WASHINGTON — Just a third of Americans back President Barack Obama's health care overhaul on which the Supreme Court is about to pass judgment, a new poll finds. But there is overwhelming support among both supporters and opponents for Congress and the president to begin work on a new bill if the high court strikes down the two-year-old law.
The overall level of support for the law is relatively unchanged in recent months, with 47 percent opposing it. But an Associated Press-GfK poll shows that only 21 percent of independents approve of the law, a new low in AP-GfK polling.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the 2010 law in the next week or so. Most of the law's major changes aimed at extending health insurance to more than 30 million Americans who now lack coverage have yet to take effect, including the requirement that most people have health insurance or pay a penalty. The insurance mandate has been among the least popular aspects of the law. Provisions that have gone into effect include extended coverage for young adults on their parents' insurance and relief for seniors with high prescription drug costs.
But whatever people think of the law, they don't want a Supreme Court ruling against it to be the last word on health care reform. More than three-fourths of Americans want their political leaders to undertake a new effort, rather than leave the health care system alone if the court rules against the law, according to the poll.
Large majorities of both opponents and backers of the law share the view that Congress and the president should start anew. The lowest level of support for new health care legislation comes from people who identify themselves as strong supporters of the tea party. Even in that group, though, nearly 60 percent favor work on a new bill.
Gary Hess, a Republican from Discovery Bay, Calif., wants the high court to throw out the entire law.
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But Hess, 77, said he favors the provision requiring insurance companies to cover people regardless of their medical condition. "There needs to be compromise on both sides," the retired school administrator said.
Garrett Chase, 51, said he hopes the court leaves the law in place but agreed with Hess that the politicians should get back to work if it is struck down. "I live in the ghetto, and I see people dying every day," said Chase, an unemployed car salesman from Baltimore. "They can't get help because they can't afford it."
A new health care bill doesn't seem to be in either party's plans. Republicans say they will try to repeal whatever's left of the law after the high court rules and then wait at least until after the November elections to push replacement measures. Democrats say Obama will push to put in place whatever survives.
A narrow majority say the outcome of this year's presidential contest between Obama and his presumed challenger, Republican Mitt Romney, will have a big effect on the nation's health care system. Republicans, at 58 percent, are most likely to see a link between the election and health care. Forty-eight percent of Democrats and 42 percent of independents believe the election will have a great deal of impact on the health care system.
Obama's approval rating on handling health care was unchanged compared with polls in May and February. Forty-eight percent approve and 50 percent disapprove of his handling of the issue. Independents' disapproval of Obama on health care topped 50 percent for the first time since October.
The Associated Press-GfK Poll was conducted June 14-18 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. It involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,007 adults nationwide and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Associated Press writer Stacy A. Anderson, Deputy Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta and News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
Fab Five tackle 900-mile cycling challenge for children’s hospice - Lewes Today
FIVE intrepid parents have been attempting to cycle 900 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 10 days for Sussex’s only children’s hospice.
The amateur cyclists set off last week on a journey that equals the distance between Brighton to Barcelona. They are hoping to raise thousands for Chestnut Tree House.
Mother of three Liz Chatfield explained why she’s risking sprains and saddle sores. She said: “Chestnut Tree is the most amazing place for kids.
“It feels like home and allows families to live as normally as possible for the time they have together. It’s about enjoying things like going swimming, playing games and all the everyday stuff that you take for granted.”
Around 400 families in Sussex have a child with a life-limiting illness. Chestnut Tree House is the only facility of its kind in the county that offers specialist palliative care to children and young adults.
Anyone who donates to the charity through the team’s Just Giving page will be entered into a draw for a Champagne afternoon tea for four at the Brighton Metropole, thanks to Liz’s colleagues at Sussex and South-East solicitors Mayo Wynne Baxter.
Nicknamed the Fab Five, the team is made up of Dave Wells, 43, from Eastbourne, Julia Hook, 43, from Thame, Hailsham husband and wife team Liz, 42, and Grant Chatfield, 43, and Grant’s uncle Mick O’Rourke who lives in Oslo, Norway. Mick celebrated his 60th birthday on day three of the ride.
The cyclists are funding every expense of the trip themselves including a support van complete with 70 pots of instant porridge, 20 malt loaves and one very large jar of Vaseline. Every penny donated goes to Chestnut Tree House.
Dave’s wife Clare is driving the support van and Mick’s wife Helen is on lunches and Deep Heat duty. You can follow the Fab Five’s progress on their Facebook page.
There’s still time to make a donation to Chestnut Tree House on the Fab Five’s Just Giving page – go to www.justgiving.com/elizabeth-chatfield.
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Print this pageSource: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Anna Karenina trailer: Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson's sordid love triangle in first glimpse of epic film - Daily Mail
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The first trailer for Keira Knightley's hotly anticipated turn as Anna Karenina has been released online.
