McCoy v. Chase pits credit card holders and issuers

The Supreme Court will be hearing a new case that questions the responsibilities and rights of credit card holders and lenders. In the next court session of the Supreme Court, McCoy v. Chase Manhattan Bank will be heard. The class action suit questions the ability of credit card companies to retroactively increase interest rates without notification of the cardholder. Chase bank claims that because the increase is in the initial cardholder agreement, the rate increase did come with notification.

Article Resource: U.S. Supreme Court to consider credit card notification by Personal Money Store

The side of the card holder

James A. McCoy alleges that Chase Manhattan Bank violated the law when they increased the rate on his credit card. McCoy was late with his payment on the credit card, and Chase retroactively increased his interest rate on all transactions for the month. McCoy had agreed to this increase by signing the cardholder agreement, but he did not receive separate notification of the increase. McCoy claims that this modification was illegal under the new Truth in Lending Act.

How Chase bank sees this case

Chase-Manhattan Bank appealed a lower court decision on this case to the Supreme Court, saying the Truth in Lending Act was complied with in this case. TILA requires that written notification of changes to interest rates be provided by these short term lenders. The TILA has one provision that says if an item has been agreed to in the past, they do not have to re-notify the card holder. In short, the debate comes down to the “natural” interpretation of the Truth in Lending Act provision versus the ambiguity of the language in the law.

Late payments on credit cards

This supreme court case started because of a late credit card payment. The Truth in Lending Act requires credit cards and unsecured loan companies to be transparent with their charges. What is your opinion: Should cardholders keep a copy of the agreement with them at all times, or should card companies provide multiple notifications?

Auto dealer regulation - An inability to compromise

Auto dealer regulation is on the minds of House Democrats of late, or a lot more specifically a lack thereof. Their belief is the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) would hamper auto dealers’ ability to recover during these trying financial times by limiting their ability to continue offering dealer-assisted financing. Led by New York Reps. Bill Owens and Mike McMahon, the Democrats thought they’d achieved a bipartisan compromise – until now. According to Automotive News, an additional provision was surreptitiously inserted into the bill that would have actually expanded the CFPA’s oversight over car dealers.

{|Resource for this article: Auto dealer regulation – A failure to compromise by Car Deal Expert

NADA seems to be lobbying hard for auto dealer regulation

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is flexing its considerable lobbying muscles to bring lawmakers in line with the a lot more permissive House version of the auto dealer regulation bill. Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback was extremely vocal in his opposition to Senate changes that went against what had been perceived to be “sensible bipartisan compromise.” Whatever happens, compromise would go against President Obama’s request made that no unique exceptions be made when it comes to the CFPA’s jurisdiction.

Christ Dodd delivers on what Obama wants

As crafted by Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, the proposed auto dealer regulation will allow the CFPA to write binding rules that car dealers would have to follow regarding “credit discrimination, credit disclosure, financial privacy and credit-report accuracy,” as outlined by Automotive News. NADA spokesman Bailey Woods disparaged the altered Senate version of the auto dealer regulation bill, claiming that it would it a lot more difficult for “millions of Americans (to find) an affordable way to finance a car.”

Barring unfair and deceptive practices

Ridding the industry of deceptive practices is the essence of the Dodd bill, which NADA finds completely untenable. Last month, Brownback’s proposal to grant dealer exemption from CFPA regulation was approved 60-30 as “a non-binding recommendation to Senate negotiators,” writes Automotive News. A vote for House or Senate will approach today. By early next week, the agreed-upon version will leave committee and go to the House and Senate for final approval. The final step could be to get the president’s signature. What will the future hold for America’s auto dealers?

Read a lot more on this topic here

Automotive News (subscription may be required)

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100623/RETAIL07/100629945/1203

Sam Brownback views auto dealer regulation as anti-small business:

youtube.com/watch?v=jv8lgKa_yAA

USA Today pay day loans alternatives article is misleading

Interest groups for the traditional banking regime would have you believe that there are numerous cheap payday loans alternatives. People with good credit have a wide variety of choices for cheaper short term loans, but those with credit constraints will likely discover pay day loans to be a better option. USA Today’s recent piece on pay day alternatives is an additional sad example of the misinformation that poisons the public view. The newspaper’s musings are something more than cheap.

Resource for this article: USA Today paydayloans alternatives article is misleading by Personal Money Store

Pay day loans alternatives: 401(k) loans lead the pack

Getting 401(k) loans as one of your payday loan alternatives could be a terrible idea. A borrower can conceivably take up to $ 50,000 or half of what’s in a plan (whichever is less) at low interest without a required credit check. But as The Money Alert warns, “You can’t contribute again until you repay”. Your retirement savings (more vital today than ever, considering the recessionary economy) can take a big hit. And don’t forget that employer matching shuts down when you are repaying.

Here’s something else you’ll lose: take home pay via payroll deduction. That may work, unless you lose your job. Then you will have to pay it all back in 60 days. You’ll face penalties and the potential of having to file in a higher, more expensive tax bracket on your next return. Indeed, the sting will be felt. A real option is in fact paydayloans, which both the University of Michigan and the Federal Reserve have shown to be a proven inexpensive option to loan shark use. They’re also much better on a small scale than 401(k) loans.

No. 2: What about credit card cash advances?

USA Today strikes out again with this effort at exposing payday loans no fax alternatives. Credit card cash advance loans via special blank checks is convenient, but also quite messy. To start with, the cash advance APR is multiple percentage points higher than what your credit card company charges for regular purchases. Second, if you use an ATM to obtain a credit card cash till payday, you will find additional fees. Thus, as Young Money suggests, it is vitally essential to look over terms and conditions of a credit card so you know what you are getting into, first. Using payday installment loans without pulling out the plastic is a better idea. Furthermore, you cannot pay the balance of your credit card cash now until after you have paid off every other charge on the card (the ones with a lower APR).

Banks and credit unions offer small loans

Knowing your credit history is quite significant in this scenario. As outlined by USA Today, bank and credit union small loans are great when you have the credit for them – but numerous individuals do not meet the criteria. In the case of paydayloans, they can even be used in conjunction with a consumer’s efforts to repair credit. Those with less-than-perfect credit should explore the possibility, something the USA Today apparently neglected within the process of researching their story.

Read more on this topic here

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2010-06-15-yourmoney15_ST_N.htm

The Money Alert

themoneyalert.com/401kloan.html

Young Money

youngmoney.com/credit_basics/040216_01/

Val Kilmer and also the possible Pecos River Ranch Bed and Breakfast

The Pecos River Ranch, which is the home of Val Kilmer in New Mexico, is becoming a flashpoint for controversy. The Pecos River Ranch is actually a several-thousand-acre ranch just outside of Santa Fe. Val Kilmer applied to try and turn the ranch into a bed and breakfast, and when the application was initially approved, it has been contested by the ranch’s neighbors. At a lot more than $ 200-per-night, per person, is the Pecos River Ranch even going to be a nice place to stay, or the center of controversy?

Source for this article: Val Kilmer – Proposed Pecos River Ranch Bed and Breakfast

The history of the Pecos River Ranch

Val Kilmer has lived on the Pecos River Ranch for nearly 15 years. In 2009, Kilmer put the Pecos River Ranch on the market for about $ 33 million, but claimed he was not looking to move out. Instead, Val Kilmer said he hoped for “a partner for an off-the-grid community”. The ranch has seven miles of the Pecos River.

