daben’s posterous

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/magazine/24Obamanomics-t.html?_r=2&em&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Today, the economy is the issue that concerns the most Americans ( I'm
guessing when you ask someone, they will more likely say the wars, but
come on, I'm confident most people really don't care about that. If
you think I'm wrong, prove it and do something to end it.)

In the aftermath of the mortgage fallout and housing crisis (silly
bankers.), the US economy is at a standstill (well, slowly but
surely), growing about 1.9% last quarter. David Leonhardt goes on to
say that "the details are too technical for most of us to
understand..." Meaning, you simpletons can't handle something to this
caliber... Anyway, that irritated me a little bit, because he can make
some attempt at explaining something, but I'll rest my cynical
perspective aside... for now.

So, as the economy grows year after year, economic growth usually
would be accompanied by increased income. The bottom 60% of Americans
no longer benefit from this economic growth, earning less than
(accounting for inflation) they earned in 2000. Speaking of which, I
will conquer Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat. but yea, that's part
of the reason. Then there's Social Security, which will become a huge
problem within the next decade. Oh oh, and remember Bush's idea which
granted tax rebates to consumers of gas guzzling monster trucks?
Genius. Simply proof that George W Bush Jr. in fact does has sexual
relations with crude oil. I have photographic evidence of this as
well.


ok ok, so let me reflect some things from the article.

Cap and trade programs to curb CO2 emission, serving to regulate
industry, but allowing the emissions permits to be distributed based
on the free market principles. The money earned from the sales of the
permits can aide Americans whom face steeper costs (b/c of the
regulation and increased costs of production).

Obama seeks to renew the US economy, and plans to regulate/ watch over
Wall Street more carefully with an SEC 2.0, essentially. Furthermore,
the Fed will have a more permanent oversight of the banks, rather than
helping out in extreme situations, thus reducing the risk of such a
crisis again (ie Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were given blank checks
from the treasury to meet any expenses to prevent a fall out).

"McCain, ..., would cut taxes for the top 0.1 percent of earners —
those making an average of $9.1 million — by another $190,000 a year,
on top of the Bush reductions. Obama would raise taxes on this top 0.1
percent by an average of $800,000 a year."
hehe. I just saw 9.1 million a year and wanted to vommit.

then there's the green collared worker. Address both the energy issue
and economy, simultaneously. Especially if you look at Bloomberg's
ideas for NYC (hehe).

Apparently covering buildings with solar panels and windmills. Now
that would be one heck of an expensive project. I haven't looked into
the specifics at all, but i definitely feel reducing the need for
energy is a much more tangible feat.

OK, that really wasn't coherent. I apologize.
Until next time!

Peace.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5617271&page=1

The United States does not belong in Poland. Connie says that it is
our responsibility to protect Poland as if it is a US territory.

Are you serious? The US and Polish have been planning to put 10
missile defense systems in Poland, in order to counter any military
advances from Iran and North Korea. Yea, okay. that makes sense.
Perfect location to aide against Cuba too... right?

How about the US government continues to completely disregard anything
its people say? I like that idea. Sure, who the hell are we to say/ do
anything? Draft me. I want to fight this nuclear war. Nooo. the
300,000 plus people we have killed in Iraq means nothing. But as soon
as Russia makes an aggressive advance, it's the end of the world...
PUN intended. HEHE.

"It's Georgia today, Ukraine tomorrow and Poland may be next," Kaczynski said.
but i thought this was to help in the fight against Iran and North Korea?

Neat.

Kevin Kearney tries to kite surf in florida, during Hurricane/
tropical storm (I actually do not care enough to check the storm's
current classification). Now, he's in critical condition. You see, I
might understand surfing during hurricanes, as the swells are much
much nicer. And obviously, it's a risk that you are taking, but
manageable... Oh, and not at the lifeguard's expense really, just
commenting on the recent 8 deaths or so on the south shore of long
island because of strong currents, storm related. I'm saying, if you
are swimming at night, a weaker swimmer, drunk, old, or inexperienced,
don't go in the ocean when it is clearly rough. I'm sure the
lifeguards warned of strong riptides, and i personally liked the water
during all of this.

anyway, back to idiosyncrasy. It's called the Darwin Awards, given to
individuals that are killed from stupid actions, thus eliminating
themselves from the gene pool. I'm just saying, obviously, a main
characteristic of a big storm are the strong, unpredictable winds, so
don't go windsurfing. Next, are you serious? personally, i have no
knowledge of windsurfing, whether or not you are fastened onto the
chute, but in extreme situations, you do what you need to do.

anyway, little sympathy.

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080816&content_id=3320790&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

It's August, and any team that potentially can make playoffs is making
sure the team is stacked. Boston picked up Byrd, and for boston, why
not pick up the f-ing yankee killer. Thanks Paul Byrd for that
memorable playoff spree... oh, and the indians are a bunch of cheating
vaginas, figured it has to be said somewhere. Throw Byrd behind
Beckett and Dice-K, and in front of Buchholz and Lester, and why the
hell not? Im just saying, the leading offense in the MLB (633 runs
scored... and what about that non existent solid Yankees line up? i
swear i want to blow off the frontal lobe of my freaking head.
pathetic.), with an even more solid pitching staff. Go head to head,
and the red sox, despite them being total dirt bags and sucking at
life, dominate the yankees.

