A health care bill (aka: socialize medicine) coupled with health insurance (aka: the public option) is a dream come true for most Democrats. When government funded abortion is added to the mix, liberals are seeing the realization of a life long fantasy.
Only an idiot would have thought abortion would not be included in this bill. Any anti-abortion Democrat will mind their position in the party -- shut up and vote yes.
I can also promise you that illegal immigrants will also be covered by this health care program, most without having to pay a cent.
Give away free stuff to the lower ranks of society, you have voters for life, generation after generation. Look at how African Americans vote. Hispanics are following suit. This has worked all over the third world for decades -- Chavezism at its finest is being realized in America.
While we all know we have runaway medical costs, creating a massive entitlement program couple with a certain degradation in the quality of health care for most (over time) is the wrong thing to do in a recession.
Whereas some will argue that federal government allowed us to avoid a depression with their TARP and stimulus programs, none of the programs are designed to build confidence in business opportunities.
The bottom line is that businesses are uncomfortable about the impact the health care entitlement will have on them.
I know from personal experience that in our business, 2010 is being forecast similar to 2009, not 2008; and even then, with some reservation. There is hope that we it will not be as bad as it has been in 2009. My opinion is that 2010 will be 5-10 percent below 2009. I hope I am wrong.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Health Care Bill: Political Suicide or Real Value
The reason I am not a liberal is because I do not think government is the answer to most of society's problems. What the federal government is best equipped to do -- military and certain infrastructure -- they are less than stellar. Why don't they do a good job? Because they have no competition -- no compelling reason to excel.
In this latest health care maelstrom, the motivation started off with coverage for those not currently being covered by medial insurance, for whatever reason. This new proposal is not going to cover all of those insured. This is axiomatic.
Sure, there will be some people that will benefit, though certainly not the majority. What it will do is provide less quality health care with conscious rationing, discourage Americans from going into medical practice (not a good personal investment to time and money give the potential return), create an insurance system that will not be competitively fair (if their costs are greater than their incomes, which will occur, they cannot go broke like real firms). It will offer coverage for abortions and other political sensitive procedures.
Most reasonable people understand this. Event he politician behind it. This is not about better health care, it is about control and power. Likewise, the debating process that has gone on this past few weeks is not legislation, it is closer to corruption.
What Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) did was nothing less than corruption: holding out for wording in the bill that would only benefit Nebraska.
Many representatives have conscientiously elected to vote against the wishes of their constituencies, even if it cost them their position. They are liberals first, representatives second. They are willing to commit political suicide for socialized medicine.
Last week, the bombastic President Obama had the audacity of claiming that if we don't pass this health care bill, the federal government 'will go bankrupt'. Certainly we have a problem with runaway health care costs, but this socialized health care bill is not the answer. You can be sure it will direct us toward bankruptcy or poor health care for the masses. It is an entitlement on par with social security, trumping even the current Medicaid and Medicare programs. Obama's waggish ways have grown old. His jeremiad is woefully predictable.
Elections do have consequences. The Democrats will pay a price in November, but there is little confidence the Republicans that will fill the void will be able to reverse socialization. It is a desultory discussion.
In this latest health care maelstrom, the motivation started off with coverage for those not currently being covered by medial insurance, for whatever reason. This new proposal is not going to cover all of those insured. This is axiomatic.
Sure, there will be some people that will benefit, though certainly not the majority. What it will do is provide less quality health care with conscious rationing, discourage Americans from going into medical practice (not a good personal investment to time and money give the potential return), create an insurance system that will not be competitively fair (if their costs are greater than their incomes, which will occur, they cannot go broke like real firms). It will offer coverage for abortions and other political sensitive procedures.
Most reasonable people understand this. Event he politician behind it. This is not about better health care, it is about control and power. Likewise, the debating process that has gone on this past few weeks is not legislation, it is closer to corruption.
What Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) did was nothing less than corruption: holding out for wording in the bill that would only benefit Nebraska.
Many representatives have conscientiously elected to vote against the wishes of their constituencies, even if it cost them their position. They are liberals first, representatives second. They are willing to commit political suicide for socialized medicine.
Last week, the bombastic President Obama had the audacity of claiming that if we don't pass this health care bill, the federal government 'will go bankrupt'. Certainly we have a problem with runaway health care costs, but this socialized health care bill is not the answer. You can be sure it will direct us toward bankruptcy or poor health care for the masses. It is an entitlement on par with social security, trumping even the current Medicaid and Medicare programs. Obama's waggish ways have grown old. His jeremiad is woefully predictable.
Elections do have consequences. The Democrats will pay a price in November, but there is little confidence the Republicans that will fill the void will be able to reverse socialization. It is a desultory discussion.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Artificial Carbon Market
Most markets, in the traditional sense, are dynamic and not completely controlled by governments. Corn, pork, orange juice, gold, mobile phones, irrigation sprinklers, furniture, financial loans depend on weather, natural resource availability, consumer demand and effective service. Government have some control but not total.
The carbon market is 100 percent controlled by governments. They say how much pollution is allowed and how much is not. They control the CO2 permits. You cannot touch and feel the carbon market like you can most other markets.
The UN's Copenhagen discussions and negotiations this week are more about control than global warming. Getting 125+ nations to agree on a carbon emissions program is completely unrealistic.
The wealthier nations should not pay for the the less-wealthy nations' emissions control efforts. The less-wealthy nations should not expect the financial assistance from wealthier nations (but it does not hurt to ask). Nations whose people are more worried about where there next meal is coming from are so far removed from the fact/fiction, man-made global warming discussion. It makes little difference to them and their lives.
With the goal of the Copenhagen conference to find a way to rein in global emissions, whatever is decided, enforcement is all but impossible.
If nations believe that reducing their emissions will better their world, then each should strive to do so independently. Just because developing nations spread tons of CO2 into their breathing air and sky does not mean that every other nation should do the same.
When it comes down to it, this is an economical decision, not a climate one. Each country will do and should do what is their individual best interest.
