Khmer Rouge executioner nets only 19 years behind bars for genocide

Lately, one of the tribunal trials of a Khmer Rouge official, decades after the murderous Khmer Rouge was forced from power. In 1999, one of the chief executioners of the murderous regime, Kaing Guek Eav, also spelled Kang Kek Iew, or “Comrade Duch” was found and put on trial. The trial of the man who presided over more than 17,000 executions has concluded. Credited for time served, the man who presided over 17,000 executions at his prison will serve only 19 years in jail. Survivors of the Khmer Rouge and the bereaved of the executed are outraged at the comparatively light sentence.

Warden for the Khmer Rouge murdered thousands

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge seized power in Cambodia. The goal of leader Pol Pot and also the Khmer Rouge was to liquidate the upper and middle class, and found a collectivist farming utopia. The regime right away set about executing anybody they considered opponents, including educators, intellectuals, and perhaps individuals that wore glasses. Kaing Guek Eav was the head of security for the state police, the Santebal, and ran the notorious Tuol Sleng Prison, also called S-21. Over 17,000 inmates were sent to Toul Sleng to be tortured and executed. From that 17,000 that were sent, 12 lived to talk about it.

Capture and the trial

When the Khmer Rouge were toppled in 1979, their personnel scattered. Pol Pot went into hiding, eventually being discovered and put under house arrest until his death in 1998. Other officials of the Khmer Rouge went on trial, and some nevertheless are. Kaing Guek Eav surrendered to authorities in 1999, having been found near the Thai-Cambodian border living under an assumed name. A long trial process began with the Khmer Rouge tribunals. He was convicted of crimes against humanity, and on July 26 2010, he was credited for 11 years of time served and five years of pretrial detention against a 35-year sentence. He will serve 19 years in prison, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

What you need, my son

The sentence has not gone over well with survivors and families of the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Millions perished under the Khmer Rouge, and he may live long enough to be released. Chum Mey, one of the 3 nevertheless living survivors of Tuol Sleng was present at the trial. His wife and children were tortured and murdered by the Khmer Rouge. He said that “millions of individuals died, lots of money has been spent on the court – and also the perpetrator is free (in 19 years)? I am not happy with that.”

Additional reading

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge

csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/0726/Khmer-Rouge-executioner-found-guilty-but-Cambodians-say-sentence-too-light

bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10763409

Ansel Adams negatives turns $ 45 to $ 200 million

Ansel Adams would be happy if he were still alive to see how investments have paid off. Rick Norsigian bought a box of glad negatives at a garage sale for a song. After 10 years of trying, he finally certain experts the negatives were taken by legendary photographer Ansel Adams. Now he’s poised to reap a crazy return on his $ 45 investment. Now these photos are appraised for about $ 200 million. Source of article – A $ 45 investment in Ansel Adams negatives returns $ 200 million by Personal Money Store.

Photos from Ansel Adams in a garage sale

Black and White photos of the American West were what Ansel Adams, who died in 1984, was known for. Images by Ansel Adams of Yosemite National Park in California are among the most famous. Norsigian told CNN that he bought two boxes of glass negatives for $ 45 although the sellers wanted $ 70 for them. Robert Moeller who’s an art expert concluded that “with a high degree of probability, that the images under consideration were produced by Ansel Adams,” reports CNN.

’Missing link’ in Ansel Adams life is what these pictures are

Within the photographer’s career, these photos appear to be a “missing link” reports CNN who was told by David W. Streets, art dealer. July 27, these photos were shown at the Beverly Hills gallery. $ 200 million is the lowest amount Norsigian will get for a return on his investment. 5,000 plates were destroyed in a 1937 darkroom fire although these 65 negatives seem to have made it.

Ansel Adams began a Zone System

The photos had to be taken between 1919 and also the 1930s considering the silver tarnishing on the Ansel Adams photos, and that was way before the Yosemite pictures become famous in the 1940s. A Wikipedia page on Adams reports that he co-developed a way to determine proper exposure and adjust the contrast of the final print, and he called it the Zone System. The resulting clarity and depth of Ansel Adams’ Zone System defined the classic Ansel Adams images. Special cameras were used by Adams to create very sharp pictures.

Discovering Ansel Adams negatives

The Ansel Adams garage sale photographs nevertheless have their doubters, despite the endorsement of art experts. The blog, Croanca, points out that the individuals in the CNN article is probably not at all qualified to say that these are really Ansel Adams photographs. Admirers of Ansel Adams worry about adequate reproduction of the plates. Someone at visualjournalism.info wonders if the Ansel Adams photographs could be produced good enough.

Further reading

CNN
cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/07/27/ansel.adams.discovery/?hpt=Sbin
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams

Reporting car malfunctions to the NHTSA

Millions of cars drive around the country each day. Some cars, at some points, do malfunction and break down. If you experience a breakdown or malfunction that might be the result of a safety defect in your car, you should report it. NHTSA car malfunctions by Car Deal Expert.

How reporting defects helps

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is charged with keeping an eye on the safety of vehicles and vehicle-related products on the road. With millions of automobiles on the road, though, the NHTSA cannot track each single issue that may crop up. The NHTSA doesn’t know how to “connect the dots” without the help of other people. You should know what needs to be investigated and what needs to be recalled. Car manufacturers often don’t like admitting defects in their autos until a safety recall is initiated, so reporting to the NHTSA is the only sure way to make certain action is taken on your complaint.

What you need to report

You should report any safety complaint or possible concern to the NHTSA. Failing brakes needs to be reported. Airbag malfunctions need to be reported. Report child seat difficulties, tires troubles, and troubles with other components as well. This list should consist of anything you may find could hurt somebody, cause a crash, or make a possible crash worse.

How you are able to report to the NHTSA

It is easy to report NHTSA difficulties. You can report a problem online, at the Office of Defects Investigation site or by calling 888-327-4236. You’ll have to know the make and model of the car you need to complain about. In case there is an investigation, the NHTSA will need to know how to get a hold of you. There is a huge database that connects all of the complaints to see if everyone else has made the same complaint as you.

Further reading

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation site
odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Apple Magic Trackpad - The beginning of the end of the mouse?

The Magic Trackpad was finally introduced at the Apple Store Tuesday, enhancing the desktop with the multi-touch gestures used for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Rather than pointing and clicking, the Magic Trackpad lets you compute with gestures once you connect it via Bluetooth to your Mac. The Magic Trackpad is a window on the future of computer interfaces, some analysts say. Others believe the demise of the PC mouse at the hand of Apple industrial design is premature.

Magic Trackpad a classic Apple industrial design

Apple’s distinctive industrial design comes through within the Magic Trackpad. The sleek, glass-covered aluminum device matches the same angle and height as the Mac desktop keyboard it’s intended to sit next to. CNNMoney.com reports that Tuesday morning the Apple Store began selling the multi-touch Magic Trackpad. The online store went down for a while shortly before the Magic Trackpad went live, causing the usual intense blogging about what Apple industrial design would come up with next.

Turbo multi-touch for the desktop

The Apple Magic Trackpad enables two-finger scrolling, pinching to zoom, rotating with your fingertips, three-finger swiping or switching between applications with four fingers among its multi-touch gestures . Apple says users can switch from typing to gesturing seamlessly, or do both simultaneously, as well as swipe through pages online like flipping through a magazine. Plus, inertial scrolling makes moving up or down a page feel entirely natural.

Does Apple see 3D within the Magic Trackpad’s future?

The multi-touch Magic Trackpad could signal the start of a long-term strategy by Apple to prepare users for a future 3D interface. Johnny Evans at Computer world believes that since Apple owns patents for 3D user interfaces, the Magic Trackpad is the first step in a plan to get users accustomed to the gestured required to operate it. Evans hypothesizes about a multi-touch interface in 3D where you appear to reach right into your screen. He also described the possibility of computing with head and arm movements or voice via Apple’s motion-detecting iSight camera .

Is the Magic Trackpad a mouse killer?

The Magic Trackpad doesn’t signal the demise of the mouse, said Jared Newman at PC World. Old habits are hard to break, he said. When he used the Magic Trackpad he complained that the lack of traditional ergonomics made his fingers tired. He was also frustrated by the inability to lift and click after running out of mousepad room when he was dragging something. And because of the necessity of a mouse for games, people will always want them around .

Further reading

CNNMoney.com

cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/07/27/apple.magic.track.pad/index.html?npt=NP1″

Computerworld

blogs.computerworld.com/16607/apples_magic_trackpad_is_more_than_you_think?source=rss_blogs”

PC World

pcworld.com/article/201978/4_reasons_apples_magic_trackpad_wont_kill_the_mouse.html?tk=hp_blg”

Lake Michigan at risk from Kalamazoo River oil spill

The Kalamazoo River oil spill has spurred a declaration of a state of emergency in Michigan. An oil pipeline leaked and pumped almost 20,000 barrels of oil to the river, starting on Monday morning. The resulting oil slick is moving quickly within the water, and also the EPA and Enbridge Energy are working to control it.

