DOOM: Sick in the world's regard, wretched and low

A new week, a new batch of DOOM fresh from the oven, my groovy babies.

Alexis Tsipras, the newly-elected Socialist leader of Greece, rose to power on his promises of debt relief, an end to austerity, and a rollback of economic reforms demanded by the rest of the Eurozone as a condition of Greece's last multibillion Euro bailout. Tsipras has been making brave speeches swearing mickle oaths not to knuckle under to the hated Troika, but last week's agreement can hardly be seen as anything other than a humiliating climbdown for Tsipras. Greece really got nothing from the deal except a bit more time, and some cosmetic changes to make the bitter pill easier to swallow. Given the fact that nothing material about Greece's abysmal economic situation has changed, it remains to be seen if this newest "deal" will hold together or not.

Tsipras, like most leftists, has only a tenuous understanding of economics, and he's finding out that debt entails a loss of power, even at the sovereign level. The only power he holds is the power that all debtors hold: default. But he is not willing to use that power, and his creditors know it. Greece is desperate not to leave the Eurozone; they know full well the disaster that a reversion to the drachma would entail. Tsipras' rhetoric may have convinced Greek voters that they could default on their massive debt without leaving the Eurozone, but it turns out that the creditors mean to get their money back. Tsipras must now convince his citizens that he made the best deal he could while at the same time dealing with the reality that very little has changed.

John Tamny of Forbes doesn't think the Greeks will be able to leave the Euro entirely, even if they revert back to the drachma as their official currency. I don't know that I agree with his thesis vis-a-vis comparing the Eurozone to the "dollar zone" in America, though. America's federal government system is fairly unique, and the fact that we issue the default reserve currency for the entire world gives us a lot of latitutde that other nations and currencies do not have (as Europe is learning with the Euro). I come down on the side that the Eurozone was a mistake, but less for purely economic reasons than for political and cultural ones. It was a project conceived of by elites and essentially forced on a population that was either ambivalent or outright unwilling.

One of the enduring myths on the left is that making higher education "free" for everyone is not just a moral but an economic necessity for the country. It turns out that neither economic nor moral benefits are assured, and in fact the value of a higher education is being watered down. It's a simple matter of supply and demand: a university education is worthwhile because it is a scarce good, hence driving the price (wage) for people with a university education up. But as supply goes up the price goes down; this is an immutable law of economics. The more people with college degrees, the lower per-capita wage a college graduate will make due to increased competition in the marketplace. (This can happen even in the vaunted STEM fields when the local supply exceeds the local demand.) A higher education used to function as a signaling mechanism to employers as well, but that signaling function is lost as the supply of college graduates goes up -- employers have to resort to other means to determine the quality of job applicants.

Remember, actual job skills are the scarce good being offered by prospective employees, not credentials. For low to mid-tier jobs, the job skills are common and thus the jobs experience high competition, which drives prices (wages) down; in high-tier jobs (mostly STEM) the job skills are more specialized (thus rare) and command higher prices (wages). When you take a job, you are selling your labor to your employer, and the market sets the price of that labor, not you or your employer. A fair price (wage) is what the local* market-clearing price is. (Which is why the minimum wage always hurts people on the bottom of the employment heap, where competition for unskilled work is at its most intense.)

*Labor markets, like real estate, are local and thus prices tend to vary greatly from market to market for the same good or service (in this case, labor).

PSA: If you've got a Lenovo laptop of recent vintage, you might want to wipe the disk and re-install, stat. This is a horrible, no good, very bad situation, and I can't believe that Lenovo would make such a mistake in this day and age. Which raises the troubling possibility that it wasn't a "mistake" at all, but a deliberate act. This story is why my first act upon buying any new computer or smartphone is to wipe it down to the bare silicon and re-install my own software on it.

For all the talk about robots replacing human workers, robots still need human engineers to design and build them. ...for now.

Pension obligation bonds! What could go wrong?

The problem with freezing the debt-to-GDP ratio at current levels. In a slow-growth economy like the one we're likely to have for the next decade or so, the interest payments on all that debt are going to take a disproportionately large bite. And that's not even considering the growth of entitlement programs which continue to gobble up an increasing share of GDP.

Reason titles this piece "Screwed by Seniors", but the truth is that everyone is being screwed by the government. The problem isn't that Gen X'ers and Millennials are being driven into the poorhouse paying for lavish benefits for their elders; the problem is that X'ers and Millennials are being driven into the poorhouse paying for relatively paltry benefits for their elders. Boomers didn't save enough for their retirements (and the 2008 crash and subsequent zero interest-rate regime have put a further hurt on their investments)...but this is also the case for younger adults. Nobody saves as much as they should, and this is because the incentives in America do not make saving very attractive. This implicit demand by the government that people spend rather than save has never been more clear than it is now, during the sixth year of a zero-interest Federal Reserve regime. The obvious answer -- save more of your own money -- terrifies the government because it fears an intensification of deflation as capital disappears into savings accounts rather than consumer purchases or stocks. The United States (and much of the rest of the world) has explicitly embraced a debt-driven economic model, and this model is by design hostile towards long-term saving. At the same time, however, the modern welfare state assumes robust personal savings. This is a contradiction that no one really wants to face.

In investing, patience is definitely a virtue. But it's also true that hindsight is 20/20, and -- as the small print always says on prospectuses -- past returns are no guarantee of future results.

Why fiat money seems to work. Me? I'm with J. P. Morgan, who said, "Money is gold, and nothing else." (A note to those naysayers who claim that I cannot eat my gold: you are mistaken.)

Posted by: Monty at 08:13 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Morning!

Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at February 23, 2015 08:07 AM (0RdKg)

2
Doom. Kaboom. Mmm.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:08 AM (3SUKc)

3 DOOM!!!!!

On the topic of degrees - yes. Obviously. When I was a kid, going to college and getting a degree nearly guaranteed you'd be stable, if not successful. Today, friggin everyone has degrees, and they're just as valuable as a high school diploma.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 08:08 AM (fwARV)

4 It's 26 degrees where I live in the northern suburbs of Dallas and sleeting like crazy. We're supposed to get 1-2 inches of sleet accumulation by noon or so and it won't get above freezing until tomorrow afternoon.

At least we dodged the bullet of an ice storm.

Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at February 23, 2015 08:09 AM (0RdKg)

5 >>the value of a higher education is being watered down

>>A higher education used to function as a signaling mechanism to employers as well, but that signaling function is lost as the supply of college graduates goes up -- employers have to resort to other means to determine the quality of job applicants

Yes. I'm wondering what means my kids will have to use to signal such.

They all show some aptitude for writing, so I hope that will be easy to show off in some manner.

What else, I do not know.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:09 AM (0xTsz)

6 How Can Anyone Be Oppressed, When Everyone is a H8r?

With the Supreme Court poised to impose Gay Marriage on America, one might think that gays, bisexuals, and lesbians might be venerated as trumping "oppression," but you'd be wrong.

Why?

Gays, bisexuals, and lesbians are now the new oppressors. Who are they oppressing? Trannies!

More: http://politicalhat.com/?p=8351

Posted by: The Political Hat at February 23, 2015 08:09 AM (0Ew3K)

7 Nothing like Monday Morning Doom.

College is now falling victim to the same cargo cult thinking that high school did.

The determiner of success has never been the degree...it's been the gumption, ethic, and sacrifice required to GET the degree. Handing a degree to someone doesn't make him successful, any more than giving him a subsidized house does.

Witness the stupid Occupiers who learned that lesson first hand.

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:12 AM (PFy0L)

8
Tsipras has been making brave speeches swearing mickle oaths not to knuckle under to the hated Troika

That's the thing about electing sophomore-style commies. They make great campaign speeches and are good at exploiting grievances, so they can get elected.

Apparently Tsipras was still in campaign mode when he went to negotiate debt relief and the serious people like Schaeuble who've been in international finance for decades just loathed him.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 23, 2015 08:12 AM (JtwS4)

9 *Labor markets, like real estate, are local and thus prices tend to vary greatly from market to market for the same good or service (in this case, labor).

And this is exactly why the Euro is terrible for Greece, as their low labor costs and low productivity are not separately recognizable by employers, even if they're nominally paid fewer Euros. Throwing first world Germans in the same currency mix as third world Greeks is terrible for the Greeks.

Posted by: MTF, Fan of the Crusades at February 23, 2015 08:13 AM (nKPgU)

10 Michael, we (east of you) are supposed to get ice pellets.

How that differs from freezing rain, sleet, hail, etc., I don't exactly know.

But I am impressed at how meteorologists and/or marketing people keep coming up with ways to make us read their web sites or watch their show.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:13 AM (0xTsz)

11 One of the enduring myths on the left is that making higher education "free" for everyone is not just a moral but an economic necessity for the country.

And at the same time we're told we 'need' a flood of illegals to do the low-end work.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at February 23, 2015 08:13 AM (MMC8r)

12 Nothing like Monday Morning Doom.

College is now falling victim to the same cargo cult thinking that high school did.

The determiner of success has never been the degree...it's been the gumption, ethic, and sacrifice required to GET the degree. Handing a degree to someone doesn't make him successful, any more than giving him a subsidized house does.

Witness the stupid Occupiers who learned that lesson first hand.

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:12 AM (PFy0L)

Ahahaha!

Posted by: Sffirmative Acton Babies of the Elite at February 23, 2015 08:14 AM (0Ew3K)

13 11 One of the enduring myths on the left is that making higher education "free" for everyone is not just a moral but an economic necessity for the country.

And at the same time we're told we 'need' a flood of illegals to do the low-end work.

And pay welfare to millions of people not to.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at February 23, 2015 08:15 AM (MMC8r)

14 In STEM degrees now, students compete for internships, research, co-ops, and other stuff like that to signal their work ethic and intelligence.

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 08:15 AM (cbfNE)

15 Night... erm, Morning all!

Here is a "Battle of the Bands" performance by Agents of Misfortune which included Jim Martin and Cliff Burton. Note the riff at 9:50 and lament how great Metallica could have been...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1q0zLaXUuE

Posted by: The Political Hat at February 23, 2015 08:17 AM (0Ew3K)

16 Things you don't do:

1. Ground wars in Asia.

2. Pull on Superman's cape.

3. Monetary union without political union.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:18 AM (659DL)

17 In Illinois now, Rauner the new Gov is proposing big cuts to state money that goes into the cities, counties, etc. The mayor of a nearby town laments, " Why are we being punished? Our town always stays within it's budget"

Not counting the state and federal aid for highway, sewer, "rebuilding and remarketing" their piss poor downtown area.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 08:18 AM (8ikIW)

18 Michael, we (east of you) are supposed to get ice pellets.
Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:13 AM (0xTsz)

I think the meteorological for what you're going to get is Frozen Unicorn Poop (FUP).

Stay safe and warm.

Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at February 23, 2015 08:20 AM (0RdKg)

19 Yay! Doom!

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 08:21 AM (GQ8sn)

20 I think the term ice pellets got a big push last year in our area. Before that, they just called it chance of sleet and/or snow and/or freezing rain...be careful

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 08:22 AM (8ikIW)

21 17. " Why are we being punished? Our town always stays within it's budget"
=========================

Love that. Welcome to the wonderful world of trying to actually pay those Democrat promised public employee pensions Mr. Mayor.

This is just the very beginning.

Posted by: MTF, Fan of the Crusades at February 23, 2015 08:23 AM (nKPgU)

22 Obama rushing to DOOM in Iraq:

http://tinyurl.com/nf76u8t

Disaster, Doom...

At this point, what difference does it make?

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at February 23, 2015 08:23 AM (BZAd3)

23 But if you try sometimes, you just might find
You print what you need ♫

Oops, sorry. Always get that stuck in my head after talking to the Fed.

