Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Have A Great Tuesday
This is one of my recent 'Fowl' paintings that a friend now owns and just had framed. It's roughly 4 feet wide to give you a sense of the dimensions. It's interesting seeing your work formally outfitted.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 59 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We might get rain today. We see where the people of Hong Kong are demanding more democracy. Good for them, good for the world, good for all of us. On a lighter and smaller note, today the NY Knicks begin their actual team workouts for the upcoming basketball season. I will be looking at the tapes in slow motion, it's a lot of fun for me. Truth is I don't like football at all, I'm lukewarm on baseball, never even tried to understand hockey, but basketball, now there's a sport.
At 8:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
Hard to believe but today will be the last trading day in September. We are moving into October, how time flies. Regardless, October will also bring third quarter corporate results and a new wave of data that will effect an otherwise slightly sagging market. Today investors will also be looking at housing prices and my favorite - consumer confidence. Let me ask you quite directly - are you consumer confident? I'm not so confident, I'm stuck with hospital bills galore.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
Hard to believe but today will be the last trading day in September. We are moving into October, how time flies. Regardless, October will also bring third quarter corporate results and a new wave of data that will effect an otherwise slightly sagging market. Today investors will also be looking at housing prices and my favorite - consumer confidence. Let me ask you quite directly - are you consumer confident? I'm not so confident, I'm stuck with hospital bills galore.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Hong Kong's main stock market index, the Hang Seng, kept falling Tuesday as large pro-democracy protests show no signs of abating.
Monday, September 29, 2014
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 58 degrees and hazy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we will see temperatures slowly slide down the hill this week. It is Autumn. I hope you had a good weekend. My weekend was excellent as I was able to meet up with some old friends for good conversation and updates. As we get older it seems that the connections with people that we have in our lives become the most important thing above all else.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open much lower.
Last week's trend continues as the market is in some level of correction mode. Note that pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong are "rattling" investors. You read that correctly, democracy is a bad thing on the world economy. Get used to it.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open much lower.
Last week's trend continues as the market is in some level of correction mode. Note that pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong are "rattling" investors. You read that correctly, democracy is a bad thing on the world economy. Get used to it.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have rattled investors...
Sunday, September 28, 2014
The Drought
San Gabriel Valley Tribune: Daily water allocation could be the next California drought strategy
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Medical Uninsurance
Some day when we get a political system that works for the people of the country and not Wall Street, corporations and billionaires, maybe then we can get real health insurance reform. Until then we've got mostly crap with huge deductibles and endless co-pays from multiple parties whenever you put a toe inside a hospital door. This poor man's story is common.
AlterNet: Outrage: Man's Health Insurance Is Holding His Liver Transplant Hostage - An Oregon county's insurance administrator won't cover a man's claim for a liver transplant because it wasn't “medically necessary.”
AlterNet: Outrage: Man's Health Insurance Is Holding His Liver Transplant Hostage - An Oregon county's insurance administrator won't cover a man's claim for a liver transplant because it wasn't “medically necessary.”
Friday, September 26, 2014
Cut Down
I've been cutting down on eating meat and a big part of it is the utterly miserable way that animals are treated in the meat industry. I watched a documentary on it, and that was enough to make me cut down a lot.
AlterNet: 5 Excellent New Reasons to Cut Down on Meat - It hardly seems possible, but factory farming is getting even worse.
AlterNet: 5 Excellent New Reasons to Cut Down on Meat - It hardly seems possible, but factory farming is getting even worse.
The Market On Friday
Good morning and welcome to the weekend. It is 52 degrees and gloriously sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. I'm sitting here typing, listening to the general ambient roar of the morning's car activity, and in the midst of that there's an insistent bird chirping its heart out. How about Maj. Mariam Al Mansouri, the UAE fighter pilot taking on ISIS full bore. What a tough lady she is.
