Mortgage applications rose as rates hit new lows

By NBC News wire reports

Applications for U.S. home mortgages rose last week as interest rates dropped to record lows in the wake of the Federal Reserve's latest stimulus efforts, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing and home purchase demand, rose 2.8 percent in the week ended Sept 21.

The MBA's seasonally adjusted index of refinancing applications climbed 3.3 percent, while the gauge of loan requests for home purchases, a leading indicator of home sales, added 0.7 percent.

The refinance share of total mortgage activity increased to 81.2 percent of total applications, the highest share since early August.

Fixed 30-year mortgage rates tumbled 9 basis points to average 3.63 percent, the lowest level in the history of the survey.

The drop in rates followed the Fed's announcement it will purchase $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities every month until there is improvement in the labor market.

The survey covers over 75 percent of U.S. retail residential mortgage applications, according to MBA.

Reuters contributed to this report.

More money and business news:

Follow NBCNews.com business on Twitter and Facebook?

?

Source: http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/26/14111376-mortgage-applications-rose-as-rates-hit-new-lows?lite

katharine mcphee cold mountain valentines day ideas the villages florida egoraptor gisele bundchen turbotax

Conservatives Fund endorses Akin in Mo. Senate bid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) ? A conservative fundraising group endorsed embattled Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin on Thursday and said its membership had pledged $290,000 to help replenish the Republican's financially strapped campaign against Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

The announcement by the Senate Conservatives Fund marks the most high-profile financial commitment Akin has received as he seeks to recover from the loss of millions of dollars of planned advertising by other national groups that aid Republicans. Those groups withdrew their support after Akin remarked last month that women's bodies have ways of averting pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape."

Akin has apologized repeatedly since then while rejecting calls from top Republicans ? including presidential nominee Mitt Romney ? to quit the race. He's hoping his campaign can gain momentum after he let pass Tuesday's final deadline to drop out of the race.

Akin, a congressman from suburban St. Louis, said he was thankful and "very enthusiastic" about winning the support of the Senate Conservatives Fund.

"I think it's logical ? I am a conservative, they're conservatives, I think it's a common-sense type of thing," Akin said during a campaign stop Thursday at the Missouri Capitol, where he began his political career as state House member in 1989.

The Senate Conservatives Fund said it endorsed Akin because he is a Republican nominee, the race against McCaskill remains competitive and Missouri is important to Republican efforts to gain the four seats necessary to win control of the Senate. The organization said it hopes to get $100,000 of the pledged money to Akin's campaign by Sunday, which is the cutoff for the quarterly financial reporting period.

The fund has gained prominence in recent years with the aid of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., a favorite among tea party activists. Among other things, the Senate Conservatives Fund supports a ban on congressional spending earmarks, which use legislation to direct particular amounts of money to specific entities in a particular state or congressional district.

Akin has used earmarks in the past to direct funding to such things as highway projects and military armor, although he and Matt Hoskins, the executive director of the Senate Conservatives Fund, both have said Akin supports the group's ban on earmarks.

Akin said Thursday that he's against amendments that are slipped into bills at the last moment that direct money to specific projects, particularly if joint House and Senate conference committees add items that weren't in versions that originally passed the chambers. But he added: "Don't take the definition (of earmark) so broadly that the members of Congress don't have any input into the budget process."

The aid from the Senate Conservatives Fund follows Akin's endorsement Wednesday by DeMint and former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, whose Patriot Voices political action committee said it was contributing money to Akin and hiring staff to work in Missouri. The Freedom's Defense Fund, which backs conservative candidates, also said earlier this week that it planned a $250,000 advertising campaign benefiting Akin.

But Akin will need even more outside help to keep pace with Democratic-leaning groups supporting McCaskill.

Emily's List, which backs Democratic women who support abortion rights, and the Service Employees International Union issued a joint statement Thursday saying they had bought $1 million in ads in support of McCaskill to run in the state's largest TV markets of St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which already has spent about $1 million on TV ads in Missouri, has reserved $4.3 million of additional advertising to begin running Oct. 9.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/conservatives-fund-endorses-akin-mo-senate-bid-145039990--election.html

shepard fairey is snooki pregnant snooki pregnant gbc hedy lamarr jack white kowloon walled city

Crossroads GPS Launches $3.7 Million Ad Buy In Ohio, Virginia ...

  • Sheldon Adelson And Family

    Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate, and his family have combined to give $37.75 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. At first, Adelson pumped money into Winning Our Future, the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich, but now he is funding groups backing Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans. Adelson is ranked on the <em>Forbes</em> list of the richest Americans at number eight, with $21.5 billion in net worth. Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave $15 million to Winning Our Future. His daughters Sivan Ochshorn and Shelley Maye Adelson each chipped in $500,000. Another daughter and her husband each gave $250,000. Adelson and his wife have also given $10 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $5 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, $5 million to YG Action Fund, $1 million to Freedom PAC (supporting Connie Mack) and $250,000 to Conservative Renewal PAC (supporting David Dewhurst). Adelson remained in the number one spot among super PAC donors after counting contributions for July. His involvement in politics revolves around his support for the state of Israel, in particular the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His business, along with that of other super PAC donors, is also under investigation for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

  • Harold And Annette Simmons

    Harold Simmons, the octogenarian Dallas businessman, combined with his wife Annette and his company, Contran Corp., to donate $19,205,000 to super PACs. Simmons is listed in <em>Forbes</em> magazine as the 33rd richest person in America with a net worth of $9.3 billion. Simmons and Contran donated $13 million to American Crossroads, $1 million to Make Us Great Again (supporting Rick Perry), $1.1 million to Winning Our Future (supporting Newt Gingrich), $800,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney) and $100,000 to Restoring Prosperity Fund (formerly Americans for Rick Perry). Annette Simmons gave $1.2 million to Red White And Blue Fund (supporting Rick Santorum). Simmons has also given $750,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund and $500,000 to Conservative Renewal PAC, both super PACs supporting Senate candidate David Dewhurst. He gave another $5,000 to Freedom PAC, which supports Connie Mack for Senate in Florida. Simmons -- who explained that he is contributing money to super PACs to stop "that socialist," President Barack Obama -- remains in second place among super PAC donors.