Val Kilmer's plan for the Pecos River Ranch

After living on the Pecos River Ranch for a when, seems like that Val Kilmer has plans for the property. In March, Kilmer applied for a bed-and-breakfast permit for the property. The county planning and zoning commission accepted the application 3-2. That decision was appealed by neighbor Abran Tapia though. Tapia claims that Val Kilmer is “not a good neighbor” and deserves to have his application denied.

Is Val Kilmer really a bad neighbor?

The appeal of Val Kilmer’s application to turn Pecos River Ranch into a bed and breakfast is not depending on the merits of the application. Instead, neighbors are uneasy with Val Kilmer’s comments within the media. Specifically, rumors that Kilmer may be running for governor of New Mexico are flying for years. In news stories, though, Val Kilmer has said that Vietnam veterans were mostly “poor and criminals.” Kilmer has also said that he lives within the “homicide capital” of the United States. None of this, nevertheless, could have any legal standing once it comes time to deciding or blocking the Pecos River Ranch bed and breakfast.

Construction of Mississippi Toyota plant once again underway

Blue Springs, Mississippi and their Toyota plant relationship is back on again as construction will resume – and bring as many as 2,000 new jobs to the town. Toyota estimates the Blue Springs factory should be up and running by the fall of 2011, reports the Associated Press. This comes after construction was to have been complete and the plant running by 2010, but the onset of the economic recession in 2008 destroyed that timetable.

Article Resource: Mississippi Toyota plant construction resumes by Car Deal Expert

Corolla is the Mississippi Toyota plant’s stock in trade

The original production line that the Mississippi Toyota plant was slated to deal with was the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle, but now the Blue Springs facility will construct 150,000 Corolla compact cars each year, according to Toyota. Whatever the case, experts predict that this move will go a long way toward repairing Toyota’s image, particularly in North The United States. Considering that they’ve had to recall 9 million cars given that October 2009 due to safety issues, Toyota will take any gains available.

Toyota didn’t make friends with U.S. plant closures

For example, when New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) closed in California after Toyota terminated their agreement with GM, workers staged large-scale protests. Some damage control occurred when Toyota President Akio Toyoda tried allying Toyota with Tesla Motors, but Tesla is still a niche brand, so a lot more had to be done to satisfying the American public.

Gov. Haley Barbour welcomes Toyota back to Blue Springs

Regarding the re-emergence of the Mississippi Toyota plant, Gov. Haley Barbour told the AP:

“We’re delighted but not surprised. We’ve had good reason to keep our faith in them. Through a global economic crisis, Toyota kept its financial commitments to the state and to local schools, proving they’re not just the world’s premier automaker but a valuable community partner as well.”

To Blue Springs (and Mississippi), new jobs are of vital importance, and the Mississippi Toyota plant will deliver. While profits for the automaker remain shaky, this move may be the recovery sign investors are waiting for, indicates the AP.

Additional info could be found here

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jTG7SuUsayqE6bO9GPluAfU5blewD9GD2RRO0

After tax credit expires, new home sales fall to record low in May

New home sales fell according to a report by the Commerce Department released June 23. A slide in new home sales statistics was expected following the home buyer tax credit expired at the end of April. But the 32.7 percent drop in May was more than expected. Existing home sales also dropped, surprising forecasters who expected them to rise. Unemployment is the primary reason that the housing market is doing so bad without the tax credit. Sharp declines within the housing market, a critical component of consumer spending, are threatening the fitful U.S. economic recovery.

Source for this article: New home sales fall to record low in May after tax credit expires

New home sales are at a new low

New home sales had surged in March and April as homebuyers easily wanted to purchase homes before the April 30 deadline for the tax credit. Homebuyers have until June 30 to close the deals for the home tax credit, but the Senate might just vote to push that deadline back until Sept. 30. CNNMoney.com reports the May decline of 32.7 percent represents a drop to 300,000 homes from 446,000 which were there in April. Sales fell 18.3 percent. The Commerce Department said the May figures are the slowest sales pace given that it started tracking home sales statistics in 1963. The prior record was set in September 1981, when new homes sold at an annual rate of 338,000.

Consumer spending will take a hit

The decline in new home sales, if it continues, leads to a decline in housing prices, which will in turn lead to a decline consumer spending as well — the biggest threat to economic recovery. Business Week reports the drop in residential construction will sap consumer spending that actually accounts for 70 percent of the U.S. economy. There's direct correlation between home sales and spending on things such as furniture, appliances and building materials. On June 11 the Commerce Department reported that sales at U.S. retailers fell 1.2 percent in May, which is the first decline that has happened in eight months, led by a record 9.3 percent plunge at building-material stores.

New home sales statistics makes government wary

New home sales fell across the U.S., with sales down a lot more than 50 percent in the West. MarketWatch reports that housing market stats in May seemed dismal across the board. Housing stats fell 10 percent, building permits fell someplace around 5.9 percent, mortgage applications dropped and also the home builders’ index fell by five points. Mortgage rates stayed very low. Another glimmer of hope may be that government statisticians have low confidence within the monthly Commerce Department new home sales report, which is subject to major revisions, sampling flaws and statistical errors. The government says it can take up to four months to establish a statistically significant trend in sales.

US unemployment rate is who we blame

New home sales seem as though they are being affected by the anemic U.S. job market. Edward Leamer, an economist at the University of California, Los Angeles, explained to MarketWatch that unemployment is the primary reason housing is weakening without the tax credit to spur demand. The U.S. economy would have to grow at a 5 percent rate to create "significant reductions" in joblessness. "People won't buy homes when they are worried about their jobs," he said.

Citations

CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/06/23/real_estate/new_home_sales/?npt=NP1

businessweek.com

businessweek.com/news/2010-06-23/housing-market-threatens-u-s-recovery-as-sales-slide.html

Marketwatch.com

marketwatch.com/story/new-home-sales-plunge-33-to-record-low-in-may-2010-06-23?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Overturned by judge with oil company holdings was the drilling moratorium

A federal judge decided to overturn the Obama administration’s six-month deep water drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. The ruling issued Tuesday cited economic hardship as a result of the ban and said the government overreached by suspending all deep-water drilling operations either in progress or planned in the gulf. The ruling was hailed by oil companies. The Department of Justice said they would appeal the decision. Meanwhile, as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 gushed for the 63rd day, about 106 million gallons of crude and counting have spilled to the sea.

Article Resource: Drilling moratorium overturned by judge with oil business holdings by Personal Money Store

Drilling moratorium judge invested in oil

The drilling moratorium was overturned by Judge Martin L.C. Feldman. ABC News reports that recent disclosure documents indicate that Feldman, who was appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan, has had financial holdings in oil companies. Feldman said the Interior Department acted as if it were “arbitrarily and capriciously” when it issued a six-month moratorium on drilling new deep-water wells within the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean. Feldman given a preliminary injunction to Hornbeck Offshore Services to lift the drilling moratorium, saying that the government “failed to cogently reflect the decision to issue a blanket, generic, indeed punitive, moratorium.”

Uncertain about more deep-water drilling

The moratorium was imposed to give a presidential panel time to come up with recommendations on how to stay away from a future oil spill disaster. The Los Angeles Times reports that it remains uncertain whether the Interior Department would have to begin issuing new permits to drill. With an appeal virtually certain to come from the Obama administration, some analysts doubt that oil companies would want to start a major deep-water drilling operation within the Gulf of Mexico with the possibility it may have to shut down if the appeal succeeds.

