Friday will be dreary, followed by a blustery Saturday with heavy rain and even a few storms.
While it won't be sunny for Friday, the weather will be fairly quiet compared to Saturday. Morning fog and mist will give way to an otherwise cloudy and mild day with highs in the mid 50s. Rain increases in coverage late tonight and the wind begins to pick up as well.
For Saturday, expect periods of heavy rain, especially in the morning and through midday. Embedded storms are possible as well, with a few storms approaching the stronger side. Gusty wind near 60 mph is the main threat associated with Saturday's storms. Non-thunderstorm winds are blustery as well, gusting over 30 mph at times. Once the heavy rain tapers for the second half of Saturday, temperatures steadily drop and any remaining moisture can fall in the form of a rain/snow mix Saturday night. Accumulating snow is still not expected, but all locations experience frigid temperatures on Sunday.
Monday morning, lows drop to near 20 degrees. Temporarily, temperatures moderate. The next system in the Valley brings rain and yet another chance at some wintry precipitation. On Wednesday, temperatures drop from the mid 40s to near freezing by the afternoon. Lingering moisture Wednesday night then presents the possibility of scattered snow showers. Of course, we're watching it very closely.


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/ NEWS / The Secret of Influence: It's More Personal Than You Think
Latest news from Grayling
The Secret of Influence: It's More Personal Than You Think
New Grayling research reveals face-to-face connections still have greater influence than digital communication on purchase decisions.
Millennial men talk to more people than any other generation or gender.
When it comes to consumers seeking purchase advice and recommendations, all generations still prefer conventional face-to-face communication. This is true, despite the mass availability of online information, news, reviews and opinions, and social media. Millennial men, ages 21-37, talk to more than double the number of people than any other group or gender when researching travel, auto, financial and consumer electronic purchases.
These are some of the findings of Inside Influence, a new, comprehensive research study by Grayling in the US.
"There is a lot of commentary about the changing nature of influence, and we wanted to explore that in the context of a number of demographic, technological and social factors," said Peter Harris, Grayling US CEO. "What we found is that when it comes to influence, conventional means are still the most impactful, despite the undeniable impact of digital communication."
The study found that three out of four people seeking advice prefer to do so in person by either talking one-on-one, in groups or on the phone. That far exceeds the preference for social media (5%) and texting (4%).
When it comes to initial research, online sources – such as company and review sites and search – are the go-to places; family members and friends are a close second.
Grayling's comprehensive Inside Influence research takes an in-depth look at the ways in which different generations influence each other at the various stages of the consumer purchasing journey, and how that varies between age groups and different categories.
The research surveyed a representative sample of Americans, from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, and reviewed more than 1,000 variables impacting the influences on the consumer decision journey, from the research phase to the point of purchase and beyond.
Broad in scope, the research maps the complex role of 'the four Ps' – partners, parents, peers and professionals – illustrating how their relative influence shifts throughout the decision-making and purchasing journey. It also shows how these patterns vary between generations, type of purchase, as well as the enduring power of the in-person recommendation.
Specifically, the research reveals:
The relative influence of family members, friends, colleagues and experts, at different stages of the decision-making journey. For example two-thirds said that they communicate with real people during their journey
Which channels are used at different stages of the purchase journey, from research, through consideration and evaluation, to purchase. Hint: earned and owned channels rule the journey.
Whether 'official' channels are trusted over 'unofficial' ones
The surprising effects of social media on decision-making
Which generations' opinions are sought out, listened to, or ignored, by others. Or, whether they go it alone like GenX.
Whether negative news or reviews can be mitigated against, and how
The speed of the decision-making process for different sectors, genders and generations
The point at which 'experts' come into their own
Which customers will advocate for your brand, and who will listen to them
"The value of this research to any consumer-facing brand is huge," says Harris. "We are already talking to our clients about how these insights can help to better define channel strategies and ultimately improve ROI."
Download the free PDF summary. For more information about Inside Influence, contact Jon Meakin.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Viability: viable businesses built to thrive.
Accessibility: accessible services, capital, networks, and businesses.
Local Leadership: led with, marketed to, supplied by, and benefiting the local community.
Unity: positive participation in unifying groups/organizations and other ecosystem-building activities.
Equity: hiring and paying living wage to all, with a strategy for supporting underrepresented and low-income community.
Sustainability: beneficial relationship to the environment.
Our Bay Area Entrepreneurship Alliance is VALUES-based.
The VALUES Wheel illustrates our cohesive set of shared, core beliefs.
We ask all Bay Area Entrepreneurship Alliance (BAE Alliance) members to commit to these shared VALUES, help hold fellow BAE Alliance members accountable to them, and work to incorporate these VALUES into our larger entrepreneurship ecosystem wherever possible.
When a local entrepreneur or support provider embodies these VALUES, we call them a "VALUES-based business."


Nope. But the topic is interesting, regardless.
So ya, if you squint you eyes just right, you can see that this seems at least plausible (and big props to the United States for incorporating the idea of natural selection into pop-mythology). However, there's a big problem here: there is no evidence whatsoever that says this is happening.
Unpopular truth time: people aren't as good at seeing rattlesnakes as they may think they are. Even super-experienced outdoorsy types who see relatively high numbers of rattlesnakes each year are seeing a small fraction of those they walk right by.
Rattlesnakes don't often rattle in the wild, even when there's someone looking at them. This is a great example of confirmation bias. If you hear that rattlesnakes aren't rattling any longer, and you then see a rattlesnake just sitting there and not rattling, this can serve as confirmation that the rumors are true. You then tell others this is the case, having first-hand experience on the matter, comment on Facebook, etc. Just like that, you've become the latest node in the spread of nonsense without realizing it.
This can be even more confusing for long-term hikers with a lot of experience, who report seeing a this phenomenon over time (decades even), where rattlesnakes used to rattle but now most of the rattlesnakes they see don't: therefore the myth is true. What these anecdotes really look like is something much more simple to explain. Over the years, these people have simply become better at seeing rattlesnakes, and peaceful sightings of rattlesnakes just sitting silent, as they usually do, become more frequent.
Rattlesnakes near busy areas probably do rattle less, but it's not meaningful; a more plausible explanation.
Studies of how rattlesnakes respond to stress, specifically in urbanized areas, show that they are pretty good at learning and responding to these situations. When rattlesnakes are around a source of constant activity (like a hiking trail, backyard, etc), they may have elevated levels of stress hormones, and behave differently. These stressed snakes tend to spend more time under cover, making small movements and living a stealthy life.
We see the evidence of this clearly in the yards of snowbirds (seasonal Arizona residents) who own homes in the desert areas and leave them unoccupied for half a year or more. When they return, we're often called about a sudden rattlesnake infestation! Upon investigation, we find that the snakes have always been there, but just learned to avoid the homeowners. Even something as simple as a car coming and going from the driveway each day seems to have a suppressive effect on visible rattlesnake activity at a home. This is most noticeable in areas where long-term development, i.e. older homes and older urban parks, have stabilized and rattlesnakes and people are somewhat used to one another at this point.
On trails, as part of our study of urban rattlesnakes living in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, we've learned that rattlesnakes quite often live and hunt right next to trails. Why aren't these rattlesnakes rattling? Because they have no reason to. These parks get thousands of visitors every weekend: they are simply used to it. If someone lingers or surprises the snake, it will rattle. The rattlesnakes here are most often seen silently slipping away into the rocks and bushes, as they tend to do anywhere.
This Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake lives, with many others, very near a popular hiking trail, but doesn't care.
Ya but there are rattlesnakes that have evolved to lose their rattles entirely! What about those?
These rattlesnakes, most famously the Santa Catalina Rattlesnake, live on uninhabited islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. They lose their rattles, most likely, because they simply don't need them, or possibly to help them hunt birds more effectively. The interesting thing to note here is that the way they are losing them is not that they tend to not rattle, but that the physical structure of the rattle itself is changing. Rattlesnakes in these areas, where the large hoofed mammals that prompted the evolutionary origin of the rattle to begin with, still shake the tail and try and rattle. However, with no segments being retained due to a slight change in shape, nothing happens.
Regardless, the fact that there are some rattlesnakes without rattles at all has nothing to do with this new myth. It does often come up in conversations about it though, so worth mentioning here.
Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, with no rattle. Photo by Joseph Ehrenberger.
Rattlesnakes rattle when they need to, but seeing a silent rattlesnake is totally normal.
There was an article posted on NPR several years ago that's particularly annoying, because it serves as verification to many that this is happening. Local news stations, networks like the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, and many other sources seen as authoritative, have no trouble at all reporting that this is true.
There is no evidence of it happening, and as fun as it might be to have something interesting to add to the conversation, evidence is required to declare that something is happening. If someone reads the NPR article (which I will not link here, hoping it will die a slow death and go to bad-reporting hell), the massive claims about broad changes in evolutionary trajectory of rattlesnakes have not been tested, documented, or even written down as far as anyone knows.
So if you're one of the well-intentioned, well-informed people that tends to drop the "well ACTUALLY" note about silent rattlesnakes when the opportunity comes up, it's time to stop. You've become a unknowing victim of American culture's love of rattlesnake misinformation.
Schuett, Gordon & N Taylor, Emily & A Van Kirk, Edward & J. Murdoch, Wialliam. (2004). Handling Stress and Plasma Corticosterone Levels in Captive Male Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). Herpetological Review. 35. 229-233.
This is the latest picture to be passed around social media to milk reactions from the snake-fearful. Yes, it is a real photograph, but the details you've read are probably way off.
I first saw this photo in a local community group here in Phoenix, Arizona, where it was quickly misidentified as a Gophersnake. It showed up on another soon after, misidentified as a rattlesnake. It's since been appearing all over the internet, with more misleading information placing it in many states across the country, and even overseas.
This is not from Arizona (or almost all of those other places). The pattern and smooth, keel-less scales indicate that this is a Ratsnake; a harmless constrictor that is common across much of the mid-to-eastern US. (I'll work on getting a more specific location by asking some more ratsnake-savvy friends).
More interestingly is the social context that this provides, and another peek into the cultural freak-out that happens whenever a snake shows up in unexpected places. When this photo appears, it very often does so with a claim by the poster that this is somehow tied to them directly and personally. This is "their" shoe, or the shoe of their brother, or co-worker, etc. Similar to stories that are passed around of "giant rattlesnakes" that really aren't, this image seems to be a useful tool for some personality types.
Does snakes really show up in shoes?
Yes. Any place that can be used to hide may be used. This is a good case for keeping your shoes indoors if you live in a place where snakes do and you aren't a fan of surprise snakes.


