jackh's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/126919/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/136666-uaw-it-should-be-giving-up-more?source=feed#comment-497468 497468
He can't ..... he's using that $215,000 to feed his kid and put him through medical school.]]> Sun, 10 May 2009 08:46:07 -0400
He can't ..... he's using that $215,000 to feed his kid and put him through medical school.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127221-who-will-supply-the-batteries-for-plug-in-cars?source=feed#comment-435113 435113
If the utility wants to remove power from your cars battery you would have to have an inverter installed to convert DC back to AC at the proper voltage and frequency. Who's gonna pay for that?

If you go to use your car at peak periods (morning and evening) and you find the utility has been removing power from your battery you'll be leaving home with a partially discharged battery. Are you prepared to put up with that?

Every battery has a certain number of charge / discharge cycles that make up it's life expectancy. Is the utility gonna compensate you when the battery has to be replaced early in it's expected life because the utility has been using your car to store wind energy?

We are months away from the ultra capacitor which makes batteries obsolete. Think fiber compared to copper phone lines. Think digital photography and Eastman Kodak. When they become available, expect that sort of impact on the industry. Maxwell has a early version of a super cap in service overseas right now.]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:38:50 -0400
If the utility wants to remove power from your cars battery you would have to have an inverter installed to convert DC back to AC at the proper voltage and frequency. Who's gonna pay for that?

If you go to use your car at peak periods (morning and evening) and you find the utility has been removing power from your battery you'll be leaving home with a partially discharged battery. Are you prepared to put up with that?

Every battery has a certain number of charge / discharge cycles that make up it's life expectancy. Is the utility gonna compensate you when the battery has to be replaced early in it's expected life because the utility has been using your car to store wind energy?

We are months away from the ultra capacitor which makes batteries obsolete. Think fiber compared to copper phone lines. Think digital photography and Eastman Kodak. When they become available, expect that sort of impact on the industry. Maxwell has a early version of a super cap in service overseas right now.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/106370-gm-the-bailout-vs-bankruptcy-meme?source=feed#comment-308023 308023
In addition to the usual people hurt ..... you have to take into consideration that GM was long considered a "widows & orphans" stock. Retirees, pension plans and others with no direct connection to GM stand to loose a considerable portion of their savings.

This bankruptcy would be felt at WalMart as bad or worse then Wall Street.]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:32:13 -0500
In addition to the usual people hurt ..... you have to take into consideration that GM was long considered a "widows & orphans" stock. Retirees, pension plans and others with no direct connection to GM stand to loose a considerable portion of their savings.

This bankruptcy would be felt at WalMart as bad or worse then Wall Street.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98481-bailout-bill-passes-what-happens-now?source=feed#comment-273474 273474
zimmyzee
Oct 04 10:54 AM
This moron has been preaching Deflation for at least the last 3 years and probably more.

In the meantime, prices on everything have skyrocketed and now the government is printing hundreds of billions out of thin air and dumping them into the banking system.
"

I can only surmise that "Zimmy" has not purchased a house, car, computer cell phone or HDTV recently.

Even without adjusting for inflation they are all lower. I suspect select other things are as well and more will be added, a slowly growing list.]]> Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:07:29 -0400
zimmyzee
Oct 04 10:54 AM
This moron has been preaching Deflation for at least the last 3 years and probably more.

In the meantime, prices on everything have skyrocketed and now the government is printing hundreds of billions out of thin air and dumping them into the banking system.
"

I can only surmise that "Zimmy" has not purchased a house, car, computer cell phone or HDTV recently.

Even without adjusting for inflation they are all lower. I suspect select other things are as well and more will be added, a slowly growing list.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98393-friday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-272464 272464
If you think that's bad ...... chart the USA and compare.......]]> Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:42:00 -0400
If you think that's bad ...... chart the USA and compare.......]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/96840-senator-dodd-revamps-paulsons-bailout-plan?source=feed#comment-263018 263018
Why are the not at the Congressman's and Senator's door with tar and pitchforks???

