Facebook torrent to steal personal data

A hacker created the Facebook torrent that is available to any person who wants files from Facebook data. 171 million Facebook users had their details stolen by a web sprawling code made by Ron Bowes. This torrent file is about 2.8 GB and is accessible to everyone online. Facebook made their remark on the issue saying all the details is what could be found with a search engine and doesn’t matter all that much. Numerous feel like this is just another example of how easy it is to hack Facebook with all of of the privacy issues they’ve been having lately. Article resource – Facebook torrent hack makes free download of personal user data by Personal Money Store.

Stealing info from 171 million Facebook users

Profile URLs, names, and user IDs of 171 million Facebook users are now being displayed for any person who wants to get the info. Pirate Bay is where Bowes, who heads Skull Security, has decided to place this torrent for the world, reports the Daily Tech. 13,000 downloads were active July 28, early in the morning. Details Facebook users didn’t hide with privacy setting is shown here. Anyone who worked out their privacy settings to say only friends could see their information aren’t in this torrent that Bowes created.

Privacy a problem for Facebook

The Facebook torrent emerges after multiple changes have been made to Facebook privacy settings to make user data more accessible for commercial use. The information that Facebook users “agreed to make public” are the things gathered up by researches to make this privacy change, reports BBC News quoting Facebook. Tech Crunch suggests that users choose soon to change their privacy settings to “friends only.” Letting “Everyone” see your Facebook info consists of a hacker who can grab your personal data, package it and sell it to the highest bidder.

Personal data on Facebook torrent can never be deleted

The Facebook torrent details is available to anyone who uses the search engines Google, Bing or Facebooksearch. The Facebook torrent contains a simple snapshot in one moment in time of Facebook that will last forever, reports Future. The details can never go away, even when users delete their accounts or change their privacy settings.

Facebook torrent and what it targets

Bowes decided to contain within the torrent the programs used to get all the info to steal from one fifth of Facebook users. Tech Crunch explains that Bowes wants more than just searchable users and intends to get the rest. Until Facebook switches to friends only by default, which is unlikely, users opt out-

Go to Account and Privacy Settings and Applications, Games, and Sites (link near the bottom, in a box) and Public Search and (Uncheck box).

Find more details on this subject

Daily Tech

dailytech.com/Info+on+100M+Facebook+Users+Harvested+and+Posted+in+Torrent++Legally/article19198.htm

Tech Crunch

techcrunch.com/2010/07/28/hacker-proves-facebooks-public-data-is-public/

Future of the Internet

futureoftheinternet.org/facebooks-ocean-of-names-becomes-a-torrent

2011 Ford Explorer makes eco-waves

The Ford Explorer has traditionally been a large SUV with big-time power. It largely swapped out the Ford Bronco and made SUVs more palatable to the general public. But the time has come for power to give way to fuel economy, reports CrunchGear. That’s the new 2011 Ford Explorer, and it’s considerably smaller than ever. A smaller engine and lower ride height all contribute to less of an offroad beast and more of a green automobile. Resource for this article – 2011 Ford Explorer is an SUV crossover marvel by Car Deal Expert.

What the Taurus and Flex have done for the 2011 Ford Explorer

The Ford Taurus and Ford Flex lend their uni-body chassis construction to the 2011 Ford Explorer. Those are compact vehicles, making it necessary for Ford to drop some of the larger-scale SUV specs previously associated with the Explorer. No more V8; the Ford Explorer now features either a 3.5-liter V6 or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost, both in six-speed auto. The V6 is the power version of the 2011 Ford Explorer, when the EcoBoost option is for greater fuel economy.

Haul less, drive around town more

Ford’s apparent reasoning with the 2011 Ford Explorer is that most people aren’t using their SUVs for off-road driving and heavy lifting. City driving is the norm, and being able to handle heavy weather on the road doesn’t hurt. Weather is no bother, thanks to the front- and four-wheel-drive options. Couple that ability with greater fuel economy and also you have an SUV crossover. Additional features like easy-selecting rear differential and Descent Control make handling jaunts downhill quite possibly safer than before. And there are numerous more. If you felt burdened by your giant SUV before, the 2011 Ford Explorer may just be the antidote. Fuel economy is the wave, and it takes a green automobile to deliver on the promise.

More data on this topic

crunchgear.com/2010/07/26/the-2011-ford-explorer-goes-greener-no-v8-front-wheel-drive-unibody-platform-v6-or-ecoboost-i4/

media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=32998

Apple Magic Trackpad - has the mouse met its match?

Apple introduced the much-anticipated Magic Trackpad at the Apple Store Tuesday, bringing the multi-touch gestures familiar to iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users to the desktop. The Magic Trackpad is a new wireless device that connects via Bluetooth to any Mac computer and allows users to interact with the machine through gestures, rather than pointing and clicking. Some analysts say the Magic Trackpad is a gateway to the future of computer interfaces. Others say this rumor how the PC mouse is the latest victim of Apple industrial design is premature.

Magic Trackpad a classic Apple industrial design

The Magic Trackpad conforms to the distinct Apple industrial design. The sleek, glass-covered aluminum device matches the very same angle and height as the Mac desktop keyboard it’s designed to sit next to. CNNMoney.com reports that Apple started selling the multi-touch Magic Trackpad in its Apple Stores and on it is website Tuesday morning. The blogosphere erupted with speculation about what Apple would come up with next when the online store went down shortly before the Magic Trackpad went live.

Enhanced multi-touch for the desktop

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

Was the Magic Trackpad made for 3D computing?

The Magic Trackpad could possibly be a part of Apple’s long-term plans for changing the future of computing with a 3D interface. Johnny Evans at Computerworld said that Apple owns patents for 3D user interfaces and the Magic Trackpad is a key step in the company’s try to educate a population of customers into position for fully utilizing its advanced user interface. Evan’s shares his dream about a 3D multi-touch interface that feels like reaching right to the screen. He also visualizes the possibilities of using Apple’s iSight camera to detect motion and allow users to compute via head movement, arm movement or voice.

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. His fingers got tired, he said, because of the Magic Trackpad’s absence of ergonomics. Being able to lift and click when you run out of dragging room on the mousepad was also frustrating. But Newman’s main reason the Magic Trackpad dominate anytime soon: gamers can’t play shooter games without a mouse .

Additional 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”

State of emergency caused by California fires, such as the Tehachapi fire

In Sacramento this morning, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Kern County. The Tehachapi fire, which is officially known as the West Fire, is 25 percent contained. The Bull Fire isn’t doing as well with 5 percent having been contained. The State of Emergency allows cash-strapped California to spend money on firefighters and containment.

Tehachapi fire background

The Tehachapi Fire, centered in a small community 10 miles south of Tehachapi, began on Tuesday. Old West Ranch residents had to leave after the fire began. The fire has been officially named the West Fire, following the ranch that was split up to form the community. The fire began with individuals who were cutting scrap metal with a grinder in dry grass. 40 homes and 1,400 acres were burned. 150 other homes are in urgent danger.

About the Bull Fire

16,000 acres have already been burnt by the Bull Fire which is burning in Kernville, CA. Eight homes and six outbuilding were burnt down entirely within the first day. Thus far, we have seen two firefighters get hurt. Nobody knows why the Bull Fire began and only about 5 percent of it has been contained so far.

Wildfires costs

Budget-strapped California has a harder time fighting wildfires right now. The human cost and financial cost is too much for California right now. $1 million to $2.5 million is about what it costs per day to fight fires. An “average” wildfire fighting year for the U.S. Forest Service costs $500 million or more. Many agencies are responsible to pay these costs in California. The majority of the cost is carried by the California state spending budget. Nothing is covered on this except the actual containment of the fire. Being in a State of Emergency means being able to spend money without knowing where they’re spending it from.

Race to the Top finalists lead U.S. in education reform

A contest among states for more than $ 3 billion in federal education reform grants is called Race to the Top. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Wednesday that 18 states and the District of Columbia are finalists in the second round of the contest. In states that advanced for instance California, various school districts cooperated to apply for the cash. In Nevada, which didn’t make the cut, politicians pointed fingers and called the program large government.

Race to the Top finalists vie for $ 3.4 billion

In March the first round of Race to the Top winners, Delaware and Tennessee, received $ 100 million and $ 500 million respectively. The Department of Education will hand out $ 3.4 billion in the form of education reform grants at the end of the second phase. Second round finalists contain are Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. They will compete in August in the interview portion of the contest. In September winners can be declared.

