Amazing; Racism In US Senate

There is no constitutional tolerance for racism in US government, period. It's called equal protection under the law, and it doesn't just apply to any particular race. In fact, there are clear federal laws against discrimination based on race or gender. The appointment for president-elect Obama's senate seat is clearly political, so let's stop pretending that it isn't. We are to believe that the two most superior choices for that seat in the entire state are black? Won't it be even more amazing if the third most qualified person for that position also happened to be black, and the fourth, and the fifth? They can count up to ten and you'll never see a white male. We used to call that racial bigotry. If the best candidate truly is black, great. However, the public can not honestly believe that the US Constitution is not being blatantly violated by unlawful appointments purely for personal gain as agreed to in smoky backroom deals?

Right Issue, Wrong Emphasis; US Prison Reform

This article hits the main points of prison reform. I don't see a lot of fault with it, other than claiming more minorities in jail for drugs means discrimination has occurred. Fair or not, the minorities in the inner city gangs are far more inclined towards violence than some white guy in rural Virginia.

For the record, motorcycle clubs and certain white males have been targeted aggressively, so it's not honest or accurate to imply that non-minorities are getting away with all sorts of violations. Gun laws alone have affected many white males adversely. I have to wait 3-4 hours to get approved for a handgun purchase in Virginia, if the call back even happens that day, because of inner city minority gangs killing each other. There are countless pain-in-the-ass and unconstitutional gun and DUI laws many white males have been forced to accept, so the silliness about only minorities suffering from the overreach and hysteria against drugs is exaggerated.

Obama loves the fluffy issues with no measurable solutions, but he must address the failed "drug war" quickly. He should also issue a full federal investigation on how law enforcement seem able to combat domestic production, but unable to target imports from Mexico.

Law enforcement's assault on biker clubs and domestic methamphetamine production cuts out all competition for Mexican criminals. There are more drugs in America than ever. The prices of drugs in America are tremendously inflated due to the war on drugs. Let's see, no one allowed to grow their own, inflated prices, virtually no competition, asset forfeiture filling government coffers, narcissistic cops on ego trips, significant threats to police tyranny just happen to get busted with kiddie porn...can anyone say "widespread government corruption?"

Police and Cat In Tree; Bad Cops

I was intrigued by this story about a police officer creating problems with getting a cat out of his tree. Let's not try to pretend that there isn't a significant problem with militant police and cops with attitudes in the US. A lot of this is nurtured by the federal government, asserting a power grab into state localities. The feds give local police goodies like machine guns and make them feel like Rambo. Weak-minded men like that sort of thing.

The article in the link seems fair. The neighbor with the cat was probably a little off. My criticism of the police officer is that he should have done on Saturday what public opinion forced him to do on Tuesday, recognize that the neighbor is difficult and move on. Why take hard feelings against the neighbor on the cat? Forgive my slang, but cops are cops. Cops do what they do because they enjoy backup and constant support in anything that they do. They are not the lone wolf type, though they like to pretend that the case. They know each other for miles and miles. That guy could have had 20 cops over there on Saturday, but he waited until constant phone calls to his place of work pressured a department response. Why did it take that much? The dog was kept inside for a day and the cat was up the tree for seven days.

There were no insurance issues for the cop to just call his pals from work to help him out and hold the ladder. For that matter, just hire a damn insured tree service to use a boom. If the boys in blue quit playing the power games, the public would respond with more respect and admiration.

This reminds me of an off duty cop I encountered in Richmond. He was whizzing off a ramp, going too fast to merge properly, and rolled his window down to scream at me because I would not let him in. First of all, he was supposed to slow to merge into traffic flowas needed, not the opposite. Secondly, I couldn't get over without hitting the car to my left who had me pinned in, and traffic was very heavy. The passing stream would not let me over. I had no reason to target the guy. He was in his private vehicle and no uniform showing. I think he was in civvies. If he hadn't been so intent on the Red Sea parting for Moses, he may have noticed how I was as pinned in as he was. Life's not perfect.

The guy shouts that he's a police officer and I should have gotten over. All I could hear was "I police", exact words not clear, and see him gesturing for me to move over. This si all happening at about 55 mph. He was a bit nuts. I shrugged and laughed, and shook my head at the jerk. I took an exit to get rid of the guy or at least settle it, half expecting shit-for-brains to follow me. So, I figure he went home and cried to his wife about the bad man who deserved to have bad things happen to him.

Not only was he completely wrong in his understanding of traffic law, he had poor self control and was very quick to excessively assert his position as a police officer. He was also off duty. It's not like his had his lights on and was in a police car or anything, or even on official business. Though, I could not have done anything differently if he had. By the way, I forgot to mention this was on the Interstate 95 bypass around Richmond. It's not exactly a quiet neighborhood street where a driver always has the option of changing lanes anytime he wants.

I have a lot more stories just like that. Many people have stories just like that one.

US Economy; The Ship Sinks

As politicians and corporate executives try to convince the citizenry that the situation is not going to get any worse, the situation gets worse. Somehow, the powers that be keep insisting that the sham can go just a little further. It's over. You can't base a national economy solely on consumption and have dumbed-down public schools at the same time. This country isn't even producing a large volume of critical thinkers. The thinkers in public schools are pounded into the ground before they can get out of middle school, and the bully adults and children think it's hilarious. The average American driver is so stupid, that they can barely keep operate a car, and that can't do that safely.

The US is going to have to completely restructure the public school system. That means rehiring all teachers and getting rid of the dead weight, no matter what race or gender they are. The death grip the democrats and republicans have on public policy has got to end. It's become a criminal enterprise, not public service. The voting system is going to have to be reformed and uniform through out all 50 states, so we have no more stupidity like in Minnesota. Only then will there even be a starting place for recovery, I don't care how many TV sets anyone can sell.

RNC Rips Bush Bailouts?; Where Were They in September?

WTF is going on with the RNC? My guess is they FINALLY get that they are no longer going to remain a political power and could well be replaced as on of two main political parties. I am sure the RNC is just flabbergasted that the citizenry is actually willing to vote them out of office on a long term basis. The very fact that they waited this long brings into question how sincere they are about anything.

They sure as hell ran the system into the ground with reckless government, excessive spending, and blind support of Israel over the last 8 years, and now the RNC is trying to make nice with its base? Get ready to be replaced, Representative Eric Cantor!!! Someone forgot to tell Cantor he is expected to actually vote for what he says at election time. I get freaking crazy with him and other "conservatives" almost defining conservative values perfectly, then voting the exact opposite... always with some excuse about saving babies or some campaign rhetoric. They always seem to have an excuse for pissing off their constituents. At what point do constituents stop being constituents and just begin being careless proponents of whatever policy "their guy" supports? Is it we the people, or we the politicians? Is the political party representing the people, or the other way around? I say it's the latter.

Voting pro-GOP is NOT the same as voting for conservative governance, and they all know that. And, as a reminder, the Israeli government and those assholes, and their supporters, are likely no more in rhythm with the Israeli general population than Bush is with most Americans. Both Israeli and American governments are being run by some whacked-out and cruel 14%, or similar portion of national population, and are extremely dangerous to world peace.

Worried about Iran? Israel with nukes should scare the hell out of anyone.

Israel; Chosen Ones or Lost Souls?

There they go again, lop-sided responses. Throw a rock at Israel and they respond with tanks, soldiers and small arms fire. Fire mortars and Israel responds with all of the above and relentless air attacks. When will the world finally condemn the Israeli government as war criminals? This has got to stop, and the timing of these assaults is more than a little suspicious. Israel is going to force Obama to kiss its ass right from the start and prove his blind loyalty to the butchers of the Middle East, and this assault is his entrance exam. My patience for and support of Israel ended when they destroyed Lebanon, and murdered those UN soldiers.

The G.W. Bush Presidency; Worst Administration Ever

As expected, as the worst presidential administration in US history comes to a close, the weak attempts to alter reality are in full force. What did President G.W. Bush not do wrong? For the GOP bots out there, that insane 28% who approve of this disaster, I say I am almost as strongly opposed to most democrats. One reason I have a special insight into Bush is that he's almost a carbon copy of a person I know with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The irrational refusals to process information that may be contrary to current opinion and the obsession with categorizing everyone as either lifelong friend or lifelong enemy are dead giveaways. I've noticed that someone has put a stop to psychological profiles about Bush being made public. He's got something seriously wrong with him.

Merry Christmas to All

Count your blessings and do not let the bastards grind you down. There is good in this world, if we give it a chance to manifest itself through our own action, thoughts, and dreams.

To the Gals Out There Chasing the Bad Boys

I've had some experience in those circles, so I know that there's no such thing as a good bad boy.

Hell, they'll even admit to that, with pride, after they get what they want. That's what makes them bad boys. The ones not ready to ride all the way, had better stay off of that train. I still see women chasing the same type of guy they just had a nasty divorce or domestic incident with. Ladies!!!! Bad never changes. It'll keep kicking your butt, if you keep going back for more. This is my community service for today.

