TinyTim's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/187922/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/174737-the-single-most-important-thing-to-understand-about-the-fed?source=feed#comment-773823 773823 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:52:59 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/174396-depressed-detroit-the-sale-of-the-pontiac-silverdome?source=feed#comment-770673 770673
If a deal for $17M fell thru just last year, one has to wonder about other issues. Many of these issues question the competency of the city.]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:58:26 -0500
If a deal for $17M fell thru just last year, one has to wonder about other issues. Many of these issues question the competency of the city.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174362-the-smart-grid-gets-its-own-etf?source=feed#comment-769511 769511 While the Smart Grid may encompass several technologies, from an investment standpoint, it's really just about smart meters, which is covered by 4 or 5 companies, only a few or which are pure plays.]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:03:12 -0500 While the Smart Grid may encompass several technologies, from an investment standpoint, it's really just about smart meters, which is covered by 4 or 5 companies, only a few or which are pure plays.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174226-kicked-out-of-finance-and-into-journalism?source=feed#comment-768059 768059
Aren't you answering your own question/ issue here?

From what I see, all these folks are using the Net as their media. So what would you want to do, regulate and censor the Internet?
I've been hearing a lot about that lately in other contexts.

In my mind, the media doesn't matter. I have the same skepticism re what I read in some blog / email online as I do for a Reuters article in my local or national press.

I get a kick out of the thin skin journalists have for each other. Fox was just crucified for using campaign photos of Palin in an article about her book. Some Mideast news photographer of long standing just had his portfolio wiped because he Photoshopped an image.

If they can spin pictures this easily, imagine what happens with the words.]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:33 -0500
Aren't you answering your own question/ issue here?

From what I see, all these folks are using the Net as their media. So what would you want to do, regulate and censor the Internet?
I've been hearing a lot about that lately in other contexts.

In my mind, the media doesn't matter. I have the same skepticism re what I read in some blog / email online as I do for a Reuters article in my local or national press.

I get a kick out of the thin skin journalists have for each other. Fox was just crucified for using campaign photos of Palin in an article about her book. Some Mideast news photographer of long standing just had his portfolio wiped because he Photoshopped an image.

If they can spin pictures this easily, imagine what happens with the words.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174092-newspapers-the-opportunity-of-bankruptcy?source=feed#comment-768000 768000
I'm curious about the business model of the free weeklies.
The largest is (now) Village Voice Media. Bought out by New Times of Phx not too long ago. They have approx a dozen free weeklies in various cities.

They're online and have in-depth research on select local stories with limited news scope.
The surprising thing is they're packed with ads, and not classified.
That's the income. They seem to be thriving.]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:02:03 -0500
I'm curious about the business model of the free weeklies.
The largest is (now) Village Voice Media. Bought out by New Times of Phx not too long ago. They have approx a dozen free weeklies in various cities.

They're online and have in-depth research on select local stories with limited news scope.
The surprising thing is they're packed with ads, and not classified.
That's the income. They seem to be thriving.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/173687-cadmium-spent-energy?source=feed#comment-764281 764281 Glad I quit smoking. My understanding is the highest correlation for cadmium as a carcinogen is prostate cancer.

Cadmium was also used as an alloy in copper to make what was called a type of "bronze" or cad-copper for overhead electrical contact wire for trolleys and light rail. The cadmium gave the alloy better wear resistance than pure electrical copper.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:02:04 -0500 Glad I quit smoking. My understanding is the highest correlation for cadmium as a carcinogen is prostate cancer.

Cadmium was also used as an alloy in copper to make what was called a type of "bronze" or cad-copper for overhead electrical contact wire for trolleys and light rail. The cadmium gave the alloy better wear resistance than pure electrical copper.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/173032-confirmed-defense-spending-creates-fewer-jobs-than-other-types-of-spending?source=feed#comment-759397 759397
OMG. Where did this come from??

Many famous people have said that spending resources to create things that get blown up is the worst sort of economics- no increased productivity, no improved infrastructure, not even a consumption benefit.

"military spending increases unemployment and decreases economic growth."

This would be relative since defense contractors are notoriously bloated, inefficient and overpaid. Anyone fro a $5K toilet seat??]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:28:04 -0500
OMG. Where did this come from??

Many famous people have said that spending resources to create things that get blown up is the worst sort of economics- no increased productivity, no improved infrastructure, not even a consumption benefit.

"military spending increases unemployment and decreases economic growth."

This would be relative since defense contractors are notoriously bloated, inefficient and overpaid. Anyone fro a $5K toilet seat??]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172752-defending-the-fed-s-independence-part-ii?source=feed#comment-757703 757703
OMG. My buck is now worth a nickel. YMBK
How do you define better??]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:22:01 -0500
OMG. My buck is now worth a nickel. YMBK
How do you define better??]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172878-getting-technical-the-humpy-pattern-thesis-lives-on?source=feed#comment-757697 757697
People feel compelled to climb because they need the returns.]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:17:46 -0500
People feel compelled to climb because they need the returns.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172779-the-importance-of-fed-independence?source=feed#comment-757672 757672
Guess what? They're not.

