Mixing the electronic tablet industry with Blackpad

The Blackpad is the newest rumor about Research in Motion. The headline about the Blackpad, possibly including a preview, could be made at the Developer Conference today. Some news sites are reporting that a fully functioning device can be previewed. Others say the Blackpad is nevertheless in first development and won’t even be discussed. Blackberry / RIM couldn’t come close to the audience of an Apple Developers conference, however the headline is nevertheless highly anticipated. Article resource – Blackpad – Seven inches of Blackberry rumors by Personal Money Store.

RIM’s business method with the Blackpad

Lately, Research in Motion has encountered many business challenges. Governments and high-security businesses were the original target of Blackberry gadget. Though that niche is relatively small, Blackberry and RIM did really well serving it. Though they weren’t the target audience, everyday consumers begun purchasing Blackberries as well. In order to stay financially secure, RIM has had to balance high performance with consumer-friendly design. Apple products were the first major rival for Blackberry. Increasingly more often, though, customers are choosing Android and Apple products over Blackberries.

What is the Blackpad?

The Blackpad is, in short, an iPad competitor. A tablet computer with touch-based user interface. DevCon 2010 may see the Blackpad discussed. A real Blackpad to play with, though, probably won’t be ready. Though they do not have one ready, RIM will nevertheless talk about the Blackpad. Generalities and deadlines can well be announced. At seven inches, the Blackpad screen will be about the same size as the iPad. There will also be either one or two cameras for videoconferencing. The operating system of the Blackpad will not be Blackberry OS3, but a specially-developed system. RIM has not yet declared the price of the Blackpad, leaving some to wonder if it will require a fax-less payday loan.

Who is the Blackpad for?

Research in Motion has stated that they wish to remain a business-based company. This does not mean they will shun everyday customers. All customers will be the target of this Blackpad, though the security and high-functions can be maintained. Blackpad will have one major competitive advantage. If a 3G Blackpad is released, it will not be tied to just one cellular network. In other words, no have to be tied to just one cell carrier for electronic tablet compatibility. The Blackpad is not the only rival, though, as the WePad, Google Tablet and Samsung Galaxy Pad are both placed for release soon.

Increasing financial institution costs to obtain immediate cash more often

Banking institutions and credit unions get lots of immediate money from financial institution fees, although most individuals hate to deal with them. One of the largest sources of revenue the banking industry has are the fees it puts out. As the rules for fees on credit cards and other things get more complicated, the costs are going up. You will find some things all of us have to know. These things we need to keep away from. Article source – Banks increase fees to get some more instant cash by Personal Money Store.

Bank fees increasing

New federal regulations have come out which limit the amount and also the way in which customers could be charged for account services. CNN reports that most of the major financial institutions are just raising their fees. The CARD Act makes it so things like over-limit fees now have limits to them. Banking institutions are making up for the losses by raising fees and creating new fees. Financial institution of America just raised its minimum account balance as an example. If a consumer dips below the minimum balance, the financial institution assesses a monthly fee for doing so.

How over-limit functions

Banks previously did not have to inform a customer of being enrolled in overdraft protection. Protection programs cost lots of cash. Some banks let you’ve over-limit protection by simply linking or transferring. Checking that goes over could be covered by cash transferred from savings. Wells Fargo charges $10 for each transfer that happens like this. Then again, that is quite cheap for a loan. Other financial institutions charge for having a checking account. Citibank, for instance, charges $30 a month for the account. A person could wind up needing a payday advance for not spending any money.

Banks anticipated to do this

Every person knows going into over-limit will get you financial institution costs. It isn’t anything new. It can be cheaper to simply stay away from going there. The best plan is to just stay away from getting close to fees. The financial institution will get less of your money that way.

Articles cited

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/09/24/pf/new_bank_fees/

Lending criteria loosened with 2nd look products

Because a credit crunch was begun after the financial crisis, Wall Street banking institutions are getting some grief. While major U.S. financial institutions received billions in government bailouts, they’ve been refusing for making loans. President Obama met in December with financial institution executives within the White House to urge a way for making small business lending more prominent. Taking a “second look” at loon applications was one of the things suggested. That meeting encouraged major United States of America banks to start the second look programs. Second look may actually be helping, after nine months of observation.

More for second look

The president went a little further than just suggesting Wall Street financial institutions start taking a second look last December. Obama asked within the meeting that bankers “explore each and every possible way” to increase small business financing, reports the Associated Press. He suggested that they take a “third and fourth look” also. Chairman of the Financial Services Roundtable, United States Bancorp CEO Richard Davis, said the group which represents the country’s largest financial businesses would get the idea presented to them.

How we used to lend

It has only been nine months since then. Of course, the second-look program is getting used by almost all the Financial Services Roundtable members. Financial institution of The United States Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and United States of America Bancorp are all members of this. The second look program makes lending possible like it was back within the day. This is what the Wall Street Journal said. A lender has more to think about when it comes to choosing who can borrow so the relationships and track record of the borrower come into play along with the credit scores analysis and other industry driving data. Banking institutions are doing anything they can to make people look worthy of loans. This includes asking about unreported sources of income along with asking about credit report errors. The Journal reports on the second look program. It claims an impact could be seen. There has been the first easing of lending standa! rds since 2006 reports the Federal Reserve survey of senior loan officers that was done last month.

Worth the second look that is taken

The 2nd look program is helping financial institutions to stop avoiding risk. They pay more however love the business opportunity being done here. Alan Sherter at bNET writes that banks might be implementing second look products for PR purposes, rather than increasing risk in financing. Small Businesses aren’t likely to do really great when first beginning. The loans being given probably will not make the joblessness rate change much. The second look may be good for a small local business that wants to just survive the economic recession and hopes to increase one day.

More on this topic

Associated Press

msnbc.msn.com/id/34416646/ns/business-us_business/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704062804575510302866961116.html

bNET

bnet.com/blog/financial-business/due-credit-banks-offer-second-chance-to-small-businesses-rejected-for-a-loan/7715

A lot more brand new homes that no one really wants to borrow money for

You will find still a lot more home people built. This seems weird but is true. When the economy gets some good news, it is really thrilling for real estate. Sadly, the number of people borrowing for new homes is fairly much still. Finance loans for homes are becoming absent now. It is a lot more likely for a bank to get an application for loan modification. New home starts are one of only a few economic indicators that improved over the summer.

