COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Monday, December 08, 2008

What's Good for GM....

Progress made in bailout plan for Big 3 automakers


Mon Dec 8, 5:53 AM EST

A bailout plan for the failing U.S. auto industry could include a Cabinet-level oversight board and a provision to withdraw the money if the overseers decide the companies are failing to take steps to overhaul themselves.

The plan would draw the emergency aid from an existing loan program meant to help the automakers build fuel-efficient vehicles. The size of the package hasn't been finalized, but it is expected to be about $15 billion, several congressional aides said.

It would create a board composed of Cabinet secretaries from the departments of Treasury, Energy, Labor, Commerce and Transportation plus the Environmental Protection Agency administrator to oversee a broad auto industry restructuring. A congressional aide outlined the emerging measure on condition of anonymity because it is not yet completed.

In return for the money, the carmakers would have to agree to terms similar to those placed on banks that receive funds under the $700 billion Wall Street bailout: to limit their top executives' pay packages, cease paying dividends, give the government a chunk of future gains and guarantee that taxpayers would be reimbursed before any other shareholders, the aide said.

The bill under discussion would place the special investigator overseeing the bank rescue in charge of keeping tabs on the auto bailout.

The White House and Democratic congressional leaders are narrowing their differences over the auto bailout, but had yet to agree on specific legislative details, officials said.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Banking Committee, said Sunday that General Motors Corp.'s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, "has to move on" as part of a government-run restructuring.

"I think you have got to consider new leadership," Dodd said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Criticized for staying on the sidelines until now, President-elect Barack Obama voiced support Sunday for the bailout legislation being drafted in Congress. He accused car industry executives of a persistent "head-in-the sand approach" to long-festering problems.

In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Obama said Congress was doing "the exact right thing" in drafting legislation that "holds the auto industry's feet to the fire" at the same time it tries to prevent its demise.

GM spokesman Steve Harris said the company appreciates Dodd's support for the loans, but added, "GM employees, dealers, suppliers and the GM board of directors feel strongly that Rick is the right guy to lead GM through this incredibly difficult and challenging time."

When the day comes that the Democrats can so utterly and boldly dictate terms to America's industry, you know that we have entered a new era and America as we know it is gone. I'm sorry my friends but we have crossed a threshold and there is no turning back.

80 comments:

  1. Well, Hell, all they gotta do is Turn the Money Down.


    The term, "Golden Rule," comes to mind.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It seems the big 3 are between a rock and a hard place - they desperately need cash and no bank will lend it to them. Vulture capitalists (if they could even belly up with enough cash) would likely take an even bigger pound of flesh. Sad, though, that the feds are so panicked they are willing to try to 'run' the auto companies.

    It's kind of funny though. Take a look at the current Headlines at NYTimes.com. You've got

    "In Hard Times, Russia Moves In to Reclaim Private Industries"

    and

    "Detroit Bailout Is Set to Bring on More U.S. Oversight"

    Irony sure isn't dead.



    Interesting also that California may start issuing warrants to its vendors. Rat's worried about an Amero where the opposite seems to be more likely in the near future - California bucks...what'll they call it? Peso? Dinar? Caliwarrant?




    Rat, you seem to be a keen observer of the players in Washington. Reading Frank Rich's article yesterday brought to mind your criticisms of Rubin et al last week (or the week before).

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/opinion/07rich.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am going to be extremely busy this week so thanks Whit. I like this:

    "Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.

    Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil. He’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.

    Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss.

    “He has confirmed what our suspicions were by surrounding himself with a centrist to right cabinet. But we do hope that before it's all over we can get at least one authentic progressive appointment,” said Tim Carpenter, national director of the Progressive Democrats of America."

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Sad, though, that the feds are so panicked they are willing to try to 'run' the auto companies."

    Panic has fuck-all to do with it. Crises - and "crises" - are always an opportunity, though seldom exploited to the fullest extent, to inject preferred policies as antidotes to an unrelated set of circumstances. (See: OIF)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The preferred policy is NOT for the federal government to stuff money into the big 3. There is a crisis and the response has been panicked as evidenced by the rushed detail free legislation passed so far (TARP) and the fear of cascading bankruptcies that could follow if the Big 3 are not saved pronto. Panic certainly seems to be the order of the day as opposed to calm reasoned approaches taken to a crisis.

