Kevin Colby: News, culture, political blog

First of all I would like to apologize to Democrats for accusing them of the ones shooting down this piece of legislation.  I did some research from a 2003 NY Times article I had posted about President Bush wanting to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I found the original bill that was intrduced as H.R. 2803: Housing Finance Regulatory Restructuring Act of 2003.

Rep. Edward Royce (R-CA) was the only sponsor, there were no co-sponsors and the damn bill never made it out of  committee which means it never even made it to the house to be voted on.  Both Democrats and Republicans are at fault for this mess because of major lobbying that was done by Fannie and Freddie, we’re talking $200 million in lobbying.

The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a well-respected nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress. KevinColby.com did not write and has no control over these summaries.

In both Shell’s scenarios, wind and solar power grow dramatically once experience and further technical breakthroughs reduce costs. In 2007, they continued working to help make these breakthroughs possible.

Shell’s solar power activities are focused on advancing their proprietary thin-film solar technology. With their joint venture partner, glassmaker Saint-Gobain, they are building a 20-megawatt (MW) thin-film solar plant in Germany. The Showa Shell joint venture (Shell share 35%) is operating a 20 MW thin-film plant in Miyazaki, Japan and building a second thin-film factory with a capacity of 60 MW.

Shell is also a major wind power developer, participating in projects with a capacity of over 1,100 MW (Shell share, approximately 550 MW), enough to power more than half a million homes. This includes the launch of the Mount Storm wind project in the USA, which the joint venture expects to bring into full operation during 2008.

In 2007, they moved their wind and solar activities from a separate Shell Renewables organisation into their Gas & Power division so that they can benefit from the expertise and market knowledge of one of their mainstream businesses. The remaining part of Shell Renewables - Shell Hydrogen - became part of their future fuels organisation in their downstream organisation.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah: Clark Griswold

I decided to put together MY top 10 favorite Christmas songs.  We all know that so many artists over the years have made their own versions of Christmas songs.  So I selected my favorite versions of the songs:

10) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by The Jackson 5:  I love it when Michael says “I did, I really did see mommy kissing Santa Claus and I’m   telling my daddy”

9) Do You Hear What I Hear by Whitney Houston:  Oh how we forget how wonderful and powerful of a singer Whitney was.

Winter Wonderland by The Eurythmics:  Annie Lennox did a great job on top of the electronica sound.

7) It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams:  Just a timeless classic.  I like how ESPN redid the song for college bowl week.

6) The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole: A timeless classic by a timeless musician.

5) Christmas Time by Christina Aguilera:  For a Christmas song, it’s gotta great beat that you can actually probably dance to.

4) If Everyday Was Like Christmas by Elvis Presley:  All I have to say is Elvis.

3) O Holy Night by Josh Groban:  Let me just say I don’t practice any form of religion but this song is just so beautiful and the power of Groban’s voice is just amazing.

2) The Little Drummer Boy by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band:  I remember the first time I heard this song off the first A Very Special Christmas album and I was just blown away by the drums, guitar, the horn section, the backing vocals and Seger’s voice.  Incredible song!

1) That Spirit of Christmas by Ray Charles:  This song was in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark was up in the attic watching old home movies of Christmas.  A beautiful song by a wonderful musician just singing about what Christmas is about.

Several days ago I did a post on Californians removing their grass lawn and putting in turf to conserve water. Then I received a comment from a company called Cyber-Rain.

Cyber-Rain is a relatively new company that specializes in “smart” sprinkler controllers, thus reducing the amount of water used by regular sprinkler systems, but still allowing the lawn to get just the right amount of water.

Cyber-Rain is a ground-breaking smart sprinkler control system that gives homeowners an easy way to save 30-70 percent on their landscape watering bills by using the ease and convenience of the personal computer and automatic weather updates from the internet.

See How it Works

Most sprinkler control systems on the market today rely on manually adjusted timers to regulate watering schedules. Cyber-Rain works through your PC to automatically adjust the amount of watering based on weather and seasonal conditions, saving you time, water and plant replacement costs by stopping the sprinkler system on rainy days, automatically decreasing the watering schedule on cold or humid days, and increasing it on hot and dry days.

