people. As long as you learn before you start, it shouldn?t be scary anymore. Use the tips from this article to complete that project you have been putting off!

TIP! Have a qualified electrician do work such as installing the electrical outlet for microwaves that are above stoves if you want to get the best results. It gives you easy access to plug the microwave in and not have the cord visible.

Personalize your home improvements if you are going to keep living there, but do not make any improvement too distinct from other neighborhood homes. You don?t want the house to stand out so much that it becomes awkward. It will make it much harder to sell your home if you ever decide to.

TIP! How many times have you looked at a house, and thought about how many bathrooms it has and whether or not it would work? One of the most essential things about a household are how many bathrooms it has. You can increase your home?s value significantly by adding one or two bathrooms.

You should use primer before you put glossy paint on the walls. Doing this improves the paint?s ability to stick to the wall, which will prevent the new coat of paint from peeling off the walls. Priming also helps if you are going for a lighter color than what is already on the wall.

TIP! Check the credentials of any professional you employ for any home improvement projects. Make sure the workers have the experience and qualifications to complete your job with the highest quality work.

Consider installing ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are great projects to have. It is also inexpensive and simple to install. Keep your room cool with out air-conditioning and cool it more efficiently when the air-conditioning is on with a ceiling fan and save yourself some money.

TIP! Involving your entire family is a great way to accomplish a home improvement project. Gardening can be a great family activity.

Mounting a coat rack can be a pretty way to display and store your bracelets and necklaces. Only put costume jewelry here, not your prized heirlooms. Hanging your jewelry up improves the decor of a room and has the added benefit of keeping it from getting tangled. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

TIP! Use light colors to create a soothing atmosphere: purple, green or blue often work well. Stick to airy fabrics, like linen and cotton, instead of heavy brocades and dark patterns.

Ensure that you?re being listened to by your contractor. You need a contractor who is both trustworthy and willing to address any concerns that might come up during the course of a project. If a contractor does not listen, they may do something that you told them not to do. Make sure that the contractor listens to everything you have to say.

TIP! When you are involved in a home improvement project, be certain to allot a specific spot for the resulting debris and trash. Removing the materials can be costly, so planning ahead is a great way to realize substantial savings and keep the project moving.

You probably once believed that renovating your home was impossible without the assistance of a contractor. Using the information from this article will allow you to tackle the projects without the expense of the contractor.

By Stephanie Martin

Take Care of Your Property with Our Mold Remediation and Home Reconstruction Services!

Receive effective mold remediation and home construction services from our team in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Martin Home Inspections is proud to provide home restoration, mold remediation, and general contractor services to homeowners and real estate owners. By picking our services, you can impress your neighbors and enhance your property value.

After doing construction work for many other companies, Martin Home Inspections was developed in 2008 to provide excellent home rehabilitation services to the area. We feature a crew that has more than 25 years of home reconstruction and mold remediation services. We do not sub-contract our services, which keeps costs low and dependable. Our company are certified and insured in the state of Georgia.

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Count on the staff at Martin Home Inspections to provide you with superb mold remediation and general contractor services. We pay a visit to your residential property , get rid of mold, and can reconstruct your property.

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Source: http://www.homeinspectionlocustgrovega.com/get-better-results-when-making-home-improvements-by-following-these-tips/

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South Korea frowns on steep phone subsidies, bans new carrier customers for most of January

South Korea is an ocean apart from North America in more ways than one. Where US and Canadian carriers virtually center their businesses around heavily subsidized phones, the Korea Communications Commission is discouraging the idea. The agency isn't just fining KT, LG U+ and SK Telecom for offering device discounts beyond 270,000 won ($252), it's banning those networks from taking new subscribers for as many as 24 days in January -- they'll have no choice but to serve their existing bases for most of the month. The providers are unsurprisingly miffed, although the punishment may be a win for customers who won't necessarily be as indebted to their carriers when they spring for a Galaxy Note II or Optimus G.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Liquid crystal research, future applications advance

Dec. 24, 2012 ? Contributing geometric and topological analyses of micro-materials, University of Massachusetts Amherst mathematician Robert Kusner aided experimental physicists at the University of Colorado (UC) by successfully explaining the observed "beautiful and complex patterns revealed" in three-dimensional liquid crystal experiments. The work is expected to lead to creation of new materials that can be actively controlled.

Kusner is a geometer, an expert in the analysis of variational problems in low-dimensional geometry and topology, which concerns properties preserved under continuous deformation such as stretching and bending. His work over 3 decades has focused on the geometry and topology of curves, surfaces and other spaces that arise in nature, such as soap films, knots and the shapes of fluid droplets. Kusner agrees with physicist and lead author Ivan Smalyukh of UC Boulder that their collaboration is the first to show in experiments that some of the most fundamental topological theorems hold up in real materials. Their findings appear in the current early online issue of Nature.

UMass Amherst's Kusner explains, "There are two important aspects of this work. First, the experimental work by the Colorado team, who fabricated topologically complex micro-materials allowing controlled experiments of three-dimensional liquid crystals. Second, the theoretical work performed by us mathematicians and theoretical physicists while visiting the University of California Santa Barbara's Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP). We provided the geometric and topological analysis of these experiments, to explain the observed patterns and predict what patterns should be seen when experimental conditions are changed."

Kusner was the lone mathematician among four organizers of last summer's workshop on "Knotted Fields" at KITP, which led to this work. The workshop engaged about a dozen other mathematicians and about twice as many theoretical and experimental physicists in a month-long investigation of the interplay between low-dimensional topology and what physicists call "soft matter."

