Shellay Brown

Man drowns while police and firefighters watch what is happening

2011-06-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

A group of firefighters and about seventy-five spectators watched a man die in cold waters in San Francisco Monday. The initial responders were strictly forbidden by police to try a rescue, which was deemed too dangerous in the cold water.

Everyone recognized the individual was suicidal already

On Memorial Day, Raymond Zack, 52 or 53, walked to the water at 11:30 a.m. which was only 54 degrees up to his neck. He stood there until he lost consciousness and drowned. The U.S. Coast Guard could not rescue him in a boat because of the shallow waters.

Eye-witness Sharon Brunetti told reporters that Zack’s stepmother had asked her to call 911. Zack supposedly told the stepmother that he wanted to kill himself. Brunetti further commented that Zack had “gradually inched out farther and farther,” occasionally glancing back at the shore.

The gathering of those who viewed

Police, Coast Guard personnel and around 75 spectators stood on the beach and viewed the individual for almost an hour. A woman who was only 20 eventually got in the water. She dragged Zack’s body back to shore after he passed away. There was speculation that she was a nurse. She was just not on duty.

Sean Lynch, the Alameda law enforcement Lt., said the police officers didn’t have cold water gear with them. They could not risk getting pulled under with the cold water. “Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations.”

Water rescues cut from spending budget

Water rescue training and water rescues themselves were cut from the budget in the Alameda Fire Department. This happened two years back.

“The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable,” said Interim Fire Chief Mike D’Orazi. “But I can also see it from our firefighters’ perspective. They’re standing there wanting to do something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point.” A new policy on water rescues will be initiated by D’Orazi now.

City responds to grievances

After receiving a flood of complaints Tues, the city of San Francisco appropriated $20,000 to $40,000 to train 16 firefighters in land-based water rescue training.

Information from

Newser

newser.com/story/119849/man-dies-in-sf-bay-while-firefighters-police-watch.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43233984/ns/us_news-life/

Huliq

huliq.com/3257/man-dies-hypothermia-san-francisco-bay-authorities-watch

female imprisoned with dead and torn apart human body in trash can

2011-06-04T01:44:00.000-07:00

A female was arrested Sunday while moving a huge trash can along a residential California street. The trash can had human parts of the body in it. Police booked her on suspicion of murder and say she is still uncooperative.

She was not even hiding

Carmen Montenegro, 51, of San Bernardino, Calif., was discovered pushing the wheeled container at about 2:30 in the afternoon. The police got tips from residents around there. They either smelt or saw the trash and its content.

Ontario Police Detective Jeff Crittendon told reporters that “Officers stopped her leaving the location and in the trash can we found human remains.”

Possible single victim found

Law enforcement currently thinks that one man was killed and the parts all belonged to him. The reason for death is unknown still. According to Crittendon, “I can’t comment on the condition of the body because I am not sure of the exact extent of the injuries. I do know that it was dismembered. It appears to be a homicide.” Crittendon further said that Montenegro “had evidence on her that seemed to be consistent that she was involved with disposal of the body.”

Huge hole in the lawn was found

According to the detective, several believe Montenegro found the remains. They suggest the former resident had the remains there. She was only 200 yards from her property when she was imprisoned. The property was searched by law enforcement. They found a hole that was dug.

Suspect lived in home on and off

Local residents report the home was owned by either Montenegro’s cousin or her mother, and that Montenegro herself had lived in the home on and off for the past 15 years.

Continuing investigation

The victim’s identity is still unknown although police are working on it. The investigators were checking out the property Monday. Body fluids were supposedly found.

Montenegro was booked in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where she is still uncooperative with police investigators.

Articles cited

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43223519/ns/us_news-weird_news/

NY Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/05/31/2011-05-31_california_woman_spotted_pushing_trashcan_of_human_body_parts_down_the_street_ar.html

Huffington Post

weirdnews.aol.com/2011/05/31/carmen-montenegro-dismemb_n_869203.html#s284153&title=Dumb_Crime_Masterminds

Home prices drop as foreclosure rates climb

2011-06-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

The price of homes is still falling in the United States as foreclosure rates grow. This is awesome news for house buyers looking for a deal. However, should you be looking to sell, it may be advantageous to wait just a little longer.

Huge decline shown on report from FHFA

The home-price index fell quicker than it has since 2008 in the first quarter according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. In the last quarter, prices went down 2.5 percent, which is a 5.5 percent decline from last year was. Only homes covered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Macwere in the report. Cash only sales are also not in the list.

Foreclosures are the reason

According to Edward DeMarco, FHFA director, “In many local real estate markets, particularly those hit hard by this cycle, foreclosures and other distressed properties are still a key factor in recorded and anticipated future sales and may be delaying price stability or recovery.” The prices of homes in foreclosure are dropping, according to RealtyTrac. During the first quarter, the average sale price was $168,321 which dropped 1.46 percent from a year ago and 1.89 percent from the quarter before. The rest of the homes are worth less since foreclosures lower the value of homes in the neighborhood.

Fewer foreclosures going to third parties

“While foreclosure sales continue to account for an unusually high percentage of all residential home sales, sales volume is well off the peak we saw in the first quarter of 2009, when nearly 350,000 foreclosure properties were sold to third parties,” reported James Saccacio, the CEO of RealtyTrac. There was a 16 percent drop from the last quarter and 36 percent drop from a year ago in the number of homes sold to third parties which was at 158,434 in the first quarter.

Foreclosures rates vary by state

The percentage of houses on the market from foreclosure is different in every state. It was at 41 percent in both Ohio and Illinois. California and Arizona had foreclosure rates of 45 percent. It was really bad in Nevada. About 53 percent of the industry accounted for foreclosures.

Possible foreclosure frauds to look at out for

This trend has brought out higher numbers of foreclosure rescue scams. These scams involve upfront fees for promises of foreclosure prevention that never occur, leaving the distressed homeowners high and dry. Mortgage reduction plan negotiations can’t have upfront fees anymore with a requirement made in Feb. with the Federal Trade Commission.

Citations

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2011/05/25/home-prices-fall-at-fastest-pace-since-late-2008/?mod=google_news_blog

DS News

dsnews.com/articles/home-prices-post-biggest-drop-in-two-years-as-foreclosures-depress-market-2011-05-26

DS News

dsnews.com/articles/home-prices-post-biggest-drop-in-two-years-as-foreclosures-depress-market-2011-05-26

Daily Finance

dailyfinance.com/2011/05/27/foreclosure-prices-fall-again-how-your-state-stacks-up/

Confirming a bill with an autopen brings about controversy

2011-06-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

The President recently restarted certain parts of the contentious Patriot Act. Congress ended up passing the bill recently, though the President is really visiting Europe. The president’s signature is creating debate, as he authorized an autopen signature, which is a mechanical device that produces an exact copy of a persons’ signature.

Still seeing government surveillance happening

Unless a new bill was created and passed by Congress and finalized by the president, some Patriot Act provisions would have expired. Three provisions of the domestic security laws that allow for highly controversial surveillance procedures would have expired, according to the Christian Science Monitor, but Obama finalized the bill at the last moment. Regardless of the stern objections and try to rally opposition by Senator Rand Paul, the government is still allowed to use roving wiretaps, pull business records and keep tabs on “lone wolves” of interest without a warrant. However, according to CNN, brouhaha in Congress has started as the president used a robotic pen.

Refill the ink if you would like to live

The signature was needed quickly on the document in the president was in France. He used an autopen to sign it. The autopen is a machine that can be used. A person’s signature can be reproduced with it. It is almost extremely hard to tell the difference between the signatures. It might as well have been the same. Some of the machines are extremely complex. Some aren’t complex at all though, states MSNBC. Several websites are reproducing an interview with Bob Olding who’s the owner of one of the two corporations that exists in the U.S. that makes the machines. Olding, owner of Damillic Corp., told ABC that the autopens his business sells use technology that has barely changed since the 1930s. He makes sure the products are getting used ethically by Damillic consumers as part of company policy.

Legality problems

The Constitution claims the president has to sign a bill; the text reads “he shall sign it.” The Department of Justice states a signature is valid if it is directed to be attached to a document. As long as a president gives his consent of signature, it is legal and valid to auto sign something. This was the response the Justice Department had in 2005 when an autopen for President Bush was being looked into. Families of troops killed in 2004 got letters with signatures while in Donald Rumsfeld that came while in an autopen, while it was also used in 1992 by V.P. Quayle. The signature and letter duplication machine was built in the 19th century. Thomas Jefferson was responsible for this. Autopens are not that uncommon. They were used in the past by astronauts, business executives and government officials.

Information from

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0527/Patriot-Act-three-controversial-provisions-that-Congress-voted-to-keep

CNN

whitehouse.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/27/rise-of-the-machines-autopen-puts-bill-into-law/?hpt=T2

MSNBC

firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/27/6731197-the-great-presidential-autopen-hullabaloo

ABC

blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/05/robama-is-it-ok-for-a-president-to-autopen-a-bill-into-law.html

Damillic Inc

realsig.com/index.htm

Case over overdraft fees settled by Bank of America for $410 million in payment

2011-06-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

Bank of America is currently engaged in a huge class action suit regarding overdraft charges. The bank has arrived at a settlement that will cost it some money. To settle the suit, Bank of America has agreed to pay $410 million. The case is an important part of a large number of related suits against dozens of different banks.

Account charges gets banks sued

Customers have been really upset about the overdraft fees and account fees at major financial institutions in both Canada and the United States. This has caused some class action lawsuits to be filed. Almost 1 million individuals are part of an enormous class action suit, according to Bloomberg, against Bank of America, and comparable suits have been filed against JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Bank of America is able to settle now. A $410 million settlement has already been approved. Class action suits are happening with banks in Canada, Europe and the United States for the fees, according to Reuters. There are over two dozen banks in these suits. The case is titled In Re: Checking Account Overdraft Litigation.

The problem with overdraft fees seen by customers

In order to create multiple overdraft fees rather than just one or two, Bank of America has been accused of processing largest to smallest transactions so that accounts will go into overdraft over and over instead of in the order they came in. Banks will allow a transaction to go through with overdraft fees but add a charge to the account for the consumer just like short term credit. Typically between $25 and $35 is typically charged. That’s an average area for fees. Some consumer supports do not like overdraft fees since they think it is cruel to customers that cannot afford them. Banks can’t automatically put customers in overdraft programs anymore. Customers have to pick that choice.

Mobile use at Bank of America with a pilot program

Bank of America is unveiling a pilot program involving mobile banking, according to the LA Times. The customer is sent a text message if a transaction is declined asking if the consumer wants to use the bank’s overdraft protection on that transaction. If the consumer elects to do so, the customer can deposit the required funds by 8 p.m. that evening to avoid the overdraft charge of $35. Only that transaction would have the choice. One thing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be working on is the overdraft fee problem. This is after it begins operations soon, states the New York Times. There has been a fight over the director and powers of the bureau in Congress which may stop the CFPB from starting in the near future.

Citations

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-23/bank-of-america-410-million-overdraft-fee-accord-wins-tentative-approval.html

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/05/23/business-us-bankofamerica-overdraft-sett-idUKTRE74M63K20110523?type=companyNews

Los Angeles Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/05/bofa-overdraft-text-message.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/05/19/opinion/19thu3.html

Loughner considered incompetent to endure trial

2011-05-28T01:04:00.000-07:00

A judge in Tucson, Ariz. today ruled Jared Lee Loughner incompetent to stand trial. Loughner is the man accused of a deadly shooting spree in Tucson on January 8. Loughner, after an angry outburst, was dragged out of the courtroom Wed by U.S. Marshals.

Tucson shooting killed 6 injured 13

Giffords is a United States Representative who was having a community meeting outside a supermarket where the shooting spree happened on Jan 8. A 9 year old girl and U.S. District Judge John Roll were both killed by Loughner as he opened fire. A total of six people were killed. There were thirteen people total that were injured also. This contains Rep. Giffords (D) who was shot in the head and is still in recovery. A not guilty plea was entered in by Loughner. Due to the Jan. 8 shootings, he was charged with 49 federal charges.

How he acted in pretrial

Although mumbled and unclear, during a pretrial hearing the 22-year-old defendant seemed to say, “Thank you for the freak show. She died in front of me.” Nobody knows who he was talking about.

Loughner was asked by United States District Judge Larry Burns is he wanted to behave in the court room or watch the court from another room on a TV screen to which Loughner said, “I want to watch the TV screen.”

Seeing those who made it out alive there

There were two survivors, maybe more, of the attack that heard the episode in the court room. Pam Simon was Gifford’s aide who was shot in the right wrist and chest. Retired Army Col. Bill Badger, who was grazed by a bullet on the back of his head, was also there. Loughner was subdued by individuals after the attack including Badger.

Not competent enough

Judge Burns was asked in March to choose whether or not Loughner would be able to endure trial, which brought on the hearing. The decision was made by Burns after two people looked at Loughner. One was a court appointed expert and the other was the Prison bureau psychologist. Loughner was considered incompetent by both. “The defendant was not able to comprehend the charges,” Burns ruled.

Federal facility for the time being

A federal facility will be responsible for Loughner for about four months. They’ll choose on his competency status. His next hearing has been set for September 21. He will be able to stay even longer after the four months are up. This is assuming he is considered incompetent still. There is no limit to the number of times the stay could be extended.

Mental problem key to proceedings

An insanity defense may very well be used by Loughner’s lawyers. In court filings, however, they describe him as a “gravely mentally ill man” and indicate that his mental problem will be a central concern during the trial.

Information from

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/25/jared-loughner-tucson-shooting_n_866723.html

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-25/giffords-shooting-suspect-loughner-taken-out-of-courtroom-after-outburst.html

CNN

cnn.com/2011/CRIME/05/25/arizona.loughner.competency/?hpt=T1

Top 10 NBA mock drafts 2011

2011-05-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

ESPN’s Bill Simmons and Chad Ford both agreed during Tuesday’s episode of “The B.S. Report” podcast the 2011 NBA Draft will not produce a top-five player at any position, so teams must choose wisely to maximize their ROI. The following top 10 projections for an NBA mock drafts for 2011 start – and end in the minds of many – with Duke’s Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG (Duke)

Even though Kyrie Irving is not amazing, he has great potential. He should be a top-15 point guard eventually. Irving could effortlessly help the Cavs since they need what Baron Davis never could give.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter, Center (Turkey) as an choice

While Kevin Love turned in a fantastic season under the boards for the Wolves, the team still has an excellent deal of rebuilding ahead. Keeping Love around could be hard. They may need a large man to help. Many look at the 6-foot-11, 272-pound Kanter as a high-energy rebounder and defender that may scare opposing guards while others think it is a gamble.

Chances of Utah Jazz choosing Derrick Williams, Small Forward (Arizona)

In the NBA, Williams will most likely be a small forward with his skills. This is despite the truth that as a Wildcat he was a power forward. It is possible that Utah may ask for BYU’s Jimmer Fredette instead if Utah wants to forget about the rest of the 2011 NBA draft guys.

Chances that Cleveland Cavaliers would pick Jonas Valanciunas, Center (Lithuania)

The Cavs need a big man so Anderson Varejao is not alone. Valanciunas might be the perfect pick.

Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker, Point Guard (Connecticut)

Toronto seriously needs Kembra Walker. He can be the new point guard to help the Raptors out.

Washington Wizards have the option of Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward (San Diego State)

Leonard is an excellent athlete while very good at rebounding and could be an excellent complement to John Wall with the Wizards. Leonard can be perfect to go with John Wall on the Wizards. He is an excellent rebounder and athlete.

Sacramento Kings may choose to have Brandon Knight, Point Guard, Kentucky

Speed, defense and a good outside shot from the point in Knight would allow the Kings to use Beno Udrih as the super backup or 2nd ball-handler the offense needs to really get moving.

Possibility of Detroit Pistons picking Jordan Hamilton, SF (Texas)

The Pistons require a small forward since Tayshaun Prince is leaving. Hamilton has great skill. He can rebound and shoot the balls.

Charlotte Bobcats wants Jimmer Fredette, Shooting Guard (BYU) just like everyone else

If he’s still accessible, Charlotte will likely go for Fredette so that at least one player on the roster will be able to score consistently from outside. Otherwise, Bismack Biyombo from the Congo should amp up the frontcourt athleticism while aggressively challenging shots.

Milwaukee Bucks to choose Tristan Thompson, PF (Texas)

Thompson is 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. He is a quite athletic male too. If the Bucks aren’t gun shy following the failed Yi Jianlian pick from 2007, they may go international and snag Biyombo if he’s available.

Information from

Bleacher Report

bit.ly/kuOQ8z

Fox Sports

msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/2011-NBA-draft-lottery-winner-051711

The Sporting News

bit.ly/kYTnGq

2011 NBA Draft Lottery highlight: The final three

youtube.com/watch?v=GqWuPdf8u2o

Visa Digital Wallet quickens cell payment race

2011-05-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Several people are ready to stop paying via cash, check or charge card. Yet the move toward a society without cash might be much closer than we think, thanks to Visa. By this fall, Visa Digital Wallet will be up and running, writes Wired.

Near Field Communication technology is the key

The announcement from Visa for Digital Wallets will change the cell payments race. More individuals will try and go faster with it. Charge card businesses, retail companies and customers have looked forward to the day that a convenient wave of a phone could complete a transaction. The day will be here soon with secure Near Field technology short-range communication.

“The widespread adoption of Internet and mobile technology is changing the way people connect and transact across the globe,” said Visa chairman and CEO Joseph Saunders in a statement. “We’re focused on delivering locally tailored payments products and services.”

Customer behavior with Visa Digital Wallet

Experts predict that not only will NFC technology make mobile payments the preferred method of transaction, but other technology that Visa and others are developing will streamline the one-click purchasing experience online and allow consumers to consolidate accounts from multiple financial institutions in one place.

Right now, Visa has become a commerce-focused technology company in several ways.

“When you think about what’s impacting commerce, you have one overarching trend: the continued adoption of electronic forms of payments,” said Visa executive Jennifer Schulz to Wired. “People are migrating away from cash and check and using electronic capabilities. … We’ve seen the use of and ubiquity of mobile devices really driving consumer behavior.”

Google attempting to stay on top still

MocoNews.net states that Google will be launching a phone payment service too. Really, this ought to happen in a few months from now. Retailers that use cash registers developed by VeriFone Systems in New York and San Francisco will benefit from the NFC-backbone system. The iPhone 5 or newer versions of the iPad will support NFC along with Android smartphones.

All the financial institutions want a piece of Visa Digital Wallet

U.S. Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and PNC Bank are just a couple of the big-name financial institutions that will be throwing their hats to the ring with Visa on the Digital Wallet project, claims Schulz. Before the launch in the fall, more partners will likely be announced.

Citations

Moco News

moconews.net/article/419-googles-mobile-payments-venture-heats-up-with-mastercard-citigroup/

Visa Media Center

corporate.visa.com/media-center/press-releases/press1124.jsp

Wired

wired.com/epicenter/2011/05/visa-digital-wallet-nfc/

‘What would the ideal payment experience look like?’

youtube.com/watch?v=Y80tSc1b8UI

How Killebrew died after 74 years

2011-05-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Twins have revealed that Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has succumbed to esophageal cancer. The imposing slugger from Payette, Idaho, was 74 years old. The ambassador for the game of baseball games ended his days peacefully while sleeping in his Scottsdale, Ariz., home. He was accompanied in his last moments by wife Nita and their kids.

Now Killebrew is in Hospice over Mayo Clinic from before

Monday, a statement was released by Killebrew. It said the esophageal cancer is in advanced stages so the Mayo Clinic can no longer help. Killebrew stated that he would spend his final days in Hospice care. The cancer was only announced six months before.

‘The Killer’ delighted enthusiasts with bat, heart

Most pitchers were nervous about pitching to Killebrew on the right hand side of the plate. He weighed 220 pounds and was 5-foot-11. Bull-necked and burly with powerful arms and vice-like hands, the prematurely balding Harmon “The Killer” Killebrew hit majestic blasts that left enthusiasts swinging for adjectives. On the all-time list, he comes in number 11 for his 573 home runs between 1954 and 1975, or during his 22 year career. He led the RBI in home runs three times and the American League six times, five as a Minnesota Twin and one as a Washington Senator. The official Major League Baseball logo is believed to be of Killebrew’s powerful swing.

“He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy,” former Washington Senators scout Ossie Bluege once said. “And I don’t mean the infielders. I mean the outfielders.”

Killebrew was so soft-spoken in nature though. Supporters loved this.

“No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins territory than Harmon Killebrew,” Twins president Dave St. Peter said. “Killebrew’s legacy will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man.”

According to Baseball games Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson, “It’s ironic that his nickname was ‘Killer,’ as he was one of the nicest, most nice individuals to ever walk the earth.”

Citations

Associated Press

nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43062969/ns/sports-baseball/

Baseball Reference

baseball-reference.com/players/k/killeha01.shtml

Boston Globe

bo.st/iLkYND

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

startribune.com/sports/twins/122004519.html

‘We’re here to love and help one other,’ said Killebrew

youtube.com/watch?v=GV9oEeKhI6s

Consumer bureau fight worsened by charge card hotline

2011-05-19T01:04:00.000-07:00

A proposed charge card complaint hotline is the latest issue to fuel the fiery debate over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bureau would be able to act on data that was garnered directly from people that would be compiled in a database and would be acted on if and when the bureau felt it would be fitting. However, banks and card issuers want restrictions placed on the information.

Charge cards to get crowdsourcing penalties

Daily Finance explains the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is considering a credit card hotline for consumers to complain about troubles at, which is causing a lot of debate. The hotline would be so consumers can report any abuse that occurs. Then the Bureau would give that data to states to use. The complaints would come from crowdsourcing. The consumers would file the grievances themselves. Then, government officials would get the complaints and fine card issuers. They would not even make an effort to figure out what the problem was first. Bloomberg reports that card issuers and banks are trying to keep a private database so that only the few individuals that have to be involved will be.

Flow of data to stay with banks

The flow of data can hurt banks a lot, which is they are fighting for private data. Right now, the complaint line will start with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This is expected to take place on July 21. In its current format, anyone could access the complaint data and see anything said about every charge card issuer that it tracks. It is true that bank and card issuers may not want the information out so nobody knows what is really going on. It is also essential to consider some people will always complain about fees, no matter how reasonable they are. It may be good to get information right from the public. Having no restraints on it can be a bad idea though.

Future of consumer bureau clouded

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will have authority to regulate, to some extent, virtually all manners of consumer finance like charge cards, mortgages, payday loans, debit cards and so on. Congress has been fighting over the organization. Reuters states that there were three bills introduced to limit the bureau recently including two on the director. One of these would give a five member panel control rather than one director while another would keep the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from having control until a director is assigned. Much of the Republicans don’t like the idea of Elizabeth Warren directing the bureau. She has helped get it set up as an adviser to the White House. The bureau is intended to start operations in July. This might not really happen though.

Articles cited

Daily Finance

dailyfinance.com/2011/05/16/banks-lobby-to-keep-complaints-to-new-federal-hotline-under-wrap/

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-13/banks-push-consumer-bureau-to-keep-u-s-complaint-line-private.html

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/05/13/us-financial-regulation-house-idUSTRE74C4X120110513

Talking vehicles could reduce injuries

2011-05-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

It may soon be possible for cars to talk to each other and warn drivers of potential hazards. Automakers and the governments alike are both looking seriously at the new technology. If implemented, this system has the potential to greatly reduce highway accidents and fatalities.

Communication accuracy

This new technology, which is apparently more accurate than radar, utilizes specialized Global Positioning System and WiFi technologies. Every 10 seconds, a signal is emitted by the system 360 degrees around it. It goes for 900 feet to communicate with autos. The technology senses and identifies potential hazards and alerts the driver through flashing red lights and beeps.

Good idea for automakers to look at future

Ford has been working on the technology for more than a decade. Ford’s vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering is Sue Cischke. “Ford believes intelligent autos that talk to each other through advanced WiFi are the next frontier of collision avoidance innovations that could revolutionize the driving experience,” she said.

All about ‘Road Trains’

Volvo was recently involved in the first successful test of a “road train.”. Automobiles are able to mimic one another because they’re electronic while they are platooning in road trains. This provides for a more efficient and safe flow of traffic.

“Platooning offers the prospect of improved road safety, better road space utilization, improved driver comfort on long journeys and reduced fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions,” said Tom Robinson, spokesperson for the project.

Injuries greatly reduced

According to the Research and Innovative Technology Administration administrator at the DOT, Peter Appel, “This technology has the potential to save a lot of lives.”. According to the DOT, the system might reduce traffic injuries significantly. Without drugs and alcohol involvement, injuries could go down as much as 80 percent.

Cost isn’t bad

Adding the technology to the car does not cost much at all. It can be as little as $100 per car to add. The system’s low cost would allow manufacturers to put it in both luxury and economy models.

Getting technology before 2013 possible requirement

Six United States cities will start in August doing Driver Acceptance Clinics. They’ll be done by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT hopes to the technology will be put in thousands of vehicles soon after the clinics are done. Federal officials have to make the decision in 2013 when it could become required.

Articles cited

MSNBC

editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1184897

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/25/AR2011012506232.html

Wired

wired.com/autopia/2011/01/talking-cars-are-coming-soon-to-keep-us-safe/

May 21, 2011, has been penciled in for Rapture

2011-05-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

End of the world and apocalypse predictions have existed for as long as mankind has had religious beliefs to gently (or not so gently) suggest how they should think and behave. May 21, 2011, will reportedly be the day of the Rapture. WFMY 2 News in Greensboro, N.C., reports that billboards are heralding the grand day of judgment.

Some say, ‘The Bible guarantees it’

Camping, a Family Radio network founder in Oakland, California, put on billboards to “Cry mightily unto God,” since May 21, 2011 is going to be Judgment Day. The broadcast is scheduled to air May 21 from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Family Radio affiliates, of which there are more than 150 across the U.S.

True Christians are anticipated to be gathered together with the Rapture to be with Jesus Christ on May 21, 2011, according to Camping. Camping thinks the Earth and universe could be wrecked five months later on October 21, 2011. Camping has made predictions in the past. He made these in 1994, in Sept.

No science in End of the world forecasts

Like several before and several who will come after him, Camping has attempted to use Biblical metaphor to ascertain the end times. Seven days becomes seven millennia, and through a series of mathematical calculations that seem to change depend upon who is solving for x, end of the world is “pinpointed.”. Camping used the Hebrew calendar to determine when 7,000 years from the day God told Noah judgment would be is. He decided it was May 21, 2011.

“The Bible has given us absolute proof that the year 2011 is the end of the world during the Day of Judgment, which will come on the last day of the Day of Judgment,” says Camping on FamilyRadio.com.

Proven untrue for end of the world predictions

Here are four doomsday forecasts that were proven untrue:

1806’s The Prophet Hen of Leeds

Leeds is an English town that allegedly had a chicken in 1806. Its eggs said, “Christ is coming,” supposedly. This was proven untrue when viewing the egg laying process.

