Due to a very busy work schedule, I will only feature 3 - 5 posts a day. I will try to publish something Mon - Sat., but be patient, as I learn to do a more complicated juggling act with work, blogs, friends and down time. Thanks for subscribing.

debit cards, fees, credit cards, banks
With credit being a problem, debit cards are becoming more popular and banks are getting creative with their "fees".
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_45/b4107000370790.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Priests, sexual urge testing, Catholic Church
Until I saw the word "voluntary" I thought maybe the Church has finally learned. These tests will be voluntary for the Priests-to-be. Just more window dressing in a house fully engulfed in flames:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7700710.stm

archeology, Hebrew, King David, Bible
Oldest bit of Hebrew scripture found. Kind of nice to know some things don't change.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7700037.stm

I'm just a news junkie. I'm curious and want to know about everything. Since I figure most of you do some news trolling yourselves, I don't focus on the general drivel, but I look for interesting, inspiring and / or outrageous stories. The kind of article where I begin talking back: "What were you THINKING?".

World economy, federal reserve, stock market, desperation
This is truly a masterpiece:
http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/fed-rate-cut-a-dud-fed-rescues-go-wild-27837

ageism, sexism, Dell, class action lawsuit
Seems being unfair still pays. Here we go again:
http://www.macworld.com/article/136448/2008/10/dell.html?lsrc=rss_main

Architecture, moving architecture, skyscrapers
To quote an old Chich and Chon routine: "Are You Out Of your ****** MIND?
Somehow the thought of being motion sick in my office, or apartment is NOT appealing:
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/a-moving-skyscraper-for-ny/?

FDA, corruption, food safety, ethics
FDA more swayed by money interests then public safety. Sadly, seems that way:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/panel-rebukes-fda-on-plastic-safety/?
partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

gifted child programs, New York City, social trends
Unclear what is causing this huge drop in the number of children in "gifted" programs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/nyregion/30gifted.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

foreign banks, us credit, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore
The US is using our tax money to bail out foreign banks? Won't we run out of money ourselves at this rate?
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-10-29-lines-of-credit_N.htm?csp=34

toughness, heartiness, inherited traits
Study suggests that natural toughness, or heartiness is largely inherited and is difficult to cultivate in people with less resilience. That is discouraging:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/mg20026804.600-
an-iron-will-runs-in-the-family.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

respect, gay rights, religion gone wrong, protest, counter protests
I get sad and ashamed when I read of fellow religious folks doing really mean-spirited and DUMB things. There is a time and a place to duke it out about gay rights, but a memorial service is NOT one of those place. Good-on-ya for protesting that Church's utter cruelty:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/29/god-hates-signs-prot.html

twitter.com, social networking, social trends
A very well balanced and written piece on twitter.com and all of us who do:
http://www.macworld.com/article/136443/2008/10/twitter.html?lsrc=rss_main

good Samaritan, lost and found, honesty
Many people sneer: "finders keepers" when they find money that's obviously not theirs. They aren't so gleeful when they are the losers. Thankfully, many people are still not thieves:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ODD_VIDEOTAPE_SURPRISE?SITE=
MITRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

economy, climate change
Here's my bias. I'm not sure I believe mankind has the power to effect or change our climate, willingly, or otherwise. I know people who are ready to retire and have lost 2/3 of the funds to retire. I think the prince better realize he has income sources the rest of us don't have at our disposal. Climate change: Baaach!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/environment/2008-10-28-princecharles_N.htm?csp=34

government, ethics, disability payments
Are we sure we want more government in our lives with this kind of corruption evident in the system?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/nyregion/28lirr.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Ethics, real Estate, politics
An escape clause if Obama doesn't win? Wow
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/a-condo-escape-clause-for-new-york-liberals/?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

economy, poverty, health, government, medicaid, hospitals
Here we go again. When tax revenues fall health care for the poor and people in nursing homes get cut.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-28-health-cuts_N.htm?csp=34

copyright, google, google search, google book search, books, online access for books
Finally the war over copyright and search engine rights is being worked out. This appears to be a real break in a serious legal fight. Looks like everyone wins in this one.
http://www.macworld.com/article/136410/2008/10/googlesuitsettled.html?lsrc=rss_main

newspapers web-only publishing, Christian Science Monitor
1st paper to dump print for a web-only format. Money from web ads and not subscriptions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/business/media/29paper.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

bio tech lab, Ebola, hurricanes
A bio tech lab studying things like Ebola is built on island in Texas. Builders believe :entire island could wash away and the lab would still be standing," What if they are wrong and dangerous viruses get released?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/us/29lab.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

