Pennsylvania Gets Snipes for Prison Sentence

Wesley Snipes has reported to jail. He started serving his sentence following a protracted courtroom fight. Snipes reported to a Pennsylvania prison to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 9th. Neglecting to file income taxes resulted in Snipes receiving a three year sentence. Evidently there wasn't a paydayloans large enough to purchase off his freedom with this one.
Wesley Snipes prison term begins
Actor Wesley Snipes reported to prison today, Dec. 9, in Pennsylvania, according to ABC. The McKean Federal Correctional Institution that he will be serving in is in Lewis Run, Penn., and he can be serving for three years. Snipes, now Bureau of Prisons inmate number 43355-018, is likely to be housed within the minimum security wing of the prison, a facility located adjacent to the primary prison. The wing for minimum security is typically for any inmates who don't have risk of violence. They are typically white collar criminals. Snipes will probably serve at least 26 months of his sentence supposed to last 36 months as he is in a federal prison.
Legal battle seemed too long
Staying out of prison was Wesley Snipes' goal. This is why he went via the legal battle. A federal judge in FL ordered a sentence to start being served by Snipes just this year. Wesley Snipes had appealed his sentence, which is not really for tax evasion. Wesley Snipes didn't file a tax return instead of willfully trying to keep away from paying taxes which is the definition of tax evasion as Wesley Snipes and Larry King discussed. Advisors told Snipes they were filing his returns. He thought it had been getting done. His firm had been defrauding him meaning they didn't really file.
Charges of finance with other stars
Snipes is not the first celebrity to face jail time over white collar crimes. Six months was given to Martha Stewart for insider trading charges. Charges for taxes got hotel magnate and heiress Leona Helmsley jailed. Then there was Willie Nelson who owed the IRS so much. He wrote a song called "The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?" after getting his house back after it was taken from him.
Details from
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wesley-snipes-report-federal-prison-year-sentence/story?id=12345648&page=3

ipad Expected to Slow the Sale of Personal Computers

The 2010 Personal Computer sales prediction has been revised downward from initial projections. The iPad and other tablet Personal computers are whittling away at 2010 PC product sales and analysts expect the trend to continue. The growing popularity of hosted virtual desktops for business, combined with the tablet, is looked at as harbingers of the PC era’s conclusion.
Tablets slow sale of personal computers this year
The global 2010 Personal Computer sales forecast was cut by a popular tech research firm Gartner on Monday. There was a huge change in Personal Computer sales. This was since the Apple iPad tablet came out. You will find also a lot of product sales of tablet iPad imitators. PC sales are expected to drop due to them too. Gartner changed what the 2010 Personal Computer sales from 2009 were. It went from 17.9 percent to 14.3 percent now. Also, growth was intended to be 18.1 percent in 2011 for Personal Computer sales and is now 15.9 percent. 10 percent of Personal Computer sales are expected to be taken by tablets. Really, this ought to happen by 2014.
The reason fewer PCs are sold
Because of the weak employment and uncertain business climate, the PC sales already were suffering before Apple's iPad. Apple's Macintosh computers have been selling fewer than the iPad already. Personal computers haven't been able to innovate as much since the volume increase and price decrease has been the focus although Gartner points out that PC's are necessary. Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple. He explained the change from farmer's trucks to family vehicles in the 20th century is just like the change from PCs to tablets.
The PC monster?
The hosted virtual desktops (HVDs) are also not helping Personal Computer sales. Employees are able to use HVDs in order to connect to a virtual machine running on a back-end server with cheap terminals. IT departments are able to fix problems with systems without having to go to each and every individual unit with HVDs. It’s expected that HP and Dell will take huge hits soon. This is what will occur with these changes. Microsoft, which sells 85 percent of Windows on new Personal computers, may also have to adapt.
Citations
Computerworld
computerworld.com/s/article/9198381/Tablets_expected_to_clobber_PC_sales_in_2011?taxonomyId=12
Apple Insider
appleinsider.com/articles/10/11/29/tablets_like_apples_ipad_expected_to_displace_10_of_pcs_in_2014.html
San Francisco Chronicle
sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/11/29/businessinsider-business-pc-market-strong-today-but-watch-out-2010-11.DTL