The two and a half minute sneak peek sees appearances by all the leading players including Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Matthew MacFadyen, Kelly McDonald, Michelle Dockery and Knightley as the title character.
The preview reveals a breathtaking, stylish take on Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece.
Scroll down for the trailer
Classic: The first trailer for Keira Knightley's highly anticipated new film Anna Karenina has been released
Keira, 27, plays the aristocratic socialite Anna in 19th century Russia, unhappily married to Law's Alexei Karenin.
She embarks on an affair with Count Vronsky (played by Aaron Johnson), sparking scandal amongst her high society circle.
Law is almost unrecognisable in his role as her loathsome government official husband Alexei.
'You can't ask why about love': Knightley plays the Russian aristocrat who falls for Count Vronsky (Aaron Johnson) in the new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic masterpiece
Knightley revealed in a recent interview that Karenina was the 'hardest' role she's ever taken on.
She found it difficult to get the balance of her character right because of the Tolstoy's 'genius' and 'complex' writing.
'It was amazing,' Keira said of filming. 'It was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. In a brilliant way.
Unhappy marriage: Jude Law is almost unrecognisable as her husband Alexei Karenin
Breaking the rules: Anna falls for the affluent Count but is shunned by society for the affair
'Obviously, Tolstoy was a genius and I think the reason that his books last so well - is because they are so complex and it's really looking at the best of humanity and the worst of humanity, often in one character.
'Trying to balance all those things in the one person was really hard. And, hopefully it's worked.'
Joe Wright, who directed Knightley in both Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, takes the helm of this adaptation of the classic masterpiece.
Change of pace: Kick Ass star Johnson takes a new turn in the epic drama
Another of Keira's latest movies sees her star in 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World' – which sees Dodge (Steve Carell) search for his high school sweetheart accompanied by Penny (Knightley) when the pair learn the apocalypse is imminent – and she was attracted to the project because it is so 'unusual.'
Speaking to HitFix, Keira said: 'I just never read anything like it. It's such an unusual piece and, actually, it's really rare to get things that are quiet unique and to read things you've never read anything like.
All star cast: Matthew MacFadyen, Emily Watson (pictured) and Michelle Dockery also star
Highly anticipated: Anna Karenina is released in September
'And I just also thought, "It's about the end of the world, but it's really positive." And actually when I got to the end of the script I found it quite life affirming as opposed to really sad or tragic or anything like that.'
Keira has been busy promoting the film in the US this week, appearing on talk shows and walking the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere.
Anna Karenina is released in the UK on September 7 and in the US on November 9.
Working hard: Kaira was pictured today leaving LAX after the Hollywood premiere of her latest film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Late Night: Matthew McConaughey's proposal didn't wow Camila Alves - Los Angeles Times
Newlyweds Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, recently appeared in full matrimonial regalia on the cover of People magazine, but as the actor revealed Tuesday to Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show,” the marriage almost didn’t happen.
McConaughey explained how he proposed to Alves, his girlfriend of six years and the mother of his two children. At his family’s Christmas gift exchange, he wrapped up her engagement ring inside a series of boxes and made sure she was the last person to go. When Alves finally opened her ring, McConaughey got down on one knee and proposed: “Will you marry me and take my name?”
Alves, however, didn’t exactly leap at the offer to become Mrs. Matthew McConaughey. “The first words out of her mouth were not ‘yes,’ ” the "Magic Mike" star confessed. Sounding rather serious, he added, “I’m not going to say what it was.” (One can only imagine.)
Whatever her initial objections might have been, Alves eventually “conceded” to McConaughey’s proposal, as he so romantically put it. She even got her way when it came to their unconventional wedding earlier this month. Indeed, it was Alves' idea for all their guests to stay in air-conditioned tents in their backyard, rather than hotel rooms, for the duration of their three-day matrimonial extravaganza. Guests feasted on sushi and barbecue, but no word on where they showered.
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Source: www.latimes.com
Here Comes The Dude? Wedding Planning Gets Manly - Fast Company
The season of ceaseless weddings is upon us, so Fast Company called up Chris Easter, cofounder of TheManRegistry.com, to find out if today's men take an equal interest in planning their weddings. Easter argues that they can and do--and the rapidly growing revenues of his site are an indication that he’s right. Just don’t expect a special “50 Hottest Bridesmaids” feature on his website anytime soon.
FAST COMPANY: What’s TheManRegistry.com?
CHRIS EASTER: TheManRegistry.com is an e-commerce site and informational resource for soon-to-be-engaged or currently engaged men. The idea was originally, let’s create a men’s gift registry. Registries typically focus on the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, but there’s nothing aimed at men: grills, camping equipment, man cave stuff. The idea evolved into an overall comprehensive e-resource.
There’s a stereotype that men are less into wedding planning than women.
