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Re: A funny state of the economy
I also have several Chinese investments.
My Mama always taught me to "Follow The Big Money"
Go with the flow my brothers and sisters, Go with the flow!
Just do what the members of the US Congress do.
I kind of like old drums:)
Re: A funny state of the economy
They don't even have to be real smart ... but it sure helps, if your really rich. Now we got this "big debate" over extending the tax cuts, by "another" 2 years. So. if we need to "extend them" .... (gee Dr. Science, that means they're "already there") ... For 9 years, and all during "that" time .... did we see any jobs created? Did we see any "economic stimulus"? ... who "are" all these small business owners (who make "over $250,000 a year)? All the "small business owners" I know, fall into that "median" category .... $50K (or less).
If I made close to $250K, I'd gladly give 50% up, for taxes. I think I could still manage on an income of $125K. That's only about 14 times what I'm making, now .... all the while .... this diatribe "extend ... expire" BS is over 3%.
And this whole communism, socialism, libraltarianism, semantics .... who cares "what" you call it. It's coming. Like the big alien motherships, from another planet. You can't run. You can't hide. You ain't got a vote in the matter. It's coming. And it's bigger than any one government/nation. It's the "New World Order" in HD.
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Re: A funny state of the economy
"But the most convincing evidence of Keynes's strong fascist bent was the special foreword he prepared for the German edition of The General Theory. This German translation, published in late 1936, included a special introduction for the benefit of Keynes's German readers and for the Nazi regime under which it was published. Not surprisingly, Harrod's idolatrous Life of Keynes makes no mention of this introduction, although it was included two decades later in volume seven of the Collected Writings along with forewords to the Japanese and French editions.
The German introduction, which has scarcely received the benefit of extensive commentary by Keynesian exegetes, includes the following statements by Keynes: "Nevertheless the theory of output as a whole, which is what the following book purports to provide, is much more easily adapted to the conditions of a totalitarian state, than is the theory of production and distribution of a given output produced under conditions of free competition and a lance measure of laissez-faire." (Keynes 1973 [1936]: p. xxvi. Cf. Martin 1971: pp. 2005; Hazlitt [1959] 1973: p. 277; Brunner 1987: p. 38ff.; Hayek 1967: p. 346)"
There is no "NWO". I don't believe in all of this dystopian forecasting...as if we'll all live in prison camps someday. This is naive and it lends far too much credit to the goons who currently run the world. Huxley and Orwell were great fiction writers, not well-read economists. You can remain optimistic because the market will correct the wrongs. Top-heavy states/empires all over the world...England, Europe, E. Europe, the US, are going broke. The parasitic nature of state-capitalism guarantees eventual collapse, which guarantees a dramatically smaller state. A smaller state equals more economic freedom, and economic freedom is one-in-the-same with individual liberty.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Government is a necessary evil to provide stability by tempering power imbalances (nothing like dealing with a multinational when they rip you off - you get the finger and there's not a thing you can do about it). If we could find a way of getting governments to focus on sensible things like helping to temper the natural excesses to which market will naturally gravitate rather than waging counter-productive wars or imposing their religious dogmas on us regarding what we do with our own bodies, it'd be cool.
Re: A funny state of the economy
You make several incorrect assumptions here...let's examine them. I don't believe any degree of "evil" to be necessary, at all.
Assumption 1: Gov't creates stability.
I fail to see this. In the theoretical stateless society, private property and full personal liability renders large-scale war improbable, if not impossible. Nothing destroys wealth and lives faster than war. It is impractical for small parties to attempt to wage war by way of their own finances, not extracted from taxpayers. To the point, large-scale war is the product of government and no other human institution has claimed lives and property faster, in the history of mankind. War is the antithesis of safety and stability.
Assumption 2: Corporations = free enterprise
Incorrect. The opposite is true. Corporations are state-licenced entities, deriving special privilege from the state. Any power that corporations have over individuals is derived from state-power and cannot otherwise exist, at least not for very long, since it would be self-destructive to even attempt it. I'm not sure what type of "wars" you're referring to, but see #1 (private property prevents frivolous unprofitable pursuits.) Any corporatist abuse you can cite today is a problem with government-granted privilege, not the free market.
Assumption 3: Statism = safety
This is core, of course. States are formed out of fear...fear of our neighbors and xenophobic paranoia of "outsiders". This is the selling point of statists, but the unfortunate irony is; states are to be feared above all else. Nothing compromises your safety and stability more. After all, we are just talking about *people*, are we not? Fear of your fellow man is the *worst* justification for creating a special coercive monopoly in society, allowed to use murder and the threat thereof, to force the will of the majority onto others, I have ever heard.
Wishing that you could get government to be sensible and actually solve problems in society is nothing more than a logical fallacy. I've been accused of being utopian by people who claim such things, believe it or not. On the contrary, because I'm aware that utopia is impossible, I advocate a society that reflects human nature, rather than one that rubs directly against its grain.
Western prosperity was built atop state-capitalism. Think of this as a farm for free-range animals. Free-range animals have the illusion of freedom and thus are more productive. In the end, they still go to slaughter. Since state-capitalism resembles free markets in some ways, it is more productive than say, communism. Both systems are inevitable failures, however, it's just the degree of intervention into markets that determines how long this process takes.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Certainly your right to disagree - and have a different opinion.
