Mirrors...*!

NY police commissioner Ray Kelly declared that striking down the city's "stop and frisk" policy would cost lives. It appears to have been an effective city-wide strategy against murder resulting in a drop of  statistics.

In a decision filed in federal court in Newark, U.S. District Judge William Martini dismissed a lawsuit brought in 2012 by eight Muslims who alleged that the NYPD's surveillance programs were unconstitutional because they focused on religion, national origin and race. 

The judge was not convinced that the plaintiffs were targeted solely because of their religion. "The more likely explanation for the surveillance was to locate budding terrorist conspiracies," he wrote. The surveillance was stopped.

Bratton adopted a “zero tolerance” policy for petty crimes, and a renewed focus on “quality of life” issues. The theory maintains and monitors urban environments which may stop further vandalism and escalation into more serious crime. He established the controversial CompStat system.

Seems like Kelly and Bratton are similar in many plicies.
Today I see more cops in the street. Hope the elderly are safer today more than yesterday.  
Just a thought

Corporate Tax,

 

U.S. corporations are at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to Taxes of 39.1 percent.  Other industrialized countries face an average rate of 25 percent.  Belgium and France (34.4 percent), Sweden (22 percent). 

The IRS allows business deductions for ordinary and necessary business expenses. Capital expenses such as investments and real estate also qualify for deductions. 

The company bottom line is faring a lot better these days than the average American’s weekly paycheck. In 2012, corporate profits as a share of the economy hit the highest level since World War Two, but the overall Compensation of workers fell to a 57-year low.

The profit of corporations rose to 12.4% of gross domestic product. That was up slightly from 12.1% in 2011 and marked the highest rate since 1943.

Corporate tax reformers rightly point out the large amounts of U.S. corporate equity income trapped overseas to avoid extra U.S. taxes on top of taxes already paid abroad.

Reform is difficult without broader business income tax review – that is, reducing tax rates on business income more generally while broadening the tax base. The gains from overall tax reforms would be very large and the corporation will do better. Time to do it.

Just a thought

Basketball Dilemma

TMZ.com released a tape, Sterling scolding his girlfriend for bringing African-Americans to Clippers games and posting photos with Magic Johnson, to her Instagram.

Sterling was born to Jewish immigrants fled Eastern Europe.  Arrived in L.A. with his parents as a child, raised in East L.A.’s then-predominantly Jewish neighborhood.
He is 80-year-old while his GF reportedly 31-year-old, a black and Mexican.

Donald Trump said....'He got set up by a very, very bad girlfriend, let’s face it. She’s called ‘the girlfriend from hell.' 

The Clippers held a silent protest against Sterling. Basketball Commissioner slapped him with a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine. The court may likely decide.

Is any body concerned about an 80 Year old having a GF of 31 year old? Is there other secret tapes that may better explain this fiasco? Is recording someone without permission against the law?? It should.

Just a thought.

Dream Big...*!

“If you truly expect to realize your dreams, abandon the need for blanket approval. If conforming to everyone’s expectations is the number one goal, you have sacrificed your uniqueness, and therefore your excellence.”     Hope Solo.

With the world cup soccer next month in Brazil, here is a song of someone trying to be one's own.  

Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay?

Am I wrong for saying that I choose another way?
I ain't trying to do what everybody else doing
Just cause everybody doing what they all do
If one thing I know, I'll fall but I'll grow
I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmEJZofz2s&feature=kp

A horse is a...

Dixon is a northern Illinois community of 16,000 and a budget of $8 million a year. Dixon is best known for being the site of Ronald Reagan's boyhood home.

For more than two decades as comptroller, Crundwell siphoned city funds [$53 millions] to pay for properties, vacations, luxury cars and a horse-breeding operation that became nationally renowned.  She crisscrossed the nation attending horse shows and acting every bit the wealthy horse owner, while Dixon had to borrow $3 million to pay city bills.

As the town's comptroller, Rita Crundwell earned an annual salary of $80,000.

She was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison for what authorities have called the largest municipal fraud in the country’s history.

