George Orwell's supressed preface to Animal Farm

I know that the English intelligentsia have plenty of reason for their timidity and dishonesty, indeed I know by heart the arguments by which they justify themselves. But at least let us have no more nonsense about defending liberty against Fascism. If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

Alternative minimum tax growth blocked

Congress acted in its final hours Wednesday to block growth of the alternative minimum tax, putting off an economic hardship affecting more than 20 million taxpayers.

New home sales drop to lowest in 12 yrs (AP)

AP - The housing market plunged deeper into despair last month, with sales of new homes plummeting to their lowest level in more than 12 years.

Bush to veto pay raise for the troops. Merry Christmas!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bush announced today that he's going to veto the Defense Authorization bill. This is legislation that's already passed Congress, and that the administration had no problem with. Now, suddenly, Bush is against it and is going to veto it, threatening pay raises for the troops and more.

Left-out territories earn place on quarter

After nearly 10 years of lobbying, a measure will extend the popular state quarter program to the nation's capital as well as five territories.

Huckabee Pleads Poverty As He Takes Cash For Speeches

The revelation raised eyebrows, in part, because Huckabee is the lone candidate in the race believed to still be giving paid-for-speeches; but also, because of Huckabee's explanation for staying on the lecture circuit.

Judge rules for Genesco in $1.5B buyout (AP)

AP - A judge ruled Thursday that Genesco Inc. executives did not commit fraud during negotiations over a $1.5 billion acquisition and that fellow mall retailer The Finish Line Inc. must complete the purchase.

Berkshire to buy ING unit for $441 million (Reuters)

Reuters - Warren Buffett's Berkshire
Hathaway Inc(BRKa.N)(BRKb.N), in its second acquisition this
week, agreed to buy the NRG NV reinsurance unit of ING Group NV
for about 300 million euros ($441 million).

Time to Fix or Trash Your Appliances?

Elisabeth Leamy's tips about what to do with your aging appliances.

Texas judge rules in favor of strip-club tax

A judge has denied a request from owners of nude entertainment clubs to temporarily block Texas' upcoming $5-per-person strip club fee from taking effect.

Money tips for cash-strapped retirees

More and more retirees are struggling to make ends meet in their golden years, in large part because they’re being walloped by the effects of inflation.

Smart ways to trim your year-end tax bill

Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

Russia Successfully Tests New ICBM

The RS-24 missile was launched from the Plesetsk launch facility in northern Russia and its test warheads successfully hit designated targets on the Kura testing range on the Kamchatka Peninsula some 4,340 miles east, Strategic Missile Forces spokesman Alexander Vovk told The Associated Press.

China Bans Reincarnation

You have got to be kidding me!

How Starbucks Saved My Life

Millions of us wake up every morning to a good strong cup of coffee. And, as it happens, coffee figures in the story of the wake-up call one man received after hitting a low point reminiscent of George Bailey's in the film "It's a Wonderful Life."

China raises tax threshold to ease burden on poor (AFP)

AFP - China has proposed lifting millions of its citizens out of the income tax net to ease the burden on low-wage earners amid rising inflation, state press said Sunday.

10 Tips front page

Those with rosy outlook more likely to make prudent financial decisions, but extreme optimists make riskier investments a study finds.

Five myths about torture and interrogation

Torture's defenders insist that the rough stuff gets results, but evidence suggests it's hard to get anything under torture, true or false.

U.S. Soldiers Stage Mutiny, Refuse Orders in Iraq

An army unit committed mutiny and refused to carry out orders in Iraq.

Fuel standards will force lighter autos (AP)

AP - The energy bill President Bush signed last week mandating tougher fuel-economy standards sent a simple message to automakers: lighten up.

Northern Rock board eyes internal rescue: report (Reuters)

Reuters - The board of Northern Rock is
considering mounting a rescue plan to save the ailing British
bank from nationalisation or takeover, the Sunday Times
reported.

Fixed-income investing beyond the bank

Interest rates are down and may go down more. That’s not so hot if you want to buy bonds or put money in the bank. So where’s the best place to put your fixed-income holdings?

The FDA's handling of proposed cancer drug defies compassion

On Dec. 13, a trio of bipartisan Congressmen penned a letter calling for an investigation into the FDA's handling recently of a drug that was denied approval for terminal prostate cancer patients. The letter raises serious questions concerning unethical behavior at the FDA and should infuriate every American.

Mortgage Crisis Forces Big Cuts at WaMu

Mortgage Woes Force WaMu to Close Offices, Slash Over 3,100 Jobs and Drop Subprime Loans

Obama says he’d possibly appoint Arnold to his cabinet

I'm not sure what I think about this.

Goldman's Blankfein gets $67.9 million bonus (Reuters)

Reuters - Goldman Sachs Group's board of
directors awarded a $67.9 million bonus to Chairman and Chief
Executive Lloyd Blankfein for 2007, according to a filing with
regulators.

Person-to-person lending online picks up

Colin Nash, 35, was struggling with $12,000 in credit card debt late last year. Meanwhile, Michael Fisher, 24, was looking for a new investment. So, Fisher loaned Nash $200.

10 tips on tipping: Who gets how much?

Have you ever felt unsure whether you really should be tipping someone at the end of the calendar year? Here are 10 tips on who should get how much.

Leno, O'Brien Return Without Writers

Leno, O'Brien Coming Back to Late Night _ but Without Writers, the Jokes Are on Them

Sponge Bob, Dora the Explorer... & Sex Ed?

Nickelodeon considers sex special after Jamie Lynn Spears announces pregnancy.