    ReplyDelete
  6. When Panic matches desires, socialist Nirvana Reigns Supreme.

    ...brought to us by Bush-Rove.

    ...and Rove still believes he has advice to give us.
    Psychopath.

    ReplyDelete
  7. "Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss."

    Or as Lang noted: [...] Barack Obama is a man like all other men, someone who must cope with various realities.

    I would keep prudently in mind, however, that big policy shifts usually don't roll out until Year 2.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like the way the bailout plan is coming about. Except i dont read anything about collateral. I can't get a loan without it and neither can you.

    If it were me, the first payment missed by GM, that big Arlington plant south of here would be U.S. Government property to be sold to Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or the highest bidder.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "The preferred policy is NOT for the federal government to stuff money into the big 3."

    But, in return for stuffing money into the Big 3, to make them manufacture automobiles that run on a wish and a song.

    ReplyDelete
  10. While I have seen talk of making cars run on a wish and a song it seems the oversight is to be a little more mundane (though there was other money slated for 'efficiency' I believe):

    "The final legislation is also expected to impose stringent taxpayer protections, including stock warrants that would give the government an equity stake in the three companies, new limits on executive pay and a ban on stock dividends while the loans are outstanding. One proposal would require the auto companies to seek government approval for any business transaction of $25 million or more."

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/washington/08autos.html?hp

    ReplyDelete
  11. When the day comes that the Democrats can so utterly and boldly dictate terms to America's industry, you know that we have entered a new era and America as we know it is gone.
    ==

    I suppose it's best that the US auto industry dictate terms to America.

    ReplyDelete
  12. America as we know it is gone.
    ==

    And that is a bad thing?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Btw,

    When did the public vote to bailout all these fscks? What mandate did the gov receive to do any of this?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Doug

    I trust that wasnt directed at me....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your last two comments are contradictory, dumbfuck!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Doug,

    You want to bailout these fscks, go and buy their junk. Why is it that the rest of America need to indulge you in love affair with GM management?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Don't be paranoid Gag, unless Mat is your dentist, in which case your reflex might well be terminal.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mat 11:54:00 AM EST
    see
    Doug 11:54:00 AM EST

    ReplyDelete
  19. ..indulge you in ^your love affair with GM..

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ikenson at Cato:

    [...]

    The Big Three know they're not dealing with a bank. Rather, they're contestants on a national game show called "To Bail Out or Not to Bail Out." To win their prizes, the contestants need only pretend they "get it," show some contrition and say what judges Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid want to hear. By driving to Washington from Detroit for Thursday's hearings in their companies' state-of-the-art clean vehicles, two of the three executives are well on their way the winning over the judges. The third can steal the day if he announces the greenest, most contrite plan of all -- to walk the 500 miles from Detroit to Washington.

    Am I the only one insulted by the charade of the Big Three chief executives pleading their cases before congressional leaders who don't even understand that investment in green technology and measures to avoid financial collapse in the short run are completely at odds? How exactly is investment in high-mileage vehicle production going to cut operating expenses and increase revenues now?

    Sadly, congressional concern is less about the well-being and endurance of the companies and their workers per se than it is about keeping those companies afloat to serve their own political objectives. Half the congressional Democratic caucus wants to compel the automakers to pump out green cars, regardless of the fact that they are money losers for Detroit. They're still too expensive to produce, and Americans are even less keen on consuming them as gas prices continue to plummet.

    [...]

    ReplyDelete
  21. My love affair is w/America as we knew it, which you contend is perhaps not a bad thing to lose.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your last two comments are contradictory, dumbfuck!
    ==

    They were question posed. How could questions be contradictory?

    ReplyDelete
  23. OK, the question is nonsense!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mətušélaḥ said...
    America as we know it is gone.
    ==

    And that is a bad thing?

    ReplyDelete
  25. My position was simple and consistent throughout. No bailout money. Not to GM. Not to the banks. And no trillion dollar welfare programs to fat cat contractors. At BC they accused me of being a Commie for such revolutionary thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Dark Doodad Whatchamacallit Thingy

    Well the Supreme Court turned Donofrio down, as I feared. Punted a good case away. Chickened out. It's a sad day, in my opinion. One sadly concludes, our system is dysfunctional.

    Go back to watching the stars.


