Saturday, January 31, 2015
The New Enbridge Pipeline
Another pipeline and it's not even on the radar.
Global Research: Enbridge Gets Another Federal Tar Sands Crude Pipeline Permit As Senate Debates Keystone XL
Global Research: Enbridge Gets Another Federal Tar Sands Crude Pipeline Permit As Senate Debates Keystone XL
On January 16, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave Enbridge a controversial Nationwide Permit 12 green-light for its proposed Line 78 pipeline, set to bring heavy tar sands diluted bitumen (“dilbit”) from Pontiac, Illinois to its Griffith, Indiana holding terminal.
Global Warming - Iceland
Guardian UK: Climate change is lifting Iceland – and it could mean more volcanic eruptions - Land moving upward faster than researchers expected at 1.4in every year, allowing ‘hot potato’ rocks to rise
The entire chain reaction of melting ice caps, rising earth surface and volcanic activity is still not entirely understood, Bennett said. But as the surface of the earth rises, so do rocks at depth, released from the pressure of the ice.
Global Warming - The GOP Tide Is Turning
I did a double take when I first read this.
NYT: Most Republicans Say They Back Climate Action, Poll Finds By CORAL DAVENPORT and MARJORIE CONNELLY
NYT: Most Republicans Say They Back Climate Action, Poll Finds By CORAL DAVENPORT and MARJORIE CONNELLY
Among Republicans, 48 percent say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports fighting climate change...
Meaty
AlterNet:
Which Cut of Meat Is Least Likely to Make You Sick? When it comes to foodborne illness risk, steaks, cold cuts, and chicken nuggets are not created equal. By Kiera Butler
The average American eats nearly 271 pounds of meat a year.
Good Morning
On this fine Saturday morning at 8 a.m. it is 1 degree and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It is cold as f*ck. I was just out with the new dog and I had on 4 lower layers and 8 upper layers plus a face mask, body armor hat, and ultra frigid LL Bean gloves, I endured the cold just fine. Congratulate yourself Upper Hudson Valley residents, you are one tough breed, and we are about to put a notch in for the month of January. It's going to be cold in the beginning of February but now we are used to it, we barely shiver anymore, our blood is conditioned and raring to go. February is the month when the light really returns and love is in the air. The future is bright.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Just The Facts
AlterNet: 10 Facts That Will Blow Right-Wingers' Minds - Guess how many times Reagan raised taxes? By Richard Riis
5. Reagan raised federal taxes eleven times.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 29 degrees and it is snowing here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We are expecting 1 to 3 inches of snow today and this would be the second snowstorm of the week. Looks like we are still in for a real cold patch in the upcoming days and I would say we are in the dead of Winter. We see that Romney is dusting off his presidential aspirations publicly once again. Perhaps three is the charm for the mega billionaire, the perfect candidate and champion of the utterly oblivious 1% who seem to believe that poor people have it incredibly easy and are actually wealthy. Romney doesn't have rose colored glasses, his are colored gold - gold is everywhere...
At 9:00 a.m ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is set to tank at the opening bell.
What can I say, it's been a miserable week on Wall Street and the streak is going to continue this morning. Oil is at a bargain basement price and this gas price convenience is driving a devaluation of equities or at least some equities, Apple not included. The US economy grew at a slower pace than desired in the fourth quarter and that's a problem as well. My advice is to make relaxing plans for the weekend and forget about it...
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is set to tank at the opening bell.
What can I say, it's been a miserable week on Wall Street and the streak is going to continue this morning. Oil is at a bargain basement price and this gas price convenience is driving a devaluation of equities or at least some equities, Apple not included. The US economy grew at a slower pace than desired in the fourth quarter and that's a problem as well. My advice is to make relaxing plans for the weekend and forget about it...
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Greek stocks were steady, with banks continuing to recover after slumping earlier this week on fears about the future of the country's international bailout.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 8 degrees and hazy sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we are in for a stretch of extremely cold temperatures after today. Get out the extra layers.
At 9:00 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up, the market is poised to open higher.
Mixed news from the Fed yesterday. The good news is that there is demonstrable evidence that the US economy is improving and job growth appears to be steady. The bad news is that interest rate hikes are soon to follow. So, grab that cheap re-fi while you can.
Reuters: Fed upbeat on U.S. economy, cites strong job gains
At 9:00 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up, the market is poised to open higher.
