Home Based Business Ideas for Men

Home based business ides are everywhere, but if you research them online you will find a lot of them are geared towards women. Direct sales companies are all geared toward the stay at home mom. What if you're a man who wants to start a home based business? What are your options?

 

Assuming you are not a man who wants to sell stuff your own teddy bears at the next mom luncheon, you may want to consider being an independent insurance agent. You can easily run an insurance business out of your home. You do have to be licensed and while all states are different, it's usually only a couple week class to learn what you need to know. You can either be a property and casualty insurance agent or you could get a license in health and life insurance. Once you are licensed a little networking with other professionals and you will be well on your way to a successful home based business.

 

Maybe you are a more hands on kind of guy though. Have you ever thought about starting a carpet cleaning business or even landscaping? While the actual physical work would have to be done outside the home, you can still conducted the business end primarily from your house. More than likely, you will need some equipment to get started. Since this can get costly, you could look into business loans or grants to help you in the beginning. A lot of men enjoy having this type of home based business, because it also gets them out of the house.

 

If you are looking for a home based business with a low start up cost. You could try freelance writing. All you need to get started is a computer and Internet access. There are many types of writing you can do. Businesses will pay freelance writers for writing anything from press releases to annual reports. There's also a lot of work available for those looking to write keyword articles for web content.

 

Another home based business option could be real estate. There are numerous things you can do in the real estate field and they can all be based from your home. You could be a real estate investor. There are numerous books written for people looking to get into real estate investing. You could become a licensed real estate agent. As a real estate agent you have the option to work for a real estate agency outside the home, but you can also work for yourself out of your home. It may take time to build clientele and find good leads, but both of these types of businesses can be home based.

 

While it may seem like a lot of home based businesses are geared towards women, there are numerous options that aren't geared towards either sex. There are more home based businesses for men then you may think. If you put your mind to it almost any business can be based out of your home.

 

Work From Home

Work From Home can create instant cash flow; a more flexible schedule; more time with your family; no commuting; and the hope of retiring early.

Work from home advantages:

No journey to work, saving time and money on fuel/transport costs. You want to "be your own boss," "work from home," or just "make extra money". Either way the opportunity is real.

Online

Online work at home income has never been easier to find, yet it is still a challenge to sort out which of the opportunities are real and those that are less than credible.

Online advertising has skyrocketed over the past few years as online businesses have exploded.

Newspapers around the world are reporting on how the telecommuter can succeed in working at home. And a courageous few take the plunge and quit the 9 to 5 and decide to become entrepreneurs online.

The best home based business is the infopreneur business. Homebusiness for anyone with special knowledge, no matter what the subject.

Become an "information entrepreneur." An "infopreneur." Basically... monetize what you know.

It's so simple. Not "easy" (real business takes some work)... it's simple. No technical barriers to stop you. Provide in-demand information ("Content") about something you know. From that point on, everything flows...

What is Affiliate Marketing?

It is a method of earning commissions through revenue sharing between online merchants and websites based on informational content.

Affiliate marketing enables any online marketer to promote products and services of other companies. This creates opportunities for merchants to generate sales and affiliates to earn revenue from websites.

Content sites can convert their online content into e-commerce by featuring revenue-generating links.

The one factor that makes or breaks this approach is traffic. If no one sees the website, no one will find the relevant links and no one makes a profit. The winning strategy is to produce content that is in demand; content that informs and solves problems. It sounds simple enough, but here is where your ingenuity will be tested.

A winning formula can make your website profitable and free you from the drudgery of your 9-5 job. Worth a try, wouldn’t you say?

Perry Marshall's 40th Birthday

Why You Should Choose an at Home Job

People choose to work at home for many different reasons. There are a lot of benefits to having an at home job. These benefits may work out more from some people than others. Regardless of your personal situation though, they are definitely worth taking into consideration. Deciding to take an at home job is a big decision. It may mean losing some of the benefits you are used to having working outside the home.

