Maryland homeowners might be charged an upkeep fee

Some areas of the nation are facing still-growing foreclosure rates. In MD, it’s even higher. One county in Maryland is hoping to address many of the associated problems with a payment. This very same bill would give the county the right to charge property owners criminally if their home falls into disrepair.

Foreclosure level in MD large

MD has been facing large foreclosure rates since the housing collapse in 2008. Prince George County in Maryland has had one foreclosure for every 457 homes thus far in 2011. In Prince George County, the property value is decreasing while inventory goes up. This is mainly because now of the homes are being maintained well. Not only does this lead to urban blight, Prince George County tax revenues are falling.

Foreclosure fee idea brought forth

State lawmakers have been listening to a lot from Prince George County. It hopes that something can be done with the homes not being maintained and soon. Foreclosure costs on foreclosed homes of $75 a year would be a payment charged by the county. In order to pay contractors to clean abandoned houses, the money would be put in a county fund. The short term loan of foreclosed would have to pay just one more payment. Inspectors would be sent to foreclosed homes by the county.

Reason the reason why foreclosure fees are not likely

Foreclosed homes would be taken care of with a short term personal loan for instance foreclosed fee would help property values improve. It would be just as hard to get the fee as anything else though. It was already stated that the homeowner would not be responsible for the $75 payment. This was mentioned by the county. That just means that a per-house payment would have to be paid by the banks owning the properties and leaving them abandoned instead. The county would have to find a way to make sure that the fee gets paid. It may be done by simply creating a civil misdemeanor offense for not “keeping a property up to neighborhood standards.”

Articles cited

Washington Examiner

washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland/2011/02/pg-council-wants-charge-fee-foreclosure-cleanups

Married couple takes vows as Catholic priest and nun

In Germany, a married couple is making news. The spouse recently took vows as a Catholic priest, and his wife is a Catholic nun. In order to take vows, the couple had to individually get dispensations from the Pope.

Edeltraut Klueting and Harm take vows

Edeltraut Kluting and Harm were initially Lutherans when first married in 1977. The Lutheran pair had two kids. At the Lutheran church, they were clerics and served well. The couple then became Catholic. They waited until their kids were grown though. In 2004, Edeltraut received papal dispensation to take vows as a Carmelite nun and remain married to Harm. This week, Harm also received dispensation and took vows as a Catholic priest. The husband and wife are staying married while serving in their respective church posts.

Many married Catholic priests

A single man that is celibate is the image of "Catholic priest" that generally comes to mind. A ruling by Pope Piux XII in 1950 allowed married priests of other Christian denominations to convert to the Catholic religion, stay married and become Catholic priests. Estimates are that between 5 percent and 10 percent of Catholic priests, especially in Eastern Bloc countries, are married and serving as priests with the full knowledge and approval of the church.

The celibacy problem

A long-standing requirement of the Catholic church has been that priests and nuns remain celibate and unmarried, but the church makes exceptions as long as married couples get a pope dispensation. The declining number of men and women taking vows has elevated questions about this from inside and outside the Catholic church. In order to help Anglican priests and bishops be able to convert to Roman Catholic, the Catholic church began a new conversion program past year. married priests and female priests aren’t allowed in the Roman Catholic church though. Some Catholic sects have allowed it though.

Articles cited

The Star

thestar.com/printarticle/942850

NYSE-Deutsche Boerse deal to produce transatlantic trading giant

Deutsche Boerse AG will absorb the NYSE in a $10 billion merger package with NYSE Euronext. 2 of the largest stock exchanges-NYSE, plus the Frankfurt Stock Market of Deutsche Boerse, would join together in the merger. The prospect of an NYSE-Deutche Boerse deal brought on alarm among patriots, who lamented the absorption of the New York Stock Exchange by foreign interests. This will keep someone high up from ever needing cash loans again.

What has to happen for the NYSE-Deutsche Boerse deal to work

New York Stock Exchange Euronext tries to be able to take over the financial market on a global stage. Deutsche Boerse is doing this also. The world's largest owner of derivatives and equities could be formed due to an all-stock package. One share symbolically can be swapped between Deutsche Boerse and New York Stock Exchange Euronext. Every NYSE Euronext share can be converted into 0.47 share of the combined company that values New York Stock Exchange Euronext at about $10 billion. Deutsche Boerse will hold 10 seats on the 17-seat board of the corporation, because its shareholders own about 60 percent of the merged shares. NYSE Euronext-Deutsche Boerse can have headquarters in New York and Frankfurt. Due to taxes, the combined business will incorporate in the Netherlands.