At 8:40 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
It's been a miserable week on Wall Street. Equities have shrunk in value and the fear and greed index is popping. Yet I just read that the second quarter GDP has been revised upwards again to 4.6% growth. That's unbelievable. Perhaps that number along with the morning's opening stability can wring out a winner in an otherwise crumby trading week.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:40 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
It's been a miserable week on Wall Street. Equities have shrunk in value and the fear and greed index is popping. Yet I just read that the second quarter GDP has been revised upwards again to 4.6% growth. That's unbelievable. Perhaps that number along with the morning's opening stability can wring out a winner in an otherwise crumby trading week.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Gold prices were rising and the U.S. dollar was firming. These kinds of moves tend to occur when investors are nervous and looking for safe haven assets.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Blaccent
Watch the clip, it's hilarious.
WaPo: Key and Peele’s hilarious take on President Obama’s ‘blaccent’
WaPo: Key and Peele’s hilarious take on President Obama’s ‘blaccent’
The ISIS War
Could it be that the US is attempting to wipe out ISIS really fast and that the media expression that this will be long and drawn out is a ruse?
Guardian UK: US air strikes target Islamic State oil infrastructure - US apparently trying to disrupt militant group’s funding supply, and France says it could join strikes inside Syria
Guardian UK: US air strikes target Islamic State oil infrastructure - US apparently trying to disrupt militant group’s funding supply, and France says it could join strikes inside Syria
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 54 degrees and cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Rain is expected today. We see that civilians were killed in the strikes against ISIS. We can't say we did not know this would happen, yet somehow we still wish that war could be contained to the combatants alone.
At 8:50 a.m. futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
I just read that the weekly first time layoff number is at 293,000 and this is regarded as good. Also there is optimism that the job market is 'stabilizing'. That's the good news. Beyond that with the dollar strengthening against world currencies, it looks like the market could be in for a choppy day.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
I just read that the weekly first time layoff number is at 293,000 and this is regarded as good. Also there is optimism that the job market is 'stabilizing'. That's the good news. Beyond that with the dollar strengthening against world currencies, it looks like the market could be in for a choppy day.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
The U.S. dollar was strengthening versus other global currencies...
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 54 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A sunny day is predicted, we've had an outstanding stretch of weather this last week. More details on the Syria strikes are coming out. The one that is confusing but in some odd way understandable is bombing ISIS and then bombing the Syrian al Qaeda branch on the side. Those two extremist sides were fighting each other and simultaneously are at war with us. It's a strange triangle, very dangerous. Fundamentalism is not going away any time soon in fact it seems to grow as more people globally understand the necessity for cooperation and peace. Fundamentalism is the inversion of sanity in that sense.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is slightly higher. The market is poised to open higher.
Allegedly the newest bombing campaign has thrown investors off their game and as a result we've had three miserable day of losses in a row. It could change today and for a minute there you were worried that it was back to recession time. Not so fast, there are these slight mid corrections as it were. Today there's economic news on new home sales and recall that the housing market is a major player in the American economy.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is slightly higher. The market is poised to open higher.
Allegedly the newest bombing campaign has thrown investors off their game and as a result we've had three miserable day of losses in a row. It could change today and for a minute there you were worried that it was back to recession time. Not so fast, there are these slight mid corrections as it were. Today there's economic news on new home sales and recall that the housing market is a major player in the American economy.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
...investors now seem to have regained their composure after being caught off guard by the U.S.-led airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.
The U.S. government will report new home sales made in August at 10 a.m. ET.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
The Drought
The Desert Sun: California drought likely to persist or intensify
"By definition, it can't get worse..."
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 52 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Sunshine is predicted right through the weekend with Sunday being the hottest and sunniest day of the week. The US and allies have struck ISIS in Syria along with an al Qaeda cell also in Syria. Can you imagine being on the ground when a bombing strike like that occurs, pure horror. ISIS has certainly earned our contempt with its brutality, yet I am certain that we will be hearing about Islamic fundamentalists causing havoc around the globe for the rest of our lives. This is not going away anytime soon.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is higher. The market is poised to open lower.
