Making Money System

“The long-simmering feud between Democrats and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has erupted into a full-scale war…

“‘Just this week, we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations,’ Obama said at a Thursday rally for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. ‘So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections, and they won’t tell you where the money for their ads comes from.’

“R. Bruce Josten, the chamber’s executive vice president for government affairs, said in an interview Friday that the group ‘has never and will never’ use dues collected from overseas business councils, known as ‘AmChams,’ for U.S. political activities. He said the chamber is the victim of ‘a smear campaign’ orchestrated with the involvement of the White House.

“‘This is an outlandish act of desperation from people who are not able to run on their record,’ Josten said. ‘They have stooped to smear campaigns.’”

***

“But a closer examination shows that there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents…

“Organizations from both ends of the political spectrum, from liberal ones like the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Sierra Club to conservative groups like the National Rifle Association, have international affiliations and get money from foreign entities while at the same time pushing political causes in the United States.

“In addition, more than 160 political action committees active in campaigning have been set up by corporations that are based overseas, including military contractors like B.A.E. Systems and pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research service…

“Richard L. Hasen, an election-law specialist at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said there were legitimate questions about whether foreign money could be making its way into campaigns, particularly because many groups are not required to disclose their donors. But he added, ‘I’ve seen no proof of the chamber funneling a penny of foreign money into U.S. elections.’”

***

“Obama’s ‘foreign money’ claims are bogus. They’re also pretty rich, considering how his 2008 campaign handled foreign credit cards. From that National Journal story: ‘The lack of a computerized address-verification system would allow the Obama campaign’s computers to accept online donations from U.S. citizens above legal limits, and to accept donations from foreigners who are barred by law from contributing at all.’ Perhaps its time to remind people of that issue again. Oh, wait, I just did!”

***

This week, the BCS released their first rankings of the season. Oklahoma sits in the top spot, followed by Oregon, Boise State, Auburn and Texas Christian. And as usual, the rankings have led to a strong debate over the strength (or lack thereof) of the system.

Let's skip over the subjective debates of where teams should be ranked and let's instead look at some of the obvious systematic flaws in the system.

1. Undefeated Missouri is ranked second in one computer poll and the top six of four other computer rankings. And yet, one computer doesn't even have Mizzou in the top 25.


2. One-loss Alabama, a team that some believe can still contend for the national title is ranked fouth in one computer poll and 20th in another.


3. Oklahoma State is ranked between eight and ten in six of the computer polls, but they are only 19th in the seventh. The computers are a unbiased look at the teams, but how is it possible that they can differ so much on their views of specific teams?


4. Then take the case of Scott Wolf of the LA Daily News who may or may not have a bias against the Big Ten. 


5. And then there is Boise State, who despite being ranked second in both the USA Today and Harris polls, only has a 10% shot at making the national title game.

In an interview on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports questioned the transparency of the system by noting (audio) that only one of the seven computers polls has released the formula behind their rankings. He also added that the people behind two of the computer rankings admit that their polls have better versions but the BCS does not allow margin of victory to be a factor in the formula.

In the end, too much money is at stake here. Last year, each of the BCS conferences received close to $20 million for participation in the BCS. The NCAA can't have a system in place to distribute millions of dollars based on a system that depends on flawed formulas, biased writers and people voting for teams they have never even seen play.

By going with the BCS system, college football has lowered itself to the same level of gymnastics and figure skating in the sporting world. That is, Division I college football is nothing more than an artistic competition in which the gold medal will be given to the team that looks the prettiest when the most people are watching.

robert shumake twitter

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs&#39; comments | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake hall of shame

“The long-simmering feud between Democrats and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has erupted into a full-scale war…

“‘Just this week, we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations,’ Obama said at a Thursday rally for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. ‘So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections, and they won’t tell you where the money for their ads comes from.’

“R. Bruce Josten, the chamber’s executive vice president for government affairs, said in an interview Friday that the group ‘has never and will never’ use dues collected from overseas business councils, known as ‘AmChams,’ for U.S. political activities. He said the chamber is the victim of ‘a smear campaign’ orchestrated with the involvement of the White House.

“‘This is an outlandish act of desperation from people who are not able to run on their record,’ Josten said. ‘They have stooped to smear campaigns.’”

***

“But a closer examination shows that there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents…

“Organizations from both ends of the political spectrum, from liberal ones like the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Sierra Club to conservative groups like the National Rifle Association, have international affiliations and get money from foreign entities while at the same time pushing political causes in the United States.

“In addition, more than 160 political action committees active in campaigning have been set up by corporations that are based overseas, including military contractors like B.A.E. Systems and pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research service…

“Richard L. Hasen, an election-law specialist at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said there were legitimate questions about whether foreign money could be making its way into campaigns, particularly because many groups are not required to disclose their donors. But he added, ‘I’ve seen no proof of the chamber funneling a penny of foreign money into U.S. elections.’”

***

“Obama’s ‘foreign money’ claims are bogus. They’re also pretty rich, considering how his 2008 campaign handled foreign credit cards. From that National Journal story: ‘The lack of a computerized address-verification system would allow the Obama campaign’s computers to accept online donations from U.S. citizens above legal limits, and to accept donations from foreigners who are barred by law from contributing at all.’ Perhaps its time to remind people of that issue again. Oh, wait, I just did!”

***

This week, the BCS released their first rankings of the season. Oklahoma sits in the top spot, followed by Oregon, Boise State, Auburn and Texas Christian. And as usual, the rankings have led to a strong debate over the strength (or lack thereof) of the system.

Let's skip over the subjective debates of where teams should be ranked and let's instead look at some of the obvious systematic flaws in the system.

1. Undefeated Missouri is ranked second in one computer poll and the top six of four other computer rankings. And yet, one computer doesn't even have Mizzou in the top 25.


2. One-loss Alabama, a team that some believe can still contend for the national title is ranked fouth in one computer poll and 20th in another.


3. Oklahoma State is ranked between eight and ten in six of the computer polls, but they are only 19th in the seventh. The computers are a unbiased look at the teams, but how is it possible that they can differ so much on their views of specific teams?


4. Then take the case of Scott Wolf of the LA Daily News who may or may not have a bias against the Big Ten. 


5. And then there is Boise State, who despite being ranked second in both the USA Today and Harris polls, only has a 10% shot at making the national title game.

In an interview on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports questioned the transparency of the system by noting (audio) that only one of the seven computers polls has released the formula behind their rankings. He also added that the people behind two of the computer rankings admit that their polls have better versions but the BCS does not allow margin of victory to be a factor in the formula.

In the end, too much money is at stake here. Last year, each of the BCS conferences received close to $20 million for participation in the BCS. The NCAA can't have a system in place to distribute millions of dollars based on a system that depends on flawed formulas, biased writers and people voting for teams they have never even seen play.

By going with the BCS system, college football has lowered itself to the same level of gymnastics and figure skating in the sporting world. That is, Division I college football is nothing more than an artistic competition in which the gold medal will be given to the team that looks the prettiest when the most people are watching.

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<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake detroit

robert shumake twitter

robert shumake detroit

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs&#39; comments | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake hall of shame

“The long-simmering feud between Democrats and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has erupted into a full-scale war…

“‘Just this week, we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations,’ Obama said at a Thursday rally for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. ‘So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections, and they won’t tell you where the money for their ads comes from.’

“R. Bruce Josten, the chamber’s executive vice president for government affairs, said in an interview Friday that the group ‘has never and will never’ use dues collected from overseas business councils, known as ‘AmChams,’ for U.S. political activities. He said the chamber is the victim of ‘a smear campaign’ orchestrated with the involvement of the White House.