Education reform: “a quiet revolution”

In announcing the Race to the Top finalists in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, Duncan called the program part of “a quiet revolution” in education reform. Supporters of the contest say its most profound effect is to motivate states to start taking action on controversial reforms before having to discover money for them in their budgets. The Department of Education Reform said 23 states have passed education reform laws around things like charter schools and teacher evaluations to improve their chances of winning funds since Race to the Top was announced.

California cooperates to reach the finals

After finishing 27th out of 40 in the first round, California made the cut. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that across the state, 300 local school districts and county offices of education signed on to the Race to the Top application, agreeing to implement the reforms it outlined. Superintendents from seven school districts wrote the application, which documented what the state has already done for education reform, including measuring student performance and supporting and evaluating teachers and principals.

Nevada politicians blame each other for failure

A consultant was paid $ 40,000 to write Nevada’s failing Race to the Top application. Fox News Las Vegas reports that Nevada’s failure to reach the finals sparked a fury of finger-pointing. Republican Governor Jim Gibbons was accused of a “lack of leadership” by Democratic Senator Harry Reid. Gibbons fired back, accusing Reid of never “lifting a finger” to help Nevada succeed. Perhaps though she wants less federal involvement in schools and has called for eliminating the Department of Education, right wing candidate for Senator Sharon Angle piled on Reid after Nevada was left out in the cold .

Discover more information on this subject

press.org

sfgate.com

fox5vegas.com

Awarding the Automotive XPrize

The “holy grail” of automobile mileage, the Progressive Automotive XPrize may soon be awarded. The $ 5 million main prize is awarded to a four-passenger car that gets 100 miles per gallon. There are two autos that may very well win the prize when trials in Michigan complete. Source for this article – Automotive XPrize about to be awarded by Car Deal Expert.

Detailing the Automotive Xprize

The XPrize foundation supports various prizes, such as the Automotive XPrize. Sponsored by Progressive auto insurance, the Automotive X prize was announced in 2008. The competition uses guidelines depending on EPA estimating procedures. The primary X Prize is awarded to a four-passenger automobile. The automobiles entered within the Automotive XPrize competition must have only proof of concept, not be ready for full-on production.

The competition for Automotive X Prize money

The 2010 Automotive X Prize competition began in Michigan on April 26. The automobiles are all being put through significant paces to test their functionality. City driving is emulated in some of the tests. Other around-the-track competitions are intended to test highway driving. To get the prize, a car has to get 100 miles per gallon , though the XPrize group has a goal of 110 mpg. The safety and performance of the automobiles have to also be within safe driving thresholds.

Ingenuity on show at XPrize races

Last-minute ingenuity is needed to win the Automotive X Prize. One of the needs of the autos is the passenger cabin remains below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some teams are using homemade air conditioners to make sure they meet that requirement. Techniques designed to help make fuel going even further with driving techniques are also making an appearance.

The possibility of winning the XPrize

You will find nevertheless two cars that may just win the automotive XPrize. Both of the automobiles are going to be put through a very wide variety of safety and security tests. The award could be given to whichever vehicle passes these tests.

World War Z will star Brad Pitt

The literary sub-genre of zombie lit has been exploding, thanks to a modern zombie film renaissance. After some very successful zombie films like 28 Days Later and the remake of Dawn of the Dead, some authors were quick to capitalize on the popularity of the zombie genre. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and World War Z were some of probably the most popular. Brad Pitt was recently confirmed to star in World War Z. Source of article – World War Z will star Brad Pitt by Personal Money Store.

The eve of destruction by zombies

In 2003, the wildly popular book The Zombie Survival Guide was released, and also the author wrote World War Z as a type of follow up. It is a practical guide on dealing with the undead. In 2006, World War Z was released as a collection of interviews with zombie apocalypse survivors. The author is Max Brooks, son of Mel Brooks and a previous writer for Saturday Night Live. It was optioned in 2007 and has been waiting to get off the ground.

The film may not be the pits

According to MTV, it was announced at Comic-Con in San Diego that Brad Pitt has been confirmed to star. Paramount also has opportunities on some of Max Brooks’ other work. The director is intended to be Marc Forster, the director of Quantum of Solace, but that could change at any moment. Fewer zombie films are getting made than in the past few years, so it may be a sign of the resurgent zombie renaissance being on the wane.

Not the only zombie film in the works

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is also in the works, as well as the film version of World War Z. Natalie Portman will star in the hodgepodge of Jane Austen with ninjas and zombies rampant within the English countryside. The number of zombie films has toned down in lieu of melodramatic and insipid vampires and werewolves, but World War Z appears to be set to be epic.

Read more on this topic here

moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/07/21/brad-pitt-to-star-in-world-war-z-paramount-options-zombie-survival-guide-recorded-attacks/

Former Khmer Rouge executioner gets 19 years for genocide

Decades following the Khmer Rouge regime terrorized Cambodia, one of the Khmer Rouge trials has concluded. Notorious hatchet man for the regime, Kang Kek Iew or Kaing Guek Eav, or “Comrade Duch,” was captured in 1999 and put on trial before a Cambodian tribunal. The trial of the man who presided over more than 17,000 executions has concluded. The most recently concluded trial saw the man who presided over 17,000 or more executions received only 19 years for his crimes, after credit for time served. Survivors of the era and the bereaved of the victims announced outrage at the sentence.

Khmer Rouge warden saw thousands dead

The Khmer Rouge regime came to power in 1975. 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 first to be sentenced to die were the educated, teachers, and perhaps wearing glasses carried a death sentence for appearing to be haughty and bookish. Kaing Guek Eav was the head of security for the Santebal, the state police, and was put in charge of Tuol Sleng prison, or S-21. Over 17,000 inmates were sent to Toul Sleng to be tortured and executed. From that 17,000 which were sent, 12 lived to talk about it.

Capture and trial

When the Khmer Rouge were toppled in 1979, their personnel scattered. Pol Pot went into hiding, eventually being found 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 discovered near the Thai-Cambodian border living under an assumed name. He was brought before the Khmer Rouge tribunals, and went to trial. Convicted of crimes against humanity, he was sentenced on July 26, 2010, to 35 years in prison with 16 years credited for pre-trial detention and time served. According to the Christian Science Monitor, he will only serve 19 years behind bars.

No holiday in Cambodia

People who lived under the Khmer Rouge are appalled at the sentence, according to the BBC. Millions perished at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and one of its chief henchmen may live to be released. Present at his trial was Chum Mey, one of 3 living survivors of Tuol Seng. His wife and children were tortured and murdered by the Khmer Rouge. He said “millions of individuals died, a lot of money has been spent on the court – and also the perpetrator is free (in 19 years)? I am not happy with that.”

Find more details on this subject

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

Chicken nuggets recalled by Wal-Mart

In Wal-Mart stores around the country, Great Value brand chicken nuggets are recalled. The Wal-Mart chicken nugget recall affects one pound, 13 ounce bags of nuggets labeled with the Great Value brand. Manufactured by Perdue, these nuggets have blue plastic in them.

Stores recall chicken nuggets

On July 21, Perdue Farms and the USDA announced the Wal-Mart chicken nugget recall. Some customers found chunks of blue plastic in their nuggets. The chicken nuggets incorporated in the recall are identified by:

• Bags that weigh in at one pound, 13 ounces
• Labeled as an excellent Value brand
• Establishment code number P-33944
• Case code 89008 A0160

Return the nuggets to the store where they were purchased in order to get a refund. The companies will end up paying the whole cost of the recall — estimated at $ 500,000.

Blue plastic causes chicken nugget recall

The Wal-Mart chicken nugget recall is considered a “class II” recall. The translation of this is that you will find no “adverse health consequences” and no injuries. As outlined by Perdue Farms, a “small plastic ring” got mixed in with the raw meat.

Make your own nugget goodness

It is possible to have chicken nuggets without worrying about the Wal-Mart chicken nugget recall. Making your own nuggets is simple, fast, and healthier than the pre-made ones. Chicken nuggets made at home cost less than $ 1 per serving. Start by chopping boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders into chunks. Mix together bread crumbs and seasonings, or even use a product like Shake ‘n Bake. Dunk the chicken in milk, egg or melted butter, then into the bread crumb mixture. Bake at 350 for 10 to 20 minutes. If you need a true fast food taste, deep-fat fry them at 450 for 3 to five minutes.

