Aaron’s, the Atlanta-based rent-to-own franchise, is being sued by over confidentiality issues by a Wyoming couple. A computer they rented was used to spy on them in their home, the couple alleges. The suit has raised problems about privacy and the ethics of cyber technology.
Picture taken with the computer that was rented
The supposed violations came to light on Dec. 22 of last year when a manager from a Casper, Wyo., store arrived at the home of Brian Byrd, 26, and his wife Chrystal, 24, to repossess a Dell computer. The rent-to-own payment hadn’t been made, the manager thought. The manager showed Brian Byrd a photograph of him using the computer in his home from a webcam right before he gave the manager a receipt.
The lawsuit has a comment from the manager. He said he was “not supposed to disclose that Aaron’s had the photograph.”
Spyware on the computer
The suit further asserts that the rented computer was loaded with spyware designed to track keystrokes, make screenshots and take webcam images.
“It feels like we were pretty much invaded, like somebody else was in our house,” claims Byrd. “Crystal gets online before she gets a shower and checks her grades. Who knows? They could print that stuff off there and take it home.”
‘Kill switch’ is a common practice
Petere Swire is an Ohio state professor that explains the “kill switch” is a legal thing to do. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act will allow it to protect the industry. A kill switch is a security measure used to shut off a machine remotely in an emergency situation. Swire continues. “But this action sounds like it’s stretching the self-defense exception pretty far,” he said.
Suit talks about spyware designer
Designerware LLC is located in PA and was where the spyware used was manufactured. Designerware has also been named in the lawsuit. Aaron’s was not a customer according to technical support Chief Tim Kelly.
Aaron’s corporation denies knowledge
There are over 1,140 company-owned Aaron’s stores and several franchised as well as the company is a nationwide corporation. The business says that the Byrds rented their computer from one of the independent franchisees and that none of the business stores use Designerware products.
Cyber surveillance raises ethics problems
More people have noticed cyber surveillance taking place. It is a much more common practice now. There are typically video cameras and some computer tracking in offices. Modern offices almost always have them. Cameras are also used routinely on highways and in public places. Most cellphones are equipped with Global Positioning System components that could be used to monitor every step we take. Many question the ethics of these practices.
“We’re already concerned that Americans are tracked, followed and spied on as never before,” said Jay Stanley of the ACLU.
Lawmakers concerned
The Don’t Track Me Online Act, comparable to the national do-not-call list, was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif. The proposed legislation would stop businesses from trading stored user information if the user chooses.
Citations
Bloomberg
bit.ly/jimOOk
News Tribune
newstribune.com/news/2011/may/04/suit-against-pc-renter-aarons-raises-privacy-quest/
PC Pitstop
techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2011/05/24/i-can-see-you-in-your-home/
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Large banks introduce clearXchange mobile payments service
Three of the largest banks in the United States are competing with the company PayPal, states the Associated Press. A new mobile payments program called clearXchange now makes it easier than ever for consumers to make person-to-person payments via a mobile number or email address. The banks imagine clearXchange replacing old-fashioned bank money transfers completely.
Fees from both PayPal and prepaid debit cost more
Bank of America, Chase bank and Wells Fargo are suggesting the Charlotte, N.C. clearXchange has fewer fees than prepaid debit cards and eBay’s PayPal, even though banks bring on the fees. Soon, the mobile payment service will be accessible for several people. For now, the person-to-person clearXchange will only go to the three banks’ customers.
JPMorgan’s Director of Mobile, eCommerce and Payments Jack Stephenson told the Associated Press that clearXchange could not be simpler.
In the first quarter of 2011, PayPal processed $27.4 billion in payments with its 100 million active users that currently using it, reports eBay, which is a 28 percent increase from last year. The revenue at PayPal hit $992.3 million. Now, eBay is sure that PayPal will annually make more money than its parent company.
There’s ‘An innovative game-changer’
Business Wire spoke with Wells Fargo Executive V.P. Mike Kennedy who said the simplicity of clearXchange will change how mobile payments work.
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/05/25/idUS131437+25-May-2011+BW20110525
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2011-05-25-banks-cash-transfer-cell-email_n.htm
ROAM Data, Inc.’s Rob Stringer on end-to-end encryption
Fees from both PayPal and prepaid debit cost more
Bank of America, Chase bank and Wells Fargo are suggesting the Charlotte, N.C. clearXchange has fewer fees than prepaid debit cards and eBay’s PayPal, even though banks bring on the fees. Soon, the mobile payment service will be accessible for several people. For now, the person-to-person clearXchange will only go to the three banks’ customers.
JPMorgan’s Director of Mobile, eCommerce and Payments Jack Stephenson told the Associated Press that clearXchange could not be simpler.
“Customers will be able to send and receive money even more quickly and easily,” he said, “with full confidence their funds are in a bank account without worrying about cash, checks or higher-cost services.”PayPal is fairly big
In the first quarter of 2011, PayPal processed $27.4 billion in payments with its 100 million active users that currently using it, reports eBay, which is a 28 percent increase from last year. The revenue at PayPal hit $992.3 million. Now, eBay is sure that PayPal will annually make more money than its parent company.
There’s ‘An innovative game-changer’
Business Wire spoke with Wells Fargo Executive V.P. Mike Kennedy who said the simplicity of clearXchange will change how mobile payments work.
“This is an innovative game-changer in electronic payments,” he said. “We want our customers to be able to easily send money to anyone without having to establish a new account outside their primary bank. All our customers need to know is the email address or mobile number of a friend or family member and (clearXchange) takes care of the rest.”Articles cited
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/05/25/idUS131437+25-May-2011+BW20110525
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2011-05-25-banks-cash-transfer-cell-email_n.htm
ROAM Data, Inc.’s Rob Stringer on end-to-end encryption
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tim Pawlenty states no to ethanol subsidies
GOP presidential preferred Tim Pawlenty came out in a big way against ethanol, reports The Daily Caller. The previous Minnesota governor did not mince words, calling ethanol subsidies an idea whose time has come and gone. Intellectual Takeout points out that ethanol fuel supporters cling to the renewable fuel argument, but enough criticisms of ethanol exist to justify exploration of whether there needs to be government subsidies for it in the first place.
The United States needs the corn it grows
It is very important for U.S. farmers to grow corn. It has been this way for a long time. Even traditional bluegrass nuggets like “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn” equate the ability to grow corn with male virility:
The U.S. has become more interested in renewable fuel sources for instance ethanol due to the automotive industry’s interest in fuel efficiency. Many different political lobbies support ethanol fuel production. This includes the National Corn Growers Association.
Tim Pawlenty is just one of many that do not support the subsidy. He does not think it is worth it. Option fuels to gasoline have been created with grains. This has brought on shortages meaning corn prices have increased. Cheap grain is more valuable as food than fuel, argues Pawlenty. He thinks he can help the U.S. just like he helped Minnesota reduce ethanol subsidies while managing its fiscal challenges.
When comparing ethanol to traditional gasoline, it has 34 percent less energy potential per unit of volume, several scientists explain. As much as 50 percent fuel can be used in an ethanol only engine than that of a standard gasoline engine.
The failure to set up a solid connection between ethanol fuel and greater miles per gallon brings ethanol’s viability into question. An increased national MPG standard is expected by people such as Keith Crain. With this taking place, it may not be possible for ethanol fuel to really be used.
Information from
Auto News
autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110523/OEM01/305239986/1137
The Daily Caller
dailycaller.com/2011/05/23/pawlenty-announces-2012-run-under-banner-of-truth-tells-iowans-that-ethanol-subsidies-must-be-phased-out/
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel
Intellectual Takeout
intellectualtakeout.org/library/agriculture/ethanol-renewable-energy
National Corn Growers Association
ncga.com/
Tim Pawlenty
timpawlenty.com/
Tim Pawlenty, et al, on ethanol subsidies
The United States needs the corn it grows
It is very important for U.S. farmers to grow corn. It has been this way for a long time. Even traditional bluegrass nuggets like “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn” equate the ability to grow corn with male virility:
“Why do you come for me to wed?Buying a culture
Can’t even make your own corn grain.
Single I am and will remain;
A lazy man I won’t maintain.”
The U.S. has become more interested in renewable fuel sources for instance ethanol due to the automotive industry’s interest in fuel efficiency. Many different political lobbies support ethanol fuel production. This includes the National Corn Growers Association.
Tim Pawlenty is just one of many that do not support the subsidy. He does not think it is worth it. Option fuels to gasoline have been created with grains. This has brought on shortages meaning corn prices have increased. Cheap grain is more valuable as food than fuel, argues Pawlenty. He thinks he can help the U.S. just like he helped Minnesota reduce ethanol subsidies while managing its fiscal challenges.
“I’m here today to tell Iowans the truth about federal energy subsidies,” said Pawlenty during his presidential candidacy announcement. “(That includes) federal subsidies for ethanol… (They must) be phased out gradually. We need to do it fairly. But we need to do it.”How fuel efficiency will change with ethanol
When comparing ethanol to traditional gasoline, it has 34 percent less energy potential per unit of volume, several scientists explain. As much as 50 percent fuel can be used in an ethanol only engine than that of a standard gasoline engine.
The failure to set up a solid connection between ethanol fuel and greater miles per gallon brings ethanol’s viability into question. An increased national MPG standard is expected by people such as Keith Crain. With this taking place, it may not be possible for ethanol fuel to really be used.
Information from
Auto News
autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110523/OEM01/305239986/1137
The Daily Caller
dailycaller.com/2011/05/23/pawlenty-announces-2012-run-under-banner-of-truth-tells-iowans-that-ethanol-subsidies-must-be-phased-out/
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel
Intellectual Takeout
intellectualtakeout.org/library/agriculture/ethanol-renewable-energy
National Corn Growers Association
ncga.com/
Tim Pawlenty
timpawlenty.com/
Tim Pawlenty, et al, on ethanol subsidies
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
U.S. Marshals to auction Unabomber things
The U.S. Marshals Service has decided to auction off a few of the personal effects of Theodore John “Ted” Kaczynski. Kaczynski is better known as ‘the Unabomber’. The online auction is underway and will continue until June 2. Proceeds of the auction will go to the targets of Kaczynski’s mail bombing spree; a spree which lasted nearly 20 years.
