Question: What's wrong with the 34%....who still support Bush?
This is a number that could swing the Kongress to the Democrats in November...in spite of "safe seat" counts...
My hunch is that Dubya is destined to be in the mid 20's on approval by November.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
MARDI GRAS PARADE WEB CAMS...
MARDI GRAS ends at the stroke of Midnight tonight...when the elite Krewe of Rex and Krewe of Comus "meet."
These Krewes are the private clubs of the New Orleans elites and they parade late on Mardi Gras day....
YEN BUBBLE COULD SINK THE DOLLAR...
Greenspan's liquidity bubble gets all the publicity
but it is the YEN BUBBLE that is the real threat to the global economy...
The BoJ has been suppling it's citizens and others from around the world with cheap money to invest GLOBALLY...and this has been going on for years, decades even.
Any attempt to unwind the Yen Bubble now could be the "big one" that the US Fed has been warning about, but never quite discussing in detail.
THE YEN BUBBLE COULD SINK THE DOLLAR...AND A LOT FASTER THAN THE WALL STREET SPINSTERS THINK...
This is especially so now that the UAE port sale flap has spun out of control.
The US, the world's biggest debtor nation, seems to be saying: WHITES ONLY!
At least when it comes to buying "serious assets" inside the US...
but it is the YEN BUBBLE that is the real threat to the global economy...
The BoJ has been suppling it's citizens and others from around the world with cheap money to invest GLOBALLY...and this has been going on for years, decades even.
Any attempt to unwind the Yen Bubble now could be the "big one" that the US Fed has been warning about, but never quite discussing in detail.
THE YEN BUBBLE COULD SINK THE DOLLAR...AND A LOT FASTER THAN THE WALL STREET SPINSTERS THINK...
This is especially so now that the UAE port sale flap has spun out of control.
The US, the world's biggest debtor nation, seems to be saying: WHITES ONLY!
At least when it comes to buying "serious assets" inside the US...
BLOGGING: RIP? ....WALL STREET JOURNAL
Demise of blogs... Probably not. But Blogs and Bloggers will "evolve" with time.
Perhaps, Blogs will replace editorial pages in the major media?
Perhaps, Blogs will become gathering places for people with special interests and needs.
Perhaps, Blogs will merely be public/private bill boards ...or a message service as used to happen with telephones.
Perhaps, Blogs will become major political tools as cyber-politics gets started.
Blogs are a form of communication to be sure...exactly what will be communicated is still to be determined...
Perhaps, Blogs will replace editorial pages in the major media?
Perhaps, Blogs will become gathering places for people with special interests and needs.
Perhaps, Blogs will merely be public/private bill boards ...or a message service as used to happen with telephones.
Perhaps, Blogs will become major political tools as cyber-politics gets started.
Blogs are a form of communication to be sure...exactly what will be communicated is still to be determined...
Monday, February 27, 2006
MARDI GRAS...FAT MONDAY
Click HERE for the Bead Cam...live!
Tonight: Proteus and Orpheus parade.... Tomorrow...THE ZULUS! START @ 8:00am!
Tonight: Proteus and Orpheus parade.... Tomorrow...THE ZULUS! START @ 8:00am!
ISRAEL FORCES EU AND US TO "FUND" HAMAS...
Israel doesn't seem interested in winning friends and influencing people these days...
Perhaps the end game has started on the West Bank annexation hopes of the Israeli ultra-right.
A Two State Solution would do wonders in the middle east...if only the west would read Israel the Riot Act, and insist that the Biblical "fun and games" on the West Bank cease. NOW!
Perhaps the end game has started on the West Bank annexation hopes of the Israeli ultra-right.
A Two State Solution would do wonders in the middle east...if only the west would read Israel the Riot Act, and insist that the Biblical "fun and games" on the West Bank cease. NOW!
IRAQ IS THE NEW LEBANON...!
Iraq has become the NEW LEBANON... And that is really all there is to say about it.
These western interventions, INTO MULTI-ETHNIC NATIONS, seem designed to break apart the countries effected. For example, the Yugoslavian situation... Lebanon is the best comparison to Iraq. Although Iraq is much bigger...
CALL IRAQ..."NEW LEBANON" BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS NOW.
These western interventions, INTO MULTI-ETHNIC NATIONS, seem designed to break apart the countries effected. For example, the Yugoslavian situation... Lebanon is the best comparison to Iraq. Although Iraq is much bigger...
CALL IRAQ..."NEW LEBANON" BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS NOW.
US NEWS BLACKOUT ON THE MIDDLE EAST...?
Looks like the American Media have been insturcted to "blackout" anti-Arab and middle eastern news coverage...or keep it to a bear minimum with an emphasis on "happy talk" --until the ports deal is done.... Of course lately ALL news from the middle east has been bad news.
Bring on the celebrity interviews, freak of the week stories!
"And The Fluff."
Bring on the celebrity interviews, freak of the week stories!
"And The Fluff."
BONDS DAZED AND CONFUSED....
But fortunately still wallowing in the world's excess cash!
But could the BOJ be fixing to pierce the YEN BUBBLE? That would focus the thinking of the Bondsters...
But could the BOJ be fixing to pierce the YEN BUBBLE? That would focus the thinking of the Bondsters...
APPLE AND DISNEY? SHADES OF AOL AND TIME/WARNER!
Clearly, Apple sees the light at the end of the tunnel.... And yes, it is another train!
Riding the I-Pod Fad for all it's worth, Apple now seems to be pulling an AOL and looking for "real assets"...ones that don't depend on Wall Street hype.
Any Apple/Disney combo will likely turn out as bad as AOL/Time/Warner longer term.
I am not convinced that the Apple Computer is a sustainable product...and the I-Pod is really in the same position as Apple Computers were in--PRE-WINDOWS..!
But we all know that advantage of being first...often doesn't last. At least not in tech...
The well funded late comers can and do eat your lunch...especially if the first to the party are resting on their laurals...sort of like Bode at the Olympics.
If I were a Disney stockholder...I won't trust Apples' "currency"...Unless it's all cash.
Or is this new hype just another cheap attempt to goose the markets...now sinking into their usual late spring funk?
Riding the I-Pod Fad for all it's worth, Apple now seems to be pulling an AOL and looking for "real assets"...ones that don't depend on Wall Street hype.
Any Apple/Disney combo will likely turn out as bad as AOL/Time/Warner longer term.
I am not convinced that the Apple Computer is a sustainable product...and the I-Pod is really in the same position as Apple Computers were in--PRE-WINDOWS..!
But we all know that advantage of being first...often doesn't last. At least not in tech...
The well funded late comers can and do eat your lunch...especially if the first to the party are resting on their laurals...sort of like Bode at the Olympics.
If I were a Disney stockholder...I won't trust Apples' "currency"...Unless it's all cash.
Or is this new hype just another cheap attempt to goose the markets...now sinking into their usual late spring funk?
Sunday, February 26, 2006
THE MORNING CALL...
Will oil and gold rule the day again...? Probably.
At least until some definative news on the American Consumer can be determined. The Yin and Yang in the middle east could also move the markets...and perhaps significantly at times.
Still there is no sign yet of the BIG MACRO-STUFF kicking in...? Even the US yield curve is moving like a cat...slowly and quietly...ever up....always unnoticed by stock traders.
Something very very small will take down this house of cards...it always does.
At least until some definative news on the American Consumer can be determined. The Yin and Yang in the middle east could also move the markets...and perhaps significantly at times.
Still there is no sign yet of the BIG MACRO-STUFF kicking in...? Even the US yield curve is moving like a cat...slowly and quietly...ever up....always unnoticed by stock traders.
Something very very small will take down this house of cards...it always does.
OYLYMPIC WRAPUP....coming soon.
Question: Why do nearly all countries national anthems sound like the overture to a minor opera?
Question: Why don't the US media get off Bode's back already?
Question: Will snowboarders ever grow up?
Question: Does Evgeny ever fall?
Question: Can ski jumping really be a "national sport?"
Question: How gay was the Olympic closing...300 "brides" in wedding dresses?
Question: How did Ricky Martin go from the Ramada Inn circuit to the Olympics?
Question: Why don't the US media get off Bode's back already?
Question: Will snowboarders ever grow up?
Question: Does Evgeny ever fall?
Question: Can ski jumping really be a "national sport?"
Question: How gay was the Olympic closing...300 "brides" in wedding dresses?
Question: How did Ricky Martin go from the Ramada Inn circuit to the Olympics?
BUY USED BOOKS ON AMAZON...
Support your independant bookshops who are struggling in the Bush Economy. See the Amazon sidebar link ...for future reference. Amazon has become the best place for used as well as new books... Perhaps even better than ABE.com now.
ISRAEL NOW DESPERATELY TRIES TO PROVOKE HAMAS...BUT THAT MIGHT BE THE 'LAST WAR!'
Israel desperately continues to try to provoke Hamas into retailiation...
...for Israel's now daily killings sprees against Palestinians inside theWest Bank refuee camps...but it may not work this time. Alas, that could be "the last war"....yesterday's tactics!
Hamas is now on the "inside."
And they are getting their message out to the real world...even to some extent inside the US, where news about the conflict is highly controlled by the American Media.
Clearly, Israel will have to step up the provocations, but it then risks the possibility of being seen as the aggressor, and thus further exposing the Israeli ultra-right's "Hidden Agenda" on the West Bank.
Amazingly, Hamas and the Shia in Iraq have benefited from the American Neocon efforts to "democratize" the governments of the middle east!
And Israel and the US have suffered most because of democratization!
The Law of Unintended Consequences! Indeed!
...for Israel's now daily killings sprees against Palestinians inside theWest Bank refuee camps...but it may not work this time. Alas, that could be "the last war"....yesterday's tactics!
Hamas is now on the "inside."
And they are getting their message out to the real world...even to some extent inside the US, where news about the conflict is highly controlled by the American Media.
Clearly, Israel will have to step up the provocations, but it then risks the possibility of being seen as the aggressor, and thus further exposing the Israeli ultra-right's "Hidden Agenda" on the West Bank.
Amazingly, Hamas and the Shia in Iraq have benefited from the American Neocon efforts to "democratize" the governments of the middle east!
