Branson film footage officially blamed on migraine

The speech issues featured in the viral video of Serene Branson were likely the product of a migraine. Branson, a media reporter for a local station in Los Angeles, slurred her speech and was fumbling for words in a newscast, the video of which quickly went viral. Many thought Branson was either intoxicated, or had possibly suffered a stroke. Serene Branson has been clinically diagnosed and recovered.

Media reporter from viral video did not have a stroke

The after Grammy Awards coverage was intended to be done by reporter Serene Branson. KCBS TV sent her to do it. In the Serene Branson Grammy coverage video, the reporter speaks gibberish and seems to have great difficulty talking, and the station easily cut to another story. Many thought maybe Branson had a stroke while others thought maybe the reporter had just gotten really drunk. There were a lot of tests done to discover out that Branson did not have a stroke. MSNBC reports that it was reported as a migraine. She said that she had felt numb on the right side of her face, had difficulty reading and couldn't form clear thoughts. The speech issue was brought on by these things.

Migraines not just a headache

Even though many say a migraine is just a headache, it’s much more than that. Several things take place in the brain at this time. The sensations that Branson experienced were likely the “migraine aura,” or rather a series of sensations that migraine sufferers experience when a migraine begins, in accordance with the Los Angeles Times, and symptoms can resemble a stroke. Not all migraines have a migraine aura. Those that do though, states WebMD, can have symptoms including speech difficulties, a numb face, and lights being seen as blurry or brighter, or even changes in vision.

Can debilitate people

Those with migraines know how difficult it is. It can be hard to do anything. Many individuals just need to lie down for several hours, however some headaches are incredibly severe. Since migraine auras are really severe sometimes, it may be a good idea to seek medical attention. Risk factors like smoking and family history of migraines can increase risk although the reason for them is unknown.

Articles cited

MSNBC

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41652808/ns/today-entertainment/?gt1=43001

LA Times

latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-serene-branson-20110218,0,5921347.story

Web MD

webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraines-headaches-overview

After 2012, Senator Jeff Bingaman will leave Congress

In a statement that is anticipated to be made formal today, Sen. Bingaman is retiring. The Senator has been in public service for over 30 years. This could be the end of his fifth term in Congress. This year alone, 6 Senators have announced that re-election isn’t in the cards for 2012. Source for this article – Senator Jeff Bingaman not running for 2012 re-election by MoneyBlogNewz.

Retirement of Senator Jeff Bingaman

For five terms, Bingaman has served as a New Mexico Democratic senator. He was first elected to his Senate seat in 1982 right after spending four years as Attorney General in New Mexico. The original re-election polls showed that New Mexico had Bingaman effortlessly won which was shown right before the announcement.

At least six retirements in 2012

It can be almost another two years before the 2012 elections occur. Still, announcements are being made by senators. The retirements are the end of 2012 of Jon Kyl, Jim Webb, Kent Conrad, Joe Liberman, Kay Hutchinson and Bingaman have already been announced. Now, campaigns may begin. This is for everyone trying to get into senate. There will probably be lots of debate with the 2012 elections. Democrats hold a 51-47 majority in the U.S. Senate. Also, the Democrats have 2 independents on their side. In order to keep control, Democrats can lose no more than three seats and maintain control of the Senate.

Senator's retirement

Senator Bingaman is 67 years old, and he will be 68 years old at the end of the 2012 session. After age 62, any member of Congress can get a pension. They have to have spent five years in office though. Congress members typically end up with a $46,932 a year pension plan with retirement benefits although it depends on many things. This will go on top of the private retirement savings and social security benefits that could possibly be received by the senator.

Information from

Associated Press

m.apnews.com/ap/db_16026/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RHDXy38c

Senate.gov

senate.gov/reference/common/faq/retirement_for_members.shtml

Politico

politico.com/news/stories/0211/49823.html

Banks unhappy with new rules regarding charge cards

New regulations for charge cards on how interest rates and fees can be assessed are working. However, not everybody is happy about it. Lenders aren’t thrilled with the new rules, which mandate greater disclosure to card holders. Guerrilla style fees and rate of interest raises are really decreasing as a result. Due to the lost revenue, B of A and many businesses are losing value from charge card units.

