Numerous pay day debt collection scams around right about now

Illinois has hit some issues lately. These are mostly payday loan debt collection scams. Current and former payday loan borrowers have had their personal information stolen by con artist debt collectors. Lawsuits and jail time are the typical threats con artists for payday loans no fax collectors use. They call on the phone to get a hold of the consumers. The payday loan debt collection scam has proliferated to the point that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has issued a consumer alert.

Debt collection scammers use threats and intimidation

Bogus payday loans no fax debt collectors have been the main complaint coming to the Illinois attorney general’s office lately. Consumer Affairs reports that individuals who have gotten pay day scam calls say they’ve taken out paydayloans, most often from online payday lenders, but have paid the debt on time. Scammers knew all sorts of details on the consumers within the call. This incorporated names, social security numbers, and employer and bank account numbers. There is so much details known by the caller the victim is forced into believing it is true. The scam artists use threats and intimidation, like lawsuits and jail, to dupe them into authorizing a direct withdrawal from their checking account. Sometimes, consumers are tricked to sign promissory notes and fax them to the bogus collectors.

Payday lenders lose business

Illinois pay day customers aren’t the only ones getting harassed by debt collection scammers. Wallet Pop reports that the pay day loans scam calls have surfaced in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Indiana and other states around the nation. Scammers say they’re from places that are just a little bogus. These contain Morgan and Associates, Federal Bureau of Investigators, DNR Recovery, DNI Recovery, Legal Accounts Association, Department of Law and Enforcement, CashNet USA, America Legal Services, Cash til payday and ACS. The names are all fake, well, for the most part. CashNet USA is one of the only real ones. There has been a warning posted from CashNet USA. This can be found on its website.

Illegal debt collection harassment being done

Under the FTC’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it is illegal for debt collectors to call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.. They also can’t demand more money than what is owed, reveal a consumer’s debt to a third party or threaten lawsuits or arrest. The payday loan scam made it so victims had to pay hundreds of dollars. These reports came in to the Madigan office in many reports. Illinois TV station WIFR reports that Madigan offered some advice for individuals if they’re contacted by the scammers.

People don’t go to jail for failing to pay a debt in this country.

Never give out any personal information over the telephone, especially bank account numbers or credit card numbers.

When in doubt, ask the debt collector to produce documentation that qualifies the debt they seek to collect.

Contact the original creditor to confirm if the debt has been paid. If not, confirm that the debt was sold to a third party collector before making a payment.

Find more information on this subject

Consumer Affairs

consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/08/il_payday_lending.html

Wallet Pop

walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/26/warning-issued-over-bogus-payday-loan-debt-collector-calls/

WIFR

wifr.com/news/headlines/101497999.html?ref=999

Jailbroken iPhones stopped with a patent Apple seeks

Jailbreaking your iPhone is presently legal as outlined by U.S. copyright officials, but that does not mean that Apple is happy to sit back when users break free of their proprietary corporate mold and utilize the full potential of the handheld device. Unwanted users won’t be able to get on one’s iPhone with a patent “covering an elaborate series of measures” that is intended to “protect iPhone owners from thieves” reports the Register. 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 also the company is sticking to it when it comes to the iPhone and jailbreaking. Private data such as geotagging or also being able to turn on an iPhone’s camera is much easier when the iPhone has been jailbroken, says Apple. Users are told by Apple that the patent will keep them safe. If it is approved, Apple will be allowed to lock down iPhones that have been jailbroken.

Is Apple watching every person?

Hacking programs typically show an increase of memory usage all the sudden. This is why, as outlined by the Register, Apple tags phones that have that same increase as ones that are jailbroken. If the patent is approved, Apple will also be able to see which iPhones are unlocked to work on other networks besides AT and T. The Register reports that Apple would also be able to detect “fraudulent use” by tapping into the iPhone’s accelerometer to determine whether the device is being carried by “thieves in transit.” Technical experts and consumer rights groups don’t like the suggestion Apple has made at putting security measures into the phone like possible voice-print identification.

Who can active your iPhone camera with this patent?

Your iPhone camera could be used by more than just you. Apple will be able to activate the camera as well. Imagine yourself in a world where Steve Jobs can see what you are doing at any time. 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 are doing.

More on this topic

The Register

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

Many wonder why an R-rating would be suggested for smoking in a film

There tends to be a bit of controversy when it comes to America’s movie rating system. There has been a lot of issues between directors, studios and also the MPAA ratings board which was shown within the 2006 documentary, This Movie is Not Yet Rated, and Times Magazine explains Hollywood has an additional things to report. An “R” rating should be given to any movies that have smoking in them if you ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). This will help protect young teens and kids. Article resource – Study suggests giving R-rating to films that depict smoking by Personal Money Store.

Tobacco industry not allowed to pay for smoking product placement

There is a lot of smoking in movies although it is illegal for tobacco companies to place product in films, even since 1998 says the CDC. The CDC made reports on the kids who see a lot of smoking versus those who see little. Thos who see a lot are much more likely to try smoking in their lifetime. Health troubles could get worse which is a common concern for public health officials. You will find numerous G, PG and PG-13 movies that have had smoking seen in them. This is why there has been the concept of changing ratings with smoking in them.

Finding other solutions to stop it all

In addition to the R rating suggestion, other ideas given by the CDC are to air anti-smoking ads onscreen before the start of a film and to specify in film credits that no person or company associated with the movie received financial compensation from the tobacco industry or any associated business. However, the CDC’s R rating for smoking in movies has gained one of the most traction to date, echoing a sentiment already given by the World Health Organization. Smoking in films marketed to kids and teens is socially irresponsible, says the WHO.

Pay too much for the smoking addiction

Smoking appears to be costing a growing number of. MSN Money adds this sobering factoid to the anti-smoking fire. A 40-year-old smoker who kicks the habit and funnels the money spent on cigarettes and also the associated dry cleaning and higher health insurance rates into something more productive like a 401 (k) could conceivably save more than $ 250,000 by age 70. Those who would rather have nasty lungs that can’t breathe instead of retiring nicely are in for a surprise. Installment loans or payday loans can be needed by all of these people. Buying into the expense of smoking is an R rated horror film if ever there was one.

Find more details on this subject

Center for Disease Control

cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5932a2.htm

MSN Money

articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/HighCostOfSmoking.aspx

Time Magazine

wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/08/19/rated-r-for-smoking/

World Health Organization

who.int/tobacco/smoke_free_movies/en/

Fox News report on removing cigarettes from movies

youtube.com/watch?v=FSxwPVUv7vY

Most individuals drop fed home finance loan modification program

The Home Affordable Modification Program, or Make Home Affordable, was one the first things that President Obama did in office. Basically, the actual package makes your home loan much more affordable by working with your loan company. The actual plan is much more likely to not work or even do nothing. More people drop out than stay within the program.

Base receding of Mortgage loan alteration

New numbers were released pertaining to the program. 96,025 individuals, according to CNN Money, dropped out in June. So far, 616,389 individuals got into home finance loan modification, and then dropped out. Only 434,717 have been successful. That’s 60 percent, roughly, rate of failure. That means an individual is certainly a lot more likely to fail than succeed. Essentially, that means that enrolled homeowners are ensuring a few extra pay days for payday loan company, possibly at the actual expense of the working class.

Much less enrollment

There is a 3 month trial phase before you get a permanent modification. There were 24,577 trial modifications given in July, in contrast to 38,728 for June, according to the actual Wall Street Journal. For homeowners who successfully completed the trial phase, 37,000 permanent modifications were granted in July compared to 51,205 permanent modifications in June. The program either needs more short term cash or less people can apply or need modification.

Not quite a slam dunk

There were also 12,912 people whose permanent modifications were canceled in July. There were 272 because they paid their mortgage off. That means this package has not been a success. That means, that you maybe should think about not getting into the home mortgage alteration if you were thinking about it. There’s a 60 percent chance it will fail.

More on this topic

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/08/20/news/economy/foreclosure_prevention_HAMP/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703579804575441701960735166.html

Potash market sky rockets making a hostile takeover from BHP more likely

For people in the agricultural industry, potash has been a hot topic recently. Agriculture thrives off of potash which is meant to help with its potassium. There is no option source for potassium in fertilizer. Potash is really essential to food. Without it, we would have no food supply. Potash hasn’t been needed as much anymore with the other minerals being more important. The potash demand is really supposed to go up now. An Australian minerals business has decided that is why they’ll take over, in a hostile manner, a Canadian potash business.