The Millerites guessed April 23, 1843

New England farmer William Miller believed the Bible indicated life would end between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844. With his followers the Millerites, he ended up deciding upon April 23, 1843. Followers sold much of what they owned. They did not even sell it for much money. Some did go on to found the Seventh Day Adventists, however.

Halley’s Comet, 1910

A tail of Halley’s Comet would be something Earth would hit in 1910 according to 1881 Astronomers. Stories about mass extinction via poison gas made the front page of the New York Times, but by 1910, scientists knew better.

Believing in 1997 with Heaven’s Gate

There were 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult that took their lives in a mass suicide. The alien spaceship was expected to be coming in 1997 when really it was the Hale Bopp comet. Heaven’s Gate leader Marshall Applewhite assured his followers the only way to get on board for paradise was to leave their earthly bodies behind.

Information from

FamilyRadio.com

familyradio.com/index2.html

LiveScience

livescience.com/7926-10-failed-doomsday-predictions.html

WFMY News 2

bit.ly/ksDgPL

Wikipedia entry for Harold Camping

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Camping

Doomsday and apocalypse (Beware: Contains scripture)

youtube.com/watch?v=djH4NZo78Rw

Charge card companies still after college students

2011-05-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

The CARD Act prohibits charge card companies from directly marketing to certain groups, including marketing on college campuses. However, that has hardly slowed students from getting charge cards. There are new ways of marketing to them that card corporations are figuring out.

No stop to the credit cards

All unethical practices done by credit card corporations were intended to be stopped by the Credit card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act. Charge card corporations have found ways to get back onto campus. The Wall Street Journal states that this is despite the truth that the CARD Act demands corporations not to market to college students. Card corporations can still offer things for instance $50 bonus checks for signing up for a card although students cannot have free promotional gifts. Students are still being marketed to on Facebook. By joining the Chase Facebook group, “karma” reward points are also offered.

Following the law

Most charge cards are issued by banks, not charge card or finance businesses themselves. For signing up for a checking or savings account, banks can give out promotional tings. That is a canard some say. A University of Houston Law Center discovered in a survey of college students that 73 percent of credit card marketing wasn’t on campus at all which is why financial service corporations are on the same level. Students are willing to skip the rules to get credit cards also. That survey found that 29 percent of students used loan disbursements as proof of income in applying for charge cards.

The price of an education

Yearly the cost of going to a university is going up. This is why students may want a charge card to try and experience something nicer like a real meal. More students go heavily into debt during college. U.S. News and World Reports explained the Sallie Mae foundation showed 92 percent of students charged educational expenses in 2009 while 20 percent of seniors carried at least $7,000 in charge card debt. Time states that there have been significant amounts of debt. The college debt for the class of 2011 is the highest ever. The average debt somebody in the class of 2011 graduated with was very high. It was at $22,900. That’s an increase of 8 percent from 2010 and a 47 percent increase from 2001.

Articles cited

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704322804576303652621312770.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_FamilyFinance#articleTabs%3Darticle

Time

newsfeed.time.com/2011/05/11/congratulations-class-of-2011-youre-the-most-indebted-graduates-ever/

U.S. News

usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2011/05/11/student-credit-card-use-could-cause-problems-later

Gold prices hit big symbolic level

2011-04-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Gold prices are the same as any other commodity. They fluctuate in the face of difficulties of the outside industry. Today, after quality of U.S. debt was questioned by Standard and Poor’s, gold commodities hit a record high, $1,500 per ounce. The price of gold has been going up in a very strong trend over the last few years. Some say this is proof of a weak economy, others are worried this might be an industry ripe for a bubble. Article resource – Gold prices touch $1,500 as some question inflationary pressures by MoneyBlogNewz.

High record of gold prices

There are two major markers that gold is put on. The commodity price of gold is the general market price of purchasing shares of or stock in gold, typically known as “exchange-traded goods.”. It is also possible to purchase gold coins and gold bullion bars. It is easier to fake coins. They go for a higher price as well. Then there are gold certificates that promise the owner owns the indicated gold on the certificate. The spot price of gold is tied to the commodity price. Gold has never hit today’s spot price for gold which was $1,500.

Gold market concerns

When financial industries go down, there is always one outcome. The gold price goes up. Investors often view gold as a hedge, a “safe haven” of investment. The idea is that gold will always maintain or increase in value, unlike currency. There has been an increase in demand for gold as the value of currency in the U.S. has dropped. Gold is seen as a “hard” currency that will always maintain its value. There are many people that are getting personal financing to get a piece of the gold market. This may not be worth it for these people. Gold prices could easily begin to drop again considering the chance that it could just be a bubble.

Be wary of gold-investment advisers

Gold, like every other investment, comes with certain risks and rewards. Usually, gold is an investment to be made. All the problems with currency, the demand and bank policies may make a difference now though. There are many gold-investment advisers that want you to invest. They say gold is the “only smart investment in the current economy.” A lot of advisers sell gold investments. This is done to make money. Balance your gold investment with other investments though if you’re going to do it.

Citations

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110419-701261.html

Kitco

kitco.com/charts/livegold.html

Gold News

goldnews.bullionvault.com/gold_bubble_111120105

CEO pay soars as flat middle class income erode with inflation

2011-04-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

CEO pay in corporate America rose 12 percent past year to a median of $9.6 million. Corporate profits were up nearly 30 percent in the fourth quarter, the fastest growth in more than 60 years. As CEOs padded their salaries, middle-class workers have had to make do with less as rising cost of living cuts into wages.

CEO increases at the expense of the workers

At a time when millions of Americans simply hope they keep their jobs, average CEO pay has risen to surpass pre-recession levels. Companies that slashed employment and wages during the recession aren’t increasing them as sales rebound, but professional pay is a different story. The pocket book of CEO’s is growing daily as stock costs rise, rather than hiring more of the 13 million people out of work. There is no incentive to retain workers or entice new employees. In 2010, an average of 12 percent raises was given to CEO’s by economic bail out sectors. Private sector workers pay rose by 2 percent in the meantime. Unemployment hovered at 8.8 percent in March. Most economists predict the jobless rate will continue to remain high for years.

Stock possibilities for CEOs increasing

The highest paid CEO in the United States last year was Phillipe Dauman of Viacom who pocketed $84.5 million in just nine months. The rising price of oil and gas has been good to Ray Irani of Occidental Petroleum, who was the runner up with $76.1 million, a 142 percent pay increase over 2009. Forbes also states that Oracle’s Larry Ellison brought in $39.5 million making him the 3rd highest paid. Fueled by Wall Street, CEOs are raking in the biggest paydays since 2007 with stock possibilities. Many CEOs accepted stock choices during the recession when they held little value, knowing that huge paydays lied ahead when the market recovered. CEOs are now cashing in on their stock opportunities and making the millions they anticipated. USA Today reports that several of the CEOs cashing in their stock choices were making well over $20 million.

Middle-class income hit by rising commodity costs

The huge CEO pay increases are hard to swallow for the American middle-class, who has watched income stagnate for a generation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average hourly wage for workers hasn’t increased by a penny in so-much-as five months. United States workers are not getting raises, yet the cost of products is ever increases. The direction of costs of goods and income are going in different direction. Any increases that workers have received go right into their gas tanks. An average of 12 gallons of gas a week is used by the average employee. Filling the tank, costs about $40 a month more than last year. $18 is all a week more the average worker is earning.

Articles cited

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/04/10/business/10comp.html?_r=2#38;ref=business

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2011-04-04-1Aoptions04_ST_N.htm

NPR

npr.org/2011/04/10/135272006/paychecks-cant-keep-up-with-rising-prices

Banks rolling out EMV chip charge cards for travelers

2011-04-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

The nation’s largest banks are starting to compete for customers that want EMV chip-equipped credit cards. EMV chips are really a very small built-in circuit built into a credit card, and the technology was developed by a joint venture between Europay, Mastercard and Visa. The chips provide greater security than magnetic stripe cards that are more typical in America.

International jet set wants greater utility from credit cards

A common complaint among jet set types traveling overseas and using their credit cards is that European merchants often have difficulties processing American credit cards that have antiquated magnetic stripes rather than EMV chip cards more common overseas, according to Bloomberg. So, in order to capitalize on the need among wealthier credit card users, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase are bringing EMV chips to their high-end lines of charge cards. Wells Fargo is launching a pilot program, where about 15,000 consumers can be invited to use the Wells Fargo EMV chip card sometime this summer. JPMorgan Chase is diving straight into the deep end, and could be issuing EMV cards to customers enrolled in its Palladium program for high net worth clients.

Merchants losing money

The EMV card is necessary. It is not a joke to laugh about. Magnetic strip cards aren’t accepted in several places in Europe. Due to this, in 2008 card providers lost $ 447 million in revenue while European merchants lost $ 4 billion. Wikipedia points out that Smart Cards are not just like magnetic stripes. They use “Chip and PIN” technology. There is a 3 by 5 millimeter circuit board and computer chip in these Chip and PIN Cards. They keep all user information in them. Merchants carry a smart card reader, where the card is inserted and read, instead of swiped. The sale is made with a Personal Identification Number that is given. The benefit is that smart cards are less easily corrupted by thieves.

Preparation of card corporations

EMV chips are only one particular kind of smart card chips, developed in a joint venture between European credit card company Eurocard, MasterCard and Visa, hence “EMV.”. There are EMV chips in American Express cards already. Its Express Pay line has the chips. Since the U.S. has a difficult time sometimes adapting to other countries’ technologies, the smartcard reader isn’t a well used in America as it is in Europe. After putting the chips in charge cards for high end consumers, JPMorgan plans to start putting EMV chips in all the cards.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-14/jpmorgan-pushes-chip-cards-to-wealthy-in-race-with-wells-fargo.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV

New regulations make getting condominium homes harder

2011-04-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

On March 1 of this year, brand new guidelines about the types of mortgages the government can purchase went into impact. There are also rising rates of default on condominium fees. These two factors are making condominium possession very challenging for many homeowners. Those seeking to purchase new homes are also re-considering condos. Article source – Condominium ownership becoming more difficult by MoneyBlogNewz.

Condos to deal with brand new mortgage guidelines

Banking institutions have brand new guidelines for condominium short term installment loans or mortgage loans that they have to consider if they want federal entities to purchase them. The rules say that there cannot be any pending litigation about safety of the building, there must be less than 15 percent of delinquencies by homeowners and the condo can’t have too high of a percentage of renters. The FHA is also requiring that apartment buildings that have been turned into condos be inspected, which costs $1,200 per building plus $30 per unit.

The new delinquency problem

The housing boom definitely included condos. Brand new home buyers were very interested. Single-family homes had a lot of maintenance involved. Many preferred the idea of all maintenance being covered while paying a monthly fee. Most condo associations assume that between 2 and 5 percent of fees will go unpaid. There are a lot of associations that have a very high delinquency rate. It could be over 40 percent. There was an increase past year in the average delinquency rate. It was around 15 percent totals. This issue is forcing many condominium associations to do what many homeowners are already doing — making hard choices about what to pay and what to defer.

A lot of problems condos face

The regulation is keeping condominium associations in limbo about how to proceed. Owners aren’t able to re-sell in the buildings right now. This is as the percentage of units needed to sell is not there or the financing is extremely hard to get. Sometimes an owner cannot pay the mortgage or rising association fees. Then, the property can’t be resold on top of this. There really are only two possibilities that condo owners have including strategic default and renting out the property.

Articles cited

MSN

realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107847

Chicago Tribune

articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-28/classified/ct-biz-0228-condos-lending–20110228_1_condo-buildings-condo-deals-condo-market

US mortgage lending needs to change, claims IMF

2011-04-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

The International Monetary Fund is responsible for overseeing the global financial system. The IMF has recently reviewed several of the moving parts of the global recession. One of the biggest findings of this inquiry is the United States government puts too high a value on home ownership. The IMF suggests that the government either take over mortgage funding or get out of the market entirely. Post resource – International Monetary Fund calls for changes to mortgage lending by MoneyBlogNewz.

All about ending U.S. lending involvement in the future

The way the current mortgage market in the United States is structured, the government has a partial hand in most home loans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac own almost 90 percent of the secondary loan industry. These two businesses are in government conservatorship and have long been government-backed. Combined, this means that the federal government has a significant hand in the country’s mortgage market.

Home loans looked at by the International Monetary Fund

Upon reviewing the United States Mortgage industry, the International Monetary Fund suggested multiple changes. The IMF suggests the U.S. government get out of the mortgage industry. Either that or put home loans it owns on its balance sheets. Since the Great Depression, the U.S. government has instituted programs meant to encourage home ownership. Tax deductions for mortgage interest, government-supported home loans and low interest rates all contribute to making recessions worse. The International Monetary Fund study also highlighted that high loan-to-value ratios and debt-to-income ratios trigger overly complex mortgage products that are unnecessarily risky.

Housing opportunities available

The United States government policy is not in the right place when it comes to encouraging home ownership, according to the International Monetary Fund. The European countries typically have higher down payments on homes. The rates are usually variable also. The damage of heavy recessions is limited while ho me ownership rates are down due to this. the International Monetary Fund suggests that the United States focus on more affordable rental housing that is encouraged. The mortgage products have to be simpler as well.

Articles cited

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2011-04-06/imf-urges-u-s-to-be-explicit-on-housing-finance-guarantee.html

RTE News

rte.ie/news/2011/0406/imf-business.html

Co-signer, get your name off that education loan

2011-04-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Ever regretted co-signing on that student loan for a friend? Perhaps the two of you no longer speak and you are waiting for the default bomb to fray your credit. Thankfully, Bankrate states that all isn’t lost. If you need to get out of being co-signer on that student loan, there are steps you are able to take, reports Bankrate. Article resource – How to remove a co-signer from a student loan by MoneyBlogNewz.

Co-signing an educational loan could be a hard choice

Becoming a co-signer on a student loan means you are guaranteeing the loan or the debt. If the student fails to repay the loan, it becomes your responsibility. Being able to make the payments is something you need to be able to do. You may end up dealing with collectors if you cannot pay it. This would also be damaging to your credit in the future.

A creditor has to give you an explanation of obligations as a co-signer if you co-sign a student loan. Get copies of the Truth in Lending Disclosure agreement and loan contract. Keep these around.

Get the student loan released

A standard co-signer release should be found first. If the student is making payments well enough on his or her own, the private education loan will sometimes allow the co-signer to get off the contract. The student must also meet the lender’s credit standards and other needs. Thus, the hope is that the estranged student has kept their credit history tidy.

The student will have to refinance if a co-signer release isn’t possible. The student can be able to pay off the original education loan with the new loan at a lower rate of interest. The same lender can be used to do this. Another lender could be used as well. Unfortunately, the student must have good enough credit to qualify for a refinance in the first place.

Students like the help

Students are impacted when the co-signer disappears. It will make the student more at risk. The lender can put the loan in collections if the student doesn't pay it back and does not have a co-signer. If they are government loans, it could be bad for money. Even tax return money may not get to you.

Articles cited

Bankrate

bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/is-there-a-way-out-for-student-co-signer.aspx

ehow

ehow.com/how_2002636_remove-loan-cosigner.html

Whalehook Loans

whalehookloans.com/2007/09/26/what-are-the-benefits-of-obtaining-or-removing-a-cosigner-from-a-student-loan/

No co-signer? No credit history? No problem.

you.tube/PN3ApHIGopo

Racial discrimination evident in ongoing bank redlining

2011-04-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

African-Americans and Hispanics are beginning to lose ground when it comes to the use of traditional banking, according to the Center for Responsible Lending. Redlining and similar methods of financial/racial discrimination haven’t faded away, regardless of regulatory efforts. Such financial discrimination, which involves mortgage denial and lack of access to short term installment loans from banks, highlights an ever-present form of racism, critics suggest.

Caucasians not losing properties as fast as minorities are

CRL President Michael Calhoun told USA Today that United States minorities have "received the worst treatment, at a very high cost." There will be double the amount of African-American and Hispanic householders losing their residences because of the mortgage crisis. This gap is anticipated to grow while currently about 20 percent of minorities are losing their houses.

In his 2008 study of household debt entitled "Credit Access, the Costs of Credit and Credit Market Discrimination," Christian Weller of the University of Massachusetts and Center for American Progress found that African-Americans were 41.7 percent more likely than Caucasians to be denied a traditional bank loan. There was an even bigger gap with mortgages in question. These were all that were lost.

Inequality shown in ‘dual system of finance’

A double standard was noticed by CEO of National Community Reinvestment Coalition, John Taylor.

"It's about a dual system of finance," he says. "People of color do not have the same access that most American citizens enjoy.

The alternative when traditional banks deny low or middle-income minorities credit is frequently no credit check payday loans from personal loan companies. While such short term installment loans are highly convenient in a financial emergency, the fees are generally higher than traditional prime loans, said NAACP Senior V.P. for Advocacy and Policy Hilary Shelton. Mortgage loans are not changed by payday loans either.

What happened with deregulation

Everybody noticed the 1990s when several neighborhoods weren’t able to get bank loans, mortgages or insurance. These entire neighborhoods were shut out. At this time, banking and utility deregulation started. That was when redlining started to occur. While regulators installed such mechanisms as the Community Reinvestment Act and Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to help combat redlining, further loosening of the oversight belt allowed the practice to continue in various forms (for instance reverse redlining, where short term bank loans are offered in minority neighborhoods, but at prohibitive rates). The Wall Street crisis occurred due to this.

Regulators trying to fix problems

The FDIC is intending out a two-year short term installment loan program at 28 volunteer banks.
The Department of Justice has created a fair lending unit to police redlining.
The CFPB will open in July 2011.

Articles cited

Peri

peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/working_papers/working_papers_151-200/WP171.pdf

IBEW

ibew1613.org/library/redlining.html

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/perfi/general/2011-04-04-real-estate-financial-discrimination.htm

Did banking deregulation stack the deck against minorities?

youtube.com/watch?v=FDYXAywWWdk

Construction sector proceeds to restrain more robust recovery

2011-04-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

construction spending lagged seriously behind the rest of the economy in the last quarter. The construction market has been weak and is getting weaker as spending amounts in February fell to twelve-year lows. Foreclosures and short sales are the main culprit, as they stifle new home construction, the traditional driver for the entire sector. Article source – Construction sector continues to hold back more robust recovery by MoneyBlogNewz.

February not a good time to build

In February, the number of homes, apartments and government projects that builders started building on was lower than they have been in years. Construction spending in February dropped 1.4 percent; it was the 3rd straight month of decline. construction spending was at $760.8 billion in February as a seasonally adjusted annual rate. That is the worst since October 1999 that the spending has been at. The construction industry has been getting worse while the rest of the United States economy is apparently getting better. The construction sector has continued to deal with the recession issues including fewer companies wanting buildings, hotels and buying centers built. February construction activity fell to about half the $1.5 trillion level economists figure is needed for a healthy construction industry. It has been estimated that construction won’t recover from the housing bubble that triggered the recession for another four years.

Issues in housing industry include construction of new homes

Private residential construction fell 3.7 percent in February to an annualized rate of $228.5 billion. Due to the foreclosures and unsold homes, there were less single-family and multi-family homes created. New home construction will not get any better until the inventory goes back down for homes. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales fell about 3 percent in the past year, but new home sales have dropped 28 percent. New home sales went down from 301,000 to 250,000, a 16.9 percent decrease, in February which is the lowest level since 1963 when the government started keep track.

Building new homes just as bad as buying new homes

In the construction sector, new home sales drive the growth that affects the bottom line in Gross Domestic Product. But new home sales currently cost about 29 percent more on average than existing homes, about double what is considered normal, in accordance with the National Association of Realtors. The industry is hurt a lot with foreclosures and short sales. These made up 40 percent of February home sales. The foreclosures have to end while the inventory of new homes needs to go down. Until this happens, home builders will stop building homes. Before the recession, 80 percent of builders sought financing. The National Association of Home Builders states that this number dropped quite a bit. Now it’s at 20 percent.

Citations

Associated Press

finance.yahoo.com/news/February-construction-apf-1467794995.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=

Market Watch

marketwatch.com/story/buyers-shun-new-homes-1301521568482

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2011/03/23/real_estate/new_home_sales/index.htm

GOP pulls well balanced spending budget amendment stunt once more

2011-04-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Constitution would have a balanced budget amendment if GOP fantasies came true. They intend to force Congress to pass a well balanced spending budget amendment in return for votes that would approve raising the debt ceiling, which the federal government will need to pay its bills. Spending budget experts of every political persuasion ridicule such an amendment, which would never be anticipated to be ratified.

Bill changed by GOP

More than a dozen Republican senators are co-sponsoring a bill for a balanced budget amendment written by Orrin Hatch of Utah and John Cornyn of Texas. Even though by 2001 there was a $5.6 trillion government surplus, the Congressional Budget Office estimates, because of the 1993 deficit reduction package that Clinton put together, many keep attempting to get a balanced budget amendment passed for instance in 1992, 1995 and 1997. After Bush came into office in 2001, the balanced spending budget amendment was not essential to republicans anymore. By the fall of 2008 when the financial crisis got to its worse, the federal debt had reached $10 trillion due to the Republican Congress and Bush pushing for spending more on tax cuts and wars.

Blackmailing some into sustaining balanced spending budget

Now with a Democrat in the White House, Republicans have dusted off the balanced budget amendment once more. Even Cornyn admits that forcing Congress to vote on such an amendment that has no chance of being ratified is nothing however political theater. Cornyn did make a comment. Human Events site states it to say "Voters would then know, with very stark clarity, which is for a well balanced budget and who is not, and it could have a big impact on the 2012 elections." Many are trying to force the bill to pass. Blackmail is getting used in this. Republicans think that Congress needs to vote on the well balanced budget amendment after allowing the federal debt to go past its current $14.2 trillion cap.

Even conservatives think the balanced spending budget amendment is a bad idea

Tax hikes are prohibited in the balanced budget amendment, which is just one of the many things integrated. Clinton's Treasury Secretary, Robert Rubin, said that a recession would be much, much worse if something like this were really to occur, which was said the last time the GOP proposed the bill. The balanced budget amendment was called “probably the most irresponsible action imaginable," by the American Enterprise Institute. The liberal Center on Budget and Policy said it eliminates the government's economic stabilizers, such as unemployment benefits that expand during downturns, from working when they are needed the most. Since 1788 when the United States Constitution was ratified, there was a reason there have only been 27 amendments to make it. There has to be a yes vote from at least 38 states after two thirds of both the House and Senate have voted yes.

Information from

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2011/03/29/news/economy/balanced_budget_amendment/?cnn=yes

Perrspectives

perrspectives.com/blog/archives/001775.htm

Investors.com

investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/567387/201103281851/Budget-Balance-By-Law.htm

Antitrust complaint against Google in Europe accompanied by Microsoft

2011-04-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

Last fall Google found itself being investigated in an antitrust probe by European Union authorities. Google, its Euro rivals say, is taking steps that result in lower search rankings for its rivals and other procedures that limit their advertising competitiveness. Microsoft took a stand with its Euro subsidiaries Thursday and filed a complaint of its own accusing Google of anti-competitive strategies. Source for this article – Microsoft adds complaint to EU antitrust investigation of Google by MoneyBlogNewz.

Grievance Microsoft issued against Google

Alleging that Google is limiting its access to critical data it needs to compete using YouTube and other Google services to the detriment of European consumers, Microsoft filed a formal antitrust complaint in Europe towards Google. Microsoft’s criticism towards Google throws its weight behind an ongoing antitrust analysis by the European Union Competition Commission. Microsoft's search engine Bing has been unable to get much attention in Europe while the Internet search market is about 95 percent under Google's thumb in Europe. Google, which has become Europe’s central online hub for advertisers, has also grown accustomed to European antitrust complaints about competition among search engines. After fighting antitrust investigations into Windows and billions in fines from the European Commission for years, Microsoft has reversed roles with its criticism against Google.

Obvious fights between Google and Bing

Background technologies that give one access to Google products such as "application programming interfaces" are the center of Microsoft's European antitrust complaint. Microsoft alleges that Google fiddles with the application programming interfaces to interfere with access to YouTube by Bing and other competing search engines, thus herding their users toward Google. In particular, Microsoft said Google thwarts Windows Phones from working correctly with YouTube — problems Android and iPhone users don’t experience. There’s a problem with the Windows phones only because Apple is not in the competition. Bing is in the search engine industry with Google making Microsoft a target. Microsoft also alleges that Google blocks some advertisers from access to data they have to optimize advertising on rival platforms, allegations already being investigated by the European Union antitrust probe.

Chances Google will lose money

The European Union Commission spokesman said that Google can speak. Its side of the story must also be heard. What Google said was that advertisers are allowed to access all of the data they want while the third-party restraint is only due to Google ad consistency. Microsoft is involved. This means the stakes are much higher. There might be a huge fine Google would have to face. This might be up to 10 percent of global revenues in one year, which in 2010 was $29 billion. There might also have to be other changes. This would be done to business in Europe. Microsoft was not yet involved when the EU commission explained that Google would have the possibility to stay away from a fine or fee. All it would have to do is change its business in Europe for the better.

Articles cited

Associated Press

finance.yahoo.com/news/Microsoft-throws-weight-apf-1337664829.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=

Los Angeles Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/03/microsoft-files-european-antitrust-complaint-against-google.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/04/01/technology/01google.html?src=busln

BBC smacked with lawsuit by Tesla Motors because of Top Gear episode

2011-04-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

Tesla Motors is alleging that the hosts of “Top Gear” committed libel in a lawsuit the automaker has brought against the BBC. The electric car manufacturer alleges the show made detrimental and false claims during an episode which was intended to put the Tesla Roadster through its paces. The charges the suit makes against the British Broadcasting Corporation are being totally denied by the network. Resource for this article – BBC and Top Gear slapped with lawsuit by Tesla Motors by Car Deal Expert.

Clarkson on Tesla Motors’ bad side now

In December 2008, popular English automotive-related show “Top Gear” aired an episode on BBC2 in which the hosts put the Tesla Roadster to the test regarding its range claims. Tesla Motors was not amused with the results of the tests or the events of the show, and is suing the British Broadcasting Corporation for what Tesla considers false and malicious assertions by the program, in accordance with The Guardian.

The Roadsters are intended to get over 200 miles on an electric charge although the Tesla Roadster only ran for 55 miles in accordance with “Top Gear” host Jeremy Clarkson. In the show, it said that the Roadster had serious brake difficulties. As part of the show, the car was being pushed off the “Top Gear” test track by the crew. Tesla was angry about this.

Tesla Motors refuses to admit truth

According to Tesla, the “Top Gear” episode was lying. The Roadster never really ran out of charge in it. Neither of the vehicles lent for the show ever got down below 25 percent, Tesla claims. USA Today states that Tesla monitored the 2 cars being lent for the show. A fuse in the braking system, not the brakes, failed, in accordance with Tesla. The brakes would have continued to work just fine.

Jeremy Clarkson, a host, said the Tesla Roadster can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four second while having "a motor the size of a watermelon, with one moving part," and saying the car is "an electric vehicle you would really want to buy."

