Americans awaken to understand McMansions have become a waste

McMansions are no longer in fashion. What had been conceived as status symbols for emerging wealth are now regarded as crass, wasteful mistakes in the wake of the houses bubble. New research is showing that large, rambling, costly homes packed close together in cul-de-sacs have fallen from grace. New homes being built are smaller and more practical. Realtors and architects believe the sentiment that McMansions are out is more than just a passing real estate trend.

Age of McMansions ends in crisis

The housing bubble appears to are the peak of the McMansion, which has been lampooned simply by such terms as beginner castle and Hummer house. Now the homes bubble has burst, the decline of Mcmansions might be permanent. As reported by TIME, a report on real estate trends by Trulia shows the average square feet of floor plans in United States homes has gone down for the very first time in six decades. In 1950, 983 square feet was the average size of homes within the United States of America. By 2004, the average United States of America home had expanded to 2,349 square feet, as shown in Trulia’s American Dream Survey. McMansions, categorized at a minimum of 3,000 square feet, were sought simply by only 9 percent of the individuals questioned in a different study, the Trulia-Harris Interactive Survey. Most home buyers-64 percent-were shopping in the 800-2,000 square foot range.

Housing market transformed by simply recession

Builders and architects are already adjusting to changing demand. Housing market experts believe the change could possibly be permanent. In a CNBC article about the downsizing trend, Pete Flint of Trulia said smaller fresh homes signal the beginning of a long-term condition in the houses market . Numbers collected in a 2009 survey of builders are being borne out now. Nine out of 10 builders said they had smaller, cheaper homes on their construction schedule. Kermit Baker, the chief economist at the American Institute of Architects, told CNBC his profession is moving away from the McMansion time as homeowners demand more practical designs.Public perception is also working against McMansions. Paul Bishop, vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors told CNBC that in the brand new austere environment brought about by the recession, large, ostentatious homes are becoming the laughingstock of neighborhoods.

Further reading

TIME

newsfeed.time.com

Trulia

info.trulia.com

CNBC

cnbc.com

Court ruling on stem cell research renews bar with stem cell research

A ban on stem cell research is back within the limelight, just in time for the midterm elections. A U.S. district judge once again blocked federal funding for embryonic embryo on Aug. 23. An executive order signed by Barack Obama permitting federal funds for embryonic stem cell research was challenged in court by researchers with support from Christian organizations. Obama’s executive order overturned a ban imposed by George W. Bush in 2001. Progress in study on diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases was halted when the judge ruled in favor of the religious scientists. Scientific organizations registered their disgust. Talk of an appeal was urgent. The administration said it will follow through. Whether or not the stem cell issue will pay political dividends is being discussed among various campaigns. Source for this article – Ban on stem cell research returns as a hot-button political issue by Personal Money Store.

Religious beliefs comes out above science in embryo final decision

Scientists engaged in stem cell research were blindsided when a judge renewed the Bush ban. The suit was brought by Nightlight Christian Adoptions and other religious organizations. A pair of researchers claimed that directing federal funds for embryonic stem cell research discriminated against scientists using adult stem cells. A scientist quoted in a United States of America News and World Report article said the judgment turned the clock back a decade on stem cell research. The renewal of the research ban has sinister implications, as outlined by Susan Solomon, CEO of the New York Embryo Foundation. She said the court ruling “allows a vocal minority to hold science in captivity to a narrow political agenda”.

Usually are stem cells nevertheless a divisive issue with politics?

An appeal by the Justice Department on the court finding is inevitable. Wall Street Journal coverage notes that other means of funding embryonic embryo are being investigated by advocates of the practice. Political operatives are exploring the utility of the issue. The Journal quoted a G.O.P. consultant that doubted its value. Stem cell research could matter to anti-abortion loyalists, but unemployment probably has stronger divisive qualities. Because stem cell research is favored by most U.S. voters, the issue could benefit Democratic candidates. The stem cell dustup may help President Obama as he works to frame the midterm elections as a choice between moving the country forward or backwards.

The actual law managing stem cell research

An appeal could purchase time for stem-cell research in progress to continue. The Justice Department said that a proposal to put the order on hold during the appeal will be submitted to the district court by the administration. In a comment submitted on the U.S. News article, Marco Bolo of Colorado said that the judge depending his ruling on a law banning federal funds for study using stem cell research that has been on the books since 1996. Bolo said that the judge is enforcing legislation that cannot be fully nullified by an executive order. To ensure that embryonic stem cell research continues is simple. The law must be changed.

Additional reading

U.S. News and World Report

health.usnews.com

Wall Street Journal

wsj.com

Google Voice connected with Gmail interface

Many like the idea of making free phone called from the U.S. to any numbers whether it is cell phone, desktop virtual phone or land line. Phone service providers are against it, but every person else likes the idea. Now that Google Voice will soon be completely integrated into Gmail, it could be that much easier for Google users to make and receive high-quality calls for free. You are able to make free calls wherever you find Gmail.

Gmail contacts turned into phone service with Google Voice

An internet connection is all you have to access Google Voice and make a free phone call, even in case you are someplace cell phone coverage isn’t. Calls outside the U.S. or Canada run at a very low rate, typically two cents per minute. Tech Crunch reports what is needed for this. All you’ve to do is get the Google Talk plug-in. You are able to make and receive calls from your Gmail user interface of all places. Voicemails are saved into your Gmail inbox. And here’s a neat function: you are able to transfer a call in progress from Google Voice on your desktop to your cell phone without dropping the call if you’re on the go but need to keep talking.

Google Voice in Gmail is coming soon

Google will make the Google Voice feature accessible in the U.S. in the next few days. That was said on the official Google Voice Blog most recently. Watch for “Call Phone” to show up with your Google Chat list. It will take a little bit longer to get the Google Voice feature to be available to those who use Google Apps for business or academic purposes.

More on this topic

Google Voice Blog

googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/

TechCrunch

techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/google-voice-integrated-into-gmail-make-and-receive-calls-from-the-browser/?utm_source=feedburner and amp;utm_medium=feed and amp;utm_campaign=Feed: Techcrunch (TechCrunch) and amp;utm_content=Google Feedfetcher

Google Voice humor – testing transcript capabilities

youtube.com/watch?v=FzOMyXwfrR8

Farmers in Missouri and Kansas get U.S.D.A. emergency loans

The lower Midwest weather this summer has hurt farmers. The U.S.D.A. just wants to help the area surrounding Kansas City. Following the flash floods, damage left the area in a disaster state. Farmers need advance on cash because of damaged crops could have loans accessible to them. Months are given in time to file the loans. Low interest is given on all loan. Excessive rainfall and a brutal tornado season have caused extensive damage throughout the Midwest.

Summer heavy rains

The Midwest got a lot of rain. The Oklahoma tornadoes and Milwaukee floods have been really bad as they were storms from the Gulf region to the Great Lakes. Around Kansas City there has been a lot of difficulties. Being around there was bad for anyone. The counties in Kansas City, Mo., metro area could use some additional cash following the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced seven counties to have had natural disasters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says natural disasters occurred in seven counties in the Kansas City, Mo., metro area. This means that those counties need just a little additional cash to get back on their feet.

Farms severely hurting

Farmers in the region had the summer crops were severely affected by weather throughout the year. The Kansas City Business Journal, reports that summer crops were hurt by rain, flash flood and wind meaning emergency money could be needed. Farmers who wish to take out these low cost loans can file for loans through the Department of Agriculture. 100 percent of losses could be covered with the 3.75 rate of interest. Up to $ 500,000 can be borrowed. Oklahoma has 47 counties considered in disaster when 55 counties in Missouri are declared disaster. This doesn’t include the six from Kansas City.

Mother Nature taking money away

Many say Mother Nature isn’t kind. Farmers do a good job of feeding us all, although too much rain means ruined crops for most areas.

Find more info on this subject

Business Journal

bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/08/23/daily12.html

Jailbreaking iPhones with Apple patent

Apple isn’t really planning to just sit back and let anybody who wants to get the full potential out of the iPhone although it is at the moment legal to jailbreak your iPhone. The Register reports the technology giant has applied for a patent “covering an elaborate series of measures” that will “protect iPhone owners from thieves” and other non-authorized users. The patent is called “Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device,” and will make certain a user’s iPhone gets locked down supposedly with jailbreaking exploits.

Data from iPhones given out with jailbreaking

Jailbreaking your iPhone makes your personal data accessible to identity thieves; that’s Apple’s story, and the business is sticking to it when it comes to the iPhone and jailbreaking. Apple has numerous different ways there might be problems with a jailbroken iPhone. The iPhone’s camera could be turned on automatically. Also, there can be personal info stolen like geotagging. Any jailbroken iPhone would get locked down by Apple if the patent is approved which Apple states is really just making the user safe.

