It wasn't Palin booed on Dancing With the Stars

Considering how much attention she has received, it isn’t often that an individual might see Sarah Palin booed. It seemed to happen on “Dancing with the Stars”. It could have also been she was in a room where people were booing. Palin had good reason to be there. Bristol Palin is one of the celeb dancers. Bristol Palin isn’t really off to a bad start either. She’s doing pretty nicely on the show so far.

It wasn’t Palin booed

Sarah Palin showed up for an episode of “Dancing with the Stars” to view Bristol compete for dancing glory. During the show, a loud round of booing started after the judges critiqued the routine from Jennifer Grey, as outlined by USA Today. As the booing began, the camera panned down to the panel of most judges, and there sat the former vice presidential runner-up. Even Tom Bergeron, one of the show’s judges, said the boos weren’t for Palin. He insisted, when he was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, the boos were from the score the panel gave Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough. Besides, an individual would need to have really watched the show to know she wasn’t booed at all. In fact, she was applauded.

By the numbers

Bristol Palin scored decently well, getting a 22. So far, Bristol has been solidly in the middle, so she is safe for now. People who would have rather someone turned on Slayer than Michael Bolton in the 80s are getting their wish. Bolton, as outlined by the Los Angeles Times, scored a 12. Bolton is doubtless to receive the big ugly axe next. The athletes on this season, Rick Fox and Kurt Warner, both scored a 21 with good performances. Florence Henderson, “The Situation,” and Margaret Cho rounded out the bottom, ahead of Michael Bolton.

So far so good

This hasn’t been the worst season so far. It ought to be entertaining. Certainly, some things do not help the ratings. The most famous state first daughter is one of them. However, it is probably going to be the truth that “Baby” from “Dirty Dancing” is on the show. It seems Jennifer Grey has her dance skills still from filming that legendary role.

Articles cited

LA Times

latimes.com/entertainment/sns-os-tv-dwts-9-27,,627838.story

USA Today

usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/09/sarah-palin-stops-by-dancing-with-the-stars/1?csp=obinsite

Rumors concerning the RIM Blackpad

The Blackpad by Blackberry may well create waves. The newest rival to the iPad may be announced this week. The keynote speech at Blackberry’s DevCon today may really well formally announce the Blackpad. Today’s keynote speech might include a preview of the system. Either way, the Blackpad is sure for making some waves.

Research in Motion’s Blackpad strategy

RIM, the Canadian company that makes the Blackberry, has found itself in a difficult spot the last few years. The Blackberry was initially intended and intended for enterprise and government use. The niche customers almost quickly fell in love with Blackberry phones, and purchase the devices regularly. Consumers came to love the Blackberry gadget, despite the fact that it was not intended with customers in mind. Balancing these two consumer groups has proven difficult. RIM tries to maintain high-performance features and consumer friendliness. With more customers defecting to Android or Apple devices, RIM and Blackberry need a large seller to keep their stockholders happy.

Extracting the Blackpad

Simply described, Blackpad is intended to be a tablet computer similar to the iPad. The interface of the Blackpad will be depending on touch. DevCon 2010 may see the Blackpad discussed. A real Blackpad to play with, though, probably definitely won’t be ready. Though they don’t have one ready, RIM will still talk concerning the Blackpad. Generalities and deadlines may well be announced. The screen will probably be 7 inches, though 9.7 is also a possibility. For video conferencing use, Blackpad will consist of two cameras — one on the front and one on the back. There could be a new operating system for the Blackpad. Rather than OS3, RIM is developing a new operating system just for the Blackpad. The price is also a big question. Some say that you may need a no fax payday loans to buy one, others say not at all.

The industry space for Blackpad

Research in Motion has stated that they wish to remain a business-based business. This doesn’t mean they’ll shun everyday customers. Amazon can be creating a music application for the Blackpad. Blackberry said they could be targeting this device to all customers. Blackpad may have one major competitive advantage. If a 3G Blackpad is released, it will not be tied to just one cellular network. This removes many of the worries of iPad users, because there won’t be a single network with monopoly over the service. The Blackpad is not the only competition, though, as the WePad, Google Tablet and Samsung Galaxy Pad are both set for release soon.

Lending requirements loosened with 2nd look programs

Wall Street Banks are in trouble because of the credit crunch following the financial crisis. While major U.S. financial institutions received billions in government bailouts, they’ve been refusing to make loans. President Obama is encouraging more small business lending. In fact, he met with Financial institution executives at the White House to discuss this really thing. One of the ideas suggested was to take a “second look” at loan applications. The second look programs are what came out of that. Many United States banks have begun working with it. 2nd look may really be helping, after nine months of observation.

Second look gains traction

The President challenged Wall Street banking institutions to take a second check out lending after his December meeting. He went a bit further than that. Obama asked within the meeting that bankers “explore each possible way” to increase small company lending, reports the Associated Press. He also thinks that they need to take a “third and fourth look” along with the 2nd look. U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis, chairman of the Financial Services Roundtable, said he would present the idea to other members of the group, which represents the country’s largest financial businesses.

Old-fashioned lending

Nine months later, the Financial Services Roundtable claims nearly all its members have second-look products. Members contain Bank of The United States Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and U.S. Bancorp. 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 consider 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. Some banks search for credit history errors that hurt borrowers the very first time around, or ask about unreported sources of income that could lower the risk of a consumer loan. The Journal said the second look program may be having an impact. Last month’s Federal Reserve survey of senior loan officers showed the first easing of lending standards for smaller businesses since 2006.

Worth the second look that is taken

A second look costs more for the banks, however banking institutions are beginning to view a business opportunity, rather than merely avoiding risk. PR purposes is the reason why Alan Sherter from bNET thinks banking institutions are doing the 2nd look program. It isn’t at all for risk in lending. Also, the loans that are being made are unlikely to jump-start the small business engine that could reduce the joblessness rate. The second look may be great 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

United Nations won't be making Mazlan Othman a space extraterrestrial ambassador

There were rumors of the United Nations appointing an alien ambassador spread on the internet. Sunday was when all of these started flying. The Malaysian astrophysicist Mazlan Othman was expected to take the job as the head of the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs. Othman said on record that it would only happen if it were in reaction to alien visitors already come. Extraterrestrial contact is not as much of a far-reached idea as it was within the past. There are numerous discoveries of planets outside of the solar system. Stephen Hawking has told Earth to be cautious as there might be alien life. The British newspaper was the first to receive the news from Othman that there would be no extraterrestrial ambassador to outer space.

The U.N. would be the ones talking to the aliens?

The story that Mazlan Othman would be appointed the U.N. alien ambassador “broke” in the Sunday Times and spread like a super bug all over the world. The Sunday Times quoted Othman from a speech at a recent seminar in which she talked about the search for alien transmissions from space. She explained that earth needs to be ready to respond at any minute. Othman also gave the opinion that the United Nations should be responsible for this. The Australian was just one of the newspapers that said Othman might be in Britain next week for the Royal Society sponsored conference talking more about alien contact.

The extraterrestrial life search

The first extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, was confirmed to exist in 1992. Hundreds of exoplanets were found in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration space observatory launched in 2009 called the Kepler Mission. Stephen Hawking warned Earth although there is probably not any intelligent alien life. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Hawking said that instead of seeking the aliens out, humanity should be trying to keep away from getting noticed. Aliens might probably be looking for someplace they can get more resources from. He states we can all imagine the consequences of this by simply looking in the mirror. “We only have to look at ourselves to determine how intelligent existence might develop into something we would not want to meet.”

Is Earth playing host to aliens?

Othman was the one who started the United Nations alien ambassador story. Rather than jump on the bandwagon, the Guardian decided to really check the facts. The Royal Society got a call from the British newspaper that asked about the speech on alien contact made by Othman. It was news to them. Nobody knew about it. The Office for Outer Space Affairs questions were all referred someplace else by the U.N. A switchboard in Vienna is where they went. Finally, Othman responded to a Guardian e-mail and burst the U.N. alien ambassador bubble. She wrote “It sounds really cool, however I have to deny it.” There is a real problem that needs to be solved in her speech at the Royal Society. Earth may be colliding with some objects in its rotation soon which will be discussed.

More on this topic

The Australian

theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-un-is-to-appoint-an-astrophysicist-to-be-the-first-contact-for-any-aliens/story-e6frg6so-1225929540635

Sunday Times

timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/space/article7107207.ece

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/sep/27/un-alien-ambassador-mazlan-othman

Going toward Iran, experts claim, is the military services-grade cyber tool, Stuxnet

Probably the most sophisticated malware ever is what the majority are calling Stuxnet. Computer security experts throughout the world are amazed by it. They have decided sabotage is the primary goal of the Stuxnet called a search and destroy weapon. The cybersecurity experts say that only a nation-state, not a band of rogue hackers, would have the time, cash and talent to develop a worm with the complexity of Stuxnet. Info hacked typically is information on factories, power plants and water systems as Stuxnet travels. It also doesn’t travel through the internet as it is spread through thumb drives and printer spoolers instead. Iran seems to have seen this one of the most leading numerous to believe the Bushehr nuclear power plant was the target of the Stuxnet.