The carbon market is 100 percent controlled by governments. They say how much pollution is allowed and how much is not. They control the CO2 permits. You cannot touch and feel the carbon market like you can most other markets.
The UN's Copenhagen discussions and negotiations this week are more about control than global warming. Getting 125+ nations to agree on a carbon emissions program is completely unrealistic.
The wealthier nations should not pay for the the less-wealthy nations' emissions control efforts. The less-wealthy nations should not expect the financial assistance from wealthier nations (but it does not hurt to ask). Nations whose people are more worried about where there next meal is coming from are so far removed from the fact/fiction, man-made global warming discussion. It makes little difference to them and their lives.
With the goal of the Copenhagen conference to find a way to rein in global emissions, whatever is decided, enforcement is all but impossible.
If nations believe that reducing their emissions will better their world, then each should strive to do so independently. Just because developing nations spread tons of CO2 into their breathing air and sky does not mean that every other nation should do the same.
When it comes down to it, this is an economical decision, not a climate one. Each country will do and should do what is their individual best interest.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
National College Football Awards & Heisman Trophy
Every year, the National College Football Awards Association and a number of other sponsoring organizations give out a series of awards for the year's best college football players. This list is well beyond event he most die hard fans. This year's winners are as follows...- Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player) - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
- Biletnikoff Award (best receiver) - Golden Tate, Notre Dame
- Lou Groza Award (best kicker) - Kai Forbath, UCLA
- Ray Guy Award (best punter) - Drew Butler, Georgia
- Maxwell Award (best all-around player) - Colt McCoy, Texas
- Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback) - Colt McCoy, Texas
- Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
- Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) - Eric Berry, Tennessee
- Doak Walker Award (best running back) - Toby Gerhart, Stanford
- Rimington Trophy (outstanding center) - Maurkice Pouncey, Florida
- John Mackey Award (best tight end) - Aaron Hernandez, Florida
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy (outstanding defensive player) - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
- Rotary Lombardi Award (outstanding lineman) - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
- Frank Broyles Award (top assistant coach) - Kirby Smart, Alabama
- Butkus Award (top linebacker) - Rolando McClain, Alabama
- Walter Camp Award (player of the year) - Colt McCoy, Texas
- Disney Spirit Award (most inspirational player) - Mark Herzlich - Boston College
- Campbell Trophy (Draddy Trophy) (player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance) - Tim Tebow, Florida
- Heisman Trophy - Mark Ingram, Alabama
- Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker) - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
The media tends to focus on the Heisman Trophy. While it is nice, it is more of an offensive glamor shot. A player on a poor team has no shot. A player from a non-BCS school has almost no shot. A defensive player has no shot. An offensive lineman has no shot.
These awards are necessary so the media outlets have something to talk about. And the players deserve the accolades, but there is usually little difference between the winners and the non-winners.
Not to take anything away from this year's Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, but Ndamukong Suh, defensive end from Nebraska, was clearly the best all-around, most dominating player in the country. Problem is that many of the voters never saw him play, and Nebraska was 9-4 and not in a BCS game. Toby Gerhard, RB from Stanford, was the best skill offensive player in the country, but he played on Stanford, an 8-4 team and not in a BCS game.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. But like many things, they evolve to suite the purposes of their supporters. I no longer watch the Award ceremony like I use to.
Realize also these awards are for college football. They have nothing to do with how they will do at the next level. Too often, they are over hyped and don't make it in the NFL (just look at the list of winners).
These awards are what they are: the voters for the awards' best guess at the best player for that designation given the voting guidelines. Someone's got to win; someone's not going to win. This gives us fans something to talk about, as worthless as that time is.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Stimulus #3 As Bad An Idea As Stimuli #1 and #2
I guess those elected to serve in government roles feel that the only way they can be effective is to create new programs. Programs that by the casual observer mean well on the surface but do nothing but help the few at the exclusion of the many without an actual cost:benefit analysis.
The Obama administration is contemplating a third stimulus program. Apparently Nancy Pelosi-Bush's Keynesian program #1 ($165 billion stimulus in February 2008) and Pelosi-Obama's Keynesian program #2 ($787 billion stimulus in February 2009) were not enough. Obama is contemplating program #3, looking much like the previous two, mostly ladden with infrastructure promises, but with some potential. He is proposing a hiring tax credit, zero capital gains on new investments in smaller companies, and enhanced expensing for small business.
It is being forecasted that TARP will cost less than expected -- that we will recover more than anticipated (losing only $42 billion). The problem is that the deficit is the highest it has every been and these programs do nothing to address that. They just compound the problem.
As was predicted with both stimuli programs, legislators see it as a permanent funding measure. A strong economy is a good way to address the deficit but not if government continues to spend more than it takes in.
Keynesian spending might make theoretical sense but it fails on practicality.
There is little hope that things will get better anytime soon. There are too many negatives, most created by the federal government. Extraordinary debt, a huge pending health care entitlement program, a pending energy policy that will add enormous costs to everything, two foreign wars with no end in sight, a government that is not a friend of business and capitalism.
Most people work for other people. These "other" people will take business risks only if they have a favorable chance of a reasonable return. If they are unwilling to make the investments, then there are no new jobs for the average Jane and Joe.
The federal government caused the recession and continues to prolong it with its stifling policies. Cut taxes on every one, incentivize new investment, growth and expansion. Put the stops on the next generation New Deal/Great Society social programs. Hope will be less government and less threats that government will intrude on the forces of capitalism.
I feel they current leadership will not do what's right because they want to do what liberals have always wanted to do: build and expand socialism.
I just wish we had politicians that built their platforms on truly reducing the size and scope of government. It just won't happen in mass.
The Obama administration is contemplating a third stimulus program. Apparently Nancy Pelosi-Bush's Keynesian program #1 ($165 billion stimulus in February 2008) and Pelosi-Obama's Keynesian program #2 ($787 billion stimulus in February 2009) were not enough. Obama is contemplating program #3, looking much like the previous two, mostly ladden with infrastructure promises, but with some potential. He is proposing a hiring tax credit, zero capital gains on new investments in smaller companies, and enhanced expensing for small business.
