Thursday, January 31, 2008

John Edwards Quits Presidential Race



Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voter's sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

10 Tips: Fix credit-report errors



Have you ever been horrified to discover errors on your credit report? Such inaccuracies can and should strike fear into any conscientious consumer’s heart. Here are some helpful tips.

State of the Union by the Numbers



A look at what President Bush said in his final State of the Union Address delivered Monday night. Each word is scaled in proportion to the number of times it was used. Roll over a word for its frequency.

Steamy Airline Drama Grips Thailand



Thai Airways objects to steamy Thai soap opera about flight attendants.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A New Choice for Flying Couch Potatoes



Continental Airlines partners with a rival to offer live television programming.

Gravel: Bush worst President ever, Florida Giuliani's grave



Rising food prices are a threat to many; they also present the world with an enormous opportunity

French Trader Fingers His Bosses



Report: Jerome Kerviel says his bosses were aware of his financial risk taking.

The town that measures life in 15-second intervals



Life here is measured in intervals of 15 seconds. It is how long the people of Sderot have between the sounding of the sirens and the inevitable explosion.Hardly anyone walks outdoors unless they have to. There is fear in Sderot - fear of Hamas' rockets and fear for the psychological damage to the next generation. Reality check, Sderot 2008.

Obama Could WIn New York City!



A WNBC/Marist poll released last week found that although Mrs. Clinton had a 47% to 31% lead over Mr. Obama among likely New York State voters, he was far closer in New York City, drawing 39% of likely voters versus 43% for Senator Clinton. In recent weeks, Mr. Obama's support has been surging among black voters, a demographic he won 4 to 1 in SC.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Before You Run to The Polls: Grab Paper and Pencil



South Carolina's Republican presidential primary last weekend raised new concerns. In Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, election workers were unable to get about 80 percent of the touch-screen machines running on time. Many voters had to use emergency paper ballots. And some were told to come back later when the paper ballots ran out.

Super Savings: Big TV for the Big Game?



Experts debate whether shoppers save by catching the TD on newly purchased HDTV.

Victoria's Secret, Super Bowl Resume Affair



Lingerie chain to run ads during Super Bowl for first time since '99.

Chavez Urges Withdrawals From U.S. Banks



Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez urged his Latin American allies on Saturday to begin withdrawing billions of dollars in international reserves from U.S. banks, warning of a looming U.S. economic crisis.

Senator Kennedy, Lion of the Senate, Endorses Barack Obama



Senator Edward M. Kennedy will endorse Barack Obama for president tomorrow, breaking his year-long neutrality to send a powerful signal of where the legendary Massachusetts Democrat sees the party going -- and who he thinks is best to lead it.

Randall Munroe of xkcd endorses Obama



"I want, for once, someone I can vote for not because I dislike the other candidate, but because I’m proud of mine. Obama is the real thing."

Monday, January 28, 2008

Posing as girl, retired cop nabs online predators



"...69-year-old retired police chief of this small Missouri town cuts a credible figure as a 13-year-old girl surfing the Web, looking for friends."

Stox Tumble in 2nd Week of Market Mayhem



Investors around the world have been jittery for weeks about a U.S. slump.

Forget Weather, Airlines Cause Own Delays



Pilot shortages, long refuelings and mechanical breakdowns are root of delays.

2007: Safest Year to Fly Since 1963



Last year saw the least number of accidents in decades; 965 people died.

The great fiscal stimulus package ... of 1929



Herbert Hoover -- only nine months into his presidency -- assembled leaders from the public and private sectors to create an economic-stimulus package. Among the measures, Time magazine reported at the time, was a promise from Congress to offer bipartisan support for a tax-cut package.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Checks by SocGen missed $73 billion wrong-way bet (Reuters)



A man, whom French media are identifying as Societe Generale employee Jerome Kerviel, is seen in this undated photo. The trader at the heart of an alleged 4.9 billion euros ($7.1 billion) fraud at French bank Societe Generale has been identified as Kerviel, three sources within the company said on January 24, 2008. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - French bank Societe Generale has admitted
that a gap in control systems allowed a junior trader to take a
$73 billion losing bet on European share prices, but defended
its handling of the world's biggest trading scandal.