Potash more of the place to be when it comes to stock instead of BHP

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, known as Potash, has control over a big chunk of the world’s potash market. The Canadian fertilizer company should be concerned about a business in Australia. The big minerals extraction business in Australia, or BHP Billiton, is trying to get their hands on the company. The New York Times reports that a couple of days ago BHP made an offer to acquire the company for $ 130 a share. The Potash board rejected the offer as too low. BHP is putting the cash right in from of shareholders to try and get a hostile takeover Potash by paying a tender offer. Potash is trying to get a better offer from another when getting shareholders to stop selling to BHP.

Potash very significant to feed the world

Potash is made in only 12 of the countries. Canada, Russia, Belarus and Germany are the countries that make over 75 percent of all the potash. Potash is really just a term to describe any potassium that is created, which is essential for fertilizers, reports Reuters. Crops to better with quality and quantity with potash that also makes disease less likely. Potassium in fertilizer solely comes from this. Potash hasn’t been very stable in price. The prices have been volatile for years. Less than $ 150 a ton was how much it sold for ten years ago. In the global food crisis of 2007-08, it went up to $ 1,000 a ton. The price has gone down since then. It is $ 350-$ 375 a ton now.

The planet covets Saskatchewan potash

Potash has been ignored recently. It took the moves by BHP for anybody to recognize its existence. According to Entrepreneur, by 2011, there won’t be enough supply of potash if the growth continues as it has in the last five years. China, Latin America and India are all examples of places where meat consumption has gone up which is why this forecast was made. Within the next 20 years, 25 percent of the world could run energy off of biofuels such as ethanol as outlined by the UN, which is one more reason. Potash has gone up through this with an increase in wheat and corn prices. Yet the industry’s ability to increase supply is limited. You will find more than 25 years put into 85 percent of the potash mines right now. Untapped production capacity is limited and nearly all of it is Saskatchewan potash.

Discover more details on this subject

New York Times

dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/bhp-begins-tender-offer-for-potash/?src=busln

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67J2SQ20100820

Entrepreneur

entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/166229304.html

Runaway criminals John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch seized

Two of the most wanted criminals in the nation, Casslyn Welch and John McCluskey, are arrested. Clyde and Bonnie keep getting brought up concerning these two. They are running since escaping from an Arizona state prison about 3 weeks ago. They were believed to be in various locations after their escape, including Yellowstone National Park, and Arkansas. They were unknowingly spotted in a state park in Arizona. A Park Ranger alerted authorities to a stolen car, which led to their capture.

Noticed simply by a Ranger

A Park Ranger was on patrol in Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. As outlined by ABC, he saw an unattended fire and a suspiciously parked automobile. He called in the license plate. The vehicle turned up being stolen. So he called the police. Soon afterward, SWAT showed up to take them into custody. That’s when they found out who they were. John McCluskey told officers following the arrest that he would have fired on officers had he been able to get to the gun in his tent. McCluskey and his cousin, Casslyn Welch, who’s also his fiancé, were taken peacefully.

The search is actually out

John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch didn’t break out alone. Inmates Daniel Renwick and Tracy Province went with them. Province and Renwick were captured soon after, and McCluskey and Welch were spotted in Yellowstone National Park and in Butte, Mon. Butte was the last sighting of the two. The two recently captured criminals weren’t idle after escaping. According to the Associated Press, they’re suspected in the death of Linda and Gary Haas, a retired couple in New Mexico on vacation. The Haases were found around Aug. 4, and also the vehicle McCluskey and Welch possessed had New Mexico plates.

Slightly much less murderous compared to actual Bonnie and Clyde

For some reason, people idolize violent criminals. These two have been compared to Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde were not very romantic either; Clyde was gay, and they stole cash from the individuals that cheered them before the FDIC existed. They belong in jail. The ranger who called police is to be commended.

Additional information on this topic

ABC News

acnews.go.com/US/bonnie-clyde-fugitives-john-mccluskey-casslyn-welch-captured/story?id=11442877 and page=1

Google News

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hB0B5qIFEqMDeeaj_JGZgZMr6klQD9HNA4E00

University scientists dispute government oil spill report

The government oil spill report has said things are well while that is being argued. The oil within the Gulf of Mexico has mostly all been burned, vaporized or collected, says National Incident Command which is really argued by scientists who did three studies on the subject. Getting shrimp is now allowed again for shrimpers. Obama went to the gulf with his family last week, ate seafood and swam in the gulf. 75 percent of the oil nevertheless needs to be picked up according to a study done by the University of Georgia (UGA). The sea floor has an additional plume of oil that was found by researchers at the University of South Florida (USF). The oil spill is a long-term threat to human health and gulf seafood safety in a study released by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Government reports the spill to have dispersed

Most of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 has been safely dispersed, as outlined by government statements. National Incident Command, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, said a couple of weeks ago that burning and skimming had removed half of the 4.9 million gallons dumped into the gulf. Evaporation and dissolution handled one more 25 percent. There is nevertheless up to 79 percent of oil and toxins within the water as outlined by some of the important UGA scientists. It might be years, they concluded, before the petrochemicals break down. Unless 25 percent of the oil was sitting on the surface, that much couldn’t have evaporated. Large plumes of oil are nevertheless trapped within the area.

Canyon undersea holds a toxic oil plume

There is a lot of the oil spill that has ended up settling in the bottom of the gulf, reports the USF team. The USF study was shown by CNN to have had an undersea canyon full of oil because of the dispersing of the oil that happened. The oil’s toxic chemicals are causing a strong reaction to the organisms like plankton. It’s possible the oil could return to the surface. A UGA researcher told CNN that a 3rd of the hydrocarbons in the form of methane and other gas emissions that remain in the water weren’t measured by the government.

Being unsure about gulf seafood safety

The AMA insists that gulf seafood safety could be affected for years by the BP oil spill. According to the Sacramento Bee, shellfish will continue to have petrochemicals, like cigarette smoke, in them for a when. Big game fish such as tuna, swordfish and mackerel will amass high concentrations of mercury in the long term from consuming fish lower within the food chain. In case you are pregnant of have kids, I’d stay away from eating any seafood from the gulf.

Additional reading

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

Clickjacking on Facebook is just one more scam

This has been a busy week for Facebook scams. Cell phone accounts are charged $ 5 a week with the “Share” button on Facebook with the new clickjacking scam. The Facebook clickjacking scam emerged a few days following the Facebook dislike button scam. These scams try to use, much like the likejacking scam of last May, buttons that aren’t actually there. These scams can very easily be avoided if you know which red flags to search for. Source for this article – Facebook clickjacking joins growing list of social network scams by Personal Money Store.

Facebook clickjacking

The Facebook clickjacking scam uses the Share feature that posts content to the profile wall where friends are encouraged to click on it. PC World shows how the scam works saying:

A user clicks a link to a Facebook page for “10 Funny T-Shirt Fails” for example. Once on the page, a message says Facebook’s new three-step human verification process is required to see the content. On step two, users are asked to click the “Next” button. The Next button is a dummy. Hidden underneath is a real Share button. When users click Next to get to the final step, they actually post that page to their profile wall. Lured to step three, users are asked for personal information to enter a contest. Among other things, the survey asks for a cell phone number. Down in the survey’s fine print it says providing the data tacks an extra $ 5 per week onto the users cell phone bill for a service called “The Awesome Test.”

Dislike button scam for Facebook

Facebook users wanted a dislike button making for the Facebook dislike button scam. Facebook has so far avoided having a “dislike” button. According to Walletpop, spyware for identity theft is downloaded when pressing a “Dislike” button that does not really exist. The message “Get the official DISLIKE button now,” is given with a link for the bogus button. Next you go to the fake page to “install” the button. If there really was a dislike button, it wouldn’t have to be installed. To install, the scam prompts users to allow the application to run. Then they are asked to complete a survey — the very same trick used in the Facebook clickjacking scam.

Check for Facebook scams

Facebook decided any fan page that had the clickjacking scam somehow a part of it would be removed. Call your cell phone company if you did the survey. Scam patterns are easy to acknowledge for Facebook users, says Reuters. Be intelligent and skeptical about it all. Everyone who’s doing something out of the ordinary with their status updates would be a good clue. Pay attention to time elapsed since the status update was written and how it was delivered. Facebook won’t need apps like the “Official Dislike Button” for its own stuff. A scam can be recognized when a user has left the Facebook site.

Additional reading

PC World

pcworld.com/article/203546/facebook_warns_of_clickjacking_scam.html?tk=hp_new

Wallet Pop

walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/16/dislike-button-on-facebook-a-scam/

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUS162937196620100817

Big costs when patient re-admission is needed

Health care reform intended to address the massive costs of American patient care could have a good deal of work ahead. Practicing preventative medicine is vital to the nation’s well-being, yet America doesn’t appear to be proficient in that regard. A 2009 study by the New England Journal of Medicine shows that 20 percent of Medicare patients are back within the hospital a mere 30 days after initial release. After 90 days, that percentage increases to one-third. Startlingly, after one year, two-thirds are either readmitted or they die.