Putting derivatives to the package

In the United States and Europe, thousands of stock listing and choices and derivatives can be accessed by investors with the New York Stock Exchange Euronext-Deutsche Boerse. The merged entity will list corporations worth about $15 trillion, more than any stock exchange. The ownership of growing venues for derivatives, including wagers on stocks, bonds, currencies or commodities, or changes in interest rates, could be growing in ownership with the merger. Over 50 percent of earnings could come from derivatives by 2013 with the NYSE Euronext.

The impact on national pride

To some on Wall Street, the NYSE-Deutsche Boerse package is a blow to national pride. Just like the WA Monument and Golden Gate Bridge, several consider the Large Board at the NYSE as an American icon. The truth that U.S. institutions are no longer dominating the marketplace globally is seen as the European entity absorbed the NYSE. According to Senator Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., the package will only be approved under one condition. "New York" has to be the first name.

Information from

New York Times

dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/new-york-and-german-exchanges-seal-deal/

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2011-02-15/deutsche-boerse-buys-nyse-to-form-top-exchange-owner.html

Market Watch

marketwatch.com/story/db-nyse-its-even-worse-than-we-thought-2011-02-15?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/02/15/deustche-borse-nyse-details-of-the-merger/

Medical personnel confirms that Giffords speaks

Reports are emerging the Congresswoman Giffords speaks again. Giffords is capable of some simple talk, which is proof the extreme physical therapy she is going through is working. The pace of recovery is miraculous, given the wounds she suffered are usually fatal.

Improvement by AZ Congresswoman

Giffords is an Arizona Congresswoman who had a brain injury keeping her in a physical therapy facility in Houston, Texas where she was moved from the hospital in Tucson, AZ. Giffords got a brain injury in the Tucson shooting that Jared Lee Loughner carried out. Now, she is recovering quickly. On Jan. 8, she was rushed to a Tuscan hospital after being shot in the head, and nearly a month later, she has started speaking again, in accordance with CBS. Her physical rehabilitation regimen at TIRR Memorial Herman Hospital is intense. Giffords wasn't moved there by random. She was moved since the hospital is there specifically for victims of head and brain trauma to get physical therapy.

Talking and asking for food is Giffords

Part of recovery for Giffords includes talk therapy, which a spokesperson said is paying down. As Giffords is hooked up to a breathing tube, either it would have to be removed or a vent would have to be put in it so she could speak. This is why it is unknown currently how she is doing this speech. She has also regained an urge for food. Her Facebook page recently had a comment from her husband, Mark Kelly. He said, “Gabby’s appetite is back — even though it is hospital food.” As soon as April Kelly will be returning to go on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Courthouse built and titled after killed judge

After the Tucson shooting that killed six and wounded 13, Congress has passed a bill to name a federal courthouse after one of the victims, Reuters reports. Chief Judge John M. Roll was killed in the shooting. A new courthouse will be named after him after being built in Yuma, Arizona. The building will be complete in a couple of years. It will open in 2013.

Articles cited

CBS News

cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/09/national/main20031226.shtml

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/02/09/us-shooting-judge-idUSTRE7187JH20110209

Olbermann lands at Gore-founded Current TV

Current TV is hoping Olbermann will transform the network from an also-ran into a contender. Keith Olbermann, who left MSNBC without advance notice a couple weeks ago, announced his brand new endeavor Tuesday. Olbermann will host a new show on Current TV depending on his personality much like he did at MSNBC.

Current TV no longer unseen

Current TV is soon going to be featuring Olbermann. Now, the channel founded by Al Gore will have more user generated content coming up. Programming on Current TV was depending on short segments called “pods” targeted to an audience aged 18-34. The pods never took off, and now Current TV programming features re-runs of documentaries such as “This American Life.”. There are about 23,000 prime time audiences of Current TV while 60 million cable subscribers can see it. MSNBC would get with "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" about 1 million viewers. Olbermann will hopefully be help Gore make the network do better.

Current TV letting Olbermann express views

In order to let Olbermann express his point of view, he is being given free rein on Current TV. Because he donated to Democratic political candidates, he got suspended before departing from MSNBC. Restrictions like this won't be put in place by Current TV, Gore said. This is with the understanding that Keith Olbermann is completely allegiant as the "chief news officer" there. He has a nightly show that will keep Olbermann busy. As part of this change, he will get an equity stake in Current TV as well. The Nielsen ratings do not even use Current TV. Olbermann's hire will be an excellent thing for Current TV's lineup in prime time commentary. Gore explained this in a teleconference.