Four month high hit with all of the home starts

Construction on new homes is higher than it has been in four months. As of August, new home starts, with seasonal adjustment, have climbed to a rate of 598,000 per year at this pace, according to CNN. The 10.5 percent increase was shown. It was good. Most of that increase was with two parent homes. No single family homes were part of it. The increase of 4.3 percent was attributed to new single family home stats. The rate ended up being changed. It went to 438,000 a year. Single family homes play a huge role in real estate. Real estate moves with them. It is hard to get a financial institution loan though when you aren’t sure if your next payday will actually come or not.

Permits nevertheless being given

Developers have to get permits in order to build. Brand new home instruction needs permits also. In August there was an increase in permits. 1.8 percent was this increase. At this rate, 569,000 permits could be granted by the end of the year. The greatest increase in construction for August though, was multi-family homes. There was a 32 percent increase in multi-family houses. This was just the one type of home. Apartment complexes may not start being built super fast thinking about starts for buildings for multi-family houses are a statistic that cannot be trusted.

It’s nevertheless great news

For a when, the economy has centered on real estate. There is recovery beginning to occur. Within the last year, a 2.2 percent increase was marked in August.

More on this topic

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/09/21/news/economy/housing_starts/index.htm

Paydays less worth it with flat customer rates

Records was shown that states the customer price index has been almost the very same for too long. For months on end, prices of goods and services have remained essentially flat. Most people are good when it comes to getting the normal food. No instant payday loans is required for them. Part and parcel to the price index has been a near zero federal interest rate. Deflation is generally seen when an interest rate is at a steady low rate for too long.

Low consumer prices

The Department of Commerce makes sure to know how much goods and services are costing, and the rise and fall of that price. This is called the Consumer Price Index. The newest York Times reports that a .3 percent rise happened for the CPI in both July and August. Many thought there were only a couple reasons the number would rise. Many thought it was energy and food prices rising. Consumer prices haven’t changed at all except for those two goods. Demand and cost connect together, and since nobody is demanding with so much unemployment, costs don’t move. Retailers aren’t benefiting. They’re getting fewer customers and much less payday cash.

Cannot beat the low interest rates

For about four months, federal rates of interest are at about zero while consumer prices don’t change. When banks borrow or lend to other banks, the rate of interest the Federal Reserve set is what banks have to use. The majority of the loans are used for one thing. This thing is loan credit. Less interest rates are a good thing. More individuals borrow then. There is a catch. The economy won’t get any better with banks who don’t want to lend. The value of cash goes down this way. This is because money just is not being used. That is the definition of the word deflation.

Low federal rates aren’t good

Suppliers will have to raise the rates if deflation begins to happen to stay in business. However, that will not be accompanied by a rise in wages.

Further reading

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/18/business/economy/18econ.html?src=busln

General Motors Initial Public Offering won't probably repay the federal government

From riches to rags to riches again is the story that is apparently about General Motors. The company had to take billions in loans from two governments. However, General Motors is beginning to become profitable again. General Motors had to declare bankruptcy for just a little when. When that was in effect, the non performers in General Motors brands were let go. There was a lot of turmoil in the office as well. General Motors has a new executive, again. GM nevertheless owes lots of money to the government. Time is going to tell if General Motors can repay the loans after the Initial Public Offering, though GM leadership doesn’t think so.

General Motors will owe after Initial Public Offering

During the summer, General Motors announced that it was on the cusp of filing for an original public offering of stock. The business duly filed the paperwork. The government is nevertheless the majority shareholder. About 61 percent of all General Motors stock is held by the federal government. To pay the government back, an IPO will include selling the government’s shares to investors. General Motors, as outlined by the New York Times, does not think the auto bailout loans can be able to be repaid all at once.

Proof of viability required

In order for the Treasury to feel good about it, and for General Motors, there must be more of a history of new profitability on the part of the company. Daniel Akerson, the newest CEO, thinks so. He has already stated that he believes it will take a few years. He told a group of reporters at a recent press briefing that the auto conglomerate needs to build a history of solid performance again until the government shares could be fully divested.

A long way to go until GM sleeps

General Motors has pared itself down to four core brands, being Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. The outgoing CEO, Ed Whitacre, announced his retirement as soon as the second profitable quarter in a row was posted.

Further reading

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/17/business/17auto.html?ref=automobiles

September 17 to commemorate days for Constitution and Citizenship

To commemorate the 223rd anniversary of signing the document, educational facilities all over the United States are teaching pupils about the Constitution. In 2010, the government determined the courses were really important to do. That is why, according to Fox News, the government has financed the programs for the year. September. 17 was formally named “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” in 2004, as the result of a law championed from the late West Virginia Sen. Byrd.

The beginning of Constitution Day

In 1940, Congress authorized President Franklin Roosevelt to decree the third Sunday of May as “I Am an American Day,” a celebration of those who had taken the steps and obtained American citizenship. In 1952, Congress passed a law that moved the date to Sept. 17 and renamed it “Citizenship Day.”. Employees of the government had to learn of the Constitution and schools had to have Constitution based upon education if receiving funds on September 17 as a result of the law Byrd passed in 2004.

Constitution being celebrated

The country has lots of seminars going on. These are held at federal and university locations. Americans will get to enjoy speeches, panel discussions, presentations and films on Constitution Day. Not only that, however they can also throw parties. Constitution Day has been the day the “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart is publicizing his rally which will happen in October. 9/11 is something to be talked about.

Constitution Week celebrated by President Obama

Constitution Week, September 17 via September 23, is a time that Barack Obama hopes citizens will recognize the rights we have. ”I encourage federal, state, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and courses that acknowledge our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of this great Nation,” is what Obama exclaimed. During a conference on Television, we saw this.

Additional reading

Bryd’s Law

frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite: 36USC106

Fox News

foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/17/federal-schools-universities-celebrate-constitution-day/

U.S. Department of Education Constitution Day

ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html

Indoctrinate your children well… and know they love you

youtube.com/watch?v=JNvYIT-GtM0

Michelle Obama, reports Bruni, feels to be First Lady is hell

Being a world head has got to be full of pressure and anxiety. President Obama’s gray hair implies that he found out how hard it is to work within the United States of America economy. The pressure goes to the president also as First Lady The First Lady. French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had a biography that most recently came out sporting a discussion between her and Obama. The London Daily Mail reports that Obama thinks being First Lady is hell. If we want specifics, the Bruni biography shows the hell statement from Michelle Obama coming out as “Don’t ask! It’s hell! I cannot stand it!”.

