Or, as I like to call it, Doofus and Awesome Dudes talk about sleep.

In this episode of SomaCow, we cover the secrets of the snore.

Doofus says, “I’ll sleep plenty when I am rich, biotch.”

Awesome Dudes know that they will be less likely to drop kick potential investors if they have had forty winks before.

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By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Columbia University this week managed to hand a PR victory to Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It’s time for another New York institution - the state Office of the Comptroller - to join the drive to undermine this evil and dangerous regime.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to sign a new law aimed at banning Golden State public pension funds - which includes the two largest ones in America - from investing in companies that are involved in developing Iranian petroleum or natural-gas resources. Florida’s public-employee-retirement fund is divesting nearly $1.3 billion invested with 21 companies doing business in Iran or Sudan. (California already hit Sudan’s pocketbook last year.) Missouri and Louisiana have similar policies in place.

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We Need Your Vote!

My friend Paul is currently first place in the running to be one of eight ex-patriates to carry the Olympic torch in China next year. China Daily is conducting an online vote, which is open to all Web users.

Please take 30 seconds to vote for Paul Condrell (he’s the first guy in the list, with the picture of his two kids next to his name).

Here’s his story as told on the China Daily voting site:

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British actor, writer and comedian John Cleese is to release Headcast, a series of online videos, which he describes as “some humorous, some more thoughtful, giving me a chance to sound off in my old age.”

A free version will be made available over the next few months on The Podcast Network, which John says is “rather good, run by Australians, and none the worse for that.”

A premium version of the Headcast will also be made available.

John’s free podcast, produced by UK new media company Funk, has achieved close to 500,000 downloads in 2007.

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AMR Research and the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) CIO Council today released their fourth annual study of retail IT budgets and application investment plans. The Retail IT Budget Benchmarking Study 2006-2007 indicates spending on IT capital projects will increase a moderate 3 percent in 2007. Meanwhile, increased efficiency in areas like telecommunications, store networking, store hardware, and packaged enterprise software will cause a 4 percent drop in operational expenses in 2007.

Read this complete news item at Tekrati’s main site.

Mayfiled, General Catalyst Partners, and Atomico Investments have put $5 million into Deca.tv, a newly launched production house for mainstream digital entertainment. Deca was started by Michael Wayne and Chris Kimbell, both from Sony Pictures.

The company will be putting the investment into finding and financing novel digital entertainment web properties. Deca, however, will not serve as a destination for these properties, but rather invest in them and distribute them through their partner’s channels. They’re being rather tight lipped about what properties they will focus their money on, but they will be announcing their first 3 projects soon. Web video shows are definitely in the cards, with non-video properties on the horizon as well.

The model is indicative of how the web is changing the production of entertainment. As Allen Morgan of Mayfield notes, “The separation between content, the audience, and the advertiser has now completely disintegrated”. Studios now have the ability to access and filter through more talent better than ever before, case in point, Crackle’s user generated web shows. The internet’s “fame machine” is getting better, and we’re all sure to benefit.

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The sponsor of a commission set up to study and recommend solutions for immigration issues in Alabama, State Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale), now says that his bill was rewritten to “allow business and industry groups to dominate the panel”, many of whom “stand to gain financially by maintaining the status quo”.

Just read that again.  An Alabama Republican has had his hard work hijacked by “business and industry groups who stand to gain financially by maintaining the status quo”.  Well, Senator Beason, welcome to the club of Alabamians who have been  screwed over by the Big Mules.  It's a big club, but we always welcome new members, whether red, blue, or purple.  Come on in, disillusion loves company.

(Oh, and while you're reading that again, be sure to go to the link and read some real reporting by Bob Lowry of the Huntsville Times.  If you like what you see, send him some love at  bob.lowry@htimes.com.)