Apple and Big Brother one in the same

The Register explains that Apple identifies iPhones that have a sudden increase in memory usage as jailbroken which is like many hacking programs. Unlocking an iPhone means it can be used on other networks besides AT and T. If the patent goes through, Apple could be able to detect which of its phones do that as well. The Register also explains that “fraudulent use” of the iPhone can be detected by simply checking the accelerometer on the iPhone to see if it was carried by “thieves in transit.” Technical experts and consumer rights groups do not like the suggestion Apple has made at putting security methods into the phone like possible voice-print identification.

Camera rights with patent

Apple can be able to activate your iPhone camera if the patent is approved. Anywhere you are, someone can see you. Steve Jobs will always have that access. Regardless of how much you like the style and convenience of Apple devices, do you need Apple to be able to turn on your camera at any time it chooses? Perhaps Steve Jobs won’t approve of what you’re doing.

Discover more info on this subject

The Register

theregister.co.uk/2010/08/20/apple_jailbreak_patent/

Now, the Joneses have no debt, meaning to stay up you are going to have to get rid of it too

Keeping up a social status has often been referred to as “keeping up with the Joneses”. Flat screen TVs, iPhones, riding lawnmowers and other things are bought instantly with people who have this instinct. The Federal Reserve has explained that more people are getting debt settlement relief instead of using credit cards as the Joneses.

Fed says debt within the home is going down

The Federal Reserve gave out a new report. The report shows all of the numbers for household debt in America. It seems that once the recession came, individuals decided to tighten their belts and pay things off. Nobody will do poorly with debt consolidation. According to the Wall Street Journal, consumer debt levels have fallen for seven straight quarters. In 2008, the 3rd quarter had a fairly high peak. Fortunately, it went down 6.5 percent from then until 2010 and went down one more 1.5 percent by the second quarter of 2010. In just 3 months, $ 178 billion of debt was paid off. Everyone is doing better each month. A cash til payday loan is given to these people with the losing of debt.

An extra warning

There is more happening right now. The increased savings and falling debt in the household is not the only thing happening. Delinquency rates went up with the consumer debt going down. 0.5 percent was how much the delinquent debt rate went down. Bankruptcies went up 34 percent though. Only 161 million payday loan accounts were opened while 272 million accounts were closed meaning that less individuals are signing up for paycheck loans to pay stuff off. At this rate, credit card companies might need an emergency cash loans themselves.

Debt getting cut

Debt is something Americans are avoiding. They’re also trying to get rid of what they have. More individuals are trying to pay credit cards off than get new ones. You will find more individuals going bankrupt though. You will find good things showing people are more interested in getting out of debt and keeping their money all to themselves.

Further reading

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/08/17/ny-fed-households-continue-to-reduce-debt/

Rod Blagojevich gets only a single guilty verdict

The trial of disgraced former governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich has just concluded. Two weeks of deliberation left the grand jury giving a single guilty verdict out to him. One count of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation was given to Blagojevich. There hasn't been sentencing yet, although five years might be given because of the false statements the government received from him. Already there is a plan in action to re-try Blagojevich by Federal prosecutors. Article source – Rod Blagojevich gets only a single guilty verdict by Personal Money Store.

Jury renders verdict after two weeks

It was about two years ago when Rod Blagojevich was arrested because he tried selling the U.S. Senate seat that Barack Obama left empty. This led him to be impeached and removed from office. He faced 24 different accusations of corruption. After two weeks, the jury, which had been mostly deadlocked before then, came back with only one clear verdict. The account of giving false information to the FBI was what he was announced guilty on while the other 23 were declared as mistrial.

U.S. Attorney wants a retrial

According to the New York Times, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s office said they will attempt to retry Blagojevich. A lie to the FBI was what he was convicted of. Up to $ 250,000 in a fine or five years in prison can be given to him because of this federal crime. Many hope both will happen.

Blagojevich seen as stereotypical Chicago politician

Politics in Chicago are typically corrupt. Rod Blagojevich has a previous governor, George Ryan, who was convicted after being removed from office. Federal prison now holds Ryan because of the corruption he did. It’s unknown what the fate of Rod Blagojevich can be, as he still has a second trial in his future. He could end up serving all five years in prison.

N-word problem means Dr. Laura quits

Radio industry veteran Dr. Laura Schlessinger should have known that peppering a black caller with 11 instances of the “N-word” would make no profound point about language. Dr. Laura is now part of history. Apparently it is too much considering all the “Dr. Laura quits” headlines around. Article resource – Dr. Laura quits her radio show over N-word outrage by Personal Money Store.

Radio show quit by Dr. Laura

Dr. Laura will quit the radio show after the contract expires, says PopEater. Because she “wants to regain her First Amendment rights,” is why this radio diva told CNN’s “Larry King Live” that she’s quitting. Schlessinger did once believe that Howard Stern needed those rights taken away from him.

Dr. Laura thinks this is really an empowering move on her part.

“I want to be able to say what’s on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry – some special interest group deciding this is a time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates and sponsors,” she told King.

Apology not accepted by Schlessinger

While the good doctor apologized for using the N-word, she maintains that she “wasn’t dissing anybody.”. Dr. Laura’s production company says they’re letting her “pursue opportunities” outside of their company. Also, General Motors and Motel 6 have pulled their sponsorship for Schlessinger.

Next on Dr. Laura as she quite

TMZ reports that Dr. Laura has played the quitter card before. She almost had her own CBS TV talk show in 1999. She said she would only take the job if Howard Stern would get a “muzzle” so he could no longer talk bad about her. CBS balked at her condition, understandably. After that happened, Paramount took on Dr. Laura for a TV show momentarily. One episode featured a conversation on homosexuals and the way she didn’t like them, which made gay rights groups really angry. A campaign began at StopDrLaura.com which made it so 170 advertisers left the show completely. Dr. Laura even lost Dodge.

Find more information on this subject

PopEater

popeater.com/2010/08/18/dr-laura-schlessinger-leaving-radio/

TMZ

tmz.com/2010/08/18/dr-laura-schlessinger-radio-tv-quit-larry-king-howard-stern/

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Schlessinger

Dr. Laura tells wives to ‘get under your men’

youtube.com/watch?v=_mvm7moVvSs

Government oil leak report fails to stand up to science

Scientists are challenging the optimistic scenario presented by a government oil spill report. A conclusion by National Event Command that much of the oil leak within the Gulf of Mexico had been burned, collected or vaporized has been cast into doubt by 3 scientific studies . Shrimping waters were re-opened. President Obama ate shellfish and swam in the gulf last week with his family. But a University of Georgia (UGA) study found nearly an equal amount of oil in fact remains yet to be recovered and will threaten gulf sea life for years. On the sea floor, a huge toxic oil plume was detected by University of South Florida (USF) scientists. A study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) reports the oil spill is a long-term threat to human health and gulf seafood safety.

Government oil spill report said crisis is over

Official statements released by the administration declare that the majority of the BP oil leak has been dispersed to safe levels. National Event Command, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, said a few weeks ago that burning and skimming had removed half of the 4.9 million gallons dumped into the gulf. Another 25 percent had evaporated or dissolved. UGA scientists who have led the way in oil plume research since the spill started said up to 79 percent of the oil, also as its toxic byproducts, are nevertheless in the water. They concluded it may be years before the petrochemicals disappear. The obvious fact that oil beneath the surface can’t evaporate was pointed out by the scientists. Throughout the spill area, large oil plumes are trapped within the depths.

Deepwater canyon holds massive oil plume

The USF team concluded that further east than previously thought a large portion of the BP oil spill has settled to the bottom of the gulf. CNN reports that original findings from USF conclude that dispersants may have sent droplets of crude to the ocean floor, where it hovers near the bottom of an undersea canyon within 40 miles of the Florida Panhandle. Plankton and other organisms at the base of the food chain showed a “strong toxic response” to the crude. It is possible the oil could return to the surface. A UGA researcher told CNN that a third of the hydrocarbons within the form of methane and other gas emissions that remain in the water weren’t measured by the government.

Gulf seafood safety called into question

The safety of gulf seafood can be affected for years by the BP oil spill, according to the AMA. Within the short term, the Sacramento Bee reports that gulf shellfish will retain dangerous petrochemicals likened to cigarette smoke and soot. By consuming fish lower within the food chain, big game fish such as tuna, swordfish and mackerel will accumulate high concentrations of mercury within the long term. As time goes on, the report said doctors may be warning pregnant women and children to strictly limit the amount of gulf seafood they eat.

