text:
Here's a sample:
"When Time's Jay Newton-Small inquired about the Obama photo on Drudge, Singer used the occasion to complain about the press's failure to examine Obama's ties to violent radicals who were part of the Weathermen of the 1960s. 'As far as I can tell, there was absolutely no follow-up on the part of the Obama traveling press corps,' he said." [as quoted in the Washington Post]
Let's have a closer look at that, shall we? What Singer is referring to is the story of Bill Ayers. Ayers is currently a professor at the University of Chicago; previously, he was a member of the Weather Underground, an American terrorist group active in the early 1970s.
Barack Obama was born in 1961. He was probably 9 or 10 years old when the Weather Underground were setting bombs and killing people. I think it's blatantly ridiculous for the Clinton campaign to accuse Obama of ties to "violent radicals" when he wasn't even junior high school at that point.
The real story is of course that Singer and Obama both sat on the board of The Woods Fund at the same time. Of course, the Woods Fund is hardly an organization for "violent radicals" - their most recent achievement is raising "$20 million to build Center on Halsted, the first LGBT Community Center in the world to integrate recreational, cultural and social services programming under one roof."
If sitting on the board of a charitable organization doing good work for the greater community of Chicago, one that contains an ex-terrorist (as well as folks from notoriously radical outfits like Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill and UBS Investment Bank) means that you have "ties to violent radicals" then, well... hell, call me crazy but I call bullshit.
What's more disappointing than anything is that Hillary Clinton is running a campaign where it's OK to say anything, do anything, insinuate anything in order to win. I mean, what the hell? Yes, it has to be hugely frustrating to be losing against someone you didn't even think had a chance just three months ago, but accusing him of ties to violent radicals? Is that even remotely rational? I'm not buying it for a minute.


text:
Rates scams: Claims managers charge thousands but fail to cut business bills
Warning: Robert Downes from the Forum of Private Business says owners should not part with any cash
Small firms are being told to avoid claims management companies after complaints that some have charged thousands of pounds vowing to cut business rate bills, but failed to keep promises.
Rates have become a heavy burden, particularly for high street retailers.
This month rates rose by 2.6 per cent. Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors suggest firms are paying on average 13.5 per cent more than in 2010.
This has led to a rise in claims managers often cold-calling firms, saying they are due a rebate or lower rates and offering to act on their behalf.
Many charge thousands of pounds for their services, which can wipe out any savings achieved. In many cases a fee, often payable in advance, is levied even if rates are not reduced. Some claims managers tie firms into a contract where they must pay for several years.
Internet forums are full of cases of business owners caught by rates scams.
In the past few months local trading standards offices, including Sheffield, Bristol and Haringey, have warned local businesses not to deal with such agents. Instead they advise firms who believe they are paying too much to appeal direct to the Valuation Office Agency, which sets rates.
Rob Downes of the Forum of Private Business says: ‘We have heard of members being charged thousands of pounds, only to later find they are owed nothing back on their business rates.
‘The message is simple. Don’t part with any cash no matter what promises you are given over the phone.’
A spokesman for the VOA says: ‘Firms that think their rateable value is too high should contact us. This service is free of charge.’
The VOA advises firms that choose to use an agent to ensure it is reputable and to check the details of any contract or agreement they are asked to sign.
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2020 Marketplace Report from Forrester Includes TreviPay
Accelerate the launch of your B2B Marketplace through B2B Partnerships
Unsurprisingly, the pandemic accelerated digital purchasing around the world. Operational leaders are seeking ways to evangelize the various digital channels and marketplaces have risen to the occasion as a natural fit for many B2B organizations.
Marketplaces however pose a few challenges. They require a new set of platforms and tools.
Forrester recently released New Tech: Marketplace Development Platforms and Tools, Q4 2020 to report outline emerging vendors suited to streamline the marketplace channel including Trevipay (formerly MSTS’ Credit as a Service).
In the report, you’ll learn:
- How marketplace operators can create first-class experiences on a budget, at scale
- Which tools are needed to stand out on the digital shelf
- How to use business partnerships to make complex payments simple
Read the full report to learn more.
Report published by