Constant re-admission is a tremendous financial drain

Medicare cost America $17.4 billion in 2004, writes the Huffington Post. That money black hole forced Medicare to start paying closer attention to which hospitals had the highest bounce-back rate of re-admission. Those with high re-admit rates are financially penalized. A new industry was born amidst the turmoil; private businesses would extend their efficiency expert services to afflicted hospitals. Thinking about that a number of studies show that three-quarters of all re-admissions are preventable, it seems likely the efficiency experts have lots of business.

Hospitals and nursing homes won’t take ownership

Lack of proper communication is apparently the common ingredient when it comes to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities providing sub-par care that leads to re-admission. Not sharing the right info on patient and meds are among the communication issues at hand. The problem grows substantially for those Medicaid patients who are older and are shuttled between general and intensive care facilities.

Medicare and insurers sometimes lack foresight

According to the Huffington Post, Medicare and private insurers will invariably recommend skilled nursing over inpatient rehab for stroke victims in recovery. This is done due to lower costs up front, but the rebound rate at skilled nursing facilities in this scenario is seven times higher. Medicare and private insurance companies must learn to see beyond the low original cost, because it will likely save millions, say critics.

Get the answers you need

Medical care facilities will usher patients out as easily as possible unless patients and their loved ones force them to slow down and answer questions. Ask your doctor about all risks and future care procedures for clarity. If you’d like more information on what questions to ask, look into the Huffington Post article.

More on this topic

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/the-bounce-back-effect-ho_b_677575.html

Bushehr can be bombed by Israel in 3 days says John Bolton

Agence France-Presse reports that John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., says that there is only a 3 day window before the Bushehr nuclear plant becomes functional where Israel can bomb. Once nuclear fuel is loaded into the plant’s core, any attacks would spread radiation and harm Iranian civilians. Bushehr is likely to be safe from any attack coming from Israel, although numerous like Bolton are trying to start a war with Israel and Iran. Sanctions from the United States and also the European Union have not at all slowed Iran’s thirst for more nuclear power. Resource for this article – John Bolton says Israel has 3 days to bomb Bushehr by Personal Money Store.

Bushehr could be the best place to get nuclear weapons says John Bolton

Bushehr doesn’t get nice words from John Bolton, which is to be expected. He sees it as a potential weapons factory the likes of which men like Saddam Hussein only dreamed of, as outlined by AFP. The argument between Iran and the United Nations is as such: Everybody wants to know is the Middle Eastern nation hoping to get just a little more power and respect because of the fact that they have nuclear power, or do they really just want a new nuclear weapons program brought forth? Bolton, now a senior fellow at the conservative think-tank American Enterprise Institute, has been fixated for years on potential nuclear weapons programs in nations like North Korea and Iran. Numerous media sources like CBS News have accused him of having a “one-track mind” on the matter, and Bolton has been accused in the past by the liberal media of spinning intelligence to confirm his pronouncements, even when enough evidence was not present.

Bolton bombs anything

The way Obama is looking at Iran really bothers Bolton, as outlined by the New York Times:

“There is no possibility the Obama administration will use force, despite its confused and ever-changing formulation about the military option always being ‘on the table.’… It is hard to conclude anything except that the Obama administration is resigned to Iran possessing nuclear weapons. While U.S. policymakers will not welcome that outcome, they certainly hope as a corollary that Iran can be contained and deterred. Since they have ruled out the only immediate alternative, military force, they are doubtless now busy preparing to make lemonade out of this pile of lemons.”

According to Foreign Policy magazine, war would begin with a Bushehr bombing

Israel and the U.S. have had a fairly shaky and odd relationship. World War II was a major turning point, and also the U.S. warmed even more to the reason for Israel in the days following Israel’s victory in 1967’s Six Day War. Thus, it is reasonable to say that while the nations don’t have specific treaties in place, the United States and Israel are de-facto allies. Thus, a war between Iran and Israel would conceivably involve the U.S., although the U.S. itself would not have a “just or strategically sound cause for initiating war,” writes Foreign Policy magazine. Numerous that’s why Bolton wants Israel to bomb the factory and have it be over with. Since the U.S. military is already stretched fairly thin, even Bolton recognizes it is time to stay out of all the war. If Israel does choose to do a quick bombing, does the United States think it can keep away from the war really?

Further reading

Foreign Policy Magazine

foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/08/11/the_weak_case_for_war_with_iran

History News Network

hnn.us/articles/751.html

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703871904575216260958684670.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton

Yahoo News

news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100817/wl_afp/irannuclearpoliticsisraelusmilitary_20100817120240

What John Bolton has said about Iran and Israel in the past

youtube.com/watch?v=_wKvBHYm1do

Taxpayer private loans to be paid immediately after General Motors IPO

General Motors has ultimately put within the papers for what has been anticipated for weeks. A Gm IPO was recently been filed for, but precise specifics aren’t available yet. Gm will offer preferred shares, but the number of shares offered is not announced yet. The business will get some debt settlement relief from it, and also the U.S. Treasury is visiting the some of their debt from General Motors wiped clean. It will get the business closer to independence, and maybe get it some big time money quick.

General Motors IPO has been submitted

A Gm Initial Public Offering was filed for on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The Initial Public Offering, as outlined by the New York Times, is expected to bring quite the instant loans, and could be one of the biggest ever. Preferred shares could be in the offer. However, General Motors hasn’t announced the total number of shares the business can be selling. Gm CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre recently announced he was retiring by year’s end, which he had said he would do when the company was back on track. An first sale of shares will probably liquidate a lot of debt.

Gm really wants to get consumer debt free

One of the benefits of Gm getting relisted is that a large payment could be made on the installment loans they got from the Treasury. As outlined by CNN Money, some of the shares in General Motors owned by the Treasury can be included in the offering. The American government has 60.8 percent of all General Motors stock, and the Canadian government owns an additional 11.67 percent. GM has paid the Treasury back about $7 billion so far.

General Motors in the black again

The Initial Public Offering is likely to get Gm even further out of debt. GM is posting profits again, so it isn’t really as if Gm will need another pay day loans from the taxpayers again. They nevertheless owe $67 billion though, and the IPO would have to clear at least that for the taxpayers to break even.

Further reading

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/19/business/19auto.html?_r=1

CNN

money.cnn.com/2010/08/18/news/companies/gm_IPO/

Columbia accident shows sometimes miracles do happen

The San Andres, Columbia crash that took place on Monday resulted in only a single death. The plane hit the ground just before landing. Lightning striking the aircraft is believed to be the reason for the accident, but it isn’t confirmed yet. The plane fragmented, but did not damage any buildings and had only one death which occurred following the crash. The avoidance of loss of life within the crash and the wreckage being confined to the concourse has been attributed to the skill of the pilot.

Boeing 737 breaks apart on runway

The flight to San Andres from Bogota was a red eye flight. As AIRES Flight 8250 approached the runway in bad weather, the plane began to shake. The plane started to split apart when the pilot began an emergency landing just short of the runway. Authorities initially credited a down draft as the cause, though others including eyewitnesses attribute a lightning strike on the plane as the cause, according to CNN. The pilot of the flight also holds the plane was hit by lightning. The plane initially broke into two pieces at Gustavo Rojas Pinillo airport. No damage occurred conserve for the plane.

All survived but one

As outlined by Bloomberg, the only fatality was a 65 year old passenger who had a heart attack after the crash. Six people came out of the crash entirely unscathed. The rest of the passengers and crew suffered injuries, and they’re all expected to recuperate. At least 127 individuals were aboard the plane.

Pilot made all the difference

You would be hard pressed to discover a group of people better trained and skilled than professional pilots. These people are trained to not only steer very complicated machines in very precise trajectories over thousands of miles but also to know how to deal with one in case things go wrong. The job affords little wiggle room and there is tremendous pressure involved within the job. The air travel trade has lots of stress and responsibility involved, and many have watched the Steven Slater saga unfold. The pilot of AIRES Flight 8250 is a hero.

