10.30.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:38 pm by admin
WASHINGTON — Political fund raising has suffered a rare decline since Election Day as corporate political-action committees have trimmed campaign donations amid an economic slump.
Contributions from company PACs fell 6% to $8.2 million in the first two months of the year, compared with the same period in 2007, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of the most recently available fund-raising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
That contrasts with big increases in corporate PAC donations at the start of the previous three election cycles. PAC donations by businesses jumped 37% in the January-February period in 2007, compared with the same period in 2005. In the first two months of 2003 and 2005, corporate PACs' contributions increased by about 50% over the previous elections.
Campaign contributions from companies don't come from the corporate treasury, but rather from management-level employees who pool their personal funds into a single fund-raising account called a political action committee. Those pooled funds have declined as employees “looking to trim their household budgets cut out the contributions they make to the company PAC,” said Sheila Krumholz, the executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Corporate PACs saw a 14% decline in employee contributions to $16.5 million in January and February, compared with the same period in 2007.
Pfizer Inc. led other companies with a $141,000 decline in PAC donations to $87,000 in January and February, compared with the same months in the last election cycle. “Pfizer is committed to making our voice heard in our nation's health-care debate,” the company said in a statement. “Our PAC is bipartisan, and we are committed to supporting comprehensive health-care reform.”
PAC donations were down 80% at Chrysler LLC; 89% at U.S. Steel Corp.; and 28% at General Electric Co., according to the data. Spokesmen for Chrysler and GE declined to comment; a representative of U.S. Steel didn't respond to requests for comment.
Several companies that were among the major donors in previous years have either filed for bankruptcy protection or no longer exist in their current form, such as Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and Bear Stearns Cos.
Companies that received funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program showed a sharp drop, including Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. PAC donations by J.P. Morgan were down 75% to $20,000 in January and February from $81,000 during the same period in 2007, according to the data. Bank of America, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan declined to comment.
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10.28.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:29 pm by admin
Have you ever thought about taking a singles cruise, if not just forget your age range and think again. For single having age more 18, there are plenty of activities available on singles cruises. Actually, these cruises designed for all age range in the book, where single people can meet and have fun. When you go as a single, you are a stranger to each one around you in your cruise but you will found that many people who want to make friendship with you. The various world cruise lines offer single cruises to exotic destinations all over the world.
Singles cruises... there are many misconceptions about singles cruises and the travelers who go onboard them. No, such cruises are not for single men or women. You can be married or engaged to be able to go on one. And no, the travelers who go on them are not friendless nor do they not have any family.
Travelers who go on singles cruise made a choice to do so. They prefer to travel alone because contrary to what many may think of, there can be great benefits of going solo. For one, there is more freedom in choosing activities to do during the cruise. If you book and sail on such a cruise, you will discover that you are basically responsible for your own adventures and fun.
If you are the adventurous type of traveler, you can go for adrenaline pumping shore and land excursions such as surfing. Or if you are the less adventurous type, you can just laze around on the beach or even on deck with a book on hand. Bottom-line is, you will be doing only those things that you prefer and love to do.
Secondly, you will be able to contemplate more on life. Even if you haven’t had any problems of late, contemplating can be a good thing to do. You will be able to appreciate the good things you have been doing and you will be able to pinpoint which areas you need to work more on. Or if you do yoga and other forms of meditation, the atmosphere on deck during the early hours can be conducive for such relaxation. So after your cruise, you will not only be physically rejuvenated but mentally and emotionally as well.
Singles cruises specifically welcome solo guests and design activities or events that will allow them to mingle with each other. So if you really are single going on a singles cruise, then you will have the chance to meet other solo guests and develop a one of a kind friendship. Who knows, one of them may even end up as your lifetime partner.
If you are a family person, then the least advantage you can get from this type of cruise is an extended time to relax: days or weeks from responsibilities and the busy life of raising a family. Almost all cruise lines have spas onboard, so you can choose from a number of treatments to enhance your body relaxation better.
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10.26.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:21 pm by admin
Tours and Travels in India – Popular Options...
India is a vast country. It is the country of amazing diversity which can be seen in its culture and geography. Its unique cultural and geographical diversity makes it one of the most popular travel and tours destinations in the world. Travellers and vacationers from all over the world visit this country quite in good number. There are a number of places of tourist interest in the country appealing tourists from all over the world. Each place is unique in itself and has its own charm and lure. A tourist has to decide what he/she wants to see – marvelous architectural structures or places of scenic beauty; places of historical interests or cultural sport; places of religious significance or wildlife sanctuaries & parks; desert landscapes or beach destinations? In fact, the country of India offers an exciting range of travel, tours and tourism options. The country offers something for everyone. Exploring popular tourist places of India will be experience to cherish for lifetime, it is sure.
The geography of India is very diverse. A tourist unfamiliar to the geography of the country and a limited time on hand would find it very difficult to find out a right program for tours to India which would fit into his time schedule and cater to his interests for India tourism. Here are some suggestions which will help you to make your tours to India a unique & memorable experience.