It is being forecasted that TARP will cost less than expected -- that we will recover more than anticipated (losing only $42 billion). The problem is that the deficit is the highest it has every been and these programs do nothing to address that. They just compound the problem.
As was predicted with both stimuli programs, legislators see it as a permanent funding measure. A strong economy is a good way to address the deficit but not if government continues to spend more than it takes in.
Keynesian spending might make theoretical sense but it fails on practicality.
There is little hope that things will get better anytime soon. There are too many negatives, most created by the federal government. Extraordinary debt, a huge pending health care entitlement program, a pending energy policy that will add enormous costs to everything, two foreign wars with no end in sight, a government that is not a friend of business and capitalism.
Most people work for other people. These "other" people will take business risks only if they have a favorable chance of a reasonable return. If they are unwilling to make the investments, then there are no new jobs for the average Jane and Joe.
The federal government caused the recession and continues to prolong it with its stifling policies. Cut taxes on every one, incentivize new investment, growth and expansion. Put the stops on the next generation New Deal/Great Society social programs. Hope will be less government and less threats that government will intrude on the forces of capitalism.
I feel they current leadership will not do what's right because they want to do what liberals have always wanted to do: build and expand socialism.
I just wish we had politicians that built their platforms on truly reducing the size and scope of government. It just won't happen in mass.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Beer Can Collecting
Talk about nostalgia, when I read the Wednesday, 9 December 2009, front page article called Behold the Beer Can, Its Beauty Faded In the Eyes of the Young in the Wall Street Journal, I reverted back to my mid-teens.
Although a Mormon boy from Ohio, a friend and I were avid beer can collectors. He got me started. He had nearly 500 different beer cans. I built my collection to over 200.
I was probably 13-15 year old. I would make a point of digging through trash cans and dumsters in the large appartment complexes near my house. Saturday morning was a good collecting day, as was Monday, before the trash truck came.
Don't ask me why beer cans. It was actually a rather filthy hobby. The things we found in beer cans when we emptied and cleaned them of their content was rather disgusting.
I don't remember what I did with my collection. I can guarantee you that if I had it today, it would be worth something. I am not a pack rat, and tend to travel light. I just figured that it was stuff I really did not need; it would be too much hassle to deal with over the years as I moved all over the country.
I almost forgot about the hobby. The article made me remember it ... fondly, I guess.
Although a Mormon boy from Ohio, a friend and I were avid beer can collectors. He got me started. He had nearly 500 different beer cans. I built my collection to over 200.
I was probably 13-15 year old. I would make a point of digging through trash cans and dumsters in the large appartment complexes near my house. Saturday morning was a good collecting day, as was Monday, before the trash truck came.
Don't ask me why beer cans. It was actually a rather filthy hobby. The things we found in beer cans when we emptied and cleaned them of their content was rather disgusting.
I don't remember what I did with my collection. I can guarantee you that if I had it today, it would be worth something. I am not a pack rat, and tend to travel light. I just figured that it was stuff I really did not need; it would be too much hassle to deal with over the years as I moved all over the country.
I almost forgot about the hobby. The article made me remember it ... fondly, I guess.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Great College Football Games
In my opinion, today's conference championship games were as good of college football you could hope for. If you watch college football one day a year, this was the day.
In a snow storm in Pittsburgh, the #15 ranked Pitt Panthers (now 9-3) had the early advantage in this de facto Big East championship game. But after it was all said and done, the #5 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats (now 12-0) were able to pull it out. Despite 3 INTs, Tony Pike was able to throw 3 TDS passes including the game winner.
In the Conference USA Championship game in Greenville, NC, had #21 ranked Houston Now 10-3) playing unranked East Carolina (now 9-4). Despite over 500 years passing and 5 TDs, Case Keenham was unable to rally the troops and the Pirates beat the Cougars 38-32.
The game of the season, so they tell us, had #1 Florida (now 12-1) against #2 Alabama (now 13-0) in the SEC Championship in Atlanta. Alabama dominated; clearly the better team. They won going away, 32-13. Tebow (FL QB) was less than impressive. Ingram (RB - Ala) was very impressive. Alabama will now be ranked #1 and will play in the BCS Championship game in Pasadena on 7 January.
It looks like the Crimson Tide will be playing Texas in Pasadena. The #3 ranked Texas Longhorns (now 13-0) won with a last second field goal, 13-12, over the #22 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (now 9-4) in Dallas. A defensive game from the get-go. Nebraska clearly has the best player in the nation in their defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh.
Taking place at the same time, the ACC Championship game was taking place in Tampa. It pitted #10 Georgia Tech (now 11-2) against unranked Clemson (now 8-5). This might have been the best game of the day. In a great performance, Tiger RB C.J. Spiller rushed for 233 yards and 4 TDs, but in a losing effort. The Yellow Jackets were able to score a game winning TD with less than 2 minutes to play; the Tigers were unable to answer, losing 39-34.
The BCS system is unfair and broken. But with games like this, I guess it does not matter. The bowl games, for the most part are anti-climatic, a road trip for the die hard fans. How does one tell which team is deserving of a shot at the championship game -- the one game? Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State are all undefeated, yet only two can play in that one game. Texas lucked out -- Nebraska kicks off out of bounds, and latter horse-collars a receiver putting Texas in FG position. Then Colt McCoy had a brain cramp and almost ran out of time, even with a TO in his pocket. They put one second back on the clock (rightly so) giving Texas the shot at the FG attempt.
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on display today. It was great not having a horse in the race; just watching was very entertaining.
In a snow storm in Pittsburgh, the #15 ranked Pitt Panthers (now 9-3) had the early advantage in this de facto Big East championship game. But after it was all said and done, the #5 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats (now 12-0) were able to pull it out. Despite 3 INTs, Tony Pike was able to throw 3 TDS passes including the game winner.
In the Conference USA Championship game in Greenville, NC, had #21 ranked Houston Now 10-3) playing unranked East Carolina (now 9-4). Despite over 500 years passing and 5 TDs, Case Keenham was unable to rally the troops and the Pirates beat the Cougars 38-32.