Drilling moratorium spun by oil companies

The American Petroleum Institute praised today’s ruling, saying in a written statement, “The moratorium was an initial reaction to concerns about the safety of offshore oil and natural gas operations. Nevertheless, an extended moratorium would have a tremendous impact on the nation’s energy security – and cause significant harm to the region of the country that was already suffering from the spill – without raising safety or improving industry procedures.”

Containment failure for BP oil spill

In the meantime CNN reports that government estimates indicate as much as 60,000 barrels (2.5 million gallons) of oil may be flowing to the Gulf each day, and also the gusher has already taken a significant toll on tourism and the fishing industry in Gulf Coast states. BP said Tuesday it had succeeded in collecting less than half of the estimated daily output: 25,830 barrels (1.08 million gallons) of oil over the past 24 hours. The amount is probably the most ever collected; the previous record was set June 18 when 25,290 barrels were picked up. BP said it will donate net revenues it receives from the sale of oil recovered from the spill to help the National Fish and Wildlife Federation deal with the oil it won’t be collecting from the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010.

Read a lot more on this topic here
ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/gulf-oil-spill-disaster-judge-overrules-white-house/story?id=10983980&page=2

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-moratorium-20100623,,7804590.story

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/06/22/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1

The US Postal Service is looking for a automobile replacement

Most vehicles within the US Postal Service really need this. The autos were intended with a 24-year life cycle, and are simply getting old. $ 4.2 billion is what would be required to replace all of the vehicles. Is the replacement going to be the only option?

Article Resource: U.S. Postal Service looking for car replacement By Car Deal Expert

Postal service LLVs

LLV stands for Long Life Cars and is the kind of truck the Postal Service uses. The trucks had a 24 year life cycle. That 24 year lifecycle is coming to a close. The Postal Service Inspector General has said that, over the next eight years, the Postal Service would spend a lot more repairing the vehicles than replacing them.

The price of repairing all of the USPS vehicles

In 2009 alone, the Postal Service spent $ 524 million on LLV repair. Generally it is better to repair vehicles rather than replace them. The average repair bill for each LLV is about $ 5,600, with some repair bills going as high as $ 40,000. The cars do not usually require specialized maintenance, though the right-handed driving setup can cause more expensive maintenance at times.

How to replace the LLV fleet

The cost to benefit comparison of continuing to repair the LLV fleet is quickly turning upside down. In the next eight years, the postal service will actually lose money if it repairs instead of replaces any vehicles that have a repair bill of more than $ 3,500. To replace the trucks straight across, it would cost $ 30,000.

Trying to test alternatives for Postal Service vehicles

New alternatives for the Postal Service are being researched. The USPS has offered a reward of $ 50,000 to five different firms for providing a working prototype of a USPS automobile by August. Letter carriers in many other areas are testing three-wheeled electric cars, bicycles, and a lot more traditional minivan-style vehicles for delivering the mail, rain or shine.

Proposed by FCC is net neutrality 3rd Way

Affordable internet access to all Americans is called Net neutrality. Some broadband providers have proposed to start charging quite a bit more to their customers for higher levels of service, much like cell phone companies. The Federal Communications Commission began an uproar in the net neutrality debate on Thursday when it announced to the world that it will seek public remark on imposing new regulations on Internet service providers to keep them from offering tiered service. Within the meantime, Capitol Hill tries to define FCC's authority better. But the FCC doesn’t want to wait for Congress to do it before it regains control of the net neutrality issue.

Article Source: FCC proposes net neutrality Third Way By Personal Money Store

The net neutrality of FCC

Consumer groups and free speech advocate groups like savetheinternet.com are in favor of net neutrality. Free market advocates and internet service providers are against it. Until last week the two proposed versions of net neutrality legislation would have prohibited: (1) the “tiering” of broadband through either sale of voice- or video-oriented Quality of Service packages; and (2) content- or service-sensitive blocking or censorship on the part of broadband carriers. Last week, the FCC released what is known as the “Third Way” plan.

Net neutrality and the Third Way

Net neutrality under the third way, according to the Washington Post, is this: Currently, broadband is defined as an data service, which means it doesn’t face much FCC oversight. The new plan is to shift broadband to the exact same classification as telephone service, which would trigger a whole lot more oversight by the agency. The FCC explains that it would not subject Internet service providers to the full brunt of regulation that would come with the new classification.

Comcast and their net neutrality case

The FCC’s Third Way is an effort to regain control of the issue on net neutrality in response to a Federal Court decision in April that overturned a 2008 FCC ruling within the actual Comcast net neutrality case. In 2007, Comcast was found to be blocking or severely delaying BitTorrent uploads on their network, claiming that downloading huge amounts of data was clogging the network. In August 2008, the FCC ruled that Comcast broke the law when it throttled the bandwidth accessible to certain customers for video files in order to make sure that other customers had adequate bandwidth.

Time Warner and also the net neutrality challenge

In a 2009 test of the net neutrality issue, Time Warner Cable announced its objective to offer broadband packages in 10GB, 20GB, 40GB and 60GB batches. Capped at $75, the plan charges $1 per GB. Time Warner launched the pricing system in several markets. The business later announced that it would offer larger packages. Eventually they had to abandon the Time Warner net neutrality challenge.

Supporters of net neutrality

The FCC voted Thursday to start the controversial strategy of reclassifying high-speed Internet access to provide the agency authority over service providers that could prevent disparate treatment of customers. As outlined by the Channel Web, last week, a group of 13 companies including Amazon, Google and Sony sent the FCC a letter in support of the 3rd Way saying that it will ensure that consumers have access to an open Internet, one that would preserve a level playing field for all participants. The net neutrality supporters said the 3rd Way does so without regulating the Internet but by making use of basic rules of the road to the transmission services that supply access to the Internet.

Being against net neutrality

Republicans in Congress are adamantly against net neutrality any which way. It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that Republicans offer the familiar argument the Third Way is more government meddling in a free market that will stunt innovation and investment, echoing their Internet-service provider patrons. Texas Republican senator Kay Bailey Hutchison speaking out against net neutrality said the agency has created “new burdensome regulations that threaten to stifle the growth of America’s broadband services.”

Net neutrality letter from Google

But Google cheered the FCC’s decision. "As we have said before, broadband infrastructure is too essential to be left outside of any oversight,” the company said. Massachusetts Democratic senator Edward J. Markey applauded the FCC’s move, calling it a “light-touch regulatory proposal” that would ensure “continued innovation, consumer protection and certainty in the broadband marketplace.”

More data on this topic

savetheinternet.com

savetheinternet.com/

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/06/fcc_votes_to_seek_comment_on_i.html

Channel web

crn.com/networking/224701332

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/business/la-fi-0618-fcc-broadband-20100618,,5300272.story

Google blog

googleblog.blogspot.com/

Watch out for these potential auto mechanic scams

When you take your vehicle to an auto mechanic, you should have reasonable assurance that they are reputable and trustworthy. Researching a mechanic ahead of time via AAA or other industry resources helps. However, being prepared with knowledge of some of the car repair tricks of those mechanics can help you avoid being scammed. Here are just a few things to look for, and none of them need anything more than some basic automotive knowledge. Thanks to WalletPop for giving us some great ideas.