There is a conflict with Bruni and Michelle Obama

The First Lady and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are known to have a terrible relationship, although it appears just fine on cameras. There has never been a true confirmation of the relationship being bad although it is rumored the two are always in competition with one another in clothing and public image. And it never could be if the United States of America and French administrations have anything to say about this. Unauthorized biography penned by Besma Lahouri and biography “Carla and the Ambitious” is where all that juicy details would go. Lahouri’s allegations concerning Bruni-Sarkozy’s rock-star lifestyle before her marriage to French President Nicolas Sarkozy sit alongside the designed proclamation Bruni-Sarkozy once uttered that Michelle Obama is “the only one able to challenge (her) for world’s sexiest and most glamorous first lady.”

Michelle Obama isn’t close

Despite media campaigns that try to connect the first ladies of the United States and France with the concerns of the common individuals, the really nature of the job creates layers of separation between world leaders and also the public. Even though Mrs. Obama may seem really inviting, average kids won’t be able to play with Sasha and Malia, even with the campaign Michele Obama has put together on TV to get children to exercise daily. With a couple of exceptions, the exact same is true of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and French people. Law and higher education were the focuses of Michelle Obama. Bruni-Sarkozy was a high-fashion model on the other hand. Bruni has been connected with rock ‘n’ roll titans via bedroom connections and was a professional performer for a when. Bruni-Sarkozy is (allegedly) quoted within the Lahouri biography as saying “On top of that, you expect me to be subtle? I’m a femme fatale, my dear.”

Perhaps Michelle Obama’s right. It isn’t fun and games being first lady.

Additional reading

London Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1312462/Michelle-Obama-thinks-First-Lady-hell-says-Carla-Bruni.html

Mo Rocca 180° exposes shocking The First Lady scandal

youtube.com/watch?v=3ooBhnjl5v4

Crash data boxes record wrong speeds, claims Toyota Motors

The investigation of Toyota vehicles instantly accelerating has brought new details to the surface for the NHTSA. In fact, it comes straight from the mouth of the automaker’s executive vice president of research and development, Takeshi Uchiyamada. According to Automotive News, Uchiyamada has announced that a software bug has been detected that causes the crash data boxes in Toyota vehicles to provide incorrect speed details.

Aren’t data recorders, just crash data boxes

Uchiyamada stated that “We have been able to determine that there is no defect in the event data recorders," although through the NHTSA, Toyota Motors admitted that crash information from the event data recorders (EDR) had issues. The mechanics of the machine is what he talking about. Evidently, the software bug is no longer a problem. How much pressure being applied to the brake throughout the collision is what the EDR records. It also records info related to the position of the throttle. Speed is all crash data boxes are responsible for. This is what sources say.

There are not electronic glitches, according to Toyota

Toyota got 3,000 unintended acceleration complaints. It reviewed them all and decided that there were no electronic errors causing the vehicle to accelerate. The automakers says that bad floor mats and driver error along with numerous other causes are what caused the problem. The NHTSA stated there really are no electronic issues. However, the crash data box’s reliability remains in question. Crash data from 2007 involving a Toyota Tundra pickup stated that the truck was traveling in excess of 170 mph, a number that has risen understandable suspicion. Uchiyamada’s conclusion in light of that info is that “the EDR cannot be trusted,” at least not when it comes to rate of speed.

Toyota recalls

Automotive News reports that Toyota has recalled more than 13 million cars worldwide since November 2009. More than 10 million of those, most related to unintended acceleration, were within the United States of America alone.

Car loan rates are great with Car Deal Expert

More on this topic

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100914/OEM/100919951/1424

Crash data boxes are not event data recorders

youtube.com/watch?v=KzYLJHgUf0k

Should we be using the federal mortgage loan refinancing plan?

President Barack Obama was really glad to be elected in 2008. He may have been too excited when putting so much cash into so much of a stimulus. A mortgage refinancing program through the Government Housing Administration was one of the first programs called Make Home Affordable. The FHA works with an applicant’s loan lender, and tries to find a way to rearrange the loan to the benefit of all involved. This was a huge money advance the Treasury used for the plan. Some think the money went to waste. Article resource – Is the federal mortgage modification program worth it by Personal Money Store.

Uncle Sam and the way loan refinancing works

The Make Home Affordable plan only works one way. In this way, the person has to apply for a loan modification. A trial program is set up for the applicant if accepted to the program with the applicant’s lender. There is a specific reason for the trial. This is to see if obligations could be met by the person. The trial period has to be successful. If it isn’t, then there can be no permanent loan refinancing program. It sounds simple enough. Many wonder if the program should become permanent or of the modifications aren’t working.

Half in the program succeed

In the modifications, less than 50 percent make it. This comes from the Wall Street Journal . In August, an audit of the Home Affordable Modification Plan, or HAMP, revealed that only 434, 716 successful permanent modifications have gone through so far. There were 616,839 trial modifications that were canceled. This seems to be like money wasted. This is going to hurt the numbers. Everyone applying gets put in risk. The average ratio of debt to income for HAMP participants is 63.5 percent. FHA mortgages only go to those with a debt to income ratio of 41 percent or lower. This is where the bad credit comes for new homes the most.

Stimulus going

This program was intended to help keep individuals out of foreclosure. Given that about 40 percent of applicants end up back at square one anyway, it can be time that this plan was cut, and refinancing was left to the private market.

Additional reading

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704075604575356663725805580.html”>Wall Street Journal

of applicants result in being able to do nothing and have no change. Maybe this means the private market should the take the plan as it is cut}.

Additional reading

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704075604575356663725805580.html

Breastfeeding: Too costly to go without, say experts

Traditional logic indicates that if there were an easy, all-natural way to reduce health care costs, such a recovery method should instantly be utilized. But the United States of America doesn’t appear to be paying attention. You see, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that breastfeeding for children over 6 months of age drops off dramatically, well below what their Nutritious People standards recommend. Medical experts believe that this breastfeeding reduction increases pediatric costs dramatically, as children who don’t breastfeed are proven to be more susceptible in general to a variety of diseases that have contributed to increased rates of infant mortality.

Nursing makes for Healthy Individuals

Dr. William Dietz of the CDC told Medpage Today that “Meeting the national breastfeeding initiation goal is a good accomplishment in women’s and children’s overall health, but we have more work ahead”. That work is made clear by CDC study findings: 57 percent of United States infants are no longer breastfeeding at six months, and 78 percent are done by one year.