In their experiments, the physicists at UC Boulder showed that tiny topological particles injected into a liquid crystal medium behave in a manner consistent with established theorems in geometry and topology, Kusner says. The researchers say they have thus identified approaches for building new materials using topology.

UC Boulder's Smalyukh and colleagues set up the experiment by first creating colloids, solutions in which tiny particles are dispersed but not dissolved in a host medium, such as milk, paint and shaving cream. Specifically, they injected tiny, different-shaped particles into a liquid crystal, which behaves something like a liquid and a solid. Once injected into a liquid crystal, the particles behaved as predicted by topology.

Smalyukh says, "Our study shows that interaction between particles and molecular alignment in liquid crystals follows the predictions of topological theorems, making it possible to use these theorems in designing new composite materials with unique properties that cannot be encountered in nature or synthesized by chemists. These findings lay the groundwork for new applications in experimental studies of low-dimensional topology, with important potential ramifications for many branches of science and technology."

For example, he adds, these topological liquid crystal colloids could be used to upgrade current liquid crystal displays like those used in laptops and television screens, to allow them to interact with light in new, more energy efficient ways.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Massachusetts at Amherst, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Bohdan Senyuk, Qingkun Liu, Sailing He, Randall D. Kamien, Robert B. Kusner, Tom C. Lubensky, Ivan I. Smalyukh. Topological colloids. Nature, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/nature11710

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/amlBf3owlKk/121227110803.htm

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Katt Williams Goes Off On ?Gay? Jamie Foxx (NSFW VIDEO)

Katt Williams Goes Off On “Gay” Jamie Foxx (NSFW VIDEO)

Katt Williams is continuing his journey on the crazy train, this time with some pretty offensive comments about fellow comedian and actor Jamie Foxx. During his stand-up comedy show in Los Angeles, Katt told the crowd that Foxx is gay and sleeping with a singer signed to his label named Marcus Anthony. Katt Williams even ...

Katt Williams Goes Off On “Gay” Jamie Foxx (NSFW VIDEO) Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2012/12/katt-williams-goes-off-on-gay-jamie-foxx-nsfw-video/

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Study hints that stem cells prepare for maturity much earlier than anticipated

Dec. 27, 2012 ? Unlike less versatile muscle or nerve cells, embryonic stem cells are by definition equipped to assume any cellular role. Scientists call this flexibility "pluripotency," meaning that as an organism develops, stem cells must be ready at a moment's notice to activate highly diverse gene expression programs used to turn them into blood, brain, or kidney cells.

Scientists from the lab of Stowers Investigator Ali Shilatifard, Ph.D., report in the December 27, 2012 online issue of Cell that one way cells stay so plastic is by stationing a protein called Ell3 at stretches of DNA known as "enhancers" required to activate a neighboring gene. Their findings suggest that Ell3 parked at the enhancer of a developmentally regulated gene, even one that is silent, primes it for future expression. This finding is significant as many of these same genes are abnormally switched on in cancer.

"We now know that some enhancer misregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of solid and hematological malignances," says Shilatifard. "But a problem in the field has been how to identify inactive or poised enhancer elements. Our discovery that Ell3 interacts with enhancers in ES cells gives us a hand-hold to identify and to study them."

In 2000, Shilatifard identified Ell3 as the third member of the Ell (for "Eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia gene") family of elongation factors, proteins that increase the rate at which genes are expressed. "At the time, we didn't think much of Ell3 because it was highly expressed in testes," says Shilatifard, noting that then people thought that sperm were merely vessels used to carry paternal DNA to an egg and that associated factors would have little relevance to the regulation of future gene expression in the resulting embryo.

But a few years back, a curious Open University graduate student working in the Shilatifard lab, Chengqi Lin, started exploring a potential function for the neglected gene by initiating a global search for regions occupied by Ell3 in the genome of mouse embryonic stem cells. His search in collaboration with a bioinformatician in the Shilatifard lab, Alexander S. Garruss, revealed that Ell3 sits on more than 5,000 enhancers, including many that regulate genes governing stem cell maturation into spinal cord, kidney, and blood cells.

"What was interesting was that Ell3 marked enhancers that are active and inactive, as well as enhancers that are known as "poised," says Lin, referring to a transition state from inactive to active. "That indicated that Ell3's major function might be to prime activation of genes that are just about to be expressed during development."

The fact that silent genes can be "primed" for expression was no surprise: researchers knew that the enzymatic machine that copies DNA into the RNA blueprint for proteins -- a protein called Pol II -- often pauses at the start of a gene, presumably revving its engine in preparation to jump across the genetic start gate in response to a developmental signal. However, Shilatifard and colleagues showed several years ago that paused Pol II is not a prerequisite for rapid transcriptional induction.

The surprise came when researchers used a molecular trick to deplete mouse ES cells of Ell3 and then did a "genomic" survey. They found that paused Pol II vanished from the start sites of many genes in Ell3-deficient cells. This means that not only does Ell3 preferentially mark stem enhancers, but also that its presence there is necessary to keep an idling Pol II ready for action.

Most of the current study defines how, when the developmental time is right, enhancer-bound Ell3 cooperates with components of a big-boss elongation factor called the Super Elongation Complex to release Pol II from the start gate, allowing the expression of genes required for stem cell differentiation. Critical among those findings is their observation that mouse stem cells depleted of Ell3 failed to activate genes expressed in mature cell types.

These results alone are cause for any lab to start chilling the champagne, yet a surprising coda to the study, leaves readers with yet another revelation. Collaborating with Fengli Guo, Ph.D., head of the Stowers electron microscopy core, the team prepared highly magnified images of mouse sperm and observed that both Ell3 and Pol II were present, in sperm nuclei.

