Wednesday, September 29, 2010

foreclosure agents


BR: Funny you say that — I referred to the NAR chief economist as Baghdad Bob in one of the “previously” links mentioned: Former NAR Economist David Lereah is a Jackass (January 6th, 2009)








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am

    If your stocked up on Insulin, try the ever sugary http://www.positiveonrealestate.com/ for your daily firehosing of rich, delicious Kool-Aid. You thought the NAR was hyper sunny. They’re simpletons compared to whomever runs this site.


    You’ve been warned….


    My .02c


    Soylent Green Is People.








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:13 am

    If you’re fully stocked with Insulin, try http://www.positiveonrealestate.com/ for a daily firehosing of rich, delicious Real Estate Kool-Aid. You think the NAR is hyper sunny? They’re simpletons compared to the people who run this site.


    You’ve been fairly warned.


    Soylent Green Is People.








  • ACS Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:32 am

    How long before we reach Sanford’s step 12?








  • gavingunhold Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:45 am

    I used to work at NAR. And I once time forwarded a blog post by Barry Ritholtz to Lawrence Yun, kind of just as a heads up. Lawrence was none too pleased. Heh.








  • JustinTheSkeptic Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:49 am

    BR, you can continue with the “Bank Spin, Auto Company Spin, etc.” Take your pick….








  • rktbrkr Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Take your pick…

    “The manufacturing sector has maintained its momentum at least through August,” said Zach Pandl, an economist at Nomura Securities International Inc. in New York. The report “makes clear the economy is not slipping into recession any time but it’s still reasonable to be concerned about where we’re heading over the next three to six months.”


    General Motors Co.’s sales fell 25 percent last month and trailed analysts’ estimates, as the U.S. auto industry headed for its worst August in 28 years.


    GM said deliveries fell to 185,176 from 246,479 last August, when the U.S. government’s “cash for clunkers” incentive program boosted sales.








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Regrets for the double post. The first one did not show so I rewrote it again. I confess to my foolishness.








  • machinehead Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    Since the time I bought my first house, the cry of the Realtor(TM) has been, ‘Buy now, before prices go up!’


    They are Permabulls, like many Wall Street brokers — not to be taken seriously. Pay them for transacting, not for their stuck-clock market predictions.


    And — until proven otherwise — don’t regard them as professionals. That’s what the idiot NAR has accomplished — to deprofessionalize the image of a group which includes some very dedicated people. It took the NAR decades of hard work to break into the circus-clown limelight. Take a bow, bozos!








  • lalaland Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    I doubt it’s the NAR’s fault that people expect their homes to appreciate 10% a year. Nobody really pays attention to them outside the statistics junkies I would wager. I blame exactly the kind of stupidity that has proven to be rampant across all sectors of the economy. Oh, and, you know – unrelated – it’s time to go watch Dick Fuld.








  • Mark Wolfinger Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    The news media eat up those NAR reports.


    Surely you have contacts at the big media to whom you can pass along this report with the hope that someone does the right thing.


    http://blog.mdwoptions.com/options_for_rookies/








  • Expat Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    There is no one thing to blame for all this. The NAR is not the cause of the bubble. Wall Street is the proximate facilitator but not really the cause. Washington was a complicit beneficiary but not the cause. Assholes who bought homes that cost more than three times their income are victims and perpetrators but not truly guilty of anything but stupidity and gullibility. Lereah, Yun, and the NAR are in the unfortunate position of being mouthpieces for this mass hysteria so they are singled out.


    But in reality, Lereah is no worse than any US president or member of congress when it comes to huge, important lies. What about the pope or any priest with a pulpit? The hellfire and brimstone, homophobic racists on the Bible Belt circuit? Imams calling for jihad. Etc.


    Personally, I think the NAR is guilty of high crimes and treason against the US, having done more damage to our country than any blind or diabetic islamic terrorist. And what do we try to do to islamic terrorists? And what should we do to all members of the NAR? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?








  • How the Common Man Sees It Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    What do they expect when they are always selling houses as investments and not places to live? In the investing world RE is the equivalent of the summer resort if we are talking timing. What I’m saying is that the owners of a summer resort know their product is only marketable a few months out of the year and that is what they target for.


    Do you think the folks in the RE industry and/or the NAR want to be telling folks their ‘investment dream’ is only a great deal a few years out of many in the investment cycle? NO! That would put them out of business for years until the crowds came back every cyclical summer


    That’s not gonna happen








  • d4winds Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Red pill HGTV sounds like a fabulous idea–to replace that NAR of the “financial” TV, CNBC.








  • Julia Chestnut Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    The NAR are liars, and they aren’t even very good at it. Lawrence Yun is a laughing stock. The people who need to be strung up are the corporate media outlets that just take the press releases full of whoppers along the lines of “cotton candy cures cancer!!!!!!!!” and reprinting it along side what passes for “news.”


    Industry shills are industry shills and always have been. What has changed is any semblance of concern for truthful and accurate reporting of statistics, facts, and trends. Statistics, facts, and trends are considered so malleable these days, no one worries about what conflicts of interests the spinners may have – they just care how little they have to rewrite it from the NAR’s website before press/broadcast time.


    Despicable.








  • TomL Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Why is that *every* article written by or quoting a real estate professional includes the refrain “It’s never been a better time to buy.” ?


    Reminds me of the warning how do you know a politician is lying…








  • loganagent Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    It’s so true I recently had an experience where the local newspaper quoted me, after I said that our local market was going to decline, in my blog: http://loganrealestate.blogspot.com/2010/02/number-of-logan-homes-for-sale.html The local Board President came to me and told me not to speak with the media anymore. He said those in leadership had special “training” in how to handle media.


    The ironic thing is that my market falling predictions came true. But we don’t want the public to know the truth do we.








  • philipat Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    The “Blue Pill” being Viagra. Or, in other words the NAR is saying “Up yours”?!!


    Very appropriate!








  • IrvineRenter Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I have beaten up on RE agents a couple times over the last year:


    http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/realtors-treated-as-lackeys-and-maids-grovel-for-6/


    and


    http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/urgency-versus-reality-realtors-win-buyers-lose-14-jackson-irvine/


    I totally agree with your assessment of the foolish way they operate. In fact, the growth of my side business as a broker is largely due to the fact that I refuse to spin BS the way they do.


    BTW, thank you for the link yesterday. I greatly appreciate it, and I am flattered that you stop by and read my blog.








  • canoles Says:



    September 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 am

    “In other words, mislead the public with spin. Create false hope. Lie.” – Sir, that is NAR’s job as a trade association. Please name one trade association that does not do this.



    The third wave of programming for the sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, happening September 23rd-30th in Austin, Texas, has been announced with the highlights being the US premiere of the hyper-stylized action film Bunraku, a sneak preview of Darren Bousman’s terrifying new horror-thriller Mother’s Day, and the world premiere of Agnosia, the latest film from Fantastic Fest 2005 alumnus Eugenio Mira.


    A total of 20 films have been added in this latest wave, and we're including them all here, even if a few aren't strictly horror, just to give you an idea of how truly diverse Fantastic Fest is. For the other films screening that week, click here for all our Fantastic Fest 2010 coverage.



    PREMIERE SCREENINGS


    Agnosia (2010)

    Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere

    The producers of Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). “I’ve read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia,” said director Guillermo del Toro. Director Eugenio Mira will be live in person.



    Bunraku (2010)

    Director: Guy Moshe, USA, US Premiere

    In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and a bartender (Woody Harrelson) plot revenge against a ruthless leader (Ron Perlman) and his army of thugs, headed by nine diverse and deadly assassins. This visually stunning film is filled with uniquely choreographed action sequences of a new style that melds east with west and old school with new. Director Guy Moshe will be live in person.



    Mother’s Day (2010)

    Director Darren Bousman, USA, Sneak Preview

    After a botched robbery, three brothers, one severely injured, burst into their mother’s house, only to find that she lost it months earlier in a foreclosure. The new owners (Jaime King and Frank Grillo) and their guests, gathered for an ill-timed birthday party, become the brothers' unwitting hostages. With the situation quickly devolving, the brothers have only one choice: call Mother (Rebecca De Mornay) to mastermind their escape. Director Darren Bousman, Rebecca DeMornay & Jaime King will be live in person.