    Weather's been unseasonably cold here. We're going to Missoula for some shopping sometime this week.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your a commie for question #1 !

    ---
    Ash said...
    Take a look at the current Headlines at NYTimes.com. You've got

    "In Hard Times, Russia Moves In to Reclaim Private Industries"

    and

    "Detroit Bailout Is Set to Bring on More U.S. Oversight"

    ReplyDelete
  28. The Big 3 have some great engines coming. In fact, some are here, now. The "Displacement on Demand" technology is now available on GM (Tahoe - 22 mpg in City) and Chrysler vehicles. They're starting to turn out more, and more, Flexfuel Vehicles.

    The American carmakers Could end up with the best technology in a few years. Wouldn't that be a Hoot.

    ReplyDelete

  29. rufus said...
    Well, Hell, all they gotta do is Turn the Money Down.


    QFT.
    ...............................


    "Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.


    Whaddya know. The new admin is getting stuffed full of statists.

    A federal tradition since 1932.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rufus,
    The Dodge V8/4 gets almost as much mileage as their 6.

    ...GM started doing that over a
    Decade ago.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your a commie for question #1 !
    ==

    Because I made it clear from day one that I oppose any gov money given to these fscks?

    Your Mon Dec 08, 12:15:00 PM EST makes it clear who the commies are. But when I point the finger at the commies, the partisan fscks refuse to see.

    ReplyDelete
  32. It'll still be the 'Amero', ash.
    Or reasonable facsimile.

    Confidence in the 'dollar' has to be destroyed, or at least badly shaken and stirred.

    The masters of finance at the Fed are well on their way to doing just that. While the other pre-consolidation moves are addressed.

    The illegal migration of workers will become regularized, with more and more of the migrants becoming US citizens that reside in Mexico. Many of dual citizenship. Within twenty years it'll be in the millions, the number of people in that catagory.

    The 'America' you knew is being creatively destroyed and progressively transformed.
    Love it or leave it, it was once said.

    Those folk that were told that, they did not leave and have created an 'America' that they can love.

    And are now proud of.

    ReplyDelete
  33. But, there may still be some hope, though I doubt it now---


    DONOFRIO APPLICATION DENIED - WROTNOWSKI APPLICATION STILL PENDING
    Posted in Uncategorized on December 8, 2008 by naturalborncitizen
    [UPDATE 12:23 PM The main stream media should stop saying SCOTUS refused to hear the case. It was distributed for conference on Nov. 19. They had the issue before them for for sixteen days. Yes, they didn't take it to the next level of full briefs and oral argument. But they certainly heard the case and read the issues. The media is failing to acknowledge that. The case and issues were considered. Getting the case to the full Court for such consideration was my goal. I trust the Supreme Court had good reason to deny the application. Despite many attempts to stop their full review, my case was placed on their desks and into their minds. Please remember that. It's important for history to record that.]

    My application was denied. The Honorable Court chose not to state why.

    Wrotnowksi v. Connecticut Secretary of State is still pending as an emergency application resubmitted to the Honorable Associate Justice Antonin Scalia as of last Tuesday. I worked extensively on that application and it includes a more solid brief and a less treacherous lower Court procedural history.

    After six days, it’s interesting that Scalia neither denied it nor referred it to the full Court.

    My case may have suffered from the NJ Appellate Division Judge having incorrectly characterized my original suit as a “motion for leave to appeal” rather than the “direct appeal” that it actually was. On Nov. 21 I filed official Judicial misconduct charges with the NJ Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, and I updated SCOTUS about that by a letter which is part of SCOTUS Docket as of Nov. 22. The NJ Appellate Divison official case file is fraudulent.

    On the chance that SCOTUS was looking at both my case and Cort’s case, I must stress that Cort’s case does not have the same procedural hang up that mine does. It may be that without a decision on the Judicial misconduct allegation correcting the NJ Appellate Division case file, SCOTUS might have been in the position of not being able to hear my case as it would appear that my case was not before them on the proper procedural grounds.

    I did file a direct appeal under the proper NJ Court rules, but the lower Court judge refused to acknowledge that and if his fraudulent docketing was used by SCOTUS they would have a solid procedural basis to throw mine out.

    I don’t know if it’s significant that Cort’s case was not denied at the same time as mine. His case argues the same exact theory - that Obama is not a natural born citizen because he was a British citizen at birth.