 

While you may not find a company that offers their home agents medical insurance, there are other benefits that may make an at home job worth while. When you work from home you don't have more than a five second commute. You can roll out of bed, grab some coffee, and start up the computer. You don't have to drive anywhere and your don't even have to get dressed. This benefit sounds great to most people, but may be crucial for people who are disabled. Work at home jobs, may be the only jobs that some people can accept. It's also a great option for moms who aren't able to afford child care. Not having proper child care makes it almost impossible to work outside the home, working from home gives you the option to care for your children and earn an income.

 

You can work around your schedule. This makes a work at home job a great option for anyone who has prior commitments. If you need to work around a child's schedule you can. If you need to work around something in your own personal schedule, you can. Flexible scheduling makes working at home great for people with health conditions that require regular treatments, people who are starting a business but need income temporarily, or even those who simply like to travel.

 

You can get your housework done on your breaks. If you have a busy schedule this is an added bonus. When you have an at home job, it is necessary to make a schedule for yourself. The schedule helps to keep you focused, but you also need regular breaks. Use those break times to run the vacuum or throw in a load of laundry. This will help to free up your evenings allowing you to spend more time with your family.

 

There are numerous benefits to accepting an at home job, and you can even find some that will allow you to have the same benefits that you would receive if you worked outside the home. While some companies offer medical insurance and even retirement plans for home workers, not all of them do. Before selecting an at home job you should weigh all of your benefits to make sure the job meets your needs.

Earn Money at Home in Your Spare Time

It is very possible to earn money from home in your spare time. If you are looking to earn a little more money to supplement your bills or even just to save for something you've been wanting you can easily do it from home. Think about how nice it would be to not have to get a second job outside the home. You can work around your current schedule and even in your pajamas! Sounds nice doesn't it?

 

It isn't hard to earn money from home. There are even numerous options available to you. One good way to earn some extra money and clean out the junk in your house at the same time is by using Ebay. Ebay is the biggest online auction site available and a great way to earn some extra cash.

 

If you are one of the few people in the world who don't have an over abundance of junk collected over the years, there are other options as well. There are a lot of different companies who will hire home agents to do phone work. This can be customer service, sales, or even collections. Businesses like to out source this work because it saves on their overhead and that makes it a great option for you to earn money at home.

 

Phone work may not be for everyone though, so what other types of work is available? You could try data entry or transcription. Both are easy to do you would basically transcribe things like meeting minutes from either short hand or an audio file. You could also try your hand at freelance writing, businesses are always looking for web content and keyword articles to purchase. Or you could even be a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is basically an administrative assistant who works from home. Needless to say there are countless ways to earn money at home in your spare time as long as you have a computer and Internet access the sky's the limit.

 

Business Startup Made Simple

The thought of starting a business sounds harder than it actually is. Business startup isn't actually all that hard and you can even do the whole thing online. With some minimal research you can be in business within a few weeks.

 

You should already have a business idea in mind and hopefully have done your due diligence to make sure it a wise financial decision. Now that you have those two things complete, you're ready to get started! It's an exciting time, but how do you actually make your business legal? What is required of you throughout the business startup process?

 

The first thing you should do is decide on a business name. The business name should be something memorable and catchy. It also needs to pertain to your business. It doesn't have to be boring like Joe's Plumbing, but you to do something catchy an a little different like Two Plumbers and a Wrench. Something people will remember, but also lets them know what it is you do. Once you have a name planned you need to register your business name with your state. There is a fee which will vary by state, but you can do this online by visiting your state's website.

 

You will also need to decide if you want to conduct your business as a sole proprietor or a corporation. There are many benefits for doing business as a corporation, but you also may need and accountant to handle your taxes for you. That of course, will depend on how much you know about taxes. For some people it may be easier to conduct business as an individual. Doing this may be easier, but you are subject to more taxes and your assets aren't protected as well. You can also find plenty of information on the Small Business Associations website to help you make this decision.

 

The business startup process won't be complete until you have officially registered your business and receive your Employer Identification Number. After you decide how to register, it's time to actually do it. You can register your business online via your state's website. The website will tell you what forms need filled out and how to complete them. Once you fill them out you simply submit them online. Once the papers are filed you will receive your Employer ID number in the mail and then you're in business!

