optionsgirl

Consumer Credit Down - But Does It Show Deleveraging?

Is the savings rate comprised of people who stopped paying their mortgages, cars and credit cards and so now are "paying themselves?"

Quickchat #15: Starts 11/8/09

The DOE seems intent upon crushing rather than developing new technologies and companies. Hopeless mess, time to close them down and start again.


On Nov 08 07:00 PM tripleblack wrote:

> Interesting. Would they have to pay the same big fee if they re-apply?
> That process could get expensive for a startup!

PELOSI: Buy a $15,000 policy, pay 2.5% of income, or Go To Jail!!!

I know some of you advocated the push to computerize our records. I submit it is the individual doctor's office or the individual who is seeking treatment that ought to do this. I do not believe that a national database is necessary and it is an assault on individual freedom and privacy.

Quickchat #15: Starts 11/8/09

Syntroleum reported. I haven't had a chance to read it all yet. Anyone interested in synthetic biofuels should read Ron Stinebough of Syntroleum's comments about the DOE. I am sure Syntroleum is not alone in how the DOE is handling these small companies:

"I would now like to discuss the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee program. The Renewable Fuels Association, wrote Secretary Chu to express its concerns about the direction of the DOE’s Loan Guarantee Program, citing systemic issues with its evaluation of emerging biofuels technologies. In that letter, which is available for you to review on its website, the RFA suggested that the DOE is applying standards for mature renewable technologies such as wind and solar to advanced biofuels technologies that are not realistic for projects tied to the commodity driven fuels industry.

Specifically, the RFA suggested that the DOE is requiring life of loan product off-take agreements, however such off-take agreements are inconsistent with the practice in the U.S. transportation fuels industry. The DOE is requiring higher levels of equity from emerging technology companies than for projects with mature technology; the DOE is requiring a BB credit rating, which according to Standard & Poor’s is higher than 63% of all U.S. corporate first time issuers since 2007; and the DOE is requiring all project applicants to reapply, rather than giving applicants the ability to address the DOE’s concerns, which requires among other additional costs, a completely new 75 to $125,000 application fee and significantly delays the projects in question.
With respect to Dynamic Fuels’ application, it has received notice from the DOE that its application was rejected on grounds substantially similar to those cited above by the RFA. The DOE listed the following additional areas of concern; firm supply and off-take agreements which effectively fix the project’s margin, contracts which are not typical of either the feedstock supply or transportation fuels markets; and a fixed price EPC contract, which is not realistic for emerging technology. In its application, Dynamic Fuels indicated that its construction strategy would be substantially similar to that being employed at its Geismar project, which is currently on budget and 76% complete.

While the DOE has invited Dynamic Fuels to reapply, Dynamic Fuels has not determined at this time whether it intends to do so. Dynamic Fuels is evaluating other avenues to finance a second plant and its near term focus is to complete the Geismar plant and bring it to full commercial operation in 2010."

Quick Chat #14- Start 11/5/09

SAS: Just wondering if you bought CDE or followed it into its 3rd quarter report?

Goodbye Government Healthcare Goodbye Cap N Trade

What a difference a few days make! Today I read that the vote for health care may take place this weekend. I hope it gets kicked to the curb, where it belongs.

Regulation Must Be a Problem - Get Rid of It

Sarbanes-Oxley has been a disaster. While I can't prove it, I know there are reputable private companies that wouldn't consider going public because of the expense of administering the ridiculous reporting requirements.
Why do I think it is a disaster?
Because it has done nothing to prevent fraud, which is pervasive, as you document almost daily.

The Hindenburg Omen (Extended)

None of you bother me. If I don't agree with something I say so and try to provide a source. If I don't think it's worth responding I move on. I am not a delicate flower and I can wade in when I think it is necessary.

I think SA has given us a wonderful platform that they have expanded and supported. I am very grateful that they were able to fend off the cyberspace attack, no doubt at personal sacrifice and financial, too.

I also think that the politics we have been discussing is important because the political climate has changed our investment choices.

As passionate, opinionated people, we are bound to disagree. That's OK with me. What bothers me are racial slurs, religious slurs, and the like. However, I do not believe in censorship, only self-censorship. It is only by people saying their peace that we recognize those we wish to associate with from those who have no place in our space.

I have invited you into my personal space and I am delighted with the interaction.

Al Gore could become world's first carbon billionaire

Maxine Waters and John Murtha could use a history lesson.

On Nov 06 05:08 PM tripleblack wrote:

> I love history references. If we spent more time learning applicable
> history, and less time listening to politicians, we would be much
> better off (and more likely to be doing smart things in the here
> and now).

Quick Chat #14- Start 11/5/09

Yes!!! But they need to raise capital. And they got a Russian infusion which makes total sense. Looks promising. I didn't have time to read the whole website.

On Nov 06 04:51 PM Freya wrote:

> OG, is this a renamed THPW,
>
> LTBR, let me look at it. It would really screw the Iranians into
> the Ground to be forced to use Thorium. No legitimate reason for
> uranium enrichment.
>
> I'm going nowhere til 11/11. Wedding, Family and friends, about 80
> of us. Bride and Groom both live in Vegas.
>
> Handy little program, SpeedFan, speeds up the fans as needed.

What's On Your Wish List?

Very interesting. Why tax exempt munies when the state and local govts are paying with i.o.u.s. and the like? Why won't they default? This is a legit question, not meant to be disparaging in any way. It would never occur to me to invest in munies under this scenario, just learning!


On Nov 06 03:10 PM robert.b.ferguson wrote:

> If the scenario laid out by yellow hoard is the catalyst I would
> short uncle buck and buy tax exempt munnies and Brazilian telecoms
> like (VIV)

Al Gore could become world's first carbon billionaire

Many thanks, Triple!

For a fantastic article on the history of energy innovation in the 19th century (when crude became an alternative to whale oil, among many other simultaneous developments) and the parallels today, I liked reading The Objective Standard, Vol. 4 No. 2, Summer 2009 edition. The essay is entitled:
"Energy At the Speed of Thought" by Alex Epstein.

Quick Chat #14- Start 11/5/09

From Zero Hedge today, Hickey on gold:
www.zerohedge.com/arti...

Quick Chat #14- Start 11/5/09

Freya/One Eye: Did you see this? Little Thorium Power is growing up...
ir.ltbridge.com/phoeni...=

Al Gore could become world's first carbon billionaire

www.ltbridge.com/
www.syntroleum.com/mai...
www.methanex.com/
www.corning.com/index....
www.tetratech.com/port.../
www.nwpipe.com/