No, neither "optimistic" or "pessimistic" .... people are optimistic or pessimistic. Politics is a tool, a very useful tool. Especially if you have extreme amounts of wealth.
Well, I'm glad you're an "optimist". I am too. But, whether you ... or I .... or someone else ... has the "correct assessment", there's really nothing we can do about it. Whatever it is ,it's going to happen. With our blessing ... or without.
Again, your right, to disagree.
There's an "elephant" in the room. You can acknowledge that the "elephant" is there .... or you can go on about your business, and ignore that the "elephant" is there. Either way, doesn't matter. The "elephant" couldn't care less, whether he's "seen" or "not".
I don't think I ever mentioned "living in prison camps". And I hate terms like "dystopian" ... it's like throwing terms like socialism, fascism, communism around. Buzz words.
OK... this just pisses me off. If you're calling me "naive" I'm pissed. If you're calling my way of thinking "naive", I'm pissed. I have just as much a right to express myself .... as you .... or anyone else. It's a given, that we don't see "eye to eye" ....
Fact of the matter is ... the goons that run the world, are indeed, running the world. You can't take the power away from the Kings and Queens, dynasties built a thousand years ago. Wealth handed down, from generation to generation.
Again, more "buzz" words. I don't think I've ever read any "Huxley" ... and I've maybe read one "Orwell" book.
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Re: A funny state of the economy
No need to be pissed, Harry. I wasn't sniping at you and certainly meant no offense. Just stating my grounds for disagreement.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Vince, I don't have time to go through everything bit by bit but I do understand that libertarians are 1) very passionate and 2) seek the same things as any of us want - freedom without anarchy .
We have a system that has delivered better outcomes in terms of stability and living standards than in any time in history. Perhaps the model in which it was built has outlived its usefulness? Could be. However, the alternatives offered strike me as idealistic, unrealistic and unconvincing. There are a lot of "experts" who seem to know better than the experts.
The stateless society is an impossible dream (apart from the anarchy in Somalia). As I said, take away the state and someone else will fill the power void. That someone will be the most powerful amongst us - multinationals and organised crime rings. What we would end up with is a collection of feudal lords, at least some based overseas. As it is, they are already pulling the strings, with government acting as both a puppeteer and, thankfully, a filter.
I believe that no system can work ideally when you crowd a squillion people on the planet. What we have is a wicked problem. All I know is the Tea Party and its equivalents are going the wrong way but it's to be expected that when times are hard people pine for the glory days and will cling to any snake oil salesman (or sales woman, as seems to be the case) who promises a return to the good old days. History demonstrates that this approach ends up in disaster.
Hopefully people won't be fooled, although Rupert Murdoch's stable of bias-merchants seem to be calling the shots more than I'd like.
This ain't pessimism - it's reality. In short: too many people, certainly too many for a systemless society without the coordination that government brings. Bear in mind that we already have systems that reflect human nature, hence their existence.
Last edited by Pollyanna; 11-20-2010 at 01:33 PM.
Re: A funny state of the economy
That you disagree with me is implied, received, and understood.
My opinion/observations started around 1971. The end of the Vietnam War. A lot of my friends had older brothers who had served in the "Nam". So, it was relatively easy for me, as a high-schooler, to talk to guys, first hand, who had done and seen things and been places that the 6'o clock news wasn't talking about.
So I got more curious.
Fast forward to 1975, I'm a freshman in college, and since I was in an "honors" program, I didn't have to take bonehead soc. 101. Instead, I had the good fortune to have a professor who was one of Nixon's advisors, as my soc. science teacher.
Again, I learned a lot more than the 6'o clock news was telling me.
Fast forward again.
1979 - Russia invades Afghanistan. I tell people ... yeah ... and after the Russians leave, you'll see the US in there, in 10 years.
Everyone thought I was crazy
1989 - the Berlin Wall comes down. I tell people ... yeah ... China will be embracing capitalism soon, and turn to a "more democratic" government.
Everyone thought I was crazy ..... and in 2008, Fareed Zakaria interviews Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and he talks about China moving "towards" a more democratic form of government, and he mentions the US moving "towards" a more socialistic form.
2001 - the US invades Afghanistan. I tell people ... yeah .... we'll be in this one, for at least 10 years.
Everyone thought I was crazy
2003 - the US invades Iraq. I tell people ... yeah ... we'll be in this one for at least 10 years ... and it's gonna help bankrupt our country.
Everyone thought I was crazy
So certainly, I expect people to disagree with me ... maybe even call me crazy ... but don't dis-respect me and call me, or my opinion "naive". So far, I've been pretty "on the mark" with my predictions.
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Re: A funny state of the economy
Anarchy and chaos aren't synonymous. Real, serious philosophical anarchists have always maintained that government is chaos and anarchy is order. In fact, the circle around the traditional "A" is an "O", as in "Anarchy is Order".
Americans might refer to the (not so) "wild west", Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and other regions/periods of non-authority, for more relevance. There are plenty of examples, besides Somalia:
Polly, I'm not insisting that you agree with me, I'm simply saying that your rationale for the acceptance of statism is not good enough for me. I've long since rejected these types of arguments for the reasons I gave...they're inherently contradictory.
Impossible? Again, maybe...maybe not. I practice non-aggression and peaceful, positive free market exchanges, everyday. Speculating on possibility doesn't make it an unworthy cause.