Tesla isn’t seeking much in monetary damages, however does not want the episode broadcast again. Forbes states that Tesla has been angry for a while over the show but did not begin legal proceedings until the concern of the claims in the show stopped being addressed by BBC.

Hosts get in trouble regularly

”Top Gear” has been in a lot of controversy in the past. Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have been accused of making or tolerating homophobic and racist behavior and remarks, and the show is known for baiting the environmentally conscious. This show is just like every other automotive television program. It wants the automobiles with horsepower that guzzle a lot of gas. There are over 300 million individuals in the world that watch "Top Gear." About 6 million of them are from Britain, states Bloomberg.

Information from

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/30/tesla-sue-top-gear

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/tesla-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-elon-musk-lawsuit/1

Forbes

blogs.forbes.com/hannahelliott/2011/03/30/tesla-sues-top-gear-for-libel/

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-30/carmaker-tesla-sues-bbc-s-top-gear-over-electric-roadster-test.html

Ponzi scheme by Utah payday loans company shutdown by Feds

2011-04-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Securities and Exchange and Commission have slapped two online pay day loans lending businesses owned by a single man with fraud suits. The alleged perpetrator is John Scott Clark, of Utah. He has been alleged to have run a multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme using the two online financial services companies he owns. He has allegedly bilked more than 120 investors out of millions.

Securities and Exchange Commission fraud suit against lending businesses online

The Securities and Exchange Commission sued the owner of two lending online payday cash advance businesses for a Ponzi scheme costing millions of dollars. Impact Cash LLC and Impact Payment Systems LLC are both companies John Scott Clark owned and were planning on investing capital into with money given to him by over 120 investors over a five year period. This got the Securities and Exchange Commission angry and started a lawsuit. Clark allegedly recruited investors by promising an average return of 80 percent in exchange for capital, which he allegedly said would be used to fund payday loans to reliable consumers. Clark was allegedly recruiting investors from March of 2006 to September 2010 and was able to secure more than $47 million from the investors he convinced to join the operation, according to the Credit Union Times.

Buying Mercedes with Clark's investor funds

Clark would gain the confidence of investors and allegedly use new investment funds to pay dividends to initial investors and fund his lifestyle, in accordance with Deseret News. A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette and three Mercedes-Benz cars were purchased by Clark during this period. He also purchased many home furnishings including a $25,000 theater system. Some of his investors were growing suspicious by 2009 and asked Clark to sell their stake in his companies and turn the proceeds over, which he refused to do. It did not take long before the Securities and Exchange Commission sued Clark for breaking the Securities Act. There were five different violations attached to it. The Wall Street Journal states the Impact businesses were put into receivership and were frozen by a Federal judge.

A tiny mistake from one person

A lot of people have a bad connotation of online payday loan lenders. They’re considered evil. This cannot possibly be true. Nobody reports honest transactions though. Still, customers and investors should be careful who they deal with in financial matters. This is where the Better Business Bureau comes in. It’s there to help consumers. Generally, it’s too good to be true if it sounds that way.

Articles cited

Salt Lake Tribune

sltrib.com/sltrib/money/51503972-79/investors-clark-complaint-payday.html.csp

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110328-710072.html

Deseret News

deseretnews.com/article/705369480/Cache-County-man-allegedly-bilked-investors-of-millions-to-feed-lavish-lifestyle.html

Credit Union Times

cutimes.com/2011/03/28/sec-halts-47-million-payday-loan-ponzi

Medical marijuana IPOs prepared in California

2011-03-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

In the United States, medical marijuana is kind of legal. 15 states have legalized the drug, however it’s still federally illegal. The industry surrounding medical marijuana can be a very profitable one. two industry corporations based in California are planning on making their businesses even bigger — by offering public stock. Post resource – Investors considering medical marijuana IPOs by MoneyBlogNewz.

Marijuana creates business

There are a variety of industries that have developed around medical marijuana. There are many products the businesses offer. They contain packaging equipment, processing equipment, fertilizers, humidifiers and grow lights. There might be $60 billion in the marijuana industry in a decade. Ten years is not a long time for so much growing. The industry has technology in it too. It is growing also. Every year, there is better hydroponic technology available while "grow trailers" are accessible for intelligent phone apps. Several medical dispensaries and growth operations fund their expansion with short term installment loans in hopes of making big profits — and most do. Grow stores have a huge markup. It’s generally 70 to 120 percent.

Companies ready for initial public offering to happen

The legality of businesses using marijuana directly is confusing. It is a grey area. Federally, marijuana is always illegal. On the state level, all recreational use of marijuana is illegal. Federal officials will sometimes raid companies that are compliant with the state since some states allow medical marijuana use legally. two businesses — GrowOp Technology Ltd. and General Cannabis Inc. — both avoid this legal gray area by selling the technology and equipment, but not the actual substance. Both businesses have indicated that by the end of 2011 they wish to be traded on public stock exchanges. These initial public offerings would raise more than $10 million for these businesses and allow individual investors to get in on a “growth” industry.

The problem with marijuana finances

Medical marijuana is growing like crazy. Investors want a piece of the action. It may not be such a good thing. It may be a financial bubble forming again. Since medical use was made legal in California in 1992, the price of finished product has dropped from $3,000 or more per pound to $1,800 per pound. Competition is fierce; warehouse-style operations such as WeGrow are franchising across several cities. Companies in the medical marijuana industry expect the business to grow. To be able to do that, more states have to make it legal.

Information from

Wall St

247wallst.com/2011/02/18/growop-the-hydroponic-ipo-for-medical-marijuana/#ixzz1F8E7ZdZo

Discover how to find your unclaimed money

2011-03-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Across the United States, billions of dollars in unclaimed money await the owners. Are you interested in reclaiming money stuck in savings bonds, pensions, tax refunds, apartment deposits and other accounts? Check out ideas from "Good Morning America" at abcnews.com/gma. Article source – Learn how to find the unclaimed money waiting for you by MoneyBlogNewz.

Sites for unclaimed funds get support from Oprah Winfrey

Consumers in the 50 United States that have unclaimed money or property can discover that out at FoundMoney.com, unclaimed.org and MissingMoney.com. Oprah beat "Good morning America" in interviewing FoundMoney.com CEO on her because of how amazed with was.

Using resources from the Treasury and IRS

You will find many matured savings bonds. They just sit there since they cannot any longer earn interest. Resources on the United States Treasury’s site are accessible to help owners to discover their unclaimed money with their social security numbers. Use your social security number at IRS.gov to find unclaimed tax refund checks. The U.S. Post office may have returned these.

Lose a bank or credit union account because the business went under?

You are able to claim funds if your bank or credit union did not make it through the financial crisis. The National Credit Union Association and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. were there to protect against this. You were insured. The organizations' web sites will help you find your money.

Benefits from life insurance that weren't claimed

If you believe there is unclaimed money that should be yours because you were the beneficiary on a loved one’s life insurance policy, a private company called MIB Solutions can help you track it down for a $75 fee. Visit mibsolutions.com for more information.

Reaping the corporate benefits

If your business went bankrupt during the financial crisis or ran itself to the ground, there are ways to find unclaimed pension and 401(k) money. Have a look at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s site or the Employee Benefits Security Administration for 401(k)s. Sometimes the company may have been bought out or still exists in some way. You will have to contact the business if this is the case.

Claim your money

Some funds come in a different category. There is the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrator's website to go for this, suggests "Good Morning America." Unclaimed.org will automatically direct you to where you need to go for unclaimed funds.

Articles cited

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/unclaimed-money-lying-tips-finding/story?id=13207837

FDIC

fdic.gov/funds/index.asp

Found Money

foundmoney.com/

IRS

irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?portlet=4

National Credit Union

ncua.gov/resources/assetmgmtcenter/unclaimed.aspx

National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits

unclaimedretirementbenefits.com/

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

pbgc.gov/wr/trusteed/plans.html

Department of Labor

dol.gov/ebsa/

U.S. Treasury

treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/tools_treasuryhunt.htm

Oprah says look for unclaimed money at FoundMoney.com

youtube.com/watch?v=dIEKOsgXYHw

Money-saving ways to stay away from online news subscription paywalls

2011-03-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you do not have much money however want to continue to satisfy your internet news addiction, the move toward paywalls is disconcerting. Without information, you can end up choking in the digital dust. But there’s another way. With a few end-around, you can stay away from those paywalls and get your news for free or at low cost. Post resource – Money-saving ways to avoid online news subscription paywalls by MoneyBlogNewz.

Get your news at Google

The best part of Google News is access. A lot of news web sites are brought to one place. You can get the daily news easily. As it’s arranged in a clear, easy-to-digest format with top news, local news and news categories, it’s not hard to take care of your digital news Jones.

Read the newspaper in an app

For $1.99 in the Apple Apps store, Newspapers is an app that provides users with a directory of links to literally every online newspaper site in the country. It is easy to read articles. It could be done on Safari, your iPad, your iPhone or your iPod. If you prefer to download a story for later, send it to an app like Instapaper.

RSS feeds popular

Reeder will take RSS feeds and make them neat for you. The iOS app is newspaper style and makes it easier to read with reformatting. Get it for Apple device for only $2.99.

Trying Zite

Business Insider states that a "personalized magazine" is also accessible in an iPad app that is free called Zite. While connecting to your Google Reader and Twitter accounts, it will recommend stories. It can help to just pick articles in the app you might like.

Don't pay for Associated Press and CNN apps

CNN and the Associated Press have apps for Android and iOS devices. They provide news locally, nationally and around the world. The AP app allows users to pick a preferred broadcaster. Then, the stories can be followed of that person. Users are able to submit photos of news in an iReport feature in the CNN app.

Using the system for free access

Twitter users have been able to create a list of each NYT Twitter feed. There’s a 20 article a month limit by the Times to stay free. The Twitter and blog posts don't count towards this. A comparable process work with The Daily, which is indexed by the blog The Daily: Indexed.

Right now, there’s a five per day limit on free referrals for NYT which might not apply to other search engines such as Bing, in accordance with MediaMemo's Peter Kafka.

The Times just blocked Google. Why is that? The name of the article could then be typed into Google by users. This would allow them to have access without paying.

Citations

ap.org/mobile/

Business Insider

businessinsider.com/how-to-get-around-paywalls-2011-3

CNN

cnn.com/mobile/iphone/

The Daily Index

thedailyindexed.tumblr.com/

What to expect with the NYT paywall

youtube.com/watch?v=jOkvPOY3VKU

Are $1 coins going to replace $1 bills soon?

2011-03-14T01:04:00.000-07:00

According to AOL News, the cost of making a dollar bill exceeds its value. This is why a trio of United States Senators – Shelby, Casey and Tom Harkin – is taking the fight to the greenback once more, just as President Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson had done back in the 1830s. That’s why the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) is pushing Congress, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to scrap paper $1 bills in favor of $1 coins. Article source – US eyes replacing paper dollar bills with dollar coins by MoneyBlogNewz.

In thirty years, $5.5 billion could possibly be saved with change from paper dollars to coins

Instead of having $1 bills, the government might substitute them all with $1 coins. Long term projects expect the U.S. government would save $5.5 billion if this change happened. Considering the main difference in average lifespan between modern bills and coins – 3.3 years versus thirty years – less currency would have to be produced. When it comes to producing coins, it’s very cheap. Government Accountability Office studies show making paper bills are more costly to do.

Every year during the time period, $184 million would be saved

The Government Accountability Office hasn't had much success in getting the change to take place even though it has tried for 20 years. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 was intended to serve as a major transition in monetary policy, and Federal Reserve banks carry an inventory of 1.1 billion $1 coins as of Dec. 2010, writes the GAO in a related report.

When it comes to $1 coins, including Eisenhower, Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea discontinued coins and the Presidential and Native American coins that are in circulation, you will find only 4.2 million out there. The view that many people have towards coins is what made this occur, in accordance with American Numismatic Society Executive Director Ute Wartenberg. Coins are heavier than bills, and many wallets aren’t enough to tote them.

Cutting out $1 bills in circulation

Wartenberg explains that in order to make the change, the $1 bills have to be taken out of circulation so there is no choice. In the 1980s, the lowest denomination notes were changed in Britain and Canada. Other countries have done this also. The cotton sector supplies the United States Bureau of Engravings and Printing. Out of fear the cotton sector would go out of business without this business in making paper bills, Southern United States legislators have been afraid to substitute paper dollar bills.

History of money changes

From President Thomas Jefferson to the Lincoln administration, returning to "hard money" has been something considered in politics. In "Andrew Jackson and the Financial institution War" by Robert Remini, Jefferson said that paper dollars were "the instrument of the swindler and the cheat." The underlying reason for Jackson’s vehement distaste was that paper cash, while legal tender in the government’s eyes, and could be converted into precious metal – gold, in particular.

Between 1861 and 1865, Lincoln was president. The Legal Tender Act of 1862 during this time made greenbacks official. One central bank had several other banks that reported to it in the U.S. This was how the paper money spread so easily.

Citations

Amazon

amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393097579/lewrockwell/

AOL News

aolnews.com/2011/03/07/us-wants-to-take-your-dollars-and-replace-them-with-coins/

Lew Rockwell

lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo30.html

Amazon.com

amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0945466293/lewrockwell/

Government Accountability Office

gao.gov/new.items/d11281.pdf

Fixing volatility in the International Monetary Fund

youtube.com/watch?v=v94p-da5_Lk

What is and isn't really worth getting organic

2011-03-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Organics are an expensive investment. When pinching pennies, most wonder if organic produce is worth the expense. Tests from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that organic produce is worth the investment — but not for all items.

Expenses organic includes

In the United States, there are several different organic certifications. Any farms that integrate “cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity," are considered "organic" by the U.S. DOA. In general, this means not using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The size of the farm determines how much an organic certification expenses although it’s between $500 and $33,000. Farmers charge more per unit in order to make money when foods are grown organically since there is a lower yield. It will cost more to buy organic food at the grocery store. This is typically the case.

Food sometimes worth the organic price

Some foods absorb pesticides and chemicals much more easily than others. There were tests done at the USDA to see which foods absorb the chemicals more than others. Nineteen were found to absorb the chemicals so much that scrubbing and peeling would not be enough. In spite of their average higher cost, these fruits and vegetables contain, on average, more pesticides:

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Peppers
Spinach
Cherries
Kale
Potatoes
Grapes
Lettuce
Carrots
Green beans
Pears
Plums
Summer squash
Cucumbers

Foods not worth the expense

There are fruits and vegetables on the other side of the spectrum also. This means chemicals aren’t absorbed effortlessly in them. The United States Department of Agriculture test states that non-organic foods of these sorts are okay.

Onions
Avocado
Corn on the cob
Pineapple
Mangoes
Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Honeydew
Grapefruit

It could be really hard to balance money and stay healthy. When you are eating healthy, the right fruits and vegetables can make all the difference — and knowing when to spend the cash and when to conserve can make the strain on your wallet a little easier to take.

Information from

How Stuff Works

recipes.howstuffworks.com/organic-certification3.htm

USDA

ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

Low rates of interest cause mortgage modification applications to boom

2011-03-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

The number of home loan applications has risen since last month. Much of the new applications are for mortgage modification. The time is nigh for a good refinancing, as home loan rates are near record lows. Sales of homes increased as well. However, the sales increases have been far more modest, as few individuals are confident enough to buy homes with falling values.

Lower rates of interest mean more activity in mortgage market

With rates of interest low for so long, there has been more mortgage activity, states Bloomberg. This is clearly shown. Mortgage applications rose by 15.5 percent during the week that ended March 4, which is the largest increase in home loan activity since June 11 of 2010. This very same week in 2010 wasn't as profitable. A 6.5 percent decrease was shown. About 65.5 percent of the home loan applications were for mortgage modifications though. That is up from the week before when it was 64.9 percent. The Mortgage Bankers Association does not make a difference between new home and existing home applications. Still, it states that the purchase index went up 12.5 percent. The sale of existing homes makes up about 90 percent of all home sales.

Lower home prices

Home prices have dropped 31 percent since costs peaked in July 2006, and there is rampant speculation that a double dip in real estate is feasible. CNN reports that Robert Shiller believes a double dip is likely. Shiller co-founded the Case-Shiller Index. In January 2011, home costs fell even more. This is part of the reason why Shiller thinks home costs are nevertheless going down. Unfortunately for most middle class prospective home buyers, taking advantage of lower costs is going to become more difficult over the next few years as financing standards are about to change.

Possible loss of 30 year home loan

Getting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of the system is something the government is considering. Investors will buy mortgages from Fannie and Freddie who purchase them from loan companies. This keeps the mortgage industry continuously ready for new mortgages. Should the mortgage houses be done away with, the 30-year fixed home loan may go with them, according to the New York Times. It’s very risky to lend a 30 year loan with fixed interest since the future can hold several things. Staying in a home for 30 years and paying down a loan is something people rarely do. Loan companies are going to be more interested in changing interest with the industry soon. That means arms will likely become what is normal in the next 10 or 20 years. More than likely there will be higher rates of interest and larger down payments.

Information from

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-09/mortgage-applications-in-u-s-rise-16-biggest-gain-since-june.html

Mortgage Bankers Association

mbaa.org/NewsandMedia/PressCenter/75923.htm

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/03/03/real_estate/housing_buy_or_not/index.htm

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/03/04/business/04housing.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Facebook service can be utilized to view movies directly

2011-03-12T02:24:00.000-08:00

Warner Bros. has officially announced they’re trying something new. Movies in their library can be offered for electronic rental by means of Facebook. Facebook Movies only contains a few opportunities for viewing at the moment. If the plans go well, Warner Bros can be expanding their offerings. Netflix stocks fell three percent when the service went live.

Electronic rentals through Facebook

On the Warner Bros. Facebook page, there is a new feature. It is possible to rent and stream movies on Facebook. Users have this ability now. Only a few movies, including "The Dark Knight," are available right now. Leasing the movie for 48 hrs costs 30 Facebook Credits, which is the equivalent of about $3. Right now only about 30 percent of Facebook users can use the program. It’s being tested with only a lot of people.

Stock from Netflix falls with news

The Facebook Movies information hasn't been good for everyone. In fact, the online rental business has certainly not benefited from it. Shares went down three percent for Netflix after the announcement. This was just in the first hour though. About 20 percent of traffic on the internet involves Netflix. About 10 percent of online traffic to video sharing occurred by means of Facebook in December 2010. In-line video sharing and Facebook traffic together might make for a mean Netflix competition. This is assuming the content becomes available soon.

What Facebook Credits are

Facebook's system of payment that will soon be required will have Facebook Movies being the first non-game application to use it. Facebook Credits currently cost $1 for 10 Facebook Credits. There is no assurance, however, that Facebook Credits will remain a monetary program tied exclusively to the value of the dollar. The Facebook monetary program is done specifically so it can change its income. The income increases when the conversion rate is simply changed. Facebook could easily change to nine Facebook credits per dollar instead. This would lead to 1.1 cents per credit purchased instead for Facebook. Just a tiny increase like this could make a huge difference for the company. This small increase is multiplied by billions for increased earnings.

Articles cited

Tech Crunch

techcrunch.com/2010/12/23/facebook-second-largest-source-videos/

Slate

slate.com/id/2273314/

Forbes

blogs.forbes.com/parmyolson/2011/03/08/now-you-can-rent-and-stream-movies-on-facebook/?partner=yahootix

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-08/netflix-falls-as-warner-bros-starts-offering-movies-on-facebook.html

Gasoline costs unlikely influenced by using U.S. oil reserve

2011-03-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

The United States strategic oil reserve is being eyed by some members of Congress as a solution to rising gas and oil prices. Politicians are urging the Obama administration to open the spigot, despite a worldwide surplus of oil production capacity. U.S. supplies of oil and gasoline are also far above average seasonal amounts. Tapping into the strategic oil reserve could have the opposite impact, energy analysts say, and the administration does not think gasoline prices have raised high enough to warrant such a drastic measure. Article source – Why tapping U.S. strategic oil reserves will not lower gas prices by MoneyBlogNewz.

Reason Congress would like this/span>

The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, the largest in the world, contains 727 million barrels of oil, its full capacity. In the last 10 days, there has been a 28 cent increase in the average price of gas per gallon. In order to stabilize oil prices and keep oil supplies from being disrupted, Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., has suggested as Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman that a major portion of the oil reserve be sold. Reducing oil consumption in the U.S. could be more likely to happen with the sell also, giving tax breaks for hybrids and electric vehicle. Also, it was suggested that the deficit could be reduced with the sell along with getting gas prices back to normal.

U.S. not running low on oil/span>

About $500 million of oil from the reserve would be sold to fund projects with the 2012 spending budget although the Obama administration is saying no to sell a part of the United States strategic petroleum reserve as part of the spike in gasoline and oil prices. The administration contends that tapping the oil reserve would send a false panic signal to consumers and markets when the U.S. isn’t running low on oil. There are record inventories in the Oklahoma major oil storage facility. From Canada, the U.S. is getting gas while North Dakota is starting to produce. You will find 346.4 million barrels of U.S. crude oil inventories, reports the United States Energy Information Administration. U.S. gasoline inventories are at 9.86 billion gallons. There are more than average amounts in these inventories. This is determined by the time of year.

Solving the oil and gas price issue/span>

Oil industry analysts agree with the Obama administration that tapping into the strategic oil reserve now would have virtually no effect on oil and gasoline prices, and it would validate the fear that is driving up costs. The issue is a shortage in a surplus production rather than a shortage in oil supply. Speculators are betting that spreading Middle East unrest will reduce surplus oil production capacity. Without a surplus oil production capacity, you will find several problems. The real troubles with oil price would start. Adding the capacity to produce more oil rather than a temporary infusion from the strategic oil reserve will put the international oil markets at ease.

Articles cited/span>

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/03/04/business/energy-environment/04oil.html?_r=1

Foreign Policy

oilandglory.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/04/the_weekly_wrap_march_4_2011

UPI

upi.com/Business_News/2011/03/03/Crude-oil-supplies-fall-slightly/UPI-22221299189942/

interest rates have made mortgages low cost loans

2011-03-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

Anybody who can are eligible for the financing can get inexpensive loans for purchasing real estate, thanks to low mortgage interest rates. The market hasn’t fully recovered from the 2008 crash, and home loans are at near record low interest rates, including the 15 year fixed, the 30 year fixed, and the five year adjustable rate mortgage. A double dip in the housing industry might be a real possibility.

The cheap cost of a home

The demand for housing is going down still meaning industry rates for home loans are going down. Any qualified buyers might start looking. Really inexpensive loans are available. MSNBC reports that all time lows are being hit with the five-year adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM, just went down to 3.72 percent from the 3.80 percent it was. A 3.23 percent rate was reached with five-year ARMs in February. This means it has actually gone up. The 30 year fixed mortgages hit a 40 year low of 4.17 percent in November while now they have gone up to 4.87 percent. The going rate for 15-year fixed home loans is currently 4.15 percent.

Still thinking about possibility of a double dip

A second recessionary period in housing might be on the horizon, in accordance with CNN. Buying a house will always cost more than a payday cash advance can give. Nevertheless, the housing industry may get even worse hurting the real estate industry more than ever. Robert Schiller, co-founder of the Case-Shiller Index, states there is potential for the costs of homes “falling another 15, 20 or 25 percent.”. Given that housing prices are near to the lowest amounts since the great housing crash of 2008, a double dip in real estate seems plausible. This occurring could be even worse for the economy. The economy might not know how to recover. Many states use property taxes as part of their revenue. The states would have even worse issues if this double dip occurred.

Why you need to rent

The decision between renting and buying has been something considered by every person during this recession. Purchasing a home when values go down might be good. This is only if the person can then sell it after the values go back up. When putting in a lot of equity or having paid off the mortgage, it is even a better investment. The property tax and maintenance don't have to be paid when leasing though. Granted renting means; having to part with more instant cash every month than a homeowner.

Articles cited

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/38770102/ns/business-real_estate/

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/03/03/real_estate/housing_buy_or_not/index.htm

When is daylight savings time 2011

2011-03-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

The second Sunday in March marks the beginning of daylight savings time 2011. It can be the 5th year since Congress changed daylight savings time in the U.S. from the first Sunday in April to the second Sunday in March. Since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated the extension of daylight savings time, a definitive answer as far as whether it has saved power has not yet been found. Post resource – Daylight savings time 2011 not likely to save energy in the U.S. by MoneyBlogNewz.

Daylight conserving time coming up means one less hour in the day

Everywhere in the U.S., excluding both Hawaii and Arizona, can be moving their clocks forward an hour on March 13 at 2 a.m. for daylight saving time 2011. Saving energy has been the rationale for daylight conserving time since it was first implemented by Germany in WW1 to save coal. In theory, extending daylight hrs with daylight saving time saves energy by reducing the need for electric lighting. Several compare daylight conserving time to cutting off an end of a rope and adding it to another end by manipulating clocks. Daylight conserving time is controversial because it advantages industries in retail and outdoor recreation, yet causes difficulties for such industries as farming and entertainment.

Questioning benefits of it

To promote power savings, a provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the period of daylight saving time by four weeks. The change amended the Uniform Time Act of 1966, and the earlier “spring forward” time was first enacted on March 11, 2007. Those in charge of writing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 said there would be energy savings due to this extension. The savings would be of 1 percent. There was a rise in energy savings in Indiana though after the 2006 change in daylight savings. Daylight savings actually ended up being bad for Indiana households. There was more heat in the morning and air conditioning in the afternoons causing an extra $8.6 million in utility bills to be paid.

Daylight conserving time bad and the good

Due to sleep deprivation, there's really a rise in heart attacks during the first week of daylight savings even though it may not save power. On the optimistic side, research has found that daylight saving time reduces fatal car crashes and vehicle collisions with pedestrians.

Articles cited

U.S. News and World Report

health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/sleep/articles/2009/03/03/13-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-daylight-saving-time

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120406767043794825.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005

Sheen tells Today Show he has the power

2011-03-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

If you saw Sheen on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America" or even "The Alex Jones Show," you know that the former star of "Two and a Half Men" isn’t really suffering from a deflated opinion of himself. If you believe him, he has superhuman powers that extend beyond the realm of mere mortals, writes the National Post. Like an otherworldly Adonis (seen states to have the Greek figure’s DNA inside), Sheen has the alleged god-like power to kick any addiction and climb any mountain. Article source – Charlie Sheen lights up Today Show, GMA with Adonis grandeur by MoneyBlogNewz.

Charlie Sheen on ‘Good Morning America’

Sheen says he is an Adonis meaning he can manage trials better than anyone else even though the narcotic abuse, 9-11 conspiracies, prostitutes, brawls, canyon vehicles and no employment are all things that would really get an individual down. On "Good Morning America," he claimed to be on a drug:

"It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available. If you try it once, you will die. Your face will melt off and your children will weep over your exploded body."