“‘This is an outlandish act of desperation from people who are not able to run on their record,’ Josten said. ‘They have stooped to smear campaigns.’”

***

“But a closer examination shows that there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents…

“Organizations from both ends of the political spectrum, from liberal ones like the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Sierra Club to conservative groups like the National Rifle Association, have international affiliations and get money from foreign entities while at the same time pushing political causes in the United States.

“In addition, more than 160 political action committees active in campaigning have been set up by corporations that are based overseas, including military contractors like B.A.E. Systems and pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research service…

“Richard L. Hasen, an election-law specialist at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said there were legitimate questions about whether foreign money could be making its way into campaigns, particularly because many groups are not required to disclose their donors. But he added, ‘I’ve seen no proof of the chamber funneling a penny of foreign money into U.S. elections.’”

***

“Obama’s ‘foreign money’ claims are bogus. They’re also pretty rich, considering how his 2008 campaign handled foreign credit cards. From that National Journal story: ‘The lack of a computerized address-verification system would allow the Obama campaign’s computers to accept online donations from U.S. citizens above legal limits, and to accept donations from foreigners who are barred by law from contributing at all.’ Perhaps its time to remind people of that issue again. Oh, wait, I just did!”

***

This week, the BCS released their first rankings of the season. Oklahoma sits in the top spot, followed by Oregon, Boise State, Auburn and Texas Christian. And as usual, the rankings have led to a strong debate over the strength (or lack thereof) of the system.

Let's skip over the subjective debates of where teams should be ranked and let's instead look at some of the obvious systematic flaws in the system.

1. Undefeated Missouri is ranked second in one computer poll and the top six of four other computer rankings. And yet, one computer doesn't even have Mizzou in the top 25.


2. One-loss Alabama, a team that some believe can still contend for the national title is ranked fouth in one computer poll and 20th in another.


3. Oklahoma State is ranked between eight and ten in six of the computer polls, but they are only 19th in the seventh. The computers are a unbiased look at the teams, but how is it possible that they can differ so much on their views of specific teams?


4. Then take the case of Scott Wolf of the LA Daily News who may or may not have a bias against the Big Ten. 


5. And then there is Boise State, who despite being ranked second in both the USA Today and Harris polls, only has a 10% shot at making the national title game.

In an interview on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports questioned the transparency of the system by noting (audio) that only one of the seven computers polls has released the formula behind their rankings. He also added that the people behind two of the computer rankings admit that their polls have better versions but the BCS does not allow margin of victory to be a factor in the formula.

In the end, too much money is at stake here. Last year, each of the BCS conferences received close to $20 million for participation in the BCS. The NCAA can't have a system in place to distribute millions of dollars based on a system that depends on flawed formulas, biased writers and people voting for teams they have never even seen play.

By going with the BCS system, college football has lowered itself to the same level of gymnastics and figure skating in the sporting world. That is, Division I college football is nothing more than an artistic competition in which the gold medal will be given to the team that looks the prettiest when the most people are watching.

robert shumake detroit

robert shumake detroit

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs&#39; comments | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake hall of shame

robert shumake hall of shame

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake detroit

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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robert shumake hall of shame

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

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Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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robert shumake twitter

robert shumake hall of shame
robert shumake twitter

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

Dallas Morning <b>News</b> Makes Case for Rick Perry While Endorsing Bill <b>...</b>

Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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iLounge news discussing the RIM co-CEO Balsillie responds to Jobs' comments. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

robert shumake twitter

Google adsense is a good program for those who want to monetize their web site or blog. It is relatively easy to implement on your site or blog by simply installing a bit of code into the page. Google provides this code and it generates ads on your page according to the textyou already have in that page. For instance, if the text on yourpage is about the latest dog food scare from China, the google adsense ads will also be about dog food.

The first step is to get signed up for google adsense. Google makes this easy from their home page. Just click on "Advertising Programs" on the google hompage, follow from there, and you will be able to gather all the information needed to get started. As you get acquainted with customization of your google adsense ads, you will begin to wonder about colors and placement of the ads on your own page.

Its best to keep to a blended look of the ads with the color of your page. You probably are like me and do not really look to be "pitched" to when you are seeking information on the web. More than likely your readers are the same. If you can think like your readers, your google adsense ads will be more effective.

If you were to ask the so called "gurus" on the web your question of; "How do I make money with google adsense ? ", more than likely you will find some basic similarites in their answers. One answer would be; "Do not design your site around google adsense.". If you want to start a web site solely for putting google adsense ads on it and making money, there are plenty of people already doing that as you read this. Google designed their adsense program as an option to monetize your web site, not as a stand-alone money maker for a web site.

There are no hard rules against building a site around google adsense, but most people, including myself are much more likely to go somewhere else when a site is dominated by ads instead of useful information. Google has the last word, of course, as to who gets to use their adsense system.

What is a perfect site for google adsense ads ? One that is already getting moderate, targeted traffic on a popular category. What is a popular category ? "A.T. and T cell phones" is one. There are many others, and you will want to do your own search to see if your particular site is one that would have the high paying google adsense ads.

If you are a Webmaster, take the time to do a thorough search in your range of interests. More than likely you can optimize at least a few of your pages to coincide with those higher paying google adsense ads and drive some of your visitors to those pages. Yes, they will be leaving your site, but you will also be making money.

As a summary, money can definitely be made with google adsense, but the best way to do it is to look for related top-paying categories for your own existing site
or blog. That way you can stay focused, and it will be more likely that your readers will also become repeat visitors as well.



robert shumake hall of shame

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

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Did you know that of Texas' budget of approximately $180 billion, over one third is sent by Texans to Washington in the form of federal taxes and.

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robert shumake hall of shame

<b>News</b>: Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack On Set Of WEAPON

Images From Cronenberg's TALKING CURE � Brody Versus Argento � JCVD Has Heart Attack On Set � TROLL HUNTER Coming To America � MORPHINE Doc Gets A Trailer � Pegg / Frost Alien Comedy PAUL Trailer. Film News ...

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foreclosure search

Every day we see more drama in the foreclosure debacle, with increasing number of lenders being pressured to put them on hold.

But what's the strategy for those of us who are still paying our mortgages and not in danger of losing our homes? This should be a perfect opportunity to take Arianna Huffington's wildly successful "Move Your Money" campaign one step further by "shopping for a lower-cost mortgage" and refinancing with a more responsible lender. This won't just punish those who loaned recklessly and reward those who didn't, i.e., community bankers, it will likely save you big bucks if interest rates have dropped at least two percentage points below the rate you are paying on your mortgage.

In the first seven days alone of the "Move Your Money" campaign which began in December 2009, about 340,000 people searched zip codes to find community banks that are highly rated. More importantly, they also moved big bucks out of big bad banks: according to Dennis Santiago of Institutional Risk Analytics, who created a search engine on the site, more than $1 billion was moved in the first three months of 2010. Finding a bank couldn't be easier. When you go to Move Your Money you simply need to enter your zip code to find a list of sound local banks and credit unions to choose from.

There's a big difference between the Too Big To Fail banks that got bailed out and the Small Banks Who Failed. For one thing, the community banks tried to stop these reckless lending practices while the big banks threw bucks at Congress to try to stop reform, James MacPhee, chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).

"Along with several ICBA member bankers and staff, I have testified numerous times in the past three years in front of Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking committee," MacPhee said. "Conversely, the American Bankers Association and the largest Wall Street firms ran a full court press trying to stop (reform) from ever being passed."

Have community banks failed? Yes, MacPhee maintains, but it wasn't because they were reckless but because their prudent loans were "bundled" with bad loans.