And Israel and the US have suffered most because of democratization!
The Law of Unintended Consequences! Indeed!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
TOUR SHAKESPEARE & CO IN PARIS....with 360 views!
A great opportunity to see this famous bookshop....in 360 degrees.
Friday, February 24, 2006
MIDDLE BOX BLUES...
Everyone talks about the "Big Box Stores"...but what about the Mid-size Box Stores? How are they doing...?
Well, apparently not real well.
A brief walkabout of my city recently showed a huge increase in vacant store fronts...and this is not a "depressed area," it's a major university town.
I really can't believe all of the "established businesses" that are just going under...throwing in the towel after decades in business.
Signs like: "We'd like to thank our many customers for 20 great years serving the community."
Etc. Etc. Sad really....
But, as the American consumer cuts back...the middle size box stores will likely suffer more, and faster, than the Big Box Walmart's or Home Depot's of the world.
And this stealth depression in mid-size commerce is visible on all sides...as "For Lease" signs are popping up in the most unexpected places...overnight!
One thing that could be aggravating this mass exodus of small retailers is the HIGH PRICE of real estate...which is relatively higher now than the realistic rent a retailer can afford to pay... Indeed I know of one case where the business owner closed a business of 24 years...despite the fact that he owned the building! The notion being that he could make more money as a landlord than as a business operator.
Many new owners of commerical property are finally "raising rents"...but discovering that their tenants are folding up and going out of business!
Call it the MIDDLE BOX BLUES!
And it's getting worse every day...
Well, apparently not real well.
A brief walkabout of my city recently showed a huge increase in vacant store fronts...and this is not a "depressed area," it's a major university town.
I really can't believe all of the "established businesses" that are just going under...throwing in the towel after decades in business.
Signs like: "We'd like to thank our many customers for 20 great years serving the community."
Etc. Etc. Sad really....
But, as the American consumer cuts back...the middle size box stores will likely suffer more, and faster, than the Big Box Walmart's or Home Depot's of the world.
And this stealth depression in mid-size commerce is visible on all sides...as "For Lease" signs are popping up in the most unexpected places...overnight!
One thing that could be aggravating this mass exodus of small retailers is the HIGH PRICE of real estate...which is relatively higher now than the realistic rent a retailer can afford to pay... Indeed I know of one case where the business owner closed a business of 24 years...despite the fact that he owned the building! The notion being that he could make more money as a landlord than as a business operator.
Many new owners of commerical property are finally "raising rents"...but discovering that their tenants are folding up and going out of business!
Call it the MIDDLE BOX BLUES!
And it's getting worse every day...
BERNANKE SPEECH GIVES A HISTORY LESSON...
In his Maiden Speech as Fed Chairman
Mr. Bernanke recounted the recent history of the Fed, and it's inflation policies.
But, Bernanke also recognized the sad economic "Law of Unintended Consequences" when he noted:
"The inflationary policies of the 1960s led not to permanently lower unemployment, as the permanent-tradeoff theory predicted, but instead to persistently higher inflation with no improvement in unemployment."
So, the 1960's notion that we could inflate our way to full employment was proven false...
But, something very similar is happening today with our current Asset Inflation, in stocks, real estate and commodities, which, somehow, Bernanke completely ignored.
Asset Inflation, like core inflation, has consequences...and some of these are unforseen, or at least ignored by our economic punditacracy.
To eliminate core inflation in manufactured goods, the US de-industrialized and shipped most of it's high wage union jobs to China and other low wage economies.
This has made the Trade Deficit "structural" for the US...and also unsustainable... Alas, Bernanke was silent on this key issue too. Hopefully he will enlighten us about our structural deficits at some future date.
And, of course, the recent tax cuts and the massive Bush budget deficits were also ignored.
Bernanke's little "history lesson" today was really an Ode to the Miracle of De-Industrialization...and to the Amazing Greenspan Bubble Years...now over.
Lets hope that Bernanke gives us some more substantive ideas about the future, and not the past, in his next speech.
Mr. Bernanke recounted the recent history of the Fed, and it's inflation policies.
But, Bernanke also recognized the sad economic "Law of Unintended Consequences" when he noted:
"The inflationary policies of the 1960s led not to permanently lower unemployment, as the permanent-tradeoff theory predicted, but instead to persistently higher inflation with no improvement in unemployment."
So, the 1960's notion that we could inflate our way to full employment was proven false...
But, something very similar is happening today with our current Asset Inflation, in stocks, real estate and commodities, which, somehow, Bernanke completely ignored.
Asset Inflation, like core inflation, has consequences...and some of these are unforseen, or at least ignored by our economic punditacracy.
To eliminate core inflation in manufactured goods, the US de-industrialized and shipped most of it's high wage union jobs to China and other low wage economies.
This has made the Trade Deficit "structural" for the US...and also unsustainable... Alas, Bernanke was silent on this key issue too. Hopefully he will enlighten us about our structural deficits at some future date.
And, of course, the recent tax cuts and the massive Bush budget deficits were also ignored.
Bernanke's little "history lesson" today was really an Ode to the Miracle of De-Industrialization...and to the Amazing Greenspan Bubble Years...now over.
Lets hope that Bernanke gives us some more substantive ideas about the future, and not the past, in his next speech.
OIL EXPLODES....GOLD FOLLOWS
So it's all about oil on the Street these days...?
Well, Bernanke speaks later today...that could re-focus some people.
Well, Bernanke speaks later today...that could re-focus some people.
VALLEY OF THE WOLVES: A MUSLIM MRS. MINIVER...?
Or, is The Trukish "Hate America" film, VALLEY OF THE WOLVES just an Islamic Rambo...?
Well, never under-estimate the power of a movie.
Perhaps, coming to a Cineaplex near you?
Re: Mrs Miniver...it was really Hitler's favorite movie...so much so that he wanted one just like it for the Axis side...?
Note also: The young fly-boy in Mrs. Miniver was Richard Nye, who went on later in life to write some blistering attacks on Wall Street's flimflam...
See Wall Street Jungle, his best Wall Street book still available on Amazon...and often found in used bookstores today.
Well, never under-estimate the power of a movie.
Perhaps, coming to a Cineaplex near you?
Re: Mrs Miniver...it was really Hitler's favorite movie...so much so that he wanted one just like it for the Axis side...?
Note also: The young fly-boy in Mrs. Miniver was Richard Nye, who went on later in life to write some blistering attacks on Wall Street's flimflam...
See Wall Street Jungle, his best Wall Street book still available on Amazon...and often found in used bookstores today.
BERNANKE SPEAKS...LATER TONIGHT
Read it HERE. Later tonight.
But it is possible that Bernanke will be a bit too "forthcoming" and will dash the market's optimism that "rate hikes are ending."
Clearly the geopolitical and macroeconomics of the US economy says HIGHER RATES for the rest of this year...
But alas, Wall Streeters sometimes start to believe the BS they put out for retail consumption! Which I suppose is a "good thing" if your in the business of "selling stuff" to the unsuspecting public.
But it is possible that Bernanke will be a bit too "forthcoming" and will dash the market's optimism that "rate hikes are ending."
Clearly the geopolitical and macroeconomics of the US economy says HIGHER RATES for the rest of this year...
But alas, Wall Streeters sometimes start to believe the BS they put out for retail consumption! Which I suppose is a "good thing" if your in the business of "selling stuff" to the unsuspecting public.
GOLD AT $600 BEFORE JULY 1...?
It's not only doable...it's very likely give the current geopolitical and economic turmoil... With NO END in sight.
DURABLE GOODS PLUNGE! AND THEN THE BAD NEWS...
The US and Global economy are RUNNIN ON FUMES...
So much of the "good news" that supports our Gospel of Greed on Wall Street and in Washington...is fake or carefully manufactured, that eventually the truth will come out.
The Asset Inflation of the Greenspan years has ended...but what is to replace it? Perhaps a stagflation economy as in the 1970's?
The underlying economy is very weak deep inside the US, but none of this is reported in the mainstream media.
Consider:
When Walmart reports or projects "lower sales"...what then must be happening on Main Street? And what about small businesses that don't have Walmarts clout and draw? In most places in the US there is a commerical real estate depression that is totally under the radar.
If Walmart "catches cold," Main street is in a coma!
Yet, we are told that small business is the "engine for job growth" in the US...!
THE GLOOM IS DEEP ON MAIN STREET...
AND ALSO WITH THE SMALL AND MIDDLE-SIZE TOWN CONSUMERS IN FLYOVER COUNTRY...
While certain cities in the South and Southwest may be "booming," it is at the expense of the rest of the nation...
For Example, an Ohio school teacher retires...and moves to Phoenix! A Michigan UAW retiree sells his house and buys a manufactured home in Vegas!
IN BOTH THESE CASES THE RETIREE TAKES THEIR PENSION MONEY WITH THEM TO THE NEW SUNBELT STATE...
GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF "PROSPERITY" IN CERTAIN "SUNBELT BOOM CITIES"...BUT REALLY DEPRIVING THE OLDER AREAS OF NEEDED CASH AND INCOME!
It's a zero sum game for the states, and that's why so many or nearly broke.
And add to that the tax break "bidding" that is required to get business to "invest" in most states...and its a toxic soup for everyone involved.
In America today, its not what you know, its where you live...and the retirement Mecca's are the current "place to be!"
But, this Zero Sum Game...is hardly an Economic Boom.
So much of the "good news" that supports our Gospel of Greed on Wall Street and in Washington...is fake or carefully manufactured, that eventually the truth will come out.
The Asset Inflation of the Greenspan years has ended...but what is to replace it? Perhaps a stagflation economy as in the 1970's?
The underlying economy is very weak deep inside the US, but none of this is reported in the mainstream media.
Consider:
When Walmart reports or projects "lower sales"...what then must be happening on Main Street? And what about small businesses that don't have Walmarts clout and draw? In most places in the US there is a commerical real estate depression that is totally under the radar.
If Walmart "catches cold," Main street is in a coma!
Yet, we are told that small business is the "engine for job growth" in the US...!
THE GLOOM IS DEEP ON MAIN STREET...
AND ALSO WITH THE SMALL AND MIDDLE-SIZE TOWN CONSUMERS IN FLYOVER COUNTRY...
