No bullets shot from Jose Guerena before demise

A 26 year old previous Marine, Jose Guerena, was killed in front of his spouse and child by SWAT officers, who later found nothing illegal in his home. Guerena is a veteran of two tours in Iraq. He had a gun, but the safety on his rifle was off and he did not fire on the police officers that entered his house. The incident is raising lots of questions over law enforcement conduct.v

SWAT shoots bullets at Marine veteran multiple times

On May 5, SWAT officers of the Pima County Sheriff’s office arrived at the house of Jose Guerena to serve out a search warrant. Officers started to fire on him as they entered the home, states CNN. This was because he was holding an AR-15 rifle when they entered. The number of times he was hit is being disputed; CNN states he was shot 22 times, but other sources such as ABC is reporting he was shot 60 times. Guerena hadn’t terminated a shot and the safety on his rifle was on. The police wouldn’t let paramedics to come into the home until after he passed away even though they were called by his wife, Vanessa Guerena.

Arrest not needed

Law enforcement thought that Guerena was part of a robbery ring and drug smuggling ring. This was how the police got a warrant. Supposedly, he had assault weapons and paramilitary clothing on while doing some house invasions. In the home, there were several things found to go along with this possibly, reports the Arizona Daily Star. This integrated body armor, “piece of law enforcement-style clothing” and guns. KGUN Tucson states that SWAT team officers’ attorney Mike Storie was quoted saying that Guerena had nothing to warrant arrest in his house. The Pima County Sheriff, Clarence Dupnik, has been critical of the press for asking questions about the shooting and whether it was legal. As soon as the shooting was over, Dupnik said that officers were shot at by Guerena. Later he said Guerena really did not shoot at them.

Not allowing in paramedics to help

Within two minutes of the shooting of Guerena, paramedics arrived on the scene. However, the officers at the scene prevented emergency medical personnel from entering the house and experiencing Guerena for more than an hour, long after he was dead. The house also had a portrait of Jesus Malverde, considered a “patron saint” of narcotic runners. Just like American outlaws for instance Billy the Kid and Jesse James, Malverde has become a hero of sorts even though he may have never really existed, states Wikipedia. Whether or not there were drugs in the house is unknown. The original search did not discover any. There were children ages 4 and 6 that belonged to Guerena. The Asarco copper mine is his employer.

Citations

CNN

cnn.com/2011/CRIME/05/27/arizona.marine.death/index.html?hpt=T2

Arizona Daily Star

azstarnet.com/news/local/article_47d3b9b2-8345-11e0-a48d-001cc4c03286.html

KGUN Tuscon

kgun9.com/story/14682200/guerena-family-attorney-responds-to-swat-lawyer

ABC

abcnews.go.com/US/tucson-swat-team-defends-shooting-iraq-marine-veteran/story?id=13640112

Firefighters and police officers watch as individual dies

A man drowned in cold waters in San Francisco Monday as firefighters and about 75 spectators viewed. The first responders were strictly forbidden by police to attempt a rescue, which was regarded as too unsafe in the frigid water.

Guy supposedly wished to die

The individual walked up to his neck in the water at 11:30 a.m. on Memorial day. The water was 54 degrees although the man, Raymond Zack, was 52 or 53 years old. He lost consciousness and drowned eventually. The U.S. Coast Guard could not rescue him in a boat due to the shallow waters.

Evidently Zack’s stepmother told witness Sharon Brunetti to call the law enforcement. Zack supposedly told the stepmother that he wished to kill himself. Zack “gradually inched out farther and farther” although glancing back at shore regularly, according to Brunetti.

Rescue workers and spectators together

For around an hour, police, Coast Guard and around 75 other individuals watched what happened. Zack’s lifeless body was brought back to shore by a 20-year-old woman that got in the water. There was speculation that she was a nurse. She was just not on duty.

Alameda police Lt. Sean Lynch said law enforcement officers lacked the gear for the cold water and could not risk being pulled under. “Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations.”

Water rescues cut from spending budget

Water rescue training and water rescues themselves were cut from the budget in the Alameda Fire Department. This happened two years ago.

”The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable,” Interim Fire Chief Mike D’Orazi said. “But I can also see it from our firefighters’ perspective. They’re standing there wanting to do something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point.” Now, D’Orazi wants to change things. He is planning on putting water rescue back in.

Several complain

After receiving a flood of complaints Tuesday, the city of San Francisco appropriated $20,000 to $40,000 to train 16 firefighters in land-based water rescue training.

Citations

Newser

newser.com/story/119849/man-dies-in-sf-bay-while-firefighters-police-watch.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43233984/ns/us_news-life/

Huliq

huliq.com/3257/man-dies-hypothermia-san-francisco-bay-authorities-watch

Mayor in Portland believes city staff deserves sex change coverage

Portland, Ore., Mayor Sam Adams has stood up for transgender city employees, claiming that city insurance should cover sex change operation. As stated by Adams, it is only right that community health insurance cover the treatment. The Portland Area Council is expected to vote on Adams’ proposition as early as June.

’Fair, common sense,’ Adams thinks

Mayor Adams told The Oregonian newspaper the transgender medical operation bill amounts to “fair, common sense.” The previous year, the committee decided that gender change surgery charges should not be covered in the Portland self-insurance fund, which would be overridden if the legislation makes it. Since the committee could not decide for sure to change the city policy, the denial occurred.

According to Adams’ estimates, transgender operation benefits for Portland city employees would cost around $32,000 per year. There would be about a .08 percent increase in the self-insurance plan budget for the area.

Anything ‘medically necessary’ is covered

The American Medical Association made a decision in 2008. It decided that transgender health care is “medically necessary.” Under the AMA resolution, withholding coverage for procedure of gender identity disorder when such treatment has been prescribed by a physician isn’t allowed.

“As Mayor, it is important to me that we attract and retain the best and brightest employees to the City of Portland,” writes Adams in a press statement. “Covering basic, medically-necessary care is a matter of fairness, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Picking an insurance

Currently, the Community of Portland provides two health insurance opportunities to its employees: insurance through Kaiser or a self-insurance plan called CityCore. If Adams’ proposal is approved, CityCore would cover the gender change operation, bringing the city’s plan in line with that of 22 percent of Fortune 100 Companies and many Oregon businesses that already cover such a medical operation.

It all started in San Francisco

Transgender operation benefits became covered in 2001 in San Francisco. This made it the first U.S. community to do so. Sex change operations and hormone treatments were available to area employees after a bill was passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and then-Mayor Willie Brown.

At that time, male-to-female operation cost $37,000, while the reverse cost $77,000. The San Francisco ordinance capped fees at $50,000 per person for life, requiring the patient to pay 15 percent if the surgeon is on the city health plan.

Sam Adams at a rally for same-sex marriage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BMPgHIrjKA

Citations

Basic Rights Oregon

basicrights.org/

OregonLive.com

blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/05/mayor_sam_adams_to_push_sex-ch.html

Portland Online

portlandonline.com/mayor/?a=350579&c=49278

SF Gate

sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/02/16/MN202072.DTL

Have a look at the NBA Heat vs. Mavs end game during the finals

On Tuesday, May thirty-first at Miami’s American Airlines Arena, basketball fans will enjoy the kickoff of what will hopefully be a fantastic 2011 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat will hold the home-court advantage. Get ready for the tournament with this NBA Finals schedule and a look at these giants of the court.

ESPN and Sirius to play NBA Finals, or you can watch on ABC

ESPN Radio and Sirius XM will both broadcast the 2011 NBA Finals game on the radio while it could be seen on television at ABC. The games have been scheduled. They go like this:

Game 1: Tuesday, May 31 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET
Game 2: Thursday, June 2 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET
Game 3: Sunday, June 5 in Dallas, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tuesday, June 7 in Dallas, 9 p.m. ET
Game 5 (if necessary): Thursday, June 9 in Dallas, 9 p.m. ET
Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, June 12 in Miami, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 14 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET

Competitors at Heat

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are the dynamic duo for the Miami Heat that can scare any defense. The individuals are both known for how well they’re able to score, and they have learned to play together very well recently.

”King” James ends up with the ball when the Heat is in danger though. He is huge and athletic. He also has a great basketball IQ which helps a ton. Dallas will have to work a lot on his teammates which may be hard with Wade. Udonis Haslem needs to keep Dirk Nowitzki scared while Chris Bosh needs to play fantastic games. If this occurs, the 2011 NBA Finals will be won by the Miami Heat with five games.

Hard for the newbie Nowitzki

Careful passing and a commitment to challenging James and Wade on the offensive end will not only ensure that the Dallas Mavericks remain in the series, but it should spell victory against the less experienced Heat. Dirk Nowitzki is on fire in the playoffs (28.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game), and his increased lower body strength has enabled him to muscle his way to his favorite spots on the floor more easily, as Haslem will discover. The veterans Kidd and Terry, both Jasons, will help a lot too. Shawn “The Matrix” Marion also will be a large help.