FYI, it's pretty hard for this young woman to recover her first choice of career. That story goes in the "what the hell was she thinking" category.

Stocks Ready to Test Bottom?

I was just looking over some charts and noticed what seemed to be "fluttering" at a top of the S&P 500. More times than not, that ends in a collapse and reforming of a pattern. I notice the "experts", the same ones who didn't happen to notice Bernard Madoff was a crook, keep saying sentiment is too bearish for another leg down. How many times have they picked a bottom?

I am a touch concerned about my outlook validity, as Dr. Marc Faber believes November was a bottom. It certainly wasn't a bottom over the next year, and I don't think it'll hold for a month. We'll see.

Why Did Madoff and Family Feel So Safe?

He obviously knew he did something wrong, and his family was obviously in it up to their eyeballs. What made them think they were covered to remain in the US, indefinitely? Surely, people of such means could have fled prosecution with much wealth in various accounts. It's not like nobody knows how to disappear anymore and people don't have emergency plans? I guess a Wall Street hedge fund manager has more DC friends on the payroll.

How could SEC Chairman Chris Cox just miss the two largest finacial scams in world history, mortgage derivatives scam and Madoff. He didn't. That's the answer. It makes much more sense that Cox and other "regulators" were in on it and think they have enough cover and protection not to get caught up in it. Nobody's that incompetent and naive at that level of politics.

Odd Timing; Quote of the Day

When creating articles today, I had not yet read the quote of the day. It does seem that more than I have concerns of the future and respect for the past successes, the way it used to be in America. I don't have to ask if most US politicians, police, and judges follow the quote below, the answer is evident.

I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating.
Sophocles (496 BC-406 BC)

America Needs A Military Coup?

What honor is there for a general who commits dishonorable acts to protect his pension? The same general will later emerge in his retirement, performing as a man of honor to criticize the corrupt system he willfully nurtured during his career. It is time for good men to act. Soon, it will be too late and America will lurch into unrecoverable chaos. After the Bush fiasco, I would think the time is right for corrective action and to send those corrupted scoundrels in federal government fleeing for the exits from power.

A Word About Living With Order and Honor

I'm a young guy in historic terms, less than 50 years, so opinions may vary. My father used to love to instruct me in the pre-WWII way of life. He did a good job of that. Mostly to stroke his own ego about how much critical information he had learned in life. One has to know the rules to break them. Documentaries and authors of history filled in the gaps. The strange part about my father is that he has violated almost every line of the code of honor and conduct about which he so eloquently presented. I was saved by a strong natural intuition that helped me filter the bull from the manure. Working with cattle, odd as it may seem, has also offered valid instruction about the role of parents, community and the difference between fake and true devotion.

I have witnessed, on more than one occasion, cows butting each other around as they do with a young calf within inches. That calf does not move, does not show fear and does not question whether it will be hurt. It won't be. In addition, the baby calf hardly even acknowledges the activity. I could never figure out how the animals knew where the calf was all of the time, but they did. There's a code in there somewhere. If only human parents were so careful and reliable.

Another of many other observations involved the bull. Any human male would be more than happy to have that job and the raw power of a bull. But, that animal also has a code many humans violate. The ultimate objective of the bull is not his own pleasure or ego but the protection of the herd, especially the young. I've also seen that bull bring an entire herd over to where he was with very little effort. Look out for the bull and he does his job. Upset the bull and he gives a warning look that one remembers for a lifetime. Now, there are bulls who smash into other fields, but they don't maintain a position of honor. Those bulls get sold and butchered if they are too much trouble.

What I've tried to present here is the mess humans seem to make out of basic tasks that animals master quite easily. The first is to protect, instruct and nurture the young, and the second is that everyone obeys the same code. The third rule of cattle life is that there is only one boss of the herd and he does not abuse that privilege. Anyone who wants the job has to deserve it first.

It's not that so many humans don't know the rules, but that they just refuse to obey those rules. This is our current problem in the US. The primary reason that America has squandered so much past credibility is that the rogue "bulls" of American society have been allows to control the government and the citizen "herd". When will those Americans ever be separated from the herd and order restored?

US Government; Negative Similarities to the British of Revolutionary War Era

It's easy enough to trace the endless fees, taxes, surcharges, doubletalk and degradation of individual rights, all supposedly for the public good. Every oppressive government has always claimed to represent the public good and a kind god. What reveals the truth or lie of that claim is how many citizens are in prison or prosecuted by government, and for what charge. A felony conviction is extremely easy to experience in the current US system of injustice. That should tell us something. It does.

Monet; 12/21, 12/22, 12/23

The Magpie; 1869
Venice Palazzo Da Mula; 1908
Antibes, View of Salis; 1888

4 Weeks, 3 Days Until Bush Is Gone

This is not coming from a rabid partisan democrat either. I used to be a solid GOP supporter in 2000. I was planning a conserative non-profit to support conservative causes. These days, I want nothing to do with anything Reaganesque or defined as conservatism.

I didn't leave the GOP, but they completely violated every ounce of trust I placed in their leadership. Congressmen such as Marsha "torture them if I can watch" Blackburn, John "they can always roll me" Boehner, Eric "the pretender" Cantor, and all the rest of those souless, morally-crippled George W. Bush enablers. They followed and chased after Bush and Vice-president Dick Cheney, to the man and woman right through the finish line. The only objections came from people, like Senator Richard Shelby, who knew the votes were there and entered objections for show. An honorable man or woman would have resigned or gone independent under a rogue such as Bush. Political devotion in the US is to party and no longer the domain of constituents, if it ever was. The US Constitution has become little more than prop used to justify government intervention and intrusion.

Unequal Protection Under the Law

A prostitute in the US is treated like human garbage by police and the courts. Even the legal prostitutes in Nevada are looked upon by many as less than human and persecuted due to the nature of their business, which happens to be an unconstitutional application of religion in government policy. A biker, especially with club patches, is branded by police as a criminal and perhaps a even collector of kiddie porn.

I'll go back to my original litmus test for who's a problem for society and who isn't. I've never had a prostitute cause me a problem. They're in the people business and always have a smile and a kind word for a stranger. I've never had a biker, even one who may fit the profile of a 1%er ask for anything but to be left alone...fair enough. I'd have to go as far as saying that the authentic bikers are by far, by far, the most responsible motor vehicle operators on the roads. I'm not talking about the dangerous kids on sport bikes, buzzing in and out of traffic at 15+ over the speed limit. They're nuts and trouble waiting to happen. I don't consider them true motorcyclists, just kids with too much time and money on their hands...and underdeveloped brains.

On the other hand, various police officers stare me down daily and extend a constant shove. Politicians treat me little better than they treat prostitutes.

Bernard Madoff Belongs in Jail

The man who ran a $50 billion fraud is still not in jail awaiting trial? The US system of government is behaving more like a third world dictatorship, with various degrees of justice, based on how much money and how many political connections one may have. Get caught growing a pot plant, one goes to jail and possibly gets raped or stabbed while there. Get caught running a $50 billion fraud and be rewarded with a gentle touch and all of the comforts of home. This man belongs in jail, now.

Paulson Wants Remaining Bailout Funds; $350 Billion

Big surprise!!! Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson wants the rest of the bailout funds. Although, he flat refuses to consider the concerns of his constituency, Eric Cantor and others should not dole out any more funds to this potentially corrupt administration. At the very least, the current administration is the most blundering and incompetent White House administration in the nation's history. A team of sixth graders could do a better job. Enough!! Let BushCo wither away into its legacy as the most failed US presidency in history.

Monet; 12/18, 12/19, 12/20

The Road to Chailly (Le Pave de Chailly); 1865
Sunflowers; 1881
Sunset on the Seine in Winter; 1890

To Think Like A Gangster

I liked this advice. I always thought it was a shame for some of the guys in the street to get busted. Some of them are very sharp in their niche and they know how to survive.

Monet; 12/16/08 and 12/17/08

A Corner of the Studio; 1861
Still LifeWith Eggs; 1907

Broken Arm and Ribs, Prison for Thrown Shoes

There was a time when I would think the man would have more humane treatment in US custody. That is no longer the case.

A Fitting Farewell, Shut Up and Keep Packing II; Shoes Thrown at US Jerk-in-Chief

One reporter in this world with a soul. He just couldn't take it any more. President George W. Bush stands up there smirking at powerless people as Bush brags about how he represents all that is good in the world, much like a kind god. I'm sure the usual GOP monsters want the guy tortured and killed for throwing two shoes at Bush. It is unfortunate that a few others didn't have the courage to join in. Seeing Bush flee from the room among a flurry of flying shoes, as Nouri al-Maliki stands by calmly observing the scene, would have been better yet.

