Atlantic City - Cruise ships!

What a great idea! My brother wrote a letter to the editor of the Atlantic City Press... and the idea is picking up steam. Here's the links to the articles and comments.

Hi Cyndie,

Please share this with your email list -

Re: Atlantic City Cruise Ship Port Supporters

Anyone who would like to post support of a cruise ship port in Atlantic City should post positive comments at the following Links:

(1) [ http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/blogs/jim_perskie/article_70bac108-0ce6-11df-a2ea-001cc4c03286.html ]

(2) [ http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/article_2418f023-71a0-53f0-82ec-703eed28f493.html ]

Economic Stimulus

Subject: Economic Stimulus

Sometime this year, we taxpayers may again receive an Economic Stimulus payment.

This is a very exciting new program. I will explain it using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
A. Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

*If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.
*If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs.
*If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
*If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
*If you buy a car, it will go to Japan.
*If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.
*If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.

Instead, keep the money in America by:
1. spending it at yard sales, or
2. going to ball games, or
3. spending it on prostitutes, or
4. beer or
5. tattoos
(These are the only American businesses still operating in the US.)

I'm going to go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that I met at a yard sale, and drink beer.

Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises

The Obameter: Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises

The Obameter Scorecard

• Promise Kept 91

• Compromise 33

• Promise Broken 15

• Stalled 87

• In the Works 275

• Not yet rated 2

PolitiFact has compiled more than 500 promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign and is tracking their progress on our Obameter.

We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken.

The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.

Other ways to browse the Obameter

• All promises
• PolitiFact's Top 25 Promises
• By Subject
  • Economy
  • Energy
  • Military
  • Taxes

Obameter update RSS feed

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/

Cried tears this morning...

Watching CNN report... they had a family of Haitian decent, living here in the US. Their mother is in Haiti and has died in the earthquake. They have located her body in one of the morgues, which isn't functioning... and have only until tomorrow to get her body from there, to be brought here to the US. They are desperately trying to get her here, for a proper burial and closure. All her children and grandchildren are here in the US.

I was so sad and devastated listening to them as they cried on TV making their appeal for help. I keep thinking that if I were in their position, I'd be inconsolable. I would be a wreck! OMG.

My prayers go out to all the people of Haiti and their families, friends and for us all. We need to be so thankful for waking up this morning knowing that our biggest problems, pale in comparison to what is going on over there.

We want our money back, and we're going to get it.

Yesterday, President Obama announced our proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee on the country's largest banks:

"My commitment is to recover every single dime the American people are owed. And my determination to achieve this goal is only heightened when I see reports of massive profits and obscene bonuses at some of the very firms who owe their continued existence to the American people...We want our money back, and we're going to get it."

The fee would recover every penny loaned to Wall Street during the financial crisis and stop the reckless abuses and excesses that nearly caused the collapse of our financial system in the first place.

But the banking industry -- among the most powerful lobbies in Washington -- is already launching attacks to stop Congress from enacting the proposal.

Barack and I aren't backing down. But to win, we'll need the American people to add their voice right away.

Thankfully, OFA supporters are already signing on to a bold statement of support: "We want our money back -- and we stand with President Obama to make sure we get it." You can add your name by clicking here.

The proposal is expected to recoup billions from the big banks, most of it from the ten largest. As the President said, "If these companies are in good enough shape to afford massive bonuses, they are surely in good enough shape to afford paying back every penny to taxpayers."

There is much more work to do to reform the financial system and create a new era of accountability. But the Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee is a crucial step. And with the banks already working to tear it down, I hope that I can count on you to speak out to show that Americans stand with us as we take them on.

Click here to add your name to the statement:

http://my.barackobama.com/Banks

Change isn't easy, but it's certainly worth fighting for. I'm glad you're in this fight with us.

Thank you for making it possible,

Vice President Joe Biden

'The Problem We All Live With'

Hmmmm...

While perusing through my current AARP Bulletin, on pg. 4, there is an article called 'Behind the Lens of Norman Rockwell. It went on about the museum exhibit and some other nostalgia... But I was stuck on the picture it featured called, 'The Problem We All Live With', and it immediately made me think of our most current discussion on race.

What does this picture say to you?

It could have said a lot of things, but my mind is tainted with Rockwell's title. It leads me to the conclusion we see even today, with little children who already notice that being Black, may not be such a good thing according to the 'doll test' Doll Test


Wow. 'The Problem We All Live With'. Yes... that little girl is living in a society that has a LOT of problems but thank God... for the strength to overcome obstacles, wake up with continued motivation and enthusiasm, for grace and mercy. We've come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.