  • Bob Perry

    Texas homebuilder Bob Perry contributed $13.9 million to super PACs. Perry is one of the most prolific donors in contemporary political history. He was a major backer of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the outside group that helped torpedo John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004. Perry's net worth has been estimated at around $650 million. Perry has given $8 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $4.5 million to American Crossroads, $1 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, $300,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst), and $100,000 to Make Us Great Again (supporting Rick Perry, who is of no relation).

  • National Education Association

    The National Education Association, the largest U.S. labor union representing teachers, contributed $5.33 million to super PACs. The union gave $4.9 million to its own super PAC, the NEA Advocacy Fund, $250,000 to DGA Action, $100,000 to American Bridge 21st Century and $5,000 to the Patriot Majority PAC.

  • Peter Thiel

    Peter Thiel, the hedge fund manager, venture capitalist and early Facebook investor, contributed $4.73 million through June 2012 to super PACs. Thiel, a radical libertarian, ranks 293 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $1.5 billion. The majority of Thiel's money, $2.73 million, has gone to Endorse Liberty, a super PAC supporting Ron Paul in the Republican presidential race. He has since switched his giving to Club for Growth Action, the super PAC of the ultra-conservative free market Club for Growth. Thiel has given $2 million to the Club super PAC.

  • Robert Rowling And TRT Holdings

    Robert Rowling, the Texas billionaire who runs the business holding company TRT Holdings, has contributed $4.135 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Rowling ranks 66 on <em>Forbes'</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $4.7 billion. He gave $4 million to American Crossroads, $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) and $35,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst).

  • Service Employees International Union

    The Service Employees International Union, the nation's fastest growing labor union representing close to 2 million people, contributed $4.11 million to super PACs. SEIU is one of the most politically active unions in the country. SEIU has given $1.35 million to Florida Freedom PAC, $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $550,000 to Service Employees International Union PEA-Federal, $425,000 to Rethink PAC (opposing Scott Brown), $311,000 to House Majority PAC, $250,000 to Majority PAC, $200,000 to American Bridge 21st Century and $17,750 to Working For Us PAC.

  • Fred Eychaner

    Fred Eychaner, the Chicago-based media mogul who made his fortune with Newsweb Corp., gave $3.25 million to super PACs. He is a longtime funder of outside groups backing Democrats, having contributed $2 million to so-called 527 groups in the effort to defeat President George W. Bush in 2004. Eychaner is also a noted LGBT activist and has funded efforts to promote equality. Eychaner gave $1.5 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $800,000 to Majority PAC, $750,000 to House Majority PAC and $200,000 to America Votes Action Fund.

  • Crow Holdings LLC, Harlan Crow and Trammell Crow

    Crow Holdings LLC, which manages the wealth of the late real estate developer Trammel Crow, its director Harlan Crow and his brother Trammel S. Crow have contributed $3.135 million to super PACs through June 2012. Harlan Crow, Trammel S. Crow and the company combined to give $1.5 million to American Crossroads, $1.3 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $250,000 to FreedomWorks for America, $50,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst) and $35,000 to Campaign for Primary Accountability.

  • William Koch, Oxbow Carbon And Huron Carbon

    William Koch, the lesser-known Koch brother, and two of his companies, petroleum, energy and minerals companies Oxbow Carbon and Huron Carbon, gave $3 million to Restore Our Future (backing Romney).

  • Robert And Rebekah Mercer

    Robert Mercer (left), the co-CEO of the $15 billion hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, and his daughter, Rebekah Mercer, gave $2.865 million to super PACs. Robert Mercer contributed $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $1 million to American Crossroads, $600,000 to Club for Growth Action and $200,000 to National Horizon. Rebekah Mercer gave $50,000 to the Coalition for American Values and $15,000 to the Club for Growth.

  • Cooperative Of American Physicians

    The Cooperative of American Physicians is a medical malpractice and medical liability insurer. The group has contributed $2.63 million to its own super PAC. No other information has been provided on the source of the funds contributed by the cooperative.

  • John Childs

    John Childs, the head of the Boston-based private equity firm J.W. Childs & Associates, has contributed $2.625 million to super PACs. Childs has contributed $1.125 million to Club for Growth Action, $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney) and $500,000 to American Crossroads.

  • Jerry Perenchio

    Jerry Perenchio, founder of the Spanish language television network Univision, contributed $2.6 million to super PACs. Perenchio ranks 171 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $2.3 billion. Perenchio gave $2 million to American Crossroads, $500,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), and $100,000 to Our Destiny (supporting Jon Huntsman).

  • Joseph Craft And Alliance Management Holdings

    Joseph Craft and his holding company, Alliance Management Holdings, gave $2.6 million to super PACs. Craft is ranked 331 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $1.3 billion. Alliance Management Holdings is a privately held company run by Craft with significant shares in the managing partner of Alliance Resource Partners. Craft and his company gave $2.1 million to American Crossroads, including $1.675 million in May, and $500,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney).

  • John Ramsey

    John Ramsey, a 21-year old college student who inherited millions from his banker grandfather, contributed $2.45 million to super PACs. The majority of the young libertarian's contributions went to his own super PAC, Liberty for All. Another $450 went to Revolution PAC, which supported Ron Paul for the Republican nomination for president.

  • Foster Friess

    Foster Friess, the Wyoming investor, contributed $2.425 million to super PACs, mostly to those supporting the presidential candidacy of Rick Santorum. Since Santorum dropped out of the race, Friess has shifted his contributions to help Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans. Friess is estimated to be worth above $500 million. He has given $2.1 million to Red White and Blue Fund (supporting Santorum), $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), $100,000 to FreedomWorks, $50,000 to Leaders for Families (also supporting Santorum), $25,000 to Friends of the Majority, $25,000 to USA Super PAC, $10,000 to Freedom Born Fund, $10,000 to Club for Growth Action and $5,000 to Fund for Freedom.