The game of the season, so they tell us, had #1 Florida (now 12-1) against #2 Alabama (now 13-0) in the SEC Championship in Atlanta. Alabama dominated; clearly the better team. They won going away, 32-13. Tebow (FL QB) was less than impressive. Ingram (RB - Ala) was very impressive. Alabama will now be ranked #1 and will play in the BCS Championship game in Pasadena on 7 January.
It looks like the Crimson Tide will be playing Texas in Pasadena. The #3 ranked Texas Longhorns (now 13-0) won with a last second field goal, 13-12, over the #22 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (now 9-4) in Dallas. A defensive game from the get-go. Nebraska clearly has the best player in the nation in their defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh.
Taking place at the same time, the ACC Championship game was taking place in Tampa. It pitted #10 Georgia Tech (now 11-2) against unranked Clemson (now 8-5). This might have been the best game of the day. In a great performance, Tiger RB C.J. Spiller rushed for 233 yards and 4 TDs, but in a losing effort. The Yellow Jackets were able to score a game winning TD with less than 2 minutes to play; the Tigers were unable to answer, losing 39-34.
The BCS system is unfair and broken. But with games like this, I guess it does not matter. The bowl games, for the most part are anti-climatic, a road trip for the die hard fans. How does one tell which team is deserving of a shot at the championship game -- the one game? Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State are all undefeated, yet only two can play in that one game. Texas lucked out -- Nebraska kicks off out of bounds, and latter horse-collars a receiver putting Texas in FG position. Then Colt McCoy had a brain cramp and almost ran out of time, even with a TO in his pocket. They put one second back on the clock (rightly so) giving Texas the shot at the FG attempt.
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on display today. It was great not having a horse in the race; just watching was very entertaining.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
A War to Win or Another Step into the Stygian Abyss
Obama was at his typical narcissistic best Tuesday night. We have waited months for his strategic direction for Afghanistan. A bombastic orator, he has dome something that might win elections but not translate into prudent governing.
When a politician tries to please everyone, he ends up pleasing none. Obama's home is in the hustings, not in actually making the tough decisions associated with position.
He did not mention victory. He sounded more like LBJ -- running scared, sounding like he wants success but presenting a coward's plan.
One cannot tell his opponent his strategy and hope to win. How do tell your opponent you will be done in 18 months and think that is a great idea?
It'll be 4-6 months to get the first new troops there and in 12-14 months start bringing them home.
We do not have the money. We never had the money. Afghanistan was a popular idea after 911 -- rah rah -- both sides of the aisle. Iraq was a so-called diversion.
Foreign wars with marginal strategic value are always bad ideas. They never end the way they were originally sold. They are hard.
Whatever we do in Afghanistan over the next 18 months will be okay in some ways but not worth the cost -- money, lives and opportunity costs.
This is another step into the stygian depths of a foreign quagmire, with Obama, the anointed one, leading the way.
When a politician tries to please everyone, he ends up pleasing none. Obama's home is in the hustings, not in actually making the tough decisions associated with position.
He did not mention victory. He sounded more like LBJ -- running scared, sounding like he wants success but presenting a coward's plan.
One cannot tell his opponent his strategy and hope to win. How do tell your opponent you will be done in 18 months and think that is a great idea?
It'll be 4-6 months to get the first new troops there and in 12-14 months start bringing them home.
We do not have the money. We never had the money. Afghanistan was a popular idea after 911 -- rah rah -- both sides of the aisle. Iraq was a so-called diversion.
Foreign wars with marginal strategic value are always bad ideas. They never end the way they were originally sold. They are hard.
Whatever we do in Afghanistan over the next 18 months will be okay in some ways but not worth the cost -- money, lives and opportunity costs.
This is another step into the stygian depths of a foreign quagmire, with Obama, the anointed one, leading the way.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Anthropogenic Global Warming Lacks Scientic Backing
Having spent the bulk of my professional career in the field of marketing and sales, I have learned a few things about what works and what does not. I have also learned that what is acceptable in one industry is not necessarily acceptable in another.
For example, in the consumer products world, if you build a new widget or better mouse trap, you can tell the world that is 'new and improved' or the best at doing this and that. Little verification is required; it is just an unsubstantiated claim. In the technology space, for the most part, the same thing. There are groups or individuals that actually do detailed analysis of the claims, but in general, we buy it because we think we like it, or it is fashionable, etc.
In the medical or scientific world, things are clearer -- more absolute. Scientific progress depends on accurate and complete data and on replication. A manufacturer cannot make claims without some scientific backing. Research and testing are required. If a medication is designed to lower blood pressure it a) should lower blood pressure in almost every case and b) should have limited side effects, and the ones it does have should be clear for the MD and patient to make an risk assessment. Just because a company wants a product to work or does as it was designed, if the science shows it does not, then the manufacture cannot market it as if if does.
The anthropogenic global warming (man-made global warming) consortia have confused scientific evidence with political will. For people belonging to the church of the global warming, scientific evidence supporting their claims is not quite where they want it to be. As such, they have done their best to squeeze dissenting scientists out of the peer review process. Only active 'church of the global warming' member need to participate. If you fail to hold the line, it will ostracize you.
A week ago, a hacker broke into the computers at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit. He released a series of email damaging to the anthropogenic global warming crowds' legitimacy (as if it had any). Are stolen email and documents legitimate? One can argue either way. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that this is more of a political political argument than a scientific one.
If it were a scientific one, I really am not sure why a body of people want to turn the world's economy on its head through stringent government regulations. Prudence and reason should reign. Being good stewards of the earth is something all inhabitants should practice. However, teaching people that man is bad and the earth will be destroyed if the "enlightened ones" don't do something it, is pure rubbish.
It is clear that the anthropogenic global warming crowd (researchers) have gone out of their way to conceal information that counters their bias. At least one U.S. Senator is interested in following up with an investigation into "Climategate." Obama is pro-anthropogenic global warming, a key to his campaign. He could care less if it is based on any scientific evidence. He knows it is in his best political interest personally (not the nation's) because most of his supporters believe in this 'man-bad, earth good' diatribe.