The judge ordered Crundwell to pay full restitution – $53.7 million – as per the terms of her deal.

This is not a story I can trust. You can't steel 25% of the town's revenue for twenty years without others noticing. The investigation must continue.

Just a thought.

Boston Marathon...!

On April 15, 2013, two pressure cooker bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon at 2:49 pm EDT, killing 3 people and injuring an estimated 264 others.

After the bombing, the perpetrators went back to their lives and some went to the gem as if nothing happened...

Shortly after the FBI released the images, the suspects killed an MIT police officer, carjacked an SUV, and initiated an exchange of gunfire with the police in Watertown, MA.

The killer (Claimed) self-radicalized and unconnected to any outside terrorist groups. The older brother killed in a fire fight with the police. The younger most likely will get the death penalty for his role, for his complete disregard of human lives, before and after bombing the finish line.

What a waste!!!

Make no mistake about it, having  highly qualified Security Services, Police, FBI, etc. is what make us safe, prevent some from doing harm, and catch those who dare. Let us recognize their contribution.

These two killers were let in. But if you are in the shoes of the injured or killed, you may think twice.

Just a thought.

Buying everybody...!

Pfizer has reportedly made overtures offering to buy pharma giant AstraZeneca for $101 billions, the first mega matchup in pharma land in years.

Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert in 2000 for $90 billions, Pharmacia in 2003 for $60 Billions, and Wyeth, for $68 billions in 2009.
Sold for $16.6 billions its consumer-products division to Johnson & Johnson in 2006,

Big money is moving back and forth on minimum new medications of real benefits to the patients.

Pfizer should be looking for more Research and Development to add more drugs into its pipeline.  The market place see minor amount of new drugs in general. Diversify its business model is also important.

The structure and laws in USA must be changed. The market structure should be geared into profitable R&D not marketing and Financial Engineering of the same back and forth. This is the hardest thing to do.

Just a thought.

Firing Up-Gun Safety

Michael Bloomberg is once again taking aim at one of his favorite targets, the NRA.

He plans to spend $50 million of his fortune at influencing women to push for stricter anti-gun violence laws.

Every town for Gun Safety. The strategy takes a long view of how to produce change on gun reform and is designed to beat the National Rifle Association at its own game. Developing the political clout needed to get lawmakers to back the group’s agenda  and to punish those (politicians) who don’t.

He plunked down $1.1 million to fund campaign ads last year for Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe in Virginia, an advocate of stricter gun control, in his hotly contested race with Republican Ken Cuccinelli. McAuliffe won.

So much this 71 year old man can do. He has the ammunition for it with all the shootings in schools and elsewhere and all the mothers that aren't happy with guns laws.

Those who shouldn't have guns shouldn't be able to buy it, borrow it, or use it.

Just a thought

Hire Me

 

 

 

More jobs were created [288k] in April than forecasters expected. Unemployment nationally dropped to 6.3%. from 10.2% in 2009. Hiring last month was broad-based and included higher-paying jobs.

 

Average hourly pay was unchanged. Average wages have risen  just above the annual inflation rate.  That is not bad as the fed is eyeing inflation.

 

Since 2005, U.S. production has risen 35% for natural gas and 44% for crude oil.  The United States is poised to surpass Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer.

 

Consumption of petrol is well below previously expected trends, as tighter energy efficiency standards come into place.

Inflation is controlled so much by the cost of oil. In 2007 the cost was $147 a Barrel. Today is $100. The money is rerouted in the economy rather than paid to foreign countries. A major difference.

The Federal Reserve Bank is holding the interest rate to 0.25%, and the balance sheet to $4 Trillions.

This year will be the best time for new hire, job expansion, the market and the economy. Count on it.

Just a thought

Flight Lost...

Many Countries are searching for the missing Malaysian airplane. Cost is piling up as it goes day by day. US navy outsource the search of wreckage to a private company. 

On the other hand families of the passengers in attendance at the Beijing briefing exploded in anger and stormed out. This is the habit now.

