WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Why your citrus may be getting more expensivehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/why-your-citrus-may-be-getting-more-expensive/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/why-your-citrus-may-be-getting-more-expensive/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/why-your-citrus-may-be-getting-more-expensive/#commentsFiled under:

A tiny insect known as the Asian citrus psyllid, is threatening to spread a disease which could severely damage citrus orchards world wide. Psyllids are known carriers of a disease called citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing). The disease spoils the affected crop for consumption, and then kills the infected trees. There is currently no known cure for citrus greening disease.

The LA Times has reported that, at this point, members of a multinational taskforce are attempting to limit populations of the offending psyllids, while gathering and sharing data about them and the citrus greening disease they may spread. Countries involved in this focused effort include: The United States, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama.

Citrus greening disease has already caused considerable damage to orchards in Florida. Outbreaks of the disease have also recently been reported in Louisiana, Belize and in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Populations of the psyllid are known to exist in Mexico and the southern U.S., although not all of the insects are found to be actual carriers of the disease.

Jim Cranney, president of the California Citrus Quality Council in Auburn, is quoted by LA Times as stating: "(Citrus greening disease) is like a wildfire with unlimited fuel, and all of our respective countries have to be prepared for when the wind starts blowing in our direction..."

The upshot for consumers? Be on the lookout for higher citrus prices nationwide.

Why your citrus may be getting more expensive originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>citruscitrus greening diseaseCitrusGreeningDiseaseHuanglongbingpsyllidGary E. SattlerTue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:00 ESTFull House star Dave Coulier owes back taxeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/full-house-star-dave-coulier-owes-back-taxes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/full-house-star-dave-coulier-owes-back-taxes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/18/full-house-star-dave-coulier-owes-back-taxes/#commentsFiled under: ,

Who could have imagined that a Bullwinkle imitating, television sidekick could ever get in a jam with the IRS?

Apparently, Full House's Joey (Dave Coulier) has done exactly that. Perez Hilton reported today that tax liens totaling nearly $50,000 have been filed against that TV uncle with a talent for cartoon character voices.

According to Detroit News: "The state of California filed an $11,793 lien against him on May 4 in the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds office.The IRS filed a $37,063 lien against him on March 17, 2008, in Los Angeles County.

Checking up on Dave Coulier's Official website, I found no mention of his little tiff with the taxing authorities. He does however, indicate that he'll be visiting close to my home in Wisconsin next month. I also checked Dave's Twitter feed to see if he tweeted about the situation. He hasn't yet mentioned his back taxes on Twitter, but he does indicate that becoming a senator may be one way to pick your nose in peace - or not.

This much I can tell you for certain; It's better to pay our taxes when they are due, than it is to try retrospectively prying the IRS off our backs. I always suggest leaving tax form preparation to a professional tax accountant, because being able to talk in comical voices won't make a tax audit one bit funnier.

Continue reading Full House star Dave Coulier owes back taxes

Full House star Dave Coulier owes back taxes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bullwinkleDave CoulierDaveCoulierFull HouseFullHousetax lientaxesTaxLienUncle JoeyUncleJoeyGary E. SattlerFri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 ESTObesity: Is it the new health care reform buzz word?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/28/obesity-is-it-the-new-health-care-reform-buzz-word/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/28/obesity-is-it-the-new-health-care-reform-buzz-word/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/28/obesity-is-it-the-new-health-care-reform-buzz-word/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A recently released study by the journal "Health Affairs" is making some large waves across the Internet.

The study outlines medical expenditure data related to the direct costs of obesity in this country. MSNBC quotes the study as stating "...medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for an obese person than someone who's normal weight."

Setting aside the fundamentals of the issue for the moment, one has to wonder how our legislators, who tend to write more documentation than they read, will take the fact that obesity now accounts for 9.1% of all medical spending, up from 6.5% in 1998, and translate that data into health reform pork for their fat lobbyist buddies.

