Mandatory News

Monday, June 6, 2016

Music Box Series Brings Top Rock Docs Back To The Big Screen

DOCS: The Ugly Truth About Beauty

Four acclaimed music documentaries will get big screen revivals thanks to the Music in Motion Film Series starting this Wednesday night, with subsequent screenings in July, September and November. Two of these films (Stop Making Sense and The Last Waltz) are widely considered among the best concert films ever made. All showings will be at the Music Box Theatre and the series is co-sponsored by WXRT, with one of their DJs introducing each film.

Stop Making Sense, June 8Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Something Wild) assembled footage from three Talking Heads" concerts for this 1984 film, which is still the standard for capturing a live act at their very best. The movie is especially valuable as a document of the band in action, as it appears lead singer and chief songwriter David Byrne is dead set against any Talking Heads reunion.

Shut Up and Play the Hits, July 6Unlike the Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem has already reunited and is back on the road, so this 2012 film"s taglineabout it capturing "the very loud ending" of James Murphy"s rock/dance music ensembleis prematurely dated. Still, this mix of concert footage and a behind-the-scenes profile of Murphy was very well received by critics and fans.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, September 29Breaking from the concert focus of the other three films in the series, this 2002 film about Chicago"s own Wilco puts the emphasis on the creative and commercial struggles of the recording process. The making of the album Yankee Foxtrot Hotel marked a hard-fought independence for the band, as well as the breaking point between leader Jeff Tweedy and multi-instrumentalist and key collaborator Jay Bennett (who died in 2009). The conflict between Tweedy and Bennett is captured with brutal honesty in this compelling film.

The Last Waltz, November 16Martin Scorsese"s film about The Band"s 1976 farewell concert will play just over a week before the 40th anniversary of that landmark performance. Though the group would later reunite without leader Robbie Robertson, there is a true sense of finality as members discuss finishing before the road finished them. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton are just some of the music legends who made guest appearances at the show, while Scorsese also filmed some performances after the concert on a soundstage, including the rousing collaboration with The Staple Singers seen above.

Stop Making Sense plays Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. with veteran XRT personality Terri Hemmert introducing the film. Show times and D.J. hosts for future shows will be announced later, with details available here.

Source: http://chicagoist.com/2016/06/06/music_in_motion_brings_top_rock_doc.php

"Considerable risk" if Post Office replaced Horizon system, says chairman

Minecraft Xbox - Post Office [174]

Despite all its faults, the Post Office would incure considerable risk if it replaced the Horizon computer system that thousands of subpostmasters use to run their businesses, according to the chairman of the Post Office.

According to an article in the latest edition of Sub Postmaster, the official journal of the National Federation of Subpostmasters, when addressing concerns over the system voiced by subpostmasters and calls for a replacement system, Post Office chairman Tim Parker said Horizon is not a bad system and replacing it would bring considerable risks.

According to the journal, he said: Ive been involved in some major IT transformation projects, and the amount of c**k-ups, delays and problems we came across dont bear thinking about.

I think that, for all its faults, Horizon is not a bad system at all and wed incur considerable risks if we looked to replace it.

The Horizon computer system is at the centre of a long dispute between the Post Office and subposmasters.

In 2009, Computer Weekly revealed the stories of subpostmasters who had received heavy fines and even jail terms for alleged false accounting, which they blamed on the Horizon accounting system. The Post Office denies these claims.

Thousands of Post Offices use the IT system, developed by ICL/Fujitsu Services, for their accounts.

Group action

There is currently a group action against the Post Office where subpostmasters supported by The Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JSFA) seek justice and compensation for what they claim are wrongful prosecutions and fines.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission is also reviewing prosecutions for account shortfalls, which subpostmasters blamed on Horizon.

In response to previous Computer Weekly articles, the Post Office said: It remains the case that more than three years of investigations have not identified any transaction caused by a technical fault in Horizon, which resulted in a postmaster wrongly being held responsible for a loss.

As recently as May 2016, the Post Office apologised to subpostmasters when branches all over the UK were unable to operate for an hour and a half on 9 May 2016. This was the result of a problem with the Horizon computer system. Problems such as this can cause account shortfalls, according to campaigners.

