Obama praises Vick return as Ed Rendell blasts game postpones

Ed Rendell, Governor of PA, is not happy with snow causing postpones to the Eagles/Vikings game that was designed to be Sunday night. Rendell said that delaying the game that long was being too cautious. Philadelphia is a near lock for the playoffs, and Obama has lauded Michael Vick's dramatic resurgence this year.

Second delay of Eagles Vikings game makes Ed Rendell mad

There is a lot of frustration coming from Governor Rendell. This is as the Eagles/Vikings game was postponed a second time. The Washington Post accounts that the Sunday Night Football match was intended to occur on NBC on Sunday however ended being delayed due to weather to Tuesday. Rendell said that the delay was "a joke," and that it was a sign that "we’ve become a nation of wussies." Then he explained that "the Chinese kick our butts at everything." He said that if it had been China, the game wouldn't have been canceled.

Eagles coach and Vick return things Obama thinks are excellent

Obama made a call to the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie, while on his family escape in Hawaii. This is what CBS reports. The call was to talk to Lurie about plans to install solar panels and make Lincoln Financial the first NFL stadium to use sustainable energy. Also, Lurie was told how great it was that he was willing to give a felon a second chance by hiring Michael Vick by the president. There was a dog fighting ring run by Vick. This was why he was convicted. The president said that "it’s never a level playing field" upon release and that Lurie was doing an incredible thing by giving Vick a chance. For Leave MVP, Vick is second this year. Tom Brady is first.

Rendell within the Bounty Bowl formerly

Governor Ed Rendell was a known participant within the second game of the "Bounty Bowl" series in 1989, which took place in Philadelphia. During the game, the Dallas Cowboys were pelted with snowballs, among other things, by fans. The supporters later turned on the Eagles and the broadcast booth. Rendell bet $20 to a fan that he could hit the field with a snowball while instead, he hit a Cowboys player within the back during the game. Beer was not allowed to be sold at Eagles games. That was for the rest of the season.

Articles cited

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/12/gov_ed_rendell_blasts_decision.html

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20026644-503544.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_Bowl

Home loans and financial institution loans going underwater at reduced rate

One of the effects of the housing crash was a lot of people getting underwater on property loans. However, less people are ending up that way with financial institution loans now. Underwater is where a home is devalued to the point where the owner owes more than the property is worth. However, portion of it’s because of the number of foreclosures.

Less underwater financial institution loans

USA Today reports that there are less individuals that are underwater under their property which means they owe more in financial institution loans than the property is worth. Underwater home loans have become a problem for lots of American homeowners, who went out to get a loan for a home, only for the value to plummet. Recreational and retirement hot spots like Nevada, Arizona and Florida were hit hard, with greater numbers of foreclosures and real estate prices dropping through the floor. Several heavy industrial centers did not have as bad of foreclosures on homes. Urban areas like Chicago didn't have problems either.

Part because of foreclosures

There was only a 0.5 percent decline in underwater home loans. A large portion of the reduction in people paying installment loans for more than a home is worth is likely due to the sheer number of homes that have been foreclosed, taking numerous mortgages off the books. There have been some incentives offered from the government, however talking lenders into reducing debt when many a loan business is struggling is a tough sell.

Still having low home prices

For a while it is expected that the housing industry will not go up. Record number of foreclosures, and fewer individuals confident enough to buy a home or able to qualify for the financing due to tougher restrictions on credit, will work against the housing industry’s favor. There has been growth seen though which might mean that a slower recovery will happen than expected.

Articles cited

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-12-13-underwater-mortgages_N.htm

Will FCC election to stop the Internet as we know it?

Net neutrality rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission can be either accepted or rejected by the agency in a Dec. twenty one vote. At issue are pay to play rules giving Internet service providers the power to charge higher prices for more bandwidth. A compromise by the Federal Communications Commission seeks to allow ISPs to get bandwidth-intensive traffic under control while guarding unlimited access to Internet content for customers.

What is happening with net neutrality

Right now the Federal Communications Commission has no Internet control. It can't do any kind of regulation. An Internet suggestion can be presented to congress for net neutrality. There has been a lot of video and P2P traffic making bandwidth less available. Also, smartphones and networked tablet devices haven't helped the problem. Customers are charged an "Internet fast lane" charge that is intended to help congestion too on some ISPs like Comcast and Verizon. The demand for bandwidth has gone up drastically. This has brought on ISP to throttle traffic and charge content providers. Many of the content providers think it ought to be illegal to have two-tiered Internet.

The Federal Communications Commission net neutrality proposal

Levy fees on providers that need lots of bandwidth like Netflix and management on P2P are all things that the Federal Communications Commission proposes. It also wants for making sure that "normal" traffic for Internet users aren't being manipulated by ISPs. The net neutrality coming from the FCC will keep ISPs from controlling bandwidth. This includes businesses like Verizon. Many expect Internet stakeholders in court to get challenged due to all the faster mobile data access and pay-to-play rules. The FCC got a letter about the net neutrality proposal saying it would stifle innovation, irreversibly end the free and open Internet and harm customers on December 10 from more than 80 groups.

