The markets seem to be settling for a punt....to end the year.
There is some hope for the dollar with ever rising rates...and the housing bubble seems to be meeting it's gruesome and inevitable end...
So somehow the Street seems willing to call it all a draw--with only a small "gain" on the Dow...even though it could all be erased in one day...after the New Year...
Spending New Year's at Key West... So see you after the New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
TRAVELING....
Sorry about not posting lately...
but I had an offer to assist a relative concerning their property in Florida...and I couldn't pass it up...
In Key West tomorrow till New Year's...the temps are in the 70's...at least...
Plenty of time for Gloom and Doom NEXT WEEK...!
but I had an offer to assist a relative concerning their property in Florida...and I couldn't pass it up...
In Key West tomorrow till New Year's...the temps are in the 70's...at least...
Plenty of time for Gloom and Doom NEXT WEEK...!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
BUSH & CO: ANUS HORRIBILIS
Coming this week...THE YEAR IN REVIEW...Dubya's Dyslexic Diary of Disasters...Recounted...
Happy Holidays....
Have a:
Merry Christmas...
Happy Hanukkah...
Joyous Ramadan...
Soulful Kwanza...
Sensuous Saternalia...
Sensational Solistice..
And from the agnostic viewpoint...Thank God it's over for another year....!
Merry Christmas...
Happy Hanukkah...
Joyous Ramadan...
Soulful Kwanza...
Sensuous Saternalia...
Sensational Solistice..
And from the agnostic viewpoint...Thank God it's over for another year....!
Friday, December 23, 2005
HOUSE BUBBLE POPPING....?
Alas, when will they ever learn that if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck;
It's probably a MARKET BUBBLE...POPPING?
It's probably a MARKET BUBBLE...POPPING?
GOVERNMENT SPEAK: LOST IN TRANSLATION....?
1. We can't afford to lose this war: Translation: We are losing this war.
2. We are winning. Translation: We are losing.
3. Our enemies hate us because we are good and free. Translation: Our enemies hate our policies in the middle east.
4. Tax cuts are good for the economy. Translation: The rich pay more bribes to politicians.
5. Free Trade creates jobs. Translation: Call this government phone number to learn how to move your factory to China.
6. Homosexuals are immoral. Translation: We need more tax cuts for the rich.
7. God is a Republican. Translation: We need more tax cuts for the rich.
8. Abortion is wrong. Translation: The right to life begins at conception, and ends at birth.
9. Republican "Trickle Down Theory": If''n you bees good, we lets ya work in da Big House...
10. Democratic "Trickle Down Theory": It's time to change your diaper...
2. We are winning. Translation: We are losing.
3. Our enemies hate us because we are good and free. Translation: Our enemies hate our policies in the middle east.
4. Tax cuts are good for the economy. Translation: The rich pay more bribes to politicians.
5. Free Trade creates jobs. Translation: Call this government phone number to learn how to move your factory to China.
6. Homosexuals are immoral. Translation: We need more tax cuts for the rich.
7. God is a Republican. Translation: We need more tax cuts for the rich.
8. Abortion is wrong. Translation: The right to life begins at conception, and ends at birth.
9. Republican "Trickle Down Theory": If''n you bees good, we lets ya work in da Big House...
10. Democratic "Trickle Down Theory": It's time to change your diaper...
Ahhhh...AIN'T DEMOCRACY GRAND!
Sorta reminds me of the Red States and the Blue States... Ya think?
Neocon Notions in action... But Hey, even us Americans had to fight a Civil War...!
Neocon Notions in action... But Hey, even us Americans had to fight a Civil War...!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
TERRORISTS: THEN AND NOW...
Has anyone noticed the similarity
between the "terrorists" of today, and the "anarchists" of circa 1900...?
In both cases, the elites were trying to divert the public attention from very real economic problems...by coming up with a nefarious "enemy" that was mostly unseen, and very "evil"...
And that everyone "knew" was "out there..." Somewhere...but always in some unknown location...
This War on Terror really is more like the Anarchist Scare of old...than it is like "Hitler" or "Communists" of more recent history...
The War on Terror is a throwback to the scare tactics the elites used just before the Progressive Era of TR and the Trust Busters...
Perhaps a new Progessive movement is what's really scaring the Republicans...?
More later....
between the "terrorists" of today, and the "anarchists" of circa 1900...?
In both cases, the elites were trying to divert the public attention from very real economic problems...by coming up with a nefarious "enemy" that was mostly unseen, and very "evil"...
And that everyone "knew" was "out there..." Somewhere...but always in some unknown location...
This War on Terror really is more like the Anarchist Scare of old...than it is like "Hitler" or "Communists" of more recent history...
The War on Terror is a throwback to the scare tactics the elites used just before the Progressive Era of TR and the Trust Busters...
Perhaps a new Progessive movement is what's really scaring the Republicans...?
More later....
FORD: HOW LOW CAN IT GO...
Think GM is cheap...? Try Ford!
And what is the DELPHI EFFECT....? Well consider:
If Delphi gets its wage reductions...in bankruptcy court...will the "transplant" car companies in the Southern States REALLY persist in paying UAW wages to their workers...? I don't think so.
If the "wage escalator" goes into reverse at Delphi...it's just a matter of time before the transplant workers are earning $9 per hour too!
The dirty little economic secret is that UNION JOBS have great effect on the wages paid to NON-UNION WORKERS!
If Delphi "wins"...the American workforce as a WHOLE is in for a big wage haircut in 2006...!
And what is the DELPHI EFFECT....? Well consider:
If Delphi gets its wage reductions...in bankruptcy court...will the "transplant" car companies in the Southern States REALLY persist in paying UAW wages to their workers...? I don't think so.
If the "wage escalator" goes into reverse at Delphi...it's just a matter of time before the transplant workers are earning $9 per hour too!
The dirty little economic secret is that UNION JOBS have great effect on the wages paid to NON-UNION WORKERS!
If Delphi "wins"...the American workforce as a WHOLE is in for a big wage haircut in 2006...!
GREENSPAN'S BI-POLAR ECONOMY...is over!
Some might consider Greenspan to be the greatest HYPER-INFLATIONIST since John Law in the 1720's...
Yet in the financial media Greenspan is often called an "inflation fighter"...what gives.
Clearly Greenspan has been given a unique set of circumstances that will likely not repeat for Bernanke in 2006 and beyond...
Essentially, Greenspan was allowed to be an ASSET HYPER-INFLATIONIST because Free Trade and globalism managed to reduced the price of manufactured goods and surpress private sector union wages in the US.
Of course there were consequences for this opportunity. The trade deficit soared. The US became "de-industrialized" to rid itself of "union jobs."
It was this bi-polar economic anomaly that "allowed" Greenspan to hyper-inflation "assets" which are the primary source of income for the "rich." Even while wages and prices at the level of the working classes went down.
Greenspan fought wage inflation tooth and nail...and he had the unique opportunity to preside over the one-off deindustrialization of the American economy...as jobs migrated to China and other low wage economies.
Of course hyper inflation always has a price to pay... The massive hyper-inflation in stocks and housing was only possible because private sector, unionized, high value added jobs disappeared in the US during Greenspan's time in office.
But the asset inflation so beloved by Greenspan, Wall Street and the rich is now "sloshing" over into commodities as well. And remember the rich use the Greenspan Dollar to speculate WHEREEVER they can...not just in real estate and stocks.
Now we have hyper-liquidity specualtion in gold, oil, metals, gas and other essential commodities... And this, sooner or later, will cause PRICE PUSH INFLATION...even if wages remain depressed as Wall Street and Greenspan dearly hope...
But there are signs of labor unrest in America... The Republicans have used "wedge issues" to hoodwink the "Bubba Republicans" who have little or no investment in Wall Street; but that seems to be coming to its final crashing end nowadays.
Pensions are disappearing. Health Care is out of sight for many. Wages are depressed and attacks on companies like Walmart are frequent.
In short the "Republican Magic" of low cost wedge issue politics seems to be ending. Indeed, globally the move toward populist agendas is proceeding apace. There are the new "Latin Lefties" winning elections in South America. The protests against the WTO are constant. The "have nots" of the world are finally waking up to the fact that "freedom" is worthless if it's only the "freedom to starve" or the freedom to work for less than a living wage.
GREENSPAN'S MAGICAL BI-POLAR ECONOMY IS ENDING...AND THE STORY OF 2006 WILL BE THE STORY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE REASSERTING THEMSELVES IN THE POLITICAL ARENA...
THE REAGAN/GREENSPAN REVOLUTION IS OVER....1985-2005.
Yet in the financial media Greenspan is often called an "inflation fighter"...what gives.
Clearly Greenspan has been given a unique set of circumstances that will likely not repeat for Bernanke in 2006 and beyond...
Essentially, Greenspan was allowed to be an ASSET HYPER-INFLATIONIST because Free Trade and globalism managed to reduced the price of manufactured goods and surpress private sector union wages in the US.
Of course there were consequences for this opportunity. The trade deficit soared. The US became "de-industrialized" to rid itself of "union jobs."
It was this bi-polar economic anomaly that "allowed" Greenspan to hyper-inflation "assets" which are the primary source of income for the "rich." Even while wages and prices at the level of the working classes went down.
Greenspan fought wage inflation tooth and nail...and he had the unique opportunity to preside over the one-off deindustrialization of the American economy...as jobs migrated to China and other low wage economies.
Of course hyper inflation always has a price to pay... The massive hyper-inflation in stocks and housing was only possible because private sector, unionized, high value added jobs disappeared in the US during Greenspan's time in office.
But the asset inflation so beloved by Greenspan, Wall Street and the rich is now "sloshing" over into commodities as well. And remember the rich use the Greenspan Dollar to speculate WHEREEVER they can...not just in real estate and stocks.
Now we have hyper-liquidity specualtion in gold, oil, metals, gas and other essential commodities... And this, sooner or later, will cause PRICE PUSH INFLATION...even if wages remain depressed as Wall Street and Greenspan dearly hope...
But there are signs of labor unrest in America... The Republicans have used "wedge issues" to hoodwink the "Bubba Republicans" who have little or no investment in Wall Street; but that seems to be coming to its final crashing end nowadays.
Pensions are disappearing. Health Care is out of sight for many. Wages are depressed and attacks on companies like Walmart are frequent.
In short the "Republican Magic" of low cost wedge issue politics seems to be ending. Indeed, globally the move toward populist agendas is proceeding apace. There are the new "Latin Lefties" winning elections in South America. The protests against the WTO are constant. The "have nots" of the world are finally waking up to the fact that "freedom" is worthless if it's only the "freedom to starve" or the freedom to work for less than a living wage.
GREENSPAN'S MAGICAL BI-POLAR ECONOMY IS ENDING...AND THE STORY OF 2006 WILL BE THE STORY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE REASSERTING THEMSELVES IN THE POLITICAL ARENA...
