Thursday, April 29, 2010

Controversy Erupts Over Arizona Immigration Bill

The recently passed Arizona immigration measure, Arizona Senate Bill 1070, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Latino members of Congress are critical of the bill, alleging it makes racial profiling part of Arizona police policy. Arizona already spends over a billion dollars annually on immigration related expenses, almost sending the state running for cash advances.

SB 1070 the Arizona immigration bill

The Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070 has passed the Arizona House and is set to go the governors’ desk soon. The bill, according to the Christian Science Monitor, would enable police officers to determine immigration status of suspects involved in crime. The bill would also make it a misdemeanor for immigrants to not have immigration paperwork on their person. After record numbers of illegal immigrations and also the murder of a rancher, proponents of the bill contend the state is picking up the slack from federal inaction. If no solution is reached soon, Arizona might be looking for additional money to keep up with the $ 1 billion it annually spends.

Latino members of Congress in opposition

From CNN, several Latino members of the U.S. Congress have called for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto the bill. Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) opposes the bill and contends it is egregiously discriminatory. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) contends it also impedes federal immigration authority also. Arizona legal defender Isable Garcia maintains the bill “legalizes racial profiling.”

Bill deemed totalitarian by LA Cardinal

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Archbishop of the LA Diocese Cardinal Roger Mahony has dubbed the authority granted law enforcement officials as using “German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques.” Gerald Kicanas, the Bishop of the Tucson Diocese has also called for Governor Brewer to veto the bill. Mahony, on his blog, calls for a fairer policy on immigration, and one based on logic and reasoning as many immigrate to the US to work for a better life.

Immigration reform has been an issue of excellent contention

Immigration reform efforts have long been a hot topic within the U.S. Latin American immigrants are a cause du jour, and throughout the 19thcentury (and most embarrassingly in WWII) the concern was over Asian immigration. Decades of legislation have unsuccessfully tried to stem immigration from Mexico. Pragmatic, rather than authoritarian solutions seem to be the order of the day.

Sources

Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0415/Arizona-illegal-immigration-bill-draconian-or-common-sense

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/20/arizona.immigration/

Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0420-mahony-immigration-20100420,,6923812.story

Cardinal Roger Mahony’s blog

http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

After Muslim Death Threats, South Park 201 Was Censored

South Park censored? That’s no surprise for individuals who watch South Park. But South Park 201 being censored marks a fresh milestone of bleeping for the show that seems to be created specifically to attract the attention of censors. And Comedy Central censored the show after getting death threats from a Muslim group. South Park is apparently viewed by Muslims. They also consider any physical representation of their prophet — cartoon, drawing, sculpture, movie, etc. — to be blasphemous, and within the case of extremists, punishable by death.

Censored South Park 201

Censored Wednesday night on Comedy Central and denied network approval for streaming online, South Park 201 was expected by fans who watch South Park to reveal a likeness of Muhammad. The character was concealed by a bearsuit in South Park episode 200. In episode 201, the Muhammad character comes out but it blacked out by a censor bar. The name of the character is bleeped out whenever spoken.

Funnier than original: South Park 201 censored?

It may have really been funnier to view South Park 201, censored by Comedy Central after the group RevolutionMuslim.com published their death threat. It might be said that South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker used the occasion as an opportunity for self-parody, not to mention an incredible surge of publicity no amount of pay day cash could purchase.

Extreme South Park episodes offend extremists

The wrath of RevolutionMuslim.com was brought out by South Park episode 200 which depicted Muhammad in a bear suit. Stone and Parker must have imagined what could have happened within the subsequent South Park episodes following the group’s site published a post claiming they “outright insulted” the Prophet:

“We have to warn Matt and Trey that what doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show,” the post read. “This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them.”

The post showed a graphic photo of a Dutch filmmaker who was murder in Amsterdam in 2004, Theo Van Gogh, by a Muslim offended by Van Gogh's film about Muslim women. Then listed were the addresses of Parker and Stone's California production office and Comedy Central's New York office.

Other episodes for South Park

Other South Park episodes censored consist of one in 2006 when Parker and Stone wanted to weigh in on a controversy involving Muslim death threats motivated by caricatures of Muhammad published in a Danish newspaper. Comedy Central passed on the opportunity to get extra cash by depicting an image of Muhammad in that South Park episode. On the South Park website, Episode 201 is not available for streaming. Instead of video, a box contains the message:

“After we delivered the show, and prior to broadcast, Comedy Central placed numerous additional audio bleeps throughout the episode. We do not have network approval to stream our original version of the show.”

Resources for the article

Comedy Central

http://www.comedycentral.com/

Trey Parker and Matt Stone

http://treyparker.info/matt.htm

Muhammad published in a Danish newspaper

http://zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/jyllands-posten_cartoons/



Space Shuttle Landing Today: Shuttle Landing Path Flies Over USA

space2-160x240The space shuttle landing today successfully completed at 9:08 a.m. Eastern Time. When the space shuttle completed the shuttle landing path over the United States, it had flown over a payday cash advance store in North Dakota all the way to a bar in Georgia. This was the third space shuttle landing try, after two scrubbed landings yesterday.

Space shuttle landing today nearly scrubbed again

The Florida space center NASA crew was trying for the third time today to land the space shuttle. Bad weather and thick clouds canceled two different attempts yesterday. Rainstorms and thick clouds caused the space shuttle landing today to be postponed by one full Earth orbit. After 238 complete circles around the earth, space shuttle Discovery touched down in Florida.

Shuttle landing path

The space shuttle landing path planned for Discovery was a very unusual path for NASA flights. NASA has avoided overland shuttle landing paths ever since the 2003 Columbia disaster. When the Columbia broke apart, it scattered debris across Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Texas. The landing path of the Discovery shuttle allowed the crew a cash advanceworth of additional time in space and extra sleep before the space shuttle landing today, which took extreme focus. The Discovery space shuttle landing today gave an opportunity for numerous United States citizens to see and hear the space shuttle landing, thanks to the unusual shuttle landing path.

The remaining planned NASA shuttle missions

On Might 14, the next-to-next-to-last space shuttle launch. The current NASA space program has only 3 remaining spaceflights, which kick off with the Atlantis launch in May. Discovery will make the last space flight of its life on Sept 16. Once this space shuttle fleet is retired at the end of the year, NASA could be focusing on projects such as landing on Mars.

See the space shuttle landing in Florida today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2dCWZ92ew



Saturday, April 24, 2010

NFL Draft 2010 On TV And Online: When And Where To watch

NFL Draft 2010 kicks off Thursday night on TV in prime time, an event that symbolizes just how dominant the NFL has become in the world of professional sports. At 7:30 pm eastern time, the first round of NFL Draft 2010 starts. A nice crop of college football superstars, like quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow, not to mention red hot trade rumors (Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger to Oakland?) promise to make NFL Draft 2010 one of the most watched NFL Draft ever.

NFL Draft 2010 TV schedule

The NFL Draft 2010 TV schedule begins when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell comes to the podium to end the madness of speculation about who the St. Louis Rams will really select with their number one overall pick. The NFL Draft 2010 second and third rounds will start Friday at 6 pm eastern time. NFL Draft 2010 wraps up with the final rounds (4-7) at 10 a.m. Saturday. NFL Draft 2009 set an all-time high in viewers when 39 million individuals sat in front of the tube to jeer their favored team’s picks.

NFL Draft 2010: where to watch

The NFL Draft 2010 has unprecedented media that are all looking for a huge pay day. It will be telecast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York by ESPN, the NFL Network and CBS College Sports Network. Don't have a TV? Don't worry about it. The NFL Draft 2010 can be accessible on CBSSports.com and NFL.com. Driving on the road? Available on NFL Mobile and Verizon Wireless is real-time draft tracker and live video feed.

The 2010 NFL Draft order

St. Louis earned number one in the NFL Draft 2010 order by achieving the worst 2009 record in the league at 1 win, 15 losses. The Rams desperately need a franchise quarterback. The pick is Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, which is a previous Heisman Trophy winner. But the Rams have not yet committed to Bradford. St. Louis would be giving him large money if it were any other year. Last year, at this time the Detroit Lions, as the NFL’s lousiest team, had already signed Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams might even trade rights to draft Bradford for picks later within the line of the NFL Draft 2010. After passing up on quarterbacks like New York Jet Mark Sanchez and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan for the past few years, St. Louis may bite the bullet and offer Bradford a contract worth as much as $ 50 million.

Predictions for the NFL Draft 2010

There are predictions for the 2010 NFL Draft that include a buzz about Pittsburgh QB Roethlisberger that is excellent for TV ratings. The Steelers are upset since he has been suspended for the first six 2010 season games because of alleged sexual misconduct. They may be so upset so as to trade Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls, with the Oakland Raiders for draft picks. Oakland will pick eighth within the first round and Raider's OB DeMarcus Russell is, in the league, a laughingstock.

There's also Tebow. Many think he will go in later rounds of NFL Draft 2010, although he’s a Heisman winning college football legend. This is probably just for more fuel, instant cash, and better NFL Draft 2010 TV ratings. It has never been this convenient so stay tuned.