Is Stuxnet interested in sabotaging the Bushehr reactor?

June was the very first time Stuxnet was detected. Computer security specialists cannot determine the complexity and encryption of the thing, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Stuxnet is the only software found that can do what it can. No other program can steal specific info about power plants, electric grids, chemical plants and factories. The Monitor reports that researcher from Cybersecurity, Ralph Langler, explained that Stuxnet is meant to hit one high value target as a military-grade cyber missile. The Target, as outlined by Langer, was the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. He believes the target was hit already. Bushehr’s scheduled startup in August has been delayed for unknown reasons.

Stuxnet and just how it works

About 45,000 computer systems are infected by Stuxnet worldwide. The Daily Mail explains that computer systems were hit by Stuxnet that aren’t connected to the web. They aren’t connected to the web for security purposes. USB thumb drives spread the virus to PCs running Microsoft Windows. Stuxnet starts working once the thumb drive is in. It doesn’t need any kind of clicking or keying in to start it. Stuxnet looks for any Siemens software running control systems that are industrial once in computer. After discovering the software, it reprograms it. The software gets dangerous instructions that are new. Experts say Stuxnet is capable of taking control of key processes to set off a sequence that makes an entire system self-destruct.

Cyber warfare started by Stuxnet

Alarms are hit with Stuxnet. This is because its code is so complex along with the many different techniques in it. BBC News explained that Liam O’Murchu of Symantec, discovering the worm and tracking it down, claims that Stuxnet works by spreading with new techniques never seen. The worm exploits several previously unknown, un-patched Windows vulnerabilities. The project for Stuxnet was said by O’Murchu to have been well-funded. It also had to be well-planned. Heavy insider knowledge was needed to create such a sabotage attack with Stuxnet, says Langer. ”This isn’t some hacker sitting in the basement of his parents’ house,” he explained evidently. “To me, it appears the resources needed to stage this attack point to a nation state.”

More on this topic

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0921/Stuxnet-malware-is-weapon-out-to-destroy-Iran-s-Bushehr-nuclear-plant

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1314580/Stuxnet-worm-targeted-Iranian-nuclear-power-station-sophisticated-virus-attack-ever.html?ITO=1490

BBC News

bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11388018

Hoaxing viewers in I'm Still Here by Joaquin Phoenix, states Affleck

”I’m Still Here” may be a lie. It is really a scam. Actor Joaquin Phoenix had a “documentary” concerning her downward spiral done. This was all just an overall performance well played. Director of “I’m Still Here,” Casey Affleck, told all about the truth after it was released last week and destroyed by film critics. Just about every little thing concerning the film was staged, from supposedly drug-addled rap performances by Phoenix to an incoherent, mumbling appearance on David Letterman. Affleck claims Phoenix’s career will skyrocket with the operation in “I’m Still Here”. Others believe the film could have damaged the professions of Phoenix and Affleck beyond repair.

Calling it the Phoenix mockumentary

Casey Affleck admitted that “I’m Still Here” was contrived in an interview with Michael Cieply of the New York Times published Thursday. After playing Johnny Cash in “I Walk the Line” and getting an Academy Award for it, Joaquin Phoenix supposedly had a deterioration of the mind, body and spirit, as shown in the film. This was done over two years. That means it was a two year performance for Phoenix. He began by growing his beard. He gained weight. In 2009 he appeared in character on David Letterman so convincingly the TV host was entirely fooled. There was only one reason Affleck decided to tell the Times the truth. It was as the public and critics reacted so harshly. Phoenix will return to Letterman’s show — as Phoenix — on Sept. 22.

Media works for making it more known

By admitting that “I’m Still Here” is a Phoenix mockumentary, Affleck may be trying to boost what has so far been tepid public interest within the film. More people may be interested in seeing the film and may be able to determine what was being accomplished because of what Affleck said, states bloggers Jen Chaney and Liz Kelly for the Washington Post. Phoenix and Affleck did show society that any actor, even Academy Award nominee, can self destruct, whether or not the movie does well.

Hollywood ends up hurt by the Deception

The Filmmaker did not get that good of a reaction from every person. The objective is not significant too many. Affleck and Phoenix will feel the backfire from “I’m Still Here” claims a Hollywood reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Patrick Goldstein. Show-biz insiders believe, based on Goldstein, the film is, “self-important, exercise in foolishness, concocted by two knuckleheads who seemed peeved either because they didn’t have successful A-list careers or because they thought the industry was too dull and mindless to allow them to take the kind of bold risks that real artists take.” As for Phoenix’s upcoming appearance on Letterman, one of Goldstein’s sources said “Boy, if Letterman wasn’t in on the joke, he is really going to take that poor guy to the cleaners.”

Find more information on this subject

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17affleck.html?_r=2

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/09/joaquin_phoenix_yes_it_was_a_h.html

Los Angeles times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/09/will-casey-affleck-end-up-in-movie-jail-after-admitting-im-not-here-was-a-hoax.html

Expansion economic downturn occurring while Great Recession ending last summer

In technical terms, we can’t call what the United States is now going through an economic downturn. Economic misery as a real-life condition persists, however a government panel announced Monday the economic downturn officially ended in June 2009. Since World War II, we have not had a recession as long as this one. It began in December 2007 and went for about 18 months after that. Before the economy’s hard times ended, it officially became called the “Great Recession”. The economy isn’t expected to go back to its normal state within the near future. Of course, it has continued growing though. The Federal Reserve is doing anything it can to prevent a “growth recession” from occurring where the economy doesn’t expand fast enough for unemployment.

Recession runner up to Depression

The National Bureau of Economic Research says that the longest recession since the Great Depression ended last summer when the economy began to grow again. The Los Angeles Times lets us know the recession is totally over. This means it would be a new recession if a double dip were to occur. The 18-month Great Recession is the official runner up to the 43-month Great Depression that lasted from 1929 to 1933. There were two recessions tying for 3rd place. These were in 1973-75 and 1981-82. More than 8 million individuals lost their jobs, and the labor market could take years to recover. Since output was sustained with productivity growth, jobs were lost which is why the NBER states one of the most damage came from.

Recession ended on paper, however not on the street

The expansion that is being seen may not be enough to do anything, states NBER. NEBR defines an economic downturn as, as outlined by the Washington Post, “a period of falling economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a couple of months, normally visible in real gross domestic product (GDP), real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.” According to the panel, GDP and industrial production bottomed out in June 2009. There was no expansion in employment for a long time. It didn’t pick back up until December 2009. The NEBR said that by declaring a specific date for the end of the recession it was not saying that economic conditions are favorable since then.

All about growth recession

The economy seems to be getting better in an expansion economic downturn. During this whole time, the unemployment rate proceeds to go up. According to Bloomberg, In the first quarter, there was a 3.7 percent growth while it dropped in 2010’s second quarter to a 1.6 percent annual rate for economic growth. A 5 percent rate of growth in the fourth quarter of 2009 raised hopes that economic recovery was gathering steam. An unemployment rate stuck at 9.5 percent and above is stifling the consumer spending the economy needs to grow. Fed chairman Ben Bernake said the agency has the tools to aid the economy. Numerous think the Fed should buy more government debt or treasuries since interest rates are near zero. Ot! hers believe severe joblessness is the result of Americans lacking the skills to fill available jobs — a problem monetary policy cannot fix.

Additional reading

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/business/la-fi-recession-20100920,,4014811.story

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/political-economy/2010/09/its_official_the_great_recessi.html

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-19/escaping-double-dip-to-growth-recession-means-no-unemployment-relief-seen.html

Healthcare law could be part in place starting Sept. 23

6 months ago the health care law passed. On September 23, several changes within the U.S. healthcare system start going into effect. Things that are still being debated in the health care reform won’t be beginning for a few years still. But key reforms such as coverage despite pre-existing conditions begin Thursday. Republicans are working hard on anti-health care reform. They have increased in numbers. President Obama has responded with his own vigorous defense of the new health care law. More Americans are starting to disapprove of the health care law as it begins, although Americans wanted the law as it was being voted upon.

Healthcare reform won’t help most Americans until 2011

Health care reform will start for many soon. Of course, most Americans will see the healthcare reform bill in their lives until next year. The Wall Street Journal reports the changes kick in right away for new health plans began on or after Sept. 23. Until plans renew for employees with work health insurance right now as a job benefit, around January 1, changes won’t be seen. In 2014, all subsidies for the poor who cannot afford health insurance will start. The U.S. is making changes on September 23 to bridge us to that point. At that time, most Americans could be required to have health insurance or else be fined.

Beginning up some health insurance

Key changes that go into effect for new health plans started after Sept. 23 involved the following, courtesy of CNN:

Children under age 19 can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The same goes for adults in 2014.