In mammals, gene expression regulated by Pol II, a process known as transcription, does not begin until the formation of a single-celled zygote, that is, well after the union of sperm and egg germ cells. "It is very significant that Ell3 and other factors that regulate transcription are found in sperm," says Lin, the study's first author. Lin is cautious in interpreting this finding, "but it would be very exciting to further investigate whether transcription factors found in sperm could contribute to the decondensation of sperm chromatin or even further gene activation after fertilization by serving as epigenetic markers."

Shilatifard is also cautious as questions remain to be explored, among them whether Ell3 and Pol II actually contact DNA inside sperm or whether similar processes occur in unfertilized eggs and function in this process. Nonetheless, he feels this finding has fundamental implications, not only for development, but also for where he's going next.

"This work has opened up a whole new area of research in my lab," says Shilatifard, who has in the last decade focused on aberrant gene expression associated with leukemia. "If we find that transcription factors bind to specific regions of chromatin in germ cells, I may focus on germ cells in the next few decades. This would open a huge door enabling us to determine the role of these factors in early development."

Zhuojuan Luo, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Shilatifard lab, also contributed to the study.

Funding for the study came from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, the National Institutes of Health (Shilatifard R01CA89455 and R01CA150265), and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Stowers Institute for Medical Research, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Chengqi Lin, Alexander?S. Garruss, Zhuojuan Luo, Fengli Guo, Ali Shilatifard. The RNA Pol II Elongation Factor Ell3 Marks Enhancers in ES Cells and Primes Future Gene Activation. Cell, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.12.015

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/health_medicine/genes/~3/zG_FVBuF9b4/121227130202.htm

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South Africa president prefers people over pets

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? South Africa's president says a dog should not be man's best friend.

President Jacob Zuma made critical remarks about pet care that touch on sensitive race relations in South Africa, which was dominated by whites until apartheid was dismantled almost two decades ago, The Star newspaper reported Thursday.

The newspaper cited Zuma as saying in a speech Wednesday that the idea of having a pet is part of "white culture" and that people should focus on family welfare. The president's office sought to clarify his remarks, saying he was encouraging "the previously oppressed African majority" to uphold its own culture. It also suggested the way in which the comments were reported, rather than the comments themselves, was divisive.

The backdrop to the dog debate is the legacy of Western colonialism in Africa, as well as the bitter struggle against apartheid in South Africa that culminated in the first democratic elections in 1994. Nelson Mandela, now 94 years old and ailing, became the country's first black president as well as a symbol of reconciliation among all South Africans, though poverty and economic imbalances remain a source of deep strain in the nation of 50 million.

During his speech to an appreciative crowd in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's home province, the president said people who love dogs more than people have a "lack of humanity" and that some people are trying in vain to "emulate whiteness," The Star reported.

"Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair, you will never be white," he reportedly said.

In a statement, the South African presidency said Zuma was trying to convince Africans to take pride in their heritage and not feel pressure to adopt customs of minority cultures. Animals can be cared for, was the message, but not at the expense of people.

Zuma "referred to what people should guard against, such as loving animals more than other human beings," the statement said. "He made the well-known example of people who sit with their dogs in front in a van or truck with a worker at the back in pouring rain or extremely cold weather. Others do not hesitate to rush their dogs to veterinary surgeons for medical care when they are sick while they ignore workers or relatives who are also sick in the same households."

Zuma has often said he seeks to protect South Africa's diversity and unify its disparate groups, but he has occasionally stirred controversy. In 2006, as deputy president, he said same-sex marriages, which are today protected under South African law, were "a disgrace to the nation and to God."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/south-africa-president-prefers-people-over-pets-150157216.html

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Self-Improvement Affirmations with Self-Hypnosis Audios Deal! | Self ...

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Amanda Reyes, Former Toy Store Manager, Claims Ex-Boss Coerced 'Rough' Sexual Relationship, Sues

A former manager of a New York City children's toy store is suing her ex-boss over what she says was a coercive sexual relationship, according to the New York Daily News.

Amanda Reyes, 26, alleges that Steven Reis, 60, the owner of Fantastic Kids Toys, forced her to "engage in an ongoing sexual relationship? that ?included increasing acts of ?rough? sexual activities, including hitting, slapping and biting,? in exchange for employment and rent, according to the lawsuit filed Friday.

Reyes, a single mother, started working at the store for $10 an hour in 2010 and was promoted to manager in March 2012. According to the lawsuit, this is when Reyes' relationship with the married Reis began.

Gothamist called the affair a "sadomasochistic nightmare," noting that Reyes' attorneys described it as a "manipulative master-servant type of relationship" that involved "role-playing and simulations."

Even after Reyes began dating an NYPD officer in June, Reis allegedly demanded the woman meet him at her apartment for sex twice a week.

As Jezebel points out, Reyes reportedly tried to break off the relationship and was fired from her $60,000-a-year job in late August.

Reis, reached at his Manhattan store by the New York Post on Dec. 24, would not comment on the lawsuit other than to call the accusations "false."

Of course, this is not the first time an employer has come under fire.

In November, the CEO of Waffle House was sued by a former employee, a single mother who alleged that she was forced to perform sex acts for 10 years in order to keep her job, according to the Associated Press.

The CEO, Joe W. Rogers Jr., claimed the charges were "extortion," but the woman accusing him allegedly taped some of their encounters.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/26/amanda-reyes-toy-store-rough-sex_n_2364856.html

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Hero Dog Missing Snout Seems To Have Beaten Cancer

DAVIS, Calif. ? A veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, has some good news about a dog from the Philippines who became an international hero after sacrificing her snout to save two young girls.