The oil leak in Michigan

The reason for the oil pipeline leak is not yet known. The pipeline operator is estimating that there were 800,000 or more gallons of oil dumped into the river. The oil slick is quickly moving the 60 miles between the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. Residents are already reporting heavy fumes and oil-coated wildlife along the waterways.

Enbridge Energy takes responsibility for Michigan oil spill

Enbridge Energy, which is based in Houston, Texas, has already said it would “do all it can to minimize the spill’s impact on communities.” The pipeline, which was 30 inches thick, sent millions of gallons of oil a day to Canada from Indiana. Numerous individuals, such as the state governor, have questioned the dedication to the cleanup. Experts are saying that Enbridge has underestimated the spill by as much as 20 percent. Cleanup will likely cost various hundred million dollars.

Will the spill need the EPA’s help

The Kalamazoo River oil leak is huge – and also the EPA has been asked to help. There is a very significant concern, too, about the Kalamazoo River Superfund cleanup site. Gasoline fumes could interact with the PCBs at the cleanup site. This could cause very dangerous toxic fumes. The EPA is certain to have some kind of involvement, either financial or regulatory, in the cleanup.

Further reading

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/07/29/us/29michigan.html?partner=rss and amp;emc=rss

Blogging for Michigan

bloggingformichigan.com/frontPage.do

New Colorado payday lending laws to go into effect

New laws intended to limit the short term money loans offered in Colorado are likely to go into effect. Colorado payday advance direct lenders are going to have both interest terms and repayment terms capped. Legislators had called for a stronger bill, but lobbyists had been pushing for a weaker bill. Article resource – New Colorado payday loan lenders laws to go into effect by Personal Money Store.

Limiting interest rates

The interest rates of personal debt loans in Colorado will now be limited to 45 percent annual interest. Like most fast cash loans advance loan products, the term of the loan is much shorter than a year, but interest rates are often calculated on an annual basis. The current loan limits in Colorado are set at 300 percent annual interest. A couple of legislators were pushing for a 36 percent cap.

Extending repayment terms

Currently, the short term installment loans offered in Colorado can have terms as short as two weeks. When the new legislation goes into effect in August, that term could be extended. The minimum term a lender can offer can be six months. Borrowers will also be required to have the flexibility of repaying the loan earlier than the six month term.

Monthly and origination fees

To help ensure that short term installment loan credit is still available within the state, the new bill allows both monthly and origination fees on these loans. The lender could be able to charge $ 75 to originate the loan.

The debate over payday loans in Colorado

In almost each state, the paydayloans debate has been heavy. Some legislators call for cash advance industry businesses to be banned. Just one vote made the difference in passing the Colorado bill. No matter what, payroll loans will continue to be a controversial issue for most state legislators.

Will the Automotive XPrize be awarded?

The “holy grail” of vehicle mileage, the Progressive Automotive XPrize may soon be awarded. The $ 5 million main prize is awarded to a four-passenger vehicle that gets 100 miles per gallon. You will find two autos that may very well win the prize when trials in Michigan complete. Post resource – Automotive XPrize about to be awarded by Car Deal Expert.

Detailing the Automotive Xprize

The Automotive XPrize is supported by the XPrize foundation. The Automotive XPrize was announced in 2008. The competition uses guidelines depending on EPA estimating procedures. The main X Prize is awarded to a four-passenger automobile. The cars entered in the Automotive X Prize need only be proof of concept cars, not production-ready.

The competition for the X Prize

In Michigan, April 26 was the start of the X Prize competition. The 3 classes of automobiles are put through their paces. City driving is emulated in some of the tests. Other around-the-track competitions are intended to test highway driving. The target is 110 miles per gallon, though to receive the XPrize a team only has to get 100 mpg. The automobiles have to perform within safety and performance guidelines also.

Ingenuity on display at XPrize races

The real-world conditions the Automotive XPrize competitors have to work in lend themselves to last-minute ingenuity. The passenger cabin of an XPrize car has to stay below 90 degrees. The 95-degree temperatures in Michigan made that difficult, so a couple of teams are using ice and homemade air conditioning units to keep things cool. Driving techniques that make gallons of gas go even further are also on display.

The possibility of winning the XPrize

There are two cars that are nevertheless within the running for the Automotive XPrize. A set of tests designed for safety are likely to be done on both vehicles. If both pass, then the $5 million Automotive XPrize will be awarded.

Beatrice, Nebraska keeps the homestead spirit alive

Free land will always be a draw. At least that’s the theory. Beatrice, Neb., once provided public domain lands to pioneering farmers via the Homestead Act of 1862. Times were simpler then. Now small towns like Beatrice have formed their own Homestead Act of 2010 in order to dole out land to reap the benefits of real estate tax revenue. Public parks and similar non-tax revenue generating properties aren’t what towns like Beatrice, Nebraska need any more, writes the New York Times.

Small town America should follow Beatrice’s example

The Times indicates that this tax revenue move may be just what small town America needs. If a traditionally well-off small town like Boca Raton is hurting, you know things are bad. Such small towns are giving away land for a nominal fee or perhaps free of charge, hoping that will bolster the city tax register and remove the burden of lawn maintenance from the town and place it upon the shoulders of private owners. More individuals may up the cost of services, but Beatrice, Neb., believes the property tax will manage those costs.

What will become of those tax-free non-profits?

Places like Manchester, N.H., and Concord, Mass., are pondering whether all non-profits should be exempt from taxes. Non-profit organizations that were typically given tax-exempt status are under evaluation by city leaders. Fifteen percent of Concord’s real estate is made up of such tax-free structures. Will the time come for tax-exempt organizations to serve their communities via tax contribution? Private schools, churches and charities provide value in the minds of numerous, but they have typically been free of taxation. More and better sources than the New York Times have inveighed long and hard for this to happen.

Beatrice, where homesteaders rise again

Where the homestead started is where it shall return. There needs to be a driver of this tax revenue movement, particularly if the National League of Cities’ recent study is as grim as it sounds. As outlined by the NLC study, American small towns could be within the red by as much as $ 85 billion on property tax, sales tax and state aid by 2012. Such shortages will demand action. Bringing new homesteaders to Beatrice, Neb., and other small towns would likely mean new and improved homes, which benefit the values in existing neighborhoods nearby.

Dollars make sense of this problem

You will find critics that question whether a town like Beatrice, Neb., should be able to give free land to just anyone. But the more persuasive stance comes from one town mayor, who asked the Times, “What’s the value of a lot to us if it is empty?” When the reality is harsh, a simple and direct solution – a la Occam’s razor – is typically best.

Additional reading

nytimes.com/2010/07/26/us/26revenue.html?_r=2 and amp;hp

Wikileaks has documents showing Afghanistan war to look grim

Wikileaks, the controversial news website founded by Julian Assange, released 92,000 classified documents containing sensitive info about the war in Afghanistan. In what is being called one of the biggest stories in recent years, Wikileaks gave the classified documents to the New York Times within the U.S., The Guardian in Britain and Der Spiegel in Germany. Reports were given out by all three newspapers on July 25. The Wikileaks documents provide new insight on how the Taliban insurgency is gaining strength, civilians are being killed within the crossfire, and Pakistan intelligence operatives are accepting American cash in one hand and aiding and abetting the Taliban to kill American soldiers with the other.

Newspapers receive Wikileaks documents

Officers in the Pentagon and troops in the field make plans depending off of the documents released by Wikileaks. Both the New York Times and the Guardian made it clear that they didn’t hurt national security interests with the info they did end up publishing. Gen. James Jones, the U.S. National Security Advisor, explains:

“The United States strongly condemns the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organizations which could put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk, and threaten our national security.”

Pakistan intelligence aiding Taliban insurgency?

Al Qaeda, as outlined by Wikileaks documents published by the times, have help from Pakistani intelligence in preparing some of their attacks. Although experts said directly linking the Pakistani spy agency with Al Qaeda is difficult, the documents contain firsthand accounts of American anger at Pakistan’s unwillingness to confront insurgents who launched attacks near Pakistani border posts, moved openly by the truckload across the frontier, and retreated to Pakistani territory for safety.