Have you noticed a decrease in the price of gas? We are in a lower gas price period, relatively speaking of course. We have a new global crisis playing out more intensely with the bombing inside Syria. This is partly rattling world markets as war is disruptive to ordinary economic activity. Yet one must assume that the global market for warring is percolating along just fine. Either way the market is in a bit of a slump.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is higher. The market is poised to open lower.
Have you noticed a decrease in the price of gas? We are in a lower gas price period, relatively speaking of course. We have a new global crisis playing out more intensely with the bombing inside Syria. This is partly rattling world markets as war is disruptive to ordinary economic activity. Yet one must assume that the global market for warring is percolating along just fine. Either way the market is in a bit of a slump.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Investors are considering the implications of new rules from the U.S. Treasury that will make it harder for U.S. companies to reduce their tax bills by merging with foreign firms and moving abroad.
Monday, September 22, 2014
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 59 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. I hope you had a good restful weekend. It looks like the first week of Autumn is going to be sunny and moderately warm. That is a nice beginning to the Fall Season. Some of the trees have already slightly begun to change color. The super cold vortex that was supposed to hit us at the end of September did not show up. Enjoy these beautiful and now more rare type of days as nature points us towards December.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It appears we are back to not so great enthusiasm now that the major IPO of last week has come and gone. Don't expect a whole lot until we get into the third quarter earnings season in October or until another disastrous world event shakes the globe.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It appears we are back to not so great enthusiasm now that the major IPO of last week has come and gone. Don't expect a whole lot until we get into the third quarter earnings season in October or until another disastrous world event shakes the globe.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Hundreds of environmental activists plan to "flood" Wall Street on Monday to protest the role Big Business plays in climate change.
The latest monthly data on existing U.S. home sales will be released Monday at 10 a.m. ET.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
March Update
Guardian UK: People's Climate March: thousands demand action around the world – live
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has been spotted at the demonstration. It is slightly odd that he is participating as these protests are meant to pressure world leaders ahead of the UN climate summit in New York City on Tuesday.
Alongside Ki-moon, is primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, former US vice president Al Gore and the former prime minister of France, Laurent Fabius.
Global Warming - Worldwide March Today
Guardian UK:
People's Climate March: thousands demand action around the world – live
Tens of thousands of people across 150 countries are taking to the streets to march for action on climate change
Dubbed the People’s Climate March, it has been flagged as the biggest global call-to-action on climate change in history
People are demanding world leaders take action on climate change as they prepare for a United Nations summit in New York on Monday
Vile
Perhaps we now have an explanation for Hannity's completely obnoxious and bullying behavior, his complete inability to entertain one idea that conflicts with his own personal beliefs, and his need to honor most gloriously the world's superlatively impossible and arrogant brutes. We've got it all wrong, while Hannity is undeniably a blight on American society he truly deserves our pity, one must pity the fool.
AlterNet: 5 Totally Vile Right-Wing Moments This Week: Hannity Stands Up for Child Abuse - 'My father beat the crap out of me and look how great I turned out.'
AlterNet: 5 Totally Vile Right-Wing Moments This Week: Hannity Stands Up for Child Abuse - 'My father beat the crap out of me and look how great I turned out.'
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Orion
Shots of the Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts into deep space and Mars.
Reuters: Shuttle to deep space
Reuters: Shuttle to deep space
Let It Go
Thai Buddhist teacher, Ajahn Chah, once said:
If you let go a little, you will have a little happiness.
If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of happiness.
If you let go completely, you will be completely happy.
The Drought
Talk about conflicting headlines. Check out these two recent articles on the drought. One would leave you with a sense of small optimism while the other would do the opposite. I suspect both are correct, it's just about context and location.
National Geographic: Record Drought Hastens Dramatic Spread of California Wildfires - The King fire grew more than ten miles this week, aided by bone-dry forests.
