Thursday, August 25, 2011
Little Oscar, Big Scare
Anyone who has seen Oscar the dog with me knows that I treat him like a spoiled child. Any little bruise on him is a traumatic event for this old man. The thought of losing him is – well, you get the idea.
About 10:00 P.M. one recent Saturday night I was in the garage, Oscar was sitting at the open door to the house, watching my every move. The garage door was open a couple feet for the cool air. I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and looked to see the perpetually wandering terrier from the neighborhood poke his head into the garage to sniff around the garbage can. This terrier is always on the loose and while not vicious, he is not at all friendly. I started to shoo him off and Oscar decided I had no business talking to such a beast, so he decided to take control. I barely had time to yell “stop” before he was outside and gone down the street chasing the unwanted visitor not just off the property, but possibly clean out of the city.
Now, Oscar’s training has proceeded at Oscar’s pace. I did mention this to the vet one day some time back and asked if maybe an electric collar or some such would be in order. His “No” was emphatic and he told me not to worry so much, that if Oscar got loose, he would come back. Based on recent behavior, I wasn’t so sure.
Oscar has been with us over three years, and until this summer we have managed to keep him corralled. For some reason, this summer Oscar turned into a little escape artist and managed to take himself on several little outings. These events have all been daytime adventures and happened while I was nearby. His normal route is two doors down the street then along a little drainage right-of-way to a cul-de-sac just north of us. Once there, he proceeds to sniff at every front door, ostensibly looking for a new friend. When I approach, he dashes. I can only catch him when he has exhausted himself and lies on someone’s lawn to cool off. Oscar is small and not car smart, so until I can seize the little scamp my pucker factor is a bit elevated.
Now comes the nighttime escape, a night with no moon, me in my slippers, Oscar with no collar, and my keeper in the back of the house thinking all is well. I gave chase afoot and soon realized the effort was useless when I heard Oscar and his new found running partner barking at each other in rage or at the air in glee beyond the end of the long block. I went back to the house for the truck key and off I went. I forgot the cell phone.
I pretty much figured giving chase in the truck would be a waste of time. Oscar is twenty pounds and knows no boundaries; the terrier is about 25 or 30 pounds and roams constantly. I doubted I would find this pair on a street corner waiting for a trolley. But I did not think sitting at home hollering into the night was the answer I had to do something. My big fears were the cars, not too many out, thankfully; the coyotes and foxes that roam the fields not far from the house; and, finally, that someone would decide they found a new friend when my too-friendly pup showed up on a strange front porch with no collar.
It also occurred to me that coasting along the street shining a flashlight into yards may attract some unwanted attention – cursing, cops, gunshots- the normal Saturday night silliness. I drove the neighborhood for over an hour, occasionally stopping to ask an evening walker or front porch sitter if they had seen a little dog or two. Nothing.
Already I was making mental plans for posters, door-to-door begging, etc, while mentally trying to get ready to accept the worst case- Oscar splat on the street like a cat we had seen during a recent walk. Not a pleasant night. I finally gave up and headed for the house, knowing it was going to be a sleepless night.
I parked in the driveway and headed into the house trying to decide what I was going to tell my keeper about my carelessness with our “kid.’ The keeper and the dog met me at the door.
“Where did you go?”
“Looking for that,” I said, pointing at the dog. Oscar dropped to the floor, head between his paws, rolling his eyes up at me: “Silly people.”
The keeper explained that she had come from the back of the house, the truck was gone, the cell still in the kitchen and the dog sitting on the driveway where I park, looking back and forth between the door and the street with a look on his face that said “now what?”
We now have a baby gate to block the doorway from the house to the garage.
About 10:00 P.M. one recent Saturday night I was in the garage, Oscar was sitting at the open door to the house, watching my every move. The garage door was open a couple feet for the cool air. I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and looked to see the perpetually wandering terrier from the neighborhood poke his head into the garage to sniff around the garbage can. This terrier is always on the loose and while not vicious, he is not at all friendly. I started to shoo him off and Oscar decided I had no business talking to such a beast, so he decided to take control. I barely had time to yell “stop” before he was outside and gone down the street chasing the unwanted visitor not just off the property, but possibly clean out of the city.