THE REAGAN/GREENSPAN REVOLUTION IS OVER....1985-2005.
TIS THE SEASON: FOR 2006 PREDICTIONS!
Here's One...
And the Predictions for 2006 GLOOM AND DOOM style are coming soon....
Stay tuned....and check archieves at the end of December of past years for predictions!
And the Predictions for 2006 GLOOM AND DOOM style are coming soon....
Stay tuned....and check archieves at the end of December of past years for predictions!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
WHEN WILL BOND MARKET WISE UP....
Greenspan's ODD "stair-stepping" rate hikes simply MUST continue indefinitely now...
What is really needed to stop the various "bubbles" is one nice totally UNEXPECTED rate hike of 50BP... That would focus Wall Street attention!
But, do you think they're smart enough to see that? Of course not.
A 50 BP hike would PUT FEAR OF THE FED back into the markets... And, in the end, rates could actually stay lower for longer!
At the rate the Greenspan FED is going now...FED Funds will have to go to 7% before The Street even starts to notice... The Greenspan FED has been slavishly cow-towing to Wall Street for so long that NO ONE has any fear of the FED left.
Bernanke should take notice, and avoid Greenspan's BIG MISTAKE!
What is really needed to stop the various "bubbles" is one nice totally UNEXPECTED rate hike of 50BP... That would focus Wall Street attention!
But, do you think they're smart enough to see that? Of course not.
A 50 BP hike would PUT FEAR OF THE FED back into the markets... And, in the end, rates could actually stay lower for longer!
At the rate the Greenspan FED is going now...FED Funds will have to go to 7% before The Street even starts to notice... The Greenspan FED has been slavishly cow-towing to Wall Street for so long that NO ONE has any fear of the FED left.
Bernanke should take notice, and avoid Greenspan's BIG MISTAKE!
MERRY XMAS FROM CHENEY & BIG OIL...
Cut spending for the poor; and give a windfall to big oil--with more tax cuts to the rich...
HAVE A MERRY REPUBLICAN XMAS...!!
Well, when you're in a hole...perhaps just dig faster...? After all, sooner or later someone will take your shovel away...!
HAVE A MERRY REPUBLICAN XMAS...!!
Well, when you're in a hole...perhaps just dig faster...? After all, sooner or later someone will take your shovel away...!
FEAR CONQUERS ALL...
The Democrats could never be the fearmongers that the conservatives are... Never!
Democrats mostly seek rational solutions to any given problem.
So, Conservatives simply have a "natural" advantage when dealing with the ignorant public...
What is most unfortunate here is that the American media...which used to be dominated by semi-intellectual types...is now the tool of the elites, who would rather keep people in the dark about their real motives...ie greed and economic looting.
Like most "conservative" notions the only way to "defeat" it is simply to let it crash and burn.
Only then will a "progressive era" start up again...and only then will "intellectuals" be invited back into the political arena...
See the administrationos of TR and FDR for details...
Progressive movements are really very rare...and only arise AFTER the domestic elites have totally ruined the economy and it's political structures...
So, that's were this thing is heading...and no amount of "talking" by liberals, progressives or Mr Dean will change things. Bubba is in self-destruct mode... Get used to it Libbys!!
Democrats mostly seek rational solutions to any given problem.
So, Conservatives simply have a "natural" advantage when dealing with the ignorant public...
What is most unfortunate here is that the American media...which used to be dominated by semi-intellectual types...is now the tool of the elites, who would rather keep people in the dark about their real motives...ie greed and economic looting.
Like most "conservative" notions the only way to "defeat" it is simply to let it crash and burn.
Only then will a "progressive era" start up again...and only then will "intellectuals" be invited back into the political arena...
See the administrationos of TR and FDR for details...
Progressive movements are really very rare...and only arise AFTER the domestic elites have totally ruined the economy and it's political structures...
So, that's were this thing is heading...and no amount of "talking" by liberals, progressives or Mr Dean will change things. Bubba is in self-destruct mode... Get used to it Libbys!!
GOD WANTS YOU TO BE POOR....
And the Republicans are God's agents on earth... Any questions?
So, Wise up Bubba... Your kids already don't have a future... And the Republican looting of the economy is not likely to stop any time soon. Only a bond crash can stop the looting now...
And try to have a Merry Xmas...
So, Wise up Bubba... Your kids already don't have a future... And the Republican looting of the economy is not likely to stop any time soon. Only a bond crash can stop the looting now...
And try to have a Merry Xmas...
GDP NUMBER ASSURES MORE RATE HIKES...
The GDP number today assures that the FED has a long way to go before monetary policy is neutral...
The M&A activity also shows that the economy is awash in cash...and stock prices may indeed be in bubble range...as companies use their "unique currency"...ie stock to aquire other companies...
Google the most over prices company of them all is a case in point.
The FED has a lot more work to do before the MASSIVE ASSET INFLATION is finally removed from the economy...
So rally on suckers.... The FED will not stop raising rates until you admit your are still in BUBBLE MODE!
The M&A activity also shows that the economy is awash in cash...and stock prices may indeed be in bubble range...as companies use their "unique currency"...ie stock to aquire other companies...
Google the most over prices company of them all is a case in point.
The FED has a lot more work to do before the MASSIVE ASSET INFLATION is finally removed from the economy...
So rally on suckers.... The FED will not stop raising rates until you admit your are still in BUBBLE MODE!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
SUPPORT THE TRANSIT STRIKERS....
The last vestiages of worker rights seem to be vested in the big public sector unions nowadays...and that is a shame. But we simply must preserve the last remnants of institutional memory about worker rights...just in case a "Progressive Movement" ever starts up in America again...
And it surely will at some point...
And it surely will at some point...
DOES PPI MEAN ANYTHING IN A DE-INDUSTRIALIZED ECONOMY?
Amazingly, all the of key economic "numbers" seem to be based on an AMERICAN ECONOMY THAT IS INDUSTRIALIZED...
But...it isn't...not anymore.
So this "lack of inflation" in the "numbers" is mostly due to all those BOATS FROM CHINA... But:
Take a look at housing and health care...no inflation?
Or energy and gas...no inflation?
Or local taxes and fees...no inflation?
Or insurance premiums...no inflation?
Or food prices and consumer staples...no inflation?
So much of Wall Street depends on the Big Lie...that the Big Lie seems to have been institutionalized as the only thing that really matters to the financial community.
But...it isn't...not anymore.
So this "lack of inflation" in the "numbers" is mostly due to all those BOATS FROM CHINA... But:
Take a look at housing and health care...no inflation?
Or energy and gas...no inflation?
Or local taxes and fees...no inflation?
Or insurance premiums...no inflation?
Or food prices and consumer staples...no inflation?
So much of Wall Street depends on the Big Lie...that the Big Lie seems to have been institutionalized as the only thing that really matters to the financial community.
IRAQIS REJECT AMERICAN PUPPETS...FOR RELIGIOUS PARTIES.
Clearly, the Iraqi election, which the Shia apparently WON BIG,
will only enflame the insurgency...as Sunnis realize that there is no place for them in Iraq and the goals of the Shia and Kurds are in truth...to seperate into autonomus regions...AND TAKE THE OIL MONEY WITH THEM...
This is simply not a formula for success... And everyone on the ballot seems to want the American occupation to end...YESTERDAY. The American "puppets" Chalabi and Allawi...got only small percentages of the electorate...and in Chalabi's case fractional single digits!
Amazingly, the US "allies" after the new government is formed could be the Secular/Socialist Sunnis! T
The very ethnic group that the US military has been aiding the Shia in "ethnic cleansing" from central Iraq and the "Sunni Triangle" around Baghdad since "hostilities stopped."
As a result, the only "way out" for Dubya and the Neocons could be to support a "Re-Batthification in Iraq..."
Which of course raises the question: Why did we invade in the first place...? And could we have had National Health Insurance for all Americans with the 300 Billion blown on Dubya's obsession with Saddam...?
will only enflame the insurgency...as Sunnis realize that there is no place for them in Iraq and the goals of the Shia and Kurds are in truth...to seperate into autonomus regions...AND TAKE THE OIL MONEY WITH THEM...
This is simply not a formula for success... And everyone on the ballot seems to want the American occupation to end...YESTERDAY. The American "puppets" Chalabi and Allawi...got only small percentages of the electorate...and in Chalabi's case fractional single digits!
Amazingly, the US "allies" after the new government is formed could be the Secular/Socialist Sunnis! T
The very ethnic group that the US military has been aiding the Shia in "ethnic cleansing" from central Iraq and the "Sunni Triangle" around Baghdad since "hostilities stopped."
As a result, the only "way out" for Dubya and the Neocons could be to support a "Re-Batthification in Iraq..."
Which of course raises the question: Why did we invade in the first place...? And could we have had National Health Insurance for all Americans with the 300 Billion blown on Dubya's obsession with Saddam...?
Monday, December 19, 2005
BUSH'S OVAL OFFICE MEA CULPA...
Dubya's speech about Iraq yesterday was a study in humility...
But then Dubya has a lot to be humble about these days.
But when a president says "We can't afford to lose?"
We're probably already lost...
Actually yesterdays oval office fireside talk was very Carteresque...
Dubya should have worn a sweater.
But then Dubya has a lot to be humble about these days.
But when a president says "We can't afford to lose?"
We're probably already lost...
Actually yesterdays oval office fireside talk was very Carteresque...
Dubya should have worn a sweater.
THE DEMOCRACY OF THE PROLETARIAT?
Bolivia is the latest Latin nation to ELECT a left wing president...
But t's not "just" Bolivia...that is going left. What about all of the GLOBAL WTO protests...? And then, many other left wing politicians in Latin America...?
In truth there is a NEW LEFT forming around the world in reaction to the "Triumph of Capital" that resulted with the end of the Cold War...
Only this time it will be "democratic"...not autocratic...
Instead of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" as with the Soviet Union...we are now seeing the first signs of:
A DEMOCRACY OF THE PROLETARIAT.
Thanks Neocons!
The Conservative Era is over! But just don't tell the Republicans until 2006...
But t's not "just" Bolivia...that is going left. What about all of the GLOBAL WTO protests...? And then, many other left wing politicians in Latin America...?
In truth there is a NEW LEFT forming around the world in reaction to the "Triumph of Capital" that resulted with the end of the Cold War...
Only this time it will be "democratic"...not autocratic...
Instead of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" as with the Soviet Union...we are now seeing the first signs of:
A DEMOCRACY OF THE PROLETARIAT.
Thanks Neocons!
The Conservative Era is over! But just don't tell the Republicans until 2006...
BONDS "THINK" INFLATION UNDER CONTROL...?
The notion that inflation is under control in the US is just a little nuts...
Besides, what "kind" of inflation are we talking about...surely not HOUSING PRICES!
Or, HEALTH CARE. Or, INSURANCE PREMIUMS. Or, OIL, GAS AND ENERGY. Or, MONEY SUPPLY. Or, FOOD PRICES. Or, STOCK PRICES.
tHE ONLY kind of inflation that is under control...IS MANUFACTURED GOODS..FROM CHINA!
