Ok, there are ten million emails going around regarding Obama’s plane and the relocation of the US Flag* versus John McCain’s plane not even having the US flag. Well, here you go. 

Obama’s plane was repainted once he was the last “man” standing in the Democratic race. The North American Airlines flag* was removed from the tail of the plane (which now sports Obama’s logo). The US flag remains next to the aircrafts call letters. 

McCain’s airplane (below) was not repainted nor does it have a large US Flag (there is one located just below the tail).

In the end, you get to choose which act of narcissism you like best. Paint your own logo on the plane or make your name really big?! 

*Godfather added: To further clarify…Obama’s plane is from North American Airlines. The logo (flag) that was on the tail was North American’s logo (not an actual US flag). Obama relocated (or retained) the US flag as mentioned above (adjacent to the plane’s registration number) and replaced NA’s logo on the tail with his own campaign logo.

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Separated at Birth? 

Ok, now McCain is just getting weird. 

McCain’s camp will be releasing a new advertisement entitled “Celeb,” in which the ad compares Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. The advertisement suggests Obama is little more than a widely recognized media concoction. 

The ad intercuts images of Obama’s Europe visit with video of 20-something pop stars. 

As far as I know, Obama doesn’t sing and although he does have fairly short hair which is reminiscent of Britney, not sure why McCain is going this far. But than again, this is politics – never let the truth get in the way of a good campaign slam.

Update: Here is the video and the response video from Paris Hilton. 

I tend to avoid places that have signs or advertisements like “All You Can Eat.” 

My concern is that I don’t know whether to be afraid or consider it a challenge. As I get older the latter becomes less important than say, watching my weight. But even I could not pass up “All You Eat Stone Crabs” at a local restaurant. 

How do you approach such a daunting task? Do you eat during the day? Do you ignore their well-placed basket of bread there to distract you? I just don’t know the rules and America seems to be very much in tune with the “All You Can Eat” restaurants; they are all over the place! 

Coincidentally, the number of Americans that are clinically “Obese” has increased exponentially (no pun intended) over the last several years. What is the classification of obese anyway? How can we solve this problem?  Well…

The mortgage industry is hurting, values are down, and relief is coming; but there is a catch. A big catch if no one is reading the fine print. 

First-time homeowners. 

The Rescue Part… 

You will get a tax credit of up to $7,500 – provided you have not owned a home in three years. That is a tax “credit” not to be confused with a tax “deduction.” 

The Catch… 

That money has to be repaid starting two years after you purchase the home. If you take the full $7,500 tax credit, your tax bill will increase $500 a year for fifteen years.  If you sell the home early, you will owe the government the balance.

Forgiveness for refinancing. 

The Rescue Part… 

In a nutshell if you wish to refinance the lender forgives all debt above 90% of the homes current value. You then get a new mortgage that is insured by the FHA. 

The Catch… 

First off you will need to pay a FHA insurance premium of approximately $2,700. Secondly, you will have to share your homes appreciation with the FHA. If you sell your home (or payoff the loan) less than a year after refinancing, the FHA gets all of the home appreciation. One to two years? FHA gets 90%. It then decreases at 10% per year but never lower than 50%.

I know this plan seemed great when it was being thrown around in the media and during political campaigns, I just hope people are reading the fine print. 

Freedom means choosing your burden - Hephzibah Menuhin

I have taken up re-reading the classics lately. The odd part is I am reading them on a Sony Reader. 

They have come a long way and I love the fact I can carry several books at a time without any of the bulk.  

Anyway, one of the many features include the ability to bookmark a section. Since I am currently reading The Three Musketeers here is one I bookmarked last night…

“A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.”

I received an email from AARP today. Targeted, specific, and a little early. 

I am not retired. I am not really even close to being retired. The fact I am only 7-years-old doesn’t seem to sway them. Ok, I am not really 7-years-old but I don’t want the AARP to know they really only have to wait another 8-10 years to start contacting me. 

I am not even really sure what benefits I would get by joining AARP anyway. I think Denny’s gives you 10% off breakfast but I am not sure I have to be an AARP member to even get that benefit. 

Maybe they need to change their campaign to attract younger people. Here are a couple things I would like to see AARP offer me to sign up early.

• 25% off iTunes Gift Cards

• 12 Free Pay-Per-Views of the Green Bay Packers games

• Discounts on Harley-Davidson Parts

• Free Gas For Life (worth a shot)

• Wine of the Month Club Discounts

• One Cuban Cigar per Week

• Mow My Lawn Twice a Month (I do live in Florida after all)

• Discounts off Captain Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Frosted Mini-Wheats. (Told you I was not ready to retire)