There’s some truth to it traditionally. But couples are getting married at older ages, closer to thirty than in their early 20s, and so couples are spending more of their own money and less of mom and dad’s money on weddings. If I’m spending my money, I’m going to be more involved, more hands-on with vendors. Our company proves that men do care intimately about planning their weddings and just needed an outlet. A lot of what guys are getting involved in was unheard of 30 years ago.
For example?
A close friend of mine wrote some custom music for the procession. He put his own twist on it.
Did he do it with an electric guitar and smash it at the end?
I pushed for that. It would have made the YouTube hall of fame. No, he kept it classical, but with a bit of a twist. There was a violin.
Until recently Conde Nast alone had multiple bridal magazines. How did they not figure out there would also be a market for grooms?
That was our question. The issue for us is the for-men-by-men approach. There was a website back in the 90s that tried to target the groom, but it got acquired by Brides.com, which took too much of a female approach. TheManRegistry is by men. It’s like reading Men’s Health or Maxim.
A Maxim for married men? That’s not a contradiction in terms?
I give Maxim as an example of a male-centric magazine.
You don’t have a “50 Hottest Bridesmaids” issue planned?
We haven’t gone there yet. We push the envelope occasionally. We’ve had content on wedding sex, what to do if you’re a virgin, sex on your honeymoon. But we take the process very seriously. The wedding day is the biggest day of both of your lives, equally for the groom and bride.
What’s your business model?
The revenue is split between e-commerce sales--we have over 4,000 products on the site--and we’re also ad-supported. The wedding industry is a $40 billion industry, so there’s quite a bit of space to carve out a niche for grooms.
Does anyone take you to task for labeling certain products as being for men? Some women grill, and some men bake.
The Man Registry is about being a man by stepping up and being involved in the planning of your wedding. Being a man can mean a lot of things. Being a man is not about being out with your shirt off drinking beers. It’s about: This is the biggest day of your life, and if you’re not involved, that’s a problem.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
For more from the Fast Talk interview series, click here. Know someone who'd make a good Fast Talk subject? Mention it to David Zax.
Follow Fast Company on Twitter.
[Image: Flickr user ashley.adcox]
Source: www.fastcompany.com
Custody battle forces high court to plan teen's life - Times of India
AHMEDABAD: Thirteen-year-old Bhagyesh spends more time in court than in his school. This is due to the unending legal battle between his warring parents regarding his custody.
The courts have been planning vacation for the kid for last three years, as his parents were not ready to compromise on any formula. The matter did not end here. As the case could not be resolved even for visiting rights, the Gujarat high court intervened and decided to send the boy to a boarding school.
Bhagyesh could not go to the school that was finalized by the high court because his father approached the Supreme Court, which stayed the process as for now.
As per case details, Bhagyesh's lecturer mother Nita Patel left her matrimonial home six years years ago, and the kid was looked after by his father Nirmal, an interior designer in Valsad. Four years ago, the mother instituted a case in local court demanding custody of the child. The case is yet to be decided, but the mother got visitation rights and entire problem began with visiting hours.
Bhagyesh, who according to Nirmal's lawyers has been attached to his father from the beginning, refuses to go to the mother., which she perceives this as tutoring on part of the father that the boy is avoiding to see her
. The courts on time and again passed orders fixing in details the time and place for the mother's visit to her son.
The formula for visitation kept changing, and the high court involved lower courts as well as police so that the custody schedules were followed properly. The father also assured courts that he would persuade the boy to go to his mother so everyone did not have to face unnecessary trouble
. However, things could not be sorted out and the mother filed a contempt petition against her husband for not following HC order. Earlier this month, the proceedings began and it was discussed that the boy could be sent to a boarding school. Accordingly, the court finalized a school in Vadodara out of four boarding schools suggested by the father. In March, Justice Anant Dave directed the school to admit the boy from this academic year.
Against this order, the father moved the SC and sought a stay on the HC order. He requested the apex court to grant more time expressing hope that he might be able to convince the kid to go and stay with his mother as per meeting scheduledd by courts.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A-level student predicted to achieve top grades is escorted from college by police after 'refusing to stop REVISING' - Daily Mail
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Barred: Jamie Gagliardi claims he had 'nowhere else to revise' and did not have a computer at home
An A-level student who was 'obsessed with revising' had to be escorted from school by police after ignoring a classroom ban.
Jamie Gagliardi, 18, had been told to stay home from Ifield Community College in Crawley, West Sussex, for one day after interrupting the headteacher during a meeting on Wednesday.
But he went to the college - whose students notched up a 100 per cent A-level pass rate last year - the following morning, claiming he had 'nowhere else to revise' for his psychology A-level on Monday and he did not have a computer at home.
He was asked to leave but began 'causing a nuisance and a disturbance'.