I'll leave you with a thought from my favorite economist and biggest influence:
"If one rejects laissez faire on account of mans fallibility and moral weakness, one must for the same reason also reject every kind of government action." - Ludwig von Mises
Re: A funny state of the economy
Vince, how so you see anarchy and chaos as not synonymous ... especially in a world with 6 billion+ people? I can't see it ... it sounds theoretical to me.
I don't know about you but life in Sydney is not violent, at least not in my circles. The state (in western countries) is less violent than any in history. They certainly could be more sensible, agreed. The war on drugs and incursions into people's private lives generally are counter-productive and unethical, but I think if we chip away at these issues (and the bloody Tea Party doesn't get in) perhaps we can achieve sane policy ... (that applies to the Tea Party's OS equivalents too). Guess you're talking revolution and I'm talking evolution.
Thing is about multinationals, do you think that without state support they would fold? I don't. I suggest that they have the power to be more resilient without state support than smaller, less powerful organisations. The ethics and rules of the free market are no different to any other area of life - might is right.
The less the state is involved as a regulator, the bigger the advantage of economies of scale in the market. You would have a rash of monopolies and cartels. Unchecked, the market will have a constant cycle of bubbles and crashes. Unchecked, the strong in the market would annihilate the smaller players (more so than they are doing now with weak regulation) ... in the same way as the physically strong will prey on the weak without laws to temper people's behaviour.
I feel like you are speculating as to what would have happened if we'd had free market instead of capitalism - and the world didn't have a history of monarchies, dictatorships and feudal societies. Thing is, look at where we are now and imagine what would happen if you stripped the safeguards away. I think the biggest problem is what's always been the problem - the powerful exploit the less powerful. This happens in any system, but states are supposed to temper this tendency to make for more stable society.
One thing that peeves me is everyone seems to be up in arms now that Obama is in. Where were they when Bush was growing the public service at record levels and bankrupting the country with bad policy and military adventurism? It seems that the current US govt is copping a lot of blame for the previous administration's mistakes and in failing to solve wicked problems (which of course, have no painless solution).
I blame Murdoch, who seems to be in love with the Tea Party.
Re: A funny state of the economy
There is also of course the fact that Obama, who was elected under the banner of hope and change, has consistantly followed the same course as the previous administration, and gone back on most of his promises. I think people hoped that this eloquent, intelligent man would go where no politician has gone for a long time and actually do what he said he was going to do, and since he's comprehensively failed to do that they have reason to be unhappy with him.
Anarchy = without a ruler, just as monarchy = one ruler. When in human history has a real free market ever been tried? I think America in its infancy was the closest thing in modern times, and that was acknowledged as a threat at the time by the old powers over here in the UK. The interest-free system of credit was too much for them to bear, because they knew it would replace the old system if allowed to continue.
Re: A funny state of the economy
I see it as backwards, to assume that a larger population requires more centralized oversight and control. This is the antithesis of the empirical evidence we have for human action - how humans behave in markets. Scarcity is best addressed by localized organization and spontaneous order. As the US has grown in size, the central state has grown less and less efficient (and concerned) with addressing the needs of its citizens. The 545 folks in Washington DC are finding it impossible to represent 308 million individual citizens and solve any real problems, as an example. They are destroying the economy, in an attempt to do so. Meeting the needs of consumers means gathering information on the ground and responding to it...not while reading faulty, aggregated data and making blanket rules for all, thousands of miles away.
A monopoly would very likely not exist in a free market. This is virtually guaranteed by competitive pressure. Currenly, the only way a monopoly can exist is in the context of aggression. Competition simply cannot be eliminated without force, since new entrepreneurs will see the profit incentive to out-compete the older, less consumer-responsive company.
Theoretically a monopoly *could* occur in a free market economy, but only by continuing to please consumers with a superior, less expensive good or service. The reward for pleasing the greatest number of consumers is becoming the top-dog in your industry.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Ironwood kit Tiki kit Openhanders Vids
Re: A funny state of the economy
[quote=zambizzi;767890]Libertarians are anarchists. Political "libertarians", such as the partyarchs involved with the LP, are something else entirely. The of libertarian philosophy is the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP), which when followed to its logical conclusion, consistently, cannot advocate statism in any form.
The current group of people calling themselves Libertarians and the Tea Party are just the Religious Right of the 1980s with a new branding message of "small government." They support government control of reproduction and want to legislate personal values with their interpretation Biblical religious law (Christian Sharia). They're no more libertarians than Hitler and the Nazis (sorry, couldn't help myself, the Godwin's genie is out the box).
Zam, I know you are more pure in your ideology and you've obviously done your homework. So you do not represent the typical Tea Partier, but those are the folks on the ascendancy in some parts of American politics.
Ironwood kit Tiki kit Openhanders Vids
Re: A funny state of the economy
Re: A funny state of the economy
[quote=PQleyR;767963]There is also of course the fact that Obama, who was elected under the banner of hope and change, has consistantly followed the same course as the previous administration, and gone back on most of his promises. I think people hoped that this eloquent, intelligent man would go where no politician has gone for a long time and actually do what he said he was going to do, and since he's comprehensively failed to do that they have reason to be unhappy with him.quote]
Myunderstanding is that he has been opposed by Congress at every turn. You can only make changes if you're allowed to do so. Vince, if it's two peas in a pod it's because most of the govt personnel are the same, even if the Pres has changed.