Insurance corporations can no longer drop a consumer when they get sick or look for mistakes on their application for the purpose to deny payment when they get sick.

Preventive care such as physicals, mammograms and colonoscopies no longer require a co-payment or deductible.

Insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, such as lifesaving treatments.

Patients no longer need to get prior authorization from their insurance company or a doctor’s referral to see a pediatrician or OB/GYN.

Insurance corporations must discontinue prior authorization for ER services. Plus, they cannot charge higher co-payments for out-of-network ER providers.

Insurance businesses can’t refuse a claim in appeal, and have to continue paying for treatment until the appeal is resolved.

White House thinks public misconceptions have to be dealt with

Health care reform has been a huge topic of controversy considering all the misinformation being spread by Republican campaigns. 61 percent wanted the new law to be repealed, states a Rasmussen poll taken recently. Whitehouse.gov/healthreform was a site created by the White House for making Republican attacks less harsh, states the Los Angeles Times. Showing the regulation is really making a difference is the hope of the site. It is shown by having ordinary Americans show their stories. On Wednesday there was a meeting that Obama had with state insurance commissioners where the new provisions being changed on September 23 were discussed. He said:

“These things are designed not to have government more involved in health care. They’re intended to make sure that you’ve basic protections with your interactions with your insurance company, that you’re getting what you paid for, that you have some basic measures of protection.”

Additional reading

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100922-706473.html

CNN

money.cnn.com/2010/09/22/news/economy/health_reform_six_month_anniversary_package/index.htm

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-new-health-benefits-20100923,,6153569.story

Bishop Long wrongdoing erupts in Georgia

Georgia is starting to be more concerned about the Bishop Eddie Long wrongdoing going on. The accusations for the Vatican are cash laundering and child abuse. High profile ministers are in trouble for inappropriate conduct at present as well. In Lithonia, Ga., there is a large Evangelical mega church. This church has more than 24,000 members and is run by Bishop Eddie Long. He developed, supposedly, inappropriate relationships. These were all with teenage boys in his congregation. Post resource – Bishop Eddie Long scandal erupts in Georgia by Personal Money Store.

Accusations being made within the Eddie Long Scandal

Teenage boys in the Bishop Eddie Long congregation have been abused by Eddie Long supposedly. Inappropriate relationships were made. He had two lawsuits filed against him. These originated from Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson. The lawsuits accuse Bishop Eddie Long of sexual coercion, according to ABC. The new Birth Missionary Baptist Church gave aid to both men that had troubled backgrounds in their history. As the spiritual advisor and benefactor of the church, Bishop Long abused his role. With this power, he solicited favors from the boys, according to the suit. Also, Robinson stole from Long’s office most recently. Over $1,000 in property was stolen.

Long denies allegations

Attorneys of Eddie Long say that nothing inappropriate ever happened. Long’s attorney described the lawsuit as an attempted shakedown, as outlined by CNN. Anti-homosexual has been Long’s stance for a while. That shakes things up. He has been considered to be, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an extreme homophobe after being in a very same sex marriage protest. Parishioners have thus far been in disbelief. Other clergymen in these cases have been within the same position as Pastor Long. He is married and also the father of four children. This scandal is a quite big one for the Vatican as numerous others are about the same.

Hardly any details

Before, Bishop Long was part of a Congressional investigation. This was meant to be towards televangelists that have large congregations there. The result of that inquiry is unknown. There has been no decision made on either case yet. They’ll both be in court eventually.

More on this topic

CNN

cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/21/georgia.pastor.abuse/?hpt=C2

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/mega-church-bishop-denies-sexual-abuse-lawyer-promises/story?id=11697961 and page=1

Storro will pay cost of crying wolf around deformity

Some individuals need notice. It is all they care about. Occasionally, individuals do things that nobody cares about, like shaving their head. Appearing in reality shows on MTV is an example of how some individuals try to look sad. Then you will find the harmful attention getters. These individuals harmed themselves and other people during the process. Bethany Storro can be categorized. She harmed herself and others with it. The acid face assault tale she provided the media was a scam, and she forever disfigured herself.

Bethany Storro attacked

Some time ago, a story went out over the news wires of a young woman, one Bethany Storro of Vancouver, Wash., who had been attacked and disfigured. She had acid thrown on her face. It was a complete stranger that did it. Every person saw a young woman disfigured by acid and didn’t think of it being a scam. CNN reports that Bethany Storro was released from the hospital on September 5 after entering on August 30. She said she got acid thrown in her face after a young African-American woman asked her if she wanted anything to drink.

Acid attack just a story

It was the perfect story. It also was a cliché being used. The tale was a lie. It was false. Time reports that police started investigating things as she was getting close to being released. They decided things weren’t adding up. The Bethany Storro acid burns were in a pattern that better fit being carefully applied, instead of thrown. Sky News reports that sulfuric or hydrochloric acid was likely used for this. She admitted the whole thing was a hoax after numerous asked about the inconsistencies. She was just pulling off a stunt like the balloon boy or a meat dress.

Paying for it

Bethany Storro is going to need to live with scars for the rest of her life. Also, she submitted a false police report. This means she will likely get charges for that as well. She must also give back all the donations for her hospital bills, and pay the hospital back herself.

Additional reading

Times

newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/17/victim-of-acid-attack-admits-she-did-it-herself/?iid=nfmostpopular

CNN

cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/05/washington.acid.attack/?iref=obnetwork

Sky News

news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Acid-Attack-Victim-Bethany-Storro-Admits-Faking/Article/201009315732007?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_9&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15732007_Acid_Attack_Victim_Bethany_Storro_Admits_Faking_

Weed growers unionizing beneath Teamsters banner

The economic downturn did really quite the number on organized labor. Now it sincerely needs to bolster its member ranks somehow. The Teamsters Union is no exclusion, and the union is looking with expectant eye toward what is proving to be a development business in America. Pot could be the sector that Teamsters hopes to use, says the Associated Press.

Marijuana growers unionized with Teamsters

Teamsters got lots of weed growers as new members. About 40 new members were in this category. There is no proof, but many assume the members must mostly be from California. This is because in the whole nation, California has the most permissive medical cannabis laws. Many wonder how Teamsters plans to protect its members that are committing federal crimes with the planting season.

Lou Marchetti, Teamsters liaison between the newly signed growers and Oakland, Calif., Teamsters Local 70, told the AP that he hadn’t planned on such a thing as organizing weed workers when he joined the union 34 years ago.

He said, “This is a whole new ballgame”.

Any business that Teamsters think is breaking the law will not be a part of the company. Marchetti made this very clear when talking about farmers in California.

Marjyn Investments LLC creates more work for Teamsters

Marjyn Investments LCC works with medical cannabis patients to help them grow their own cannabis plants with gardening, trimming and cloning jobs. The Teamsters Union helped the employees with a two-year contract. They now have pensions, paid getaway and health insurance. In turn, wages will rise from $18 per hour to $25.75 per hour over the next 15 months, as outlined by Teamsters Local 70.

Getting rid of pot growing troubles

States like California go against federal law in allowing marijuana plants to be grown for medical reasons. However, if the federal government decided to crack down on Marjyn Investments, Marchetti is uncertain exactly how Teamsters would respond. For that matter, the AP states that marijuana trimmers have an arduous job, and federal law would not step in on their behalf if trimmers happened to be subjected to abusive labor practices. In Oakland, there is an assistant regional director for National Labor Relations Board. This is Michael Leong who states the category of farm workers may not even contain Teamster marijuana growers. If such is the case, they’d fall outside the jurisdiction of the NLRB.

Growing marijuana dispensaries with cultivation still ‘in the shadows’

California law has allowed marijuana dispensaries to grow into a booming new business, but existing laws have not fully defined just how cultivation operations like Marjyn Investments LLC should be regulated. Labor standards aren’t figured out for the area yet. Of course, many individuals anticipate working in that area eventually within the future. Many are putting in applications to try and get ready to start for themselves. Of course, we know now that there isn’t any requirement of being within the Teamsters Union in order to get started.

Additional reading

Associated Press

newser.com/article/d9ibmhtg0/us-teamsters-boost-membership-by-adding-medical-pot-growers-to-the-union-rolls.html

Eagle followers wonder whether Michael Vick starting is long term

The circus surrounding Vick has been a headache to the NFL in the last few years. The Philadelphia Eagles took a significant amount of flak from numerous directions. To be fair, Vick had not even practiced in years. Vick did not play in many games, and mostly never more than a single series. However, Philadelphia is now without Kevin Kolb, the starting quarterback. Vick had to step up towards the Green Bay Packers. It may have actually been an improvement. He almost pulled off an upset. Based on how well Vick does in the role, he may end up becoming the starter for good. Post resource – Eagle fans wonder whether Michael Vick starting is permanent by Newystype.com.

