Crew of ship Beluga Fortune frustrates Somali buccaneers

Sunday the German ship Beluga Fortune was assaulted and boarded by Somali buccaneers. A scant 24 hrs later, the buccaneers jumped ship and fled following the Beluga Fortune team members locked themselves in a safe room and turned off the ship. The failed state of Somalia has seen piracy boost off its coast line to the greatest level recorded in nearly 5 years. Article resource – Beluga Fortune free after frustrated Somali Pirates flee by Personal Money Store.

Beluga Fortune beset by pirates

The Beluga Fortune was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa when Somali pirates assaulted. According to the Associated Press, the ship had been close to Mombasa, Kenya. It had been only 1,200 east of the Region too. Reuters reports that when the pirates fired on the vessel, the freighter’s 16-man team sent out a distress call and locked themselves in a panic room designed for protection from such an attack. The crew was able to turn off the engines from the room. They also disabled the bridge and cut off fuel.

Pirates peeved by panic room

In Sept, buccaneers took the German Ship Magellan Star in which a panic room made them angry before. Spiegal Online International reports that before American soldiers freed the vessel just 22 hrs following it had been seized, the crew retreated to the safety room, a space selected to be hard to discover and harder to break into. The room had all the supplies and equipment needed. There had been also food and drink in there. The captain was in constant contact with the ship’s owners by satellite phone. A secret emergency exit had been there for the men if they had to leave. This had been if they needed to get off the ship. 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

Somali pirates have been a plague to shipping off the country’s coast since Somalia’s government collapsed in 1991. The European Union Naval force explains that 19 ships are being held hostage by Somali pirates right now. There are 428 hostages too. Based on the Strategy Page, the Somali buccaneers do lots of pirate attacks. In fact, within the last year 44 percent of pirate assaults originated from them. Just this year, 27 crew members have been hurt while 1 has been killed. 773 sailors are kept for ransom though.

Details from

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

Online payday loans in San Antonio

San Antonio payday cash advances could be incredibly helpful when unexpected expenses pop up. It takes 2 hrs or less to get a Texas payday advance, and they are significantly less expensive than overdraft or bank fees. While not perfect for every situation, a payday advance could be right for you.

Get a fast Texas cash advance

Occasionally we have expenditures that were not predicted. These are times where a San Antonio payday advance can really be helpful. It’s a breeze to get through the online payday advance application. It will take you three minutes at one of the most to complete. It will only take up to three minutes for us to respond and tell you whether or not you are approved for you Texas cash advance, which is quite fast. Once you are approved, the money is deposited into your bank account in as little as 2 hours.

Get your cash advance payday loans in San Antonio

Applying online for a San Antonio payday loan is great. It means that you can be certain you got the best deal available. You are matched with the best lender in San Antonio. This is how you get your online payday loan. A cash advance will help you save cash by avoiding paying over 1,000 percent in interest on some of the overdraft fees.

Payday advances for Texas

It is easiest to apply for a payday advance online. Your bank account gets the cash directly deposited into it. This means it’s accessible for you to spend wherever you need the money. The loan will also be automatically withdrawn when it comes time to pay back the loan. It is nice because you do not have to worry about making any kind of payment. The only thing you ought to be concerned about is making sure the cash is there to be withdrawn. You will not have to worry about debt hurting your credit history while the cash is right there as soon as you need it to be there.

Your issue fixed with a cash advance in San Antonio

Occasionally you may consider using a bank or credit union to get a loan. They usually take into account your credit rating though. Payday advances do not have any requirement about your credit. You don’t have to have any credit, or you are able to have bad credit. You are thanks for visiting apply if you have limited or fixed income. Also, those in the military are invited to apply.

Subprime loan credit like payday loans will constantly occur

Loan credit that is considered subprime is something that will always exist. Subprime means a loan lent to somebody who a first tier loan lender wouldn’t touch due to credit scores. A payday loan falls into that category, as do poor credit loans for a home or an automobile.

Loan credit didn’t always depend on scores

Loan credit, or credit of some sort, has existed for a lot longer than the current system of finance. The promise of a future payday was enough to secure credit for a long time. A promise to repay was all Bank of The US required when offering quick and easy cash loans at the beginning. This had been through the San Francisco fire and 1906 earthquake though. It was not until the last half of the 20th century that credit cards begun to be an option. People needed payday loans before that though.

The large loan sharks

Today, individuals who have stable income and a banking account can get a cash advance if they need one. There is not any danger unless somebody borrowing decides not to pay back the loan lenders. This was very different before the 20th century. If you lived then and needed cash, an underground lender was who you’d go to. They were also called a “salary buyer” by many. The salary buyer would purchase part of the person’s next paycheck which had to go to the lender. However, salary buyers could charge whatever they wanted and extract payment any way they wanted.

Supply and demand need to be valued

Usury rates when up when states passed small loan laws to control the “salary buyers” and other underground lenders. That meant that it had been lawful and safe for people to borrow from then on. Banning pay day loans will keep genuine loan sharks in business. You can read more within the facts and statistics of pay day financial loans report from Personal Money Store.

Getting a cash advance rather than an overdraft fee saves cash

Believe it or not, a person can actually conserve cash by getting a payday loan. It appears inconceivable, however it is true. The individuals who like to tarnish the industry have good intentions. However, something often goes unmentioned while the money advance industry is raked over the coals. Overdraft fees are more costly than a payday loan is.

An overdraft works like a payday loan

An overdraft charge works type of similarly to payday loan, in a way. The financial institution allows you to borrow money from them and charges you a fee for it. More or less, a financial institution lends you a short term installment loan. The difference is, not a soul really wants to overdraft, and lots of individuals do it accidentally. The amount someone is borrowing when over drafting an account is not a decision they can make. It’s a decision the financial institution makes. And it adds up fast because if customers make multiple overdraft charges, the overdraft fee is charged each time. Overdraft fees from Bank of The US and Wells Fargo are $35 per occurrence. At credit unions, overdraft fee revenues make up 60.4 percent of income when at banks, 21 percent of net operating income and 43 percent of non-interest income come from these fees. That’s lots of instant money going to the financial institution.

It costs a lot to have so many overdrafts

There had been an increase from 11.8 Overdraft or non-sufficient fund fees from 2009 to 2009, reports a study Bretton Woods Inc. published this year. It was shown to be 12.7 per average checking account household in 2009. 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 payday advance is $350, and also the average fee is $47.50. It’s typically cheaper to get a cash advance than pay for the multiple overdraft fees that can occur in just one occurrence.

The financial institution institution

Why do banks get off the hook for these fees? It’s fairly easy to figure out. Banks are institutions, and some people think that institutions ought to never be kept accountable because they are institutions. Discover some more Payday Lending Facts and Statistics report on Personal Money Store.

Gay Saudi royal prince faces life in United Kingdom for murdering sex slave

Gay Saudi Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud has been convicted within the U.K. of murdering his manservant, which carries a life sentence. In Saudi Arabia, however, he’d be executed for being homosexual, so the Saudi prince is leaning from extradition. U.K. court has convicted the Saudi prince, 34, of murdering 32-year-old male servant Bandar Abdulaziz in their suite at London’s Landmark Hotel. Alcoholic drinks and intense torture of a sexual nature were reportedly involved within the deadly confrontation. Witnesses testified to the Saudi prince’s abusive nature and the “personal gratification” he derived from beating his slave. Hotel security footage implies that Bandar Abdulaziz accepted his deadly beating submissively.

Diplomatic defense was not enough for Saudi prince

British justice was not designed to do something about Saudi Royal prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, he claims. He thought being grandson of Saudi Arabia’s king and his diplomatic immunity would save him. His defense said it had been manslaughter although he admits to murder eventually. The court at Old Bailey sentenced the Saudi prince to life in prison for murder, however he faces execution in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is a capital offense. Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw claims that “beyond a shadow of a doubt”, Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud is shown through physical and photographic evidence to have subjected Bandar Abdulaziz to “sadistic” sexual torture.

What Saudi prince’s fate is through the Quran

Some would argue that the Saudi prince acted in concert with Sharia law. Some people think the Prophet Mohammad abused servants. This was only when they were doing something wrong though. The Quran does not advocate physical abuse. This is what Muslim Access says:

“As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance)” – An-Nisa’: 34-35

“Beating,” in this sense, is translated from dharban ghayra mubarrih, which means “a light tap that leaves no mark” with a siwak, or toothbrush. Guilty Saudi royal prince should have perhaps figured out what was an appropriate way to treat servants that misbehaved. The royal family won’t be able to help him out no matter what. He is going to be on the chopping block nevertheless either way.