Now, Oscar’s training has proceeded at Oscar’s pace. I did mention this to the vet one day some time back and asked if maybe an electric collar or some such would be in order. His “No” was emphatic and he told me not to worry so much, that if Oscar got loose, he would come back. Based on recent behavior, I wasn’t so sure.
Oscar has been with us over three years, and until this summer we have managed to keep him corralled. For some reason, this summer Oscar turned into a little escape artist and managed to take himself on several little outings. These events have all been daytime adventures and happened while I was nearby. His normal route is two doors down the street then along a little drainage right-of-way to a cul-de-sac just north of us. Once there, he proceeds to sniff at every front door, ostensibly looking for a new friend. When I approach, he dashes. I can only catch him when he has exhausted himself and lies on someone’s lawn to cool off. Oscar is small and not car smart, so until I can seize the little scamp my pucker factor is a bit elevated.
Now comes the nighttime escape, a night with no moon, me in my slippers, Oscar with no collar, and my keeper in the back of the house thinking all is well. I gave chase afoot and soon realized the effort was useless when I heard Oscar and his new found running partner barking at each other in rage or at the air in glee beyond the end of the long block. I went back to the house for the truck key and off I went. I forgot the cell phone.
I pretty much figured giving chase in the truck would be a waste of time. Oscar is twenty pounds and knows no boundaries; the terrier is about 25 or 30 pounds and roams constantly. I doubted I would find this pair on a street corner waiting for a trolley. But I did not think sitting at home hollering into the night was the answer I had to do something. My big fears were the cars, not too many out, thankfully; the coyotes and foxes that roam the fields not far from the house; and, finally, that someone would decide they found a new friend when my too-friendly pup showed up on a strange front porch with no collar.
It also occurred to me that coasting along the street shining a flashlight into yards may attract some unwanted attention – cursing, cops, gunshots- the normal Saturday night silliness. I drove the neighborhood for over an hour, occasionally stopping to ask an evening walker or front porch sitter if they had seen a little dog or two. Nothing.
Already I was making mental plans for posters, door-to-door begging, etc, while mentally trying to get ready to accept the worst case- Oscar splat on the street like a cat we had seen during a recent walk. Not a pleasant night. I finally gave up and headed for the house, knowing it was going to be a sleepless night.
I parked in the driveway and headed into the house trying to decide what I was going to tell my keeper about my carelessness with our “kid.’ The keeper and the dog met me at the door.
“Where did you go?”
“Looking for that,” I said, pointing at the dog. Oscar dropped to the floor, head between his paws, rolling his eyes up at me: “Silly people.”
The keeper explained that she had come from the back of the house, the truck was gone, the cell still in the kitchen and the dog sitting on the driveway where I park, looking back and forth between the door and the street with a look on his face that said “now what?”
We now have a baby gate to block the doorway from the house to the garage.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Some Undocumented workers could stay for now.
President Obama’s batting average in the leadership category has, to put it mildly, been weak of late. But last Thursday, August 18, it seems he stepped up to the plate.
In a little publicized action, “the administration” decided to put a low priority on rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrants who pose a low security risk.
The media reports on this action were varied and low key. One report said that Obama decreed this new policy through an executive order. Another report I saw claimed that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recommended this change via a letter to the Senate.
Regardless of the source, this action will reportedly allow undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, particularly those brought here as children, to seek work permits and thus work here and stay here, at least for a time, without harassment. One would hope that this would also clear the way to college enrollment for those so inclined.
It’s about damn time. The so-called Dream Act gave our politicians a chance to move in this direction earlier this year, and our politicians voted it down. This order does not go as far as the Dream Act would have, but it is a start in resolving an issue that has been wasting our time and dollars for far too long.