Mid-size AXIS lock folding hunter in the Hunt series featuring a 2.97" S30V blade available in wood or G10 handles. Research projects, R&D lab tests and many miles of field research provided the foundation for the design and development of Benchmade HUNT. Built from advanced materials usually reserved for spaceships and surgical equipment, these technologically advanced hunting knives provide refined performance and rugged durability. Benchmade HUNT. The art of pursuit.


wish, the URLs in form http://server:port/ are commonly accepted.
different URI scheme and a different default port? Why?
Previous message: Jacek Kopecky: "Re: Encoding issue: missing elements same as nils?"
In reply to: Krishna Sankar: "RE: Draft registration of application/soap+xml"
Reply: Krishna Sankar: "RE: Draft registration of application/soap+xml"


♥ This week's Sunday Bear Hug is brought to you as always by Mr. Cornelius, who is busy counting his change. There can never be too much love in this world, he says, or hugs. Hug at least five people today, or the same person five times.
Next > we have a winner (i think)!
Jama, Sometimes I am in awe of the way poets approach their topic. This is so lovely, but sad too. I suspect there are many, and in my life especially young teens, who are busy being 'accountants' of the heart. Happy Sunday to you, too!
I share your awe, Linda. The all-too-recognizable truth really hits home, doesn't it? Hope you had a nice weekend.
The casual, conversational tone belies the serious subject matter.
Love the poem and your hand puppet!
Oh no! Why is Dempster hiding from you? Hope it's only a temporary glitch.
Hope your Sunday was lovely, Myra.


Ku'emanu Heiau is located on a beachfront opposite from a renowned surfing break. It is believed this temple was dedicated to surfing and that chiefs and kings prayed for good waves at this heiau. The break is still popular among surfers today, and the heiau offers an excellent view.
Reconstructed in the 1970s, Ahu'ena Heiau was built by King Kamehameha in 1812 upon his return to the Big Island. Kamehameha the Great dedicated the temple to Lono, the god of fertility, agriculture and peace and lived his later years there. This heiau is a historical site where Kamehameha I died. It is also the site where Kamehameha II officially renounced traditional Hawaiian religious practices and where he later welcomed Western missionaries to the islands. Ahu'ena Heiau can be seen during a beautiful stroll along the beach.
Pu'ukohola Heiau is part of a National Historic Site and is maintained by the National Park Service. It is one of the largest heiau in Hawaii. Kamehameha the Great built the temple in 1791 after a priest prophesied that he would unite the Hawaiian Islands under his rule if he built a heiau to the war god Kuka'ilomoku on Pu'ukohola. By 1810, the prophecy was fulfilled as King Kamehameha did indeed rule all of the Hawaiian Islands. Today, visitors to the heiau can attend the annual Hawaiian Culture Festival held in August to celebrate traditional Hawaiian customs, food, music, games and art. At other times of the year, Pu'ukohola, the "hill of the whale," is an excellent vantage point to watch humpback whales off the coast.
Mo'okini Luakini Heiau is one of the oldest temples in Hawaii. Dating back to 480 AD when the first Polynesian settlers arrived, this temple is an official National Historic Landmark. For centuries, this heiau was closed to all but the Aliʻi Nui, the highest chiefs who were said to be descended from the gods. At Mo'okini, the kings and chiefs prayed and offered sacrifices to the war god Kuka'ilomoku. In 1978, the Kahuna Nui, or High Priestess, rededicated Mo'okini Luakini Heiau and lifted the restrictions so the temple could become a center for historical and cultural learning for the public. The temple is also a short hike away from the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great.
Hawaiian temple tours are a must for visitors who want a taste of Hawaiian culture and history. IMI Tours can guide you on your adventure through the mists of time on the Big Island. The Hawaiian Heiau-Temples are part of IMI's Kona History and Culture Tour, reserve your tour today or find more about things to do in Hawaii.


In my work I am exploring time in relation to, space, systems and orders, and the ethos of what it is being human, having dreams that are connected externally to something greater than that of the self. My work is about understanding the complexity of life through self discovery and an inventive process. An internal self vs external ideal, the birth of inspiration.
"Passing Baby Cousin With Four-rail Fence"


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Packers' new-look defence carries offence in opening win
Keith Jenkins
PMN Football
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers presented Matt LaFleur with the game ball Thursday night after the Green Bay Packers' 10-3 victory over the Chicago Bears. It was LaFleur's first regular-season victory as an NFL head coach.
"I've got such a high regard for him, not only as a football player but as a person," LaFleur said Friday. "I can sit up here and talk all day about how much fun I enjoy working with him. But I think that really shows our relationship, how it is. I told him I need to be better for him, too. And not only him, but for all our guys."
The Packers' offence — LaFleur's offence — has to be better. The unit had minus-12 yards in the first quarter before finally opening things up at the start of the second. LaFleur needed to use some post-snap misdirection/deception on his first play call of the quarter to move the chains.
Even still, the 10 points the Packers mustered tied for the fewest Green Bay has scored against the Bears since Rodgers became quarterback.
LaFleur said the ability of the Chicago defence is no excuse for how poorly Green Bay executed offensively.
"That defence is legit. There's no doubt about it," he said. "… Even if you're going against a good defence like that, your standards from an offensive perspective don't change. I think we all have higher expectations and higher standards for our offence to operate."
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spent a lot of money over the off-season retooling and reshaping defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine's side of the ball, and it's paying off.
Gutekunst acquired safety Adrian Amos and linebackers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith in March through free agency. Za'Darius Smith had three tackles for loss on Thursday, Preston Smith had the game-sealing sack, and Amos, who signed a four-year contract with Green Bay after spending his first four seasons in Chicago, picked off former teammate Mitch Trubisky in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
"We have a lot of confidence," linebacker Blake Martinez said about the defence. "I think for us it's just being consistent. I think going from here, every single day we gotta keep bringing it at practice, walkthroughs, in the meeting room to make sure we don't get complacent."
WHAT'S NOT WORKING
LaFleur has stressed from day one the importance of establishing the run. Green Bay had just 47 yards on the ground in the win. Aaron Jones had 39 of those on 13 carries.
"I thought in the second half there were some moments where it felt like we were starting to get the run game going," LaFleur said. "We just gotta be a little more consistent with it."
Punter JK Scott booted the ball nine times for 428 yards and pinned the Bears inside their own 15-yard line on three separate occasions. Two of Scott's punts travelled 63 yards, including a clutch kick in the final two minutes that sailed from his own 16 to the Bears 13.
Geronimo Allison was seen as the guy who could step up and be Rodgers' No. 2 option behind fellow receiver Davante Adams. But Thursday night's opener was not encouraging for Allison, who only played in 50 per cent of the offensive snaps (32 of 64). He finished with zero catches and wasn't targeted once.
Linebacker Oren Burks (pec) and wide receiver Darrius Shepherd (hamstring) are both sidelined with injuries. Their respective statuses for Week 2 are to be determined.
5. The Packers play five of their next six games at home at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay has 10 days to get ready for another division foe in Minnesota. The Packers went 0-1-1 against the Vikings last season, playing Minnesota to a 29-29 tie Sept. 16, 2018, at Lambeau.
Follow Keith Jenkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrKeithJenkins
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP–NFL


Jesus answers an important question with a story and another question, in Luke 10:25-37, "Who was his neighbor?". Let's learn what it means to be a good neighbor. Jesus describes heart-felt action connecting the love of God, our resources, with the need of another. His instructions start with compassion. We can see compassion in Harriet Ann Jacobs.