Green Bay narrowly is the winner

The Green Bay Packers headed to Philadelphia for the first game of the season. Linebacker Stewart Bradley and quarterback Kevin Kolb both had to leave the field, having sustained concussions in the first half. In 2009, Vick had barely played a series and was put within the game. Vick put on a remarkable performance, as he nearly pulled off an upset victory over the Packers. There is significant buzz about the Packers, as they are thought to be Super Bowl contenders already. Vick, however, put up 175 yards passing, going 16 for 24, and scoring one touchdown. The next game could be against the Detroit Lions, and since neither Bradley or Kolb have passed clearance tests, Vick will be the starter.

To Detroit

As long as Kolb is out, Vick is the starter. That means he can be starting towards the Detroit Lions. Having to choose between Kolb and Vick is a problem you need to have, and Eagles coach Andy Reid may well have that problem should Vick perform well in Detroit. There is a consistent quality that Vick is known for. He is a scrambling, running quarterback. He isn’t really the traditional hang-out-in-the-pocket kind. Like other QBs of the type, like Steve Young, he can move to other spots with better passing opportunities easily, and evade tackles. This quality actually makes him a good match to the Eagles. The team uses a classic West Coast offense, and if he can consistently connect with receivers, it will make them a dangerous team.

Being determined

This is basically speculation. All speculation is, well, speculative. The Lions are desperate to do well again, and if Vick gives them a chance to beat someone badly they will try. If Vick can put up a similar performance in Detroit, he could potentially stay a starter for the Eagles.

More on this topic

ESPN

sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5575885

World Trade Organization authorities say intercontinental trade laws and regulations were busted by Boeing

Airline travel has taken a huge financial hit throughout the global recession, which in turn has decreased demand for new airliners to increase fleets. Large government subsidies have been accepted by aircraft manufacturers that try to boost the bottom line in any way possible. Boeing is the storied American airline manufacturer that was ruled to have taken these government subsidies to give it an edge on European competitor Airbus by the World Trade Organization (WTO), reports Reuters. The $20 billion in subsidies is being challenged by the European Union, according to sources.

WTO pointing toward Boeing and Airbus

It is said the WTO ruling against Boeing is confidential. It will not be released to the public until sometime in 2011. It has been released to some of course. United States and European officials were able to view it. Boeing and Airbus have already appealed case findings of course. Reuters indicates that if initial records of the WTO ruling are accurate, a negotiated settlement between Boeing and Airbus may occur, as the current state of relations in transatlantic aerospace travel is cold at best. In June 2010, Airbus got in trouble for the exact same thing. It got a cash advance as a government subsidy from the EU then.

Numerous upset by the tax breaks and research contracts

This may be an example of one power crying foul because they were reprimanded for the very thing that the other power is at the moment attempting to get away with. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and also the Pentagon gave Boeing $17 billion in research contracts. Also, It got a sweet tax break in Washington State of $4 billion, says European sources. WTO ruled that Boeing broke international trade laws by accepting the contracts and tax breaks, despite the fact that the government aid is not technically prohibited. There is a claim that Airbus was glad about the contention. Boeing said Airbus got a stern glance in there. Boeing felt like what happened was unfair as its actions were acceptable.

Hope that President Obama take part

Reuters got EU trade spokesman John Clancy’s opinion. He said “negotiations at the highest political level” may be the only thing that will keep Boeing and Airbus from fighting. However, United States of America officials have opposed coming to the table unless the EU stops subsidizing the production of the Airbus A350, which United States of America officials feel is really similar to support the World Trade Organization has decided against. Boeing said that Airbus is doing everything wrong with the EU although Boeing is doing nothing to harmed the transatlantic aerospace market.

More on this topic

Airbus

airbus.com/

Boeing

boeing.com

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68E47T20100915

WTO and Boeing have had better days

youtube.com/watch?v=50fqfmWbXiY

Lady Gaga sports meat gown to Music Television music awards

What is the combination of Lady Gaga and Ke$ha? What about when you add a meat gown and garbage bag outfit to the mix? A mess you wouldn’t want to take home in a doggie bag. It was an interesting Music Television Video Music Awards. Hollywood Life explains that there was not even anything talked about after Taylor Swift’s forgiveness song to Kayne West. The majority of the jokes host Chelsea Handler said were clearly scripted. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and vegan groups were really mad about Lady Gaga’s animal meat dress although it was expected from one who’s normally in abnormal clothing. Japanese Vogue had her model an animal meat swimsuit already. There was a feature being done by “America’s Top Model” with meat clothing. I’m telling the truth.

Cher liked Lady Gaga’s meat dress

13 awards were what Lady Gaga and her meat dress were nominated for. She won, as outlined by SeattlePI.com, eight of those. Everybody first saw her outfit of various cuts of meat as she stepped on stage. She got on stage as “Bad Romance” was announced as Video of the Year. The beef might have been really tasty also as costly. This may have been if it were Kobe beef that is.

Cher presented Gaga with the award and couldn’t resist giving Miss Gaga a big, juicy hug. Seasoning may have changed things. She might have even wanted to use seasoning salt to season up the meat. ”Jersey Shore” types certainly showed off their spray tanned bodies in there.

Why a meat dress for Lady Gaga

Billboard shows why Gaga was wearing the ensemble. She said that she was trying to stop the “Don’t Ask, Do not Tell” policy the military goes by for her gay fans. It was to be more of a dramatic illustration more than an affront to any vegetarians. Gaga was lucky enough to have Ellen DeGeneres offer her a veggie gown as an option to the animal meat dress. She was undaunted by the offer being made. ”If we do not stand up for what we believe in, pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the animal meat on our bones,” she said. This was said to Billboard. Gaga, at the MTV Video Music Awards, explained “I am not a piece of meat.” She said this while accepting the “Bad Romance” Video of the Year award.

If Lady Gaga isn’t really a piece of meat

What about Ke$ha? Where does that leave her? Miss auto-tune told MTV news in reference to her garbage bag dress that “It’s not like I’m going to go into the garbage with crusty food on it, all garbage isn’t equal.”

That’s what I mean.

Additional 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

Michael Grimm America's Got Talent triumph proves underdogs nevertheless win

Talent competitions are all the rage on American television. The fifth “America’s Got Talent” season has just wrapped up. It was an interesting season, and also the “America’s Got Talent” final four were all incredible. The contest came down to Michael Grimm, Prince Poppycock, Jackie Evancho and dance troupe Fighting Gravity. The last show featured invitee spots from entertainment heavyweights Jewel and Lionel Ritchie, making for a spectacle as strong as a brick house. Evancho was easily the preferred. A girl of only ten, with a powerful operatic voice belying her years and bringing comparisons to Susan Boyle. Nevertheless, those ideas were put paid. Michael Grimm walked away the victor.

Ending really worth watching

Just like previous years, the last episode of “America’s Got Talent” year five was quite something. The last four contestants staged their performances on Tuesday. Michael Grimm is kind of the singer/songwriter type, with a very bluesy tinge. Prince Poppycock sings pop songs in an operatic fashion, fusing Lady Gaga, Paul Revere and also the Raiders, and Kiss with the makeup and elaborate classical era costumes. Then there was Jackie Evancho. Evancho has been a sensation all year, as the tiny ten year old has a titanic voice. There was only one act that was not a vocalist. Fighting Gravity is a dance troupe made up of college students.

Last shows always have a Grimm undercurrent

The results get revealed on a retrospective and special performance episode, just like “American Idol.”. Piers Morgan pulled no punches on the ending, as outlined by Columbia Broadcasting System. He buzzed Prince Poppycock, who had been a crowd preferred all season. It wasn’t without reason though. Poppycock fairly much has one act, however with different songs. Evancho had the belief that she is only 10 years old on her side. That said, after so many ballads, individuals get bored. That has a lot to do with the outcome. Just a little variety of material is probably why Michael Grimm won “America’s Got Talent.” Singers triumph this show, as only one of the five winners has not been a singer. Buying a home for his grandparents is what Grimm has in mind for the winnings, as outlined by People.

Attendees steal the program

There were great invitee artists too. It certainly made the ending more entertaining. Poppycock performed with Donna Summer, Lionel Ritchie sang “Dancing on the Ceiling” for Fighting Gravity and Grimm performed a duet with Jewel, singing “Me and Bobby McGee.” It was a good year. The ending was awesome too.

Additional reading

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20016467-10391698.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

TV Watch

tvwatch.people.com/2010/09/16/americas-got-talent-winner-michael-grimm/

Subcompact automobiles are General Motors and Ford's large initiatives

Domestic auto firms are trying to get a greater portion of the subcompact market ever since that style of automobile has become more popular within the 1970s. Toyota and Honda are the kings. Hardly any person offers more small, gas sipping, inexpensive but quality vehicles. GM, Chrysler and Ford are trying for ages to get larger shares of those sales. This year will see the release of two new economic and fuel efficient autos from the domestic automakers. The Chevy Cruze is set to debut soon, and the Ford Motors Focus is going to get a facelift. Both vehicle makers appear to be poised for aggressive marketing of those models. Resource for this article – GM and Ford looking to cut in on subcompact market by Car Deal Expert.

