Monday, October 31, 2011
The Cain Scrutiny
Is a minor implosion about to occur?
NBC: NBC confirms one Cain accuser received cash settlement
And
Raw Story: Report: Cain may have broken tax, election laws
NBC: NBC confirms one Cain accuser received cash settlement
And
Raw Story: Report: Cain may have broken tax, election laws
DOW Closes Much Lower
The DOW closed at 11,955.01 dropping 276.10 points.
CNN: Stocks end stellar month with a fall
and check this out -
CNN: $100 million payout for retiring CEO
I sure hope that's enough money...
CNN: Stocks end stellar month with a fall
and check this out -
CNN: $100 million payout for retiring CEO
I sure hope that's enough money...
Please Change The Channel
We have a no starter story here, followed by an attack on "liberals" by Coulter in response to a no starter story. Coulter is on top of her pointless game.
I am posting this as an example of political entertainment. Its like a C level movie with lots of car crashes and tough talk along with a miserable plot and bad acting.
Raw Story: Coulter blames ‘liberals’ for allegations against Cain
I am posting this as an example of political entertainment. Its like a C level movie with lots of car crashes and tough talk along with a miserable plot and bad acting.
Raw Story: Coulter blames ‘liberals’ for allegations against Cain
DOW Lower At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is down 164 points.
Reuters: Wall Street loses ground on fading euro zone optimism
Reuters: Wall Street loses ground on fading euro zone optimism
Move It
November 5th is move your money day. If you are dealing with a large too big to fail bank, consider moving to a smaller business. Research may be required.
AlterNet: 4 Simple Steps for Taking Your Money Out of the Vampire Banks
AlterNet: 4 Simple Steps for Taking Your Money Out of the Vampire Banks
You may fear a lack of ATMs with smaller banks, but Amalgamated, like many, is part of a huge, surcharge-free network called AllPoint, with machines at Target, CVS, Walgreens, and other common retail outlets. There are over 4,000 Allpoint ATMs in New York and New Jersey, and there's a web tool and mobile app that allows me to search for nearby machines wherever I am.
I found that the whole process was actually pretty painless. Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) has introduced a bill to ban nasty practices like exit fees to make ending your dysfunctional bank relationship even easier.
Having taken the plunge, I invite you to join me. The water feels good. And even better, no sharks.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 24 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. Winter has arrived very early but it may retreat for a spell this week, we hope. There is still some snow on the ground from Saturday's storm. Tonight the trick or treaters ring the doorbell and we are prepared with packages of CVS bought candy bars. In case you are wondering I have not eaten any, but other unidentified members of the household may have. We are adjusting to life with our new dog. She is a real good fit so far, she's a quick study and very interested in pleasing us.
At 8:20 a.m. futures are flat, the dollar is up against all major world currencies, and oil is down.
The Japanese have worked to reduce the value of the yen, consequently the dollar is rising and this makes US equities less interesting because they are too pricey.
Investors will have a wary approach to the Eurozone debt deal as well. This thing could go south real fast and take the indexes right along with it.
Otherwise October has been a stellar month for equities. With the DOW presently over 12K we are seeing a fluffiness not experienced in several months. Enjoy it while it lasts.
CNN: Stocks poised for losses
At 8:20 a.m. futures are flat, the dollar is up against all major world currencies, and oil is down.
The Japanese have worked to reduce the value of the yen, consequently the dollar is rising and this makes US equities less interesting because they are too pricey.
Investors will have a wary approach to the Eurozone debt deal as well. This thing could go south real fast and take the indexes right along with it.
Otherwise October has been a stellar month for equities. With the DOW presently over 12K we are seeing a fluffiness not experienced in several months. Enjoy it while it lasts.
CNN: Stocks poised for losses
The Japanese government acted early Monday to push down the yen's value in international currency markets.
The Dow is up 12% in October, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have surged more than 13%.
Oil for December delivery fell 64 cents to $92.68 a barrel.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Ireland's New President
Its Michael D Higgins.
Listen to him speak on behalf of ordinary people with supreme clarity, empathy, intensity, and conviction. Let's kidnap him and bring him here.
Listen to him speak on behalf of ordinary people with supreme clarity, empathy, intensity, and conviction. Let's kidnap him and bring him here.
Coming Up On Wall Street
Even though the market has had a solid month of gains and the DOW is back over 12K, there is a long list of issues that will directly impact the market.
Initially the Eurozone debt deal was seen as good from the investor point of view, a few days later questions are arising in the investment mind about its actual effect and size - not enough and not enough. It is conceivable that the Eurozone deal falls back to square one at which point volatility returns to the market.
Balancing on the other end of the Eurozone tether are stronger than expected third quarter results and an American economy that grew at a surprising 2.5% rate also in the third quarter.
In addition here are a few more bumps coming up:
- Europe is possibly already in a new technical recession
- The American consumer is heavily in debt and is purchasing using savings. Therefor the money that bought that 2.5% GDP will not be there in the future.
- Unemployment remains high and probably can't improve until the above point improves and there we have a negative feedback loop occurring - high unemployment, no money, no spending, no need for companies to hire to produce more for you oh ingrate consumer. And around and around it goes.