Five Home Business Ideas for Animal Lovers

Everyone has heard someone say your career should be something you love. We spend the majority of our time at work, so why shouldn't you do something that you love? What if you are an animal lover looking to start a business? There are plenty of business ideas out there, but why not try something geared around the animals you love?

 

1. Start a dog walking business. A dog walking business is best for people who live in the city. Dogs in the city don't usually have a lot of room to run and play. With their owners at work all day, they usually hire someone to walk their dogs. This can be a very profitable business for any animal lover. It would also be a simple business idea to start up. Simply print flyers and go door to door to pass them out to gain clients.

 

2. Start a doggy daycare. Some pet owners have a very busy schedule and don't want to leave their dog home alone all the time. This is where a doggy daycare comes in handy. Whether they bring the dog for one day or a week, babysitting the dog makes you money and leaves the owner with a piece of mind.

 

3. Another great business idea for an animal lover is a pet resort. When people have to travel, they don't want to leave their pet in a kennel. Instead they look for a plush pet resort that is somewhat like a luxury hotel for pets. This is definitely a unique business, but fun and profitable.

 

4. Are you not really a dog or cat person, but still love animals? A good business idea for you may be to own horse stables. Equestrians are always looking for good stables to keep their horses at.

 

5. No space for animals, but you'd still like a good business idea centered around animals? How about making clothes for dogs? You can sell them online and on Ebay and make a good profit. It seems everyone dresses their pets these days, why not profit from it?

 

If you are an animal lover, then you could turn anything pertaining to animals into a business. There are business ideas all around you, all you have to do is think outside the box!

 

Home Based Businesses Trump 9 to 5 Jobs

While rising gas prices continue to climb throughout the US, more and more people are looking to the future of home-based businesses. Recently, a poll was taken by the general population on the percentage of people who are interested in, or are researching the prospects of a home-based business. A staggering 45 percent are eager to start and another 40 percent are seeking information on a home-based business of their choice. If the 40 percent who have looked to start a home-based business begin within the next year and the eager 45 percent join in too,  that is over half of Americans who do not have to get out of their Pajamas in the mornings. Nor do they have to rush around to get the kids off to school before work. Sound refreshing? Eighty five percent of Americans think so!

 

This is good news for single parents and for families with two incomes as well. Being a parent can be hard enough, but throw in the stress of a hectic schedule and the overbearing power of the eight hour workday, and you've got a recipe for catastrophe. Independence is a major factor in a single parents life. Being prosperous at a job and bringing home the bacon at the same time, isn't easy these days and single parents will be the first to express that. With home-based businesses these parents are finding comfort in knowing that they have the freedom and flexibility to live their lives the way they want to.

 

Home-based businesses may not be for everyone. It takes a self-disciplined and highly motivated individual to succeed in these entrepreneurial ventures. You've got to set goals and work to reach them. Having that pestering boss hovering over you is a thing of the past in the world of home-based businesses. This means you're the boss, and you must be capable of working well on your own. Self-motivation is a quality entrepreneurs must possess. Problem solving and learning new skills are important as well to help you grow to and beyond your highest ambitions. However, the key to a strong and successful business is a powerful support system. With your family and friends behind you as you embark on your business dreams; there is nothing that you cannot accomplish.

 

After countless hours of research on “what business is right for you” and checklist after checklist, you may become discouraged. Still the most impressive thing about home-based businesses is that you can do what you love to do. Finally feel good about your job and passionate about the hours you put in. Choose a subject that you are animated about. Maybe it's photography, or perhaps writing, either way it's your choice. As a result, say good-bye to commuting. No more expensive day care costs or throwing away your time on someone else's investments. Better yourself and spend valuable time with your family. This world is full of opportunities, and the choice is yours. Take advantage of it, you deserve it!

