Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the lining which protects the body’s vital organs and is almost invariably fatal. New treatments are in the offing which do show some promise, so someday there may be a treatment for this particular form of cancer. Mesothelioma prevention however, is quite simple in theory: do not inhale asbestos.

Most victims of mesothelioma were exposed on the job; at one time the material was used in a variety of industries, most notable the ventilation and automotive manufacturing industries. The process of manufacturing would often involve asbestos being cut, which led to particles of asbestos dust in the air. These particles were then inhaled by the workers, and to a lesser extent their families who would be exposed to the asbestos dust on their family member’s clothing. Asbestos was also heavily used in construction up to the 1970, when it was used as insulation.

Many of the Big banks and financing sites are enticing borrowers to come in and re-finance their mortgages with new incentives.  Ditech and Lending Tree are currently running refinance Sale deals.  And the banks like: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Wamu (Washington Mutual), Countrywide and the others are all looking to bring in customers while the refinance market is hot.

In a survey produced by Cars.com, 30% of consumers reported that they had no intention of buying a car until the just ended “Cash for Clunkers” program was announced.  Many said the program was too good to pass up.  The program had the biggest impact on younger drivers, where 34% said they purchased a car because of the program.

The results dramatically increased sales for the Big 3 automakers, who are now reporting lowered sales due to the lack of a government incentive. The car makers are now increasing advertising to boost sales going into the holidays.  GM reported they are gearing up for higher advertising expenses (and hoped for sales) in the 4th quarter. Ford is hoping to drive greater sales with the New Taurus model set for the 2010 model year.

Ford Taurus for 2010

Gold futures have been trending up for the last few months due mostly to a weak US dollar, and today closed above th $1,017 mark. The gain occured as the Euro gained in late Friday trading. “Gold and silver responded accordingly,” said Andrew Montano, director of precious metals at Scotia Mocatta. Investors often turn to gold as a hedge against dollar weakness.

Platinum and silver rose as well.

Conventional wisdom is that investors buy gold as a safety net, and as long as the recession continues buyers may outpace sellers.

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Walmart.com announced today that it will begin carrying 1 million new items with the addition of it’s new Walmart Marketplace. The additional products will come from a number of sites including well known etailers like eBags, CSN Stores and Pro Team.

“This will have a significant impact on eBags and will help further solidify eBags as the place to go for luggage”, according to Eliot Cobb, of Denver CO, a Co-founder of eBags, and the original CFO.  “It’s also coming at a perfect time for the upcoming Christmas Holiday and should have a direct impact of eBags Holiday quarter sales.

For more information see the attached press release:

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