While certain cities in the South and Southwest may be "booming," it is at the expense of the rest of the nation...
For Example, an Ohio school teacher retires...and moves to Phoenix! A Michigan UAW retiree sells his house and buys a manufactured home in Vegas!
IN BOTH THESE CASES THE RETIREE TAKES THEIR PENSION MONEY WITH THEM TO THE NEW SUNBELT STATE...
GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF "PROSPERITY" IN CERTAIN "SUNBELT BOOM CITIES"...BUT REALLY DEPRIVING THE OLDER AREAS OF NEEDED CASH AND INCOME!
It's a zero sum game for the states, and that's why so many or nearly broke.
And add to that the tax break "bidding" that is required to get business to "invest" in most states...and its a toxic soup for everyone involved.
In America today, its not what you know, its where you live...and the retirement Mecca's are the current "place to be!"
But, this Zero Sum Game...is hardly an Economic Boom.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
KISS MY ASSETS....!
Or, why the US has to start selling off the "family jewels" to foreigners like China and the UAE...just to survive in the global economy!
Stay Tuned...
Stay Tuned...
DAY AND NIGHT CURFEWS IN IRAQ!
Now thats the ticket...!
Perhaps its time to just go back to Texas, forget about world affairs, and maybe clear some brush...
Hmmmm....Iraq is getting to be as bad as those snakes in the liquor cabinet!
Perhaps its time to just go back to Texas, forget about world affairs, and maybe clear some brush...
Hmmmm....Iraq is getting to be as bad as those snakes in the liquor cabinet!
BOOZE AND EDUCATION...
Anyone looking for a job in America nowadays would be well advised to get into the liquor business or into the field of education...
Education in America today is the field wherein under-qualified persons become over-qualifed persons...by being taught new skills by folks who can't get a job in the field they are teaching in...!
Which of course is bound to be good for people in the liquor business...sooner or later.
Any questions?
Education in America today is the field wherein under-qualified persons become over-qualifed persons...by being taught new skills by folks who can't get a job in the field they are teaching in...!
Which of course is bound to be good for people in the liquor business...sooner or later.
Any questions?
BONDS FALL....LIKE DUH?
The bond market is sort of like the jet stream in weather reporting...
Show me where the jet stream is...and you can just skip all the yada-yada.
After all people always like to talk about the weather, but no one seems to "do anything" about it!
So to with the bond market.
You can just skip the daily yada-yada from the pundits, and look ONLY at the bond market and know pretty much what's going on...
Unfortunately, bonds are going down...longer term.
And that makes stocks less attractive... My hunch is that Fed Funds will have to revert to the historic "norm" of 7% to wring the (asset) inflationary expectations out of the economy and Wall Street...
We ain't there yet... But we will be--eventually.
So just try to enjoy, or at least endure, the pundit yada-yada in the meantime.
Show me where the jet stream is...and you can just skip all the yada-yada.
After all people always like to talk about the weather, but no one seems to "do anything" about it!
So to with the bond market.
You can just skip the daily yada-yada from the pundits, and look ONLY at the bond market and know pretty much what's going on...
Unfortunately, bonds are going down...longer term.
And that makes stocks less attractive... My hunch is that Fed Funds will have to revert to the historic "norm" of 7% to wring the (asset) inflationary expectations out of the economy and Wall Street...
We ain't there yet... But we will be--eventually.
So just try to enjoy, or at least endure, the pundit yada-yada in the meantime.
LAST HURRAH FOR HOME BUILDERS...
Or,....Before the Deluge? Clearly for speculators the time to sell is now...or was it yesterday?
For home occupiers...perhaps its time to quit paying off the credit cards with home equity loans...and give the kitchen table ATM a rest...
For home occupiers...perhaps its time to quit paying off the credit cards with home equity loans...and give the kitchen table ATM a rest...
ITS THE SYMBOLISM, STUPID!
Conservative pundits are furiously defending
the "sale" of US ports to the Islamists in the UAE...but they miss the point entirely in their defence of Dubya's latest tin ear blunder...
IT'S THE SYMBOLISM, STUPID! Every good politician knows that perception is MORE important than reality. Just as John Kerry...saddly discovered in 2004
Americans are beaten down by globalism and 911...and NOW THIS!
In opposing this "insult" to American pride, nothing has united the country more... not since 911
the "sale" of US ports to the Islamists in the UAE...but they miss the point entirely in their defence of Dubya's latest tin ear blunder...
IT'S THE SYMBOLISM, STUPID! Every good politician knows that perception is MORE important than reality. Just as John Kerry...saddly discovered in 2004
Americans are beaten down by globalism and 911...and NOW THIS!
In opposing this "insult" to American pride, nothing has united the country more... not since 911
US RESPONSIBLE FOR ORDER IN IRAQ....?
The notion of a "civil war" in Iraq is a bit odd...
Since the US etal are the "occupying power" it is up to Washington to keep the peace in Iraq.
And any civil war the does develope would be odd indeed.
How exactly would the US military handle the situation...would the US take sides? Would the US military just stand back and let the fighting occur? The US military would be like the cops showing up at a "domestic dispute"...which all police will agree is their worst, and often most dangerous assignment!
Clearly to do whats required under international law...Dubya & Co may need to establish a draft just to avoid committing "war crimes" under international conventions about occupations and occupying powers.
The "Pottery Barn Rules" may YET need to be applied here...!
Since the US etal are the "occupying power" it is up to Washington to keep the peace in Iraq.
And any civil war the does develope would be odd indeed.
How exactly would the US military handle the situation...would the US take sides? Would the US military just stand back and let the fighting occur? The US military would be like the cops showing up at a "domestic dispute"...which all police will agree is their worst, and often most dangerous assignment!
Clearly to do whats required under international law...Dubya & Co may need to establish a draft just to avoid committing "war crimes" under international conventions about occupations and occupying powers.
The "Pottery Barn Rules" may YET need to be applied here...!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
SHIA SHRINE BOMBING RIPS IT...
What hath Cheney and the Neocons wrought...?
The destruction of the holiest shrine of Shia Islam will likely doom ANY efforts at forming a pro-American government in Iraq...
And worse, it is now likely that the Shia will turn against the US occupation is a major way...
THIS IS BIG! IT'S OVER FOR THE US IN IRAQ... The best course of action now is to let the Iraqis fight it out...and then deal with whoever rises to power inside the now destroyed former Iraq.
The destruction of the holiest shrine of Shia Islam will likely doom ANY efforts at forming a pro-American government in Iraq...
And worse, it is now likely that the Shia will turn against the US occupation is a major way...
THIS IS BIG! IT'S OVER FOR THE US IN IRAQ... The best course of action now is to let the Iraqis fight it out...and then deal with whoever rises to power inside the now destroyed former Iraq.
PERILS OF INVERTED YIELD CURVE...
Amazingly, it now seems that the FED has "printed" so much money,
and placed it in the hands of the rich and powerful that these elites are flooding the bond markets with their Greenspan Dollars! Thus inverting the yield curve!
The preference of the elites for "long term" investments has driven the long end of the bond market up in price...but down in yield.
Because, alas, the FED only "controls" the short end of the curve.
Also, as the elites' easy money flees the recent asset inflation in stocks, real estate and commodities...the long bond is still the best "parking place" for this excess cash or "cold money"....as opposed to the hot money of the Greenspan Bubble Daze...
Also odd is this notion that the FED is not really trying to control "demand inflation" or "wage inflation" as in the past...the China Miracle has solved that old problem!
Rather, the FED is "secretly" targeting Asset Inflation, which comes about from too many rich people and big companies chasing too few "investable assets."
But, as the rich flee the "hard assets" of the various Greenspan Bubbles...they end up back in the bond market, thus inverting the FEDs yield curve even more.
For Example:
If the Dow fell to 6000, where would the elite Dow "refugees" go? Most likely into long bonds, JUST TO AVOID that part of the rate curve that the FED has the most control over! Of course this can't go on forever...because EVENTUALL the FED CAN trash the economy has it did back in the late 70's and early 80's.
SO WE ARE NOW SEEING THE CATCH-22 END OF GREENSPAN'S BUBBLENOMIC MIRACLE IN THE 1990's.
and placed it in the hands of the rich and powerful that these elites are flooding the bond markets with their Greenspan Dollars! Thus inverting the yield curve!
The preference of the elites for "long term" investments has driven the long end of the bond market up in price...but down in yield.
Because, alas, the FED only "controls" the short end of the curve.
Also, as the elites' easy money flees the recent asset inflation in stocks, real estate and commodities...the long bond is still the best "parking place" for this excess cash or "cold money"....as opposed to the hot money of the Greenspan Bubble Daze...
Also odd is this notion that the FED is not really trying to control "demand inflation" or "wage inflation" as in the past...the China Miracle has solved that old problem!
Rather, the FED is "secretly" targeting Asset Inflation, which comes about from too many rich people and big companies chasing too few "investable assets."
But, as the rich flee the "hard assets" of the various Greenspan Bubbles...they end up back in the bond market, thus inverting the FEDs yield curve even more.
For Example:
If the Dow fell to 6000, where would the elite Dow "refugees" go? Most likely into long bonds, JUST TO AVOID that part of the rate curve that the FED has the most control over! Of course this can't go on forever...because EVENTUALL the FED CAN trash the economy has it did back in the late 70's and early 80's.
SO WE ARE NOW SEEING THE CATCH-22 END OF GREENSPAN'S BUBBLENOMIC MIRACLE IN THE 1990's.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
BUSH SELLS US PORTS TO ISLAMISTS!!
This, from the National Security President...?
Yea, well it's kinda like that these days isn't it... Wonder who got paid off for this one...
Yea, well it's kinda like that these days isn't it... Wonder who got paid off for this one...
THE FED MINUTES....
Rates are going up and up and up...
The macroeconomics of it all is just too obvious
The macroeconomics of it all is just too obvious
LEI DOOMS RATE HOPES...
The strong LEI dooms any hopes of stopping rate hikes and could insure even more increases this year...
True, the LEI was up because stocks were up and stocks are up because the LEI is up, but circular reasoning is not unusual on the Street.
Still the notion that the increase was primarily in building permits and stock prices should be of interest...perhaps even to the FED!