 

Five Things Most Companies Making Money Do

Is your company struggling? What do other companies do to keep their doors open? The economy is struggling and it can have a negative effect on businesses everywhere. There are five things companies making money do to stay afloat during hard times.

 

1. Access their finances- Successful businesses access their finances and figure out where they can cut costs. This doesn't have to mean laying off any employees you may have, but there are always places that you tend to overspend. Review all of your expenses and try to cut corners anywhere you can.

 

2. Find cheap and effective advertising- Advertising costs can be expensive and companies that are making money know how to be very cost effective in this area. Look for free or low cost advertising and take advantage of it. Make sure to track the response you are getting so that you know which areas are worth your time. When you start getting a good response think about cutting back on some of the more expensive advertising.

 

3. Network with others in your industry- Networking is a very important part of business. It's important to network with others in similar businesses. For example if you are a property and casualty insurance agent you will want to network with some realtors. Building successful business relationships can bring a lot of new business your way.

 

4. Go paper free- A lot of companies are going paper free. Not only does it help save our planet's resources, but also saves money in a lot of different areas. You'll save on paper, printer ink, and if you have employees it can even boost morale by making them responsible for tracking things like their attendance. The companies making money know this and are taking action.

 

5. Talk about your business- Companies making money consist of people who talk about their business. You may not want to talk about your business at the dinner table, but when you meet new people you should always talk about your business. They may have a need for your product or services, you wouldn't know that if you didn't talk about your business.

 

These are just a few things that companies making money do. There are many things you can do to keep your company going even during the hardest times. Don't let your company sink, be determined and cut costs where you can. Your company will survive as long as you are dedicated to keeping your business doors open.

 

Easy Money Making Ideas For The Retired

Gone are the days when you can retire and live off your life savings.  Retirement savings is just not enough for many people especially if they were one of the unfortunate ones that were caught in some of the investment scandals of the 90?s.  Many retired people are finding they have to supplement their retirement savings with a part time job.  Many are finding there are some easy money making ideas for the retired.  Especially since a retired person has a lot more freedom to spend their time finding the perfect idea that will fit their skills and needs.

 

A retired person usually will have years of experience in a certain field.  Some easy money making ideas would be for that retired person to use the skills they gained over their professional career and transition that into a consulting job.  Many companies are in need of people with the knowledge and experience that many retired people posses.  They would like to gain their knowledge and experience to train new inexperienced staff.  It is a great loss to a company when a senior ranking employee leaves for retirement.  By providing some consulting, a retired person can offer their expertise and still enjoy the comforts of retirement.

 

Many retired people find ideas on the Internet.  There are literally millions of online ventures waiting for someone with some experience, expertise and time to invest in.  The key is to not fall into any scams.  Some retired people find they can turn a hobby into some very easy money making ideas.  They can refine and market their hobby into a business very easily while still enjoying the work.  They can start their own website and market their hobby online and at various craft fairs.  This allows them to stay active and meet others who are interested in the same hobbies they are.

 

Retirement does not mean you have to stop working all together.  For many retired people, some easy money making ideas come from still being able to work at their current job but at a different capacity. Many companies are offering alternative hours and telecommuting opportunities that allow a person to become semi-retired but still enjoy the benefits of a regular paying job.  For many, this becomes a nice way to transition into full retirement when the time comes as opposed to just stopping suddenly at a certain age.  They feel they are still able to contribute while still enjoying the benefits of retirement.

 

Ten Fun Ways of Making Money

In today's poor economy, everyone is feeling the pinch on their wallet.  But before you get that second job, try one of these ten fun ways of making money!  This list might not be comprehensive, but should provide you with a few ideas to get your creative and entrepreneurial juices flowing.

 

First, try having a yard sale.  This opportunity to make some quick cash carries wit it the added benefit of organizing your house.  Yard sales are excellent opportunities to get rid of old items you no longer use and to turn those items into quick cash.  TVs, fitness equipment, and home décor items are big draws for yard sales.

 

Second, everyone has heard those commercials for used gold buyers.  Try gathering your old jewelry and taking inventory of what you wear and what you might discard.  Be sure to research the company you utilize to buy your gold to ensure you get proper and timely payment.