Personally I am not at all confident about this new market rise. The big deal people in the .0001% are making money hand over fist in a volatile market regardless of if it is sinking or rising. This is who drives this whole mess down the apocalyptic road anywho. Hang on the bumpiness is still coming.
Reuters: Long list of dangers ahead for global economy
Initially the Eurozone debt deal was seen as good from the investor point of view, a few days later questions are arising in the investment mind about its actual effect and size - not enough and not enough. It is conceivable that the Eurozone deal falls back to square one at which point volatility returns to the market.
Balancing on the other end of the Eurozone tether are stronger than expected third quarter results and an American economy that grew at a surprising 2.5% rate also in the third quarter.
In addition here are a few more bumps coming up:
- Europe is possibly already in a new technical recession
- The American consumer is heavily in debt and is purchasing using savings. Therefor the money that bought that 2.5% GDP will not be there in the future.
- Unemployment remains high and probably can't improve until the above point improves and there we have a negative feedback loop occurring - high unemployment, no money, no spending, no need for companies to hire to produce more for you oh ingrate consumer. And around and around it goes.
Personally I am not at all confident about this new market rise. The big deal people in the .0001% are making money hand over fist in a volatile market regardless of if it is sinking or rising. This is who drives this whole mess down the apocalyptic road anywho. Hang on the bumpiness is still coming.
Reuters: Long list of dangers ahead for global economy
"If the absolute amount is not enough (Eurozone debt deal), we will be back to the storms. The break in the clouds may only last a few hours..."
Europe probably is already in recession...
As long as the American consumer, who drives 70 percent of all U.S. economic activity, is buried under a mountain of debt -- much of it mortgage debt -- and many houses remain worth less than the mortgage, consumer demand will remain weak and business hiring paltry.
MSNBC - Schakowsky, McGhee, Spitzer On SSI
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Maher - Halloween Costumes And Christie
Fast forward past the Halloween poorly conceived bomb then get to Christie. Christie is a Republican and gets hell from Maher. They go after him on Iraq but good.
Steve Jobs As Buddhist
Turns out Jobs was a serious student of Zen.
NeoroTribes: What Kind of Buddhist was Steve Jobs, Really?
NeoroTribes: What Kind of Buddhist was Steve Jobs, Really?
New Dog
We had the first night with our new dog. She woke up about every 1.5 hours and cried a little bit. I think she is adjusting to the new home, it has to be a little scary to enter a new house and a new place plus this dog had other brothers. They all slept in a pack leaning on one another. The breeder told us that she sleeps through the night. After I took her out early this morning and fed her, she has gone right back to sleep. We have her in a pen.
The puppy is a yellow lab and I must say this dog is a very quick study. She is learning how to do her business outside really fast, plus we are very attentive and take her out as soon as she wakes or usually after 1.5 hours.
We will work on getting her walking with us. This dog is going to get walked a real lot.
The puppy is a yellow lab and I must say this dog is a very quick study. She is learning how to do her business outside really fast, plus we are very attentive and take her out as soon as she wakes or usually after 1.5 hours.
We will work on getting her walking with us. This dog is going to get walked a real lot.
Present Polls
Looking through the 2012 Presidential election polls, Obama's closest competition is Romney. Rasmussen who is a decidedly conservative pollster even has Romney over Obama by 2%, otherwise all other polls has Obama beating all candidates handily.
Curiously Obama loses in most polls against a "generic"GOP Tea Party candidate. One might suspect that when the question is asked - who would you vote for Obama or someone else - the dominant answer is someone else but when a specific someone else is named like Perry, Cain, Bachmann, Gingrich, or Romney, Obama wins.
This suggests that people are not pleased with theGOP Tea Party candidates. Personally I am surprised that Cain, Perry, Bachmann, and Gingrich are even in the race they seem so not presidential. On the other hand, nothing the GOP Tea Party does should surprise anyone considering G. W. Bush was elected twice.
Real Clear Politics: President Obama vs. Republican Candidates
Curiously Obama loses in most polls against a "generic"
This suggests that people are not pleased with the
Real Clear Politics: President Obama vs. Republican Candidates
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Living Like 3.6 Million People In California
One suspects this budget buys a lot of white floor, bad oils, and tons of additives.
Raw Story: Congresswoman to attempt to live on $4.50/day food budget
Raw Story: Congresswoman to attempt to live on $4.50/day food budget
Tassajara Bread
Culinate.com: Tassajara Yeasted Bread
Compare And See
Read the following NYT Op-Ed column which points out how the U.S.A. ranked among other developed countries in terms of things related to poverty like - overall poverty rate, child poverty rate, senior citizen poverty rate, and more.
Long story short - we are just about at the bottom of the pile.
NY Times: America’s Exploding Pipe Dream
Long story short - we are just about at the bottom of the pile.
NY Times: America’s Exploding Pipe Dream
Maddow - That's Enough Wolfowitz Thank You
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The Latest From Noam
Noam talks about the changing geo-political-economic landscape.