Further reading

CNN

cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/08/16/colombia.plane.fatality/?hpt=T1#fbid=QdDzKvaTDgY and wom=false

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-16/colombia-plane-splits-in-three-killing-1-and-injuring-114-el-tiempo-says.html

Are you a Friggatriskaidekaphobia? Fear of Friday the 13th

Every now and again, a Friday happens to be day 13 of any given month. Despite the fact that there is not any reason to be worried about this, numerous get scared and it is called Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Black cats aren’t scary since things they do are shed and maybe scratch a kid or two. You will find a lot of individuals who sincerely believe in many superstitions. You are a Friggatriskaidekaphobia for those who have a fear of the 13th on a Friday. Saying Jason Voorhees within the mirror three times won’t bring a fictional character into your home.
Source of article – Friggatriskaidekaphobia? Fear of Friday the 13th by Personal Money Store.

How do you say that?

”Fri-gah-tri-sk-eye-de-kah-fo-bia” is how the word is pronounced. Being scared of Friday the thirteenth is called Portmanteau. 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 is somehow correlated with different witches. Friday ended up being named after Frigga, or Freya, who was the German/Norse goddess naming it Freya-day. Ancient world sexism isn’t really our topic for today although the day was named, as argued by others, after a female deity, making it have an association with witches. Any person scared of the number thirteen gets to be called a Triskaidekaphobia. The word “tri” is the number three, “deka” is 10, you get the idea.

Anything on Friday the thirteenth real?

No, not really, for short. Even if it were to be long it’d still be no. Nothing has ever been seen happening on Friday the thirteenth that was out of place, besides all the friggatriskaidekaphobia, or people getting the “heebie-jeebies”. There would be some kind of documented memory by now if anything bad really did happen on Friday the thirteenth. Also, even if more car accidents were observed on Friday the 13th, you would also have to account for more people drinking on Friday.

Making the day a fun day

Superstitions like Friggatriskaidekaphobia are harmless. You will find nevertheless superstitions that exist as tradition today. ”MacBeth” is a cursed play meaning theaters will refer to it only as “the Scottish play” so as to avoid the curse. Watch a scary movie with your family or friends, and use this as an excuse to have some fun. I’d suggest Crystal Lake be one of the activities you don’t do though.

California judge grants Prop 8 stay

After Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8, the California initiative that banned gay marriage in the state, he issued a temporary hold on any new marriages taking place. He then made the decision today to extend the hold on same sex marriages. Those against Prop 8 will likely appeal the ruling.

Judge stops Prop 8 from being eliminated

Judge Vaughn Walker anticipated that his overturn of Proposition 8 would be appealed. He thought it was a good idea to stop same sex marriages from taking place so as to give a chance to those for Prop 8 to defend themselves in an appeal. According to the Los Angeles Times, Judge Walker placed an injunction on any further same sex marriages Aug. 4, to determine how long the injunction should last. The injunction granted today will only last till August 18. The defense of Perry v. Schwarzenegger has to be appealed by August 18 within the Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit or else same sex marriages could be allowed again.

Lacking a logical basis

Prop 8, according to Walker, hasn’t a legal basis for denying same sex couples to “marry” rather than being called a “civil union” or “domestic partnership.” He decided Prop 8 violated the 14th amendment which was also held up in Griswold v. Connecticut and Loving v. Virginia. He stayed the ruling after announcing it knowing that an appeal was to come from defenders.

Where the case is to go

To appeal a decision, one must go to the Federal courts, or the Court of Appeals, and California is within the Ninth Circuit for that. (Their circuit is the largest in the U.S.) Once the decision is made in the Court of Appeals, then it can be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Appellate courts can make the decision on whether or not they’d like to take the case. Whether or not to appeal can be decided by proponents in only six days.

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LA Times

latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0813-gay-marriage-california-20100813,0,5087660.story

MSNBC

msnbcmedia.msn.com/i//MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/A_U.S.%20news/Life/gaymarriage.pdf

Auto dealerships have drug trafficking happening

Auto dealerships have been having increasingly more drug trafficking happen in them which are being allowed by either employees or owners. A new meaning is brought to the phrase “parts in parts” when marijuana is found amongst a shipment of parts. Article resource – Hire carefully- Drug trafficking at auto dealerships by Auto Deal Expert.

Drug trafficking ring at a Maryland Honda/Volkswagen dealership

DealershipForum.com reports that $ 1.6 million, or 120 pounds of marijuana was found in a Maryland Honda/Volkswagen dealership. Each and every delivery made, an employee working parts got $ 100. He accepted the contraband, and then passed it on to a drug dealer. Automotive News indicates comparable illicit activity occurred at a Detroit-area Mopar Parts Distribution Center, where two 10-pound bricks of marijuana came in a box of wiper blades. Is good help that hard to find, when every person needs a job?

Some of the auto dealership hijinks

Think these are isolated cases? Think over it for a minute. The former Huling Brothers Auto Center of Seattle had quite a bit of illegal drug dealing happening in it, reports the Seattle Times. A Florida auto dealership was being used by Richard Carlson, who owns Nova Motor Group, as a “massive drug trafficking business,” reports Fox 29 WFLX of Hollywood, Fla.. Apparently Carlson stashed cocaine in SUVs that were shipped to Sweden. At Midway Motors of Abington, Mass., Finance Manager Duane Glenn and two others were arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover officer. Marijuana was being sold in this situation also.

John DeLorean and his story

The DeLorean Motor Company went bankrupt in 1982 after making luxury sports cars since 1975. The DeLorean DMC-12 was an American pop culture gem of the 1980s, but John DeLorean nevertheless had trouble maintaining operating capital. According to reports, DeLorean was filmed in what appeared to be a drug trafficking transaction, where he accepted money in exchange for the illicit substance. Because entrapment was supposedly used in this, DeLorean was cleared of all charges.

Get some saving with auto loan financing

Additional reading

Automotive News

autonews.com/article/20100810/BLOG14/100819997/-1

Massachusetts Law enforcement Network

masscops.com/f79/police-make-drug-bust-abington-auto-dealer-38799/

Seattle Times

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003563972_huling09m.html

WFLX

wflx.com/Global/story.asp?S=12740394″>WFLX.com

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeLorean_Motor_Company

Man sues Texas auto dealership that sold him ‘drug car’

youtube.com/watch?v=auVGmt9T4uk

Trade deficit widens unexpectedly to record one-month increase

The Commerce Department reported an increase in the U.S. trade deficit in June on Wednesday causing Wall Street to freak out. $ 7.9 billion was how much in June the trade deficit widened. Stocks nose-dived at the news. Analysts thought the U.S. economic recovery had slowed last quarter more than it really did. Some economists warn that an unsustainable trade deficit will provoke a double-dip recession.

June U.S. trade deficit caused by strong dollar

According to the Commerce Department, this change in the deficit happened in June because those within the U.S. began getting cheaper exports from China, making the U.S. dollar stronger. $ 49.9 billion was where the gap went from $ 42.0 billion in May. It was expected that the gap would get smaller because oil prices have been going down, reports the Washington Post. In May imports were at $ 194.4 billion. They then rose to $ 200.3 billion in June when more consumer products, auto parts and other things were being bought out of the country. $ 150.5 billion is where exports are now from the $ 152.4 they were before. In June, companies had a hard time selling their industrial supplies, food and consumer goods to anyone outside of the country.

Trade deficits widens which wasn’t expected

The anticipated trade deficit for June was $ 42.1 billion — the median forecast of 73 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. There was a 19 percent increase in the gap when it declined instead to $ 42.3 billion. Bloomberg reports the June trade deficit adjusted for inflation, which is the figure used to calculate gross domestic product, increased to $ 54.1 billion, the highest since February 2008 during the worst of the financial crisis. This has caused economists to lower their estimates from 1 to 1.5 percent in the second quarter.

Unemployment a bigger issue}

Economists don’t agree on whether the trade deficit in June’s sudden and marked increase means the U.S. is in danger of heading into a double-dip recession. As outlined by the Christian Science Monitor, the trade deficit is not as much of a problem as U.S. unemployment rates. Trade deficits coexisted with domestic job growth for years prior to the recession. We should focus on consumer demand and business investment to help the economy.

Numerous nevertheless think unemployment would decrease with better trade deficits

According to the Monitor article, numerous economists think that fixing the trade deficit might hurt the economic recovery by hurting global commerce. Other economists think the trade deficit problem has got to be worked on. China is responsible for almost the whole trade deficit considering all of the oil and consumer goods bought directly from them, and unemployment is bad enough as is at 10 percent within the U.S., as outlined by Peter Morici who is an economist at the University of Maryland.

Discover more details on this subject

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081103472_2.html?sid=ST2010081102399

Senate passes $ 600 million border security bill

The Senate passed a border security bill on Thursday. The session only had two Democrats in attendance, as the Senate is taking its August break. The border security bill allocates $ 600 million to hire more agents and buy more equipment to police the U.S./Mexico border. Illegal immigration and drug trafficking difficulties in border states have put pressure on the federal government to take meaningful action on border security. Resource for this article – Border security bill passes while senators are on trip by Personal Money Store.