Chevy Cruze to debut shortly

Over the past few years, one could effortlessly get the impression Chevrolet only cares about selling Corvettes and Suburbans. Nothing is further from the truth. There are really two Chevy automobiles that list for under $ 15,000 and get 25 mpg or greater. Those are the Cobalt, and the Aveo. Those aren’t just two door hatchbacks, either. That goes for coupe and sedan editions. Later this year, Chevrolet is debuting the Cruze and also the Volt, but the Cruze is aimed right at the heart of Toyota and Honda. According to the New York Times, the Cruze will get 26 miles per gallon on the standard model. Also up to 36 mpg on the highway. It does not cost a lot either. The base model will list for $ 16,995.

Do not forget about Ford

Ford at the moment offers the Fiesta, a subcompact that has been selling like hotcakes, which gets 29 miles per gallon within the city, and 40 mpg highway. The Focus is getting a facelift, and a new one could be out in 2012. The basic Focus now gets 25 mpg. The Fiesta lists for $ 13,320 and the essential Focus retails for $ 16,640. The Honda Civic goes for around the exact same amount. As does the Toyota Corolla. Since Chrysler and Fiat are now one, expect a Fiat via Chrysler sometime soon.

The modern look Big Three

The Big Three domestic auto firms, or Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, took some severe stick in the last few years, and all 3 want to change people’s opinions of the,. It is not that none of those businesses have ever tried to sell a subcompact – far from it. All 3 are going to get pushy about the brand new cars though. It may be a good time to purchase American again.

More on this topic

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/09/09/business/09auto.html?_r=1 and ref=automobiles

Model Livingston attempted deplaning in the air

Nobody likes to feel a little aerial turbulence, especially if they do not like flying in the beginning. Even though there may be lots of turbulence, it is never ok to deplane during a commercial flight. Of course, it is extremely hard to implement it with modern commercial airline security. However, Playboy model Tiffany Livingston wasn’t thinking about what was possible when she burst from her seat and tried to open the door of in-flight JetBlue Flight 222 from Orlando, Fla., to Newark, N.J. while the plane was at 10,000 feet. The model is 21 and had a panic attack without medication while on the plane at the time. Livingston was instantly taking into custody by the FBI. Ultimately she was released to go home. Livingston claims she was not trying to exit the plane, says TMZ. She was trying to stabilize herself during the anxiety attack. Resource for this article – Model Tiffany Livingston attempts frantic mid-air deplaning by Newystype.com.

Tiffany Livingston is ‘not just another fairly face’ some say

In 2009, Tiffany Livingston was in centerfold of the Singapore version of Playboy, VIP however is referred to as “not just an additional pretty face,” however rather as an intelligent young woman. Playboy describes Livingston as hardworking, approachable, and fresh. It said that she used to live in Manchester N.H., and became the girl she is through a lot of hard work and manual labor. Supposedly, she dated magician David Blaine at one time. Livingston said real magic was found though within the book by Viktor Frankl called “Man’s Search for Meaning”. Specifically, she tells Playboy that it has helped her manage her anger, particularly when facing the challenges of the modeling life.

Problems with air turbulence

FlyingFear.net explains what air turbulence actually is. It does not mean the plane has lost control at all. It’s just something that happens. Turbulence is caused by one thing that is actually predictable the majority of the time. It is the interaction of jet stream air moving at different speeds and it acceptable. Airplanes – particularly commercial craft intended to carry many passengers – are designed to be at bare minimum twice as strong as they have to be to withstand the worst turbulence. While such knowledge may not have helped Tiffany Livingston during her moment of anxiety, it certainly wouldn’t have hurt.

More on this topic

Flying Fear

FlyingFear.net http://www.flyingfear.net/articles/dealing-with-turbulence-anxiety.html

Poole Associates

poole-associates.com/Poole Penthouse in VIP.htm

TMZ

tmz.com/2010/09/10/singapore-surprise-playboy-model-tiffany-livingston-jetblue-airplane-detained-arrested/

In 60 years, lowest rate of commuter traffic fatalities on United States of America highways

The auto industry in the United States focused for years on making vehicles that can get people to places faster and comfortable although it took a while to add protection to that. Seat belts weren’t put in numerous cars until it was required by Congress in 1959. They only made it a regulation because there were so numerous fatalities in commuter traffic incidents on the highways. It has shown in the numbers that protection technology in automobiles is more advanced. According to the Transportation Department, there were fewer traffic deaths on U.S. streets in 2009 than there have been in six decades.

Traffic deaths down thanks to safety advancements and tougher laws

Less automobile traffic deaths are attributed to airbags, body construction, stability control and seat belts although, the Associated Press reports, drinking and driving laws along with distracted/fatigued laws help also. Since 1950, traffic deaths are at all time low numbers in 2009 with a decrease of 9.7 percent to 33,808. In 2008, there were 37,423 highway accidents resulting in death. That’s 1.13 deaths per million miles driven in 2009, compared with 1.26 the previous year. Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary, said the latest report “shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been.”.

Is it the recession?

During American recessions, motorway fatalities drop in history. For instance, within the late 1970s/early 1980s when Americans suffered through recession and oil shortages, the numbers were down. The very same thing occurred in the early 1990s. The cost of driving made it so less people drove. They would choose instead to either use public transportation or just stay home. Fewer cars on the road will naturally decrease the number of traffic deaths. However, despite the current recession, the Transportation Department found that the number of miles traveled by motorists increased by .2 percent in 2009.

More people concerned about distracted driving

It appears like it is always a bad idea to text or talk on the phone while driving. People should be focusing on the road. This is something regulation enforcement do not like. That is why more are trying to stop it. U.S. roads could be safer, reports AP who spoke to LaHood, if each and every state were to adopt these laws against driving distracted.

Use Car Deal Expert for car loan savings

Further reading

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

Economic system injured with exact same credit card debt that helps the financing market

There is one thing Americans are trying to do now. That is, of course, to pay off credit card debt. The Federal Reserve reported that United States of America families cut back on credit card use for the 23rd month in a row. In July, the overall consumer borrowing decreased $3.6 billion which is the 17th decline within the last 18 months. Overall consumer borrowing does not include home mortgages although it does contain charge cards and auto loans. You will find lots of individuals paying down credit card debt which really aids thinking about there has been a lot of charge card delinquency in the market. The financial system is really trying to cover from the Good Recession though which is difficult with the consumer borrowing.

Consumer spending drops credit card debt

There has been less consumer spending with credit cards. This was shown within the drops in June and July of 7.5 percent and 6.3 percent. The Associated Press reports that credit card debts has declined for 23 consecutive months — a record run. Americans are having a hard time fixing their finances while incomes and employment aren’t improving meaning banks are losing money maintaining tight lending standards and Americans are cutting back on credit card use. Americans appear to be helping only themselves while saving more and spending less. This is since the financial system needs consumer spending in order to expand.

Banks stop consumer spending

Banks try to minimize losses by making it hard to get charge cards. The Street explained that many nevertheless really want credit cards. A FICO survey showed that within the last twelve months ending in April, compared to the previous 12 months, new credit card accounts dropped 17.7 percent. Applications for credit cards didn’t drop as much. There was only a 3 percent drop. Customers weren’t able to get the credit cards they wanted, says the Street. Credit available through the time went down 12.2 percent also on consumer credit cards.

Credit card companies hire more lobbyists

Charge card businesses are doing better with less consumer borrowing on credit cards. Debtmerica Relief reports that despite new credit card rules that limit rate of interest hikes and penalty fees, credit card companies are becoming more stable as customers reign in their spending. Earnings and losses are stabilizing charge card corporations. Capital One Financial and Discover Financial Services are two of these. Lenders have less delinquent accounts while customers are paying more credit card debts. They can counterbalance losses with money that was held in reserve. 25 percent more is spent on lobbyists now. This is done so they can influence future laws.

Discover more details on this subject

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g1RbLCbz_AJrpIhbI4fRRyuNF0EgD9I409OO1

The Street

thestreet.com/story/10855583/1/bankers-pessimistic-about-credit-card-market.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Debtmerica Relief

debtmerica.com/industry-news/20-consumer-debt/643-paying-off-credit-card-debt-stabilizes-lending-industry

The discussion rages between automatic and manual transmissions

A person should learn about the car they are looking at purchasing, be it online, at a dealership, or from their neighbor. More than just the model should be accounted for. One thing that should weigh in is the transmission. Which variety of transmission should factor into the thinking as well. There are usually automatic transmissions and manual transmissions, at least for some conventional automobiles. An individual ought to know themselves and the course their life will likely take over the lifetime of the vehicle when thinking about getting a vehicle. Resource for this article – Comparing the merits of automatic and manual transmissions by Car Deal Expert.