ZNET: Moral Justification
ZNET: Moral Justification
How do you see geopolitics playing out over the coming decades with the rise of the BRICs, the lack of stability in the Middle East and the decline of the west?
"The US and Europe have somewhat different problems. Europe is facing quite severe financial problems, that is no secret, that are in part traceable to the relatively human approach towards integrating the poorer countries together with the richer nations. Before the European Union was established and the poorer southern countries like Greece, Portugal and Spain were brought in, there were efforts made to reduce the sharp differences between the rich advanced countries and poorer ones – so that northern European workers wouldn't have to face competition from an impoverished and exploited working class in the south. There was compensatory funding and other measures, which – of course – didn't eliminate the gap but removed it sufficiently so that the poorer countries could be brought in without a very harsh effect on the rich northern ones.
"Europe is now paying the price of its relatively humane approach and its failure to deal with some very serious problems such as the extraordinary independence of the European Central Bank and its religious dedication to anti-inflation policies – which are not the ones that should be followed at a time of decline and recession. Europe should be doing the opposite like the US where the policies are somewhat more realistic."
Seaweed And Global Warming
This is the saddest aspect of global warming, the delicate balance of life is upset.
Live Science: Global Warming May Push Seaweeds Over the Edge
Live Science: Global Warming May Push Seaweeds Over the Edge
Uh Oh
We have a winter storm warning in effect from today at noon till 6 a.m. Sunday. Considering we have so many leaves still on the trees, its going to get dicey. Last night we bought extra gas for our generator, one of our best anticipating moves yet.
CS Monitor: A blizzard in October? Major storm could bring foot of snow to eastern US.
CS Monitor: A blizzard in October? Major storm could bring foot of snow to eastern US.
Tea Party Attack On Biking And Walking - Seriously
Ron Paul of Kentucky wants to redirect money allocated for bike paths and walkways to repairing bridges. Of course the money allocated for bike paths and walkways is miniscule to begin with and wouldn't repair much of any bridge.
You can petition Paul's move here.
AlterNet: What Do Republicans Have Against Biking and Walking?
You can petition Paul's move here.
AlterNet: What Do Republicans Have Against Biking and Walking?
Now bicyclists and pedestrians are under attack again, this time in an amendment from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. He wants to redirect every last penny of money dedicated to bicycling and walking to bridge repair instead.
Since 2007, 2,800 cyclists and 20,000 pedestrians have died on America’s roads—many due to the lack of sidewalks, bike lanes and other safety measures that federal funds provide.
First of all, Senator Paul’s amendment will not even come close to fixing America’s bridges. Biking, walking and other so-called “transportation enhancements” that Paul wants to kill account for less than two percent of the total Transportation Bill. It would take 80 years using money saved from scrapping these programs to finance the backlog of current bridge repairs—not to mention future needs.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Shame
Shame on Oakland P.D. for causing this terrible tragedy.
There's no need for police to get violent here at these Occupy protests. The people that incite trouble are usually right wing troublemakers and everybody knows it.
Raw Story: Doctors: Scott Olsen suffered brain damage and is unable to speak
Here is the link to the contact page of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan -
Mayor's contacts
Consider sending these people a note. Here's what I wrote them -
There's no need for police to get violent here at these Occupy protests. The people that incite trouble are usually right wing troublemakers and everybody knows it.
Raw Story: Doctors: Scott Olsen suffered brain damage and is unable to speak
Here is the link to the contact page of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan -
Mayor's contacts
Consider sending these people a note. Here's what I wrote them -
I will come directly to the point.
Shame on Mayor Jean Quan for setting up the eviction of the Occupy movement which led to the Iraq war vet Scott Olsen's brain injury, all occurring at the hands of the Oakland Police.
These people are peaceful. Get it right. Make this better.
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 12,231.11 gaining 22.56 points.
Amazing week in the stock market with the DOW rising above 12K.
Reuters: Wall Street, finishing flat, posts 4 weeks of gains
Amazing week in the stock market with the DOW rising above 12K.
Reuters: Wall Street, finishing flat, posts 4 weeks of gains
Maddow - How Wall Street Defrauded Investors
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
On Contentment
"Contentment consist not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire." - Thomas Fuller
"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." - Buddha
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” - Epicurus
"The more we require or desire, the more difficult it becomes to achieve contentment. Aim to need less and these needs will be more easily meet. Fewer choices to be made regarding the acquisition, maintenance and protection of possessions and consumables allows more time and thinking space for personal enrichment. Paring down will lead to an increased sense of security if it is you who is making the decision to pare down. Give up one habit or decision or possession or the craving for a possession each day." - Steve Morris
Changing The Fear
Its difficult to make change, sometimes change creates even more anxiety.
I like the way writers are attempting to put a human face on the Occupy movement.
AlterNet: Gandhi’s Wings: Occupy Wall Street and the Redistribution of Anxiety
I like the way writers are attempting to put a human face on the Occupy movement.