Considering the championship window is almost closed for Kidd, Terry and Marion, their sense of urgency is palpable. The “soft” Nowitzki has finally toughened up too. Even with injuries, the Dallas Mavericks could beat the Miami Heat in seven games. Jose Barea and Tyson Chandler could do this very easily.

Wait until next year, LeBron.

Information from

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/nba-finals-schedule-2011-_n_867972.html

Yahoo! Sports

sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8546101

Call of Duty: Elite to premier monthly membership program

Online multiplayer first-person shooter fans that love the “Call of Duty” games should expect to pay much more for their full metal carnage, reports GamePro. “Call of Duty: Elite,” a monthly subscription program, is currently getting ready for beta testing phase and is accepting summer applicants. By the end of 2011, Activision might offer “CoD: Elite” to gamers for $7.99 or for even less per month.

The ‘CoD: Elite’ moneymaker good for Activision

Massively multi-player online role-playing games, or MMORPGs, such as “World of Warcraft,” have been very popular. It just makes sense for Activision to get in on the money by doing a model for the online multi-player FPS which is an extremely popular game on the console and PC. Most games now and day will lock gamers into their worlds just like “Call of Duty” is preparing, states Jamie Berger. Berger is the Activision VP of Digital Business.

“In an always-on world, the competition for our players’ time has exploded,” he told Wired. “Online interactivity and community is critical for us to face that world. It’s what sets apart games with growing audiences from really great games struggling to find an audience.”

The US that loves ‘Black Ops’ will go ‘Elite’

”Call of Duty: Black Ops” will be featured in “Call of Duty: Elite.” Black Ops was the best-selling game in U.S. history in February, NPD research confirms. Over 30 million people play one of the “Call of Duty” games online each year, spending over 170 hours each year doling out hot video lead.

The beauty of “Elite,” suggests Activision, is that “Call of Duty” supporters will not have to run out and buy another $60 game. On the contrary, “Call of Duty: Elite” isn’t a new game at all, but an online social network extraordinaire that allows players to use various chapters from the “Call of Duty” saga. Activision will use the game as a “Holy Grail” of sorts, says the blog Dubious Quality’s analyst Bill Harris. It should also get many FPS online multi-player followers very interested.

How ‘Call of Duty: Elite’ works

GamePro explained that “CoD: Elite” will be awesome. More than player-versus-player battle will occur. The “Elite” site will reportedly break down into four categories:

Career: Where total analysis of your play style and weapon choices occurs, as well as intensive play map details. If you think you are an FPS pro but haven’t seen what ‘Elite’ can do, reconsider your professional status.

Connect: Social media for “Call of Duty” fanatics. Go crazy with it in chats and groups.

Compete: The way eHarmony match makes was copied for FPS matchmaking. A ton of firepower should be anticipated.

Improve: Pump up your “Call of Duty” game with loads of tips.

Information from

Call of Duty: Elite

callofduty.com/elite

Dubious Quality

dubiousquality.blogspot.com/

GamePro

gamepro.com/article/previews/219778/call-of-duty-elite-full-details/

Wired

wired.com/gamelife/2011/05/call-of-duty-elite/

‘Call of Duty: Elite’ Legend of Karl trailer (Note: Contains video game violence)

youtube.com/watch?v=s3Ixz7pHXdg

Payday loans on the rise Great Britain

The amount of installment loans has increased significantly in Great Britain over the last month or so. This trend has grown sharply since the May Day Financial institution Holiday. The demand has seen about a 58 percent increase since the same period in April.

Prices go up even more

Several financial experts believe this boost in payday loans in Great Britain is a significant indicator of the direction of the country’s troubled economy. There was an increase in 54 pounds, about $87, is the average amount a family in Great Britain spends every week to live. Moneysupermarket.com explains this change occurred in just the last six months.

Wages stay stagnant

Working individuals are struggling harder than ever to stay on top of their finances as costs continue to grow and wages continue to stagnate. A Scottish Widows report explained that it would be bad for a lot of people if their primary source of income were to end. It would be bad for about 8.5 million households. If the income was lost, only 25 percent of people said they would be financial stable still.

The Consumer Protection Report from Scottish Widows also reported that nearly half of the country’s families with kids are reliant upon two salaries.

Payday loans an economic barometer

Tim Moss, who’s the head of loans and debt for the Moneysupermarket.com site, claims: “These goods act as a barometer, giving a unique insight to the state of the nation’s finances.” He then says, “It’s no surprise to see the demand for payday loans rise so sharply in the current climate.”

Paying for installment loans or overdrafts

According to Moss, these loans, despite their critics, are generally better than overdraft fee penalties.

Decisions should be weighed carefully

When applying for a pay day loan, make sure you are very careful and think about the decision. Payday loans can be expensive if they are not paid back on time, and payday loan terms generally only last a few weeks.

Citations

My Finances

myfinances.co.uk/loans-and-credit/2011/05/17/payday-loans-rise-in-popularity-after-bank-holiday-spending

Payday Bank

paydaybank.co.uk/news/

Yorkshire Post

yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/business-news/demand_for_payday_loans_on_the_rise_1_3403086

Utah anti-prostitution law prohibits acting sexy

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Federal Emergency Management Agency sends 5,560 letters demanding $21 million in repayment

Though they are tasked with safeguarding citizens, FEMA doesn’t always have the most friends. In March, the agency started sending out letters to 5,560 recipients of federal aid, requesting repayment. Though shutting down these “recoupment efforts” would cost the government millions, one Senator has already announced a bill that would do just that.

Letters from Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA has sent out letters in the last few months. These letters were sent to over 5,500 FEMA fund recipients. Between $500 and $50,000 were asked for in the repayment requests. There will be interest put on the loan amounts. This is assuming the recipients don’t pay it back in 30 days. The letters have only gone out to individuals who received money due to an error by FEMA, human error or database error. Any taxpayer money paid by mistake is something Federal Emergency Management Agency has to try and get back.

Not considering fraud

These repayment requests were sent to many individuals. Anyone who got FEMA funds improperly were on the list. Some of these payments were duplications of homeowners’ policies, others were due to errors in home valuation. One thing that these letters do not address, however, is fraud. Fake claims are being handled separately. The FEMA will take care of it though. Most homeowners given these letters did not know they would be required to pay the money back in just a month. Homeowners can appeal or compromise the amount owned with Federal Emergency Management Agency. After 30 days, the interest will start going up though.

Possible bill to stop it

A bill written and presented by Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas would waive these debts. Since the law the agency has to follow states these repayment efforts must be made, only a bill in Congress can shut it down. The bill would entirely stop collection of these debts if the money was handed out on Federal Emergency Management Agency error, if there was no fraud or misrepresentation and if the collection would be “against equity.” The collections will continue until Congress signs the bill into law.

Information from

Senate information on FEMA Recoupment Program

landrieu.senate.gov/mediacenter/upload/femarecoupment.pdf

Clarion-Ledger

clarionledger.com/article/20110519/NEWS/105190349/FEMA-to-aid-recipients-Pay-it-back?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|FRONTPAGE

The Hill

thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/162223-senator-floats-bill-to-forgive-disaster-debt-owed-over-femas-mistakes

The coffee addicted guys might be glad to know coffee helps prostate cancer

Guys who drink lots of coffee can revel in their habit, guilt-free. Coffee may ward off prostate cancer. A study is being unveiled that found higher coffee consumption, six cups a day or more, led to a lower instance of prostate cancer in men.

Why caffeine may be good

A new research has just been released from the Harvard School of Public Health that will comes as good news to coffee houses men addicted to caffeine, according to MSNBC. The men who drank lots of coffee had a much smaller chance of getting prostate cancer showing that excessive coffee might be good for health. There are still the same basic downsides though. CBS states that there were 48,000 guys in the study who were followed from 1986 to 2008. The number of men with prostate cancer was lowest among those with six or more cups.

Opposite outcomes from research done previously

There was a research done in the Harvard School of Public Health 30 years back. It was opposite of what this study said in its conclusions. The research in the other research showed that it was flawed though. Coffee habits of patients were reviewed by asking them. Patients reported more specifically on their coffee habits when they had cancer. Outcomes are very easily contaminated by “recall bias,” which is what it is known as. In the study that has just been unveiled, guys who drank six cups of coffee per day or more had 60 percent less of a chance of getting prostate cancer and a 20 percent less chance of developing the deadliest forms of the disease. Anybody who drank 3 or less cups a day had 30 percent less chance. The caffeine made no difference to the research.

More studies needed

The reason coffee could have an effect on prostate cancer is unknown, according to WebMD, however one of the leading theories is the presence of antioxidants. Several health benefits, such as low risk of heart disease and cancer, have been shown to correlate with dietary antioxidants. Other studies have shown that drinking coffee can decrease risks for Parkinson’s disease, gout and Type 2 diabetes. One in six men is affected by prostate cancer making it the most common cancer in men. prostate cancer causes over 30,000 fatalities a year.