Good and bad factors for both

A manual has several definite benefits, for those acquainted with the clutch. They are more economical typically. Gears could be shifted manually, with greater control in an optimal range called a power band. This decreases workload on the engine. Cars with manual transmissions, or stick shifts, often get two miles more per gallon than their automatic counterparts and cost less at the dealership, where autos with automatic transmission can cost an additional $1000 or more. That said, with computer technology in modern automobiles, the gas mileage advantage is diminishing.

Location, location, location

Before thinking about manual vs. auto, there is another thing to consider. Namely, where a person lives or plans to live and where they intend to do the most driving. If a person does not live anywhere replete with lots of steep hills, it isn’t a concern. Drivers in cities on waterfronts, such as San Francisco or Seattle, known for steep hills, ought to think about an automatic. A driver has to mind the steering wheel, the brake, the gas, the clutch, and the gear stick on hills if they’re in heavy traffic. If stopped on a steep hill? Add the parking brake to the equation. That said, manual aficionados insist that shifting manually is so much more fun.

There is a hitch

When a buyer is interested in purchasing any vehicle, they’re best served by researching that model thoroughly as transmissions do wear down over time. It is always nice to have a warranty. However, warranties do not contain the mental anguish of the loss of the reverse gear. Manual transmissions are less mechanically complex than automatics, which also means automatics are far harder to repair, for the DIY repair crowd. Transmissions are not cheap to replace. The inexperienced should always have a qualified mechanic perform the repairs.

Exclusive bargains not really right, says General Motor's Ewanick who just desires to market the type

It isn’t going to be easy for automakers to recuperate. The Automotive News reports General Motors’ Vice President of Marketing Ewanick saying this. Product is moving fast for General Motors with all the bargains being cut. It is only that way because General Motors had endured a huge bankruptcy leading to a large turnover. Ewanick hopes to change things to General Motors is more focused on making quality vehicles rather than cutting bargains.

Brand recognition is essential

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. Automotive brands that are simply trying to sale have to start working on model recognition instead. Brands really have to try and become public and important again. Ewanick feels like “people buy brands, not products”. Chevrolet previously used Americana in its advertising, and when that business may not continue within the exact same vein, Ewanick believes that Chevy gets it – a type has to have soul that goes far beyond the numbers.

Still seeing the factory incentives

Factory and dealer incentives are far from dead, Ewanick says. He thinks brand story should be significant. This shouldn’t be higher up on the scale. Style, quality, efficiency, dependability and all the other hallmarks of a well-marketed automotive brand should drive sales, when discounts will still be there as a garnish. Automakers will have to reach out to consumers again with product strength. Stories are what automotive marketing used to get to customers before. Younger generations of car buyers are being targeted by brands like Chevrolet’s Corvette SS and Stingray. Past mystique shouldn’t be buried, as it’s not dead.

Discounts will not work also as consumer understanding

Everyone enjoys a good sale, however regularly rolling out the shiny banner does not build strong relationships with customers. The auto bailout – where those teetering businesses which were “too large 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. Knowing what consumers want in an auto should be the focus of each and each automaker, not necessarily just a select few.

Discover more information on this subject

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

Legal action for infamous governor Joe Arpaio in opposition to the Department of Justice

Several have been worried about Arizona. They happen to be debating in the state. Governor Jan Brewer decried SB1070, the law allowing officials to verify immigration status of everybody they come into contact with, which the Obama administration has challenged with constitutional grounds, although it is still unsettled. The feud between the Grand Canyon State and also the federal government has intensified, as the Justice Department is suing the controversial Sheriff of Maricopa County, Joe Arpaio. Joe Arpaio allegedly didn’t cooperate in a civil rights abuse investigation, says the Justice Department.

Joe Arpaio was the sheriff suspected of discrimination

The investigation started to fight tactics Sheriff Joe Arpaio supposedly used. Evidently he wanted to “sweep” illegal immigrants by only targeting Hispanics, whether or not they were legal. The Los Angeles Times reports that Hispanic areas were targeted by the Maricopa County Sheriff deputies that stopped every person for anything. Deputies were designed to verify immigration status while there. Before the Arizona immigration law was even proposed, they were doing this. Sheriff Arpaio didn’t comply when asked by the Justice Department to give documentation of these sweeps. Allegedly, he denied federal investigators access to buildings and refused to hand over requested material.

Lawsuits are expected

The Maricopa Sheriff is no stranger to lawsuits. Several have perished in his jail they call “Tent City” which has caused him to be sued multiple times. It is called tent city because it is an area in the desert surrounded by barbed wire fences that has tents in it. There is also an ongoing investigation into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office including Sheriff Arpaio by the grand jury. This is happening, reports ABC because of corruption. The Justice Department made the first request for documents and other materials more than a year ago. A federal judge found the Sheriff’s Office had destroyed documents pertaining to the sweeps in question that attorneys suing Arpaio’s department were entitled to see.

Further reading

ABC News

blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/09/justice-department-sues-arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio.html

LA Times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-lawsuit-arpaio-20100903,,2874529.story

Rising joblessness pace something the private sector employment growth doesn't think about

There was an increase from 9.5 percent in July to 9.6 percent in August in the United States of America unemployment pace. More employees than were expected were hired. I guess employers decided to hire. Many believe that the unemployment numbers are going up because U.S. Census careers have finished, the U.S. government has done layoffs and more individuals are searching for careers once more. What is fascinating though is that private sector hiring, for the eight month in a row, has amplified hiring. The Labor Department also revised figures for June and July that show more jobs were created and fewer were lost than at first estimated. Economists think there exists a possibility of avoiding a double dip recession with the positive additions to the careers report.

Unemployed workers making employment creation harder

The U.S. unemployment rate rose for the very first time in four months as outlined by Friday’s August jobs report from the Labor Department. As outlined by MSNBC, 114,000 census jobs and 10,000 state and local government careers were lost although 67,000 careers were created by private employers. This is the very first time since April the jobless pace went up because of the 500,000 people that began looking for jobs again. Revised job creation figures also improved the employment outlook. Private sector job growth for July was revised upward to 107,000 from 71,000. June got a change from its 31,000 as well. The quantity finished up actually being 61,000.

Huge crater in labor market hard to fill

The joblessness pace within the United States has been a problem for a long time. CNN Money gives us a good outlook from history. The labor market is doing better in this recession than it has in recessions before. So many jobs were lost this time around though. That is why a higher increase is needed, to replace all of the lost jobs. 7 percent of all jobs, or 8.4 million, were lost in 2008-09. There was a recession in 2001. During that time, 3.1 percent of jobs were lost. Only 1.9 percent of jobs were lost during the recession of 1990-91. Job growth began again six months following the current recession was over. It was declared over in June 2009. The turnaround took 12 months to begin following the 1990-91 recession. After the 2001 recession, job growth took 22 months to resume.

Population growth too much for economic expansion

Job creation has dropped steadily since employers were adding about 200,000 workers a month. The jobs lost in 2008-09 wouldn’t be replaces at that rate for at least three years, says CNNMoney. The joblessness rate can’t go down with only 100,000 jobs being created by the private sector every month, says the Christian Science Monitor. Population growth continuously adds to the labor force, and workers who had given up reconsider and re-enter the labor force. Companies don’t want to hire more employees. They have already worked fewer employees harder to get a higher output. In the second quarter, the Labor Department showed productivity dropped. Employers might start hiring again to sustain all of this growth.

Further reading

MSNBC

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38988367/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/09/02/news/economy/jobs_recovery/?npt=NP1

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/Business/2010/0903/Unemployment-rate-up-to-9.6-percent-but-private-sector-gains-jobs

Illegal immigration receives slice in the face be machete

Satire may be the weapon of preference in the end. This is after the often faltering political rhetoric doesn’t function. When that satire is sharp, even hot-button topics like immigrating can’t come out uncut. If current “Machete” film reviews are any indication, the Robert Rodriguez “Mexploitation” gore fest might not be the sharpest tool within the satire shed, but it hacks away at immigrating with lustful glee. Political ideas are shot through the movie “Machete” from beginning to end of the film.

”Machete” reviews say the film is close to falling off a cliff

The line Rodriguez walks with “Machete” has anything to do with the film’s use of satire. Intended to be a send-up of 1970s midnight movie genres in much the exact same way the Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriguez co-production “Grindhouse” did in 2007, “Machete” tells the story of a Mexican federale (Danny Trejo) in search of revenge. Agents of drug lord Torrez kill Machete’s family. Torrez is played by Steven Seagal as a form of parody to be himself. Machete kills many included authorities, politicians including Robert De Niro and even a drug mile network that is exactly like the ones made in U.S. Mexico today. There also are Cheech Marin, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Don Johnson and Jessica Alba there too. ”Machete” isn’t always on a thin line when it comes to satire, says the Denver Post. The jokes are interesting. Some are “too cool for school” more than anything else. The prepared se! quels may need a little bit more from Rodriguez though.

