thotdoc's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/355518/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/180709/comments?source=feed#comment-831866 831866
I don't understand. You have no skin in the game and you do all this work?]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:15:20 -0500
I don't understand. You have no skin in the game and you do all this work?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/180329/comments?source=feed#comment-826450 826450
In the world I live in, when people faceplant, they pay a big price. In their world, when they faceplant, someone else pays a big price.

The 2 worlds are set to collide.

Will it be like in science fiction where there we (MIddle class/upper middle class) live like rats while they live like kings?

Will it contain some semblance of 'fairness"?]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:34:34 -0500
In the world I live in, when people faceplant, they pay a big price. In their world, when they faceplant, someone else pays a big price.

The 2 worlds are set to collide.

Will it be like in science fiction where there we (MIddle class/upper middle class) live like rats while they live like kings?

Will it contain some semblance of 'fairness"?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/179950/comments?source=feed#comment-823738 823738
My fear, as I am also rational, is that this is NOT a logical market. So, being logical is not a winning hand.

G


On Dec 28 07:28 AM logicalthought wrote:

> The problem with the "rally based primarily on the weak dollar theory"
> is that despite the fact that the dollar strengthened considerably
> over the past few weeks, the market kept going up (thereby surprising
> a lot of folks, not least of all, ME!). That said, I'm extremely
> short now (via SDS) and will get even shorter if this low-volume
> climb continues, because one thing that (I think) isn't "different
> this time" is the relationship between price and volume, and breakouts
> such as the low-volume one we have now almost always collapse.<br/>]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:54:09 -0500
My fear, as I am also rational, is that this is NOT a logical market. So, being logical is not a winning hand.

G


On Dec 28 07:28 AM logicalthought wrote:

> The problem with the "rally based primarily on the weak dollar theory"
> is that despite the fact that the dollar strengthened considerably
> over the past few weeks, the market kept going up (thereby surprising
> a lot of folks, not least of all, ME!). That said, I'm extremely
> short now (via SDS) and will get even shorter if this low-volume
> climb continues, because one thing that (I think) isn't "different
> this time" is the relationship between price and volume, and breakouts
> such as the low-volume one we have now almost always collapse.<br/>]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/38929?source=feed#comment-823724 823724
Eventually, chickens always come home to roost.

Why is it that some people simply do not understand that the piper ALWAYS has to be paid?]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:45:28 -0500
Eventually, chickens always come home to roost.

Why is it that some people simply do not understand that the piper ALWAYS has to be paid?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/38937?source=feed#comment-823709 823709
The banks and other financial institutions have convinced the president, through their in house minions, that they are so important that we will not survive without them in their powerful form and/or without the tax payers' complete support.
This is the industry that pays 1% or less for savings rate and charges 26% interest. I could go on and you have your own rage at them, so it's not necessary.

I believe I've come to understand the President. His context is what he will be remembered for, not how people feel about him now.

At an immediate level, the belief that dominates his attachment style, what I call his Personal BluePrint, is that he can heal any rift, by being reasonable, intelligent and loving. Remember he was the balance to a very idealistic, black and white and strident Mom, who had a very difficult attachment style.

In every cell, he believes that he will make a difference by his style. He is making a difference. I'm not sure I like it.

His strength and weakness is that he doesn't directly confront. He 'works with' in an effort to achieve conflict resolution.
This is a long term way of thinking with up front costs until he gains the power he believes will come from his process working, and others coming around.

Though I don't agree with everything he does, It's the most emotionally mature strategy from a politician we've seen for a long time. Mature in the sense that it is based on relationship stability, not the nihilistic masturbatory fantasies of "slash and burn the other side and my way is right and everyone that doesn't agree is an idiot" we see being played out on TV every day.

When I say weakness, I'm not saying he is weak or that he would be hesitant in pulling the trigger. That's too literal an understanding.
The weakness is that 1) it's a much longer term play than we see in politics and more likely to be misunderstood and or fail due to people's inability to not think with their emotions and lack of understanding that what is best is what is best for all involved, and 2) He's not cutting people off at the knees, when he needs to. For instance, doing something about the alignment of corporate interests and policy. There needs to be an alignment, not domination.
Happy New Year,
G]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:36:03 -0500
The banks and other financial institutions have convinced the president, through their in house minions, that they are so important that we will not survive without them in their powerful form and/or without the tax payers' complete support.
This is the industry that pays 1% or less for savings rate and charges 26% interest. I could go on and you have your own rage at them, so it's not necessary.

I believe I've come to understand the President. His context is what he will be remembered for, not how people feel about him now.

At an immediate level, the belief that dominates his attachment style, what I call his Personal BluePrint, is that he can heal any rift, by being reasonable, intelligent and loving. Remember he was the balance to a very idealistic, black and white and strident Mom, who had a very difficult attachment style.

In every cell, he believes that he will make a difference by his style. He is making a difference. I'm not sure I like it.

His strength and weakness is that he doesn't directly confront. He 'works with' in an effort to achieve conflict resolution.
This is a long term way of thinking with up front costs until he gains the power he believes will come from his process working, and others coming around.

Though I don't agree with everything he does, It's the most emotionally mature strategy from a politician we've seen for a long time. Mature in the sense that it is based on relationship stability, not the nihilistic masturbatory fantasies of "slash and burn the other side and my way is right and everyone that doesn't agree is an idiot" we see being played out on TV every day.

When I say weakness, I'm not saying he is weak or that he would be hesitant in pulling the trigger. That's too literal an understanding.
The weakness is that 1) it's a much longer term play than we see in politics and more likely to be misunderstood and or fail due to people's inability to not think with their emotions and lack of understanding that what is best is what is best for all involved, and 2) He's not cutting people off at the knees, when he needs to. For instance, doing something about the alignment of corporate interests and policy. There needs to be an alignment, not domination.
Happy New Year,
G]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/38566?source=feed#comment-813413 813413
Is he living from hand to mouth? Does saving a few hundred dollars a month mean something to him and his financial condition?

Where do they find these people? I learned, when I got into my 30's that you want your house payment to be stable and within your means. I learned it was no fun trying to negotiate a mortgage when I realized the rates were going up.

Bless our lraders, one and all. They don't seem to have the street sense to bless themselves.]]> Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:17:30 -0500
Is he living from hand to mouth? Does saving a few hundred dollars a month mean something to him and his financial condition?