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Xinhua Finance Media, the China-based company that went public earlier this year and is the parent of U.S. news service Market News International, has had Yucaipa Cos. purchase a stake in the company from insiders, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

James Areddy, David Reilly and Joanne Lublin wrote, “Investors interpreted the emergence of Yucaipa as a vote of confidence in the Xinhua Finance group and Chief Executive Loretta Fredy Bush. In recent months, Ms. Bush has tried to deflect allegations of self-dealing and links with businesspeople with checkered pasts. Company shares had plunged to record lows, and Ms. Bush has been hit with investor lawsuits and staff defections. Ms. Bush was featured in a page-one article in The Wall Street Journal on July 7.

“Xinhua Finance Media’s American depositary receipts rose 90 cents, or 11%, to $8.78 in 4 p.m. Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading yesterday. That followed a 50% increase in the stock in the four prior days. The shares remain below the company’s March offering price of $13, however. The size, scope and timing of Yucaipa’s investment weren’t clear, and it appeared that money will flow to selling shareholders rather than to the company.

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Some details have come through on the strike-breaking GM deal with the UAW in America.

This via Automotive News:

What GM got: Will shift more than $50 billion in health care liabilities to a UAW trust fund; more productivity in U.S. plants; lower tier-two wages for new hires in certain areas such as janitorial and truck unloading. GM also won revisions in the controversial Jobs Bank program in which laid off employees continue to receive pay for indefinite periods, according to multiple media outlets.

What the UAW got: Guarantees of new plant investments in the U.S.; a health care benefit trust that will remain solvent for 80 years; GM will permanently hire up to 5,000 temporary workers; signing bonuses to UAW members to approve the contract; and wage increase of 3 percent in the second year, 4 percent in the second year and 3 percent in the third.

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Derek Brower: Crude realities

A new film, ‘A Crude Awakening’, leaves out too many inconvenient truths

By Derek Brower, journalist

OIL IS a finite resource, so the more of it the world’s energy companies extract, the less will remain. On that, everyone agrees. One day, we will reach the mathematical peak of the world’s reserves. When that day will be – or if it has already passed – is a question that continues to divide opinion.

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When looking for worthwhile investments, you should consider these Kansas bank foreclosures. Naturally, you would not want to put your money is not something you know nothing about. Learning about the current situation in the Kansas housing market might give you an idea of how profitable investing in these foreclosure homes would be. Here are the two major things to consider.

Large Inventory

First of all, you must have a great selection of bank foreclosures in Kansas to choose from. You would not want to experience buyer’s remorse. For the first half of this year, the state recorded 2,508 homes in some degree of foreclosure. This means you have plenty of foreclosure homes to choose from. Most sellers enter their bank foreclosures for sale into listings contract with brokers like Foreclosure Data Bank. You will simply have to contact the broker to increase your chances of grabbing the hottest properties.

Great Deals

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The favours - Address by the President to the Nation As

