Wal-Mart Sales Revenues Is Actually Clouding The US Economic Recovery Predictions

Because of Wal-Mart’s sheer volume and scope, economic analysts pay close attention to Wal-Mart sales revenues. Wal-Mart sales revenues are a leading indicator of consumer spending and also the overall health of the economy. Many sales reports coming from leading retailers are meeting expectations. Sales reports will show there is a lot more hiring, paying, and a lot more hours to work. Target's sales are up while Wal-Mart's sales are down. But officials that are from both companies are saying the consumer comeback many hope will drive the U.S. economic recovery from the Great Recession may not be really be sustainable.

Article Source: Wal-Mart sales revenue clouds U.S. economic recovery predictions By Personal Money Store

Wal-Mart sales report

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, averages more than 100 million shoppers each week. Shoppers who spend fast cash loans give the store a lot more than $ 400 billion in annual sales. CNNMoney.com reports the Wal-Mart sales report really shows revenues worldwide rose 6 percent to $ 99.1 billion, which beat analysts’ forecasts of $ 98.45 billion. However, sales at Wal-Mart stores open at least a year — a key metric of retail performance called same-store sales — fell 1.4 percent within the 3 months ending April 30. In the exact same period a year ago, same-store sales rose 3.6 percent. During Wal-Mart's fourth quarter, a 1.6 percent decline in same-store sales started.

Wal-Mart sales revenues 2010

Wal-Mart has reported in the sales report logs the company's fourth quarter of dragging US sales. The Wall Street Journal reports that Wal-Mart predicted that its U.S. sales would continue to be sluggish this summer when taking into account the working-class customers who form Wal-Mart’s base nevertheless reel from the effects of the recession on their finances. The Wal-Mart customer's outlook are clouded a lot more by unemployment and rising gas prices heading into the summer.

Sales revenues at Target

Something about US economic recovery in 2010 is indicated by Wal-Mart vs. Target sales revenues. Target, an emerging rival to Wal-Mart’s demographic, reported a 29 percent increase in first-quarter net income. The Associated Press reports that Target’s sales revenues rising are actually a sign the retail chain is drawing customers from competitors such as Wal-Mart. However, during a conference call to a couple of different investors, Target Chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said “Clearly, the economy and consumer sentiment have improved given that the weakest point in 2009, but we believe that both are nevertheless somewhat unstable and fragile and will likely continue to experience occasional setbacks as the year progresses amid a stubbornly high jobless rate.”.

U.S. economic recovery 2010

Target, which has managed to brand itself as a Wal-Mart-type discounter with a little bit of style thrown in, took a hit during the Great Recession. As cash-strapped Americans left supermarkets and department stores, Wal-Mart's sales and profits rose during the recession. As the economy gets better, Wal-Mart is losing its customers that it had won during that huge downturn. Based on sales figures, many of those customers have taken a baby step up to Target.

Predictions for US economic recovery

Wal-Mart might just start having to pay if they want US economic recovery to be sustainable. As outlined by The CNNMoney.com article, retail sales expanded over the last seven months because 40 percent of current spending comes from 20 percent of the highest incomes. Plus, because of events like the stock market Flash Crash and European debt crisis, the rate of the retail sales increases fueled by the more affluent households has slowed since March.

Strange, long US recovery

A lot more work and money is going to be needed by Wal-Mart's customer base if they are to shore up the sputtering economic recovery. The U.S. unemployment rate is stuck at nearly 10 percent, the underemployment rate is increasing a lot, wages decline for individuals who can find any kind of work and inflation-adjusted income is flat. With the current rate of economic growth it will take at least three years to bring the unemployment rate down to be below 6.3 percent, where it was at the peak of the 2001 recession.

U.S. economic recovery headwinds

Wal-Mart’s troubles, the retail sector’s outlook and the health of the economy at large are facing what Sandra Pianalto, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, calls a “powerful headwind.” As reported within the Washington Independent, Pianalto said a heightened sense of caution is driven by deep uncertainty the standard of living Americans had become accustomed to, in the past, will return. People who began their working careers within the mid-1980s had experienced consistent prosperity broken by two very brief downturns. Expectations have shifted quite a bit due to this long and deep recession.

Find a lot more info on this topic

CNNMoney.com reports

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/18/news/companies/Walmart_earnings/

Wall Street Journal reports

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703957904575252092724864622.html

Associated Press reports

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8Dci3cCwl1keQZphuso3G1zEb0wD9FQ5I6O1

As reported in The Washington Independent

http://washingtonindependent.com/85251/fed-president-predicts-a-long-slow-recovery

A Brief Memorial Day History Lesson

Memorial Day is almost here, and some individuals might wonder what the events of Memorial Day history are. You may want to know how it came about, how it was made official, so on and so forth. So, in advance of packing up to camp out at the lake, go to Grandma's house or just getting away from all the noise, here's some of the dish on Memorial Day.

Article Source: A Brief Memorial Day History Lesson By Personal Money Store

Memorial Day history begins with the Civil War

It was not actually called Memorial Day at first. There are differing opinions as to when was the first observance, but what is clear is that days of remembrance were observed right away after the end of the Civil War, and also the graves of the fallen were decorated. The initial name for it was Decoration Day, which doesn’t exactly take a genius to come up with. (We give our holidays such uncolorful names in this country. Maybe some easy cash loans for an exploratory group to come up with some better ones is in order.)

Got the attention of veterans

An observance of Decoration Day on May 5, 1866, in the town of Waterloo, New York got the attention of two retired Army Generals, John Logan and John Murray. John Logan actually headed a fraternal organization for Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic. (The group was later absorbed into the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.) On May 5, 1868, they announced that on May 30 they would observe a Decoration Day, and urged others to do the same. The South, true to form in opposing something that wasn’t horrible and having a mammoth amount of sour grapes, mostly opposed it.

Memorial Day gets on the books

The name Memorial Day didn't become official until 1967. To make things easier for everybody, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which fixed Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Columbus Day, and Washington’s Birthday, later to become Presidents Day, on specified Mondays. Ever since then, veterans groups have been trying to get Congress to move it back to May 30 because Mondays are quite hard to find on calendars. Memorial Day 2010, will fall on May 31.

More information on this topic

Memorial Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

The American Idol winner 2010 is . . .

Lee and Crystal were in it to win it! Who won American Idol 2010 May 26, 2010? Check this out.

No amount of personal installment loans or same day loans could influence the vote of the American Idol winner 2010. The only thing that made a difference was how well they performed. Here's last night's recap of American Idol:

American Idol Round 1 – contestant's choice

First to the stage was the underdog, Lee. The song he chose was "The Box" by Simon & Garfunkel. Randy and Kara thought he had to bring it up some, Judge Ellen was couldn’t have been prouder of Lee and Simon’s comment was it was a kiss on the cheek when he wanted a kiss on the lips, but added, "Not from you!" I was let down, disappointed because I really had hope for. He didn't change anything from the original at all. Lee is terrific; you (got to|have to} like him. But I don't think it was his best, and this is the day he needed to shine.

Crystal Bowersox was the next on the stage and was so good performing "Me and Bobbie McGee." Ellen, Kara and Simon loved it and Randy thought it was dope. I think they were correct. Crystal takes round 1.

Round 2—Simon Fuller picks

Lee DeWyze was given R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts," to sing. He performed better on this one than the first song, but still not his best. The judges thought Lee was off a little off key. Not the night to be pitchy.

Crystal was assigned "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles to sing. She nailed it. "Mamasox is in it to win it!" (says|exclaimed|according to}Randy. Round 2 to Bowersox.

Contestant’s choice of single—Round 3

In other years, the last song was given to both finalists to become the idol’s first single. This time, Crystal and Lee got to pick their own song that will be their first single if they win. Lee sang "Beautiful Day" by U2 for his last song. Again, Lee was a little pitchy.

