Luke_Wilbur

Just to be clear this problem stems from the corruption of both sides of the aisle. My friend sent me this video. I am going to have to research it more.

"The Reagan-Bush years,” he declared, “have exalted private gain over public obligation, special interests over the common good, wealth and fame over work and family. The 1980s ushered in a Gilded Age of greed and selfishness, of irresponsibility and excess, and of neglect." - Bill Clinton Economists credit former Fed Chairman, Paul Volcker, in ending the United States' economic crisis of the 1970s. President Reagan's economic policy had the U.S. government borrowing and spending exploded. I give him credit on outspending the Soviet Union on defense that caused their economy collapse trying to keep up. But, our national debt climbed from $1 trillion to $3 trillion by the time he left office. Today, financial trillions of dollars worth of transactions take place in markets beyond effective government oversight and supervision. In order for President Obama to be successful he needs to restore confidence in our government and our markets with the American public. Even Republican Senators: Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter stated publicly that they support the bill. We will lose $2 trillion worth of worker output over the next two years if we do nothing.

You do not think investment in transportation infrastructure makes a great deal of sense? Most of it was built in the 1950's and now is in decay. Across the nation, over seventy thousand bridges (or 12 percent of all bridges) have been designated as structurally deficient. Remember the Mississippi River Bridge collapse? Imagine the same thing happening where we live. Did you know in the State of Maryland 129 bridges are classified as structurally deficient. A well functioning and modernized transportation sector will be an important part of improving America's future productivity and energy security. More importantly it preserves transportation jobs. You can't give tax cuts to the unemployed.

Head Office is located Markham, Ontario, Canada. The company states that it has been founded by leading experts in Internet technology, industry veterans with software automation expertise and cost efficient business processes. The problem is that all the programmers are from Pakistan and have difficulty understanding what you actually need. I wanted to test out the market to see how they compare to American programmers. There is no comparison. I tried to speak with the owner, Paul Popper, about the problem. He refused to answer and hung up on me. 60 Columbia Way, Ste 300 Markham ON L3R 0C9 Canada Contact 6343058 Canada Inc +1 416 520 4746, Fax: +1 416 531 5584 678-369-0634

The Senate has just voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress - 1st Session as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate Vote Summary Question: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1 as Amended ) Vote Number: 61 Vote Date: February 10, 2009, 12:27 PM Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Bill Passed Measure Number: H.R. 1 (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ) Measure Title: A bill making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. Vote Counts: YEAs 61 YEAs ---61 Akaka (D-HI) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Begich (D-AK) Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Burris (D-IL) Byrd (D-WV) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD) Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Collins (R-ME) Conrad (D-ND) Dodd (D-CT) Dorgan (D-ND) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA) Gillibrand (D-NY) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kaufman (D-DE) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI) Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (ID-CT) Lincoln (D-AR) McCaskill (D-MO) Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR) Mikulski (D-MD) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Nelson (D-NE) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Snowe (R-ME) Specter (R-PA) Stabenow (D-MI) Tester (D-MT) Udall (D-CO) Udall (D-NM) Warner (D-VA) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR) NAYs ---37 Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) Lugar (R-IN) Martinez (R-FL) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Murkowski (R-AK) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Voinovich (R-OH) Wicker (R-MS) Not Voting - 1 Gregg (R-NH)

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that could decide how the “new” Iraq’s oil revenue could be held liable in the U.S. for the actions committed by Saddam Hussein. The high court will review a decision by a federal appeals court which gave Americans allegedly held or otherwise harmed by Saddam Hussein in the 1990s the right to sue him in U.S. courts, Greg Stohr reports for Bloomberg News. In 2003, President Bush and the U.N. Security Council issued orders giving immunity to Iraq’s revenue – nearly all of it oil proceeds – as well as leftover funds from the Oil for Food program and Saddam’s seized assets. The immunity is intended to keep creditors of the former regime from taking Iraq’s revenue as the country attempts to rebuild. The funds are collected in an account in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and monitored by an international oversight board, a move to ensure the funds aren’t misused and to ensure transparency. Iraq’s Ambassador to the U.S., Samir Sumaidaie, issued this statement following the Supreme Court decision:

I actually think that is a useful tool. It requires consent, so I have no issue with it. A hammer is a useful tool, but one can do harm with it.