Bill creates 1,500 border security jobs

To pass the border security bill, the Senate convened a special session Thursday. Unanimous consent, a parliamentary procedure that doesn’t require the entire Senate to be present, was used to pass the bill. Senate Republicans actually agreed to the maneuver. The Associated Press reports the bill funds U.S./Mexico border security jobs for 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, 250 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and 250 more Customs and Border Protection officers. Cash will even be allotted to new communications gear and more flight hours for unmanned surveillance drones. The bill sends about $ 200 million to the Justice Department for funding its efforts with the FBI, DEA and ATF within the fight against drug dealers and human traffickers.

Bill boosts U.S. visa program fees

The border security bill is election year theatre both parties both parties hope convince voters the Washington is capable of addressing border security in the wake of Arizona’s immigration law. The Los Angeles Times reports the $ 600 million price tag of the border security bill can be paid for by substantially boosting fees on companies that hire foreign workers using U.S visa programs. The package will do little to address the complex issue of illegal immigration, say immigration advocates who denounce it as an election year stunt. The politicians say securing the border first will allow a broader debate on immigration reform that involves a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.

Special session a rare occurrence

The Senate convened during its summer vacation for only the second time since the August break was institutionalized in 1970, the Senate Historical Office said. The New York Times reported that Democrats Charles E. Schumer of New York and Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland were the only lawmakers in attendance. The border security bill had already been passed by the House and Senate. But a re-vote was unavoidable after one of the Senate’s byzantine procedural rules was overlooked. The first and only other time the Senate convened during the August break was a special session in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Additional reading at these sites

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap

Los Angeles Times

latimes.com

New York Times

thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

Unemployment rate thought to do better, but does worse

The latest jobs report detailing the U.S. unemployment rate for July reflects the ongoing battle between the bad news and also the good news. The unemployment rate held steady at 9.5 percent. But the U.S. economy had more job loss than economists expected. The U.S. economy added 71,000 jobs in July, but lost 131,000. 36,000 jobs were added by manufacturing although that was the lowest addition this year. More money was made by individuals working more hours which increased probability. Hiring has stopped because productivity is doing this well.

Unemployment rate won’t move either way

More workers were added to companies in July. However, The Wall Street Journal reports that taking into account revisions to prior months this year, the U.S. economy added an average of less than 100,000 jobs a month within the first seven months, a level that’s not strong enough to offset the job loss that would bring unemployment down. June reports showed a downward pull. 125,000 more than reported before, jobs went down 221,000 that month. In June, there were, in the private sector, only 31,000 jobs added. The Dow Jones Newswires were expecting a 60,000 job loss in July, which really ended up being 131,000.

Everybody employed is glad

The July jobs reports had a couple of spots that weren’t too bad. Daily Finance reports the average workweek increased by 0.1 hours to 34.2 hours. Hourly earnings are up to $ 22.59 per hour, which is a 4 cent increase. The last 12 months has a 3 percent increase in productivity when within the first quarter of 2010, the increase was 4 percent. Productivity being up means companies are doing better with their earnings. Money sitting around is fairly normal right about now for companies. Companies do not want to hire anymore because their productivity and efficiency already has gone up enough to boost stock prices.

Reserve trying to figure out how to fix unemployment problem

The Federal Reserve will make their next move based off the jobs reports. Reserve deposit rates might drop passed the 0.25 percent rate as a possible solution, reports Bloomberg in an interview with Fed chairman Ben Bernanke. An additional choice can be to help hold down borrowing costs by getting more assets although the Fed already has a $ 2.3 trillion balance sheet.

Americans frustrated with unemployment rate

Meanwhile, much like the good news/bad news in the jobs report, the conflicting opinions of the public cancel each other out. More than seven in 10 Americans say the U.S. economy is still mired in recession, according to a Bloomberg National Poll. Seven out of ten people also answered the government should be working on unemployment before anything else. You will find at least half of the individuals that answered believing the stimulus program won’t work with all the additional spending going on.

Discover more information on this subject

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703309704575412990024153682.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Daily Finance

dailyfinance.com/story/careers/july-jobs-report-unemployment-remains-high/19583596/

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-06/company-payrolls-rose-by-71-000-in-july-u-s-jobless-rate-9-5-.html

Free trade and the New Korean War

The right sees Obama’s falling numbers and Israeli pressure as signals that war with Iran is imminent. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen just lately told “Meet the Press” that the Pentagon is in fact equipped to infiltration the nation bordering Afghanistan. Yet such activity may have to wait. Front Page Magazine reports that North Korea may be the next dance partner in horrific war. Not only would this be disastrous in terms of lost lives, but it would be deadly for production and also the world imports market. Source for this article – The business of a New Korean War by Personal Money Store.

Kim Jong-il and New Korean War rhetoric

North Korea and South Korea are at each other’s throats over indicators of aggression lately – indications which consist of the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan – and now the United States is involved in what could conceivably lead to a New Korean War. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il says his country is ready to fight, which has caused global stocks to plummet. ”We don’t hope for war, but if South Korea, with the United States and Japan on its back, tries to infiltration us, (we) will finish the task of unification left undone during the…(Korean) war (in 1953),” said Kim Jong-il, who also threatened “powerful nuclear deterrence” to those nations who cross North Korea on the matter.

Jong-il has also confronted violent retaliation if additional sanctions are placed on North Korea by the United States and the European Union, a move both nations have seriously considered.

South Korea is an American ally

UPI reports that a recent Angus Reid Public Opinion survey showed that more than half of Americas adults expect a war between North Korean and South Korea soon. Less than half of respondents were opposed to Americas involvement. The Americas government has backed South Korea, vowing to defend it in any armed conflict with North Korea, so involvement seems definite, should hostilities escalate.

War noise and the gasps of strangled business

In America, the noise over a New Korean War is financially troubling, says The Detroit Bureau. Setting aside the potential for tragic loss of life on all sides and also the United States’ arguable over-commitment in Iraq and Afghanistan, business numbers could also suffer. Automakers like Hyundai and Daewoo, also as electronics manufacturers like LG would be hurt, as would import-dependent retail giants like Wal-Mart and Best Buy. South Korea would experience economic hard times as their import routes are constricted by war, and even China would feel the pinch as they deal with refugees flooding their borders with the Koreas. Eventually the United States of America would feel economic hardship in a chain of events related to our ever-cheaper, ever-faster consumer world.

America without South Korean imports

South Korean businesses haven’t prepared to date for what they’d do during a New Korean War according to various sources, so the flow of world commerce would surely be disrupted. The North Korean army may not scare South Korea or the Americas, but the destructive potential is still there for lives and wasted dollars. If commerce lanes are blocked, South Korea and America will suffer, even though North Korea will no doubt suffer ultimate defeat.

Find more data on this subject

Associated Press

newser.com/article/d9h5b3183/north-korea-threatens-nuclear-retaliation-to-us-south-korea-military-exercises.html

The Detroit Bureau

thedetroitbureau.com/2010/05/how-a-new-korean-war-would-affect-u-s-business/

Front Page Magazine

frontpagemag.com/2010/05/26/the-new-korean-war/

Real Clear Politics

realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/08/04/iran_war_option_on_the_table_106598.html

UPI

upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/03/US-adults-expect-new-Korean-war/UPI-27261275605162/

Verizon iPhone rumor mill cranks up on Apple CDMA order

Consumers are crazy about their iPhones. But Apple’s AT and T service earns their disdain. For years, this love/hate relationship has spawned Verizon iPhone rumors. Rumors surfaced again Monday quoting unknown sources about a Verizon iPhone release in January 2011. Stories about Verizon iPhone rumors are based on one dead giveaway – an order taken by Qualcomm from Apple for chipsets compatible with the Verizon network. A Verizon iPhone has been referred to as inevitable ever since Apple announced AT and T as its exclusive carrier in 2007. Resource for this article – Verizon iPhone rumors churn again with alleged Apple CDMA order by Personal Money Store.

Rumors are the basis for Verizon iPhone rumors

Verizon iPhone rumors are so common that most people pay them no mind. However, writing in Tech Crunch, Steve Cheney said the latest Verizon iPhone rumor is different. Cheney said he was confident that the rumors will finally become fact because of the DNA of Smartphone components that are traced through the supply chain. In plain English, this means there is evidence that Apple ordered a batch of CDMA chipsets from Qualcomm that will be used to manufacture a run of Verizon iPhones in December for January sale. Never mind that the scoop about the Apple/Qualcomm order comes from “sources with knowledge of the entire situation”.