Crystal Bowersox (ended|finished|closed} the (evening|night} with "Up to the Mountain" by Patty Griffin. I would say the judges practically crowned her Idol right (then and there|at that moment|there}. Crystal deserved to win right there. But it was not the judge’s decision. It was up to us.

American Idol winner 2010 is

Who do you think the Idol winner 2010 is? The Idol winner 2010 is …

Lance Armstrong Responds To Landis Drug Accusations Via Manager

In a move intended to clear his conscience, American cyclist Floyd Landis attempted to sully the reputation of previous teammate and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong by alleging that Armstrong was aided by a wide variety of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Lance hasn't responded yet but the cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel has. Floyd Landis said that Bruyneel is the man who allegedly introduced Landis to PEDs, and Johan Bruyneel has fashioned an appropriate response on Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong website.

Article Resource: Lance Armstrong responds to Landis drug accusations via manager By Personal Money Store

Bruyneel says Lance Armstrong did not participate in doping

Johan Bruyneel, manager of former Lance Armstrong/Floyd Landis cycling team U.S. Postal (now Team RadioShack), told the media that every allegation Floyd Landis made is a lie. Bruyneel says that when Landis tested good following his 2006 Tour de France victory, he started to contact Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong and threatened to blackmail them, possibly even demanding installment loans for people with bad credit. Since then, claims Bruyneel, Floyd Landis changed his story regarding PEDs numerous times and even wrote a book about the affair. ”For me, it’s clear we’re dealing with somebody who is bitter,” Bruyneel explained. “Floyd has always been an angry person, sometimes for good, sometimes for bad.” Although that energy was sometimes used to help him perform, sometimes it also was just used for him to lash out at friends. Both Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel are uncertain ! as to Floyd Landis’ timing, whether there was a reason to come forward right now with a new story.

Team RadioShack is distracted

As Team RadioShack prepares for the Tour of California, Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel would like to be able to put the Floyd Landis situation behind them. Bruyneel said that the Landis accusations were just "a sad story":

“Knowing the personality, his history, having had him on the team, I mean we took Floyd on the team when he was in bad financial shape after the Mercury fiasco and he had no money. I remember he told me, ‘Luckily you got me on the team because I was almost forced to sell my house to pay my bills.’ Given that then I think it's been up and down for Floyd, and I’d advise him to watch for professional help, and I'm not talking about lawyers, I'm talking about other help.”

Floyd Landis on top of the world

Floyd Landis' Tour de France victory in 2006 made him a household name. Unfortunately, his difficulties with cycling officials have made him known a lot more for that than for how good he is. Lance Armstrong had been rumored to have used similar PEDs to Landis, but Armstrong has passed multiple drug tests. Except for some French officials who might just resent his previous Tour de France dominance, that has satisfied the cycling authority. Floyd Landis has damaged the reputation of American cycling quite a bit. A young cyclist with the will and ability of Lance Armstrong may have to come along and clean up the mess.

Additional information at these websites

Johan Bruyneel

http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news_johan-bruyneel-comments-landis-situation/

Does Zabasearch Violate The Privacy Of Your Information?

Personal information and privacy on the internet can be a sticky issue – and ZabaSearch is just one of many public-records search engines available online. There are concerns that ZabaSearch shares information that most people just don't want shared. The results you get from ZabaSearch aren't always accurate, though.

Article Source: Does ZabaSearch make your private information public By Personal Money Store

How Zabasearch gets its information

ZabaSearch operates much like Spokeo or other public-records search programs. ZabaSearch uses a computer program to scour and compile publicly available information. When you put a name in Zabasearch, the computer program returns the results that it has compiled. Basic search results are provided for free, and extended search results are available for a fee.

What information does ZabaSearch provide?

A basic ZabaSearch search pulls up the address and phone number for the names typed in. A paid ZabaSearch report includes current and former addresses, average home value, a credit report, tax resolution records, a criminal check, and information about possible neighbors and relatives. The paid ZabaSearch result is paid for through Intelius, a background-check and public information business.

Can I opt-out of ZabaSearch?

It can be eye-opening to see all your public information in one area. While information such as this has been public for years, the fact it is so easy to find is relatively new. ZabaSearch is known for getting results wrong as often as right. The program does not use a human element to “connect the dots”. For example, having two different names on public information records – such as "John Doe" in one place and "John A. Doe" in another – will create two records. Opting-out of ZabaSearch is not necessarily easy, because the service relies on publicly available information. If you fax ZabaSearch proof of your identity and a request to remove your listing, they will take you off the listing – but there are other search engines that do the very same thing. To get your information permanently removed from all listings, you have to ask for your public records to be permanently and legally sealed.

Electric car market set to be topped by Tesla and Toyota team

Recently, it was announced Toyota would purchase a big stake in Tesla Motors, the electric car business. Tesla specializes in high-end, all-electric roadsters, including an electric sports car capable of doing more than 100 miles per hour. Its flagship model, the Tesla Roadster, is capable of going from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, which is a considerable feat for any car. The company had seen lagging revenue, and announced an First Public Offering after which Toyota announced it would purchase a large stake.

Article Source~Article Resource~Source for this article~Resource for this article: Toyota and Tesla team to top electric car market

The Tesla Toyota Deal

The Toyota Prius is one of the best selling hybrids on the market, so Toyota already is a leader in hybrid and electric car developments. Boutique electric car company Tesla Motors announced an IPO was forthcoming as it needed to raise capital, and Toyota has thus far pledged $ 50 million. As outlined by the New York Times, Tesla announced an IPO to raise capital after losing $ 56 million over 2009. The Tesla Roadster starts at $ 109,000, so the auto loans bad credit you have to get one are hefty.

The flagship Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster, the flagship for Tesla Motors, is the fastest production hybrid or electric car. The basic model goes from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds. The Tesla Roadster Sport accomplishes it in 3.7 seconds, but for $ 20,000 more. That’s nothing new for cars in general, but for an electric or hybrid, that is impressive. (Should you wonder, the fastest non-boutique production car from a major domestic manufacturer is the Corvette ZR1.)

Good for both

This benefits both Toyota and Tesla. Tesla is a green manufacturer, already producing an eco-friendly sports car, and soon the company will start manufacturing the Tesla Model S, a family sedan that will retail for under $ 60,000. Toyota comes to the deal by putting up the Tesla Model S production in the NUMMI manufacturing complex, which was recently closed. A Tesla of any sort tends to create serious sparks.

Citations

New York Times

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/toyota-tesla-style/?src=busln

Tesla Roadster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster

If you like Dutch Colonials, try the Amityville Horror House

In the market for real estate? How about a three story, six bedroom Dutch Colonial with a gambrel roof? It also features a swimming pool and a boat house. The house and lot are located in small, sleepy, suburb on Long Island. It’s only a few minutes from the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It's going for $ 1.15 million. Oh, and it's the house where The Amityville Horror took place.

Source for this article: If you like Dutch Colonials, try the Amityville Horror House

Yeah, The Amityville Horror

Amityville Horror, the book, focuses on the experiences of George Lutz and his wife Kathy Lutz. The couple got the vacant large Dutch Colonial on the cheap. The couple learned that the house was where Robert DeFeo Jr, shot and killed his parents and siblings. It cost the Lutzes just $ 80,000. At that price, you would never have to worry about needing payday loans to keep up with the payments. But the Lutzes left the home with their children in less than a month in terror, claiming strange occurrences tantamount to either a haunting or demonic possession in the home.

At the movies

After the incidents involving the Lutzes took place (allegedly), a book was written about the events. Since then, the accuracy of the book, The Amityville Horror, has come into question. That aside, a film was made in 1970, along with several sequels. In 2005, a remake starring Ryan Reynolds was released. After the Lutzes left, the next owner, James Cromarty and his wife, stayed in the home for more than ten years. According to him, "Nothing weird ever happened, except for people coming by because of the book and the movie."