  • AFL-CIO

    The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest federation of unions, contributed $2.3 million to super PACs. The federation, boasting 12.2 million members, is made up of 57 national and international labor unions. Its funds come from the dues paid by members. The AFL-CIO gave $2.2 million to its own super PAC, and that super PAC gave $100,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • William Dore

    William Dore, the Louisiana energy executive, gave $2.25 million to Red White and Blue Fund (supporting Santorum). This was the biggest foray into political giving by Dore, who has previously cut large checks for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Republican Governors Association. He is estimated to be worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Credit: YouTube

  • Amy Goldman

    Amy Goldman, the author and activist who has been called "perhaps the world's premier vegetable gardener," contributed $2.25 million to super PACs. Goldman is the heiress to the fortune of New York real estate titan Sol Goldman. Goldman gave $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $1 million to Planned Parenthood Votes, the super PAC for the family planning services provider, and $250,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • Dealer Computer Services, CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties, & Waterbury Properties (Bob Brockman)

    Four companies -- Dealer Computer Services, CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties and Waterbury Properties -- sharing the same address as The Reynolds & Reynolds Company headed by Bob Brockman, have given $2.25 million to super PACs. CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties and Waterbury Properties combined to give $1 million to Restore Our Future and another $1 million to American Crossroads. Dealer Computer Services has given $200,000 to the pro-David Dewhurst Texas Conservatives Fund and $50,000 to Restoring Prosperity Fund.

  • American Federation Of State, County And Municipal Employees

    The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the nation's largest public employee union with 1.6 million members, contributed $2.239 million to super PACs. AFSCME is very politically active in local and national politics. In 2011, it faced direct attacks in such states as Ohio and Wisconsin, when Republican governors sought to curtail collective bargaining rights for public employees. AFSCME gave $575,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, $500,000 to the AFL-CIO Workers' Voices PAC, $500,000 to Majority PAC, $315,000 to House Majority PAC $200,000 to Working Families For Hawaii (supporting Mazie Hirono), $100,000 to Committee to Elect An Effective Valley Congressman (supporting Howard Berman), $25,000 to Women Vote! and $24,900 to Working For Us PAC.

  • Jon Huntsman Sr.

    Jon Huntsman Sr., the billionaire Utah industrialist, contributed $2.22 million to a super PAC supporting the presidential candidacy of his son, Jon Huntsman Jr. Huntsman Sr. has given away much of his fortune in recent years and is estimated to be worth slightly north of $1 billion. Huntsman's contributions to Our Destiny, the super PAC backing his son in the Republican primary contest, came under scrutiny based on the laws banning coordination between super PACs and campaigns.

  • Jeffrey Katzenberg

    Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, has given gave $2.125 million to super PACs. Katzenberg's net worth is estimated to be above $800 million. His biggest contribution was a $2 million gift to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting Barack Obama's reelection bid. Katzenberg has also given $100,000 to Majority PAC and $25,000 to Committee to Elect An Effective Valley Congressman, the super PAC supporting Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), a staunch ally of Hollywood. Katzenberg is also a major fundraiser for the Obama reelection campaign, having brought in more than $500,000.

  • Paul Singer

    Paul Singer (pictured far right), the hedge fund titan in charge of Elliot Associates, contributed $2.123 million to super PACs through June 2012. Singer has an estimated worth of $900 million. He has given $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) and $1.123 million to American Unity, a super PAC meant to support pro-gay marriage Republican candidates for office.

  • Irwin Jacobs

    Irwin Jacobs, a founder of Qualcomm, has contributed $2.1 million to super PACs. Jacobs is worth $1.15 billion and ranks 372nd on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. Jacobs has given $2 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama) and $100,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • Kenneth And Anne Griffin

    Kenneth Griffin, the head of the massive hedge fund Citadel, has contributed $2.08 million to super PACs. Griffin is ranked 173rd on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans. In 2008, he helped raise money for then-Sen. Barack Obama during the Democratic primary, but switched to support Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the general election. Griffin has since become increasingly critical of President Obama and what he considers to be class warfare rhetoric coming from the White House. He stated that the wealthy have "insufficient influence" in politics and urged the rich to donate to political efforts to preserve their position atop the food chain. Griffin has given $1.05 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney) and $1 million to American Crossroads. His wife, Anne, gave $30,000 to the Campaign for Primary Accountability.

  • FreedomWorks

    FreedomWorks, the conservative nonprofit organization, contributed $2.02 million to its super PAC, FreedomWorks for America. The group is run by former Rep. Dick Armey and was instrumental in organizing the original Tea Party protests in 2009. The super PAC has been active in Republican Senate primaries backing Richard Mourdock's successful campaign to beat Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana. The group also also thrown its weight behind Ted Cruz in Texas and Don Stenberg in Nebraska. Stenberg lost his primary to state Sen. Deb Fischer and Cruz faces a run-off election against Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. The group is also spending money to defeat Sen. Orrin Hatch in Utah.

  • James Simons

    James Simons, the billionaire chairman of the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, gave $2 million to super PACs. Simons is ranked 30 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $10.5 billion. Simons gave $1.5 million to Majority PAC, a super PAC that backs Democratic Senate candidates, and $500,000 to House Majority PAC, backing Democratic House candidates.

  • American Federation Of Teachers

    The American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest union in the nation with 1.5 million members, gave $1.85 million to super PACs. After nearly doubled its giving in March with $600,000 in contributions to super PACs the super PAC gave another $300,000 in April and added another $250,000 in May. The union donated $1 million to the AFL-CIO Workers' Voices PAC, $300,000 to House Majority PAC, $300,000 to Majority PAC, and $250,000 to DGA Action.