Your thesis is that the Fed needs to be independent from government. They are 100% independent of government already. It's the banksters that they are beholden to.

To hell with the Fed. Let Congress (as opposed to the banks) issue it's own money without the banks per the Constitution. Why should taxpayers pay exorbitant fees (interest) to banks to provide a service the Treasury is supposed to do.

The irony is painfully obvious. The one function the government shouldn't outsource is one of the few they do.]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:54:43 -0500
Guess what? They're not.

Your thesis is that the Fed needs to be independent from government. They are 100% independent of government already. It's the banksters that they are beholden to.

To hell with the Fed. Let Congress (as opposed to the banks) issue it's own money without the banks per the Constitution. Why should taxpayers pay exorbitant fees (interest) to banks to provide a service the Treasury is supposed to do.

The irony is painfully obvious. The one function the government shouldn't outsource is one of the few they do.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172971-assessing-black-swan-events-in-the-insurance-industry?source=feed#comment-757653 757653
The big question is how applicable the power law is to finance and economics. ]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:43:14 -0500
The big question is how applicable the power law is to finance and economics. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172801-nissan-to-build-the-worlds-cheapest-car?source=feed#comment-757616 757616
Obviously, Nissan sees a lot of volume in "Third World" emergence.]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:18:42 -0500
Obviously, Nissan sees a lot of volume in "Third World" emergence.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172937-motorola-keeps-destroying-value?source=feed#comment-757594 757594 About the same as the cell phone div a few months ago. Although they should try again with all the Droid hype.

Without detailed analysis, one factor that shouldn't be discounted is - they need the cash. This happened eight years ago when they spun off the government electronics business to General Dynamics. Defense is a nice, stable sector right now. They probably wish they had sold something else.

Chris Galvin was in way over his head. The grandchildren usually don't survive in family businesses.

It's amazing how many technologies Motorola created, developed and took a swing at, only to whiff in the market for one lame reason or another. Only to have another company make a killing on the same idea.

If they sell set-top boxes and cell phone, what's left?
First responder radios and cell phone infrastructure?]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:04:44 -0500 About the same as the cell phone div a few months ago. Although they should try again with all the Droid hype.

Without detailed analysis, one factor that shouldn't be discounted is - they need the cash. This happened eight years ago when they spun off the government electronics business to General Dynamics. Defense is a nice, stable sector right now. They probably wish they had sold something else.

Chris Galvin was in way over his head. The grandchildren usually don't survive in family businesses.

It's amazing how many technologies Motorola created, developed and took a swing at, only to whiff in the market for one lame reason or another. Only to have another company make a killing on the same idea.

If they sell set-top boxes and cell phone, what's left?
First responder radios and cell phone infrastructure?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171799-book-review-the-greatest-trade-ever-by-gregory-zuckerman?source=feed#comment-751828 751828 I love these unexpected success stories, like Rich Dennis' turtles.

Dan Gross has an interesting podcast with Zuckerman at Slate:
www.slate.com/id/2234549/

It's curious that Zuckerman took the trouble to cover others that had a similar idea. Apparently he wasn't as accurate with these without the one-on-one interview time. I followed Michael Burry's Scion Capital hedge fund for some time and while he was way early and a lot of his investors wanted or did pull out, he still made an amazing fortune. The guy was a freshout Stanford brain surgeon. Go figure.

Here's a Jon Markman piece from two years ago on Burry:
articles.moneycentral....]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:56:13 -0500 I love these unexpected success stories, like Rich Dennis' turtles.

Dan Gross has an interesting podcast with Zuckerman at Slate:
www.slate.com/id/2234549/

It's curious that Zuckerman took the trouble to cover others that had a similar idea. Apparently he wasn't as accurate with these without the one-on-one interview time. I followed Michael Burry's Scion Capital hedge fund for some time and while he was way early and a lot of his investors wanted or did pull out, he still made an amazing fortune. The guy was a freshout Stanford brain surgeon. Go figure.

Here's a Jon Markman piece from two years ago on Burry:
articles.moneycentral....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171874-treasury-meets-the-bloggers-gives-them-cookies?source=feed#comment-751787 751787 I'm all for busting up the megabanks and keep up the good work in refuting arguments like Too Small To Compete.

The worrisome point is that even smallish banks could have a huge systemic impact considering the LTCM situation with deriatives.

Considering the demise of many local papers and consequent rise in importance of bloggers, these invites are indicative of the saavy of the Treasury types.

Besides, what would they do if they gave a meeting and no one came.