Citations

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43065205/ns/health-cancer/

CBS

cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20063692-10391704.html?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.9

WebMD

webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20110517/coffee-may-lower-prostate-cancer-risk

Consumer protection bureau doesn't scare all pay day loan lenders

The Dodd Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate financial goods like payday loans, credit cards and mortgages. Payday loans, some hoped, would turn out to be regulated out into extinction by the bureau. That said, the bureau is not operation yet and is embroiled in a Congressional brouhaha. Also, there is at least one major payday lending firm that actually welcomes the bureau.

Response from Advance America exec is good

Since the Customers Financial Protection Bureau would protect consumers from opposed products such as payday loans, several consumer supports loved the idea of the bureau. Opponents have called for the product to be regulated out of existence and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seemed a good vehicle with which to do that. There is one executive of a payday advance business that isn’t scared of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It really welcomes the executive. William Webster, Chairman of Advance America Cash advance Centers Inc. has said he welcomes federal scrutiny, according to the Wall Street Journal. He explained the company doesn’t have secrets for the government to dig up. All of its practices are public knowledge.

Praise for Warren

Due to the rules on overdraft fees and for setting up the bureau, Webster has praised Warren. He has done this on record, the Huffington Post states. Granted, overdraft loans and payday loans are competing products. The CFPB is expected to look into the normal abuses payday loan lenders do for instance not disclosing fees when the transaction is made, which Webster and other loan businesses will not have a problem with. Legislation should be made to work for lenders and customers, especially in online lending. This is what payday cash loan firms believe in. Most online lending will keep away from laws more than a store in a community. This is why Webster thinks there should be a ton of regulation on online loan programs and for online lenders.

If the CFPB can get started

The future of the CFPB is unclear. There were three bills introduced recently to change the agency structure or to stop operations from starting for a while, which shows how hard Congress is making it for the agency to begin. It may be awhile before the bureau actually gets started though with the July 21 deadline coming up fast without a director. Not to mention, Congress has not even been able to choose if one director of five will work better yet.

Information from

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110513-712677.html

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/10/payday-loan-kingpin-praises-elizabeth-warren_n_859753.html?ir=Business

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/05/06/news/economy/cfpb_director/?section=money_latest

Hike in gas costs doesn't change anything for makers of supercars

Gas prices have been rising, and most consumers are feeling the pinch. However, firms that make supercars have not really noticed. Though luxury brands are beginning to release green vehicles, traditional ultra-performance automobiles are still readily accessible for individuals who have the disposable funds. The supercar market is a little more insular than the regular automobile market. A person who can afford a Ferrari can spend a few extra dollars on gas.

Bugatti speed at McLaren

AutoWeek reports that the sports car business McLaren is working on an automobile that will come out in 2014. The MP4-12C was released by the company known for releasing the fastest road automobile in the world, the F1. A 5-liter engine with about 800 horsepower will be in the automobile that McLaren is now working on. In 2.8 seconds, the vehicle should be able to go from 0 to 60 while being able to go from 0 to 200 miles per hour faster than the Bugatti Veyron with a price tag of $500,000.

General Motors is a fantastic place to look for work now

CNN reports that about 250 new jobs will be added to GM to be able to invest $131 million into a new Corvette. This is so it can develop a Chevrolet’s sports automobile that is even better. In Bowling Green, Ky., a lot of jobs will open up at the GM plant where the Corvette has been made since 1981. GM will be producing the new Corvette there. There is no detailed information accessible about this new Corvette yet, and no release date has been set at this point. Chevrolet is rolling out a new Camaro for 2012, according to Popular Mechanics, called the ZL1 Camaro. The ZL1 will have the same engine that the Cadillac CTS-V has. It produces more than 550 horsepower with its 6.2L V-8 engine.

People want more than fast in an auto now

Though supercars are the kind of automobiles that do not traditionally prioritize environmental considerations that does not mean performance automobile makers are entirely unconcerned. McLaren is looking for hybrid vehicle engineers to produce a “green” McLaren. Porsche, according to USA Today, is currently taking orders for the 918 Spyder, a plug-in hybrid supercar that will go from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds, tops out at 199 miles an hour and will drive three more miles on electric power alone than the upcoming plug-in Prius hybrid will. It gets 78 miles per gallon in it too. Ferrari unveiled a hybrid version of the 599 last year and intends to have hybrid versions of all of its vehicles by 2015, according to the Daily Mail. The hybrid 599, the 599 HY-KERS, will do 200 miles an hour and get up to 25 miles per hour, though it still has a V-12car can get 200 miles per hour and up to 25 miles per hour. Lamborghini declared in 2009 it would have a hybrid out by 201! 5, according to Popular Science. Even the beasts with extraordinary firepower under the hood are going green.

Information from

Auto Week

autoweek.com/article/20110516/CARNEWS/110519876

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/05/04/autos/gm_invests_for_next_corvette/index.htm

Popular Mechanics

popularmechanics.com/cars/news/preview-concept/12-new-cars-that-are-worth-waiting-for#fbIndex8

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/porsche-takes-orders-for-hybrid-918-spyder-gas-miser-supercar-/1

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1254854/Geneva-Motor-Show-Ferraris-200mph-eco-friendly-electric-hybrid-unveiled.html

Popular Science

popsci.com/cars/article/2009-08/lamborghini-boss-hybrid-lambo-coming-2015

Kutcher takes over for Sheen on show

Ashton Kutcher has come from out of nowhere to win the race to replace Charlie Sheen in "Two and a Half Men." While Ashton Kutcher won’t be enjoying a Sheen-sized payday, reports indicate he could be making more than half of what Sheen was making. The ninth season of "Two and a Half Men" may return as a reboot around mid-season or as late as this fall.

No more Charlie Harper

Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones will return in their normal roles as Alan and Jake. Kutcher will be in "Two and a Half Men" living with Cryer and Jones' characters in the Malibu beach house, although he will not be replacing Sheen as Harper as some have guessed.

Late-comer Kutcher may have a lot of work

Numerous actors and at least one actress have been rumored to replace Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” including Rob Lowe (a friend of Sheen, whom he recommended), John Stamos, Matt Dillon, Jenny McCarthy and Hugh Grant. Due to "creative differences," Grant didn't get the part even though as of May 11, he had almost won it, reports the Huffington Post.

Kutcher used comments for instance "What’s the square root of 6.25? Two and a half," on Twitter to his 6.7 million enthusiasts after CBS and "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre decided on the deal with Kutcher. Lorre and "Two and a Half Men" producers look forward using Kutcher’s massive Twitter fan base to help promote the show.

Sheen involvement

No comment was made by Charlie Sheen yet. Nobody knows how he is taking the Kutcher hire. Charlie Sheen can be seen in "Entourage" soon, the Hollywood Reporter explains, after he finishes his "Violent Torpedo of Truth" tour and continues the "Sheen's Korner" video podcast. He has also expressed interest in getting his "Two and a Half Men" job back, saying that he is now willing to say sorry for his rants against the show and Chuck Lorre.

Information from

Hollywood Report

hollywoodreporter.com/news/sources-confirm-ashton-kutcher-will-188048

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/12/ashton-kutcher-joins-two-and-a-half-men_n_861389.html

TMZ

//bit.ly/kFGmDp

‘What’s the square root of 6.25? Two and a half.’

youtube.com/watch?v=GlVUcEr7I2E

Ten automobiles whose time never was

Not all automobiles could be winners. Some of them have come in the form of vehicles whose time never were and never shall be. Here are the top 10 automobiles that deserved a merciful death.

One is the BMW Z3 (E36/4), 1996-2002

Pierce Borsnan has several followers for his James Bond movie, although his car, the BMW Z3, isn’t as popular. A 138-hp, 1.9-liter four-cylinder, the Z3 would have had barely had enough power to escape from villain Ernst Blofeld’s white lap cat, let alone the more supercharged forces of evil. The Z3 was not simple to move around either considering how bad it was at responding. According to Popular Mechanics, however, it sold well despite a coupe model known at BMW as “the shoe.”.

Chevrolet SSR, years 2003-2006 needs to die

The average person wasn’t able to use Chevrolet’s “Super Sport Roadster” as it was a hardtop convertible V8 pickup. The jalopy with pop couldn’t make up its mind.

Mercedes-Benz C230 Hatchback, 2000-2007

The hatchback was not what individuals were expecting. It didn’t fit with the Mercedes image at all. You only had to pay $24,950 for this Baby Benz. Still, it never got popular.

The Ford Pinto, 1971-1980 was not worth it

After the gas tank exploded when the auto was rear ended, the Ford Pinto was in court right away in 1980. The PR damage hurt Ford badly causing the Pinto to die off even though Ford was not legally held responsible.