It is remarkable how calm Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki remained. I like what I know and see about that man. He's got the toughest job in the world, dealing with the scoundrels he's had to deal with from the US, and supporting his people at the same time.

As far as Bush waving off an attack on the guy, more US media half-truths and lies... There was no attempt to give the guy a free pass as implied. Was Bush just telling them to wait until he was in a cell to beat the crap out of the guy? The signal was not to leave him alone, but more like "not here, not now, in front of cameras." It was the boss guiding brainless henchmen.

"...A scrum of security agents descended on the man and wrestled him, first to the floor and then out of the ornate room where the press conference was taking place. The president was at no point injured and he brushed off the incident."

How's that for a Bush legacy?

"This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog," the journalist shouted (in Arabic), Steven Lee Myers of The New York Times reported in a pool report to the White House press corps.

"...This is the farewell kiss, you dog." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Today's Monet; 12/15/08

Sea Coast at Trouville; 1881

Message to President Bush; Shut Up and Keep Packing

A Washington Post article about president Bush's sensitive side? Yeah, right. It's a bit late for that.

I'd like to address this whole GOP denial thing in a few lines. I'll deal with Nancy Pelosi and the other liars in other articles. Eric Cantor and other elected GOP officials have consistently betrayed their more libertarian and conservative constituents in favor of their own personal and political interests. It's the same with the credit and housing bubbles. The game eventually comes to an end. The Iraq invasion, state-sponsored torture, and domestic spying were the last straw for me.

That time has come for much needed political reform, including extensive voting reform. Who ever heard of the opposition being able to influence who wins a competing party's primary? The first change I'd make is for a primary vote to automatically be counted as a general election vote if that person wins the primary. The two political parties are faced with a choice. 1) Continue ripping off the public and stealing their dignity and bring it all crashing down. Steal from money markets and pension funds and people are going to react negatively. 2) Institute genuine reform and preserve the rights of your constituents.

Today's Monet; 12/14/08

Fishing Boats Leaving the Harbor, Le Havre; 1874

America 2008

Odd how I write an article about some issue digging into my side and a news event follows to completely validates what I wrote. I had one kid email me and call me "nuts" about nationalizing US banks. It now looks as if that may be the only means of surviving the economic mess. The latest development is a corrupt Wall Street and Bernard Madoff, no need to for CNBC to pretend like he's an exception, anyone who pays attention knows better.

So, now it's getting in the open just how corrupt it all is, the Iraq War and everything. Madoff was no unknown guy or a fluke. This guy was deeply entrenched in the system and a former Nasdaq stock chairman. He knows there's not but so much they can do to an old man. I say go after the sons. There's no way his scheme was htat big and that didn't ahve a professional concern about what was going on. I think it's time for that revolution we've all been talking about for 20 years.

Today's Monet; 12/13/08

Rough Sea at Etreat; 1868-1869

Housing Bust Article; A Must Read

Every so often we come across an article that puts a complicated situation in understandable terms. Dennis Cauchon, of USA Today, gets the prize for today. An article worth reading. especially for anyone who still thinks it is time to buy a home. Buyers shouldn't whine when that loan is soon underwater like so many others. I noticed that the example case was some jerk not working, for whatever reason, who already owned a home. He gambled and lost. I don't feel sorry for him. Greed does that to people.

I think the 20% estimate of further price decreases is more like 30-40% in the areas that were more heated than others, such as the DC metro area. Peter Schiff had some excellent input, as usual.

Today's Mont; 12/12/08

The moment to benefit the wonders seen through Monet's eyes. His was a brilliant man.
The Pointe de la Heve at Low Tide; 1865.

Today's Monet; Two for One; 12/11/08

Two paintings for today's eye candy.
The Bodmer Oak, Fontainebleau Forest; 1865
Wheatstacks (End of Summer); 1890-91

Illinois Governor AND His Chief of Staff Indicted; Big Time

Check out the CNBC article for details. This is exactly what I was writing about in a recent article. Our society rejects the biker who loves the open road or the brothel worker making a living, but society praises these scrubbed-downed, staged productions that represent "normalcy", which are the first guys to trust the least. At least the people on the street are for real, and not posers.

Charges are conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. That's serious stuff. They must have gotten greedy and asked for too much so the other crooked bastards of US "normalcy" decided to prosecute them. I wonder who gets the final bribe for Obama's seat?

Today's Monet; 12/08/08

Morning on the Seine, Near Giverny; 1896

Motorcyclists Make Better Drivers

For whatever reason, mid-life crisis, or whatever, I finally get it...motorcycles are in my life. As I study safe riding, I discover how unsafe most drivers of 4 plus wheels are. They can get away with driving stupid, bikers can't. Bikers can't slam on the brakes, yap on cell phones instead of concentrating on what they are doing or cut someone off in traffic, or go from 50 mph to 70 mph, and back to 50 mph in a few seconds. They can, but 9 of 10 they'll end up in the shoulder if they do. Drivers of 4 wheels know who has the advantage and are brutal with that knowledge. I can't understand anyone having so little care for another human being.

I'm not talking sports bikes. That's another story. I'm talking tour and cruising bikes. I've seen bicyclists get more respect on the road than bikers. I see why some of those guys carry hammers on their bikes. I finally get it. Sorry I was so slow on the intake. I've always cut the two wheelers slack on the road and gotten my share of waves for that and gave them space, mostly because I loved to see those things roll off into the horizon. Where I didn't get it is that I thought everyone else did the same.

Interesting WOD; Officinal

Medicinal or used to relieve pain.

Today's Monet; 12/07/08

Hunting Trophy; 1862

What's Wrong With American Drivers These Days?

What is it with these tailgaters who just have to feel like they're pushing you off the road at 25 miles an hour into a 90 degree turn? I now understand what causes most motorcycle accidents, the idiots surrounded by 4 wheels. It's too easy to drive a four-wheeled vehicle. I don't know if they drink too much coffee or what their problem is. Then, there're the big rig drivers who seem to forget they aren't in their pick up trucks and they need more room to stop those rigs. Whew. Sometimes, I wish I was in NYC and never drive anywhere. I don't know how the motorcycle guys do it, with all of these maniacs on four or more wheels pushing everyone up hills, around corners, and into 90 degree turns at unsafe speeds. Does that behavior really get anyone anywhere faster, or do they just want to kill somebody, to have that power to snuff out a life? Law enforcement had better start revoking some driver's licenses, soon, and quit worrying so much about the guy who had one or two beers.

Today's Monet; 12/06/08

Waterloo Bridge, Sunlight Effect; 1903

Today's Monet; 12/05/08

Morning on the Seine; 1896

Legal Prostitution and GOP Christians

I'd rather associate with the prostitutes and consider them of higher moral principle than most "Christians" who vote for the GOP. A legal prostitute has considerable motivation to be known favorably. If prostitute rips off customers or makes them feel abused, word will be on the Internet. Her pictures are everywhere and it is her business to draw people towards her. If the prostitute pleases the customer and works with them on the price, the customer leaves praising the girl and her business, and they can do it all semi-anonymously over the Internet.

On the other hand, the GOP Christian believes they are superior to anyone not beleiving as they do, and that they can ask for forgiveness with their last breath and be forgiven of all transgressions...even the most heinous of offenses. You don't have to tell me who is more likely to treat people like dirt. I already know.

Monet Today; 12/04/08

Houses of Parliament (Sun Breaking Through the Fog); 1904

Mind Over Matter

With a twist...
Life's very uncertain these days. I have to keep reminding myself of the little joys and what really counts. We could expand the definition of retrenchment to ideology and attitudes. A cute kid waving hello at a person in the grocery store or just flashing one of those smiles little ones are famous for. Likes a lot of people, I'll be grumping around after a hard day, all caught up in a rush to do this or that, then some kid sitting in a shopping basket will do something funny and remind me and others about the important stuff...like anytime, anyplace is a good time or place to be happy.

Today's monet; 12/03/08

Impression Sunrise; Late 1873.

Monet must have been an amazng man to have that level of expression and love of people and nature in general. To this day, he shows us the wonderful moments of his life, through his eyes.

Today's Monet; 11/30/08

Irises in Monet's Garden; 1900

Preferred Company

I've rediscovered a lot of truths recently. I don't remember people being so manipulative, hypocritical and cruel in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's when I was growing up, except with my family who made me feel like dirt every chance they got, but it seems that most Americans just can't mind their own business. If someone wants to sell drugs to someone who wants to buy drugs, what business is it of mine? If they want to hire a woman to have sex and the prostitute is not forced into it, that's their business.

I think most of it started with Reagan's escalation of the Drug War, and the incredible stupidity of mandatory sentencing for non-violent crimes and RICO statutes. He also ushered in this holier-than-thou self-righteous BS we see so much of these days. The pastors who bitch about someone else visiting a prostitute when they often do the same, or worse, molest a child often do more harm than their "sinner" targets. The Eliot Spitzers and Jimmy Swaggarts of the world. Funny how RICO became law under Nixon, Mr. Paranoid.

