Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The online reputation management Czar Speaks Out

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Making Money Advertising


The daily deal sites Groupon and LivingSocial say they are all about local businesses. They say they can bring mom-and-pop shops new customers in exchange for  shifting their advertising budgets online.


Yet both Groupon and LivingSocial have catapulted into the mainstream with two decidedly un-local deals. Groupon’s most high-profile deal was with the Gap. And on Wednesday LivingSocial is making waves with a deal for another major, national retailer; it is selling $20 Amazon.com gift cards for $10.


But LivingSocial’s Amazon discount has an unusual wrinkle. Unlike with other deals, LivingSocial might be losing money selling the Amazon coupons.


Typically, retailers sell the coupons directly to consumers for the discounted price, and LivingSocial takes a cut, generally 30 percent. But for this deal, LivingSocial bought the gift cards from Amazon and is selling them itself.


LivingSocial declined to say how much it paid Amazon for the gift cards. Amazon also said it would not disclose the terms of the deal.


If LivingSocial paid Amazon $20, then LivingSocial is absorbing the losses. If it paid Amazon less, then Amazon is losing money.


Though Amazon certainly isn’t hurting for customers, it has invested $175 million in LivingSocial, so an increase in business for the deal site is also good business for Amazon. And it looks as if business is increasing.



As of 3:15 p.m., with nearly 17 hours remaining to purchase coupons, LivingSocial had already sold 711,870 coupons for $7,118,700. It seems to be on track to surpass Groupon’s $11 million in sales of the Gap coupon.


Why would LivingSocial agree to the unusual terms for the Amazon deal?


The attention that the high-profile, national deals receive is a useful marketing tactic for the daily deal sites, because they get people to sign up and then become local customers afterward. The Amazon deal is giving LivingSocial, which is Groupon’s biggest competitor but has been living in its shadow, a big publicity boost.


So while LivingSocial and other daily deal sites were conceived as a marketing tool for small businesses, this particular promotion is more of a marketing tool for LivingSocial.




Editor’s note: The following guest post is written by Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote, which is currently the No. 5 app in the Mac App Store. It also didn’t hurt that the app has been prominently featured by Apple.


We just finished our first week on the Mac App Store and it might have been the most important week in Evernote’s history. Here’s how it went and what we learned:


1. Meritocracy is sweet


I remember one of the first computer articles that I ever read (maybe it was in Byte Magazine in the early 80s while I was in junior high). It had a little survey aimed at my fellow nerds. “Do you buy software for your computer?”, was the first question. The choices were, “A) Yes, frequently. B) Yes, sometimes. and C) Rarely, I prefer to write my own.” The fact that C was a viable choice pretty much sums up the early euphoria of the consumer software industry. You just had to make something great and the rest would follow. That was a long time ago.


The following twenty or thirty years brought us monopolies and barriers to entry and this happy state of affairs became a dim memory. Then came the mobile app explosion.


Over the past year, about 70% of Evernote’s new users came from mobile app stores, mostly iOS and Android. This led us to the understandable conclusion that mobile was the crucial thing that made a platform attractive to independent developers. Last week made us realize that the reality is a little bit more nuanced. It isn’t mobile that’s overwhelmingly important, it’s the app store. Until a week ago, all the good app stores just happened to be on mobile devices, but someone with a shiny new Macbook is just as eager to get the best apps as someone with a shiny new iPhone.


A platform without a well-formed app store presents a huge challenge to developers. To succeed on such a platform, the developer has to spend as much time and money on channels, logistics, partnerships and advertising as on actually making a great product. Once an app store takes hold, the software market on a platform starts moving towards a meritocracy. This is imperfect, of course, but focusing on building a great product is the best strategy for succeeding on an app store. This is a huge boon for software nerds of all types, and has resulted in the explosion of mobile apps and services in the past two years. It’s about time that desktops joined the party.


2. Desktop software is viable again


It took a few weeks of non-trivial effort to get our existing Mac application ready for the app store. There’s never a convenient time to take a few weeks out of a busy development schedule, and December is as inconvenient as it gets, but Apple’s developer relations folks were helpful and the approval process itself worked reasonably well once we’d worked out the kinks.


The results speak for themselves. About 320,000 people downloaded Evernote in the first week of the Mac App Store. Of this number, about 120,000 had never used Evernote before, and created new accounts. This represents more than 50% of all the new Evernote accounts created last week. The Mac platform—which used to be in fourth place for new user registrations behind iOS, Android and Windows—has now jumped to first.


