by: david c ballard

Denise is the co-founder of Privacy Vaults Online with her brother, which was founded in 2001 in response to some Federal legislation that was passed, called the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

It all began with a dream to start a family business, and along came this new thing called the Internet. Denise's brother had the idea of creating a virtual world for kids to share their entrepreneurial spirit by sharing product ideas, marketing ideas, marketing research, and collaborations with the idea of their nutty inventions rewarded with some virtual currency and eventually to take their ideas and see if they could bring them to market.

It was during this time while Denise and her brother were putting these ideas together that they tripped over the Childrens Online Protection Privacy Act (COPPA), because they would have to comply with COPPA regulations to continue with their virtual kids’ business idea. However, during this time when the Internet bubble burst in 2000, Denise, also recognized with COPPA regulations, there would be a need for a business to emerge. It would be like a PayPal for kid’s identity, a way for children to present or identify themselves to companies when they are using the web. Unfortunately, you cannot see who is on the other side, and the need for those companies to know if they are dealing with children, and how to interact responsibly by processing the parental consent, which the law requires, had to be addressed.

COPPA says that if you are, a sight directed at children under the age of 13, or if you are a general audience site, which gains actual knowledge, you need to be compliant. For example, a kid fills out the registration form and tells you they are 12 or under, or they are enter something into a blog that is monitored, and tell you they are in a grade, which would be 12 or under. If a company learns of that knowledge or they are directed at children, then they have to “process parent’s verifiable parental consent” in advance of collecting any personal information from the child. Alternatively, before they allow the child to have a tool whereby they would be able to deliver their own data to the public, such as MySpace, Facebook, Utube, Instant Messenger, etc. certain compliancy needs to be followed.

In any case, the Terms of Service would ask for an age identity and if you were under the age of 13, you would be denied access to the site, which seems to be the remedy instead of allowing access with certain stipulations as to what personal information that could be collected.

Now, think of Protect My Child Registry (PMCR), which will be free to parents, as a "Do Not Call Registry". The PMCR is a place where parents can come, and create a parent account for themselves. The parent will insert their child relationship and say, "Johnny at AOL, this phone number, this email address, belongs to this eleven year old. If he/she shows up checking the box for being 21 and over, at "whatever site", or if he/she shows up giving a date of birth, which is an adult date of birth (where he would not be treated with the security in mind for a youth), then companies can ping this registry in real time. Moreover, if this particular phone number is entered into our system as an adult, can we market, can we interact, and can we allow this user to register? Does the registry know anything about this information? If we respond in a secure manner that this information has been registered with a child then that content provider can provide terms of use and regulatory requirements, and block access or scrub from their marketing list by taking Johnny out of their information.

Anonymity makes it difficult for companies to block age-restricted children from their sites. Social networking sites are having a difficult time knowing who the minors are. Therefore, how do you protect children, do you require verification of everyone and eliminate anonymity?

Denise recognized a need for parents to register their child and to recognize at a minimum the need for ISP, social networking sites who want to protect children 13 and under the ability to ping the PMCR in real time to verify minors who are registered.

If you are a parent who cares…listen to Denise, and learn what PMCR is all about.

Denise‘s company is the only technology company approved by the FTC as a “Safe Harbor” company.

Doctors confirmed with swine flu

Swine flu Q & A Your questions answered

Two hospital doctors are among the latest people confirmed with swine flu, according to the Scottish Government.

Officials confirmed two doctors at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley are thought to have caught the H1N1 virus from patients being treated there.

A further 22 cases of the virus have brought the total number of people infected in Scotland to 141.

A 14-month-old baby, whose condition is improving in Glasgow's Yorkhill hospital, is also one of the cases.

The baby is likely to be discharged later.

A total of 10 people are in hospital with swine flu, although that total is likely to fall to seven or eight by the end of Friday, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said.

She said that of the 22 newly confirmed cases, 16 were in the Highland health board area, five in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and one in Forth Valley.

Schools closed

Seven Scottish schools are now closed because of swine flu.

