INTERESTING: Doing impressive scary stuff for its own sake

Saturday, July 3, 2010

FROM ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CHUMS

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE (N.B. ten minutes, SFW, in German)

*** begin quote ***

The following was produced as a commercial for a German heavy equipment manufacturer. You don’t want to be in the same marketplace with competitors like this.

The operator isn’t exactly a slouch either.

They didn’t tell us how they got it down

*** end quote ***

Very entertaining.

We, in the USA, have lost that “competitive feeling”.

Why did these guys do it? Who cares they did it.

I think it has to do with the feminization of our culture. Women’s rights has emasculated us. No one does big scary shit just for the sake of the adrenalin rush. Still still, be polite, don’t offend anyone, political correctness, graft, laziness, and corruption are the values praised today.

Argh!

We should have rebuilt the WTC in record time with three towers, the middle one being a little taller.

We should throw out all these “leaders” an get some Pattons, some Jesse Venturas, some Reagans. To inspire us.

We have a temporary advantage while the Arab countries fight with one hand behind their back (i.e., they suppress their women).

We need to eliminate the welfare / warfare state and throw open the borders to anyone who wants to come here to work. We need the energy.

Drill, nukes, as well as conservation and new technology.

We need honest money to make this all possible.

Most of all we need to take back our birthright as “not females”!

Argh!

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<Yes, dear, put down the computer and finish the housework.>

Argh! Squared!

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INTERESTING: Time to nuke Freddy and Fannie!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703513604575310383542102668.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_realestate

CAPITALJUNE 17, 2010
Rethinking Part of the American Dream
By DAVID WESSEL

*** begin quote ***

In hard-hit Las Vegas, nearly 59% of households own their homes, but only 15% to 19% of households own a home in which they have any equity left.

For many, the American dream of home ownership turned into a nightmare of debt and foreclosure. Some people should rent.

As late as the 1930s, a U.S. mortgage was generally a loan for three to five years, at which time the borrower had to pay it off. Then the government fostered the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage—and eventually the 30—and the concept that the homeowner would pay off principal in monthly installments.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Several thoughts occur to me here:

① 15 to 20% of homes left with the owners having equity? All those senior citizens who bought retirement homes? That’s astounding.

② Talk about malinvestment. (That’s Austrian economics term. See below.) Detroit, Flint, and Gary are destroying houses to avoid providing gooferment services. We as a society have our wealth destroyed by such action. Are there no homeles there?

③ It would seem that the FTC and the TREASURY / FED / SEC could stop this disaster anytime they want to. Regulations of minimum down payment like stock margins. Rules about honest disclosure. Limits on what banks can resell as “securities”. AND, the biggest rule, the originator get stuck with defaults! No more package it and forget it. (But then we’d see just how crappy the economy is. And, how many banks would be insolvent. It’s in the Gooferment’s interest to keep putting lipstick on the is pig. Pucker up! Guess who’s going ot have to kiss it?

④ I remember reading that Freddy and Fannie make the economy more uncompetitive and more “rigid” in that owning a home meant the workforce could not adapt to new opportunities in new locations. A high percentage of folks renting means they can move more quickly. Didn’t the Mayans force migrations by burning the village and forcing them to move hundreds of miles? Is this our modern equvalent?

⑤ Speaking of Freddy and Fannie, I see where bailing them out is going to be the “mother of all bailouts”. Shouldn’t we put them out of their, and our, misery? Time for a Constitutional Amendment banning all GSEs! (Gooferment Sponsored Entities)

⑥ Why don’t we bring back the 30 year Treasury Bond as a method of financing the deficit and easing the pain we are facing? Or is the GOoferment afraid of what that 30 year rate will be?

⑦ On HGTV, there are a lot of home buyers, some first timers, who are buying big ticket homes with nearly nothing down. Several hundred thousand dollar mortgages and they need “mortgage assistance”, seller paid closing costs, and even the tax credits to make the numbers work at all. And, in the cases of two income “families” (i.e., DINKs), one paycheck is completely going to the mortgage. Isn’t that a recipe for default in a job loss scenario?

⑧ Perhaps, it’s time for multi-generational households (i.e., grandma and grandpa buy with their retirement money; mom, dad, and the grandkids bunk in)? Wasn’t that the model before Social Security allowed Grandparents to escape to Florida? Makes the Grandparent able to dodge the nursing home.

⑨ Interesting that the Wall Street Journal paywall isn’t very encompassing.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinvestment

“Panics do not destroy capital; they merely reveal the extent to which it has been destroyed by its betrayal into hopelessly unproductive works.”

