Personal Money Store

Is the five second rule giving way to a zero second rule?

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:39:49 +0000

If you're going to pick up that fallen food, consider whether these guys are hitching a ride. (Photo Credit: Greg Williams/Wikipedia/CC BY-SA)

We all know that it's important not to waste food. According to Wikipedia, wasted food (raw or cooked) costs the U.K. £10.2 billion annually ($ 15.5 billion). In the United States, 15 percent of all edible food ends up untouched or unopened, which amounts to $43 billion in waste. You'd think the five second rule – where dropped food is assumed to be fit to eat so long as it's scooped off the floor in less than five seconds – would be encouraged by economists. Yet the Chicago Tribune reports that food scientists such as Paul Dawson of Clemson University assert that the five second rule should be discarded along with the pallets of food many restaurants and grocery stores see fit to throw away rather than donate to homeless shelters.

The five second rule should be a zero second rule, says Dawson

Considering that salmonella and other bacteria can live for up to four weeks on dry surfaces and instantly contaminate food on contact, perhaps Dawson is on to something. Yet Connecticut College student researchers claim that their experiments with apple slices and Skittles candies on the floor of a collegiate dining hall prove the five second rule's merit. Apparently the apple slices only showed infection after a one minute, while the Skittles took nearly five minutes to become infected. Another student collegiate study performed at the University of Maine showed that the five second rule could reduce food waste and improve child immune systems. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Is the five second rule giving way to a zero second rule?"

America owes North Korea $65 trillion, says Kim Jong-Il

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:32:33 +0000

What Vladimir Putin (right) may be saying: "I agree, Kim. The Americans do owe you $65 trillion." (Photo: Wikipedia)

Reparations payments have been an inseparable part of post-war recovery for centuries, and now North Korea's Kim Jong-Il wants a piece of the pie. The Australian Broadcasting Company reports that North Korea is demanding – not suggesting; demanding – that the United States pay nearly $65 trillion U.S. in reparations for "six decades of hostility." To be precise, KCNA, the official state-controlled news agency of North Korea, reports that just compensation for the tribulations suffered since the division of the Korean peninsula in 1945 is $64.96 trillion.

What can North Korea buy with $65 trillion?

Perhaps with $65 trillion North Korea will be able to afford better industry, not to mention sensitivity training to help smooth over their issues with human rights violations. While it is difficult to take accurate assessment of North Korea's human rights issues, Wikipedia indicates that Amnesty International has enough data to suggest that major sanctions against North Korea are warranted. The Korean War created a mass refugee exodus and divided Korean families, which in turn led to food shortages. UN troop movement (as well as bombardment) under U.S. leadership allegedly led to the near-collapse of society in North Korea. The nation was not expected to last, yet last it did. The strife of war caused as many as 750,000 divided families according to Korean Studies Review, a problem that continues to haunt that area in modern times. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "America owes North Korea $65 trillion, says Kim Jong-Il"

Orange alligator wandering Florida neighborhoods

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:29:16 +0000

The orange alligator has likely been dyed by some toxin. Image: Flickr / susanad813 / CC-BY-SA

In one Florida neighborhood, an orange alligator is making headlines. Wildlife biologists have been consulted about this new orange alligator. Some are wondering whether the orange color is from a toxin related to recent fish die-offs.

Orange alligator spotted in Florida

In Venice, Fla., the newest resident of a subdivision is turning a lot of heads. An orange alligator is wandering around the subdivision. Many residents have snapped photos of this orange alligator, sharing it on social networking sites. The Florida department of wildlife has also seen pictures of the orange alligator, pictures sent to them by multiple concerned citizens.

Theories about the orange alligator

The orange alligator has raised as many questions as almost any other cryptozoological creature. Unlike the chupacabra, however, the orange alligator is proven to exist. Some biologists believe that it is a semi-albino creature that has a genetic abnormality. The general consensus of the Florida Fish and Wildlife department, however, is that the orange color is not natural. The orange color, they believe, is due to paint, stain, iron oxide or a toxin in the water or natural habitat of the alligator. By swimming through or rolling in the stain or toxin, the alligator could have stained itself orange.