The arguments against allowing some slack for low risk illegals currently in this country range from the weak to the downright silly.
“THEY TAKE JOBS FROM AMERICANS.” Nonsense. Most of our citizens who are out of work will remain on unemployment indefinitely rather than take jobs in the fields or service industries where many immigrants willingly work to establish themselves.
“THEY DON’T PAY TAXES.” This claim is either complete ignorance of the tax code, an outright lie, or an accusation that merits finger pointing at the employers of undocumented workers. We should fix this problem at its source, if necessary.
“THEY WORK FOR LESS THAN AMERICANS DO.” If true, so what? Our conservative friends constantly sing the praises of high corporate profits and continually call for a repeal of the minimum wage law for American workers. Can’t have it both ways.
“THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. THEY BROKE THE LAW.” When talking about illegals brought here as children, that is just silly. As for the adults who merit this accusation, I’ll get back to you on that as soon as I check the accusers’ education records and employment history against their curriculum vitae, their drinking habits, driving records, tax returns, computer files, financial history, and genealogy! I can be pretty thorough; any volunteers?
“THEY COULD BE DANGEROUS.” What do bulging prisons full of American citizens tell you about US?
Undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children or those who are here working and contributing in some way, such as the illegal immigrant in Albuquerque who is working as a mechanic and just last week rescued a kidnapped three year old child, should be allowed to continue their pursuit of happiness in this country.
This is not to say we should throw open our borders to any and all comers. That is a completely different issue that also needs to be dealt with: soon and with some backbone.
As for this decision, Obama got it right.
In a little publicized action, “the administration” decided to put a low priority on rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrants who pose a low security risk.
The media reports on this action were varied and low key. One report said that Obama decreed this new policy through an executive order. Another report I saw claimed that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recommended this change via a letter to the Senate.
Regardless of the source, this action will reportedly allow undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, particularly those brought here as children, to seek work permits and thus work here and stay here, at least for a time, without harassment. One would hope that this would also clear the way to college enrollment for those so inclined.
It’s about damn time. The so-called Dream Act gave our politicians a chance to move in this direction earlier this year, and our politicians voted it down. This order does not go as far as the Dream Act would have, but it is a start in resolving an issue that has been wasting our time and dollars for far too long.
The arguments against allowing some slack for low risk illegals currently in this country range from the weak to the downright silly.
“THEY TAKE JOBS FROM AMERICANS.” Nonsense. Most of our citizens who are out of work will remain on unemployment indefinitely rather than take jobs in the fields or service industries where many immigrants willingly work to establish themselves.
“THEY DON’T PAY TAXES.” This claim is either complete ignorance of the tax code, an outright lie, or an accusation that merits finger pointing at the employers of undocumented workers. We should fix this problem at its source, if necessary.
“THEY WORK FOR LESS THAN AMERICANS DO.” If true, so what? Our conservative friends constantly sing the praises of high corporate profits and continually call for a repeal of the minimum wage law for American workers. Can’t have it both ways.
“THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. THEY BROKE THE LAW.” When talking about illegals brought here as children, that is just silly. As for the adults who merit this accusation, I’ll get back to you on that as soon as I check the accusers’ education records and employment history against their curriculum vitae, their drinking habits, driving records, tax returns, computer files, financial history, and genealogy! I can be pretty thorough; any volunteers?
“THEY COULD BE DANGEROUS.” What do bulging prisons full of American citizens tell you about US?
Undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children or those who are here working and contributing in some way, such as the illegal immigrant in Albuquerque who is working as a mechanic and just last week rescued a kidnapped three year old child, should be allowed to continue their pursuit of happiness in this country.
This is not to say we should throw open our borders to any and all comers. That is a completely different issue that also needs to be dealt with: soon and with some backbone.
As for this decision, Obama got it right.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Whose side is Obama on?