 

Third, collect aluminum cans.  If you are a pop drinker, this activity might require less work than you think.  Additionally, this way of making money benefit6s the environment through recycling and less land fill waste.

 

Fourth, sell those collectibles currently collecting dust on your bookshelves on an auction site!  A little research on an auction site might provide clues to the worth of your items.

 

Fifth, become a makeup artist and salesperson.  If you enjoy talking to people and throwing small parties, this might be an excellent and one of the most fun ways of making money.

 

Sixth, adult networking sites or telephone centers can provide an entertaining and lucrative way to bring in extra cash.  Dating sites and escort sites provide legitimate opportunities to meet new people and make money in the process.

 

Seventh, evaluate your bills and find those services that would provide you with a finder's or referral fee.  These incentives can really add up if you have friends who would be willing to switch to your cable or cellular provider.  Often, these rewards go unclaimed, so be aware of the hidden ways you could make money from your current services.

 

Eighth, consider flipping houses.  If you have a lot of extra money and some free time, this activity can quickly escalate from a hobby to a full career.  Many people fully support themselves with this activity.

 

Ninth,  plasma donation centers offer a unique way to make some quick cash while providing an invaluable service to individuals who might be in a critical health emergencies.  Plasma donation centers will pay you for donating plasma, the liquid part of your blood that cells are suspended in.  This liquid is essential to many different kinds of patients in the hospital, but especially to burn victims.

 

And tenth, why not consider starting your own online home business?  The first nine ways of making money would work, but an online home business offers a fun opportunity to make money that is secure, long lasting, and an exciting career.

 

Norway tops gender equality ranking

Norway tops a ranking of countries doing the most to close the gender gap, followed by three other Nordic nations, in a survey made by the World Economic Forum.

Norway rose from third to first place and scored 82.45% in the table of 130 countries, denoting the percentage of the gap between women and men that has been closed to date.

Finland, Sweden and Iceland came second, third and fourth respectively.

Last year, Sweden placed at the top of the index.

Progress in closing the gap is not only "possible" but can be achieved in a relatively short space of time the survey report says.

Norway's Minister of Equality, Anniken Huitfeldt is pleased: - This is the result of political choice, and choices which have not always been supported by a broad majority. Because equality is not always conditioned by cultural background, she says.

The index considered economic participation, educational attainment, political empowerment and health and survival.

- Our work shows a strong correlation between competitiveness and the gender gap scores, the report states.

- While this does not imply causality, the possible theoretical underpinnings of this link are clear: countries that do not fully capitalize effectively on one-half of their human resources run the risk of undermining their competitive potential, it says.

The survey stems from a collaboration of individuals of Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley and the World Economic Forum.

Gender equality is now becoming an export article, and the Norwegian Minister of Equality is now on her way to France, where she will meet EU'sministers of equality to tell of the Norwegian experience.

-They are in particular interested to know how we are able to maintain a high birth rate, combined with high working life participation, Huitfeldt says.

http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21236/32/

Spectacular natural beauty, peace and harmony

Beautiful Flåm is situated in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the 204 kilometres long and up to 1308 metres deep Sognefjord.

Surrounded by steep mountainsides, roaring waterfalls and deep valleys, Flåm is a paradise for everyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience with nature.

With nature-based activities, many nearby attractions, exciting culture and historic traditions - Flåm is the perfect holiday resort for the entire family!

From Flåm Port and the many fjord boats it is only a short walk to a trip on the famous Flåm Railway, or maybe a stay at one of Fjord Norway's long-established tourist hotels.

http://www.visitflam.com/default.asp

The Struggle Over The Kennedys' Future

Caroline Kennedy made it official, confirming she would no longer seek a U.S. senate seat "for personal reasons." Those personal reasons likely have a lot to do with Teddy Kennedy.

Caroline Kennedy told associates her decision was related to uncle Ted's illness, according to the Times, which sounded at first, to us and others, like an implausible excuse. Ted Kennedy's brain tumor has been a serious concern since the summer, well before Caroline was in contention for Hillary Clinton's senate seat.