It’s obvious in hindsight, but the presence of a well-formed app store is the single most important factor for the viability of a platform for third party developers. If you want to take this a step further and say that a robust third-party software market is the most important factor for the success of the platform overall, well…


I hope Windows gets a good app store soon.


3. Multi-platform users are the best kind


Not only is the Mac App Store getting us new users, it’s making our existing users more valuable. Neat, but how?


So 320,000 people downloaded Evernote in the first week and 120,000 of them became new users. What happened to the rest? Well, about 80,000 people were either switching their Mac client from our direct-download version to the app store version or had simply downloaded the app and didn’t complete registration. Another 100,000 people were existing users who had previously used Evernote from other platforms (mostly the iPhone) and added the Mac version for the first time.


This is both interesting and important. Interesting because the vast majority of these people must have (1) already had Macs, and (2) known about our Mac version from previous interactions with Evernote but hadn’t bothered to install it until the Mac App Store appeared. Important because people who use Evernote from multiple devices are much more likely to stick around and to eventually pay for the premium version. This makes intuitive sense and the data is clear: in a Freemium model, people choose to pay for what they love and the more devices they use Evernote from, the more likely they are to fall in love with it.


The Mac App Store effect works the other way as well: many of the new users who first found us on the Mac App Store went on to also download Evernote on their mobile devices. Our iTunes downloads for iOS devices were up by 54% during the same week that the Mac App Store came out and that’s without any new versions or noticeable change in iOS app visibility.


4. A strike against lowest common denominator


If Evernote’s desktop clients were written in Adobe AIR, I’d be worried right now. The immediate popularity of the Mac App Store, and the iPhone App Store before it, reinforces my belief that in a world of infinite software choice, people gravitate towards the products with the best overall user experience. It’s very hard for something developed in a cross-platform, lowest-common-denominator technology to provide as nice an experience as a similar native app.


As the CEO of a software company, I wish this weren’t true. I’d love to build one version of our App that could work everywhere. Instead, we develop separate native versions for Windows, Mac, Desktop Web, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, HP WebOS and (coming soon) Windows Phone 7. We do it because the results are better and, frankly, that’s all-important. We could probably save 70% of our development budget by switching to a single, cross-platform client, but we would probably lose 80% of our users. And we’d be shut out of most app stores and go back to worrying about distribution.


Does this mean that web apps are doomed? Not at all, but the most successful web apps will be the ones that emphasize unique benefits—sharing, communications, integrations—that are better implemented on the web than in native code. This is the main design goal for the next version of the Evernote web client, by the way.


Lost among all the gloomy economic news of the past few years is the fact that there’s never been a better time to be in software. Sure, the emergence and inevitable dominance of app stores will permanently disrupt existing industry practices—I’m glad we’re not in the business of preventing people from making copies of bits, shipping shrink-wrapped boxes or charging people for periodic upgrades—but a company like Evernote simply could not have attained a fraction of our current momentum even three years ago. App stores, cloud services, cross-platform users and Freemium economics made it all possible. The download numbers are certain to decline a bit as the excitement of the first week finds a sustainable steady-state, but the launch of the Mac App Store will have a major, and permanent, positive impact on developers.


It was worth the wait.



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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


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Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Digital Photography Review

Phase One unveils IQ series digital backs: Phase One has released the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 medium format digital camera backs with 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixel CCD sensors respectively. All three backs feature 3.2" multi-touch rear ...

Jack LaLanne dead at 96 – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

American fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to his long-time agent, Rick Hersh. He was 96. The cause, said Hersh, was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

A tetralogy of science <b>news</b>

Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim ...

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Making Money on Ebay


Popular financial news and commentary website Seeking Alpha seems to have a pretty sweet setup — the site has built up a large readership (40 to 45 million pageviews per month) with articles that are written for free. So the announcement that the site will start paying its contributors looks a bit odd — why start paying for something you were already getting for free?


The move seems especially risky since Seeking Alpha’s Premium Partnership Program will pay a rate of $10 per thousand pageviews. That means a big chunk of the money the site makes from each article will go to the writer. (On the other hand, Seeking Alpha founder and CEO David Jackson told me last week that the site charges its advertisers premium rates thanks to its high-quality audience.)


So why change things? Jackson said it’s because the pay model allows Seeking Alpha to reach a new set of writers. Until now, most contributors were financial advisors or other professionals who saw their articles as a way to build their reputation and attract new customers. But there’s a big pool of writers who have expertise in a specific financial subject but aren’t looking for customer leads (for example if they’re retired, or if they’ve built up knowledge as an individual investor). Those writers need a different incentive to contribute — namely, money.


The ultimate goal, Jackson said, is to become “the eBay of financial content, to put people in business who otherwise wouldn’t be in business.” Your average Seeking Alpha article receives between 2,500 and and 20,000 pageviews, he added — which means a payment of between $20 and $200. (The payments will be made quarterly, and to reduce the company’s overhead, you won’t get paid until you’re owed at least $100.) For some contributors, the payments will just represent an extra bit of spending money, but for others it could be a nice income.


Some of Seeking Alpha’s existing writers will switch to the new model, while others will not, Jackson said, because if you want to get paid, the site will require exclusive rights to the article.


One of the risks of the pay-per-pageview model is that it might encourage sensationalism for the sake of chasing traffic (and making more money). Obviously, the site wants to grow pageviews, but Jackson said he’ll be relying on its editorial team to act as a quality filter as the amount of submissions grows.


Seeking Alpha already has 4,000 registered contributors, Jackson said. The site’s investors include Benchmark Capital, Accel Partners, and DAG Ventures.


Next Story: iPhone 5, iPad 2 rumors abound: dual-core processors, high-resolution display Previous Story: Evidence suggests Stuxnet worm set Iran’s nuclear program back




Source:http://removeripoffreports.net/

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Exclusive: Entertainment <b>News</b> Company TheWrap Acquires <b>...</b>

TheWrap, a venture capital-backed news organization focused on the business of entertainment and media, has acquired ItsOnTheGrid.com (IOTG), TechCrunch has learned. TheWrap made the acquisition for an undisclosed amount of cash and ...


Friday, January 14, 2011

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No, your zodiac sign hasn&#39;t changed – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

Tattoo parlor owners must be salivating. An assertion in a Minneapolis Star Tribune article that our understanding of the zodiac is off by about a month -- and that therefore people have been identifying themselves with the wrong sign ...

Breaking <b>news</b>: EPA vetoes Spruce Mine permit « Coal Tattoo

This news is devastating to the Southern Coal Fields and our entire state. The Spruce Number One permit was issued years ago after undergoing a comprehensive permitting process. It is hard to understand how the EPA at this late hour ...

Blagojevich defense wants Obama subpoenaed - Chicago Breaking <b>News</b>

Attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich today asked a federal judge to subpoena President Barack Obama to testify in Blagojevich's upcoming corruption trial on charges that include allegations Blagojevich sought to sell Obama's former ...


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Making Money







A report to be released from Goldman Sachs today will not only disclose some details about how the secretive firm operates and plans to change their operations in the future — as required by the Business Standards Committee established by CEO Lloyd Blankfein in response to the SEC lawsuit against the them — it "will disclose more about how it makes money," according to Bloomberg News. Of course, it will likely contain only a little bit of information to this effect, seeing as it is only 63 pages, most of which will likely be self-justifying defenses of their existing business model, and because Goldman doesn't give anything away that easily, especially not to "mollify their critics," per the Journal. If you really want to find out how Goldman makes money, you're going to have to look closely.



First, you're going to have to identify and decipher the secret code hidden within the paper, which will lead you to a map located underneath the floorboards of an out-of-the-way cabin, which will lead you to a musty castle in the basement of which sits a nervous owl with a capsule on its foot. The capsule, if you are lucky enough to soothe the owl long enough to remove it, will contain a password to a trap door, which, will lead you to an old but powerful woman who will ask you a series of questions, such as: "If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?" After that, you must pass through an area of extreme heat, an area of extreme cold, and swim 40 lengths through a pool full of Mischievously Tickling Goldfish. Only then you will find the secret, which will be some variation of the fact that the company buys stuff cheap and sells it for more money.



If Pettitte does decide to retire, it's been rumored that the Yankees might make an aggressive pursuit for Soriano to create a lock-down bullpen, one that the Yankees haven't had since the days of Rivera and John Wetteland in 1996.


If the Yankees were to get Soriano, they would have to surrender a first-round draft pick to the Rays, but the Yankees also can be compensated with a draft pick due to Javier Vazquez signing with the Marlins.


As of right now, the Yankees don't have an imminent heir to Rivera's closer job if he retires anytime soon, and they don't have a main setup man after Kerry Wood turned down more money to return to the Cubs this winter.


The Yankees could consider Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson for the setup role, but both have had their struggles in the past, so Soriano would be an instant upgrade to the bullpen and a much better option to follow in Rivera's footsteps.


The White Sox are said to be interested in Soriano after letting Bobby Jenks go, and the Angels have expressed interest after losing out on Adrian Beltre and Carl Crawford this winter as well. But the Angels also signed Scott Downs to a three-year deal, plus already have Fernando Rodney as their current closer.


Although Soriano is a solid closer and could easily get a closing job this winter, he has said he would be a setup man for only one team, meaning the Yankees.



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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


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Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity&#39;s Fox <b>News</b> Show Monday (VIDEO)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17.

BillBoard - Blogs - The Buffalo <b>News</b>

The Buffalo News updated every day with news from Buffalo, New York. Links to national and business news, entertainment listings, recipes, sports teams, classified ads, death notices.

Visualize This: Where the public gets its <b>news</b>

Perhaps the label should be something like “Percentage of respondents.” (The folks who collected the data allowed respondents to cite two “main” sources of news, which confused me.) I'll make the change. Thanks! ...

Monday, January 10, 2011

Wotlk Making Money

[blogsearch]
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Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


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Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


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Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


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Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.


bench craft company reviews bench craft company reviews

Arizona Shooting <b>News</b> (LIVE UPDATES)

PHOENIX -- A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people ...

Fox <b>News</b> | Gabrielle Giffords | Sarah Palin | Mediaite

Fox News Hits 'Kill Switch' on Giffords Vigil as Mourner Says 'And I Say to You, Sarah Palin'

Transfer <b>news</b>: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti targets AC Milan <b>...</b>

Chelsea boss targets AC Milan striker, Aston Villa plot player swap for Newcastle star and Real Madrid warn Man United, Man City and Chelsea off defender.

Friday, January 7, 2011

foreclosure



The financial costs of the seemingly endless foreclosure crisis have been widely reported with Credit Suisse estimating that as many as 12 million families will lose their homes before this is all over. The predatory lending that led to the spike in foreclosures, and the robo-signings coupled with the illegal forcible removal of many families from their homes, promise to keep these issues in the headlines for years to come.



Lost amidst the news reports, legislative hearings, scholarly journal articles and books, documentary films, and blogs of all sorts are the perhaps more profound non-financial consequences. There have been some reports of the family tensions that often surround financial struggles, the hardships children face when they are forced to change schools, and related social stresses. But a deeper, darker challenge may be on the horizon resulting from the mistrust and betrayal families report as a result of the deception they have experienced in the mortgage market. While also feeling shame and embarrassment, even personal failure, for having allowed themselves to be taken in, these families are also aware of the exploitation they have experienced at the hands of their "trusted" financial advisors. That mistrust threatens the recovery some believe has begun in recent months.



As the British sociologist Anthony Giddens has noted, in complex societies where each individual cannot become expert in all the institutional contexts in which they must operate, trust is essential for people to negotiate the various realms, including financial institutions, in which they operate. People must feel secure in the trust networks they establish in order to survive and prosper, and for society itself to advance.



In a series of in-depth interviews nationwide with 22 adults who are at risk of foreclosure (they were either behind in their mortgage payments at some point in the past two years or, in two instances, had already lost their homes due to foreclosure) all respondents expressed both anger and personal responsibility. The interviews lasted between 30 and 90 minutes. In no question with any respondent was the word "trust" used. But in every case but one, the respondents explicitly referred to the mistrust they now have for anyone associated with the mortgage lending industry in particular or financial services generally.



One woman who, unknowingly, took out a variable rate mortgage told us "We didn't have any reason to believe that he would lie to us or would mislead us on this. I mean there was no reason for us not to trust him." Another young woman described the reaction of her elderly uncle who was misled into taking an adjustable rate loan, "He doesn't trust anybody now, nobody."



Homeownership, of course, has long been one of the pre-eminent symbols of success in the United States. Self-respect for many is wrapped up in the fact that they could call themselves a homeowner. Taking care of one's family, being a contributing member of society, the very identity of who we are is often measured by the fact of being a homeowner. When that status is lost, it can be devastating. Many who are caught in the bursting of the housing bubble individualize their troubles and blame themselves, in part, for their situation no matter how egregious the deceit on the part of the lender. Anger is directed at their broker and themselves.



As one homeowner, whose family income was inflated by a broker in one of the loan documents, offered, "...if I had to do it all over again I would definitely have legal representation just to be there, cross my 't's' and dot my 'I's'"



One man acknowledged the haste with which he signed a loan where the broker misled him into thinking that various credit card loans would be consolidated. Instead, he was left with credit card payments on top of the mortgage, "Yes, I wouldn't have been so rushed in the process...we should've known better, the things that they tried to pull."



So our respondents exhibited a double-consciousness. They knew they were victims yet they still held themselves responsible. More problematic, in various ways all said they would be far more cautious in the future, with some indicating they would not likely deal with financial institutions again. In reference to the use of credit in the future, one respondent observed "Don't let them have your money and don't listen to them. I will be borrowing a lot less and I will be doing a lot less than what I did." After watching his interest rate increase from 8 percent to 11 percent one man stated, "I tell my kids, you know, trust no one. No one out there, no one's your friend, and I'm learning that more and more each day. I don't trust them anymore."



From a public policy perspective, even if the overriding concerns are the strictly financial costs, or more cynically the well-being of the "too-big-to-fail" institutions, these psychological and emotional costs may pose far greater challenges to our economy than the dollar amounts represented by the mounting number of foreclosures. Observers at all ends of the political spectrum recognize the importance of (prudent) risk-taking. When based on a foundation of knowledge, hard work, and no small amount of faith, entrepreneurship (which means risk-taking) is essential for any meaningful economic recovery. Refusal to participate in the nation's financial institutions (assuming they are properly managed) due to lack of trust or any other reason, can only forestall that recovery.



Small business operators, homeowners, and citizens generally must have trust and faith in complex institutions, including banks, if our economy and society are to prosper. Whether our focus is Wall Street or Main Street, our families and homes or our global institutions, focusing only on the immediately transparent (and readily quantifiable) value of the foreclosed homes understates the true costs of the crisis and will only extend and exacerbate the years of struggle before us.



Lauren M. Ross is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology at Temple University. Gregory D. Squires is a professor of sociology at George Washington University. This essay was drawn from their forthcoming paper, "The Personal Costs of Subprime Lending and the Foreclosure Crisis: A Matter of Trust, Insecurity, and Institutional Deception" to be published in the March issue of Social Science Quarterly.






Obviously for REO there will be two peaks. The first was in late 2008 and largely private-label securities and subprime, and the 2nd will probably be in 2011 and be heavily GSE REOs.



The height of the 2nd peak depends on the number of foreclosures, and the how quickly the lenders can sell the REOs. The foreclosure-gate related moratoriums have slowed the foreclosure process, but foreclosures will probably pick up again in early 2011. My guess is the 2nd peak will happen in 2011 and be close to the same height as in 2008.



One of the key issues is the number of delinquent loans (and loans in the foreclosure process). I use the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) quarterly data and LPS Applied Analytics monthly data to track delinquencies.



Click on graph for larger image in graph gallery.



This graph based on the MBA quarterly data shows the percent of loans delinquent by days past due. The MBA reported that 13.52 percent of mortgage loans were either one payment delinquent or in the foreclosure process in Q3 2010 (seasonally adjusted). This was down from 14.42 percent in Q2 2010.



Most of the decline in the overall delinquency rate was in the seriously delinquent categories (90+ days or in foreclosure process). Part of the reason is lenders were being more aggressive in foreclosing in Q3 (before the foreclosure pause) - hence the surge in REO inventory in the first graphs! Some of the decline was probably related to modifications too.



This graph provided by LPS Applied Analytics shows the percent delinquent, percent in foreclosure, and total non-current mortgages through November.



The percent in the foreclosure process is trending up because of the foreclosure moratoriums.



According to LPS, 9.02% of mortgages are delinquent (down from 9.29% in October), and another 4.08% are in the foreclosure process (up from 3.92% in October) for a total of 13.10%.



With falling house prices, the delinquency rate could start rising again since more homeowners will have negative equity. However just because a homeowner has negative equity doesn't mean they will default. It usually takes another factor such as loss of employment, divorce, or a medical emergency for the homeowner to default.



On the other hand, an improving labor market will help push down the delinquency rate. My guess is the overall delinquency rate has peaked, although I expect the delinquency rate to stay elevated for some time.



Ten Questions:

• Question #1 for 2011: House Prices

• Question #2 for 2011: Residential Investment

• Question #3 for 2011: Delinquencies and Distressed house sales

• Question #4 for 2011: U.S. Economic Growth

• Question #5 for 2011: Employment

• Question #6 for 2011: Unemployment Rate

• Question #7 for 2011: State and Local Governments

• Question #8 for 2011: Europe and the Euro

• Question #9 for 2011: Inflation

• Question #10 for 2011: Monetary Policy



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Thursday, January 6, 2011

About Making Money

I have never been a gambler.


I pay attention to horse racing twice most years, and three times at most. I find out the winner of the Kentucky Derby (though usually not by watching the actual race) and then, when the Preakness rolls around, I check to see if the same horse has won both races.


If so, I pay just enough attention to learn if that horse also wins the Belmont Stakes, taking racing’s prestigious Triple Crown. The last time a horse actually won all three races was in 1978, so since then my excitement over the Belmont Stakes has been pretty limited.


In spite of all that, I thought I knew at least one thing about the gambling world: The house always wins. But it turns out that’s not the case when New York City or New York State takes the bets.


In early December, after about 40 years in business, New York City’s Off-Track Betting Corporation (OTB) closed its doors when it failed to receive a hoped-for legislative reprieve. In its last full fiscal year, ending March 31, the state-controlled corporation operated at a loss of $37.2 million after handing over the money it was required to give to the state, local governments, and race tracks. At the time of its closing, OTB had also racked up a pension bill that, together with health benefits promised to retirees, could be greater than $600 million.


This is a pretty astonishing feat considering that OTB’s business consisted of taking money from people and then giving some of it back to them. This is a business which was previously handled by neighborhood bookies, who never seemed to have a problem making money at it. To be fair, the bookies probably had a less generous pension plan.


Yet both New York City and New York State managed to fail to make money in the business of taking money for nothing. The city finally gave up in 2008, when it handed its mess over to the state.


Officials have tried to blame OTB’s collapse on decreased interest in horse racing. Speaking with The New York Times, John D. Sabini, chairman of the State Racing and Wagering Board, referred to off-track betting as “an industry that’s having a tough time…in a tough economy.” But while decreased demand is a fine excuse for not making much money, a gambling outfit should still be able to avoid losing money. All you have to do is reduce expenses to match revenues.


OTB could have easily closed down many or all of its betting parlors and relied on a small staff to manage Internet and phone traffic. For some businesses, atmosphere is everything, but OTB considered it a major upgrade in “customer amenities” when it installed restrooms and seating in 1993. It seems safe to say then that, while some may have enjoyed a sense of camaraderie in the storefront parlors, most people didn’t turn to off-track betting for the luxurious environment. With the cost savings from closing physical locations, OTB could have done some advertising to try to boost demand. That is what any rational manager would have done.


Unfortunately, instead of having rational managers, OTB had New York City and then New York State.


OTB was designed to function as a public benefit corporation, an entity that operates like a private business but turns over its profits to the state. However, everyone knew that OTB, being affiliated with New York City, was almost certain to become a bastion of patronage, if not corruption, and probably would never admit to having any profits to give back to the government. So lawmakers decided to have the corporation pay the city, and later also the state, a portion of its gross revenue, rather than its net profits. As Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow of Mount Vernon succinctly explained: “If they’re allowed to pay on the net there would be nothing left over.”


This structure meant that the state was sure of getting some money, but it also meant the government had little reason to encourage OTB to cut costs. Meanwhile OTB had no assurance that it would have enough money after paying the state and the city to actually cover its operating costs, let alone reinvest in its business. The result was inevitable. Now that inevitability has come to pass.


It may take some skill to lose money collecting bets, but it’s the kind of skill New York has in spades. When it comes to the sport of mismanagement, there’s no doubt about it: The people who run the Empire State are thoroughbreds.


For more articles on financial, business, and other topics, view the Palisades Hudson newsletter, Sentinel, or subscribe to my daily opinion column, Current Commentary.


Values, Value and Valuation — The money is all relative


Oh how timing sometimes works out to be funny. I was driving home tonight and started thinking about the value of products, the valuation of companies and how the values that a company portrays can change the rest. No sooner had I sat down to write this piece than the news of Goldman Sachs investing $500 million into Facebook broke and refreshed the entire thing in my mind. So let’s look at these three things, and try to see if one manages to sway the rest.


Values


Do you, like me, find yourself more inclined to use or purchase something that comes from a company that you can believe in? The ethos of a company can — for me at least — completely break me away from the product. That very fact, because I feel that I’m likely not alone in my actions (or lack thereof) can have a serious impact on the bottom line of a company.


Look at Facebook, for instance. When the Social Graph was announced and the new privacy changes went into effect, many people threw up their hands in disgust. But many others continued with life as usual, even if a bit annoyed. Why? Because Facebook has this outward appearance of a company that’s simply trying to do cool things, and it needs information in order to do them. The company’s values seem, for the most part, to be in line with the things that we Internet users want. As such, there was a lot more wagging and a lot less barking from the angry dogs crowd.


You’re starting a company? There’s likely something to be said for developing an ethos ahead of time, making it known and then sticking to it. Would Google be where it is today if not for the “don’t be evil” tag line? Even if you don’t fully believe that the company runs that way, you still remember it. Point made.


Value


When value exceeds cost, even by a single cent, the purchase will be made – Grant Cardone


That quote is one that has stuck with me for some time now. A few years ago I was making my living selling cars and it is sometimes exceedingly difficult to overcome the objection of price. In the technology world, we’re constantly being offered products for “free”. The only cost? A bit of information, a slice of our privacy or somethings similar. But then, after using those “free” products, we start to build our own value for them.


Don’t believe me? Just look at some of the things that you likely use every day. Gmail? You’d pay for that. Twitter? You don’t want to admit it, but it’s likely become a valuable asset to your daily Internet life. The same can be said for so many things and yet we get them for “free”. But there’s a down side to this issue as well — it becomes very difficult for a maker to charge for a product when there are free alternatives. Don’t believe that? When was the last time that a box office movie didn’t get a torrent version?


And yet, even as companies try to build value in their products, still others think that the economy allows for them to set their own values and tell us what something is worth. TV networks are probably the most well-known perpetrators of this heresy. Apple TV launched, ABC and Fox decided to jump on board and see what would happen. Some of the rest? They decided that $.99 was devaluing the product and yet as the provider of the product, there is no one entity that is more unqualified to name the value.


Consider it a lesson in business, I suppose. The potential buyer will determine the value of your product. Always.


Valuation


Now here’s a sticky one. Valuation is one of those strange things because it means so many different things to different people. To the potential investors, it’s a measure of how much money can be made. To the business owner it’s a gauge of how well the business has done. To the end user? It’s…honestly not much.


As a case in point, around TNW we love Twitter. We want to see it succeed and we are sure that it will. The valuation continues to climb prior to any IPO and yet, as users of the service, it really doesn’t matter much to us. Sure, it would matter if the site closed its doors, but beyond that there simply isn’t anything about the valuation number that matters.


And so, as an entrepreneur you have to ask yourself where the balance lies. Do your company values allow you to build value in your product? If so, then the chances are that your valuation will end up right where it needs to be. There’s a fair amount of truth in the thought that, if you handle the small stuff, the big stuff will fall into place.


So with that, I offer you a thought going into the new year — start with your values. The rest will fall into place.




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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


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surface encounters michigan

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


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surface encounters michigan

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters michigan

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters noblesville
surface encounters macomb mi

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters rock tops
surface encounters michigan

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters michigan
surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters michigan

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters noblesville
surface encounters

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters
surface encounters rock tops

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters noblesville
surface encounters

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters noblesville

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters michigan
surface encounters rock tops

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters
surface encounters macomb mi

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters macomb
surface encounters rock tops

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters rock tops
surface encounters macomb

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters noblesville

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 1/6 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy!

The <b>News</b> from Norway : CJR

As the remaining Norwegian-American newspaper, we honor our predecessors by sharing the news of the vibrant Norwegian-American community with our 20000 readers every week. Posted by Christy on Thu 6 Jan 2011 at 01:15 AM ...

Climate <b>News</b> Snooze? - NYTimes.com

Coverage of human-driven climate change implodes. And so?


surface encounters