It is no secret that if our conservative friends had their way, the Social Security and Medicare programs would go the way of the IBM Selectric and fade into oblivion.
Regarding Social Security, it has been no secret that the so-called “reserves” would be exhausted in the late 2030s. The 2011 report tells us the exhaustion date of reserves is now 2036, one year earlier than previously expected. The report states this change “reflects lower estimates for death rates at advanced ages, a slower economic recovery than was assumed last year, and the one-year advance of the valuation period from 2010-2084 to 2011-2085.” (If you understand that last provision, the government will hire you to obfuscate.)
The 2011 report also states:
“Social Security expenditures exceeded the program’s non-interest income in 2010 for the first time since 1983. The $49 billion deficit last year (excluding interest income) and $46 billion projected deficit in 2011 are in large part due to the weakened economy and to downward income adjustments that correct for excess payroll tax revenue credited to the trust funds in earlier years.”
Look at that last section beginning “downward income adjustments….
Say what? What excess payroll tax revenue? Did they overcharge us the last forty or fifty years, and if they did, do you think they would tell us? HA!
Instead, I think what we have here is bit of government-speak, that is the bureaucratic obscurantism developed for the sole use of the political types who find a successful career by hiding in ambiguity.
In other words, I think we are being fed a load of crap.
I believe the downward income adjustments mentioned in the report result from the 2010 decrease in payroll tax withholding (the workers’ Soc Security contribution.) This cut is purported to boost the economy by putting more money in workers’ pockets.
So, we have the trustees telling us that downward income adjustments are hurting the future stability of the Social Security program and our President calling for a continuation into 2012 of these cuts and also proposing to cut employers’ contributions by the same amount.
I can see the Republicans who want to kill Social Security rubbing their grubby little paws together in greedy glee.
Regarding Social Security, it has been no secret that the so-called “reserves” would be exhausted in the late 2030s. The 2011 report tells us the exhaustion date of reserves is now 2036, one year earlier than previously expected. The report states this change “reflects lower estimates for death rates at advanced ages, a slower economic recovery than was assumed last year, and the one-year advance of the valuation period from 2010-2084 to 2011-2085.” (If you understand that last provision, the government will hire you to obfuscate.)
The 2011 report also states:
“Social Security expenditures exceeded the program’s non-interest income in 2010 for the first time since 1983. The $49 billion deficit last year (excluding interest income) and $46 billion projected deficit in 2011 are in large part due to the weakened economy and to downward income adjustments that correct for excess payroll tax revenue credited to the trust funds in earlier years.”
Look at that last section beginning “downward income adjustments….
Say what? What excess payroll tax revenue? Did they overcharge us the last forty or fifty years, and if they did, do you think they would tell us? HA!
Instead, I think what we have here is bit of government-speak, that is the bureaucratic obscurantism developed for the sole use of the political types who find a successful career by hiding in ambiguity.
In other words, I think we are being fed a load of crap.
I believe the downward income adjustments mentioned in the report result from the 2010 decrease in payroll tax withholding (the workers’ Soc Security contribution.) This cut is purported to boost the economy by putting more money in workers’ pockets.
So, we have the trustees telling us that downward income adjustments are hurting the future stability of the Social Security program and our President calling for a continuation into 2012 of these cuts and also proposing to cut employers’ contributions by the same amount.
I can see the Republicans who want to kill Social Security rubbing their grubby little paws together in greedy glee.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Who are the real Deadbeats (and a news flash.)
Aug 10, on a morning business show on CNBC, Meredith Whitney was talking about rating agencies and said, with respect to those agencies’ profits, that “investors always complain about weak research, but don’t want to pay more for better research.”
While I try to avoid assumptions and stereotypes, I think it is not a huge leap to assume that most of the high level investors that Meredith Whitney interacts with on a regular basis are of a conservative bent.