The people who've wreaked the most havoc in my life are considered absolutely law-abiding by local police or the cops themselves, even as examples to follow. Like the cops who lie their asses off in courts, knowing the judges go right along with it, or the ones who discharge their weapons accidentally or use excessive force and hardly even get a slap on the wrist.

Today's Monet; 11/29/08

Argenteuil (Red Boats); 1875

The "Fun" of Destroying Lives

I can understand how it is unusual to see two people in bathroom stall having sex, but is it really necessary to humiliate them as much as possible? Does the woman really deserve that? What is it with the "average American" that makes them the police of everyone? What's the end game, to get her to kill herself? Is that it? Does she deserve to die for having sex in a public restroom?

Any reporter listing her home address is liable for any harm or property damage that comes to her or her family, as far as I'm concerned. What the is it with people who delight in the destruction of a person? It's these "normal" people that terrify me the most.

Today's Monet 11/28/08

Self-portrait With a Beret; 1886

Today's Monet; 11/27/08

A Field of Tulips in Holland; 1886

Chancellor Merkel Is Right

Congratulations to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for standing her ground. I wish US politicians would do the same, if they even have sense to know where the good ground is. Since the real solution seems politically explosive, and it should be, US politicians are just going back to easy money hoping that they get a different result or struggle through another round of elections. Low interest rates and flushing the economy with cash is stupid and is what caused the problem. Liquidity IS the problem. There's too much worthless paper floating around. That's what the problem is. Issuing more worthless paper isn't going to be the answer.

Another point that makes my head spin on my spine is this idea of just getting everyone out there to by some big screen TVs this Christmas and it will all be OK. Hello! Hello?? Hey!!! Is anyone getting the message? The music has stopped playing, game over.

The USA, and other countries need real economies, based on more than selling video games and TV sets, and to live within the means of those economies. We need to educate citizens and allow them the means to provide for themselves...and not centralize the food supply and everything else just so a few fats cats can own it all. I've got news for the fat cats. There won't be a spot on earth to hide if this whole thing goes bad, so I hope the Mars settlement is ready for you by then. The "let them eat cake" attitude is getting damned old. 300 million starving and pissed-off citizens with pitchforks is something worth worrying about.

I know it'll be rough for the super rich to just have 3 mansions instead of 8-10 or 20 all over the world, but looting the system is killing the world. Does anyone other than Merkel get this? It has to stop or nobody gets anything, game over, society breakdown across the globe...war, crime and death. Is any of this reality seeping into the heads of any of the fat cats, or do they truly believe looting the world citizens of resources that belong to everyone is sustainable long-term, with predictable results. It's never occurred on this scale before, so the fat cats are lying if they say they know the effects of what they are doing.

Penn Station Stupidity

How dumb is it to station government enforcers in public locations with machine guns when a bomb threat may have occurred? It's a suicide effort. The bomber isn't deterred by the "presence" of armed guards. All that does is intimidate the average citizen. I get so sick of this government psychology of using force or signs of force at every opportunity. I hope Obama is a lot more skilled in these matters. The only reason the US caught their attention in the first place is because the US government is messing around with Iraq and Iran and almost any country that has something the US government wants. That is the price of being the world's policemen, and a corrupt one at that.

Brothel Rule No. 1; Know What You Want

As I've written before, I like to study different people. It amazes me how many di**heads are walking around this great country of ours. I just got done reading a post from a peckerwood whining about not finding what he wants at what's probably the best brothel in Nevada. My advice: pay your money, enjoy yourself and don't freaking bitch and whine about every flipping detail. Leave that to the three year olds in this world. Something tells me that guy's going to be demanding a refund no matter what happens. People get dominant behavior mixed up with just being a prick. Sheesh.

Signs of Wall Street Bear Market?

It amazes me how people like Carter Worth, Vince Farrell, and Barton Biggs are talking about some huge market rally. Isn't that the sign of more downside to go? It seems that the very act of them constantly saying the worst may be over means that it probably isn't.

Is Bush in the Way?

The world's economies are close to falling into a bottomless pit of uncertainty and President George W. Bush is still acting like it's the year 2000. This is exactly the approach that facilitated the 9/11 disaster.

Can the US survive another 2 months of the looting of the US Treasury? I'm not so sure. I go back to a reliable method of discerning truth. Are there any consistent results of Bush's actions? Yes, the rich get more rich and those who must work daily to survive are pushed to the breaking point. That's a reality you won't read in the Wall Street Journal. The American citizenry is being crushed by greed. One can't believe a word a guy like Bush says about freedom. His every action contradicts every speech or statement about how he wants the American citizenry to be prosperous and safe.

I see where Obama is being criticized for being so active, but he has no choice. America has never been more close to massive poverty and starvation, while Bush plans his next bike ride and how to loot the few solvent pension funds and savings accounts in his last 2 months.

Economic Fantasy; Housing Recovery and Rewarding Bad Behavior

I keep reading what seem to be attempts to create an illusion about buying a home in many parts of the US. I'm not an expert, but it's fair enough to say that gaining equity is the objective. A real estate purchase has not historically been a way to get rich quick, but a person used to be able to preserve wealth with a home purchase, and that's called equity.

That wasn't enough for some folks and their own personal investments weren't enough either. They devised schemes to charge current prices for future equity. In other words, sellers began stealing buyer equity from many years in the future.

The only solution is massive bankruptcies for those who can not afford their homes. Where will they live? I don't know. What do you do when millions are no longer willing or able to take care of themselves? However, it's insanity to try to prop up inflated home prices that reflect inflated projections so much more than reality. Where are the jobs that can pay $1100/month mortgages and rent? Instead of focusing so hard on inflated prices, our government needs to focus on sustainable economic policy. That means looking ahead more than 3 months. Priorities need to be shifted and the practice of depending upon profit from systemic inefficiencies must end.

Today's Monet; 11/26/08

Water Lilies, Evening Effect; 1897-1899

Wall Street; Is the Fix In?

No one else seemed to know about the Citigroup bailout, except for Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He did pretty well on that deal. The rest of us can't retire until we are 103, but Bush and the GOP make sure the barons of oil are protected.

Most Will Not Mind if Bush Steps Down Now; Honest

Why wait until January 20? Turn it over to Pelosi and Obama's transition team. A team of drunk teenagers could do a better job. I've never seen a more failed term in office. The situation goes far beyond any party loyalty. Bush43 is a very nasty guy, with few talents. The man who destroyed hope and praised treachery, leaves a trail of slime where he has been.

Today's Monet; 11/25/08

The Garden at Vetheuil; 1881

US Economy Foundation of Waste

The US economy is vested in waste and is unsustainable. Who's trying to change that, Obama? This article is the real reason responsible resource usage will never occur with US government blessing. Conservation is bad for business. Where are the articles against bailouts of US banks which use funds that could help repair a crumbling infrastructure?

An earlier post of mine on the same matter of conflicting conservation messages.

Today's Monet; 11/24/08

Lane in the Poppy Field; 1880

Regarding Complaints of Clinton-era Appointees

There aren't but so many people who have a clue about what's involved with a White House Administration. What's Obama supposed to do for an appointee pool, pick who McCain would? I'm all for change too, but Obama can't go to the local employee agency looking for a Chief of Staff or Treasury Secretary.

I think the problem with American politics is with the Americans. The lesson of the "lesser evil" goes forward.

Today's Monet; 11/23/08

The Garden at Vetheuil; 1881

Must One Always Beg Government to Perform Appropriate Role??

How is it that Britain and the US eagerly attack some cultures, while ignoring Somalian pirates who are a direct attack on the global economy and stability? Must the public demand action for every little issue before anyone does anything? The US government didn't give that much leeway to the Branch Davidians.

Big Surprise; Drug War Law Enforcement Official Bribed

It's hard to believe. Those nice men dressed in suits and uniforms, saying they are doing all they can while drug crime runs rampant, may be taking bribes from gangs and criminals. Each time we are told how it's important to stay the course of the insane War on Drugs, we should ask ourselves how much those proponents are getting paid by the folks they are supposed to be arresting. End the drug war, mandatory sentencing, and asset forfeiture...now. We're about to find out how much change Obama actually believes in. If there are as many non-violent guys rotting in jail or losing their property in 4 years, Obama will mark himself as just another one of those guys in a suit...which I suspect will happen.

Funny thing, not once have I ever had an "outlaw" biker threaten me, my loved ones or my future. The US Congress, lawyers and cops are the guys who refuse to leave anyone alone. Who should we be more afraid of and concerned about? My money's on guys like this...Rusty Keeble and Mark Bridgeman.

No Computer Flash Drives at Pentagon

The Pentagon has banned flash or "thumb" drives. It's a little surprising that they ever allowed such storage that wasn't tied down to a particular computer. I wonder if they even have encryption on all of their computers. Did Bush 43 do anything right? Anything?

