Archive for Headlines
Microsoft How Dare You?
Apparently the software giant Microsoft has spent too much money on compensating Bill Gates over the years and they are too being hit by these tough economic times as they’re asking their employees to refund Microsoft back money from their severance packages.
According to Eweek.com, “TechCrunch has an item stating that Microsoft has contacted some of its former employees and is asking them to repay the software giant for overpayment on severance due to the company’s own miscalculations. Indeed, the report said that not only has Microsoft apparently overpaid some of its former employees’ severance, but the company also underpaid some of its recently laid off workers.”
Reportedly Microsoft sent out a letter to previously laid-off workers that stated, “This letter is to inform you that an inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft. We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to you.”
Now, this is the same company that is notorious for releasing security software patches to their Windows platform software almost immediately after it’s newest version is released. Perhaps their accounting department was affected by a virus from these security holes?
Adding to the wound, Microsoft recently announced another round of layoffs that could affect 5,000 employees. Now to their credit, TechCrunch also states Microsoft “reversed its decision and told its former employees they did not have to repay the overpayments–which ranged from hundreds of dollars to $5,000 per employee.”
What are your thoughts on Microsoft, I dare you, double dare you…Rolando
Family Circus–Take The Doctor’s License
Often with my busy schedule, I’m a few days learning the news and when I do get a chance to read the newspaper, I just scan the headlines. One headline that caught my eye yesterday was the story of the mother, Nadya Suleman, 33, who recently had eight babies and the scrutiny of the fertility doctor who helped her achieve these new brothers and sisters to her already existing six children. (more…)
The Chamber Commerce?
According to CNN’s Lou Dobbs, “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes a ‘Buy American’ provision in the government’s massive spending bill.” Dobbs decided to make a statement, via his CNN’s nightly show, to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by asking on his nightly poll, “Do you believe the U.S. Chamber of Commerce should, in the interest of honesty, drop ‘U.S.’ from its title?”
When I voted at 8:23 Central Time on CNN the results were 2,810 people in favor of taking the “U.S.” out of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with only a mere 187 voting otherwise. It was a 94% landslide that the Chamber has gone too far especially when they are supported by so many American business owners and citizens. Where is their patriotism? We’re in tough times and now the Chamber of Commerce is betraying us? (more…)
The Rich Man’s Pawn Shops
It’s funny how perceptions change during trying times. If someone were to say they’re headed to a pawnshop to sell an old television because they wanted to replace it with a new one, some might think people are really hocking their television for some quick cash. Still others might believe the only people that pawn personal property are drug abusers or thieves.
It’s those perceptions that lead to creative ways to stay politically correct during these trying times we all face today. What I discovered on my recent trip to Florida while speaking at FotoFusion in Delray Beach are what’s called second-hand resale shops, or the once rich man’s pawn shops. (more…)
Have It Your Way, 9-inches Works
People magazine provides a colorful 2-page spread and article in their Jan. 12 issue that plugs author Alex Bogusky’s “9-Inch Diet” book which became available at most book stores this week. This weight-loss and diet themed issue of People is fatter than normal as it’s double-thick. People fails to mention in their article that Bogusky’s day-job is partially funded by major clients like Burger King and Domino’s Pizza.
What’s even funnier, according to Advertising Age, “In referencing the obnoxiously large portions that are responsible for growing butts in the U.S., the article depicts McDonald’s fries and drinks as examples.” They further state, “…the adman blames gigantic portions for the country’s obesity epidemic, offering as the cure smaller plates. ” (more…)
Fire-Safe Cigarettes? Oxymoron?
As of Thursday, Jan. 1st, twenty-two states have enacted laws that require stores to sell cigarettes that are fire-safe and slow-burning. While I’ll be the first to tell you cigarette smoke and smoking are bad for your health, I’ll also tell you I sometimes use cigarettes, thanks to the dirty habit I picked up while serving as an active-duty soldier for the U.S. Army years ago. But now the new cigarettes are coated with an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion? A chemical found in material safety data sheets and labeled in a Group 2 status by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a carcinogenic.
In fact, before my time and more during my father’s military time when he served in the Army during the Korean War, the soldiers were provided cigarettes with their food rations while on deployments. I’m not going to rehash what’s been settled in the legal system about the tobacco company conspiracies, but I will ask you, especially if you’re a smoker, do you agree with these new “fire-safe” cigarettes?
The claim from the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes is that about 800 Americans die each year from fires caused by careless smokers. The coalition also claims that number will be reduced in half by these new cigarettes. Based on the known fact that over 50% of statistics are made up, I’m not sure how they derived those numbers, but what I’m sure about is that these laced cigarettes are probably going to produce more harm to a greater number of smokers than the harm they already incur.
U.S. Senate Showdown With Governor
Will if this country doesn’t have enough political problems already, according to CNN, the U.S. Senate is refusing to accept Roland Burris into the Senate–and this isn’t Republican against Democrats, its all of them. Seems all Senators, from all political parties are not too happy that Burris, appointed by the Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, comes with controversy.
The controversy is that Blagojevich “was arrested December 9, accused by federal authorities of corruption, including allegedly trying to sell Obama’s seat for personal gain.” Now ain’t that just Skippy. Is Al Capone still alive in Illinois?
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JPG Mag Goes Under
It’s sad, JPG magazine is a great photography magazine that gives many unpublished photographers and writers an opportunity for publication credits. Effect Jan. 5, 2009 they are pulling the plug. While I normally don’t post private emails, this email was sent out to thousands of members so I decided top post it her for everyone to read, in case links to JPG stop working, you’ll know why:
Today is a particularly sad day for all of us at JPG and 8020 Media.
We’ve spent the last few months trying to make the business behind JPG sustain itself, and we’ve reached the end of the line. We all deeply believe in everything JPG represents, but we just weren’t able to raise the money needed to keep JPG alive in these extraordinary economic times. We sought out buyers, spoke with numerous potential investors, and pitched several last-ditch creative efforts, all without success. As a result,jpgmag.com will shut down on Monday, January 5, 2009.
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