Vs.
SF Gate: Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought
National Geographic: Record Drought Hastens Dramatic Spread of California Wildfires - The King fire grew more than ten miles this week, aided by bone-dry forests.
Vs.
SF Gate: Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought
Friday, September 19, 2014
Famously
So much for stardom as a ticket to a better life...
CBS News: Gerard Depardieu says he can drink "12, 13, 14 bottles" of wine a day
CBS News: Gerard Depardieu says he can drink "12, 13, 14 bottles" of wine a day
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 46 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we are in for a gorgeous early Fall day and I do look forward to my daily walk later on in the day. Scotland voted to stay with the UK, I'm not surprised. It's better to stay with the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
It's a good news morning for investors. England remains England as we know it, and Alibaba goes on sale. The market is in record territory and the morning's conditions are set to push it further. We shall see if it holds by closing time.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
It's a good news morning for investors. England remains England as we know it, and Alibaba goes on sale. The market is in record territory and the morning's conditions are set to push it further. We shall see if it holds by closing time.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Investors are eagerly awaiting Alibaba's debut on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "BABA.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Kansas Ruling
If you've been following this story, the decision is now in. The Democrat Senate candidate will be allowed off the ballot. This means that Republican Pat Roberts is in trouble with his bid for re-election due to independent Orman's strong polling to win the Senate seat. This also means that the Senate is less likely to have a GOP majority come November.
The Kansas City Star: Kansas court scrubs Democrat Chad Taylor from ballot for U.S. Senate
The Kansas City Star: Kansas court scrubs Democrat Chad Taylor from ballot for U.S. Senate
A New Low
This man is as creepy and crazy as a human could ever get. The problem is that we don't even consider the possibility that a doctor could do this.
Detroit Free Press: Cancer doc admits scam, giving patients unneeded chemo
Detroit Free Press: Cancer doc admits scam, giving patients unneeded chemo
...charged with intentionally misdiagnosing healthy people with cancer and pumping dying patients with chemo to make money, pleaded guilty.
The New Old War
Guardian UK:
House of Representatives approves Obama plan to arm Syrian rebels - Vote passes 273-156 as Obama seeks to reassure lawmakers and Americans who fear the US will be drawn into a ground war
Guardian UK: Iraqi PM says no to foreign ground troops - Haider al-Abadi urges international community to expand campaign against Islamic State insurgents into Syria
Guardian UK: Iraqi PM says no to foreign ground troops - Haider al-Abadi urges international community to expand campaign against Islamic State insurgents into Syria
Get 'Er Dumb
AlterNet: How Conservative Christians Are Trying Their Damnedest to Make America's Kids Wildly Ignorant - You wouldn't believe what they're trying to stick in school kids' curriculum.
... a new report from the Texas Freedom Network suggests that conservatives have been able to inject a shocking number of lies and disinformation into public school history classrooms.
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is a cool 48 degrees and cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The weather logo predicts sunshine, perhaps the fogginess needs to burn off. Quite a day already and it's starting off with a bang. We see that Australia thwarted a terror attack, Rob Ford has aggressive cancer, the Kansas senate race is looking strong for the independent candidate, and Scotland is voting on independence from England. Hold on to your hats, the world is percolating.
At 8:30 a.m. futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
The Fed delivered the right news on Wednesday with a call for keeping interest rates incredibly low even after q.e. wraps up. Also I just read that the weekly first time layoff numbers have dropped to 280,000 which is relatively good news. It could turn out that the DOW is in for another new record high before the day ends, it's possible.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:30 a.m. futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
The Fed delivered the right news on Wednesday with a call for keeping interest rates incredibly low even after q.e. wraps up. Also I just read that the weekly first time layoff numbers have dropped to 280,000 which is relatively good news. It could turn out that the DOW is in for another new record high before the day ends, it's possible.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
The Dow closed at a new high of 17,157 Wednesday after the head of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, said interest rates would stay low for a "considerable time" after its bond-buying program wraps up.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The Market On Wednesday
Ordinarily I do a small report here, but considering my internet connection went down and I spent the last hour raising my blood pressure to unreasonable levels while attempting to deal with Fios, I will pass it up today. It's too late anyhow. It looks like the market is going to open lower. Crap...