    RED (2010)

    Director: Robert Schwentke, USA, Sneak Preview

    Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank, Joe, Marvin and Victoria used to be the CIA’s top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history. Karl Urban (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings) will be live in person.



    SPECIAL EVENT SCREENINGS


    Class of 1984

    Special screening to celebrate the debut of new book “DESTROY ALL MOVIES!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film” edited by Zack Carlson & Bryan Connolly. More info on the book here.


    The year is 1984. A rabid pack of rampaging punk teens run our schools, our drugs and our prostitutes. Brutality and decadence are everywhere. Enter first-year teacher Andrew Norris (Perry King), who’s forced to violently turn the tables on the bloodthirsty gang before their trashwave swallows the town alive. Writer/director Mark L. Lester’s reckless masterpiece debuted at Cannes Film Festival to severely divided reviews.


    What detractors and many thrill-seeking fans both sadly overlooked was the fact that the movie had been done exactly right. Each actor turns in a memorable, convincing performance amid knifings and punk slam pits. Beloved ham Roddy McDowall pulls off what may have been his best scene of the decade. The film moves constantly forward at full speed, with humor and intelligent dialogue balancing out the horrors perpetrated by the vicious teens. Class of 1984 is a perfect exploitation film. It’s relentlessly seedy, overflowing with assault, suicide, racism, drug use and crime crime crime, all of which is perpetrated by minors! The tension of victimization and vengeance create some of the most stirring scenes of violent retribution on record. But beyond all this, there’s a bitterly absorbing air of human helplessness and leather-clad heartlessness that makes this movie the flat-out best in its genre.



    Master Pancake Theater – Independence Day

    During Fantastic Fest 6, the boys of Master pancake will be skewering the It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World of sci-fi disaster flicks. Featuring a massive cast of pretty good A-listers (Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum) and awesome B-listers (Judd Hirsch, Harry Connick Jr., and Brent "Data" Spiner) in the fight of their lives against a horde of invading aliens. Marc Savlov of the Austin Chronicle called ID4: "A gasping, bloated roller-coaster ride that veers from scenes of truly awesome destruction to stretches of numbingly bad melodrama and back again." The president himself, Bill Pullman, will be joining the Pancake team to mock the hell out of this bloated rollercoaster.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    Spaceballs Quote-Along

    Mel Brooks' Star Wars parody is soooo much more than just a parody film, bursting with the sorts of jokes that the writers of all the recently-made and vastly inferior "spoof films" only wish they could dream up. If your Schwartz is as big as mine, you're probably uncomfortably excited with just the prospect of this show happening. Somewhere in space, Dot Matrix's virgin alarm is ringing loudly. For this special voyage of the Eagle V, Lone Star himself (Bill Pullman) will be live in person to kick off the fun.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    The Intergalactic Nemesis

    The year is 1933. Pulitzer-winner Molly Sloan and her assistant Timmy Mendez are on the trail of a story so big, it's impossible to believe. The Intergalactic Nemesis is a truly unique live show. Imagine a modern spin on the radio serial that combines projections of 1250 hand-drawn comic illustrations, 3 voice actors performing a wide array of characters, a foley artist performing 100s of sound effects and an award winning pianist performing a riveting live score. You've never experienced anything like it!



    ADDITIONAL FEATURE FILM OFFICIAL SELECTIONS


    14 Blades (2010)

    Director Daniel Lee, Hong Kong, Regional Premiere

    Betrayed by his fellow Imperial bodyguard soldiers, Qinglong (Donny Yen) must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.



    Bibliotheque Pascal (2010)

    Director Szabolcs Hajdu, Hungary/France, Regional Premiere

    In order to regain custody of her daughter, Mona sets off on a surreal journey that will take her to the shadowy world of sexual slavery in Bibliotheque Pascal, the strangest brothel you could ever conceive.



    Cold Fish (2010)

    Director: Sion Sono, Japan, Regional Premiere

    Equal parts black humor and bloody dementia in this true crime portrait of a Japanese tropical fish dealer responsible for over forty murders.



    A Horrible Way To Die (2010)

    Director: Adam Wingard, USA, US Premiere

    When a serial killer escapes from prison, the dangerous past of a young woman dealing with alcoholic rehab quickly begins to catch up with her. Director Adam Wingard will be live in person.



    In the Attic (2009)

    Director: Jiri Barta, Czech Republic, Regional Premiere

    Courageous toys from an old suitcase undertake a dangerous journey through a forsaken attic to rescue their friend, Buttercup a beautiful doll who finds herself in the clutches of the all-powerful plaster Head, ruler of the Empire of Evil.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    The Last Circus (Balada Triste) (2010)

    Director: Álex de la Iglesia, Spain, US Premiere

    Álex de la Iglesia's genius for dark humor is at its most eloquent in his latest parody about the Spanish Civil War. Two clowns attack and disfigure one another in jealous rages over a beautiful dancer. In the name of love, they destroy the very object of their affection. Director Álex de la Iglesia will be live in person.



    Mutant Girl Squad (2010)

    Directors: Tak Sakaguchi, Noburu Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Japan, Regional Premiere

    In 2009, Tak Sakaguchi (Be A Man! Samurai School), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Noboru Iguchi (Robogeisha), got drunk and vowed to make a movie together. One year later, here it is. This splatter-ific, fetishy, hyperactive take on the X-Men is going to shock, horrify and delight you. Director Yoshihiro Nishimura live in person.



    Naan Kadavul (2009)

    Director: Bala, India, North American Premiere

    Naan Kadavul is like an Alejandro Jodorowsky version of a Bollywood movie. A long haired Vedic ubermensch burns corpses, lives in graveyards, smokes dope, beats up people, and proclaims himself to be God before he eventually become the savior to a collective of severely deformed beggars. Do not miss this film.



    Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

    Director: Jalmari Helander, Finland, US Premiere

    Santa Claus is somewhat less than jolly - in fact, he's the stuff nightmares are made of - in Jalmari Helander's Rare Exports, an atmospheric and witty re-working of a cherished folk tale. Co-writer and co-creator Juuso Helander will be live in person.



    Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission (2010)

    Director: Mike Woolf, USA, Encore screening

    Last year Richard Garriott became the first son of an astronaut to go to space, but this is no millionaire’s joy ride, he pioneered private space travel to make his dream come true: from his training in Russia to his launch in Kazahkstan to the dramatic, never before seen footage inside the capsule during fiery re-entry, this is a historic moment in human space travel. Richard Garriott live in person.



    Summer Wars (2009)

    Director: Mamoru Hosoda, Japan, Austin Premiere

    When an online social networking community gets attacked by a piece of sentient malware that threatens to deliver a denial of service attack to the entire world, one girl and her massive extended family unites to restore peace to cyberspace. Gorgeously animated with tons of heart and soul to boot, Summer Wars is one of our favorite anime titles in recent years.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    Transfer (2010)

    Director: Damir Lukacevic, France, North American Premiere

    Herman and Anna, a wealthy aging couple decides to extend their lives by leasing the bodies of two young Africans. For one million euros, the Africans signed away their lives for 20 hours a day, but in the 4 hours a day they have back in their own bodies, they begin to regret the arrangement.



    Fantastic Fest is the film festival with the boring parts cut out. Miss this one, and your regrets will agonize you for years to come. You have been warned.


    For more info visit the official 2010 Fantastic Fest website.


    - Uncle Creepy


    VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON!

    Got news? Click here to submit it!

    Be fantastic in the comments section below!






    Media companies invest in <b>news</b> startup, Ongo - Lost Remote

    The New York Times, Washington Post and Gannett have each invested $4 million in a yet-to-launch startup called Ongo, described as a “consumer service for reading and sharing digital news and information from multiple publishers.” ...

    Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

    iLounge news discussing the Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch. Find more Apps + Games news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

    Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our Xbox 360 news of Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger.


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    Irvine Realty Condos Foreclosures For Sale by MerrillLawrence783


    Media companies invest in <b>news</b> startup, Ongo - Lost Remote

    The New York Times, Washington Post and Gannett have each invested $4 million in a yet-to-launch startup called Ongo, described as a “consumer service for reading and sharing digital news and information from multiple publishers.” ...

    Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

    iLounge news discussing the Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch. Find more Apps + Games news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

    Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our Xbox 360 news of Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger.


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    BR: Funny you say that — I referred to the NAR chief economist as Baghdad Bob in one of the “previously” links mentioned: Former NAR Economist David Lereah is a Jackass (January 6th, 2009)








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am

    If your stocked up on Insulin, try the ever sugary http://www.positiveonrealestate.com/ for your daily firehosing of rich, delicious Kool-Aid. You thought the NAR was hyper sunny. They’re simpletons compared to whomever runs this site.


    You’ve been warned….


    My .02c


    Soylent Green Is People.








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:13 am

    If you’re fully stocked with Insulin, try http://www.positiveonrealestate.com/ for a daily firehosing of rich, delicious Real Estate Kool-Aid. You think the NAR is hyper sunny? They’re simpletons compared to the people who run this site.


    You’ve been fairly warned.


    Soylent Green Is People.








  • ACS Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:32 am

    How long before we reach Sanford’s step 12?








  • gavingunhold Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:45 am

    I used to work at NAR. And I once time forwarded a blog post by Barry Ritholtz to Lawrence Yun, kind of just as a heads up. Lawrence was none too pleased. Heh.








  • JustinTheSkeptic Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:49 am

    BR, you can continue with the “Bank Spin, Auto Company Spin, etc.” Take your pick….








  • rktbrkr Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Take your pick…

    “The manufacturing sector has maintained its momentum at least through August,” said Zach Pandl, an economist at Nomura Securities International Inc. in New York. The report “makes clear the economy is not slipping into recession any time but it’s still reasonable to be concerned about where we’re heading over the next three to six months.”


    General Motors Co.’s sales fell 25 percent last month and trailed analysts’ estimates, as the U.S. auto industry headed for its worst August in 28 years.


    GM said deliveries fell to 185,176 from 246,479 last August, when the U.S. government’s “cash for clunkers” incentive program boosted sales.








  • Soylent Green Is People Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Regrets for the double post. The first one did not show so I rewrote it again. I confess to my foolishness.








  • machinehead Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    Since the time I bought my first house, the cry of the Realtor(TM) has been, ‘Buy now, before prices go up!’


    They are Permabulls, like many Wall Street brokers — not to be taken seriously. Pay them for transacting, not for their stuck-clock market predictions.


    And — until proven otherwise — don’t regard them as professionals. That’s what the idiot NAR has accomplished — to deprofessionalize the image of a group which includes some very dedicated people. It took the NAR decades of hard work to break into the circus-clown limelight. Take a bow, bozos!








  • lalaland Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    I doubt it’s the NAR’s fault that people expect their homes to appreciate 10% a year. Nobody really pays attention to them outside the statistics junkies I would wager. I blame exactly the kind of stupidity that has proven to be rampant across all sectors of the economy. Oh, and, you know – unrelated – it’s time to go watch Dick Fuld.








  • Mark Wolfinger Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    The news media eat up those NAR reports.


    Surely you have contacts at the big media to whom you can pass along this report with the hope that someone does the right thing.


    http://blog.mdwoptions.com/options_for_rookies/








  • Expat Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    There is no one thing to blame for all this. The NAR is not the cause of the bubble. Wall Street is the proximate facilitator but not really the cause. Washington was a complicit beneficiary but not the cause. Assholes who bought homes that cost more than three times their income are victims and perpetrators but not truly guilty of anything but stupidity and gullibility. Lereah, Yun, and the NAR are in the unfortunate position of being mouthpieces for this mass hysteria so they are singled out.


    But in reality, Lereah is no worse than any US president or member of congress when it comes to huge, important lies. What about the pope or any priest with a pulpit? The hellfire and brimstone, homophobic racists on the Bible Belt circuit? Imams calling for jihad. Etc.


    Personally, I think the NAR is guilty of high crimes and treason against the US, having done more damage to our country than any blind or diabetic islamic terrorist. And what do we try to do to islamic terrorists? And what should we do to all members of the NAR? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?








  • How the Common Man Sees It Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    What do they expect when they are always selling houses as investments and not places to live? In the investing world RE is the equivalent of the summer resort if we are talking timing. What I’m saying is that the owners of a summer resort know their product is only marketable a few months out of the year and that is what they target for.


    Do you think the folks in the RE industry and/or the NAR want to be telling folks their ‘investment dream’ is only a great deal a few years out of many in the investment cycle? NO! That would put them out of business for years until the crowds came back every cyclical summer


    That’s not gonna happen








  • d4winds Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Red pill HGTV sounds like a fabulous idea–to replace that NAR of the “financial” TV, CNBC.








  • Julia Chestnut Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    The NAR are liars, and they aren’t even very good at it. Lawrence Yun is a laughing stock. The people who need to be strung up are the corporate media outlets that just take the press releases full of whoppers along the lines of “cotton candy cures cancer!!!!!!!!” and reprinting it along side what passes for “news.”


    Industry shills are industry shills and always have been. What has changed is any semblance of concern for truthful and accurate reporting of statistics, facts, and trends. Statistics, facts, and trends are considered so malleable these days, no one worries about what conflicts of interests the spinners may have – they just care how little they have to rewrite it from the NAR’s website before press/broadcast time.


    Despicable.








  • TomL Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Why is that *every* article written by or quoting a real estate professional includes the refrain “It’s never been a better time to buy.” ?


    Reminds me of the warning how do you know a politician is lying…








  • loganagent Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    It’s so true I recently had an experience where the local newspaper quoted me, after I said that our local market was going to decline, in my blog: http://loganrealestate.blogspot.com/2010/02/number-of-logan-homes-for-sale.html The local Board President came to me and told me not to speak with the media anymore. He said those in leadership had special “training” in how to handle media.


    The ironic thing is that my market falling predictions came true. But we don’t want the public to know the truth do we.








  • philipat Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    The “Blue Pill” being Viagra. Or, in other words the NAR is saying “Up yours”?!!


    Very appropriate!








  • IrvineRenter Says:



    September 1st, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I have beaten up on RE agents a couple times over the last year:


    http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/realtors-treated-as-lackeys-and-maids-grovel-for-6/


    and


    http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/urgency-versus-reality-realtors-win-buyers-lose-14-jackson-irvine/


    I totally agree with your assessment of the foolish way they operate. In fact, the growth of my side business as a broker is largely due to the fact that I refuse to spin BS the way they do.


    BTW, thank you for the link yesterday. I greatly appreciate it, and I am flattered that you stop by and read my blog.








  • canoles Says:



    September 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 am

    “In other words, mislead the public with spin. Create false hope. Lie.” – Sir, that is NAR’s job as a trade association. Please name one trade association that does not do this.



    The third wave of programming for the sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, happening September 23rd-30th in Austin, Texas, has been announced with the highlights being the US premiere of the hyper-stylized action film Bunraku, a sneak preview of Darren Bousman’s terrifying new horror-thriller Mother’s Day, and the world premiere of Agnosia, the latest film from Fantastic Fest 2005 alumnus Eugenio Mira.


    A total of 20 films have been added in this latest wave, and we're including them all here, even if a few aren't strictly horror, just to give you an idea of how truly diverse Fantastic Fest is. For the other films screening that week, click here for all our Fantastic Fest 2010 coverage.



    PREMIERE SCREENINGS


    Agnosia (2010)

    Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere

    The producers of Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). “I’ve read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia,” said director Guillermo del Toro. Director Eugenio Mira will be live in person.



    Bunraku (2010)

    Director: Guy Moshe, USA, US Premiere

    In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and a bartender (Woody Harrelson) plot revenge against a ruthless leader (Ron Perlman) and his army of thugs, headed by nine diverse and deadly assassins. This visually stunning film is filled with uniquely choreographed action sequences of a new style that melds east with west and old school with new. Director Guy Moshe will be live in person.



