Fourth Police Officer Dies in Oakland Shootout

Fourth Police Officer Dies in Oakland Shootout

This tragedy that could have been prevent, just seems to get worse. We now have word that the fourth police officer wounded in the Oakland shootout has died. The gunman was a parolee that should not have been paroled.

Being a police officer is tough enough but to be one in the city of Oakland, California is very difficult and dangerous. The crime rate is very high. There is a very high black population in the city. Many blacks claim that they have been abused by the police.

In neighboring cities where the crime rate is lower, the citizens do not claim abuse by the police. I am just stating the facts. People need to take responsibility for their actions. Parents need to parent their children, fathers need to be fathers and police need to do the right thing to keep our citizens safe. If these things were happening more often in Oakland, California the crime and violence would be less.

Calculate Non Taxable Mortgage Interest For California Residents

Taxable Mortgage Interest For California Residents

Many residents of California are concerned that they may not be able to write off their mortgage interest. This is simply not true. You can write off your mortgage interest on your taxes, but excessive mortgage amounts will send a red flag to the IRS.

The tax code allows Californians to calculate the allowable write off by adding the original price of their home, plus the dollar amount of any improvements (actual amounts spent on improvements) and $100,000. Once these three items are added up they cannot be more than the homeowner owes on the property.

Any amount over the calculated amount cannot be written off on your taxes.

Example:

$150,000 Original Price of Home
$ 30,000 New kitchen
$100,000
_________
$280,000

Current loan amount $250,000 - Amount is less than allowed so you are within your limits.

Current loan amount $350,000 - Amount is more than allowed so you are not able to deduct mortgage interest on the $70,000 over the calculated amount, plus the IRS may audit you.

Octomom Nadya Suleman May Not Be Able To Go Back To School

Nadya Suleman May Not Be Able To Go Back To School

Nadya Suleman has claimed from day one that she intended to go back to school and have friends and family take care of her fourteen children. She claimed that she needed to go back to school so that she could get a job to support her children.

Then Dr. Phil stepped in. He has helped Nadya to change her public image. She now has many more supporters including a group that will send 12 caretakers per shift to help Nadya with her children. Nadya is not exactly happy with having 12 people watching over her every move each day, but she really has no other choice. Also, she will need to be there doing her share. I am sure that this large group will leak out information to the press as to what goes on in the house. Nadya does not want to be under the microscope, no one does, but she must take the help or she could face losing her children.

Social services is already breathing down her neck. Although it is completely wrong for them to take these kids away, they will scrutinize her in every way they can. Thanks to Dr. Phil, Nadya now has a home to take her children too and a large group of people helping her.

Of course, she will also have to help out with her own children, which means the poor girl will not get to go back to college as she had planned.

How to Detail a Car

How to Detail a Car

I love it when my car is show room clean. I wish I could keep it this way all the time, but I don't want to pay someone else to do it, not in this economy.

COMPLETE WASH - Get a big bucket of hot water and clean soft rags. Wash your car one section at a time and then thoroughly rinse each section and then move on.

COMPLETELY DRY - Use a chamois cloth to dry your car. Dry it before it starts to dry on its own. Towels are not recommended because they will leave lint every where.

VACUUM OUT INSIDE - First remove any of your personal belongings that may have built up. Then vacuum everything, paying attention to details like the space inbetween the seats and the space between the seats and the console.

FIRST WINDOW CLEANER - Use window cleaner on all windows inside and out. Also, use on lights.

TIRES - I love my tires to be shiny. Buy a tire cleaner and apply with a dry cloth to the black tire that faces you. Do not apply to the treads. RIMS - Use a chrome cleaner on your rims to make them glow!

DASH, VINYL & LEATHER - Buy individualized products for the interior of your car. The results will be worth it. I always use a special leather cream to keep my leather looking good.

Don't pay hundreds of dollars to get your car detailed when you can detail a car yourself in your own driveway.

The Truth About Honey Bees

As you may know there has been something destroying our honey bees. This is happening worldwide and scientist now think that they know the virus that is causing the problem. Hopefully they will be able to correct the problem now that they now what is causing it.

Many people in the U.S. have been criticized when they had an infestation of bees and called the exterminators. Even the exterminators themselves have been criticized for destroying bees during this time when we have a shortage of bees. Because of these negative remarks I will set the record straight. Wild bees such as the ones that infest a home or business are not the same as farmed honey bees. Honey bee owners would not want nor would they take a hive of wild honey bees.

They would not want to mix the wild honey bees with their bees nor would they want to work with wild bees. So for everyone out there that has criticized an exterminator, why don't you find out the facts first.

Hopefully our honey bee populations will increase over time.

