BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Military housing woes to persist for a while]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/19/military-housing-woes-to-persist-for-a-while/#commentsFiled under: ,

When you're serving your country, there's a good chance you'll move around a few times . . . which can conflict with the traditional American dream of homeownership. Soldiers who bought homes several years ago could be stuck selling now at depressed prices -- and on fairly short notice.

Needless to say, the financial pressure can be profound. A Staff Sergeant with a decade of service behind him, for example, is paid just under $37,000 a year. Even when you add in the health care and other benefits provided by the Department of Defense, it's still hard to handle a serious loss on a home.

The February stimulus plan included provisions to help military personnel in this situation, but little has happened. Soldiers complain that information is hard to find and guidelines aren't available. So far, none of the funds have been disbursed, and the federal government is keeping its collective mouth shut.

Continue reading Military housing woes to persist for a while

Military housing woes to persist for a while originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airforceairmenamerican dreamAmericanDreamarmycoastguarddepartment of defenseDepartmentOfDefensehomeownershomeownershipmarinecorpsmarinesmilitarynavyreal estatereal estate marketRealEstateRealEstateMarketsailorsoldiersSun, 19 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/does-support-of-our-troops-affect-your-perception-of-a-company/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

question markThe comments on a recent blog post by Sarah Gilbert, about Starbucks retraining efforts took an interesting turn towards discussion about whether or not that company supports our troops. This seems to be a subject which elicits strong passion among many blog readers, which prompts me to ask this question of you: Does a company's position, openly declared or not, regarding support for our troops, affect your perception of that company and whether or not you'll intentionally do business with them?

This issue can be difficult to assess, because often times a company's position on the matter is cloaked, unavailable or skewed by misinformation. The comments on Sarah's blog post give clear evidence of that. Some folks seem convinced that Starbucks doesn't care about our troops, yet packages bearing its logo are reported to arrive at military addresses every day. What's more is the fact that often companies elect not to state a position regarding our restructuring efforts in Iraq. To some people, silence on the matter is interpreted as contempt rather than consent.

I must admit that my own opinions about individual companies regarding their stance on our military involvements are sometimes colored by unconfirmed email commentary and careless internet banter. That is why I generally refrain from discussing the issue. What about you? Do you base your opinions on random emails which purport to reveal a company's stance regarding our military, or do you research the topic before coming to your conclusions?

Continue reading Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company?

Does support of our troops affect your perception of a company? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirforceArmycorporateIraqMarinesmilitaryNational GuardNationalGuardNavyopinionpoliticalPresident BushPresidentBushpublicsoldiersThu, 14 Feb 2008 20:27:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. forces maneuver near Iran -- show of force or a new front?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/u-s-forces-maneuver-near-iran-a-threat-or-a-new-front/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/u-s-forces-maneuver-near-iran-a-threat-or-a-new-front/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/u-s-forces-maneuver-near-iran-a-threat-or-a-new-front/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The market will undoubtedly follow closely how U.S. navy maneuvers off the coast of Iran. As sources say, this is the largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq including 10,000 U.S. personnel, two aircraft carriers and warplanes carrying simulated attack maneuvers.

Tensions between Iran and the West continue to grow. The apprehension of 15 British Naval personnel by Iran escalated the already tense situation over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Of course, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl said the maneuvers were not in response to the capture of the British sailors and were not intended as a threat to Iran (excuse me for not buying that). While Aandahl said the U.S. warships would stay out of Iranian territorial waters, I can't help but wonder -- until when? Is this just the first phase? Didn't the U.S. just announce involuntary call-up of marines?

Interestingly, a French naval strike group with an aircraft carrier of its own was operating simultaneously just outside the Gulf. We are told this is not part of the U.S. maneuvers. So while the French and the Americans are showing off their respective forces, where are the Brits in all that?

As for the markets, there is no doubt this developing situation would be followed closely. Oil prices will react to any possible increased tensions as only yesterday crude reached a 2007 high. This morning, however, it's important to note, crude prices were lower, but this could change any minute. Stocks could also react violently if this escalates any further. Better stay tuned in today to your news sources.

U.S. forces maneuver near Iran -- show of force or a new front? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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