Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Gossip Girls being mean to McCain

So let me tell you a lil bit about me; I LOVE television series, absolutely love them. Well not all, actually only a few, but I really love the ones I love. Supposedly Gossip Girls is a lovable series to many of you "folks"(said with a Sarah Palin accent) out in changeland. I've haven't had the pleasure of catching any episodes but I see their billboards up around town and hear about watch parties so I figured you guys and gals would enjoy this:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

***Breaking News: Jay Z to be named White House Press Secretary***

Friends,
ALBC just received a tip from a low level volunteer that Jay-Z will be White House Press Secretary in the Obama Administration.


Ok, ok, we kid, we kid. But Jay Z did record a PSA for the Obama Campaign in Michigan.
The embed code wasn't feeling us so click here to view it.

***Ha, embed code you can't defeat the diligence of ALBC. We found an even better version of the PSA. Take that you pesky technical difficulty.***

Expressing Straight Talk

"The Wall Street bailout plan was necessary -- but everyday people need help, too. On Monday, Barack announced an economic rescue plan to help middle-class families and communities, provide relief to homeowners and small businesses, and create new jobs.

We can't afford another four years of the same failed economic policies that got us into this crisis, waiting for tax breaks for billionaires to trickle down to the rest of us.

As the economic crisis goes on, and the stock market remains uncertain, Barack Obama has been the calm and steady leader we need."


But dont take their word for it, Know for yourself.

And here is the rest of it.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Wanna make $125k? Teach middle school!


The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, is a 480-student middle school in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City that will open in September 2009. Its mission is to ensure the academic success of its students by placing emphasis on teacher quality. “I would much rather put a phenomenal, great teacher in a field with 30 kids and nothing else than take the mediocre teacher and give them half the number of students and give them all the technology in the world,” said Zeke M. Vanderhoek, the school’s creator and first principal.

We applaud Zeke and the folks over at TEP. Not only are they doubling the average teacher salary by paying $125,000 as the base salary but they are also targeting at risk adolescents as the bulk of their student body. Although there are sure to be some kinks in their model, we hope that TEP is a success.

Learn more about TEP and Know for yourself: http://www.tepcharter.org/


Sunday, October 12, 2008

Soapbox Sundays-Check my balance


The deregulation of markets and the unchecked authority exercised under anti-terrorism provisions are examples of what happens in when government is too thin. Granted, bureaucracy is inherent in big government and inefficiency is inherent in bureaucracy, but there must be some weight healthier than government’s current anorexic state. The decision-making parts throughout the current body have become so slender that the markets are rapidly receding and civil liberties have been egregiously violated.

The Bush Administration has proven that unilateral authority facilitates abuses of power and leads to poor outcomes. Essentially, government needs muscle to be a vigorous body.

Imitation, Flatteration, Holleration




Saturday, October 11, 2008

A message from JC, our Financial Advisor

A few things to think about during these turbulent times.

6 facts to help dispel the fear and 10 key reminders investors need to keep in mind...

6 facts

1. In January of 1970, a bear market started that lasted until May of that year. The market during that time fell 35.4%. In May, a bull market began that lasted until January 1973 and brought a 124% gain in stock values.

2. In April 1981, another bear market commenced that lasted nearly a year and brought a 24.7% decline. Then, in March of 1982, the market began to rise and continued doing so until June 1983, bringing an overall gain of 71.7%.

3. July 1990 brought a downward market that lasted three months, until October 1990, at which point equity prices had fallen 22.4%. Then, in the same month, a new, now legendary, bull market took hold and lasted nearly eight years, until July 1998, delivering a 330.7% gain for the market.

4. Dating back to 1975, 8 of the last 15 bull markets have started in the autumn months of September, October, and November.

5. Since 1957 there have been 15 bear markets, as measured from peak to trough, and on average they have lasted 10 months and brought an average decline of 29.4%.

6. The duration and degree of these bear markets were significantly less than the duration and magnitude of bull markets. During the same period, there were also 15 bull markets, which lasted, on average, 30 months and brought average gains of 112.5%.


10 key reminders for investors

1. Panics are based on emotion, and emotions can take on a life of their own. A herd-like mentality develops, and words that start to be used repetitively - such as "collapse," "endless," and "plunge" - only feed the frenzy. But it is important to remember that emotions are not your friend when it comes to making big decisions about your savings, retirement, or college money.