Our Republicans, particularly the most conservative of the bunch, are also the ones who refuse to raise tax revenues despite irrefutable evidence that such a move is one necessary leg in solving our country’s economic problems. Evidently, they don’t want to pay for the wars they supported, the TSA or Patriot Act they implemented, or the myriad other obligations of our country.
And, it is the conservative branch of that Washington bunch that is against mandatory health insurance. They don’t say who should pay the bills when the uninsured get sick or hurt and can’t pay their own bills, but if not the government (taxpayer) and not the insurance company and not the individual, then who? Maybe it will all just be free.
So, that’s the Republican Party platform: Everything will just be free. No taxes, no bills, no expenses, just free stuff. Sounds like Utopia to me. Or Fantasy Land.
NEW ITEM: Obama is on a three-state bus tour. One report claimed he wanted to escape the toxicity in Washington. Hey, Dude- uh, Mr. Dude- in case you missed the press release, you won the election three years ago. You are the President. You ARE Washington. Get off the bus, get back there and solve these problems like you promised us you would three years ago on your last bus tour.
While I try to avoid assumptions and stereotypes, I think it is not a huge leap to assume that most of the high level investors that Meredith Whitney interacts with on a regular basis are of a conservative bent.
Our Republicans, particularly the most conservative of the bunch, are also the ones who refuse to raise tax revenues despite irrefutable evidence that such a move is one necessary leg in solving our country’s economic problems. Evidently, they don’t want to pay for the wars they supported, the TSA or Patriot Act they implemented, or the myriad other obligations of our country.
And, it is the conservative branch of that Washington bunch that is against mandatory health insurance. They don’t say who should pay the bills when the uninsured get sick or hurt and can’t pay their own bills, but if not the government (taxpayer) and not the insurance company and not the individual, then who? Maybe it will all just be free.
So, that’s the Republican Party platform: Everything will just be free. No taxes, no bills, no expenses, just free stuff. Sounds like Utopia to me. Or Fantasy Land.
NEW ITEM: Obama is on a three-state bus tour. One report claimed he wanted to escape the toxicity in Washington. Hey, Dude- uh, Mr. Dude- in case you missed the press release, you won the election three years ago. You are the President. You ARE Washington. Get off the bus, get back there and solve these problems like you promised us you would three years ago on your last bus tour.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Playtime
On a lighter note, this is the time of year for state and county fairs throughout the outback. These events are intended to keep us common folk in the hinterland amused while the adults in Washington struggle to solve all our problems.
But, wait! The adults in Washington are away on August recess, probably back on their home turf raising money and votes for the next election. Gives a whole new meaning to the term “playground bully,” no?
But I digress. Back to the subject of country fairs. Iowa is enjoying their own state fair this week. The organizers of this event are always struggling to come up with new competitions and activities for the amusement of the masses. While no official announcement has been made, I do believe the Iowa folks are testing something new this year. It has been reported that Sara Palin is going to show up. If they can also fetch in Michelle and Newt and Ron, they could have a good start for a new and amusing contest: The Scariest Politician of 2011.
Happy August Recess.
But, wait! The adults in Washington are away on August recess, probably back on their home turf raising money and votes for the next election. Gives a whole new meaning to the term “playground bully,” no?
But I digress. Back to the subject of country fairs. Iowa is enjoying their own state fair this week. The organizers of this event are always struggling to come up with new competitions and activities for the amusement of the masses. While no official announcement has been made, I do believe the Iowa folks are testing something new this year. It has been reported that Sara Palin is going to show up. If they can also fetch in Michelle and Newt and Ron, they could have a good start for a new and amusing contest: The Scariest Politician of 2011.
Happy August Recess.
Stock Market Woes
(Perhaps I would have seemed more prescient if I put this up Wednesday night, but it is a good reminder for any day.)
Stock market got you down? You are not alone. While our current market situation does not parallel that of late 1929, many individual small investors may experience a similar amount of fear when the DOW drops hundreds of points in a day.
