Panic room stops Somali pirates from confiscating Beluga Fortune

A cargo ship owned by a German shipping business, the Beluga Fortune, had been blocked from its route through the ocean on which it floated by criminals from a country on the horn of Africa called Somalia, which would make those who stood within the way of said vessel Somali pirates, technically speaking. A scant 24 hours later, the pirates jumped ship and fled following the Beluga Fortune team members locked themselves in a safe room and shut down the ship. The failed state of Somalia has seen piracy increase off its coast line to the greatest level recorded in almost 5 years. Source of article – Beluga Fortune free after frustrated Somali Pirates flee by Personal Money Store.

Beluga Fortune incurs buccaneers

The Beluga Fortune was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa when Somali pirates attacked. The vessel had been only 1,200 miles east of Mombasa, Kenya when the pirates got it, accounts the Associated Press. Reuters reports that when the buccaneers fired on the vessel, the freighter’s 16-man team sent out a distress call and locked themselves in a panic room intended for protection from such an attack. From the room, the crew shut down the engines, cut off fuel and disabled the bridge.

Pirates peeved by panic room

Somali pirates are frustrated by a panic room before, in September throughout the seizure of the German Freighter Magellan Star. American soldiers freed the ship only 22 hours following it was taken, reports Spiegal Online International. The team went into a room that was hard to discover and harder to break into called a safety room. The room had all the supplies and equipment needed. There was also food and drink in there. The captain was in constant contact with the ship’s owners by satellite phone. Also, if there was a need for the men to abandon ship, there had been a secret emergency exit. A spokesman for the Magellan Star’s owner told Spiegal “the pirates called our shipping company in desperation, wanting to know where the team had been.”

A snapshot of Somali piracy

Shipping off of Somalia is hard since there are so numerous Somali pirates there. Since 1991 when Somalia’s govt collapsed, there have been buccaneers like these. 19 ships and 428 hostages are being held captive by the Somali pirates, accounts the European Union Naval force. Based on the Strategy Page, the Somali pirates do lots of pirate attacks. In fact, within the last year 44 percent of pirate assaults originated from them. There has only been one death this year for a crew member. 27 others have been injured though. 773 sailors have been kept for ransom though.

Citations

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69O3PB20101025

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhf_eEAne8QCbP_9nViK4DY-n1MA?docId=115bc0cbadeb42168886f496e28510be

Strategy Page

strategypage.com/htmw/htseamo/articles/20101025.aspx

Jeff-goodall

jeff-goodall.com/?p=2241

Save cash by getting a payday loan rather than an overdraft

Though it appears a wild claim, a person can actually get a payday advance and wind up saving money. There are good intentions behind some of the people who slam the industry. When slamming the industry is something most are happy to do, there is something they never mention while doing it. Believe it or not, the average family spends more in overdraft fees than fees on a cash advance.

An overdraft works like a payday loan

There’s a very similar pattern between overdraft charges and payday loans. They work nearly the same. A certain amount of money is loaned, by a bank, and then a fee is assessed for lending the funds to cover a transactions. Basically, an overdraft is the very same thing as a short term installment loan from a bank. The difference is, nobody really wants to overdraft, and a lot of individuals do it accidentally. Thus, when a individuals overdraw their accounts, they aren’t usually choosing or deciding on the amount they want to borrow. An overdraft fee is also charged each time if there are multiple overdraft fees which ads up. Overdraft fees are really costly. At Bank of The US and Wells Fargo it is $35. These fees really help the bank out when it comes to making cash thinking about banks make 21 percent of net operating income and 43 percent of non-interest income off of them. Even credit unions make 60.4 percent of revenue this way. You are losing. It! 217;s a lot of instant cash lost.

A lot of overdrafts equal a huge amount

In 2009, 12.7 overdraft fees or non-sufficient fund fees came from the average household with a checking account, as shown in a 2010 report by Bretton Woods Inc., showing an increase in NSF/OF fees from 2008 that were at 11.8. The average NSF/OD fee, from the same study, was $29.58 in 2009, meaning that at 2009 rates, the average household with an active checking account pays $375.67 or more in OD/NSF fees annually. The average cash advance is $350, and the average fee is $47.50. It is typically cheaper to get a cash advance than pay for the multiple overdraft fees that can occur in just one occurrence.

The bank institution

Why do banks get off the hook for these fees? Well, it is simple. Banks are never kept accountable for what they do. This is because they’re institutions and can get away with it. Find some more Payday Lending Facts and Statistics record on Personal Money Store.

Homemade Frappuccino will reduce your coffee expenses

Cutting your daily expenses can seem tough, at best. You’ve already heard of a thousand solutions to cut things out. What if there are things, like espresso, that you just don’t want to give up. Your drinks can taste better and be less expensive when you mix them yourself.

Learn about espresso

It can seem like a lot of money to see how much making your own espresso beverage costs. Some people will tell you that coffee needs to be ground and brewed immediately and beans have to be stored at a specific temperature. The basics of coffee, however, are simpler than that. A good cup of coffee will come with quality beans in a an airtight container that is brewed with care.

The mathematics of coffee

It costs about $4 to get a basic mocha or latte. This is at the typical coffee shop. The price goes up for any extra flavor or espresso added on. $1 is probably what you pay for the ingredients going to the coffee. That will be one of the most paid. It will take time, however the savings certainly pay accumulate whenever you start making and mixing your own espresso drinks.

Make your personal Frappuccino-style beverage

One of one of the most popular coffee drinks on the industry is the Starbucks Frappuccino. You make think the Starbuck’s bottled Frappuccino is hard to make. That is not actually the case. For making something really comparable to what you discover in a grocery store you just need 20 minutes and four ingredients for a week’s worth. You’ll make 4 cups of double strong java. Eight shots of espresso will work too. Mix it with ¼ cup sugar. Add ½ gallon milk. 2 or three shots of vanilla flavoring can be added. This is if you are going for the Vanilla Frappuccino. 2/3 cup chocolate syrup can be added if Mocha Frappuccino is what you prefer. You have a week worth of Frappuccino java beverage for much less. Now remember this. It will save you money.

Family history in scented candles

Nearly unheard of 40 years back, perfumed candles are big business. Kringle Candle Company is hoping to grow the market even more. The son of the previous owner of Yankee Candle Company is taking large steps at only 20. Just a few weeks ago, he opened the doors of a new retail store for Kringle Candle Company. There are large plans for the future of this company. The jobs created are already having an impact.

The Kringle Candle Company family has a history

The Kittredge family is known for one thing. They’re in the business of candle making. In Deerfield, Mich., the Yankee Candle Company started. Michael Kittredge had been responsible for this. About 10 years back, Kittredge sold Yankee Candle Company for about $400 million. 20-year-old Michael Kittredge III had a business class. In the class he was asked to start a company and marketing plan. He created a Kringle Candle Company based off everything he knew. With the support of Kittredge Industries LLC, the Kringle Candle Company has now opened for business.

The Kringle Candle Company caters toward modern customers

Fragrances and designs for the Kringle Candle Company are familiar. Those who liked the Yankee Candle Company will notice this. The Kringle Candle Company provides 36 different fragrances. All Kringle Candle Company candles are a transparent white color which isn’t like Yankee Candles. Since there is no color within the candles, they ought to work in any color scheme. They don’t have to be in specific rooms.

The Kringle Candle Company plans

A candle store won’t be the only thing the Kringle Candle Company makes. The business has purchased a 128-acre farm and large nearby retail store. A restaurant is the next thing the Kringle Candle Company will create with an organic farm and storage facility for that restaurant. Seems like like there is only one thing the Kringle Candle Company wants. It would like to be the only competitor that the Yankee Candle Company has. If this is possible there is only one family that can do it. The Kittredge family is that family.

Articles cited

MassLive.com

masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1287300069226850.xml and coll=1 and thispage=2

Customers will hurt from 60 mpg claims vehicle dealers group

A trade group for auto dealers has voiced opposition to the government’s fuel standards initiative. The Obama administration has set a dauntingly high bar for fuel consumption standards. Currently, the goal is for all automakers to average 60 miles per gallon for their entire fleets by 2025. That goal for fuel consumption has been decried as unrealistic by a large trade group representing auto dealers. The group contends consumers will suffer for it.

No purpose for high gasoline requirements

A statement originated from the head of the National Automobile Dealers Association. This was, reports USA Today, on the Obama administrations’ initiative. By 2025, the White House hopes CAFÉ requirements may have gone up. They want them up to 60 miles per gallon. The automobile maker averages all of the gas mileage of the automobiles made without counting vehicles of a certain weight. This is what the CAFÉ, or Corporate Average Fuel economy, is. The National Automobile Dealers Association, Ed Tonkin, says the 60 miles per gallon standard is unrealistically high. He also points out that the amount of work that will have to be done to raise fuel economy to those requirements in 15 years will cost automakers a substantial amount of cash.

