Cassandra Centeno

facebook $$$ DAY

Cassandra Centeno — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:25:54 +0000

In less than 15 minutes, Mark Zuckerberg, facebook mastermind will ring the Nasdaq opening bell – via video feed – from his billion dollar office in Menlo Park, California. It’s all in celebration of facebooks IPO. Zuckerberg and the rest of the fb family started the party last night after 420 million stock shares became available for $38 each.
So how did the tech geeks celebrate? Those wild kids pulled an alnighter – at the office: coding, chatting, you know all that wild techy stuff.
Now, if you have a few extra dollars to invest (along with some serious connections) you might be able to get a chance at fb stock. It becomes available to the general publci a bit before noon today. But buyer beware. The IPO is the theird largest in US history. The first day could end up being a wild investment ride.

CHECK BACK, PLEASE

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:28:30 +0000

A gay Romney supporter won’t be voting for him now – not after President Obama spoke out last week in support of same-sex marriage. And then Romney made a speech over the weekend stating again that marriage should be only between a man and a woman. And that really did it for Bill White – a gay man who’s a registered Independent and runs a New York based consulting firm.

I feel like Romney has declared war on my marriage. And I could just sit back and not say anything. Or I could do something about it. And I’ve chosen to do something about it.

So – he sent the Romney campaign a letter, demanding his $2,500 back.

TOUGH JUSTICE: EDWARDS TRIAL

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:22:12 +0000

Sex, love child, mistress, wife dying of cancer, and a whole lot of lies by a Presidential candidate – the jury in the John Edwards trial has heard it all. But what they might not hear is the most important part of the case. The Federal Elections Commission did a four year – yes, four years audit of John Edwards’ campaign finances and decided he didn’t do anything wrong. The million dollars donated to help hide his pregnant mistress from his wife and the public was NOT considered to be a campaign contribution by the FEC. The FEC saw that money as personal money. So, no crime, because no failure to report a campaign contribution or illegal use of a campaign contribution. But the jury may never hear this.
The FEC ruled this after the Justice Department already had indicted John Edwards. But Justice wouldn’t back off. They kept on coming with the case and they kept on coming Monday – convincing the judge to send the jury out of the room when the Edwards’ campaign chief financial officer testified. The judge ruled the jury won’t be told the FEC told the financial officer she didn’t have to report the money. (And have the appeals attorneys begun outlining their briefs?)
UPDATE: The Judge will allow in parts of the FEC report.
This was day one of Edwards’ defense and his lawyers also wanted to call the head of the FEC during the Edwards’ campaign. Prosecutors jumped right on that one – no way – and the judge said she’d send the jury home, and hear the FEC chief’s testimony herself, then rule if the jury could hear it. Tough day for the Edwards team. You’d think a home boy from North Carolina might get a little more legal love from his home state. Seems like the opposite is the case.
AND MORE…
Elizabeth Edwards didn’t want to just stay home and die, she wanted to keep going and help her husband win the White House, whether she’d ever live it or not. She had a temper that was volcanic and John Edwards was afraid of it. She called the shots – John Edwards took his orders from his wife. This was the very personal testimony from a former Edwards’ friend and campaign aide on Monday. Democratic pollster, Harrister Hickman was painting a personal portrait of Elizabeth Edwards for the jury with his testimony. It was definitely cringe worthy. She’s not here to defend her image – dead for a couple years now from the breast cancer that claimed her. Elizabeth Edwards was so popular – people loved the sweet faced mom, who’d lost a teenaged son in a car accident, bravely gave birth to two more children later in life, was an attorney, an author, and determined to campaign even after the breast cancer diagnosis.
But yesterday, we saw a different picture. Hickman said Elizabeth was furious about her husband’s affair, very angry that she would be humiliated and her children would be caught up in the scandal as well. We’ve already heard testimony Elizabeth thought the affair had ended when it hadn’t, and didn’t know about the pregnancy of Edwards’ mistress.
We also heard that Elizabeth wanted that affair hidden from the public, did not want her husband to quit the Presidential race, and was the one in charge – even while dying of breast cancer.

PRESIDENTIAL BATTLE ON

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:12:40 +0000

A new week – and Obama and Romney teams are going toe to toe. Yes, it’s on.
In the blue corner: The O team put up a new website and created a new TV spot that will be running in 5 battleground states tomorrow.
The key point is that when Romney’s Bain Capital moved in to invest and manage a steel mill in Kansas City, Missouri – workers lost jobs, health care and pension benefits Later – the company went through bankruptcy.