True, the LEI was up because stocks were up and stocks are up because the LEI is up, but circular reasoning is not unusual on the Street.
Still the notion that the increase was primarily in building permits and stock prices should be of interest...perhaps even to the FED!
JACK STRAW SOLVES IRAQ PROBLEM...? OR...
Hmmm...but why was he in Iraq in the first place.
Perhaps because Dubya etal have become such a sad joke in the middle east?
And probably laying the ground work for a British Pullout I would assume!
Perhaps because Dubya etal have become such a sad joke in the middle east?
And probably laying the ground work for a British Pullout I would assume!
PARKING LOT THEORY OF BONDS...
With Bernanke promising continued rate hikes... Why have bonds held up so far?
It appears that big money outfits, like central banks and brokerages, simply need a "parking lot" for their money...in a "good nieghborhood," during any "market unpleasantness."
But since the current "rally bout nutthin" is getting more dicey... The Ying and Yan in the Bond Market can continue...
Longer term bonds are a textbook disaster waiting to happen...
Alas, the brokers and central banks come out of their offices, and put a few dimes in the bond parking meter every so often...and thats about it for the bond market these days.
It appears that big money outfits, like central banks and brokerages, simply need a "parking lot" for their money...in a "good nieghborhood," during any "market unpleasantness."
But since the current "rally bout nutthin" is getting more dicey... The Ying and Yan in the Bond Market can continue...
Longer term bonds are a textbook disaster waiting to happen...
Alas, the brokers and central banks come out of their offices, and put a few dimes in the bond parking meter every so often...and thats about it for the bond market these days.
HOME DEPOT....I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THE NUMBERS
There is something fishy here... They sold more paint in the 4th quarter...? No...there's something else happening. These stores are not that crowded...even in the south.
Of course, there is always the possibility that as THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE BURSTS...more people are doing simple "fix ups" to attract buyers...!!
Of course, there is always the possibility that as THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE BURSTS...more people are doing simple "fix ups" to attract buyers...!!
MARKET WANTS TO PROLONG BERNANKE PLUNGE PROTECTION RALLY....NO MATTER WHAT!
This Sucker Rally seems to "have legs!"
The notion that the retail investor always buys high and sells low seems intact...
The recent "rally about nutthin" on Wall Street seems to have been motivated by "plunge protection" fears about the transition from Greenspan to Bernanke... The Fed and it's shills on the Street always issue "protection" during key events or transitions...remember Y2K? Yea, sorta like that...
The issue is how far can it run and how hard will it fall back once the "crisis" period is deemed "over?"
Of course oil and gold are still high and retailers like Walmart are warning about the future... But Plunge Protection is just a flood of money into the free float...it doesn't care about reality or fundamentals
THIS MARKET WANTS TO PROLONG THE PLUNGE PROTECTION SUCKER RALLY...NO MATTER WHAT!
The notion that the retail investor always buys high and sells low seems intact...
The recent "rally about nutthin" on Wall Street seems to have been motivated by "plunge protection" fears about the transition from Greenspan to Bernanke... The Fed and it's shills on the Street always issue "protection" during key events or transitions...remember Y2K? Yea, sorta like that...
The issue is how far can it run and how hard will it fall back once the "crisis" period is deemed "over?"
Of course oil and gold are still high and retailers like Walmart are warning about the future... But Plunge Protection is just a flood of money into the free float...it doesn't care about reality or fundamentals
THIS MARKET WANTS TO PROLONG THE PLUNGE PROTECTION SUCKER RALLY...NO MATTER WHAT!
Monday, February 20, 2006
ISRAEL'S SHRILL TONE WITH PALESTINIANS COULD SPIKE GOLD AND OIL!
Don't look now but the geopolitical sitation is heating up again...
Troubles in Nigeria...are mounting. The Muslim cartoon flap is still around.
Osama is talking again... And Israel has taken a very shrill tone with the new government of the Palestinians...
My hunch is that the geopolitical situation will be back on page one soon.
The administration is impotent and confused...few people know who talks for Dubya and if they do, who'se making any sense.
The Palestinians seem to be making a play for world opinion that will be hard to rebuff now that Hamas is "respectable."
Things were just a lot easier in Israel before Sharon's stroke and before Hamas went legit...
There seems to be a paradigm shift in the works...but for the better or for the worse is really the question.
The "happy scenario" would require major diplomacy from Washington which they don't seem to be up to these days.
And Israel is going to have to settledown the saber rattling and cut out the hyterical talk...which no one seems to be buying into anymore about the Palestinains.
Troubles in Nigeria...are mounting. The Muslim cartoon flap is still around.
Osama is talking again... And Israel has taken a very shrill tone with the new government of the Palestinians...
My hunch is that the geopolitical situation will be back on page one soon.
The administration is impotent and confused...few people know who talks for Dubya and if they do, who'se making any sense.
The Palestinians seem to be making a play for world opinion that will be hard to rebuff now that Hamas is "respectable."
Things were just a lot easier in Israel before Sharon's stroke and before Hamas went legit...
There seems to be a paradigm shift in the works...but for the better or for the worse is really the question.
The "happy scenario" would require major diplomacy from Washington which they don't seem to be up to these days.
And Israel is going to have to settledown the saber rattling and cut out the hyterical talk...which no one seems to be buying into anymore about the Palestinains.
BEWARE THE CHINA CURRENCY PROBLEM...
The Chinese Currency problem could turn out to be as problematic
...as Arab "democratization" was in the middle east.
Everyone knows that the Chinese currency is keeping inflation low in the US even if it is undervalued and there a problem for American "manufacturers." But the question is can what's left of American Industry really make any difference in the US trade deficit now.
America is nearly "de-industrialized" now and any hope of "exporting" our way out of the trade deficit seems naieve at best.
What exactly does the US have to sell China...asset bubbles? Overpriced insurance priced at internal US monopoly prices?
The Chinese were key to Greenspan's Bubblenomic "miracle" in the 1990's....
But there are always consequences for economic miracles...
Revaluing the Chinese currency could make "democratizing" the middle east look like child's play!
BEWARE THESE POLITICAL CALLS FOR REVALUATION...WHO KNOWS SOMEONE MIGHT TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY...!
...as Arab "democratization" was in the middle east.
Everyone knows that the Chinese currency is keeping inflation low in the US even if it is undervalued and there a problem for American "manufacturers." But the question is can what's left of American Industry really make any difference in the US trade deficit now.
America is nearly "de-industrialized" now and any hope of "exporting" our way out of the trade deficit seems naieve at best.
What exactly does the US have to sell China...asset bubbles? Overpriced insurance priced at internal US monopoly prices?
The Chinese were key to Greenspan's Bubblenomic "miracle" in the 1990's....
But there are always consequences for economic miracles...
Revaluing the Chinese currency could make "democratizing" the middle east look like child's play!
BEWARE THESE POLITICAL CALLS FOR REVALUATION...WHO KNOWS SOMEONE MIGHT TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY...!
US IRAQ AMBASSADOR ADMITS "DEFEAT?"
Sounds like the US ambassador in Iraq is admitting defeat...
and NOW "threatening" to withdraw US support for the elected "government"...to wit: the Shia militias of Mr Sadr AND Iran!
Wouldn't that be an interesting way for this mess to end...
SCREWED BY DEMOCRACY...THE AMERICANS LEAVE IRAQ IN DISGUST....!
But did the neocons really expect "democracy" to produce a pro Zionist government in any Arab country...? Just how stupid do you have to be to believe that?
Clearly the end game if there is one will have to be a retreat to the oil fields of independant Kurdistan...! There the US military can gaurd the oil and keep an eye on the Kurds for our allies in Turkey.
That's all that's left folks...
and NOW "threatening" to withdraw US support for the elected "government"...to wit: the Shia militias of Mr Sadr AND Iran!
Wouldn't that be an interesting way for this mess to end...
SCREWED BY DEMOCRACY...THE AMERICANS LEAVE IRAQ IN DISGUST....!
But did the neocons really expect "democracy" to produce a pro Zionist government in any Arab country...? Just how stupid do you have to be to believe that?
Clearly the end game if there is one will have to be a retreat to the oil fields of independant Kurdistan...! There the US military can gaurd the oil and keep an eye on the Kurds for our allies in Turkey.
That's all that's left folks...
Sunday, February 19, 2006
THE LATEST FROM IRAN'S PRESIDENT...
Creation of Israel was Europe's planned "dumping ground" for its disliked Jewish population....
Thus the logical "conclusion" of Hitler's scheme!
Well,....who'se is more incompetent Iran's president or the one in the US...?
It's really getting hard to tell...! And that is sad and perhaps dangerous!
Thus the logical "conclusion" of Hitler's scheme!
Well,....who'se is more incompetent Iran's president or the one in the US...?
It's really getting hard to tell...! And that is sad and perhaps dangerous!
BROOKS PROCLAIMS END OF "ECONOMIC MAN!"
David Brooks in todays NYT proclaims the End of Economic Man....
And the beginning of, well...."Religious Man??"
According to Brooks the "rational man" theory of economics is dead....and we are all lapsing into tribalism, racism and religiousity.... Or the NEW DARK AGES!!
Hmmmmm? Perhaps but I think there is a less radical explanation...
When people are under great stress...as they are now with the "global economy" there is a tendency to REVERT TO THE MYTHIC PAST....
When the Native American tribes were "dying" at the end of the 19th Century...the Cult of the "Ghost Dance" developed...wherein the "messiah" would return and drive the white man from Indian lands...and restore the "old ways."
Indeed, the Nazis in Germany were really performing a kind of "ghost dance" with the defeated and demoralized German people in the 1930's.
And Alas, Yes, the Religious Right in America is having a "ghost dance" moment today...with a longing for the industrial America of the 1950's wherein husbands and fathers could support their families without the wife working!
The Religious Right also sees the "family'" under threat from Gays, Blacks and the "loose women" of the feminist pro-choice movement....after all, married and respectable white women have no need for abortions, gays or blacks! Except as hairdressers and domestics respectively.
My feeling is that once the Democrats are back in power...many of the fears of "religious marrieds" will be handled through more generous social saftey net programs...and perhaps more emphasis on a "living wage" and pension protection for American workers....