Is the orange alligator related to bird dieoff?

In the last few weeks, birds and fish around the world have been reported as dying off in massive numbers. Toxicology and autopsy reports of these dieoffs are just starting to come in. Theories for the cause include everything from toxins in the environment to fireworks and radio waves. In all likelihood, the orange alligator is not directly linked to these dieoffs. Toxins and poisons, if they are found to be at fault, are likely not the same ones dying the alligator orange. This is a safe conclusion because the fish that have died off are not themselves dyed orange. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Orange alligator wandering Florida neighborhoods"

Next Generation 911 brings needed update to 911 system

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:20:40 +0000

Next Generation 911 will enable people to send 911 emergency texts. (Photo Credit: CC BY/Alton/Wikipedia)

According to the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the United States, texting is a more popular means of communication than telephone calling by a wide margin. The popularity of texting over voice, while considered impersonal by some, has forced business and government to keep pace. CNN reports that soon, people will be able to send emergency texts to 911, thanks to a program the Federal Communications Commission is calling “Next Generation 911.”

Next Generation 911 a bit behind schedule

Texting is not a new invention, which makes one wonder why it has taken so long for the government to institute the technology for such an obvious application as Next Generation 911. Imagine being in your bed with your spouse in the middle of the night. You hear a noise downstairs; someone has broken into your home. You could rush downstairs with a baseball bat or 12 gauge and take your chances – which law enforcement never advises – but you should think of your family. If you need to contact 911, being able to do so silently via texting versus calling so that the intruder can hear you and pinpoint your location is a safer means of alerting the authorities. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Next Generation 911 brings needed update to 911 system"

Celebrate National Pasta Month in style

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:09:24 +0000

Pasta isn't just spaghetti; it comes in a wide variety of flavors, tastes and textures. Image: Flickr / TinyTall / CC-BY-ND

October is National Pasta Month, and there is practically no reason to not celebrate. Pasta take many forms outside of your basic spaghetti, and the harvest months are the perfect time to explore your options. Pasta can be as healthy or indulgent as you want to make it, so use October to try a little of everything.

The history of pasta

Pasta is a food with a very long and international history. In China, a 4,000-year old pasta made from millet was uncovered. In 1874, the word "pasta" was first recorded as being a part of the English language. Wherever the product started, a pasta is generally any grain or flour mixed with water or any variety of ingredients to create a noodle or shaped grain. In America, the most common pastas are Italian-style dried pastas, made of durum wheat flour. Rice and corn pastas are also gaining popularity.

The basics of pasta

When creating a dish with a pasta element, it is important to consider the role the noodle will play. Different types of sauces stick to pasta in different ways, and the various shapes can help it hold on better. Pasta is best cooked by boiling or braising in hot liquid. If a pasta is fresh, it will cook much faster than dried pasta.

Making your own pasta for National Pasta Month

If you feel like trying to make your own pasta, it can be very fast. The best part is, you can make the pasta more flavorful and it takes less money and about the same amount of time to make. Check the bulk or specialty food section of your grocery store for durum wheat flour -- it will be a golden yellow color. Mix 2 cups of flour with two eggs. Knead the mixture on a well-floured board until it comes together in a slightly sticky ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and let it sit for 20 minutes or so. Roll out the pasta, cut it into whatever shapes you desire, and cook for 3-4 minutes in rapidly boiling water. Once you are comfortable making your own pasta, try mixing in fresh diced basil, garlic powder, or even butternut squash paste. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Celebrate National Pasta Month in style"

Marriage, Debt, and the Commingling of Assets

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:19 +0000

Marriage, Money, and Debt

During the course of a marriage, debt is often a major issue between spouses. Prior to tying the knot, most people have developed their own habits of saving money, budgeting, paying bills and spending, in general. While one may balance their accounts daily, another may wait until the end of the week to do so. One person may prefer to have their bill payments automatically debited from their checking account, while the other prefers to mail their payments. These methods of budgeting and spending may have worked fine before marriage, but afterwards, these spending actions may not go over as smoothly.