I guess that depends on your religious beliefs.

In Google's defense many companies are getting into this. DCpages is experimented with this technology about 10 years ago. http://dcpages.com/Tourism/Virtual_Tour/Im...mage61_pf.shtml Remote Reality is now working with the government doing security. I refrained from doing streets because I thought it would be an invasion of privacy. But, our government really has no internet privacy rules that cover this subject. Privacy is a central element of the FTC's consumer protection mission. In recent years, advances in computer technology have made it possible for detailed information about people to be compiled and shared more easily and cheaply than ever. That has produced many benefits for society as a whole and individual consumers. For example, it is easier for law enforcement to track down criminals, for banks to prevent fraud, and for consumers to learn about new products and services, allowing them to make better-informed purchasing decisions. At the same time, as personal information becomes more accessible, each of us - companies, associations, government agencies, and consumers - must take precautions to protect against the misuse of our information. The Federal Trade Commission is educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy, including the security of personal information. Under the FTC Act, the Commission guards against unfairness and deception by enforcing companies' privacy promises about how they collect, use and secure consumers' personal information. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Commission has implemented rules concerning financial privacy notices and the administrative, technical and physical safeguarding of personal information, and it aggressively enforces against pretexting. The Commission also protects consumer privacy under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Use the topic links on the left to read more about our efforts in each of these areas, including what we've learned, and what you can do to protect the privacy of your personal information.

Talk about corruption. This is unbelievable : Wells Fargo Insurance Services Team Meeting Headquarter Hotel: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Start Date: 02/25/2009 End Date: 02/27/2009 Attendees: 40 URL: www.wellsfargo.com http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/convention-c...il.jsp?id=61700

FDA to confirm that the sources of the outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Typhimurium are peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant.Peanut butter is sold by PCA in bulk containers ranging in size from five (5) to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container. Neither of these products is sold directly to consumers. However, through its investigation, FDA has determined that PCA distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 100 consignee firms, for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream. FDA initiated an inspection of PCA's Blakely plant on January 9 shortly after learning that this firm might be linked to the ongoing Salmonella outbreak. FDA finished its inspection on January 27. Here is the Peanut Corporation of America latest statement.

I was amazed to see that pawn broker had a million dollar budget for a Super Bowl commerical to promote a service that gets people to send gold jewelry through U.S. mail and then get cash sent back to them. What does this say about the true state of our economy. I wonder what mechanisms are in place to prevent paying theives and burglers?

It is good to see that religion is becoming open source. It has been a cash cow for many so called men of God.

This is a fantastic post! There is so much wisdom in Jefferson's words. I feel that many of our leaders have not taken the time to learn from them.

I just became a fan. Fast Car with Paul Simon got me. View the video at YouTube.

The SEC case is SEC v. Madoff, 08-10791, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). The criminal case is U.S. v. Madoff, 08-mag-2735, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