Given that we now serve a government which is more closely tuned to policies of punitive sanction rather than policies of constructive assistance, how shall our legislators exploit the fact that obese Medicare recipients spend about $600 a year more on prescription medications than lighter Medicare recipients?

Continue reading Obesity: Is it the new health care reform buzz word?

Obesity: Is it the new health care reform buzz word? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>health care reformHealthCareReformMedicaidMedicareobesityGary E. SattlerTue, 28 Jul 2009 18:00:00 ESTHow to be a kid: Amherst thinks it knows best and denies Chuck E. Cheese's a game licensehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/how-to-be-a-kid-amherst-thinks-it-knows-best-and-denies-chuck-e/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/how-to-be-a-kid-amherst-thinks-it-knows-best-and-denies-chuck-e/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/27/how-to-be-a-kid-amherst-thinks-it-knows-best-and-denies-chuck-e/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In what may be a first time ever occurrence, the town board of Amherst, New York has derailed the game license for its local Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant. Evidently, there is some question about how to properly let a kid be a kid in Amherst.

An unexpected 3-3 vote deadlocked the license process for the Amherst Chuck E. Cheese's. A rather tangled discussion then followed the voting. Specifically at issue was council member Shelly Schratz's concern that the kid-oriented theme restaurant was making excessively violent video games too easily accessible for very young children. Concerns were also aired regarding an apparently high number of police responses to the popular birthday party location.

Continue reading How to be a kid: Amherst thinks it knows best and denies Chuck E. Cheese's a game license

How to be a kid: Amherst thinks it knows best and denies Chuck E. Cheese's a game license originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>AmherstChuck E. CheeseChuckE.Cheeselicensevideo gamesVideoGamesGary E. SattlerMon, 27 Jul 2009 09:00:00 ESTBrother can you spare some kibble? Free pet food programshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/brother-can-you-spare-some-kibble-free-pet-food-programs/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/brother-can-you-spare-some-kibble-free-pet-food-programs/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/16/brother-can-you-spare-some-kibble-free-pet-food-programs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When times are tough for people, times are just as tough for their pets.

In fact, sometimes personal budget issues get so bad that people and their pets are required to part ways. If a family is struggling just to put food on it's own table, that sometimes means Fido and his food dish have to go.

The struggle to keep beloved pets properly fed and at home, is the driving force behind a new wave of free pet food programs which is beginning to take hold across the country.

In some instances, the free pet food programs are initiated by local animal control and animal shelter agencies. Such is the case with a well received pet food program thriving in Floyd County, Ga.

Continue reading Brother can you spare some kibble? Free pet food programs

Brother can you spare some kibble? Free pet food programs originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>donationsFloyd County Animal ControlFloydCountyAnimalControlFood Bank for New York CityFoodBankForNewYorkCityfree pet foodFreePetFoodThe Pet Pantry of MichiganThePetPantryOfMichiganGary E. SattlerThu, 16 Jul 2009 12:30:00 ESTBoston zoos want money or animals may start getting whackedhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/13/boston-zoos-want-money-or-animals-may-start-getting-whacked/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/13/boston-zoos-want-money-or-animals-may-start-getting-whacked/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/13/boston-zoos-want-money-or-animals-may-start-getting-whacked/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It appears that soon the zoos around Boston will be receiving less than adequate state funding.They are being put in the sad position of possibly being forced to lay off approximately 160 employees. They are also facing the all-too real possibility of having to relocate as many as 1,000 zoo animals. Where are Noah and his ark when you need them?

The problem is that zoo officials estimate that as many as 200 of those animals needing new homes may not be able to be relocated. This means that either the government would be forced to maintain the animals within closed zoo facilities, or it would have to euthanize the poor creatures.

This problem was brought on through some unfortunate budget slashing done by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who gouged $4 million out of the previous $6.5 million in that state's zoo funding. Evidently zebras, tarantulas, and lemurs rank pretty low on the Massachusetts budgetary food chain.

Although an article from TheBostonChannel.com about the possible zoo closures does not state it explicitly, it would seem that if alternate funding sources could be arranged, the animals could remain unmolested in their current homes for zoo patrons to continue enjoying. Indications are that there are a few months left yet before the guano hits the fan. Currently, the Massachusetts zoos are funded through state funds, private donations, and ticket sales.