Find more info on this subject

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575434074237252604.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/08/17/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1

Sacramento Bee

sacbee.com/2010/08/17/2963788/gulf-oil-spill-still-a-threat.html

Figure out if you're a Friggatriskaidekaphobia? Being afraid of Friday the 13th

The 13th day of a month landing on a Friday can be a quite rare circumstance. It doesn’t really mean anything, but individuals get spooked about this all the very same, and this fear is known as Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Black cats aren’t scary since things they do are shed and maybe scratch a kid or two. Superstitions are fairly big for some people. You are a Friggatriskaidekaphobia if you have a fear of the 13th on a Friday. If you say the word within the mirror three times, Jason Voorhees will still be a fictional character.

Frigga what now?

It’s pronounced “fri-gah-tri-sk-eye-de-kah-fo-bia.” Portmanteau means being afraid of Friday the 13th. With friggaphobia as the fear of Friday and Triskaidekaphobia being a fear of thirteen, they make a deadly combination. That’s why together they make the word Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Friday was a day associated with witches. The German/Norse goddess Frigga, or Freya, got the day of the week named for her, as Freya-day. The day arguably could possibly be associated with witches simply because it was named for a female deity, but sexism in the ancient world is a topic for one more time. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. The word “tri” is the number three, “deka” is 10, you get the idea.

Any real things happen Friday the 13th?

There isn’t anything really when keeping it short. The long answer is also no. Nothing odd besides a couple of individuals getting the “heebie-jeebies” or friggatriskaidekaphobia has even happened or been seen on Friday the thirteenth. There would be some kind of documented memory by now if anything bad really did happen on Friday the thirteenth. Even if there were more accidents happening Friday the thirteenth, more factors would have to be accounted for besides the day like the fact more individuals like to drink on Fridays.

Making the day a fun day

Superstitions are harmless, especially friggatriskaidekaphobia. There are nevertheless superstitions that exist as tradition today. For instance, theater actors won’t really say “MacBeth” in a theater, as the play is supposedly cursed, and refer to it only as “the Scottish play.”. This is a great time to have a little bit of fun, like Halloween, so watch a movie with your friends or family that scares you a bit. I would suggest Crystal Lake be one of the activities you don’t do though.

Elian Abuelazam could possibly be a wanted killer

At an Atlanta airport, a man suspected of five deaths with 20 stabbings was arrested. He was attempting to board a flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. The man in question, Elias Abuelazam, is an Israeli citizen who came to the United States legally. 16 of these incidents happened in Michigan, 3 happened in Virginia, and one occurred in Ohio. The majority of the victims were African American, and it is thought that race was a factor within the crimes.

Attacks start in May

May was when reports of a man coming up and asking for help with a automobile or getting directions started coming in, and also the man fit Elias Abuelazam’s description. This man would get a knife, stab the victims and flee when the victim died. An arrest for simple assault of Elias Abuelazam was why the police though he may be the one behind the killings, reports ABC . Law enforcement officials in Michigan, Virginia and Ohio started coordinating efforts and trying to get leads from the public to identifying the man.

Race a part of the killings

Male African Americans were how most of the victims looked leading police to believe race was a part of the motive. Since 16 of these victims were stabbed in Flint, Michigan, that is where the police did most of their research. One stabbing occurred in Toledo, Ohio while the incident occurred 3 times in Leesburg, Virginia. A judge in Flint issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a stabbing on July 27. He was boarding a flight for Tel Aviv, Israel when the Michigan police found him in Atlanta International Airport because of a tip. Police took him into custody after a page was issued through the intercom.

Conviction hasn’t happened

Right now, he is innocent as he hasn’t been seen in court yet, although it is fairly clear that he is likely to be the perpetrator. He won’t be sentenced to death considering Michigan, where five deaths happened, isn’t a death penalty state, and that is where he is being convicted.

Discover more info on this subject

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/serial-stabber-suspect-identified-elias-abuelazam-federal-officals/story?id=11382102 and amp;page=1

Android OS causes troubles when Oracle sues Google over copyright issues

While Google Android smartphone sales may have passed the iPhone worldwide within the second quarter of 2010, it doesn’t take an Oracle to see that there’s trouble ahead for the company whose unofficial motto is “Do no evil.”. Google Inc. is being sued by Oracle Corp. because Oracle’s Java copyright was violated with the Android OS, reports the Wall Street Journal. Eric Schmidt, a previous Sun chief technology officer, who is Google’s founder, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison are against one one more within the suit. Oracle acquired Sun, the company that invented the Java programming language, in January 2010. Hundreds of devices use Java, including the Android Smartphone’s.

Lawsuit from Oracle wants damages paid for

WSJ explains the Oracle lawsuit would like “unspecific damages and an injunction against ‘continued acts of infringement’ by Google.” The public has yet to hear from Google who every person thought was allowed to use the free open-source Java licenses, since Sun would give these out to many. There was no official Oracle/Google deal that was announced. If the California court decides to grant the injunction, developers would be barred from creating applications for Android OS while any and all Android shipments would cease.

Guarding property

The Journal interviewed tech analyst Ray Wang who said the Oracle “takes a lot more care in terms of safeguarding its IP, and Java is one of the crown jewels of the Sun acquisition,” although Sun would traditionally be respectful of open-source software and free exchange of ideas. Perhaps it is as PC World suggests, that Oracle clings to IP since the U.S. government is on its tail over tax evasion. Seems like like the company is relying on the court system to pay for it now that Google is its main rivalry rather than Microsoft.

Discover more information on this subject

PC World

pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/203336/oracles_fall_from_tech_giant_to_patent_troll.html?tk=hp_new

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704407804575426122820659864.html

“Trade the Trend” report on the Oracle-Google lawsuit

youtube.com/watch?v=ooYOG00oXpY

Forgetting to tell consumers about credit card limit drops

A final round of new credit card rules intended to protect consumers goes into effect on Aug. 22. Most of the credit card companies and banks are cutting credit limits, fees and rates on their credit in order to help bring these new laws into place. Most of the time when the economy is down so far, credit limits are cut like this. Credit scores are hurt for anyone who has this limit changed. To help your credit limit stay the exact same or get higher, you will find things you can do.

Credit card limits slashed across the board

During the recession, most credit card companies have been harder on their consumers. Before new credit card rules have to be upheld, banks who use credit cards are trying to pull in all of their risk. You will find many people getting their good credit scores hurt because of slashed credit card limits, reports Bankrate.com. Dennis C. Moroney, research director of bank cards at TowerGroup, told Bankrate that credit card companies are reducing credit lines and closing accounts. He said that even people with higher scores that are cut down from 750 to 720 are having trouble getting credit.

Credit limits make credit scores drop

In just the last few years, over 60 million cardholders have had troubles with losing credit limits. ”Risk trigger” are what they call things like regular late payments or high credit card balances, which Credit Card Guide explains some of these people having their limits cut haven’t even done. Having your credit limit cut isn’t just an inconvenience for people. It really hurts credit scores when a cardholder has an outstanding balance also. Credit line cuts aren’t just a concern considering one of probably the most significant things in a credit score is debt-to-credit ratios.

How to protect your credit card limits

Eva Norlyk Smith at Credit Card Guide has some tricks to help any person who would like to increase or keep the very same their credit limits. You can always call and ask. Most credit card accounts qualify for credit limit increases once a year. Your balances should be paid off each and every single month. And use the credit card a lot, but don’t exceed 50 percent of the credit line. Make sure you pay all of it off on time. Don’t cancel any credit cards, don’t apply for any new credit cards and never ask a credit card company to pull your credit report. A credit check is just as bad as applying for a new card.

More on this topic

Bankrate

bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/credit-card-issuers-slash-credit-limits-1.aspx

Credit Card guide

creditcardguide.com/creditcards/credit-card-tips/higher-credit-limit-6-dos-donts-342/

College gets more costly causing student loan debt to beat credit card debt

Credit card debt has fallen behind student loans when it comes to the number one debt. It is starting to cost more to go to college, but credit card balances are being paid off. Many think this is happening because there has been less consumer protection. Others say college costs have risen beyond the return on investment in student loan debt. Meanwhile, research shows that many of the top growing job fields don’t require a bachelor’s degree.

College getting more costly when students take out more loans

The 2010 Federal Reserve figures show that $ 826.5 billion in revolving credit is had by Americans right now. FinAid.org compiled reports shown on the Wall Street Journal to show student loans totals to be at $ 829,785 billion. Student debt has gone up $ 300 billion in just the last four years, reports the Journal in an interview with Mark Kantrowitz who is the publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com. There is a higher rate of unemployment and college costs more meaning parents borrow to get everything done.

