[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
All around you, people are acquiring wealthy off real estate, obtaining at exactly the right time and reselling at high values or by using tenant lease income to repay a current lending. Are investment properties a good plan? Or is the marketplace inside a downward spiral?
As with anything, there isnt a one-size-fits-all answer, however acquiring info is the initial step to evaluating whether or not investment qualities is incorporated a supplemental pension plan.
Pros of having investment qualities are obvious. Hypothetically talking, imagine having a six-plex inside a slow-changing, yet successful part of Atlanta where you billed each tenant $1,000. Your monthly lending for the building can be $3,000 however youll have that additional $3,000 cushioning monthly.
Another advantage of property investments is the generous duty kickback you might obtain. If you delight in acquiring your lump sum duty return towards the end of the year, then maybe investing and offering qualities whenever you want that quick bit of money is proper for you.
Also, there isnt a penalty for opting out early or age rules regarding whenever begin making use of your earnings. You dont need to be wealthy or super business savvy to incorporate property ownership into a pension planning goal. Its been named ?the equal chance wealth designer.?
Cons of investment qualities include the no guarantee issues. Its moreover not a feasible alternative for everyone as a result of excellent transaction prices. Not everyone has 1000s of dollars saved to produce a substantial down payment.
Vacancies, bad tenants, maintenance costs and property oversupply are some of the disadvantages. Like any investment, there are many aspects beyond a control that may affect a money. For better guarantees, 401ks or IRAs ought to be incorporated a financial pension planning.
Your success inside real estate investment qualities might depend mostly on whenever and where you purchase. Money Magazine announced the many growth inside Panama City, Florida and Washington state ? towns like Olympia, Spokane and Mount Vernon.
Slow-changing however profitable stores exist inside Atlanta, Providence and Albuquerque. First time investors need to eliminate ex-boomtowns like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Las Vegas, where exorbitantly excellent prices result in the marketplace unsustainable.
While downtown real estate is profitable, its not advised for individuals who are simply just pension planning several supplemental money.
Since the average American moves each 5 to 6 years, and twelve billion houses are sold annually, why not write inside trend whenever pension planning? It doesnt automatically take a wealthy individual to invest and income.
If youre hunting to downsize a house after a family moves out and earn several additional spending income, investment qualities will be the proper supplemental pension plan for you!
Click Here
This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Remember that 2010 fire that resulted in Kate Von D's house burning down? Well, the 30-year-old LA Ink star (and Jesse James' ex) sure does: Von D's kitten Valentine perished in the blaze -- and now her insurance company has filed a $1 million lawsuit against her claiming that she was responsible for starting the fire.
Spam has got to be one of the most annoying things on the Internet today. I remember when pop-ups first came on the scene, every website I went to was inundated with tons of pop-ups, I hated them, and I?m sure I wasn?t alone. Spam flooded the Internet with so many copies of the same messages, it?s a very shameful attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Most spam is commercial advertising of get-rich-quick schemes, or products for younger looking skin. There are basically two types of spam and they affect Internet users differently. Cancelable Usenet spam is a single message sent to many Usenet spam is aimed at people who read newsgroups but rarely or never post and give their address away. Usenet spam robs users of the utility of the newsgroups by overwhelming them with a barrage of advertising or other irrelevant posts. Email spam is another type of spam that targets individual users with direct mail messages. Email spam lists are usually created by scanning Usenet postings and stealing Internet mailing lists, or searching for Web addresses. What ever IT is, it?s not wanted and thank goodness there are plenty of websites were they will allow you to download free spam blockers. Internet spam filters are a good way to block those pesky spam pop-ups, in fact, without them, there really is no way to get from website to website without Internet spam filters today. Even with spam filters, some pop-up can still get through. However, most Internet spam filters can recognize more than 98% of all incoming spam. There are Plugins that can be installed on your computer that will increase your Internet spam filters to the program. A Spamihilator does just what it says, it annihilates spam and e-mail spam. Most are freeware applications that works in conjunction with other Internet spam filters and some will send you a daily report by e-mail if you want that will tell you how much spam you receive during that day while you were online. This way, you can restore false-positives or add the senders to your friends or block them completely. You can create your own language file by editing an XML file. There are many good Internet spam filters you can trust to download on your computer today. It is a Federal offense for anyone who knowingly, with the intent to carry on any activity which would be a Federal or State crime of fraud or identity theft. Also in one ?creates or procures the creation of a website or domain name that represents itself as a legitimate online business, without the authority or approval of the registered owner of the actual website or domain name of the legitimate online business and uses that website or domain name shall be fined under this title or imprisoned up to five years or both.
