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UK patients to get free healthcare throughout EU

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:19:28 GMT

clipped by: righthand

NHS patients to get free healthcare throughout EU

NHS patients will be given the right to free treatment anywhere in the European Union under a new blueprint for cross-border healthcare.

The move, which covers all 27 countries in the EU, is designed to give patients greater freedom and ease congestion in health services with long waiting lists for operations.

Clip Source: www.autonomic-communication.org

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The draft directive, approved by EU governments today, guarantees that treatment costs are covered by the national health scheme of the patient's home country.

It gives British patients the right to seek any treatment offered by the NHS, such as cancer care or heart surgery, in any other EU country that could provide it more quickly.

Clip Source: www.cartoonstock.com

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The plans would also make it easier for patients to receive medication prescribed abroad after they return home.

Patients will have to pay upfront for their treatment but as long as the cost was lower than in the NHS, they could will be able to reclaim the amount in full.

Clip Source: stuffwhitepeoplelike.files.wordpress.com

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wednesday July 2, 2008

Tags: uk, eu, health

idiot of the week

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:28:09 GMT

clipped by: zadoz
clipper's remarks: do it yourself......not

Clip Source: www.news.com.au

Teenager brands himself with 'laser tattoos'

A TEENAGE boy has modified a laser-etching machine to burn robot and space invader designs into his skin.

He was filmed being branded by the industrial machine and then uploaded the video – along with full instructions – to the internet.

The instructions, posted on do-it-yourself website Instructables.com, describe how dangerous – and how easy – the amateur "laser tattoo" process can be.

An industrial laser-etching machine looks similar to a photocopier and works by moving a red-hot laser at rapid speeds to "print" intricate designs into hard surfaces such as metal and wood.

The machine normally has a safety system that stops the laser when the lid is opened, but the teenager, under the screen name Tetranitrate, managed to bypass that with a six-sided die and a magnet.

He can be seen wincing as the machine burns a picture of a robot into the back of his hand, and a close-up shows small sparks and smoke emerging from his flesh.

Tags: laser

Can't Remember Anything? Skip the Junk Food

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:07:45 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Unhealthy Meal May Trigger Memory Decline

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

An intriguing new area of research links adults with type 2 diabetes, unhealthy high-fat meals and memory decline.

According to background information in the new study, there is growing evidence linking diabetes to cognitive complications in humans. Adults with type 2 diabetes are especially vulnerable to acute meal-induced memory deficits after eating unhealthy foods.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with chronic oxidative stress, a major contributor to cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease.

Participants who ate the high fat meal without vitamin supplements showed significantly more forgetfulness of words and paragraph information in immediate and time delay recall tests, relative to those who had the water meal or the meal with antioxidant vitamins.

Researchers found that vitamin supplementation consistently improved recall scores relative to the meal alone.

Tags: memory, nutrition, diabetes

Bush: those who disagree with him "slander America"

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:47:12 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: How very, very cheap - taking those who disagree with HIM and labeling them slanderers of AMERICA. He attempts to manipulate people who want to be patriotic into sitting down, shutting up, and asking no questions about his abuse of power, so he can do whatever he wants with their money.

Clip Source: thinkprogress.org

BOULTON: There are those who would say look, lets take Guantanamo Bay, and Abu Ghraib, and rendition and all those things and to them that is the complete opposite of freedom.

BUSH: Of course, if you want to slander America.

a short — but by no means exhaustive — list of those who have

slandered America:

– The United States Supreme Court: The Court ruled last week that “terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have a right to seek their release in federal court” saying that Bush’s policy compromised “the Constitution’s guarantee of liberty.”

– McClatchy Newspapers:

the U.S. has wrongfully imprisoned “perhaps hundreds” of men “in Afghanistan, Cuba and elsewhere on the basis of flimsy or fabricated evidence, old personal scores or bounty payments.”

– The Federal Bureau of Investigation:

according to its agents, “[m]ilitary officials at Guantanamo Bay used some aggressive techniques before they were approved, possibly in violation of Defense Department policy and U.S. law.”

Tags: bush, gitmo, war on terror

More Bushco connections to Iraq oil deals

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:57:26 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Perks for Hunt Oil, whose owner gave $35M to the Bush library.