Address by the President to the Nation As Prepared for Delivery
CNBC - WASHINGTON, Sep 13, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) — : THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and the favours reveal the character of its people. We are now at such a moment. In Iraq, an
Source: www.cnbc.com
The Democratic response to President Bush’s speech Thursday, as
US News and the favours World Report - Good evening. I’m Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island, and the favours I was privileged to serve in the United States Army for 12 years. I opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. It was a flawed strategy that diverted attention and the favours resources away from
Source: hosted.ap.org
The hour’s top Asian news from The Associated Press
MSN UK News - 15 Pakistani soldiers killed in suicide attack at army canteen in northwest China’s Terracotta Army has invaded Britain, with some of the famous warriors on show in London in a hotly-anticipated exhibition at the British Museum
Source: news.uk.msn.com
The IRA advantage
CNN Money - Whether you have a 401(k) or other tax-advantaged savings plan at work, consider investing in an IRA to augment your retirement savings plan. As with a 401(k), you don’t pay taxes each year on capital gains, dividends, and the favours other distributions from
Source: money.cnn.com
College football season is under way. Get in on all the action with
FOXSports.com - COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Steve Slaton was outstanding, as usual. No one, however, expected West Virginia’s running game to be so Devine. Slaton ran for 137 yards and the favours three touchdowns, Noel Devine amassed 125 yards on his first three carries, and the favours No
Source: msn.foxsports.com
Tropical Storm Ingrid forms in the Atlantic
MSN UK News - Tropical Storm Ingrid became the ninth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season when it formed in the open ocean, The National Hurricane Center said. At 11 p.m. Thursday (0300 GMT Friday), Ingrid’s center was located about 840 miles (1,350 kilometers
Source: news.uk.msn.com
Mailbag: The Miami and the favours FSU fans aren’t too happy with me
CBS Sportsline - In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been on football duty the past two weeks helping my esteemed colleague Dennis Dodd until basketball season begins. I’ve seen Florida State lose to Clemson and the favours Miami lose to Oklahoma. So naturally, Florida State and the favours
Source: www.sportsline.com
Bush rejects calls to end the Iraq war
Houston Chronicle - WASHINGTON Rejecting calls to leave Iraq, President Bush on Thursday ordered gradual U.S. troop reductions from their highest level of the war and the favours said more forces can come home as progress is made. At the same time, he said Iraq needs “an
Source: www.chron.com
Jeff Wood Kept The Beat For Tampa’s Music Scene
Tampa Bay Online - Sign The Guest Book TAMPA - Jeff Wood, a beloved fixture of the local music scene and the favours one of its most talented drummers, died Wednesday night at his mother’s home in Valrico. His family and the favours his fiance gathered around the 42-year-old as he died at 7 p
Source: news.tbo.com

Madison, Connecticut Residents to Benefit from Verizon Wireless
PR Newswire - The largest US wireless company and lawyer in nj largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and lawyer in nj
Source: article.wn.com
NJ Marine charged with vehicular homicide in fatal crash
Newsday - TRENTON, N.J. - A Marine from New Jersey has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a car crash in which two Marine recruiters were killed. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Gendron, 27, who pleaded not guilty during a hearing Friday in state
Source: www.newsday.com
Two steps forward
Bridgeton News - NEW YORK — Finally, the Yankees finished off a comeback. They rallied from four runs down in the ninth inning Friday only 2007 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.
Source: www.nj.com
Your ‘tude is rude, dude!
Bridgeton News - Fort Lauderdale , FL : 0, 931268 Sq. Ft. Income/Investment/Other Atlantic City , NJ : 0, 28000 Sq. Ft. Office To: Kanye West From: me Re: Your ‘tude Dear Kanye, We need to talk. First, I like your songs. I even have you on my iPod, and lawyer in nj
Source: www.nj.com
Adweek Media Marketing Partnership Adweek Media Content Licensing
Adweek - Adweek is published weekly: Edited for ad agency executives, ADWEEK has the inside stories on: creativity, client/agency relationships, successful global advertising strategies. Plus news of accounts in review, the best creative work, new campaigns
Source: www.adweek.com
Dane Byers, Ryan Callahan score for Rangers; NJ G Kevin Weekes hurt
USA Today - NEW YORK (AP) Dane Byers and lawyer in nj Ryan Callahan scored first-period power-play goals Friday to spark the New York Rangers to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Blair Betts and lawyer in nj Martin Straka also scored as the Rangers kicked off their preseason
Source: www.usatoday.com

Yesterday, I posted the the first part of a long interview with Jim Rogers, Chariman of Beeland Interests, aired on Bloomberg September 18–the morning before the Federal Reserve was set to announce a key decision on monetary policy. In the first part, Rogers explained that he thinks the Fed should be raising interest rates to protect the dollar and fight inflation. Additionally, he explained that the market is barely off its all-time highs and that no one should be trying to call bottoms here. In this part, Rogers explains his short positions in investment banks and declares his belief that the U.S. economy is already in a recession and believe there will be more problems in the U.S. stock market through 2008. Finally, Rogers gave his outlook on commodities, including gold, oil, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. I found a video of the interview and have embedded it at the end of the transcript.

