¿Que son las manos incompletas o con posibilidades?

Los draws son aquellas manos que no son manos hechas, pero pueden transformarse en estas con ayuda de las cartas comunitarias. Hay draws fuertes y débiles, dependiendo del número de cartas comunitarias necesarias para mejorar la mano. Si tienes una posibilidad de color, hay 9 cartas que podrían completarlo. Si tienes un par, hay sólo dos cartas que pueden mejorar tu mano para formar una pierna.

Posibilidad de escalera abierta: Si tus dos cartas, combinadas con las cartas comunitarias, contienen cuatro cartas de rango consecutivo, tienes una posibilidad de escalera abierta. Todavía no tienes la escalera formada, ya que debe estar formada por cinco cartas consecutivas, pero una carta extra al principio o al final completaría la escalera. Hay 8 cartas que completarían este tipo de escaleras.

Posibilidad de color: Si tienes cuatro cartas del mismo palo, tienes posibilidad de color. Una carta comunitaria extra de ese palo formaría el color.

Posibilidades monstruosas: Una posibilidad monstruosa es cuando tienes combinadas una posibilidad de escalera y de color. Hay cartas potenciales que pueden completar el color y otras que pueden completar la escalera. Con 9 cartas potenciales para el color y seis para la escalera, tienes un total de 15 cartas potenciales para completar una mano extremadamente fuerte.

Posibilidad de escalera central: Tienes la oportunidad de formar una escalera pero te falta una carta central. Por lo tanto, solo hay cuatro cartas potenciales en el mazo que completan la posibilidad de escalera central, por lo que esta es mucho más débil que la posibilidad de escalera abierta.

Posibilidad de doble escalera central: Hay un tercer tipo de escalera incompleta que es mucho más difícil de reconocer. La llamamos posibilidad doble central y es una combinación de dos escaleras centrales. Por ejemplo si nuestras cuatro cartas son A-Q-J-10 o Q-J-10-8. Como podemos ver, cualquier rey o cualquier 9 nos completarían la posibilidad de escalera, así que hay 8 cartas potenciales que no s ayudan. Este número de cartas equivale a las disponibles en una posibilidad de escalera abierta, por lo tanto ambas posibilidades tienen el mismo valor.

Cartas mayores: Supón que no tienes una mano hecha ni ninguno de las posibilidades descriptas anteriormente, pero ambas de tus cartas son más altas que cualquiera de las cartas comunitarias. Entonces tiene lo que llamamos cartas mayores. Es cierto que éstas no forman una posibilidad fuerte, pero si logras un par, sería el par más alto.

Cartas mayores y posibilidad de escalera central: Puedes tener dos posibilidades débiles, pero juntas forman una posibilidad fuerte. Un clásico ejemplo de dicha combinación es cuando se tienen cartas altas y una posibilidad de escalera central.

Jesus is this sort of map.

A map shows some details of the destination in mind. If you look at a country or state map it might give certain distances between each destination or place. If you look closer it might give you highways or interstates. Some maps might even give you restaurants or places of entertainment depending on the genre and style of the map. The map can only give you so much though, a map doesn’t show you the people, cars or houses, or the tv’s in the house, or maybe even what’s on the television. It doesn’t make the map any less of a map, because it is the map being the map; giving you details of the destination or goal.

Jesus, in more ways than one, points us back to God. In several places he uses the phrase “Kingdom of God”, not kingdom of Jesus. In another place he says something like this, “I am here to do the will of Him who sent me” and so on. Jesus came here to show us God in skin. Show us how to be God in our skin. How to embrace the divine within. To introduce a new way to be human. To show us how to connect with God. To be the ultimate example of God on earth for all of mankind.

Jesus essentially draws us into the circle with God. Like the Rublev’s Trinity fresco we can all come and commune with the Divine Three.

The map shows us how to get to the destination. If we spend all our time worshipping the map, and spending all of our time dissecting the map, then we might never get to the destination. Especially when the “map” is telling us to look towards the destination. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is important. He is divine. But, in his own words, he is not the point. He leads us to the point.