How to Go Ivy League -- for Free

Yale University allows free access to select undergraduate courses.

Is Murdoch Already Chipping Away at 'WSJ' Independence?

No one will be surprised when Rupert Murdoch starts meddling with the editorial machinery of The Wall Street Journal, despite a formal agreement to preserve its independence. But is he doing it already?

25 Things You Should Never Include on a Resume

If you've been turned down for position after position, you could be getting desperate and may want to shake things up a bit so that your résumé will stand out from the piles of others stacked quietly in HR. Before you decide to get too creative, there are some rules to résumé etiquette that you should follow. Read below for 25...

Dodd's filibuster threat scuttles telco immunity, for now

Sen. Chris Dodd succeeded in preventing the Senate from granting broad legal immunity to telecommunications companies that helped the NSA warrantlessly wiretap Americans. After nearly 10 hours of debate Monday, the Senate decided to forgo a vote on a FISA update until next year, under the threat of Dodd's filibuster.

Snow: ‘The 2nd War In This Country’ Is ‘War On God'

Last Friday in an address to the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University, former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow launched a rhetorical broadside against college faculties in America and mourned this nation’s “war on God.”

Chris Dodd Does It. Reid pulls Telecom Immunity bill

In his closing speech Dodd vowed to filibuster again in January if telecom amnesty is still part of the FISA legislation. This speech should be watched by every student, every member of Congress as well as all Americans who value their civil liberties.

$1,100 in Christmas Money Flies Away

Police ask residents to return an elderly woman's Christmas money.

Don't Get Drunk, Get a Raise!

Holiday office parties are a great place to get a new job.

10 Things Christians and Atheists Can (And Must) Agree On

The war that is coming between the fundamentalist Christians and the hard core Atheists might not be the most violent of the holy wars. But it has the potential to be the most annoying.

Bushco planned domestic surveillance from the beginning!

Within two weeks of taking office, the Bush administration was planning a comprehensive effort of spying on Americans’ phone usage. Gee, let me see, wasn't that before 9-11?

Inflation hottest in two years, output solid (Reuters)

Reuters - Consumer prices rose the most in
more than two years in November as energy costs surged and a
host of other prices marched higher, damping prospects of
further interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

Auto Insurance … for Your Pet?

One insurer is offering up to $500 if a dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car cras

Wall St indexes fall as inflation worries weigh (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks swooned on Friday on concerns
that surging inflation may prevent the Federal Reserve from
lowering interest rates enough to pull the economy out of the
grip of a housing and credit crisis.

Senate Energy Bill blocked by Republicans, Again

On the bright side, Senator Reid has promised to "eliminate the tax title" and hopes to get the revised bill approved later today. Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky predicted the revised bill would be approved with wide bipartisan support. This will mark the first mandatory increase in fuel efficiency in the U.S. in decades.

It's not too late to nurture that nest egg

In a perfect world, every 40- or 50-something would have a tidy nest egg. But in real life, other financial priorities often come first. But now's the time to buckle down.

KBR Gang Rape Was Not An Isolated Case Of Sexual Assault

"There’s something you can do. We do not think this is an isolated case of sexual assault against American citizens in Baghdad by coworkers. We want the other victims to notify my office immediately."

Should I sell my house now — or wait?

The housing market seems likely to get worse before it gets better. That has some would-be sellers wondering should I sell my house now, before things get worse?

Senate Panel agrees to hold Rove in contempt

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to hold two top aides to President Bush in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate in its probe of fired federal prosecutors.

Forget bingo! 80 is the new 30

With Americans living longer, a growing number of people are embarking on entrepreneurial second careers ?well into their 80s. For many, running a company has become the new retirement.

Crude Fears: Oil Skyrockets Today

The price of crude jumped a shocking $4.37 today to close at $94.39 a barrel.

Christmas Shopping...Debt Free?

It's about that time again, and Christmas is rapidly approaching. What are you going to buy your loved ones? Don't disappoint them, once again, with that pair of hand stiched socks. Instead, throw down your best buy card and buy that special someone that big screen they really want. Wait! Noooo, don't you dare touch that plastic. You charge that gift now, you will be paying for it all year long. Just long enough to get into next Christmas. You will never be debt free if you continually succumb to the urge of the plastic gods. If this sounds like you, year after year, I highly suggest you read the article Debt Free Christmas Shopping.

How to ensure your children grow up debt free!

In a world which seems to be enamored by the almighty dollar, there is a small void of people who seem to step above the norm, and actually manage to stay out of debt. This is especially interesting for our youth. American's, on average spend more than they make. They have little or no savngs. Our service economy ways are taking over, and we are slowly losing control of our own country. I recently found an article on Debt Free Kids which I would like to share with you. Browse through it and let me know what you think. This is an important issue which needs to be tackled head on, and resources like this should become commonplace in today's capitalistic society.

finance, credit, loans, financial freedom, finance guide, business loans

A Luxury Car With a Compact Price

Buyers can find bargains even in the luxury car category.

On Sept 10th 2001 The Pentagon Misplaced 2 Trillion Dollars

"According to some estimates we cannot track $2.3 trillion in transactions," Rumsfeld admitted.$2.3 trillion — that's $8,000 for every man, woman and child in America. To understand how the Pentagon can lose track of trillions, consider the case of one military accountant who tried to find out what happened to a mere $300 million.

TIME Magazine's 50 Top 10 Lists for 2007

A yearbook of all the top events you've been talking about, from News to Science to Arts/Entertainment to Businesses/Tech to Sports to Pop Culture. You name it -- it's here.