miercuri, 22 septembrie 2010

Daily Snapshot: A Surprise Call from the President

The White House Your Daily Snapshot for
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
 
50 States/50 Stories

Video: A Surprise Call from the President

Surprise Call from the President

In March of this year, Gail O'Brien was diagnosed with high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had no health insurance. Thankfully, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was established thanks to the Affordable Care Act. As a result, Gail now has insurance that will pay for her treatments and is responding very well. Last week she got a surprise call from President Obama. 

Watch what happened.

Today's Schedule

Today, the President will hold a backyard discussion on health care reform and the Patient’s Bill of Rights at a private residence in Falls Church, Virginia. In the afternoon, the President will travel to New York City for the UN General Assembly. He will deliver remarks at the Millennium Development Goals Conference at the United Nations Building.

All times are Eastern Daylight Time

9:30 AM: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

10:00 AM: The President meets with senior advisors

10:35 AM: The President drops by a meeting with insurance commissioners

11:45 AM: The President holds a backyard discussion on health care reform and the Patient’s Bill of Rights WhiteHouse.gov/live  (audio only)

12:00 PM: The Vice President attends an event for Senator Blanche Lincoln

2:45 PM: The President departs the White House

3:00 PM: The President departs Andrews Air Force Base en route New York

3:55 PM: The President arrives New York City, New York

4:30 PM: The Vice President hosts a Medal of Valor ceremony with Attorney General Eric Holder WhiteHouse.gov/live

4:45 PM: The President delivers remarks at the Millennium Development Goals Conference WhiteHouse.gov/live  (audio only)

6:15 PM: The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden host a reception in honor of the 16th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act

6:35 PM: The President delivers remarks at a DSCC/DCCC event

7:30 PM: The President delivers remarks at a DSCC/DCCC dinner

WhiteHouse.gov/live Indicates Events that will be livestreamed on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog

50 States, 50 Stories – New Health Care Website Launches Today
Assistant to the President Stephanie Cutter unveils a new website that provides critical information on the Affordable Care Act, including stories in every state that detail how reform is already strengthening the health care system in your state.

Awarding Chief Etchberger the Medal of Honor
The Vice President was also present as the President awarded Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger, U.S. Air Force, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Chief Etchberger received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat on March 11, 1968, in the country of Laos.

Republicans in Congress Push to End Consumer Protections, Let Wall Street Run Loose
Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki discusses the Congressional Republicans' hopes of repealing Wall Street Reform.

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Michael Gray - Graywolf's SEO Blog

Michael Gray - Graywolf's SEO Blog


Can Google Detect an Affiliate Website

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 08:29 AM PDT

Post image for Can Google Detect an Affiliate Website

One of the questions that often comes up is does Google hate affiliate websites, and are they penalized in the algorithm?

I’m also quite sure Google has an idea at what point, whether by percentage or by total number of links, that a site becomes an affiliate website …
The answer to that is slightly nuanced but, for simplicity’s sake, they don’t hate affiliate websites. Nor have I seen any evidence that shows affiliate sites are penalized. What Google does hate is thin affiliate websites with little or no trust. However, a better question to ask is can Google detect affiliate websites, and can they make it harder  for affiliate websites to rank … ? But those are entirely different questions.

If you’ve read the leaked quality rater guide from 2009, you’ll see that Google has set up lot of hurdles specifically making it harder for affiliate websites to “pass” the sniff test. One of the quickest and easiest ways that Google can determine an affiliate website is through “naked” links to common affiliate programs like Linkshare, CJ, ShareASale, and others. But, really, how good can Google be at detecting those links? Well, here’s a publicly available free tool put out by Sitonomy that checks what types of programming tools are being used by a website.

Now if the folks at Sitonomy can detect that 4% of the* links on a page are from CJ, I’m positive that Google can as well. I’m sure Google can tell on page level throughout the site and the site as a whole. I’m also quite sure Google has an idea at what point, whether by percentage or by total number of links, that a site becomes an affiliate website. It would also be fairly easy to say, once you cross that threshold, you need a higher level of trust to rank for competitive terms. This is one of the reasons I strongly disagree with Lori Weiman, who says affiliates should never cloak links.