    Mother’s Day (2010)

    Director Darren Bousman, USA, Sneak Preview

    After a botched robbery, three brothers, one severely injured, burst into their mother’s house, only to find that she lost it months earlier in a foreclosure. The new owners (Jaime King and Frank Grillo) and their guests, gathered for an ill-timed birthday party, become the brothers' unwitting hostages. With the situation quickly devolving, the brothers have only one choice: call Mother (Rebecca De Mornay) to mastermind their escape. Director Darren Bousman, Rebecca DeMornay & Jaime King will be live in person.



    RED (2010)

    Director: Robert Schwentke, USA, Sneak Preview

    Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank, Joe, Marvin and Victoria used to be the CIA’s top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history. Karl Urban (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings) will be live in person.



    SPECIAL EVENT SCREENINGS


    Class of 1984

    Special screening to celebrate the debut of new book “DESTROY ALL MOVIES!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film” edited by Zack Carlson & Bryan Connolly. More info on the book here.


    The year is 1984. A rabid pack of rampaging punk teens run our schools, our drugs and our prostitutes. Brutality and decadence are everywhere. Enter first-year teacher Andrew Norris (Perry King), who’s forced to violently turn the tables on the bloodthirsty gang before their trashwave swallows the town alive. Writer/director Mark L. Lester’s reckless masterpiece debuted at Cannes Film Festival to severely divided reviews.


    What detractors and many thrill-seeking fans both sadly overlooked was the fact that the movie had been done exactly right. Each actor turns in a memorable, convincing performance amid knifings and punk slam pits. Beloved ham Roddy McDowall pulls off what may have been his best scene of the decade. The film moves constantly forward at full speed, with humor and intelligent dialogue balancing out the horrors perpetrated by the vicious teens. Class of 1984 is a perfect exploitation film. It’s relentlessly seedy, overflowing with assault, suicide, racism, drug use and crime crime crime, all of which is perpetrated by minors! The tension of victimization and vengeance create some of the most stirring scenes of violent retribution on record. But beyond all this, there’s a bitterly absorbing air of human helplessness and leather-clad heartlessness that makes this movie the flat-out best in its genre.



    Master Pancake Theater – Independence Day

    During Fantastic Fest 6, the boys of Master pancake will be skewering the It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World of sci-fi disaster flicks. Featuring a massive cast of pretty good A-listers (Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum) and awesome B-listers (Judd Hirsch, Harry Connick Jr., and Brent "Data" Spiner) in the fight of their lives against a horde of invading aliens. Marc Savlov of the Austin Chronicle called ID4: "A gasping, bloated roller-coaster ride that veers from scenes of truly awesome destruction to stretches of numbingly bad melodrama and back again." The president himself, Bill Pullman, will be joining the Pancake team to mock the hell out of this bloated rollercoaster.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    Spaceballs Quote-Along

    Mel Brooks' Star Wars parody is soooo much more than just a parody film, bursting with the sorts of jokes that the writers of all the recently-made and vastly inferior "spoof films" only wish they could dream up. If your Schwartz is as big as mine, you're probably uncomfortably excited with just the prospect of this show happening. Somewhere in space, Dot Matrix's virgin alarm is ringing loudly. For this special voyage of the Eagle V, Lone Star himself (Bill Pullman) will be live in person to kick off the fun.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    The Intergalactic Nemesis

    The year is 1933. Pulitzer-winner Molly Sloan and her assistant Timmy Mendez are on the trail of a story so big, it's impossible to believe. The Intergalactic Nemesis is a truly unique live show. Imagine a modern spin on the radio serial that combines projections of 1250 hand-drawn comic illustrations, 3 voice actors performing a wide array of characters, a foley artist performing 100s of sound effects and an award winning pianist performing a riveting live score. You've never experienced anything like it!



    ADDITIONAL FEATURE FILM OFFICIAL SELECTIONS


    14 Blades (2010)

    Director Daniel Lee, Hong Kong, Regional Premiere

    Betrayed by his fellow Imperial bodyguard soldiers, Qinglong (Donny Yen) must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.



    Bibliotheque Pascal (2010)

    Director Szabolcs Hajdu, Hungary/France, Regional Premiere

    In order to regain custody of her daughter, Mona sets off on a surreal journey that will take her to the shadowy world of sexual slavery in Bibliotheque Pascal, the strangest brothel you could ever conceive.



    Cold Fish (2010)

    Director: Sion Sono, Japan, Regional Premiere

    Equal parts black humor and bloody dementia in this true crime portrait of a Japanese tropical fish dealer responsible for over forty murders.



    A Horrible Way To Die (2010)

    Director: Adam Wingard, USA, US Premiere

    When a serial killer escapes from prison, the dangerous past of a young woman dealing with alcoholic rehab quickly begins to catch up with her. Director Adam Wingard will be live in person.



    In the Attic (2009)

    Director: Jiri Barta, Czech Republic, Regional Premiere

    Courageous toys from an old suitcase undertake a dangerous journey through a forsaken attic to rescue their friend, Buttercup a beautiful doll who finds herself in the clutches of the all-powerful plaster Head, ruler of the Empire of Evil.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    The Last Circus (Balada Triste) (2010)

    Director: Álex de la Iglesia, Spain, US Premiere

    Álex de la Iglesia's genius for dark humor is at its most eloquent in his latest parody about the Spanish Civil War. Two clowns attack and disfigure one another in jealous rages over a beautiful dancer. In the name of love, they destroy the very object of their affection. Director Álex de la Iglesia will be live in person.



    Mutant Girl Squad (2010)

    Directors: Tak Sakaguchi, Noburu Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Japan, Regional Premiere

    In 2009, Tak Sakaguchi (Be A Man! Samurai School), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Noboru Iguchi (Robogeisha), got drunk and vowed to make a movie together. One year later, here it is. This splatter-ific, fetishy, hyperactive take on the X-Men is going to shock, horrify and delight you. Director Yoshihiro Nishimura live in person.



    Naan Kadavul (2009)

    Director: Bala, India, North American Premiere

    Naan Kadavul is like an Alejandro Jodorowsky version of a Bollywood movie. A long haired Vedic ubermensch burns corpses, lives in graveyards, smokes dope, beats up people, and proclaims himself to be God before he eventually become the savior to a collective of severely deformed beggars. Do not miss this film.



    Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

    Director: Jalmari Helander, Finland, US Premiere

    Santa Claus is somewhat less than jolly - in fact, he's the stuff nightmares are made of - in Jalmari Helander's Rare Exports, an atmospheric and witty re-working of a cherished folk tale. Co-writer and co-creator Juuso Helander will be live in person.



    Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission (2010)

    Director: Mike Woolf, USA, Encore screening

    Last year Richard Garriott became the first son of an astronaut to go to space, but this is no millionaire’s joy ride, he pioneered private space travel to make his dream come true: from his training in Russia to his launch in Kazahkstan to the dramatic, never before seen footage inside the capsule during fiery re-entry, this is a historic moment in human space travel. Richard Garriott live in person.



    Summer Wars (2009)

    Director: Mamoru Hosoda, Japan, Austin Premiere

    When an online social networking community gets attacked by a piece of sentient malware that threatens to deliver a denial of service attack to the entire world, one girl and her massive extended family unites to restore peace to cyberspace. Gorgeously animated with tons of heart and soul to boot, Summer Wars is one of our favorite anime titles in recent years.


    [NO PHOTO AVAILABLE]


    Transfer (2010)

    Director: Damir Lukacevic, France, North American Premiere

    Herman and Anna, a wealthy aging couple decides to extend their lives by leasing the bodies of two young Africans. For one million euros, the Africans signed away their lives for 20 hours a day, but in the 4 hours a day they have back in their own bodies, they begin to regret the arrangement.



    Fantastic Fest is the film festival with the boring parts cut out. Miss this one, and your regrets will agonize you for years to come. You have been warned.


    For more info visit the official 2010 Fantastic Fest website.


    - Uncle Creepy


    VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON!

    Got news? Click here to submit it!

    Be fantastic in the comments section below!






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    Media companies invest in <b>news</b> startup, Ongo - Lost Remote

    The New York Times, Washington Post and Gannett have each invested $4 million in a yet-to-launch startup called Ongo, described as a “consumer service for reading and sharing digital news and information from multiple publishers.” ...

    Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

    iLounge news discussing the Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch. Find more Apps + Games news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

    Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our Xbox 360 news of Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger.


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    Media companies invest in <b>news</b> startup, Ongo - Lost Remote

    The New York Times, Washington Post and Gannett have each invested $4 million in a yet-to-launch startup called Ongo, described as a “consumer service for reading and sharing digital news and information from multiple publishers.” ...

    Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

    iLounge news discussing the Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch. Find more Apps + Games news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

    Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our Xbox 360 news of Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger.


    benchcraft company scam benchcraft company scam

    Media companies invest in <b>news</b> startup, Ongo - Lost Remote

    The New York Times, Washington Post and Gannett have each invested $4 million in a yet-to-launch startup called Ongo, described as a “consumer service for reading and sharing digital news and information from multiple publishers.” ...

    Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

    iLounge news discussing the Weather HD comes to iPhone, iPod touch. Find more Apps + Games news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

    Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our Xbox 360 news of Kinect will talk to MSN Messenger.


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  • Friday, September 24, 2010

    managing your personal finances




    • CEDIA: LG, JVC and Sony debut LCoS-based 3D front projectors



    • BMW ActiveE electric car - Consumer field trials to begin next summer



    • Five insider shopping tips for Gordon Gekko



    • Daily Dispatch: Google NEW lists updates of all its products; Survey reveals people prefer colonoscopies to computer maintenance



    • 2010 Distracted Driving Summit: What’s next for combating driver distractions?



    • What's the deal with car tire pricing?



    • Q&A: Short on salt



    • Daily electronics deals



    • 6 painless ways to cut your grocery bill



    • Go green for school supplies







    • CEDIA: LG, JVC and Sony debut LCoS-based 3D front projectors



    • BMW ActiveE electric car - Consumer field trials to begin next summer



    • Five insider shopping tips for Gordon Gekko



    • Daily Dispatch: Google NEW lists updates of all its products; Survey reveals people prefer colonoscopies to computer maintenance



    • 2010 Distracted Driving Summit: What’s next for combating driver distractions?



    • What's the deal with car tire pricing?



    • Q&A: Short on salt



    • Daily electronics deals



    • 6 painless ways to cut your grocery bill



    • Go green for school supplies






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    Small Business <b>News</b>: An Owner&#39;s Manual

    If only there were an owner's manual that came with your small business telling you what works, what doesn't and what are the best ways to move ahead in your.

    Artnet <b>News</b>: Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami <b>...</b>

    ARTNET NEWS. Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami Sculpture Biennial, Prospect 1.5 New Orleans, more.

    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...


    Small Business <b>News</b>: An Owner&#39;s Manual

    If only there were an owner's manual that came with your small business telling you what works, what doesn't and what are the best ways to move ahead in your.

    Artnet <b>News</b>: Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami <b>...</b>

    ARTNET NEWS. Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami Sculpture Biennial, Prospect 1.5 New Orleans, more.

    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...


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    Small Business <b>News</b>: An Owner&#39;s Manual

    If only there were an owner's manual that came with your small business telling you what works, what doesn't and what are the best ways to move ahead in your.

    Artnet <b>News</b>: Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami <b>...</b>

    ARTNET NEWS. Gang assaults Turkish galleries. Plus, Miami Sculpture Biennial, Prospect 1.5 New Orleans, more.

    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...



    IMG20 Summit, London, G20 London, G20 Protests, G20 Demonstrations by G20London2009







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    how to budget personal finances


    I am a 25 year old college student (school, job + savings, back to school… long story) and boy do I wish I knew about all the resources available to me back then. Good for you for starting early!


    Lucky for me I have 1 parent (divorced) who is so bad with money that I have been scared into financial responsibility from a young age. Was I perfect? Hahaha.. but I am doing better than 95% of my friends are right now so I guess I am doing something right?


    Here is my advice:


    1. GET A JOB! - 2 shifts a week is all it takes. I have friends who just graduated from college without ever having a job. Result? No work experience so nowhere will hire them. Some had problems even getting an internship! Try for customer service jobs. Employers value people skills more than flipping burgers.


    2. BUDGET! - Cant teach an old dog new tricks so it is best to start young. Add up your monthly expenses such as rent/insurance/cell/gas/etc and divide by 2 or 4 (depending on weekly/bi-weekly payday). Put this money in savings and no touchy! Once you can live on that budget a certain % for an emergency fund and then % for savings. The rest is your “fun” money. As others have said: pizza, ipods, and clothes are “fun money” and NOT emergencies!


    3. DEBIT, CREDIT, or CASH?


    DEBIT- I am a die hard debit card user. My credit union has detailed (free) online banking. I check my online bank statement in the morning and at night and go over my spending. Think of it as an instant virtual slap in the face about your spending habits. It hurts for the best.


    CASH - Some people just cant be responsible enough to respect the plastic and do better with cash. Try and keep bigger bills on you. Breaking a $5 is less mentally painful than breaking a $20. $1s are dangerous. That can of coke is “only $1″. $7 a week, $30 a month. It adds up.


    CREDIT - Many say don’t get a credit card, but I disagree. If you are responsible college is a great time to build credit (unless you have some serious control issues… if that is the case, these are not the droids you are looking for…). Not building credit early is the BIGGEST regret I have. Good credit means better rates when buying a house or a car. Do your research first. Consider a student, or if you have to a secured card.


    More about credit-


    *Do NOT apply for a credit card on campus. It is like selling your soul for a candy bar. Every time you apply for a credit card they run a credit check, which “pings” you. Too many pings hurts your credit score. Not good. Friend did that at every kiosk that offered something free to sign up when she was 20. This was 7 years ago and her credit is still recovering! The same is true for store credit cards. Do.Not.WANT!

    *Pick a required expense, such as gas or cell phone bill and put it on the credit card. Pay off the card at the end of each month. Repeat.

    *Do NOT use your credit card to buy “fun money” purchases. No clothes, no ipods, no pizza. This is why you have your debit card of cash. Don’t even think about it mr.!


    4. EATING/DRINKING - This is going to be the weird random one from one young person to another.(Part of this only applies to you on/after your 21st birthday!) The young person’s life revolves around being social. For a 20 something this normally involves dinner and/or drinks with friends. It is expensive! So much money can be saved if you plan ahead!


    *Eating - Going out to eat is a much needed social experience but NEVER go out to eat starving! Just like you don’t go shopping when you are hungry you never want to experience the whole “eyes bigger than stomach” thing while dining out. Have a snack an hour or so before you meet friends for dinner. This will help you avoid ordering that $8 appetizer! Also, try and order things that reheat or are good cold. LEFTOVERS! Also, water is free. It is good for you! Coke is $3. Go buy yourself a 12 pack and have one when you get home.


    *Drinking - Most 20 somethings drink. It is a very expensive part of our lives. It is a social event to help us forget about school and work. We like bars. Unfortunately $5 for a beer is highway robbery! NEVER go to a bar completely sober (when you are 21+ & no drinky + drivey!). Have a drink or 2 at home and then have a beer at the bar. You will save TONS. Also, bring cash to a bar. Only bring as much cash as your sober self would like to spend. Alcohol impairs judgment. Sober you will thank drunk you for not spending. Drunk you will thank sober you for being smart enough to make sure you can afford the advil to take care of that hangover the next day. It is a win win.


    Put all that saved food and drink money towards something that will last.


    5. BOOKS - Buy used whenever possible. Check online first because campus stores are normally a ripoff. Try and sell the books back online, even if they have released a new edition. Most student book stores on campus will only give you 1/2 of what someone online will be willing to give you!


    6. CARS - Buy used and reliable, but not “cheap”. New cars lose tons of value when you drive them off the lot. Don’t buy a “cheap” used car on it’s last leg. Think Goldilocks - not too new, not too old, juuusssttt right! Save up as much money as possible. Pay for it in cash if you can. If not, save up at least 2/3 before purchasing and do your homework!


    And whatever you do: AVOID parking tickets, speeding tickets, registration fines.. may as well light the money on fire! Or if you do not want it I will give it a nice home and save you the trouble.