Big sales forecasted for Apple Qualcomm iPhone

Apple’s AT and T GSM network doesn’t work with CDMA, the wireless standard for Verizon’s network. Business Week fell in with Tech Crunch in stating that Apple’s suppliers are gearing up for making components for a CDMA network, despite the fact that Apple’s Qualcomm order has not been confirmed as fact. Since the iPhone’s debut in 2007, Apple has sold more than 50 million of them. Business Week quoted UBS AG analyst John Hodulik as saying that ending AT and T’s exclusive iPhone contract will grant Verizon a leg up on its competitors on the Smartphone playing field. About 92.8 million Verizon customers could buy 3 million iPhones a quarter, he said.

As a rule, bloggers cry wolf

The latest Verizon iPhone rumor joins a long list of false alarms for iPhone users who regard AT and T service as the only flaw in their ultimate machine. PC World offered a history of Verizon iPhone rumors that started in Sept. 2008 when bloggers citing a tipster who had Verizon insider credentials said the rumor would come true in early 2009. Starting then, Verizon iPhone release dates surfaced in April 2009 (Early 2010), Oct. 2009 (70 percent chance in 2010), Oct. 2009 (late 2010), Jan 2010, (Jan. 2010!), March 2010, (late 2010) and May 2010 (early 2011).

Find more information on this subject

techcrunch.com

businessweek.com

pcworld.com

Build your own Pop-Tarts, with or without the store

This week, Times Square Store played host to the new opening of the Pop Tart store. The brand store offers anything from Pop-Tarts cuisine to build-your-own Pop-Tarts. At $ 1,000 per square foot, Times Square rent is a massive investment for the business, which has not yet decided whether the Pop-Tart store is going to be a permanent fixture.

What the Pop-Tarts store features

Pop-Tarts World offers a little bit of everything. The cafe at Pop-Tarts World serves up Pop-Tarts sandwiches, Pop-Tarts-covered celery, even Pop-Tarts topped cinnamon rolls. A vending machine stocked with 23 Pop-Tarts flavors allows customers to create their own pack of Pop-Tarts, at $ 1 per pastry. Finally, the build-your-own Pop-Tarts bar lets you create just about any Pop-Tarts topping and flavor that you can think of.

Brand visibility is the goal of the Pop-Tarts store

Kellogg’s decided to open the Pop-Tarts shop in Times Square because they feel it is a “mature brand”. The toaster treat is halfway between a breakfast bar and a pastry, and sales lately have been relatively flat. Pop-Tarts sold $ 481 million worth of the pastries in 2009.

Baking your own Pop-Tarts

Customized Pop-Tarts are available outside of Times Square. Pop-Tarts at home are less costly and healthier than the repurchased ones. You can avoid the high fructose corn syrup and make your own for about 20 cents per Pop-Tart. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour with 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter, 1 large egg, and a couple of tablespoons of milk. Roll out the dough and cut rectangles. Spread just about any filling you would like on half of the rectangles. Use the un-spread half of the rectangles to top the filling, then seal it by pressing the edges with a fork. Put the dough within the fridge while you preheat the oven to 350, then bake them for 20 to 25 minutes.

20 percent of homeowners have underwater home loans

Recent data indicates that over 20 percent of homeowners have underwater mortgage loans. That means 1 in 5 people would not benefit from mortgage loan modification even if they could get it. The number of people who owe more than their homes are worth is slowly but surely declining. However, that decrease is partly due to the number of foreclosures, which is still increasing in major metropolitan areas. Post resource – 20 percent of homeowners underwater on mortgage loans by Personal Money Store.

20 percent of mortgages underwater

According to CNN Money , a real estate study indicated that just more than 20 percent of American home owners owed more on their mortgage loans than their homes are worth. Housing gained more than a pay day loan worth per home, as the figure is down to 21.3 percent from 23.3. percent last quarter. That means the amount of national negative equity is decreasing. That said, one in five people still probably won’t get offered mortgage loan modification, as it would do them no good. Some people would be better if they get a unsecured loan to help them leave their underwater homes, as less equity means less ability to get debt relief.

Foreclosures and values climb

Real estate values are starting to climb in some areas. Granted, one can never expect to buy a house for a money advance, but home prices are starting to climb. Major metro areas where most homes are underwater benefited most. That said, about 75 percent of major cities saw more foreclosures. Las Vegas is still ruined concerning real estate. Unemployment there is higher than 14 percent, and almost 74 percent of homes in Sin City are underwater. One in 15 homes there are in foreclosure.

Very slow but steady

The improvements within the economy are few. Unemployment is down just a little, and maybe a few people aren’t as bad off as they used to be. What recovery has taken place is doing this at a very slow pace.

More on this topic

CNN

money.cnn.com/2010/08/09/real_estate/fewer_underwater_borrowers/index.htm

money.cnn.com/2010/07/29/real_estate/new_face_of_foreclosure/index.htm

Jet Blue Flight Attendant demonstrates consumers can be wrong

Steven Slater, a profession flight attendant, came to the tipping point. An exceptional flight attendant for over 20 years, a traveler thought it was suitable to abuse him for doing his job. Slater, a Jet Blue flight attendant at the time, cursed the man over the intercom, opened the door of the plane and employed the emergency exit slide, leaving the tarmac on foot. He has been charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and other crimes. Article resource – Jet Blue flight attendant shows the customer can be wrong by Personal Money Store.

Plane view of his limits

According to CNN, Jet Blue Flight 1052 landed at JFK International Airport from Pittsburgh. As the plane taxied toward the terminal, a passenger stood up to retrieve his bag too early, and he was told by flight attendant Steven Slater he had to sit back down. What happened next isn’t really clear, but it appears either the bag fell and struck Slater or the passenger shoved him. The man refused to apologize and swore at him. Slater took over the intercom, cursed the cretin, and announced he was quitting. He took beer from the galley and used the emergency chute to exit the plane. He was arrested later at his home.

Pressure in the cabin

According to MSN, Steven Slater was rarely at home, even when he was not working. Slater was often flying to Thousand Oaks to take care of his dying mother, according to his roommate, which Slater also did for his father. His mother, according to the New York Times, had also been a flight attendant. His father, formerly a pilot, had passed away from Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The customer in not always right

People within the service trades should be treated better than they’re. Any person who has worked within the service trades for any length of time, be it in a restaurant or movie theater, knows just how awful the public could be at times. It costs nothing to be polite and cooperative, even if mistakes do sometimes get made.

Additional reading

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/38629517/ns/travel-news/

CNN

cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/10/new.york.escape.chute.opened/?hpt=C2

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10attendant.html?_r=1 and hp

BP gets many claims from the oil spill causing $ 3 billion to be put within the fund

BP completed negotiations with the Justice Department Monday that establishes the $ 20 billion BP oil spill compensation fund. $ 3 billion within the fund go directly towards oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 victims. Obama and BP had a meeting on June 16 which is when BP decided the fund needed to be set up. The total BP bill is about $ 6.1 billion which involves a portion paid for oil spill claims which was about $ 319 million. Claims have still been filed by one more 100,000 individuals waiting for an answer. All of the lawyers are confused as to how they can access the fund. Resource for this article – BP oil spill fund gets first $ 3 billion deposit as claims pile up by Personal Money Store.

BP oil spill fund deposit ahead of schedule

By the time September is over, BP is supposed to have the deposit put into the BP oil spill fund. Robert Dudley, who replaces Tony Hayward as BP’s chief executive officer on Oct. 1, told Bloomberg that making the deposit ahead of schedule emphasizes the company’s commitment to “making it right within the Gulf.”. Obama explained in June that BP is nevertheless responsible for cleanup and economic damage, and individuals still may sue the company whenever they feel the right to do so. $ 5 billion will be put within the fund annually for the next four years. To reach the $ 20 billion that BP has promised, there may also be $ 1.25 billion put in every quarter with an added $ 2 billion in the last quarter of every year.

Claims process slowed down for BP

Checks from the BP oil spill fund will be cashed for free at New Orleans-based Whitney National Bank, which has 160 branches along the Gulf Coast. Kenneth Feinberg, the government-appointed administrator of the fund, said a BP oil claims facility should be in operation this month.

By the time August 7 hit, 145,000 oil spill claims had already been filed. It has paid 103,900 claims worth $ 319 million. NPR reports the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 has numerous coastal residents fighting for their economic survival, and they expect BP to keep them afloat. You will find nevertheless 100,000 people hoping their claims can soon be fulfilled. People think the BP claims process was made to make it harder to get claims fulfilled. Many businesses are just waiting for Feinberg to get into his position so the fund can be under his control instead.

