A Sit-Down with Warren Buffett - Thoughts on Business

Noted from a Q & A at Emory's Goizueta Business School with (according to Forbes) the world's second richest man, Warren Buffet.

Another Rate Cut Coming?

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the nation is in for a period of sluggish business growth and sent a fresh signal Wednesday that interest rates will again be lowered to steady the teetering economy.

Energy-Efficient or a Pain in the Bulb?

As sales of environmentally friendly light bulbs grow, so do complaints.

Vale talks to take over Xstrata hit impasse: source (Reuters)

Reuters - A dispute over marketing rights held by
mining group Xstrata's biggest shareholder is threatening a
possible takeover by Brazil's Vale worth around $90 billion, a
source close to the situation said.

How to turn white evangelicals into Democrats

Feb. 26, 2008 | Amy Sullivan is a senior editor at Time, a liberal Democrat, and an evangelical Christian. One of those things is not supposed to be like the others, but she argues in her new book that her fellow Democrats need to reach out to her fellow evangelicals if they hope to build an electoral majority. In "The Party Faithful: How and Why D

US stocks higher despite grim data (FT.com)

FT.com - US stocks moved higher on Tuesday when investors weighed disappointing economic data against encouraging corporate news.

Alabama whistleblower says Rove trying to smear her

A whistleblower in the Don Siegelman case said Monday that the coordinated smear attack on her credibility by the state's GOP and the American Spectator publication are being pushed by Karl Rove – the former senior aide to President Bush – in retaliation for her revelations of his role in the investigation and conviction of Don Siegelman.

Another left-handed president? It's looking that way

Four out of five of the last U.S. Presidents were left-handed, and the next one probably will be, too

The World's Most Expensive Rental Markets

Thinking of renting a home overseas? These prices might force you to reconsider.

Answer Desk: Tax rebate riddles

As readers sit down to the annual brain-teaser of filing their income tax returns, this year offers a new enigma. Will I get one of these tax rebates from the government?

Russ Feingold: "I Voted for Barack Obama"

Senator Russ Feingold, a progressive icon who was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001, proposed the first timeline for bringing the troops home from Iraq and sought to censure Bush over warrantless wiretapping, said he voted in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary for Barack Obama.

The Burn Bag. When shredding evidence just isn't enough

A senior U.S. Secret Service inspector admitted today that she destroyed original evidence sought in a long-standing lawsuit alleging that the service routinely discriminates against African American agents. She placed the documents in a “burn bag” for destruction just two days before she was scheduled to testify in the case.

Is China Losing Its Edge?

Some companies look to cheaper markets as rising costs hit Chinese factories.

Escorts To Super Bowl Tickets, Inside Iraq war profiteering

The graft continued well beyond the 2004 congressional hearings that first called attention to it. And the massive fraud endangered the health of American soldiers even as it lined contractors' pockets, records show.

Tax Tactics front page

There are ways to minimize losses in a stock market downturn, and you can even profit from one. But each technique, from stop-loss orders to short sales to “put” options, has drawbacks.

If Obama Went 0-for-10 . . .

Humor me while we conduct a little thought experiment. Imagine that Obama had lost 10 contests in a row. What would the conventional wisdom say? That it was over, of course. The above, is an accurate description of where Clinton stands right now. Yet nobody is forcing her to respond to those questions. The reason is obvious: She's Hillary Clinton.

Monster Music Collection: $3M+ on eBay

Man's Library of Congress-sized collection fails to top $4.9M paid for jet.

Deputy tasers high school student against direct orders

Disgusting. Those things need to be banned.

Incredible lapse in security at Obama rally!

America wants a president of change, not a martyr, right? Keep our man safe!

United to Charge $25 to Check Second Bag

The airline, struggling with high fuel costs, hopes to raise more money this way

Supreme Court allows retirement plan suits

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that individual participants in the most common type of retirement plan can sue under a pension protection law to recover their losses.

No Oil, No Peace, No Problem

In 'Fuel of War,' players can have fun as an oil shortage spurs a new world war.

The new US $5 (FIVE) Dollar Bill. It's got purple!

George Washington must be green with envy.