What Will a Website do for My Business?
As a Dawsonville web development company we often get asked, "Why do I need a website for my business? What will it do for me?" The answer is actually simple, and having a great website is crucial in the expanding world of technology that we live in today.
So, what will a website do for your business?
When is the last time you looked for a phone number in a printed phone book? Odds are it's been a while. Search engines like Google and Yahoo are now the main vessels of information. Having a great Dawsonville web development team strategically build and optimize a website for your company will put you at the top of the list when consumers are looking for the products or services that you offer.
Once you have a website, it opens a whole new market. It will allow customers, and potential customers or investors, to learn more about your business via web search. That said, you can't just throw together a website and hope for the best. There is more to it than that. The site needs to look professional and be optimized for search engines so that your company develops a great web presence.
Potential customers are looking for your services or products. If you don't have a website, it's guaranteed that they will find your competitor's site instead. Meaning that one of your customers is now lost.
Having a great website will allow you to keep customers engaged in your business by allowing you to post new things about your company. You can let customers know about sales and specials, or that you're moving or opening a new location.
It is important to remember, however, that having no website at all is better than a poor one. Make sure you hire a great professional Dawsonville web development team to design and maintain a great web presence for your growing business. Don't miss out on another customer.


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Characteristics of acute adult poisonings in a university hospital emergency department in central Turkey: a three-year analysis
Levent Avsarogullari ( Department of Emergency Medicine, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri. )
Vesile Senol ( Department of Public Health, Halil Bayraktar Health Services Vocational College, Erciyes University, Kayseri. )
Okhan Akdur ( Department of Emergency Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Medical School, Çanakkale, Turkey. )
Aynur Akin ( Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey. )
Polat Durukan ( Department of Emergency Medicine, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey. )
Seda Ozkan ( Department of Emergency Medicine, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey. )
Objective: To evaluate the etiologic and demographic characteristics of acute adult poisoning cases and to obtain up-to-date information on acute poisonings.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate 1254 adults who presented with acute poisoning to the Emergency Department of our tertiary care university hospital in central Turkey from January 2007 to December 2009. The data extracted from each chart related to age, gender, marital status, agent involved in the poisoning, season of event, route of poisoning, time between ingestion or exposure and arrival at the casualty ward, mechanism of toxic exposure (unintentional or intentional), level of consciousness, length of stay in the ward, and outcome.
Results: Acute poisonings comprised 1.40% of Emergency Department patients; 65% were female, while 47% were between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Medicinal drugs were the most common cause of poisonings (68%), followed by gases (9.5%). Antidepressants were the most frequent drug ingested (18%), followed by analgesics (16%). Intentional poisonings constituted the majority of cases (78%). Most suicide attempts were made by women (68%) and majority of the patients were married (57%). Twenty patients (1.6%) died during their hospital stay, with organophosphate pesticides being the most common agent (n=8) involved in fatal poisonings.
Conclusion: Pharmaceutical agents, carbon monoxide and pesticides are the three most common poisoning agents. Deliberate self-poisoning is common in adults in the area of the study; the risk being highest in females and younger adults. These up-to-date data provide important information on the characteristics of acute poisonings and can guide activities such as professional training, preventive measures, community education and new research.
Keywords: Acute poisoning, Suicide, Drug (JPMA 62: 129; 2012).
Toxic exposures to drugs and chemicals are among the most frequent reasons for Emergency Department (ED) visits in most countries1-3 and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.4 Poisoning is a heterogeneous subject that involves various pharmaceutical and chemical compounds in different combinations, and poses a challenge for even the most experienced of clinicians.4 However, the causes and patterns of poisonings vary in different countries.3,5 Advances in technology and social development have resulted in the availability of most drugs and chemical substances in the community.5 In addition, patterns of both therapeutic and illicit drug use in any one area may change over time.6,7 For these reasons, keeping information about acute poisonings updated is essential for the efficient use of resources in the prevention and management of acute poisonings, and for carrying out effective training programmes and new research.
We, therefore, conducted a retrospective study to describe the etiologic and demographic characteristics of adult patients presenting with acute poisoning to our university medical center ED over a three-year period.
Medical records of adult patients presenting with acute poisoning to the ED between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Data were extracted from charts coded as T36-T50 (poisoning by drugs, medicaments, and biological substances), T51-T65 (toxic effects of substances chiefly non-medicinal as to the source), and X60-X84 (intentional self-harm) with the ICD 10 system of nomenclature. The following data were extracted from each chart: age, gender, marital status, agent involved in the poisoning, season of event (spring: March-May; summer: June-August; autumn: September-November; winter: December-February), route of poisoning, time between ingestion or exposure and arrival at the ED, mechanism of toxic exposure (unintentional or intentional), level of consciousness, length of stay in the ED, and outcome (discharge, hospitalisation or death).
The hospital is located in Kayseri, an industrial city in the central Anatolian region of Turkey which is surrounded by rural farmlands. The hospital has 1300 beds and is the main referral hospital for a population of about two million from Kayseri and its neighbouring provinces.
Poisons involved in the exposure were classsified into one of seven categories: pharmaceuticals, gases, pesticides, corrosives, foods, alcohols, others (including rodenticides, hydrocarbons, plants, solvents, etc). Pharmaceuticals were subcategorised into antidepressants, analgesics, other psychotropic agents (including antipsychotics, benzodiazepins, lithium, etc.), antiepileptics, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antihistamines, antispasmodics, anti-ulcer drugs, others (including vitamins, antiemetics, antidyspeptic drugs, antidiabetics, hormones, skeletal muscle relaxants, warfarin, drugs for the common cold, etc.), and unidentifiable pharmaceuticals. The number of ingested pharmaceuticals was also recorded.
Quantitative variables were summarised as mean±standard deviation. Frequency and percent distribution were used for the evaluation of data and the chi-squared test was used for comparison of the qualitative variables. Statistical analyses were calculated using SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Two-tailed P values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Erciyes University Medical School.
Of the 98909 adult patients presenting to the ED during the 3-year period, 1364 (1.4%) were cases related to poisoning. For technical reasons, data was unavailable for 110 patients (insufficient data in 49 charts, lost charts in 61 cases), and they were excluded from the study. The mean age of the remaining 1254 poisoned patients was 31±14 years. Of them, 65% were female. The mean age of female and male patients was 30±13 years and 34±15 years respectively. In terms of age groups, most of our patients (47%) were under 26 years of age (Table-1).
Seasonal variation of the patients was as follows: spring (21.1%, 265 cases), summer (30.1%, 378 cases), autumn (22.6%, 283 cases) and winter (26.2%, 328 cases).
The distribution of poisoning agents were as follows: pharmaceuticals (68%, 854 cases), gases (9.5%, 119 cases), pesticides (9.3%, 117 cases), corrosives (4.0%, 51 cases), food (3.7%, 47 cases), alcohol (2.4%, 30 cases), others (3.0%, 38 cases). Within the category of pharmaceuticals, antidepressants were involved most often, followed by analgesics (Table-2).
Of those ingesting antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were used in 57% cases, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in 31%. Of those ingesting analgesics, paracetamol was used in 39% and nonstereoidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 27%. A combination of drugs were used in 26% cases, the most common combinations being analgesics plus antibiotics (17%) and analgesics plus antidepressants (12%).
Carbon monoxide (CO) was the most common (80%) gas involved, usually as a result of unintentional exposure (83.2%). The pesticides involved were almost all organophosphates (93%). Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) constituted the majority of corrosive ingestions (71%). Among food-related poisonings, mushrooms were most commonly (56%) involved; the remaining food intoxications were due to herbs (16%), household meals (6%), canned foods (6%) and unidentifiables (16%). Of patients with alcohol intoxication, ethanol was used in 87%, methanol in 10%, and ethylene glycol in 3%. Twelve patients ingested ethanol together with pharmaceuticals.
The route of poisoning was oral ingestion in 89%, inhalation in 10%, transdermal in 0.4%, and mixed in 0.9% (including inhalation plus transdermal or oral ingestion).
Intentional self-poisoning cases constituted the majority of the patients (Table-3).
Most of the pharmaceutical-related poisonings were due to suicidal attempts while majority of the non-pharmaceutical poisonings were accidental in nature (93.6% and 54.0%, respectively, p<0.001). Of those in whom a suicide attempt was made, 668 (68%) were female. The proportion of suicide attempts was significantly higher in female than male patients (82.5% and 70.0% respectively; p<0.001. Most of the patients attempting suicide were younger than 26 years of age (507 cases, 52%, p<0.001). The majority of intentional poisonings occurred in patients who were married (557 cases, 57%, p<0.01).
The clinical status of the patients on arrival was good in general, 70% being fully awake (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) =15), while 126 (9%) patients were unconscious (GCS 8), and 263 (21%) were in between these two levels of consciousness (GCS = 9-14).
The large majority (80%) of the patients were from the province of Kayseri, while the remaining patients came from surrounding provinces. For 54% of the patients, the mean time from exposure to arrival at the ED was 3 hours (<1 hour in 41%, 1-3 hours in 13%). Most patients (78%) were evaluated and then treated and discharged from the ED, while 22% were admitted to the hospital. Twenty (1.6%) patients died during their hospitilisation (mean 4.5 days after arrival, range 1-138 days). Two patients died while in the ED - one after an unintentional exposure to CO and one due to an intentional ingestion of organophosphate insecticide. An additional patient was dead on arrival, after taking multiple pharmaceuticals with suicidal intention. Twenty patients died while hospitalised; the agents involved were organophosphates in 8 (39%), pharmaceuticals in 5 (22%), CO in 2 (11%), foods (herb, mushroom) in 2 (11%), methanol in 2 (11%), and cannabis in 1 (6%). The overall mortality rate in the poisoned patients was 1.6%.
Length of stay in the ED was as follows: 0-6 hours in 35 cases (3%), 7-12 hours in 54 cases (4%), 13-24 hours in 161 cases (16%), 25-48 hours in 845 cases (67%), 49-72 hours in 139 cases (11%), and >72 hours in 20 cases (2%). Patients received a variety of initial therapies in the ED such as gastric lavage, oral activated charcoal, oxygen, specific antidotes, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, etc. For critical TCA ingestions, sodium bicarbonate was given; for paracetamol ingestions, oral or intravenous N-acetylcysteine; for CO inhalation, 100% normobaric oxygen; for organophosphates, pralidoxime and atropine.