'Alex Jones’ interview with Sheen

In accordance with Sheen, he has Adonis DNA meaning, until his power naps "like an F-18," he can deal with anything. This is one thing he told Alex Jones on the radio show. According to CBS, "Two and a Half Men" is stuck in deep sleep because on “The Alex Jones Show” Sheen chucked what some consider an anti-Semitic remark at Chuck Lorre, the creator, writer and executive producer of the show. Sheen says he cares about the production crew that depends upon the money from "Two and a Half Men," however they’re out of work too, as production has been scrapped.

What Sheen has to say about drugs

Sheen, the man who told Jones he is a "rock star from Mars," has no use for Alcoholics Anonymous and drug rehab, according to the New York Times. Sheen is in severe denial, according to specialists like Dr. Drew Pinsky. Sheen said was a matter of "unlearning 22 years of fiction" when talking to "Today" about it.

The "Today Show" heard Sheen say that the "poetry at his fingertips" is what causes him to fail narcotic tests. He relapsed. Then he said:

"I just don't do it. (That’s) written for normal people who don't have tiger blood and Adonis DNA."

Citations

National Post

arts.nationalpost.com/2011/02/28/the-best-quotes-from-charlie-sheens-today-show-abc-appearances/

New York Times

mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/charlie-sheen-says-hell-sue-cbs/

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adonis

Charlie Sheen on ‘The Alex Jones Show’ for the conspiracy-minded

youtube.com/watch?v=QGdshc0AtOE

Newt Gingrich claims Defense of Marriage Act conclusion means Obama law in effect

2011-03-03T00:44:00.000-08:00

Gingrich, the previous Speaker of the House of Representatives, isn’t happy about the recent conclusion in regards to the Defense of Marriage Act. He slammed the Obama administration for deciding not to defend the law in the courtroom. When the Justice Department declared it wouldn’t defend Defense of Marriage Act in court, Gingrich declared "Obama law" had overtaken constitutional law. Defense of Marriage Act remains in impact, which is something that Newt failed to mention.

Law continues even after what Gingrich thinks

Because of a conclusion the Obama administration and Justice Department made to stop fighting the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, in federal court cases, several are really angry. ABC explained that Newt Gingrich is the previous Speaker of the House. He went on Television to talk about this decision in regards to the DOMA. "Obama law" has changed "the rule of law," in accordance with Gingrich. He thinks that a constitutional turmoil will soon start, although he forgot to explain that constitutional grounds were used in deciding to not defend the law. He said Sarah Palin would be facing impeachment if she were elected.

Reactions from everyone

There was a harsh response from conservative congress members to the decision. It was not a universal reaction though. The American people are a high priority which is why Obama needs to be focusing on the issue instead of the economic issues like fiscal policy. This is what spokesperson for Boehner (R-Ohio) explained in criticism of the Obama administration. There are other possibilities being looked into by Eric Cantor (R-Vir.) He is thinking of passing legislation that would reduce Justice Department funding.

Hopeful presidential candidates' opinions

The responses to this have come loudest from those who are thinking of running for president in 2012. Newt Gingrich is one of these people. Former governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney said the Obama and Eric Holder’s decision to stop defending DOMA was a mistake, according to ABC. Other potential candidates Mike Huckabee and Tim Pawlenty said they were disappointed, and former Senator from PA Rick Santorum said that a more vigorous defense of “traditional marriage” was necessary. Due to statements made against homosexuals, Santorum got looked down on in his last term as Senator.

Citations

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/critics-slam-obama-doma-decision-newt-gingrich-calls/story?id=12992207&page=1

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/social-conservatives-vow-defend-doma-pressure-obama/story?id=13000776&page=2

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/25/AR2011022502503.html

Every little thing you need to learn about MacBook Pro 2011 ThunderBolt

2011-03-02T02:24:00.000-08:00

Apple launched the latest Macbook Pro February 24, the 56th birthday of CEO Steve Jobs. Most of the talk about the MacBook Pro relates to Light Peak, an advanced I/O technology pioneered by Intel. On the brand new MacBook Pro, the first lineup of merchandise to utilize Light Peak, Intel’s technology could be known as ThunderBolt. Source for this article – Everything you need to know about MacBook Pro 2011 ThunderBolt by MoneyBlogNewz.

About ThunderBolt velocity

ThunderBolt is the only difference to the MacBook Pro that Apple has a brand new model of with the technology that the majority is looking forward to. Formerly known as Intel’s Light Peak, ThunderBolt has dual channel transfer rates as high as 10 gigabits per second. The USB 3.0 could be changed by this I/O technology according to Apple. In accordance with Intel, it takes no time at all to transfer an HD film up to 20 gigabits with ThunderBolt on the MacBook Pro. Less than 30 seconds is needed. The brand new Apple MacBook Pro has five models available. These include 2 that are 13-inches, 2 that are 15-inches and one that is 17-inches. With all options, prices go from $1,200 to $2,500. All MacBooks feature Intel’s Core i5 or i7 processors in dual- and quad-core versions.

FireWire sluggish in comparison to Thunderbolt

Just like FireWire, ThunderBolt will be very flexible. It could be up to three times faster though. Only one port for ThunderBolt is needed, just like FireWire, for MacBook Pro as the devices could be interconnected for Thunderbolt. Power is supplied in ThunderBolt too meaning an external power adapter isn't needed. As a single interface for multiple functions, ThunderBolt automatically figures out its intended use. The interface of the technology can be used for several things. This includes hard drives and display monitors attached. Intel’s Light Peak prototypes featured optical cables, but Apple’s ThunderBolt runs on copper wires in order to support bus-powered peripherals.

Apple commences I/O paradigm shift

ThunderBolt devices are anticipated to start shipping this spring. FireWire and USB adapters will be enabled. This is because Apple's ThunderBolt taps peripherals into the PCI interface. Two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 800 port is linked to the new MacBook Pro. Apple is coming out ahead of the curve again with ThunderBolt, just like it was the first to abandon the floppy drive in 1998 and create a laptop, the MacBook Air, without an optical drive last year. ThunderBolt will likely be adopted last year by PC manufacturers keeping up with Apple.

Information from

New York Times

nytimes.com/external/venturebeat/2011/02/24/24venturebeat-thunderbolt-intels-light-peak-high-speed-int-56256.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Engadget

engadget.com/2011/02/24/apple-unveils-thunderbolt/

Techland

techland.time.com/2011/02/24/new-macbook-pros-have-landed/

Branson video gaffe caused by massive migraine headache

2011-02-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

Branson went from zero to viral video hero, as her troubles with speaking made her an internet sensation. However, her slurred words and troubles with speech were likely due to a migraine. Several people thought Branson had suffered a stroke or was three sheets to the wind in the video, which went viral. Branson has fully healed after being diagnosed with having had a migraine.

A stroke wasn't at all what Serene Branson experienced

After the Grammy Awards in LA concluded, reporter Serene Branson was sent to give some post event coverage by KCBS TV. The media reporter can't talk well while speaking nonsense in the Serene Branson Grammy coverage video before another story was cut to. The film has gone viral and was flagged as a reporter on air while drunk, and many people thought that Branson had a stroke. MSNBC reports though that Serene Branson just had a migraine which was discovered after several tests. The speech difficulties were caused by her going numb on one side of her face while she also noticed she had a hard time reading and forming thoughts.

Migraines are hard to manage

In the brain, there is an event that happens called a migraine which is worse than a headache. 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. A migraine aura, which does not occur during all migraines, can trigger changes in vision like seeing lights as blurry or incredibly bright, numbness, speech difficulties and other symptoms, in accordance with WebMD.

Devastating condition

Those with migraines know how difficult it’s. It can be hard to do anything. Many people just have to lie down for several hours, however some headaches are incredibly severe. Since migraine auras are really severe sometimes, it could be a good idea to seek medical attention. The cause of migraines is not entirely known, but you will find risk factors such as smoking and family history of migraines.

Citations

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

Curveball comes clean on lying about Iraq weapons of mass destruction

2011-02-24T19:24:00.000-08:00

An informant called "Curveball" who was credited with intelligence used to start the Iraq war has confessed that he lied to the CIA. Curveball is really an Iraqi named Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who said he had discovered secret labs in Iraq used to produce biological weapons. Saddam Hussien’s ouster was the result Curveball hoped to get through lying about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, the former informer said. This isis a story a payday loan couldn’t have bought to make up.

Bush and Powell support lie from Curveball

Claims by Curveball that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction have long been discredited. Curveball has insisted for years that he told the truth. On February 16, he said he lied though. He told this to the Guardian. Al-Janabi told German intelligence agents that bioweapons labs were being hidden in Iraq after escaping from Saddam Hussein's Iraq and going to Germany. Curveball’s claims were presented as the truth in a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to the United Nations and George W. Bush’s 2003 State of the Union address. In March 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq. Bush confesses that there weren't weapons of mass destruction in Iraq eventually though.

CIA doubted Curveball right from the start

When al-Janabi got there, it was hard to believe him. German intelligence was not so sure about what was going on. The false testimony on Iraqi bioweapons that al-Janabi gave was about the asylum application. This is what former head of the CIA in Europe Tyler Drumheller believes. CIA Chief George Tenet was warned by Drumheller that Curveball was not reliable since he never believed the story. If Curveball lied to oust Hussein, then he is “one of the world’s greatest strategic planners.” This was what Drumheller told the Guardian after al-Janabi's confession. Another thing Drumheller mentioned was the Bush administration needed evidence to go to war for the public. That is why they used Curveball's story.

Truth doesn't help Curveball

If it meant getting the Bush administration to war, Curveball said he is glad to have done it. Over 100,000 civilians in Iraq and 4,500 U.S. military people have perished in it. Al-Janabi's home of Germany doesn't approve of what was done. It is a criminal offense to lead to war with one's actions. Germans also want to know why German intelligence paid al-Janabi $4,000 a month for five years after it was known he lied. Politicians in Iraq have said that he should be exiled permanently instead of returning.

Citations

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/16/colin-powell-CIA-curveball

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/02/16/world/middleeast/16curveball.html

Los Angeles Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/chatter/2011/02/curveball.html

Blocking spread of cancer could mean obstructing enzymes

2011-02-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

LOXL2 is an amino acid creation enzyme in the body that helps create collagen and elastin. A group of researchers in the United Kingdom have found an interesting fact. Obstructing LOXL2 acids blocks cancer spread. Cancer cells can easily spread from one part of the body to another. About ninety percent of cancer fatalities are because of this spread, and this finding could help cut it down. Resource for this article – Blocking LOXL2 enzyme cut cancer spread dramatically by MoneyBlogNewz.

Enzyme blocks change breast cancer spreading

Institute of Cancer Research researchers in the U.K. published findings in the medical journal Cancer Research. Researchers put chemicals in cancer of the breast cells. This was so that the LOXL2 enzyme would be blocked. When subjected to enzyme blockers, the cancer cells did not spread to other parts of the body nearly as often. The cancer that spreads easily from breast tissue to the bloodstream is connected to LOXL2 enzymes and LOXL2 gene in the bloodstream. Death ends up being more of a possibility after cancer spreads from tissue to blood. This is since the cancer may end up reappearing anywhere in the body.

Existence of LOXL2 enzymes

The LOXL2 gene utilizes copper to synthesize collagen and elastin. The body can rebuild and create with the gene. The enzyme also helps cancer cells move from muscle and fat tissue into the blood. You will find usually lots of LOXL2 enzymes found in cancer patients. These are just the patients the cancer spreads quickly in. Mice have been the only animals tested on when obstructing enzymes to try and stop cancer spread. The use of LOXL2 as a forecaster is also not widely used in humans yet.

The correct cancer medicine

In the quest to cure cancer, researchers have identified multiple avenues of promising research, all of which seek to target specific cancers. Getting targeted cancer medications put together can be hard to do. This is because sometimes they differ from person to person. Up to two years would be needed to get Food and Drug Administration approval on human LOXL2 enzyme drugs. This would be after the three years needed to make the drugs work.

Citations

HC2D

hc2d.co.uk/content.php?contentId=17644

Rumors fly about little, inexpensive iPhone Nano this summer season from Apple

2011-02-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

The next big thing from Apple may be a scaled-down, less costly device similar to an iPhone. By storing all its data online, the gadget could be just half the size of standard iPhones. A lower-priced smartphone from Apple could tip the scales its way in the company’s showdown with Android. Millions of individuals wouldn’t have to take out a pay day loan to buy this smartphone.

Picking Apple's iPhone Nano or the Android

Rumors about a scaled-down, less expensive iPhone from Apple have been circulating for a few years. It’s possible the iPhone Nano might really show up now, states analysts. This is because Apply is letting several connected devices intertwine with its brand name now. The industry for the iPhone is fairly much saturated now. That means Apple might be ready to compete with the Android entirely now. It isn't likely the device could be named the iPhone Nano even though it is what every person is calling Apple's next move. Apple is expected to protect the prestigious iPhone brand by introducing an application-specific product such as music and messaging system that makes phone calls.

Getting MobileMe with the iPhone Nano

Part of the Apple iPhone Nano phone may have to involve a change in storage. It will likely consist of the MobileMe cloud storage. The cloud is where iPhone users can store information managed with the iPhone or computer. MobileMe allows this to take place. A MobileMe subscription currently costs $99 a year. A plus Apple might add on to the iPhone Nano might be a MobileMe free service. It allows music, videos and photos to be stored by users for free. The MobileMe cloud storage would be really helpful. Memory would no longer matter. Apple is working to develop a new online music service with MobileMe too. The "iPod phone" is a possibility with this

What Apple will do next

Since Apply normally released iPhones in June, it is anticipated this is when the iPhone Nano could be released as well. About $200 would be what it would cost. Carriers could subsidize it to being free in this case. Until now, most of the innovations in the smartphone universe have been pioneered by Apple. Cost reduction will most likely be the point of the next innovations. Devices like the iPhone being less expensive have scared several mobile manufacturers. They’re worried about Apple being too far ahead.

Articles cited

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657104576142262842435544.html#ixzz1DrugJhp0

Computerworld

blogs.computerworld.com/17806/iphone_nano_a_no_no_everything_you_need_to_know?source=rss_blogs

ADNet

zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/iphone-nano-could-swamp-the-mobile-market-kill-off-rivals/8232

Colombian authorities seize drug smuggling submarine

2011-02-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

Drug smugglers have had a diabolical plot foiled by the Colombian law enforcement. A sting operation resulted in the seizure of a drug smuggling submarine. Drug submersibles have been used for years, however they’re getting more sophisticated. Narco subs, the nickname given drug smuggling submersibles, cannot be picked up on sonar and are hard to spot.

Drug smuggling identified with joint task force

The Daily Mail reports that a business with the air force, navy and Colombian Inspector General's office with Columbian authorities has led to a huge drug smugglers bust. In Cauca, near the town of Timbiqui, a drug bust happened. There was drug smuggling found in the swamps. The Pacific Coast of Colombia is where Cauca is. That means the sea was where the swamp led. Computers for navigation, bunks for a four man crew and eight tons of cocaine were already loaded onto the drug submarine. When the craft was discovered, there wasn't everyone onboard. There were some firearms discovered though.

Smuggling what is done next rationally

The boat was a new breed of drug smuggling submersibles or Narco Subs even though they have been used for years. Fiberglass and other materials are used to make the subs which cost drug cartels huge amount of money. Nevertheless, they are only used once a lot of the time. A drug smuggling submersible is not ordinarily a true submarine, in the craft cannot fully submerge. The difference for the Timbiqui was that it was able to submerge. It could go for extended periods of time down nine meters, or 40 feet. The Wall Street Journal reports that the 105-foot craft could have gotten to the coast of Mexico or even to the United States.

Drug cartels caught

The methods for getting drugs in the United States have been something drug cartels have gradually become craftier about. Drug submersibles have been known about for the past several years and were referred to as “Bigfoot” for a while because none had been caught or seen. A few years back, there was one captured. More are being identified now. Now that drug cartels have started making subs that can submerge, it’s predicted that remote operated drug submersibles are likely next.

Information from

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357040/Submarine-loaded-tons-cocaine-seized-Colombia.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703703804576144752329031500.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narco_submarine

Serene Branson not in the hospital, despite possible Grammy stroke

2011-02-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

Early reports indicated that Serene Branson, CBS News reporter, had been hospitalized. Serene Branson was not put in the hospital, however. This possible stroke was shown on live Television. Paramedics said Branson's vital signs were normal, and she insists that she is "feeling fine". The healthcare bills she would get if she didn’t have a stroke would have caused a lot more than a pay day loan would have covered.

Stroke for Branson

Serene Branson is a reporter who has received 2 Emmy awards and works in LA for CBS. During the Grammy awards, Branson appeared to be slurring her words and speaking unintelligibly. Many were worried about the expression on Branson's face for 10 to 15 seconds. She could not seem to talk. The paramedics were notified as this can be a warning sign of a stroke. The video was one Twitter users initially pointed and laughed at. Later, worry was expressed for Branson though.

youtube.com/watch?v=PkYS8DXcMew&feature=player_embedded

Branson ‘feeling fine’ allegedly

Initial reports indicated that Branson had been hospitalized after her possible stroke while reporting the Grammy awards. However, CBS 2 news released a statement saying:

“Serene Branson was examined by paramedics on scene immediately after her broadcast. Her vital signs were normal. She was not hospitalized. As a precautionary measure, a colleague gave her a ride home, and she says that she is feeling fine this morning.”

Possible causes of slurred speech

The speculation that Serene Branson was hospitalized following a stroke at the Grammys was depending on her slurred, confused speech caught on tape. Slurred speech is one of the most common indicators of a stroke. Other things can be taking place with slurred speech. It doesn't have to be a stroke. There are several things that can cause distorted speech, otherwise known as Dysathria. Facial paralysis, medication, facial weakness, tumors, or even a brain injury can all make this take place.

Citations

Mayo Clinic

mayoclinic.com/health/dysarthria/DS01175

Time Newsfeed

newsfeed.time.com/2011/02/14/was-cbs-reporter-serene-bransons-on-air-flub-due-to-a-stroke/

Congressman Christopher Lee quits avoiding further Craigslist scandal fallout

2011-02-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

Christopher Lee has resigned as congressman due to a released picture, which he had delivered to a female he met on Craigslist. A Republican from NY, Lee had just started his second term in the House of Representatives. He did not wait long to resign once the news broke. It seems that that it was better to just head things off before it became a huge scandal.

About the ‘Craigslist congressman’ problem

Christopher Lee’s resignation from the New York House of Representatives was the culmination of events that began on Craigslist. There were photos released, reports the Washington Post. Gawker.com got a hold of them. A personal ad was posted by a female, remaining unnamed, living in MD. Christopher Lee responded to it. The woman asked as part of the ad, “will someone prove to me not all CL men look like toads?” In his second term in the House of Representatives, Lee wrote back to her. He said he as younger than 46, which is his real age, and that he was a lobbyist on Capitol Hill. The 2 bantered back and forth, however the ruse was found once he sent her photographs of himself.

Gawker utilizes pictures to discover out

When Christopher Lee sent shirtless photos of him, his Craigslist correspondent asked if he habitually sent photos of himself topless, and he said that it was “all I had.”. As the two kept e-mailing each other, eventually she asked about his marital status, to which he replied that he was divorced. Christopher Lee doesn't only have a wife. He has a son as well. She looked on the internet for his name after recognizing the photograph just to discover out he was a married congressman from the 26th district of New York and was older than 40. She sent the e-mails and pictures to Gawker.com, and the news broke.

Resignation by Gawker force

Gawker.com published the photographs and the e-mails on Wed., February 9, and the story quickly gained online momentum. After hrs of the news, Christopher Lee wrote a letter to John Boehner, who’s the Speaker of the House, saying he was resigning, NPR reports. Just a little later in the day, the letter was read out loud on the floor by a clerk. He will be swapped out in an election. Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, will hold this.

Information from

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/09/AR2011020906977.html?nav=hcmoduletmv&sid=ST2011020907393

NPR

npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/02/10/133648332/rep-christopher-lee-resigns-from-congress-after-non-sex-scandal

Gawker

gawker.com/#!5755071/married-gop-congressman-sent-sexy-pictures-to-craigslist-babe

Banker bonuses may have to wait three years, claims FDIC

2011-02-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

The Associated Press reports that large bankers won’t be cashing their bonuses at this time. The FDIC is working toward instituting a rule that would demand at least half of bankers’ yearly bonuses to be pushed forward by three years, a move to help protect the U.S. economic recovery. The rule would apply to financial institutions with $ 50 billion or more in assets.

Insurance fees from big banks larger

There is more than just the proposed banker bonuses provision being considered for the Dodd-Frank Act. It’s also being considered to require U.S. financial institutions to put more into insurance for the FDIC to protect the whole nation's deposits in banks. More can be put in the deposit insurance funds by the banks that hold probably the most in assets, rather than deposits. In general, those institutions which pose the greatest risk to the U.S. financial system due to high-risk assets and less stable liquidity will be incurred more.

Startlingly, the insurance fund has run in the red for a while, going as low as $15.2 billion in the hole during the height of bank closures and bailouts. In the third quarter of 2010, the deficit was cut in half. This meant it was at $8 billion instead.

Pay a smaller amount with a smaller bank

Less than $10 billion in assets are owned by ninety eight % of banks which means they will pay less money to the insurance fund, which the small bank trade group Independent Community Bankers of America explains. According to the ICBA, smaller banks in America will save money. In the next three years, $4.5 billion could be saved this way.

“ICBA led the charge throughout the Wall Street reform debate to create fairness within the deposit insurance system so that Main Street community banks can continue to serve their customers and keep money where it belongs – in the community,” said chairman James MacPhee.

The need to strengthen

The insurance contributions going up can be good for the FDIC. Blair claims the optimistic balance will be one that can come back because of it. Foreseeable rates for unsecured loans will be more like to occur for banks with this.

“The financial crisis provided ample evidence of the need to improve the assessment system," said Bair. "The banking industry, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the financial system will benefit from this rule in both the short and long term.”

Information from

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2011-02-07-fdic-exec-pay_N.htm?csp=34money&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+UsatodaycomMoney-TopStories+%28Money+-+Top+Stories%29

Housing Wire

housingwire.com/2011/02/07/fdic-to-base-insurance-charges-to-banks-based-on-risk-not-deposits

Imagine all the bankers living for less pay

youtube.com/watch?v=uesCu3VVR4E

Sunscreen remark gets Gisele Bundchen in trouble

2011-02-11T05:04:00.000-08:00

Bundchen is a Brazilian supermodel who’s married to an NFL player and lives part time in the United States. The model is also trying to launch a skin care line. Bundchen was quoted as calling sun block “poison” and has caught some flak for it. {Gisele Bundchen declines labeling sun block poison, though, claiming it was a "mistranslation."|Representatives for the model, however, are stating that this was an error in translation.|The representatives for the model are denying this statement. Instead, they’re calling the quotation a “mistranslation." Post resource – Bundchen claims poison happens with sunscreen

At a press conference where Bundchen was promoting her skin care line, Gisele Bundchen said something surprising. Bundchen was quoted stating “I cannot put this poison on my skin. I do not use anything synthetic," after getting asked about SPF in her product. Rumors that Bundchen stays inside between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. where UV rays are strong started to fly with investigation.

Gisele Bundchen refuses to admit to it

Just a few days after the press conference, Bundchen denied calling sun block poison. Bundchen says the quote was a mistranslation. It wasn't what she meant to say about it. Official reps of Bundchen released a statement saying: “They misquoted her due to a language barrier. Gisele would never say not to use sun block because she has family members who have had skin cancer.” The sunscreen Bundchen utilizes has chemicals that cannot be in it. She also avoids being in the sun too often.

Sunscreen problems

You will find definite problems with sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used whenever you are outside. This is so UV radiation won't hurt your skin, doctors and cancer experts explain. Less than 5 percent of sunscreen is safe and effective, in accordance with the EWG. There is oxybenzone in sunscreen, which disrupts hormones, and the FDA doesn't regulate it. Too much sun block can mean a vitamin D deficiency though. Cancer could be accelerated this way. It is really bad to stop protecting yourself from the sun while at the exact same time too much sun block is bad.

Information from

AOL News

aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/

Clebrifi

celebrifi.com/gossip/Gisele-Bndchen-Responds-to-Sunscreen-Controversy-4679481.html

Collegiate research: Working moms, overweight kids

2011-02-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

The epidemic of youth obesity has grown by over 300 percent since 1980, several studies suggest. Now a brand new research out of American University suggests that there may be a common link between higher instances of youth obesity and working moms who are frequently away from home. The study suggests that kids with the highest body mass index (BMI) lifetime tended to have mothers who worked long hrs outside the home. This is even without people taking out payday advances to buy their food. Article source – Working mothers have more obese kids, says study by MoneyBlogNewz.

The link to childhood obesity

The childhood weight problems research, which was published in the January/February issue of the journal Child Development, looked at 990 kids from grades 3, 5 and 6, sampled from 10 cities across the U.S. Study founder Prof. Taryn Morrissey from American University’s Public Administration and Policy department, found the total number of years working mothers were employed had a small however cumulative influence on their children’s Body Mass Index. The chance of weight problems is increased with a higher BMI.

The link between employment of a mother and a children's BMI was not explained by the children's physical activity levels or even TV time. The Body Mass Index level did not correlate with the time of day a mother worked either. Many were left guessing at what was going on.

No time to cook food

The most likely culprit that Morrissey and team identified was the lack of time working parents have to shop for groceries and prepare food. Eating out or consuming more pre-prepared foods – which tend to be higher in obese and calories – was a common thread.

What must be done to help

Behavior problems and obesity related illnesses like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, along with lesser life expectancy which the Children's Hospital in Boston concluded could be as much as five years, are all what youth weight problems can trigger which is why Prof. Morrissey thinks something needs to be done. It is very important make healthy, affordable food available. Society will become healthier this way.

"Community- and school-based programs offer promise for promoting healthy weight by providing information to children and their families about nutrition and exercise, as well as how to make quick, healthy meals," Morrissey said.

Citations

American University

american.edu/media/news/20110204-Childrens-BMI-May-Rise-Longer-Mothers-Work.cfm

Wiley

wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0009-3920

USA Today

usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-16-obesity-lifespan_x.htm

Mom, get your kids on the juice. Jack LaLanne would approve.

youtube.com/watch?v=4AEeQZh1s4A

Auto loan underwriting options stronger than before

2011-02-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Auto loan underwriters tend to be forgotten among the progenitors of the economic downturn, but sloppy choices concerning subprime loans created a great deal of defaults. Lenders didn’t adequately weigh the chance of lending to consumers who had been hard-pressed to repay, leading to excessive loan default. Now, the automotive industry is striving to pay closer attention to car loan underwriting requirements, reports Wards Auto. Source for this article – Underwriting auto loans after a recession by Car Deal Expert.

All the details are needed in auto loan underwriting

More attention is given to those applying for auto loans with a terrible credit history. This is the only way to get approved for it. Price Waterhouse and Cooper Consumer Financial Group senior manager Douglas Ekizian explained that a borrower can have a few dings in a credit history but does not appear to be in a terrible loan default could be approved. Sometimes it seems clear the applicant has the ability to pay back the loan. In these cases, the underwriter makes a decision depending on the consumer's history.

