Although the iPod has never been my favorite digital music player due to its limited compatibility, its more durable material may have the potential to take a bullet for its owner.

Soldiers in Iraq often carry around their gadgets to pass time, never considering the fact that such devices could be used as shields.

A bullet from an AK-47 (don’t ask me for details about that gun) was fired at soldier Kevin Garrad to the chest, but his iPod happened to be in the way. Apparently AK-47 bullets can penetrate the Inteceptor body armor vests that soldiers wear.

Originally from TG Daily and seen on TechChee

I thought of an idea to take advantage of a credit card contract, but it only works for people who have self control. If you are one of those people who can never hold onto cash without spending it, then don’t do this, because you will probably only get yourself into debt. I’m sure some other people think of these things, but very few actually carry out the plan. I feel good when I think I have outsmarted the banks, though.

Things you will need to sign up for:

1. Bank of America World Points Card

2. A citi e-savings account and EZ checking account (the site will lead you to open both of these)
Alternatively, an HSBC savings account will work too and get you even more interest, but I find Citi’s online banking a lot easier to use.

So, what’s so special about the Bank of America card? Aside from a $50 statement credit after you start using it, 2000 bonus rewards points valued at $20, and no interest for 12 months, when you get the card, you will also get three convenience checks that the bank will waive the transcation fee of if you use. I couldn’t believe this at first, because I had never seen a free cash advance. Since I’ve been known to misinterpret fine print, I deposit one with a couple hundred in one of my checking accounts as a test. Sure enough, I was only charge the face value of the check. Whatever you do, don’t get a cash advance at an ATM or bank and say this doesn’t work, because only convenience checks are not subject to the transaction fee.

Side note: make sure your conveniene checks say something like There is no transaction fee for cash advance checks. I think the contract should be the same for most people, but make sure the convenience check can be used without a transaction fee before you use one for a large deposit.

Deposit whatever amount you want, 30% to 70% of the credit line, with a convenience check into the citibank e-savings account. There, watch the money grow at 4.75% APY. Do NOT use the money in this account for anything other than paying off the credit card. If you value your credit more, then it would probably be a wiser decision to use up just 30% of the credit line. However, there are people who could preserve a good credit score while using up to 70% of their credit lines. If maximum profit is your goal, then you may even want to try near 100% of the credit line. Get a little bit less than that, because you may want to use the card for a purchase in order to get the $50 statement credit offer. No matter what amount you put on the convenience check, try to avoid using this card for multiple purchases, unless you are planning to pay for the purchases in full each month. There’s a nice rewards program with the card, but you can always use that after the 0% APR promotional period.

There are two methods to paying this cash advance off:
Method 1 (more profitable): Pay the minimum payment each month until the last month of the 0% interest promotion. At that last statement, transfer enough money from your e-savings account to your EZ checking account to pay off 100% of the balance, and use a check from the EZ checking account to pay off the card.

Method 2 (better for credit): Divide the amount you charged by 12 and pay that amount each month. If necessary, then transfer whatever amount you need each month from the e-savings account to the EZ checking to pay each month’s statement. You will get less interest, but this method is slighly better for credit score purposes.

After you pay off the card in 12 statements, the e-savings 4.75% interest, $50 statement credit, and 2000 bonus reward points are yours to keep. You also did a good job paying off a medium-sized debt that will show up on your credit report.

I can’t explain why, but I have been thinking about my college applications more these past few days, even though I have no control over them currently. If I don’t get into the colleges of my choice, I think I’ll just shift the blame to affirmative action.

I knew I hated affirmative action since I first learned what it was. Affirmative action (or positive discrimination) is a policy or a program whose stated goal is to redress past or present discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, generally concerning education, employment or seats in parliament and/or government. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, there’s only one problem: IT DOESN’T WORK!

Lately, I’ve learned that nothing that sounds appealing works. Ideas that sound good are typically just better at neglecting and concealing flaws. The intention of affirmative action may be good, but all it does is discriminate against groups that are stronger academically. It was intended for reverse discrimination against minorities, but it just further discriminates against Asians. If supporters of affirmative action truly wanted it to function like its definition suggests, then all minorities, including Asians, should be given the advantage. Asians were not treated much better than other minority groups, such as African Americans and Native Americans, but we still suffer from affirmative action. That’s like double-discrimination against us in an attempt to bring equal opportunity to everybody else. First, let’s define equal opportunity. Equal opportunity should mean that everybody gets judged with the same standards. That way, everybody, regardless of race or status, has equal consideration in the application process. Supporters of affirmative action think of equal opportunity as giving a handicap to minorities by lessening others.

Policies with intentions to equalize society simply do not work. Affirmative action, like communism, sounds good but does not work in practice. Communism does not work in practice, simply because we’re human. Wow, what a great idea! We’re all equal! Everybody works hard but only takes what he/she needs! NOT! Equal opportunity should mean equal treatment — NOT adjustments that undermine the superior to give the inferior undeserved and unearned advantages.

Again, I’ll blame affirmative action if I get any rejections.

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From a joomla sample news item

Did anyone actually have trouble reading this? I know that I didn’t. Maybe this is part of the reason why we could read something many times but still not be able to spell it.