US LIFESPAN NOT EVEN IN THE TOP 40 WORLDWIDE

And you thought our wonderful healthcare was keeping us all alive....only those with health insurance, it appears:

Unequal America

Elizabeth Gudrais reports for Harvard Magazine: "When Majid Ezzati thinks about declining life expectancy, he says, 'I think of an epidemic like HIV, or I think of the collapse of a social system, like in the former Soviet Union.' But such a decline is happening right now in some parts of the United States.
Between 1983 and 1999, men's life expectancy decreased in more than 50 U.S. counties, according to a recent study by Ezzati, associate professor of international health at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), and colleagues.... The United States no longer boasts anywhere near the world's longest life expectancy. It doesn't even make the top 40.
In this and many other ways, the richest nation on earth is not the healthiest. Ezzati's finding is unsettling on its face, but scholars find further cause for concern in the pattern of health disparities. Poor health is not distributed evenly across the population, but concentrated among the disadvantaged."

REJECTED FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE BASED ON YOUR PRESCRIPTION HISTORY

THIS REALLY SUCKS.


Special Report July 23, 2008, 4:05PM EST
They Know What's in Your Medicine Cabinet
How insurance companies dig up applicants' prescriptions—and use them to deny coverage
by Chad Terhune

That prescription you just picked up at the drugstore could hurt your chances of getting health insurance.

An untold number of people have been rejected for medical coverage for a reason they never could have guessed: Insurance companies are using huge, commercially available prescription databases to screen out applicants based on their drug purchases.

Privacy and consumer advocates warn that the information can easily be misinterpreted or knowingly misused. At a minimum, the practice is adding another layer of anxiety to a marketplace that many consumers already find baffling. "It's making it harder to find insurance for people," says Jay Horowitz, an independent insurance agent in Overland Park, Kan.

The obstacle primarily confronts people seeking individual health insurance, not those covered under an employer's plan. Walter and Paula Shelton of Gilbert, La., applied to Humana (HUM) in February. They were rejected by the large Louisville insurer after a company representative pulled their drug profiles and questioned them over the telephone about prescriptions from Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) and Randalls, part of the Safeway grocery chain, for blood-pressure and anti-depressant medications.

Wicker Arm Chair for $58 shipped plus tax

Home Decorators Outlet has this charming wicker arm chair for $55.
Use Coupon Code 8581570 to slice $10 off (which also takes away fuel surcharges it seems), and the total shipping to Western KY is $58 plus tax. (your shipping might vary slightly depending on location).
Available in honey, brown, or white wicker. Comes fully assembled, as it is handwoven wicker.
Click the pic to see a larger version, and I want you to especially note that the seat of the chair is woven wicker like the rest of the chair (unlike the wicker chairs at Pier 1 that might cost about twice as much and have a cheap plywood seat)
From the website:
Place this armchair in an unused corner of your living room to add extra seating and style to your home. The rolled top and wide arms are sure to accent your decor. Buy one today.
* Durable wicker construction will last in your home for years.
* Handwoven to ensure the highest quality.

Tip: if you decide to order two of these chairs, first check the price on the two chairs ordered together and then check the price if you ordered each one separately (using the coupon on each of course). When I checked the two prices, the total for the two separate orders was $116, whereas if I ordered them together, the total was about $3 higher.

Solid Bamboo Wood Kitchen Cart for $190 Shipped, plus tax

I don't know if you have priced kitchen carts lately, but they have skyrocketed, and shipping is expensive because they are so heavy.
Home Decorators Outlet has the Landon Kitchen Cart for $147.xx. Use coupon code 8581570 to slice off $10 and fuel surcharges(however freight surcharges will still apply), for a total of about $190 shipped (it might be more or less depending on your location, it's $190 to my home in Western KY) (plus any applicable tax).
This is a great buy for a solid wood cart that's big enough to actually be quite useful, plus it has a removeable granite cutting board included! (click the pic for a larger view of this really nice cart)
Description on website:
The Landon Kitchen Cart will bring more counter, storage and dining space to your home. Store your tableware and dish towels in the drawer and cabinet space provided while hanging your wine glasses in the available rack. And with a durable wood construction, this kitchen furniture will stand up to everyday wear and tear. Refresh your kitchen decor today; buy now.
* Features a removable black solid granite cutting board.
* Crafted of natural-finished solid bamboo wood, which is known for being environmentally friendly, especially strong and strikingly beautiful.
* Side wire basket is perfect for holding utensils.
* Casters provide mobility.

Product Details
* 36"H x 42"W x 19"D.
* Assembly required.
* Solid wood .