"As these debt instruments became worthless, hose buying our debt stopped purchasing, and foreclosures ran in the tens of thousands. When that occurred, the market value of the solid loans became worth less, as foreclosed homes were being sold well under their market value. As the job market dried up, even good loans had to be written down by the community banks. The resulting loss of capital dropped below regulatory standards, and the banks were closed and then typically merged into other banks by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "

The good news -- or let's hope so -- is that the exposure of reckless practices will humiliate the bad banks into changing their practices. If it doesn't? All the more reason to "boycott" them and only do business with those who put their customers first.

Ready to consider refinancing? Consider taking these steps.

Before you do any "mortgage shopping," get a copy of your credit history at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you have a low score, you might want to consider postponing refinancing until you've built a better bill-payment history; it could literally cut your mortgage cost in half.

Consider only fixed-rate mortgages. Some "experts" may claim that adjustable rate mortgages are okay if you're only going to stay in your home for three years or less, but your home is not a disposable item like a cell phone. If you're only planning to live in one place for three years or less, you should rent, not buy. MacPhee agrees with me that one of the biggest ripoffs in the banking industry -- that the media STILL isn't covering -- is the adjustable rate mortgage. "If (a bank is) going to write an ARM mortgage because someone cannot afford a home under standard bank rates, who are you kidding? The custom is happy for three years, or the period of the ARM balloon, the bank makes big fees, and then sells off both the credit risk and the interest rate risk and walks away."

As I pointed out in my book, America, Welcome to the Poorhouse, another big bargain is the little-talked about 15-year mortgage. Savings are significant both because the loan features a shorter payback period and because these mortgages generally feature lower rates. For example, assuming a 6% interest rate, your total interest costs on a $100,000 30-year mortgage are nearly $116,000. If that same mortgage were converted to a 15-year term, it would require somewhat higher monthly payments -- $844 instead of $600 -- but you'd save nearly $64,000 in interest payments.

Never take out an interest-only mortgage. While you pay no principal during the interest-only period, your payments will rise when that period comes to an end. Furthermore, the mortgage has to be paid off during a shorter term -- 25, 23, or 20 years -- so your monthly payments will be higher.

Avoid one of the riskiest mortgages, a balloon loan. Talk about bait and switch: typically, after the end of a three- or seven-year period, you owe the bank all the remaining principal, in one lump sum. If the value of your home drops you won't be able to find another mortgage to repay that loan and you risk foreclosure. And let's hope that this option won't even be broached by your responsible community banker.

Disclaimer




The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Economics or the University of Oregon.

Mark Thoma

Department of Economics

University of Oregon




online reputation management


Hard <b>News</b> Pays Publishers More Than Chasing Search Trends, Report Says

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Facebook, Microsoft Kinect and Yahoo <b>News</b> of Note

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Making Money Off Youtube

About two weeks ago, a popular Russian ska punk band Leningrad released its first song and video after almost two years of silence, mocking the scandal over the Khimki Forest near Moscow, where for years local environmentalists have been trying - unsuccessfully up until recently - to stop the construction of the Moscow-St. Petersburg motorway.

Another popular Russian rock musician, Yuri Shevchuk, was among those who took an active part in the campaign against the destruction of the forest. On August 22, 2010, at the pro-Khimki Forest concert in downtown Moscow, he had to sing with his equipment unplugged, because the local authorities had not allowed the musicians to use electricity at all. Later on, he performed on stage with U2's Bono, and together they sang a famous Bob Dylan song, “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.” On the day before the performance, Bono met with the Russian president and talked to him about poliomyelitis and HIV/AIDS in Russia, but failed to mention the Khimki Forest dispute because he was not aware of it then.

After the Bono-Shevchuk joint performance - and due to the public outcry - president Medvedev decided to postpone the Khimki Forest construction.

All these events seem to have inspired Sergey Shnurov, Leningrad's ex-frontman, to re-unite the band and write a new song on this issue:

Leningrad used the imagery of Nikolay Kopeikin , a Russian underground artist, famous for his pictures filled with dark humor and provocative messages. The main hero of the video is a mean snowman with a balalaika, standing in front of a forest. Around him are various cartoon characters (e.g., the Simpsons as well as some famous Russian ones), fighting with each other. Political figures like President Dmitry Medvedev, PM Vladimir Putin and ex-mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov also appear in the video.

In his song, Shnurov is making fun of those musicians who support the campaign to save the forest, implying that they take part in the protests only in order to earn money and fame.

Покупайте билеты братья, я последний певец демократии. Химкинский лес!

Про бесчинства все эти не заткнете мне рот,

И поеду гастроли, я концерты давать

Буду петь про “доколе им страну продавать”

Так и я не в накладе получаю процент, и живу в шоколаде, громко капает цент

Antoine Dodson of Huntsville, AL became an overnight sensation after he creatively ranted against his sister’s attacker on the local news this July. Antoine’s footage was made into a song by the Gregory brothers which is still on the iTunes music charts at #54 and has been viewed on YouTube over 22 million times. Antoine gets half the profits from the song and has also benefited from donations pouring in from people trying to help his family escape from the projects. It’s been successful, and Antoine has purchased his family a home:

Antoine Dodson — the 24-year-old Alabama native who became a YouTube sensation after he chased a would-be rapist from his sister’s bedroom — tells UsMagazine.com he is moving his family into a safer home.

“We found a house!” he tells Us, adding that he is so “excited … It’s for my whole family. And these are new houses that have just been built.”

Dodson is paying for the new pad thanks to money he earned after musicians the Gregory Brothers turned his tirade into an Auto-Tuned song that hit the top 50 iTunes list (Dodson got half the proceeds).

“I still can’t believe this,” he tells Us of his sudden fame. “Even though my life is moving forward, it’s at a standstill in my mind. I’m like, ‘Wow! All of this is happening just off a news interview!’”

Dodson says he doesn’t regret going off in the now infamous news segment.

“I was angry!” he tells Us. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe this!’ I was really mad and everybody took the video and put it all out there. Now I’m glad that the world knows what’s going on so they won’t sweep this under the rug. This will bring pressure on the police department and investigators investigating the case.”

Incidentally, he tells Us police still have no leads.

Luckily, he tells Us, “We made enough to move and get a house.”

Dodson says he also plans to return to school. “I signed up to finish my Associate’s Degree in business,” he says. “That way I can take everything to the next level and be on a more professional level.”

His ultimate goal? To “open a salon,” he tells Us. “Or a hotel.”

[From US Magazine]

In an interview with NPR Antoine called his success “amazing” and said that he gets emotional when he thinks about what a whirlwind it’s been. “Everytime I get a chance with my sister we cry about it… two and a half weeks ago nobody cared. Now in the present day the whole world cares… it’s beautiful.”

Antoine was recently in NY, he recorded a video leaving from his house in Alabama and then headed to fashion week where he met celebrities and did appearances. He wrote on Facebook that he “Met so many interesting celebrities that I could’nt believe new me. How kool rite. Luv ya Max Tucci Omarion Katie Couric Mary J Knicks team and evryone I have met and show’d me love. Never will i 4get these moments.” He also met up with The Gregory Brothers of Auto-tune the News who helped make him famous. Antoine blogs that they talked over dinner about possibly making another single together.

Header image via Huntsville Times

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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About two weeks ago, a popular Russian ska punk band Leningrad released its first song and video after almost two years of silence, mocking the scandal over the Khimki Forest near Moscow, where for years local environmentalists have been trying - unsuccessfully up until recently - to stop the construction of the Moscow-St. Petersburg motorway.

