Feds Foil Plot by Former Contract Worker, Rajendrasinh Makwana, to Destroy all Data on Fannie Mae's 4K Computer Servers Nationwide

The Justice Department said that it has foiled a plot by Rajendrasinh Makwana, a fired Fannie Mae contract worker in Maryland to destroy all the data on the mortgage company's 4,000 computer servers nationwide. Great. Another reason for Fannie Mae to have grovelled for more money from the federal government.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 35-year-old Makwana, of Glen Allen, Va., is scheduled for arraignment Friday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on one count of computer intrusion. U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said that Makwana was fired on Oct. 24. On that day, the feds have alleged that Makwana programmed a computer with a malicious code that was set to spread throughout the Fannie Mae network and destroy all data this Saturday.

So, not only can't Fannie Mae manage its books, it cannot manage its IT staff as well. Wow.

Feds Foil Plot by Former Contract Worker, Rajendrasinh Makwana, to Destroy all Data on Fannie Mae's 4K Computer Servers Nationwide

The Justice Department said that it has foiled a plot by Rajendrasinh Makwana, a fired Fannie Mae contract worker in Maryland to destroy all the data on the mortgage company's 4,000 computer servers nationwide. Great. Another reason for Fannie Mae to have grovelled for more money from the federal government.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 35-year-old Makwana, of Glen Allen, Va., is scheduled for arraignment Friday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on one count of computer intrusion. U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said that Makwana was fired on Oct. 24. On that day, the feds have alleged that Makwana programmed a computer with a malicious code that was set to spread throughout the Fannie Mae network and destroy all data this Saturday.

So, not only can't Fannie Mae manage its books, it cannot manage its IT staff as well. Wow.

President Barack Obama Announces Creation of Task Force on the Middle Class, Signs Executive Orders Aimed at Strengthening Labor Unions

In a tremendous departure from the Bush Administration, President Barack Obama realizes that the middle class is the backbone of this society. On a day when the country's gross domestic product suffered its worst slide in three decades, President Obama has ordered the creation of a task force on the middle class and signed executive orders aimed at strengthening labor unions.

"This isn't just an economic concept," Obama said of the 3.8% decline in the GDP in the last quarter of 2008. "This is a continuing disaster for America's families." "The recession is deepening, and the urgency of our economic crisis is growing," Obama said in an address in the East Room of the White House, part of a series of addresses on the economy this week.

"Every day it seems there is another round of layoffs, and another round of families' lives turned upside down."In signing orders aimed at protecting access to federal contracts for companies with labor unions and informing workers of their rights to organize, the president said,

"I also believe that we have to reverse some of the policies" toward organized labor."I don't see organized labor as part of the problem," Obama said. "To me, it's part of the solution." Citing record unemployment claims as well as the overall economic decline, he said, "This is a difficult moment. But I believe ... if we act swiftly ... it can be an American moment."

Obama, describing what is happening in the nation's economy as "the American dream in reverse," also used this stage as a forum for promoting the $800-billion-plus economic stimulus plan that the House approved in the measure's first vote this week. The Senate, expected to expand on the plan, will vote next."They need us to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan," Obama said, promising that it will create jobs "for years to come," rebuild crumbling roads, renovate schools, double the nation's capacity for alternative energy generation and "bring healthcare into the 21st century." Source: LA Times

The Obama administration has started a new website -- http://www.astrongmiddleclass.gov/ -- that will keep track of the task force's work.The administration has assigned it these goals: "Expanding education and lifelong training opportunities, improving work and family balance, restoring labor standards, including workplace safety, helping to protect middle-class and working-family incomes, protecting retirement security."

Members will include the secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Commerce, as well as the directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget and the Domestic Policy Council and the chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. The White House says it will hold its first meeting Feb. 27 in Philadelphia, focusing on "Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class."

So, some people may find President Obama's policies a bother, but I can say one thing, he is the closest person we have as our president who truly understands the middle class. President Bush had no concept of what it means to struggle to make ends meet. I may not agree with all President Obama's positions, but I will give him my full support because he is the embodiment of the middle class.

President Barack Obama Announces Creation of Task Force on the Middle Class, Signs Executive Orders Aimed at Strengthening Labor Unions

In a tremendous departure from the Bush Administration, President Barack Obama realizes that the middle class is the backbone of this society. On a day when the country's gross domestic product suffered its worst slide in three decades, President Obama has ordered the creation of a task force on the middle class and signed executive orders aimed at strengthening labor unions.

"This isn't just an economic concept," Obama said of the 3.8% decline in the GDP in the last quarter of 2008. "This is a continuing disaster for America's families." "The recession is deepening, and the urgency of our economic crisis is growing," Obama said in an address in the East Room of the White House, part of a series of addresses on the economy this week.

"Every day it seems there is another round of layoffs, and another round of families' lives turned upside down."In signing orders aimed at protecting access to federal contracts for companies with labor unions and informing workers of their rights to organize, the president said,

"I also believe that we have to reverse some of the policies" toward organized labor."I don't see organized labor as part of the problem," Obama said. "To me, it's part of the solution." Citing record unemployment claims as well as the overall economic decline, he said, "This is a difficult moment. But I believe ... if we act swiftly ... it can be an American moment."

Obama, describing what is happening in the nation's economy as "the American dream in reverse," also used this stage as a forum for promoting the $800-billion-plus economic stimulus plan that the House approved in the measure's first vote this week. The Senate, expected to expand on the plan, will vote next."They need us to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan," Obama said, promising that it will create jobs "for years to come," rebuild crumbling roads, renovate schools, double the nation's capacity for alternative energy generation and "bring healthcare into the 21st century." Source: LA Times

The Obama administration has started a new website -- http://www.astrongmiddleclass.gov/ -- that will keep track of the task force's work.The administration has assigned it these goals: "Expanding education and lifelong training opportunities, improving work and family balance, restoring labor standards, including workplace safety, helping to protect middle-class and working-family incomes, protecting retirement security."

Members will include the secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Commerce, as well as the directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget and the Domestic Policy Council and the chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. The White House says it will hold its first meeting Feb. 27 in Philadelphia, focusing on "Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class."

So, some people may find President Obama's policies a bother, but I can say one thing, he is the closest person we have as our president who truly understands the middle class. President Bush had no concept of what it means to struggle to make ends meet. I may not agree with all President Obama's positions, but I will give him my full support because he is the embodiment of the middle class.

Want to Personalize your Cellphone? Go to ToneThis.com to Make Your Own Ringtones, Wallpaper

This isn't something I would usually cover, but I saw this on CBS this morning and thought it was interesting, nonetheless. We are living in a troubled economic times, but a little free diversion will not hurt, as long as it is in moderation.

Want to make your own ringtones and wallpaper for your cellphone? Well, check out ToneThis.com. It is really well-rated on download.com, which is a CBS product. You can also use it to make things like videos and games, and just customize your cell phone. So this is for any other phone, basically, and it works on a PC instead of a Mac. Tonethis.com is software that you download for free but then you need to own the song, and then it sends it to you for free and then your phone as a text message, and you get the text message and click it, and download the song.

It is a very interesting concept and it's free. So, if you want to have some fun with your ringtone on your cellphone, then this may very well work for you.

Want to Personalize your Cellphone? Go to ToneThis.com to Make Your Own Ringtones, Wallpaper

This isn't something I would usually cover, but I saw this on CBS this morning and thought it was interesting, nonetheless. We are living in a troubled economic times, but a little free diversion will not hurt, as long as it is in moderation.

Want to make your own ringtones and wallpaper for your cellphone? Well, check out ToneThis.com. It is really well-rated on download.com, which is a CBS product. You can also use it to make things like videos and games, and just customize your cell phone. So this is for any other phone, basically, and it works on a PC instead of a Mac. Tonethis.com is software that you download for free but then you need to own the song, and then it sends it to you for free and then your phone as a text message, and you get the text message and click it, and download the song.

It is a very interesting concept and it's free. So, if you want to have some fun with your ringtone on your cellphone, then this may very well work for you.

Exxon Mobil Shatters its Own Profit Record for a US Company, Raked in $45.2B For 2008

While millions of workers are losing their jobs and the country is experiencing the worst economic crisis in years, Exxon Mobil Corp., shattered its own profit record for an American company by raking in $45.2 billion in profits for 2008. With profits like that they could implement their own buyout plan of a sector of the faltering economy -- automakers. Even as the company's fourth-quarter earnings fell 33 percent from a year ago, Exxon has still made history. The previous record for annual profit was $40.6 billion, which the world's largest publicly traded oil company set in '07. Funny, didn't Shell post its first loss in 10 years?

