Weight-Loss Surgery: Carnie Wilson And Other Celebrities Who Had Surgery To Lose Pounds [PHOTOS]

Photo: REUTERS

Will Steve Jobs restore 'anti-gay' apps?

A group called “Manhattan Declaration” has written a letter to Steve Jobs to restore the “anti-gay” apps from the Apple store, the Manhattan Declaration blog said.

Apple said in a recent statement that it has removed the Manhattan Declaration apps from the apple store “because it violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”

The app which was released in October was in the form of a questionnaire seeking a person's views about the same sex marriage. If the answer does not confirm to the group's viewpoint it promptly notifies that the answer is incorrect.

More than 7,730 signatures said, Apple has always been among the most progressive companies and earned a 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, and yet, the company has approved application that is offensive to Americans who support equality and free choice.”

Now Apple does not want this app which disturbed the groups that apparently support gay marriage and abortion. Also these groups claim that the Manhattan Declaration promotes “Homophobia” and its supporters are “anti-gay”.

The Manhattan Declaration app was accepted by Apple and rated as a 4+, meaning it contained no objectionable material. So, now the group wants it back.

In their blog, 'Manhattan Declaration' they have given few clarifications showing that they concede “disagreements” are not “gay-bashing”.

“Anyone who takes the time to read the Manhattan Declaration can see that the language used to defend traditional marriage, the sanctity of human life, and religious liberty is civil, non-inflammatory, and respectful,” the blog said.

The group clearly asked its subscribers to reject “disdainful condemnation” of those who disagree and declares that all people are worthy of respect, because all are loved by God.

The Manhattan Declaration movement started in 2009 with an endorsement from key Christian leaders in an attempt to counter efforts to marginalize Christian views about issues like sanctity of life, dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and religious liberty.

Now the group also is planning to take the help of social media to reach its more audience and get their support as their appeal shows: “We would love for you to write about this on Facebook and link to this page. If you aren’t already following us, CLICK HERE and become a Fan. Additionally, if you use Twitter, please follow our updates via @ManhattanDec and use the hashtag #mdec whenever you mention this story.” So much for their cause!

Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

Star Jones

Star Jones has admitted to having gastric bypass in 2003. According to Oprah.com, that year, Jones had ballooned to 307 pounds and was diagnosed as morbidly obese. She lost 160 pounds over three years, but denied for years before finally revealing that she had surgery.

Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

Dichotomy of Main Street and Wall Street: PNC

The S&P 500 has now recovered more than 20 percent from the early March lows, but this certainly underscores the differences between Main Street and Wall Street, say the analysts at PNC.

The March employment report released last Friday was dismal at best. The payroll jobs report showed 663,000 job losses for the month and the unemployment rate increased to 8.5 percent. To put this in perspective, this is the highest unemployment rate since November 1983. It is almost certain to move higher in the coming months.

Ironically, the one ray of hope in the report was the revision on January's payroll job losses from 598,000 to 741,000. Typically, job losses show a peak at some point during the downturn and perhaps this January revision will form that peak with the still dismal numbers for February and March showing at least a positive rate of change.

The stock market shrugged off the poor jobs data on Friday and posted a slight gain for the day, which brought the week's gains in the S&P 500 above 3 percent. Make no mistake that Main Street will continue to feel the impact of the economic downturn for some time, with U.S. GDP likely to fall 5 percent in the first quarter of 2009 and the decline almost certain to continue at least through the second quarter as unemployment continues to rise.

First-quarter earnings season is set to officially begin on Tuesday. This season should again reflect the economic weakness on Main Street-year-over-year earnings on the S&P 500 are expected to fall more than 34 percent.

For the first time in this earnings recession, every single sector of the S&P 500 is expected to show a year-over-year earnings decline. Perhaps more shocking is that seven out of ten sectors are expected to post double-digit earnings declines, with only Heath Care, Consumer Staples, and Utilities expected to limit the damage to the single digits.

Again, all is not lost. Low expectations are actually a positive for the stock market as opposed to Main Street. It may indeed be getting closer to the point where expectations are so low that companies are eventually able to exceed them, despite a brutal operating environment. In many respects stocks are likely to trade more on future earnings estimates rather than current results, which is logical, because 2009 should mark the trough of corporate earnings and investors should purchase companies for their future earnings not their past.