Also, as said earlier, an ocean liner can't be turned around straight away - major policy directions determined in the past need to be worked through.
Vince, you say a monopoly might not exist in a free market but that's only if you start with a level playing field. However, the way things are the major players hold all the aces and any freeing will only allow them to entrench their power at a faster rate.
As I say, it's a wicked problem, old bean.
Re: A funny state of the economy
The difference in the next few years will be that there will be no inflationary tides to ride and grow power upon. As this thread began - the FED will indeed hyperinflate the dollar. I could go into immense detail on this (even more so than I already have) and provide plenty of clear information as to why I believe this to be true. The thing to remember here is (and this is what I tried to point out to Harry); the American state won't survive the second Great Depression, not in its current form, at least. All of Europe, and indeed the entire world, faces the same type of social disintegration. This is the global "crack-up boom" that Austrians have always talked about.
I'm just happy that I'm hip to this now, so I can do the best I can to prepare my kids for the immense challenges they're going to face, as adults.
From today's Financial Times:
"Pessimistic Fed to slash growth forecasts"
Rising prices and unemployment. Bad news!
Re: A funny state of the economy
Corporations only have power through money. If the financial system collapses they will be in no state to monopolize anything.
Opposition from Congress or not, you only have to look at Obama's cabinet upon taking office to see how very smooth the transition was from the Bush administration. Robert Gates even stayed on, the only Secretary of Defense in US history to stay on from one administration to the next! How that represents change with regards to foreign policy I do not know.
Re: A funny state of the economy
The cartoon implies that the Fed didn't understand the economy during the period of the past twenty years.
That simply isn't true!
Allan Greenspan began issuing warnings about high consumer credit debt, low consumer savings balances, over valued stocks, high real estate values, jobs moving overseas, poor banking policies, and many other things way back in the early 90's.
Basically, The only power that the Fed has to try and control the economy is to set interest rates, print and distribute money, and make speeches that make recommendations to banks and industry leaders.
The Economy is really up to all of us!
We are the consumers that take the loans and credit risks that bring ourselves into debt.
We are the owners of companies that move our manufacturing to China.
We are the realtors and sellers of homes that inflate the value to outrageous proportions.
We are the people that work for large investment firms that make bad decisions.
We are the bankers that write bad loans.
We are the people that allow our corrupt government to exist without revolting in civil war.
We did this to ourselves!
We now expect the Fed and the US Gov to bail us out!
We didn't deserve to be bailed out for our own stupidity!
I'm sorry to be the wet towel that puts it all into truth.
But the truth is the truth!
I kind of like old drums:)
Last edited by bobdadruma; 11-22-2010 at 01:20 AM.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Awww you blew the ole excuse everyone uses to defend him., it is either A) Bush's fault and Obumma can't do it all or B) it is congress's fault for stopping the Great one from in-acting his hope and change...LOL
Re: A funny state of the economy
None of this explains why everyone is up in arms now rather than when the previous administration was doing the damage. Never heard a peep when the oil baron was in power ...
Re: A funny state of the economy
Re: A funny state of the economy
All economic activity relies on market signals. Low interest rates at the FED signals profits in lending, to banks. Low rates on lending signals to businesses that now is the time to invest in long-term projects, even when consumers have given no indication that they intend to postpone current consumption, to free up resources to dedicate to those long-term projects. The coordination of production across time is disrupted. This causes people to both consume for the present *and* build for the future, regardless of savings, and diverts capital into unsustainable projects. This is the cause of the "boom-and-bust cycle" in the economy. Hayek won the Nobel Prize in 1974, for illustrating this fact.
Add to that, lending standards were artificially lowered by law, like the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA.)
As consumers and producers, we have no choice but to follow market signals in order to make decisions in our financial affairs. The FED distorts this fundamental aspect of all economic activity by controlling the price of money.
I recommend "Meltdown" by Tom Woods. Not only does it describe the 2008 economic collapse in detail, it's a great introduction to the Austrian Theory of the Business Cycle. It'll help you truly understand the FED.
One major difference is economic conditions. In fat times, there is a much higher tolerance for abuse than in lean times. Now that the lean times have arrived, it (almost) seems logical (for some) that the person sitting on the throne currently, is somehow to blame. He shares the blame, but so does every president since George Washington, regardless of stripe or banner. But when voters place the blame solely on politicians, they can really only blame themselves...they share in that responsibility.
In reality, the real blame lies on the FED because this is where the real power and influence lies. This is where working people should focus their anger and attention...worldwide.
Re: A funny state of the economy
But Vince, yeah, there is a lot more tolerance when things are going okay. Given the time lag of consequences of policy decisions, it's inevitable that the system will punish politicians who create and reward those who live off the fat of those measures or scrimp on infrastructure spending in the good times.
For sure, the system sucks in a number of ways but I don't think that throwing it all out in favour of an untested theoretical model is going to be a panacea either. I can't think of any time in human history that there's been a power vacuum at the top. Someone's always going to take.
Too many people, the weight of history, media barons' agendas, resources running down, competition for those resources, fundamentalism masquerading as The Answer ... not a recipe for smooth operating IMO.