Bail out the bank and leave 'em swinging in the wind?

SHAME!]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:40:23 -0400
Why are the not at the Congressman's and Senator's door with tar and pitchforks???

Bail out the bank and leave 'em swinging in the wind?

SHAME!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94215-is-this-a-rebound-for-autos?source=feed#comment-247393 247393
"Hey, lets go buy a new car" ........ NOT!

Car sales make a good barometer of how tough a time the consumer is really having.]]> Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:04:22 -0400
"Hey, lets go buy a new car" ........ NOT!

Car sales make a good barometer of how tough a time the consumer is really having.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/92506-pension-benefit-corporation-rolls-the-dice-at-exactly-the-wrong-time?source=feed#comment-238338 238338
It almost looks as if there is a plan to run the pensions into the ground ..... or would that be greed ....... a way to tap into the piles of cash invested in/for our future. ]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:52:02 -0400
It almost looks as if there is a plan to run the pensions into the ground ..... or would that be greed ....... a way to tap into the piles of cash invested in/for our future. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91249-gm-ford-big-mistakes-keep-piling-up?source=feed#comment-232056 232056
It is nice to see however, that some folks out there understand that GM &Ford try to build to customer demand and cannot change gears as fast as the oil company.

Sad commentary on consumers though.... all to ready to bash industry (American Industry) because they weren't ready to by a Jetta two years ago.]]> Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:15:50 -0400
It is nice to see however, that some folks out there understand that GM &Ford try to build to customer demand and cannot change gears as fast as the oil company.

Sad commentary on consumers though.... all to ready to bash industry (American Industry) because they weren't ready to by a Jetta two years ago.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91249-gm-ford-big-mistakes-keep-piling-up?source=feed#comment-231910 231910
If Toyota is the answer how come their sales are down too?

Sure we all would like better fuel economy, but what are we giving up to get it?? Primarily mass. Smaller lighter car... less weight to move... better fuel economy.

But I for one really need and use a vehicle with a gross weight of almost 9,000 pounds. Think anyone will come up with a power plant that will power a beast like that and get 30mpg. not likely. Not without a shift completely away from conventional engines to an all new energy source. The laws of thermodynamics can predict how much energy it takes to shift a 9,000 pound mass..... even with 100% efficiency it's not cheap.

GM has be3en peddling the Vibe and the Optra for some time now. If American's really want a small car why aren't they snapping these up?

When gas prices stabilize (note I didn't say come back down) and the American consumer can borrow again the shiny new trucks will begin to appear in driveways again.

This will take years, not months.

Then we can trash GM for not having enough big cars to meet demand!!!]]> Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:29:20 -0400
If Toyota is the answer how come their sales are down too?

Sure we all would like better fuel economy, but what are we giving up to get it?? Primarily mass. Smaller lighter car... less weight to move... better fuel economy.

But I for one really need and use a vehicle with a gross weight of almost 9,000 pounds. Think anyone will come up with a power plant that will power a beast like that and get 30mpg. not likely. Not without a shift completely away from conventional engines to an all new energy source. The laws of thermodynamics can predict how much energy it takes to shift a 9,000 pound mass..... even with 100% efficiency it's not cheap.

GM has be3en peddling the Vibe and the Optra for some time now. If American's really want a small car why aren't they snapping these up?

When gas prices stabilize (note I didn't say come back down) and the American consumer can borrow again the shiny new trucks will begin to appear in driveways again.

This will take years, not months.

Then we can trash GM for not having enough big cars to meet demand!!!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/88882-thoughts-on-the-housing-bill?source=feed#comment-222081 222081
So.... you have a house which may still be valued at more then or near fair market and a borrower who has committed every cent he has and is likely to earn to hold onto it........