Sources

NFL Draft 2010

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft

St. Louis Rams

http://www.stlouisrams.com/splash/

Radio City Music Hall

http://www.radiocity.com/



Meteor in Wisconsin streaks across the sky

A meteor in Wisconsin was seen streaking across the sky from west to east about 10 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses overwhelmed emergency response phone lines, reporting to have seen a yellow/blue fireball swiftly tracking from northwest to southeast. A meteorologist with the National Weather Service said the meteor exploded over Iowa County in southwest Wisconsin at about 24,000 feet, showering meteorites to the ground, which began some forest fires. Witnesses reported a window-rattling sonic boom.

Meteor in Wisconsin data wanted

If you happened to see the meteor in Wisconsin, the International Meteor Organization would like to hear from you. This Details with some precision about where the meteor in Wisconsin landed is a big pay day for The International Meteor Organization for helping scientists discover any possible meteorites. Any details given will help scientists track the orbit of the meteor and link it to either asteroids or comets.

Meteor in Wisconsin video

The meteor was a natural object that originate in space. When it entered the atmosphere, friction caused it to superheat into a brightly glowing fireball captured on video. Any pieces of the meteor that actually hit the Earth can be called "meteorites." As of February 2010, about 1,086 meteorites have been found after witnesses reported them as meteors. Over 38,000 meteorites are found. Meteorites were found on the moon by Apollo astronauts as well.

Is the meteor from Wisconsin now a meteorite?

Although bigger than most meteors, the meteor in Wisconsin wasn't unique. The American Meteor Society Fireball Sightings Log: 2010 shows nearly daily reports of meteor sightings from around the country. However, meteorite discoveries are rare. On Jan. 22, 2010, a meteorite struck the office building of Dr. Frank Ciampi in Lorton, VA. The meteorite put a hole in the roof and ripped up the floor 10 feet from where Ciampi was working. Strewn around the room were fragments of meteor about the size of tennis balls. Damage was fairly light meaning he won't need a loan to fix it.

Meteor in Wisconsin danger was unlikely

According to astronomer Alan Harris on wikianswers.com, the chances of getting hit by a meteorite in any person’s lifetime are the exact same as Bill Gates needing a no fax payday loans no credit check: 1 in 700,000." As a comparison,” he said, “you’re more likely to die in a fireworks accident; But what’s funny is, this is a slightly higher chance than being killed by a terrorist!” The last impact recorded on a human was in 1954, when Elaine Hodges of Sylacauga, Ala., was hit within the hip as she was napping on her couch. There is a Life magazine image of her showing the injury.

Meteor in Wisconsin not the first

This wasn't first fireball to have an impact on Wisconsin. Space.com reports that scientists, years ago saw something different about rocks around Wavery, Wis., and concluded an ancient catastrophic event occurred. It is believed that a 650 to 700 foot meteorite hit the earth at speeds up to 67,500 mph. The impact, which was 450 million years ago, released at least 1,000 megatons of explosive energy, blasting a massive hole in a 4-mile area called Rock Elm about 70 miles east of Minneapolis, three scientists suggested in an article published within the Geological Society of The US Bulletin. Over a long time, dirt, shale, and sediment filled the hole. The impact was blunted by a shallow sea covering Wisconsin at the time. Within the world, you will find around 200 meteorite impact sites known. The US only has a couple dozen of them. Scientists suggest that they only happen each few hundred thousand years and only a couple dozen in the USA. It is believed they only happen! each few hundred thousand years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfKrd2NrnHk

Article Sources

National Weather Service

The American Meteor Society

wikianswers.com

Space.com



Friday, April 23, 2010

Reservations for Nissan Leaf will be opening on April 20

nleaf4-240x180$ 99 will put you first in line as soon as it is released if you've been waiting excitedly for the Nissan Leaf all-electric car. The Nissan Leaf site has been taking reservations for a few months, but on April 20, a $ 99 deposit will put you “on the list” when the Leaf is released.

Just what possibly is the Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf is to be the first mass-market all electric car in the US. Since it can complete with one charge a 100 miles distance, the Leaf should comfortable cover most commutes and errand distances. The Leaf (also known as LEAF – Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable Family vehicle) is set to be accessible in North The United States, Japan, and Europe.

What will the Leaf cost?

In the United States, the Leaf’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price could be $ 32,780. With a tax credit, the price should be able to drop to $ 25,280. States also are including car incentives. California and Georgia offer a $ 5,000 tax credit, and Oregon has a $ 1,500 credit. This tax credit does start ramping down after 200,000 cars are sold.

Is the Leaf easy to charge at home?

The Nissan Leaf can charge, based upon on the station, in as little as 45 minutes. Charging it on a household circuit might take up to 16 hours. As a part of the basic purchase price, Nissan will offer a charging dock installed and built by AeroVironment, sold at-cost.

Where can I discover this Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf will be released first in December of 2010 in “select markets” including Oregon, California, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. Major States and Cities will even have charging stations added into them. In order to get in on this first release of the Nissan Leaf, a customer must pay the $ 99 reservation fee online. Within the first roll-out, approximately 4,700 cars can be available. There will be full availability in 2012 but the availability will be increased in Spring of 2011.



Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Brandon Marshall of the Dolphins gets in big trouble with big numbers

Football 2
The trade of Brandon Marshall is the talk of NFL. Known as much for his arrest record as his pass catching talent, the superstar wide receiver was traded by the Denver Broncos to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins gave Denver a second-round pick in next week's NFL draft and another second round pick next year within the Brandon Marshall trade according to the NFL.

What does Miami get within the Brandon Marshall trade?

Brandon Marshall has been beating women off the field with his brilliance in a brutal man's game. Is it my cash now, pain later? In Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins are getting one of the best receivers in the game at one of their weakest positions. Brandon Marshall is very close to being suspended for one year by the NFL.

What Brandon Marshall learned in college

Brandon Marshall was in police reports during his junior year in college at the University of Central Florida with misdemeanor charges with disorderly conduct, refusal to obey, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. The charges were dismissed. He was then charged again with retail theft after trying to return stolen bed sheets. Those charges were also dropped.

Could the Brandon Marshall fight have lead to a fatal shooting?

Brandon Marshall was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2006. That exact same year, Brandon Marshall was involved in an altercation at a Denver night club that previous Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker said helped to contribute to a drive by shooting shortly after that was the cause of the death of Darrent Williams who was the Broncos cornerback.

Brandon Marshall beat up his girlfriend

In the parking lot of a bowling alley in Orlando Fla., Brandon Marshall attracted the police following a fight with his father who asked to borrow cash in January 2007. After his girlfriend Rasheedah Watley said Marshall threatened her with a lead pipe in March 2007, an additional report was filed. Just a couple of days later, Marshall was arrested on charges of false imprisonment and domestic violence for assaulting Watley at the Marshall home in Denver. Charges were dismissed after Marshall attended anger management classes.

So much for those anger management classes Brandon Marshall

Again Marshall assaulted Watley, according to police reports, in June 2007 when he allegedly cut her with a kitchen knife and punched her in the face. Marshall then went and rammed Watley's friend's car with his nice automobile, being a Cadillac Escalade. No charges were filed, again. After Marshall missed a flight a couple of weeks later, blamed Watley for it, and beat her up, the Atlanta police responded. No charges were filed. The Atlanta police told Watley to get a restraining order.

Drinking and driving with Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall received a DUI in October 2007 in Denver. Marshall was suspended for the first three regular season games of 2008 after more reports of violence with Watley being the on the receiving end. two misdemeanor counts of simple batter for incidents from March 2007 are what Marshall was finally charged with. He was sentenced to a year probation for his DUI in September 2008.

Brandon Marshall assaults his fiance

Brandon Marshall proposed to Michi Nogami-Campbell in February of 2009, compelling several sports writers to praise Marshall for his “maturity.” Just a couple of months later, Marshall was arrested for assaulting his fiance in public in Atlanta. The charges were later dismissed. The Broncos kept Marshall suspended during many games last season and benched him for the final game.

Have fun with Brandon Marshall, Dolphins

Why would the Dolphins want a Brandon Marshall trade after all of this? He is instant money with all the caveats. Marshall set an NFL record for receptions in a game with 21 in 2009 and caught more than 100 passes for the third straight year. Brandon Marshall's conduct in the meantime, including his recent assault on his fiance, is under review by the NFL. Good Luck Brandon Marshall Dolphins.



Leaked Dell Streak Slate Info Shows 7 And 10 Inch Versions

dell2-240x180The Dell Streak has been whispered about in I.T. departments for months now. When the Dell Streak 7 and 10 inch versions were leaked, credit counseling offices and I.T. departments exploded with joy.

Lineup of Dell Streak

For months now, pictures and info about the Dell Streak are carefully released. In fact, on March 9, Dell did release a specifications sheet for the Mini 5 – the five-inch Dell Streak. Because no ship date or price was accessible, this flier was just a teaser. This morning there was confirmation that the Dell Streak lineup will even include 7 and 10 inch versions.