Massive issues, no real answer ... so I play drums and tennis, and surf the net. I think it would be wonderful if an unencumbered free market could deliver but I can't see it. The US must be the freeest market in the world yet even with its incredible resources and developed economy it's doing worse on a range of metrics than a whole bunch of other countries with more regulated markets. The foreign debt is mind-blowing and that was always going to bite at some stage.
Re: A funny state of the economy
And you would be right to say the US is the proof of it. The US doomsday theorists seem to keep forgetting that in absolute terms on almost any parameter, the US still outdistances, W Europe, Japan,China etc by very long shots. The emerging markets rate of growths give us a indicator of things to come, and as Harry suggested a shift in world order, but it will be a long long time before the US relinquishes its status as the most successful nation state in history to China or anybody else.
Hers what Farid Zakaria says in his Book 'How America can survive The Rise of the Rest'
'Despite some eerie parallels between the position of the United States today and that of the British Empire a century ago, there are key differences. Britain's decline was driven by bad economics. The United States, in contrast, has the strength and dynamism to continue shaping the world -- but only if it can overcome its political dysfunction and reorient U.S. policy for a world defined by the rise of other powers.'
Re: A funny state of the economy
...I go with the philosophy that governments are pretty harmful, they shouldn't really get involved in the economy...
...if it wasn't for governments, there wouldn't be so many corporations getting out of hand with shonky business practices.
Less government interference = more economic competition = less monopolies = better for consumer
...anarchists go with the absolute removal of state...there is a difference...
...although how a government is going to stay standing without taxes is going to be a challenge because taxing anything is government interference in the economy which goes against the libertarian principle of the state not getting involved in the economy.
Check out some of my drumming on my youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/Drumosity
Re: A funny state of the economy
If anything he is being treated by the media as any other president has been treated.. There are biased media outlets so you have to take that into consideration, if yoour watching Fox than they are biased to the right, if your watching msnbc, cbs, abc, nbc,cnn, or any hollywood actor or comedian wannabe then they are biased towards the left.
hard to tell these days so ya kind of gotta sort through all the BS,
Re: A funny state of the economy
From my perspective in the UK, George Bush was heavily criticized while in power, and still is. His name is met with derision from all sides, the left wingers think he was a megalomaniacal oil-hungry warmongering moron, and the right-wingers think he was just a moron. But everyone's agreed on that, even if it's not strictly true. Obama, on the other hand, is given the benefit of the doubt, it seems. I've not seen a media outlet heavily criticize him here, not like Bush had been.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Guys, lets please keep the politics out of this thread. Politics is personal and its a no no on this forum.
Bashing administrations wasn't the intention of this thread either. The idea was to discuss the sweeping economic changes this recession/depression is bringing about and how as laymen we are reacting to it and the policies or the lack of that might be contributing to the mess.
Re: A funny state of the economy
The only bit that I'll add is; you're confusing classical liberalism with libertarianism. It matters not who lays claim to words but rather the content of their character and the measure of their actions. There is a rich history here, on both sides, dating back to The Enlightenment (and even prior.)
I'll reiterate; the Austrian Theory of the Business Cycle explains the current depression as well as recessions/depressions, past and present. See this post:
Re: A funny state of the economy
For the record, Aydee, my post was only about popular perception of each president in the UK, and not intended to be partisan. I really wouldn't be able to pick a favourite myself, the real power lies away from the White House. That famous Mayer Amschel Rothschild quotation comes to mind, "Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws."
Re: A funny state of the economy
That's why my heart sinks a little whenever I see Oz blindly following in the US's wake, not necessarily the good things - just the wars, the violence, the hunt for bigger / better / flashier ... the obsession with the zero sum game of positional goods. If we took on the US's jazz or customer service ethos it would be more encouraging.
Nhozo ... Fox News is the main one. There's another ... forgot the name ... begins with C, a three letter acronym. I was on a two-day course recently. Every time we had a break I'd see the TV in the breakout room showing this US channel. The only time they didn't have commentators wringing their hands about Obama was during the reviews for the new Harry Potter film. It made Sydney's Channel 9 look like an honest broker. I'm looking forward to seeing the new HP film ...
Even plain old Google news suddenly became full of stuff kicking Obama. You'd think that a healthcare safety net was something straight out of the Kremlin in the 70s rather than something most OECD countries have.
*bracing for the flames*
Re: A funny state of the economy
and CNN ... too funny ....
CNN is actually a news channel. And although there is bias there (I mean really, there's bias "everywhere" now) ... they at least cover news ... and relate facts.
Fox, on the other hand, is strictly a very right-wing conservative "entertainment" channel ... masquerading as a news channel. On a perpetual 24/7 Obama-bash cycle. They get, on an average 13-18% of the viewers market, which is basically all of the conservative, right-wing Tea Party people.
The current economy, and situation ... kinda like the Cloverfield monster trashing New York. What can you do about it? Duck for cover when it's right on top of you. Run when you get a chance.
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Re: A funny state of the economy
It's a wonder ANYONE knows what's really going on. Try watching MSNBC for a few minutes and then switch to Fox News. Your head will explode!
I wish I could read or hear solid proven facts from machines.
Obama is being criticized just as much as Bush was, in fact I think Bush might have had it worse, at least in my circles. I think I depends who and where you are. I work at a car dealership, and most of who I work with are conservatives, so I hear more Obama bashing. My friends and I, however, are a bunch of hippies, so we do the Bush bashing.