— John Mills, December 11, 1867, on Credit Cycles and the Origin of Commercial Panics

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INTERESTING: It’s the Gooferment’s fault; not BP’s

Monday, June 28, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdZ5LCNmvFQ&feature=player_embedded

June 26, 2010

Calm Judge Napolitano vs. Excitable Shep Smith

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Interesting the 75$M liability cap allowed BP to proceed without insurance. Interesting that the Gooferment predicted that spilled oil wouldn’t reach the shore. Interesting that the Gooferment immunizes itself and its bureaucrats from being held responsibile.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Hasselbeck critique

Friday, June 18, 2010

http://ginabortolussiblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/elizabeth-hasselbeck-is-ridiculous.html

The Good, the Fad and the Ugly
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

*** begin quote ***

Elizabeth Hasselbeck is ridiculous. Her unprofessionalism on The View today was crossing a line. I never really get upset about her comments, even when she’s babbling on about the GOP, but to yawn and say rude comments to a guest is a little much in my opinion. Okay, you don’t like Kathy Griffin, she said some stuff about you, which I think a lot of peeps agree with in one or or another, but aren’t you supposed to do a job without bias? (I love that I’m asking her a question, like she reads this blog. I mean she should, duh). In no way, shape or form is Elizabeth a journalist, but she is still supposed to act accordingly and treat all guests equally when interviewing them.

*** end quote ***

I though Elizabeth was rude. And, she does shill for the R’s. (Just as Joy shills for the D’s.) Clearly they need Whoopi, who seems like a straight shooter (i.e., during Obamacare debate, said: “I want what you got”. And her usual exclamation “What the hell!”)

E, J, or any of them in this venue are NOT “journalists”. Barbara Wawa is the closest they have to one. (And, you’ll notice she stays well back from the partisan line. Except we KNOW she’s a liberal. And, throws liberals “softballs. But she tries to be a “journalist”.)

You must realize that the hosts of the views are like Glenn Beck, Rush, and Bill O’R are commentators. Not new people. There’s a diff between opinion, comment, and news.

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INTERESTING: Reacting to the ‘Oil Spill” speech

Friday, June 18, 2010

http://www.keywestlou.com/2010/06/actions-speak-louder-than-words.html

My Life in Key West
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010

*** begin quote ***

Actions speak louder than words!

Yesterday I said I was disappointed with the President’s speech. Today I must say I am impressed with what he accomplished yesterday. I refer to the $20 billion committment plus he obtained from BP.

Perhaps Obama is a differnet type leader. He seems much like Teddy Rooseveelt. Speak softly and carry a large stick.

Credit must be given where credit is due. Good job, Mr. President!

*** end quote ***

>I said I was disappointed with the President’s speech

As well you should be. Like all Americans, we expect our Presidents to DO something. Other than point fingers.

>Today I must say I am impressed with what he accomplished yesterday.

In a twenty minute meeting? It was more likely just some posturing and a general collapse of BP in front of the Boy King.

>I refer to the $20 billion commitment plus he obtained from BP.

Commitment? I’d call it extortion. So when does the litigation start. The stockholders, the dividend recipients, the British pensioners (from whence they get 20% of their pension), and to a lesser extent the workers were extorted to the tune of 20B$. If their liability was capped at 75M$, where does the BP CEO and team get off giving away the assets of the company? And to a political slush fund? The 911 fund was a disaster that we have only partially seen the facts. More money to be “expensed” by the politically connected.

As a lawyer, would you care to opine on under what principle of law he can extract such a “commitment”? If you were counsel to the BP CEO, would you advise him to pay off like a slot machine? If you were advising the stockholders, wouldn’t you sue?

>Perhaps Obama is a different type leader.

Leader? Sorry, but I haven’t seen ANY leadership out of him. Even on his “signature” items — porkulous and socialist health, he was like a disinterested third party. Lobbyists and backroom aides wrote the bills.

> He seems much like Teddy Rooseveelt.

He’s not “in the Arena”. He’s in campaign mode; still running for the job. Or reelection. Although, he is, like TR, killing folks. He’s expanded Bush’s Predator Drone program. Killing even American citizens!

> Speak softly and carry a large stick.

No speak and no stick. He’s just another corrupt Chicago politician. BP is his biggest contributor and long time benefactor of his Chief Of Staff Rahm. His background tells you a lot about him.

>

If he was a true leader, he’d have reached out to Sarah Palin for her expertise in regulating Oil Companies. She’d have told him that they “understate the truth”. If he was a real leader, he’d have installed Biden in Texas and asked the Bushes to assist him in “solving the problem”. If he was a real leader, he’d have engaged on Day One.

Sorry, but the only thing that needs to be kicked, is him. Out!

Not that McCain is a saint either. But Sarah would have been an asset to have in place. Not that she’s Joan of Arc either. I dislike BOTH political parties.

But when the Nation is in trouble, EVERYONE needs to be used. There’s no shame in not having all the answers. There’s plenty in not asking the right questions.

He’s yet another “empty suit”.

You were more correct yesterday!

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INTERESTING: Police may have over reacted

Thursday, June 17, 2010

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/16/seattle-police-guild-defends-officers-punch/?test=latestnews

CRIME & COURTS

Seattle Police Guild Defends Officer’s Punch

Published June 16, 2010 | Associated Press

*** begin quote ***

Seattle Police Officers Guild President Rich O’Neil says an officer was justified in punching a young woman who shoved him in a dispute over jaywalking.