THAT'S IT...FOLKS... Every type of asset has been been in BUBBLE MODE for at least three years... And alas, that includes BOND PRICES...there is a Bond Bubble the size of Texas in the US economy. And it's caused mainly by the massive Greenspan money machine paradoxically...
GREENSPAN HAS PRINTED SO MUCH MONEY THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT...SO THEY BUY BONDS!! NOW THAT'S ECONOMICS JAPANESE STYLE...
Hmmmm....And just maybe the Bond Bubble is the "reason" people "think" inflation is under control? When it really isn't! Wouldn't that be an interesting bit of oriental thinking...?
ARE BONDS GIVING A FALSE SIGNAL THAT INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL...? Think about it.
Besides, what "kind" of inflation are we talking about...surely not HOUSING PRICES!
Or, HEALTH CARE. Or, INSURANCE PREMIUMS. Or, OIL, GAS AND ENERGY. Or, MONEY SUPPLY. Or, FOOD PRICES. Or, STOCK PRICES.
tHE ONLY kind of inflation that is under control...IS MANUFACTURED GOODS..FROM CHINA!
THAT'S IT...FOLKS... Every type of asset has been been in BUBBLE MODE for at least three years... And alas, that includes BOND PRICES...there is a Bond Bubble the size of Texas in the US economy. And it's caused mainly by the massive Greenspan money machine paradoxically...
GREENSPAN HAS PRINTED SO MUCH MONEY THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT...SO THEY BUY BONDS!! NOW THAT'S ECONOMICS JAPANESE STYLE...
Hmmmm....And just maybe the Bond Bubble is the "reason" people "think" inflation is under control? When it really isn't! Wouldn't that be an interesting bit of oriental thinking...?
ARE BONDS GIVING A FALSE SIGNAL THAT INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL...? Think about it.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
BUSH DESCRIBES "THE ELEPHANT" TONIGHT...
The curious thing about the Iraq situation is that it means so many different things
to so many different people....
To Democrats it's an ill-advised war and a waste of lives and money at a time when there are so many other things to worry about, like health care and retirement pensions...
To Republicans Iraq is a defense industry Gold Rush..with profits to be made.
To the Religious Right we are scourging the evil ones who "hit us" on 911.
To the Kurds it's all about working down the long road to independance.
To the Shia it's about gaining control of the government in Baghdad and using the oil money for the pro-Iranian Shia cause worldwide.
To the American troops...it's a job that is better than the low-wage-no-benefits Micky-D's jobs they were doing at home.
To the Sunnis the election was an attempt to stop the Shia Death Squads maseradeing as "police" or government officials.
And to all Iraqis the election was a hope...that the American occupation would end sooner rather than later...
Tonight it will be all about the "miracle of democracy" in Iraq and the middle east...But yet,
To Dubya and the Neocons it's really about having permanent American bases in the middle east...to "protect" the oil fields...and to control all anti-Israel rhetoric or actions by middle eastern nations.
And to install an Iraqi government that is "friendly" to American interests and Israeli asperations on the West Bank... But alas, that could be problematic after the new government is formed in Baghdad... IF it is ever formed at all...
As a result many people doubt that ANY government will came out of these elections...because it would be too much of a threat to the continuing Neocon occupation agenda.
If anything the elections only complicate the situation because now the Sunnis will have a "Yes But" vote to disrupt the Shia/Kurd "Grab the Oil and Run" game plan.
SADDLY, EVERYONE IS "DESCRIBING THEIR ELEPHANT" IN IRAQ...THESE DAYS
AND TONIGHT DUBYA WILL TRY ONE MORE TIME TO DESCRIBE HIS...
to so many different people....
To Democrats it's an ill-advised war and a waste of lives and money at a time when there are so many other things to worry about, like health care and retirement pensions...
To Republicans Iraq is a defense industry Gold Rush..with profits to be made.
To the Religious Right we are scourging the evil ones who "hit us" on 911.
To the Kurds it's all about working down the long road to independance.
To the Shia it's about gaining control of the government in Baghdad and using the oil money for the pro-Iranian Shia cause worldwide.
To the American troops...it's a job that is better than the low-wage-no-benefits Micky-D's jobs they were doing at home.
To the Sunnis the election was an attempt to stop the Shia Death Squads maseradeing as "police" or government officials.
And to all Iraqis the election was a hope...that the American occupation would end sooner rather than later...
Tonight it will be all about the "miracle of democracy" in Iraq and the middle east...But yet,
To Dubya and the Neocons it's really about having permanent American bases in the middle east...to "protect" the oil fields...and to control all anti-Israel rhetoric or actions by middle eastern nations.
And to install an Iraqi government that is "friendly" to American interests and Israeli asperations on the West Bank... But alas, that could be problematic after the new government is formed in Baghdad... IF it is ever formed at all...
As a result many people doubt that ANY government will came out of these elections...because it would be too much of a threat to the continuing Neocon occupation agenda.
If anything the elections only complicate the situation because now the Sunnis will have a "Yes But" vote to disrupt the Shia/Kurd "Grab the Oil and Run" game plan.
SADDLY, EVERYONE IS "DESCRIBING THEIR ELEPHANT" IN IRAQ...THESE DAYS
AND TONIGHT DUBYA WILL TRY ONE MORE TIME TO DESCRIBE HIS...
REGIME CHANGE IN ISRAEL...?
Unless and until Israel gets serious about a two state solution...
ON THE WEST BANK...very little hope for peace in the middle east is possible.
Sharon left the ultra-right Likud...but what Israel really needs is a leader who can confront the West Bank issues and the Temple Mount realistically...and that means marginalizing the Jewish radical right in Israel...and in the US.
ON THE WEST BANK...very little hope for peace in the middle east is possible.
Sharon left the ultra-right Likud...but what Israel really needs is a leader who can confront the West Bank issues and the Temple Mount realistically...and that means marginalizing the Jewish radical right in Israel...and in the US.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
GIVE UP MR. RETAILER...
Lower prices won't help...
It's about punk jobs, low wages and high debt... And the looting of the economy by Wall Street and International Capital for many many years...
Nothing will save this Xmas season now...not even give away prices! People simply aren't interested in spending money... What part of that don't you "get?"
It's about punk jobs, low wages and high debt... And the looting of the economy by Wall Street and International Capital for many many years...
Nothing will save this Xmas season now...not even give away prices! People simply aren't interested in spending money... What part of that don't you "get?"
AMERICAN COLLAPSE IS NEAR....
My sense is that 2006 will be the year of America's TOTAL COLLAPSE...
I base this on the need of people around the world to really reassess things at the beginning of each new year...
And on a sense that I strongly feel in the public spaces--that people are really very near to giving up all hope for any future for the US.
Yes, there is the hype and the hyperbole...
Yes, there are the "numbers," which no one really believes; and why should they: IT'S ALL LIES NOW ANYWAY...
My sense is that 2006 is the year that reality catchs up with the American economy and polity...
VERY VERY BAD NEWS AHEAD... A YEAR OF TOTAL GLOOM AND DOOM IS COMING....
I base this on the need of people around the world to really reassess things at the beginning of each new year...
And on a sense that I strongly feel in the public spaces--that people are really very near to giving up all hope for any future for the US.
Yes, there is the hype and the hyperbole...
Yes, there are the "numbers," which no one really believes; and why should they: IT'S ALL LIES NOW ANYWAY...
My sense is that 2006 is the year that reality catchs up with the American economy and polity...
VERY VERY BAD NEWS AHEAD... A YEAR OF TOTAL GLOOM AND DOOM IS COMING....
Friday, December 16, 2005
FED WILL SUPPORT CONTINUED ASSET INFLATION
MOONSHOT BABY...MOONSHOT!
Even the bond market is convinced that the FED will stop raising rates now...
And that means the current market moonshot on Wall Street is FULL SPEED AHEAD!
And the Real Estate Bubble now has the stamp of approval from the FED to continue bubbling along...
ASSET INFLATION FOREVER!
Even the bond market is convinced that the FED will stop raising rates now...
And that means the current market moonshot on Wall Street is FULL SPEED AHEAD!
And the Real Estate Bubble now has the stamp of approval from the FED to continue bubbling along...
ASSET INFLATION FOREVER!
MASSIVE LIQUIDITY SUPPORTS MARKET MOONSHOT
Clearly the market moonshot is back on track...
Gee...for a while there the market masters actually seemed to think that the laws of macro-economics applied to them!
No Way.... !
The Fed has been printing money with reckless abandon for years and years and years...and it really hasn't stopped--even yet.
The market could still do Dow 11,500 by December 31... Of course it's all fake...sort of like the "recovery" in New Orleans.
But hey, this is America where illusion is reality and reality is illusion.
As long as foreign central banks play the game...this market can keep going up forever!
But again...driving down gold is key to the entire affair. Gold is like the "mirror of reality" that our Dorian Gray must NEVER look into....
Gee...for a while there the market masters actually seemed to think that the laws of macro-economics applied to them!
No Way.... !
The Fed has been printing money with reckless abandon for years and years and years...and it really hasn't stopped--even yet.
The market could still do Dow 11,500 by December 31... Of course it's all fake...sort of like the "recovery" in New Orleans.
But hey, this is America where illusion is reality and reality is illusion.
As long as foreign central banks play the game...this market can keep going up forever!
But again...driving down gold is key to the entire affair. Gold is like the "mirror of reality" that our Dorian Gray must NEVER look into....
Thursday, December 15, 2005
THE RE-BAATHIFICATION OF IRAQ...
The Sunni participation in the elections today
could start the RE-BAATHIFICATION of Iraq...and THAT could save the American mission in Iraq!
Clearly, the Shia have been out of control...and the Kurds never were in control of the Baghdad government...
Oddly, the only people "supporting" the US agenda of a unified Iraq are THE SUNNIS!
Hmmmm....Maybe that's why "we" put them in charge in the first place!!
In an strange turn the US has been killing the very people who want a unified Iraq and who have the experience to pull it off. THE SUNNIS....
Has anyone else notices that Dubya has been fighting his natural friends and embracing his natural enemies in Iraq...?
could start the RE-BAATHIFICATION of Iraq...and THAT could save the American mission in Iraq!
Clearly, the Shia have been out of control...and the Kurds never were in control of the Baghdad government...
Oddly, the only people "supporting" the US agenda of a unified Iraq are THE SUNNIS!
Hmmmm....Maybe that's why "we" put them in charge in the first place!!
In an strange turn the US has been killing the very people who want a unified Iraq and who have the experience to pull it off. THE SUNNIS....
Has anyone else notices that Dubya has been fighting his natural friends and embracing his natural enemies in Iraq...?
MARKET MOONSHOT RESTARTS...? DRIVE DOWN GOLD NOW!