  • Steve & Amber Mostyn

    Steve and Amber Mostyn have contributed $1.828 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Steve, a multi-millionaire trial lawyer in Houston, Texas, and the president of the Texas Trial Lawyer Association, is a long-time donor to Democratic Party causes in both Texas and nationally. In May, the couple gave big by pumping $1.5 million into two Democratic super PACs. The Mostyns gave $1,003,850 to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $500,000 to House Majority PAC, Planned Parenthood Votes $200,000 and $125,000 to Texans for America's Future, a super PAC that opposed Texas Gov. Rick Perry's presidential bid.

  • National Association of Realtors

    The National Association of Realtors, the primary trade association for realtors, has contributed $1.81 million to its own super PAC in the 2012 election cycle. The group has long been a player in congressional elections and has already spent significant amounts to help Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) hold his newly redistricted seat in the 2012 elections.

  • Warren Stephens, Stephens Investment Holding & Stephens Inc.

    Warren Stephens, the head of Stephens, Inc., has contributed $1.75 million to super PACs. Stephens is tied for the position of 130th richest American, according to Forbes. Stephens has given $1.25 million to American Crossroads and $500,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney). (Pictured: Stephens, right, with President George W. Bush.)

  • Communications Workers Of America

    The Communications Workers of America, the largest telecommunications union in the world with a membership above 700,000, contributed $1.68 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. The union donated $1.15 million to the Communications Workers of America super PAC, $220,000 to Independent Source, $57,000 to Progressive Kick Independent Expenditures, $50,000 to House Majority PAC and $45,000 to American Worker.

  • National Air Traffic Controllers Association

    The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has given $1.45 million to super PACs during the 2012 election cycle. The union represents 20,000 controllers, engineers and other professionals involved in air traffic control. The union gave $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $350,000 to Majority PAC and $100,000 to the AFL-CIO Workers' Voices PAC.

  • The Morses, The Villages & Other Companies

    H. Gary Morse, his wife, their children, the retirement community they operate, The Villages, and a number of subsidiary companies have combined to contribute $1.552 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney) in the 2012 election cycle. H. Gary Morse is part of Romney's Florida finance team and has hosted fundraisers for the former Massachusetts governor. The family's super PAC giving has all gone to support Romney's bid. Through June and July, a series of subsidiary companies controlled by The Villages and H. Gary Morse contributed $600,000 to Restore Our Future.

  • Republican Governors Association

    The Republican Governors Association, a 527 political committee currently headed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, gave $1.58 million to the super PAC RGA Ohio PAC.

  • Jon Stryker

    Jon Stryker, an architect and heir to the Stryker Corporation fortune, has contributed $1.5 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting Barack Obama. Stryker is worth $1.1 billion and ranks 375th on the Fortune 400 richest Americans list. He is a noted GLBT activist having donated money to groups including the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Stryker is also the founder of the Arcus Foundation, the largest grant maker for gay and lesbian activism in the nation. Stryker has spent big in the past to help elect Democrats and oust Republicans from office in his home state of Michigan. (Pictured: President Barack Obama, the candidate supported by Stryker's contribution.)

  • J. Joseph Ricketts

    J. Joseph Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade and head of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, has given $1.485 million to super PACs. Ricketts ranked 371 on <em>Forbes'</em> list of richest Americans in 2009, with a net worth of $1 billion. He has donated $885,000 to his own super PAC, Ending Spending Action Fund, which spent all of that money to help Nebraska state Sen. Deb Fischer win the Republican Senate primary in the state. Ricketts has also given $500,000 the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super PAC supporting challengers to incumbent Democrats and Republicans in contested congressional primary elections, and $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney). Ricketts became the focus of controversy in May 2012 after the New York Times revealed that he was considering a proposal to fund, through a super PAC, advertisements attacking President Barack Obama with his relationship with his former pastor, the controversial Jeremiah Wright. After the publicity Ricketts and the consultants involved all stated that they were not going forward with the plan.

  • Weaver Popcorn

    Weaver Popcorn, the Indiana-based popcorn maker owned by Michael Weaver, has contributed $1.4 million to American Crossroads, the super PAC founded by Republican operative Karl Rove. The company is one of the largest popcorn companies in the United States and is best known for their Pop Weaver brand.

  • Philip Geier

    Philip Geier, the former advertising magnate turned communications and venture capital adviser, contributed $1.35 million to super PACs. Geier previously served as CEO of the Interpublic Group of Companies, a large advertising holding company. He currently helms the Geier Group, which provides consulting services on communications, advertising and venture capital. Geier gave $1,000,000 to American Crossroads and $350,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney).

  • Anne Earhart

    Anne Catherine Getty Earhart, the granddaughter of the oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, has given $1.35 million to super PACs. Earhart received $400 million when Texaco purchased Getty Oil in 1986. She is active in environmental issues. Earhart gave $600,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, $500,000 to Priorities USA Action (supporting President Obama) and $250,000 to House Majority PAC. (Pictured: President Obama, the candidate Earhart's contributions support.)

  • Donald Sussman

    Donald Sussman, the billionaire hedge fund manager and husband of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), has given $1.35 million to super PACs. Sussman is the founder of investment firm Paloma Partners. Sussman has given $1.15 million to House Majority PAC, $100,000 to Women Vote! and $100,000 to Young Democrats of America.

  • Leo Linbeck

    Leo Linbeck, the Houston construction mogul, has given $1.26 million to the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super PAC opposing both incumbent Democrats and Republicans facing primary challenges.

  • Julian Robertson

    Julian Robertson, the hedge fund titan and founder of Tiger Management, contributed $1.25 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) in the current election cycle. Robertson is ranked 166 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $2.4 billion.

