ericinNE's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/139538/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/123230-permian-basin-royalty-trust-the-cramer-effect?source=feed#comment-407568 407568 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:46:05 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/123230-permian-basin-royalty-trust-the-cramer-effect?source=feed#comment-407565 407565 HTE: What a great return at last price! 58% annual on $4.97 a share. No way that can last, but still! HTE's problem is their debt, a good lick over industry average. Might bite'em, might not. The split the difference play is PWE. Way more likely to be able to sustain and increase their dividend after their most recent cut ($.23 from $.34 C.) 25% annual yield on $8.83/share, beat down price like all the others.
(Prices/yields per Yahoo Finance close of Friday.)
Long PW]]> Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:45:10 -0500 HTE: What a great return at last price! 58% annual on $4.97 a share. No way that can last, but still! HTE's problem is their debt, a good lick over industry average. Might bite'em, might not. The split the difference play is PWE. Way more likely to be able to sustain and increase their dividend after their most recent cut ($.23 from $.34 C.) 25% annual yield on $8.83/share, beat down price like all the others.
(Prices/yields per Yahoo Finance close of Friday.)
Long PW]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/122785-strange-action-in-gold-etf-chart?source=feed#comment-404053 404053 Long gold, silver, TBT, oil.]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:21:33 -0500 Long gold, silver, TBT, oil.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113834-alcoa-s-view-of-the-economy?source=feed#comment-350423 350423 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:36:53 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110008-is-america-on-a-downward-slope?source=feed#comment-326062 326062
About the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior:
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these
nations always progressed through the following sequence
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota... believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:28:58 -0500
About the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior:
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these
nations always progressed through the following sequence
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota... believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109818-fast-money-investment-advice-turn-the-volume-down?source=feed#comment-324414 324414 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:06:35 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/106059-is-hyperinflation-on-the-horizon?source=feed#comment-306605 306605 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:58:13 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/98945-goldman-turns-cautious-on-solar-sector?source=feed#comment-276507 276507 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:59:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/98756-tuesday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-275416 275416 Wonder if I'll pick the right reentry point for EEV, EFU, SDS, QID, SRS, SKF. Sold today in anticipation of typical big dip - follow up rally. Looking forward to recouping some losses between now and election day.]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:57:34 -0400 Wonder if I'll pick the right reentry point for EEV, EFU, SDS, QID, SRS, SKF. Sold today in anticipation of typical big dip - follow up rally. Looking forward to recouping some losses between now and election day.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98318-a-satirical-breakdown-of-the-bailout-plan-s-expenditures?source=feed#comment-272276 272276 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:02:08 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/97427-the-dummy-s-guide-to-the-u-s-financial-crisis?source=feed#comment-265558 265558 If you want to control a country, control it's money.
The most efficient way to get and keep power is to get the citezenry to give it to you.
The most efficient way to get people to give you power is to make them dependant upon you.
The most efficient way to make people dependant on you, is to erode the concept of self dependence, personal responsibility, and ultimately, self determination.
Crises and panic are tools of the state to get more power.

When this country first started, 0% of the population was dependant on the government for all, or a substantial portion of, their ability to survive. Today, about 40% of the population is dependant on government programs and/or "entitlements" for their ability to survive. At what point will the percentage enable the government to dictate the terms of everyone's life? The natural evolution of democracy inevitably leads back to tyranny, from which the original inception of democracy arose. At some point, some degree of anarchy is required. Anarchy is a perfectly reasonable option, but only when freedom is more impotant than comfort.

Who among us has ever voted for the "lesser of two evils?" Or voted for a candidate, not knowing what their core beliefs and fundemental philisophical principles were? Of the available choices for president, who here thinks they know, and agree with, their core beliefs and fundemental philisophical principles? Does anyone think that the current mechanisms of government still allow for quality governance at the Federal level? Why is the Federal government involved in anything other than protection from force or fraud?
]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:32:44 -0400 If you want to control a country, control it's money.
The most efficient way to get and keep power is to get the citezenry to give it to you.
The most efficient way to get people to give you power is to make them dependant upon you.
The most efficient way to make people dependant on you, is to erode the concept of self dependence, personal responsibility, and ultimately, self determination.
Crises and panic are tools of the state to get more power.

