tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post1559311037279189564..comments2024-03-28T21:41:52.558-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: President Speaks Stimulus. Market Not Assured .Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-23482916742804296502008-01-19T04:56:00.000-05:002008-01-19T04:56:00.000-05:00Soulmates<A HREF="http://joshualandis.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/bush_saudi.jpg" REL="nofollow"> <STRONG>Soulmates </STRONG></A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-52092565781172742472008-01-19T03:47:00.000-05:002008-01-19T03:47:00.000-05:00(not an endorsement)Vote for HuckabeeRuffini outli...(not an endorsement)<BR/><A HREF="http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/7d06fb2c-3ba9-45d5-83d3-396234cbeb60" REL="nofollow">Vote for Huckabee</A><BR/><BR/>Ruffini outlines my greatest fear right now:<BR/><BR/>How is JOHN McCAIN, of all people, going to be STOPPED?Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1911217829313361192008-01-19T03:22:00.000-05:002008-01-19T03:22:00.000-05:00Obama running against two phoniest Democrat losers...Obama running against two phoniest Democrat losers on the Planet.<BR/>---<BR/>Weak End Update [Mark Steyn]<BR/>This is pretty good knockabout: <BR/><BR/>Obama began by recalling a moment in Tuesday night's debate when he and his rivals were asked to name their biggest weakness. Obama answered first, saying he has a messy desk and needs help managing paperwork - something his opponents have since used to suggest he's not up to managing the country. <BR/><BR/>Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said his biggest weakness is that he has a powerful response to seeing pain in others, and<BR/>Clinton said she gets impatient to bring change to America.<BR/><BR/>"Because I'm an ordinary person, I thought that they meant, <BR/>'What's your biggest weakness?'" <BR/><BR/>Obama said to laughter from a packed house at Rancho High School. <BR/>"If I had gone last I would have known what the game was. And then I could have said, 'Well, ya know, I like to help old ladies across the street. <BR/>Sometimes they don't want to be helped. <BR/>It's terrible.'"<BR/><BR/>Game, set, match, Obama!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-85482240923961735392008-01-19T02:49:00.000-05:002008-01-19T02:49:00.000-05:00California Blues [Victor Davis Hanson]Our poor s...California Blues <BR/>[Victor Davis Hanson]<BR/>Our poor state is $14 billion plus now in the red, and the Governator has promised no new taxes, wise inasmuch as our sales and income taxes are already among the highest in the country. The University of California system is panicking and sending out emails to us alums, to march en masse on Sacramento for redress!<BR/><BR/>But lost in the furor is any self-reflection, such as why would UC Davis recently pay John Edwards, multimillionaire trial lawyer, $50,000 plus to give a brief lecture on poverty? Such questions are never answered, much less raised, since the problem is always framed as a matter of a shortage of income, never a surfeit of unnecessary expenditure. <BR/><BR/>We in California, given the past budget implosions, know the script to follow. We expect that police, fire, prisons, parks, etc. will be threatened with cut-backs and closure, while the state-funded "Center for this" and the "Department of that" will remain untouched, since cutting the essential while protecting the politically-correct superfluous is the only way to scare the voter and achieve higher taxes.<BR/><BR/>At some point we Californians should ask ourselves how we inherited a state with near perfect weather, the world's richest agriculture, plentiful timber, minerals, and oil, two great ports at Los Angeles and Oakland, a natural tourist industry from Carmel to Yosemite, industries such as Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and aerospace — and serially managed to turn all of that into the nation's largest penal system, periodic near bankruptcy, and sky-high taxes.<BR/><BR/>"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,<BR/>But in ourselves, that we are underlings."Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-8854538740487468092008-01-19T01:06:00.000-05:002008-01-19T01:06:00.000-05:00No More Burnt Toast!A new transparent toaster (pic...No More Burnt Toast!<BR/>A new transparent toaster (pictured) allows you to watch your bread as it browns. A slice of bread is placed between two panes of "heating glass" and toasted in full view so it can be ejected at just the right moment. The toaster is currently in the concept stage. More at Ananova. <BR/><BR/>But who wants to watch toast toast?Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-34365351477761450772008-01-19T01:04:00.000-05:002008-01-19T01:04:00.000-05:00I think I follow that. You have one B where it sho...I think I follow that. You have one B where it should be a T I think.<BR/>What would oil be without the war is a good question. Unanswerable, I quess.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-78638572206796749392008-01-19T00:56:00.000-05:002008-01-19T00:56:00.000-05:00rufus tell us"inflation is caused by excessive wea...rufus tell us<BR/><BR/>"inflation is caused by excessive wealth transfers from productive people to non-productive people. This increases demand for goods without increasing the "supply" of goods. Ergo: Too much money chasing TOO FEW GOODS.<BR/><BR/>Which is accurate. When $1 TRILLION USD is pumped into the economy, over six years, and there are no goods or services that correspond to that influx of cash.<BR/><BR/>Those "g0ods being attack aircraft, tanks and soldiers pay", not economic goods circulating in the economy, the result is inflation.