"We will request their team of experts to come to Beijing to conduct face-to-face communications and fulfill their commitment,"  "What Is the truth? What problem do they want to cover up?"

What keep the search going? The cooperation, training and the possibilities.

The black box is in one spot, while the wreckage is moving for hundreds of miles.

The lesson from this tragedy is learned and being implemented by all parties but the airline will bankrupt leaving these problems to other nations.

At one point, soon, searching efforts will dwindle and then seized and no body can do anything about it. But the anger at some continues.

Just a thought

What's good for the goose..... Ukraine

 

Ukraine is running out of money. Officials estimate that they need up to $30 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund over the next two years. Ukraine hopes to sign a deal this month to unlock $7 billion from the IMF.

The Russian Federation doesn't recognize the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev, but will continue to give it economic support and subsidize Ukraine's economy.

Earlier the Ukrainians' demonstrated and got red of the government that sign an agreement with Russia. Now pro Russian wants the opposite.

Sen. John McCain, said it is imperative that the U.S. act more forcefully to prevent further Russian encroachment on the region by providing more arms to the Ukrainians and imposing further sanctions on the Russian economy.

This approach is inappropriate as it is dangerous for all parties. Weapons open the door to fighting and killing for years to come. The result would be terrible economics and hundred thousands dead. We don't want Iraq experience all over again.

Just a thought

Safety...

Michael Bloomberg is once again taking aim at one of his favorite targets, the NRA.

He plans to spend $50 million of his fortune at influencing women to push for stricter anti-gun violence laws.

Every town for Gun Safety. The strategy takes a long view of how to produce change on gun reform and is designed to beat the National Rifle Association at its own game. Developing the political clout needed to get lawmakers to back the group’s agenda  and to punish those (politicians) who don’t.

He plunked down $1.1 million to fund campaign ads last year for Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe in Virginia, an advocate of stricter gun control, in his hotly contested race with Republican Ken Cuccinelli. McAuliffe won.

So much this 71 year old man can do. He has the ammunition for it with all the shootings in schools and elsewhere and all the mothers that aren't happy with guns laws.

Those who shouldn't have guns shouldn't be able to buy it, borrow it, or use it.

Just a thought

Bending the Curve in healthcare.

Some of the most influential medical groups are recommending that doctors weigh the costs, not just the effectiveness of treatments. This results in doctors choosing one drug over another for cost reasons or even deciding that a particular treatment.

Businesses started  health program, Gems, Smoke cessation, weight loss programs, all which have been ignored before.

Medicare will not reimburse hospitals for certain readmission. That prompt the hospitals to cooperate with private doctors to take care of the patient on an out-patient role.

Healthcare Insurances promote measures to keep people healthy. Smoking, junk food and the like will  cost higher premium.

The FDA embarked on the "New Paradigm" which will increase access to pharmacists and medication without stopping by the physicians. A major reduction in cost.

The  healthcare cost will decline as the programs takes hold.

Just a [healthy] thought.

Money Money Money..... Inflation

Many expect ECB to signal "private QE" — purchases of securitized loans to small and medium enterprises, in order to stimulate the EU economy.

The central bank buy short-term government bonds to lower short-term interest rates.  Then purchase assets of longer maturity thereby lowering longer-term interest rates. Quantitative easing raises the prices of financial assets bought, (Demand) which lowers their yield.

QE used to ensure that inflation does not fall below target (Deflation). Risks include  higher inflation in the longer term.

The USA Fed's "quantitative easing program" has, among other things, lifted stock prices, increased tax revenue, lowered interest rates, unemployment, and improved the housing market.   Now the fed is gradually reducing its QE buying purchases.

The ECB and Japan started their easing much later than the US for a reason. Had they all started in the same time, the velocity of money would be unimaginable resulting in  inflation, inequality, higher prices beyond belief.

So watch for the coming year for the higher prices on everything cheep.

Just a thought

Flying...!

A  middle-aged woman (not her fault), wearing a platinum blonde wig, a blue dress, and thong- (sandals), threw a shoe, at former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
The woman walked away from the stage with her hands in the air.