The CPI data is a little fake...
but it should be enough to get Wall Street in rally mode again. For a while there the traders seems to forget what they were there for...A BIG YEAR IN BONUS RALLY!
Well, they seem to have it together again...
All the real numbers are horrid...but the spin numbers are good and you can have a big rally on daily spin...
Also the big run down of Gold yesterday was a reminder that IF you want to control the market YOU SIMPLY MUST DRIVE DOWN GOLD...NO MATTER WHAT.
GOLD is a thin market...and it can and should be driven down first thing in the morngin so the daily rally points are not confused in the public and trading mind...
WATCH FOR A BIG PLUNGE IN GOLD GOING FORWARD...
but it should be enough to get Wall Street in rally mode again. For a while there the traders seems to forget what they were there for...A BIG YEAR IN BONUS RALLY!
Well, they seem to have it together again...
All the real numbers are horrid...but the spin numbers are good and you can have a big rally on daily spin...
Also the big run down of Gold yesterday was a reminder that IF you want to control the market YOU SIMPLY MUST DRIVE DOWN GOLD...NO MATTER WHAT.
GOLD is a thin market...and it can and should be driven down first thing in the morngin so the daily rally points are not confused in the public and trading mind...
WATCH FOR A BIG PLUNGE IN GOLD GOING FORWARD...
BUSH'S HIGH RISK GAMBLE...WILL IRAQIS 'LIKE US?'
After every "milestone" in Iraq there are two stories coming out of Iraq...
First comes the Bush Spin....second the Realities on the Ground.
The US spin seems to be...just get through another day without have more than 4 troops killed...and proclaim the benefits of democracy in Iraq.
The realities on the ground seem to be a battle between Kurds, Shia and Sunnis for control of territory and oil and US taxpayers dollars...and no body wants the Americans around expect when they are handing out blank checks.
Yet Bush said yesterday: We ain't leavin' till they are "friendly" to America...
In truth, the US has been made into the Mercenary Army of the Shia Republic of Iraq...!
In the north the Kurds just want to be left along...and independant. But if there are any US funds laying around they'll take them too.
The problem is you can't have two realities forever... And my hunch is that by the end of 2005 the Bush Gamble in Iraq is going to be exposed for what it always was...and ill advised mistake pushed by the Neocons and Likudnics in Washington that will have greatly destabilized the middle east and imperiled Israel even more...
Need proof? ....even Sharon has left the Lukud Party in the Aftermath of Iraq!
P.S. If you really want to know how things are going in Iraq...watch Israeli politics...that's where the real action is.
First comes the Bush Spin....second the Realities on the Ground.
The US spin seems to be...just get through another day without have more than 4 troops killed...and proclaim the benefits of democracy in Iraq.
The realities on the ground seem to be a battle between Kurds, Shia and Sunnis for control of territory and oil and US taxpayers dollars...and no body wants the Americans around expect when they are handing out blank checks.
Yet Bush said yesterday: We ain't leavin' till they are "friendly" to America...
In truth, the US has been made into the Mercenary Army of the Shia Republic of Iraq...!
In the north the Kurds just want to be left along...and independant. But if there are any US funds laying around they'll take them too.
The problem is you can't have two realities forever... And my hunch is that by the end of 2005 the Bush Gamble in Iraq is going to be exposed for what it always was...and ill advised mistake pushed by the Neocons and Likudnics in Washington that will have greatly destabilized the middle east and imperiled Israel even more...
Need proof? ....even Sharon has left the Lukud Party in the Aftermath of Iraq!
P.S. If you really want to know how things are going in Iraq...watch Israeli politics...that's where the real action is.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
AND NOW THIS....
Sorry about the short posts today...but alas, I'm trapped behind someone's GOD DAMN FIREWALL TODAY...
Just a temporary inconvenience...while I'm on the road...
Just a temporary inconvenience...while I'm on the road...
MARKETS TAKE A BREAK FROM REALITY AFTER FED STATEMENT
The hype is incredible...
...even THE REAL news of record trade deficits for the US seems unable to penetrate the "glee."
Well there is always the "morning after".... It would be best not to even read some of the drivel that is being published today... Its so totally out of touch with the macro numbers and economic realities...
For example the notion that there is no "core inflation" in the US...? Food and Energy are in warp-drive. And ASSET INFLATION of every kind is continuing apace...
The only place we DON'T see inflation is on the stuff that just got unloaded from the LAST BOAT FROM CHINA! (SEE TRADE DEFICIT NUMBERS!)
ENJOY THE HYPE...IT ONLY LASTS FOR A FEW DAYS...
P.S. And the wonderful spin on those dismal retail sales numbers yesterday was another Wall Street masterpeice! And a good example of what the Street can do if it puts it's mind to it!
...even THE REAL news of record trade deficits for the US seems unable to penetrate the "glee."
Well there is always the "morning after".... It would be best not to even read some of the drivel that is being published today... Its so totally out of touch with the macro numbers and economic realities...
For example the notion that there is no "core inflation" in the US...? Food and Energy are in warp-drive. And ASSET INFLATION of every kind is continuing apace...
The only place we DON'T see inflation is on the stuff that just got unloaded from the LAST BOAT FROM CHINA! (SEE TRADE DEFICIT NUMBERS!)
ENJOY THE HYPE...IT ONLY LASTS FOR A FEW DAYS...
P.S. And the wonderful spin on those dismal retail sales numbers yesterday was another Wall Street masterpeice! And a good example of what the Street can do if it puts it's mind to it!
BIG WINNER IN IRAQ ELECTIONS WILL BE IRAN!
Dubya needs to answer the question...WHAT DID WE "WIN" IN IRAQ...?
Clearly, the "new government" will not be pro-American, or pro-Israel...indeed the war itself made the middle east MORE anti-American and MORE anti-Israel.
Clearly, the US is NOT going to be able to "steal the oil" in Iraq...
Clearly, as long as US troops are in Iraq the Jihadi will try to kill them.
Clearly, the Shia and the Kurds will continue to consolidate their power...and "ethnic cleansing" of the central part of Iraq will continue.
Clearly, the entire middle east is LESS stable now...even with "democracy" in Iraq...than it was before the war.
Clearly, IF ALLOWED to vote...most in the middle east would vote against the US and against Israel.
Clearly, the Neocon dream of a pro-US, pro-Israel government in a nation the size and importance of Iraq was misplaced.
My hunch is that AFTER THE ELECTIONS TOMORROW...Dubya & Co are going to be less justified in continuing the occupation...which has degenerated into merely a support operation for the Shias and the Kurds in their attempt to De-Arabize parts of Iraq...and force the remaining Sunnis, Turkman and Christians out of the country.
What exactly did all those Americans die for...? I just don't see it.
Clearly, the "new government" will not be pro-American, or pro-Israel...indeed the war itself made the middle east MORE anti-American and MORE anti-Israel.
Clearly, the US is NOT going to be able to "steal the oil" in Iraq...
Clearly, as long as US troops are in Iraq the Jihadi will try to kill them.
Clearly, the Shia and the Kurds will continue to consolidate their power...and "ethnic cleansing" of the central part of Iraq will continue.
Clearly, the entire middle east is LESS stable now...even with "democracy" in Iraq...than it was before the war.
Clearly, IF ALLOWED to vote...most in the middle east would vote against the US and against Israel.
Clearly, the Neocon dream of a pro-US, pro-Israel government in a nation the size and importance of Iraq was misplaced.
My hunch is that AFTER THE ELECTIONS TOMORROW...Dubya & Co are going to be less justified in continuing the occupation...which has degenerated into merely a support operation for the Shias and the Kurds in their attempt to De-Arabize parts of Iraq...and force the remaining Sunnis, Turkman and Christians out of the country.
What exactly did all those Americans die for...? I just don't see it.
GREENSPAN STILL LOVES US...YES HE DOES!
Wall Street throughly nutty reaction to the FED statement yesterday was...
Well, SO typical of the kind of thinking you would expect from the hypsters and hucksters on The Street.
Essentially the FED said that they would continue raising rates "some" and that inflation from energy prices was a threat...
Of couse the reaction was a wild rally on the theory that the rates hikes were slowing... But consider:
IF THE STREET REALLY WANTED THE FED TO TAKE PAUSE...THEY SHOULD HAVE SOLD OFF THE MARKET BY 200 POINTS ON THE DOW!
NOW THAT! THAT, WOULD GET THE FEDS ATTENTION...!
As long as the Street remains coiled and ready to spring into rally mode...with asset inflation all round...the FED will know "it ain't there yet."
AND CLEARLY, WITH BUBBLES IN STOCKS, BONDS, REAL ESTATE, OIL, GOLD, ETC, ETC...THE FED HAS A LONG LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE IT IS NO LONGER "ACCOMEDATIVE."
RATES WILL CONTINUE GOING UP AFTER JANUARY NOW...BECAUSE THE MASSIVE RALLY THAT WOULD ACCOMPANY ANY "STOPPING" OF RATE HIKES BY BERNANKE...WOULD BE HUGELY INFLATIONARY...
AND THE INFLATIONARY BUBBLES IN REAL ESTATE AND IN STOCKS IS ONLY NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF COMING BACK TO REALITY...
SORRY WALL STREET, YOU GOOFED AGAIN. ...YOU'VE GOTTA GET OUT OF "BUBBLE MODE" BEFORE GREENSPAN WILL BE ABLE TO QUIT "BACKING OUT OF" THE BUBBLES GALORE SALOON...THAT HE CREATED AFTER THE INTERNET COLLAPSE OF 2000!
Well, SO typical of the kind of thinking you would expect from the hypsters and hucksters on The Street.
Essentially the FED said that they would continue raising rates "some" and that inflation from energy prices was a threat...
Of couse the reaction was a wild rally on the theory that the rates hikes were slowing... But consider:
IF THE STREET REALLY WANTED THE FED TO TAKE PAUSE...THEY SHOULD HAVE SOLD OFF THE MARKET BY 200 POINTS ON THE DOW!
NOW THAT! THAT, WOULD GET THE FEDS ATTENTION...!
As long as the Street remains coiled and ready to spring into rally mode...with asset inflation all round...the FED will know "it ain't there yet."
AND CLEARLY, WITH BUBBLES IN STOCKS, BONDS, REAL ESTATE, OIL, GOLD, ETC, ETC...THE FED HAS A LONG LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE IT IS NO LONGER "ACCOMEDATIVE."
RATES WILL CONTINUE GOING UP AFTER JANUARY NOW...BECAUSE THE MASSIVE RALLY THAT WOULD ACCOMPANY ANY "STOPPING" OF RATE HIKES BY BERNANKE...WOULD BE HUGELY INFLATIONARY...
AND THE INFLATIONARY BUBBLES IN REAL ESTATE AND IN STOCKS IS ONLY NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF COMING BACK TO REALITY...