"The free cookies were good and fresh, with a warm, fluid chocolate interior"
LOL. A measure of the high regard for the blogger audience?
Those were the most expensive cookies you will ever eat.]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:22:16 -0500 I'm all for busting up the megabanks and keep up the good work in refuting arguments like Too Small To Compete.

The worrisome point is that even smallish banks could have a huge systemic impact considering the LTCM situation with deriatives.

Considering the demise of many local papers and consequent rise in importance of bloggers, these invites are indicative of the saavy of the Treasury types.

Besides, what would they do if they gave a meeting and no one came.

"The free cookies were good and fresh, with a warm, fluid chocolate interior"
LOL. A measure of the high regard for the blogger audience?
Those were the most expensive cookies you will ever eat.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171477-buffett-s-bni-purchase-bearish-bet-on-the-economy?source=feed#comment-748379 748379
I think Buffett is thinking more along the lines of cheap transportation during high oil price periods.
There are fewer more capital intensive industries in the US these days.
This is also a play on hard assets, considering the rolling stock, track and land that goes along with the purchase.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:12:51 -0500
I think Buffett is thinking more along the lines of cheap transportation during high oil price periods.
There are fewer more capital intensive industries in the US these days.
This is also a play on hard assets, considering the rolling stock, track and land that goes along with the purchase.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171726-does-anyone-actually-believe-in-market-efficiency?source=feed#comment-748344 748344
Notice no consideration of performance qualities like smart, experienced, good judgment, etc.

I saw that Frontline and Levitt later came back and commented on just how capable she was.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:02:15 -0500
Notice no consideration of performance qualities like smart, experienced, good judgment, etc.

I saw that Frontline and Levitt later came back and commented on just how capable she was.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171481-breaking-up-the-banks-how-likely-is-legislation?source=feed#comment-748305 748305
Hell, just ask the Europeans.
This is all about regulatory capture.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:54:28 -0500
Hell, just ask the Europeans.
This is all about regulatory capture.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171776-complex-motives-behind-buffett-s-burlington-northern-buy?source=feed#comment-748208 748208 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:18:17 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171492-pg-es-smart-grid-challenges-and-solutions-by-region?source=feed#comment-748201 748201 Tang sounds like a marketing type.

"one of those cars can make up a load equal to the peak summer load of a typical household in the hot Central Valley "
BS- try an electric range or hot water heater

"Charge them at night, however, and the nation could manage charging of plug-ins equal to about 70 percent of its existing car fleet without adding a single new power plant,"

So which is it?
The obvious solution is a separate meter for electric cars to ensure night charging. Meters are cheap.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:15:45 -0500 Tang sounds like a marketing type.

"one of those cars can make up a load equal to the peak summer load of a typical household in the hot Central Valley "
BS- try an electric range or hot water heater

"Charge them at night, however, and the nation could manage charging of plug-ins equal to about 70 percent of its existing car fleet without adding a single new power plant,"

So which is it?
The obvious solution is a separate meter for electric cars to ensure night charging. Meters are cheap.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171595-intels-home-energy-management-plan-part-ii?source=feed#comment-748182 748182 I doubt HEMS will be the driver.
As would be expected, Intel has had many miscues.
The main energy users in the home are- HVAC, hot water, (pool pump), refrigerator. They can all be automated with cheap timers, thermostats, etc. or made more efficient.

The remaining energy- lights, cooking is a smaller fraction and easily manually controlled.

Smart meters and the daily energy consumption feedback provided are useful and interesting. Until utilities require time-of-use rates, not much will happen and even then, the cheap simple controllers will handle most of the load and create most of the savings. There has to be an economic incentive like rate structure.

A similar thing happened a few years ago with residential demand controllers, a fairly expensive and complex piece of equipment. The market was entirely driven by the residential demand rate one local utility issued, and dried up when the rate went away.

An interesting aspect of smart meter feedback is that for people on tight budgets, the advantage is knowing exactly how much the bill is going to be well ahead of time, as opposed to saving energy. The point is that knowledge may not influence conservation actions, especially for a renter.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:06:12 -0500 I doubt HEMS will be the driver.
As would be expected, Intel has had many miscues.
The main energy users in the home are- HVAC, hot water, (pool pump), refrigerator. They can all be automated with cheap timers, thermostats, etc. or made more efficient.

The remaining energy- lights, cooking is a smaller fraction and easily manually controlled.

Smart meters and the daily energy consumption feedback provided are useful and interesting. Until utilities require time-of-use rates, not much will happen and even then, the cheap simple controllers will handle most of the load and create most of the savings. There has to be an economic incentive like rate structure.

A similar thing happened a few years ago with residential demand controllers, a fairly expensive and complex piece of equipment. The market was entirely driven by the residential demand rate one local utility issued, and dried up when the rate went away.