Fios Out Of Control
I just spent the last hour trying to get Fios to fix my internet connection. My god, if there was ever a situation established to utterly and completely frustrate human beings, Verizon has achieved that remarkable achievement. I was ready to literally throw my phone out the window, I am so completely sick of talking to robotic voices. Corporations are out of control.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 53 degrees and raining here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Beyond today the forecast has a lot of sunshine for the week. I have yet to read the story about the al Qaeda double agent, and I look forward to it. Sounds like the movie version is probably coming the future. Maybe I'll wait for the movie...
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The market continues to sputter in the last two weeks of September and before second quarter corporate results come out in October. Meanwhile a Fed meeting is certain to get investors' attention and the market will respond in kind after tomorrow. Reports on income, poverty, and inflation might affect today's market direction.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The market continues to sputter in the last two weeks of September and before second quarter corporate results come out in October. Meanwhile a Fed meeting is certain to get investors' attention and the market will respond in kind after tomorrow. Reports on income, poverty, and inflation might affect today's market direction.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Policymakers at the U.S. Federal Reserve start a two-day meeting. Fed chair Janet Yellen will deliver her latest assessment of the economy and plans for policy on Wednesday after the meeting is over.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Lingering Student Debt
AlterNet: How College Debt Can Ruin the Lives of Older Americans - Another reason why America’s elderly poor keep getting poorer.
Growing numbers of older Americans who have defaulted on government student loans are finding the federal government is taking a big slice of their monthly Social Security check to get paid back, according to a new congressional study.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is a cool 50 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We were in the 40s last night, the cool sweater wearing temperatures have arrived and technically it's still summertime. I hope you had a good weekend. We had the pleasure of another get together with some old friends for good food and music merriment. That's as good as it gets.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are slightly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
There are a number of global events percolating through the week and a big IPO coming up with Alibaba. Still the market is fumbling and the bull is resting as it were. On the other hand it looks like Apple is once again soaring with its new iPhone.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are slightly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
There are a number of global events percolating through the week and a big IPO coming up with Alibaba. Still the market is fumbling and the bull is resting as it were. On the other hand it looks like Apple is once again soaring with its new iPhone.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
Polls show there's a chance that Scottish voters may opt to break away from the United Kingdom and form their own independent nation during a referendum Thursday.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
TRNN - Obama’s ‘Moderate’ Syrian Rebels Are Nowhere to Be Found
I had the exact same thought about there being no moderates in Syria when I listened to Obama on Wednesday night. I was thinking, who the hell is he talking about - moderates, what moderates?
ISIS Again
I truly hope we get our hands on this ISIS murderer. Tell me you wouldn't want to get your fist in his face.
NBC: Will ISIS Beheading of David Haines Spur Britain to Conduct Airstrikes?
NBC: Will ISIS Beheading of David Haines Spur Britain to Conduct Airstrikes?
Almond, Brazil, And Cashew - The ABC Of Nuts
AlterNet: 5 Right-Wing Doozies This Week: The Sarah Palin Apology Tour - Plus, Rush Limbaugh's football dreams lie in ruin.
1. Sarah Palin is really, really sorry. So sorry.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Aging
The Agony of Aging
On the morning that Daylight Savings Time ended I stopped in to visit my aging friend. He was busy covering his penis with black shoe polish. I said to him, "You better get your hearing checked - You're supposed to turn your clock back".
Con Fido
I've been contemplating confidence lately. I do that periodically, choose a theme and then bring it to mind for a few weeks, explore it's meaning for myself and how others might experience it.