Today's Monet; 11/22/08

Sunflowers; 1881

Today's Monet; 11/21/08

Woman with a Parasol; 1875

Whoops, No Carter Worth Stock Market Bottom Today

Vince Farrell gave it another shot yesterday. He was wrong too. If they had some reason behind their guesses, that would be another matter. We don't see Art Cashin trying to be a hero. He says it could do this or it may do that, which is the truth. Nobody really knows. If they did know, it'd be stupid to give up that edge and mess up their trades. But, It's going to far to put out misinformation, if that's what some are doing. Very interesting times. I'm not so sure anyone has control of this market anymore. Redemptions from funds have got to still be pouring in.

Today's Monet; 11/20/08

Autumn Blooms I;
Unknown Year

US Auto Makers and Unions Surprised; Threats Not Working

It's a shame it has to turn out this way, but it's not looking like GM is going to get much of a bailout, and they aren't happy about it. Everyone is playing chicken, thinking the other guy is going to blink. It's pretty foolish of the workers to be so fixed in their position. They don't seem to understand they're going to lose their jobs, for real. The unions were sqeezing money from one end, and the CEOs from the other...now it may be all be gone. Greed kills.

Where's the Carter Worth Stock Market Bottom??

Probably the same place as the Vince Farrell bottom. These guys were just calling it way too soon. They wouldn't even admit there was an economy problem until the summer, and it was a year old by then.

More CNBC bottom-fishers.

Today's Monet; 11/19/08

Meadow in Giverny; 1886
A few of similar title. Scene may vary.

Decriminalize Prostitution and Marijuana Offenses

I've been observing the recent issue about online prostitution stings. I think I'm getting good at guessing the cops. Somebody remind me again why it matters is someone pays money for sex, as opposed to not paying money. It's still an agreement between two adults. I think many of us know women who are loose and don't charge money, so why bust the ones who do.

Or, if they are performing one service and decide to take it further, who has any right to interfere? If it's about preventing disease, bust anyone having sex with someone other than a spouse. That'd be cute. What this is really about is enforcing one's religious beliefs upon others via government, taxes and middlemen skimming the women's take.

Dylan Ratigan of CNBC on Carl Icahn Blog

I agree with the logic of Dylan Ratigan's post on Carl Icahn's blog. He certainly has a sharp mind and knowledge of his field of choice. As a poster mentioned, many business media hosts do not have Ratigan's insight. He's got talent. However, I would disagree that every answer is market-driven. Limiting a company's size is a good idea. I'd like to also see limits to trading volumes, in an effort to reduce market manipulation and level the playing field for individual investors.

In Ratigan's theory, the short sellers should have corrected the situation long ago. Steve Eisman and others were very aware of this situations years ago. I know government regulation meets a great deal of resistance, but I don't see any way around it.

My post here refers to an article and people who knew what was happening long ago. In fact, many people got rich off of this credit disaster. When that much money changes hands, it is rarely an accident. I like one of Ratigan's earlier solutions, about arrests. Laws were broken and arrests need to be made. I think that will have far more impact than short-selling the firms of corrupt executives. Why would they care? Did Richard Fuld or Erin Callahan lose anything? They all had their golden parachutes at the ready, didn't they?

Market Forces Will Never Allow Citizen Benefit As Priority

I am not a Boone Pickens fan and am still not convinced that he doesn't have some other angle than being sincere about energy choice. As example, gaining water rights as he builds his federally-subsidized wind farm. The wind power won't make it and the government will end up funding Boone's water acquisitions, which are immediately profitable.

There's a real problem with the GOP version of privatization, which most democrats seem to have eagerly adopted. Privatization efforts have zero recognition of the humanity of the citizenry. In other words, the truck of free trade would run down an occupied baby carriage if that carriage interfered with maximum profit and getting goods to a market on time. Privatization would refuse to take a dying patient to the hospital if transport was not a profit. The term used in an explanation would be "regrettable" or a similar adjective.

One can't make government policy decisions based on short term monetary gain, ie. turn over government decision-making to a corporate mindset. The very justification for taxation is to do what would not be done otherwise, serve the public good first. If our government is no longer concerned with the public good, hasn't it then just become another commercial enterprise, losing it's legitimacy to govern and tax? If that were the case, an historical revolution not seen since 1776 should be the result. If citizens are on their own and paying taxes, then they might as well be own their own and not paying taxes or tribute.

The US would reap immense benefit in 50-100 years if it were to lead the research into "green" living. The waste of water and power in the US is criminal. The fact that homes are about the same as they were in the 1800's in absurd. Where are domes, underground structures, gray water use, solar and other point-of-use efforts? People are still squirting chemicals into the ground to prevent termites? Dark age stuff, but still profitable.

The crazed moneychangers scoff in their rants of greed and ask who's going to pay for it all. I scoff right back and ask who's going to pay when we run out of clean water. The closest response to an answer I've seen so far is that they think the wealthy will be colonized safely on Mars by then.

Today's Monet; 11/18/08

Water Lilies and Agapanthus; 1914-1917.

Some Factual Remarks by Rupert Murdock

Rupert Murdock made some great remarks, covered in this CNET post. I don't know about some of his past decisions, but he clearly understands his business. I have to respect the older guys who embrace new technology and run with it. Here's my favorite quote from this piece.

To make his point, Murdoch criticized the media reaction after bloggers debunked a "60 Minutes" report by former CBS anchor, Dan Rather, that President Bush had evaded service during his days in the National Guard.

"Far from celebrating this citizen journalism, the establishment media reacted defensively. During an appearance on Fox News, a CBS executive attacked the bloggers in a statement that will go down in the annals of arrogance. '60 Minutes,' he said, was a professional organization with 'multiple layers of checks and balances.' By contrast, he dismissed the blogger as 'a guy sitting in his living room in his pajamas writing.' But eventually it was the guys sitting in their pajamas who forced Mr. Rather and his producer to resign.

A Quick Word About US Governments

I know about all of the complexities about trying to please everyone, but why no plan for following some very basic guidelines to keep the wheels from flying off that vehicle of governance? Even the local governments spin around in circles if the economy is absolutely not as perfect as it can be. The past 6 years have yielded historical windfalls from property taxes, yet the governments merely shifted spending dramatically higher and are now in chaos if historical windfalls do not continue? How many times do they get away with that failure before there is no recovery?

For those who think a new and better day will emerge after a total collapse, don't be so sure. World history is full of extinct civilizations which once ruled the world. Americans are not exempt from reality.

Today's Monet 11/17/08

Woman Sitting Under the Willows, 1880.

Another Congressman Shocked; Bailout Rush Mistake

OK, what's going on? Gee, I seem to remember just a few constituents (80%), who were called ignorant and worse, saying the same thing BEFORE the vote. Here's the story, and a quote.

"I have learned a long time ago. When they come up and say this has to be done and has to be done immediately, there is no other way of doing it, you have to sit back and take a deep breath and nine times out of 10 they are not telling the truth,'' he said.

"And this is one of those nine times.''

Every congressman who voted for this debacle should be investigated for corruption and the missing $290 billion.

Senator Inhofe, do me a favor and tell Senator Webb to resign. He can't seem to understand that part about people lying when they force laws through in a hurry like that.

Recent Words of the Day

circumvent
disabuse
effigy

Come on, CNN, Do Some Decent Research!!

CNN is serious about putting out an article in which their fact-checking consists of a visit to wine.com? Maybe it's just me, but after a recent discussion with a local newspaper editor and this, I'm concluding that modern journalism in America is in serious trouble. Political correctness and affirmative action ran off all of the crusty editors and reporters who knew how to run a paper and who to hire. Now, we're stuck with mediocrity. That's what happens when we hire by quota and not by talent.

Good Eye on the Internet; Missing Fine Wine at White House?

I was reading how the participants who are going to save the world from financial run are enjoying their fine wine and a commenter at the CNN site came up with a great question. It's similar to the Deborah Palfrey question in that there may be nothing to it, but it'd be nice to fill in some gaps. A guy who loves his wine saw a possible problem.

Posted by Winelover:

November 15th, 2008 11:31 am ET

With a little research, in 2005 they served the Queen "1994 Hillside Select", excellent age. Now in 2008 their serving "2003″, too young. My question, there seems to be some vintages missing, like six years of, wheres it at. Maybe a ranch in Texas?

Today's Monet 11/16/08

Red Water Lilies 1914-1917

Did the DC Madam, Deborah Jean Palfrey, Kill Herself?

I can't understand why it's not worth a second look, as high profile as it was, whether Deborah Jean Palfrey may have been murdered by professionals. The reports that she was making arrangements to pay her bills during her jail term don't indicate suicide. Suicide isn't in the nature of people like her or Heidi Fleiss. They're tough women in a tough business and will do their time if they have to. The sudden "suicide" and subsequent silence from anyone who should be an interested party doesn't strike anyone as strange? Strange similarities to the Vince Foster death. I know, but there were valid questions unanswered in that case.