Truth about Afghanistan much worse than official spin

In a series of articles, the Times, the Guardian and Der Spiegel articles paint a picture of the Afghanistan war that is much worse than the spin put out by the U.S. government. Progress has stopped in the war because the Pakistani army is helping the Taliban, the government and police force in Afghanistan are corrupt, and the Afghanistan army hasn’t been loyal. Some analysts say the Wikileaks documents just confirm what was already known. Even though congress and the public are being told otherwise, the Wikileaks documents show the Afghanistan war has Americans getting in deeper and deeper.

Wikileaks suspected of espionage

Wikileaks supposedly had information given to them by the soldier, Private Bradley Manning, and was criticized by the hacker who turned Manning in. Adrian Lamo wanted to stop the reports from getting to the public so he turned in Manning, reports ABC News. Lamo thinks Manning had help considering all the info released. Lamo thinks that Manning was hired along with others by Julian Assange as “a personal shopper for classified data.”

More on this topic

New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/26/world/asia/26isi.html?hp
Guardian
guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2010/jul/26/press-freedom-wikileaks
Der Spiegel
spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,708314,00.html

Sanctions begun when North Korea threatens U.S. military

Nuclear outlaw North Korea is attracting more attention after it confronted a “physical response” to war games being played by the U.S. and South Korea this weekend. North Korean economy is expected to get worse as well considering the nuclear program North Korea has along with the fact that they sunk a South Korean warship.

'Grave threat’ used by North Korea to describe the U.S. games

This weekend, South Korea and also the U.S. have teamed up to do military exercises with about 8,000 people which caused the North Korean threats. CNN reports that North Korea spokesman Ri Tong Il called the military exercise “another example of a hostile policy” against North Korea. He went on to say that the war games are a grave threat to the Korean peninsula and also the entire Asian region. The military exercise, dubbed “Invincible Spirit,” is scheduled to run from July 25 to July 28.

Cheonan sinks – military does exercises

North Korea’s saber-rattling toward the U.S./South Korean military drills raised the level of tension that was already high in the region. The Cheonan sinking killed 46 soldiers which as outlined by the Associated Press happened four months before the new threat. North Korea is denying playing any part although an investigation shows otherwise. In the face of North Korea’s familiar belligerence, the U.S. seems to have run out of patience, saying any new talks with the North are unlikely within the current standoff.

North Korea sanctions target corrupt elites

On July, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled new sanctions designed to deny luxury goods to the country’s elites and cut off funding for North Korea’s nuclear program. The Guardian reports that new U.S. sanctions would target 200 North Korean-held foreign bank accounts thought to be connected with illegal activities like nuclear weapons development, drug trafficking and counterfeiting. Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are where there is expected to be a $4 billion slush fund hidden by Kim Jong-il reports the Chosun Ilbo.

Worried North Korean leaders

North Korean leaders are desperate so they continue to threaten the U.S. and South Korea. Voice of America reports that North Korea is already suffering from poor harvests, a manufacturing slump, U.S. sanctions and a reduction of international aid. Some are worried that a famine like the one within the 1960’s that killed thousands, might occur yet again in North Korea. If a famine were to occur, the North Korean government would probably put more restrictions down.

Additional details at these websites

CNN
cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/north.korea.threat/index.html?npt=NP1
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/23/north-korea-threatens-physical-response
Voice of America
voanews.com/english/news/Sanctions-Expected-to-Harm-North-Korean-Economy-99090344.html?refresh=1

Oil companies launch oil spill response system to lift moratorium

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 has triggered a federal drilling moratorium in deep-sea waters in the Gulf. The drilling ban has been loudly criticized by the oil industry. But the drilling moratorium could eventually be canceled because of the cooperative effort of four oil companies. A $1 billion fund has been set up by Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell to develop a rapid oil spill response system for the gulf. Elsewhere within the gulf, BP could try to permanently seal the ruptured well this weekend with a tactic called a “static kill”. But the procedure may be delayed by an approaching tropical storm.

Latest drilling risks overwhelm obsolete response technology

The oil industry got a loud wakeup call from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 and the drilling moratorium. Billions of dollars are spent figuring out how to drill deeper and deeper wells, when cleanup of the oil spill technology has languished on the shelf. The New York Times reports that the first $1 billion can be spent developing the equipment for underwater systems to contain deep water well accidents. Participating oil companies expect the system could be able to operate as deep as 10,000 feet and capture 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

A step within the right direction to end drilling moratorium

The oil spill response initiative is the oil companies’ best hope to get the six month ban on deep water drilling lifted as soon as possible. The Wall Street Journal reports that BP provided the model for the new system by muddling through three months of trial and error during the disaster . A non-profit venture called the Marine Well Containment Company will develop the system in the next 18 months.

Approaching storms increase urgency of oil spill containment

A procedure called a “static kill” could permanently seal the BP oil leak this weekend. CNN reports that the static kill involves pumping mud to the well to force oil back into the reservoir below. Similar approaches have failed, but BP officials say the static kill could work because pressure in the well is lower than they expected. Meantime, work on the relief well that is intended to be the permanent fix at the end of the month continues. Because of a tropical storm heading for the gulf that could delay operations for upto two weeks, timing of the static kill is crucial.

More details about this topic at these websites

nytimes.com

wsj.com

cnn.com

Removing your inside car door panel is simple auto repair

There’s a fantastic deal of details online concerning how to proceed when you’re having trouble with your car’s power locks . Within the majority of cases, you’ll discover that removing the inside car door panel is required. Fixing car door issues doesn’t have to be scary; removing the inside car door panel is just part of the process. Here’s a brief summary of WikiHow’s step-by-step take on the process. Get your flathead, Phillips and 12-point screwdrivers ready. An Allen wrench may also be necessary. Check out your car’s owner’s manual before proceeding, of course. A web search for pictures won’t hurt your chances.

Open the door first

If you would like to be able to generate any leverage at all, open the door so you can get your tools in their proper place. If you don’t have leverage, you have to flex some serious muscle, which would instantly make this a less-than-easy job.

Do you have an old-fashioned pop-up lock?

That is, does your lock extend from out of the top of the inner door panel? If it does, you’ll have to get it out of there before you are able to proceed. Luckily, the old ones typically unscrew.

Get that manage out of Dodge

Next, discover the door handle and contemplate its removal. Underneath it, there should be a visible screw. After lifting the lever, you should be able to see the screw. Upon completion of the unscrew, the plastic around the handle should come out.

The armrest comes next

Look under the armrest. You’ll find screws down there, usually. You may have to deal with covers, but a simple screwdriver wedge will take care of those. Unscrew and de-armrest. For those who have power windows, unplug the attached wires from the door. Don’t worry, it is very safe – they have modular plastic ends. Squeeze and pull out.

Remove the window crank if it isn’t electric

There’s a plastic casing and snap ring waiting to be removed. The flathead will help you here.

The putty knife’s debut

Insert your trust putty knife between the inner door panel and also the metal frame next. Be gentle when prying things apart, because you do not want to snap the plastic grommets that attach the door to the inner cardboard plate. If you break these plastic parts, you’ll need to spend time at your dealer or on eBay tracking them down. You’re almost done, but do not go for total separation until completing the next step.

Airlift the window out of there

As opposed to allowing the glass to shatter at your feet, it’s better to gently lift the window from its slot. Once you’ve accomplished this, pop, pop away. Take care of your repair issues, then follow the above process in reverse order. Do the lock and the armrest at the end of the process, as they’re essential for holding the whole ball of plastic together. Use the sticky stuff to ensure that the plastic panel adheres to the metal.

Read more on this topic here

Your source

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-Inside-Door-Panel-from-a-Car

FDA may disapprove Avastin breast cancer treatment

Avastin which is a breast cancer drug can be pulled by a committee on the Food and Drug Administration. A new round of clinical testing revealed the drug had little or no effect on breast cancers, following the first round of clinical trials for the drug showed optimistic results. The FDA hasn’t explained whether the drug can be pulled or not year. If the drug loses its approval from the FDA, the manufacturers, Roche, might lose quite a bit. Article source – Avastin as breast cancer treatment may get disapproved by the FDA by Personal Money Store.

Selling rapidly is the Avastin cancer drug

Avastin is the trade name of Bevacizumab, a cancer medication. It could be called an angiogenesis inhibitor which stops blood vessels from growing. The hormone vascular endothelial is stopped from producing and blood vessels can grow no longer. The Los Angeles Times, reports that the drug was approved in 2008 by the FDA as long as more studies were done to prove it works. The drug was tested in a second round of trials by Roche and Genentech which manufacture the drug, and in this second round of testing, it was shown to have little result in helping cancer. The drug sells about $ 6 billion worth annually, and up to $ 1 billion of that is for breast cancer patients.