The Yugo GV, 1984-1991 wasn’t worth the money

In 1984, Zastava Koral, or Yugo, was at the Los Angeles Car Show getting its start, although it didn’t do well with the 55-hp motor. It was only $3,990 and got 30 mpg. The motor could easily have been wrecked in the Yugo though. The timing belt had huge issues. Yugo was not going anywhere before the automaker’s factory was bombed by the NATO during the Kosovo War in 1999.

Tire difficulties with the Cadillac Catera, 1997-2001

Cindy Crawford cavorting with an animated duck wizard would sell cars, thought Cadillac TV advertising crew. The only issue is the automobile had too several issues. The tires went bald earlier than anticipated, oil leaked to the coolant and there were problems with the timing belt. This pointed to an auto that was not all that it was quacked up to be, even with a supermodel in its corner.

Issues with the Jaguar X-Type, 2001-2009

Jaguar didn’t know what it was doing with the X-Type. It didn’t work with the company’s image at all. The “Poor Man’s Jaguar” was not done properly, just like the Mercedes-Benz C230.

Speed in the DeLorean DMC-12, 1981-1982

In order to save money, John DeLorean used workers in Ireland to assemble the automobile. The DMC-12 showed this poor work. Acceleration in the automobile was not good at all. The top speed was also lower than expected.

Pontiac Aztek, 2001-2005

“Smashed” is not a fantastic way to describe the look of a new automobile, however that’s what Pontiac brought to consumers with the Aztek’s less-than-aerodynamic rear end. Perhaps it was a historical allusion to Hernando Cortes’ 1521 demolition of the Aztec empire.

Citations

WFU

wfu.edu/|palmitar/Law&Valuation/Papers/1999/Leggett-pinto.html

Popular Mechanics

popularmechanics.com/cars/news/pictures/10-cars-that-deserved-to-fail-chevrolet-ssr#fbIndex1

And boom goes the Pinto

youtube.com/watch?v=qHGbrlufryw

Tricks to keep away from rental vehicle gas penalties and other fees

Today, the average cost of gasoline in the U.S. is $4 per gallon. However if you return a rental vehicle without topping off the gasoline tank, did you know that you’ll pay more than double for each gallon the rental service puts in to fill the tank? This is one of the hidden rental vehicle fees that can cost you a bundle is you aren’t careful. Equip yourself with knowledge now so that your rental vehicle bill will not sting your wallet later.

Pay $9.29 a gallon for renting a vehicle gasoline

Dollar and Thrifty is charging $8.99 a gallon to top of the gas tank while Hertz is charging $9.29 a gallon on average according to a USA Today survey of 13 large U.S. airports with rental auto businesses. If a consumer pays the rental business ahead of time, the price goes down a lot, however this is one way customers’ get money stolen by rental companies all the time.

Thinking about the other fees to stay away from

1. Additional driver fees – Most rental businesses charge an additional $10 per driver.

2. Insurance – You have no need to purchase additional insurance if you already are paying for it each month. This is especially true if you have comprehensive on your insurance. See if your losses can be insured by the credit card company too.

3. Early/late return fees – It can cost $10 or more every single day you are late, so return the automobile on time. Early returns generally require a $15 fee too.

4. Child auto seats – When renting, it helps to have your own auto seat. Make sure you bring it with you for those who have children. About $7 a day is charged for a car seat. This is the charge for each one you rent.

5. Toll bypass – You can pay for an electronic toll road pass by rental companies. You may already have one or just don’t want one. If this is the case, just say no.

6. Mileage – Be careful of the miles you put on. If you know you’re going to be driving long distances, opt for an unlimited mileage rental or be prepared to pay an exorbitant amount per mile over the limit.

7. Cleaning – Don’t smoke in the automobile and clean up your mess. It can cost a lot to have the auto cleaned.

More tips for finding a cheaper rental vehicle

To find the least costly rental cars, start by looking travel web sites like Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com for deals on rental vehicles. Plan ahead and you may even be able to find a good rate that comes as part of a package deal with airline tickets and hotel. You may be able to save even more with entertainment coupon books and sites like RetailMeNot.com. Don’t rent longer than necessary. If you simply get the economy compact, it will get you there safely. This only works if you don’t have additional stuff to take with you.

Citations

Bankrate.com

bankrate.com/financing/cars/rental-car-gas-costs-9-a-gallon/

MSNBC

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23471992/ns/today-money/t/secrets-renting-car-without-overspending/

Dollar Rent-A-Car was caught red-handed

youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4A-EJAbZs

BP oil spill fund has paid just a fraction of the cash

The U.S. government ordered BP to set aside a $20 billion oil leak fund in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon devastation. A year later, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, meant for nursing companies and individuals impacted by Gulf oil spill back to economic health, has paid out only a fraction of the cash. People demanding recompense complain a lot about the claims process, which is infested with attorneys attracted to settlement cash like flies on turds.

Processing claims for the oil spill by British Petroleum

A year after the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility has paid $3.8 billion in BP oil spill claims — just 19 percent of the $20 billion in seed money set aside by the oil business. The BP oil leak fund has been dispersed by Kenneth Feinberg who was appointed by the Obama administration. Now, 201,261 claims have been paid, he states. There have been over 857,000 claims already. BP oil spill claims can be paid until August 2013 by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility which has 3,200 employees in its 35 offices in five states. Most people like to criticize Feinberg for his position though. They say the claims process is confusing, slow and unfair to many people.

Damage proof

One applicant tried to request $20 billion causing Feinberg to say “Amounts requested by claimants very often bear no reasonable relationship to the damages really proven.” This was released on Tuesday in defense of his management of the BP oil leak fund. A payment or offer of payment has been made for 72 percent of BP oil leak fund claims. There have been claims denied too. Others are pending until more documentation is produced. The BP oil claims process has frustrated businesspeople for instance fishermen accustomed to operating on an informal cash basis who often seal deals with a handshake rather than a contract. The Coast Guard has not overturned any of the 574 cases disputing payments.

Attorneys attracted by the smell of cash

Residents in the Gulf Coast haven’t even realized when some lawyers sign them up for claims or get misled into thinking they can get money, especially the populations with cultural and language barriers. In his statement, Feinberg said the proliferation of fraudulent legal activity was “an obstacle to the efficiency and speed in getting the checks out.” The New York Times states that several law firms have targeted Vietnamese fishermen to con them onto their client lists. With all the clients on the list, a lawyer can get lots of money. When BP settles, it pays depending on the clients involved. According to the New York Times, there was a San Antonio law firm that abused this. It has thousands of Vietnamese listed in its claim. The claims were rejected, and many people were surprised to discover their names on the list.

Articles cited

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2011/04/18/news/companies/BP _spill_claims/?npt=NP1

24/7 Wall Street

247wallst.com/2011/04/19/the-BP -20-billion-gulf-claims-facility-has-paid-nearly-nothing/

Los Angeles Times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gulf-spill-claims-20110419,0,2595018.story

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/04/19/us/19spill.html?_r=1

Lansing may zone payday lenders out

The Payday Pundit states that kicking a legal, profitable business like pay day loans out of town are a poor choice – so zoning them out is a poor choice. NWI.com states the Lansing, Mich., Planning and Zoning Board are looking for ways to revise ordinances to phase bad credit loans out of town. Cutting legal, profitable, in-demand businesses out of the picture is a poor choice, considering that Michigan’s HB 4214 is holding the financial martial law ax over every struggling town in the state. Article resource – Lansing says no to payday lending as Michigan economy flails by MoneyBlogNewz.

All the ’special use’ provisions to change

The “special use” zoning provisions have been looked at a lot by Lansing’s Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals to check changes. The suggestions that targeted payday lenders aren’t a coincidence. Limiting the number of in-home day centers and talking about parking near churches in residential neighborhoods are definitely something to consider. Still, it doesn’t make sense to stop the business of payday lending considering it help’s the city’s economy as well as helping out those citizens in the city.

While the proposed zoning change would only prevent new pay day loans outlets from locating in Lansing, critics see such a move as the typical first step against an enterprise lawmakers want to covertly torpedo. Passing it off as encouraging “more variety in the types of companies” that call Lansing home, which is how Trustee Mikal Stole explained the proposal to NWI, is a smokescreen.

Many fighting

The state government would be able to “force a municipality” such as putting Lansing into bankruptcy with its “financial czar” (EFM) according to Detroit Rep. John Conyers while it is “an assault on democracy” according to AFL-CIO president Mark Gaffney. This is how Michigan House Bill 4214 has already brought on some troubles. The political powers of Benton Harbor, Mich., officials have been superseded by a newly appointed EFM who will take control of the municipality. The economy of the small town might be bad enough to warrant dissolution, a power HB 4214 grants to a governor-appointed Emergency Financial Manager.

The Rachel Maddow Blog shows that Benton Harbor’s per capita income is the lowest in Michigan. It is at $8, 965. From Benton Harbor, you just have to cross the St. Joseph River to get a better number. The PCI is at $24, 949 in “Twin City” St. Joseph. The Whirlpool company is located in Benton Harbor, celebrating its 100th anniversary. The business is in St. Joseph, “on the other side of the tracks,” celebrating this.