Dell Streak integrated features

The line of Dell Streak computers are true multipurpose tablet computers. With a built-in SIM card and dialer, the Streak 5 will even function as a phone. Dell Streak devices will also be packaged with a content partnership. Packaged in multiple colors, the Dell Streak will have a reader app, MP3 player, and video streaming. A touch display will control the VGA camera, video chat, 30-pin docking connector, and 5 megapixel camera.

Operating system of the Dell Streak

The OS for Dell Streak has not been released, but it will most likely be Windows-based. That means that everyone who is or would like to hire dedicated programmers can create applications and programs to run on the Dell Streak.

When will the Dell Streak ship?

There is details we do not yet have about the Dell Streak. There is no price on any of the devices yet, and ship dates for the Dell Streak 7 and 10 inch devices are still not available. Some may have gotten a cash advance in anticipation of the Dell Slate, but most of us could have to wait until the end of the year. If you are really jonesing for new tech, the Dell Streak 5 could be released in “late 2010″. Dell Streak 7 and Dell Streak 10 should be accessible within the first few months of 2011. WePad, iPad and iPhone watch out!

Resources

Engadget

CNET news



Monday, April 19, 2010

Tom Shoes and the Day Without Shoes for awareness

Tom Shoes, a company in California, started A Day Without Shoeswhich is a one day event every year.

A Day Without Shoes aims to raise awareness of kids that don’t have access to shoes. The act encouraged by Tom Shoes for participants is to do just that – go a day, or even 10 minutes, without shoes – it won't take instant money, and it is a simple act.

Toms Shoes raises awareness

Tom Shoes is located in Southern California and was founded in conjunction with a a non-profit organization.

Every pair of shoes Tom Shoes sells, they’ll give a pair to a child who needs it – giving guaranteed loans of opportunity for just the small price of a pair of shoes. The program is called one-for-one and has given away over 600,000 pairs of shoes to needy children since Might of 2006 when they were founded.

2010 Day without shoes

"Bare Your Sole" is exactly what A Day Without Shoes is asking people that usually wear shoes in America to do. Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot.

Without shoes, kids would have to suffer cuts, scrapes, infections, and a condition called Podoconiosis. Kids are also unable to attend school without shoes.

How do I get involved with A Day Without Shoes?

It is simple to get involved in a day without shoes. Start by making yourself go barefoot today. Whether you are just sitting at your desk in class or walking to work, just go without shoes.

See what it is like to walk down the freezing cold sidewalk without protection on your feet. Get the experience of life without shoes. If you need to get even more involved, you are able to register your shoelessness at www.onedaywithoutshoes.com. The hashtag #harwishoutshoes is exactly what is getting used on twitter to track just what life without shoes must be like.

Posts throughout the day may also come from @TOMSshoes. There should also be Facebook groups to join for the One Day Without Shoes experience in different areas in the country.



Sunday, April 18, 2010

Cultural Divide reflected by Chan Ho Park diarrhea comment

Although most Americans could have the original response to laugh to New York Yankees pitcher Chan Ho Park’s diarrhea comment, it truly shows a cultural divide between The US and South Korea. Especially in New York – Sports media in The United States approaches players aggressively. If players don't "play ball" and submit to all of their questions, they are labeled as "clubhouse cancer" or "malcontent." Credit repair is needed after those labels are affixed. Yet South Korean culture dictates that citizens and athletes in general place high value on such concepts as che-myun (“saving face”) and kongson (“politeness”) . When explaining why he had pitched so ineffectively in his appearances previous to the legen! dary April 7 “Chan Ho Park diarrhea” video, Park probably wanted to set up common ground with American reporters, be cooperative, and establish the big picture for his sting of poor pitching.

Diarrhea and Chan Ho Park is not the normal New York Yankees experience

Back in 1986, if Chan Ho Park had announced diarrhea to the New York Media, they’d have told him to come up with an original excuse. Yankees pitcher Ed Whitson got gastro-intestinal distress because of the New York spotlight back then. If Chan Ho Park's salary was tied up with investments at the moment, the problem could easily have been addressed by payday installment loans. South Koreans don't have the sense of humor to think that diarrhea is funny as Americans would feel. And, as stated above, it is culturally taboo not to cooperate with authority figures (and the media are treated with less scorn in Asian countries like South Korea than they’re in The United States). Chan Ho Park was only being honest, and if you watch the video, it appears clear that he’s confused by how funny the American reporters find his statement. Either that or he has an excellent poker face.

What Chan Ho Park diarrhea has to do with the Power Distance Index

The Power Distance Index (PDI) deals with how a particular culture such as South Korea deals with authority and hierarchy, according to Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede. According to veteran military pilot and essayist Albert Southwick, “a culture with a high PDI is more apt to respect authority even when authority is plainly in error.” The low PDI score, along with the nation's general respect for foreign beliefs and authority, will indicate why American media is always pushing for a sensational story. South Korea has a high PDI score meaning a native of South Korea would respect media authority whether or not they are invading his privacy. That is the reason behind Chan Ho Park having such compliance in answering questions and giving the American people exactly what they would call TMI – too much information.

That doesn't compare to the flaming plane wrecks

More studying of Southwick's article will show the Chan Ho Park diarrhea dynamic on a very much more significant scale. Korean Airline jets got into many fatal accidents within the 1990s. The reason speculated is that instead of questioning the clarity of English language instructions from air traffic control towers and possibly appearing as though they were questioning authority, the Korean pilots remained silent and misunderstood. ”Chan Ho Park diarrhea” isn't a “Koreagate” when compared with loss of life, right?

Sourcesfor the Article

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geert_Hofstede

clearlycultural.com

http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/

thefreelibrary.com

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/When cultural taboos can be deemed life-and-death matter.(COMMENTARY)-a0191821762



Saturday, April 17, 2010

In Austin Texas, Car2Go is going official

zipcar2-300x225Soon in Austin Texas, thanks to German company Car2Go, Texans could be seeing SmartCars in an entirely new light. The year old pilot program will be expanded within the car-sharing service to all city and state officials in Austin. Car2Go is a car-sharing service that charges users by the minute for use of SmartCars, a model that is becoming increasingly popular in large cities.

How Car2Go works

Car2Go is a system in car-sharing that places quite a few cars in one urban area. “Members” of Car2Go can then use their intelligent card to rent the cars by the minute. Anywhere within the Car2Go area, the Car2Go auto can be picked up or dropped off. At about 35 cents per minute of rental, the Car2Go system bridges the gap for urban residents that do not have a vehicle, but once in a while have need of one.

Car2Go or ZipCar

As an American business, founded in 2000, ZipCar is currently operating in 49 U.S. cities also as in Toronto, London, and Vancouver. After getting the Flexcar on board in 2007, ZipCar had about 50 percent of the auto sharing in their hands. ZipCar relies on "members" that use the membership card to unlock and rent ZipCars just like Cars2Go. ZipCar also has partnerships with numerous U.S. companies and universities that help students and commuters time-share their cars.

Auto Sharing Benefits

ZipCar and Car2Go represent just two of the large number of car-sharing services in the US and around the world. Many cities in the US, such as Buffalo, San Francisco, Boulder, NYC, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul have all started a vehicle sharing network. These car-sharing systems reduce congestion, increase flexibility, and tend to be much a lot more environmentally friendly. Also, large fleets of autos like ZipCar and Car2Go tend to use hybrid and electric cars, which will increase the overall fuel efficiency for hundreds of drivers in each city.



Celestial Steed: Blizzard Store debuts new WoW horse

wow2-240x160The newest World of Warcraft pet, the Celestial Steed, has been released. Depending on the mount skill you have, the Celestial Steed could possibly be a land or air mount. The Celestial Steed from the Blizzard Store could increase your speed by 310 percent. Downloading the Celestial Steed will cost you as much as no faxing payday cash advances – $ 25.

Celestial Steed one of the Blizzard Store pets

The Celestial Steed was released today in the Blizzard Store Pet Store. A flying mount with “wings of pure elemental stardust,” originally, the Celestial Steed was accessible in the World of Warcraft game, but there was only a .5 percent chance a player would get it. Any World of Warcraft player who wants the Celestial Steed can now get it without waiting for that one-half of one percent chance. You have to have a battle.net account to activate the Celestial Steed. Each license of World of Warcraft involves a separate purchase of the Steed.


Watch the Celestial Steed in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KvDDFi0Fuo

Charity donation for the Celestial Steed?

The Celestial Steed joins a set of pets in the Blizzard Store. When the Pandaren Monk was released in 2009, the Blizzard Store donated 50 percent of all sales from the pet store to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish got $ 1 million from the Pandaren Monk. Thus far, there has been no talk from the Blizzard Store of donations from the Celestial Steed.

Player reactions to the Celestial Steed

The Celestial Steed is popular in the Blizzard Store, but not all WoW players are excited. Some players are expressing frustration on the World of Warcraft forums. Some are saying that the Blizzard Store is trying to drain WoW players of money, first with cards, then with pets and now with servers. A few have expressed disappointment that they have to get no faxing payday loans just to keep playing. Other players are very excited, saying that the Blizzard Store is reducing the disappointment of constantly looking for an unlikely piece of loot.