B of A realizes loss from credit card unit

The bank's credit card unit for Bank of America had a financial statement come out about this. Bloomberg reports that this can be changed now. The FIA Card services were worth $20.3 billion less in 2008 than it was in 2009. Bank of America announced this change for late 2009 from $10.4 billion to $20.3 billion. In order to show a greater loss of value than it was believed to be, the company adjusted the previous filings. Because of the prestige of the holder of the asset, the "goodwill" value was lost rather than true money. The "goodwill" is the value of an asset above sector value. The financial institution cited regulatory conditions and “deteriorating credit quality” for FIA Card Services being worth $10 billion less than estimated in 2009.

It was due to the CARD Act

The new regulations such as the CARD Act or Credit card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, is what is being cited by loan companies like Bank of America as a reason for troubles. Banks are upset that there is less access to advance money for more lending. That means the law is working correctly though. There have been fewer cases of changes in rates of interest and late fees added on to individuals. CNN reports that this is because of the CARD Act.

Outcomes of card law

The CARD Act has been very helpful. The outcomes have been good. Interest rates have been raised on 2 percent of card holders since the law changed compared to before the CARD Act which was about 15 percent. Now only $427 million have been paid in late fees as of Nov 2010 after the Act was initiated. Before it started in January 2010, the amount was $901 million. That means corporations from Scottsdale to Birmingham and all over the U.S. that look to seemingly surreptitious practices for revenue are having a harder time, which is what the CARD Act is intended to do.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-21/bofa-almost-doubles-credit-card-unit-writedown-to-20-3-billion.html

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/02/22/news/economy/credit_card_act/?cnn=yes

Scientists not able to determine origin of anthrax in 2001 assaults

Where the anthrax used in the 2001 anthrax assaults came from is nevertheless a mystery to scientists and investigators. The anthrax spores found in the assaults are similar to a strain grown in the laboratory of Bruce Ivins however not completely identical. Investigators will never ultimately know if Ivins was the sole culprit, as he committed suicide before he might be brought in. Individuals have taken out huge sums of money in payday loans to finance finding where this strand was created with no luck. Source of article – Scientists unable to find source of anthrax used in 2001 attacks by MoneyBlogNewz.

NAS opposite of what FBI claims

Though the official investigation of the 2001 anthrax assaults is functionally over, the NAS has just released a report that calls findings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation into question, in accordance with USA Today. There were some disparities found between the FBI and review panel when the National Research Council did its own review of the FBI investigation. Dr. Bruce Ivins as a microbiologist for the Army had some anthrax in a flask for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institution for Infection Disease. These seemed to have similarities to the other anthrax spores. The NAS reported that there were definite similarities. However, there was not enough evidence to suggest they were the same as what Dr. Ivins had.

Innocence of Ivins not proved yet

The New York Times explained that the NAS report was only about sciences. Whether or not Dr. Ivins was guilty was not discussed. The relationship between strains was "consistent with and supports" the similarities. This was something the National Academy of Sciences concluded. Since the FBI didn't use very good methods for identifying the anthrax, it was reprimanded though. The FBI closed the case after Dr. Bruce Ivins committed suicide in 2008.

Nevertheless no information on anthrax assaults

The investigation of the 2001 anthrax assaults led to the founding of the new science of microbial forensics — tracing the beginnings of infectious agents. The scientific techniques the FBI used were applauded in the report though, the Washington Post report. Five people passed away in 2001 because of the anthrax attacks while another 17 got Bacillus Anthraces spores which usual leads to fatal disease anthrax in the end.

Citations

USA Today

usatoday.com/tech/science/2011-02-15-anthrax_N.htm

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/02/16/us/16anthrax.html

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/15/AR2011021502251.html?hpid=topnews

Dropping home values put record number of home loans under water

Plummeting home values has led to a record number of home loans being underwater. The value of houses nationwide has been steadily sliding downward as foreclosures, joblessness and tight credit take a toll on real estate. The next year might get worse, as values may continue to fall.

Underwater home loans all over the country

Home prices have been going down. This has been due to the recession effects. Because of continuing foreclosures, high unemployment and fewer homes being sold, the value of houses has continued to trend downward. It is called being under water on a mortgage when more money is owed on a home than it is worth. Currently, 27 percent of American homeowners face this problem, Bloomberg reports. Real estate information company Zillow released a report stating that more than 15 million house loans were under water. Home prices are estimated to have fallen by almost 6 percent in the past year and almost 3 percent since Sept, 2010. A 5 percent decline in 2011 is anticipated. They aren't going up just yet.

