APBWeb - Thunderdome http://apbweb.com/forums/ en Sun, 26 May 2013 09:37:07 GMT vBulletin 60 http://apbweb.com/forums/images/styles/VisionCollision/misc/rss.png APBWeb - Thunderdome http://apbweb.com/forums/ NY Sheriffs appose gun laws http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51887-ny-sheriffs-appose-gun-laws.html Sat, 25 May 2013 18:32:21 GMT New York sheriffs voice opposition to strict gun law, seek to join lawsuit | Fox News...
New York sheriffs voice opposition to strict gun law, seek to join lawsuit | Fox News

Colorado didn't surprise me, NY does a little though

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County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.The New York State Sheriffs' Association and five individual sheriffs are asking U.S. District Judge William Skretny to add their position to the record. They support gun rights advocates seeking to block enforcement of new bullet limits for magazines and the tighter definition of assault weapons.
The sheriffs agree with the New York affiliate of the National Rifle Association that the law, passed after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, is unconstitutional because it will prevent citizens from keeping commonly used firearms for home defense.


Read more: New York sheriffs voice opposition to strict gun law, seek to join lawsuit | Fox News
]]> Thunderdome 213th http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51887-ny-sheriffs-appose-gun-laws.html Some unions now angry about health care overhaul http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51886-some-unions-now-angry-about-health-care-overhaul.html Sat, 25 May 2013 09:14:07 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Some labor unions that enthusiastically backed President Barack Obama's health care overhaul are now frustrated and angry, fearful that it will jeopardize benefits for millions of their members.
Union leaders warn that unless the problem is fixed, there could be consequences for Democrats facing re-election next year.
"It makes an untruth out of what the president said — that if you like your insurance, you could keep it," said Joe Hansen, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. "That is not going to be true for millions of workers now."
The problem lies in the unique multiemployer health plans that cover unionized workers in retail, construction, transportation and other industries with seasonal or temporary employment. Known as Taft-Hartley plans, they are jointly administered by unions and smaller employers that pool resources to offer more than 20 million workers and family members continuous coverage, even during times of unemployment.
The union plans were already more costly to run than traditional single-employer health plans.
But Obama's Affordable Care Act has added to that cost — for the unions' and other plans — by requiring health plans to cover dependents up to age 26, eliminate annual or lifetime coverage limits and extend coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
Some unions now angry about health care overhaul
]]> Thunderdome lewisipso http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51886-some-unions-now-angry-about-health-care-overhaul.html Did California Just Expose a Major Flaw in Obamacare? http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51885-did-california-just-expose-major-flaw-obamacare.html Sat, 25 May 2013 09:12:08 GMT Excited or not, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is set to be fully implemented in just six months and one week. Targeted at revamping our entire health care...
Excited or not, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is set to be fully implemented in just six months and one week. Targeted at revamping our entire health care system, it will mandate individuals to carry health insurance and require that health-benefit providers are spending at least 80% of premiums collected on health care for its members.
In addition, this new health reform aims to keep the inflationary costs of premiums reasonably low as health insurance exchanges that are being set up in each state should allow for competitive and transparent pricing. The idea here is that having more pricing visibility will allow consumers to make smarter choices when selecting their own health insurance. But, as California showed us yesterday, there could be a major flaw with that thesis.
Don't call us, we'll call you
With few states having unveiled detailed plans for their state-run insurance exchange, all eyes were focused on California, which offers quite the blend of individual and commercial customers, as well as a number of soon-to-be Medicaid participants under the PPACA's Medicaid expansion. Yesterday, California unveiled the 13 contract winners who will be participating in its insurance exchange in the coming months. There were some very familiar on the list, including Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross -- which is run by WellPoint (NYSE: WLP ) , the nation's second-largest health insurer -- andHealth Net (NYSE: HNT ) , which collectively make up a big portion of California's individual insurance market.
However, notably missing from the list were UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH ) , CIGNA(NYSE: CI ) , and Aetna (NYSE: AET ) , which all kindly bowed out of being included into California's health insurance exchange.
When questioned about not wanting to take part in California's insurance exchange, according to The Los Angeles Times, UnitedHealth commented, "We are simply taking the time to carefully evaluate and better understand how the exchanges will work to ensure we are best prepared to participate meaningfully in their development." Similarly, a CIGNA spokesman was quoted as saying, "We will continue to offer individual plans going forward [in five of 10 states], but we've decided not to participate in Covered California in 2014."
On the surface this may not appear to be a big deal since UnitedHealth, CIGNA, and Aetna combined for only 7% of the total health insurance market in 2011 according to research compiled by Citigroup, and are focused primarily on the commercial side of the business. But, the message that these three large insurers are sending California is much more important.