Student loans lack consumer protections

Student loan debt is often times worse than credit card debt. Student loans usually can’t be written off in bankruptcy. Penalties worse than other credit lines are inflicted with student loan repayment that is not paid on time. According to Student Loan Justice, federal student loan borrowers have none of the consumer protections that come with credit card debt, including statutes of limitations, truth in lending laws, state usury laws and fair debt collection statutes. They say lending student loans is “an inherently predatory lending system that succeeds when the students fail.”

College costs enough to drain family finances

Tuition prices and student loan rates are rising together. 2009-2010’s average tuition prices for private colleges and in state tuition state colleges were $ 35,636 and $ 15,213, reports Bank Investment Consultant. These costs are rising by about 5 percent a year. This academic year, there is a possibility of charges going over $ 50,000 for top institutions. To cover such costs, families may have to use current income and spend savings also as borrow money.

Bachelor’s degrees worth dying

Rising student loan debt leads some to wonder whether going in hock for years to get a degree is worth it. As outlined by the New York Times, despite six years of trying, only half of all students starting a bachelor’s degree in 2006 will graduate by 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the next ten years, seven of the thirty jobs expected to grow the fasted require a bachelor degree. You will find also 10 of the top growing job categories, 2 of which need degrees. Richard K. Vedder, founder of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, told the Times that 15 percent of mail carriers have bachelor’s degrees, according to a 1999 federal study. He was quoted saying:

“Some of them could have purchased a house for what they spent on their education.”

More on this topic

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/08/09/student-loan-debt-surpasses-credit-cards/

Bank Investment Consultant

bankinvestmentconsultant.com/bic_issues/2010_8/college-cost-gone-wild-2668047-1.html?zkPrintable=1 and amp;nopagination=1

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/05/16/weekinreview/16steinberg.html

Deficit help from ending social security not wanted by Americans

According to a recent poll conducted by research firm GfK Roper and funded by AARP, Americans largely disapprove of cutting Social Security in order to cut back the national deficit. According to the Huffington Post, 85 percent of adults don’t want to cut Social Security. 72 percent were shown in the survey to “strongly oppose” social security. Source of article – Americans disagree with Social Security cuts to trim deficit by Personal Money Store.

'Me first’ is the response from Social Security recipients

It is surprising to see these numbers come from a Social Security system that is 75 years old and hotly debated. Since the AARP funded this survey happening, and the AARP members tend to be either on, or nearly on Social Security, it appears about right. In the survey, it was discovered that 57 percent of American’s younger than 50 said they’d rather pay higher payroll taxes to make certain social security would be accessible to them. The “Baby Boomer” generation gets to relax and live off other people’s incomes, which is why they don’t care about the deficit that the younger generation is going to have to fix one day.

Working with a big trust fund

Since Social Security is obviously not the most sustainable program, the Obama administration is trying to determine what to do to change things. Most are concerned they won’t get their Social Security anymore. Privatization would be great for those nevertheless in the work force when Baby Boomers wouldn’t be able to get their funds anymore, and taxes aren’t covering the program.

Two-thirds Americans afraid to lose Social Security as an income

80 percent of Americans are concerned for the families of fixed-income retirees which only one out of each and every 3 are concerned about how not having Social Security could affect their lives after retirement. ”Poor house” or “debtors’ prison” are the concerns of many. Even 80 percent of individuals who are “thy sky is falling” types believe that they would still get benefits even if there was not a Social Security program anymore.

Further reading

Bestyears.com

bestyears.com/parentstold.html

AARP survey

aarp.org/work/social-security/info-08-2010/social_security_75th.html

Cato Institute

cato.org/social-security

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/public-opposes-cutting-so_n_678374.html

Social Security Online

ssa.gov/

Milton Friedman on the Social Security myth

youtube.com/watch?v=rCdgv7n9xCY

Luxurious escape in Spain - first lady Michelle Obama criticized

The first lady, Michelle Obama, is at the moment under fire for taking an costly private vacation with daughter Sasha and various Obama family friends, according to Fox News. Of course, anything the first lady, or any member of the first family, chooses to do is always a public affair, as the media is already hurling criticisms her way. Now everyone wants to know each little detail the first lady’s private vacation entails. Resource for this article – First lady Michelle Obama criticized for pricey getaway in Spain by Personal Money Store.

Travel warning issued for Spain, where first lady vacations

While her husband celebrated his 49th birthday in Chicago with talk show mega-star Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, with 9-year-old daughter and friends of the family, went on what the White House described as a four-day “private trip” to the beautiful southern coast of Spain. While some are avoiding talking about the trip’s price, others are voicing concerns of safety.

The State Department, as outlined by Fox News, had issued a travel warning for all Americans traveling to Spain, as “racist prejudices can result in the arrest of Afro-Americans who travel to Spain,” a message recently posted on its website. However, following the first lady and daughter Sasha left on their trip, it appears the wording has been easily removed. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley, when asked if there was a travel warning for Spain, said, “I don’t believe so.”

The price tag on first lady’s Spain trip

The biggest worry concerning the first lady’s trip trip to Spain is the overall cost of the trip and also the affect it has on taxpayer cash. New York Daily News writer Andrea Tantaros trash-talked Michelle Obama on Thursday, calling her a “modern day Marie Antoinette” for going on such an expensive vacation when the majority of the United States is financially underwater. Yahoo News reports the first lady and her companions are staying at the luxury Hotel Villa Padierna, a hotel that’s often referred to as one of the world’s top ten, with rates that range from $ 500 to nearly 3-grand per night.

Regardless of who chose the location, whether it was the Obama delegation or Secret Service, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has confirmed the first lady will take care of her own personal expenditures, as will the private party traveling with her. The overall cost of the trip, however, will not be fully covered with personal out-of-the-pocket money, given that the first lady has full-time Secret Service protection and has to travel on board an official Air Force charter plane, which is covered by taxpayers.

Discover more information on this subject

politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/08/05/first-lady-michelle-obama-and-daughter-sasha-vacationing-spain-amid-warnings-"racist-prej

news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100805/pl_yblog_upshot/first-lady-under-fire-for-her-glitzy-spanish-vacation

The Fed monetary stimulus looking for solutions to stop liquidity trap

The Federal Reserve is hoping to find a way to bring the U.S. back to where it way before the economy collapsed by working with the money supply. The Fed is purchasing U.S. Treasury notes and bonds and is also getting interest from mortgage backed securities to try and keep all the interest rates down to a near zero rate. Monetary stimulus, or quantitative easing, is what we call this and will be putting more cash into the market. Interest rates should be going down with the money supply expanding monetizing debt. Businesses and consumers will want to borrow and spend more, because savings basically earns no interest.

Economic outlook concern coming wit Fed’s monetary stimulus

The monetary stimulus was tried before and didn’t do anything to help the economy recover. What the Fed is doing with this second round of quantitative easing, called QE2, could be probably the most significant since the Fed starting getting assets all the way back in 2008. Right now it appears that just the announcement of QE2 is having an opposite affect than planned. The Fed announcing an additional round of monetary stimulus means it is concerned about the economy’s state. The announcement made the market become a thing of doubt. Stocks plunged. Talk swirled of Japanese-style deflation, where no amount of monetary stimulus is enough to jump-start economic growth.

QE2 a big gamble for the Fed

The Fed’s monetary stimulus is a risky move, as outlined by The People’s Voice. To avert the worst of the housing crisis, the Fed purchased more than $ 1 trillion in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities to push mortgage rates to record lows. Fed officials wondered publicly how they were possible going to get rid of all these securities. Mortgage rates can be forced to go up because economic recovery isn’t really getting better. The Fed will be collecting principal and interest with this portfolio adding to billions. Using the cash to monetize debt is loaded with risk. There could be foreclosures with a weakened market like this. If, and some say when, that happens, the Fed will be sitting on billions of dollars of credit losses on its portfolio.

Falling into a liquidity trap

A textbook economy would do really well with the Fed’s monetary policy being made. The demand, of course, is assumed to meet the supply, as outlined by Daniel Indiviglio. Interest rates are already very low, yet companies continue to sit on cash because they aren’t certain that the demand will exist in the near-term to expand. Since the future is so uncertain, consumers want more than anything to just get out of debt. These conditions are what economists refer to as a liquidity trap. When nobody wants to borrow right now, it makes it extremely hard for the Fed to help by lowering all of the interest rates.