Paying from the consumers

Raising gasoline requirements like this will cost a lot of cash. This is because engineering may have to be paid for. The cost will end up all on the consumer. Considering the average shelf life of an automobile, it will put a further dent in car sales. Though sales are up for the auto industry over the year, sales are still technically down from more than a year ago.

Push for electrical cars

The policy appears to be a specific push coming from the White House. Hybrid and electrical vehicles seem to be the push. The Nissan Motors Leaf and Chevrolet Volt will be released soon. Being released is Leaf which is an all-electric vehicle. It could be the first one released within the U.S.. However, more used cars are on the road than new, so prohibitively expensive new cars would certainly backfire on producers.

Citations

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-10-22-dealers-fuel-economy_N.htm

November 7 will be the Fall Time Change for this year

The time change for the 2010 fall season this year is slated for Nov. 7. For 18 weeks, the daylight Fall back may have an effect. The this year Time Change for Fall was, in and of itself, pushed back. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 made adjustments to the Time and placement of Daylight Saving Time.

Fall 2010 calls for a Time change

The Fall this year Time Change is officially set. It’s set to take place on Nov 7, at 2 a.m.. A one hour change back is what most U.S., states can be changing to. It will be March 13 at 2 a.m. before things are “corrected.” This is when the Fall back of Daylight Savings Time will happen.

What Daylight Savings Time is for

World War I had been when Daylight Savings Time had been begun in the United States of America. The “extra” hour of daylight was designed to support conserve energy for wartime manufacturing. Some communities continued to follow Daylight savings during World War II although some didn’t. Daylight Savings Time became standardized in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act.

Why is Daylight Savings Moment extended?

The United States isn’t the only country being affected by the Time Change this year. The European Union follows an additional time. The European Summer time is followed. The last Sunday in October is used by Europe. This is when the this year Time Change will happen. You will find numerous people who do not observe Daylight Saving Time. In Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and some Native American reservations, it is not followed. Kyrgyzstan and Iceland observe the time change year-round, effectively not observing a time change at all.

Will things be better with the 2010 fall time change?

The this year Fall Time Change, as well as other Time changes, will save energy which is the Daylight Savings Time Change argument. Less energy can be used to keep lights on during the late afternoon when switching Time to “make use” of daylight hours. No government has been able to definitively show a savings in Time or energy from Daylight Saving Time. Do you like and use Daylight Savings Time like this? Do you think it’s even helping?

Concept 1 footwear banned by NBA, Athletic Propulsion Labs benefits

The National Basketball Association spotlight isn’t really on a player right now. Instead, it’s on LA footwear design business Athletic Propulsion Labs. A single shoe made by the company has been prohibited by the National Basketball Association. A good marketing move or a great technological move — either way, the Concept 1 certainly has lots of attention. Resource for this article – Athletic Propulsion Labs markets new shoe with NBA ban by Personal Money Store.

Concept 1 coming out ultimately from Athletic Propulsion Labs

You are able to get help with your vertical leap with the Athletic Propulsion Labs Concept 1 footwear. When a wearer jumps, more energy return is given with the shoe because of an internal spring system and design. The show had been made so that during an athletic game, there can be technological advantages. The player’s height, weight and athletic ability factor into this too.

A massive ban on Athletic Propulsion Labs footwear

The Athletic Propulsion Labs’ Concept 1 shoes were banned by the National Basketball Association today. NBA rules ban any shoe that “creates an undue competitive advantage.”. This is only the second time a shoe has been banned from NBA games, and also the first time for its advantage. The Air Jordan had been the other shoe banned and visual distraction had been the reason.

What is the real issue; technologies or marketing?

The NBA excluding the Athletic Propulsion Labs shoe was probably a good thing. In fact, the APL site put up a banner saying “banned from the NBA” right after this happened. The year-old business has certainly propelled itself to the forefront of the mind of its sports-loving customers. By getting banned by the NBA, Athletic Propulsion Labs has made a smart promoting move. Is this what they were at first planning, or did their technology have that unintended effect? The Concept 1 shoe costs $300, and Athletic Propulsion Labs can be selling a lot more of them. The small business is becoming a ton of attention now and only has this one line of basketball footwear accessible. Athletic Propulsion Labs plans to introduce running technology in 2011.

Citations

Google

google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jxjysAZGlnWF-jI4PRakaQjn3JWA?docId=4881453

Athletic Propulsion Labs

athleticpropulsionlabs.com/about.html

South Park Jersey Shore episode well acquired by ensemble

The recent “South Park Jersey Shore” episode took a swipe at the cast of the curiously famous MTV series. The “Jersey Shore” cast had been receptive and took it in stride. There are many things considered a rite of passage. For any celeb worth their salt, it’s a merciless mocking by “South Park”. Some people have objected to being lampooned by the cartoon. Nevertheless, that isn’t the case with the “Jersey Shore” cast. They appear to be loving it.

There have been no hits with ‘South Park Jersey Shore’

The weird reality show that MTV put on was made fun of with the “South Part Jersey Shore” show. ”It’s a Jersey thing” had been what the show was called. Based on Columbia Broadcasting System, the cast goes into the town that is fictional called South Park. Since the actual cast is orange, the characters are made the disgusting orange color too. ”Snooki” had wrinkles, facial hair and was made to be extremely fat with stretch marks. Danielle Staub, Teresa Giudice and others from the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” were made fun of the episode too. Osama Bin Laden is contacted by the Town of South Park as they make an effort to get rid of the newest guests in their town. Later they kill him with a sniper too to get rid of that.

Cast of ‘Jersey Shore’ really enjoyed it

The parody of the “South Park Jersey Shore Episode” was exciting. Even the “Jersey Shore” ensemble had been glad to view it. The representation of Snooki had been something she really enjoyed. There was even a good response from “The Situation.” He had been just kicked off “Dancing with the Stars” also. Cast members of “Real Housewives” were also thrilled, based on Entertainment Weekly.

Many desire to be mocked in cartoon form now

You know you are a celeb if you have been made fun of by “South Park.” That could be the truth of it. Anyone who becomes popular will end up on the show getting made fun of. That’s why every person enjoys “South Park” so much. The show is popular because there is so much toilet humor involved in it.

Info from

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20019595-10391698.html

Pop Watch

popwatch.ew.com/2010/10/14/teresa-giudice-danielle-staub-react-to-south-park-episode-looking-to-snl-next/

Dizzy Gillespie and cheeks create a Google Doodle

Today’s Google Doodle celebrates what would be the 93rd b-day of jazz trumpeter John Birks Gillespie. Gillespie passed away in 1993 at the age of 75. Fans know him better as “Dizzy” Gillespie, whose cheeks puffed way out when he played. Gillespie had style, grace and the high-octane trumpet that lifted bebop into the stratosphere of American’s jazz. Click on the Google Doodle at Google.com and learn more about an American original whose music will live forever.

The cheeks on Dizzy Gillespie made him and bebop music memorable

The face on Dizzy Gillespie is what many remember about him. However, bebop became popular because he could control the trumpet at such a breakneck tempo. Rapid eighth-note runs throughout the range of the horn, an on-the-fly mix of melodic and harmonic improvisation and extended use of vertical improvisation (off the chords, instead of horizontally through scales) are just some of the what made bebop a vital force within the early 1940s at the hands of innovators Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Charlie Parker and pianist Thelonious Monk.

The name “bebop” has numerous suggested origins, however Gillespie attributed it to his scat singing, where nonsense syllables are strung together in a wordless vocal solo that mimics the sound of a musical instrument. Wikipedia explains that when requesting a scat piece, Gillespie had an audience coin the term. ”Scat” was not a popular term yet.

Dizzy Gillespie has the best cheeks

There are several stories about Dizzy Gillespie’s cheeks, some of them perpetuated by Gillespie himself. Many have the opinion that his face developed that way when he learned to play the trumpet. It’s being called a mild muscular damage. When he plays, his face increase. This is fairly abnormal too.

Dizzy Gillespie and his cheeks have influenced millions of musicians

Wynton Marsalis is ajazz trumpeter who said that Dizzy Gillespie is, accounts the Los Angeles Times, “a great dancer, teacher, wit and spiritual presence.”. The way that Dizzy Gillespie can play that trumpet is amazing. This is why he is a Google Doodle along with Igor Stravinsky, Isaac Albenis, Frida Kahlo, Wayne Thiebaud and Josef Franck.