Nursing pariahs

Breastfeeding rates vary wildly by state within the 2007 CDC Nutritious Individuals study – 90 percent of newborns are breastfeeding in Utah, versus about 53 percent in Mississippi, for example. State support for breastfeeding policies are a substantial part of the study. At the time of the study, 21 states still had no breastfeeding-friendly facilities, and also the same states (plus others) tended to have hospitals with lower ratings for quality of maternity care and infant feeding instruction. Two years after the 2007 CDC study, the National Conference of State Legislatures noted a marked improvement within the overall penetration of breastfeeding legislation across the United States, however it is nevertheless not universal. In some states, breastfeeding is nevertheless looked upon with disdain, particularly in public (regardless how discrete the mother may be). As the 2009 Facebook scandal involving a ban on breastfeeding photos proves, some segments of The Uni! ted States simply don’t understand what it means to be human. Infant formula makers certainly don’t object, although individuals who care might protest as they’re with the international Nestlé boycott.

No breastfeeding is an expensive decision

According to Dr. Melissa Bartick of Harvard Medical School and Arnold Reinhold of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, the growing absence of colostrum-rich breast milk in children’s diets has caused pediatric costs to skyrocket. ”$3.6 billion could be saved if nursing rates were increased to levels of the Nutritious Individuals objectives,” according to Bartick and Reinhold’s report in Pediatrics journal. That was based on 2001 information. The authors update the study, with startling results. For kids 6 months and younger who are fed exclusively via breastfeeding, Bartick and Reinhold found that if there was at least 90 percent compliance (the Healthy Individuals recommended minimum), the United States could now save “$13 billion per year and prevent an excess of 911 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants”.

What about infant formula? While inferior to breast milk in terms of disease prevention and growth promotion, it is also costly. Some mothers have personal medical reasons for using infant formula, and being in the position of needing money for costly formula – via payday loan or otherwise – is a tough place to be.

Additional reading

Pediatrics

pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-1616v1

CDC Breast Feeding Report Card

cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/BreastfeedingReportCard2010.pdf

Medpage Today

medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/22162

National Conference of State Legislatures

ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_milk

Dress in animal meat Lady Gaga for the Music Television awards

What is the combination of Lady Gaga and Ke$ha? What about whenever you add an animal meat gown and garbage bag ensemble into the mix? It creates a serious mess. It was an interesting Music Television Video Music Awards. There was a song sung by Taylor Swift about forgiveness to Kayne West. This emotional song, says Hollywood Life, was not even enough to start a buzz within the media. Chelsea Handler was the host who had scripted jokes many of the time. The attention-getting Lady Gaga meat dress, considered outrageous by some (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and vegan groups involved) was simply par for the course for those who have come to expect such fashion oddities from the ever-changing entertainer. She’d already showcased an animal meat swimsuit for Japanese Vogue. Animal meat was used in clothing before by others. In fact, “America’s Top Model” used it. I am not lying.

The Lady Gaga meat dress whet Cher’s appetite

13 awards were what Lady Gaga and her meat dress were nominated for. She won, according to SeattlePI.com, eight of those. Video of the Year went to “Bad Romance” and that was when everyone saw her outfit of various cuts of animal meat. That dress would have been expensive and tasty if it was Kobe beef.

Cher presented Gaga with the award and couldn’t resist giving Miss Gaga a big, juicy hug. Seasoning might have changed things. She might have even wanted to use seasoning salt to season up the meat. Spray tanned bodies were shown off by some of the “Jersey Shore” type people. This was the way they dressed.

Choice of Lady Gaga to wear meat dress

Billboard shows why Gaga was wearing the outfit. She said that she was trying to stop the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy the military goes by for her gay fans. She wasn’t trying to offend vegetarians in her outfit choice. It was really meant to be an illustration for many. Gaga was undaunted by the veggie gown Ellen DeGeneres offered as a choice to the woman. She explained to Billboard. At the MTV Video Music Awards, Gaga had previously said as she accepted the Video of the Year award for “Bad Romance” that “I am not a piece of meat.”.

If Lady Gaga isn’t really a piece of meat

Where does that leave Ke$ha? When talking about her garbage bag gown, she had a comment for making. She said to Music Television news, “It’s not like I’m going to go into the garbage with crusty food on it, all garbage is not equal.”

Exactly.

Further reading

Billboard

billboard.com/events/lady-gaga-reveals-motivation-behind-her-1004113855.story?tag=hpfeed

Ecorazzi

ecorazzi.com/2008/03/13/americas-next-top-model-is-dead-meat/

Guardian

guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/13/lady-gaga-triumphs-mtv-vmas

Hollywood Life

hollywoodlife.com/2010/09/13/mtv-vmas-lady-gaga-meatkesha-cher-worst-dressed/

Seattle PI

blog.seattlepi.com/tubular/archives/221120.asp

Lady Gaga in meat dress, Cher handling the meat

youtube.com/watch?v=CsLmRFOZFMQ

Cop cars have bold facelift from Ford Motors and Dodge

Major automakers mostly produce vehicles for consumer use, as a daily driver is what lots of individuals are looking for when they buy a brand new automobile. Fleet autos, though, are a large part of the sales from major car manufacturers. Couriers, landscapers, and construction workers need vans and trucks, and rental fleets need a lot of cars. There is a more interesting type of fleet automobile, that is part of myth and legend. That is the law enforcement interceptor. All of the major domestic auto firms make them. Lots of individuals would actually like to get behind the wheel of one, most likely. There are a couple of upcoming from Ford Motors and Dodge Motors that look especially amazing.

The new interceptors from Ford

Ford Motors is retiring a long standing favored among police, and thus is offering two brand new interceptor models. The Crown Victoria, the rear wheel drive V-8 police cruiser, will no longer be made, so Ford is offering two brand new interceptor models. A Ford Motors Taurus with an interceptor package is being offered, along with an interceptor model of Ford Motors Explorer. The police Taurus can be powered by a turbo charged V-6 that can produce 365 horsepower, along with necessary upgrades for law enforcement such as greater cooling capacity, enhanced transmission and suspension, and a sturdier frame. The Explorer shares a lot of components with the Taurus, as does the new generation of Explorers.

In Pursuit of Dodge Motors

There is also a new line of interceptors from Dodge Motors. There will even be one from Chevrolet. There already have been sales of the Dodge Charger to police departments all over the country. However, there could be an improved model called the Dodge Charger Quest. The Quest is rear wheel drive, with standard law enforcement upgrades like a beefier suspension and electronic additions. It will have turbo V-6 and V-8 engine possibilities. Chevrolet, in the mean time, is coming out with a new Caprice that will only be made for police applications.