Reform Wall Street with a Whistle blower provision

The Wall Street reform bill has been signed into law by President Obama. Yet the vast majority of those who support the Obama administration’s call for tighter regulation of banking and investment are probably unaware of a whistle-blower provision, reports the Los Angeles Times. Private sectors could be responsible for catching any person who beaks the rules causing them to get 10 to 30 percent of fines or settlement fees that the government receives. Source for this article – Wall Street reform includes a new whistle-blower provision by Personal Money Store.

Ponzi and insider trading stopped with whistle-blower provision

As outlined by the Times, citizens will “provide the Securities and Exchange Commission with original info that reveals the fraud and leads to a successful recovery,” with the whistle-blower provision. Lawmakers hope this provision could be enough to help give strength to Wall Street although many see some difficulties with the plan. For instance, if an employee is more likely to go to the SEC instead of to internal management if they spot something suspicious, a potential climate of fear scenario could erode business acumen. There also could be a whole new slew of lawsuits that may have to be dealt with also. Walter Olson says that either way, a “society of paid informants” can be the result.

Trying to get ‘fast’ cash as a whistle blower

It would have been very interesting if this provision had been here while the SEC and Goldman Sachs settled for $ 550 million. If a whistle-blower had turned in the tip leading to Goldman Sachs’ censure, that whistle-blower would have made at least $ 55 million in cash until payday loan. Stephen Kohn of the Washington-based National Whistleblowers Center says the money gets back to all the taxpayers. We do remember that “quick cash” is relative mostly. Long legal proceedings will follow, but if whistle-blowers’ tips pay down, they’ll have their cash til payday when the government collects from the guilty corporation. $ 1 million could have to be recovered before the whistle-blower provision could be able to become an informant.

Additional information at these websites

Los Angeles Times
latimes.com/business/la-fi-reform-whistleblower-20100723,0,6099636.story
An example of whistle-blowing in high government
youtube.com/watch?v=xq8aopATYyw

Don't try to get mortgage lending if pregnant

You need to know this if you need a house to raise a family in. Women who are pregnant and plan to stay home to take care of the baby may not qualify for a mortgage loan. The economic meltdown, housing crisis and credit crunch have mortgage lenders running scared. Despite the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, mortgage lenders say they’re denying mortgages to expectant couples because they must comply with strict new standards for verifying income.

Discrimination caused with mortgage lending standards so strict

Pregnancy discrimination by mortgage lenders may be an inadvertent consequence of a loan quality initiative that was launched earlier this year by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Before loans are finished, the financial status of a borrower has to be checked again because of the initiative, as outlined by the New York Times. The loan quality initiative demands that borrowers be qualified for the loan they’re receiving on the day the loan closes instead of when the papers are all signed and finished. The income has to be guessed to continue for the next three years also for the loan.

Lenders hate seeing maternity leave

Maternity leave makes it easier for mortgage lenders to get away with pregnancy discrimination. Short term disability insurance is all mortgage lenders see. Anyone with maternity leave won’t qualify for loans with Fannie and Freddie because the payments do not continue for three years. These mortgage lenders will require the new mother to reapply for the mortgage once she returns to work. The times article shows an example with a couple that is expecting within the relatively near future. They wanted to make an offer on a home, however they needed both of their salaries to qualify. The mom isn’t “employed” anymore following the child is born and won’t qualify for the loan at closing anymore.

Pregnancy Discrimination act doesn’t mean those wanting a home

Income is what mortgage lenders use as a determining factor, not pregnancy. When it comes to lending, Lawyers.com teaches us that gender and marital status are the only things protected. Lenders can’t ask you how you are likely to raise kids because of the act also. Lenders are allowed to ask anything they want about expenses, even about your children’s expenses. The federal government moved to make pregnancy discrimination illegal in 1978. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act declares that discrimination due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions is unlawful sex discrimination. The act only refers to employment though.

Find more info on this topic

New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/20/your-money/mortgages/20mortgage.html
Lawyers.com
lawyers.com/our-blog/archives/251-Pregnancy-Leave-Puts-Mortgage-in-Doubt.html

Resignation from USDA by Shirley Sherrod lets conservatives make racism equal

USDA official Shirley Sherrod is a target for numerous after all Tea Party racism accusations happened. Republicans asked for a democrat to keep a racist label after Tea Party Express racist Mark Williams got kicked out for it. Sherrod, who is black, is shown in a video talking about a past experience with a white farmer in the 1980s. A segment of the video was used out of context to portray Sherrod as not giving 100 percent to help the farmer facing bankruptcy.

Shirly Sherrod gets attacked by republicans

Shirley Sherrod, the USDA’s Georgia State Director of Rural Development, has resigned after remarks she made on video about race. Because Tea Party Express racist Mark Williams was left out, republican bloggers put the video up on display. The story was told by Fox news quickly after. CBS News reports that Sherrod’s remarks were from a speech she gave at an NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on March 27, in Douglas, Ga. The story talks about a man who was white and needed help with Chapter 12 bankruptcy. She said she didn’t want to help since blacks very easily lose their hand, but she had to help him keep his. A white lawyer took his case after it all.

Video gets in news- Sherrod quits

Sean Hannity, fan of Tea Party Express, and Fox News played the video for every person to see, and shortly after, the USDA announced Sherrod’s resignation. “There is zero tolerance for discrimination at USDA, and I strongly condemn any act of discrimination against any person,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a written statement. “We have been working hard through the past 18 months to reverse the checkered civil rights history at the department and take the issue of fairness and equality very seriously.”

Everything else in the video of Sherrod

Sherrod argues the video clip isn’t really in context of the whole situation. CNN reports that Sherrod said the event she discusses in the clip took place more than two decades ago, before she worked for the USDA. With a masters degree in community development, Sherrod worked in 1985 as the Director of the Georgia State Office for a company that helps family farmers keep their land and develop it into good property called Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund. She said she told the story to make the point that people should move beyond race. In the end, she said, the lawyer she referred the farmer to did not help him and she “had to frantically discover a lawyer who would file a Chapter 11 to stop the foreclosure.”. She wound up being friends with the farmer and his family.

Discover more details here

CBS News
cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011026-503544.html
Sean Hannity
americanprogress.org/issues/kfiles/b91585.html
CNN
edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/#fbid=w2XX2duDWrt

Is the five second rule on the way out?

Food waste is something we should strive to avoid. According to Wikipedia, wasted food (raw or cooked) costs the U.K. £10.2 billion annually ($ 15.5 billion). Looking at only those foods that are never touched or open before spoiling or disposal, the U.S. wastes 15 percent, which adds up to $ 43 billion in food waste each year. You’d think the five second rule – where dropped food is assumed to be fit to eat so long as it is scooped off the floor in less than five seconds – would be encouraged by economists. However, a Clemson University study by food scientist Paul Dawson points toward discarding the five second rule like yesterday’s scraps, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Phase out the five second rule for zero tolerance to be safe

Considering that salmonella and other bacteria can live for up to four weeks on dry surfaces and instantly contaminate food on contact, maybe Dawson is on to something. The Connecticut College study that used apple slices and Skittles is Dawson’s main opposer. The apple took a minute to become infected, when the Skittles took four minutes more. Reduced food waste and improved childhood immune systems were connected to the five second rule in yet one more study, this time at the University of Maine.

Mind the location, not a time interval

The five second rule is pseudo-science, claim Dawson and supporting researchers. A kitchen or bathroom floor will typically be home to numerous more harmful germs that cause illness, according to numerous scientific studies. However, if a bagel drops on the sidewalk, it’s OK to pick it up and brush it off. Public sidewalks can indeed be less germ friendly than kitchens, as raw meat juice tends not to appear there.

Five seconds with your mind

The Tribune points to research that shows that the risk people take with recovering dropped food is typically related to how badly they want what they dropped. Thus, sugary snacks tend to be recovered more than vegetables. And here’s food for thought – studies related to Dawson’s work found that women were more likely to pick up and continue eating dropped food than their male counterparts.

Read more on this topic here

featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2010/07/debunking-the-fivesecond-dropped-food-rule.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_waste

Low credit scores getting individuals car loans anyway

It is good news knowing that it is easier to get car loans now. Car loans will help many who have low credit scores and no way out. More cars will be sold with this credit market. Because low credit buyers can buy more cars, auto lenders will benefit also. And selling more cars is good for a U.S. economic recovery that is trying to gain momentum.