Building a Life on $25 and a Gym Bag

College Graduate Leaves Comfortable Life for Poverty Experiment

Pictures That Changed The World

Slate magazine has a collection of Magnum photos which changed the world. Mostly doused in black and white gradients, these pictures feature significant historical incidents. Some of them, like the picture of the girl who grew up in a concentration camp are remarkably powerful reflections on our actions.

Medtronic quarterly net falls (Reuters)

Reuters - Medical device maker Medtronic Inc
on Tuesday said quarterly earnings fell on charges
related to the acquisition of Kyphon.

Explosion Rocks Texas Oil Refinery

At least four people were injured in explosion that shook buildings miles away.

Solar Companies Beat Economic Slump

First Solar and SunPower ride high on solar energy, despite bleak economy.

New York Times Plans to Cut 100 Newsroom Jobs

"The newspaper will bow to growing financial strain and cut 100 newsroom jobs this year, primarily through attrition and buyouts, but layoffs are a possibility, the executive editor said."

Cost of Removing Body Thetans [PIC]

How about ?750,000?

Obama camp cries foul over Clinton stance in Florida

After eight losses in a row and no victories in sight this month, Hillary Clinton's campaign renewed calls Wednesday for the votes in Florida and Michigan to count toward delegates that would help her catch Barack Obama.

In Pictures: Where the World's Oil Money Is Going

A photo gallery of where your energy dollars are going. Shocking. A giant indoor ski slope. The world's first underwater hotel. 300 artificial new islands at $30 million a pop. And more...

Sad, self-absorbed shoppers spend more

If you’re sad and shopping, watch your wallet: A new study shows people’s spending judgment goes out the window when they’re down, especially if they’re a bit self-absorbed.

Too Many McMansions: Ride Storm or Sell?

Many homeowners struggle to find buyers for their million-dollar properties.

New Bill To Allow Police Misconduct Be Hidden From Public

A new bill proposed at the legislature would allow for police to withhold misconduct reports from the public. Supporters of the bill believe that police misconduct should be kept secret from the public so to not discredit police testimony. Others say that a forthright police unit is essential to the community.

Answer Desk: How much will my rebate be?

What could be simpler than handing out tax rebates? Alas, with all things related to the U.S. tax code, the question of who gets what turns out to be not so simple.

Clinton Ex-Campaign Manager Backs Obama!

An aide to Barack Obama says the man who led former President Clinton's 1992 bid plans to endorse the Illinois senator. ....the announcement would be made public later in the day.

Deere quarterly net rises (Reuters)

Reuters - Deere & Co said on Wednesday its
fiscal first-quarter earnings rose a better-than-expected 55
percent, as soaring crop prices boosted demand for agricultural
equipment across the globe.

Oval Office Eats for Just $500

Enjoy dishes created for past presidents; plus recipes to cook them yourself.

10 Tips: How to score big at yard sales

With a little bit of advance planning, you can greatly improve your experience at garage sales and save serious cash on all sorts of purchases, both big and small.

Photo Gallery: Anonymous' Scientology Protest in Los Angeles

Portraits of the anons who raided the Church Of Scientology in Hollywood on 2/10/08.

Scientology Raid Austin, Texas

Pictures from this morning's events in Austin, Texas.

"We have brought to Iraq the worst of America" (Leaked Memo)

In a confidential memo, a long-time Republican, Manuel Miranda, who has served in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for the past year says the State Department's efforts in Iraq are so poorly managed they "would be considered willfully negligent if not criminal" if done in the private sector.

MSNBC's Chelsea Comment Angers Clinton

Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to Democratic Party superdelegates on her mother's behalf.

Blue Chip panel puts U.S. recession odds at 50 percent (Reuters)

Reuters - The odds of a U.S. recession stand
at nearly 50 percent amid a spate of data showing a weakening
labor market, signs of more credit tightening and turmoil in
the financial markets, the latest Blue Chip Economic forecast
is projecting.

Are Muscle Cars Uncool?

Makers of the Camaro and the Challenger now cringe at the term "muscle car."

Last chance to stop immunity and warrantless spying

Tell your legislators to stand up to President Bush's fear-mongering: let the Protect America Act expire and allow the FISA Court to do its job. Our ability to track and monitor terrorists overseas would not cease should the Protect America Act expire. If this were true, Bush would not threaten to veto any bill w/o immunity and let PAA expire.