UPDATED: the % is total links scanned not just links on the page, my bad.

So what are the takeaways here:

  • Use a tool like Sitonomy to check your most important pages and see what they are able to find as far as affiliate links
  • Look into redirection tools that mask your links, and make sure you block them from search engine spiders
  • Obfuscate some of your other links as well even if they aren’t affiliate links: people should always be unsure of your intent
  • Always make sure you comply with FTC regulations for disclosure. If needed, use a nice non-machine-readable graphic for maximum stealthiness

Creative Commons License photo credit: Aditya Rakhman

This post originally came from Michael Gray who is an SEO Consultant. Be sure not to miss the Thesis WordPress Theme review.

Can Google Detect an Affiliate Website

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You Should Hear These Stories


The White House, Washington
 

 

Good morning,

Six months ago, Gail O'Brien didn’t know whether or not she would be able to treat her cancer.  Betsy Burton wasn't sure if she could afford to keep paying the skyrocketing premiums for her employees' health insurance. Paul Horne was struggling to make ends meet after his prescription drug coverage hit the "donut hole."
 
The thing about these stories is that they could happen to anybody.  Millions of Americans -- maybe even you or someone you know -- have been struggling for years with our broken health care system.  These stories are what inspired me to fight for the Affordable Care Act and made me so proud to sign this landmark legislation into law six months ago.
 
Every day, I hear from Americans like Gail, Betsy and Paul, and a few of these folks have stepped forward to bravely share their stories with the entire country. Take a minute to hear what they have to say:

50 States/50 Stories. Listen Now

The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.  And starting tomorrow, the Patient's Bill of Rights goes into effect, ending some of the worst abuses of the insurance industry and putting you, not your insurance company, in control of your health care.
 
Here's what the Patient's Bill of Rights means for you:

  •  No more discrimination against kids with pre-existing conditions.  Insurance companies can no longer bar families from purchasing coverage because of a child's pre-existing condition. 
  • No more lifetime coverage limits. Insurance companies can no longer put a lifetime limit on the amount of coverage you can receive. 
  • Young adults can now stay on their parent's plan.  Young adults can stay on their parent's health insurance plan up to age 26 if their job doesn't provide health care benefits -- a huge relief for many parents and recent college graduates.
  • Free preventive care.  If you join or purchase a new plan, the insurance company will be required to provide preventive care like mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, pre-natal and baby care without charging you any out of pocket costs.
  • Freedom to choose your own doctor. If you purchase or join a new plan, you have the right to choose your own doctor in your insurer network.
  • No more restrictions on emergency room care. Insurance companies will not be allowed to charge you more for out of network emergency services if you purchase or join a new a plan.

This is a long-overdue victory for American consumers and patients.  For years, millions of Americans have been at the mercy of their insurance companies as they jacked up rates, denied coverage or dropped patients all together.  
 
Now, some opponents of this reform have pledged to "repeal and replace" all of the progress we've made over the past six months.  But I refuse to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny a child health care due to a pre-existing condition or impose a lifetime limit on care for a cancer patient.  Those days are over.

The Affordable Care Act provides basic rules of the road that make our health care system work for consumers.  It cuts costs and will help us begin to get our fiscal house in order.  And most importantly, it provides Americans with the peace of mind that their insurance will be there for them when they need it.

To learn more about the Patient’s Bill of Rights and the Affordable Care Act, visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama
 
P.S. Last week, I surprised Gail O'Brien by calling her at home.  You can see what happened here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

 

 

 

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Seth's Blog : Dissatisfaction guaranteed

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In fact, most great commercial (and non-profit, and political) brands create a cycle of purchase based on ever-greater dissatisfaction with what we've got.

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marți, 21 septembrie 2010

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis


"Corruption on Steroids" Bell Officials Arrested, Criminal Charges Filed

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 10:50 PM PDT

I always knew this was a matter of time: Bell officials arrested as prosecutors are set to file criminal charges.
At least eight city of Bell officials were arrested Tuesday morning, a source said, as L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley prepared to announce criminal charges in the municipal salary scandal.