Car loans for poor credit more available

Signs of life let auto lenders expand their products. The Associated Press reports that car buyers with low credit scores are getting a break. Historically, the approval rate for subprime borrowers — those with scores below 620 — ran about 60 percent. 5 percent was the going rate for the last year. Now it is at a whopping 9 percent. A huge part of the market includes those with a bad credit score although they need to pay bigger down payments and will end up with more interest payments.

Car loan interest rates falling

The Associated Press reports that those with great credit within the first quarter of 2010 made up 17 percent of auto loan financing. Subprime borrowers took out 53 percent of the loans for used cars, according to the credit reporting agency Experian. Because interest rates are dropping, this rate might increase. In the last year, Bankrate.com explains, interest rates dropped from 7.2 percent to 6.3 percent on 4 year auto loans.

All buyers welcomed by auto makers needing to sell

Americans have seen their credit fall drastically. 43 million individuals are shown by FICO Inc. to have credit scores below 599. Higher default rates came with subprime lending which hurt the economy bad. The But the Wall Street Journal reports that GM wants risky buyers now. Most consumers are those that have lower credit scores with is why GM wants them now.

Great auto lending

AmeriCredit Corp made a deal with GM to help individuals get loans with bad credit. GM gives more competitive rates because they’re reducing the cost of borrowing to encourage people to buy from them. Americredit Corp. is a huge subprime auto lender. The company expanded the number of auto dealers it works with to more than 8,000 in the first quarter of this year, up from 4,500 a year ago.

Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCH7uRdNTEXaUCoNUPeukZZi3qDwD9H22DQ00
Bankrate.com
bankrate.com/
Wall Street Journal

Will UltraViolet simplify or complicate movie ownership

UltraViolet is the newest brainchild of a large consortium of tech companies. Designed to be a “digital movie locker” and media management system, UltraViolet aims to allow consumers to view movies they’ve purchased on multiple devices. A Disney-backed competitor is already on the horizon, despite the large list of supporters for UltraViolet. Article resource – UltraViolet aims to simplify movie ownership by Personal Money Store.

Cloud computing creates the basis of UltraViolet

You will find a large number of big media companies within the UltraViolet consortium. An account at UltraViolet’s website, uvvu.com, will track all media purchases. Customers will then be able to use this “digital token” that will allow them to play the film on a wide variety of devices and services. You could watch a movie that you purchased at Best Purchase with your Comcast account. A digital download could possibly be picked up as a DVD at Best Buy. The stated goal of UltraViolet is, simply, cross-compatibility without hassle.

Challenges facing UltraViolet

There is already a format war shaping up with UltraViolet as one of the major players. Disney is developing their own digital rights management system codenamed KeyChest. Disney’s film library includes all the movies of Marvel Entertainment and Pixar Studios. The Walt Disney Business has Steve Jobs as a board member. The UltraViolet system may not be usable on any Apple device, because Apple did not sign onto the UltraViolet system.

Which digital management system will win?

If previous format wars are any indication, there will be a number of years where both formats for digital rights management will co-exist. Eventually, whichever format the pornography industry sides with is likely to win. Lack of corporate support or customer support have killed comparable moves in the music industry. User interface, library, and customer support are all going to be deciding factors for KeyChest or UltraViolet.

Want mpg? Try a King Midget!

Consumers are seeing gas guzzling automobiles with dirty air because of congested highways. Although this has improved by fuel efficient automobiles, it can nevertheless improve. Change are costly. But when it comes to automobiles, one answer could come straight from the past. The King Midget, an American car made from 1946 to 1970, is as small as its name but boasts big mpg numbers.

It is likely that it ‘will be the future kings of the road’

AutoWeek interviewed Dick Messer, director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and found the once forgotten King Midget autos nevertheless have quite a following, at least in the eastern United States. It makes sense considering the automobile is inexpensive and very small. For $ 49, you can purchase these kits back within the day with anything needed to build it. They were also sold assembled. The engines could vary from 6 hp to 12 hp big blocks. 50 mph could be achieved along with 50 to 70 mpg figures within the King Midget. In the 1950s, prices were from $ 500 to $ 1,000, as reported by Wikipedia.

What made the King Midget disappear?

One big concern was safety. Production of the King Midget ended in 1970s as federal crash needs became more stringent. About 5,000 of the cars were made. Most cars made now are strong enough to absorb shock; drivers of the King Midget cars would feel all that. But they look fun and get great mileage, do not they?

Midget to be bought with used car loans?

Click the button below. You have to make certain that they will fund a private party purchase since that’s what you’ll be getting. If you really want it, you are able to window shop by clicking on the International King Midget Car Club link. $ 1,000 is going to be your minimum price.

More details about this topic at these websites

AutoWeek
autoweek.com/article/20100713/CARNEWS/100719968
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Midget
International King Midget Car Club Classifieds
kingmidgetcarclub.org/classifieds.html
Vintage Vehicle Show interview with car collector Barry Hilbert
youtube.com/watch?v=suv1Dyz4HWo

Removing your inside car door panel is easy

There’s an excellent deal of info online regarding how to proceed when you’re having trouble with your car’s power locks . Typically, removing the inside car door panel is necessary to do the job. Some may discover this kind of work intimidating, but fixing car door issues actually isn’t really so bad when you have the tools and do not panic when removing the inside car door panel. Follow along, and thank WikiHow for getting this rolling. Get your flathead, Phillips and 12-point screwdrivers ready. If you also need an Allen wrench, then you have a more complicated door. Keep in mind that this is general info; consult your owner’s guide for specific details regarding your automobile. Having illustrations is a good idea too, so start Googling. Article resource – Removing your inside! car door panel is simple auto repair by Car Deal Expert.

Open the door to the removing the insider car door panel process

You can’t do this job effectively if you do not have room to work. Without the leverage angle, you’re doing it wrong.

Need to spring that pop-up lock?

That is, does your lock extend from out of the top of the inner door panel? If so, it needs to come off before the panel is removed. The good news is that if you have such a lock, it will likely unscrew and lift out.

Level with your lever

Next, find the door handle and contemplate its removal. Below that deal with, you’ll want to find the screw. Lift the lever so you can get at the screw. After unscrewing, the plastic mounting plate that held the handle should be removable.

Time to get the armrest off

Under the armrest should be screw holes. That’s typically where the armrest screws can be located. You may have to deal with covers, but a simple screwdriver wedge will take care of those. Get the screws out and the armrest off. When you have power windows, unplug the attached wires from the door. Don’t worry, it’s very safe – they have modular plastic ends. Squeeze and pull out.

Remove the window crank if it isn’t electric

When you have an older car, the window crank is separate from the armrest procedure; in involves a plastic cap and snap ring, in that case. The flathead will help you here.

Pry it, putty please

Insert your trust putty knife between the inner door panel and 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. Don’t Incredible Hulk this part; you’ll want to keep using those grommets, unless you are itching to scour eBay. You are almost done, but do not go for total separation until completing the next step.

Save your window before completing the job

Shattered glass ready to be stepped on isn’t desirable, so gently lift the window from its housing slot. This being done, pop off the frame. Take care of your repair issues, then follow the above process in reverse order. Do the lock and also the armrest at the end of the process, as they’re important for holding the whole ball of plastic together. That panel should have some form of adhesive around the outer edge to help it stay in place, rather than hang.

Find more info on this topic

Additional information at these websites

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

Money Magazine Best Places to Live are revealed

If you live in one of Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live,” you’d be living well in what is likely a small town. Big cities hurl the difficulties of overcrowding, safety issues and huge costs, making them not so family friendly. To rank on the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list, a city must rank well in jobs, school quality, family safety, recreation and overall veneer. Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” are intended to be America’s most family-friendly cities.

Article resource: Money Magazine Best Places to Live highlights small town life by Personal Money Store

Money Magazine ‘Best Places to Live’ – a sample

Here’s a preview of the top the top entries within the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list. Onboard Informatics provided CNN Money with the population, income, sales tax and other data that made the list possible. The overall rate of installment loans for bad credit origination – whether they be short term loans or short term loan – is also below the national average in these cities, as job availability, average income and overall quality of life make financial emergencies somewhat less frequent.

1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Pop. 64,000; Unemployment 5.1 percent)

One of a number of Minnesota cities within the top 100, Eden Prairie boasts rolling hills and access to numerous lakes. People love outdoor pastimes and schools rate highly on the quality scale. Unemployment is far below the national average and Eden Prairie’s AAA rating with Moody’s indicates the city’s overall financial health. With multiple major employers in town, it’s no wonder that Eden Prairie has up to 50,000 jobs in town.