Find more info on this subject

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSN1123481920100811

The Peoples Voice

thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2010/08/11/monetizing

Atlantic

theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/08/will-the-feds-new-monetary-stimulus-help/61327/

Debt indicators no longer available making it impossible to get refund anticipation loans

Debt indicators — IRS information about back taxes and other debts taxpayers owe — are going away. Tax preparers were warned by the IRS with debt indicators that back taxes and other debt may be paid off with the tax refund. Banks trying to determine whether to give someone a short-term loan based on their tax refund will use debt indicators to make their decision. Source for this article – Demise of debt indicators puts hurt on refund anticipation loans by Personal Money Store.

2011 taxes have no debt indicators

The IRS reasoning for stopping debt indicators in the 2011 tax season as announced Aug. 5 is that they aren’t needed by anyone. Taxpayers can get their taxes in just a few days with electronic filing and direct deposit. The IRS said that eliminates the necessity for refund anticipation loans. Numerous companies use anticipation loans for much of their service to the underbanked and unbanked, meaning eliminating debt indicators is bad for their business.

Indicate delinquents with debt indicators

Refund anticipation loan banks will use debt indicators to decide all the major factors around a loan they’re loaning out. According to the Journal of Accountancy, normally a tax preparer would get a debt indicator letting them know if their tax refund would be going to any taxes that were unpaid or other unpaid debt such as school loans.

IRS criticizes refund anticipation loans

Short-term refund anticipation loans are criticized by consumer advocates for charging high interest rates and fees in exchange for providing cash just a couple of days before the tax refund arrives. Refund anticipation loans fees were paid by 8.4 million people in 2008 totaling a total of $ 738 million, reports the National Consumer Law Center. Those who are low-income are usually the people getting hurt by anticipation loans according to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman who talked to the Associated Press. He said with electronic filing and direct deposit it takes 10 days or less to get a tax refund. Next he said:

“I think it’s unfortunate that there’s a lot of hardworking Americans that are in a financial situation where they have to pay a substantial fee to access their refunds a week or two before they can get it from the IRS.”

Mad lenders of refund anticipation loans

Companies that facilitate refund anticipation loans argue that debt indicators let taxpayers who are strapped for cash get their money faster. Those with low refund anticipation loan approval rates are the ones going to be hurt by the stop of debt indicators, and there are going to be higher rates for individuals who get these loans still, said Alan Bennett who’s the CEO of H and R Block in an interview with MarketWatch. Underbanked or unbanked individuals are going to end up getting unregulated credit. This debt indicator problem will make H and R Block shares go down in 2011 5 cents a share going down 3 percent.

More on this topic

Journal of Accountancy

journalofaccountancy.com/Web/20103174.htm

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gZhidWFh-omq3dh3M486iDXA4JbAD9HDHDKG0

MarketWatch

marketwatch.com/story/hr-block-responds-to-irs-elimination-of-the-debt-indicator-2010-08-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Honda recalls Accords, Civics and Elements over old problem

A shift interlock problem has led to 1.4 million Honda cars being recalled – and yet one more 2010 Honda recall. Today, a new Honda recall was announced for the exact same problem. This recall covers some 2003 and 2004 Honda Elements, 2003 Accords, and 2003 Civics. Article source – Honda recalls Accords, Civics and Elements over old problem by Car Deal Expert.

The 2010 Honda recall depending on shift interlock

The shift interlock system is the basis of this 2010 Honda recall. This is the system that prevents the key being removed without the shifter in park. This could allow the automobile to roll away and cause accidents. 17 separate accidents are attributed to this malfunction. Most often, the problem happens when the vehicle is parked and the key removed, despite the fact that the shifter has not fully engaged the “park” setting. Accidents could be caused when the automobiles left like this roll away.

2010 Honda recall because of NHTSA investigation

The shift interlock problem caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation into Honda. In late 2009, the NHTSA upgraded their investigation from “recall query” to “engineering analysis” – a more serious rating. The NHTSA is also evaluating the “timeliness” of Honda recalls. There are possible civil fines for Honda within the works if they are found to have not responded to recall-worthy problems “promptly, truthfully, and completely”. Air bag deployment problems in 2009 led to an additional investigation by the NHTSA.

2010 Honda recall vehicles

The complete notification of Honda vehicle owners will start in September 2010. This recall will include 384,000 Honda Accords, Honda Civics, and Honda Elements. Five other automobiles have been included in previous recalls from Honda, including the Acura CL, Acura TL, Odyssey, Accord, and Prelude. If you receive official notification of the recall from Honda, you are intended to take your automobile in to a Honda dealer. Owners are asked to call 1-800-999-1009 or visit recalls.honda.com to get more details about the recall.

Gasoline demand going up in small increments

The Energy Information shows us that gas in July was the lowest it had been since June 2004. Fuel efficiency has gotten better, and there is a soft economy meaning the demand for gas is lower. This lower demand is causing, and being compounded by, increasing gasoline prices.

Gas demand drop

In 2008, demand for oil and gas dropped. People paid $ 4 and more for gas because of the drop. This drop also coincided with increased interest in fuel-efficient and hybrid automobiles. By the end of 2009, more fuel efficient cars were being made but the demand went up. The demand for oil involves more than just gasoline, though, as a demand for fuel and heating oil tends to go up in the winter months.

Producing oil in the U.S.

There is a strong connection between U.S. oil production and gas prices. About 28 percent of the daily requirement of oil in the United States is met domestically, though the shutdown of offshore oil production is starting to trickle down. With so little of the oil used by the United States being produced domestically, the small rise in demand is requiring more imports.

Summer Driving increase

There has been a rise in oil demand because of summer vacations requiring more driving. More individuals will drive longer distances this summer, reports the Automobile Association.

U.S. fuel comparisons

The largest consumer of fuel is definitely the U.S.. With the demand China has, they’re second but could beat the U.S. and become first soon. There are heavy taxes in European countries on gasoline meaning gas can costs $ 8 per gallon in some places. Fuel efficient automobiles will probably become more popular with supply decreases.

Skype files for IPO just one year after spin-off

Skype has officially filed the SEC forms that is the beginning of an original public offering. Though industry watchers have long expected this IPO, there were some surprising numbers in the filings. After the IPO, the ownership structure of Skype could be complex — though users are hoping that Skype will keep the cost-free services it has become common for.

Financial health revealed in Skype IPO paperwork

There is an estimate the Skype IPO can be worth $ 100 million or more. The revenue and income in the Skype SEC filings worry some analysts. The revenue of the business for the last six months is about $ 406 million. The net income of the business, though, was only $ 13 million. All together, Skype reports a 3 percent net margin. The nine percent of users that actually pay for the Skype service pay an average of $ 96 each year.

The structure behind Skype’s ownership

Once the Skype IPO is completed, the ownership structure will be fairly intricate. The business is based in Luxemborg, but they’re offering shares within the company in American stocks. Stock holders, employees, and private investors will all be considered business owners. These three groups will own stock in Skype S.A.,. These stocks could be part Skype Global Holdco, part Skype Global. These holding corporations could be split into Skype, Inc. and Springboard Finance, L.L.C. Springboard Finance, L.L.C., will own and operate 13 operating corporations like Skype Software and Skype Sweden .

Possible changes after the Skype IPO

This initial public offering of Skype stock is being used to raise operating funds. Some businesses could be faced with fundamental changes after an IPO, though. Skype is already moving forward with the iPhone app and deals with wireless carriers. Skype’s 500 million users will end up having to wait and see what effect the IPO has, because not even the IPO date is known for certain.

Issues come from FluidNow and need EUC to fix it?

Many Americans are relying on emergency unemployment benefits as the recession has made them need emergency money. Most companies aren’t hiring more employees right now which is frustrating for the government who now has to consider extending benefits. In Florida, the state’s Agency for Workforce Innovation has made an earnest attempt to come to the aid of more than 100,000 “long-term” jobless through the site FluidNow (www.fluidnow.com). FluidNow appears to be not so fluid for some although numerous claim they have used the site just to have their expired benefits restarted again. Article source – Fluidnow is not so fluid; will the EUC Fix it by Personal Money Store.

FluidNow can’t go fast enough

According to one of Florida’s long-term unemployed, calling the fluidnow help line at 800-204-2418 results in hours of connection attempts, only to be greeted eventually be a pre-recorded “call back later” message. The unemployed individual got an AWI employee after numerous tries, and the employee said there was no information about how extension benefits might be received. AWI Director Cynthia Lorenzo assured that benefits would be given out to residents who applied, although guidance used to come from the U.S. Department of Labor. Apparently the time frame of the guidance changed so often that it could possibly be any time really.

The EUC Fix will help it get better

Taking a loan from a loan company or signing up for a part-time job are among the only options open to many job seekers. Some of the time it is not enough still. Many worry that their benefits might be reduced if they were to get a part time job. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Fix may be able to help. It was part of probably the most recent emergency unemployment benefits extension that made it out of Congress, reports Michigan’s MLive.com. Apparently this is intended to “remove the disincentive for individuals who take part-time jobs when collecting benefits.” Benefits will extend through year two for unemployed, reports the Michigan News portal.