    Events of the last week have made the Deficit Commission an embarrassment. Co-Chair Alan Simpson is a one-man disaster movie, compulsively offending one key voting bloc after another. Commission member Paul Ryan faced an angry crowd over his anti-Social Security stance, while another Commissioner locked experienced workers out of a nuclear facility rather than provide retirement benefits.


    That's right: He's cutting retirement benefits.


    But if the political blowback is obvious, here's what isn't: The Commissioners who are determined to cut your Social Security benefits are going to enjoy their own retirements in comfort. Their own pension plans insulate them from the fears that many other Americans face, and they don't have the professional expertise that would help them understand those concerns. In fact, the Commission's only expert on retirement is Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and she apparently opposes benefit cuts. The rest of the Commission is dominated by people who've expressed their desire to cut Social Security, despite their own secure futures. Millions of working Americans who have contributed to Social Security all their lives will lose out if these Commissioners have their way.


    Happy Labor Day.


    Normally I consider it off-limits to discuss people's personal finances when discussing their political opinions. But these Commissioners' lack of subject matter expertise, along with their lack of empathy, is important. If you don't know much about the topic and are protected from the problem, what makes you credible? Their pre-established prejudices makes the situation even worse, and their own situations underscore the irony of their self-professed willingness to make "brave choices" - choices whose consequences will mean little or nothing to them.


    The Commission's Social Security obsession is odd anyway, since the projected Social Security shortfall comes out to only 0.7% of GDP. Nevertheless, these Commissioners have made their benefit-cutting intentions plain, presumably because they want to offer up America's seniors as a sacrifice to the bond markets. So how will these would-be income-slashers for the elderly make out in their own golden years? They'll be golden.


    Consider Commissioner Alice Rivlin. Rivlin co-authored a paper that called for raising the retirement age and other benefit cuts, and recently released a specious paper about "Saving Social Security." As a former HEW Undersecretary, CBO Director, White House Budget Director, and Federal Reserve Vice Chair, she will presumably enjoy a comfortable retirement supported by multiple public pensions. Says Rivlin: ""We can't get out of this problem without doing both spending cuts, especially slowing the growth of entitlement, and tax increases."


    Experts on Social Security finance (including the long-time Chief Actuary for the program) flatly disagree with Rivlin, pointing out that an adjustment to the payroll tax cap would unquestionably be enough to get the job done. They have the numbers to prove it. So why does Rivlin, who does not have their expertise in this area, disagree? Go ask Alice.


    Co-Chair Erskine Bowles brokered a deal with Newt Gingrich to cut Social Security in the 1990s, when he served as Bill Clinton's Chief of Staff. Before that he headed the Small Business Administration, so his government tenure presumably qualifies him for a Federal pension. If not, don't worry: He receives $425,000 per year in his current job running the public universities of North Carolina, and the people of North Carolina are presumably also funding a pension on his behalf. To his credit, Bowles pledged to donate $125,000 of his salary for need-based student funds - but then, he can afford it. As the son of a US Congressman, Bowles had the education and connections needed to make millions as an investment banker. The added income he earns today as a Board member for General Motors and Morgan Stanley will help, too - and his government experience undoubtedly helped him win those positions, too.


    Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, an aggressive advocate of Social Security cuts and privatization, will also enjoy his sunset years in comfort, thanks to a publicly-funded pension from his tenure as a Congressman. (He'll presumably earn even more as a result of his employment as an aide to two United States Senators.) Rep. Jeb Hensaerling has served as both a Representative and as an aide to Sen. Phil Gramm, so he should be safe from financial insecurity in his old age too .


    The average annual pension payments for former members of Congress ranged from $41,000 to $55,000 in 2002, considerably more than the average $13,836 that Social Security recipients received in 2009. Yet neither Ryan nor Hensaerling have proposed cutting Congressional retirement benefits - nor should they. Sound pension plans like theirs were once available to most working Americans, and more effort should be made to restore them.


    Former SEIU President Andrew Stern, who once might have been counted on to defend Social Security, recently sneered at Commission critics as "assassins of change" while saying that "all entitlements should be on the table." Mr. Stern's annual pension is $152,000 - and he retired at the age of 59, not 70. Nevertheless, Stern now publicly muses about "whether defined benefit pensions can really exist in the long run in a globalized economy."


    Judd Gregg, who wants to raise the retirement age to 70, will receive a Federal pension for his Senate position. Gregg, like Alan Simpson, is the son of a Governor (self-made men, you might say), which means that public pensions also ensured that neither of them had to worry about supporting their aged parents. Tom Coburn, another would-be Social Security cutter, will receive a Congressional and Senatorial pension too.


    David Cote, the CEO of Honeywell, provides some "private enterprise" perspective to the Commission's work. But Cote's wealth comes in part from Honeywell's government contracts, which exceed $4 billion annually. What's more, Cote's "free enterprise" ethic didn't stop him from making sure that Honeywell grabbed a few million in stimulus money from the taxpayers, too. A few billion from the Pentagon here, a few million more from Uncle Sam there - that'll plump up the nest egg a little for Mr. Cote's sunset years.


    Cote made the headlines this week when Honeywell locked out the union workers at a nuclear power plant over a labor dispute - even though the workers agreed to stay on the job to protect public safety. Instead, Cote hired replacements and put them through a pared-down training process. The image of Homer Simpson comes to mind, pushing the wrong buttons and spilling beer on the reactor console - which would presumably make Cote Mr. Burns.


    But it's no joking matter. Apparently there's real danger, which is why the Nuclear Regulatory Commission reportedly stepped in to block Honeywell from distilling uranium with its crew of replacement workers And what are the union and Honeywell arguing about? Honeywell's raising health care costs - and eliminating retiree pension plans for new workers.


    That's right. A member of the Commission that's pretending to judge our retirement security with impartiality would rather have hastily-trained amateurs handle nuclear materials than bargain openly with his workers - about their retirement. D'oh!


    As for Simpson (Alan, not Bart), to say that he suffers from "political Tourette's syndrome" would be a disservice to Tourette's sufferers. Most of them don't really say socially objectionable things, and those who do (it's called "coprolalia") don't mean what they say. But Simpson does. By attacking senior citizens as "greedy geezers," then offending women with his "milk cow with 100 million tits" comment, and now offending veterans' groups, Simpson has now hit the voting bloc trifecta.


    And Cote's outraged labor, a fourth group. But the problem isn't Simpson anymore, or Cote for that matter. It's the Commission itself. The coprolalic curmudgeon Simpson has done a service to the nation. He's drawn attention to the Commission, and to the anti-Social Security biases held by so many of its members - all of whom will retire in comfort, thanks to those whose benefits they would cut. It's the comfortable afflicting the afflicted.


    If these Deficit Commission members want their recommendations to have any credibility, they should pledge to live on the same Social Security benefits that they would impose for other Americans. Better yet, they should dedicate themselves to helping provide every American with the kind of retirement security they enjoy. That was part of the social contract this nation embraced during its years of greatest economic growth, the fulfillment of a promise that a lifetime of work should never end with years of deprivation. They should be working to restore that contract, not erode it even further.


    One thing is clear: This Commission has no business making recommendations about Social Security.


    (Sign a petition asking Congress and the President to protect Social Security from the Deficit Commission. Roger Hickey has more here.)


    Additional links:


    * Sam Seder and I discussed Social Security this week while co-hosting The Young Turks.


    * For further reference on the Commission's members and their biases, see Firedoglake and Talking Points Memo.


    * House Democrats are vowing to protect Social Security from any cuts. The polls show why that's a very wise idea.




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    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...

    MOH beta to &quot;clear up misunderstanding&quot; PC <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our PC news of MOH beta to. ... Eurogamer tested the Medal of Honor single-player campaign earlier this month, and then sat down executive producer Greg Goodrich for a chat. Oh Tiery me. Got a tip? Email news@eurogamer.net. ...

    Bad <b>news</b> for green technology | Watts Up With That?

    Super magnet production has also been shipped over to China http://www.chinamagnet.in/i-News-229212/The-development-and-applications-of-Rare-Earth-Permanent-Magnetic-Materials-244616.html. Over the last 10 to 20 years companies have ...