Screenrant has own opinions on immigration satire

Screenrant thinks that the scene in “Machete” with an illegal border crossing is too much. A pregnant woman with her husband try to cross. This is when Don Johnson and Robert De Niro determine it’s time to stop them as uniformed vigilantes. De Niro plays a cruel United States Senator. He actually shoots the pregnant woman before saying the man, “Welcome to The United States,” and then shoots before shooting him. Rodriguez was just having some fun with the clear satire, although some weren’t so excited.

Bloody fun involved

The storyline and acting in “Machete” do not really matter. It was really all there to give some blood. Screenrant explains that connecting segments of the story will really just leave you bored. Entertainment Weekly says the video works the majority of the time, but when it slips on the blood and entrails, it slides into mere schlock.

More on this topic

Denver Post

denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_15966734

Entertainment Weekly

ew.com/ew/article/,,20417721,00.html

Screenrant

screenrant.com/machete-movie-reviews-vic-76754/

America, over 10 years, pays around forty two billion dollars to Agent Orange

Not only is it the cause of severe birth disorders for generations of Vietnamese kids, the herbicide/chemical weapon Agent Orange has afflicted greater than 1 million United States veterans. There were numerous diseases the soldiers that may not have even been there by choice with the draft received including things such as acute peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Washington Post reports that a quarter of the one million troops receiving disability checks, or 270,000 Vietnam War veterans, will in two months get compensation for diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s and different types of leukemia. Within the next ten years, the United States working class will have to pay a lot to support this. Around $42 billion dollars will be spent on it. Source of article – Agent Orange will cost America $42 billion over 10 years by Personal Money Store.

Anything from diabetes to erectile dysfunction because of Agent Orange

The Department of veterans’ Affairs reports on which medical condition is most common from Agent Orange. It actually ended up being diabetes. Other conditions, for instance erectile dysfunction, that would otherwise be attributed to age are being tied to Agent Orange, so veterans are being compensated. Former Wyoming Republican senator and current chairman of President Obama’s deficit commission, Alan Simpson, has said such compensation flies in the face of commitments to control federal spending.

“The irony (is) that the veterans who saved this country are now, in a way, not helping us to save the country in this fiscal mess,” he said.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is also critical of what he calls “presumptive conditions” that are being addressed with taxpayer funds. On Sept. 23 or soon thereafter, Akaka will participate in a hearing that will address “what changes Congress and also the VA may need for making to existing law and policy,” he said via an e-mail obtained by the Post.

VA spending isn’t right

The Associated Press reports on the how much the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is going to end up spending on Vietnam veterans with diabetes. Seems like like it could be way too much. Independent calculations based on VA records show that only $850 million a year is needed to help those with diabetes. Sadly, the VA’s numbers are much higher than that. A $42 billion increase within the next a decade is a huge leap from the $34 billion a year the VA already spends on disability benefits for American veterans.

Then there’s the ‘Credible evidence for association’

Victoria Anne Cassano is the Veterans’ Health Administration Director of Radiation and Physical Exposures. She explains that there was a federal law created on Agent Orange in 1991 saying that chemical agents and afflictions do have a correlation with Agent Orange “if the credible evidence for the association is equal to or outweighs the credible evidence against the association.”

It isn’t hard, says the Post, to fit that proof. Cassano says, “Does it make you take a deep breath? Does it give you pause? Yes. However you still do what you think is the right thing to do.”

More on this topic

U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs

publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/31/AR2010083106819.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange

The children of Agent Orange, 2008 (WARNING: Disturbing content)

youtube.com/watch?v=9zay0zcC0K4

Graduates can't get debt settlement relief for their student loans

Recently, it was announced that debt from higher education has outpaced debt from charge cards. Current students and recent graduates are clearly not amazed, but for many it comes as a shock. Young minds have to find ways to pay for college, and more people get federal student education loans, financial institution loans, and loans from other loan lender to try and make it happen. The amount of money that college students have to borrow is also growing, and so is the number of loan defaults. Pursuing the American Dream means lots of nightmares. One of which is navigating the murky waters of becoming student loans.

Hardly any college students have no personal debt

For college kids, having to borrow cash to pay for university is not an if. It’s a when. As outlined by FinAid.org graduates from 2007 to 2008 had a 66.5 percent chance of having to borrow money, and were $ 22,656 in personal debt on average. Public university students, of which 61.1 percent had to borrow, graduated with $ 19,839 in debt on average. Private schools, of course, are another matter. Private non-profit university students were 70.6 percent likely to borrow cash. Private for profit students, however, saw 97 percent of those students borrowing student loans. Graduates of nonprofit private schools averaged $ 27,439 in debt. Private for profit students averaged $ 24,349 in debt.

Not even personal bankruptcy gets rid of them

Student loan debt is type of like DNA. It’s extremely hard to get rid of. You cannot just declare personal bankruptcy and eliminate student loans like you are able to with mortgages or credit cards. Student loans also differ in that it is near extremely hard to get debt negotiation relief. There is little way out of having for making payments in perpetuity on student loans. There isn’t really much, if any, loan modification or refinancing you are able to do. There is something else. If you take out student education loans, there’s a decent chance you’ll default. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, 20 percent of all loans that had to be repaid since 1995 have been defaulted on. It is also more likely if a scholar went to a private for profit university, or only to a two year institution, and the risk increases each year past graduation.

College students pay dearly for their schooling

Graduated pupils have to put off the course of their lives for longer as a result of these things. For those who have a huge student loan debt, it’s far more difficult to afford things like a home, or kids, or going to graduate school.

Further reading

Financial Aid

finaid.org/loans/

Chronicle

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

Clearing up foggy headlights for safety

Do not drive at night with fogged, smeared headlights unless the prospect of getting into an accident appeals to you. Doing so simply isn’t really wise. The longer moisture and other goo is left to sit inside the headlamp casing, the more likely the lights are to burn out. This increases the likelihood of getting a “fix it” ticket from your friendly neighborhood state trooper. Ultimately, however, fixing the small problem of fogged car headlights is a straightforward affair.

Foggy car headlights are inevitable

Water will find its way into the inner recesses of your car headlights, reports Popular Mechanics. Cooler temperatures produce the miracle of condensation, and all your car’s surfaces can be subject to the wet touch. The very same design points that allow air flow to reduce pressure on the plastic cover all let moist air in. Typically this is not a concern, however; the morning sun burns off the moisture. But if it does not – let’s say your automobile is parked in a shady spot or parking structure – some action may be necessary.

Some tips about what you need to do with foggy headlights

If you’re a Grey Poupon-style auto owner, then just turn on the headlight defogger. However you don’t have a butler reading this blog to you, let’s be realistic.

Popular Mechanics says you need to find out if a Technical Service Bulletin exists for the model and make of your auto. This handy little doc will unveil possible upgrades, such as whether there’s an upgrade to your factory headlight fixture, which is probably cheap and no frills.

If there is no upgrade to pursue, get down to DIY basics. A little condensation is no large deal. Just drive around with the car headlights for a couple of hours and they will more than likely burn off what’s in the headlight fixture. It’s a great excuse to take the scenic route. Take out the fixture if there’s lots of water in there. Clean up, taking care to exterminate any mud deposits or bugs present in the fixture. Dump the water and bugs out, clean up the area with rubbing alcohol, and let the whole thing dry under sunlight before you put the fixture back into the car. Last however not least, park your auto facing south from now on for maximum sun exposure in the northern hemisphere, says Popular Mechanics.

More on this topic

Popular Mechanics

popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/how-to-prevent-foggy-headlights

BP spends more than $ 1 million a week on marketing

America wants to be aware that BP is doing everything within their power to atone for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster. There was so much damage done to jobs, tourism and also the ecological balance causing every person to want the oil giant to pay. The London Telegraph shows just where that money is going. Apparently, BP is spending $ 1 million a week for TV marketing alone. 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.

In just the last four months, more than $ 1 million

There’s been no response issued by BP although it has said it will cooperate with the House committee demands. BP has spent even more on advertising. This has all been in network TV, cable and radio advertising. The cleanup might need the money that could be spent on better things. Instead it is just going to advertising. Some marketing is necessary, but $ 1 million-plus per week may be the “top kill” of overkill. President Obama put it bluntly: “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 advertising. 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. Rep. Kathy Castor of Florida, and a few others, feel like BP can advertise as much as it wants. The gulf states are likely to be getting more tourism, including Florida. The marketing is making certain of that, although it may not really be helping BP’s image.

Info flow

BP’s response to critics has been to reiterate the purpose of its advertising is to assure Americans that the company plans to meet its commitments. You will find two commitments that are top priority. Those are to service claims and keep cleaning up the spill. BP is apparently keeping an eye on the bottom line right now though. How a brand is perceived is vitally significant to that line, so do not expect BP to stop spending millions on self-serving advertisements unless Congress manages to shoehorn the disgraced giant into a confining set of orthopedic shoes with economically correct arches.