So I looked into the components "con" and "fident". "Con" in this case means "with" and not to "con" someone out of their money for example. "Fident" is Latin third person future plural of "fido". Remember your high school Latin - "o" or "m", "s", "t", "mus", "tis", "nt". Here we have "nt". Fido means to have faith and yes dogs got the name fido referring to faithfulness.
So summing up confident we get, and this is my own notion based on the above - with faith as we move forward. But with a little poetic liberty we also might get - moving forward with a dog. As a dog owner I prefer the latter meaning.
So I looked into the components "con" and "fident". "Con" in this case means "with" and not to "con" someone out of their money for example. "Fident" is Latin third person future plural of "fido". Remember your high school Latin - "o" or "m", "s", "t", "mus", "tis", "nt". Here we have "nt". Fido means to have faith and yes dogs got the name fido referring to faithfulness.
So summing up confident we get, and this is my own notion based on the above - with faith as we move forward. But with a little poetic liberty we also might get - moving forward with a dog. As a dog owner I prefer the latter meaning.
TRNN - The Bennis Plan: Here Is A Real Strategy For Dealing With ISIS
Truth is the peace movement will go nowhere with slowing down the newest version of the Iraq War. The consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of bombing ISIS. The only thing that seems to bring warring to a halt is when it goes on for "too long", whatever that means. It's when people feel that nothing is getting accomplished quickly enough and then a minor political change will occur that claims to know how to end the new old war, people buy in, and then we simply get the continuation of the same old policy. Tell me I'm wrong.
50.2% Of Americans Over 16 Are Single
Bloomberg: Is Everybody Single? More Than Half the U.S. Now, Up From 37% in '76
AlterNet: The Truth About Why Half of Americans Are Unmarried - More than half of people are now single. Is that because we can always swipe right, or because everyone else can, too?
AlterNet: The Truth About Why Half of Americans Are Unmarried - More than half of people are now single. Is that because we can always swipe right, or because everyone else can, too?
After being a spectator to all that drama, many children of divorce are likely to take marriage incredibly seriouslyand want to wait to marry (if they marry at all).
Friday, September 12, 2014
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 55 degrees and cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The cooler temperatures are starting to sneak in as we go deeper into the "ber" months. We see that - "Oscar Pistorius guilty of negligent killing of girlfriend". For a while there I was thinking he was going to do the O.J. shuffle. Something is very wrong with that dude.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
The big news surrounds all sorts of sanctions being imposed on Russia as a means to pressure the country to forge a peaceful solution with the Ukraine. The idea of hitting them where it hurts, in the pocketbook, is an old sturdy and yet decidedly useful method to correct undisciplined behavior. Kinky. Russia, naughty boy. Otherwise it's still a mild period in the market. Investors get to parse data on consumer sentiment (my favorite), and retail sales in August. It feels like it's all about treading water somehow.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
The big news surrounds all sorts of sanctions being imposed on Russia as a means to pressure the country to forge a peaceful solution with the Ukraine. The idea of hitting them where it hurts, in the pocketbook, is an old sturdy and yet decidedly useful method to correct undisciplined behavior. Kinky. Russia, naughty boy. Otherwise it's still a mild period in the market. Investors get to parse data on consumer sentiment (my favorite), and retail sales in August. It feels like it's all about treading water somehow.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
The European Union has announced tougher sanctions against Russia, preventing key energy and defense companies from raising finance in Europe.
The U.S. government said it would follow suit with another round of sanctions (on Russia) Friday...