2. Individuals and the professional managers they hire to oversee their long-term assets are investors, not traders. There is a big difference. For investors, what matters is the long run, not today's events.

3. No one is alone in their concerns. We all have lots of company.

4. Panics and downturns are part of the free market system. They have occurred throughout history. While this knowledge may not ease the pain, these sharp, sudden downturns still have to be recognized as part of a cycle that often includes years of slow and steady upward progress.

5. Historically, bear markets, recessions, and market panics have been relatively brief in comparison with the duration of bull markets. Since World War II, economic expansions have, on average, lasted five times longer than recessions, and bull markets have been twice as long as bear markets.

6. Cyclical downturns have historically been connected to credit excesses. This time is no different. Prudence in borrowing will be rewarded in the next cycle.

7. Collapses do not bring everything to a halt. Even during the worst of down times, people still go about their lives, raising children, going to work, and planning for the future.

8. Risk-seeking in the markets has vanished. But the pursuit of risk is a normal state for the markets. U.S. Treasury bills may look smart today, but at some point risk-seeking will return. It always has.

9. The largest government bodies in the world have acted to lessen the severity of this crisis.

10.You cannot control events. You can only control your response to them.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

"That One?!?!?"

Within the walls of ALBC, we have discussed our commitment to civic literacy. We are fully aware and have taken full responsibility for our endorsements and denouncements. But as the election day grows nigh, we must admit, it becomes even more difficult to disguise ourselves as unbiased.

This is, in part, due to being more than moderately well informed. That is the burden of being civilly literate. The other part? Well, the other part is due to a certain candidate making it easy to cast aspersions when he decides to be noble and refer to his opponent as "That One".
You see, "it isn't so much about preference, and it isn't about age, and it isn't about race. It's about respect."

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

28 Days Later


When we wake up twenty-eight days from today, our nation will be on the precipice of change. This will be the first major paradigm shift of the Twenty-First Century. The sliding plates above our ground but below the surface, the final count of our votes, will resonate high on the Richter scale for half of our country. The energy release will be universal after the long campaign process, but the momentum that has swept many into civic responsibility could be stifled if the president-elect represents an America that half of its citizens do not have faith in.

Like Danny Boyle’s film, 28 Days Later, there is a possibility of a morale breakdown of some citizens following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus. The virus? Change. Change is contagious and it is a process that cannot be reversed, although its path can be redirected…forded like a river. If the passion and momentum of this year’s election is a result of a true desire to see a change in our society – there will be one. If the intensity citizens are feeling are tied to campaigns and/or ideological representations presented by individuals running for office: a war veteran who can keep us safe (I will not use the word “Maverick” … damn, I just did), a Black man who reflects the core ethos of our society, or a woman who will keep us entertained (and Tina Fey PAID!) – a sense of betrayal could be felt if their candidate, and idea of America, does not win and they will continue to lose faith in our government. Currently, only 9% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in America according to the latest Gallup poll. But which America will we choose to support?

I’m no futurist. I just took a class on futurism. What will happen in twenty-eight days? We will have a new President-Elect. Will there be a public reaction? Absolutely. The change we are currently experiencing is the result of all the radical and hopeful schools of thought formed through the experiences of Baby Boomers. Have no fear. Rest assured that your Agents here at ALBC will be here to help you cope with whatever the result of the election is…and long after. We have always been committed to contributing the collective thought that will shape the next 28 years of American History. Check our track record. Change has always been here; we’re just now coming of age.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Ring in the Cookie Jar

Back when he was Congressman McCain, he was also a member of the Keating Five. You ask who/what is the Keating Five; great, because we have the answer.

From Wikipedia:


The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The five senators, Alan Cranston (D-CA), Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), John Glenn (D-OH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Donald W. Riegle (D-MI), were accused of improperly intervening in 1987 on behalf of Charles H. Keating, Jr., chairman of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, which was the target of a regulatory investigation by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB). The FHLBB subsequently backed off taking action against Lincoln.

Lincoln Savings and Loan collapsed in 1989, at a cost of $2 billion to the federal government. Some 23,000 Lincoln bondholders were defrauded and many elderly investors lost their life savings. The substantial political contributions that Keating had made to each of the senators, totalling $1.3 million, attracted considerable public and media attention.

