dondon's Comments dondon's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/192974/comments Stock Markets Gain 60%, $17 Trillion in Value Since Early 2009 http://seekingalpha.com/article/177964-stock-markets-gain-60-17-trillion-in-value-since-early-2009?source=feed#comment-804511 804511 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:29:16 -0500 Positive Financial Innovation: Small Business Equity Investing http://seekingalpha.com/article/176796-positive-financial-innovation-small-business-equity-investing?source=feed#comment-795349 795349
I may start looking to lend to small business as I am now in a position to help. ]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:20:21 -0500
I may start looking to lend to small business as I am now in a position to help. ]]> Financial Conditions Almost Back to Normal http://seekingalpha.com/article/176972-financial-conditions-almost-back-to-normal?source=feed#comment-795265 795265 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:54:05 -0500 Economics professor Charles Rowley invokes Aesop in his pre-Copenhagen warning: "If the big U.S. fox is insufficiently smart to heed the fable, one can rest assured that the smarter foxes from India and the People's Republic of China will prove to be adept at retaining their brushes so that they can mock and humiliate the now incredibly shrinking, debrushed U.S. fox." http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37749?source=feed#comment-793527 793527 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:18:36 -0500 Wrapping up the White House jobs summit, President Obama said some ideas he heard are ripe for legislation, that there are possibilities for tax incentives in job creation, and that he would push for green jobs. A "jobs bill" that was a long shot a few weeks ago seems closer to reality. http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37645?source=feed#comment-789331 789331 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:55:35 -0500 Gas Tax: Will Thomas Friedman Silver Bullet Work? http://seekingalpha.com/article/175801-gas-tax-will-thomas-friedman-silver-bullet-work?source=feed#comment-783513 783513 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:01:11 -0500 Rooftop Solar Generation: Ready for Prime Time? http://seekingalpha.com/article/175616-rooftop-solar-generation-ready-for-prime-time?source=feed#comment-782250 782250 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:19:39 -0500 In an op-ed this weekend, Ben Bernanke worries about leading proposals in the Senate that would strip the Fed of its powers: "These measures are very much out of step with the global consensus on the appropriate role of central banks, and they would seriously impair the prospects for economic and financial stability in the U.S." http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37294?source=feed#comment-781036 781036 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:33:10 -0500 Global Warming Models: 'Out of Order'? http://seekingalpha.com/article/175575-global-warming-models-out-of-order?source=feed#comment-780698 780698 I don't think you can slow climate change. But we can make our energy needs less polluting. It will take time. In the meantime though I do not think rushing to cap and reduce emissions for the reason of climate change is in the best interest of the world.

On Nov 28 02:43 AM bob adamson wrote:

> The usual focus of SA discussion is economics and related matters
> and we all know the checkered but useful (and sometimes vital) role
> models play in economic analysis. Few would seriously argue that
> an economic issue should not be raised simply because attempts to
> model that issue are preliminary of incomplete. Arguably the same
> lattitude should be given to the use of climatic models.
>
> What can we surmise as intelligent non-specialists, not only from
> the specific details which Mr. Richman chooses to relate in his article,
> but from the broader debate about climate change generally? First,
> it is clear that in many parts of the world dramatic shifts in settled
> climatic patterns are occurring over a short time span with major
> negative impacts on our environmental capital. In Canada where I
> live, for example, there have been significant northern shifts in
> habitat with resultant major die-offs and infestations of plants
> and animals. Large regions of permafrost are melting creating stagnant
> swamps and destroying infrastructure. Erratic and destructive weather
> extremes occur much more frequently. The area of year around Arctic
> Ocean ice coverage is rapidly shrinking. Etc.
>
> It appears that the large majority of scientists, particularly those
> who specialize in the study of the environment, weather patterns
> and biology, attribute these changes to a significant degree to the
> byproducts of human activity. A minority of scientists, largely specialists
> in geology and astrophysics, and some statisticians, while most of
> them do not dispute the fact of changing climatic patterns, argue
> that human activity is not a significant factor or that current patterns
> will reverse naturally. In particular, the relevance of naturally
> occurring warming and cooling climatic cycles and changes in solar
> emission patterns are part of the debate.
>
> While it may be premature to draw hard conclusions on the scope of
> climatic challenges the world faces or on the precise impact that
> human activity plays on the magnitude and speed of climatic change,
> we need to determine what practical steps can be taken to slow and
> mitigate climate change (whatever its causes) insofar as this change
> threaten or curtail environmental health. Given the risks of major
> irreversible damage, it is only prudent to begin to take significant
> measures to control the human outputs and mitigate effects however
> caused that probably influence climatic change. This includes getting
> the nations of the world to work on these issues seriously and in
> concert and encouraging in a determined way the development of new
> technology and practices. It is foolish to advocate waiting for absolute
> proof before beginning to take action, to attribute concern for the
> issues to folly or conspiracy, to assume that even if climate change
> is real and significant it is beyond the capacity of mankind to do
> anything but endure its impact or to ridicule proponents on either
> side of the many debates that must logically arise. It would be equally
> foolish to undertake too much too soon at great cost if firmer findings
> are needed to justify such measures but we must diligently seek more
> conclusive findings.
>
> In short, there is enough of a base for concern to incur the high
> cost and take the initial measures to address climate change with
> conviction but these needs to be done in a measured way that doesn’t
> get too far ahead of our real knowledge.]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:12:43 -0500 I don't think you can slow climate change. But we can make our energy needs less polluting. It will take time. In the meantime though I do not think rushing to cap and reduce emissions for the reason of climate change is in the best interest of the world.