SORRY WALL STREET, YOU GOOFED AGAIN. ...YOU'VE GOTTA GET OUT OF "BUBBLE MODE" BEFORE GREENSPAN WILL BE ABLE TO QUIT "BACKING OUT OF" THE BUBBLES GALORE SALOON...THAT HE CREATED AFTER THE INTERNET COLLAPSE OF 2000!
Monday, December 12, 2005
FED LINGO-WATCH STARTS...
This week the FED will utter two or three sentences upon which the entire financial world will turn...
Either up or down...depending...
Will the words "accomedation" and "measured pace" disappear from the FED statement...?
Well I say: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE...
The FED is stuck between Iraq and a hard place...with oil high and natural gas near records... The housing bubble is still in play...albeit sputtering just a bit.
And the TRADE and BUDGET DEFICITS are not even being discussed as the Kongress passes even more tax cuts for the rich...
Clearly, not matter how the FED mangles the language this week RATES ARE STILL GOING UP... Probably for most of 2006, or until the 10 year bond hits circa, 6%...it's "historic norm."
If any economy "needed" higher rates its the US economy right now. And however the FED want's to "phrase it" is just fine with me...
Either up or down...depending...
Will the words "accomedation" and "measured pace" disappear from the FED statement...?
Well I say: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE...
The FED is stuck between Iraq and a hard place...with oil high and natural gas near records... The housing bubble is still in play...albeit sputtering just a bit.
And the TRADE and BUDGET DEFICITS are not even being discussed as the Kongress passes even more tax cuts for the rich...
Clearly, not matter how the FED mangles the language this week RATES ARE STILL GOING UP... Probably for most of 2006, or until the 10 year bond hits circa, 6%...it's "historic norm."
If any economy "needed" higher rates its the US economy right now. And however the FED want's to "phrase it" is just fine with me...
GOLD DOES A "MOONSHOT!"
At some point, the powers that be are going to have to explaine gold's recent runup...
The unusual thing is that gold's "corollary trades"...the dollar and the US bond are not acting "normally" in light of the huge action in gold...
The dollar should be plunging...and the US bond should be dropping like a stone...
So far, none of this has happen... Wassup? Could it be that someone "knows" of a pending "catastrophe"...? Bird Flu...? A Terror Attack...? It's gets more Curiouser and Curiouser everyday...
If the house bubble breaks...gold seems to say THAT will be INFLATIONARY? ...Perhaps because of the needed "bailout" of the mortgage companies? ...or FANNY AND FREDDIE EVEN!
And YES, VIRGINIA, THAT would be inflationary!!!
But why is the dollar and the bond so passive...
Somethings up...and its not just Gold! Stay tuned....
The unusual thing is that gold's "corollary trades"...the dollar and the US bond are not acting "normally" in light of the huge action in gold...
The dollar should be plunging...and the US bond should be dropping like a stone...
So far, none of this has happen... Wassup? Could it be that someone "knows" of a pending "catastrophe"...? Bird Flu...? A Terror Attack...? It's gets more Curiouser and Curiouser everyday...
If the house bubble breaks...gold seems to say THAT will be INFLATIONARY? ...Perhaps because of the needed "bailout" of the mortgage companies? ...or FANNY AND FREDDIE EVEN!
And YES, VIRGINIA, THAT would be inflationary!!!
But why is the dollar and the bond so passive...
Somethings up...and its not just Gold! Stay tuned....
Sunday, December 11, 2005
SUNDAY TALKS: DID FRIST SEEM 'JUMPY"...?
Did Republican Senate leader Bill Frist seem a little jumpy on the Sunday talkes today... ?
I mean he was "all answers" ASAP...
And he seemed to be acting rather oddly...perhaps he wrote himself a prescription for something...? And was having a reaction...? Or perhaps he needs a prescription for something...? (I am not a doctor...)
Because:
He was all: "The Democrats want to surrender so the terrorists can kill your family!" ...all the time...
Well, fine... then what? Is that the "sound bite" of the week or is there more...? OK...try this.
The Republicans are the fount of all reason and can do no wrong...
And I didn't know if I owned $1000 dollars of HSA stock or $5000 in HSA stock... OK...but adding about five or six zeros would have been more realistic...
This is a guy who seems to be having some serious "problems" about something ...Ya think?
AND IF THE REPUBLICANS ARE THIS DEFENSIVE ABOUT AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON NOW...
WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE LIKE BY ELECTION DAY 2006...? NOT VERY PROMISING FOR THE GOP...
BIG LIES AND "SWIFTBOATING" MAY GET YOU IN...
BUT THEY CAN'T KEEP YOU IN--ONCE THE REAL POLICY DECISIONS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED...
I mean he was "all answers" ASAP...
And he seemed to be acting rather oddly...perhaps he wrote himself a prescription for something...? And was having a reaction...? Or perhaps he needs a prescription for something...? (I am not a doctor...)
Because:
He was all: "The Democrats want to surrender so the terrorists can kill your family!" ...all the time...
Well, fine... then what? Is that the "sound bite" of the week or is there more...? OK...try this.
The Republicans are the fount of all reason and can do no wrong...
And I didn't know if I owned $1000 dollars of HSA stock or $5000 in HSA stock... OK...but adding about five or six zeros would have been more realistic...
This is a guy who seems to be having some serious "problems" about something ...Ya think?
AND IF THE REPUBLICANS ARE THIS DEFENSIVE ABOUT AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON NOW...
WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE LIKE BY ELECTION DAY 2006...? NOT VERY PROMISING FOR THE GOP...
BIG LIES AND "SWIFTBOATING" MAY GET YOU IN...
BUT THEY CAN'T KEEP YOU IN--ONCE THE REAL POLICY DECISIONS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED...
DID US INVASION SAVE SADDAM FROM EXECUTION?
The execution of Saddam, in the wake of the ill-planned US invasion of Iraq, would be the worst possible idea for Iraq at this time.
Not only would European condemnation be heaped on the US support for the death penalty for Saddam...but the legality of the invasion itself would be at issue. Again.
Clearly, the "court" that is currently trying Saddam is not the court of a legal "nation state."
The court is the product of the invasion and occuaption, since there is no legal government in Iraq now...and there will not be, until after the elections this week...if then.!
The Saddam trial is therefore really just a public diversion...a side-show, that is emphasising in the minds of many Sunnis, and other Arabs, the extent to which the US has been willing to go to impose it's will on the Iraqi people and on the region as a whole...
ANY EXECUTION OF SADDAM UNDER THESE STRANGE AND CONFUSED CONDITIONS WILL BE QUESTIONED SEVERELY; AND NOT ONLY BY THE MUSLIM WORLD...BUT EVERYWHERE...
SADDAM IS BEING MADE INTO A MARYTR FOR MANY MUSLIMS WORLDWIDE.
... IF YOU WANT TO "FIND" ANOTHER BUSH MISTAKE IN IRAQ...LOOK AT THE TIMING OF THE SADDAM TRIAL.
It will simply divide the Iraqi nation even more and call into question the legitimacy of the coming Iraqi government.
..or was that the plan all along...?
Not only would European condemnation be heaped on the US support for the death penalty for Saddam...but the legality of the invasion itself would be at issue. Again.
Clearly, the "court" that is currently trying Saddam is not the court of a legal "nation state."
The court is the product of the invasion and occuaption, since there is no legal government in Iraq now...and there will not be, until after the elections this week...if then.!
The Saddam trial is therefore really just a public diversion...a side-show, that is emphasising in the minds of many Sunnis, and other Arabs, the extent to which the US has been willing to go to impose it's will on the Iraqi people and on the region as a whole...
ANY EXECUTION OF SADDAM UNDER THESE STRANGE AND CONFUSED CONDITIONS WILL BE QUESTIONED SEVERELY; AND NOT ONLY BY THE MUSLIM WORLD...BUT EVERYWHERE...
SADDAM IS BEING MADE INTO A MARYTR FOR MANY MUSLIMS WORLDWIDE.
... IF YOU WANT TO "FIND" ANOTHER BUSH MISTAKE IN IRAQ...LOOK AT THE TIMING OF THE SADDAM TRIAL.
It will simply divide the Iraqi nation even more and call into question the legitimacy of the coming Iraqi government.
..or was that the plan all along...?
Saturday, December 10, 2005
LIBERMAN OF THE LIKUD PARTY...
If Joe Liberman, the Senator from Israel, is appoint Secretary of Defense?
I suggest that he move to Israel straightaway; so he can take his orders directly from Sharon's new government...
This could be done in the name of cost savings...
And, it would cut out the useless middle men...like for example the Neocon press...and the "Three Clowns," Cheney, Rummy, and Dubya...
After all, wasn't the Iraq War really a part of the Likud agenda all along? And the Neocons simply gave Dubya a light "brain rinse" to convince him that it was on America's agenda too!
I suggest that he move to Israel straightaway; so he can take his orders directly from Sharon's new government...
This could be done in the name of cost savings...
And, it would cut out the useless middle men...like for example the Neocon press...and the "Three Clowns," Cheney, Rummy, and Dubya...
After all, wasn't the Iraq War really a part of the Likud agenda all along? And the Neocons simply gave Dubya a light "brain rinse" to convince him that it was on America's agenda too!
STUDS LONIGAN REVISITED: or is America dying?
I was reading James Farrell's 1932 novel "Studs Lonigan" last night.
...not a good thing to do if you're in a really bad mood about the economy....
And I could not help thinking how similar the 1930's are to our time...
The Wall Street elites continue to loot the economy like it's 1999...(1929)... Indeed, to Wall Street nothing has changed...INDEED, THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING...ONLY THE PUBLIC JUST DOESN'T "SEE" IT!
Oil companies have record profits. And record heating bills will soon stun the American Consumer.
Delphi is slashing BOTH jobs and wages...a double barrelled win for profits and CEO paychecks. All "cash" now please and thank you...no "stock options" please.)
And Pensions are being dumped in Bankruptcy Court, even while workers are barred from the Courthouse door.
But alas, when a company relys on wage and job cuts to "save it." It is already lost...we learned that in the 1930's...
Job and wage cuts never work! You can embroider that on a sampler and hang it on the wall!
Somehow I suspect that it's WALL STREET that doesn't get it....not the American Consumer.
...not a good thing to do if you're in a really bad mood about the economy....
And I could not help thinking how similar the 1930's are to our time...
The Wall Street elites continue to loot the economy like it's 1999...(1929)... Indeed, to Wall Street nothing has changed...INDEED, THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING...ONLY THE PUBLIC JUST DOESN'T "SEE" IT!
Oil companies have record profits. And record heating bills will soon stun the American Consumer.
Delphi is slashing BOTH jobs and wages...a double barrelled win for profits and CEO paychecks. All "cash" now please and thank you...no "stock options" please.)
And Pensions are being dumped in Bankruptcy Court, even while workers are barred from the Courthouse door.
But alas, when a company relys on wage and job cuts to "save it." It is already lost...we learned that in the 1930's...
Job and wage cuts never work! You can embroider that on a sampler and hang it on the wall!