Show will feature more of the very same Olbermann

During the announcement of his move to Current TV, Keith Olbermann said that he accepted Gore’s offer for the chance to produce news independent of corporate interference. Current TV was labeled a "model truth-seeking entity" by him. He didn't name any specific people in his criticism of the corporate world. He did say that corporate decisions should not include the way that stories are covered though. He said his new show, as yet untitled, would be “an improved and amplified version of the show I just did.”

Articles cited

Entertainment Weekly

insideTV.ew.com/2011/02/08/olbermann-current-TV/

USA Today

usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-08-keith-olbermann-current-TV_N.htm

New York Times

mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/keith-olbermann-to-host-show-and-have-executive-role-at-current-TV/?hp

Incorporating more expense, less security with Baltimore speed camcorders

In Baltimore, MD, city lawmakers are considering incorporating more speed camcorders. Baltimore is hoping to lower the number of speeders by adding more speed cameras. Even if the city does add more tickets, these cameras are not earning money for the city.

Speed camcorders installed in Maryland

There were speed traps put up in "high risk" areas like school zones in Baltimore, Md. The tickets issued by these speeding cameras are typically about $40 and are officially issued by the city of Baltimore. Speeding has gone down a ton because of these camcorders. Law enforcement has noticed there has not been a change in collisions though.

Details about the Baltimore speed camcorders

It has been many months of the speed cameras in Baltimore issuing tickets. The money from the tickets is not really being seen by the City of Baltimore though. Having the speed cameras is more like payday loans for the city. Sure, the city gets money, but it also has to pay out much of the money received. The camcorders that track and record speeders are owned, monitored and operated by a private business, and $32 of every $40 ticket is paid to the private contractor. Money has been lost by the city so far in the deal as the installation of cameras has to be paid for. Right now, the city is taking a loss off of the camcorders. Still, a short term personal loan for more is on the table.

Turning law enforcement work over to private companies

The work is being given to private corporations in more cities than just Baltimore. Legally, these traffic enforcement camcorders are facing difficult times. The right to face an accuser for a defendant has been cited several times. Tickets have been overturned as the camera or automatic system has given the tickets. In general, the truth that most people don’t fight their traffic tickets means that private businesses are making millions of dollars by doing a city’s police work for them.

Citations

ABC 2 News

abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_county/baltimore-county-looks-to-add-speed-cameras

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_enforcement_camera

Reagan Republicans would not vote for the Gipper at gunpoint

The 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth was Feb. 6. Reagan’s second term as president ended in 1989. Since that time his stature has only grown among the GOP. Reagan perished at 93 in 2004 and today he wouldn’t get past the primaries in a party that vehemently denounces policies the Gipper implemented during his presidency. And to think of the number of personal loans individuals get to support their parties.

Reagan remembered on his 100th birthday

Ronald Reagan continues to be a figure looked up to on his 100th birthday. To some he was responsible for winning the cold war and launching the idea of limited government. The gap between the rich and the poor was widened by him as well with the federal deficit going overboard, which others remember him for. To Reagan Republicans, Reagan was a tax-cutting, budget-cutting role model who proudly defended American ideals. Even still his name is used aggressively to get immigration policies and military spending in order. It is also used for tax cuts for the rich and government cuts.

Taxes initiated by Ronald Reagan

The idea that the deficit can be reduced without a tax increase is not necessarily something that 100 year old Reagan would agree with. The co-chair of the president's commission on deficit reduction is Alan Simpson from Wyoming who’s a former Republican Senator. He worked with the Reagan administration on the federal spending budget too. It was called "plain damn lies" that Reagan did not raise taxes, in accordance with Simpson. The 1982 Tax Equality and Fiscal Responsibility Act were started under Reagan he pointed out which raised corporate taxation and income taxation at 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product which was the largest tax increase seen at the time.

Reagan's spending plan

Reagan ended up raising taxation seven of the eight years he was president. There was a 177 % increase in spending between 1967 and 1975. This was when Reagan was governor of California. The federal deficit tripled even though taxes were elevated while he was president while also expanding government. The Brady Bill gun-control measure was one Reagan supported. He also tried to get rid of nuclear weapons entirely. In 1986, millions of undocumented aliens were given amnesty by him rather than making it impossible for immigrants to get in. When analyzing Reagan, it could be noticed that he wasn't anything like people believe. Reagan Republicans ought to really change their support to someone else.