Thursday, September 11, 2014
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 66 degrees, overcast, extremely windy, and on the verge of raining here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Get out your rain jacket, it's going to rain. Good thing too, for the first time all season I'm seeing a little brown crab grass here and there. Considering it's been such a rainy Summer, didn't expect to see that. We watched Obama last night. The salient bit seems to revolve around the US making airstrikes in Syria. I'm not really sure who the US is supporting in Syria as neither ISIS nor al-Assad seem worthy, duh, and exactly who are the so called moderates in Syria? I think he's making that up.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It's a doldrum time in the market. I just read where first time weekly layoffs rose to 315,000. It's not great news but still it's well below the 400,000 reasonable economy number. Tell that to the people who were laid off though. The market is drifting, focus will re-arise, make no mistake.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It's a doldrum time in the market. I just read where first time weekly layoffs rose to 315,000. It's not great news but still it's well below the 400,000 reasonable economy number. Tell that to the people who were laid off though. The market is drifting, focus will re-arise, make no mistake.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
There's not a ton of movement going on Thursday.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 60 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like another glorious day in paradise. We see that al Qaeda is now fighting ISIS. What's next - maybe we'll see Limbaugh and Coulter mano e mano. I would definitely pay the maximum premium for that one. The GOP should consider it. Seriously, instead of being the party of no and 12th Century fiefdoms, they could enter the present world with the modern gladiator using their own megaphones as enemy warriors. I must write GOP leadership - drop out of politics, you're miserable at it anyway, and go into professional wrestling.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It looks like Apple made a big splash on Tuesday with new iPhones and a smart watch. Now we get to see how those tech advances resonate through the market. Otherwise it looks like another flat and uninspiring day. It could easily stay like this for a few weeks, or at least until third quarter reports.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
It looks like Apple made a big splash on Tuesday with new iPhones and a smart watch. Now we get to see how those tech advances resonate through the market. Otherwise it looks like another flat and uninspiring day. It could easily stay like this for a few weeks, or at least until third quarter reports.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
McDonald's...said third quarter earnings will take a hit after a food scandal in China scared away diners in Asia last month.
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
Chomsky On Iraq, ISIS, Global Warming, And The Anthropocene
Bill Moyers & Co: Are We Approaching the End of Human History?
The era of civilization coincides closely with the geological epoch of the Holocene, beginning over 11,000 years ago. The previous Pleistocene epoch lasted 2.5 million years. Scientists now suggest that a new epoch began about 250 years ago, the Anthropocene, the period when human activity has had a dramatic impact on the physical world. The rate of change of geological epochs is hard to ignore.
...The New York Times reported that huge Midwestern grain stocks are rotting so that the products of the North Dakota oil boom can be shipped by rail to Asia and Europe.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 60 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Another gorgeous day is expected. Over the weekend I finished watching 'The Killing' which is a Netflix episode series. The fourth and last season finished up in June of this year. All I can say is wow, this is an outstanding story, extraordinarily well written, directed, and acted. I truly hope that someone figures out that this ought to be made into a full length movie or two or three.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly down and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower yet energy stocks might be stronger.
Today is Apple's birthday. The company is set to unveil some new ultra high tech gizmos, so if you are an Apple enthusiast today is your day. I am working on an ancient Apple laptop so I do like the company's products. Otherwise we seem to be in a blase period. Let's see, the third quarter ends at the end of September, so we may have to wait till October for some energy.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are slightly down and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower yet energy stocks might be stronger.
Today is Apple's birthday. The company is set to unveil some new ultra high tech gizmos, so if you are an Apple enthusiast today is your day. I am working on an ancient Apple laptop so I do like the company's products. Otherwise we seem to be in a blase period. Let's see, the third quarter ends at the end of September, so we may have to wait till October for some energy.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Expectations are high for when CEO Tim Cook takes the stage at Apple's product launch.
Monday, September 08, 2014
Particle
The Sunday Times: Hawking: God particle could destroy universe
He suggests that, at very high energy levels, the Higgs could suddenly become unstable, causing a “catastrophic vacuum decay” that would cause time and space to collapse.
Such a disaster is, he stresses, very unlikely — and the fact that such a possibility even exists is exciting because it suggests a whole new realm of physics.