The Republican REIGN OF TERROR will thus end...
And perhaps a TWO STATE SOLUTION in the middle east will free the Muslim Masses of their present fear of the ZIONIST CRUSADERS OF THE WEST...
In short....well, David, always go with the simpler explanation...first. Especially when your tempted to redefince "mankind" as we have known it...
In conclusion;
We need better politics...and better politicians...not more grand pseudo-philsophy from the likes of conservative dimwits like Brooksie...!
And the beginning of, well...."Religious Man??"
According to Brooks the "rational man" theory of economics is dead....and we are all lapsing into tribalism, racism and religiousity.... Or the NEW DARK AGES!!
Hmmmmm? Perhaps but I think there is a less radical explanation...
When people are under great stress...as they are now with the "global economy" there is a tendency to REVERT TO THE MYTHIC PAST....
When the Native American tribes were "dying" at the end of the 19th Century...the Cult of the "Ghost Dance" developed...wherein the "messiah" would return and drive the white man from Indian lands...and restore the "old ways."
Indeed, the Nazis in Germany were really performing a kind of "ghost dance" with the defeated and demoralized German people in the 1930's.
And Alas, Yes, the Religious Right in America is having a "ghost dance" moment today...with a longing for the industrial America of the 1950's wherein husbands and fathers could support their families without the wife working!
The Religious Right also sees the "family'" under threat from Gays, Blacks and the "loose women" of the feminist pro-choice movement....after all, married and respectable white women have no need for abortions, gays or blacks! Except as hairdressers and domestics respectively.
My feeling is that once the Democrats are back in power...many of the fears of "religious marrieds" will be handled through more generous social saftey net programs...and perhaps more emphasis on a "living wage" and pension protection for American workers....
The Republican REIGN OF TERROR will thus end...
And perhaps a TWO STATE SOLUTION in the middle east will free the Muslim Masses of their present fear of the ZIONIST CRUSADERS OF THE WEST...
In short....well, David, always go with the simpler explanation...first. Especially when your tempted to redefince "mankind" as we have known it...
In conclusion;
We need better politics...and better politicians...not more grand pseudo-philsophy from the likes of conservative dimwits like Brooksie...!
SUNDAY TALKS...
I never knew that shooting people could be "natural" and even "funny!"
And are you ready for this?
The "diversion" of the shooting is "preventing" Dubya from talking about health care!!! Oh please....LOL
And are you ready for this?
The "diversion" of the shooting is "preventing" Dubya from talking about health care!!! Oh please....LOL
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL...IF YOU GO TO NEW ORLEANS!
Anyone who can SHOULD go to MARDI GRAS this year....
BEAD HOGS UNITE....! And Yes, at Mardi Gras EVEN you will become a wild Bead Hog sooner or later. Throw me sumthin' Mister!
The best time to arrive for a short version of Mardi Gras is Sunday... On Sunday night the Big Krewe of Baachus parade is held...probably also the best...and wearing Baachus beads is highly prized in the Quarter...(even if you do look ridiculous at your first change of planes on Tuesday nite!"
Monday is always crowded with Fat Tuesday looming...on Monday night the bars are crowded all night.
And on Fat Tuesday morning everyone puts on their costumes early...and walks around all day. The parades on Tuesday start at 8AM with the popular black Krewe of Zulu...but watch out for flying coconuts! And considering the flooding in the 9th Ward, the Zulus will probably have to throw some coconuts to white folks this year...! Perhaps?
Camping out at the Cafe DuMonde is advised... And if you get exhausted try a slow walk down Royal Street to Elysian Fields justto relax away from the crowds.
But beware! Mardi Gras ends SUDDENLY at the very stroke of Midnight Tuesday Night....at 12:01 on Wednesday morning the police will clear the quarter!
Ash Wednesday is not a party day in the Big Easy...so if you're still in town on Wednesday morning expect a very very quite and subdued French Quarter...
BEAD HOGS UNITE....! And Yes, at Mardi Gras EVEN you will become a wild Bead Hog sooner or later. Throw me sumthin' Mister!
The best time to arrive for a short version of Mardi Gras is Sunday... On Sunday night the Big Krewe of Baachus parade is held...probably also the best...and wearing Baachus beads is highly prized in the Quarter...(even if you do look ridiculous at your first change of planes on Tuesday nite!"
Monday is always crowded with Fat Tuesday looming...on Monday night the bars are crowded all night.
And on Fat Tuesday morning everyone puts on their costumes early...and walks around all day. The parades on Tuesday start at 8AM with the popular black Krewe of Zulu...but watch out for flying coconuts! And considering the flooding in the 9th Ward, the Zulus will probably have to throw some coconuts to white folks this year...! Perhaps?
Camping out at the Cafe DuMonde is advised... And if you get exhausted try a slow walk down Royal Street to Elysian Fields justto relax away from the crowds.
But beware! Mardi Gras ends SUDDENLY at the very stroke of Midnight Tuesday Night....at 12:01 on Wednesday morning the police will clear the quarter!
Ash Wednesday is not a party day in the Big Easy...so if you're still in town on Wednesday morning expect a very very quite and subdued French Quarter...
HAMAS CHALLENGES FATAH WELFARE STATE...ISRAELI ATTACKS LOOM!
Hamas is challenging everything we "know" about the Palistinian situation...
Was Fatah merely a puppet of Europe and the US, set up and financed to administer a Palestinian "concentration camp" on the West Bank with "welfare money" donated by the western pro-Zionist bloc?
We'll soon find out...
It's almost impossible for westerners, and especially Americans, to discover what Muslims are thinking these days, because "fluff news" in the US is so tightly managed by our big news outlets...
For example, most Americans think of Hamas as SOLELY a terrorist organization...few even realize the political and social aspects of Hamas....
Hence, the "surprise" after the recent elections...
Amazingly, this ignorance seems to run straight to the top of the US government as even Condi was shocked by the election results in the occupied territories of Israel, ...a/k/a The West Bank...and perhaps defacto Gaza.
But consider:
Sharon is now a vegetable and Likud is in total disary... So the west, and particularly Dubya & Co, no longer have anyone to issue them "marching orders" in the middle east...
The the result is a present condition of total flux where literally anything can happen...
So;
It's very likely that Israel will cause some "major crisis" to restore the chaos on the West Bank that the elections seemed to resolve.
Israel simply can not afford to have "peace break out" at this point, or to otherwise thwart the Zionist ultra-right's decades-long agenda to "annex" the West Bank "by settlement."
My hunch is that Israel will attack the West Bank in a major way very SOON...!
Probably done under the guise of "regime change" based on the "Afghan Model" which is apparently the Divine Right of western nations in non-western parts of the world--with the Iraq War being the ruling "precedent."
Of course Kofi and the UN will complain,...but domestic dirty tricks teams in Washington can spin the UN through diversionary "news stories" for the gullible US public.
And if all else fails a "news blackout" can be imposed on the American Public, who are still wondering why the French and Germans etal are so "disagreeable."
A major attack on Palestinians is looming...because that is "What Sharon would do!"
CHAOS SIMPLY MUST BE RESTORED ON THE WEST BANK... AND SOON...
THE NOTION OF HAMAS, OR ANY ISLAMIC GROUP, BECOMING "RESPECTABLE" IS SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE WESTERN AGENDA IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
Was Fatah merely a puppet of Europe and the US, set up and financed to administer a Palestinian "concentration camp" on the West Bank with "welfare money" donated by the western pro-Zionist bloc?
We'll soon find out...
It's almost impossible for westerners, and especially Americans, to discover what Muslims are thinking these days, because "fluff news" in the US is so tightly managed by our big news outlets...
For example, most Americans think of Hamas as SOLELY a terrorist organization...few even realize the political and social aspects of Hamas....
Hence, the "surprise" after the recent elections...
Amazingly, this ignorance seems to run straight to the top of the US government as even Condi was shocked by the election results in the occupied territories of Israel, ...a/k/a The West Bank...and perhaps defacto Gaza.
But consider:
Sharon is now a vegetable and Likud is in total disary... So the west, and particularly Dubya & Co, no longer have anyone to issue them "marching orders" in the middle east...
The the result is a present condition of total flux where literally anything can happen...
So;
It's very likely that Israel will cause some "major crisis" to restore the chaos on the West Bank that the elections seemed to resolve.
Israel simply can not afford to have "peace break out" at this point, or to otherwise thwart the Zionist ultra-right's decades-long agenda to "annex" the West Bank "by settlement."
My hunch is that Israel will attack the West Bank in a major way very SOON...!
Probably done under the guise of "regime change" based on the "Afghan Model" which is apparently the Divine Right of western nations in non-western parts of the world--with the Iraq War being the ruling "precedent."
Of course Kofi and the UN will complain,...but domestic dirty tricks teams in Washington can spin the UN through diversionary "news stories" for the gullible US public.
And if all else fails a "news blackout" can be imposed on the American Public, who are still wondering why the French and Germans etal are so "disagreeable."
A major attack on Palestinians is looming...because that is "What Sharon would do!"
CHAOS SIMPLY MUST BE RESTORED ON THE WEST BANK... AND SOON...
THE NOTION OF HAMAS, OR ANY ISLAMIC GROUP, BECOMING "RESPECTABLE" IS SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE WESTERN AGENDA IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
Friday, February 17, 2006
WHO TO BLAME FOR THE COMING HOUSING BUST
GREENSPAN...!
You simply can not print money with abandon and not expect it to migrate to ASSETS!
You simply can not print money with abandon and not expect it to migrate to ASSETS!
RUMMY BEMOANS PROPAGANDA WAR LOSSES...
Hmmm....and the TRUTH WAR hasn't been doing too well either...!
Ya think the two are related... Perhaps just a little.
Ya think the two are related... Perhaps just a little.
DELPHI'S DOOMSDAY TALKS WITH UAW & GM
If these talks break down, and I think they will...because there is simply no way to screw the Unions the way Delphi must to avoid disaster...
It could be THE DoomsDay Scenario for GM and others.
It could be THE DoomsDay Scenario for GM and others.
FIVE YEAR CHART ON GOLD vs THE DOW...