In general, better auto loan underwriting choices come when there is as much information as possible that is accessible. Full income and employment data is a must so that analysts can do "more than a cursory review of credit-bureau forensic analytics," said Ekizian.

Instincts determine who gets a loan

The detail is really important to help a vehicle loan underwriter to determine when and when the loan will not default. Alliance Acceptance CEO Ray Thousand explained this. A default following job loss is something that could be overlooked if the rest of the credit history is clean. As the credit industry for auto loans has relaxed somewhat, sometimes borrowers with a bankruptcy are considered, said consumer risk finance manager Adem Yilmaz of Toyota Motors Financial Services.

"Determining willingness to pay back a loan is the gut call of the day. We're looking for evidence of ultimately trying to make good on the loan," said Thousand.

Auto loan defaults: Children of recession

The United States economy really struggled in 2008 and 2009 which was when there were probably the most auto loan defaults. Several of car loan businesses either had to get bailout dollars or went bankrupt due to this. Hopefully the auto financing business can now make careful underwriting choices. Then, the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

Information from

Wards Auto

wardsauto.com/home/auto_loan_analysts_110204/

Understanding the role of loan underwriting

youtube.com/watch?v=Q7OvlYjNt9w

Ryanair faces mutiny following unexpected charge hits travelers

2011-02-09T03:24:00.000-08:00

Ryanair is an Irish airline that ends up in International press fairly regularly. Once again, the air carrier is in the headlines. One of Ryanair's baggage fees caused over 100 students to riot and delay a flight. One of Ryanair's costs has been ruled illegal in Spain.

Riot with the Ryanair

Over a hundred travelers on a Ryanair flight from the Canary Islands to Belgium ended up being kicked off the flight. An overweight baggage charge was asked of students causing "mutiny" in accordance with a one flight crew person. The students reacted to this. They became “disruptive and refused to comply with crew instructions.” Police were eventually called, and a hundred of the 166 travelers on the flight had to be offloaded and told they could not travel on that flight. There was an apology given to the last 66 left on the flight for the three hour delay. Then, the flight went back on track.

Rules Ryanair has about its baggage

Ryanair allows travelers to carry on a 22 pound bag within certain dimensions. Anything outside those limits that passengers make an effort to carry on must be put in the cargo hold — for an additional fee. The baggage had to be left on the tarmac for later retrieval if it did not follow the guidelines and there was not money to pay the charge. Paying a charge while luggage was held hostage by Ryanair staff wasn't something the students liked the idea of. It was soon known that.

Why it isn't okay to have the Ryanair fees

Ryanair has incredibly low fares for their no-frills flights, but they are known for having wide-ranging costs that cover just about everything on the flight. Ryanair suggested fees like pay-as-you-go lavatory utilizes. It was the first airline to suggest these. It was considered unlawful by a Spanish judge for fees to be charged for everyone who shows up without a preprinted boarding pass to Ryanair. Ryanair plans to challenge the ruling, which they call “bizarre.”. U.S. airlines are changing fees to be less all inclusive and more a la carte while Ryanair does operate in the U.S.

Citations

CNN

cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/07/ryanair.fee.flight.disrupted/index.html?npt=NP1

Experian starts using rental payment information to determine credit scores

2011-02-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

A record of timely rental payments now has an impact on credit ratings. Experian, one of the leading credit reporting agencies in the United States, has begun to factor in timely rent payment data in credit reports. Experian has taken the lead among major credit reporting agencies in utilizing timely rental payments, instead of rental default, to figure credit scores. It might just be worth applying for a payday loan to make sure rent is paid if you are trying to improve your credit.

Experian utilizing rental data in a optimistic way

Optimistic rental data started to be something used by Experian. Before this, negative rental information was the only thing credit files showed. The only reason why negative data was reported was because property owners would sent renter's accounts to collection. This would make a bad mark on a credit score. RentBureau is where Experian is tracing rental information. Property management with over 8 million households gives rental payment information to RentBureau. About ninety-six million renters pay rent regularly and on time who do not get any kind of credit from it according to Experian.

Advantages for each landlords and renters

Many are anxious about the Experian news. It is really good. Whereas before only getting sent to collection would result in unfavorable rental information; simply getting behind on rent payments could become an Experian criterion starting in 2012. Consumers will do much better with rental payment data on credit reports though. It can be much easier to build good credit this way. Young people without credit cards, auto loans or mortgages will especially need help with this challenge. Landlords will even appreciate it. The RentBureau database could be checked by Landlords. They can then determine if the renters can be good renters or not.

Several other credit agencies might change

The credit rating model for VantageScore, an emerging credit agency, already utilizes rent payments when ranking customers from A to F. Experian’s arrival could increase demand from loan providers and underwriters to consist of rental data in credit scores. Experian credit files can be compared and evaluated by FICO with the rental payment factored in. Over time, rental data in credit scores could be a boost to the mortgage lending industry by helping more people qualify for credit they deserve.

Information from

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/chris-birk/rent-payments-may-soon-af_b_817642.html

Baltimore Sun

weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/2011/01/experian_adding_rental_payment.html

Wallet Pop

walletpop.com/2011/01/31/credit-bureau-starts-tracking-rent-payments-good-news-or-bad-ne/

ADHD diet for kids researched in Dutch study

2011-02-08T03:24:00.000-08:00

Diet remedies for ADHD as an alternative to treatment have raised hope also as controversy. Scientists in the Netherlands published a research Thurs on the subject. They found that diet had an impact on some kids as far as improving their ADHD condition. But attention deficit hyperactivity disorder professionals question the research and say moms and dads of ADHD children cannot depend on diet alone to offset the condition.

Outcomes of the ADHD eating habits research

There may 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. Dutch researchers decided that a diet eliminating foods commonly associated with food allergies decreased ADHD conditions in 64 percent of the children in the study. The ADHD diet, depending on rice, white meat and vegetables, was administered to forty one children for five weeks. Enhancement was demonstrated in 32 of the children. The ADHD conditions were lessened. In the second phase of the study, the children were fed what exactly are assumed to be ADHD trigger foods and most of them relapsed. There wasn't any reduction in hyperactivity in the control group of children that had a standard healthy diet.

Hearing what Pediatricians have to say about it

The ADHD diet research showed that an elimination diet might be very beneficial. It might be used when treating kids that have ADHD quite bad. Pediatricians do not tend to like the idea of the diet though. It can be bad for children to be on an ADHD diet. It could even end up causing deficiencies in the child nutritionally. Pediatricians believe that the improvements demonstrated were likely allergy related as children with allergies show ADHD behavior often. There weren't any independent observers of the ADHD study which meant pediatricians questioned if the methodology of the research was done.

ADHD correlation to allergies

Many think that ADHD can be triggered by processed foods with a lot of sugar. There isn't any proof for that though, the National Institute of Mental Health explained. Generally, when a child has an allergy, it means that asthma, and skin rashes, diarrhea or other things will show the impact is occurring. One belief is that instead of showing those reactions, a child can have a brain chemistry issue due to an allergy to food. These questions could not be answered by the Dutch study or to tell you which foods to keep away from considering it was only a five week study. As far as a “standard” of care for ADHD, most pediatricians believe it all depends on the individual child.

Information from

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

The Daily signals reign of tablet news subscriptions

2011-02-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Rupert Murdoch has declared the launch of The Daily, an iPad-only newspaper, reports TechCrunch. Touted as the new direction for journalism, The Daily will combine classic reporting with the latest systems. According to reports, The Daily costs 14 cents on a daily basis, 99 centers per week or $39.99 per year. Subscribing is as simple as a single click. The first two weeks of The Daily are free. At least you won’t need a payday loan to test it out for 2 weeks.

Daily brand name not as powerful as Wall Street Journal

The Daily is one thing new to everyone. This is thinking about most brands like Wall Street Journal have been moving to online ways of staying in business. As several news consumers no longer read print journalism or watch Television newscasts, Rupert Murdoch believes that using portable tablet technology can be the best way to reach new generations. The Daily does not have an audience that expects a new conformity. That means Murdoch will really be doing one thing new.

"We have license to experiment. We believe The Daily will be the model for how stories are told," said Murdoch.

The Daily advantages from iPad processing power

The Daily is an iPad newspaper. Murdoch plans on having news stories updated all day long on it. Users familiar with the animated, 3-D graphical Cover Flow interface of iTunes will have no trouble navigating through The Daily’s stories. Users can change media to be to a specific area or personal preference while stories can have high definition video and panoramic photos.

Making the Daily one thing users want

It has been really hard to attract big advertisers meaning free online news delivery has been unsuccessful for most besides Google News. A lot of iPad users may be interested in the Daily considering the low price that comes with it. Still, Murdoch states it is high enough to get many advertisers interested in participating.

The start up costs for The Daily was relatively low at $30 million while it will only cost $500,000 a week to keep up. Murdoch believes the Daily will be successful thinking about this and that advertisers and iPad users can be drawn in.

Information from

The Daily

thedaily.com/

Tech Crunch

techcrunch.com/2011/02/02/murdoch-the-daily-will-cost-0-14-per-day-or-1-per-week/

Rupert Murdoch on The Daily vs. the Wall Street Journal

youtube.com/watch?v=E1BmRzg0I3U

Banking institutions want more advance money for checking accounts

2011-01-28T10:04:00.000-08:00

Checking account holders with major banks can expect to advance cash in greater frequency for having accounts with these organizations. Free checking at key banking institutions is becoming a thing of the past, as United States Financial institution is the latest to institute checking account fees. This has been an escalating trend. It is also unlikely to cease, what with executive bonuses to pay and all.

Advance cash charged by banks

Free checking accounts, from the customer's standpoint, were far preferable to checking accounts with charges. Blank checks would just be paid for by account holders back in the day. They wouldn't have to pay a monthly fee for this protection. It seems like free checking is starting to be extremely hard to discover. CNN accounts that soon banking institutions like United States Bank are bound to start charging new charges just like B of A, Wells Fargo and Chase have. Owning all your own instant money will not take place any longer. In fact, using your own money may start to cost you.

Bypass fees

Many people will take out instant cash loans in order to stay away from bank fees, even though there are other ways to do it. Financial institutions will hopefully see more customers coming in to see what the rules really are. Finding the loopholes is the way to do it. Sometimes, corporations are willing to waive direct deposit charges. They will also sometimes just require a minimum balance to waive maintenance fees. After a certain number of purchases with a debit card are made, many financial institutions will start to waive account charges.

Nevertheless seeing free checking

Just because key banking institutions are instituting fees does not mean free checking is going extinct. For instance, many community financial institutions and credit unions offer free checking accounts and lower fees than key financial institutions. There are not any executive ski vacations in Scottsdale, Arizona, being paid for with those charges because they go right back into the community.

Citations

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/01/24/pf/u.s._bank_checking_fees/index.htm

Claims of using real beef in food get Taco Bell charged

2011-01-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

Taco Bell taco beef looks like beef and many people think it tastes like meat, but technically, it’s not beef. Heavily-advertised Taco Bell products claim to contain ground beef, but what is really a composite of ingredients contains only 35 percent beef. Such a description violates USDA rules, and an Alabama law firm is suing Taco Bell for false advertising. Maybe if they had taken out a good personal bank loan, they could have paid for real beef. Resource for this article – Taco Bell class action suit says its taco meat is not really beef by MoneyBlogNewz.

The Taco Bell class action lawsuit

A CA woman has said the "ground beef" or "seasoned ground beef" at Taco Bell are hard to digest in says. She hired a law firm after she discovered that there was a long list of additives and fillers put in the Taco Bell meat. Taco Bell will now have to deal with the class-action suit in CA that was filed on Jan 21. It was filed for her by Beasly, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles of Montgomery, Ala. The Taco Bell class action suit claims that Taco Bell taco meat is actually "filling" that are 65 percent extenders, preservatives and other chemicals.

The Taco Bell Taco beef is not beef for the reason

This is a false advertising lawsuit Taco Bell is working with. The way the U.S. DOA defines ground beef is what is being used. Ground beef is defined by the USDA as fresh or frozen beef with no more than 30 percent fat. Also, zero water, phosphates, binders or extenders could be added. There is silicon dioxide, "isolated oat product," water, potassium phosphate and sodium phosphate in this beef. This is what Taco Bell beef is made of. Taco Bell taco beef cannot even be considered "taco filing" because 40 percent has to be fresh meat for that, the USDA definition states.

What is the Taco Bell meat then?

Taco Bell explains it is not advertising incorrectly while customers agree although the facts of the Taco Bell class action lawsuit are not denied. The woman who initiated the suit said she's not in it for the money. She just wants Taco Bell to stop advertising beef in its food.

Information from

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/01/25/2011-01-25_taco_bell_is_using_false_advertising_when_it_calls_its_food_beef_according_to_la.html

Daily Tech

dailytech.com/Class+Action+Lawsuit+Has+a+Beef+with+Taco+Bells+Meat/article20743.htm

Taco Bell

tacobell.com/menuitem/Beefy-Crunch-Burrito

al.com

blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/01/taco_bell_responds_to_suit_mil.html

Large studios invest millions to own little films at Sundance

2011-01-26T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Sundance Movie Festival is the greatest bazaar for independent films in the world. Film buffs might think Sundance is about the movies shown there, however probably the most important action goes on behind the scenes. Significant movie studios bring their millions to Sundance to compete for little films that could make large cash. It seems like a good start for finding out what movie will bring within the biggest amount of instant cash.

Starting to put Sundance back to unique

Salt Lake City, Utah, was where the Sundance Film Festival was founded in 1978. "The United States Film Festival" was the unique name of it. Actor Robert Redford was the festival’s first board chairman. In 1980, the U.S. Film Festival got moved to Park City so that more crowds would be willing to come in winter to ski. It was a modest annual affair until Redford’s Sundance Institute took over in 1985 and it became the Sundance Movie Festival. Together, the Sundance Institute worked with Redford on the independent films. The world began to recognize it. Recently, bigger movies and Hollywood has been brought to the Sundance Film Festival. Redford has decided that the Sundance needs to get back to its origins though for 2011.

In 2011, there are new offers for Sundance

Redford may be trying to bring Sundance back down to Earth, however in 2011, the 10-day affair, which concludes Jan. 30, is still the biggest event within the world for promoting and investing in American independent films. Even though several of the movies will not make money, movie businesses are willing to bet millions on it. You will find very obscure films as well. The first Sundance deal to go down in 2011 was a $3.2 million investment by Lionsgate for the rights to spend millions more marketing and distributing a movie called “Buried” in North The United States. After an all night bidding session, Paramount Pictures won the hottest movie paying $4 million for the Sundance 2011 movie "Like Crazy.".

Independent films' future

Organizers explain the primary purpose of the Sundance Film Festival isn't the sell independent films to the company willing to pay probably the most. Kevin Smith, the controversial director of such hits as “Clerks” (1994) and “Jersey Girl” (2004), sought to emphasize that point Sunday night. The rights to his last movie he sold, “Red State,” to himself for $20. The Sundance deal was announced by him. Then he said he would assume word of mouth would be enough advertising while his business would distribute it. Sundance played "Red State." There were mixed reviews afterwards. But considering the diminishing rate of return on Hollywood blockbusters, perhaps Smith and Sundance are on to something.
Articles cited

TIME

time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1956952,00.html

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/feb/02/sundance-film-festival-deals

CNN

cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/24/sundance.like.crazy.sale.ew/

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/01/19/sundance-2011-7-film-companies-hot-to-trot-in-park-city/

MTV

mtv.com/news/articles/1656516/kevin-smith-red-state-sundance-reviews.jhtml

Smith offers token $20 to purchase Red State

2011-01-26T02:24:00.000-08:00

Hollywood favors safe commercial projects. Risky, innovative works from directors with distinctive viewpoints can’t buy a green light from big-time distributors. Kevin Smith of "Clerks" and "Dogma" fame knows this, so he’s taking things into his very own hands with his new project. A thriller based upon Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, "Red State" will stay away from the Hollywood distribution channels that would likely under industry the film severely due to its controversial subject matter. Smith paid himself $20 via mock auction for "Red State’s" distribution rights. At that price he did not even have to take out a payday loan. Source for this article – Kevin Smith pays $20 for rights to his own Red State movie by MoneyBlogNewz.

Want to see 'Red State'?

Smith has decided to take his own movie and journey across the United States through 2011, starting March 5, taking its film to "any wise exhibitor" willing to let the film be shown rather than letting "Red State" get in the hands of the advertising machine which would attract the Westboro Baptist Church with protests. Smith told the Associated Press that he is hopeful the on-the-road exhibition of "Red State" will make back some of the film’s $4 million budget before the Oct. 19 theatrical release, as the exhibitions will replace the standard pre-release movie advertising format.

“What we need to prove is that anyone can release a movie,” Smith told the debut audience at the Eccles Theater in Logan, Utah. "Indie film isn’t dead, it just grew up. We sell our movies ourselves."

Conquering the Hollywood machine

Evidently Kevin Smith thinks of himself as a "fat…stoner" who wants his stories told. Hollywood has been one of those things the "Red State" director has never liked. That is why he has been trying to keep the film out of the hands of the machine. The Eccles audience spoke with Smith who said that creativity is killed with commercialism even though it may bring in cash.

The way for 'Red State' to get protested

Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, an institution known for its extreme anti-gay agenda, have taken offense at Kevin Smith’s portrayal of Pastor Abin Cooper and his fundamentalist church in "Red State.". Rather than protesting with offensive signs, Cooper's church would kill homosexual people which are much more extreme than the Westboro Baptist Church does. Still, the "muse" for Cooper's character is Phelps, according to Smith.

Articles cited

Green Field Reporter

greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/05f6e79698074e70b6c44e9a810a5019/US–Film-Sundance-Kevin_Smith/

Hollywood Reporter

hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/risky-business/sundance-red-states-kevin-smith-74829

‘Red State’ teaser trailer

youtube.com/watch?v=6I0caLF2Q2c

Qualification issues get Emanuel tossed from Chicago mayor competition

2011-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Rahm Emanuel has been stricken from the list of candidates in the Chicago mayor competition. The qualification of the former White House Chief of Staff was challenged in court, and the first Rahm Emanuel judgment upheld his right to run. However, an appeals court ruling overturned that decision. It makes you wonder how many more payday advance loans can be taken out to bring this battle back to the courtroom. Source of article – Rahm Emanuel tossed from Chicago mayor race by MoneyBlogNewz.

Ruling on Emanuel means Chicago mayor competition has to be dropped

The Chicago Sun times accounts that Rahm Emanuel isn't going to be able to run for Chicago mayor at present. The Illinois Court of Appeals felt that the residency needs for running for mayor were ones that Emanuel wasn't able to meet. Rahm Emanuel left his position as White House Chief of Staff for the Obama administration in order to run for the position. Since 1989, Richard M. Daley had been the mayor of Chicago although now he is stepping down. Legendary Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley was Daley's father while Daley is also brother to William M. Daley who was White House Chief of Staff before Emanuel.

Emanuel does not meet requirements to be eligible to race

This is the second trip to court for Emanuel to keep him in the running for Chicago’s mayor. Emanuel was confirmed eligible to run for mayor in December 2010 by the Chicago Board of Elections. When challenged in court, a Cook County judge held up the ruling. There was an appeal on the decision though. With this appeal, Emanuel was taken off the ballot as part of the ruling. The law states that a candidate has to have lived within the city in which he intends to run for at least a year prior to election day. He obviously was not residing in Chicago as Emanuel had been renting it out to previous mayoral prospect Rob Halpin.

Might be an appeal to it

This decision may be appealed by Emanuel. It’s very possible that the Illinois Superior Court might say no to an appeal thinking about the attorney who did the appeal against Emanuel explained the opinion on qualification really well. Without an appeal, Emanuel will be left within the dust. He won’t be allowed to run for the position.

Articles cited

Sun Times

suntimes.com/3469419-417/emanuel-court-ballot-mayor-rahm.html

Steelers and Packers are going to the Super Bowl

2011-01-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

The AFC and National Football Conference Championship games have wrapped, and the winners are off to meet in the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLV, or 45, pits the Green Bay Packers up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game is taking place in Arlington, Tex., at Cowboys Stadium. The teams play on Feb. 6. If you plan to head to the Super Bowl and do not already have tickets, you would be getting a huge personal loan to purchase one.

XLV Super Bowl with Packers and Steelers

There are millions of dollars put into Super Bowl commercial spots alone although the Super Bowl also has a huge viewership. For the most viewed TV event in the United States history, the 2010 Super Bowl beat the "MASH" finale past year while the record will likely be beat again in 2011 with the Super Bowl. The game is going to be on Sunday, Feb. 6, in Arlington, Texas, at Cowboys Stadium. About 6:30 p.m. will be the kick off of Super Bowl XLV. The Fox network will be showing it. The pregame analysis will undoubtedly be done by the Fox NFL Sunday Team, Troy Aikman, Joe Buck and Mike Pereira is going to be within the booth during the game, and the Black Eyed Peas are to perform for half time.

Beating the Jets hard is Pittsburgh

In the American Football Conference Championship, Rex Ryan and the NY Jets traveled to Pittsburgh with hopes of upsetting the third Super Bowl champion quarterback in as several weeks, after besting the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots. The Jets were not able to move until the fourth quarter. The Pittsburgh defense did a good job of that. The Mean Gang Green did put up a fight. Nevertheless, the American Football Conference title and win went to Ben Roethlisberger and company.

Chicago not able to bear the pressure

The Green Bay Packers traveled to Soldier Field for one of probably the most significant games in the Chicago Bears Green Bay Packers rivalry. The game concluded with backup Todd Collins benches, rookie QB Caleb Haine in playing the game and Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler getting an injury and leaving. Even though Haine did well, the Packers' defense was amazing which included a touchdown made by B.J. Raji that was initially an interception. There was another interception from the Green Bay Packers. Sam Shields did it and won the game.

Anne Hathaway playing Catwoman in the Dark Knight Rises

2011-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

The next Batman installment, "The Dark Knight Rises," will feature Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. Hathaway rose to prominence largely featuring in Disney teen comedies. The bad guy in the movie will be the character "Bane" from the comic series, and English actor Tom Hardy has been cast in the role. Nolan probably will not be taking the director’s chair for any more Batman films following this one, though. He won't be getting any more personal loans to produce more films. Source of article – Anne Hathaway confirmed as Catwoman in the Dark Knight Rises by MoneyBlogNewz.

Ann Hathaway has exactly what it takes to be Catwoman, states Chris Nolan

It was confirmed recently that Anne Hathaway will play “Catwoman” in the forthcoming “Batman” film directed by Christopher Nolan, in accordance with Entertainment Weekly. Nolan will not be directing anymore after this final one with the title, “The Dark Knight Rises". Even though the Disney roles Hathaway portrayed in got her famous, such as "The Princess Diaries," she recently has been doing more severe films. Selina Kyle is the character Hathaway will be playing who is the Catwoman character. Within the comics, she was the love interest of Bruce Wayne/Batman much of the time. The last time "Catwoman" was in a movie, the film did not do well and several were disappointed. However, Halle Berry portrayed the role.

Hardy connects to team as villain

Hardy will be the actor that plays "Bane." This is the bad guy that, within the comic, breaks Batman's back. The role in Nolan's film "Inception" is probably what Tom Hardy is best known for. Matthey Vaughan's "Layer Cake," Guy Ritchie's "Rock and Rolla" and the story about British pioneer "Bronson" are other films. He is known for all of them. Also, the role of Angry Max in the next Mad Max series movie is what Hardy is rumored to be doing.

Nolan not directing any Batman movies following this

In 2012, the Batman film will be released. Nolan plans on not making any more Batman films in the future. Christian Bale is obviously returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but it will be the final outing for the 2 of them in the Batman franchise. The last two films he did were of the most successful. This is within the last ten years of films, of course.

Articles cited

Entertainment Weekly

insidemovies.ew.com/2011/01/19/batman-hathaway-catwoman-hardy-bane-dark-knight-rises/

South frozen and may need emergency loans

2011-01-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Emergency loans may be needed in the near future, as the South has been paralyzed by freezing cold. The most detrimental winter in ages has covered the South with snow and ice. Major cities and airports have been brought to a standstill. This winter season seems to not want to let up. States of emergency have been announced in several states. A number of are taking out payday loans so they can get what they need to make it through this winter.

The southern states need help with possible emergency loans

The South may soon need emergency loans for relief as the terrible winter storms on the east are now hitting the south with ice and snow. Up to a foot of snow has fallen from Louisiana through Alabama and all the way up to the Carolinas, according to MSNBC. Precipitation has varied quite a bit. There have been 13 inches of snow in Tennessee alone though. Freezing rain across the Gulf Coast has not helped matters; it has turned roads into skating rinks and bridges into dangerous crossings. States of emergencies have been declared in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee which means that schools and universities have been closed.

Alabama game getting many nervous that it will be missed

When it comes to college football, Alabama is one of the most obsessed states. The BCS Championship had the Auburn Tigers playing the Oregon Ducks. There were very snowy and icy roads. This led to many people being unable to attend the game. The city of Birmingham has been hard hit by the weather, and flights are being canceled. The game was even missed by Governor Bob Riley who opted out of a trip to Arizona. The conditions are expected to stay very bad as snow is supposed to be continuing.

The positive parts are being seen

Some have found a way to make a little extra cash during the snowstorm in a region known for humidity, heat and more humidity. Plowing covered roads of the snow and laying de-icer is causing more jobs to be needed.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/40989136/ns/weather/

Pastor Fred Phelps claims gunman Loughner is a hero

2011-01-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Controversial pastor Fred Phelps with the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church has spoken out concerning the tragic shootings in Tucson, Ariz., reports The Stir. In a move that should surprise no one who has followed the actions of Phelps and his flock, the contentious pastor has called Jared Lee Loughner a "soldier hero" and released plans to boycott the funerals of the six people who were gunned down in a Tucson Safeway on Saturday, among them a 9-year-old girl. Where does Phelps get his money to travel and boycott each one of these funerals, somebody has to be giving him a payday loan of some type. Post resource – Pastor Fred Phelps blames Tucson shooting victims, praises gunman by MoneyBlogNewz.

Fred Phelps and the free speech/hate speech divide

Few people burdened by even an ounce of human compassion could entertain the idea that when Jared Lee Loughner gunned down Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others, Loughner was somehow doing the work of a benevolent higher power. It has been really hard to decide if it is free speech as the U.S. Constitution grants or hate speech which Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist church have been accused of.

The case where the Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps are being accused of hate speech when, during the funeral of an Iraq war veteran, a protest was held which the Supreme Court will decide upon soon. The dead soldier’s father was initially granted millions of dollars in damages by a Baltimore federal court, but that ruling was later overturned by an appeals court.

