Mr. President, are you paying attention?

[rn79870]

Diesels aren't a good solution, Bobby... especially given the price of diesel and the perceived vs real-world MPG returns.

I know, not a popular stand, but it's reality.

I think you need this...

[AZhitman]

Not sure I get the insinuation, but I didn't sleep much last night, either.

[rn79870]

Not sure I get the insinuation, but I didn't sleep much last night, either.

You see problems with issues, regardless of how good I feel they are.Sorry last night was sleepless.

On another point. I think there may be many people who enjoy debating current events, even events that are political in nature. The rules are pretty clear that you don't want these issues discussed in, and derailing the other forums. That all makes sense and I'm not suggesting you change it.

However, there might be room for another furum that focused on Current Events. A forum where the no political discussions rule is somewhat relaxed. Gen Chat really doesn't work for several reasons, formost is the no political issues rule, and secondly, moderating it in addition to the other posts would be a handfull to the mods.

A new forum, dedicated to current events, soap box speaches, even political events, with sufficient guidlines to avoid trainwrecks, might be a positive thing. I'm suggesting that perhaps you consider this. Or at least give me permission to post a thread in Gen. Chat to see if there is any interest on the part of the NICO members in having this.

Thanks.

[AZhitman]

Bob, we've actually been discussing this very topic in the Moderator Lounge...

It's coming closer and closer to fruition, with a couple obstacles:

One, it'd need a VERY involved (and non-biased) Moderator to ensure no "seepage" into other parts of the forum. Car-related rants, such as this one (absent the political commentary), would remain appropriate for the general forums.

Two, it'll need some well-delineated parameters for what's "off-limits", such as personal attacks, pointless contributions, and name-calling.

Those items notwithstanding, I've always supported such ideas.

[rn79870]

I'm here for ya. I'd be happy to write up some "well defined" guide lines that follow proper debate protocol (but not quite so high brow), for your review. I for one, would like to see something like this. I would be a contributor as I believe many people here would.

[USAF_G35_Guy]

....I heard a few people mention the fact of, why don't we build more refineries and use our own oil! As it would make jobs and help the economy, and also save us money from overpaying and securing oil elsewhere. Well....I AGREE!!!! WTF is goin on LOL! The last I heard, we had enough oil in Alaska and Colorado alone to last us 300+ years! And we all know that alternative sources of power/fuel will come along loonnnggg! before then. So all I ask is why? (other than greedy bastards in the world). I just wish people in power could see things in a new light and say to themselves......what it! What if I did this or did that and helped change the world. Hummmm....selflessness for the good of all mankind? Hummmm.

I could just see them now.....as smoke bellows out of their ears while they say, "Does not compute! Does not compute! Does not compute!!!!"

[tollboothwilley]

For being a country that was a economic leader, I find that I really hate how we have lost any economic foothold.

It seems that all we can produce now is ENTERTAINMENT.

We have some of the best education available, some very intelligent people...why is it that we don't use what we have(in all aspects) to make this country functional economically.

-USAF-

I've heard the same thing, but it seems that the Alaska pipeline remains mostly untouched because of the environmentalists. As with a lot of people, they find ways to use the legal system, bribing, lobbying and whatever they have to do to get what they want, regardless.

I say we put in motion a way to get out own oil into our economy!

[AZhitman]

The same reason that we're not utilizing the BEST resource we have available to us (nuclear power): Lawyers.

I've said it for a LONG time: Nuclear plants, generating excess electricity will drive down costs-per-KWH to the point that electric vehicles become feasible and even economical. This drives some falling markets (copper, anyone?), satisfies the Greenies, and absolves us of our overdependence on foreign oil.

Electricity becomes, then, a staple commodity that we can sell off to increase GNP and reduce debt, whicle creating jobs, farming opportunities and even habitats for wildlife (read up on it).

Electric-powered vehicles have the capacity to FAR outperform IC engine-powered vehicles for a fraction of the cost... we just have to get past the uneducated public, the damned attorneys and enviro-whackos.

It CAN be done, but politicians have to see past the dollars being thrown at them by Big Oil and quit counting on unproven measures (ethanol, biofuels, diesel, hydrogen).

Again, I reference a project I'm personally involved in: http://www.desertfuel.org - We can use all the support we can get, so pass the word along that there's a group of pretty smart cookies out in the desert looking to change the world.