Making a killing buying a home

You won’t read this on a National Association of Realtors bulletin, but houses where murders occur are quickly whipped into shape and put on the market at half the home’s value or less. The idea is to sell it quickly and quietly. Oh, you think I’m full of it, right? See for yourself at HousingWatch.com. You would just have to square yourself with knowing someone was killed in your living room.

Sources

The Amityville Horror

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amityville_Horror

HousingWatch

http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/02/11/fate-of-a-murder-house/

MacGruber Now In Theaters And Doesn't Quite Blow The Critics Away

A feature film of MacGruber had been rumored for some time. The Saturday Night Live parody of MacGyver was a hit with fans, and it made for some great commercials, but it is not much of a hit with critics. At the theaters, it can be competing with Shrek Forever After, the fourth and last of the series. Reviews for both have been somewhat positive, but mostly lukewarm.

Article Source: MacGruber hits theaters, fails to blow minds of critics By Personal Money Store

MacGruber on the big screen

After numerous appearances on television, including some famous Super Bowl spots, MacGruber is finally hitting the large screen. This SNL related film can be competing for cash until payday loan from the box office against a film with an SNL alumnus, Mike Meyers, within the lead role. The MacGruber character parodies action heroes from the 1980s, complete with mullet. Granted, the target audience may be too young to remember MacGyver, or John Carpenter's masterpiece They Live. Rotten Tomatoes gives MacGruber a score above 50 percent, but Kurt Loder of MTV is non-plussed.

No a lot more Shrek sequels forever after Shrek Forever After

Shrek Forever After is the fourth Shrek film, and it will be the last. Rotten Tomatoes has bestowed a 51 percent Fresh rating, which is not very flattering, but it is a sequel. Sequels can effortlessly deflate a series, though some franchises are just lame in the crib to begin with (Transformers, for example.) It does have 3D going for it though. At least it may have good visuals, or Mise En Scene, as they say.

So far, so good, so what

If you've seen the MacGruber trailer, you know what you're in for. It won’t be a thinking persons’ film, but it should be amusing. You will find precious few SNL movies that are worth watching. The new Shrek film, like numerous other movies these days, is relying on 3D to sell it. Something can look great, but if it's a lousy movie, it is nevertheless a lousy movie. However, many individuals sure are convinced that it does.

Citations

MacGruber

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/macGruber/

Kurt Loder

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1639736/20100521/story.jhtml

Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shrek_goes_fourth/

Tulsa Public Schools Cut 286 Teaching Jobs

Public school systems across the United States are in financial trouble – witness the school in Rhode Island that recently fired all of its teachers – and now Tulsa Public Schools are part of the disappearing budget act. The sad words of the Tulsa World tell the tale: Tulsa Public Schools are sending home 286 teachers for the summer and asking them not to return. That’s nearly 10 percent of Tulsa Public Schools’ total faculty. It doesn’t even take into account the 125 office and support staff who had already been released. Reports indicate that this isn’t an exercise in discarding dead wood, either. Good teachers are being cast away.

Tulsa Public Schools administrators hope to recall at least half

The Tulsa Public Schools administration would like to bring back half of the dismissed. But that will fall in the Oklahoma legislature’s court. Without their spending budget approval, bringing them back is an impossibility. The teachers will find themselves in need of the short term loans if things continue to go south.

Saving millions, losing a generation

No number-crunching can hide that $15 million in savings on the school system’s budget pales in comparison to the human casualties. Teachers can have to pick up the pieces and make an effort to steer their own families in a financial boat with a broken rudder; similarly, the children will have to try to learn when being stuffed into leftover classrooms like sardines. Tulsa Public Schools Director of Human Capital Roberta Ellis talked about sensitivity and kindness when crying herself about how tough the times are, writes the Tulsa World. Did Roberta Ellis or any similarly officious administrators do their part to keep teachers in Tulsa Public Schools by sacrificing personal salary, one wonders. The peons are almost always the victims, rarely the top brass.

Baby boomers talk the talk but do not retire to conserve jobs for the young

One of the methods Tulsa Public Schools attempted was offering a retirement/resignation incentive of 18 months of paid health insurance for up to 205 teachers within the system, but only 42 took them up on the offer. Before that, Tulsa extended a $5,000 bonus for any teachers taking early retirement, and 72 accepted. In total, those few who accepted weren’t enough to keep good young teachers in their jobs.

The reality of a world torn apart

The principal of Eugene Field school within the Tulsa Public Schools system is quoted the World as saying that some of the teachers who were let go had just bought new homes. One of those teachers is a single mom. While some would play the world’s tiniest violin over that image, others might say that it is infinitely a lot more sorrowful to watch administrators go on paid retreats and make golf arrangements. Kids who don’t drown in a sea of inefficiency at Tulsa Public Schools will hopefully learn that being a mediocre administrator may be the norm, but that it simply is not OK to settle for that kind of ineptitude.

Resources

Tulsa World

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=332&articleid=20100513_19_0_TulsaP94353

Daris Or Koli – Who will Take NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote?

All fans of "The Biggest Loser" listen up – the NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is now left up to you. The NBC.com Biggest Loser vote website can help NBC determine which competitor could be a part of the finale show next week. What is your opinion on this showdown? Should it be Daris or should it be Koli?

Source for this article: NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote – Daris or Koli

Your opinion counts on the NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote website

You get to answer the question of who you think should win the quarter of a million dollar prize on NBC.com Biggest Loser vote. This is one of the only shows that pays out a cheap payday loans for losing weight – in the form of a quarter-million dollar prize and one hundred thousand dollar "at home" prize.

Biggest Loser vote on NBC.com asks for opinion

The NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is just one of the numerous reasons individuals visit the Biggest Loser website. "Biggest Loser" merchandising makes NBC.com and NBC over fifty million dollars each year. When the weight loss industry brings in sixty billion dollars a year, fifty million is not any amount to be sniffed at.

Is "The Biggest Loser" going way too far?

The NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is asking viewers of the show to help determine who gets to compete for the final prize. When it could be encouraging to people trying to lose weight, some wonder if "The Biggest Loser" goes way too far. For most people who are trying to lose weight, the strategies and techniques on the show are very unrealistic. Competitors on the show starve and dehydrate themselves for weigh-ins, and are known to try over a gain of a pound.

“The Biggest Loser” helps considerably overweight individuals lose weight, but it is far from healthy or truly realistic. Taking several months out of one’s life to lose weight is great, but not something most of us can do. In general, The Biggest Loser is a great way to watch individuals going to the extreme, but when it comes to losing weight on your own, the answer is simple. No Calorie Commando, Jillian Michaels workout video or Biggest Loser recipe can give you the magic bullet. Work off a lot more energy (calories) than you eat. That's it.

Find more info on this topic

NBC.com Biggest Loser vote

http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/vote/register.shtml

Erica Blasberg Pictures Explode Across Net After Her Death

Erica Blasberg pictures are widely available across the Web today. Some people see one of America’s more attractive female athletes, but others look beyond the surface and see just what she may have meant to the continued success of the LPGA Tour. In what must be considered a tragic turn, the 25-year-old up-and-comer won’t get the chance to follow through on the promise she’d shown on the course and in marketing ventures for the sport. Erica Blasberg’s body was found in her three-bedroom home within the suburbs of Las Vegas, reports the Associated Press. Police investigations continue, and it is not clear at this time whether foul play was involved. Until the investigation is complete, police force will intentionally withhold the identity of the person who made the original 911 call.