Former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo, whose high salary sparked the outrage that led to the investigations of the city, was among those arrested in the sweep. No details have been released, but a source not authorized to speak publicly about the case said that Rizzo; former Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia; Mayor Oscar Hernandez; Councilmembers Luis Artiga, Teresa Jacobo and George Mirabal; and former Councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello were among those arrested.

[Updated at 11:22 p.m.: Cooley filed charges against eight Bell officials Tuesday, alleging that they misappropriated $5.5 million in public funds. Rizzo has been charged with 53 counts of misappropriation of public funds and conflict of interest.

Among those arrested were former city administrator Robert Rizzo, former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia, Mayor Oscar Hernandez, councilmembers George Mirabal, Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and former councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello.

"This is corruption on steroids," Cooley said.]

Among those arrested were former city administrator Robert Rizzo, former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia, Mayor Oscar Hernandez, councilmembers George Mirabal, Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and former councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello.

"This is corruption on steroids," Cooley said.
Drop in the Bucket of Criminal Arrests that Need to Happen

When Monday's news broke, drivers honked horns and even their neighbors cheered the arrests. However, in the grand scheme of things, these arrests are but a drop in the bucket of what needs to happen.

Yes, this is indeed corruption on steroids, and unfortunately that is what it takes to get belated action. This went on for years!

Nationwide, corruption and vote buying are rampant. Officials in many cities deliberately made fiscally unsound deals with unions to get elected. If we prosecuted kickbacks, fraud, and illegal vote buying, the arrest list would be in the thousands.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List


HSBC Commercial Account Manager responds to "Amazing Arrogance, Gall, Chutzpa, and Unmitigated Effrontery from Berkshire Hathaway"

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 05:20 PM PDT

I have received a huge numbers of emails in response to Amazing Arrogance, Gall, Chutzpa, and Unmitigated Effrontery from Berkshire Hathaway.

Only two people were against the sentiment I expressed, with the vast majority of responders thanking me. More than a handful thought I did not go far enough!

Here is a response from a Commercial Account Manager who disagrees with what I wrote.

Ryan Skene, Commercial Account Manager, HSBC Bank Canada, writes ...
Mish ... How about taking a rational and measured approach to your words rather than slinging mud, feces, and whatever other garbage you can get your hands on.

In a world where everyone has there hands out, I for one like the idea of everyone just sucking it up and grinding through the tough times instead of whining begging someone else to fix their problems.

Ryan Skene
Commercial Account Manager
HSBC Bank Canada
Suite 200, 321A 21st Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 0C1
Mud Slinging? Really?!

I emailed Janet Tavakoli, author of Dear Mr. Buffett, one of the biggest Berkshire Hathaway supporters of all time, right after I wrote that post. I was curious about what she would have to say. Here is her response.
Mish,

I've already prepared a similar statement. It will be out shortly.

Best,
Janet
Janet Tavakoli Responds

Inquiring minds are reading Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger: Winning the Class War, Janet Tavakoli's reply to the amazing gall of Charlie Munger.
In Third World America: How Our Politicians are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream, Arianna Huffington describes how Wall Street insiders used the financial crisis to bribe, coerce, and manipulate Washington into bailing them out and handing them unprecedented, unconditional windfalls.

Warren Buffett Jumped the Squid

Today's interested men defend the bailouts and subsequent absence of felony indictments. They include Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and Berkshire's Vice-Chairman, Charlie Munger.

Charlie Munger's War

Andrew Frye of Bloomberg News reported Charlie Munger's recent remarks to law students at the University of Michigan. Munger suggests we shouldn't be "bitching about a little bailout;" we should have wondered why the bailout wasn't even bigger.

Munger conjured the specter of Germany's Weimar Republic in an attempt to justify the bailouts: "We ended up with Adolf Hitler." ZeroHedge, home to finance's mainly masked throw downs, spoke for many (including me), when it retorted that Germany's hyperinflation was born from "wanton money printing" and set the stage for Hitler.