2. Columbia/Ellicott City, Md. (Pop. 155,000; 5.2 percent)

Ellicott City boasts a highly diverse populace, commendable educational facilities and homes that individuals can afford in and out of the bustling downtown center. Military and government employment through Fort Meade and the National Security Agency presently provide the area with 8,000 jobs, and government has promised thousands more within the very near future. Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within reasonable commuting distance, which adds to the employment possibilities.

3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)

Newton benefits greatly from the presence of Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and also the Greater Boston area public transport system makes for a mobile populace. On the charm side, Newton consists of a series of villages that display the New England charm for which the area is known.

4. Bellevue, Wash. (Pop. 124,000; 5.8 percent)

Bellevue is a tech mecca, thanks to the presence of Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, among others. Lake Washington and the surrounding forest make Bellevue a fantastic place for nature activities, but there’s a hotbed of culture there as well. While housing is far from cheap, anything else about Bellevue makes it a cinch for the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list.

5. McKinney, Texas (Pop. 125,000; 7.8 percent)

A downtown area filled with lovingly restored 19th century buildings pops out when one visits McKinney.And with employers like defense contractor Raytheon in town providing jobs, the need to drive an hour to Dallas for work is far from inevitable, even during the recession. Add lots of parks and hiking trails, and also you have a very nice place to live.

Citations

CNN

money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/

Everyone can create phone apps with Google App Inventor for Android

Just about anyone can create their own Android apps with Google App Inventor. It is easy for everyone 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 everyone create custom apps by Personal Money Store

Android market gets a jolt with App Inventor

App Inventor for Android, Google said Monday, was launched because as smartphones become the computers that people rely on most, users should be able to create their own applications . The New York Times reports that to gain the upper hand in the Android market, App Inventor is another way for Google is opening its technology to all developers. Apple, Google’s arch smartphone rival, has notoriously strict rules about app development for the iPhone. Within the Android/Apple battle, the strategy seems to be working. Android phones outsold Apple’s iPhone within the first quarter this year.

App Inventor upsets geek community

The concept behind App Inventor is that if every person can be app creators, Android will supplant Apple’s iPhone as the dominant smartphone platform. Programming geeks do not like the thought of their territory being violated by Google’s Android/Apple battle plan. App Inventor is “ugly” as outlined by Tech Crunch, which called the technology “a gateway drug for Android app development” and “a Doomsday device that will muck up native app development on the platform”. Tech Crunch compares App Inventor to the rise of WYSIWYG HTML editors, saying the web was easily filled with garbage once it was easy for every person to create web pages.

App Inventor welcomes newbie’s to fickle apps market

App Inventor enters a landscape where the quality of Android apps is mediocre to start with, said Larry Dignan at ZDNet. Numerous apps are simply useless on iPhone as well as Android, he said. But the fact “useless is in the eyes of the beholder” is the beauty of App Inventor. What is, or isn’t really useless can be determined by the marketplace. More than 225,000 apps are available at Apple’s Apps Store. 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

Consumer credit going down spawns deceptive new credit card fees

Consumer credit dropped in May much further than was forecast, with the decline led by significant drop in credit card debt. Credit card delinquencies fell to an all time low rate since 2002. As Americans conserve more and borrow less, credit card companies are coming up with new ways to gouge customers. New credit card rules that are aimed at curbing the usurious behavior of credit card companies may be giving consumers a false sense of security.

Post resource: Plunging consumer credit spawns deceptive new credit card fees by Personal Money Store

Consumer credit drop will exceed forecast

A Federal Reserve report released Thursday showed that much consumer credit dropped at a rate of 4.5 percent in May–the fourth consecutive month of declining credit. Revolving debt dropped by 10.5 percent ($ 7.3 billion) in May, according to the Fed’s report. In May, non revolving debt fell $ 1.8 billion. As outlined by Business Week, economists’ projections in a Bloomberg survey ranged from a decrease of $ 5.2 billion to an increase of $ 2 billion in May. Consumer credit has increased only twice since the end of 2008. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy and is what The US is counting on to revive the economy, will be weak as Americans pay down their debt.

Also, credit card delinquencies drop

Right now, credit card delinquencies are declining with consumer credit. The American Bankers Association (ABA) reported that late payments for bank credit cards fell within the first quarter to the lowest level in eight years. According to Market Watch, bank card delinquencies–card payments at least 30 days overdue, fell to 3.88 percent of all credit card accounts in the first quarter, in contrast to 4.39 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. Since 2002, the credit delinquency rate has been the lowest. The ABA report also said the overall consumer loan delinquencies declined a lot, but only job creation will bring further improvement.

Credit card rules that are new and can be broken

Revenues are declining for credit card companies. But even with new credit card rules that are supposed to protect consumers going into effect next month, credit card companies are trying harder than ever to burn customers with creative new fees. New rules are easy to get around for banks. For instance, new rules cap late fees right around $ 25 and do away with inactivity fees, but now more credit card companies are charging annual fees.

Numerous credit card companies just hope you won’t notice

When it comes to the new credit card rules, consumers may think that credit card companies can’t raise interest rates on existing cards anymore. But in reality, they can do anything that they really want to with new balances, as long as they give 45 days’ notice. If your credit card business sent you a letter a while back and you also see your rate of interest skyrocket on your latest charges, that’s what happened. Plus, credit card companies can nevertheless cut credit limits and close any of their credit cards without advance notice, which will really hurt a credit score.

Quickly open credit card mail

Other credit card companies lately hiked balance transfer fees, cash till payday fees and also foreign transaction fees. Gerri Detweiler told CNN that read the mail you get from your credit card company is more important now than ever. Do not automatically assume its junk mail, since you really only have the 45 days to opt out if you actually read the fine print. And as credit card companies become more desperate, they’ll not only raise existing fees but create all kinds of new fees.

More info accessible at these sites:

Businessweek.com

businessweek.com/news/2010-07-08/consumer-credit-in-u-s-declined-more-than-forecast.htmlv

Marketwatch.com

marketwatch.com/story/credit-card-delinquencies-fall-to-8-year-low-aba-2010-07-07?reflink=MW_news_stmp

CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/06/30/news/economy/credit_card_act_new_rules/index.htm?postversion=2010063007

Home Run Derby 2010 circles the bases for charity

It’s All-Star break time in Major League Baseball, and of course the Home Run Derby 2010 is here, too. It may just be for fun and not mean anything within the standings, but its value to charitable organizations – thanks to the “Go to Bat” program of Major League Baseball and State Farm insurance – cannot be overstated. Baseball fanatics choose the charity, and players try to go long. Donations to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and a trip to the 2010 World Series raise the stakes a bit.

Source of article: Home Run Derby 2010 circles the bases for charity by Personal Money Store

Home Run Derby 2010 – Grand slam for charity

The “Go to Bat” program is intended to make a difference in the community, and Home Run Derby 2010 is a reminder of how Major League Baseball and State Farm are committed to making a lasting impact on their communities, beyond the playing field. After registering at the “Go to Bat” web portal, fans can be eligible for random selection by State Farm on a weekly basis, and 10 weekly winners could have $ 100 given to their charity of choice. Via an online Home Run Derby 2010 game, fans can up the chances of selection, which their chose charities certainly do not mind. A trip for two individuals to the grand baseball stage of the 2010 World Series comes for one of the 10 weekly winners. ”Go to Bate” will run from the beginning of the second half to September 26.

More charitable gold at Home Run Derby 2010

It doesn’t matter whether it is Miguel Cabrera, Corey Hart, Matt Holliday, David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Nick Swisher, Vernon Wells or Chris Young who sends probably the most home runs into the bleachers at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium, the Boys and Girls Clubs of The United States will come out on top. State Farm launches $ 3,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of The United States with each homer hit during Home Run Derby 2010, and an additional $ 17,000 for each “Gold Ball” hit – that’s a home with one out left to go. In addition, one lucky Orange County, Calif. will get a $ 50,000 gift from State Farm, when the remaining seven chapters within the region will walk away with $ 10,000 each. But that’s not all – the fan-chosen charity with the most support gets $ 25,000 more from State Farm.

Who will win Home Run Derby 2010?

Corey Hart is a dark horse with a big time bat. His lefty bat works well in Angels Stadium.