Of course, this wasn't a surprise because of crude's triple-digit price for much of 2008, peaking near an unheard of $150 a barrel in July. Since then, however, prices have fallen roughly 70 percent amid a deepening global economic crisis. In the fourth quarter alone crude tumbled 60 percent, prompting spending and job cuts in an industry that was reporting robust, often record, profits as recently as last summer.

Exxon said net income slid sharply to $7.8 billion, or $1.55 a share, in the October-December period. That compared with $11.7 billion, or $2.13 a share, in the same period a year ago, when Exxon set a U.S. record for quarterly profit. It has since topped that mark twice, first in last year's second quarter and then with earnings of $14.83 billion in the third quarter. Boohoo!

Revenue in the most-recent quarter for Exxon fell 27 percent to $84.7 billion. Of course, Wall Street took this news with guarded optimism. Shares rose $1.26 to $78.26 in premarket trading.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

Exxon Mobil Shatters its Own Profit Record for a US Company, Raked in $45.2B For 2008

While millions of workers are losing their jobs and the country is experiencing the worst economic crisis in years, Exxon Mobil Corp., shattered its own profit record for an American company by raking in $45.2 billion in profits for 2008. With profits like that they could implement their own buyout plan of a sector of the faltering economy -- automakers. Even as the company's fourth-quarter earnings fell 33 percent from a year ago, Exxon has still made history. The previous record for annual profit was $40.6 billion, which the world's largest publicly traded oil company set in '07. Funny, didn't Shell post its first loss in 10 years?

Of course, this wasn't a surprise because of crude's triple-digit price for much of 2008, peaking near an unheard of $150 a barrel in July. Since then, however, prices have fallen roughly 70 percent amid a deepening global economic crisis. In the fourth quarter alone crude tumbled 60 percent, prompting spending and job cuts in an industry that was reporting robust, often record, profits as recently as last summer.

Exxon said net income slid sharply to $7.8 billion, or $1.55 a share, in the October-December period. That compared with $11.7 billion, or $2.13 a share, in the same period a year ago, when Exxon set a U.S. record for quarterly profit. It has since topped that mark twice, first in last year's second quarter and then with earnings of $14.83 billion in the third quarter. Boohoo!

Revenue in the most-recent quarter for Exxon fell 27 percent to $84.7 billion. Of course, Wall Street took this news with guarded optimism. Shares rose $1.26 to $78.26 in premarket trading.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

Congressional Black Caucus Lobbying President Obama to Pick John Thompson as Commerce Secy, Says Clinton Chose More Blacks For Cabinet Than Obama

The Congressional Black Caucus is trying to throw it's virtually nonexistent weight around with President Barack Obama. Well, according to The Hill, is lobbying the president to pick African-American technology executive John Thompson to be his commerce secretary. Thompson is chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec Corp, the software security company best known for its Norton computer protection products. He is expected to step down in early April.

In a letter to Obama, the caucus members stressed that Thompson is the only African-American leading a major technology company. The letter, sent last week and obtained Thursday by The Hill, also lists the seven black Cabinet members chosen by President Clinton during his two terms. Obama has selected four African-Americans for Cabinet positions.

“We commend you for making diversity an important priority as you consider your Cabinet selections, in terms of race, perspectives, party and geography given past progress by other presidents in naming African-Americans to senior Cabinet posts,” said the letter, signed by 38 of the 41 members of the CBC. Source: The Hill

Boohoo. Barack Obama isn't Bill Clinton. I just can't stand this sense of entitlement that some of us seem to have. I personally don't care with the racial background of a person is, as long as the best person gets the job. I suspect President Obama shares my view. The last time I checked the CBC was a joke and with little achievement to show for social and political issues confronting blacks in this country. If President Obama decides to pick this man for the Commerce Secretary position, it should be a decision made by he and his team, not the Congressional Black Caucus. This amounts to nothing more than strong-arming and trying to dictate to President Obama how to do his job. I have no doubt that Mr. Thompson is qualified for the position, but the decision should come from Barack Obama and not from the CBC and its sense of entitlement.

Congressional Black Caucus Lobbying President Obama to Pick John Thompson as Commerce Secy, Says Clinton Chose More Blacks For Cabinet Than Obama

The Congressional Black Caucus is trying to throw it's virtually nonexistent weight around with President Barack Obama. Well, according to The Hill, is lobbying the president to pick African-American technology executive John Thompson to be his commerce secretary. Thompson is chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec Corp, the software security company best known for its Norton computer protection products. He is expected to step down in early April.

In a letter to Obama, the caucus members stressed that Thompson is the only African-American leading a major technology company. The letter, sent last week and obtained Thursday by The Hill, also lists the seven black Cabinet members chosen by President Clinton during his two terms. Obama has selected four African-Americans for Cabinet positions.

“We commend you for making diversity an important priority as you consider your Cabinet selections, in terms of race, perspectives, party and geography given past progress by other presidents in naming African-Americans to senior Cabinet posts,” said the letter, signed by 38 of the 41 members of the CBC. Source: The Hill

Boohoo. Barack Obama isn't Bill Clinton. I just can't stand this sense of entitlement that some of us seem to have. I personally don't care with the racial background of a person is, as long as the best person gets the job. I suspect President Obama shares my view. The last time I checked the CBC was a joke and with little achievement to show for social and political issues confronting blacks in this country. If President Obama decides to pick this man for the Commerce Secretary position, it should be a decision made by he and his team, not the Congressional Black Caucus. This amounts to nothing more than strong-arming and trying to dictate to President Obama how to do his job. I have no doubt that Mr. Thompson is qualified for the position, but the decision should come from Barack Obama and not from the CBC and its sense of entitlement.

President Barack Obama Signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 Into Law

Photo: Ledbetter, behind President Obama, looks on as

he signs the law. Photo taken by Jason Reed of Reuters.

I don't think Lilly Ledbetter ever thought she would go down in history as a pioneer. Much like Rosa Parks, Johnnie Carr, Madame C. J. Walker, and so many other great women. Today, President Barack Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.

Before putting his pen to the paper, Obama said: "Lilly Ledbetter did not set out to be a trailblazer or a household name. She was just a good hard worker who did her job -- and she did it well -- for nearly two decades before discovering that for years, she was paid less than her male colleagues for doing the very same work. Over the course of her career, she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits -- losses that she still feels today.

"Now, Lilly could have accepted her lot and moved on. She could have decided that it wasn't worth the hassle and the harassment that would inevitably come with speaking up for what she deserved. But instead, she decided that there was a principle at stake, something worth fighting for. So she set out on a journey that would take more than 10 years, take her all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, and lead to this day and this bill which will help others get the justice she was denied. ...

"I intend to send a clear message: That making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone. That there are no second class citizens in our workplaces, and that it's not just unfair and illegal -- it's bad for business -- to pay someone less because of their gender, or their age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability." Source: USA Today

This is a great moment for true equality for women in the workplace. I would venture to say that every woman out there can identify with Lilly Ledbetter. This law was long overdue and I salute President Obama for his actions today. Women are not second class citizens. We are much more than we get credit for. As a woman, a mother and a wife, I am immensely grateful that this has been signed into law.

President Barack Obama Signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 Into Law

Photo: Ledbetter, behind President Obama, looks on as

he signs the law. Photo taken by Jason Reed of Reuters.

I don't think Lilly Ledbetter ever thought she would go down in history as a pioneer. Much like Rosa Parks, Johnnie Carr, Madame C. J. Walker, and so many other great women. Today, President Barack Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.

Before putting his pen to the paper, Obama said: "Lilly Ledbetter did not set out to be a trailblazer or a household name. She was just a good hard worker who did her job -- and she did it well -- for nearly two decades before discovering that for years, she was paid less than her male colleagues for doing the very same work. Over the course of her career, she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits -- losses that she still feels today.

"Now, Lilly could have accepted her lot and moved on. She could have decided that it wasn't worth the hassle and the harassment that would inevitably come with speaking up for what she deserved. But instead, she decided that there was a principle at stake, something worth fighting for. So she set out on a journey that would take more than 10 years, take her all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, and lead to this day and this bill which will help others get the justice she was denied. ...