The business staying at home is something the Benton Harbor business individuals would like. Keeping around payday loan corporations is something Lansing should want. This is because there may soon be a financial czar is faces.

Information from

The Maddow Blog

maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/18/6489195-whats-at-stake-in-benton-harbor

NWI Times

nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_61f251e3-379e-5576-adde-8954a51e9131.html

Payday Pundit

paydaypundit.org/2011/04/18/too-prominent/

Federal Reserve has no plans to tighten credit supply just yet

There are currently no strategies at the Federal Reserve to tighten the credit supply of the nation just yet. Part of the Fed’s duties, of which there are many, is to monitor the supply of accessible lending capital and altering it accordingly to best fit the needs of the economy as a whole. Fear of inflation is causing several to think the Fed should reign in the supply of credit. However, the financial institution maintains the economy is too fragile to do that yet.

Not ready yet, Fed states

Food and gasoline is just a couple of the consumer goods that costs have increased on recently. Many have worried that inflation is going to start occurring. This has prompted lawmakers and finance industry insiders to question whether the Federal Reserve, the key institution in setting monetary policy and controlling things like inflation, should start restricting the available credit supply. Members of the Fed, however, are confident the overall economy is too shaky to stiffen the credit supply, according to MSNBC. At a recent speaking engagement at Yale University, Fed Vice Chair Janet Yellen said that conditions weren’t right, however the central bank would be easing off its current policy of keeping interest rates at near zero.

Need more individuals to be employed

The Fed partially controls the supply of available credit funding for the banking system of the United States and influences the interest rates that banks charge. During a recessionary period, the Fed can lend short term installment loans to banks at zero or close to zero percent interest to stimulate lending. Those banks can lend that capital to customers, as mortgages or personal loans, or to other financial institutions. There are more parts than credit to the Federal Reserve’s operations. Nevertheless, credit is the most significant. If the Fed thinks that the price inflation is being too hard on the nation’s currency, the Fed can stop putting as much capital out there. There has been a huge increase in the price of oil and food. Now, a dollar does not mean as much.

Where the CFPB comes in

Soon, interest rates on loans will likely start going back up, as soon as the central financial institution feels comfortable with the economy. This is when the credit supply can be restricted by the Federal Reserve. Banks may also have to follow rules from the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will levy fines for legal violations. The bureau will start operating in July, and spokesperson Elizabeth Warren has promised the first new regulations set in place by the bureau by January of 2012, according to Reuters. The amount that the CFPB can do hasn’t been decided in Congress just yet. Still, there will soon be more regulation to deal with.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/42520140/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/

CNBC

cnbc.com/id/42532601

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/04/11/us-cfpb-warren-idUSTRE73A5FQ20110411

Spending budget passes meaning troops won't need military payday advance

The United States Congress recently approved the federal spending budget for fiscal year 2011 after a long standoff. Military service members and other federal employees would not have been paid during a shutdown, which would have sent more than a few into debt or seeking assistance from pay day loans or other means. Thankfully, the shutdown was avoided.

How military personnel would have been effect

For Fiscal Year 2011, Congress upheld a bill. There was a lot of stress about a government shutdown during all of this. Thankfully, the shutdown was averted, but it was well known that Congress would have continued to receive their pay while thousands of government employees would have gone on a forced furlough. Even without payment, some would have had to keep working. This would have been mandatory for them. Members of the military, for instance, would not be paid for their work during a shutdown. Federal regulations prohibit service personnel from getting payday loans or similar subprime credit goods, and most service personnel, according to MSNBC, make close to the average wage in America, it would have been a devastating blow to military families.

Getting paid to be in the military

Almost three of every four people in the armed services are in the six lowest ranks and are paid $31,000 a year or less. Mean earnings in the United States was estimated at $44,901 while median earnings were at $36,587, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Military personal are making less than the average person no matter which scale you take. There was a Department of Defense survey done in 2008. It said that families in the military tend to have debt problems, states the Washington Post. Bankruptcy rates for military members might be higher than the general population as well; a 2004 study by the GAO found that 1.2 percent of active duty military personnel file for bankruptcy. Federal court statistics indicates that more than 1.5 million individuals filed for bankruptcy last year, which is 0.5 percent of the U.S. population.

How we treat those defending us

The reward for those who defend the country isn’t very high. There are also incentives to not go into debt; service members can lose their security clearance if they fall into unmanageable debts. With a shutdown occurring, there would have been other possibilities. Luckily, the people don’t have to worry about this. The Naval Federal Member Bank offered low interest unsecured loans to members in case of a shutdown, like other credit unions and banks for federal employees have done in previous shutdowns.

Citations

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/42559366/ns/business-your_retirement/?gt1=43001

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/military-pay-faces-uncertain-future-troubling-for-financially-strapped-families/2011/04/08/AFHV311C_blog.html

Bureau of Labor Statistics

bls.gov/ncs/ocs/sp/nctb1346.pdf

U.S. Courts

uscourts.gov/uscourts/Statistics/BankruptcyStatistics/BankruptcyFilings/2010/0310_f2.pdf

Government Accountability Office

gao.gov/new.items/d04465r.pdf

Government Accountability Office

gao.gov/new.items/d04465r.pdf

High water mark elusive for hedge fund industry

Last month billions were invested in hedge funds. In search of high returns, investors are turning once again to hedge funds and their risky approaches. But there are more losers than winners overall in the hedge fund industry and many funds will probably tip over before the year is out.

Hedge funds treading water

The hedge fund business drew $22 billion from investors in March, the highest rate in over a year, according to Hedgefund.net. Overall, the hedge fund industry is managing $2.5 trillion, 83 percent of the all-time highs registered in 2008. There are nevertheless many hedge funds attempting to get back to this peak where they can start making money again. In fact, Hedgefund.net reports that about 35 percent of 2,500 funds that voluntarily report performance have yet to return to their high water marks. Until the hedge funds get back to the peak, they cannot charge performance fees, although investors are making money. A 35 percent return needs to be given to a hedge fund account that lost 25 percent during the meltdown. This is the only way it can return to normal. The fund may not be able to return to getting 20 percent for years.

Hedge fund industry manipulation

Established hedge funds with billions in assets struggling to reach their high water marks keep the lights on with management fees–about 2 percent of those assets, and charge customers for expenditures. There were other hedge funds that lost too much and just shut down, re-opened and got new investors. Then it is business as usual, which involves classic forms of hedge fund market manipulation. Most hedge funds will purchase their own holdings in the last few seconds before a quarter is about to end in order to have performance territory fees. After their fabricated outcomes are recorded, they dump the stock. This was confirmed in a study done by Swiss Finance Institute, Toulouse School of Economics, Wharton and Ohio State. The research found evidence that shows stocks with a high percentage of hedge fund ownership benefit from startling last-second rallies more often than would be considered normal. There were lower returns on the first day of the month for stocks ! with high hedge fund ownership after the manipulation.

Huge increases for hedge funds

With so many hedge funds struggling to make a recovery, business experts predict a hedge fund shake-out in 2011 as underperforming funds lose top traders to rivals and disappear from the landscape. Figures show this is already taking place all the time. There was a 41 percent return in 1,400 hedge funds on average. Hedgefund.net reports this after they were all tracked. However during that time, 3,000 hedge funds fell by the wayside. According to Brett Arends at MarketWatch, the good numbers reported by the hedge fund industry only consist of a few of the survivors. He conducted his own 10-year comparison with a “vanilla portfolio” and 2,229 hedge funds that started in 2001. There was a 94 percent average on the vanilla portfolio. If the industry were to match the vanilla portfolio, it would need all the hedge funds that failed to do better. They would have all needed to get 60 percent. There were 535 survivors which one fifth did not even do well.

Citations

Market Watch

marketwatch.com/story/the-truth-about-hedge-funds-1302121763886?pagenumber=2

New York Times

dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/many-hedge-funds-still-smarting-from-the-financial-crisis/?src=dlbksb

All About Alpha

allaboutalpha.com/blog/2011/03/02/hedge-funds-and-stock-manipulation-perpetrators-accomplices-or-just-in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time-again/

iPad causes unemployment, says Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

In one of the more fickle political flip-flops of current months, Illinois Democrat Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. turned on the iPad machine he used to love. Only one month ago, Jackson lauded Apple’s groundbreaking tablet as a revolutionary educational tool. On Friday, however, iPad owner Jackson turned around and exclaimed before Congress that the iPad is a dangerous device that is “probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs,” states the Huffington Post.

Jackson believes there won’t be publishing anymore

Seeing the textbookless campuses growing and the bankrupt Border Books upset the Illinois junior congressman. He states it is the iPad’s fault.

“What becomes of publishing companies and publishing company jobs?” Jackson asked the House. “What becomes of bookstores and librarians and all of the jobs associated with paper? Well, in the not-too-distant future, such jobs simply won’t exist.”

