Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending - New York Times

September 30, 1999

Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending - New York Times

In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders...

''Fannie Mae has expanded home ownership for millions of families in the 1990's by reducing down payment requirements,'' said Franklin D. Raines, Fannie Mae's chairman and chief executive officer. ''Yet there remain too many borrowers whose credit is just a notch below what our underwriting has required who have been relegated to paying significantly higher mortgage rates in the so-called subprime market.''

Clearly, it is all George Bush' fault.

Quote of the Day

Politics | | Seattle Times Newspaper

"I get why she's hot out there, why she's doing well."

...described Palin's appeal by adding, "People look at her, and they say, 'All those kids. Something that happens in everybody's family. I'm glad she loves her daughter and she's not ashamed of her. Glad that girl's going around with her boyfriend. Glad they're going to get married.'"

...voters would think, "I like that little Down syndrome kid. One of them lives down the street. They're wonderful children. They're wonderful people. And I like the idea that this guy does those long-distance races. Stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm. My kind of guy."

Palin, the governor of Alaska, became an overnight star when Republican presidential candidate John McCain tapped her for his running mate. Her family, including her Down syndrome baby, Trig, her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, and her husband, Todd, four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, have garnered intense media interest.

"I get this... My view is ... why say, ever, anything bad about a person? Why don't we like them and celebrate them and be happy for her elevation to the ticket? And just say that she was a good choice for him and we disagree with them?"

- Bill Clinton

Washington Post Asserts the Washington Post is not a credible source!

From: JohnMcCain.com - McCain-Palin 2008

Washington Post Attacks Washington Post

The Washington Post's Michael Dobbs fact checks the ad this campaign released yesterday titled "Advice":

So what evidence does the McCain campaign have for the supposed Obama-Raines connection? It is pretty flimsy, but it is not made up completely out of whole cloth.

Pretty flimsy? As Dobbs goes on to say, that "pretty flimsy" source is his own paper, the Washington Post. The Post reported that Raines had "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters." It then recycled that information into two more pieces, one of which was an editorial. But we're willing to make a deal. If Dobbs admits his newspaper is not a credible source, we'll take down the ad.

Obama, Biden voted for Bridge to Nowhere Twice

Bridge Politics by Phil Kerpen on NRO Financial

McCain voted against the bill once, missing the second vote. Obama and Biden voted for it twice.

They are calling Palin a "liar" about her claim of killing the bridge, but they should tread carefully. The bill they voted for (twice) that earmarked monies for the bridge was in fact, and surprisingly, killed by Palin upon becoming governor of Alaska.

So the facts are plain. When it mattered, Gov. Palin stood up to Sen. Stevens and dealt the Bridge to Nowhere its death blow. This is something the U.S. Congress and senators Obama and Biden failed to do on multiple occasions.

And while it’s true that John McCain, unlike his running mate, has always opposed pork-barrel earmarks, Sarah Palin, unlike Obama and Biden, did the right thing when it counted most and stopped an egregious example of earmark abuse. And now, of course, Palin has joined McCain in calling for an end to earmarks.

Isn’t it better to come around to the right position than to keep on being wrong?

Community Organizer FAQ

IMAO: Community Organizer FAQ

Finally, a clear and concise explanation of what a "Community Organizer" is.

Sarah Palin?

Althouse: So what did you think of Sarah Palin?:

"From now on, when a Democrat says 'But what if McCain drops dead on his first day in office?!?!?!' I'm going to say 'dude -- don't tease me like that.'"

Until Today...

I had completely given up on the Republican Party. Wouldn't send them a dime and sent all the requests for campaign contributions disguised as surveys back with scribbles all over them demanding:

Build the Wall
Drill Now, Now, Now
Stand for Something
Stop telling me to forget Reagan
Kick Mel Martinez out of the party

I love the Sarah Palin choice. Love it. Read up on her attacking the corruption of the Alaskan Republicans, pro-energy policies, refusing to abort a Downes baby. She is a brilliant choice.

Just went to www.johnmccain.com and donated.

Our Next Vice President?

America in the World -- A Brit's View

America in the World

Cool site by a group of conservative British who are tired of rampant anti-Americanism in their backyard. One of the posts is about the British ignorance of America. I added this to the comments:

As an American (U.S. persuasion) , I love you Brits and what you taught us about responsibility in the world. I have been fortunate to spend many months in England and enjoyed traveling to Wales and Scotland.

I have enjoyed all the lectures about my ignorance, our bad beer, and our guns. I have laughed when Budweiser became a craze in London, or in the midst of being lectured on my ignorance been asked how close Las Vegas was to my home of Orlando. (5 hour plane ride! Why that's as far away as Moscow!) I love you when you tell me the U.S. is bloodthirsty then get to tour London and see all the statues of the great British warriors. Bloody indeed.

I enjoy your country immensely. But do not want mine to be like yours. I love our big houses in the suburbs with 3 car garages, our boats, our snowmobiles, our big pickup trucks and SUVs. Our hunting rifles and our handguns. Not to mention our unbelievable national parks, rivers lakes, two oceans and the gulf of Mexico.

I love the idea that many Americans (pre 9/11) could live a fabulous life and never use a passport. There is so much diversity in the U.S. Plus we could travel to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands with just a drivers license for ID.

Most of all, I appreciate the UK for doing all the heavy lifting of creating the "Anglo sphere." That great group of sane countries that keeps fighting the good fight while maintaining a positive outlook and a good sense of humor. We Brits, Yanks, and Aussies are all different and all alike. And frankly would be surprised if we showed up at a crisis and didn't see each other doing their share of the work.