Giada de Laurentiis and John Mayer Linked

A rumored fling by Giada de Laurentiis with Mayer has taken the internet by storm. De Laurentiis, upon hearing the rumors, was not amused and slammed the rumors. John Mayer's camp had a similar reaction. It could be that the gossip pages are making up celeb pairings to determine what sticks.
Giada de Laurentiis rumors across the internet
TV chef Giada de Laurentiis is rumored to have been seen out in New York on November 10 with John Mayer. However, as outlined by both parties involved it didn’t happen at all, and the alleged hookup had been a total fabrication by Star magazine, according to the Los Angeles Times. The parties involved say they have meet up once about something unrelated but that is it, there is no relationship. Giada de Laurentiis' representative requested an apology from the gossip magazine after spreading these rumors online. de Laurentiis is married and a mother already, not just the host of "Everyday Italian" a successful cooking show. She also comes from a line of success. Movie producer Dino de Laurentiis is her grandpa.
Dollar signs in eyes of reporters who report on celebrity hookups
Regardless of the truth behind a relationship, gossip magazines make big bucks when they report on the. Rumors about John Mayer tend to make a large amount of money. John Mayer has tried to stay out of the spotlight after a napalm incident when he discussed his relationship with Jessica Simpson. He even deleted his Twitter account. Additionally there were rumors about his relationship with Jennifer Aniston.
The term celebrity should disappear
It's not just Americans who have an awful obsession with celebrities. People need to think about taking up a new hobby and getting rid entirely of this unhealthy pointless term of a celebrity.
Details from
LA Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/11/giada-de-laurentiis-john-mayer.html
Pop Eater
popeater.com/2010/11/10/giada-de-laurentiis-john-mayer-couple/

Investment firm Terra Firma loses lawsuit over Electronic and Musical Industries

In 2007, investment firm Terra Firma purchased control of music giant EMI Ltd. $2.5 billion in the hole, Terra Firma has not done well with the investment. Terra Firma, headed by Guy Hands, sued Citibank over the investment. A jury decided in support of Citibank. Terra Firma accused Citibank of defrauding them within the obtain of Emi.
EMI bought by Terra Firma
The British business EMI was bought by Terra Firma in August 2007 for $6.8 billion. In October 2007, the obtain was funded by Citigroup right before the credit market stopped. Since that purchase, Guy Hands, who controls the Terra Firma fund, has lost billions within the business. He has additionally been the target of frustrated investors who aren’t happy with the fact two-thirds of the fund is tied up within the quickly shrinking Electronic and Musical Industries.
Citigroup and Terra Firma in the courtroom
Citigroup, which funded the Terra Firma purchase of EMI, has been on the defensive. Terra Firma states that it had been defrauded in the Electronic and Musical Industries purchase by Citigroup which led to the suit. It was not a "bidding war" to get EMI. This is what Terra Firma had been led to believe. Everybody in the jury agreed that Citigroup was no guilty. Terra Firma was not defrauded.
The upcoming place EMI will go
EMI is a music label in Britain. It’s one of the largest in fact. The Rolling Stones had been once on the EMI label. Others like Lilly Allen either have been or are on the label right now. In 2007, Guy Hands and Terra firma became in charge of the label. This meant that hardly cash was spent. This led to large acts leaving the label. The Rolling Stones was one of these. EMI cost Hands more than $8 billion he claims besides cost cuts. Hands might really well be removed as the head of Terra Firma, also as Emi. Refinancing for EMI is "much less likely" to take place with Citigroup after the suit. One more company might end up purchasing the musical industry giant due to this.
Citations
Business Week
businessweek.com/news/2010-11-04/citigroup-wins-trial-against-terra-firma-over-emi-sale.html

National Sandwich Day

National Sandwich Day is Nov. 3. Maybe it’s partially a relief from election results, however it is also more. An incredibly versatile foodstuff, a good sandwich could be every little thing from a hearty Reuben to the vegan-friendly cucumber stack. However you generally eat a sandwich, National Sandwich Day might be the perfect day to try something new.
Exactly why we commemorate Nov 3 as National Sandwich Day
National Mustard Day and International Beer Day aren't like National Sandwich day. National Sandwich day has a place in history. Nov 3 is a birthday. The fourth Earl of Sandwich has his birthday then. The fourth Earl is John Montagu. He is who many say the first sandwich was made by. The first "real" sandwich may have come from Earl of Sandwich requesting meat between 2 slices of bread after having an all night gambling binge. It does not matter why we celebrate it though since it is just an excellent holiday.
How sandwiches have changed
Would you like to make a standard sandwich? You will find a couple things required for this. 2 slices of bread will be needed. There will even need to be a filling in the middle. The hamburger is probably the most popular United States of America sandwich. Sandwich culture has grown to contain every little thing from fast-food incarnations to high-end cuisine. There was even a sandwich challenge in numerous Television shows. Food Network's "The Next Food Network Star" and Bravo's "Top Chef" are both included in this. In short, a good sandwich proves culinary chops also as an amazing steak.
How you can commemorate National Sandwich Day
Do you like peanut butter and jelly? Even if it is that or a hamburger you normally have, you are able to check out some other things too. If you want to check out the ultimate resource on taste-testing all kinds of sandwiches from the KFC Double Down all the way to The Philly Taco (a cheese steak wrapped in a slice of pizza), NPR’s “Wait Wait Do not Tell Me” blog has a Sandwich Monday feature that simply cannot be beat. Either way, try a new sandwich today, and raise your stacked lunch to the fourth Earl of Sandwich.
Articles cited
NPR
npr.org/templates/archives/archive.php?thingId=126351221

Will the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment be a monetary gift?