How to Keep Oil Prices Low

How to Keep Oil Prices Low

We have seen some huge spikes and dips in oil prices this year. Enough to keep my head spinning. Overall, the semi low prices are here and we should all work together to keep them that way until new energy sources appear.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK - Americans have significantly reduced the amount of gas they consume and it has really paid off, literally. Oil prices have dropped because foreign oil companies have realized that Americans do have the will power to "just say no to gas". I noticed it creeping up again in recent weeks, so lets stay dedicated to keep those prices down.

RIDE YOUR BIKE - Good for you, good for the environment and good for gas prices.

MASS TRANSIT - May be it is better than you thought. Instead of driving your boring car, now you can ride and read or talk on the phone. It makes me feel taken care of when someone else is driving me around and it is good for the environment.

KEEP ELECTRICITY USE LOW - Many electrical companies are run on gasoline, so if you are using electricity, you are essentially using gasoline. Try to keep your electricity low by turning off television sets and radios when you are actually in another room. Open your shades instead of turning on too many lights.

Everyone needs to do their part to keep oil prices low.

Is Geico The Cheapest Auto Insurance Available?

Is Geico The Cheapest Auto Insurance Available?

Not necessarily because an auto insurance quote is based upon your individual driving record, the type of car you have and how many miles you drive it. It may also take into account the other members of your household, such as your spouse or teen driver.

Although Geico is very cheap, I have found that the best rates are group rates. If you are employed at a company that offers car insurance as part of their human resources package for employees then you are set. You will get excellent coverage for the best rate. Plus they may just take the amount out of your check each month, so your coverage will never lapse and there is one less bill to pay.

If you do not have group coverage then Geico may be your next best choice. If you look around, you may find other companies that are slighly cheaper than Geico, but you get what you pay for. With Geico you will receive a low price policy backed by a great company. Remember to always compare auto insurance rates.

When you are looking for an auto insurance quote, make sure you include Geico in your search.

Excellent Time To Get Online Auto Insurance Quotes

If you are looking for an online auto insurance quote or policy this is the time to do it. Car insurance rates are very low right now and you can get locked into a great policy.

The best place to look for auto insurance is with your employer. The group plans through companies is definitely the best deal you will be able to find. You should find out all of the details from your human resources department before you begin check rates with other companies.

There are many online resources for comparing auto insurance. Places such as esurance and progressive will give you rates from multiple companies. You may also want to check directly with geico, allstate and more.

If you already have insurance for your home, life or health, you may want to check with the companies that already insure you because sometimes they can offer you excellent discounts for holding multiple policies with them.

When you begin researching rates for your new auto insurance, don't forget to get multiple quotes based upon different deductibles and coverage. You may find that raising your deductible may give you a better monthly premium. Make sure you get the amount of coverage required by your state for auto insurance policies. Online auto insurance quotes are so fast and easy to get you have no reason not to get started today.

13 Bodies Found in the Desert of Albuquerque

Cold cases are being reopened in Albuquerque, New Mexico this week as investigators found the bones of 13 bodies buried in the desert. It is very rare to find so many bodies buried in one place. Some of the cold cases are over 20 years old.

The remains of two victims have been identified, Gina Michelle Valdez and Victoria Chavez.

Our world is not as safe as we pretend it is each day. Even adults are at risk of being kidnapped and killed. Watch your children and do not go down dark alleys at night.

It is time we take control back of our world and put these sickos in jail.

Casey Anthony Trial Date Set

Casey Anthony Trial Date Set

Although Casey Anthony has been rightfully tried by the media and the public, she still deserves a trial under our system. Her trial date has been set to October 12, 2009.

The case does not look good for her. It looks even worse for her dead daughter. I still cannot wrap my head around the bits and pieces of facts that we have right now.

I just cannot fathom someone planning to kill a precious little girl such as Caylee. Why couldn't she just leave her with her parents? Did she have life insurance on her? I just do not get it.

It makes more sense to me that she killed her accidentally, but I do not know all the facts that the police know.

I also wonder why the grandparents did not grill Casey earlier about where Caylee was at. The little girl lived with them and they did not see her for 31 days. My mom does not even live with me, but if she did not see her grand children in 31 days, I can imagine what she would be saying to me.

I guess we will find out all of the details eventually. One thing I know for sure is that Casey Anthony will never admit to anything.

Couple Trys To Sell Cave Home On Ebay

Sleeper Family Cave Home near St. Louis, Missouri

Unusual Real Estate

The Sleeper family built their cave home on three acres of land in Festus, Missouri, near St. Louis in 2004. Although still not completed, they have their cool pad up for sale on ebay. The couple built the three bedroom home inside the cave once used for mining after they saw it on the internet. I think this really qualifies for an eco friendly title. This cave probably keeps the family naturally cool in the summer, but I do not know what the temperatures are like in winter.

I question why they are trying to sell it so quickly it looks like they have not even completed the renovations. I don't know if this is because of financial reasons or because living in a cave sucks. I guess the next owners will find out quick. And the rest of us will find out if they too try to sell quickly.

