(Prosperity - Laura E Kirkpatrick)
Apparently, this week was brought to you by the letter “S” starting on Sunday night, with a Giant Super Bowl Surprise. We were all happy to see somebody (anybody) beat the Patriots after walloping each of our home town teams during the regular season.
- Super Tuesday. A Sweep and Stalemate. You probably don’t need a refresher on this one, unless you think it’s a newly discovered Jane Austen novel. But if you can't get enough coverage, NPR has a cool map that breaks out the primaries.
- Storms. The Southeast was ravaged, but there’s a bittersweet hope to be found in the story of barely scratched 11 month old Kyson Stowell who was carried by a tornado150 yards from where his home once stood. And now another break from our soap box: Forget FEMA - once again, the American Red Cross is leading the recovery efforts, and can use all of our support.
- Stimulus. The Senate approves $171 billion plan, er make that Congress approves $168 billion plan, er, make that the President to sign $158 billion stimulus plan this Wednesday. At the least you’re in for an extra $300. Put down those Choos slowly – we recommend you pay down debt and think of your future (you may have heard us say this before, but have you thought about investing that $300 for the long haul?) Don't just take our word for it, though. Salon.com's How The World Works agrees.
-So long to Supersizing. The rising cost of wheat, according to UBS Financial Services Director, Floor Operations, Arthur Cashin, may raise food prices around the world.
- Hello to Shaken, Not Stirred. The rising price of wheat and hops is not only going to affect pizza and burger buns, but what we drink. Trends are already showing more people drinking hard liquors and avoiding beer, while American wine sales are forecast to surpass Italy. Cheers!
- Sweethearts Still Shop. Shares of Lindt chocolate may be down, but Tiffany & Co (look, they have a wish list function!) shares rose as the company predicted higher earnings in 2008, with a 10 percent increase in worldwide sales. Here are some other sweet stocks for your Valentine (sorry about the link to Fox…).
- Secular Slip of the Tongue. The head of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop Cantebury, may have meant well, but still goofed when he suggested that the UK incorporate aspects of Shariah, traditional Islamic law, into Britian’s legal system.
- And finally, just plain Stupid. Ok, if your mom was running for president, wouldn’t you do all that you could to get her to the White House? Or back to the White House? NBC’s David Shuster was suspended for his comments about Chelsea Clinton and her role in Hilary's campaign.