Mixed news from the Fed yesterday. The good news is that there is demonstrable evidence that the US economy is improving and job growth appears to be steady. The bad news is that interest rate hikes are soon to follow. So, grab that cheap re-fi while you can.
Reuters: Fed upbeat on U.S. economy, cites strong job gains
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday said the U.S. economy was expanding "at a solid pace" with strong job gains in a signal that the central bank remains on track with its plans to raise interest rates this year.Reuters: U.S. jobless claims drop sharply to near 15-year low
...unemployment benefits dropped 43,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended Jan. 24...
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Transient Flash
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds.
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance.
A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain. - Buddha
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 12 degrees and cloudy with a little bit of sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we are in for a week of real Winter, lots of deep cold and some more snow. We survived Juno just fine. I'm guessing we got about 6 inches of snow and the roads are just fine. Now it's a matter of dressing with lots of layers because it is cold out there.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
Man do we wish we bought shares of Apple way back in 2008 when the price of one share was below $100. I do not have the exact number but that share would be worth approximately $1,000 give or take right now - not bad, not bad at all. It is corporate report time and on top of that the Fed is issuing a statement - it's open season.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open higher.
Man do we wish we bought shares of Apple way back in 2008 when the price of one share was below $100. I do not have the exact number but that share would be worth approximately $1,000 give or take right now - not bad, not bad at all. It is corporate report time and on top of that the Fed is issuing a statement - it's open season.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Shares in Apple are expected to jump at the open after the company posted the biggest profit in corporate history in the last quarter, when it sold 74.5 million iPhones.
The Fed is concluding its two-day meeting Wednesday and investors will be parsing through the Fed's new statement to guess when the central bank may be ready to raise interest rates.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Okay
You know, it's overcast here, it's cold, we were expecting Armageddon, why not...
AlterNet: 10 of the Weirdest Sex Toys for Women - Artificial hymen, anyone? By Carrie Weisman
AlterNet: 10 of the Weirdest Sex Toys for Women - Artificial hymen, anyone? By Carrie Weisman
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 14 degrees, overcast, and very very lightly snowing here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The weather report has modified it's forecast for this area and right now we are expected to get only 2 to 6 inches of snow today. That's down quite a bit from the 8 to 14 inches we were expecting. What can we say, we dodged the bullet. Apparently Boston is getting pounded but NYC missed the bulk of Juno. I woke up expecting to see a wall of white stuff and low and behold, nada.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to tank at the opening bell.
Allegedly it is corporate results or should we say disappointing corporate results that are dragging on the market today. There is a boatload of results coming up today and after the closing bell, let's see what happens. Either way, the waves have gotten a lot choppier.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to tank at the opening bell.
Allegedly it is corporate results or should we say disappointing corporate results that are dragging on the market today. There is a boatload of results coming up today and after the closing bell, let's see what happens. Either way, the waves have gotten a lot choppier.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
...traders express disappointment over some quarterly results.
Monday, January 26, 2015
It's Here
It started to very lightly snow here just before 3 PM and it is gradually picking up. I was out walking the dog around 1:30 and the cold was bone chilling. It was difficult to stay out even with my many layers of clothing. I'm figuring to give 36 hours of time completely over to Mother Nature and I've dusted off the generator just in case.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 10 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. As you know we are expecting 8 to 10 inches of snow starting this afternoon and through Tuesday. It is NYC that is going to really get the brunt of this one with up to 3 feet of snow and winds gushing around 60 MPH. It is the blizzard of 2015. It's been a heck of a year so far.
At 8:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Check out the Greek people, they did in fact vote into power the left leaning Syriza Party. This has naturally freaked out the investment world. Just like the blizzard, let's see what happens in Greece and also like the blizzard, we don't have much of a choice.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Check out the Greek people, they did in fact vote into power the left leaning Syriza Party. This has naturally freaked out the investment world. Just like the blizzard, let's see what happens in Greece and also like the blizzard, we don't have much of a choice.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
The left-wing Syriza party swept to victory in elections on Sunday, fueled by populist anger over years of severe austerity measures in Greece.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Stay Home
Channel 10 Albany: Cuomo asks commuters to consider staying home
“The incoming winter storm is forecasted to hit the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island beginning first thing tomorrow, with the heaviest snow starting in the afternoon at a rate of 1-4 inches an hour. As a result, commuters should consider working from home on Monday if possible to avoid disruptions from likely road and public transportation closures,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York State is taking all necessary precautions to prepare for this storm, and I urge residents to put safety first and plan ahead to protect themselves and others throughout the duration of this snowstorm.”