When it comes to bailouts that will hit middle class taxpayers most, Munger has a double standard:

"The 86 year old told the 25 million of Americans who comprise the 16.7% of the underemployed population in the country, to "suck it in and cope." Not only that, but apparently, all those who have been without a job for 99 weeks and more and no longer have recourse to insurance benefits, should "thank God for bank bailouts." Why of course he would say that: after all $26 billion worth of direct BRK investments were the recipient of over $95 billion in bailouts."

[From] ZeroHedge, September 20, 2010: Munger Tells 25 Million Americans To "Suck It In", And To "Thank God For Bank Bailouts" As BRK Benefits From $95 Billion Of TARP Funding

We bailed out banks that were the key architects of much of our national misery and currency destruction. Those living in poverty will have a much more difficult time bettering themselves, as much of the middle class sinks.
Those Bailed Out, Whine

While I too am tired of people asking for handouts, especially public unions, the gall of Charlie Munger was so intense that even perennial Berkshire Hathaway supporters like Janet Tavakoli have abandoned Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger over those remarks.

Skene's statement "I for one like the idea of everyone just sucking it up and grinding through the tough times instead of whining begging someone else to fix their problems" offers more than a hint of irony now that the broker dealers and banks have been bailed out at the expense of everyone else.

We should not be surprised to see bankers or commercial account managers, recipients of the bailouts (directly or indirectly), defend those bailouts, while telling everyone else to "suck it in and cope". After all, Skene's livelihood may have depended on it.

Those who get handouts always think they deserve them. The very same people never think anyone else does. That is precisely what is wrong with the statements of Charlie Munger, as well as the statements of Ryan Skene and his ilk, in defending them.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
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Alliance to Roll Back Taxes Charges Ahead

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 12:41 PM PDT

Everyone should have their eyes on a Massachusetts ballot question this year as to whether or not the state should reduce sales taxes from 6.25 percent to 3 percent. Politicians and unions have aligned in opposition, advising people to reject the proposal. Fortunately, voters are fed up and have other ideas.

54 Percent Favor Cutting Taxes

The Patriot Ledger reports Sales tax rollback wins support of 54 percent in poll
By a 10-point margin, Massachusetts voters favor slicing the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent, according to a State House News Service poll – a ballot referendum that would chop roughly $2.4 billion from Beacon Hill coffers and has drawn opposition from all four gubernatorial candidates.

The rollback earned 54 percent support in the survey of 400 Massachusetts residents conducted at the end of August, with 44 percent against the ballot measure, known as Question 3, and 2 percent undecided. The survey has a margin of error 4.8 percent.

The Legislature and Gov. Deval Patrick raised the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 last year to close a multi-billion dollar budget gap. Patrick has described the prospective revenue loss from the rollback as "calamitous," while soft-pedaling answers to media inquiries about whether he would adhere to the mandate. Asked Tuesday whether Patrick would implement the rollback, communications director Kyle Sullivan said, "Yes," and referred to Patrick's previous assertions that he would "respect the will of the voters." During a Tuesday night debate, Patrick said "If the voters vote in that way, then I don't think we have any choice but to respect the will of the voters."

Republican Charles Baker, Patrick's closest rival, has said he would implement the tax cut, though he does not support it. Baker wants to bring the sales tax rate back to 5 percent, its level prior to last year's round of tax hikes.

Independent Treasurer Timothy Cahill is "concerned" with the prospect of the lost revenue, his campaign spokeswoman said last week, but would follow through with the mandate.
Measure Sponsored by the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes

Inquiring minds are reading About the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes
We're the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes, a non-partisan, grassroots campaign committee formed to put Question 3, the 2010 Massachusetts ballot initiative to Roll Back the Sales Tax to 3%, on the ballot and to give you a way to vote yourself a tax cut this November 2nd.

We represent everyday workers and taxpayers from all walks of life who believe taxes are too high and government spending is too high.

We run ballot initiatives because they are – bar none – the single most powerful tool available to voters. In fact, they are the only means currently available to cut taxes in Massachusetts (or just about anywhere). They give voters a chance to directly cut their own taxes and force overdue cuts in government spending.