All about net neutrality

The ISPs are already looking into the Federal Communications Commission suggestion. They want to find methods to exploit it. DailyTech reports that a presentation by suppliers to AT&T and Verizon was leaked outlining a two-tiered Internet. Skype, Facebook and Youtube might all be websites that might get you extra monthly fees on top of MB consumed fees in this system. This might only be for mobile data customers. Section of the option might consist of letting customers choose different social networking and video websites that might come from ISPs that would be offered for totally free.

Information from

Red Orbit

redorbit.com/news/technology/1968824/fcc_closer_to_making_internet_traffic_decision/

The Inquirer

theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1933693/fcc-proposes-hand-power-isps-mobile-telecoms

DailyTech

dailytech.com/Top+Wireless+Firms+Plot+to+Make+Wireless+Users+Pay+Per+Page/article20438.htm

Julian Assange law enforcement officials statement leaked; legal team enraged

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may be out on bail currently, however that doesn’t mean his lawful team is pleased. The Australian accounts that Assange’s law enforcement officials report has released to the British newspaper The Guardian. According to reports, not simply was the report intended to be private, but the sexually graphic facts leaked are apparently incriminating towards Assange.

All about the Assange police report

Julian Assange's camp is working for making sure free information and transparency are available when releasing private intelligence cables. The legal team does not think that a turnabout has taken place with the recent law enforcement official’s report that was allegedly leaked.

Assange has a Swedish lawyer named Bjorn Hurtig. He plans on filing a complaint formally because of the leaked police report.

"It is with great concern that I hear about this because it puts Julian and his defense in a bad position,” Hurtig said.

Litigation because of the media

Julian Assange faces charges of sexual assault in Sweden right now even though he is currently released on £275,000 ($432,305) bail by super star backers for instance Bianca Jagger, Michael Moor and Jemina Khan. Many think that the Assange police statement was released on purpose as a "smear campaign" so that the press might look down on the 39 year old journalist.

Julian Assange's legal team is saying that somebody is intending to convict Assange within the court of public opinion although the Guardian is saying it’s just a "brief summary" of Julian Assange's sex allegations.

The Swedish/American conspiracy

After the information of Julian Assange's sexual assault claims came out, the United States and Sweden have been working together. Julian Assange believes they are trying to punish him for the various U.S. intelligence cables that he released. Mark Stephens is Julian Assange's lawyer. He says that Assange won’t be extradited and tried under United States treason laws if he has anything to do with it. Assange isn’t a U.S. citizen meaning this likely can be the case. He is actually Australian. Furthermore, as Australian PM Julia Gillard recently made the pronouncement that Assange had broken no Australian laws, it could be interesting to see how far the United States might go to trigger an international rift.

Details from

The Australian

theaustralian.com.au/news/world/lawyers-cry-foul-over-leak-of-julian-assange-sex-case-papers/story-e6frg6so-1225973548657

Julia Gillard says Assange broke no Australian laws

youtube.com/watch?v=IqaRK_STjdw

Free Shipping Day 2010 meeting holiday delivery due dates

If you are Delivery gifts, instead of yourself, you are able to save cash with Free Shipping Day. A large number of internet retailers are offering Free Shipping today. These items shipped today are guaranteed to reach their destination by the holiday. With Christmas Delivery deadlines for 2010 emerging close, today is the day to get Shipping.

The facts about Free Shipping Day 2010

This is the third time Free Shipping Day has been celebrated with 2010. About 1,720 online merchants registered at freeshippingday.com to celebrate. By ordering from these merchants, you will get free shipping. Not only that, but before December 24 you will get your gift. You can save money by ordering on free shipping day. This is if you were preparing on ordering gifts online anyway.

The 2010 Holiday Chipping Deadlines are strict

Do you’ve gifts you would like to ship to arrive before December 24? Then you have to keep Holiday shipping deadlines for 2010 in mind. You may have to determine depending on what you're shipping and where it is going. The deadlines are different.

Listing the USPS Xmas Shipping Deadlines for others to see

The type of shipping you choose will determine your shipping if you’re sending your Xmas packages through the United States Postal Service.

• Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 18
• Standard first class mail needs to be shipped by December 20
• Priority mail has to be in by December 21
• Express Mail needs to be sent by December 22

Listing the FedEx Christmas Shipping Deadlines for others to see

You might be cutting it close if you plan on meeting the Holiday shipping deadlines 2010 for FedEx. If you have to ship something on the same day as Xmas, FedEx can help you out — but you will pay for it. The FedEx delivery service is being used by most in Free Shipping Day.