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
If you're tired of shaky-vision in your films but don't have Spielbergian budgets, the ZIP-Shooter might be your secret weapon. By manipulating the wheels, you can track your DSLR, iPhone or other video cam in a straight line or around a bend, and use it as a tabletop, low or even worm-vision underslung dolly. With a 20-pound max weight limit, it'll handle most DSLR and lens combos, and you could even squeak on a light Red Scarlet package, while still collapsing it into a camera bag after usage. ZIP-Shooter is underway with $1,203 so far and a goal of $25,000 -- to see if you'd like to pledge $350 to get one, truck past the break and check the video.
[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
New federal disclosure law may have little impact on drugs prescribedPublic release date: 29-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: David Kelly david.kelly@ucdenver.edu 303-315-6374 University of Colorado Denver
Law aims to increase transparency between physicians, drug makers
AURORA, Colo. (May 29, 2012) A Colorado School of Public Health researcher has found that laws designed to illuminate financial links between doctors and pharmaceutical companies have little or no effect on what drugs physicians prescribe.
"If the policymakers who passed these measures were hoping for a deterrent effect they may be disappointed," said the study's lead author, Genevieve Pham-Kanter, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy at the Colorado School of Public Health and a research fellow at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The report, published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine, was prompted by passage of the Physician Payments Sunshine Provision of the Affordable Care Act.
The new federal law requires drug manufacturers to disclose certain payments made to physicians including money for consulting, honoraria, gifts and travel.
"This law is based on the premise that transparency in these transactions is of public importance and that disclosure requirements can act as a deterrent against quid pro quo exchanges physicians may be reluctant to accept large payments from pharmaceutical firms if payments are publicly known and perceived as financial compensation for prescribing certain therapies," said Pham-Kanter who is also an assistant professor of economics at the University of Colorado Denver.
Working with Kavita Nair, Ph.D., associate clinical professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and G. Caleb Alexander, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Pham-Kanter examined West Virginia and Maine, two states with disclosure laws already on the books.
She specifically investigated the effect of the laws on the prescribing of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Marketing plays a heavy role in a physician's choice of therapy since members of each class of drug are similar and highly substitutable, Pham-Kanter said.
The researchers theorized that if disclosure laws were effective and doctors were deterred from taking payments from pharmaceutical companies, they in turn would be less likely to prescribe branded statins and SSRIs over similar generic drugs.
Using a wide variety of public data, they compared Maine, which enacted a disclosure law in 2004, with New Hampshire and Rhode Island, two demographically similar states without such laws. Then they compared West Virginia, which also passed its disclosure law in 2004, with Kentucky and Delaware which had none.
In Maine, the law was associated with a 0.8 percentage point reduction in the use of branded statins compared to New Hampshire, and a 5.3 percentage point reduction compared to Rhode Island. The researchers found little to no effect in West Virginia.
"Our results show that the disclosure laws in the two states we examined had a negligible to small effect on physicians switching from branded therapies to generics and no effect on reducing prescription costs," said Pham-Kanter.
She noted that despite the laws, accessing information about how much money a physician received from a pharmaceutical company is still difficult and opaque. Much of the information is not on-line yet.
"Transparency is important in its own right, but if deterring unnecessary, costly prescribing is a concern for policymakers, more direct action may be required," Pham-Kanter said.
###
The research was funded by the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.
About the Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing a vital contribution toward ensuring our region's health and well-being. Collaboratively formed by the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues, including chronic disease, access to health care, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries.
[ | 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.
New federal disclosure law may have little impact on drugs prescribedPublic release date: 29-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: David Kelly david.kelly@ucdenver.edu 303-315-6374 University of Colorado Denver
Law aims to increase transparency between physicians, drug makers
AURORA, Colo. (May 29, 2012) A Colorado School of Public Health researcher has found that laws designed to illuminate financial links between doctors and pharmaceutical companies have little or no effect on what drugs physicians prescribe.
"If the policymakers who passed these measures were hoping for a deterrent effect they may be disappointed," said the study's lead author, Genevieve Pham-Kanter, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy at the Colorado School of Public Health and a research fellow at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The report, published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine, was prompted by passage of the Physician Payments Sunshine Provision of the Affordable Care Act.
The new federal law requires drug manufacturers to disclose certain payments made to physicians including money for consulting, honoraria, gifts and travel.
"This law is based on the premise that transparency in these transactions is of public importance and that disclosure requirements can act as a deterrent against quid pro quo exchanges physicians may be reluctant to accept large payments from pharmaceutical firms if payments are publicly known and perceived as financial compensation for prescribing certain therapies," said Pham-Kanter who is also an assistant professor of economics at the University of Colorado Denver.
Working with Kavita Nair, Ph.D., associate clinical professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and G. Caleb Alexander, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Pham-Kanter examined West Virginia and Maine, two states with disclosure laws already on the books.
