Are you a “responsible homeowner?” If so, President Obama has a gift for you.

Foreclosures continue to plague the U.S. housing market, but government agencies are working to develop a plan to aid struggling homeowners, and in turn, strengthen the U.S. economy.

I have to admit when Byron King made his “silent spring” prediction last month — a severe curtailment in air travel as early as next spring because of fuel prices, including an estimate that 70% of U.S. airports are at risk of losing commercial passenger service — I was a bit skeptical.

G. Kennedy Thompson, formerly Wachovia Corp.’s (WB) chief executive officer, can now be added to the list of high-profile subprime casualties that already includes Citigroup Inc.’s (C) Charles O. “Chuck” Prince III, The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.’s (BSC) Chief Executive Officer James E. “Jimmy” Cayne, and Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.’s (MER) E. Stanley “Stan” O’Neal.

Bank of America Boosts China Bank Stake; Home Prices Continue to Fall; Record Profit and Resignation for Vodafone; Standard Pacific Stock Shoots Up; Landis&Gyr Lands 7 Million “Smart Meter” Contract; S. Africa Grows a Slow 2.1% in 1Q; Gold Futures Fall $18.