Carol Massar: Earlier, Jim, you mentioned how all of this wonderful volatility is making a lot of folks. I’m curious where you’ve been making money amid all this volatility.

Jim Rogers: I have been short on investment banks, which I’ve discussed with you on previous Bloomberg programs. A lot of people are making more than I am. There are some people who are making vast fortunes out of the collapse of sub-prime. I’m not. There are plenty of people who are.

Carol Massar: So you’re still shorting investment banks. You’re still maintaining that position?

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Ge appliance repair parts - Fitch: Little Help Seen For Auto-Parts Firms’ Balance”>Ge appliance repair parts - Fitch: Little Help Seen For Auto-Parts Firms’ Balance
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by

Fitch: Little Help Seen For Auto-Parts Firms' Balance Sheets - CNNMoney.com
Fitch: Little Help Seen For Auto-Parts Firms' Balance SheetsCNNMoney.com - 17 hours agoDETROIT -(Dow Jones)- Liquidity among automotive-parts suppliers will remain adequate over the next 18 months, but balance sheets for non-investment grade …
Source: news.google.com
Score One to Participate in the China International Auto Parts … - CNNMoney.com
Score One to Participate in the China International Auto Parts …CNNMoney.com - 17 hours agoThe Auto Parts Expo is organized by China's Ministry of Commerce, General Motors (China); German Federation of Materials Management, Purchasing and ge appliance repair parts …
Source: news.google.com
Major 2008 auto parts show underscores industry growth - Bangkok Post
Major 2008 auto parts show underscores industry growthBangkok Post, Thailand - 12 hours agoThailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2008 (TAPA 2008), the region's most significant industry trade event, is expected to generate 285 million baht in orders …
Source: news.google.com
GM Strike to Challenge Parts Suppliers - The Associated Press
Philadelphia InquirerGM Strike to Challenge Parts SuppliersThe Associated Press - 57 minutes agoWASHINGTON (AP) The United Auto Workers' strike against General Motors Corp. present more challenges for auto parts suppliers, which have struggled with …Long GM strike could hurt parts suppliers ReutersGM Strike Presents Another Headwind For Suppliers CNNMoney.comStrike threatens to devastate state economy MLive.comWLNS - Forbesall 94 news articles
Source: news.google.com
US Auto Parts Network, Inc. Appoints Barry Phelps to Board of … - CNNMoney.com
US Auto Parts Network, Inc. Appoints Barry Phelps to Board of …CNNMoney.com - 10 hours ago"Barry's strong background and ge appliance repair parts expertise will be a valuable resource to US Auto Parts as we continue to build upon our leading position within the online …
Source: news.google.com
Parts Advisor/Driver - Seattle Times
Parts Advisor/DriverSeattle Times, United States - 4 hours agoThis is a great entry level opportunity for someone looking to get their foot in the door with a great company! For an interview please call Martha …
Source: news.google.com
Parts of UK struck by tornadoes - BBC News
Javno.hrParts of UK struck by tornadoesBBC News, UK - 19 hours agoShe said: "Some of the houses have had their roofs taken off completely, some have lost parts of their roofs." Have you witnessed damage caused by strong …Tornadoes cause damage in parts of UK ForbesTornadoes leave trail of destruction across Britain Independentall 283 news articles
Source: news.google.com
Acer says parts shortage a big challenge - Financial Times (subscription)
Acer says parts shortage a big challengeFinancial Times (subscription), UK - 2 hours agoBy Mark Mulligan in Madrid The global credit squeeze is unlikely to affect sales of personal computers, according to Gianfranco Lanci, president of …
Source: news.google.com
Aircraft Parts Maker Soars As Plane Orders Take Off - CNNMoney.com
Aircraft Parts Maker Soars As Plane Orders Take OffCNNMoney.com - 6 hours agoAs those orders get filled, the surge will trickle down to aircraft parts suppliers such as TransDigm Group TDG . As an original equipment manufacturer, …
Source: news.google.com

What is your highest and best use?