Foreclosure change misleading

Foreclosure activity has been closely viewed over the past year in the hopes that a slowing rate of foreclosure would mean a real estate sector close to recovering. The crisis isn't over yet, claims CNN. The slowing rate of foreclosures in January does not mean that. Because of the “robo-signing” scandal, where foreclosures were initiated by banks without reviewing the paperwork, the foreclosure process has been held up. After the foreclosures in court right now go down, it is likely that more personal financing and homes foreclosed on will increase again.

Specific places still doing bad

The foreclosures are making things really hard in areas that have real estate values every high. Nevada, Arizona and CA nevertheless lead the nation in foreclosure-affected states. FL has begun improving lately. Before this, it was in ninth place on the foreclosure rates list.

Information from

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-09/home-price-decline-leaves-27-of-u-s-owners-underwater-on-loans.html

CNN

http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/10/real_estate/foreclosure_filings_fall/

AOL bets that Huffington can rescue it from irrelevance

Ariana Huffington has parlayed a media site built on her personality into a $315 million deal with AOL. AOL, which has struggled to adapt to the Internet since it was created, hopes the Huffington Post will facilitate a return to solvency. In a move analysts said may boost AOL’s tarnished image, Huffington will oversee the entire lineup of AOL news outlets. It makes you question if AOL had to take out a personel loan to pay that price tag.

Huffington accepting is in the plan for AOL

A deal with the Huffington Post/AOL might be an intelligent move. It might revive AOL. There has been a lot of success for the Huffington Post. Google and Facebook have been overshadowing AOL though. As the AOL dial-up customer base either dies off or realizes that AOL is no longer necessary, the business has scrambled to reverse a ten-year slide. Revenue went down from ads 29 percent from 2009 to 2010 while AOL cut 2,500 jobs. There was not a very good look for fourth quarter earnings either. There was a 26 percent drop. Hopefully by 2013, AOL can become profitable again, which it hopes to do with the Huffington Post.

Huffington changes AOL writing

Ariana Huffington founded the Huffington Post as a liberal blog with a $1 million purchase. In 2010, the Huffington Post had $31 million revenue and has a staff of 200. News came from traditional media outlets for the Huffington Post at first. But as its audience has grown, Huffington has hired away journalists from news outlets for instance the NY Times and Newsweek. AOL, which has built a reputation as a glorified content farm, is betting that Huffington and the Huffington Post will counter that negative image. The AOL new Huffington Post Press Group would have Huffington as the president and editor in chief. That would mean things such as TechCrunch, 5min Press and Thing Labs would be at her disposal.

Huffington details

Ariana Stassinopoulos was born in Athens, Greece and earned an MA in economics at Cambridge University in England. In 1997 she got a divorce from Michael Huffington who was a Bay Area oil millionaire that she had married. Governor of California was what Huffington ran for in 2003 as an independent. Then, Arnold Schwarzenegger won instead. In 2005, the Huffington Post was created by her. Now, each month there are 26 million visitors. Soon the AOL/Huffington Post deal ought to be closed. This spring is when it is expected to happen.

Information from

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/02/07/business/media/07aol.html?_r=1&hp

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704422204576130002551387710.html

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2011/02/07/technology/aol_huffington_post.cnnw/

Australia to lose billions from Cyclone Yasi damage

Australia has been enduring a number of the most detrimental weather ever recorded in the history of the nation. Cyclone Yasi, a massive storm, slammed to the coast of the state of Queensland recently. The Category 5 storm devastated coastal areas of Queensland, already greatly impaired from heavy floods. The destruction from Cyclone Yasi is anticipated to be more than $2 billion. Australia has such a high quantity of destruction that quick personal loans on it’s own would never be large enough to cover the expenses of restoring the destruction. Article source – Cost of Cyclone Yasi to Australia will be in the billions by MoneyBlogNewz.