On Friday, Lochgoilhead Primary and Dunoon Grammar closed for seven days.

Third year pupils from Dunoon Grammar had already been excluded from classes.

In addition, Kirn Primary, Innellan Primary, Toward Primary, Appletrees Nursery in Rothesay are closed and Annette Street Primary in Glasgow is closed until Tuesday.

Third year pupils at Paisley Grammar School have been sent home for seven days.

Scottish childrens' entertainers The Singing Kettle have been forced to postpone a show for 500 children in Dunoon, due to the outbreak of swine flu in the town.

The concert was due to take place at Queen's Hall on Saturday afternoon, but has now been postponed until the 6 September.

The number of cases of swine flu in Scotland has risen seven-fold in a week, and the country now accounts for a quarter of all cases of the virus in the UK.

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In fact, several Medicaid "expansion" programs have been enacted in my State, Illinois, by recently impeached and now infamous Democratic Governor Rod Blagoyevich. To read more on how Blago handled Medicaid in Illinois, click here:
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/12/18/blagojevich-a-childrens-hospital-and-medicaids-stingy-ways
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In fact, Illionois state was the first to expand these Medicaid entitlement programs to include the "All Kids Covered" plan http:www.allkidscovered.com, the "Mom's & Babies" plan" http://www.allkids.com/pregnant.html and the"Family Care" plan http://www.familycareillinois.com
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These entitlement programs not only have provided FREE health insurance coverage to all low income women who are currently pregnant (Mom's & Babies) and all children - here legally or ILLEGALLY (All Kids Covered) but they also provide FREE health insurance to all low income mothers of children who are insured under the "All Kids Covered" program (Family Care).
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Now, one does not need an actuarial degree to quickly conclude that these types of entitlement expansion programs simply can not continue to work without massive and endless influxes of tax payer dollars. In fact, the State of Illinois is currently $1.5 Billion (yes that's BILLION) behind in payment of claims to medical practitioners who have provided treatment for Medicaid recipients. Furthermore, submitted claims by unpaid practitioners have accrued a potential liability of $81 million in interest due to payment delays over the past 8 years!
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Read more about the problems with claims payments here: http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/broadview/archive/x1874998363/Illinois-must-fix-Medicaid-woes 
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Update: As of January 2009 a moratorium has been placed on the sliding scale portion of the Illinois Family Care and the Mom's & Babies program. One can only wonder why. Could it be due to lack of funding?
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Illinois was lauded as the "Flagship" state for all others to follow regarding the expansion of the Medicaid entitlement programs. If this is the template for all others to follow, then god help us all, or at least those of us that actually fund the Medicaid system through our hard earned tax dollars.
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Weighty decisions such as expanding the Medicaid system to virtually "All Kids" regardless of their actual need, simply can not be made based entirely on emotion! Prudent decision makers must weigh the DESIRE to help all mankind against fiscal REALITY. There simply is not enough money to provide such irresponsible expansions of the Medicaid program.
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Most especially with the $780,000,000,000 (BILLION) "Porkulus Maximus" Bill just passed in the Senate. This is the real reason why President Bush vetoed the SCHIP program http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/washington/03cnd-veto.html which was pushed irresponsibly forward by the Democratic Party.
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The Conservative side of the House shares the same concern for those truly in need. This side of the House wishes to help those who are deserving of such entitlements e.g. legal residents of this country who actually qualify during a legitimate needs assessment. Most certainly NOT a needs assessment that includes the middle class who can and should insure themselves against medical risk.

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Expansion of these entitlement programs to anyone else is a well meaning, but a fiscally irresponsible act. One that, in the end, will end up crippling the already over burdened Medicaid system. This will especially be true when the "Baby Boomers" all start entering the assisted living arena without Long Term Care coverage to help shoulder the burden of the ever increasing cost of professional care that will, without a doubt, be needed for this gigantic population of new senior citizens. This can all be avoided by shifting the risk where it belongs, namely, to the private health insurance industry. This is where the money is, and always has been, to shoulder this huge financial burden.

