I was going to write about Madoff but….

Bettie Page, lauded as the mother of the sexual revolution, died yesterday. A secretary and teacher before she turned to modeling, she ended up being an unlikely icon for generations and was unquestionably the queen of pin-ups.

Rest in peace Bettie Page. Not only are you to be admired for your figure and changes brought forth by the sexual revolution, but also for admired for showing the world that dark-haired girls can also be fun and sexy, not just blondes (I thank you for that!)

One of the earliest Playboy models, she was personally handpicked by Hugh Hefner in 1955. Bettie will also be remembered as the “tattoo girl” as her image graces many a shoulder, chest and motorcycle tank!

In an interview she gave in 2006 Bettie stated: "I want to be remembered as a woman who changed people's perspectives concerning nudity in its natural form." Mission accomplished.

Caio Prof.!

Some Things are Priceless; for Others You Gotta Pay!

In response to complaints from consumers who are put off by the accents of India, the Philippines, and other call center hubs around the globe, Dell will guarantee -- for a price -- that the person who picks up the phone on a support call will be, as company ads mention in bold text, "based in North America."

Now isn't this amazing! Dell wants me to pay for speaking to a North American and we live on the North American continent? I'm glad I don't have a Dell PC because I would never pay for this service. And I don't think for one minute that Dell customers will willingly pay extra to speak to someone who doesn't have an accent.

On the upside of this venture it'll bring back jobs to the United States and I think it's a great idea -- but it should be for free, or at least rolled into the price of your computer.

A Sign of the Times (no pun intended)

In an effort to defray costs and to offset shrinking profits, the New York Times is planning to sell or mortgage its headquarters to raise $225 Million and is looking at other financing options as it faces the challenges being experienced by both public entities and private citizens.

It was also brought to light earlier this week that The McClatchy Company the third biggest newspaper publisher in the United States, is looking to sell off its flagship title the Miami Herald; and Tribune, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune filed for bankruptcy.

It seems that newspapers and other forms of publications around the world are experiencing severe declines. Their business models are largely based on paid advertising and subscription. U.S. newspapers, whether it be the New York Times, the Tribune, Miami Herald or the Wall Street Journal, may be at the forefront of of this decline due to the integration of newspaper articles, etc. on the web (computers) and handhelds, making access to such information much easier.
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I Am Not A Crook

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to hear corruption charges against him for, among other things, trying to sell President-Elect Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder. But have no fear. Apparently Blagojevich is no friend of Mr. Obama as he was the only democrat who holds a statewide office in Illinois who did not speak at the Democratic National Convention. We all know that Mr. Obama is from Chicago, but he is not part of the Chicago Democratic machine. That's part of what got him elected - being an outsider of the political machine.

As for Blagojevich - at least he didn’t abuse his power by trying to pressure a subordinate to deal with the alleged misconduct of a state trooper like someone else we know.

Where'd The $$$ Go?

Congress announced today that out of the first $350 Billion allocated as bailout money, only $15 Billion is left. Holy Cow Batman!%#* I want to know if there's a public or government website where we can access information detailing the names of the banks and other institutions (besides AIG and Citicorp) who received loans stating the amounts they received. Were there guidelines instituted by Congress for those seeking/getting loans? Do they have to pay it back? What about oversight requirements?

There should be a process of contacting them for definite time lines and strategies on paying the money back! The accountability is quickly being swept under the table.

Are We Now Heading for a Depression?

With a 2.7% decline in U.S. retail sales during November 2008 (compared with the same month in 2007, and the last time we saw such a sharp decrease in monthly retail sales was 1969); with 28% decrease in Abercrombie & Fitch same-store sales for November, and with 1.2 million jobs lost nationwide in the last three months alone, many economists believe we're heading for a recession, and many believe this is only the beginning.

The rapid down turn in the economy has taken a swift and hard toll and few are immune. I have the overwhelming desire to crawl into a hole and just try to wait this economic crisis out. I fell powerless. But I know that I cannot stick my head in the ground and hide. I cannot worry, complain, or cry my way out. The only thing I can do is to take charge of my life, put my chin up, and move forward. That's all any of us can do.