Details from

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/10/google-honors-jazz-great-dizzy-gillespie-with-doodle.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bebop

Dizzy Gillespie and his Orchestra (featuring “Chano” Pozo), 1947 – “Manteca”

youtube.com/watch?v=s74NlRy-ibs

Rutgers player paralyzed as player security is a growing issue

A collision most recently left a Rutgers player paralyzed. The injury occurred in a freak hit in an NCAA football game. Greater concern of athlete safety has been raised within the professional game, and the Eric LeGrand injury highlights the need for greater security within the game. The National Football League has been on a campaign to lower harm to players. Concussions and other head injuries are of especially good concern. Supporters are getting concerned as well. Injuries due to helmet on helmet contact has been scrutinized more than ever.

Kickoff return when Rutgers athlete becomes paralyzed

Army was against Rutgers University during the sad occasion. ESPN explains that a kickoff return left a Rutgers football athlete paralyzed in the course of the fourth quarter. Malcolm Brown was trying to return the kickoff as the Army running back. Eric LeGrand then tried to tackle as a Rutgers defensive left tackle. He lowered his helmet before impact. After colliding with Brown, he lay motionless on the field. A couple of minutes later, many took action. He was put on a stretcher and transported out. LeGrand was transported to the hospital. It had been there that the news of his 3rd and fourth cervical vertebrae were fractured was discovered. He will likely be paralyzed from the neck down.

Athlete safety worries with the National Football League

More player safety rules were initiated into this year’s season of the NFL. Players who receive concussions during play must pass a battery of tests proving their ability to play again before being allowed to return practice. The National Football League is making sure you will find worse penalties for helmet to helmet hits. There is a lot of risk when it comes to lowering one’s head when hitting another player. In 1978, Darryl Stingley lowered his head while being tackled by Jack Tatum. This had been in the course of a pre-season game even, Sports Illustrated reports. Stingley became paralyzed. Tatum tried to stay away from the helmet to helmet hit but was named “The Assassin” anyway. Tatum, along with the rest of the Raiders, ended up being known as cheap shot artists.

What the costs of getting entertainment are

It’s constantly dangerous to play a sport, although it’s even more dangerous as the sport becomes more competitive. Players are bigger, stronger and faster than in previous eras, and numerous former professionals are noting a greater risk for today’s athletes.

Articles cited

ESPN

sports.espn.go.com/new-york/ncf/news/story?id=5696563

NFL

nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b6d381/article/suspensions-could-be-coming-for-helmettohelmet-hits

Sports Illustrated

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/07/28/tatum/

Threat of listeriosis means pig and celery get recalled from market

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that most often causes muscle aches and can lead to meningitis. A Texas processing plant has been ordered by the Texas board of health to recall their product. This is partially due to the danger of listeriosis. That exact same bacterial infection led to a recall of pork in Quebec, Canada.

What are the dilemmas and symptoms of Listeriosis?

Listeriosis only comes because of a germs. Listeria monocytogenes is what this bacteria is. Listeriosis is relatively uncommon in most humans. If a human gets the infection, it is probably to go to newborns, elderly and those who have weak or malfunctioning immune systems. The biggest risk of listeriosis is meningitis, a brain and spinal cord infection. Being exposed to Listeriosis doesn’t mean you’ll see signs right away. Between 3 and 70 days are needed to determine them. Causes of the infection are hard to figure out since the incubation period of Listeriosis is so long.

Listeriosis brought on by celery on some instances

Production at a plant in Texas was shut down. All chopped celery from there had been recalled. Blaming chopped celery has been what 10 cases of listeriosis and five deaths have done. SanGar Produce and Processing Co. has been shipping Fresh Cut Produce to schools, hospitals and restaurants. Anything from hand washing difficulties to a condensation leak were discovered within the Texas processing plant. Pre-sliced celery in Texas and OK are affected by this recall. SanGar Produce has released a statement saying that “independent inspectors” have found no difficulties, and also the business is fighting the TX Department of State Health Services’ findings.

Listeriosis can come in from sliced ham

In Ottowa, Canada, health officials have begun a recall of ready-to-eat chopped pork. Best-before dates of 2010NO12 of Four L. Fortin sliced pig are being recalled. The bacteria that causes listeriosis had been discovered in this pork according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The bacterial infections hasn’t been reported yet. There have not been any in connection with the recall on Four L. Fortin sliced ham. Canada had been the only country to obtain meat merchandise integrated within the listeriosis recall.

Articles cited

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/10/texas-celery-food-recall-listeria-contaminated-food.html

UPI

upi.com/Health_News/2010/10/21/Canada-recalling-sliced-ham-products/UPI-64691287686268/

Dane Cook loses millions to half-sibling via embezzlement

McCauley, 45, of Wilmington, Mass., has pleaded guilty to embezzling huge amount of money from his half-brother, comedian/actor Dane Cook. The embezzlement is documented to have occurred from 2004 to 2008 when McCauley was Cook’s business manager, writes the Boston Globe. McCauley pleaded guilty to 27 counts of larceny in excess of $250 each, three counts of forgery, embezzlement and other charges, said Middlesex Superior Court prosecutors. A Mass. Judge has sentenced Darryl McCauley to 6 years in prison and probation that will continue for 10 years after his release from custody. Source for this article – Half-brother of Dane Cook embezzles millions from comedian by Personal Money Store.

$3 million check came from McCauley forged through Cook’s account

The Globe reports that Darryl McCauley transferred cash into his account from Dane Cook’s account numerous times, based on the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. Also, a $3 million check from Cook’s account to his was forged once. McCauley’s wife is being charged too. Larceny and receiving stolen property are what Erika is getting charged with.

Cook and McCauley from the beginning

Darryl McCauley was Dane Cook’s business manager from the beginning of Cook’s comedy career in the early 1990s until Dec 2008, when Cook first noticed that something had been amiss financially. McCauley has to give up real estate properties and business in Massachusetts and Maine in order for making up to the 38-year old Cook for what was stolen. All of the properties were technically owned by Cook. This is because stolen funds paid for the property.

From humor to acting

At the beginning of Dane Cook’s career, he did standup comedy. His brand of humor proved to be very popular with college students, but other comedians have tended to label Cook’s act as sophomoric. Some even say Dane Cook is “poseur” which is brave. However, Cook’s act did manage to serve as his gateway into film. He did well in romantic comedies as was shown in “Employee of the Month” with Jessica Simpson and “My Best Friend’s Girl” with Kate Hudson. In “Mr. Brooks,” he had been able to play a serial killer which was an odd role for him

Articles cited

Boston.com

boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/10/14/half_brother_guilty_of_stealing_millions_from_dane_cook/

People.com

people.com/people/archive/article/,,20061261,00.html

The Blemish

theblemish.com/2009/08/no-one-thinks-dane-cook-is-funny/

Social Security users will enjoy no COLA

Low inflation and recession have caused Social Security to abandon a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the second time since COLAs were instituted by Congress back in 1975. Now the Associated Press suggests that there can be no Social Security COLA in 2011. The reason for this, accounts the Social Security Administration, is that inflation is too low.

The next issue in congress is the Social Security COLA

The annual COLA that is supposed to come to those retired and disabled on Social Security is what 58 million Americans in these programs want each year. Each Social Security recipient would get $250 with the bill that the House of Representatives could be voting on in November as this is the second year that there hasn’t been a raise in benefits. The bill will go through the House fast if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gets her way. Of course, the Senate is quite opposed to the bill, accounts the AP. The retired Americans in the country already are a heave burden, and this would make that burden worse. Home values and savings continue to stay really reduced. Also, the recession has brought on the cost of living to go up although COLAs have stayed the same.

According to retiree Betty Dizik who’s 83, “We’re a little bit upset because our bills are going up and our Social Security is not.” This is what the AP reports. The $1,200 a month Social Security check coming in for Dizik is her only source of income. And her situation is far from unique. $1,072 a month is the average amount a Social Security check brings in. In 2008, 64 percent of those getting Social Security reported it to be their only income, based on the Social Security Administration.

Social Security COLA last time was massive

Social Security is currently supported by a 6.2 percent payroll tax paid by workers and employers. The tax nevertheless applied to a maximum wage cap. This cap is at $106,800 right now. The AP explains that January 2009 had been the past Social Security COLA which had the largest boost in 27 years with a 5.8 percent increase. An increase in energy prices led to that abnormally large COLA.

By law, a Social Security COLA won’t occur again until consumer prices rise above 2008 amounts. Social Security Administration anticipates that this will occur in 2011, leading to a 1.2 percent COLA that will hit in January 2012.