What will auction
On April 3, 1996, Kaczynski was captured in Montana in a cabin loaded with stuff. This stuff, about 60 lots of items, will be sold in the auction that is occurring. The hooded sweatshirt and dark glasses he is known for could be found in these items. His driver’s licenses, deeds, checks, transcripts, letters and birth certificate will all be sold. All of his personal documents found will sell. Many photos were found and will sell. Kaczynski’s clothing, books, bows, tools and watches will also all be sold. Additional on the block is the typewriter he used to write his Industrial Society and Its Future, also called the Unabomber Manifesto. There will even be 20,000 pages of the document sold, including hand-written and typed versions.
You can see the catalog, photos and information of all the items being sold. Just go to the GSA auction site to find them.
A domestic terrorist
Kaczynski was a mathematical prodigy after bring born in 1942 in Chicago, Ill. When he was 16, he got his undergraduate degree at Harvard. He got a PhD later from the University of Michigan. This was in mathematics. Kaczynski became increasingly frustrated with a society he saw as becoming rapidly technological. Kaczynski moved into a cabin in 1971. This one room cabin in Montana was supposed to help him become a self-sufficient male. He got the name Unabomber, due to University and Airline bomber put together, due to his 16 homemade mail bombs he sent to several airlines, universities and other targets between 1978 and 1995. Because of his bombs, three individuals died. Another 23 were injured. The subject of a nationwide FBI manhunt, Kaczynski was eventually turned in by his brother and his sister-in-law and captured in 1996. Kaczynski is now serving in the “supermax” prison for life without the chance of parole at age 69. This prison could be found ! in Florence, Colorado.
Technology used against him
In a statement to the press, “We will use the technology that Kaczynski railed against in his various manifestos to sell artifacts of his life,” was what U.S. Marshal Albert Najera said.
What people will pay
Nobody knows how much value is really in these items. “This is an unusual type of case,” Marshals spokeswoman Lynzey Donohue said today. “It’s really difficult to put a value on these items because of the intrinsic value they have based on his notoriety.”
Information from
NY Daily News
nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/05/18/2011-05-18_unabomber_ted_kaczynskis_belongings_hit_auction_block_sweatshirt_glasses_typewri.html
CNN
articles.cnn.com/2011-05-12/justice/us.unabomber.auction_1_auction-plan-unabomber-ted-kaczynski-auction-website?_s=PM:CRIME
The Sacramento Bee
sacbee.com/2011/05/13/3623703/unabomber-kaczynskis-personal.html
GSA Auctions
gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/
What will auction
On April 3, 1996, Kaczynski was captured in Montana in a cabin loaded with stuff. This stuff, about 60 lots of items, will be sold in the auction that is occurring. The hooded sweatshirt and dark glasses he is known for could be found in these items. His driver’s licenses, deeds, checks, transcripts, letters and birth certificate will all be sold. All of his personal documents found will sell. Many photos were found and will sell. Kaczynski’s clothing, books, bows, tools and watches will also all be sold. Additional on the block is the typewriter he used to write his Industrial Society and Its Future, also called the Unabomber Manifesto. There will even be 20,000 pages of the document sold, including hand-written and typed versions.
You can see the catalog, photos and information of all the items being sold. Just go to the GSA auction site to find them.
A domestic terrorist
Kaczynski was a mathematical prodigy after bring born in 1942 in Chicago, Ill. When he was 16, he got his undergraduate degree at Harvard. He got a PhD later from the University of Michigan. This was in mathematics. Kaczynski became increasingly frustrated with a society he saw as becoming rapidly technological. Kaczynski moved into a cabin in 1971. This one room cabin in Montana was supposed to help him become a self-sufficient male. He got the name Unabomber, due to University and Airline bomber put together, due to his 16 homemade mail bombs he sent to several airlines, universities and other targets between 1978 and 1995. Because of his bombs, three individuals died. Another 23 were injured. The subject of a nationwide FBI manhunt, Kaczynski was eventually turned in by his brother and his sister-in-law and captured in 1996. Kaczynski is now serving in the “supermax” prison for life without the chance of parole at age 69. This prison could be found ! in Florence, Colorado.
Technology used against him
In a statement to the press, “We will use the technology that Kaczynski railed against in his various manifestos to sell artifacts of his life,” was what U.S. Marshal Albert Najera said.
What people will pay
Nobody knows how much value is really in these items. “This is an unusual type of case,” Marshals spokeswoman Lynzey Donohue said today. “It’s really difficult to put a value on these items because of the intrinsic value they have based on his notoriety.”
Information from
NY Daily News
nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/05/18/2011-05-18_unabomber_ted_kaczynskis_belongings_hit_auction_block_sweatshirt_glasses_typewri.html
CNN
articles.cnn.com/2011-05-12/justice/us.unabomber.auction_1_auction-plan-unabomber-ted-kaczynski-auction-website?_s=PM:CRIME
The Sacramento Bee
sacbee.com/2011/05/13/3623703/unabomber-kaczynskis-personal.html
GSA Auctions
gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/
Monday, May 23, 2011
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau simplifies mortgages forms
The CFPB, in a bid for greater transparency in the mortgage industry, plans to require a simpler, less confusing mortgage buying sheet. The bureau is being led by Obama administration adviser Elizabeth Warren. Two prototype version of the new mortgage disclosure form were released to the public Wednesday on the bureau’s site. Consumer and industry groups have both had mixed reactions to the new forms.
Consumers mixed up about existing forms
The CFPB claims that hidden charges and unreasonable terms are often concealed within the confusing language of the forms currently being used by lenders. Right now both the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) mortgage disclosure and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Good Faith Estimate are required. Rather than getting five pages, consumers will only get one now, front and back. This is because the two have been combined. It is being done by the CFPB. It is the “know before you owe” project being done.
Two different prototypes offered
Both versions of the new form contain the same information, but it is presented in different ways. Both forms have taxes and closing costs on them. The monthly loan payment and interest rate is also on it. Monthly payments, and just how the loan will change the payments, can be seen. Penalties and other charges that might be added on will even be put on the form.
Confusion can be costly
Warren commented on Wed. “Getting stuck with the wrong home loan can cost tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan,” he said. “(This) is a clear, simple form so consumers can get better answers to two basic questions: Can I afford this mortgage, and can I get a better deal somewhere else?”
The reactions that came
The reactions have not all been the same. They have been mixed. Industry groups say the changes may limit innovation and variety in lending, while consumer groups are concerned that the changes may limit the ability to stop a foreclosure with court action.
Every little thing is currently the same
The new forms won’t soon be accessible by any bank, however. Part of the Dodd-Frank Act was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It will get started on July 21. Before a form is introduced in September, the CFPB will test the forms in six cities in five rounds. The bureau will then have until July 2012 to propose rules associated with the form’s implementation.
Information from
CNN
money.cnn.com/2011/05/18/pf/mortgage_disclosure_form/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
Bloomberg
bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-18/banks-say-simpler-mortgage-form-could-stifle-new-products.html
LA Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/28/business/la-fi-harney28-2010feb28
Consumers mixed up about existing forms
The CFPB claims that hidden charges and unreasonable terms are often concealed within the confusing language of the forms currently being used by lenders. Right now both the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) mortgage disclosure and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Good Faith Estimate are required. Rather than getting five pages, consumers will only get one now, front and back. This is because the two have been combined. It is being done by the CFPB. It is the “know before you owe” project being done.
Two different prototypes offered
Both versions of the new form contain the same information, but it is presented in different ways. Both forms have taxes and closing costs on them. The monthly loan payment and interest rate is also on it. Monthly payments, and just how the loan will change the payments, can be seen. Penalties and other charges that might be added on will even be put on the form.
Confusion can be costly
Warren commented on Wed. “Getting stuck with the wrong home loan can cost tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan,” he said. “(This) is a clear, simple form so consumers can get better answers to two basic questions: Can I afford this mortgage, and can I get a better deal somewhere else?”
The reactions that came
The reactions have not all been the same. They have been mixed. Industry groups say the changes may limit innovation and variety in lending, while consumer groups are concerned that the changes may limit the ability to stop a foreclosure with court action.
Every little thing is currently the same
The new forms won’t soon be accessible by any bank, however. Part of the Dodd-Frank Act was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It will get started on July 21. Before a form is introduced in September, the CFPB will test the forms in six cities in five rounds. The bureau will then have until July 2012 to propose rules associated with the form’s implementation.
Information from
CNN
money.cnn.com/2011/05/18/pf/mortgage_disclosure_form/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
Bloomberg
bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-18/banks-say-simpler-mortgage-form-could-stifle-new-products.html
LA Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/28/business/la-fi-harney28-2010feb28
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Biggest Australian brothel opening soon in Sydney
The largest brothel in Australia will quickly be opening in Sydney, earning the city the interesting distinction of being home to it. A remodel will mean in a three-story, 40-room resort that aims to be the premiere establishment of its kind in the Land Down Under. This brothel is located in a residential district, and the neighbors aren’t terribly happy about its presence.
Change in rooms with reconstruction
The number of suites available at the resort in Sydney, Australia will double with the $12.7 million renovation. An extra floor of very luxurious suites will be added also. This building differs from other hotels that have been renovated, MSNBC states. It will become the biggest brothel in Australia after the renovation, more than likely. Stilleto is the name of the brothel which will consist of a 3rd floor of suites, seven of them, with King beds, pool tables, a spa and two bedrooms. Instead of having 20 suites, Stilleto will have 40 available.
Not a huge fan with the community
Apparently “lawyers, movie stars, accountants and professional athletes,” are all welcome at Stilleto. MSNBC reports this is the crowd that will be drawn in. A three story brothel in the neighborhood makes some neighbors upset. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the residents near Stilleto aren’t happy about the idea. They do not want people coming and going all night long. Some do like the idea that there will be security guards on the building grounds. Really, this ought to make the neighborhood a bit safer.
Feelings towards prostitution
Wikipedia states that many countries in the world have a different opinion than the United States when it comes to prostitution, as in the United States only eight counties in Nevada have it legalized. Brothers are illegal while it is not regulated in most countries. The trade is allowed however brothels aren’t in Italy, for instance. Everyone involved must be at least 18 though. Whether or not Ruby the Heartstealer got paid before she was eighteen by Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi has not yet been decided. The Christian Science Monitor reports he is in legal battle with it right now. Prostitution is illegal in most of the world, however, and the nations in which it is legal and regulated are a small minority.
Information from
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/43063695/ns/travel-destination_travel/
Sidney Morning Herald
smh.com.au/nsw/three-storeys-of-sex-as-sydney-braces-for-biggestbrothel-title-20110516-1epzn.html
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0406/Plenty-of-flash-at-lightning-brief-start-of-Berlusconi-trial
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_by_country
Change in rooms with reconstruction
The number of suites available at the resort in Sydney, Australia will double with the $12.7 million renovation. An extra floor of very luxurious suites will be added also. This building differs from other hotels that have been renovated, MSNBC states. It will become the biggest brothel in Australia after the renovation, more than likely. Stilleto is the name of the brothel which will consist of a 3rd floor of suites, seven of them, with King beds, pool tables, a spa and two bedrooms. Instead of having 20 suites, Stilleto will have 40 available.
Not a huge fan with the community
Apparently “lawyers, movie stars, accountants and professional athletes,” are all welcome at Stilleto. MSNBC reports this is the crowd that will be drawn in. A three story brothel in the neighborhood makes some neighbors upset. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the residents near Stilleto aren’t happy about the idea. They do not want people coming and going all night long. Some do like the idea that there will be security guards on the building grounds. Really, this ought to make the neighborhood a bit safer.
Feelings towards prostitution
Wikipedia states that many countries in the world have a different opinion than the United States when it comes to prostitution, as in the United States only eight counties in Nevada have it legalized. Brothers are illegal while it is not regulated in most countries. The trade is allowed however brothels aren’t in Italy, for instance. Everyone involved must be at least 18 though. Whether or not Ruby the Heartstealer got paid before she was eighteen by Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi has not yet been decided. The Christian Science Monitor reports he is in legal battle with it right now. Prostitution is illegal in most of the world, however, and the nations in which it is legal and regulated are a small minority.
Information from
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/43063695/ns/travel-destination_travel/
Sidney Morning Herald
smh.com.au/nsw/three-storeys-of-sex-as-sydney-braces-for-biggestbrothel-title-20110516-1epzn.html
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0406/Plenty-of-flash-at-lightning-brief-start-of-Berlusconi-trial
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_by_country
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kutcher takes over for Charlie Sheen on show
Ashton Kutcher has come from out of nowhere to win the race to replace Charlie Sheen in "Two and a Half Men." Sources indicate the previous "That 70s Show" and "Punk’d" star has signed a contract that will pay him between $625,000 and $900,000 per episode, just over half of what Charlie Sheen reportedly earned. Season nine of "Two and a Half Men" will return in rebooted form as soon as the middle of the current TV season.
Done with the Harper unique character
Alan and Jake will still be played by Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones. Some suggested that Kutcher might replace Charlie Sheen as Harper in "Two and a Half Men." This isn’t true; all that is known is that he will be living in the Malibu beach house with characters Cryer and Jones.
Late-comer Kutcher may have a lot of work
Numerous actors and at least one actress have been rumored to replace Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” including Rob Lowe (a friend of Charlie Sheen, whom he recommended), John Stamos, Matt Dillon, Jenny McCarthy and Hugh Grant. According to the Huffington Post, as of May 11 Grant almost got the part. Due to "creative differences," the deal was broken at the last minute.
Ashton Kutcher used comments such as "What’s the square root of 6.25? Two and a half," on Twitter to his 6.7 million supporters after CBS and "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre decided on the deal with Kutcher. "Two and a Half Men" will thrive, Lorre hopes, with Kutcher on the show. His twitter fan base could be able to help with that.
Charlie Sheen involvement
Kutcher's job is not something Charlie Sheen has talked about. In addition to completing his "Violent Torpedo of Truth" tour and possibly continuing his "Sheen’s Korner" video podcast, Sheen might be up for a role on "Entourage," notes the Hollywood Reporter. He said that he wants to say sorry to Chuck Lorre for his rants in hopes of being back on the "Two and a Half Men" show.
Information from
Hollywood Report
hollywoodreporter.com/news/sources-confirm-ashton-kutcher-will-188048
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/12/ashton-kutcher-joins-two-and-a-half-men_n_861389.html
TMZ
//bit.ly/kFGmDp
Done with the Harper unique character
Alan and Jake will still be played by Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones. Some suggested that Kutcher might replace Charlie Sheen as Harper in "Two and a Half Men." This isn’t true; all that is known is that he will be living in the Malibu beach house with characters Cryer and Jones.
Late-comer Kutcher may have a lot of work
Numerous actors and at least one actress have been rumored to replace Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” including Rob Lowe (a friend of Charlie Sheen, whom he recommended), John Stamos, Matt Dillon, Jenny McCarthy and Hugh Grant. According to the Huffington Post, as of May 11 Grant almost got the part. Due to "creative differences," the deal was broken at the last minute.
Ashton Kutcher used comments such as "What’s the square root of 6.25? Two and a half," on Twitter to his 6.7 million supporters after CBS and "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre decided on the deal with Kutcher. "Two and a Half Men" will thrive, Lorre hopes, with Kutcher on the show. His twitter fan base could be able to help with that.
Charlie Sheen involvement
Kutcher's job is not something Charlie Sheen has talked about. In addition to completing his "Violent Torpedo of Truth" tour and possibly continuing his "Sheen’s Korner" video podcast, Sheen might be up for a role on "Entourage," notes the Hollywood Reporter. He said that he wants to say sorry to Chuck Lorre for his rants in hopes of being back on the "Two and a Half Men" show.
Information from
Hollywood Report
hollywoodreporter.com/news/sources-confirm-ashton-kutcher-will-188048
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/12/ashton-kutcher-joins-two-and-a-half-men_n_861389.html
TMZ
//bit.ly/kFGmDp
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Suggestions to keep away from rental automobile gasoline penalties and other fees
The average price of gasoline in the U.S. is almost $4 per gallon. However did you know it will cost more than double per gallon needed if you do not return the rental with a full tank? This and other “hidden” fees can cost you a fantastic deal of money. Go to the rental car counter armed with knowledge and save.
Rental car gasoline at $9.29 per gallon
Dollar and Thrifty is charging $8.99 a gallon to top of the gas tank while Hertz is charging $9.29 a gallon on average according to a USA Today survey of 13 large U.S. airports with rental vehicle businesses. If a customer pays the rental company ahead of time, the price goes down a lot, however this is one way consumers’ get money stolen by rental companies all the time.
Thinking about the other fees to avoid
1. Additional driver fees – Most rental companies charge an additional $10 per driver.
2. Insurance – If you already have driver’s insurance, especially comprehensive, don’t purchase extra insurance. You may even want to check with the credit card company. It might insure against losses.
3. Early/late return fees – It pays to be on time when returning your rental car, as it can cost $10 or more for each day late. Early returns usually require a $15 fee too.
4. Child car seats – Make sure you bring your own vehicle seats into your rental. Otherwise, you’ll pay about $7 per day for each child safety seat rented through the business.
5. Toll bypass – Some rental companies will sell you an electronic toll road pass. If you already have one of these for your daily commute or are not worried about this choice, just say no.
6. Mileage – Be careful of the miles you put on. If you know you’re going to be driving long distances, opt for an unlimited mileage rental or be prepared to pay an exorbitant amount per mile over the limit.
7. Cleaning – Don’t smoke in the car and clean up your mess. Cleaning fees are always expensive. Sometimes it can cost too much.
Ways to get a cheap car for a while
There are easy ways to discover deals on rental automobiles. Just go to Priceline.com, Hotwire.com, Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. Plan ahead and you also may even be able to discover a good rate that comes as part of a package deal with airline tickets and hotel. You may be able to conserve even more with entertainment coupon books and online websites like RetailMeNot.com. Make sure you rent for what you need. Don’t go any longer. As long as you don’t have too much stuff, you might be okay with an economy compact which will get you there safely.
Citations
Bankrate.com
bankrate.com/financing/cars/rental-car-gas-costs-9-a-gallon/
MSNBC
today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23471992/ns/today-money/t/secrets-renting-car-without-overspending/
Dollar Rent-A-Car was caught red-handed
youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4A-EJAbZs
Rental car gasoline at $9.29 per gallon
Dollar and Thrifty is charging $8.99 a gallon to top of the gas tank while Hertz is charging $9.29 a gallon on average according to a USA Today survey of 13 large U.S. airports with rental vehicle businesses. If a customer pays the rental company ahead of time, the price goes down a lot, however this is one way consumers’ get money stolen by rental companies all the time.
Thinking about the other fees to avoid
1. Additional driver fees – Most rental companies charge an additional $10 per driver.
2. Insurance – If you already have driver’s insurance, especially comprehensive, don’t purchase extra insurance. You may even want to check with the credit card company. It might insure against losses.
3. Early/late return fees – It pays to be on time when returning your rental car, as it can cost $10 or more for each day late. Early returns usually require a $15 fee too.
4. Child car seats – Make sure you bring your own vehicle seats into your rental. Otherwise, you’ll pay about $7 per day for each child safety seat rented through the business.
5. Toll bypass – Some rental companies will sell you an electronic toll road pass. If you already have one of these for your daily commute or are not worried about this choice, just say no.
6. Mileage – Be careful of the miles you put on. If you know you’re going to be driving long distances, opt for an unlimited mileage rental or be prepared to pay an exorbitant amount per mile over the limit.
7. Cleaning – Don’t smoke in the car and clean up your mess. Cleaning fees are always expensive. Sometimes it can cost too much.
Ways to get a cheap car for a while
There are easy ways to discover deals on rental automobiles. Just go to Priceline.com, Hotwire.com, Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. Plan ahead and you also may even be able to discover a good rate that comes as part of a package deal with airline tickets and hotel. You may be able to conserve even more with entertainment coupon books and online websites like RetailMeNot.com. Make sure you rent for what you need. Don’t go any longer. As long as you don’t have too much stuff, you might be okay with an economy compact which will get you there safely.
Citations
Bankrate.com
bankrate.com/financing/cars/rental-car-gas-costs-9-a-gallon/
MSNBC
today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23471992/ns/today-money/t/secrets-renting-car-without-overspending/
Dollar Rent-A-Car was caught red-handed
youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4A-EJAbZs
Saturday, April 30, 2011
All Detroit teachers might be laid off if difficulties not resolved
Every single public school teacher employed by the city of Detroit is being laid off, as well as all administrators. The public school system in the Motor City has major problems, and unless some of the financial troubles are resolved, Detroit will employ no teachers as of July 29. Individuals have been fleeing Detroit steadily for the past decade.
Motor City schools $327 million in debt
CNN states that every teacher and school administrator is being laid off in Detroit, Mich., in the public school system due to financial difficulties. To raise over $230 million to stay alive through August of the year, the Detroit School District issued emergency bonds in March while continuing to have its $327 million deficit. Though it was able to raise half a year’s spending budget, it was not sufficient, forcing drastic measures to be taken. First on the firing line were staff salaries. In Detroit, all 5,714 teachers are likely to get layoff notices. The school administrators will get them too. Detroit will not be paying any teacher or principal starting on July 29.
Leaving the city alone
For over a decade, Detroit has lost individuals after being an industrial powerhouse for so long. There are now the same numbers of individuals in Detroit as there was in 1910 as 25 percent of the population left in just the last 10 years. There isn’t anyone in a third of the city. It just sits empty, reports MSNBC. The school district has 10,000 fewer students than in 2001. State and local governments were able to hire financial managers that got broad powers with the Public Act 4 passed by Michigan legislature in March after the Detroit School District went into crisis mode. Robert Bobb is the emergency financial manager for the public schools in Detroit. As an emergency measure, he is using the law now.
Possibility of a job
Not all teachers who receive a layoff notice will actually turn out to be fired. Bobb, the emergency financial manager, is said to be restructuring Detroit schools to be able to bring them in line with declining enrollment. The collective bargaining between Detroit and the Detroit Federation of Teachers may also be redone by him. In 2009, an agreement similar to this was made where teachers lost salaries and health benefits. Several suspect this same thing will take place. If the fiscal problems are not controlled, Detroit may have to deal with a state takeover, report Reuters. By 2014, Detroit could have a much higher deficit than the current $155 million owed. It might reach $1.2 billion by 2015’s fiscal year. Just like Bobb took over Detroit schools, an emergency manager could possibly be assigned by the state to the city.
Information from
CNN
money.cnn.com/2011/04/15/news/economy/detroit_teachers/index.htm
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/42612424/ns/us_news-life/
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/us-detroit-budget-idUSTRE73B5GT20110412
Motor City schools $327 million in debt
CNN states that every teacher and school administrator is being laid off in Detroit, Mich., in the public school system due to financial difficulties. To raise over $230 million to stay alive through August of the year, the Detroit School District issued emergency bonds in March while continuing to have its $327 million deficit. Though it was able to raise half a year’s spending budget, it was not sufficient, forcing drastic measures to be taken. First on the firing line were staff salaries. In Detroit, all 5,714 teachers are likely to get layoff notices. The school administrators will get them too. Detroit will not be paying any teacher or principal starting on July 29.
Leaving the city alone
For over a decade, Detroit has lost individuals after being an industrial powerhouse for so long. There are now the same numbers of individuals in Detroit as there was in 1910 as 25 percent of the population left in just the last 10 years. There isn’t anyone in a third of the city. It just sits empty, reports MSNBC. The school district has 10,000 fewer students than in 2001. State and local governments were able to hire financial managers that got broad powers with the Public Act 4 passed by Michigan legislature in March after the Detroit School District went into crisis mode. Robert Bobb is the emergency financial manager for the public schools in Detroit. As an emergency measure, he is using the law now.
Possibility of a job
Not all teachers who receive a layoff notice will actually turn out to be fired. Bobb, the emergency financial manager, is said to be restructuring Detroit schools to be able to bring them in line with declining enrollment. The collective bargaining between Detroit and the Detroit Federation of Teachers may also be redone by him. In 2009, an agreement similar to this was made where teachers lost salaries and health benefits. Several suspect this same thing will take place. If the fiscal problems are not controlled, Detroit may have to deal with a state takeover, report Reuters. By 2014, Detroit could have a much higher deficit than the current $155 million owed. It might reach $1.2 billion by 2015’s fiscal year. Just like Bobb took over Detroit schools, an emergency manager could possibly be assigned by the state to the city.
Information from
CNN
money.cnn.com/2011/04/15/news/economy/detroit_teachers/index.htm
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/42612424/ns/us_news-life/
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/us-detroit-budget-idUSTRE73B5GT20110412
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The majority of Americans still believe in real estate as a good investment
The majority of Americans still think real estate is the best long term financial investment to make. The value of the average house has dropped by nearly a 3rd since the housing recession began in late 2007, and nearly a third of all homes are worth less than the amount that is owed on them. Housing prices will recover eventually. It may take awhile, though.
More than 80 percent of Americans have confidence in real estate
A recent survey revealed that, regardless of the economic downturn, the majority of Americans nevertheless have confidence in housing as an investment. The Pew Research Center, according to Reuters, found that 81 percent of Americans felt real estate was still the best long term investment. More than 2,000 adults were surveyed by phone by the Social and Demographic Trends project, part of the Pew Research Center, and 37 percent “strongly agreed” that a house is the best long term financial investment, and 44 percent “somewhat agreed.” Most people believe that housing values will recovered within three years, however 23 percent said that they would not have bought their house if given the choice again.
April showers and May flowers
The current 2011 trend will hopefully be reversed in spring and summer when sales are expected to pick up, states MSNBC. The number of home sales and values may end up staying down though which realtors and housing industry analysts are worried about considering the amount of underwater mortgages. The National Association of Realtors has high hopes. It thinks that this year alone there can be a 7.4 percent increase in home sales. One of the biggest complaints from the real estate industry has been that lenders are being too stingy, and standing in the way of the recovery that would benefit them by being too conservative with loan capital.
Downturn fuels skeptics
The American Dream seems to be crumbling as there are even more skeptics of the real estate industry. An article on the USA Today website quoted Robert Shiller, co-founder of the real estate tracking Case-Shiller Index, as saying that individuals purchase houses for security or lifestyle reasons. There was another economist that talked about the return on a home. Typically, the return is around 6 percent. With all the fees and depressed costs, it might be even worse. A lot of people are not getting a return at all.
Information from
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/us-usa-housing-survey-idUSTRE73B0T220110412
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/42521765/ns/business-real_estate/
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2011-03-20-home-ownership.htm
More than 80 percent of Americans have confidence in real estate
A recent survey revealed that, regardless of the economic downturn, the majority of Americans nevertheless have confidence in housing as an investment. The Pew Research Center, according to Reuters, found that 81 percent of Americans felt real estate was still the best long term investment. More than 2,000 adults were surveyed by phone by the Social and Demographic Trends project, part of the Pew Research Center, and 37 percent “strongly agreed” that a house is the best long term financial investment, and 44 percent “somewhat agreed.” Most people believe that housing values will recovered within three years, however 23 percent said that they would not have bought their house if given the choice again.
April showers and May flowers
The current 2011 trend will hopefully be reversed in spring and summer when sales are expected to pick up, states MSNBC. The number of home sales and values may end up staying down though which realtors and housing industry analysts are worried about considering the amount of underwater mortgages. The National Association of Realtors has high hopes. It thinks that this year alone there can be a 7.4 percent increase in home sales. One of the biggest complaints from the real estate industry has been that lenders are being too stingy, and standing in the way of the recovery that would benefit them by being too conservative with loan capital.
Downturn fuels skeptics
The American Dream seems to be crumbling as there are even more skeptics of the real estate industry. An article on the USA Today website quoted Robert Shiller, co-founder of the real estate tracking Case-Shiller Index, as saying that individuals purchase houses for security or lifestyle reasons. There was another economist that talked about the return on a home. Typically, the return is around 6 percent. With all the fees and depressed costs, it might be even worse. A lot of people are not getting a return at all.
Information from
Reuters
reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/us-usa-housing-survey-idUSTRE73B0T220110412
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/42521765/ns/business-real_estate/
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2011-03-20-home-ownership.htm
Monday, April 25, 2011
Student loan debt anticipated to hit $1 trillion and above this year
As the college ranks swell, student loan debt grows. Students borrowing money for college have racked up a higher amount of debt than those people who have financed any number of things in life with credit cards. In fact, the amount of money individuals while students have borrowed to finance education and its relevant accessories is about to blow by $1 trillion and gain momentum into the future. The debate about “good debt” versus “bad debt” has intensified when it comes to student loans because of the outsize dollar amounts owed and the arduous future of loan repayments that lie ahead for most graduates.
Tuition increases mean an increase in student loan debt
Student loan debt was something less than half of the students graduating with a bachelor’s degree had in 1993. By 2008, the number of students graduating in debt had risen to two-thirds. The average debt students left with in 2009 were $24,000. The total amount of student loan debt is supposed to get to at least $1 trillion in 2011. It is expected to continue to grow rapidly. The Pell grants are ones the Republican Congress members want to cut. This is a financial aid lower-income students can get. The current generation of college students may have to deal with these changes as there have been tuition increases while universities and colleges are getting funding taken from them by the states. There has been more than just a rise in student loan debt. Student loan default has also increased. Credit damage, also as burdensome student loan payments for those who do not default will limit the range of possibilities when it comes to buying a home or having children.! Anyone who has kids may have to choose between paying off their student loan debt and saving for their children’s college education.
There is some good debt
When it comes to debt, student loans have always been considered “good debt,” as opposed to “bad debt” such as credit cards, auto loans or payday loans. It is considered bad to take out any debt though, now the recession is done. As long as the degree and salary from that degree are able to very easily pay back the debt, school loans are considered good debt even though the College Board explained a four year education is over $37,000 a year now. Most financial advisers suggest that individuals don’t borrow more than they could make the year after they graduate. The risk of student loan debt is there with that though. Finding a job that pays off the average cost of college with a degree in sociology or history is unlikely. There is less of a risk in degrees for instance medicine or engineering. More debt has to be taken out with them though.
Bottom line: debt is risky
When it comes to good debt versus bad debt, the bottom line these days is simple: all debt is bad if you can’t pay it off. Right now there is a huge default rate. In just for-profit schools, the rate is almost to 50 percent. Bankruptcy doesn’t get rid of student loans. For federally guaranteed student loans, the government can garnish wages, withhold tax refunds or dock Social Security payments. Anyone who pays the 15 percent of income for 25 years, or 10 years in a public service position, can have that debt forgiven which the Obama administration has done to help those in low paying jobs.
Information from
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/04/12/education/12college.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Creditcards.com
creditcards.com/credit-card-news/does-good-debt-still-exist-1264.php
care 2
care2.com/causes/education/blog/student-debt-for-college-likely-to-exceed-a-trillion-dollars/
Tuition increases mean an increase in student loan debt
Student loan debt was something less than half of the students graduating with a bachelor’s degree had in 1993. By 2008, the number of students graduating in debt had risen to two-thirds. The average debt students left with in 2009 were $24,000. The total amount of student loan debt is supposed to get to at least $1 trillion in 2011. It is expected to continue to grow rapidly. The Pell grants are ones the Republican Congress members want to cut. This is a financial aid lower-income students can get. The current generation of college students may have to deal with these changes as there have been tuition increases while universities and colleges are getting funding taken from them by the states. There has been more than just a rise in student loan debt. Student loan default has also increased. Credit damage, also as burdensome student loan payments for those who do not default will limit the range of possibilities when it comes to buying a home or having children.! Anyone who has kids may have to choose between paying off their student loan debt and saving for their children’s college education.
There is some good debt
When it comes to debt, student loans have always been considered “good debt,” as opposed to “bad debt” such as credit cards, auto loans or payday loans. It is considered bad to take out any debt though, now the recession is done. As long as the degree and salary from that degree are able to very easily pay back the debt, school loans are considered good debt even though the College Board explained a four year education is over $37,000 a year now. Most financial advisers suggest that individuals don’t borrow more than they could make the year after they graduate. The risk of student loan debt is there with that though. Finding a job that pays off the average cost of college with a degree in sociology or history is unlikely. There is less of a risk in degrees for instance medicine or engineering. More debt has to be taken out with them though.
Bottom line: debt is risky
When it comes to good debt versus bad debt, the bottom line these days is simple: all debt is bad if you can’t pay it off. Right now there is a huge default rate. In just for-profit schools, the rate is almost to 50 percent. Bankruptcy doesn’t get rid of student loans. For federally guaranteed student loans, the government can garnish wages, withhold tax refunds or dock Social Security payments. Anyone who pays the 15 percent of income for 25 years, or 10 years in a public service position, can have that debt forgiven which the Obama administration has done to help those in low paying jobs.
Information from
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/04/12/education/12college.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Creditcards.com
creditcards.com/credit-card-news/does-good-debt-still-exist-1264.php
care 2
care2.com/causes/education/blog/student-debt-for-college-likely-to-exceed-a-trillion-dollars/
Monday, April 4, 2011
Businesses try to hide cost increases by diminishing food packaging
A consequence of economic hardship is the steadily decreasing size of food product packaging. The rate of food and the size of product packaging have been heading in opposite directions. As shoppers start to notice they are paying more for less, the spin from food manufacturers is that smaller food product packaging is good for the environment and more convenient for customers.
The incredible shrinking food package
Diminishing food product packaging isn’t a recent phenomenon. Corporations can’t raise prices and still make a profit when unemployment is high and wages are low. The amount of product has been reduced in the past 20 years by food manufacturers to save money. During the latest recession, food product packaging started to noticeably shrink in the summer of 2008. As joblessness has remained high for years, food packaging continues to get smaller. There has been lots of food inflation recently though. This has brought on smaller packaging and higher prices to occur. Rising costs for energy and commodities for instance corn, cotton and sugar are expected to continue, and consumers can expect to pay even more to get even less in the future.
The spin on diminishing food packaging
Most food manufacturers know that consumers will notice rising prices. It is hit and misses with shrinking quantities though. Several companies have learned that if they can shrink food without a customer noticing, most will not notice. The box will look the very same on the shelf with the same height and width but with different depths. Glass jars could have larger indentations in the bottom to reduce volume. Chips and other salted snacks will be filled with more air and less product. However as food packaging continues to shrink, businesses are resorting to clever positioning as the reduction in quantity becomes extremely hard to hide. The New York Times explains that Procter & Gamble simply put a statement on the product calling it "Future Friendly" to sell more. It said that this is the case as there is less energy, water and packaging used in the product. Tropicana reduced the size of its orange juice container with an “easy-pour lid”, which the! company said retained the value of the product with added features.
Grocery budgets and unit cost
Labels aren’t read most of the time by consumers, food manufacturer's hope. According to the Times, a can of Chicken of the Sea albacore tuna now holds five ounces instead of six and costs more. Bags of Doritos, Tostitos and Fritos contain 20 percent less product than in 2009. Would you like to protect yourself? Then just check product before getting it. Do you want to know what you are paying for? Simply look at the rate per ounce or at least the unit cost. If you save grocery receipts over periods of time, you are able to then figure out how much more money you are being charged. Most grocery receipts show the quantity of items along with the price. Month to month receipts are enough to compare prices. You’ll really recognize now much money is being lost.
Articles cited
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/03/29/business/29shrink.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-06-11-shrinking-sizes_N.htm
TIME
money.blogs.time.com/2011/03/29/all-new-packaging-less-food-same-price-what-a-deal/
The incredible shrinking food package
Diminishing food product packaging isn’t a recent phenomenon. Corporations can’t raise prices and still make a profit when unemployment is high and wages are low. The amount of product has been reduced in the past 20 years by food manufacturers to save money. During the latest recession, food product packaging started to noticeably shrink in the summer of 2008. As joblessness has remained high for years, food packaging continues to get smaller. There has been lots of food inflation recently though. This has brought on smaller packaging and higher prices to occur. Rising costs for energy and commodities for instance corn, cotton and sugar are expected to continue, and consumers can expect to pay even more to get even less in the future.
The spin on diminishing food packaging
Most food manufacturers know that consumers will notice rising prices. It is hit and misses with shrinking quantities though. Several companies have learned that if they can shrink food without a customer noticing, most will not notice. The box will look the very same on the shelf with the same height and width but with different depths. Glass jars could have larger indentations in the bottom to reduce volume. Chips and other salted snacks will be filled with more air and less product. However as food packaging continues to shrink, businesses are resorting to clever positioning as the reduction in quantity becomes extremely hard to hide. The New York Times explains that Procter & Gamble simply put a statement on the product calling it "Future Friendly" to sell more. It said that this is the case as there is less energy, water and packaging used in the product. Tropicana reduced the size of its orange juice container with an “easy-pour lid”, which the! company said retained the value of the product with added features.
Grocery budgets and unit cost
Labels aren’t read most of the time by consumers, food manufacturer's hope. According to the Times, a can of Chicken of the Sea albacore tuna now holds five ounces instead of six and costs more. Bags of Doritos, Tostitos and Fritos contain 20 percent less product than in 2009. Would you like to protect yourself? Then just check product before getting it. Do you want to know what you are paying for? Simply look at the rate per ounce or at least the unit cost. If you save grocery receipts over periods of time, you are able to then figure out how much more money you are being charged. Most grocery receipts show the quantity of items along with the price. Month to month receipts are enough to compare prices. You’ll really recognize now much money is being lost.
Articles cited
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/03/29/business/29shrink.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-06-11-shrinking-sizes_N.htm
TIME
money.blogs.time.com/2011/03/29/all-new-packaging-less-food-same-price-what-a-deal/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sun block remark gets Gisele Bundchen in trouble
Bundchen is a Brazilian supermodel who is married to an NFL player and lives part time in the United States. The model is also trying to launch a skin care line. When talking about sunscreen, however, Bundchen was cited as calling the screen “poison”. {Gisele Bundchen declines labeling sun block poison, though, claiming it was a "mistranslation."|Representatives for the model, however, are saying that this was a mistake in translation.|The representatives for the model are denying this statement. Instead, they are calling the quotation a “mistranslation." Resource for this article – Sunscreen is poison, states Gisele Bundchen
At a press conference where Gisele Bundchen was promoting her skin care line, Gisele Bundchen said something surprising. When she was questioned about the SPF content of her products, Bundchen was quoted as saying “I cannot put this poison on my skin. I do not use anything synthetic.” Upon continued investigation, it was rumored that Bundchen tries to not go outside during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when UV rays are strong.
Gisele Bundchen refuses to admit to it
Gisele Bundchen said that she never labeled sun block poison a few days after the press conference. The quote was just a mistranslation, she says. A statement was released by Bundchen official representatives that said: “They misquoted her because of a language barrier. Gisele would never say not to use sunscreen because she has family members who have had skin cancer.” Instead, Bundchen purchases sun block that does not contain a long list of chemicals and tries to stay out of the sun as often as possible.
Sunscreen can be an issue too
Sunscreen is not a product without problems. Cancer experts and doctors recommend slathering on the sun block whenever you are outside to protect yourself from UV radiation. The Environmental Working Group does not like the idea of sun block though. Less than 5 percent are safe and effective of all sunscreens, they say. There is no FDA regulation on sunscreen. Sun block disrupts hormones though with the oxybenzone in it. Too much sunscreen can mean a vitamin D deficiency though. Cancer can be accelerated this way. It’s really bad for your body to be getting too much sun block on it. At the very same time, it is very dangerous to keep away from protecting your skin from the sun also.
Citations
AOL News
aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/
Clebrifi
celebrifi.com/gossip/Gisele-Bndchen-Responds-to-Sunscreen-Controversy-4679481.html
At a press conference where Gisele Bundchen was promoting her skin care line, Gisele Bundchen said something surprising. When she was questioned about the SPF content of her products, Bundchen was quoted as saying “I cannot put this poison on my skin. I do not use anything synthetic.” Upon continued investigation, it was rumored that Bundchen tries to not go outside during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when UV rays are strong.
Gisele Bundchen refuses to admit to it
Gisele Bundchen said that she never labeled sun block poison a few days after the press conference. The quote was just a mistranslation, she says. A statement was released by Bundchen official representatives that said: “They misquoted her because of a language barrier. Gisele would never say not to use sunscreen because she has family members who have had skin cancer.” Instead, Bundchen purchases sun block that does not contain a long list of chemicals and tries to stay out of the sun as often as possible.
Sunscreen can be an issue too
Sunscreen is not a product without problems. Cancer experts and doctors recommend slathering on the sun block whenever you are outside to protect yourself from UV radiation. The Environmental Working Group does not like the idea of sun block though. Less than 5 percent are safe and effective of all sunscreens, they say. There is no FDA regulation on sunscreen. Sun block disrupts hormones though with the oxybenzone in it. Too much sunscreen can mean a vitamin D deficiency though. Cancer can be accelerated this way. It’s really bad for your body to be getting too much sun block on it. At the very same time, it is very dangerous to keep away from protecting your skin from the sun also.
Citations
AOL News
aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/
Clebrifi
celebrifi.com/gossip/Gisele-Bndchen-Responds-to-Sunscreen-Controversy-4679481.html
Monday, February 14, 2011
Logging on to your favored .gay and .nazi domain names
The public have pushed the .com domain name to the cap. In order to clear out the cobwebs and make up for the fact that the United States is used up of IP addresses, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) might shortly be rolling out some colorful competition like .god, .gay, .muhammad and .nazi. In accordance with the Washington Post, these and more noteworthy domain names might have their coming out party this spring. If you want a .com website, you might want to look into obtaining a large pay day loan, because they are running out. Source for this article – Internet land rush may lead to .nazi, .gay and .god domains by MoneyBlogNewz.
Getting the Internet land rush going
For a long time, every person has expected to be able to use .com, .net and .org. Domains like .edu, .mil and .gov are popular in the public sector. Critics feel like there is controversy around domain names like .nazi, .god, .gay, .muhammad and others. Things like .amazon could possibly be problems when it comes to ownership. Who would own .amazon: the online retailer or Brazil?. These are the types of issues ICANN expects to resolve by March or April. Soon, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers will open the floor for businesses and governments to solicit their claims in what is being called the Internet land rush.
The way to claim
Corporations and celebrities don't have to worry too much though. Not everyone can afford the huge price that comes with a potential new domain. According to the Washington Post, it costs a whopping $185,000 to apply and $25,000 annually to maintain the domain. Only some of the application fee is refundable too, even if Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers rejects the domain.
Lauren Weinstein is of the Los Angeles-based Individuals for Web Responsibility. She is really angry about this. Trademark holders and users will just be upset about the domains being specific like this while Weinstein thinks it’s just a way for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to make money. Peter Thrush is the ICANN chairman who says that .gay, .nazi or other domain names have fees. There will most likely be lawsuits for the organization. That means that the non-profit ICANN will need the money and will also have to defend against cybersquatting in the future.
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/06/AR2011020603940.html?hpid=topnews
Rocketboom on the horror of the domain name shortage
youtube.com/watch?v=3267Uh632XA
Getting the Internet land rush going
For a long time, every person has expected to be able to use .com, .net and .org. Domains like .edu, .mil and .gov are popular in the public sector. Critics feel like there is controversy around domain names like .nazi, .god, .gay, .muhammad and others. Things like .amazon could possibly be problems when it comes to ownership. Who would own .amazon: the online retailer or Brazil?. These are the types of issues ICANN expects to resolve by March or April. Soon, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers will open the floor for businesses and governments to solicit their claims in what is being called the Internet land rush.
The way to claim
Corporations and celebrities don't have to worry too much though. Not everyone can afford the huge price that comes with a potential new domain. According to the Washington Post, it costs a whopping $185,000 to apply and $25,000 annually to maintain the domain. Only some of the application fee is refundable too, even if Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers rejects the domain.
Lauren Weinstein is of the Los Angeles-based Individuals for Web Responsibility. She is really angry about this. Trademark holders and users will just be upset about the domains being specific like this while Weinstein thinks it’s just a way for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to make money. Peter Thrush is the ICANN chairman who says that .gay, .nazi or other domain names have fees. There will most likely be lawsuits for the organization. That means that the non-profit ICANN will need the money and will also have to defend against cybersquatting in the future.
"Our job is to protect competition and give extra choices for consumers and entrepreneurs," said Thrush.Articles cited
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/06/AR2011020603940.html?hpid=topnews
Rocketboom on the horror of the domain name shortage
youtube.com/watch?v=3267Uh632XA
Friday, January 28, 2011
Countless numbers of Postal service closings announced for 2011
To cut costs, the USPS has announced that it will close 2,000 facilities this year. Because a law forbids postal service closings to cut budgets, the USPS said the closures would technically only impact rural stations and branches. Slashing costs to stem losses has not worked so far for the Postal service, which lost billions past year and is expected to lose billions more in 2011. They have been hanging on by a thread and could possibly be looking into short term loans to remain afloat. Resource for this article – Thousands of Postal Service closings announced for 2011 by MoneyBlogNewz.
Having a difficult time with the Postal service
With almost 500 postal closings under way, the Postal service has set a goal to close a total of 2,000 this year. There is expected to be the exact same amount of service in the United States to every part of the community. This is what the USPS is needed to do by law. In 2010, the agency lost $8.5 billion though. It was asked for an increase postage rates by the Postal Regulatory Commission. This was rejected though. The USPS cited the recession and Internet competition in the request, but the commission said the agency's problems were from poor management and waste. Just since 1999, there has been a cut of about 1/3 of USPS employees. To cut costs, dropping Saturday delivery and closing smaller postal locations are on the table.
Searching for postal strengthen alternatives
With 2,000 postal locations in line for the chopping block in 2011, The Postal service is re-evaluating another 16,000. There are deficits in several of these post offices currently. About 50 percent have this problem. Congress has had to hear a lot from the agency. The agency has asked that there be a change to the law that states post office closings can only take place when you find maintenance problems or expired leases. Losing the postage strengthen battle didn't stop the Postal service from trying other things. It is trying to convince politicians that 32,000 locations are too many. These buildings were created when there was no e-mail, FedEx and United Parcel Service to replace it.
Conclusion of the postal period
The amount of mail is what the Postal service needs more of. This is the only way survival will happen. Companies hardly send junk mail anymore, bills are paid online mostly and nobody writes letters anymore. It seems the only answer to the issue is to get the buildings shut down. Small towns and politicians think this is absurd and shouldn't happen. The argument is the USPS shouldn't be able to shut down the mail system, and that it should stop giving so many benefits to employees first.
Information from
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704881304576094000352599050.html
CNN Money
money.cnn.com/2011/01/24/news/economy/postal_service_close/?npt=NP1
USA Today
content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/01/us-postal-service-set-to-begin-closing-2000-post-offices/1
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Consumer Confidence Index at greatest level in eight months
The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) level for January is the greatest measured in 8 months, accounts the Associated Press. An increase from 53.3 in Dec. to 60.6 in Jan was observed in the CCI by the Conference Board, a global non-profit that monitors economic performance. Lower unemployment and improving business climate are factors that are believed to have led to an uptick in consumer spending and saving habits. Individuals even seem to be additional comfortable getting pay day loans when in need of them, because they’re additional confident their career will nevertheless be around on their next payday.
It might not be a balanced Consumer Confidence Index although it’s better
Ninety is where the CCI ought to be if it’s balanced when it comes to the use of short term credit for instance payday loans and the consumer confidence in this. It has risen to 60.6 recently though. The way people feel about the U.S. economy is measured by the Consumer Confidence Index. The blog, Banker Notes, explained that 5,000 households are surveyed for this figure. The CCI hasn't been above 90 since December 2007.
May 2010, when the United States economy was expected to get normal again, there was a 62.7 mark CCI while now, January's 60.6 CCI seems high. The economy was really slow this summer though. The CCI changed due to this. The joblessness levels have not returned since the drop in 2009 while it also got to the highest it has been since the 1930s in the U.S.
More jobs in the future
The number of businesses that are preparing on hiring is at a 12 year high right now, which the AP reports the National Association for Business Economics reported. This coincides somewhat with the reaction consumers gave to a Conference Board survey concerning the state of the career market, as the percentage of respondents who feel work are too hard to come by is down to 43.4 percent. From December, that has dropped three percent. The Conference Board survey also asked which individuals though there would be additional work becoming available within the next six months. From Dec. to Jan, that number went up from 14.2 percent to 16 percent.
Joblessness goes down while spending goes up for consumers
Sales went up faster than they have in six year with the 2010 holiday buying season. There are also Social Security tax cuts. This means additional money could be accessible for spending. With only 103,000 new work created in the United States, the joblessness nevertheless went down from November to Dec. 0.4 percent.
Information from
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/41251437/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/?ns=business-eye_on_the_economy&from=toolbar
Banker Notes
bankernotes.blogspot.com/2006/10/financial-term-glossary.html
Plunkett Research on U.S. retail
youtube.com/watch?v=FrgCCfVqPSs
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
New and used vehicles reverse roles in transforming auto market
In an economy turned upside-down, a brand new auto loan has become more affordable that buying used. Interest rates and incentives for new autos have created situations where time-honored advice on vehicle purchases might not apply. Depending on the make and model, there are some automobiles that actually cost less over time when bought brand new instead of used. This makes it easier than for those who take out installment loans for their vehicles.
What all of the free financing auto loan companies are offering
It is sometimes a better idea to get a brand new vehicle loan than a used vehicle loan unless you’ve quick money to pay. The recession brought on loan rates to go down a lot. That means that they are nevertheless just as low for new vehicles. In Dec., the average rate for a car loan was 4.16 percent. This is what Edmunds.com reports. Over 15 percent of auto loans do not even have interest though. General Motors, which is showing signs of life after a notorious government bailout, offers 0 percent funding on 50 percent of its auto loans. However, 0 percent funding isn't for every person. Strong credit is needed to qualify for such a sweet deal, to the tune of a FICO score of at least 650 and sometimes above 700.
Having cheaper brand new automobiles than used cars automobile
There are about 8 percent interest rates for used automobiles at this time although brand new cars are around 4 percent. There have been several reasons leading to there being less of a price gap between brand new and used automobiles too. There was a "cash for clunkers" program that took about 700,000 automobiles off the industry. This was in 2009. The amount of used vehicles being traded in has been affected by the financial crisis. With the way a new car is made to have such cheap deals with a five year loan, a one year old car is probably going to be more expensive than a new model.
How do I know which new cars are less expensive?
To make a list of brand new automobiles that are cheaper than used vehicles, Edmunds.com compared the average used vehicle rate of interest of 7.7 percent with a 0 percent brand new car loan accessible for certain models. There were several incentives added with auto loans being in five year terms. On the list it showed the Audi S4 Premium Plus Quattro Sedan saving $1,020, the savings of $1,320 with the Honda DR-V EX and the saving of $1,320 with the Toyota Motors FJ Cruiser base model.
Information from
Market Watch
marketwatch.com/story/story?Guid=94f611d3-aa3c-4b21-b432-90910a50e8e0
Money Watch
moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/cars-money/flash-new-cars-cost-less-than-used-cars/460/
Edmunds.com
edmunds.com/car-news/new-vs-used-car-buying.html
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Smith pays $20 for legal rights to his very own Red State film
Hollywood is all about commercialism. Risky, creative works from directors with distinctive perspectives cannot purchase a green light from big-time distributors. That is why noted independent movie-director Smith of "Clerks" and "Dogma" fame is bucking the system and releasing his next movie himself, says the Hollywood Reporter. After the first public screening of "Red State," an intense thriller based upon controversial Pastor Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, Smith held a mock auction in which he purchased his very own film’s distribution legal rights for a token $20. At that price he did not even have to take out a payday advance.
The 'Red State' journey strategies
The protests from the Westboro Baptist Church is the main concern that Smith has when it comes to allowing "Red State" to get in the hands of an advertising machine. That is why he instead has decided to travel the U.S. in all of 2011 in order to show his film to "any smart exhibitor" who’s willing to let the movie show there starting March 5. The Associated Press reports that before the Oct 19 theatrical release, Smith plans on making up some of the $4 million budget the film had. He hopes to replace the normal pre-release movie sector with this on the highway exhibition.
“What we need to prove is that anyone can release a movie,” Smith told the debut audience at the Eccles Theater in Logan, Utah. "Indie film isn’t dead, it just grew up. We sell our movies ourselves."
The Hollywood machine is the issue
Kevin Smith wants to tell stories. He describes himself as a "fat…stoner" though. Hollywood has been one of those things the "Red State" director has never liked. That is why he has been trying to keep the movie out of the hands of the machine. The Eccles audience spoke with Smith who said that creativity is killed with commercialism even though it may bring in money.
The way for 'Red State' to get protested
Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, an institution known for its extreme anti-gay agenda, have taken offense at Kevin Smith’s portrayal of Pastor Abin Cooper and his fundamentalist church in "Red State.". Smith has admitted that Phelps was indeed his "muse" when he wrote Cooper’s character, although the actions of Cooper’s church – carrying out the murders of homosexual individuals, instead of simply protesting with offensive signs – is more extreme than what the Westboro Baptist Church has done.
Articles cited
Green Field Reporter
greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/05f6e79698074e70b6c44e9a810a5019/US–Film-Sundance-Kevin_Smith/
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/risky-business/sundance-red-states-kevin-smith-74829
‘Red State’ teaser trailer
youtube.com/watch?v=6I0caLF2Q2c
Desolate man getting an apartment after winning fantasy football
Homeless individuals are making the news over and over this year. Probably the most recent story is of Mass. resident Harrington. While homeless, Harrington has won the 2011 ESPN fantasy football competition. The $3,500 Best Purchase gift card prize has been sold, and Harrington intends on using the money to find a rental. This will be easier than trying to take out a payday loan to achieve this. Article source – Nathan Harrington – Homeless man wins ESPN fantasy football 2011 by MoneyBlogNewz.
The story on Nathan Harrington that you need to know
Thirty three year old Nathan Harrington lives in Salem, Mass. This is where he has his family. In 2009, Harrington was in a vehicular accident that caused serious nerve damage. He was not able to go back to work. He worked with marketing. Then, Harrington was evicted from his home with his fiancée and three year old son. The management said rat extermination had to happen. All of their stuff got sent to storage.
Seeing winner of 2011 ESPN fantasy football being desolate
The Internet, computer access, or even a home was all things that Nathan Harrington and his family weren't able to get. Nevertheless, the 2011 ESPN fantasy football contest was one he participated in. He did anything from using the library computer to asking for time on the computer at his father’s nursing home. He called to ask friends to change things to his roster occasionally. This was if there were no other computers for him to find. By 0.8 points, his team won the Fantasy Football game as the Boston Beatdowns. Only 0.8 points had him winning.
ESPN fantasy football 2011 helps desolate male get a future
A $3,500 Best Buy gift card was what the fantasy football winner was to be awarded. This is what Nathan Harrington ended up receiving. He did something better than going to an electronics store on a buying spree. He sold, for $2,500, the gift card to his mom in order to move to a better apartment without rats. Several he can be able to get some kind of job that is really great because of the homeless man wins ESPN fantasy football 2011 headlines.
Articles cited
Good Men Project
goodmenproject.com/newsroom/homeless-man-wins-espn-fantasy-footballs-top-prize/
Hathaway playing Catwoman within the Dark Knight Rises
The next Batman installment, "The Dark Knight Rises," will showcase Hathaway as Catwoman. Hathaway rose to prominence largely featuring in Disney teen comedies. Tom Hardy has also been cast as the character "Bane" within the film. This is the last trip out for Nolan and Bale as Batman however, as Nolan has said that this is the final one. He won't be applying for any more personal loans to produce more films. Post resource – Anne Hathaway confirmed as Catwoman in the Dark Knight Rises by MoneyBlogNewz.
Nolan casts Hathaway as Catwoman
Entertainment Weekly explained that it was confirmed the next "Batman" filmed by Christopher Nolan could have "Catwoman" played by Anne Hathaway. Nolan will not be directing anymore after this final one with the title, “The Dark Knight Rises". Hathaway is best known for her roles in Disney teen automobiles, for instance “The Princess Diaries” series, however has recently started branching out into more significant fare. She will take the role of Selina Kyle, the alter ego of the sometimes-villain character Catwoman, and generally the love interest of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the comic series. The last time "Catwoman" was in a film, the film didn't do well and several were disappointed. However, Halle Berry played the role.
The movie has Hardy as a bad guy
English actor Tom Hardy was team as “Bane,” the masked strongman who breaks Batman’s back within the comic canon. "Inception" is a Nolan movie. Tom Hardy's role in it’s probably what he is best known for. Also, he was known for the lead in "Bronson" about the British pioneer, "Rock and Rolla" by Guy Ritchie and "Layer Cake" by Matthey Vaughn. Hardy is also rumored to be taking over the role of Mad Max in the next movie within the Mad Max series.
Announcement from Nolan this will be his final Batman
Nolan won’t be making anymore Batman films after this one which will be released in 2012. Christian Bale plans on stopping in the Batman franchise as well. He will be returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman for this movie though. Of the final ten years, hit final 2 were some of probably the most successful.
Citations
Entertainment Weekly
insidemovies.ew.com/2011/01/19/batman-hathaway-catwoman-hardy-bane-dark-knight-rises/
Monday, January 24, 2011
Escalating unrest in Tunis will cause Tunisian leader to run away
Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, President of Tunisia, has fled the main city city of Tunis and his office as protests have paralyzed the city. There has been increasing unrest in the city for some time. Protests have been growing steadily about political corruption, large joblessness and expenses of products. The PM has taken about the reins of government. Chances are that Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, didn’t have to take out a payday loan to flee with how much cash he probably had set aside. Article resource – Escalating unrest in Tunis causes Tunisian president to flee by MoneyBlogNewz.
Causing difficulties as Tunis loses President Ben Ali
Frustrated Tunisians have been taking to the streets of Tunis in droves to protest failures of the federal government and President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who has occupied the office since 1987. The Tunisians are upset because there seems to be more unemployment, rights abuses and government corruption than ever, says CNN. They’re also mad that sugar prices and other essential goods' prices are going up. As a concession to demonstrators, the Tunisian security forces were directed by President Ben Ali that no live ammunition could be used on protestors unless necessary. He ended up ordering the federal government to dissolve as it wasn't enough. The North African nation can be seeing Ben Ali now. Tunis is now under the control of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.
Emergency control
Al-Jazeera explains that Prime Minister Ghannouchi said he will fight runaway inflation after taking emergency control of Tunisia. Supposedly, the laws could be respected by him. All the high unemployment and inflation could be fought. The Tunisian army has taken control now. The Tunis airspace is closed w while the main airport in Tunis has been shut down. Gatherings of three or more people in the streets have been banned. The Tunisians continued to fight, despite President Ben Ali tried to lower food prices to make it better. Apparently having Ben Ali in the presidency for 27 years was too much for the country.
A month of protests happen
The stability of Tunisia crumbled. This was because in Tunis, there have been constant protests and demonstrations for about a month. It started with the death of Mohamed Bouazizi, a college-educated street vendor who had been selling fruit from a cart to pay the bills. He protested by setting himself on fire after authorities took his cart.
Citations
CNN
cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/14/tunisia.protests/index.html
Al Jazeera
english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011114172228117723.html
Causing difficulties as Tunis loses President Ben Ali
Frustrated Tunisians have been taking to the streets of Tunis in droves to protest failures of the federal government and President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who has occupied the office since 1987. The Tunisians are upset because there seems to be more unemployment, rights abuses and government corruption than ever, says CNN. They’re also mad that sugar prices and other essential goods' prices are going up. As a concession to demonstrators, the Tunisian security forces were directed by President Ben Ali that no live ammunition could be used on protestors unless necessary. He ended up ordering the federal government to dissolve as it wasn't enough. The North African nation can be seeing Ben Ali now. Tunis is now under the control of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.
Emergency control
Al-Jazeera explains that Prime Minister Ghannouchi said he will fight runaway inflation after taking emergency control of Tunisia. Supposedly, the laws could be respected by him. All the high unemployment and inflation could be fought. The Tunisian army has taken control now. The Tunis airspace is closed w while the main airport in Tunis has been shut down. Gatherings of three or more people in the streets have been banned. The Tunisians continued to fight, despite President Ben Ali tried to lower food prices to make it better. Apparently having Ben Ali in the presidency for 27 years was too much for the country.
A month of protests happen
The stability of Tunisia crumbled. This was because in Tunis, there have been constant protests and demonstrations for about a month. It started with the death of Mohamed Bouazizi, a college-educated street vendor who had been selling fruit from a cart to pay the bills. He protested by setting himself on fire after authorities took his cart.
Citations
CNN
cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/14/tunisia.protests/index.html
Al Jazeera
english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011114172228117723.html
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Angels to protect Tucson mourners from Westboro Baptists
In certain corners of the United States of America, individuals still recognize how to take a stand against hatred motivated by ignorance. A collection of good folks in Tucson, Ariz., in which the nightmarish Safeway shooting happened Saturday, will join together to shield mourners from the hateful reach of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. Mourners could be guarded by angels’ wings. Regardless how large of a payday loan the Westboro Baptist Church takes out, they won't be able to buy their way into the funeral. Source for this article – Tucson angels to shield mourners from Westboro Baptists by MoneyBlogNewz.
Tucson is planning ‘angel action’ against hate
"Angel action" is the action that Tucson is taking against the Westboro Baptist Church that is going to picket all the Jared Loughner victims' funerals. CNN spoke with Christine Gilmer who said the city is a "caring, living, peaceful community" which makes sense. A Colorado resident Romaine Patterson came up with the idea of angel action. This was after a protest that the Westboro Baptist Church did at the funeral in 1999 of a gay man that was beaten to death in Wyoming named Matthew Shepherd.
Angel action in the works
Select volunteers will wear 8- by 10-foot angel wings during the funeral in order to physically shield mourners from Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church’s hate messages. This provides "a peaceful haven" for anyone with love in their hearts, CNN reports. This is what Gilmer said as the angel action organizer.
Seeing help from others
Tucson's angel action is getting a lot of support from political representatives. Facebook pages entitled "Build Angel Wings for the Westboro Funeral Counter-Protest and Meeting" and "Show Support for the Families of the Tucson Shooting Victims" have attracted thousands of fans. Some have even donated money and material to help construct the wings. Gilmer explains where the donations will go. They will help pay for the victims' funerals of the Tucson funeral.
Still seeing no counter protest
Chelsea Cohen, a 20-year-old senior at Tucson’s University of Arizona who started the "Show Support" Facebook page, told CNN that the activities of the support groups are not specifically intended to be a counter-protest. The Westboro Baptist Church is doing it for attention. She said that is not the reason why she is doing it. The funeral is not something they want to disrupt.
”We wanted it to show support for the families and to show that Tucson is there with love and support,” Cohen explained.
Citations
CNN
edition.cnn.com/2011/US/01/11/arizona.funeral.westboro/?hpt=C2
Drop the politics and think of the children, Westboro
youtube.com/watch?v=vzCedbzyOls
Tucson is planning ‘angel action’ against hate
"Angel action" is the action that Tucson is taking against the Westboro Baptist Church that is going to picket all the Jared Loughner victims' funerals. CNN spoke with Christine Gilmer who said the city is a "caring, living, peaceful community" which makes sense. A Colorado resident Romaine Patterson came up with the idea of angel action. This was after a protest that the Westboro Baptist Church did at the funeral in 1999 of a gay man that was beaten to death in Wyoming named Matthew Shepherd.
Angel action in the works
Select volunteers will wear 8- by 10-foot angel wings during the funeral in order to physically shield mourners from Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church’s hate messages. This provides "a peaceful haven" for anyone with love in their hearts, CNN reports. This is what Gilmer said as the angel action organizer.
Seeing help from others
Tucson's angel action is getting a lot of support from political representatives. Facebook pages entitled "Build Angel Wings for the Westboro Funeral Counter-Protest and Meeting" and "Show Support for the Families of the Tucson Shooting Victims" have attracted thousands of fans. Some have even donated money and material to help construct the wings. Gilmer explains where the donations will go. They will help pay for the victims' funerals of the Tucson funeral.
Still seeing no counter protest
Chelsea Cohen, a 20-year-old senior at Tucson’s University of Arizona who started the "Show Support" Facebook page, told CNN that the activities of the support groups are not specifically intended to be a counter-protest. The Westboro Baptist Church is doing it for attention. She said that is not the reason why she is doing it. The funeral is not something they want to disrupt.
”We wanted it to show support for the families and to show that Tucson is there with love and support,” Cohen explained.
Citations
CNN
edition.cnn.com/2011/US/01/11/arizona.funeral.westboro/?hpt=C2
Drop the politics and think of the children, Westboro
youtube.com/watch?v=vzCedbzyOls
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Spokane payday loans bust budget trouble
Whether you’re headed to Dick’s for a bag of burgers or playing in Hoopfest, unexpected spending budget busters can easily place you in need of Spokane payday loans. From a bad radiator to a broken bone, it can get costly – but a Spokane cash advance will help. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week, you are able to apply online for Spokane personal loans to fit nearly any kind of emergency. And you don’t even have to worry about credit checks or faxing documents.
Stay in your pajamas while you apply for your Spokane payday loan}
It sounds like a cliché, but it's true: with Spokane payday loans, you don't have to leave home to apply. If you're at least 18, have a job that generates regular income that you deposit into an active bank account and have valid identification, you can hop online and apply for Spokane short term loans. You don't have to get up and get uncomfortable by leaving home for the application. Think cold, hard cash that's easy to apply for. That's what Spokane payday loans are all about. You don't have to have great credit. You may be considered anyway. You have to accept all terms and conditions from your Spokane cash advance lender before anything is final.
The personal loans that Spokane offers to you
People in Spokane can get personal loans; it's a fact. Whenever living in the margins of a paycheck, it is important to know that there is somewhere we can go for help with our budget. Is your bank going to be overdrawn? Well a Spokane installment loan can help you avoid that. The 1,000 APR that comes on a $1 NSF fee that sits for a few days is much worse than the 15 to 30 percent of your loan, or 300 to 400 APR, with a Spokane short term loan. You want convenience, not pain – and Spokane payday loans can deliver.
If you need your car fixed, a Spokane cash advance can really help
The online application form is easy to use and the wait period before you know if your application has been accepted is just minutes. Don't go knocking on big bank's door for a loan unless you like bureaucratic red tape, including copious documents and lots of thumb twittling. Once you are approved and have accepted your Spokane personal loan, you can get your loan in as little as two hours. Fix that car or pay that ER bill before the bank even gets around to your application paperwork. There is also flexibility that a Spokane installment loan gives to you. You can choose to make payments on the loan or get it all paid off at once. What are you waiting for? You should apply!
Jared Loughner catastrophe puts Arizona gun laws on trial
Jared Lee Loughner’s rampage in Tucson, Ariz., in which State Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others were shot, has emboldened competitors of Arizona’s gun laws. Specifically, critics point to Governor Jan Brewer’s signing of Arizona Senate Bill 1108, which eliminated the need for a concealed carry permit. Some feel things are as they should be with background checks, but critics of AZ gun laws see the concealed carry issue has a dangerous oversight. You can bet that people will now be getting huge installment loans to fight both sides of the gun law battle.
The ways the Arizona gun laws work
Arizona's concealed carry system was shown perfectly when Jared Lee Loughner used the Glock-19 for his Arizona shooting. Arizona gun owners can carry their guns in vehicles, in restaurants and other public places. Jared Lee Loughner was able to carry around the weapon wherever he went without a permit. This is something all the mentally unstable are allowed to do.
Gun control activists believe that only tighter federal controls via tougher background checks and bans on assault weapons can protect people from gun violence. Investigating is Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik who believes that the shooting of many including Gabrielle Giffords happened because of the concealed carry law. Dupnik believes that if Arizona wants to be viewed as the wild west, the state is well on its way.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System has criminal and mental health records in it, the NRA explained. The background check wouldn't have identified Jared Lee Loughner as a threat anyway. The Pima Community College campus police run-ins never ended with a mental health clearance he should have received.
How to defend yourself
Individuals are given the right to bear arms because of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. There will continue to be a long debate on gun controls that the Tucson shooting may play a role in. The NRA may just convince Washington to leave things along though. Then there's Robert A. Heinlein's opinion. He said, "An armed society is a polite society."
Articles cited
LA Times
latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0110-glock-gun-control-20110110,0,4072287.story
Talking Points Memo
tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/government_too_scared_of_nra_to_stop_mexican_border_gun_trafficking_atf_doj.php
Concealed carry in places of business
youtube.com/watch?v=R4UsDSstFps
The ways the Arizona gun laws work
Arizona's concealed carry system was shown perfectly when Jared Lee Loughner used the Glock-19 for his Arizona shooting. Arizona gun owners can carry their guns in vehicles, in restaurants and other public places. Jared Lee Loughner was able to carry around the weapon wherever he went without a permit. This is something all the mentally unstable are allowed to do.
Gun control activists believe that only tighter federal controls via tougher background checks and bans on assault weapons can protect people from gun violence. Investigating is Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik who believes that the shooting of many including Gabrielle Giffords happened because of the concealed carry law. Dupnik believes that if Arizona wants to be viewed as the wild west, the state is well on its way.
"We’re the ‘Tombstone’ of the United States of America," Dupnik told the Los Angeles Times.Effectiveness of background checks
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System has criminal and mental health records in it, the NRA explained. The background check wouldn't have identified Jared Lee Loughner as a threat anyway. The Pima Community College campus police run-ins never ended with a mental health clearance he should have received.
How to defend yourself
Individuals are given the right to bear arms because of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. There will continue to be a long debate on gun controls that the Tucson shooting may play a role in. The NRA may just convince Washington to leave things along though. Then there's Robert A. Heinlein's opinion. He said, "An armed society is a polite society."
Articles cited
LA Times
latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0110-glock-gun-control-20110110,0,4072287.story
Talking Points Memo
tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/government_too_scared_of_nra_to_stop_mexican_border_gun_trafficking_atf_doj.php
Concealed carry in places of business
youtube.com/watch?v=R4UsDSstFps
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Jared Loughner set to be arraigned for Tucson shooting
A court date is set for Loughner, the alleged perpetrator of the Tucson shooting spree. Loughner will appear in court on Jan. 10. He can be charged with multiple charges, including attempted murder and murder. Loughner has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, and isn’t cooperating with investigators. He is likely to be getting a huge pay day loan to pay for his legal team.
Court appearance for Jared Loughner for arraignment
The man accused of carrying out the deadly Tucson shooting spree in Arizona, Jared Loughner, is set to appear in federal court for arraignment on Jan. 10. The New York Times reports that five federal charges including murder and attempted murder will be what 22 year old Loughner is facing. State charges may be pending, and Robert Mueller, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has not ruled out filing charges of terrorism. Loughner has the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. That means police and investigators haven't gotten information from him. Judy Clarke, who defended Tim McVeigh of the Oklahoma City bombing, Ted Kaczynski "Unabomber," and even Zacarias Moussaoui who was a 9/11 conspirator, is the federal public defender who will be defending Loughner.
Behavior in past is disturbed
Outbursts and strange behavior are in Jared Lee Loughner's history. He was suspended from Pima Community College for disruptive behavior. He had at least five instances of unruly behavior that involved campus police. He had a former professor that came forward after hearing of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords that had Loughner involved somehow. CBS reports this. After Loughner didn't get full credit for one late assignment, there was an incident that Debbie Scheidemantel recalled on "The Early Show". He then said that he deserved full credit for any late assignment. His First Amendment rights dictated it, he said. Campus police ended up pulling him out of class. Loughner also has a number of videos on his YouTube page, which are odd, to say the least.
May face death penalty
The arraignment will take place in the federal courthouse in Phoenix. The death penalty is on the table for Loughner. If he gets convicted, it is a possibility. Another that Clarke defended was Timothy McVeigh. He ended up getting the death penalty in 2005 for his crimes.
Information from
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/01/10/us/10giffords.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
CBS News
cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/earlyshow/main7230271.shtml
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