Clip Source: thinkprogress.org

Oversight Committee: Despite Denials, Administration Knew About Bush Donor’s Oil Contracts»

The Bush administration has repeatedly claimed that it plays no part in contract negotiations between Western oil companies and Iraq. But the New York Times reported last week that the State Department actually had an “integral role” in the awarding of no-bid contracts to develop Iraq’s oil fields.

Today, the administration received another blow to its credibility, as the House Oversight Committee released documents further connecting it to Iraqi oil deals, this time through Dallas-based Hunt Oil. Hunt Oil is owned by Ray L. Hunt, a former Halliburton board member who has donated $35 million to the Bush presidential library.

“This is a serious matter because of the widespread suspicion in Iraq and other nations that the United States went to war to gain access to Iraqi oil,” the committee wrote.

Tags: iraq, oil

Juan Cole: Quotes on patriotism

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:53:23 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: More at the link

Clip Source: www.juancole.com

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."

-Mark Twain

"My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all-embracing and I should reject that patriotism which sought to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities."

-Mohandas K. Gandhi

"How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be 'American' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, & having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries? It is really too easy a disguise for our shortcomings to dress them up as a form of patriotism!"

-Edith Wharton

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."

-Howard Zinn

what we mean is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power—-to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect of all mankind

it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

- Adlai Stevenson

Tags: patriotism

"Death with Dignity" Initiative Goes to Washington State Ballot

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:27:16 GMT

clipped by: dulios
clipper's remarks:

OLYMPIA — Supporters of a so-called "Death With Dignity" initiative turned in an estimated 320,000 signatures Tuesday to the Secretary of State's Office, virtually guaranteeing that Initiative 1000 will be on the November ballot.

Clip Source: seattletimes.nwsource.com

Death initiative petitions filed

Washington's proposed"Death with Dignity" initiative

Would allow mentally competent adult residents of Washington to request and receive a prescription for a lethal dose of medication, provided that they have been diagnosed with a condition that is expected to kill them within six months.

The request must be confirmed by two independent witnesses, a second doctor must confirm the original diagnosis, and the patient must be determined to be free from any mental condition impairing his judgment. The patient must make two requests separated in time by at least 15 days.

Would not allow patients to sign away the decision to anyone else in the event they were to become mentally incompetent, or to give permission to anyone else to administer the medication if they became unable to do so. In short, they must make the request and take the lethal medicine themselves.

Any doctor or health-care organization can opt out of providing the services.

Tags: assisted suicide, washington state, ballot initiative, terminal illness

Morganna The Kissing Bandit

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:55:51 GMT

clipped by: kathleenjoy

Clip Source: en.wikipedia.org

Her modus operandi was to obtain a front row seat and wear a large, bulky jacket to somewhat disguise her identity. When a particular star was on the field, she would whip off the jacket, dash onto the field wearing a T-shirt and gym shorts and plant a harmless kiss on the player's lips, usually evoking a sheepish grin from him and an appreciative roar from the crowd. She was arrested each time, for disorderly conduct, which merely served to fuel her career and notoriety. Texas attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes once introduced the not entirely serious "gravity defense" for her, in which it was argued that her top-heavy condition caused her to fall over the railing and onto the field.

An updated text of the Declaration of Independence

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:07:09 GMT

clipped by: enbar
clipper's remarks: Kind of cool, kind of silly, but nicely done -- the Declaration of Independence rewritten in modern language. Meant seriously, not as some kind of joke.

Clip Source: rob.orangejack.com

We the Thirteen

An open letter to the King of Great Britain
Posted July 4, 1776 by John Hancock

Dear King,

Our Congress here in the thirteen united States of America are declaring today that we are separating political ties with you. We believe that it’s only fair that we tell you why.

First of all, there are a few rights that we believe are plainly obvious:

All men are created equal
God has given us rights that can’t be taken away by man: life, liberty, and our pursuit of happiness.

Although God gives these rights, man creates Government to secure these rights. If a Government isn’t protecting these rights then it is the right of the people to make changes to the Government — or make a new one. This new Government should be organized and based on these principles to ensure Safety and Happiness.

We declare ourselves free of the rule of the British crown and all political connection to Great Britain.