But then came the evidence that Ted Kennedy and his associates were fighting Caroline's decision. After the New York Post, Times and the Associated Press reported Caroline was withdrawing her name from Gov. David Paterson's consideration, indignant denials emerged from Washington, DC, where uncle Ted is the go-to source for all things Kennedy.

NBC News' David Gregory, of the DC bureau's Meet the Press, called into Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show to say he'd heard the rumors were false. And the Washington Post quoted "Kennedy family confidants angrily dismissing" the reports. Even AP backtracked, clarifying that after "wavering briefly," Kennedy had "renewed her determination Wednesday to win appointment to the U.S. Senate seat once held by her slain uncle, Bobby Kennedy."

Things didn't turn out that way. But the back and forth between New York and DC media was easy to mistake for a surrogate to a tug-of-war between Caroline Kennedy and her uncle.

If Caroline Kennedy purportedly told friends she quit over concerns for her uncle's health, Ted seems to have not wanted her to yield to those worries.

And yet he couldn't stop her. She was deeply anxious. And why shouldn't she be? Were Ted Kennedy to soon die, she would will be left to govern without him.

That scenario seemed more likely Kennedy's seizure at Barack Obama's inauguration. When the senator spoke at the Democratic National Convention, he said he wanted to pass the torch to Barack Obama and "a new generation of Americans." The ailing senator made it, but the inaugural incident would have raised the question, particularly among those who love him most, of whether, having done so, he was preparing to say goodbye.

Ted Kennedy would not be content merely to see Obama as president. What of the Kennedy family legacy? What of his own — his initiatives, his allies, his staff? The dream of an eternal Kennedy dynasty is a lot to place on the shoulders of a basically apolitical woman with just a couple of years of government leadership under her belt, inside a municipal bureaucracy at that. And yet Caroline is the best-qualified remaining member of the clan to keep the family name continuously present in the senate — and far preferable to Andrew Cuomo, whose messy divorce from Kerry Kennedy was laced with accusations of infidelity and did not endear him to Ted.

The senator, one might reasonably surmise, must have pushed Caroline hard, right up to the end. But this was one affair he could not put in order.

http://gawker.com/5136798/the-struggle-over-the-kennedys-future

Obama inauguration celebrations spread far and wide

Exhilaration reigned over most of the country Tuesday as the United States prepared to inaugurate its first African-American president.

Black and white Americans celebrated along with other minorities as the promise of a new era of ethnic inclusiveness dawned with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

"The biggest thing that I look forward to, that I anticipate from this, is unity throughout the country, racially and politically," Fred Jemison of Birmingham, Alabama, told CNN affiliate WBMA. Jemison was helping set up Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium for the city's inauguration celebration.

Clint Cantwell left work to join a "pretty festive" crowd on New York's Times Square to watch the inauguration unfold on giant outdoor screens.

"It's a brand new day for the country," he said. "I think it's a momentous occasion and I'm looking forward to the next four years."

Public inauguration-viewing parties were planned in the Los Angeles, California, area, according to CNN affiliate KCAL. The largest would be at the Staples Center, the 20,000-seat arena where the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers play.

A viewing party also was planned at McCormick Café in Billings, Montana, where the forecast high temperature of 56 degrees was expected to be at least 20 degrees higher than on the National Mall in Washington.

"American history will be made in Washington, D.C., today, while weather history might be made in Billings," said Marc Moraniec of CNN affiliate KTVQ.

Cold and snowy weather found its way to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where iReporter Cali Sandel, a Winthrop University student, built a snowman holding a sign reading "Yes We Can."

Sandel said she will watch the historic inauguration on television from her home, "waiting to see what he (Obama) can do."

In Raleigh, North Carolina, iReporter Sam Shaber watched the events with his parents at their house.

"We are all snowed in and have a bottle of champagne ready," he said. "I am gay, and to have just any minority be elected is such a milestone in so many ways."