In The Creature from Jekyll Island, a tome by Edward Griffin, we find this relevant point in his discussion of the crash of ’29:
Despite my day-to-day concern about the antics of our government and politicians, I believe this country can and will overcome our current problems and that most of the great American companies have a sound futurep
Stock market got you down? You are not alone. While our current market situation does not parallel that of late 1929, many individual small investors may experience a similar amount of fear when the DOW drops hundreds of points in a day.
In The Creature from Jekyll Island, a tome by Edward Griffin, we find this relevant point in his discussion of the crash of ’29:
“There were some unfortunate souls who also lost their life savings, but only because they gambled those savings on call loans. Those who bought stock with money they actually possessed did not have to sell and they did quite well in the long run…. The price of stocks had plummeted, but the companies behind them were still producing products, still employing people, and still paying dividends.” (p 501.)
Despite my day-to-day concern about the antics of our government and politicians, I believe this country can and will overcome our current problems and that most of the great American companies have a sound futurep
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Pesky Independents
It is no surprise that staunch party adherents on both sides of the aisle consider us so-called Independents as something less than useful (unless we vote their way.) Oh, Boo-Hoo.
Lest we forget this party-line stance, Reg Henry reminded us with a recent op-ed piece that showed up in my daily paper (Casper Star Tribune, 8/4/11.) Henry is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a bit left-leaning (like a motorcycle racer in a fast left curve) but I enjoy reading his columns because he occasionally has a good idea or thought and is almost always amusing.
In this particular column, Mr. Henry pokes a bit of fun at us Independents by saying: “…the Independents, in their capricious, above-the-fray way, are blissfully free of intellectual continuity….” His main premise seems to be that America can thank Independents for the Tea Party, hence the recent misguided actions of our politicians.
PFUI!
Perhaps Independents did swing the vote count to the Tea Partyer in many races. But who would know they would behave so badly in public? Three years ago, who would have known that Obama, after running a near perfect campaign, would turn out to have the leadership skills of the average college freshman?
Lest we forget this party-line stance, Reg Henry reminded us with a recent op-ed piece that showed up in my daily paper (Casper Star Tribune, 8/4/11.) Henry is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a bit left-leaning (like a motorcycle racer in a fast left curve) but I enjoy reading his columns because he occasionally has a good idea or thought and is almost always amusing.
In this particular column, Mr. Henry pokes a bit of fun at us Independents by saying: “…the Independents, in their capricious, above-the-fray way, are blissfully free of intellectual continuity….” His main premise seems to be that America can thank Independents for the Tea Party, hence the recent misguided actions of our politicians.
PFUI!
Perhaps Independents did swing the vote count to the Tea Partyer in many races. But who would know they would behave so badly in public? Three years ago, who would have known that Obama, after running a near perfect campaign, would turn out to have the leadership skills of the average college freshman?
I submit that the Independents are the true thinkers in this country. We are the ones who actively dig for enough information on a subject to attempt to counter the excesses of party doctrine and propaganda coming from both sides of the issues and aisles. In many minds, the Tea Party was no doubt believed to be an effective counter balance to the excess of government spending.
The ranks of Indendents are growing. We are not all of like mind. But we do attempt to think through the issues and find a solution that is best for the country, for we the people, not just for Me, My Pocketbook and I.
I would submit (respectfully, of course) that those who blindly adhere to the party line, those who strictly vote the party ticket, are the intellectual weaklings.
The real offense in this column came not from Henry’s words, but from the headline applied to the column. This was most likely written by some assistant editor at the local paper, not by Henry himself. The headline over Henry’s column read: “America’s Curse: Our mushy, malleable middle.”
Horse Puckey!
NOTE TO MY READER: (Yep, singular. As of today, I know of one.) My current plan is to print something here on MADWAA Mondays and Thinker’s Thursdays. I may do the occasional other piece as I find something useful to say.
Tommorrow: A brief comment on the current stock market hysteria.
Monday: Who, exactly, are the deadbeats?
The ranks of Indendents are growing. We are not all of like mind. But we do attempt to think through the issues and find a solution that is best for the country, for we the people, not just for Me, My Pocketbook and I.
I would submit (respectfully, of course) that those who blindly adhere to the party line, those who strictly vote the party ticket, are the intellectual weaklings.
The real offense in this column came not from Henry’s words, but from the headline applied to the column. This was most likely written by some assistant editor at the local paper, not by Henry himself. The headline over Henry’s column read: “America’s Curse: Our mushy, malleable middle.”
Horse Puckey!
NOTE TO MY READER: (Yep, singular. As of today, I know of one.) My current plan is to print something here on MADWAA Mondays and Thinker’s Thursdays. I may do the occasional other piece as I find something useful to say.
Tommorrow: A brief comment on the current stock market hysteria.
Monday: Who, exactly, are the deadbeats?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
She might be on to something
From my lovely daughter-in-law, Marissa
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you would have $49 today! If you purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG, you would have $33. If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers, you would have $0 today. But, if you purchased $1,000 worth of beer, drank all the beer, turned in the aluminum cans for recycling, you would have $214. So the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg Plan
Monday, August 8, 2011
Blind followers get lost
Note: On Sunday, Aug 7, the Casper Star Tribune published an abbreviated version of the comments I posted here on Friday. Thank you Caster Star Tribune (trib.com.)
Today, with the market in free fall, the President did show up and make a statement to the press. The markets continued to fall. Evidently, investors got what they thought they wanted then rejected it. Be careful what you ask for.
Now, to today's point.
\
I consider most talk radio long on agenda and short on substance. Listening to learn is like trying to satisfy a ravenous appetite with marshmallows.
In the course of a recent discussion with a good friend, who I will call Steve because that is his name, he mentioned a morning show he particularly enjoys on 850 KOA in Denver, the Mike Rosen show. This wasn’t the first time he had tried to convert me, but this time he had two particular shows he wanted me to download from the Rosen archives at 850KOA.com. The first was a discussion on the federal budget, (7/21/11 9-11 A.M.), the other a discussion of the gold standard (7/28/11 10 A.M.) He claimed I would learn much. I had my doubts, but I try to keep an open mind and Steve is a friend I trust. I told him I would listen, and I did.
Rosen claims to be a “rational partisan republican.” The two shows I listened to did prove to be somewhat informative and Rosen did prove to be more “rational” than some other popular talk show hosts. He is certainly intelligent, learned and well-spoken. That said, I did not come away with any new affinity for talk radio.
I listened to the show on gold first (I do so like gold.) Rosen started with a nice lead in. First, he acknowledged that people wanted to know how to protect their assets from collapse, and he admitted he did not know. Fair enough. Then, in introducing his guest, James Grant, Rosen suggested that we would learn if the country is moving toward pegging the dollar to gold or some other commodity. This suggestion made the show worth listening to. Of course, we did not get an answer. The closest we came to an answer was when Grant, a well-known financial newsletter publisher and author, said it would be possible to make such a change. End of subject.
Of course I did not expect Grant or Rosen to tell us what our politicians might do. Hell, the politicians don’t even know. But, from two well informed men on this subject, with the lead-in Rosen gave us, I would have expected to hear Grant’s take on HOW such a conversion might take place and how that might affect people’s current savings and assets. Instead, what I heard was a reminder that Nixon had interrupted a Sunday evening airing of Bonanza on 8/15/71 to announce he was taking the country off the gold standard and then a rather vapid discussion of why gold has value. Interesting? Yes. Of great value living up to the lead in? Not so much.
Then I downloaded and listened to the show on the federal budget discussions. Being a hard core news junkie, I already had much of the information Rosen covered in this show. It was near the end of the second hour of this download that the red flags went up. In talking to a caller, Rosen said, “there is no they (emphasis his.) There are two sides, democrat and republican.” Rosen’s belief is that the remedy to our budget crises is to put a republican majority in the House and Senate and the office of the President. He went on to say “there is no we, there is us and them.”