More information on this topic

prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-farm-and-major-league-baseball-go-deep-for-charities-with-go-to-bat-program-98234949.html

statefarm.com/gotobat

LeBron James follows the sun and burns NBA

LeBron James has decided to pack his bags and bring his highly marketable talents from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. The no-doubt lucrative free agent deal will put James within the middle of a hot stew with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Pat Riley. This spells big business for the Heat and Miami and a proverbial kick to the shins for the Cavaliers and Cleveland, but as Bloomberg and other media outlets speculate, is the LeBron James deal really bad for the NBA?

Resource for this article: LeBron James decision could backfire on NBA business by Personal Money Store

LeBron James poses a problem for NBA broadcasts

The NBA has contracts with networks (ESPN, ABC, Turner), and all of them are no doubt looking forward to big Miami Heat ratings in 2010-11. But when too much talent is concentrated on one team, it takes much of the steam out of broadcasts of the rest of the NBA. The same holds true for gate receipts. LeBron James is a major drawing card; no amount of David Stern-inspired parity will overcome that. As previous CBS Sports President Neal Pilson told Bloomberg, “You can’t just show Miami all the time and certainly the TV carriers benefit when you have attractive stars and personalities on multiple teams”.

Interestingly, if LeBron James had signed with the New York Knicks (a team that was within the running), it would have been broadcasting and marketing serendipity. Consider this: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are the top Nielsen markets. His chosen city of Miami ranks at 17.

’The Decision’ was a marketing venture devoid of real substance

LeBron James and posse want you to think “The Decision” was an hour-long soul search into the heart of a hero. Bloomberg indicates that every person from the University of Phoenix and Microsoft to Coca-Cola and McDonald’s had a sponsorship stake within the manufactured event. It wasn’t all bad, as the Boys and Girls Clubs of The United States made $2.5 million off “The Decision”.

And if the Miami Heat lose?

Cleveland and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert will no doubt be happy. A lack of NBA Championship rings is the focus of a huge photo in Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer newspaper of James; he’s walking away, and the headline reads “Gone”. The mood in Cleveland must not be high, if Dan Gilbert calls a press conference for the purpose of calling James a “shockingly disloyal” narcissist. Dan Gilbert made it quite clear that there is a curse surrounding LeBron James, and that the Cavaliers will do the walk of victory long before “King” James puts the ring on his finger. LeBron James should be inspired to prove Gilbert wrong, but his level of motivation has been questioned in the past.

Take a look at this stuff

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-09/lebron-james-on-super-team-might-be-good-for-miamiheat-bad-for-the-nba.html

http://trueslant.com/level/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-front-page-parting-short-to-lebron-james/

While solar energy gains momentum, solar plane is latest breakthrough

In the spirit of the season, as heat waves roast major cities around the world, solar energy is a hot topic. From residential rooftops to power plants to experimental aircraft, solar energy is having its season in the sun. Thursday, after spending 26 hours aloft, a solar powered airplane landed. And this week the Obama administration pledged $ 1.85 billion in guaranteed loans to develop a solar energy power plant and also some solar panel factories. Nevertheless, there’s a cloud. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ever the bearers of bad news these days, won’t accept any mortgage loans that use a government funded program to finance solar energy installation costs.

Source for this article: Solar plane is latest breakthrough as solar energy gains momentum by Personal Money Store

Solar plane gets its day in the sun

A solar plane landed in Paris Thursday after flying continuously for 26 hours, 9 minutes. The New York Times reports the Solar Impulse reached an altitude of more than 28,000 feet and reached a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour during a day over Switzerland. The solar energy plan was powered overnight by energy collected during the day from solar panels on its 210-foot wingspan. Organizers said the flight was the longest and highest by a solar-powered craft.

Solar plane – the poster child for solar energy

The Solar Impulse record-breaking flight took seven years of planning and brings the Swiss-led project one step closer to its ultimate goal of flying Solar Impulse around the world powered only by solar energy. It was reported by the Associated Press that although the objective is to prove that emissions-free air travel is possible with Solar Impulse, the flight team said it doesn’t see solar energy replacing jet propulsion any time soon. Instead, the project is intended to test and promote new energy-efficient technologies.

Billions received by solar energy companies because of stimulus package

President Obama announced during his weekly address the U.S. Department of Energy will pledge $ 1.85 billion from the economic stimulus package to two solar energy companies: Abengoa Solar and Abound Solar Manufacturing. It was reported by the International Business Times that Abengoa Solar will build the first ever large-scale solar energy power plant in Arizona with $ 1.45 billion in funding. Developers say the project should be able to create more than 1,600 construction jobs and clean energy for 70,000 homes. Abound Solar Manufacturing is going to build a plant that manufactures solar panels in Colorado and one more in Indiana with $ 400 million in funding. The solar panel factories are likely to create more than 2,000 construction jobs, conserve energy for 200,000 homes, and produce more than 1,500 permanent clean energy jobs.

For house, PACE provides solar panels

Clean energy initiatives that focus on solar energy are gaining quite a bit of momentum on many fronts. But the U.S. housing market, which has become the ball and chain for of economic recovery, is running true to form. As outlined by Trading Markets, the Obama administration’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is falling into the black hole of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. The PACE program is distributing about $ 150 million in loans for local governments which they can then lend to you to cover the upfront costs solar panels for your home. Over time the loans are paid off with property tax bills.

Freddie and Fannie cast cloud over solar energy

Residential solar energy could have been headed for a big boost with PACE. But Fannie and Freddie, federal agencies that guarantee more than 50 percent of U.S. mortgages, are overwhelmed with millions of foreclosures. Officials in charge of the agencies, which have cost U.S. taxpayers at least $ 145 billion in losses, assume people will start defaulting on PACE mortgages as well. Both Fannie and Freddie issued numerous letters to mortgage sellers stating that they will not accept loans for homes using the program.

More data available at these websites:

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/07/09/world/europe/09plane.html?_r=1&hp

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5goDxf8Obh9y8tOk6Nse1GMEmSXWgD9GQNU181

International Business Times

ibtimes.com/articles/33502/20100708/obama-s-commitment-to-solar-technology-job-creation-and-economic-recovery.htm

Trading Markets

tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/fnm_us-energy-solar-initiatives-threatened-by-white-house-dissonance-1028938.html

Is Perfect Citizen Big Brother in disguise, or national security?

“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.

Article resource: Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise? by Personal Money Store

Perfect Citizen – Internet security on steroids

The Perfect Citizen story broke Thursday 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. Phase one of Perfect Citizen can be executed by Ratheon, a defense contractor awarded $ 100 million for the task. Perfect Citizen is an intrusion by the NSA into domestic affairs for some industry and government officials who learn about the program. 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 manage the job.

Public companies get access to NSA data

The Journal article said that older computer networks intended before Internet security was an issue can be the focus of Perfect Citizen. Critical infrastructure like subway systems and air traffic control are run by these older networks. Since they have been linked to the Internet, they’re more efficient, but extremely vulnerable to cyber attack. 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 we trust Big Brother to behave?

Perhaps because of its Orwellian title, Perfect Citizen makes many people uncomfortable. PC World reports that their concern is that Perfect Citizen could be just the beginning and the NSA will expand its authority to monitor all domestic network activity. Details 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. It remains to be seen if Perfect Citizen can protect national security without violating the rights and privacy of the private citizen.

Discover more about this topic here:

wsj.com

www.nsa.gov

pcworld.com

At Sams Club, small business loans adapt to survive credit crisis

to survive, small business lending is adapting. Small company loans are an endangered species during the credit crisis, a stubborn legacy of the financial meltdown, housing crisis and Great Recession. But small company credit is making a comeback, even as a miserly banking industry holds back the U.S. economy as it tries to fight its way out of the recession. The latest innovator is Sam’s Club, which announced a program to offer small company loans to its members.

Source of article: Small business loans adapt to survive credit crisis at Sams Club by Personal Money Store

The innovative small company lending

The credit crisis is holding back the growth, hiring and spending of companies that Sam’s Club wants as customers. According to MarketWatch, Sam’s Club, a unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is testing a program to offer qualified members small-business loans from $ 5,000 to $ 25,000 backed by the Small company Administration. Small business loans could be offered online to members of Sam’s Club through a partnership with Superior Financial Group. Members who apply for a small business loan from Sam’s Club and online get $ 100 off the application fee, a 20 percent discount and a 7.5 APR. Terms are locked in for 10 years.