    All eyes should now be closely watching US Supreme Court Docket No. 08A469, Wrotnowski v. Bysiewicz.


    If Cort’s application is also denied then the fat lady can sing. Until then, the same exact issue is before SCOTUS as was in my case. Cort’s application before SCOTUS incorporates all of the arguments and law in mine, but we improved on the arguments in Cort’s quite a bit as we had more time to prepare it.

    I was in a rush to get mine to SCOTUS before election day, which I did do on Nov. 3.

    Cort’s case has a much cleaner lower court procedural history.

    I’m not trying to play with people’s minds here. SCOTUS has not updated Cort’s docket and until they do there can be no closure. I was expecting, if they didn’t grant certiorari, that they would deny both cases at the same time so as to provide closure to the underlying issue. I hate to read tea leaves, but Cort’s application is still pending. That’s all we can really say with any certainty. Leo Donofrio

    ReplyDelete
  34. The records are still the same, only the dj has changed.

    Sometimes that can make a big difference, at others, the party is still a flop.

    ReplyDelete
  35. That birth accreditation will be a dead issue, now, bob.

    The other case will not reach the Court before the 15th of Dec, when Obama will be elected.

    Then, after the 20Jan09 only the House can initiate removal proceedings. Which I'll guarentee they will never do.

    The value of that guarentee, will be insured by AIG.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've always interpreted your "Amero" to be a North American wide currency. It seems that California lacks a central bank able to print State money so they resort to "warrants". Coming soon Arizona Razor Bucks? It seems the current trend is toward printing where ever possible as floating bonds is getting non-viable. Maybe if the currencies crash there will be a move toward a common currency but I fail to see Canada being keen on relinquishing its ability to print.

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is a given, ash, there will be those that oppose it, to be sure. The economic realities will overwhelm them, though.

    Certainly, as States provide warrents and IOUs, there could become a secondary market for those instruments. Allowing the States the ability to 'print', too.

    That will become one of the factors in the 'unification' of the economy, after the crisis.

    These fellows are at least as smart as us, and the route they are on is not all that hard to see, from my perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Doug, isn't that neat? I'm way behind on this technology. I knew GM had been messing around with it for a long time; but I was under the impression that they hadn't been able to make it work very well. I guess it works just fine now, huh?

    That could be a game-changer, you know.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have trouble accepting the notion that an 'powerful elite' is guiding the process. Instead we appear to be stumbling blindly toward the future.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Sorta like the the notion that God is steering us...errr, no.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Obama Gives Everyone Hope....

    Now with the upcoming transfer of power to the newly elect BHO....

    Now ANYONE can be the President...

    Doesnt matter if your a crack addict or whore...

    Doesnt matter if your a friend to violent terrorists..

    Nothing matter except that you LOOK good, hip and cool...

    We have officially become my worst nightmare...

    A cult of personality....

    Nothing to do but ride out the upcoming storm...

    As we speak real war looms on the horizon and the country just doesnt get it...

    They will, but in the end the only way the masses will learn is thru a swift ass kicking..

    The "economy" issues are a joke...

    The up playing by all media on how 1939 it is is beyond obamamania now, it's cheerleading gloom and fear...

    Last I checked historic jobless rates (when compared to actual economic meltdowns) towered at 11% with carter, 10.8 with reagan and 25% during the great depression...

    Last I checked the Great Depression lost 50% of the GDP, currently we are down 1/2% off expected growth...

    But not to fret, Obama will create new industries changing out lightbulbs and making road building, school building the top priority.....

    Yep Change is in the air, a Kennedy is being floated as a Senate replacement for that other agent of change Hillary... (was a a supporter of Hillary for Prez)

    Yep Change...

    Biden

    Dashle

    Clinton

    Rahm

    Jones

    Yep it's going to be interesting times...

    ReplyDelete
  42. We've already got our own money here, called "Valley Script" though I've never seen any of it. You can trade it around among those who'll take it, for services, etc. Don't try to deposit any in your bank account though, you'll be disappointed. And don't try to buy stuff at Wal-Mart with it either.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Cheer up, barmates! Let's all have a drink!----

    Obscurity and competence: That is the life that is worth living.

    Mark Twain

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oil up, USD down. Coincidence or an economic relationship?

    ReplyDelete
  45. War? What War?