Source for this article: Watch out for these potential auto mechanic scams By Personal Money Store

Auto mechanic scam of spit and polish

Auto mechanic scams depend on a customer's lack of knowledge. A mechanic may say that a part needs to be replaced, but the reality is that they may remove it, clean it up, then simply put it back on the car so that it looks brand new. Easily removed parts like batteries, oil filters and radiators are common targets. A variation on this scam can be that the mechanic claims they replaced your old part with a refurbished part. This means they actually did nothing. If you can take the car home first before you are going to have any repairs done, mark the part in question with a small dab of paint that isn’t easy to spot unless someone knows it’s there. After repairs are complete, ask to see the old part as well as the purchase order for the new one. Match the part and the receipt. If there is paint on this part, it was a scam.

There's manic maintenance

Follow the suggestions from manufacturers for standard maintenance. Check your owner’s manual. The manufacturers know your vehicle model better than anyone, so their recommended specs are authoritative. If a mechanic tries to get you to agree to an oil change, flush or other repair sooner than needed, you’ll can be suspicious. You should bring the manual with you to the repair.

Don't pay for guesswork

This is for people who didn't have the problem fixed by their mechanic. Hold your mechanic to a high standard. If they failed to fix it the first time, demand a refund. Try a different mechanic if problems persist.

Consider your dipstick

Before going in for repairs, check your dipstick. Do this, because you want an accurate reading of your engine’s oil level and also because this will remind you to watch for an old nickel-and-dime trick some mechanics use. By only inserting the dipstick partway, they will get a lower reading. Even if it is cheap, it is still something. Also, watch for the detached spark plug trick – it could save you from unnecessary engine exploratory work. While there, don't get new power steering. According to WalletPop, no auto manufacturer recommends this service.

With labor, doubled over

Repair jobs lead to other repair jobs sometimes. Mechanics will double the labor charge sometimes. The labor cost you were quoted is what you should pay. However, if the new job is something big, the mechanic still has to make money for his or her time. Communicate with your mechanics and make sure they spell out whether or not additional labor charges will be incurred before you give your consent to proceed.

Citations~More information on this topic~Read more on this topic here~Find more information on this topic~Additional information at these websites

WalletPop

walletpop.com/top5/general/sneaky-auto-repair-tricks/

Video related:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4fLfpuXDuM

SpaghettiOs recall affects 15 million pounds of pre-cooked pasta

Last night, Campbell Soup Business put out a SpaghettiOs recall that will probably affect 15 million pounds of the canned pasta product. The SpaghettiOs recall is not because of any reported illnesses, but was issued “out of an abundance of caution.” Because of undercooked meat, there are three types of SpaghettiOs in the recall.

Resource for this article: SpaghettiOs recall affects 15 million pounds of pre-cooked pasta by Personal Money Store

SpaghettiOs recall products

The three products incorporated within the SpaghettiOs recall are all 14.75-ounce cans, that are stamped with the code EST 4K and a “use by” date between June 2010 and December 2011. The 3 products are:

• There are the SpaghettiOs with Meatballs with the product code U5
• There's SpaghettiOs A to Z with Meatballs with the product code 4N
• SpaghettiOs “Cars” Fun Shapes with Meatballs with the product code KS.

Department of Agriculture inspection spurs SpaghettiOs recall

The SpaghettiOs recall is being announced along with Campbell Soup Company and also the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service. The FSIS was completing a routine safety inspection of the Campbell warehouse that is in Paris, Texas when they found that some meats within the SpaghettiOs recall were undercooked. Individuals can get sick off of undercooked canned meats.

Cost of the SpaghettiOs recall

The cost of any kind of food recall can very easily and effortlessly run to the millions of dollars. Retail, a can of SpaghettiOs usually costs about 80 cents. Back-of-the-envelope calculations explain that at 15 ounces apiece, the company is recalling about 16 million cans of SpaghettiOs. They are offering to replace any SpaghettiOs recalled – which puts just the product cost at $ 12.8 million, retail. Add onto the cost of announcing, administering and recovering from the recall. In other words, one malfunctioning cooker that was not repaired in almost 18 months will cost the company at least $ 13 million if not more. The company’s stock has also been steadily losing value today, though until today it was recovering well from the 2009 stock market fall.

What to do if you’re affected by the SpaghettiOs recall

Return your SpaghettiOs to the store where you purchased them if you were in the recall. The store should give you a full replacement or refund. Call the Campbell's hotline at 866-495-3774 if you need to get more information.

As economy recovers, credit crisis might cause housing shortage

A housing shortage will likely be one more effect of the housing bubble, despite the housing market crash, foreclosure epidemic, credit crisis, massive unemployment and other hardships fade. Once the U.S housing market crashed and took the rest of the economy down along with it, banks stopped home lending, home buyers stopped purchasing and home builders stopped building. Even apartment construction has dried up. Even with a glut of housing inventory in 2010, a housing shortage in 2011 is forecast when a growing population exceeds available shelter.

Article Resource: Credit crisis will cause a housing shortage as economy recovers By Personal Money Store

Market crash shorts housing

A housing shortage in 2011 could happen as the economy recovers, jobs are created and the desire to create new households returns. CNNMoney.com reports that the nation is not building enough homes to keep up with potential demand. Just 672,000 new homes were began in April, which is less than half the long-term rate that could be needed to meet population growth within the U.S. The housing shortage, which may already exist, has been masked by the housing market crash. Job creation and home buyers will return together. Pent-up demand from customers could catch the U.S. housing market off guard, resulting in a housing shortage and rising home prices.

Housing inventory probably won't keep up

A housing shortage seems unlikely as the U.S. housing market has been having a ton of foreclosures and excess inventory. But it was reported by Forbes.com that if The US can’t regain its focus on building homes, the housing market can have a much bigger problem. Brian Wesbury, chief economist at First Trust Advisors, explained to Forbes that 1.5 million houses a year have to be built to keep up with population growth. Current inventory of new and present-day homes is plenty to support the housing market for about 7 months.

Seems like the credit crisis has handcuffed the homebuilders

The housing shortage is boosted by the credit crisis. The Los Angeles Times reports that home buyers aren’t the only real ones who experience tight-fisted banks. Builders are having a hard time borrowing the money they need to buy any kind of land, develop some lots and construct houses. Most builders aren’t starting houses today until they either do not have anything else to sell or buyers have an approved mortgage application at hand. A builder is a lot more likely to get credit now with a solid contract from somebody who has a mortgage and doesn’t have another house to sell.

Rental market shortage more serious

The housing shortage is likely to hit the rental market worse. The National Association of Home Builders reports that new multifamily construction has been crippled by the credit crisis. That leaves the industry extremely unable to meet the need for market-rate and affordable apartments that is expected to accompany economic recovery beginning next year. The two- to three-year timeline required to build apartment communities won’t be quite enough time for a large number of Generation Y professionals and newly formed households expected to need them.

Secure low rent today

The apartment shortage and increased demand will lead to increased rents. Mai Ling Slaughter at MSN.com explains to every person reading that the current market is on the renter’s side, with vacancies at a 30-year high and plenty of perks available for both current and new tenants, but it could all come to an end soon. Now may be the best time to sign an 18-to 24-month lease to lock in that low rent price.

