Page 2 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Obama declares ‘no excuse’ for health care signup problems WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday offered “no excuses” — and little explanation — for the computer bugs still frustrating Americans who are trying to enroll online for insurance plans at the center of his health care law. But software developers tasked with building the site said they saw signs a year ago that the debut could fail. One source of the troubles appears to be the testing procedures employed before the rollout three weeks ago. Several developers of the HealthCare.gov website told The Associated Press they were worried for months about the system’s readiness and whether the software meant to link key computer systems was being properly put through its paces. In addition, congressional investigators raised
concerns recently that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had taken on the job of testing the computer systems for the new markets during the final weeks before the sign-ups opened Oct. 1. That job is often handled by specialized software companies. Obama, who emphasized the website’s simplicity in the week’s leading up to the insurance sign-ups, acknowledged there could now be “no sugarcoating” the problems even as he talked up the benefits of the law at a Rose Garden event that had the feel of a pep rally. “The website that’s supposed to make it easy to apply for and purchase the insurance is not working the way it should for everybody,” he said.
He insisted that the problems would be fixed and all Americans seeking insurance would be able to sign up. But it was not clear how quickly that would happen. The administration is beefing up call centers and encouraging more people to enroll over the phone while the website problems persist. The flood of computer problems since the website went online has been deeply embarrassing for the White House. The glitches have called into question whether the administration is capable of implementing the complex policy and why senior White House officials — including the president — appear to have been unaware of the scope of the problems when the health insurance markets, known as see OBAMACARE page 4
ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Raymond gained more strength as it remained nearly stationary off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast Monday, though it threatened to hurl heavy rains onto a sodden region already devastated by last month’s Tropical Storm Manuel. Guerrero state authorities said it was raining in places in the afternoon but so far no torrential rains had hit the area. More than 100 people were evacuated as a precaution from a mountain town east of Acapulco, authorities said. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the Category 3 hurricane was nearly stalled offshore, with maximum sustained winds of about 125 mph (205 kph). Raymond was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of the beach resort of Zihuatanejo late Monday afternoon, and it was expected to move only a little closer to the coast by Tuesday before veering back out to sea Wednesday. In the beach resort of Zihuatanejo, officials went door-to-door in hillside communities warning residents about the risk of flash floods and mudslides, but nobody had voluntarily evacuated to the three shelters set up in schools and athletic facilities, municipal firefighter Jesus Guatemala said. Amid light, intermittent rains, tourists continued to stroll through town. Mexican authorities rushed to deploy emergency see HURRICANE page 16
Monday, wounding two 12-year-old boys and killing a math teacher who was trying to protect children from their classmate. The unidentified shooter killed himself with the gun after a rampage that occurred in front of 20 to 30 horrified students who had just returned to school from a weeklong fall break. Authorities did not provide a motive for the shooting, and it’s unknown where the student got the gun. Teacher Michael Landsberry was being hailed for his actions outside Sparks Middle School during the shooting. “In my estimation, he is a hero. ... We do know he was trying to intervene,” Reno Deputy Police Chief Tom Robinson said. Both wounded students were listed in stable condition. One was shot in the shoulder, and the other was hit in the abdomen. The violence erupted nearly a year after a gunman
best to protect the nation’s schools and whether armed teachers should be part of that equation. Landsberry, 45, was a military veteran and leaves behind a wife and two stepdaughters. Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said Landsberry served two tours in Afghanistan with the Nevada National Guard. On his school website, Landsberry posted a picture of a brown bear and took on a tough-love tone, telling students, “I have one classroom rule and it is very simple: ‘Thou Shall Not Annoy Mr. L.’” “The kids loved him,” his sister-in-law Chanda Landsberry said. She added his life could be summed up by his love of his family, his students and his country. “To hear that he was trying to stop that is not surprising by any means,” she said. Police said 150 to 200 officers responded to the see NEVADA page 8
‘Raymond’becomes major Nevada middle-schooler kills teacher & then himself SPARKS, Nev. (AP) — A student at a Nevada shocked the nation by opening fire in Sandy Hook hurricane as it nears Mexico middle school opened fire with a semi-automatic Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., leaving 26 handgun on campus just before the starting bell dead. The Dec. 14 shooting ignited debate over how
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Lester will start game 1 of World Series for Red Sox BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. That’s the word on Monday from Boston manager John Farrell. Farrell says he hasn’t decided on his entire lineup, but designated hitter David Ortiz will start at least once at first base when the series shifts to St. Louis
for the middle three games. There is no DH allowed in the NL park, meaning Ortiz will have to play the field for just the seventh time this season. The Red Sox worked out Monday, two days after eliminating the Detroit Tigers in Game 6 of the AL championship series. Game 1 of the World Series is Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
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