Posted by: Barack Obama at February 23, 2015 08:24 AM (FcR7P)

24 Well, they jus updated the Baltimore five day forecast.

A marked lowering of projected daily low temps.
Tomorrow morning low has been adjusted from 7 down to 1 degree.
That is right around record breaking for here.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 08:24 AM (YrXgo)

25 Just learned a new word from the SJW list of grievances:

transmisogny

Which I think is defined as oppression of transsexual by feminists with a natural born vaginas.

Kinda make we wish the burning times would get here already and sweep away this insanity.

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at February 23, 2015 08:25 AM (1BQGO)

26 This Global Warming is causing Texas to get the ice the polar bears need in the Arctic! /

Posted by: Case at February 23, 2015 08:25 AM (jhRZ+)

27 Which I think is defined as oppression of transsexual by feminists with a natural born vaginas.

Or, as I call it: Too much idle time in the Sociology Department.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:26 AM (659DL)

28 Just looked , and our record low for February 24th, is 8 degrees, set in the year 1900. So, either projection would be record breaking.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 08:27 AM (YrXgo)

29 In STEM degrees now, students compete for internships,

Took me 2 1/2 years to get my internship. It hasn't happened yet, but I bet these are going to start being doled out on an affirmative action basis. I see no other reason for gov't to suddenly be so concerned and 'supportive' of this "STEM" buzzword.

Posted by: t-bird at February 23, 2015 08:27 AM (FcR7P)

30 Just looked , and our record low for February 24th, is 8 degrees, set in the year 1900.

GAIA HATER!!!!

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:28 AM (659DL)

31 transmisogny

Which I think is defined as oppression of transsexual by feminists with a natural born vaginas.

--

So, basically dudes telling wimmenz how to do feminsm properly.
Hah. I think The Onion predicted that a while ago.

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 08:28 AM (Ls5j/)

32 Morning all

Doom? The last 6 years have been nothing but Doom.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (rDqRv)

33
So, basically dudes telling wimmenz how to do feminsm properly.

TRANSplaining.

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (MMC8r)

34
Just saw this over at Weasel Zippers. A tweet from James O'Keefe:

"We have a story we're going to release this coming week and I've never thought about this before but O am afraid for my life on this one."

He's got my attention.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (3SUKc)

35
I am instructing Scouts in my troop in the Personal Management merit badge this winter.

One of the requirements is to research and discuss a major purchase with members of your family. In our discussions, I have brought up the major purchase that none of them did: education beyond high school.

Know why you are going

Know what you intend to pursue as a career

Know the costs -- all of them

Know the hazards of education loans

Know that nearly all careers outside of STEM have poor earning potential prospects

Know that a college degree is not synonymous with high-paying employment

Have you ever heard of Mike Rowe?

Do you know that marketable and high-paying skills are obtainable without getting a four-year college degree?

I am enjoying putting this knowledge to them very much.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (bWFHa)

36 Oh and fuck the Oscars with a white hot barbed poker sidways. Bunch of liberal nasty no class fucks

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (rDqRv)

37 "GAIA HATER!!!!"

And our record high for February 24th is 85 degrees, set in 1984.
So see....a clear climactic cooling trend exists.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (YrXgo)

38

34. O am afraid = I am afraid.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:31 AM (3SUKc)

39 Pension obligation bonds. Let that sink in for a minute.

Posted by: Golfman in NC at February 23, 2015 08:31 AM (iVjJr)

40 So wait -

In colonial America, apprenticeships and indentured servitude were the thing. Then we went to a more journeyman model, where skills were learned before entering the workforce.

Now businesses are setting up internships and H1B visas to cull the herd of applicants and use as a signifier for work skills and potential.

Is this all going full circle again, or is it just me?

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:31 AM (PFy0L)

41 36 Oh and fuck the Oscars with a white hot barbed poker sidways. Bunch of liberal nasty no class fucks
Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (rDqRv)

Jason Bateman. Putz.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:31 AM (3SUKc)

42 40 Is this all going full circle again, or is it just me?
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:31 AM (PFy0L)

Second look at slavery?

(I keed!!!)

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:32 AM (3SUKc)

43
He's got my attention.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (3SUKc)

Hey I know you. A cheap 1 dollar shot of bourbon get's your attention.

Me I'm classy, I can only be bought with MD 20-20

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:32 AM (rDqRv)

44 Whatever it's going to do out there, I'm going to stay in here!

And send the kids out to observe and report on it.

Just don't tell my kids that the schooled kids have a snow day:

>>Based on the anticipation of 1/2 inch ice accumulation on bridges and overpasses Monday morning and deteriorating conditions as the day progresses

School's out!

And while looking on the school district's web site, I found this. Talk about a way to stand out!

>>A partnership formed between Bossier Schools and the Louisiana Tech Department of Professional Aviation will allow Airline JROTC students the chance to take ground school courses and attain college credit through Dual Enrollment.

After completing these courses, students will have attained the knowledge needed to pass the written exam required by the Federal Aviation Administration to receive their Private Pilot's license. Between their junior and senior years, students can complete the required flight hours by attending Louisiana Tech's Summer Enrichment at Tech (SET) program or from local flight training providers.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:32 AM (0xTsz)

45 H1-B visas are a form of indenture.

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 08:32 AM (TIGQX)

46 "We have a story we're going to release this coming week and I've never thought about this before but O am afraid for my life on this one."

...
...
...

Clintons or Muslims?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:33 AM (659DL)

47 re:Education/scarcity

By and large I agree, with one caveat: If everyone were getting productive degrees and actually learning skills, our national GDP would skyrocket, resulting in real value, even if wages don't go "up" per se.

Posted by: HoboJerk, The State Loves You at February 23, 2015 08:33 AM (FA3Z7)

48 A higher education used to function as a signaling mechanism to employers as well"

Let us not forget that employers could even select among existing employees.

Of course, Gregg vs. Duke Power fixed that for us...

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:34 AM (/jpU8)

49 If he's afraid for his life-he better get copies of whatever he has to other people who are not part of his particular organization.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 23, 2015 08:35 AM (DXzRD)

50 >>Is this all going full circle again, or is it just me?

It's like employers are determined to find a way to hire good workers or something.

When they should be worried about equality 'n stuff.

Tsk. Tsk.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:35 AM (0xTsz)

51 I am instructing Scouts in my troop in the Personal Management merit badge this winter.

That's pretty damn awesome Krebs.

This is the kind of knowledge that every young person needs to know. It's just common sense.

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 08:35 AM (GQ8sn)

52 34. O am afraid = I am afraid.

I thought O was some sort of code for Obama ... have to put my tinfoil lined, white hood away. Sigh.

Posted by: Jean at February 23, 2015 08:35 AM (ztOda)

53 Morning Morons.

Glad I'm not a drinking buddy of that Greek PM. Imagine always having to buy his rounds and bail him out?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 23, 2015 08:36 AM (l1zOH)

54 Is this all going full circle again"

Pretty much, yeah.

BTW, a client needs a bit o'code work. Looks like another opportunity for H1Bs...

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:37 AM (/jpU8)

55 "I see no other reason for gov't to suddenly be so concerned and 'supportive' of this "STEM" buzzword."

They use that word a lot in my sons (public) elementary school. It boils down to, from what I have seen, doing "science" projects about solar energy, saving energy, sustainability and, oh yes, climate change.

As an engineer I might start challenging and correcting some of the assumption made by the teachers, at least on things like solar energy and energy efficiency where fairly basic math can be easily used to disprove their biases. None of them have the slightest clue about things like thermodynamics, economic payback or demand load calculations. Unfortunately the whole global warming thing is untouchable and must never be doubted and would place my sons at risk. The brainwashing runs deep and wide in the education community.

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at February 23, 2015 08:37 AM (1BQGO)

56 Pretty much sums up Monday mornings this winter.

https://vine.co/v/OwgaBMwh7Yr

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 08:37 AM (g1DWB)

57 Re: Tsipras in Greece, it's almost as if -- get this -- a smooth-talking populist leftist lied to a bunch of stupid people, freeloaders, and low information voters in order to gain power and enrich himself and his useless '60s-reject friends at the expense of their more sober, tax-paying countrymen.

I just thank God I live in America where such foolishness could never happen. Even if someone tried it, we have a strong opposition party system and an adversarial free press that acts like a bulwark against that kind of corruption.

Posted by: Blacksheep at February 23, 2015 08:38 AM (bS6uW)

58 Honesty, as a Gen-X'er I'm giving up on saving for the simple reason that when the time soon comes, the gov't is just going to confiscate it to pay for the debts the Boomers have amassed.

Posted by: Better Feared than Loved at February 23, 2015 08:38 AM (nRvEn)

59 "It boils down to, from what I have seen, doing "science" projects about solar energy, saving energy, sustainability and, oh yes, climate change. "

Indeed. The so called STEM side is being watered down as we, er, type.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:39 AM (/jpU8)

60 "Even if someone tried it, we have a strong opposition party system and an adversarial free press that acts like a bulwark against that kind of corruption"

Funniest line I'll read all week.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:39 AM (/jpU8)

61 Blacksheep, except in Greece there are no "tax-paying countryman": ... all the small business man specialize in the art of tax avoidance.

Posted by: Jean at February 23, 2015 08:40 AM (ztOda)

62 30 Just looked , and our record low for February 24th, is 8 degrees, set in the year 1900.

GAIA HATER!!!!
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:28 AM (659DL)

We had -23 this morning. Mother Earth is a frigid bitch. And I for one would appreciate some of that Globull Warming. Yes, I would.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 23, 2015 08:41 AM (l1zOH)

63 30 Just looked , and our record low for February 24th, is 8 degrees, set in the year 1900.

GAIA HATER!!!!
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:28 AM (659DL)

We had -23 this morning. Mother Earth is a frigid bitch. And I for one would appreciate some of that Globull Warming. Yes, I would.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 23, 2015 08:41 AM (l1zOH)

64 They use that word a lot in my sons (public) elementary school. It boils down to, from what I have seen, doing "science" projects about solar energy, saving energy, sustainability and, oh yes, climate change.

As an engineer I might start challenging and correcting some of the assumption made by the teachers, at least on things like solar energy and energy efficiency where fairly basic math can be easily used to disprove their biases. None of them have the slightest clue about things like thermodynamics, economic payback or demand load calculations. Unfortunately the whole global warming thing is untouchable and must never be doubted and would place my sons at risk. The brainwashing runs deep and wide in the education community.

----

Buzzword is correct, or at least that's how it's being applied.

My kids' school makes a big deal about STEM emphasis. I looked at one of the quizzes that Thing 3 had to do. One of the questions was (paraphrased):

It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa. What is the sum of the temperatures?

Really? What a stupid question. That isn't science. It's a meaningless damned exercise that gives the exact WRONG idea about science. I can think of no real world application that involves summing temperatures, unless I guess you're going to average them, but even at that you aren't going to average temperatures across three wide areas like that anyway.

It's just dumb. My wife says she knows when I'm helping kids with homework because she keeps hearing me scream in frustration from the other room.

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:42 AM (eytER)

65 Doesn't eating your gold sort-of defeat the point?

Posted by: mindful webworker - entrepreneurotic at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (fu1JC)

66 "Mother Earth is a frigid bitch. And I for one would appreciate some of that Globull Warming. Yes, I would."

What we need is more volcanos.

Those suckers pump out some heat.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (YrXgo)

67 58 Honesty, as a Gen-X'er I'm giving up on saving for the simple reason that when the time soon comes, the gov't is just going to confiscate it to pay for the debts the Boomers have amassed.
Posted by: Better Feared than Loved at February 23, 2015 08:38 AM (nRvEn)

As a Millennial who is trying to plan ahead of time for retirement, unlike most Americans, this terrifies me.

Posted by: HoboJerk, The State Loves You at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (FA3Z7)

68 doing "science" projects about solar energy, saving energy, sustainability and, oh yes, climate change.

