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Dec. 11, 2006 Housing Prices and Insurance: Its no secret that the California housing market is in free fall, as it is in many other parts of the country (with St. Louis being a noticeable exception). Moreover, foreclosures are way up, due to loans made to first-time homebuyers, many of whom were given liberal terms for downpayments, provided 100% financing and worse, in a large number of cases, never had to provide proof of income! Moreover, it is costing more to insure homes, and some owners are finding that their policies are being replaced with those offering less coverage, or being eliminated altogether. Premium hikes of 20 to 100% are the norm. Most of these hikes are based on data provided by a firm called Risk Management Solutions. According to one source, this firm’s database “contains mathematical models of every U.S. disaster from the 1812 earthquake in St. Louis to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York, as well as 100,000 synthesized ‘extreme events’,” which would include a levee disaster in California, or even a tornado somewhere like San Francisco. (Don’t laugh—one year there were more tornadoes in Fresno, California than anywhere else in the U.S.) With the way the world’s climate is changing, one can expect to see uncommon weather occurrences and even higher insurance premiums. California, however has managed to get three major insurers to lower their rates by 11-22%, and like the petroleum industry, government agencies are investigating whether or not the insurance companies are making excessive profits. AllState is seeking a 22% rate increase. (Source: The Contra Costa Times) Hart To Heart: While a member of the bipartisan National Security Commission in 1998, Gary Hart warned that America was vulnerable to a terrorist attack. At the time, no one was listening—not even the media. Hart contends the attacks of 9/11 could have been averted, but offers nothing to support his claim. Cheney of Fools: Looks like Donald Rumsfield resigned in the nick of time. NOW he admits that a policy he and John Rendon helped create is faulty, writing “In my view, it is time for a major adjustment.” Nothing like hindsight, eh? And the bipartisan Iraq Study Group has concluded that our commitment to Iraq should not be open-ended; that the U.S. should undertake a serious diplomatic effort with Iran and Syria (as Colin Powell suggested and was laughed at). Somehow, all this warm and fuzzy bipartisanship will make for clever soundbites and whatnot, but look for it to be “business as usual” in 2007 and beyond. Folks, we are in the Middle East to stay. Poor Suburban Me: The Brookings Institute has released a report indicating that the overall poverty rate is higher in the suburbs than in America’s cities. They attribute this neo-poverty to the regionalizing of metropolitan economies, more people leaving the cities for the suburbs, the suburbs becoming more racially diverse and the recent influx of immigrants, who are eschewing the cities. The poverty level, as defined by the federal government, is an income lower than $15,577 for a family of three. Crank Up The Volume: While the crack epidemic in black communities seems to be stabilizing, and even dropping, methamphetamine is a major problem in the suburbs. In Antioch, Ca (just a stone’s throw from where I live), there were 5 times as many meth lab busts as there were in all of Alameda County! Meth has an equally euphoric and longer-lasting effects, and crystal meth—imported primarily from Mexico—is “On average twice that of home-cooked meth.” (Parade Magazine) NFL Playoff Picture: With the topsy-turvy nature of the NFL’s playoff hunt, predicting the playoff picture is a crapshoot at best. So I’m just going to cross my fingers and wish for a San Diego-New Orleans Super Bowl match-up. Drew Brees Vs, his old team, the Chargers. Imagine, Reggie Bush, Sean Merriman, Philip “Thank you, Eli for opting for New York” Rivers and LaDanian Tomlinson…this would have all the makings of a classic. What I don’t want to see is Seattle or Chicago squatting off against New England. A real snoozer, that match-up. Old Timer’s Diss-Ease: Twenty-five years ago today, Muhammad Ali—against the wishes of his wife and mother—took a $6-million pummeling at the hands of Trevor Berbick. The latter never lived to “celebrate” this anniversary over a washed up Ali, as he was brutally murdered several months ago. Meanwhile, 62-year old Joe Frazier again “fought” a three-round exhibition with the 66-year old Memphis Mayor, Willie Herenten. The bout raised money for the local drug court, which serves as an alternative to incarceration. . While each of the three rounds was but a minute, it was three minutes too long, as the sight of Frazier’s flabby midriff and C-cup man-breasts would have gagged Bea Arthur. Speaking of old folks…”Sixty Minutes” is being criticized on some fronts for airing Ed Bradley’s slanted report on the prosecutor in the Duke rape case. The case should go to trial this spring, and hopefully the truth will come out. Still, I’m willing to bet guilty or not guilty, the accused walk. Oh, ‘Bama: Barack Obama should not run for the presidency—at least, not in 2008, He is a one-term Senator whose lack of an extensive track record is an obvious detriment. If he’s bucking for the number two slot on the ticket, I don’t see him getting it. I still think the Dems will opt for Bill Richardson, Sources:: Peter G. Gosselin, “Risk to coastal homeowners affects rates,” The Contra Costa Times, December 10, 2006 Dotson Rader, “How Could We Not Have Known,” Parade Magazine, December 10, 2006, Pp. 4-5 ------------ About the author: Timothy N. Stelly, Sr. is a 46-year old poet, novelist and aspiring screenwriter who resides in northern California with his three youngest children--Lawrence, Kimberly and Dante. He is a member of various writer's groups and has three novels in print, his most recent, "Like A Straight-Up Sucka," is available at www.lulu.com. website: http://stellbreadO@tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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