Black Friday: What Will it Say About the Economy

I found this short piece titled Black Friday and Cyber Monday. When brick and mortar retailers have sales and when online retailers reap the benefits in the aftermath of emptied out store shelves and shoppers searching for the HOTTEST TOYS FOR 2008 or the TOP SELLING ELECTRONICS that flew off the shelves during huge holiday sales. How will these days be a measure of the state of the economy? Will 2008 be a dismal year for retailers. Circuit City has already bit the dust.

XOMBA

Bleach Anime: Bleach V06 Substitute - Yoruichi - Ichigo - Rukia -Soul Reapers

Guided by the mysterious talking cat Yoruichi, Ichigo and school friends Orihime, Chad and Uryu make the dangerous crossing over to the Soul Society. They land on the outskirts of the Seireitei, the place where the Soul Reapers live. To succeed in their mission to save Rukia from execution, they must defeat the giant gatekeeper and find some way into the walled city. But it's not going to be easy!
Bleach V06-Substitute contains episodes 21-24!

Bleach Anime V05 - Substitute: Rukio - Ichigo - Soul Society

Knowing that she is on borrowed time, Rukia the Soul Reaper is staying in the world of the living longer than allowed. Having transferred her powers to Ichigo, she is in big trouble when two enforcers from the Soul Society come after her. Now Ichigo will have to master his sword and learn to control his spiritual energy if he is to save her from execution!
Bleach V05-Substitute Contains episodes 17-20!

Click HERE to find out how you can make money by posting items like this on Xomba!

What are Factory-To-Dealer Incentives and How Can They Help You Get the Best Deal on Your New Car?

What Is a Factory-To-Dealer Incentive?

A factory incentive is a rebate the factory offers to the dealer on certain models due to a number of reasons. These incentives are not advertised to the general public and usually won’t be passed on to the customer unless they know about it. Manufactures will offer these incentives to boost sales on models that aren’t selling well, when a set sales target has been reached or to encourage dealers in selected regions to move more cars. These rebates can be anywhere from $500 to $5000 which thereby makes the cost of the vehicle much cheaper for the dealer.

How Factory Incentives Can Help You

If you know about the current incentives available on the vehicle you are purchasing you can use that information as a bartering tool to obtain a better price. For example, if you are buying a $25,000 car and there is a $5000 factory-to-dealer incentive currently in effect you could effectively buy that car for $20,000 if the dealer passes that rebate on to you. Technically the dealer isn’t losing any of his/her money by doing this because it’s coming directly from the factory. On the other hand if the customer didn’t know about the incentive the dealer would be able to pocket the $5000 which is why they are quite reluctant to tell customers about these offers.

How to Find Out if Your Vehicle Has Factory Incentives

Currently there are only a few places to find out about factory-to-dealer incentives. Depending on whether you live in Canada or The United States there are a few companies that provide this hidden information at a nominal fee. In Canada there is www.CarCostCanada.com a company that provides factory incentive information along with their new car invoice pricing reports. In the US there is FightingChance.com, a site that emphasis’s on factory-to-dealer incentives. Last but not least is Consumer Reports, a company known for delivering relevant information to consumers of every industry. Their website, ConsumerReports.org, offers reports to both US and Canadian customers.

The information you need to get the best possible price on your new car is out there, the choice of using it is up to the customer. But when educated buyers are saving four, five or six thousand dollars off their purchase, why wouldn’t you want to be one of them?

Buying a New Car? Read This Informative Article on Purchasing a New Auto

Warning! . . . Do not buy a new vehicle without taking 5 minutes to read this report!

Buying a new car is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. The average person will buy 10-12 cars in their lifetime. Preparing yourself and doing your homework is the key to being able to make the important decisions with total confidence.

Once you’ve decided on the car you will buy or lease, you will need to be able to determine what is a good price. This is where it can get very tricky. Before you sign on the bottom line you need to know how to recognize a good deal when you see one.

Anatomy of a new car price:

M.S.R.P. – The Manufacturer’s suggested retail price, commonly known as the List price or window sticker is the retail price set by the manufacturer. This is typically the price that the new car dealer would like you to pay. Although the overwhelming majority of new cars are sold at less than the M.S.R.P., some dealers will hold out for this price on a very hot-selling vehicle that is high in demand and limited in supply.