Where do they find these people? I learned, when I got into my 30's that you want your house payment to be stable and within your means. I learned it was no fun trying to negotiate a mortgage when I realized the rates were going up.

Bless our lraders, one and all. They don't seem to have the street sense to bless themselves.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/178291/comments?source=feed#comment-810500 810500
Jobs already beat MSoft; a one trick pony that got lucky and never got good.

Jobs will be up against, at least, equals this time.

I understand the vision with Apple. It's coherent. Google's vision is less clear to me. They are doing so many things at once.

Further, Google has not met trial by fire yet, as has Apple.

I'm not arguing one versus the other. Just spotlighting what it's really about: Leaders with powerful visions, great leadership abilities and the resources to pull it off.

Personally, I'm pulling for Apple. I believe that Google is darker. Google is about ways to sell advertising, while looking like and providing a great service. Apple is about selling convenience beautifully packaged.]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:42:11 -0500
Jobs already beat MSoft; a one trick pony that got lucky and never got good.

Jobs will be up against, at least, equals this time.

I understand the vision with Apple. It's coherent. Google's vision is less clear to me. They are doing so many things at once.

Further, Google has not met trial by fire yet, as has Apple.

I'm not arguing one versus the other. Just spotlighting what it's really about: Leaders with powerful visions, great leadership abilities and the resources to pull it off.

Personally, I'm pulling for Apple. I believe that Google is darker. Google is about ways to sell advertising, while looking like and providing a great service. Apple is about selling convenience beautifully packaged.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/38185?source=feed#comment-804858 804858
The political process can't be trusted to be do the right thing for us all. Ideological thinking wins votes, but stymies getting anything important and constructive done. California is a perfect small model of our larger government.

Banks can't be trusted with our money, except in the most concrete way.

The Fed...ahh, the Fed. The Fed cannot be run by someone from one of the major investment banks. That's just too stupid. The Fed may be doing what's right, or wrong. I don't know. That level of finance is above me. But, to allow the banks to get away with what they've gotten away with says the person in charge of the Fed is a loser for us and a winner for the banks. Then, the Fed has been run so badly that Congress is now going to be in an oversight role. Now, that is a true mess. Our monetary policy will become an ideological tool in addition to an Oligarch's tool. That was bright.

The educational system can't be trusted to teach our young. An educated youth is our future. That's more important than a teacher's seniority. Unions are important, until they take over a rational process. Then, they are no better in managing greed and power than what they were developed to combat, greed and power.

The Judiciary. Do you trust the Supreme Court? I had a real problem with the Court voting along political lines to decide who would be President. That is not a Supreme Court. That's a bunch of people voting an ideology, not what's in the Constitution and case law.

I'm sure you have your nits to pick. I'm just saddened. Is it that I've gotten older and with age came experience and a jaundiced eye? Or is it really worse?]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:22:00 -0500
The political process can't be trusted to be do the right thing for us all. Ideological thinking wins votes, but stymies getting anything important and constructive done. California is a perfect small model of our larger government.

Banks can't be trusted with our money, except in the most concrete way.

The Fed...ahh, the Fed. The Fed cannot be run by someone from one of the major investment banks. That's just too stupid. The Fed may be doing what's right, or wrong. I don't know. That level of finance is above me. But, to allow the banks to get away with what they've gotten away with says the person in charge of the Fed is a loser for us and a winner for the banks. Then, the Fed has been run so badly that Congress is now going to be in an oversight role. Now, that is a true mess. Our monetary policy will become an ideological tool in addition to an Oligarch's tool. That was bright.

The educational system can't be trusted to teach our young. An educated youth is our future. That's more important than a teacher's seniority. Unions are important, until they take over a rational process. Then, they are no better in managing greed and power than what they were developed to combat, greed and power.

The Judiciary. Do you trust the Supreme Court? I had a real problem with the Court voting along political lines to decide who would be President. That is not a Supreme Court. That's a bunch of people voting an ideology, not what's in the Constitution and case law.

I'm sure you have your nits to pick. I'm just saddened. Is it that I've gotten older and with age came experience and a jaundiced eye? Or is it really worse?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177591/comments?source=feed#comment-801667 801667

On Dec 10 11:47 PM Michael Clark wrote:

> Our charts do NOT show a reversal of the US Dollar. Dr. Ben needs
> to be taken away in the middle of the night and sold to the white
> slavers in Arabia before the Dollar is going to bottom.
>
> Bernanke's claim to fame (place in history) will be determined by
> how steadfastly he opposes the forces of rest and recuperation --
> by how diligently he opposes the forces of the devil deflation (in
> his mind). Inflationism is a kind of theology. Inflation is the
> spreading of light in the world -- deflation is the spreading of
> darkness. Opposing the darkness gives Bernanke and his ilk a moral
> justification.
>
> In truth, Dr. Ben is pouring money by the truckload into a black
> hole, putting us deeper and deeper in debt. He is making things
> worse, in fact -- if you look at the non-immediate perspective.
> In America today, everything is 'what can you do for me NOW'. We
> are so wedded to the instant that we can't pull away and see things
> from a higher perspective, a historical perspective, or even better
> a philosophical perspective.
>
> Dr. Ben is the master of the punchbowl -- and the doctor says the
> patient needs to stay drunk, and keep that smile on his face, no
> matter what the TRUTH is. Stiff upper lip. See no evil, say no
> evil, speak no evil.
>
> "I have a religion....and the religion is...denial of the reality
> of the Night."
>
> If Paul Volcker is suddenly re-appointed as Fed Chair, then the dollar
> will rally. But as long as the drug-dealers (Inflationists) remain
> in power, no dollar recovery. Bernanke's ONLY hope is hit and run,
> delay tactics, extend and pretend. Another series of bubbles, in
> other words. Can you believe that America is being run today by
> people who believe that bubbles are the essence of economic growth,
> our ONLY hope? We are in trouble.]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:31:46 -0500

On Dec 10 11:47 PM Michael Clark wrote:

> Our charts do NOT show a reversal of the US Dollar. Dr. Ben needs
> to be taken away in the middle of the night and sold to the white
> slavers in Arabia before the Dollar is going to bottom.
>
> Bernanke's claim to fame (place in history) will be determined by
> how steadfastly he opposes the forces of rest and recuperation --
> by how diligently he opposes the forces of the devil deflation (in
> his mind). Inflationism is a kind of theology. Inflation is the
> spreading of light in the world -- deflation is the spreading of
> darkness. Opposing the darkness gives Bernanke and his ilk a moral
> justification.
>
> In truth, Dr. Ben is pouring money by the truckload into a black
> hole, putting us deeper and deeper in debt. He is making things
> worse, in fact -- if you look at the non-immediate perspective.
> In America today, everything is 'what can you do for me NOW'. We
> are so wedded to the instant that we can't pull away and see things
> from a higher perspective, a historical perspective, or even better
> a philosophical perspective.
>
> Dr. Ben is the master of the punchbowl -- and the doctor says the
> patient needs to stay drunk, and keep that smile on his face, no
> matter what the TRUTH is. Stiff upper lip. See no evil, say no
> evil, speak no evil.
>
> "I have a religion....and the religion is...denial of the reality
> of the Night."
>
> If Paul Volcker is suddenly re-appointed as Fed Chair, then the dollar
> will rally. But as long as the drug-dealers (Inflationists) remain
> in power, no dollar recovery. Bernanke's ONLY hope is hit and run,
> delay tactics, extend and pretend. Another series of bubbles, in
> other words. Can you believe that America is being run today by
> people who believe that bubbles are the essence of economic growth,
> our ONLY hope? We are in trouble.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177748/comments?source=feed#comment-801558 801558
I agree that many banksters are gangsters.

But to impugn a set of people because of the behaviors of a few says so much about your primitive and child like thought process and emotional system.


On Dec 11 10:01 AM THE DAY JP MORGAN DIED wrote:

> The market DJIA is worth anything above 0 and below 6800.
> So you ask me why it's 10444 now?
> So I tell you: The Dow Jones is at this price this moment, because
> Wall Street is run by straight out criminals, all kind of thieves,
> pedophiles, junkies, rapist, sado masochists, Madoff jews, Fed jews,
> JP Shmorgans and Goldmans Sucks...they all stink.
> I warn you before this mafia will ruin your money, investments,
> lifestyle.
> Nobody buys stocks, make no mistake, this beasts described above
> wait for you to buy it from the last money and then they will ruin
> you.
> At some point DJIA will stop bleeding at 1600 points or bit higher,
> by then most will have 0 money or will die in poverty.
> I really, really want to warn you from this people, let them rule
> but not rule and ruin you, let it be other naive people, but not
> you reading this.
> clk.my/mksfinance]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:41:05 -0500
I agree that many banksters are gangsters.

But to impugn a set of people because of the behaviors of a few says so much about your primitive and child like thought process and emotional system.


On Dec 11 10:01 AM THE DAY JP MORGAN DIED wrote:

> The market DJIA is worth anything above 0 and below 6800.
> So you ask me why it's 10444 now?
> So I tell you: The Dow Jones is at this price this moment, because
> Wall Street is run by straight out criminals, all kind of thieves,
> pedophiles, junkies, rapist, sado masochists, Madoff jews, Fed jews,
> JP Shmorgans and Goldmans Sucks...they all stink.
> I warn you before this mafia will ruin your money, investments,
> lifestyle.
> Nobody buys stocks, make no mistake, this beasts described above
> wait for you to buy it from the last money and then they will ruin
> you.
> At some point DJIA will stop bleeding at 1600 points or bit higher,
> by then most will have 0 money or will die in poverty.
> I really, really want to warn you from this people, let them rule
> but not rule and ruin you, let it be other naive people, but not
> you reading this.
> clk.my/mksfinance]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177748/comments?source=feed#comment-801541 801541
At one point, I listened almost slavishly. Why? I'd just taken over managing my account and was lookig for someone I could trust to tell me how to invest.

I've learned to read a lot, sift it in my emotional system and then place my bet.

Why bet? First, it's largely a rigged game. Like Las Vegas, the house...in this case the largest banks, wins.

Second, investing as science more than art, requires 14 hours per day reading, a very wide circle of friends in the business, and several great mentors.

Then, over several years and decades of winning and losing you learn some rules you can trust: The first rule I learned was, the market turns hardest when it can injure the most people. In this case, following that rule, Gold will not fall hard or far. Not enough people involved to be hurt.

Then, to really make money, you have to add luck.

To keep the money, you have to feel good enough about yourself to maintain the level of success you've achieved. The average person does not understand that aspect of their investment strategy at all. Yet, that aspect will determine if you are successful in the long run and whether you will be able to enjoy your success.

I can only do about 3-4 hours per day reading and studying along with running my business and writing a book.

So, it's a bet. And when you bet you can't listen to others. You have to go with how you feel.

Don't forget, no system works 100% of the time. The best quants bet when their emotional systems are calmed by their numbers.]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:34:35 -0500
At one point, I listened almost slavishly. Why? I'd just taken over managing my account and was lookig for someone I could trust to tell me how to invest.

I've learned to read a lot, sift it in my emotional system and then place my bet.

Why bet? First, it's largely a rigged game. Like Las Vegas, the house...in this case the largest banks, wins.

Second, investing as science more than art, requires 14 hours per day reading, a very wide circle of friends in the business, and several great mentors.

Then, over several years and decades of winning and losing you learn some rules you can trust: The first rule I learned was, the market turns hardest when it can injure the most people. In this case, following that rule, Gold will not fall hard or far. Not enough people involved to be hurt.

Then, to really make money, you have to add luck.

To keep the money, you have to feel good enough about yourself to maintain the level of success you've achieved. The average person does not understand that aspect of their investment strategy at all. Yet, that aspect will determine if you are successful in the long run and whether you will be able to enjoy your success.

I can only do about 3-4 hours per day reading and studying along with running my business and writing a book.

So, it's a bet. And when you bet you can't listen to others. You have to go with how you feel.

Don't forget, no system works 100% of the time. The best quants bet when their emotional systems are calmed by their numbers.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177442/comments?source=feed#comment-799146 799146 If not, what' the relationship between real estate and gold?


On Dec 09 09:02 PM Nextel Accessories wrote:

> Gold is going to have to pull back eventually, just like real estate
> did....]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:16:14 -0500 If not, what' the relationship between real estate and gold?


On Dec 09 09:02 PM Nextel Accessories wrote:

> Gold is going to have to pull back eventually, just like real estate
> did....]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177450/comments?source=feed#comment-799141 799141
Appl doesn't sell cheap products to people who want cheap products. Appl sels expensive products to people who do not really care about "paying a few bucks more" to get convenience in hat the are interested in.

I do not know what use the tablet is. But then, what new industries willl evolve along with it. Let's talk about what the tablet will be used for.


