Archive for the ‘Charitable Causes’ Category

State and national jobs numbers issued Thursday were a combination of bad news and not-as-bad news.

Georgia’s jobless rate jumped to 9.3 percent in February, up from a revised 8.5 percent the previous month, the state Labor Department said Thursday.

The state shed 189,800 jobs during the month, cutting the job base by 4.6 percent from February 2008, the agency said.

And yet, national jobless claims hinted at a possible bottom to the bad news: 646,000 laid-off people filed for unemployment benefits last week. That’s not good, but a month ago, that figure hit 670,000. It hasn’t fallen much, but it hasn’t returned to that peak.

Metro Atlanta accounted for the bulk of the state’s job losses, with the region’s payrolls shrinking by 111,300 jobs. On a percentage basis, the Dalton area in northwest Georgia saw the biggest decline in payrolls, losing 6,000 jobs, or 7.9 percent from a year ago.

I would like to take a moment to thank the asshats in Congress who keep voting for all the bailouts and other socialist economic plans and blindly following President Obama down that path for making this worse than it really had to be.

Have you lost your job?

On Saturday, March 21, individuals who have recently lost their jobs are invited to visit a FranklinCovey store nationwide to receive a free 2009 Franklin Planner.

FranklinCovey knows that getting organized for a job search can ultimately save much time and frustration. Having one place to track all information, contacts, appointments, job leads, and interview notes can make a job search less stressful and more productive. Planning and organization are an integral component of a job search. FranklinCovey products and tools can bring focus, direction, and a sense of purpose to an individual’s daily decisions and can help lesson the panic that surrounds a job loss. Capturing details and committing them to the planner will free up the job searcher’s mind, reducing the stress associated with juggling lots of details. Sarah Merz, CEO of FranklinCovey Products, said this is FranklinCovey’s way of helping out in a tough economy. This free FranklinCovey product event is a natural extension of the company’s corporate philosophy to help people achieve everyday greatness.

To receive a free planner, visit a FranklinCovey store this Saturday, March 21. Individuals recently unemployed can receive a 2009 Franklin Planner for free by providing the names of their last employer and supervisor, and the date they were laid off.

Head on over to FranklinCovey and they’ll hook you up. I would go pick one up, but it’s not worth driving for an hour to get one. If there was a FranklinCovey store near me, I would jump at the chance.

Hat Tip: The Consumerist.

$60 billion in losses. I think it’s safe to say there is no business at AIG. It’s time to cut our losses. Instead, however, the President will make sure he exercises ‘fiscal responsibility’ and give them another handout. Just watch.

American International Group Inc (AIG.N) and the U.S. government are engaged in talks, as the troubled U.S. insurer faces massive losses due to writedowns on commercial real estate and other assets, according to a source and CNBC report on Monday.

AIG, once the world’s largest insurer, is expected to post a loss of nearly $60 billion on Monday, when it reports its results, CNBC reported citing unnamed sources close to the company.

With President Obama’s signing of the Craptastic Stimulus Bill today, I have no doubt that GM and Chrysler will get exactly what they ask for, although they should get exactly what’s coming to them instead.

General Motors Corp. said it needs as much as $16.6 billion in new U.S. loans, more than doubling the aid to date, and must get some of the cash next month to survive. GM plans 47,000 more job cuts worldwide this year.

Chrysler LLC, propped up like GM with federal assistance, said it’s seeking $5 billion more from the government and will shed 3,000 more positions.

I’m sorry, but should we be feeling something after reading this?

Kenneth Lewis, Chief Executive of Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), has recommended to his board of directors that he not receive a bonus for 2008, news reports said on Tuesday.

Lewis is among the many Wall Street chief executives that are not receiving bonuses amid heavy losses for the industry, share price plunges and government rescues.

So what does this mean? I’m pretty sure he didn’t pass on the bonus for the sake of the company. In fact, my bet it was 100% for public image.

What are you using your stimulus money for?

Eight in 10 Americans believe that the government’s $110 billion effort to help consumers will not boost the economy, according to a poll released Friday.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted April 28-30 found that 82% of Americans believe the stimulus package will fall short – compared to 70% in February.

Me? I am getting some much needed dental work done, for myself and the kids. I got my stimulus money today, and our appointments aren’t for nearly three weeks, but I bet I still spend mine faster than you do.

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You know there is a problem in management that outweighs the whole subprime mortgage fiasco when you go from an $0.86 per share profit to a $1.40 per share loss in one year.

Washington Mutual Inc (WM.N), the largest U.S. savings and loan, posted a $1.14 billion first-quarter loss on Tuesday, hurt by mounting credit losses as more mortgage borrowers fall behind on payments.

The Seattle-based thrift also unexpectedly announced the resignation of Mary Pugh, a director who chaired its finance committee. Several shareholder advisory services had called on shareholders to withhold votes from one or more directors, including Pugh and James Stever. The latter leads the human resources committee, which sets executive compensation.

WaMu, as the thrift is known, said the quarterly loss equaled $1.40 per share, and compared with a year-earlier profit of $784 million, or 86 cents.

I am surprised more board members didn’t get squeezed out before this. Of course, it’s all good because WaMu just got that nice infusion of cash, remember? Adding $7 billion from investors should help them steady the ship, shouldn’t it?

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Haven’t the people of Louisiana suffered enough?

Microsoft Corp. is working with state officials in Louisiana to offer Windows and Office software free for a year to small businesses still feeling the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Microsoft on Monday unveiled a new program, called the Software License Relief Program, in conjunction with the 2007 Hope & Recovery Summit, which is commemorating the second anniversary of both storms. Microsoft is working with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) to offer the program, which will launch next month and gives eligible small businesses access to software from Microsoft, including Windows and Office, free of charge for a year.

All kidding aside, it’s nice of Microsoft to offer the relief program for those businesses that qualify.