Somehow I suspect that it's WALL STREET that doesn't get it....not the American Consumer.
IRAQ CHAOS DEEPENS...
The notion held in Washington that somehow the "election" of a "permanent government" will stem the insurgency is just more "misson accomplished" thinking...
Very likely the violence will subside for election day...and then increase to "normal" levels after the election... This has been the pattern for past elections.
Still, the very notion of Sunni, Shia and Kurd "forming a government" that is not based on acceptance of the US occupation forces...is unlikely.
Of course there will always be the "election to amend the constitution...?" As a new "turning point..."
Very likely the violence will subside for election day...and then increase to "normal" levels after the election... This has been the pattern for past elections.
Still, the very notion of Sunni, Shia and Kurd "forming a government" that is not based on acceptance of the US occupation forces...is unlikely.
Of course there will always be the "election to amend the constitution...?" As a new "turning point..."
Thursday, December 8, 2005
ARE AIRLINES SAFE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL...?
Especially given the "shoot first ask questions later" thinking at DHS...?
WHAT DEMOCRATS MUST DO....CALL FOR A "FAIR DEAL."
David Brooks criticizes the "conservative mess" in today's NYTimes
...and perhaps Democrats could look there for some policy suggestions...
For example, what has to be done for Democrats to attract key rural and suburban working class "marrieds?" It's really not that hard to do...
More emphasis should be placed on the economic issues; and less on the social issues...
Secondly, to get around the "raising taxes" bugaboo...Democrats should starting talking about how well the rich have done over the last 20 years; compared to the working classes in America.
In other works, TAXING THE RICH...has to become politically acceptable again...
But it should all be phrased in an ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MESSAGE...a FAIR DEAL so to speak.
If Democrats can only get over trying to be Republican-Lite--they may be able to attract these exurban marrieds that are so key to winning elections.
Instead of being "weak on defense" and "pro-tax" Democrats should start fashioning a "FAIR DEAL" message for the coming election cycles...in 2006 and 2008.
And that should not be hard to do...consider the health care mess...the pension mess...the asset bubbles...the jobs to Asia problem...the environmental issues in the US and in China, etal.
The conservative Big Lie that the Democrats have "nothing to say" is simply not true
...but the Democrats have to embrace economic fairness...and sustainable economic policies...
And NO just advocating printing more money to have even more asset bubbles is not sustainable...! The Greenspan era is over!
A "FAIR DEAL" MESSAGE IS THERE...IF ONLY...THE DEMOCRATS WILL SEIZE THE DAY...
CARPE DIEM...!
...and perhaps Democrats could look there for some policy suggestions...
For example, what has to be done for Democrats to attract key rural and suburban working class "marrieds?" It's really not that hard to do...
More emphasis should be placed on the economic issues; and less on the social issues...
Secondly, to get around the "raising taxes" bugaboo...Democrats should starting talking about how well the rich have done over the last 20 years; compared to the working classes in America.
In other works, TAXING THE RICH...has to become politically acceptable again...
But it should all be phrased in an ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MESSAGE...a FAIR DEAL so to speak.
If Democrats can only get over trying to be Republican-Lite--they may be able to attract these exurban marrieds that are so key to winning elections.
Instead of being "weak on defense" and "pro-tax" Democrats should start fashioning a "FAIR DEAL" message for the coming election cycles...in 2006 and 2008.
And that should not be hard to do...consider the health care mess...the pension mess...the asset bubbles...the jobs to Asia problem...the environmental issues in the US and in China, etal.
The conservative Big Lie that the Democrats have "nothing to say" is simply not true
...but the Democrats have to embrace economic fairness...and sustainable economic policies...
And NO just advocating printing more money to have even more asset bubbles is not sustainable...! The Greenspan era is over!
A "FAIR DEAL" MESSAGE IS THERE...IF ONLY...THE DEMOCRATS WILL SEIZE THE DAY...
CARPE DIEM...!
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
THE UGLY, FAT AND NOW STUPID AMERICAN!
Kristof NYTimes op-ed yesterday
was similar to my posting here that pollsters should ask a "qualifying question" to see if the person being polled knows what they are talking about...
Kristof notes that 20% of Americans still think that the Sun goes around the Earth...
And half believe that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time... Hey, what about the Flintstones!
And about the same number don't "believe in evolution....."
On a "bright note" Kristof says American can always go to Bangladore for our "techies." Hmmm...he's been reading to much of Friedman's stuff!
Still, my conclusion is that anyone with an IQ above 110 should be looking for another country to live in...! It's bad enough that American's are ugly and fat...but now we know that they are incredibly stupid as well! So Sad really.
was similar to my posting here that pollsters should ask a "qualifying question" to see if the person being polled knows what they are talking about...
Kristof notes that 20% of Americans still think that the Sun goes around the Earth...
And half believe that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time... Hey, what about the Flintstones!
And about the same number don't "believe in evolution....."
On a "bright note" Kristof says American can always go to Bangladore for our "techies." Hmmm...he's been reading to much of Friedman's stuff!
Still, my conclusion is that anyone with an IQ above 110 should be looking for another country to live in...! It's bad enough that American's are ugly and fat...but now we know that they are incredibly stupid as well! So Sad really.
IS GOLD THE NEW GOOGLE...?
Bonds are down as traders try to think ahead...alas in vain!
Traders are way too "micro" in their thinking...too much the "story of the day"
...what's needed is a more "macro" style.
But alas, I would call that: "Wake Up Screaming from the American Dream!" And no one on the Street want's to go there....just yet.
Gold seems to be the new Google! Gold at $600 by spring is now a real possibility...and maybe even higher.
Traders are way too "micro" in their thinking...too much the "story of the day"
...what's needed is a more "macro" style.
But alas, I would call that: "Wake Up Screaming from the American Dream!" And no one on the Street want's to go there....just yet.
Gold seems to be the new Google! Gold at $600 by spring is now a real possibility...and maybe even higher.
DUBYA LOVES IRAN...?
According to Wesley Clark's NYTimes op-ed yesterday...
Dubya and the Neocons are doing things that Iran only could dream of!
Things like taking out Saddam and putting him on trial for War Crimes.
And giving the Iraqi Shia community control of the government in Baghdad...AND THE OIL WEALTH IN THE SOUTH... The Shia cause will be very well funded if Dubya is "successful" in Iraq. And that might even include "wiping Israel off the map" as the Iranian president said recently.
The real kicker for how badly things are going in Iraq is this issue of border security... The US is constantly involved at the Syrian border...supposedly stopping "foreign Jihadists" from crossing over into Iraq...
BUT THERE IS ALMOST NO TALK OF THE IRANIAN BORDER!
Are American troops "confronting" Iranian military at the Iraq/Iran border...APPARENTLY NOT! Or at least it's never in the press. Or, maybe we're just letting the Iraqi shia militia "control" the Iran/Iraq border...!
TALK ABOUT HAVING A BUCKET WITH A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM...
APPARENTLY DUBYA, RUMMY AND NEOCONS WOULD RATHER CONFRONT A SMALLER AND WEAKER NATION LIKE SYRIA...RATHER THAN LOOK AT THE REAL PROBLEM NAMELY: THE RISE OF IRAN.
THE ACCENT OF IRAN AS "THE MAJOR POWER" IN THE MIDDLE EAST...ALL THANKS TO DUBYA'S ILL-PLANNED AND ILL-PREPARED WAR AGAINST SADDAM IS WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT! NOT SADDAM. NOT THE SUNNI "INSURGENTS." AND NOT SYRIA.
After noting that Bush is "playing Iran's game"...Clark goes on the defensive with a lot of mumbo-jumbo about rethinking the mission and changing the strategy...etc etc. Clark is sort of the Democratic John McCain in that respect...but he's on the right track.
Dubya and the Neocons are doing things that Iran only could dream of!
Things like taking out Saddam and putting him on trial for War Crimes.
And giving the Iraqi Shia community control of the government in Baghdad...AND THE OIL WEALTH IN THE SOUTH... The Shia cause will be very well funded if Dubya is "successful" in Iraq. And that might even include "wiping Israel off the map" as the Iranian president said recently.
The real kicker for how badly things are going in Iraq is this issue of border security... The US is constantly involved at the Syrian border...supposedly stopping "foreign Jihadists" from crossing over into Iraq...
BUT THERE IS ALMOST NO TALK OF THE IRANIAN BORDER!
Are American troops "confronting" Iranian military at the Iraq/Iran border...APPARENTLY NOT! Or at least it's never in the press. Or, maybe we're just letting the Iraqi shia militia "control" the Iran/Iraq border...!
TALK ABOUT HAVING A BUCKET WITH A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM...
APPARENTLY DUBYA, RUMMY AND NEOCONS WOULD RATHER CONFRONT A SMALLER AND WEAKER NATION LIKE SYRIA...RATHER THAN LOOK AT THE REAL PROBLEM NAMELY: THE RISE OF IRAN.
THE ACCENT OF IRAN AS "THE MAJOR POWER" IN THE MIDDLE EAST...ALL THANKS TO DUBYA'S ILL-PLANNED AND ILL-PREPARED WAR AGAINST SADDAM IS WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT! NOT SADDAM. NOT THE SUNNI "INSURGENTS." AND NOT SYRIA.
After noting that Bush is "playing Iran's game"...Clark goes on the defensive with a lot of mumbo-jumbo about rethinking the mission and changing the strategy...etc etc. Clark is sort of the Democratic John McCain in that respect...but he's on the right track.
FREEZING YOUR YIN-YANGS OFF...!
Everyone talks about the deficits but no one does anything about it...
In that respect the deficits and the weather have a lot in common!
It seems obvious that this winter will be one of the coldest on record... Why? Well, it's sort of a Yin-Yang thing....
The massively destructive Hurricane season this year "spent" a lot of energy pushing huge amounts of warm air north...even giving the midwest and plains states a rare November Tornado season this year...
Now the opposite will happen...massive amounts of cold arctic air will decend into the lower 48 states causing a record cold winter... It's sort of a Yin-Yang thing.... Or call it "fluid dynamics" or equilibrium restoration in a closed system. Or every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Or call it: Freezing your Yin-Yangs Off!
With the Polar Jet Stream already vacationing in the Carribean....I'm looking for a very very cold winter...
Maybe Wall Street will notice? Watch oil prices and retail sales... Because it's hard to shop in a blizzard...!
In that respect the deficits and the weather have a lot in common!
It seems obvious that this winter will be one of the coldest on record... Why? Well, it's sort of a Yin-Yang thing....
The massively destructive Hurricane season this year "spent" a lot of energy pushing huge amounts of warm air north...even giving the midwest and plains states a rare November Tornado season this year...
Now the opposite will happen...massive amounts of cold arctic air will decend into the lower 48 states causing a record cold winter... It's sort of a Yin-Yang thing.... Or call it "fluid dynamics" or equilibrium restoration in a closed system. Or every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Or call it: Freezing your Yin-Yangs Off!