On Dec 09 08:55 PM Constable Odo wrote:

> How could the Apple tablet transform the newspaper industry? If
> the tablet is relatively expensive, how is it going to be sold to
> all those cheapsters who barely want to pay a few hundred dollars
> for some crappy netbook and it has a keyboard. The Apple tablet
> needs to appeal to the mass market and the mass market doesn't like
> to spend money.
>
> Windows PC users really believe that they can get a quality tablet
> for $250. I don't know where they get this idea from, but these
> people really believe that businesses should be able to flourish
> by selling low-priced junk. Head on over to Engadget and listen
> to what commenters are willing to pay for a quality tablet that would
> basically be a scaled up iPod Touch. They think it should sell for
> less than a netbook! Apple will never get these people to buy anything
> of value. Can you imagine selling a 10" iPod Touch for the price
> of a one-trick-pony Kindle? It'll never happen.
>
> The only way a tablet is going to become a mass market item to revolutionize
> the newspaper industry is by selling it for about $200 and then the
> cheapsters might consider using it if it does everything they can
> imagine. The U.S. has become a place where quality doesn't count
> for much and most manufacturers have to try to survive on razor-thin
> margins. Only the people that want quality are going to spend $700+
> or so on an Apple tablet and that will only account for about 8%
> to 10% of the population and I'll be one of those few. It's hard
> to imagine Apple being able to sell a million tablets a month to
> the masses at the rumored prices I've heard of $600 to $900 even
> if they could get every newspaper, magazine or book on it with games,
> video and music included.
>
> So, there might be some company, somewhere that might make the attempt
> of building a quality tablet and sell it for peanuts to the masses,
> but I doubt if they'll be in business for long.]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:10:14 -0500
Appl doesn't sell cheap products to people who want cheap products. Appl sels expensive products to people who do not really care about "paying a few bucks more" to get convenience in hat the are interested in.

I do not know what use the tablet is. But then, what new industries willl evolve along with it. Let's talk about what the tablet will be used for.


On Dec 09 08:55 PM Constable Odo wrote:

> How could the Apple tablet transform the newspaper industry? If
> the tablet is relatively expensive, how is it going to be sold to
> all those cheapsters who barely want to pay a few hundred dollars
> for some crappy netbook and it has a keyboard. The Apple tablet
> needs to appeal to the mass market and the mass market doesn't like
> to spend money.
>
> Windows PC users really believe that they can get a quality tablet
> for $250. I don't know where they get this idea from, but these
> people really believe that businesses should be able to flourish
> by selling low-priced junk. Head on over to Engadget and listen
> to what commenters are willing to pay for a quality tablet that would
> basically be a scaled up iPod Touch. They think it should sell for
> less than a netbook! Apple will never get these people to buy anything
> of value. Can you imagine selling a 10" iPod Touch for the price
> of a one-trick-pony Kindle? It'll never happen.
>
> The only way a tablet is going to become a mass market item to revolutionize
> the newspaper industry is by selling it for about $200 and then the
> cheapsters might consider using it if it does everything they can
> imagine. The U.S. has become a place where quality doesn't count
> for much and most manufacturers have to try to survive on razor-thin
> margins. Only the people that want quality are going to spend $700+
> or so on an Apple tablet and that will only account for about 8%
> to 10% of the population and I'll be one of those few. It's hard
> to imagine Apple being able to sell a million tablets a month to
> the masses at the rumored prices I've heard of $600 to $900 even
> if they could get every newspaper, magazine or book on it with games,
> video and music included.
>
> So, there might be some company, somewhere that might make the attempt
> of building a quality tablet and sell it for peanuts to the masses,
> but I doubt if they'll be in business for long.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176843/comments?source=feed#comment-797288 797288

On Dec 08 05:54 AM Carlos Lam wrote:

> On Dec 07 09:24 PM Paul H. M. wrote:]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:20:15 -0500

On Dec 08 05:54 AM Carlos Lam wrote:

> On Dec 07 09:24 PM Paul H. M. wrote:]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177101/comments?source=feed#comment-796391 796391
Will someone comment on that? Really, I'd like an explanation, not a rant. if possible.]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:49:31 -0500
Will someone comment on that? Really, I'd like an explanation, not a rant. if possible.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176909/comments?source=feed#comment-796047 796047

On Dec 07 12:34 PM Mad Hedge Fund Trader wrote:

> bbdt I don’t normally rely on National Geographic magazine for investment
> advice, but in the June issue the screaming long term bull case for
> the soft commodities is there in all its glory (see their cool website
> by clicking here). During the sixties, new dwarf varieties, irrigation,
> fertilizer, and heavy duty pesticides tripled crop yields, unleashing
> a green revolution. But guess what? The world population has doubled
> from 3.5 to 7 billion since then, eating up surpluses, and is expected
> to rise to 9 billion by 2050. Now we are running out of water in
> key areas like the American West and Northern India, droughts are
> hitting Africa and China, soil is exhausted, and global warming is
> shriveling yields. Water supplies are so polluted with toxic pesticide
> residues that rural cancer rates are soaring. Food reserves are now
> at 20 year lows. Rising emerging market standards of living are consuming
> more and better food, with Chinese pork production rising 45% from
> 1993 to 2005. The problem is that meat is an incredibly inefficient
> calorie transmission mechanism, creating demand for five times more
> grain than just eating the grain alone. I won’t even mention the
> strain the politically inspired ethanol and biofuel programs have
> placed on the food supply. It is possible that genetic engineering,
> sustainable farming, and smart irrigation could lead to a second
> green revolution, but the burden is on scientists to deliver. The
> net net of all of this is that food prices are going up, a lot. Entertain
> core long positions in corn, wheat, and soybeans on the next dip,
> as well as the second derivative plays like Agrium (AGU), Potash
> (POT) and Monsanto (MON). You might also look at the PowerShares
> Multi Sector Agricultural ETF (DBA). These will all surpass last
> year’s stratospheric highs at some point.]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:28:57 -0500

On Dec 07 12:34 PM Mad Hedge Fund Trader wrote:

> bbdt I don’t normally rely on National Geographic magazine for investment
> advice, but in the June issue the screaming long term bull case for
> the soft commodities is there in all its glory (see their cool website
> by clicking here). During the sixties, new dwarf varieties, irrigation,
> fertilizer, and heavy duty pesticides tripled crop yields, unleashing
> a green revolution. But guess what? The world population has doubled
> from 3.5 to 7 billion since then, eating up surpluses, and is expected
> to rise to 9 billion by 2050. Now we are running out of water in
> key areas like the American West and Northern India, droughts are
> hitting Africa and China, soil is exhausted, and global warming is
> shriveling yields. Water supplies are so polluted with toxic pesticide
> residues that rural cancer rates are soaring. Food reserves are now
> at 20 year lows. Rising emerging market standards of living are consuming
> more and better food, with Chinese pork production rising 45% from
> 1993 to 2005. The problem is that meat is an incredibly inefficient
> calorie transmission mechanism, creating demand for five times more
> grain than just eating the grain alone. I won’t even mention the
> strain the politically inspired ethanol and biofuel programs have
> placed on the food supply. It is possible that genetic engineering,
> sustainable farming, and smart irrigation could lead to a second
> green revolution, but the burden is on scientists to deliver. The
> net net of all of this is that food prices are going up, a lot. Entertain
> core long positions in corn, wheat, and soybeans on the next dip,
> as well as the second derivative plays like Agrium (AGU), Potash
> (POT) and Monsanto (MON). You might also look at the PowerShares
> Multi Sector Agricultural ETF (DBA). These will all surpass last
> year’s stratospheric highs at some point.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176855/comments?source=feed#comment-794298 794298
1)Theory: In any system, entropy is inevitable, ultimately ending in the system grinding to a halt based on the entropic process, unless there are massive efforts to stop the entropic process.

Application: For instance, in human relationships, unresolved conflict is entropic. Enough unresolved conflict and the relationship dies. In your car, forget to change the oil. In your body, try living without kidneys. In each case, not attending to the entropic process creates the death of the system.

In this case the system is 'the system of buyers that support the American $, and the American $.'

There is no effective effort to stop the entropic process in that system. The current effort, printing $$s supports the entropic process.

Then,

2) Explanation of why things can muck along for a long time before a crisis: Slippage between great systems allows for things to run amuck for awhile. How long did we put PCBs in water supply before the fish become genetically deranged?

But, at some point the slippage takes on a life of its own and the system forces which kept it in balance move to chaos. It's like a bad relationship. You know it's bad, but it goes on year after year. Then, one day it's "suddenly" over.

3) The market uses either/or thinking...which is always 100% wrong in the long run, as the truth is always in between, not at the extremes.

The most efficient allocation of capital takes in the concerns of ALL involved in the system of capital, not only the titular/supposed owners of the capital. Capital is a system and it will follow the rules of systems, no matter how long it takes to play out.

If this way of thinking sounds interesting, read General Systems Theory, by Bertalanfy and Steps To An Ecology of Mind, by Bateson.

I hope that was helpful.


On Dec 07 07:56 AM Plan B Economics wrote:

> Interesting article. For the sake of playing devil's advocate, here
> are a couple of questions:
>
> 1. These imbalances have been going on a long time. So what is the
> catalyst for the breaking point?
>
> 2. Is there a breaking point? Or is it a slow decline?
>
> 3. Is moving low value-added jobs overseas really a bad thing? Intuitively,
> it seems good for the domestic owner of production but bad for the
> wage earner. But do the gains from efficient allocation of capital
> outweigh the losses to wage earners? I.e. do the additional profits
> get re-invested into new businesses that generate higher-value jobs
> for US citizens?]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:07:27 -0500
1)Theory: In any system, entropy is inevitable, ultimately ending in the system grinding to a halt based on the entropic process, unless there are massive efforts to stop the entropic process.

Application: For instance, in human relationships, unresolved conflict is entropic. Enough unresolved conflict and the relationship dies. In your car, forget to change the oil. In your body, try living without kidneys. In each case, not attending to the entropic process creates the death of the system.

In this case the system is 'the system of buyers that support the American $, and the American $.'

There is no effective effort to stop the entropic process in that system. The current effort, printing $$s supports the entropic process.

Then,

2) Explanation of why things can muck along for a long time before a crisis: Slippage between great systems allows for things to run amuck for awhile. How long did we put PCBs in water supply before the fish become genetically deranged?

But, at some point the slippage takes on a life of its own and the system forces which kept it in balance move to chaos. It's like a bad relationship. You know it's bad, but it goes on year after year. Then, one day it's "suddenly" over.

3) The market uses either/or thinking...which is always 100% wrong in the long run, as the truth is always in between, not at the extremes.

The most efficient allocation of capital takes in the concerns of ALL involved in the system of capital, not only the titular/supposed owners of the capital. Capital is a system and it will follow the rules of systems, no matter how long it takes to play out.

If this way of thinking sounds interesting, read General Systems Theory, by Bertalanfy and Steps To An Ecology of Mind, by Bateson.

I hope that was helpful.


On Dec 07 07:56 AM Plan B Economics wrote:

> Interesting article. For the sake of playing devil's advocate, here
> are a couple of questions:
>
> 1. These imbalances have been going on a long time. So what is the
> catalyst for the breaking point?
>
> 2. Is there a breaking point? Or is it a slow decline?
>
> 3. Is moving low value-added jobs overseas really a bad thing? Intuitively,
> it seems good for the domestic owner of production but bad for the
> wage earner. But do the gains from efficient allocation of capital
> outweigh the losses to wage earners? I.e. do the additional profits
> get re-invested into new businesses that generate higher-value jobs
> for US citizens?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176829/comments?source=feed#comment-794131 794131
"But the stock market, with the attention span of a 3 year old toddler, changes value in the hundreds of billions - if not trillions - based on the original data set. This is almost always wrong... often by a magnitude of 30, 40, 50%."

If the first response is the wrong response, and you believe the rule, you will be buying Gold, Silver, and their derivatives.

If you believe government report rather than the rule, you will sell these PMs and derivatives.

HMMM. What to believe in? ]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:05:27 -0500
"But the stock market, with the attention span of a 3 year old toddler, changes value in the hundreds of billions - if not trillions - based on the original data set. This is almost always wrong... often by a magnitude of 30, 40, 50%."

If the first response is the wrong response, and you believe the rule, you will be buying Gold, Silver, and their derivatives.

If you believe government report rather than the rule, you will sell these PMs and derivatives.

HMMM. What to believe in? ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176631/comments?source=feed#comment-791576 791576
So, there really are people who see a .2 increase and think "Oh my God, Oh my God everything is going to be OK!!! All those bubbles out there that still need to pop, all that printed money, all those mistakes...Oh my God, Oh my God, those don't matter any more."