Articles cited

Think Progress

wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/06/30/simpson-reagan/

Washington Monthly

washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_06/024155.php

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0204/Was-Ronald-Reagan-a-good-president

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703561604575282431263367708.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

Just how Candlemas and Imbolic evolved into Punxsutawney Phil’s Day

Feb. 2 is a day for celebration worldwide, for a wide variety of reasons. Some traditions mark Feb. 2 as Candlemas, Imbolic, or a day of purification. For other people, Punxsutawney Phil's 2011 appearance has marked an early spring on its way. It is getting close to the time to take out a payday cash advance loan and plan your spring getaway.

Past Candlemas

The division of seasons is called the "wheel of the year." Halfway between equinox and solstice is February 2 known as a "cross quarter" day. In order to grow grain, this day was to prepare soil in agrarian society. Candles were needed to do work. This was because lots of the plowing happened during the dark time of day. The dawn of the new year was symbolized with this "candle mass." It also symbolized purification and renewal.

Candlemas around the world

"Imbolic" is what Candlemas is known as in several European countries. Since sheep gave milk again once winter was over, "Ol-melc" was used meaning milk which is where the word comes from. A goddess statue was often washed and carried through the fields in order to celebrate the coming planting and harvest. The day is recognized by Jewish and Christian tradition also. The Christian patron saint of grain was St. Brigid. In order to celebrate her day, bread was baked and seeds were planted. Candlemas/Imbolic is also the day 40 days after the day the birth of Jesus is celebrated, making it the date the Jewish Mary would have purified herself. In short, it’s a day of purification, planting and honoring of the coming growing season.

Candlemas to Groundhog Day festivity changes

Imbolic or Candlemas was often the time of the year that humans started leaving the house and working out in the fields, and animals did the exact same. The tradition of a hedgehog seeing its shadow on Candlemas meant six more weeks of winter was brought by German settlers within the 18th century. February 2, 1887, is the real first day of Groundhogs Day. This was because it was the first time Punxsutawney Phil had to come out of his hole to predict the weather. About 39 percent of the time, Punxsutawney Phil is right. February 2 is the day to appreciate light, warmth and springtime whether you commemorate Candlemas, Imbolic, St. Brigid's Day, Mary's purification or you just watch Punxsutawney Phil come out of his hole.

Articles cited

School of the Seasons

schooloftheseasons.com/candlemas.html

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/8298417/The-history-of-Groundhog-Day.html

Perchlorate targeted with brand new Environmental Protection Agency water supply standards

Federal EPA drinking water specifications are getting a new update. The Bush administration made a decision in 2008 that these standards wouldn’t be allowed. Perchlorate and 16 other unstable organic compounds could be included in brand new restrictions. People hopefully won’t need to take out a pay day loan to purchase their drinking water filtered. This should help every person have healthy drinking water. Source of article – EPA drinking water standards to get a 2011 update by MoneyBlogNewz.

Information on the Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinking water

There is the Environmental Protection Agency for a good reason. It is meant to make sure the contaminants in drinking water are not too much. Almost all drinking water contains something other than pure hydrogen dioxide — minerals, dissolved solids and thousands of chemicals can be in water. The amount of chemicals and bacteria that can be found in water supply before more purification has to happen is what the Environmental Protection Agency regulates.

What the EPA drinking water specifications say about perchlorate

Rocket fuel, bleach, fertilizers and fireworks all use perchlorate that is a naturally taking place chemical. The iodine uptake in the thyroid can be affected by the perchlorate although it isn't dangerous to human health otherwise. It can be bad to have less iodine than necessary though. This is because it causes obesity, preterm births, neurological disorders and clinical depression. Perchlorate is limited by several states already; however, perchlorate contamination may be what 4 percent of municipal water has in it, which 17 million people drink.

EPA drinking water specifications for VOC compounds

There are brand new EPA regulations for water supply for 2011. Perchlorate is not the only thing limited in this. You will find also regulations on volatile organic compounds. These are also known as VOC. Perchlorate is not the only chemical with a limit. You will find 17 chemical limits total that are new. Volatile organic compounds are generally found in industrial manufacturing and solvents and can have a wide variety of detrimental effects. VOC are dangerous compounds. Most are going to have to start following EPA regulations. They start this year.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/02/epa.water.chemical/index.html?npt=NP1

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormones#Related_diseases

Chrysler doles out bonuses, regardless of TARP financial debt

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne informed employees both salaried and hourly that a performance bonus is on the way, writes Automotive News. After releasing 16 new or renovated cars last year, Marchionne decided that employees on the industrial side of Chrysler needed to be praised. Bonuses could be delivered on Feb. 11, according to Chrysler spokesman Mike Palese.