MRSA, staph, locker rooms, community settings, infection
Treatment resistant staph started in hospitals in '70's. in '90's started effecting sports teams and community settings. Good general percaution article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/business/media/29paper.html?_r=1&partner=

Iceland central bank, key interest rate, markets
the key interest rate is what banks charge one another. when its high, it is not good.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2008-10-28-iceland-rates_N.htm?csp=34

Federal Reserve, banks, debt
Let's see, Government has $700B to use how it chooses. 2nd week where banks pull $125B from fund. It will only last 5.6 WEEKS!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-10-28-treasury-bailout-money_N.htm?csp=34

VA, sexual trauma
Study finds 1 in 7 female vets & 1% male vets reported sexual abuse in Iraq:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49R0O020081028?feedType=
RSS&feedName=topNews

kindness, foreclosure
This is the best side of human nature:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/10/28/foreclosed.home/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

 Economy
Economic Crisis Explained: excellent article & links
http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/the-financial-crisis-of-2008/article104369.html

Candidate appearances cost cities money & campaigns not legally required to pay cities back. That seems wrong:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-27-campaign-costs_N.htm?csp=34

Crime
plot to kill Obama stopped by ATF. I am thankful. I don't care who you like, or don't like, the price of running for president, or anything else should not be physical injury or death.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-27-ATF_N.htm?csp=34

Identity theft: when its a family member:
http://moneyhelps.blogs.money.cnn.com/2008/10/27/my-ex-husband-stole-our-sons-identity/?section=money_topstories

Society
Just a real shame, after all the government and private money thrown at poverty, the problem hasn't been lessened:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126917.php

Ethics
Don't change medical plans just because a sales agent tells you to. He may just be "churning" you for a commission:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126852.php

Mainly Democrats get thanks from Pharma companies costing millions:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126853.php

Freak accident
Imagine the insurance claim on this one:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7693386.stm

Armless pilot
This is so cool:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126959.php

Science
Solomon's Mines of the Bible confirmed by dating:
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn15049-biblical-solomons-mines-confirmed-by-dating.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

Business
What if you unknowingly sign an illegal business deal?
http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/10/27/did-i-stumble-into-an-illegal-business-deal/?section=money_topstories

Humor
It all depends on how you drive. This is just too good:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/27/german-traffic-cops.html

Psychology
*Wouldn't it stand to reason: rejected people better at detecting "fake" smiles?
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126870.php

Science
*Here we go again, inventing things which won't be tested adequately BEFORE being introduced into the marketplace. This scares me to death:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126879.php

Social Trends
*Even role playing games in real life are having problems:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-25-civil-war-reenactment_N.htm?csp=34

Food Safety
*Chinese eggs tainted because of contaminated chicken feed. They just don't get it yet, do they?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-25-chinese-eggs_N.htm?csp=34

Infant Safety
Now baby clothes made is "several foreign countries" cause rashes on 400 babies. No recall (yet):
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/24/baby.clothing.rashes.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Science
*New device for the blind may help them understand graphics better:
http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/mg20026796.700-pinching-display-lets-you-feel-the-data.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

Design
*This is not just ugly, but you-ga-lee! The winner of Ford's worldwide competition to come up with the 21st Century's Model T OMG!
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/oct2008/bw20081023_507232.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Ethics
*China has proven it has not basic ethics, as it is still killing its own people from tainted products. So, Wal-Mart is going to crack down. Sure, I guess enough dogs, cats, babies and children have died to get their attention. My advice, if its made in China, keep on looking:
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb20081024_159130.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Food Safety
*Interesting way to insure beef safety:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126723.php

Economy
*Excellent article on current economic mess. Sure sounds like 1929 redux:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_44/b4106000489258.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

*Credit card debt, the next shoe to drop:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/16/magazines/fortune/mastercard_demos.fortune/index.htm?section=money_topstories

*Common sense? Well, I'll be jiggered. Want a loan: act responsibly, no kidding:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2008/tc20081023_815373.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

*The next financial crisis: paying for all the entitlement programs:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/21/retirement/seniors_benefits.moneymag/index.htm?section=money_topstories