Losses in Roche business

Following the FDA panel suggested a possible pulling of the drug, shares dropped 4.1 percent for the Genentech, Roche Holding Inc., as outlined by Market Watch. The drop in share value comes on the heels of a series of lawsuits concerning Accutane, an anti-acne medication the business produces. Even if it doesn’t help breast cancer specifically, it has helped many other cancers.

Just the beginning

Things like cancer have a hard time finding medications to help them. There may well one day be a cure for cancer, but it will take a long time. The only bad thing that could come from the FDA pulling its approval would be Avastin selling less bottles.

More information about this topic at these websites

Los Angeles Times
latimes.com/news/health/sns-health-avastin-breast-cancer,0,2730048.story
Market Watch
marketwatch.com/story/roche-shares-drop-after-fda-ruling-on-avastin-2010-07-21
Bevacizumab
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bevacizumab

The surprise audit - something pay day loans business must do

Much has been alleged by pay day opponents concerning this so called explicative nature of the products pay day stores have to offer. That is a diatribe style argument that will rage on with certain activists, regardless of data pointing toward the contrary. However, here’s something that the best pay day loan business organizations do that not only reflects top quality customer service, it helps ensure that employees are doing their jobs properly – a surprise audit.

What does a surprise audit prove?

Payday loan industry blog suggests that pay day stores perform a surprise audit fairly often. In fact, once the audit commences, employee should be made aware of what’s going on. The reason for a surprise audit in the first place, as outlined by pay day loan industry blog, is that when most employees are exemplary, some aren’t; employee fraud is possible.

First, focus on a good customer from the recent past

The first reason for this is to give your business a chance to set up good rapport with the customer would have given the opted for the future contact. Make sure they know who you are and make it very clear to them that you appreciated their patronage with their last payday loans no faxing. Simply say “thank you” and ask if there’s anything else you are able to do for them. Just make certain that you give the customer space to respond after you state your purpose. Customer retention depends upon your attentiveness and willingness to listen.

Listen to what customers say

Ideally, customers will say they have a good experience and would use a pay day loans again. There is a possibility that you’ll hear a story about a bad customer service experience. It happens, and it can typically be adjusted with minor correction.

What if there has been employee fraud?

Employee fraud is the worst of all possible worlds for payday loan business. The damage employee fraud can do to trust between customer and business as well as business and employee is great. What happens in this case is that dishonest employees take out a loan for themselves under an additional identity. This smacks of identity theft. Quoting Payday loan industry blog, “as many as 22 percent of payday loan contracts are bogus,” but that seems too high. This doesn’t mean that a surprise audit should not be used. By doing this, payday loan business organizations prove to not only their employees, but to the customers they work with on a daily basis, that their business is valuable and it should be secure.

Tropical Storm Bonnie halts oil spill cleanup, but oil cap holds

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 became the target for Tropical Storm Bonnie as it pulled away from the Bahamas Thursday . Oil spill containment and cleanup was brought to a standstill. Thad Allen, the federal director of the spill response, had not yet given word to BP saying the massive flotilla engaged in the oil spill containment and cleanup must evacuate. Better weather could have to return before a final effort to kill the well is attempted. But the feds are confident, as outlined by Allen, the storm will not force them to disconnect the oil spill containment cap that has stanched the flow from the ruptured well. Article source – Oil spill cap will stay in place when Tropical Storm Bonnie hits by Personal Money Store.

Oil spill containment delayed by Tropical Storm Bonnie

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm system could become Tropical Storm Bonnie later Thursday and reach the Gulf of Mexico by Saturday. The Associated Press reports that a relief well to permanently seal the ruptured well was nearly complete before work on it was stopped. Original plans were for crews to reinforce the last few feet of the relief well with cement on Wednesday and Thursday, before killing it once and for all by pumping mud to the gusher. If Tropical Storm Bonnie forces work crews to evacuate, it might be two weeks before they can resume the effort to kill the well. For months, BP has said the relief well would be finished by the end of July in hopes the blowout could be plugged by early August.

Relief well must be complete before static kill attempt

Another option being considered to plug the BP oil leak called is called a “static kill”. The New York Times reports that to permanently stop the flow of oil and gas, a static kill is performed by pumping heavy drilling mud into the well via the blowout preventer. A static kill can’t start until the relief well casing is fully installed, to avoid damaging the relief well if something goes wrong. If the static kill works as advertised, the relief well will still be needed to confirm the well has been killed. To kill the well for good if the static kill fails, mud could be pumped to the relief well for several days, or maybe weeks.

Oil spill cap performance breeds confidence

Despite Tropical Storm Bonnie, the government told BP it could leave the oil spill containment cap attached. Bloomberg reports that Allen said data from the well gave them “growing confidence that keeping the cap on would not damage the leaking well. Pressure inside the well has risen to 6,863 pounds per square inch since BP sealed it July 15, indicating oil and gas is not being forced out elsewhere in the well bore, as outlined by BP’s website. Every single day the pressure holds gives the team more confidence, a BP official said.

Unemployed Americans being messed with because of politics

google.com/hostednews/ap/article

nytimes.com

bloomberg.com

Discussing finances great for relationships

Relationships become very stressful because of finances. It is more stressful now that there is a fantastic Recession. Studies have shown that couples who argue about their financial situation end up splitting up very often. Relationships can be hurt by money. After finances are talked about and planned, a marriage can helped quite a bit. The problem is that couples do not want to talk about money, and that eventually gets them into trouble.

Finances subject avoided

A recent American Express Spending & Saving Tracker shows in a survey that 91 percent of Americans do not want to even talk about money considering one third of all couples have money as one of the most stress in their relationships. Ruth Mantell at the Wall Street Journal reports that when it comes to finance and marriage, the survey said people are more likely to know their partner’s weight than their salary. Couples now are talking about money more since financial strategy has become so much more important.

Financial strategy is something that helps all relationships

It makes sense that most couples don’t want to talk about their finances. 45 percent of arguments began by a simple conversation on finances as outlined by the American Express Survey. Relationship advice from Emma Johnson at Forbes suggests turning the tables and using financial strategy to improve a relationship. Saving, spending, earning interest or even personal finance are areas where couples can bond.

Individuals fight with rough times

It is really hard to bond over personal finance. A survey of 1,000 Americans was done by StrategyOne that showed 77 percent changing their life because of the Recession. More Americans are getting angry easier, getting depressed, and screaming and yelling more often. The recession is causing people to delay getting married, having kids or retiring.

Starting the money topic

StrategyOne also shows individuals avoiding divorce for finance purposes. Maybe then, couples will talk about their finances finally. Five money tips were given to couples by Mantell’s article. Talking is the first suggestion. Changes are easier when these couples are working together. Couples have to fess up to each other about their spending and their assets. Look for a new job out of all of this, and maybe you need to cancel some vacations.

Team playing with finances

Whether or not a couple has lost a job, most couples fight about arguments still. When a couple works together with finances, the Johnson Forbes article suggests, their relationship gets stronger. If the couple knows about each other’s spending habits, the relationship could get stronger. Communication will get better if money tasks are separate. Maybe couples will do better when they have the same goals when it comes to spending.

Discover more about this topic here

Wall Street Journal
marketwatch.com/story/five-money-tips-for-couples-in-tough-times-2010-07-20?pagenumber=2
Emma Johnson at Forbes
forbes.com/2010/07/15/marriage-money-fights-couples-relationships-forbes-woman-net-worth-family-finances_2.html
StrategyOne
prnewswire.com/news-releases/strategyone-public-opinion-survey-impact-of-great-recession-widespread-more-than-just-finances-affected-97574429.html

Banks look to drain Social Security benefits with personal cash loan

Those who receive Social Security likely aren’t in a position to give their money away. In part, this is why paper Social Security checks are on the way out. The Treasury has plans to phase the checks out by 2013 and send funds via direct deposit and prepaid debit cards, writes The Wall Street Journal. Doing so will ideally make benefit distribution more secure and save the taxpayers’ money. However, numerous consumer groups are now concerned that those Social Security recipients whose funds are directly deposited into accounts at major banks like U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo and Fifth 3rd Bancorp are being targeted for high cost cash advance-style loans by the very same banks.

Fixed income guests are the target of bank marketing

The National Consumer Law Center indicates that the new breed of bank-issued cash advance loans products draw straight from consumer Social Security benefits as the necessary collateral. Such personnel loans original via customer phone call or online request. When the next benefits check comes via direct deposit, the bank takes its cut for the cash today service. If the loan isn’t paid in full within 35 days, the bank automatically withdraws the amount owed, frequently producing overdraft and a morass of fees.

Milking boomers for the bank’s boon

Losing automatic overdraft is something banks fear, as the Wall Street reform bill gets set to become law. It appears like no small coincidence to the National Consumer Law Center that this aggressive push to get Social Security customers into payday loan-like products coincides with the coming of the financial reform law. Banks have squeezed their Social Security customers to the tune of $ 700 million in benefits each year for overdraft fees.