Articles cited

Daily mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1321860/Saudi-prince-guilt-sadistic-murder-servant.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Muslim Access

muslimaccess.com/articles/Women/wife_beating.asp

Another day and yet another Toyota Motors recall of over 1 million cars

A new round of Toyota recalls announcements, for three separate issues. A recall by Toyota Motors is starting to become a regular occurrence, and some are looking forward to when Toyota Motors stops recalling automobiles. This recall only involves just over a paltry 1.5 million vehicles. The fuel pump or master brake cylinder may be defective in the main recall of over 1.3 million automobiles. The second is a little smaller. Just over 130,000 cars might have brake drums that can rust.

Toyota Motors recalling again

About 1.53 million cars in the whole world are being recalled by Toyota Motors. There’s a defect in the brakes. This is just suspected though. ABC reports the Toyota Highlander, Avalon and the Lexus GS300, IS250 and IS350 are the models in the recall. The master brake cylinder seal can be defective. It is possible for the master cylinder seal to break. This would cause brake fluid leaking to occur. Brake pressure might go down while a warning light could appear. In the United States of America, there are numerous automobiles being recalled in the brake cylinder recall. About 740,000 cars can be recalled. No accidents have been reported as a result of the possible leak.

Other Toyota Motors recalls

In China, Toyota has recalled another 130,000 automobiles. This happened because of a defect that might trigger rust within the rear wheel disk brakes. Also, Japan may have a fuel pump defect which has brought on 600,000 Japanese autos to be recalled. The fuel pump can have a possible electric fault, which can trigger the automobile to stall. Japan is the only place where there is that defect. This is what the newest York Times reports. The Crown model, which the United States of America does not sell, is where many of the fuel pump problems are coming from

What can I do right now?

Owners can be notified. Toyota will do this. The recall only includes certain model years. These are from 2004 to 2005. Toyota hasn’t had a good year so far. The auto maker continues to be raked over the coals for recalls, though recalls by automobile makers are often preventative.

Articles cited

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/wirestory?id=11933608 and page=1

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/10/22/business/global/22toyota.html?src=mv

Hylands Teething Tablets recalled because of belladonna toxicity

Teething time is an ordeal for children and mothers and fathers. Tablets that help soothe the gums can sometimes be the only thing that permits a good night’s rest, making them a mainstay for well-prepared mothers and fathers. This is why the United States of America Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement that Hyland’s Teething Tablets have been voluntarily recalled because of potential toxicity is particularly disturbing. The teething relief item has some belladonna in it, which could be lethal if ingested in large amounts.

Get all Hyland’s Teething Tablets within the trash

Make certain you take Hyland’s advice. Get all teething tablets out of your home. There are safe replacements available for parents. Call 877-496-5044 or go to hylandsteething.com/recall if you need replacements. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is when you can get a hold of the customer service call center.

Belladonna has to be ‘carefully controlled’

The Food and Drug Administration accounts that when belladonna does have a history of being used as an anesthetic, its use must be carefully controlled. This is particularly true when young children are involved. Laboratory analysis has found “inconsistent amounts of belladonna,” yet parents are advised to err on the side of caution. There have been belladonna toxicity amounts that have showed kids suffering side effects including constipation, rash, confusion, light sensitivity, blurred vision and dilated pupils. Considering that Hyland’s Teething Tablets packages aren’t manufactured with child resistant caps, the danger is clear.

Recalling teething tablets from Hyland

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, 125 tablets, UPC #3 54973 75041
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, 250 tablets, UPC #3 54973 75042
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, 125 tablets, UPC #3 54973 75066
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, 50 tablets, UPC #3 54973 75044
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, 145 tablets, UPC #3 54973 75121
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets, Clip Strip 6×125 tablets, UPC #3 54973 35109

Articles cited

Hylander Teething

hylandsteething.com/recall

Babble.com

blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/10/24/hylands-teething-tablets-recalled/

Food and Drug Administration

fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm230761.htm

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna

What moms want to know, from a mom

youtube.com/watch?v=o8Y1fhB0k3A

Report that Facebook outs gay customers arises

Facebook might have erred again on the side of lack of privacy, writes Slight Paranoia. A recent technical study entitled “Challenges in Measuring Online Advertising Systems” was published by a Microsoft investigator and two investigators from the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, and if what it implies is true, all Facebook customers should give a second thought to their Facebook data, even if it’s marked private. What the research indicates is that there may be yet an additional loophole, this time one where Facebook is outing homosexual customers to marketing parties. Resource for this article – Report suggests Facebook is outing gay users to sponsors by Personal Money Store.

Difference in advertisements for shown gay Facebook users

Gay individuals being targeted by Facebook isn’t weird. It isn’t surprising at all. The fact is that Facebook users have the option of listing the gender of the type of partner in which they’re interested. This is why Facebook had been intended by Zuckerberg within the first place. Facebook targets ads to users based on the demographic data presented by the user, which is why it would not be surprising if ads were targeted depending on sexual preference.

Although these lines are supposed to be protected with the personal privacy settings Facebook has, a recent research paper showed that when using a bunch of control profiles on Facebook, the fictional gay male character received very different ads than the rest. Interestingly, ads to the fake lesbian user profile received ads that weren’t very different than the fabricated hetero female profile. The study authors explain the main difference between homosexual and straight male ad targeting by pointing out that a homosexual bar wouldn’t want to place its ads on the profiles of straight men, whereas some straight women might be interested in such an ad, writes Gawker.

Flash your ID and choice information on the ad

Next comes the ongoing battle consumer protection groups have with Facebook. Clicking on an ad may expose a Facebook user’s IP address, e-mail address or browsing data to an advertiser. A user may be shown as gay when clicking on the ad. This is how Facebook could out them. Gawker explains that a user who hides their sexual preference with privacy settings on Facebook may still start to determine more “gay-themed” advertising after going to the homosexual men ad.

Citations

Saikat

saikat.guha.cc/pub/imc10-ads.pdf

Gawker

gawker.com/5669316/is-facebook-outing-gay-users-to-advertisers

Paranoia

paranoia.dubfire.net/2010/10/more-private-data-leakage-at-facebook.html

Hubble Telescope captures historic galaxy, asteroid crash

The Hubble Telescope has been orbiting Earth for 20 years, transmitting pictures of the universe that stun and amaze. Observation of the most ancient universe ever detected and pictures of asteroids colliding in deep space are a couple of of Hubble’s recent discoveries. The Hubble Telescope’s run of discovery will end in 2014 when it is replace by the James Webb Space Telescope, a larger, much more advanced instrument that will make Hubble’s amazing achievements seem quaint. Source for this article – Hubble Telescope astronomers travel back 13 billion years in time by Personal Money Store.

Most ancient universe image from Hubble

Hubble Telescope astronomers announced Friday that they’ve seen the oldest object ever found in the universe. According to the NY Times, a galaxy gave off light that took 13.1 billion years to get to Earth. It had been then detected on an image this year from the Hubble. The universe was only 600 million years old at the time it left. Many astronomers have theorized that it had been a really early on universe. They also believe that the Hubble observed it in a form it no longer exists in.

Hubble asteroid crash pictures

The first asteroid collision photos were taken by the Hubble last week. The Christian Science Monitor accounts that the images offer clues about what to expect when asteroids slam together. If an asteroid ever threatens Earth, scientists may be able to devise plans on what to do. 2 asteroids about the size of 10 to 16 feet hit one another going at a speed of 11,200 mph, astronomers estimated. The blast of the 2 rocks hitting each other had been huge. It had been just like a small nuclear blast. The pressure made the debris of the smaller rock which vaporized became like a tail behind the larger rock.

Then there’s the Webb telescope

Four times farther than the moon, at 940,000 miles away from Earth, the Webb Space Telescope can be sent to a stable point as the Hubble Telescope successor. Places in points were the gravity from the Sun and Earth intersect are called Lagrange points. This can be a place where orbit can happen. It is where the Webb Space Telescope will be. From this fixed position, operating at a temperature of absolute zero, its two-story tall mirror can be able to observe the birth of the universe and open a new era of space exploration.

Citations

New York Times

nytimes.com/aponline/2010/10/20/science/space/AP-US-SCI-Oldest-Galaxy.html?_r=4 and partner=rss and emc=rss

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/Science/2010/1014/Asteroid-collision-possibly-spotted-by-Hubble-telescope

Hubblesite

hubblesite.org

Karlonia

karlonia.com/2010/10/20/deep-space-telescopes/

Spotlight ripped off by Rent is Too Damn High Party prospect Jimmy McMillan

McMillan is becoming a viral video sensation. He is creating quite a stir. Last night, at the newest York governor debate he upstaged front runners Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino. McMillan is running on the Rent is Too Damn High party ticket. Though Cuomo and Paladino are probably the most likely individuals to make it to office, the spotlight was ripped off at moments by some vibrant third-party candidates. Davis, the madam who arranged Ashley Dupre for Eliot Spitzer, has also thrown her hat in the ring.