Another popular Russian rock musician, Yuri Shevchuk, was among those who took an active part in the campaign against the destruction of the forest. On August 22, 2010, at the pro-Khimki Forest concert in downtown Moscow, he had to sing with his equipment unplugged, because the local authorities had not allowed the musicians to use electricity at all. Later on, he performed on stage with U2's Bono, and together they sang a famous Bob Dylan song, “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.” On the day before the performance, Bono met with the Russian president and talked to him about poliomyelitis and HIV/AIDS in Russia, but failed to mention the Khimki Forest dispute because he was not aware of it then.

After the Bono-Shevchuk joint performance - and due to the public outcry - president Medvedev decided to postpone the Khimki Forest construction.

All these events seem to have inspired Sergey Shnurov, Leningrad's ex-frontman, to re-unite the band and write a new song on this issue:

Leningrad used the imagery of Nikolay Kopeikin , a Russian underground artist, famous for his pictures filled with dark humor and provocative messages. The main hero of the video is a mean snowman with a balalaika, standing in front of a forest. Around him are various cartoon characters (e.g., the Simpsons as well as some famous Russian ones), fighting with each other. Political figures like President Dmitry Medvedev, PM Vladimir Putin and ex-mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov also appear in the video.

In his song, Shnurov is making fun of those musicians who support the campaign to save the forest, implying that they take part in the protests only in order to earn money and fame.

Покупайте билеты братья, я последний певец демократии. Химкинский лес!

Про бесчинства все эти не заткнете мне рот,

И поеду гастроли, я концерты давать

Буду петь про “доколе им страну продавать”

Так и я не в накладе получаю процент, и живу в шоколаде, громко капает цент

Antoine Dodson of Huntsville, AL became an overnight sensation after he creatively ranted against his sister’s attacker on the local news this July. Antoine’s footage was made into a song by the Gregory brothers which is still on the iTunes music charts at #54 and has been viewed on YouTube over 22 million times. Antoine gets half the profits from the song and has also benefited from donations pouring in from people trying to help his family escape from the projects. It’s been successful, and Antoine has purchased his family a home:

Antoine Dodson — the 24-year-old Alabama native who became a YouTube sensation after he chased a would-be rapist from his sister’s bedroom — tells UsMagazine.com he is moving his family into a safer home.

“We found a house!” he tells Us, adding that he is so “excited … It’s for my whole family. And these are new houses that have just been built.”

Dodson is paying for the new pad thanks to money he earned after musicians the Gregory Brothers turned his tirade into an Auto-Tuned song that hit the top 50 iTunes list (Dodson got half the proceeds).

“I still can’t believe this,” he tells Us of his sudden fame. “Even though my life is moving forward, it’s at a standstill in my mind. I’m like, ‘Wow! All of this is happening just off a news interview!’”

Dodson says he doesn’t regret going off in the now infamous news segment.

“I was angry!” he tells Us. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe this!’ I was really mad and everybody took the video and put it all out there. Now I’m glad that the world knows what’s going on so they won’t sweep this under the rug. This will bring pressure on the police department and investigators investigating the case.”

Incidentally, he tells Us police still have no leads.

Luckily, he tells Us, “We made enough to move and get a house.”

Dodson says he also plans to return to school. “I signed up to finish my Associate’s Degree in business,” he says. “That way I can take everything to the next level and be on a more professional level.”

His ultimate goal? To “open a salon,” he tells Us. “Or a hotel.”

[From US Magazine]

In an interview with NPR Antoine called his success “amazing” and said that he gets emotional when he thinks about what a whirlwind it’s been. “Everytime I get a chance with my sister we cry about it… two and a half weeks ago nobody cared. Now in the present day the whole world cares… it’s beautiful.”

Antoine was recently in NY, he recorded a video leaving from his house in Alabama and then headed to fashion week where he met celebrities and did appearances. He wrote on Facebook that he “Met so many interesting celebrities that I could’nt believe new me. How kool rite. Luv ya Max Tucci Omarion Katie Couric Mary J Knicks team and evryone I have met and show’d me love. Never will i 4get these moments.” He also met up with The Gregory Brothers of Auto-tune the News who helped make him famous. Antoine blogs that they talked over dinner about possibly making another single together.

Header image via Huntsville Times

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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About two weeks ago, a popular Russian ska punk band Leningrad released its first song and video after almost two years of silence, mocking the scandal over the Khimki Forest near Moscow, where for years local environmentalists have been trying - unsuccessfully up until recently - to stop the construction of the Moscow-St. Petersburg motorway.

Another popular Russian rock musician, Yuri Shevchuk, was among those who took an active part in the campaign against the destruction of the forest. On August 22, 2010, at the pro-Khimki Forest concert in downtown Moscow, he had to sing with his equipment unplugged, because the local authorities had not allowed the musicians to use electricity at all. Later on, he performed on stage with U2's Bono, and together they sang a famous Bob Dylan song, “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.” On the day before the performance, Bono met with the Russian president and talked to him about poliomyelitis and HIV/AIDS in Russia, but failed to mention the Khimki Forest dispute because he was not aware of it then.

After the Bono-Shevchuk joint performance - and due to the public outcry - president Medvedev decided to postpone the Khimki Forest construction.

All these events seem to have inspired Sergey Shnurov, Leningrad's ex-frontman, to re-unite the band and write a new song on this issue:

Leningrad used the imagery of Nikolay Kopeikin , a Russian underground artist, famous for his pictures filled with dark humor and provocative messages. The main hero of the video is a mean snowman with a balalaika, standing in front of a forest. Around him are various cartoon characters (e.g., the Simpsons as well as some famous Russian ones), fighting with each other. Political figures like President Dmitry Medvedev, PM Vladimir Putin and ex-mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov also appear in the video.

In his song, Shnurov is making fun of those musicians who support the campaign to save the forest, implying that they take part in the protests only in order to earn money and fame.

Покупайте билеты братья, я последний певец демократии. Химкинский лес!

Про бесчинства все эти не заткнете мне рот,

И поеду гастроли, я концерты давать

Буду петь про “доколе им страну продавать”

Так и я не в накладе получаю процент, и живу в шоколаде, громко капает цент

Antoine Dodson of Huntsville, AL became an overnight sensation after he creatively ranted against his sister’s attacker on the local news this July. Antoine’s footage was made into a song by the Gregory brothers which is still on the iTunes music charts at #54 and has been viewed on YouTube over 22 million times. Antoine gets half the profits from the song and has also benefited from donations pouring in from people trying to help his family escape from the projects. It’s been successful, and Antoine has purchased his family a home:

Antoine Dodson — the 24-year-old Alabama native who became a YouTube sensation after he chased a would-be rapist from his sister’s bedroom — tells UsMagazine.com he is moving his family into a safer home.

“We found a house!” he tells Us, adding that he is so “excited … It’s for my whole family. And these are new houses that have just been built.”

Dodson is paying for the new pad thanks to money he earned after musicians the Gregory Brothers turned his tirade into an Auto-Tuned song that hit the top 50 iTunes list (Dodson got half the proceeds).

“I still can’t believe this,” he tells Us of his sudden fame. “Even though my life is moving forward, it’s at a standstill in my mind. I’m like, ‘Wow! All of this is happening just off a news interview!’”

Dodson says he doesn’t regret going off in the now infamous news segment.

“I was angry!” he tells Us. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe this!’ I was really mad and everybody took the video and put it all out there. Now I’m glad that the world knows what’s going on so they won’t sweep this under the rug. This will bring pressure on the police department and investigators investigating the case.”

Incidentally, he tells Us police still have no leads.

Luckily, he tells Us, “We made enough to move and get a house.”

Dodson says he also plans to return to school. “I signed up to finish my Associate’s Degree in business,” he says. “That way I can take everything to the next level and be on a more professional level.”