While there are some signs of what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke termed green shoots of Spring in the economic recovery, there are no definitive signs of recovery in either the banking crisis or the economic downturn. Some economic data (housing sales and auto sales) have turned less negative, which is certainly welcome, but some portion of this so-called recovery is due to the fact that numerically it was difficult for the data to get much worse.

It is undoubtedly very positive that mortgage rates have fallen to a sub-5 percent level, which has spurred increased mortgage applications for both new purchases and refinancing. When combined with the decline in home pricing, these factors have conspired to drive housing affordability to extremely attractive levels. We find this tonic for the epicenter of the current crisis to be very heartening.

While some global economies have also seen some similar green shoots, we continue to view the economic risk of developed international economies to exceed that of the United States-in particular the Eurozone and Japan.

Certainly there are reasons to be buoyed by the economic data becoming less bad and the prospect of better days on Main Street, but there continues to be danger of another freeze that may prolong this winter economic season.

We believe that stocks provide an attractive risk versus reward for investors with a sufficient investment holding period and ability to withstand volatility. Equity prices move in advance of improvement in the economy and earnings. Historically, stocks have advanced before there were positive signs from the economy or corporate earnings. As with any leading indicator, stocks are apt to run too far in advance of reality and may be subject to pullback if the current signs of economic recovery prove unsustainable.

There are also numerous hurdles to clear in terms of the banking crisis, with the results of the bank stress tests and success of the plan to deal with legacy assets clogging the financial system. PNC's recommended allocation calls for a baseline allocation of stocks relative to bonds; a general recommendation of an overweight to U.S. large-cap stocks and an underweight to international stocks; and a preference for high-quality stocks.

Forecasting the bottom in stocks is a fool's errand, instead we would recommend that investors focus on what is in their control and knowable - their asset allocation considering their long-term goals, risk tolerance, investment holding period, expected liabilities, and cash flows.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

6 Strategies for Surviving in a Job You Hate

All of us have been there at some point. Out of necessity, you are stuck in a job that is unbearable - and as a result, you hate life. This is all-too-common in the U.S., where workers are often treated as commodities and liabilities, and get almost no real respect. Unfortunately, under current conditions few have the luxury of simply quitting, so here are several strategies for coping in a job you just can't stomach.

6 Coping Strategies for Surviving in a Job You Hate

• Set Goals and Objectives: If there is a bright side to your situation, it's easier to get a job if you already have one. This means that if you are in a job you hate, you're in a better position to get something better. Set a goal every week for sending out x number of resumes and attending a networking event or job fair. Such actions will help you to see a light at the end of the tunnel (which won't be New Jersey).
• Time For One's Self: If you are overscheduled and harassed, you'll be making a bad thing worse. It is vital to set some time aside each day, particularly before heading into work. It's also helpful to engage in some activity that brings a smile to your face, whether it's reading the latest FaceBook posts, treating yourself to a favorite snack, or playing your favorite music on the stereo.
• Create Diversions: If possible, fill your workspace and/or your day with small diversions. For example, a inside sales representative who sometimes dislikes making cold calls to prospective clients might bring a joke book to work and make it a point to read something funny before picking up the phone. It made a great deal of difference when it came to talk to people.
• Learn New Tricks: If you don't have the job you want, it may be due to a lack of skills and/or knowledge. Fortunately, this is highly curable. It's never too late to learn something new that may make you more marketable when a new and better opportunity comes along. Are $$'s in short supply? Is free better? The Internet has a treasure-trove of free seminars and webinars to help you build your education. Also, make use of your local library. Many carry new how-to DVD's relative to improving your personal and professional skills; i.e. coaching yourself to success, dealing with management issues, and time management.
• Decompression: Failing to blow off steam and letting frustrations build up can be dangerous not only to yourself but to others as well. Continuous physical exercise is a great tension reliever, obviously, but also don't overlook fun activities such as softball, bowling, and dancing. Or, a leisure walk at a local park can go a long way towards depressurizing and maintaining a positive outlook.
• Keep On Keepin' On: Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well - even if it's something you hate. Not only will this give you a sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself, it can also help you down the road should you need a reference.