<BR/><BR/>In 1998 the Federal Government's expeditures were $1,771.4 Billion USD<BR/><BR/>In 2008 they are projected to be <BR/>$2,537.9 Billion USD.<BR/>The average for the ten years $2,154 Billion. Close enough for envelope figurin'<BR/><BR/>From 2001 - today, the seven years of Team43, the Federal spending being $15,000 Billion, more or less.<BR/><BR/>The War on Terror amounting to almost $1,000.0 Billion since 2001<BR/><BR/>The War stimulus of $1,000 Billion being 6.66% percent of the Budget.<BR/>Over and above normal defense spending, the War being "off budget", funded by supplementals<BR/><BR/>That 6.6% of the Budget being money injected into the civilian economy chasing no purchasable goods.<BR/><BR/>6.66% compounded inflation over seven years.<BR/>$100 becomes $43 in equivilent buying value. Almost mirroring the dollars' declining value under a Gold Standard methodology. <BR/>If the equivilent had reached $33, it'd be an exact match.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The Dollar Standard GDP growth has been 5%, annualized. That accounts for the variation of the valuation. <BR/>The Core Inflation number , 2000 through 2006 being acknowledged at 2.85%. Making real growth on the Dollar Standard = 2.15% annually.<BR/><BR/>Figure it all out, the Trillion Dollar "War on Terror" is inflationary. Not a "but for"<BR/><BR/>Being an extra 6.66% excess in free cash flow being injected into the economy, all borrowed money.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-55217901637619084172008-01-19T00:53:00.000-05:002008-01-19T00:53:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-13311641024297645432008-01-18T23:00:00.000-05:002008-01-18T23:00:00.000-05:00The tax on inflation most severely punishes the el...<I>The tax on inflation</I> most severely punishes the elderly, low-income, middle-income, and less successful investors, because these people are less able to adjust the timing of their investment decisions than investors with higher incomes.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-6590849185891441152008-01-18T22:55:00.000-05:002008-01-18T22:55:00.000-05:00Capital Gains ABC's<A HREF="http://finance.indiamart.com/taxation/facts_capitalgains.html" REL="nofollow">Capital Gains ABC's</A>Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-61736948006097090312008-01-18T22:31:00.000-05:002008-01-18T22:31:00.000-05:00Dr. Death Kervorkian says all us older white guys ...Dr. Death Kervorkian says all us older white guys are wimps, Nazis(how both can be true I don't know), launches into the govmint, the 9th Amendment, other matters. <A HREF="http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009748893" REL="nofollow">Kervorkian Let's It All Hang Out</A> Dupes, we are, fools, wimps, nazis.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-92104071112935406682008-01-18T22:19:00.000-05:002008-01-18T22:19:00.000-05:00Lowering the capital gains tax rate freed up a lot...Lowering the capital gains tax rate freed up a lot money to begin circulating in the economy. If the tax is too high people say the hell with the idea of selling and giving the proceeds to unca.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-64336272423350781172008-01-18T22:14:00.000-05:002008-01-18T22:14:00.000-05:00Ash, the tax cuts helped me. And I don't consider ...Ash, the tax cuts helped me. And I don't consider myself one that doesn't deserve it. The capitial gains for instance. Since I have held my investments forever practically speaking, and farmed them at break even for many a year, feeding the thousands, when I get to my age, it's nice not to have a <I>huge</I> chunk go to unca sam. As it is, I still look at doing a 1031 tax free exchange if I sell something to get away from the lower tax. Justify to me if you can, why, when property is held, at this point, for over eighty years,(I'm the third generation) and when much of the increase in value is due to eighty years worth of inflation, why should I give 40% or so to unca, when I sell it?<BR/><BR/>That's one reason why I think the FAIR tax ideas won't work, the econmy is too complex for any simple fix like that.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-22283087971852930112008-01-18T22:08:00.000-05:002008-01-18T22:08:00.000-05:00Actually, large corporations, and successful count...Actually, large corporations, and successful countries DON'T have to pay any money back. They just roll it over. <BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong. You can't take this theory TOO far. Many years of deficits running over, say, 2% of GDP Could result in a few people (or more) requesting their money back.<BR/><BR/>As for "Gold;" well, gold is a malleable, beautiful metal that is ideal for making jewelry. People in Cultures with a history of monetary upheaval desire it for many reasons. Also, keep in mind that it is rare. You could put all of the gold that has ever been mined, anywhere in the world, in Bloomingdale, NY's display cases. It has risen greatly against all the world's currencies in the last few years; but, keep in mind that it's price is still $1,100.00/ounce below (in inflation adjusted terms) where it was at it's peak in the late seventies (?), early 80's.<BR/><BR/>Inflation is NOT caused by people working and producing; inflation is caused by excessive wealth transfers from productive people to non-productive people. This increases demand for goods without increasing the "supply" of goods. Ergo: Too much money chasing TOO FEW GOODS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-73366205548810111892008-01-18T21:51:00.000-05:002008-01-18T21:51:00.000-05:00RWE said... ueAs I have said in these pages a numb...RWE said... <BR/>ueAs I have said in these pages a number of times before, Afghanistan is a war that is both unwinnable and pointless – at least by the any measures that we would be willing to accept. The only thing that matters there is that the guy in charge in Kabul does not give us the finger when we tell him what we need to do. So the Pastun out in the hinderlands are upset over not getting a Piece of the Action? Big Effing Deal! They made their choice, lost big time, and can sit around the campfire singing “Please Mr., Please, Don’t Play B-52” until the cows they don’t have come home.