The family put an American flag outside the house this morning in honor of the ceremony.

"Even though the snow is falling, people all up and down the street have our American flags out," he said.

Andrea Zucker of Northampton, Massachusetts, thought it was important to share the moment with the next generation.

"I'm going to watch (the inauguration) with my students," she told CNN affiliate WGGB. "I work in a middle school in Springfield, and I'm very excited about it. I feel it's one of the most important days we've had in a long, long time."

Betsy Crowell of Syracuse, New York, boarded a bus for Washington on Monday night to see Obama become president.

"He's not just the president for one group or this group or that," she told CNN affiliate WTVH. "He's for all of the people, and I think that we will prosper from this presidency."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.reaction/

Aretha Franklin's inaugural hat trick

Maybe it's "Mad Men" or all the stingy-brim wearing hipsters in L.A., but hats are back. You only had to scan the crowd at the inauguration today to figure that out. Ted Kennedy broke out a fedora and Aretha Franklin -- who has rocked her fair share of amazing headgear over the years -- wrapped her head in a rhinestone-studded bow. What did you think of Franklin's hat? Did you love it or hate it?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2009/01/inaugural-hat-t.html

Henderson and Rice Elected to Hall

Rickey Henderson’s glorious career was defined by speed and success. Those themes of doing it fast and doing it well continued on Monday when Henderson was elected into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.

While Henderson, one of baseball’s best leadoff hitters, rumbled into the Hall with 94.8 percent of the vote, Jim Rice squeezed through a closing door. In his 15th, and final, year of eligibility, he notched 76.4 percent of the vote; he was on 412 of the 539 ballots cast, meaning he got seven more votes than the required 405.

In order to be elected into the Hall, players need 75 percent of the vote from 10-year members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. After Rice, outfielder Andre Dawson, who played 21 seasons, mostly with the Expos and Cubs, finished with 67 percent of the vote, and pitcher Bert Blyleven received 62.7 percent.

Mark McGwire, whose career has been clouded by suspicions of steroid use, saw his percentage drop to 21.9 percent from 23.6 percent.

Henderson was one of the game’s best at being a pest. He would do anything to get on base and loved stealing bases and scoring runs. He is the career leader in stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295), and also had 2,190 walks, the second highest total, and 3,055 hits.

“I feel great about it,” Henderson said. “It’s been a long time coming. I played baseball because I loved the game. I wanted to continue playing. It came to a time that I had to stop. And now that it has been five years, they have chosen me to go into the Hall of Fame. I cannot be any more pleased or thrilled about it.”

In 25 seasons Henderson played with nine teams, including four stints with the Oakland Athletics. He helped the A’s win a World Series title in 1989 and was voted the most valuable player a year later. Tony La Russa, who managed Henderson, a left fielder, with the A’s, called him a dangerous player.

While Henderson will have input in what cap is on his plaque, officials from the Hall make that decision. He had his greatest impact with the A’s and acknowledged that the Oakland cap, “has the edge right now.”

When Dennis Eckersley, a Hall of Fame closer who was Henderson’s teammate on the A’s, was asked about Henderson’s candidacy, he said: “To me, he’s a slam dunk. I’m talking about 98 percent.”

Rice, the feared hitter from the Boston Red Sox, was never a slam dunk with voters. It took Rice 15 ballots to get elected. But now Rice will share a stage with Henderson in Cooperstown. Unlike the traveling Henderson, Rice played his entire 16-year career with the Red Sox. He had 382 homers, 1,451 runs batted in, hit .298 and won one M.V.P. award.

After Rice, a left fielder, received 72.2 percent of the vote last year, the odds were in his favor to be elected. Of the 20 players who had received at least 70 percent of the vote before their eligibility expired, all 20 were elected. Rice is now the 21st.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/sports/baseball/13hall.html

Obama picks Leon Panetta as CIA head

US president-elect Barack Obama has chosen former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta to head the Central Intelligence Agency, a Democratic Party official told AFP Monday.