The earth is going to be here long after we are gone. We all should make it a better place to live. But U.S.-based legislation or some global accord is not the way to accomplish this.
I will never get why these people think that if everyone in America drove electric cars, lived in solar and/or wind powered houses and recycled our own bath water, the world would some how cool down. The Asians, Latin Americans, eastern Europeans, Africans are not going to do anything about it.
And finally, why do anthropogenic global warmers believe that average temperatures of the earth over the pass 200 years are normal. Last time I looked, people like warmer temperatures.
For example, in the consumer products world, if you build a new widget or better mouse trap, you can tell the world that is 'new and improved' or the best at doing this and that. Little verification is required; it is just an unsubstantiated claim. In the technology space, for the most part, the same thing. There are groups or individuals that actually do detailed analysis of the claims, but in general, we buy it because we think we like it, or it is fashionable, etc.
In the medical or scientific world, things are clearer -- more absolute. Scientific progress depends on accurate and complete data and on replication. A manufacturer cannot make claims without some scientific backing. Research and testing are required. If a medication is designed to lower blood pressure it a) should lower blood pressure in almost every case and b) should have limited side effects, and the ones it does have should be clear for the MD and patient to make an risk assessment. Just because a company wants a product to work or does as it was designed, if the science shows it does not, then the manufacture cannot market it as if if does.
The anthropogenic global warming (man-made global warming) consortia have confused scientific evidence with political will. For people belonging to the church of the global warming, scientific evidence supporting their claims is not quite where they want it to be. As such, they have done their best to squeeze dissenting scientists out of the peer review process. Only active 'church of the global warming' member need to participate. If you fail to hold the line, it will ostracize you.
A week ago, a hacker broke into the computers at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit. He released a series of email damaging to the anthropogenic global warming crowds' legitimacy (as if it had any). Are stolen email and documents legitimate? One can argue either way. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that this is more of a political political argument than a scientific one.
If it were a scientific one, I really am not sure why a body of people want to turn the world's economy on its head through stringent government regulations. Prudence and reason should reign. Being good stewards of the earth is something all inhabitants should practice. However, teaching people that man is bad and the earth will be destroyed if the "enlightened ones" don't do something it, is pure rubbish.
It is clear that the anthropogenic global warming crowd (researchers) have gone out of their way to conceal information that counters their bias. At least one U.S. Senator is interested in following up with an investigation into "Climategate." Obama is pro-anthropogenic global warming, a key to his campaign. He could care less if it is based on any scientific evidence. He knows it is in his best political interest personally (not the nation's) because most of his supporters believe in this 'man-bad, earth good' diatribe.
The earth is going to be here long after we are gone. We all should make it a better place to live. But U.S.-based legislation or some global accord is not the way to accomplish this.
I will never get why these people think that if everyone in America drove electric cars, lived in solar and/or wind powered houses and recycled our own bath water, the world would some how cool down. The Asians, Latin Americans, eastern Europeans, Africans are not going to do anything about it.
And finally, why do anthropogenic global warmers believe that average temperatures of the earth over the pass 200 years are normal. Last time I looked, people like warmer temperatures.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Crossing the Mexican Border
I spent the day in Nogales, Mexico. Getting into Mexico is rather easy -- no lines -- they just want you to pay $23. that is the equivalent of a Visa but to for a specific company. (We have other facilities in Mexico that I can use this for, entering in another port of entry.)
Coming back was more involved. the guy I was with drives to-from Nogales once a week. He has a "fast pass" to expedite his crossings. He was able to drive through a special lane. right before crossing, I got out, walked around the corner to the foot-traffic line. It took about 5 minutes, met a US border patrol agent, he asked me a few question after looking at my passport, and wallah, back in the USA.
What I noticed or confirmed is that like most security, it is for the few. Most people pass back and forth for work. They do not have evil on the mind. It is the few -- the smugglers, the wanna-be terrorists, the disease-carrying chaff -- that merit the billions spent on security.
And it is the few that truly merit this expenditure in our to protect this nation.
Coming back was more involved. the guy I was with drives to-from Nogales once a week. He has a "fast pass" to expedite his crossings. He was able to drive through a special lane. right before crossing, I got out, walked around the corner to the foot-traffic line. It took about 5 minutes, met a US border patrol agent, he asked me a few question after looking at my passport, and wallah, back in the USA.
What I noticed or confirmed is that like most security, it is for the few. Most people pass back and forth for work. They do not have evil on the mind. It is the few -- the smugglers, the wanna-be terrorists, the disease-carrying chaff -- that merit the billions spent on security.
And it is the few that truly merit this expenditure in our to protect this nation.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Obama Warns of Double Dip Recession
This week, President Obama made his way throughout eastern Asia. On Wednesday, he issued a warning:
He has spent like few administration prior, from Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Cash for Clunkers and publicly-traded company takeovers. And now he is saying we need to rein in public debt.
He is encouraging a Democratic congress to pass a complete take-over of the nation's health care system and medical insurance industries, creating a entitlement program that will dwarf Social Security. How does this reconcile with his "double-dip" warning?
Housing does not look like it will rebound anytime soon. Consumer spending will remain stagnant for a long time. The stock market is looking more and more like a useless place to put money. Unemployment will remain at least at ten percent for a couple of years, probably raising to 11-13 percent because his administration's fiscal policies are destructive and discouraging to business investments and growth plans. His monetary policies are detrimental to the dollar, as it continue to buy less and less. The only saving grace for the average person, but not for some industries, is the stable price of energy. Could you image what it would be like if oil drifted back up to $4-5/gallon?
If Obama is warning about a double-dip recession, he is really showing his hand and is fearful of the future. If it were not so, he would be telling us how the government programs are bringing us out of this recession. We are dutifully warned. His policies will ensure this recession will get worse before it will get better.
the US economy could head into a “double-dip recession” unless urgent steps were taken to rein in mounting public debt.Is he repenting of his administration's recent economic sins? Or is he posturing for more bad news in the coming months and years?
It is important though to recognise if we keep on adding to the debt, even in the midst of this recovery, that at some point, people could lose confidence in the US economy in a double-dip recession.
He has spent like few administration prior, from Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Cash for Clunkers and publicly-traded company takeovers. And now he is saying we need to rein in public debt.
He is encouraging a Democratic congress to pass a complete take-over of the nation's health care system and medical insurance industries, creating a entitlement program that will dwarf Social Security. How does this reconcile with his "double-dip" warning?
Housing does not look like it will rebound anytime soon. Consumer spending will remain stagnant for a long time. The stock market is looking more and more like a useless place to put money. Unemployment will remain at least at ten percent for a couple of years, probably raising to 11-13 percent because his administration's fiscal policies are destructive and discouraging to business investments and growth plans. His monetary policies are detrimental to the dollar, as it continue to buy less and less. The only saving grace for the average person, but not for some industries, is the stable price of energy. Could you image what it would be like if oil drifted back up to $4-5/gallon?
If Obama is warning about a double-dip recession, he is really showing his hand and is fearful of the future. If it were not so, he would be telling us how the government programs are bringing us out of this recession. We are dutifully warned. His policies will ensure this recession will get worse before it will get better.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Gore Claims the Earth's Core Is Several Million Degrees
How is it that Al Gore continues to succeed despite his ignorance? The Nobel Laureate recently told Conan O'Brien that the Earth's interior is "extremely hot, several million degrees." That's more along the lines of the sun. The Earth's core is a few thousand degrees...just slightly off.
If the temperature anywhere inside the earth was "several million degrees," we'd be a star.
The demigod of man-made global warming continues to demonstrate that the Church of Global Warming is based on good intentions, not of facts. Facts just get in the way. So what if he's off by a million, his good intent was there -- man needs to harvest geothermal energy. (I wonder if he has a business investment in one or more geothermal enterprises? Duh.)
Most leaders of major causes, from cults and gangs to CEOs, have a basic understanding of the facts associated with their causes or businesses. They know when they don't and know when to keep quite. Algore has none of these qualities yet dorks continue to follow his rantings.
If the temperature anywhere inside the earth was "several million degrees," we'd be a star.
The demigod of man-made global warming continues to demonstrate that the Church of Global Warming is based on good intentions, not of facts. Facts just get in the way. So what if he's off by a million, his good intent was there -- man needs to harvest geothermal energy. (I wonder if he has a business investment in one or more geothermal enterprises? Duh.)
Most leaders of major causes, from cults and gangs to CEOs, have a basic understanding of the facts associated with their causes or businesses. They know when they don't and know when to keep quite. Algore has none of these qualities yet dorks continue to follow his rantings.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Replay Required for Soccer
I have written about this on multiple occasions: soccer, aka football, needs to embrace technology and use replays in certain situations.In soccer, there is one referee and two line judges. There are twenty two players on the pitch. Is is asking an awful lot to think he can see all, especially in major matches.
This week, Ireland was eliminated from World Cup 2012 by France on a goal that clearly should not have been allowed.
France's Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball with his arm and hand two or three times while in the box, just prior to making a pass to teammate William Gallas for the go-ahead header. (France also had two players offsides at the beginning of series of events.)
Henry admitted his error. It was not intentional. He even felt that the game should be replayed. FIFA refuses to replay it. I disagree with those that feel Henry should be banned or made an example of. Henry was not a cheat; just because a player handles the ball with an arm or hand does not make him a cheat; does not make everything like this intentional.
There is talk of adding a goal referee behind each goal like in the NHL. That might be fine but there is no reason they should not use technology; e.g., video replays. Replays would help on free kick fouls, red cards, offsides on goals, etc. There are probably only five cases a game on average where replay would be used. Provided you can turn it around quick like the NHL and NCAA (most of the time) do and not the slow processes used by NFL and MLB. It would not slow the game down that much; the benefits would clearly outweigh the negatives.
There is too much on the line to allow something like this to go on given modern viewing and video technology. World Cup is bigger than the NFL and auto racing. It is the biggest sporting thing in the world. The Irish will forever be denied this opportunity to fairly qualify for South Africa.
World football succeeds despite FIFA. This is (FIFA is) frustrating for the fans and participants.
Climate Change Creating More Prostitution
Have you ever read such a ridiculous headline: "Climate change pushes poor women to prostitution, dangerous work"?
The article is based on here say and speculation. The authors state: "Climate change could reduce income from farming and fishing, possibly driving some women into sex work and thereby increase HIV infection." It is pure propaganda.
Apparently prostitution is a forced profession, that those that become prostitutes have no option.
He goes on to say "the sea’s resources are depleted due to overpopulation and overfishing, fishermen start losing their livelihood and women are forced to share the traditional role of the man in providing for the family."
Apparently overpopulation is caused by global warming and that because we over fish certain areas, the women must become whores.
The man-caused global warming idiots continue to show their stupidity.
The article is based on here say and speculation. The authors state: "Climate change could reduce income from farming and fishing, possibly driving some women into sex work and thereby increase HIV infection." It is pure propaganda.
Apparently prostitution is a forced profession, that those that become prostitutes have no option.
He goes on to say "the sea’s resources are depleted due to overpopulation and overfishing, fishermen start losing their livelihood and women are forced to share the traditional role of the man in providing for the family."
Apparently overpopulation is caused by global warming and that because we over fish certain areas, the women must become whores.
The man-caused global warming idiots continue to show their stupidity.
What's the Deal with Vampires?
I have not read any of the Twilight saga books -- don't really need to in order to know what they are about. Young girl falls for a vampire.
I need to quote my brother in law made on Facebook to our relatives (that suck this stuff up, read the books, wait in the lines) that share a similar opinion about the vampire saga as I do:
Some people have nothing better to do in life than waste it on absolute drivel. Some people prefer total escapism to real life. A bit is fine but in my opinion, excessive amounts are rather sad.
I need to quote my brother in law made on Facebook to our relatives (that suck this stuff up, read the books, wait in the lines) that share a similar opinion about the vampire saga as I do:
Twilight triple sucks!!! Along with the shallow minded fools who have no interesting life of their own that feel the need to yearn to be vampires or shag vampires. In a nice mormon kind of way after you've married that vampire. Plenty of real life stories more interesting than this pantload.There are just a lot of dweebs -- male and female -- that like dorky things, from Harry Potter, Star Wars and sci-fi characters, to Sex In the City and Twilight.
Some people have nothing better to do in life than waste it on absolute drivel. Some people prefer total escapism to real life. A bit is fine but in my opinion, excessive amounts are rather sad.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sarah Palin and Her Political Role
I don't mind Sarah Palin. I am okay with her politics but have no interest in seeing her as a national political leader. She writes a book that I have no interest in reading. She is not that smart. She has no original ideas. She is not well read.As far as the Republican Party is concerned, sure she's a member but nothing more. She's not going to be the Party leader. She's not going to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028 or 2032. She's not going to be a radio talk show host; she's not smart or witty enough. She's not going to be a conservative journalist or columnist; although Chuck Norris is, so maybe she'll just be a bad one.
She'll make some money with her book. She might be able to make some doing endorsements. But her political future, provided she's interested, might just be at the local level, as a Senator from Alaska at best.
I have nothing against her. But I do wish she'd just go back to Alaska, back to her family, back to her local political role. We always need good local politicians; that might just be where she'll make the biggest political impact.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Stimulus Programs for Non-Existant Districts
This stimulus program is working so good that there are districts getting money....that don't even exist.
The idea behind government accountability is prudent, but not when they are the ones making the accounting. Why would anyone waste time looking at recovery.gov? Only those looking to find the jokes?
Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Arizona leaders at Sky Harbor Airport, regarding the success the stimulus has seen in Arizona, stating that it has created about 12,000 jobs.Politicians love to talk about how great their programs are impacting the lives of Americans, whether it is true or not.
According to recovery.org, the government’s website that tracks the stimulus funds, thirty jobs in Arizona’s 15th district were either saved or created with $761,420 in stimulus funds. The problem with this “good news” is that Arizona only has eight Congressional Districts.
Arizona's page, for example, showed the state's 52nd, 15th and 86th congressional districts received hundreds of thousands of dollars in stimulus money, according to CNN affiliate KNXV. However, no such districts exist in Arizona, which has only eight congressional districts.Why do they allow Biden out in public? The selection of Biden as a running mate should have disqualified Obama immediately. What was he thinking? Obviously he was not doing much thinking.
A report released Wednesday by the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity said it found such errors on pages for all 50 states, four territories and Washington, D.C. More than $6.4 billion in stimulus funds was shown as being spent -- and more than 28,420 jobs saved or created -- in 440 false districts, it said.
The idea behind government accountability is prudent, but not when they are the ones making the accounting. Why would anyone waste time looking at recovery.gov? Only those looking to find the jokes?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Disaster in Cleveland
The mistake on the lake has reared its ugly head once again. This time in the form of one of the worst major sports franchise's in America.
If you were one of the unfortunate ones to waste any of your time watching Monday Night Football tonight, you know what I am talking about. The Browns lost at home 16-0 to the Ravens, the team that bolted Cleveland for Baltimore many years ago. Cleveland has lost nine straight home games since 2008.
For 60 quarters this year, the Browns offense has not scored a touchdown. Tonight, they kept the inept streak in tack.
This is a team in total disarray. However, I will give the defense some credit: they play hard and do not give up, despite spending more time on the field than their offensive counterparts and knowing that they have to both keep the other team from scoring and score points themselves.
The Browns are one of a handful of teams never to have played in a Super Bowl. This organization is not going to get them there. They can't draft. They cannot put together a game plan. They cannot execute. This offense might be the worst offense in the history of the NFL.
As a life long Browns fan, I watch only out of duty. Why anyone pays a single dollar for a ticket is beyond me. It is bad enough watching them play in the comforts of your home on a wide screen HD TV, but to watch this team perform live... All I can say, alcohol must play some role.
It is rather embarrassing to claim the Browns as your team. I did not even wear any of my ten or twelve Browns shirts or sweatshirts. This is misery personified.
If you were one of the unfortunate ones to waste any of your time watching Monday Night Football tonight, you know what I am talking about. The Browns lost at home 16-0 to the Ravens, the team that bolted Cleveland for Baltimore many years ago. Cleveland has lost nine straight home games since 2008.
For 60 quarters this year, the Browns offense has not scored a touchdown. Tonight, they kept the inept streak in tack.
This is a team in total disarray. However, I will give the defense some credit: they play hard and do not give up, despite spending more time on the field than their offensive counterparts and knowing that they have to both keep the other team from scoring and score points themselves.
The Browns are one of a handful of teams never to have played in a Super Bowl. This organization is not going to get them there. They can't draft. They cannot put together a game plan. They cannot execute. This offense might be the worst offense in the history of the NFL.
As a life long Browns fan, I watch only out of duty. Why anyone pays a single dollar for a ticket is beyond me. It is bad enough watching them play in the comforts of your home on a wide screen HD TV, but to watch this team perform live... All I can say, alcohol must play some role.
It is rather embarrassing to claim the Browns as your team. I did not even wear any of my ten or twelve Browns shirts or sweatshirts. This is misery personified.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
And You Want to Be My Health Care Provider...
The CDC claims that H1N1 has killed 3,900 Americans thus far.
We all know that did not quite work out they way they wanted. If you want a shot or want your children inoculated, you are pretty much out of luck. Who has the time to wait in lines? If you are not in the "risky" category, do not apply.
Get the government involved, you get FIMA's response to Hurricane Katrina victims; you get out of control spending -- stimulus programs, bailouts, corporate take overs -- that has only negative impacts on the economy.
The federal government wants to take over the nation's health care. It can't even get a real H1N1 inoculation program that they had plenty of time to address. Who actually thinks they can pull this off? Obviously some bureaucratic lunatics. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
In an average flu season, about 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized with 90 percent of deaths and hospitalizations among people over 65.This was not spun by the federal government and the media as just another flu. This was a pandemic. As such, they would gather up their experts, develop H1N1 medication, and get it to the nation.
We all know that did not quite work out they way they wanted. If you want a shot or want your children inoculated, you are pretty much out of luck. Who has the time to wait in lines? If you are not in the "risky" category, do not apply.
Get the government involved, you get FIMA's response to Hurricane Katrina victims; you get out of control spending -- stimulus programs, bailouts, corporate take overs -- that has only negative impacts on the economy.
The federal government wants to take over the nation's health care. It can't even get a real H1N1 inoculation program that they had plenty of time to address. Who actually thinks they can pull this off? Obviously some bureaucratic lunatics. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
False Impressions Regarding the Recession
We all have stereotypical beliefs about the economy, about financial matters, and about how the world works.
For the longest time, we were taught that an diversified investment portfolio must have owned and loaned equities. Compare a $10,000 investment in a stock or bond mutual fund made 10 years ago. That really has not worked out for most of us.
Buy a house because it will only go up in value. If you rent, you are throwing away money. We have learned by the school of hard knocks that cash rules. Working capital management, be it for you personally or for your business, trumps just about everything.
The recession will end, they all do. What is it in our economy that is going to drive investment? It is investment that creates growth, new opportunities, new innovations. It is investment that creates jobs. With the federal government's monetary policy of printing as much money as possible and its fiscal policy to deficit spend like never before, the federal government is handcuffing business.
The role of government is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens. the less government get involved it the lives of its citizens, the better. the more they get involved, the less freedom we have.
The government and the Federal Reserve have created this recession. There is nothing in their plans that will pull us out of it. For the past 60 years, we have pulled of of these downturns -- the Fed-driven ups and downs. This time, they are going to have a tough time addressing the problems because they have gone too far down the socialist path. Ten percent unemployment might be the norm for some time; seeing it back in the five percent range will probably never happen again in this nation.
For the longest time, we were taught that an diversified investment portfolio must have owned and loaned equities. Compare a $10,000 investment in a stock or bond mutual fund made 10 years ago. That really has not worked out for most of us.
Buy a house because it will only go up in value. If you rent, you are throwing away money. We have learned by the school of hard knocks that cash rules. Working capital management, be it for you personally or for your business, trumps just about everything.
The recession will end, they all do. What is it in our economy that is going to drive investment? It is investment that creates growth, new opportunities, new innovations. It is investment that creates jobs. With the federal government's monetary policy of printing as much money as possible and its fiscal policy to deficit spend like never before, the federal government is handcuffing business.
The role of government is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens. the less government get involved it the lives of its citizens, the better. the more they get involved, the less freedom we have.
The government and the Federal Reserve have created this recession. There is nothing in their plans that will pull us out of it. For the past 60 years, we have pulled of of these downturns -- the Fed-driven ups and downs. This time, they are going to have a tough time addressing the problems because they have gone too far down the socialist path. Ten percent unemployment might be the norm for some time; seeing it back in the five percent range will probably never happen again in this nation.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Nothing Like A New Job
I started a new job, with a new company, in a new city and state. I decided I needed a new start. The old thing was not working and it had not been working for five years. I gave the past business an enormous amount of my time and money. The financial opportunity cost was huge; the learning experience priceless.
I will be back into product management, this time in a more traditional form. The product managers (PMs) here own the product from start to finish with complete P&L responsibilities. Most technology PMs have product responsibility and lack the marketing roles.
The bad thing is being in a city far from my family, without the ability to return home as frequent as I'd like. We are in a buyers market for new homes but not in a sellers market for an existing home.
There is nothing like a new job. Getting out of a rut is something I needed to do. Goodbye Utah for a season; hello Arizona.
I will be back into product management, this time in a more traditional form. The product managers (PMs) here own the product from start to finish with complete P&L responsibilities. Most technology PMs have product responsibility and lack the marketing roles.
The bad thing is being in a city far from my family, without the ability to return home as frequent as I'd like. We are in a buyers market for new homes but not in a sellers market for an existing home.
There is nothing like a new job. Getting out of a rut is something I needed to do. Goodbye Utah for a season; hello Arizona.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Landmark Health Care Reform Makes Us Worse Off
Speaker Pelosi, and those that share her ideology, must be on cloud nine. Last night, the House narrowly passed health care reform legislation along party lines -- 220 - 215. Obviously, there is a long way to go before it will reach Obama's desk -- three more votes including a Senate debate and bill and a combined bill that both legislatures will need to vote on.
Only a raving lunatic would tout this legislation along with the lines of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965 -- two entitlement program that are inefficient, financially broke and far removed from their original legislative spin.
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and now government health care are based on fraud, redistribution of wealth and theft (the forthcoming cap and trade is likewise). It will burden this nation for decades and eventually break it. Centralized health care will cost every one more, return less, result in rationing, eliminate many medicines from the market, and disincentivizes investment in modern medical treatments and innovations.
Our government, based on the people we have elected, has taken another step forward in controlling more our our lives. It not only has taken control of our financial futures, it is trying to take control over our physical well-being.
The House legislation would for the first time require every individual to obtain insurance, and would require all but the smallest employers to provide coverage to their workers. It would vastly expand Medicaid and create a new marketplace where people could obtain federal subsidies to buy insurance from private companies or from a new government-run insurance plan.It is not too late; it is not a forgone conclusion that this will become law.
Only a raving lunatic would tout this legislation along with the lines of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965 -- two entitlement program that are inefficient, financially broke and far removed from their original legislative spin.
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and now government health care are based on fraud, redistribution of wealth and theft (the forthcoming cap and trade is likewise). It will burden this nation for decades and eventually break it. Centralized health care will cost every one more, return less, result in rationing, eliminate many medicines from the market, and disincentivizes investment in modern medical treatments and innovations.
Our government, based on the people we have elected, has taken another step forward in controlling more our our lives. It not only has taken control of our financial futures, it is trying to take control over our physical well-being.
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