Paula Said:

can any one expl.ain the exact meaning of merger and acquisition?

We Answered:

The phrase mergers and acquisitions (abbreviated M&A) refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling and combining of different companies that can aid, finance, or help a growing company in a given industry grow rapidly without having to create another business entity.

An acquisition, also known as a takeover or a buyout, is the buying of one company (the ‘target’) by another. An acquisition may be friendly or hostile. In the former case, the companies cooperate in negotiations; in the latter case, the takeover target is unwilling to be bought or the target's board has no prior knowledge of the offer. Acquisition usually refers to a purchase of a smaller firm by a larger one. Sometimes, however, a smaller firm will acquire management control of a larger or longer established company and keep its name for the combined entity. This is known as a reverse takeover.

A reverse merger occurs when a private company that has strong prospects and is eager to raise financing buys a publicly listed shell company, usually one with no business and limited assets. Achieving acquisition success has proven to be very difficult, while various studies have shown that 50% of acquisitions were unsuccessful.[citation needed] The acquisition process is very complex, with many dimensions influencing its outcome

Joan Said:

Do you think WR Derrick Mason should be in the Hall-of-Fame after he retires?

We Answered:

Sorry but no. He has been a solid player in this league, often one of the most underrated. However, if a player like Art Monk has been denied to the Hall, no way Mason would make it.

Tara Said:

Which political party would be affected the most if "blank ballot" voting were implemented?

We Answered:

I think the Republicans would be affected most if it went to Ballot right now. Hillary and Obama have 'star power' right now, and have the most commonly heard names so I think they would get an advantage in a blank ballot.

Good question btw!

Joseph Said:

Do fans and the media make too big a deal of being a "first ballot Hall of Famer"?

We Answered:

1st ballot hall of famer means there;s absolutely no doubt in anyone's mind they belong. Like when people say "Griffey Jr. is going to be 1st ballot." It means that no intelligent baseball fan could possibly make a good argument that Griffey doesn't belong in the Hall.

You're right though it really makes no difference once they go in. Most of the borderline players are still very deserving but it's just a little extra compliment to those "no doubt" players to go in easily on the first ballot.

Rosemary Said:

How many signatures i must get to get Americas mean team on the ballot for 2008?

We Answered:

You have some pretty strong picks there...unfortunately I dont think there is enough ink in the world to get the number of signatures you would need. Now if we could just get Colin Powell to run....then America would be where we need to be in '08.

Michele Said:

What's the meaning of this short sentence?

We Answered:

Yes. Your ballot has to either have the post office stamp on the envelope showing the date of September 8 or earlier or it must arrive there before September 8.