True, I do see that tack a lot. Lots of positions funded to "battle climate change".

Posted by: t-bird at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (FcR7P)

69 It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa. What is the sum of the temperatures?

According to NASA: Potato.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (659DL)

70 As a Millennial who is trying to plan ahead of time for retirement

That's a taxin'.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:45 AM (659DL)

71 According to NASA: Religion of Peace

There, FIFY.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:45 AM (/jpU8)

72 For all the talk about robots replacing human workers, robots still need human engineers to design and build them. ...for now.

Give me a few years.

Posted by: Skynet at February 23, 2015 08:45 AM (cL79m)

73 It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa. What is the sum of the temperatures

In college, that question becomes: Compute the temperature of North America?

Posted by: Jean at February 23, 2015 08:45 AM (ztOda)

74 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 08:46 AM (M1uf/)

75 Fuck Miss. Lindsey

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:46 AM (rDqRv)

76 Greece needs to take an inventory and structure a one-time deal to reduce or eliminate the debt.

Countries, like families, have a net worth. The GDP is like a salary, which the country can use a portion to pay ongoing expenses. However, countries also have accumulated assets which are the product of decades of spending. Cashing in to eliminate debt is a fiscally conservative action.

Greece already has changed some laws concerning sales of islands. There must be some other assets that can be tapped. Eliminate those assets not essential to the basic function of government and apply the funds to debt.

Posted by: jwest at February 23, 2015 08:46 AM (9ZZd+)

77 For all the talk about robots replacing human workers, robots still need human engineers to design and build them. ...for now.

Give me a few years.
Posted by: Skynet at February 23, 2015 08:45 AM (cL79m)

Seven billion is a lot of people for a robotic world.

Especially for those with PhDs in womyn's studies.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:46 AM (659DL)

78 It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa. What is the sum of the temperatures

The sum is the temp when all the ice will melt....AHHHHH

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 08:47 AM (8ikIW)

79 65 Doesn't eating your gold sort-of defeat the point?
Posted by: mindful webworker - entrepreneurotic at February 23, 2015 08:43 AM (fu1JC

For those who shit like a champ can now shit like a millionaire.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 23, 2015 08:47 AM (l1zOH)

80 jwest, I think it's adorable that you think Greece can get out of debt without default and/or scads of German money.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:48 AM (659DL)

81 The brainwashing runs deep and wide in the education community.

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at February 23, 2015 08:37 AM (1BQGO)

Several years ago my daughter had a teacher that was a Dem organizer in Fairfax county for a pol sci class that was required. This woman tried to fail her (daughter is a straight A student) because little wrg500 disagreed with her about the virtues of Obama. Let's just say strong word were delivered on my daughters behalf and the teachers job was in question for a period. Yea, brainwashing runs deep.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 08:48 AM (sgrzZ)

82 Late last year, some held out hope that the Navys budget would save two special operations helicopter squadrons.

It was not to be.

The Navys fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, unveiled in February, plans to shut down Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons 84 and 85, the services only dedicated units for Special Operations Command aviation support.

???

I mean why would we possibly need any Special Forces assets? I mean the World is so peaceful and all we really need is a lawyer to charge the bad guys?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:48 AM (rDqRv)

83 "I come down on the side that the Eurozone was a mistake, but less for purely economic reasons than for political and cultural ones."

As do I because of the current results we see in the weaker Euro countries lose control of the federal reserve and cannot locally react to economic cycles. The Germans own the books, but they will not throw the greeks out as they will never see their cash again let alone would be able to sell their products into that country for quite some time (how may Drachmas for a BMW? Forget about it).

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (6P9mj)

84 >>The GDP is like a salary, which the country can use a portion to pay ongoing expenses.

Wut?

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (g1DWB)

85

61 Blacksheep, except in Greece there are no "tax-paying countryman": ... all the small business man specialize in the art of tax avoidance.
Posted by: Jean

As well they should, just like anywhere else. The reason for avoidance is rational, unlike the reasons for a growing percentage of collected tax revenues. "Let's fund another anti-extremism summit!" Why gleefully pay taxes for that? Avoidance, yeah I'm good with that.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (9N0xF)

86 We spoke truth to power last night, didn't we? There's what America likes, and then there's actual art.

Posted by: Hollywood at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (FcR7P)

87 Several years ago my daughter had a teacher that was a Dem organizer in Fairfax county"

You've pretty much described the entire FCPS...

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:50 AM (/jpU8)

88 >>My wife says she knows when I'm helping kids with homework because she keeps hearing me scream in frustration from the other room.

Yep. Once or twice a year I look at some standardized tests that the kids could take. And the yelling starts...

They are sooo stoopid. While I know we're getting closer to the PSATs, SATs and so on, I'm not going to waste our time with some of the crap that's out there.

I did find one site that had a good English test on it. The math looked normal*, but I'm saving it for the end of the school year.

*Normal meaning not convoluted crap that is made by 20 Ed. PhD.s trying to justify their jobs.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 08:50 AM (0xTsz)

89 PSA: This is a horrible, no good, very bad situation, and I can't believe that Lenovo would make such a mistake in this day and age. Which raises the troubling possibility that it wasn't a "mistake" at all, but a deliberate act. This story is why my first act upon buying any new computer or smartphone is to wipe it down to the bare silicon and re-install my own software on it.

Just as a reminder, the ChiComs run Lenovo.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 08:50 AM (cL79m)

Posted by: jwest at February 23, 2015 08:51 AM (9ZZd+)

91 "Let's fund another anti-extremism summit!" Why gleefully pay taxes for that? Avoidance, yeah I'm good with that."

After the debacle that is the new "Food Report" (guess what, more taxes, less meat) paid for by me...
yeah, tax this.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:51 AM (/jpU8)

92 The GDP is like a salary, which the country can use a portion to pay ongoing expenses.

Wut?
Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (g1DWB)

Let it go.

He's in full ignoramus mode.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:51 AM (659DL)

93 What is the sum of the temperatures

Wouldn't you have to convert to Rankine for that question to make any sense?

Posted by: t-bird at February 23, 2015 08:52 AM (FcR7P)

94 Just as a reminder, the ChiComs run Lenovo"

I'm genuinely surprised at the number of tech people who don't know that fact.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:52 AM (/jpU8)

95 I'm very proud of myself. I had cut the cable so completely that I had zero, honestly zero idea that the Academy Awards was happening.

I played Assassin's Creed instead.

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:52 AM (eytER)

96 I played Assassin's Creed instead.

Civ V.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 08:53 AM (659DL)

97 @35 Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)

Glad to hear that! Some good news on the Doom! thread.

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 08:53 AM (6P9mj)

98 I played Assassin's Creed instead.

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:52 AM (eytER)
Evil right winger

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 08:53 AM (sgrzZ)

99 I played Assassin's Creed instead"

One of the younger Mouse family left that behind after the holidays, so I thought "what the heck".

That is one fun game! I'd say "who knew", but based on sales I'm guessing lots and lots of folks know.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:55 AM (/jpU8)

100 84 >>The GDP is like a salary, which the country can use a portion to pay ongoing expenses.

Wut?

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 08:49 AM (g1DWB)

That portion of the GDP a country can capture through taxes, fees, etc. is the amount they can use fund ongoing expenses - just like a family can use that portion of a salary that they can retain from taxes, fees etc. for ongoing expenses.

Neither the GDP or salary takes into account accumulated wealth gained over the years.

Posted by: jwest at February 23, 2015 08:55 AM (9ZZd+)

101 Their action will hurt Lenovo more than just current user base and all that trouble there.

It's going to cost them new purchases.

There's people out there in the market for a new computer (such as myself) and who will now shy away (such as me again) from even thinking about a Lenovo product of any sort (me again).

I'm considering by a tablet and have been looking in particular at Lenovo. PHew a close one. Now I'll have to change gears and do some more research.

Never underestimate the arrogance of some Programmers. They get a chuckle out of forcing you to do stuff to make your personal hardware work. They get their rocks off refusing to code things so that you can adjust the machine to your style of working instead of the other way round.

(game programmers do this too. Make a certain action or level particularly difficult for the lolz. Forgetting that it's a GAME and it's supposed to be FUN and not FRUSTRATING).

At least that's how it seems sometimes.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at February 23, 2015 08:56 AM (zRby/)

102 Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 08:55 AM (/jpU

With what I have to pay in taxes this year xbox is out for another year.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 08:56 AM (sgrzZ)

103 Late last year, some held out hope that the Navys budget would save two special operations helicopter squadrons.

It was not to be.

The Navys fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, unveiled in February, plans to shut down Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons 84 and 85, the services only dedicated units for Special Operations Command aviation support.

???

I mean why would we possibly need any Special Forces assets? I mean the World is so peaceful and all we really need is a lawyer to charge the bad guys?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:48 AM (rDqRv)

The Air Force Special Ops pilots are very damn good, but they (and their equipment) don't usually operate off of a pitching deck that is conveniently close to the operation area yet not under the ultimate control of a foreign entity.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 08:57 AM (cL79m)

104 That is one fun game! I'd say "who knew", but based on sales I'm guessing lots and lots of folks know.

I only discovered it a few months ago...Steam (yeah, I know) was doing a giant sale and I stocked up. I'm still amused that in the early game you can jack some guard off a ledge right next to another guard, and the second guard is all "wut?"

Posted by: @JohnTant at February 23, 2015 08:57 AM (eytER)

105 Another day on the blog justifies my tuition payment to St James.

Posted by: Jean at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (ztOda)

106 I am enjoying putting this knowledge to them very much.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 23, 2015 08:30 AM (bWFHa)

That is really awesome.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (mf5HN)

107 @58 Better Feared than Loved

"Honesty, as a Gen-X'er I'm giving up on saving for the simple reason that when the time soon comes, the gov't is just going to confiscate it to pay for the debts the Boomers have amassed."

Cashed out my Roth for the same reason. They have been indacting for some time that they plan to seize IRAs and 401ks.

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (6P9mj)

108 Well, sleet stopped for bit and now it's back.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (4j4+f)

109 Sell.

More.

Yogurt.

Posted by: Greece at February 23, 2015 08:59 AM (dkZSn)

110 Ah! A fresh hot cup of doom this cold and frozen morning.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 08:59 AM (M1uf/)

111 My son called me from the bathroom at 8:15 (!) today saying "Is there anyway you can help me prepare for PARCC testing. This is some standardized testing associated with on Common Core to test readiness for college ands careers. In 9th grade? Some kids in NJ are opting out. I wrote to his advisor and asked her why they have to have high anxiety special ed kids taking this test, and that all this testing takes away from actual teaching and learning. I like this woman very much but I haven't heard from her yet

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 23, 2015 09:00 AM (DXzRD)

112 I only discovered it a few months ago"

It's not a surprise that Hollywood is so up in arms about "games" - the ones I've run across are entertaining at a number of levels - and are a serious competition to "movies".

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 09:01 AM (/jpU8)

113 Good morning, fappers. I hate everything and everyone this morning, most of present company excepted.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:01 AM (2Ojst)

114 Just as a reminder, the ChiComs run Lenovo.
Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 08:50 AM (cL79m)

Regardless, American companies are often just as bad. Superfish, the malware, was funded by a number of VC funds.

I love my Thinkpad, but I can not support them anymore.

It *was* deliberate, and malicious towards end-users by breaking SSL.

Posted by: HoboJerk, The State Loves You at February 23, 2015 09:01 AM (FA3Z7)

115 >>Neither the GDP or salary takes into account accumulated wealth gained over the years.

True. Which is why most entities that take loans of some sort are asked for more detail on assets than just annual wages. This gets more detailed depending on the size of the loan.

My net worth is different from my annual salary and it greatly affects my ability to assume debt.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 09:02 AM (g1DWB)

116 105 Another day on the blog justifies my tuition payment to St James.
Posted by: Jean at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (ztOda)

Why does a saint need money?