Interesting and perhaps informative.... Click Here
The Dow is flatlining...Gold (XAU) is up nearly 200%! No wonder the Gold Bugs are so happy these days... They look like geniuses...finally!
The Dow is flatlining...Gold (XAU) is up nearly 200%! No wonder the Gold Bugs are so happy these days... They look like geniuses...finally!
MARKETS LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO GO DOWN
DIRECTIONLESS TRADING. LACK OF CONVICTION. LOTS OF HAPPY TALK. LITTLE REAL BUYING...
THIS IS AN EXHAUSTED MARKET LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO GO DOWN....
THIS IS AN EXHAUSTED MARKET LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO GO DOWN....
BERNANKE WON'T IGNORE OUR INFLATIONARY ECONOMY
The markets can ignore the inflation...but Bernanke can't.
My hunch is that Bernanke will keep on raising rates 25 BP ALL YEAR... Or until the stock market breaks down.
Here's why:
In the old days the FED raised rates to stop WAGE INFLATION.... Asset inflation in stocks bonds and real estate has always been beloved of the recent FED...
But consider: Nowadays wages and wage inflation are not the problem...asset inflation is. The inflation in houses and paper assets like stocks and bonds has been astronomic in the last 15 years.
So if the FED steps in to surpress demand for goods...it will be assets, like commodity prices, and not wages that are the REAL TARGET...
AND TARGETING ASSET INFLATION WILL TARGET STOCKS AND WALL STREET INDIRECTLY...AS THERE IS NO WAY TO DRAIN HYPERLIQUIDITY FROM THE ASSET MARKETS WITHOUT DRAINING THE "SWAMP" ON WALL STREET.
My hunch is that Bernanke will keep on raising rates 25 BP ALL YEAR... Or until the stock market breaks down.
Here's why:
In the old days the FED raised rates to stop WAGE INFLATION.... Asset inflation in stocks bonds and real estate has always been beloved of the recent FED...
But consider: Nowadays wages and wage inflation are not the problem...asset inflation is. The inflation in houses and paper assets like stocks and bonds has been astronomic in the last 15 years.
So if the FED steps in to surpress demand for goods...it will be assets, like commodity prices, and not wages that are the REAL TARGET...
AND TARGETING ASSET INFLATION WILL TARGET STOCKS AND WALL STREET INDIRECTLY...AS THERE IS NO WAY TO DRAIN HYPERLIQUIDITY FROM THE ASSET MARKETS WITHOUT DRAINING THE "SWAMP" ON WALL STREET.
MARKETS IGNORE INFLATION....AT THEIR PERIL
But sooner or later reality will sink in.
There is simply an incredible amount of mental inertia on Wall Street and around the world AND in global central banks really.
Many are having a hard time with the notion that the world has changed...and the old dominant US economy is now:
GONE WITH THE WIND.... AND IT WILL NEVER BE BACK. THE 20TH CENTURY IS OVER!
Right now Macroeconomics in its most basic form is simply being ignored...
The ability of the markets to block-out or ignore reality for long periods of time would be an interesting academic study for a PhD candidate...?
What seems to happen is that the "old order" defends itself to the very last man. Sort of like a chess game were "check" is not "checkmate."
Things occur in economics not be cause they are "just." Or even because they are inevitable....
Rather, things occur in macroeconomics simply because there is NO WAY OUT.
CHECKMATE!
Thus, PANICS occur shortly after the first serious players see the checkmate as being very close. But, economic events move so slowly, almost like molasses on the moon, that many jump to soon.
Perhaps this is why "tiny events," like say, the failure of a small bank in Germany, can cause a sudden cascade of consequences that brings down the whole rotten "house of cards" seemingly on some insignificant event... Indeed economies rot from the inside out... "Let them eat cake" has been the cry of the dying old order throughout history
So perhaps the current "house of cards" could be waiting for some butterfly in China to flap its wings...?
There is simply an incredible amount of mental inertia on Wall Street and around the world AND in global central banks really.
Many are having a hard time with the notion that the world has changed...and the old dominant US economy is now:
GONE WITH THE WIND.... AND IT WILL NEVER BE BACK. THE 20TH CENTURY IS OVER!
Right now Macroeconomics in its most basic form is simply being ignored...
The ability of the markets to block-out or ignore reality for long periods of time would be an interesting academic study for a PhD candidate...?
What seems to happen is that the "old order" defends itself to the very last man. Sort of like a chess game were "check" is not "checkmate."
Things occur in economics not be cause they are "just." Or even because they are inevitable....
Rather, things occur in macroeconomics simply because there is NO WAY OUT.
CHECKMATE!
Thus, PANICS occur shortly after the first serious players see the checkmate as being very close. But, economic events move so slowly, almost like molasses on the moon, that many jump to soon.
Perhaps this is why "tiny events," like say, the failure of a small bank in Germany, can cause a sudden cascade of consequences that brings down the whole rotten "house of cards" seemingly on some insignificant event... Indeed economies rot from the inside out... "Let them eat cake" has been the cry of the dying old order throughout history
So perhaps the current "house of cards" could be waiting for some butterfly in China to flap its wings...?
Thursday, February 16, 2006
IT'S ALL WALL STREET HAPPY TALK NOW...
At least until the Street wakes up and smells the rate hikes that are coming later this year...
So...it will all be happy talk. But, of course, happy talk is what the Street does best...espesially during "Sucker Season"
These early spring sucker rallies are "set up" in the 401k and tax season to assure that retail investors always buy high and sell low... Alas, the sad but indispensible mantra of Stock trading for hundreds of years...
So...it will all be happy talk. But, of course, happy talk is what the Street does best...espesially during "Sucker Season"
These early spring sucker rallies are "set up" in the 401k and tax season to assure that retail investors always buy high and sell low... Alas, the sad but indispensible mantra of Stock trading for hundreds of years...
ISRAEL AND THE WEST PLAYING WITH FIRE BY 'DISSING' HAMAS
The notion of Democracy in the Middle East ...
is at risk if Israel and the US 'diss' the choice of Hamas leadership in Palestine. Clearly, Fatah can not be seen as a mere distributor of "welfare" to occupied Palestinians...while Israel decides what it wants to do with the West Bank.
The two state solution is doable...and it's doable now. Why wait...
Merely pissing off more Muslims will not be good for Israel or the US... Dubya's war has really upset the apple cart in the Middle East and the full consequences of this huge mistake are even now unknown...
is at risk if Israel and the US 'diss' the choice of Hamas leadership in Palestine. Clearly, Fatah can not be seen as a mere distributor of "welfare" to occupied Palestinians...while Israel decides what it wants to do with the West Bank.
The two state solution is doable...and it's doable now. Why wait...
Merely pissing off more Muslims will not be good for Israel or the US... Dubya's war has really upset the apple cart in the Middle East and the full consequences of this huge mistake are even now unknown...
A 7% 30 YEAR MORTGAGE WILL QUEER THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE
It's all downhill from here in Real Estate...
but everyone is whistling past the grave yard and pretending it's 2002...and Greenspan is still the Bubble Man at the FED...!
but everyone is whistling past the grave yard and pretending it's 2002...and Greenspan is still the Bubble Man at the FED...!
GOLD AND OIL RECOVER...
...as the Street trys to figure out another reason to not worry and be happy....!
PAY RADIO IS DOOMED...!
The willingness of satellite radio companies to OVER SPEND on talent is just nuts...
Radio is basically a drive time and coffee shop thing for most Americans...and its really not that important to most people.. I mean hearing Howie Stern swear is not really worth big bucks...at least not to me...I rather just listen to NPR or ANY music station... Why be a slave to more complex systems of noise delivery...?
Radio is basically a drive time and coffee shop thing for most Americans...and its really not that important to most people.. I mean hearing Howie Stern swear is not really worth big bucks...at least not to me...I rather just listen to NPR or ANY music station... Why be a slave to more complex systems of noise delivery...?
MASSIVE HOUSE INFLATION DOOMS WALL STREET'S HOPES
Any hope of a slow down in FED rate hikes was dashed by the recent data on house inflation...
House prices are out of control! Thanks to Mr Greenspan the world's biggest asset inflationist.
Clearly, Bernanke will have to raise rates at EACH AND EVERY FED meeting this year to wring the asset inflation out of the Greenspan Bubble Economy that he inherited.
The dirty little secret about the US economy is that it is NOT healthy in ANY macro-economic sense...in fact it is a toxic soup of economic anomalies. A trade deficit that is now structural...making China America's "economic Siamese Twin!"
And a tax-cut and spend mentality combined with a disasterous war that of itself would doom any economic rationality straightaway.
The only hope for the US economy is the continuing "kindness of strangers" that is to say global central banks are reluctant to throw the dollar overboard and start over with say, the Euro, Yen or Gold...
But with the hated US president and VP on everyone's minds 24/7...sooner or later someone will simply pull the plug on Washington and Wall Street will have few options left.
BERNANKE SIMPLY MUST STOP INFLATION...ALL INFLATION...AND THAT INCLUDES HOUSE INFLATION...
ALAS, IT WILL BE "FUN" TO WATCH WALL STREET WAKE UP FROM IT'S CURRENT "DAZE"...
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THIS WILL BE FOR "THE SHORTS" WHEN REALITY FINALLY DOES SINK IN...
House prices are out of control! Thanks to Mr Greenspan the world's biggest asset inflationist.
Clearly, Bernanke will have to raise rates at EACH AND EVERY FED meeting this year to wring the asset inflation out of the Greenspan Bubble Economy that he inherited.
The dirty little secret about the US economy is that it is NOT healthy in ANY macro-economic sense...in fact it is a toxic soup of economic anomalies. A trade deficit that is now structural...making China America's "economic Siamese Twin!"
And a tax-cut and spend mentality combined with a disasterous war that of itself would doom any economic rationality straightaway.
The only hope for the US economy is the continuing "kindness of strangers" that is to say global central banks are reluctant to throw the dollar overboard and start over with say, the Euro, Yen or Gold...
But with the hated US president and VP on everyone's minds 24/7...sooner or later someone will simply pull the plug on Washington and Wall Street will have few options left.
BERNANKE SIMPLY MUST STOP INFLATION...ALL INFLATION...AND THAT INCLUDES HOUSE INFLATION...