    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...

    MOH beta to &quot;clear up misunderstanding&quot; PC <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our PC news of MOH beta to. ... Eurogamer tested the Medal of Honor single-player campaign earlier this month, and then sat down executive producer Greg Goodrich for a chat. Oh Tiery me. Got a tip? Email news@eurogamer.net. ...

    Bad <b>news</b> for green technology | Watts Up With That?

    Super magnet production has also been shipped over to China http://www.chinamagnet.in/i-News-229212/The-development-and-applications-of-Rare-Earth-Permanent-Magnetic-Materials-244616.html. Over the last 10 to 20 years companies have ...


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    ICM And WME And CAA <b>News</b>… – Deadline.com

    ICM's talent department signed Emmy nominee and TV standout (Malcolm In The Middle) Jane Kaczmarek, who had been represented by WME. She's managed by Adena Chawke and Lisa Wright at Greenlight Management. Also joining ICM from WME is ...

    MOH beta to &quot;clear up misunderstanding&quot; PC <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>

    Read our PC news of MOH beta to. ... Eurogamer tested the Medal of Honor single-player campaign earlier this month, and then sat down executive producer Greg Goodrich for a chat. Oh Tiery me. Got a tip? Email news@eurogamer.net. ...

    Bad <b>news</b> for green technology | Watts Up With That?

    Super magnet production has also been shipped over to China http://www.chinamagnet.in/i-News-229212/The-development-and-applications-of-Rare-Earth-Permanent-Magnetic-Materials-244616.html. Over the last 10 to 20 years companies have ...



    Going to the Barack Obama Rally by Towboat Garage







    Going to the Barack Obama Rally by Towboat Garage






























    Thursday, September 23, 2010

    Companies Making Money

    Former head of Google China, Kai-fu Lee, insists—insists—that he is not happy that Google imploded its business in China. “Seeing the work that I put in, how could I be happy to see that?” he says. In fact, in a press release all about his incubator’s companies being built on top of Android he doesn’t use the G-word once. “Given the pull out, we’ll accept the situation and do our best,” he says humbly. Yeah, accept the situation like a fox.


    As Lee begins to open up more about the types of companies being created at his incubator, Innovation Works, there’s a consistent theme—Android. Whether it’s address books, music programs, video games, maps, eCommerce marketplaces or e-readers, many of Lee’s companies are hoping to take advantage of the good things about Android—namely that it’s a free, robust operating system—but customize the core smartphone applications in a way that Google won’t or can’t.


    It’s interesting that I had a conversation with Lee about this topic right about the time Google CEO Eric Schmidt was delivering a keynote touting that more than 200,000 Android-powered smartphones are activated daily, going beyond just the smartphone wielding “elite.” Lee would agree with everything his former boss said. It’s just that Google isn’t well positioned to make money off the apps and services in the world’s largest market. Oops.


    Lee philosophically may have issues with the lack of openness in the Chinese Web, but it’s also giving him an advantage: The most popular applications for the Android phone like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Pandora aren’t available in China, and Google’s native apps may not be the top choice of manufacturers given the search engine’s stance on doing business in the country. So Innovation Works is collectively trying to build a new Web on top of the platform that’s customized for Chinese tastes.


    For example, music services that show song lyrics as they play—an essential feature for China’s karaoke loving audience. Another example is a program that automatically enters different dialing prefixes that save money on calls to certain regions. Because 3G is so expensive in China, a video program called Wonderpod downloads videos onto your phone from your laptop at work, so you can watch them without having to stream them on the commute home. An eReader software company lets you read 60% of the book for free then asks for a payment to read the rest. Because of rampant piracy, there’s no chance of selling eBooks without giving anything away for free, but once people are hooked, if they enjoy it, they’ll pay for the rest of the book out of convenience, Lee argues. The incubator is making a few, broad platform plays with an Android-based operating system called Tapas, an analytics tool for developers called Umeng and Ascending Cloud, a publisher of social games.


    At most, Lee’s mobile companies are getting a couple dollars per user for these apps so these ideas only become huge companies with massive scale. This can’t be just a game played for the top of the pyramid. And there’s no question in Lee’s mind that Android will be bigger in China than the iPhone, because the cost differential is much more pronounced. Because there aren’t many Android models in the US, hardware makers can price the phones close to the iPhone, but in manufacturing-heavy China prices will almost certainly be driven down much faster.


    Lee says the Android devices coming out next year—including manufacturers his companies are working with—cost $200 to $300 per phone. He expects that to fall to around $100 the next year, and possible fall below $100 the year after that. The iPhone will never experience that kind of competitive pressure because only Apple makes it. (Although I could show you plenty of cheaper versions with the an Apple-like logo in the dodgy markets of Shenzhen…)


    And there are no carrier subsidies in China, because 80% of phones are bought independently from airtime. So an iPhone will cost around $600. Already Android will enter the market at half the price. For a big swath of the Chinese population that will make a difference, especially if those prices can get under $100 per phone in just a few years with features more tailored for the market.


    In a lot of ways, this is a strategy that would only work in China—it’s all about volume and counts on a market with hyper-aggressively competitive gadget manufacturing. But with billions of dollars in venture capital sloshing around China, the market to build the best mobile apps could be as cutthroat as the competition to win the hardware wars. Lee has recently inked some strategic partnerships with Foxconn, Chunghwa Telecom, MediaTek Inc and a raft of global investors to help his chances of being the one to profit from the opportunity.


    He’s also moved Innovation Works from Google China’s building to a new location that features what any incubator needs—a hologram that greets you at the front door. I’m not kidding. He told his designer he needed it to look different than any other office and from the look of the pictures, he succeeded. His mobile bets are less certain. But if he wins he’ll have at least one guy to thank: Sergey Brin. A big juicy market opportunity is a lot better parting gift than a watch.


    Social games are the rage these days, but making money from them isn’t easy. Gamers play these titles for free, but Adknowledge is figuring out how game publishers can wind up making money from 100 percent of the players.


    Adknowledge’s Burlingame, Calif.-based Super Rewards subsidiary is launching a three-part system for making money from virtual currency in games. That could help boost the engagement of players in social games and help raise the revenue generated from each user, said Adknowledge chief executive Scott Lynn. Adknowledge can offer this money-making system as a one-stop shop for publishers and game advertisers.


    The three elements include an in-game overlay, offer banners, and a new offer wall for online game publishers. Adknowledge claims the new platform improves the experience for users and increases the number of paying users in a game. Adknowledge is one of a number of companies that give users the option of accepting special offers in lieu of payment for an online game. You can accept an offer such as signing up for a Netflix subscription in return for virtual currency in a game.


    But results show that roughly 75 percent of players do not use offers. Super Rewards can target those missing the offers with an in-game overlay, which brings a single, high-value offer to users within a game. The overlay shows up at strategic moments in a game, such as after the initial load. The offers can include promotional language such as “Get More Coins.”


    The offer banner uses the space around the main game landscape, presenting a mini version of an offer wall during game play. Users can pay for virtual items at the moment with direct payment methods.


    Publishers using the three-part system include The Broth, whose Facebook game Barn Buddy saw its revenue increase 25 percent after using the new system for just five days, said Broth chief executive Markus Weichselbaum. Other publishers have seen a 45 percent increase in the number of new paying users. Adknowledge said developers have seen a 40-percent increase in the number of first-time payers. Super Rewards’ rivals include TrialPay and Offerpal.


    Adknowledge has more than 300 employees and $300 million in revenue, making it the largest privately owned internet advertising network. It was founded in 2004 and has grown through acquisitions. The company has raised $48 million in funding from Technology Crossover Ventures.


    Next Story: Game media firm IGN Entertainment to give free office space to indie game startups Previous Story: DEMO: VentureBeat’s Matt Marshall touts tech and farming trends (video)




    Olbermann On Sharron Angle Video | Fox <b>News</b> | Media Matters | Mediaite

    You'll never believe this one, but it appears Keith Olbermann isn't the biggest fan of Fox News. But in case there was any doubt, on last night's Countdown he made it clear again, going after what he sees as the network blatantly ...

