old fogey's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/155337/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/176777-employment-data-show-workers-moving-from-skilled-to-unskilled-jobs?source=feed#comment-792597 792597 One does not often take a cut in income by choice. Exhausted benefits result in actions of desperation.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:15:27 -0500 One does not often take a cut in income by choice. Exhausted benefits result in actions of desperation.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176777-employment-data-show-workers-moving-from-skilled-to-unskilled-jobs?source=feed#comment-792577 792577
"The 68,000 jobs that were lost in manufacturing and construction were almost compensated for by the 58,000 jobs gained in the service sector. Essentially, skilled workers who were losing jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors were taking unskilled jobs in the service sector."

In reality skilled workers are collecting Unemployment benefits at the maximum rate. The people running out of unemployment are taking anything they can get. For many, it is their last means of survival.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:57:41 -0500
"The 68,000 jobs that were lost in manufacturing and construction were almost compensated for by the 58,000 jobs gained in the service sector. Essentially, skilled workers who were losing jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors were taking unskilled jobs in the service sector."

In reality skilled workers are collecting Unemployment benefits at the maximum rate. The people running out of unemployment are taking anything they can get. For many, it is their last means of survival.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/160213-investing-in-farmland-considering-schober-s-article?source=feed#comment-664972 664972
Currently, (small) farmers are failing due to lack of finance. I have been a profitable "investor" 12 years, but my greatest satisfaction came from barely breaking even working a ten acre spread.

Careing for animals, and raising vegatables puts one in tune with the seasons.
Although demanding of great energy, so too then is the reward of health and accomplishment greater than money.]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:17:49 -0400
Currently, (small) farmers are failing due to lack of finance. I have been a profitable "investor" 12 years, but my greatest satisfaction came from barely breaking even working a ten acre spread.

Careing for animals, and raising vegatables puts one in tune with the seasons.
Although demanding of great energy, so too then is the reward of health and accomplishment greater than money.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/137982-is-gartman-right-about-shorting-the-dow-and-gold?source=feed#comment-507214 507214 ]]> Sun, 17 May 2009 11:37:52 -0400 ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/126075-is-gold-on-a-deflationary-death-watch?source=feed#comment-427549 427549
Gold at 200 buys 20k houses for 100oz ... today 100oz at 900 buys same house for 90k ... little change >>> the point is gold is a universal money, convert-able to any currency at a rate depending on strength (trust) of the conversion currency. This is why it takes less euros per Oz. than dollars per Oz.]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:36:16 -0400
Gold at 200 buys 20k houses for 100oz ... today 100oz at 900 buys same house for 90k ... little change >>> the point is gold is a universal money, convert-able to any currency at a rate depending on strength (trust) of the conversion currency. This is why it takes less euros per Oz. than dollars per Oz.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/121999-gold-is-not-money?source=feed#comment-399959 399959 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:04:18 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/100447-how-does-the-financial-crisis-affect-the-peak-oil-thesis?source=feed#comment-285219 285219 The need for cheap gasoline to encourage consumers to spend is coming about; as a hoped for market rally is needed to dispel fear.

The demand for oil is not one half of what it was; and yes speculation was a part of the highs.
I really wonder how much oil is coming out of our federal reserves as a means of driving prices down?

Two and a half more weeks of low oil is expected, however January new president prices will be higher in my opinion.]]> Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:45:33 -0400 The need for cheap gasoline to encourage consumers to spend is coming about; as a hoped for market rally is needed to dispel fear.

The demand for oil is not one half of what it was; and yes speculation was a part of the highs.
I really wonder how much oil is coming out of our federal reserves as a means of driving prices down?

Two and a half more weeks of low oil is expected, however January new president prices will be higher in my opinion.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98393-friday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-272733 272733 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:15:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/98393-friday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-272732 272732 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:15:45 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/95279-more-on-the-fannie-freddie-heist?source=feed#comment-254016 254016
Credit and non payment therof consumes more than just the profits of a transaction; it usurps the underlieing capital.

The social welfare system will collapse as well.
People will have to work for sustenance ... COD will return to the market place .... the form of cash will change ... barter and black or underground are already beginning to flourish.
Free markets will always exist, even if they be called black.