Hence my problem with talk radio: The listener is promised a bit of solid info then led down the garden path of poisonous political rhetoric. I do not so much begrudge the host for trying to make a living as I resent the followers of this tripe who blindly accept the proffered premises.
Rosen’s position is only slightly more moderate than Limbaugh’s March 22, 2010 tirade against the democrats when he said: “We must stop these bastards. We must wipe them out.”
This “one way” approach didn’t work out too well for citizens of Hitler’s Germany or the Communist USSR. It will not work for us.
Rosen’s position is only slightly more moderate than Limbaugh’s March 22, 2010 tirade against the democrats when he said: “We must stop these bastards. We must wipe them out.”
This “one way” approach didn’t work out too well for citizens of Hitler’s Germany or the Communist USSR. It will not work for us.
I fully realize we will not always just get along. There are going to be two or more sides to every discussion. We can all learn something from a constructive and lively debate. I learned over a half century ago that sticking my fingers in my ears and screaming to drown out the opposition was not an appropriate or productive response to anything. Evidently, many of our politicians have not yet learned this. Based on recent polls and surveys, most Americans have learned this lesson. This reasonable majority is the group I hope to appeal to and influence.
I will certainly take positions on some issues here. But mostly, I want to encourage you to get the facts, think independently and vote for those who play well with others. There is no other solution. There must be a “we” and “we” must become engaged to keep this country from declining to third world status.
NEXT: VOTING THE PARTY LINE
Friday, August 5, 2011
Could the problem be us?
Yesterday, Aug 4, 2011, about midday mountain time, when the
Dow Jones Industrial Average was down over 300 points, one pundit on an MSNBC financial program speculated that perhaps investors were awaiting some word from THE PRESIDENT to alleviate the fear, or some such. The Prez didn’t appear (I think he was at a birthday bash) and the Dow average closed down over 500 points.
Dow Jones Industrial Average was down over 300 points, one pundit on an MSNBC financial program speculated that perhaps investors were awaiting some word from THE PRESIDENT to alleviate the fear, or some such. The Prez didn’t appear (I think he was at a birthday bash) and the Dow average closed down over 500 points.
This morning, on the NBC Today Show, there was a story about
the 14 deaths (a record) that have occurred in Yosemite National Park this year. In the lead in to the story, one of the talking heads suggested that the park should do something to prevent these
tragedies. (Note: “The Park” probably will not do anything. Employees of the park, i.e. “the government” might be expected, by some wishful thinkers, to take some action.)
Earlier this year, Wyoming experienced some relatively minor
flooding due to record snow pack compounded by some heavy rainfall. I say “minor” because in Wyoming the financial losses were in the low millions of dollars. (There was some tragic loss of lives, but that is a different story.) Our (Wyo)state government, who consistently bemoans interference from the feds, wasted no time in calling on FEMA (the feds) to do a damage assessment and later filed for a federal disaster declaration in order to receive federal aid for the damages. This from one of the few states that has a budget surplus and billions in savings.
Do we detect a pattern here? We as U S Citizens seem to want
the government out of our business and cut down to size until there is a problem. Then “we” scream for the government to DO SOMETHING. Usually that “something” translates as “bring money.” And the politicians are all too happy to accommodate us, as long as “help” for us can be converted to “votes” for them. But we want lower taxes, stronger
budget, etc. Yeah, I detect a pattern: national schizophrenia.
(DO NOT write your congress person asking for assistance for
this. They will answer by starting some sort
of new national mental health program (NMHP) as soon as they figure out how to turn that into votes (GIMME).)
Yes, our government is too big, out of control, spending too
much. Perhaps if we the people stop demanding our government show up with a magic wand on every bad day and solve every problem or remedy every setback, then maybe the government could work within a budget that would have a lesser impact on our budgets.
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