Too many times people remove the phrase “I am the way, the truth, and the life” out of its context and so it seems as if Jesus was mandating some kind of magical process whereby only some can walk through this door to connect with God or receive salvation. Some stand in front of abortion clinics proclaiming this, others stand in pulpits and assert the same thing. Yet, if you begin looking at this phrase from the point of Jesus in light of the context (being a conversation between himself and Thomas) than a different message might appear that is different to the one we have been taught for so long. Again, I need to reiterate that Jesus is important and we can learn oodles of information and how to live, be and breath. He is God in skin, but his being here doesn’t end there. He was here to show us that we too could be like him in every way. Every way.

John 4:12: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father

The Jews believed/believe everything is connected. We are all connected. Now, Jesus would have known this, He might have even filtered his words through this reality. And if this is true, then Jesus is essentially inviting everyone to also join in on the connection with God. That people could, if they wanted to, join in on the movement of love and grace and peace and so many other things that God is about and we can go to Jesus to find out what some of those things are, the journey should take us onward and closer to God…but if we want to get to the destination we should grab some friends and enjoy the journey on our way to God. If we see God as the destination as a now and not yet, then we can experience him, be like him (not just Jesus) and also meet him in his own fullness one day when…but till then, we can endorse who He is and what he stands for while we live and breath here on earth in each moment…

A website set up by China’s Ministry of National Defense attracts 2.3million hack attempts in its first four weeks online…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: tianjin china. The blog is also related to: beijing china.

There is no argument that withstands a flood.  Stop here, I said to the waves.  And then I made a cross in the sand and said, God, help.  Soon my foot was gone.  And so I went walking on the stump.  You may say, O.  Or instead take note of my weeping and my limp and fear for your life.  It may be coming for you, and that it hasn’t yet doesn’t mean it won’t.  But I am safe today.  I am like a seal in a cove.  The sun is glistening everywhere like truth.  If I turn my head this way, glittering.  If I look up, only blue.  The tide draws in and out.  Sometimes it feels like a convenience.  Sometimes it smells like despair.

What does China want for its $10bn loan to Africa?… From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: china-ningbo. For a different topic see here. The blog is also related to: china area.

Once upon a time people such as this were known as witches, and rightly burned at the stake. These days, they’re celebrated on YouTube. Watch this:

Alexander Overwijk draws a perfect freehand circle 1m in diameter in less than a second.

“LOCATION OF THE DOSSIER” Photographic print – Courtesy of the FANTOM FACTION

As China pledges to invest further in Africa, the BBC’s Christian Fraser examines the growing billion-dollar relationship between the two regions…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: great wall china. The blog is also related to: chinese china.

I missed this FA Cup first round match, and what a cracker. Gavin Hoyte sent off (I think that’s six red cards for the Albion this season now), Nicky Forster scores his tenth goal of the season, and Glenn Murray gets a brace. Nothing dull about this team eh?

Hinsh carrys on the Albion madness at Wycombe

The reason for my absence? I was at Falmer High School all day, attending my FA Level 1 in coaching football course. It was a good laugh, and even the big shiny skeleton of  a new stadium going up behind the University of Brighton site didn’t put me off my game too much.

Albion Team (goalscorers in bold):

(4-4-2) Smith; Hoyte, Virgo, Elphick, El-Abd; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Cox; Forster (Davies 73), Murray (2)

Subs: Kuipers, Navarro, McLeod, Tunnicliffe, Livermore, C Barker.

Gone: Russell Slade

I said it would happen, and I’m not that happy to report that I was 100% right. Russell Slade is no longer manager of Brighton and Hove Albion Football club. Bob Booker and Dean White – much maligned by most Seagulls fans – have gone with him. Martin Hinshelwood takes over as caretaker boss.

The match yesterday was a strange one, to say the least. Six goals, honours even, yet we played the Monkey Hangers off the pitch. I had a few too many ales before kick-off, so left the South Stand just before half-time to splash my boots and get a quick burger – and missed three goals! In the second half we played some breathtaking football, with both Gary Dicker and Elliott Bennett electrifying the crowd with sensational midfield play. Block H demanded – and got – a big wave from Slade after Nicky Forster added his ninth goal of the season.

But it was all in vain, Pool hung on for an undeserved point. Our defence once again had gone walkabout when it really mattered and scoring three goals at home and NOT winning the game finally hammered in the last nail in Slade’s coffin.