Did California Just Expose a Major Flaw in Obamacare? (AET, CI, HNT, UNH, WLP)
]]> Thunderdome lewisipso http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51885-did-california-just-expose-major-flaw-obamacare.html 54 sheriffs sue over CO gun law that it is unconstitutional. http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51854-54-sheriffs-sue-over-co-gun-law-unconstitutional.html Sat, 18 May 2013 20:40:07 GMT
http://www.i2i.org/files/file/54-sheriffs-complaint.pdf

Good. As for the others that aren't joining in. I hope they get thrown out on their asses next election.
]]> Thunderdome pgg http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51854-54-sheriffs-sue-over-co-gun-law-unconstitutional.html <![CDATA[IRS apologizes to groups with "Tea Party" or "patriots" in their titles for overzealous audits of their applications for tax-exempt status]]> http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51836-irs-apologizes-groups-tea-party-patriots-their-titles-overzealous-audits-their-applications-tax-exempt-status.html Sat, 11 May 2013 01:24:50 GMT ---Quote--- The Internal Revenue Service apologized to Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations on Friday for what it now says were overzealous audits of their applications for...
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The Internal Revenue Service apologized to Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations on Friday for what it now says were overzealous audits of their applications for tax-exempt status.
Lois Lerner, the director of the I.R.S. division that oversees tax-exempt groups, acknowledged that the agency had singled out nonprofit applicants with the terms “Tea Party” or “patriots” in their titles in an effort to respond to a surge in applications for tax-exempt status between 2010 and 2012.She insisted that the move was not driven by politics, but she added, “We made some mistakes; some people didn’t use good judgment.”“For that we’re apologetic,” she told reporters on a conference call.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/us...dits.html?_r=0
]]> Thunderdome Jenna http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51836-irs-apologizes-groups-tea-party-patriots-their-titles-overzealous-audits-their-applications-tax-exempt-status.html U.S. attorney general says Kansas gun law is unconstitutional http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51797-u-s-attorney-general-says-kansas-gun-law-unconstitutional.html Fri, 03 May 2013 07:33:08 GMT Then go to Kansas and get them buddy. KANSAS CITY, Kansas (Reuters) - A recently enacted law in Kansas intended to block enforcement of federal gun regulations is unconstitutional, U.S. Attorney...
Then go to Kansas and get them buddy.