For example, in November 2015, the Communication Workers Union subpostmasters branch CWU said in a case documented by investigators that a core branch transferred cash to an outreach branch and Horizon reduced the accounts of the core by the amount transferred.

The outreach branch transferred in the amount sent and Horizon accepted the correct amount. However, Horizon did this four times, causing a loss of three times the actual amount sent. The discrepancy was for money that did not exist.

In relation to this, Post Office IT supportsent an email to a member of the postmasters branch of the CWU revealing the flaw. The email said Post Office IT supportplanned to fix the glitch with a code change.

Reports into Horizon dispute

The Horizon dispute has moved beyond the computer system itself and is more about how The Post Office dealt with the claims of subpostmasters that the losses they incurred were down to the system rather than misaccounting or theft.

An independent report into the Horizon system and individual subpostmaster cases by forensic investigation company Second Sight, which was commissioned by the Post Office and published in April 2015, said the Post Office was too quick to go to court in some cases of subpostmaster account shortfalls.

As a result of our investigations, we have established that Post Offices investigators have, in many cases, failed to identify the underlying root cause of shortfalls prior to the initiation of civil recovery action or criminal proceedings, said Second Sight.

But in its own 83-page report, the Post Office said the Second Sight findings were wrong.

Alan Bates, who set up the Justice for subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) pressure group, said: This case is about the failure of the Post Office to identify the problems with the system and the fact that they held subpostmasters responsible for shortfalls.

He also claimed the Post Office has failed to invest in the system to make life easier for subpostmasters.

Source: http://www.computerweekly.com/news/450297820/Considerable-risk-if-Post-Office-replaced-Horizon-system-says-chairman

FDR"s D-Day prayer recited on Senate floor

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Robz Mod - D-Day Beach Defense 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate has marked the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion with a recitation of the prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt led that day in a nationwide radio broadcast.

Ohio Senator Rob Portman read the prayer, in which FDR asked G*d to protect the American and allied troops storming n**i-controlled France, declaring that with thy blessing we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.

Portman sponsored legislation signed into law two years ago that will make Roosevelts D-Day prayer part of the World War II memorial in Washington.

Sound:

%@AP Links

277-w-35-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio)The Senate has marked the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion with a recitation of the prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt led that day in a nationwide broadcast. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((opens with sound)) (6 Jun 2016)

<<CUT *277 (06/06/16) 00:35

280-a-04-(Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, reading part of FDRs D-Day prayer)-forces of our enemy-Sound of Ohio Senator Rob Portman reading part of the D-Day prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt led in a nationwide radio broadcast. ((cut used in wrap)) (6 Jun 2016)

<<CUT *280 (06/06/16) 00:04 "forces of our enemy"

278-a-11-(Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, reading part of FDRs D-Day prayer)-a suffering humanity-Sound of Ohio Senator Rob Portman reading part of the D-Day prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt led in a nationwide radio broadcast. ((cut used in wrap)) (6 Jun 2016)

<<CUT *278 (06/06/16) 00:11 "a suffering humanity"

279-a-07-(Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, reading part of FDRs D-Day prayer)-our united crusade-Sound of Ohio Senator Rob Portman reading part of the D-Day prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt led in a nationwide radio broadcast. (6 Jun 2016)

<<CUT *279 (06/06/16) 00:07 "our united crusade"

281-a-16-(Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, in Senate floor speech)-said that day-Ohio Senator Rob Portman says legislation to make FDRs D-Day prayer a part of Washingtons World War II memorial was signed into law two years ago. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (6 Jun 2016)

<<CUT *281 (06/06/16) 00:16 "said that day"

Source: http://wtop.com/dc/2016/06/fdrs-d-day-prayer-recited-on-senate-floor/

Today Is the 72nd Anniversary of D-Day: Do You Know What the "D" Stands For?

D Day 2013 Hindi 720p DvDrip MP4)

To military historians, millions of Americans, Europeans and especially the survivors and families of those who fought in World War II, June 6, 1944, is known solely as D-Day a day widely recognized as a turning point in World War II.