What can you do to escape the bank Social Security trap?

The Wall Street Journal recommends the prepaid debit card option for benefit disbursement. They do not cost much and they’re fully FDIC insured. They could be used like an ATM card, also as for purchases and bill payments.

Additional information at these websites

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875004575375474092141764.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_%28United_States%29

No iPhone recall, says Jobs at Apple press conference

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After panic broke out over a potential flaw in the iPhone 4.0, an Apple press conference was announced. An iPhone recall won’t be happening. Instead, iPhone 4.0 owners can get a free case for their phone to counteract the antenna problems. Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, talked about that issue along with some other things at the press conference. Article resource – No iPhone recall, says Jobs at Apple press conference by Personal Money Store.

Hardware issues dubbed Antennagate

You can discover a transcript at the Wall Street Journal website. Steve Jobs started the Apple press conference by referring to the issue as Antennagate and saying the issue is common to all smartphones, not just the iPhone 4.0. There was analysis of other phones with the same problem. Jobs fessed up the iPhone 4.0 dropped more calls than the iPhone 3GS, but the rate at which the new iPhone dropped calls was less than one more per 100 calls than the iPhone 3GS.

What’s Apple doing about it?

You will find bumpers for the phone, but not enough for every person. You are able to get a free case from Apple if you bought an iPhone 4.0. The offer can be good until Sept 30, and anybody who bought bumpers can get a refund for the bumpers and a free case. Those who bough third party cases for their iPhone 4.0 won’t get refunds. For the next 30 days, individuals who still aren’t happy with the iPhone 4.0 can get their money back.

What got Antennagate on the radar

The gist of Antennagate was that a common imperfection in smartphones was found within the iPhone 4.0. The main difference between it and the previous iPhone is negligible. Half of one percent of iPhone buyers complained about the flaw. The media, tapping into a reserve of Schadenfreude, exploited it.

Rest assured, Apple is working on it, as they spent $ 100 million designing the antenna to start with. AT and T reported that under 2 percent of iPhone 4.0 buyers returned their phone, but 6 percent of iPhone 3GS buyers did.

Find more information on this topic

blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/07/16/live-blogging-apples-press-conference/

Unemployment benefits extension freed from Republican filibuster

An extension of unemployment benefits for millions of jobless Americans overcame a Republican filibuster in the Senate Tuesday. About 2 million Americans have run out of jobless benefits since legislation stalled at the end of May. The U.S. unemployment rate has been at 9.5 percent for a long time now. Five times more people than there are jobs accessible are nevertheless looking for jobs. Longer unemployment benefits could stimulate the economy according Democrats. People won’t try to find jobs anymore as outlined by Republicans.

Unemployment benefits escape Republican filibuster

60-40 was voted by Senate to stop the filibuster by Republicans on unemployment benefits. The vote took place minutes after Carte Goodwin was sworn in as the new Democratic senator from West Virginia to replace the late Robert C. Byrd. The New York Times reports that Democrats were mad at Republicans for stalling the extension by their power to delay the vote. Since Democrats didn’t lower the U.S. unemployment rate by creating new jobs, they had to extend unemployment benefits according to Republicans.

November is the new deadline for Unemployment Benefits

Any person who had their benefits expire can be covered by unemployment benefits through November. Wednesday, the House could finish passing the bill and send it on to Obama, according to USA Today. Republicans said they wanted to help lower the U.S. unemployment rate, but only if the bill’s $ 33.9 billion price tag was offset with budget cuts elsewhere. On Monday, Obama accused Republicans of seeking to control federal spending “on the backs of the unemployed” while not demanding a way to pay for extending Bush administration tax cuts for the wealthy.

Unemployment benefits help build the economy back up

The Congressional Budget Office says extending jobless benefits, which average nearly $ 310 a week, is the most efficient way for government policymakers to stimulate a weak economy. Basic needs like gas, food, and rent, are what unemployed benefits end up going to. $ 1 spent on benefits puts 70 cents into $ 1.90 growth, reports the CBO.

Vote on unemployment makes political divide worse

Obama’s personal involvement in passing the unemployment extension has further hardened Republican opposition to virtually any attempt to govern the country. The Los Angeles Times reports that Tuesday’s Senate vote only increased the political divide in Congress and almost assured that any further domestic aid before November will be nearly difficult. Democrats nevertheless plan on putting full efforts into job creation.

Politics playing with unemployed Americans

Since November elections are right around the corner, Democrats want job creation and economic recovery to come out of things such as extended unemployment benefits. Republicans are trying to sabotage any Democratic achievements at all costs, in hopes that a fragile economy will improve their chances to regain control of Congress.

Discover more information on this topic

New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/21/us/politics/21jobs.html?ref=us
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-07-21-1Ajobless21_ST_N.htm
Los Angeles Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/20/nation/la-na-jobless-20100721

Some do better quiet proved by Mel Gibson tapes

Mel Gibson has received many publicity from the scandal between him and Oksana Grigorieva, his ex-girlfriend. It’s all bad. Lawyers are costly, but he may have to pay it considering he is looking at a domestic violence charge with lawsuits. Rumors have been circulating about a domestic dispute that happened. It doesn’t help that there was a release of all these rumored “Mel Gibson tapes” His career might end over all of this. Source for this article – Mel Gibson tapes prove crackpots better off silent by Personal Money Store.

Verbal assaults thrown everywhere in the Mel Gibson tapes

He should have found out how he can sell the “Mel Gibson tapes”. He would be making a fortune, especially if he trademarked the phrase. Radaronline.com shows these videos that, if they’re real, he is probably not able to come back from in his career. His agency, William Morris Endeavor, already fired him. Without an agent, he won’t get the SAG card he needs to act or direct. Gibson may no longer have a job.

Tolerance dies fast

There probably can’t be a “Lethal Weapons 5″ following the “Mel Gibson tapes” problem. Individuals can say anything they want, even if it is misguided. They can say anything they want about whoever they want, and the government can’t do a lot about it. Other consequences may arise though.

Why we get away from the crazy person?

Does John Rocker sound familiar? Following the Atlanta braves kicked out their pitcher for his racist comments, he had no career left. Rush Limbaugh is an example. After the Donovan McNabb debacle, he was quickly shown the door by ESPN. Larry Johnson, the NFL player, is one more example. After the homophobic comments he said, he was released immediately. Granted, he also was a lousy running back at the time. You can’t stay around normal individuals, although you can have any belief you want.

More info available at these websites

RadarOnline.com

radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/07/exclusive-audio-out-control-mel-gibson-says-hell-burn-down-house-after-demanding

Tea Party admits racism, boots racist Tea Party Express leader

A pattern of racism by Mark Williams, founder of the Tea Party Express, got him and his organization kicked out of the National Tea Party Federation. An over the top racist satire was written by Williams, chairman of the Tea Party Express, in response to an NAACP resolution asking the Tea Party to renounce racism in its ranks. The Tea Party denied that racists were part of its membership when the NAACP voted at its convention last week on the Tea Party resolution. After the racist satire by Williams came to light in the media, the Tea Party expelled him in an apparent move to keep the party from being labeled racist.

Racism part of Tea Party Express founder’s style

Williams founded the Tea Party Express and built it into one of probably the most powerful factions of the Tea Party movement. The New York Daily News reports that Tea Party Express accomplishments contain raising $ 2.3 million and helping Republican Scott Brown get elected to the late Ted Kennedy’s seat. Last month Williams stepped down as chair to lead a campaign against a mosque project in New York known as the ground zero mosque, which he has described as a monument to 9/11 attackers where Muslims will “worship the terrorist money-god”. Williams called Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who backs building the mosque, a “Jewish Uncle Tom who would have turned rat on Anne Frank”.

Tea Party Express confirms NAACP resolution

When the NAACP passed their resolution demanding that the Tea Party take steps to separate racism from its movement, Williams was calling Muhammad a monkey god and also the Tea Party was playing victim. Right wing pundits and Tea Party officials said their entire movement was being labeled racist by the NAACP. The NAACP were the real racists, was their comeback. But the NAACP Tea Party resolution’s meaning was clear after Williams wrote a letter and posted it on teapartyexpress.org.

Tea Party Express jokes about slavery

Williams got his Tea Party Express kicked out of the Tea Party movement by writing a satirical letter to President Lincoln written from the perspective of NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous . This particular excerpt from the letter was posted by Fox News:
“Perhaps probably the most racist point of all within the Tea Parties is their demand that government ’stop raising our taxes.’ That is outrageous! How will we coloreds ever get a wide-screen TV in every room if non-coloreds get to keep what they earn?” he wrote. “Mr. Lincoln, you were the greatest racist ever. We had an great gig. 3 squares, room and board, all our decisions made by the massa within the house. Please repeal the 13th and 14th Amendments and let us get back to where we belong.”