Taking the show is McMillan

For all the grandstanding from other 3rd party individuals, the most notable had been Jimmy McMillan. The platform that McMillan is running on is Rent Is Too Damn High, reports the new York Daily News. The party hopes to raise awareness of the rent in New York City. It is just too high of a rate. Should rent prices come down, all other issues will diminish if not disappear, McMillan contends. Within the Vietnam War, McMillan was a veteran. Because of Agent Orange, he claims, he always is wearing black gloves. He gave his response on gay marriage too. He said, “if you need to marry a shoe, I’ll marry you,” as his response. He said “as a karate expert,” he refuses to say anything bad about the other candidates.

Individuals have lots of personality to them

There were colorful candidates at other debates as well. The new York governor debate was one of these. Besides the wildly inflammatory rhetoric of Paladino, there was also Kristin Davis. Davis did some matchmaking supposedly. This made it so a girl named Ashley Dupre and Eliot Spitzer got together. Davis is running on the Anti-Prohibition ticket, which is a heavily Libertarian platform. She thinks we have to legalize weed, prostitution and gambling. This would raise much more cash for the deficits.

Then there is Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo merely had to hang on for the ride to appear the sanest man in the room. The state budget crisis is a issue that needs to be solved really. The Tea Party Favorite is Paladino. Of course, voters probably did not approve of all the inflammatory rhetoric that happened.

Articles cited

NY Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/10/19/2010-10-19_jimmy_mcmillan_of_the_rent_is_2_damn_high_party_upstages_carl_paladino_and_andre.html

Rent is too Damn High

rentistoodamnhigh.org/index.html

O'Donnell First Amendment comments draw laughter in discussion

1st Amendment news on Tuesday included the American Civil Liberties Union v. the FCC in a case about net neutrality. Another is a suit by Internet providers against an obscenity law blocking content to minors that grownups have a First Amendment right to view. But the First Amendment languished in obscurity until Christine O’Donnell displayed her total lack of knowledge of it in an argument against her Democratic opponent in the race for a Delaware Senate seat on Tuesday. Article resource – Christine O’Donnell reveals First Amendment ignorance in debate by Personal Money Store.

O’Donnell with some laugh lines on the 1st Amendment

Tuesday, there had been an argument between Christine O’Donnell and Chris Coons, her Democratic opponent. The 1st Amendment was the top of it the debate. O’Donnell said that Coons had been wrong in saying that public schools cannot teach creationism because it violated the First Amendment rights on freedom of religion when at Widener University Law School, according to Ben Evans at the Associated Press. The Tea Party is being represented by O’Donnell in her speech. She cited “indispensable principles of the Founding Fathers” while talking about how the federal govt overreaches sometimes. Coons explained back to her that “One of those indispensable principles is the separation of church and state.” O’Donnell responded with “Where within the Constitution is the separation of church and state?” The audience found that quite humorous.

The ignorance of O’Donnell seen by many

The First Amendment is within the Bill of Rights. It makes it impossible for any law “respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, infringing on the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.” Later in the argument Coons said O’Donnell revealed a “fundamental misunderstanding of what our Constitution is.” O’Donnell shot back: “You’re telling me that the separation of church and state is found within the First Amendment?” Coons, summarizing the First Amendment, was interrupted by O’Donnell, who said “That’s within the 1st Amendment?” Wesley Leckrone, who is a widener political scientist, said to Evans, “You actually audibly heard the crowd gasp.”

O’Donnell makes up for comments

Actually, Christine O’Donnell had been right. The First Amendment is as she said. In 1791, the Bill of Rights came with the amendments. Based on Evans, Thomas Jefferson started the phrase. That’s where “separation of church and state” comes from. Jefferson later wrote a letter to clarify. He said that the 1st Amendment established “a wall of separation between Church and State.” O’Donnell did not want to talk to reporters following the debate. She wanted to run out. But her campaign manager spun a statement saying that O’Donnell “simply made the point that the phrase seems nowhere in the Constitution.”

Articles cited

SF Gate

sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/10/19/politics/p060642D21.DTL and tsp=1

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Brainy Quote

brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html

Competitors in space travel and leisure sector decreasing price tag

Outer space travel and lei-sure is a step closer to commonplace following Virgin Galactic’s most recent success-ful test flight on Oct. 11. Virgin Galactic won’t hold a monopoly on outer space vacation. Competitors will come from Outer space Adventures, a company marketing seats on a new capsule being developed by Boeing. Prices for outer space vacation are going down without a flight as new technology is developed by more corporations entering the arena to compete for customers.

And now we have been to space

Space tourism got a major shot within the arm when Virgin Galactic completed a flaw-less test flight of VSS Enterprise, the very first manned commercial spacecraft. CNN accounts that Virgin Galactic has a head start in becoming the world’s first commercial spaceflight line. 370 consumer deposits in the amount of $200,000 came in to the business. That means it has $50 million for spending. Even-tually Virgin can have competitors from Space Adventures, which is marketing suborbital outer space travel and leisure for about half that price: $102,000. You can get a ride on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft including a couple of days at the international space station. Of course, you’d have to pay $40 million for this package.

More competitors for space tourism

The Boeing Business has been involved in spaceflight for several decades. The Seattle Post Intelligencer explains that Boeing is in agreement with Space Adventures to work with space vacation packages that will all be on the Boeing Crew Outer space Transporation-100, which is the CST-100. The CST-100 had been used to get astronauts to the international outer space station initially. Space Adventures can be in charge of booking the seats. This will give private individuals rides. Multiple rockets can have the CST-100 on it, and seven people fit at a time. Boeing expects the spacecraft to be operational by 2015.

Eat a lot however don’t gain even one pound

There is a Russian businessman with large plans. He wants to build the first outer space hotel before 2016. A private space ho-tel for up to seven people at a time may be built by Sergei Kostenko, CEO of Orbital Technologies, reports the Associated Press. This hotel in outer space will be “designed specifically for tourists” says Orbital Technologies. It could be more comfortable than the international outer space station because crowding it with scientific equipment probably will not be necessary. There would be dishes made on Earth for a weightless dining experience with zero gravity by celeb chefs.

Information from

CNN

cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/10/15/space.tourism/index.html?npt=NP1

Seattle PI

blog.seattlepi.com/airlinereporter/archives/221874.asp

Associated Press

google.com/search?q=space tourism and ie=utf-8 and oe=utf-8 and aq=t and rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official and client=firefox-a#q=space tourism and oe=utf-8 and rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official and client=firefox-a and um=1 and ie=UTF-8 and tbo=u and tbs=nws:1 and source=og and sa=N and hl=en and tab=wn and fp=6b353df19b06cafa

Low inflation means no Social Security COLA in 2011

Low inflation and recession have brought on Social Security to abandon a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the second time since COLAs were instituted by Congress back in 1975. According to the Associated Press, 2010 was the first year without a COLA for Social Security, and 2011 could be the second. The Social Security Administration blames the lack of a COLA on inflation rates being too low.

Less Social Security COLA is what Congress is working on

More than 58 million American retirees and disabled people depend on Social Security, and all of them anticipate the annual COLA. Each Social Security recipient would get $250 with the bill the House of Representatives can be voting on in Nov as this is the second year that there hasn’t been a raise in benefits. The AP explains that the Senate is pretty opposed to the bill although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hopes to get the bill via the House really quickly. This bill would make more individuals unhappy with the retired Americans in the country. They’re a heave burden on America. Home values and savings continue to stay really low. Also, the economic recession has brought on the cost of living to go up although COLAs have stayed the same.

83 years old retiree Betty Dizik told the AP, “We’re just a little bit upset because our bills are going up and our Social Security is not,” evidently. The $1,200 a month Social Security check coming in for Dizik is her only source of income. She is not in any kind of special situation. $1,072 a month is the average amount a Social Security check brings in. The Social Security Administration also indicates that 64 percent of those who received Social Security compensation in 2008 depended upon it as their sole income.

Huge Social Security COLA in the prior

Social Security is at the moment supported by a 6.2 percent payroll tax paid by workers and employers. $106,800 is the maximum wage cap where the tax is nevertheless being applied. With the last Social Security COLA in January 2009, payments went up 5.8 percent, the largest increase in 27 years, reports the AP. An boost in energy prices led to that abnormally large COLA.

Consumer prices have to rise above 2008 levels before a COLA can occur for Social Security. The Social Security Administration has already planned for this. It plans on a 1.2 percent COLA in 2011 that would not start until 2012 in January.

Information from

Associated Press

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

Harbor Freight goes 1st with black Friday this year ads

Numerous stores have begun preparing their black Friday 2010 sales. Some shoppers are happy to oblige by creating their plan of attack. The 1st store to release their black Friday ad, willingly or not, is Harbor Freight. For people planning to buy tools, the Harbor Freight Black Friday ad is very exciting.

black Friday this year deals for Harbor Freight

The first place the Harbor Freight Black Friday ad for 2010 had been shown was on bfads.net. This is the website known for leaking black Friday advertisements first. There are a lot of cool things within the black Friday 2010 deals for Harbor Freight. Involved are a cordless drill, portable generators, surveillance cameras and an aluminum cargo carrier. If you do not like getting new tools, just think of what else could be coming. You do not have to base your shopping off of the black Friday this year ad for Harbor Freight.