KANSAS CITY, Kansas (Reuters) - A recently enacted law in Kansas intended to block enforcement of federal gun regulations is unconstitutional, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder wrote in a letter released on Thursday.
The law, which seeks to keep guns or ammunition from being subject to any federal regulation - as long they are kept in Kansas - directly conflicts with federal law, Holder wrote in the April 26 letter toKansas Governor Sam Brownback.
"Federal officers who are responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations in order to maintain public safety cannot be forced to choose between the risk of a criminal prosecution by a state and the continued performance of their federal duties," Holder wrote.
The law also bans federal or other agents from enforcing federal regulations in the making or sale of Kansas-made firearms.
Holder said a state "may not criminalize the exercise of federal responsibilities" and that all federal laws remain in effect.
Brownback, a Republican, signed the new law two weeks ago after it won overwhelming support in the state House and Senate. It took effect last week.
In a letter to Holder late Thursday, Brownback said the law has wide public support as well as bipartisan backing in the state legislature.
"The people of Kansas have clearly expressed their sovereign will," Brownback wrote. "It is my hope that upon further review you will see their right to do so."
The chief gun rights lobbyist for the law said Holder's opinion will not go unchallenged.
"We will stand our constitutional ground," said Patricia Stoneking, president of the Kansas State Rifle Association. "The federal government has far exceeded its boundaries for a long time and it is time to rein that in."
U.S. attorney general says Kansas gun law is unconstitutional
]]> Thunderdome lewisipso http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51797-u-s-attorney-general-says-kansas-gun-law-unconstitutional.html UFO believers pay former members of Congress to listen to 30 hours of testimony about UFOs http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51778-ufo-believers-pay-former-members-congress-listen-30-hours-testimony-about-ufos.html Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:09:59 GMT ---Quote--- The hearing lasts through Friday at the National Press Club and will be the basis for a documentary on UFOs. For her service — listening to about 30 hours of congressional-style...
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The hearing lasts through Friday at the National Press Club and will be the basis for a documentary on UFOs. For her service — listening to about 30 hours of congressional-style testimony — the private group will pay her $20,000 plus expenses.Kilpatrick said she'll await the evidence before drawing conclusions on whether there's a government effort to hide existence of flying saucers."I'm waiting to hear," Kilpatrick told The Detroit News as she settled on the panel before the hearings kicked off. "I'm not making any of those kinds of statements."It's good to be here. We're excited. I've been reading and watching and so I'm looking forward to the week's activities."Joining Kilpatrick on the bipartisan panel are ex-Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska (Democrat and more recently Libertarian), as well as former Reps. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., and Merrill Cook, R-Utah.
]]> Thunderdome Jenna http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51778-ufo-believers-pay-former-members-congress-listen-30-hours-testimony-about-ufos.html A new front for gun background checks: the ballot http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51773-new-front-gun-background-checks-ballot.html Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:49:03 GMT OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by...
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by taking the issue directly to voters.
While advocates generally prefer that new gun laws be passed through the legislative process, especially at the national level, they are also concerned about how much sway the National Rifle Association has with lawmakers. Washington Rep. Jamie Pedersen, a Democrat who had sponsored unsuccessful legislation on background checks at the state level, said a winning ballot initiative would make a statement with broad implications.
"It's more powerful if the voters do it — as opposed to our doing it," Pedersen said. "And it would make it easier for the Legislature to do even more."
A new front for gun background checks: the ballot
]]> Thunderdome lewisipso http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51773-new-front-gun-background-checks-ballot.html Politician/martial artist/Blues musician/alleged pedophile charged with sending ricin and framing his enemy elvis impersonator after feud over organ trafficking writings and fake Mensa certificate http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51770-politician-martial-artist-blues-musician-alleged-pedophile-charged-sending-ricin-framing-his-enemy-elvis-impersonator-after-feud-over-organ-trafficking-writings-fake-mensa-certificate.html Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:44:32 GMT ---Quote--- A Mississippi martial arts instructor was charged on Saturday with attempting to use a biological weapon after a ricin-laced letter was sent to President Barack Obama...
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A Mississippi martial arts instructor was charged on Saturday with attempting to use a biological weapon after a ricin-laced letter was sent to President Barack Obama earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
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U.S. prosecutors dropped charges on Tuesday against another Mississippi man, Elvis impersonator Kevin Curtis, who was released from jail after a search of his home in nearby Corinth revealed no incriminating evidence.
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Dutschke's name first surfaced in a federal court hearing on Monday for Curtis where his attorney suggested her client had been framed by someone. She mentioned a running feud between Dutschke and Curtis, albeit over a number of seemingly petty issues.
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In 2007, Dutschke ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate against Stephen Holland, an incumbent Democratic state representative from the Tupelo area. Holland's mother, Sadie, is the judge to whom one of the ricin-tainted letters was mailed this month.
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Curtis, 45, told the Northeastern Mississippi Daily Journal that he believed Dutschke deliberately sabotaged his career as a performer by calling sponsors and telling them about Curtis' numerous prior arrests. "I lost 12 really big shows in 2011 and eight in 2012 directly linked to him," Curtis told the newspaper.Dutschke is also musical and fronted a two-man blues band in Tupelo called RoboDrum."MISSING PIECES"Curtis's brother and fellow Elvis impersonator, insurance agent Jack Curtis, worked for a time with Dutschke and says he believes the feud with Dutschke is related to his brother's efforts to publicize allegations about a black market for body parts at a local Mississippi hospital.Kevin Curtis was fired as a janitor from North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo after raising questions about body parts he said he observed there. The hospital strongly denied the allegations.Dutschke faces other charges related to an April 1 indictment for fondling three different children between ages 7 and 16, from 2007 to 2013, according to court records. He was released on $25,000 bond in that case.
Mississippi man charged with attempted use of biological weapon | Reuters

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Curtis acknowledges posting a fake Mensa certificate on Facebook, but says it was an online trap set up for Dutschke because he believed Dutschke was stalking him online. He knew Dutschke also claimed to be a member of the organization for people with high IQs. Dutschke had a Mensa email address during a legislative campaign he mounted in 2007.Dutschke started a campaign to prove him a liar, Curtis said, and allegedly harassed him through emails and social networking.Curtis said the two agreed to meet at one point to face off in person, but Dutschke didn't show up."The last email I got from him, was, `Come back tomorrow at 7 and the results of you being splattered all over the pavement will be public for the world to see what a blank, blank, blank you are.' And then at that point, I knew I was dealing with a coward," Curtis said.
Everett Dutschke Investigated In Ricin Case
]]> Thunderdome Jenna http://apbweb.com/forums/thunderdome/51770-politician-martial-artist-blues-musician-alleged-pedophile-charged-sending-ricin-framing-his-enemy-elvis-impersonator-after-feud-over-organ-trafficking-writings-fake-mensa-certificate.html