Anonymous not focusing on Westboro Baptists for hacker assault

Anonymous, the "hacktivist" group that has been making waves lately, is rumored to have selected a new target. A website loosely affiliated with Anonymous had an open letter posted, which issued a stern warning to the Westboro Baptist Church. However, seems like to not be entirely genuine. Members of Anonymous have asserted that the group has larger priorities than the small church known for its hate speech.

Plans for Anonymous are bigger than this

The Westboro Baptists Church was being directed at with a letter found on a site. This website has ties to the "hacktivist" group Anonymous. The open letter led to speculation that Anonymous was going to goal the group for Directed Denial of service, or DDoS, attacks in the near future, according to CBS. It said that Anonymous wanted Westboro Baptists church to stop since the “inhumane treatment of fellow Man has reached its apex” according to the letter. Right now, there are "more pressing matters to deal with" for Anonymous. This is why representatives said that the Phelps family and the Westboro Baptists don't have to worry about a DDoS attack.

Westboro responds

The Westboro Baptist Church responded that Anonymous was “a puddle of pimple-faced nerds.”. Anonymous was worried that it was a trap somehow. They asked members not to target WBC yet. Typically, the group is more interested in larger adversaries than the WBC. However, a group of rogue members could effortlessly organize an attack since Anonymous does not have a formal structure at all. However, Anonymous has taken on religious organizations before, as there was a public feud between Anonymous and the Church of Scientology.

WBC too small to matter

The tiny group in KS that works with hate speech at colleges and at funerals isn't the audience that Anonymous has been working against recently. The combination hacker and activist group, or “hacktivists,” have gained notoriety for larger marks, for instance Visa, MasterCard and Paypal, for cutting off scheduled payments to WikiLeaks, and Egyptian government websites were targeted when access to the internet in Egypt was cut off.

Citations

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20033942-501465.html?tag=pop

BBC

bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12535456

Drug smuggling submarine discovered by Colombian law enforcement

The Colombian military has foiled several smugglers in South America by finding a cocaine-filled drug smuggling submarine before it left on its mission. Crafts of this type have been found before, however the one recently seized is far more sophisticated than previous drug submersibles. Sonar can’t find drug submersibles, or narco subs because they have been nicknamed. Post resource – Colombian authorities seize drug smuggling submarine by Newsytype.com.

Drug smuggling identified with joint task force

A joint operation of Colombian law enforcement including the air force, the navy and the Colombian Inspector General’s office has resulted in a major bust and severe blow to drug smugglers in the area, according to the Daily Mail. In Cauca, near the town of Timbiqui, a drug bust happened. There was drug smuggling discovered in the swamps. The Pacific Coast of Colombia is the place where Cauca is. That means the sea was where the swamp led. Computers for navigation, bunks for a four man crew and 8 tons of cocaine were already loaded onto the drug submarine. In the cargo there were firearms also even though nobody was on board when the craft was found.

Only choice for next step would be smuggling

The craft was a new breed of drug smuggling submersibles or Narco Subs even though they have been used for years. Drug cartels can spend huge amount of money constructing the subs from fiberglass and other materials, though they’re sometimes used only once. When it comes to drug smuggling submersibles, they cannot fully submerge. That means they are not true submarines. The difference for the Timbiqui was that it was able to submerge. It could go for extended periods of time down nine meters, or 40 feet. The 105-foot craft would have been able to reach the coast of Mexico or simply the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Catching the drug cartels

Drug cartels are fairly crafty about drug transfer. Into the United States they’re especially crafty. For many years, submersibles have been known about. They are not ever seen or captured getting the nickname "Bigfoot" tied to them. More are being identified now though after one was captured years back. Now that drug cartels have started making subs that can submerge, it’s envisioned that remote controlled drug submersibles are likely next.

Citations

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357040/Submarine-loaded-tons-cocaine-seized-Colombia.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703703804576144752329031500.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narco_submarine

B of A to quit offering reverse home loans

B of A declared on February 8 that they will be pulling themselves out of reverse mortgages. In the past year, reverse mortgages have proved troublesome. The amount of money banks can make on the product has been dropping precipitously. A rising number of reverse home loans are also ending up in technical default.

Reverse mortgages in Bank of America's history

Bank of America first started offering reverse mortgages in 2006. Then, B of A bought Reverse Mortgage America. This occurred in 2007. In 2008, B of A purchased Countrywide Financial Corporation and took over its mortgages and reverse mortgage operations in Reno, NV, and around the nation. The 600 employees can be moved to other places in the financial institution in early 2011 with Bank of America because all reverse mortgage operations are being shut down. You will find several applying for reverse mortgages or holding them currently. All these individuals can be serviced by Bank of America still.