On the morning of the historic day, a coordinated assault was launched involving more than 160,000 Allied fighters storming the beaches of Normandy, France.

Success on D-Day was critical to an Allied win over n**i Germany. But, what does it mean? What does the D in D-Day stand for?

Could the D stand for decision, doomsday or even death?

While there is not complete agreement on the answer to the question, a couple of generally accepted explanations lead all possible answers.

The World War II Museum in New Orleans offers clarity on the topic citing author Stephen Ambroses D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II:

Time magazine reported on June 12 [1944] that as far as the U.S. Army can determine, the first use of D for Day, H for Hour was in Field Order No. 8, of the First Army, A.E.F., issued on Sept. 20, 1918, which read, The First Army will attack at H-Hour on D-Day with the object of forcing the evacuation of the St. Mihiel salient.

According to Time, the D in D-Day merely means day.

Could it be that simple? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Another book, War Slang from Paul Dickson, offers the following accounts for consideration:

Many explanations have been given for the meaning of D-Day, June 6, 1944, the day the Allies invaded Normandy from England during World War II. The Army has said that it is simply an alliteration, as in H-Hour. Others say the first D in the word also stands for day, the term a code designation. The French maintain the D means disembarkation, still others say debarkation, and the more poetic insist D-Day is short for day of decision. When someone wrote to General Eisenhower in 1964 asking for an explanation, his executive assistant Brigadier General Robert Schultz answered: General Eisenhower asked me to respond to your letter. Be advised that any amphibious operation has a departed date; therefore the shortened term D-Day is used.

The short answer here, the D in D-Day could mean day, departure, disembarkation, debarkation or day of decision.

The only real agreement on D-Day is the fact the invasion forever changed the course of WWII.

Need to more about the events of D-Day? You can follow a timeline of the invasion on Twitter.

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Source: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/06/06/today-is-the-72nd-anniversary-of-d-day-do-you-know-what-the-d-stands-for/

Drug makers pay $67m for misleading docs about cancer drug survival data

DOCS: Sam & Evan - From Girls to Men

Two drug makers Roches Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals announced a deal on Monday to pay $67 million to resolve charges they made misleading statements about the effectiveness of the Tarceva drug to treat non-small cell lung cancer.

Specifically, the feds contend that between 2006 and 2011, the companies gave promotional materials to oncologists that included misleading and overstated survival data to influence prescribing. The drug was originally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a second-line or back-up treatment, but the inflated data prompted some doctors to use Tarceva as a first choice, which boosted usage.

In fact, there was little evidence to show Tarceva was effective in treating patients unless they had never been smokers or had a mutation in a protein involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to a US Department of Justice statement. As a result, the feds contend the companies violated the False Claims Act, because federal health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, overpaid for the medicine.

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The case appears to be the first in which a drug maker was found to have violated that law by making misleading statements about survival data. Typically, many drug makers have been accused of violating the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks in the form of free meals and trips, for instance in hopes of persuading physician prescribing habits.

Tarceva was developed by Genentech, but was jointly marketed at the time by OSI Pharmaceuticals. However, OSI was purchased by Astellas in 2011, about the same time that the improper marketing appears to have ended, according to the Justice Department. We asked Genentech for comment and will update you accordingly.

Genentech accused again of cheating health care providers

The infractions came to light thanks to a whistleblower lawsuit that was filed by Brian Shields, a former Tarceva senior product manager. His 2011 lawsuit described an elaborate scheme that was used to bolster Tarceva prescriptions, including kickbacks purportedly paid to physicians, although that allegation was not stipulated in the settlement with the government.

For his trouble, Shields will receive about $10 million, before subtracting attorney fees. His lawyer, Jeb White, a partner at Nolan Auerbach and White, said a wrongful termination lawsuit that Shields filed against Genentech is still under way.

A Genentech spokeswoman sent us a note that we believe our Tarceva promotional communications and practices were and are entirely proper and in compliance with the law.This settlement, however, allows the company to avoid the burden, disruption, cost, and distraction of protracted civil litigation and to focus instead on our business of developing medicines that extend and improve human lives.

The spokeswoman added that the drug maker did not admit to any wrongdoing.

