Free Republic

By Kirk Myers, Seminole County Environmental News Examiner This article, the second in a series, focuses on the misleading performance claims surrounding the “more energy efficient” compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs now replacing traditional incandescent bulbs. These potentially harmful mercury-filled lamps (see my previous column describing the dangers) are being forced on consumers by the U.S. congress with support from the Green Lobby and light-bulb manufacturers like GE, Sylvania and Phillips. These and other manufacturers stand to make huge profits selling the more expensive CFLs (more on that issue in my next column). There is a growing body of evidence...

General Electric, considered to be a bellwether for the industrial sector, reported second-quarter earnings Friday that topped analyst estimates. The Fairfield, Conn.-based industrial conglomerate logged earnings of $3.7 billion, or 34 cents per share, up 17% from a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thompson Reuters had been expecting GE (GE, Fortune 500) to report earnings per share of 32 cents. "With our fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth, we continue to execute in a volatile environment," GE CEO Jeff Immelt said in a statement. Immelt attributed the growth to strong results from GE Capital, as well as the company's...

Republicans have introduced a repeal of federal lightbulb standards in the House, which effectively ban older-style incandescent bulbs, but Democrats in the chamber have begun uniting to defeat it. Thanks to the way the bill made it to the floor, it needs a 2/3rds majority to pass — and that looks doubtful at best: House Democrats on Monday indicated strong opposition to a controversial bill to repeal federal lightbulb standards, which could lead to the defeat of the measure in an expected Tuesday vote.The Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, H.R. 2417 would end federal bulb standards passed in 2007...

General Electric Co. reported a 77% increase in first-quarter earnings, lifted by marked improvement at its GE Capital financing arm and gains at most of its industrial units. The company also boosted its quarterly dividend by a penny to 15 cents. The move marks GE's third dividend increase in the past year, although the payout remains well short of GE's 31-cent dividend before the financial crisis and economic downturn. Many companies have been boosting dividends, looking to give cash back to shareholders as the need to hoard it wanes amid an improved economy.

Pathetic....Bravo pushed for and promoted the Salahi's promotion and now they are trying to back track.... When delusional Bravo tv reporter's were orchestrating the RHODC presence... such pathetic losers.... Bravo wanted them their and are now back tracking because Obama is pathetic and has his wife on Top Chef. So yeah, GAY Homo Obama planned for Bravo film crew to be at the event and now they are trashing the couple which Bravo TV promoted in attending. Ha Ha. Pathetic.