When this country first started, 0% of the population was dependant on the government for all, or a substantial portion of, their ability to survive. Today, about 40% of the population is dependant on government programs and/or "entitlements" for their ability to survive. At what point will the percentage enable the government to dictate the terms of everyone's life? The natural evolution of democracy inevitably leads back to tyranny, from which the original inception of democracy arose. At some point, some degree of anarchy is required. Anarchy is a perfectly reasonable option, but only when freedom is more impotant than comfort.

Who among us has ever voted for the "lesser of two evils?" Or voted for a candidate, not knowing what their core beliefs and fundemental philisophical principles were? Of the available choices for president, who here thinks they know, and agree with, their core beliefs and fundemental philisophical principles? Does anyone think that the current mechanisms of government still allow for quality governance at the Federal level? Why is the Federal government involved in anything other than protection from force or fraud?
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/84792-not-just-another-bear-cycle?source=feed#comment-204932 204932 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:51:21 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/84792-not-just-another-bear-cycle?source=feed#comment-204926 204926 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:34:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/84792-not-just-another-bear-cycle?source=feed#comment-204907 204907 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:40:24 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/76554-what-if-we-d-been-on-the-gold-standard?source=feed#comment-165450 165450 Sat, 10 May 2008 10:52:50 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/73019-the-treasury-fed-and-bankers-are-setting-the-bull-traps?source=feed#comment-153903 153903 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:44:12 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72675-world-crisis-not-dissimilar-to-1929-1932?source=feed#comment-152687 152687 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:27:31 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72755-a-little-financial-knowledge-is-a-dangerous-thing?source=feed#comment-152675 152675 My mother-in-law fits the profile. She hemmoraged money out of her IRA's and cash investment accounts from Nov.-early Jan. until I finally got a chance to review what her "financial advisor" at Wells Fargo had put her into, (and then turned his back on, while over $25000 disappeared in that time.) She had no clue what was happening, what the driving forces were, how those forces were directly affecting her, etc.
Almost all professional financial advisors somehow find a way to rationalize putting their unknowledgable clients into load funds, high fee/long term contract annuities, and other fee paying (to the advisor) investments. Gee, I wonder if there's a self serving agenda/conflict of interest issue, here?
Can a little knowledge be dangerous in the hands of the arrogant? Sure. But to suggest that individuals are not absolutely the best person to oversee and direct their own investments, is rediculous. And for competent oversight, financial literacy is a must. Along with an understanding of basic economics. My mother-in-law has become very motivated to gain that literacy, now that the consequences of NOT having it have been driven home in the harshest of ways.
I would be willing to bet that more wealth was lost from retirement accounts this last go around, than in a long time. Most all of it could have been avoided if they had been more financially literate, economicly aware, and in control of their own accounts. Regulation will never be a superior model for success. As an integrated aspect of self reliance, yes. But as a replacement for self reliance? I think not.]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:20:17 -0400 My mother-in-law fits the profile. She hemmoraged money out of her IRA's and cash investment accounts from Nov.-early Jan. until I finally got a chance to review what her "financial advisor" at Wells Fargo had put her into, (and then turned his back on, while over $25000 disappeared in that time.) She had no clue what was happening, what the driving forces were, how those forces were directly affecting her, etc.
Almost all professional financial advisors somehow find a way to rationalize putting their unknowledgable clients into load funds, high fee/long term contract annuities, and other fee paying (to the advisor) investments. Gee, I wonder if there's a self serving agenda/conflict of interest issue, here?
Can a little knowledge be dangerous in the hands of the arrogant? Sure. But to suggest that individuals are not absolutely the best person to oversee and direct their own investments, is rediculous. And for competent oversight, financial literacy is a must. Along with an understanding of basic economics. My mother-in-law has become very motivated to gain that literacy, now that the consequences of NOT having it have been driven home in the harshest of ways.
I would be willing to bet that more wealth was lost from retirement accounts this last go around, than in a long time. Most all of it could have been avoided if they had been more financially literate, economicly aware, and in control of their own accounts. Regulation will never be a superior model for success. As an integrated aspect of self reliance, yes. But as a replacement for self reliance? I think not.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/72496-who-s-to-blame-for-the-commodities-boom?source=feed#comment-152041 152041 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:07:32 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72576-10-things-not-to-worry-about?source=feed#comment-152038 152038
11: Gov't. number juggling for inflation, trade deficit, budget deficit, unemployment, and monetary supply reports. What the heck, it's been going on for 35+ years, and we're still ok. If the general population knew the truth, they'd just do something stupid, like demand their Social Security checks (increases tied to inflation, and all,) be raised accordingly, thereby hastening the insolvency of the Soc. Sec. trust fund. Idiots.