AlterNet: Gandhi’s Wings: Occupy Wall Street and the Redistribution of Anxiety
What does anxiety look like? You can see this drama played out as the demonstrators meditate surrounded by police whose anxiety is palpable, perhaps because the police cannot figure out which side they should really be on. You see it and hear it and feel it from all of the media pundits who are trying to "figure out," discredit, or dismiss OWS. You see it in the angry denunciations emanating from Wall Street financiers who beat their breasts and cling to the image of their legitimacy because they work so hard that they deserve their top 0.1% style mega incomes.
The Market On Friday
Good morning and welcome to the weekend. It is 28 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. Clearly this is the coldest day yet in this season and we are also seeing snow on the ground from yesterday's ultra premature snowstorm. I must admit it is rather beautiful, but it could have waited till around December 25th which is when it normally starts to snow - really. On a separate track - we are doing more preparations for the arrival of our new dog tomorrow. It will be great to have a dog here, its been a year since Mitchel passed away.
At 8:15 a.m. futures are moderately down, the dollar is mixed, and oil is down.
Today we are back to concerns about the Euro debt crisis. The plan came in yesterday, caused a sensation with the market literally jumping up, and now its wait a minute - is this thing for real. Smelled this one coming three days ago.
Notice that corporations keep announcing deep layoffs. Whirlpool is announcing a 5,000 worker layoff. The job creators are not creating jobs and this is getting downright ridiculous. Expect to see communes popping up all over the place where people learn how to survive in little packs growing their own food and building houses out of remnants. Seriously, its either that or we become a nation of individualist criminals robbing each other and scurrying away.
CNN: Stocks: Investors take a step back
At 8:15 a.m. futures are moderately down, the dollar is mixed, and oil is down.
Today we are back to concerns about the Euro debt crisis. The plan came in yesterday, caused a sensation with the market literally jumping up, and now its wait a minute - is this thing for real. Smelled this one coming three days ago.
Notice that corporations keep announcing deep layoffs. Whirlpool is announcing a 5,000 worker layoff. The job creators are not creating jobs and this is getting downright ridiculous. Expect to see communes popping up all over the place where people learn how to survive in little packs growing their own food and building houses out of remnants. Seriously, its either that or we become a nation of individualist criminals robbing each other and scurrying away.
CNN: Stocks: Investors take a step back
Details about the (Eurozone debt) plan remain sketchy and doubts are creeping in.
Shares of Whirlpool tumbled 14% after the company said it plans to cut about 5,000 jobs in North America and Europe.
Oil for December delivery slipped $1.37 to $92.59 a barrel.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Snow!
Its snowing here, I mean its really snowing, its sticking and everything. We had a snowfall this early back in the late 80s. Its just plain too early for snow, its about 2 months early.
Reich's Latest
Interesting info on Romney here too.
Robert Reich: Wall Street is Still Out of Control, and Why Obama Should Call for Glass-Steagall and a Breakup of Big Banks
Robert Reich: Wall Street is Still Out of Control, and Why Obama Should Call for Glass-Steagall and a Breakup of Big Banks
DOW Closes Much Higher
The DOW closed at 12,208.55 gaining 339.51 points.
Its been a while since it last crossed the 12K mark.
Reuters: Wall Street ends up sharply on Europe plan
Its been a while since it last crossed the 12K mark.
Reuters: Wall Street ends up sharply on Europe plan
2.5 And 402,000
Surprising numbers on the economy. Could be that the next technical recession is holding off for a while.
From CNN:
From CNN:
U.S. economy grew at a 2.5% annual rate in third quarter, nearly double the second-quarter rate, government says.
About 402,000 people filed for the first week of unemployment claims last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.
On Contentment
The quote is from the Dalai Lama.
Have to admit there is something amusing about a picture of the Dalai Lama peeking into people's medicine cabinets.
Otherwise, he is absolutely correct. Contentment is a key component to living well. We have a lot of discontent with our political system and the economy but even in spite of that or maybe even because of that, we can still work on being content within our own lives. Even the word contentment is helpful, its just something to contemplate - contemplate self contentment.
Have to admit there is something amusing about a picture of the Dalai Lama peeking into people's medicine cabinets.
Otherwise, he is absolutely correct. Contentment is a key component to living well. We have a lot of discontent with our political system and the economy but even in spite of that or maybe even because of that, we can still work on being content within our own lives. Even the word contentment is helpful, its just something to contemplate - contemplate self contentment.
"On more than one occasion, when I have visited very nice homes in rich communities, I have peeked inside the medicine chest in the bathroom and found some medications to provide energy for the day and others to induce sleep at night. Contentment might do both of these jobs better since it reduces anxiety during the day, paving the way for sleeping peacefully."
Changing The Paradigm
I really like this story. Its about a woman who figured out that she preferred to be around people rather than being alone all the time.
Its a simple truth and its good. We need other people.
AlterNet: Why I Decided to Live With Roomates at Age 37: How Living With Others Is Good for My Wallet, Health and Happiness
Its a simple truth and its good. We need other people.