She specifically investigated the effect of the laws on the prescribing of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Marketing plays a heavy role in a physician's choice of therapy since members of each class of drug are similar and highly substitutable, Pham-Kanter said.
The researchers theorized that if disclosure laws were effective and doctors were deterred from taking payments from pharmaceutical companies, they in turn would be less likely to prescribe branded statins and SSRIs over similar generic drugs.
Using a wide variety of public data, they compared Maine, which enacted a disclosure law in 2004, with New Hampshire and Rhode Island, two demographically similar states without such laws. Then they compared West Virginia, which also passed its disclosure law in 2004, with Kentucky and Delaware which had none.
In Maine, the law was associated with a 0.8 percentage point reduction in the use of branded statins compared to New Hampshire, and a 5.3 percentage point reduction compared to Rhode Island. The researchers found little to no effect in West Virginia.
"Our results show that the disclosure laws in the two states we examined had a negligible to small effect on physicians switching from branded therapies to generics and no effect on reducing prescription costs," said Pham-Kanter.
She noted that despite the laws, accessing information about how much money a physician received from a pharmaceutical company is still difficult and opaque. Much of the information is not on-line yet.
"Transparency is important in its own right, but if deterring unnecessary, costly prescribing is a concern for policymakers, more direct action may be required," Pham-Kanter said.
###
The research was funded by the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.
About the Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing a vital contribution toward ensuring our region's health and well-being. Collaboratively formed by the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues, including chronic disease, access to health care, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries.
[ | 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.
Startup Venture Capital Essentials: Business Plan Writing When applying for a startup capital for your business venture, venture capital firms and banks would go to your business plan to identify if your business would fit their strategies. The business plan undergoes a scrutinizing period and would tell if you are serious about it. Therefore, it [...]
Thanks
for visiting !, Stop Sitting In Front Of A Computer All Day ! Take
Advantage Of Our 24 / 7 / 365 UnLimited Non-Stop BackPage Posting:
$0.13 cents a Hour ! on www.BackPage.com , It's A No-Brainer Traffic
Magnet ! Check
It Out - Click Here?Before
Sale Ends !, BUY NOW !, 30-Days of Posting NON-STOP ! ! !, also
checkout our CRAIGSLIST
SPECIALS ! ! !, Findout
FirstHand Why We Are The Leaders In This Business, Second To None !,
Relax, We Do ALL THE WORK For You ! ! !
I?m still working on the next installment of my Journey to $9,000 series but, damn, those posts take forever! Seriously. So instead of rushing through them, I?m taking my time to try to make them really good resources with a good dose of inspiration and am working on some other projects at the same time. Here?s one of them? well, two of them?
The website I bought at the end of last year, Blighty Traveller, has been a ridiculously huge success. It?s pretty much been responsible for adding thousands of dollars to my earnings each month. Plus it does it in the most ideal way ? people pay me to give me free content. Yep! I don?t really do anything except add the post and find and edit a photo to go with it. All of the content on that site these days is paid. I know? it makes me feel a bit icky to admit that but the content I?m getting is actually of a really good quality. Much better than I?d get by outsourcing through a site like Textbroker and much better than I?d write myself ? mostly because I wouldn?t write anything myself. So it seems like the perfect business model. At least for now while businesses are paying for this sort of thing.
So with that in mind, I?m making an attempt to copy the format and concept of the site but with slightly different topics. I?m working on putting together a similar site focused on travel in Scotland and one on travel in London. The idea and look of the site will be the same, but instead of focusing on England (and a bit on the rest of the UK), the sites will be strictly London and Scotland traveller info. It?ll end up being a trio of related sites with the same design and similar site names but with different (but related) topics.
I know? London and Scotland, it?s been done before a million times, already. But I?m confident I can make good sites that will be strong earners for me in the future. Here?s why:
I?m very familiar with both places (I lived in London for 5 years so know it pretty well and my family is Scottish and I?ve spent plenty of time there).
I have a network of old, trusted, related sites to link to these new sites to help with SEO.
I have other similar websites that draw in potential advertisers and I know that suggesting other related sites on different IP addresses usually results in extra ad sales.
I?m willing to pay writers to help get the content built up?
?that?s where you might come in! I?m hoping to have London and Scotland-based blogger types help me build up the content for these sites, and I?m paying! Here?s the deal:
I can pay GBP20 per article of around 700-1000 words (into a Paypal account).
I can probably afford 10 articles per site per month.
I?ll probably only be looking for about 50 articles per site total. So this isn?t going to be a career move for you, just a way to earn some extra cash doing (hopefully) something you enjoy.