After completing six weekly intravenous chemotherapy infusions, Kabang appears to have beaten the cancer she was suffering from, Gina Davis, the primary care veterinarian at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis, told the San Francisco Chronicle (). http://bit.ly/Ti87pl

The dog, however, is still facing treatment for heartworms in her arteries before she can have the gaping wound on her face closed. Full treatment of that condition was put on hold during cancer therapy.

Kabang ? a female mongrel ? had the first of three arsenic-based heartworm shots on Dec. 4 and is expected to receive the other two in the second week of January, Davis said.

"It will be one to two months for her to recover from that before she goes in and has the surgery," Davis said.

Kabang had her snout and upper jaw sheared off when she jumped in front of a speeding motorcycle, saving her owner's daughter and niece from serious injury or death, according to newspaper reports in the Philippines.

The dog ended up in Davis earlier this year after a nurse from Buffalo, N.Y., spearheaded a fundraising campaign to bring her to the U.S. Veterinarians in the Philippines were apparently unable to treat her injuries.

Surgeons are planning to perform two or three procedures. The first will involve dental work, extractions and covering exposed roots.

They will then try to close the dog's wound and restore nasal functions. The dog's bony structures are currently exposed to air, increasing the chance of infection, Davis said.

Kabang may return to the Philippines in May or June. The bill for her treatment is expected to top $10,000.

Davis said despite Kabang's many conditions, the dog appears to be in good spirits.

"She has come through everything very well," Davis said. "Her appetite is still good. She's still bright and happy."

___

Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/25/hero-dog-missing-snout-se_0_n_2362658.html

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Self Improvement And Empowerment Blog: How to Stop Feelings of ...

I seek strength, not to be greater than another, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself. ~P.D. Cast

Of all the elements that form the comfort zone, unworthiness is without question the most insidious.

Unworthiness is that shadowy deep-seated belief that creeps into our minds and tells us we are undeserving and not good enough, inadequate and fundamentally flawed. Unworthiness serves as a shield to insulate us from risk, chance and the unknown.

Some of us may already be aware of certain limiting and negative beliefs we have about ourselves. These we can learn to heal and change. The real problem goes deeper... it's the unconscious self-doubt and unworthy feelings we accept about ourselves.

The unworthiness mantra is "Don't try it, don't even think about it."

Without realizing it, we allow unworthiness to sabotage us in a hundred different ways, using endless justifications to keep from reaching for our dreams. For the sake of shielding ourselves from even the remote possibility of having to face our own fundamental inadequacy... we will do whatever it takes to just not think about it.

We repeatedly second guess our choices; falling into endless mental reruns picking apart what we could or should have done differently; over time finding it harder and harder to make definitive decisions that will enable us to move forward.
We avoid testing (or exposing) ourselves by allowing days, weeks and years to go by as we focus on the daily minutia of life and tell ourselves we'll get to the big important stuff as soon as we're 'caught up' or when the 'time is right.'
We use our responsibilities, especially to others, as shields to prevent ourselves from trying something new.

While there's a lot to be said for gratitude, there is a BIG difference between appreciating all the good things and people in your life and choosing to settle for less because you don't believe you deserve or are capable of more.

A few months ago I received a heartbreaking note from a reader who wanted to share with me why she had just unsubscribed from IGG. She went on to explain that while she enjoyed the articles and found them inspiring they also depressed her because she found herself focusing on all that she could never have or be in her life. "A lot of people have it worse than me, so I just need to stop dreaming and be grateful for what I have now."

How to Resolve Feelings of Unworthiness

Be willing to challenge beliefs about yourself: Begin by exploring the 'why' behind negative self talk. Make a positive statement about yourself such as I am a loving person or I deserve to achieve my dream of (fill in the blank). Then focus on any negative or contradictory thoughts that pop into your mind about your declaration. A personal journal is a great tool for this exercise. The more specific you can be with your statement, the greater the likelihood you'll be able to uncover those sneaky unworthy feelings.

One step at a time: Once you begin to identify unworthy thoughts or triggers you can start gently stretching the limits of your comfort zone. Be willing to try different strategies and don't be discouraged if you have to keep at it for awhile. These feelings of unworthiness have likely been with you for decades, so be kind to yourself, celebrate small victories, and be patiently persistent.

Let go of the past: For some reason, at some point in your life you came to the conclusion that you were lacking. Maybe you were bullied as a kid, or maybe you made a mistake... maybe it was a real whopper of a mistake and now you're stuck mentally rerunning the experience and what you could or should have done differently. It's time to let it go. The longer this has been going on the tougher it will be to clear it from your mind, but meaningful change always begins with a decision and in this case it's up to you to choose not to give those thoughts the energy they require to remain an active part of your life.

Risk change: The thing about unworthiness is over time it becomes a comfortable companion and it is awfully tempting to stay with what's known rather than risk the discomfort of change, rejection or even failure. Focus on your dreams and find a purpose that is important enough to motivate you to muster the strength and courage to step into the unknown and be free of what's holding you back.

Be willing to ask for help: Sometimes feelings of unworthiness stem from a major life change or a traumatic event. As valuable as self-directed personal growth exercises can be, it's important to understand that asking for help is not a weakness. Even the most courageous and successful people from time to time need a helping hand to move forward.

Sometimes the space between where you are and where you want to be can feel like a massive distance, but the truth is even the most self-confident among us will experience doubt from time to time. We may not be able to completely avoid it, but we can become more resilient by developing a strategy that enables us to effectively conquer feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness. Providing useful self development, self empowerment and self esteem tips and reviews online.