Huge Snowstorm Coming
Looks like we are going to get pounded with snow, and NYC is presently expected to get the brunt of it.
CNN: New York City mayor: 'Don't underestimate this storm'
CNN: New York City mayor: 'Don't underestimate this storm'
A monster snowstorm is expected to slam into the Northeast on Monday and Tuesday, dumping what could be up to 3 feet of snow in Boston and New York, along with freezing rain and strong gusts possibly reaching hurricane level. The storm is expected to hit northern New Jersey through southern Connecticut and freeze Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts.For the Albany NY area
Winter Storm Warning in effect from 1 pm Monday to 1 am EST Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow, which is in effect from 1 pm Monday to 1 am EST Wednesday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
Locations: greater capital region, Helderbergs, Schoharie County, Saratoga region, Glens Falls area and northern Washington County.
Hazard types: Heavy snow.
Snow accumulations: 8 to 14 inches.
Before Not After
NYT: Ask Well: The Best Time to Exercise to Lose Weight
"...early-morning exercise in the fasted state is more potent than an identical amount of exercise in the fed state” for maintaining healthy waistlines.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Toxic Myths
AlterNet: Why the Toxic Myths Rich People Believe About the Poor Are So Dangerous - Inequality and regressive tax policies hurt everyone, even rich people.
By David Sirota
...a comprehensive analysis by the nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy finds that the poorest 20 percent of households pay on average more than twice the effective state and local tax rate (10.9 percent) as the richest 1 percent of taxpayers (5.4 percent).
Friday, January 23, 2015
Have A Great Friday
work by John Heartfield - German artist 1891 - 1968, anti-Nazi illustrator.
'blood and iron'
'blood and iron'
Continue The Policies
Great, just what the world needs, a continuation of Saudi policies. After all, they truly are so just and humane especially towards women, dissidents, the poor, immigrants, and foreigners...
Guardian UK: Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman moves quickly to settle future succession - Salman bin Abdulaziz also promises to continue the policies of his predecessors after death of Abdullah after nearly two decades in power
Guardian UK: Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman moves quickly to settle future succession - Salman bin Abdulaziz also promises to continue the policies of his predecessors after death of Abdullah after nearly two decades in power
Global Warming - Geophysical Karma
WaPo: The U.S. has caused more global warming than any other country. Here’s how the Earth will get its revenge.
The United States will actually get a lot more sea level rise than many other parts of the world — possibly over 14 feet. Call it geophysical karma — we’re the nation most responsible for global warming and, at least in this particular case, we’ll get more of the consequences.
The Joke News
Fundamentally speaking, FOX is a joke. Unfortunately they also inspire millions of ditto head Americans to be a willfully stupid electorate.
AlterNet: “This Guy’s Clearly a Complete Idiot”: How Fox News Became a Joke in Paris - The news channel has been roasted for its erroneous depiction of Muslim-linked no-go zones.
AlterNet: “This Guy’s Clearly a Complete Idiot”: How Fox News Became a Joke in Paris - The news channel has been roasted for its erroneous depiction of Muslim-linked no-go zones.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 23 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We might even get above freezing today and tomorrow and then it's back to the super cold stuff. Well we are in the middle of Winter. I don't like the crust of ice all over the backyard, I can't play catch with the new dog as she'd go flying and tear up a leg or something. We see that the Saudi king has passed away. As I am not a fan of Saudi culture and especially Saudi social policy, law, and justice, I would have to say I hope his passing somehow helps redefine that culture in a better, more humane way.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are flat and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open in the flat area.
The death of the Saudi king is a big deal with Saudi Arabia still the world's top oil producer. No doubt all will get worked out over the next period. Right now oil is floating between $45 and $50 a barrel and at that price the oil boom in the Dakotas is already starting to close up shop. That price does not support the desired profit level.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are flat and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open in the flat area.
The death of the Saudi king is a big deal with Saudi Arabia still the world's top oil producer. No doubt all will get worked out over the next period. Right now oil is floating between $45 and $50 a barrel and at that price the oil boom in the Dakotas is already starting to close up shop. That price does not support the desired profit level.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
"I think that given the dramatic drop in oil prices, the Saudis might be taking a closer look at their options but if a change is made, it will likely be a function of economics, not because of the change in leadership..."