American Idol 2010

LOL!

Simon told this dude that he looked like LaToya Jackson with a beard. LMAO!

http://www.americanidol.com/

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802...

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered...'

Census warning

2010 Census to Begin
> >
> >
> > THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I
> >
> > CAN SEE IT COULD LEAVE AN OPEN DOOR FOR PASSING
> >
> > OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.
> >
> >
> > WARNING:
> >
> > *2010 Census Cautions from *
> >
> > *the Better Business Bureau*
> >
> >
> > Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by
> >
> > Susan Johnson With the U.S. Census process beginning,
> >
> > the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to
> >
> > be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become
> >
> > a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first
> > phase
> >
> > of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun
> >
> > verifying the addresses of households across the country.
> >
> > Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers
> >
> > will count every person in the United States and will
> >
> > gather information about every person living at
> >
> > each address including name, age, gender, race,
> >
> > and other relevant data.
> >
> >
> >
> > The big question is - how do you tell the difference
> >
> > between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?
> >
> > BBB offers the following advice:
> >
> >
> >
> > If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they
> >
> > will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census
> >
> > Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.
> >
> > Ask to see their
> > identification and their
> >
> > badge before answering their questions.
> >
> > However, you should never invite anyone
> >
> > you don't know into your home.
> >
> >
> > Census workers are currently only knocking on doors
> >
> > to verify address information. Do not give
> >
> > your Social Security number, credit card or
> >
> > banking information to anyone, even if they
> >
> > claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
> >
> >
> >
> > REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED
> >
> > TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
> >
> >
> >
> > While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial
> >
> > information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T
> >
> > HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR
> >
> > FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau
> >
> > will not ask for Social Security, bank account,
> >
> > or credit card numbers, nor will
> > employees
> >
> > solicit donations. Any one asking for that
> >
> > information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
> >
> >
> >
> > AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO
> >
> > WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.
> >
> > No Acorn worker should approach you
> >
> > saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
> >
> >
> > Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone,
> >
> > mail, or in person at home. However, the
> >
> > Census Bureau will not contact you by Email,
> >
> > so be on the lookout for Email scams
> >
> > impersonating the Census.
> >
> >
> > Never click on a link or open any attachments in an
> >
> > Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
> >
> >
> >
> > For more advice on avoiding identity theft
> >
> > and fraud, visitwww.bbb.org <http://www.bbb.org>

NJ SEEDS Scholarship Program

SEEDS programs include accelerated classes, cultural workshops to help students gain admission to top schools and thereby realize their full potential.

Our Scholars Program is open to eligible 7th grade students who live in Central and Northern New Jersey. Students take classes on Saturdays and over the summer and receive placement assistance for 9th grade. The program is completely free, including books and transporation and lasts 12 months.

Our Young Scholars Program is open to eligible 4th and 5th grade students from Newark. Students take classes on Saturdays and over the summer and receive placement assistance for 6th and 7th grade. The program is free, including transportation and book and lasts 12 months.

Our Alumni Program is for students who have completed the SEEDS program and are now in independent school, college, graduate school and/or pursuing careers.

Our College Preparatory Program is open to eligible 8th grade students (from Orange and Englewood, NJ). Students take classes on Saturdays and over the summer and receive placement assistance for college. The program is 5 years.

New Jersey SEEDS is a privately funded, state-wide nonprofit organization.



Applying to SEEDS

NJ SEEDS accepts applications from 7th graders for the Scholars Program and from 4th graders for the Young Scholars Program.

If you are currently in 7th grade, please click here

If you are currently in 4th grade, and live in the Newark area, please click here

If you are currently in 8th grade and live in Englewood or Orange, please contact Tarah Greenidge at 973-642-6422 ext.238.

If you have already submitted an application to one of our programs, and have a question, please click here

If you are a teacher or guidance counselor, please click here


Please note: applicants to SEEDS must have high grades, excellent test scores and strong recommendations from their teachers and guidance counselors.


NJ SEEDS Financial Guidelines

To qualify financially for the New Jersey SEEDS program, your parents' combined annual income should not exceed the amount on the income chart below:

Household Size..............Annual Income

4........................................$59,000

5........................................$64,000

6........................................$69,000

For each additional dependent, add $5,000

We are flexible with the guidelines and look at each family's situation on an individual basis. For more information or to talk about your individual case, please contact the NJ SEEDS office at 1-866-NJ-SEEDS (65-73337) or email recruitment@njseeds.org.