Sunday, November 30, 2008

Not much to say on this...

I'm sorry the attacks on Mumbai happened over U.S. Thanksgiving. Well, I'm sorry this happened at all. Those I've met from India are really nice people and it was so sad to see that American father and his young daughter murdered. Not to mention this grand old hotel being destroyed... although I have some hope for it's restoration.

What I hope is that terrorists finally wake up and realize that nothing can be accomplished with violence. India, home of Ghandi, provides an example of change through non-violence. I hope that those who are disenfranchised with the West become even more turned off by this senseless violence. That is the only way this will end.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Hmm... not on the scumbag's pardon list???

Border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean remain in prison as a list of 14 Presidential Pardons is released by Bush. All I can say is that I really hope Bush has not completed his selections! Otherwise, Bush tops my list of Greatest Scumbag Evar!

Get with it, Bushie!

It's a test....

Obama does a news conference today with his economic team in the background... Seemed to work o.k. as the DOW rallied after they were done. Gosh, it was up like 500 plus points the last I checked... Well, at least the markets didn't go "in the crapper" as they always did when Bush spoke!

Now, he kept talking about the "2.5 million jobs" that they were going to create... How in the hell can they know exactly how many jobs would be created? It's time to get off of campaign mode and get into reality! Still, the infrastructure and green jobs plan seems to have some merit.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Auto execs at the trough...

I can't exactly pin it down, but I hear these figures being tossed about where Detroit auto workers make like $70 per hour. Perhaps that is WITH benefits? Workers at the Southern plants, such as Toyota, make like $40, I am told.

Geez, no WONDER the Detroit automakers are going belly up! I believe unions have had their place in history, but these wage figures are ridiculous in my opinion. An R.N. at a hospital may make $30 or less, with more education.

Yeah, production line work can be boring. So what? It beats sitting at home watching Jerry Springer!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Gas at $1.97 a gallon!

Hmm... Time to gas up! I read it is like $1.84 in Missouri... Did the economy fall that fast to curtail usage THAT MUCH??? I think NOT! Yeah, I belive usage tapered off a tad bit, but I'm very skeptical.

More than likely, the oil markets are reacting like the stock market. Still, I'm glad this happened and also glad that I didn't trade any oil futures.

I don't expect this to hold through the summer. Wish there was a way to store it, but I don't trust old gas... What I'd like to see is gas below $3 next July. That would be a reasonable seasonal fluctuation.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

California Prop. 8 passes...

Similar to the constitutanal ammendment in Colorado's 2006 ballot, California banned gay marriage. The difference is that due to a state supreme court decision, they were already allowing same-sex couples to wed.

Well, the people have spoken. But I hear this ballot proposition will be challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.

I think that perhaps people get upset over courts redefining marriage. To me, I don't see what the big deal is! People should realize that it is the bond between the persons involved in the relationship and NOT the courts or the voters which defines that relationship.

Stop Loss!

Yeah, I watched that intense movie, Stop Loss! It was kind of sad and makes one angry! I never have supported a precipitous withdrawl from Iraq, but am hoping real hard that the new security agreement gets us out soon. I can see three years, as long as we are winding down during that time.

I know they really want us out, we want to go and so all they need to do is step up! Hmm, I make it sound simple, don't I? Well, even if the exit goes well, this movie convinces me that it will be no simple matter caring for Iraq veterans who carry the memories with them.

A few whiners, that's all...

Overall, I think the world is reacting positively to the Obama Presidency... I'm seeing a few bitter posts from those who cannot accept the "change". Although I was not 100% on board with him, I now have no problem in being optimistic and waiting to see what happens.

I'm just glad this is over. McCain ends this episode of his career with classic grace. I just with some of his conservative supporters would do likewise. It is refreshing to see the rest of the world celebrate and anticipate a new era.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

One thing I'm convinced of...

Obama won big tonight... as expected! One thing I am convinced of about this new President-elect is that he is one of the most eloquent speakers since the likes of Ronald Reagan and Jack Kennedy. I can only hope that the organizational skills shown by his campaign transfer over to the new administration.

John McCain was gracious as expected. It is sad he never got to be President in 2000, but I had the feeling that it was too late this time. After the arrogance shown by 8 years of Bush, there was little that could be done to overcome the deficit of enthusiasm for Republicans.

Now comes a period where we can relax a bit and look forward to the change in January. It's going to be a tough uphill fight to right this ship of a country and the world economic crisis. But I have faith that Obama can inspire us to get the job done!