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Global Warming - A Dunce Cap For The GOP Led Senate - Willful Stupidity
As I have said many times before in response to Senator James Inhofe's 'ascertion' that: ‘Man can’t change climate', we need to remind the senator that mankind has already conceded to the fact that mankind can in fact change the climate when mankind recognized that nuclear weapons could scorch the earth of virtually everything. I worry that the senator may be suffering from dementia.
Guardian UK: US Senate fails to accept humanity's role in climate change, again - Senators accept global warming is not a hoax but fail to recognize human activity is to blame, nearly 27 years after scientists laid out man’s role
Guardian UK: US Senate fails to accept humanity's role in climate change, again - Senators accept global warming is not a hoax but fail to recognize human activity is to blame, nearly 27 years after scientists laid out man’s role
James Inhofe: ‘Man can’t change climate’.
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 20 degrees and hazy sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like the temperatures may get above freezing here over the next few days and it could be sunny. That's good for me and my long afternoon walk. The month is flying by.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
All you need to know for today is right here - CNN Breaking News: European Central Bank takes dramatic step to stimulate troubled economy, unveiling massive bond-buying program. I've been wrong many times predicting the outcome of the markets on a particular day, but I would suspect this major announcement from the ECB will at least grease the morning's market activity. To say the ECB announcement is welcome news is an understatement.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
All you need to know for today is right here - CNN Breaking News: European Central Bank takes dramatic step to stimulate troubled economy, unveiling massive bond-buying program. I've been wrong many times predicting the outcome of the markets on a particular day, but I would suspect this major announcement from the ECB will at least grease the morning's market activity. To say the ECB announcement is welcome news is an understatement.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
...a huge stimulus program that could inject as much as one trillion euros ($1.2 trillion) into the eurozone economy by the end of 2016.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Have A Great Wednesday
work by John Heartfield - German artist 1891 - 1968
Hurrah , the butter is gone !
Hurrah , the butter is gone !
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 14 degrees, cloudy, but still a little sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like a week of 20s during the day. We can handle it in our sleep. I did not watch Obama last night as I know a few things about it. First it was a purely political speech in that he is attempting to somehow open the door for a democratic president in 2016 by creating space between democratic ideas and the GOP. Second I know that none of his proposals will get through the House or Senate and there's no point in explaining that. On the other hand I am still somewhat amused by the mayor of Paris seeking to sue FOX News for their heaping of BS on that fair city. I will be keenly watching although I suspect nothing will come of it, still it's fun.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
I think the announcement of the ECB throwing out some quantitative easing measures for the eurozone on Thursday will be met with a roar. Otherwise notice that energy company Baker Hughes is cutting jobs in the light of cheaper oil. They are not the first nor will they be the last company to do this as the oil shakeout continues into the future.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open lower.
I think the announcement of the ECB throwing out some quantitative easing measures for the eurozone on Thursday will be met with a roar. Otherwise notice that energy company Baker Hughes is cutting jobs in the light of cheaper oil. They are not the first nor will they be the last company to do this as the oil shakeout continues into the future.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
The European Central Bank is widely expected to unveil plans for massive bond purchases when it meets on Thursday.
Baker Hughes shares sank in extended trading after the energy company said it was slashing 7,000 jobs and cutting spending by 20%.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Have A Great Tuesday
work by John Heartfield - German artist 1891 - 1968. He was a pioneer in the use of art as a political weapon. Some of his photomontages were anti-Nazi and anti-fascist statements. Wikipedia
The Drought
OrovilleMR News: Forecasts show drought continuing in California, Southwest
...won’t be enough snow to boost water supplies.
Global Warming - New GOP Talking Points Coming
Daily Caller: Are Republicans Preparing To Surrender The Global Warming Debate?
Republicans have hired consultants to help them come up with unified talking points on global warming, according to a report by the Washington Examiner.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 23 degrees with a little bit of sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The forecast is predicting temperatures in the 20s over the next few days. Not that it matters much as they change the forecast so often. My forecast is better and more reliable - it's Winter, it's cold. The light is indeed improving, the Sun is a little bit stronger in the sky and it's noticeable. Yeah for that. I had a good productive day on Monday and managed to listen to a long historical piece on Dr Martin Luther King, what a man. He is a model for anybody, amazing. And did I mention that the Knicks won a game, that would be after a record 16 losses in a row.