Phelps comment is ‘Thank God for the violent shooter’

Based upon Fred Phelps’ interpretation of an ancient text – the Bible – it is the work of a higher power that Jared Lee Loughner was sent to the Tucson, Ariz., Safeway with a loaded, concealed Glock-19. In Phelps’ mind, it was the will of God that Gabrielle Giffords and five others were killed and 12 wounded. Phelps says the victims faced harsh justice for what he believes to be support for the homosexual community and divorce (points of fixation for the Westboro Baptist Church). He then went on to say more should probably have died. Even the 9-year old girl was wronging society.

As The Stir puts it, "neither common sense nor respect" are characteristics of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.

Articles cited

Café Mom

thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/114798/arizona_shooting_victims_vs_fred

Phelps weighs in on tragedy in Tucson (WARNING: Contains speech/images some may find offensive)

YouTube

youtube.com/watch?v=Qpkxoql4xz0

Toyota left behind as United States automakers increase sales

2011-01-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ford was one of the most successful automaker in the United States in 2010, supplanting Toyota as the runner up in sales behind Gm. Each automaker selling cars in the U.S. enjoyed a 2010 boost. Toyota, nevertheless, experienced a drop in U.S sales. Recalls were a drag on sales for Toyota as brands such as Ford and General Motors realized significant gains in 2010. If the recalls continue with Toyota the automaker might just need payday loans to stay afloat.

United States auto sales being looked at

U.S. auto sales rose 11 % in 2010 over 2009 and each major automaker except Toyota reported a sales increase. When the bailout for automakers happened Ford was the only one within the U.S. who didn't take the bailout money. This is how the company led automakers in a 19 percent increase this year. Another accomplishment Ford had was sales increases 2 yrs in a row. This hadn't happened since 1993 like this. Industry-wide, U.S. auto sales totaled 11.6 million units — a boost from 10.4 million in 2009, the first recorded increase since 2005 and the largest bump since 1984. Highlights included hefty sales gains for GM’s Chevrolet Cruze, Ford’s Fiesta and Chrysler’s Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The reason Ford is doing better than Toyota

Ford passed Toyota as No. 2 in United States auto sales with 1.97 million cars sold in 2010, compared with Toyota's sales of 1.76 million vehicles. For the year, Toyota's sales went down 0.4 %. Something called the "unintended acceleration" is why Toyota had to recall over 8 million cars and trucks in the world in 2010. The best selling Camry and Corolla within the United States had production temporarily suspended by the Japanese automaker also. General Motors, Ford, Nissan and Hyundai were all getting new models out for the year while Toyota just worked on fixing flaws that were in existing models.

Seeing the auto industry recover the best

The impressive performance leads analysts to believe that the U.S. auto industry is experiencing a legitimate recovery. Numerous also say that Toyota may not be the dominant automaker within the U.S. anymore considering all of the new models and higher quality for cars that has been expected recently. In 2010, it became obvious that car buyers within the U.S. all just want the same thing. New, well-made products are on the top of that list.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-04/gm-december-total-u-s-sales-up-7-5-est-up-4-3-.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/01/05/business/05auto.html?src=busln

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/01/04/news/companies/december_auto_sales/

Borders on the brink of a bankruptcy proceeding as printed book profits drop

2011-01-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

Borders’ is lagging behind other book chains within the struggle to adjust to a new electronic reality. Borders’ has been hemorrhaging cash as books sales fall. The bookseller held off on paying authors last week and a Borders a bankruptcy proceeding seems likely.

Borders pleas to publishers for a reprieve

The potential bankruptcy for Border Books has been bad for business. Publishing houses have been concerned. There will be an attempt to fix the relationship this week by Border executives that can be meeting with publishers. In an especially dismal third-quarter-earnings report on Dec. 30, the bookseller reported a $74 million net operating loss, a sharp dive in year-over-year sales and an urgent need to restructure vendor financing agreements. The stock for Borders went from $1.16 to $0.96 on Dec. 30 also. It may be delisted from the NY Stock Exchange very soon with those numbers. On Monday, two top Borders executives resigned.

A Borders bankruptcy being something authors have to endure

There is a lot riding on Borders for publishing houses. They may lose a lot as well. When it comes to the company, the book trade is represented a lot. About 10 percent is just in the one company. Tens of millions of dollars would be lost by publishers if Borders cannot get back. Not to mention, the space at the 675 Borders locations would be lost. The New York Times talked to a Borders spokeswoman. She said a liquidity crisis hasn't been entered into yet by the company. Borders stores across the country are still well-stocked. But holiday purchasing traffic crashed its site when it was needed most. Typically the books that were unsold are returned to authors for full credit from the business at the end of the year. In order to ease the publishers' minds, this practice was discontinued.

Border with a 2011 A bankruptcy proceeding

One Borders novel distributor has already pulled the plug. Borders made an announcement that payments to authors would be postponed a little bit. The National Novel Network for Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group Inc. stopped sending anymore books. Other authors are mulling over whether to follow suit. A publishing executive told the Wall Street Journal that in this week’s meeting, Borders could ask corporations that have not been paid to consider converting part of those payments to debt. It seems like the Border bankruptcy in 2011 will probably happen unless you will find some great things that occur for the business.

Citations

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/01/04/business/media/04borders.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Daily Finance

dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/borders-getting-closer-to-the-booksellers-final-chapter/19782328/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703820904576058261990943614.html

Schiff warns home values nevertheless have a ways to fall

2011-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

Jumping at buying a new home because interest rates are low may not be a fantastic idea right now. Euro Pacific Capital CEO Schiff argues that home values are nevertheless too high to assume that they won’t fall lower. In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, he even goes so far as to suggest that home values will fall at least 20.3 percent – and might drop even more. Before you take out an unsecured loan to purchase your home, make sure you are taking caution to get the best deal out there. Article resource – Finance expert Peter Schiff says home prices to fall considerably by MoneyBlogNewz.

A farther decrease ahead for home prices to follow trend

The historical pattern dictates that house values have to fall another 20.3 percent. This is what Peter Schiff explained. He explains that home values might go even lower than that though. Considering that the U.S. has recently seen a negative Case-Shiller home price index, it is clear that we’re within the middle of a housing double-dip. Retail sales, industrial production and jobs data were all observed by Edward Harrison of Credit Writedowns. He said that even though the U.S. might be recovering, it isn’t recovering very well.

The Fed is stalling the unavoidable

Schiff claims that the Federal Reserve is creating a bit of a diversion with the way it is propping up the housing industry, although it will not last. High amounts of private and public debt – also as the continually bleak job industry – have clouded the economic picture for the United States, and only by allowing economist-defined historic cycles to play out will the nation get out of trouble without further delay.

Peter Schiff said that even if rates on mortgages go up to customary levels, the home prices and Case-Schiller can have a 10 percent decrease beneath the 100 year pattern line over the five years. He said it would even be good if it only got half the decrease, or 5 percent. Schiff thinks that inflation will go up while the rates stay low and the dips get smaller.

Saying you need to purchase now

Despite Peter Schiff’s warning that home values will fall significantly, some believe the grass is greener on the other side. Houses are at “a screaming buy” now as outlined by hedge fund manager Bill Achman. Now you will find cheap government loans, value loss that already taken place and low interest rates. This is why Ackman says it is the perfect time to buy.

Information from

Business Insider

businessinsider.com/bill-ackman-ignore-plummeting-house-prices-and-real-estate-doomsayers-houses-are-now-a-screaming-buy-2010-12#-1

Credit Write Downs

creditwritedowns.com/2010/12/housing-double-dip-progress.html

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304173704575578190261574342.html

Schiff doesn’t think the dollar is in a good place, either

youtube.com/watch?v=pQ34p8MBf2E

Sugarloaf ski resort evacuating lift after wind blows it down

2010-12-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

The Sugarloaf ski area is evacuating a ski lift. Carrabasset Valley, Maine emergency crews are dealing with the collapsed lift. The Sugarloaf ski lift brought five seats down forty feet and stranded 100 others. Stranded skiers are being individually lowered from the lift. Emergency reaction crews are calculating two hours to get everyone down. I imagine the resort is going to take out an enormous installment loan to fix their lift. Article resource – Sugarloaf ski lift collapses in wind gust; ski patrol evacuating by MoneyBlogNewz.

Failure of the Sugarloaf ski lift

Tues, the Sugarloaf ski area got hit with some strong wind. This took place at about 10:45 a.m. The cables of the Spillway East Slope lift derailed. Several skiers were hurt as five seats were thrown 30 to 40 feet down into the snow. There were about 100 skiers that couldn’t leave the lift. Wind gusts at the Sugarloaf ski area had reached 20 to 30 miles per hour this morning. The cold was a severe issue for the stranded skiers as the temperature was between 8 and 10 degrees.

Sugarloaf doesn’t leave severe incidents

Though the ski lift failure at Sugarloaf injured several skiers, nobody was critically injured. Nobody was in critical condition or perished at sugarloaf. This is known since “condition yellow” was what Emergency Management for Franklin County, Maine declared it as. Emergency management crews were working with ski patrol to evacuate skiers from the Sugarloaf Spillway lift. Estimates said that it would take between 90 minutes and 2 hrs to evacuate all of the skiers off the lift.

What the Sugarloaf ski lift evacuation looks like

Ropes and harnesses were used to do the Sugarloaf ski lift evacuation. Teams are throwing ropes over the broken-down ski lift and harnessing skiers to slide down. Several say the procedure is “much like rock climbing.” The difference is that skiers have to get off with all their equipment. The Sugarloaf ski resort can be shutting down the Spillway East lift for at least a few days, if not weeks, in order to repair the broken lift. All over the coast there have been power outages and shut down cities while this is just probably the most recent news from the East Coast blizzard.

Information from

WMTV

wmtw.com/r/26299543/detail.html

CNN

news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/28/skiers-fall-from-chairlift-at-maine-resort/?npt=NP1

Home prices in October dip below worst anticipations

2010-12-31T04:44:00.000-08:00

The leading gauge of United States home prices showed that a month-to-month drop in Oct exceeded the most dire predictions. The new Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index had more bad news. The drop in home values from October 2009 was the biggest one-year dip since December 2009. The consensus was the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit was becoming evident and a real estate industry double-dip is unavoidable.

The Case-Shiller home price index to be seen

Month-to-month prices in October fell with several markets surveyed by the Case-Shiller home price index. In fact, 18 to 20 of the markets had this result. Several experts within the housing industry expected a fairly flat Oct. This was because Sept was so weak. Last summer when the homebuyer tax credit ended, the decline in value was harder than several though it would be. There was annualized decline of 15 percent since home values went down 1.3 percent from Sept to Oct in the 20 markets. The most detrimental drop was in Atlanta. It was a 2.1 percent drop. Five other markets, including Charlotte, N.C.; Miami; Portland, Ore.; Seattle and Tampa, Fla., hit all-time lows since the housing sector collapsed in 2007.

A double dip within the real estate sector

The chairman of the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index committee said the housing industry is poised on the edge of the double-dip analysts have been warning about. October home values show a huge decrease from the peak in July 1006. It was a 30 percent dip. Home prices will go down more in 2011 with all the foreclosures about to happen. There are more homes for sale too. Just since Dec. 2009, there has been a 50 percent increase. Many hope that the real estate market will recover. Millions of homeowners are waiting for it.

2011 champions and losers in the real estate market

Home values continue to go down. This is bad news for many Realtors. Homebuyers could be winning with a double dip in the real estate sector though. The Case Shiller home price index reported that sales volume was down 25 percent from Dec. 2009 as potential homebuyers wait for the housing market to bottom out. There is a catch involved though. It will be a lot longer before economic recovery happens with the depressed housing industry. This just shows consumer confidence is really low along with high unemployment. Even though economists are optimistic about 2011 economic growth, home prices are expected to decline as much as 3 percent further in 2011.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-28/u-s-property-values-decline-more-than-forecast-in-s-p-case-shiller-index.html

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/12/28/real_estate/home_prices_fall/?npt=NP1

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513204576047491075731426.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Brand new tax legislation littered with strange, wonderful business regulations and tax breaks

2010-12-30T16:24:00.000-08:00

While many people are thankful the Bush tax cuts have been extended, there are parts of Obama’s brand new $ 858 billion tax bill that have average individuals wondering if they’ll ever catch a break. What Obama also did was give businesses a present, in the form of some helpful – and curious – regulations and tax breaks. The tax breaks make it easier for businesses to operate – and they even go so far as to make it easier for the wealthy to buy race horses, reports the Associated Press.

Property owners left within the cold with fifty organization tax breaks

There aren’t very many homeowners happy with the Obama tax bill even though it has been giving great tax breaks to producing television programs, erecting windmills and exporting rum. Doing an itemized deduction is the only way to get property tax breaks anymore which makes several upset. Several in the middle class won’t be able to afford an itemized deduction though.

It can be easier for the middle class to stop fantasizing. None of it will take place unless things drastically change though. Obama’s brand new tax credit will only be good for those who make a lot of cash already. Economic activity might do substantially better with the bill, if you ask the Obama administration’s opinion. Many say that this was just passed to stop fighting though, especially Clint Stretch of Deloitte Tax LLP.

“It gives it a lot of dignity to call it a ’system,’ ” Stretch told the AP.

What regulations and tax breaks look like

Profitable businesses can write off large capital expenditures all at once, instead of over time. Companies will conserve $ 21 billion. This can be over 10 years though
Banks, insurers and financial firms will be saved by foreign profit tax shields. This will cost working class individuals lots of money. $ 9.2 billion could be paid
Getting research and development tax breaks. This is another part. Will cost taxpayers $ 13.3 billion
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will conserve $ 262 million through 2011 with a lower rum export tax
$ 3 billion through 2011 can be taken in a tax credit with wind, solar and renewable energy
Fifty percent tax credit for railroad track maintenance cost. Will cost $ 331 million through 2011
Companies that donate to charity will receive $ 537 million in tax breaks through 2011
TV production tax breaks for anything non-sexual. About $ 101 million can be spent on this. It will be through 2011

Citations

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/40811738/ns/business-us_business/

Obama signs tax bill

youtube.com/watch?v=emYrBgHBRdo

Indian Muslim stock exchange starts for enterprise

2010-12-30T09:04:00.000-08:00

Muslims are forbidden by Shariah law from investing in businesses that make a profit off interest. In order to facilitate business-minded Muslims who would like to diversify their investment portfolios, the Bombay Stock exchange (BSE), the Mumbai-based Taqwaa Advisory and Shariah Investment Solutions have introduced an Islamic stock index of India’s top 50 corporations that comply with Shariah law. The Bombay Stock exchange TASIS Shariah 50 will give millions of Muslims the chance to pick from the top 50 liquid stocks on the BSE 500 that also deign to observe Shariah law in finance. They’ll now be able to follow their laws without having to take out substantial personal loans. Source of article – Shariah Islamic stock index opens in India by MoneyBlogNewz.

Rapid growing industry proven in Islamic stock index

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Islamic stock index was up 0.5 percent this morning, which was an even more impressive performance than the Bombay Stock exchange as a whole. In the Islamic world, it’s typical for lots of investing in Shariah-compliant products like mutual funds that will not give more interest or additional risk. A huge role is the Bombay Stock exchange TASIS Shariah 50. The trillion dollar industry in the world is Shariah finance the WSJ reports. As one of the largest Muslim markets on earth resides in India, where 15 percent of the population (175 million) is Muslim, the demand for the Islamic stock index is not surprising.

Exploring the credit-to-deposit ratio

A recent study by the Reserve Financial institution of India found that while the national credit-to-deposit ratio hovers around 74 percent, it’s only 47 percent for Indian Muslims. What this means, according to the WSJ, is that compared to what Indian Muslims save, they borrow a great deal of money that could feasibly be used to open an enterprise or buy assets at a lower rate than the rest of the Indian population. Many expect the Islamic stock index will make foreign Islamic finance more interested in India while experts say the Indian Muslim proportion might be fixed with the BSE TASIS Shariah 50.

Information from

Debt Steps

debtsteps.com/credit-to-debt-ratio.html

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/12/27/bombay-exchange-hopes-to-score-with-shariah-index/

Some call it ‘financial jihad’

youtube.com/watch?v=Ulp_96DYiqg

Skating with the Stars crown goes to Budig

2010-12-29T14:04:00.000-08:00

Rebecca Budig emerged the winner on “Skating with the Stars” after a tight struggle. The final competition was between Budig and Frankel, who had been the fan favorite. That said, the show had such poor ratings that it isn’t likely to return.

‘Skating with the Stars’ winner announced

The “Dancing with the Stars,” series is between spring and fall seasons. The show “Skating with the Stars” was made to fill the spot between. The announcement of the “Skating with the Stars” winner happened. CBS reports this. Rebecca Budig, who stars on the soap opera “All My Children,” squared off with the other finalist, Bethenny Frankel, from “The Real Housewives of New York City.”. The end of the Budig and skate partner Fred Palascak skated to “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry, and received a perfect score for their performance from judges Dick Button, Johnny Weir and Laurieann Gibson. Frankel and Ethan Burgess skated to “Right Round” by Flo Rida and Ke$ha, but failed to capture the win. The fans loved Frankel though.

The anger from viewers

There has been a lot of popularity with shows that have celebrity competition like “Dancing with the Stars.” There haven’t been very good rating for the ice skating show though. The Hollywood reporter explains that there wasn’t a very good end to the show, even though the start was okay. Either 3.4 million viewers or a 0.8 Nielsen rating was needed by the show. By contrast, a “Glee” rerun had a rating of 1.3, or about 4 million viewers. There weren’t even more viewers interested with the presence of actress Sean Young and rocker Vince Neil that were skating.

Taking off into the sunset is the show

This season, “Skating with the Stars,” got really bad ratings. More than likely, it will not get renewed. A really bad first season doesn’t always mean it will end though. Sometimes, a strong second season can happen after the bad season.

Articles cited

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20026387-10391698.html

The Hollywood Reporter

hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/skating-stars-finale-bombs-ratings-64935

Dr. Drew envisions nuclear Brangelina break up

2010-12-24T23:04:00.000-08:00

When it comes to celeb relationships, duration tends to be marked by weeks and months, instead of years. The narcissistic elements of United States culture inflate to a staggering degree when viewed through the lens of the celebrity lifestyle, based on experts on addictive behavior like Dr. Drew Pinsky. In a recent interview with the Huffington Post regarding his forthcoming HLN talk show “Dr. Drew,” Pinksy had much to say about celebrity breakups, including this bombshell: Brad Pitt and Angelina might be on course for a “nuclear” break up soon. Even a large amount of money can’t purchase happiness, so don’t take out a payday loan to buy your love.

Brangelina the main topic of Dr. Drew

The author of “The Mirror Effect,” host of Television shows like “Celebrity Rehab” and host of radio program “Loveline,” Pinsky, talked about the Angelina Jolie half of Brangelina. A past confession is discussed. Once before, Jolie was a heroin addict. This is what she states. As an addictive medicine specialist, Dr. Drew is well-qualified to say that such a thing “doesn’t exist in nature.”. He believes that people who have addictions don’t ever quit. Pinsky indicates that there’s been no evidence that Jolie has gone into recovery. Without a recovery to the addiction, Dr. Drew believes Jolie’s relationship with Brad Pitt will disintegrate. Many believe that Jolie is just using the adoptions of children as an out to her addiction.

Sadly, the fallout of such a nuclear split could have just enough half-life for a lifetime of therapy for her adopted children.

Sex, breakup and love addiction hot topics for Dr. Drew

Dr. Drew makes it clear that addicts will often stick together. The exact same relationship will often have a sex addict and love addict in it. The previous group generally struggles with abandonment issues and idealize their mates to a pathological degree. Sexual contact is the only desire for the sex addict. Emotional intimacy is not something this group is interested in. Mates are typically left with intercourse addicts. This is why the super star culture has such toxic relationships on display.

Dr. Drew calls the belief that celebrities are mostly on film sets “Sensory deprivation chambers” which is where many actors are asked to start faking their relationships with people and act on feelings that aren’t supposed to really be there even though relationships are hard to do. It is almost extremely hard for super star relationships to work. They’re built to the system really.

Information from

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/20/dr-drew-brad-pitt-and-ang_n_798940.html#

Dr. Drew on celebrity narcissism

youtube.com/watch?v=T10ps4LLzUQ

N.Y. Governor Paterson captured taking Yankees WS tickets

2010-12-24T22:44:00.000-08:00

NY ran into a few embarrassing governor troubles in recent years. 1st there was Eliot Spitzer and a call-girl scandal, now Governor Paterson is captured in another ethics web. Talk of Paterson’s substance use and infidelity have been mined as comedy fodder, and the New York State Commission on Public Integrity reports that Paterson’s sense of ethics now has him in trouble again. He has been penalized $ 62,125 for taking 5 complimentary passes to Game 1 of the 2009 WS, passes that could have cost $2,125.

Paterson loves his Yankees

According to the NY commission, Gov. David Paterson, two aides, Paterson’s teenage son and his son’s friend attended the game at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s obvious that Paterson didn't realize how it would look to the public when he abused the power he had like this. It was proven by testimony of Paterson's staff, the New York Yankees baseball club, and independent handwriting expert and other evidence was shown that David Paterson wasn't even working on it at all even though he claimed he had "always meant to pay for the passes," eventually.

Even if Gov. Paterson had presented himself at the game in his official capacity, he would not have been entitled to free tickets. According to the Commission, "the Governor’s false testimony is … evidence that he knew his conduct was unlawful." A variety of New York State laws were violated within the Commission’s estimation.

Governor Paterson getting fined

A penalty was given to Governor Paterson from the New York State Commission on Public Integrity. It was about $62,125. That means he is getting penalized $2,125 for the passes, $25,000 for violating Public Officers Law §73(5)(a), $25,000 for "violating Public Officers Law §73(5)(b) and $10,000 for violating "Public Officers Law §74(3)(d). The Commission had considered fees under additional statutes, but no others could legally be applied.

Articles cited

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/2010/02/09/2010-02-09_major_meltdown_in_albany_as_he_fends_off_rumors_of_scandal_patersons_increasingl.html

New York State Commission on Public Integrity

nyintegrity.org/pubs/2010/122010_press.html

Stepping over the line (Note: Video contains adult references)

youtube.com/watch?v=Ir5Cwc_TSlo

Ernst and Young accused of enormous accounting fraudulence

2010-12-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is illustrating his commitment to exposing high finance shenanigans, reports the Wall Street Journal. Cuomo has levied a lawsuit against the bookkeeping firm Ernst and Young for what is getting named civil fraudulence. Based on case records, Ernst and Young is accused of helping the now bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. to manipulate its financial reports in order to give individuals a false impression of financial vigor.

New York sues Ernst and Young for scamming individuals

Not only did Ernst and Young allegedly help Lehman Brothers hide the truth from investors who were legally entitled to know, but the accounting firm allegedly advised Lehman to take on “Repo 105″ debt. Short-term loans are seen as sales in Repo 105 which then uses the cash to pay debt. A business can make itself look good long enough to gets its balance sheet published as it will appear to be reducing leverage by paying down liabilities. The company then borrows money and repurchases its original assets after the report is then released which makes investors upset.

The Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. looked as though it was a great investment even though it was not.

‘A massive accounting fraud’

Ernst and Young has yet to comment on what Andrew Cuomo said including that Ernst and Young “substantially assisted” Lehman Brothers as it commit “massive account fraud”.

According to accounting records, Ernst and Young collected $150 million in fees from Lehman from 2001 to 2008. When it was time to report finances, Lehman shifted about $50 billion off its balance sheets in assets and took them to foreign banks. The Repo 105 accounting fraudulence was then finished as Lehman brought them back.

Ernst and Young had Kevin Reilly as a partner. It said that this was “acceptable” to Attorney General Cuomo.

Articles cited

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704259704576033540546160536.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repo_105

FOX Business Network coverage of Ernst and Young scandal

youtube.com/watch?v=MPBotxpqE5E

Moscow and Rome affected by protests and riots

2010-12-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

Riots broke out in Rome and Moscow recently, in a break outs of European cities wracked by violence. Protests and riots started in Rome as Silvio Berlusconi survived a vote of no confidence. In Russia, soccer enthusiasts and racist nationalists began rioting and committing acts of violence. Most of those targeted in the Moscow riots were racial minorities.

Berlusconi hanging onto office while Rome erupts in violence

Italy is following in many other European countries' footsteps by passing austerity actions. That means the Italian government and citizens have started to withdraw support with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The Guardian reports that the parliament had a "no confidence" vote which didn't pass as a result of three votes as most are upset with Berlusconi. After the news that Berlusconi had survived to govern for an additional day, riots erupted throughout Rome. There were a ton of people hurt. Fifty out of the ninety reported hurt were police officers too. Through the riots, 41 people were arrested. These were expected to be revolutionary socialists and trade union.

Numerous soccer fans in Moscow start riot

Moscow rioting started after soccer matches too, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Apparently acts of violence against minorities happened. Residents of Moscow have been noticing more collaboration between soccer hooligans and racist groups, which President Dimitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Validimir Putin have condemned. Prime Minister Putin said that racists and rioters were like a "virus" as many arrests have been made. Further outbreaks will not be tolerated with consequences set by Putin and Medvedev. Equally troubling is the fact Russia is due to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Europe wracked with violence

Europe has been seeing a lot of protests lately. They have been violent ones. Greece, France, Britain and Italy have all started austerity actions and cuts to social welfare programs. This has caused violent riots. It may be a while before tensions simmer down across the continent.

Information from

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/14/riots-rome-silvio-berlusconi-confidence-votes?INTCMP=SRCH

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/1216/Russia-s-Putin-warns-of-police-crackdowns-on-agitators-in-annual-telethon

$1.5 million in chips robbed from Bellagio casino

2010-12-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

A man who robbed the Bellagio gambling house is on the run from Las Vegas police. The Bellagio robbery cost the gambling house $1.5 million in chips. The robber of the Bellagio may be the very same individual who robbed the Suncoast Casino of $20,000 five days ago. This guy won’t have to take out a payday loan anytime soon, unless he gets caught.

Strategy for Bellagio robbery was simple

The Bellagio robbery was very easy undermining the great Las Vegas security. The metro police in Las Vegas explained that there was a 5-foot-10 inch tall man with a motorcycle at the valet. Around 4 a.m. Tuesday, he parked the motorcycle. He went to a craps table with his helmet nevertheless on and demanded poker chips with a gun. Then, the dealer handed him all the chips. There was about $1.5 million in chips given to him. After getting the poker chips into his backpack, the Bellagio robber got on his motorcycle and left the gambling house.

Suncoast and Bellagio robbed by very same mode

The thief on his motorcycle may have made a stop. This would have been another place prior to the Bellagio. There was a man with a motorcycle helmet at Suncoast on December 9. He went to the cashier's cage and demanded chips with a gun. Both robbers also used a black sport motorcycle as a getaway car. Suncoast didn't lose as much in chips though in the robbery. Only about $20,000 was stolen. Both robberies were likely to be committed by the very same person based on police because of the pattern.