ALAS, IT WILL BE "FUN" TO WATCH WALL STREET WAKE UP FROM IT'S CURRENT "DAZE"...
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THIS WILL BE FOR "THE SHORTS" WHEN REALITY FINALLY DOES SINK IN...
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
EXACTLY WHY ARE WE PISSING OFF MUSLIMS?
Cartoons...now more torture pics...
Exactly why are we pissing off Muslims...?
I mean Sharon is a vegetable...the Likud is discredited...
LETS PERHAPS....GET ON WITH IT.... You know...the "two state solution." Why wait any longer?
Exactly why are we pissing off Muslims...?
I mean Sharon is a vegetable...the Likud is discredited...
LETS PERHAPS....GET ON WITH IT.... You know...the "two state solution." Why wait any longer?
TRIGGER HAPPY CHENEY....
This should all be investigated by the local law authorities...
Was ANYONE drinking.... Why was Cheney so "trigger happy?"
Why the big delay...what was being "covered up"... Maybe Cheney should give Sen Kennedy a call for a little advice...??
Was ANYONE drinking.... Why was Cheney so "trigger happy?"
Why the big delay...what was being "covered up"... Maybe Cheney should give Sen Kennedy a call for a little advice...??
HOUSE GLUT SEEN....
A Bubble is a Bubble is a Bubble....
Alas, poor Bernanke...Greenspan left the cupboard bare...!
Alas, poor Bernanke...Greenspan left the cupboard bare...!
COMMODITIES PLUNGE ON BERNANKE TALK...
If Gold and Oil plunged on the Bernanke speech...
perhaps it's because the New Fed Chief will CONTINUE RAISING RATES....
Now, that is bad for growth...and commodities...but it is also bad for stocks longer term.
And, the inverted yeild curve will have to be explained sooner or later...but it appears that the market is saying that Bernanke will be an ASSET INFLATION FIGHTER....EVEN IF GREENSPAN WASN'T!
Thus the yeild curve is predicting a big slow down in the economy...as rates keep on going up, up and up again...
And THAT gentle reader is exactly what the dollar needs in view of the trade and budget deficits...
So my question is why is Wall Street so happy...??
perhaps it's because the New Fed Chief will CONTINUE RAISING RATES....
Now, that is bad for growth...and commodities...but it is also bad for stocks longer term.
And, the inverted yeild curve will have to be explained sooner or later...but it appears that the market is saying that Bernanke will be an ASSET INFLATION FIGHTER....EVEN IF GREENSPAN WASN'T!
Thus the yeild curve is predicting a big slow down in the economy...as rates keep on going up, up and up again...
And THAT gentle reader is exactly what the dollar needs in view of the trade and budget deficits...
So my question is why is Wall Street so happy...??
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CHENEY SHOT SOMEBODY....
HA HA HA HA HA..... Knocked him silly.... HA HA HA HA AH
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha..... All fun and games.... Ha Ha Ha Ha....
Nobody seriously hurt... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha....
The guy is in intensive care with bird shot in his heart...!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha....
EXACTLY HOW SICK ARE THESE REPUBLICANS....!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha..... All fun and games.... Ha Ha Ha Ha....
Nobody seriously hurt... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha....
The guy is in intensive care with bird shot in his heart...!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha....
EXACTLY HOW SICK ARE THESE REPUBLICANS....!
US AND CHINA: ECONOMIC SIAMESE TWINS!!
And the bad news is that the US is really the "smaller twin"
and THUS less likely to survive any "seperation."
Any attempt to revalue the Chinese currency will cause massive inflation inside the US...AND WILL INCREASE THE TRADE DEFICIT GREATLY!
THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING THAT THE US CAN "SELL" CHINA, OR ANYONE ELSE NOW...THAT CAN'T BE GOTTEN CHEAPER AND BETTER SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE MIGHTY "GLOBAL ECONOMY"...
AND THAT IS REALLY, REALLY SAD...THE ONCE MIGHTY US ECONOMY HAS BECOME AN ECONOMIC "BACKWATER" OF ASSET BUBBLES, DEBT AND FOOLISH MILITARISM
BUT IT IS ALAS, THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF "REAGANOMICS" AND THE GREENSPAN BUBBLE YEARS...
and THUS less likely to survive any "seperation."
Any attempt to revalue the Chinese currency will cause massive inflation inside the US...AND WILL INCREASE THE TRADE DEFICIT GREATLY!
THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING THAT THE US CAN "SELL" CHINA, OR ANYONE ELSE NOW...THAT CAN'T BE GOTTEN CHEAPER AND BETTER SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE MIGHTY "GLOBAL ECONOMY"...
AND THAT IS REALLY, REALLY SAD...THE ONCE MIGHTY US ECONOMY HAS BECOME AN ECONOMIC "BACKWATER" OF ASSET BUBBLES, DEBT AND FOOLISH MILITARISM
BUT IT IS ALAS, THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF "REAGANOMICS" AND THE GREENSPAN BUBBLE YEARS...
HAMAS OUSTER WILL BE "UNDEMOCRATIC..."
This notion of Israel and the US "conspiring" to defeat Hamas
in the Palestinian government will only confirm the theories of the radicals all over the middle east...
And what about Fata...were they just there to "administer" the western financed welfare state on the West Bank...until "something happen" on the West Bank...
Well nothing happen on the West Bank...and the Israeli annexation of the West Bank is now less likely than ever...
In truth the war in Iraq has made Israel's position on the West Bank less stable than it ever has been...
THE RADICALS HAVE BEEN "EMPOWERED" BY THE NEOCONS....BOTH ON THE WEST BANK AND IN IRAQ...AND INCREASINGLY IN IRAN!
CAN BUSH CALL THAT A PLAN FOR "VICTORY....?"
in the Palestinian government will only confirm the theories of the radicals all over the middle east...
And what about Fata...were they just there to "administer" the western financed welfare state on the West Bank...until "something happen" on the West Bank...
Well nothing happen on the West Bank...and the Israeli annexation of the West Bank is now less likely than ever...
In truth the war in Iraq has made Israel's position on the West Bank less stable than it ever has been...
THE RADICALS HAVE BEEN "EMPOWERED" BY THE NEOCONS....BOTH ON THE WEST BANK AND IN IRAQ...AND INCREASINGLY IN IRAN!
CAN BUSH CALL THAT A PLAN FOR "VICTORY....?"
BERNANKE vs. THE BUBBLE... STOCKS RALLY CAUSE...
....They "gotta."
Today's rally about nutthin will be given back tomorrow...or perhaps even before the 4PM closing...
This market is totally confused and disoriented. Bernanke has a LONG LONG WAY TO GO....before the Greenspan Bubble is out of the economy...
Housing is only now barely starting to come back down off bubble levels. And consumer debt is still riding the home equity loan scenario like it's 2004!
Simply put Bernanke has to keep raising rates until Wall Street sobers up and realizes that spending "asset inflation" is NOT THE WAY TO GO...
The asset inflation so beloved of Greenspan is now finally sloshing over into commodiities like gold and oil...and in the long run that is bad news for the economy and the markets.
Gold is doing fine today... And EVERY micro vibe in the oil market is seen as "rally bait" and today everyone is taking it the bait hook line and sinker... Tomorrow we'll see the "sinker."
What kind of message does that send to the New Fed...
KEEP ON KEEPING ON...WALL STREET "DOESN'T GET IT YET."
SO RATES WILL BE GOING UP FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR, OR UNTIL THE HISTORIC NORM OF 7% IS REACHED ON FED FUNDS....
AND GIVEN THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BUBBLE?
EVEN 7% MAY NOT BE ENOUGH!...AND WOULDN'T THAT BE INTERESTING...?
Quite frankly, it looks like the Fed will have to raise rates INDEFINITELY just to protect the dollar from all of the deficits...and the war spending.
Today's rally about nutthin will be given back tomorrow...or perhaps even before the 4PM closing...
This market is totally confused and disoriented. Bernanke has a LONG LONG WAY TO GO....before the Greenspan Bubble is out of the economy...
Housing is only now barely starting to come back down off bubble levels. And consumer debt is still riding the home equity loan scenario like it's 2004!
Simply put Bernanke has to keep raising rates until Wall Street sobers up and realizes that spending "asset inflation" is NOT THE WAY TO GO...
The asset inflation so beloved of Greenspan is now finally sloshing over into commodiities like gold and oil...and in the long run that is bad news for the economy and the markets.
Gold is doing fine today... And EVERY micro vibe in the oil market is seen as "rally bait" and today everyone is taking it the bait hook line and sinker... Tomorrow we'll see the "sinker."
What kind of message does that send to the New Fed...
KEEP ON KEEPING ON...WALL STREET "DOESN'T GET IT YET."
SO RATES WILL BE GOING UP FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR, OR UNTIL THE HISTORIC NORM OF 7% IS REACHED ON FED FUNDS....
AND GIVEN THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BUBBLE?
EVEN 7% MAY NOT BE ENOUGH!...AND WOULDN'T THAT BE INTERESTING...?
Quite frankly, it looks like the Fed will have to raise rates INDEFINITELY just to protect the dollar from all of the deficits...and the war spending.
Monday, February 13, 2006
GOOGLE PROXY FOR THE BULL MARKET...?
May hunch is that it is... And Bernanke simply MUST keep raising rates because of the various deficits...and the global economy is using commodities like there is no tomorrow...
This market is going down... Does anyone not see this...?
This market is going down... Does anyone not see this...?
Sunday, February 12, 2006
THE MORNING CALL...
Yield curve flips...like a half pipe snowboarder!
Markets seems strained... Gold: Buy the Dip. Big Talk by Bernanke looms!
Markets seems strained... Gold: Buy the Dip. Big Talk by Bernanke looms!
AMERICAN LUGERS...
Michelle. Bode. The Tomato....and, no wait forget that, Apollo.
The Tomato is a snarly dude...!
The Tomato is a snarly dude...!
CHENEY SHOOTS COMPANION...
Gross incompetence continues... Is Cheney a Danger to himself and "others?"
Saturday, February 11, 2006
REMEMBERING KATRINA AND THE BIG EASY...