Law-breaking does pay and specifically for vehicle corporations

Law enforcement vehicles are actually quite profitable for car makers. However, unlike the bare bones of most fleet vehicles, there are greater specifications and customizations that have to be made. Greater use of electronics is part and parcel to the modern police cruiser, rather than sheer raw power, durability and maneuverability. The car must be comfortable as well. Someone has to be in one for hours.

Further reading

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/08/26/2011-dodge-charger-designed-for-police-chases/

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/05/23/automobiles/23POLICE.html?pagewanted=1 and fta=y

In sixty years, lowest pace of automobile traffic deaths on United States of America highways

The automobile industry in the United States of America focused for years on making vehicles that can get individuals to places faster and comfortable although it took a while to add safety to that. Seat belts weren’t put in numerous automobiles until it was required by Congress in 1959. They only made it a legislation because there were so many deaths in traffic incidents on the highways. It has shown within the numbers that safety technology in autos is more advanced. In 2009, there were, on United States highways, less deaths recorded than there were in six decades. The Transportation Department reported this. Article source – Traffic deaths on U.S. highways hits lowest rate in 60 years by Car Deal Expert.

Traffic deaths down thanks to safety advancements and tougher laws

Seat belts, airbags, more efficient body construction, stability control and other high-tech crash sensors have contributed to fewer traffic deaths, however tighter enforcement of drinking and driving and distracted/fatigued driving laws should not be discounted, writes the Associated Press. Since 1950, traffic deaths are at all time low numbers in 2009 with a decrease of 9.7 percent to 33,808. By comparison, 37,423 deaths related to highway accidents occurred in 2008. The number went down from 2008 to 2009. It was 1.26 deaths per million miles and then went to 1.13 deaths. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proudly exclaimed that the latest report “shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been.”.

Some blame the recession

Historical data indicates that highway fatalities have tended to decrease when The United States faces recession. For instance, within the late 1970s/early 1980s when Americans suffered through recession and oil shortages, the numbers were down. Something similar happened within the 1990s. It was about the same. In both cases, the cost of driving more than likely kept more individuals at home or pushed them toward public transportation. Traffic deaths will definitely go down with less individuals driving. The Transportation Department shows how this is not the case. In 2009, there was a .2 percent increase in miles traveled by motorists.

Distracted driving what law is preventing

Seems like like it is always a bad idea to text or talk on the phone while driving. People should be focusing on the road. That’s why police force across America has paid special attention to such offenses lately. United States roads will be safer, reports AP who spoke to LaHood, if every state were to adopt these laws against driving distracted.

Save large on auto loans with Car Deal Expert

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Star Tribune

startribune.com/business/102500979.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUI”

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_belt

The PSAs are working

youtube.com/watch?v=OXUjdBnWVMM

United States Senate picks economic council chair to be Goolsbee

Because of the shape the economy is in, President Barack Obama has had quite the beating. Arianna Huffington says that when it comes to understanding “the plight of the middle class,” he is really disconnected or at least seemed to in his speech in Cleveland. Obama said “Not anything we’ve done throughout the last two years has worked as quickly as we had hoped, and I am keenly aware that not all our policies have been popular.” The Wall Street Journal explains that longtime adviser Goolsbee likely got nominated for chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors because of this. Goolsbee’s nomination has cleared the Senate.

Austan Goolsbee was before known as a university economist and advisory board member

Austan Goolsbee is doing more than just being the executive director of Obama’s Economic recovery Advisory Board. He also is an economist at the University of Chicago business school. Numerous think that Goolsbee got White House Council of Economic Advisors chairman because of personal reasons. WSJ says it may have been because of an association with the administrations inner circle as well as a personal friendship. Christina Romer was the previous Economic Advisers chairwoman.

Goolsbee is rumored by the WSJ to have helped with the health care bill, higher education aid and also the energy push to create jobs by drafting policies with Obama. The president’s “New Foundation” for middle-class economic security is what these are supposedly for. The Huffington Post explains this.

Austan Goolsbee is probably not the change for which critics are calling

Unemployment numbers in The United States have continued to go up. At the very same time, the economic recession is not recovering as we’d hope also. There may be firings of Treasure Secretary Tim Geithner and National Economic Council Director Larry Summers as many are mad, even as Democrats. The WSJ explains that hiring on Goolsbee as the White House Council of Economic Advisors leader is not going to change anything we don’t like.

Additional reading

Sun Times

blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/09/obama_cleveland_jobs_speech_tr.html”>Chicago Sun-Times

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/obama-insists-he-made-the_b_711515.html?utm_source=DailyBrief and utm_campaign=091010 and utm_medium=email and utm_content=FeatureTitle

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575482661827896950.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

Austan Goolsbee on CNN’s “Late Edition,” Sept. 21, 2008

youtube.com/watch?v=TKvMfVntY2g

Rich needing quick cash in addition

Recessions take a toll on every social class, believe it or not. Wealthier individuals tend to be the ones with less of a debt load. They’re the ones who pay cash for some things. However, some wealthy people simply take out way bigger financial institution loans. Many individuals take out debt to try and keep up with the nicer automobile and bigger houses. More large properties are getting foreclosed on as the wealthy can’t get the immediate money needed to pay their mortgages. Rich individuals need loan refinancing as well.

Recession gets everybody, even rich

There are some high profile tumbles for some incredibly wealthy people. A foreclosure happened to Nicholas Cage who lost all of his property. He lost a $35 million mansion. Now you are able to get the home for $11.5 million. There is a common thing amongst millionaires. Most of them do not care about their credit score. That said, too much debt is bad. People should aim to have the fewest encumbrances, even of low interest loans, as possible at a time. Remember also that banks can sue delinquent homeowners for the main difference in foreclosure sales. Families from the series the “Real Housewives” almost lost all of their homes. The “Orange County” show had Jim and Alexis Bellino that defaulted and had to get mortgage modification.

Aren’t rich individuals designed to be good with cash?

A lot of Los Angeles County properties that are pretty expensive are getting foreclosed. This comes from ABC. Properties over $1 million foreclosed on have gone up 300 percent since April of this year. However, it’s not so much that rich people are careless with their money. The opposite seems to be happening. It is surprising. People who are more plugged into the realm of finance know that there’s a time to cut your losses and walk away.

Is it worth it to invest in real estate nevertheless?

More individuals want to know whether investing in real estate is a good idea or not. Many people lost a ton of money when investing in homes. Years went by just to have the market tank on them.