I won’t say more than that, a sad day for Big Russ, but it was on the cards for a while now. I wish him all the best whatever he does next and wait with baited breath to see who comes in to take over the hot seat. I also expect this exciting, but extremely frustrating to watch, young squad to start performing and soon. Roll on Southampton.

The Hovian’s Albion Team Performance : 6 out of 10

The Hovian’s Albion Man of the Match : Elliott Bennett & Gary Dicker

Albion Team (goalscorers in bold):

(4-4-2) Smith; Hoyte, Tunnicliffe, Elphick, El-Abd; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Davies (Cox 60); Dickinson, Forster (2)

Subs: Kuipers, Hart, Thornhill, Cox, Virgo, Navarro, Murray

League One table

Sunday, 1 November 2009 15:58 UK

Thousands of people in Tokyo queue for 20 seats in a courtroom’s public gallery to see the trial of a Japanese pop star…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: japan shi. The blog is also related to: web japan.

144 students from Ho Chi Minh City took part in the 10th annual “Prudential – Good Essay, Good Writing” contest on October 25.

Tang Thi Thanh Thuy, student of Ba Dinh High School in District 5, takes part in the “Prudential-Good Essay-Good Writing” contest on October 25. (Photo: Mai Hai)

The students were divided into two groups, one comprised of 6th and 7th graders, and one made up of 8th and 9th graders.

The younger group submitted essays based on the topic of encouraging their friends to participate in the contest and highlighted the importance of writing well.

The second group, meanwhile, turned in essays which analyzed the verses of a Vietnamese poem titled “Tieng ru” (Lullaby) by To Huu. The poem explores the relationship between individuals and their community.

Well-written essays with an expressive style will receive high marks, said a member of the judging panel.

Organizers included Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper and the City Department of Education and Training. The annual contest sponsored by insurer Prudential Vietnam was firstly held in 2000, aiming to encourage literature study and good handwriting among junior high school students.  

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In Group "B" of the Cosafa Challenge Cup, meanwhile, Botswana and Swaziland are set to clash Tuesday in Bulawayo where Seychelles faces Comoros… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer website. The blog is also related to: english football team.

Expecting a win today, we’re ok away and are due giving someone a good hiding, why not Russell Slade’s old team? Adam Virgo on the bench, maybe he’s struggling a bit with fitness?

5 minutes, cross from Fozzy, reaches Crofts – ONE-NIL!!!! ALBION!!!! Crofts playing really well, we’re well on top here. Five minutes to half-time, Forster lays it on for Dickinson – right peg………….2-0!!!!! Forster nearly makes it three, keeper saves. Murdering them. Oops! in extra-time the farmers nick one. Game on, half-time. 

Second half, no changes in the line ups. Scrappy, bad tempered game, some right gobby old farmers drowning out the Player commentary. Yeovil going for it. Murray is warming up for Dickinson, who’s limping, and he’s on at 55 minutes. We have lost our shape completely second half, Gary Dicker is getting stuck in, everyone else like headless chickens. Cox on for Davies, more attacking look to the Albion now, we need this win badly.

Penalty for Yeovil. Fuck sake. 2-2. Come on ALBION!!!

4 minutes of extra-time, plenty of time to gift these idiots another goal. What a load of utter shite. I was for giving Gary Dicker my Man of the Match, but really none of them deserve it, Dicker did have a good second half when everyone else gave up though. Just not good enough. Yeovil are awful, but we’re just as bad if not worse. No, we ARE fucking worse, they have more points than us.

How long do we give Slade? We went up to 17th at 2-0, now we’re back where we firmly belong – in the relegation places. Utter pants.

The Hovian’s Albion Team Performance : 5 out of 10

The Hovian’s Albion Man of the Match : Gary Dicker

Albion Team (goalscorers in bold):

(4-4-2) Kuipers; Hoyte, Tunnicliffe, Elphick, Wright; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Davies (Cox 72); Forster, Dickinson (Murray 55)

Subs: McNulty, Cox, Hart, Murray, Thornhill, Smith, Virgo.

League One table

Saturday, 10 October 2009 17:03 UK

I’ve been working on adding content to my new site lately (http://coreyleedraws.com) and other ways to promote my work. Today I added a short progression on how I made my forest illustration. It’s really short but you can see how I go from rough sketch to final. You can view it here: http://coreyleedraws.com/index.php?/ongoing/forest/

1. Arsenal were fantastic going forward against Blackburn yesterday and Cesc Fabregas inspired a 6-2 rout with six different scorers. Paul Robinson got his usual work out against the Gunners and has now conceded an amazing 47 goals in 16 games against Arsenal, fourteen of which have come in the last three games. I thought he actually played quite well but there was a definite strategy to pepper him with mid to long range shots.