<BR/><BR/>The Left’s alleged enthusiasm for war in Afghanistan is based on their limited grasp of the War on Terror, Clintonian foreign policy attitudes, and a healthy dose of CYA. This is greatly encouraged by the fact that Afghanistan really doesn’t matter, which under Clintonian foreign policy principles means it is of great interest to people who don’t matter either.<BR/><BR/>As for Pakistan, I have always felt that the idea of the nuts in the mountains taking over that country’s nuclear capability is about as likely as Ted Kazinsky becoming the Commander in Chief of Strategic Air Command. If anything, fooling around too aggressively in Afghanistan is more likely to lose Pakistan than the reverse.<BR/><BR/>And then there is NATO – it’s d e a d. The end of the Cold War gave it a bad case of the geriatrics. Bosnia/Kosovo proved it to be worthless, rift with serious fissures. Finally, Gen. Wesley Clark’s arrogant ineptness caused life support to be turned off. The big anniversary celebration in May of 1999 was in fact a wake.<BR/><BR/>Wretchard raises a good point. “Who really defends the North Atlantic?” That translates into Nuclear Deterrence – which NATO is a bit short on.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-72463758162967831692008-01-18T21:44:00.000-05:002008-01-18T21:44:00.000-05:00We'll get it all back on Iranian Oil Revenue, Ash,...We'll get it all back on Iranian Oil Revenue, Ash, after the war costs are paid in full.<BR/>Piece o Cake.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-83067813155835689632008-01-18T21:43:00.000-05:002008-01-18T21:43:00.000-05:00AlBob: Technoporn: Greek FireAlBob:<BR/> <A HREF="http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2006/12/technoporn_gree.html" REL="nofollow"><STRONG>Technoporn: Greek Fire </STRONG></A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20695749336607762292008-01-18T21:20:00.000-05:002008-01-18T21:20:00.000-05:00Bobal asks:"Where are thou stimulus money cometh f...Bobal asks:<BR/><BR/>"Where are thou stimulus money cometh from, deareth gov?"<BR/><BR/>Inflationary borrowed money sir, simply pu. The Bush tax cuts a farce, giving money to whom not need it and now, too late, trying to put money in folks pocket whom my spend it...<BR/><BR/>...paying off the evil Shylock whom put them in the vise....<BR/><BR/>times truly are tough. Even if interest rates were 0 (i.e. Japan) ya still gotta pay the money back. Bobal, Dougo, what say you? Gotta million dollars for you to spend - ya just gotta pay it back ... someday. Really, you are supposed to actually earn the cash and give it back; even if the cost of capitol is zero.Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38784361908586497382008-01-18T20:54:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:54:00.000-05:00Indomethacin works like a charm. The father of one...Indomethacin works like a charm. The father of one of my tribal tenants had it bad, and I gave him some, fixed him right up. Now he knows to get his own.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-47486673499761952832008-01-18T20:50:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:50:00.000-05:00Gout That cartoon in the article is how it is.<A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout" REL="nofollow">Gout</A> That cartoon in the article is how it is.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-58065018608617487152008-01-18T20:47:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:47:00.000-05:00gouts of flame is good. If you've ever had gout as...<I>gouts of flame</I> is good. If you've ever had gout as I have you'd know what I mean. A correct diet can control it.. Grandpa had it bad. It's genetic.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-49018492310309264062008-01-18T20:45:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:45:00.000-05:00P.S. And Rat's money too, and Whit's and the othe...P.S. And Rat's money too, and Whit's and the others.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-27595233858192265632008-01-18T20:44:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:44:00.000-05:00I'm writing my congressman now. Dear Congressman, ...I'm writing my congressman now. Dear Congressman, I want more of Doug's money. Signed, your voter.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-62565774262366023992008-01-18T20:42:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:42:00.000-05:00Where in the hell did you get that from?<I>Where in the hell</I> did you get <I>that</I> from?Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-47573985999777217042008-01-18T19:49:00.000-05:002008-01-18T19:49:00.000-05:00"Siphons!" the old man said, as gouts of flame fil..."Siphons!" the old man said, as gouts of flame filled the darkness, pouring from the carved heads.<BR/> I stumbled backwards, the back of my skull cracking against the ground. Pain blinded me, and I clutched at my scalp, hearing my sword clattering on the stone. Hot blood wet my hair as fire spilled across the rock. As I tried to rise, it fulminated over my shins. ...<BR/> The old man walked forward as soon as the torrent receded. Drips of blazing light continued to drool from the stone dragons' beaks.<BR/> "Naphtha, lime and old bones," he said, without a hint of anger or fear. <BR/> "Not Greek!" Marlow said from within, his voice falling to a stammer. "My own formula!"Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.com