Recession, rising unemployment, why do I feel the next wave of defaults has just been delayed a few weeks.....]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:36:55 -0400
So.... you have a house which may still be valued at more then or near fair market and a borrower who has committed every cent he has and is likely to earn to hold onto it........

Recession, rising unemployment, why do I feel the next wave of defaults has just been delayed a few weeks.....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/87929-impact-of-gm-destroying-the-ev1?source=feed#comment-218108 218108 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:42:13 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/87929-impact-of-gm-destroying-the-ev1?source=feed#comment-218103 218103
Let's do the math..... gasoline is a molecule of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen......... weighs about 7??? pounds a gallon....... combustion products are H2O... C0.... CO2 and soot.......where does the "15 pounds of co2" come from???]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:36:05 -0400
Let's do the math..... gasoline is a molecule of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen......... weighs about 7??? pounds a gallon....... combustion products are H2O... C0.... CO2 and soot.......where does the "15 pounds of co2" come from???]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/87200-are-cars-loans-our-next-problem?source=feed#comment-215521 215521
You have a cash strapped consumer with negative home equity and high gas prices.... a perfect storm for ALL car manufacturers. (even Toyota is down).

The consumer who has been buying the SUV for the last 5 or 6 years is still out there and will still buy a large vehicle....... he just can't afford it in the near future.]]> Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:54:37 -0400
You have a cash strapped consumer with negative home equity and high gas prices.... a perfect storm for ALL car manufacturers. (even Toyota is down).

The consumer who has been buying the SUV for the last 5 or 6 years is still out there and will still buy a large vehicle....... he just can't afford it in the near future.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/86400-more-bad-news-for-the-anti-ethanol-crowd?source=feed#comment-212551 212551
It looks like we'll ride the train to work in the future........ Suburbia may get lonely. If you want to keep property values in your community up lobby for light rail service.]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:04:05 -0400
It looks like we'll ride the train to work in the future........ Suburbia may get lonely. If you want to keep property values in your community up lobby for light rail service.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/84919-vix-hits-3-month-high-market-skeptical-about-fed-s-power?source=feed#comment-205583 205583 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:36:37 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/84178-wednesday-outlook-bulls-storm-in?source=feed#comment-201238 201238
I don't think so!]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:52:28 -0400
I don't think so!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/83035-high-yield-canadian-royalty-trusts-what-s-the-catch?source=feed#comment-194733 194733
Liberals have proposed a massive carbon tax..... huge voter backlash. I suspect another 18 months or so until they hash it out and get ready for an election.]]> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:34:27 -0400
Liberals have proposed a massive carbon tax..... huge voter backlash. I suspect another 18 months or so until they hash it out and get ready for an election.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/83035-high-yield-canadian-royalty-trusts-what-s-the-catch?source=feed#comment-194657 194657 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:21:22 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82545-plotting-the-april-case-shiller-housing-numbers?source=feed#comment-192194 192194 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:15:45 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82308-the-week-ahead-an-inflation-manic-fed?source=feed#comment-190774 190774
All I know for sure is car sales are down.... food costs more..... fuel is way up. Until I gain some confidence in the data I'm just gonna sit here and contemplate the cost of home heating next winter.]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:03:35 -0400
All I know for sure is car sales are down.... food costs more..... fuel is way up. Until I gain some confidence in the data I'm just gonna sit here and contemplate the cost of home heating next winter.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82220-gm-and-ford-still-easy-shorts?source=feed#comment-190452 190452 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:53:59 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/80958-will-thursday-s-retail-sales-report-be-strong-or-weak?source=feed#comment-183811 183811
Underwater on the mortgage, maybe even the car loan as the gas guzzlers have lost value, using credit cards to buy gas and food..... the American consumer has his back to the wall.

Once there is some consumer relief, then we will see some meaningful gains.]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:16:13 -0400
Underwater on the mortgage, maybe even the car loan as the gas guzzlers have lost value, using credit cards to buy gas and food..... the American consumer has his back to the wall.