"I intend to send a clear message: That making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone. That there are no second class citizens in our workplaces, and that it's not just unfair and illegal -- it's bad for business -- to pay someone less because of their gender, or their age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability." Source: USA Today

This is a great moment for true equality for women in the workplace. I would venture to say that every woman out there can identify with Lilly Ledbetter. This law was long overdue and I salute President Obama for his actions today. Women are not second class citizens. We are much more than we get credit for. As a woman, a mother and a wife, I am immensely grateful that this has been signed into law.

Mark Meeks, Wife Jennifer Dallas-Meeks & Two Children Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Well, here we go again. Another murder-suicide. According to the Columbus Dispatch, police suspect a murder-suicide in the deaths of a couple and their two small children. The cops have not released the names, but Mike Meeks said that they are his brother, Mark Meeks, 51; his brother's wife, Jennifer Dallas-Meeks, 40; and their children, Abby, 8, and Jimmy, 5. The bodies were found in a ranch home owned by the couple at 918 Beechwood Rd.

Whitehall police refused to say last night how the four died or whether a weapon was found. "It has the markings of a murder-suicide," Sgt. Daniel Kelso said without elaborating. "This is not a high-crime area."

Relatives of the couple called police a little before 2 p.m. requesting that officers check on the family's well-being, Kelso said. Police found the four bodies upon arrival. Neighbor Stephanie Grunkemeyer, 37, said she saw Mark Meeks shoveling his driveway about 11 a.m. yesterday.

"They were really good people. I'm shocked," she said. "The kids were just the cutest. They'd come play in our yard -- they always wanted to play -- and we'd color the same coloring book a million times."

Mark Meeks worked as a service manager for a car dealership and Dallas-Meeks was a stay-at-home mom who sold candles from home, said Mike Meeks, 49, of Columbus. "He was just a good family guy," Meeks said of his brother. "Mark was just the kind of guy who never met a stranger, and he could sell ice to the Eskimos." Source: Columbus Dispatch

A neighbor said that the father had recently lost his job and was rehired three weeks ago. Investigators have said that this may have been a factor in the deaths. This news comes one day after police in Wilmington, Ca., found the bodies of Ervin and Ana Lupoe and their five children. Lupoe was in debt and had recently been fired from his job. This is a really sad turn of events and I suspect that we will hear more murder-suicides in the news as the economy continues to deteriorate. This is a selfish way to go, but sometimes one comes to a breaking point of irrationality where there seems to be no hope. There is hope, no matter how dark and treacherous the path forward seems to be.

I am appalled that this case has flown under the radar. This was not broadcast in the mainstream media as the murder-suicide of the Lupoe family in California. It would be equally shameful if this is a deliberate move on their part to keep this out of the daily news. If that is the case, I can only conclude that this action was racially motivated. The outcry should be the same. Mr. Meeks, for what is worth, committed a selfish and heinous act. Yes, no matter how dark it may seem, neither Mr. Meeks nor Mr. Lupoe had the right to take the lives of their wives and children.

Mark Meeks, Wife Jennifer Dallas-Meeks & Two Children Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Well, here we go again. Another murder-suicide. According to the Columbus Dispatch, police suspect a murder-suicide in the deaths of a couple and their two small children. The cops have not released the names, but Mike Meeks said that they are his brother, Mark Meeks, 51; his brother's wife, Jennifer Dallas-Meeks, 40; and their children, Abby, 8, and Jimmy, 5. The bodies were found in a ranch home owned by the couple at 918 Beechwood Rd.

Whitehall police refused to say last night how the four died or whether a weapon was found. "It has the markings of a murder-suicide," Sgt. Daniel Kelso said without elaborating. "This is not a high-crime area."

Relatives of the couple called police a little before 2 p.m. requesting that officers check on the family's well-being, Kelso said. Police found the four bodies upon arrival. Neighbor Stephanie Grunkemeyer, 37, said she saw Mark Meeks shoveling his driveway about 11 a.m. yesterday.

"They were really good people. I'm shocked," she said. "The kids were just the cutest. They'd come play in our yard -- they always wanted to play -- and we'd color the same coloring book a million times."

Mark Meeks worked as a service manager for a car dealership and Dallas-Meeks was a stay-at-home mom who sold candles from home, said Mike Meeks, 49, of Columbus. "He was just a good family guy," Meeks said of his brother. "Mark was just the kind of guy who never met a stranger, and he could sell ice to the Eskimos." Source: Columbus Dispatch

A neighbor said that the father had recently lost his job and was rehired three weeks ago. Investigators have said that this may have been a factor in the deaths. This news comes one day after police in Wilmington, Ca., found the bodies of Ervin and Ana Lupoe and their five children. Lupoe was in debt and had recently been fired from his job. This is a really sad turn of events and I suspect that we will hear more murder-suicides in the news as the economy continues to deteriorate. This is a selfish way to go, but sometimes one comes to a breaking point of irrationality where there seems to be no hope. There is hope, no matter how dark and treacherous the path forward seems to be.

I am appalled that this case has flown under the radar. This was not broadcast in the mainstream media as the murder-suicide of the Lupoe family in California. It would be equally shameful if this is a deliberate move on their part to keep this out of the daily news. If that is the case, I can only conclude that this action was racially motivated. The outcry should be the same. Mr. Meeks, for what is worth, committed a selfish and heinous act. Yes, no matter how dark it may seem, neither Mr. Meeks nor Mr. Lupoe had the right to take the lives of their wives and children.

Jason Caffey, Former NBA Player, Has Been Ordered Arrested by Atlanta Judge for Failure to Pay Over $200K in Child Support Payments

Why won't some of these rich, questionable in some cases, people do right by their kids? Atlanta Superior Court Judge Cynthia D. Wright has ordered the arrest of former NBA player Jason Caffey, who's accused of failing to pay thousands in child support.

In October, a judge in Alabama rejected a bankruptcy case filed by Caffey, clearing the way for him to be sued for child support. Fulton County issued an arrest warrant Tuesday over Caffey's failure to obey a court order that he pay more than $200,000 in child support and legal fees to Lorunda Brown and her attorney. Well, I guess they have now gotten his attention. Brown's attorney, Randy Kessler said Brown is the mother of Caffey's 6-year-old son. Ms. Brown is reportedly one of eight women and her child is one of ten children fathered by Caffey.

Caffey played nine years in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. A fool and his money are soon parted. He lived the high life and the spigot has been turned off. So now he chooses to ignore his obligations as a parent by trying to sneak it through in a bankruptcy petition. Psst, Jason. You forgot one itty bitty deal. Child support payments do not go away by filing for bankruptcy. You can be arrested for your actions. Yoohoo. The cops are looking for you. The long arm of the law has finally caught up with you, scumbag.

Jason Caffey, Former NBA Player, Has Been Ordered Arrested by Atlanta Judge for Failure to Pay Over $200K in Child Support Payments

Why won't some of these rich, questionable in some cases, people do right by their kids? Atlanta Superior Court Judge Cynthia D. Wright has ordered the arrest of former NBA player Jason Caffey, who's accused of failing to pay thousands in child support.

In October, a judge in Alabama rejected a bankruptcy case filed by Caffey, clearing the way for him to be sued for child support. Fulton County issued an arrest warrant Tuesday over Caffey's failure to obey a court order that he pay more than $200,000 in child support and legal fees to Lorunda Brown and her attorney. Well, I guess they have now gotten his attention. Brown's attorney, Randy Kessler said Brown is the mother of Caffey's 6-year-old son. Ms. Brown is reportedly one of eight women and her child is one of ten children fathered by Caffey.

Caffey played nine years in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. A fool and his money are soon parted. He lived the high life and the spigot has been turned off. So now he chooses to ignore his obligations as a parent by trying to sneak it through in a bankruptcy petition. Psst, Jason. You forgot one itty bitty deal. Child support payments do not go away by filing for bankruptcy. You can be arrested for your actions. Yoohoo. The cops are looking for you. The long arm of the law has finally caught up with you, scumbag.

Liberia Under Attack From Armyworms, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Declares a State of Emergency

It seems like the continent of Africa just can't catch a break. The Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in response to a plague of crop-destroying armyworms. The bugs are among the world's most destructive agricultural pests. Liberia isn't the only country faced with this mounting problem. Farmers in Kenya and Tanzania have also suffered outbreaks in recent years. Something drastic needs to be done and quickly. The last time Liberia was attacked on such a large scale was in the late 1970s. The losses this time around could cause serious food shortages. The country is already heavily dependent on imported rice to feed its 3.5 million citizens. The government says it cannot cope with the scale of the outbreak and has called in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help. To make matters worse, the worms are now spreading to neighbouring Guinea and towards Sierra Leone. The best weapon that can be used against the pest is to spray crops with chemical insecticides.