Unfortunately, misunderstandings about money in marriage lead to frequent arguments and frustrated feelings. In order to avoid such clashes, smart couples engage in discussing and creating realistic plans about how they will manage their marriage, debt and finances. Some even go so far as to create a prenuptial agreement, as well as familiarizing themselves with state and federal laws pertaining to marriage, debt, and the commingling of assets.

Here are a few of the most common concerns about marriage debt, joint finances and assets:

If one spouse had bad debt prior to marriage, does their new spouse become automatically liable for this debt, too?

No. After marriage, debt that a person acquired beforehand is not automatically attached to a new spouse. However, depending upon how finances are handled after marriage, a new spouse can feel the sting of their spouse's former debt. For instance, if couples commingle their assets after marriage, a creditor can attach those assets in an attempt to collect on any premarital debt. Also, the IRS is empowered to place a lien on any refunds due to a person because of unpaid taxes, student loans or other government loans. In cases where a couple has filed a joint tax return, many are surprised to find out that the refund they were expecting is reduced or will not be received at all. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Marriage, Debt, and the Commingling of Assets"

How Do I Apply for a Pay Day Loan?

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:57:43 +0000

How Do I Apply for a Pay Day Loan?

Need money in a Hurry?

Photo from Picasa

Anyone in need of cash in a pinch should consider the option of taking out a pay day loan. If you have never heard of pay day loans before or only have a vague understanding of what they are then you will probably want to investigate the details to decide if they are right for you. There are offline sources for pay day loans, but by far the easiest and quickest way to get one is from a reputable online source. There is no driving to the outlet and waiting in line involved. You just go to your computer and apply online. It is secure, speedy and aggravation-free.

Know the requirements

There are a few requirements in the U.S. to apply for this type of loan, though they are far less than will be required for most other kinds of loans. Firstly, you need to be employed, as implied by the name. You need to have a savings or checking account. You must also be at least 18 years of age and be a U.S. citizen. If you meet these criteria you should be clear to apply for a pay day loan.

How to Apply

Once it has been established that you meet the basic criteria you can go ahead and fill out the application. Your banking information will be among the items needed for the process, so ensure that you are applying on a trusted site with the security lock symbol in the bottom right of the page. Lending websites tend to have quite high online security set in place, as they are dealing with personal information. On the application you will need to include such items as employment information, bank account number, your contact information (possibly one or two references on some sites). ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "How Do I Apply for a Pay Day Loan?"

Bernanke testimony casts pall over economic recovery

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:37:25 +0000

Gold prices falling; Interest rates ready for a hike?

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has been under constant fire since the beginning of the great recession. Some people say he was put into a difficult situation, but still others maintain that his performance has been worthy of scorn. Marketwatch reports that gold prices have fallen for the third straight day, while Reuters reports that the Bernanke testimony has people skittish on jobs and America's economic recovery. Payroll loans should be expected to continue at their current rate as the economy remains uncertain.

Frank McGhee of Integrated Brokerage Services told Reuters that difficulties with the euro have shifted some of gold's value back toward the dollar. Gold bullion, which has generally been seen as safe in tough economic times, is tending to run with riskier markets, which some consider to be a bad sign.

Recovery "not yet sustainable"

Continued low interest rates go along with this, which does little to encourage investors. Bernanke testimony included a promise to Congress that the Federal Reserve will abandon its "ultra-low monetary policy" when there is real recovery, namely by adjusting the rate for lending between banks. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Bernanke testimony casts pall over economic recovery"

Teen drinking may be a problem of the press, not Four Loko

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:35:01 +0000

Four Loko may not be that big a problem because Americans don't actually drink that much. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The recent Four Loko bans make it seem as though underage drinking is an out-of-control problem. Like other social problems, a few incidents in the press can make it seem things are out of hand. However, one has to wonder if the problem is as big as the media make it seem.

Teen drinking is actually not that pervasive

Given the press coverage, especially of the perils of drinking caffeinated alcoholic beverages like Four Loko, aimed at young people, the idea is that teens and college students are all one step away from needing a liver transplant. As it turns out, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 70 percent of "binge drinking" or consuming more than four drinks in a two-hour period, is actually done by people older than 26. The CDC also reports that only 42 percent of high school students surveyed actually drank at all, and only 24 percent engaged in binge drinking. Granted, events like the Central Washington University students being hospitalized are tragic, but young people aren't drinking as heavily as it could be assumed.