Here's a tip if you order this cart: The box will be VERY HEAVY. Kitchen carts can easily weigh over 100 pounds in the box. If the delivery person dumps this on your doorstep or porch, just open the box where it lies, and bring the contents into your house piece by piece to the location where you plan to assemble the cart. Remember that the cart has wheels, so you can roll it to your kitchen after you assemble it. (Also, I'd consider installing a little towel bar or paper towel dispenser on the other end of the cart, opposite the basket, if you have the space.)

9/11: the real reason behind the attack

See this page for the REAL SCOOP on why we were attacked, and believe me, it WAS all about OIL:
"In 1998, the Afghan anti-Communist movement Taliban and a western oil consortium led by the US firm Unocal signed a major pipeline deal. Unocal lavished money and attention on Taliban, flew a senior delegation to Texas, and also hired an minor Afghan official, one Hamid Karzai.

"Enter Osama bin Laden. He advised the unworldly Taliban leaders to reject the US deal and got them to accept a better offer from an Argentine consortium, Bridas. Washington was furious and, according to some accounts, threatened Taliban with war.

"In early 2001, six or seven months before 9/11, Washington made the decision to invade Afghanistan, overthrow Taliban, and install a client regime that would build the energy pipelines. But Washington still kept up sending money to Taliban until four months before 9/11 in an effort to keep it `on side’ for possible use in a war or strikes against Iran.

"The 9/11 attacks, about which Taliban knew nothing, supplied the pretext to invade Afghanistan. The initial US operation had the legitimate objective of wiping out Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. But after its 300 members fled to Pakistan, the US stayed on, built bases – which just happened to be adjacent to the planned pipeline route – and installed former Unocal `consultant’ Hamid Karzai as leader."

Doormats with STYLE at a NICE price!

Have you priced doormats lately? Outrageous! I've been looking for a new one, and am absolutely stupefied by what people will pay for wiping their feet.
World Market has a nice selection of reasonably priced doormats, I have displayed 12 of them, the link takes you to 13 different designs on their site. These are the best I have found for the price and design.
Using coupon code "SDAZE2008" will get you an extra 10% off these mats or anything else on their site. Tack on about $6 for tax and shipping and your total price will still be under $20 for some of the lower-priced ones.
These are all natural fiber coir mats and most have vinyl backing I think, size 30"Wx18"D for most of them.

Addendum: I received my doormat about 4 days after I ordered it and was pleased with the quality. It's about 3/4-inch thick and does have a rubber backing underneath. The colors are vibrant. I ordered the "Autumn" stripe.

Great price on stationary rockers for your porch or patio!!!

AS I SUSPECTED, THIS DEAL SOLD OUT OVERNIGHT AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

EGAD! I'm not believing this bargain! This set of 2 chairs was originally $249! (Click the picture for a really good closeup of these chairs)
Home Depot has this set of 2 stationary rockers (that's right, these are ROCKERS) for the super price of $119 for A SET OF TWO.
Get an extra $10 off by using coupon code " SUMMERSAVINGS78 ", for a total price $109 plus tax. THIS PRICE INCLUDES FREE SHIPPING!!!
I ordered mine for a shipped total of $115.54 including tax!!! Wahoo!!! That's less than half the original price, with free shipping on top of that!
These cast back stationary rocking chairs are a perfect selection for those small spaces or to compliment the Castle Rock collection, and include a breakfast pillow for each chair.
* Aluminum Frame
* Olefin Fabric
* Stationary Rocking Motion
* Overstuffed Cushions
* MFG Brand Name : Hampton Bay
(By the way, be sure to read the reviews on the Home Depot page, a lady assembled her two chairs and said it was EASY. That is a big selling point with me!)

HOME DECORATORS OUTLET RUG SALE

You really should go to Home Decorators Outlet if you need an area rug. They have some tremendous values right now. I listed two of my favorites below, but there are many others.
Use this coupon code-- 8581570 --to get $10 off all purchases of $50 or more.

A word about new room-sized area rugs: When you get the rug, it will be rolled up and will likely have some creases or folds in it when you unroll it onto the floor. Don't Panic. Unroll the rug and let it relax for a few days. Vacuum it. The creases/folds will gradually fade from the rug over the next 2-3 weeks.
Wool rugs can "shed" for up to 3 months after you buy them, this is a normal feature of wool rugs.