Only a handful of groups have managed to put just one statewide tax cut initiative on the Massachusetts ballot in the last 20 years. We have succeeded in qualifying three ballot initiatives, all in the last 10 years, by collecting thousands of signatures statewide and meeting the requirements of six separate signature drives (two required to place each initiative on the ballot).

We're funded by individuals who make modest donations and who will get no government hand-out in return.

More than 99% of the opposition's donations come from government-funded Special Interests, i.e., paid for by your tax dollars – not from the general support of individual taxpayers and voters.

In contrast, our opponents are groups which profiteer from high taxes, high government spending, and government protections: Teachers Unions, Government Employee Unions, Government Contractor Unions and politically-connected corporations.

Our campaign was formed by co-sponsors Carla Howell, Chair, and Michael Cloud.

Carla Howell and Michael Cloud also head the Center For Small Government, a unique organization which advocates specific proposals to shrink the size, scope, authority, taxation and spending of today's Big Government.
Support the Alliance

I do not live in Massachusetts but I am sending in a donation anyway. Please Join the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes! and do the same.

It is very important to support such organizations. They are massively underfunded compared to the opposition.

About all you need to know about Question 3 (the proposition to reduce state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent) is that it is opposed by a coalition of major unions including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, and all of the politicians who want more of your tax dollars to waste.

Public Unions and Politicians Conspire to Raise Your Taxes

Whenever unions and politicians conspire to raise your taxes, you know the taxpayer is going to get the short end of the stick. This happens because politician are willing to buy the votes of union members who vote in big blocks.

Chris Christie Leads the Way

Sadly, none of those running for Governor of Massachusetts is of the caliber of recently elected New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

The wimps in Massachusetts refuse to do what needs to be done. In contrast please consider Governor Chris Christie on Who's to Blame for Teacher Layoffs

Undoubtedly, the teachers' union and the police and fire unions will start a campaign "this will hurt the kids and services". No it won't. Any cutbacks that come from lowering taxes will be the direct responsibility of the unions who do not understand economic realities that the average taxpayer cannot afford what the unions want.

Goal of Unions is to Raise Your Taxes for Their Benefit

The goal of unions is always to raise your taxes so they get more benefits than you do.

Instead of raising taxes, it's time to cut benefits of the politicians and the public unions. Unfortunately, the political wimps in Massachusetts don't have the courage to do what's right. However, the gubernatorial candidates in Massachusetts have pledged to honor the will of the voters. Voters can and should force this issue.

Send a Message! Vote Yes on 3!

It's time to send an unmistakable message to the politicians and public unions that enough is enough. If you live in Massachusetts, please vote YES on question 3. Everyone, everywhere should support these initiatives with donations. Please send a donation to the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List


What does Petroleum Distillates usage say about the Recovery?

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 07:59 AM PDT

Reader Tim Wallace sent me an interesting series of charts on petroleum usage, GDP, and Housing. This post is on petroleum distillates.

Tim writes ...
Hello Mish

The following chart shows a drop in oil distillates usage stared in 2006, the same year the housing plunge started.

In my early career at Exxon I was taught to watch these numbers. Any time they fell below 0.8%, you could expect a stagnant economy, anytime below 0.5%, a recessionary economy. Negative numbers are very bad.

I used this chart to exit the market in 2008, well before the crash.

Oil Distillates Usage Decline From Peak



click on any chart for sharper image

This past summer, distillates usage was propped up with paving stimulus projects, yet we are still more than 12% down from peak usage.

That oil usage is still down this much from the prior peak in spite of those road projects is further proof there has been no intrinsic recovery, just a financial/banking recovery.

Tim
Thanks Tim.

Here are two more charts to consider.

Historic Growth Levels



2010 Week by Week vs. Peak Usage




Not Your Typical Recession or Recovery

Please consider the following chart courtesy of Dave Rosenberg's September 16, 2010, Breakfast with Dave.



In the typical recovery, GDP, new home sales, corporate earnings, retail sales, shipments, and orders are all making new highs after 33 months. Instead, none of those items are. Add oil distillates usage to the list.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List