I?ll need original articles. If you?re a blogger whose already written about a particular subject, it?s totally fine to write about it again for my site. Just make sure to start fresh and maybe put a different spin on it to make it unique. Moving paragraphs around and changing a few sentences on something you?ve already written won?t work for me.
Here?s who I?m looking for:
Someone living in Scotland (doesn?t matter where) and someone living in London. People who enjoy travelling around and checking tourist things out. Foreigners in these places would be good because that?s the market the site is for, but locals also works because you?ll have those local insights. Just be living there.
Ideally I would like to work with as few people as possible per site so if you?ve got the time, eagerness and ability, I?d consider waiting longer to get the content to work with the right person.
My price per article isn?t great so I?m not looking for professional writer types. Bloggers starting out would be ideal because you?re probably familiar with WordPress and writing for the web, I can check out your blog to see your writing style and give you a bit of exposure (I won?t be giving out links at the bottom of each post but I will add you to a contributor page with a link to your blog).
I want someone who knows the basics of WordPress (so that the articles can be typed directly into my WordPress admin panel with a bit of formatting, choosing categories etc).
Someone who writes in a fun way but is direct and can also take note of the boring but important details like prices, opening hours of things, etc. I?ve never been a fan of filler like describing the way the flowers smelled on the beautiful summer day etc. I don?t care. I want facts served up with a nice helping of personality.
Someone who has the time to churn out 4 to 6 articles a month would be great. If you think you can get me the full 10 articles a month and I like your writing, then I?d be happy to work with just one person per site.
If this sounds like something you?d like to work with me on, please get in touch! Email me at travoholic@yahoo.com with this info:
Name and which site you want to work on. So? do you live in Scotland or London, basically.
If you have a blog, link to three posts you think highlight your writing style.
If you don?t have a blog, send me three files to give me an idea of your writing style (preferably to do with tourism-related stuff) or links to any writing you?ve done online.
How many articles you think you could manage in a month.
Three suggestions for articles that you?d writer first. Come up with titles for the suggestions.
How confident you are using WordPress.
Any questions you have about working on this.
I?m looking forward to hearing from you!
Has anyone else ever hired writers directly to work on a new site? This is all pretty new territory for me? I tend to outsource to Textbroker but I feel like I?ll like working with two (or a few) individuals more closely rather than the faceless people I find through Textbroker. Well, I?m sure they do have faces (I hope) but it?s all just so impersonal. I?m liking the relationships that I?m building as I work on my living in Kampala site with a team of writers (more on this in a post soon) so I?m hoping to establish the same thing with these two sites. It?s nice working with other people and it?s also nice when they get excited about the project as well? really pumps me up too.
var pageArea = document.getElementsByName("pageArea"); var blogPager = document.getElementById("blog-pager");
if(postNum 0){ html =''; }
if(blogPager){ blogPager.innerHTML = html; }
}
function showpageCount2(json) {
var thisUrl = home_page_url; var htmlMap = new Array(); var isLablePage = thisUrl.indexOf("/search/label/")!=-1; var thisLable = isLablePage ? thisUrl.substr(thisUrl.indexOf("/search/label/")+14,thisUrl.length) : ""; thisLable = thisLable.indexOf("?")!=-1 ? thisLable.substr(0,thisLable.indexOf("?")) : thisLable; var thisNum = 1; var postNum=1; var itemCount = 0; var fFlag = 0; var eFlag = 0; var html= ''; var upPageHtml =''; var downPageHtml ='';
var labelHtml = ''; var thisUrl = home_page_url; for(var i=0, post; post = json.feed.entry[i]; i++) { var timestamp1 = post.published.$t.substring(0,19)+post.published.$t.substring(23,29); timestamp = encodeURIComponent(timestamp1); var title = post.title.$t; if(title!=''){ if(itemCount==0 || (itemCount % pageCount ==(pageCount-1))){ if(thisUrl.indexOf(timestamp)!=-1 ){ thisNum = postNum; } if(title!='') postNum++; htmlMap[htmlMap.length] = '/search/label/'+thisLable+'?updated-max='+timestamp+'&max-results='+pageCount; } } itemCount++; } for(var p =0;p=(thisNum-displayPageNum-1) && p'; }else{ upPageHtml = ''+ upPageWord +''; } fFlag++; } if(p==(thisNum-1)){ html += ''+thisNum+''; }else{ if(p==0){ html = labelHtml+'1'; }else{ html += ''+ (p+1) +''; } } if(eFlag ==0 && p == thisNum){ downPageHtml = ' '+ downPageWord +''; eFlag++; } } } if(thisNum>1){ if(!isLablePage){ html = ''+upPageHtml+' '+html +' '; }else{ html = ''+upPageHtml+' '+html +' '; } } html = '
Pages ('+(postNum-1)+')'+html; if(thisNum'; var pageArea = document.getElementsByName("pageArea"); var blogPager = document.getElementById("blog-pager"); if(postNum 0){ html =''; } if(blogPager){ blogPager.innerHTML = html; } }
News Desk: Sony Xperia launched three Smartphones - Xperia U, P and Sola in India. The company announced the launch of the three high-end devices in an event in Bangalore and Kolkata.