Do they remember that companies were prepping for holiday sales? Do theyt remember that numbers are almost always revised?

You know, it's pretty hard to call this investing when you have to deal with that level of idiocy.

I know, I know you can invest in any market up or down and I do. But, sometimes.....


On Dec 04 05:11 PM Alan Young wrote:

> One day spike, and you're talking about reversing a year-long trend?
> That's a bit premature.]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:14:31 -0500
So, there really are people who see a .2 increase and think "Oh my God, Oh my God everything is going to be OK!!! All those bubbles out there that still need to pop, all that printed money, all those mistakes...Oh my God, Oh my God, those don't matter any more."

Do they remember that companies were prepping for holiday sales? Do theyt remember that numbers are almost always revised?

You know, it's pretty hard to call this investing when you have to deal with that level of idiocy.

I know, I know you can invest in any market up or down and I do. But, sometimes.....


On Dec 04 05:11 PM Alan Young wrote:

> One day spike, and you're talking about reversing a year-long trend?
> That's a bit premature.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37597?source=feed#comment-788558 788558
That much I can see. Does anyone understand what that change will look like?]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:30:37 -0500
That much I can see. Does anyone understand what that change will look like?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37517?source=feed#comment-787519 787519
Making money by manipulating what you can get away with takes intelligence of a sort, but the most banal sort of intelligence. It's not hard: "There are the rules. There are the loopholes. I can get away with and make money by playing the loop holes."

This sort of brightness is made easier because there are no morals weighing the thoughts down.]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:33:53 -0500
Making money by manipulating what you can get away with takes intelligence of a sort, but the most banal sort of intelligence. It's not hard: "There are the rules. There are the loopholes. I can get away with and make money by playing the loop holes."

This sort of brightness is made easier because there are no morals weighing the thoughts down.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175607/comments?source=feed#comment-786084 786084
It costs $1700.00 and will not start the car when the temperature is below 32 degrees. They also give you a regular battery for those times that you need it. So, you get to the track and take out the regular battery and save 22 pounds.

I don't know where the battery is in new Porsches. Perhaps in the front to equalize weight. That would save the problems with overheating the battery.

They do say that it will recycle more times. But, recycling is not really an issue in any battery I've ever used.

$1700 and not really usable in winter. ]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:45:13 -0500
It costs $1700.00 and will not start the car when the temperature is below 32 degrees. They also give you a regular battery for those times that you need it. So, you get to the track and take out the regular battery and save 22 pounds.

I don't know where the battery is in new Porsches. Perhaps in the front to equalize weight. That would save the problems with overheating the battery.

They do say that it will recycle more times. But, recycling is not really an issue in any battery I've ever used.

$1700 and not really usable in winter. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175581/comments?source=feed#comment-781596 781596

On Nov 29 08:30 AM stocknerd wrote:

> Dubai is not going to be the start of the end of the economic world.
> As we approach 2012 people, especially conspiracy wacko Americans,
> will see signs the sky for the END. Plus all you conservatives out
> there, you were the ones saying there was nothing wrong in 2007,
> that the consumption of all things was how the USA became great and
> all powerful, now you want the folks in trouble to "eat cake" and
> let'em all fail---that will serve them right. Sorry the end of the
> world is not upon us, the bond market is not going to implode and
> the gold nuts buying at $1250 will see what a bubble burst feels
> like.]]> Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:05:35 -0500

On Nov 29 08:30 AM stocknerd wrote:

> Dubai is not going to be the start of the end of the economic world.
> As we approach 2012 people, especially conspiracy wacko Americans,
> will see signs the sky for the END. Plus all you conservatives out
> there, you were the ones saying there was nothing wrong in 2007,
> that the consumption of all things was how the USA became great and
> all powerful, now you want the folks in trouble to "eat cake" and
> let'em all fail---that will serve them right. Sorry the end of the
> world is not upon us, the bond market is not going to implode and
> the gold nuts buying at $1250 will see what a bubble burst feels
> like.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175576/comments?source=feed#comment-781581 781581
You also believe that those in charge, the banksters, are working their asses off to help the world right itself, because that is what it would take to reverse the inertia. You believe the banksters, who are in charge of the finances, will do an about face and begin to do what is best for everyone.

If you believe the mess we are in has an inertia of its own and that the inertia will continue in motion in the direction it has been going buy Gold.

Now, if you believe the latter, do you care what price goes to?

If you want to be safe, no. You are just hedging. If it goes up, the hedge worked. If it all turns out OK and you lose 20%, that's OK because the rest of your investments didn't tank.

If you want to make a profit, you care what price it goes to. And, if you want to make a profit you will have to ride the ups and downs. Just don't make the mistake of thinking in an either or manner, or only reading those articles that support your wish.

My take: You can't spend your way out of a debt problem. You can't solve the bubble economy by creating new bubbles.

Please note: If your time line is short, it can look like you can get away with those things. But, I believe that short time is over and we are heading into the long haul. Please tell me, us, what will change the inertia. I'll read and digest that article.

You always get what you deserve. ]]> Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:49:17 -0500
You also believe that those in charge, the banksters, are working their asses off to help the world right itself, because that is what it would take to reverse the inertia. You believe the banksters, who are in charge of the finances, will do an about face and begin to do what is best for everyone.

If you believe the mess we are in has an inertia of its own and that the inertia will continue in motion in the direction it has been going buy Gold.

Now, if you believe the latter, do you care what price goes to?

If you want to be safe, no. You are just hedging. If it goes up, the hedge worked. If it all turns out OK and you lose 20%, that's OK because the rest of your investments didn't tank.

If you want to make a profit, you care what price it goes to. And, if you want to make a profit you will have to ride the ups and downs. Just don't make the mistake of thinking in an either or manner, or only reading those articles that support your wish.

My take: You can't spend your way out of a debt problem. You can't solve the bubble economy by creating new bubbles.

Please note: If your time line is short, it can look like you can get away with those things. But, I believe that short time is over and we are heading into the long haul. Please tell me, us, what will change the inertia. I'll read and digest that article.

You always get what you deserve. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175530/comments?source=feed#comment-780536 780536
No one believes in that hydraulic model, tough we are left with people misusing the ideas, such as ego.

A person with a well functioning ego, one not riddled with defenses such as denial and projection, a la Greenspan, would recognize their mistakes and use mature ego defenses; laughing at oneself and reflecting on one's common humanity.