Our ED had a proportion of acute poisoning cases (1.4%), similar to that (0.7-2.4%) reported from EDs in other parts of Turkey.8-12 In a study of adult poisoning cases in Canada, acute intoxications accounted for 0.7% of ED visits.6 In a prospective study conducted in Oman, Hanssens et al. reported that acute poisoning cases were 0.18% of total emergency admissions.13 Another study on poisonings performed in England revealed that 1.2% of ED visits were due to acute poisoning.14
As in other reports, the majority of our patients were young; 47% were under 26 years of age, similar to proportions in two international studies and in one study from Turkey.6-8 However, in the study of Reiniluto et al.3 from Finland, the highest number of poisonings occurred in the 28-37 year-old age group in males and in the 38-47 year-old age group in females.3 The female:male ratio in our patients was almost 2:1. In previous reports from Turkey, the female:male ratio varied between 1.7 and 3.0.8,9,11 In a study from Tabriz, Iran, this ratio was 1.2.5 Interestingly, this ratio has been reported to be lower (approximately 1:1) in various developed countries.6,15,16
In our study, the number of suicidal poisonings were higher than those of accidental poisonings, and attempted suicide was more common among females than males. These findings are consistent with data of previous Turkish12,17 and international reports.5,18-20
The substances involved in most of the poisonings in our study were pharmaceutical agents (68%), which is in agreement with reports from other regions in Turkey.9,11,12 In studies from other countries, pharmaceuticals were also found to be the most common agents involved in acute poisoning.5,15,20 Regarding the class of pharmaceutical involved in poisonings in Turkey, analgesics were reported to be the most frequently ingested agents in some studies (16% in our study),8-10 whereas antidepressants were most commonly used in the study by Baydin et al,11 as was the case in our study (18.5%). Benzodiazepines were the most commonly ingested agents among medicinal drug poisonings in Finland, Iran, Canada and Norway.3,5-7 While a prescription is needed to purchase benzodiazepines in Turkey, in practice, TCAs and SSRIs are easily available without a prescription. In Turkey, TCAs are considerably cheaper than other antidepressants and are known to be used for insomnia and as \'stress reducers\' among the general public. On the other hand, SSRIs are considered to be \'drugs for well-being\' among non-medical people. These factors may explain why antidepressants are so common in intentional poisonings in Turkey. Misinformation about these drugs reveals the necessity for widespread community education. As in our study, paracetamol was the most common analgesic agent involved in two regional poisoning studies from Turkey.8,12 However, in studies from other regions, NSAIDs were the most ingested analgesics.9,17 Paracetamol was also found to be most common analgesic in poisonings in studies from England.14,15 The high incidence of analgesic poisonings may be due to the availability of these drugs without prescription in most countries. Besides, analgesic agents may be found preferable by those attempting suicide because they are generally known to have low fatality index.
In about one-fourth of our cases involving pharmaceutical agents, more than one drug was ingested; the most common combinations being analgesics plus antibiotics, and analgesics plus antidepressants. Studies from other areas in Turkey report a similar rate of polydrug ingestion in poisoned patients.9,12
The second most common type of poisoning in our study was gas inhalation, occurring in 9.5% of cases; 80% of them being CO intoxications. CO poisoning is still a serious problem in Turkey, especially during autumn and winter. Although natural gas and modern furnaces are now used in homes in many cities in Turkey, including Kayseri, traditional coal stoves are also used widely. CO poisoning occurs due to dysfunctioning coal stoves, inadequate maintenance of chimney systems, or deliberate closure of the flue at night to prevent cold air from entering the home. Thus, whole families may present to the ED when strong winds prevent the exhaust of normal smoke from the coal stoves. The percentage of ED admissions due to CO poisoning in previous Turkish reports varied between 7 and 14%.10,13,15,19 CO poisoning resulting from various mechanisms or processes is still an important problem in other parts of the world.4,21
Pesticides were the third most common toxic agent (9.3%), over 90% of whom were poisoned with organophosphates. These caused 40% of the deaths in our study. Similarly, in a comprehensive review of 76 articles published between 1980 and 1999, Eddlestone reported that organophosphate pesticides were responsible for the majority of deaths in most series of self-poisoning cases, particularly those from rural areas.22 Kayseri and its neighbouring cities are surrounded by large agricultural areas. As such, pesticides are often sold in local markets and kept in homes.23,24 Studies from non-agricultural areas in Turkey, such as Ankara and Istanbul, reported the percentage of poisonings involving pesticides to be much lower, 0.9% and 1.6% respectively9,12 while those from agricultural areas reported involvement of pesticides in 12-26 % of cases.11,17
Corrosive agents were ingested by 4% of our patients, most of these (71%) being sodium hypochlorite (bleach) poisonings. Bleach is cheap, widely used and may be ingested accidentally or intentionally. The incidence of corrosive ingestion was reported to be 2.2 % in a Turkish study11 and 2% in a European study.2
Deaths due to foodstuff occurred in two of our patients (0.2% of all cases, 4% of all foodstuff-related poisonings), one due to mushroom (3.8% of our mushroom ingestion cases) and one due to herbal poisons (14% of our herb poisoning cases). Baydin et al reported that mushroom-related deaths occurred in 0.9% of mushroom poisoning cases.11 Thirty patients (2.4%) presented to our ED due to alcohol intake. Of these, three patients ingested methanol, two of whom died due to massive ingestion. Methanol is obtained in Turkey through the illegal production and sale of bootleg "eau de cologne"17 and alcoholic beverages; these are the most common causes of severe methanol poisonings and deaths in Turkey. Other studies of poisoning in Turkey report lower and higher incidences of alcohol intoxication compared to our study.9,10,17
About half of our patients reached the ED within 3 hours of ingestion or exposure (0-1 hour in 41%, 1-3 hours in 13%). This rapid transport may be explained due to the fact that the exposure of 80% of the patients was in Kayseri, the same province in which the hospital is situated. The large majority (78%) of patients were discharged from the ED after their treatment and observation. This is probably due to the fact that the clinical status of the patients on arrival was good in general (70% had a GCS of 15). Another reason for the low rate of admission is that our hospital and its ICUs were frequently full, thus the patient remained in the ED for a prolonged period (24-48 hours in 67% of cases) and were then discharged from the ED. In fact, we routinely kept patients for at least 24 hours unless they gave a reliable history and were mild cases clinically.
The overall mortality rate was 1.6% in our patients; previous studies reported mortality rates from 0-2.8 %.8,9,11 Eddlestone reported that mortality rates due to poisonings may range from 0 to 50%.22 The reported fatality rates due to poisonings may vary depending on factors such as severity of intoxications, ingestion of lethal or nonlethal agents, and death of serious cases before being brought to the hospital.9,12,22,24 Although one death was due to cannabis in our study, illicit drug use is extremely rare in our region.
The study had some limitations. The retrospective design of our study meant that completeness of data could not be verified prospectively; thus 110 cases had to be excluded from the study. Being a single-centre study, extrapolation of our findings to EDs in other regions of Turkey and abroad may not be appropriate. This hospital-based study may not be representative of poisonings in the general population.
Pharmaceutical agents, CO, and pesticides were the three most common poisoning agents encountered in our ED during the study period. Deliberate self-poisoning is common in adults in our area; the risk being highest in females and younger adults. The data provide important information on characteristics of acute poisoning in this particular region of Turkey and may guide activities such as professional training, preventive measures, community education and new research.
1.Spiller HA, Appana S, Brock GN. Epidemiological trends of suicide and attempted suicide by poisoning in the US: 2000-2008. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2010; 12 : 177-83.
2.Kristinsson J, Palsson R, Gudjonsdott?r GA, Blondal M, Gudmundsson S, Snook CP. Acute poisonings in Iceland: a prospective nationwide study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008; 46: 126-32.
3.Lapatto-Reiniluoto O, Kivistö KT, Sintonen SP, Luomanmaki K, Neuvonen PJ. A prospective study of acute poisonings in Finnish hospital patients. Hum Exp Toxicol 1998; 17: 307-11.
4.Lam SM, Lau ACW, Yan WW. Over 8 years experience on severe acute poisoning requiring intensive care in Hong Kong, China. Hum Exp Toxicol 2010; 29: 757-65.
5.Islambulchilar M, Islambulchilar Z, Kargar-Maher MH. Acult adult poisoning cases admitted to a university hospital in Tabriz, Iran. Hum Exp Toxicol 2009; 28: 185-90.
6.Chow P, Tierney MG, Dickinson GE. Acute intoxications: Cases presenting to an adult emergency department. Can Fam Physician 1992; 38: 1379-82.
7.Hovda KE, Bjornaas MA, Skog K, Opdahl A, Drottning P, Ekeberg O, et al. Acute poisonings treated in hospitals in Oslo: a one-year prospective study (I): pattern of poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008; 46: 35-41.
8.Goksu S, Yildirim C, Kocoglu H, Tutak A, Oner U. Characteristics of acute adult poisoning in Gaziantep, Turkey. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2002; 40: 833-7.
9.Özköse Z, Ayo?lu F. Etiological and demographical characteristics of acute adult poisoning in Ankara, Turkey. Hum Exp Toxicol 1999; 18: 614-8.
10.Pinar A, Fowler J, Bond GR. Acute poisoning in ?zmir, Turkey - a pilot epidemiologic study. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1993; 31: 593-1.
11.Baydin A, Yardan T, Aygun D, Doganay Z, Nargis C, Incealtin O. Retrospective evaluation of emergency service patients with poisoning: a 3-year study. Adv Ther 2005; 22: 650-8.
12.Tüfekçi IB, Çurgunlu A, ?irin F. Characteristics of acute adult poisoning cases admitted to a university hospital in ?stanbul. Hum Exp Toxicol 2004; 23: 347-51.
13.Hanssens Y, Deleu D, Taqi A. Etiologic and demographic characteristics of poisoning: a prospective hospital-based study in Oman. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2001; 39: 371-80.
14.Thomas SH, Bevan L, Bhattacharyya S, Bramble MG, Chew K, Connolly J, et al. Presentation of poisoned patients to accident and emergency departments in the north of England. Hum Exp Toxicol 1996; 15: 466-70.
15.Hawton K, Fagg J, Simkin S. The epidemiology of attempted suicide in the Oxford area, England (1989 - 1992). Crisis 1994; 15: 123-35.
16.Bjornaas MA, Hovda KE, Mikalsen H, Andrew E, Rudberg N, Ekeberg O, et al. Clinical vs. laboratory identification of drugs of abuse in patients admitted for acute poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006; 44: 127-34.
17.Seydaoglu G, Satar S, Alparslan N. Frequency and mortality risk factors of acute adult poisoning in Adana, Turkey, 1997-2002. Mt Sinai J Med 2005; 72: 393-401.
18.Patel MJ, Shahid M, Riaz M, Kashif W, Ayaz SI , Khan MS, et al. Drug overdose: a wake up call! Experience at a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 2008; 58: 298-301.
19.Le Pont F, Letrilliart L, Massari V, Dorléans Y, Thomas G, Flahault A. Suicide and attempted suicide in France: results of a general practice sentinel network, 1999-2001. Br J Gen Pract 2004; 54: 282-4.
20.Camidge DR, Wood RJ, Bateman DN. The epidemiology of self-poisoning in the UK. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2003; 56: 613-9.
21.Hampson NB. Trends in the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. Am J Emerg Med 2005; 23: 838-41.
22.Eddlestone M. Patterns and problems of deliberate self-poisoning in the developing world. QJM 2000; 93: 715-31.
23.Yurumez Y, Durukan P, Yavuz Y, Ikizceli ?, Avsarogullari L, Ozkan S, et al. Acute organophosphate poisoning in university hospital emergency room patients. Intern Med 2007; 46: 965-9.
24.Güven M, Sungur M, Tanr?verdi F, Eser B, Kekeç Z. Evaluation of the patients with acute intoxication. Turk J Med Sci 2002; 32: 169-72.