The Drought
Mercury News: Los Gatos nudist colony running dry in California drought
And, alas, the grass bocce ball court is so brown and brittle that some guests have been forced to wear shoes, of all things. (This is a place, mind you, where wearing a bathing suit in the pool is like wearing socks in the shower.)
Global Warming - The Consensus
Guardian UK: Social media event – 97 hours of climate experts on the global warming consensus - Quotes from and caricatures of 97 climate experts will be launched by SkepticalScience.com over 4 days
Less than 10% of Americans realize the expert consensus is as high as 97% on this issue.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 61 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A cooler glorious sunny day is expected so enjoy the outdoors if you can, our warmer outdoor days are numbered. I hope you had a good restful weekend. My weekend culminated in a very pleasant pot luck dinner gathering. There's nothing quite like getting together with friends and family.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The article might lead one to the sense that we are in a weak period in the market. There isn't much there that is compelling it upward, still the indexes are in a very lofty spot. The market has performed in an outstanding manner over the last several years. It's always easy to find someone who will predict i's immediate demise, personally I think the market could remain stable through the end of this year. Saying that is always the kiss of death though.We shall see.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The article might lead one to the sense that we are in a weak period in the market. There isn't much there that is compelling it upward, still the indexes are in a very lofty spot. The market has performed in an outstanding manner over the last several years. It's always easy to find someone who will predict i's immediate demise, personally I think the market could remain stable through the end of this year. Saying that is always the kiss of death though.We shall see.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
The Federal Reserve is set to release monthly data in the afternoon on consumer credit for July.
Dreadnoughtus
Reuters: Behemoth Argentine dinosaur Dreadnoughtus made T. rex look puny
...remarkably complete and well-preserved fossil remains of the dinosaur, which weighed 65 tons and measured 85 feet long with a neck 37 feet long and a tail 30 feet long.
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Enterovirus 68
ABC News: Respiratory Virus Sickening Children in Colorado
At least 10 states -- Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Georgia -- have reported suspected outbreaks of human enterovirus 68 and requested CDC support.
Saturday, September 06, 2014
'Think Again Turn Away'
This is the new US State Department's video which they hope will counter the call to Jihad from ISIS/ISIL. It shows some brutal images - be forewarned.
'Mutant Giant Spider Dog'
Silliness - someone dressed a dog up as a giant mutant spider to prank people.
Have A Great Saturday
work by Sarah Lucas. Her work strikes me as being impersonal, blunt, somewhat brutal, raw, unapologetic, tough, darkly comical, not very pretty, and even slightly hard to look at, and consequently it has some power.
TRNN - Global Expansion Of Fossil Fuel Transport, Drilling Underway As UN Climate Summit Approaches
Please watch this, I'm re-posting it from Thursday.
Core Ten Nation Coalition
Guardian UK: Obama announces 'core coalition' to confront Isis threat - The coalition of 10 countries will aim to gain Middle Eastern countries' support before the next UN security council meeting
...US, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark.
Global Warming - Uneducated
HuffPo: Time for Climate Deniers to Go Back to School
...163 climate deniers in Congress...
The streets of Miami already flood often at high tide, with storm drains no longer capable of emptying water into the ocean.
The rising frequency and severity of heat waves and droughts is reducing crop yields across the Midwest.
The current U.S. House has voted to block action on climate change 58 times.
Friday, September 05, 2014
Brooklyn
Guardian UK: Arab-American activists chased and threatened with beheading in Brooklyn
“I’m literally giving these instructions, next thing you know — boom! He gets up out of nowhere, like a surge of energy, and he starts chasing me and my colleague up the street,” said Sarsour. “He’s like, ‘You’re cutting people’s heads off! I’m going to cut your head off and see how your people feel about it!’”
142,000
Weak.
From CNN: U.S. adds 142,000 jobs in August, government says. Unemployment rate slips to 6.1% from 6.2% in July.
From CNN: U.S. adds 142,000 jobs in August, government says. Unemployment rate slips to 6.1% from 6.2% in July.
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