Reverse home loan business less common

There has been a huge drop in reverse mortgages where homeowners sell their home back to the bank. The number of new reverse mortgages written dropped by more than a 3rd in 2009, and dropped again last year. You will find homeowners in default on reverse home loans technically also. There seem to be more and more. It is really hard to get out of a reverse mortgage default. Typically this means that you haven't been paying taxes on the property or are not keeping it maintained as you are intended to. Many seniors are facing the choice of taking out no fax payday loans to keep their home maintained or lose their main source of secondary income.

Why it is sometimes good to get a reverse mortgage

Less and less individuals seem interested in Reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are not lasting long enough for several senior citizens. There is also the issue of low maintenance on the home causing a default. Getting equity out of a home is important to some that like reverse mortgages. They don't have to try to sell it either. In short, reverse home loans may be helpful at times, but they are often extended beyond the meant use of the product.

Citations

Miami Herald

miamiherald.com/2011/02/03/2048507/reverse-mortgages-going-to-default.html

Nasdaq

community.nasdaq.com/News/2011-02/bofa-getting-out-of-reverse-mortgages.aspx?storyid=56592

More cautious underwriting decisions on automotive loans

Car loan underwriters tend to be forgotten among the progenitors of the economic downturn, but sloppy choices regarding subprime loans created a great deal of defaults. Lack of care analyzing the subprime market’s ability to repay its automotive loans led to financial upheaval. Wards Auto reports this has led automobile finance businesses to take a closer look at incoming auto loan applications.

Examining details with auto loan underwriting

In order to get approved with a credit history that isn't quite up to speed for an automobile loan, there has to be greater attention paid. There are always possibilities to approve borrowers with a credit rating history with a few dings as long as severe dings aren't in it. The Price Waterhouse and Cooper consumer Financial Group senior manager Douglas Ekizian explained this. Underwriters are able to choose if a consumer will really pay a loan back when the applicant seems to have the ability to pay back the loan.

In general, better auto loan underwriting choices come when there is as much information as possible that is accessible. Ekizian explained that analysts can do "more than a cursory review of credit-bureau forensic analytics," when there is full income and employment data.

Financing for an auto by gut impulse

Alliance Acceptance CEO Ray Thousand explained that an auto loan underwriter is able to determine what will and won’t trigger an odd loan default based on the detail. If all of a credit history is clean, then a default after a job loss is overlooked. As the credit industry for automotive loans has relaxed somewhat, sometimes borrowers with a bankruptcy are considered, said consumer risk finance manager Adem Yilmaz of Toyota Financial Services.

"Determining willingness to pay back a loan is the gut call of the day. We're looking for evidence of ultimately trying to make good on the loan," said Thousand.

Auto loan defaults: Children of recession

The U.S. economy really struggled in 2008 and 2009 which was when there were the most auto loan defaults. Many of car loan companies either had to get bailout dollars or went bankrupt due to this. Hopefully the auto lending market can now make cautious underwriting choices. Then, the mistakes of the past won't be repeated.

Articles cited

Wards Auto

wardsauto.com/home/auto_loan_analysts_110204/

Understanding the role of loan underwriting

youtube.com/watch?v=Q7OvlYjNt9w

Demonstrators demand Day of Departure from packed Tahrir Square

Protesters have overloaded Tahrir Square in Cairo requiring a "Day of Departure" for Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak, the long serving president of Egypt, has said he won’t run for re-election in September of this year. That has not appeased the demonstrators. Demands for his resignation have only increased. This is one situation where he won’t be able to take out a payday loan and buy off the protesters.

Still a lot of Tahrir Square demonstrations happening

There have been supporters of Mubarak attacking the demonstrations against the government Leader Mubarak has in place in chaos in Tahrir Square in Cairo for the last few days. Mubarak has been told to leave by a ton of anti-government protestors that have stuffed the square in violence. NPR reports that a "Day of Departure" or "Friday of Departure" should be when he leaves. In September, Leader Mubarak has promised not to try and get re-elected. Nevertheless, protestors demand Mubarak to exit now. There is an increasing chorus of demands for Mubarak to leave office right away from the international community as well.

Supporters of Mubarak appear in protest area

The Egyptian army has cordoned off Tahrir Square while anti-government demonstrators fill up it to capacity. However, pro-Mubarak demonstrators have infiltrated the area for the past few days, which has led to violent clashes. During the prolonged clashes, journalists were singled out by Mubarak supporters, in accordance with the Christian Science Monitor. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was beaten and threatened while trying to get away. At the exact same time, over a hundred incidents of physical assault were recorded. Pro-Mubarak "thugs" also stormed the Al-Jazeera offices in Cairo meaning several foreign and domestic journalists have been hurt.