Articles cited

Associated Press

msnbc.msn.com/id/39684354/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/

National Security Advisor James Jones resigns

The retirement of National Security Advisor James Jones had been just announced. A replacement has already been found. The Deputy National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon, will succeed him. Officials haven’t left the White House in this quick a fashion since Watergate. Maybe most surprising was the announcement that Rahm Emanuel would leave as Chief of Staff to run for Mayor of Chicago. As outlined by rumor, Hillary Clinton is soon to replace Joe Biden as Vice President. Resource for this article – James Jones to resign as National Security Advisor by Personal Money Store.

The retirement of James Jones

There had been a recent announcement about James Jones. He will be retiring. The Los Angeles Times reports that he will serve via the rest of October. Jones can be changed by Tom Donilon, the Deputy National Security Advisor. Donilon has plenty of experience. He held the position of chief of staff under Warren Christopher. Christopher worked under President Clinton as Secretary of State. He then worked for Obama as the 3rd president to work under. General Jones only wanted to hold the position for two years. He already had a long career beforehand. Jones had been formerly the Marine Corps Commandant and commander of NATO. Jones did not seek to become National Security Advisor to start with. He was also a chief architect of the Afghan surge strategy currently being implemented.

Exodus of officials

CNN reports that officials keep leaving the Obama administration. Rahm Emanuel hopes to replace Mayor Daley who’s retiring as Mayor of Chicago. Other senior staff, like adviser David Axelrod and economic adviser Larry Summers have left also. A rumor of an additional is going around. Joe Biden may step down. The White House says it won’t be happening, but rumor has it that Obama plans to replace him with Hillary Clinton before the 2012 election.

The White House playing musical chairs

It seems like all the White House staff are disappearing. They all keep leaving. Whether it is simply a coincidence remains to be seen. Big staff changes have happened before. It is not that abnormal.

Citations

CNN

cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/06/obama.clinton/index.html

CNN

cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/08/obama.jones.replacement/

LA Times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-1009-national-security-advisor-20101009,,7588107.story

Spokane previously owned vehicles are at greater risk of robbery than new automobiles

Spokane previously owned cars are more at risk than new vehicles for robbery. The standard for Spokane cars is actually the standard nationally. Car thieves really do not make an effort to steal new vehicles in nearly the frequency that would be assumed. Many thefts are, though, and Cadillac Escalades and other substantial end SUVs, and also loaded full size pickups are targets. Probably the most frequent thefts are of small cars. People thinking of going to a Spokane automobile dealership ought to bear a couple of things in mind about the model they are trying to find.

Eastern Washington has substantial rate of car theft

The common belief is that eastern Washington tends to be just farmland. That is not really all that true. The state had a lot of large cities. That is where metropolitan areas are. Spokane and Yakima both have over 100,000 people. The exact same goes for the tri-cities which contain Kennewick, Richland and Pasco. Spokane and Yakima are both in the top 20 cities for auto robbery, based on the Seattle Times. One city in Washington having such a substantial theft ranking is just a little bit sad. This is because New York City has more people than all of Washington State. The ranking for theft of automobiles Spokane, WA, was 18th nationally, and Yakima had been ranked sixth in 2009 by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Be more cautious if your robbery rate is higher

Theft ratings do not mean that cities are unsafe. Spokane and Yakima are both places you might want to visit. When going to a big city, use common sense. That is what you have to remember when in these places. Some automobiles have much more risk than others. The National Crime Bureau explains that there’s a specific auto stolen most often. Small sedans tend to be what Spokane thieves want. Anywhere you go in Washington state there is one car probably to be stolen. This includes any Honda Accords and Civics made before 1995. In Washington state, most vehicles that get thieved are older. The 10 most thieved have at least 15 years worn on them.

It all adds up though

The most popular stolen vehicles are small, nondescript automobiles that are everywhere. Also, numerous thieves aren’t after the auto, but often more valuable components. So when looking into auto credit, Spokane or Yakima based upon, to buy a used automobile, just use a little caution.

Information from

Seattle Times

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2012948729_1992_honda_accord_is_favorite.html

NICB

nicb.org/newsroom/nicb_campaigns/hot–wheels

Owen PowerPoint raises serious questions at Duke

While preparing to graduate from Duke, alumna Karen Owen created a Powerpoint presentation that has created a firestorm. This “joke” thesis by Karen Owen detailed the ability and even size of every person she had slept with while at Duke. There has been really heavy damage from the Powerpoint’s reveal. Karen Owen never intended this to be a viral hit, she just shared it with friends.

The PowerPoint Karen Owen made

The title of the project Karen Owen did was “Just for fun.” It had sexual conquests on a Powerpoint. Every pairing encounter the Duke student had been in was outlined in the PowerPoint. First, Karen Owen shared the Powerpoint with just her friends. The PowerPoint spread around the world after it spread through all of Duke. The PowerPoint made its way via the internet very quickly. It was really popular as people knew it was about a college student. Not even no no fax loans stores can match the growth rate of the Powerpoint presentation that was not ever supposed to reach a large audience but has been downloaded more than 2 million times.

PowerPoint made by Duke student reopens wounds

It had been just a few short years ago the private life of Duke became international news. The lacrosse team had been charged with sex crimes which was cleared later on. This was when the college’s private life became news to everyone. The Karen Owen PowerPoint has made some reconsider Duke. The college students seem to promiscuous. Some say Duke students get way too much attention. Some say it isn’t really just the students, and that it is the college culture.

Too little of a redaction to Karen Owen’s Powerpoint

Everybody thinks it had been a bad decision for Karen Owen to make this Powerpoint. Of course, other things are a bigger concern right now. No names were redacted with the Duke Powerpoint which was first posted by Jezebel. Many students think this move was not a really good one, including Karen Owen. After direct requests, numerous, though not all news outlets have redacted the names of the people involved. What’s your reaction?

Citations

Duke Chronicle

dukechronicle.com/article/sex-list-draws-media-duke

Jezebel

jezebel.com

Federal judge orders Don't Ask Don't Tell plan to halt immediately

A federal judge has ordered a complete end to the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” or “DADT” policy in the military. The law instituting the Don’t Ask Do not Tell policy had been passed throughout the Clinton administration. Essentially, the law said that gay and lesbian service personnel could not be kicked out of the service if they never revealed their sexual orientation. The law also prevents personnel from being asked about their orientation. However, they can be discharged if they are found out.

Judge would like Don’t Ask Don’t Tell stopped

Log Cabin Republicans vs. the United States is a court case about the DADT policy. The government was sued as the plan was unconstitutional according to the Log Cabin Republicans. In September, Judge Virginia Phillips found in their favor. She needed to decide what would be done with the DADT policy. Until further notice, the policy was suspended. Judge Phillips said that the Do not Ask, Do not Tell policy needed to be stopped on Tuesday Oct 12. She ordered that discrimination of gay or lesbian personnel within the service must end instantly. ABC reports what Defense Secretary Robert Gates had to say over it. He said the courts shouldn’t even be allowed for making this decision. The Pentagon hasn’t responded. The reaction might never come.

Repealing the decision is the White House plan

A Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal has been talked about for years. Robert Gibbs said lately DADT would be gone soon. Gibbs is the White House Press Secretary. Cable News Network accounts that Congress is seeing a DADT bill right now which would repeal the practice. Congress wanted the decision to be stayed until it had a chance to vote on the bill. Obama hopes that gay and lesbian service members will get equal protection by the law being repealed.

Judiciary’s specific role

The role of the courts in the United States is really to do just what Judge Phillips did. Judiciary members are expected to stop Congress. If the Constitution is being violated, someone needs to end it. Laws won’t stand long if the Constitution is being contradicted. The federal court system does not listen to public opinion however makes decisions based on the interest of the law.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/10/12/judge.dont.ask.order/index.html?hpt=T2

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/wirestory?id=11870880 and page=1

Shovel ready jobs about just as real as Loch Ness Monster claims Obama

The existence of any “shovel ready” work has been denied by President Obama. President Obama has been panned by some for not being able to create many jobs for anyone. One of Obama’s campaign guarantees had been to get the unemployed back to work. Unemployment has dropped about 1 percent since he took office. Joblessness is still an issue of contention. Health care reform and financial reform have also been condemned by experts, including many conservatives.

Shovel ready does not exist

Obama has made it through his first two years of being a president almost. That’s just halfway. He developed this huge stimulus programs. Everyone was led to believe jobs would be developed with this. Critics on both sides of the political aisle have condemned stimulus programs as wasteful and ineffective. The New York Times got to meeting Obama lately. Job creation has not happened much. Obama had been able to address this within the interview. After he got to Washington, he said he learned one issue. Shovel ready projects within the public work sector to create more jobs don’t exist anywhere. Public work projects were used a lot through the Good Depression. This had been how Franklin Delano Roosevelt kept work for people.