  • Richard Uihlein

    Richard Uihlein, the son of the founder of the U-Line Corp., contributed $1.185 million to super PACs. Uihlein gave $510,000 to Club for Growth Action, $350,000 to FreedomWorks for America, $225,000 to New Prosperity Foundation, $50,000 to USA Super PAC and $50,000 to Liberty Principles PAC. (Pictured: The website of FreedomWorks, the biggest recipient of contributions from Uihlein.)

  • George Soros

    George Soros, the noted hedge fund investor and long-time Democratic donor, has contributed $1.175 million to super PACs. Soros became famous for his political contributions after he gave more than $30 million to 527 groups to defeat former President George W. Bush in 2004. He has reached a mythological status with some conservatives as a wildly influential figure in world politics. Soros has given $1 million to American Bridge 21st Century, $100,000 to Majority PAC and $75,000 to House Majority PAC.

  • Frank VanderSloot & Melaleuca Inc.

    Frank VanderSloot and his multi-level marketing company, Melaleuca Inc., have contributed $1.1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney). VanderSloot is a member of the Romney campaign's financial team and has a checkered history of bullying reporters and newspapers for writing about his business, which has been labeled a pyramid scheme by some, and his political activities. The 2004 <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans estimated VanderSloot's net worth to be $700 million.

  • Laborers' International Union

    The Laborers' International Union, which represents a half-million construction workers, has given $1.05 million to super PACs. The union gave $850,000 to House Majority PAC, $200,000 to Majority PAC and $5,000 to The American Worker.

  • Barbara Stiefel

    Barbara Stiefel, a Florida-based philanthropist and Democratic Party donor, has given $1.05 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama). (Pictured: Barack Obama, the candidate supported by Stiefel's contributions.)

  • The Lindners

    Members of the Lindner family, including Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner, have contributed $1.1 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Carl and Craig are co-CEOs of the American Financial Group, a Cincinnati-based finance company. Family members have combined to give $600,000 to Restore Our Future, supporting Mitt Romney, and $500,000 to American Crossroads.

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/crossroads-gps-ad-buy_n_1912459.html

    the villages florida egoraptor gisele bundchen turbotax the bourne legacy roland martin suspended lake vostok

    Mr. Sexy Back tries to bring Myspace back

    FILE -- In a May 7, 2012 file photo Justin Timberlake arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, in New York. Myspace is trying to stage yet another comeback with the help of investor Justin Timberlake. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

    FILE -- In a May 7, 2012 file photo Justin Timberlake arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, in New York. Myspace is trying to stage yet another comeback with the help of investor Justin Timberlake. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

    (AP) ? "Who am I to say I want you back? When you were never mine to give away."

    Those are the opening lines of a song that accompanies a "New Myspace" promotional video. The once-mighty social network is trying to stage yet another comeback with the help of Justin Timberlake. The new site, for which people can request an invitation, looks a bit like an entertainment-focused version of Pinterest, with a dash of Twitter and Facebook thrown in.

    But Myspace has tried redesigns before, to no avail. Will it work this time?

    "If you break my heart a second time, I might never be the same," continues the song, "Heartbeat," by the group JJAMZ.

    From the sound if it, Myspace wants to win the hearts and minds of tech-savvy hipsters. Founded in 2003 and initially a fast-rising star, Myspace attracted mostly teenagers and twentysomethings, offering them a place to express themselves online. It peaked in 2008 with some 76 million U.S. visitors in October. The site lost its footing as the fun of customizing profile pages began to bore its users and the site's heavy use of banner advertisements slowed the speed at which pages loaded. At the same time, people were already migrating to Facebook, which counted users 35 and older among its fastest-growing demographic.

    The company's new promotional video offers a 2-minute and 18-second peek into a slick, image-heavy site. The site's much cleaner look is a stark contrast to the old Myspace, which users often derided as messy and cluttered. Posted this week, the video promises that Myspace will start "totally from scratch," as if trying to shed its former self. It doesn't say when the new site will launch, only that it's "not ready quite yet."

    The new Myspace will let users connect to the site with their Twitter or Facebook accounts, a sign that it won't be competing with those sites as a social networking service. Rather, Myspace will continue with its entertainment focus, as a place to play and discover music, add photos, videos and playlists and connect with artists.

    Timberlake, who's featured prominently in the video, will likely play a big part of the MySpace revamp. The former 'N Sync pop star, with a group of other investors, bought MySpace last summer from News Corp. for $35 million, mostly in stock. That was quite a difference from the $580 million that News Corp. paid for the company in 2005, when it was still an Internet darling.

    MySpace, of course, isn't Timberlake's first foray into social networking. He played Napster co-founder Sean Parker, a party animal and early Facebook adviser, in Aaron Sorkin's "The Social Network" in 2010.

    In August this year, research firm comScore put Myspace's monthly unique visitors at 28 million, making it the 43rd most visited Web property in the U.S. It's behind the likes of not just Google, Facebook and Twitter but startups such as Tumblr, along with the reviews site Yelp and WebMD.

    "The new design certainly looks beautiful and it could certainly spur a lot of initial interest," said Clark Fredericksen, spokesman for research firm eMarketer, which used to put out ad revenue estimates for MySpace but no longer does. "But there are going to be significant challenges for any company looking to enter the digital music space. You have a lot of entrenched players who are really successful."

    Those players include Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, not to mention Apple Inc.'s iTunes.

    There's also the mobile question. It's unclear from the video what plans the new MySpace has for mobile devices such as Android smartphones, iPhones and tablet computers. Fredricksen points out that cloud-based music ? streamed over an Internet connection ? is shifting toward the mobile platform primarily. We are all on the go with our music. MySpace is entering a crowded market here, too.

    Representatives for Specific Media, which owns Myspace, did not return messages for comment Wednesday. Timberlake's publicist also did not return an email for comment. With only the slick demo and the poppy, bittersweet lyrics of the JJAMZ song to offer details about the "New Myspace", these lines stand out:

    "Maybe I'm ashamed to want you back. Maybe I'm afraid, you'll never stay."