From the speed of the black and orange shoe thrown, Hilary questioned "Was that a bat...
Michelle earnest appeared to be in “an agitated state” but aware of what she had done, 
and was released on her own recognizance.

One thinks Michelle has an Arab background, daring to throw one shoe away like that. Now she is stock with one half of the pair of a shoe at home to use for throwing in the future. 
Why is she getting red of her shoes while it cost an arm and a leg? No body knows.

Why can't we be sophisticated like the Brits. They use a $10 pie to shove it in one's face.  Or    Russians women who gave everything, the shirts, undershirts and other items, off their backs, to the church and demonstrated Nude.
That is class, no throwing shoes and no yelling.

In Vegas, Hillary got the George Bush treatment. Bush dodged two shoes [One pair size 12] thrown at him while Hilary dodged only one.   Great difference here.       Just a thought.

Alison Ersnt turned up in the courtroom wearing a red dress and with her head shaved and announced that she possessed, “information vital to the defense of James Holmes.”
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1209465/alison-ernst-clinton-shoe-thrower-in-love-with-colorado-mass-shooter-james-holmes/#FZpGuEQucyK0iUOs.99

Stripped of the long, platinum-blonde wig she wore to the Mandalay Bay Hotel when she threw what is now said to be a sneaker at Clinton
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1209465/alison-ernst-clinton-shoe-thrower-in-love-with-colorado-mass-shooter-james-holmes/#FZpGuEQucyK0iUOs.99

Stripped of the long, platinum-blonde wig she wore to the Mandalay Bay Hotel when she threw what is now said to be a sneaker at Clinton
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1209465/alison-ernst-clinton-shoe-thrower-in-love-with-colorado-mass-shooter-james-ho

Free at Last...

Jonathan Fleming, hugs his attorney Anthony Mayol while his other attorney Taylor Koss applaud in Brooklyn's Supreme court, after a judge declared him a free man.

Fleming, who spent almost a quarter-century behind bars for murder, was cleared of a killing that happened in 1989. 

We're suing everybody, let's be honest," Koss added, saying Fleming's legal team intends to bring a civil rights lawsuit against the city and seek reparations from the state under a provision set up to redress wrongful convictions.   Free at last.

Give me all,....

Give and take is the core principle of a successful marriage.  

Giving and taking encompasses the whole of a marriage, from household chores to intimacy. One can't do all the taking or the giving. One can't give a little to get a lot.

Children create new relationships that needs parents to give more and more.  If you ran out of giving, go out, get something to give some more.

Marriage needs a lot of work, a lot to give until you can take something. The "give" part is upfront, immediate, and sizeable, while the take is down the road. 

Give and take is a sensitive balance and should be rebalanced frequently depending on the social changes.

Many think that a bird in a hand is worth two in the bush. The question is Worth to Whom?

what to give and how much.

Here is John Legend's song   You give me all of you ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwsYvBYZcx4

Just a thought.
 

In Ur Face..Obama Care's Benefits

The White House met its original sign-up target for the Affordable Care Act, a victory for the Obama administration after a rocky rollout of the program. Here it is

Young adults get coverage staying on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

 

Americans no longer have Lifetime expense caps

 

Medicare Part D no longer have the "Doughnut hole" coverage gap.

 

Small businesses able to provide health insurance to their employees.

Low-income adults will have Access to health insurance 
 

Obama care provision eliminates pre-existing conditions. 
 

Medicare benefits can neither be reduced nor taken away.
 

New requirements that insurance companies must spend at least 80% of our premium dollars on our health care as opposed to marketing or administration.

This program is a life long legacy for Obama. It is compared to Social Security and Medicare programs to complete a safety net for all Americans.

Republicans have waged a campaign to repeal or roll back the Affordable Care Act.

I don't care if this cause Healthcare Insurance, Hospitals, Diagnostic centers, Pharmaceutical companies, etc to make 10 % less profit. Wake me up when they make 20 % less.  They still overcharging the public.

Just a thought