What exactly are armyworms?

The menace known as the "African armyworm" is in fact a caterpillar. During the rainy season, the insects emerge in sudden swarms and rapidly devour crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, rice and sugar cane. The pest gets its name from its habit of "marching" in large numbers into crop fields. Like locusts, armyworms appear in huge numbers, ravage farms, and then move on once fields are barren. They also cause disease, as their faeces enters rivers and streams can contaminate drinking water supplies.

Where did they come from?

The armyworms are the larvae of nocturnal moths, of the species Spodoptera exempta. During the rainy seasons, the moths spread and begin laying eggs in grasses and food crops. Each female lays between 500 and 1,000 eggs in her 10-day lifetime. The moths are capable of long-distance migration - more than 100km (60 miles) per night - allowing the swarms to spread rapidly.

Once hatched, the larvae migrate through grasslands in snake-like colonies. On reaching crop fields, they begin feasting. At full size (5cm - 2in) the caterpillars can lay waste to whole farms within days. They then simply move on to the next available target. Source: BBC News UK

A more radical approach to prevention of the spread of armyworms is a virus known as NPV, which is being investigated by researchers from the UK, Canada and Tanzania. According to BBC News, the naturally occurring virus is specifically lethal to army worms, but it appears too late in most years to prevent them causing serious crop damage. Scientists hope to study and harness the virus, to create an effective pest control technique. The last thing Africa needs is another country in the throes of massive food shortage.

Liberia Under Attack From Armyworms, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Declares a State of Emergency

It seems like the continent of Africa just can't catch a break. The Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in response to a plague of crop-destroying armyworms. The bugs are among the world's most destructive agricultural pests. Liberia isn't the only country faced with this mounting problem. Farmers in Kenya and Tanzania have also suffered outbreaks in recent years. Something drastic needs to be done and quickly. The last time Liberia was attacked on such a large scale was in the late 1970s. The losses this time around could cause serious food shortages. The country is already heavily dependent on imported rice to feed its 3.5 million citizens. The government says it cannot cope with the scale of the outbreak and has called in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help. To make matters worse, the worms are now spreading to neighbouring Guinea and towards Sierra Leone. The best weapon that can be used against the pest is to spray crops with chemical insecticides.

What exactly are armyworms?

The menace known as the "African armyworm" is in fact a caterpillar. During the rainy season, the insects emerge in sudden swarms and rapidly devour crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, rice and sugar cane. The pest gets its name from its habit of "marching" in large numbers into crop fields. Like locusts, armyworms appear in huge numbers, ravage farms, and then move on once fields are barren. They also cause disease, as their faeces enters rivers and streams can contaminate drinking water supplies.

Where did they come from?

The armyworms are the larvae of nocturnal moths, of the species Spodoptera exempta. During the rainy seasons, the moths spread and begin laying eggs in grasses and food crops. Each female lays between 500 and 1,000 eggs in her 10-day lifetime. The moths are capable of long-distance migration - more than 100km (60 miles) per night - allowing the swarms to spread rapidly.

Once hatched, the larvae migrate through grasslands in snake-like colonies. On reaching crop fields, they begin feasting. At full size (5cm - 2in) the caterpillars can lay waste to whole farms within days. They then simply move on to the next available target. Source: BBC News UK

A more radical approach to prevention of the spread of armyworms is a virus known as NPV, which is being investigated by researchers from the UK, Canada and Tanzania. According to BBC News, the naturally occurring virus is specifically lethal to army worms, but it appears too late in most years to prevent them causing serious crop damage. Scientists hope to study and harness the virus, to create an effective pest control technique. The last thing Africa needs is another country in the throes of massive food shortage.

Juan Williams Baselessly Attacks First Lady Michelle Obama, Claiming "Her Instinct is to Start with this 'Blame America' ... Stuff"

I know that Bill O'Reilly just can't stand the fact that Barack and Michelle Obama are in the White House, but I could not believe that Juan Williams has sunk to a new low. What happen to the choking up after Barack Obama was inaugurated as our next president? What a hypocrite. I don't watch Faux News very much, but I decided to check out "The O'Reilly Factor," on Monday. Boy was I steamed. Well, Juan Williams baselessly attacked First Lady Obama claiming that "her instinct is to start with this 'blame America' ... stuff." He further asserted that Michelle Obama's "instinct" is to "blame America" or be "the victim," and said she has "this Stokely Carmichael-in-a-designer-dress thing going." What a load of crap! Williams also said that she could be a "liability" or an "albatross" for President Barack Obama. Williams previously claimed Michelle Obama sometimes uses "this kind of militant anger." Wait, haven't we been through this questioning of her patriotism before and it proved baseless? Juan Williams is a good old "Uncle Tom" for Faux News. I don't know who lied and told Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity that they are the moral compasses of the United States.

To read the entire commentary from Media Matters, CLICK HERE.

Juan Williams Baselessly Attacks First Lady Michelle Obama, Claiming "Her Instinct is to Start with this 'Blame America' ... Stuff"

I know that Bill O'Reilly just can't stand the fact that Barack and Michelle Obama are in the White House, but I could not believe that Juan Williams has sunk to a new low. What happen to the choking up after Barack Obama was inaugurated as our next president? What a hypocrite. I don't watch Faux News very much, but I decided to check out "The O'Reilly Factor," on Monday. Boy was I steamed. Well, Juan Williams baselessly attacked First Lady Obama claiming that "her instinct is to start with this 'blame America' ... stuff." He further asserted that Michelle Obama's "instinct" is to "blame America" or be "the victim," and said she has "this Stokely Carmichael-in-a-designer-dress thing going." What a load of crap! Williams also said that she could be a "liability" or an "albatross" for President Barack Obama. Williams previously claimed Michelle Obama sometimes uses "this kind of militant anger." Wait, haven't we been through this questioning of her patriotism before and it proved baseless? Juan Williams is a good old "Uncle Tom" for Faux News. I don't know who lied and told Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity that they are the moral compasses of the United States.

To read the entire commentary from Media Matters, CLICK HERE.

Amnau Eele, Black Artists Assoc.Co-Founder, Gets Death Threats Over Recent Criticism of Michelle Obama Inaugural Attire Not Made by a Black Designer

I have been watching this story play out from the sidelines and now I want to give my two cents, if you will. According to WWD, Black Artists Association co-founder Amnau Eele has received death threats in response to her public criticism of Michelle Obama for not wearing an African-American designer clothes to the inauguration. She told the magazine, "We don't represent designers, we represent painters. We spoke up for black designers because we felt it was the right thing to do." So, I guess Michelle Obama should automatically have worn a dress by a black designer because somehow, that's the right thing to do. I guess their thinking is that she owes blacks that much, right? Wrong. She is free to wear the dress from the designers of her choice, no matter their race.

As you will recall, the Michelle Obama fashion backlash begun after the inauguration. The Black Artists Association publicly chided the First Lady for not wearing an African-American designer during any of the inaugural festivities. On inauguration day, Obama wore Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, and at night she wore a gown by Taiwan-born designer Jason Wu. BAA's founder Amnau Eele, a former model, told WWD:

"It's fine and good if you want to be all 'Kumbaya' and 'We Are the World' by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?" Eele said.

My parting words to Amnau Eele is to get a grip on reality and see that whose designs Mrs. Obama wears are her decisions and not yours. The expectation that because she is black she needs to wear garments designed by blacks is preposterous. She should not be forced to give up the right to choose her clothes. If this group is questioning Mrs. Obama's blackness, they are barking up the wrong tree. Have you forgotten how Mrs. Obama's patriotism was brought into question by the Republicans?

Amnau Eele, Black Artists Assoc.Co-Founder, Gets Death Threats Over Recent Criticism of Michelle Obama Inaugural Attire Not Made by a Black Designer

I have been watching this story play out from the sidelines and now I want to give my two cents, if you will. According to WWD, Black Artists Association co-founder Amnau Eele has received death threats in response to her public criticism of Michelle Obama for not wearing an African-American designer clothes to the inauguration. She told the magazine, "We don't represent designers, we represent painters. We spoke up for black designers because we felt it was the right thing to do." So, I guess Michelle Obama should automatically have worn a dress by a black designer because somehow, that's the right thing to do. I guess their thinking is that she owes blacks that much, right? Wrong. She is free to wear the dress from the designers of her choice, no matter their race.