Devastating farming is Cyclone Yasi

Just after the Australian state of Queensland had experienced the most detrimental flooding in a century, Cyclone Yasi slammed to the region. Right before hitting, the cyclone went from a Category Four to a Category Five. The storm was as large as Hurricane Katrina initially. Then, the Christian Science Monitor explained it changed to be as large as the U.S. Queensland is one of the chief agricultural areas in Australia, and damage is thought to be near catastrophic. The agricultural losses are already thought to be at least $1 billion, with another billion in destroyed property. As much as $500 million could possibly be lost by the sugar cane crop in Australia thinking about 30 percent was lost. About 75 percent of the Australian banana crop was lost too.

Globe food prices escalate

As news of the pending cyclone and possible loss of crops spread, world food costs started to rise, in accordance with Reuters. The United States lost a ton of wheat in the snowstorms that hit while Australia lost a ton of banana and sugar cane crops in this storm. Together, the price of bread, sugar and bananas are all going up. The storm, called "Stormageddon," has already caused American wheat prices to go up There is snow and ice on half of the United States Now you will find even freezing temperatures hitting.

A lot of hurt from La Nina

Weather this year has been chiefly attributed to the weather pattern known as “La Niña,” according to The Telegraph. The weather is opposite of El Nino as there’s a lower ocean surface temperature and atmospheric pressure. In the United States and Canada, you will find colder, wetter winters experienced during La Nina. It also causes milder summers to occur. There is a rainier season in the southern hemisphere. There are also generally stronger cyclones that hit.

Information from

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0204/US-sized-Cyclone-Yasi-could-cost-Australia-more-than-2-billion

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/02/03/us-food-prices-idUSTRE71223720110203?pageNumber=1

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8297904/Cyclone-Yasi-La-Nina-and-record-ocean-temperatures-behind-storm.html

ADHD eating habits for kids investigated in Dutch research

Proving that diet may have an impact on the conditions of ADHD has been elusive. Researchers in the Netherlands published a study Thurs on the subject. They found that eating habits had an impact on some kids as far as improving their ADHD condition. But attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experts question the study and say moms and dads of ADHD kids can’t rely on eating habits alone to mitigate the disorder.

The way the ADHD diet research turned out

There can be an easier solution to ADHD than medication, The Lancet published a research explaining on Thurs. This would be an elimination diet that would be tried. ADHD conditions were reduced 64 percent in children in a research done by Dutch scientists that took away all food that would normally trigger food allergies. Rice, white meat and vegetables are all in the ADHD diet that 41 children got for five weeks straight. Enhancement was demonstrated in 32 of the kids. The ADHD conditions were lessened. The majority of the kids relapsed in the second stage which was where ADHD trigger-foods were given. There was not any reduction in hyperactivity in the control group of kids that had a standard healthy diet.

Listening to what Pediatricians have to say about it

Scientists think that when treating children for ADHD, it may be good to use an elimination eating habits considering the ADHD eating habits study. Much of the pediatricians don't agree though. They say that it is not worth trying the diet out. An ADHD diet could also make kids subject to nutritional deficiencies. Often, kids with allergies will show ADHD behavior. That led the pediatricians to think the improvements had to do with allergies more than anything else. Other pediatricians questioned the methodology of the ADHD study, which had no independent observers.

Allergy link to ADHD

Processed foods high in sugar have long been suspected as ADHD triggers, but according to the National Institute of Mental Health, no concrete evidence supports that assumption. Several think that food allergies may have a brain chemistry reaction rather than physical effects like asthma, skin rashes and diarrhea that other kids get. However, since the Dutch research only lasted five weeks, it couldn’t definitively answer those questions or specify which foods should be avoided. As far as a “standard” of care for ADHD, most pediatricians believe it all depends on the individual child.

Articles cited

CNN

pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/03/does-adhd-come-from-foods/?npt=NP1

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergies/adhd-food-allergy-case-restricting-diet/story?id=12832958&page=3

Business Week

businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649603.html

Tahrir Square overloaded with demonstrators requiring Day of Departure

A large number of people have filled Tahrir Square in Cairo pressing for a "Day of Departure" for Mubarak. Mubarak has ruled Egypt for the past three decades. He has already said he will not run for reelection this Sept. His promise to exit office merely has increased the protests in opposition to his rule. This is one scenario where he will not have the ability to take out a payday loan and buy off the protesters.

