This seems like a thread to keep alive because I am sure there are many like me that would love to keep "Stocks and Footprints" from running automatically...especially when an app like Footprints runs in the background persistently checking your location.
Why would HTC and/or Verizon choose these unnecessary apps to be undeletable/uninstallable? Where is the gain? Don't they know something like this just pisses their customers off?
Is there any way besides rooting or auto task killer? Come on all you super nerds out there, figure it out...and then tell me how to do it