Product (RED): $100 Million Spent, $18 Million Raised

Product (RED) - Amount spent on advertising: $100 million. Amount raised for AIDS: $18 million.

107,000 demand Wikipedia remove this image of Muhammed

At last count, 107,000 protesters have signed an online petition demanding that Wikipedia take down this medieval image of the prophet Muhammed. "Please remove these illustrations and respect the peaceful request by vote. I dont want to see this again on any other things too," signer Haris Haseeb from United Kingdom writes on the petition.

10 Tips: Frugal Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day sure can pack an unexpected financial punch. Consider these tips for dreaming up an approach to this year’s celebration that is both meaningful and economical.

[PIC] Hilary and Bill Clinton in the 1970's

Bill's got a scruffy beard and a mop on his head. Hilary is rocking the classic 70's style sunglasses and straight hairdo.

Obama Well Positioned for Stretch Run

With superior fundraising and a slate of primaries, the structure of which favors his style, Barack Obama is in good shape as we embark on the 2nd half of the primary slate.

Productivity slowed in 4th quarter (AP)

AP - Worker productivity, the key factor in rising living standards, slowed sharply in the final three months of the year as overall economic activity weakened considerably while labor pressures increased.

Fed wrestles with growth and inflation worries (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday
expressed concern about a possible U.S. recession but warned
that the central bank cannot let down its guard when it comes
to fighting inflation.

Online petition ask Wikipedia to remove pictures of Muhammad

An article about the Prophet Muhammad in the English-language Wikipedia has become the subject of an online protest in the last few weeks because of its representations of Muhammad, taken from medieval manuscripts.

As economy tumbles, retirees scramble to cope

Rising food and fuel prices, falling interest rates and screeching declines in global stock markets have retirees paring spending to levels some haven't seen in decades.

10 Tips: Beat 'Gotcha Capitalism'

New book provides step-by-step instructions to help ordinary consumers fight back against the fly-by-night companies and the Goliaths that are nickel-and-diming us to death.

Fourth undersea cable cut near UAE, suspicions rise

For the fourth time in a week, an undersea communications cable in the Mediterranean Sea has apparently been cut, and while no official reports of subversion have surfaced just yet, things are beginning to get suspicious.

Change Your Votes Everyone! Hillary Cries On Cue Again!

That's right. Hillary tears up at a Connecticut rally. Twice on the day before an important primary, where the momentum is against her? I'm not sure what to say.

IRS Pencil Sharpener Now Available

In an effort to offset tax payer costs for the operational costs of its organization, the IRS is introducing a line of products, beginning with this fantastic pencil sharpener.

Americans slow to spend down IRA balances

Americans who have money stored in Individual Retirement Accounts tend to hang on to it for use in the later years of their retirement, according to a study being released Monday.

Egypt says: No ships were in area when Internet Cables Cut.

The transport ministry added that footage recorded by onshore video cameras of the location of the cables showed no maritime traffic in the area when the cables were damaged.‘The ministry’s maritime transport committee reviewed footage covering the period of 12 hours before and 12 hours after the cables were cut and no ships sailed the area.

Keith Olbermann Blasts Hillary Clinton on her Iraq Vote

on reasons for voting against eleventh amendment.

Stocks Trade Flat on Mixed Economic News

Steep job losses and Microsoft's bid for Yahoo influence stocks.

Gas Hike? Prices Could Reach 50 Cents/Gal

Experts predict national average pump prices will jump to $3.50 a gallon.

Record Year: Shell Posts $27,500,000,000 Profit

Shell smashed all-time British company profit records today, posting 2007 earnings of $27.5billion (?13.9billion), and immediately ran into a storm with union leaders, who are demanding the Government hits the oil giant with a windfall tax.

Airport Luxe: Terminals Spare No Expense

Virgin, British Airways fight for the sleekest, hippest terminal in London.

10 Tips: What to do with tax rebate?

Under a federal government stimulus plan, checks would be sent out in amounts ranging from $300 to $1,200 per household. How should you spend it?

Watchdog: Congress causes biggest tax problem

End-of-year congressional votes to change the tax code have created havoc for the Internal Revenue Service and top the list of problems bedeviling taxpayers, according to an annual report released Wednesday.