Dealer invoice price – Every manufacturer sends an invoice to the dealer for their vehicles as soon as they are delivered to the dealer. The dealer will typically pay for the vehicle via a prearranged line of credit. Commonly, the dealer will start paying interest charges from the first day onwards.

Holdback – Most manufacturers help subsidize the interest charges and marketing/advertising that a dealer incurs by paying the dealer a holdback amount, after the vehicle has been sold. This amount typically ranges from 2.0% to 2.5% of the invoice amount. Dealers will rarely consider this when negotiating a new car deal

Maximum dealer margin/profit – The difference between the M.S.R.P. and the dealer invoice price is the maximum dealer margin/profit that the dealer has to work with when negotiating a deal.

Dealer and buyer goals - The dealer’s goal is to negotiate a deal as close to M.S.R.P. as possible and the buyer’s (your) goal is to negotiate a deal as close as possible to the dealer invoice price.

Actual dealer margin/profit – The amount over the dealer invoice price that is finally negotiated between the dealer and the buyer (you), is the dealer’s actual dealer profit/margin, before sales and overhead expenses.

Dealer overhead and bottom line profit - From the actual dealer profit/margin amount the dealer has to cover the sales rep and sales manager’s salaries, commissions and bonuses. The remainder goes to the dealership to cover all other expenses, with the final balance representing the actual net profit to the dealership.

Factory-to-consumer incentives – In an effort to stimulate sales, many manufacturers will offer incentives to the consumer (you). These incentives are commonly advertised in the media and can consist of low rate financing/leasing rates, such as 0%, cash rebates, such as $2,000, or a combination of both. If a manufacturer is offering you 0% or $2,000 cash, the emphasis is on OR; which means that you cannot get 0% financing and $2,000. You have to decide between the two. In some cases, you can combine the 0% and $2,000, but not very often.

Factory-to-dealer incentives – Commonly referred to as hidden or secret rebates. Internally these non-advertised dealer incentives can be known as marketing credits, trading dollars, factory cash, dealer cash, dealer bonuses, invoice credits, etc. Many manufacturers will use them as additional stimulus for the dealer to sell more vehicles. In some cases, the manufacturer may not want to advertise that they are offering incentives to avoid tarnishing their image, where others will use these incentives to encourage dealers to carry more inventory and thus potentially sell more vehicles. Most dealers will factor in these factory-to-dealer incentives when negotiating a deal. Effectively this may allow the buyer (you) to buy/lease a new vehicle for less than the dealer invoice price.

As you can see, new car pricing can be very complex. Knowing what you now know, would you ever simply walk into a dealership and negotiate a deal on your own, without having all the information above? I would bet that your answer would be a resounding NO!

After searching the web, I discovered a number of sites that promised to offer this information, but after digging, I would suggest that only one is credible enough for me.

Your best choice would be CarCostCanada at www.CarCostCanada.com. According to their website, they also supply this information to insurance companies which are notorious for being very particular about their service suppliers. CarCost has also been around since 1999 and judging by their feedback page, appear to have a very strong following. When you consider the size of your investment in a new car, to spend less than $40, to ensure that you get the best deal, is a small price to pay.


Jeremy Andrew

TheCarMagazine.com

Watch Arsenal v Man Utd Live Online | Streaming Live Arsenal v Manchester United

advert: watch-football-online.co.uk

I've found a website that offers a service to Watch Live Streaming Coverage Arsenal v Manchester United Live Online Saturday 8th November 12:45 GMT

Arsenal will be matched up against a very confident team in this blockbuster Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. You can watch all the live streaming action online at Live Sport Network as Arsenal takes on Manchester United on Saturday. Be sure to tune in for other matches broadcast online.

The Arsenal squad will be Almunia, Fabianski, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Toure, Nasri, Gallas, Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Ramsey, Song, Silvestre, Wilshere, Gibbs, Djourou, Clichy, Bendtner.