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:02 AM (2Ojst)

117 I tried to read all of the proffered content. Unfortunately, I didn't understand any of it, so I shall bitterly cling to my longbow and complain about the loose morals of the younger generation.

Posted by: Juston Leesun at February 23, 2015 09:02 AM (+uSF7)

118 After hearing about the Oscars- of course I did not watch that shit- I am more than ever in favor of people bootlegging all the films and denying those fucks every last red cent

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:03 AM (rDqRv)

119 Cashed out my Roth for the same reason. They have been indacting for some time that they plan to seize IRAs and 401ks.
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 08:58 AM (6P9mj)

I'm not sure which will piss me off more. When they do that or that Zerohedge will turn out to have been right all these years.

And people think thar be dragons about the comments here.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:04 AM (mf5HN)

120 Actually, Tsipras has virtually no leverage on default -- the ECB now owns essentially all $250B of that debt, and can simply retire it with little consequence.

Where Tsipras has leverage is the nuclear option -- essentially telling Europe "finance our spending or we let the money run out and you'll be responsible for a failed state in the Eurozone." It's like the phony government shutdown rhetoric in our budget debates, except for real because Greece truly will not pay its bills.

Greek voters want to repudiate the debt AND stay in the Euro -- have their free lunch and eat it too. The EU is understandably reluctant to accept a de facto deal under which they must finance member state spending and with no expectation of ever being paid back.

Ultimately it doesn't matter if Tsipras caves, Greeks voted for irresponsibility and if Syriza doesn't give it to them they'll be thrown out.

At some point the EU will have to call their bluff, and the lights will go off, and the only way to turn them on again will be to print drachma.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 09:05 AM (bgGGN)

121 Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:03 AM (rDqRv)

Most of the crap out of Hollyweird is completely unwatchable.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:05 AM (sgrzZ)

122 I am more than ever in favor of people bootlegging all the films and denying those fucks every last red cent

Posted by: Nevergiveup

The past 5 years I either watch/download movies off the intertubes, or get them from the library. Make my own popcorn and I'm good to go.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:06 AM (8ikIW)

123 Durn. went to the store just before the DOOM thread came out.

RE Greece Bailout. Germany should have told them to piss up a rope. Commie just got to commie and they will continue to do is as long as suckers will bail them out of their folly.

Of course with a commie in the WH we have been doing the same thing for CA.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:06 AM (wlDny)

124 "My net worth is different from my annual salary and it greatly affects my ability to assume debt."

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 09:02 AM (g1DWB)

This is a concept that hourly wage earners (like Circa) can't seem to grasp.

The accumulated wealth of a nation should be considered when dealing with the overall debt. This is why I continue to advocate for the U.S. government to monetize the assets it now holds through a new quasi-governmental agency to eliminate the U.S. debt.

This is not only to save ongoing debt payments, but to restore the government to it's foundation of having only those assets essential to the function of government and having everything else in the public sector.

Posted by: jwest at February 23, 2015 09:08 AM (9ZZd+)

125 Greece could double down on their scam and go to the Bitcoin.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:08 AM (BBBoi)

126 Of course education has to be free. Because public schooling at the elementary/middle/high school levels has become so watered down, it's becoming easier to graduate with an education level that would not register over a century ago.

And so as they get to college, students are finding out that they do not have the skills to actually pass their classes, so they'll either drop out or keep trying. But of course, they aren't giving you freebies either (nor should they): each try is another course payment, and the student loans rack up.

Posted by: Free Ejumakayshun at February 23, 2015 09:08 AM (pS7Ne)

127 123 Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:06 AM (wlDny)

Germany just has to be patient...

Grease is as doomed as Italy demographics wise.

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at February 23, 2015 09:08 AM (/4AZU)

128 @119 alexthechick

"When they do that or that Zerohedge will turn out to have been right all these years."

I don't frequent Zerohedge-- never read them to be honest.

I read an article in "Businessweek" back in 2008 regarding Hillary mentioning the idea of taking private pensions and issuing government pension stipends when you retire. It was mentioned over the years in other editorials. After the nationalization of health care and O's re-election in 2012, that was enough for me. Just a matter of time.

Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (6P9mj)

129 RE the worth of a college degree, more and more people are coming to realize that it is NOT worth what it costs. An education in some "hands on" skill is worth a lot more and you can get that from a community college locally MUCH cheaper.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (wlDny)

130 each try is another course payment, and the student loans rack up.

And the colleges laugh all the way to the bank.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (2Ojst)

131 Sen. Clinton's War on Woman

http://tinyurl.com/q4g77l5

Paid women 72 cents for ever dollar paid to a male in same job.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (sgrzZ)

132 Oh, and by the way, NOTHING is free. All they are doing is cost shifting to the taxpayer.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:10 AM (wlDny)

133 131 Sen. Clinton's War on Woman

http://tinyurl.com/q4g77l5

Paid women 72 cents for ever dollar paid to a male in same job.
Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (sgrzZ)

Hypocrisy from a progressive Democrat? Color me shocked.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:11 AM (2Ojst)

134 And people think thar be dragons about the comments here.
Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:04 AM (mf5HN)

Whenever it happens, it'll have been the wrong week to stop huffing cat piss.

Posted by: HoboJerk, The State Loves You at February 23, 2015 09:11 AM (FA3Z7)

135 RE wages and labor. I see Monty has been reading Thomas Sowell's economic book. He has a whole chapter on that.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:12 AM (wlDny)

136 "After hearing about the Oscars- of course I did not watch that shit- I
am more than ever in favor of people bootlegging all the films and
denying those fucks every last red cent"

I used to do that but
there was a crackdown a few years ago that makes it harder. Seems the
Hollywood share the wealth crowd didn't like sharing their wealth. However, if
you are around a big city that has a large library network you can get
most any movie after about 6 months for free. There are often waiting lists but
just keep adding movies to your list so you always have something coming
in. Saves me plenty of money, keeps it out of the hands of Hollywood
liberals and helps me get back some the enormous "investment" I have
made in government.

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at February 23, 2015 09:12 AM (1BQGO)

137 Hey I know you. A cheap 1 dollar shot of bourbon get's your attention.

Me I'm classy, I can only be bought with MD 20-20
Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 08:32 AM (rDqRv)

Painless Dentistry.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 23, 2015 09:12 AM (3SUKc)

138 Paid women 72 cents for ever dollar paid to a male in same job.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (sgrzZ)
--------

and sucking cock aint easy work

Posted by: Neil Disgrace Tyson at February 23, 2015 09:12 AM (80lUM)

139 Also, the reason everyone uses fiat money is that it's the only way to ensure liquidity and avoid liquidity crises and consequent depressions in a fractional reserve banking system.

The right has it totally correct that from the time of Rome, politicians have abused fiat currency to absorb fiscal spending -- that's why CBs today are nominally independent -- but one shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 09:12 AM (bgGGN)

140 If upon entering college you must take remedial math or English, you may want to rethink being there.

Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:14 AM (ZKGnj)

141 Give everyone a "free" college education and the same jobs need to get done. So you better get your PhD if you want to pour me coffee at Starbucks.

Posted by: t-bird at February 23, 2015 09:14 AM (FcR7P)

142 Monty, as an investor in Gold, do you have any recommendations for which Gold Exchange companies you would use?

Posted by: Assault Ewok at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (UgFyY)

143 140 If upon entering college you must take remedial math or English, you may want to rethink being there.
Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:14 AM (ZKGnj)

or ESL

Posted by: MikeH at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (cYaNh)

144 If upon entering college you must take remedial math or English, you may want to rethink being there.

Posted by: no good deed

Or be able to play sports really really gooder.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (8ikIW)

145 the ONLY 2 movies I have paid to see in the last 15 years or more were Lone Survivor and American Sniper

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (rDqRv)

146 RE Slow growth economy. I think if we can get the commie out of office and get in a real free market Republican it will not take 10 years to recover from Obama. Mostly what it will take is a modest cut in spending and a MAJOR elimination of regulations. As in every damn one that has been issued since the commie has been in the WH.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (wlDny)

147 128 Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at February 23, 2015 09:09 AM (6P9mj)

Which should tell you all you need to know about how far we've devolved from the founders...

they took on the world's hyper-power over ~1.5% taxation...

we're gonna let donkey turn government into "Ocean's 535"

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (/4AZU)

148 Speaking of reading books, I am reading Steyn's After America, and everything that is being said about Obama and the press now in the aftermath of the HORRIBLE MONSTER COMMENTS FROM GIULIANI were all put down in print by Steyn in 2011.

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (Rx8ML)

149 it's almost as if -- get this -- a smooth-talking populist leftist lied to a bunch of stupid people, freeloaders, and low information voters in order to gain power and enrich himself and his useless '60s-reject friends at the expense of their more sober, tax-paying countrymen.

-
Meanwhile, in the U.S. of A, polls says a majority of Americans support higher taxes for the rich.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (LImiJ)

150 You may not like Romney but one if his positions was to eliminate all taxes on savings account interest. It's not a big deal now where savings accounts don't pay squat but when it did or will , that would be a huge incentive.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:16 AM (BBBoi)

151 Oh, you'll love this from the WaPo then, AtC. Suddenly, the 401k is racist. http://tinyurl.com/pypzqtq

Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:16 AM (ZKGnj)

152 Of course education has to be free. Because public schooling at the elementary/middle/high school levels has become so watered down, it's becoming easier to graduate with an education level that would not register over a century ago.

And so as they get to college, students are finding out that they do not have the skills to actually pass their classes, so they'll either drop out or keep trying. But of course, they aren't giving you freebies either (nor should they): each try is another course payment, and the student loans rack up.
Posted by: Free Ejumakayshun at February 23, 2015 09:08 AM (pS7Ne)

A local community college has a billboard that I pass every day on my way to work that says "I wasn't ready for a four year college. Now I am."

I am torn about this. My first thought, every time I see it, is "What a terrible statement about high school education". My second thought is "Well, actually, that's some of what community college is for, getting kids prepared for a 'real' college."

Mainly it's the first one. Kids These Days, and this has been a complaint for as long as I can remember, are graduating from high school woefully uneducated. Thus, off to community college for you to learn all the stuff that you were supposed to be taught in high school but now you get to pay for it.

I'm a big proponent of community colleges. Back to the local issue, a community college can teach, get this, the skills the community needs. Drilling tech for the fracking areas, medical technology pretty much anywhere, ag stuff in farming areas, whatever it is that the local community needs.

But this grades 13-14 thingy? Not so much.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:17 AM (mf5HN)

153 Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (Rx8ML)

"Steyn" is Canadian for "Satan".

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:17 AM (LImiJ)

154 what happens when you tuck money away in a mutual fund or a bank or CD?

The institution that holds it loans at least 90 -100% out again. The fact that the idiots holding the levers of power over our economy don''t understand that tiny little fact, and think every penny saved is out of the economy like the change in the ash-tray of my Honda makes me concerned of what else they are clueless on.

Truly a ship of malevolent idiots, sailing us all to our doom.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 23, 2015 09:17 AM (t//F+)

155 As for investment advice, I highly recommend lead and smokeless powder - it's far easier to convert that into what you need than gold.

Plus, you can defend yourself with lead and smokeless powder.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:18 AM (cL79m)

156 Or be able to play sports really really gooder.

Ha! True, Bruce. Full disclosure, I was a collegiate athlete.

Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:18 AM (ZKGnj)

157 >>Actually, Tsipras has virtually no leverage on default -- the ECB now owns essentially all $250B of that debt, and can simply retire it with little consequence.

I would agree if this was a simple two party deal. Whatever deal is worked out with Greece will be closely watched by the other PIIGS and assorted EU members.