Xperia U, P and Sola are priced at Rs 17,399, Rs 25,799 and Rs 20,449 respectively. All the three Smartphones are based on Android operating system.
While Sony has partnered with Tata Docomo to offer free data services up to 3GB on Tata Docomo platform on Xperia Sola, one of the three Smartphones, it has also partnered with Box to provide 50GB free of Cloud storage for all its Smartphones.
The three Smartphones run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread and are powered by dual core 1 GHz processor.
The Xperia U, has a 1GHz Dual-core chip, a 3.5-inch reality display with a resolution 854?480 pixels, 512 MB RAM, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p recording and 8GB of inbuilt memory.
The Xperia P is powered by a 1GHz dual ST-Ericsson NovaThor chip and features a 4-inch display with resolution of 960?540 with White Magic technology that adds an additional White pixel to the standard Red, Green and Blue pixels to provide more clarity. Adding to that the device include 1GB of RAM, a 8-megapixel camera with 1080p capture and 16GB of inbuilt memory.
The Sola also has a 1GHz dual-core chip with 512MB of RAM with a 3.7-inch reality screen with resolution of 854?480 pixels. The device also features a 5 MP camera with 720p video capabilities and provides the user with 8GB of Internal memory. The device sports a new feature, the floating touch display technology that allows users to scroll through web pages on the device without even actually touching the display. Users can simply haul their finger close to the screen to get the work done.
Going back to Roman occasions, dangers have already been shared during times of tragedy and unforeseen situations, this kind of as earthquakes, floods as well as the like. The first formal and recorded insurance firm, Lloyd?s of London, was formed in 1769 and their founding principal remains intact nowadays ? to gather the premiums of clients as being a pool of assets in order to return to consumers who experience sudden and unforeseen but covered occasions. So, that is certainly the secret actually, strategy for the sudden and unforeseen and be sure you?re covered, specially when you are travelling. Regardless of whether your trip can be a quick a single or even a round the world cruise, there are various very good reasons for travel insurance. Right here are just 7 things you must do just before you buy your travel insurance:
Whatever you do, please discover the market and educate oneself with every one of the terms and terminologies in the travel insurance coverage cover which will allow you to to avail the best travel insurance coverage.
Certainly examine what is integrated in your travel insurance coverage policy but most importantly, examine what is EXCLUDED out of your travel insurance coverage policy.
Research the area you will. What is the weather probably to become like Is there any danger of hurricanes or tropical storms Floods How about Mosquito borne illness What?s the crime rate like What ever the perceived dangers your analysis uncovers then ensure that your travel insurance coverage covers you for that eventuality. It?s no great following the event to determine that you just are not covered for rabid canine attacks (due to the fact you?ll find so many in that specific region).
Discuss Your Existing Health-related Problems and Needs ? You will need to carefully assess your likely health-related requirements and make sure that they are declared towards the travel insurance business.
If you intend to drive be sure that you just are adequately covered. Numerous employ firms charge astronomic excesses in case of an accident. Ensure which you insured for that excess (and it will likely be a lot less costly than paying the hire company?s rates for that identical cover).
Make certain you?ve got the essential documentation for travel in that nation. Take Spain as an example which can be element of the European community and can supply cost-free well being care say to an UK citizen on holiday or residing there. You?ll find particular situations, one among which is that you just must have an UK E111 type, in the event you do not have that, you will not be treated. You have to also visit a nationwide health hospital, which are not in abundance in specific locations of Spain.
If travelling in Europe, it might pay to acquire an EHIC (European Well being Insurance coverage Card) as this will likely eliminate lots of be concerned ought to you?ll need any emergency therapy.
Okay, so there you might have it. 7 issues to complete before buying travel insurance coverage for the subsequent trip you make. The other substitute of course is always to not take out travel insurance, or to remain in your own home. Now, there?s an concept. But seriously, as usually when taking out insurance coverage, specifically travel insurance, examine the fine print very first. Importantly, find out ahead of you go what is excluded, not just integrated. So, constantly go through the fine print. For example, accidental coverage just isn?t provided in situation of drunken driving, driving under the influence of narcotic substances and so forth. Exclusions are also offered for accidents during risky sports like bungee jumping, car racing, (insert to your favourite probably hazardous sport right here), scuba diving, white water rafting, flying (except as passenger in standard airliners), gliding, skiing, bike racing, diving, mountaineering, windsurfing and so on. The list goes on. That indicates in case of accidents in these scenarios the insurance organization just isn?t liable to shell out any sum to the insured.
