| Billy Payne Interview
Editor's Note: On the eve of the 2007 Masters Tournament, new Augusta National chairman Billy Payne sat down with the media and discussed his role with the year's first major and one of America's most exclusive golf clubs. In this interview, Payne exhibits Southern charm and a fine sense of humor. CHAIRMAN PAYNE: Good afternoon, and welcome once again to the 2007 Masters Tournament. First, I want to say congratulations to the honorees of the inaugural Masters Major Achievement Award which we presented an hour or so ago, and to say once again, their contributions to the Masters have truly been instrumental to our success, and it was our sincere honor and privilege to salute them. After many years here on the stage, I am obviously not accustomed to sitting here in this middle seat, but I promise, today and always, to do my very best to meet the example of integrity, honor, and respect set by my predecessors.
Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Four Ways to Play Iran
Pop Quiz! Are you a loyal "Mad Money" viewer? Take TheStreet.com's new "Mad Money" culture quiz to see how much of the show you caught last week or just to immerse yourself in Cramer's nonfinancial madness. Click here for an archive of Cramer's "Mad Money" recaps. Recent geopolitical tensions with Iran have gotten Jim Cramer thinking about how people should prepare their portfolios for "doomsday." Cramer laid out his "Iran Awry Portfolio" on Monday's "Mad Money" TV show, complete with four investment ideas -- a mix of defense, oil, gold and cash plays -- to prepare viewers for the worst should troubles escalate in that nation. The first stock Cramer wants people to get into in case things go awry in Iran is Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr).
The Dales move antiques into the digital age
ABERDEEN, Ohio -- Rodney and Barbara Dale have been dealing in antiques for more than 30 years and during that time they've moved their share of antique crocks, depression glass, childrens' toys and a multitude of other items through their business.Even though the merchandise they sell may be antiquated, their methods of selling it include modern day technology through eBay and good, old-fashioned face to face selling with dealers and customers at flea markets and antique shows.Their knowledge of what they buy and sell is extensive and informative. They can tell you the difference between clay crocks produced in Maysville and Charleston Bottoms and those produced in Pennsylvania; what qualifies as superior cut glass serving pieces and then move on to an explanation of blue and white granite enamel ware and why it so desirable on the marketplace."It's all interesting, some things I like better than others," Rodney said."Condition is everything, if you have a toy in its original box, it makes it so much better," Barbara said.The couple admits they're big fans of items that were either produced in Maysville or made for local businesses to sell as part of their merchandise line.
Why Halliburton's Move to Dubai Makes Cents
Blake Morphis submits: In a recent press release Halliburton (HAL) has announced that they will move their corporate headquarters to Dubai. Dubai is pro free markets and is rapidly becoming a booming area for Western businesses to take interest in. In terms of oil, Dubai is a prime location that can also offer substantial corporate tax savings for businesses. Let's take a look at a few of the pros and cons of this move and recap some of the key points that Jim Cramer said on Mad Money and key points made by Eric Bolling and Tim Strazzini made on CNBC's Fast Money show (both shows aired on 3-12-07). Pros: Dubai is the future center for oil. Analysts predict Middle East global oil production to continue to increase while production will continue decrease in United States.
Finding a decent place to stay
The speaker: a 17-year-old girl. The topic: pornography. She was quoted in a recent AP story about the rising number of kids being exposed to graphic sexual images online. In the February issue of Pediatrics, researchers at the University of New Hampshire report that 42 percent of Internet users aged 10 to 17 had seen online porn over the course of a year. The London School of Economics estimates that nine out of 10 children who go online will, at some point, be exposed to hardcore porn. (Mom and Dad, if you don't have a filter, get one now. I recommend the excellent, affordable, easy-to-use filter from www.BSafe.com. It takes only a few minutes and a few keystrokes to download.) In our 24-hour, Internet-laced, interconnected world, it seems as if it would be easier to list the places you won't encounter pornography.
Sacramento Fire District Settles Sexual Dispute for $550000
Apr. 5--The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District is paying $550,000 in public money to a former employee to settle a dispute in which she accused more than a dozen firefighters -- including five supervisors -- of sexual harassment and alleged she was sexually assaulted by two of them. The two men accused of assaulting the woman denied her allegations. No charges were filed against any district employees, and no criminal investigation ever took place. However, several of the firefighters accused of sexual harassment and misconduct admitted to an internal investigator that they had consensual sex with the woman while on duty, including in a bathroom at the district's fleet office and a conference room at the Hurley Way headquarters, according to district documents obtained by The Bee.
Many CBOT traders like the local connection
While Chicago Board of Trade directors have indefinitely postponed a vote on the exchanges future, many traders have made up their minds. They see more value in marrying the girl next door. Merger rivals Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange are wooing CBOT shareholders. While ICE has made the sweeter bid by nearly $1 billion, no one understands future value like futures traders. The Merc has a better future strategy, said Michael Hill, a CBOT seat owner. Looking at the long-term, two years down the road, the Merc is a better bet. However, in the short-term money talks. CBOT seat holder Francis Wisnieski noted most traders arent going to sell their stock so an extra $10 (per share) on the ICEs bid will not benefit us that much.
Reality hits some after TV spotlight
For every Guy Sebastian there's a Casey Donovan and every Jamie Brooksby can be countered with a Ben Williams or Peter Corbett. It's no secret that fame can be found with a few months, even weeks, in front of a TV camera. But whether it be a singing contest or simply subjecting themselves to the gaze of millions in a human fishbowl such as the Big Brother house, the reality of winning a reality TV show can vary from outstanding to absolute obscurity. As the final of Australia's Next Top Model series three and The Biggest Loser 2 approach and new series of Australian Idol and Big Brother loom, what do the bright-eyed participants not guaranteed a cent from their involvement have to look forward to? With model-like looks and not much to say, Perth personal trainer Jamie Brooksby won last year's Big Brother and joked he would spend his $426,000 prize money on a solid gold house and a rocket car.
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