More protests in Tahrir Square going on

There have been supporters of Mubarak attacking the protests against the government Leader Mubarak has in place in chaos in Tahrir Square in Cairo for the last few days. Mubarak has been told to leave by a ton of anti-government protestors that have stuffed the square in violence. NPR reports that a "Day of Departure" or "Friday of Departure" should be when he leaves. President Mubarak had previously made the concession that he would not seek re-election in September, but protesters are adamant that Mubarak must leave immediately. There is a growing chorus of demands for Mubarak to leave office immediately from the international community as well.

Supporters in demonstration regions of Mubarak's administration

Tahrir Square is currently cordoned off by the Egyptian army and largely filled with anti-government protesters. However, pro-Mubarak protesters have infiltrated the area for the past few days, which has led to violent situations. The Christian Science Monitor explains the Mubarak followers didn't like journalists much. The journalists would get singled out. More than 100 incidents of physical assault occurred, including an incident where CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was beaten and threatened with further harm while fleeing the scene. Foreign and domestic journalists have been in harm’s way, as the Cairo offices of Al-Jazeera were stormed by pro-Mubarak “thugs.”

Position made by Mubarak

Leader Mubarak has stated he will not leave since the beginning of the unrest. It has been about 30 years of Mubarak being in office. There has not ever been a full democratic election to confirm this either. MSNBC reports that in an interview with him he did say that he was tired of it all. He said though that "there can be chaos" and "the Muslim Brotherhood will take over" if he were to leave. Leaders of opposition groups are now talking to him. A transitional government could be in the near future for Egypt.

Articles cited

NPR

npr.org/2011/02/04/133489032/egyptian-protesters-gear-up-for-friday-of-departure?ps=cprs

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2011/0203/Egypt-protests-journalists-under-attack-on-an-unprecedented-scale

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41402303/ns/world_news-mideast/n_africa/

Hospital used in Cuckoo's Nest movie passing remains of patients to family members

The mental hospital that "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" was filmed in is trying to place remains of patients who passed away there with the families of the dead. The medical center had a policy of storing cremated remains of patients. A room full of remains was found several years back, prompting OR State Hospital to try and get the remains to family members of the dead. It could take many installment loans for family members to give these people a proper burial. Article resource – Hospital from Cuckoo's Nest film trying to place patient remains by MoneyBlogNewz.

Those who passed away have remains at ‘Cuckoos Nest’

ABC reports that Oregon State Medical center is a Salem, OR, psychiatric hospital that has been trying to figure out what the names are of patients who perished within the medical center with their family members and left remains. The center was being toured by legislators in 2004 when an interesting room was found. There were cremated remains of 3,500 patients who had passed away within the hospital found in the room. An online database of those who perished at the hospital between 1914 and 1970 that has remains there has been made by the hospital recently. There was inspiration from the Oregon center to have a new psychiatric hospital built. Also, by 2012 a memorial for the unclaimed patients will be put together.

Setting for legendary book and movie

The OR State Hospital is where “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” a 1975 film with Jack Nicholson, takes place. While at Stanford, author Ken Kesey worked at a mental health facility which was why he wrote the 1962 book. The largest psychiatric hospital in OR is OR State Medical center. Permission to film the movie there was granted. IMDB reports the character Dr. Spivey is the medical center administrator played by Dr. Dean Brooks. The OR State Hospital had Brooks as the administrator when this occurred as he has an M.D. in psychiatry.

Film had impact on mental health

In order to help public perception of mental illness and psychiatric care change so that those in mental illness hospitals were humanized, the movie was created, reports the Telegraph. There were better standards of treatment and less use of electroconvulsive therapy for mental disorders due to the movie.

Citations

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12808876&page=1

IMDB

imdb.com/name/nm0111954/bio

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8296954/How-One-Flew-Over-the-Cuckoos-Nest-changed-psychiatry.html

Study finds tension lowering connects clowns and In Vitro Fertilization success

A connection between clowns and IVF victory, or a pregnancy being successfully induced by In Vitro Fertilization, has been discovered by an investigation done in Israel. The study found that a visit by a "medical clown" increased chances of pregnancy in women who were recovering after an IVF implantation procedure, as clowns are known to reduce tension through the healing power of laughter. Many people have taken out such huge personal loans to go through In Vitro Fertilization, they’ll probably be much happier to find out the process worked.