Small business consumer spending stimulus

Sam’s Club decided to start offering small business loans online after a business survey of small company customers indicated that tight credit was cutting into Sam’s Club retail sales. According to The New York Times, just less than half of Sam’s Club membership is small business customers, accounting for just more than half of its revenue. So far about 200 individuals have applied for the SBA loans and about 45 percent have been approved. The business says it doesn’t expect small business loans online to be a big moneymaker, though it appears to be earning $ 50 for each financed loan. Sam’s Club hopes this will help consumers spend more freely.

Another innovator for small business loans

Small business credit also is loosening at some banks. Last week JPMorgan Chase announced a program to stimulate small company hiring and growth. The JPMorgan Chase small business loan program isn’t really as accessible as the pilot for all of Sam’s Club members, but it represents an additional oasis within the credit crisis desert. The offer contains lowering the interest rate by 0.5 percent on a new business line of credit for each new employee that is hired, for up to three employees, for the life of the loan. The offer is accessible for businesses that qualify for lines of credit up to $ 250,000.

Small business lending motives

The Sam’s Club small company loans online pilot is looked upon as an unusual move for parent company Wal-Mart. MarketWatch reports that Wal-Mart has been accused of harming small businesses with its aggressive pricing, scale and business methods. And a report at bnet said Wal-Mart chose Superior Financial as a partner because ongoing efforts to add banking to its resume makes the financial industry nervous.

Small company loans and a success story

But Sam’s Club small business loan customers like Michael Golata as an example, do not care about the politics behind the program. Golata, a contractor in Louisville, Ky., for United Parcel Service, explained to the New York Times that he applied online for a $ 10,000 small business loan at 7.5 APR and got the money in 24 hours. He bought a new truck, hired some more drivers and went from billing UPS $ 3,000 a week to $ 8,000.

Citations:

Marketwatch.com

marketwatch.com/story/sams-club-takes-on-credit-crunch-offering-loans-2010-07-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/05loan.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=sam%27s%20club%20small%20business%20loans&st=cse

Bnet

blogs.bnet.com/business-news/?p=3188

Autistic kids subjected to shock treatment at Mass. School

The Boston-area special needs school, which is called the Judge Rotenberg Center, enrolls students ages 3 to adult, all of whom are either autistic kids or are struggling with severe emotional, behavioral or psychiatric disorders. Those students who display undesirable behavior, according to ABC News, are subjected to a treatment which the United Nations is calling “torture.” Judge Rotenberg students are all subject to shock treatment.

Post resource: Autistic kids subjected to shock treatment at Mass. School by Personal Money Store

‘Aversive therapy’ for autistic kids not torture, claims JRC

Calling the JRC’s treatment of autistic kids in extreme situations torture is akin to calling a physician using a scalpel on a patient assault with a deadly weapon, claim JRC representatives. They claim that shock treatment in short bursts is humane when in contrast to the alternatives of either allowing emotionally disturbed or even autistic kids to cause themselves or others physical harm or otherwise medicating them into a lobotomized state. Head JRC doctor Matthew Israel explained to ABC the real torture for autistic children and others is the latter. He stated that JRC’s shock treatment “has no detrimental effects whatsoever.”

A shock that is two seconds on the skin

The Judge Rotenberg Center uses a very small device that administers a shock when necessary as a form of behavioral therapy, says Israel. Students are only subjected to the device after a court and (within the case of autistic kids) parents or caregivers have to approve. Allegedly, the short shock hurts just enough to dissuade JRC students from destructive behavior. After periods of good behavior, students are rewarded with points. In total, the Judge Rotenberg Center houses such students for only about $200,000 per year, taxpayer financed.

UN condemns treatment

Eric Rosenthal, an advocate for the disabled, created a report that prompted the United Nations to become involved in the JRC’s activities. Massachusetts Sen. Brian Joyce has tried to shut down the Judge Rotenberg Center but has been unsuccessful thus far. The United Nations reference America’s international treaty stance on torture when referring to the JRC’s shock treatment of autistic kids and other students. The argument is that if the United States shouldn’t be administering shock treatment to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, how can any organization within the US be allowed do it to children?

Citations|Discover more details|Discover more info here|More data available at these web sites|Discover more about this topic here|More info about this topic at these websites}:

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Nightline/shock-therapy-massachussetts-school/story?id=11047334

Surgeon Sherwin Nuland discusses the development of electroshock therapy (Editor’s Note: A small amount of NSFW language is used):

youtube.com/watch?v=oEZrAGdZ1i8

Painting your car for less – just $ 75

Painting your car is a nice DIY project that could be done at home, but many individuals tend to keep away from it because of excessive cost and also the degree of prep-work involved. A spray gun, the right air compressor, clear coat, the right kind of primer, buffing compound, rust converter and more are all things that significant car paint enthusiasts take into account. But what if there were one more way? A less expensive alternative? A technique that depends upon thriftiness?

Post resource: Painting your car the thrifty way – for only $ 75 by Car Deal Expert

Painting your car for just $ 75 is a reality

Styluss at Instructables Workshop points to “The Poor Man’s Paint Job as a means of painting your car for less. It only costs $ 75. In short, the technique involves using Rustoleum as an automotive paint and applying it with a high-density foam brushes. There’s minimal sanding required. Just keep in mind that it is not something Earl Scheib would recommend for your new car. Results are by no means guaranteed, and also the procedure should be undertaken at your own risk. However, the results for Styluss were highly satisfactory; check out the photos at the Instructables Workshop link below for proof.

Get this together

Here are estimates for the necessary items. Your vehicle’s needs may vary. An average sedan will work with this list, but when you have an SUV, expect that you’ll need more.

3 quarts of Rustoleum high gloss white paint = $23.61
3 quarts of odorless mineral spirits = $17.97
1 can of primer spray paint = $4.99
4-inch high-density foam brushes (7) = $5.67
2-inch high-density foam brushes (7) = $3.95
Paint trays (3) = $3.21
2 packs of sandpaper intended for wet use (600- and 800-grit) = $9.50
1 roll of painter’s tape = $5.84
Total: $74.74

Preparing for the adventure

You’ll need a large, clean workspace. Find one, then wash the automobile. Anything that could be removed from the car (headlights, tail lights, mirrors, trim, etc.) should be removed. Sanding is the next step. If you will find paint chips, bust out the spray primer. Sand it evenly so that the paint has a smooth surface to which it can adhere. Painter’s tape and paper to mask non-paint areas will be necessary.

It is time for painting your car

Mix the paint half-and-half with mineral spirits. The consistency can be as milk. It is advisable to apply coats methodically in a exact same order so you won’t miss anything. Start high and work down. Make it uniform, as going back to dry area to paint alongside will create ugly paint lines.

Go slow and stick with one direction

Once you’ve decided upon your method, pour some paint mix into a paint tray and get to work. Big brushes are great for big parts, and also the smaller ones are ideal for little segments. Lay the paint on thick in an area, and then spread it around to cover and create a base. Slowly glide the brush along, always making certain to stroke in the very same direction. Be certain to watch for drips and sags. Small ones call for the brush. Big ones may require re-sanding and re-starting. Three coats should do it, with six to 12 hours of drying time after each coat. Undiluted Rustoleum is advertised as a 24-hour dry. Diluted here, assume about half that time frame or better.

Sand it for the final coats

Following the primer coats are finished drying, wet-sand the car with the 600-grit sandpaper to smooth the way for the final coats. Spray off any sanded away residue, then buff it to a shine. If painting your car went perfectly, you may not need the additional sanding. If so, you’re ready for the final coats. Allow the final coats (2-3) to dry, then sand with 800-grit or higher.

Presto! How does it feel to be done?

Wait at least a full day before washing or waxing your newly painted car. While it’s true that some brush strokes may show up on close inspection, these could be quite minor if you were careful. For $ 75, “The Poor Man’s Paint Job” is more than worth it, considering how exciting your car looks. Some individuals who have tried this claim the paint strips after a year to 18 months, but numerous others have gotten real life out of this thrifty makeover. If you are of a mind and want to spend more money, you’ll have to strip the Rustoleum off first. For the money, “The Poor Man’s Paint Job” is still a good deal.

Discover more about this topic here:

Instructables.com

instructables.com/id/The-Poor-Mans-Paint-Job-or…-How-to-paint-your-c/

Jobs filled by illegal immigration too tough for unemployed

The media is getting plenty of material lately from illegal immigration and immigration reform. The Arizona immigration law is being challenged by a Justice department lawsuit. Utah is considering a comparable law, and polls show most Americans agree with Arizona's statute. Meanwhile, unemployed Americans are less than enthusiastic about a campaign offering them low-paying, labor-intensive jobs filled by illegal immigrants.