The earth has not unlimited resources for an unlimited population.
Earth population may diminish, reducing the consumption of resources, a very bleak picture; the rebalancing act. ]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:28:25 -0400
Credit and non payment therof consumes more than just the profits of a transaction; it usurps the underlieing capital.

The social welfare system will collapse as well.
People will have to work for sustenance ... COD will return to the market place .... the form of cash will change ... barter and black or underground are already beginning to flourish.
Free markets will always exist, even if they be called black.

The earth has not unlimited resources for an unlimited population.
Earth population may diminish, reducing the consumption of resources, a very bleak picture; the rebalancing act. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94204-return-of-the-super-dollar?source=feed#comment-247525 247525
The productivity numbers are just plain BS! Micro productivity is pieces per man, whereas macro productivity is per nation. To be productive requires a product, something tangible. Selling more clothes, cars, drugs, or any product or service, (in and of it self) with fewer employees is not a productive increase.
Commodities i.e. agri, mineral, energy, metals mined, etc. are products, that are tangible.
Services are not products, and technolgy that replaces or enhances labor output often reduces payroll, but not necessarily the cost of goods or services.

Printing more dollars wether for bailout or whatever (without true productivity basis), will increase the cost of both goods and services in the country of fiat origin. The term is inflation. Deflation from lack of money (unemployment, exhausted savings, credit limits) is held at bay only until the printing stops. Meanwhile the standard of living drops for the majority then we have deflation.

Ultimately, even in the heyday of Rome, an ounce of gold would purchase a toga, sash, sandals and a wreath for the head. Today an ounce of gold still buys a suit, shoes, belt and hat of reasonable quality.

Gold price may rise or fall, but it is convertable to almost any fiat; and therefore is a universal currency storehouse, i.e a suit of clothes in any land.
Arbitrage may affect quality of the outfit, and that is at the hand of the exchanger.

I agree about holding some gold but not the author's comments about productivity and deflation. I wonder if he ever really produced anything but words.



]]> Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:34:15 -0400
The productivity numbers are just plain BS! Micro productivity is pieces per man, whereas macro productivity is per nation. To be productive requires a product, something tangible. Selling more clothes, cars, drugs, or any product or service, (in and of it self) with fewer employees is not a productive increase.
Commodities i.e. agri, mineral, energy, metals mined, etc. are products, that are tangible.
Services are not products, and technolgy that replaces or enhances labor output often reduces payroll, but not necessarily the cost of goods or services.

Printing more dollars wether for bailout or whatever (without true productivity basis), will increase the cost of both goods and services in the country of fiat origin. The term is inflation. Deflation from lack of money (unemployment, exhausted savings, credit limits) is held at bay only until the printing stops. Meanwhile the standard of living drops for the majority then we have deflation.

Ultimately, even in the heyday of Rome, an ounce of gold would purchase a toga, sash, sandals and a wreath for the head. Today an ounce of gold still buys a suit, shoes, belt and hat of reasonable quality.

Gold price may rise or fall, but it is convertable to almost any fiat; and therefore is a universal currency storehouse, i.e a suit of clothes in any land.
Arbitrage may affect quality of the outfit, and that is at the hand of the exchanger.

I agree about holding some gold but not the author's comments about productivity and deflation. I wonder if he ever really produced anything but words.



]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/92890-sorry-there-is-no-silver-conspiracy?source=feed#comment-240174 240174 ]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:29:58 -0400 ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/87221-rick-rule-market-malaise-signals-opportunity-in-miners?source=feed#comment-215579 215579 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:53:31 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/87005-what-s-behind-the-slide-in-oil-and-commodities?source=feed#comment-214498 214498
We know that energy, commodities and precious metals all go up and down and that is normal. What I see is a lot of noise as a disguise for the perilous condition created by bankers and hedge funds.

My gosh up 750 points in 3-4 days on continuing bad news.
C'mon folks this is earnings season, with banking failures in an election year .... that offers socialism or fascism, the loss of the constitution and enslavement via inflation and future taxation.