AlterNet: Why I Decided to Live With Roomates at Age 37: How Living With Others Is Good for My Wallet, Health and Happiness
But what we might not realize is how living with others is beneficial to not only finances, but also to physical well-being. Little did I know that the loneliness I was experiencing on a daily basis in my tucked-away studio was actually bad for my health. University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo has spent many years tracking the effects of loneliness, according to a 2003 article in Psychology Today. Cacioppo found that loneliness leads to higher rates of depression, alcoholism and even suicide. Most dramatically, diminished interaction with others can raise levels of circulating stress hormones and levels of blood pressure, a condition that can lead to heart disease and strokes.
A new sharing economy is emerging...
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 41 degrees, cloudy, and rainy here in Upstate NY. It was cold and damp as I walked this morning, this is the rawer fall weather that we know so well in these parts. There are still quite a few leaves hanging on especially on the oak trees. But this is also the time when sleeping seems easy. Maybe its because we want to hibernate through the winter.
At 8:15 a.m. futures are amazingly higher, the dollar is down, and oil is up. Barring some horrible news on the GDP or first time unemployment numbers, the market is set to pop.
Its all about a deal out of the Euro-zone on how to resolve the debt crisis especially surrounding Greece. A deal was laid out this morning and apparently there is enough there to make investors go happy and bubbly with the equities.
Now how long will this last? If we read that tomorrow its about Euro-zone worries...
CNN: Stocks set to pop on Europe debt deal
At 8:15 a.m. futures are amazingly higher, the dollar is down, and oil is up. Barring some horrible news on the GDP or first time unemployment numbers, the market is set to pop.
Its all about a deal out of the Euro-zone on how to resolve the debt crisis especially surrounding Greece. A deal was laid out this morning and apparently there is enough there to make investors go happy and bubbly with the equities.
Now how long will this last? If we read that tomorrow its about Euro-zone worries...
CNN: Stocks set to pop on Europe debt deal
Under the new plan, Greek bondholders voluntarily agreed to write down the value of Greek bonds by 50% -- which translates into €100 billion -- and will reduce the nation's debt load to 120% of economic output from 150%.
The U.S. government will report its highly anticipated third-quarter GDP figures before the markets open.
Oil for December delivery gained $2.09 to $92.29 a barrel.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Veteran Shot In The Face By Police Projectile At Occupy Oakland Protests
Looks like the head cracking has recommenced.
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 11,869.04 gaining 162.42 points.
Reuters: Bare-bones EU debt deal news enough for buyers
Reuters: Bare-bones EU debt deal news enough for buyers
Richard Wolff: US Is In Serious Trouble
This clip is from July 12, 2011.
I heard Richard Wolff on 'Alternative Radio' and I was very impressed. He's direct, clear, sees a big picture, and he's very knowledgeable - an economist to pay attention to.
I heard Richard Wolff on 'Alternative Radio' and I was very impressed. He's direct, clear, sees a big picture, and he's very knowledgeable - an economist to pay attention to.
DOW Higher At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is up 46 points.
Reuters: Wall Street trims early gains on Europe, earnings
Reuters: Wall Street trims early gains on Europe, earnings
Shifting The Media's Eye
The AlterNet article points out that Occupy has already achieved a big victory. Essentially the media is focusing more on jobs and a lot less on the deficit probably to the chagrin of the Tea Party. In addition there is data to back this up.
Even an article like this appears at CNN today and the wording is telling - Top 1% are getting even richer
AlterNet: he Stunning Victory That Occupy Wall Street Has Already Achieved
In just one month, the protesters have shifted the national dialogue from a relentless focus on the deficit to a discussion of the real issues facing Main Street: the lack of jobs -- and especially jobs with decent benefits -- spiraling inequality, cash-strapped American families' debt-loads, and the pernicious influence of money in politics that led us to this point.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 44 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. The weather is looking and feeling perfect for Halloween - dark, damp, and spooky. It was very dark out there this morning during my early walk. I have a new LL Bean rain jacket but I can never get behind Bean's color selection. The one I wanted was out of stock so I settled on black. Not the best color to wear in the dark morning but I do carry a flashing orange flashlight which I wave around when a car approaches. Most of the walk is on a sidewalk except for a few patches where its just road and me walking on the very edge.
At 8:20 a.m. futures are moderately up, the dollar is mixed, and oil is up.
According to the articles, investors are crossing their fingers and wondering if the Euro-bailout package will cover the problem. Is it large enough? We will know later on Wednesday when the plan is revealed so one might expect to see some turbulence at that time. We could see a jump or a dive.
CNN: Stocks: Waiting for Europe's grand plan
At 8:20 a.m. futures are moderately up, the dollar is mixed, and oil is up.
According to the articles, investors are crossing their fingers and wondering if the Euro-bailout package will cover the problem. Is it large enough? We will know later on Wednesday when the plan is revealed so one might expect to see some turbulence at that time. We could see a jump or a dive.
CNN: Stocks: Waiting for Europe's grand plan
European government heads are meeting Wednesday afternoon, after pledging to unveil a comprehensive plan to tackle the region's debt crisis.
"...is it really going to be big enough to make a dent?"
Oil for December delivery gained 43 cents to $93.60 a barrel.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
No Nukes Please
By my own calculations, they dismantled a bomb that was 750 times larger in nuclear explosive force than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima that killed 100,000 people.