As you will recall, the Michelle Obama fashion backlash begun after the inauguration. The Black Artists Association publicly chided the First Lady for not wearing an African-American designer during any of the inaugural festivities. On inauguration day, Obama wore Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, and at night she wore a gown by Taiwan-born designer Jason Wu. BAA's founder Amnau Eele, a former model, told WWD:

"It's fine and good if you want to be all 'Kumbaya' and 'We Are the World' by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?" Eele said.

My parting words to Amnau Eele is to get a grip on reality and see that whose designs Mrs. Obama wears are her decisions and not yours. The expectation that because she is black she needs to wear garments designed by blacks is preposterous. She should not be forced to give up the right to choose her clothes. If this group is questioning Mrs. Obama's blackness, they are barking up the wrong tree. Have you forgotten how Mrs. Obama's patriotism was brought into question by the Republicans?

Ervin Lupoe Murders Wife, Ana Lupoe, Five Young Children, Says in Note to TV Station, They Were Fired from Kaiser Permanente Facility

Photo: Ervin Antonio Lupoe and Family (found on Fox News)

I am painfully aware of the economic crisis we are going through in this country, but I am also disappointed that someone could be so selfish and cruel as to kill his entire family. Ervin Antonio Lupoe did just that. He fatally shot his wife, five young children and himself today. He had earlier faxed a note to a television station in which he claimed that he and his wife had just been fired from their hospital jobs and had planned the killings as a final escape for the whole family. Huh? "Why leave the children to a stranger?" Ervin Lupoe wrote, according to KABC-TV.

The station called police after receiving the fax, and a police dispatch center also received a call from a man who stated, "'I just returned home and my whole family's been shot." The fax asserted that Ana Lupoe planning the killings of the whole family, but police Lt. John Romero said Lupoe was the suspect. A revolver was reportedly found next to his body.

According to media reports, Ana Lupoe's body was found in a downstairs bedroom with the bodies of the couple's twin 2-year-old boys. The bodies of an 8-year-old girl, twin 5-year-old girls were found alongside Lupoe's in an upstairs bedroom.

Here is the really crazy statistic. This tragedy was the fifth mass death of a Southern California family by murder or suicide in a year. Come on people. Surely you can face tough economic times with some dignity, resolve and determination instead of resorting to violence. That is simply not the solution to the problem. There are alternatives to committing such a horrific crime.

Lupoe removed three of the children from school about a week and a half ago, saying the family was moving to Kansas, the school principal told KCAL-TV. Crescent Heights Elementary School Principal Cherise Pounders-Caver said nothing seemed to be troubling Lupoe at that time; she did not ask why the family was moving.

Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West Los Angeles released a statement confirming both Lupoe and his wife worked there; both were medical technicians. "We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of the Lupoe family," it said in a statement. Source: The Huffington Post

Of course, Ervin Lupoe was a coward. He claimed his wife suggested that they kill themselves and their children, too. This man was supposed to protect his family, not destroy them. This is such a senseless and horrific crime. These children did not deserve the fate that befell them.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Ervin Lupoe Murders Wife, Ana Lupoe, Five Young Children, Says in Note to TV Station, They Were Fired from Kaiser Permanente Facility

Photo: Ervin Antonio Lupoe and Family (found on Fox News)

I am painfully aware of the economic crisis we are going through in this country, but I am also disappointed that someone could be so selfish and cruel as to kill his entire family. Ervin Antonio Lupoe did just that. He fatally shot his wife, five young children and himself today. He had earlier faxed a note to a television station in which he claimed that he and his wife had just been fired from their hospital jobs and had planned the killings as a final escape for the whole family. Huh? "Why leave the children to a stranger?" Ervin Lupoe wrote, according to KABC-TV.

The station called police after receiving the fax, and a police dispatch center also received a call from a man who stated, "'I just returned home and my whole family's been shot." The fax asserted that Ana Lupoe planning the killings of the whole family, but police Lt. John Romero said Lupoe was the suspect. A revolver was reportedly found next to his body.

According to media reports, Ana Lupoe's body was found in a downstairs bedroom with the bodies of the couple's twin 2-year-old boys. The bodies of an 8-year-old girl, twin 5-year-old girls were found alongside Lupoe's in an upstairs bedroom.

Here is the really crazy statistic. This tragedy was the fifth mass death of a Southern California family by murder or suicide in a year. Come on people. Surely you can face tough economic times with some dignity, resolve and determination instead of resorting to violence. That is simply not the solution to the problem. There are alternatives to committing such a horrific crime.

Lupoe removed three of the children from school about a week and a half ago, saying the family was moving to Kansas, the school principal told KCAL-TV. Crescent Heights Elementary School Principal Cherise Pounders-Caver said nothing seemed to be troubling Lupoe at that time; she did not ask why the family was moving.

Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West Los Angeles released a statement confirming both Lupoe and his wife worked there; both were medical technicians. "We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of the Lupoe family," it said in a statement. Source: The Huffington Post

Of course, Ervin Lupoe was a coward. He claimed his wife suggested that they kill themselves and their children, too. This man was supposed to protect his family, not destroy them. This is such a senseless and horrific crime. These children did not deserve the fate that befell them.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Author John Updike Succumbs to Cancer at Age 76

Author John Updike, who chronicled the emotional drama of American small town life with searing wit, has died, his publisher said.

"It is with great sadness that I report that John Updike died this morning at the age of 76, after a battle with lung cancer." said Nicholas Latimer of Alfred A. Knopf, a unit of Random House.

"He was one of our greatest writers, and he will be sorely missed." Latimer said Updike died in a hospice in Massachusetts.

Updike is known for exploring themes of sexual tension, and spiritual and moral angst in small town settings. His "Rabbit is Rich," published in 1981, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Author John Updike Succumbs to Cancer at Age 76

Author John Updike, who chronicled the emotional drama of American small town life with searing wit, has died, his publisher said.

"It is with great sadness that I report that John Updike died this morning at the age of 76, after a battle with lung cancer." said Nicholas Latimer of Alfred A. Knopf, a unit of Random House.

"He was one of our greatest writers, and he will be sorely missed." Latimer said Updike died in a hospice in Massachusetts.

Updike is known for exploring themes of sexual tension, and spiritual and moral angst in small town settings. His "Rabbit is Rich," published in 1981, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Tania Zaetta Awarded Compensation by Australian Government After Defense Dept. Implicated Her in Sex Scandal

Photo: Sky News, Tania Zaetta with troops


London-based entertainer Tania Zaetta hit pay dirt. At least that what it seems like to some, but to me, it has to do more with integrity and decency. The Australian government has awarded compensation to her after the Defense Department implicated her in a sex scandal.

The Department disclosed today that it finished mediating with Ms Zaetta late last year. It was claimed Zaetta had sex with special forces soldiers at their base in Afghanistan while she was on tour with other performers entertaining troops. Chief of the Defense Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston says there is no substance to the allegations. He's apologized to Zaetta and says she's welcome to sing again for Australian troops. Really Chief Houston? After all your department has done to blacklist this woman?

Tania Zaetta Awarded Compensation by Australian Government After Defense Dept. Implicated Her in Sex Scandal

Photo: Sky News, Tania Zaetta with troops


London-based entertainer Tania Zaetta hit pay dirt. At least that what it seems like to some, but to me, it has to do more with integrity and decency. The Australian government has awarded compensation to her after the Defense Department implicated her in a sex scandal.

The Department disclosed today that it finished mediating with Ms Zaetta late last year. It was claimed Zaetta had sex with special forces soldiers at their base in Afghanistan while she was on tour with other performers entertaining troops. Chief of the Defense Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston says there is no substance to the allegations. He's apologized to Zaetta and says she's welcome to sing again for Australian troops. Really Chief Houston? After all your department has done to blacklist this woman?

FedEx Cargo Plane Crashes on Landing at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Minor Injuries Sustained

A FedEx cargo plane crashed on landing this morning in Lubbock, Texas. The damaged FedEx ATR-42 lies beside a runway at the Lubbock, Texas, airport. Thank God the injuries are reportedly minor.

There was a small fire on the plane, the Federal Aviation Administration and FedEx spokeswoman Sandra Munoz said. Munoz said she was not sure about the extent of the damage. The plane is an ATR-42 twin-turboprop aircraft and landed short of the touchdown zone at 4:37 a.m. CT (5:47 ET).

Munoz said the plane had been traveling from Fort Worth Alliance Airport and skidded off the runway amid light freezing rain. The plane was operated by Empire Airways, which is under contract with FedEx Corp., based in Memphis, Tennessee.

So, on top of all the massive job cuts in the news yesterday and today, FedEx has landed on the front page and this time, we all have to be grateful that no-one died.