12: Being a debtor nation is working out way better than anyone could have thought. New debt is what makes for real economic growth, right? Math and logic are just psuedo-sciences, and those "house of cards" alarmists must have some sinister agenda. Bastards.

13: Peak oil is just a bunch of hooha. Brazil found a whole bunch of oil. We're good to go.

I could go on, but what's the point. Any assertion regarding things to not worry about that includes "the fundamental view of the US would not be changed by a change in its rating" isn't worth the ink it took to print.
]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:53:42 -0400
11: Gov't. number juggling for inflation, trade deficit, budget deficit, unemployment, and monetary supply reports. What the heck, it's been going on for 35+ years, and we're still ok. If the general population knew the truth, they'd just do something stupid, like demand their Social Security checks (increases tied to inflation, and all,) be raised accordingly, thereby hastening the insolvency of the Soc. Sec. trust fund. Idiots.

12: Being a debtor nation is working out way better than anyone could have thought. New debt is what makes for real economic growth, right? Math and logic are just psuedo-sciences, and those "house of cards" alarmists must have some sinister agenda. Bastards.

13: Peak oil is just a bunch of hooha. Brazil found a whole bunch of oil. We're good to go.

I could go on, but what's the point. Any assertion regarding things to not worry about that includes "the fundamental view of the US would not be changed by a change in its rating" isn't worth the ink it took to print.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/72151-housing-credit-economy-at-an-inflection-point?source=feed#comment-150920 150920 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:39:49 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72093-the-realities-of-natural-gas?source=feed#comment-150139 150139 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:16:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72093-the-realities-of-natural-gas?source=feed#comment-150137 150137 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:15:54 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72093-the-realities-of-natural-gas?source=feed#comment-150134 150134 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:08:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/72106-ultra-and-inverse-etfs-the-downside-of-doubling-up?source=feed#comment-150128 150128 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:17:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/71634-rising-global-food-prices-trading-guns-for-butter?source=feed#comment-148093 148093 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:32:16 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/71660-consumer-sentiment-always-darkest-before-the-dawn?source=feed#comment-148084 148084 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:22:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/71661-combating-financial-illiteracy?source=feed#comment-148079 148079 That skillset is rooted in the use of logic, and that's the one thing that is rarely taught in school. Why Rudolph Carnap is not required reading (or at least some abbreviated synopses thereof) starting in middle school, is beyond me. The constantly reinforced notion that emotional gratification is the primary goal of existence has served to make the average human being a slave to that desire.
You're right, Mr Lee. It's just math, and logical consideration of consequences. Of course, math has become the #1 skill that is most lacking in the general population. Asked anybody under 30 to figure a randomly chosen percentage of any number bigger than two digits, lately? It's scary how many people don't have an even basic understanding of anything more complicated than simple addition/subtraction. ARM's, point spreads, floating rates, etc.? Please!! The odds of making a bad decision are way more, than that of making a good decision, for those that "just don't get" math, and aren't in the habit of using logic in their decision making process. Sometimes I think the lending community is relying on that, especially the credit card companies.]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:48:40 -0400 That skillset is rooted in the use of logic, and that's the one thing that is rarely taught in school. Why Rudolph Carnap is not required reading (or at least some abbreviated synopses thereof) starting in middle school, is beyond me. The constantly reinforced notion that emotional gratification is the primary goal of existence has served to make the average human being a slave to that desire.
You're right, Mr Lee. It's just math, and logical consideration of consequences. Of course, math has become the #1 skill that is most lacking in the general population. Asked anybody under 30 to figure a randomly chosen percentage of any number bigger than two digits, lately? It's scary how many people don't have an even basic understanding of anything more complicated than simple addition/subtraction. ARM's, point spreads, floating rates, etc.? Please!! The odds of making a bad decision are way more, than that of making a good decision, for those that "just don't get" math, and aren't in the habit of using logic in their decision making process. Sometimes I think the lending community is relying on that, especially the credit card companies.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/71671-wednesday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-148058 148058 Love your reports, David! It's my favorite read on SA.]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:51 -0400 Love your reports, David! It's my favorite read on SA.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/71351-the-fed-may-get-it-wrong-but-don-t-let-it-get-to-you?source=feed#comment-147408 147408 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:06:41 -0400