An interesting aspect of smart meter feedback is that for people on tight budgets, the advantage is knowing exactly how much the bill is going to be well ahead of time, as opposed to saving energy. The point is that knowledge may not influence conservation actions, especially for a renter.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171659-why-there-can-t-be-a-cap-on-bank-capital-ratios?source=feed#comment-748100 748100
My impression was the cap ratios were just that- ratios, and the actual capitalization required would increase with the bank size.

You intimate a single step-wise ratio.
Based on your quote above, they're all a bad idea if risk is exponential.

Based on other factors, such as interconnectedness, fianancial environment and management, the actual required capitalization would probably be prohibitive to maintain.

There's no substitute for busting up the banks.
A sliding cap rate based on size would add a measure of safety.
I would forget the other factors as regulators would probably not be successful with them.]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:26:53 -0500
My impression was the cap ratios were just that- ratios, and the actual capitalization required would increase with the bank size.

You intimate a single step-wise ratio.
Based on your quote above, they're all a bad idea if risk is exponential.

Based on other factors, such as interconnectedness, fianancial environment and management, the actual required capitalization would probably be prohibitive to maintain.

There's no substitute for busting up the banks.
A sliding cap rate based on size would add a measure of safety.
I would forget the other factors as regulators would probably not be successful with them.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171493-photographers-are-not-authors-says-judge-in-google-book-case?source=feed#comment-748078 748078 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:13:35 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/171070-128-of-the-top-financial-blogs?source=feed#comment-747094 747094 Ya just gotta love the web.]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:40:04 -0500 Ya just gotta love the web.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170844-breaking-up-the-big-banks-ackermann-vs-hoenig?source=feed#comment-747087 747087 I especially appreciate the arguments against Too Small To Compete, which is the only reasonable objection to a bank busting policy.
The only real issue now is how to escape regulatory capture and get it done.]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:35:23 -0500 I especially appreciate the arguments against Too Small To Compete, which is the only reasonable objection to a bank busting policy.
The only real issue now is how to escape regulatory capture and get it done.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171103-financial-world-atlantic-widens-while-pacific-narrows?source=feed#comment-747010 747010
The US, on the other hand, is demonstrating by its actions so far that it is further left than the Europeans. This has the same impact as a recent news story about an American Army officer in Afghanistan commenting on the toughness and perseverance of the French forces assisting there.

It should be well noted that the dichotomy is only in the financial area, and specifically in banking. It's no coincidence. Contrast with the current health care debate, comparisons with many European countries and screams of socialized medicine.

What is obvious to the Europeans, that smaller banks are less risky and cutting out the bad to leave the good, seems to be a blind spot for Congress and the Administration.
Is there any doubt that this is evidence of regulatory capture?]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:52:57 -0500
The US, on the other hand, is demonstrating by its actions so far that it is further left than the Europeans. This has the same impact as a recent news story about an American Army officer in Afghanistan commenting on the toughness and perseverance of the French forces assisting there.

It should be well noted that the dichotomy is only in the financial area, and specifically in banking. It's no coincidence. Contrast with the current health care debate, comparisons with many European countries and screams of socialized medicine.

What is obvious to the Europeans, that smaller banks are less risky and cutting out the bad to leave the good, seems to be a blind spot for Congress and the Administration.
Is there any doubt that this is evidence of regulatory capture?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171032-the-fed-and-executive-branch-s-creeping-power-grab?source=feed#comment-746968 746968
Interesting quote, considering no one has rewritten the Constitution. This implies that there are a lot of derived laws and / or policies that are illegal.]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:14:38 -0500
Interesting quote, considering no one has rewritten the Constitution. This implies that there are a lot of derived laws and / or policies that are illegal.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170149-the-current-baseline-scenario-for-the-u-s-economy?source=feed#comment-738600 738600 A great read and excellent testimony.

As you were delivering this expert advice to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, what was their response to hearing what they know and need to act expeditiously on, but did not want to hear?]]> Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:10:11 -0400 A great read and excellent testimony.

As you were delivering this expert advice to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, what was their response to hearing what they know and need to act expeditiously on, but did not want to hear?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169782-should-we-give-the-fed-more-power-or-maybe-less?source=feed#comment-736101 736101 The Fed's mandate is to control prices and employment by regulating the money supply.

A buck is now worth 5 cents since the Fed started, and unemployment is at 80 year highs, I would say they have failed miserably and should be taken out and shot.]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:50:37 -0400 The Fed's mandate is to control prices and employment by regulating the money supply.

A buck is now worth 5 cents since the Fed started, and unemployment is at 80 year highs, I would say they have failed miserably and should be taken out and shot.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169559-is-this-the-end-of-too-big-to-fail?source=feed#comment-736077 736077
LOL Social pressure versus greed and competition.
No contest.]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:36:07 -0400
LOL Social pressure versus greed and competition.
No contest.]]>