With the Polar Jet Stream already vacationing in the Carribean....I'm looking for a very very cold winter...
Maybe Wall Street will notice? Watch oil prices and retail sales... Because it's hard to shop in a blizzard...!
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
ADVISE TO DUBYA...and ah,...and ah,...and ah...
Dubya's constant use of the phrase: "And, ah...." should be pointed out to him...
I have a special interest in this phrase "And , ah..." because I had a teacher once who would viciously attack anyone in class who said...."And, ah"... or "Ya Know"..for any reason.
Of course using "And ah" ...is a really defense mechanism for most people which implies: "I'm trying to think of what to say next..."
Still, "And ah"....might be charming enough for a schoolboy to use... But for a President it's...well, a problem. Why does he do that? Is it a cognitive impairment? A speech problem? A mental "tabula rosa"....exposed? Sometimes, you can almost "see" him losing his train of thought...as if he's trying to "visualize" himself talking...instead of "just talking..."
With Dubya this is especially a problem since many people believe that he is unqualified for the job...and that he is really some kind of uncurious dolt...who used his name and family connections to become President.
Of course the White House calls Dubya's "and, ah...." habit, and his current bizarre "hillbilly twang talkin" style"---Plain Speaking."
Well, maybe...to some people.
But for a lot of us it's just a distrubing reminder of how unqualified and uncurious this man really is...or appears to be.
My suggestions to Dubya's speech writers and handlers would be to mention this little "And, ah" problem to him...and perhaps have him substitute some other phrase....maybe something like:
"Bye, Cracky....!"
Ya know.....?
And, ah....
I have a special interest in this phrase "And , ah..." because I had a teacher once who would viciously attack anyone in class who said...."And, ah"... or "Ya Know"..for any reason.
Of course using "And ah" ...is a really defense mechanism for most people which implies: "I'm trying to think of what to say next..."
Still, "And ah"....might be charming enough for a schoolboy to use... But for a President it's...well, a problem. Why does he do that? Is it a cognitive impairment? A speech problem? A mental "tabula rosa"....exposed? Sometimes, you can almost "see" him losing his train of thought...as if he's trying to "visualize" himself talking...instead of "just talking..."
With Dubya this is especially a problem since many people believe that he is unqualified for the job...and that he is really some kind of uncurious dolt...who used his name and family connections to become President.
Of course the White House calls Dubya's "and, ah...." habit, and his current bizarre "hillbilly twang talkin" style"---Plain Speaking."
Well, maybe...to some people.
But for a lot of us it's just a distrubing reminder of how unqualified and uncurious this man really is...or appears to be.
My suggestions to Dubya's speech writers and handlers would be to mention this little "And, ah" problem to him...and perhaps have him substitute some other phrase....maybe something like:
"Bye, Cracky....!"
Ya know.....?
And, ah....
MARKETS BALK AT DOW 11,000
There seems to be some reluctance to be the "last one" in the Rally Boat...
Monday, December 5, 2005
THE GILDED AGE....REDUX!
Rampant speculation! Easy Money to make Money Easy! A totally Korrupt Kongress!
Greed run amuck! Wide-spread Poverty! Huckster Preachers! Politicans and other crooks professing the Bible!
Sound familiar? It's a plot summary for Mark Twain's 1866 book, THE GILDED AGE, a tale of today...!
Amazingly, if you substitute The Internet for Land Speculation, (Not that we don't have our own current Land Speculators!!)...
And if you switch computers and voice over IP for "railroads and mines."
Mark Twain's story could STILL be a story of our time!
(Of course the "manners" have changed...back in Mark Twain's time manners were still used as a superficial coverup for the baser hidden motives.) Unlike today...
We surely live in THE GILDED AGE...REDUX!
What can be learned by all this...?
Well every Gilded Age seems to be followed by its "Progressive Era."
The Gilded Age of 1870-1900 ended with the TR and Wilsonian Progressives..., 1901-1920.
There was the rise of yellow journalism...and the muckrackers and others who attacked the wealthy elites, who, by then, were simply ruining the nation to satisfy their own selfishness and greed.
Sound familiar...?
ARE BLOGGERS THE NEW MUCKRAKERS FOR THE COMING NEW PROGRESSIVE ERA THAT WILL SURELY START WITH THE 2008 ELECTIONS...?
It's coming.... It always does.
Because history sort of repeats itself...even if sometimes it only rhymes, as Mark Twain once noted.
Greed run amuck! Wide-spread Poverty! Huckster Preachers! Politicans and other crooks professing the Bible!
Sound familiar? It's a plot summary for Mark Twain's 1866 book, THE GILDED AGE, a tale of today...!
Amazingly, if you substitute The Internet for Land Speculation, (Not that we don't have our own current Land Speculators!!)...
And if you switch computers and voice over IP for "railroads and mines."
Mark Twain's story could STILL be a story of our time!
(Of course the "manners" have changed...back in Mark Twain's time manners were still used as a superficial coverup for the baser hidden motives.) Unlike today...
We surely live in THE GILDED AGE...REDUX!
What can be learned by all this...?
Well every Gilded Age seems to be followed by its "Progressive Era."
The Gilded Age of 1870-1900 ended with the TR and Wilsonian Progressives..., 1901-1920.
There was the rise of yellow journalism...and the muckrackers and others who attacked the wealthy elites, who, by then, were simply ruining the nation to satisfy their own selfishness and greed.
Sound familiar...?
ARE BLOGGERS THE NEW MUCKRAKERS FOR THE COMING NEW PROGRESSIVE ERA THAT WILL SURELY START WITH THE 2008 ELECTIONS...?
It's coming.... It always does.
Because history sort of repeats itself...even if sometimes it only rhymes, as Mark Twain once noted.
THE MALLS LOOK PATHETIC...
I cut through a "mall" today...
even though I vowed not to enter a mall till mid January...of course I didn't actually buy anything or even enter a store...
But, I was surprised to see the desperation in the signs of the stores...CLEARANCE--75% OFF. WE BEAT ALL COMPETITORS PRICES. 50% OFF. BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! etc. etc.
And THIS in early December!
Now we have news that even the rich are cutting back...
I know many Boomers who are on a "NO MORE STUFF" diet...
And let's face it...if you haven't got it by now, you probably don't need it or don't really want it! But alas, most of us have not only "got it"...we have a couple of new ones that we haven't even taken out of the box yet!
And now it's time to buy more! The problem is how do you buy "things" for people who don't want anymore things? Call it the China Glut....
Truthfully, I "find" more interesting things in "junk shops" and thrift stores than I do at the Mall... The Mall is so..."last boat from China!" What's "today's color?" Borrrrring!
And even if you do buy things...where to put them? Even one of those 15,000 square foot "McMansions" would look cluttered after a week at the Malls and Big Box stores.
For a lot of people...less is more these days. Now if only the health insurance providers and public utilities would get the message.
even though I vowed not to enter a mall till mid January...of course I didn't actually buy anything or even enter a store...
But, I was surprised to see the desperation in the signs of the stores...CLEARANCE--75% OFF. WE BEAT ALL COMPETITORS PRICES. 50% OFF. BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! etc. etc.
And THIS in early December!
Now we have news that even the rich are cutting back...
I know many Boomers who are on a "NO MORE STUFF" diet...
And let's face it...if you haven't got it by now, you probably don't need it or don't really want it! But alas, most of us have not only "got it"...we have a couple of new ones that we haven't even taken out of the box yet!
And now it's time to buy more! The problem is how do you buy "things" for people who don't want anymore things? Call it the China Glut....
Truthfully, I "find" more interesting things in "junk shops" and thrift stores than I do at the Mall... The Mall is so..."last boat from China!" What's "today's color?" Borrrrring!
And even if you do buy things...where to put them? Even one of those 15,000 square foot "McMansions" would look cluttered after a week at the Malls and Big Box stores.
For a lot of people...less is more these days. Now if only the health insurance providers and public utilities would get the message.
Sunday, December 4, 2005
CD YEILDS WILL STOP WALL STREET...NOT INFLATION a/k/a "The Bubbles."
All mom and pop want is a "reasonable return" on their money...
And a 5% CD yield at the bank will do just that...
Bank CDs are getting close to the magic number...5%...and if they do go to 5%, as they must if the FED wants to "stop the bubbles" in Real Estate and Stocks...not to mention "commodity speculation" in gold and oil...it's over for stocks on Wall Street.
Alas, remember when Greedspan "forced us" into stocks after the Internet Bubble in 2000...with those .9% yeilds at the bank?
Those days are over... So, it's not "inflation" that is going to stop the stock rally on Wall Street...it's the bank rate on CDs...
Alas, the Wall Street pundits haven't noticed THAT little chestnut yet...
So, let's not tell them,...ya think? Let them wonder what's happening...they may figure it out sooner or later.
And a 5% CD yield at the bank will do just that...
Bank CDs are getting close to the magic number...5%...and if they do go to 5%, as they must if the FED wants to "stop the bubbles" in Real Estate and Stocks...not to mention "commodity speculation" in gold and oil...it's over for stocks on Wall Street.
Alas, remember when Greedspan "forced us" into stocks after the Internet Bubble in 2000...with those .9% yeilds at the bank?
Those days are over... So, it's not "inflation" that is going to stop the stock rally on Wall Street...it's the bank rate on CDs...
Alas, the Wall Street pundits haven't noticed THAT little chestnut yet...
So, let's not tell them,...ya think? Let them wonder what's happening...they may figure it out sooner or later.
THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT...OR FREEZING YOUR ASS OFF!
With warnings of HUGE gas and heating oil bills in the news almost daily.
...you have to wonder if folks in "Freeze-over Counry" might not overdo dailing down this winter.
My sense is that there could be a lot more deaths from pneumonia and "the flu" because people are not using their heating systems...or are using "other sources" of heat that could be dangerous or otherwise "unhealthy."
Every action has a reaction...and I suspect that the death toll this winter from "heating related" disasters, and health consequences from lack of, or otherwise improper heating, could be significant.
...you have to wonder if folks in "Freeze-over Counry" might not overdo dailing down this winter.
My sense is that there could be a lot more deaths from pneumonia and "the flu" because people are not using their heating systems...or are using "other sources" of heat that could be dangerous or otherwise "unhealthy."
Every action has a reaction...and I suspect that the death toll this winter from "heating related" disasters, and health consequences from lack of, or otherwise improper heating, could be significant.
ADVISE TO THE TROOPS: BEWARE OF SMILING IRAQIS!
The disconnect between perception and reality in Iraq is troubling...
Many of our "troops" seem to think that they are being "Welcomed" by Iraqi civilians...
But yet, for the insurgents to "plant" these massive IEDs, and other explosive devises, MUST HAVE required major excavation of the roadway---that SOMEONE surely would have noticed! So, Wassup?