*** end quote ***

I had a conversation about this incident.

Over jaywalking? And, how old are the two girls?

FRIEND: It was the fact that the officer was surrounded by urban yutes, and the woman pushed him. They are trained how to handle themselves in situations like this….as they commented later, there have been many instances where police officers were brutually attacked when they took a passive stance. His aggressive action may have prevented something much worse. I need to get you a new pair of glasses, or contact lenses! :-)

No. (no new glasses needed)

I’ve seen the video. Couple of points:

(1) Jaywalking? It’s like the Gooferment is using its force to pick a fight with the folks.

(2) The girls were clearly out of control and were inciting trouble.

(3) The “citizens” didn’t not help “their” police diffuse the situation, calm the the agitated woman who got punched, or assist in protecting “their” officer. (imho citizens have an affirmative duty to enforce the laws made in their name).

(4) The police officer MAY have over reacted. But alone, and facing multiple opponents, and a potential mob, I’m not going to criticize him. (I ain’t walked in those moccasins.) Faced with that situation, if he truly felt threatened he’d have been justified imho in drawing his weapon. I think that he was foolish to get in close combat with “crazy people” who might have had a knife or other “blade”. When they resisted, I’d have stepped back, drawn my weapon, and directed them to step back and lie down on the ground. I’d support that.

The punch in an attempt to detain may have been an over reaction.

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And, how old are these girls anyway?

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INTERESTING: Write your own obit

Monday, June 14, 2010

One thing that I have learned form reading all the old Jaspers’ obits is that you should write your own.

You should have your own “doomsday book”. It will come eventually to all of us. The financial writer all advocate having all your details in one place for your executor to access. Passwords as well.

I’ll have to start working on mine.

What color should it be?

Black? Nah, too somber. Inside I was a barrel of fun.

White? Nah, too pure. I certainly wasn’t that.

Pink? Nah, too gay. Not me.

Blue? Nah, too stodgy. That’s not the fun loving guy I was.

Paisley? Nah, too frivolous for a serious topic. I was always serious.

Guess it will be a recycled Green. For Jaspers. And, cheap. I was never cheap except in my old age.

Now where did I put my “treasure chest”. All I need is the eye patch to match my scar.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: A one minute osprey video

Saturday, June 12, 2010

http://www.flixxy.com/bird-aerodynamics-mastery-of-flight.htm

An osprey figures out how to remove the drag in air-resistance that the fish is causing. From the BBC series ‘The Life of Birds’.

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A one minute video that is impressive, thought provoking, and ultimately (to me) very interesting.

Makes me wonder.

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INTERESTING: Seats for everyone?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/women_shealth/7809871/Why-pregnant-women-cant-get-a-seat-on-the-bus.html

Why pregnant women can’t get a seat on the bus

Pregnant women are being left standing on public transport because commuters are too afraid to offer their seat in case they are simply overweight, researchers claim.

By Nick Collins

Published: 7:30AM BST 08 Jun 2010

*** begin quote ***

The majority of expectant mothers cannot find a seat on buses and trains because their fellow passengers cannot distinguish between a pregnant woman’s bump and the figure of an obese woman, it was claimed.

*** end quote ***

May I suggest that standees are, in an accident, both at risk and a risk to other passengers?

When I visited London (a long time ago) on a mixed business pleasure trip, saw two buses accidents in a week. A lot of ambulances and police at both scenes. No idea of the casualties if any. (In NYC, bus accidents magically attract additional passengers seeking a payoff. I assume similar happens there. And, everyone is “hurt”?)

So shouldn’t it be required that ALL passengers have a seat? You might even require all to belt in.

“My” commuter bus company between NYC and a NJ suburb REQUIRES every passenger to have and take a seat. Otherwise, the driver is instructed not to move the bus. Granted that this route travels on a “high speed” route. (What you’d call a motorway, we call a limited access expressway. Or turnpike. Or parkway. A rose is a rose is a rose.)

In an accident, even at low speeds, a body in motion tends to remain in motion. A body (i.e., standee) motions until it’s stopped by something (i.e., windshields, seats, other passengers). Hard to imagine a worse scenario for a standee?

So perhaps, instead of worrying about pregnant standees, you should be worried about ALL standees. If everyone has to take a seat, then by definition we’ve “solved” the “pregnant standee” problem. Of course, it may require more and better hardware, but that’s a different problem.

I never understood the Japanese Rail passengers crammed in like sardines. What happens in an accident with them?

Nope everyone should take a seat, and hold on for dear life. It might make commuting a lot less stressful.

Just a suggestion from across the pond.

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INTERESTING: fear.less is a free online magazine

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

http://fearlessstories.com/

*** begin quote ***

fear.less is a free online magazine that empowers people through unique stories of overcoming fear. From entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists and scientists to survivors of extreme experiences, these stories demonstrate the hidden potential we have to confront our fears and come out victorious. Fear.less is our answer to an emergency.

*** end quote ***

Technology-wise it appears slow. But content-wise it’s “interesting”.

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