Erica Blasberg – pictures of a increasing star

Erica Blasberg pictures may turn heads, but it’s a lot more significant to see just what she could have meant to the LPGA Tour. Erica Blasberg’s premature death – as well as all of the difficulties with the Tiger Woods fiasco – have placed the game of golf in a difficult financial position in regards to ratings and sponsorships, to the extent that debt relief may be necessary. The ache is felt strongest on the LPGA Tour, particularly because there are too few prospects who are both top-flight winners and highly marketable. Marketing the league is becoming increasingly difficult in The US, with few native daughters in the rankings, according to fan sentiment at The Golf Channel website. As one golf fan voiced his displeasure regarding America’s current state on the LPGA T! our:

“There has not been an American POY or an American who won the Vare Trophy (scoring title) given that 1994. There has not been an American leading the money list since 1993. In the last 15 years, only four ROY titles have gone to Americans. Of the last 41 majors (dating back to the year 2000), only nine are won by Americans. This has fairly consistently been about one major a year one by Americans”.

Such underwhelming returns have prompted numerous sponsors to cancel their LPGA ties, indicates the New York Daily News. American players like Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer simply don’t win enough to carry the Tour.

Erica Blasberg turned in a Top-50 finish in her first LPGA event

She turned in a highly respectable 44th place finish at the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico just two weeks ago. Blasberg may not have earned top honors for her play yet, all reports indicate that she was well on her way. It is no surprise, really, as her University of Arizona golf career was more than stellar.

LPGA spokesman David Higdon told the world that Erica Blasberg’s heart-rending demise is a “tough hit” hit for the sport. Losing Erica Blasberg is particularly hard for the tight-knit sorority that is the American LPGA Tour. She will be missed by family, friends and her growing fan base. The loss could be strongly felt by the LPGA, who will miss Erica the person and Erica the potential car to key an American resurgence.

Resources for the article

http://www.mcall.com/sports/sns-lpga-erica-blasberg-pictures,,7539433.photogallery

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news;_ylt=AkXqsIj2BVWYCMcjJoBbjDIogsUF?slug=ap-obit-blasberg

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/07/09/2009-07-09_lpga_players_teed_off.html

Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle By 2015?

Most auto industry estimates were that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost $ 1 million or more. However, Toyota motors has said that they’ll be able to offer a $50,000 MSRP hydrogen car as early as 2015. How is Toyota slashing the price of hydrogen autos to 5% of the original estimate? Even if the car's value does drop that much, does it even make economic sense?

Autos with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been under research and development for many years. There were many different carmakers that ended up giving up their hydrogen fuel cell automobile programs. In general, hydrogen fuel cell electric autos convert hydrogen to electric power, which drives an engine. Because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum, they tend to be very costly to produce.

Hydrogen automobile by Toyota

By 2015, the Toyota hydrogen automobile should be on the market. While this $50,000 ride would be the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for mass-market sale, it will not be the first HFCV on the road. The Honda FCX Clarity can be leased (not purchased) for $600 a month in the L.A. area. Toyota says their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle may have a range that is comparable to gas engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better manufacturing processes and from reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars for Infrastructure questions

The largest challenge to hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric cars for the simple fact that a recharging or refueling infrastructure is much more accessible. Fossil fuel is also what makes hydrogen. Fossil-fuel based upon hydrogen is not the only type of hydrogen available, but it is at the moment the least expensive source. Honda and Toyota are the only carmakers that are continuing research into mass market HFCV's. A hydrogen infrastructure would need to look much like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations around the country.

Sources

Wired.com

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/toyota-50000-fuel-cell-vehicle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: wired/index (Wired: Index 3 (Top Stories 2))

Edmunds Blog

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/05/toyota-fuel-cell-vehicle-costs-to-fall-95-between-2005-and-2015-executive-says.html

IPhone Vs. Android – Droid Outsells IPhone In Q1 2010

The Android vs. iPhone battle got a lot more entertaining as the Android underdog phone outsold the Apple iPhone in first quarter 2010. Android won this most recent iPhone vs. Android battle, but Apple is nevertheless winning the iPhone vs. Android war. Over the Android, the iPhone has a lead in total smartphone sales. Blackberry dominates the field. While Apple iPhone and Blackberry sales are down, the Android market is trending upward. Some analysts think the trend will continue making the iPhone vs. Android margin smaller.

Milestone of Android vs. iPhone

The Android vs. iPhone hit a milestone when the Android caught 28 percent of smartphone sales last quarter reports the NPD group. NPD reports that Apple’s iPhone won 21 percent of smartphone sales, while Research in Motion’s Blackberry took 36 percent. As outlined by ComScore, which is a digital market research firm, a key stat in Android vs. iPhone is that Google’s Android operating system had just nine percent of the market as of February 2010, compared with the iPhone’s 25.4 percent.

Others falter with Android phone gains

In winning the latest round of iPhone vs. Droid, PC World reports that Google’s OS is the only smartphone OS whose share of sales grew exceptionally over the previous quarter. iPhone sales within the meantime are failing and Blackberry, Windows, and WebOS sales are falling like a mortgage loan modification. If this trend continues, PC World’s J.R. Raphael said Android will catch up to its competitors for total market share in a very short time.

How did Android beat iPhone?

Android phone sales may have overtaken Apple’s iPhone, according to the Los Angeles Times, because of Google’s freewheeling partnering tactics that have gotten the Android operating system onto as numerous phones as possible. There are now a lot more than 30 Android-powered devices from 12 equipment manufacturers. Android devices are available from each and every major wireless carrier, including T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and AT and T.

Will iPhone be sold by Verizon soon?

The much speculated iPhone Verizon offering looms larger as Google wins the latest round of the iPhone vs. Droid scuffle. Apple is tied to AT and T in an exclusive partnership in what may be a saturated market. Ezra Gottheil, an analyst with Technology Business Research, told Computerworld, “That’s your classic technology acquisition curve. Of those within the U.S. who are interested in an iPhone and willing to put up with AT and T, quite much all have already bought one. What’s left for Apple — as long as it’s tied to AT and T in its exclusive partnership — is largely the iPhone replacement market”.

iPhone worldwide soars

Most analysts expect iPhone Verizon to happen eventually in the U.S., but Apple’s not saying when. Apple is continuing the iPhone vs. Droid matchup everywhere else. Last month Apple announced Worldwide iPhone sales ended being up 131 percent in the first quarter compared to the very same three-month stretch in 2009.

Sources for the article

NPD reports

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100510.html

PC World

http://www.pcworld.com/article/195958/android_outsells_apple_iphone_at_last_says_npd.html

Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/05/google-android-overtakes-iphone-npd-research.html

School Spending budget In DeKalb County Spent On A PR Firm?

This morning in DeKalb County Georgia, DeKalb County Schools were taking many heat – and raising questions about proper use of school funds. The board of DeKalb County Schools is preparing on chopping $ 115 million out of their spending budget for this year, just to make ends meet. At the same time these cuts are happening, it seems like the school is shopping around with some money to lend to a PR firm. What's the story behind this DeKalb County Schools move?

Cutting out budget items at DeKalb County Schools

The issue of deep spending budget cuts will be addressed at DeKalb County Schools next Monday. Like just about each other school district around the country, DeKalb County Schools have to cut their spending at the very same time their costs are rising. There has been discussion of potentially closing schools, though the district has instead elected to cut 430 jobs while delaying school closures.

Will DeKalb County Schools hire a public relations firm?

It is no surprise that the DeKalb County Schools district feels that they have a PR problem – spending budget cuts and pending lawsuits and more. With these troubles, it's no wonder DeKalb County Schools feel they need help. This PR firm would be hired by DeKalb County Schools to deal with "crisis response management" and "creation of good will".