At 9 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market will open higher and energy stocks will get nailed, again.
The IMF forecast for the world economy is in the headlines this morning. That forecast is - it sucks and will suck next year too. What's the big deal, the world is always falling apart. It falls apart as fast as something that causes improvement occurs, maybe faster. We learn from our suffering, that's the human condition.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
At 9 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market will open higher and energy stocks will get nailed, again.
The IMF forecast for the world economy is in the headlines this morning. That forecast is - it sucks and will suck next year too. What's the big deal, the world is always falling apart. It falls apart as fast as something that causes improvement occurs, maybe faster. We learn from our suffering, that's the human condition.
CNN: Stocks: 6 things to know before the open
Still, there was plenty of gloom shrouding the world economy as the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global growth for this year and next.
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 34 degrees and slightly sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The temperatures in the region are playing havoc with driving as the temperature dips above and below freezing following yesterday's rain. Drive carefully, the pictures of the massive car pileups are all about black ice. The ground is once again starting to reappear in this area. January is flying by. We've managed to accumulate around 1/2 hour of more daylight and in the next 30 days we'll gain another hour. Right now we are gaining around 2 minutes of daylight per day and the sunrise is even starting to kick back a little.
The market is closed for the holiday.
Reuters: Europe holds on to ECB hope, shrugs off China slump
The market is closed for the holiday.
Reuters: Europe holds on to ECB hope, shrugs off China slump
...investors shrugged off the steepest fall in Chinese shares for over six years and bet the European Central Bank will unveil a bond-buying economic stimulus package later this week.
Anticipation the ECB will announce such quantitative easing, or QE, at its Thursday policy meeting...
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Have A Great Sunday
work by John Heartfield - German artist 1891 - 1968. He was a pioneer in the use of art as a political weapon. Some of his photomontages were anti-Nazi and anti-fascist statements. Wikipedia
Arbeiter-Illustrierte-Zeitung or AIZ (in English, The Workers Pictorial Newspaper) was a German illustrated magazine published between 1924 and March 1933 in Berlin, and afterward in Prague and finally Paris until 1938. Anti-Fascism and pro-Communism in stance, it was published by Willi Münzenberg and is best remembered for the propagandistic photomontages of John Heartfield. Wikipedia
Arbeiter-Illustrierte-Zeitung or AIZ (in English, The Workers Pictorial Newspaper) was a German illustrated magazine published between 1924 and March 1933 in Berlin, and afterward in Prague and finally Paris until 1938. Anti-Fascism and pro-Communism in stance, it was published by Willi Münzenberg and is best remembered for the propagandistic photomontages of John Heartfield. Wikipedia
Cuts
Another purely political move by Obama designed to erode the credibility of the GOP as a party that is concerned about the working and middle class. The present GOP Congress and Senate would never ever ever pass such a measure and if it were to pass, it would be watered down and blurred of the original intent yet the name of the bill would sound fantastic - 'The American Tax Freedom Act' for example. In reality the GOP version of the bill would tax the middle class even more and lower the taxes of the ultra-rich even more.
Guardian UK: Obama to propose $325bn plan to provide tax cuts for the middle class - President seeks to provide middle-class tax breaks by levying higher fees on banks, closing loopholes for trust funds, and raising the capital gains threshold
Guardian UK: Obama to propose $325bn plan to provide tax cuts for the middle class - President seeks to provide middle-class tax breaks by levying higher fees on banks, closing loopholes for trust funds, and raising the capital gains threshold
Global Warming - Oceans
WaPo: Scientists react to warmest year: 2014 underscores ‘undeniable fact’ of human-caused climate change
Ocean temperatures were more than 1 F above average, NOAA said.
Oh The Outrage
AlterNet: 5 Outrageous Right-Wing Moments This Week: Red-Faced Fox Actually Admits It Made a Mistake - Turns out even Rupert Murdoch can be shamed.
3. Fox guest invents concept of Muslim no-go zones, for which Fox apologizes, since all of Europe is laughing at it.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'
trailer - I watched this on Netflix last night and really enjoyed the movie. There is a line from the movie that caught my attention, I think it's spot on - "He's a fanatic. And the fanatic is always concealing a secret doubt."