The Manchester United squad will be Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Gibson, Possebon, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

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Launching a Freelance Career Online: A Success Story

An Investment That Paid Off

Karyn Martin was cautious about launching her freelance career online, but she soon got results:

I remember the days when I dreamed of being a freelancer," she says. "The word seemed magical to me somehow. Romantic, almost. Now, after having actually been a freelancer for a while, the scales have been lifted from my eyes and I have seen the light. You pay for being able to manipulate your time. You pay by working more, working harder, and - hopefully - working smarter. But what you get in return is priceless. Now I can call the shots about when I work, for whom I work, and how much I make."

One day, Karyn decided she was no longer willing to commute in smog-laden traffic to sit in a cubicle for eight hours, come home, eat, sleep, wake up, and then do it all over again. Going through the same routine, day after day, week after week , only to wake up one day old and tired - wondering how life might have been if she'd had the guts to go it alone.

So she decided to become a freelancer - but how would she find work? She had spent endless hours surfing the 'net, signing up with one freelance site after another. Yet there was an incredible amount of competition. She never seemed to win any bids, and was adamant about not lowering her hourly rate. 

"Then I discovered Go Freelance," she says. "I had heard "don't pay to work!" repeatedly, and I was too poor to risk getting scammed, but I took a chance one day when I was flush and sent twenty bucks to gain access to the Go Freelance Professional Edition.

"Since then, I've edited a sales letter, a follow-up letter, an 11-page Web site, and a brochure. I'm 'on call' to do pinch-hit proofreading for a medical newsletter editor in Florida while he's on vacation, sick, etc. And I've landed a gig editing a new Canadian magazine coming out this fall. All this from taking a $20 chance on Go Freelance."

Of course, it helped to send prospects a few previous work samples she'd had the presence of mind to scan and save on disk. Also, since she has been 'in the business' for more than five years, she has a fairly good résumé with some experience to back up the claims, along with a strong list of references.

"For every one of you out there feeling a little discouraged, and especially for those of you on the verge of throwing in the towel, I'm here to tell you this. There may not be a Santa Claus, but there is a place to find work without paying some ridiculous "transaction fee" or never knowing whether or not the projects are 'fresh' - and even the name is easy to remember - Go Freelance."

Be the next work-at-home success story. Click here to get instant access to hundreds of freelance jobs.

Stay Healthy and Get Maximum Results on Your Low Carb Diet

How to Stay Healthy and Maximize Your Results on a Low Carb Diet

We know that low carb dieting works, but did you know that nutritional supplements can help it work better? First the basics on low-carb dieting.

Q: What are carbs?

A: Carbs (carbohydrates) are organic compounds that exist in foods as a sugar, a starch, or a cellulose (a woody fiber). There are two kinds of carbohydrates: Simple (refined) carbohydrates are “fast” sugars. They break down into sugar fast in your system, and cause a rush of insulin to come to help process the sugar, which then leaves your system unbalanced, with too much insulin. Simple carbs like cake have been stripped of fiber and nutrients, then processed into starchy, sugary foods like white breads, donuts, cookies, white rice, pasta, and such. They sure help you gain weight! They can also lead to a dangerous condition called metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diabetes and other serious health problems.

Complex (unrefined) carbohydrates are “slow” sugars. They break down into sugar slower in your system, and cause a slow release of insulin, keeping a proper sugar-insulin balance. It’s harder for your body to burn foods like brown rice and whole grains. These unrefined carbs also make your body burn some fat for energy. These carbs give you slow, steady source of energy.

Simple and complex carbohydrates are rated with something called the Glycemic Index or GI. To find out more about the Glycemic Index, click here.

Q: What does a low-carb diet do?

A: A low carb diet (perhaps better named a low simple-carb diet) strictly limits your carbohydrate intake, and forces your body to burn mostly fat. It can do this because limiting carbs limits sugar. There is less sugar to burn, so your body turns to all that extra stored fat to burn for energy! That’s why you lose weight on a low-carb diet.

Be sure to ask a doctor or health care professional if low-carb eating is a good choice for you. Here are nutritional supplements from Botanic Choice that can benefit your health during low carb dieting:


High Potency Vitamin and Mineral Formula makes sure you have all the basics for health. It contains high amounts of Vitamins A, C, D, E, B-1, B-2 and B-12 for your protection, plus 12 more important nutrients and minerals.