Fund for BP oil spill difficult to work with

While the BP oil spill fund has been highly publicized, the actual details of what is going on with the fund are murky. The Legal Broadcast Network (LBN) reports that very few lawyers or clients have any clue as to how the BP oil spill fund is going to work or if it makes sense to participate. The tax hit is a big concern for lawyers who do not even know how to get payments for their clients. It also seems to be a problem that the oil spill claims being fulfilled have legal fees that aren’t tax deductible. According to LBN, the questions are unanswered by those in charge of the fund.

More on this topic

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-09/bp-20-billion-oil-spill-compensation-fund-agreement-completed-with-u-s-.html

NPR

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129074745

Legal Broadcast Network

thelegalbroadcastnetwork.squarespace.com/the-lbn-blog/2010/8/9/the-bp-oil-spill-compensation-fund-what-is-next-ken-feinberg.html

The United States is shifting towards a plutonomy

The concern has been raised many times over whether the United States is turning into or already is a “plutonomy.” Plutonomy is a portmanteau of plutocracy and economy, and it means that the American economy is run and owned by the wealthiest of the rich. Some people insist the U.S. economy was that way to start with. Recent figures indicate that the richest few are what have driven any relative improvements in the economy. Article resource – Economists suggest the United States has become a plutonomy by Personal Money Store.

Plutonomy doesn’t involve a cartoon dog

The term implies the richest of the rich are who the economy revolves around. There is reason to think any “improvements” during the recession have anything to do with the spending habits of the richest few. The Wall Street Journal reported on the findings of Moody’s of consumer spending patterns. Within the last 20 years, 37 percent of all consumers spending was from the richest 5 percent. The bottom 80 percent (i.e. the rest of us) contributed less than 40 percent. The richest 10 percent make about half the income of the U.S.

Everyone lies but numbers do not

According to a study released in 2006 by the Federal Reserve, economist Arthur Kennickell found that the wealthiest 10 percent of the nation held almost 70 percent of the wealth. That means for every dollar of value in the sum total of all non-public assets of the United States, 90 percent of the population owns only 30 cents worth. Reagan’s trickle went up, and was no trickle but rather a tidal wave.

Of, by, and for the rich

Historians such as Howard Zinn and others have posited the Founding Fathers were all the wealthiest of the rich. The commoners were less affected by British taxes than the rich were. They rebelled to form a new land of oligarchy by privilege. No less than James Madison estimated only a third of Americans were in favor of the Revolution. Republics, by their nature, foster aristocracies. If there is one universal harbinger of doom for a society, it is a growing and vast disparity between the wealthiest few and also the many poor.

Discover more information on this subject

online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703988304575413432696177258.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_United_States

federalreserve.gov/pubs/feds/2006/200613/200613pap.pdf – PDF, requires Adobe Reader

Troubles come from FluidNow and need EUC to fix it?

Emergency loans are needed by thousands of Americans who are living off of emergency unemployment benefits because of job loss during the recession. Extending benefits has been a huge debate since employers aren’t hiring like the government would like them to be right now. The website FluidNow, or www.fluidnow.com, is a website where more than 100,000 residents of Florida who are considered to be “long-term” jobless can get additional benefits. Numerous people had their benefits began again after they had expired, but now it seems like fluid now is not so fluid for many that apply.

FluidNow needs to move faster to serve customer base

The answer you will get when calling fluidnow’s 800-204-2418 is a pre-recorded “call back later” message, as outlined by an unemployed individual in Florida. The unemployed individual got an AWI employee after numerous attempts, and the employee said there was no information about how extension benefits could 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. Lorenzo said nobody knew when the guidance would come.

The EUC Fix – Hope for the hopeless

Numerous unemployed individuals are looking at getting loans or getting a part time job to help with their money problems. Some of the time this is not enough nevertheless. Plus, there’s fear the benefits already being received would shrink upon signing up for part-time work. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Fix might be able to help. It was part of one of the most recent emergency unemployment benefits extension that made it out of Congress, reports Michigan’s MLive.com. The intention behind the provision is to “remove the disincentive for people who take part-time jobs while collecting benefits.” Struggling citizens would not have to fear having their benefits reduced in their second year of benefits, reports the Michigan news portal.

EUC Fix won’t help those within the past

The National Employment Law Protection explains that the EUC Fix can only work if your benefits ended after July 22, 2010. Benefits are limited to the people that fall in that category. For more information on the EUC Fix, visit National Employment Law Project website.

More on this topic

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

A lot of individuals and businesses need guaranteed loans

The functions of personal finance and high corporate finance are different, but believe it or not, the two aren’t entirely dissimilar. Some of the biggest companies need guaranteed loans, or a line of credit or short term personal loan. Even Ford Motor Co got guaranteed payday loans a few years ago. Ford is in debt relief mode. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae need more guaranteed loans to stay afloat.

Ford gets guaranteed loans

To keep from needing bailout cash and filing for bankruptcy, Ford Motor Company took out $ 23.5 billion in guaranteed loans from the government. Ford only asked for emergency lines of credit if necessary, and didn’t need a bailout. Ford not asking for bailout funds was maybe the best business decision they’ve made in a while. As Chrysler and GM tried to figure things out, according to the Wall Street Journal, Ford saw a 22 percent jump in sales. Sometimes just knowing you have the access to credit is a confidence boost, if you absolutely need a loan until payday.

More guaranteed loans for Freddie and Fannie

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae need more in taxpayer funded guaranteed loans. Freddie, according to ABC, lost $ 6 billion this last quarter already. They’re asking for another $ 1.8 billion. Freddie and Fannie are struggling, and they have until 2012 to get their affairs in order. At that point, Treasury Secretary Geithner won’t write any more checks.

Fortune 500 companies have credit scores too

One of the motivations for Ford is the credit rating for the agency improves as they pay back debt. It’s like a person paying down their credit card to improve their credit rating; it works for the biggest corporations too.

Additional reading

online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703589404575417491742322262.html

abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11356950

Getting the little things done with TaskRabbit

In a few big cities, “service networking” is the newest name for the service offered by TaskRabbit. Individuals who need additional help getting things done are matched up with those that have additional time. TaskRabbit aims to be more reliable and safer than other online services.

The basics of TaskRabbit

The basic idea of TaskRabbit is simple: you will find things that individuals need help with. Be it watering window boxes, picking up dog food or running dry cleaning, everyone has something. For anybody who can’t afford a full-time personal assistant, TaskRabbit helps find them task-by-task. Anyone with a task posts the details and how much they’re willing to pay, and somebody in their area can agree to help out. It is good for everybody, in the end.

Getting work with TaskRabbit

You can make extra cash by working off of TaskRabbit. You can even bid for or make counteroffers on a task. ”Service networking” helps turn that extra time into additional cash. There are a couple of major considerations to keep in mind when accepting a task. First, what the cost of the task might be. Second, how much time the task might take. Finally, consider what your hourly rate is going to be and if amount offered is enough for what you are worth. Keep in mind that if you are likely to make more than $ 600 in one year, you may have to pay fifteen percent in self employment tax.

TaskRabbit inside your town

Currently, TaskRabbit is only available in Boston and San Francisco. There are plans for TaskRabbit to expand, but it will take time for the service to add extra cities. If you are in one of the numerous areas where there is no TaskRabbit, then you are able to still make additional money with the concept. Try hiring yourself out for the things on the Craigslist gigs section.

President Obama states withdrawal of troops from Iraq by September

One of President Obama’s campaign pledges was a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Creating a strategy for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers was begun just after his election. Following the strategy for withdrawal was put in motion, the White House has kept it on schedule. All but 50,000 troops will be removed from Iraq by the end of August, 2010. It is projected that all American forces will have left Iraq by the end 2011.

Iraq to pass back to Iraqis

According to The Guardian, the President announced that military authority can be handed over to Iraqi authorities by the end of August. The announcement was made as the President spoke before the Disabled American Veterans conference in Atlanta. He directly mentioned the withdrawal as part of his campaign promises. The President also pinpointed that 90,000 troops have already been withdrawn from Iraq since he took office. It is projected that on August 31, full military authority can be given to Iraqi forces, and 50,000 American troops will remain in an advisory role. Combat operations by American troops will cease at that time.

Focus to shift to Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is nevertheless ongoing, though the Iraq war is winding down. Obama swore he won’t stand for the Taliban or Al Qaeda returning to power, according to CNN. The war in Afghanistan has been the subject of considerable controversy of late. The 90,000 pages of documents released by Wikileaks and also the Rolling Stone Stanley McChrystal interview have been subjects of significant contention.