Promoted Tweets: What Twitter advertising means to you

What, exactly, do promoted tweets mean for most Twitter users? Promoted tweets are the first of a planned group of Twitter advertisements that will appear as highlighted search results. short term installment loans from venture capitalists can’t support Twitter forever, regardless how negatively promoted tweets may be going over.

How Promoted Tweets will work

Built to be similar to, but more “organic” than Google advertisements, Promoted Tweets will operate on search results. When somebody uses search.twitter.com, contextually relevant results will appear at the top of the search results. For instance, a search for the term “red bull” might show a promoted tweet by Red Bull above current Twitter chatter. At least five companies have already signed up for Promoted Tweets, including Sony, Starbucks, Best Purchase, Bravo, and Red Bull.

Promoted Tweets to be rated by users

Promoted Tweets will use tweets that paying companies would post anyway. Twitter is hoping that twitters will bookmark, retweet, or reply to the promoted tweets. Tweets that don’t get interaction will be removed from the list of promoted tweets. Debt settlement relief may be in the future for Twitter if the promoted tweets program is successful.

Plans for the growth of Promoted Tweets

Eventually, promoted tweets could be displayed in places other than search results. If the promoted tweets program is successful, Twitter plans to expand the program. The business account’s promoted tweets can be “injected” into timelines. Second, these Promoted Tweets will also be displayed by Twitter clients such as Tweetie and Seesmic, also as clients being developed by companies that have chosen to hire a dedicated programmer to create iPhone and Android apps.

The financial reality of Promoted Tweets

The Promoted Tweets program could be the first attempt of Twitter to monetize their website. Since 2006, Twitter has refused to monetize their very popular service. The head of Twitter, Biz Stone, has said they wanted to create value before revenue. With Promoted Tweets, it appears Twitter can be looking to give investors a return on the $ 57 million that has been invested within the business. If the addition of advertising to other social networks is any indication, users will most likely be fine with advertising supporting their favorite service.

Sources:

PC Magazine

Wikipedia

PC World



Friday, April 16, 2010

Droid Incredible launch date accidentally released by Verizon Wireless

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The new Verizon flagship phone the Droid Incredible was designed to have a launch date that was a secret. But now everyone knows that Verizon customers will be able to pre-order the Droid Incredible starting Thursday, April 29. A teaser website on VerizonWireless.com accidentally went live earlier today but was quickly pulled. But now the cat has been let out of the bag.

Confirmed launch of Droid Incredible

For a while now, sighting of the Droid Incredible have been reported by Droid geeks. The anticipation has been unbearable creating gossip about rumors of the features and release in the blogosphere. The agony is now being swapped out with happiness because of a communication breakdown within the inner sanctum of the Verizon web development and we all know that April 29 we can use credit cards to order the Droid Incredible.

Matchup Droid Incredible Google Nexus One

Verizon users have been waiting for this for a when since the Droid Incredible has the very same specs as the Google Nexus One. A 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor under the hood, 567 MB RAM/512MB ROM, and 8GM of internal storage will all be a part of the Droid Incredible. It will even have the exact same 3.7-inch AMOLED display, with 480×800 pixels. The Incredible will run Android 2.1 along with Nexus One.

Droid Incredible improves Android Platform

The biggest difference between the two devices could be the Droid Incredible runs HTC’s revised Sense UI, according to Eric Zeman at Informationweek.com. Zeman said the newer version of Sense makes using the Android platform a seamless and much more enjoyable experience. The improvements of HTC’s custom overlay consist of better social networking support and more powerful screen switching tools. The Sense UI was confirmed within the screen shot posted by Verizon Wireless on the teaser site before it was shut down.

Droid Incredible and the point and shoot performance

Other features of the Droid Incredible were revealed on the Verizon site including a hefty 8 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, meaning the droid might save you from finding a personal loan for a new digital camera. Other Droid Incredible goodies consist of GPS, digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm headset jack.

The Droid killer: Droid Incredible

It didn't take Verizon very long to password protect the teaser site for the Droid Incredible. On it was an image of the Droid Incredible with information integrated with the April 29th date. Unless you were one of the few lucky individuals who caught Verizon with their pants down earlier, you are probably shut out now. You are able to expect the site to be revived before too long along with the advertising blitz urging you kill your Droid, get a cash advance, and order the Droid Incredible.



UPS Jobs: UPS Careers looking good

UPS Jobs are, all things considered, incredibly good jobs. The UPS system usually promotes from within, and getting a job in UPS Careers means beginning as a package sorter and working your way up to delivery person training. However, over the next five years, UPS is expected to hire more than 25,000 individuals for UPS careers.

Are you looking to UPS jobs as a possible quick cash? Here’s the lowdown.

Very very good jobs come from UPS

UPS, on average, pays really well. Relying on where you live and the way very good you are at your job, the United Parcel Service pays drivers up to $ 75,000.

UPS Jobs are listed as one of 2009’s “World’s Most Reputable Companies” by Forbes Magazine . UPS Careers were also listed as one of the Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign, 50 best places to launch a career by Business Week, and America’s Top 10 most socially responsible companies by Fortune Magazine.

Careers are expected to grow in UPS

Currently, UPS Jobs include about 99,000 drivers across the United States. 25,000 of those drivers are expected to retire in the next five years. This means that every year, UPS jobs will account for an average 5,000 hires throughout the United States. This doesn't include other people being hired for other positions such as package sorter or administrative and technical support.

If rumors are right about UPS taking over TNT Mail within the United Kingdom then there could be even more jobs available.

Training for UPS Jobs

If you need to become a UPS Driver, the training is much more complex than a simple test. To make certain that drivers stay on task, there are high tech tough training courses in a training center right outside Washington D.C. for drivers to complete.

There are video games UPS job applicants need to complete to show they can navigate between challenges and obstacles. Physical obstacles such as carrying a 10 pound box over a greased runway, are other things that have to be completed. Even though it may seem tough, and even just a little funny, UPS jobs are the face of the business and they don't like to loan business uniforms to just anybody.

Applying for UPS Jobs

To apply for a UPS job, start at the UPS jobs web site. At the UPS jobs website, you can apply for jobs, check hiring appointments, inquire about open positions, and more.

Sources for the article:

UPS Jobs website:

ups.managehr.com/Home.htm

Business Week:

businessweek.com/news/2010-04-08/tnt-s-mail-separation-revives-ups-fedex-takeover-speculation.html



Kate Middleton: Wedding Bells at Buckingham Palace?

The Daily Beast has recently reported as-of-yet unconfirmed rumors that Kate Middleton and Prince William might announce their engagement as soon as June.

To be clear – Kate Middleton and Prince William have NOT announced an engagement. However, an engagement would not be unexpected considering Kate Middleton and Prince William are together for 7 years.

Should fans start saving their instant money for a chance to view the wedding? Just what are the rumors against and for a Kate Middleton wedding to Prince William?

Who’s this Kate Middleton girl?

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, or Kate Middleton, and Prince William met at the University of St. Andrews.

They began their courtship in 2001 and, besides a short breakup in 2007, have been together ever since. After founding their own mail-order company with a short term installment loansand becoming millionaires, Kate Middleton's parents were married in 1980.

Kate Middleton’s relationship with Prince William

Several times over the years of her relationship with Prince William, Kate Middleton has complained of harassment by media.

Kate Middleton was given special 24 hour security detail in February of 2006. This move created numerous rumors of an engagement but it never happened. Kate Middleton has accompanied Prince William to a few royal events also.

An engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton?

The Daily Beast reported today that “high-level officials” had indicated that Kate and William may be announcing their engagement on June 3 or 4. The royal calendar has been pointed out to have been blocked those two days to support the rumor. This June engagement would indicate a November wedding after the difficult election and before Prince William would become an operational pilot for the Royal Air Force. A November wedding however, as pointed out by the Daily Mail, would interfere with his search and rescue pilot training. Whether or not an engagement is announced between the two, they’re certain to be getting a lot of attention from the press again.

Resources:

The Daily Beast:

thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-04-06/william-and-kate-name-the-date/full/

New York Daily News:

nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/04/07/2010-04-07_a_royal_engagement_prince_william_rumored_to_propose_to_girlfriend_kate_middleto.html



Thursday, April 15, 2010

Enjoy these Earth Day activities for kids

For any environmentalist parent, that is a win-win situation. It helps for mom and dad to understand Earth Day if children are really to appreciate the fun that could be had on Earth Day (April 22). According to USA Today, this is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Back in 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was an environmentalist at heart, proposed that April 22 as a day that is set aside to honor earth and her vast resources. After catching on quite a bit, the Congress authorized the creation of the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, to police environmental pollution.