FedEx Cargo Plane Crashes on Landing at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Minor Injuries Sustained

A FedEx cargo plane crashed on landing this morning in Lubbock, Texas. The damaged FedEx ATR-42 lies beside a runway at the Lubbock, Texas, airport. Thank God the injuries are reportedly minor.

There was a small fire on the plane, the Federal Aviation Administration and FedEx spokeswoman Sandra Munoz said. Munoz said she was not sure about the extent of the damage. The plane is an ATR-42 twin-turboprop aircraft and landed short of the touchdown zone at 4:37 a.m. CT (5:47 ET).

Munoz said the plane had been traveling from Fort Worth Alliance Airport and skidded off the runway amid light freezing rain. The plane was operated by Empire Airways, which is under contract with FedEx Corp., based in Memphis, Tennessee.

So, on top of all the massive job cuts in the news yesterday and today, FedEx has landed on the front page and this time, we all have to be grateful that no-one died.

President Obama Grants First Interview to Dubai-Based Satellite TV Channel al Arabiya

President Barack Obama has proven once again that he is an astute person who is keenly aware of the importance of diplomacy with the Muslims. He is not just tap-dancing around the issue of establishing diplomatic relationships with the Muslim world. Obama granted his first full TV interview since being sworn in -- to Arabic satellite TV channel al Arabiya, whose Dubai-based signal reached 23 million viewers in the Middle East. In the interview, Obama reaffirmed American support for Israel. But he also spoke of a "new partnership" with the Arab world "based on mutual respect and mutual interest." That speaks volumes on the type of inclusive administration the president intends to foster.

President Obama also made it clear that he was in a unique position as an American leader in dealing with the Muslim world. "I have Muslim members of my family," he said. "I have lived in Muslim countries."

The interview was the second time since becoming president that Obama has made a point to reach out to the Arab world. Last week, his first call to a foreign leader went to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

In office less than a week, Obama has moved more rapidly than any predecessor to launch a vigorous diplomatic effort into the Arab-Israeli minefield. It was Obama's second public appearance with former Sen. Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the last five days.

Though it is unclear whether President Obama's foray into peacemaking with the Arab world will be more successful that previous administrations, he has set a different tone. As you will recall, President George W. Bush waited seven years before trying to broker talks, rarely got involved personally and often sent his special envoys into the region without explicitly empowering them to speak for him. I must state however, that Obama's actions have also raised hopes to dangerous levels, possibly, but we have to realize that no conflict in the Middle East can be settled without U.S. leadership.

President Obama Grants First Interview to Dubai-Based Satellite TV Channel al Arabiya

President Barack Obama has proven once again that he is an astute person who is keenly aware of the importance of diplomacy with the Muslims. He is not just tap-dancing around the issue of establishing diplomatic relationships with the Muslim world. Obama granted his first full TV interview since being sworn in -- to Arabic satellite TV channel al Arabiya, whose Dubai-based signal reached 23 million viewers in the Middle East. In the interview, Obama reaffirmed American support for Israel. But he also spoke of a "new partnership" with the Arab world "based on mutual respect and mutual interest." That speaks volumes on the type of inclusive administration the president intends to foster.

President Obama also made it clear that he was in a unique position as an American leader in dealing with the Muslim world. "I have Muslim members of my family," he said. "I have lived in Muslim countries."

The interview was the second time since becoming president that Obama has made a point to reach out to the Arab world. Last week, his first call to a foreign leader went to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

In office less than a week, Obama has moved more rapidly than any predecessor to launch a vigorous diplomatic effort into the Arab-Israeli minefield. It was Obama's second public appearance with former Sen. Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the last five days.

Though it is unclear whether President Obama's foray into peacemaking with the Arab world will be more successful that previous administrations, he has set a different tone. As you will recall, President George W. Bush waited seven years before trying to broker talks, rarely got involved personally and often sent his special envoys into the region without explicitly empowering them to speak for him. I must state however, that Obama's actions have also raised hopes to dangerous levels, possibly, but we have to realize that no conflict in the Middle East can be settled without U.S. leadership.

Nicholas Cosmo Arrested, Charged with Mail Fraud as Feds Invesitgate Another Possible Ponzi Scheme on Long Island

Photo: Entrepreneur Magazine, Nicholas Cosmo

More drama. Another Ponzi scheme in coming to light. Nicholas Cosmo, president and CEO of Agape World Inc., in Hauppauge, Long Island, has been accused of bilking investors through a scheme that has been running for quite a long time. The scumbag surrendered to authorities tonight and has been charged with mail fraud. Hah. Another one bites the dust! Angry investors descended on the office earlier on Monday demanding information on their accounts, which are most likely nonexistent now. Cosmo was able to attract $400 million in investments from unsuspecting investors, maybe a few greedy ones as well.

According to 1010 Wins, on Friday, Cosmo told more than 150 investors that all payouts are suspended because real-estate deals the firm backed are facing foreclosure. Suffolk County police were called to the building after the investors refused to leave the offices. Agape said it specializes in short-term loans to builders, paying a high interest rate to those who invest. It also seems to specialize in robbing people blind. If these allegations are true, we will see more people literally losing the shirts off their backs. I am glad they caught him before he tried to kill himself or stage his death.

1010 Wins WEB EXTRA: Letter from Cosmo to Investors

While the amount in question here pales in comparison to the $50 billion Ponzi scheme allegedly spearheaded by Bernard Madoff, the amounts are large enough to attract investigation from the big guns -- FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors and local law enforcement. Yeah, there will be more Ponzi schemes uncovered as the financial industry declines. It seems that Mr. Cosmo is not a stranger to the correction system. He was convicted of a federal charge of felony fraud and swindle in 1999 and sentenced to 21 months in prison. According to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, he was released in August 2000. But he backslid and committed an even bigger crime. I am all for second chances, but this scumbag needs to be behind bars for a long time.

Nicholas Cosmo Arrested, Charged with Mail Fraud as Feds Invesitgate Another Possible Ponzi Scheme on Long Island

Photo: Entrepreneur Magazine, Nicholas Cosmo

More drama. Another Ponzi scheme in coming to light. Nicholas Cosmo, president and CEO of Agape World Inc., in Hauppauge, Long Island, has been accused of bilking investors through a scheme that has been running for quite a long time. The scumbag surrendered to authorities tonight and has been charged with mail fraud. Hah. Another one bites the dust! Angry investors descended on the office earlier on Monday demanding information on their accounts, which are most likely nonexistent now. Cosmo was able to attract $400 million in investments from unsuspecting investors, maybe a few greedy ones as well.

According to 1010 Wins, on Friday, Cosmo told more than 150 investors that all payouts are suspended because real-estate deals the firm backed are facing foreclosure. Suffolk County police were called to the building after the investors refused to leave the offices. Agape said it specializes in short-term loans to builders, paying a high interest rate to those who invest. It also seems to specialize in robbing people blind. If these allegations are true, we will see more people literally losing the shirts off their backs. I am glad they caught him before he tried to kill himself or stage his death.

1010 Wins WEB EXTRA: Letter from Cosmo to Investors

While the amount in question here pales in comparison to the $50 billion Ponzi scheme allegedly spearheaded by Bernard Madoff, the amounts are large enough to attract investigation from the big guns -- FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors and local law enforcement. Yeah, there will be more Ponzi schemes uncovered as the financial industry declines. It seems that Mr. Cosmo is not a stranger to the correction system. He was convicted of a federal charge of felony fraud and swindle in 1999 and sentenced to 21 months in prison. According to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, he was released in August 2000. But he backslid and committed an even bigger crime. I am all for second chances, but this scumbag needs to be behind bars for a long time.

Citigroup Splurges $50M on New Corporate Jet, "Dassault Falcon 7X, As It is Mired in Financial Woes After $45B Government Bailout

Photo: Citijet -- Dassault Falcon 7X, Dassault's Website/Huffington Post

UPDATE

Citigroup has grounded plans to purchase new luxury jet. The execs at Citigroup caved under pressure from President Obama and decided today to abandon plans for a luxurious new $50 million corporate jet from France. It is a low-down dirty shame that President Obama had to get involved. According to ABC News, Monday officials of the Obama administration called Citigroup about the company's new $50 million corporate jet and told execs to "fix it." Earlier on Monday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said made it clear that the president disapproved of the deal. "The president said this during the transition, as it related to the auto companies using private jets; doesn't believe that's the best use of money at this point," Gibbs said.