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Those of us who are in need of health insurance have many options to choose from. These options are priced very affordably, most especially so if one takes advantage of the recently expanded tax incentives awarded to those who own HSA qualified HDHP's http://www.sbisvcs.com/Health%20Insurance%20products.htm 
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Even if one can not qualify for the aforementioned HDHP option due to underwriting restrictions, then there are many other options now available to those who have been rendered "uninsurable" in the individual health insurance market.
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These options include the following:    

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1. State Insurance Risk Pool Coverage provided under HIPAA http://www.naschip.org/states_pools.htm  

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2. Small Group or Employer Sponsored Health Insurance which contains the all important "Guaranteed Insurability" clause.
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3. HIPAA certified "Defined Benefit" Health Insurance policies issued on an individual basis to anyone regardless of medical history http://www.sbisvcs.com/guarantee_issue.htm
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An integral part of making fiscally sound responsible decisions, means you must explore ALL of your options before leaning on a Medicaid system that is already over burdened by those deserving, and most recently, those who are undeserving.
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This is why it is always prudent to consult with a reputable and knowledgeable health insurance broker (not a captive agent who can only offer one company's products). Since it does not cost a penny more to buy your health insurance through a broker, why would anyone risk purchasing thier health insurance blindly on the internet? Working with someone who is knowledgeable about the insurance industry and can offer you a diverse group of products that can be customized to fit your health care needs takes the frustration out of shopping for health insurance and gives you greater peace of mind.
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If you have other options, you should never leave your healthcare decisions up to government bureaucrats and a failing Medicare system. You have to assume that the quality of care that you will receive by a medical practitioner who knows that a payment for services rendered may never come may be very different than then the type of services you would receive if you have private health care coverage that timely reinburses your health care practioner for medical services rendered.
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To read more about Illinois Medicare "Flagship" program with respect to reimbursing medical practioners, click here: http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/labels/Kids%20Care.html

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About the author: C. Steven Tucker, is the President of Small Business Insurance Services, Inc. He is a multi-state licensed insurance broker who has been serving the Small Business community and Self-Employed for 15 years. C. Steven has served as a Subject matter expert for the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Small Business Magazine and hosts his own internet radio show, entitled, "Health Insurance 101." He is also touted for being a consumer watchdog against greedy insurance companies, insurance scams and unscrupulous agents on Twitter.

Author and childrens rights advocate Mrs. Gwen Marshall will be speaking about her book titled "His eyes are on the sparrows" She will also be be touching upon her plight as a child mentor and advocate. Gwen has a genuine compassion for helping children in need. She has vowed to be an advocate for children in need by helping to protect their future. Gwen is a very influential teacher and a spokesperson for the youth. Pulling from her own experiences through life, Gwen’s mission is to help teach young children that they can love beyond hatred and hurt. She has spent most of her adult life mentoring and encouraging young girls on how to overcome today’s obstacles. Gwen currently serves as a Sunday school teacher in her local church, which serves as a forum where she enjoys sharing her tools for survival.

Keeping it Real: www.blogtalkradio.com

The times we live in

It is unclear to me how many people in this world live under the influence of anger and hatred however to me it doesn't even matter. My issue in these times is basic, we have become a material seeking community that seeks only things that they can see and judge by the same. Could it be possible that we have forgotten our true values? yes! Is it possible that we have allowed society to change us and not us change society? yes! We have lost who we are thoughout the years and we can blame no one but ourselves. Parents cannot blame the schools or teachers, we cannot blame Television nor churches we can only blame ourselves.

God made us all individuals! We were born with nothing, because we have nothing on this earth, everything has a name and a label that truly advertises someone else and not oueselves.

We have forgotten how to love truly with the heart. Instead will love with our calculators in hand, calculating how much a person can give me so i can live. We have forgotten true frienship, because again, unless my friend dresses like me or can afford to hang with me he/she is not my friend. Why? I am a unique individual! That mean i am and should be different than those around me. YES, i have friends. Yes, I buy Cloths. Yes, I work and party and shop until i drop. However, how can we forget who we are? How can we forget the needs of others? I choose to be myself no matter how much other try to change me. If someone tries to change me they are placed out of my life. God created all of us individually, each with gifts that others don't have. yes, maybe with similiar qualities but never the same. Even the most identical of twins are different in every way.