Words are nice, quite nice. But videos bring it home. So here's a video about the Keating Five scandal courtesy of Obama for America



Facebook Feelings II

BH: is thinking Gergen hit it on the head: It's too early to declare victory because Barack is black. Black = -6 pts!"

LA: Question from the internet--McCain looks toward the seats on the right looking for a woman named Internet.

SRW: is wondering why McCain would assume that man don't know who Fannie Mae is. YOU LOSE, T-Rex!

TT: is referring to his colleagues as "that one" from now on.

SK: Conservative Bill Bennett, "The strength of McCain's story just isn't matched by a strong campaign. He needed to win tonight and didn't."

CR: thinks David Gergen finally said what I've been saying at http://vexedinthecity.wordpress.com.

RB: will be so happy when "that one" is in the White House!

MMT: wants to tell McCain that he isn't his friend--unless McCain establishes a nice little trust for him or unless Cindy will get him some happy pills.

NM: wishes I was a blogger right now because this fool McCain and his "keep my hands behind my back" wife...OMG!!! SHAKE A HAND!!!

ATIV: is "That One".....

BH: is thinking that McCain refused to shake Obama's hand after calling him "that one". REALLY? UGH!

AP: is so over the circular, non-substantial, misquoted, cynical, disrespectfulness of that which is McCain.

GT: is voting for "THAT ONE!"

CN: thinks the debate would have been better if McCain hadn't thought he was competing on America's Crankiest Oldster.

***plenty more after the jump***

HP: is sorta creeped out by John McCain and loves Michelle Obama.

HOO: thinks that after tonight's presidential debate, she now understands Federalist Paper 10.

SG: wait, wasn't a town hall supposed to FAVOR mccain?

ME: says "I am not McCain's friend and I wish he would stop calling me so."

DCM: OMG!!!...one of Madame Tussauds wax statues has gotten loose and is now debating Obama. Where are the Tennessee State Troopers!?

AM: is omg- teddy roosevelt? reagan ok but come on.

SJ: is not happy with McCain misquoting Teddy Roosevelt! Damn it McCain..dont u remember the cartoon!!

DC: is laughing that all his friends have status messages that say John McCain is not their friend.

JS: does not like the sound of McCain's voice.....sorry 'my friend.'

SH: knows that she is not John McCain's "friend."

MH: is counting McCain's "my friends."

AG: ain't your friend, Johnny.

SRM: says a certain older man should be glad I'm clerking and can't comment on politics!! This "debate" in infuriating...

IS: "Tom, can I respond to this foolishness?"

DBG: if your not watching the debates, kill ya self, lol, but get it together.


Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bombed the Debate

Ol Johnnie Boy, you're one of a kind.



Get on Board!


We were sitting here picking our Fantasy Debate team and decided that you might enjoy a lil political humor before the debates tonite. Enjoy!

Change is Fresh








NYMag.com:
Barack Obama’s Paris Runway Debut

When it was reported that Donatella Versace's most recent men's collection was inspired by Barack Obama, Donatella was quick to correct the press. Obama himself didn't inspire her, but rather "the type of man Barack Obama represents." However designers showing at Paris Fashion Week conveyed no such reserves about using their runway shows to blatantly support Barack. Sonia Rykiel's spring 2009 collection included sweaters that read "I have a dream" and "Obama." Jean-Charles de Castelbajac put Barack's grinning face on a dress paired with gloves that read "yes" and "no" — probably his way of saying "rock the vote." And at the end of her program notes, Stella McCartney wrote, "P.S. Vote Obama!!" None of this surprises us. What does, however, is that Barack didn't permeate the collections in London, Milan, or New York in this way. Maybe designers in other parts of the world didn't want to add fuel to the whole Obama-is-a-celebrity fire? Like embracing a First Lady who's posed nude, leave it to the French to say, "Yes, we can!"

Monday, October 6, 2008

Don't Vote, Just Don't Do It!

The Ackward Post

Politically incorrect? most likely
Funny? kinda
Do we hope her directive is followed? Yeah
Do we feel ackward posting this? Hell yeah...but we're doing it anyway.

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Game Changer: Bun B

Most of you know Bun B as one half of arguably the greatest rap group of all time, UGK (RIP Pimp C)-emphasis on arguably. But as of late, he has taken on a far more important role as a spokesman for the impoverished and disenfranchised. What's particularly exceptional about Bun's latest efforts is he no longer limits his role as a spokesman for the poor to his rhymes; he is now participating in citizen activism by speaking at schools, attending both the DNC and RNC Conventions and taking MTV to the Gulf Coast of Texas to get a glimpse of life after the storm.