My hunch is that there is a cultural disconnect between most American soldiers and officers, and the native "culture" in Iraq...and indeed, in the whole middle east in general.
Middle eastern peoples are often on the surface "very friendly"...but this is often a friendliness inspired by fear or even deep seated hatred.
Call it a cultural hangup, but I personally "like" perplexed looking Arabs better than I like "smiling" Arabs... No, I can't explain this rationally, but I have experienced it; and I know that there is efinitly something to it.
Many American enlistees are from small town America where everyone is a "straight talker," and where emotions and disagreements are expressed "directly."
This may come from our historical tradtion of "freedom of speech." Or, it may just be classic native American character trait,...but in other parts of the world, people are way more circumspect.
They'll "welcome" you, and then try to pick your pocket...they'll spike your drinks...then steal your bags; and/or look for other ways to "put you down" but without you're knowing it.
While outwardly "respecting" authority...many secretly despise it...and there is almost a "second language" for communicating this contempt that only the "initiated" know how to understand...
Indeed, often it's a suble "body language," where one thing means something else totally...
So, my advise to "the troops" is beware of "Smiling Iraqis."
And that advise goes straight to the "Commander in Chief" as well...remember, "Curveball?"
BECAUSE WE AIN'T IN KANSAS ANYMORE... AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR IS NOT WHAT YOU GET...MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.
Many of our "troops" seem to think that they are being "Welcomed" by Iraqi civilians...
But yet, for the insurgents to "plant" these massive IEDs, and other explosive devises, MUST HAVE required major excavation of the roadway---that SOMEONE surely would have noticed! So, Wassup?
My hunch is that there is a cultural disconnect between most American soldiers and officers, and the native "culture" in Iraq...and indeed, in the whole middle east in general.
Middle eastern peoples are often on the surface "very friendly"...but this is often a friendliness inspired by fear or even deep seated hatred.
Call it a cultural hangup, but I personally "like" perplexed looking Arabs better than I like "smiling" Arabs... No, I can't explain this rationally, but I have experienced it; and I know that there is efinitly something to it.
Many American enlistees are from small town America where everyone is a "straight talker," and where emotions and disagreements are expressed "directly."
This may come from our historical tradtion of "freedom of speech." Or, it may just be classic native American character trait,...but in other parts of the world, people are way more circumspect.
They'll "welcome" you, and then try to pick your pocket...they'll spike your drinks...then steal your bags; and/or look for other ways to "put you down" but without you're knowing it.
While outwardly "respecting" authority...many secretly despise it...and there is almost a "second language" for communicating this contempt that only the "initiated" know how to understand...
Indeed, often it's a suble "body language," where one thing means something else totally...
So, my advise to "the troops" is beware of "Smiling Iraqis."
And that advise goes straight to the "Commander in Chief" as well...remember, "Curveball?"
BECAUSE WE AIN'T IN KANSAS ANYMORE... AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR IS NOT WHAT YOU GET...MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.
Saturday, December 3, 2005
FED WILL STOP 'PRINTING CASH..."
Well better late than never...!
And even now Greenspan just won't stop talking...!
But he has a lot of explaining to do. You have to wonder if Bernanke will be critical of Greenspan's "legacy" at some point. After all, The G-Man has left Bernanke with quite a big MESS...to deal with somehow.
My hunch is that once Greenspan is out of the public limelight his TRUE LEGACY will be discussed openly in public...and the economic disaster that was the GREENSPAN YEARS will finally be able to be exposed.
This is also likely; IF a real "Progressive Movement" starts up in the US during the 2006-08 election cycle.
Once someone is "out of power" there is less reluctance to criticize their actions...
And in Greenspan's case the criticism could be caustic! Greenspan essentially mortgaged and sold America's Future...just to let his buddies on Wall Street have A FEW GOOD BUBBLES! The "rich" are out of control...and international capital is free to do anything and go anywhere...no matter what the consequences to the countries involved...
A TRUE RETURN TO ROBBER BARON CAPITALISM DURING THE GREENSPAN YEARS!
And even now Greenspan just won't stop talking...!
But he has a lot of explaining to do. You have to wonder if Bernanke will be critical of Greenspan's "legacy" at some point. After all, The G-Man has left Bernanke with quite a big MESS...to deal with somehow.
My hunch is that once Greenspan is out of the public limelight his TRUE LEGACY will be discussed openly in public...and the economic disaster that was the GREENSPAN YEARS will finally be able to be exposed.
This is also likely; IF a real "Progressive Movement" starts up in the US during the 2006-08 election cycle.
Once someone is "out of power" there is less reluctance to criticize their actions...
And in Greenspan's case the criticism could be caustic! Greenspan essentially mortgaged and sold America's Future...just to let his buddies on Wall Street have A FEW GOOD BUBBLES! The "rich" are out of control...and international capital is free to do anything and go anywhere...no matter what the consequences to the countries involved...
A TRUE RETURN TO ROBBER BARON CAPITALISM DURING THE GREENSPAN YEARS!
Friday, December 2, 2005
GREENSPAN'S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER 'GLOOM AND DOOM!"
Oh Please, Alan....just shut up already. Haven't you done enough damage to the US economy by your monetary Bubblnomics...and your "fiscal policy" stooging for Republicans and the economic elite...?
LABOR NUMBERS LOOK "FUDGY...."
Do the labor numbers look a little bit "too even?" Again!
...which might imply the revenge of the Fudge Factors again... But Hey, Wall Street has been making a good living on "the fudge" for years...so why stop now.
In any event with the "jobs boom" and Greedspan's comments today it looks like interest rates will be going up EVERY FED MEETING in 2006...or until the Bank of China quits supporting US..and the dollar.
Don't worry, be happy, go shopping is the MOTD today. ENJOY!
Here it is in capsule form:
Nonfarm employment....... 133,429 133,969 134,030p134,074p134,289 p215
Goods-producing(1)..... 22,134 22,152 22,164 p22,218 p22,268 p50
Construction......... 7,217 7,262 7,284 p7,319 p7,356 p37
Manufacturing........ 14,292 14,258 14,244 p14,259 p14,270 p11
Service-providing(1)... 111,295 111,817 111,866p111,856p112,021 p165
Retail trade(2)...... 15,180 15,221 15,183 p15,186 p15,194 p9
Professional and business services 16,867 16,995 17,037 p17,043 p17,072 p29
Education and health services........... 17,289 17,417 17,455 p17,445 p17,481 p36
Leisure and hospitality........ 12,741 12,798 12,762 p12,748 p12,777 p29
Government........... 21,753 21,841 21,856 p21,851 p21,872 p21
HAPPINESS ALL ROUND AND MERRY XMAS FROM THE BLS!! WHANNA JOB? JUST GO ANYWHERE...THEY'RE HIRING!!
...which might imply the revenge of the Fudge Factors again... But Hey, Wall Street has been making a good living on "the fudge" for years...so why stop now.
In any event with the "jobs boom" and Greedspan's comments today it looks like interest rates will be going up EVERY FED MEETING in 2006...or until the Bank of China quits supporting US..and the dollar.
Don't worry, be happy, go shopping is the MOTD today. ENJOY!
Here it is in capsule form:
Nonfarm employment....... 133,429 133,969 134,030p134,074p134,289 p215
Goods-producing(1)..... 22,134 22,152 22,164 p22,218 p22,268 p50
Construction......... 7,217 7,262 7,284 p7,319 p7,356 p37
Manufacturing........ 14,292 14,258 14,244 p14,259 p14,270 p11
Service-providing(1)... 111,295 111,817 111,866p111,856p112,021 p165
Retail trade(2)...... 15,180 15,221 15,183 p15,186 p15,194 p9
Professional and business services 16,867 16,995 17,037 p17,043 p17,072 p29
Education and health services........... 17,289 17,417 17,455 p17,445 p17,481 p36
Leisure and hospitality........ 12,741 12,798 12,762 p12,748 p12,777 p29
Government........... 21,753 21,841 21,856 p21,851 p21,872 p21
HAPPINESS ALL ROUND AND MERRY XMAS FROM THE BLS!! WHANNA JOB? JUST GO ANYWHERE...THEY'RE HIRING!!
Thursday, December 1, 2005
THE INFLATION/DEFLATION PARADOX...
As retailers struggle with excess inventory and a tapped out consumer...
there is an inflation-deflation paradox developing.
As retailers panic and lower prices to move old stock...inflation goes down.
But that still doesn't solve the FEDs biggest problem...THE HYPER-LIQUIDITY that Greenspan used to flood the money markets after the Bubble Burst in 2000.
In a sense this hyper-liquidty experiment helped to build China into the industrial powerhouse it is today, as American companies build plant and equipment in China...not to mention building by the Chinese themselves to supplement interational capitals "Flight to Cheap Labor."
AMAZINGLY, THE HYPER-LIQUIDITY INSIDE THE US HAS BEEN CONCENTRATED ON WALL STREET AND IN THE AMERICAN HOUSING MARKETS!
Result:
BUBBLES GALORE IN HOUSING, AND PAPER ASSETS LIKE STOCKS AND BONDS, WITH THE SPECULATION IN COMMODIITES ALSO RAMPANT...eg Oil and Gold.
So has a result the FED is faced with an inflation/deflation paradox... Deflation from China and Inflation inside the US markets.
Retailers will continue to lower prices.
And speculators, who run the global economy now, will continue to speculate... And this is where Greedspan, etal must, alas, remain focused... Namely on the hyper-liquidity speculation that the FED has fostered and encouraged over these many years of "Bubblenomics."
The result could be higher rates even as prices are falling at retailers! Or put another way the PARADOX OF STAGFLATION.
there is an inflation-deflation paradox developing.
As retailers panic and lower prices to move old stock...inflation goes down.
But that still doesn't solve the FEDs biggest problem...THE HYPER-LIQUIDITY that Greenspan used to flood the money markets after the Bubble Burst in 2000.
In a sense this hyper-liquidty experiment helped to build China into the industrial powerhouse it is today, as American companies build plant and equipment in China...not to mention building by the Chinese themselves to supplement interational capitals "Flight to Cheap Labor."
AMAZINGLY, THE HYPER-LIQUIDITY INSIDE THE US HAS BEEN CONCENTRATED ON WALL STREET AND IN THE AMERICAN HOUSING MARKETS!
Result:
BUBBLES GALORE IN HOUSING, AND PAPER ASSETS LIKE STOCKS AND BONDS, WITH THE SPECULATION IN COMMODIITES ALSO RAMPANT...eg Oil and Gold.
So has a result the FED is faced with an inflation/deflation paradox... Deflation from China and Inflation inside the US markets.
Retailers will continue to lower prices.
And speculators, who run the global economy now, will continue to speculate... And this is where Greedspan, etal must, alas, remain focused... Namely on the hyper-liquidity speculation that the FED has fostered and encouraged over these many years of "Bubblenomics."
The result could be higher rates even as prices are falling at retailers! Or put another way the PARADOX OF STAGFLATION.
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