Vitamin C is recommended in addition to a strong multivitamin, because C has proven antioxidant protection. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so it needs to be replaced frequently.


Chromium GTF has been shown to be part of the body’s “glucose (sugar) tolerance factor” and this essential mineral can help promote fat loss while increasing lean muscle tissue.


Calcium Carbonate is good for the important calcium-potassium balance in every cell.


Super EPA Fish Oil gives you essential fatty acids known for keeping cardiovascular and circulatory systems in the best health.

Round out your low carb dieting program with a good fiber supplement like Psyllium Husk or Oat Bran and try to fit in at least 20 minutes of brisk exercise each day.

Visit Botanic Choice to learn more about low carb dieting and more ways to lose weight simply and effectively.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician.

Herbal Remedies: Discover Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

Pounding Head? Discover 13 Sure-fire Herbal Remedies

They can be caused by a number of things including dehydration, hunger, grinding your teeth, a food allergy, sleeping on your neck wrong, giving up caffeine, and of course STRESS. Whatever the cause, there’s no mistaking that throbbing discomfort that plague so many Americans. Here are 13 natural remedies to attack your agony head on.

Tension, Hormonal, Seasonally-Occurring? Try...

1. 
   Magnesium - Replaces a magnesium deficiency that can cause head discomfort.


2. 
   Vitamin B-12 - Refills a Vitamin B-12 deficiency that can trigger discomfort.


3. 
   Ginger - Stimulates circulation, thins the blood, and helps blood flow to the surface.


4. 
   Valerian - Relaxes the mind and, encourages a healing sleep.


5. 
   St. John’s Wort - Promotes a positive outlook after too many “blue” days.


6. 
   Licorice - In Chinese herbal medicine, licorice root is an ingredient found in almost all herbal formulas for the purpose of “harmonizing” the separate herbs involved. One of its many active constituents—glycyrrhizin—has been found to possess anti-inflammatory action.


7. 
   Angelica - For centuries, Angelica Root has been hailed as the ultimate remedy and a blood purifier. Angelica is believed to be a health-protective herbal, as it blooms on the day of Saint Michael the Archangel.


8. 
   Skunk Cabbage - Also known as symplocarpus foetidus,this herb soothes the nervous system, which helps to reduce stress and mental fatigue.


9. 
   Chamomile - Calms the body. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Indians used this herb to treat disorders of the kidneys, liver, and bladder, and mind. Chamomile works well to promote healing.


10. 
    Kava Kava - It’s been used for three thousand years by the people of the South Pacific for ceremonial, social and medicinal purposes. Today, kava is proven to relax and de-stress.

Regular, Ongoing Head Distress? Try...

1. 
   Melatonin - Physiologists know that melatonin helps to regulates sleep patterns, and thus promote overall health.


2. 
   Cayenne - This herb enhances delivery of more oxygen to your brain, and relieves discomfort.


3. 
   5-HTP - Your body needs 5-HTP to make serotonin, needed for normal nerve and brain function. It promotes calmness and sleep.
   

Feel better by taking care of your everyday stress in healthy ways.
Visit Botanic Choice to discover other natural de-stressers. It's also good to avoid dehydration or hunger. Take your regular breaks and lunch times. Eat and drink sensibly. Most importantly, be good to yourself!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician.

John McCain on Saturday Night Live Video: Watch the McCain SNL Video Here

Funny: John McCain on SNL video. They sure had a great run this year with plenty of fodder for the writers! But Saturday Night Live always loves an election year! It's great when you have candidates that can poke fun at themselves! Watch as McCain sells QVC with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin again, (watch as Palin goes 'rogue' with her Palin 2012 T-shirts!), and even Cindy McCain makes an appearance displaying McCain Fein-Gold Gold Jewelry line.

Crocs Little Kid Mammoth Clogs - Cute Gift Idea For Kids

Now, in my opinion, crocs are adorable on kids. 40 year-old men, however, should look for other footwear..Yeah, Yeah, I know..."They are very comfortable" (OK, so I concede that fact and will agree that they are also ok if you are a male nurse.)