Home Decorators Outlet is a subsidiary company of Home Depot, in case you wondered. I have ordered from them in the past and have experienced no problems except once I ordered a very heavy cast iron coat tree weighing 70 lbs and UPS seemingly did not want to deliver it, because they had it in the local warehouse for a few days and on the website it appeared that they kept putting off the delivery. I emailed Home Decorators Outlet about it, and it was delivered the next day.
And here's a tip on delivery issues: any time you have a problem with a delivery, you will get better action on the problem by contacting the deliverer's CUSTOMER. Bear in mind, YOU, as the recipient of the package, are NOT the customer. The company that sent the item to you IS the deliverer's Customer! So contact the company where you ordered the item regarding shipping issues and you'll get quicker action on the problem.

Another Great Wool Rug!

This is yet another hand-tufted wool, latex-backed rug that is offered in 3 colors: Beige, Burgundy, and Black





The Bubbles Area Rug, from the Montaigne Collection, is a plush hand tufted rug created from high-quality 100% wool. This beautiful floor covering features a decorative fringe. For added durability, we have also added a latex backing.
As an example: you can get this rug in the 9'9"x13'9" size (reg $1099) for a mere $219.99 with a $20.00 shipping surcharge. Use this coupon code-- 8581570 --and the total including shipping will probably be about $263!
(You will never find a wool rug of this size at such a great price again!)
They have most colors in most sizes.

Sylvan Rug at Home Decorators Outlet

This is a hand-tufted Sylvan rug in pure wool, with the added convenience of a latex backing to prevent slippage. (ie, NO rug pad required!)
The prices are really great on every size. Shipping is extra and two sizes have a $10 shipping surcharge.
However, even with shipping this is nothing short of an unheard-of price!
Use this coupon code-- 8581570 --to get $10 off all purchases of $50 or more.

2'6"x4'6": $24.99
3'6"x5'6": $39.99
5'3"x8'3": $79.99
8'x11': $149.99 (shipping surcharge of $10)
6'ROUND: $64.99
7'9"ROUND: $99.99 (shipping surcharge of$10.00)
2'6"x10'RUNNER: $44.99
2'9"x14'RUNNER: $64.99

Quickie Scrub-A-Mop for $10 at CVS Lone Oak

I saw the Quickie Scrub-a-Mop at CVS at Lone Oak, Paducah, for $10 on sale, this is a full 1/3 off the regular price, but you do need a
CVS extra value card to get this price. This is a great mop if you have tile floors, because it has a scrubbing brush on the end. This price will only be for this week, I believe their specials end on Saturday, but this one may sell out before then. They may have this on sale at other CVS stores in Paducah too, I don't know.

HP Laser printer/scanner/fax for $110 SHIPPED!

If you ever wanted a monochrome (black/white, grayscale) LASER combo fax/printer/scanner, this laser machine from NewEgg.com is the best buy I have seen. Click the Picture to see a large close-up of the machine. You DO have to file for a $150 rebate to get this price, link to the rebate is on the product page. Shipping is Free. Windows and Mac Compatible, certified Windows Vista. And NOTE: there is a telephone on the side so you can pick up and talk if you need to, this is a feature I wish my machine had. This machine uses the same toner cartridge that mine does, and it lasts quite a while. There is toner included with this machine when you buy it. You may have to buy a USB cable, however that's a small expense. Note the large paper input tray that holds 250 sheets. And just above the large paper tray at the bottom front of the machine, there is a small feeder tray for business envelopes, and I LOVE this feature for printing my envelopes. I have never seen a machine similar to this one for under $150, even on sale. (Mine cost $150 and that was a great price.)
This is a VERY reputable seller, by the way.
Printing
Output Type :Monochrome
Black Print Speed :Up to 19 ppm
Black Print Quality :1200 x 1200 dpi
Time To First Page (seconds) :Less than 8.5 seconds
Input Capacity, std. :30-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), 10-sheet priority slot, 250-sheet input tray
Output Capacity, std. :100-sheet
Media sizes supported Priority slot, 250-sheet input tray: 3 by 5 in to 8.5 by 14 in; letter, legal, executive, envelopes (No.10, Monarch)
ADF: 5.83 by 4.13 in to 8.5 by 14 in; letter, legal

Sphinx Artwork "Loopholes" 10'x12'7" Area Rug $375 Shipped

Home Decorators Outlet has the Sphinx Artwork "Loopholes" area rug in the 10'x12'7" size for $375 shipped.
This is an absolutely FABULOUS buy, trust me. Go ahead, I doulble-dawg dare you to find anywhere near this price anywhere else, because other vendors don't even have this huge room-size version, but they might have the 8'x11' size for about $1000, if that gives you any idea of the bargain that you are getting with this rug. (The quoted MSRP is about $1500. That's right, you are getting this one for 70% off including shipping!!!)