????LONGMEADOW, MA, May 26, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios (FADS), headquartered in Longmeadow, Massachusetts (USA) announced this week the opening of their Cape Town, South Africa dance studio.
CEO and President Jack Rothweiler called the opening "an exciting chapter for both the company and Cape Towners." As the second most populous city in South Africa, Cape Town is an indelible symbol of the beauty and promise of post-apartheid South Africa. Its logo -- an outline of the majestic Table Mountain superimposed over a rainbow -- suggests its historic mix of races and cultures. A popular tourist attraction, located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town is a health-oriented city which takes social dancing seriously
New franchisee Chris Sauer, along with wife, Gail, both South African natives, will run the daily operations of the studio. Gail has over 15 years experience teaching social and Latin American style dancing having previously worked at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Sandton, while Chris has administrative experience working there as well. As the newest franchisees in the FADS organization, the Sauer's already knew about U.S.-based company's philosophy, teaching methods, and naturally -- its iconic namesake.
The studio offers instruction in smooth and rhythm styles which are the basis of classic dances such as Tango, Cha-Cha-Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing.
For more information on location, hours and lessons visit: http://www.fadstygervalley.co.za or call + 011-27-218-3-78667.
Co-founded by the legendary Fred Astaire,our studios set the standard of excellence in dance instruction. From Ballroom to Latin to Swing to Salsa, we offer all styles of dance lessons for all ages and abilities in a fun atmosphere.
Contact: Corporate Office Address
Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc.
10 Bliss Rd
Longmeadow, MA 01106
P 413-567-3200
F 413-565-2298 http://www.fredastaire.com
--- Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com
# # #
Press Release Keywords:
fred astaire, fred astaire franchised dance studios, cape town, south africa, ballroom dance, salsa, waltz, tango, rumba, foxtrot, dance lessons, grand opening
? Julie Hilden On Facebook "Likes" As Constitutionally Protected Speech | Main | Changes In EU's Film Tax Credit Regime May Be Coming ?
May 23, 2012
Internet Filtering in China
Jyh-An Lee, National Chengchi University, and Ching-Yi Lee have published Forbidden City Enclosed by the Great Firewall: The Law and Power of Internet Filtering in China?in volume 13 of the Minnesota Journal of Law, Science, and Technology (2012). Here is the abstract.
China?s Internet filtering and censorship regime has received considerable global attention. The Chinese government has successfully regulated access to Internet content at the national level through technical means. Although some researchers optimistically viewed the Internet as a liberating force in China?s democratic development, the Chinese government has actually been using network technologies to control online information and grafting its own ideology to the Net. Digital technologies have become the government?s tool to tamp down political threats. The rise of the Chinese model of Internet control prompts many interesting questions associated with Internet law scholarship. This Article uses Lawrence Lessig?s pronouncement ?code is law? as a lens for understanding the Internet filtering system in China. Through the application of Lessig?s theory to the great firewall of China, we aim to illustrate the theory?s new implications and the government?s policy options in cyberspace.
Download the article from SSRN at the link.
May 23, 2012 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341bfae553ef016766b8828b970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Internet Filtering in China:
Well, that was a, uh, no-brainer. As Cannes winds down, its numerous awards start getting doled out -- and the most notable win so far comes for Pablo Larrain's critics' darling "No," which has just taken the Art Cinema Award, the top prize in the festival's Directors' Fortnight sidebar.
The film, a riveting political campaign drama starring Gael Garcia Bernal, was the obvious favorite for the award from its first screening way back on the third day of the festival, where it received rapturous applause and prompted many to ask why it wasn't in a higher-profile strand of the festival. Since then, it's had pretty much a dream festival run: reviews were glowing across the board, while word of mouth spread rapidly from that first screening, inspiring many more Competition-focused critics to give it some column inches.
Most thrillingly, US art-film powerhouse Sony Pictures Classics acquired the distribution rights a few days ago, assuring it a wider release than any of Larrain's previous films and significantly upping its chances of Oscar attention -- providing, of course, that Chile submits it to the Academy. All in all, a spectacular outcome for a film that might not have gotten its due in Competition -- though you can bet the selectors won't be caught napping the next time Larrain brings a film their way.
I haven't been able to dig into Directors' Fortnight as much as I'd have liked to this year, though I understand from colleagues that it was a stronger-than-average lineup. Still, nothing has eclipsed "No" as the breakout story of this year's festival sidebars, so the award feels appropriate. The film remains one of my two favorites of the entire festival -- if you'll forgive the smugness, I'm pleased I listed it as one of my five most anticipated titles before Cannes kicked off. ?