OK, so the kids seem to like these Crocs Toddler/Little Kid Mammoth Clog. They are really cute on the little ones. This version of the popular crocs feature a white fleece lining (The red ones remind me of Santa). This super-soft synthetic fur lining is removable and washable for easy care. Comfy crocs to keep the little ones' toesies warm and toasty. Easy to slip on and off with the strapless design. A higher heel and false holes on the sides keep feet dry. These fit a bit snug because of the fleece lining, so you might want to order up one size.

Overall a great idea for a practical and popular gift for the kids!

Seagate FreeAgent Pro 1TB External Hard Drive - Perfect For the Gamer, Movie Buff or IT or Business Professional on Your Christmas List

Seagate ST310005FPA1E3-RK Freeagent Pro 1 TB 3.5-Inch USB 2.0/FireWire 400 External Hard Drive: This would make an incredible gift for any gamer, downloadable movie buff or music addict, IT or Business professional on your Christmas gift giving list!

The Seagate FreeAgent Pro is a 1 TB external hard drive which connects to your computer via USB cable, eSATA, or FireWire 400 and features a 7200 RPM spindle speed for high-speed performance and fast read times. It's footprint is no bigger than a stapler; Just plug it in and you're ready to backup CDs, DVDs or store files and programs for on-the-go. Includes external drive, USB 2.0 cable, AC power adapter, and quick start guide; with a 5-year limited warranty from Seagate.

Technical Detail Summary:
Drive Capacity: 1000 GB (1 TB)
Interface: USB 2.0 - eSATA - FireWire
Spindle Speed: 7200 RPM
Data Transfer Rate on USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mb/sec
Data Transfer Rate on FireWire: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Data Transfer Rate on Serial ATA: Up to 3000 Mb/sec

Click Here For More Information About the Seagate FreeAgent Pro 1TB External Hard Drive

Preparing to Sell Online? Informative Online Retail Articles: Business Basics

Article Directory - Business Basics: Here you can find the following articles related to selling online and online retail business basics. This is a good selection of articles for anyone engaging in the online retail business or preparing to launch an online business. In these articles you can learn where to get products, how to build your customer base, how to keep customers coming back, how to be competitive in the online retail business and more!

Member Q&A: Why do some websites say Doba is a scam?
Learn why some site claim Doba is a scam and learn why they are wrong.

Choosing your market niche
Learn about the importance of picking a product niche and exactly how to do it.

Giving Away the Store: Competing on price alone
If you're competing on price alone, you'll lose. To earn a profit in online retail, you have to discover other areas where you can gain a competitive edge. This article offers some ideas to get you started.

Curb Shopping Cart Abandonment
A well-designed checkout process reduces cart abandonment rates. This article offers some suggestions for doing just that.

The Benefits of Tax ID Numbers and How to Get One
Do you need a Tax I.D. number? Find out if you do and how to get one.

Entrepreneurial Marketing: Getting Noticed on eBay and Beyond
Reach out to your customers, brand yourself as an expert, and prove to buyers that you're as reputable as the Amazon's and Wal-Mart's of the world.

Holiday Merchandising Quick & Easy
Pick up some quick tips on what you can do to prepare your site for the holidays without doing a lot of work.

Building Customer Loyalty with an eNewsletter
A well-designed eNewsletter, packed with valuable content and exclusive offers, can help you walk the fine line of keeping in touch with your customers without annoying them.

The Dirty Dozen
Learn the 12 most common mistakes made by small online retail business owners.

Cruelty to Bears: Bear Bile Farming Horrors

The farming of bears for the bile is one of the most intense forms of animal suffering that exists today. Trapped in a squalid cage for up to ten years, bears cry out in pain as they endure the continuous agony of having their bile drained from an open wound to their stomach. WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, is involved with extensive projects that aim to utterly eradicate this cruel practice. Yet it is only through the donations of our supporters that we are able to proceed.
Care about animals? Then please help us to help them. Help stop the suffering of 9000 bears farmed for their bile throughout Asia. Join WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, today.