Loopholes area rugs from the Metropolitan Collection have a plush and dense design woven of high-quality wool. These area rugs feature a luxuriously thick pile that is inviting and comfortable. A special hand tufting process is used in creating Loopholes area rugs so they have the look of hand-knotting at an affordable price.

A word about new room-sized area rugs: When you get the rug, it will likely have some creases or folds in it. Don't Panic. Unroll the rug and let it relax for a few days. Put it on a rug pad to help it stay in position. (I recommend the "Rug Saver" Brand, expect to pay about $50-$80 for this rug pad. An 8'x11' pad would probably do, although you can find them 9'x12' if you look hard. My advice is wait until you see this pad on sale, you can put this rug down until you find the pad on sale, it's large enough that it won't move, believe me. This baby will be heavy.).
Vacuum it. The creases/folds will gradually fade from the rug.
Wool rugs can "shed" for up to 3 months after you buy them, this is a normal feature of wool rugs.

Holmes Weatherproof Floor Lamp:

Sportsman's Guide has the Holmes Weatherproof Floor Lamp for $30 (members pay $27). You can use this lamp indoors or outdoors. This is the companion lamp to the table lamp I posted previously. Use coupon code SB194 to get $5 off.

EXTREME BARGAIN ALERT: THE LAMP IS NOW SLASHED TO $20 PLUS SHIPPING AT THIS LINK.
* Weather-resistant powder-coated metal construction
* Weighted base keeps Lamp secure on windy days
* 3-way switch
* Uses a 100W max. and a 40W max. bulb (none included)
* Washable, weatherproof fabric shade
* 8' heavy-duty cord with grounded plug
* Base: 10" dia., 5' high. Shade: 20" dia.; 18 lbs., 9 ozs.

Today's Deal: Teak Outdoor Dining Set for $396 shipped

Looking for a high-end luxury trendy outdoor dining set? This solid TEAK dining set is a real buy!
You get a table, four stools, and a side table, PLUS a hibachi grill and wine bucket in the deal.
If you have been thinking about joining Sportsman's Guide, this is the time to do it. The regular price of this item at Sportsman's Guide is $400. By joining, you would save the regular shipping fee of $19.50 plus another $40 off the price. That means you'd get this item for $396 shipped! (there is a $35 heavy shipping charge)
This is a really heavy set at 205 pounds.
* Teak, a dense hardwood, is resistant to insects, mold and rot, it's the "gold standard" for outdoor furnishings. The wood can be finished, or left unfinished outdoors, to weather into a silvery gray
* The dining table is 3' square to accommodate 4 people and 29 1/2"h.
* The coordinating stools are 13 1/2" square, 17 1/2"h.
* The grill-and-chill side table is 35 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 29 1/2"h.

Today's Deal: Holmes Weatherproof Lamp: $15.50 shipped

Sportsman's Guide has this lamp for $15 plus shipping. Use coupon code SB328 to ax the shipping to 49 cents. (Hint: if you are a member of Sportsman's Guide, use coupon code SN582 instead, and you can get this lamp for $9.95 shipped!) You will NOT beat this price anywhere, in fact you won't even come close!
I actually have this lamp and can attest to it's quality. It's really made for outdoor usage, but there's no rule that says you can't use it indoors. The top light in the lamp looks exactly like the little side lamp, only bigger.
How the 3-way switch works:You click the switch once and the top light comes on, click it another time and the side reading lamp comes on, click a 3rd time and both are lit. The top light takes up to a 100W bulb, the side light takes a 40W bulb.
The finish is a nice bronze color, it's a generous 34-inches tall, and it's a real heavyweight lamp at 12 pounds. You can use the lamp without the shade as I do, or use the cotton-cloth shade they supply, or even add your own shade if using it indoors. The cord is extra heavy and 8 feet long.

Great Deal: Nightstand for $36 plus shipping

This offer is ONLY for Sportsman's Guide Members, however you might want to sign up for membership, as this deal is really a great one. They have a nightstand, chest, and dresser in a modern mission style, and it's name brand furniture with dovetail joints and dual drawer glides, in an espresso brown finish. This item is birch veneer over engineered wood.
I actually wish I had a place to put these, as it's a great deal and I love the simplistic styling.

Today's Deal: 3/8'' VARIABLE SPEED REVERSIBLE DRILL for $14

My old Black & Decker drill died...well, actually not the drill, the plastic surrounding the wires in the cord was so old it was hard as a rock, and when the surrounding plastic cracked, the wire inside the cord broke. You have to understand that this drill was at least 25 years old. I actually don't use a drill very often, but it so happened I needed mine to to work on an ancient bathtub door that is dragging in the track---I plan to drill a couple new holes for the rollers to lift it just a tad to keep it from dragging.