Possible activities for Earth Day activities for children

Earth Day activities for kids should mirror the call the EPA has issued to all Americans to commit to five actions that will keep our environment safe. It is up to you if you would rather apply for payday loans no fax rather than with paperwork in a store as one of yours. Think about just what could happen if everyone did those five actions diligently even though it doesn't seem like doing one is much. The world would be a better, cleaner place. It is less difficult to focus on just a few activities rather than a whole list of them making Earth Day for kids less overwhelming. It also makes it much cheaper for parents, to the point that low interest loans are unnecessary.

Speaking of activities, here are your five actions for the kids

Thanks to Main Street, here are your “five actions,” your Earth Day activities for children:

  1. Sort recyclables. Ideally, you live in an area with curbside recycling pickup. Even if you do not, there are likely places where you are able to take your recycling products. Separate plastic bottles from aluminum cans and show children the recycling symbols on the bottom so they know just what it means to be green. Teach them young so that it becomes a way of life — not a sometimes project.
  2. Don’t throw away jars. Glass or plastic, those jars can be used to hold pencils, your favored beverage, flowers, pennies, small toys or even that kind of sticky goo kids get out of vending machines. Children can even decorate the jars!
  3. Join the energy patrol. At home, at school or anywhere else, saving water and electricity go a long way toward saving the environment and saving money. Formulating great ideas is great to include with your Earth Day activities for kids.
  4. Spring cleaning – make it a game! Cleaning up the house and garage doesn’t sound like fun at first, but if you challenge your children to find new solutions to use old products, it gets them more involved and thinking green. Here are some ideas to get children started with household recycling, courtesy of the UK site Recycle This.
  5. Make an Earth Day crossword. If your child loves solving puzzles, make an Earth Day activities for kids-themed crossword to help them flex their language muscles. Or use this one, courtesy of the EPA.

Have a Happy Earth Day on April 22!

Resources for the article|Resources for the article}}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24_gqlIURMs

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/04/how-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary-of-earth-day-epa-offers-tips/1

Main Street

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/family/kids/5-earth-day-activities-kids



OS 4. iPhone announces 7 new features

Although most of us aren't over our iPad hangover yet considering it has only been out a few days, Steve Jobs announced at a big event new OS 4. iPhone features. OS 4. has been based on the seven "tentpole" features, each making the iPhone that much better. However, only the iPhone 3G or 3rd generation iPod Touch models could be able to support OS 4. for the iPhone. You might otherwise have to get some paydayloans if you want the operating system.

The first iPhone 4. feature is multitasking

This is exactly what many individuals hoped to find as part of the OS 4. iPhone feature, and it is not here. Multitasking for the iPhone isn’t really going to be true multitasking. The OS 4. iPhone will have a way of pausing and minimizing the processor load of applications instead.

Games, VOIP calls, and Pandora might continue to run in a dock that could be at the bottom of the screen while applications quickly switch from one to another. There can be no conversations such as Twitter or IM, as a part of the OS 4. iPhone operations just yet.

OS 4. iPhone Feature 2: Folders

Folder management was one of the most simple and popular hacks for unlocked iPhone and iPad systems. Now, OS 4. iPhone users could be able to organize their apps into folders without hacking the iPhone.

The third OS 4. feature is enhanced mail

First and foremost, the enhanced mail in OS 4. iPhones can have a unified inbox. You can choose whether you would like all of your emails to end up within the exact same box or in separate folders no matter what e-mail they come from.

Also, conversations will be a way the OS 4. iPhone sorts messages.

The iBook is the fourth OS iPhone 4. feature

Now the iBook application could be accessible to those who have OS 4. iPhone. Buy, read and enjoy books on your iPhone. It is simple although it could possibly be dangerous to any debt management plan.

OS 4. iPhone Feature 5: Enterprise Features

The OS 4. iPhone's fifth feature is really targeted towards 80 percent of 100 companies that use the iPhone. You’ll have more VPN opportunities, app distribution, mobile device management, and data protection. If you need help breaking those down, ask your IT guy.

The sixth OS 4. iPhone feature, a game center

The iPhone currently has over 50,000 game titles within the App store. The new OS 4. iPhone will have a social gaming platform like that of the Xbox Live. Achievement tracking, leaderboards, and matchmaking, as well as all the games you could want when wasting time on the bus ride to work.

OS 4. iPhone Feature 7: iAd

Steve Jobs didn’t pull any punches when he talked about the advertising platform on OS 4. iPhones. To put it bluntly, he said “we think most of this kind of advertising sucks.”Supposedly, iAd will give the possibility for over 1 billion advertising impressions a day – basically, 10 ads a day will show up on your OS 4. iPhone if you use apps for 30 minutes. All of the iAds will look like they are running in applications as applications. Jobs promises “interactive” and “emotion-filled” ads. App developers who allow iAds on their app will get a 40% split of the advertising profit.

Availability of the OS 4. iPhone?

OS 4. iPhone kits are available today for developers. This is to ensure that when OS 4. iPhone sales start – in the summer – that there are lots of applications accessible. The OS 4. iPhone will be released within the fall to iPad users.



Russian adoption return: U.S.-Russian adoption goes wrong

In September of last year, American Torry Hansen adopted a 7-year old boy from Russia; at the end of last week she tried to make a Russian adoption return. The Russian boy’s adoptive grandmother pinned a note to his clothes and put him on a one-way flight back to Russia. A man got $ 200 in quick cash for picking up the boy from the airport and taking him to the Russian Education ministry building.

Russian adoption return attempted because of violence

The family claimed that they attempted the Russian adoption return because they were worried for their safety. The note that was integrated when the boy was sent for his Russian adoption return included the line:

“This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues, I was lied to and misled by the Russian Orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues. After giving my best to this child, I am sorry to say that for the safety of my family, friends, and myself, I no longer wish to parent this child.”

The adoptive grandmother has said that the boy would threaten to kill everybody in the home, including drawing pictures of the house on fire. A social worker did visit the home in January, though the boy’s adoptive family reported no issues at that time.

International uproar over Russian adoption return

The Russian adoption return has caused anger around the world. Russia instantly suspended the license of the agency that had handled Artyom Savelyev’s adoption. Russia is threatening to suspend all adoptions involving the U.S. and Russia until a new treaty could be approved. The family that attempted the Russia adoption return cannot currently be prosecuted under any U.S. or Russian treaty. Some U.S. agencies are investigating the possibility of prosecuting the Russian adoption return family for child abandonment.

Watch the reporting on the Russian adoption return

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQr6-7ymZ5E

Russian adoption placements difficult

With over 740,000 orphans in Russia, adoption is very difficult. With so few parents willing to adopt in Russia, Russian adoption agencies usually look to adoptive parents from other countries. Adopting a child from any country is very expensive, and many adoptive parents end up asking a personal loan business for help during the process. Russian officials are wary of U.S.-Russian adoptions, however, as there have lately been a spate of Russian adoption returns and failures.

Resources

Associated Press

ABC News



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Amy Mickelson affair upstages Masters win by hubby Phil

Wife of 2010 Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Amy Mickelson, is fighting breast cancer. One time Mickelson left his game of golf for months to care for her. But that is not tabloid enough for a lot of people. Since Tiger wasn't able to win the Masters even though he did finish in fourth, and he also failed to juggle multiple strippers at the 19th hole, the media decided they would just throw trash at Phil and Amy Mickelson. Allegedly, both have had affairs, but that isn’t really the issue. The timing of these supposed revelations is just what strikes a sour note after a fine weekend of golf by Phil.

Phil had an affair with Ohio stripper while Amy Mickelson had an affair with Michael Jordan

Don't let Phil and Amy Mickelson take pleasure in the Masters victory much. The Tiger Woods trash train needs fuel for the fire, invented or otherwise. The allegation that there was an Amy Mickelson/Michael Jordan affair isn’t really entirely surprising, as Jordan is notorious for having a wandering eye. His gambling may have taken him to cash advances also. It has also been written that Phil Mickelson fathered a child with a stripper in Ohio. Wei Under Par claims that Sports Illustrated was there to blow the lid off all this, but the Mickelsons threatened to sue so nothing materialized. Read into this no matter what you feel like, but don't wager a payday cash loan on a specific version of the truth.

Don't pick the happy ending – pick the storybook ending

Here’s how The New York Daily News set the scene for Phil Mickelson’s win. It was quite emotional:

“It was a scene out of a Disney movie, really: Amy, a woman fighting breast cancer and all its medical meanness, weary, dabbing her cheeks with a napkin, waving to the crowd; Phil walking alongside her, teary-eyed himself; Jim Mackay, his faithful caddy, working hard to control his own emotions, before failing on this occasion. While we may never know and can never write the whole story with these athletes, this was a conclusion Sunday that seemed very correct, somehow, under the circumstances. It was as close to a morality play as we get in sports.”

Woods couldn't win the Masters because Phil was better

Phil Mickelson’s 16-under for the tournament placed him three strokes ahead of runner-up Lee Westwood. Tiger Woods finished at 11-under, tied for fourth destination with K.J. Choi. As PGA pro Curtis Strange put it on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, Phil is “at ease” playing at Augusta National. In this Masters tournament, he hit the greens and made all shots. As a result, not only does Mickelson take home his third Masters green jacket (making him one of only eight players to win that many), but he takes home the $ 1.35 million winners share of the Masters payout. The sum in prize money that was total was $ 7.5.

Article Sources:

Dailytrendtopics.com:

dailytoptrends.com/general/phil-mickelsons-wife-amy-rumored-to-have-affair-with-michael-jordan/1382/

The New York Daily News:

nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2010/04/12/2010-04- 12_in_winning_masters_phil_mickelson_and_wife_amy_write_fairytale_ending.html

WorldCorrespondents.com

worldcorrespondents.com/masters-payout-2010-masters-golf-prize-money-is-usd7-million/883000

Wei Under Par:

weiunderpar.com/post/295468742/phil-mickelson-better-not-run-over-a-fire-hydrant-in



The brand new Obama nuclear policy

President Obama conducted a Nuclear Posture Review which changes the nation's policy on nuclear weapons, which has generated criticism of the Obama nuclear policy .

Even though the change is relatively small, some Congressional Republicans are upset over it. If the government were to put any fast cash into any more nuclear supplies, it would be for reactors, not for any more nukes.

Stark raving MAD

According to the article in TIME, the updated Obama nuclear weapons policy changes nothing regarding the default status between Russia and the U.S. Since the dawn of the Cold War, what kept a nuclear exchange from taking place between the two largest nuclear powers was something called “Mutually Assured Destruction,” wherein the nuclear deterrence held by either country would be deployed in the event of the other attacking with theirs.

This basically means that neither side will benefit from a nuclear attack because both sides would be damages beyond the extent of recovery from payday loans in the event a nuclear exchange happened

Non-aggression, with exceptions

Part of the new policy for nuclear weapons is that President Obama pledged never to initiate a nuclear attack except against any state that won't participate within the Non-nuclear Proliferation Treaty. He also stated that any states who aren't known to have nuclear weapons will be safe as well.

It is equally a carrot – for any states not to develop them – and a stick for – any states that may be considering it. It implies that we might nuke any states that have gone rogue and are developing nuclear weapons. More or less, with a broad room for exceptions, we won't be nuclear aggressors.

New nukes nixed

Obama also made it very clear we could be building no new nuclear weapons. Many of the hawkish Senate Republicans have balked at the idea, and our arsenal is aging within the nuclear area. But then again, the weapons grade isotope of plutonium, Pu-239, has a half life (the amount of time an element stays in one form, before it decays) of more than 24,000 years, so we’re good for the time being. The half lives of the other two weapons grade radioactive isotopes, Uranium 233 and Uranium 235, are 160,000 years and 703,800,000 years, respectively. However, just what constitutes “new” isn’t defined.

Terrorists paying will mean me bomb es su bomb

The Nuclear update Obama made on the policy includes no change to existing doctrine that states harboring or enabling terrorists excludes them from the contract within the case of a nuclear air attack. It also states that if another country at present holding any of these weapons really needs to use them (Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) might only do so with our permission.

Iran is far away

From an article from Reuters (See: reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6362IJ20100407), Iranian President Ahmadinejad is apparently none too pleased. He said that Obama is “inexperienced and an amateur politician.” He further added that “American politicians are like cowboys. Whenever they have legal shortcomings their hands go to their guns.” The revised Obama nuclear policy, in reality, changes little.



Texas Powerful Smart: Texas Appliance Rebate program details

The Texas Powerful Smart rebate program began accepting reservations today. While you can reserve your Texas Appliance Rebate today (if you can get through), you cannot actually purchase your new appliance until April 16. Is the Texas Powerful Smart program worth getting a personal loan to participate in?

The Texas Powerful Smart Program

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds the Texas Powerful Smart appliance rebate program, just like all other state appliance rebate programs. $ 17 million worth of funds were available for the Texas Powerful Smart program as of 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time today. The program is essentially uncomplicated. Texas Powerful Smart gives you money now for trading in inefficient appliances for efficient ones.

Exactly what appliances qualify for the Texas Powerful Smart program?

The Texas Powerful Smart program offers different rebates for different appliances. You can receive anywhere from $ 120 to $ 1,500 from the Texas Appliance Rebate program, relying on just what you purchase. All qualifying appliances are listed on the Texas Powerful Smart website. Qualifying models are also listed on the website. Not all new appliances are energy-efficient, so you will need to check the list.

How do I get the Texas Powerful Smart rebate?

You have to be a Texas resident to qualify for the Texas Appliance Rebate. You first have to “reserve” your rebate either through the Texas Powerful Smart web site or by calling 1-877-780-3039. The website and phone lines are very busy this morning, and the Texas Powerful Smart website recommends you try several times to get through. You will have to purchase your appliance in person and may have to submit data to the Texas Powerful Smart program.

Texas Powerful Smart rebates based on Energy Star

An Energy Star rating is designed to mean an appliance is energy-efficient. Lately, the Energy Star labeling has encountered questions. A new G.A.O. report found that getting the Energy Star label was remarkably easy, and some wonder if the Energy Star label means anything. An appliance must be either Energy Star or CEE rated to get the Texas Appliance Rebate. Do your own research, though, to be sure that your new Texas Powerful Smart appliance will really save you power.



Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Spirit Airlines: Not even your carry-on bags are free anymore

From 2008 on, many major airlines have started charging fees for checked baggage – now Spirit Airlines is taking those checked bag fees one step further Spirit Airlines can be taking the two year old checked baggage fee one step further. Spirit Airlines is making headlines by planning to charge customers for carry-on bags. There has been no word if the airline is going to also offer cheap payday loans to cover the new fees.

Spirit Airlines focuses on no-frills service

The airline service offered by Spirit Airlines is decidedly no-frills. With a $ 40 yearly membership, some customers can get Spirit airline fares for as little as $ 9 each way. Average Spirit airline fares range from $ 50 to $ 150 each way. Spirit Airlines charges $ 25 for one checked bag, and $ 70 for two. Spirit Airlines claims that at the exact same time the bag fee is instituted, they will drop their average fare by $ 40, saving some customers from getting no faxing payday loans to pay for their travel.

Spirit Airlines will charge carry-on fees

Checked baggage fees have led to more people carrying on luggage. On the first of August, Spirit Airlines will charge for those bags also. Spirit Airline “members” will be charged $ 20. Pre-registering the carry-on bag will price $ 30. At the gate, passengers could be charged $ 45 for their one allowed carry-on bag. Spirit Airlines is also considering replacing front counter service with self-service kiosks. ”Personal items” that will fit in the space under the seat in front of you will not be charged.

Will major airlines follow the example of Spirit Airlines?

No major air carrier has yet said they may also use these fees. Only two carriers have avoided checked bag fees – Southwest and JetBlue. Airlines received $ 700 million for checked baggage within the third quarter of last year. Average ticket prices dropped by 14% in that same period of time.

Resources:

Market Watch

Chron



Montcoal mine explosion raises questions about Massey Energy

The search for survivors has been called off in the Montcoal, West Virginia mine explosion. Mine owner Massey Energy is one of the nation’s largest coal producers, and Massey Energy was repeatedly cited for safety violations at the site of the Montcoal, WV mine explosion. Montcoal, West Virginia relies on Massey Energy for a large part of the economy. The city of Montcoal has basically a grocery store, a payday loan store, and several homes. When the search for survivors of the coal mine explosion was called off, 25 were dead and 4 were missing.

Montcoal, WV coal mine explosion

The coal mine explosion in Montcoal, West Virginia, occurred at 3 p.m. local time in Raleigh County, WV. The explosion, most likely set off by vented methane gas, knocked out wired and wireless communications. The search for survivors of the Montcoal, WV, coal mine explosion included specially trained mine disaster dogs. A Department of Labor mine safety administrator said he believes some of the miners were killed while “riding out of the mine of a vehicle”. Roof collapse is not currently suspected in the Montcoal coal mine explosion. The explosion is being blamed on combustible methane gas.

Miners trapped by the Montcoal mine explosion

Some had thought miners might have been able to reach emergency chambers when the coal mine explosion happened. Several miners can survive several days on the food, water, and air within the chambers. Like payday loans no fax, however, these chambers are only helpful if the miners were actually able to reach them. The coal mine explosion might have killed all 29 miners underground.

Safety violations had been a concern of Massey Energy

The exact cause of the mine explosion in Montcoal is not yet known. However, Massey Energy has been cited for dangerous conditions multiple times. In the last three months, Massey Energy has been cited six times. In the last year, Massey Energy has paid more than $ 380,000 in fines for “repeated serious violations” of safety at the Montcoal, WV coal mine.

Montcoal, WV to receive federal aid

The president has offered federal aid to the rescue effort. The Red Cross is also sending mental health services to the area. Support services are also being offered by local churches. Seven of the 25 deaths have been confirmed by Massey Energy. The C.E.O. of Massey Energy also released a statement saying “Our top priority is the safety of our miners and the well-being of their families”.