Will Tea Party be more responsible after NAACP resolution?

The Tea Party movement may benefit in the long run from the Tea Party Express dismissal. The Huffington Post reports that one of the more interesting consequences of the NAACP Tea Party resolution may be that now the movement is going to have to take responsibility for having an actual organizing structure. Until now, its vast organic, grass roots nature served as a convenient excuse for denying the kind of accusations the NAACP made in the first place.

More info available at these websites

nydailynews.com

foxnews.com

huffingtonpost.com

Bailout benefits which banks?

Wall Street is kept in mind when designing the financial reform bill on Obama’s desk. The idea is to keep the recession of the last few years from happening again, and to not have to bail out any more banks. However, that brings up the issue of which institutions actually were bailed out, or benefited probably the most. Since the public funded it, they have a right to know who they funded. Article resource – Which banks benefited from the bailout by Personal Money Store.

Wall Street received a huge block of bailout money

According to CNN Money, there were 707 banks that participated in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. $ 40 billion was split between 690 of them. The average between them all is $ 57,971, 014.49 apiece. That means the bulk of bailout funds went to 17 of the largest financial institutions, 13 of which have already repaid the Treasury. JP Morgan chase posted $ 4.8 billion in second quarter income, which was announced in the Market Watch, showing there is profitability already.

Main street left struggling

$ 15 billion of the $ 40 billion was lent to smaller banks within the CPP, or Capital Purchase Program, according to the CNN article. Main street banks weren’t definitively left within the lurch, but the banks that were too big to fail certainly weren’t allowed to. Debts for many who received CPP loans have only been paid by 10 percent so far. At least one payment was missed by 15 percent of banks that nevertheless owe CPP loans.

Feed the wolves to conserve the sheep

Wall Street is nevertheless at the heart of the fallout from the financial crash in 2008. It may become normal to have strict standards considering the $ 550 million fine Goldman Sachs just got from the SEC and also the financial reform bill that just passed. What will happen when main street banks go under? Will our list of institutions be limited and costs us $ 700 billion to look at our money?

Discover more about this topic here

CNN Money on TARP
money.cnn.com/2010/07/14/news/economy/Main_Street_banks_TARP/index.htm

CNN on Goldman
money.cnn.com/2010/07/15/news/companies/SEC_goldman/index.htm

Market Watch
marketwatch.com/story/jpmorgan-chase-reports-second-quarter-2010-net-income-of-48-billion-or-109-per-share-on-revenue1-of-256-billion-2010-07-15?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Nuclear scientist initially from Iran shows up at home, Ayatollah, with nothing

An Iranian nuclear scientist who defected to the U.S. in 2009 returned to a hero’s welcome in Iran Thursday. Shahram Amiri claims he was kidnapped by the CIA. When US officials were asked their side of the story, they say he defected all by himself and then got homesick. The whole time, Amiri could have been an agent that was there for the Iranian government, some believe. The U.S. believes it came out ahead by getting details about the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Amiri left $ 5 million in CIA cash behind. Propaganda is still coming out of this by the Iranian government nevertheless.

After being kidnapped, Iranian nuclear scientist says he was tortured

At the Imam Khomeini International Airport, Sharhram Amiri, the Iranian Nuclear scientist who Tehran says was tortured after being kidnapped by the US, was greeted by Hassan Qashqavi, Deputy Foreign Minister, the Islamic Republic News Agency reports. Even with the cash loan from the CIA, according to CNN, the US did well considering they got data about Iranian nuclear websites as well as Iranian Nuclear weapons. CNN was told about Amiri, “We have his insights — original details on the Iranian nuclear program that proved useful — and now the Iranians have him. Plainly, we got the better end of things.”.

Iranian nuke defector left $ 5 million/span>

Many of the $ 5 million given as a CIA cash advance loans to the Iranian nuke defector for details on the Iranian nuclear weapons program was left behind when he went home. Money put into escrow like this to pay back anybody who gives the government info, according to ABC News, happens a lot. The snitch can’t get all the money at one time if it is in escrow. It is uncertain how much Amiri received before he changed his mind but in escrow is still the majority of the money. He can’t get anything that is left because of sanctions against Iran.

Iranian government gloats about their victory

There were clear signs that the Iranian government used the Iranian nuclear scientist for propaganda. Amiri told Tehran reporters that he had to lie about Iran’s nuclear program since he was tortured in the US for 14 months, according to the Guardian. He said he didn’t know anything within the field. There was a lot of coverage given to his return by Iranian media, controlled by the state, and he was also invited to address parliament’s committee that is on national security. Siasat-e Ruz reports the end of CIA dominance, power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and failure of western intelligence.

Iranian nukes – who’s fooling who?

Hiding in Virginia was somebody who claimed to be Amiri and had escaped in two videos that surfaced last month. A CIA official was quoted in a CNN article saying that he wondered how he would make videos while being held against his will. The Guardian article said Iranian bloggers suggest Amiri was a “controlled” agent and pointed to previous examples of undercover operations to discredit opposition activists. An Iranian analyst was quoted by the Guardian saying, “If it was something they wanted to sweep under the carpet, they wouldn’t have given it this huge amount of media coverage.”.

More information about this topic at these websites

CNN
cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/15/iran.researcher.claims/index.html?npt=NP1
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/Blotter/shahram-amiri-iran-nuke-defector-left-million-cia/story?id=11171171
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/15/shamram-amiri-returns-iran-nuclear

What will everyone get from the NAACP and Tea Party fight?

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Individuals and the Tea Party have begun a brouhaha. The stage is set for an epic war within the press. The Tea Party is pushing racist messages, as outlined by the NAACP. The Tea Party says the NAACP is covering up for racism and criminal behavior in the New Black Panther Party. Sturm, and punditry from both sides of the aisle has begun to spew forth. Post resource – NAACP and Tea Party feuding, but what will come of it by Personal Money Store.

What the NAACP said

The number of photos are legion of Tea Party rally attendees holding signs that might be construed very easily as racist by the NAACP or anybody else. Of course, the individuals in the photographs don’t represent the entire Tea Party, but the NAACP is assigning guilt by association. The heads of various Tea Party organizations have routinely denounced, and even barred people from, promoting racist materials or messages at Tea Party events.

The Tea Party side

The Tea Party’s counter-claim is the NAACP is helping cover up an event involving some members of the New Black Panther Party. The NBPP had a few members outside a voting station during the 2008 election which was investigated by the US Attorney’s office. The attorneys on the case were ordered to drop the case, perhaps by Obama appointed officials.

Who’s right?

The only thing this debate does is create more non-debates for Fox, MSNBC, and talk radio to jaw about and sell ad space. Pundits will get paid, but it will advance neither cause nor do anything about real racism.

There could be an estate tax making death more of an incentive for some?

The estate tax made by previous President, George W. Bush, expired at the end of 2009. Rich people were being encouraged by Senate to postpone death until New Year’s Day, 2010. The 45 percent estate tax, or death tax, wouldn’t have to be paid by their families if they could do this. But the estate tax seems to be on its way back in 2011, unless Congress goes against the consensus of experts and really changes the law.

Estate tax at 55 percent, much smaller exemption

It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that exemptions will fall to $ 1 million per individual from the $ 3.5 it was previously when top estate tax rates will increase to 55 percent. That means there will be eight times more tax payers paying estate tax now, even if that means they are borrowing money. The example the Journal gives to illustrate the change is how the new estate tax would affect a $ 5 million estate. If the wealthy individual dies one minute after midnight on January 1, 2011 rather than just two minutes earlier, the added estate tax cost would be over $ 2 million. For a $ 15 million estate, the new cost would be approximately $ 8 million. Many heirs are saying, “I want my cash loan!”

’The largest increase in a major tax that we’ve ever seen’ is what is said about it

Rich people losing money is the least of America’s concerns. However, this change within the way estate is taxed is dramatic. Joseph Thorndike of the nonprofit organization Tax Analysts told the Journal “a jump from zero to 55 percent would be the largest increase in a major tax that we’ve ever seen” and a huge fast cash loans for the government and Internal Revenue Service. The majority are now considering the death incentive provided by the estate tax. Since there are elections within the fall, Congress won’t be taking any action yet. Questions like whether retroactive extension to the current zero-level estate tax can be approved are on the minds of estate holders.

