Government Bailout helps Executives 'Retreat'

According to AP...less than a week after the federal government had to bail out American International Group Inc., the company sent executives on a $440,000 retreat to a posh California resort, lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown said Tuesday.

September consumer sales drop sharply: MasterCard

Falling behind: More Americans see utilities cut off.....The number of Americans whose electricity or natural gas has been shut off for nonpayment of their bills is up sharply in many parts of the country as people struggle with higher prices and a shaky economy.

On Education

Video Game Helps Math Students Vanquish an Archfiend: Algebra
....This fall, New York City is rolling out Dimension M — M stands for math — in 109 middle schools across the five boroughs after trying the game out in two dozen schools, including I.S. 30, last year. Like a modern twist on “Jeopardy!,” the fast-paced video game quizzes students on prealgebra and algebra topics ranging from prime numbers to fractions and complex equations. A correct answer brings 500 or more points, a wrong one as few as 25; the player with the most points wins. (No prizes, just glory.)...

'Con' out of Congress, members bail on bailout...

Today, what was supposed to be a 'sure thing' unraveled. The $700 billion bail-out bill failed to clear the House. The market predictably went down, trying to convince the public that action is needed immediately. Having the luxury of being able to work from home today, I watched the developments on that epitome of business news on TV, CNBC.
So much misinformation, lies, and grossly unethical reporting goes on in the name of 'business news...'

1. The anchors and reporters keep insisting that this is a great buying opportunity. Hey Maria and the gang, if it is such a great buying opportunity why is the market going down? Oh, by the way, why aren't you or Bill Gates or Warren Buffet buying up all the bargains?
2. The money in the bailout is not going to fat cats but is going to 'ease' liquidity. These idiots do not want to say that liquidity is NOT the problem, but that the lenders have become highly risk averse. The bailout bill is exactly that- bailout for the financial institutions.
   
3. The anchors keep encouraging people to BUY, without saying that the current problems are caused by the casino culture they helped create. Playing games with people's retirement money and hard-earned pay is highly unethical.
4. Neither the anchors nor the guests want to address the root cause of the problem. They do not want to discuss why the government should buy assets which no one else wants.
5. An argument made is that 'this is a great buying opportunity for the Government.' If it is such a great opportunity, why isn't GE and other institutions beating to the door to buy these toxic assets?

Amy Goodman of Democracy Now did an excellent interview with Dennis Kucinich. It is worth reading.
“Is this the United States Congress or the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs?” Rep. Dennis Kucinich Rejects $700 Billion Bailout

Just stuff..

Mr. McCain seems to be showing his age and memory (or lack thereof). First he said he would fire SEC Chairman Mr. Cox. Then he said he would ask the FEC Chairman to leave. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, shows that she has a good memory. She keeps repeating the same words - reform, thanks but no thanks, etc., no matter what the question is.

No bailout package needed for Canada's banks: Harper

As Text Messages Fly, Danger Lurks

Green roofs are taking root in American cities-Other cities push to take Chicago's crown