Sunday, August 8, 2010

Possible new president of Haiti as Wyclef Jean, previous Fugees Frontman

Wyclef Jean has announced he is running for president of Haiti. The earthquake that hit Haiti last January was devastating and Wyclef Jean, as the Grammy winner as frontman of the Fugees, thinks he needs to help the individuals of this native land. Jean’s running within the election is going to be interesting considering it is one of the most essential elections Haiti will ever have. Most are concerned because Jean has no political experience. Since he hasn’t lived in Haiti since he was 9 and moved to live in New York and New Jersey, most are concerned about his qualifications.

Wyclef Jean’s presidential aspirations

Wyclef Jean’s presidential aspirations were revealed on a Miami radio station Thursday morning. Jean told the Miami Herald of his plans to become president after stepping down as chairman of the Yélé Haiti Foundation that he started. The Yélé committee was responsible for raising $ 9.1 million to help with Haiti earthquake relief, reports the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The earthquake was a 7.0 magnitude which happened January 12 and devastated the capitol, Port au Prince, and Jean was one of the first people to respond to it.

Haiti earthquake is reason why Jean wants to run

Wyclef Jean plans on running for president because he thinks he was called to it. He told the New York Times:

“I’m not running for president so much as I’m being drafted. The youth, in their mind, if I don’t come and put a perspective to things, they feel there’s no future for the country, and I have to agree with them.”

Jean was going to, as outlined by the Times, announce his candidacy on “Larry King Live” after registering with the elections board in Haiti on Thursday. Candidates for the Haitian presidency must be citizens with five or more years of residency in Haiti. Even though he left the country as a child, Jean said he met both needs. Born in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, he holds a Haitian passport.

Jean thinks he’s like Havel and Reagan

Vaclav Havel and Ronald Reagan are individuals that Jean talks about when referring to his transition, reports Time magazine who talked to NPR. Before Reagan and Havel got elected, they got a lot of experience which is as opposed to Jean. A musician that succeeded in politics quite a bit was previous Midnight Oil frontman who became Australia’s environment minister, Peter Garrett. Blur drummer Dave Rowntree ran for a seat for the British parliament this year but was trounced along with the rest of the Labour Party.

Jean’s Haiti in poor condition

The election prepared for November 28 could be one of probably the most essential ones for Haiti as Wyclef Jean tries to win. There was an earthquake in Haiti taking 300,000 lives which the president will have to work on helping the country because of. Although it has been six months since it happened, 1.6 million individuals have camps they are living in.

Further reading

Miami Herald

miamiherald.com/2010/08/05/1762628/its-official-wyclef-jean-to-run.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/05/world/americas/05haiti.html?_r=1

NPR

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128996915



Companies can magnify profits with employee financial education

A company doesn’t do as well when their employees can’t even handle personal finances. Money problems at home can lead to lower productivity at work, health troubles and excessive turnover. Employees with financial literacy mean a company will get hundreds of thousands of dollars a year more. Health insurance and matching retirement plans have hurt employee benefits during the economy fairly bad. With personal finance, companies will nevertheless have the chance to change their future for the better. Resource for this article – Employee financial education is proven to boost the bottom line by Personal Money Store.

Educational financial security

When working towards financial security, a company can do a lot more than give a paycheck to their employees. 20 hours of work each month is wasted on worrying about finances for those with financial difficulties reports the Durango Herald. Rather than spending what they make, the 40 percent of Americans spend 110 percent of what they make every year, while 57 percent don’t budget their money at all. Money and debt issues generally relate to relationship issues also. 50 percent of workers divorced said financial security was the reason.

Company profits and financial literacy

The goal of the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation is for employees to start getting their education. As outlined by the PFEEF, financial literacy programs help a bottom line be fulfilled with more money. Productivity improves, along with morals and company loyalty when employees are better educated in finances. Employees show up more often, are less distracted, do not quit as often and operational risks are minimized when employees have financial education. Companies are able to see how their company specifically could be helped with financial education on PFEEF’s website which has an investment model with an ROI calculator. Employee financial literacy means companies will get a three to one investment.

Employee financial education in action

Financial literacy is a requirement of Weyerhaeuser which is a timber company that is depending in Washington state. Business Week reports that Weyerhaeuser is acknowledged as one of America’s leaders in providing financial education to nearly 14,000 employees. 40 retirement, benefits and wellness programs just last year were offered to its employees. After a retirement seminar for employees, 99 percent said they could make better choices for their retirement while 88 percent they would change retirement choices they already did make. Participants within the program thought the seminars were a valuable employee benefit that enhanced their optimistic feelings about Weyerhaeuser.

Find more information on this subject

Durango Herald

durangoherald.com/sections/News/Columnists/Money_Savvy/2010/08/04/Workers_debt_can_be_companys_problem/

ROI

personalfinancefoundation.org/roi/roi-model.html

Business Week

businessweek.com/investor/content/jul2009/pi20090722_246198.htm



Thursday, August 5, 2010

Simple, easy ways to conserve money and plan a wedding on a budget

How to plan a wedding on a budget and save money

Planning a wedding shouldn’t have to cost an arm and two legs. You can, in fact, stay away from breaking the financial institution and needing a last minute cash advance loans by learning a few tips and tricks on solutions to plan a wedding on a budget. By using these simple wedding preparing tips, no matter what your spending limit is, you can put together a beautiful low-cost wedding with lasting memories of a lifetime. Article resource – Wedding ideas – plan a wedding on a spending budget by Personal Money Store.

Plan a wedding on spending budget with an evenhanded guest list

The guest list is one of the first places you should look if you are seeking to really plan a wedding on a budget. Reducing the number of guests will no doubt reduce the amount of money you will have to dish out on food and caterers, among other costs. Each time a name is added to the list, you’re adding more tension to your budget. So save yourself some trouble and skip inviting those you haven’t spoken to in a long time or ones you just can’t stand to be around. Don’t feel obligated to please everybody; it is your wedding, your spending budget and, most importantly, you that need the pleasing.

Save money on a wedding dress

Choosing the right wedding dress is definitely one of the main highlights of preparing a wedding. However, for individuals who are preparing on a spending budget, it can get quite overwhelming. So before you take out a cash loan to pay for that expensive wedding dress, think of other choices you may have. Get online, look around and compare prices from numerous different places. You are able to uncover numerous great websites that offer a wide selection of beautiful wedding dresses that won’t cave a hole in your pocket. And for the brides who do not mind, possibly renting a dress is right for you.

The best time to have a wedding

When and where you determine to hold your wedding can also leave a huge impact on your budget. Planning an off-season wedding can conserve you money; off-season months vary depending on your regional climate. For warm-weather states, off season savings begin during summer and vice-versa for places with colder climates. Planning an off-season wedding can conserve you large bucks because numerous wedding vendors are out hunting for business and are willing to offer excellent saving deals to draw you in. Also, the wedding location doesn’t have to be at a lavish club house or hotel. You are able to put together a grand wedding at local parks and restaurants, or even at your community college.

Saving on food and drinks

Do not hesitate to inform your caterer of your saving plans and ask about the least expensive entrees on the menu. Would a buffet cost less than a seated dinner? Can you pass up the primary course and just stick with drinks and appetizers? Can you serve only wine and beer instead of having a full bar? The cost of food can take up a huge portion of your spending budget, so do not be afraid to make any changes to the menu if necessary.



Wednesday, August 4, 2010

President Obama announces withdrawal of soldiers from Iraq by September

Obama declares Iraq troop withdrawal prior to September

President Obama ran on a platform which integrated the withdrawal of military from Iraq. Creating a plan for the withdrawal of America’s military was begun just after his election. Following the program for withdrawal was put in motion, the White House has kept it on schedule. By the end of August, only 50,000 American military will remain in Iraq. It is projected that all American forces will have left Iraq by the end 2011.

Control of Iraq to revert to Iraqi authorities

The President announced that Iraqi authorities could be put in control of military operations by August 31, according to The Guardian. The announcement was made as the President spoke before the Disabled American Veterans conference in Atlanta. He directly mentioned the withdrawal as part of his campaign promises. About 90,000 troops have already been withdrawn from Iraq since he took office. After the August 31 deadline, after which all authority of military operations will transfer to Iraqi officials, 50,000 American troops will remain initially as an advisory body. Combat operations by American troops will cease at that time.

Focus on Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is still ongoing, though the Iraq war is winding down. Obama swore he won’t stand for the Taliban or Al Qaeda returning to power, as outlined by CNN. There has been scandal and outrage over the war in Afghanistan lately. A scandalous Rolling Stone interview prompted the firing of General Stanley McChrystal, and the Wikileaks release of 90,000 pages of documents pertaining to the Afghan conflict have created a firestorm concerning the long term occupation of Afghanistan.

The beginning of the end; or the beginning’s end

The timetable for withdrawal of American troops from Iraq is going forward as planned. However, the Afghan conflict is far from being resolved. Afghanistan has more U.S. troops than Iraq, and there is a growing belief the war in Afghanistan is not winnable. The Afghanistan conflict does not have an ending in sight.

Find more details on this subject

guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/02/barack-obama-us-iraq-combat

cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/02/obama.iraq.drawdown/index.html?hpt=T1



Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Yes there is an International Beer Day- August 5

Don’t just sit around and put up with the summer heat, get out and enjoy International Beer Day held every year on August 5. Started in 2007, International Beer Day seeks to celebrate beer, brewers, bartenders, bars and friends. There is a growing number of International Beer Day celebrations, or you are able to effortlessly start up your own.

International Beer Day and Celebrating

Santa Cruz, California is where International Beer Day began. Checking with local breweries is a good place to start if you are seeking for some place to celebrate this holiday. Although easier than that would be to just drink some beers with some friends.

Beer comes in all shapes and sizes for International Beer Day

The light lager style of beer is the most prominent within the United States, and the type you are most likely to see people drinking. Microbreweries are putting that light lager style to shame and bringing into popularity more craft beers. The Brewers Association reported that craft beers made a 10 percent increase in sales in 2009. Within the same report they also noted that there was a 2 percent decrease in national beer sales. One way to celebrate National Beer Day is to go outside of your norm and try some craft beers. Who knows you may really end up enjoying the flavor. The Brewers Association recognizes more than 150 styles of beer, and more are brewed each day.

Try your hand on International Beer Day at beer pairing

Beer pairing is becoming increasingly popular with the wide variety of beers that you can now choose from. There are beer sommeliers who can help you choose exactly which beer you should pair with your meal, and serve it in a perfect glass. When you have found the right beer for your dinner it should cut, compliment and contrast your food. If you can do that a need for a beer professional isn’t necessary. You are bound to conserve cash when pairing with beer instead of wine when your average beer is generally less than $ 10. Use International Beer day to buy a couple of new flavors and try something new, when enjoying the day altogether.



Monday, August 2, 2010

Billy the Kid shot with pardon making family angry at Sheriff

July 14, 1881, Pat Garrett shot Billy the Kid stopping the career as an outlaw and murderer. Nearly 130 years later, governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico has supposedly considered granting a pardon that was promised to Billy the Kid by New Mexico’s governor before he was gunned down by Garrett. News of Richardson’s potential pardon of Billy the Kid angered Garrett’s descendants, who are calling it an insult and defamation of their ancestor.

The Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett saga

Garrett took Billy the Kid in under arrest in 1879 for murdering a county sheriff. As outlined by the Los Angeles Times, William Bonney which is the real name of Billy the Kid, would testify on another murder in exchange for a pardon by the New Mexico Governor Lew Wallace. The pardon wasn’t given although Billy the Kid did end up testifying in the case. Billy went to court and was ordered to have the death sentence for what happened. Billy the Kid murdered two deputies on the way to his hanging. Garrett found Billy a couple of months later and shot him when he was sleeping.

Did Billy the Kid really die in there?

Richardson wanted to check on the issue of whether a pardon should are issued which is why the Billy the Kid stuff came up again. The Associated Press reports the governor once offered state resources to examine whether Garrett killed Billy the Kid and not an innocent man. Billy the Kid may very well have lived by the name “Brushy Bill” in Texas until about 1950. Santa Fe lawyers were put on the case to represent Billy the Kid so every little thing could be made right.

Publicity stunt by Bill Richardson

Richardson’s interest in Billy the Kid’s pardon prompted an angry response from Garrett’s family. A letter to Richardson from the Garrett family was shown in the El Paso Times saying the governor was making up stories that no longer show the truth and how great their ancestor really was. ”The history of New Mexico has been permanently disfigured by the element of doubt alone,” was a statement made in that letter from the Garretts. Numerous people think there is really no point in giving a pardon to someone well known as an outlaw. “There is no point in restoring the civil rights of a dead man,” historian Drew Gomber told the El Paso Times. “It’s a publicity stunt by the governor”.

Discover more information on this subject

Los Angeles Times

articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/14/opinion/la-oe-gardner-billythekid-20100714

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hLcwJIblvIblKowDQ4Fcr2Ub0nRwD9H9AJEG0

El Paso Times

elpasotimes.com/ci_15626727?source=most_viewed



Sunday, August 1, 2010

Bankruptcy possible for Teresa Giudice, housewives star

One of the stars of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Teresa Giudice, is facing bankruptcy with her husband. The Teresa Giudice auction is slated for Aug. 22. Teresa Giudice and her husband owe $ 11 million which is why their belongings could be sold.

Teresa Giudice auction to help pay back debts

Teresa Giudice filed for bankruptcy in October. With over $ 11 million in debts, the couple was unable to keep up with their bills. The debt could be paid off with this auction which was arranged by the court and trustee. Giudice’s lawyer is fighting the auction although it will likely happen on August 22.

Debts the Teresa Giudice auction is intended to pay

The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star has a lot of debt. They get $ 79,000 a year in joint income. Bravo TV pays Teresa Giudice $ 3,333 a month. Her husband claims $ 3,250 per month in income from his stucco and stone company. With this income, the couple has a $ 1.8 million mansion in Towaco, N.J. They also have bought homes they’ll be losing in Lincoln Park and on the Jersey Shore. $ 5 million is owed to previous real-estate partners and they need to pay a fertility clinic $ 12,000 also. Teresa Giudice says that no more than $ 400 a month has been spent on clothes although she’s been seen spending $ 2,000 in just ten minutes.

Items sold at the Teresa Giudice auction

The Teresa Giudice auction is intended to start in the Towaco home around noon if it isn’t really stopped. Chandeliers, a pool table, sofas and flat screen TVs are expected to be sold at the auction. The attention that Teresa Giudice has received because of this auction may well drive prices on the items up past their value. Teresa Giudice won’t see any of that money so it doesn’t matter to them, and maybe they’ll do better within the future.

Discover videos of Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub

youtube.com/watch?v=wN3H61WtsPM and amp;feature=related