    ___

    Online: https://new.myspace.com/play

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-09-26-Myspace-Comeback/id-eeb4e15d6776406aa5cb2c128bb705a3

    howard stern free shipping day free shipping day golden globe nominations 2012 war in iraq war in iraq government shutdown

    Vancouver Sun&#39;s Ironic Advice ? ?It&#39;s clear real estate investors ...

    ?In 2008 and 2009, Vancouver property developers Michael Knight and Jeff Wiegel were riding a wave of upbeat publicity over their condo project in the Delbrook area of North Vancouver.
    ?The Brook? was being built to LEED platinum standards, the highest certification for environmentally friendly residency, and was being financed by equity investors, rather than pre-sales, which allowed the developer and his partners to share in future price gains.
    The project garnered favourable publicity in The Vancouver Sun, the Globe and Mail and the North Shore News. What these media outlets didn?t know was Knight had had a history of run-ins with the Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM) and the B.C. Securities Commission (BCSC), and had been slapped with cease-and-desist and suspension orders and financial penalties.?
    ?
    ?Acting on complaints, FICOM conducted an investigation and found Knight had committed multiple breaches:
    He had provided real estate services without being registered under the Real Estate Services Act.
    He had marketed the units without preparing and filing a disclosure statement with the B.C. Superintendent of Real Estate.
    He had received money from at least two people to secure an interest in a unit, but did not deposit those funds in a trust account, contrary to the Real Estate Development Marketing Act.?
    ?
    ?Beneath the technical breaches are heavy financial losses and much investor grief. The Brook was delayed, ran into financial problems and ended up in receivership. The other two projects never got off the ground. Investors in all three projects have lost most if not all of their money. Many have filed lawsuits.
    I think that it?s clear real estate investors should look beneath these pleasing green exteriors and sunny media reports and do their own due diligence before they invest.?
    ?
    - from ?Baines: Green property developers charged with multiple offences?, David Baines, Vancouver Sun, 21 Sep 2012

    Hats-off to David Baines for the article, and for pointing out that the Vancouver Sun itself had promoted a shifty RE project.
    Recent stories of unsavoury players in the Vancouver RE business can?t be helping sentiment.
    - vreaa

    Source: http://vreaa.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/vancouver-suns-ironic-advice-its-clear-real-estate-investors-should-look-beneath-these-pleasing-green-exteriors-and-sunny-media-reports-and-do-their-own-due-diligence-before-they-invest/

    easter eggs pineapple upside down cake free ecards flying car masters golf tournament the replacements how to hard boil eggs

    UK politician under fire for alleged 'pleb' remark

    LONDON (AP) ? In class-conscious Britain, a Cabinet minister is in trouble over a four-letter word: "pleb."

    The single syllable was reportedly not the most profane part of Andrew Mitchell's tirade at police officers who asked him to get off his bicycle as he passed through the gates of Downing Street. But it is the most incendiary ? a pejorative term for the working class with a whiff of contempt that is bad news for a government often characterized as elitist.

    Class distinctions are the great elephant in the room in British society, ever-present but rarely discussed. It's a topic that proves a minefield for any politician keen to appeal to a wide range of voters. And the four-letter clanger attributed to Mitchell lands as a thudding reminder that class is still a potent and divisive aspect of British life.

    Last week's altercation between the minister and police officers guarding the approach to the prime minister's residence has been seized on by the media and political opposition and escalated into a political tempest with its own title: "Gategate."

    Mitchell on Monday apologized for the incident, in which ? according to press reports ? he told the officers "Best you learn your (expletive) place. You don't run this (expletive) government. You're (expletive) plebs."

    The Metropolitan Police force has not officially confirmed the account, but says it has launched an investigation into how internal police information was leaked to the press.

    Mitchell conceded that he had lost his temper at "the end of a long and extremely frustrating day."

    "I didn't show the police the amount of respect I should have done," Mitchell said. But, he added: "I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not use the words that have been attributed to me."

    Mitchell's reported word choice is a blow to attempts by Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative-led administration to downplay its image as a privileged club.

    Pleb ? short for plebeian ? comes from the Latin plebeius, the mass of ordinary citizens apart from the elite of upper-class patricians.

    First recorded in the late 18th century, "it has always had quite strong pejorative overtones," said Denny Hilton of the Oxford English Dictionary. The dictionary notes that pleb is often used to mean "an unsophisticated or uncultured person."

    Mitchell's showdown with police also came days after two unarmed policewomen were shot dead in the city of Manchester, with public sympathy and admiration for officers riding high.

    "The timing is almost indescribably bad," said Steven Fielding, director of the Center for British Politics at the University of Nottingham.

    Worse, he said, is the message the term pleb sends ordinary voters: "This government is not one that's interested in people like you."

    "It's got connotations that are unfortunate and draw attention to a certain kind of Conservative, a certain image of the Conservative Party, which David Cameron has been trying to move the party away from," Fielding said.

    Cameron ? who has aristocratic origins and is distantly related to Queen Elizabeth II ? has worked to overcome the Conservatives' traditional image as the party of the ruling class. But opponents point out that half the members of his Cabinet went to private schools ? which educate about 7 percent of all Britons ? while two-thirds are millionaires.

    Both Cameron and Treasury chief George Osborne attended Eton, the most exclusive of all private schools, which counts Princes William and Harry among its alumni. Mitchell ? who as Chief Whip is responsible for maintaining discipline among government lawmakers ? attended the scarcely less elite Rugby, where the sport of the same name was founded. His nickname there, according to media reports, was "Thrasher."

    Opponents like to remind voters that Cameron and Osborne once belonged to the Bullingdon Club, an elite Oxford University dining society with a reputation for drunken vandalism.

    The opposition Labour Party successfully painted the government as out of touch with ordinary Britons earlier this year over a planned levy on takeaway pastries such as meat pies, sausage rolls and Cornish pasties. The "pasty tax" was depicted as an attack on cheap and filling working-class snacks, and was later dropped.