Read a lot more on this topic here

CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/06/15/real_estate/new_housing_bubble/?npt=NP1

Forbes.com

realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23505825

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-lew-20100613,,7268736.story

With one notable exception, Father’s Day gifts to be avoided

Father’s Day gift ideas are a lot harder to come up with than Mother’s Day gift ideas. It’s not that men are that hard to buy gifts for. It just appears to be that men don't care whether or not they get a gift. Men generally say that for the day they want a one day trip from fatherhood. A round of golf with the fellas or a romantic evening with the wife can be appreciated more than one more tie, barbecue utensils, cheap gadgets or knick-knacks.

Article Resource: Father’s Day gift ideas to be avoided, with one notable exception By Personal Money Store

Father's day gifts not to get

All online you find gifts to avoid. Jessica’s Coupons gets a lot of hits by featuring a ton of things like a basting brush that looks like a forked twig with two sets of bristles. Then there’s the mini charcoal grill for $50 that looks like one you are able to buy at the hardware store for $30 — except it comes in six colors. Or how about a package of cheap cologne in containers that look like Cuban cigars for Father’s Day ? Then there’s the cocktail stir sticks shaped like guitars — and last but certainly least, the eco-friendly coffee cup.

Cheap Father’s Day gift ideas

Cheap Father’s Day gift ideas for low budgets will no doubt be huge this year. If you’re looking for a great no-cost gift, Dad would like not having to mow the lawn. Some suggestions are given by Savings.com. Some gifts can be homemade. Although they may not cost money, think twice about shooting a video of the children telling stories about dad or describing their preferred things about him. All children seem to hate doing this. Breakfast in bed is a bad idea too. Also, don't let kids bake cakes or pie.

Getaways for Father's Day

Father's day getaways are always good. About.com has on there a whole bunch of Father’s Day getaway suggestions, but the site is off when it suggests the kids have to come along. The last thing you think of when Club Med comes to mind is a family gathering, but the Club Med Sandpiper Florida touts its kids programs. It looks like a great place — but not on Father’s Day. Other family Father’s Day getaways include a few golfing spas in Pennsylvania and a Huck Finn festival in Victorville, Cali.

Spending Father's day in Las Vegas

When it comes to Father’s Day getaways, you can’t go wrong with Father’s Day in Las Vegas. This certainly doesn’t fall under the category of cheap Father’s Day gift ideas, but it does belong under a “gifts he’ll love” heading.

The Las Vegas Sun suggests lots of activities — from barbecue festivals to fights to fishing — to keep him from thinking about the lawn on Father’s Day. The Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival goes on all day at the Cannery Casino and Hotel. Then go ringside at The Ultimate Fighter Finale at The Pearl, featuring the top four finalists from TUF Season 9’s battle between the United States and also the United Kingdom. At the Ritz-Carlton, take a look at the Father's Day Scotch and Cigar Experience. Now that’s a Father’s Day to remember, plus, what happens in Vegas.

Citations

Jessicas Coupons
jessicascoupons.com/2010/06/unique-fathers-day-gift-ideas-prices.html
Savings.com
savings.com/blog/post/The-Frugal-Family-Cheap-and-Easy-Fathers-Day-2010-Gift-Ideas.html
About.com
travelwithkids.about.com/od/holidays/a/fathersday.htm

BP pays for top spot for oil spill searches as stock price sinks

Search engine companies are BP's latest strategy to manipulate information to the public about the gulf oil spill. Type “oil spill” in those search engines and BP appears at the top of the page. BP is distributing its oil wealth to search engines as the company's stock price goes through the floor, threatening its future despite the fact that it has billions stashed away. BP is also taking heat from U.S. politicians who are criticizing the company for paying huge stock dividends while companies displaced by the disaster wait for damage claims. Meanwhile, the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 added up to as much as 125 million gallons and counting on day 52 of the disaster.

Article Resource: BP buys top oil spill search listings as BP stock price plummets

Will money purchase love for BP?

Web users browsing for oil spill updates are in BP's PR crosshairs. USA Today reports that BP, which has been criticized for spinning and withholding data about the disaster, is paying search engine companies Google, Bing and Yahoo to show up as the top sponsored ad for search queries like “BP news,” “oil spill” and “oil spill claims”. BP's site, the destination for the sponsored links, presents the story BP would rather have told about the disaster with biased updates, videos and photos. The oil spill live feed, and its view of the ruptured well overwhelming in the oil spill cap, is conspicuously missing.

BP stock price under pressure

So far BP’s oil spill ploy with the search engine companies hasn’t helped its stock price. BP stock slumped to its lowest price in a lot more than seven years in London trading, driven by U.S. political pressure over its failure to halt the oil spill in the gulf of Mexico 2010. U.S. lawmakers demanding that BP withhold dividends until the oil spill is cleaned up are infuriating investors in Britain, where BP stock is widely held by pension funds. The Associated Press reports that when asked if BP should cut its dividends to shareholders House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “I think it is appropriate for BP to be paying businesses in the Gulf. … They have a responsibility under the law to pay these damages. They made $17 billion last year. Maybe individuals who receive dividends have deeper pockets."House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the Associated Press that BP should take responsibility under the law to pay damages before paying dividends to individual! s with deep pockets.

A lot more info on this topic

CNNMoney.com

usatoday.com

google.com/hostednews/ap/article

Driving etiquette - Spotlight on safety

Driving etiquette may sound like something one would learn in finishing school, but the reality is that showing consideration for other people who occupy the highway is not only polite, but necessary for safety’s sake. As a Thinkquest entry on driving etiquette rightly puts it, “Everyone appreciates the good manners of a driver who: Signals his turns, makes his stops smoothly and gradually pulls to the proper lane well before making a turn.” This maintains decorum and helps keep the lives of the driver and others out of harm’s way.

Source for this article: Driving etiquette – Spotlight on safety By Car Deal Expert

Driver etiquette will show you how to act with other drivers

Drivers should not attempt to “shoot the fruit” and barrel through a traffic signal just before it turns red. If drivers are actually alert to their road conditions, they will typically notice a changing traffic light in plenty of time to make a smooth, safe stop utilizing relaxed braking. When trying to beat a red light, too numerous accidents happen. This will cut down on accidents. That includes signaling properly to alert other drivers and pedestrians to your merging and turning intentions. In bad weather, when high-beam headlights are necessary, dim them down to regular lights when another driving passes within the opposite direction. High beams make it hard to see causing accidents. If an accident does occur and the drivers are unharmed, be prepared to share insurance info and refrain from name-calling or admission of fault.

Don’t drive when distracted or intoxicated

We all know that driving when intoxicated is irresponsible, dangerous and criminal. Judgment and response times of a driver are impaired by alcohol or drugs. About.com notes that, while somewhat controversial, marijuana should also be considered a drug that temporarily damages driving ability. Numerous research projects like the recent Hartford Hospital study in Connecticut cited by Click On Detroit indicate that “the results do not imply that it is safe to drive under the influence of marijuana.”

Distracted driving could be equally dangerous, if not more than it is while drunk. A recent Associated Content article concerning road rage suggests that multitasking when driving simply isn’t a good idea for most people, if not all. Cell phones, food, makeup, video games, television and a host of other distractions can make good driving just impossible. How can you maintain proper spacing and control at all times on the road if your attention is buried in texting when driving?