The real danger isn't what happens with Greece. The danger is how the other countries react. That is Greece's ultimate leverage.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 09:18 AM (g1DWB)

158 If upon entering college you must take remedial math or English, you may want to rethink being there.

And if you're male, you want to rethink college in any case.

I'm convinced the vast majority of jobs, even in the "information sector" do not require college degrees. They can call me a "software engineer" all they want, it's not true. I'm a software construction worker. I happen to be a quite good software construction worker- possibly even a software general contractor. But the engineers (the ones who actually deserve that title) are the ones who do things like write programming languages, and still code in Assembly. And we just don't need very many of those.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:19 AM (M1uf/)

159 So far there have only been feler put out by the left about seizing retirement accounts just to gauge public response and develop a strategy. Expect this to continue for a few more years. , nothing to serious. When we start hearing Dems openly talk about pension/retirement "reform" and "fairness" we will know the big push is coming.

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at February 23, 2015 09:20 AM (1BQGO)

160 And if you're male, you want to rethink college in any case.

Indeed. "He resembles the man who raped me! Burn him! BUUURRRNNN HIIIMMMM!!!!!!"

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:20 AM (2Ojst)

161 I am torn about this. My first thought, every time I see it, is "What a terrible statement about high school education". My second thought is "Well, actually, that's some of what community college is for, getting kids prepared for a 'real' college."
the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:17 AM (mf5HN)

The other side are kids whose parents can't afford a four year college or if the kid isn't sure they want to attend college. It's a less expensive alternative...

Also, my wife went to community college to take calculus (after her HS consuler told her she didn't have to take it...)

Posted by: MikeH at February 23, 2015 09:20 AM (cYaNh)

162 >>asked her why they have to have high anxiety special ed kids taking this test, and that all this testing takes away from actual teaching and learning

That's frustrating.

I peeked at some practice tests and I have to say it made me scream less than most of the others have!

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 09:21 AM (0xTsz)

163
They can call me a "software engineer" all they want, it's not true

I got a huge kick out of having "SQA Engineer" as my title, because I'm BA/MBA and never took an engineering course in anything.

Basically they just needed people who could poke software with a stick in foreign languages, but it was fun to be an engineer.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 23, 2015 09:22 AM (JtwS4)

164 RE Slow growth economy. I think if we can get the commie out of office and get in a real free market Republican it will not take 10 years to recover from Obama. Mostly what it will take is a modest cut in spending and a MAJOR elimination of regulations. As in every damn one that has been issued since the commie has been in the WH.

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 09:15 AM (wlDny)

Minor quibble - it will take a halving of the number of regulations that were there when Teh SCOAMT showed up.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:23 AM (cL79m)

165 Ha! True, Bruce. Full disclosure, I was a collegiate athlete.

Posted by: no good deed

Me too. Back in the early 70's in a Div 2 school. Had to take and pass my classes. We were told of some classes to take that were easier, but not an automatic A.

Never made enough money at it for even one tattoo.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:23 AM (8ikIW)

166 For the first time, the U.S. Air Force has resurrected a B 52 bomber that had been in long term storage at the Boneyard, the portion of Davis Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona, where the military sends aircraft that have been retired from the fleet.

The 53 year old Stratofortress, tail number 61 1007, nicknamed the Ghost Rider had been in storage at the desert in the care of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) since 2008. Thousands of aircraft are stored at the Boneyard, where the dry desert environment helps preserve them. Some are scavenged to supply parts to planes still in the fleet. Others are brought back into service. Ghost Rider, after upgrades, will become the first B 52 to return to duty from the Boneyard.

Finally some good news

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:23 AM (rDqRv)

167 Also, remember gold has no intrinsic economic value. Neither does wheat, or fiat money, or the iPhone, or LeBron James' basketball skills. All utility lies in the eye of the beholder.

People's fascination with shiny stuff isn't any better a basis for currency than people's trust in government promises. If you don't think the government is going to last, you'd be better off investing in lead than gold -- but of course government already has the biggest guns to back fiat currency.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 09:24 AM (bgGGN)

168 It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa.

-
We need government mandated temperature equality.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:24 AM (LImiJ)

169 Well, actually, that's some of what community college is for, getting kids prepared for a 'real' college.

Maybe that is what it is now.

Community college USED to be for those people who did not need 'real' college.

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:24 AM (Rx8ML)

170 Ghost Rider, after upgrades, will become the first B 52 to return to duty from the Boneyard.

Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full.

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:24 AM (GQ8sn)

171 170 Ghost Rider, after upgrades, will become the first B 52 to return to duty from the Boneyard.

Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full.

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:24 AM (GQ8sn)

Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash!

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:25 AM (2Ojst)

172
Community college USED to be for those people who did not need 'real' college.

Did it? I thought it was a way for marginal students to demonstrate that they could handle the work and get into a traditional college.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (JtwS4)

173 The Air Force Special Ops pilots are very damn good, but they (and their equipment) don't usually operate off of a pitching deck that is conveniently close to the operation area yet not under the ultimate control of a foreign entity.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 08:57 AM (cL79m)

In a storm. At night. With no lights on either the bird or the boat.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (fwARV)

174 The 53 year old Stratofortress, tail number 61 1007, nicknamed the Ghost Rider had been in storage at the desert in the care of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) since 2008. Thousands of aircraft are stored at the Boneyard, where the dry desert environment helps preserve them. Some are scavenged to supply parts to planes still in the fleet. Others are brought back into service. Ghost Rider, after upgrades, will become the first B 52 to return to duty from the Boneyard.

Finally some good news

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:23 AM (rDqRv)

Obligatory - http://youtu.be/Mynzbmrtp9I

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (cL79m)

175 But this grades 13-14 thingy? Not so much.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:17 AM (mf5HN)

There are a lot of universities which partner with some local community college specifically for that. I remember when my brother was going to Texas A&M, there were some math credits he needed to take. Now, he needed to take them from A&M, because his major (at the time) was Electrical Engineering, so he needed the tougher course- but the general thought (for people who needed a math credit, but didn't so much need the actual math) was that they'd go to some community college there in Bryan (I have forgotten the name) to get those credits- because the work was a little easier (hey, math is math- it can't be too much easier) and, more importantly, because it would be a straight credit transfer- no effect on your GPA if you got C.

In general, I have no problem with someone- if they really need a college degree for whatever they're doing- going to a community college to strengthen their abilities in areas they'll need, or to knock out some credits that they need to graduate but that don't really affect their chosen profession.

I am not okay with *me* being on the hook for it.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (M1uf/)

176 Jackstraw -- Absolutely correct, Greece qua Greece is relatively unimportant, it's the domino effect that really matters. That's why Greece can threaten to default all they want, the EU is terrified that Italy or Spain might be next in line for handouts, and then maybe France, and soon hyperinflation starts to look like a real possibility. So they may let the lights go out in Athens.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 09:27 AM (bgGGN)

177 So why is the ECB/EU being referred to as a troika when Greece is involved?

Posted by: Draki at February 23, 2015 09:28 AM (0eidE)

178 Dammit! I was going to make the "the pattern is full" joke, but EC beat me too it.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (M1uf/)

179 Community college USED to be for those people who did not need 'real' college.

It was and still is a good alternative for those who still aren't quite sure what they want to do when they "grow up". It's cheaper then going to a 4 year for a major in French Lit.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (8ikIW)

180 In a storm. At night. With no lights on either the bird or the boat.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (fwARV)

As for the equipment, the salty air onboard plays havoc on stuff that isn't hardened against the effects of the sea. That's actually the bigger issue.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (cL79m)

181 In a storm. At night. With no lights on either the bird or the boat.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:26 AM (fwARV)

I remember when the MFM made fun of McCain because he couldn't use a computer keyboard and didn't know the latest and greatest (at the time) tech stuff when he ran for prez. They said he wasn't technologically savvy enough to be prez.

Then someone asked if the MFM knew how to fly a figher jet and land on a carrier at night in the South China Sea.

pwned

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (GQ8sn)

182 So why is the ECB/EU being referred to as a troika when Greece is involved?

Posted by: Draki at February 23, 2015 09:28 AM (0eidE)

The Troika is the EU's presidency. It is made up of the outgoing, current and incoming states who rotate the presidency, hence 'troika.'

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:30 AM (fwARV)

183 This is a concept that hourly wage earners (like Circa) can't seem to grasp.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Go on, please....I need the laughs.

As for monetizing assets--are you paying attention to the fact that Greece is caught between communists and fascists internally and the European Central Bank (ie, Bundesbank) externally? So, a) your theoretical Monopoly game is utter fantasy and b) it still could be done exactly one time. Even then, jettisoning assets wholesale does what to their value?

This is a country of 10 million that produces very little ($33 billion in exports), has a $27 billion trade deficit, and is as far away from your fantasies as is economically possible.

Give it a rest. They have two and only two options: Default or have Germany keep them on the debt heroin.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (659DL)

184 And never mind the fact that the reason why McCain couldn't use a keyboard was because of the VC mangling his upper body for years.

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (GQ8sn)

185 Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (GQ8sn)

He wasn't the best at that either but still pw'nd.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (BBBoi)

186 As for the equipment, the salty air onboard plays havoc on stuff that isn't hardened against the effects of the sea. That's actually the bigger issue.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:29 AM (cL79m)

Which is why our poor bastard line rats got to wash every bird every 7 days. In that exact same environment.

I'm telling you, this is something America as a whole is missing. These are kids whose parents wouldn't trust them with the family van on the weekend into whose hands I voluntarily put my life over and over and over. They build and maintain the most sophisticated equipment on the planet and some of them are fresh out of the Prom.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:32 AM (fwARV)

187 184 And never mind the fact that the reason why McCain couldn't use a keyboard was because of the VC mangling his upper body for years.
Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (GQ8sn)

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to dislike McCain but mocking him for that was just plain shitty.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:32 AM (2Ojst)

188 "Monty, as an investor in Gold, do you have any recommendations for which Gold Exchange companies you would use?"

------

I don't "invest" in gold. I *own* gold, but it's not an investment. It's not intended to produce a return or provide leverage or serve as collateral. I hold it for other reasons -- disaster insurance, inflation hedge, long-term capital preservation, etc. Whether you (or anyone else) should buy gold is something you need to talk to your financial adviser about -- it's not something to jump into lightly, and you can really take a bath on it financially if you're not careful (just ask Eric Sprott).

I generally buy my metal from APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange). I also go to local dealers depending on what I'm looking for. But then I buy actual bullion to hold myself; if you want to get into a gold-backed ETF or something, you'd need to contact your financial adviser or broker. I advise against buying gold bullion or coins yourself if you're not familiar with the process. Call around and do some research before diving in.

Posted by: Monty at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (QPDxZ)

189 When I was 22, the government thought it was a good idea to have me operate on nuclear weapons.

But I could not rent a car.

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (Rx8ML)

190 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (659DL)

They should sell the Country to Sandals.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (BBBoi)

191 The first B-52 to return to duty from the grave, because the US can't build new 'planes like Cuba can't buy new Chevies but for different reasons.

The US can't build B-1, or B-2 because the government has spent all the airplane money on the political equivalent of hookers and crack.

Posted by: Juston Leesun at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (+uSF7)

192 Just drove the two boys to High School.
lLooking in the RearView mirror, there is this calorically enhanced woman in a minivan, wiping all around, under and over her face while looking in her mirror.
So I commented that I couldn't tell if she was still putting on makeup, or just got done making five bucks at the truck stop.

Both boys went with choice B, truckstop.

Just wanted to share.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (YrXgo)

193
In this context the troika is the ECB, the EU, and the IMF.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 23, 2015 09:34 AM (JtwS4)

194 Community college USED to be for those people who did not need 'real' college.

For as long as my parents can remember (or at least, what they told my brothers and me while we were growing up) was that Community (or "Junior") college was for one of 3 things (all that have been mentioned here)

1- Getting an associates degree in a field where a batchelor's is not necessary. This also applies to certifications through Jr. College (like nursing schools and such).