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The brand new talent in the psychedelic trance scene is an artist called Egova aka Egor Shutov from Russia!
His style of music is hypnotic and cosmic fullpower psychedelic trance!
After his first Album on Quantum Digits Records called Quantum Confusion and few tracks released on various compilations, Active Meditation Music is releasing his EP - Art Of Mood!
The Ep contains 3 previously unreleased tracks from the artist, mastered by Demoniac Insomniac.


Robert Elliott has been making fine things with wood for over 40 years of his young life. His resume includes Philosophy Professor at Gordon College and many years building boats in Newburyport and around the North Shore. He feels like he really found his calling though, when he started making chairs by hand.
For many years now he has worked in his studio way up north in the woods of Maine. You can see how much he loves it as he touches his chairs and tells you what kind of wood he uses for each part. The love, the dignity, the craftsmanship are evident in his timeless designs and pieces.


After a weekend of conference championship matchups, college football's final four was set Sunday. The College Football Playoff committee announced Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia and Alabama will compete for the 2018 national championship in January, leaving 74 more teams to fill out the remaining bowl games.
For many, whatever bowl game they will be playing in represents a disappointment. Most teams go into the season with designs on winning a national championship—or at the very least competing for a conference title. The vast majority of these teams will instead play out their final moments of the season in sparsely populated stadiums in games intended to put something on national television on random Tuesdays and Wednesdays in December.
Guys will get some cool swag and travel to locales they otherwise would not, and some will get to go out with a bowl win in their final collegiate game. That still matters to the players and coaches, even if the proliferation of bowl games and the advent of the College Football Playoff has quelled hype from the true bowl era.
There will also be some non-playoff matchups that are just plain fun.
For the most part, though, the focus will be on the College Football Playoff. Three teams made the committee's job easy. The ACC and SEC Championship Games were essentially play-ins, and Clemson and Georgia more than did their jobs to earn their spots. Clemson will likely enter the playoffs as the top seed after a dominant 38-3 win over Miami, which saw its once-promising season end with two straight losses.
Georgia avenged its lone loss of the season with a 28-7 win over Auburn.
The only remaining factor—other than sussing out the seeding—was the committee's decision between Ohio State and Alabama. The Crimson Tide were idle after losing to Auburn in Week 13, so their only hope was for a team in the top four to lose and open up a spot.
Wisconsin did just that, losing 27-21 to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes were looking to earn the final playoff spot despite having two losses. It was a similar situation to the one Penn State was in a year ago, when the committee chose one-loss Ohio State over the two-loss Nittany Lions—even with James Franklin's team having a head-to-head win.
Urban Meyer was left on the outside looking in this time, when the committee chose Alabama as the No. 4 seed. CFP committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said Ohio State's blowout loss at Iowa played a heavy factor in the omission of the Big Ten champs.
"As we saw Alabama play week in and week out, the selection committee believed Alabama was the better football team," Hocutt said on ESPN. "When we looked at Ohio State, when you looked at their resume, it was impressive, but it wasn't enough for the selection committee to place them in above Alabama."
Clemson and Alabama will play in a rematch of last year's title game in the Sugar Bowl. Georgia and Oklahoma will play in the Rose Bowl.
This article will be updated to provide more information as it becomes available.


Over time and use computers get slow. Clutter builds up and the computer has to maintain that clutter instead of delivering everything it has to your goals. Programs start up with the computer might not need to run every time you start it, and other programs could be removed completely. Windows features can be turned off, junk can be cleaned up, and you can get your computer back into the highly tuned state that you got it in. This can give you extra life for your computer and reduce chances of failure. Not to mention, it gives you back your peace of mind not having to wait forever to load programs.