At 8.45am college officials decided that the only option was to call in the police after the teen refused to leave the premises.
The pupil, who is also taking A-level law, English and history, was escorted from the college and his mother was called to pick him up.
Police confirmed that the teenager would not be charged with any offence.
Speaking this week, Jamie said he was given a one-day ban from the college last Wednesday for interrupting the headteacher during a meeting, meaning he was not allowed in the school the following day.
He said: 'I have been punished for wanting to do well.
'I am a hard-working and dedicated student and this could have such an impact on my future.
'The college has overreacted in what is probably the most important week of my school life.
Ban: Staff at Ifield Community College (pictured) called police after Jamie Gagliardi refused to leave the premises
'I have told teachers many times that I do not have a computer at home so would not be able to work at home.'
Bosses at the 1,090-pupil college - rated good by Ofsted in February this year - said the teen is ‘obsessed’ with after-school tuition and the police were called because he was ‘causing a nuisance’ by refusing to leave the premises.
Marilyn Evans, the school’s director of administration, said Jamie was a 'very bright boy', but added: 'He became vociferous and irritated that he couldn't have after-school revision.
'The teacher has already given up her time to give extra revision in half term and during the school day, when she was meant to have free time.
'On Thursday, he was causing a nuisance and a disturbance on the premises.
'He is obsessed with doing after-school revision.'
She added: 'He probably feels that without those extra sessions he won't get the grade he wants, but he will. He is a top student.'
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police confirmed today that officers were called at 8.45am on June 14 to remove a 'disruptive' pupil who was refusing to leave the premises.
Splash: How the Crawley News reported on Jamie Gagliardi's removal from the school by police
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Assange's refuge in Ecuador's embassy doesn't exempt him from UK law - The Guardian
In taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Julian Assange joins a long list of people who have sought asylum in foreign embassies. Recent examples include Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun in the US consulate in Chengdu, and blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng in the US embassy in Beijing. However, although embassy premises are legally inviolable, general international law does not recognise a right of diplomatic asylum. Even if Ecuador does grant Assange asylum, the UK will not be obliged to grant him safe passage out of the country.
In 1949, Victor Raúl Haya de la Torre, leader of the Peruvian APRA movement, sought refuge in the Colombian embassy in Lima. The dispute between Colombia and Peru as to whether he could be granted diplomatic asylum went twice to the international court of justice in The Hague. The court ruled that no general rule in international law existed permitting states to grant diplomatic asylum; a legal basis had to be established in each particular case. Dissatisfied with the results of the litigation, American countries joined together to adopt a convention on diplomatic asylum. This Latin American tradition might, at least partly, explain the attitude taken by Ecuador.
No such treaty, however, exists elsewhere. No general right of states to grant diplomatic asylum consequently exists, except, possibly, in cases where it is temporarily granted to preserve human life and in situations of civil and political unrest. Despite the hyperbolic claims made by some of his supporters, such an exception would not appear to cover Julian Assange's case.
International law is clear that diplomatic premises are inviolable, so Assange remains outside the reach of the UK authorities so long as he remains within the Ecuadorian embassy. In the past, some such stays have lasted years. Haya de La Torre remained in the Colombian embassy in Lima for five years; whilst Cardinal Mindszenty, who took refuge in the US embassy in Budapest following the suppression of the Hungarian uprising in 1956, was only permitted to leave the country in 1971. Once he leaves the embassy, however, Assange can be arrested and detained by the UK authorities under UK law, regardless of how Ecuador may have determined his request for asylum.
In addition, it may be that Ecuador is legally obliged, if requested, to surrender Assange to the UK authorities. According to the international court of justice, (although contrary to Ecuador's contentions) the granting of diplomatic asylum is an intervention in a state's internal affairs, and diplomats are not obliged to assist in the course of justice in their host state. However, the 1961 Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, to which both Ecuador and the UK are parties, requires that diplomats respect their host state's laws and regulations. The convention also provides that diplomatic premises should not be used in any manner incompatible with the functions of the mission as laid down in the convention (which does not include harbouring fugitives from justice) or general international law (which, as shown, does not recognise a general right to grant diplomatic asylum).
The current law would thus seem to argue that a person seeking diplomatic asylum should be surrendered if he is accused of a criminal offence and a warrant for his arrest has been issued by the competent authorities. This would appear to be the case, at least potentially, with Assange. Even excluding the outstanding Swedish request for his extradition, the police have stated that he is in breach of his bail conditions and thus liable to arrest.
It does not appear, however, that the UK authorities have made a formal request for his surrender to Ecuador. How matters will develop remains to be seen. It may be that the UK government will simply play a waiting game. One thing seems certain, however: Julian Assange is unlikely to be visiting Ecuador any time in the near future.
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Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Oscar
- Kathy, san francisco, 21/6/2012 00:37
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