• Home Delivery and Ground will need to be mailed by December 17
• Express Savor needs to be sent by December 21
• 2Day: Dec. 22
• December 23 is for All Overnight Service
• SameDay: Morning of Dec. 25
• To Puerto Rico: Dec. 23
• December 23 is the deadline for Canada

UPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Shipping your Christmas packages using UPS requires a bit of pre-planning. The distance to where you are shipping the package is what determines the deadline for UPS Christmas Shipping.

• If you need Standard Delivery, it can be between December 18 and 22
• Second Day Air: Dec. 22
• December 23 for Next Day Air

Info from

Free Shipping Today

freeshippingday.com/

Drop-side cribs no longer permitted in U.S.

Drop-side baby cribs used to be popular in the U.S. since they were inexpensive and convenient. That end has arrived at an official close, accounts the Associated Press. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted to prohibit the manufacture, sale and reselling of drop-side cribs in the United States, largely because there have been scores of units recalled and over 30 babies and little ones have died in drop-side baby cribs since 2000. People might now have to take out a paydayloans to buy a higher quality and legal crib for their infant.

Beginning in June 2011, anti drop-side cribs rule will begin

It will soon become illegal for drop side cribs to be used in hotels, childcare centers or even for private use. New cribs can have to be bought to replace other cribs in childcare centers beginning a year following the June 2011 ban begins.

Drop-side crib issues

Cheaper wood and plastic is used in most drop-side cribs. Many like this because it is cheaper. As a result of the design and cheap materials, there is often a hardware malfunction in these cribs. An infant or toddler's head can get caught in an opening made. Infant strangulation or suffocation has been the direct result for at least 32 United States infants and toddlers since 2000, and 14 more infant fatalities are believed to have been related to the drop-side crib flaw. A drop-side crib ban is something the CPSC has been thinking about for a while.

Cribs from companies like Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp. and Pottery Barn Kids have been part of the 9 million drop-side crib recalls over the past five years.

Cribs in U.S. have ‘one of the strongest in the world’ for standards

Inez Tenenbaum is the CPSC Chair. He said that because of the drop-side crib policy, the United States is considered one of the most stringent within the world on the matter. New testing standards will help catch manufacturing defects that can allow larger, stronger kids to place themselves in a precarious position when they shake or push on a crib. There may also be better instructions as to how to assemble the crib. The standard can be able to "help to ensure that young children rest more safely." Following the CPSC vote, this is what Tenenbaum explained.

Articles cited

About.com

babyproducts.about.com/od/sleepbedding/a/drop_side_cribs_safety.htm

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/40678788/ns/politics/from/toolbar

Do you know what Canada knows about drop-side cribs?

youtube.com/watch?v=eMKcIumVM2Q

Can underwater home loans be saved with principal reduction?

A fight to step up principal reduction to stem the flow of foreclosures and underwater home loans is going on in the nation’s capital. The system is strongly supported by the Obama Administration. Officials are attempting to convince Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that their participation is crucial to its success. Even though experts say Fannie and Freddie’s participation is vital, the regulator of those agencies is barring them from participating. Resource for this article – Administration – Principal reduction keeps foreclosures in check by MoneyBlogNewz.

Cutting the foreclosure problem off

Principal reduction — reducing the amount owed on a mortgage loan — is viewed as an advantage to both borrowers and loan providers. It is expected to serve as an incentive for underwater borrowers to stay in their homes and benefit lenders more financially than they would through a foreclosure. Currently a quarter of all home loans are underwater. Home values continuously dropping is causing the number of underwater home values to continue to grow. There are around 1.5 million underwater mortgages, and the government hopes to help them out by adding the principal reduction plan to the Home Affordable Modification Program.

Including Fannie and Freddie

Part of the HAMP plan offered banks that reduced principal on underwater home loans additional subsidies. Qualifying borrows have to owe more than 15 percent than what their home is worth and have to be up-do-date on their mortgage repayments. The success of this plan is weighed heavily on if Freddie and Fannie join in and participate or not. Fannie and Freddie combined own over fifty percent of home loans. Most banks are not participating within the principal reduction plan. Many large banks will likely participate once Fannie and Freddie are on board.

Freddie and Fannie don't play well with others

The Federal Housing Finance Agency does not support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac participating in this plan. FHFA was accused of throwing losses Fannie and Freddie's way when the government took over mortgages back in 2008. In the past 2 years the agencies have cost United States working class individuals about $134 billion, and those losses are expected to increase. Fannie and Freddie's participation in also being pushed by the Obama Administration. Long term losses could be lowered with short term principal reduction. But the FHFA states as long as underwater borrowers keep making their payments as is, Freddie and Fannie will keep taking their money.

Articles cited

Pro Publica

propublica.org/article/fannie-and-freddies-govt-regulator-opposes-reducing-mortgages-for-strugglin

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703963704576005990436624546.html

Mortgage11.com

mortgage11.com/2010/12/hamp-loan-modification-help-to-know-more-on-principal-reduction-for-underwater-homeowners/