Complete Transcript of Barack Obama Victory Speech

What follows is the complete transcript of Barack Obama's victory speech given at Chicago's Grant's Park after being elected as 44th President of the United States.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states; we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Sen. McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Gov. Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the vice-president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager, David Plouffe; my chief strategist, David Axelrod; and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics — you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington — it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year, or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, callused hand by callused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation — as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends... Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." And, to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America — that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election, except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.

When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes, we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves: If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

One of the Top Christmas Gifts For Kids 2008: LEGO Mindstorms NXT

LEGO Mindstorms NXT Mindstorms NXT combines the power of the LEGO building system, an intelligent brick and easy-to-use drag-and-drop programming software to create advanced robots.

Create and build the smartest, most advanced LEGO robot yet, in as few as 30 minutes. The new NXT Intelligent Brick, your robot's "brain," features a powerful 32-bit microprocessor and more memory, plus support for USB 2.0, Bluetooth and more.This intuitive robot features a highly versatile palette of LEGO TECHNIC elements, state-of-the-art ultrasonic, sound, light and touch sensors. It includes a Quick-Start guide, easy-to-use software and detailed building instructions, so beginners and experts alike can create humanoid, vehicle and animal robots that obey your every command.

Improved light sensors can detect different colors and intensities, while new sound sensors enable robots to respond to sound patterns and tones. Ultrasonic "eyes" measure distance and movement, while improved touch sensors allow the robots to really "feel."Programming software is available for both PC and Macintosh, plus with Bluetooth support, you can even command your robot from your mobile phone.

LEGO Mindstorms NXT includes:All-new NXT Intelligent Brick with 32-bit microprocessor, more memory and FLASHThree Interactive Servo motors feature built-in rotation sensors to align speed for precise controlNew sound sensor reacts to sound commands, patterns and tonesNew ultrasonic visual sensor responds to movementImproved touch sensor reacts to touch and releaseImproved light sensor detects different colors and light intensities519 specially selected LEGO TECHNIC elements for sturdy and durable building and improved functionality and movementFour input ports, three output ports and seven 6-wire cordsMatrix displayReal Sound SpeakersUSB 2.0 and Bluetooth supportEasy-to-use PC and Mac compatible interfaceIntuitive, icon-based drag-and-drop program "building environment"Requires 6 "AA" batteries (not included)

System Requirements: Operating System: Windows XP or Mac 0510; CPU: Pentium II, 233 MHz; RAM: 32 MB; Available hard disk space: 115MB; Mouse: Windows XP Compatible; Sound: Sound Blaster 16 Windows Compatible Sound Device; CD-ROM: CD 8x; Video Display: 800 x 600 SVGA with 4 MB RAM; Colors: 16 Bit; USB Port: One available USB port for infrared transmitter; Modem (Optional): 28.8 DBPS; Internet browser (Optional): Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet." "Create and build the smartest, most advanced LEGO robot yet, in as few as 30 minutes!

Robotic Tickle Me Elmo Live Will Be Hot Christmas 2008

Fisher Price Elmo Live Doll Life-Like Creation will be one of the hottest toys this Christmas! Another in a long line of popular Elmo toys that have the kids crying for more! This newest Elmo Live Doll will be on lots of Christmas lists. Santa will be working overtime to get these out on time, so don't wait until the last minute, get it now!

Is it live or is it Elmo Live? For the first time ever, in this truly life-like creation, Elmo really appears to be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like a muppet. His mannerisms are right on target and his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands, and even crosses his legs while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo's foot, tummy, back or nose. Requires 6 AA batteries, included. Measures 12 inch tall. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

Watch the video of New Elmo Robotic Toy, NY Toy Fair in February

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Obama Flips Off McCain Video

I thought this was pretty hilarious! I can't say whether or not he meant it..maybe subconsciously..

In this video it seems as if Barack Obama subtly flips off John McCain while congratulating him on a tough race. Because of the timing during his speech, it sure does look as if he is discreetly flipping the bird to McCain. Obama giving McCain the middle finger? More likely an unfortunate gesture caught on a video clip. Nonetheless, it's funny!


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