Bizzy’s Biz Links of the Day (092205)
Some interesting things I’ve come across in the past couple of weeks:
Real progress in nanotech (HT Instapundit)
A dumb idea: Tax oil to keep it expensive (requires subscription) as prices come back down or stay down after hurricane season is finally over. It’s dumb because of the answer to this question: If oil prices go even higher some years down the road, what politician will propose reducing taxes so the final price doesn’t go up? (sound of crickets chirping)
Realtor Racket Update: The Justice Department gets going. Though it opposes the real estate cartel, The Wall Street Journal, in an unlinked editorial, is not pleased with the idea of DOJ focusing its energy on access to the Multiple Listing Service. I think access to MLS is the heart and soul of the real estate business, and should be open to anyone who follows its protocols for listing.
Surprise: A Mutual Fund flexes its muscles, and Clear Channel’s Board and execs, not used to accountability, get blindsided:
Fidelity Investments has taken a bold stand against corporate greed at Clear Channel Communications Inc., the world’s largest radio broadcaster, new filings show.
Fidelity, the biggest shareholders with 15.5 percent, voted against re-election of the entire 10-strong board after the company renewed around $90 million in golden parachutes for founder Lowry Mays and his sons Mark and Randall.
Fidelity also handles Clear Channel’s $531 million employee 401(k) plan, perhaps making the fund company vulnerable to a review by a board that was re-elected despite its stand.
Enough Fingerpointing: The couple involved in the attempted corporate shakedown of Wendy’s will be out of circulation for a very long time:
SAN JOSE, California (AP) — A Nevada couple pleaded guilty Friday to all charges related to planting a human fingertip in a bowl of Wendy’s chili in a scheme to extort money from the fast food restaurant chain.
Anna Ayala, 39, and Jaime Placencia, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiring to file a false claim and attempted grand theft. The Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s International Inc. claimed the scheme cost it $2.5 million in lost sales because of bad publicity.
Ayala faces up to nearly 10 years in state prison when sentenced November 2. Her husband faces up to 13 years behind bars.
“Thankfully, law enforcement thwarted their successful efforts at theft,” said Deputy District Attorney David Boyd.
“Exploited” American workers are…. happy? Looks like it (HT American Thinker):
…. a new compilation of survey results finds that most workers are very satisfied with their jobs. Large majorities say they are satisfied with the specifics of their work: job security, opportunities for advancement, co-workers, flexibility of hours and vacation time.
…. The current level of job satisfaction is about the same as it was when pollsters began asking that question regularly 25 years ago.
How satisfied are American workers? According to a Gallup survey included in the AEI compilation, most American job holders say they would continue to come to work even if they won a $10 million lottery.
There is even less dissatisfaction with long commutes to work than you might expect.
…. Nineteen percent say they like their commute a great deal. Another 41 percent like their commute somewhat. Only 12 percent dislike their commute a great deal.
Me? I might still keep working after winning a $10 million lotto prize, but I’d probably have a whole new attitude.