In turning to a political heavyweight with no direct background in intelligence, Obama appeared to be opting for someone who would bring fresh eyes and credibility to an agency battered by controversy over its conduct of the war on terrorism.

"Here is a guy who will be very credible with the Democrats in Congress and here's someone who brings not only an outsider's perspective but knows how the White House works," said James Lewis, an intelligence expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"He knows what presidents want and need. That's a plus," he said.

Panetta was former president Bill Clinton's chief of staff from 1994 to 1997, following a 16-year career as a lawmaker from California.

Although his expertise in the House of Represenatives and in the Clinton administration was in budgets and finance, observers say his political savvy and connections should make him a powerful CIA director.

His appointment will also help Obama reassure critics who worry that the leadership of the US intelligence community has been dominated in recent years by the US military.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, who will chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said she had not been informed about the appointment and was ambivalent about Panetta's qualifications for the job.

"I know nothing about this, other than what I've read," the California Democrat said in a statement.

"My position has consistently been that I believe the (CIA) is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time," she added.

Panetta will work under retired admiral Dennis Blair, Obama's choice to oversee the sprawling intelligence system as director of national intelligence.

Obama has not yet formally announced either appointment, but Democratic officials and transition aides have confirmed the picks on condition of anonymity.

A former commander of US forces in the Pacific from 1999 to 2002, Blair will be only the third director of national intelligence (DNI).

The position was created by Congress in 2004 after investigations revealed that turf-sensitive intelligence agencies failed to share information that might have averted the September 11 attacks. That failure was followed by US intelligence's fateful error on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

The DNI's main mission was to break down the barriers between the agencies, and make them operate more collaboratively.

"It'll be interesting to see how that relationship between Blair and Panetta develops," said Lewis, noting that Panetta's political clout as a former White House chief of staff outweighs that of his nominal boss.

"Panetta is a heavyweight, and he will be reporting to Blair," he said. "What does it say about the DNI position? In some ways Panetta would have been good for that job as well."

The current leaders of the US intelligence community are retired or active military officers who have worked together for years, come from similar backgrounds and have longstanding relationships, he said.

"Picking someone who is a civilian works against that fear of militarization. It helps to have somebody who is politically astute, and one thing you can say about Leon Panetta is that he is as astute politically as you can get."

If confirmed, Panetta will replace air force general Michael Hayden, who has led the CIA since 2006.

A key challenge for Panetta will be dealing with the fallout from the CIA's use of waterboarding and other techniques widely denounced as torture on detainees at secret prisons as part of the war on terror.

John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.Org, a non-partisan research group, said Panetta's task will be "to keep the agency out of the news."

"You need somebody who can stand up and say: 'Don't worry everything is under control, trust me.'"

Having a politically-connected CIA director will help with "the process of deconstructing the Bush policies," said Lewis.

At the CIA, he said, "they'll be watching to see what he says on the torture issue. Will he be pro-witch hunt or will he be able to defend his guys. And if he defends them, they'll love him."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hd1YwW1gzDKKucPX6OR2Psxnmi5A

Actor Bernie Hamilton, who played the no-nonsense police captain on the 1970s TV series "Starsky and Hutch," has died. He was 80. Hamilton died of cardiac arrest Tuesday night at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said his son, Raoul Hamilton.

Born in Los Angeles in 1928, Hamilton ran away from home as a teenager and wound up staying in someone's garage and attending Oakland Technical High School, where he played football and got involved in acting.

Hamilton appeared in more than 20 films, including "The Young One," "The Devil at 4 O'Clock," "Synanon," "The Swimmer," "Walk the Walk" and "The Organization."

He also had guest appearances on television series before becoming a regular on "Starsky and Hutch," the ABC police drama starring Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul. Hamilton played the brusque, by-the-book Capt. Harold Dobey, a role that gave him wide recognition to this day, his son said.

After "Starsky and Hutch," Hamilton spent the next 20 years in the music business producing R&B and gospel records under the record label Chocolate Snowman.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5inkUvOvCP59PlAfIvPLNt14A660gD95EK1PG0

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