Be careful when practicing driving etiquette

Citations

Thinkquest.org

library.thinkquest.org/2993/drivin.htm

Associated Content

associatedcontent.com/article/355526/driving_etiquette_for_everybody.html?cat=27

About.com

alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/f/mjkids_faq13.htm

Click On Detroit

clickondetroit.com/news/23818884/detail.html

Suction vs. gravity - What is the best way to change your oil?

Changing your oil seems like it should be relatively simple. Drain out the oil, replace the filter, put anything back together, and add new oil. A method that changes the oil with a suction method is becoming even more popular. Given the rising popularity, though, is the suction method just as good?

Article Source: Suction vs. gravity – What is the best way to change your oil?

A basic oil change

Most oil changes, given that the earliest autos, have relied on gravity to get the oil out of the engine. The oil is held in, in general, by a removable plug at the bottom of the engine. The engine drains oil when the plug is removed. Mechanics will probably use this method to change oil, depending on where you go. Theoretically, the dirt within the oil pan is a lot more likely to be removed with this process.

The siphon/suction oil change

In the SkyMall catalog and in some quick-change lube shops, siphoning oil machines are making an appearance. The dipstick tube is used to suck or siphon all the oil out of the engine with these machines. In theory, this method is just as effective as gravity changes. There are some enthusiasts who claim that these siphoning oil changes actually get more oil and gunk out of the engine during each change. Others, though, worry that the suction method of changing the oil might miss some of one of the most essential parts of an oil change.

Is the suctioning method as good?

As long as you regularly change your oil, suction and gravity will probably work equally well. You need to always make sure that an oil change includes a filter change. Feel free to ask your quick-lube place or mechanic which method they use. Changing your oil, no matter what method you use, is an important step in keeping your engine in good working order.

Truck driving jobs, auto industry jobs show strong upward trend

As much as 400,000 truck driving jobs and an upcoming labor shortage in the U.S. auto industry promise to put a small dent within the U.S. unemployment rate. The U.S. auto industry and also the U.S. trucking industry hemorrhaged jobs during the recession. But jobs in both industries are coming back as the U.S. economy inches toward recovery. The U.S. trucking industry is already seeing driver shortages in some markets. A labor shortage is forecast for the U.S. auto industry as well.

Source for this article: Truck driving jobs and auto industry jobs to surge in near future By Personal Money Store

truck driving jobs coming back

Nearly 150,000 driving jobs were lost from the U.S. trucking industry within the last two years. Nevertheless, by the end of this year nearly 200,000 new truck driving jobs could be created. Nearly 200,000 more could possibly be created next year, if a report from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals hits the mark. CNNMoney.com reports that numerous factors are creating the need for more truck drivers: retirements, tougher safety regulations intended to get drivers with bad records off the road and also the have to replace drivers who were laid-off during the recession.

New skills needed for new auto industry jobs

Since 2008, the U.S. auto industry saw 228,000 jobs lost. But trends point toward an addition of about 15,000 jobs this year and up to 100,000 new auto industry jobs a year from 2011 through 2013 as the industry recovers from the recession, according to the Center for Automotive Research|The Center for Automotive Research sees job numbers trending upward as the industry recovers toward about 15,000 in 2010 and another 100,000 new auto industry jobs each year through 2013|In a dramatic reversal, the Center for Automotive research forecasts 15,000 new jobs this year and another 100,000 a year through 2013 as the industry recovers from the recession}. The emerging new jobs, USA Today reports, won't be filled by the complacent union workers who contributed to the U.S. auto industry's decline. On the factory floor, auto industry jobs are demanding more and different skills, such as computer literacy and the ability to work with less supervision than their predecessors. Tha! t likely means education beyond high school.

More truck driving jobs than drivers

Truck driving jobs won’t be easy to fill, even with a U.S. unemployment rate reported at 9.7 percent in May, said Rosalyn Wilson, the author of the report featured within the CNNMoney.com article. It’s not an attractive profession for individuals who want to be home with their family at the end of the work day. As of May, 2009, truck driving jobs paid a mean of $ 37,730. Wages will likely increase because truck drivers are paid by the mile, and a lot more miles and less drivers are expected.

Additional data at these websites

CNNMoney.com

usatoday.com

Operation Sunset to end money lender in Arizona

The Arizona legislature approved a bill that gave payday loans direct lender 10 years of authorization to operate within the state in June 2000. In November of 2008, Arizona voters defeated a ballot proposition that would have extended this authorization indefinitely. On June 30, 2010, all payday lenders in Arizona will no longer be able to operate legally.

Resource for this article: Operation Sunset to end payday loans direct lender in Arizona

New lending limits in the state of Arizona

June 30, 2010, Arizona lenders could have new regulations. All loans, including short-term loans, will be limited to 36 percent interest plus 5 percent for any of the administrative expenses. Auto title lending and prepaid debit cards are two forms of short term credit that will still be accessible to customers in Arizona. The Arizona attorney general has set up a Facebook page and tip line where they’re encouraging all of the citizens to report any lenders they believe are operating outside the new legal framework.

The effect on private money lenders in Arizona

Currently, you will find 75 companies in Arizona with licenses to operate payday loans stores. These 75 companies have about 650 operating locations. Of those storefront locations, there are about 200 that have filed applications to convert their licenses to either car loan businesses or pre-paid debit card providers. Some companies have indicated that they plan to stay open and will try to offer short-term credit at the 36 percent rate of interest cap. Most credit providers will be shutting down, nevertheless. Within the state, about 1,000 jobs can be lost. The Arizona Operation Sunset representatives explained the Attorney General will be scrutinizing the terms and conditions of all short-term credit transactions.

Reality of personal loan companies in Arizona

Arizona’s Operation Sunset says that by forcing private money lenders out of business in the state of Arizona, it is helping improve the financial stability of state citizens. A recent study by UC-Davis found that any short-term credit is simply too expensive and risky for banks and credit unions to offer. Short-term credit markets provide companies the money to pay all of their bills, make payroll and generally operate on a day-to-day basis. Similarly, the check cashing, short term credit, and other financial services that numerous payday lenders offer are very useful for numerous individuals, including those who can’t or choose not to have bank accounts.

Read more on this topic here

AZCentral.com
azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/06/10/20100610payday0610.html
Arizona Attorney General’s Office
azag.gov/operation_sunset/
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hd4oR9WzL2f3xLfVj38DYSFLPJkQD9G83P9O0

Gaza blockade 2010 by Free Gaza Flotilla a PR victory for Hamas

The Gaza Blockade, a very essential aspect of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, was started about three years ago by Israel and Egypt to contain Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that controls Gaza. The Israeli raid on the Free Gaza Flotilla last week has refocused international attention on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and also onto the Gaza’s isolation. Numerous international leaders question the reasons for the blockade to continue. Critics call the Gaza Blockade a strategy of inhumane oppression. Supporters of the whole thing say the blockade is essential to prevent rocket attacks by Hamas on Israeli soil.

Article Resource: Gaza blockade 2010 by Free Gaza Flotilla a PR victory for Hamas

U.N. wants Israeli raid investigation

The United Nations, European leaders and many others criticized Israel after its commandos stormed six ships in international waters. There were about 700 activists were trying to break the Gaza Blockade by bringing in 10,000 tons of aid. It was reported by Voice of America that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the violence aboard the Turkish ship could are avoided if Israel had heeded earlier calls to lift the Gaza Blockade, which has prevented essential goods from reaching Gaza’s 1.5 million residents. Ban said he is considering having an investigation put into the Israeli raid that resulted in the deaths of nine pro-Palestinian activists.