Looking at the connection among clowns and success of IVF

In Israel, a research hospital found an interesting link. It was among IVF therapy victory and clowns. During recovery from an implantation procedure, it was found that women who were frequented by "medical clowns" ended up with a higher rate of victory with becoming pregnant during in-vitro fertilization. When Dr. Shevach Friedler read about how tension is reduced with laugher, he decided on the idea. In order to see if the reduced tension helped an embryo implant, Dr. Friedler's team at Harofeh Medical Center had patients get visited by a clown. They wanted to see if the chances of getting pregnant went up with less stress.

Study was not just clowning around

Laughter seemed to work really well. A greater percentage of females who received the “clown treatment” successfully became pregnant than those who went without a visit from a clown. The investigation was done using a total of 209 females that were going through in-vitro fertilization. Of those 209 women, the clown group had in-vitro fertilization success rates of 36 percent. Then there was the group that didn't get the clown therapy. They had a success rate of 20 percent. The study is going to be published in a reproduction science medical journal. "Fertility and Sterility" is the name of it. In Israel, you are able to get a medical clown college degree at the University of Haifa. This is because patients become less stressed with clowns.

The extra cost of a clown

For something that is dangerous and does not work the majority of the time, in-vitro fertilization is extremely costly. About 32 percent of the time, the procedure ends up with a pregnancy while only 25.6 percent of them end up with a live birth, says WebMD. You will find several factors that impact success though for instance age group. After artificial insemination and natural options, this treatment is usually chosen as it costs $12,400.

Articles cited

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/01/12/us-send-clowns-idUSTRE70B64P20110112

WebMD

webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination

Traffic fatalities drop in presence of red light camcorders

More cities within the United States are relying on red light camcorders. Red light camcorders anger a great deal of drivers. The devices are denounced as tax-collectors, not life-savers. But a recent research shows that red light surveillance cameras reduce traffic fatalities, also as increase revenues. The short term cash loans that cities had to sign up for in order to put up these surveillance cameras have proven to be worthwhile.

Less traffic deaths with red light surveillance cameras in place

Cities ought to be appreciative of the red light camcorders installed. This is because, as the Insurance institute for Highway Safety explains, they work as advertised. A research released by the research arm of the insurance industry found that traffic deaths dropped by 26 percent over five years at intersections equipped with red light cameras. Researchers compared traffic accident data from 14 large U.S. cities with red light surveillance cameras against 48 others without them from 2004 to 2008. Traffic deaths fell for cities in both categories, however the rate of deadly crashes dropped faster in cities with red light surveillance cameras. Rear-end collisions increased at intersections with red light cameras, however the more deadly T-bone collisions decreased.

The numbers for red light cameras

The traffic data that the federal government keeps was also used in the red light surveillance camera statistics. About 41 percent of crashes, 2.2 million, happened at intersections in 2009. About 81,112 people were really hurt and 7,358 were killed in those crashes. Due to red light running, 676 of those deaths were caused. Also, 113,000 of the injuries occurred with running red lights. About 64 percent of the people who died, including passengers, other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, were killed by the person running the red light. If all 99 cities within the study used red light camcorders, the researchers believed that several lives would have been saved. About 815 lives could have been saved.

Red light surveillance camera revenue backlash

When it comes to revenue, red light camcorders are great for cities. Millions of dollars in revenue are made off of them. From June 2009 to May 2010, 85,678 red light citations were caught in Washington, D.C., adding up to $7.2 million in revenue. In the United States about half the states permit red light camcorders. There were a few cities that installed them in 2000. These included 25 cities. Now, there are many more individuals that use red light surveillance cameras. In fact, 500 cities use them. Another opinion is given by the National Motorists Association. The group suggests intersections could be safer with simply longer yellow lights. Red light camcorders have been banned in many cities with voter initiatives. This was done calling the cameras invasion of privacy.

Articles cited

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020100021.html?wpisrc=nl_headline

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/02/01/red-light-cameras-get-a-boost/

Fair Warning

fairwarning.org/2011/02/red-light-cameras-save-hundreds-of-lives-on-roads-report-says/