So, no one who boasts, or makes them selves look good at a cost to others, etc. has a big ego.

There is a Zen koan that applies, "If you see Buddha in the streets, kill him."]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:35:30 -0500
No one believes in that hydraulic model, tough we are left with people misusing the ideas, such as ego.

A person with a well functioning ego, one not riddled with defenses such as denial and projection, a la Greenspan, would recognize their mistakes and use mature ego defenses; laughing at oneself and reflecting on one's common humanity.

So, no one who boasts, or makes them selves look good at a cost to others, etc. has a big ego.

There is a Zen koan that applies, "If you see Buddha in the streets, kill him."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175487/comments?source=feed#comment-779746 779746

On Nov 27 09:47 AM derryl wrote:

> In answer to the question posed in the title of Cam's article I say,
> yes, the Dubai issue will spook the markets and initiate a short
> term pullback where the dollar will temporarily turn higher. This
> will lead to short covering on overleveraged US$ carry trade investments
> which will have a negative impact on whatever markets the carry trade
> is invested in. But the carry trade is not big enough to generate
> a systemic event. This will be a dip followed by a return to trend.
> The dip will overshoot to the downside which will induce sideliners
> who have been waiting for an opportunity to join the rally to jump
> in. I'm not saying any of this is rational, but it's becoming clearer
> that market behavior is about 3 parts emotion and 1 part reason.]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:17:22 -0500

On Nov 27 09:47 AM derryl wrote:

> In answer to the question posed in the title of Cam's article I say,
> yes, the Dubai issue will spook the markets and initiate a short
> term pullback where the dollar will temporarily turn higher. This
> will lead to short covering on overleveraged US$ carry trade investments
> which will have a negative impact on whatever markets the carry trade
> is invested in. But the carry trade is not big enough to generate
> a systemic event. This will be a dip followed by a return to trend.
> The dip will overshoot to the downside which will induce sideliners
> who have been waiting for an opportunity to join the rally to jump
> in. I'm not saying any of this is rational, but it's becoming clearer
> that market behavior is about 3 parts emotion and 1 part reason.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175403/comments?source=feed#comment-779738 779738

On Nov 26 11:36 AM bobbybutte wrote:

> as a person who has become financially indpendent solely from investing
> let me add a few points
>
> All the stimulus in the markets will eventually help the asets inflation
> which will in turn fuel spending again
>
> Hopefully these cap and tax and health care bills can be scuttled
>
>
> Raising taxes is what causes depressions
> You can not make peopel pay taxes and they will just work less or
> hire someone like me to help them avoid taxes
>
> Coolidge Kennedy Reagan and Bush ALL cut taxes and the tax receipts
> the next 5 years were higher
>
> The fact some liberal people do not like this idea does not make
> it ANY less true
>
> Clinton cut the capital gains taxes and low and behold we had a huge
> bull markets that led to a couple of surpluses]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:09:47 -0500

On Nov 26 11:36 AM bobbybutte wrote:

> as a person who has become financially indpendent solely from investing
> let me add a few points
>
> All the stimulus in the markets will eventually help the asets inflation
> which will in turn fuel spending again
>
> Hopefully these cap and tax and health care bills can be scuttled
>
>
> Raising taxes is what causes depressions
> You can not make peopel pay taxes and they will just work less or
> hire someone like me to help them avoid taxes
>
> Coolidge Kennedy Reagan and Bush ALL cut taxes and the tax receipts
> the next 5 years were higher
>
> The fact some liberal people do not like this idea does not make
> it ANY less true
>
> Clinton cut the capital gains taxes and low and behold we had a huge
> bull markets that led to a couple of surpluses]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37263?source=feed#comment-779634 779634
Has anyone kept score of these articles? The number of times that the banksters have been caught misleading investors deserves a website of it's own. That would help transparency.]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:13:01 -0500
Has anyone kept score of these articles? The number of times that the banksters have been caught misleading investors deserves a website of it's own. That would help transparency.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/37270?source=feed#comment-779629 779629
And it was put into breaking news, because.....?]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:09:37 -0500
And it was put into breaking news, because.....?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175060/comments?source=feed#comment-779584 779584
The banksters have great organization and power and have organized a party for themselves. We are spectators to the party that get to pay the bill.

IMHO, the bill will not be hyper-taxes. Can you imagine the Republicans OKing hyper taxes on the rich?

If the game stays the same; the very rich do very well and we suck hind-teat, then the way out will be through inflation. If you own a lot of real assets, inflation hurts less.

Like most self destructive processes, this one will end badly.

What is a constant amazement to me is that we never learn. Human patterns of behavior keep occurring. Because of the positive attitude of the young, everything will be different this time. The young keep coming and so does the belief that things will be different this time. They won't.

If we, as a nation, had wisdom, as opposed to lust for money and power, we'd make sure that our best and brightest:1) Studied the classics for 4 years before they got to study economics, finance or law, and 2) We would not be the worlds policemen. We end up losing many of our truly best and brightest.

I have a wonderful vantage point at work. I select young people for work in Law Enforcement and Industry.

I get to spend 6-10 hours a day assessing the intellect, morals, and acumen of young people every day.

Let me reiterate;The best and the brightest are NOT going into banking, or finance, or law. Too many are bright with ideas at the surface of their intellect, but with little moral depth or ability to be empathic. You have to remember, if you are going into your life with the idea that making money is the goal..then, making money is the goal. And, at many, many choice points there must be a decision to "serve and help" or make money. You know which will win.

If I'm being read by people who wish to think and who want the system to change, then consider: A culture based on consumerist morals and values will fail over the long haul.

That dot at the end of the sentence was a period.

The questions are: When is the long haul? and Will something replace a consumerist culture?

Answers: I believe, the long haul is starting, and Nothing. Why nothing? Asia and South America and India and Africa are just beginning to ramp the consumerist process, and we still don't have the wisdom to understand that Loving Money and Buying Things is THE problem.

Would a Leader who did not love money/want to promote consumerism save us? I don't think so. When processes turn, they overshoot. That leader will say s/he loves a god, but will love themselves more.

What to do? Enjoy the life you are living now and invest in real things, not paper things. Just make sure some of those real things are memories with those you love.