Additional reading

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/luxury-foreclosures-hit-rich/story?id=11542560 and page=1

Sell make simply says Ewanick of GM

It isn’t going to be easy for automakers to recuperate. Ewanick, GM Vice President of Marketing, explained this to Automotive News. Bankruptcy and a huge turnover have left GM in a position where deals are made to move a ton of product. Cutting deals is not the future Ewanick looks forward to with quality vehicles being the focus.

Knowing the importance of a brand

The auto bailout has made it possible for a new focus on design and quality. Ewanick really believes this. The style of the Cadillac has kept it going. It is unique and customers want that. Automakers must embrace the discipline necessary to rebuild faceless automotive brands which were buried under the fire sale mentality. Brands really have to try and become public and important again. Ewanick feels like “people purchase brands, not really products”. Ewanick used Chevrolet as an example as Chevy has always made marketing important with Americana that shows lots of soul and a lot less numbers.

Factory incentives nevertheless are important

Factory incentives are likely to continue. Ewanick believe these and dealer incentives aren’t dead. He thinks brand story should be important. This shouldn’t be higher up on the scale. Automotive brands are remembered via style, quality, efficiency and dependability. This will drive the sales while discounts are merely a bonus. Automakers are likely to have to reach out to customers again with brand strength. In the past, automotive marketing dealt from a position of strength, using stories to create a bond with customers. Chevrolet’s Corvette SS and Stingray will be targeted to a new audience. Younger generations of auto buyers will be targeted. Targeting with brands nevertheless works. It shouldn’t be stopped.

Discounts won’t work also as customer understanding

Customers will not have a relationship with you if you are constantly giving out sales rather than just each and every so often. The auto bailout – where those teetering businesses which were “too big to fail” fed upon taxpayer dollars for sustenance – damaged the reputations of automakers nationwide. The price has now become too low to ignore on many different cars. Unfortunately this ends up hurting America’s automotive industry that used to have lifetime buyers. The focus of each automaker should be simple. Focus on what Americans want in their vehicles.

More on this topic

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100906/RETAIL03/309069996/1018

Linkedin

linkedin.com/pub/joel-ewanick/5/42b/30a

Even dealers suffer from a mysterious lack of marketing

youtube.com/watch?v=EALK_LZ_Zgo

Without a bank capable to easily acquire money with tax return bank cards

Tax refund are, because of electronic banking and tax filing, harder to give to those without bank accounts. There is a recommendation from the Treasury Department to give tax refund debit cards out to help this. Those without financial institution accounts, also called “unbanked” or “underbanked,” don’t obtain any help when it comes to the IRS transferring funds electronically for tax refunds. Weeks are taken for tax refund checks to get to the right place. Instead of waiting for that check to arrive, “refund anticipation loans” are generally taken out by the unbanked. Printing and mailing checks cost millions of dollars. The taxpayers end up paying for it. Resource for this article – Tax refund cards will help the unbanked get their money faster by Personal Money Store! .

Tax refund debit cards available

Tax refund debit cards will make the process faster. The Associated Press reports that while direct deposits show up in financial institution accounts in eight to 15 days, income tax return checks can take six weeks to arrive within the mail. Borrowing against a tax return can mean steep fees on return anticipation loans for numerous without financial institution accounts. Several hundred thousand taxpayers will be capable to obtain a debit card with the pilot income tax refund program starting next year. The tax refund debit cards will work like checking accounts — without the checks or the financial institution. The cards will be insured like bank deposits and will contain consumer protections from unauthorized purchases if they are lost or stolen. Bill-paying services could be stored on the bank cards as well.

Working class and bank accounts

The Center for Economic Progress estimates up to 26 million taxpayers could benefit from tax return debit cards. That number was reached by subtracting direct deposit refunds from the 2010 tax season– 70.3 million — from total tax refunds of 96.3 million. Automated Trader reports on the purpose of the program. Evidently the Obama administration wants more people to view how easy it is to have a financial institution account. ”Bank on USA” is a program where low-to-moderate income working class are encouraged to obtain into banking and got a $50 million request sent to Congress for the 2011 budget. About 9 million households have financial institution accounts, as shown in a FDIC 2009 survey.

Refund anticipation loans to die out

The Obama administration is attempting to help those in risky financial situations discover better way to work with finances with the tax refund debit card initiative. Last month there was already a policy change announced, says the Wall Street Journal. beginning within the 2011 income tax season, the IRS will no longer provide tax return companies with “debt indicators” used by banks to process return anticipation loans. Now banks are having a harder time making the short term loans that end up with annual percentage fees between 50 and 500 percent on them.

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Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjOACVZgIYIFoYxqpOl-uISuMxiAD9HVPC6G3

Automated Trader

automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/14805/-us-treasury-to-offer-low_cost-bank-accounts-for-tax-returns

Housing industry obtains a reprieve as home prices somewhat enhance

Great news for the U.S. real estate market is few and far between. However, there is a scant glimmer of hope amid the doom and gloom. Believe it or not, home values are increasing. They are for the last few months. The Case Shiller Price Index monitors home prices across 20 U.S. cities. Homes sold from the end of May to the end of June 2010 had a gain in rates, and the two months before did too. There aren’t a lot of optimistic assumptions that are being made about real estate these days, so it is a welcome change to hear very good news.

Just how are house prices going up?

Standard and Poor’s Case Shiller price index, which tracks real estate activity in 20 cities, has showed a gain in home prices within the second quarter of 2010. Home prices increased by 4.4 percent, as outlined by the New York Times, over second quarter of 2010. Last quarter, prices had a 2.8 percent drop. The increase is also for the whole year. Second quarter 2010 home prices are up 3.6 percent compared to second quarter of 2009. Costs rose 1 percent during July.

What is the catch

Along with the rise in home prices, sales are trending downward. The homebuyer tax credit helped to spur home sales, but once the credit expired sales began to drop off. Home prices are likely to fall soon, as well. Nevertheless, not all is lost. Karl Case, the economist who the index is named for, as outlined by Bloomberg, thinks there are some positives within the new data. Case believes that the market is going to take one more year or so before it stabilizes and begins to improve.

Not really the most detrimental media ever

The homebuyer tax credit was only a finger in the dam. It provided an artificial and only momentary boost to house sales and the cost of homes. A truer state of the market can’t really emerge until governmental encumbrance has been removed. However, on the plus side, things are better than they were a year ago.