Now, it appears that a major fund drive is in order. Do you think billionaire Warren Buffett would be interested in sponsoring a snake or two?

I think he might be open to that possibility.

Update - July 13, 2009:
Governor Deval Patrick has accused Zoo New England of using scare tactics with it's published claim that zoo staff may be required to euthanize some zoo animals in the wake of possible zoo closures.

Kyle Sullivan, a spokesman for the governor is quoted by Boston.com as stating: "...we would all do well to remain level-headed and focus on solutions.'' According to the report, Sullivan also stated that it is Zoo New England's responsibility to find a way to keep it's operations running.

Massachusetts lawmakers have reportedly indicated that they shall attempt to override their governor's veto of zoo funding.

There has been no formal statement from the zoo animals.

Boston zoos want money or animals may start getting whacked originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>animalsanimals and moneyAnimalsAndMoneyBostondonationsfundingMassachusettszooGary E. SattlerMon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:00 ESTSt Louis prepares to shake down All Star players for its tax cuthttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/06/st-louis-prepares-to-shake-down-all-star-players-for-their-tax-c/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/06/st-louis-prepares-to-shake-down-all-star-players-for-their-tax-c/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/06/st-louis-prepares-to-shake-down-all-star-players-for-their-tax-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

tax 1040 formIt's a little known fact that the city of St. Louis levies a 1% earnings tax on money earned there. This means, if I was a plumber who lived outside the city of St. Louis, but I went into the city to repair a leaky toilet, I would be required to contribute 1% of my earnings into the city coffers.

This usually amounts only to local outrage, but a new application of the law is making headlines because apparently St. Louis city tax collector Gregory F.X. Daly has determined that he'll be collecting 1% of the bonuses being paid to the players of this summer's All Star game, which will be played in St. Louis.

Continue reading St Louis prepares to shake down All Star players for its tax cut

St Louis prepares to shake down All Star players for its tax cut originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>All Star gameAllStarGamebaseballcity taxCityTaxGregory DalyGregoryDalyPresident ObamaPresidentObamaSt LouisStLouisGary E. SattlerMon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:00 ESTGive me $48 or you'll never see your Mr. Coffee maker againhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/01/give-me-48-or-youll-never-see-your-mr-coffee-maker-again/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/01/give-me-48-or-youll-never-see-your-mr-coffee-maker-again/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/01/give-me-48-or-youll-never-see-your-mr-coffee-maker-again/#commentsFiled under: ,

I have heard about the kidnapping of dogs. A recent dognapping case ended up with a $10,000 ransom being paid.

I have heard about a lobster being held for ransom. That was a case of using the release of an unusually large lobster to solicit donations for a food pantry.

But I have never, until now, heard about someone in Lincoln, Nebraska holding a Mr. Coffee machine for ransom. It's a wonderfully novel idea. It's also quite seriously strange.

Apparently, they have always taken great pride in doing things a little bit differently in Nebraska. It's the home of the prairie wind wagon, the world's largest stamp ball, and Andy the footless goose. He also was kidnapped, but unfortunately he never made it home alive.

Continue reading Give me $48 or you'll never see your Mr. Coffee maker again

Give me $48 or you'll never see your Mr. Coffee maker again originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>coffee makerCoffeeMakerfeaturedkidnappingKyra R. KinkadeKyraR.KinkadeLincoln NebraskaLincolnNebraskaransomGary E. SattlerWed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 ESTPostal service considers closing nearly 10% of its officeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/29/postal-service-considers-closing-nearly-10-of-its-offices/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/29/postal-service-considers-closing-nearly-10-of-its-offices/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/29/postal-service-considers-closing-nearly-10-of-its-offices/#commentsFiled under:

How much is your local post office worth to you? Would you miss it if it disappeared? Do you depend on your local post office for services other than regular mail delivery and the purchase of postal supplies? These and other mail service-related questions will soon be a significant concern for many people across America.