EUC Fix can’t help everyone from before it was applied

If your benefits ended before July 22, 2010, you can’t qualify for the EUC Fix, reports the National Unemployment Law Project. Those who do not fit that window are out of luck, much like scores of Florida unemployed who are waiting on fluidnow or at least some form of instant loans. For more information on the EUC Fix, visit National Employment Law Project website.

Further reading

Examiner

examiner.com/x-41045-Miami-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Labor-Dept-yet-to-give-Florida-details-on-unemployment-extension

MLive

mlive.com/michigan-job-search/index.ssf/2010/08/latest_unemployment_extension_removes_di.html

National Employment Law Project

nelp.org/page/-/UI/2010/Final EUC Fix QA.pdf

Fluidnow

fluidnow.com/

Drug testing for unemployment in Florida

youtube.com/watch?v=RvSoZ1U3n30

Downturn transforms vulture investors from flippers to landlords

The depressed United States of America housing market is serving up a feast for vulture traders. Deflating home prices, rock-bottom mortgage rates and a rental market surging with people who have lost their homes are attracting swarms of vulture investors after distressed properties. But in this anemic economy, vulture investing has changed.Vulture investors flipped homes for a quick payout in good times. Now that times are bad, using properties to generate healthy rental incomes is the preferred approach. Article resource – Vulture investors move from flippers to landlords in down market by Personal Money Store.

Vulture investors pick at remains of housing market

Swooping down to buy distressed properties cheap is how vulture investors got their name. Places where home prices have dropped as much as 70 percent because of short sales and foreclosures, like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Miami, are lucrative markets. Vulture investors used to be known for flipping often and helping to bid up home prices to unsustainable heights. A more stable, long-term investment these days are potential rental profits. Today, vulture investing may serve as more of a stabilizing force for neighborhoods.

Vulture investors wearing a different hat

Vulture investors have switched from flipping to renting due to a number of factors in the current housing market. Mortgage resource HSH.com said ever-rising home prices, the meal ticket for house flippers, are a distant memory. Getting cheap just to sell cheap doesn’t make sense. Plus, millions of foreclosed borrowers have to wait years before they can purchase again have no choice but to rent, often from vulture investors who bought the properties for pennies on the dollar.

Cash flow: the vulture investment payoff

By paying in cash, rental returns start rolling in right away for vulture investors. Las Vegas, where prices have fallen nearly 70 percent and rents have only dropped about 20 percent, is held as an example in the CNN article. Glenn Plantone, a vulture investor in Las Vegas, told CNN his net return on investment via money flow is 12-to-14 percent . Cash flow is the ultimate hedge against a further decline in prices, since the return on the investment just keeps rolling along.

Further reading

money.cnn.com

blog.hsh.com

Little secure about Social Security Administration

It has been contended that Social Security is going bankrupt. The critics could have an additional point in their favor this year. The tax income the Social Security Administration takes in this year could be less than they are due to shell out. It also is not the first time it is happened. The SSA was subject of a lot of turmoil in the 1980s. Social Security sustains a trust fund where it holds all funds, and shortfalls are precisely what the fund is there to attempt to counter.

Social Security payments to exceed income

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Social Security Administration will spend more than it will earn this year. The trustees of Social Security and Medicare released a report on Thursday, August 5, that reveals Social Security has more payments for making to Social Security recipients than funds it is due to collect by the end of 2010. The health care reform bill will purportedly streamline Medicare, and it is expected to stay solvent until 2029. Medicare had previously been estimated to lapse into critical condition by 2017. More incentives and regulations are expected to stave off Medicare’s impending demise.

Social Security could be raiding their trust fund

The Social Security Administration maintains a trust fund for itself. The trust discover is where any cash left over after expenditures goes. In case of a shortfall, that’s what the fund is there for. The fund itself was created for exactly this purpose. The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run out by 2037, according to the New York Times. The Social Security Administration will still be able to make 75 percent of its payments if the numbers are accurate, according to the Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue.

Too few Peters to too many Paul’s

Social Security depends on tax revenue. If less money is being earned by individuals working, less cash is accessible for the program. More cash has to be paid out as people live longer and longer lives. The spending budget deficit that Social Security will run by the end of the year won’t affect anyone’s benefits, though, as any shortfalls do have the trust fund to fall back on.

Further reading

nytimes.com/2010/08/06/us/politics/06benefits.html

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0806-social-security-20100805,0,6306255.story

Appeals on prop 8

UPDATE: Proposition 8 is considered unconstitutional. The decision should be kept with a void of the amendment if you ask those who are for prop 8.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker is slated to release his ruling today on Proposition 8. Prop 8 supporters have already sought a stay on the ruling if it is against them. If they need to, opponents of the Prop 8 will appeal the case as well. Civil rights to the California state spending budget are all a part of the case.

Prop 8 background

Prop 8, or the California Marriage Protection Act, was passed in 2008. The voter-added ballot proposition added a section to California law that stated that only marriage between a man and a woman is legal and acknowledged. When Proposition 8 passed, it overturned the California Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage. The campaign for prop 8 cost $ 39.9 million, and $ 43.3 million was used against Prop 8.

Federal challenge with Prop 8

The federal court challenge to Prop 8 has been argued in San Francisco. Perry v. Schwarzenegger was filed in federal court following the State Supreme Court upheld the voter initiative in Strauss v. Horton. Proponents of Proposition 8 argue the amendment to the California constitution does not violate equal protection. Those against it feel like equal protection is totally and totally being violated.

Appeals to Prop 8 decision

Prop 8 reactions have already begun. A stay on marriage is what the injunction already filed by supporters of Prop 8 says. Marriage between those who are same-sex can’t happen under this until the case is entirely done. Opponents say they intend on filing appeals if they lose this court case. There can be more money spent on Prop 8 in court nationally. With a patchwork of same-sex marriage laws around the country, gay marriage is proving to be an economic boon for states that allow these legal unions.

Previous Fugees frontman Wyclef Jean runs for Haiti President

Wyclef Jean has decided to run for president of Haiti now. The earthquake that hit Haiti last January was devastating and Wyclef Jean, as the Grammy winner as frontman of the Fugees, thinks he needs to help the individuals of this native land. Since this is a very important election in Haiti, Jean has created a buzz. The majority are concerned because Jean has no political experience. His qualifications are sketchy considering he mostly grew up in New Jersey and New York after he left Haiti at age 9. Article resource – Wyclef Jean, former Fugees frontman, runs for president of Haiti by Personal Money Store.

Becoming president as Wyclef Jean

Thursday, Wyclef Jean announced on a Miami radio station that he prepared to run for president. The Miami Herald reports that Jean will step down as the founder and chairman of the Yéle Haiti Foundation to prepare for his candidacy. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that $ 9.1 million for Haiti earthquake relief was raised by the Yélé foundation. A longtime advocate for Haiti, Jean was among the first responders after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake Jan 12 devastated Port au Prince, the nation’s capital.

Jean runs because of Haiti earthquake

Wyclef Jean plans on running for president because he thinks he was called to it. He interviewed with the New York Times saying:

“I’m not running for president so much as I’m being drafted. The youth, in their mind, if I don’t come and put a perspective to things, they feel there’s no future for the country, and I have to agree with them.”

The Times said Jean was planning to announce his Haitian presidential bid on “Larry King Live” after flying to Haiti on Thursday to register with the elections board. In order to run for president of Haiti, you have to are a citizen who was a resident at least for five years. Both needs are met by Jean although he hasn’t lived there since he was a child. He has a Haitian passport after being born in Croix des Bouquets.

Jean compares himself to Reagan, Havel

In an interview with Time magazine, NPR reports that Jean cited Ronald Reagan and Vaclav Havel as precedents for the artist-to-head-of-state transition. Jean has no experience in politics which is very different from Reagan and Havel. The most successful musician in politics may be previous Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, who serves as Australia’s environment minister. The Dave Rowntree, Blur drummer, tried to get into British parliament this year but lost along with all of of the Labour party.

Jean’s Haiti is in dire straits

November 28 is when the elections could be made for what Wyclef Jean wants to win and the Miami Herald explains this could be an very essential vote. The winner will face the challenge of leading reconstruction efforts in the wake of the massive earthquake that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives. Even though it has been six months since it happened, 1.6 million people have camps they are living in.