The casino that has been in the works for the Delaware River, the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment, opened its gates. The gaming licenses issued in 2006 were very limited. The business that owns Sugarhouse Gambling establishment received one of the five permits. While the Sugarhouse Casino is expected to bring in billions of dollars of gaming taxes, there is nevertheless debate. Many residents and anti-gambling groups continue to protest the Sugarhouse Casino, and are moving forward with plans intended to cut back casino earnings.
Discussions against the Sugarhouse Casino
Residents have expressed concern about the possibility of a casino ever since the license was granted. Groups ranging from the Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance, the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and Casino Free Philadelphia argued that the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment would create crime, noise, pollution and companies that offer payday advances no faxing and other forms of credit. A candlelight service was held outside the casino on opening night. Organizers have stated that the vigil was “for individuals…who are sure to gamble away their savings”.
Will Sugarhouse Casino assist the local economic climate
Though there has been a strong lobby against the Sugarhouse Casino, most residents of Fishtown, where the casino is located, are happy to see the casino opened. Sugarhouse Casino has already paid $ 175,000 to the Special Services District, which is getting used for arts, sports, schools and veterans’ affairs services. Over 900 individuals have been hired by the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment, including 800 full-time employees.
Will the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment carry on the exact same route
Though the Sugarhouse Casino currently has 40 gaming tables and 1,600 slot machines, that is 400 less than initially planned. Future plans for the Sugarhouse Casino include a parking garage, luxury hotel and spa. Opponents of the casino vow to start campaigns aimed at reducing the number of customers and revenue coming in to the new area business. The monetary stimulation provided by this huge employer who’s going to pay millions in taxes could be exactly what this depressed area needs.
Further reading
My Fox Philly
myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/sugar-hpuse’s-pledge-to-keep-area-safe
Philly.com
philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100921_SugarHouse_Casino_opens_this_week_in_Philly_to_hoopla_and_harrumphs.html?page=2 and c=y

Obama Pumping 3 Billion Into Unemployed Foreclosure Prevention

The Obama administration is pumping $ 3 billion into programs to help the unemployed with foreclosure prevention. The Hardest Hit Fund would going to be doubled with an additional $ 2 billion was announced last week to be put to the fund. $ 1 billion was given to a program to help unemployed borrowers who have delinquencies on their mortgages called Housing and Urban Development. Experts are really just worried that banks rather than homeowners will benefit more from this.

Money pit with foreclosure prevention

To fend off an epidemic of unemployed foreclosures, the Hardest Hit Fund was launched in February as a way to help states design their own foreclosure prevention programs. 10 states are taking advantage of this initiative right now, reports the Wall Street Journal. The money is part of $ 50 billion earmarked for housing aid under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The $ 2 billion infusion will be distributed to housing agencies in 17 states, plus the District of Columbia, that have the highest unemployment rates. HUD will get $ 1 billion for giving bridge loans with no interest up to $ 50,000 to those eligible who need to make mortgage payments for two years.

Hardest Hit Fund is nothing

The economic recovery is going down because of the housing market, which historically has helped all the recessions. Hardly everyone can refinance or buy although interest rates are at record lows, reports the New York Times. Unemployed homeowners who live in communities where values have fallen sharply are often unable to sell. Their foreclosures weaken neighborhoods and create a vicious cycle that further undermines the housing market. Until now, the Hardest Hit Fund had been projected to help about 140,000 borrowers. 14.6 million unemployed are looking at foreclosing, meaning the 400,000 unemployed helped through the HUD and Hardest Hit programs is hardly anything.


Easy comes for mortgaged lenders

It is likely that Obama has just helped a variety of banks out more than unemployed homeowners with these new programs. Banks should be hurting along with unemployed borrowers says David Abromowitz who’s the senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and had an interview with The Hill. He said the main problem with the funding is that mortgage lenders don’t have to make principle reductions on loans or any major modifications. Abromowitz suggested that lenders should be required to make concessions and possibly even match funding. Those with underwater mortgages wouldn’t be helped too much with extra funding, says Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research to the Hill. Dean feels like that homeowners need to have equity in their homes at the end or they’ll lose them anyway making it something that won’t work.

Additional reading at these websites

Wall Street Journal


online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704901104575423493999575302.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/12/business/12treasury.html

The Hill

thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/114349-banks-to-benefit-most-from-white-house-program-to-stave-off-foreclosures