I choose to have faith in Mike Mussina. a man that one year ago, was a
thorn in my side. and we have to hope andy has a hell of a game...
which was promising until recently. but sir sidney ponson gets
entirely too much credit (saturday was a good game... his 4 earned
runs against the Angels is not considered a "gem" you idiots... he is
horrible, just recognize this fact.). Oh, and I dont even know where
we go from there... rasner? giese is out... another yankee to fall to
Rotator Cuff tendonitis. bite me idiots.

So we have the most powerful offense in the MLB, and we have
absolutely nothing to show for it. what do we do? suck it up. hand
this season in? no big trades pre trading deadline... go figure. oh
wait, we picked up nady, pudge, and marte (marte, wow.). Im just
saying, a battle against the royals. out 9.5 games. Are we making the
playoffs? and if we do, can you imagine how embarassing that will be?

In Pavano we trust! haha.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/15/europe/15poland.php

Poland has signed a deal with the United States to allow American
missiles to occupy Poland, primarily in rebuttal to Russia's
aggressive stance with Georgia. Is it likely that Poland fears a
soviet like growing super power that is Russia? Allow the US to enter,
serving much protection greater than what NATO can provide. Sure.

I have been referring to this as the Cold War for quite some time. The
United States has feelings of contempt towards Iran and its nuclear
programs, obviously, but yea, Iran was obtaining enriched uranium from
Russia.

Look further east. About a year ago, the Russians and China signed a
multi billion dollar deal to further develop China's nuclear program.
So what the hell.

Do I think that Russia plans to destroy the United States and the rest
of the planet? No. Do I feel Putin is telling the president of the
united states that he is sick of his nonsense and can rule his nation
however he feels? yes. Does the United States know any other
"diplomatic" way to respond? Absolutely not. Bring on Reagan's Star
Wars program. Jack ass. Sure, the US economy has caused restlessness
on the home front, but still, no one REALLY cares. Hey white house,
continue getting away with murder.

Or... dun dun dun... maybe this is the beginning of the unified
globe... that is not unlikely.

Recently, I was talking to a few friends about stolen bases. When
thinking about stolen bases, I would expect Jose Reyes, Izuki, and
Ellsbury to be leading the league, and for the most part, that's safe.
Colorado's Willy Taveras leads the league with 52 SB, followed by
Reyes' with 40. Izuki has 36, and Ellsbury at 38. Let's assume the
season is only 1/2 over, double these numbers to 104, 80, 72, 76, for
the season.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SB_season.shtml

According to baseball reference, in 1887, Hugh Nicol stole 138 bases
at the age of 29. Wild, but that is 1887, and obviously, well, no need
for me to explain.

However, Rickey Henderson during the 80's (the 1980's, that is.). In
1982, Henderson had 130 stolen bases, at the age 23, making him #2 on
the single season SB chart. Henderson had 3 100+ Stolen base seasons.

It just makes me say, Whoa.

peace.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/04/news/oil.recession.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008080415

This article discusses falling fuel prices and gives us a glimpse of
the future recession. So to state the obvious, higher gas prices will
result in Americans driving less, and according to the Federal Highway
Administration, has declined 4% over the past year. Fair enough.

And then it goes to General Motors and Ford. Obviously, I have a
biased perspective because I essentially hate oil and automobiles, but
honestly. Quickly think of American car commercials. I think Built
Ford Tough (Ford), An American Revolution (Chevy), oh, and that big
truck driving over the planet GM's hummer). I don't know if it's from
watching ESPN too much or what, but it seems like the marketing
focuses on a certain type of vehicle, which just so happens to be a
monster truck that gets 10 miles per gallon. So GM having a $15
billion dollar second quarter loss and Ford dropping as well, go
figure. However, GM is currently trading at about $10 a share, and I
feel the infrastructure will better be able to handle the changes
(based on the changing market, they um, yea. it's kind of necessary.).
So if I was in a situation where I was in my 40's and had some extra
cash, as opposed to being a recent college graduate that is unemployed
and 20 k deep in college debt, I would definitely add GM to my
portfolio (I would wait for it to hit about $8 a share)... just be
sure to hold it.

So high fuel prices. Not even two months ago, Obama criticized McCain
over off- shore drilling, saying that it would not affect/ alleviate
the pressure from gas prices. A few days ago, that was changed to- ok
ok, some off shore drilling is okay. Personally, I think Obama is
trying to regain some credit after Ludacris' recent song "Politics"
which calls Hillary Clinton an irrelevant bitch and bashes McCain and
Bush. Oh, and how he's "painting the white house black." Check it out-
.

Anyway, I keep on going back to environmental tangents, but will try
to stay focused. Freddie Mac. The entire game has changed now,
granted, we have the SEC etc in place, so we wont see a 1929 again.
However, we are already facing the toll the war is having on the
economy, and it won't end anytime soon... this money must be fed to
the military, and it will be. Besides that, buying on credit-
groceries, gas, everything. buy now, pay later... with 10% added
interest each year, and many of us (except for the rich... so, many of
us) just keep banging out the minimum payment each month. And so much
for affordable housing. Apparently Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are
holding 50% of all existing mortgages and 80% of all new ones. So when
the stock price drops 60% and the investors lose $80 billion...
yeaaaaaaaa, about that...

So I definitely lost track of where I was going, but anyway. So they
keep talking about the price of crude oil falling and dropping gas
prices. How about we just leave the gas right where it is? Allow the
people to leave the land of make believe. The economy will turn around
eventually. Americans really just need to be smarter and more
innovative. We have the capabilities, we are just being lazy.