Americans are lightweights

According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. is actually cutting back. In a 2004 report on world alcohol consumption, Americans have actually reduced their drinking by almost 10 percent since 1976. Furthermore, Americans drank a modest 8.9 liters of alcohol (pure alcohol consumed, not merely wine or beer or spirits) per annum, compared to the liver destroying 15.15 liters per year in Slovenia. A 2004 report from Kirin Holdings reported American beer consumption is a woeful 81.6 liters per year per person. The Czech Republic, first on the list, drank a Herculean 156 liters per year, and the Irish, second world wide, drink more than 131 liters per year. Bear in mind that most American "beer" is pale, yellow, fizzy and has a flavor that could one day aspire to being labeled pathetic. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Teen drinking may be a problem of the press, not Four Loko"

Online credit card scam stole millions, pennies at a time

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:21 +0000

An online credit card scam using identity theft and fake merchants raked in millions by charging millions of victims pennies at a time. Don Hankins photo.

An online credit card scam that stole millions of dollars, pennies at a time, was halted by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The online credit card scam used fake companies and identity theft to steal small amounts of money that went undetected by consumers or fraud detectors. Over four years, more than a million people were charged anywhere from 25 cents to $9 on their credit cards in an online scam that added up to more than $10 million.

Most scam victims didn't notice

The elaborate online credit card scam operated undetected because scammers made very small charges and set up more than 100 bogus companies to process the transactions. PC World reports that U.S. credit card holders financed most of the scam because about 94 percent of all charges went uncontested by the victims of identity theft. According to the FTC, the scammers charged 1.35 million credit cards a total of $9.5 million, but only 78,724 of these fake charges were ever noticed. Typically they made just one charge per card number to fake business names such as Adele Services or Bartelca LLC. Avivah Litan, an analyst with the Gartner research firm who follows bank fraud, told PC World:

"They know that most of the fraud detection systems won't detect anything under $10 and they know that consumers won't complain about a 20 cent fee. What's different here is the scale, and that they got away with it for so many years." ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Online credit card scam stole millions, pennies at a time"

Woman Dressed as Man Robs Utah Payday Loan Store

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:24:54 +0000

Not your average payday loan store robbery

I have read a lot of stories about payday loan stores being robbed. A striking majority follow exactly the same plot: One or two men with a gun go into payday loan store, demand money, flee with an undisclosed amount of cash, police seek suspects.

Because of changing and improving technology in payday loan store security systems, more suspects are being caught nowadays. But for the most part, the rest of the story remains the same. I've been reading every payday loan store robbery story that comes across my desk since mid-December, and this is the first time I've read a story about a woman robbing a payday loan store.

A man's game

Though the police reported that the person who walked into a Checkline store in Ogden, Utah, and demanded cash was a woman, the robber still dressed as a man. The woman, who approached the Checkline employee from behind as she was opening the store held a black handgun and demanded money from the safe.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

The clerk handed over the money in a plastic bag the robber gave her. The woman left and a witness told police she met a man waiting outside the shop. The pair crossed 21st Street and got into a large, dark-blue sedan, possibly a Lincoln Continental. They drove east on 2100 South, then turned back westbound. The woman is described as being in her mid-20s, average height, stocky, wearing a brown ball cap and dark-blue hooded sweatshirt. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Woman Dressed as Man Robs Utah Payday Loan Store"

The Great American Smokeout 2009

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:19:45 +0000

The 32nd annual Great American Smokeout

It's bad for you (image by flickr)

The American Cancer Society is observing the Great American Smokeout 2009 on Thursday, November 19th. The Great American Smokeout is observed the third Thursday of November, as a day where people are supposed to not smoke the entire day. The event began in the late 70s, and the first Great American Smokeout, or at least the event with that title, was in 1977, in California. Less than 25% of Americans are smokers. The habit is not only bad for you, it's also expensive. Granted, spending less quick cash on the habit isn't the best motivation for people to quit, as the health issue alone is sufficient.