Good move.
AFP: US dismantles last big Cold War nuclear bomb
Good move.
AFP: US dismantles last big Cold War nuclear bomb
Nikkei Opens Lower On Wednesday
Looks like we are back to extreme fears on a Euro-zone debt deal.
Reuters: Nikkei falls on strong yen, European concerns
Reuters: Nikkei falls on strong yen, European concerns
DOW Closes Lower
The DOW closed at 11,706.62 dropping 207.00 points.
Reuters: Wall St. down on Europe fears, corporate outlook
Reuters: Wall St. down on Europe fears, corporate outlook
Plutonomy
Plutonomy -
Economic growth that is powered and consumed by the wealthiest upper class of society. Plutonomy refers to a society where the majority of the wealth is controlled by an ever-shrinking minority; as such, the economic growth of that society becomes dependent on the fortunes of that same wealthy minority. source
Democratic Underground: Citigroup's Shocking 'Plutonomy' Reports
Leftist Sleep Disorder
No harm intended to the left handed, as I am left handed.
Live Science: Disruptive Sleep Disorder Affects the Left-Handed Differently
Live Science: Disruptive Sleep Disorder Affects the Left-Handed Differently
The Humble Cell Phone Camera As A Tool For Change And Accountability
It is the humble cell phone video that is keeping things honest and direct with the Occupy movement.
As much as the right likes to infiltrate left based and popular based protests and then begin some violent mischief, there is a new foil to that long standing meme.
Basically if you do something, people are going to film it from many angles and you will get identified.
I like it.
The revolution might not get televised, but it might very well get seen on Youtube.
AlterNet: How Video of Police Behaving Badly Made Occupy Wall Street a Global Phenomenon
As much as the right likes to infiltrate left based and popular based protests and then begin some violent mischief, there is a new foil to that long standing meme.
Basically if you do something, people are going to film it from many angles and you will get identified.
I like it.
The revolution might not get televised, but it might very well get seen on Youtube.
AlterNet: How Video of Police Behaving Badly Made Occupy Wall Street a Global Phenomenon
“I tell people to document everything, record everything – it's really the best way to keep ourselves safe..."
“Public video recording has dramatically changed the landscape of police accountability – no question about it..."
...video evidence had led to the dismissal of charges against 227 protesters from one location alone during the tumultuous week of demonstrations.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 42 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. Happy to report I did my 3.0 mile run this morning with great aplomb. Here's one key to get back into running or even to begin. Spend a solid year walking a 45 minute loop about 5 to 6 days a week. Walk like you mean it. If you can't do 45 minutes, then start with less and build up slowly. Another key is consistency. You really do feel smoother and easier in your body after an aerobic workout. It does help to elevate your mood for at least a while. All I can say is that if I can do it and you are thinking about it, then you can do it. Two years ago I had a dislocated kneecap and I really thought I was finished. The walking was the remedy.
At 8:20 a.m. futures are slightly down, the dollar is mixed, and oil is way up. Oil is closing in on $95 per barrel, and so one might suspect that fuel prices will continue to fleece the working stiff and hamper those trying their damnedest to find a job or just get by in a very tough economy.
The market is set to actually rebound and rise more according to the talking heads. Always take that with a grain of salt. The brake on this rise is the European debt crisis. That crisis might be seen in a different light this week as European leaders get ready to reveal their plan for tackling the problem. Meanwhile the people in Greece are ready to go into an official revolution, unhappy with the imposed austerity and tightening of the social spending belt. The occupy movement will gain serious loyalty and a following in Greece, that's for sure.
CNN: Stocks: Europe clouds the markets
At 8:20 a.m. futures are slightly down, the dollar is mixed, and oil is way up. Oil is closing in on $95 per barrel, and so one might suspect that fuel prices will continue to fleece the working stiff and hamper those trying their damnedest to find a job or just get by in a very tough economy.
The market is set to actually rebound and rise more according to the talking heads. Always take that with a grain of salt. The brake on this rise is the European debt crisis. That crisis might be seen in a different light this week as European leaders get ready to reveal their plan for tackling the problem. Meanwhile the people in Greece are ready to go into an official revolution, unhappy with the imposed austerity and tightening of the social spending belt. The occupy movement will gain serious loyalty and a following in Greece, that's for sure.
CNN: Stocks: Europe clouds the markets
Investors are awaiting a European summit on Wednesday, a day leaders have pledged will end with a comprehensive plan to solve the region's debt crisis.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG announced Tuesday that it will cut 2,000 jobs over the next three to five years.
Data on home prices across 20 major U.S. cities for August from the S&P/Case-Shiller index are on tap just before the open.
Oil for December delivery gained $2.91 to $94.18 a barrel.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Good Night
Busy night, must scoot. I usually like to post about the Nikkei Index so I am going to guess it opens higher on Tuesday. The nice thing about blogs is that if I'm wrong I can delete it...
See you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.
The Protests Spread
Recapping some of the protests in the NYC area this last weekend.