Black Friday this year ads released

The 1st black Friday 2010 ad that came out had been Harbor Freight. Monday at 7:46 p.m. was when the first ad came out. This was the start of the leaked black Friday ads online. Since then, however, there are other advertisements that may be black Friday this year advertisements. Sears has released an ad for Oct. 29-30, while the Kmart Toys Catalog has additionally been released. Many Black Friday shoppers, who are obsessed with the purchasing, will be those who love these advertisements.

Black Friday 2010 ad legal issues

Some companies are really careful to keep their Black Friday this year deals under wraps. A pre-emptory cease and desist order for bfads.net has already been placed. This is what Wal-Mart has done. Other businesses also have been careful to prevent their advertisements from being unveiled, yet others openly advertise them. It’s a careful balancing act – release Black Friday 2010 ads too early, like Harbor Freight, and your rivals still have a chance to best you on prices. You might end up with nobody at your store if you release your Black Friday 2010 sale advertisements too late.

Lowering your auto insurance premium

Automotive insurance in most states is considered a lawful requirement to protect oneself and others within the event of an auto accident. How much is paid is tied in part to car value. The best way to ensure that you pay less for good coverage is, of course to drive safely, observe the rules of the road and maintain good credit. Nevertheless, you will find other methods you may not learn about that can clear the way for lower auto insurance prices.

Get a lot of price estimates

”You can very easily wind up paying double from one business to the next,” states J. Robert Hunter of the Consumer Federation of The United States which means you can go to different stores, accounts Edmunds.com. Some of the best customer service comes from the lower-prices insurance policies, based on the National Association of Insurance.

Full coverage could be negative

Instead of carrying full- or low deductible-coverage for such things as comprehensive and collision damage, going with higher deductibles or dropping comprehensive and collision altogether can save a great deal of cash. Hunter states that going from a $250 to $1,000 deductible can save from 25 to 40 percent on total premiums cost. And if the car is older, dropping comprehensive and collision coverage is advisable.

It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. Add your deductibles and multiply them by 10, Hunter says. You know you’re paying too much if the number you get is more than what your automobile is worth. It is not much of a gamble dropping comprehensive and collision on autos that aren’t worth much since the average insurance carrier only files a claim once every 11 years.

Reaping the special discounts

If your vehicle is one you hardly ever drive, you are able to get special discounts. Additionally you can get discounts if the auto is not used for work each day and is instead only used for pleasure purposes. Additionally you can get more savings by being a member in different professional organizations. You can have a lower premiums with more safety devices. These include anti-theft. In case you are a senior citizen, you need to make that clear. Also, it helps to be a good student.

Pay out every little thing and don’t let coverage lapse

It might be convenient for you to pay insurance premiums in installments but don’t do it. Each and every installment has a $10 to $15 fee attached to it. Many like to pay the full premium up front. It helps them to conserve money. And keep paying for as long as you plan to drive. Any kind of coverage lapse is something insurers will charge huge rates for.

Articles cited

Edmunds.com

edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/116958/article.html

South Park Jersey Shore lampoon nicely obtained

A “South Park Jersey Shore” show slamming the MTV series was inevitable. The “Jersey Shore” wasn’t offended. In fact, they took it as an honor. A send up by “South Park” is considered a celeb rite of passage. A send up by the show is not universally loved by everyone who has been eviscerated in fiction by them. However, that isn’t really the case with the “Jersey Shore” ensemble. They seem to be loving it.

No hits had with ‘South Park Jersey Shore’

As with any celeb that “South Park” puts in the sights, the “South Park Jersey Shore” pulled the trigger on the oddball reality show from MTV. The episode, titled “It’s a Jersey Thing,” has the cast invading the fictional town of South Park, according to CBS. Since the actual cast is orange, the characters are made the disgusting orange color too. The version of “Snooki” had been drawn as incredibly fat, riddled with stretch marks and wrinkles and replete with facial hair. The episode also took shots at Danielle Staub, Teresa Giudice and others from the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” series. Osama Bin Laden is contacted by the Town of South Park as they try to get rid of the brand new guests in their town. Later they kill him with a sniper too to get rid of that.

‘Jersey Shore’ cast is delighted

The “Jersey Shore” ensemble had been excited to be in the “South Park Jersey Shore” show being parodied. Snooki thought her representation within the show had been hilarious. Although “The Situation” had been just kicked off “Dancing with the Stars,” he had a good reaction. The show even made the “Real Housewives” ensemble happy. Entertainment Weekly explained they were happy about it.

Many wish to be mocked in animation form now

You know you are a super star for those who have been made fun of by “South Park.” That is the truth of it. Any person who becomes popular will end up on the show getting made fun of. That’s why everybody enjoys “South Park” so much. The show is known for its devious intelligence by masking a rapier wit with toilet humor.

Citations

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/

Fed shows more quantitative easing in spite of its failing so far

quantitative easing is a Federal Reserve strategy that chairman Ben Bernanke has employed before, and he wants to do it again in another effort to jump start the economy. The mere possibility the Fed will buy more Treasuries to pump cash to the economic system has devalued the dollar, lowered treasury yields, boosted stocks and elevated the price of oil, gold, silver, corn and other commodities. Joblessness, nevertheless, remains impervious to any stimulus, a condition the Fed suggests could possibly be changed with more quantitative easing. Article source – Fed hints at more quantitative easing despite its failure so far by Personal Money Store.

Bernanke feels QE2 will make deflation stop

Having lowered rates of interest to almost zero, quantitative easing is only arrow left within the Fed’s quiver to battle high joblessness. In a speech in Boston Friday, Bernanke said high joblessness is a scourge that could start feeding on itself by causing a debilitating cycle of deflation. Bernanke said that we need to consider inflation can be too low right now which is why limiting inflation as the Fed is doing may be a bad thing, accounts CNNMoney.com. In theory, quantitative easing–pumping more money into the economy–triggers inflation by weakening the dollar. Since 2008, the Fed hasn’t done much as nearly $2 trillion in assets have been bought.

How the idea of QE2 has affected the economy

The Nov 2-3 meeting is where buyers plan on listening to the QE2 announcement from the Fed. The Associated Press reports that since Bernanke started hinting that he would order such a move, anticipation of QE2 has profoundly impacted the economic system. Oil prices went up. They went up 10 percent too. Now Americans are paying millions more each and every week for gas. $400 million much more is being paid. $1,377.60 is the price of gold now. This is an 11 percent increase. Corn futures are up more than 30 percent. Since the 1950s, the average 30-year fixed mortgage hasn’t been this low as it is now at 4.19 percent. There was a .55 percent fall within the average rate of interest paid on a one-year certificate of deposit. The unemployment rate remained stuck near double digits.

Why QE2 can be gone very soon

Bernanke explained the QE2 had to help the economic system while he had been in Boston. Of course, a rise in positions and decrease in joblessness along with increased spending and a better corporate revenue are what you’d expect from a weak dollar and low rate of interest. CNN Money heard from Kevin Giddis of Morgan Keegan that since it has not worked yet, much more quantitative easing definitely will not help. “I do not think buying securities is going to pull the economic system out of a ditch,” he said. “The market isn’t purchasing it. We’ve made cash available freely for a when now. The Fed has to start thinking way outside the box. This is not a war where conventional weapons could be used.”

Articles cited

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/10/15/news/economy/bernanke_speech/?npt=NP1

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJprdjYORlZxJiFlMznIOBO7fs4A?docId=afebcea0bbfd4992bc5c4f9b46886f7c

Pay day loans in Nevada and LV

It does not matter if you live in Las Vegas or in case you are just going to – you will find times that Las Vegas cash financial loans can really help out. In order to pay bills if you are working or just visiting Sin City, payday advances can really make things work. Las Vegas cash advance payday loans from Personal Money Store can get you your cash in as little as two hrs — and also the application takes less than two minutes. That’s one of the safest bets you can make on LV loans.

Sin City money financial loans are quick and simple

It could be very easy to get a LV payday advance via Personal Money Store. You are able to do the application process in just a couple minutes. It will take less than three. The best part is, you may have your answer in just a couple of minutes, and you could have your cash in as little as two hours. Going to a pay day cash loans shop is slower than that. It is quick. You are able to get the money advance into your banking account very quickly. No embarrassing questions and no waiting — online pay day loans are simply the best choice in Las Vegas. This can be a lot like LV Cash Tree where you can get payday money loans and cash advances at a storefront. Your bank account will quickly see the money.

Details needed for Las Vegas financial loans

Obtaining a payday advance in Nevada or LV is quite easy, which is unlike those states where pay day loans aren’t allowed. A payday advance in LV is given to anybody who is 18, has a job and has a banking account. You are able to apply even when you have a fixed income, have a bad credit rating or no credit score or if you’re in the military. The process we use for money loans makes sure that you are able to get a great deal with the Las Vegas financial loans lender.

Your info is shielded with online payday loans

Obtaining a payday loan in Sin City is something many worry about. Don’t be worried, because your info is totally safe. Personal Money Store takes care of that for you. Your application will be for private viewing only. It may be even safer than the storefront since the speedy application for is encrypted with 128-bit security. The lender is the only person who sees the application once the pay day loans in Nevada are matched up. Your details is secure. This is when applying for any kind of cash advance.

Las Vegas money loans help anybody in need

You are able to get the help you need from internet payday advances. It’s especially helpful whenever you are in Las Vegas. Bank overdraft fees or a Las Vegas financial loan shark fee might kill you. Cash advance fees aren’t that bad. A onetime financial loan that could be paid back on your next check is what you do with the LV financial loan. It is just like a pay day loan. Your cash advance could be an installment financial loan instead if you need some more time. Either way, your Las Vegas loans are there to be your helping hand — no gambling required.

McRib locator will light up on Nov 2

The emotions wrapped around the McRib sandwich can be huge. Some are looking forward to using a McRib locator, others are fearful. The sandwich is generally offered at random outlets at random times. For about six weeks, starting on November 2, McDonald’s will offer the McRib at all shops – no McRib locator needed.

The McRib is popular

You aren’t getting ribs if you go to McDonald’s. The McRib sandwich will not give you what you need. Barbecue sauce, pickles and onions are all on the bun with the processed and pressed pork patty that is fried. There are some who claim the McRib is actually a “mystery meat,” while others believe that it’s truly pork. The McRib is loved by many either way. Individuals will drive miles in either direction to find a McDonald’s that still sells the McRib. Between Nov 2 and mid-December that will not be an issue anymore. You will not have to travel like that.

Where you can find the McRib

The food could be found easily by fans. All you have to do is use the McRib locator. Of course, McDonald’s can be offering the McRib at all areas soon. On November second, 2010, the sandwich will be widely available. There is not any kind of promotion to go along with the McRib though. On average, a McRib sells about 20 million sandwiches per year — compared to 500 million Large Macs. McDonald’s would like to see bigger numbers. These are fairly small right now.

Why it’s hard to find the McRib

According to McDonald’s representatives, the McRib is offered only sporadically for exactly one reason: It sells better when it is only offered every so often. As a standard menu item, it doesn’t do all that well. The individuals who get what they cannot have are those that want the McRib. This might be the only reason why it sells so well. It has been more than sixteen years since this has occurred. The McRib hasn’t been offered countrywide like this in that long. The McRib is a good deal even if it is not real meat in it. So do you plan on making a special trip to taste the McRib?

Smoking and its huge social expenses

Based on the European science blog Lab Spaces, the actual cost of a pack of smokes far exceeds the general public estimation. A study by Spain’s University of Cartagena (UPCT) shows that the average per pack cost (€3 to €4, or $ 4.18 to $ 5.57) is to be expected, however the real cost amounts to €107 ($ 149) for men and €75 ($ 105) for women on a per pack basis. It is frightening. The explanation for the high numbers should prove to be priceless for anybody who cares about saving cash and staying alive.

The real expense of a pack of smokes is an early death

Angel Lopez Nicolas, a UPCT researcher, explained that “The price one pays for each pack of cigarettes at a newsstand is only a really small price of the true price that smokers pay for their habit.” Mortality costs are associated with tobacco which really raises the risk of passing away. The Vale of a Statistical Live (VSL) is exactly what is used as the metric. This metric analyzes what the cost-benefits are. The price that smokers are “prepared to pay in order to cut back their risk of death” annually is €3.78 million, which is about $ 5.26 million, for smokers, in contrast to €2.91 million, which is about $ 4.05 million, for non-smokers, Lopez Nicolas explains.

According to Lopez, “one must not confuse the cost of premature death with the cost of healthcare. The cost of premature death is borne by the smokers themselves.” No payday advance or comparable short term loan would be able to cover those expenses.

The expense of cigarette smoking really

Factors like taxes and anti-smoking legislation as it applies in public areas are considered to be good self-control devices for smokers. There is a study with the UPCT. It weighs the benefits of smoking deterrence and also the deficit that comes with “well-being cuts.” In the end, researchers found the well-being losses to be significantly greater than what numbers in the study could suggest.

Articles cited

Lab Spaces

labspaces.net/106891/Real_price_of_each_pack_of_cigarettes_is_more_than_____euros

Legal ban of using cell phones when driving urged by Transport Secretary

Distracted driving, or use of a phone while behind the wheel, is a hot topic. Some sort of restriction is already in place in most states. There are already projects in the works by the Department of Transportation, and Secretary Roy LaHood, who has put a high priority on it. He has implied that he would like a total ban on phone use of any sort while behind the wheel. The impact of hands free technology usage while driving is being investigated by the DOT.

LaHood wants some actual facts

Secretary of Transportation, Roy LaHood, will meet with car manufacturer heads. He has asked, reports Automotive News, for some help from the car industry. He wants distracted driving to be discouraged more. There have already been numerous public campaigns for an end to driving while using a phone. A public campaign to show drivers the hazards of it was already done by the Department of Transportation. Even Oprah has complained about those who text while they drive. He said that a phone is a complete distraction if it getting used while within the car.

Congress has to sit and hope something happens

The state and local government control all the traffic laws. States have to make the ban individually if a ban is ever to happen. Now, hands free technology is what is being looked at. The DOT is looking into seeing what impact it has. Blue Tooth technology is already installed in car audio systems, but the idea is to find out if that is too much of a distraction in itself. The DOT estimates that 16 percent of all road fatalities were caused by distracted drivers.

Most states put a ban up already

So far, 30 states have already put restrictions against cellular phone use in place. A nationwide ban is a goal that LaHood seems focused on. It is a hefty goal. He is already sternly opposed to car makers using social networking software, like the Facebook feature being put forth by OnStar.

Citations

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101008/OEM06/101009881/1182

Hurricane Paula causing apparent damage

Hurricane Paula is going strong. Just barely a hurricane, this is the 16th tropical storm this year. The storm has just barely cracked the barrier of a Category 1 storm. Mexico and Honduras have already been hit. Most forecasters predict that the storm will not strengthen. The damage the storm is doing, though, is just getting worse.

Where the road will take Hurricane Paula

Hurricane Paula had been seen for the 1st time. It landed on Honduras before anywhere else. The next place it goes has been forecasted. The road is prepared to go via Mexico. Tuesday morning the storm had already hit. Cozumel got hit very hard. The next place Hurricane Paula should hit is expected too. It should struck Cancun and Isla Mujeres offshore. There was a hurricane warning issued already. This was for the Caribbean Coast. Paula is expected to blow itself out by Wed or Thurs night. Tropical storm warnings are issued for the areas outlying the direct path of the storm.

Harming a lot with Hurricane Paula

Hurricane Paula has blown winds of 75 miles per hour. Considering that and the 3-6 inches of rain, lots of damage is bound to be done. Nineteen homes in Northeastern Honduras have been wrecked, and various schools are closed. Getting out of the danger zone is essential. Numerous people are using a no fax payday loans no credit check in order to get out. You will find heavy winds and rain. This will probably trigger landslides and flooding to happen. There probably won’t be too many hard things taking place since Hurricane Paula is a weak Category 1 storm.

Hurricane Paula may make the period end

Hurricane season could be over in November of this year. There is the hope that the season is over already. Hurricane Paula might be the conclude of it all. Unfortunately, seasons are going longer than normal. They start earlier and continue later within the year. Hurricanes have also been known to form after Nov. 30. About 97 percent of tropical storm and hurricane activity in the Atlantic generally occurs within these dates, nevertheless. Most seasons only have 10 to 15 hurricanes. There aren’t that many. Within the 2010 hurricane season, Hurricane Paula is number 16.

Articles cited

AOML

aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G1.html”>Atlantic Oceanogranic and Meteorological Lab

National Hurricane Center

nhc.noaa.gov/

How you can commemorate National Boss's Day

The National Chamber of Commerce first recognized Boss’s day within the 60s. Since then, the holiday has gotten recognition around the world. Since it was first authorized in 1958, National Boss’s Day has turned into a phenomenon in six nations. There are good ways to celebrate National Boss’s Day, however it is important to keep your co-workers in mind.

National Boss’s Day details

In 1958, Patricia Bays Haroski registered “National Boss’s Day” with the United States of America Chamber of Commerce. Patricia forgot her dad’s birthday that year. He had been also her boss surprisingly. ”National Boss’s Day” had been acknowledged in Illinois as a holiday in the state officially in 1962. Within the United States, National Boss’s Day was acknowledged totally in 1979. This has spread a lot within the last decade. The U.K., Ireland, India, South Africa and Australia recognize the holiday.

Working with National Boss’s Day in a recession

Celebrating National Boss’s Day when unemployment is high could be a sticky issue. Reuters reports that employees are closer to their bosses now. This had been shown in a survey. The steps to get closer to bosses are being taken. Numerous seem interested in getting their bosses close to them. One in five employees in America has said that, if given the option, they would have an affair with their boss if it would help their career.

National Boss’s day ways of celebrations

It can be hard to celebrate holidays at work. National Boss’s Day is one of these holidays. Sometimes you would like your boss to be your close friend. Remember that your boss is really in a position of authority over you and cannot be. National Boss’s Day is a time when some of your co-workers will give your boss a gift or card. You may think they’re “brown-nosing” or trying to “suck-up” to the boss. You have to be careful when celebrating National Boss’s Day so nobody gets hurt feelings. One example that Emily Post gives is that employees can give a group gift to the boss in order to keep people from feeling left out.

Info from

National Boss’s Day

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss’s_Day

Reuters Survey

eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=50551

Currency wars threaten to undermine global economic recovery

The specter of currency wars are looming as nations try to jump start their economies during a global downturn. China has been on the receiving end of mounting U.S. pressure to force the communist government to open the yuan to free market forces. Japan, Brazil and many other nations are devaluing currencies to make their products cheaper abroad. As currency manipulation spreads. Article resource – Currency wars threaten to undermine global economic recovery by Personal Money Store.

Nobody wins a currency war

In eight months, the against the euro is now at a high in competition with the U.S. dollar. Also, the U.S. is pressuring China into raising its yuan which is part of the currency war. The BBC reports that although countries manipulate currencies for economic advantage, the cumulative effect undermines the global economy. Unilateral action by one central bank ignites conflict in other parts of the world. Japan wanted to make its goods cheaper in the U.S. so it weakened the yen. The U.S. currency dispute with China just got worse when this happened since the dollar got stronger and the exports rose.

Europe becomes part of U.S. dispute with Chinapan>

Congress wants to bring out the heavy artillery. The Associated Press reports that the House has approved legislation calling for economic sanctions on China and other countries manipulating their currencies to get an edge on trade. The U.S. wants more jobs to be created. It is going about this by trying to have the dollar fall 40 percent against the yuan in China. It is expected that the Federal Reserve will print billions of dollars in new money in order to weaken the dollar like this. European governments are getting mad since the Euro is rising due to that action since the each and every country has a global economy to worry about.

Why it would be bad to manipulate currencies

The currency wars should be better off after this weekend. The International Monetary Fund can be meeting in Washington to discuss it. However, David Sterman at Investing Answers said the real solution is for the world to change its consumption habits. The global economy will function better if countries like China and Japan boost domestic consumption in order to cut back trade supplies. This is what Sterman says. Trade deficits have to be reduced by countries like the U.S. be exporting. President Obama wants to double U.S. exports in five years. To do that, he needs China, Japan and also the rest of the world to cooperate.

Articles cited

BBC

bbc.co.uk/news/business-11484532

CBS Denver

cbs4denver.com/wireappolitics/Tensions.over.currency.2.1951356.html

Investing Answers

investinganswers.com/a/currency-wars-why-these-four-countries-are-racing-bottom-1894

Michelle Rhee turns in resignation at D.C. Schools

Rhee has resigned from D.C. Public Schools within the wake of a new mayor-elect. According to the Boston Globe, Michelle Rhee’s resignation had been a “mutual” decision made by herself and newly elected Mayor Vincent Gray. Kaya Henderson, D.C. Public School’s deputy chancellor, will assist via at least the close of the current school year, reports the Washington Post. Article source – Michelle Rhee resigns in D.C., schools everywhere lose by Personal Money Store.

Teachers’ union questioned by Michelle Rhee

Test scores in the public educational facilities of the District of Columbia tend to be pretty low. Rhee arrived and changed all that. Rhee fought to make educational facilities better by forcing under-performing teachers to either shape up or ship out. The teacher firings in Washington D.C. started to go up pretty high. This made Rhee an enemy to most teachers’ unions and those who got fired. Based on Innovative Education Management, the system had enabled teachers who had been at a school for 3 years or more to become a fixture at that school. Firing under-performing, tenured teachers required a large burden of proof. Numerous of the tenured teachers had so much job security that they didn’t even put forth hardly any effort to make the institution better.

‘Unions can smell blood’

Michelle Rhee has resigned now which means the agenda she had in mind can have to be kept up by Kaya Henderson. The Globe describes though, “the unions can smell blood.” Henderson is expected to be “gone by Christmas.” Also, tenure will continue and all the teaching talent in the D.C. public educational facilities will probably go elsewhere within the near future.

The foundations that funneled fast cash into D.C. Schools due to Michelle Rhee’s passion for education reform might be re-evaluating their investment plans. D.C. Schools may be on the road to recovery, however some critics say even Rhee’s drive and focus were not able to produce results, and if Michelle Rhee cannot do it, who can? Mayor Gray supports the D.C. teachers union which means anyone who wants an education reform may not see it. The forecast seems to call for more business as usual for D.C. Educational facilities. Plus, America’s public schools lose a reformer who could have inspired others.

Citations

Boston Glove

boston.com/community/blogs/rock_the_schoolhouse/2010/10/_she_will_be_replaced.html

Innovative Education Management, Inc

ieminc.org/

Former TV cop Larry Wilcox busted by the law

Larry Wilcox, the actor who played the part of Jon on the hit series “CHiPs” has been busted by the law. It was not for going too fast on a motorcycle. The agencies involved were really the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FBI. Wilcox began involving himself in entrepreneurial activities after “CHiPs” wound down as a series. The SEC got involved after some deals he had been involved in looked suspicious. He is being sued and charged with stock fraud.

Larry Wilcox gave SEC a chip on the shoulder

Larry Wilcox decided that acting wasn’t enough. He decided to pursue other things to make more money. One of his most recent ventures, UC Hub Group Inc., attracted the attention of the SEC and the FBI. The business, along with various others are being charged with an illegal kickback scheme. Stock brokers and pension fund managers were, supposedly, being given extra kickbacks to purchase additional stock, says the SEC. We haven’t received any comments from the “CHIPs” star from the late 70s, Larry Wilcox. The Los Angeles Times reports that this was done with two other penny stock executives as well.

Real undercover cops bust a fictional one

The scheme had been uncovered a number of months ago. A sting operation was put in place to catch the kickback scheme within the act. The FBI and the SEC, had undercover agents out looking for possible fraud schemes when they stumbled across the company run by actor Larry Wilcox. The SEC said the conspirators had planned their scheme to the last detail, but forgot to account for undercover agents. 12 individuals were caught in the scheme, including Wilcox. CNN reports that they could all be facing 5 to 25 years in prison.

Do not pass “go”

Former co-star Erik Estrada, who starred as Wilcox’s partner Ponch on “CHiPs,” has not yet commented. Prison is the fate of those committing white collar crimes. Still no details has come about Larry Wilcox’s sentence. We’ll have to wait and find 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

Attack ad explosion is the fruit of Citizen United ruling

It’s election season and the political ads are overwhelming. You can run, but you can’t hide from the accusations, insults and innuendo. In any political season, the negative marketing explodes. But for this mid-term election, its worse than ever. If you’re looking for somebody to blame, check out the Supreme Court and the Citizens United ruling, that unleashed unaccountable political action committees to spend unlimited amounts of money to for spreading lies and half-truths.

Citizens United get a ruling

The Citizens United ruling was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court declaring that corporate funding of independent political marketing can’t be limited under the First Amendment. A provision of the McCain- Feingold Act, or the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, was stopped by the Supreme Court which had been good for Citizens United. The provision barred all corporations, both for-profit and non-profit, plus unions from running broadcast, cable, or satellite advertising that mentioned a candidate within 60 days of a general election or thirty days of a primary.

How Citizens United polluted the airwaves

The midterm election could be here in a week or two. Citizens United has made a really big impact on what will happen. All states are bound to determine the special interest group ads. They’ll all be deceptive attacks to change things. Voters do not know who’s behind these ads or who’s paying for them. According to the new York Times, even foreign corporations are spending freely to get candidates in their back pockets elected. The Center for American progress reports that all the companies in Bahrain, India and Egypt running ads for Republicans within the midterm races have to pay “dues” to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

What will happen as a result of Citizens United

Citizens United presents a significant problem to the U.S. This is what the Los Angeles Times explains. For the last two years, abuses of the financial industries and insurance companies has been something, reports the Times, that the federal government has been trying to stop. Tax breaks for companies that ship positions overseas have been rolled back. The clean air and water rules actually mean something. They’re being enforced. Republicans may just be able to stop the unregulated, out of control political spending with November elections because of Citizens United. If that happens, the lobbyists will start writing the laws once again. As outlined by the Times, this is Congress’ problem. They need to fix the problem too. Even if they do, it can be too late to stem the damage already done in this election.

Articles cited

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/10/06/opinion/06wed1.html?scp=2 and amp;sq=us chamber and amp;st=cse

Los Angeles Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/09/weekly-remarks-greg-walden-stop-tax-hikes-obama.html

Few things predate short term installment loans in one form or an additional

The critics hurl all kinds of epithets at lenders of short term installment loans. The thing is that they aren’t doing anything remotely close to new. There isn’t a civilization on earth that hasn’t had something like short term installment loan providers as a part of it. Any culture that isn’t a hunter gatherer culture has something along those lines. They aren’t likely to be going anywhere, either. Numerous people call for usury caps. The kind of thing that had been around in the good old days. The actual time periods were incredibly different from the image individuals have of them. A cash today will always be needed by somebody somewhere, and it’s the epitome of foolishness to think that people won’t determine how for making it happen.

Advance cash as it applied to the historic world

Short term installment loan lending has been happening for a long time. There’s a long history. Short term installment loans were utilized when put against property that someone had. For example, a harvest or lots of manufactured goods would be put up against it. A farmer who needs cash for crops would borrow in a promise to repay with a part of the harvest. The lender might also be repaid with a part of the cash made when selling the harvest. An early law code, the Code of Hammurabi, talked about the practices of lending. There were rules about the way one could collect, how debt repayment was to be done and even about how to lend emergency money. The Twelve Tables of Rome had rules also.

Back when there were usury caps

In the beginning of the United States, laws were set forth. Each state had a usury cap to follow. Usually it was set below 10 percent. Cash advance services, or close to it, nevertheless existed then. In the 19th century, small, short term credit against future earnings had been borrowed from underground private loan companies or small loan corporations, beginning in large urban and industrial cities. The lower or middle class borrowers would typically pay the loan over a few months with pay-days. The loans were unregu-lated and illegal since the usury cap prevented them in most states from being made.

Regulation made desire unmet and illeg-al

A demand made it so more illegal things took place. It was illegal to borrow or lend, however that didn’t stop anyone. In order for making meeting de-mand safe and legal, states began passing laws raising the cap for small loans. Payday lending is only in existence due to the de-mand for it. You can always get it since individuals will always desire it. You can read more within the payday lending facts and statistics re-port on Personal Money Store.

Strength pair: Forbes titles Michelle Obama most influential female

Michelle Obama was named probably the most influential female in the world on a list of 100 leading ladies compiled by Forbes. If her ranking is any indication, Democrats will get a boost when she goes on the road to energize voters for the upcoming November mid-terms. Michelle Obama as probably the most powerful female is a matter of perspective, as reading responses about the Forbes list from her husband’s political enemies will show.

Lady Gaga, Hillary and Oprah are all after Michelle Obama

On Oct 6, Forbes published its 2010 “New Forbes Strength Women” where Michelle Obama had been placed on top. The list contained the top 100 business moguls, film stars and politicians that had an influence. “Creative influence and entrepreneurship” had been the focus Forbes had this year. Forbes had nice things to say about Obama. They said she is “a true change-maker” who has “given a new generation of girls and females worldwide a role model.” The magazine said the source of Obama’s power was a style that “stays from hard policy.”. Ellen Degeneres came in tenth on the list while Beyonce had been in ninth and Lady Gaga was in seventh. The list also placed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in fifth, German Chancellor Angela Merkel in fourth and Oprah Winfrey in third for the top 10 people on the list.

With the first ladies strength, Democrats should fare better in elections

Michelle Obama has been in the campaign field more and more. Within the last few weeks, she’s gotten even more aggressive. CBS News reports that she’s been making speeches to the Democratic base to warn them about the political consequences to the Obama agenda if Republicans succeed in taking over Congress within the November midterm elections. States that go either Democrat or Republican could be seeing the first lady fairly soon. She is going on a seven-state fundraising tour in order to support the Democratic vote. According to the Washington Post, she’s a 66 percent approval rating. A CBS poll measured President Obama’s approval ranking at 44 percent.

The First Lady ranking argued

You will find certain circles that don’t agree with Michelle Obama being placed at the top of the Forbes most influential females list. Peter Grier at the Christian Science Monitor ranked Hillary Clinton higher, and said Obama needs to tackle bigger issues to be at the top of the list. Right wing blogger Michelle Malkin used the Forbes list to nurse an ongoing grudge against the first lady, comparing her number one ranking with the “underserved honor” of her husband’s Nobel Peace Prize. Malkin also said that The First Lady didn’t deserve this because she is campaigning for Democratic candidates within the elections, isn’t getting a nutrition bill passed in Congress and has not gotten an Olympic big for Chicago yet.

Citations

Forbes

forbes.com/2010/09/30/power-influence-michelle-obama-lady-gaga-power-women-10-hillary-clinton.html

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20018900-503544.html

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/1007/Michelle-Obama-why-she-s-rated-the-world-s-most-powerful-woman

IPad invades Amazon site to extend industry dominance

After showing Amazon how to properly make and sector a tablet, Apple has become making the iPad available at the birthplace of Kindle . Apple made Amazon its first outside online retailer for the iPad shortly after launching the tablet at Target stores the week before. Analysts say the deal is good for both Amazon and Apple, which has built what is believed to be an insurmountable lead within the industry for tablet PCs.

E-book industry shoots for Amazon using the Kindle Killer

Amazon has many resources available to it. It carries all six models of Apple’s iPad that are out. Lauren Indvik at Mashable said that although it seems counter-intuitive for Amazon to carry a product dubbed the Kindle Killer, it makes good financial sense. Amazon doesn’t try to sell e-books to its customers, says Indvik. Its focus is on selling e-books. Amazon has done good with its Kindle app to the iPad that is better than Apple’s iBooks. It has much better product on it and works much better as well. Each iPad sale is a new chance to expand Amazon’s electronic book business.

Bad news for would-be iPad killers

Between Best Buy, Apple’s retail store and the online Apple Store, Apple’s iPad has been going like crazy. Amazon making the iPad accessible probably upsets RIM, and other corporations like it. RIM has marketed its PlayBook as the iPad killer recently. All the new competitor products coming out will “fall flat.” That is what Deutsche Bank’s Chris Whitmore told Fortune anyway. The iPad is ahead of its competition be two or more years in media acquisition and integration while it is about 18 months ahead in content, claims Whitmore. When consumers buy a tablet, it is more than likely going to be from Apple. This is because of the growing advantage Apple has.

Why many will buy the iPad

The consumer confusion generated by a slew of iPad rivals competing on price will merely drive more people to the iPad, according to Darcy Travios at Forbes. This is just a repeat of what took place with the iPod. Of course, 70 percent of industry share goes to the iPod still. Customers prefer Apple due to the consumer experience had with it. Competitors are more focused on the product. More individuals like Apple because it is easy. It is also well known meaning individuals do not have to learn a new system. For Apple’s iPad, brand loyalty translates to market leadership.

Articles cited

Mashable

mashable.com/2010/10/04/ipad-amazon/

Fortune

tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/10/04/ipad-lead-seen-as-overwhelming/

Forbes

forbes.com/2010/10/04/rimm-motorola-google-intelligent-investing-apple.html?boxes=techchanneltopstories

Kandahar carnage signifies United States of America should leave sooner, not later

Kandahar had been within the headlines again for all the wrong reasons Tuesday. Insurgents are assaulting civilians to turn the population against the U.S.-backed govt. Attacks Tuesday killed 12 Afghan citizens and wounded one more 26. Kandahar, a major populace center in southern Afghanistan, was in such deadly disarray the deputy mayor had been killed in a mosque as he prayed. In the ordeal that is Afghanistan, the tragedy in Kandahar raises a vital question. U.S. leaders should ask what level of carnage is acceptable in a battle to give the Afghans their so-called “freedom”.

Afghanistan happens like before

It has been nine years of trudging along in Afghanistan although absolutely nothing has changed. The “surge” of 30,000 more troops sent to help last summer clearly hasn’t made a difference. The United States of America pressured many other countries to support the war by fighting with us. Now, numerous nations are having lives lost for what seems like nothing. While the United States and its allies have been stuck in the Afghan muck, al Qaeda, the terrorists who lured us there in the first place, have packed up and left. Now, we’re blowing blood and treasure fighting the people we claim we’re liberating. We’re seeing the Vietnam War yet again despite the fact that it has been 35 years..

The meaning of insanity

The Taliban is not about to leave Afghanistan which is its country. They’re fighting for their homeland and have given themselves no choice however to stand their ground. They have nowhere else to go. U.S. soldiers, Marines and airmen can anticipate going home and hope it won’t be in a body bag. Despite overwhelming weapons and technology, the United States of America military will never defeat the Taliban because being Afghan guerrillas, they will never stand toe to toe and fight their enemy on its own terms. Civilians are going to keep dying as the United States of America supports the corrupt Afghan regime and also the Taliban will proceed to avoid the battle. This can be a war that’s already happened before.

Just announce triumph already

Many more individuals are going to die when the U.S. waits until July 2011 to withdraw. At least there is a plan to withdraw though. Of course the U.S. will nevertheless proceed to support Amend Karzai’s corrupt Afghan regime. Then there’s the Taliban that will still be hiding within the hills. By then, there could be numerous more Afghan civilians and American, Briton, German, Dutch, NATO and Canadian soldiers killed. The Obama administration is hoping, no doubt, that it can declare victory in time for the 2012 presidential election. Nothing will be changed by declaring success. We need to conserve more lives. Why not just get out now to do that?

Toyota Motors almost done with recall fixes

The repairs and modifications within the Toyota recalls are nearly all finished. Community perception of Toyota Motors faltered in the wake of the Toyota Motors recalls. The company has also come up with a fail-safe, which is reported to put a stop to unintended acceleration. The business was lambasted by the community. Automobiles that accelerate on their own led to significant questions about the integrity of the business.

An end on the horizon with Toyota recalls

Nearly all of the recalled Toyota cars are fixed, Toyota Motors announced. USA Today explains that about 5 million repairs had to be completed. There were 15 recalls that happened as well. About 3.9 million of all those recalled vehicles have been fixed now. About 58 percent of the Toyota Motors floor mat recall is completed. That recall affected 5.4 million vehicles. The sticky gas pedal, which affected 2.3 million automobiles, is nearly 80 percent complete. 86 percent of the 148,000 Toyota Motors Prius and Lexus versions that had faulty brake pedals due to a software glitch are fixed. Though Toyota is nearly done fixing these faulty cars, there are nevertheless pending investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Override accessible on brand new models created

An idea came to Toyota Motors. This was in prevention of the runaway automobile scenario. A brake bypass system was what the company decided to install. Toyota Motors, Scion and Lexus vehicles have about 8 out of each and every 10 versions with a brake override system already. The override kicks in if the computer senses something wrong. Sudden braking can trigger the computer within the system to shut down. It also could be brought on by any kind of manner in which the computer senses the driver is trying to slow down the car in a panic. Toyota Motors has also worked on other things. One of these is the accident recorder system within the car.

Doing the things they can to get good with the public

Toyota has made itself out to look like a bad guy. This has been within the last year or so. It could be fairly scary when something goes wrong. Unintentional acceleration is probably the scariest. Toyota has been diligently working to repair the vehicles affected. The business also wants to make sure the recalls do not repeat themselves, and customers feel safe in their Toyotas.

Information from

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/toyota-fixes-majority-of-cars-in-biggest-recalls/1

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/toyota-thinks-new-brake-system-will-end-runaway-cars/1

As USPS goes broke, commission declines price boost

A 5.6 percent postal rate increase requested by the United States Postal Service was turned down Thursday by the Postal Regulatory Commission. Among the proposed increases, the postal service said raising the price of a first class stamp from 44 cents to 46 cents was essential because of reduced mail traffic during the economic recession. In rejecting the request, the commission blamed internal inefficiencies, not a bad economy, for the situation the USPS finds itself in. Article source – As Postal Service goes broke, commission denies rate increase by Personal Money Store.

Aid is one thing postal rate boosts need badly

All the money the Postal Service has is going down the drain. By 2020, a $238 billion deficit is expected to happen. The Postal Service asked for a 7 percent increase on any packages that have things in them like books or films. This is on top of the elevated stamp price request. It also hopes to get an increase on parcels under a lb. It is hoping that it will go up 23 percent. The rate increases would are the first in two years for the Postal Service. Congress has gotten an interesting extra request from the Postal Service to conserve more money. It wants to, for the very first time since 1863, stop Saturday postal mail delivery.

United States Postal mail changing

The USPS was left out of a temporary expending measure to finance federal programs via early December that passed the Senate on Wednesday and cleared the House Thurs. The Washington Post accounts that Republican opposition also kept Congress from letting the USPS postpone a $5.5 billion payment required by law to pre-fund retiree medical benefits. Just since 2008, $10 billion in spending has been cut from the Postal Service. It plans to let those retiring leave without hiring everyone brand new. The USPS and Congress are working together to come up with a plan to keep postal mail service alive and well, accounts the Office of Management and Budget.

The reason why the postal rate is not increasing

In 2009 alone, $3.8 billion was lost by the USPS. The Associated Press reports that Ruth Goldway, chairman of the commission, said the proposal was rejected more for the presentation than the details. The economic recession is not the reason the reason why the adjust needs to be made, she said at a news conference. It needs to adjust because long-term structural problems were never addressed before now. The Affordable Postal mail alliance fought with numerous others to reject this. The others involved were banks, national retailers, utilities, charities, smaller businesses and some consumer groups that got together.

Articles cited

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-30/u-s-postal-service-denied-another-rate-increase-by-regulatory-commission.html

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/29/AR2010092906645.html?wpisrc=nl_pmheadline

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iqbZ05-vr6nAfjJzyIXr_d1k26DwD9IIDJ4O0?docId=D9IIDJ4O0

Large prizes and three solutions to win at McDonald's Monopoly 2010

The morning of Oct 5, McDonald’s kicked off their latest contest. The contest is the well-loved McDonald’s Monopoly game. McDonald’s Monopoly relies on the web this year. Though you are able to play just in-store, having an internet connection gives you more chances to win. Each game piece of McDonald’s Monopoly 2010 could have a “second chance” to win one of the awards online.

$ 200 million in McDonald’s Monopoly this year gifts

The McDonald’s this year Monopoly game has various millions of dollars worth of prizes. A full 25 percent of the game pieces are going to win some kind of a prize. Many of the awards are likely to be something other than cash. It may be a gift certificate, free food, or free movie rentals. Although the game advertises huge prizes, that does not mean everyone will win. In fact, the chance of winning these prizes is comparatively tiny. The game pieces are available on the packages of numerous McDonald’s products. McDonald’s Monopoly has been a promotion run since 1987.

McDonald’s Monopoly uses social networking

The packaging of McDonald’s food has all the pieces for the game. There is a “second chance” for every game piece, offered online. The McDonald’s Twitter account will even track which prizes are claimed and who is winning. This networking element also integrates Foursquare by creating a “heatmap” of how numerous individuals are “checking in” to a McDonald’s store. Text messages could be used to enter the contest, after you register online.

The 2nd economy of McDonald’s Monopoly

One of the biggest side effects of the McDonald’s Monopoly game is the market in game pieces. Though it may or may not make financial sense, some people will pay to complete their McDonald’s Monopoly prize set. If you need to play McDonald’s Monopoly this year, keep in mind that you are likely to spend more cash than you make. There is one $ 1 million prize available in McDonald’s Monopoly. If you find Boardwalk, you are the big winner. In any game of chance, it is easy to spend too much. Play moderately, and McDonald’s Monopoly this year could pay back for you.

Terror warning cautions travelers to Europe

The United States govt lately given a terror warning and advisory. The warning is for Americans to be cautious of possible terrorist threats while traveling in Europe. The United Kingdom and Japan also issued similar cautions to their citizens. The alerts concern a captured jihadist who is a German citizen. However, there is a lot of skepticism from the German govt.

American alert leads to Japan terror warning

The govt in Japan gave a terrorist warning. This was issued to all citizens abroad and going abroad at the time. Caution was warned to Japanese nationals. It was given to those going to Europe for travel. People going abroad on holiday or for business purposes have been warned to be cautious in public places. The warning stresses being careful while using public transport and while sightseeing in popular tourist locations, based on the Christian Science Monitor. The Japan terror alert was issued a day following the United States of America State Department given a similar caution. There was an additional A.U.K. terror alert issued. This was after Washington’s announcement. There hasn’t been any info from the C.I.A. yet.

A danger originating from Germany

The Al Qaeda plot for terrorist attacks in Europe first began with the arrest of a man. CNN reports that this man was a German citizen. A jihadist group recruited Ahmed Sidiqi Algerian who left with 10 others from Pakistan in 2009. Sidiqi was captured as they fought coalition forces in Afghanistan. Sidiqi begun to attend the Taiba mosque in Hamburg following converting from Sinni to Shia. The group was recruited from there. The Taiba mosque is known for being the mosque attended by Mohammed Atta, who was the leader among the men involved within the 9/11 attacks.

What is the degree of risk?

Three governments take the terror alert level seriously. There are really skeptical Germans in the German intelligence services. The German govt has said it is totally safe to go to some places. Two of these places are Stuttgart and Hamburg.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/04/europe.terror.plot/index.html?hpt=T2

CS Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/1004/Japan-issues-Europe-travel-alert-joining-US