In the red corner: The Romney team came right back with a new web video about a successful steel company Bain Capital invested in -workers say the company is an example of the American Dream. The company workforce grew from 1400 to more than 6000 workers. The ad doesn’t mention the many millions in federal dollars pumped into the plant to keep it open – or state and country tax breaks that helped the doors open.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:59:51 +0000

You can be stylish and powerful too – that’s Michelle’s advice. ~ President Barack Obama at Barnard Commencement Address

#IWNY 2012

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:57:02 +0000

Destination: New York, New York for all things tech, virtual: Software, hardware and happy days and nights full of panels, parties and high tech royalty.This is Internet Week New York 2012. All the names you know have salons set up for you to visit, free. Just have to RSVP first – so let your fingers do the walking and tell them you’re coming. Headquarters for this fifth year of the big event is 82 Mercer in Soho. But there are events and showcases set up throughout the city. Arts, music, travel, media, fashion – see it all presented in ways you’ve never seen before. Need start-up cash to back the Next Big Thing that you’ve created? Investors are in the mix – just seek them out. And those who’ve already made it mojo big are in the crowd too – Buzzfeed’s CEO and Tumblr’s founder among them. 200 plus events to keep you in perpetual motion through the virtual world, all week. But – must confess – organizers say that getting to the very best events, panels, parties and people takes a ticket. Just $399. And they say they’ll sell out fast.
Tax deductible investment? Or just indulgence in a future fantasy come true today? You decide. But if you’re on a budget – well – take it free and easy. Enjoy!
#IWNY 2012

THE DEVIL IN NEWARK STADIUM

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:46:46 +0000

After Newark Mayor Cory Booker called New Jersey Devil’s owner Jeff Vanderbeek a “high falutin’ huckster and hustler” not to mention a “bamboozler” – even people who don’t follow Brick City politics got a little interested. And everything anybody might want to know about this snit came out over the weekend, even the legal documents.
So we know the big fight is over rent and parking fees. The world class arena was built for the Devils and finished in 2007. Newark’s “Star Ledger” did a down and dirty investigation going back seven years. And it looks like, surprise – money, big money, is the reason for the namecalling and the big bill taxpayers are looking at now.
Early on, the Devils said delays in street permits, street repairs, and utility work had cost them big time. So, they started withholding rent from the city to make up for their losses. And then talks went on for years, with deal after deal announced, but the problems did not get solved.
Bottom line: an arbitration board ruled weeks ago the city owes the Devils 600,000 in parking fees and taxpayers now also owe 3.7 million in legal and consulting fees.
The “Star Ledger” puts the blame on Booker – but who knows. The Mayor has a couple more years in office to straighten it all out – hopefully.

POTUS CLINTON 2.0?

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:37:27 +0000

They say timing is everything – and the timing for Hillary Clinton is so perfect….in 2016. Trouble is, Hillary Clinton says no, no, no she will not run for the White House again. A new poll in Iowa, first in the nation to holds its caucus,shows Hillary winning with 62% of the Democratic vote in 2016. Joe Biden may be a nice guy, but voters show him the love with just 14% in the projected race. You’d think a Vice President could do better than that when he goes for the top job. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gets lots of buzz about being a glamorous guy, once married to a Kennedy and now the long time boyfried of a Food Network star. Plus – the long shadow of his Dad’s political legacy ( New York Governor, Mario Cuomo) falls upon him. But voters put him as the 47% favorite – right behind Massashusetts’ Senator, Elizabeth Warren at 49%.
But the real story is Hillary – From the beginning: fighting for national health care, long before President Obama was able to make it happen. And then – the Monica thing. Survived what would drive a lot of women right out of public life and onto the living room couch. Then – Senator Clinton of New York and a rugged run for the White House, topping the whole thing off as Secretary of State. No wonder she says ‘Enough,already’.
It’s good to see her let her hair down (literally) and sling back a beer in a bottle during her off-time.

15 MILLION REASONS TO LOVE CLOONEY

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:27:55 +0000

That is what you call a Hollywood PARTY.
George Clooney threw up a tent at his Studio City mansion and Hollywood came a-callin’, at $40,000 a pop. That made up for less than half the record 15 million dollars made at the event. The rest – from a raffle for Obama supporters who wanted an invite. Two ladies won – and brought their husbands, likely figuring George Clooney would be busy with girlfriend Stacy Kiebler.
Presdent Obama told the crowd he knew he’d made some news the day before (declaring his support for same sex marriage) and that got a reaction. And word is Super Producer Norman Lear is pulling out his checkbook based on this Obama decision alone. But, enough with the politics. It was a party, right? So – a look at the guest list: Robert Downey Jr., Barbra Streisand and husband, James Brolin, Salma Hayek and so on.
Dinner: Prepared by chef to the stars, Wolfgang Puck. Menu: Artichoke Salad, Beijing Style roasted duckling, lamb and beef cheek with potatos (ok, try anything once) along with some Brussels Sprouts and sweet corn tortelloni.
And – some good one liners from the President:

We raised a lot of money because people love George…they like me, they love George!

RON PAUL QUITS – SORT OF

Cassandra Centeno — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:18:34 +0000

Yup, Texas Congressman Ron Paul is stopping his campaign. He says he just doesn’t have the money to keep the traveling road show going. The primary in Paul’s home state of Texas is just a couple of weeks away. California, New Jersey and Utah are coming up, also.
But Paul says his peeps will be pushing for support at state conventions – and will definitely be at RNConvention in Florida. They’re shutting down the roadshow but the drive for delegates is alive!