The cost to DeKalb County Schools

Numerous parents and residents are wondering why DeKalb County Schools could be using school funds to hire outside public relations. Within the world of communications and PR budgets, the $25,000 cap on the contract means the district would not be spending much. There would be no line-item cuts to pay for the PR firm — instead, the cash will come out of existing communications budgets.

Is this DeKalb County Schools decision right?

Within the end, the question is should DeKalb County Schools be spending $ 25k on a PR firm? This question can be a really tough one to answer. The district has five employees with the express job of communications. At the same time, the school district is self-aware enough to know they have a bad PR problem. Most schools are funded with local tax dollars. Without good public relations, a school district can find itself floundering. When teachers' jobs are being cut, should a school district really be spending cash on public relations? When the job is already taken care of by five separate internal employees, should they pay an outside firm to do the very same thing. How do you think they should handle this?

Sources:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-schools-looking-to-519172.html

11alive.com

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=143643&catid=3

Houston Teacher Caught On Tape Beating A Student

Before it got really and truly severe, students thought they were witnessing a joke when they saw a teacher beating a student. By causing outrage across the country, this teacher beating a student has launched police and school district investigations. If she is charged, the teacher may have to use installment loan to pay for her defense, because she has been fired. Either way, the “teacher beats student” question is raising blood pressures across the nation.

Teacher beating student caught on cell-phone video

The so-called “teacher beating” caught on tape by a cell phone shows an incident where a teacher beats a student. The teacher beating caught on camera shows a young man backed into a corner, then dragged out and kicked, hit, and slapped by an adult woman. Allegedly, the woman shown in this video is Sherri Davis, science teacher at a charter school in Houston. The entire teacher beating caught on tape began, apparently, as the 13-year old boy had teased an additional student. Other students in the class admit that 13-year old Isaiah Johnson had been teasing a student, but this still cannot justify the teacher beating a student.

Charges to be filed in the teacher beating student event

When the school district was informed of the teacher beating student incident, they placed teacher Sherri Davis on administrative leave. Now teacher beating has been caught on video, she has been fired. The teacher and student were not the only people within the room – there were multiple other school employees and students within the room. Given the fact that teachers tend to be overworked and underpaid, one might wonder why a lot more teachers don’t “just snap. The school district and the county sheriff's department have launched an investigation to the incident. It is possible that Sherri Davis can be charged with assault, among other things, for her treatment of Isaiah Johnson. The fine for assault, in Texas, can be as much as $ 10,000 – about 25% of the average teacher’s salary.

Read more and see video

CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20004788-504083.html

L.A. Times

http://www.latimes.com/kiah-charter-school-student-beaten-story,0,6024071.story

UK Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7717790/US-teacher-sacked-after-being-filmed-beating-student.html

Robin Hood Poised To Raid The Box Office

The newest film version of Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe will be debut at the Cannes Film Festival. It will hit theaters on May 14. How well this Robin Hood will do at the box office remains to be seen. Ironically, considering how much actors and studio impresarios make, if the film makes a bushel of no faxing payday loan at the box office, it will really be the reverse of Robin Hood and line already rich pockets.

New Robin Hood with slight twist

The Ridley Scott Robin Hood has the majority of the normal elements there. King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham are terrorizing the populace when Robin returns from the Third Crusade and fighting for King Richard the Lionheart. Robin fights back with the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest, robs from the rich and gives to the poor. It promises to be a rollicking good time, and also the new version attempts to be a little a lot more faithful to the period than previous versions.

Cannes Premiere

The Cannes Film Festival could be the pictures’ premiere. Sadly, Ridley Scott won’t be there. He recently had knee surgery, according to USA Today, and his recovery isn't progressing as fast as he desired. Thus, the cast will have to walk the red carpet on the French Riviera sans the acclaimed director. The relationship between Scott and Crowe has been fruitful, as this was their fifth film together.

Unfortunately, there was never a Robin Hood

The movies are fun, and outlaws that rebel in the name of justice and fairness against evil governments are wonderful stories, but there’s no evidence for an actual Robin Hood. The James Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger never did anything for the common people except steal from them. King Richard actually spent as little time as possible in England. He also spoke barely a word of English. The rebellion against King John actually was for the benefit of the nobles, not the commoners. Nevertheless, the result of that rebellion, the Magna Carta, was a step in the right direction.

Citations

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/robin-hood-director-to-miss-cannes-opening/1

Will The Flat Belly Diet Reshape Midsections?

Dieting is possibly now more popular than the Beatles. Fad diets are everywhere, like the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the We Can’t Believe You Fell For This Marketing Ploy and Bought This Stuff Diet, and now the Flat Belly Diet. A miracle way to make yourself Hollywood skinny has been sought for years, just like the Northwest Passage, and also the Flat Belly Diet likely isn't it either. Nevertheless, it uses common sense and some really solid science. It won't send you running for installment loan for bulk orders of frozen dinners that taste like cardboard, either.

Mediterranean Diet is related to the Flat Belly Diet

WebMD has a review of the Flat Belly Diet. The claim is the Flat Belly Diet will burn 15 pounds in 32 days. The first part consists of a four-day 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day initiation period, wherein dieters ingest foods targeted to cut back bloating and mentally adjust to eating healthier. During these four days, you are encouraged to drink 2 liters a day of Sassy Water.

The secret ingredients are monounsaturated fats

As fate would have it, Cynthia Sass, inventor of Sassy Water, is a co-author of the Flat Belly Diet book, along with Liz Vaccariello. The key to the 1,600 calories a day Flat Belly Diet is a compound called Monounsaturated Fat. MUFAs are known to boost good cholesterol and reduce the bad cholesterol.

There is healthy good stuff in it

There’s an eating plan and a cookbook. You eat four portion-controlled, small meals per day, each of which involves a MUFA ingredient. The idea is to stick to healthy foods like more fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans, lean protein and so forth. Exercise is encouraged to complement the diet.

What the doctors said

The WebMD review was mixed. They had some reservations about the Flat Belly Diet, but they did praise some features. They point out the 15 pounds will probably be water weight, in that a person would have to burn over 1,600 calories a day to lose the claimed 15 pounds in that time. The best weight loss results are slow and steady — a couple of pounds a week — and to remember SED – Strength training, Exercise (meaning cardio), and a healthy Diet. There may be no Northwest Passage to weight loss.

Article resources

WebMD

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/flat-belly-diet

Flat Belly Diet

http://flatbellydiet.prevention.com/default.asp?sname=DefaultOffer&mktSSOfferId=FBD24716&mktBKOfferId=PVN24251

Monounsaturated Fat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monounsaturated_fat

May The Fourth Be With You Marked By Star Wars Quotes

Star Wars gets its own day today with quotes. May the Fourth be with you is defiantly not Obi-Wan Kenobi with a lisp. May 4 is Star Wars Day, thanks to an awesome play on the classic Jedi Knight phrase “May the force be with you,” in the Star Wars movie series. Star Wars geeks celebrate May the Fourth be with you by integrating corny Star Wars quotes, both popular and obscure, into their conversations. The most popular Star Wars quotes that most people recognize appear on May the Fourth be with you in lists all over the web. But obscure Star Wars quotes like a loan till payday to forgotten scenes are one of the most fun, such as "I suggest a new strategy, R2. Let the wookiee win."

May the Fourth be with you is the day

For movie geeks, “May the Force be with you” is to Star Wars what “Live long and prosper” is to Star Trek. It is the best of all Star Wars quotes; a symbol of the status the Star Wars universe has achieved in our culture. At least one character says "May the Force be with you" in each and every one of the six George Lucas' Star Wars movies. In 2005, the line ended up being chosen as No. 8 on the American Film Institute list, AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movie Quotes. A formal definition is given by the geeks at Wookieepedia:

“May the Force be with you” was a phrase used to wish luck, generally when individuals parted ways or the object of the expression was facing some type of imminent challenge. The phrase implied the speaker’s wish that the power of the Force would be working alongside the addressee, in order the addressee’s goals would be more effectively accomplished.”