The first event of it's kind was in 1971

Though the first Great American Smokeout, or at least an event given that specific title, was held in 1977, the first observance of it's kind took place in 1971. Arthur Mullaney, of Randolph, Massachusetts, was a guidance counselor at the local high school and thought that if the school got a nickel for every cigarette butt he saw outside, they could send most of the students to college. So he got an idea - get the town to stop smoking for a day, and donate what they would have spent on cigs to the school. (The story is located on the American Cancer Society website.) After getting the idea in the fall of 1970, they held the event the following February. The students raised over $4,000 the first year and kept doing it every year since then. They formed committees to determine who got scholarship funds. A few years later, a similar movement was successful in Minnesota as Lynn Smith, then editor of the Monticello Times, got participating Minnesotans to abstain on D-Day, or Don't Smoke Day. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "The Great American Smokeout 2009"

FICO Announces Damage Guidelines for Credit Mistakes

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:13:24 +0000

We All Make Mistakes

Almost everyone has had blemishes on his or her credit history at some point. In these tough economic times, this is more common than ever. Maybe you have had to let payments slip past 30 days or maxed out a credit card or two to bridge the gap between paychecks. Worse, you may have had to file bankruptcy or been foreclosed on. Whatever the situation, almost everyone has had to live through it, but at what cost?

How much do mistakes cost?

One of the problems many people encounter is that they do not know how bad a credit hit they will take with a given action. For example, people don’t know how much their score will drop if they delay payment for their car or mortgage. They might not know what kind of shape they will be in after a debt settlement in terms of their credit score. To make matters more confusing, it seems like the same mistakes hurt some people more than others. There appears to be no consistency and no way to predict the effects of a given action. Not having clear information makes it difficult for many people to make good decisions during difficult financial situations.

The air has cleared

Finally, FICO has shed some light for the public on just how their credit is affected by common credit mistakes. FICO has recently made public its guidelines for point reductions in credit scores for given offenses: bankruptcy, 30 day late payments, debt settlements, foreclosures, and maxing out credit cards, for example. The formula tends to hurt people with higher scores worse than those with lower scores. For example, if your credit score is 680 a maxed out credit card will cost you between 10 and 30 points. If your score is 780 the damage is between 25 and 45 points. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "FICO Announces Damage Guidelines for Credit Mistakes"

Nick Clegg and Liberal Democrats pressuring Brown and Labour

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:04:49 +0000

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, is causing a stir in the UK. (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

As American politics are experiencing turmoil over conservative and liberal policy clashes, the United Kingdom is having its own crisis as well over mistrust of government. At present, election season is building up and the two main parties, Conservative and Labour, are being challenged by Nick Clegg, current leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, and an MP (Member of Parliament - that's the House of Commons) for Sheffield Hallam. The United Kingdom has troubles of confidence in its leadership, as the Labour Party has been winning fewer seats in the last few years and may need UK payday loans for campaign funds before long.

Isn't Liberal Democrats a tautology?

Political parties work a little different "across the pond." As British Parliament has more than two parties (although we allow the occasional independent), it can get a little more confusing. (Some allege U.S. party registration rules violate monopoly laws.) In a nutshell, Liberal Democrats are a slightly more left party than the majority centrist Labour Party, and have been looking for a cash advance or two for campaigns and for a few more seats.

So how do they relate?

Labour is essentially centrist and slightly liberal, Conservative is center right, and Liberal Democrats are center left. Labour would be equivalent to moderate Democrats and some Republicans, Liberal Democrats would be equivalent to Progressive Democrats (think Dennis Kucinich) and Conservative would be more equivalent to mainstream Republicans. The difference between the US and Britain is that the party that wins the most seats elects a head of the party. Should that party be victorious in an election, the head of the party becomes Prime Minister, and it goes from there. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Nick Clegg and Liberal Democrats pressuring Brown and Labour"

What's the Best Way to Protect Consumers in Need of Debt Relief?

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:51:45 +0000

Should Courts or Executive Branch Agencies Have Final Say?