China’s role in the iPad also made Jackson mad.

“There is no protection for jobs here in America to ensure that the American people are being put to work.”

Biting the hand that feeds the US

According to Business Insider, there are some things Jackson is not considering. He is forgetting the iPad has helped out many industries outside of Apple. MarketCues suggests the iPad will prove to be the nexus from which a number of billion-dollar industries could conceivably spring. Publishers could have many myriad opportunities making up interactive textbooks without costing too much to students due to the e-readers and iPad.

It was expected that traditional publishing was to change. According to @Craigmod, the evolution was needed. Books get to a person immediately with electronic books so they don’t have to wait. Also, there are no trees killed to create the books. More than 65 percent of iPad owners use the device to read electronic books, and the iPad generates more than $2 billion in total revenue per quarter, according to Morgan Stanley.

The revolution can be tablet-televised

The adaption process is necessary for publishers. They should keep away from acting like Jesse Jackson Jr. in this case. Amazon already sells more electronic books than print books (per late 2010 figures). It is supported by iPad users. This is also making the change happen. YUDU Media reports that iPad users, in comparison to desktop computer browsers, will spend 30 times more time on online websites such as Wired.com, VanityFair.com and GQ.com. There were more Wired.com iPad apps sold than Wired print editions. This is what late 2010 figures showed.

As the iPad television ad claims, “It’s already a revolution, and it’s only just begun.” There is no longer an invitation for Jesse Jackson Jr.

Information from

@Craigmod

craigmod.com/journal/ipad_and_books/

The Hill

thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/148879-jackson-an-ipad-for-every-schoolchild

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/17/jesse-jackson-jr-ipad-unemployment_n_850227.html

Market Cues

marketcues.com/blog/2010/02/will-apples-ipad-impact-the-printing-and-publishing-industries/

Neiman Journalism Blog

niemanlab.org/2010/02/the-ipad-business-model-for-news-strategies-publishers-must-embrace/

Publishing Perspectives

publishingperspectives.com/2010/11/simba-releases-statistics-on-ipad-e-book-reading/

Real Clear Politics

realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/04/15/rep_jesse_jackson_jr_blames_the_ipad_for_killing_jobs.html

TSTC Publishing’s Book Business Blog

tstcpublishing.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/ipad%E2%80%99s-potential-impact-on-textbook-publishing/

YUDU Media

slideshare.net/yudu/the-apple-ipad-trends-and-statistics

Economies evolve, pontificators pontificate

youtube.com/watch?v=D5X8W7MgbhM

Government shutdown will hurt government employees most

The possible government shutdown is still looming, as Congress is appearing unable to reach a compromise on federal budget matters. There are individuals that will be harm by a shutdown if it occurs, though seems like that winning approval from less than the majority of the American people is more important that other considerations. Government employees will end up losing several days or weeks of pay, however little else will occur. Article source – Government employees to bear brunt of government shutdown by MoneyBlogNewz.

Federal shutdown services would continue

The federal government may end up in a temporary shutdown on May 16 because of the battle over a spending bill. Even with a shutdown, not everything will shut down. Some things will continue. Still, there will be the U.S. Postal service working. This is because it finances itself for probably the most part. According to MSNBC, any government service “involving the safety of human life or the protection of property” can’t legally be stopped in a government budget showdown. More than likely, Social Security will continue. This would make sense.

Government workers to pay the price

The individuals who stand to lose the most are government employees. Some won’t have to worry; air traffic controllers will nevertheless be needed, and allowing members of the military to miss a paycheck would be political suicide. Any clerical, managerial or financial businesses will have a hold put on the business though. Several of these employees have already had their pay frozen by the Obama administration. The Wall Street Journal states that all government contract workers will lose money. Any revenue that contractors or government employees lose is probably not reimbursed.

Preparing for shutdown

There were plans in place already. Several were prepared for a government shutdown. The Credit Union Times states that any members on temporary federal government shutdown layoffs could be able to get zero percent interest furlough loans from the Cabrillo Credit Union in San Diego. That organization offered comparable assistance in the 1995 – 1996 shutdowns, and government employees should check with their local credit union to see if there are similar programs available if they are members. Reuters reports that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he might end up going to the Social Security Trust fund and other sources to help with the shutdown giving funding to employees if there is a shutdown.

Citations

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704587004576241033511757282.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/04/04/us-usa-budget-debt-idUSTRE7335BY20110404?pageNumber=1

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/42380178/ns/politics/

Credit Union Times

cutimes.com/2011/04/04/cabrillo-offers-0-interest-government-shutdown-loa

The paying kids for grades argument

It’s going to come up. Parents will have to decide whether to pay their children for good grades. Some consider it a bit of incentive, while still more think it cheapens the concept of academic accomplishment. However if various studies of pay-for-grade programs at public schools are any indication, there is a middle road that comes with educating children as to the value of money. Resource for this article – Paying kids for grades: Capitalism in action by MoneyBlogNewz.

Arguing that ‘School is your job’

Some say that a kid is going to school which is why it is essential to pay for grades. Kids are supposed to be working to learn as much as possible. This is to prepare for the future. As such, paying for performance is like an employer compensating an employee.

Some say that students should be more concerned about personal growth in getting good grades though which is an argument against the payment. With grade payment, could students be more prepared? Are internships that are unpaid what students are preparing for? Some employees feel abused because of unpaid internships. Is it really worth it?

Pay for good grades programs have been instituted in numerous public school systems to good impact, reports the New York Times. Yet controversy has remained. This system is bad according to Manhattan Institute fellow Sol Stern who said it is “an insult to every hard-working parent.” Urban Leave President Darwin Davis, on the other hand, said it was great because it is just like the reward systems of United States capitalist society.

Avoid free labor

Compensating kids for their work educates kids how to work well. Moms and dads can do this to help their kids. Don’t do something for free ever. Kids must understand the value of money if this is something they can understand. Money Crashers know how to help teach kids the value of money:

1. The importance of cash. When it comes to rewards, do not give a teenager a prepaid debit card. Avoid gift cards too. It becomes more essential for a teenager to save after holding money in their hands. They’ll feel what it is like to exchange the dollars and change for things at the store.
2. Jobs are significant. Kids should learn to work hard with part-time employment on top of money for grades if they need more. Younger kids might simply do yard work to earn just a little bit if they are younger and don’t get an allowance. Teenagers can get a part-time job. They might even consider a paper route. Kids will learn to value money after having worked hard for it to understand it better.
3. Kids can give too. Children have to learn about doing well in society. They do this by donating money or even their time. Kids will learn how to appreciate money and education when they learn to be selfless.

Citations

Money Crashers

moneycrashers.com/should-parents-pay-if-their-kids-get-good-grades/

New York Times

nytimes.com/2007/06/19/nyregion/19schools.html?_r=2

Exxon is paying high school students for grades

youtu.be/tkVcO8M4QVc

Banks may have altered rates of interest, says SEC

An ongoing investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department may show that banks from B of A to Citigroup and UBS colluded to manipulate the London Interbank Offered Rate of interest (LIBOR) in their favor, reports the Wall Street Journal. LIBOR is the interest rate banks get when borrowing money from other banks. This rate applies to a wide array of financial goods, from car loans and adjustable rate mortgages to corporate bonds and more. Article resource – Banks under SEC antitrust investigation for rate manipulation by MoneyBlogNewz.

London Interbank Offered Rate of interest collusion massive investigation

Some officials believe the borrowing costs were understated by banks to benefit a global banking cartel that is a secret. An investigation was started due to this. Between 2006 and 2008, it is anticipated that the LIBOR rates of interest started to be manipulated. If banks that were secretly struggling with bad debt and liquidity had reported borrowing at higher rates of interest then peers, the plight would have been revealed to the public.

Insiders point out there is only a couple prosecutors handling the LIBOR collusion case. These consist of antitrust and anti-fraud prosecutors. All of the investigators are looking for signs of collusion. Price fixing is one of these. Without evidence in email form or insider testimony, corporate collusion cases are extremely hard to prove.

James Rill, the previous assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, told the Wall Street Journal that the prosecution will ideally need the assistance of at least two witnesses or hard evidence to make collusion charges stick.

'Remarkably similar costs’ to be seen

In 2008, a study conducted by the Wall Street Journal found that financial institution borrowing costs remained “remarkably comparable,” despite the truth that each financial institution faced different kinds of financial trouble. In the first quarter of that year, the 3-month borrowing rates for 16 banks remained within a 0.06 percentage-point range, compared to the average LIBOR of 3.18 percent.

The Bank for International Settlements economists didn’t understand. They assumed manipulation in the LIBOR. According to the economists, banks impact the LIBOR. A huge change would be noticed if the banks colluded.

How much damage will come from a class action suit?

The LIBOR collusion may be proven by the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission. If this is the case, then the private plaintiffs hharmed by rate of interest manipulation might start putting together class action lawsuits. Michael Volkov, former Justice Department antitrust lawyer, claims that the plaintiffs would get triple the normal charges if they win.