In uncertain times, invest in the long-term



While Wall Street debates whether the U.S. is headed for recession, investors don't have to wait for an answer — they can take steps to limit their risks.

SC Primary coverage: Live, interactive, and commercial-free



Live viewer polls, comments and streaming election returns. Plus the smartest guests from Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, Alternet, the Huffington Post, Personal Democracy Forum, Pam's House Blend. Hosted by Cenk Uygur from the Young Turks radio show, and Robert Greenwald, founder of Brave New Films.

Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel calls for Impeachment!



An official statement by Mike Gravel...."However, today I want to unequivocally state: without Impeachment first, what I or any other worthy Presidential candidate wants to accomplish is very unlikely to happen. Our words will in fact become another empty campaign promise and another sad political fantasy."

Which businesses hold up well in a recession?



A reader wonders which businesses do well when the economy heads south.? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

As economy tumbles, retirees scramble to cope



Lea Wait gets an armful of wood from the stacked pile in her barn at her house in Edgecomb, Maine, on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Some retirees coping with the sliding economy save money by  lowering their thermostat and heat with a wood stove. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)Rising food and fuel prices, falling interest rates and screeching declines in global stock markets have retirees paring spending to levels some haven't seen in decades.




Saturday, January 26, 2008

Stewart slams media for provoking campaign drama



Host Jon Stewart slammed the media for provoking campaign drama on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" this Friday.

Rummy Resurfaces, Calls for U.S. Propaganda Agency



Now, the former defense secretary has a bigger vision: he is advocating a "21st century agency for global communications.There are multiple channels for information The Internet is there, pods are there, talk radio is there, e-mails are there. There are all kinds of opportunities. We need someone in the United States government, some entity,

10 Tips: What to do with tax rebate?



Under a federal government stimulus plan, checks would be sent out in amounts ranging from $300 to $1,200 per household. How should you spend it?

Angry Employee Deletes All of Company's Data



Woman thinks she's about to be fired, goes into office over weekend and destroys past 7 years' worth of archives.

KUCINICH DROPS OUT OF THE RACE!



Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the Democratic race for president.Kucinich will make the announcement Friday at a news conference in Cleveland. In an exclusive interview with Plain Dealer editors and reporters, Kucinich said he will explain his "transitioning" tomorrow.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Zimbabwe Releases $10 Million Bill - Which is Worth USD $4



As the US economy inches ever closer to a recession, it might provide a little perspective to look at what a real economic crisis looks like. Plagued by hyperinflation of over 50,000% a year, Zimbabwe's central bank recently decided to issue $10 million notes.

Guess Who is Facing 21 Years in Prison?



The drunk , rich, white one, or the sober, poor, black one?

Why the Cult of Scientology Needs to be Abolished



A former member of the Cult of Scientology describes some of the insanity she endured beginning at the age of six.

Your money is no good at the Taj Mahal



In yet another troubling sign for the greenback, at least one of the seven wonders of the world is now off limits if you have only U.S. currency in your pocket.

ANON STENCIL



spread teh word

IRS may restrict tax-refund loans



The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday it may restrict tax preparers such as H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service from offering refund loans to customers to prevent fraud.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Where tax savings are: Detailing deductions



With the start of the new tax year, the hunt for tax-lowering deductions and credits is officially on. But new opportunities are scarcer this year.

Tens of Billions Line Coffers of 5 Colleges



Survey highlights growing prosperity but also financial gaps among colleges.

Live on Camera - News Crew attacked by Palestinian Snipers



A must see movie - a short while after Palestinian snipers shot dead a volunteer from Ecuador, the news team covering the incident became the next target. The camera caught it all - the fear, the uncertainty, knowing your life can end with the next bullet.

Stocks Continue to Fluctuate



Good news on unemployment, bad news on bond insurers drive dips and spikes.

Car Wars: Toyota Could Oust No. 1 GM



U.S. automaker outsold Japanese rival worldwide by just 3,000 cars.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Juicing the economy has a grave cost: Inflation more debt



The Congressional Budget Office estimated Wednesday that the federal budget deficit this year will increase to $219 billion or 1.5 percent of gross domestic product - and even more if increased military funding is approved. And that doesn't count the cost of a stimulus plan.