Paint: everything is beautiful]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:46 -0400
We know that energy, commodities and precious metals all go up and down and that is normal. What I see is a lot of noise as a disguise for the perilous condition created by bankers and hedge funds.

My gosh up 750 points in 3-4 days on continuing bad news.
C'mon folks this is earnings season, with banking failures in an election year .... that offers socialism or fascism, the loss of the constitution and enslavement via inflation and future taxation.

Paint: everything is beautiful]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/80873-wednesday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets?source=feed#comment-183259 183259 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:02:40 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/80178-einhorn-vs-lehman-lehman-will-lose?source=feed#comment-179650 179650 I asked what if all the bankers show up at once .... they answered we are hoping, hoping, HOPING it does not happen.
Derivative exposure was pointed out (at first denied)...I asked why should I put my money here .... they had no answer.]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:31:04 -0400 I asked what if all the bankers show up at once .... they answered we are hoping, hoping, HOPING it does not happen.
Derivative exposure was pointed out (at first denied)...I asked why should I put my money here .... they had no answer.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/78746-ge-may-spin-appliances-unit-not-sell-it?source=feed#comment-173503 173503 Advertising costs of the great new communicator (TV) created new sales and expenses. Touted as a better product of latest enginerring it was priced first higher, then just above mid range as quality dropped and demand grew.
Financing I believe became a greater product center than the goods themselves.

Perhaps I am just a disgruntled person of a manufacturing background, that had too many GE products fail prematurely.
By mid sixties, I was weaned never to buy GE again. The quality and value was just not there, and I consider that an ongoing management problem. They may have made stockholders money, but it was on the backs of the consumer.
Sorry about the rant, but I am entitled as being just an old fogey.]]> Sun, 25 May 2008 11:03:38 -0400 Advertising costs of the great new communicator (TV) created new sales and expenses. Touted as a better product of latest enginerring it was priced first higher, then just above mid range as quality dropped and demand grew.
Financing I believe became a greater product center than the goods themselves.

Perhaps I am just a disgruntled person of a manufacturing background, that had too many GE products fail prematurely.
By mid sixties, I was weaned never to buy GE again. The quality and value was just not there, and I consider that an ongoing management problem. They may have made stockholders money, but it was on the backs of the consumer.
Sorry about the rant, but I am entitled as being just an old fogey.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/78408-penn-west-energy-trust-my-50-price-target?source=feed#comment-171799 171799 Thu, 22 May 2008 11:16:14 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/76554-what-if-we-d-been-on-the-gold-standard?source=feed#comment-165460 165460
The standard example of Ceaser's gold coin buying a toga, sandals, sash, and head wreath; still is valid i.e. a suit, belt, shoes, and hat for an ounce of gold.]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 11:27:26 -0400
The standard example of Ceaser's gold coin buying a toga, sandals, sash, and head wreath; still is valid i.e. a suit, belt, shoes, and hat for an ounce of gold.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/67741-eye-on-keweenaw-land-association?source=feed#comment-124252 124252 Spending the renewable timber resource in a slow replaceable rate provides income for as many years as the timber has value. Stripping it off for mining , or neglecting it (mining capital needs) can create risks of a current sure income. Forestry requires management including harvesting. Mining on the other hand is a one shot non-self-replenishing endeavor. It seems we are looking at the not so uncommon practice of take control, strip the assets, fill their pockets and leave the mess, mentality. This is a world wide concept that will leave the earth berift of raw materials for our grandchildren to live upon. It is an indirect method of of eating your babies!]]> Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:50:03 -0400 Spending the renewable timber resource in a slow replaceable rate provides income for as many years as the timber has value. Stripping it off for mining , or neglecting it (mining capital needs) can create risks of a current sure income. Forestry requires management including harvesting. Mining on the other hand is a one shot non-self-replenishing endeavor. It seems we are looking at the not so uncommon practice of take control, strip the assets, fill their pockets and leave the mess, mentality. This is a world wide concept that will leave the earth berift of raw materials for our grandchildren to live upon. It is an indirect method of of eating your babies!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/65638-only-yen-and-aussie-dollar-escape-new-gold-highs?source=feed#comment-118406 118406 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:43:52 -0500