But even clarifies Martin Lawrence he admits martin laurence states that the Fed will need much more evidence of a slowing economy just to guarantee that its tightening cycle is over, let alone before it begins lowering interest rates. What may be telling is if long-term interest rates continue to slide in coming months while the stock market stays flat or falls anew. That would be a strong signal that, as has so often happened historically, the Fed has indeed gone too far. Tom Petruno can be reached at tom. petruno. . Re "Rice: Hamas has no role in peace talks," Oct 16The U. S. should stay out of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. We've proved that we're biased in favor of Israel and incapable of gaining the trust of the Palestinians The U. S. has done everything possible to block a settlement acceptable to the Palestinians.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is quoted as saying, "We've been very clear what the criteria are for involvement in this process. " What arrogance martin lawrence movies . Who are we to dictate terms to any people who are negotiating for their own statehood? Would we stand for interference in our internal affairs?Until our citizens realize that we could reduce much hatred directed at the U. S martin lawerence . by a fair and balanced resolution of this terrible situation, we will witness the same Kabuki dance that Rice is performing for generations to come. Mark KenastonSun Valley--Rice cites the militant group's failure to accept Israel's right to exist martin larence . Does Israel officially accept the Palestinians' right to exist, to have a state? I don't think so Let's be fair. Robert BrophyLos Alamitos tisha martin . Question: My 18-year-old son has been at a private high school that is also a residential treatment facility in Texas for the last year I financed his tuition and treatment with a $62,000 loan. The variable interest rate is tied to an index that just jumped to 8. 48% in April. This is not a federal loan I am making payments monthly. My question: Should I refinance this loan with an 8. 5% fixed-rate personal loan or stay with the variable rate? I'm not sure what factors influence the Libor index, so I don't know whether to stick it out with the variable or refinance. Answer: Libor stands for the London interbank offered rate.

It is often used as an alternative to the prime rate and appears to be affected by many of the same factors That said, I can't predict interest rates martin lawrence tv show . If I could, I'd probably be off somewhere investing my own money, not advising you about yours. To answer your question directly, is an 8. 5% fixed rate better than an 8. 5% variable? Think Dirty Harry martain lawrence . Do you feel lucky? Certainly in today's environment, a fixed rate feels more comfortable martin imdb . But if recessionary pressures return, rates could ease and then you'd want to refinance. Instead of trying to predict the direction of rates, look at your personal situation gina from martin lawrence . Would a rate hike put you on the financial edge? If so, get the fixed rate. If not, you can decide whether you want to gamble. One more option to consider is a home equity loan or line of credit.

Home equity loans can be fixed-rate or variable, but because they're secured by your residence, they're likely to be offered at a somewhat lower rate of interest martin lawrence film . Also, federal tax laws allow you to deduct home equity interest of as much as $100,000, no matter what the money was used for. That makes borrowing against your home a comparatively better deal than a simple personal loan martin sitcom . The one downside: When you're putting your home up as collateral, you'd better be pretty certain you can pay off the loan. Why Employers Push 401(k) ParticipationQ: It seems that all companies that offer 401(k)s really want employees to participate in them martin sheneneh . Why? What's in it for them?A: Most employers offer to kick in 25 cents to $1 for every dollar that the worker contributes to the 401(k) plan martin lawrens . They consider that a great benefit and can't imagine why anyone would turn it down. But there is another reason. Federal laws bar companies from handing out these benefits just to their top earners. So there are so-called anti-discrimination tests designed to ensure that the top brass doesn't get a disproportionate share of 401(k) matching contributions and benefits. Your bosses want you to contribute so that they too can contribute. Martin Lawrence tickets Weighing Options for Financing a RemodelQ: Together my wife and I make a generous salary and we save a lot for retirement -- about 15% of my pay and 25% to 30% of my wife's. Last year we had an opportunity to buy a house on a lake.

We've been able to make the payments with some basic lifestyle changes and without altering our retirement savings plan. Here's the problem: We eat out all the time because we hate our new kitchen -- or at least that's our excuse. We've looked into remodeling, and the cost is going to be $40,000 to $60,000 My question is about the options for financing it martin lawrence films . My wife and I have different ideas. We have four possible sources of funding:* $60,000 in company stock that was bought through my wife's employee stock purchase plan martin laurance . The company is solid and doing quite well. * A $50,000 home equity line of credit that we get at 1 point above prime. * An interest-free loan of as much as $25,000 from our parents martin campbel . (Yes, we would be paying it back at some point. )* $15,000 in passbook savings as a rainy-day cushion. My wife's thought: Take advantage of the interest-free loan and finance the remainder by selling stock martin tisha . Her thinking is that the money is there, so why not use it? We wouldn't go into debt, and ultimately we'd add value and enjoyment to the house. My thought: Take advantage of the interest-free loan and finance the remainder through the home equity line. My thinking is that we've got a good discipline going with the company stock and we shouldn't mess with that. Also, it'll make it hurt a little more and remind us of the lifestyle changes we promised to make, like not eating out as much.

Besides that, we'd be able to deduct the interest on the home equity line. Which option seems best? Should we just continue to eat out and let the kitchen gather dust?A: I like your wife's plan for two reasons: I hate debt, and from a diversification standpoint, it's not a great idea to have your job and a large portion of your stock portfolio locked up in the same company. But by all means eat out less Martin Lawrence - wikipedia . Just kidding Eat out as much as you like martin lawrence movie Martin Lawrence . When you're saving prodigiously and still have enough to live the way you want, live the way you want Stop feeling guilty, for heaven's sake What's the money for, anyway?Kathy M martin gina . Kristof, author of "Investing 101" and "Taming the Tuition Tiger," welcomes your comments and suggestions but regrets that she cannot respond individually to letters or phone calls martin runteldat . Write to Personal Finance, Business Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W 1st St. , Los Angeles, CA 90012, or e-mail kathy. kristof For previous columns, visit latimes /kristof. martin lawerance Martin Lawrence - wikipedia . Re "Rebirth in the arena," Column One, Oct. 16It is truly startling to see a paper one day bravely condemn the mass slaughter and torture of animals for meat, only to glorify the public torture and killing of bulls as "beauty" the next. Miguel Cid Cebrian remarks that these bulls die, like all animals one day must.