The Article About Wall Street Everyone Needs to Read

Michael Lewis The End of Wall Street's Boom. I'll say it once more, "Somebody needs to go to jail for this financial disaster." Actually, many people should go to jail. Those congressmen on those finance committees, like Barney Frank, don't know about this? Yeah, right.

To US Congress; Don't Try to Act Stupid About Bailout

They knew exactly what it was, and they had 80% of their constituencies telling them not to vote for the Wall Street bailout. Congress now expects us to believe that they knew less than the constituents who were imploding with anger over the issue?

"I think it's fairly obvious that Congress would have never passed the [rescue plan] had it known how Treasury would marshal the resources it was given," Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio) chairman of the subcommittee, said during his opening remarks.

I think it's fairly obvious Kucinich is either being dishonest or has no business in a leadership position, if he didn't see this trainwreck coming. That statement just doesn't represent what went down. I know Congress tried to put in a trap door if the deal went bad and are now trying to use that emergency exit. The public isn't that stupid. I don't know why Kucinich is trying to give cover to those who completely ignored the outcries from their constituents on this, but I don't like it.

What in earth about the Bush adminsistration's past history indicated they could be trusted? What? That's what I was saying then and what I'm saying now. If Pelosi and others voted for it just to try and hang another failure on Bush and the GOP, she's as guilty as Bush and his GOP hacks in this.

VA GOP Question; Still No Response

I'm going on the forth day of no response from the Virginia Republican Party about how they plan a return to the party basics and extensive reform with the same players who got the party off track in the first place. I'll probably join "Joe the Plumber" in the number of illegal searches of government databases for dirt on me when this is all said and done.

I don't think that is an unfair question. Most of those GOP guys and gals were vicious in their support for Bush policies which have turned into total failures. There weren't just a couple of failures. The entire 8 years is rife with failure and excuses about it being someone else's fault. They supported government databases and warrantless wiretaps on all US citizens, torture, strike-first war(which means attack without just cause), no-bid contracts for war, Gitmo, and a bevy of insane positions. Let's not forget about the bailout and the insanity that wrecked the world economy, all on the GOP's watch. And, now, they are going to make it all better? How?

Now, these same people are going to pretend someone else did all of that and they are the answer for recovery? I want to hear what the plan is. If the GOP has the answers and expects my support, the least they can do is let me know what their plan is.

Today's Monet 11/15/08

Water Lily Pond Symphony in Rose; 1900

Who's Surprised?; Dow Down 338

My little experiment today was just a touch of humor at all of the pep talk by some on CNBC about no way to go but up. The big problem a lot of these money managers are making is that their customers aren't that dumb. Someone like Carter Worth gets on Fast Money drawing on charts as if a lot of the viewers don't have their own charts, following along. Someone might mention a "flag" pattern as if it's some cool new term, and the audience is three steps ahead of the guy, at home yelling at a TV screen, "That's no f***ing flag. It's a f***ing classic base failure." Then they go get through their chart book or go to stockcharts.com to confirm. By the way, both the book and the laptop are right there and the wireless modem is fired up. The public is more sophisticated than the government and industry seem to realize.

Whether that's the way it is or not, the public starts getting the idea that those guys at CNBC and other places are trying to trick them into making the opposite trade that should be made. That's what can cause a huge run on brokerages. If these guys don't stop trying to call magic bottoms and telling people it's going to be an up day when everything indicates a down day, Wall Street and the US government is going to have a problem it can't handle...if it's not that way already.

The post is below, to go see what my experiment was...CNBC; Another Stock Market Bottom.

Another Killer Entry; CNBC's Diana Olick

CNBC's Diana Olick's recent articles, as far as I'm concerned, have been smashing home runs. The latest on Treasury Secretary's wonder boy Neel Kashkari, The $700 Billion Bailout King, is another classic. I believe Mr. Kashkari is discovering there are bigger dogs in the park. Woof!

The biggest problem is that there isn't enough money in the world to reprice the end result of what was an uncontrolled frenzy of real estate speculation without a lot of bankruptcies, foreclosures and forced evictions. There's a lot of ugly to go before this is over.

Today's Monet

I had an outstanding art teacher in one of those community colleges I was talking about. He was the best as far as I'm concerned. I guess a lot of people like Claude Monet for the pastel colors and the outdoor scenes. The one thing I don't like about that widget is that it excludes the title to the painting. So, as long as I care to do it, I'll give some details in a post.

The painting of 11/14/08 is Garden in Flower at Sainte-Addresse. 1866 I've gotten different translations of the title and year, but think this one may be more common.

CNBC; Another Stock Market Bottom

It's become comical how so-called professionals are so eager to jump out and yell "bottom" with hopes that this time, they will go down in history as the one who called the market bottom of 2008. They are so-called professionals, because even I know that calling bottoms in a stock market is all about luck and coincidence. Even with market manipulation by program traders, nothing is ever that certain. I seem to remember other bottom calls from Mr. Worth. If not, then this sure is one.

In other news...Dow down 157 points as traders sell into yesterday's "bottom" rally. Let me get into some of this action and say how I see the Dow down at least 300 points at the close, probably by 2:00 PM. I hate talking about market psychology, but it just isn't right. Everyone is fishing the bottom, amateurs and all and I don't see how a bottom ever sets in like that. Just thinking out loud, I wouldn't be shocked at a 700-728 S&P before the year-end. Two things are happening. Funds are selling due to redemptions, which will only increase as the stock market tumbles and funds are making money by shorting to help clean their numbers up for year-end. Nothing says anyone has to go long in order to get their returns looking better for the year. They can do that by shorting the market.

Update: Whiskey Mind story hits the streets, Dow down 212....Just kidding. It's down that much, but I didn't do it.
3:19 PM Update: I wanted to get this in. I dunno. I still think it'll be down, big, at the end of the day...around 3%. It's been cracking a little. We hit the 300 Dow points down, but I'd still be surprised if it didn't close down close to that low. I don't like predictions, but I thought I'd put one out there with all of these guesses about a "bottom." I thought I'd start guessing some too. 275 down points to go.
4:30 PM Update: 338 down. More details in post above. There's a hell of a lot of selling pressure still out there. It just amazes me that "professionals" keep trying to nail a bottom. I thought bottom-fishing was excluded in the first year of business school, on the first day.

Bailout Oversight Promises Broken

They lied? I kept asking my elected representatives why they were voting for that piece of garbage. Eric Cantor is up for re-election in 2010 and Jim Webb in 2012. I'm going to keep voting against them until they are gone. I don't care how long it takes. I hope I am not alone. Anyone who ignored 80% of their constituency and voted for that disaster needs to go. That was such a basic breech of voter trust. It can't be tolerated.

Palin Brings Conservatism and Courage Back to GOP

Who cares if those knotheads who were all for Bush 43 got upset at the Republican Governors Association press conference. It's all of those Bush 43 lemmings. What did they expect? She was the GOP candidate for vice-president this year. To complain about her getting more questions is incredibly childish. Those same guys are why Obama is president and the GOP is hated by most humans around the world.

Governor Palin is the only one who seems to have the guts to actually answer questions in an honest way. The GOP boys club might as well get used to the fact that she's an interesting personality and people want to talk to her.

Mainstream Media and MSNBC "Errors"

I have to laugh each time I recall Helen Thomas or Ann Compton muttering some negative criticism about citizen journalists as they have the facial expression of having just eaten something very bitter. MSNBC is a huge news entity and they don't even check a source? Saying it should not have made the air means nothing. How can that happen? David Shuster can run with a story and never have it checked before it goes on air? Where's Compton's public criticism of this?

This sort of stuff should be punishable with a stiff FCC fine or something. It's a very serious issue to have this level of failure. They didn't even check for a bio on the source, just ran with it.

CNBC's Pisani 11/13/08 Article; Fix the Financial System

Under his list of what Obama needs to do Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics at the Stern School of Business, 1) fix the financial system ...

Excuse me for saying, "no sh**!!" That's some concept there, any details for that first suggestion? I would add: 1) make it all better. I wonder if Pasani paraphrased too much or if community colleges are an even better choice than I believed.

Taxpayer Funds Making Failing or Irresponsible Banks Bigger?

I'm no financial expert, have never claimed to be, but logical thinking yields some decent answers. How is it wise to allow taxpayer money, which is said to be necessary to save banks too big to fail, to be used to further isolate the banking industry to fewer players? Isn't that putting all of ones eggs in a single basket and promoting what is causing a key problem? Instead, it would seem that the more logical solution would be the break up the biggest banks, like Goldman Sachs, into smaller institutions. When is it ever wise to play an entire nation's banking system in the hands of a few CEOs? They have a name for that, criminal enterprise.