2- Getting basic credits out of the way while you figure out "what you really want to do." Almost every degree plan is going to require 9 - 12 hours of English, Math, and History anyway.

3- Brushing up on something you didn't quite understand at HS before blowing that money at a real university. It took me 3 tries (HS Algebra II, HS Trig/Pre-Cal, College Algebra I) to really grok Matrices. I've mostly forgotten them now (never needed them) but I would not have wanted to try to tackle that with a "real load" of college courses at a 4 year university.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:34 AM (M1uf/)

195 When I was 22, the government thought it was a good idea to have me operate on nuclear weapons.

But I could not rent a car.

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (Rx8ML)

That's because renting a car was too much responsibility for you!

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:35 AM (GQ8sn)

196 NEW DOOMY TOPIC:

What about these internet rumors of Russia dumping a bunch of USD and the potential for mad inflation up in this? Is this just tinfoil hat scare stuff or is there legitimacy?

Posted by: 0302 at February 23, 2015 09:35 AM (N6eLE)

197 The Troika is the EU's presidency. It is made up of the outgoing, current and incoming states who rotate the presidency, hence 'troika.'

---------

Er...no. The "troika" is the ECB, the IMF, and the European Commission (EC). In this context, anyway.

http://www.forexnews.com/questions/who-is-the-troika/

Posted by: Monty at February 23, 2015 09:36 AM (QPDxZ)

198 183 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:31 AM (659DL)

God forbid Grease live within its means and reduce its civil service wage/pension largesse....

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at February 23, 2015 09:36 AM (/4AZU)

199 Pope Puffy Horseface has crossed the beams.

Secretary of State John Kerry continued to beat the drum on the dangers of climate change Friday, noting that "there is no Planet B." The secretary made the remarks at the swearing-in ceremony for Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom David Saperstein. He drew a religious connection to the issue of climate change, saying that "when it comes to the fundamental health of Earth, folks, we'd better stick to the Creator's original plan."[\b]

God's original plan call for carbon regulations?

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:36 AM (LImiJ)

200 @196 - I am guessing tinfoil hat stuff. Decrepit kleptocracy blowing up US economy by dumping dollars?

Then how will they buy their hookers, blow, and Maybachs?

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:36 AM (Rx8ML)

201 Jerusalem mayor & bodyguard jump out of their car to tackle a terrorist that was stabbing pedestrians.
Why don't we have elected officials like that?

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (vbbSd)

202 What about these internet rumors of Russia dumping a bunch of USD and the potential for mad inflation up in this?

Important additional question: Dumping them for what?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (659DL)

203 Posted by: Monty at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (QPDxZ)

I buy my silver from APEX.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (sgrzZ)

204

>>>I don't "invest" in gold. I *own* gold, but it's not an investment. It's not intended to produce a return or provide leverage or serve as collateral

I definitely think thats the way to look at it, with the add-on that its not especially useful for crisis situations, either.

Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (3ZtZW)

205

May I dodge the barrel!

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (LImiJ)

206 Important additional question: Dumping them for what?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (659DL)

Shares of Val U Rite.

Posted by: EC at February 23, 2015 09:38 AM (GQ8sn)

207 I definitely think thats the way to look at it, with the add-on that its not especially useful for crisis situations, either.
Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (3ZtZW)

It'll work as a bludgeon in a pinch.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:38 AM (2Ojst)

208 All community colleges should be converted to tech schools with hours still able to transfer to a University if the student happen to choose to continue with Higher education.

Tech writing could cover English I , carpentry could cover Math I, etc.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:38 AM (BBBoi)

209 If a conservative said what Kerry did, the headline would be "politician claims God speaks to him."

Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (ZKGnj)

210 God's original plan call for carbon regulations?

Posted by: The Great White Snark
Also fire and brimstone for lying sacks of goat fornicators...Kerry doesn't want to bring that up though.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (8ikIW)

211 Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:32 AM (fwARV)

I've never understood why people don't jump to hire veterans (I know some do, but many don't).

He doesn't have a degree? So what? The dude just proved that he can hack it (assuming an Honorable discharge, I guess) in one of the most technologically advanced "industries" in the world.

Works well with others? Kind of a job requirement.
Problem solving? Also, kind of a job requirement.

As long as they worked at something that fits in with what your business does, I think you're an idiot of the first order not to hire a veteran.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (M1uf/)

212 carpentry could cover Math I, etc.

One board glued to another board equals...one bigger board. Confusing.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (2Ojst)

213
Er...no. The "troika" is the ECB, the IMF, and the European Commission (EC). In this context, anyway.

Posted by: Monty at February 23, 2015 09:36 AM (QPDxZ)

I'm thinking of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Whoops.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (fwARV)

214 When I was 22, the government thought it was a good idea to have me operate on nuclear weapons.

But I could not rent a car.
Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:33 AM (Rx8ML)

If I am remembering Joey Logano's age correctly, he still cannot rent a car.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (mf5HN)

215 204 Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (3ZtZW)

Eh depends on what your plan of attack for "crisis" is...

I plan to use my gold to bribe Canadian border guards to let me in if need be...

Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at February 23, 2015 09:39 AM (/4AZU)

216 Honesty, as a Gen-X'er I'm giving up on saving for the simple reason that when the time soon comes, the gov't is just going to confiscate it to pay for the debts the Boomers have amassed.

I have to wonder, when they make their move and find no savings worth taking, what will they do? Force us into reverse mortgages (for folks who own home)? Confiscate all real property for a huge trans-Pacific yard sale? Worse?

I occasionally get this vision of 2030 where American "laborers" are being shopped to Asia to "do the jobs Chinese won't do"...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, Unrepresented Christian Objectivist at February 23, 2015 09:40 AM (DT3rQ)

217 when it comes to the fundamental health of Earth, folks, we'd better stick to the Creator's original plan

APPLES ARE RIGHT OUT, PEOPLE!

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:40 AM (659DL)

218 If I am remembering Joey Logano's age correctly, he still cannot rent a car.

Yea, but he can drive it like he stole it.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:40 AM (sgrzZ)

219 Why don't we have elected officials like that?

Posted by: @votermom

We don't have to. We have "newsman" that can do that kind of stuff.

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:40 AM (8ikIW)

220 >>TallDave -So they may let the lights go out in Athens.

I think this is the inevitable conclusion, it always is with ponzi schemes.

What will be interesting over the next decade is the political fallout from the collapse. I don't see it being peaceful.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 23, 2015 09:41 AM (g1DWB)

221 Thank you for the PSA on Lenovo. I just ordered one for the Mrs.

Posted by: Draki at February 23, 2015 09:42 AM (0eidE)

222 So per 196, a more legit take on Russia moving away from our currency:

Zerohedge: http://goo.gl/wUYkdo

Seeking Alpha: http://goo.gl/YoLNGP

The Alex Jones crowd has picked it up which makes me skeptical, but just because they picked it up downstream doesn't mean that it's wrong upstream.

Posted by: 0302 at February 23, 2015 09:42 AM (N6eLE)

223 What about these internet rumors of Russia dumping a bunch of USD and the potential for mad inflation up in this? Is this just tinfoil hat scare stuff or is there legitimacy?

It's not impossible. According to my two Russian cow-orkers, Putin has painted himself into a corner- a lot of his rich-but-shady backers are starting to feel some hurt economically, and he's getting desperate (by their telling) to turn fix that. If he thinks he can help himself and those backers, he'll do it.

On the other hand, if it would hurt those backers, he probably won't.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:42 AM (M1uf/)

224 Carpenters can do fractions better than any Math professor.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:42 AM (BBBoi)

225 Why don't we have elected officials like that?

Did I tell you about the time I tackled a suicide bomber in the Gaza strip?

Posted by: Brian Williams at February 23, 2015 09:43 AM (sgrzZ)

226 "God's original plan call for carbon regulations? "

No...but from the beginning, God placed us as Stewards of the bounty of his creation.

Not the same as "Don't kill anything" or 'Kill everything".

And then there was that whole Adam and Eve thing that he started us with.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:44 AM (YrXgo)

227 @216 there has been a thing for a while about jobs simply going away. Not to China, just going away altogether.

It was Lefty cranks back in the 90s pitching that idea, but now some less cranky people are saying it - Peter Thiel and some of the other tech "visionaries." Now, one might call Thiel a crank, too, but his thoughts seem more credible than some Leftist.

I saw someone somewhere (I forget where) saying we should go to a 4 day work week - that would make 20% less labor available and help level things out.

Posted by: blaster at February 23, 2015 09:44 AM (Rx8ML)

228
I ate my gold.

I bought GLD in 2012 at $166.

It's now trading at $115.

Posted by: Frankly at February 23, 2015 09:45 AM (8wLlW)

229 31 transmisogny

Which I think is defined as oppression of transsexual by feminists with a natural born vaginas.

--

So, basically dudes telling wimmenz how to do feminsm properly.
Hah. I think The Onion predicted that a while ago.
Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 08:28 AM (Ls5j/)
****

Indeed. I'm not much of a feminist but I would be pretty annoyed if some dude in a dress started trying to tell me about being a woman.

Posted by: Lea at February 23, 2015 09:45 AM (vmMMi)

230 Did I tell you about the time I tackled a suicide bomber in the Gaza strip?

New marketing opportunity:

A new stripper club called "Gaza."

I'll take my franchise fees in monetized Greek government assets, please.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:45 AM (659DL)

231

>>>I've never understood why people don't jump to hire veterans (I know some do, but many don't).

Anti-military bias, presumption of PTSD or other character defect, class indicators, etc.

Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:45 AM (3ZtZW)

232 May I dodge the barrel!

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (LImiJ)

I almost had you, you over-bolding Moron!

Posted by: The Barrel at February 23, 2015 09:46 AM (cL79m)

233
>>>I plan to use my gold to bribe Canadian border guards to let me in if need be...

Which is the major solid use of it.

Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:46 AM (3ZtZW)

234 224 Carpenters can do fractions better than any Math professor.
--

Fractions only started to make sense to me when I started aping my older brother (who was studying civil engg) and drawing my own floor plans for dream houses. I guess I might have been 7 or 8 when I started.

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (XLF/E)

235
And then there was that whole Adam and Eve thing that he started us with.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:44 AM (YrXgo)

Eat of that tree, and I'll kill you.

Posted by: Francis "God" Sawyer at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (2Ojst)

236 I'll take my franchise fees in monetized Greek government assets, please.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:45 AM (659DL)

Just remember, I already called dibs on Lesbos.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (mf5HN)

237 It was Lefty cranks back in the 90s pitching that idea, but now some less cranky people are saying it - Peter Thiel and some of the other tech "visionaries." Now, one might call Thiel a crank, too, but his thoughts seem more credible than some Leftist.

It's Lefties (who largely don't understand the market at all) mistaking "creative destruction" for a net loss of jobs in the economy.

To them, when the whip and buggy manufacturers go out of business, all of those jobs are "lost." Then they sidle in with "and what are all those workers going to do?"

Now, indeed, some are going to be in real trouble- being too old and close to retirement to be worth training in a new profession, but to young and far from retirement just to retire. Which sucks. But most of them will either retire or retrain into a new profession.

That's what would happen here *except* for all the stupid government regulation making it very hard to innovate and create new products, services, and businesses.

So, basically, the Lefties are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (M1uf/)

238
As long as they worked at something that fits in
with what your business does, I think you're an idiot of the first
order not to hire a veteran.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueConHad an Army veteran show up to apply for a job at my former place of employment. He worked in logistics in the Army. The job he was applying for was logistics. Had 2 years of college. My boss (woman) decided to hire a woman who was less qualified then him though. Plus he was black. A twofer in his own right.
The woman she hired was married about 5 months before she came to us. I already guessed she would work long enough to get bennys, get pregnant, go on maternity leave then quit, leaving me to do her job until they could hire someone else.
I was right

Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (8ikIW)

239 Greetings, gentlefappers.

Nothing like a fresh hell of DOOM! first thing on a Monday morning.