Source: http://selfimprovementandempowerment.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-stop-feelings-of-unworthiness.html

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Source: http://foegafsad.posterous.com/self-improvement-and-empowerment-blog-how-to

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Easy Tips To Fight Off Personal Bankruptcy - Options Finance

If your valuable items are facing repossession, it can leave you feeling anxious or fearful. Put an end to the collection calls and come up with a plan that may involve filing for bankruptcy. Keep reading for tips that will help you navigate the process successfully.

Protect your home. Filing for bankruptcy doesn?t automatically involve losing your home. If your home has significantly depreciated in value or you?ve taken a second mortgage, it may be possible to retain possession of your home. Additionally, some states have homestead exemptions that might let you keep your home, provided you meet certain requirements.

Speaking with others who have gone through bankruptcy can help you feel better about the process. It?s quite common for you to feel alienated and unable to connect with your friends while you?re dealing with the stress of a bankruptcy. On the Internet, however, you can share your struggles and ask for advice from people who have already been through bankruptcy.

Do not delay the bankruptcy filing if it has become a necessary reality. If you have already concluded that you have no other options, procrastination won?t do you any good. You will just feel more stressed out by waiting and you could hurt your finances even more. This unfortunate turn of events can affect your life quite negatively. It?s better to file sooner rather than later.

Do not rely too heavily on your lawyer. Your lawyer is the one who knows about the bankruptcy laws, but it is in your best interest to find out as much about the proceedings as you can. It is vital to stay as involved as possible while filing for bankruptcy, after all it is your financial future.

Lots of individuals who filed bankruptcy vow to never again use credit cards or lines of credit ever again. This may not be such a great idea because you still need credit to to help build better credit. Avoiding credit altogether prevents you from rebuilding your credit standing, and will therefore serve as an obstacle when you wish to finance a house or a vehicle. To start, use one credit card sparingly and pay it off in full each month.

If you make a mistake and the judge dismisses your personal bankruptcy case, it is possible to file again. Generally though, there is only a window of 30 days after the first filing to refile after dismissal has occurred. It is possible to have the stay extended by making a showing that the error was excusable and that you should be permitted to file again.

Consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy for your filing. If you posses a regular source when it comes to income, and you have less than $250,000 of unsecured debt, you could file using Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy permits you to remain the owner of your properties, while allowing you to repay your debt using a debt consolidation loan. Typically, this goes on for roughly three to five years, and once this time has expired, your unsecured debt is eliminated. Just know that missing one payment could cause your case to be dismissed.

You do not have to lose everything you own when filing for bankruptcy. Most of the time, you retain your personal possessions. In other words, your clothes, your television, your computer, your furniture, your jewelry and other household items are safe. The laws of your state and the kind of bankruptcy for which you are filing, coupled with your financial situation, will determine what personal property you are allowed to retain. Additionally, the retention of large assets, such as your automobile and your home, is determined by these considerations.

Check out every other possible solution before settling upon the idea of filing for personal bankruptcy. You should also know that some debt consolidation firms are little more than scams that will only hurt your financial situation further. If you must file bankruptcy, learn from your mistakes and become a more conscientious consumer.

This article has hopefully provided you with a good deal of knowledge to continue on your journey of success. Just take in the information and then use it so that you can make things a lot easier on yourself. You will meet success in your different projects if you use these tips and do more research on stock market.

Source: http://www.optionstradinganalysis.com/2012/12/25/easy-tips-to-fight-off-personal-bankruptcy/

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China Says It Now Has 1.104B Mobile Users, While ... - TechCrunch

Statistics released yesterday?(link via Google Translate) by China?s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) say that as of the end of November 2012, there were 1.104 billion mobile phone users in that country, an increase of nearly 118 million people during the first eleven months of 2012. This would mean that about 82% of China?s population currently uses a mobile phone (though as commenters noted below, many of these mobile phones could have dual sim cards, which was not taken into account in the MIIT?s report).?The number of 3G phone users reached 220 million, or about 20% of mobile phone users. Broadband Internet service users increased by 24.03 million in the first 11 months of the year, while the number of mobile Internet users increased by 111 million to 750 million.?From January to November 2012, mobile communications revenue in China totaled 724.53 billion yuan (or about $116.26 billion US dollars), an increase of 11% over the same period last year.

The rapid growth of the Chinese smartphone market means that it is set to top the U.S. iOS and Android install base next year. According to?a research report by Flurry released last month, China currently has 167 million iOS or Android devices, compared to 181 million in the U.S.

China?pulled ahead of the U.S. in the number of smartphones sold for the first time during Q3 2011 according to Strategy Analytics; during that time frame, 24 million units were sold in China, compared to 23 million in the U.S.

According to research by?Gartner, Lenovo, the maker of the Android-powered LePhone, is expected to take the number one smartphone seller slot in China away from Samsung next year, thanks to its?strong brand recognition and portfolio of affordable phones. Other local brands to watch include Xiaomi Tech (which is positioning itself as ?the Apple of China?), Yulong, ZTE and Huawei. Though the iPhone continues to be hugely popular in China, that has not been enough to keep Apple?s share of that country?s smartphone market from eroding.

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/24/china-now-has-1-104b-mobile-users-while-mobile-communications-revenue-totaled-116-26b-over-first-11-months-of-2012/

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Real Estate Ideas That Can Have You Buying Like A Pro - Maynas Eric

Is the subject of real estate one that you think you know everything about? There?s so many small things you need to know. Some of the most expert buyers still learn new things all the time. This article is here to help you with tips that you can use when thinking about what kind of real estate you want to buy.