Whether by the hour or salary, Chrysler staff will get a bonus check

Each of Chrysler’s 22,000 United States and 7,600 Canadian by the hour staff with receive $750 in recognition for their achievements, said Palese. There are 10,000 within the U.S. and 750 Canadian salaried staff that will get a number not revealed by Palese.

Even though the company posted a net loss of $652 million this year while the fourth quarter had revised operating revenue of $198 million, Chrysler will nevertheless pay the bonuses. In the Chrysler modified operating profit, interest on loans wasn't included. This included interest the government got on the Troubled Asset Relief Program loans.

May not be lucrative

Sergio Marchionne is proud of what the industrial side of Chrysler has been able to accomplish.

"It is a performance payment in recognition of what I consider to be extraordinary performance. … The way this house has responded to the introduction of 16 vehicles has been extraordinary," Marchionne explained. This was to analysts in a conference call.

All the taxpayers who footed the bill for the auto bailout are upset that Chrysler is sending out bonuses before doing more work even though Marchionne is bound to score points with the staff by rewarded staff for hard work instead of working on "bottom line profitability".

How 2011 profits may look

In 2011, with revenues of $55 billion, Chrysler expects to get revenue between $200 million and $500 million. The unforgiving rate on TARP loan is what the automaker is blaming the $652 million net loss in 2010 on. There were higher vehicle launch costs and increased advertising that did not help much. The lower volume was also an issue.

Experts believe the fourth quarter earnings change was "modifying" the financial pie. A recorded "profit" such as this meant the company could report good news. It was the first quarter since bankruptcy that profit was recorded.

Articles cited

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/OEM/110139998/1250

Detroit Free Press

freep.com/article/20110131/BUSINESS0103/110131007/1049/SPORTS01/Chrysler-narrows-4Q-net-loss-posts-operating-profit?odyssey=nav%7Chead

TARP committee warnings to Chrysler about bonuses

youtube.com/watch?v=DM-Zm7YNTvg

Studying airfare price tendencies helps find low-cost tickets

To find inexpensive flight tickets, its best to study airfare prices trends, do your homework and remain vigilant. To operate at full capacity, airlines promote deals. Because they would rather sell all their airfares at full price, airlines make locating the deals a challenge. Airfares are constantly changing and it takes a concerted effort to be within the right place at the correct time for the best deal. If you do it right, you may not need a pay day loan to buy that air travel ticket. Source for this article – Find cheap airline tickets with vigilance, technology and luck by MoneyBlogNewz.

The lowest priced way to fly

Airlines can change ticket prices several times a day. Sometimes, the prices are continually tracked. Anybody who wants a cheaper rate on airline tickets ought to sign up for this sight. You might also keep up to date on airfare prices trends, fees and surcharges with travel web sites. The earlier you purchase airfares, the better. If you’re borrowing money with a short term loan in order to get to go on an escape for pretty cheap, then you are going to have to be flexible. Airlines start marketing the least expensive airfares about four months ahead. You can also determine if the most affordable airfare could be possible by simply looking at tendencies ahead of time.

The price of flying

Wed tends to be the lowest priced times to purchase flight tickets if you cannot plan in advance. When it comes to airline tickets, there’s a cycle it follows. Typically it is only a week long. Monday night is when sales begin meaning up to a 25 percent discount. Competitors typically match the price if there’s a deal offered by a discount carrier such as AirTran. Flying costs more on Thursday nights. That's when the fares go up. The best time to purchase is Wed from midnight to 1 a.m. in the time zone of the airline. Airlines put their low-fare reservations there. This is assuming they are not already booked. Make sure you are up, awake and ready to grab the deal as it will go quickly.

Use technologies to get better airfares

The way that the regular airfare cycle goes is a reflection of the past. Travel agencies used to sell tickets only Monday through Friday while newspapers were used to advertise daily sales for airlines. In order to get recognized, sales had to happen earlier within the week. End of the week sales did not do any good. Nobody paid any attention to them. Even though air carriers sell their deals on the Internet, deals can pop up at any time, the pattern still continues. It is not like these prices will stay like this forever. They will become unpredictable soon. Technologies are the only way to get cheaper prices on flying.

Citations

Market Watch

marketwatch.com/story/whatever-you-do-dont-buy-an-airline-ticket-on-2011-01-27?pagenumber=2

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Travel/best-time-buy-airline-tickets/story?id=4519704&page=3

Seeking Alpha

seekingalpha.com/article/15113-tip-for-best-purchase-time-of-airline-tickets