Hill Stations Tours: For those tourists who have interest in hill station tourism, there are several beautiful stations in India, especially in North India. Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dalhousie, Darjeeling, Kashmir, Gulmarg, Srinagar, etc are some of very popular hill stations in North India. Theses all hill towns are situated at the very close proximity of majestic Himalayas. Endowed with superb scenic beauty and rich in flora and fauna, these hill towns are delight for honeymooners, nature lovers, special interest tourists, vacationers, and adventure enthusiasts. These are also some beautiful hill stations in South India. Munnar, Ponmudi, Ooty, Kodaikanal, etc are names to a few.
Goa & Kerala Tours: For those tourists or vacationers who have interest in beaches, and scenic beauty, Goa and Kerala tours are just for them. The beautiful states of Goa and Kerala are globally famous for beach tourism and have some of finest beaches in the world. Anjuna, Dona Paula, Aguada, Baga, Colva, etc are popular beaches in Goa. They are very ideal for fun, family and honeymoon vacations. And Kovalam, Varkala, Cherai, Alleppey, etc are beaches known for superb scenic beauty and create truly romantic ambiance for honeymooners or newly wed couples.
Wildlife Tours: There are several wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, tiger reserves and national parks in India offering amazing opportunity for wildlife tourism. Ranthambhore, Sariska, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Periyar, etc are to name a few.
Rajasthan Tours: For those tourists who have interest in culture, tradition, archeology, history or royal fantasy, Rajasthan tours are just for them. Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country and known for its attractions like magnificent monuments like forts, palaces, havelis, mansions, temples, etc. It is also a popular destination to enjoy camel safari to explore rippling sand dunes or desert tourism.
Golden Triangle Tours: Golden triangle is a popular travel circuit in North India. Travellers from all over the world embark on golden triangle tours which provide them golden opportunity to explore three predominant & historic cities of North India – Agra, Delhi and Jaipur.
Well, one of these tour options will surly cater your need and would be able to impress you. You can make your travel in India with a luxury car drive. With a car you can save time and prevent yourself to getting tired. Hiring a car in India is also not a difficult task as there are several car rentals it country. You can rent a car a reputed car rental in India and travel to its tourist destinations in very convenient ways.
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10.24.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:13 pm by admin
If you can read this post, it means that the registration process was successful and that you can start blogging
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10.22.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:59 pm by admin
On May, in France started 62th Cannes film festival.
Hearings about that the competitive program of the Cannes film festival starting today, will collect elite of world direction, have proved to be true. Financial crisis as if has teased the main directors of Europe and Asia: in desire to prove that their art exists not in the most direct dependence on the market, they competing in speed finished the pictures to the main festival of the world.
LONDON, May 9 — Next week in Cannes you could be forgiven for thinking that the good and the great of the movie world had declined to take off their Ray-Bans for the opening film of the world's biggest film festival.
They will, in fact, be wearing polarised specs, as the 3D revolution in cinema finally begins to look like a real possibility, with dozens of films on the horizon backed by big studios.
The opening night at Cannes will feature a 3D animated film about a grumpy old man whose house flies round the world under party balloons. The Disney-Pixar film “Up”, from the makers of “Toy Story” and the director of “Monsters Inc”, is a milestone in the festival's 62-year history. While several animated films have been shown in the past, including “Dumbo” and “Shrek”, “Up” is the first one to land the opening-night slot.
The new 3D films began dribbling into cinemas last year and will soon be impossible to avoid. The polarised specs, which are more like sunglasses, have replaced the old cardboard blue and red glasses, and the experience is meant to knock socks off. For many, the 3D revolution is the most exciting thing since the talkies or Technicolor, and the money being thrown at it is astonishing.
Disney has more than a dozen 3D movies in preparation while Twentieth Century Fox is reportedly spending US$200m (RM720 million) on James Cameron's “Avatar”, which uses new 3D techniques and around which incredible hype is building. The New York Times quoted a behavioural neurologist as saying that it was possible that “Avatar”, about a troop using technology to control an alien body, could possibly tap brain systems left undisturbed by conventional films.
John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council, said the 3D revolution was real: "I do think it is a step change, not quite as big as the introduction of sound but maybe up there with the move from black and white to colour and certainly there with the introduction of widescreen.
"Whatever way you look at it, the sheer level of Hollywood money means we are going to be seeing a lot more 3D films. You'll not be able to avoid them and the experience is fantastic."
Aside from 3D, Cannes promises much. Quentin Tarantino will blast in with his World War Two spaghetti western “Inglourious Basterds”. Also in competition will be the British directors Ken Loach, with “Finding Eric”, and Andrea Arnold with “Fish Tank”, about a teenager whose mum gets a new boyfriend.
There was good news for the London film festival yesterday with the UK Film Council saying it was giving it ?1.8 million (RM6.5 million) over three years to help it raise its game. — Guardian
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