Yoda quotes

Yoda's quotes will always be one of the most popular Star Wars quotes uttered on May the Fourth be with you. Yoda’s trademark idiom of reversing the subject and predicate in sentences could be used by Star Wars geeks to imitate the little green badass in virtually any conversation. For example, “The bus to work, I will take,” uses the exact same twisted sentence structure as one of the Yoda quotes “Strong I am, with the force.” Yoda quotes are all over the web. Here are some samples from quotemountain.com:

Powerful you’ve become, the dark side I sense in you. Grave danger you are in. Impatient you are. Try not. Do or don’t, there is no try. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will. Always in motion is the future. Size matters not. Blind we are, if creation of this clone army we could not see. Help you I can, yes. Agree with you the council does. Your apprentice Skywalker could be. When 900 years you reach, look as good, you’ll not.

Star Wars quotes plenty

In virtually each situation described above, May the Force be with you is spoken by Star Wars characters. Even Han Solo, whose most famous Star Wars quote may be “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid,” blesses Luke Skywalker with the phrase before the attack on the Death Star battle station within the first Star Wars movie released in 197. In that exact same film, Princess Leia, jumping into Luke’s arms and about to swing on a rope like Tarzan and Jane over a bottomless chasm, only says “Good luck.”

Resources

American Film Institute list, AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movie Quotes

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/quotes.aspx

little green badass

http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/yoda/

first Star Wars movie released in 197

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/

Audi And Marvel Introduce Tony Stark Innovation Challenge

If you happen to be a forward-thinking person with a creative knack for developing plans to improve our overall quality of life, Audi invites you to put your ideas to the test within the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge. The most tech-savvy individual who isn’t really afraid to use social media to promote their concept (and who happens to also be a fan of “Iron Man 2″ starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark) can make a real difference within the world and win Tony Stark-caliber prizes including a racetrack experience with the Audi R8 Spyder (no auto loans for people with bad credit required).

Submit your video to the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge

Here’s how the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge works. Record your ground-breaking idea in a video no longer than two minutes in duration, a video that “showcases ideas for better living through the use of technology,” says Audi. Although there will be judges to rate the ideas, the majority of the success will depend on the idea being promoted through social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. The a lot more votes that are inside your favor, the greater the chances are of you winning.

Make sure to innovate like Tony Stark

The Audi R8 Spyder and A8 are heavily featured in "Iron Man 2" as fans will notice. Such product placement is nothing new, but having a connection to a contest that could have a optimistic worldwide impact makes the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge look like even a lot more than your average viral marketing campaign. If your video submission achieves the following:

• Shows how your idea will make the world better by solving or improving upon the solution for a real problem
• Follows the "better living through technology" theme
• May really have a worldwide impact
• "innovation, adventures and intelligence worthy of Audi and Tony Stark" is showcased
• Appeals to others

Then it may be the most worthy entry in the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge.

What are the Tony Stark-caliber prizes?

• Create your idea with $15,000
• On Audiusa.com, an extensive write up
• A four-day trip for two to California with air transport, hotel and meals
• Ground transport in a 2011 Audi A8
• Luxury spa treatments, tailored cocktail attire and top-notch grooming
• A fun tour of the Audi Design Center in Santa Monica CA
• A VIP day with ICON Aircraft where you will be in on testing of the ICON A5 aircraft that is seen in "Iron Man 2"
• You will drive the Audi R8 Spyder on the Audi Sports Auto Experience racetrack

What are you waiting for then?

The Tony Stark Innovation Challenge with numerous caviar dreams beckon!

Resources for the article

Tony Stark Innovation Challenge

http://microsites.audiusa.com/ironman2/?section=contest

On Erin Andrews Is Elizabeth Hasselbeck Commenting On The View

Elizabeth Hasselbeck's comments on Erin Andrews about the Dancing with the Stars wardrobe hasn't endeared the “View” co host to many. Some of Hasselbeck's comments refer to Andrew's stalker and the way he wouldn't need to invade her privacy if he would have just waited to see her in some of those outfits. To say these remarks were insensitive would be understatement. It takes more than some installment loans for people with bad credit for a truckload of mouthwash to cure the taste of foot-in-mouth after this type of thing.

Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s Erin Andrews remarks

On Tuesday, May 4, Elizabeth Hasselbeck opined on The View that Erin Andrews’ “Dancing with the Stars” outfights were too revealing. Instead of just saying something to the effect of “her outfits are just a little skimpy” and then moving on, she decided that she’s the fashion police and that it’s acceptable to joke about the Erin Andrews peephole video event and when everybody viewed in horror:

“as inexcusable as it was for that guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room … I mean, in some way if I’m him, I’m like ‘Man! I could’ve just waited 12 weeks and seen this,’ just a little bit less, without the prison time!”

(This came from the Huffington Post). I guess sense and class can't be bought, no matter how rich you are. Ironically enough, it is forgotten to be displayed by the rich class often.

Erin Andrews isn't amused at all

To respond to Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Andrews said her remarks were “a slap within the face to victims of stalking and sexual predators” after she appeared on Dancing with the Stars.

Elizabeth Hasselbeck throws in her apology

On May 5, Hasselbeck apologized for her remarks. She even teared up during her apology. She doesn't really seem sorry and people believe she only appears to be sorry because she is in trouble.

Where is the line drawn?

The fallout of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's Erin Andrews remarks will run its course and could be forgotten in due time by all. In the grand scheme of things, she put her foot in her mouth and seems to have realized it. A person should not be afraid to lampoon the things that deserve it, but obviously, some things go a little bit beyond the pale.

Sources

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/05/elisabeth-hasselbeck-slam_n_564067.html

David Boreanaz Cheating Which People Magazine Reveals As Extortion

David Boreanaz — actor of Bones, Buffy and Angel fame — admitted to People magazine that “David Boreanaz cheating” is a true headline. David Borneaz's cheating has apparently been going on for many years although he has been married to Jaime Bergman for 8. Though there are numerous rumors that David Boreanaz cheating has happened with Rachel Uchitel, the actor did not reveal the woman's identity in his interviews.

Because of extortion, David Boreanaz cheating was revealed

David Boreanaz, according to his interview, revealed his cheating for numerous reasons. First, the woman who he had “been associated with” was asking for instant cash. David Boreanaz, feeling he was being blackmailed, took his affair public himself. Jaime Bergman and David Boreanaz are at the moment planning on staying together and supposedly are "working on repairing" their relationship.

Rachel Uchitel and David Boreanaz cheating?

In the interview, David Boreanaz didn't say who he had been cheating on Jamie Bergman with. There are rumors that Rachel Uchitel, one of Tiger Woods' mistresses, might have been the woman.

David Boreanaz and wife Jaime Bergman

Boreanaz and Bergman were married in November 2001. The couple has two children, a son who’s 8 and a daughter who’s 8 months old. David Boreanaz did not reveal how long his affair had been going on. This is all he says; “Our marriage has been tainted with my infidelities; I just want to be open and honest. I was irresponsible.”

This revelation of an extramarital affair has numerous similarities to other Hollywood cheaters. David Letterman publicly admitted his cheating in a comparable manner last year. One wonders if David Boreanaz cheating is going to just be added to another list that involves Jesse James, Tiki Barber, Jude Law, Ryan Philippe, David Duchovny, Tiger Woods, and a lot more. David Boreanaz’s cheating is, either way, certain to provide more fodder for late-night commentators and South Park humorists.

Should I Get A Carfax Report Or An Autocheck Report?