Israel Offered Peace Deal By 22-Nation Arab League



"The Arab world, by the Arab peace initiative, has crossed the Rubicon from hostility and has extended the hand of peace to Israel, and we await the Israelis picking up our hand and joining us in what inevitably will be beneficial for Israel and for the Arab world."

POLL: Buying Climate at 14-Year Low as Consumer Confidence Labors



Only 29 percent call this a good time to buy things, the lowest since 1993.

Are we already in a recession?



Economists debate whether the economy may be headed for recession, but many readers believe we are already in one.? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

Why is the Fed so worried about inflation?



If the U.S. economy is slowing down, why is the Federal Reserve? still worried about inflation??? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

School Inc. front page



Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Late payments on consumer loans climb



Late payments on consumer loans, including those for autos, home improvement and certain home equity loans, have hit their highest point since the last U.S. recession.

Obama Calls Hillary Out On Being A Wal-Mart Board Member



OMG CONFLICT. Hillary just lied about what Obama said about Reagan. I don't know why Obama has to characterize this as "statements that are not factually accurate," probably because that has more syllables and he's kinda very off his game tonight.

Message to Scientology



We are Anonymous.We are Legion.We do not Forgive.We do not Forget.

Does Your Pet Need Health Insurance?



Disney, Sprint among companies to offer health insurance for employees' pets.

China Outlines Attack Plans on U.S.



In a hypothetical future scenario, the U.S. and China are poised to clash — likely over Taiwan...Taiwan — which America backs and the communist People’s Republic of China considers part of its territory — frequently irritates Chinese leaders with calls for greater independence from the mainland. But while the American...

Monday, January 21, 2008

Yahoo plans to cut several hundred jobs: source (Reuters)



The Yahoo logo is seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 7, 2008. Yahoo is planning to announce cutbacks later this month that will likely lead to hundreds of job losses at the nearly 14,000 employee company, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)Reuters - Yahoo Inc is planning to
announce cutbacks later this month that will likely lead to
hundreds of job losses at the nearly 14,000 employee company, a
source familiar with the plan said on Monday.




H2 Uh-Oh: Bottled Water Tries to Go Green



With backlash in full swing, companies scramble to move toward carbon negative.

Inflation - And How It Happens



If you have ever wondered what exactly inflation is, and how it's created, then this informative video, by Edward Griffin, done back in 1969 will explain it to you. "Attempts by governments to manipulate the amount of money in circulation have always been disastrous."

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Endorses Barack Obama



Different moments in history require different types of leaders, and part of the art of picking a president is matching the person to the challenge and to the time. So while both Clinton and Obama would make very good presidents, Obama is the person; this is his time.

ALL BUSINESS: More misfortune for banks (AP)



AP - Contrarian investors who think now is the time to start buying beaten-down banking stocks could be in for a shock if they don't carefully review those companies' distressed home-equity loan portfolios.

Nudist Accused Of Sex Assault on 8 y.o.and Drinks Her Urine



A 47-year-old nudist is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl and drinking her urine denied the charges in court Friday morning. Mother of the Year candidate who let 8-year-old daughter sleep over with a nudist admits the peeing incidents are "weird" but that it was not hurting anyone and she knows other people who drink urine.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Man shot with police Taser dies



The deaths from Taser guns wielded by the police are starting to occur in the UK as well now. Will we end up with the same problem the US has?

Mike Huckabee on Federal Raids for Medical Marijuana



Mike Huckabee is confronted about raids on medical marijuana dispensaries. Issue put to rest in his own words. Lock up the sick.

How noble are the motives behind awarding of the Nobel Prize



The dance around the golden Nobel medallion began over a 100 years ago, and is still going strong. As icon, myth and ritual, the Nobel Prize is well secured. But what do we actually know about the Nobel Prize?

Rio Tinto CEO leaves door open to higher bid from BHP (Reuters)



Reuters - Rio Tinto Chief Executive Tom
Albanese on Sunday left the door open to a sweetened takeover
offer from BHP Billiton, but said Rio would be happy to grow on
its own if BHP walked away.