*This defunct bank is lowering customer loan payments and getting less of something verses all of nothing at the old rate. Hello deflation. A market correction I believe:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/24/magazines/fortune/stanleybing/bing_apocalypse.fortune/index.htm?section=money_topstories

*Scams & Scum: MLM (Multi Level Marketing) mirror of current market. Fabulous article:
http://www.falseprofits.com/files/5df23880df8d9160ada1135329c84dcd-7.html#unique-entry-id-7

Science
*Ever wonder about the passages in the Bible where the stars supposedly sang? It isn't symphonic, but check this out:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7687286.stm

Social Trends
*How times change. Baby Boomers wouldn't trust anyone over 30, while Generation Y usually consults parents on job offers:
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2008/ca20081021_139940.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

*Even 17-year-old teens being dumped on state with "Safe Heaven Law":
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126748.php

*I didn't even know a manned space craft was due back on earth. Remember when it was breaking news? How times change:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7688021.stm

*Drug sniffing dogs rented to check your child's bedroom. May be necessary, but a bit scary:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7688815.stm

*More signs of our dysfunctional times. Parents can't or won't control their kids, so:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/24/truancy.arrests/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

*Why people keep falling for scams, they don't think it was, blame themselves:
http://www.falseprofits.com/files/c04ce5a92252b48227bd2c07326f8ae9-8.html#unique-entry-id-8

Employment
*Signs you are going to be laid off / fired:
http://www.businesssheet.com/2008/10/nine-signs-your-boss-is-about-to-lay-you-off

Health
*Preventing falls in older women. Can build muscle strength, but not power:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126649.php

*Wonderful scientific discovery: reversing MS brain & nerve damage. Nice going:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/dn15023-drug-reboots-immune-system-to-reverse-ms.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

Education
*Excuse me, but what in Heaven's Name is going on in our schools:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/24/hit-a-jew-day.html

Humor
*Geek File: When an emoticon is worth 1,000 words. NOT:
http://valleywag.com/5068307/gmail-now-idiot+accessible

Satire
*Lastly, a pause in the avalanche of doom & gloom:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/24/magazines/fortune/stanleybing/bing_apocalypse.fortune/index.htm?section=money_topstories

*I am always happy to read about research and common sense coming together. In order to keep older people from deteriorating and possibly getting Alzheimer's Disease, A black church and a research group have hooked up to get older adults involved and excited about life.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-22-church-Duke-alzheimers-program_N.htm?csp=34

*Greenspan was shocked that self-regulation of Banks wasn't enough to protect their shareholders. Has this man never studied HISTORY! Has there ever been a time in the annals of mankind where self-regulation worked? What was Greenspan thinking?
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-10-23-greenspan-congress_N.htm?csp=34

*Parents ratting out their child's competitors for college admission. This is a very thorough and well written story I find really scary. College admission has gotten very cut throat. Parents forget who is going to college and some high schools discretely "forget" to include student infractions of the law in their records for colleges. Its a sad commentary on our society, desparation to win.:
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/ratting-out-your-kids-competition/?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

*A garden for victims of priest sexual abuse? As a survivor of such abuse, not from the church, but my family, I have mixed feelings. I do like the symbology of the broken statue trying to become unbroken. That is the legacy of child sexual abuse:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/23/churchabuse.garden/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

*Events in computer "role playing" sites cause crimes in the real world. This is why I avoid such things in cyberspace. I'm afraid I'd prefer a make-believe world where I just type to make it so, verses the real world where I have to employ real effort to make it so:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/10/23/avatar.murder.japan.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

*1 in 4 high school kids drop out in U.S. High Schools. Our kids are less likely to graduate from High School than we were:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/24/dropout.rate.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

*New way to sustain a nightclub. This is innovative and fascinating:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/world/europe/24rotterdam.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Much more news, too little time. Until tomorrow ...