Other areas to the robbery possible

There is "legendary" security in many of the Las Vegas casinos. Many wonder how a man who was working alone was able to pull off, in a week, 2 large robberies. The Suncoast robbery occurred during a large poker tournament, when security may have been focused elsewhere. The Bellagio robbery, however, was an easy walk-in and walk-out affair that netted $1.5 million worth of poker chips. Was the Bellagio robbery really so easy to pull off, or is there a bigger plot afoot?

Info from

Star Tribune

startribune.com/nation/111865199.html

Las Vegas Sun

lasvegassun.com/news/2010/dec/14/police-robbery-bellagio/

Voyager 1 nears edge of solar system following thirty-three years in space

2010-12-19T06:04:00.000-08:00

Interstellar space is the next destination for Voyager 1, the NASA probe released in 1977 that has reached the outer limitations of the solar system. Voyager 1 has spent the last thirty three years on a mission known as the "Grand Tour" which has taken it to Jupiter, Saturn and far beyond. Voyager 1 leaves Earth far behind with cargo that consists of the Voyager Golden Record, an audio/visual presentation of Earth and its inhabitants. National Aeronautics and Space Administration most likely needed to sign up for an enormous personal cash loan to fund the Voyager 1 even in 1977. Source of article – Voyager 1 nears edge of solar system after 33 years in space by MoneyBlogNewz.

Getting into interstellar space due to the Voyage 1

Voyager 1 is traveling into deep space at a velocity of 38,185 mph and was about 11 billion miles from Earth on December 14. It has entered a region of space called the heliosheath. The limit of the range of the solar wind is what defines the heliosheath. The solar wind is made up of charged particles emanating from the sun that create a bubble called the heliosphere. NASA scientists know Voyager 1 has exited the heliosphere and passed to the heliosheath because instruments on board measure the velocity of the solar wind, which has diminished to zero. It will only take about four more years for the Voyager 1 to go from the heliosheath to interstellar space.

Voyager 1’s Grand Tour

The alignment of outer planets was taken into account when the Voyager 1 was sent on a quest on Sept 5, 1977. The Voyager 1 was to be slingshot further into space going faster by using the gravity of Jupiter. This was "gravity assist" which was a newly discovered technique. The Voyager 1 was able to send the 1st high-resolution photos of both Jupiter and Saturn. In 1979 and 1980, these were gone. In 1990 Voyager 1 took its last image — the “family portrait” mosaic of the solar system that featured a distant Earth against the black background of space called the “Pale Blue Dot.”. The nuclear-powered probe is expected to keep transmitting data until 2025. Currently Voyager 1 radio signals take more than 16 hours to reach Earth.

Voyager Golden Record to play for alien existence

A sample of life on earth in 1977 can be shown with the Voyager golden Record to aliens if the Voyager 1 runs into any. In the Voyager golden Record, which is made of a gold-plated copper phonograph with a turntable and stylus, you can expect to see images of life Earth from humans to insects and data about the solar system and its planets. Music from Beethoven to Chuck Berry was put on there alone with other sounds of the ocean, birds and singing.

Articles cited

Universe Today

universetoday.com/81662/voyager-1-has-outdistanced-the-solar-wind/

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1338448/Voyager-near-solar-edge-33-years-launch.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_Golden_Record

Sal Alosi income takes thirty-one percent cut in tripping incident

2010-12-19T01:44:00.000-08:00

Alosi’s salary was destined to be cut Sunday when he tripped a person in full view of Television cameras during a pro football game. A Miami Dolphin on special teams was tripped on the sideline as he ran by Alosi, a NY Jets strength and conditioning coach. A monetary penalty and involuntary suspension as a result of his error will seriously diminish Sal Alosi’s salary. It appears like applying for a payday advance loan will probably be the least of Sal Alosi’s issues. Post resource – Sal Alosi salary takes big hit as punishment for tripping player by MoneyBlogNewz.

By pointing out Sal Alosi trip

About $200,000 is paid to Alosi for power and conditioning with the New York Jets. Jay Glazer at Fox Sports tweet this. The bills Alosi has to pay or the rate of interest he could get on loans with that kind of salary weren't being considered when making this decision. When a person for the Dolphins, a hated rival of the Jets, ran out of bounds down the sideline, he just couldn’t help himself. And now his money flow will be severely impinged by the Alosi trip. If it weren't for the truth that Alosi will not be getting paid for the remainder of the season, Alosi would have been able to get payday loans for the holidays.

How bad did Sal Alosi’s trip hit his salary?

Sal Alosi’s salary of $200,000 a year is fairly good cash for the average person. The National Football League has different standards though. It’s like getting minimum wage when getting paid $200,000. For his inexplicable lapse in judgment, which brought down more public enmity on a team already despised for its bravado, Alosi was fined $25,000 by the Jets. The playoff run and other bonuses might be taken away as he has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the season. The salary for Alosi can be calculated per game. It is about $12,500. With three games left within the season, Alosi’s salary takes a $62,500 hit — a thirty-one percent pay cut. There has been no announcement on a fine from the league yet. Alosi should be preparing on a pretty large one though.

You are able to watch the Sal Alosi trip video

Alosi apologized for his dirty deed. But any mea culpa for such a stupid act is too little, too late. Alosi might have to discover a new job quite soon. Lots of New York football fans could be sad once the Jets lose the playoffs because of this. “Coach trips player” is a hard search term to live down, specifically when the Alosi trip video clip is one of the hottest trends on the Internet. Sal Alosi’s salary may never recover.

Here's the Sal Alosi video

youtube.com/watch?v=VgYXBpIYnvU

Info from

Bleacher Report

bleacherreport.com/articles/543170-elin-nordegren-cam-newton-tom-brady-and-tuesdays-top-sports-news/entry/34565-sal-alosi-salary-how-big-of-a-hit-is-fine-for-jets-coach

Business Insider

businessinsider.com/jets-assistant-sal-alosi-suspended-for-the-rest-of-the-year-2010-12

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2010/12/14/2010-12-14_offensive_act_diverts_eyes_from_sorry_o.html?r=sports

Will Jeopardy champs beat artificial intelligence?

2010-12-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

Artificial intelligence has been a fiery topic in science fact and science fiction for many years. An application able to generate independent thought and action with human-like facility would have many practical purposes, for instance assisting doctors with their diagnoses. The Associated Press accounts that IBM and the makers of the game show "Jeopardy" want to observe how sensible it is to pit a supercomputer in opposition to two "Jeopardy" champions in a trivia battle of man versus machine. If the computer is the winner do you think they will obtain a payday cash loans to pay for him or her?.

Will ‘Jeopardy’ have Ken Jennings and Rutter in it?

The same department of International Business Machines that made the software for Deep Blue which is the supercomputer that beat Garry Kasparov who was the chess champion in 1997 will be making an artificial intelligence program called "Watson" which can be playing two games of "Jeopardy" against the 2 most successful champions, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. "Jeopardy" producers explained that the two matches will be from February 14-16, 2011 for three days. The winner of the competition will receive a $1 million prize.

Transforming the confront

It was amazing to see Deep Blue going up against Garry Kasparov in chess. Nobody believed logical computation was possible. However, the "Jeopardy" man-versus-machine confrontation will frequently deal in more subtle areas of comprehension, such as puns, riddles and rhymes. It won’t merely be who – or what – can recall knowledge more quickly, but which contestant can exercise the mental agility to perform more subtle tasks with aplomb.

IBM has its money on Watson, named after IBM founder Thomas J. Watson. If Watson is victorious, IBM has stated the prize money can be donated to charity. Half the winnings can be given to charity for both Jennings and Brad Rutter if they’re to win, said AP.

Jennings, Rutter and game show history

In game show historical past with "Jeopardy," Jennings and Rutter are just a couple of the most successful winners. Both set records in the "Jeopardy" show. Rutter won about $3.3 million while during the 2004-2005 season, Jennings won 74 straight games.

Articles cited

Star Tribune

startribune.com/science/111842464.html

Watson in action

youtube.com/watch?v=FC3IryWr4c8

Get up early on or stay up later to see best meteor shower of 2010

2010-12-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

The best meteor shower of 2010, the Geminids, peaks in the early early morning of December 14. Other meteor showers usually don’t reach the degree of brightness and intensity of the Geminids meteoroids. Of the many things that make the Geminids unusual, their origin from the path of a nearby asteroid enhances the visual impact of the meteor shower. Source for this article – Geminids meteor shower said to be the best of the year by MoneyBlogNewz.

Where to look tonight for the Geminids meteor shower

It will be a late night for those checking out the Geminids meteor shower. It could be after midnight at its best. Sky watchers can expect to see up to 120 meteors per hour. This meteor shower is called the Geminids since the shooting stars appear within the sky near the constellation Gemini called the “radiant.”. Since the Geminids radiant is above the horizon during the whole night, the meteors in the Geminids shower are observed earlier than most other meteor showers. Start by looking low within the northeast. This is in the early on evening time. The radiant ought to be right overhead by 1 a.m. EST. The Geminids will hit their peak at about 6 a.m. EST when the radiant is low within the west.

The Geminids make a difference that can be observed

The Perseids in August and the Leonids in November are more like regular meteor showers that take place when the Earth is in its orbit around the sun. All the dust particles a comet leaves behind are exactly what the Earth is going through. The Geminids, however, are specks of particles left behind by the asteroid Phaethon. Phaethon’s debris hit the atmosphere at a lower velocity than the majority of meteor showers — about 21 miles per second. The particles vaporize slower meaning there is a bright trail within the sky a bit longer than normal. That is why it’s so easy to view the Geminid meteors. The Geminids will be peaking until the early morning of Dec. 15, which gives air watchers another chance before dawn Wednesday if clouds ruin the view Tuesday.

How come the Geminids here?

The Phaethon asteroid was named after the sun god in Greek mythology. This is also the sun of Helios. Phaethon goes for a joyride in his father’s sun chariot, loses control and threatens to burn up the Earth. The world is saved as Zeus kills Phaethon with a lightening bold. Phaethon’s orbit takes it from the asteroid belt all the way inside Mercury’s orbit and back again in 524 days. Typically a comet has a tail. Experts are confused as Phaethon has not tail yet is still has a stream of particles behind it.

Citations

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/40530733/ns/technology_and_science-space/

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/science/2010/dec/13/starwatch-geminids-meteors

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha%C3%ABton

BPA substance found on money possibly shifted from receipts

2010-12-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

A combined statement launched by 2 advocacy groups has discovered BPA on cash. Bisphenol A, an extremely questionable chemical, was discovered on greater than 90 % of $1 bills tested. The levels of BPA found are well within levels considered "safe" by United States and European governments. Those $1 bills might force a number of people to take out a payday loan for medical bills should they have too much exposure to the bills.

What you should learn about BPA

Plastics typically have Bisphenol A, or BPA, in it as an organic chemical. BPA is generally used to harden polycarbonate and epoxy resins. BPA can be used also to line the metal that is in cans of food. Estrogen within the body is being mimicked by BPA. In animal studies, BPA has been linked to everything from cancer to thyroid dysfunction to obesity and neurological disorders. DNA could be altered permanently by high enough BPA exposure as well. In fact, Canada takes extreme caution with BPA. It is toxic there. BPA hasn't been regulated although it is a "chemical of concern" in the U.S.

Receipts have BPA

There is some "preliminary evidence" to suggest BPA is on receipts. Three studies released this year show this. Thermal receipts use a powder of BPA blended with ink to work. Heating or pressing on the powder causes the ink to release. That causing printing to happen. Many restaurants, retail stores and shops use thermal receipts. This powder can easily rub off the receipts and give a “microdose” of BPA. A study had been done on it. Individuals would not “receive more than about 2.5 % of the tolerable daily intake of BPA from handling a single receipt.”

Money having BPA too

After the study that found BPA can be transferred from receipts, researchers turned their attention to money. There were "significant" amounts of Bisphenol A on 21 out of the 22 $1 bills that the Washington Toxic Coalition worked with in a study. The theory is that BPA on money could possibly be transferred from the BPA on receipts — but it is not yet proven. Just keep in mind that the study is very small and needs to be researched more. If you are trying to minimize your exposure to BPA, handle money and thermal receipts as little as possible — at least until Congress passes a bill such as the Toxic Substances Control Act, which would classify BPA as a toxic substance.

Articles cited

Science News

sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/61764/title/Receipts_a_large_%E2%80%94_and_largely_ignored_%E2%80%94_source_of_BPA

Time

healthland.time.com/2010/12/08/dirty-money-traces-of-bpa-found-on-currency/

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A#World_Health_Organization

Secret Society of Women provides secrets with secrecy

2010-12-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

An online community developed “by women, for women,” the Secret Society of Women is meant to be a place to express. Co-founded by Ling, a journalist and former host of “The View,” the Secret Society of Women is meant as a location for discussing mysteries. The site is already growing by huge numbers. It has only been around for a few months, however looks like it may have staying power. Don't be concerned, this is not yet another thing that you’d need to take out a personnel loans simply to register for. Article resource – Secret Society of Women provides anonymous sharing by MoneyBlogNewz.

The beginning of the Secret Society of Women

Lisa Ling co-founded the Secret Society of Women site. After a miscarriage, Ling had been having a hard time. This led her to the website. She explained women need “a confidential, anonymous community to share experiences and soak up advice and words of wisdom from other women.” The website went live in early Nov., and on Dec. 7 Ling announced the website on “The View.”.

Making a community to talk in

Sharing secrets and building a community are the two things that the Secret Society of Women is trying to encourage. Sharing secrets can happen in various different areas. "Daily Wish," "Favorite Things" and "Wisdom" are all examples of categories available to post in. One has to register with a username and e-mail address if one is to post on the site although all sharing could be done anonymously.

Making secrets public on more than the Secret Society of Women

Secret Society of Women wasn't the first secret-sharing online place. It is just probably the most recent. A blog called PostSecret has built a huge community and following from simply posting postcards containing people’s secrets onto a blog. Communities based on secrets of many peoples' lives have been happening for a long time because of the anonymity the Internet provides. The Secret Society of Women is likely going to be very popular considering the following it has although it is just a general community.

Details from

Secret Society of Women

secretsocietyofwomen.com/

E Online

eonline.com/uberblog/b214936_lisa_ling_opens_up_about_miscarriage.html

Providing financial institutions a loan with fees irks individuals

2010-12-15T02:44:00.000-08:00

American consumers are getting tired of providing financial institutions a cash advance via various fees. Financial institutions have been attempting to gain payday cash from customers by raising charges on overdrafts, ATM usage, and account fees. Account holders aren’t amused.

Everyone still mad about cash advances for banks

Most American consumers don’t think it is fair that a person should have to give a money to a bank to use their own payday cash, as outlined by ABC. The Office of the Comptroller estimates that there can be 80,000 or more complaints by consumers about their financial institution by the end of the year. Since banks began being monitored, this would be the highest level of satisfaction. They began being monitored 15 years ago. Banks have been doing whatever they can to get more instant cash from customers even though new regulations were passed last year to help a lot.

Upset people over overdraft fees

The bulk of consumers’ ire is about overdraft fees. A practice among some large banks is to clear large transactions first. Then it is more likely that a few small purchases will all get overdraft fees rather than one large purchase. Then the fees stack up for the consumer. A person will only have enough money to pay the power bill purchase might end up buying other stuff on top of the power bill. Say that person also buys a sandwich, a coffee and a pack of gum. The bank will clear the largest purchase first. The most possible fees will then be put on the account for overdraft since the smaller purchases go in after. Fast cash loans cash is the goal. This is what banks are trying to get.

Interest rates extremely high

Much of the time, overdraft fees are looked at paydayloans. This is because a fee is being paid for borrowing money from the bank. That means you could pay 3,500 % in simple interest on a $1 overdraft with a $35 fee. If you would like the APR, it ends up being more like 1,277,500 %.

Articles cited

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=12357543&page=1

Naga Viper pepper could remove paint however makes delicious curry

2010-12-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

Very scorching peppers are utilized around the world. They’re often found spicing Indian and Spanish cuisine. The most recent planet’s spiciest pepper, the Naga Viper, comes from a man’s greenhouse in England, however. The Naga Viper rates greater than 271 times spicier than probably the most popular pepper, the jalapeno. Numerous people have gone in as much as getting a quick money advance in order to to get this specific pepper. Source for this article – Naga Viper pepper could strip paint but makes tasty curry by MoneyBlogNewz.

Naga Viper developed in England

Breeding scorching chilies is something Gerald Fowler has been doing for a long time as he owns a pub and the Chili Pepper Business. By crossing three very hot chilies, Fowler was able to create the Naga Viper pepper. The Bhut Jolokia pepper was crossed with the Naga Norich and Trinidad Scorpion plants to create the Naga Viper. Many years were needed to do this crossbreeding. His small 8-by-16 foot greenhouse was used to do it though. Fowler said that spicier peppers are encouraged to "fight back" when being grown within the harsher environment like England has.

The hotness degree of the Naga Viper

Chili peppers and their heat are rated using the Scoville scale. This scale measures the amount of capsicum in a pepper. The compound that gives scorching peppers and pepper spray all the spice in it is what Capsicum is. The previous record holder, the Ghost Pepper, took the record in 2007 for a Scoville rating of 1,001,304. The Scoville showed at Warwick University to have the Naga Viper rated at 1,359,000. What police officers carry is mace spray. On the Scoville scale, it had about 5 million.

What Naga Viper are capable of doing for you personally

Making a really hot curry was the original reason Fowler developed the Naga Viper. Fowler’s curry is said to be “hot enough to remove paint … numbs your tongue and burns all the way down.” The spice is bad. This is just as much as the endorphin rush is good. While he has created curries using the Naga Viper (which consumers have to sign a release to eat), there are other uses being examined. Two utilizes, making non-lethal "pepper bombs" and helping farmers replace opium poppy as the major cash crop, are why the Indian govt is looking into buying the Naga Viper.

Information from

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1335043/Worlds-hottest-chilli-grown-tiny-Cumbrian-greenhouse.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale#cite_note-bosland-10

Greater than 2 million Microsoft Kinect sales in just twenty-five nights

2010-12-13T13:24:00.000-08:00

When motion-controlled games come to mind, generally the next thing that follows is the Nintendo Wii console. However, with the recent release of the most-anticipated Microsoft Kinect motion-sensing video game program, it has not been that way lately. With the Kinect console, you are able to expect exciting brand new games and an enhanced improvement to the Xbox 360 gaming encounter. Across the country, already parents and children alike are flooding into stores looking to get their hands on the latest Microsoft gaming toy.

2.5 million Kinect sales

Just 25 days after launching the Kinect, Monday, it was announced by Microsoft that over Black Friday, the business got to 2.5 million Kinects being sold. The business is expecting to reach its goal of selling 5 million units during the holiday season.

“We are thrilled about the consumer reaction to Kinect,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, “and are working hard with our retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments of Kinect to restock shelves as fast as possible to keep up with demand.”

More than 60,000 stores in 38 countries sell the Kinect.

All about the way the Microsoft Kinect works

The Microsoft Kinect is cool because you don't need controllers. Say goodbye to buying new controllers every time one breaks. With the Kinect system, you are able to turn your Xbox 360 into a voice-activated console. The best part about this is that it does more than that. There is a lot it does. Video recapturing and facial recognition is within the console also. It can be used to select TV implies that you like. Even digital artwork could be done on it. You are going to love the Kinect console a ton if you love the Xbox Live too. Using the cameras and microphones, you can have a webcam-like chat with multiple friends at once, enhancing the Xbox Live experience.

Reviews and sales for Kinect looking good

Since your body is the controller which is as opposed to the Wii and PlayStation Move, the Microsoft Kinect is loved by people. The next big thing in video games is likely to be motion-sensing consoles. This is shown in the fact the Kinect has sold like hotcakes when reviews are amazing.

Articles cited

Kinect Sales

microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/nov10/11-29msxboxblackfridaymopr.mspx

Think about reducing credit card financial debt with a personal loan

2010-12-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

Customers looking for a way to get rid of credit card debt might have better choices than the corporations advertising debt relief services. The best way to get rid of charge card debt is to do it yourself, perhaps using a personal loan. Personal responsibility is probably the most direct route to a better credit rating and substantial savings on lower interest rates in the future. Article source – Using a personal loan for credit card debt could be interesting by Money Blog Newz.

Why credit card debt is so expensive

Think about a personal cash loan when you are trying to determine how to pay off a credit card. Compared to a credit card, a personnel loans can have a much lower rate of interest, depending on your credit rating. The interest is compounded daily with credit cards which is why the high rates makes it overwhelming for people to pay their debt. Some credit cards sock consumers with interest rates as high as 29 percent. It's going to be really hard when you have $10,000 in credit card debt. Imagine that with a 29 % interest rate. It would take you 143 months to pay it off with the minimum $250 a month payment. That means 12 years can be used.

Interesting thing about personal loans

Using a personel loans for credit card debt relief can save a lot of money with a lower rate of interest. The best rate is out there. Look for it. Some banks and credit unions have personel loans at between 5 and 8 %. Don't just talk to one financial institution. Make sure you talk to three. Feel free to explain yourself while being very truthful. If you are able to manage to find a lender who’ll give you a personal loan at 6 percent, that $10,000 could possibly be paid off in 45 months (less than four years) with the same monthly payment.

How you are saving money when you have good credit

There are really great things in store for you with a better credit score which is done by getting rid of credit card debt and paying the personal loans back. You are able to get about 6 percent on an automobile loan right now for those who have a good credit score. Got a a bad credit score report? Then you would pay about 13 percent for the same thing. That amounts to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Are you interested in a mortgage loan on a $300,000 home? Well you might conserve $100,000 for those who have a good credit score.

Articles cited

CreditLoan.com

creditloan.com/blog/2010/11/08/how-much-does-having-bad-credit-cost/

WTOL.com

wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13551207

Why credit card debt is so expensive

Paying off credit card debt is extremely difficult to do. Think about a personal loan if you are trying to. Interest rates for your credit card will be higher than with a personal loan. This will depend on what your credit score is. The debt with credit cards is extremely overwhelming for some. This is because the high rates are compounded daily for credit cards. Interest rates can be as high as 29 percent for some credit card consumers. It's going to be really hard if you have $10,000 in credit card debt. Imagine that with a 29 percent interest rate. It would take you 143 months to pay it off with the minimum $250 a month payment. That means 12 years will be used.

All about personal loans

It is a really good thing to get a personal loan for credit card debt relief. With the lower interest rate, you might save a ton of money. Make sure you get the best rate. Some banks and credit unions have personal loans at between 5 and 8 percent. Don't just talk to one financial institution. Make sure you talk to three. Feel free to explain yourself while being very truthful. If you can manage to find a lender who will give you a personal loan at 6 percent, that $10,000 could be paid off in 45 months (less than four years) with the same monthly payment.

Good credit to save cash for you

If you get rid of all your credit card debt and pay back your personnel loans, you will have a better credit score. This can benefit you in many ways. For example, a person with good credit can get an auto loan right now for about 6 percent interest. You would pay 13 percent with a bad credit report. The life of the loan will leave you with thousands of dollars less. Are you interested in a mortgage loan on a $300,000 home? Well you might save $100,000 if you have a good credit score.

Information from

CreditLoan.com

creditloan.com/blog/2010/11/08/how-much-does-having-bad-credit-cost/

WTOL.com

wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13551207

TX prosecutors stand mute over state of death penalty

2010-12-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

The constitutionality of the death penalty is currently under review in Texas, the state where more than half of United States of America executions are committed, according to various sources. Yet there some representatives of the condition who won’t touch the death penalty unconstitutionality debate with a 10-foot pole. Local Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos reportedly ordered prosecutors to endure mute during a listening to meant to determine whether the death penalty is unconstitutional within the state.

Likelihood that death penalty affects the not guilty

25-year old John Edward green is facing the death penalty after being accused of a 2008 slaying and robbery that taken place in southwest Houston. It is the first time, though, that the constitutionality of the death penalty has been argued with the context of killing a man that might be not guilty in Texas lawful history. The client is nevertheless considered not guilty by Green's defense team.

The defense team is arguing that the death penalty is unconstitutional. This has brought the case to a deadlock with the decision made by Pat Lykos and the prosecution to stand mute as a response. District Judge Kevin Fine claimed he would not allow the criminal prosecution to stand mute at first, but then allowed the case to continue instead of deadlock it by encouraging the defense to continue to present their case while the criminal prosecution sits silently at counsel tables, unable to object, cross-examine or call witnesses.

“It’s arrogant, and it’s contemptuous for the state to decide to not participate when they’re trying to put my client to death,” said defense lawyer Casey Keirnan while in court.

Green can't argue against death penalty claims Criminal prosecution

The death penalty unconstitutionality hearing left the Hearris County prosecutors position mute. They stated, "the law surrounding the death penalty is well-settled" before submitting to silence though. Arguing whether or not the death penalty is unconstitutional is one thing the defendant "lacks standing" to do because the defendant was not convicted yet, based on the prosecution.

Information from

Houston Chronicles

chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7327353.html

What Texans know about the death penalty

youtube.com/watch?v=SJ6mje5etlc

Study links aspirin and cancer success - do not start tablets yet

2010-12-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

British medical journal Lancet published a new study today. Taking low-dose aspirin for years may reduce the chance of dying from cancer. The study re-reviewed eight studies that included over 25,000 participants. There are nevertheless major spaces in this research. You shouldn’t immediately start taking aspirin, but talk with your doctor.

Risk of cancer dying seems to be decreased with aspirin

British researchers were on a team that did the meta-study published. They said that taking aspirin every single day for five years reduces the chance of cancer being the cause of dying. These are 75 milligram tablets. The difference cancers had different amounts of decreasing. Esophageal cancer decreased 60 percent, gastrointestinal cancers reduced chances 54 percent and death from lung and prostate cancer went down 20 percent. There were regular low-dose aspirin taken by people. Between 5 and 20 years was how long each did it. The research wasn't about cancer originally. It was about the effect that taking daily aspirin has on cardiovascular effect.

Day-to-day aspirin not recommended

Researchers don't suggest that you take aspirin regular even though there was lots of improvement on surviving cancers with it. This meta-study considered a relatively low number of subjects, and more study needs to be conducted as “proof of principle.”. It would be relatively safe to take aspirin regular. Of course, ringing in the ears, loss of balance, heartburn and thinning of blood can happen with it too. ”I definitely think we wouldn’t want for making any treatment decisions based on this research,” according to the provost of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Raymond DuBois. Dr. Raymond DuBois said, “I surely think we wouldn’t want to make any treatment decisions depending on this study." He is from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Issues with the aspirin-cancer research

There were 2 studies done that showed an improved cancer success rate with aspirin. Or course, the same group of researchers in Britain did both of the studies. The studies are not complete though. You will find gaps in them. Only 33 percent were women in the main meta-analysis. That is out of 25,000 subjects. There was no data on less common cancers like brain and stomach. The low-dose aspirin might not work on them. Finally, because the studies were initially designed to measure the benefit of aspirin on the heart, the subjects might be from a statistically skewed group of patients.

It is not smart to begin taking aspirin as there isn’t enough research on the subject yet although it may be really exciting to start exploring the use of aspirin on cancer.