The Games Goldman Sachs Plays

I've never gotten the bad taste out of my mouth from the CNBC Fast Money programs where all of the traders were flopping around in blind praise of Goldman Sachs and it's brilliant (ie. ruthless) operation.

Well, here's some of that brilliance. Part of that business model appears to be betting against products that other Goldman Sachs employees are selling. The firm did the same thing with home mortgage securities. That way they play both ends. Goldman sells junk for big money, shorts what they know will quickly fail and makes a profits at both ends. Let us not forget, that is the company where treasury Secretary Henry Paulson made his $700 million. How is that less criminal than a Nigerian email scam?

Goldman-related Update:
A nice article that touches on this "Goldman as a god" fantasy floating around. Seems like Paulson's boy wonder isn't getting such grand reviews. The article also tends to support the talent versus salary post I have up. What talent do these Wall Street guys really have? They are supposed to be the best in the financial business, but they just seem like a bunch of cowboy speculators to me. They don't actually seem to understand the fundamentals of banking or of managing people. When nothing makes any sense, I consider the possibility of criminal activity.

CNBC's Pisani Is Outraged; Me Too

Bob Pisani of CNBC points out the socialism of the US federal government daring to insist that the rich Wall Street tycoons actually do something other than throw parties at luxury resorts and increase their salaries, as the US economy spirals down the toilet. The most outrageous part is the federal government mandating how taxpayer money is spent. Who the hell do those regulators think they are? Bring back the good ol' days of capitalism and free trade, when it's not at all improper to have expensive dinners and hookers at taxpayer expense. I'm with Bob on this one.

By the way, Mr. Pasani, it was your brand of cowboy "capitalism" that got us in this mess to begin with.

Wealth and Talent Decoupled at Wall Street?

Each time I see Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, my reaction is the same, "That guy's got over $700 million?" It's clear enough that Paulson has no clue about what to do and his inflated opinion of himself won't allow him to make the quick adjustments his incompetence requires. It's also clear that CEO jobs on Wall Street have more to do with one's connections than with one's talent. This guy ran Goldman Sachs? He should be thriving in an environment like this. I've always said US management was lacking in many ways. Unlike other countries, the US places excessive value on ego, height, and social skills at cocktail parties over talent. Henry Paulson, more confirmation that an image of competence is often not reality.

Tempeh Research Data

This woman did a great job. It's the best tempeh preparation material out there. I thought it was quite kind for her to post it. Sharyn, thank you. Fantastic.

For those of you not familiar with the product, tempeh is a fermented bean cake, usually prepared wiyh soybeans. I've just tried it recently, but like it plain or quick fried. I probably shouldn't say, but I bet it's great deep-fried in thick batter.

Hell, the jobs are almost gone, might as well get something out of globalism and GOP-style "free trade."

Changes at Whiskey Mind; Changes All Around

Someone might notice that links to Democracy Now and CounterPunch have been removed. I may offer details on this later, but for now will just leave it at my disgust of their frequent attacks on white males. Race, gender and sexual preference have always been an obsession with "progressives" but it seemed they were correcting that failure. Well, they aren't. Now that democrats have some power again, we're right back to pitting Americans against Americans, based on race and gender. CounterPunch contributed my last straw yesterday. I'll see if Amy Goodman holds Obama's feet to the fire or not. Folks, there has got to be more to this than just turning on each other, pitting American against American.

I've never understood the compulsion of those who identify with progressive politics to constantly strike out against perfectly innocent people for crimes they had nothing to do with, other than by sharing race or gender characteristics (ie. white males). I thought such bigotry was supposed to be wrong. No wonder American youth are so damned confused these days. When there's too much to be gained financially and politically by those who claim to be civil rights activists, the situation only gets worst. Many progressives are so deeply invested in the racial problems of this nation, that any resolution would be devastating to their personal incomes, and the future of the income of their immediate family and associates. Most people consider that a conflict of interest which breeds a lack of credibility. I know I do.

In the spirit of truth and rebellion against injustices, and to push back against "progressive" misfits, I have promptly installed a link to the Drudge Report and removed any links associated with progressive movements. As the power shifts, Drudge has now again assumed the role of revealing the secrets of those vested in America's failures. His guys are out, so Drudge has nothing to lose and everything to gain by printing unsavory facts about the DC political establishment. The game is always on, it's the roles that change.

My role won't change. I'm interested is truth and credible information to base decisions and beliefs upon, and I don't care where it comes from. Anyone who breeches the trust gets dropped like a hot potato. I'm sick of being vilified because I was born male and am of Scots-Irish decent. I'm doomed to a lifetime of attacks on my well-being and dignity because of how I was born, by people who say it doesn't matter how we were born...that we're all human? It's time to label them as the unstable and dangerous quacks that they are.

Main Street America; Becoming A Prison Yard

From TV shows to guys who have been there, the message about prison life is the same, "watch your back and don't ever trust anyone you don't know." It occurred to me that incarcerating a large portion of the population is not having a positive effect on American society. Who can blame a convicted felon for not trusting anyone? They get treated like dirt whether they're in or out of prison. It's beginning to get like that for the average citizen. Now, we have people being allowed by government to loot pension funds and money market accounts. Nothing is sacred. Nobody expects life to be all peaches and cream, but the last eights years have been nothing but news of the worst nature. Fear after fear after fear and extreme intimidation. Welcome to the Bush prison yard mentality. Will January 20, 2009 change anything? We'll see.

Time to Reload the Character Backup Drive; With Updates

The many failures of President George W. Bush, and career politicians in general, have resulted in nothing less than a system crash. Although, the last eight years should be taught for generations to come in public administration classes as an example of how not to govern, America needs to go to the backup disk. True, there are dark segments of US history, as with any country inhabited by human beings and not androids, but I still know an America to be proud of. Veteran's Day is coming up and I'm proud of the men and women who are out there doing their duty honorably. I really don't care if America goes to the backup, I'm already there. We need to go back to the phrase, "don't let the bastards grind you down."

Sure, it looks like some pension funds might collapse and the US is in for a rough ride, but most of our grandparents went through as bad or worse. Even if they didn't many of our recent immigrants have. If I could be half the person most of my Scots-Irish ancestors were, with the exception of a rogue and malevolent father, I'd be honored. It's not the genes as much as the behavior. I think we forget that we all make current decisions, regardless of our pasts. That's my Sunday morning message, load the backup drive, build on the good foundations that remain and get on with it.

Good Luck with That Bush Legacy; Santa's Not Very Happy

I'm still making my list and checking it twice. President G.W. Bush has been very naughty. My first thought is about torture and shipping prisoners who are labeled "detainees" so they can be tortured. There's Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, the vicious publicly-released videotaped hanging of Sadaam Hussein, whom we now believe was stabbed several times post-mortem, and the general practice of killing and waging war in a way that would make the most evil despot envious. There's Katrina, illegal wiretapping on US citizens, airport security to humiliate a populace by, and the denials. Constant denials of wrongdoing, the avoidance of any accountability, and counter accusations are classic strategies of corrupt regimes. The economy is crushed under the weight of unregulated bank practices and Bush proponents are actually claiming that excessive regulation was the culprit. I think it's safe to completely ignore them as maniacs, now.

To this day, Larry Kudlow and Jerry Boyer will proudly glare into the camera, with those famous smirks of a child remarkably proud of his obstinacy, as they baffle most audiences with countless contradictions and economic "expertise" contrary to economic reality. This is the same pair who mocked Peter Schiff, Gary Shilling, Joe Battipaglia and others who dared to contradict the wild claims of Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson that all was well with the Bush economy, until the facts became so obvious that hey had to change that story. Each Kudlow episode is the same. There's the reality even the viewer can understand, represented by people labeled as "gloomy" bears, tempered by the practiced smirks of Kudlow and Boyer and the masters of fantasy Kudlow has installed on his panel. Here's a link to Charlie Gasparino calling Donald Luskin a jerk. Luskin, like any good jerk, seems proud. I've never seen a blog where a guy proudly displays remarks from professionals who know what they are talking about how he's a person nobody should try to emulate. Talk about self-hate. Congratulations to Gasparino for finally addressing the competence and intentions of those who spew out such nonsense. They are, indeed, jerks.

This is the legacy of Bush, at least some of it. I won't take any more space to provide evidence of the obvious. President G.W. Bush failed the American people. There is not one part of most of American lives which isn't spinning widely out of control. We are being prepared for the reality that not only will Social Security be gone, but some rich guy has looted the pension funds too. It's all crumbling downward, but Dick Cheney seems fine. I wouldn't want anyone to worry.

It's my prediction that millions of personal journals will firmly contradict any historical magic applied to a miserable eight years of President Bush and his compliant band of accomplices in the US Congress and the media. The fact that this man hasn't been impeached and jailed speaks volumes about justice in America. There are plenty of impeachable offenses, no need to pretend they aren't there.