On Nov 24 11:50 AM Mr. Big wrote:

> Unfortunately, other than gold and perhaps silver....there are no
> other real safe havens.
>
> In my honest opinion, the only reason we don't have a full blown
> revolt right now is because this fraud is just way too complicated
> for the average person to comprehend. I bet even some of our elected
> members of Congress have no clue. Unfortunately, the only ones who
> do fully comprehend this crisis are those who are perpetrating it
> and benefiting from it.... Wallstreet. While our standard of living
> is being slaughtered, stop and think about who's wallets are getting
> fatter. This is a blatent and massive disproportionate transfer
> of wealth from the middle class to the upper echelons of society....
>
>
> And yet...most of us sit back and watch it happen.... not only because
> we don't understand the problem....but also because we put absolute
> faith in Obama....Tim and Ben. We trust that they are smart enough
> to know the problems and will put our best interests at heart to
> solve them. But isn't it possible that they do not know all the
> answers? They have put us on a single path with no alternatives.
> There's no backup plan....no Plan B. An enormous and risky bet has
> been placed on our behalf to kickstart this economy. Quantatitive
> easing, zero interest rate policy, trillion dollar deficits, government
> guarantees, capital injections in private sector, assumption of Freddy
> and Fanny, changing of accounting rules.... each of these.... absolutely
> monumental in their own right.... yet together, are not enough to
> pull our economy out of the abyss. In short... Obama, Tim and Ben
> underestimated the problem (actually, they probably misdiagnosed
> it). They thought that by overwhelming the economy with stimulus,
> they had a surefire solution. Boy, were they wrong. And like all
> big bets...losing will costly.
>
> I agree with the author that we are facing a real possibily of a
> massive correction that can potentially drag the economies worldwide
> back into a severe recession or worse. Although I sense that the
> author feels this will be imminent, I have no idea. In fact, isn't
> this really just one big financial experiment? Could be days...weeks
> or months.
>
> So answer yourself this: Do you let it ride and hopefully (with
> stimulus still in place, offsetting tremendous global imbalances)
> recoup another 30 to 60% in gains? Or do you play it safe, invest
> in gold and silver....and ride out the storm until our imbalances
> are corrected.
>
> High risk....high reward, my friends. This is the essence of capitalism.]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:35:47 -0500
The banksters have great organization and power and have organized a party for themselves. We are spectators to the party that get to pay the bill.

IMHO, the bill will not be hyper-taxes. Can you imagine the Republicans OKing hyper taxes on the rich?

If the game stays the same; the very rich do very well and we suck hind-teat, then the way out will be through inflation. If you own a lot of real assets, inflation hurts less.

Like most self destructive processes, this one will end badly.

What is a constant amazement to me is that we never learn. Human patterns of behavior keep occurring. Because of the positive attitude of the young, everything will be different this time. The young keep coming and so does the belief that things will be different this time. They won't.

If we, as a nation, had wisdom, as opposed to lust for money and power, we'd make sure that our best and brightest:1) Studied the classics for 4 years before they got to study economics, finance or law, and 2) We would not be the worlds policemen. We end up losing many of our truly best and brightest.

I have a wonderful vantage point at work. I select young people for work in Law Enforcement and Industry.

I get to spend 6-10 hours a day assessing the intellect, morals, and acumen of young people every day.

Let me reiterate;The best and the brightest are NOT going into banking, or finance, or law. Too many are bright with ideas at the surface of their intellect, but with little moral depth or ability to be empathic. You have to remember, if you are going into your life with the idea that making money is the goal..then, making money is the goal. And, at many, many choice points there must be a decision to "serve and help" or make money. You know which will win.

If I'm being read by people who wish to think and who want the system to change, then consider: A culture based on consumerist morals and values will fail over the long haul.

That dot at the end of the sentence was a period.

The questions are: When is the long haul? and Will something replace a consumerist culture?

Answers: I believe, the long haul is starting, and Nothing. Why nothing? Asia and South America and India and Africa are just beginning to ramp the consumerist process, and we still don't have the wisdom to understand that Loving Money and Buying Things is THE problem.

Would a Leader who did not love money/want to promote consumerism save us? I don't think so. When processes turn, they overshoot. That leader will say s/he loves a god, but will love themselves more.

What to do? Enjoy the life you are living now and invest in real things, not paper things. Just make sure some of those real things are memories with those you love.


On Nov 24 11:50 AM Mr. Big wrote:

> Unfortunately, other than gold and perhaps silver....there are no
> other real safe havens.
>
> In my honest opinion, the only reason we don't have a full blown
> revolt right now is because this fraud is just way too complicated
> for the average person to comprehend. I bet even some of our elected
> members of Congress have no clue. Unfortunately, the only ones who
> do fully comprehend this crisis are those who are perpetrating it
> and benefiting from it.... Wallstreet. While our standard of living
> is being slaughtered, stop and think about who's wallets are getting
> fatter. This is a blatent and massive disproportionate transfer
> of wealth from the middle class to the upper echelons of society....
>
>
> And yet...most of us sit back and watch it happen.... not only because
> we don't understand the problem....but also because we put absolute
> faith in Obama....Tim and Ben. We trust that they are smart enough
> to know the problems and will put our best interests at heart to
> solve them. But isn't it possible that they do not know all the
> answers? They have put us on a single path with no alternatives.
> There's no backup plan....no Plan B. An enormous and risky bet has
> been placed on our behalf to kickstart this economy. Quantatitive
> easing, zero interest rate policy, trillion dollar deficits, government
> guarantees, capital injections in private sector, assumption of Freddy
> and Fanny, changing of accounting rules.... each of these.... absolutely
> monumental in their own right.... yet together, are not enough to
> pull our economy out of the abyss. In short... Obama, Tim and Ben
> underestimated the problem (actually, they probably misdiagnosed
> it). They thought that by overwhelming the economy with stimulus,
> they had a surefire solution. Boy, were they wrong. And like all
> big bets...losing will costly.
>
> I agree with the author that we are facing a real possibily of a
> massive correction that can potentially drag the economies worldwide
> back into a severe recession or worse. Although I sense that the
> author feels this will be imminent, I have no idea. In fact, isn't
> this really just one big financial experiment? Could be days...weeks
> or months.
>
> So answer yourself this: Do you let it ride and hopefully (with
> stimulus still in place, offsetting tremendous global imbalances)
> recoup another 30 to 60% in gains? Or do you play it safe, invest
> in gold and silver....and ride out the storm until our imbalances
> are corrected.
>
> High risk....high reward, my friends. This is the essence of capitalism.]]>