The end of the beginning or the beginning of the end

The withdrawal from Iraq is proceeding according to plan. However, the Afghan conflict is far from being resolved. Afghanistan has more Americas troops than Iraq, and there is a growing belief that the war in Afghanistan is not winnable. There is still no real end in sight for Afghanistan.

More on this topic

guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/02/barack-obama-us-iraq-combat

cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/02/obama.iraq.drawdown/index.html?hpt=T1

Gold bubble bursting because of gold prices decreasing

Individuals are starting to talk about a gold bubble burst. Investors have perceived gold as a safe haven during the global financial crisis. But after rising in value steadily since October 2008, the gold bubble may be reaching the bursting point as the global financial crisis fades. If the markets continue to rally, the demand for so-called safe investments like gold will fall. Gold went down quite a bit already from June 21 from $ 1,266.50 to $ 1,185. Article resource – Falling gold price could mean the gold bubble is about to burst by Personal Money Store.

Bursting the gold bubble

It could be a sign of the gold bubble burst that the gold prices are so unsteady. Not even India or China are that interested in gold anymore as outlined by Brian Renzy from Seeking Alpha. He said that gold is a commodity with a value based upon entirely on the assumption that it will increase in price. This is why individuals invested their lives into gold during the global financial crisis. The only reason gold is valuable is because investors have believed it is valuable. If a gold bubble burst would to happen, that would all change.

Market in Europe changes because of credit crisis

One reason the gold bubble may be about to burst is as the markets may have exaggerated the effects of the credit crisis in Europe to the global economy, according to Ron Acoba at Daily Markets. Acoba explains that there is not any effect on their business with the whole credit crisis. Rezny said that the gold bubble is about to “end in tears,” and that the recent decline in gold prices will get worse. Similar to what is happening now, gold peaked at $ 850 an ounce in 1980. Adjusted for inflation, that $ 850 was equal to $ 2,300. It dived to $ 253 by the time 1999 had hit.

Guess it didn’t keep individuals safe

The gold bubble is precariously large as millions of individuals are buying gold. Gold is even endorsed by celebrities. Hucksters like Glenn Beck are convincing average people to dump a large percentage of their investment portfolios into gold — even their life savings — to be safe when the global economy collapses to the stone age. Beating Broke is concerned about what will happen following the economy recovers. Numerous will lose money buying it for $ 1,100 and $ 1,200 an ounce and then seeing it drop to $ 800 or $ 900 an ounce. If 30 percent of everyone’s money is lost here, the gold bubble is bound to burst. When people try and sell their gold, prices will drop more. True believers in gold will lose even more.

More on this topic

Daily Markets

dailymarkets.com/forex/2010/07/28/did-the-gold-bubble-just-pop/

Beating Broke

beatingbroke.com/is-gold-the-next-bubble/

Prop 8 appeals

UPDATE: Proposition 8 has been ruled unconstitutional. Those for prop 8 want the judge to void the amendment and keep the decision.

Proposition 8 could be looked at by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker who will make a decision. Supports of prop 8 think have planned an appeal in case it doesn’t end in their favor. Opponents of Prop 8 will appeal it the other way if need be. The things the ruling will affect range from civil rights to the California state spending budget.

Prop 8 background

2008 was when the California Marriage Protection Act, or Prop 8, was passed. Marriage is only legal between a man and a woman with the voter-added ballot proposition. 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 government Prop 8 challenges

Prop 8’s federal court challenge was placed in San Francisco. When the court upheld the Strauss v. Horton voter initiative, Perry v. Schwarzenegger was filed. California constitution doesn’t violate equal protection with prop 8, if you ask a proponent that is. Those against it feel like equal protection is totally and totally being violated.

Appealed decision for Prop 8

The reactions to the expected decision on Proposition 8 are already bubbling up. Supporters of Proposition 8 have filed an injunction, asking for a stay on marriage should the ruling be found against them. This would prevent further legal same-sex marriages from taking place while the case is under further legal review. Opponents say they intend on filing appeals if they lose this court case. The millions of dollars spent on fighting Prop 8 in court are just the beginning, 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.

Smartphone bank cards gear up to compete with plastic

Wireless carriers using contactless payment technology for Smartphone bank card processing could give charge card companies a worthy competitor. AT and T, Verizon and T-Mobile are preparing to take on Visa and MasterCard by developing their own mobile payment system that lets customers purchase goods by waving a Smartphone in front of a wireless reader. Retail associations, which have battled credit card businesses over excessive swipe fees, are welcoming the competition in the payments market.

Smartphone credit card processing an emerging trend

Development of a payment service network with the potential to supplant plastic with Smartphone’s is being tested in Atlanta and three other cities. Bloomberg reports that the service, similar to those already accessible in Japan, Turkey and the U.K., would use contactless technology. One business analyst told Bloomberg that the AT and T/Verizon/T-Mobile Smartphone credit card venture was a “game changer” as the wireless carriers are the biggest recurring billers in each market and are experts at processing payments. Discover, the fourth largest credit card business after Visa, MasterCard and American Express, is handling processing for the new payment service network.

Hackers lurking to disrupt contactless payments in U.S.

In Japan, more than 60 percent of mobile phones have contactless payment capability. But in the United States, Tech News World reports that fundamental issues to overcome include credit risk, banking regulations, security and liability. If they become popular in the United States of America Smartphone charge cards will draw increased attention from malicious hackers. As with bank cards, consumers will need to be protected against unauthorized purchases with lost or stolen Smartphone’s.

Billions at stake in mobile payments competition

The phone carriers have business within the race for a piece of the mobile payment market. As the Smartphone marketplace has exploded, ChannelWeb reports that mobile payment programs have accelerated at bank card companies and other tech firms. Wireless carriers believe their background in payment processing is a competitive advantage. But it remains to be seen if processing payments for their customers will translate to servicing merchant accounts directly as a payment service network for the carriers, Joe Bardwell, an executive at a California wireless tech firm, told ChannelWeb. Also, the billing practices of wireless carriers may not earn the trust of their customers to process their credit card purchases.

Retailers eager for an option in the payments market

One more payment service network could take off with retailers, especially after they have fought with bank card companies for years over transaction fees. To emphasize that fact, Bloomberg cites an effort by retailers last month to gain caps on swipe fees from Congress, also as a 2005 federal anti-trust lawsuit that remains pending . A secure and reliable competing network that gives consumers mobility payment opportunities and reduces retailers’ costs would be welcome, a spokesman for the Retail Industry Leaders Association said in the Bloomberg article. Within the Bloomberg article, an official from the Retail Industry Leaders Association said merchants will welcome one more payment network that saves them cash and gives consumers a secure, reliable, convenient purchase option.

More on this topic

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-02/at-t-verizon-said-to-target-visa-mastercard-with-smartphones.html

Tech News World

technewsworld.com/story/70546.html”

Channel Web

crn.com/mobile/226500140″>

Legally Hack the iPhone 4G- Jailbreaking

Sunday, jailbreak for the iPhone 4 happened. The hack liberates iPhone 4 owners from the shackles of the Apple App Store. The iPhone 4 jailbreak allows a phone to download unapproved apps from unapproved app stores. Other networks besides AT and T can be hacked with this jailbreaking. Apple, which exercises tight control over the iPhone network and iPhone app approval process, says jailbreaking the iPhone 4 “can severely degrade the experience”.

Where to get the iPhone jailbreak

There is an app that can jailbreak less than a week after copyright officials said it was legal. CNN reports that the iPhone 4 jailbreak is available at jailbreakme.com. The hack for the iPhone 4 jailbreak means that the Apple App Store is not the only place people can download apps from anymore. To download the iPhone jailbreak, visit that site using the Safari browser on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. You do not need to even pull out your computer to install this one.

Apple mad about jailbreaking

The practice of jailbreaking was illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which prohibits the circumvention of copy protection mechanisms. Information week reports the U.S. Library of Congress (LOC) opened the door to legal download of the iPhone jailbreak last week when it said hacking the iPhone to circumvent Apple’s app approval process doesn’t violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Jailbreaking, as outlined by LOC’s chief librarian is, “innocuous at worst and beneficial at best Apple is upset in this belief. Jailbreaking does stay away from the warranty on devices although it is now legal.

Jailbreaking makes it possible for T-Mobile and iPhones to have a relationship

The iPhone 4 jailbreak was so popular that jailbreakme.com could hardly stay online Sunday. Networks other than AT and T can be used after jailbreaking the iPhone which makes it possible to download the right apps. Unlocked iPhones will work only on T-Mobile and not Sprint or Verizon because of the way it works.

More on this topic

Apple

support.apple.com/kb/ht3743