More on this topic

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

TransUnion and the great news: car loan late payments drop

Those car industry experts who see the glass as half empty when it comes to the economic recession may need to think about a change of tune, reports the Wall Street Journal. In the second quarter of 2010, the rate of car loan late payments fell considerably for those consumers late by 60 days or more. News like this and the reduction of credit card payment delinquencies is the kind of good news TransUnion should be happy to proliferate.

Rainy time preserving makes recovery slow

Fewer consumers have been willing to plunk down their incredible shrinking dollars on big ticket purchases like automobiles, which has been less than stimulating for prospects of an economic transformation. Yet it has been a good for car loan repayment habits, claims Peter Turek of TransUnion.

”Although part of the reason for the transformation in late payment quotes is the influence of new, lower risk loans, consumers don’t see a quick fix to the short-term economic and employment situation,” exclaimed Turek.

2nd quarter figures were 20% better than the last

Consumers 60 days late or more on their vehicle loans fell by .53. According to the Journal, this was a 20 percent over Quarter 1 late payment rates. Moreover, the decrease is one of the most significant to occur since the summer of 2001. Rhode Island, Utah and Montana really displayed an increase in frequency, when Vermont showed the most improved payment performance. The Maple Syrup state experienced nearly a 50 percent drop, from 1 percent to .58 percent. In the category of “It’s expensive to live in paradise,” Hawaii showed the greatest drop within the origination of car loans. Milking old vehicles for every little thing they’re worth is probably less costly than getting a gallon of milk in Hawaii, anyway.

But the news isn’t all good. TransUnion recognizes a .6 percent increase in auto loan late payment rates by year’s end. The waves of heavy holiday spending will no doubt play a role.

More on this topic

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100830-703526.html

Bloom Box fuel cell uses secret formula to make clean energy

Electricity can be made by Bloom Box which is a fuel cell using oxygen and natural gas. Bloom Energy’s Bloom Box was featured on “60 Minutes” Sunday, a few days ahead of the company’s formal launch on Sept. 1. Bloom Energy advertised by saying Bloom Box gives clean, reliable and affordable power as an “energy server” for home. Energy needs are met for large corporations by this stand-alone unit already. Bloom Box may just replace power plants and transmission lines of the energy grid, says Bloom Energy. Before anybody will really get the Bloom Box though, the price needs to come down.

Bloom Box saves eBay, in 9 months, about $ 100,000

The Bloom Box has been 10 years within the making. In its “60 Minutes” feature on Bloom Energy, CBS News reports that company founder K.R. Stridhar has raised about $ 400 million for the technology. The Bloom Box holds a stack of ceramic discs coated with secret formulas on each side. Natural gas and oxygen are on both sides. The disk creates an electro-chemical reaction between the two elements to produce power. More power comes with more discs. A Bloom Box with 64 disks will power a Starbucks. Twenty companies in California are using Bloom Boxes, where a 20 percent state subsidy in addition to a 30 percent federal tax break for clean energy cuts the $ 800,000 price in half. John Donahoe, eBay’s CEO, told CBS News that five Bloom Boxes running on carbon-neutral bio-gas from landfill waste, installed nine months ago, have saved more than $ 100,000 in electricity costs.

Will the electrical grid be scrapped?

Stridhar told Newsweek the Bloom Box could replace the power plants and transmission lines of the electrical grid like personal computers replaced mainframes. Huge data centers are made by small servers put in groups together. Google, along with other Bloom Energy customers, do this. Bloom Boxes can be used within the same way. Energy farms can be created. Stridhar admitted that subsidies are the only thing making the Bloom Box fly now. But economies of scale could bring the price down to about a $ 3,000 investment for a household installation. He said every doubling in volume brings a 10-to-15 percent reduction in cost.

Then there’s the fuel cell market

There ought to be more of a demand for Bloom box soon. Fuel cell costs goes down with advances in technology, says altenergymag.com that published a global fuel cell market report by GBI Research. The price enables fuel cells to become commercialized by 2013. A 2008 report by Freedonia Group said that U.S. commercial fuel cell demand will increase nearly sixfold through 2012 to $ 975 million. In that time, a 41 percent growth rate in those using fuel cells for electricity is predicted.

Discover more info on this subject

CBS News

cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/18/60minutes/main6221135_page2.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Newsweek

newsweek.com/2010/04/22/this-is-brand-new.html

Altenenergymag

altenergymag.com/emagazine.php?art_id=1468

Is Facebook going to legally be able to claim the word face as a trademark?

Facebook is facing off with U.S. courts once more, reports TechCrunch. However, this time it has nothing to do with bullying websites TeachBook or PlaceBook into changing their names because they dared to use the word “book.”. The U.K. company called CIS Internet Limited left off with this in 2008, where now Facebook is trying to get “face” to be a trademark name. {Facebook has purchased CIS’s trademark application and is moving forward|Facebook wants to move forward with the CIS’s trademark application it bought|Facebook bought an application that was trademarked by CIS and now wants to move on|Facebook hopes to move forward with things. It already bought CIS’s trademark application. Resource for this article – Facebook wants to get a trademark

Facebook wants to trademark “face.” This is not news to many. In terms of corporate branding, trademarks are a big deal, but from time to time things get just a little out of hand. The word “ganja” was once in a court case for trade marking. The website Fark.com once attempted to trademark “NSFW.”. And then there’s Snooki from “The Jersey Shore,” who tried to trademark her nickname so that nobody else could cash in on that train wreck of a brand. There is a good chance Facebook won’t get the “face” trademark it wants.

There isn’t an approval from Aaron Greenspan

The same Aaron Greenspan who once claimed that he helped Mark Zuckerberg create Facebook is against the company’s attempt to trademark “face.”. Greenspan’s business Think Computer created a mobile payments app called FaceCash, and if Facebook gets its desired “face” trademark, Greenspan would need to pay. Also, Apple has a Facetime video calling app that the iPhone 4 has which would make them owe money. Most people, including Greenberg, would rather be able to use the word “face” in products.

Facebook needs to move on now

Considering how aggressive Facebook has been in defending its trademarks in the past, there’s little doubt that it will pursue unlicensed “face” users with atomic fury. Everyone that uses “face” may have to be careful, including those who don’t even want to run a business, or Zuckerberg might get them. Consider the movie “Face/Off” staring Nicholas Cage and John Travolta, or even consider the novel “Face of Another” by Kobo Abe. See how much trouble they got into over faces? Even a Tleilaxu face dancer from the “Dune” books wouldn’t be able to hide.

Find more information on this subject

FACE

tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial and amp;entry=78980756

TechCrunch

techcrunch.com/2010/08/26/trademark-face/

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark

Mexico as well as hazard tourist: A fantastic combination

Tourism is a vital source of income for nations worldwide.Since Americans love to escape in Mexico, the NAFTA partner on siesta enjoys the economic boon without having to give up any of its own jobs to el Norte.The traditional kind of Mexico vacation typically involves margaritas, beaches and lobster.According to Reuters, there’s a new breed of tourist in Mexico that gives the phrase “tourist trap” an entirely different meaning.”Danger tourism” that takes thrill-seekers into the maelstrom of sex, drugs and open violence of the current drug war is all the rage.

Threat travel and leisure isn’t for the average person

Most people would not spend getaway cash placing themselves within the middle of a war zone, but some individuals are happy to utilize the services of the more “underground” travel agencies on the market.By taking advantage of fringe travel agencies, tourists can run with Zapatista rebels. They can also witness the carnage of the drug war up close.The Tepito black market on the back streets of Mexico City wait.Cesar Estrada, proprietor of Universal Travel, indicated to Reuters that despite the very real chance that tourists can be robbed at gunpoint, such risk travel and leisure is quite popular.

”We tell visitors to dress simply. If they want pictures, our guides take them discreetly,” Estrada told Reuters.

The ‘real’ Mexico is waiting for you

A German tourist by the name of Donata Von Salviati told Reuters that the experience of danger tourism gives outsiders “the kind of insight to the real Mexico one could not get in a beach resort like Cancún”.Adding to the theme of “the real Mexico,” one tourist agency enables danger tourism aficionados to pay 200 pesos ($15) to hire a fake human trafficker (aka polleros or coyotes) for a nighttime run that simulates being a migrant crossing the southern border of the United States.No food or water is permitted, as the tourist transforms into human traffic.Make a run for the border with all of speed, for many who lag behind are picked up by fake immigration trucks in violent fashion.

A fiscal boost for Mexico?

According to Reuters, the economic returns of risk travel and leisure aren’t totally clear in these early stages.Tourism in general accounts for 9 percent of the nation’s economy, and considering just how much damage the drug wars have done to Mexico of late, it appears likely that hazard tourism helps more than it hurts.Unless you are a tourist on the wrong end of a bullet, of course.

Discover more data on this subject

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSN2463303