Excessive
I give the police the benefit of the doubt and support their work. It's a very hard job and they deserve credit and then some. However, pump five rounds into a 95 year old WW2 vet and kill him. Sorry, that's criminal, that's a psycho.
Chicago Tribune: Officer's trial in death of Wrana, 95, ends with prosecutor holding shotgun
Chicago Tribune: Officer's trial in death of Wrana, 95, ends with prosecutor holding shotgun
Global Warming - Another New Record
The title of this article - "2014 Breaks Heat Record, Challenging Global Warming Skeptics" - irks me. It's as if authority is in the hands of dimwits and science is a little goofy puppy begging for attention and this is from the New York Times no less, they should know better. On the level of government, nothing will happen with global warming policy. Forget about it. Global warming is a humankind, vast, and deathly serious problem and must be addressed by all of us. The deniers can do whatever the hell they please, nature doesn't really care what the hell deniers think or do. Stop trying to convince anyone of global warming and getting upset about it. Use that mental or physical energy for making your own life lighter on the CO2 footprint and do the same for the life of anybody else that wants it. End of story.
NYT: 2014 Breaks Heat Record, Challenging Global Warming Skeptics By JUSTIN GILLIS
NYT: 2014 Breaks Heat Record, Challenging Global Warming Skeptics By JUSTIN GILLIS
Friday, January 16, 2015
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is a whopping 29 degrees and it is relatively sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like it's going to get pretty dang cold tonight. Well my day is starting off with a bang as one of my work duties is calling with an emergency. Friday is starting off with a bang.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open lower.
Is it just me or does is seem like the world is going through a major conniption right now. The stock market is a mess as the price of oil attempts to find a point of stability. Add to this a new monetary floating of the Swiss currency and deflation in the eurozone. I must say though I do thank the Saudis for not flogging that blogger. Now this is why I am beginning to become less and less supportive of the notion of a moderate Muslim 'center'. I am doubting its existence. Flogging really, WTF?
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are modestly lower and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open lower.
Is it just me or does is seem like the world is going through a major conniption right now. The stock market is a mess as the price of oil attempts to find a point of stability. Add to this a new monetary floating of the Swiss currency and deflation in the eurozone. I must say though I do thank the Saudis for not flogging that blogger. Now this is why I am beginning to become less and less supportive of the notion of a moderate Muslim 'center'. I am doubting its existence. Flogging really, WTF?
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
The Swiss stock market is still tumbling Friday, with the benchmark index off by more than 5% as investors consider the long-term implications of Switzerland's surprise decision to let its currency float freely instead of pinning it to the euro.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Pope - Free Speech Has Limits
To me it sounds like the Pope is being a mediator.
BBC: Paris attacks: Pope Francis says freedom of speech has limits
BBC: Paris attacks: Pope Francis says freedom of speech has limits
"You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit."
Maddow - US Terror Plot Foiled By FBI Arrest Of Ohio Man
I consider myself a relatively tolerant moderate, but this is truly getting ridiculous. These fundamentalists are a huge problem and more power to the FBI for tracking these idiots down.
MSNBC: US terror plot foiled by FBI arrest of Ohio man
MSNBC: US terror plot foiled by FBI arrest of Ohio man
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 10 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like the temperatures will be gradually climbing up from the sub zero mark. That 10 degrees is the warmest it's been around here in the early morning for a few days. Yesterday I had the distinct 'pleasure' of having to do clean up after some drain pipes erupted from stoppages no doubt caused by the cold. This was at an apartment complex where I perform some property management duties. The drain guy fixed the flow of the waste water and all is now well but I had the chore of cleaning up the mess. Waste water is a pleasant way of describing what it in fact is. And there you have my Wednesday afternoon. I came home and went directly to the clothes washer to throw everything in for de-mucking, then from there to a long shower. Amazingly I feel fine today. Go figure.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is surprisingly higher. The market is poised to open higher.
I am still parsing this move by the Swiss, it seems like a big deal. What I did notice in the article is that Radio Shack is planning to file for bankruptcy. Is this the end of the chain? You tell me. I do know that I have gone to Radio Shack for eons and that I will miss it if and when it goes.
CNN: Swiss currency bombshell stuns markets
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is surprisingly higher. The market is poised to open higher.