His ultimate goal? To “open a salon,” he tells Us. “Or a hotel.”

[From US Magazine]

In an interview with NPR Antoine called his success “amazing” and said that he gets emotional when he thinks about what a whirlwind it’s been. “Everytime I get a chance with my sister we cry about it… two and a half weeks ago nobody cared. Now in the present day the whole world cares… it’s beautiful.”

Antoine was recently in NY, he recorded a video leaving from his house in Alabama and then headed to fashion week where he met celebrities and did appearances. He wrote on Facebook that he “Met so many interesting celebrities that I could’nt believe new me. How kool rite. Luv ya Max Tucci Omarion Katie Couric Mary J Knicks team and evryone I have met and show’d me love. Never will i 4get these moments.” He also met up with The Gregory Brothers of Auto-tune the News who helped make him famous. Antoine blogs that they talked over dinner about possibly making another single together.

Header image via Huntsville Times

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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bench craft company reviews

Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

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The internet has changed life dramatically. This statement could not be more true for the world of Multi-Level Marketing. This article will look at the changes to help the consumer make a more informed decision when looking at these companies.

The first major advance in internet MLM is the replicating website. The common slogan is that duplication is the key to making the system work. When you join an online MLM the company sets you up with a replicated website. It is the exact same set-up as the website that you responded to, but with a web-address created by you. Considering the time, money, and effort put into making these websites it looks like an excellent deal for the consumer. These websites have sales videos, audio clips, and many have systems set up to automatically sort out people who are mildly interested (sometimes called the "tire kickers") from those who are serious about joining. The latest opportunity I looked into is called the Reverse Funnel System. When a prospect comes to the website they are fill out a questionaire which will qualify them. Qualifying a prospect is a step in the sales process where the sales person determines if the prospect has the money to pay for the product and is the decision maker. (does not have to ask permission to make the purchase) This is a major breakthrough. It saves the marketer countless hours. If a marketer spends hours talking to a prospect, bringing them to conference calls, etc. only to find out that even though the prospect is interested he/she does not have the money or the authority to make the purchase than all that time is lost. With all the advances in these replicating websites the marketer has one problem to solve: driving traffic to their website. I'll discuss that problem more in the end of this article.

Direct Marketing, (1-up and 2-up systems): Many companies have tried to distance themselves from being labeled an MLM due to all the controversy surrounding the term. A company called Emerald Passport uses a system called "2-up". They claim to be direct marketing, but a 2-up system is still a pyramid. The point of this article is not to argue whether a pyramid is good or bad, but to expose what a 2-up system really is and let people decide for themselves. When joining a 2-up system you first pay to join, and the company sets you up with with a replicating website. The profit from the first two sales that you make go to to your upline. In this case the profit goes to the associate who sold you the system. These first two sales are considered to be "training sales". The customers of these first 2 sales belong to associate who sold you the system. Once you make your 3rd sale you then start making a profit. The pyramid comes into play when any of your customers make a sale. Their first 2 customers belong to your downline. This system continues in a vary narrow pyramid with infinite depth. The problem I see with this system is that you work hard to find somebody to join your downline and actually produce results. After only two sales you give that person up. In more traditional compensation plans this person would continue to produce profits for you far beyond 2 sales.

1-up systems are the same as 2-up with the only difference being that you give up one sale to your upline instead of two. There are other compensation plans being created that are far more complex to try and explain. The Reverse Funnel System is one such system. It looks like they combined the idea of a traditional pyramid with a 1-up system. I am not sure what to think of this system. It provides infinite depth like the 1-up and 2-up systems while also providing more width like a traditionsl pyramid. You still have to give up customers but your odds of making money off from a top producer is much better than with a 2-up system. The point of all of this is to expose the fact that these systems are still pyramids. They may call themselves direct marketing, perpetual leverage, etc. but you should be aware of what they are and make an educated decision. Pyramids provide tremendous leverage for those who can successfully work the system, but it requires skill and persistence. This brings me to the next topic.

Smoke and Mirrors: One thing remains constant in MLM, the promise of easy money for little or no work. Common sense would tell anybody that this is simply not true. These companies go to great lengths to stick a large carrot in front of your nose and then convince you of how easy it is. How big is this carrot you ask? The typical amount I am seeing is a $1,000 profit for each sale you make. The price to join these companies varies, but a thousand smackers seems to be the standard "carrot". These companies say things like "No selling", "99% of the work is done for you", "Automated system", etc. Let's clear the smoke. If all of the work is done for you than why do these companies even need you? The answer is they need you to spend your money to run an advertising campaign for them. The brilliance behind the concept of MLM is getting a massive amount of people to run an advertising campaign for the company, motivated by the promise of a share of the profits. Now that the true motivation of these companies has been revealed a problem with this system should now be apparent; how many people that get involved with these companies have any experience or knowledge about sales and marketing? When you join an MLM your taking a job as a salesman/marketer. The replicating websites have gone a long ways towards fixing this problem, but they have not solved it. To succeed in MLM you must be able to sell. You must be able to market. If you can not do these things than you must pay someone to do it for you. Just because you pay someone does not guarantee their results. While involved in Emerald Passport I spent large amounts of money purchasing leads. The results were abysmal. Their answer was that I just had to be persistent and purchase more. After recognizing the money pit I had been drawn into I decided it was time to learn the skills I needed rather than depend on someone else with no guarantee on results. The most important skill you need to succeed in MLM is the ability to generate leads. There are volumes of books written on the subject. Other skills will depend on what your MLM provides for you in their websites. Qualifying your leads is important. Can they afford your product? Do they have the authority to make the purchase? Closing the deal is very important. Many companies have systems in place to do this for you. Just remember that this is a sales job, and closing is a fundamental sales skill. The less skills you have as a sales person and a marketer, the more dependant you will be on others to provide those services for you. This can be very costly.

The primary problem with any MLM is something called "market saturation". Market saturation occurs in regular brick and mortar businesses as well. Take the Dodge Ram pick up truck for example. Back in the early 90's the movie "Twister" came out and some might consider it a clever 2 hour commercial for the Dodge Ram. Product placement is a form of advertising very common to the movies. Sales took off. It was so successful that Ford and Chevy started to mimic the design. Eventually there were so many Rams on the road that sales began to back off and Dodge has now started tweaking the design to get people interested again. That is market saturation. When sales reach a point that consumers are no longer interested in the product, market saturation has been reached. You should be able to observe this cycle happening again with the Ford Mustang. They remade the 67' Shelby design. It is extremely popular right now, but eventually people will start looking to other sports cars because there are so many of them on the road. Bringing this back to MLMs, saturation is reached when there is no more people interested in joining the MLM. It comes from over exposure. This is an extreme problem with replicating websites because they are reaching market saturation much sooner than traditional MLMs. The reason is because everybody is advertising in the same place. 10,000 people involved in a traditional MLM is a very small number, but when you put those 10,000 people online it is all out warfare scrambling to get the top spots on search engines such as Google. Some people are making videos on youtube, others use pay per click agreements, ads on Ebay, I even read about one indiviual who created a profile on a dating site using a picture of a very attractive woman to lure in his leads. When someone does a search for MLM or some other related search there are only 10 to 15 spots on the first page. If you can not get on the first page of that search chances are low that anyone will see your ad. You are up against some very clever competition. Duplication may be the key to making modern web-based MLMs work, but it is also the biggest problem. It's like 10,000 companies placing an ad in the classifieds of the newspaper, all selling the exact same product. Are you going to even see ad #5872? Will you even make it to ad #272? Not likely. You must have a way to drive traffic to your website. You must provide your prospects with a compelling reason to come to you and not the 9,999 other people selling the exact same thing you are. If you are not a skilled marketer than this problem will eat you alive.