Obama wants long term jobs on the table

Obama stresses that his concern has always been to do good over the long term. Popular opinion tends to go with short term. That is what he and David Axelrod both believe. The appearance of a lack of success gets him portrayed as a villain, because of not a soul being able to focus on benefits that may come from his policies in years to come. Obama is of the opinion that a democracy takes longer to get things done in than anywhere else, reports Peter Baker. The U.S. needs to learn patience in order to view the good. The Obama “shovel ready” comments certainly make it seem so.

Wither Washington

In the classic movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” an idealistic man becomes a Congressman, then he is broken by the cynical Washington machine. It seems like Barack Obama can relate. The circumstances seem the exact same for him. Departures of high level staff, for instance Rahm Emanuel make it appear he is struggling.

Info from

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/10/17/magazine/17obama-t.html?_r=4 and ref=magazine and pagewanted=all”

King Pharmaceuticals being purchased by Pharma monster Pfizer

King Pharmaceuticals has accepted an offer from Pfizer to merge. This will put the number of pharma mergers this year to an unparalleled number. The 2nd merger in 2 years for Pfizer, this is also the second-most-expensive deal. All told, King Pharmaceuticals will cost Pfizer about $ 3.6 billion. When a patent runs out, a drug company can lose lots of money. Numerous of these mergers are meant to fight this effect. Source of article – King Pharmaceuticals to be bought out by Pharma giant Pfizer by Personal Money Store.

Paying a premium is ok if you are getting King Pharmaceuticals

When Pfizer announced that it would be purchasing King Pharmaceuticals, the price declared had been 40 % over King’s current stock price. King’s price jumped to match the offer in trading on Monday. Either way, nevertheless, Pfizer clearly sees value in King Pharma, which manufactures mainly pain medicine. The entire portfolio of King Pharmaceuticals drugs will be rolled into Pfizer’s manufacturing and marketing divisions.

Pfizer gets a far better collection with this

The medication that King Pharmaceuticals makes is pain medication for probably the most part. King has been long developing “abuse-resistant” pain medication meant to replace drugs such as OxyContin. King Pharmaceuticals also sells vet drugs. Also, the EpiPen comes from the company. Also, a contract is already set between the Department of Defense and King Pharmaceuticals where pre-filled syringes of anti-nerve agent medication are made. Pfizer and King will merge operations which will merge all contracts.

Figuring out issues with patent among Pfizer and King

There has been a spate of pharmaceutical mergers and buyouts in recent years. Through buyouts, Pfizer has become the largest drug maker and seller in the world. The problems that come with Pfizer and King Pharmaceuticals are referred to as a “patent cliff” by the business. Most drugs, when they first are approved and reach industry, are protected by patents. Generic versions of the drugs cannot be manufactured until the patent runs out. Once Lipitor hits the patents cliff, Pfizer’s best selling drug will get a 60 percent drop within the millions of dollars that come in with sales. Hopefully, the income loss could be made up. This is why King Pharmaceuticals was bought off and is getting a change in portfolio.

Citations

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hbaoWbl-qz6f2UkSXhOhVLnVHFrwD9IQB2C01?docId=D9IQB2C01

NY Times

dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/pfizer-to-buy-king-pharmaceuticals-for-3-6-billion/

Ironically California Highway Patrol are not who busted Larry Wilcox

Larry Wilcox became famous various decades ago for playing a cop on “CHiPs.” In an ironic twist of fate, he has been busted by the cops himself. It was not for going too fast on a motorcycle. Instead, the former TV star has been sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As the series “CHiPs” wound down, he began entering into areas besides entertainment. Wilcox has been involved in entrepreneurial ventures for years. The SEC got involved after some deals he was involved in looked suspicious. He is being sued and charged with stock fraud.

Chip on the shoulder from Larry Wilcox to SEC

Larry Wilcox delved into various entrepreneurial activities outside of acting to make a living. One of his most recent ventures, UC Hub Group Inc., attracted the attention of the SEC and the FBI. It is not just this company in trouble. A kickback scheme is being charged to many of his companies. According to the SEC, kickbacks were given in exchange for purchasing stock. This was given to pension fund managers and stock brokers. Larry Wilcox in the late 70s was the “CHIPs” star. He hasn’t commented on the issue yet. Two other penny stock executives were allegedly part of the whole thing also. This is what the Los Angeles Times reports.

Real undercover cops bust a fictional one

The scheme had been uncovered a number of months ago. In order to catch the kickback scheme in the act, a sting operation had been started. The Larry Wilcox company was not the original intention. Agents were sent undercover from the FBI and SEC to watch for fraud schemes. The SEC said the conspirators had planned their scheme to the last detail, but forgot to account for undercover agents. 12 individuals were caught within the scheme, including Wilcox. CNN reports that they could all be facing 5 to 25 years in prison.

Monopoly’s don’t pass “go”

Former co-star Erik Estrada, who starred as Wilcox’s partner Ponch on “CHiPs,” has not yet commented. White collar crimes may seem innocent enough. They do come with a prison sentence though. Still no info has come about Larry Wilcox’s sentence. We’ll have to wait and discover out what happens.

Information from

CNN

cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/08/california.chips.arrest/

LA Times

latimes.com/business/la-fi-chips-sec-20101008,,3330645.story

United States income gap still a tale of haves and have-nots

America’s income gap disparity continues to expand at breakneck pace. It’s this gap that makes any real chance of economic recovery for the United States of America next to impossible, argues Steven Pearlstein in a recent op-ed piece for the Washington Post. When the GOP is pretending the income distance isn’t really a serious issue, Democrats aren’t exactly burning up Congress with their path to the cure, Pearlstein writes.

’Pledge to America’ from GOP forgets about income gap

To illustrate how wide the income gap has become within the U.S., go back to 1976. Then, a third of revenue went to the upper crustal third of revenue went to the upper crust back then There had been a better layout how much revenue had been going to the top dogs. The upper crust was getting about a 3rd of the income. Fast-forward to a 15-year run leading up to 2007 that featured the top-earning households sopping up well more than 50 percent of pretax dollars each year. Now, “virtually all of the benefits of economic growth have gone to households that, in today’s terms, earn more than $110,000 a year,” states Pearlstein.

Why is there a space at all?

There are numerous possible suspects to blame for income inequality in the United States. Globalization could be one thing to blame. This is because workers, good and money are now outside of the country instead of within. Now it appears like more corporations want educated workers. There’s a huge demand for it. Pearlman also says other “institutional changes” could be the declining unions, industry deregulation or even the rising power of financial markets. But when it comes down to it, Pearlman believes the income gap has been accepted because American society ultimately decided that such revenue inequality is OK.

So long as the proper balance is maintained

America can be struggling to increase or compete globally with an index of inequality that is too high or too low. Numerous families end up with an economical famine where their only choice for survival is a cash advance while Wall Street is feasting each night. Getting into debt is often times the only lifestyle choice that families have. This is especially true right now. There is a lot of debt to prove this point although Pearlstein does not think that families had to get into the debt.

Ultimately, Pearlstein joins the ranks of those who think more govt involvement is the answer. There has to be some kind of change. This is only if changing the distance is essential to people. “People don’t work hard, take risks, and make sacrifices if they think the rewards will all flow to others.”

Details from

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100505535.html

Ford Motors and The Amazing Race team up for Focus Rally: The United States

Ford along with “The Amazing Race’s” creation team may have an ace within the hole with their forthcoming online series “Focus Rally: America,” writes AutoBlog.com. The rally with real-time online audience challenge participation will show off the 2012 Ford Motors Focus. Hulu will air “Focus Rally: America” beginning Feb. 1, 2011. That’s when the 2012 Ford Motors Focus is set to hit United States of America dealers.

”Focus Rally: America” winds up just as one a commercial really

The real-time reality exhibit aspect that Ford is using with online programming is really unique with “Focus Rally: The United States,” although “Fiesta Movement” was an example of other online programming Ford had done. There are plans already for the 2012 For Focus rally. The plan is that 6 teams of two people will be in a cross-country road rally all trying to win. 10 Ford Motors Focus autos could be given away to the supporters of the winning team. The winners could be able to redeem $100,000. The team dynamic can be familiar to viewers of “The Amazing Race.” Elise Doganieri is the co-creator of “The Amazing Race” and she says that it is “a real game-changer within the reality world” because of how interactive it is.

Observing and playing while doing this

Fans of “Focus Rally: America” can follow the action in three ways, reports AutoBlog.com. Five days a week the episodes will be available. Hulu will keep them going. Second, enthusiasts can adhere to their favored 2012 Ford Focus rally team on Facebook, Twitter along with YouTube. Fans can also play along with interactive challenges. Advertising the 2012 Ford Focus is the real reason why the programming is going on. Features such as Ford Motors SYNC, MyFord Touch along with the Navigation System will be advertised.