President Obama's plans for the Consumer Financial Protection Agency could mean that debt relief is closer than ever for the downtrodden. (Photo: flickr.com)

The recession has forced America to face some of its most deep-seated systematic financial troubles. One thing that has become clear is that unscrupulous mortgage lenders and credit card agencies have dined for far too long upon consumers who largely didn't understand that they could hold out for something better. Foreclosure and bankruptcy have amplified the burden on consumers, courts and the economy as a whole tenfold, which makes the question of how debt relief should be handled a more pressing issue that it has been in decades.

Cornell and George Washington Law School Economics lecturer and former professor Dr. Neil Buchanan ponders in a recent FindLaw column entitled "Should Federal Agencies or Courts Protect Consumers in Financial Markets?" which side of the regulatory coin America needs most. Existing regulatory agencies are being given more extensive duties by the Obama administration in order to help make America's financial markets safe and sound. At the same time, new agencies like the newly minted Consumer Financial Protection Agency appears to be on its way to receiving unprecedented powers. In theory, it will have the power to police how mortgage lenders, banks, credit card companies, payday lenders or any other consumer finance company interacts with consumers. It is Buchanan's opinion that allowing regulatory agencies to protect consumers is the best route, as relying solely upon the courts wouldn't be enough of a deterrent to keep suspect lenders from indulging in bad behavior. The ideal system would have both in place as a regulatory enforcement clearing house. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "What's the Best Way to Protect Consumers in Need of Debt Relief?"

Fed Study Unintentionally Paints Rosier Picture for Payday Loans

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:42:19 +0000

Why Use Credit Cards When There Are Payday Loans?

This Federal Reserve/Vanderbilt/Penn study tries to connect payday loans to credit ruin, but what they leave out suggests a rosier alternative. (Photo: flickr.com)

Credit cards have proven to be both a useful tool in establishing a credit history and a bane to those consumers who hope to maintain a good credit history. The temptation to "swipe and go" has been actively cultivated by the American media. With the magic plastic in hand, consumption is quick and easy. Those who pay off their credit cards each month may escape the revolving interest trap, but the vast majority of credit card users must not pay their balances in full. If they did, why would credit card companies offer reward programs? If consumers weren't tied into earning points and paying interest fees, the programs wouldn't be profitable for the companies.

What about Payday Loans?

According to multiple sources, over 10 million U.S. households use payday loans each year. These short-term loans are paid off over a set period of time, typically two weeks' time. They fulfill a need and are not a swipeable ticket to impulse purchases. Certainly payday loans CAN be used for impulse buys, but lenders make it clear that this is not advisable. Furthermore, the amount available is finite, typically smaller than the credit limit available on a credit card. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Fed Study Unintentionally Paints Rosier Picture for Payday Loans"

E-mail evidence in Bell, California, salary scandal surfaces

info@personalmoneystore.com (Personal Money Store) — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:33:33 +0000

City administrators may have damaged the trust of the people of Bell, Calif., beyond repair. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Wizard of Baum)

City administrators abusing the public trust has been an unfortunate theme in Bell, Calif. The 2009 salary scandal that shook the city's coffers has been under investigation for some time, and it is only now that some of the e-mails Bell administrators sent among themselves have become public. As the Los Angeles Times reports, there was a great deal of dirty talk behind all the dirty money.

'Pigs get fat,' writes the Bell, Calif., police chief

An e-mail from then-Bell Police Chief Randy Adams to Assistant Bell City Administrator Angela Spaccia makes reference to taking city money:

"I am looking forward to seeing you and taking all of Bell's money,” writes Adams. “Okay ... just a share of it!”

In a separate e-mail, Spaccia writes:

"LOL ... well you can take your share of the pie ... just like us! We will all get fat together.”

What follows that damning pronouncement is a reference to City Administrator Robert Rizzo:

“Pigs get Fat ..... Hogs get slaughtered! So long as we're not Hogs ... All is well!"

The entirety of these e-mails from Bell, Calif., city officials is included in the prosecution's case against eight current and former Bell city administrators. They are accused of giving themselves massively inflated salaries by looting the Bell city treasury, as well as serving on the boards of alleged public utilities whose only real purpose was to mask the stream of income. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "E-mail evidence in Bell, California, salary scandal surfaces"