[J-Owner]

Credit card companies HATE people that pay off their balances every month. These people are not even considered to be top tier customers. Which, is completely the opposite of what you would think.

They prey on people that carry balances because they are the ones the CCC's fee to death, which immediately goes to the company's bottom line.

[gwoods]

Credit card companies HATE people that pay off their balances every month. These people are not even considered to be top tier customers. Which, is completely the opposite of what you would think.

They prey on people that carry balances because they are the ones the CCC's fee to death, which immediately goes to the company's bottom line.

Except for American Express? I have 2 things in my wallet AMX and debit card

[smockers83]

I've said it for a LONG time: Nuclear plants, generating excess electricity will drive down costs-per-KWH to the point that electric vehicles become feasible and even economical. This drives some falling markets (copper, anyone?), satisfies the Greenies, and absolves us of our overdependence on foreign oil.

I agree with you, but all I have to say is good luck with the greenies. All they'll do is cry "nuclear waste, radiation poisoning, and nuclear disaster." We should put all of those people in exile in Iceland where they can enjoy geothermal energy.

And I also agree with willey, all we do is produce entertainment. All of these reality shows are just garbage...absolute garbage. Down with MTV and VH1! More Mythbusters!

[audtatious]

We have several options available to us instead of buying foreign oil. Why is it that we opt to not use available means?

Especially when our economy struggles as a result

I have no issues with alternative means to produce oil/Bio. If they can make it cleanly and make money at it then I see not reason not to do it.

We can wish for anything we want but that does not make it happen. E85 and BioDiesel cost more in the form of pollution than oil does and there is also an economical impact never mentioned concerning the cost of other products that utilize corn/soy/etc. What we save on one side we pay dearly on another.

Congress needs to step up and put their foot down. They won't and that's why they have an even a lower rating than Bush.

[J-Owner]

I don't think the rules for investing are changing, I just think people panic and it is wasted energy. For what is going on right now people need to be riding things out long-term. Too many people are focusing on the short-term and it is senseless. The only people that need to be worried right now are retirees and people about to retire, IF they have not planned a contingency for bumps in the economy.

We have not even bottomed out yet with what is going on in the subprime arena. I personally feel we will not see the bottom of this and its effects until likely 4th qtr '08. As you know everything is like a domino effect and this is why people are "scared". Regardless of what people say we are past the early stages of a recession. The Fed keeps trying to lower rates in order to stabilize the economy and I don't know that I agree with it but they seem to think they do not have much choice. This does nothing to sustain the value of the $. That Bush tax rebate we all are expecting this summer is a complete waste of time and will do no good. Its intent was to have people spend it and spur the economy but lets be honest people are going to pay bills with it which does nothing for the economy and everything to pad the bottom line of CC companies. That is $200 Billion that could have been better served elsewhere.

I to am commission based and I have felt a gut punch from both my personal income and loss in the market. I lost $11 million in deals last week to three potential borrowers because they got shaky based on the economy and I could not talk them out of it. That lost me about $65K in commissions.

Luckily I am pretty diversified with my investments in some oversees investments, CD's, bonds and mutual funds. I am also nowhere near retirement so I continue to be a long-term investor.

Most people have taken a hit in their 401k's, etc. however, the economy will rebound and long-term you will recover. The good side of things is that almost everything in the marketplace is selling at a 12% premium so this is an awesome time to be buying in your 401k's. Eventually, it will go back up. You just have to ride the storm and make sure you are diversified.

Yes, some people are buying stock in oil companies and gold etc. It is dumb in my opinion to buy gold. Mainly because if you wanted to buy gold you should have bought it years back when it was $200 a troy ounce now it is like $800-$900 you are buying high. Why? It has to level off at some point and you missed the chance to get in. Silver is at a 27 year high. This happens when the economy gets shaky, people start investing in metals and such. I am not advising against it I am just saying I am not buying any myself.

I know I am all over the board here but it is hard to put all my thoughts in a short blog like this. I hope you understand my points. In summary, Armeggedon is not coming!!! America has weathered the bumps in economies before and we will again.

We need to concerned with bringing about change in Washington to deal with these large issues and we have three potential morons (as usual) running for the top job. If something is not done to preserve the wealth, infrastructure and ingenuity that made this country great, I give it another 75 years max (and that may be being too generous) before America is not only surpassed as the Superpower, but possibly not even a sovereign nation. We need to retain jobs on American soil, stop financing wars, improve our own infrastructure, get off the oil teet, focus on education and stop focusing on this national healthcare crap that will not work anyway, mainly because the US does not have the money to fund it and start doing things to ensure our economic stability in the future and for God's sake get the value of the $ back up where it should be.

Ok...off my soap box and sorry for the novel.

[USAF_G35_Guy]

The same reason that we're not utilizing the BEST resource we have available to us (nuclear power): Lawyers.

I've said it for a LONG time: Nuclear plants, generating excess electricity will drive down costs-per-KWH to the point that electric vehicles become feasible and even economical. This drives some falling markets (copper, anyone?), satisfies the Greenies, and absolves us of our overdependence on foreign oil.

Electricity becomes, then, a staple commodity that we can sell off to increase GNP and reduce debt, whicle creating jobs, farming opportunities and even habitats for wildlife (read up on it).

Electric-powered vehicles have the capacity to FAR outperform IC engine-powered vehicles for a fraction of the cost... we just have to get past the uneducated public, the damned attorneys and enviro-whackos.

It CAN be done, but politicians have to see past the dollars being thrown at them by Big Oil and quit counting on unproven measures (ethanol, biofuels, diesel, hydrogen).

Again, I reference a project I'm personally involved in: http://www.desertfuel.org - We can use all the support we can get, so pass the word along that there's a group of pretty smart cookies out in the desert looking to change the world.

I agree 100%. Humm, when I drive all over Europe I don't seem to see anyone too worried about all of their Nuclear Energy plants setup everywhere. Again, this is something I haven't deeply researched, but has Germany or any other country had any horribly negative effects from their nuclear power plants? I'm sure there's the occasional accident, or at least at one time there was, but they seem to be doing all right. The US didn't seem to worry too much about radiation in the 40's during all of the nuke testing when they set off around 400nukes and I'm sure increased the current background radiation reading at the time. Sure alot of the tests were subsurface detonations (underground or underwater) but still....they set of a hell of a lotta nukes.

.....and don't even get me started on alternative IC fuels LOL! Duh Dirka Dirka, lets make something that uses more dino fuel to make than the final product, and then lets use it to thin out dino fuel so you gotta actually use more of the mix and burn more over all! WOW.....now that makes a whole lotta freakin sense. I think the Corn guys are in bed with the Big Oil guys....humm, just a thought Just another fine example of our leaders hard at work!

Electric cars FTW! charged by nuclear power, solar homes, and/or their own solar panels!

[AZhitman]

^ Bingo. The only reason there was ONE disaster EVER was the lack of an NRC in that pissant country. The NRC is stricter than any other agency in existence, and rightfully so. TMI was a media-hyped non-issue, and sould never be mentioned in the same breath as Chernobyl.

J-Owner, I'd love to run my portfolio past you for some opinion... not as a customer, but as a friend.

[J-Owner]

Hey AZ, I would be happy to try and answer any question for you. I will say I am not a broker though I am a lender. I do middle market lending for commercial and wealth management clients and about half my portfolio is financing for doctors. I also do large business lines of credit and letters of credit for some of my manufacturing clients that do import/ export from overseas. My average loan size is $5-$7 Million so markets come into play on my ability to win business.

Having said that, I am not licensed just voicing my opinion in the post based on my experience with both the market and finance industry as a large part of what I do is tied to Prime, Libor and my letters of credit are tied to both as well as the Pound and Euro. SO, It is a huge concern for me when the value of the $ continues to drop so I watch the tickers.

I personally have a broker at Merrill Lynch that handles my accounts. If you ask me something too indepth or fund specific I can run it by him for you for a better answer.

Anyway, Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] if you want and hopefully I can help you out.

[telcoman]

We need to concerned with bringing about change in Washington to deal with these large issues and we have three potential morons (as usual) running for the top job. If something is not done to preserve the wealth, infrastructure and ingenuity that made this country great, I give it another 75 years max (and that may be being too generous) before America is not only surpassed as the Superpower, but possibly not even a sovereign nation. We need to retain jobs on American soil, stop financing wars, improve our own infrastructure, get off the oil teet, focus on education and stop focusing on this national healthcare crap that will not work anyway, mainly because the US does not have the money to fund it and start doing things to ensure our economic stability in the future and for God's sake get the value of the $ back up where it should be.