It is a good idea to retain an attorney who specializes in real estate when you are involved with foreclosure purchases. Unexpected complications are especially troublesome in foreclosure-related deals, and consulting a legal professional should be considered. The proper legal representation can save you money and headaches over the long run.

Monitor residences in pre-foreclosure status. If you have lots of time to devote to finding your investment property, then pre foreclosures may be the way to go for you. Properties classified as pre-foreclosures are simply homes that are delinquent and at risk of going through the foreclosure process in the near future. You can get a lender?s list of pre-foreclosures, or place advertisements stating that you will pay cash to buy homes. However you locate the owner of a pre-foreclosure property, you need to figure out how much he or she owes on the mortgage and make an offer a little higher than that amount. This will be a great bargain for you, since most do not owe the house?s full market value.

TIP! It is easier to begin the purchase of real estate when you are organized. Dedicate a notebook just to the information you gather online, from the newspaper, from friends and from your agent.

Consult a qualified real estate professional before investing in a property. These people will have resources that may not be directly available to you. Most brokers have useful tools such as specialized software that can search and sort through MLS listings. The use of the MLS by a Realtor will allow search criteria that is unavailable through doing a search on you own.

If you are seriously considering buying a home, take the time to measure it. You need to make sure public records for square footage match the listing. If these numbers do not match up closely, you should not buy the property or go to the proper authority to have it fixed.

Always get an inspection of the home you wish to buy. You don?t want to discover after you buy that your house needs a lot of renovating. This will not only cost you extra money, you might have to find suitable living arrangements while the home is being repaired.

TIP! Be careful about purchasing a home when your job is uncertain. Once your signature is on the dotted line, you?ve agreed to be responsible for the monthly payment, regardless of your circumstances.

Buy a house with more than one fireplace only if your climate necessitates it. It is a real hassle to keep up with cleaning multiple fireplaces and they are rarely used anyway.

If you are considering renting a home or apartment that has a garden, don?t sign a lease agreement until you find out from the landlord who is responsible for tending the garden. Sometimes rentals require that you handle it yourself, or for you to hire a gardener or yard person. Other places still will offer this service as an added monthly fee.

When you officially decide to purchase a home, don?t forget all the other options that are available. It can take a long time to find that property that can fit your strategy and goals.

TIP! When you?re ready to buy a home, you?re aware of the asking price. However, figuring out your offer is most important.

When looking to purchase a new home, it is very important to avoid the trap of judging a house based on its decor. You should focus your shopping comparisons on the condition that the house is in and whether it has solid construction. If you buy a home primarily because it has structural details that appeal to you, you may fail to recognize critical flaws that can end up costing you thousands of dollars down the road.

Don?t purchase properties before thoroughly researching them. Even for rental property, you should look at some important features before purchasing. The first is whether the property is sustainable. Is this property in good condition and does it just require minimum upkeep? Equally as important is the location of the property. For a major portion of rental properties, location is a paramount consideration. Consider the needs of your tenants in regards to shopping and access to service providers. Lastly, average income in the area is also important. If the average income is high, your property will attract a certain type of renters. You will find location to be more of a concern in areas where rents are low.

TIP! During your first meeting with an agent make sure to ask all the questions which are pertinent to your situation. Some questions to consider is are you a buyer?s agent, a seller?s agent or a dual agent.

If you?re thinking about relocating, you may want to consider looking online at the neighborhood of the house you?re thinking of purchasing. There is a wealth of information available on the Internet, even for small cities and towns. Make sure that you can live comfortably in a town by researching the population, unemployment rate and salary ranges.

You now know more about real estate than you did at the beginning of this article. Who knows, maybe someone you help out will lead you to success someday.

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Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/real-estate-ideas-that-can-have-you-buying-like-a-pro-4

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Colts, Bengals make playoffs with wins

One year after putting together the NFL's worst record, the Indianapolis Colts are headed to the playoffs.

Joining them on Sunday were the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing out the field in the AFC.

The Colts (10-5) equaled the 2008 Miami Dolphins as the only teams to win at least 10 games after losing 14 or more the previous season. Top overall draft pick Andrew Luck completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne late in the fourth quarter for a 20-13 victory at Kansas City.

Cincinnati qualified for a second straight postseason berth for only the second time in franchise history, edging archrival Pittsburgh 13-10. The Bengals have never gone to the playoffs in successive years that did not involve a strike-shortened season.

Luck finished with 205 yards passing to break Cam Newton's year-old rookie record of 4,051 yards in a season. He also extended his rookie record for fourth-quarter comebacks to seven by leading his team downfield in the closing minutes.

"Mission accomplished. That's all I can say," Colts interim coach Bruce Arians said. "Without getting emotional again, knowing that (coach Chuck Pagano) is going to be back Monday, the work week shouldn't be as stressful."

Pagano has been sidelined since a loss to Jacksonville in Week 3.

For the Bengals (9-6), Andy Dalton hit A.J. Green with a 21-yard pass in the final moments, setting up Josh Brown's 43-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining. The loss eliminated the Steelers from contention.

"A lot of people talked about we hadn't been in in back-to-back seasons in 30 years," Green said. "I don't worry about that stuff. I've been here two years and we made the playoffs all two years. That's all we can control."

Minnesota's 23-6 win at Houston prevented the Texans from earning home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. AFC South champion Houston (12-3) still can get that by winning at Indianapolis in the season finale.