More on this topic

Miami Herald

miamiherald.com/2010/08/05/1762628/its-official-wyclef-jean-to-run.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/05/world/americas/05haiti.html?_r=1

NPR

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128996915

Karen Sypher found guilty of extortion

According to Associated Press reports, former model Karen Sypher, 50, and Louisville University men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino, 57, are near the end of their year-long lawful battle. Sypher was found guilty of 3 counts of extortion, two counts of lying to the FBI and one count of retaliating against a witness. The catalyst for the charges was Sypher’s series of attempts to extort millions in hush cash from Pitino after a 2003 sexual encounter. Sypher originally claimed that Pitino raped her, but Pitino denied the claim and was not charged. Sypher might be going away to prison for up to 26 years, although her actual sentence is expected to be shorter.

Frightening calls and letters haunted Pitino

Court records indicate that Rick Pitino received numerous telephone messages and two letters. These messages asked for cash and gifts such as college tuition for Sypher’s son, in exchange for her silence over the affair. ”This was nothing more than a pure shakedown of Richard Pitino,” attorney Marisa Ford told jurors within the case. Attorney Marisa Ford said that “This was nothing more than a pure shakedown of Richard Pitino”. Sypher’s defense attorney complained that his client was being blackballed due to Pitino’s stature within the community.

Pitino and also the ‘unfortunate’ quarter-minute

In a emotionally charged six hours of testimony, Pitino described his late-night encounter with Sypher in a closed and deserted Italian restaurant. The sex was consensual and ‘unfortunate,’ he said. He wrestled with emotion as he described to the jury how difficult it had been for him to eventually tell his family about the affair which had no witnesses.

Sypher did not testify

The jury didn’t hear directly from Sypher, but they were allowed to view an unreleased television interview. The Pitino rape allegation came from that footage. She also corroborated Pitino’s testimony in which he gave assistance Tim Sypher $ 3,000 to give to Karen Sypher (then Karen Wise) for counseling and medical needs. In time, Karen Wise and Tim Sypher got married. Within the ensuing years, the couple bumped into Pitino numerous times at area functions. Pitino insisted that Karen Sypher had wanted the money for counseling and general medical needs, by Sypher claims she told Pitino she needed the cash for an abortion.

More troubling phone calls in 2009

AP reports indicate that Pitino revealed in jury testimony that he also received menacing phone calls from an unidentified man in February 2009. As previous phone calls and letters had done, Pitino was threatened with exposure of his sexual encounter with Karen Sypher. As outlined by the Louisville coach, “He mentioned the word rape. I got very sick to my stomach”. However, Pitino did not report these calls or the original event to the authorities for one more two months, as he “tried to contain the damaging information”.

Further reading

Associated Press

nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38574025/ns/sports-college_basketball/

August 4 northern lights show from solar flare

A solar tsunami could be hitting Tuesday night for anybody willing to stay up and watch it. Earth saw some particles of sun start flying towards it after an explosion occurred on the sun. Across the surface of the sun, there is a huge solar flare rippling which is what makes a solar tsunami. The solar flare may very well hurt numerous NASA satellites during the process. This will create a display of northern lights that is magical. Article source – Massive solar flare will ignite big northern lights show Aug. 4 by Personal Money Store.

Solar flare triggers solar tsunami

The solar flare occurred on Sunday. The explosion caused a massive solar tsunami across the sun’s surface and blasted a giant wave of ionized atoms on a collision course with Earth’s magnetic field. The solar flame might hit tonight making for a rare northern lights display and geomagnetic storm, reports Fox News. The space weather could cause solar flare satellite damage, though scientists think that possibility is remote.

Solar tsunami with STEREO

Solar tsunamis emanating from the site of solar flares were confirmed to exist by NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). Wired reports that STEREO is two spacecraft pointing at the sun. Earth’s orbit is what these spacecrafts go around. The tandem produces a stereoscopic image of the sun that presents a three-dimensional view. At 560,000 mph, a 60,000 mile high wave of hot plasma and magnetism went across the sun’s surface in February of 2009 and was shown by STEREO in the video below.

Rarity of solar flares

The second video below shows an very rare solar flare from the sun. Solar flares on the sun launched to Earth at about the same time as outlined by Telegraph. Dr Lucie Green, of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Surrey, England, told the Telegraph the first eruption was so large it changed the magnetic fields throughout half the sun’s visible atmosphere and provided the right conditions for the second eruption. The only thing Earth will see from this can be a geomagnetic storm along with some pretty awesome northern lights.

Northern lights on display

When the solar flares hit the Earth Tuesday, charged particles from the sun will hit the oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s upper atmosphere to produce the northern lights. GMTV reports that the charged particles excite the gas atoms into emitting small bursts of energy within the form of light. The color of the light depends on which gas is being excited and by how much. There could be colors like greenish-yellow, red, or blue depending on whether Oxygen or nitrogen is getting excited. The blending of these colors can also produce purples, pinks and white.

Discover more details on this subject

Fox News

foxnews.com/scitech/2010/08/03/spectacular-northern-lights-signals-sun-waking/

Wired

wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/solar-tsunami/

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7923069/Nasa-scientists-braced-for-solar-tsunami-to-hit-earth.html

YouTube

youtube.com/watch?v=bMgBt-UuUak and amp;feature=related

YouTube

youtube.com/watch?v=rnqubAGgx2k and amp;feature=related

New York targets mortgage loan officers with new regulations

In New York state, and soon in many other states, officers that offer personal unsecured loan products for instance mortgages are now subject to new regulations. These regulations are intended to help customers in need of large or small loans protect themselves from unscrupulous agents. When New York passed these regulations in 2006, the federal government passed similar laws in 2008.

Licensing for New York state loans

The New York state regulations aren’t intended for money advance lenders that offer mortgages, but for their employees that actually offer mortgages. As of July 31, any mortgage loan officer who wants to work in New York State must have a license. In order to get this license, an agent must complete a 20 hour training course. The license also needs financial background checks and criminal background checks. Similar laws are set to take effect all over the country in the next few years.

Limiting opportunities for dangerous employees

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing law addresses one very specific problem. The economic recession came about, in part, because of money advance products offered by a certain subset of people. While mortgage companies were licensed, the lenders who worked at them were not required to be. Mortgage loan officers who were known to make no credit loans or bad loans could jump from job to job.By maintaining a record on the lender’s license, states can be able to keep closer tabs.

Relatively weak licensing needs

By addressing issues within the mortgage business, the new law does help, but some are worried it might not be enough. Many licensed professionals say that 20 hours is not enough training. In most states, licensed professions require a minimum of 75 hours or more of training. The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry is providing a search that will help you find a mortgage lender that has a license.

Boston missing pets - residents think fisher cats are to blame

In Boston, Mass., beloved family animals are disappearing all over the place and turning up lifeless at an alarming rate. Many families in the regional area believe fisher cats are to blame. More than a couple of individuals claim to have seen the wild, sharp-toothed, weasel-looking fisher cat in residential communities, and residents are recommended to take caution.

Fisher cat assault in Boston

Boston residents believe the high number of pets vanishing within the area is due to fisher cat assaults. Reports of missing pets within the local area are skyrocketing, and individuals are warned to take extra precaution to protect their pets and even small children. Several residents claim the fisher cat was spotted in people’s fences, back yards and porches in broad daylight. A man in Andover even captured video clips of a fisher cat spotted in a tree.

Linda Ribeiro, a Dover citizen who has lost two cats and a dog, said she saw a fisher cat two weeks ago that was as large as a coffee table. ”Almost looked like a sea serpent or something,” said Ribeiro. “The head was up and then it came down to short front legs and then the back goes up and arches and then this long tail that’s stuck up within the air.”

What is a fisher cat?

Fisher cats are from the very same family as mink, otter, weasels and skunks. These medium-sized fisher cats are thin, long and low to the ground, and they’ll eat almost anything they can find. According to Wikipedia, fisher cats are one of the few predators that search for and kill porcupines. All year long they remain productive and are quite possibly more active during twilight hours.

What to do

Missing posters are turning up everywhere across the region as despaired pet owners search for animals that have disappeared most recently. Not too long ago the fisher cat was nearly extinct, but as outlined by wildlife officials, it appears the species are returning in rapid numbers. Pet owners and families with kids are advised to remove or secure anything that can attract the fisher cats. Get rid of garbage and compost and keep pet rabbits and birds as well as their food secure, as the fisher cats “view domestic cats and rabbits as food and will prey on them when hunting.”

Race to the Top finalists lead U.S. in education reform

Billions of dollars in federal education reform grants are up for grabs in the Race to the Top. Wednesday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that 18 states and the District of Columbia as finalists in the competition’s second round. Cooperation was the secret of success for final contestants such as California. In Nevada, which didn’t make the cut, politicians pointed fingers and called the program large government.