In other awards news, veteran Algerian director Merzak Allouache's "The Repentant," a reportedly deeply moving drama about Islamic fundamentalism, won the Best European Film prize in Directors' Fortnight. (Before you complain that Algeria isn't in Europe, it's a French production.) Cannes regular Nuri Bilge Ceylan took the Fortnight's Carosse d'Or award, a career achievement prize of sorts.
Meanwhile, over in the Critics' Week sidebar -- far less talked-about than the Fortnight this year, largely due to the prevalence of first-time filmmakers in its lineup -- Spanish emigration drama "Here and There," about a Mexican migrant worker returning home after many years in the US, took the Grand Prize, which went to Jeff Nichols's "Take Shelter" last year.
Lesser awards in the same strand went to "Sofia's Last Ambulance," a comic documentary about paramedics in the Bulgarian capital, Israeli theological thriller "God's Neighbours" and Argentinian juvenile-delinquent drama "The Wild Ones."
?
For more views on movies, awards season and other pursuits, follow?@GuyLodge?on Twitter.?
KATMANDU, Nepal - Scores of climbers were headed for the summit of Mount Everest on Friday to begin what is expected to be another busy weekend on the top of the world.
Don't miss these Travel stories
New coasters offer new thrills
Ride designers and theme park operators are upping the thrill factor through design and technology rather than vying for new records.
Want to fly next to your child? Prepare to pay
Have an airport question? Ask an avatar
U.S. airlines see decline in baggage-fee revenue
Fear factor: Strangest travel phobias
Last weekend, four climbers died on their way down from the summit amid worsening weather and a traffic jam of more than 200 people scrambling to conquer the world's highest peak. A similar crowd is expected this weekend, but there have been no reports of climbers in trouble and the weather is good.
Related: Climbers' traffic jam blamed for Mount Everest deaths
Gyanendra Shrestha, an official with Nepal's Tourism Ministry, said he had reports that 82 climbers reached the 29,035-foot summit on Friday morning.
Shrestha, who is at base camp, said 120 climbers started the last phase of the climb on Thursday night, but not all of them reached the summit. He said it was normal for some climbers to quit at the last treacherous part of the climb for various reasons.
More climbers were expected to try to reach the summit on Saturday - probably the last day of this climbing season.
"This is the last chance for climbers to attempt to reach the summit. If they can't, then there is not going to be another opportunity this season," said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, another tourism official.
Most of the climbers began their trek from the last camp at the South Col, located at 26,240 feet, on Thursday night and climbed all night, reaching the summit in the morning.
The deaths last weekend raised concerns about overcrowding above the highest camp on the mountain. The area above the South Col is nicknamed the "death zone" because of the steep, icy slope, treacherous conditions and low oxygen level.
Officials said that last weekend, climbers were heading to the summit as late as 2:30 p.m., even though 11 a.m. is the latest start time recommended. That meant climbers were staying too long on the mountain's upper reaches and exhausting their oxygen supplies because they didn't anticipate having to wait.
Related: Climber's sky-high dreams dashed far below Everest summit
More than 3,000 people have climbed Everest since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to do so in 1953. Some 225 climbers have died attempting it.
The deadliest day was May 10, 1996, when eight people were killed. The main reason was said to be that climbers who started their ascent late in the day were caught in a snowstorm in the afternoon and lost their way.
The climbing season normally runs from late March to the first week in June, but this year the first clear conditions occurred only last weekend.
Russia Buranovskiye Babushki perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Russia Buranovskiye Babushki perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
United Kingdom Engelbert Humperdinck perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Hungary Compact Disco perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Albania Rona Nishliu perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Lithuania Donny Montell perform during rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Friday, May 25, 2012. The finals of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the stadium on May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) ? Usually a jamboree of youthful exuberance ? and questionable taste ? this year's Eurovision Song Contest features a pair of elderly acts among its top contenders.
Engelbert Humperdinck, 76, takes the stage Saturday night for the United Kingdom, 45 years after he first got international attention crooning the hit "Release Me." He'll be wearing a necklace given to him by Elvis Presley.
Humperdinck faces stiff competition for the gray vote from Russia's Buranovskiye Babushki, a group of six grannies, the eldest of them 77. Their performance understandably won't include the intense gyrations favored by many younger performers, but does feature some choreographed baking.
They'll be going up against 24 other finalists in the 57-year-old competition viewed by some 125 million people worldwide and hailed by its legion of devoted fans as harmless, kitschy fun that allows Europeans to forget their differences ? and economic troubles ? for at least one night.
As last year's winner, oil-rich Azerbaijan is hosting the annual competition. Few think it stands any chance of a repeat victory, but the country hopes the hundreds of millions of dollars it has invested in preparing for the event will serve as a public relations coup and mitigate misgivings about its poor democracy and human rights record.