We rely on God’s protection and we pledge to each other our lives, fortunes, and honor.

Tags: politics, history, language, law

State Suicide Rates are Linked to MH Services

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:08:23 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.mentalhealthamerica.net

Lost productive time among U.S. workers due to depression is estimated to be in excess of $31 billion per year. Depression frequently co-occurs with a variety of medical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and chronic pain and is associated with poorer health status and prognosis. It is also the principal cause of the 30,000 suicides in the U.S. each year. In 2004, suicide was the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States, third among individuals 15-24.

Download the full report (PDF)

The four measures were: (1) the percentage of the adult population experiencing at least one major depressive episode in the past year, (2) the percentage of the adolescent population (ages 12 to 17) experiencing at least one major depressive episode in the past year, (3) the percentage of the adult population experiencing serious psychological distress, and (4) the average number of days in the past 30 days in which the population reported that their mental health was not good.

Tags: suicide, mental illness, depression, states

A Hero from the Poverty Class

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:42:58 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Our family has admired Ben Carson for years. He didn't escape poverty and turn around to blame other poor people for not being able to do the same. Instead, he works to build the scaffolding necessary to lift others to where he is.

Clip Source: www.baltimoresun.com

From poverty to top U.S. honors

"I was just very grateful that people are starting to recognize some of the work I am trying to do," Carson, 56, said in an interview after the ceremony, referring to his promotion of reading programs and college education for at-risk high school students. He called high school dropout rates an "epidemic" and said, "Sometimes I feel people aren't paying attention."

Born in Detroit to a barely literate mother who married at age 13 and soon left her husband to raise two sons alone, Carson overcame what he has described as a temper problem as a teen and went on to attend Yale University and the University of Michigan medical school. He gained fame as a pediatric neurosurgeon for, among other things, leading the separations of five sets of twins conjoined at the head between 1987 and 2004. He is also skilled in hemispherectomies, a procedure to remove half the brain to prevent seizures.

Tags: poverty, upward mobility, achievement

Your Guide to Choosing Flavorful Fruit

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:33:11 GMT

clipped by: skwirlinator
clipper's remarks: A nice chart at the source

Clip Source: www.dvo.com

PICK OF THE CROP

Your Guide to Choosing Flavorful Fruit

Apples

Firm, well-colored, feels crisp; scald (tan spots) is okay, hardly affects the taste.

AVOID FRUIT THAT IS:

Shriveled, bruised, yields slightly to pressure, or lacks color.

HOME HINTS

Store in perforated plastic bag in refrigerator. Apples soften fast if left at room temperature.

Cherries

Very dark in color (deep maroon to black) glossy, plump, with fresh looking stems.

Shriveled with dry stems and dull sheen; decayed (brown spots, mold, leaky, soft).

Store in a covered shallow container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Grapes

Green, pliable stems, firmly attached fruit. Green grapes: yellow or amber hue. Red grapes: most or all berries should be red.

Soft, wrinkled, leaky grapes with brown, dry stems; grapes with bleached stem ends.

Store, unwashed, in covered container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wash just before serving.

Honeydew Melon

Kiwifruit

Oranges

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Tags: your guide, choosing, flavorful, fruit, chart

Alive In Independence Hall: The Declaration of Independence

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:46:25 GMT

clipped by: BartendingBear
clipper's remarks: DO NOT MISS THIS!!!

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Man found in WI basement covered in BBQ sauce

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:53:52 GMT

clipped by: karokan
clipper's remarks: WoW! =-D

Clip Source: www.wwmt.com

Man found in WI basement covered in BBQ sauce

APPLETON, Wisc. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A couple telephoned police in the middle of the night after finding a man in their basement covered head to toe in barbecue sauce.

"He told the officers that it was urban camouflage," said the homeowner.

This happened in Wisconsin.

The homeowners say they woke up to whistling sounds.

The husband grabbed his shotgun and headed toward the basement where he found the sauced-up intruder.

He held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

The guy told officers he covered himself in barbecue sauce because he wanted to hide from the government.

He now faces burglary charges.

Tags: news, funny

How Many Blonde Jokes...

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:01:22 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: inezha.com

How Many Blonde Jokes...

Q: How many blonde jokes are there?

A: One. The rest are all true stories.