No matter what people claim the economy is doing. Here's a clear reality check.
Mass lay-offs highest since 9/11. The true economic indicator:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/22/news/economy/mass_layoffs/index.htm?postversion=2008102213&eref=rss_topstories

Here's one from the "either way I'm had." file. Dr. proscribing placebos, in spite of laws against the practice: The other side of this story, is how many patients insist on having a prescription of some kind, even when doctor knows it isn't necessary. What's he supposed to do, when not to prescribe may generate a lawsuit?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/health/23placebo.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Your moment of feel-good revenge isn't worth the price.
45 banks in several states receive threatening letters containing  unidentified white powder. Come on, people, 2 wrongs don't make a right. You have a beef with your bank so you are going to risk PRISON?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/22/bank.hoax/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

You remember all the substances the US has banned over the last say, 20 years? Poof, all gone! Not really because strange substances are showing up in strange places:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7685124.stm

While I loathe pedophilia, I also loathe news sources "doing the innuendo" (lyric from Dirty Laundry). x-pervert edits child version of wikipedia. valleywag.com is suspicious. But nowhere do they give evidence of actually looking at the new dictionary:
http://valleywag.com/5067214/pedophile-defender-issues-wikipedia-for-children

Here is some very down-to-earth management advice. (Even though it is a letter to a new college student from her dad), a lot of us - including myself - can benefit:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/pf/college/boom_years.moneymag/index.htm?section=money_topstories

Look at what a 'lil 'ol dust devil did!
Dust devil sends a tent airborne. We think we are more powerful than Mother Nature?
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/22/dust-devil-sends-ten.html

When weird news happens ... I'll pass it along.

Today I begin with a device concept I LOVE. It puts silence between you and those irritating telemarketing calls. Our US "Do Not Call" list is a joke, because political parties, charities and any business we have given our phone number to, are EXEMPT! God I hope this gizmo works as advertised:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7682111.stm

My next several stories all relate to some aspect of how our entire social structure seems to be falling apart. Anybody take a look at most of our freeways here in California? our bridges? our sewage systems? Yes, our infrastructure is a mess. It stays that way because our government has other things it deems more important at the moment. Whoever wins in November has a giant problem they must grapple with:
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2008/ca20081021_690262.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Now for an overlooked aspect of our current financial mess. The people who REALLY love credit are the wealthy. Its wise use is one of the keys to their wealth. But now the credit train has derailed and their former strategy is destroying their wealth:
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/oct2008/pi20081021_096277.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

As far as health trends go, as us baby boomers age the white folks are most prone to suicide, than others in their age group. I am not surprised, as I still have difficulty getting over the illusion that I can have and do anything I want because, well damnit, that's how it must be! It has been a piece of hard work to realize that the world doesn't owe me, ispite of my disabilities and there are no guarantees in life - even if I am special. (which I'm not):
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/620504.html?campaign_id=rss_daily

A study finds that 25% of biological medications get at least one regulatory restriction within ten years of their release. Basically not enough check-out was done BEFORE release. So you and I become the true last set of lab rats:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126059.php

I see financial interests swamping scientific ethics in the last story and in this story about the rise in allergies in our children. How about all the unchecked garbage in our food? What about the nanotechnology which is floating around on the market in paints, clothing and God-knows what else which hasn't been tested for its long-term affect, or any affect at all it might have on the body? Our children get to be the canary in the coal mine:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-MED-ChildFoodAllergi.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Let's hear it for "victim" mentality. In some ways I feel for this person, but where is common sense? Screwed twice by same company and they don't get it that its time to CHANGE brokerage firms (!)
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/21/pf/Ask_the_mole.moneymag/index.htm?section=money_topstories

Now I wrap up with some inspiration, mildly amusing political stupidity and finally with the politically outrageous.

This is just a cool story of a person pursuing their dream in the face of difficulties:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126332.php

Two from the "huh? this is stupid." file:GOP spends $150,000 on Palin's clothes (!)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-22-palin-rnc-clothing_N.htm?csp=34

If the Republicans win with McCain it won't be because they were crafty, or creative. This country is in big time debt, at war and seriously polarized. So McCain pulls out an accusation that Obama is for both baseball teams in the World Series! Beam me up Scotty, this is getting just plain scary!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7683597.stm

And finally, don't sip coffee while reading this next one - you might drip on your keyboard as you laugh. Via twitter.com BoingBoing.com found a "yo mama so ..." political smack-down:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/21/playing-the-presiden.html

Please leave comments. I have wanted to do this kind of daily news commentary for years. I doubt this is original, but someone has to point out the strange, absurd, inspirational and the amusing. I find reading my 300+ news feeds each day always interesting and sometimes a bit scary, and usually amusing.

Until tomorrow...