While Citigroup is in a financial tailspin and was bailed out by the government to the tune of $45 billion, it is about to upgrade to a new $50 million, twelve-seat corporate jet -- the Dassault Falcon 7X. This is unconscionable and a real disgrace that after grovelling on their hands and knees this is the most pressing need the company could seek to address. Was this Citijet really necessary, especially in this economic nightmare? This is a clear indication of how much the company really cares about Main Street.

The plane is a luxurious jet with a range of 5,950 nautical miles (meaning it can fly from New York to all of Europe and South America, as far east as Riyadh, and as far west as Honolulu or Petropavlovsk, Russia). The Post reports it has "plush interior with leather seats, sofas and a customizable entertainment center."

The Dassault website describes the wide, generously appointed cabin, but says that "the airplane's most welcome feature may be Dassault's breakthrough environmental system." It touts "quieting acoustics" and advanced temperature monitoring that contribute to a more comfortable passenger experience. Source: Huffington Post

This is a shame and should not be tolerated. Oops, I forgot. The government handed the banks billions of dollars without setting guidelines, so they are free to spend it as they please on everything except helping Main Street. The Post also reports that Citi executives are "quietly trying to unload two of their older Dassault 930EXs," worth approximately $27 million each. So, while people are losing their jobs in massive numbers and facing foreclosure, the best Citigroup could do is think about its executives and their perks. Why can't these people fly business class? This literally flies in the face of decency and accountability to Main Street for the massive amounts of money handed to these financial institutions by the Treasury Department, Congress and President Bush. Sorry President Obama, we cannot just give you a blank check for the rest of the TARP funds. There must be accountability this time around.

Citigroup Splurges $50M on New Corporate Jet, "Dassault Falcon 7X, As It is Mired in Financial Woes After $45B Government Bailout

Photo: Citijet -- Dassault Falcon 7X, Dassault's Website/Huffington Post

UPDATE

Citigroup has grounded plans to purchase new luxury jet. The execs at Citigroup caved under pressure from President Obama and decided today to abandon plans for a luxurious new $50 million corporate jet from France. It is a low-down dirty shame that President Obama had to get involved. According to ABC News, Monday officials of the Obama administration called Citigroup about the company's new $50 million corporate jet and told execs to "fix it." Earlier on Monday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said made it clear that the president disapproved of the deal. "The president said this during the transition, as it related to the auto companies using private jets; doesn't believe that's the best use of money at this point," Gibbs said.

While Citigroup is in a financial tailspin and was bailed out by the government to the tune of $45 billion, it is about to upgrade to a new $50 million, twelve-seat corporate jet -- the Dassault Falcon 7X. This is unconscionable and a real disgrace that after grovelling on their hands and knees this is the most pressing need the company could seek to address. Was this Citijet really necessary, especially in this economic nightmare? This is a clear indication of how much the company really cares about Main Street.

The plane is a luxurious jet with a range of 5,950 nautical miles (meaning it can fly from New York to all of Europe and South America, as far east as Riyadh, and as far west as Honolulu or Petropavlovsk, Russia). The Post reports it has "plush interior with leather seats, sofas and a customizable entertainment center."

The Dassault website describes the wide, generously appointed cabin, but says that "the airplane's most welcome feature may be Dassault's breakthrough environmental system." It touts "quieting acoustics" and advanced temperature monitoring that contribute to a more comfortable passenger experience. Source: Huffington Post

This is a shame and should not be tolerated. Oops, I forgot. The government handed the banks billions of dollars without setting guidelines, so they are free to spend it as they please on everything except helping Main Street. The Post also reports that Citi executives are "quietly trying to unload two of their older Dassault 930EXs," worth approximately $27 million each. So, while people are losing their jobs in massive numbers and facing foreclosure, the best Citigroup could do is think about its executives and their perks. Why can't these people fly business class? This literally flies in the face of decency and accountability to Main Street for the massive amounts of money handed to these financial institutions by the Treasury Department, Congress and President Bush. Sorry President Obama, we cannot just give you a blank check for the rest of the TARP funds. There must be accountability this time around.

Pope Benedict XVI Welcomes Holocaust Denier Bishop Richard Williamson and Three Other Bishops Back into the Fold

I am not a Catholic, but I do know that Pope Benedict XVI is ticking people off, one group at a time, with his radical views. It seems that Jewish officials in Israel and overseas are outraged that he decided to lift the excommunication of a bishop who denies that Jews were killed in Nazi gas chambers. The pope's decree, issued Saturday, brings back into the Catholic Church's fold Bishop Richard Williamson and three other bishops who belong to the Society of Saint Pius X.

The society was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebrve, who rebelled against the Vatican's modernizing reforms in the 1960s, and who consecrated the men in unsanctioned ceremonies. As a result, Pope John Paul II excommunicated the four in 1988.

The church's decision to lift the excommunication comes a few days after a Swedish television aired an interview with Williamson in which he claimed the Nazis did not use gas chambers.

"I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against -- is hugely against -- 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler," he said in the interview, which appeared on various Web sites since its broadcast. "I believe there were no gas chambers," he added. Source: NY Daily News

So, what the Pope is saying is that it is okay to welcome a known holocaust denier into his fold. Hmmm, then he has a problem with gays and lesbians? What gives? The Pope's actions sends a terrible message to Catholics worldwide. He's saying there is room at his table for bigotry and racial hatred.

Pope Benedict XVI Welcomes Holocaust Denier Bishop Richard Williamson and Three Other Bishops Back into the Fold

I am not a Catholic, but I do know that Pope Benedict XVI is ticking people off, one group at a time, with his radical views. It seems that Jewish officials in Israel and overseas are outraged that he decided to lift the excommunication of a bishop who denies that Jews were killed in Nazi gas chambers. The pope's decree, issued Saturday, brings back into the Catholic Church's fold Bishop Richard Williamson and three other bishops who belong to the Society of Saint Pius X.

The society was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebrve, who rebelled against the Vatican's modernizing reforms in the 1960s, and who consecrated the men in unsanctioned ceremonies. As a result, Pope John Paul II excommunicated the four in 1988.

The church's decision to lift the excommunication comes a few days after a Swedish television aired an interview with Williamson in which he claimed the Nazis did not use gas chambers.

"I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against -- is hugely against -- 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler," he said in the interview, which appeared on various Web sites since its broadcast. "I believe there were no gas chambers," he added. Source: NY Daily News

So, what the Pope is saying is that it is okay to welcome a known holocaust denier into his fold. Hmmm, then he has a problem with gays and lesbians? What gives? The Pope's actions sends a terrible message to Catholics worldwide. He's saying there is room at his table for bigotry and racial hatred.

Latest Series of Fires in Coatesville, Pa., Claims 15 Homes, Could this be a Gang Initiation Rite?

Photo: CNN, Coatesville Row Houses, Suspected Arson

I had never heard of Coatesville, Pa., until today and the news is heart-wrenching. According to media reports, the latest in a string of suspicious fires in this suburb, which is located 45 miles west of Philadelphia, engulfed a block of row houses, damaging 15 homes, leaving several dozen people homeless and prompting city officials to declare a state of emergency. This is terrible and to think that there is strong suspicion that this was arson. This comes on the heels of at least 30 arson cases that have been reported since the beginning of 2008, with about half of them in the last three weeks. Police said the blazes may be part of a gang initiation, but there was no clear information who was committing the crimes or why.

The latest fire was reported late Saturday at the rear of one house and quickly spread to adjacent homes in the Chester County community. The emergency declaration has given the city the necessary powers to deal with the situation without worrying about the budget, such as boarding up the buildings, assigning police to protect them and helping the families involved.

The criminals are bare-faced to do this again. The fire came despite increased police patrols and investigative help from county, state and federal agencies. Three people were arrested in December, but there is still a low-life thug out there still starting fires. The residents are scared, and rightly so. You don't know where the next fire will start.

Fifteen homes were damaged and some may have to be demolished. The damage was estimated at $1.2 million, bringing the total fire damage since last summer to $3 million. Authorities have urged residents to remove flammable materials from porches and to keep porch lights on at night or install lights that are turned on by motion detectors.

I hope they catch these thugs sooner rather than later. There are way too many criminals roaming the streets and wreaking havoc on innocent people. This is a predominantly black suburb and one has to wonder if the opposite was true, wouldn't law enforcement have redoubled its effort back in 2008 when there was evidence of a trend? This didn't make the mainstream media in a major way until this latest rash of fires. Wow, had this been the Pennsylvania Main Line, which includes a cluster of affluent communities such as Wynnewood, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr and Narbeth, they may have very well caught these criminals, including the copycat scumbags.