Stance made by Mubarak

President Mubarak has stated he will not leave since the beginning of the unrest. There has not ever been a full democratic election confirming him to the office seat even though he has been in for 30 years. MSNBC reports that in an interview with him he did say that he was tired of it all. He said though that "there could be chaos" and "the Muslim Brotherhood will take over" if he were to leave. A transitional government might take place soon with the talks that he has been having with leaders of opposition groups.

Articles cited

NPR

npr.org/2011/02/04/133489032/egyptian-protesters-gear-up-for-friday-of-departure?ps=cprs

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2011/0203/Egypt-protests-journalists-under-attack-on-an-unprecedented-scale

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41402303/ns/world_news-mideast/n_africa/

Attempting to go completely plastic free in February

February is going to be a difficult month for some. There’s a new struggle issued by one website. 18 bloggers have been tapped to go the entire month without any plastic. They’re labeling the challenge Plastic Free in February. Hundreds of individuals are participating. Give it a shot, it won’t require a pay day loan or money of any sort. Just sign up and give it a go. Resource for this article – Plastic free in February – Bloggers attempt to cut it out by MoneyBlogNewz.

Participating in the February plastic free struggle

Rodale is a blog that focuses on environmentalism and health. There are over a dozen bloggers following within the Plastic Free in February struggle. This will be done in the month of February. You will find only three things required of the struggle. Everyone doing the struggle agrees to these. You aren't allowed to buy new plastic. You can't cook with plastic or store food in plastic afterwards. On top of that all, plastic has to be minimized as much as possible. This includes other things that include plastic. It’s a basic struggle, however it’s also a very difficult challenge because plastic is everywhere.

The point for avoiding plastic

Rodale has instituted the Plastic Free in February struggle to help reduce use of and bring attention to the downsides of plastic. In order to process and manufacture plastic, toxic chemicals are created as it’s a petroleum product. Containers and packaging are made of plastic often. Then, it’s typically thrown out. The plastic generally ends up in a landfill, where it doesn’t break down. Plastic will not break down within the environment typically. That means that it will end up as litter in waterways too. Plastic becomes half broken down like this. Chemicals are leaked off of it into drinking water as it leaks into ground water.

The way to participate in Plastic Free in February challenge

Many of the Plastic Free in February struggle bloggers is trading tips on how to proceed already. Bags for storage and shopping might be exchanged to be made out of fabric. Also, cooking utensils could possibly be glass and dishes might be ceramic. Just by nature of the packaging that processed meats and other foods come in, most say they will likely end up eating vegan or more whole foods.

Citations

Rodale

rodale.com/plastic-free

Daughters Barbara Bush, McCain, Cheney show support to gay marriage

Barbara Bush, daughter of former president Bush, has spoken up on matrimony equal rights. Barbara Bush has created a movie for the political action group Human Rights Campaign. Barbara Bush isn’t the only political daughter that has taken this pro homosexual rights stance. McCain and Mary Cheney have both also spoken out in support of equal matrimony rights. Neither took out a pay day loan to show their support. Post resource – Daughters Barbara Bush, McCain, Cheney support gay marriage by MoneyBlogNewz.

Barbara Bush makes it apparent marriage equality is supported

Tues morning, a video was released by the Human Rights Campaign. Marriage equality is the topic that previous president George W. Bush's daughter speaks on. The short-and-sweet video has a very simple message — which individuals should be able to marry whomever they love. It is even more surprising the video was released thinking about Barbara Bush has been keeping a low profile politically since her dad left the white House

View the HRC video of Barbara Bush

youtube.com/watch?v=-iKqr230U9M

An opinion for equal rights for all second generation politicians

There have been others in politics that have spoken out. Barbara Bush isn't alone. When it comes to equal matrimony rights, George W. Bush, John McCain and Dick Cheney have all come out against them. The daughters of these three men think otherwise. They have all come out against what their fathers say. Political commentator and author, Meghan McCain, has given her opinion. She has been for homosexual rights in these comments. Mary Cheney, minus a stint in her father’s re-election campaign, has mostly stayed out of politics — though she is an out lesbian with a partner and a child.

The status of marriage equality

The legal status of same-sex couples has been under heavy debate for a several years. The federal government has rescinded the policy of “don’t ask, do not tell” that prevents openly homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals from serving openly in the military. You will find constitutional amendments against same-sex marriage in many states, although five states allow it.

Citations

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Cheney

Vanity Fair

vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/02/barbara-bush-stars-in-marriage-equality-video-really-steals-meghan-mccains-thing.html