We have changed, because we have allowed stereo types to run our Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender youth, telling us that we a drug addicts, drunks, and fools. We have told our young people in general that they cannot succeed in life because they live in the "GHETTO" or they are not good enough because they don't come from wealthy homes. We have forced our youth to leave home and look for alternative ways to make money by becoming Drug Lords, dealers and even prostitutes just to survive. We have pushed our youth to drop out of schools by makeing it virtually impossible for them to see a future....because of the high cost of education. We place walls in our childrens lives and then beat them to the ground with our words when they have rebelled against everything, including us, God and what we believe.

That is not what God wants for us....or from us... whether LGBT or Straight God wants us to Motivate our children to continue in life and believe in their dreams no matter how big they are and help them meet their goals. We have gotten so out of control with making money to live in expensive homes, drive car that we cannot even afford, and wear cloths that half the time we can't even spell the name on the lables or read the lables because we have no education, that we have forgotten that we have a future generation that is looking at us, crying for help and searching for attention because they are afraid of their futures. Right now we don't even know if our children have a future, the economy has dropped, thousands of children in miami alone are living in the streets and going to school full time. It was heart breaking for me to open the newspaper the other morning and read that these children are going hungry in the streets, sleeping in parking lots and living out of cars, sleeping under bridges and in cardboard boxes trying to survive and yet they still go to school everyday. Do we not have eyes to see how big this is? Are we blind and Dumb? How much will it take to see that these children our future are sufferring?

My mother has breast cancer and it was even more heart breaking to sit with her in a office in Puerto Rico and see the number of people with cancer that are loosing their health insurance all because the government refuses to pay for their medical care. Then we wonder why so many people are dieing of these diseases. My mother lost her health coverage as of 2 days ago and her health care bill for chimo theropy alone is $6000.00 and change. Imagine my mother dies because of this, do i have a right to sue? By the time i am done with them I will own the insurance company.

Brethren, lets open our eyes and see what is going on. Look around you, watch the news, people are being killed for being part of the LGBT community. We are being denied insurance, we are loosing Jobs, we are going hungry, we are loosing our homes, yet, we don't turn to God.

Well, much love to all The BlueJay.

Tonights Blogs and Social Networks show is about Christmas Blogs That Shine

Here is the list of Blog sites we are talking about and some of what you can find on each:

MyInkBlog: 10 Fantastic Christmas Inspired Tutorials

ChristmasSprite : Christmas History, Traditions, Wallpaper, more.

Christmas4All.blogspot.com : How to Say Merry Christmas in many Languages, Christmas Prayers, much more.

Thoughts-About-God.com: The Christmas Story and Prayers

ClausChronicles.blogspot.com: Periodic Updates from the North Pole

ChristmasYuleBlog: Christmas Music and More

EMail Santa Childrens Hotlines: Teen and Kids Help Lines listed from across the Globe.

EMail Santa, Santa Claus Christmas Blog: Up to the minute news about what Santa is up to

AcadiaWreath.com/blog/blog.html: Blog about Christmas Wreaths and Other Christmas traditions.

Christmas Blog: Lights and Diplay Webcam link

BloggingTips.com: Take Your blog to the Next Level

WidgetBox HappyChristmas Widget

SantasQuarters.com/blog: Printable Santas Elf Card, Coloring Pages, History of the Christmas Tree and much more.

Spanish Teaching Spanish Christmas: Welcome to our blog for teachers and students of Spanish. Spanish Christmas Calendar

2 Awesome Blog Social Networks for Christmas posts, videos, fun, friends, tips, recipes, and much more.

SantaLiveNow.Ning.com

ChristmasEmporium.Ning.com

Listen into Blogs and Social Networks Christmas Blogs That Shine for more

Stevie and Stephanie Haile aka Blogheiress and Wavecritter Google us

Graphic Above from http://crazy-frankenstein.com/