As the post-mortem continues in New Orleans
and everyone tries to figure out "what went wrong" ---a little history is in order... Just to remember the actual "context" of this disaster.
First, there had been several Catagory 5 Hurricanes prior to Katrina that just petered out at the last minute; and all of the panicked evacuations and boarding up of building seem "foolish" the morning after... Remember?
Strong Hurricanes had recently crossed and re-crossed Florida with little in the way of catastrophic damages... So everyone had been lulled into a false sense of conplacency....
Another Catagory 5? ...so what...they always peter out before any real damage is done... And that was the prevaling attitude pre-Katrina.
And remember too Katrina did NOT damage New Orleans by its wind...but by an "unexpected" breakdown in the levy system.
Had the levies held...Katrina would have been just another "false alarm" in our increasingly problematic Hurricane season.
BUT;
THE NEW ORLEANS DISASTER SNUCK IN THROUGH THE BACK DOOR OF THE WEAK LEVY SYSTEM...AFTER THE HURRICANE ITSELF HAD DISSIPATED...!
THAT IS MOST LIKELY WHY DUBYA & CO WERE ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH...
Still, New Orleans and Hurricanes just don't mix...so while the wind damage was minimal AS EXPECTED...the water damage from the levy breaks was catastrophic.
Had the levy system been quickly repaired, or at least watched during the storm, New Orleans might have survived...and Katrina would have been just another "false alarm" in the Gulf Coast Hurricane season...
But it wasn't...and perhaps everyone in authority should have known that the Big Easy was going to be in harms way... But they didn't.
For some odd reason the complacency that prevailed in Florida also prevailed in New Orleans...despite the fact that the "Big One" was bearing down on a very flood-prone and levy-dependent city.
New Orleans was destroyed by Water...not Wind...and alas, that was the lesson that was obvious, but forgotten by all concerned as Katrina bore down on the Big Easy...
and everyone tries to figure out "what went wrong" ---a little history is in order... Just to remember the actual "context" of this disaster.
First, there had been several Catagory 5 Hurricanes prior to Katrina that just petered out at the last minute; and all of the panicked evacuations and boarding up of building seem "foolish" the morning after... Remember?
Strong Hurricanes had recently crossed and re-crossed Florida with little in the way of catastrophic damages... So everyone had been lulled into a false sense of conplacency....
Another Catagory 5? ...so what...they always peter out before any real damage is done... And that was the prevaling attitude pre-Katrina.
And remember too Katrina did NOT damage New Orleans by its wind...but by an "unexpected" breakdown in the levy system.
Had the levies held...Katrina would have been just another "false alarm" in our increasingly problematic Hurricane season.
BUT;
THE NEW ORLEANS DISASTER SNUCK IN THROUGH THE BACK DOOR OF THE WEAK LEVY SYSTEM...AFTER THE HURRICANE ITSELF HAD DISSIPATED...!
THAT IS MOST LIKELY WHY DUBYA & CO WERE ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH...
Still, New Orleans and Hurricanes just don't mix...so while the wind damage was minimal AS EXPECTED...the water damage from the levy breaks was catastrophic.
Had the levy system been quickly repaired, or at least watched during the storm, New Orleans might have survived...and Katrina would have been just another "false alarm" in the Gulf Coast Hurricane season...
But it wasn't...and perhaps everyone in authority should have known that the Big Easy was going to be in harms way... But they didn't.
For some odd reason the complacency that prevailed in Florida also prevailed in New Orleans...despite the fact that the "Big One" was bearing down on a very flood-prone and levy-dependent city.
New Orleans was destroyed by Water...not Wind...and alas, that was the lesson that was obvious, but forgotten by all concerned as Katrina bore down on the Big Easy...
Friday, February 10, 2006
BERNANKE WON'T STOP RAISING RATES TILL...
Well, with record trade and budget deficits...
Bernanke may have to be more like Volker than Greenspan...
Greenspan Gambit will not be available to Bernanke...the US is ALREADY de-industrialized...and it can't happen again.
But figuring out how to DEAL WITH the de-industrialization will be Bernanke's very very tough job!
Bernanke may have to be more like Volker than Greenspan...
Greenspan Gambit will not be available to Bernanke...the US is ALREADY de-industrialized...and it can't happen again.
But figuring out how to DEAL WITH the de-industrialization will be Bernanke's very very tough job!
WHY IS IT...
Why is it that the working poor are so attracted to the Lottery, Religion and voting Republican...?
It's so completely irrational. Of course in all these cases a certain naive "faith" is necessary.
It's so completely irrational. Of course in all these cases a certain naive "faith" is necessary.
WACKY FRIDAY CONTINUES....
It all makes sense....
if you look at it as desperate people trying to find their cheese....which they were told would always be there...
Clearly the market is having a paradigm shift...and so everyone is scrambling to made a pair a dimes where ever and when ever posssible.
Very sad action today really... So out of sync with reality...so totally BUSHIAN!
if you look at it as desperate people trying to find their cheese....which they were told would always be there...
Clearly the market is having a paradigm shift...and so everyone is scrambling to made a pair a dimes where ever and when ever posssible.
Very sad action today really... So out of sync with reality...so totally BUSHIAN!
SELL GOLD NOW....!
The US trade deficit hits a record and gold sells off big....?
Well, it makes sense IF you're trying to SAVE THE DOLLAR!
SELL GOLD NOW....THEN BUY IT BACK IN ABOUT A WEEK...AFTER THE LUNATICS HAVE GONE SOMEWHERE ELSE.... MAYBE BACK TO GOOGLE?
Well, it makes sense IF you're trying to SAVE THE DOLLAR!
SELL GOLD NOW....THEN BUY IT BACK IN ABOUT A WEEK...AFTER THE LUNATICS HAVE GONE SOMEWHERE ELSE.... MAYBE BACK TO GOOGLE?
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
DAVID BROOKS REASSURES NATION...
David Brooks in the NYT recently reassured the nation that there is no "science shortage"...
He notes that for every engineering job opening there are HUNDREDS OF RESUMES submitted!
Well, that could be because the US economy is so de-industrialized that we don't need engineers anymore...!
They're all working at Starbucks....
Still David's notion that there is an engineer glut in the US somehow doesnt make me feel any better...
He notes that for every engineering job opening there are HUNDREDS OF RESUMES submitted!
Well, that could be because the US economy is so de-industrialized that we don't need engineers anymore...!
They're all working at Starbucks....
Still David's notion that there is an engineer glut in the US somehow doesnt make me feel any better...
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
WATCH THE JOBS LIE HERE...FRIDAY.
Where will all those "new jobs" come from... Perhaps EVENLY DIVIDED between the usual suspects...
Plenty of demand from BANKRUPT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS!
Plenty of restaurant and bar jobs...Americans like to eat!
Plenty of business services...read "temps" and part timers....
WATCH THE BIG JOBS LIE HERE ON FRIDAY....BE THE FIRST TO SEE THE DISCREPANCIES BEHIND THE NUMBERS....
Plenty of demand from BANKRUPT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS!
Plenty of restaurant and bar jobs...Americans like to eat!
Plenty of business services...read "temps" and part timers....
WATCH THE BIG JOBS LIE HERE ON FRIDAY....BE THE FIRST TO SEE THE DISCREPANCIES BEHIND THE NUMBERS....
MARKETS ENTER POST GREENSPAN ERA ADLE BRAINED AND IRRATIONAL
Opps, the Dow is bumping it's head on the 11,000 mark again...but fear not all is well...
Or at least as well as can be expected in an economy that is an economic monstrosity of distortions, and mired in unpayable debt of every description....
In truth, we all know that this market is GOING NOWHERE; but in a very big hurry...
Wall Street really does not even merit serious comment these days...those guys are so over the top and scatterbrained after 18 years of Greedspanomics that serious discussion is nearly impossible...
Just leave it alone for now...things will be more clear soon... And perhaps as soon as the employment report tomorrow....
Hmmmm....how many people were "laid off" on Friday and then "hired back" on Monday as "indepentant contractors...?" JOBS GALORE!!
Or at least as well as can be expected in an economy that is an economic monstrosity of distortions, and mired in unpayable debt of every description....
In truth, we all know that this market is GOING NOWHERE; but in a very big hurry...
Wall Street really does not even merit serious comment these days...those guys are so over the top and scatterbrained after 18 years of Greedspanomics that serious discussion is nearly impossible...
Just leave it alone for now...things will be more clear soon... And perhaps as soon as the employment report tomorrow....
Hmmmm....how many people were "laid off" on Friday and then "hired back" on Monday as "indepentant contractors...?" JOBS GALORE!!
STATE OF THE DISUNION...
The State of the Union speech was a predictable disappointment...
Clearly Dubya & Co are totally out of touch with reality... Iraq is a disaster. Iran is in the Catbird seat...and will NOT be sanctioned by the UN...
The US nearly killed a Canadian diplomant in the Green Zone... And Hamas took everyone in the administration "by surprise...!"
Oh please...it was obvious that Hamas was going to win...and possibly win big...to everyone who understands that the real middle east is not the middle east of the Likudnics in the American media...
Dubya punted on healthcare...but noted that we must cut "entitlements" to working class people who rely on them "to live" so that more tax cuts can be given to the rich...who already have outsized bank accounts!!
Clearly nothing can be done while Dubya is in office and the Republicans control the K-Street Kongress...
And if I said that the US is an ignorant and violent nation whose economy has been looted to the bone by the elites...would I be too far wrong....?
Clearly Dubya & Co are totally out of touch with reality... Iraq is a disaster. Iran is in the Catbird seat...and will NOT be sanctioned by the UN...
The US nearly killed a Canadian diplomant in the Green Zone... And Hamas took everyone in the administration "by surprise...!"
Oh please...it was obvious that Hamas was going to win...and possibly win big...to everyone who understands that the real middle east is not the middle east of the Likudnics in the American media...
Dubya punted on healthcare...but noted that we must cut "entitlements" to working class people who rely on them "to live" so that more tax cuts can be given to the rich...who already have outsized bank accounts!!
Clearly nothing can be done while Dubya is in office and the Republicans control the K-Street Kongress...
And if I said that the US is an ignorant and violent nation whose economy has been looted to the bone by the elites...would I be too far wrong....?
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