I am still parsing this move by the Swiss, it seems like a big deal. What I did notice in the article is that Radio Shack is planning to file for bankruptcy. Is this the end of the chain? You tell me. I do know that I have gone to Radio Shack for eons and that I will miss it if and when it goes.
CNN: Swiss currency bombshell stuns markets
The Swiss central bank removed its exchange rate ceiling of 1.2 Swiss francs to the euro, a cap introduced in 2011 during the eurozone crisis to limit the flow of cash into the traditional safe-haven economy.
The franc surged against the euro, U.S. dollar and U.K. pound on the news, despite a simultaneous announcement that key Swiss interest rates were being cut to minus 0.75%.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Global Warming - The Senate
Mashable: Senate to vote on existence of manmade global warming, again
In short, the amendment, offered by Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, asks senators to agree or disagree that "climate change is real" and is "caused by human activities," among other findings.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is -4 degrees and it is hazy cloudy with a patina of sun here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Allegedly the temperature gets into the high 20s today with sunshine too and that will seem like a heatwave. January is just plain out flying by as we are into the middle of the month. I'm starting to notice the slight growth in daylight as my 5p.m. appointments now begin in a little bit of light. Hang on, the light and warmth are coming.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is once again down. The market is poised to open drastically lower.
Hang on to your hats ladies and gentlemen, the sky is partially falling. What can I say, it's -4 degrees and everybody is getting poorer in the stroke of a pen swipe. Rather than dwell on the inevitable may I suggest that the day is good for a long soak in the tub followed by a nap.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are significantly lower and the price of oil per barrel is once again down. The market is poised to open drastically lower.
Hang on to your hats ladies and gentlemen, the sky is partially falling. What can I say, it's -4 degrees and everybody is getting poorer in the stroke of a pen swipe. Rather than dwell on the inevitable may I suggest that the day is good for a long soak in the tub followed by a nap.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
The World Bank has slashed its forecast for the global economy over the next two years, predicting growth of 3% this year and 3.3% in 2016.
At 2 p.m. the U.S. Federal Reserve will release its latest Beige Book.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 6 degrees and hazy cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Sunshine is expected through the day and a gradual rising in temperatures is also expected through the week. We see that the Saudi blogger is now being flogged. Of all the horrible things that go on in the world this is utterly unnecessary and cruel. It literally makes me sick to read about it, that poor man.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is now down below $45 a barrel. The market is poised to open higher and energy stocks will once again lose value.
What can we say, it's the beginning of earnings season and simultaneously the economy of the world is rearranging as the oil glut continues. It's a time of big changes and countries on the fringe with oil as their main export like Venezuela are in big trouble. 2015 is revving up for some huge changes.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is now down below $45 a barrel. The market is poised to open higher and energy stocks will once again lose value.
What can we say, it's the beginning of earnings season and simultaneously the economy of the world is rearranging as the oil glut continues. It's a time of big changes and countries on the fringe with oil as their main export like Venezuela are in big trouble. 2015 is revving up for some huge changes.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
U.S. crude futures are down another 3% this morning, trading at roughly $44.50 per barrel. Oil prices fell by more than 5% on Monday.
Monday, January 12, 2015
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 28 degrees and lightly snowing here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we are in for a burst of extreme cold tonight and tomorrow but then it will get a little warmer. I hope you had a good weekend. I deliberately tried to stay away from the normal harsh news yesterday, and the intent is to make that the norm for Sunday. As we know the news is usually bleak, it's always bleak.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market will open higher and yet again energy equities will take it on the chin.
Oil continues to get cheaper now floating close to $45 a barrel. The pressure is on more and more for fringe oil companies to stop production as this price per barrel does not even support production costs let alone a profit. Of course this is the intent, as the oil war continues. Today marks the beginning of earnings reports for the fourth quarter of 2014. It will be interesting to see how the price of oil has affected the reports.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market will open higher and yet again energy equities will take it on the chin.
Oil continues to get cheaper now floating close to $45 a barrel. The pressure is on more and more for fringe oil companies to stop production as this price per barrel does not even support production costs let alone a profit. Of course this is the intent, as the oil war continues. Today marks the beginning of earnings reports for the fourth quarter of 2014. It will be interesting to see how the price of oil has affected the reports.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
This week sees the start of earnings season, when a deluge of quarterly reports hit the market. A key company reporting earnings Monday is Alcoa.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Cadmium Exposure
Environmental Health News: Feeling old? It might be from heavy metal - A national study links cadmium exposure to premature aging of cells – even at concentrations well below current safety standards.