Bush's Legacy Must Not be Passed to the Next U.S President



President Bush is discussing a new agreement with Baghdad that would govern the deployment of American troops in Iraq. With so many Americans adamant about bringing our forces home as soon as possible, Bush must not be allowed to tie the hands of his successor and ensure the country’s continued involvement in an open-ended war.

How Far Would You Go to Avoid ATM Fees?



Chase is the latest bank to announce an ATM surcharge hike for noncustomers.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Faux News: Whose election is it anyway?



Montana's governor called on 17 other states Friday to join its rejection of the fed's Real ID rules, but DHS says rebel states will be punished. Starting May 11, citizens of rebel states can't use their driver's licenses to enter any federal building or board a plane without a patdown. States that agree can get extension on pricey regs until 2014.

Montana Calls for Real ID Rebellion; Dares DHS to Reject IDs



Montana's governor called on 17 other states Friday to join its rejection of the fed's Real ID rules, but DHS says rebel states will be punished. Starting May 11, citizens of rebel states can't use their driver's licenses to enter any federal building or board a plane without a patdown. States that agree can get extension on pricey regs until 2014.

Getting Us Out Of Iraq Can Get Us Out Of The Recession



How much money would we save and what could we do with it. Compelling set of facts.

FDA clears new Johnson & Johnson HIV drug (Reuters)



Reuters - Health-care products maker Johnson &
Johnson won U.S. approval to sell a new HIV drug called
Intelence for patients with resistance to other therapies, U.S.
officials said on Friday.

Wall St rebounds on bargain hunting (FT.com)



FT.com - Wall Street stocks rebounded on Friday after worries that the US economy may be heading into recession prompted equities to sink to their lowest level since October 2006.

Watchdog: Congress causes biggest tax problem



End-of-year congressional votes to change the tax code have created havoc for the Internal Revenue Service and top the list of problems bedeviling taxpayers, according to an annual report released Wednesday.

Friday, January 18, 2008

10 Tips front page



Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

Sprint shares tumble (Reuters)



Reuters - Sprint Nextel Corp reported
deeper than expected subscriber losses on Friday and said it
would cut about 4,000 jobs, raising fears of a slowdown in the
U.S. wireless industry, and its stock dropped nearly 25
percent.

How to Keep Your Job in a Recession



Follow these few steps and you can better weather economic troubles at work.

What happens when greed runs rampant?



Being Christmas time, many readers turn to thoughts of good will.? But what happens if a society is guided by greed??The Answer Desk by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

BA Unveils New Terminal at Heathrow



The giant terminal features and astonishing 112 stores and restaurants.

A Wiki Turning Legal Language Into Plain English



When was the last time you tried to read a law? The actual, raw text of a piece of legislation? Just take a look at the Patriot Act and you'll soon understand what this site is about: Most Bills have complex language that few people can understand. This is space so we can help each other out.

Your 2008 Plan for Success



It's a new year, and 2008 can be the best year ever for you and your business.

Foxnews, cnn, abc, msnbc, cnbc choosing the next president



They appear to have left John Edwards out of the race and closed the barn doors on him. The way the media is treating John Edwards is counter productive for our democracy and all Americans. It's far from fair and balanced.

The Dirty Secrets of Joining a Gym



Don't get bamboozled while trying to fulfill a New Year's resolution.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

World stocks take another beating on fears of a global slowdown (AFP)



A pedestrian walks past an electronic share prices board in downtown Tokyo.   European and Asian stock markets took another beating Wednesday, although losses in Europe were not as steep as the previous day, on lingering fears that a US recession could have far-reaching global implications.(AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)AFP - European and Asian stock markets took another beating Wednesday, although losses in Europe were not as steep as the previous day, on lingering fears that a US recession could have far-reaching global implications.




Economy still growing but at slower pace: Fed (Reuters)



A guard keeps watch over the Federal Reserve in Washington September 18, 2007. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters - The U.S. economy continued to grow
in the final weeks of the fourth quarter but the pace of
activity slackened amid subdued holiday spending and a weak
housing sector, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.




10 Tips: Beat 'Gotcha Capitalism'



New book provides step-by-step instructions to help ordinary consumers fight back against the fly-by-night companies and the Goliaths that are nickel-and-diming us to death.

FTSE 100 reclaims 6,000 (FT.com)



FT.com - London equities rebounded from steep, intraday losses on Wednesday afternoon, as Wall Street indices provided a measure of support.

Michigan voters aren't allowed to vote for Obama or Edwards



Michigan's primary is a joke because 2 of the main democratic candidates aren't even on the ballot, and the state party members seem OK with throwing away those votes. Makes me want to live somewhere where I can have a say... Here's a good breakdown of how it happened.

Wholesale inflation soars highest amount in 26 years



Ouch: Wholesale inflation shot up in 2007 by the largest amount in 26 years even though falling gasoline costs allowed price pressures to moderate in December. Inflation was up 6.3 percent for all of 2007, reflecting a huge increase for the year in various types of energy costs ranging from gasoline to home heating oil.

Buidling a strong company through branding



In today's fast paced market, the successful companies are the ones with the most exposure. The more people a company reaches, they better chance they have in retaining them, because brand awareness is key. Another company might make a superior product, but if there branding campaign isn't up to par, then they will never be able to compete with the other major players in their industry. Customized Promotional Products are one way you can turn your companies marketing/branding campaign around. Start reaching out to new audiences through targeted messages on various products, it's guaranteed you can find some niche to reach out to. The plan then switches to your advertising.



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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Even Republicans Agree Rush Limbaugh Is Obsolete



Particularly when it comes to his head-in-the-sand stance on global warming, Rush Limbaugh is part of an old, tired machine that even conservatives are growing tired of.

New-Hampshire primaries scandal: independent probe. Video!



New Hampshire officials have agreed to do a manual recount. 80 per cent of the votes there were counted by machines, the remaining 20 per cent by hand. In the machine count, Hillary Clinton defeated Obama by about five per cent, but in the hand count the result was the opposite – Obama was the winner with the same margin.

Housing Slump? Not in Manhattan



Some New Yorkers still shell out millions for lavish apartments.

Pain at the Register: Shoppers Stay Home



Retail sales drop 0.4 percent in December, fanning recession fears.

Taxpayers getting more privacy with new rule



The final rules issued by the IRS on Thursday require tax preparers to get informed consent before disclosing tax information to third parties or using it for non-return purposes.

Monday, January 14, 2008

79% Say Change = Rejecting the Bush Agenda.



79% percent of Americans “say the next president should set the nation on a new course rather than following the direction in which Bush has been leading,” including two thirds who “feel that way strongly.” “For the first time this is even more than said so about Bush’s father, 75 %, the summer before he was voted out of office.

Wesley Snipes Accused of Shirking Taxes



The "Blade" star's tax fraud trial is set to begin today in Florida.

Tesco worries lead FTSE lower (FT.com)



FT.com - Tesco was among the leading FTSE 100 fallers on Monday after a downgrade from Morgan Stanley for Europe's largest supermarket group.

Citigroup may cut thousands of jobs: report (Reuters)



Reuters - Citigroup Inc , the largest U.S.
bank, may eliminate 17,000 to 24,000 jobs and write off as much
as $24 billion for subprime and other credit losses, as part of
a plan to cut costs and add capital, CNBC television said on
Monday.

firefighters don't want to ride with Giuliani



Rudy Giuliani's plan to ride in a Metro-Dade fire truck in Sunday's Three Kings parade has outraged some firefighters who say the presidential candidate has ''lied'' about his 9/11 record because he did too little to equip and protect emergency workers.

Bush Quipped He Might Stay in Power Much Like Putin



At a press briefing that touched on issues like the White House's extrajudicial wiretapping program and torture policies, the president was asked a question about Vladimir Putin's plan to hold on to power when his term as Russian president runs out. Said Bush: I've been planning that myself.

Vitamin Information



I'm always trying to find simple ways to make myself a bit healthier. Especially now that we're at the start of a new year, one of my resolutions was to be more fit. In my search for simple tips on how to improve my health, and mainly my diet, I stumbled upon this site about vitamin information. It was really helpful, and explained a lot about vitamins that I didn't know before. Have a look!

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Congress Mulls Renewing Do-Not-Call List



The government debates renewing the do-not-call registry; 150 million on list.

Answer Desk: Questions we didn’t get to in 2007



We get all kinds of business and financial questions at the Answer Desk. Here are some we didn’t get to in 2007. The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

The Politics of American Debt



This chart shows every American how the Republicans are bankrupting America (while cutting every program they can get away with) and passing their debts to your children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren. It is based on data from the Bureau of Public Debt up to September 29, 2006, the last day of fiscal 2006.

Fewer Shoppers Hit Malls This Christmas



While sales for this year's holiday season rose, less people visited malls.

Audit: 308,000 barrels missing from Petroleum Reserve



How do you not notice when 308,000 barrels of oil go missing? That's the question government auditors were asking after they looked into the Department of Energy's management of oil received for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Study: Airport Screening Process Pointless



All the security restrictions don't make flying any safer, a study finds.

US Medical System: The Worst in 19 Industrialized Nations



France, Japan and Australia rated best and the United States worst in new rankings focusing on preventable deaths due to treatable conditions in 19 leading industrialized nations, researchers said on Tuesday. U.S sees 100,000 extra deaths per year. That's roughly one every five minutes, around the clock, 24/7/365 -- every year.

Bank of America to buy Countrywide for $4 billion (Reuters)



Reuters - Bank of America Corp said on Friday it
would buy mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp for $4
billion in a move that could avert one of the biggest collapses
in the U.S. housing crisis.

Blackwater dropped blinding tear gas on Iraqis, US soldiers



"The copter dropped CS gas, a riot-control substance the American military in Iraq can use only under the strictest conditions and with the approval of top military commanders," James Risen writes. "An armored vehicle on the ground also released the gas, temporarily blinding drivers, passers-by and at least 10 American soldiers...."

Cut from re-air! What Fox News doesn't want you too see.



Watch the Ron Paul response at the South Carolina debate which Fox News cut out during the re-broadcast.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Writedown fears return to Wall St (FT.com)



FT.com - Wall Street stocks were set to open lower on Friday amid fears of bigger-than-expected writedowns and loan-losses at financial companies and as Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) agreed to absorb Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC), the troubled mortgage lender.

Jon Stewart reacts to press coverage of Hillary crying



Jon Stewart reacted to the media circus surrounding Hillary's "emotional breakdown." "That's it? That's the emotional breakdown that blows the election for her? I'm glad no one here ever sees me get a flu shot,"

Alternative minimum tax growth blocked



Congress acted in its final hours Wednesday to block growth of the alternative minimum tax, putting off an economic hardship affecting more than 20 million taxpayers.

Gov't seen to favor Countrywide buyout (AP)



The Countrywide office building is seen in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. A buyout of hobbled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial by Bank of America Corp. likely would be approved by regulators, analysts say, because otherwise the company could file for bankruptcy, further disrupting the market for home loans. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)AP - A buyout of hobbled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial likely would be approved by regulators, analysts say, because otherwise the company could file for bankruptcy, injecting further uncertainty into the home-loan market.




Texas judge rules in favor of strip-club tax



A judge has denied a request from owners of nude entertainment clubs to temporarily block Texas' upcoming $5-per-person strip club fee from taking effect.

10 Tips: New Year’s resolutions from readers



Are you wishing you could do a better job financially in 2008? If so, many msnbc.com readers took the time to send all sorts of practical, money-saving ideas.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Clinton Crony Makes Creepy Reference To JFK Assassination



"Some people compare one of the other candidates to John F. Kennedy. But he was assassinated ..." The comment, an apparent reference to Senator Barack Obama, is particularly striking given documented fears among blacks that Mr. Obama will be assassinated if elected. How to describe this? Desperate? Weird? Uhm...

How to hack a Diebold voting machine [image]



uh oh..

I Got What America Needs Right Here



Jimmy Carter rips the current campaign a new one

Pentagon Won't Probe KBR Rape Charges



The Defense Department's top watchdog has declined to investigate allegations that an American woman working under an Army contract in Iraq was raped by her co-workers.

Fixed-income investing beyond the bank



Interest rates are down and may go down more. That’s not so hot if you want to buy bonds or put money in the bank. So where’s the best place to put your fixed-income holdings?

McCain dissed - good one



Not bad for a talking head

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Stocks Off to Worst Start Ever



A dismal Tuesday led stocks to their worst first five days of a year ever.

Tax Tactics front page



Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

"We Are Not Looking" for Bin Laden, Musharraf says



The U.S. has dropped $10 billion into Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf's lap -- much of it in cash. Allegedly, that's to fight the jihadists in his country and across his border. But, somehow, that mission does not involve hunting for Osama bin Laden.

Home Toxic Home? A Couple's Nightmare



After young couple bought house, they found note warning them about mold.

Iraqi Soldier Who Killed U.S. Troops is a Hero in Iraq



The story of an Iraqi soldier defending a pregnant woman against U.S. troops is front page news in Iraq. "Kaissar is a professional soldier who revolted against the Americans when they dragged a woman by her hair in a brutal way... He is a tribal man, and an Arab with honor who would not accept such behavior. He killed his captain and sergeant..."

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Answer Desk front page



Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

Police drug search at school under guise of "bomb search"



Teacher's account of a police "bomb search" at a school. In actuality, the dogs were looking for drugs. Various students fined.

US intelligence suggests coverup in Bhutto assassination



The assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Dec. 27, 2007 has created concerns for US intelligence officials, who see US policy toward Pakistan as being held hostage by President Pervez Musharraf and factions of the ISI. “We are being held hostage to Musharraf's whim,” said one former intelligence official.

Taxman giveth this holiday season



Just in time for Christmas, Oregon taxpayers have gotten some extra spending money from an unlikely Santa Claus: their state government.

Liberals: This Is How You Roll When On FOXNews



By now many of you have heard about Bill O’Reilly’s meltdown at a Barack Obama event in New Hampshire Saturday and on Sunday, The Huffington Post’s Roy Sekoff went on FOXNews to discuss the blogs’ coverage of the primaries — as the topic turned to BillO, Sekoff gave a textbook example of how all liberals should act when on FOX.

Monday, January 7, 2008

SIBEL EDMONDS SPEAKS TO UK SUNDAY TIMES: SAYS U.S. OFFICIALS



Former 'Gagged' FBI Whistleblower Alleges Pentagon, State Department Officials Overheard Receiving Payoffs in Exchange for Classified Info; Crimes Covered Up at Highest Levels of Government | U.S. Media Scooped Again, Failed to Air Claims After Offer of Disclosure by Edmonds in Recent BRAD BLOG Exclusives...

CompUSA Ressurrected: Assets Snapped Up By TigerDirect



CompUSA will live on, thanks to a deal with electronics marketer Systemax. Systemax, which owns popular computer parts reseller (and CompUSA competitor) TigerDirect, announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the CompUSA brand, trademarks, and e-commerce business.

How to Rig an Election: Convicted GOP Phone Jammer tells all



The former consultant, who served three months in jail last year, tells his story and reveals secrets of the trade in his new book, Raymond blames the Republican Party for making him the fall guy and claims that his scheme was approved by a top state GOP official and the Republican National Committee

Obama opens up a 10 point lead over Clinton in NH



Is time almost up for the Clinton campaign?

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Musharraf: Bhutto bears responsibility for death



"For standing up outside the car, I think it was she to blame alone. Nobody else. Responsibility is hers," Musharraf said in the interview taped on Saturday morning.

Intel Quits One Laptop Per Child Program



Citing disagreements, Intel's withdrawn support deals huge blow to program.

Asian stocks routed on U.S. recession fears (Reuters)



A passer-by watches the electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index lost 147.29 points to end Monday morning trading at 14,544.12 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)Reuters - Asian stocks slumped to a two-week
low on Monday, extending a weak start to 2008, while the dollar
hovered near multi-week lows after weak U.S. jobs data
heightened fears of recession in the region's top export
market.




Take that New Year’s resolution to the bank



Want to save money or boost your earnings in the coming year? TODAY Financial editor Jean Chatzky shares tips on how to get your finances into shape for 2008.

Blogger Andrew Olmsted dies in Iraq



"I'm dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren't going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss. (If it turns out a specific number of tears will, in fact, bring me back to life, then by all means, break out the onions.)"

For small biz, income tax season is now (AP)



AP - Almost every accountant has a story about a small business client who showed up on April 10 or thereabouts, expecting to start work on a company or personal income tax return. Or, worse, a client who showed up with a shoebox full of receipts and invoices, also expecting to get a return done in short order.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

McCain: "Fine" To Keep Troops in Iraq for "A Hundred Years"



The United States military could stay in Iraq for "maybe a hundred years" and that "would be fine with me," John McCain told two hundred or so people at a town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire, on Thursday evening

10 Tips: Happy returns after the holidays



Want to return an unwanted gift? If you attempt to return stuff this year, these tips can help you play the returns game successfully or decide in advance to avoid the game altogether.

Passenger jets now have anti-missile devices



Tens of thousands of airline passengers will soon be flying on jets outfitted with anti-missile systems as part of a new government test aimed at thwarting terrorists armed with shoulder-fired projectiles.

More job cuts expected in mortgage banking (Reuters)



Reuters - The pace of job losses in mortgage
lending slowed in December, as some companies shifted workers
to other areas of financial services, but the losses may pick
up again in the new year as the U.S. housing market continues
to weaken and credit remains tight.

Money tips for cash-strapped retirees



More and more retirees are struggling to make ends meet in their golden years, in large part because they’re being walloped by the effects of inflation.

Friday, January 4, 2008

The Politico: Fred Thompson may drop out



GOP sources say a poor finish in Iowa may cause him to give up and endorse John McCain.

Criminals In The Bush Administration -- A complete list...



Check out this...don't any of them ever go to the joint or do they all get probation or pardoned?

Will Tech Show Bring the Next iPhone?



Thousands descend on Las Vegas next week in search of the next big tech thing.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

9/11 commission slams the CIA over destroyed tapes



The 9/11 commission says the CIA has interfered with their investigation of US interrogation methods of detainees.

Programmer was asked to help rig Florida election



Computer Programmer testifies that Tom Feeney (Speaker of the House of...(more) Florida at the time) tried to pay him to rig election vote counts.

Hannity Chauffeured by Cincinnati Cops to Rudy Fundraiser



Sean Hannity was chauffeured in Cincinnati by a publicly funded law enforcement agency to a ritzy steakhouse luncheon date with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Host shows his true colors by supporting America's Fascist.

Obama responds to Kucinich's support. Obama/Kucinich 2008?



I have a lot of respect for Congressman Kucinich, and I’m honored that he has done this because we both believe deeply in the need for fundamental change,” said Senator Obama. “He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and

Town may pay seniors to work off taxes



A New York town is pushing a program that would let seniors work part-time, for $7 an hour, to help pay off some of their property taxes.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Police Pepper-Spraying Inmate's Genital Area



Three Los Angeles Sheriff Department deputies are suspended (or, paid leave, that is) as a criminal investigation is opened into accusations from an inmate saying that he was isolated by them, punched and pepper-sprayed in the anus and scrotum area.

FTSE higher in 2007 but credit crisis pares gains (FT.com)



FT.com - Alliance & Leicester managed to buck the trend as London market drifted lower on the final trading session of 2007.

IRS: You may have to wait for your tax refund



More than 3 million people will have to wait until February to get their tax refunds because of Congress' late fix to the alternative minimum tax, the IRS said Thursday.

Corporate Gift Giving



A Corporate Gift can be very special, as long as you don't totally drop the ball. I've seen some terrible gifts in my day, and most of them have come from my office mates. Take a look at this article I came across recently. Hopefully, this could clear up any taboos you've heard in the past about gift giving, especially corporate gift giving.


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Harvard to Include More Middle Class and Poor Students



Class division has been problematic at points throughout the history of America’s elite colleges. Particularly within the sanctuaries of Harvard, Yale and Princeton, there have been ingrained traditions of snobbery and exclusion that often had little to do with money and could be far more subtle and insidious.

New Iowa Poll: Obama Widens Lead over Clinton



Happy New Year!!!!

Harvard to replace all loans with grants



Harvard University announced Monday a major expansion of financial aid that will reduce tuition bills by thousands of dollars — even for families earning six figures.