Rovers had taken an unexpected lead twice before Arsenal hit back, Fabregas providing four assists and a goal before coming off. All six goals were of a high quality but I’d say Bendtner’s was the best. It was obvious as soon as he got the ball what he wanted to do but those efforts are now starting to go in rather then sail high and wide.

I love Arsenal and Rosicky loves me.

There was some talk earlier in the season about how Fabregas looked distracted and unhappy but I think he’s back to his best. There will always be speculation surrounding his future and I think most Arsenal fans accept he will one day play for Barcelona but at the same time it may not be for a few years yet (at least not until Wenger burns him out!). You can see what it would mean to him to win trophies with this team and if he can direct those kind of performances against the big sides then Arsenal could well have a shout for one this season.

Allardyce called Vermaelen’s foul on Dunn at 3-2 a turning point and while yes it was a definite penalty, to say it was a red card offence too is just silly. Even if Blackburn had scored, there was no way Arsenal were losing yesterday, they were just too good going forward. Maybe if Allardyce hadn’t taken off his best player in David Dunn, not played four full backs and generally shown a bit more adventure, then he might have had a point.

Blah blah blah.

The return of Rosicky has been very pleasing too and I think everyone forgot just what a classy player he was before he got injured. He’s constantly creating space and playing intelligent passes and he fits really well into the 4-3-3 system. With Nasri back sooner rather than later and Ramsey ever more impressive in his weekly substitute cameo, it should hopefully consign Diaby to the bench. I think right now his height is the only thing going for him (meaning he plays against ‘big’ sides like Rovers) but his overall play just doesn’t fit. He did very little on Saturday and can only offer potential for so long.

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2. Liverpool lost for the fourth time this season (including Europe) and each time it’s been a good side. They have become more expansive this season but with that have sacrificed much of the solidity that brought them good results. They are turning into flat track bullies who can hammer 20 goals past the likes of Burnley, Hull, Stoke, West Ham and Bolton but then struggle when facing half decent sides like Spurs, Fiorentina, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Similarly Torres can score five in two games but then waste the two presentable opportunites he had yesterday. He was well marshalled by Terry and must show that he can impose himself on a big match consistently like Drogba can.

It has been said before but Alonso is being missed with every passing week and the return of Aquilani won’t help that. Alonso sat deep with Mascherano and gave it to Gerrard or played in Torres. Aquilani is much less likely to do the same and like Lucas will wander forward, given that by nature they are both more attacking players. This leaves the centre back pairing exposed and may explain partly why Carragher has been so poor this season. Meanwhile if you rely on Torres and Gerrard so much, when they’re stopped so are Liverpool. Benitez can say they are still contenders, and of course points wise they are. But I think there are fundamental issues at which will prevent Liverpool from winning the league yet again.

Hey lads, why do you flatter to deceive?

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3. After just four draws in the opening 66 games there were four this weekend. As teams finally get the measure of each other we can expect that total to increase. Tellingly, there have been only two draws amongst the top ten and six in the bottom half. The usual scenario of nervousness at the foot of the table is beginning to creep in. How many times have we seen positive play rewarded with more wins, hence more three point gains, hence eventual safety. Something to take heed of for those playing 4-5-1.

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4. Man Utd got out of jail on Saturday evening against Sunderland with an injury time equaliser via the unfortunate Anton Ferdinand who scored an own goal. Prior to that Sunderland had fully deserved to be leading, Cattermole and Cana again holding their own against an opposition midfield. Those two have quickly become one of the better partnerships in the league and offer a nice mixture of toughness and harassment but with enough skill to allow for some creativity.

Up front Darren Bent is fast developing an impressive habit of scoring against the big sides as well as the small so it was a surprise to not see him get called up for England given the two qualifiers are essentially meaningless.

The other English striker on show Rooney (though I suppose there was Welbeck too, who was bizarrely chosen down the left) had another poor game and has yet to learn how to avoid his drops in form. Throughout his career (a bit like Defoe really) he has gone on runs where he’ll score in something like six successive games before doing nothing of note for ages and then picking up again. Now that he is the main player at Old Trafford, he can no longer afford these extended periods of goalless play.

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5. Good to see Portsmouth rewarded for their recent good form with a victory at last. They’ve been unfortunate to lose the last couple of games and it’s encouraging that despite not being paid they are still trying on the pitch. The expected suspects (+ one of two others in Fulham and West Ham) are beginning to form an orderly group in the bottom half and it was vital that Portsmouth didn’t fall too far adrift. I still think this season spells doom, unless this mystery new takeover happens to inject half a new squad in January, but to be fair at this stage last season Spurs had just points and still managed a top half finish. There’s hope yet for Pompey fans.

I think he's happy.

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6. Four straight Premier League victories at Turf Moor to go with the six at the end of last season. Are Burnley set to do a Stoke and stay up based almost entirely on their home form?

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T.

Leaky oil pipeline draws hundreds

DA NANG — Hundreds of people were involved in scooping up oil which leaked from the Da Nang Petrol Base Depot pipeline on Monday in central Da Nang City.

The oil leaked into Le Van Hien Street in Ngu Hanh Son District. Due to heavy rain, construction work near the street was suspended to minimise fire-risks.

The incident is under investigation.

Man compensated for miscarriage of justice

DONG NAI — The People’s Court in southern Dong Nai Province agreed on Tuesday to pay Nguyen Van Tuan compensation of VND743 million (US$41,600) for a miscarriage of justice three years ago.

The court sentenced Tuan to 10 years in prison for fraud involving more than VND800 million (US$44,800) in 2006. However, the verdict was later re-investigated by the HCM City Appeal Court and Tuan was found innocent. By then, Tuan had spent 1,300 days in prison.

The court will offer a public apology to Tuan in October.

Soc Trang launches anti-corruption line

SOC TRANG — The State Inspectorate in the southern province of Soc Trang opened a corruption hot line for local staff and residents.

The hot line number 0793 823 026 will officially operate from October during working hours.

Confidentiality will be maintained and informers will receive a reward if their information leads to action.

Ha Noi police bust motorbike theft gang

HA NOI — Police in Ha Noi’s suburban district of Dan Phuong, Ha Noi broke a gang specialising in motorbike theft.

By Tuesday police had detained eight suspects and recovered eight motorbikes.

Police initially caught 19-year-old Tran Van Duy, from Tho An Commune, attempting to sell a recently stolen bike. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

That was the weekend that was.

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1. Wigan beat Chelsea on Saturday in what was probably the second biggest shock of the season after Burnley 1 Man Utd 0. Chelsea were all over the place from front to back and it was strange to see such poor set piece marking from them. Bramble scored the opener with a free header from a short corner and minutes later Wigan almost scored with the exact same move.

Drogba scored an equaliser but Rodallega then won a penalty after Cech took him down. I don’t think the Chelsea keeper can have any complaints (even though he does). Even though there was a defender running back to cover the goal line, a keeper preventing a goalscoring opportunity in the box will always result in penalty and usually a red too. Rodallega dusted himself down to score the spot kick and Wigan added a third after more poor defending.

All credit to Wigan who fully deserved the victory but it was definitely unexpected after failing to win their previous 34 games against top four sides. It will be interesting to see if it was just a one-off off day for Chelsea or the start of a similar downward spiral to last season. Ancelotti not really having any answers for the defeat says a lot.

A side note too on Frank Lampard who was stifled by Hendry Thomas. I don’t know if he’s just having a slow start but he ’s only got one goal so far and that’s been from the penalty spot. Even though he’s nominally playing further forward compared to last season, perhaps the switch to Drogba AND Anelka is limiting his goalscoring opportunities. One to keep an eye on, fantasy football wise at least.

Not up to speed yet.

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2. Fernando Torres destroyed Hull on Saturday but Phil Brown’s side did not help themselves with some comedy defending. I know El Nino is great off either foot but Zayatte and Sonko were happy to oblige and just move in the opposite direction of Torres. An easy hat-trick for him was followed by a fortunate Gerrard looping cross which looped all the way into the top corner and then two Babel goals from close range.

Hull had actually equalised through Geovanni but unlike against Arsenal away a year ago they couldn’t go on to win. They are quite lucky that Portsmouth have lost seven straight, for there have been no other teams as bad as Hull. Brown’s luck has run out and it will be interesting to see if he can find a response.

Personally, I think he’s lost the dressing room and it’s only a matter of time before he gets sacked. Whether it happens early enough for Hull to avoid relegation (obviously it’s early days at the mo, but of they leave it till March etc…) is the big question.

Easy peasy lemon orange squeezy.

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3. Unlucky Portsmouth have not deserved to lose seven games on the bounce. After selling all their good players and bringing in the likes of Tommy Smith and Kevin Prince Boateng it’s no wonder they haven’t gelled yet. I caught the highlights against Everton and it seemed they had several chances and were lacking that bit of luck which tends to desert you at the foot of the table.

They aren’t fully adrift yet and have a decent run of fixtures coming up in which they can finally get some points. If the promised investment from Al Fahim comes then there may still be a chance to turn things around in January. It just depends on how much ground they’ll have to make up.

This looks like they've just found a picture of a private jet and just pasted his image on top.

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4. Ryan Giggs made the difference for Man Utd for the second week running and now has five assists in two games, which is more than anyone else has managed all season. Fergie was subtly scathing of Nani when in his post match interview he said that Giggs had the intelligence to get into good positions.

Nani had been woeful again and lasted just 55 minutes before being hauled off for the Welshman. You do have to wonder if Nani will ever make it at Man Utd. This is his third season at Old Trafford and though he’s only 22, there’s been no sign that he has what it takes.

I know it took Ronaldo until his fourth season before he consistently dominated games, but even in the three years prior he had scored four, five and nine league goals. Nani has just five in his United career and I think there are times when you just have to cut your losses and accept that a player is not suited to the Premier League. Nani is one of those players and it would surprise me to see him ever make a sustained impact at Old Trafford.

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5. All three main (i.e. not Pavlyuchenko) Spurs strikers have hat-tricks this season and Harry Redknapp is beginning to make noises about how difficult it is to keep all three happy. I do believe it was you Harry who decided to buy all three so you can’t start moaning about how hard it is.

I’m still not convinced that Keane and Defoe is the best choice up front and I think the fact Redknapp is handcuffed somewhat by Keane being captain will come back and bite him on the arse. Having said that, it seems to be working for now and four goals is not to be sniffed at, even if Burnley’s defending was crap.

The most impressive performance from a Burnley defender actually came on Sunday evening when Clarke Carlisle was on MOTD2. He was really eloquent for a footballer and made some good points and insightful analysis. It beats the same old clichés spouted by the likes of Hansen and Lawro on the main programme.

Quite good as a pundit.

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6. Another weekend with no draws and we’ve had just four this season from sixty odd games. I love the fact that teams are going for it and that we’re seeing so many more goals compared to last season. It gets said every year, but perhaps this genuinely could be the most open league in many a year. Either that, or the gap between good and bad teams is getting bigger meaning draws between them are few and far between.

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T.

WASHINGTON ?Property and casualty insurance trade groups are uniting to oppose a proposed Senate health care reform amendment to merge medical components of workers? compensation and auto insurance with health insurance.

The provision, known in industry parlance as ?24-hour health coverage,? was proposed yesterday by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, which was not expected to take up the amendment today, the p&c industry argues that, ?the amendment would upend the systems now in place to protect injured workers, drivers and passengers.?

The insurers added that the 24-hour coverage concept ?would destroy the healthy and competitive auto insurance marketplace.?

According to a lobbyist for the American Insurance Association, the amendment is not likely to be taken up by the committee, although it has been officially filed.

In a bulletin to members, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America said the work on language in the legislation in the Senate panel was supposed to be completed this week, but ?the markup could very well slip into next week and potentially beyond.?

Committee members submitted 564 amendments to the bill, making it very difficult to squeeze the work on the bill?s language into one week, the agents? bulletin said.

The letter said that the premiums charged for this coverage are highly risk based, meaning that the pricing creates a very strong financial incentive to avoid engaging in dangerous behavior such as drunk driving and violating safety laws, so the auto insurance system works to prevent accidents, deaths, injuries and their related economic losses, including health care costs.

?Adding auto insurance medical coverage to the traditional health insurance system would not solve the many challenges already facing that system, including the need to reduce costs,? said the letter.

In addition, the letter noted, auto insurers have developed and implemented sophisticated anti-fraud programs that effectively prevent fraudulent payments under auto insurance coverages.

?These very successful anti-fraud measures would be lost if auto insurance medical benefits are integrated into health insurance,? the letter added.

The industry?s stated opposition was contained in a letter delivered today to all members of the Senate Finance Committee.

It was signed by the American Insurance Association; the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers; the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America; the National Association of Health Underwriters; the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies; and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

In its letter, the p&c industry argued that health insurance reform ?is already a major legislative undertaking,? and integration of the medical components of workers? compensation and auto insurance is a very complex issue in its own right.

Moreover, the letter said, the matter has not been the subject of hearings in the Finance Committee or any congressional committee.

?In light of the serious damage it would do to our nation?s workers? compensation and auto insurance systems, we respectfully urge the Finance Committee not to add the Rockefeller Amendment to the pending bill,? the letter added.

The concept of ?24-hour coverage,? said the letter, was looked at in the 1970?s and again in the early 1990?s and not pursued.

?Among other factors, implementation would be extremely difficult,? the letter said, adding that, in addition, several states experimented with pilot projects (California, Kentucky, and Oregon) that were not successful.

www.summitbusinessmedia.com © Copyright 2009 National Underwriter Property & Casualty. A Summit Business Media publication. All Rights Reserved

Insurance Groups Seek To Escape Regulation Under New AgencyInsurance complaints to state rose in 2008

WASHINGTON ?Property and casualty insurance trade groups are uniting to oppose a proposed Senate health care reform amendment to merge medical components of workers? compensation and auto insurance with health insurance.

The provision, known in industry parlance as ?24-hour health coverage,? was proposed yesterday by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, which was not expected to take up the amendment today, the p&c industry argues that, ?the amendment would upend the systems now in place to protect injured workers, drivers and passengers.?

The insurers added that the 24-hour coverage concept ?would destroy the healthy and competitive auto insurance marketplace.?

According to a lobbyist for the American Insurance Association, the amendment is not likely to be taken up by the committee, although it has been officially filed.

In a bulletin to members, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America said the work on language in the legislation in the Senate panel was supposed to be completed this week, but ?the markup could very well slip into next week and potentially beyond.?

Committee members submitted 564 amendments to the bill, making it very difficult to squeeze the work on the bill?s language into one week, the agents? bulletin said.

The letter said that the premiums charged for this coverage are highly risk based, meaning that the pricing creates a very strong financial incentive to avoid engaging in dangerous behavior such as drunk driving and violating safety laws, so the auto insurance system works to prevent accidents, deaths, injuries and their related economic losses, including health care costs.

?Adding auto insurance medical coverage to the traditional health insurance system would not solve the many challenges already facing that system, including the need to reduce costs,? said the letter.

In addition, the letter noted, auto insurers have developed and implemented sophisticated anti-fraud programs that effectively prevent fraudulent payments under auto insurance coverages.

?These very successful anti-fraud measures would be lost if auto insurance medical benefits are integrated into health insurance,? the letter added.

The industry?s stated opposition was contained in a letter delivered today to all members of the Senate Finance Committee.

It was signed by the American Insurance Association; the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers; the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America; the National Association of Health Underwriters; the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies; and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

In its letter, the p&c industry argued that health insurance reform ?is already a major legislative undertaking,? and integration of the medical components of workers? compensation and auto insurance is a very complex issue in its own right.

Moreover, the letter said, the matter has not been the subject of hearings in the Finance Committee or any congressional committee.

?In light of the serious damage it would do to our nation?s workers? compensation and auto insurance systems, we respectfully urge the Finance Committee not to add the Rockefeller Amendment to the pending bill,? the letter added.

The concept of ?24-hour coverage,? said the letter, was looked at in the 1970?s and again in the early 1990?s and not pursued.

?Among other factors, implementation would be extremely difficult,? the letter said, adding that, in addition, several states experimented with pilot projects (California, Kentucky, and Oregon) that were not successful.

www.summitbusinessmedia.com © Copyright 2009 National Underwriter Property & Casualty. A Summit Business Media publication. All Rights Reserved

Insurance Groups Seek To Escape Regulation Under New AgencyInsurance complaints to state rose in 2008

Not expecting much from this one, Rovers are flying high at the minute and we’re leaking goals again. A draw will be a fantastic result. Glenn  Murray returns from injury to earn a place on the bench today.

As expected, lots of Rovers’ chances on our goal in the first 20 minutes, Elphick and Kuipers doing most of the desperate defending. Now Player has crashed on me again. Adam Virgo has been sent off – fuck knows what for as I can’t get a thing on Player. Half-time 0-0. Don’t expect that result at full-time. Bollocks. Jake Wright is on for Dickinson after the sending off, to shore up what’s going to be a very hammered defence second half.

Looks like I’ve lost coverage for this game completely, fucking Afghan server!!! So, I’ll not be scoring this game unless it comes back online soon. I now have the shameful experience of watching the text updates on the BBC website, and that is shite too. I can’t wait to come home next month and go to the game itself. Being a long distance cyber-fan is fucking useless.

I don’t need commentary to know the Seagulls have a discipline problem this season – too many red and yellow cards for stupid shite.

Erm second half, James Tunnicliffe (central defender) has just scored!!! 1-0 to the Albion, WTF? Leave it – Rovers have equalised, all hands to the pump, we went up to 11th in the table then back into the relegation zone in two goals. Crazy football. Hanging on, I’m flitting between Yahoo, the Beeb and North Stand Chat trying to follow this one, come on lads two minutes to go. Rovers hit the woodwork twice.

We hung on, Jesus that was close, rode our luck for a jammy point. Maybe it was better I didn’t get this game on Player, would’ve given me a heart attack. Tunnicliffe gets Man of the Match for his goal and what the NSC has been saying. Phew!

The Hovian’s Albion Man of the Match : James Tunnicliffe

Albion Team (goalscorers in bold):

(4-4-2) Kuipers; Virgo, Elphick, Tunnicliffe, El-Abd; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Davies (Cox 75); Forster (Hart 80), Dickinson (Wright 44)

Subs: G Smith, Cox, Hart, Thornhill, Livermore, Wright, Murray

League One Table

26 Sep 2009 17:07 UK

After eight years, TRACE member companies continue to raise novel compliance challenges for discussion. Carolyn Lindsey of TRACE looked into best practices surrounding raffles recently, — how they can be used to give something of value to government officials and, more importantly, how that can be avoided.

“Giving gifts to government officials can be risky business if appropriate precautions aren’t taken. Most multinational companies agree that precautions should include checking restrictions under the law of the government official’s country, ensuring that the value of the gift is “reasonable” and eliminating even the appearance of a quid pro quo. Sometimes compliance officers receive requests for (or discover after the fact) “inadvertent gifts”. These generally take the form of raffles and giveaways at events sponsored by the company. They also arise during product launches, store openings and route launches in the case of airlines. The grand prize of two free plane tickets, a new high-end appliance or a Rolex watch is a nice treat at the end of a soiree, but if the high-ranking government official walks away with the grand prize it could leave the compliance staff with heartburn and everyone else in the room wondering whether the raffle was rigged. (Indeed, we’ve heard stories from Asia about raffles that always favored the highest ranking official present.)

How can companies mitigate the risk during these events? Below are a few suggestions for multinationals to consider:

 Check the guest list to determine how many government officials have been invited. If the majority of participants have some government role it may be best to skip the big-ticket item and give gift baskets with more moderately priced goodies.
 Review local law. If the country places restrictions or prohibitions on gifts to government officials, make sure that the prizes comply with those restrictions.
 Make sure that each person (or in some cases family) has only one chance to win.
 Determine the odds of winning. The greater the odds the less likely the appearance of a quid pro quo.
 Reconsider lavish prizes. While these are often the main attraction, carefully weigh the benefits and risks. Placing a reasonable dollar limit on raffle items can still result in a nice bonus for the winner without going over the top.

Of course, raffles arguably lack the necessary intent required to violate the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws. These are games of chance designed to entertain attendees at an event, not lavish gifts given to win business in violation of anti-bribery laws. However, if your company name is on the event, the photo of the mayor or the minister in the paper the next morning standing with his shiny new sports car can raise eyebrows in the local community. With some creative thinking and careful planning, the company can host an enjoyable evening and everyone can walk away a winner.”