Race to the Top finalists eligible for billions

In March the first round of Race to the Top winners, Delaware and Tennessee, received $ 100 million and $ 500 million respectively. The United States of America Department of Education will award $ 3.4 billion in federal education grants within the second phase. Second round final contestants include are Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Race to the Top final contestants will send teams to Washington in August for the competition’s interview phase. In September winners could be declared.

Education reform: “a quiet revolution”

In a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, Duncan called the program “part of a quiet revolution” in education reform when he announced the Race to the Top finalists. The biggest achievement of the program, supporters say, is that Race to the Top allows states to start dealing with controversial reforms before allocating scarce funding for them. Since Race to the Top was announced, the Department of Education Reform said 23 states have passed education reform laws around things like charter schools and teacher evaluations to improve their chances of winning.

California cooperates to advance

California became a Race to the Top finalist after finishing out of the money in the first round. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that across the state, 300 local school districts and county offices of education signed on to the Race to the Top application, agreeing to implement the reforms it outlined. California’s application, which highlighted what districts are already doing to turn around struggling schools, evaluate and support teachers and principals, and measure student performance, was written by superintendents from seven school districts.

Nevada politicians blame each other for failure

Nevada paid a consultant $ 40,000 to write its unsuccessful Race to the Top application. Fox News Las Vegas reported that an orgy of finger-pointing ensued upon Nevada’s failure to reach the finals. Democratic Senator Harry Reid accused Republican Governor Jim Gibbons of a “lack of leadership”. Gibbons said Reid never “lifted a finger” to help the state compete. Quite possibly though she wants less federal involvement in schools and has called for eliminating the Department of Education, right wing candidate for Senator Sharon Angle piled on Reid after Nevada was left out in the cold .

More on this topic

press.org

sfgate.com

fox5vegas.com

Small business credit being upheld by microlenders

An answer to the small business loan crisis may be microloans. Microloans are more commonly associated with developing countries. But microlending is on the rise within the United States of America as more small businesses are taking out microloans when the financial institution says no.Microlending could increase even more as a small business lending bill that would cut taxes and ease credit for smaller businesses stalled amid partisan feuding within the Senate.

Microlending – welcome to the third world, America

Microlending — making small loans, typically to the poor — has been one of the most effective means of financing growth in 3rd world countries. But then the U.S. economy fell and cannot seem to get up. The New York Times reports that demand for small loans has increased in the U.S. during the recession and credit crunch. The buzz on microlending is getting louder as more companies succeed with the help of microloans. Kiva, which has lent more than $ 150 million in 53 nations, has started pilot program lending to business owners within the United States of America. Also picking up the pace in the U.S. is Grameen Financial institution, a Bangladesh microlender founded by Muhammad Yunus, a pioneering microlender who has been acknowledged for his work with a Nobel Peace Prize.

Small business credit bill a partisan failure

Microlenders are taking up the slack in small company credit as Congress plays partisan games. A bill crafted to facilitate a thaw in small business credit died July 29, Bloomberg reports, because senate Democrats failed to get enough votes to move the measure beyond debate. To motivate small company lenders, the bill proposed funneling $ 30 billion to banks with less than $ 10 billion in assets. The cost of paying back those billions would decline for small business lenders as their level of lending rose. It was estimated how the small company lender package could prime $ 300 billion in lending. But Republicans attempted to tack an indefinite extension of the Bush tax cuts to the bill, perhaps as they said it would encourage an additional round of risky lending.

Microloans are getting results

Smaller businesses are succeeding with microloans while the Senate quarrels. The New York Times piece focused on a $ 6,500 microloan at three years and 6 percent interest that a Silicon Valley restaurant owner used to stay afloat and prosper.The Miami Herald reports that a Miami microlender called OUR MicroLending has underwritten 764 loans adding up to $ 4.5 million. Its customers typically have fewer than five employees, with sales of $ 100,000 or less. OUR MicroLoans makes loans ranging from $ 1,500 to $ 12,000 and average about $ 5,000. The average term is a year.

Additional reading

nytimes.com

bloomberg.com

miamiherald.com

SB 1070 prevents illegal immigrants from being sent home

Immigration law SB 1070 is one that the government is trying desperately to fight in court. Americans continue to give their opinions on the subject as well. CBS News and Rasmussen report the support of SB 1070 is 57 and 65 percent of Americans when The New York Daily News reports CNN giving a 55 percent rate of support. Now that SB 1070 is on the verge of going into effect in Arizona, an interesting wrinkle emerges- Arizona authorities can round up illegal immigrants, but the state will not have the power to deport them. Attorney General Eric Holder hasn’t signed the papers he needs to, to make certain that happened. Resource for this article – Arizona can’t deport illegal immigrants under SB 1070 by Personal Money Store.

SB 1070 can’t do anything

SB 1070 will empower local law enforcement officials across Arizona to enforce illegal immigration law if there is “reasonable suspicion,” but the federal government’s opposition means that it will not be deporting illegal immigrants. The Wall Street journal explains that Arizona has to determine if they want to fill up their prisons with illegal immigrants or if they would rather let it alone right now. Finding out if an immigrant is within the country illegally is easy; first you have to arrest the person and then call Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges are the people who make the final decision on deportation although the ICE’s decision is what puts them there. The federal government doesn’t want to work with the state. Hearings might take years to actually occur and make a decision.

ICE having to add more staff to deal with Arizona alone

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that there are approximately 460,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona. SB 1070 could conceivably generate a massive influx of calls from Arizona law enforcement to ICE. Only the cooperation of the Justice Department will make this an efficient process; otherwise, gridlock will likely ensue for both Arizona and ICE.

Maricopa County didn’t wait for SB 1070

An Arizona county decided it didn’t want to wait for the law, and then they did it all themselves with a federal-local partnership program. The Associated Press reports that Maricopa County has been responsible for the “deportations or forced departure” of 26,146 illegal immigrants since 2007. The program called 287 (g) made it so there were officers in Maricopa County there to enforce immigration law.

SB 1070 makes it possible to have the law in Arizona

The 287 (g) could be found in the Immigration and Nationality Act which was created in 1995. SB 1070, as outlined by its supporters, is intended to pick up where Section 287 (g) left off – it will deputize many more police force officers to watch for illegal aliens and enforce the law. Many think it will be better than 287 (g) because it can be supervised more than Homeland Security did before. Also, the problem with officials stopping individuals from being deported will lessen at the least, if not stop entirely with SB 1070. As outlined by ABC, Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, “If they want to block my jail, I’ll put them in Jail.”

What taxpayers get out of this

Considering that the cost of running federal immigration programs has grown from $ 5 million in 2006 to $ 68 million in 2010, costs are skyrocketing, reports the Journal. Perhaps effective enforcement – rather than a countless array of special interest groups and a spineless federal government – would ensure that those taxpayer dollars are well-spent.

Discover more info on this subject

Associated Press

hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IMMIGRATION_LOCAL_ENFORCEMENT?SITE=WDUN and amp;SECTION=HOME and amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/28/2010-07-28_arizona_immigration_law_sb_1070_has_support_of_55_of_americans_new_poll_shows.html

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703292704575393690850825662.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEForthNews

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_Section_287%28g%29

Expansion of federal fingerprinting program for illegal immigrants

youtube.com/watch?v=HEkfMccuDVI

Deadly bear attack in Montana just outside Yellowstone

When a female bear rampaged through Soda Butte Campground in Montana on Wednesday, two were injured and one man was killed. This Montana bear attack appears to are unprovoked, though the National Park Service is investigating. Camping in National Parks is usually very safe, but this attack proves that wild animals are, at times, dangerous.

Bear attack at Soda Butte Campground

The Soda Butte Montana bear attack began at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Two people were badly injured and one person was killed. Three separate campsites were attacked, and rangers evacuated the campground relatively quickly.

Anchoring to high automobile prices

Usually, campers in bear country are warned to stay away from bears at all costs. Sadly, it appears that the Montana bear attack was not specifically provoked. None of the campers left their food outside their trunks or bear boxes. The very busy campground may have made the bear feel she was in danger.

Previous attacks at Soda Butte campground

There are other bear attacks within the Soda Butte Campground within the past. The campground is about 10 acres large, and lives about 10 miles outside Yellowstone National Park. In 2008, a grizzly bear attacked one man in a tent. That bear was captured and transported to Washington State University in Pullman.

Safeguarding yourself from bear attack

If you are out camping in bear country, there are a few simple steps you are able to take to help avoid bear attack. First, keep any and all food in either a bear-proof container, inside a vehicle or hung 10 feet up and 4 feet out from any tree. Second, put all trash in wildlife-resistant containers if they are available. Don’t sleep within 300 feet of your cooking or food storage areas.