Online Degrees

Online degrees have become common place over the last few years. As an adult learner/student working full time, it is complicated with full time on campus classes. It is sometimes necessary to be mobile for work. Working full time, traveling for work and /or relocating makes getting a degree difficult. Online degrees provide flexibility. It allows one to stay with the same college to completion of degree requirements. Being an online student eliminates transferring from college to college. Computers are readily available today. There are computers at work. Some employers encourage employees getting online degrees. Employers are clamoring for better prepared college graduates. There are computers available in libraries, computer cafes, education centers, and our own personal desktops or laptops. Wherever there is a computer, you have a personal classroom.

As parents, time is limited. The flexibility of online degrees is being able to plan and schedule time for the important things – family, friends or relaxing. Getting a degree online allows the use of down time at work (yes lunch and breaks) to complete and submit course work. On occasion, coursework be done on weekend evenings/nights after the kids are in bed. Online degree programs are available 24 hours, seven days a week. Doesn’t matter what your schedule, there’s an online degree for you. The biggest barrier to successfully completing an online course is discipline. As an adults we are busy, but a degree can be obtained with a scheduled and devotion to staying on course.

Having a bachelor's degree in hand automatically increases your salary and your employment options. There are so many online bachelor's degree programs designed to fit your schedule. Whatever your field or career there’s an online degree program to help meet the goal. There is no shortage of the types of online degrees. Students may choose from stand alone courses, Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees, baccalaureate completion programs, continuing education courses, and professional certificates. There are so many opportunities to move forward in your career. This option is available to anyone, anywhere – local and overseas. We know that many adults would not be able to get a degree attending a traditional college. Adult students are older than traditional on-campus students, and are often juggling work, family and school responsibilities to make a better life for themselves. Commitments require such an option. Commitments like family, work, schedules, work-related travel, and military service. These commitments especially don't fit easily into the strictures imposed by traditional colleges. They need greater flexibility.

First Dude and absent Sarah upstage Norm at Duluth Sportsmen for Coleman rally

http://minnesotaindependent.com/13461/first-dude-and-absent-sarah-upstage-norm-at-duluth-sportsmen-for-coleman-rally

Picture worth a thousand word!

Yes. The Secret Service says it can't find the people in the crowd who keep calling for Barack Obama to be killed, and now we perhaps know why. Their agents are busy making sure that reporters don't leave their penned in areas and ask regular American citizens questions.Now, how is it the Secret Service's job to play crowd control with reporters? Do they take sandwich orders too?We know about this because Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank finally went public, and Huff Post caught it. Here's Milbank: http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/secret-service-isnt-doing-its-job.html

I Am Not Joe the Plumber

http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/I-Am-Not-Joe-the-Plumber.301073

I was pretty undecided until last night’s third presidential debate. McCain had me going for the first 20-30 minutes. I actually stopped to listen to what he was saying.

MRSA and Sports

School Sports Teams and MRSA

There is an outbreak of community MRSA among school sport teams. This is different from the organism associated with hospitals. Prevention is simple common sense - wash, wash, wash.....hands, body, uniforms. Don't share towels, uniforms, razors.

McCain refers to Americans as 'my fellow prisoners'

Republican candidate back to the Hanoi Hilton he called home for five and a half years. At a campaign stop in Pennsylvania Wednesday, McCain referred to his supporters as "fellow prisoners" in a botched attack on his Democratic opponent Barack Obama.

Download video via RawReplay.com

Palin's Parenting Skills-Sweet

Waste of Toxic Mining Pit-Shot From Int'l Space Station

nasa.gov — Old Montana mining pit site--mined for decades, gradually filled with deeper water. As shot by NASA in 2006 depth of water in pit reached 900+ and site was on Superfund list for clean-up.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aVXfypExIZ9M

AIG, Castigated for Resort Event, Plans Another One (Update2)

American International Group Inc., castigated by the White House, Congress and Barack Obama for hosting a $440,000 conference days after an $85 billion federal bailout, plans to hold another gathering for brokers next week.
The event, at the Ritz-Carlton in California's Half Moon Bay, aims to ``motivate and educate'' about 150 independent agents who sell AIG coverage to high-end clients, said spokesman Nicholas Ashooh.

AIG execs' retreat after bailout angers lawmakers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_bi_ge/meltdown_aig

AIG sent its executives to the coastal St. Regis resort south of Los Angeles even as the company tapped into an $85 billion loan from the government it needed to stave off bankruptcy. The resort tab included $23,380 worth of spa treatments for AIG employees, according to invoices the resort turned over to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Second Presidential Debate

You were watching Dancing With the Stars and missed the debate last night between Barack Obama and John McCain! Ahhhh Well the air ways, Internet and TV are a buzz, so you
can catch up. My spin on last night's debate is this: McCain
is a very angry man. His and his wife's body language tell a story. John McCain was unable to take the
opportunity in what is his preferred format for
campaigning: the town hall meeting. Several months
ago Senator McCain challenged Senator Obama to hold
ten such meetings throughout the campaign. McCain appeared more uncomfortable with the forum than Obama. At the end of the debate, McCain's wife walked around with her hands behind her back so as not to be touched on purpose or accidentally. The McCains quick left after the debate. The Obamas stayed, talked, and took pictures with the American people...not afraid to be touched.

My proof: The video - McCain Refuses to Shake Obama's Hand, Desperate Angry McCain Lies About Romney , McCain Why Are You So Angry? The comments: "That One," McCain Calls Obama In Debate (VIDEO) "McCain punctuates a contrast with Obama by referring to him as "that one," while once again not looking in his opponent's direction (merely jabbing a finger across his chest)." What's that about?

At times McCain was cranky and condescending. His remark to the questioned asked by "Clark: Well, Senators, through this economic crisis, most of the people that I know have had a difficult time. And through this bailout package, I was wondering what it is that's going to actually help those people out." McCain: ".....But you know, one of the real catalysts, really the match that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I'll bet you, you may never even have heard of them before this crisis." Why would McCain assume the man never heard about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Read it for yourself: Transcript of second McCain, Obama debate.

This was a good one: Brokaw: Senator, we have one minute for a discussion here. Obviously the powers of the treasury secretary have been greatly expanded. The most powerful officer in the cabinet now. Hank Paulson says he won't stay on. Who do you have in mind to appoint to that very important post? McCain: "...I like Meg Whitman [former CEO of eBay and current McCain campaign adviser], she knows what it's like to be out there in the marketplace. She knows how to create jobs. Meg Whitman was CEO of a company that started with 12 people and is now 1.3 million people in America make their living off eBay." Ebay may cut 1,500 jobs: Barron's, eBay Layoffs - Executives To Get 4 Years Pay. That sounds like a plan.

Brokaw: Quick discussion. Is health care in America a privilege, a right, or a responsibility? (A simple enough question.) McCain: I think it's a responsibility, in this respect, in that we should have available and affordable health care to every American citizen, to every family member. And with the plan that -- that I have, that will do that. But government mandates I -- I'm always a little nervous about. I am confused, it's not a mandate, whose responsibility is it?

And the last most confusing, well may be not the most confusing, claim to fame: McCain: That's why we're going to have to go out into the housing market and we're going to have to buy up these bad loans and we're going to have to stabilize home values, and that way, Americans, like Alan, can realize the American dream and stay in their home. US Congress and President Bush have signed into law a $700 billion bailout plan, what was this?

Winter Without Heat and Lights

Since last year in various parts of the country, people have gone without heat and electric. Well that was before the banks failed, mortgages fall in the toliet and the stock market got flushed away. We are rapidly moving toward an other winter. Now people may not have a house after foreclousure. the discussion may be gas for the car to get to work (if not laid off already), or money for utilities.

Yesterday, AP reported a soar in power cutoffs. I didn't find too many current stories on this issue. Shut-offs are up 17 % higher than last year for New York customers' major utilities, and 22% higher in economically hard-hit Michigan. I grew up in New York in cold winter when we had heat. Snow up to your knees, because the city did not close for snow storms. I washed in cold water, because I was the first up. Now people are looking forward to no heat, hot water and/or roof over their heads. Cut-offs are up in all or part of dozens of other states, including Pennsylvania, Florida and California, according to an Associated Press check of regulators and energy companies.

US Military rips away pet of deployed US Soldier shortly before Baghdad Pups can send puppy to safety in Minnesota

http://www.getfreshminds.com/2008/10/baghdad-pups.html

One of my good college friends is in Iraq right now. A couple months ago, she told me about Baghdad Pups, a really amazing organization that provides medical care, clearance and transport for the animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East.

My friend has been held in Iraq by the stop-loss policy for over 15 months longer than her original commitment to the military.

It gets worse. According to the Baghdad Pups press release on my friend's behalf:
"Soldiers can face immediate court-marshal [for befriending animals] and some even see their animals brutally murdered by a direct gunshot to the head from commanding officers who will not bend the rules."

Reader Pays Off $14,330 In 20 Months With Our Tips

Reader Pays Off $14,330 In 20 Months With Our Tips

Stuck in a $14,300 debt hole, reader Trixare4kids was able to dig herself out using tips she learned about on Consumerist.com. Let's learn how she attacked her personal finances and learned to live frugally, and did it all in 20 months

MIT report debunks China energy myth

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/china-energy-1006.html

The problem isn't in the technology, it's the operations
David Chandler, MIT News OfficeOctober 6, 2008


A detailed analysis of powerplants in China by MIT researchers debunks the widespread notion that outmoded energy technology or the utter absence of government regulation is to blame for that country's notorious air-pollution problems. The real issue, the study found, involves complicated interactions between new market forces, new commercial pressures and new types of governmental regulation.

JP Morgan Chase aka Chase aka.....

J.P. Morgan Chase located at 60 Wall Street, a 115th highest building in the world, 745 feet/227 meters, 50 floors, built in 1989. J.P. Morgan Chase contributed to McCain’s campaign. J.P. Morgan Vice Chairman James B. Lee Jr., a top McCain fundraiser, put him in a room with the chief executives of companies such as General Electric, Xerox and Sony. McCain was invited by J.P. Morgan Chase for its annual leadership conference in March 2008.

OK what’s in a name, J.P. Morgan Chase in 2000, merged with Chase Manhattan Corp., in effect combining four of the largest and oldest money center banking institutions in New York City (J.P. Morgan, Chase, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover) into one firm called J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. 2008 J.P. Morgan Chase acquired Washington Mutual Bank also has a subsidiary, Washington Mutual FSB, Park City, Utah. They have combined assets of $307 billion and total deposits of $188 billion. Before that they took over Bear Stearns J.P.Morgan has been on the prowl for a prime brokerage business, which services hedge fund clients.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. history page says it’s earliest predecessor in 1799. That’s not totally correct. John Pierpont Morgan’s (1837-1913), father introduced Anthony Drexel (1826-1893) to his son. These three men formed an exceptional partnership, Drexel, Morgan and Co., with JP as the senior partner in 1871. The company played a leading role in financing governments, railroads and corporations. Drexel was considered by some as the most prominent financier of the 19th century. He was credited with transforming an underachieving JP Morgan into a wizard of high finance according to Dan Rottenberg. He and his brothers inherited his father's Philadelphia banking house and built it into a successful investment-banking concern, specializing in flotation of government bonds, railroad organization, mining development, and urban real estate. Drexel is not mentioned on JP Morgan Chase’s history. According to his book, Rottenberg stated that JP Morgan learned to respect Drexel's business shrewdness. As long as Drexel lived, Morgan refused to make any move that that failed to meet with Drexel’s approval.

According to its history, the present day institution was built on the skeletons of more than 1,000 predecessor institutions. The bank founded in New York with banking operations in more than 60 countries. The history says that the foundation of JP Morgan started with Bank of The Manhattan Company established in 1799. Aaron Burr was one of the Directors. The principal object of this incorporation was to obtain a supply of pure and wholesome water for the City of New York. The Bank of the Manhattan Company was profitable from the start and commenced paying dividends in July 1800. Actually in 1895 J.P. Morgan’s firm, a private bank engaging in commercial as well as investment banking, adopted its final name of J. P. Morgan & Company. Chase Manhattan Bank founded in 1955 with the merger of Chase National Bank (founded in 1877) and the Bank of the Manhattan Company.

JP Morgan Chase’s history makes vague references to the 1800s and new banks being formed across the nation. It mentions the historic links JPMorgan Chase has to Western Reserve Bank, one of the first banks in Ohio and a predecessor of Bank (Banc)One, which merged with JPMorgan Chase in 2004.

In 1996 Chase Manhattan merged with Chemical Banking Corp. (owned the nation's second largest bank) but kept the Chase Manhattan name. A merger with investment bank J.P. Morgan & Co. in 2000 created J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

"Manny Hanny" was the popular nickname of Manufacturers Hanover Trust, an old New York City bank. The New York Manufacturing Company began in 1812 as a manufacturer of cotton-processing equipment and switched to banking five years later. It merged with Chemical Bank, and then Chemical Bank merged with Chase (the name used today).

In 1823, the New York Chemical Manufacturing Company began producing medicines, paints and dyes at a plant in Greenwich Village. After successive mergers and name changes, the bank assumed the name Chemical Bank in 1969, when it became part of the holding company Chemical New York Corporation and the chemical business was dropped. The corporation acquired Texas Commerce Bancshares, Inc., in 1987. Its 1991 merger with Manufacturers Hanover Corporation represented one of the largest U.S. bank.

1998 Banc (Bank) One Corp. merged with First Chicago NBD, taking the name Bank One Corp. Subsequently taking over Louisiana's First Commerce Corp., Bank One was than the largest financial services firm in the Midwest. It was the fourth-largest bank in the U. S., and the world's largest Visa credit card issuer.
Enough said!

The Old Watchdog of the Manhattan Company: Every morning he would sit on the front stoop, greet each clerk as he arrived and accompany him to his desk.
Where is that watchdog?

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/3/43222/8057/718/618653
I know some folks out there might have had trouble following the Vice Presidential debate. Particularly, trying to parse meaning from the things that Sarah Palin said. With that in mind, I have compiled a handy resource for your perusal. I hope to update this chart, both graphically and grammatically, when it is no longer ten to five in the morning. For for the mean time. . . enjoy!

VP Debates - 2008

Watch the videos and read the stories about the VP debate:

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