Cadmium is naturally occurring on Earth, but it is also produced to make batteries and coat iron and steel. People are exposed to cadmium through contaminated food, tobacco smoke and polluted air near industrial areas.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Friday, January 09, 2015
Late Friday Surprise News
If it comes out late on Friday, it's usually extra strong and with an interest in keeping it quiet..
NYT: Prosecutors Said to Recommend Charges Against Former Gen. David Petraeus
NYT: Prosecutors Said to Recommend Charges Against Former Gen. David Petraeus
Have A Great Friday
work by Charlie Hebdo
I'm not buying this meme that's going around that Charlie Hebdo was all about disguising eurozone Islamaphobia. Take a look at this cartoon. It is a satirical depiction of the Catholic belief of three gods in one god - the father, son, and holy spirit. Admittedly the drawing is incredibly juvenile and to any strict Catholic this would be an outrage. I suspect it's about the pedophile priest scandals that rock the Catholic Church. So, they were not going after Muslims exclusively. I mean France is very Catholic, much more so than it is Muslim. Charlie Hebdo is an equal opportunity juvenile satirist publication. The question that remains is why are a very few Muslims more willing to go on a murderous rampage about it.
I'm not buying this meme that's going around that Charlie Hebdo was all about disguising eurozone Islamaphobia. Take a look at this cartoon. It is a satirical depiction of the Catholic belief of three gods in one god - the father, son, and holy spirit. Admittedly the drawing is incredibly juvenile and to any strict Catholic this would be an outrage. I suspect it's about the pedophile priest scandals that rock the Catholic Church. So, they were not going after Muslims exclusively. I mean France is very Catholic, much more so than it is Muslim. Charlie Hebdo is an equal opportunity juvenile satirist publication. The question that remains is why are a very few Muslims more willing to go on a murderous rampage about it.
The Drought
Capital Public Radio: California Drought Persists; 2014 Warmest Year On Record by Ed Joyce
Hostage Situation
This mess is going through all the horrible and disturbing natural requisites that idiot terrorists do so enjoy. Such stupidity.
Guardian UK: Charlie Hebdo attack: new hostage situation at Paris grocery – live updates
Guardian UK: Charlie Hebdo attack: new hostage situation at Paris grocery – live updates
Global Warming - Top Denyer
I've always liked the way Inhofe says that scientists are arrogant to think that mankind could possibly cause global warming and thereby wreck something created by god. Inhofe conveniently forgets that over the last few decades mankind had learned to easily destroy the world with nuclear weapons. This is the essence of the Inhofe mind, say what's convenient for the moment, and let's forget about recent history and those nasty little facts.
WaPo: Jim Inhofe is a small-plane-flying, global-warming-denying senator. And now he’s got a gavel.
WaPo: Jim Inhofe is a small-plane-flying, global-warming-denying senator. And now he’s got a gavel.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 17 degrees and I think it just stopped snowing for the moment here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We got a solid dusting of snow overnight. As I look out my window while typing this it's really quite beautiful and a classic winter wonderland scene outside. Winter is like a huge freezer where everything in nature is being preserved, just like you'd freeze ice cream to preserve it. The land is being preserved for the new growth and all life including people are more or less huddled conserving energy and trying to stay warm.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is slightly lower. The market is poised to open higher.
Checking the articles this morning it looks like the falling unemployment rate and the addition of 252,000 jobs in the month of December is positive news. However the alarm that deflation is occurring in the eurozone is balancing the positive with negative. Yet the Fed on Thursday predicted a few years of upward trending economic activity. So what wins the day? Enjoy the weekend.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is slightly lower. The market is poised to open higher.
Checking the articles this morning it looks like the falling unemployment rate and the addition of 252,000 jobs in the month of December is positive news. However the alarm that deflation is occurring in the eurozone is balancing the positive with negative. Yet the Fed on Thursday predicted a few years of upward trending economic activity. So what wins the day? Enjoy the weekend.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Germany and France, the eurozone's two biggest economies, reported a drop in industrial production in November. That follows an initial reading of eurozone December inflation earlier this week that showed consumer prices fell.
U.S. economy added 252,000 jobs in December, making 2014 best year since 1999. Unemployment declined to 5.6%.
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