In conclusion, the internet has made many improvements in MLM. Replicating websites have provided you with tools to help you prospect, qualify, and close sales. Despite these improvements I feel it has become more difficult to succeed. Competition has become stiffer. You are up against experienced internet marketers, copywriters, and salespeople. Your success depends on your ability to get prospects to come to your website, not their's. My advice to anyone considering any of these programs is to stop focusing on the $1,000 "carrot" and start focusing on how you plan to get people to your website without costing a fortune. If you can solve this problem than this new era of web-based MLM can be very profitable. It can be done. People have done it. If you do not have an answer to this problem than stay away until you can figure it out. There are people that will try to convince you of how easy it is. They will try to impress you with how much money they are making. They will hit you with stories of people who went from dire straights to millions with no marketing experience. Don't fall for any of it. If you do not have a marketing plan to drive people to your website you will more than likely lose thousands of dollars and have nothing to show for it. It may sound incredibly stupid but you should learn how to market before joining a marketing company.


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Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

big seminar 14

Fox <b>News</b> Remains Far Ahead Of Cable <b>News</b> Competition During Pre <b>...</b>

Fox News Channel finished #4 in prime time on all of cable (total viewers) last week - the week before their ratings are likely to increase even further thanks to the miner rescue coverage. Here's a look at the rest of cable news:

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 10/15 - Arrowhead Pride

Welcome to Friday boys and girls. Enjoy today's Kansas City Chiefs news!

Fox <b>News</b> Ratings | Chilean Mine Rescue | Chile - Cable <b>News</b> | Mediaite

Americans were gripped Tuesday night by images from the scene of the Chilean miner rescue. But whose images gripped them most? While CNN won during one hour, Fox News Channel, dominated prime time as usual, ahead of CNN, MSNBC and HLN.

big seminar 14

foreclosure list

First, I want to say I WIN. I live in a foreclosed home which I inherited from my father. Not my loan, but now MY HOUSE. Thank you Angelo Mozillo (Cuntrywide mtg, now owned by BofA)

Jesus, I thought ZH people had brains. First, 23 states means those states which have laws requiring judicial foreclosure. The rest of the states, you don't need to go through a court to foreclose.

Now, for those of you who think this is no big deal or was planned by the banks, PLEASE GET A LIFE! The only way this was planned was if it came from the very, very top of the food chain, like the people who run the White House (please, Obama really has no power. He's a puppet to the MONEY). There is also no good way out of this for any of the following: The banks, the investors, the municipalities in which the properties are located who are getting no property tax payments, the courts (completely overwhelmed - prepare to see many long-standing judges retire because they don't need the headaches), the American banking system, the Federal Reserve, the federal government. What will be standing at the end of all of this are the states - the backbone of the nation. The feds can do much, but they cannot change state banking laws.

Everybody is screwed by this. Winners include homeowners who stopped paying mortgages, some very few, very smart real estate speculators (there's money to be made here, but it's a bitch to get to it and may take years before profits are realized).

Further, this is the blackest black swan ever. BofA, now the third bank to admit fraud, holds the largest number of mortgages, because they took over Cuntrywide. They are Fu**ed, fu**ed, fu**ed royally. It will literally take years (think 3 to 5 to 7) for all of this to get through the courts. The banks will not even prosecute in most cases because the costs are so high and the risks so great.

Now, the investors, who are they? Little towns in Sweden, other municipalities in the US. Some credit unions, some rich guys in Malaysia, they are spread all over the world. The investors will be taking hits of magnificent proportions. Huge, enormous calamity with great deals of money being eviscerated.

BofA is the crow in the coal mine - not a canary, because they are so big. BofA is NOT TBIF and are already planning their glidepath to bankruptcy. They've been insovent since having (note they were forced by the govt. and the Fed - Paulson) to take over Cuntrywide and Merrill Lynch. Both bankrupt entities.

They're dead, just nobody knows it yet. If the stock market doesn't crash before the midterms, then something is seriously wrong and the people need to rise up and throw all of the fuckers out because this is the end. There was fraud on the front end and now fraud on the back end. If the USA avoids going into martial law, I will be surprised.

Now, I don't normally do this because I don't like treading on other people's turf, but I am going to link to my last two entries on my MoneyDaily blog. Mind you, I try to write things so the average joe or jane can understand and have been diligent, writing daily for the past 3 1/2 years.

These two articles should give you some background and the links lead to places with more info. I've been following this story for 3 years and lately with more interest because I have a vested interest ($80,000 home which I may end up owning free and clear) Here goes:

Should American Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages?

and today

Mortgage, Foreclosure Mess Broadens, Deepens

From Barclays' Jasraj Vaidya, who states: "At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might
be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for
GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their
eventual severity" which echoes verbatim what Zero Hedge suggested a week ago on the Florida Judge news: "The implications for the REO and foreclosures track for banks could be
dire as a result of this ruling, as this could severely impact the
ongoing attempt by banks to hide as much excess inventory in their books
in the quietest way possible." Jasraj also notes: "Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive." In the meantime, class actions lawyers across the country will not be sleeping for days.

Full Barclays report:

It was reported on Bloomberg today that GMAC has sent a memo to all brokers suspending all foreclosure activity against delinquent borrowers in 23 states. Further action has also been frozen on all properties for which foreclosure has already been implemented. Any buyers of those properties face an extension of the closing date by 30 days and have the option to cancel the agreement to purchase.

Most likely an issue with judicial states

Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive.

A recent news report provided some hints at the type of issues with judicial foreclosures that servicers may look to avoid before it become a larger issue. The Florida Attorney General recently announced an investigation of the three largest foreclosure law firms in the state. These firms represent the lenders, and there have been question about claims of note ownership put forth by these firms during foreclosure proceedings. A clean record of note ownership is lost or hazy in many cases, due to multiple transfers of the notes. The moratorium can be an attempt on the part of RFC to ensure that the process does not have significant flaws that can leave it open to legal action in the future.

At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their eventual severity.

Can it also be a lawsuit in the making?

Given that the directive spans multiple states, and given previous experience with Countrywide, there is always the possibility of some multi-state settlement in the works for various disclosure issues with lending practices. However, we found some major omissions when we compared the list of states in the GMAC announcement with those involved in the Countrywide announcement. California, Nevada and Michigan - three states with significant mortgage volume, as well as distressed mortgages - are missing from the announcement. This makes us a little skeptical whether this is indeed a class action lawsuit in the making on the lines of the Countrywide one. On the other hand, the Countrywide list ballooned from 11 states initially to 42 states and DC finally, so one cannot yet rule out multi-state action. However, given greater evidence about judicial states, we still believe that to be the primary driver of this directive.

GMAC volumes in the non-agency securitized space

We used LoanPerformance to get a quick estimate of the volume of GMAC serviced loans in each of these states. Overall, we find that about 30% of the outstanding balance of GMAC-serviced loans falls within these 23 states. However, the share of delinquent loans within these states is higher: about 40% of GMAC delinquent loans falls within these states, with a higher concentration in alt-A and subprime.

Effect on housing

Implementation of this foreclosure moratorium, depending on its length and extent, could be a mild positive in the near term. A reduction in REO supply and foreclosure sales by GMAC would take out some distressed supply from the market. The effect of this announcement is similar to what we have earlier described for various loan modification efforts. It prevents more REOs from hitting the market and, thus, artificially skews the mix of distressed properties in the sales metrics. Reduction in the share of REO sales in overall sales has the effect of a stronger reading on the home price indices. However, this comes at the cost of a larger shadow inventory of non-performing loans, which continues to create pressure on home prices for an extended period.

eric seiger

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

eric seiger

First, I want to say I WIN. I live in a foreclosed home which I inherited from my father. Not my loan, but now MY HOUSE. Thank you Angelo Mozillo (Cuntrywide mtg, now owned by BofA)

Jesus, I thought ZH people had brains. First, 23 states means those states which have laws requiring judicial foreclosure. The rest of the states, you don't need to go through a court to foreclose.