We just happen to have a new Harbor Freight store in Paducah (for locals, go to where the Party Mart used to be at Hannon Plaza, corner of Lone Oak Rd and Jackson St). I don't know if you've ever shopped Harbor Freight, but they have some really good tool deals, and I've bought from them on the internet before also. You can visit their web site to get a feel for their extended inventory, which includes both tools and other helpful household items.

So I trot down to Harbor Freight last evening and found this Chicago variable speed reversible drill on special for $13.xx. The drill has a 90-day warranty. It's a basic no-frills corded drill, however it does have a few bells and whistles that my old B&D didn't have.....Variable speed, keyless chuck, and reversible.
* Variable speed: 0-3000 RPM
* Reversible
* Keyless chuck
* Built-in level
* Heat treated gears
* 120V, 3.1 amps;
* Speed: 0-3000 RPM
* Chuck capacity: 3/64'' to 3/8''
* Belt clip
Weight: 3.3 lbs.
Overall dimensions: 9-1/2'' L x 2-1/2'' W x 7'' H


While I was in the Harbor Freight store, I found an item that I've been needing: quick couplers for garden hose. I have soaker hoses in my flower beds for watering them, and it's a pain in the back (literally) to connect my hose to them. I have a divider to hook up two hose branches for watering two flower beds at a time. But I have been having the screw the hose connecters together each time. Harbor Freight had these on special for $5.xx a set, so I went all out and bought two sets. These are brass and look like just what I need.
* Finely crafted from solid brass
* Includes 4 male and 2 female couplers


BTW, here's another item from Harbor Freight that I WISH I'd had a few days ago: I was re-doing the silicone sealer in my bathtub and it's so very difficult to get the old sealer cleaned out. Of course, my tub and surround are both acrylic, so metal can actually damage the surface. These plastic scrapers would have made my job to much easier. In case you are anticipating doing this dreary task, the tip of the day is to use really strong rubbing alcohol on the sealer first to soften it (you can actually buy 91% rubbing alcohol at CVS), and then scrape to your heart's content. Heating the old sealer with a hair dryer can also be helpful.

Today's Deal: Modern chandelier for $80

Home Decorators Outlet has cut the price yet again on this modern-styled chandelier, to $80. Anticipate about $20 for shipping. This is a really great deal. I have a similar chandelier and I can assure you I spent considerably more than $100.

Today's Deal: portable laptop rolling desk for $39 shipped

Meritline has the portable laptop rolling desk for $39 with free shipping. This is a nice item if you do serious laptop work in your den or other rooms in your home routinely. It's adjustable in height and the side table has independent height adjustment. Plus, both the main table and side table tilt if you so desire, and there is a bumper at the lower edge to keep your laptop from sliding off. My husband has a very similar desk in our den, and he loves it. And trust me, this is the BEST PRICE BY FAR that I've seen this item in a long, long time. (usually closer to $60 plus shipping actually)

Free stuff that's really free and well worth it

(and yes, I have used these)
Tired of getting all those credit card offers in the mail? Sign up at Optoutprescreen.com, it really makes a difference.

Want a truly free credit report? You can get up to 3 per year absolutely free with no strings attached at Annualcreditreport.com.

Disgusted with those telemarketing calls? Donotcall.gov lets you sign up your number for a lifetime. Read more from the Federal Trade Commission on the do not call program here. (and yes, you CAN sign up your cell number too!) By the way, if you get a telemarketing call AFTER you sign up for the do not call list, just ask the telemarketer, "Do you know that this number is on the do not call list?" They will quickly get off your line and not call you back!

Sign up to get info on stopping Junk Faxes (FAX SPAM) at Junkfax.org

Today's Deal: KR Tools® 3 1/2" Bench Vise

Another great bargain from Sportsman's Guide, the KR Tools® 3 1/2" Bench Vise at a great price, $11.97. (Compare this at other places for around $20 plus shipping.)
Add about $6 for shipping, but use coupon code SB328 to defray shipping costs by $5. I actually bought this for my stepson, and he loved it. It's VERY heavy, and the quality looks excellent. It has a lifetime guarantee. The vise also rotates 360 degrees on it's base, locks down in any position, and you can screw it to your worktable to hold it in place.
This is a great item for holding something while you work on it, especially if the item is difficult to hold. For instance, I had to cut a steel rod with a hacksaw and it's hard to hold a round rod while you saw on it. I put the rod in my bench vise, and sawed away on it.
It might be worthwhile to check out the other great tool buys they have on sale right now at Sportsman's Guide too.