Citations

Bankrate

bankrate.com/rates/interest-rates/libor.aspx

Investopedia

investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/london-interbank-offered-rate.asp

Wall Street Journal

online.WSJ.com/article/SB10001424052748704547804576261120293347088.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-rate_mortgage

A LIBOR primer

youtube.com/watch?v=WnA3RKW8tfY&feature=youtu.be

March retail revenue grows includes several investor caveats

A number of factors led most experts to predict that March retail revenue would be below dismal, but that didn’t occur. Poor performance was foretold due to adverse weather, rising gas costs and an unusually late Easter. But a number of factors resulted in a moderately pleasant surprise for anybody who cares.

The retail sale measuring

U.S. retailers reported a 1.7 percent year-over-year increase in retail sales last month, according to a Thomson Reuters survey of 25 national retail chains. Stores involved in the numbers have been open since last March at the very least. The metric, known as “same-store sales,” is considered a reliable measure of retail performance because sales anomalies due to store openings and closings are not a factor. But experts doubt whether the March increase is a solid trend in consumer demand. There are increasing grocery and gas costs. The consumer spending is anticipated to be effected by these changes. Plus, only 10 percent of retailers report monthly revenue figures. It could be easier to determine how the customer economy is when bigger corporations start to post quarterly sales. This will include businesses such as Home Depot, Best Purchase and Wal-Mart.

Many want Easter shopping out of the way

An increase in March retail sales was anticipated. The Easter holiday was why this was expected. This year Easter falls on April 24; three weeks later than past year and the latest Easter in decades. Easter purchasing is moved from March past year to April this year. Figuring out year-over-year retail sales caused experts to create a new period called "Mapril." This was for the Easter holiday. Some in the industry expect this year’s later Easter date would give retailers an additional boost in April revenue. A 5 to 6 percent increase in April was anticipated by the International Council of Buying Centers. But a fragile economic recovery hit by increasing food, gas and commodity costs, plus a depressed housing market and tenuous employment picture could mean that Mapril retail revenue will surprise experts in the opposite direction they did in March.

Retail stock is also fun

All the talk of the march retail sales increase has gotten several excited. Some say that there should not be excitement though. According to Jeff Macke at Yahoo! Finance, investors should nevertheless be wary of retail stock. In order to offset rising costs, retailers increase costs. This doesn't change the profit margin at all while the sales figures become inflated. There were larger clearance sales than normal too after the demand went down over the winter. The expectations were really low too. It may not mean anything to beat them. After the Easter bump, malls could empty and margins could shrink as consumers feel the pinch of food and gas inflation.

Articles cited

Los Angeles Times

latimes.com/business/la-fi-retail-sales-20110408,0,816255.story

MSN Money

money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=OBR&date=20110407&id=13280589

Yahoo! Finance

finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/same-store-retail-sales-sell-news-20110407-073322-455.html?sec=topStories&pos=5&asset=&ccode=

Market Watch

marketwatch.com/story/retail-sales-defy-conventional-wisdom-2011-04-07

Parents can certainly help college grads obtain internships

It is a fact of life that college career centers seldom play a major role in helping graduate get a job. Students must find motivation within themselves, however it never hurts to have parents who take an active role. The role of mothers and fathers cannot be overstated here, argues Fox Business. With active involvement, the road toward student internships could be easier to travel. Post resource – Parents can help college grads secure internships by MoneyBlogNewz.

Internships for college graduates, A welcome ROI

Mothers and fathers want their sons and daughters to do something with their college education, if for no other reason than to produce a return on their tuition investment. Yet most colleges do not take an active role in connecting graduates with jobs, and most college students who have lived in the collegiate social incubator for four years or more are not in the career mindset upon graduation. This makes it even harder for parents. It is a lot of work.

It might help a student out to try out a job for a while in a student internship. It also could get a student closer to a job. Parents can certainly help graduates get internship opportunities.

Facebook can never replace face time

While LinkedIn, Facebook and other forms of online social networking are valuable, nothing can replace face-to-face time with a potential employer. Parents can aid children (long before they’re graduating from college) by teaching them how to network in person. It can really help to get personal with someone getting you into a career. The "go-getters" are the ones hiring managers and industry organizations want to see. According to Woody Allen, "Eighty percent of success is just showing up." This is very true.

Don’t discard online social media in the process, suggests Fox Business. Social recruiting apps on Facebook like Branch Out and Career Amp are tools any social media-savvy student can use. Consider going to Internships.com for help. You may also want to online network with LinkedIn.

Try favors

There are many people in significant positions with social networking. Ask for favors sometimes. As a parent, it is okay to call and see if anyone wants an intern. Go ahead and call everybody you know.

The ‘Big Five’ to remember

I Am Next; is a student job blog that suggests the following for being a good intern:

1. Sell you to win over your supervisor.
2. Pay your dues. Work hard.
3. Understand what you’re following.
4. Supervisor lessons can really help.
5. A letter of recommendation is needed. Make sure you get one before leaving.

Citations

Fox Business

foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/04/04/parents-help-college-students-land-internship/

I Am Next

powertochange.com/students/careers/internship/

Student internships are a learning opportunity

youtube.com/watch?v=TpqJSflKaoQ

Hackers attack Epsilon database, phishing spree anticipated

Epsilon, a major Internet marketing concern, last week experienced a hack of its client’s consumer database. Millions of customer names and emails were stolen. The Epsilon database involves millions of customers of banks with charge cards, as well as those of large retailers. Consumers of Epsilon clients began receiving warnings to expect phishing scams in their inboxes.

Names at Epsilon hacked

The theft of millions of names and emails in the Epsilon database hack could possibly be the biggest data security breach in United States history. Friday, Epsilon declared that customer files were hacked meaning email addresses and other information at web sites might have been stolen as Epsilon sends over 40 billion marketing emails for 2,500 corporations every year.

At least a dozen corporations were impacted. Phishing attacks might start hitting customers at banks such as Capital One, Barclays Bank, United States Bancorp, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan Chase. Customers who have done business with retailers such as HSN, Best Buy, TiVo, Walgreens and Kroger have also been exposed. Students should worry as about 5,900 colleges and universities were in the College Board database, the business that organizes the SAT. This information might also have been stolen.

Picking out a con before it gets you

The Epsilon database hack stole several names and emails. Scam was, more than likely, the reason of this. Account holders could be targeted with this "phishing" con, which may be very effective. The phishing email tries to trick them into logging in at a fraudulent site created to look like the real site, which captures the login information and gives hackers access to the account. The hacker can find more information on Facebook about an individual after a name and email address is found. This will make the email seem real. Several times, a phishing scam will say that an account will be closed if information is not updated or ask a person to update charge card information. Since the account is compromised, phishing scams will ask for account information.

A new record for stealing data

Although Epsilon said the database hack was limited to consumer names and email addresses, the company hasn’t yet made clear how many customers or students have been exposed. In addition to the Epsilon clients mentioned above, others contain Verizon Communications, Hilton Hotels, Kraft Foods and AstraZeneca. The biggest attack recognized in United States history for identity theft is currently the Heartland Payment Systems hack, which the Epsilon database hack may have surpassed. A 20 year prison sentence was given to cyber-criminal Albert Gonzalez. He got to the Heartland Payment Systems and stole over 40 million card numbers to use for his own personal use.

Citations

Associated Press

finance.yahoo.com/news/Banks-creditcard-issuers-warn-apf-754015157.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

MSN Money

money.msn.com/identity-theft/news.aspx?feed=OBR&date=20110403&id=13261200

Computer world

computerworld.com/s/article/print/9215443/Update_Bank_customers_warned_after_breach_at_Epsilon_marketing_firm?taxonomyName=Security&taxonomyId=17

Microsoft

microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

Release of discount window data unveils large European bank bailout

On the brink of financial collapse, unidentified financial institutions were bailed out by the Federal Reserve discount window. The other day the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Freedom of Information Act request the Fed had to reveal which banks borrowed from the discount window and the way much was loaned. The Fed’s revelations provide a stark portrait of the catastrophe Wall Street had wrought upon the world. Post resource – Release of discount window data reveals big European bank bailout by MoneyBlogNewz.

Fed bank bailout

In order for healthy financial institutions to get just a little bit of short term help in loans, the Fed crated the discount window. Because of the stigma in financial circles associated having to stand before the Fed with hat in hand, the identities of the borrowers have always been kept secret. But the Fed was forced to make the data public by the Supreme Court after it ruled in support of a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Bloomberg and Fox Business. Almost every bank in the world needed help as the global financial system was about to fall down totally, the fear of a stigma disappeared. There were over 25,000 pages of documents to go through. It showed that throughout the financial crisis, during a peak day, over $110 billion was lent by the Fed.