Now, for those of you who think this is no big deal or was planned by the banks, PLEASE GET A LIFE! The only way this was planned was if it came from the very, very top of the food chain, like the people who run the White House (please, Obama really has no power. He's a puppet to the MONEY). There is also no good way out of this for any of the following: The banks, the investors, the municipalities in which the properties are located who are getting no property tax payments, the courts (completely overwhelmed - prepare to see many long-standing judges retire because they don't need the headaches), the American banking system, the Federal Reserve, the federal government. What will be standing at the end of all of this are the states - the backbone of the nation. The feds can do much, but they cannot change state banking laws.

Everybody is screwed by this. Winners include homeowners who stopped paying mortgages, some very few, very smart real estate speculators (there's money to be made here, but it's a bitch to get to it and may take years before profits are realized).

Further, this is the blackest black swan ever. BofA, now the third bank to admit fraud, holds the largest number of mortgages, because they took over Cuntrywide. They are Fu**ed, fu**ed, fu**ed royally. It will literally take years (think 3 to 5 to 7) for all of this to get through the courts. The banks will not even prosecute in most cases because the costs are so high and the risks so great.

Now, the investors, who are they? Little towns in Sweden, other municipalities in the US. Some credit unions, some rich guys in Malaysia, they are spread all over the world. The investors will be taking hits of magnificent proportions. Huge, enormous calamity with great deals of money being eviscerated.

BofA is the crow in the coal mine - not a canary, because they are so big. BofA is NOT TBIF and are already planning their glidepath to bankruptcy. They've been insovent since having (note they were forced by the govt. and the Fed - Paulson) to take over Cuntrywide and Merrill Lynch. Both bankrupt entities.

They're dead, just nobody knows it yet. If the stock market doesn't crash before the midterms, then something is seriously wrong and the people need to rise up and throw all of the fuckers out because this is the end. There was fraud on the front end and now fraud on the back end. If the USA avoids going into martial law, I will be surprised.

Now, I don't normally do this because I don't like treading on other people's turf, but I am going to link to my last two entries on my MoneyDaily blog. Mind you, I try to write things so the average joe or jane can understand and have been diligent, writing daily for the past 3 1/2 years.

These two articles should give you some background and the links lead to places with more info. I've been following this story for 3 years and lately with more interest because I have a vested interest ($80,000 home which I may end up owning free and clear) Here goes:

Should American Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages?

and today

Mortgage, Foreclosure Mess Broadens, Deepens

From Barclays' Jasraj Vaidya, who states: "At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might
be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for
GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their
eventual severity" which echoes verbatim what Zero Hedge suggested a week ago on the Florida Judge news: "The implications for the REO and foreclosures track for banks could be
dire as a result of this ruling, as this could severely impact the
ongoing attempt by banks to hide as much excess inventory in their books
in the quietest way possible." Jasraj also notes: "Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive." In the meantime, class actions lawyers across the country will not be sleeping for days.

Full Barclays report:

It was reported on Bloomberg today that GMAC has sent a memo to all brokers suspending all foreclosure activity against delinquent borrowers in 23 states. Further action has also been frozen on all properties for which foreclosure has already been implemented. Any buyers of those properties face an extension of the closing date by 30 days and have the option to cancel the agreement to purchase.

Most likely an issue with judicial states

Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive.

A recent news report provided some hints at the type of issues with judicial foreclosures that servicers may look to avoid before it become a larger issue. The Florida Attorney General recently announced an investigation of the three largest foreclosure law firms in the state. These firms represent the lenders, and there have been question about claims of note ownership put forth by these firms during foreclosure proceedings. A clean record of note ownership is lost or hazy in many cases, due to multiple transfers of the notes. The moratorium can be an attempt on the part of RFC to ensure that the process does not have significant flaws that can leave it open to legal action in the future.

At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their eventual severity.

Can it also be a lawsuit in the making?

Given that the directive spans multiple states, and given previous experience with Countrywide, there is always the possibility of some multi-state settlement in the works for various disclosure issues with lending practices. However, we found some major omissions when we compared the list of states in the GMAC announcement with those involved in the Countrywide announcement. California, Nevada and Michigan - three states with significant mortgage volume, as well as distressed mortgages - are missing from the announcement. This makes us a little skeptical whether this is indeed a class action lawsuit in the making on the lines of the Countrywide one. On the other hand, the Countrywide list ballooned from 11 states initially to 42 states and DC finally, so one cannot yet rule out multi-state action. However, given greater evidence about judicial states, we still believe that to be the primary driver of this directive.

GMAC volumes in the non-agency securitized space

We used LoanPerformance to get a quick estimate of the volume of GMAC serviced loans in each of these states. Overall, we find that about 30% of the outstanding balance of GMAC-serviced loans falls within these 23 states. However, the share of delinquent loans within these states is higher: about 40% of GMAC delinquent loans falls within these states, with a higher concentration in alt-A and subprime.

Effect on housing

Implementation of this foreclosure moratorium, depending on its length and extent, could be a mild positive in the near term. A reduction in REO supply and foreclosure sales by GMAC would take out some distressed supply from the market. The effect of this announcement is similar to what we have earlier described for various loan modification efforts. It prevents more REOs from hitting the market and, thus, artificially skews the mix of distressed properties in the sales metrics. Reduction in the share of REO sales in overall sales has the effect of a stronger reading on the home price indices. However, this comes at the cost of a larger shadow inventory of non-performing loans, which continues to create pressure on home prices for an extended period.

skin

and vein center

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

eric seiger dermatologist

eric seiger dermatologist

eric seiger dermatology

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

Dr. eric seiger

First, I want to say I WIN. I live in a foreclosed home which I inherited from my father. Not my loan, but now MY HOUSE. Thank you Angelo Mozillo (Cuntrywide mtg, now owned by BofA)

Jesus, I thought ZH people had brains. First, 23 states means those states which have laws requiring judicial foreclosure. The rest of the states, you don't need to go through a court to foreclose.

Now, for those of you who think this is no big deal or was planned by the banks, PLEASE GET A LIFE! The only way this was planned was if it came from the very, very top of the food chain, like the people who run the White House (please, Obama really has no power. He's a puppet to the MONEY). There is also no good way out of this for any of the following: The banks, the investors, the municipalities in which the properties are located who are getting no property tax payments, the courts (completely overwhelmed - prepare to see many long-standing judges retire because they don't need the headaches), the American banking system, the Federal Reserve, the federal government. What will be standing at the end of all of this are the states - the backbone of the nation. The feds can do much, but they cannot change state banking laws.

Everybody is screwed by this. Winners include homeowners who stopped paying mortgages, some very few, very smart real estate speculators (there's money to be made here, but it's a bitch to get to it and may take years before profits are realized).

Further, this is the blackest black swan ever. BofA, now the third bank to admit fraud, holds the largest number of mortgages, because they took over Cuntrywide. They are Fu**ed, fu**ed, fu**ed royally. It will literally take years (think 3 to 5 to 7) for all of this to get through the courts. The banks will not even prosecute in most cases because the costs are so high and the risks so great.

Now, the investors, who are they? Little towns in Sweden, other municipalities in the US. Some credit unions, some rich guys in Malaysia, they are spread all over the world. The investors will be taking hits of magnificent proportions. Huge, enormous calamity with great deals of money being eviscerated.