I'm open minded enough to know it goes both ways, both sides have their pros and cons, and everybody will never be happy.
"A wise man is wise because he knows that he knows nothing."
Re: A funny state of the economy
GWB seemed to cop flak right at the very end but until then he had a saloon ride when compared with the nonstop Obama bashing. I keep reading how he's turning the US into a socialist state for bringing in a healthcare safety net like Europe, Australia & NZ. Canada have one too, don't they?
One thing I found really freaky was during the earlier years of the Iraq war ... there were surveys showing that well over half of Americans thought Saddam was closely allied with Al Qaeda, when they were actually fierce ideological enemies, and his dictatorship largely kept Al Qaeda out of the country.
Re: A funny state of the economy
Sweden has public healthcare but atleast all of those taxes those people pay go into a functioning service.
I think the McCarthist-era has done a bit to minds of a lot of Americans, when they think socialism they think USSR - which was actually a terrible example of socialism in practice.
BTW, I'm not a supporter of public healthcare, but hey - sometimes it works, in Australia its going down the toilet at moment (nurses waited for weeks to get their pay, and waiting lists are getting really long) but atleast your check ups get subsidized.
Check out some of my drumming on my youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/Drumosity
Re: A funny state of the economy
Absolutely correct. We're at a huge turning point, in this country. They like to call this country a "melting" pot, yet it's run by basically Protestant white guys. And that's gonna change here, real soon. The 40% caucasian minority/majority is soon gonna be evened by the growing latino population. With the women, african-american, asian, etc. voters ... that's how Obama got elected.
Now if all you watch (or mostly) is Fox and CNN, Fox is a totally "good old boy" network. They just recently "added" Juan Williams (one day a week?) after he was fired from NPR. The rest of the crew. Glen Beck, Bret Baier, Neil Cacuto, Bill O'Reilly. And darn near every female commentator/annalist they have on looks like barbie.
Again, people like to believe what they're told/what they "want" to hear, which ain't always the truth. When we first entered Iraq, I told people this was gonna be a 10 year war. Most didn't believe me.
But look at the facts. Sadam had the 4th largest army "in the world". Now, such a huge military presence in a country like Iraq is a sure indicator that "something ain't right". That "something" was, Sadam needed all those soldiers/tanks sitting on the general population to keep a civil war at bay. We go in there, take Sadam out, and "boom", suprise ... these folks really don't like each other, not so much.
People still won't accept that it's "all about oil" .... Iraq, second largest oil reserves in the world, behind Saudi Arabia, hmmmm, that they just put pen-to-paper, the largest oil deal "ever" to go down, between Iraq and China. Throw into the equation 2010 was the year China produced/sold 13 million cars (Japan 8 million, the US 6 million). State of the economy! Bush Sr. & Bush Jr. .... oil guys ... and they know a few oil guys.
This seat does not recline as per Federal Aviation Regulation 121.310 (f)(3)
Re: A funny state of the economy
"A wise man is wise because he knows that he knows nothing."
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Myrtle Georgia Beasley was born May 7, 1920 in Blanco to George F. and Fannie Mae (Gibbins) Creswell. She passed from this life August 15, 2011 in Antlers at the age of 91 years, 3 months, & 8 days. Myrtle lived all her life in Antlers. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She enjoyed watching her flowers grow, spending time with her family and friends, and loving on her grandkids every chance she got. Myrtle was preceded in death by her first husband Babe C. "Son" Watson; second husband: Sloney Eldon Beasley; daughter: Joyce (Watson) Snider; great-granddaughter: Sharon Elizabeth Heflin; parents: George & Fannie Creswell; and two brothers: Levi Baxter & Jimmie Baxter. She is survived by her sons: Tony Beasley & wife Julie of Antlers, Johnny Beasley of Albion, Henry Watson & wife Edna of Antlers; daughter: Mary Sheets & husband Kenneth of Soper; brother: George Creswell of Illinois; one niece: Marie Nelson of California; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; numerous other nieces & nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Mills & Coffey Chapel in Antlers with Pastor Larry Crawford officiating. Musical selections will include: "Long Black Train," "Sissy's Song" and "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven." Pallbearers are: Bryan Watson, Scotty Hamill, Glenn Sheets, Clint Sheets, Micheal Cathey Beasley, Henry Beasley and Hank Beasley. Honorary Pallbearers are David Phillips, George Phillips ,Robert Phillips, Dr. Wayne Flatt, Steve Hill, Michael Brittingham, John Ferguson and Stanley Johnson. Interment will follow at the Antlers City Cemetery in Antlers. Family and friends may send online condolences at www.millscoffey.com.
Funeral services conducted by Mills & Coffey Funeral Home in Antlers.

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The following important details need to be addressed at the beginning of the semester. Familiarizing yourself with these details could spare you from long lines, fines and other inconveniences.
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Since 2001, thousands of military children have had parents killed in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many other children have had siblings, cousins, and other relatives die in war. Like other grieving children, military children who experience the death of someone special under traumatic circumstances can develop traumatic grief, which can interfere with their ability to grieve and to call up comforting memories of the person who died. Traumatic grief may also interfere with everyday activities such as being with friends and doing schoolwork. There are, however, unique aspects of military family loss that those who care for or work with grieving military children should be aware of. To find out more about military children and families click here [1].