Most borrowing happened in European banks

In the course of the financial turmoil, Wall Street financial institutions got a lot of criticism for taking government bailout funds. The discount window banks were mostly European financial institutions though, the details showed. On Oct. 29, 2008, Belgian-French financial institution Dexia borrowed $26.5 billion and Dublin-based bank Depfa, owned by German mortgage lender Hypo Real Estate, borrowed $24.6 billion. There were other European banks to get billions from the discount window. These incorporated France's Societe Generale, Austria's Erste Group and Bank of Scotland. It was still the biggest bank failure in history in America considering Washington Mutual, on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, had to borrow $2 billion as a weekend loan. Until Wamu was taken over by J.P. Morgan Chase on Thursday, September 25, 2008, it kept getting the $2 billion loan overnight as it couldn't be paid back.

Details shows global extent of financial crisis

When the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 triggered the financial turmoil, the global economy went into a tailspin, the financial system froze and banks worldwide begged the Fed for help. The real damage was discovered when the discount window details sheets were released. There was a congressional panel in charge of a discount window investigation where Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke testified in November 2009. In this he said only one financial institution of all those that came for help from the discount window was not at risk to collapse entirely. In the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, it is required for the discount window lending information to be released but only two years after the loan has been released.

Information from

Fox Business

foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/03/31/demystifying-feds-secretive-discount-window/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703712504576234700412932330.html

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/03/31/usa-fed-lending-idUSN3126104220110331?pageNumber=2

McDonald's is hiring: 50,000 anticipated on April 19

The United States job industry is slowly beginning to thaw, and McDonald’s is planning to turn up the heat. On April 19, through its U.S. stores and website, McDonald’s will hold an employment spree event in which as many as 50,000 people could be employed. Improved business and the drive to make more United States McDonald’s locations 24-hour spurred the mass employment spree. Resource for this article – McDonald’s hiring spree will produce 50,000 jobs on April 19 by MoneyBlogNewz.

Hiring at McDonald's means a 7 percent increase

All positions, from restaurant workers to senior managers, can be involved in the McDonald’s employment spree, which will boost the chain’s total workforce by 7 percent to approximately 700,000. Every restaurant could have to employ three or four new employees.

Increased money

In 2011, the wages at McDonald's will raise by over $518 million in accordance with a professor at California State University. FOX Business reports that about $1.4 billion in annual spending, or $3.5 million a day, will be spent due to the employment which will also mean an extra $54 million in more payroll taxes.

FOX reports that the U.S. job market will do well with this increase. After 192,000 added careers in February, the United States job market had an increase in March of 216,000 careers showing the warming trend in the industry. In the private market, 230,000 new careers were created in March after a 240,000-job infusion the previous month.

The 24-hour goal for the Golden Arches

There are about 14,000 restaurants in the U.S. for McDonald's. The franchisees operate about 90 percent of these. The McDonald’s hiring spree (alternately called "Mcdonald’s Hiring Day") will enable more of those restaurants to remain open 24 hrs per day. The joblessness rate is 13.7 percent, 13.2 percent in Las Vegas, in Nevada. There are 193,000 people unemployed in Nevada where it should be really helpful to have jobs accessible at the 111 McDonald's locations in the state.

The job difficulties are ones that Co-op Vice President of McDonald's, Ron Smith, knows all about.

"We feel that it's very important, especially in light of the critical economic situation, that we put as many people as possible back to work," he said.

Even though McDonald’s careers in Nevada could be part time, benefits like free meals and flexible schedules will help people who are struggling financially.

Bottom line must work

USA President of McDonald's Jan Fields made a statement. She said that employees are very essential to the company's success.

"Our restaurant employees are the foundation of our business. They are the men and women who interact with our customers every day, enhance the McDonald’s experience and continue to help make our business strong,” she said.

For additional information about the McDonald’s employment spree, see the McDonald’s Careers website or visit your local McDonald’s restaurant. There is an age requirement. You must be 16 or older.

Articles cited

Fox Business

foxbusiness.com/2011/04/04/mcdonalds-looks-hire-50000-workers-april-1/

Fox 5 Las Vegas

fox5Vegas.com/news/23661640/detail.html

McDonald's Careers

mcdonalds.com/us/en/careers.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/42412605/ns/business-consumer_news/

McDonald’s hiring spree set for April 19

youtube.com/watch?v=2qh8jsK54Lc

Deciphering the data on home sales and consumer spending

An increase in pending home sales in February was not enough to offset the big slide in contract signings reported in January. consumer spending also rose in February. However the statistical gain was offset by an adjustment for inflation because of ascending costs on energy and food. But the minutely good data on pending home sales and consumer spending boosted stocks Monday and some real estate experts think the housing market might have bottomed out.

Inflation and consumer spending

consumer spending in February increased 0.7 percent compared to the month before, according to the Commerce Department. February has a 0.3 percent increase really when adjusted for inflation which makes it match January's report for Consumer spending although technically it rose for eight months in a row. Rising food and energy prices pushed up inflation in February. The fastest rate since June 2009 was recorded by the Commerce Department in the personal consumption expenditures price index increase. In January it was 0.3 percent while going to 0.4 percent in February. The increase in the consumption expenditures price index effectively canceled out February’s 0.3 percent increase in personal income. In order to cover increasing food and energy prices, households have been going into savings. Savings dropped from $710.5 billion in January to $676.7 billion in February.

Look into economy depending on pending home sales

Pending home re-sales increased 2.1 percent in February after dropping 2.8 percent in January, according to the National Association of Realtors. Compared with February 2010 pending home sales fell 9.3 percent. Pending home sales represent signed contracts. They’re an economic indicator for this very reason. It is only a few months’ later when the number impacts existing houses sales data. This is after the contract is complete. There was a 9.6 percent decrease in February in existing home sales which accounts for 95 percent of today's market. The median price for existing homes dropped 5.2 percent from February 2010, erasing all increases in home values since February 2002. New home sales plunged 17 percent in February to the lowest rate ever recorded. The new home sales median price decreased from February 2010 as well. There was an 8.9 percent decrease.

Is it going to get any lower

In 2011, the National Association of Realtors expects that there could be an overall increase of 5 to 10 percent in existing home sales. Very few people are buying regardless of the truth that housing has become so affordable it should be one of probably the most attractive investments in the U.S. In 28 out of 54 observes markets, Deutche Financial institution claims it is cheaper to pay all homeownership costs including mortgages than it is to rent. Owning a home is becoming a luxury several can start to better afford. Analysts feel like this is supposed to attract more buyers soon. Several people might start wanting to purchase which could raise costs a little bit. This might make more people interested in purchasing a home.

Information from

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-28/pending-sales-of-u-s-existing-homes-unexpectedly-climbed-2-1-in-february.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/03/29/business/economy/29econ.html?src=busln

Fortune

finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/28/real-estate-its-time-to-buy-again/

Colorado installment loans bill HB 11-1290 up for debate

Payday loan lenders and the Colorado economy as a whole felt the pain when Colorado HB 10-1351 passed, in accordance with state Rep. Larry Liston. To help preserve the payday lending business in Colorado and keep jobs in the state, counter-legislation (HB 11-1290) has been proposed, which would require consumers to pay the full origination fee for installment loans up front. This is vital, because HB 10-1351 had already run two-week payday loans out of the state. Post resource – Colorado installment loans bill HB 11-1290 up for debate by MoneyBlogNewz.

Getting Colorado House Bill 11-1290 to the committee

Friday, Colorado House Bill 11-1290 was introduced. The Colorado Statesman explained that it might be debated soon. The idea is to have a $20 fee for every $100 loaned up to $300 and $15 for every $100 loaned up to $500 total that can be loaned. A lender can only make $75 total in this arrangement. Colorado law allowed a monthly maintenance fee of $7.50 a month for every $100 lent and a finance charge of 45 percent.

Loan companies suggest that the full origination fee that HB 11-1290 supports is needed to continue business while Colorado loan providers can no longer do two-week payday advance loans.

Not many support both HB 11-1290 and HB 10-1351

HB 10-1351 was something Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, voted "no" on while Rep. Ed Casso, D-Commerce City, was in favor of HB 10-1351. Both are included in the sponsors of the legislature in the House. U.S. Senate sponsors consist of other anti-HB-1351 legislators such as Sen. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Adams County.

Is it really a correction?

The origination is just a technical correction to HB 10-1351 in accordance with House Bill 11-1290 supporters in Colorado. Bell Policy Center's Rich Jones doesn’t agree. He claims:

"It’s an incentive for the lenders to get customers to pay off their loans early and then take out more loans," Jones told the Statesman Friday.

Citations

DORA

dora.state.co.us/Financial-Services/pdf_forms/Revised HB10-1351_2.pdf

State Bill Info

statebillinfo.com/bills/bills/11/1290_01.pdf

Colorado Statesman

coloradostatesman.com/content/992687-payday-lender-bill-being-fast-tracked-through-house

‘Steering Colorado’s economy back on course’

youtube.com/watch?v=3mHOl-S6F1s