Strong favorite Loreen, a 28-year-old Swede of Moroccan-Berber descent, will be venturing a racier outfit and sultrier performance than the grannies. Her song "Euphoria" even stands a chance of fair international commercial success ? it's already topped the Swedish charts for six weeks and gone platinum five times.
The winner is picked by juries and television viewers across the continent, so a broad appeal is deemed key to success.
Other serious contenders include Italy's Nina Zilli and her lively ode "Out of Love," Zeljko Joksimovic of Serbia with the slow and stripped-down "Nije Ljubav Stvar," and Romania's entry Mandinga, a band fronted by sultry vocalist Elena Ionescu, with their brash attempt at exotica "Zaleilah."
The host country, a comparatively little-known former Soviet republic, has dug deep to make sure it's also a star.
The new Crystal Hall concert venue, a light-bathed arena on a point jutting out into the Caspian Sea, cost $134 million to build and was put up in a speedy eight months. Countless more millions have been deployed embellishing the capital, Baku, and buying a huge fleet of brand new London-style taxis.
Such profligacy has aroused concerns about the spiraling costs involved in holding the contest in times of austerity.
"At the moment, if the costs are growing more and more every year and it needs to be more splendid, there are countries that would have huge difficulties, especially with financial situation in Europe at the moment, in organizing it," said Annika Nyberg Frankenhauser, media department for the European Broadcasting Union, under whose auspices Eurovision is held.
Amid the glitz, antigovernment activists have held a number of small protests in the week running up to the final, seizing on the opportunity of the increased international media presence to draw attention to what they describe as the government's authoritarian style of rule.
On Friday, police quickly shut down a small flash mob near the competition venue, roughly dragging away dozens of demonstrators and stuffing them into waiting buses, at least of one which bore a Eurovision logo.
Three demonstration participants were sentenced to jail terms of five and six days on Saturday, while 17 others were fined 20-25 manat ($25-32).
Who couldn't use some additional money nowadays. Regardless of whether it's just a few hundred dollars per month, it sure would come in handy.
I think we could get a second job working at the super market or delivering pizza. But there has to be a smarter way.
One option is to create an online business. If you build a blog or a domain you can promote other folk's products on that internet site. If you can sell something they'll pay you a commission. This is named Affiliate Marketing and it's one of the very best kept secrets in the world. Why I don't know. I've been doing it for over 5 years.
And what a business idea it is. You do not have to stock products. You don't need to handle purchasers. You can even earn cash while you sleep.
Sound too good to be true?
Well it is not. Again I've been doing it for a long time.
But it's not for everyone. You do need to have good PC skills. And you'll have to discover how the internet works. Particularly you'll need to learn how Google works. Unless you can get traffic to your website then nothing occurs and you will not make any money.
This will take finding someone to train you how it works.
Luckily there's a few good systems out there which will teach you and even hold your hand through the whole process of building your second income.
But this is not Get Rich Quick. It isn't even Get Rich Slow... Unless you try hard and learn your craft. Folks do become rich selling online nonetheless it does take determination and patience. You'll have to learn a lot and spend a little time doing things that are pointless and mundane. Things like...
- Creating articles
- Getting links from other websites - Researching products to sell - Researching your keywords
?
But there are systems out there which will guide you each step of the way. You simply have to have the persistence to carry on doing it. Some have been around for years and have a superb past record.
?
One is a thing by the name of Site Build It. This system teaches a thing by the name of C-T-P-M.
?
Content leads to Traffic and the Preselling that traffic permits you to Monetize.
?
Monetizing is making money based on the Problems your traffic has. If you can build a site around Problems that folks wish to solve then you can earn money by offering solutions.
?
If a golfer has a driving problem you can offer them places to find new drivers or educational videos that may aid them.
?
If your visitors have a weight problem you can share diet systems that will help them to lose weight.
?
If someone need to learn how to play guitar you can send them to websites that teach them how to play via videos.
?
These are all real opportunities to untangle an issue and make money promoting an answer to that problem. All the examples above are real.
?
It does help to know a bit about the subject of your website.
?
It can help to know a little about golf or have a strong desire to learn.
?
It helps to have a weight problem or perhaps have resolved that problem yourself.
?
If you have a past-time or an experience, these are all neat ideas you can build a web businesss around. This is achievable and something that you can make money at.
?
And it sure beats delivering pizza.
?
About the Author:
?
Rick Hart is an internet marketing specialist who teaches the right way to earn cash online. He has over 20 internet sites of his very own and on his Site Build It Counsel website he teaches the correct way to use that system.
![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 29-May-2012
Share ] 