    The "pleb" controversy is another unfortunate reminder of Britain's class divide for a government that's currently slashing welfare benefits and public sector pensions as part of 50 billion pounds ($80 billion) in spending cuts.

    If Mitchell hoped Monday's statement would end the episode, he may be disappointed. Labour Party crime spokeswoman Yvette Cooper called on authorities to review surveillance video footage in a bid to work out exactly what Mitchell said.

    John Tully, chairman of police union the Metropolitan Police Federation, said Mitchell was accusing police officers of lying.

    "Clearly Mr. Mitchell is denying using certain words, effectively now impugning the integrity of the police officers," he told Sky News.

    "I think that is very serious. I think the prime minister or Downing Street officials should hold an inquiry and if Mr. Mitchell is proved to have lied, then he should be sacked."

    ___

    Jill Lawless can be reached at http://Twitter.com/JillLawless

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-politician-under-fire-alleged-pleb-remark-154826114.html

    jets air jordans pecan pie recipe prince philip sugar cookie recipe sugar cookie recipe how the grinch stole christmas

    HuffingtonPost Launches Italian Edition, 9 Months After Announcing It. UK Now Has 4.1M Monthly Users

    huffington post italy berlusconiHuffingtonPost?continues?ahead with its international expansion: the news blog today formally announced its Italian edition, L'Huffington Post, in partnership with Italian newspaper publishers Gruppo Espresso, adding to a stable that includes, in addition to the U.S., sites in the UK, Canada, France and Spain.?But for a company that has built its business partly on a quick turnaround of the most viral internet content, it's moved fairly slow on this one: the plans for Italy were first made public?more than 9 months ago. "I feel a kinship with a fellow Mediterranean land where someone is always trying to get you to eat something and nothing starts on time," the sites' editor-in-chief, Arianna Huffington notes, perhaps somewhat ironically, at the top of her post announcing the news.

    Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Zo8LVne8u30/

    star jones wheres my refund photo of whitney houston in casket carrot top george huguely whitney houston casket photo match play championship

    Internet Marketing Experts Visit County Business Center | Maui Now

    Maui Business Brainstormers meet monthly at the MCBRC. Photo courtesy of MCBRC.

    By Sonia Isotov

    In October,?the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) will host two internet marketing and income experts to help Maui business owners and entrepreneurs use internet marketing more effectively in their businesses.

    Steve Zuwala will answer all sorts of questions from the audience during his free-flowing, question-and-answer style workshop on internet marketing. While Chris Wentzel will focus on specific income generating strategies he has used successfully.

    The MCBRC also has an entire lineup of short business workshops for October. Every month, local business experts share a wealth of knowledge and experience at the free workshops and topics vary by month but usually focus on starting, financing, and growing a small business.

    The MCBRC is a division of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and also has free business counseling with business executives in the US Small Business Administration?s Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselor program. SCORE is a federal program and the Maui Chapter is lead by long-time SCORE counselor and certified public accountant, Richard Kehoe.

    Also this month, Richard Kehoe will hold two QuickBooks workshops: one for beginners who want to learn to effectively setup their accounts, and a second workshop for more intermediate users.

    Maui County Business Resource Center is located at the Maui Mall in Kahului across from IHOP. File photo.

    Unless otherwise specified, the workshops run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maui County Business Resource Center in the Maui Mall. The October workshops are as scheduled:

    ?Cognitive Challenges and Opportunities for Business Owners and Professionals? by Stan Dokmanus ? Friday, October 5
    Effective communications skills are basic to running a successful business. Attendees will learn Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to improve communication with staff and customers. Establishing rapport and identifying and changing limiting beliefs will be discussed by guest speaker, Stan Dokmanus, is a certified practitioner of NLP, ChFC, CCJP, CSAC, B.A. Psychology.

    ?Understanding Your Credit and Scores? by Jason Hall ? Tuesday, October 9
    Learn how to improve your credit scores in this 60-minute crash course. Learn how to deal with collections, tax liens, judgments, late payments, foreclosures and short sales on a credit report.? Find out how this information can possibly be removed in less than 7 years to improve a score.? This workshop will be presented by Jason Hall, a Board Certified Credit Expert.

    ?Internet Income Strategies? by Chris Mentzel ? Tuesday, October 16
    This workshop will benefit both people searching for a new source of income and entrepreneurs who want to advertise their business. Topics discussed in a Q&A format may include, but not limited to what types of products and services succeed in an internet platform of selling, product searching, banner and email advertising, AdWords, demographic advertising, and social marketing. Chris Mentzel holds a M.S in Computer Science from the University of Berlin.

    ?The 2012 Internet Marketing Workshop? by Steve Zuwala ? Wednesday, October 17 and Monday, October 22 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    Learn why and how to get your current website to the top of a Google search. Learn how Zuwala, a country music recording artist, studied and used internet market and design to increase his own popularly and album sales. Using these skills, Zuwala has achieved seven #1 international songs, a Dove award, a Grammy Selection award, two Hawaiian Music Awards, and other more.

    Richard Kehoe, MBA, CPA is a long-time SCORE counselor, and the lead SCORE representative on Maui. Courtesy photo.

    Maui Business Brainstormers Monthly Meeting ? Tuesday? October 23 ? 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    The public is invited to attend this regular business networking group featuring business introductions, mingling, complimentary light refreshments, expert coaching, and more. To attend, RSVP at www.meetup.com/MauiBusinessBrainstormers.

    ?How to Deal with Stress and Frustration in Your Business and Life? by Mike Kern ? Tuesday, October 30
    Learn how to bring new clarity to the power of purpose, the essential nature of relaxation, and deceptively simple guidelines, processes and systems for getting things done. Mike Kern has owned many businesses in multiple industries, usually selling to larger corporations or completing an IPO. His specialty is business finance, marketing and sales, and operations. He does entertain joint venture projects and sometimes enters into angel financing.