Due to the rapidly rising costs of doing business, the United States Postal Service is considering the closure of approximately 3,200 local post offices. That's nearly 10% of the post offices currently in operation. According to an article from MSN Money, most of the postal locations which are being considered for closure exist in metropolitan areas.

Continue reading Postal service considers closing nearly 10% of its offices

Postal service considers closing nearly 10% of its offices originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>closuresfeaturedmailpost officepostagepostalPostOfficeGary E. SattlerMon, 29 Jun 2009 11:00:00 ESTHome insurer throws a hissy fithttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/24/home-insurer-throws-a-hissy-fit/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/24/home-insurer-throws-a-hissy-fit/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/24/home-insurer-throws-a-hissy-fit/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imagine that you are mowing the lawn, and your lawn mower pitches a stone into one of your windows, cracking the glass. So you put a little piece of wood in front of the glass to cover the breakage, and go back about your business. You'll get the window fixed later.

One week later, you receive a letter from your homeowner's insurance carrier, stating that your coverage is going to be dropped. The letter cites your unkempt landscape and the boarded up window as the reasons for your loss of coverage.

Don't laugh, this could happen to you!

According to a report from ABC7.com News, that is almost exactly what has happened to one homeowner in Florida.The difference between that story and my hypothetical one is that it was a golf ball which cracked that homeowner's window. The story indicates that the home in question is well kept, and that the homeowner hasn't filed a loss claim in 20 years.

Continue reading Home insurer throws a hissy fit

Home insurer throws a hissy fit originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ABC7.comCape CoralCapeCoralclaimDeborah KearneyDeborahKearneyFirst Home InsuranceFirstHomeInsurancehome ownerHomeOwnerinsurancelossGary E. SattlerWed, 24 Jun 2009 09:00:00 ESTConsumers warned to research their tattoo artistshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/21/consumers-warned-to-research-their-tattoo-artists/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/21/consumers-warned-to-research-their-tattoo-artists/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/21/consumers-warned-to-research-their-tattoo-artists/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Do you have a tattoo? Have you ever wanted one? Having our bodies adorned with "skin art" is a very personal choice, and one which should not be taken lightly. I myself have a very nice tattoo on my upper left arm which features the heads of five of nature's big cats. It's a one-of-a-kind piece, it has significant meaning to me, and I'm really quite proud of it.

Generally speaking, we take our tattoos to the grave with us. Unfortunately, a poor choice of tattoo parlors could make that trip happen prematurely. Although it may not seem like it, tattooing is a considerably invasive procedure, involving fairly significant trauma to one of our body's major defense systems.

Tattoo recipients in Edmonton, Canada have received a sharp wake-up call regarding the seriousness of being careful when choosing a tattoo or piercing artist. A long-standing tattoo shop there has recently been closed, due to concerns over its nonchalant health and cleanliness standards.

Continue reading Consumers warned to research their tattoo artists

Consumers warned to research their tattoo artists originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>CanadaedmontonhepatitisHIVtattootattoo artisttattoo parlortattoo shopTattooArtistTattooParlorTattooShopVancouverZipps TattooZippsTattooGary E. SattlerSun, 21 Jun 2009 15:00:00 ESTFish, milk ... and zinc? Questions arise over possibly toxic cat foodshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/questions-arise-over-possibly-toxic-pet-foods/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/questions-arise-over-possibly-toxic-pet-foods/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/questions-arise-over-possibly-toxic-pet-foods/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You've probably heard the old saying; "Get the lead out," used on soldiers or teenagers. But did you ever hear the saying; "Get the zinc out," relative to cats and their food?

Independent testing has revealed the startling truth that cat fanciers may be legally and unwittingly feeding toxic doses of zinc to their cats. Although the Association of American Feed Control Officials maintains standards for such things, it has become increasingly clear that AAFCO's testing protocols and standards may be falling short of their mark.