Sources:

LA Times

Washington Post

Newsweek



Monday, April 12, 2010

Unvarnished: Yelp for individuals

You, as a person, are up for review on the new Unvarnished website. Unvarnished gives an opportunity for anyone to post their “review” of you as a person. Unvarnished walks the fine line of possibly being useful, and possibly being a headache. In the end, we can only hope that Unvarnished doesn’t become a reason for banks to deny you the /”>best personal loan rates.

Using Unvarnished as reputation management

Individuals are asked to post “unvarnished” reviews of one another. The claim of Unvarnished is that it will help you “manage your career growth”. Any user can create a profile or post their review. User’s identities are verified using Facebook profiles. The Facebook link also means that Unvarnished could be much easier to cheat than a payday loan company – because a “verified” Facebook profile is just about anything but.

Unvarnished isn’t without problems

The problem that Unvarnished presents is much the same as Yelp and RipOffReport.com. Review websites can provide valuable services. At the exact same time, there are two sides to every review. Unvarnished claims to have a “community” system that will help keep bad reviews in check. Unfortunately, unhappy people are much more likely to speak out than unhappy people. This means that Unvarnished could present an unvarnished – if very skewed – view of you.

Should I get an Unvarnished account?

So, yes, Unvarnished review could possibly be very skewed. Seeing bad reviews on Unvarnished could be difficult. Getting an Unvarnished account would nevertheless be a good move for most professionals. If nothing else, knowing what others are saying about you is important – especially if it is negative. An Unvarnished account will allow you to see and reply to feedback others have. Keeping an eye on your online reputation is important.



Who was kicked off American Idol on April 7?

Results are shocking!

Before even announcing who was kicked off on American Idol April 7, trusty host Ryan Seacrest said there were “shocking results.” Seacrest didn't lie:

The answer to who got kicked off what surprising and heartbreaking. Also! There was a twist.

Marks made by American Idol Judges

It was very intense on American Idol April 7 when both Big Mike Lynche and Andrew Garcia were left standing. Despite the fact that both of these men are favorites, we all knew that Andrew Garcia would be heading home with his cash now because of his sketchy performing record. After all, Big Mike Lynch has a great track record of impressing the judges, and Andrew has gotten numerous negative criticism. So it was a huge surprise when the answer to who got kicked off “American Idol” April 7 was not Andrew Garcia! Just what happened? Is this possible that it really was Big Mike that got kicked off of American Idol April 7?

In disbelief, the “American Idol” audience viewed as Big Mike sang for his life. Everybody sat on the edge of their seats curious and wondering: Would the judges really use their one conserve of the season for Big Mike?

The answer to who really got kicked off of American Idol April 7

Finally, after Big Mike presented an emotional rendition of “This Woman’s Work,” it was time for the judges to speak. The decision was unanimous as Simon informed Mike of. And to the relief of all the fans of Mike, Mike was saved. “We decided we’re going to see you next week,” Simon said.At long last, we have it.

The answer to who was the one unlucky person kicked off American Idol April 7 is: nobody.. Whew! I agree with the judges completely. There isn't a great side to the twist. Because nobody got kicked off “American Idol” April 7, two individuals will get the ax next week. Risking the ire of interwebs and paydayloans applicants, I think it needs to be Katie Stevens and Tim Urban.



Saturday, April 10, 2010

Bruno Tonioli: Stripping down and speaking up

Judge Bruno Tonioli from Dancing with the Stars is known for getting his opinions out there.

Bruno Tonioli is both loved and hated for this particular trait; nobody can say that Bruno Tonioli isn’t a unique character.

Recently, news for two very different things was made by Bruno: calling Kate Gosselin a “raving bitch from hell” (yes, it was a compliment) and stripping down so a good cause could get some instant money.

Bruno Tonioli speaks his mind on DWTS

Bruno Tonioli has been a Dancing With The Stars judge since the show came to the united states. He always says just what his on his mind but this year has been polarizing specifically to Kate Gosselin with his comments.

Bruno Tonioli really let loose on the George Lopez show last night. Bruno Tonioli called Kate Gosselin “dreadful” and said that she is such a “disaster movie” that watching her is like watching 2012. Youch. Bruno Tonioli is definitely on the record as not liking Kate Gosselin.

Dancing with the Stars talked about by Bruno Tonioli

Be warned. Bruno and Lopez get a little risqué in this clip, so don't watch more than 2 minutes if you don't want to hear discussion of profanity about Pamela Anderson's Chest, things that Bruno has done within the past for quick cash, or about his tight pants.

See the clip here at

www.i.cdn.turner.com/tegwebapps/tbs/tbs-www/cvp/tbs_432×243_embed.swf?context=lopez_embed_offsite&videoId=213729

Bruno Tonioli strips for charity

More than just making headlines for his stripped down commentary, Bruno really stripped down. The Give Up Clothes For Food campaign is in Britain and focuses on getting clothing and housewares to donate to childhood cancers.

Usually those stars who get naked aren't noticed in the US but Bruno was surely noticed for some reason.

To show off all of his dancing skills and choreography skills, he makes a long, elegant, and very nude line in the Give Up Clothes For Good campaign shots. If you wanted to see pictures of the nude, yet not pornographic, stars such as Bruno Tonioli, you are able to look On the Daily Mail.



How for making the perfect hard boiled eggs

Asking hard boiled eggs how long is important whenever you plan in advance on boiling eggs. For most of us, making hard-boiled eggs seems simple: put eggs in boiling water for a certain time frame, and then pull them out. We have all had that question though. ”Hard boiled eggs, how long should you boil”? The answer – up to 20 minutes – can be very simple. Getting your eggs cooked without a green ring could be done more quickly than getting payday loans.

What causes green hard boiled eggs

When eggs are overcooked, they get a green ring around the yolk. Overcooking eggs triggers the sulfur in the egg, turning it green. Sulfur is a chemical that is contained naturally in eggs, but when you are boiling eggs there is a greater possibility it’ll come out. When boiling eggs, the sulfur is released and the flavor, texture and color of the hard boiled eggs are all affected. That is how the yolk turns green or gray. The white will even get rubbery, while the yolk gets dry.

Hard boiled eggs done right

How do you make hard boiled eggs sans the green ring and rubbery white? How should hard boiled eggs be cooked? The American Egg Board has boiled eggs over 30 dozen times to be able to answer this question.

Take a saucepan or pot and location the eggs in a single layer. Cover them with cold water so there’s almost inch of water above the eggs. Turn a burner to high heat and put the pot on. When the water boils, pull it off the burner and cover it with a lid that fits tightly. Let the eggs cook, covered, in the hot water. Large eggs must sit for 15 minutes. Once their cooking time is up, instantly remove the eggs from the hot water and put them in cold water to stop the cooking.

Using your hard-boiled eggs

Hard boiled eggs could be used in egg salad, chef’s salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, or dyed eggs. Deviled eggs are one of the most popular way to use hard boiled eggs, and that is a very tasty solution – a special dish that doesn’t require the best payday loans.

Slice hard boiled eggs in half to get the ball rolling on your deviled eggs. Scoop out the yolk, and combine it in a bowl with enough Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, or oil and vinegar to make a paste. Blend in flavorings – anything from crumbled bacon or chopped fresh basil or pickle relish. Fill the egg whites with the paste of yolk, and you’ve got deviled eggs.



Friday, April 9, 2010

Net neutrality measures struck down by court

Treating all internet traffic equally is the concept of net neutrality. The concept of net neutrality seems simple enough, but a recent ruling by a Federal appeals court puts the FCC’s ability to protect net neutrality in question. Now, the question is if net neutrality could be protected, or will your isp determine which payday loans no fax you are able to apply for?

FCC net neutrality actions decided illegal

The net neutrality case the Federal appeals court just ruled on is Comcast Corp. v. FCC, 08-1291. In 2008, the FCC slapped Comcast with a sanction when they slowed down internet service for users of peer-to-peer networks. Some users, a few trying to apply for payday loans faxless, complained to the FCC. The FCC said that slowing internet speeds prevented equal access. Comcast sued the FCC with the argument that the FCC was stepping over the legal authority given it by congress. On April 6, a federal appeals court ruled in Comcast’s favor.

The first step toward net neutrality

Presently, net neutrality doesn’t have an enforcement framework within the United States. Legally, the FCC can regulate “telecommunications services”. However, broadband internet service is at the moment classified as a “Title I” information service. New legal framework to protect net neutrality is supported by the President, but no specific framework is being considered by Congress.

The argument against net neutrality

If broadband service is reclassified, many large providers have threatened the FCC with lawsuits. Many large providers such as Verizon and Comcast are arguing loudly against net neutrality. At one of the most basic, the argument the providers espouse is the federal government should not get involved in business practices of network regulation. The providers claim that the federal government has no legal right to involve itself in network management.

What can the FCC do to protect net neutrality?

The FCC and federal government have a lot invested in net neutrality. The National Broadband plan is a Federal guiding document that rests very heavily on net neutrality. The FCC has three legal options. 1st, the FCC could classify broadband as a Title II service. Second, they can ask Congress to present a legal framework for net neutrality. 3rd, the FCC can appeal the recent decision to the Supreme Court.

Sources:

Computer World

Wall Street Journal



iPhone OS4: Multitasking and more on the way for iPhone

While the Apple iPad might be the newest thing for most people this April, Apple has already announced the iPhone OS4. Apple will preview the iPhone OS4 this Thursday at Apple Headquarters. While no details have been officially released, the rumors are running wild – but do not run out to get no fax payday loans no creidt check for the iPhone OS4 yet.

iPad may also run iPhone OS4

When the iPhone OS4 is released, it will end up on devices beyond the iPhone. The iPad runs the iPhone OS as well. This could be the first OS update to the iPhone since the iPad has been released. It’s sure how the iPhone OS4 will include some big changes, but nobody is certain what they will be.

Will OS4 fix concerns with the iPad?

The current Apple iPhone OS is the operating system for the newly-released iPad. While iPad apps are based on this iPhone system, there are complaints. Multi-tasking was the most-requested pre-release feature of the iPad. Some rumors claim that Apple’s Expose might provide a basis for the iPhone OS4. This would allow iPad apps to run at the very same time. The iPhone OS4 may allow your iPad app to run Twitter at the exact same time your iPad app to calculate You can run iPad apps to calculate debt consolidation at the very same time you run your Facebook app.

When will Apple iPhone OS4 be released?

Of course, the Apple iPhone OS4 details won’t be known before the announcement event. If the OS3 is any indication, the Apple iPhone OS4 won’t be released for a while. OS3 was previewed in March of 2009, but was not released until June. So, most likely, your iPad apps, iPhone, and iPod Touch won’t be sprinting the iPhone OS4 until at least June or July.



Is spokeo.com a scam?

The concept of spokeo.com is simple – aggregate all publicly available info and sell it to any person with paydayloans no fax to pay for the data. Some are claiming spokeo.com is a scam, but others are arguing that it is merely a service. The answer is … type of. What Spokeo does could possibly be considered shady, but Spokeo.com isn’t a scam.

What spokeo.com claims to do

Spokeo.com itself is a search engine that aggregates social networking details. Most social networking information – from MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, or any other website – is aggregated by the Spokeo.com search. Email addresses are used as identifiers to match different profiles to one another. You are able to get access to anybody’s details if you get nofaxing payday loans or any other financing to pay Spokeo.

Spokeo.com scam?

There have been many allegations that Spokeo.com Scam could be a better name for the company. In the privacy policy, Spokeo.com claims to only gather publicly accessible information. Independent tests by snopes.com and some other news websites have found the opt-out process can be a bit questionable. Some whistle-blowers saying spokeo.com is a scam claim the billing process can be iffy. Spokeo.com has answered the scam allegations with a statement that they’re “just launching a new version and are reviewing policies”.

Keeping your Spokeo search safe

The spookiest thing about Spokeo.com, scam or not, is that it aggregates info on the internet you may or might not want shared. What you choose to share on social networking is one of the most important thing. Set all the privacy settings on your social networks to levels you are comfortable with. Spokeo.com is an aggregator – so make sure to remove information you do not want public from the original web site where the data was accessible. Beyond safeguarding yourself from the potential Spokeo.com scam, it is just good practice in safeguarding yourself online.

Sources:

Snopes.com

Pandia Search Engine News

Spokio.com blog



Thursday, April 8, 2010

Nicollette Sheridan suing Desperate Housewives for assault

On “Desperate Housewives,” Nicollette Sheridan liked playing Edie Britt. Being voluntarily smacked around within the bedroom was par for the course for the flirtatious, man-eating Ms. Britt. On the other hand, being smacked around by the producers of the program behind the scenes and dismissed for unclear reasons did not make a good day on the Wisteria Lane.

According to the New York Times, Nicollette Sheridan is suing the producers of “Desperate Housewives” for assault and wrongful termination, and they might need paydayloans to help with the lawsuit.

Precisely what happened that destroyed Nicollette Sheridan’s character?

Nicollette Sheridan’s lawsuit claims the creator of the popular nighttime soap opera, Marc Cherry, struck her during an incident that occurred in September, 2008, when Sheridan supposedly asked Cherry about a line in the script. As noted by the Associated Press, Marc Cherry’s alleged response was to take Nicollette Sheridan to the side and “forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head.”

To complain about Marc Cherry’s alleged violent treatment, Nicollette Sheridan went on to ABC, but it seemed her pleas fell heavily on deaf ears. Edie Britt was killed off not long there after. Because she dared to “make a fuss,” Sheridan believes it was retaliation by ABC.

How did Edie Britt die?

It’s nothing like the usual love triangle or a revenge-seeking sequel. As Zap2It remembers in the fateful 2009 episode of “Desperate Housewives,” it was a patented fatal car crash. Edie swerved to steer clear of Orson, who was “running across the street after one of his breaking and enterings.” Her automobile struck a utility pole, and fallen power lines hit the puddle of water where Edie’s body had settled. In a real double whammy, collision and electrocution claimed her.

Remembering Nicollette Sheridan’s character, flashback episodes of “Desperate Housewives” followed right away after that episode. Edie “smacks” some senses into Lynette and Bree in two of the flashbacks, in hopes they can discover the strength to face their own troubles. Mrs. McCluskey “smacks” some sense into Travis, Edie’s son, when he discovers her death and appeared barely fazed by it. The final smack came when Mrs. McCluskey “smacks down” Edie for her attempt to sympathize with McCluskey over having lost a son.

Is all that smacking coincidence?

It’s certainly an interesting word choice on Zap2It’s part, taking into account Nicollette Sheridan’s experience with Marc Cherry. It could possibly be argued coincidental, since the episode aired more than likely before the smack down was public knowledge. But the death of Edie itself was explained away in Gabby’s flashback from the exact same episode, where Nicollette Sheridan’s character confided that she will be meeting death before her 50th birthday. Oh ABC, how convenient. Only time will tell if Nicollette Sheridan smacks you down and leaves you crying for secured loans.



Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Divine Mercy Novena: A Good Friday tradition

the Divine Mercy Novena of the Roman Catholic faith|As Easter weekend draws near, so does the ancient tradition of those who declare religious faith – and today comes the Divine Mercy Novena of the Roman Catholic faith on Good Friday|Easter weekend is just around the corner, bringing along the ancient tradition of those who profess religious faith – and Good Friday, which is today, brings the Roman Catholic’s tradition of the Divine Mercy Novena}. In case you do not know the meaning of “novena,” WordNet defines it as “a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of prayers on nine consecutive days.” It is believed by the Roman Catholics that Jesus mandated the Divine Mercy Novena, and he also told St. Faustina how the special 9 days of prayers would begin on Good Friday. The nine days of pray! ers are to be dedicated to a certain assembly of souls. According to CatholicFire, prayers are to be made for “the lukewarm and indifferent”, those who are said to cause Jesus “more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt probably the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives,” and that the last day of prayer is “the most difficult of all.” Keep in mind, this would are long before payday advances.

What are Catholics praying for during the Divine Mercy Novena?

“On each day you’ll beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls,” Jesus is reputed to have told St. Faustina. Here is a list of the daily Divine Mercy Novena prayers for Roman Catholics:

  1. Good Friday – For all humankind, pray, with a particular focus on those who have sinned. This should include the souls of priests who contributed to the recent Catholic Church sex scandals, both participants and those who swept the information under the rug or did little or nothing to aid traumatized children.
  2. Holy Saturday – To pray for “the souls of priests and religious,” is what the Roman Catholics have dedicated this day for. See number 1, above.
  3. Easter Sunday – Prayer is focused on “all devout and faithful souls,” according to CatholicFire. See number 1; numerous Roman Catholics might argue that those who partook in the sex scandals are no longer “faithful.”
  4. Easter Monday – Prayer is dedicated to the souls who don’t know or don’t believe in Jesus.
  5. Easter Tuesday – A day of prayer for “the souls of separated brethren.”
  6. Easter Wednesday – For “the meek and humble souls and the souls of children” prayer is made on this day. This is where certain Roman Catholics have to spend more time on; review No. 1
  7. Easter Thursday – Prayer is made for those who go the extra mile to honor the mercy of Jesus.
  8. Easter Friday – Prayer on this day is made for the souls in purgatory.
  9. Easter Saturday – Those souls who have “become lukewarm” receive prayer honors on this final day of Divine Mercy Novena.

Roman Catholics would like a nice Divine Mercy Novena

The Vatican’s position on the recent priest sex scandals might make that seem impossible, unfortunately. While it is most unfair to blame the many parishioners for the actions of a few, the actions of the Vatican have fairly brought the ire of society. If the Vatican truly believes as Jesus does that kids are the model of peaceful innocence, then they’ll take immediate action that is in the best interests of such kids. The Vatican’s reputation was protected by the likes of Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzenberger) and some cardinals, but there are nevertheless laws in place on how to deal with those who would harm children. Though there is nevertheless much to be done, it looks as if the Roman Catholic Church may be headed in that direction, the direction of aiding those Jesus favored by first following the law. If it means a need for a money lender or two to help settle lawsuits, let it be said.