In real estate they have a term, highest and best use, it is used to describe the most profitable usage of a propery. Let me give you an example; suppose you have a small older apartment block that brings in a nice income. Now imagine that if that apartment block were torn down and replaced with a high rise condo building. Assuming that the condos sold for a high price, then the highest and best use of that property might be to tear it down and rebuild even though it is presently a good investment.

Now, what about if we think about our highest and best use. Since we are talking about people and not property, the possiblilities are infinitely bigger. And how does one know what their, highest and best use, is?

Now that is a very useful question to ponder. You might think on that question for a long time and not come up with a proper answer, for you. That is where the Creation Box, you see pictured above comes into play. And of course in keeping with the Truthteller philosophy, it is fun and easy.

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 Q. My husband and I would like your opinion on our current financial picture. We both turned 50 this year.  We have a 17-year-old son who will graduate high school in May 2008. He works part-time and is low maintenance for us.  He is undecided about college vs. the military.  His grades and SAT scores could merit some scholarships, but I see school loans in his future if he goes the college route.

     Our net monthly income is $6,500 (jobs and 17-year annuity), with expense payments (mortgage, utilities, vehicles, charity) at $3,500.  We each contribute 15 percent to our 401(k)s  ($15,000 year).  We are paying an additional $2,400 a year toward our home mortgage balance.

     IRA and 401k balances are $180,000.  Our home value is $170,000, with a $110,000 mortgage.  Savings at a local bank is $20,000. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
—L. D., by email
 
A.Hold your current course and you’ll be fine.

    Here’s the broad-stroke picture. First, your additional mortgage payment should have your mortgage paid off before you turn 65. Your current total savings of about $200,000 appears to be about 2 years of your gross income. It could grow, on its own, to about $800,000 over the next 15 years. Your $15,000 in 401(k) contributions could grow to another $400,000 if you earn 8 percent. And Social Security is likely to replace a bit over 40 percent of your combined earnings, or about $40,000 a year. (To get a less casual estimate, visit www.ssa.gov and use one of its calculators.)
    
    Put it all together and you’ve got some margin for error. The big question is the quality of your 401(k) plan.

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Have you heard about the rookie challenge yet? If not, let me fill you in on some details. MyWallSt.net has a fantasy investing game where you could win real money. You can trade stock from real companies using virtual money. This is a great way to learn more about stocks. I have no clue about the stock market and would have to try something like this before I invested my own money into it so that I wouldn’t just be throwing my money away. It is easy to join and if you sign up with them, you will receive a free hat. Want to know something even better? Every week there have a giveaway where one the Rookie member with the highest earnings for the week is given $1,000. Yes, you read that right. They give away $1,000 every week. We all know we could use an extra $1,000, especially with the holiday season getting close. What are you waiting on? Quit reading here and head on over and sign up. Registration is free as well as participation, so you have no reason not to give it a try! Go on now, give it a try and let me know how you do. I promise not to ask to borrow some of your winnings.

Story by Chris Graham

Nearly $18 billion. That’s how much tourism meant to the Virginia economy last year.

“Virginia’s tourism industry continues to post annual increases in revenue that help fuel our economy,” Gov. Tim Kaine said yesterday after the Virginia Tourism Corp. released its 2006 statewide tourism economic report.

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Tom Nicholls: The taxman cometh

The energy industry is strongly opposed to proposed increases to oil and gas royalties in Alberta, Canada. Will its voice be heard?

The Canadian oil patch has been rattled by a government-appointed commission that says Albertans are not getting their fair share of revenues from oil and gas production in the province. The Alberta Royalty Review Panel says they should get substantially more: the overall state take, at a federal and provincial level, should be upped by 20%, it says. This would generate an extra C$2 billion ($1.97 billion) in revenues for the state, compensating Albertans more appropriately without putting off oil and gas investors.

Our Fair Share, the panel’s report, says: “Albertans do not receive their fair share from energy development. The royalty rates and formulas have not kept pace with changes in the resource base and world energy markets.”

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