Latest Series of Fires in Coatesville, Pa., Claims 15 Homes, Could this be a Gang Initiation Rite?

Photo: CNN, Coatesville Row Houses, Suspected Arson

I had never heard of Coatesville, Pa., until today and the news is heart-wrenching. According to media reports, the latest in a string of suspicious fires in this suburb, which is located 45 miles west of Philadelphia, engulfed a block of row houses, damaging 15 homes, leaving several dozen people homeless and prompting city officials to declare a state of emergency. This is terrible and to think that there is strong suspicion that this was arson. This comes on the heels of at least 30 arson cases that have been reported since the beginning of 2008, with about half of them in the last three weeks. Police said the blazes may be part of a gang initiation, but there was no clear information who was committing the crimes or why.

The latest fire was reported late Saturday at the rear of one house and quickly spread to adjacent homes in the Chester County community. The emergency declaration has given the city the necessary powers to deal with the situation without worrying about the budget, such as boarding up the buildings, assigning police to protect them and helping the families involved.

The criminals are bare-faced to do this again. The fire came despite increased police patrols and investigative help from county, state and federal agencies. Three people were arrested in December, but there is still a low-life thug out there still starting fires. The residents are scared, and rightly so. You don't know where the next fire will start.

Fifteen homes were damaged and some may have to be demolished. The damage was estimated at $1.2 million, bringing the total fire damage since last summer to $3 million. Authorities have urged residents to remove flammable materials from porches and to keep porch lights on at night or install lights that are turned on by motion detectors.

I hope they catch these thugs sooner rather than later. There are way too many criminals roaming the streets and wreaking havoc on innocent people. This is a predominantly black suburb and one has to wonder if the opposite was true, wouldn't law enforcement have redoubled its effort back in 2008 when there was evidence of a trend? This didn't make the mainstream media in a major way until this latest rash of fires. Wow, had this been the Pennsylvania Main Line, which includes a cluster of affluent communities such as Wynnewood, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr and Narbeth, they may have very well caught these criminals, including the copycat scumbags.

Eddy Curry, NY Knicks Player, Faces More Drama, Nova Henry, Mother of His Three-Year Old Son, Found Murdered, Along with Her Infant Daughter

Drama is still following NY Knicks player Eddy Curry. Nova Henry, the mother of his toddler son, was found fatally shot in her Chicago apartment. As you will recall, Curry is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by his former limousine driver with allegations of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. The suit alleges the athlete made unwelcome sexual advances, once pointed a gun at him, performed "invidious and intentional acts of discrimination" and subjected him to "derogatory, abusive, anti-Semitic epithets."

Police said that Henry, 24, and her infant daughter, Ava, were found dead about 6 p.m. in the 0-99 block of West 15th Street. Officers found Henry's 3-year-old son in the Burnham Station apartment unharmed. Police are searching for a "known acquaintance" of the woman in connection with the murder. Henry's mother found her daughter and granddaughter in the apartment, officials said.

Curry, who is a married father of four, has reportedly maintained that he is not the father of Ava Henry. Court records show that Nova Henry filed two separate petitions to establish parentage in November 2005 and September 2008. He is reportedly very active in his son's life.

Eddy Curry, NY Knicks Player, Faces More Drama, Nova Henry, Mother of His Three-Year Old Son, Found Murdered, Along with Her Infant Daughter

Drama is still following NY Knicks player Eddy Curry. Nova Henry, the mother of his toddler son, was found fatally shot in her Chicago apartment. As you will recall, Curry is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by his former limousine driver with allegations of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. The suit alleges the athlete made unwelcome sexual advances, once pointed a gun at him, performed "invidious and intentional acts of discrimination" and subjected him to "derogatory, abusive, anti-Semitic epithets."

Police said that Henry, 24, and her infant daughter, Ava, were found dead about 6 p.m. in the 0-99 block of West 15th Street. Officers found Henry's 3-year-old son in the Burnham Station apartment unharmed. Police are searching for a "known acquaintance" of the woman in connection with the murder. Henry's mother found her daughter and granddaughter in the apartment, officials said.

Curry, who is a married father of four, has reportedly maintained that he is not the father of Ava Henry. Court records show that Nova Henry filed two separate petitions to establish parentage in November 2005 and September 2008. He is reportedly very active in his son's life.

Ted Kefalinos, Baker of Racist "Drunken Negro Face" Cookies Apologizes

How is a "Drunken Negro Face" cookie a tribute to President Barack Obama? Well, pastry shop owner Ted Kefalinos seemed to think so. This was offensive and I am glad that many protested by calling his shop. There is nothing honorable about his actions. He was literally forced to apologize for his actions, which I consider
racist.

Apparently, it has been reported that if customers ask about the cookies, the baker tells them, “They’re in honor of our new president. He’s following in the same path of Abraham Lincoln; he will get his.” If you don’t know American history, Lincoln was assassinated.

The bakery has been mentioned previously in newspapers and magazines as being a favorite celebrity haunt, and even supplied food featured in Sex and the City The Movie.

Ted Kefalinos, Baker of Racist "Drunken Negro Face" Cookies Apologizes

How is a "Drunken Negro Face" cookie a tribute to President Barack Obama? Well, pastry shop owner Ted Kefalinos seemed to think so. This was offensive and I am glad that many protested by calling his shop. There is nothing honorable about his actions. He was literally forced to apologize for his actions, which I consider
racist.

Apparently, it has been reported that if customers ask about the cookies, the baker tells them, “They’re in honor of our new president. He’s following in the same path of Abraham Lincoln; he will get his.” If you don’t know American history, Lincoln was assassinated.

The bakery has been mentioned previously in newspapers and magazines as being a favorite celebrity haunt, and even supplied food featured in Sex and the City The Movie.

Joe Bruno, Former NY State Senate Majority Leader and Family Friend of Kirsten Gillibrand's Family, Indicted on Corruption charges spanning 13 years

No sooner than Kirsten Gillibrand's appointment to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat disclosed, a close family friend, Joseph Bruno was indicted on corruption charges spanning 13 years, following a three-year investigation.

Bruno, the former State Senate Majority leader, was indicted Friday on charges of pocketing at least $3 million by steering contracts to select businesses. He retired from the Legislature in July after more than 32 years in office, was charged in an eight-count indictment with taking defrauding the public from 1993 to at least 2006.

Bruno revealed more than a year ago that the FBI was investigating his private business dealings and he has consistently denied wrongdoing. Bruno appeared in federal court to plead not guilty.

Afterward, he angrily read a lengthy statement to the media, at times pounding the table. But I was not surprised to see that he didn't take any questions. He called the probe and subsequent indictment a "get Joe Bruno campaign" that dates back to the Spitzer administration and involves a "politicized U.S. attorney" and an "overzealous" FBI. "This is a three-year fishing expedition that smells really really bad and it really stinks, in plain English," Bruno said.

Yeah, I have heard this "song" before and the authorities most often than not, are correct. He's better stop being so mad and get proper legal representation. Isn't this a weird turn of events to be disclosed on the same day that Kirsten Gillibrand's appointment to the Senate was made public? Hmmm.

Joe Bruno, Former NY State Senate Majority Leader and Family Friend of Kirsten Gillibrand's Family, Indicted on Corruption charges spanning 13 years

No sooner than Kirsten Gillibrand's appointment to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat disclosed, a close family friend, Joseph Bruno was indicted on corruption charges spanning 13 years, following a three-year investigation.

Bruno, the former State Senate Majority leader, was indicted Friday on charges of pocketing at least $3 million by steering contracts to select businesses. He retired from the Legislature in July after more than 32 years in office, was charged in an eight-count indictment with taking defrauding the public from 1993 to at least 2006.

Bruno revealed more than a year ago that the FBI was investigating his private business dealings and he has consistently denied wrongdoing. Bruno appeared in federal court to plead not guilty.

Afterward, he angrily read a lengthy statement to the media, at times pounding the table. But I was not surprised to see that he didn't take any questions. He called the probe and subsequent indictment a "get Joe Bruno campaign" that dates back to the Spitzer administration and involves a "politicized U.S. attorney" and an "overzealous" FBI. "This is a three-year fishing expedition that smells really really bad and it really stinks, in plain English," Bruno said.

Yeah, I have heard this "song" before and the authorities most often than not, are correct. He's better stop being so mad and get proper legal representation. Isn't this a weird turn of events to be disclosed on the same day that Kirsten Gillibrand's appointment to the Senate was made public? Hmmm.