Doctors would never suggest estate tax suicide

A human life is worth more than all the riches in the world. This is something any doctor will tell you – it ties into their Hippocratic Oath – but not all patients are listening, including those sweating out the estate tax problem. Sometimes they will go to other countries where you will find aid-in-dying laws to help them. Switzerland is the only place where doctors are allowed to extend the service of assisted suicide to those from an additional country although the Netherlands also allows assisted suicide, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal.

More information accessible at these websites

Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703609004575355572928371574.html
Oh yeah? Well, Bill Gates’ dad likes it!
youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_jxLKbbDo

Senate passes Wall Street reform bill

The Wall Street reform bill has passed the United States Senate. The Senate first voted to stop discussion and finish the voting. It was expected to pass, as 50 of the required 51 votes were already pledged. The final tally was a sweeping victory for the bill, passing 60 to 39. The President’s desk is the next stop for the bill. President Obama is expected to make the decision to sign or veto the bill by sometime next week.

Wall Street reform bill finally passed

The Senate first had to vote to kill discussion. The measure to kill debate, according to CNN Money, passed 60 to 38. Soon afterwards, the final vote began. The financial reform legislation has been floundering for over a year, as it was introduced in 2009. The support of some Senate Republicans was needed to get the bill passed. However, the bill nevertheless has staunch Republican opposition in both houses.

What effects the bill has

The bill is largely aimed at Wall Street. Certain trading practices are affected, concerning certain securities, derivatives, and debt bundling. Certain trades are mandated to go through middle men by the Wall Street reform bill, to create better insulation between trading houses. There will even be an advisory board created that will decide how to break up mega firms on the brink of collapse. The bill also creates a consumer financial protection agency, which will aim to shore up mortgage loans, credit cards, and other consumer lending like paycheck loans. The Federal Reserve will house the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The critics sound off

A survey of economists was done by the Wall Street Journal, asking whether they would vote for the bill, and only half said they would. A slight majority believed it can have only minor effects. John Boehner, R – OH, the House Minority Leader has already said it should be repealed, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, has said the bill will “stifle growth and kill jobs .” The bill also grants a minor oversight of the Federal Reserve, audits allowed only after emergency cash loans are made, excluding monetary policy, and don’t address Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at all.

Citations

money.cnn.com/2010/07/15/news/economy/Wall_Street_reform_bill_vote/index.htm

money.cnn.com/2010/06/25/news/economy/whats_in_the_reform_bill/index.htm?postversion=2010063018

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703722804575369050948609966.html

Extortion trial for Allison Cross in Michigan

Accused of trying to extort John Stamos, Allison Cross and Scott Sippola are on trial. John Stamos contacted his lawyers after he was threatened with having “compromising” photos released if he didn’t pay $ 680,000. The photos that Allison Cross and Scott Sippola allegedly tried to sell are of Stamos at a 2004 party in Florida.

Allison Cross’ alleged crimes

The Michigan trial of Allison Cross and Scott Sippola is for the alleged crime of extortion. After Cross and Stamos had been corresponding via email, “Brian L” emailed Stamos, threatening to sell compromising photos to the tabloids. In order to supposedly prevent these photos of Stamos at a 2004 party with Cross from being released, the individuals asked for $ 680,000. In email correspondence, Cross told Stamos she knew about the plot.

John Stamos’ reaction to the extortion

John Stamos contacted the FBI and his lawyers when he was asked to pay to prevent the release of the photos. The existence of photos from Stamos’ 2004 Orlando vacation is not contested. As soon as the trial is over, John Stamos intends on releasing the photographs. The lawyers for John Stamos managed to get any mention of Allison Cross and John Stamos’ alleged relationship blocked from the majority of the trial, though it was mentioned during opening statements.

Extortion laws in Michigan

There are heavy punishments for extortion in Michigan. Allison Cross and Scott Sippola could be facing a very long time in jail if they’re convicted. In short, extortion is where there is a threat of doing or releasing something damaging without payment of an amount of money or some act of some kind. In Michigan, extortion can carry a 20-year jail sentence or a fine up to $ 10,000.

Emcore Fiber Optics in Albuquerque attacked by armed gunman

In Albuquerque at 9 am local time, a 911 call reported a shooter at Emcore Fiber Optics. Reports are still mixed as to how numerous employees were injured or killed by the Emcore shooter. Classified as a “domestic dispute in the workplace,” this act of violence doesn’t seem to appear to be related to Emcore’s business or recent patent infringement rulings.

Resource for this article: Emcore Fiber Optics in Albuquerque attacked by armed gunman by Personal Money Store

Emcore shooter attacks Albuquerque offices

The Albuquerque shooting at the Emcore offices might have been carried out by a former employee. At 9:29 a.m. local time, the 911 call accounted “multiple people injured.” Police officers that were on the scene found between two and five individuals dead on the scene and at least four more have been transported to local hospitals. The suspected shooter was found dead on the scene with a self inflicted gunshot wound.

Albuquerque shooting called a ‘domestic workplace dispute’

According to police on the scene, the Albuquerque shooting was probably a “domestic workplace dispute.” This means that a domestic dispute between the shooter and his wife was carried over into the Emcore offices. There is no report on the situation of the shooter or his wife. The shooter was a former employee of Emcore, and his wife is a current employee. There’s no report on the shooter’s wife’s condition.

Difficulties in the Emcore business

The specific office where the Albuquerque shootings took place, Emcore, is the headquarters of an embattled fiber optic and solar manufacturing company. On the same day as the Albuquerque shootings, Emcore was barred from importing some fiber optics. The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in May that some of Emcore’s technology violated a patent. Today, the U.S. Trade panel officially barred the business from importing any of the products that infringe a patent owned by competitor Avago Technologies.

Sources:

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20010291-504083.html

Reuters

uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN1226453320100712

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/shooter-kills-albuquerque-business-killing/story?id=11146499

Vision Airlines - US Government flies Russian spies in style

While US and Russian spies were being swapped on a tarmac, the U.S.A. was represented by a private charter jet. The business of Vision Airlines is usually vacation travel, however they got the contract for this flight. You will find some politicians asking why a private company was used for government business.

Post resource: Vision Airlines – US Government flies Russian spies in style by Personal Money Store

Spies swapped using Vision Airlines

This morning, a Vision Airlines jet met up with a Russian Emergency Ministry Jet in Vienna. Ten accused Russian agents got on the Russian plane while four “Western Sympathizers” got on the Vision Airlines jet. The biggest post-Cold War era spy drama was hopefully over once both planes took off.

How Vision Airlines got the job

The decision to send the Russian agents back home and bring the American agents back to the U.S. on a luxury charter jet is an interesting one. An official Russian plane was used for the transfer. What exactly were US officials thinking with this choice? Or were all the accessible planes already taken? It is possible that both the United States and Russia agreed to not use military planes, just in case. No matter why, using a luxury charter jet is an intriguing choice. No word on if the several thousand dollar flight fee was donated, or if the bill is going to the government. Vision Airlines is certainly getting attention for the choice – their website has crashed multiple times today.

Keeping tepid relations going

According to Rahm Emanuel’s discussion with PBS’s “NewsHour,” the President was “briefed” on the spy swap decision. The choice to use Vision Airlines rather than military planes, to not make announcements, and to keep the spy swap as low profile as they could all point to a desire to not start a fight. Both countries have said that they really want to try and “warm up” relations.

Any person can create phone apps with Google App Inventor for Android

Google App Inventor for Android gives virtually anybody the power to create their own smartphone apps. It is easy for any person who doesn’t know any code to use App Inventor, a new tool in Google Labs for creating mobile apps. Instead of learning Android’s Java code, App Inventor lets you to drag and drop the fundamental building blocks of basic apps to build unique Android apps from scratch.

Article source: Google App Inventor for Android lets everybody create custom apps by Personal Money Store

App Inventor blows Android market wide open

Monday Google said App Inventor for Android was created because people should be able to create their own applications as smartphones become the computer relied upon most . The New York Times reports that App Inventor is one more element of Google’s strategy to gain the upper hand in the Android market by opening its technology to all developers. The strategy starkly contrasts that of Apple, Google’s main smartphone rival, which is known to have notoriously strict standards for iPhone app development. The strategy appears to be working within the Android/Apple battle. Within the first quarter this year, Android phones outsold Apple’s iPhone.

App Inventor upsets geek community

The concept behind App Inventor is that if everyone can be app creators, Android will supplant Apple’s iPhone as the dominant smartphone platform. Google’s Android/Apple market strategy doesn’t sit well with geeks within the ivory towers of the programming priesthood. Tech Crunch wonders if App Inventor is “a Doomsday device that will muck up native app development on the platform” and calls the program’s interface “ugly”. Tech Crunch laments the rise of WYSIWYG HTML editors, saying the tools that made it easy for anybody to create web pages quickly filled the web with garbage.