Once there is some consumer relief, then we will see some meaningful gains.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80951-us-dollar-5-reasons-it-will-not-hit-a-new-low?source=feed#comment-183809 183809
With all due respect to Ms. Lien, I don't think she has lived through the 70's when the banker really could be described as hawkish...

Wait for another shoe to drop......]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:08:25 -0400
With all due respect to Ms. Lien, I don't think she has lived through the 70's when the banker really could be described as hawkish...

Wait for another shoe to drop......]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80779-how-gas-prices-are-changing-consumer-behavior?source=feed#comment-182767 182767
I understand why 92% don't used public transportation... it is probably not available of convenient.

I don't understand why more don't move home closer to work. I guess they feel that high commute costs are just temporary.]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:34:57 -0400
I understand why 92% don't used public transportation... it is probably not available of convenient.

I don't understand why more don't move home closer to work. I guess they feel that high commute costs are just temporary.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80539-a-low-risk-cracker-barrel-cbrl-group-options-play?source=feed#comment-181448 181448 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:54:16 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/80539-a-low-risk-cracker-barrel-cbrl-group-options-play?source=feed#comment-181445 181445
Indifferent staff serving food cold from the kitchen cooked by staff who think that a chef is a guy who flips burgers without using a timer. (flip when it beeps)....

A lot of old timers who can't be bothered to cook seems to be the customer base.

I guess this means that as boomers age the clientel will grow and IHOP Denny's and the like will also prosper.

I think I will watch for a bottom...... perhaps when I see how the consumer is doing in the next 4 to 6 months.

Meanwhile... I"ll eat elsewhere......]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:45:08 -0400
Indifferent staff serving food cold from the kitchen cooked by staff who think that a chef is a guy who flips burgers without using a timer. (flip when it beeps)....

A lot of old timers who can't be bothered to cook seems to be the customer base.

I guess this means that as boomers age the clientel will grow and IHOP Denny's and the like will also prosper.

I think I will watch for a bottom...... perhaps when I see how the consumer is doing in the next 4 to 6 months.

Meanwhile... I"ll eat elsewhere......]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80417-bets-on-a-u-s-recession-receding?source=feed#comment-180493 180493
If the consumer is "broke" the economy "ain't fixed"....... or have they all been lying and the consumer really isn't important???]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:47:35 -0400
If the consumer is "broke" the economy "ain't fixed"....... or have they all been lying and the consumer really isn't important???]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/79918-gm-calls-the-top-for-oil?source=feed#comment-178750 178750
Right now everyone hopes this is all just temporary and gas prices will drop "just like last time"........ When people start to relocate and not just buy smaller gas guzzlers is when a meaningful drop in fuel prices will occur.]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:38:56 -0400
Right now everyone hopes this is all just temporary and gas prices will drop "just like last time"........ When people start to relocate and not just buy smaller gas guzzlers is when a meaningful drop in fuel prices will occur.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/79592-cnnmoneys-depression-comparisons-misguided-shows-its-imminent?source=feed#comment-177573 177573
My Grandfather built and rented housed during the late 20's using one to finance another, and another, building a portfolio of properties.

The bank squeezed the lumber company who called in it's accounts. No one had credit and house prices were falling, no buyers were available. Loss of jobs meant rent was almost impossible to collect.

In the end the bank foreclosed on everyone..... My Grandfather ended up penniless trying to start over like everyone else. The bank survived.... but the lumber company was gone as were the carpenters, bricklayers and landlords.]]> Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:46:39 -0400
My Grandfather built and rented housed during the late 20's using one to finance another, and another, building a portfolio of properties.

The bank squeezed the lumber company who called in it's accounts. No one had credit and house prices were falling, no buyers were available. Loss of jobs meant rent was almost impossible to collect.

In the end the bank foreclosed on everyone..... My Grandfather ended up penniless trying to start over like everyone else. The bank survived.... but the lumber company was gone as were the carpenters, bricklayers and landlords.]]>