New England has won the AFC East, Denver the West. Baltimore clinched the North by beating the New York Giants 33-14, sending the defending Super Bowl champions to the brink of elimination.

Washington's 27-20 win at Philadelphia, combined with New Orleans beating Dallas 34-31 in overtime means the Redskins (9-6) will win the NFC East by beating the Cowboys next week.

But Dallas (8-7) takes the division by winning that game at Washington, which the league has flexed to prime time.

"They know what it means," coach Mike Shanahan said. "They've been working toward this opportunity to win the division. Any time you win the division, everybody knows you have a home game in the playoffs. We talked about that from Day 1. They knew what we had to do to get there. We haven't accomplished anything yet."

Green Bay clinched at least the third seed in the NFC when it routed Tennessee 55-7. The NFC North champs (11-4) still could wind up second overall in the conference and get a bye and moved into the No. 2 slot when Seattle romped over San Francisco 42-13.

"We have momentum going for us, particularly what we've done over the last nine weeks, 10 weeks," coach Mike McCarthy said of Green Bay's nine wins in the last 10 games. "So we wanted to take the next step as a football team and I felt we were able to accomplish that today."

The 49ers (10-4-1) will win the NFC West by beating Arizona next weekend. Seattle (10-5) earned at least a wild-card spot and finishes at home against St. Louis.

On Saturday night, NFC South winner Atlanta won 31-18 at Detroit to clinch home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Minnesota (9-6), Chicago (9-6), the New York Giants (8-7) and Washington could wind up with the final NFC wild card. Dallas can't get a wild card.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/colts-bengals-playoffs-wins-225511950--nfl.html

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Anti-tax conservatives say no to tax-increase deal

BOSTON (AP) ? In the city where a protest over tax policy sparked a revolution, modern day tea party activists are cheering the recent Republican revolt in Washington that embarrassed House Speaker John Boehner and pushed the country closer to a "fiscal cliff" that forces tax increases and massive spending cuts on virtually every American.

"I want conservatives to stay strong," says Christine Morabito, president of the Greater Boston Tea Party. "Sometimes things have to get a lot worse before they get better."

Anti-tax conservatives from every corner of the nation echo her sentiment.

In more than a dozen interviews with The Associated Press, activists said they would rather fall off the cliff than agree to a compromise that includes tax increases for any Americans, no matter how high their income. They dismiss economists' warnings that the automatic tax increases and deep spending cuts set to take effect Jan. 1 could trigger a fresh recession, and they overlook the fact that most people would see their taxes increase if President Barack Obama and Boehner, R-Ohio, fail to reach a year-end agreement.

The strong opposition among tea party activists and Republican leaders from New Hampshire to Wyoming and South Carolina highlights divisions within the GOP as well as the challenge that Obama and Boehner face in trying to get a deal done.

On Capitol Hill, some Republicans worry about the practical and political implications should the GOP block a compromise designed to avoid tax increases for most Americans and cut the nation's deficit.

"It weakens the entire Republican Party, the Republican majority," Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, said Thursday night shortly after rank-and-file Republicans rejected Boehner's "Plan B" ? a measure that would have prevented tax increases on all Americans but million-dollar earners.

"I mean it's the continuing dumbing down of the Republican Party and we are going to be seen more and more as a bunch of extremists that can't even get a majority of our own people to support policies that we're putting forward," LaTourette said. "If you're not a governing majority, you're not going to be a majority very long."

It's a concern that does not seem to resonate with conservatives such as tea party activist Frank Smith of Cheyenne, Wyo. He cheered Boehner's failure as a victory for anti-tax conservatives and a setback for Obama, just six weeks after the president won re-election on a promise to cut the deficit in part by raising taxes on incomes exceeding $250,000.

Smith said his "hat's off" to those Republicans in Congress who rejected their own leader's plan.

"Let's go over the cliff and see what's on the other side," the blacksmith said. "On the other side" are tax increases for most Americans, not just the top earners, though that point seemed lost on Smith, who added: "We have a day of reckoning coming, whether it's next week or next year. Sooner or later the chickens are coming home to roost. Let's let them roost next week."

It's not just tea party activists who want Republicans in Washington to stand firm.

In conservative states such as South Carolina and Louisiana, party leaders are encouraging members of their congressional delegations to oppose any deal that includes tax increases. Elected officials from those states have little political incentive to cooperate with the Democratic president, given that most of their constituents voted for Obama's Republican opponent, Mitt Romney.

"If it takes us going off a cliff to convince people we're in a mess, then so be it," South Carolina GOP Chairman Chad Connelly said. "We have a president who is a whiner. He has done nothing but blame President Bush. It's time to make President Obama own this economy."

In Louisiana, state GOP Chairman Roger Villere said that "people are frustrated with Speaker Boehner. They hear people run as conservatives, run against tax hikes. They want them to keep their word."

Jack Kimball, a former New Hampshire GOP chairman, said he was "elated" that conservatives thwarted Boehner. He called the looming deadline a political creation. "The Republicans really need to stand on their principles. They have to hold firm."

Conservative opposition to compromise with Obama does not reflect the view of most Americans, according to recent public opinion polls.

A CBS News survey conducted this month found that 81 percent of adults wanted Republicans in Congress to compromise in the current budget negotiations to get a deal done rather than "stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement." The vast majority of Republicans and independent voters agreed.

Overall, 47 percent in the poll said they blamed Republicans in Congress more than Obama and Democrats for recent "difficulties in reaching agreements and passing legislation in Congress." About one-quarter placed more blame on the Democrats and 21 percent said both were responsible.