App Inventor – one person’s trash is an additional person’s treasure

App Inventor enters a landscape where the quality of Android apps is mediocre to begin with, said Larry Dignan at ZDNet. Dignan said numerous apps are simply useless on Android and iPhone. However, the beauty of App Inventor is that “useless is within the eye of the beholder”. What is, or is not useless could be determined by the marketplace. Apple’s App Store has more than 225,000 apps. AndroidLib estimates that with the introduction of App Inventor the Android marketplace will soon have more than 100,000 mobile apps.

More details about this topic at these websites:

nytimes.com

techcrunch.com

zdnet.com

New Aon Hewitt financial consulting and HR business to merge in November

In a deal worth almost $ 5 billion, consulting and insurance company Aon Corporation is buying HR outsourcing firm Hewitt Associates. The newly-formed Aon Hewitt division will function much like Hewitt Associates did before the purchase. After a few years of transition, the combined company will probably save about $ 355 million each year.

Source for this article – Aon Corporation purchases Hewitt Associates, creates Aon Hewitt by Personal Money Store

The Aon Hewitt purchase

The cost of purchasing Hewitt Associates will be about $ 3.9 billion, to be paid half in cash and half in stock from Aon. Hewitt is going to be getting over 40 percent more per share than they are currently trading with. Hewitt stockholders will be paid $ 25.61 and .63 stocks in Aon. Aon Hewitt will keep the same CEO while combining the back-office operations with Aon offices. Hewitt Associates stock rose while Aon stock fell on this news. Illinois will play host to the new company. This merger will result in the loss of some jobs, though neither company has released official estimates on how many.

How Aon does business

Aon Corporation is a global “risk management and human capital consulting services” business. Clients of Aon get insurance brokerage services and advice. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is classified as a financial business. Just one year ago, in August of 2009, Aon Corporation shed three separate insurance companies from its business model.

The business that Hewitt Associates uses

Hewitt Associates is a business that focuses on human resource outsourcing. Hewitt offers HR management, benefits, and other administrative services. Hewitt also provides some consulting services. Traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Hewitt is a “commercial service and supply” business. Hewitt Associates has been through some major restructuring lately. Latin American operations have been spun off, and a company called HRAdvance Inc. was combined with Hewitt in May of 2010.

Build your own high performance engine with DIY Corvette

The new GM Corvette program is great for gearheads. If you are purchasing a Corvette Z06 or ZR1, you can pay just a little additional and build the engine yourself. The best part of this GM/Corvette program is, as opposed to doing all of this on your own, you are protected each and every step of the way. Article resource: DIY Corvette – Build your own high performance engine by Car Deal Expert.

Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 are both high-performance vehicles which were built by U.S. business Chevrolet motors. Costing $ 45,000, these autos are really surprisingly affordable for sports cars. Chevrolet has run into some difficulties with the Corvette brand, by and large a decline in demand. The Z06 is a 7 liter engine, and also the ZR1 is a 6.2 liter engine.

Build your own engine

Building engines has long been a do-it-yourself project for true car enthusiasts. This was taken to a higher level by Chevy. Spend an extra $ 5,800 on your Z06 or ZR1, and you can visit Michigan and help build the engine for your car. Ponying up the extra cash will get you entry to the plant, the ability to help a craftsman hand-build your engine and even a plate with your name placed right on your special engine. This trip may be worth it to some.

The legacy of all hand built engines

Chevy Corvette engines are still hand-built in Michigan. This is how they plan to rebuild the name Chevy. With brands being cut left and right, reinforcing the Corvette brand as a luxury brand is important if Chevy is going to continue to be a viable brand.

Protecting your DIY engine

As opposed to engines built in your garage, the DIY Corvette engine has a couple of protections. Your self-built Corvette engine is totally covered by the standard Corvette five year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. If you’re spending $ 50,000 or more on a automobile, it makes sense to have at least some kind of warranty.

Is Perfect Citizen legit network security, or Big Brother?

“Perfect Citizen” is a federal government program that empowers the National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor the computer networks of public and private entities. The purpose of Perfect Citizen is to prevent cyber attacks against resources considered vital to national security like public utilities and power plants. Public Citizen is reassuring internet security to some, and a disconcerting intrusion to others, who see its massive automated NSA surveillance of American companies and citizens as Big Brother.

Source for this article: Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise? by Personal Money Store

Perfect Citizen – Internet security on steroids

The story about Perfect Citizen broke within the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that the government’s chief eavesdroppers, the NSA will deploy a set of sensors in the computer networks of entities deemed critical that is triggered by spikes that could possibly be warnings of a cyber attack. Defense contractor Raytheon Corp. just lately won a classified contract for phase one of Perfect Citizen, valued at up to $ 100 million. Some industry and government officials who learn about Perfect Citizen see it as an intrusion by the NSA into domestic affairs. Others say it the NSA surveillance is long overdue Internet security for preventing an emerging threat, and that the NSA is the only agency with the gear and experience to deal with the job.

NSA will share data with public companies

The Journal article explains that Perfect Citizen could be applied to older computer networks which were designed before Internet security was an issue. Critical infrastructure like subway systems and air traffic control are run by these older networks. These older networks have become sitting ducks for cyber attack since becoming more efficient by going online. The NSA said Perfect Citizen will allow it to collect and share intelligence on cyber attacks that all companies can use for network security.

Can Big Brother be trusted to behave?

Some people are uneasy about Perfect Citizen, possibly because of its Orwellian title. PC World reports that they’re concerned that Perfect Citizen is just getting began and that all domestic network activity will eventually be monitored by the NSA. Information about the power usage and travel plans of private citizens may also be collected by the NSA with access to the computer networks of entities critical to national security. For now, nobody really knows if Perfect Citizen can enforce national security without trampling on the rights of private citizens.

More information accessible at these websites:

wsj.com

www.nsa.gov

pcworld.com

To fix antenna issues, Apple has a new iPhone software update

The Apple iPhone 4 antenna reception drama continued Friday. The business announced that the iPhone 4 antenna issue could be remedied with an iPhone software update. Apparently there’s no reception problem at all, according to Apple. There is defective software showing inaccurate readings of signal strength. The screen shows that there is more reception than there is. Since the reception is weak to start with, gripping the phone by its lower right side further obscures the signal. Not everybody is getting it.

Source for this article: Apple claims that iPhone software update will fix antenna issues by Personal Money Store

iPhone with their software update and a catch

A media firestorm ensued when complaints came from iPhone 4 owners upset that their ultimate gadget lost reception when held a certain way, which became known as the “death grip.” First Apple dismissed the complaint. Then the Apple/AT and T class action lawsuits started coming. CNN reports that now Apple officially admits the iPhone 4 antenna issue exists. The business says there could be a software update soon – with a catch. Even though signal strength will be correctly represented, it won’t do anything about the reception issues that outraged iPhone 4 users are suffering through now.

iPhone covers sold by Apple

At first, Apple issued a statement saying that $ 30 protective bumpers can lessen the reception issue. The problem occurs when a user’s bare skin bridges the two antennas that are within the edge of the phone. You will find other covers costing much less. Ign.com said that for $ 14.95, a product called GelaSkins are effective in preventing the iPhone 4 death grip issue. But it was reported by Engadget the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong rubber bracelet works just as well, and it is only a buck.

Apple could be throwing AT and T under the bus

The official position is posted to Apple's website. Rob Pegoraro who is from The Washington Post reports that Apple “gracefully throws AT and T under the bus,” insisting the iPhone 4 antenna reception issue is not a hardware problem.” Upon investigation, Apple explained the company was stunned to find that AT and T's formula to calculate how bars displayed signal strength is “totally wrong.” The iPhone software update also applies to the earlier iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G. Apparently the AT and T bug affects them too, although none of those iPhone owners hired lawyers to file lawsuits about this.

Wisdom of iPhone software update severely tested

Some do not agree with Apple’s explanation of the iPhone 4 death grip problem or its solution. According to Apple Insider a New York business owner said just touching the bottom left of the phone would cause a call to drop within 10 seconds, in plain view of the cell tower. Also, the iPhone 4 gets better reception than any of the other phones. Also, cupping the iPhone 4 tightly can result in a loss of 24.6 dB of signal. The tests also surely proved the iPhone cover lessened the effects of the iPhone 4 death grip dramatically.

Is it really going to be an Apple iPhone software update or an Apple iPhone bumper? Stay tuned in …

Discover more about this topic here:

CNN

cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/07/02/apple.iphone.apology/index.html?npt=NP1

Rob Pegoraro at The Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/07/apple_blames_iphone_4_receptio.html

Apple Insider

appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/02/apple_gives_a_business_free_bumpers_for_iphone_4_reception_issues.html