According to a report published by Susan Thixton at TruthaboutPetFood.com, pet food manufacturers are being allowed to market cat food which may contain zinc in amounts that could be toxic to cats. Zinc toxicity in cats can result in symptoms ranging from discolored urine to failure of the liver or kidneys.

Continue reading Fish, milk ... and zinc? Questions arise over possibly toxic cat foods

Fish, milk ... and zinc? Questions arise over possibly toxic cat foods originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>AAFCOAssociation of American Feed Control OfficialsAssociationOfAmericanFeedControlOfficialsNRC National Research CouncilNrcNationalResearchCouncilpet foodPetFoodtruth about pet foodTruthAboutPetFoodzincGary E. SattlerThu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 ESTWere Octo-mom's newborns mistreated as actors? Labor commish says maybehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/were-octo-moms-newborns-mistreated-as-actors-labor-commish-say/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/were-octo-moms-newborns-mistreated-as-actors-labor-commish-say/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/18/were-octo-moms-newborns-mistreated-as-actors-labor-commish-say/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"Won't somebody please think of the children?"

Those words, whined facetiously by a religious female character on the TV show "The Simpsons," were taken to heart recently by California's highest ranking labor official -- who might possibly have nothing better to do than make a situation where there probably isn't one.

Utilizing a strict, if not forced, interpretation of California labor law, the office of Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet has issued four initial citations against RadarOnline.com, for its efforts in reporting updates on the lives of Octo-mom Nadya Suleman and her 14 children.

According to statements quoted by LATimes.com, Labor Commissioner Bradstreet feels that she has sufficient reason to believe the octuplets have been, or could be, mistreated as actors.

Continue reading Were Octo-mom's newborns mistreated as actors? Labor commish says maybe

Were Octo-mom's newborns mistreated as actors? Labor commish says maybe originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Angela BradstreetAngela SulemanAngelaBradstreetAngelaSulemanlabor lawLaborLawNadya SulemanNadyaSulemanoctomomRadar OnlineRadarOnlineGary E. SattlerThu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:00 ESTSenate to grill cell providers about high texting feeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/16/senate-to-grill-cell-providers-about-high-texting-fees/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/16/senate-to-grill-cell-providers-about-high-texting-fees/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/16/senate-to-grill-cell-providers-about-high-texting-fees/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to take a hard line with cell phone executives at a hearing about the escalating cost of sending text messages.

The hearing, at 2:30 p.m. June 19, was brought on in part by the concerned voice of Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl.

A story from News Junkie indicates that Kohl suspects cell phone companies are taking advantage of consumers by simply exploiting the popularity of text messaging. It would seem that the senator expects that cell companies must justify rapid rate increases using something more than the pursuit of profit principle.

Continue reading Senate to grill cell providers about high texting fees

Senate to grill cell providers about high texting fees originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cell phoneCellPhonefeesHerb KohlHerbKohlsenateSenate Judiciary CommitteeSenateJudiciaryCommitteetext messagetextingTextMessageGary E. SattlerTue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:00 ESTUganda steps up the war on plastichttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/uganda-steps-up-the-war-on-plastic/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/uganda-steps-up-the-war-on-plastic/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/uganda-steps-up-the-war-on-plastic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Let's all please take just a moment and look around ourselves. How far do we have to look to find something made with plastic?

In truth, we don't even have to look away from our computer monitors to complete the exercise. The plastic is there -- and it's laughing at us.

Uganda's leading Web site, New Vision, has published a report which outlines the drastic government sanctions being placed upon plastics there. Basically put, in Uganda, single use plastic is being outlawed.

Effective January 2010, people who are caught utilizing certain consumer plastics in Uganda could face fines in excess of $1,000 and jail time of up to three years, or both.

In addition to making plastic a contraband item, the government of Uganda has told the manufacturers of consumer plastics there to shut down and pack up their operations.

Evidently however, the government hasn't yet determined what actions to take regarding imported plastics such as those which arrive as wrapping for clothing items. Under consideration is a requirement that these items be unwrapped at point of entry, similar to the practice which is employed by Uganda's neighbor, Rwanda.