It seems to be a better idea instead of completely overhauling your yard with fake grass.  Natural grass and soil provide natural elements for our environment on Earth.

There are lots of rebate programs they have listed, and interesting tidbits about saving water. There is also a weekly “Water District Spotlight” where they highlight a specific water district (new each week) and how that particular district is involved with water conservation, and what rebates are being offered.  Visit at Cyber-Rain and their blog is at http://blog.cyber-rain.com.

The Holiday Season is upon us, and ESPN is kicking off the Season of Giving with the return of Jimmy V Week, a week-long initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs featuring special content to help raise money and awareness for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Jimmy V Week begins at 7:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, December 3 and runs through Tuesday, December 9.  The news release below outlines ESPN’s incredible vision to advance our cause.

Here are just a few quick notes about Jimmy V Week:

• Jim Valvano’s famous 1993 ESPY speech will air at 7:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, December 3 on numerous ESPN media outlets.

• Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!® program will feature a compilation of 2008 V Foundation fundraising events leading up to the launch at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 3 on ESPN2.  The ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, the Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Radio Auction, The V Foundation Wine Celebration and The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic raised millions of dollars for cancer research and created new awareness for The V Foundation through the generous participation of athletes, celebrities, ESPN commentators and private donors.

• The Jimmy V Women’s and Men’s Basketball Classics air Monday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2 and Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN, respectively.

• Jim Valvano Themed Marathon on ESPN Classic airs Tuesday, December 9 at 1:00 p.m. EST

As we enjoy the Holiday Season and look forward to the coming New Year, we do so with great hope, knowing that together, we are making a difference and moving closer to beating cancer.

Jimmy V Week Returns Dec. 3-9 Following More Than $700,000 Raised in Inaugural Event

Week-Long Initiative to Raise Awareness for Cancer Research Features Special Content Across Multiple ESPN Platforms Including Simultaneous Launch, Special Vignettes, ESPN.com Chats and Men’s and Women’s Jimmy V Basketball Classics

The second annual Jimmy V Week – a week-long initiative featuring special content across ESPN platforms and programs to drive awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research — will begin Wednesday, Dec. 3 and conclude Tuesday, Dec. 9.  The inaugural Jimmy V Week raised more than $700,000 in net proceeds for cancer research.

Jimmy V Week will launch Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET with a special Jimmy V Week introduction featuring Jim Valvano’s now-famous ESPYs speech simultaneously aired on numerous ESPN media outlets at 7 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!® program featuring coverage of 2008 V Foundation fundraising events leading up to the launch at 6:30 p.m. The week will conclude with the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic (Georgia at Rutgers) on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 and the Men’s Jimmy V Basketball Classic doubleheader on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. (Davidson vs. West Virginia) and 9 p.m. (Texas vs. Villanova) on ESPN.

“Jimmy V Week is a shining example of sports and teamwork whose results go beyond any game.  I’m proud of our employees and fans joining together for this great cause,” said George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports.

As part of a Team ESPN initiative, employees companywide have volunteered for several months to develop Jimmy V Week content and implement the strategy.

To highlight the initiative to drive donations and awareness for cancer research, Jimmy V Week content will be incorporated into studio programs and event telecasts, including SportsCenter, college basketball (men’s and women’s), football, soccer and hockey, NBA, PBA and more.  The week will also include content on ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN Mobile; special vignettes; and specific Jimmy V Week on-air graphics.  Highlights include:
• A special open aired simultaneously across multiple entities;
• Special elements during game and studio programming across multiple ESPN entities;
• Multiple chat sessions on ESPN.com;
• Special guest interviews on ESPNEWS;
• Jim Valvano-themed marathon on ESPN Classic;
• ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning originating from the Medical City Hospital in Dallas;
• Referees donating a portion of their one-day salary to the V Foundation’s Blow the Whistle on Cancer Campaign®.

Simultaneous Launch Across Multiple Entities
A special Jimmy V Week open will be aired across 14 ESPN media outlets and the ABC SuperSign in Times Square Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Mike Krzyzewski, followed by a complete presentation of Jim Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPYs.  The approximate 13-minute long open will be offered in high definition and can be seen simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS, ESPNEWS HD, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, ESPNU HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN Deportes (subtitled in Spanish) and ESPN International outlets NASN and ESPN Middle East.  The ABC SuperSign version will include English subtitles.

Elements During Event and Studio Programming
Jimmy V Week elements will appear during studio and event programming across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNU and ABC, including 21 men’s and women’s college basketball games, nine college football matchups, two NBA telecasts, three NCAA Women’s soccer contests and two college hockey games.

Content will also be aired during studio programming across ESPN entities all week, including testimonials and features on how cancer has touched the sports world and guest interviews.

Jimmy V Week will conclude Tuesday, Dec. 9, with the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic doubleheader from Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m. (Davidson vs. West Virginia) and 9 p.m. Texas vs. Villanova), a night after the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic from Rutgers University at 7 p.m. (Georgia vs. Rutgers on ESPN2).

Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!
Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up! will feature a compilation of footage from several ESPN supported V Foundation summer fundraising events, including ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, the Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Radio Auction, The V Foundation Wine Celebration and The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic which raised millions of dollars for cancer research and created new awareness for The V Foundation through the generous participation of athletes, celebrities, ESPN commentators and private donors.

In addition to the debut airing on ESPN2 (Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.) and on ESPN Classic Monday, Dec. 8, at 1:30 p.m., the program will be available on ESPN.com throughout Jimmy V Week.

Special ESPN.com Content, Highlighted by Multiple Chats
ESPN.com will have special Jimmy V Week content highlighted by multiple chat sessions with celebrities and ESPN personalities throughout the week including N.C. State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow who is fighting cancer, Drexel women’s basketball player and 2008 V Foundation Comeback Player of the Year recipient Nicole Hester who returned to the court this year after a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and more (additional people and times TBD).

Additional content includes an article by Dick Vitale on the importance of The V Foundation and his memories of Jim Valvano; Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPYS speech; feature stories on cancer survivors Paul Azinger, former NBA player Wayman Tisdale and Mark Barr, a swimmer with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and links to a calendar of events and to www.jimmyv.org for more information on The V Foundation and how to donate.  Details include:

ESPNEWS
Throughout the week, ESPNEWS will offer features on how cancer has touched the sports world and have interviews with guests who have a personal connection to cancer.  Guests are to be determined.

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning
ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., will be aired from the atrium of the Medical City Hospital in Dallas Tuesday, Dec. 2.  The broadcast is a result of the opportunity for listeners to bid on the show originating from their home during the fourth annual “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” held July 6-16.

Never Give Up Marathon on ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic will offer two Never Give Up marathons featuring classic college basketball games with “never give up” themes leading up to the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic December 8 beginning at 1:30 p.m. and the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic December 9 beginning at 1 p.m.  The schedule:

Date    Time    Show
Mon., Dec. 8 1:30 p.m. Jimmy V’s Team: Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!
2 p.m. 1966 Nat Championship: Kentucky vs. Texas Western
3 p.m. 1983 NCAA Tournament - West Regional: Pepperdine vs. NC State
5 p.m. 1985 National Championship: Villanova vs. Georgetown Tue., Dec. 9 1 p.m. 2006 NCAA Regional: George Mason vs. Connecticut
2 p.m. ESPN Classic Remembers: NC State Upsets Houston
2:30 p.m. 1983 National Championship: NC State vs. Houston

Jimmy V Week Message on BottomLine
The following Jimmy V Week message will be included across each of the ESPN networks’ BottomLines for live event programming: Jimmy V Week - Join ESPN and The V Foundation in the fight against cancer.  Call (800) 4-JIMMY-V or visit jimmyv.org.

Blow the Whistle on Cancer!®
In coordination with Jimmy V Week, all NFL and NBA game officials are participating in The V Foundation’s Blow the Whistle on Cancer! ®  campaign by donating a portion of their salary from the week’s games to The V Foundation.  This will be the seventh year of participation for the NFL to Blow the Whistle on Cancer! ® and the NBA’s fourth season – both leagues have had 100% participation from their officials every year of the campaign.

All three game officials from the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic will also participate in Blow the Whistle on Cancer! ® and donate a portion of their game salary to The V Foundation.

The V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator.  Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs.  The Foundation, which has received six consecutive 4-star ratings (highest possible) from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee.  For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit http://www.jimmyv.org

Some interesting articles from Clark Howard’s website:

Affinity fraud nets $100 million from the Jewish community

RIP-OFF ALERT: Of all the types of fraud, affinity fraud is one that’s particularly effective because it hinges on dealing with people who are “like you” — hence the name. Human nature dictates that we let our guard down when we’re approached by someone of the same religion, race, profession, etc.

Consider this example: The Wall Street Journal reports that the son of a rabbi stole $100 million from fellow members of the Jewish community after promising to invest it (with huge returns) in “private placements.”   Read the full story.

New FTC rules to clamp down on automated calls

All across America, people have filed complaints about the plague of automated calls coming to their homes. The recent surge in “robo-calls” is because they now cost a fraction of a cent to make thanks to the Internet.

The FTC has now issued new rules about robo-calls. Starting just before Christmas, you’ll have an option at the end of a robo-call to press a button that indicates they can no longer call you. Then, beginning in September 2009, companies will actually have to ask for express permission before they even call you.  Read the full story.

To litigate or settle out of court?

Callers often ask Clark if they should settle out ourt or wait for a trial judgment in the case of a dispute. Though he isn’t a lawyer, Clark believes it’s often better to try to make of ca deal out of court.

Now the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies confirms that belief. About two-thirds of time, you’ll get less money going to court than you would by taking a settlement offer.  Read the full story.

Clark’s tips for dealing with shortage of private school loans

Here’s an important alert if you or someone you know is in college. The student loan market is in a world of hurt right now because of wider economic trends. Private loans are hit-or-miss when it comes to availability.

In essence, the lending spigot is dry. So that means students have to employ extra creativity to remain in school when money isn’t necessarily available.  Read the full story.

Shell is working to provide cleaner and more renewable energy:

In both of Shell’s scenarios, by 2050 the world will be using at least three times more electricity than today. Their strategy is not to become a big power producer or to enter the coal business. But it is to provide more natural gas, to promote coal gasification technology and CO2 capture and storage (CCS), and to work to drive down the costs of renewable power.

Just wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

The video explains how Ford has created a new, innovative manufacturing plant that streamlines production and makes operations much more efficient. They can make 5 different types of vehicles at this plant. It does this by allowing Ford suppliers to be integrated into the assembly line process. So the suppliers making the seats, the dashboards, the fuel systems … they have assembly lines right inside the Ford factory. Makes sense, rather than relying on shipments of parts. No waiting. No shipment costs or delays.

Oh but there is one thing I forgot to tell you. This Ford plant is in Brazil.

And do you know why it is in Brazil? Unions. The UAW is opposed to this type of innovative manufacturing. They are opposed to innovation that would actually help their employer because they stand the risk of losing jobs. And if they lose jobs, they lose power.

Visit boortz.com

Today’s fake grass is a far cry from the AstroTurf of yesteryear.  In fact, you can’t tell today’s fake grass isn’t the real deal; manufacturers even weave in some decoy weeds!

In Las Vegas, homeowners are actually paid to dig up their yards and convert them to desertscape. The stunner is that the Las Vegas Strip only uses 3% of the city’s water. That’s because casino owners are good capitalists and have used every possible water-saving technique in their buildings.

The Los Angeles Times now reports that California is offering a similar deal. Golden State homeowners are being encouraged to convert to landscaping that requires less water.   You get a $300 rebate from the Orange County Municipal Water District, which offers the dough to the civic-minded because artificial lawns save cascades of water. But some local municipalities are fining homeowners when they make the switch.

There is a drawback to having the fake grass.  Every inch that we pave over, even with plastic grass, creates a patch of unnatural heat. The virtue of a grass lawn is that it is a living system that helps the land keep its cool. It also allows rain to make its way into the soil, and the water table, not into the storm drains.  One other problem with the fake grass: California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown and other law enforcement officials allege that three makers of artificial turf deliberately failed to disclose that their products contain lead.  That’s not good!  Nothing beats the real thing and I love the smell of freshly cut grass!

Here are several stories to read:

Is synthetic grass great? or gross?

Replacing grass with fake turf won’t do. Californians should let their thirsty lawn go dry

Turf war: California sues fake-grass makers for lead content