Traumatic Grief in Military Children Information Series
Helping Military Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Parents [2] gives information on how military children dealing with the death of someone close to them may feel and what you can do to help.
Helping Military Children with Traumatic Grief: Tip Sheet for Educators [3]offers information on how children dealing with trauma and grief responses may feel and how you can help them.
This series provides culturally competent materials for educating families, medical professionals, and school personnel about how to better serve military children who are experiencing traumatic grief.
Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Educators (2008) [4] (PDF) [5]
Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Families (2008) [6] (PDF) [5]
Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Medical Providers (2008) [7] (PDF) [5]
Mental Health America, Helping Children Cope With Loss Resulting from War or Terrorism [8]
Overview of how to assist children who are coping with loss as a result of war or terrorist acts. Includes toll free number for accessing additional resources (800-969-6642).
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) [9]
800-959-TAPS (8277) (24-hour hotline)
Comprehensive resource for all who are grieving the death of a loved one serving our country.
[1] http://www.nctsn.org/resources/topics/military-children-and-families
[2] http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/helping_military_children_with_traumatic_grief_parents_final.pdf
[3] http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/ctg_military_factsheet_for_educators.pdf
[4] http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/military_grief_educators.pdf
[5] https://docstore.fedex.com/nctsn/PreCatalogAction.do
[6] http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/Military_Grief_Families_final3.pdf
[7] http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/military_grief_medical.pdf
[8] http://mhafc.org/main/uploads/2013/09/HelpChildCopewLoss.pdf
[9] http://www.taps.org/


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|234 posts found
Associate Editor - News Manager
Joined: 6/28/10
We introduce a brand new columnist to our readers in the form of Lisa Jonte. She's got some new and unique perspectives to share on games and the games industry so be sure to check out Sexism in Gaming 2012: Anger & Intellect and then add your thoughts to the comments.
Read more of Lisa Jonte's Sexism in Gaming 2012: Anger & Intellect.
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Advanced Member
Joined: 2/16/09
1) Men are pigs when in a large group of other men. I as a man know this
2) Annonimity of the internet allows for 1 to be exponentially increased in severity
3) some men view videogames as the "last bastion of maleness" for what reason I have no real idea.
I really feel bad when I hear stories like the one you mentioned. If anything men should want MORE women to be part of "gaming" culture, why not? more women who have more things in common with you, more friends, more potential girlfriends who share more interests.
They arent going to turn games into My Little Pony (and admit it MANY of you would actually play that) My wife loves Halo and Metal Gear.
To be fair, men treat each other at crap on the internet as well, women just invoke the "Other" or "Not Like Us!" response that has plagued human history.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/28/12
Wow, way to generalize an extremely complex topic! Kudos!
I did battle with ignorance today, and ignorance won.
To exercise power costs effort and demands courage. That is why so many fail to assert rights to which they are perfectly entitled - because a right is a kind of power but they are too lazy or too cowardly to exercise it. The virtues which cloak these faults are called patience and forbearance.
Novice Member
Joined: 9/03/07
Originally posted by jimdandy26
I completely agree. The more I read the article, the consistent application of Men vs. Women just made this article into flamebait. The men who read this are going to have some sense of self-worth and be put off by the article to some degree just because it isn't specific enough. It's as if a news article generalized all of internet culture to be like 4chan. Besides, let's be honest the majority of multiplayer games outside of MMO's pit people against one another. Those circumstances aren't known for bringing out the best in people in the first place.
"I will not play it nor any other MMO until they make it possible to obtain the best gear without forcing people to group up to do so." SwampRob
Novice Member
Joined: 1/10/10
Men don't really have a problem with women gaming, creating games, or being geeks. Men have a problem with women invading their men time. Every now and then guys like to be crude and vulgar. They like to belch and talk sports and fart. Men don't like women invading man time. Men like to have activities they can do that their women won't want to participate in. Everytime one of those activities sees more and more women, men react because they fear their women will also join the activity. They fear losing man time.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 1/12/13
Not sure what to make of this. It takes a very odd stance on the issue, and uses some very dodgy 'evidence'. All I see are references to some idiots making some moronic remarks as happens on the internet every hour of every day on a whole range of subjects. I could pick posts or comments to show a whole range of un-pc behaviour on behalf of a few individuals.
Is gaming sexist? Probably to a degree because it is male dominated, but it doesn't feel endemic, just the acts of a few unenlightenend individuals.
And yes, most games have Barby and Ken avators. So does most American TV.
Advanced Member
Joined: 6/05/08
Gaming isnt sexist. The internet just gives more idiots a voice and a mask to hide behind giving them more bravery than they ever would have in real life. Unfortunately this leads to a building of their confidence which in turn leads to more sexual assaults and sexually biased insults. Women are not the only targets of this, race has also come up many times in gaming. How many times have you heard someone called a n****r in a game?
So much crap, so little quality.
Elite Member
Joined: 1/06/05
Originally posted by Cameron27
or you can just make the leap and take it to mean "the men who involve themselves in this type of behavior".
We don't all have to take umbrage at every little thing, espeically if we know we aren't the people the article is talking about.
Novice Member
Joined: 8/28/05
I would say at least some of it comes from fear. Geek culture is full of men who haven't had a lot of interactions(face to face) with others and less with women.
It also the idea that internet "bullies" taget a person's sore/sensitive spot.