    ?The ABCs of the Business Plan? by Craig Swift ? Wednesday, October 31 ? 1 p.m. to 2 pm
    Craig Swift, the director of the MEO Business Development Center, will discuss the reasons for writing a business plan. He has more than 35 years of experience in owning, managing, and lending to small businesses. Participants will receive an outline of the business plan taught by MEO?s Core Four Business Plan Course.

    Special Evening Workshop

    ?QuickBooks for Small Business? by Richard Kehoe, CPA ? Thursday, October 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $45 per session. Hands-on computer training for beginners.
    Learn to set up your company?s QuickBooks in a small class setting with personalized tutoring. This class is for new users and will teach how to record sales, receive payments, prepare invoices and balance your checkbook. Get customized answers and schedule a follow-up appointment at no cost. Sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and presented by Richard Kehoe, CPA and lead SCORE counselor.

    ?QuickBooks II for Small Business? by Richard Kehoe, CPA ? Thursday, October 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $45 per session Hands-on computer training workshop for intermediate users.
    This workshop is a continuation of the QuickBooks for Small Business workshop. Learn how to customize invoices, create reports, and practice the payroll functions of QuickBooks. In addition, learn how to produce balance sheets and profit and loss statements. Richard Kehoe, CPA is the owner and operator of his own accounting and tax form service.

    Interested persons should call the MCBRC at (808) 873-8247 to reserve a seat at one of the workshop.

    Related Stories:

    Source: http://mauinow.com/2012/09/24/internet-marketing-experts-visit-county-business-center/

    bjork national signing day 2012 landon collins dorial green beckham mike kelly kristen bell colbert super pac

    Thousands join drug rehab courses - The Nation

    Anupan Chantana ,
    Pongphon Sarnsamak
    The Nation September 24, 2012 1:00 am

    With the aim of making Thailand a drug-free country, over 500,000 addicts have joined the government's voluntary rehabilitation programme over the past year, but about 100,000 of them could not overcome the habit and need treatment again.

    "This is the most drug addicts getting rehab treatment ever recorded in Thailand since we started fighting against drugs many years ago," Permpong Chaovalit, deputy secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB), said recently.

    The drug problem, which had become more and more severe, threatening the security of people's lives and property, prompted the NCB and four other agencies to team up and launch the rehabilitation programme last October.

    The four partners are Metropolitan Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Health Bureau, the Army and the NCB's Bangkok division.

    It was aimed at cutting the number of drug addicts nationwide by offering treatment on a voluntary basis without prosecution - unlike the previous practice of sending them to jail first.

    The government has set the goal to get 400,000 drug abusers to attend the rehab programme this year. Now over 508,850 people dependent on several kinds of drugs such as methamphetamine (yaba) and crystal meth (ice) have attended the programme and were able to overcome addiction.

    The Public Health Ministry estimates that about 1.3 million people became addicted to drugs and up to 60 per cent of them are in Greater Bangkok. This was why the government is making the problem part of the national agenda and will uphold the principle that drug abusers are patients in need of rehabilitation.

    According to the NCB's report, 319,911 drug abusers received treatment at hospitals and rehab centres in 2003, as the government had considered drug abusers as patients who need treatment.

    A few years later, the number of drug abusers who received treatment had plummeted to only 40,000-60,000 per year from 2004-07 due to the government's intense drug war. Most of the prisons nationwide were also full and there was no space for drug offenders.

    To reduce drug demand, the NCB has set up 1,000 rehab centres in communities and district hospitals nationwide.

    Drug abusers are required to apply to the programme at these centres. They will be screened and sent to the military-style rehab centres.

    They will take 15-90 days to undergo rehab, depending on the length of their addiction. After the rehab programme is completed, the NCB will follow up four times a year to ensure that they do not return to the habit again.

    The NCB found that only 20 per cent of rehabilitated drug addicts in the past 12 months had returned to drugs.

    In Bangkok, about 5,000 drug addicts aged over 19 have received rehab treatment and 50 of them had returned to drugs. They returned to drugs because they returned to their previous life, Chakkree Premsmit, assistant director of the NCB's Bangkok office, said.

    Most people become drug addicts because of family problems. Some were abandoned by their parents, and some were forced to take drugs by friends. The drug control agency found that some people were addicted since they were 19.

    "We have to find out how to prevent them from returning to drugs," Chakree said. He has ordered agents to search for drug abuse in neighbourhoods across metropolitan areas and encourage families to persuade users to get drug rehab treatment.

    "Most of them don't want to enter a rehab programme because they're afraid they'll be recorded as a criminal," he said.

    The drug control agency has to convince drug abusers that they will be treated as a patient and not a wrongdoer because drug addiction is a brain disease that required behavioural changes, he said.

    Niyom Termsrisuk, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Narcotics Control Office, expressed concern that young drug abusers had increased by 60-70 per cent. He found the youngest drug abuser was nine years old, while the oldest was 60.

    Dr Viroj Verachai, director of Thanyarak Institute, a treatment centre for drug dependence, said substance abuse treatment agencies should carefully check the health of all drug abusers, especially for congenital diseases before providing rehabilitation treatment or sending them to a rehab centre.

    Some of them had committed suicide as they had suffered from depression and stress for a long time. They need special medication before getting substance abuse and behavioural treatment.

    "We found that some of them had died from congenital disease during the rehabilitation programme as they were not screened for health problems," he said.

    Jarunee Siriphan, of Population Services International, said the lack of evaluation of the quality of services inside drug treatment centres and the porous and patchy follow-up system indicated that the government had applied a "war on drugs" strategy without concern for the welfare and quality of life of people who use drugs.

    Latest stories in this category


    Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thousands-join-drug-rehab-courses-30190979.html

    supreme court college board summer solstice Summer Solstice 2012 Waldo Canyon fire nba finals K Michelle