Eleven Year Old Planned Murder of Dad's Pregnant Girlfriend

Eleven Year Old Jordan Brown

Police now say that they found a blanket that they believe Jordan Brown used to cover the weapon when he shot his dad's girlfriend in the head as she slept. Kenzie Houk was killed instantly and later found by her four year old daughter to notified some near by tree trimmers that she thought her mother was dead.

Brown then jumped on the school bus with Houk's 7 year old daughter. Police believe that the use of the blanket to cover the gun, shows premeditation. Brown had just received the gun as a Christmas gift from his father who wanted to train him to be a hunter. Who gets their kid a gun for Christmas, gee thanks!

16 Year Olds Run Prostitution Ring In Phoenix

Jazmine Finley and Tatianna Tye

Two sixteen year old girls were arrested for allegedly running a prostitution ring in Phoenix, Arizona. They were prostitutes themselves and figured, why not get some of our friends involved. They actually trained their friends, found dates for them and collected money. At one point they even had their own apartment that they ran the prostitution ring out of.

Who rented an apartment to two 16 year olds. There must have been some adults involved some how. I am sure the johns must have been adults. I hope someone tracks them down. Well at least they were caught and this prostitution ring was put to an end.

American Express Paying Customers $300 To Cancel Accounts

American Express Credit Card Company has announced that they have offered a limited number of customers $300 to pay off their balances and close their accounts. The company says that in reviewing credit histories of certain customers they think that it is a better move than waiting for the customers to go belly up.

In light of the high number of people defaulting on their credit cards and home mortgages, American Express is probably doing the right thing. At least they are giving their customers an incentive to pay off their credit card debt, instead of their usually tactics of charging them higher interest rates until they break them.

Real Man Steps Forward to Be Octuplets Dad

Denis Beaudoin donated sperm 3 times to Octuplet Mother of 14.
Nadya Suleman denies Denis Beaudoin is the father.

Denis Beaudoin claims that Nadya Suleman lied to him and said she had cervical cancer to trick him into donated sperm for her. He is now requesting that the DNA of all 14 children be tested to see if he is the father. He says he wants to help Nadya with her 14 kids even if he is not the father. What a guy. He says that the other 6 children ages 2 to 7 years old look like him.

Nadya Suleman on the other hand denies he is the father. (There is more wrong with this girl than we originally thought.) Here she has a stand up guy coming along to help her and she denies him. Either way, she is the only mother that they have and I hope she does not stop this guy from helpping her and her children out. They need a father of some sort.

Beaudoin is divorced and has two children from his prior marriage. He says that he dated Suleman for 3 years.

FOUND! British Couple Lost At Sea 40 Days

The couple, Stuart Armstrong and Andrea Davison, stared death in the face after the rudder of their boat became stuck after just six days into a journey from Africa to Antigua. After 16 days they lost power.

At first they did not worry because they had notified both the British and American authorities and they had plenty of rations, but as time passed and their power went out, they could no longer convert sea water to drinking water. Both British and American authorities refused to help because of their remote location.

They just kept drifting helplessly towards the Caribbean (that was lucky). They were finally rescued after 40 days a drift in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

U.S. News Now Investigates the Baby Mama

It has come to the attention of U.S. News Now that the baby mama of the newly born octuplets, Nadya Suleman, may be slightly off her rocker. As if that were news. Not only has this woman purposely had 14 children and deprived them of having a father, but she seems to have an Angelina Jolie complex.

In spite of all her deficiencies we still need to make sure these children are well taken care of. Plenty of volunteers will be needed around the clock for many years to come. These children will soon be members of our society and we want them to be productive.

Let us not go so far as to reward her for her troubles. Nadya Suleman should not be given large sums of money or reality tv shows. That will not help her children.

Donate time, diapers, clothing and formula to this deranged mother of 14.

If the father of these 14 children has any integrity at all he would come forward now to claim them and help raise them. U.S. News Now staff fears that these kids will be pretty screwed up if they do not have a father figure in their lives.

Mother of Octuplets receive $165K in Disability Payments

As everyone has suspected she had to be on the dole some how. This single mother of now 14, has apparently no income and no father for her children. Needless to say she will need help with her healthy 8 new babies plus her other six children ages 2-7. Her parents are divorced and her father says that he will return to Iraq to work to support his daughter and her 14 kids. Her mother say that she will help as much as possible, which will probably be a lot since she lives with her in a small two bedroom house that she purchased for her daughter.

Nadya Suleman is currently working on getting reality tv show or some other financial deal. And I don't blame her. You know how many thousands of dollars it will cost just to diaper these babies.

She is getting a lot of negative press on the internet and rightly so, no one wants to encourage single women to have multiple babies just for financial again, which it appears she is doing. Although we do not know for sure.

Everyone is suspicious about how she convinced a doctor to put 8 embryos in her and who paid for the invitro fertilization? Not to mention the fact that she has no father for the kids. I guess she does not know how that hurts kids.