Further reading

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-31/karl-case-sees-a-lot-of-positive-stuff-in-housing-price-data-tom-keene.html

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/01/business/economy/01econ.html?partner=rss and emc=rss

Car loan modification could possibly be the good option

You should look into loan modification on more than just your mortgage. Auto loans could be re-loaned too. In fact, pretty much any large loan can be re-loaned. Right now is not a bad time, either. Rates for car loans are fairly low. Auto loans could be low interest loans too. They do not have to be expensive.

You are able to actually refinance just about any significant loan

You can refinance a vehicle loan just like you are able to get mortgage loan modification. Auto loan rates are trending downward. You may not be able to afford not to refinance if these low rates keep up. According to the Washington Post, auto loan rates are trending lower. Lenders want to lend to re-stimulate their business. Dealers want to sell automobiles to re-stimulate their business too. That said, bear in mind that dealership financing, and bank financing are a bit different. One is usually more costly than the other. Banks offer lower rates than dealerships, as banks don’t get a bonus for loaning to you at higher interest.

What in addition could you know?

There is, as there always is, a small catch. Auto loans are tied to your credit rating; the higher your score, the lower the rate. Auto loans for a bad credit score may not be able to be modified. You may have to just sweat it out, if that’s the case. The same article in the Washington Post puts high credit rating auto loans at 5.7 percent, however those for low credit score borrowers are as high as 18.5 percent. There are also fees and conditions imposed by each individual lender, so make sure you do your homework.

This is a good time for you to refinance if you are able to

Unfortunately, credit is only being lent these days to people with good, almost unrealistically good, credit scores. Bear in mind things that look too good to be true often are. Especially be wary of offers for loan modification these days. Make sure to look into every person who you are thinking of enrolling in a loan modification program with before you commit to anything at all.

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Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/28/AR2010082800170.html

A new Dodge may very well be found at Dave smith motors within the Inland Northwest

There are few names bigger than Dave Smith Motors for auto dealerships within the Inland Northwest, especially for Washington, North Idaho and Montana. Dave Smith Motors, in Kellogg, Idaho, is probably the best place to go for a new Chevrolet or new Chrysler, Jeep, and especially for a new Dodge. There aren’t any bigger Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep dealers anywhere than Dave Smith Motors. You would be hard pressed to discover more new or used Dodge cars or Dodge trucks than at Dave Smith Motors. Article source – Any Dodge needed in the Inland Northwest is likely at Dave Smith Motors by Car Deal Expert.

None bigger than Dave Smith Motors

For a long time, Dave Smith Motors has held a reputation as being the largest Dodge dealer in the world. Obviously, the backbone of Dave Smith Motors is Dodge, however it’s also one of the top General Motors dealers within the Northwest as well. The lot is quite large. You will find over 1,000 cars available at any given time. Dave Smith Motors has, just as most dealers, financing accessible on site. There is also a full service station and a large selection of accessories available too. Just about any automobile buyers from Idaho, Montana or Washington might be interested in is at Dave smith motors. Just head to 210 N Division in Kellogg, Idaho, 83837. It’s only 36 miles east of Coeur d’Alene, and 20 miles west of the Montana border.

The actual Dodge City doesn’t have this many Dodges

There is a huge selection of Gm vehicles – be they Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, or Cadillac, however the biggest selection is of Dodge vehicles. Just about anything Dodge could be found there. Whether new or used Dodge cars and used or new Dodge trucks are what you are trying to find, Dave Smith has a better chance of having it than any dealer within the tri-state area. A Dodge Ram pickup, or brand new Dodge Challenger or Dodge Charger, or a new Jeep Rubicon; no matter what it is that you’re looking for.

Hard to discover a bigger dealer

You could be hard pressed to find that wide a selection anywhere. If it’s a Dodge you would like, and you are close to the Northwest part of the country, have a look at Dave Smith Motors

Further reading

Dave Smith

davesmith.com/

Student education loans are not like home loans and debt negotiation relief is not attainable for them

For the younger generations, credit card debt is not the largest debt they carry any longer. Now it is debt for college education. Current students and recent graduates are definitely not amazed, however for several it comes as a shock. The cost of a four year degree has risen dramatically over the last two decades. More people have to get federal loans, financial institution loans, or go to other loan lenders to pay for their education. The number of defaults on student loans is also going up. Becoming the American Dream is tougher and harder, and student education loans are a nightmarish part of making it happen. Post resource – Debt settlement relief unavailable when it comes to student loans by Personal Money Store.

Little or no students have no personal debt

For students, having to borrow cash to pay for college isn’t really an if. It’s a when. Of students graduating with a Bachelor’s from 2007 to 2008, 66.5 percent of them had to borrow cash to get through it, according to FinAid.org. The average amount of personal debt was $ 22,656. Public university students got off light. Only 61.1 percent had to borrow cash, and average $ 19,839 in personal debt. Nevertheless, the numbers were different for private schools. Private universities are always more expensive. Of private university students, 70.6 percent of students at private nonprofit schools and 97 percent at private for-profit schools have to take out loans. Private nonprofit graduates averaged $ 27,349 and private for-profit students averaged $ 24, 635 in debt for their educations.

Not even personal bankruptcy eliminates them

Student loan debt is type of like DNA. It is impossible to get rid of. You can’t just declare bankruptcy and discharge student loans like you can with mortgages or credit cards. Student education loans also differ in that it is near impossible to get debt settlement relief. There is little way out of having for making payments in perpetuity on student education loans. There isn’t really much, if any, loan modification or refinancing you can do. Not only that, but the number of people that default is going up. From 1995 on, 20 percent of all loans that entered the repayment phase were defaulted on, as outlined by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Each and every year post graduation, the risk goes up. The risk is also greater among two year and private institution graduated pupils.

College students pay dearly for their education

There are consequences due to these things, of course. Graduated pupils have to put things off longer. For those who have a huge college student loan debt, it’s far harder to afford things like a home, or kids, or going to graduate school.

More on this topic

Financial Aid

finaid.org/loans/

Chronicle

chronicle.com/article/Many-More-Students-Are/66223/

Hurricane Katrina anniversary marked as Hurricane Earl gathers force

There is a large tropical storm building in the Caribbean, ironically just following the fifth birthday of Katrina. Hurricane Earl, as it is called, was previously tropical storm Earl, but has gathered sufficient force to be designated a hurricane. The Category 3 storm is already causing damage within the Caribbean. It may hit the United States, however it’s not sure that it will. If Earl should make landfall, it will likely be in North Carolina.