Annandale, NJ. , April 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (VSMR) a global leader in financial fraud prevention and innovative technology solutions announced today that it has opened an office in Orlando, Florida for its Beacon Pro 360 (BP360) proximity marketing group.
The company has initiated an aggressive and innovative turnkey marketing program targeting retail clients which has already begun to generate revenue. Opening the Orlando office has become essential as the BP360 sales force is rapidly expanding. The office will form the BP360 headquarters to provide vital support and training to the growing sales force.
The global Bluetooth Beacon market is expected to reach $58.7 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.
By utilizing our innovative Beacon technology, retailers can distribute customized advertisements or promotions to a potential customer's mobile device without the necessity of downloading an App. The potential customer can either be in the store or in the vicinity of the store thus increasing in-store traffic and substantially increasing sales opportunities.
Custom advertising packages are currently being developed for Retail Stores, Restaurants, Hotels, Real Estate, Car Dealerships, Healthcare and Sports/Entertainment Venues.
Verify Smart Corp is an international technology company that develops and markets innovative solutions for the global digital market. The company also licenses patented technology for the prevention of debit/credit card and electronic transaction fraud. The company is aggressively expanding its operations, products and services. The company's focus is on sourcing, developing, marketing, licensing and distributing innovative technology solutions across multiple global markets including Healthcare, Consumer Brands, Educational Institutions, Sports/Entertainment Industries and many others.
Fernley, NV, Feb. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (VSMR) a Global innovator in financial fraud prevention and digital and mobile solutions announced today that it has signed an MOU with Legacy Financial Systems Inc. (LFS).
Legacy Financial Systems has developed a crypto-currency (called Legacy) that is a digital token backed by the Swiss Franc (CHF) for global, ubiquitous transactions (backed by Verify Smart's secure authentication IP) in a familiar, less volatile accounting unit. Each Legacy token represents one Swiss Franc which is held in reserve. Currently Legacy is one of the first "Currency" backed crypto-currencies in existence. Legacy provides a stable and secure digital platform that virtually eliminates the volatility of other crypto-currencies.
Legacy Financial Systems' payment and settlement platform provides safe, secure transactions for individuals, via digital wallets, and with almost no fees and commissions. Also, for merchant's, fraud and chargebacks will be greatly reduced by utilizing the proven and patented Verify Smart two-factor authentication technology.
Verify Smart Corporation will provide LFS with a global license to utilize its patented technology for use in all of their crypto-currency transactions for a percentage of revenue. LFS will have the right to reoffer their proprietary platform for use by other crypto-currency organizations as well.
Lou Pingitore, CEO of Verify Smart said "We are excited to be working with Legacy Financial Systems to help secure their new Legacy crypto-currency platform. We feel Legacy Financial Systems' unique approach to the crypto-currency market is going to lead the industries move to a more stable and less volatile environment for both customers and merchants".
Verify Smart Corp is an international technology company that develops and markets innovative solutions for the global digital market. The company also licenses patented technology for the prevention of debit/credit card and electronic transaction fraud. The company is expanding into the growing digital and mobile sector and will market innovative solutions for Healthcare, Consumer Brands, Educational Institutions and the Sports and Entertainment industries.
Fernley, NV, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (VSMR), a Global innovator in financial fraud prevention and digital and mobile solutions, announced today that it has signed an LOI with Cbros Technologies to acquire an equity stake in their Mobile Safe Zones subsidiary for cash and stock.
The Mobile Safe Zones (MSZ) Patent Pending System prevents drivers from texting and keyboard/application use while driving without the ability to "opt out." The system is easily installed in less than 10 minutes and can provide feedback to a monitoring party (e.g. insurance company). The MSZ device does not have any direct connection with the vehicle's mechanics or electronics. Therefore, the device is usable in any moving vehicle regardless of the manufacturer.
Verify Smart Corporation will incorporate this solution into its existing technologies to prevent or limit cell phone use in the workplace environment depending on user defined levels set by the employer. The product can also be used in schools, hospitals and public areas (e.g. crosswalks, train stations).
Annandale, NJ, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (OTC PINK: VSMR) a global leader in financial fraud prevention and innovative technology solutions announced today that it is predicting a first quarter launch of two major proximity products.
The company, in conjunction with its partner, SavvyCard® LLC, are on target to launch their new Curbside LeadTM Real Estate lead capture program initially in Florida with California following closely behind. The two companies feel this new innovative solution will disrupt the $2.9B Real Estate lead capture industry and will quickly penetrate market share.
Also in early 2018 the company will launch its small retail proximity marketing business utilizing its existing network of thousands of affiliate associates. This will allow the company to quickly grow our sales force, realize substantial revenues and reduce the need for capital expenditure.
Utilizing our innovative Beacon technology, retailers can distribute customized advertisements or promotions to a potential customer's mobile device without the necessity of downloading an App. The potential customer can either be in the store or in the vicinity of the store thus increasing in-store traffic and substantially increasing sales opportunities.
Custom advertising packages are currently being developed for Retail Stores, Restaurants, Hotels, Realtors, Brokers, Car Dealerships, Healthcare and Sports/Entertainment Venues.
Fernley, NV, April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (VSMR), a Global innovator in financial fraud prevention and digital and mobile solutions, announced today that it has signed licensing agreements with Legacy Financial Systems Inc. and USBIGCOIN, LLC. The companies are also in discussions to form a joint.
Fernley, NV, April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verify Smart Corporation (VSMR), a Global innovator in financial fraud prevention and digital and mobile solutions, announced today that it has signed licensing agreements with Legacy Financial Systems Inc. and USBIGCOIN, LLC. The companies are also in discussions to form a joint venture to create a totally secure financial transaction platform that other cryptocurrency organizations and financial institutions can leverage which could standardize and secure the crypto-currency and financial marketplace.
Legacy Financial Systems has developed a crypto-currency (called Legacy) that is a digital token backed by the Swiss Franc (CHF) for global, ubiquitous transactions (supported by Verify Smart's secure authentication IP). Each Legacy token represents one Swiss Franc which is held in reserve.
USBIGCOIN is a cryptocurrency that will be backed by a monetary instrument yet to be determined. USBIGCOIN is the owner of a US Patent that provides a time-stamping "method and system for currency exchange" which will greatly enhance the transparency of the cash conversion process at the ACTUAL POINT OF CONVERSION.
The Joint venture will be headed up by executives from the three companies and will provide a totally secure digital solution for not only the volatile crypto-currency marketplace but financial SWIFT transactions as well.
The Senate and SEC are investigating cryptocurrencies and may issue guidelines and regulations to control the market by treating a crypto-currency as a security.
Legacy Financial Systems' payment and settlement platform provides safe, secure transactions for individuals, via digital wallets, and with almost no fees and commissions. Also, for merchants, fraud and chargebacks will be greatly reduced by utilizing the proven and patented Verify Smart two-factor authentication technology as well as facial, retina and fingerprint recognition.
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Established in 2016 and based in Sunderland Tyne & Wear, Sky Motion fly cutting-edge Unmanned Aircraft (SUA), predominately known as Drones. These platforms offer a unique prospective and superior service in aerial data capture, visual inspection, surveying as well as aerial media production. SkyMotion pilots are CAA Certified and fully insured for public liability ensuring the very highest levels of Health & Safety are maintained. We are governed by strict air laws that have been put into place by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and follow Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 393 – the air navigation order and regulations.
As a company we are at the forefront of research and development into UAV and software solutions for industry. Our team of pilots hold all the necessary Oil & Gas and Renewable Certs and have a minimum 400 flight hours on a variety of UAV platforms. They are skilled, dedicated professionals who place safety at the forefront of every flight. We undertake inspections and R&D that is at the cutting edge of UAV technology. Our core inspection service provides a fast efficient alternative to traditional inspections and our partnership with leading academics and industry partners ensures we are always working on the next procedural advancement.
Our building and roof aerial inspection service provides a cost effective and improved way of capturing information without the drawbacks of conventional methods. Utilising HD digital imagery and filming capabilities surveyors can now identify any defects before they deteriorate to the point where major works are required.
Despite being relatively accessible, bridge inspection can be time consuming. Our systems are able to gather video and stills evidence from every angle, including below. This provides real time analysis as well as post flight evaluation.
We offer 3D mapping and ground survey solutions for various applications. SUA's are ideal for rural areas, archeological surveys, urban site construction, and terrain mapping. During processing all the images of the region are then stitched together into a seamless geo-referenced mosaic map.
We offer an aerial construction survey capability allowing for any site of any size to be accurately imaged and 3D-modelled. By utilising software our SUA can cover large areas in a short space of time, generating orthographic maps to a high level of detail enabling the site's progress to be monitored as it develops.
Traditional inspections of wind turbine structures can be high risk and time consuming. Utilising our SUA with its onboard sensor provides a fast, effective method of inspection. Reduces the need for rope access and heavy equipment while minimising downtime to services and ultimately reducing costs.
Power line maintenance involves examining pylons, inspecting their insulators and detecting thermographic problems. Our SUA equipped with various sensors can fly to within a couple of meters which will allow for improved safety measures whilst also reducing the disruption associated with conventional methods of inspection.