Gaza Blockade defended by Israel

Israel says it allows a lot more than enough food, medicine and supplies into Gaza and suggests that there be no independent investigation of the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The Associated Press reports that Israel also rejects claims that Gaza is within the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to his nation the aim of the flotilla was to break the blockade, not to bring aid to Gaza. ”This was not the ‘Love Boat’,” Netanyahu told everybody, “It was a hate boat.” Israel says its soldiers were acting in self-defense because there were passengers that attacked them when the commandos rappelled onto the ship from helicopters.

Hamas wins just by losing

The attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla is seeming to be the latest public relations coup for militant organizations dedicated to antagonizing Israel. In 2006 Hezbollah, a gun-toting, grenade-throwing Islamist political organization scored a huge victory over Israel merely by surviving an onslaught it sought to provoke in southern Lebanon that devastated the countryside. Hamas, which regularly terrorizes Israel with rocket attacks from Gaza, seems to escape international rebuke for that misbehavior. In the meantime, Israel finds itself in lose-lose situations when it claims to be defending itself. Netanyahu has warned that if the blockade ends, hundreds of ships will bring in thousands of missiles from Iran to be aimed at Israel.

Israel gives enemies gifts

The situation created by the Gaza Blockade and also the Free Gaza Flotilla creates a geopolitical Rubik’s Cube for the United States. America’s relationships within the Middle East may have to be reset to some kind of balance of power that now sees Turkey — a non-Arab country who gained massive Middle East street cred by sanctioning the blockade — as the linchpin. Israel is the loser. Hamas gets to be the winner. As outlined by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the U.S., Egypt and even the Palestinian Authority had been betting on the weakening and eventual demise of Hamas. Hamas can operate from a position of strength, ironically, because of Israel.

Texting while driving bills have trouble on state level

When New York Senator Chuck Schumer brought a bill before the Senate to ban texting when driving, it seemed like the right bill at the right time. Strangely, getting comparable laws going on a state-by-state basis has been tough sledding. How can this be possible in light of what CNN recently revealed about how eight out of 10 auto wrecks come from distracted driving? It may have something to do with the language of the bills.

Article Source: Texting when driving legislation hits snags at state level

Texting while driving – a sample of what’s wrong with government

A number of states across the U.S. are having difficulties getting texting when driving bans in place. Georgia is one of those. As outlined by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Governor Sonny Perdue is wary of issues of enforcement resulting from the chosen language. The words that make clear “any text-based communication” would be banned is what bugs Perdue. Also, the governor of Georgia doesn’t think a mere law will stop individuals from texting while driving, such is the power of instant gratification.

”If I get my e-mails and I pick up a smart-phone and read my e-mails,” Perdue exclaimed, “I’m violating the law. But if I print out my E-mails and I have a sheet of paper driving (and take a look at it), then I haven’t violated the law”.

Instant gratification is tough to resist

Using Perdue’s logic, possibly all distracted driving should be against the law. It’s not hard to make the case. Strong texting when driving laws would make each and every life saved a testament to the law’s worthiness, right? The AJC indicates that texting while driving causes 1.6 million accidents each year, which consists of 500,000-plus injuries and 6,000 deaths. Not only that, but texting when driving has been shown to be triple the danger of driving drunk, as the act of texting demands a full shift in concentration. Overall, texting when driving, writes the AJC, is 23 times a lot more likely to cause an accident than without. Those numbers make it easy to see that people have to delay gratification and pull over first.

Auto Week and Oprah fighting the good fight

Auto Week has a highly motivated campaign against texting when driving. “We know what a car can do – artistically and brutally at speed,” writes Auto Week. ”As car guys we must be on the front lines to carry the message, willing to share with every person we learn about the risks of distracted driving. We must tell everybody to stop texting when driving. We are selfish that way. Because we want them to live”. Oprah’s “No Phone Zone” has shown even more encouraging results.

American drivers deserve no texting when driving

Mr. Perdue should understand that while the texting while driving bill for Georgia isn’t ideal, adopting it will instantly conserve lives. For more details on current texting when driving laws across The US, the link below to the Governors Highway Safety Association offers a current list of state-level cell phone and text messaging laws.

A lot more data on this topic

blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/06/03/advocates-make-last-minute-appeal-to-the-governor-to-sign-texting-while-driving-ban/?cxntfid=blogs_get_schooled_blog

autoweek.com/files/distracteddriving/distracteddriving.html

ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

BP oil spill nevertheless gushing - Now heading for Pensacola Florida

The BP oil spill has yet to be stopped, and it was reported that an oil slick will soon be covering the coast of Florida. An oil slick was spotted a couple of miles off the Florida coast, and there will soon be oil on the western side of the Florida panhandle. Pensacola, Fla, and especially Pensacola Beach could be hard hit. Tourism is likely to heavily suffer, as the white Pensacola beaches are a popular vacation destination.

Source for this article: Oil heads for Pensacola Beach – BP oil spill still gushing

White sand Pensacola Beach to turn to black

The sheen of an oil plume in the water a couple of miles off Pensacola, FL, was seen recently, as outlined by MSNBC. Summer, and thus the tourist season is beginning soon, which makes for the worst possible timing for the Gulf Coast tourist trade. The spill is already costing a lot of payday advances. The coasts of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and now Florida are already soaking up crude oil. The full cost to BP and to the taxpayers to clean up this mess won’t be known for some time.

Top kill and other attempts have no success yet

A number of different tries to stop the flow of oil have come to naught. The last try was a top kill method, where mud was pumped into the leaking pipes to plug the leak. A method referred to as cut and cap is being tried, where robotic submersible units are used to cut sections off the pipe, and caps put on. According to CNN, that is not meeting with a lot of results. Tries will continue, but it’s not known how long it will take to plug.

BP reeling

On top of being involved one of the biggest environmental disasters in living memory, a BP criminal investigation has begun over the incident. Meanwhile, BP's stock is plummeting. For some time, the full damages done by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico won’t be entirely clear.

Citations

MSNBC

CNN

How to get cigarette smoke smell out of a car

If you’ve ever purchased a privately owned used car, you probably left wondering how to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of a car. You will find some people go the extra mile to detail their automobiles before sale, but if you are scoping a spur-of-the-moment deal that is on Craigslist, you may be purchasing an AS-IS car that doubled as a mobile smoking lounge. Not only are the upholstery and instrument panel stained or discolored from cigarette smoke, but the unmistakable odor has been left behind. You need to learn how you are likely to get the cigarette smell out of a car if you are a non-smoker who prefers a low-tar automobile interior.