    "Militants in Pakistan Destroy NATO Trucks


    "ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — More than 100 trucks loaded with supplies for American and allied forces in Afghanistan were destroyed Sunday by militants in Peshawar, a Pakistani city that serves as an important transit point for the Afghan war effort.

    It was the latest in string of major attacks by Taliban militants on NATO supplies in Pakistan in less than a month, and served to expose the vulnerability of the route from the port of Karachi through Peshawar and over the border into Afghanistan. The United States relies on the route for an overwhelming proportion of its supplies for the war in Afghanistan.

    The damaged trucks were loaded with American war matériel destined for the Afghan National Army, including Humvees, said Col. Greg Julian, a spokesman for United States forces in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital."

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/world/asia/08pstan.html?ref=world

    ReplyDelete
  46. I think you've been summoned, Rat.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Most pilgrims did not sacrifice an animal themselves, but instead bought vouchers from the Saudi authorities which then forward meat in the form of aid to poor Muslims in other countries.

    :)

    "By performing hajj rituals, they fill the world, in fact, the entire world with mercy, tolerance, compassion and peace, promoting the values of truth, goodness and integrity while getting rid of all their resentments and animosities," they said.

    :)

    Muslim Pilgrims Stone The Devil At Hajj

    So far this year, no stampedes.

    Head 'em up, move 'em out, move 'em out, head 'em up, RAWHIDE!

    ReplyDelete
  48. http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbFLYa0_bw

    ReplyDelete
  49. It's almots funny about California being broke. They recalled Davis, and had a special election, electing the Austrian to specifically fix things, and now they are right back in the same pickle. Pickled they are, really pickled.

    ReplyDelete
  50. High oil prices = bad for balance of trade. Bad Balance of trade = Weak Dollar, Ergo: High Oil Prices = Weak Dollar.

    Oil goes Up, Dollar goes Down. Oil = Cause, Dollar = Effect. Not vice versus.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I tell you it's hard as hell to understand what is going on here. Scalia has put Wrotnowski's case for a conference. Donofrio thought this morning that they would have dismissed them both, as the cases are almost the same, though Donofrio, who worked on this case too, thought it was better written, and didn't have some procedural promblems his did. I thought they might merge them.




    No. 08A469
    Title: Cort Wrotnowski, Applicant
    v.
    Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Secretary of State

    Docketed:
    Lower Ct: Supreme Court of Connecticut
    Case Nos.: (SC 18264)

    ~~~Date~~~ ~~~~~~~Proceedings and Orders~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Nov 25 2008 Application (08A469) for stay and/or injunction, submitted to Justice Ginsburg.

    Nov 26 2008 Application (08A469) denied by Justice Ginsburg.

    Nov 29 2008 Application (08A469) refiled and submitted to Justice Scalia.

    Dec 8 2008 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of December 12, 2008.

    Dec 8 2008 Application (08A469) referred to the Court by Justice Scalia.



    Attorneys for Petitioner:
    Cort Wrotnowski 1057 North Street (202) 862-8554
    Greenwich, CT 06831
    Party name: Cort Wrotnowski
    Attorneys for Respondent:
    Richard Blumenthal Attorney General (860) 808-5316
    Office of the Attorney General
    55 Elm Street
    P.O. Box 120
    Hartford, CT 06141-0120
    Party name: Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Secretary of State

    ReplyDelete
  52. Automanufacturers? Never mind the the stupid big three, what about the New York Times??

    The Times just had to morgage its beautiful building to make payroll for goodness sake, and its stock is approaching the toilet.

    Sure, maybe the times shouldn't get a penny of the taxpayers money, but the government should still DO SOMETHING!

    Here's a thought: Early next year the new President can resurrect the NYT to its "former glory" by bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tom Friedman; rehabilitating Friedman (who lost a big chunk of his audience and his gravitas for his early support of the Iraq war), is the NYT's heritage brand, along with Maureen Dowd. Fixing Friedman sells newspapers, and gets the Gray Lady solvent again (the paper, NOT Maureen, she is already fairly solvent!).

    Or we can just sit back, watch the Times disappear, and read blogs, the Drudge Report and stuff. Cool.

    ReplyDelete
  53. So, how's the homestead coming along?

    ReplyDelete
  54. High oil prices = bad for balance of trade. Bad Balance of trade = Weak Dollar, Ergo: High Oil Prices = Weak Dollar.