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Andrew Harrison is happy to be back home! He grew up in Chattanooga and is a proud graduate of East Brainerd Elementary and McCallie School. He is a longtime member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church. Andrew started as a studio camera operator at WTVC in Chattanooga, and has 25 years of experience in television. He's worked as photographer, producer, reporter and anchor. Andrew spent the last 20 years in Mississippi, the last 7 anchoring the morning news in Jackson. It's a dynamic market, with no shortage of news, but Andrew is a Tennessean at heart. He's won numerous AP awards for reporting, including Best Franchise for Large Market Mississippi Stations. He was voted the Mississippi Delta's Favorite News Personality. (in 2008) Andrew is a devoted husband and father of two. His wife, Tonya is also from Tennessee. He's a big Titans, Grizzlies and Predators fan, and when it comes to baseball, the Braves will always be number one. You can e-mail him at aharrison@wdef.com
Golden Apple Award: Boyd Buchanan's Bonnie Ray
Andrew Harrison,
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - The best teachers are interested in their students' lives outside the classroom. Boyds Buchanan's Bonnie Ray has been known to show up at her kids' sporting events and recitals. It's all part of her holistic approach…
What's Right with Our Schools: Lana's Love Foundation at Boyd Buchanan
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Lana's Love Foundation is a on mission to help families fighting cancer, one cup of lemonade at a time. Lana was…
Golden Apple Award: Michelle de Villiers, Notre Dame High School
CHATTTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - If you ask a student what their favorite subject is in school, art is a very popular answer. Having a good art…
Golden Apple Award: Dr. Lindy Blazek, OLPH
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Despite spending four and half decades in the classroom Dr. Lindy Blazek has never lost her passion for teaching. The latest stop in her stellar…
What's Right With Our Schools: Get Future Ready
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Schools recently teamed up with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce to help students Get Future Ready! It was a networking that more…
Golden Apple Award: Kate Campbell, Soddy Elementary
Soddy Daisy, TN (WDEF) - Long division is no problem for students in Kate Campbell's fourth grade class at Soddy Elementary. Through kindness and patience, she makes sure every…
What's Right With Our Schools: Morning Music at Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Talent takes center stage early and often at the Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts. In fact, beautiful live music is part of the morning routine at…
Collegedale Police Seek Attempted Murder, Aggravated Rape Suspect
COLLEGEDALE, TN (WDEF) - Collegedale Police need your help to track down an attempted murder and aggravated rape suspect. Kenneth McKenzie Junior was already out on bond for…
WRWOS: A survivor's story
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Holocaust survivor Lore Stoll Tinney talked to students at Skyuka Hall about her family's experiences. "When I came to this country I become a citizen of United States..…
Golden Apple Award: Rhonda Wells, Calhoun Middle School
CALHOUN, GA (WDEF) - Calhoun Middle School is home a teacher who's lovingly referred to as Mama Wells. That's because she treats every child in her class as if they were one of her…
What's Right With Our Schools: Howard's Connect Program
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Students in the Howard Connect Program wanted to see what life is really like in a television station. Naturally, News 12 welcomed them right in. Lorissa Canon is…
Golden Apple Award: Matthew Brady, Brown Middle School
HARRISON, TN (WDEF) - Corporate America's loss is Brown Middle School's gain. In less than 2 years, Matthew Brady has transformed into a dynamic young teacher with a knack for problem solving. His…
What's Right With Our Schools: Richard Hardy Memorial School Formal Closet
SOUTH PITTSBURG, TN (WDEF) - Getting all dressed up can be the first step in an enchanted evening, but tuxedos and formal gowns are often accessorized with an expensive price tag. Richard Hardy Memorial is home to a closet where…
Golden Apple Award: Janie Shelton, CSAS
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Patience and kindness are job requirements for any good kindergarten teacher. Janie Shelton magically blends those qualities in her classroom at CSAS. Setting a solid foundation for a lifetime…
Golden Apple Award: Sonjia Norman, Blythe Bower Elementary School
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - One days she's an astronaut. The next day she's a soldier. Sonjia Norman digs deep into her costume closet to make lessons come to life for her 3rd graders…
What's Right With Our Schools: Ringgold High Performing Arts Program Wins State
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) - The award-winning tradition continues for Ringgold High School's Performing Arts Program. This year students mixed a "Spoonful of Sugar" into their State Championship recipe. Jane' Ellis is…
Golden Apple Award: Abby Fortner Lookout Valley Middle High School
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) - Abby Fornter teaches English and Social Studies at Lookout Valley Middle School. She also gets in plenty of kicks coaching soccer. At least one of her students calls Fortner…
Golden Apple Award: Debbie Aytes, Hickory Valley Christian
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Most classrooms are filled with students of all different abilities. Whether they need a little extra help or a more challenging assignment, Debbie Aytes has a knack for reaching each…
Golden Apple Award: Kiely Dowell, Red Bank Middle School
RED BANK, TN (WDEF) - Teachers need to be clear communicators and strong motivators. Kiely Dowell checks both those boxes and many more in her Red Bank Middle School Social Studies class. She's also highly creative and a good listener.…
What's Right With Our Schools" Notre Dame Students Build Beds
CHATTANOOGA, TN - (WDEF) - A good day usually begins after a good night's sleep. Some students at Notre Dame have been busy building beds that will be given away free…
Golden Apple Award: Gerome Smith, Copper Basin Elementary
DUCKTOWN, TN (WDEF) - Gerome Smith spends his day cultivating young minds at Copper Basin Elementary. After the last bell rings, Mr. G digs in with the Gardening…
What's Right With Our Schools: Skyuka Hall Library and Resource Center
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Even as technology continues to evolve, it's hard to find a more effective learning tool than a good book. Skyuka Hall's…
Golden Apple: Ashley Frogg, Rossville Elementary
ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) - Ashley Frogg has a gift for connecting with some of youngest students at Rossville Elementary. She lays the foundation for a life-long love of learning. That lesson is not…
What's Right With Our Schools: OLPH Lessons in Cyber Safety
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - What you post online today can come back and bite you tomorrow. That's true, even if you were a kid when you posted it.…
Golden Apple Award: Annaliese Cope, Chattanooga Valley Elementary
FLINTSTONE, GA (WDEF) - Students at Chattanooga Valley describe Annaliese Cope as pure sunshine. She routinely goes above and beyond to make her classroom a fun and loving place for students to grow.…
What's Right With Our Schools: Juanita Foster
ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) - When Juanita Foster began her teaching career, Dwight D. Eisenhower was in office. Her love of children kept Foster coming back year after year. That kind of dedication is is…
Golden Apple Award: Orchard Knob Middle's Sarah Roberson
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Sarah Roberson is a tutor, a coach and grade A Science teacher at Orchard Knob Middle School. After six years on the job, the Boston native also looks quite comfortable…
What's Right With Our Schools: The Pursuit of Happiness
CHATTANOOGA. TN (WDEF) - The Pursuit of Happiness is on a mission is to restore hope by alleviating the drivers of poverty. One way they are doing that is by working with…
Driving our Economy Forward: Wacker
CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) - The Wacker Corporation is a major manufacturer of silicon products for everyday life. The company is looking to expand its operations in the Tennessee Valley and…
Golden Apple Award: Heritage Middle's Dillon Crowder
Catoosa County
CATOOSA COUNTY, (WDEF) - 8th Grade Social Studies can be a Middle School rite of passage. It's a serious subject, but there is room to have a little fun. Dillon Crowder uses his keen sense…
East Ridge Police Chief to Retire
East Ridge, TN (From the East Ridge Police Department) – After a distinguished 38-year career in law enforcement, East Ridge Police Chief Stan Allen announced that he is retiring. Local officials, co-workers, and invited guests attended a special reception at…
Golden Apple Award: Katy Vaughn, Davis Elementary
TRENTON, GA (WDEF) - Positivity can be contagious. That's one of the lessons that Katy Vaughn passes on to her young students at Davis Elementary. They love her for it. Charity Barton is…
What's Right With Our Schools: Harrison Bay Future Ready Center
OOLTEWAH, TN (WDEF) - You won't see the Harrison Bay Future Ready Center on Touchdown Friday Night. They don't have a football team. Instead, students have trained their laser like focus on engineering.…
Child Death Investigation in Hamilton County
Hamilton County, TN (WDEF) - Hamilton County authorities are investigating the death of a child. Around 7:00 Friday (9/16/22) night officers were called to the 1200 block of Beck Road in Sale Creek to look for two missing kids. The…
Golden Apple Award: Susan Royal, Fairyland Elementary School
Lookout Mountain, GA (WDEF) - Susan Royal has a heart for service and gift for teaching. She's been in the classroom for more than 25 years, and a generation of students is…
What's Right With Ours Schools: Hamilton County Schools eLabs
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's a sign of the times, eLabs are a vital part of education at all levels these days. Thanks to PEF and Volkswagen Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools has cut…
What's Right With Our Schools: CSLA Construction
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - CSLA is about to pass a milestone more than 30 years in the making. Their upper and lower school campuses are coming together like never before. This brick and mortar progress is a rock solid example…
What's Right With Our Schools: Barger Academy of Fine Arts
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Creativity is an essential part of the curriculum at Barger. Talented students can pursue their passions in dance, drama, music and visual mediums. Juana Wilson-Roberts…
What's Right With Our Schools: OLPH 85th Anniversary
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - For 85 years Our Lady of Perpetual Help has lived up to its name. The school and church are getting ready to celebrate that milestone this (8/26-8/28) weekend!…
What's Right With Our Schools: Tango Flight at Cleveland High
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - What's the neatest project you ever worked on in high school? Did you take apart a carburetor?Maybe snap together a bird house? Well, students at Cleveland High are building…