ZNET: Occupied Wall Street Inspired Protests & Actions Spread Across NYC Area During Busy Weekend
ZNET: Occupied Wall Street Inspired Protests & Actions Spread Across NYC Area During Busy Weekend
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 11,913.62 gaining 104.83 points.
Reuters: Wall Street ends higher on M&A, Caterpillar
Reuters: Wall Street ends higher on M&A, Caterpillar
Frances Fox Piven Interview At OWS
This is from October 4th. Frances Fox Piven is an expert on new political movements.
The Onion - Mother's Little Angel Just Made Fun Of Classmate's Weight For 30 Straight Minutes
More poignantly painful than humorous...
The Onion: Mother's Little Angel Just Made Fun Of Classmate's Weight For 30 Straight Minutes
The Onion: Mother's Little Angel Just Made Fun Of Classmate's Weight For 30 Straight Minutes
Pictures Tell The Story
I would encourage you to read the following AlterNet article and select for yourself a few relevant graphs and then re-post them all over the place. There are many to choose from.
AlterNet: The Shocking, Graphic Data That Shows Exactly What Motivates the Occupy Movement
AlterNet: The Shocking, Graphic Data That Shows Exactly What Motivates the Occupy Movement
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 39 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. I think this might be our coldest morning yet in this Fall season. I hope you had a fine weekend. We did a lot of work puppy proofing the house, getting more ducks lined up for the arrival of our new dog this coming Saturday. We are primed for a challenging period and I'm looking forward to it. We have enough experience to know what to expect and the patience quota is good.
At 8:00 a.m. futures are flat, the dollar is mixed, and oil is slightly up.
The pendulum keeps swinging between Europe's debt crisis and economic conditions in America. This is a long standing story.
Investors will not know what is cooking in Europe till Wednesday when plans for how European leaders will solve this debt crisis are made known. Till then its still a slew of third quarter corporate reports. At the moment there seems to be a sentiment out there for more stability and less volatility.
CNN: Stocks to start the week little changed
At 8:00 a.m. futures are flat, the dollar is mixed, and oil is slightly up.
The pendulum keeps swinging between Europe's debt crisis and economic conditions in America. This is a long standing story.
Investors will not know what is cooking in Europe till Wednesday when plans for how European leaders will solve this debt crisis are made known. Till then its still a slew of third quarter corporate reports. At the moment there seems to be a sentiment out there for more stability and less volatility.
CNN: Stocks to start the week little changed
...they were getting closer to finalizing a plan to solve the continent's (Europe's) debt crisis...a final agreement not expected before Wednesday...
"If we continue to see incremental progress out of Europe, I think you'll see less choppiness, and you could see continued gains in the U.S. equities side..."
Oil for December delivery gained 34 cents to $87.74 a barrel.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Coming Up On Wall Street
Good morning. It is 48 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. We have worked on puppy proofing the house and yard. On Saturday I fenced in an area of the yard to keep the puppy from falling into or going into a dangerous stairwell. We are reading the books about how to work with a puppy. Even though Kaya will be our third dog, the wisdom of the experts has lost some of its glow. Next we need a large crate for when we leave the house, and we need to create a contained space in the kitchen where she can wander around while we cook and hang out. She arrives next Saturday.
For the time being the market indexes are rising. This is primarily due to stronger than expected corporate earnings combined with a sense that the European debt crisis will be contained. On the scale of influence, the Eurozone crisis is reported to be heavier.
Its important to recognize that while Greece may somehow re-regulate its economy, the Greek people are in a significantly harsher economic environment. So while Wall Street's indexes rise, and investors cheer policy decisions coming out of Europe, the ordinary people in Greece are suffering. We rarely see these two realities juxtaposed in any reporting. If we use the two degrees of separation rule, Wall Street is inadvertently cheering the reality that the Greek people will be much poorer and economically vulnerable.
Also notice that more and more investors are going on record saying that the economy will not fall back into a technical recession. The more dominating thought is that the economy creeps along with a slow GDP for several quarters accompanied by lower corporate profits. Although this sounds encouraging, the reality is that Main Street is an economic mess with high unemployment, miniscule job opportunities, virtually no job creation from the job creators, high foreclosure rates, creeping inflation, housing price deflation, and a significant shift in how the American economy operates post 2008 leading to a massive change in what we need to know in order to be employed. All this occurs no matter what some idiot who makes crappy pizza and sells it to people who obviously could make much better nutritional decisions. He's all box and no pie indeed.
CNN: Earnings forecasts look less bright
For the time being the market indexes are rising. This is primarily due to stronger than expected corporate earnings combined with a sense that the European debt crisis will be contained. On the scale of influence, the Eurozone crisis is reported to be heavier.
Its important to recognize that while Greece may somehow re-regulate its economy, the Greek people are in a significantly harsher economic environment. So while Wall Street's indexes rise, and investors cheer policy decisions coming out of Europe, the ordinary people in Greece are suffering. We rarely see these two realities juxtaposed in any reporting. If we use the two degrees of separation rule, Wall Street is inadvertently cheering the reality that the Greek people will be much poorer and economically vulnerable.