Not sure about teh DOOM! kittehs. They seem so hoity-toity.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (0HooB)

240 Just remember, I already called dibs on Lesbos.
Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (mf5HN)

You make it too easy sometimes, Alex.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (659DL)

241 Carpenters can do fractions better than any Math professor. "

There's more truth in that statement than most will ever know.

I've had the good fortune to have met (and employed) several real carpenters, and without exception, their math and geospatial skills were (at least to me) amazing. I remain in awe of many we're "supposed" to look down upon.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (/jpU8)

242 I have to wonder, when they make their move and find no savings worth taking, what will they do? Force us into reverse mortgages (for folks who own home)? Confiscate all real property for a huge trans-Pacific yard sale? Worse?

I occasionally get this vision of 2030 where American "laborers" are being shopped to Asia to "do the jobs Chinese won't do"...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, Unrepresented Christian Objectivist at February 23, 2015 09:40 AM (DT3rQ)

The ChiComs, as owners of the bank (yes, singular) will simply seize the property and force everybody to pay the rent.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:49 AM (cL79m)

243
Just remember, I already called dibs on Lesbos.

I've always assumed that is where Alextopia would be established.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 23, 2015 09:49 AM (JtwS4)

244 You make it too easy sometimes, Alex.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (659DL)

What!

*bounds about all innocently*

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:50 AM (mf5HN)

245 *bounds about all innocently*

Beats trying to troll the Horde.

Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 09:51 AM (/jpU8)

246 Carpenters can do fractions better than any Math professor.

Hey forgetaboutit made guys do fractures better than anyone!

Posted by: Vito at February 23, 2015 09:51 AM (rDqRv)

247 Technically, Sappho herself was bi . . .

Posted by: boulder terlet hobo at February 23, 2015 09:51 AM (5qrli)

248 From CNN:

>>On February 13, Ghost Rider flew again, a three-hour flight from Davis-Monthan to its new home, Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.

No, it's not in S'port, but whatever. Close counts in news stories, right?

Probably flew over my head while landing.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (0xTsz)

249 Posted by: Bruce at February 23, 2015 09:48 AM (8ikIW)

See? Idiot of the first order.

In my software development career, the guys I've enjoyed working with the most were all former military. Still knew how to have fun (nerf-gun fights, FTW), knew their stuff coding-wise, and knew when an argument had been settled.

We civilian jerks usually know 2 of those 3...

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (M1uf/)

250 Beats trying to troll the Horde.
Posted by: anon a mouse at February 23, 2015 09:51 AM (/jpU

Oh I don't know about that.

That's fun right up to the bannination.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Pouncing from the wait. at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (mf5HN)

251 Just remember, I already called dibs on Lesbos.

So, with women wearing burkkas you'll buy a pig in a poke?

Posted by: Brian Williams at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (sgrzZ)

252 *bounds about all innocently*

The East German judge gives you a 0.0

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (659DL)

253 Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 09:47 AM (XLF/E)

Hope you got that dream house.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (BBBoi)

254 *bounds about all innocently*

Pictures?

Posted by: Brian Williams at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (sgrzZ)

255 You know why women make lousy carpenters?

For year, men have been saying...

>>> 3.5 inch

Honey, this is six inches.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (YrXgo)

256 off sock

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (sgrzZ)

257 I've had the good fortune to have met (and employed) several real carpenters, and without exception, their math and geospatial skills were (at least to me) amazing. I remain in awe of many we're "supposed" to look down upon.

I learned more about math whilst employed in machine shops than I ever learned in skool. What bugged me was that in skool, the teachers seemed incapable of demonstrating a real-world application for the lesson.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (0HooB)

258 No, it's not in S'port, but whatever. Close counts in news stories, right?

Probably flew over my head while landing.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 09:52 AM (0xTsz)

Horseshoes, hand grenades, thermonuclear weapons against soft targets, government work and "news" stories (though I repeat myself).

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (cL79m)

259 I think I just harfed up a drachma.

Posted by: Marie Hork at February 23, 2015 09:54 AM (Dwehj)

260 No, it's not in S'port, but whatever. Close counts in news stories, right?

Bossier City must be too hard to spell, Mama AJ.

Posted by: no good deed at February 23, 2015 09:54 AM (ZKGnj)

261 off sock

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (sgrzZ)

You just needed the Plugs Biden sock on.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 09:54 AM (cL79m)

262 Somehow, the <<< fell off after the 3.5

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:54 AM (YrXgo)

263 I don't "invest" in gold. I *own* gold, but it's not an investment. It's not intended to produce a return or provide leverage or serve as collateral. I hold it for other reasons -- disaster insurance, inflation hedge, long-term capital preservation, etc. Whether you (or anyone else) should buy gold is something you need to talk to your financial adviser about -- it's not something to jump into lightly, and you can really take a bath on it financially if you're not careful (just ask Eric Sprott).

-----

This seems right to me. I would never invest much in gold. In the long run, it is probably a lousy investment. But it is a great substitute for currency. When you really need it, you want the physical stuff. Not something on paper.

But it is not the only substitute for currency.

For those who say it has no intrinsic value, they should read that piece in USA Today that monty links to which quotes Taleb. Gold is tried and tested in history as a form of currency. Hard to find a better form than one that has been tested as much as gold.

Posted by: SH at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (gmeXX)

264 As usual, Motny brings the DOOMtruth.

Saw an ad for a local car dealership, looking for managerial trainees. Required a college degree. Why, exactly???

And the Greeks now have to take it up the ass. Who'd a thunk it???

Posted by: Tex Lovera at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (wtvvX)

265 253 Hah! As if.
I never had just one dream house, but 2 story colonial was a common theme.
My younger kid used to do something similar, but with legos. Redesign a dream house over and over with bricks.
I'm sad she hasn't been doing legos since she turned 13 though.

Posted by: @votermom at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (ViZNy)

266 I think I just harfed up a drachma.

Posted by: Marie Hork at February 23, 2015 09:54 AM (Dwehj)

Can I put that on my necklace?

Posted by: Jen-Jen Sasi at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (cL79m)

267 Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 09:53 AM (0HooB)

Yea, my dad was a Tool and Die maker. His math skills are off the chart.

Posted by: wrg500 at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (sgrzZ)

268 Imam Kerry Global Warming Goes Against The Creators Original Plan

Weasel Zippers

So do abortions asshole

Posted by: Vito at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (rDqRv)

269 The ChiComs, as owners of the bank (yes, singular) will simply seize the property and force everybody to pay the rent.

Thought experiment: Are the ChiComs capable of projecting sufficient power across the Pacific to hold a sizable chunk of North America? If not at the present, what would be required?

I always figured it would be more a question of fragmentation, grinding on for a generation or less, then the whole global political and economic engine seizing up and collapsing. Gotta watch for those second and third order effects, they're a cast iron bitch...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, Unrepresented Christian Objectivist at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (DT3rQ)

270 SO

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 23, 2015 09:56 AM (rDqRv)

271 I've had the good fortune to have met (and employed) several real carpenters, and without exception, their math and geospatial skills were (at least to me) amazing. I remain in awe of many we're "supposed" to look down upon.

-----

Part of the reason why the English system is superior to the metric system. It has real world application and use.

Posted by: SH at February 23, 2015 09:56 AM (gmeXX)

272 So... since we're past 200 (let alone 100) comments, I can go OT.

Did you know that, in the same way I don't have a blog, I *also* didn't write a book?

Link to the GoFundMe in my nic.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 09:58 AM (M1uf/)

273 We mentioned the NOOD, yes?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:58 AM (YrXgo)

274 Yea, my dad was a Tool and Die maker. His math skills are off the chart.

So am I. Completed my Apprenticeship and everything.

When we got to learning Trigonometry, my instructor showed us that it was no more than ratios. Why didn't my High Skool math teacher say that? Needless to say, the light bulb lit up and I never had any trouble understanding it afterwards.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 09:58 AM (0HooB)

275 I definitely think thats the way to look at it, with the add-on that its not especially useful for crisis situations, either.
Posted by: Bigby's Armored Gauntlet at February 23, 2015 09:37 AM (3ZtZW)
--
If you really want something useful in a post-apocalypse society, you probably want 1) guns 2) bullets 3) more guns and bullets 4) knives and 5) coined silver.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 09:59 AM (bgGGN)

276 Part of the reason why the English system is superior to the metric system. It has real world application and use.

And only requires equipment you're actually likely to be able to find at (say) Lowes.

The metric system is better for really super-high precision measuring (.001mm is way more precise than you're going to get with the English/Imperial system in general). That's why space agencies use it.

But for my house? Give me my feet and inches.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 10:00 AM (M1uf/)

277 As a Millennial who is trying to plan ahead of time for retirement, unlike most Americans, this terrifies me.

Germany seizes private pensions, health savings accounts and actual retirement savings when pensioners get up in age, and assigns them a stipend: Essentially those people who have been faithfully saving to make sure they would have a funded retirement since 1948 have essentially been put on German SSI. And are getting the same benefits as those people who have spent every penny they ever made

I am expecting the same here as a way to "save the public pensions" or some such crap.

Dad, who is 82, claims such an act would be illegal. I change the subject.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 23, 2015 10:00 AM (t//F+)

278 Thought experiment: Are the ChiComs capable of projecting sufficient power across the Pacific to hold a sizable chunk of North America? If not at the present, what would be required?

I always figured it would be more a question of fragmentation, grinding on for a generation or less, then the whole global political and economic engine seizing up and collapsing. Gotta watch for those second and third order effects, they're a cast iron bitch...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, Unrepresented Christian Objectivist at February 23, 2015 09:55 AM (DT3rQ)

In conventional terms, not a chance. In unconventional terms, dominance over the providing of the goods consumed by the target country, a credible threat to use a massive nuclear attack to vaporize said country, and a compliant "leadership" in said country. The ChiComs have at least 2 of those 3, though it is unknown whether they can hit DC from mainland China.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 10:01 AM (cL79m)

279 Smack!

Did you guys see this earlier or is it new?

>>In a sharply-worded new critique, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says that President Obama's handling of the Islamic State terrorist group has shown the country he is "incapable of bring commander-in-chief of the United States of America."

http://tinyurl.com/pw2t4ag

Wa Times

h/t JWF

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 23, 2015 10:01 AM (0xTsz)

280 " employers have to resort to other means to determine the quality of job applicants."

In the Philippines u need a college degree to garner a job at McDonalds....because the cost of secondary education is so cheap EVERY smart girl has a degree...so they screen many applicants by charm and looks (?)

Just assuming the second idea...

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at February 23, 2015 10:02 AM (cZOkr)

281 Community college USED to be for those people who did not need 'real' college.

Did it? I thought it was a way for marginal students to demonstrate that they could handle the work and get into a traditional college.
Posted by: Bandersnatch
--------------

There has certainly been some shifting, depending or where/who is operating the system.

A large number of 'Technical Schools' came into being immediately post-WWII, when there were LOTS of returning Vets, and a need to train them for industry's needs.

Many, if not most curricula were established specifically to meet the needs as industry defined them, not academics. Thus, the schools produced people with machine skills, electrical skills, etc., with only the underlying math/physics/chemistry skills which were required. It is also the reason that such schools were called 'Technical Schools'. They produced technicians.

Not unusually, the degree granted was a two-year AB (Associate Degree). Both the curriculum and the degrees were regarded as 'Terminal degrees', i.e., there was no intent that the background provided or credit awarded qualified for transfer to an institution of higher learning.

A student collecting a two-year degree in HVAC at Evansville Tech was in no way being subjected to the rigors that a freshman/sophomore was at Purdue.