Thanks to Bun B you can Know for yourself what life is like for the residents returning to Galveston, TX.


Friday, October 3, 2008

All Along The Watchtower

"There must be some kind of way out of here/ Said the joker to the thief/ There's too much confusion/ I cant get no relief..."so sung Jimi Hendrix about businessmen, plow-men, and thieves; still, it seems like we can't get no relief. Last night, all eyes were watching the vice-presidential debate awaiting a clear relief to the muck surrounding ticket positions on the economy, war, and other pressing issues (or see one of the running mates make an ass ... or pachyderm out of themselves). I was running late and even an eager used car salesman had to ease up when I told him I needed to get home for a watch party of the debate because I needed to know for myself how the candidates would address the public.

My summation: Biden's a calm beast. He could have ripped Palin to shreds, but he took the Obama campaign high road by not addressing the blatant foolishness. Palin was prepared and made it a point to regurgitate each talking point she was given. One watch party viewer summed it up by saying that "She exceeded expectations, but there were no expectations for her."

Listening to BBC Radio yesterday afternoon, the Presenters on the station joked that after last week's "boring" debate they weren't sure if they would sacrifice hours of sleep to tune in. Well, on the domestic side, curiosity possibly made the Biden-Palin debate the most watched TV debate ever. Nielsen Media Research estimates 38.7 million viewers on the big four broadcast networks, 30 percent more than the 29.7 million who caught last week's presidential debate on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. [source: E! Online]

Just as we shared our commentary with each other during our watch party, many shared their opinions live on the net leading to a number of articles published today on the subject of live blogging. ALBC is familiar with this subject, just last week, we had a post on Facebook election feelings. Check these articles out for a different spin on the new medium taking a large role in our democratic process.

  • It was as if we’d all come to a debate watching party, only we weren’t whispering our comments to the person next to us on the couch, we were sharing them with all our friends, spread out all over the country. I asked what a “Bosniak” was and shared my enjoyment of the way Sen. Biden emphasized “Bush’s” over and over. This was fun. Every dodged answer, every nuance or verbal gaffe brought more from the world-wide peanut gallery:
    • Joe Biden likes to refer to Joe Biden as Joe Biden
    • Palin says ‘Maverick’ more than McCain says ‘Miss Congeniality.’
  • For laptop users watching the political debate tonight, you can track political coverage with several liveblogs. One advantage: livebloggers will likely do fact-checks on topics as they are discussed, and a few will provide political commentary on any gaffes or foibles that occur. [Bookmark alert: Liveblogs for Sarah Palin and Joe Biden debate by John Brandon. ComputerWorld.com]
  • Online video-sharing and social networking are playing a growing role in the American electoral climate. Sites across the web are using entertainment, data and engagement techniques to encourage users to cast their votes. Some of the work is satirical, like the Nobama-sponsored Obama cartoon featured at the left of this article, or the user-generated McCain ad to the right of it. Overall, what's out there is a snapshot of how the zeitgeist interprets — and reinterprets — the political atmosphere as Nov. 4 draws near. [source: MarketingVOX]

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Change Cuts


Friends, and I only call you friends because I don't know your names individually--

We've been missing. But it has been for good reason. We are getting ready for the upcoming debate parties, etc. While we at ALBC are not specifically (Obama) endorsing (Obama) any one candidate (Obama), we did like what this avid (Obama) supporter did to his hair!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Facebook feelings


I was checking my "friends'" status updates on Facebook today. Boy o boy do we have some outspoken "friends."

KC is still thinking that McCain is a dumbass. What is suspending your campaign for 3 days going to do when you can barely spell economics?

MT thinks you should not vote for a person who can't multi-task.

PH is is putting his Facebooking ON HOLD to respond to the mounting laundry crisis in his closet.

TY is asking McCain to stop the bitchassness. Somebody who doesn't understand economics skipping a debate will provide us an effective bailout plan? Doubt it.

CL thinks John McCain really doesn't understand economics. The economy is not a light switch. A Friday meeting will NOT bring an immediate fix.

TJ is thinking that McCain is pulling the "punk" move. Don't be scared. What next...postpone election day?

A Lil Bit of Ticker Tape