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Why You Should Stop Setting Easy Goals
Research finds that challenging goals can be more motivating.
Amitava Chattopadhyay,
Antonios Stamatogiannakis,
Dipankar Chakravarti
Microzoa/Getty Images
When setting team goals, many managers feel that they must maintain a tricky balance between setting targets high enough to achieve impressive results and setting them low enough to keep the troops happy. But the assumption that employees are more likely to welcome lower goals doesn't stand up to scrutiny. In fact, research indicates that in some situations people perceive higher goals as easier to attain than lower ones — and even when that's not the case, they still can find those more challenging goals more appealing.
When setting team goals, many managers feel that they must maintain a tricky balance between setting targets high enough to achieve impressive results and setting them low enough to keep the troops happy. But the assumption that employees are more likely to welcome lower goals doesn't stand up to scrutiny. In fact, our research indicates that in some situations people perceive higher goals as easier to attain than lower ones — and even when that's not the case, they still can find those more challenging goals more appealing.
In a series of studies we describe in our latest paper, we tested how people perceive goals by asking participants on Amazon's crowdsourcing marketplace, known as Mechanical Turk, to rate the difficulty and appeal of targets set at various levels and across spheres from sports performance and GPA to weight loss and personal savings. We asked about both "status quo" goals, in which the target remained set at a baseline level similar to recent performance, and "improvement goals" in which the target was set higher than the baseline by varying degrees.
What makes a goal seem hard to achieve?
In our first study, we recruited a couple of hundred participants on Mechanical Turk and split them into five groups. We showed one group just status quo goals — for example, achieving the same GPA as the previous semester. We showed the other four groups improvement goals that reflected either small, moderate, large or very large gains over the current baseline.
For the various improvement goals, as you would expect, our subjects perceived higher targets as more difficult to achieve and lower targets as less difficult (4.01 versus 2.82 on a scale of difficulty from 1 to 7). But, surprisingly, participants rated the status quo goal as more difficult (3.23) than the small-increase goal — in fact, just a bit less than a moderate one (3.49).
To learn why, in our second study, we asked participants to give reasons for their ratings of modest improvement and status quo goals. The group that evaluated the modest goals tended to write about the gap between the status quo and the goal and how small it was, which led to them to be optimistic about their success. Meanwhile, the group that evaluated the maintenance goals listed more reasons for failure based on context and was more pessimistic.
From this and a subsequent study, we concluded that when people are given a status quo goal, they're more sensitive to the context for achieving it than when they're given an improvement goal — and that's all the more true if the context is already unfavorable. Think about it this way: When we're judging the difficulty of a goal, the first thing our brains see is the size of the gap that separates the goal from the baseline. The bigger the gap, the more difficult the goal, as logic would suggest. Only later do we begin to consider the context in which we'll need to achieve that goal. But in the absence of any gap to evaluate — as with a status quo goal — our minds immediately start thinking about that context. Our all-too-human negativity bias then kicks in and our brains start generating reasons why we might fail. Thus setting a steady baseline goal just to make your people more confident is actually likely to do just the opposite.
Harder goals mean more satisfaction
In the studies we've described so far, participants rated the goals we gave them one at a time. The results were different, though, when we asked them to rate status quo and modest improvement goals in tandem.
There the pattern broke: when participants evaluated these goals together, they did judge the modest improvement goal as more difficult than the status quo goal (3.02 vs 2.43). Generalizing from our findings in the earlier study, we deduce that the participants took their cue from the gaps between the goal and the baseline, and logically concluded that it was easier to maintain the status quo than to increase results.
But in the same study, when we asked participants which of the two goals they would choose to pursue, they again chose modest improvement targets over status quo targets. This finding held across all kinds of spheres — whether about achieving a higher GPA, exercising more, completing more tasks, saving more, or working more hours. Despite the fact that they knew these goals were harder, participants anticipated greater satisfaction from achieving modest positive changes as opposed to maintaining the status quo.
As a manager, these findings should encourage you to set your team at least modest improvement goals rather than status quo goals — especially in tough contexts such as a bearish economy, an all-consuming merger, or with a key contract up in the air. Even if the goal is hard to achieve, your team is likely to see the benefits — and to be motivated to reach a target that makes them proud.
Read more on Motivating people or related topic Employee performance management
Amitava Chattopadhyay is the GlaxoSmithKline Chaired Professor of Corporate Innovation at INSEAD. He is co-author of The New Emerging Market Multinationals: Four Strategies for Disrupting Markets and Building Brands and has published extensively in premier journals such as the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Science, and Management Science. You can follow him on Twitter @AmitavaChats.
Antonios Stamatogiannakisis an Assistant Professor of Marketing at IE Business School – IE University (Spain). He studies visual marketing, branding, and consumer motivation. His work has appeared in premier journals such as the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Consumer Research, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
Dipankar Chakravarti is the Robert H. Digges Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Pamplin College of Business of Virginia Tech.


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Twilight of the Creeps as Fox News Finally Gets Around to Killing 'The O'Reilly Factor'
Not all DIY justice leads to a neat and tidy outcome, but there's reason for hope when even Fox News can be forced to do the right thing.
Erin Gloria Ryan
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty
On Wednesday, Fox News abruptly dropped Bill O'Reilly, its longtime golden oldie, after his past brushes with sexual misconduct (finally) made him toxic to advertisers.
The host's downfall came after The New York Times tallied up that he'd cost his employer a cool $13 million in sexual harassment settlements over the course of his career. In response, dozens of sponsors pulled ads from his primetime Fox News program. Apparently, the only thing that talks more loudly than Bill O'Reilly is money.
As a woman, I find the latest developments in the O'Reilly saga both confusing and encouraging. Encouraging because I'm sure there are plenty of men there capable of hosting a cable news program who are able to resist the urge to sexually demean women over whom they have power. Confusing because it's hard to keep track of whether "woman" is a generally tolerated class or a generally disdained one. It seems to flip flop from day to day. But I'm feeling pretty encouraged by this O'Reilly business.
On one hand, I've learned from advertisements that were definitely not cynical attempts at virality put forth by a male-dominated ad industry that I should have self esteem, because that's the same thing as empowerment. I am beautiful, no matter what they say. Words can't bring me down. Oscars acceptance speeches, fancy conferences, books with headshots of their very successful female authors on the cover; they all think I'm just great, or I could be if I believed in myself. At the very least, Dove soap thinks I'm beautiful. That's all I want from a soap.
On the other hand, I've learned that despite all the capitalist and corporatist lip service women have been getting since even before my mother was a little girl, many people do not give a flying fuck about women. Three-plus decades of observing and existing inside this reality have left me with little doubt that men can do basically anything they want to a woman and face few repercussions—even fewer if the women to whom the things are done are poorer than me, or browner than me, or if the man in question is particularly talented at making movies or jokes or playing a sport that involves balls or fists. Sean Penn, Mike Tyson, Ben Roethlisberger, R. Kelly, Roman Polanski, and Woody Allen, among many, many others, have garnered sympathy and even forgiveness among certain facets of the population after sexual misconduct allegationshave surfaced.
After Donald Trump's electoral victory last November, I questioned the way people thought about women, wondered who among the people I knew were able to willfully overlook bragging about sexual assault in the name of trusting a man like Donald Trump to lead this country. Was it a demonstration of the power of confirmation bias among a portion of the population wanted so very badly for Hillary Clinton to be the worse choice that they tried to will it so in the voting booth? The power of confirmation bias to overcome obvious ineptitude, a complete lack of experience, and a baseball team's worth of sexual assault accusers in the name of wanting his promises to be real? Was grabbing women by the pussy forgivable? Was sexual assault ignorable?
In the weeks after the election, many hands were wrung over the way voters overlooked Trump's alleged misdeeds. And rightfully so. But, post-O'Reilly, it's time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture here. Sure, Woody Allen carries on apace (kind of), but Bill Cosby's career is in shambles. Mike Tyson may be making hilarious cameos in bro buddy comedies, but War Machine is a pariah. Sean Penn might still be getting the chance to right embarrassing 10,000 words about El Chapo for a major publication, but Casey Affleck's Oscar win was tainted by misconduct allegations from the moment the presenters called his name. He won, but we were mad about it! Charlie Sheen is a laughingstock. The career of James Deen, the biggest porn star of his generation, has gone flaccid.
Not all DIY justice leads to a neat and tidy outcome. Over the last few years, perhaps emboldened by the courage of Bill Cosby's accusers, women in comedy communities across the US have banded together to push alleged sexual abusers out. In one case in particular, a well-known chain of improvisation schools was ensnared in accusations against a male comic who performed at one of their facilities. In another case, a well-known radio host was ousted from his post for behavior that hardly met the legal definition of sexual misconduct. And, after years of utterly failing sexual assault survivors, college campuses across the country now face pressure to more zealously pursue actions that deny due process to those accused.
Until very recently, if they were big enough, it was pretty much impossible to bring an abusive male celebrity down. And, to be sure, not every sexual misconduct allegation against a famous man leads to the end of his career, nor should it.
Six years ago, Anna Holmes wrote a column for the New York Times called The Disposable Woman, about how the public was able to overlook the crimes of Charlie Sheen because greed and moralizing tolerate abuse from a man like Charlie Sheen toward women like those who accused him of misdeeds.
"CBS executives, not to mention the millions of viewers of his 'family' sitcom 'Two and a Half Men,' have consistently turned a blind eye toward Mr. Sheen's history of abusing women," Holmes wrote. "Part of this, of course, is about money. The actor's F-18 of an id—to borrow a metaphor from Mr. Sheen himself—had long provided the show a steady stream of free publicity. It also helped make Mr. Sheen the highest-paid actor on television, at $1.2 million an episode."
Like Sheen, Bill O'Reilly was a money maker for his corporate home. But one obvious difference between then and now is that then, advertisers shrugged. Not so today. Then, the audience was able to let it slide. Now, not so much. Not even the people who watch Fox News—or at least the companies advertising to them—are willing to let it go. The Sheen story was only six years ago.
The way we, the public, handle well-founded sexual misconduct allegations is changing. A cynic would say that O'Reilly's ouster, so closely following the ouster of his brother-in-arms Roger Ailes from the same channel may be a couple of flukish victories for a cause that will always be a Sisyphean task for people who believe women should be taken seriously and sexual abuse should not be tolerated. But a big-picture realist would say it shows that right now, we may be nearing the crest of a cultural sea change.
Maybe Trump was the exception, and O'Reilly—who the President praised as "a good person" just two weeks before Fox let him go in response to the outrage over him being such a bad one—is the new rule.