The plastic upon which we consumers have become so mindlessly dependent, now threatens the health of each and every one of us. In fact, it threatens the health of our entire beloved planet. You see, once discarded, plastic doesn't just go away. It does not readily biodegrade. It hangs around like a stray dog we made the mistake of feeding. It packs into landfills, fouls our waterways, and contaminates our landscape.

Continue reading Uganda steps up the war on plastic

Uganda steps up the war on plastic originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>disposalEarth Resource FoundationEarthResourceFoundationplasticrecycleUgandaGary E. SattlerMon, 15 Jun 2009 16:30:00 ESTAlleged Facebook spammer might face the slammerhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/alleged-facebook-spammer-might-face-the-slammer/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/alleged-facebook-spammer-might-face-the-slammer/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/15/alleged-facebook-spammer-might-face-the-slammer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

His name is Sanford Wallace, and his alleged spamming might possibly make him the most disliked man on the Internet. Facebook has a civil lawsuit pending against him, which has been stalled by his filing for bankruptcy. Myspace has already been granted a $230 million judgment against him for slinging pornography and gambling links onto its site. At last however, Sanford Wallace may have to face the music by doing hard time.

PC World has reported that the courts have determined that Wallace has set himself up for criminal prosecution. The article states in part: "Judge Jeremy Fogel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California referred Sanford Wallace to the U.S. Attorney General's Office for criminal proceedings for allegedly violating an injunction that prohibited him from accessing Facebook."

Continue reading Alleged Facebook spammer might face the slammer

Alleged Facebook spammer might face the slammer originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>emailFacebookfaxMyspaceSanford WallaceSanfordWallacespamspammerspammingGary E. SattlerMon, 15 Jun 2009 09:00:00 ESTLoud TV commercials may be coming to an endhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/12/fcc-seeks-to-relieve-consumers-by-cutting-noise/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/12/fcc-seeks-to-relieve-consumers-by-cutting-noise/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/12/fcc-seeks-to-relieve-consumers-by-cutting-noise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've probably all had the experience of relaxing while quietly watching a movie, only to be blasted off the couch when a commercial message for life insurance or a male enhancement product came on at three times the decibel level of the movie we were watching. It's absolutely maddening, and it's happened to me more times than I care to think about.

The way things stand right now, broadcasters are allowed to air commercial messages at a volume equal to the peak volume of the program during which they play. That means if the program you're watching has one bomb blast or just one blood curdling scream, all the commercials during that program may blast and scream at that same sound threshold.

I had always though that perhaps some advertisers paid a small premium to have their commercials air at a higher volume. Now I know that it's simply carelessness on the part of broadcasters.

The good news is that the days of obnoxious commercial volume may soon be coming to an end. A coalition of government regulators, broadcasting overseers, and advertising executives are coming together to create a resolution for the offensive situation.

The FCC wants regulation which would restrict television commercial volume to the average sound level of the program within which it airs. This would certainly be an improvement over having commercials air at the program's peak volume.

Broadcasters and advertising representatives would like government to stay away from regulating commercial volume, but they also concede that something must change.

Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of the Association of National Advertisers told McClatchy Newspapers that advertisers and broadcasters want a commercial which is "loud enough that a reasonable person can hear it, but not so loud you can hear it in Mongolia."

Personally, I'd be happy with a level of volume which will simply keep my popcorn in its bowl and the bowl on my lap.

Loud TV commercials may be coming to an end originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>advertisingbroadcastingsound levelSoundLeveltelevisiontelevision advertisingTelevisionAdvertisingtv commercialTvCommercialGary E. SattlerFri, 12 Jun 2009 17:00:00 ESTGovernator Schwarzenegger attempts to terminate welfarehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/10/governator-schwarzenegger-attempts-to-terminate-welfare/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/10/governator-schwarzenegger-attempts-to-terminate-welfare/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/10/governator-schwarzenegger-attempts-to-terminate-welfare/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While indicating that he has no other choice, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed the complete elimination of cash assistance payments for that state's poorest individuals. Needless to say, the proposal has met with stiff resistance.