Although negotiations broke down last week, Obama still hopes to broker a larger debt-reduction deal that includes tax increases on high earners and Republican-favored cuts to entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. If a compromise continues to prove elusive, lawmakers could pass a temporary extension that delays the cliff's most onerous provisions and gives Congress more time to work out a longer-term solution.

That's becoming the favored path by some Republicans leery of going over the cliff.

Mississippi Republican Chairman Joe Nosef shares his Southern colleagues' disdain for tax increases. But he stopped short of taking an absolute position.

"I really, really feel like the only way that Republicans can mess up badly is if they come away with nothing on spending or something that's the same old thing where they hope a Congress in 10 years will have the intestinal fortitude to do it," he said.

Matt Kibbe, president of the national organization and tea party ally, FreedomWorks, says that going over the cliff would be "a fiscal disaster." He says "the only rational thing to do" is approve a temporary extension that prevents widespread tax increases.

But his message doesn't seem to resonate with conservative activists in the states.

"If we have to endure the pain of the cliff then so be it," said Mark Anders, a Republican committeeman for Washington state's Lewis County. "While it may spell the end of the Republican Party ... at least we will force the government to cut and cut deep into actual spending."

Back where the Boston Tea Party protest took place in 1773, Morabito wonders whether Boehner will survive the internal political upheaval and says Republicans need to unite against Obama.

"It looked like from the very beginning they were just going to cave to what President Obama wanted," she said of the GOP. "I didn't want that to happen. Now I'm hopeful that they're standing up for taxpaying Americans."

___

Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta, Rachel La Corte and Michael Baker in Washington state, Thomas Beaumont in Iowa, and AP Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/anti-tax-conservatives-no-tax-increase-deal-135031595--finance.html

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FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

The perpetual challenge of developing an iPhone-friendly gamepad (or any phone-oriented gamepad) is the bulk, either for a gargantuan case or else a separate controller. If Justice Frangipane's team and iDevices have their way, that clunkiness will be a distant memory. Their proposed FlipSide case for iPhones (we see a prototype here) centers on Bluetooth 4.0 gamepad controls that stay clipped to the back when just checking email, but attach to the front for playtime. They'll save us from hunting down a wall outlet, too; the combination of a sensitive solar cell and a thin film battery from Infinite Power Solutions should keep the case powered up through even indoor lighting. The only real challenge is getting the case produced, as Frangipane is looking for crowdfunding to make the FlipSide a reality. Provided his group makes its donation target, though, there's the prospect of an Android version -- so those who don't play the iOS way could still reap the rewards if they chip in at the source link.

Continue reading FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

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Monti urges debate on Italy election as rivals open fire

ROME (Reuters) - Outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti posted his reform agenda online on Monday, urging Italians to join a debate on their country's future as potentially bitter election campaign gets underway two months before Italy goes to polls.

Following weeks of hesitation, Monti declared his availability on Sunday to lead a reform-minded centrist alliance to seek a second term to complete the economic reform program begun when he took office just over a year ago.

The former European Commissioner, appointed at the head of a technocrat government to save Italy from financial crisis, has now thrown off his mantle of neutrality and entered a race that will be dominated by his tough reform agenda.

Even if he confirms his entry into the campaign, Monti appears unlikely at this stage to return to office but his involvement could strengthen a centrist alliance and help shape the agenda of the next government.

The center-left Democratic Party (PD), which has pledged to maintain Monti's broad reform course while giving more help to workers and pensioners and emphasizing growth more, is favored to win but may have to strike a coalition deal with the center.

In an open letter to Italians posted online and accompanied by a 25-page policy program, Monti said he hoped that the agenda would lead to an "open reflection" that would help shape the debate ahead of the election on February 24-25.

He urged a mix of budget rigor and structural reform as well as measures to crack down on corruption and get more women and young people to work.

However the tone of the campaign has inevitably moved away from calm debate and into the murky and sometimes treacherous territory of Italian party politics, where Monti is a novice.

GLOVES COME OFF

At a news conference on Sunday, he attacked left-wing trade unions for resisting reform but reserved special criticism for his scandal-plagued predecessor Silvio Berlusconi, whom he picked on repeatedly for his "bewildering" changes of position.

Speaking to one of his own television channels, the 76 year-old media billionaire responded by saying it would be "immoral" for Monti to fight the election after governing as an unelected premier with the support of the main parties.

One of Berlusconi's chief lieutenants, Fabrizio Cicchitto, parliamentary floor leader of his People of Freedom (PDL) party, indicated that Monti's international standing and the respect he enjoys among Italy's European partners would count for little.

"He's taken aim at the PDL, which obviously has no choice but to respond in kind," he said.

Monti, a Life Senator who does not need to stand for election to parliament, has not said exactly what forces he could support but the centrist parties he has been linked with greeted his announcement with great enthusiasm.

"We're not forcing Monti but obviously if it happens, the value it adds to our project will be enormous," Pierferdinando Casini, head of the centrist UDC party, which is close to the Catholic church, told the daily La Repubblica.

A small number of centrists from both the two main parties, including former Foreign Minister Franco Frattini announced they were leaving their parties and would support Monti, whose reform agenda is strongly backed by Italy's business establishment.

However the centrist group lags both the center-left Democratic Party (PD) and the PDL as well as the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement in opinion polls and without Monti, it has little chance of making any significant gains.

Even with the respected economics professor at its head, a centrist alliance including the UDC and other smaller parties including a new group created by Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, appears likely to struggle to pass 15 percent.

(Reporting By James Mackenzie; Editing by Jon Boyle)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/monti-urges-debate-italy-election-rivals-open-fire-133020436--business.html

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