    Oil goes Up, Dollar goes Down. Oil = Cause, Dollar = Effect. Not vice versus.
    ==

    I'm glad you don't believe in coincidence, Rufus.

    Doug would have us believe that driving GM Gas-guzzler is good for America. And giving billions and trillions of dollars in tax breaks bailouts and welfare payments to the car/oil/military mafia is even better for America.

    ReplyDelete
  55. LOL!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas-guzzler

    ReplyDelete
  56. America, just pump up your tires.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Which one?

    The mountain retreat, near Ashfork and Williams, AZ is kinda a downer. The real estate values around there have cratered and the three hour drive, each way, has dampened a lot of the early excitement about having a really fabulous 20 acre camp grounds.
    It still is camping.

    The Tonto Basin piece is booming. We're having the High School rodeo team over once a week to buck out some rough stock that we've come across. The land values there are bouyed by Lake Roosevelt, fishing is a big hobby activity and a nice cowboy house three miles from the launch is going to remain at a premium.

    The Phoenix house, it's value has dropped from $225,000 to the $180,000 range, I imagine.

    ash, the course is set, inside the 'acceptable' medians. The guidelines are consensus amongst the elitist of the West. The Mohammed cartoons a prime example.
    That Larry Summers and the NY Fed master are moving to DC exemplify it, as well as Ms Kennedy and Jeb Bush both being recycled to DC by their prospective backers.

    The monied elites set the general course, giving the instrumental nudge, where required.

    This is exemplified by Lester Crown, this go around, but not limited to him.

    ReplyDelete
  58. America as we know it is gone. Hey, waitaminute!

    ReplyDelete
  59. That there is general movement away from nationalism to a global, tri-lateral order, is not even a matter of debate.

    That the major monied interests in the US, EU and Asia all back this movement, also not a matter of debate, but a proven reality.

    That the North American Union is further along than was the EU at the same point in their timeline.

    Where in the EU there are numerous 'Nations", in North America there are only three. Look how fast the US went socialist in the financal markets and how little debate there was.

    Crisis driven, but a manufactured crisis, it was.

    ReplyDelete
  60. So, how's the homestead coming along?

    Mon Dec 08, 04:39:00 PM EST

    Actually, I was asking bob.

    S'kay. Anybody's homestead (we lacking our own) is of some interest.

    ReplyDelete
  61. It's all good, dRat. The monied elites know what's best for you. Hooray for Republican! Hooray for Democrats! Hooray for democracy, or at least the appearance there of!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.

    ReplyDelete
  63. bob's not talkin' about the 'sale' any more and has not announced a schedule for his trip to Haifa, so I'd guess it did not get to escrow, or close if it did.

    Which is to bad, really.

    When I first penciled the Ash Fork project, in at $12,000, plus $4 or $5,000 in improvements and out at $45,000. That was on the napkin.

    We were at the high point of the wave, I had flipped a few adjoining pieces, doubling our money in 90 days, on two seperate 12 acre pieces. Had a feeler at $45,000 for the Camp and thought it to low.
    Abandoning the battle plan, because of the capital gains of 15% would not have applied, it'd have been taxed as regular income.
    FICA plus income tax. I Hadn't owned it long enough.

    So I passed. Not foreseeing the depression in real estate, non-water sport related off-grid recreational real estate in particular, that developed.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I never made it successfully or otherwise through an entire game of Monopoly.

    Money bores me.

    (That's okay to say, right?)

    ReplyDelete
  65. We used to play Monopoly by the hour, by the day, when in WallaWalla(waterwater) years ago. That and float down the rivers on inner tubes.

    ReplyDelete
  66. You have not lived 'til your young son as been introduced to Risk.

    There are levels of hell, and then there are levels of...something worse.

    That the teams play it in Afghanistan...not a help.

    ReplyDelete
  67. My uncles used to play cribbage by the hour, by the day. Can hear them now, "Fifteen two, fifteen four, fifteen six, and a pair makes eight!."

    ReplyDelete
  68. Before that, it was Stratego.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Spent countless hours playing cribbage with my mother.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I myself once spent countless hours at Christmas playing with my nephews "Space Invaders" game.

    Damn, I got good at knocking those suckers down.

    ReplyDelete