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    Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 9/23 - Arrowhead Pride

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    robert shumake

    Olbermann On Sharron Angle Video | Fox <b>News</b> | Media Matters | Mediaite

    You'll never believe this one, but it appears Keith Olbermann isn't the biggest fan of Fox News. But in case there was any doubt, on last night's Countdown he made it clear again, going after what he sees as the network blatantly ...

    Aaron Brown: Cable <b>News</b> Is Too Political

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    Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 9/23 - Arrowhead Pride

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    Former head of Google China, Kai-fu Lee, insists—insists—that he is not happy that Google imploded its business in China. “Seeing the work that I put in, how could I be happy to see that?” he says. In fact, in a press release all about his incubator’s companies being built on top of Android he doesn’t use the G-word once. “Given the pull out, we’ll accept the situation and do our best,” he says humbly. Yeah, accept the situation like a fox.


    As Lee begins to open up more about the types of companies being created at his incubator, Innovation Works, there’s a consistent theme—Android. Whether it’s address books, music programs, video games, maps, eCommerce marketplaces or e-readers, many of Lee’s companies are hoping to take advantage of the good things about Android—namely that it’s a free, robust operating system—but customize the core smartphone applications in a way that Google won’t or can’t.


    It’s interesting that I had a conversation with Lee about this topic right about the time Google CEO Eric Schmidt was delivering a keynote touting that more than 200,000 Android-powered smartphones are activated daily, going beyond just the smartphone wielding “elite.” Lee would agree with everything his former boss said. It’s just that Google isn’t well positioned to make money off the apps and services in the world’s largest market. Oops.


    Lee philosophically may have issues with the lack of openness in the Chinese Web, but it’s also giving him an advantage: The most popular applications for the Android phone like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Pandora aren’t available in China, and Google’s native apps may not be the top choice of manufacturers given the search engine’s stance on doing business in the country. So Innovation Works is collectively trying to build a new Web on top of the platform that’s customized for Chinese tastes.


    For example, music services that show song lyrics as they play—an essential feature for China’s karaoke loving audience. Another example is a program that automatically enters different dialing prefixes that save money on calls to certain regions. Because 3G is so expensive in China, a video program called Wonderpod downloads videos onto your phone from your laptop at work, so you can watch them without having to stream them on the commute home. An eReader software company lets you read 60% of the book for free then asks for a payment to read the rest. Because of rampant piracy, there’s no chance of selling eBooks without giving anything away for free, but once people are hooked, if they enjoy it, they’ll pay for the rest of the book out of convenience, Lee argues. The incubator is making a few, broad platform plays with an Android-based operating system called Tapas, an analytics tool for developers called Umeng and Ascending Cloud, a publisher of social games.


    At most, Lee’s mobile companies are getting a couple dollars per user for these apps so these ideas only become huge companies with massive scale. This can’t be just a game played for the top of the pyramid. And there’s no question in Lee’s mind that Android will be bigger in China than the iPhone, because the cost differential is much more pronounced. Because there aren’t many Android models in the US, hardware makers can price the phones close to the iPhone, but in manufacturing-heavy China prices will almost certainly be driven down much faster.


    Lee says the Android devices coming out next year—including manufacturers his companies are working with—cost $200 to $300 per phone. He expects that to fall to around $100 the next year, and possible fall below $100 the year after that. The iPhone will never experience that kind of competitive pressure because only Apple makes it. (Although I could show you plenty of cheaper versions with the an Apple-like logo in the dodgy markets of Shenzhen…)


    And there are no carrier subsidies in China, because 80% of phones are bought independently from airtime. So an iPhone will cost around $600. Already Android will enter the market at half the price. For a big swath of the Chinese population that will make a difference, especially if those prices can get under $100 per phone in just a few years with features more tailored for the market.


    In a lot of ways, this is a strategy that would only work in China—it’s all about volume and counts on a market with hyper-aggressively competitive gadget manufacturing. But with billions of dollars in venture capital sloshing around China, the market to build the best mobile apps could be as cutthroat as the competition to win the hardware wars. Lee has recently inked some strategic partnerships with Foxconn, Chunghwa Telecom, MediaTek Inc and a raft of global investors to help his chances of being the one to profit from the opportunity.


    He’s also moved Innovation Works from Google China’s building to a new location that features what any incubator needs—a hologram that greets you at the front door. I’m not kidding. He told his designer he needed it to look different than any other office and from the look of the pictures, he succeeded. His mobile bets are less certain. But if he wins he’ll have at least one guy to thank: Sergey Brin. A big juicy market opportunity is a lot better parting gift than a watch.


    Social games are the rage these days, but making money from them isn’t easy. Gamers play these titles for free, but Adknowledge is figuring out how game publishers can wind up making money from 100 percent of the players.


    Adknowledge’s Burlingame, Calif.-based Super Rewards subsidiary is launching a three-part system for making money from virtual currency in games. That could help boost the engagement of players in social games and help raise the revenue generated from each user, said Adknowledge chief executive Scott Lynn. Adknowledge can offer this money-making system as a one-stop shop for publishers and game advertisers.


    The three elements include an in-game overlay, offer banners, and a new offer wall for online game publishers. Adknowledge claims the new platform improves the experience for users and increases the number of paying users in a game. Adknowledge is one of a number of companies that give users the option of accepting special offers in lieu of payment for an online game. You can accept an offer such as signing up for a Netflix subscription in return for virtual currency in a game.


    But results show that roughly 75 percent of players do not use offers. Super Rewards can target those missing the offers with an in-game overlay, which brings a single, high-value offer to users within a game. The overlay shows up at strategic moments in a game, such as after the initial load. The offers can include promotional language such as “Get More Coins.”


    The offer banner uses the space around the main game landscape, presenting a mini version of an offer wall during game play. Users can pay for virtual items at the moment with direct payment methods.


    Publishers using the three-part system include The Broth, whose Facebook game Barn Buddy saw its revenue increase 25 percent after using the new system for just five days, said Broth chief executive Markus Weichselbaum. Other publishers have seen a 45 percent increase in the number of new paying users. Adknowledge said developers have seen a 40-percent increase in the number of first-time payers. Super Rewards’ rivals include TrialPay and Offerpal.


    Adknowledge has more than 300 employees and $300 million in revenue, making it the largest privately owned internet advertising network. It was founded in 2004 and has grown through acquisitions. The company has raised $48 million in funding from Technology Crossover Ventures.


    Next Story: Game media firm IGN Entertainment to give free office space to indie game startups Previous Story: DEMO: VentureBeat’s Matt Marshall touts tech and farming trends (video)





    Tokyo Expressway Shinbashi Entrance by ykanazawa1999


    robert shumake

    Olbermann On Sharron Angle Video | Fox <b>News</b> | Media Matters | Mediaite

    You'll never believe this one, but it appears Keith Olbermann isn't the biggest fan of Fox News. But in case there was any doubt, on last night's Countdown he made it clear again, going after what he sees as the network blatantly ...

    Aaron Brown: Cable <b>News</b> Is Too Political

    Aaron Brown said in an interview that he is unhappy with the current state of cable news. Brown, who was a prominent anchor on CNN from 2001-2005 and now teaches journalism at Arizona State University, spoke to the online website ...

    Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 9/23 - Arrowhead Pride

    We're over the hump and headed into Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs are seeing a lot of guarded love. For the most part, people can't ignore our record and at the same time can't ignore our offensive production. Here's today's news.


    robert shumake

    Olbermann On Sharron Angle Video | Fox <b>News</b> | Media Matters | Mediaite

    You'll never believe this one, but it appears Keith Olbermann isn't the biggest fan of Fox News. But in case there was any doubt, on last night's Countdown he made it clear again, going after what he sees as the network blatantly ...

    Aaron Brown: Cable <b>News</b> Is Too Political

    Aaron Brown said in an interview that he is unhappy with the current state of cable news. Brown, who was a prominent anchor on CNN from 2001-2005 and now teaches journalism at Arizona State University, spoke to the online website ...

    Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 9/23 - Arrowhead Pride

    We're over the hump and headed into Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs are seeing a lot of guarded love. For the most part, people can't ignore our record and at the same time can't ignore our offensive production. Here's today's news.