According to a story released by MercuryNews.com, by rejecting a $3.7 billion federal, welfare-to-work block grant, Schwarzenegger's plan would free his state from paying $1.8 billion in matching funds. However, one additional consideration is that California would also lose $600 million in federal stimulus funds if it rejected the welfare grant.

On it's face, the entire idea seems quite foolish. Simply put, by saving the state budget $1.8 billion, the governor's plan strips the California economy of a much needed cash infusion of $4.3 billion. Most importantly, all that money would be withheld from the poorest segments of society and from infrastructure projects. Those are arguably the two areas which need money the most.

The Mercury News quoted former Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, creator of California's welfare-to-work program, as stating "...it's hard for me to believe that the Legislature would ever agree to that -- or that this is a serious proposal even from this governor."

At this point, it appears that Schwarzenegger's proposal has all but dropped dead. Even liberal democrats have come forward to assert that there must be better ways to trim the state's budget. The general consensus is that this particular gambit would cause much more hardship than it would be worth.

In the mean time, Schwarzenegger has warned that this is just the beginning, as he undertakes the task of tweaking a budget which is $24 billion in the red.

It's my opinion that if the Governator was to forward too many more ideas similar to this one, he himself might want to "get to da choppa" in one big hurry.

Governator Schwarzenegger attempts to terminate welfare originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ArnoldbudgetCaliforniadeficitGovernatorGovernorSchwarzeneggerwelfare-to-workGary E. SattlerWed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:00 ESTFirst and Fourth Amendments add up to $8,000 for professorhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/first-and-fourth-amendments-add-up-to-8k-for-professor/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/first-and-fourth-amendments-add-up-to-8k-for-professor/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/first-and-fourth-amendments-add-up-to-8k-for-professor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Let it be known that in America, personal liberty is not dead yet.

With a little help from the Constitution, University of Washington art professor Shirley Scheier and U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour delivered that pleasing message to three heavy handed law officers.

According to a detailed report from The Seattle Times, the incident involved photographs which the professor took of some overhead power lines. She took the photos from public property for her own artistic use.

There are no explicit restrictions against photographing her chosen subject. However, after leaving the area, Professor Shirley Scheier, of the University of Washington, was detained by police officers who "questioned her vigorously about the photos she had taken, searched her car, handcuffed her and treated her "roughly."

In a Homeland Security sense, perhaps the officers were justified in their concerns. In a tactical sense, the officers could only implement their training and departmental guidelines.

In a constitutional sense however, to make an arrest and execute a search without warrant, which is what the officers did, they are still required to have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. That truth netted our story's hero $8,000.

American civil liberties are still kicking butt -- for now.

First and Fourth Amendments add up to $8,000 for professor originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>artphotographsphotographyShirley ScheierShirleyScheierUniversity of WashingtonUniversityOfWashingtonGary E. SattlerTue, 09 Jun 2009 17:00:00 ESTLos Angeles awash in medical marijuana outletshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/los-angeles-awash-in-medical-marijuana-outlets/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/los-angeles-awash-in-medical-marijuana-outlets/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/09/los-angeles-awash-in-medical-marijuana-outlets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The rampant exploitation of a huge loophole in the city of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary moratorium has created a glut in that niche. The moratorium, which was imposed by that city in 2007, intended to limit the number of medical marijuana outlets to 186.

However, the non-existent enforcement of the moratorium, in the expectation of a permanent medical marijuana ordinance, has allowed more than 700 new "pot shops" to bud and blossom while providing employment and tax revenue for an otherwise wilting city.

The Pensito Review reported: "The (Los Angeles) City Council, which approved the moratorium in order to give it time to write a comprehensive ordinance, has been working on a draft for over a year."

Continue reading Los Angeles awash in medical marijuana outlets

Los Angeles awash in medical marijuana outlets originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>collectivedispensaryLos AngelesLosAngelesmarijuanamedicalPensito ReviewPensitoReviewGary E. SattlerTue, 09 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST