Design Mortgage Group Posts

Design Mortgage Group Facts

Best Answers

How likely is it that we will go to war with Iran? Saturday, September 1, 2007 The Sunday Times of London is reporting that the Pentagon has plans for three days of massive air strikes against 1,200 targets in Iran. Last week, Alexis Debat, director of terrorism and national security at the Nixon Center, told a meeting of The National Interest, a conservative foreign policy journal, that the military did not intend to carry out "pinprick strikes" against Iranian nuclear facilities. He said, "They're about taking out the entire Iranian military." Bush has already set the wheels in motion. With Rovian timing, Alberto Gonzales' resignation was sandwiched between two Bush screeds - one aimed at ensuring Congress scares up $50 billion more for the occupation of Iraq, the other designed to scare us into supporting war on Iran. As Gonzales rides off into the sunset, the significant questions are who will take his place and how that choice will facilitate Bush's occupation of Iraq and attack on Iran. One name that's been floated for Bush's third attorney general is Joe Lieberman, the "independent" senator from Connecticut. Lieberman, who advocates the use of military force against Iran, was the only person Bush quoted in his August 28 speech to the American Legion. Bush called Iran "the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism" and pledged to "confront Tehran's murderous activities." Gonzales greased the Bush/Cheney wheels for torturing in violation of the Geneva Conventions, illegally spying on Americans, and purging disloyal Bushies. Similarly, Lieberman would ensure the Justice Department mounts a vigorous defense of a war of aggression against Iran. And Bush would get a two-fer: Connecticut's Republican governor would appoint a Republican to fill Lieberman's seat, returning control of the Senate to the GOP. A Republican-controlled Senate would direct the agenda, thereby furthering the Bush/Cheney plan. Lieberman is closely affiliated with American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. "AIPAC leverages its power by an alliance with the Christian Right, which has adopted a bizarre ideology of 'Christian Zionism,'" according to University of Michigan professor Juan Cole. "It holds that the sooner the Palestinians are ethnically cleansed, the sooner Christ will come back. Without millions of these Christian Zionist allies," Cole added, "AIPAC would be much less influential and effective." During the 2004 election, a 100% "AIPAC voting record" was Lieberman's litmus test for an acceptable presidential candidate. As the House of Representatives was on the verge of passing a resolution that would've required Bush to consult Congress before attacking Iran, the AIPAC lobby stopped it in its tracks. Bush's WMD-hyping against Iran is dja vu in the run-up to Operation Iraqi Disaster, where he played loose and fast with the truth about Iraq's alleged WMDs. His statement that a nuclear Iran could put the region "under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust" conjures up his images of a "mushroom cloud" in the hype-up to Iraq. How inconvenient for Bush that the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) just found Iran's uranium enrichment program is operating well below capacity and is nowhere near producing significant amounts of nuclear fuel. The IAEA report says that Iran "has been providing the agency with access to declared nuclear materials, and has provided the required nuclear material accountancy reports in connection with declared nuclear material and facilities." Iran and IAEA agreed on a plan with a step-by-step timetable of cooperation to settle unresolved issues. The agreement said there were "no other remaining issues and ambiguities regarding Iran's past nuclear program and activities," and characterized the accord as "a significant step forward." "This is the first time Iran is ready to discuss all the outstanding issues which triggered the crisis in confidence," said IAEA director general Mohamed ElBaradei. "I'm clear at this stage you need to give Iran a chance to prove its stated goodwill. Sanctions alone, I know for sure, are not going to lead to a durable solution" In 2003, when Dr. ElBaradei reported there was no evidence that Iraq was reconstituting its nuclear program, the White House was not pleased. And as Saddam Hussein became more cooperative with the weapons inspector, Bush became "infuriated," according to Bob Woodward. Bush's vow, "We will confront this danger before it is too late," is the Iran incarnation of his illegal preemptive war doctrine, which he inaugurated in Iraq. In a clear signal he is seeking regime change in Iran, Bush called for "an Iran whose government is accountable to its people, instead of leaders who promote terror and pursue the technology that could be used to develop nuclear weapons." Barnett Rubin reported on Global Affairs blog that one of the leading neo-conservative institutions has "instructions" from Dick Cheney's office to "roll out a campaign for war with Iran in the week after Labor Day; it will be coordinated with the American Enterprise Institute, the Wall Street Journal, the Weekly Standard, Commentary, Fox, and the usual suspects. It will be heavy sustained assault on the airwaves, designed to knock public sentiment into a position from which a war can be maintained. Evidently they don't think they'll ever get majority support for this - they want something like 35-40 percent support, which in their book is 'plenty.'" Bush/Cheney created the White House Iraq Group (WHIG) to lead a propaganda campaign to bolster public support for war with Iraq. The White House decided to wait until after Labor Day of 2002 to kick off WHIG's mission. Chief of staff Andrew Card explained, "From a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August." Five years later, they're marketing a new and even more dangerous product - war with Iran. British military historian Corelli Barnett says "an attack on Iran would effectively launch World War III." Our military spending has reached $1 billion every 2-1/2 days and we are borrowing $2-1/2 billion per day. Bush is mortgaging our children's future security and wealth. We have lost more than 3700 soldiers in Iraq and tens of thousands of Iraqis have died. We have already seen how easily Congress caves in to AIPAC. It's up to the people. As Noam Chomsky said, "The most effective barrier to a White House decision to launch a war [on Iran] is the kind of organized popular opposition that frightened the political-military leadership enough in 1968 that they were reluctant to send more troops to Vietnam." Thank you Ashley!

Rocman replied: "Not likely at all, don't believe all the crap you see in here about us attacking Iran. It won't happen, Iran would have to attack us first. Don't believe the liberal media either."

Mr. Knowledgeable VI replied: "Elephants will fly before the United States invades Iran and since Elepants Cannot Fly, the United States of America will not attack Iran."

Peter replied: "It doesn't make any difference whether US declares war on iran or not because either way, US reputation as the world leader has been totally smashed since the iraq war. Nice job done, Bush."

ashley robinson replied: "you are truly beautiful. i loved every word you said. and it is highly likely we will attack iran before bush leaves office. although they haven't preemptively attacked another country in over 200 years. how long has it been for america, the great."

arrogant elitist replied: "Very likely. Remember the "Bush Rule Of Operations": If it's a bad idea, we are planning to do it."

G-Man replied: "Done with your rant yet. You know if you think a country is a danger to you, then you plan to attack them if your attacked. Or would you rather we not have a plan like we did in Iraq if were attacked by Iran. It's called a counterstrike, and has been in use since man had a military. Get used to it."

MB replied: "Americans(roll eyes)..you people will kill anything for the sake of killing...anything is possible with you"

freepress replied: "I hope its not the suit factories on the hit list,,and Karl did not approve no wars,,,must be orders from Cheney,,,that mad fat little angry man...needs some good wine and cheese I would think...chow...pressfree"

Arundhati Bakshi replied: "Not likely any more. Americans have seen they can't win a war in Iraq or Afghanistan so what's the probability of winning against a nuclear-armed country that can actually defend itself? The Americans want out, not a continuation. They are bored by the war and need other diversions now."

Samuel Crow777 replied: "I believe it is only a matter of time before the entire Middle East and many of the nations of the earth are engaged in battle. Bush's war has caused the world to enter into tribulation. When you see the Abomination of Desolation (a Muslim Banner) flying on the Temple Mount, know that the time is near for the Apocalypse of Armageddon."

Tweet replied: "If it's ever going to happen, it'll happen with Dubya calling the shots. Only he would be as dumb to try to fight three wars simultaneously."

romer151 replied: "Consider it a done deal. George W. Bush is a war monger and he has already displayed his total disregard for the laws and constituion of the United States. Once he realized that we will never win the war in Iraq through military efforts, he began planning his next war."

Would you hire me? Feel free to correct any thing? ives Bring my good attitude, organization skills, work experience and knowledge as well as my determination to grow with a company. Experience 2006 ~ 2007 Re/Max Property Source Rockford, IL Assistant to Real Estate Agent ~ Manage all client data base in several programs ~ Send correspondence to all clients / mailers / marketing ~ Serve as interpreter for Hispanic clients ~ Schedule, Showings, Closing, Open Houses ~ Order, Title, Clear Water, Appraisals, Inspections ~ Design flyers, submit to 3 different home magazines ~ Maintain listing and Closing Contract, Follow with up dead lines on all contracts ~ Notary Public expires 04/2011 2005 ~ 2006 Century 21 Country North Rockford, IL Receptionist / Assistant ~ Serve as primary contact for all visitors to office ~ Provide English / Spanish interpretation as needed ~ Filing, Typing, Answering phones ~ Handle incoming mail and out going mail ~ Schedule all showing appointments for the realtors ~ Employee of The Year Award 2006 2004 ~ 2005 A American Financial Group, Inc. Hoffman Estates, IL Mortgage Loan Processor ~ Order VOE/VOM/VOD/ Payoff / Appraisals/Title ~ Pull credit and order supplements to the credit report ~ Once LO Locked the rate, submit files to different lenders ~ Clear conditions on loan approvals within two weeks in most cases ~ maintain database for all Account Executives 2002 ~ 2004 SWIFTT, INC. Rockford, IL Membership Services ~ Maintain membership database / Outreach work with small business ~ Handle incoming mail and outgoing ~ Serve as interpreter for small business ~ Organized all meeting, Event planning, Design flyers, business cards 2001 ~ 2002 Staffing Services, INC. Belvidere, IL Administrative Assistant ~ Accounts payable / Front desk ~ Assisted candidates with the application process ~ Interviewed Spanish-speaking candidates ~ Help staffing specialist fill job orders ~ Filing, typing, answering phones 1998 ~ 2001 Janet Wattles Center Rockford, IL Emergency Services Receptionist ~ Schedule client appointments including cancellations ~ Register clients for service ~ Direct and check in administrative visitors ~ Maintain center forms (duplicating and keeping adequate supply) ~ Serve as primary contact for all visitors to clinic ~ Provide English / Spanish interpretation as needed Education 1997 GED Rockford, IL Skills Bilingual in Spanish

Melanie replied: "I think it looks great! Being bilingual is going to open alot of doors for you! Are you looking for any career in particular? Be prepared to get alot of phone calls from insurance companies! Don't forget references. I usually just put "references available upon request". That way, you'll know if they call your friends/coworkers. BTW, I grew up in Freeport, IL!!! Go Pretzels!!! :oD"

squirrely replied: "It actually looks pretty good. The only thing I would change would be the ive - it's really generic. I would make it more specific and more tailored to the specific position you are applying for. Here's some good suggestions: And lots more you can find online."

Skippy The Wondertard replied: "Skippy says probably not. Resume is horribly written. You change jobs too much and the only achievment Skippy sees on there is GED. That resume doesnt make you stand out."

Jon replied: "I would say yes, but this could use a good English/grammar review. I noted a few grammatical/spelling mistakes. I realize rsums don't always follow the same grammatical rules as other documents, but I think there are some things that could definitely be called 'not correct'. Also, you can't trust someone who works in real estate...so no :( (Just kidding...)"

leysarob replied: ""Determination to grow with a company" -- I think I would delete that statement. You've had so many jobs, and many for just a year or two -- that makes your statement seem untrue or just "fluff." I would put the bilingual ability in the opening -- that makes you more desireable in today's market."

micreativeimages replied: "For starters...it's way too long!!!!! Definitely change your ive....especially the part where it says "to grow with a company." It sounds kind of like something a teenager would say in their resume (please don't take offense, you asked for help). Say something like....... "Seeking a position where I can apply my experience and knowledge toward the growth and success of the company." Or "Looking to use my experience and knowledge to help in the growth and success of the company." Of course, those are generic, but something along those lines sounds much more professional than what you have listed above. Also, I think a big downfall on your resume will be the number of jobs you have listed and the fact that you only stay with companies for a year or less (I think there was one company on there with two years) This does not look good at all. A hiring manager will look at that right away and know something is not right. They will also avoid hiring you for fear that you may only stay with their company for less than a year. And, in reality, it's a huge waste of time and money for companies to train you, pay you, and possibly have you leave soon after. If I were you, I would only list your three most recent jobs. If you get an interview, you can always mention your oldest jobs then....but only if they ask! And, remember, a resume should be kept to one page!!! One page and half of another one is still ok, but remember....the shorter the better. Work on some things and post this resume again. We'll let you know how it looks. But from someone who hires people on a daily basis, I would really redo this resume before turning it in.....Honestly, I would not even give you an interview if you turned this in to my company. Hope this helps!"

Ms. Talia replied: "No one really uses an ive any more. You need to use Summary of Qualifications and detail what you are good at and any skills that you have. Make it stand out. Look up sample resume examples on the net and you will see what I am talking about."

citi to allow jobless to pay less on loans..do you guys think this is a good or bad idea? citi to allow jobless to pay less on loans..do you guys think this is a good or bad idea? taking a poll for my management class wanted to know what or how you guys feel. THIS IS THE ARTICLE I FOUND IN THE WALLSTREET JOURNAL Citigroup Inc. announced Tuesday a new program aimed at addressing the latest challenge facing the mortgage industry: unemployed homeowners. Under the program, Citigroup will temporarily lower mortgage payments to an average of $500 a month for certain borrowers who have recently lost their jobs and are at least 60 days behind on their mortgage payments. Borrowers will be allowed to make the lower payments for three months. Citigroup will waive interest and penalties during this period. Tracking the Economy House May Tighten 'Cramdown' MeasureSortable Chart: First-Quarter LayoffsCitigroup's announcement comes days before the Obama administration is expected to announce guidelines for its massive loan-modification program, a cornerstone of its effort to fight the housing crisis. The bank's new initiative takes aim at one of the hardest groups of borrowers to assist: those who have seen their income fall sharply. "We expect that there will be thousands of people we can help," said Sanjiv Das, chief executive of CitiMortgage, who called rising unemployment "the single biggest issue facing mortgage servicers." Although the novel program will help just a small fraction of troubled borrowers, Mr. Das said he hopes it will be copied by others in the industry. To qualify for the program, borrowers must live in the home and have a mortgage that is owned and serviced by CitiMortgage. The program applies only to loans of $417,500 or lower. Citigroup holds 1.4 million mortgages on its books. It also services another four million loans for others, but those don't qualify for the program. Citigroup has received at least $45 billion in taxpayer funds, and the federal government is now poised to boost its stake in the company to as high as 36%. That has raised fears on Wall Street that the company will take steps that are politically, but not financially, helpful. In January, the New York bank bucked the rest of the industry and endorsed legislation that would allow bankruptcy-court judges to modify the terms of troubled mortgages. Citigroup executives have said that move, which could take a toll on the company's bottom line, was designed to win favor in Washington. Mr. Das said the federal government "had no role at all" in the company's latest loan-modification effort. The new program "was created by us, developed by us and is now being implemented by us," he said. "There was no pressure at all." The new initiative follows Citigroup's announcement in November that it would offer to modify the terms of as much as $20 billion of mortgages for borrowers who are current on their loan payments, but are at risk of falling behind. Citigroup declined to provide figures on the number of loans modified under that program, but a spokesman said the bank has been in contact with about 50,000 at-risk borrowers, has done "some workouts" and has "several thousand loans in the pipeline." The weakening economy is creating a new wave of troubled borrowers, many of whom are grappling with job losses or reduced hours. The unemployment rate climbed to 7.6% in January from 7.2% in December, according to the Labor Department. At Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, 20% to 30% of homeowners seeking assistance need help "because economic conditions have made them unable to pay their loans," said Michael van Zalingen, director of homeownership services. A year ago, "virtually all" the borrowers seeking to avoid foreclosure had subprime adjustable-rate mortgages and were facing interest-rate resets, he said. Many of those struggling because of the weakening economy have few options. Borrowers who have lost their jobs are the hardest to help, because "they don't have the income to make a payment anymore," Mr. van Zalingen said. Borrowers who qualify for the program typically spend an average of $1,500 a month on mortgage-related payments. The lower, $500-a-month payment was designed to make the mortgage a financially viable alternative to renting an apartment for borrowers struggling with temporary job loss, Mr. Das says. Average rents on a one-bedroom apartment range from $713 a month in the Southwest to $1,623 in the Northeast, according to real-estate research firm Reis Inc. To qualify for the program, borrowers have to provide proof of unemployment. They must also sign a form promising that they will look for a job and let Citigroup know if they've found one.

Bethany replied: "yes... by working WITH homeowners, Citi will get paid back (a little slower but stilll getting paid back). It's better than having the home go into foreclosure, the family being out of a home AND the bank with a new, unsellable property on thier tab. It also keeps the empty home from destroying the values of the rest of the homes in the neighborhood."

Solar Panels & Linking them to mains supply - Advice Please? Hello All, I run a Design Company, and as part of my expension, I am mortgaging to build an "Eco-Friendly" office. I have grants from the DTI and assistance from several groups to build a "green" building at a smaller cost than a traditional "bricks and mortar" construction. We are looking at using Solar panels on the roof to reduce our electric and heating costs, and potentially tying it in with a small windfarm. My question is, does anyone know (on a conceptual basis) what equipment is needed to allow these two energy devices to work in harmony with mains supply? Your thoughts & advice are appreciated Steve Modelspace Design

Tempest replied: "You need an INVERTER."

anthony e replied: "You need to store the energy produced by wind or solar by using a battery charging system and battery pack. The dc battery is then fed to a dc to ac converter to produce synchronous ac which is connected to the mains feeder.This allows the mains energy to be supplemented by your local power generation. Don't expect miracles ,total outgoing costs take up to 25 years to recoup. Alternatively ,low tech ;Use a simple solar or wind generator feeding an auxiliary heater element on hot water tank,no mains connection."

i_m_f_2009 replied: "There are web sites for California eco-friendly solar based construction. They even have rebates for using certain inverters like you need. Everything from 700watts to 250,000 watts. at"

Don K replied: "You will need to check out Xantrex or Outback solar products. You will need a gridtie inverter. I have mine setup as a stand alone system. I use a switcher to switch from grid to solar electric. When the grid power goes down it will auto switch to solar. Which allows me to shut off the grid power and just run solar power only. You ask about solar heat. That is not the same as solar electric. I have built a panel which I was using to heat one room of my home when testing. After that I made drawings of a larger 8 foot by 4 foot solar heating panel which I will be placing on my website soon. Check it out.. Should be on there in the next couple of days. But at the minute you can find some info on the solar electric side."

Andy S replied: "Better check with the electric company first but you need a special electric meter and connection. Unless you are more or less constantly generating more electricity than you need the cost of the electric meter will outweigh the benefit. So much for eco-friendly electricity companies. We kitted out a 3 storey office block with 100 sq mtrs of solar panels and even then we could not justify the import/export meter we just supplemented the electricity used in the building. For 3 months of each year the building is self sufficient."

do you think these are good star if you do? New Words for 2007 * SALAD DODGER. An excellent phrase for an overweight person. * SWAMP-DONKEY A deeply unattractive person. * TESTICULATING. Waving your arms around and talking bollocks. * BLAMESTORMING. Sitting round in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a Project failed, and who was responsible. * SEAGULL MANAGER. A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and Then leaves. * ASSMOSIS. The process by which people seem to absorb success and advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard. * SALMON DAY. The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die. * CUBE FARM. An office filled with cubicles. * PRAIRIE DOGGING. When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on. (This also applies to applause for a promotion because there may be cake.) * SITCOMs. Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids or start a "home business". * SINBAD. Single working girls. Single income, no boyfriend and desperate. * AEROPLANE BLONDE. One who has bleached/dyed her hair but still has a 'black box'. * PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE. The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again. * ADMINISPHERE. The rarefied organisational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the "adminisphere" are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve. This is often affiliated with the dreaded "administrivia" - needless paperwork and processes. * GOING FOR A McSHIT. Entering a fast food restaurant with no intention of buying food, you're just going to the bog. If challenged by a pimply staff member, your declaration to them that you'll buy their food afterwards is known as a McShit with Lies. * 404. Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found" meaning that the requested document could not be located. * AUSSIE KISS. Similar to a French Kiss, but given down under. * OH - NO SECOND. That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just Made a BIG mistake (e.g. you've hit 'reply all'). * GREYHOUND. A very short skirt, only an inch from the hare. * JOHNNY-NO-STARS. A young man of substandard intelligence, the typical adolescent who works in a burger restaurant. The 'no-stars' comes from the badges displaying stars that staff at fast-food restaurants often wear to show their level of training. * MILLENNIUM DOMES. The contents of a Wonderbra, i.e. extremely impressive when viewed from The outside, but there's actually naught in there worth seeing. * MONKEY BATH . A bath so hot, that when lowering yourself in, you go: "Oo! Oo! Oo! Aa! Aa! Aa!". * MYSTERY BUS. The bus that arrives at the pub on Friday night while you're in the Toilet after your 10th pint, and whisks away all the unattractive people so the pub is suddenly packed with stunners when you come back in. * MYSTERY TAXI. The taxi that arrives at your place on Saturday morning before you wake up, whisks away the stunner you slept with, and leaves a 10-Pinter in your bed instead. * BEER COAT. The invisible but warm coat worn when walking home after a booze cruise At 3:00am . * BEER COMPASS. The invisible device that ensures your safe arrival home after booze cruise, even though you're too drunk to remember where you live, how you got here, and where you've come from. * BREAKING THE SEAL. Your first pee in the pub, usually after 2 hours of drinking. After breaking the seal of your bladder, repeat visits to the toilet will be required every 10 or 15 minutes for the rest of the night. * TART FUEL. Bottled premixed spirits, regularly consumed by young women. * PICASSO BUM. A woman whose knickers are too small for her, so she looks like she's Got 4 buttocks.

*izzybum* replied: "Could have been quite funny, but got bored halfway through reading them all."

donna a replied: "worth the read. xxxx"

Pee Kay replied: "Is it for the webster dictionary or for the oxford dic. Any way, these are very nice though ........"

Panda replied: "I like percussive maintenance. Lol!"

Bruce P replied: "Yes I like some of those"

Clive replied: "I was not impressed with the first two but I am pleased that I persevered as the collection was quite amusing. I may try a couple out in the near future."

Volleyball Chick replied: "The first few were good, but i didn't feel like reading the rest of them"

Amber replied: "Yes this is worth a star girl and good job because i had just gave you a star because this is a really good one girl lol 10/10 and keep the jokes coming because i love them all."

Gsplan replied: "Funny. But no star."

Ulquiorra replied: "Did you make them all?cool!!"

PAUL H replied: "Great stuff - thanks"

Thesaurus Update For Office Workers? TESTICULATING - Waving your arms around and talking Bollocks. BLAMESTORMING - Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible. SEAGULL MANAGER - A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves. ASSMOSIS - The process by which people seem to absorb success and advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard. SALMON DAY - The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die. CUBE FARM - An office filled with cubicles. PRAIRIE DOGGING - When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see that's going on. (This also applies to applause from a promotion because there may be cake.) MOUSE POTATO - The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato. SITCOMs - Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids or start a "home business". STRESS PUPPY - A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny. XEROX SUBSIDY - Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE - The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again. ADMINISPHERE - The rarefied organisational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the "adminisphere" are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve. This is often affiliated with the dreaded "administrivia" needless paperwork and processes. 404 - Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located. OHNOSECOND - That minuscule fraction of time in which you realise that you've just made a BIG mistake (e.g. you've hit 'reply all') WOOFies - Well Off Older Folk. CROP DUSTING - Surreptitiously farting while passing through a CUBE FARM, then enjoying the sounds of dismay and disgust; leads to PRAIRIE DOGGING.

can this be right? New Words for 2007 * TESTICULATING. Waving your arms around and talking bollocks. * BLAMESTORMING. Sitting round in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible. * SEAGULL MANAGER. A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves. * ASSMOSIS. The process by which people seem to absorb success and advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard. * SALMON DAY. The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die. * CUBE FARM. An office filled with cubicles. * PRAIRIE DOGGING. When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on. (This also applies toapplause for a promotion because there may be cake.) * SITCOMs. Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with thekids or start a "home business". * SINBAD. Single working girls. Single income, no boyfriend and desperate. * AEROPLANE BLONDE. One who has bleached/dyed her hair but still has a 'black box'. * PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE. The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again. * ADMINISPHERE. The rarefied organisational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the "adminisphere" are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve. This is often affiliated with the dreaded "administrivia" - needless paperwork and processes. * 404. Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found" meaning that the requested document could not be located. * OH - NO SECOND. That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake (e.g. you've hit 'reply all'). * JOHNNY-NO-STARS. A young man of substandard intelligence, the typical adolescent who works in a burger restaurant. The 'no-stars' comes from the badges displaying stars that staff at fast-food restaurants often wear to show their level of training. * GOING FOR A McSHIT. Entering a fast food restaurant with no intention of buying food, you're just going to the bog. If challenged by a pimply staff member, your declaration to them that you'll buy their food afterwards is known as a McShit with Lies. * MILLENNIUM DOMES. The contents of a Wonderbra, i.e. extremely impressive when viewed from the outside, but there's actually naught in there worth seeing. * AUSSIE KISS. Similar to a French Kiss, but given down under. * GREYHOUND. A very short skirt, only an inch from the hare. * SALAD DODGER. An excellent phrase for an overweight person. * SWAMP-DONKEY A deeply unattractive person. * MONKEY BATH. A bath so hot, that when lowering yourself in, you go: "Oo! Oo! Oo! Aa! Aa! Aa!". * MYSTERY BUS. The bus that arrives at the pub on Friday night while you're in the toilet after your 10th pint, and whisks away all the unattractive people so the pub is suddenly packed with stunners when you come back in. * MYSTERY TAXI. The taxi that arrives at your place on Saturday morning before you wake up, whisks away the stunner you slept with, and leaves a 10-Pinter in your bedinstead. * BEER COAT. The invisible but warm coat worn when walking home after a booze cruise at 3:00am. * BEER COMPASS. The invisible device that ensures your safe arrival home after booze cruise, even though you're too drunk to remember where you live, how you got here, and where you've come from. * BREAKING THE SEAL. Your first pee in the pub, usually after 2 hours of drinking. After breaking the seal of your bladder, repeat visits to the toilet will be required every 10 or 15 minutes for the rest of the night. * TART FUEL. Bottled premixed spirits, regularly consumed by young women. * PICASSO BUM. A woman whose knickers are too small for her, so she looks like she's got 4 buttocks

Who Rules America, the military, the banks or AIPAC? What do you suppose it is like to be elected president of the United States only to find that your power is restricted to the service of powerful interest groups? A president who does a good job for the ruling interest groups is paid off with remunerative corporate directorships, outrageous speaking fees, and a lucrative book contract. If he is young when he assumes office, like Bill Clinton and Obama, it means a long life of luxurious leisure. Fighting the special interests doesn't pay and doesn't succeed. On April 30 the primacy of special over public interests was demonstrated yet again. The Democrats' bill to prevent 1.7 million mortgage foreclosures and, thus, preserve $300 billion in home equity by permitting homeowners to renegotiate their mortgages, was defeated in the Senate, despite the 60-vote majority of the Democrats. The banksters were able to defeat the bill 51 to 45. These are the same financial gangsters whose unbridled greed and utter irresponsibility have wiped out half of Americans' retirement savings, sent the economy into a deep hole, and threatened the US dollar's reserve currency role. It is difficult to imagine an interest group with a more damaged reputation. Yet, a majority of "the people's representatives" voted as the discredited banksters instructed. Hundreds of billions of public dollars have gone to bail out the banksters, but when some Democrats tried to get the Senate to do a mite for homeowners, the US Senate stuck with the banks.The Senate's motto is: "Hundreds of billions for the banksters, not a dime for homeowners." If Obama was naive about well-intentioned change before the vote, he no longer has this political handicap. Democratic Majority Whip Dick Durbin acknowledged the voters' defeat by the discredited banksters. The banks, Durbin said, "frankly own the place." It is not difficult to understand why. Among those who defeated the homeowners bill are senators Jon Tester (Mont), Max Baucus (Mont), Blanche Lincoln (Ark), Ben Nelson (Neb), ManyLandrieu (La), Tim Johnson (SD), and Arlan Specter (Pa). According to reports, the banksters have poured a half million dollars into Tester's campaign funds. Baucus has received $3.5 million; Lincoln $1.3 million; Nelson $1.4 million; Landrieu $2 million; Johnson $2.5 million; Specter $4.5 million. The same Congress that can't find a dime for homeowners or health care appropriates hundreds of billions of dollars for the military/security complex. The week after the Senate foreclosed on American homeowners, the Obama "change" administration asked Congress for an additional $61 billion dollars for the neoconservatives' war in Iraq and $65 billion more for the neoconservatives' war in Afghanistan. Congress greeted this request with a rousing "Yes we can!" The additional $126 billion comes on top of the $533.7 billion "defense" budget for this year. The $660 billion--probably a low-ball number--is ten times the military spending of China, the second most powerful country in the world. How is it possible that "the world's only superpower" is threatened by the likes of Iraq and Afghanistan? How can the US be a superpower if it is threatened by countries that have no military capability other than a guerilla capability to resist invaders? These "wars" are a hoax designed to enrich the US armaments industry and to infuse the "security forces" with police powers over American citizenry. Not a dime to prevent millions of Americans from losing their homes, but hundreds of billions of dollars to murder Muslim women and children and to create millions of refugees, many of whom will either sign up with insurgents or end up as the next wave of immigrants into America. This is the way the American government works. And it thinks it is a "city on the hill, a light unto the world." Americans elected Obama because he said he would end the gratuitous criminal wars of the Bush brownshirts, wars that have destroyed America's reputation and financial solvency and serve no public interest. But once in office Obama found that he was ruled by the military/security complex. War is not being ended, merely transferred from the unpopular war in Iraq to the more popular war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Obama, in violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, continues to attack "targets" in Pakistan. In place of a war in Iraq, the military/security complex now has two wars going in much more difficult circumstances. Viewing the promotion gravy train that results from decades of warfare, the US officer corps has responded to the "challenge to American security" from the Taliban. "We have to kill them over there before they come over here." No member of the US government or its numerous well-paid agents has ever explained how the Taliban, which is focused on Afghanistan, could ever get to America. Yet this hyped fear is sufficient for the public to support the continuing enrichment of the military/security complex,

Inspector412 replied: "Our congressmen!"

Curtis 1911 replied: "Big Labor Unions, and Public employee labor unions"

KJ replied: "ACORN."

Linking Solar Panels / Wind Farm to Mains To Reduce Energy Consumption:? Hello All, I run a Design Company, and as part of my expension, I am mortgaging to build an "Eco-Friendly" office. I have grants from the DTI and assistance from several groups to build a "green" building at a smaller cost than a traditional "bricks and mortar" construction. We are looking at using Solar panels on the roof to reduce our electric and heating costs, and potentially tying it in with a small windfarm. My question is, does anyone know (on a conceptual basis) what equipment is needed to allow these two energy devices to work in harmony with mains supply? Your thoughts & advice are appreciated Steve Modelspace Design EDIT: I want the panels / windfarm at the business site as a showpiece.

DavidK93 replied: "Solar panels, best called a photovoltaic array in this case, output electricity directly. As a result, you just need to tie them into the building's power supply, and then they can supplement power consumption when they are producing power. This requires some electronics know-how and maybe some capacitors and switches, but nothing particularly obscure or sophisticated. In order to use a wind farm, you simply need to contract with an existing wind farm to buy your power from them. Wind power is not available everywhere, but your local power utility may be able to tell you if it's a possibility for you. Depending on the local regulation status of the power industry, the wind power might simply be an option from within the utility, or you may need to end your contact with the existing utility and contract directly with a wind farm."

blackratsnake replied: "For solar (probably similar with wind) you'll need the following: - large, deep cycle batteries to store all the energy captured by solar and wind (12 or 24 volts are recommended) - charge regulators to ensure batteries are not over-charged and at the same time can usually assure electricity is not lost due to reverse draining - an inverter to convert dc electricity obtained by the solar and wind instruments to ac electricity so you can power standard home appliances - a multimeter or some gadget to indicate the charge of the batteries in voltage (a regulator might also do this) - need to estimate the total wattage you use to power the house in a given day so you can figure out how many solar panels/wind generators you'll need this is mostly knowledge of solar energy but I believe wind uses the same basic concepts. Good luck, I always thought the idea of a fully functioning house on renewable energy sources was fascinating."

Alex S replied: "What you need is a utility intertie inverter, which is a DC to AC inverter that can also be programmed to pump AC back into the mains. Typically, solar and wind power are used to charge a battery bank, and when the battery is full, the charging source is disconnected from the battery by the charge controller, and the excess power goes to waste. With a utility intertie inverter, you can set the inverter to send power back into the mains when full battery voltage is reached."

campbelp2002 replied: "I googled "home solar power system" and got several links, the first of which is the source below. I also googled "grid connected solar power system" and "grid connected wind power system" for other good links. There is much less information on the wind systems."

More Resources