The audition is underway

Matt VanDyke, Ford’s director of United States of America Marketing, is looking for the people for the exhibit. He said he is looking for those that want a “once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.” Applicants should already have a social media following and on-camera charisma. Applications including video will be accepted through mid-November at focusrally.com or at one of 11 in-person auditions held in Los Angeles, Tampa, Austin, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Houston, Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago along with New York.

Articles cited

AutoBlog.com

autoblog.com/2010/10/04/ford-teaming-with-the-amazing-race-producers-for-focus-ra/

Focus Rally

focusrally.com/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration responsible for cigar guy and other online phenomena

Ever since the advent of the web, incredibly trivial things like the ‘cigar guy” phenomenon have received lots of attention. It all begun from a photo of Tiger Woods at the Ryder cup, and a man has a cigar within the background. Then the photo hit the web. Somehow it got incredibly well-known. How things like this photo get so popular is beyond numerous people. There may be a hidden cause as to why individuals get occupied with things that are so ridiculous.

NASA makes increase of inanities feasible

There is merely one reason why concern for the ‘cigar guy” Ryder Cup photo is really occurring. This is because nothing is going on at all. There is one business the reason for all of this. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is that company. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is also in trouble for other things. It can be blamed for the Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson tapes. If it weren’t for NASA, Bristol Palin’s name would not mean anything. There wouldn’t be any association between cats and cheeseburgers (with a ‘z”) without National Aeronautics and Space Administration. No faces would be booked, nor tweets tweeted, were it not for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The reason National Aeronautics and Space Administration is being held responsible here

The reason why things like the ‘cigar guy” Tiger Woods photo get noticed is because there is nothing to occupy the collective imaginations of individuals. The reason why is that on July 20, 1969, man landed on the moon. There wasn’t even a car around 100 years before that. That’s when it was invented. If there was a peak to our civilization, that was it. Apollo 11 was a good accomplishment. Since then, there have not been any more. People, in other words, have gotten bored. NASA has only accomplished landing a robot on the moon and getting up some satellites since then. The moon landing peaked anything for our culture.

Out in space

With nothing like the guarantee, wonder and amazement of man entering the universe, minutiae is all that is left. People with nothing to inspire them the way NASA was able to will turn to the insipid to distract themselves from the void that has been left. Landing on Mars might help things out. Houston, we have a problem — and it is your fault.

The new CA weed regulation is woefully inadequate

There is a new California weed regulation on the books, just signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. The regulation makes cannabis slightly less illegal. The bill only decreases the penalty under law for possessing up to a certain amount. The regulation changes possession of small amounts to only a small fine. Possession of small amounts was formerly a misdemeanor criminal offense, which warranted a court appearance. Post resource – California marijuana law doesn’t go far enough by Newystype.com.

Marijuana reform is supported by Schwarzenegger

The SB 1449 bill was something Governor Schwarzenegger signed recently. The bill, SB 1449, reduces the penalty for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Right now, a person could be fined up to $100 and is needed to show up to court with a misdemeanor offence. The Los Angeles explains the penalty will now only be a fine as of January 1, 2011. Proposition 19 is an additional bill being looked at where it would be lawful to use cannabis for recreational purposes. Gov. Schwarzenegger opposes Prop 19, but he signed SB 1449 for practical reasons. The idea is to cut back burdens on law enforcement and courts. CA has super relaxed laws on medical cannabis. It has one of the most relaxed laws within the whole country.

Many dispute bill is insufficient

There is not much of a debate to say that marijuana is evil. Alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs just as marijuana is. Whether or not that person uses marijuana first or not, someone seeking drugs will find them. The drug being illegal is odd to start with considering the history of the criminalization of weed. One of the reasons Nixon launched the “Drug War” was to give law enforcement greater powers to crack down on political dissenters.

No advantages

History teaches us that individuals will discover a way to do what they want, regardless of the regulation. Prohibition of alcohol in the early 20th century only enriched organized crime. Prohibition of marijuana does the exact same. The police end up having more to do. Anybody who testifies to that probably lived with the K.G.B. or the Stasi looking over their shoulder consistently. Marijuana being illegal helps nobody.

Articles cited

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzenegger-signs-bill-reducing-offense-for-marijuana-possession.html

Schwarzenegger has order to furlough California workers approved by court

The pending furlough of CA employees has been approved by the state judge. Schwarzenegger was sued to prevent it unsuccessfully. The California budget crisis has been ongoing for several years. Governor Schwarzenegger has had little help in trying to keep the state afloat. California has had a number of consecutive years of a budget shortfall. A furlough was one of the few possibilities open to Schwarzenegger, who was sued by state employees. The CA Supreme Court has upheld his power to enact a state furlough.

Court wants furlough structure to remain

A furlough was put in place by Governor Schwarzenegger for CA State employees. This was done to conserve cash for the state. The workers would work two fewer days per month, without pay. The furloughs went up to three days in 2009. This was after they had already been initiated in 2008. When the state furlough orders were renewed in 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was sued by the Professional Engineers in California Government. They claimed it was illegal to make mandatory days off like that. That’s why the suit went through. The government won in the CA Supreme Judge. That is what Cable News Network reports. The state of CA is going to save $80 million each month by having the furloughs in place.

Money in CA is cut quite firm

The budget crisis within the state of CA has been going on for a while. It has been here for years in fact. As real estate values and employment plummeted, the state was left with a drastic budget deficit. A CA spending budget deficit has been an annual fixture. Nobody seems to agree with Governor Schwarzenegger. Everything he does is opposed by legislators. The deficit isn’t one thing that he likes or approves of. It is his only option to get the deficit to go down. Bloomberg explains the California budget deficit is, for this year, at $19.1 billion.

Less cash to spend using the income being lower

For the past two years, the state of California has been continually in a crisis. The governor and the state legislature are designed to reach an agreement over the budget later this month. The legislature thought the furloughs were an excellent idea.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-04/california-s-schwarzenegger-can-order-worker-furloughs-state-court-rules.html

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/10/04/california.furloughs/

Difficult to say that payday lenders participate in aggressive loaning

The term “predatory lending” has become quite the entry in the national consciousness. It is often leveled at payday loan lenders. That is not all. The payday loaning industry gets each name possible thrown at them. That is a wildly inaccurate depiction. That really isn’t a fair term to throw at any financial institution. That contains the typical short term installment loan lender. There are not many lenders of any sort that fits the term “predatory lender” well anyway. The reason is that no one really knows what that phrase means.

Aggressive loaning took place after 1994

In the wake of the mortgage crisis, there has been good outrage at “predatory lending,” a buzzword of the last two decades. Adair Morse is one of numerous who studied pay day lending and discussed if it is aggressive. He said that until after 2005, nobody knew what it even meant when the term first came out in 1994 and was not even used until 200. The phrase seems to just be a conjecture. A mortgage company is just as much a predatory lender as a small loan lender is.

Dispersing all the buzzwords

”Buzzwords” a social thing that have happened for a when. Some buzzwords are really legitimate and work. All buzzwords are things to be cautious of though. Many of them have differing meanings and fuzzy logic. The term “predatory lending” would presume that a loan was lent to an individual who was desperate, could not understand the terms, or could not really pay it back. Since the typical payday advance lender explains terms well, and can’t afford to lend to individuals who cannot pay the loan back, that standard cannot really be applied. However, that is only a subjective definition. Someone could have an entirely different definition.

Who’s the one that is predatory

What exactly are the “good” debt burdens? A new vehicle costs almost $20,000. $150,000 is the minimum you’d pay for a house. This is another cost. These debts can lock a person into a lifetime of payments only to never realize the benefits of ownership. That sounds fairly deceptive to me. A loan until pay day isn’t like that at all. Try looking up Personal Money Store. That’s where you are able to discover more facts and statistics.

Rick Sanchez sprays bigot Jew bile at Stewart

Sanchez has called Stewart a bigot, and implied in no uncertain terms that he thinks Stewart fits right in among the “Jews that run the networks”. The low blog from Sanchez seems particularly ill-conceived, considering that comebacks are the domain of comedians, rather than self-important pseudo-entertainers. Source for this article – Rick Sanchez plays the bigot card on Jon Stewart by Personal Money Store.

Do not be mad at the player of the activity, Sanchez

Packages work hard to be entirely satire like “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.” Of course, these have slowly started to be found in media as media and amusement have blended in America. Sanchez has a “traditional” cable media show with CNN. These shows that are attempting to make jokes made fun of Rick Sanchez. He lost his head during his segment on Pete Dominick’s satellite radio show yesterday, writes Mediaite. Sanchez made his “Jon Stewart is a bigot” comment without realizing what would happen. He tried saying he could possibly be called “prejudicial” or “uniformed” instead however could not go back on it.

‘What group is he bigoted toward?’

Dominick engaged Rick Sanchez over his comment, possibly in order to give Sanchez a rope in which to climb out of the hole. Sanchez just used that for making things worse than they already were. He decides to say that “Jews run entertainment” in order to help himself.

Both minorities fighting with each other

Sanchez was lead to his next remark by Dominick who explained that he is a small section as he is a Jew. Rick Sanchez is Hispanic as well. He explained that those who run “all other networks” are “a lot like Stewart” who’s a lot like those running CNN. Rich Sanchez made it all much worse when he said, “I cannot see somebody not getting a job someplace because they’re Jewish.”

Talk amongst yourselves.

Articles cited

Mediaite

mediaite.com/online/rick-sanchez-calls-jon-stewart-a-bigot-says-cnn-is-run-by-jews/

Whitman house maid admits too years of work as illegal immigrant

Meg Whitman’s house maid faked her identity to get hired and she said her boss knew about it. The timing of the revelation is curious, given the Republican nominee for California governor is going all out to win the November election. Cracking down on companies that employ undocumented workers is a major plank in Whitman’s campaign platform. Post resource – Meg Whitman maid said boss knew she was an illegal immigrant by Personal Money Store.

Meg Whitman’s house maid: illegal for 9 years

Nicky Diaz Santillan, as Meg Whitman’s Mexican house maid, went with her super star attorney Gloria Allred to a press conference Wednesday to spread the news. Whitman fired her house maid after realizing having an unlawful worker would hurt her campaign, reports the newest York Daily News. {Allred said Whitman knew Diaz Santillan was an illegal immigrant all along, yet turned a blind eye since the housekeeper provided cheap labor|The housekeeper provided cheap labor to Whitman which is why, claims Allred, she continued to employ Diaz Santillan although she knew the maid was an unlawful immigrant|Whitman was not ignorant to the fact that Diaz Santillan was an unlawful immigrant, reports Allred. She wanted the A few state ‘a political stunt’ is at hand

Allred said Whitman received a letter from the Social Security Administration in 2003 saying the Social Security number provided by Diaz Santillan did not match the name on file. Whitman claims no letter ever reached her, claims the Houston Chronicle. In June 2009, five months after Whitman began to start running for governor, Diaz Santillan came to Whitman claiming she had used her sister’s documents to get hired, states the Whitman advertising campaign . Whitman’s campaign said Allred’s news conference was a political stunt timed to influence the November election. Following a campaign event in San Jose, Calif., Whitman said “I feel terrible for Nicky. … She’s being manipulated.”.

Is the unlawful immigration problem make a hypocrite?

Ironically enough, Whitman has been campaigning in California for governor to make it so fines are given to any employers that hire illegal immigrants. The Washington Independent reports that some political analysts think Allred’s allegations will hinder her campaign’s efforts to reach out to California’s large Latino population. Hypocrite is probably the name she’ll be branded with. This is supposed to be expected.

Information from

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/09/29/2010-09-29_meg_whitman_gop_nominee_for_ca_governor_fired_maid_and_treated_her_like_garbage_.html?r=news/politics

Houston Chronicle

chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/7223716.html

Washington Independent

washingtonindependent.com/99106/whitman-accused-of-hiring-mistreating-an-undocumented-housekeeper

Tropical Storm Nicole causes flooding in Carolinas

After causing floods in Cuba and the recent Jamaica mudslides, the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole are hitting the U.S.. The South is already feeling the consequences. North Carolina floods have already started. The Governor of North Carolina has announced a state of emergency. Other flood warnings are in effect. You will find flood monitors from the Carolinas to Maine. Tornado advisories are in effect from Virginia to Maryland. So far, this is the worst of the consequences of the 2010 hurricane time of year for the mainland United States.

Flooding all of Carolina

Cable News Network reports that Beverly Purdue, the governor of North Carolina, announced the state to be in a state of emergency. The remains of Tropical Storm Nicole are hitting the United States of America coast after passing done Jamaica and Cuba. Mudslides in Jamaica killed two individuals after being cause by the storm. Floods began following the state got additional than a foot of rain in just three days time. The East Coast is expected to be battered by rain, as up to 8 inches is expected to fall by Saturday, Oct. 2. Wilmington, North Carolina, has already had 15 inches of rain fall. You will find hardly any automobiles that can drive on those roads. It is hard to reach those people.

Watching for tornadoes to arrive

The chances of a tornado on the east coast have gone up. Tropical Storm Nicole made these chances go up. There is a New Jersey tornado watch, and advisories in place from the Carolinas to Maryland. Tornado and flash flooding warnings are everywhere. Even Washington D.C. is having a tornado warning right now. Every person in New York is worried the subway system could get floods if New York sees floods.

Time of year is still persisting

The end of November is when people can stop to worry about the 2010 hurricane season. So far, the U.S. impact has been mercifully light compared with past years. Hurricane Igor and Hurricane Earl were thought to be major threats, but resulted in a bit of wind, rain, and little else. By the time Sunday night has passed, Tropical Storm Nicole could be gone.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/weather/09/30/storm.nicole/index.html?hpt=T2

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/tropical-storm-nicoles-remnants-trigger-widespread-flooding-carolinas/story?id=11763206

There may be 60 miles per gallon gasoline expectations by 2025

The White House is said to be proposing that gas mileage standards, or CAFE requirements, for automakers be set at 60 miles per gallon by 2025. The current standard will go up to 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016. The average are not for each model produced by a vehicle maker, but an average of the gas mileage of all models a vehicle maker makes. The mileage is also not the actual mileage, but rather an equivalent of gas mileage for the amount of emissions.

Establishing a new norm

Improving energy standards was something Obama promised to do. He even ran on this as one of his presidential platforms. Fuel standards have regulations already passed saying that by 2016, standards have to go up to 35.5 mpg. USA Today tells us the White House’s plan. It plans on raising expectations again. By 2025, the goal might be up to 60 mpg if it goes through. The requirements aren’t required yet. You will find nevertheless things that have to change. CAFÉ requirements would not pass until 2011 or 2012. That implies they will go through also.

Picking requirements

CAFÉ requirements are the new gas mileage requirements. This stand for Corporate Average Gas Economy. Wikipedia teaches what CAFÉ expectations mean. Each auto isn’t expected to hit this high standard. Instead, it is an average of the usual fuel consumption of each automobile a manufacturer has on the road. The regulations were first passed in 1975. The last significant CAFE standard increase was in 1990, when standards were raised to 27.5 miles per gallon. In 2011, standards will increase to 30.2 miles per gallon.

The regulation intentions occurring

The regulation would be used for making automakers follow a certain patter. More electric autos and hybrids would have to be made. There are several catches, of course. Not everybody can afford a new automobile or is willing to purchase one. Also, electric and hybrid cars are not up to certain tasks. A full-size pickup is needed to tow some loads, and to access certain job sites which a compact hybrid would not be able to.

Citations

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/09/60-mpg-required-by-2025—/1

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_Average_Fuel_Economy

Emanuel shortly to leave the White House

There has been lots of speculation over the future of Emanuel. A new Chief of Staff could be needed, as Rahm is leaving his post. He can be leaving the White House running for mayor of Chicago. The current mayor is finishing out his term and will not seek reelection. The chance was brought up the second Daley announced it, as Rahm is recognized to want the spot.

Rahm gathered and was gone

Speculation of Rahm Emanuel leaving his post for the upcoming Chicago mayor election has been rampant for weeks. Nobody has heard if he is running for sure yet. It nevertheless isn't official. However, there are numerous reports coming from Washington D.C. that he is. The White House should be giving an official announcement quite shortly on this, claims the Washington Post. The issue is something President Obama is going to need to discuss. He could be doing a later press conference for this reason. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed that you will find personnel changes that could be discussed in a press conference in the White House shortly.

Labeling it a Daley

This year surprising news came as Chicago Mayor Richard Daley decided not to run again. After his current term expires, he will retire. Daley thinks it is time to move on, claims the NY Times. His retirement is the end of a Chicago dynasty. His father, also named Richard Daley, was also a long time Democratic mayor of Chicago. The elder Daley served in the post from 1955 to 1976, and passed away while in office. In 1989, Daley junior was elected to be the mayor. He has been in that position since then. For the last 55 years, a Daley has been at the helm of Chicago for all but 11 of them.

Rahm really wants to be mayor

Emanuel has desired the position for a when, and has made it clear. The city has been very democrat for a long time. That means Emanuel may just be the person the city needs.

Articles cited

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/30/AR2010093004061.html

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/08/us/politics/08daley.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Obama desires for making schools a big longer

Throwing money at America’s educational facilities with the hope the loan will instantly translate into a transcendent educational experience has always been short-sighted. Matt Lauer and Obama talked about this very issue on “Today’s” “Education Nation.” President Obama said what is needed is an education reform. The president was speaking mostly to stay-at-home moms and dads when he said that teacher accountability should be monitored better for the kids while also making a for a longer time schools yr.

Educational facilities will not educate much better with increased cash

It is easy to view that throwing cash at educational facilities has not helped, “when you take a look at the statistics,” President Obama told “Today.”. As pupil results have fallen over the past 20 years, spending per pupil has risen. Funding for up-to-date textbooks does support in some educational facilities which shows cash does make a difference occasionally, states the president. The education reform is really all that the education system needs.

Make the year longer with teachers that really care

The president hopes to have an education reform. This reform will mean there is less waste of time in schools. Educators shouldn’t be protected by unions anymore. They will have to be good instructors or lose their jobs. Mr. Obama did not specify how much longer American kids should remain in schools (there were references to an additional month), but he did point out to Lauer that students within the American education system spend less time within the classroom on average than kids in “most other advanced countries.” Instructors aren’t efficient within the classroom. If they were, it wouldn’t be a problem that they don’t have as much time within the classroom.

‘Race to the Top’ and accomplish

The “Race to the Top” program was initiated by the Obama administration. It is supposed to give to educational institutions that commit to the schooling reform $4 billion which can be distributed. Obama said the “status quo in which one-third of kids are dropping out,” won’t be any of the educational facilities that are getting money. Evaluation of instructors must be stricter which means teachers’ unions have to be able to accept that.

Proper instructor training, hiring the best and brightest teachers and a commitment to ongoing teacher education are all key parts of “Race to the Top.”. Parental involvement is what is most needed to aid kids to become successful in schools. Fostering good study habits and showing children they really care are vital tasks for which parents must be responsible.

Discover more info on this subject

MSNBC

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39378576/ns/today-parenting/

More on “Race to the Top”

youtube.com/watch?v=VNbDv0zPBV4

Fictional news of Mazlan Othman being a United States of America outer space extraterrestrial ambassador

News of an alien ambassador from the United Nations spread Sunday on the web. The job was expected to go to Mazlan Othman. Othman is head of the U.N. Office for Space Affairs. He is also a Malaysian astrophysicist. It would only really happen in response to alien visitors, say Othman. The concept of extraterrestrial contact is not that absurd considering all of the planets outside of the solar system being found more recently. You will find a lot of individuals worried about extraterrestrial existence including Stephen Hawking who has given a warning to Earth. But the alien ambassador story turned out to be nothing however the latest Web-spawned wildfire, when Othman doused the flames with a denial via e-mail to a British newspaper.

Why would the United Nations be responsible for responding to aliens anyway?

The rumor flew around the globe as it “broke” within the Sunday Times that Mazlan Othman will be the ambassador appointed by the United Nations to visit aliens. The search for alien transmission was something Othman spoke about in a recent seminar. It was quoted in the Sunday Times. Othman said Earth should have a coordinated reaction and that the United Nations would be the best organization to the job. Othman was said by the Australian to be in Britain next week for a scientific conference sponsored by the Royal Society. It said she would be speaking on contacting the aliens at that time.

Searching for aliens

In 1992 was when we first knew for sure there was an extra-solar planet, or exoplanet. The Kepler Mission, a NASA space observatory launched in 2009, has identified hundreds of possible exoplanets. There will most likely be hardly any extraterrestrial existence to exist. Of course, that did not stop Stephen Hawking from giving his own personal warning. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Hawking said that instead of seeking the aliens out, mankind should be attempting to keep away from getting noticed. Aliens would most likely be searching for planets to exploit for their resources. He also said we need only to look within the mirror to imagine the consequences. “We only have to check out ourselves to view how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.”

Do you have aliens on the planet?

Othman was the one who begun the U.N. extraterrestrial ambassador story. Rather than jump on the bandwagon, the Guardian decided to really check the facts. Othman’s speech on alien contact was questioned by the British newspaper. It even called the Royal Society to ask about it. Nobody had heard over it. The U.N. referred all inquiries about the Office for Outer Space Affairs to an unresponsive switchboard in Vienna. A Guardian e-mail is what got Othman’s reaction where she said there was no U.N. alien ambassador story. She explained, “It sounds really cool, but, I have to deny it.” There is a real problem that needs to be solved in her speech at the Royal Society. Earth may be colliding with some objects in its rotation soon which could be discussed.

More on this topic

The Australian

theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-un-is-to-appoint-an-astrophysicist-to-be-the-first-contact-for-any-aliens/story-e6frg6so-1225929540635

Sunday Times

timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/space/article7107207.ece

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/sep/27/un-alien-ambassador-mazlan-othman

Brand new Wall Street movie is really a splash

The brand new “Wall Street” movie has been drooled over for months. The film, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” has been hotly envisioned. The very first movie somewhat coincided with current events when it was launched. The movie about corporate greed in the 1980s came out just after the stock exchange crash in that decade. Similar events coincide with the sequel. Douglas returns as Gordon Gekko, and it is set in the real estate crisis of 2008. Both films address unchecked greed and immoral trading in the realm of investment and high finance after scandal.

’Wall Street’: The Investors Hit Back

The sequel to the original film takes place in the immediate wake of the housing crash of 2008. What is assumed is that notorious corporate raider Gordon Gekko is just being released from prison, as a result of events from the first film. It is an iconic role. It won Douglas an Oscar, and legions of enthusiasts. Gekko starts giving lectures to students, and then decides to help his daughter’s fiancé, played by Shia LeBeouf, to bring down a corrupt hedge fund manager. It is partly a story of sabotage of the wicked. Nevertheless, the movie, nicknamed however not really titled “Wall Street 2,” is also a story of redemption.

The real Wall Street

Real people on Wall Street know it is only fiction. The 2008 crash was really more complex than a film will do justice to. That is the subject of a recent post about the film by Martin Fridson in the Wall Street Journal. An anonymous corporate attorney, according to ABC, said that the film is fine as entertainment, however cannot be taken seriously as a critique of actual events. Dramatic portrayals of historic events often leave out crucial details, for the sake of sensation. Some Wall Street insiders that served as technical advisers for the film lamented that director Stone did not touch on other components of the crash.

Barrel spoiled

There is some truth within the cliché that a bad apple ruins a bundle. It is kind of a shame. Many traders and workers on Wall Street are incredibly ethical and work really hard. However, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” is not about them.

More on this topic

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/films-taking-wall-street/story?id=11712654 and page=3

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2010/09/24/a-wall-street-veteran-on-wall-street-2/

General public peeing in Sweden doesn't deserve a fine anymore

The Local reports that a Swedish court lately acquitted a 45-year-old man of his fee for urinating in public. The Nacka resident (just outside Stockholm) perpetrated general public urination without offending, which proved to be enough for a Stockholm courtroom to turn away charges.

Open public peeing begins with the Nacka ruling

Numerous believe it is totally acceptable to urinate in general public, as long as a catheter isn’t required to do so, but most are worried the law will come in because of general public censure. According to Metro, a Swedish newspaper, 5,000 Swedes relieved themselves in public in 2009 despite it being against the law in Sweden which means a 800 kroner, or $120, is fined to them.

However, the Nacka ruling (as it is now popularly called in Sweden) changes the playing field. If it is an emergency, Swedes will now be able to legally pee in public without fines. Public urinators could be freed by the Swedish courtroom as long as all body parts are covered, the person looks for a toilet before doing it, and as long as there is no blatant public exposure. The Spring Break Stockholm crowd probably does not mind the legal precedent, but the Swedish police force may have to deal with something interesting now. Cops have a hard job. When is it inappropriate? When does restraint become necessary?

‘Intent to offend was lacking’

Judge Annika Johansson was the judge of the Stockholm district over the Nacka resident case which is why she was able to say that the resident was not inherently offensive and didn’t mean to offend individuals. The man just needed to go the bathroom. He was waiting for the bus and no toilets were around. He went behind the bus stop façade when he decided he could not wait anymore. Evidently he was not intoxicated and conducted himself as discretely as possible under the circumstances.

America, take note. Observance of law and reasonable interpretation can co-exist.

Articles cited

The Local

thelocal.se/29270/20100927/

Marathoners will come running to get it!

youtube.com/watch?v=8eLU5wYWKd4