Getting a used vehicle can be incredibly scary. Carfax and Autocheck both aim to make that used-car purchasing process easier. Most often anymore, purchasing a used auto does involve a vehicle history report. Should you trust Carfax or Autocheck to discover out the history of your potential vehicle?

What should a vehicle history report contain

A full vehicle history report should contain a few major elements. Lemon check, a report that lets you know if a car has major mechanical troubles, is very essential. A complete registration and title history for the car is also important, because large gaps should raise questions. Any odometer rollbacks, accidents, or salvages on the title should also be a part of the report.

Reasons why Carfax my be a better option

Carfax reports have been available since about 1984. A Carfax report comes in two flavors – a free report that tells you the basics of vehicle history, and a full, paid report. Carfax reports are generally provided for cars on used-car lots or for pre-owned vehicles. Carfax is well respected as a vehicle history provider, and has partnerships with everybody from the National Institute for Highway Safety to J.D. Power Associates.

How Autocheck differs from Carfax

Autocheck is a service that opened fairly recently – a start-up owned and funded by credit reporting agency Experian. A 2009 market study found that Autocheck reports tend to report about twice the number of accidents as Carfax reports. Reports from Autocheck generally include – and are used by – vehicle auction services. The free Autocheck report provides about the same data as the free Carfax report.

Which to choose – Autocheck or Carfax?

Carfax and Autocheck are both well-respected providers of used car history reports. If you aren’t certain which type of car report you should get, you should use the free reports from both Carfax and Autocheck. If your used-car dealer provides a free full report from either one of these providers, that is the ideal situation. If you are paying for your own vehicle history report, then either one is a reliable option.

Steve Jobs Calls Flash Top Reason Macs Crash, Says No Thanks

Steve Jobs is apparently saying that Abode Flash and Apple products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad will definitely never be seen together, as outlined by Fox News. Many tech fans had wondered if Jobs would eventually cave to the pressure, as Flash videos are nevertheless widely used on many sites. However, Steve Jobs’ “Thoughts on Flash” letter should mean less instant cash for Adobe, as the Apple CEO gives six well-reasoned arguments for why Flash video won’t mix with the iCrowd. Jobs has significant philosophical and technical concerns about Adobe Flash, chief among them the fact Flash videos frequently cause OS crashes.

Steve Jobs Flash call draws Adobe’s ire

Fox News reports that Lee Brimelow didn’t mince words concerning Steve Jobs and his Flash stance:

"Speaking purely for myself, I would like to make it clear what is going through my mind at the moment. Go screw yourself, Apple.”

Apple didn't want to respond to this. Jobs really just wanted to point out that Flash is proprietary product and that he is against products that "stifle innovation." He would rather have HTML5 as an open standards platform. That most Apple products are also proprietary didn’t seem to enter into Jobs’ argument, but he was just getting began. He continued by reminding all the readers that Flash is an old technology that could easily be swapped out with “more modern formats” like H.264 that do not cause as many crashes.

Flash and Crash

What is the problem for real? Flash gets in the way as outlined by Steve Jobs. As he puts it in "Thoughts on Flash,":

“We know from painful experience that letting a third-party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps and hinders the enhancement and progress of the platform. We cannot be at the mercy of a third party deciding if and when they will make our enhancements available to our developers.”

How does Adobe feel about getting called a third wheel? All is quiet on the Adobe front, except for eloquent statements such as Brimelow's. Media, programmers, and others all give off a sense that Adobe is dying. Lance Ulanoff from PC Magazine called the Steve Jobs Flash bash “an incredible attack on Flash, (one that) could shake its very foundations.”.

Sources for the article

Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/29/flash-iphone-apples-steve-jobs-finally-explains/?test=latestnews

Thoughts on Flash

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

Susan Powell Not Found In Idaho

Despite the hope of investigators, the body found in Ammon, Idaho did not match missing Utah woman Susan Powell. Investigators confirm that the body did not match the explanation of Susan Powell, who’s nevertheless listed as missing from her West Valley, Utah home. To keep the search for Susan Powell going given that December of 2009, friends and family have chipped in instant cash.

Susan Powell disappeared in December

Susan Powell, a 28-year old mother of two, was reported missing in early December 2009. Originally, all four family members were reported missing on Sunday. Susan Powell’s husband and two children did return to town on Monday afternoon. Josh informed investigators that he and the children had gone camping, and Susan Powell had been staying at home. The missing person’s report was filed when the children did not show up to daycare. Susan Powell’s wallet, purse, cell phone and vehicle were all at the house.

Josh Powell as a ‘person of interest’

The West Valley police department has named Josh Powell, husband to Susan Powell, as a “person of interest” within the case. The very same day that Susan Powell disappeared, her husband used instant cash to put several hundred miles on a rental car. Josh Powell has moved his family to Washington state since Susan Powell disappeared. There has been no arrest for Susan Powell’s disappearance, though investigators do say interviews with Josh just “create a lot more questions than answers”.

Body in Ammon, Idaho not Susan Powell

A decomposed body was discovered by a person looking for better cell phone reception outside of Ammon, Idaho. Ammon, Idaho — just outside of Idaho Falls, Idaho — is within a day’s drive of West Valley City, so Idaho police detectives contacted West Valley City police, believing that the remains might are those of Susan Powell. Investigators in both Idaho and Utah have confirmed that Susan Powell’s body is not the one found in Ammon. Discovering the identity of the body might take several weeks of forensic tests.

Resources for the article

KSL.com

CBS news

Faisal Shahzad Arrested For Times Square Vehicle Bomb

A 30-year-old Pakistani-born U.S. Citizen, Faisal Shahzad, has been arrested in connection to the Times Square auto bomb incident. He will soon be appearing in court. Thankfully, he didn’t know very much about bomb making, as the device failed to go off, and no one was injured. Authorities picked him up later. With the charges he’s likely to face, he’s going to need some hefty no faxing payday loan to get decent lawyer.

Faisal Shahzad arrested when trying to flee

Faisal Shahzad was arrested while trying to flee the country. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, he had boarded a plane bound for Dubai, and the plane was recalled to the runway. The vehicle that had the bomb in it was traced to the original owner, which is how he was tracked down according to the Los Angeles Times. Authorities suspect the bomb may be the work of a lot more than one person.

Neighbors described him as the quiet type

Neighbors of Faisal Shahzad described him as being very private. He rarely went outside the house, and what he did for a living proved enigmatic. He resided in Shelton, Connecticut, and according to CBS, one neighbor believed he worked on Wall Street, and one more neighbor thought he worked in nearby Norwalk. Neither saw him outside of the house much. His house was foreclosed on last year.

The President responds

President Obama released a brief statement in which he praised the efforts of the citizens who tipped off law enforcement and the law enforcement officials who responded to the threat. He vowed that justice would be served, and also the event would be investigated.

Motivations unknown

There isn’t really a known reason why Faisal Shahzad set up the Times Square car bomb. It is known he had become a citizen. He had also purchased a home with his wife, which was foreclosed on, and afterward she and their kids returned to Peshawar in Pakistan, where he had visited them. He also purchased a used Pathfinder with cash and didn’t register it. Authorities found him by using the VIN number from the bottom of the motor and contacting the previous owner. Further insight may be gained soon, as he is due in court soon.

Article Resources

Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-times-square-bomb-201000505,0,3797615.story

CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/04/national/main6459360.shtml

Nevertheless In the ICU Is Bret Michaels

Brett Michaels’ condition is “critical” and Bret Michaels’ condition is under medical surveillance 24 hours a day. Bret Michaels, entertainer, rocker and reality-show contestant extraordinaire went into the hospital with a brain hemorrhage last Thursday night. The Celebrity Apprentice episodes involving Bret Michaels were filmed months ago and are just now being show. For the last challenge, Bret Michaels and his team gathered fund raising cash that was worthy of a no fax payday loans no credit check.

Brett Michaels condition: Started with appendicitis

On April 21, Bret Michaels’ condition was released on the official Brett Michaels website – that acute appendicitis was so bad to send Bret to the hospital. On Thursday, April 22, Brett Michaels’ condition took a turn for the worse when he suffered from a brain hemorrhage. Updates started showing up Monday morning on Bret Michaels condition. Michaels is presently in critical condition, and doctors are still trying to find the source of the hemorrhage. Bret Michaels’ tour manager, Janna, is posting live updates regarding Bret Michaels’ condition on the official website. Supposedly later this week an “official medical report” from doctors could be posted.

Bret Michaels condition doesn’t affect Apprentice

Given Brett Michaels’ condition, the majority are wondering if he will continue competing on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. For now, Celebrity Apprentice won't be affected by Brett Michaels' condition, which is good for fans of the show and fans of the signature bad boy rocker brand. The current Apprentice was filmed many months ago. Bret's condition might affect the show if he doesn't get fired until the live finale. If the last episode is some kind of indication, Donald Trump certainly thinks that Brett Michaels is worth a low interest loans or two to keep him going on the show – nobody was fired, even though Bret Michaels raised the least money (but the most fun) for his team. Producers of The Apprentice have not said whether their plans for airing the show could be changed by Bret Michaels’ condition.

Resources for the article

BretMichaels.com

http://www.bretmichaels.com/2010/news_files/news.shtml

LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/ktla-bret-michaels,0,7244878.story

Malcolm X Assassin Thomas Hagan Freed From Prison

On Feb. 21, 1965, civil rights leader Malcolm X was shot to death at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem during a speaking engagement. The prime over within the shooting was Thomas Hagan even though three men were arrested for the crime. Hagan served for the crime for 44 years. Thomas Hagan is 69 years old, was previously known as Talmadge Hayer, or Talmadge X Hayer, and was of course parole after a dozen requests and probably a instant cash loans or two for legal expenditures.

Malcolm X assassination

Malcolm X took the podium at the Audubon Ballroom on that day in 1965. As he began to address the crowd, a sudden disturbance broke out. As he tried to calm the situation, Thomas Hagan, and then Talmadge Hayer, shot him within the chest with a sawed off shotgun at point blank range. Two other men started shooting him with handguns. Malcolm X was shot more than 16 times and was pronounced dead just after arrival at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, at 3:30 pm. Hagan was the only person who confessed to the crime after being severely beaten by the crowd and being arrested.

The other gunmen

Two others were arrested, Norman 3X and Thomas 15X, now known as Muhammed Abdul Aziz and Khalil Islam. Both have stayed out of jail as Hagan has always said they had nothing to do with the crime. Even low interest loans into a lot more investigations yielded no results in finding who the other gunmen were. They were both paroled within the mid-1980s.

Shooting over ecumenical split

Malcolm X had a split from the Nation of Islam in 1964 which he had been a member of for a dozen years. The shooting reportedly was due to tensions between himself and leader Elijah Muhammad. Hagan said that was why himself and conspirators shot him down.

Thomas Hagan of course 17th try parole

The Los Angeles Times says that Hagan has showed regret over the shooting. This was his 17th appeal for parole, which was of course. He is married, has a daughter, and given that 1988 has been on work release, working in a fast food restaurant among other endeavors, according to the New York Times. Also, given that incarceration, he has earned a Masters in Sociology.

Sources for the article

Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-malcolm-x-killer,,117782.story

New York Times

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/killer-of-malcolm-x-granted-parole/

Motor Vehicle Safety Act Improves NHTSA Enforcement

For the very first time in 10 years, Congress is taking up the issue of car safety with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Next Thursday, this act will start being heard in subcommittees. California Democrat Henry A. Waxman introduced this legislation.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives NHTSA a lot more spending budget

The budget available to the NHTSA will be increased by this bill, in part because of the questions about the effectiveness of the NHTSA current congressional hearings have raised. The NHTSA spending budget would get a boost in the form of a $ 3 per car fee. In order to be able to make an impact on huge manufacturers, the NHTSA would also be able to levy fines without caps. The fines that the NHTSA could levy on individual carmakers are considered simply too low to make a lasting impact. Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be given the legal authority to initiate a recall if they identify a safety issue.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would improve safety

New safety features on every new automobile would also be required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A black box would be required on all automobiles sold in the United States. These automobile data recorders would record the electronic and mechanical events in a automobile. A lite version of airline black boxes, these automobile data safety recorders will not contain voice recorders. A new brake override system that could stop the auto, besides a throttle stuck open, would also be required.

How the industry is responding the MVSA

Despite wide support in Congress, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 is not loved by all. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents U.S., European and Japanese vehicle makers, said they were “concerned about the sheer number of new regulations”. ”Focus on the few measures that would produce the most substantial safety benefit within the shortest time” was the suggestion of the Alliance spokeswoman. These new regulations are estimated to cost most vehicle manufacturers about twenty to forty dollars per vehicle.

Article Resources

New York Times

Washington Post

Mike Bacsik, Radio Host, Was Fired For A Racist Tweet

KENS 5 San Antonio reports that former Major League pitcher and Dallas sports talk-show host and producer Mike Bacsik, Jr., has been fired by KTCK (The Ticket 1310) for racist comments he made on his personal Twitter account . Bacsik (BASS-ik, which is pronounced like the fish) had been suspended by the station the day before and apology statements were released by Bacsik and also the station, but KTCK decided to finalize the separation. According to the Dallas Morning News, Mike Bacsik directed the following tweet at San Antonio Spurs fans after a recent NBA Playoffs victory by the Dallas Mavericks over the Spurs: “Congrats to all the dirty Mexicans in San Antonio.” Now he will probably need payday loans.

Mike Bacsik (aka ‘Chew-Bacsik’) one more Twitter casualty.

Athletes and other entertainers just like Mike Bacsik seem to have a hard time determining either what is socially appropriate to broadcast across the web or how Twitter works. If it isn’t one player posting nude pictures or betraying signs of emotional disorder, it’s one more public figure like Mike Bacsik – dubbed “Chew-Bacsik” by KTCK staff, evidently because of a mild speech impediment – spouting off racist smack. Apparently we live in an age when individuals fail to understand the internet does not live solely in our minds; it is largely a public forum, Twitter integrated. That’s why organizations like Major League Baseball have decided to take it upon themselves to play “Big Brother” when it comes to how their employees are using Twitter . If a small amount of instruction can conserve somebody a large amount of professional pain and embarrassment, it could possibly be argued tha! t MLB’s policy is not a bad thing.

Mark Bacsik doesn't have a problem with people apparently

On Aug. 7, 2007, Mike Bacsik surrendered Barry Bonds’ 756th home run, which broke the 33-year-old record for career home runs held by Hall of Famer Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron. Bacsik not only tipped his cap to Bonds as a show of respect, but he went to the San Francisco Giants’ clubhouse after the game to shake hands with Barry also. An interesting historical side note is that Mike Bacsik Sr. (Bacsik’s father) also pitched in the Major Leagues, and on August 23, 1976, he faced Hank Aaron at the plate. At that same time, Aaron has 755 home runs in his career. So it is possible that both Mike Bacsik Jr. and Sr. could have surrendered number 756. It might have even been worth instant cash on memorabilia circuit to both of them.

Resources for the article

Mike Bacsik, Jr., has been fired by KTCK (The Ticket 1310) for racist comments he made on his personal Twitter account

http://www.kens5.com/news/Dallas-radio-station-fires-Bacsik-over-dirty-Mexicans-Twitter-comment-92274964.html

Major League Baseball is taking it upon themselves to play “Big Brother” when it comes to how their employees use Twitter

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sportsprose/2010/04/major_league_baseball_cracking.html