Somewhere along the way, that began to shift, and politicians (mostly) began to think of Technical Schools as being 'feeders' for senior institutions.

The problem, as I see it, is just as stated above..., the standards and curricula did not (and in fact, do not) meet the standards that a university ought to require. Not for entry, nor for rigor of the curriculum. I've been there, and observed it

If that sounds elitist, it isn't. It is just a statement of fact, not a deprecating view about the attendees. I have long been of the opinion that a kid who, given a map, could find his/her way to a particular institution, could also probably successfully do the coursework there, if they are focused, and work *hard*.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 23, 2015 10:02 AM (F2IAQ)

282 y should read that piece in USA Today that monty links to which quotes Taleb. Gold is tried and tested in history as a form of currency. Hard to find a better form than one that has been tested as much as gold.
--
Tried, tested and FAILED. That's why no one uses gold as currency anymore. Unless you want to give up fractional reserve banking, you don't want gold as your currency.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 10:03 AM (bgGGN)

283 The metric system is better for really super-high precision measuring (.001mm is way more precise than you're going to get with the English/Imperial system in general). That's why space agencies use it.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at February 23, 2015 10:00 AM (M1uf/)

NOW he tells me.

Posted by: Mars Climate Orbiter at February 23, 2015 10:05 AM (cL79m)

284 We mentioned the NOOD, yes?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 23, 2015 09:58 AM (YrXgo)

We like the DOOM more.

Posted by: steveegg at February 23, 2015 10:07 AM (cL79m)

285 *ahem*

We put men on the Moon using the English system of measurement. Metric only came about when Europe and Japan started their space programs. The hatches are all metric so they'll match in case of emergency rescues.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 10:08 AM (0HooB)

286 The metric system is better for really super-high precision measuring (.001mm is way more precise than you're going to get with the English/Imperial system in general). That's why space agencies use it.
Posted by: AllenG
----------------------

Precision has nothing to do with the convention used to quantify a measurement. Furlongs work just as well as nautical miles or meters.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 23, 2015 10:08 AM (F2IAQ)

287 69
It is 86 degrees in Arizona. It is 35 degrees in Alaska. It is 65 degrees in Iowa. What is the sum of the temperatures?

According to NASA: Potatoe.

fixt

Posted by: Dan Quayle at February 23, 2015 10:09 AM (o78gS)

288 Greece is by nature a poor but not starving country. They lack the production to every be Germany, and cannot live like Germans indefinitely.

Posted by: toby928(C) at February 23, 2015 10:11 AM (evdj2)

289 186.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 10:11 AM (0HooB)

290 or 42.

Either, or.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at February 23, 2015 10:12 AM (0HooB)

291 Is GLD really different than any other equity?

Posted by: Edmund Burke's Shade at February 23, 2015 10:15 AM (cmBvC)

292 The endgame for Greece is: they default, revert to the drachma, endure several years of economic pain because of it, then finally have a chance to emerge from the rubble.

The ONLY question is when, which relates to the length and severity of the penance they will endure. The sooner the default, the better (for Greece, at least).

The EU needs Greece far more than Greece needs the EU, although the nation itself is not so big or significant. The problem for the EU is the potential for failure of Spain and Italy, which are large economies, and whose restructuring depends in great measure upon the confidence of investors and depositors in the ability of the EU and ECB to pull off these restructuring miracles. If they can't make it happen for small potatoes like Greece, who will believe they can save Portugal or the bigger countries?

Posted by: Adjoran at February 23, 2015 10:22 AM (QIQ6j)

293 actual job skills are the scarce good being offered by prospective employees, not credentials.

So...you've never actually applied for a job.

Posted by: Joel at February 23, 2015 10:26 AM (4znsG)

294 Tried, tested and FAILED.

-----

How has it failed? When has anyone in history rejected gold as a form of payment?

Posted by: SH at February 23, 2015 11:03 AM (gmeXX)

295 Gold is largely just another fiat currency. It has value because people believe it has value. From an actual utility perspective, it actually have very few uses.

But... it sure is pretty. It is unique in that respect. In-arguably the prettiest of all metals, and it remains pretty. No tarnish. Virtually allergy-proof. Easy to work, and pleasant to touch.

Thus gold was "born to be jewelry," basically. It's valuable because we say it's valuable... which is essentially what fiat currency is.

Gold is a great thing to hold if you think the economy will still be functioning. If/when TSHTF, then you might well be able to go to the bank with a small amount of gold (say 0.25 ounce) and pay your mortgage for the month - because, oh yes, gold will dramatically increase in value when TSHTF.

But... if things REALLY go south, and you want to buy bread? Gold is the wrong currency.

No, if things really go south you want lead and liquor.

Think "colonial USA" and you'll do OK

Posted by: RobM1981 at February 23, 2015 11:34 AM (zurJC)

296 In regards to the Lenovo: wiping the hard drive does nothing to remove that which was installed. The cleverly bypassed that little trick, by installing the spyware on the drive BIOS, a place very few would know how to access, let alone think to look. Wiping the drive just causes you more work, but the BIOS boot of the drive would then reinstall said spyware right back again.

Resistance is futile, moron. Go back about your business, and let us betters watch over you.

Posted by: Bill at February 23, 2015 11:38 AM (hafwJ)

297 RE: Education not increasing GDP, you have to be cautious with those kinds of broad statements. Like so many other economic constructs, this one has "ranges" where education can yield HUGE benefits in GDP.

If you have a populace who are 80% illiterate, then teaching them to read is going to have an enormous positive impact on their ability to generate goods and services. This is the only reason that we provide primary education. It's not charity; it's for the public good. A population that can effectively read and write and do basic math is a population that can effectively work.

What few people mention anymore is just how few 18 year old Americans CAN read or write or calculate a percentage. I'm of the opinion that we are lying to the WHO and other organizations who tally the national statistics.

Do a quick google for "USA Literacy Rate" and what do you get?

Usually 99%, and I never saw lower than 95%.

If that's not bullshit, I don't know what is. Just our DROPOUT rate makes this impossible, unless they are viewing Sesame Street as "literate."

Liberals control this data, and liberals lie. The truth is we DO need more education. No US child should be allowed to leave school unless they can read. Period. And if that sounds like we are effectively jailing them until they can read, then that's how it is.

The bigger crime is to turn an otherwise able bodied person loose on society without knowing how to read or add.

Posted by: RobM1981 at February 23, 2015 11:44 AM (zurJC)

298 @269: spot on.

If it wasn't on the BIOS, your Norton's and McAfee's could deal with it. Nope, this one is buried deeeep.

I sure am glad that we don't build such low-value items anymore. "Simple" stuff like this belongs in China, where "cheap labor" can do it so much better than we can.

What can possibly go wrong?

Posted by: RobM1981 at February 23, 2015 11:47 AM (zurJC)

299 The endgame for Greece is: they default, revert to the drachma, endure several years of economic pain because of it, then finally have a chance to emerge from the rubble.

The ONLY question is when, which relates to the length and severity of the penance they will endure. The sooner the default, the better (for Greece, at least).

-
So the choice for the Greeks is to take it the Greek way now or to take it the Greek way later.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at February 23, 2015 12:54 PM (LImiJ)

300 "This story is why my first act upon buying any new computer or smartphone is to wipe it down to the bare silicon and re-install my own software on it."

that's what the smart kids do...

Posted by: Shoey at February 23, 2015 01:43 PM (vA94g)

301 "Unfortunately the whole global warming thing is untouchable and must
never be doubted and would place my sons at risk. The brainwashing runs
deep and wide in the education community."

I know it is not fun being the contentious parent in the classroom but you owe it to your sons to challenge nonsense that they are being taught. It is ultimately your job to make sure your children get an actual education that includes lessons in critical thinking and the ability to match teachers' claims against actual facts AND the ability to politely challenge adult teachers when they are spreading information that is patently false.

Posted by: redbanzai at February 23, 2015 02:00 PM (OrI3J)

302 "A higher education used to function as a signaling mechanism to employers as well, but that signaling function is lost as the supply of college graduates goes up -- employers have to resort to other means to determine the quality of job applicants."

That signalling function is also lost as a college degree lost it's guarantee that the holder was actually educated. But since attainment of a college degree no longer signals that you have gained a certain level of literacy, analytical ability, mastery of mathematics, etc., it has become increasingly worth less.

Posted by: RonF at February 23, 2015 02:46 PM (l8nW6)

303 "Also, remember gold has no intrinsic economic value. Neither does wheat, or fiat money, or the iPhone, or LeBron James' basketball skills. All utility lies in the eye of the beholder. "

Gold isn't just to look pretty. Try making modern electronics without it. Every chip - every single microprocessor, memory chip, integrated circuit, etc., etc. - contains gold wires connecting the chip itself to the pins on the external case. Every circuit board that plugs into a socket on another circuit board has it's contacts coated with gold. Gold a) is incredibly ductile (you can make the thinnest wires with it without breaking), b) conducts more electricity per crossectional area of wire than almost anything else, and c) doesn't tarnish (ever seen gold polish on a store shelf?).

Posted by: RonF at February 23, 2015 03:08 PM (l8nW6)

304 "Gold isn't just to look pretty. Try making modern electronics without it. "

I mentioned that the iPhone has no intrinsic economic value either.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 03:19 PM (bgGGN)

305 Thus gold was "born to be jewelry," basically. It's valuable because we say it's valuable... which is essentially what fiat currency is.
Posted by: RobM1981 at February 23, 2015 11:34 AM (zurJC)
--

Exactly!

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 03:20 PM (bgGGN)

306 Thus gold was "born to be jewelry," basically. It's valuable because we say it's valuable... which is essentially what fiat currency is.

Crank up the gold presses!

Posted by: toby928(C) at February 23, 2015 03:24 PM (evdj2)

307 How has it failed? When has anyone in history rejected gold as a form of payment?
Posted by: SH at February 23, 2015 11:03 AM (gmeXX)
--
I've never accepted payment in gold, and can't imagine I ever would. I don't want gold.

But you asked how it has failed. And the answer is that gold failed in 1907, 1893, 1873, 1869... I could go on. In virtually every case where gold has been used to back fractional reserve banks, liquidity has eventually failed, taking the banks with it. That's what happened in all the so-called Panics. That can't happen to a fiat currency, they just print more to keep the banks open. That's why everyone uses fiat currency now.

The problem is expectations -- when investors know that the losers are going to be the people who didn't cash in paper for gold soon enough in a crisis, you get a crisis every few years.

Posted by: TallDave at February 23, 2015 03:31 PM (bgGGN)

308 I've never accepted payment in gold, and can't imagine I ever would. I don't want gold.

But you asked how it has failed. And the answer is that gold failed in 1907, 1893, 1873, 1869... I could go on. In virtually every case where gold has been used to back fractional reserve banks, liquidity has eventually failed, taking the banks with it. That's what happened in all the so-called Panics. That can't happen to a fiat currency, they just print more to keep the banks open. That's why everyone uses fiat currency now.

The problem is expectations -- when investors know that the losers are going to be the people who didn't cash in paper for gold soon enough in a crisis, you get a crisis every few years.

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But I doubt you have ever rejected it. And if the country collapsed and you needed payment for something - perhaps that food you have stockpiled, I presume you would accept gold which you could then use to purchase something you needed. Its possible people wouldn't accept gold, but that would be the first time in history. The whole point was that gold (for me) is not an investment, but a currency subsitute. But if we get to the point where we need gold as opposed to the dollar, then the world has really probably gone in the tanker. I suppose I would have bigger issues then (if I am still around).

In sum, I was not espousing a gold-based currency - only that gold is the ultimate form of currency which I base on the fact that it always has been a form of currency. Because of that history, I really don't care what the intrinsic value of gold is. History has told me that it has intrinsic value.

Posted by: SH at February 23, 2015 03:51 PM (gmeXX)

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