USRobotics Support: USR9610 USB Internet Speakerphone - 9610

USRobotics Support: USR9610 USB Internet Speakerphone - 9610

I recently wooted for three of these USRobotics Skype certified speakerphones. They were $5 each during a woot-off. I just pulled one out, plugged it into my laptop, and it instantly worked with Skype. We will use one in the office for conference calls with out locations. The sound was nice and clear and the microphone seemed to work very well. Very impressive for just $5 and is the best way to make free conference calls.

The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments

The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments

The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments, written by Robert Brent and illustrated by Harry Lazarus, was a book published in the 1960s that was intended to explain to kids how they could set up a home chemistry lab and conduct simple experiments. Supposedly only 126 copies of this book exist in libraries worldwide. Sometimes you can find a copy on eBay for around $600-$700. You can read the book online in pdf format, for free. Alternatively, you can download the pdf of the book to save on your computer or print.

Why isn't it still in print? Well.... there were some concerns about safety. Here's an excerpt from the text:

Test hydrogen for purity by collecting a test tube full of it and bringing a lighted match to mouth of tube, as shown on page 25. Hydrogen mixed with air explodes with a sharp "bark". Pure hydrogen burns with a quiet "pop".

Fun.

Olympic Logo

Dear Lord Let This Come to Pass

Jeering what they should applaud | Herald Sun Andrew Bolt Blog:

From the comments section of the Australian Herald Sun:

"It is proven that all socialist powers fall 9 years after hosting an Olympiad. Despite any misgivings at the time....

It is written in the destruction of socialist destiny that Commie China will fall in 2017; 9 years after hosting the Olympics.

National Socialist Germany fell in 1945; 9 years after the ‘36 Olympics.

Socialist Soviet Union’s rotten murderous core collapsed in 89… NINE years after the Moscow Olympics.

You read it here foist.

I nominate NKorea for next Olympics. Then Cuba. Then Sydney, again; just to clean house."

Finally, I am officially delighted that China is hosting the Olympics.

Internet Fax to Email, Long Distance Service - Packetel

Internet Fax to Email, Long Distance Service - Packetel

Incoming fax service $3.95 per month.

Obama the Chosen One

Heh

Google Maps

Google Maps


View Larger Map

David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Byrne and Eno are releasing a new album together for the first time since 1981. It will only be sold through their website.

Google Calendar

School Grades

State School Grade Database

No comment necessary.

Cypress Creek Senior High School

ORANGE COUNTY

Charter School?: NO
Poverty Rate: 47%
Percent Minority: 82%

School Grades

---

2008: D 2007: D 2006: C 2005: C 2004: D

2003: C 2002: C 2001: C 2000: C 1999: C

[+] Show test score details for this school

Test Score Details

---

Percent Meeting High Standards in Reading: 48%
Percent Meeting High Standards in Math: 73%
Percent Meeting High Standards in Writing: 74%
Percent Meeting High Standards in Science: 43%
Percent Making Reading Gains: 54%
Percent Making Math Gains: 75%
Percent of Lowest 25% Making Learning Gains in Reading: 42%
Percent of Lowest 25% Making Learning Gains in Math: 61%

Dr. Phillips High School

ORANGE COUNTY

Charter School?: NO
Poverty Rate: 28%
Percent Minority: 58%

School Grades

---

2008: A 2007: B 2006: B 2005: B 2004: C

2003: B 2002: C 2001: A 2000: C 1999: C

[+] Show test score details for this school

Winter Park High School

ORANGE COUNTY

Charter School?: NO
Poverty Rate: 23%
Percent Minority: 39%

School Grades

---

2008: A 2007: B 2006: B 2005: A 2004: A

2003: A 2002: A 2001: A 2000: B 1999: A

[+] Show test score details for this school

Excerpt from Hoover's Diary

5:30 am - Mom woke up and I followed her to the office. My favorite thing!
6:30 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
7:15 am - A walk around the block! My favorite thing!
8:30 am - Nap with mom in her office. My favorite thing!
9:40 am - Gave mom a duck! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
11:00 am - Nap time in the laundry room! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Mom came home! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Got the mail at the mailbox! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
6:30 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Watched family eat at the table! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Went swimming! My favorite thing!
9:00 pm - Walk! My favorite thing!
9:10 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
9:30 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:30 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!"

Interactive Periodic Table

Dynamic Periodic Table

Our Electric Future — The American, A Magazine of Ideas

Our Electric Future — The American, A Magazine of Ideas

Why Use Firefox?

Flashblock :: Firefox Add-ons

Two great add-ons make Firefox the best way to surf.

One is Flashblock 1.5.6

Flashblock is an extension for the Mozilla, Firefox, and Netscape browsers that takes a pessimistic approach to dealing with Macromedia Flash content on a webpage and blocks ALL Flash content from loading. It then leaves placeholders on the webpage that allow you to click to download and then view the Flash content.

Flashblock currently blocks the following content types:
* Macromedia Flash
* Macromedia Shockwave
* Macromedia Authorware

Flash can really slow you down, or worse automatically play noise and video when you arrive at a page. This kills everything. If you want to have flash play on your favorite pages you can "whitelist" those pages to allow flash to play.

The other is Adblock Plus 0.7.5.5 which blocks banners and all sorts of ads including pop-ups, scrolling ads, etc.

Both are essential.

National Hurricane Center

National Hurricane Center

Bertha heading to Bermuda. Thanks Bermuda!

"It's never been a dull moment since I married him."

Man Flies To Idaho … In Lawn Chair, With A Lawn Chair, A Dream And Lots Of Balloons, Kent Couch Successfully Flies From Oregon To Idaho - CBS News:

Couch's wife, Susan, called him crazy: "It's never been a dull moment since I married him."

Couch covered about 235 miles in about nine hours after lifting off at dawn from his gas station riding in a green lawn chair rigged with an array of more than 150 giant party balloons.