Puerto Rico is closest to Hurricane Earl

First in the Hurricane Earl projected path is Puerto Rico. Storm warnings, according to ABC, are beginning to be issued. The islands adjacent to Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques, both have advisories in effect. The storm caused flooding in several of the Leeward Islands. This includes some damage on the island of Antigua. The Lesser Antilles archipelago, part of which are the Leeward Islands, is a large group of Islands to the east and south of Puerto Rico, north of the South American continent. The U.S. Virgin islands are part of the Leewards. There has already been flooding there due to Earl. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the rest of the Leewards also. So far, there is not an extensive amount of damage. Nevertheless, Earl may do far more damage as it grows.

United States shoreline could possibly be ran into by Hurricane Earl

The Hurricane Earl projected path is not entirely clear. That said, it is getting bigger. The storm is on the move. There is a significant chance it could become a Category Four. The chance of the United States being hit by hurricane earl is not known, according to CNN. By Labor Day Weekend, there can be some minor fallout from the storm that will hit the shore of North Carolina. It’s envisioned that North Carolina will experience large swells, and some ocean currents, but no major damage. The storm could technically dissipate by the weekend, or get larger and batter the East Coastline of the United States with a vengeance.

Hurricane Danielle decreased

An additional developing hurricane, Danielle, after being upgraded from Tropical Storm Danielle, has begun to wither away. There may be some effects still from the dissipating system. Nevertheless, little more than some wind and rain will result. These won’t be the last storms to be heard of. The 2010 hurricane season is not over yet.

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ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=11514501

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/08/30/tropical.weather/?hpt=Sbin

Large financial institutions don't enjoy attempting to fund mountaintop removal mining

Corporations that are hurting the environment are having trouble getting loans. Banks do not wish to lend to them. Mountaintop removal mining is just one of the examples of a business that banking institutions get huge profit funding to, although the company is destructive. Now there appears to be a lot of environmental pressure and decisions made in court making it so banking institutions are held responsible for anything that causing the environment destruction that they financed. Financial institutions want to do anything they can to please and keep customers. This is why many banks have decided to stop lending to any businesses that have risk of environmental damage. Post resource – Big banks backing away from financing mountaintop removal mining by Personal Money Store.

Destruction of the environment is what banks lend to support

Getting cash is not that hard. Mountaintop removal mining corporations will find a way to get it. But the New York Times reports that bank industry analysts are saying intense debate about climate change, water quality standards and other environmental issues is compelling lenders to think twice about where they extend credit and to whom. Recently Wells Fargo made a statement about “considerable attention and controversy” related to mountaintop removal mining. ”Limited and declining,” is the phrase it used to talk about mountaintop mining companies getting financing. They are likely to be denied. Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase, Financial institution of America and Citibank have all made the exact same decision Wells Fargo is making. All these banks vowed to either reconsider lending to mountaintop mining corporations or to discontinue financing them altogether.

Purchase cheap coal with mountaintop removal mining

Mountaintop mining is something the Appalachian region environmentalists do not like. In fact, they used an opportunity with the Obama administration on Monday to try and get it banned. The Associated Press said the group is preparing a rally for September 27. They even had high hopes in inviting the president to come with them. To get coal via mountaintop removal mining, forests are clear-cut first. They have to use explosives then. This is to break huge rock. Huge machines eight stories high scoop away up to 800 feet of mountaintop to expose coal seams. Streams and wildlife habitats are hurt when the dirt picked up is dumped into valleys. Operators say it is the cheapest way to reach coal for electric power plants and supports tens of thousands of jobs. The Appalachian coal industry is hoping no to lose numerous jobs with this. It plans to have a rally in Washington on September 15 to show its support for coal.

Numerous banks excited

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has tried to stop financing for mountaintop removal mining through financial institutions since 2007. The top mountaintop mining business in West Virginia is called Massey Energy. Because of the RAN efforts, the top four banking institutions in the country have stopped lending to it. Massey Energy was involved in the Upper Large Branch mine explosion that killed 29 miners in April. Seems like like numerous banks are ready for this. Banks want to lend to them. According to Bloomberg data, PNC and UBS are presently the lead financiers of mountaintop removal mining. PNC is responsible for a ton of coal getting used in the U.S. In fact, half of coal from mountaintop mining is financed by PNC.

Additional reading

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/31/business/energy-environment/31coal.html?_r=1 and dbk

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRFjIvp7yDpMnistp_aolQIRAj_QD9HTVS4O0

Organic Consumers

organicconsumers.org/articles/article_21396.cfm

More than $ 1 million a week spent by BP on marketing

America wants revenge on BP following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill occurred. The typical citizen wants to know that the corporate oil giant is applying its resources to repair the catastrophic damage done to jobs, tourism and the ecological balance. BP’s TV advertising is costing them $ 1 million a week, reports the London Telegraph. That may go a long way toward mending BP’s corporate image, but the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce committee is looking for more than that.

$ 1 million-plus per month for the past four months

BP has indicated its intention to cooperate with the requirements of the House committee, yet no formal response has been issued. Without a written standard, BP’s spending on network TV, cable and radio advertising could continue to skyrocket. The cleanup might need the money that could possibly be spent on better things. Instead it is just going to advertising. It is just a little bit much of a “top kill” for BP to spend $ 1 million a week although it is good to do some advertising. President Obama explained: “What I don’t want to hear is, when they’re spending that kind of money on their shareholders and on TV advertising, that they’re nickel-and-diming fishermen or small businesses here in the Gulf who are having a hard time.”

Gulf Coast region getting advertising

The Gulf Coast region, or the cities hurt by the oil spill, are getting one of the most marketing. This is shown by Media Monitor. Miami and Fort Myers were two of the five cities in Florida that came within the top 10 places BP wanted to advertise the cleanup of the oil spill. There are some congress members that think it is fine for BP to advertise. One of these is Rep. Kathy Castor. However, the marketing should help steer tourism to Florida and also the Gulf states, instead of focus on burnishing BP’s corporate image as a primary goal.

Controlling the flow of information

BP’s response to critics has been to reiterate that the purpose of its advertising is to assure Americans the business plans to meet its commitments. It is assumed that those commitments are to service claims and keep up with the cleaning effort. BP seems to be keeping an eye on the bottom line right now though. Do not expect BP to stop marketing with wasted millions unless Congress makes them stop since brand recognition and also the way it is perceived is very important to any business.

Additional reading

Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/7969586/BP-to-admit-1m-a-week-advertising-spree.html

BP’s ad campaign – an academic perspective

youtube.com/watch?v=t1lM2gtg1gk