I think we will never know the complete amount. Madoff pressured his investors to never reveal they had money with him. It really is amazing how this scam lasted so long. United States v. Bernard L. Madoff U.S. v. Bernard L. Madoff, 08 Mag. 2735. On December 11, 2008, Bernard L. Madoff was arrested on a criminal complaint alleging one count of securities fraud. On December 11, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought a civil action against Mr. Madoff, and filed a motion to freeze certain assets and to appoint a receiver. On December 12, 2008, U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton entered an order: (1) appointing a receiver (Lee S. Richards, Esq.) over Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, Madoff Securities International Ltd., and Madoff Ltd.; and (2) freezing certain corporate and personal assets. On December 15, 2008, a trustee (Irving H. Picard, Esq.) was appointed for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, pursuant to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970. At the moment, we understand that the receiver will be posting information about its activities at www.madoff.com, and the trustee will be posting information about its activities at www.sipc.org. Investors and/or victims should consult those websites for additional information. Investors are requested to gather any documents that they have concerning their investments with Mr. Madoff and his companies, and to regularly check this website, the receiver's website, the trustee's website, and the SEC website (www.sec.gov) for information about developments in this investigation and further instructions on how to provide information to the pertinent authorities. In addition, the FBI has set up a hot line number, (212) 384-2359, for victims to call and leave their contact information. We know that investors are anxious to learn whatever they can about the status of their investments and the assets of the Madoff companies. Although we cannot provide further details at this time, please be assured that all those involved are working diligently to investigate this matter and to locate and preserve assets that can be used for restitution to defrauded investors.

On December 15, 2008, the Honorable Louis L. Stanton, a Federal Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, appointed Irving Picard as Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investments Securities LLC (“BMIS”) pursuant to the Securities Investor Protection Act (“SIPA”) as set forth in the attached order. LINK Mr. Picard supersedes Lee S. Richards, the previously appointed Receiver for BMIS and all claims by customers of BMIS will be processed by Mr. Picard as SIPA Trustee. Customers and claimants should refer to the website of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for information about the processing of claims. SIPC.ORG Mr. Richards continues to serve as Receiver for Madoff Securities International Ltd. pursuant to the attached order. LINK Should you have further questions, please contact the Trustee at the following number: 888-727-8695.

Looks like the President is going to do something that Congress would not. What do you think? Today, aboard Air Force One with President Bush on his way to Texas, White House spokesperson Dana Perino made the following statements: Given the current weakened state of the U.S. economy, we will consider other options if necessary, including use of the TARP program, to prevent a collapse of troubled automakers. Under normal economic conditions, we would prefer that markets determine the ultimate fate of private firms. A precipitous collapse of this industry would have a severe impact on our economy and it would be irresponsible to further weaken and destabilize our economy at this time. While the federal government may need to step in to prevent an immediate failure, the auto companies, their labor unions and all other stakeholders must be prepared to make the meaningful concessions necessary to become viable. Congress spoke last night. They don’t have the votes to do anything. They didn’t get it over the goal line, and so we have to consider what other options we would take, but I don’t have a time frame on it.

I am deeply saddenned that to find out that President-Elect Obama's senate seat was being auctioned off to the highest bidder. So far two candidates have been revealed Jesse Jackson Jr. Lisa Madigan I am losing faith in both parties.

Citigroup stock is down another 26 percent today, it is the worst one-day percentage decline for the company ever. It can be purchased at $4.71/per share. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is down 17.8 percent and can be purchased for $23.38. My bank Suntrust is down 13.01 percent and selling at $24.61 a share. I feel sorry for all their common stock shareholders. They are in risk of losing their money. Preferred stock shareholders have a little better insurance and do pay a dividend. Better yet, invest in yourself and start your own business is the best bet.

Inaction is not an option. Here is a transcript from the President of the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America: Now that is what this is about. This is about a young family who are counting on these jobs so that they can provide for their children and perhaps have an education for their children in the future. It is about retirees like Rita who worry everyday about whether or not their pension check is going to come in. I just hope that one of the things that we haven’t lost here is the impact of a bankruptcy on the part of any of these companies.

I truly hope all sides come together on our economy. It looks like McCain, Obama, and Lieberman have made amends with each other. We just need to put aside all drama and move on to stabilizing our economy. Everyone is going to be looking for a handout. I think the ones we bail out should have major strings attached. Transparency for one thing. I will put a link to your directory if you want. Just let me know.

This financial crisis is affecting everyone. Our business has been a loyal customer of American Express for quite some time. They just reduced our credit line even though we pay all of our bills before they are due. The days of writing checks are coming back.

Google has a good trend indicator of China's exports http://finance.google.com/finance?client=o...;q=NASDAQ:CHINA