Hedge Funds Still Dumping Leverage; Gates Are Closing

Articles of on hedge fund redemptions, here, here, here, and here. December 01, 2008 was the day, but the one article didn't account for delays in redemption requests. With gate provisions going into effect, the hedge fund drag could go on for some time. If Obama does anything right, I hope he puts an end to the unregulated hedge fund insanity. I'm not holding my breath.

CounterPunch.org Nader Interview

You won't read a similar interview on the Daily Kos, Huffington Post, or Democratic Underground. They are too caught up in Obama fever when the surface rants are all said and done. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Nader, he does represent many views of the left and he is newsworthy. Alex Cockburn does another great job here. The lead of that page is informative also, a look under Raum Emanuel's rock.

I think Nader made a crucial mistake in saying that white men owe women and non-whites 300 years of servitude. That divisive rhetoric that panders to hate-filled motivations. Mocking a white man and telling him to sit in the back of the bus is not more moral than doing the same to anyone else because of gender and skin color. It's still wrong. More evil doesn't reduce an evil influence. An interesting Nader article from Deroy Murdock of the National Review Online (NRO).

Back Into Ubuntu

Every so often, as I'm sure many do, I toss out my cyber junk and reformat the hard drive. It's gets a fresh OS install going for the year and even there may be absolutely zero improvement noticed, it makes me feel better. If anything, it is at least an attempt to scrub out any info that may be lurking around Microsoft Windows' woefully inept infrastructure regarding security and deleted files. OSX has a built-in disk utility that allows the user to do a basic, DoD 7 or DoD 35 free space wipe. Every OS should have that.

I've also recently reinstalled Ubuntu Linux 8.04 on a VMWare Fusion 1.1 virtual machine, along with the dreaded and essential Windows XP. With that XP virtual machine, I have Zone Alarm. I do what I have to online, then I lock it down. XP does not have access to my Macintosh home files and it's read only, so it's locked down pretty tight. I needed the MS to run a certain program I use, and for MS Office Excel and Word. It's hard to use computers and not use and be able to read those programs. I refuse to pollute my Mac OSX with a Windows program for Mac. Anything Microsoft is in isolation, where it creates less mischief.

Update: Thought I'd mention that a DoD 7 free space wipe took about 9 hours on a 100 GB of space. All told the reload and wipe, and downloading all of the Mac updates took the best part of 24 hours, and that's not counting favorite programs to load. If I had a faster connection, the time would be a fraction of that, but there's no fast way to secure-wipe 100 GB, not that I know of.

Always A Thankful Thanksgiving

Everyone has pressures pushing down upon them and few are exempt, possibly the dead, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and President George Bush. The rest of us struggle to make a living and to retain the integrity of our souls in the process. Some of us may have recently been forced into isolation by family members. It's not easy, but it's all there is. I doubt if many of us don't have at least a few past acquaintance's who are either no longer living or are having cancer problems or some other tremendous struggle. I can't speak for others, but it's often not difficult to encounter someone who's hurting fiscally and emotionally. However, we all move on. We have to.

The months of September through December have always been among my favorites. There's just something fundamentally sound, unlike the US economy, about that time of year. This year will be better than many, as I've removed myself from a bizarre family dynamic. Their main contribution to my life was polluting my holiday cheer and creating as much doubt and despair in my mind as they could possibly manage. Perhaps they are harmless, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Wal Mart has Christmas music playing, so it should be timely to wish everyone a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving and Christmas. Think freely.

What Would Josey Wales and Forest Gump Agree On?

That we take life the way it is, not the way it might be. Both characters knew how to prioritize.

One Last Word About Voting; Reform

By the way, President Baby Bush still has 2.5 months to create more problems that will take generations to resolve.

All I had to show when I voted was my voter registration card. There is nothing on there that describes me. What is to prevent ACORN or some similar group from registering people who have no intention of voting, then have people voting in more than one district? In theory, nothing stops me from voting in my own district, then taking a voter card from someone I paid to register and also vote in that district. It's not asking too much to have to confirm with a photo ID. It's a crime that the US does not have a more secure voting system. The government can develop remote planes that drop bombs, but it refuses to establish a reliable national standard of voting.

It's ridiculous to hear shrieks of panic from election officials because turnout is high and they may not be able to handle it. They now, once again, have 4 years to come up with more efficient and secure methods of voting that allow prompt access to the polls for 100% of the eligible voting public. If they don't have enough funds, send them to Wall Street. House Representative Eric Cantor and US Senator Jim Webb wrote them a blank check not long ago.

The Seas Part; His Royal Highness, King Obama, Gets His Throne

Never fear, Governor Sarah Palin has staked her claim and she's giving none of it back. I've gone from an interest in her as a unique person, to the beginning of sincere respect for what she endures merely because she is a woman. From a small town guy who knows the type, she's a small town gal, a real person. She just happens to be very stunning and physically attractive. Tine Fey described Palin as pageant quality. It's hard to ignore, but should never be the fodder for endless derision by the envious women and barbaric men of the national news media and the general public.

As as side note, I was personally impressed as PUMA and some more conservative independents joined forces in a rare effort to create synergy based on agreement. That's a good start for the next elections.

The G. W. Bush Legacy of Failure; A Real Chimp Would Have Done Less Harm

President George Bush, if not the most criminal all of US presidents, may certainly be the most despised. His "errors" seem to consistently satisfy some dark agenda or enrich his supporters. Stock markets appear to rally on the mere thought of the Bush administration finally coming to an end, not caring for the time who may win. It has been a long eight years known for a series of disasters: losing 3000 American lives in an attack on US soil, the misguided response to the attack which should have never occurred, the Katrina debacle, urban sprawl fueled by interest rates forced down too low for too long and forever ruining countless acres of once-fertile farmland. Those interest rates also helped fuel what may still be the collapse of the global economy.

Massive deficits and fiscal insanity, torture of innocent civilians in Iraq, abuse of power, and perhaps even sheer stupidity seem to have been with President Bush all along. Still, the national infrastructure crumbles away and far more troubles were created than solved. Bush's definition of success is that we are not all dead or in prison.

I will never forget when Vice President Dick Cheney refused take his seat on Bush's cue during the Rumsfeld departure ceremony. Bush began to take his seat, but the crowd took their cues from Cheney and Bush had to rise again until Cheney was ready to end the applause for Rumsfeld and sit. The video is clear and I am still amazed that not a single mainstream journalist, the ones who consider themselves stewards of the preservation of truth, mentioned the least concern about that episode. Let us hope, if Senator Barack Obama wins, that Senator Joe Biden is not the one really in charge.

The only question now is how much other damage can Bush and Cheney do until January 20. It still may be a good idea to get that chimp on the job, now.

How Is War Less Likely If Obama Wins?

I keep seeing Obama supporters claiming that WWIII is less likely under Obama. Where have they been since July? Obama has practically reversed every key position that won the nomination from Clinton. He's talking about increasing the US military by 92,000. Does that sounds like he's planning on them sitting in the barracks playing cards? Alexander Cockburn of Counterpunch.org provides excerpts from another article he wrote:

“Obama wants to enlarge the armed services by 92,000. He pledges to escalate the US war in Afghanistan; to attack Pakistan’s sovereign territory if it obstructs any unilateral US mission to kill Osama bin Laden; and to wage a war against terror in a hundred countries, creating for this purpose a new international intelligence and law enforcement “infrastructure” to take down terrorist networks. A fresh start? Where does this differ from Bush’s commitment to Congress on September 20, 2001, to an ongoing “war on terror” against “every terrorist group of global reach” and “any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism”?

Regarding Obama's backpedaling from pre-nomination positions, Cockburn writes:

“In February, seeking a liberal profile in the primaries, Obama stood against warrantless wiretapping. His support for liberty did not survive its second trimester; he aborted it with a vote for warrantless wiretapping. The man who voted to reaffirm the awful Patriot Act declared that ‘the ability to monitor and track individuals who want to attack the United States is a vital counterterrorism tool.’

“As a political organizer of his own advancement, Obama is a wonder. But I have yet to identify a single uplifting intention to which he has remained constant if it has presented the slightest risk to his advancement. Summoning all the optimism at my disposal, I suppose we could say he has not yet had occasion to offend two important constituencies and adjust his relatively decent stances on immigration and labor-law reform. Public funding of his campaign? A commitment made becomes a commitment betrayed, just as on warrantless eavesdropping. His campaign treasury is now a vast hogswallow that, if it had been amassed by a Republican, would be the topic of thunderous liberal complaint.

I didn't see where Cockburn mentioned Obama's praise of Bush's "surge" results in Iraq. When the reversals are that frequent, it's difficult to keep track of them all. This isn't supposition or political rhetoric. Obama has flatly reversed himself on every key position he had in the primaries, something his supporters have ignored. Those who say they want Obama's "change" are probably too busy focusing on Palin's hair and clothes or her legs to notice or care that Obama's not the same candidate who won the democratic primaries.