Sweet Caroline!!!

Come on! Caroline Kennedy has zero experience. While she's well-educated, does a lot of good will work and would be able to raise tons of money, there are many much more qualified candidates, like Andrew Cuomo. This is too important a position to play around with. She should work her way up in politics, just like everyone else (well almost everyone because we know what happened with Bush II), and maybe run in 2010. And while it would be a popular choice for Governor Paterson to make, let's hope he sees past her Kennedy name. That is NO reason to elect her.

The Rise of Fall of Someone Who Had It All

O.J. Simpson, a name once synonymous with fame, fortune and luck (and let's not forget the car rental commercials with him jumping over the airport counter), was sentenced to 15 years n prison for kidnapping as well as other crimes. Had he never heard of filing a lawsuit to get his things back? It is beyond me how he could think that he did NOTHING wrong after asking a member of his robbery "team" to bring a gun.

Here's someone who had it made - a football legend, an acting career, maybe not Oscar material but funny nonetheless, a beautiful wife, beautiful kids, and a mansion to boot. But again and again he has thought he was above the law. Whether or not you think he killed his ex-wife and Ron Goldman, this sentence seems excessive to me but it's a sentence for which he will probably only end up serving 5 years and will get get out on parole.

CEOs See Major Cuts on the Horizon

I wonder how many concessions the top brass and shareholders of all these layoff-bound companies are making towards the greater good of the country. You know, PATRIOTISM, helping and fighting for your fellow citizen. Congress also needs to commit to working for a dollar a year and submit a viable plan for the economy. They also need to pay higher deductables on their healthcare and give up their government pensions. Afterall they helped run this country and it's economy into the toilet.

Volker the Joker

President-Elect Barack Obama has designated Paul Volker as Chair of his economic advisors. Isn't this the same Paul Volker who, in 1979 while serving as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board during President Carter's administration, said to the Senate Finance Committee, "The standard of living for the American worker must come down"? And didn't he serve as Chairman of the Federal Reserve until 1987? Everyone wondered what the heck was he talking about. Years later we all know now what he was talking about because that is what the Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II administrations have pretty much done. There can be absolutely no disputing the fact that, "the standard of living of the American worker" has come down. Under these four administrations the economy of the United States has been all but destroyed. This is and has been a deliberate bi-partisan destruction of the American middle class. Enriching the few at the expense of the many.

So it now seems that Volker has come full circle. Are we to believe that this crook and his accomplices in both parties, responsible for the destruction of the American worker and the collapse the economy, is now going to advise the Mr. "Change you can believe in" Obama presidency on curing the economy and raising the standard of living for "the American worker"? I don't think so!

Can someone please speak to Mr. Obama and get him to change his mind before it's too late????

A Dollar and a Dream.....

So, if Ford uses the $9 Billion it is seeking, Mulally will work for $1/yr SALARY...what about bonuses? Didn't he just get about a $26 million bonus this year, when the company is losing money? Why doesn't he surrender some of that? And what about the Board and other high level executives? Are they also going to forgo their $200k salaries and million dollar bonuses? Somebody mentioned concessions from the United Auto Workers Union. W hen negotiating their contract LAST YEAR they made concessions – way BEFORE the executives are offering to do now! Why should they continue to be bled dry without changes in upper management?

Also, didn't Congress already approve money for the Big 3 to change their product to be more energy friendly and competitive? And Ford also said it would invest about $14 billion in the United States on advanced technologies and products to improve vehicle fuel efficiency over the next seven years. You’re kidding me right? These plans should have been in the works 10 years ago. What the heck were they thinking?

High on the Hil (Hill)!

While many people are upset that President Obama is filling his cabinet with experienced personnel they must remember that change comes from the President, not the team. He’s essentially addressing the concern most voters had of him - experience. By putting knowledgeable people in key positions, President Obama ensures his “change” will be carried out by qualified individuals. It's one thing to have a rookie manager, its whole other thing to have rookie players as well. As President-elect, Obama has accomplished more with respect to this nation's image and openness that the current President attempted in the last eight years.

Obama is building a dream team. Hopefully, we’ll be on the road to recovery sooner than later!