On Nov 28 02:43 AM bob adamson wrote:

> The usual focus of SA discussion is economics and related matters
> and we all know the checkered but useful (and sometimes vital) role
> models play in economic analysis. Few would seriously argue that
> an economic issue should not be raised simply because attempts to
> model that issue are preliminary of incomplete. Arguably the same
> lattitude should be given to the use of climatic models.
>
> What can we surmise as intelligent non-specialists, not only from
> the specific details which Mr. Richman chooses to relate in his article,
> but from the broader debate about climate change generally? First,
> it is clear that in many parts of the world dramatic shifts in settled
> climatic patterns are occurring over a short time span with major
> negative impacts on our environmental capital. In Canada where I
> live, for example, there have been significant northern shifts in
> habitat with resultant major die-offs and infestations of plants
> and animals. Large regions of permafrost are melting creating stagnant
> swamps and destroying infrastructure. Erratic and destructive weather
> extremes occur much more frequently. The area of year around Arctic
> Ocean ice coverage is rapidly shrinking. Etc.
>
> It appears that the large majority of scientists, particularly those
> who specialize in the study of the environment, weather patterns
> and biology, attribute these changes to a significant degree to the
> byproducts of human activity. A minority of scientists, largely specialists
> in geology and astrophysics, and some statisticians, while most of
> them do not dispute the fact of changing climatic patterns, argue
> that human activity is not a significant factor or that current patterns
> will reverse naturally. In particular, the relevance of naturally
> occurring warming and cooling climatic cycles and changes in solar
> emission patterns are part of the debate.
>
> While it may be premature to draw hard conclusions on the scope of
> climatic challenges the world faces or on the precise impact that
> human activity plays on the magnitude and speed of climatic change,
> we need to determine what practical steps can be taken to slow and
> mitigate climate change (whatever its causes) insofar as this change
> threaten or curtail environmental health. Given the risks of major
> irreversible damage, it is only prudent to begin to take significant
> measures to control the human outputs and mitigate effects however
> caused that probably influence climatic change. This includes getting
> the nations of the world to work on these issues seriously and in
> concert and encouraging in a determined way the development of new
> technology and practices. It is foolish to advocate waiting for absolute
> proof before beginning to take action, to attribute concern for the
> issues to folly or conspiracy, to assume that even if climate change
> is real and significant it is beyond the capacity of mankind to do
> anything but endure its impact or to ridicule proponents on either
> side of the many debates that must logically arise. It would be equally
> foolish to undertake too much too soon at great cost if firmer findings
> are needed to justify such measures but we must diligently seek more
> conclusive findings.
>
> In short, there is enough of a base for concern to incur the high
> cost and take the initial measures to address climate change with
> conviction but these needs to be done in a measured way that doesn’t
> get too far ahead of our real knowledge.]]> NABE Survey: Recovery Won't Remain Jobless Very Much Longer http://seekingalpha.com/article/174935-nabe-survey-recovery-won-t-remain-jobless-very-much-longer?source=feed#comment-776120 776120 www.cnbc.com/id/34133645


On Nov 24 08:53 PM dondon wrote:

> Check out this Rueter's article about rising payroll taxes and businesses
> that won't rehire because of it. This came out one day after I said
> the same thing above. So I am not a ranting idiot after all.]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:54:14 -0500 www.cnbc.com/id/34133645


On Nov 24 08:53 PM dondon wrote:

> Check out this Rueter's article about rising payroll taxes and businesses
> that won't rehire because of it. This came out one day after I said
> the same thing above. So I am not a ranting idiot after all.]]> NABE Survey: Recovery Won't Remain Jobless Very Much Longer http://seekingalpha.com/article/174935-nabe-survey-recovery-won-t-remain-jobless-very-much-longer?source=feed#comment-776119 776119 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:53:45 -0500 The S&P 500 Gets an Upgrade http://seekingalpha.com/article/174941-the-s-p-500-gets-an-upgrade?source=feed#comment-774698 774698 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:25:59 -0500 NABE Survey: Recovery Won't Remain Jobless Very Much Longer http://seekingalpha.com/article/174935-nabe-survey-recovery-won-t-remain-jobless-very-much-longer?source=feed#comment-774064 774064 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:45:01 -0500 Why U.S. GDP Will Decline in Q4 http://seekingalpha.com/article/174809-why-u-s-gdp-will-decline-in-q4?source=feed#comment-773492 773492 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:52:04 -0500 U.S. Government Practices Restrict Jobs Growth http://seekingalpha.com/article/173350-u-s-government-practices-restrict-jobs-growth?source=feed#comment-762196 762196 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:15:32 -0500 Why Are Climate Change and Deficit Reduction Considered Mutually Exclusive? http://seekingalpha.com/article/173379-why-are-climate-change-and-deficit-reduction-considered-mutually-exclusive?source=feed#comment-761516 761516 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:25:07 -0500 Isn't the Fed Monetizing Housing Debt? http://seekingalpha.com/article/173073-isn-t-the-fed-monetizing-housing-debt?source=feed#comment-758214 758214 Excellent article. Please keep them coming. ]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:59:03 -0500 Excellent article. Please keep them coming. ]]> Isn't the Fed Monetizing Housing Debt? http://seekingalpha.com/article/173073-isn-t-the-fed-monetizing-housing-debt?source=feed#comment-758212 758212 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:57:37 -0500 Are We Becoming a Nation of Renters? Investing for the New Housing Dynamic http://seekingalpha.com/article/171733-are-we-becoming-a-nation-of-renters-investing-for-the-new-housing-dynamic?source=feed#comment-749301 749301 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:27:48 -0500 The wealthy don't enjoy the same political support as everyone else, and that's why high-end homes have a ways to go to the bottom, says Pimco's Scott Simon. As Congress approves credits for first-time homebuyers, he says, banks are looking for ways to avoid qualifying high-end buyers, or charge them hefty fees. http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/35962?source=feed#comment-746776 746776 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:05:09 -0500 Mike Shedlock has a hard time seeing why markets went giddy over today's Q3 GDP data: "The government sloshed trillions around and yet disposable income is down, jobs are horrendously weak, and the only reason GDP rose is wasteful government spending, cash-for-clunkers and extremely unaffordable housing tax credits whose effect is soon going to start diminishing." http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/35425?source=feed#comment-736409 736409 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:00:26 -0400 Contrary to opinion, the stock market will embrace a tightening monetary policy, says Jeffries & Co. chief strategist Art Hogan. Rather than seeing higher corporate borrowing costs, he says, investors will know the moves are coming because of positive economic signals: "The Fed has a pretty good picture of the economy, and can usually see around the corner." http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/35252?source=feed#comment-734314 734314 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:35:48 -0400 The Treasury's flooded the market with record amounts of debt in 2009. Lucky thing that U.S. households have been soaking it up, doubling Treasury holdings in the first half, in a search for safety. With $606B, households hold more than the world's major oil exporters, Caribbean banking centers and Brazil combined - and only China and Japan hold more among major foreign debtholders. http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/35254?source=feed#comment-734310 734310 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:34:05 -0400 The Greatest Depression Is Coming http://seekingalpha.com/article/167060-the-greatest-depression-is-coming?source=feed#comment-719103 719103 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:42:39 -0400 Today's Initial Claims Report: A New Upturn in Joblessness? http://seekingalpha.com/article/164364-today-s-initial-claims-report-a-new-upturn-in-joblessness?source=feed#comment-699534 699534 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:47:45 -0400 Case-Shiller's Recent Strength: It's Not Just Seasonality http://seekingalpha.com/article/163939-case-shiller-s-recent-strength-it-s-not-just-seasonality?source=feed#comment-695625 695625 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:26:53 -0400 The Worst Economy Since the ... 1980s? http://seekingalpha.com/article/163480-the-worst-economy-since-the-1980s?source=feed#comment-691534 691534 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:25:07 -0400 Offshore Wind: Europe Now, U.S. When? http://seekingalpha.com/article/162581-offshore-wind-europe-now-u-s-when?source=feed#comment-685811 685811 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:35:35 -0400 The American economy will add jobs before the year is out, says Barclays Capital's chief U.S. economist. Dean Maki thinks unemployment will peak "slightly below 10%." http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/32848?source=feed#comment-685030 685030 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:56:30 -0400 The bad part of the U.S. employment situation, as we well know, are the droves of unemployed looking for jobs in a market where almost no one's hiring. The good part is that those that have jobs continue to enjoy pay increases almost as big as during the late 1990s boom. http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/32593?source=feed#comment-679442 679442 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:43:00 -0400