{|Article resource: Illegal immigrations and also the American farm

To draw attention to immigration reform, the United Farm Workers Union launched a campaign called “Take Our Jobs”. The union supports the AgJobs bill currently held up in Congress that grants temporary legal status to immigrants, which would become permanent if they continue to work on farms for a specific period of time. CNN reports that replacing migrant workers would require at least 500,000 willing unemployed Americans. Everyone who wants to work on a farm can fill out an application at takeourjobs.org.

Back-breaking labor too much for unemployed

Union president Arturo Rodriguez told CNN that at least 4,000 individuals have responded to the application. Some are significant responses and others are hate mail. A few dozen of those thousands have followed through. Most applicants quickly lose interest once the reality sinks in the jobs involve back-breaking labor in triple-digit temperatures and minimum wage, typically without benefits.

Anti-immigration vs. the big picture

About a million individuals work on farms in the U.S., says the Department of Agriculture. According to the Migrant Farm Worker Justice Project, 85 percent of farm workers are immigrants and up to 70 percent are illegal. Even so, a crackdown on illegal immigration is favored by most Americans, surveys show. A Pew Research Center poll reported on by Allheadlinenews.com indicates that 59 percent of Americans support Arizona's immigration law. Copycat laws are being drawn up in nearly 20 other states.

Supermarkets supplied by illegal immigration

The United Farm Workers Union, in support of the AgJobs bill, insists that illegal immigration helps, not hinders, the economy. It's obvious that the least desirable job in America is being a migrant farm worker, Rob Williams, director of the Migrant Farm Worker Justice Project, told CNN. Williams said that if individuals who oppose immigration got their way, farming in America would have a labor crisis. Immigrants fill the jobs nobody wants, he said, because everybody has got to eat.

More info accessible at these sites:

cnn.com

allheadlinenews.com

Ride The Ducks Tours stop after collision in Philadelphia

Ride The Ducks tours are serious business in a number of U.S. Cities. In the Delaware river in Philadelphia, a Ride The Ducks amphibious tour car collided with a barge. Two passengers of the sightseeing tour are nevertheless missing, and all Ride The Ducks tours have been suspended when the incident is being investigated.

Article resource: Ride The Ducks suspended after Philadelphia collision by Personal Money Store

The Ride The Decks amphibious tours

Family company Hirschend Family Entertainment operates Ride The Ducks Tours, among other things. Dollywood and Stone Mountain Park are also operated by Hirschend Family Entertainment. Car-boat vehicles that explore both a city and its waterways are the primary attraction of Ride The Ducks tours.

The Ride The Ducks Accident

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a Ride The Ducks boat had to shut down their engines, and was later rammed by the barge. Thirty seven individuals were dumped to the river when the boat capsized. Two people are nevertheless missing.

Philly Ride The Ducks accident under investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board has started investigating the accident in Philadelphia. Fines may be levied on either or both companies, depending on the details of the accident. For an unspecified amount of time, the tours in each city are shut down.

Hirschend Family Entertainment as a business

A private company that is very quiet and family owned, Hirschend Family Entertainment tends to not broadcast business information. The business moved its headquarters of operations to Norcross, Georgia in 2005. The company has been operating for 60 years, and is becoming a big player in family tourism.The financial information for this business is kept very private. The company operates under contract or owns 24 different “themed entertainment parks” – theme parks, water parks, and other “family entertainment environments” in 9 states.

Heat wave ignites a new debate on climate change, 2010 warmest year ever

The climate change debate is intensified by a heat wave on the east coast. The climate change debate was also hot last March when raging blizzards battered the east. Extreme weather events are getting used by both sides to support their global warming arguments within the debate about climate change and energy bill in Congress. And just in time for the heat wave, a British panel exonerated the “Climategate” scientists, saying it found no evidence the group manipulated any of their research to back up global warming. Meanwhile, 2010 is shaping up to be the warmest year in history.

Source for this article: Heat wave ignites climate change debate, 2010 warmest year ever by Personal Money Store

Wave of heat is going around the globe

The heat wave is mostly hitting the news because it is cooking places like New York and Washington where the national media hang out. Other places in the world are hot also. The Christian Science Monitor reports the heat wave has gone global. Beijing heat about 105 degrees. It was 113 and 111 degrees on July 6 in Baghdad and Riyadh. The world temperature high was set in Kuwait at 122 degrees. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the first five months of the year was the warmest on record, and 1.22 degrees warmer than the 20th century average.

Climate change leads to more heat waves and blizzards

During the March blizzards, climate change skeptics built igloos and mocked Al Gore. But will heat waves continue if carbon emissions aren't reduced? TIME reports that the fact that no single weather event is caused by climate change is obvious, but politicians and lobbyists will make an effort to use them in the climate and energy bill debate anyway. Weather and climate aren't actually the same thing. Finding out how climate change affects weather is tricky. But the March blizzards and the July heat wave conform to a general scientific consensus that climate change will result in more extreme weather.

Climategate scientists’ research is being called legitimate

The above climate change argument is the position of the Climategate scientists, a group of researchers at the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia which is in England. It was reported by the New York Times that these individuals have played a leading role in efforts to understand the earth's climate. Last year some e-mail messages sent by the scientists about global warming were stolen and posted to the Internet for every person to see. Politicians, lobbyists and some of the other global warming skeptics seized upon the e-mails as proof that the scientists were hiding data that conflicted with their positions on global warming. But a report by the panel investigating Climategate said that there was no evidence found of behavior that might undermine their conclusions.

Climate change – better safe than sorry

Heat waves and blizzards aside, climate change is such a controversial issue because climate science is incredibly complex and hard to explain, and the people doing the explaining still don’t understand climate also as they would like. This opens windows of opportunity arguments on both sides of the issue. Meanwhile, Ezra Klein at the Washington Post points out that if we can’t deal with a disaster like the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010, how are we going to reverse concentrations of carbon in the atmosphere?

Pay me later or pay me now – carbon tax

This leads us to the climate and energy bill and its intended cap and trade system or carbon tax. Republicans against government intervention are potentially setting up a future in which the government has to intervene on a planetary scale. Klein said he’s a lot more comfortable with the government’s ability to levy a carbon tax at the moment than its ability to repair the atmosphere later. That’s why when faced with the choice between being avoiding the economic risk of a carbon tax or taking a step to preserve the future of the planet, we should choose the planet.

More information accessible at these websites:

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2010/0707/Global-heat-wave-hits-US-reignites-climate-change-debate

TIME

ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/07/06/turning-up-the-heat-on-climate-change/?xid=rss-topstories

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/07/08/science/earth/08climate.html?src=mv

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/the_case_for_being_careful_wit.html

Trial set for Wall Street insider Danielle Chiesi

In the high-power, high-risk game of information trading, Danielle Chiesi has become “a confirmation of all (people have) suspected is wrong with Wall Street and the hedge fund industry,” as outlined by Fortune. Former IBM executive Bob Moffat and Danielle Chiesi have both been arrested and charged with securities fraud and conspiracy.

Source of article: Danielle Chiesi on trial for insider trading by Personal Money Store

How Danielle Chiesi got inside Wall Street

Danielle Chiesi was an employee of Raj Rajaratnam, head of the Galleon hedge fund. Danielle Chiesi traded mostly and primarily in information. When she was working for Galleon, Danielle targeted a number of companies and developed relationships with people inside those companies. Fortune reports that Danielle would develop these relationships by telling men that she loved “the three S's – sex, stocks, and sports. On Wall Street, Danielle was known as a strong seductress who could get details out of most men.

What Danielle Chiesi is accused of

By gathering the info, Danielle Chiesi wasn't breaking any laws… but by sharing the data and using it for personal gain, she was. By gathering and passing on inside info about tech stocks, Chiesi was allegedly participating in insider trading. Chiesi pleaded not guilty to the charges, and she is on trial right now.

How insider trading is a crime

Understanding insider trading can be very difficult. Stock markets are based upon on ideas of fairness – every person betting with the exact same information. Trades are unfair when somebody making the trade has information about a business that the public doesn't know. Put simply, Danielle Chiesi was cheating the system. Martha Stewart was convicted of this exact same crime. Info can be seduced out of executives, especially by younger women who claim to be into older men. Could the fact that money can be this easily gamed out of the system inspire any kind of confidence within the system?