BofA is the crow in the coal mine - not a canary, because they are so big. BofA is NOT TBIF and are already planning their glidepath to bankruptcy. They've been insovent since having (note they were forced by the govt. and the Fed - Paulson) to take over Cuntrywide and Merrill Lynch. Both bankrupt entities.

They're dead, just nobody knows it yet. If the stock market doesn't crash before the midterms, then something is seriously wrong and the people need to rise up and throw all of the fuckers out because this is the end. There was fraud on the front end and now fraud on the back end. If the USA avoids going into martial law, I will be surprised.

Now, I don't normally do this because I don't like treading on other people's turf, but I am going to link to my last two entries on my MoneyDaily blog. Mind you, I try to write things so the average joe or jane can understand and have been diligent, writing daily for the past 3 1/2 years.

These two articles should give you some background and the links lead to places with more info. I've been following this story for 3 years and lately with more interest because I have a vested interest ($80,000 home which I may end up owning free and clear) Here goes:

Should American Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages?

and today

Mortgage, Foreclosure Mess Broadens, Deepens

From Barclays' Jasraj Vaidya, who states: "At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might
be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for
GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their
eventual severity" which echoes verbatim what Zero Hedge suggested a week ago on the Florida Judge news: "The implications for the REO and foreclosures track for banks could be
dire as a result of this ruling, as this could severely impact the
ongoing attempt by banks to hide as much excess inventory in their books
in the quietest way possible." Jasraj also notes: "Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive." In the meantime, class actions lawyers across the country will not be sleeping for days.

Full Barclays report:

It was reported on Bloomberg today that GMAC has sent a memo to all brokers suspending all foreclosure activity against delinquent borrowers in 23 states. Further action has also been frozen on all properties for which foreclosure has already been implemented. Any buyers of those properties face an extension of the closing date by 30 days and have the option to cancel the agreement to purchase.

Most likely an issue with judicial states

Using publicly available data from HUD and RealtyTrac, we have created a list of judicial foreclosure states. These are states where judicial foreclosures are most common and in which the lender has to appear before a judge and obtain a court order before initiating foreclosure proceedings against the delinquent borrower. Such states tend to have much longer foreclosure timelines than non-judicial states. What is striking about the list of states in the GMAC announcement is that all but one (North Carolina) are judicial states. Also, all judicial states in the country but one (Delaware) are in the GMAC list. This would hint at some potential issues with judicial states that is driving the GMAC directive.

A recent news report provided some hints at the type of issues with judicial foreclosures that servicers may look to avoid before it become a larger issue. The Florida Attorney General recently announced an investigation of the three largest foreclosure law firms in the state. These firms represent the lenders, and there have been question about claims of note ownership put forth by these firms during foreclosure proceedings. A clean record of note ownership is lost or hazy in many cases, due to multiple transfers of the notes. The moratorium can be an attempt on the part of RFC to ensure that the process does not have significant flaws that can leave it open to legal action in the future.

At this stage, we are unable to ascertain what that exact issue might be. What is certain is that foreclosure timelines in those states for GMAC loans will be extend further, potentially adversely affecting their eventual severity.

Can it also be a lawsuit in the making?

Given that the directive spans multiple states, and given previous experience with Countrywide, there is always the possibility of some multi-state settlement in the works for various disclosure issues with lending practices. However, we found some major omissions when we compared the list of states in the GMAC announcement with those involved in the Countrywide announcement. California, Nevada and Michigan - three states with significant mortgage volume, as well as distressed mortgages - are missing from the announcement. This makes us a little skeptical whether this is indeed a class action lawsuit in the making on the lines of the Countrywide one. On the other hand, the Countrywide list ballooned from 11 states initially to 42 states and DC finally, so one cannot yet rule out multi-state action. However, given greater evidence about judicial states, we still believe that to be the primary driver of this directive.

GMAC volumes in the non-agency securitized space

We used LoanPerformance to get a quick estimate of the volume of GMAC serviced loans in each of these states. Overall, we find that about 30% of the outstanding balance of GMAC-serviced loans falls within these 23 states. However, the share of delinquent loans within these states is higher: about 40% of GMAC delinquent loans falls within these states, with a higher concentration in alt-A and subprime.

Effect on housing

Implementation of this foreclosure moratorium, depending on its length and extent, could be a mild positive in the near term. A reduction in REO supply and foreclosure sales by GMAC would take out some distressed supply from the market. The effect of this announcement is similar to what we have earlier described for various loan modification efforts. It prevents more REOs from hitting the market and, thus, artificially skews the mix of distressed properties in the sales metrics. Reduction in the share of REO sales in overall sales has the effect of a stronger reading on the home price indices. However, this comes at the cost of a larger shadow inventory of non-performing loans, which continues to create pressure on home prices for an extended period.

skin

and vein center

skin

and vein center

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

skin

and vein center

eric seiger dermatology

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

eric seiger

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

eric seiger dermatology

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

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Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

big seminar 14

Confused About the Best Services to Offer in Your New Foreclosure Cleanup Business?

When you are just starting your foreclosure cleanup business, you may be confused about which services to offer because there are so many service options in this broad industry. You can offer everything from cleaning to painting and repairs.

As a new business owner, it's very tempting to try and offer as many services as possible. This is not uncommon in the start-up phase. Many new entrepreneurs are often afraid they will miss out on business by not offering a slew of services. But, as a new foreclosure cleaning business owner, it's smarter to offer only those services you know you can handle with your new enterprise. This way, you're not "all over" the place.

Also, this strategy will help you streamline your equipment purchases and your marketing efforts -- which will save you time and money.

Deciding Which Services to Offer

Consider starting out offering the services that will not cost you an arm and a leg to provide. You want to offer the industry's most-neededproperty preservation services. Think about which ones your area's foreclosure listing realtors, banks, mortgage companies, investors and landlords, and large property preservation companies will request most often; then, focus on starting your business offering these key services.

Offer Services that Will Keep Your Equipment Costs Low

Also, you will want to offer those services that will NOT cost you an arm and a leg in equipment or materials. Think about keeping your business "cash healthy." This may mean starting your business with the equipment you already have at home in the basement or in your garage; and perhaps renting other equipment you may need from your Home Depot type stores until the business can pay for new equipment and materials.

In the Beginning, Keep It Simple

Just remember, as a new foreclosure cleanup business owner, keep it simple starting out; you can't be everything to everybody. Offer the basic, expected services for which you already have the equipment and supplies. Market these services with fervor and concentrate on growing your client database by doing an excellent job offering the basics.

Expand Your Cleanup Services Over Time

As your list of business clients increases, you can expand your foreclosure cleanup company by offering a plethora of other services in-house or via subcontracting the work orders out to other qualified companies.

Good luck to you with your foreclosure cleanup business!



big seminar 14

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

big seminar 14

Worldchanging: Bright Green: Good <b>News</b> x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind

Good News x2 for U.S. Offshore Wind. Yale Environment 360, 13 Oct 10. U.S. Offshore Wind Could Provide 20 Percent of Electricity by 2030. U.S. officials calculate that the total potential for offshore wind generation is more than 4000 ...

Today&#39;s <b>News</b>: a slick unofficial iPad app for The Guardian newspaper

When The Guardian newspaper released its Open API, interesting and potentially cool things were bound to happen. Developers love great content and great ...

Yankees ALCS <b>News</b> - Pinstripe Alley

Yankees ALCS news and notes. ... Yankees ALCS News. Babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig_tiny by Brandon C. on Oct 13, 2010 10:00 PM EDT in News � Tweet � 24 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. Texas Rangers grounds crew employee Don Crymes ...

big seminar 14