Information from

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120701602.html

Business Week

businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/647054.html

Rich emerge a greater distance forward in Bush tax cut deal

2010-12-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Protection of the Bush tax cut offer suggested by the Obama administration this week has targets on tax cuts for the rich. However the $900 billion package has tax breaks that apply to average Joes, especially if they have above average earnings. Economists are praising the offer as a stimulus bundle once thought impossible following the midterm elections. With any luck, if all goes as prepared the Bush tax cuts will keep folks from having to apply for a pay day loans.

Exactly about the Bush tax cuts offer

The Bush tax cut deal will cost the federal govt nearly $900 billion dollars over the next two years. A ton of the money can be going to people who need it. They can nevertheless live comfortably without extra money. Things like payroll tax holiday, child tax credit, a tuition tax credit and a federal joblessness extension would go through 2011 too which benefits the middle class. About $200 less a payday starting next month would be going home to average middle class working class individuals if the Bush taxes ended. Americans within the lower-income would have seen a payroll tax. It would have gone up to 15 percent from the 10 percent it’s now.

A lot more tax cuts for the wealthy

Every person benefits from the Bush tax cut deal. It would help somehow anyway. But the benefits are skewed toward the rich. The holiday tax on payroll will lower the current 6.2 percent taken out of all paydays. It will go down 2 percentage points. There will be ten times more of a tax cut for someone making $100,000 a year than somebody making $10,000 a year will get. The data from the U.S. census showed what the average income is for an American family. It is about $52,000. About 2.3 percent of income could be saved in 2011 on average with the Bush tax cut extension with about $1,180. Between $200,000 and $500,000 will conserve money too. It will be about $7,500. Taxpayers making $1 million and more, about $129,000 — nearly 6.2 percent of income.

Investing the cash

Broken down into Republican and Democratic wishes, the Bush tax cut offer favors the latter. Of its $900 billion cost, just $120 billion should go to tax cuts for the rich. Tax breaks proposed by the Obama administration take $450 billion from the total. The middle class would get about $360 billion for the Bush tax cut extensions. Economists are praising the deal. There has also been a revision of estimates for economic growth and employment. This was shown on the news. The Bush tax cut deal will help create a ton of jobs which was not expected with Congress ruled by Republicans according to research groups in WA that are liberal.

Citations

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/12/08/news/economy/tax_cuts_middle_lower_income/index.htm

Main Street

mainstreet.com/article/moneyinvesting/news/does-middle-class-need-tax-cuts?page=2

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/12/08/business/economy/08leonhardt.html

Split of alcohol and golf businesses of Fortune Brands announced

2010-12-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

Business Fortune Brands has declared a big change. The multiple businesses under their umbrella will be spun off or sold. Fortune Brands owns many different types of businesses. Fortune Brands plans to keep the liquor business, while spinning off or selling Moen faucets, its home security firm and Titlist golf.

Framework upheld with Fortune Brands

Fortune Brands is a unique business on the NY Stock Exchange. Jim Beam bourbon is the biggest seller of the liquor business owned by the business. There is more owned by Fortune Brands. This includes Titlist golfing too. Then there is the high-quality fixture business. The Fortune Brands company owns it too. Fortune Brands also has a home-security firm. Though conglomerate companies aren’t unusual on the stock market, these 4 business entities do not have much overlap. This lack of overlap makes managing Fortune Brands difficult, though all the elements of Fortune Brands are profitable.

Fortune Brands the mark of strain

Splitting off the companies has been considered by Fortune Brand many times before. An 11 percent stake in Fortune Brands was purchased by William Ackman of Pershing Square Capital Management this year. Ackman has been encouraging Fortune Brands to break up off its businesses. ”While the breadth and balance of our portfolio have served shareholders very well, we see the potential for even greater value by separating our companies into focused businesses,” is what Chief Executive Bruce Carbonari said.

Fortune Brand fate

There have been no final details of the Fortune Brand breakup announced. The home security unit of Fortune Brands will, however, become its own business. Shareholders don't have to worry as it is tax free to them. The buyer's payday loans and no faxing financing will make a difference in whether the gold firm is either spun off or sold. Also, whatever is best for Fortune Brands and the shareholders can be done.

Articles cited

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSN0826394720101208

Daily Finance

dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/fortune-brands-to-split-into-three-units/19751427/

President Obama says yes to Korea Free Trade Agreement, a North American Free Trade Agreement-style offer with Korea

2010-12-10T01:44:00.000-08:00

Obama calls his recent agreement in principle concerning the Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) the continuing of "a strong alliance with South Korea". The president praised the potential deal in numerous ways, however critics like progressive political blogger Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake.com see KORUS as giving up 159,000 American jobs for a mere 800 in return, based on the Huffington Post.

KORUS enjoyed a lot by leader of UAW

The NAFTA-style KORUS was supported by Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Vikram Pandit of Citigroup, Tom Donahue of United States Chamber of Commerce, John Engler of the National Association of Manufacturers and United Auto Workers President Bob King. The original NAFTA might send hundreds of thousands of careers out of America which happened with Korea free trade which has non-management personnel within the UAW are not very happy over it. Yet auto industry management interests are well-served by KORUS, Hamsher reports.

The Huffington Post explains that building trade unions under the AFL-CIO banner was keeping bargaining from Korea which is how KORUS is hurting other labor unions. Reports indicate that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis allegedly "pressured" various labor presidents into accepting the terms of KORUS.

159,000 jobs given to get eight hundred back with ‘Fair trade’

In total, it is believed that the United Auto Workers could be given the green light to produce 55,000 more vehicles under Korea Free Trade Agreement, which amounts to eight hundred new careers, according to a Congressional Research Service report. However, the NAFTA-style Korea Free Trade Agreement would trigger 159,000 jobs to be lost in five years for the United States job market based on the Economic Policy Institute. This stands in stark contrast to the president’s own pronouncements over the Korea free trade agreement; he states an easing of tariffs will amount to a projected $11 billion for the U.S. via an expanded export industry. President Obama said that the country's export market would double over those five years bringing 70,000 more jobs to The United States. KORUS nevertheless must pass the legislatures of the United States and South Korea, and there is speculation the South Korean legislature could be more difficult to win over, accounts Tax News.

Articles cited

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/jane-hamsher/uaw-gets-800-jobs-for-end_b_792031.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=120610&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily+Brief

Tax News

tax-news.com/news/US_S_Korea_Reach_Agreement_on_FTA______46677.html

President Obama’s KORUS announcement

youtube.com/watch?v=YxG0C589Luk

Captive United States soldier Bowe Bergdahl seen again on Taliban video clip

2010-12-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

In June 2009 the Taliban in Afghanistan captured a U.S soldier from Hailey, ID named Bowe Bergdahl. A few days ago Bowe Bergdahl showed up in a Taliban propaganda video clip. Many expected Bergdahl to be killed by now, however a man who had been kidnapped and released by the Taliban said the Afghans will keep him still living. The Taliban won't allow someone to take out an payday loan to buy Bergdahl's freedom either..

Keeping Bowe Bergdahl for 16 months

Bowe Bergdahl seems within the most recent Taliban video clean shaven and evidently suffering from a beating. Bergdahl’s appearance within the Taliban video clip leads experts to believe the footage was shot soon after his capture more than sixteen months back. The video clip launched Wednesday is the fourth Taliban video Bowe Bergdahl has appeared in since he was taken in eastern Afghanistan. A beard has been shown in other videos. The United States soldier, believed to be the only U.S. soldier held by the Taliban, appears briefly within the 45-minute video among clips of militant attacks and a statement from Jalaluddin Haqqani, a senior Taliban commander.

Taliban seeing cooperation from Bowe Bergdahl?

Bowe Bergdahl was shown denouncing the Afghanistan War and asking for release in April in a Taliban video clip. It was said in the Sunday Times in August that Bergdahl was converted to Islam and learned how to convert a cell phone into a remote detonator for a roadside bomb. This is what one of the supposed Bowe Bergdahl captors said. At the time, Afghan intelligence officials said Bergdahl was cooperating with the Taliban. However, the alleged captor said the info Bowe Bergdahl shared with the Taliban were common knowledge and that he was pretending to be a Muslim to keep from being beheaded.

Bergdahl’s propaganda worth keeps him still living

Bowe Bergdahl is safe, based on a journalist who had been captured by the Taliban in 2008. Idaho Public Television interviewed Jere Van Dyk. He said that the Taliban would not hurt him more than likely. Van Dyk was launched by the Taliban after being kidnapped and held 45 days. Pressure to become Muslim would take place more than likely. That is what the Taliban would do. He is a propaganda tool though. He is nevertheless alive for this reason. Van Dyk explained the Taliban is showing that they are terrorizing their enemies by keeping their captives still living instead.

Details from

CBS News

cbsnews.com/stories/2010/12/08/world/main7129125.shtml

Idaho Mountain Express

mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005134245

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1305184/Bowe-Bergdahl-Taliban-claim-captured-U-S-solider-teaching-fighters-bomb-making-skills.html

U2 band mates trying to release Spider-Man on Broadway

2010-12-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

"Spider-Man – Turn Off The Dark" is a Broadway play with its own excitement. Written by U2 stars Bono and The Edge, "Spider-Man" is probably the most expensive musical in Broadway history. Preview performances of "Spider-Man – Turn Off The Dark" have come across heavy technological difficulties, leading many to guess the show could be a washout.

‘Spider-Man – Turn Off The Dark’

There’s a "rock and roll circus drama" going on with "Spider-Man – Turn off the Dark" which is a Broadway musical based off the "Spider-Man" movies and books. The music for the show is composed by Bono and The Edge. This is all being done as it is directed by Broadway legend Julie Taymor. Huge LED screens are being used as some of the set pieces. Also, a new villain is introduced with all the flying scenes. The show required many new masks to be made by Taymor. Her success from "The Lion King" has helped her a lot

‘Spider-Man’ delayed

Jan 2010 was when "Spider-Man" was really designed to come out. A producer died during the project causing a delay. There have been also delays in "Spider-Man" because of cost overruns and safety concerns. Nov 28 was when the first performance took place. Official opening of the “Spider-Man – Turn Off The Dark” musical will be Jan. 11 of 2011. The first performance practices led to some injuries. Some of the actors and actresses had this problem. The show was stopped four times for technical issues during the preview performance.

Exactly what ‘Spider-Man’ costs

There’s a constant fight for the "Spider-Man" musical. You will find many things to fight too. Many tourists have already gone home in Jan making it a difficult time for musicals on Broadway. “Spider-Man” has cost about $65 million to produce, thus far. The show is also reported to cost about $1 million per week to keep on stage. The producers might have to get faxless payday loans in order to keep the production alive. This is only if they do not start selling seats like crazy. Now "Spider-Man" has become probably the most costly show ever done on Broadway. However, the original “Spider-Man” movie cost $35 million more than the $65 million price tag.

Articles cited

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/11/broadways-spider-man-musical-begins-previews-on-a-shaky-note.html

Billboard

billboard.com/news/u2-s-spider-man-musical-gets-off-to-rocky-1004130953.story#/news/u2-s-spider-man-musical-gets-off-to-rocky-1004130953.story

Angry Birds Seasons brings Christmas pig-stomping entertaining

2010-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Based on creator Rovio Mobile, the app "Angry Birds" had the greatest sales totals of any iPhone app for this year. The Android version has had comparable accomplishment, even though it was late in coming to the platform. Since Christmas will soon be here, "Angry Birds Seasons" has set its holiday sleigh a flight. However there’s a twist: this time, the Angry Birds are appearing on Android first.

‘Angry Birds Seasons’ is free on Android

Just look up the Android Industry listing for "Angry Birds Seasons." You will notice the Android version being free was not any kind of exaggeration. The full versions of "Angry Birds" games on the iPhone aren't fully ad-supported like this version is. If you need "Angry Birds Seasons," then it should not be too much longer as it comes out soon on the iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. Quick Online Tips explains it is also known as the Christmas version of Angry Birds. It will likely cost about 99 cents to spend for those versions.

Those with Androids will get to start earlier. The 25 levels of "Angry Birds Seasons" could be seen earlier by them. The style is a countdown to Christmas. This is done so every day until Christmas a new level could be unlocked. An in-game "Easter egg" may be the special price which could be announced then. The "Angry Birds" Christmas will come having an extra free bonus for Android users. It can be a 45-level Halloween addition.

All about Angry Birds Day and ‘Angry Birds'

The "Angry Birds" game is very simple and has a touch screen. You will find cartoon birds that are trying to obtain their eggs back from the green pigs. The Angry Birds exact retribution by hurling themselves at the pigs via slingshot, with a mind to stomp them flat. However, the pigs don’t make it easy, as they hide within structures of various levels of sturdiness.

December 11 is Angry Birds Day which creator Rovio Mobile started in order to celebrate "Angry Birds" for its simple game-play and cartoon graphics. Mobile games are asked to "stop the madness" on that day. Rovio has asked the conflict among the birds and pigs to be put to a stop. Users can either put up local signs or banners or many even join a larger online group such as meetup.angrybirds.com.

Information from

Pocket Lint

pocket-lint.com/news/37070/angry-birds-seasons-hits-android

Quick Online Tips

quickonlinetips.com/archives/2010/12/download-angry-birds-seasons-christmas-edition/

Rovio Mobile

rovio.com/index.php?mact=Blogs,cntnt01,showentry,0&cntnt01entryid=49&cntnt01returnid=58

‘Angry Birds Seasons’ gameplay:

youtube.com/watch?v=NmBj2O0tmpI

Don't be considered a fool at the holiday workplace celebrations

2010-12-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

December is here, and that means that holiday workplace parties can’t be far behind. In the next few weeks, co-workers will get together at one office Christmas party or another, however just because there’s Jack and Coke doesn’t mean that public drunkenness and inappropriate conduct are OK. Keep appropriate workplace behavior in mind, writes Fast Company – because there’s a recession on and you do not want to lose your job.

Holiday season workplace celebrations altering how other people perceive you

You should certainly dance and have a good time when at the holiday season workplace party. You need to avoid feeling up your co-workers while being sloppy drunk though. With all the embarrassing things happening at holiday season workplace parties, you are able to be sure that someone can be recording you. That is the blessing of cell phones. And if the boss is a witness, there might be a pink slip in your future.

For some reason, poor things nevertheless continue to happen at holiday season office celebrations. It is evidently very common for poor behavior at office Christmas celebrations according to a survey done by the HR firm Adecco. About 40 percent of workers admitted that they have engaged in embarrassing behavior or know someone who has at holiday season workplace celebrations. Inappropriate conduct gets many people in trouble. 23 percent said they were reprimanded for this. Eleven percent said that they either were somebody or knew somebody who had inappropriate behavior get them fired. Insulting a colleague (7 percent) or boss (4 percent) was not uncommon.

Meeting up uncommon between employees

The Adecco survey showed that few people said hookups taken place at workplace Christmas parties, report Fast Company. Remember these were the individuals admitting to it. It makes sense that only about 3 percent of employees would be willing to admit that meeting up with a co-worker occurred at the holiday workplace party.

Being able to control yourself during workplace celebrations during the holidays

Those at the workplace Christmas party will not like it if you negative mouth them. Getting drunk like this is poor to do. If you do not trust yourself around liquor and your workplace crush, make sure you’ve a wing man or two.

Info from

Fast Company

fastcompany.com/1704993/workplace-holiday-parties-a-breeding-ground-bad-behavior-office-flings-and-unemployment

‘The minty flavor will put them off’

youtube.com/watch?v=QlmDxthuteQ

More than a dessert plate - Christmas presents for sharing

2010-12-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

Typically, there are only two categories for Christmas recipes for presents. Cookies and candy are quite much what you’ve got. If you are pushed for time or money, a new Christmas recipe for sharing can come to your rescue. It could take you only one day, and also you could have a gift for everybody on your list. Just use these Holiday quality recipes for giving and you’re set. Source of article – Christmas recipes for gifts – Going beyond the cookie plate by Money Blog Newz.

Gift hot cocoa remade for Christmas gifts

There are several “classic” Christmas recipes for gifts that are easy and quick to put together and even easier to remix. If you have 1 cup cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar and 5 cups powdered milk, you can make an amazing hot cocoa mix. All you have to do is crush 20 peppermint candies and mix it all together. You can also replace the peppermint candies with a package of cherry Kool-Aid for cherry hot cocoa, or 1 cup instant coffee granules for a mocha mix. Include instructions to mix 3 tablespoons with hot water or milk, and it’s a tasty holiday gift recipe.

This Christmas you can make homemade soda for a gift

Homemade soda is another holiday recipe that is great as a gift. You have two choices – “naturally” carbonated or “artificially” carbonated. If you, or a friend of yours, has a keg system, then artificially carbonated is the way to go. Naturally carbonated sodas use yeast, and while the results can vary a bit from batch to batch, it can be done safely. You are able to find 20-ounce or 2 liter plastic soda bottles with lids which is where you will start. You will need to sanitize them. When you're at it, sanitize a funnel and a five gallon bucket. You need to mix together 1 gallon of hot water, 2 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons soda extract or flavoring extract. If you are artificially carbonating, pour the mixture into your keg system and carbonate away. If naturally carbonating, add 1/4 teaspoon champagne yeast (accessible at any home-brew supply shop), pour into bottles and store in a room temperature space for three days. You have a great ! Christmas gift ready after you’ve them bottled and labeled. Of course, you might want to refrigerate them first.

Christmas recipes for gifts – Flavored vinegars

It is easy to make flavored vinegars which are great for dressings for any friends you may have. You will start by sterilizing a jar, adding 1/3 full of bruised herbs and boil vinegar to fill. After you have sealed it and let it sit within the fridge for two weeks, it will be ready to be given as a present.

Small Windows Phone 7 product sales fail to interest blogosphere

2010-12-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

Silence surrounding Windows Phone 7 sales is leading to unflattering presumptions about Microsoft’s smartphone a week after its over-hyped launch. Sales numbers for smartphones are a standard PR opportunity that Microsoft has passed on. Most gadget-makers flood the web with press releases announcing enthusiastic consumer demand. The company’s lack of PR about Windows Phone 7 revenue leads analysts to believe the product is a dud.

Windows Phone 7 sales coverage absent

The ads "phone to conserve us from our phone," cost Microsoft around $500 million, yet the phone is presumed to still be a dud. Mediapost suggests that because Windows Phone 7 was launched on multiple handsets, the media hasn’t been focused on the success of one blockbuster device like Apple’s iPhone, which sold at a rate of 143,000 a day the first three weeks after launch. Mediapost claims that although the Windows Phone 7 did sell out at numerous stores that was not because of demand, but rather due to a lack of product.

Xbox Kinect show the media the good side

The sales reports for the Windows Phone 7 were excluded from the annual shareholders meeting in Bellevue, Wash. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked up the company’s Kinect gaming console instead. He announced that 1 million Microsoft Kinect units sold within the first 10 days after it had been launched. November 7 AT&T and T-Mobile released the Windows Phone 7 for Samsung, LG, and HTC. At the Microsoft shareholders meeting, all Ballmer said about Windows Phone 7 was that “it marks the beginning, we think, of a new era in smart phones. The response has been really fantastic.”

Smartphones from Microsoft and their journey

The Windows Phone is expected to bomb as outlined by the blogosphere. The LA Times said a problem arose with the Samsung Focus in which the phone is "frying" the Windows Phone 7 cards. According to PC World the office apps not only run poorly but the device is highly insecure. TechieInsider said that for Microsoft to be successful in the smartphone market, it can’t release products full of bugs and fix them along the way like it has always done with its desktop software.

Information from

Information Week

informationweek.com/news/hardware/handheld/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=228300084&subSection=All+Stories

MediaPost

mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=139701

Techie Insider

techieinsider.com/news/3745

Techie Insider

techieinsider.com/news/3745

Personal loan and short term installment loans for Memphis, TN

2010-12-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Getting payday loans online in Memphis, Tennessee, is easier than you may imagine. When you need to pay bills or look after an unpredicted expense, short term installment loans could be the answer. Your credit, and your bank account, will thank you for a cash til payday if you do not have many additional choices. Article source – Memphis, TN payday loans online by Money Blog Newz .

Want an installment loan in Memphis?

When you need short-term financial help, getting payday loans online can be your answer. You’ve option to choose from including an installment loan meaning you are able to use many paydays to pay back your payday loans. That means you have an option when you need money. Pay back all at once or over time – whatever works best for financial situation.

How to get your online payday loan in Memphis

It only take a few minutes to apply for a payday loan online. Rather than driving to a store and waiting a few hours while your information is verified, online applications take just three minutes. The 128-bit encryption keeps all of your info safe while our extensive network of lenders matches you with the best short term loans for your situation. Some kind of income needs to be proved. Also, a bank account and identification are required. Just because you are in the military or have limited income doesn't mean you can't get approved. It is still possible.

Memphis loans that are short term

The secret to short term loans in Memphis is that you are able to really conserve money. Bank accounts will charge an overdraft fee easily. Between 800 and 1,500 % in interest is paid. Late payments and bank overdraft fees can become quite pricey. Also, your credit record gets damaged with them. A short term loan or pay day loan in Memphis can help you stay away from those fees and charges. Payday advance loan help you with your credit score since you are able to still pay your bills on time. The best part is, the money could be deposited into your account with your bank within the day. You can get the money for whenever and whatever you need. You don't even have to worry about waiting like a traditional payday loan. It is really great. And it's easy. APPLY NOW!

Well-liked pajamagram gifts

2010-12-06T07:44:00.000-08:00

You will find very unique mail-order gift choices accessible this season. Pajamagrams are surely gaining in popularity. PajamaJeans are now a new offering from the Pajamagram company. There is a very high price for working with the company, though. Pajamagram offerings are expensive. Post resource – Pajamagram PajamaJeans and other expensive gifts by Money Blog Newz.

Promoting the Pajamagram

Sister corporations are the Pajamagram company and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. The Calyx Flowers company is owned by it too. Soft and comfortable pajamas along with bath and body merchandise are sold by the company with personalized cards to them. Pajamagram critiques say the pajamas they send are very soft and comfortable.

The critiques on PajamaJeans

PajamaJeans were originally a product sold via television commercials. The jeans are pajama style. It’s pretty well-liked to get PajamaJeans now. There is no zipper or any buttons like regular jeans have although a cotton/spandex blend makes them look like pajama pants. They’re supposedly fashionable and comfortable since they have rivets perfectly placed. They are passed better as pajamas instead of jeans. They don't have too much of a denim look to them. The rivets fall off fast. The PajamaJeans are more expensive than some jeans as they’ll cost you $60.

Creating Pajamagram yourself

By simply clicking some buttons, you can get a gift to anyone you want which is the reason why individuals like the Pajamagram. Unless you are specifically looking for PajamaJeans, though, you are able to get the exact same, thoughtful, soft gift sent for less cash and just a bit more work. You are able to pay $20 or $30 and get a really comfortable set of pajamas. At your local craft store you are able to find a customized box and card for about $5. Your gift may have saved you $10 to $100. This is just by doing it yourself. A personalized Pajamagram is one of the best presents to get.

Info from

NY Daily News

nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/02/06/2010-02-06_pajamas_in_her_jeans.html

Pajamagram

pajamagram.com/category/customerfavorites.aspx

Social networking sites and North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker 2010 combine

2010-12-06T02:24:00.000-08:00

With only 22 days until Santa begins his around-the-world flight, the Santa Tracker is gearing up. The NORAD Santa Tracker 2010 will be doing more than just tracking the flight. The NORAD tracker has forged plenty of partnerships. Google Maps Mobile, Flickr, YouTube, as well as Twitter can be following the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker. Source of article – NORAD Santa Tracker 2010 partners with Google Maps by Money Blog Newz.

What the past is for the North American Aerospace Defense Command 2010 Santa Tracker

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has started the 2010 Santa Tracker service. Starting in 1955, the agency that would become NORAD began tracking the flight of Santa Claus. A phone number where kids could "talk to Santa" on Christmas Eve was put in a Sears department store misprinted. Kids instead got sent to the Continental Air Defense office, who gave them the “current location” of Santa.

Data concerning the 2010 North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker

There will be many calling in to the 2010 North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker. It’s going to be busy this year. Do you want to call the 2010 NORAD Santa Tracker team? Call 1-877-448-6723 for Santa's current location. Noradtrackssanta@gmail.com is where you can email any questions to the Santa Tracker team as well. You can go to the Twitter account @noradsanta also. This will track Santa's location as well. Google Earth will track Santa too. Google Maps Mobile is accessible to many individuals to discover North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker info. Your cell phone will tell you exactly where to find Santa. Search for "Santa" at m.noradsanta.org or go to Google Maps Mobile. Also, through Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and TroopTube.television, you can discover more offers from the Santa Tracker. NORAD will even track how many cookies Santa eats during his long night of travels.

2010 Santa Tracker and superstars

Santa flying over various landmarks is shown on YouTube videos by the Santa Tracker team. The 2010 NORAD Santa Tracker is likely to have voice-overs provided not just by North American Aerospace Defense Command employees, however a few superstars. Make sure your North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker is on your mobile phone, Google Earth or any social networking accounts so you can follow Santa Claus each and every hour while the 2010 North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker updates.

Details from

YouTube

youtube.com/watch?v=RapJevrCKag&feature=player_embedded

Twitter

twitter.com/noradsanta

Norad Santa

m.noradsanta.org

Google Editions and read anyplace e-books could win over readers

2010-12-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

By the end of 2010, electronic book lovers can have a new reason to be happy: Google Editions. Based on the Wall Street Journal, legal and technical issues prevented Editions from getting off the ground this summer. Now the road is clear, and Google appears prepared to give Amazon.com and other e-booksellers all they can manage with its "read anywhere" e-book format..

Mixing Google Editions and independent booksellers together

Impartial booksellers tend to team up with Google Editions which will start appearing in the United States of America before New Year's Day and throughout the whole world by the end of the first quarter. Several publishers have admitted to "exchanging files" with Google, said Scott Dougal, a Google product management director. These signs just show how close Google Editions is. It may launch very soon.

E-books are not the only thing

The electronic book Google Editions utilizes is very different from the competition. This is important since 65 percent of the e-book market is held by Amazon.com. A customer's Google account ties to the e-book file after the consumer buys Google Editions from anywhere. Customers are able to access e-books with a web browser whether it is with a laptop, tablet, smartphone or desktop.

Any Kindle software could be used to read Amazon.com books, which is nice. However, the Amazon.com store is mostly the only place where books can be purchased. There are other titles accessible. They are free usually.

Share for impartial bookseller’s presently not yet determined

Getting compensation can be the determining factor as to which impartial booksellers work with Google Editions. Google does not know yet what revenue percentage can be offered. The businesses participating in Google Editions has yet to be released, accounts the Wall Street Journal. The American Booksellers Association explained though that over 200 independent booksellers are planning to participate within the U.S. If Google can get major booksellers like Borders and Barnes & Noble to feature Google Editions content, it could be in line to dominate the electronic book field easily.

Info from

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704369304575632602305759466.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories