Hochul (D) wins chair from GOP in special House election

Tuesday’s special House election in N.Y.’s 26th Congressional District showed Democrat Kathy Hochul taking the seat from the GOP. Hochul won just barely, beating her Republican challenger Jane Corwin 47 percent to 43 percent. Jack Davis, once a Democrat but now a member of the Tea Party, earned 9 percent of the votes.

Not happy about changes made for Medicare

The primary issues Hochul addressed in her campaign were the changes in Medicare proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan. Hochul vehemently opposed the changes. There was a debate with Ryan’s budget plan supporter Corwin last week where Hochul said: “I will fight any plan that tries to decimate Medicare. That is something people in this district feel passionately about, and I do as well.”

A comment was given by Rep. Steve Israel of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He said: “Even in one of the most Republican districts, seniors and independent voters rejected the Republican plan to end Medicare.”

House liked the Medicare changes

There were 15 democrats and 4 republicans that voted against Ryan’s Medicare plan on April 15. It was passed by the House still. Individuals younger than 55 would be able to take advantage of the changes which would allow federally subsidizes premiums for those younger than 55.

How Obama feels about the win

On Tues, Obama made a statement praising the Hochul win. “Kathy has shown, through her victory and throughout her career, that she will fight for the families and companies in western New York, and I look forward to working with her when she gets to Washington.”

Medicare decisions for Republicans

Eric Cantor is the House Republican leader. He disputed claims that victory was even based on the Medicare issue. “This race is about the fact that it’s a three-way race,” Cantor said to reporters.

Sex scandal causes somebody to lose their job

A chair was lost when Republican Rep. Chris Less had a sex scandal. Hochul will not take that seat in his place. Lee had nothing left to do but step down in February. There were shirtless photos of him shown publicly after he sent them to a woman he met on Craigslist.

Even more vacancies

Later this year, there will be two more special House elections held. One, to be held in July, will be to replace California Democrat Jane Harman. In Sept, a political election will be held in Nevada to replace Republican Dean Heller. Heller has been appointed to the Senate to fill the chair vacated by John Ensign.

Articles cited

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/24/new-york-special-election_n_866074.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43161820/ns/politics-capitol_hill

Chicago Tribune

chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-pn-ryan-special-election-20110525,0,3908152.story

Tim Pawlenty states completely no to ethanol subsidies

The Daily Caller reports that new presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty told Corn Belt Iowans Monday that ethanol subsidies must cease. The previous Minnesota governor’s “Time for Truth” strategy has pulled no stops, claiming that “bailouts, handouts and carve-outs” cannot co-exist with such a huge federal deficit. Intellectual Takeout explains that ethanol fuel supporters cling to the renewable fuel argument, but enough criticisms of ethanol are there to warrant exploration of whether there should be government subsidies for it in the first place.

America and corn

Growing corn remains an indelible stroke on the United States agrarian canvas. It is so essential that it has been sung about. “The Boy Who Would not How Corn” is a song that talks about it:

“Why do you come for me to wed?
Can’t even make your own corn grain.
Single I am and will remain;
A lazy man I won’t maintain.”

Business takes over

Corn is more than just something culture has brought to America now. It is something the automotive industry has been more interested in with ethanol as a renewable resource since fuel efficiency has become so significant. Political lobbies like the National Corn Growers Association have given ethanol fuel production its full support.

Pawlenty is just one of many that do not support the subsidy. He doesn’t think it is worth it. There have already been shortages in corn creating a price surge because grains have been used to produce alternative fuels to gasoline. Cheap grain is more valuable as food than fuel, argues Pawlenty. He helped Minnesota manage its fiscal challenges while reducing ethanol subsidies, and he believes he can do the same for the U.S.

“I’m here today to tell Iowans the truth about federal energy subsidies,” said Pawlenty during his presidential candidacy announcement. “(That includes) federal subsidies for ethanol… (They must) be phased out gradually. We need to do it fairly. But we need to do it.”

Fuel efficiency connection to ethanol

When comparing ethanol to traditional gasoline, it has 34 percent less energy potential per unit of volume, several scientists explain. As a result, ethanol only automobile engines use as much as 50 percent more fuel than a standard gas motor.

The failure to set up a solid connection between ethanol fuel and greater miles per gallon brings ethanol’s viability into question. It may not be possible to add ethanol fuel to the mix considering the idea that Keith Crain and others have that national MGP standards need to go up.

Citations

Auto News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110523/OEM01/305239986/1137

The Daily Caller

dailycaller.com/2011/05/23/pawlenty-announces-2012-run-under-banner-of-truth-tells-iowans-that-ethanol-subsidies-must-be-phased-out/

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel

Intellectual Takeout

intellectualtakeout.org/library/agriculture/ethanol-renewable-energy

National Corn Growers Association

ncga.com/

Tim Pawlenty

timpawlenty.com/

Tim Pawlenty, et al, on ethanol subsidies

youtube.com/watch?v=V5y6E2TQTw0

Acting sexy outlawed in Utah with law

Laws that control intercourse are difficult for many people to even consider. This is also true in Utah. According to the AP, two Utah escort services have submitted a federal lawsuit against the state since the broadly phrased solicitation ordinances not only ban prostitution, but make acting sexy illegal.

Implied offerings of sex are now banned in Utah

According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, Utah adopted its currently worded anti-prostitution laws in order to assist undercover agents working stings within the sex trade. In order to prove they are not police, prostitutes ask officers to “expose or touch themselves” sometimes. This won’t be an issue anymore if it is against Utah state law. Any “lewd” or “suggestive” nonverbal act isn’t illegal with the amendments to Utah’s sex laws on top of straight out asking for money from sex.

Burbank told the media that officers will not target non-prostitutes, but will simply weed out illegal behavior within the sex trade, particularly when it involves the under-aged.

“Officers were being put in a position that we’re not going to allow, so we took a different direction,” he told the AP.

Is it a crime to be sexy?

The escort service will be represented by attorney Andrew McCullough in the lawsuit. He is worried that some of the other businesses with sexual components will be in legal trouble. Escort services and strip club dancers who traditionally express their sexuality or “act sexy” as parts of the job aren’t necessarily soliciting sexual contact, argues McCullough.

“Most girls who touch their breasts are not telling you they’re open for sex,” the attorney said.

Acting sexy isn’t really good at home, either

A Massachusetts bill is considering making intercourse illegal between many people. If they are in the divorce process, it would be illegal to do this within home. The idea is to protect children and slow domestic violence, according to Wrentham, Mass., Selectman Robert Leclair. This would make it illegal for any sexual relationship within the home to take place until the divorce is final while also robbing parents of their rights, some say.

The amount a spouse would have to pay another would be capped while stopping the lifetime alimony payment practice though if the bill did pass.

And how about bestiality?

Bestiality would have been banned in Florida with Senate Bill 344 too. In 2009, Sen. Nan Rich of Sunrise, Fla., introduced the bill. He thinks it is an essential one to have. However, some critics maintain that SB 344 is another bill that suffers from overly broad verbiage. The word “animals” in the phrase “sex with animals” could too include human beings, argues Escapist Magazine – so SB 344 would arguably ban human sexual intercourse, diminishing the state’s tax base substantially.

Citations

Associated Press

wapo.st/jgXAOq

Escapist Magazine

escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.283827-Florida-outlaws-sex

Mother Jones

motherjones.com/mojo/2011/05/annals-big-government-florida-ban-bestiality-baggy-pants

My Fox Boston

bit.ly/m50Qb6

David Archuleta’s dad Jeff could not resist the sexy (allegedly)

youtube.com/watch?v=xm6R-V3tL8g

Precious metals businesses facing CFTC investigation

Three separate precious metals investing businesses are being investigated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. American Precious Metals, LLC is the latest business to be shut down in this review of precious metal investments. Gold, silver, palladium, and other precious metals were sold, fraudulently, as investments by these businesses.

Case against American Precious Metals LLC

The American Precious Metals LLC business is situated in Florida. It is in Lake Worth, Fla., to be exact. The business used telemarketers to call and pressure customers into purchasing gold, silver, platinum and palladium investments. With a huge down payment, the business would store physical metals and finance the purchase for the customer. In exchange, the company promised several hundred percent returns on the customer’s investment. The business gave people short-term loans for investment in very special metals. Still, these metals did not really exist. The company also never registered with the Federal Trade Commission or CFTC as an investment business. Regulation on precious metal was not followed by the company. It also violated the Telemarketing and consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act. Now the company doesn’t have access to its assets. They were all frozen.

Prices of precious metals going up

Precious metal investment scams have become more prevalent lately. This is because there has been an increase in the precious metals price tags. There has been a huge increase in gold costs in the last year. They have gone to over $1,500 from being at $1,200. This is not just for gold. Other precious metals have also been increasing. Some of this increase is from the belief that precious metals are considered a “safe haven.” You can never go wrong investing in it. There have been many to warn against getting involved in precious metal investing. They say that it is getting close to bubble status since the costs are far above the “real” value of the metals.

Safeguarding yourself when investing

There are many troubles that can come with investing. You can get your own precious metals and store them. No matter how you choose to invest, always work with companies that have been vetted by the Better Business Bureau. Any company that can’t be verified with the Federal Trade Commission or Commodity Futures Trading Commission should not be invested in.

Articles cited

FTC

ftc.gov/os/caselist/1023212/110517americanpreciousmetalscmpt.pdf

Futures Mag

futuresmag.com/News/2011/5/Pages/CFTC-charges-Fla-firm-with-precious-metals-fraud.aspx

How the NBA mock draft 2011 will go

Basketball authorities like ESPN’s Bill Simmons and Chad Ford don’t see large things coming out of the 2011 NBA Draft, but some solid picks will be accessible. The following top 10 projections for an NBA mock drafts for 2011 start – and end in the minds of many – with Duke’s Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland Cavaliers could be picking Kyrie Irving, PG (Duke)

Kyrie Irving is really good and will be a top-15 point guard most likely, although he is not amazing. Baron Davis was never good enough for the Cavs. Irving may be just what the team needs.

Minnesota Timberwolves considering Enes Kanter, Center (Turkey) as a pick

While Kevin Love turned in a fantastic season under the boards for the Wolves, the team still has a great deal of rebuilding ahead. Keeping Love around could be hard. They may need a big male to help. It is a gamble to pick the 6-foor-11, 272 pound Kanter, some think. Others think the intimidation of the high energy rebounder will give the team an advantage.

Getting Utah Jazz Derrick Williams, SF (Arizona)

In the NBA, Williams will most likely be a small forward with his skills. This is despite the truth that as a Wildcat he was a power forward. However, if Utah throws up their hands over the remaining 2011 NBA Draft crop and decides to go for a popular pick, BYU’s Jimmer Fredette would be a PR slam dunk, if not a sound basketball decision.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C (Lithuania) as a possibility

Anderson Varejao may need a big male for instance Valanciunas to help him out.

Toronto Raptors choosing Kemba Walker, PG (Connecticut)

Toronto seriously needs Kembra Walker. He could be the new point guard to help the Raptors out.

Washington Wizards might choose Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward (San Diego State)

Leonard is a fantastic athlete while very good at rebounding and could possibly be a great complement to John Wall with the Wizards. Leonard could be perfect to go with John Wall on the Wizards. He is a fantastic rebounder and athlete.

Sacramento Kings to pick Brandon Knight, Point Guard, Kentucky

Speed, defense and a good outside shot from the point in Knight would allow the Kings to use Beno Udrih as the super backup or 2nd ball-handler the offense needs to really get moving.

Possibility of Detroit Pistons picking Jordan Hamilton, Small Forward (Texas)

With Tayshaun Prince leaving as a free agent, small forward becomes priority. The ball needs to be shot and rebounded as Hamilton can do.

Charlotte Bobcats picking Jimmer Fredette, Shooting Guard (BYU)

If he’s still available, Charlotte will likely go for Fredette so that at least one player on the roster will be able to score consistently from outside. There are also good shots from Bismack Biyombo. He can be a second choice.

Milwaukee Bucks: Tristan Thompson, Power Forward (Texas)

Thompson is 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. He is a fairly athletic man too. After the failed Yi Jianlian pick from 2007, the Bucks could be worried about going international. If they can get over it, they may just pick Biyombo.

Citations

Bleacher Report

bit.ly/kuOQ8z

Fox Sports

msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/2011-NBA-draft-lottery-winner-051711

The Sporting News

bit.ly/kYTnGq

2011 NBA Draft Lottery highlight: The final three

youtube.com/watch?v=GqWuPdf8u2o

401(k) funds aren't personal loans states United States Senate

The Senate is attempting to keep individuals from using their 401(k) money as a source of unsecured loans. The law would put a limit on how several times retirement accounts can be borrowed from.

Reason for retirement account

Business Week states that a permanent cap on the number of times a person can take money out of an IRA fund for instance a 401(k) might become reality with a bill the Senate is looking at. Individuals sometimes will have a shortfall and rely on a 401(k) account to get them out of the issue, hurting their future. This is why Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) are hoping to get the bill passed. A retirement account isn’t “a piggy bank,” according to Senator Kohl. The “SEAL 401(k) Savings Act” is the name of the bill.

Of those with accounts, around 28 percent borrow

Aon Corp did a study and found that by the end of 2010, about 28 percent of individuals with a retirement account for instance a 401(k) borrowed, on average $7,860, from the account. Aon Corp also found that of the people who took out installment loans from their retirement funds, 58 percent had at least two outstanding loans. Defaulting was common among 70 percent of borrowers too. This was only if they borrowed from their retirement. Fidelity Investments, according to USA Today, found that about 22.5 percent of 401(k) account holders with Fidelity had a loan balance outstanding at the end of 2010. Between one fifth and one 3rd of people had to use their 401(k) accounts or other retirement accounts for an emergency at some time.

Issue with retirement

Several individuals are having a hard time figuring out how to one day retire. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are typically pillars of security for retirees because portions of their paydays have been going toward these programs for decades. However, it is becoming apparent that these entitlement programs may not be the guarantee they once were. Social Security is on track to becoming insolvent, and the Social Security Administration would need to raise $6.5 trillion to become totally solvent again, according to CNN. The Social Security payroll taxes right now aren’t enough to help the dying Social Security Trust Fund. It should be depleted in 25 years or so.

Citations

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2011-05-18/senate-bill-would-limit-use-of-401-k-s-as-rainy-day-funds.html

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/perfi/retirement/2011-05-11-401k-retiement-accounts-up_n.htm

CNN

money.cnn.com/2011/05/18/pf/expert/expert-social-security.moneymag/?section=money_latest

The new XTS will replace two other Cadillac models

Cadillac’s new XTS model, due to come out next year, will replace both the DTS and STS models. As of this time, however, no date has been given for production to begin. GM first wants to sell off the DTS and STS models still in stock on its dealer’s showroom floors.

Based off concept car show

The XTS came from a Platinum concept automobile originally. Cadillac was at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show when it showed this concept car. The car will be built on a stretched form of GM’s front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform (which underpins automobiles as diverse as the Chevy Malibu and the Buick LaCrosse) and will be built at GM’s Grand River plant in Lansing, Mich.

Built for comfort and convenience

The idea with the auto is for it to be narrower and have a longer rear overhang than the concept car had. It will even feature infotainment and connectivity features for both front and rear-seat passengers. GM’s direct-injection, 3.6 liter V-6, will power the vehicle. It will have controlled shock absorbers so the ride is gentle.

If the production model remains true to the concept, the XTS could come with an all-wheel-drive choice, various V-6 power plants and potentially a plug-in hybrid drive line. Eight-cylinder engine choices have been also been rumored but have not been confirmed at this time.

Will BMW or Cadillac win?

The entry-level CTS will be replacing the DTS and STS models for Cadillac. The idea is to rival the Mercedes E-class and BMW’s 5-series. The BMW c-class and 3 series may end up with new competition in summer 2012 with this change. A smaller ATS sedan will be coming soon.

Old leaves so new can stay

Already, the STS cars aren’t being produced. Cadillac stopped production on it. In the next 3 or four weeks, the last of the DTS models will be built. There are only 900 STS models and 3,000 DTS models left to sell. It should be simple for Cadillac to sell them before the XTS replacement is produced.

Information from

Car and Driver

caranddriver.com/features/10q1/2012_cadillac_xts-feature

Autoblog

autoblog.com/2011/03/11/spy-shots-latest-cadillac-xts-prototype-caught-inside-and-out/

Automotive.com

blogs.automotive.com/6737284/miscellaneous/saying-goodbye-to-cadillac-sts-dts-sedans/index.html

Huge opening brothel

Sydney will soon be home to the biggest brothel in Australia, which might be a questionable honor. The biggest building of its type in the country will officially take the title once remodeling is complete, and the existing structure becomes a three story, 40 room luxury resorts. This brothel is situated in a residential district, and the neighbors are not terribly happy about its presence.

Change in suites with renovation

The number of suites accessible at the resort in Sydney, Australia will increase with the $12.7 million reconstruction. An extra floor of very luxurious suites will be added as well. MSNBC reports the building will probably become the biggest Australian brothel, making it different from other hotel renovations. The brothel, called Stilleto, is adding a 3rd floor of seven luxury suites that will feature two bedrooms with king beds, pool tables and a spa. There will be 40 suites at Stilleto’s after the remodel. This doubles from the 20 accessible before.

Not a good neighbor to those around it

Apparently “lawyers, movie stars, accountants and professional athletes,” are all welcome at Stilleto. MSNBC states this is the crowd that will be drawn in. A three story brothel in the neighborhood makes some neighbors mad. The idea that people will come and go at all hours of the night at Stilleto bothers much of the neighbors, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Some do like the idea that there will be security guards on the building grounds. This should make the neighborhood a bit safer.

Feelings towards prostitution

Prostitution is only legal in eight counties in Nevada in the United States. Wikipedia reports that other parts of the world look at it differently. In most countries that allow it, the trade isn’t regulated and brothels are illegal. Everybody involved must be 18 or older in Italy where brothels are not allowed although the trade is. The Christian Science Monitor states that there’s a legal battle right now that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is dealing with on whether or not he paid Ruby the Heartstealer for prostitution before she was legally allowed to or not. There are few nations where prostitution is legal and regulated, since it is illegal in the majority of the world.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43063695/ns/travel-destination_travel/

Sidney Morning Herald

smh.com.au/nsw/three-storeys-of-sex-as-sydney-braces-for-biggestbrothel-title-20110516-1epzn.html

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2011/0406/Plenty-of-flash-at-lightning-brief-start-of-Berlusconi-trial

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_by_country