Article Resource: How to get cigarette smoke smell out of a car

How to get cigarette smell out of a car? It takes some effort

Whatever method you use when you’re following these directions for how to get cigarette smell out of a car, it’s going to require elbow grease. Cigarette smell will get into everything. {Assuming that you want to do the job as cheaply and safely as possible – you aren’t a professional auto detailer, but an auto loans-bearing consumer – what follows are some DIY tips that don’t require scary chemicals|Assuming that you would like to do the job as cheaply as it is possible – you aren’t a professional auto detailer, but an car loans-bearing consumer – what follows are some DIY tips that don’t require scary chemicals|Assuming you want to do the job as safely as possible – you aren’t a

1. Make certain you vacuum the car. Some of the cigarette odor is attached to the physical artifacts left behind. Use the hose attachments on your vacuum.
2. Use a bunch of white vinegar. It helps a lot to leave a bowl within the car overnight.
3. Get some citrus peels. Toss a few peels in various places inside the car. Usually this method takes days but it will work.
4. Get some baking soda. Leave it a few hours on the carpet of the car. Vacuum and see how your car smells. If you aren’t certain how your upholstery will react to baking soda, spot test this first.
5. You are able to use coffee grounds. Put the grounds directly in filters and secure them so they won’t dump the grounds directly onto the upholstery. Place the filters on probably the most offending areas.
6. You have to air it out. Sounds obvious, right? Leave the doors open for a few hours. If the smell is minor, this should help.
7. Use some charcoal. Leave a bowl of charcoal within the car overnight.
8. Pay attention to the lights. The interior lights will attract the smoke smell. Scrub the areas with probably the most cleaner you have. bring in a mix of hydrogen peroxide possibly.

Don’t drive an ash mobile

Knowing how to get cigarette smell out of a car is significant business. You will find many people who are sickened by continual exposure to the smell, which is something nobody wants to experience when they purchase a new car. The above home remedies are easy and inexpensive to apply, so why not give them a try?

Additional details at these websites

How to Do Things

The week following the Google TV demo, an Apple TV rumor hits the grapevine

Apple TV has really been around ever given that four years before Google was within the headlines last month with the Google TV demo at Google I/O. The response to the Google TV demo was a wakeup call for an Apple TV update. Rumors about a new Apple TV were flying in Silicon Valley just a week after Google TV was announce. Apple’s renewed initiative for Apple TV sets the scene for a high stakes battle between technological superpowers for future control of a $ 150-billion dollar advertising market.

Resource for this article: Apple TV rumors hit the grapevine the week after Google TV demo By Personal Money Store

The Apple TV update

The Apple TV update had been in development long before Google TV made its splash. The technology blog engadget.com reports that it received a tip confirmed by a “source very close to Apple” the Apple TV update will be based upon directly on the Apple iPhone 4 operating system and be capable of full 1080p HD. The Apple TV device is described as an ultra simplified, streamlined Apple iPhone without a screen and with just a power socket and video out. The most compelling feature of the Apple TV update may be that consumers won’t need emergency loans to jump on the bandwagon: its rumored price tag is $ 99. Right now the Apple TV is depending on the OS and costs around $ 230.

Google TV vs. Apple TV

Apple TV and Google are playing a high stakes game. As outlined by the Los Angeles Times, the winner will take the lead in a historical transformation of technology. Nearly 40 percent of consumers said they wanted to connect their computers to their televisions to look at all of their online videos, as outlined by a recent survey by Frank N. Magid Associates. The Times quotes chief executive of Clicker.com, Jim Lanzone, as saying:

“A generation from now, people simply won’t believe how limited the world of linear programming was, the same way people under 30 today can’t relate to 12 channels and a knob.”

Going to the cloud is Apple TV

Apple TV’s new set-top box has much of the functionality found on the Apple iPhone. Inside of it, it has the A4 processor that powers its computers, along with 16GB of flash storage. It is reported by Engadget that there could be a Time Capsule option for external storage, but the main purpose of Apple TV is all about streaming. Apple is moving away from local storage to focus the new Apple TV on cloud-based storage. As outlined by Engadget, there was no data on whether the new device would support Apple's App Store and apps, but given the runaway success of both, that feature could possibly be assumed.

High expectations for Apple TV

Apple TV today is a little box that lets users purchase or rent any HD movies and stream iTunes content through their set top boxes. Most individuals don't even know this exists. Crienglish.com reports that the integration of the Web and TV has eluded Apple and Microsoft for some time now, but Google TV and the overwhelming power of Google online has gotten everyone’s attention. Google TV plans to enable users to pull up Web content on their TVs, including photos, video and music, using an on-screen search box like the one on Google’s website. Now it seems that Apple has the ball in their court. The public is eager to see what Apple will come up with.

Read more on this topic here

Engadget.com
Los Angeles Times
Crienglish.com

Oil spill top kill failure ushers in 2010 hurricane season

Day one of the 2010 Hurricane season was officially Tuesday, day 42 of the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010. Crude gushes unabated into the sea on the BP oil spill live feed as forecasters predict an unusually severe 2010 hurricane season. BP bet its hopes on the oil spill top kill to stop the leak, but the effort was pronounced a failure over the holiday weekend. To stem the flow, yet not stop the leak, BP will next make an effort to sever the broken pipe from the wellhead, put a cap on it with a hose to the surface and make an effort to collect the oil. Relief wells being drilled to stop the leak at its source are at least two months from completion. A spill of up to 100 million gallons of oil and counting is fouling the gulf, where meteorologists say hurricane season 2010 begins in June.

Article Source: Hurricane season 2010 starts in gulf as oil spill top kill fails By Personal Money Store

2010 hurricane season forecast

Meteorologists have designated June 1 as the official start of hurricane season 2010, which lasts until Nov. 30. Historically, as opposed to pay day same day, big-name hurricanes form thousands of miles away within the Atlantic Ocean, are tracked for days by meteorologists and relentlessly hyped by the media before making landfall in the U.S.. AOL reports that the 2010 hurricane season could start with storms along the Southeast coast or northeastern Caribbean, however the Gulf of Mexico is more likely. Early season sea temperatures within the Atlantic aren’t likely to brew up a storm there. Early season storms can have short warning because forming closer to land won't allow for days of anticipation.

Leak foils oil spill top kill

Efforts to battle the BP oil leak are likely to be disrupted, whether or not the first storm of the 2010 hurricane season strikes quickly. In addition to the oil spill being spread across a wider area of shoreline, efforts to stop the leak might be delayed for weeks. The New York Times reports that plan B following the failed oil spill top kill involves chopping off the broken wellhead pipe, putting a containment dome over it and pumping collected oil to the surface. After cutting the pipe, the BP oil spill live feed will show a greater flow for several days until the cap is in place. What’s more, when a hurricane heads for the gulf, crews will disconnect the hose and run for cover, leaving the BP oil leak to gush unabated.

Forecast for toxic storm surge

Storm surges carrying oil sludge and oil dispersant, which is toxic, could make parts of the gulf coast uninhabitable throughout hurricane season 2010. To predict where the oil slick could be driven by gulf hurricanes, the Gerson Lehman Group analyzed tracking data from recent storms. In 2008 Gustav headed to the west-central gulf with its counter-clockwise spin, pushing a storm surge to the Texas coast. A hurricane with a track like Ida in 2009, which tracked to the east-central gulf, would move the toxic storm surge into Florida’s west coast. Areas miles from the coast might be coated in an aerosol of oil and toxic dispersants carried by hurricane-force winds.

Hurricane season 2010 details

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association hurricane season 2010 forecast predicts as much as 23 named storms, with three to seven major hurricanes. Storms with winds reaching 39 mph or a lot more are named. Possibly 14 of those storms could produce winds passing 74 mph to be classified as hurricanes. Three to seven might be Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph. The strongest tropical system recorded in June was Hurricane Audrey, which made landfall in southern Louisiana on June 27, 1957, as a Category 4 storm, with a sustained wind of 145 mph.

Discover a lot more data on this topic

AOL News

New York Times

Gerson Lehman Group