Also notice that more and more investors are going on record saying that the economy will not fall back into a technical recession. The more dominating thought is that the economy creeps along with a slow GDP for several quarters accompanied by lower corporate profits. Although this sounds encouraging, the reality is that Main Street is an economic mess with high unemployment, miniscule job opportunities, virtually no job creation from the job creators, high foreclosure rates, creeping inflation, housing price deflation, and a significant shift in how the American economy operates post 2008 leading to a massive change in what we need to know in order to be employed. All this occurs no matter what some idiot who makes crappy pizza and sells it to people who obviously could make much better nutritional decisions. He's all box and no pie indeed.
CNN: Earnings forecasts look less bright
Much of what's driving worries about earnings is related to expectations for less demand from Europe and other parts of the world, including China, where indicators show growth is slowing.
The data shows S&P 500 earnings are expected to have risen 14.7 percent in the third quarter from a year ago...
"The general macroeconomic data in the U.S. continues to confirm a protracted, slow painful recovery but not a recession at this stage..."
Saturday, October 22, 2011
'Sons Of Anarchy'
trailer
This is a fascinating series. Its ostensibly about a motorcycle gang but fundamentally its about a tribe and tribal mentality.
Smiling rarely occurs in the show. People say 'I love you' and frown - fascinating. Its not about the individual, everything occurs within the context of the gang. The members intentionally subvert their individuality in order to serve the needs of the gang. It is militaristic accompanied with a method for justice and order. Its simultaneously offensive, nauseating, and attractive. Its like watching an ongoing never ending wreck, a collision of humanity with its most strained sensibilities.
This is a fascinating series. Its ostensibly about a motorcycle gang but fundamentally its about a tribe and tribal mentality.
Smiling rarely occurs in the show. People say 'I love you' and frown - fascinating. Its not about the individual, everything occurs within the context of the gang. The members intentionally subvert their individuality in order to serve the needs of the gang. It is militaristic accompanied with a method for justice and order. Its simultaneously offensive, nauseating, and attractive. Its like watching an ongoing never ending wreck, a collision of humanity with its most strained sensibilities.
Raining Satellites
I hope this is not the beginning of a regular occurrence given all the satellites now in orbit.
BBC: German Rosat spacecraft to make uncontrolled re-entry
BBC: German Rosat spacecraft to make uncontrolled re-entry
Herman Cain: The Goal Of Liberals Is To Economically Destroy The United States
Okay, at this point my opinion is solidified. This clip is the clincher. This man is out of his mind. He is an ignorant fool and that is being kind.
It is telling that Cain is leading in the Tea Party polls. It speaks volumes about the absolute lack of knowledge, lack of anything resembling coherent rational policy from this wing of the political spectrum.
Cain's grasp of how the economy is functioning is many many rungs below anyone who even occasionally reads from one of the many blogs out there similar to this one. He's working in a fantasy world.
It is telling that Cain is leading in the Tea Party polls. It speaks volumes about the absolute lack of knowledge, lack of anything resembling coherent rational policy from this wing of the political spectrum.
Cain's grasp of how the economy is functioning is many many rungs below anyone who even occasionally reads from one of the many blogs out there similar to this one. He's working in a fantasy world.
Iraq Withdrawal
I actually thought I would never see the day when this monstrous war would come to a conclusion. Like the Afghanistan War there was no clear conclusion point, no real metric that meant a victory was at hand, and no real profound reason why the war occurred and needed to be entered in the first place other than the bizarre desire of a handful of crazed neocons given full reign by a golf loving policy disinterested president supported by a military industrial complex always in need of a massive public money fix and trumpeted by their paid political lackeys in the Senate and in the Congress. And let's not forget the right wing media fog horn pushing patriotism and a boatload full of half truths and lies to the great sheeple farm.
CS Monitor: Iraq withdrawal: With US troops set to exit, 9-year war draws to close
CS Monitor: Iraq withdrawal: With US troops set to exit, 9-year war draws to close
Most of the 39,000 troops still in Iraq should be “home for the holidays,” the president added, although the logistical challenges involved in removing so many soldiers in such a short time could mean the final few will not leave until January.
Occupy The Boardroom - Letters Of Outrage
Its very simple and straightforward. People are writing their own personal stories about trying to live within very difficult economic times while big banking is turning the screws tighter and harsher. They are posted on Occupy The Boardroom. The idea is to get these stories into the hands of the elite, make them understand that we need changes.
I would encourage you to read a letter or two. The stories are real. People are hurting and this is what is driving OWS.
AlterNet: Occupy the Boardroom: 9 Angry, Heart-Breaking Messages to Wall Street's Elites From the 99%
I would encourage you to read a letter or two. The stories are real. People are hurting and this is what is driving OWS.
AlterNet: Occupy the Boardroom: 9 Angry, Heart-Breaking Messages to Wall Street's Elites From the 99%
Ordinary people can post their letters to Occupy The Boardroon, and activists promise to do whatever it takes to deliver them to the intended recipients.
“...making sure that the 1 percent, Congress and the media, finally understand who’s behind the Occupy movement – Americans, struggling because of the terrible, immoral and illegal decisions made by the top execs in the banking industry.”
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