Ok...off my soap box and sorry for the novel.

J-Owner

Excellent post

We in the United States are in for a rough ride in the not too distant future and its going to be an especially rough ride for our kids. (It won't be in a G either). Payback is a $itch

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03...87%0A

Telcoman

[audtatious]

J-Owner

Excellent post

We in the United States are in for a rough ride in the not too distant future and its going to be an especially rough ride for our kids. (It won't be in a G either). Payback is a $itch

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03...87%0A

Telcoman

By golly, we need to pull all troops back home. Heck, why not dismantle the military all together and let the UN decide what should happen in every conflict? Do you know the amount of money we waste annually on military defense? Why, we could have helped starving children in other countries with all that dough.

Never fear, Barak is near. He will save us from ourselves.

[J-Owner]

Um.....I hope that is sarcasm

I wouldn't go that far. I am for bringing some troops home though, but Bush is made the bed we lay in. I think we should send in more UN troops if they would back us after we made fools of ourselves with the reasons to invade.

I am a big supporter of the military. If spent correctly, I have no problem with my tax dollars going towards keeping us at the front of military advancement. After all, we are going to need a good military in the future. While we have been totally focused on Iraq, elections, etc. notice that Lil Kim over in N. Korea has been pretty quite lately. I am sure he is up to something.

China continues to try and steal everyones secrets including the US through spying. Putin has picked his handpicked successor in Russia, which we may have won the cold war under Gorby but I feel a new cold war coming on with 'ol crooked Putin. After all the two country's that have the most to gain by supporting Iran are Russia and France (due to oil, products, technology). I fully expect Russia to be behind us with a knife in the back in the coming years.

Anyway, the above is why we should have a strong military.......in my opinion of course. I got off topic again, sorry.

[rn79870]

Do you know the amount of money we waste annually on military defense? Why, we could have helped starving children in other countries with all that dough.Never fear, Barak is near. He will save us from ourselves.

You're on to something here. Give me a dozen CVNs and two dozen or so SSBMs, and a leader with balls that clanged when he walked and we won't need an Army of one!

Of course, this is getting political, and it doesn't appear that the contractors are making any headway in the construction of our cigar smoke filled political lounge, so maybe I should just shut up before I get

J-OwnerUm.....I hope that is sarcasm I think it was. (so was my response, sort of)

[AZhitman]

The humidor is on order and we're debating what color to paint the walls.

Hope none of the Lefties will be offended, but we're thinking of some old WWII-era pinups, deer heads and rifles on the walls as decor.

[goneracin]

Can we get a pool table too?

[audtatious]

While I know it's OT (I hope I get banned so I can get other work done ) from the original purpose of this thread but it's "gone there" in numerous ways. We should have never stopped and tried to put restrictions on Saddam. We kicked him out of Kuwait and then stopped primarily due to the UN. I believe things would have been less of a mess than they are right now if we had just rolled through and wiped he and his military out. Regardless, the information we had prior to 2003 was backed up by other countries. This shows a total breakdown in intelligence gathering on a large scale. Sure, we had 8 years of dismantalling our own infrastructure prior to Bush but those of other governments had the same intel. We knew he had WMD at one point (because we sold some of it to him) and it sure did look like he was trying to hide something. We were there already enmasse and he WAS supporting terrorism (tho not directly Al Quida). I still support the reason we are there, just not the cluster-fawk it has become.

I sure would love to have the oil that was supposedly our reason to be there.....

[audtatious]

Can we get a pool table too?

Only if you like having your balls racked....

[goneracin]

OUCH! That would hurt!

[J-Owner]

I totally agree with you. We just can't pull out at this point or it would be a breeding ground for Terrorists.

I would suggest a calm Latte color for the walls. Any chance of getting a Pac Man machine for the lounge? I love me some Pac Man!!

[audtatious]

Greg only has Mrs Pac Man. Something about the pink excites him....

[rn79870]

Greg only has Mrs Pac Man. Something about the pink excites him....

A conservative who likes pink, how esoteric.

[J-Owner]

Don't you mean Magnanamous????

[rn79870]

Hey everyone, what do you think? ::slight nudge::