The spokeswoman did note that the company did not have to sign a corporate integrity agreement, which is often required of drug makers that are found to have violated the False Claims Act. These agreements usually mandate that companies expand their regulatory compliance departments and that senior executives must personally approve steps taken to improve oversight.

Originally, Shields also named Novartis in his lawsuit since Genentech and Novartis jointly marketed the Xolair asthma treatment. Shields alleged the companies promoted the medicine for unapproved uses, but White said that the federal government, which joined the lawsuits against Genentech and OSI, eventually chose not to pursue those allegations.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGlzL7iwIGh68tklR-jVOqKGbwFsQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779128451290&ei=Zz5WV9DhOITE3QHV347QBw&url=https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2016/06/06/drug-makers-pay-67m-misleading-docs-cancer-drug-survival-data/

SCOTUS to hear Katrina fraud case involving State Farm

State Farm® - "Droppin" Dimes" Music Video

Rick Fahr Jun. 6, 2016, 10:39am

WASHINGTON In their term that begins in October, U.S. Supreme Court justices will consider a case involving alleged fraud against the federal government in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The case, State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v. United States ex rel. Rigsby, is an appeal from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and focuses on alleged fraud on the part of State Farm in assigning damage from Hurricane Katrina. A jury previously found State Farm liable under the False Claims Act.

Cori and Kerri Rigsby, sisters, worked as claims adjusters with State Farm in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast. The Rigsbys claimed that State Farm characterized wind damage as flood damage, thereby shifting the liability burden from the insurance company to the federal government.

The False Claims Act is a long-standing law that allows private citizens to file whistleblower-type cases and recoup for themselves part of the monetary savings.

Jurors in the case determined that State Farm had defrauded the government out of $250,000 on damage sustained to a home in Biloxi, Mississippi. The jurors ordered State Farm to pay $758,000 in damages and awarded $227,000 to the Rigsbys for their role in highlighting the fraud. Rigsbys attorneys were awarded $2.9 million in legal fees.

State Farm appealed the verdict, claiming that the sisters counsel had violated a portion of the False Claims Act that requires the claim to be sealed and not made public for at least 60 days. The insurance company claimed that attorney Dickie Scruggs, had made the case public in an attempt to persuade State Farm to settle the case before trial.

The 5th Circuit rejected the appeal and affirmed the lower court ruling, clearing the way for the case to go before the U.S. Supreme Court.

State Farm has asked the high court to determine what standard it will use regarding the privacy issue, as lower courts had differed on how important the 60-day-under-seal requirement is.

The case could have far-reaching effects. The Rigsbys counsel has asked for more discovery in the case, contending that State Farms fraudulent actions could involve thousands of individual cases.

Organizations in this Story

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals600 Camp StNew Orleans, LA 70130

Supreme Court of the United States1 First St NEWashington, DC 20543

State Farm Insurance2660 Valor DriveGlenview, Illinois 60026

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Source: http://setexasrecord.com/stories/510782110-scotus-to-hear-katrina-fraud-case-involving-state-farm

Tropical Storm Colin Nears Florida With 50 MPH Winds

Update on Tropical Storm Colin

TAMPA BAY, FL TropicalStorm Colin remained on a collision course for Floridas Big Bend area Monday afternoon after strengthening somewhat in the overnight hours.

As of 5 p.m. Monday,forecasters at the National Hurricane Center placed the storm about 190 miles west of Tampa. The storm is anticipated to arrive in the Big Bendarea in the afternoon or evening hours Monday.

Tropical storm warnings havebeen issued from Indian Pass to Englewood. The storms maximum sustained windswere near 50 mph Monday morning with little change in strength expected duringthe day Monday.

While the Tampa Bay area isexpected to escape a direct hit from the storm, forecasters are bracing forheavy rains, increased tornado risk and the potential of high tides 1 to 3 feetabove normal in the region. The entire Tampa Bay area has also been placed under a floodwatch until early Tuesday morning.

County governmentsthroughout the Tampa Bay area have activated or partially activated theiremergency operations centers ahead of the storm. Sandbags are also beingoffered to residents by local county and city governments.

Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. The declaration covers all Tampa Bay area counties.