In the end I really don't understand why men wouldn't want more woman in the hobby.
Novice Member
Joined: 1/21/13
A fat nerd is a fat nerd gender has nothing to do with it.
Novice Member
Joined: 6/17/08
Hello I am a woman who loves to play online games, consoles anything...I have played games for as long as I can remember and as I played mmo's and such I come to learn just how bad the online community is. I visit twitch.tv everyday and see this also in chat once a girl is mentioned at all. All I can say as my best advice for all woman everywhere who is a gamer like me is to be strong and ignore any man making some sort of comment to you if you are threatened of course report it, but comments such as the are you hot or girls are bad at games so on and so it's best to ignore.
The online community reacts more if you respond to their insults, you are just doing exactly what they wanted you to do and it'll just make them keep going. I read and talked with my boyfriend about a girl who wanted to make youtube videos about women being oversexualized in games though I never see women as oversexualized except for foreign mmo's this girl was harassed and had fallen prey to the "trolls" instead of ignoring she showed them she was sad and crying which gave everyone more reason to harass more. Men do this not because your a girl (it's one but not the core) it's because it's easy to and they care more for drama entertainment. If you don't give them the entertainment they won't do anymore. Any woman out there who wonts to give out their opinions in anything be prepared to get "trolled" or insulted for it, they do it jus to do it basicly (it is the internet there's nothing to stop them from doing this besides the delete comment button or the report).
But it also doesn't help when I visit Twitch.tv or youtube I see woman playing games with a camera...the first thing I noticed is either the camera more focused towards their chest or they are tryng to be cute the whole time. in youtube same thing also things get more focused towards their chest of course I am not saying every video or stream is like his but I see a majority of them are. But I know why they do it since later on I see or hear they get donated hundreds of dollars either for no reason or they heard them say aw I wish I can afford these headphones or whatever.
I am sorry for the wall of text but I know I gotta say this because I know many woman need help about this and the best thing I learn since I been playing online since I was hell 10 is ignoring it is not the easiest or the most best but it works way better then expecting someone to make the change somehow. I see many crack under the many insults thrown at them, be strong read around visit any popular people you hear of and see how they do itn I promise you even popular youtubers and streamers get treatened, trolls, insulted all the time be positive don't show weakness and you will manage and hopefully in the coming years there will be more female gamers and men will slowly stop.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 2/28/12
First-world problems in video games.
I play MMOs to take a break from social issues and other RL crap. Guess I can go back to doing what I did before I got interested in MMOs. :hiccup:
Censorship is intended to create an illusion that one side of the debate is correct and unopposed. Silence is not consent.
Advanced Member
Joined: 12/17/06
And I do think there is so much sexism and terrorism of poor defenseless Betelgeusians. Everyone calls them in the worst words, they are opressed, harrased and cannot defend themselves. No game moderator would ever listen to them and any game support would not accept their pleas for defense.
No doubt, we have too little laws and/or law enforcement to protect that terrible harrasement. WoW did not allow ribons "Support Betelgeusians, Do Not Harrass Them".
Well, the small problem is, Betelgeusians does not exist at all...but that's the smallest part. If I want to find a problem in gaming, I will. Poor player told he has a poodle and someone laughed: what a terrible harrasement! Someone told he liked birds, someone laughed at that: nightmare!
I never saw any sexism in games. There are just two parts: good players and bad players. There are newcomers and veterans. I never cared who the player was in real life: man or woman. It just doesn't bother me. I never saw any sexist action. Never heared about one, even in Lotro (which is not so tiny game).
Yes, I witnessed lousy players that did not want to do anything: they just whined "Oh Mr. Big Hero, plz do this for me, plz plz plz". Once again, I did not care if they were men or women.
I think the author takes some idiots - too seriously. If a person threatens to rape another person, it's offense and has nothing to do with the sex, views or favourite chocolate of the offender.
Speaking on chocolate:would we receive a review that "Mars" eaters usually offend those who eat "Snickers"? McDonalds lovers offend BurgerKing ones?
Novice Member
Joined: 1/15/13
Personally I've never even witnessed this so called sexist behavior you wrote about. The first guild I joined, was lead by a female. I watch IJustine play COD and Melonie Mac talk about games. Unless Im on mumble or TS with a woman playing a game I have no idea who is playing the other characters in my party. So in the end, these guys that are behaving like that, will behave like douchebags even if they are playing with men. And you find them mostly on LoL and FPS games. I also think you should've mentioned the sexism that comes from females towards male gamers. As we know most women dont play video games and downright consider men that play, childish and not worthy. How many videos are there of girls breaking their boyfriend's console? If you intend to push a feminist campaing on this site I personally wont support it and will never come back here, and I feel I'm not alone in this sentiment.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 11/07/11
Any fool can know. The point is to understand.
Is it possible to compare the flak Jay Wilson got with Jennifer Helper? I am sure Jay WIlson recieved many death/rape threats but it is considered disgusting by few. Should women be held to higher standards? Of course this is only for that single example.
When I read about the afterparty incident it made me a little sick. No-one should be subject to that ever, men or women.
Ultimately I just think it's men don't quite know on a sub-conscious or conscious level what to do. Hell we still have no idea how to talk to women. Male players have been putting each other down, insulting and congratualting players on making life miserable for children with microphones but if it's done to a female it's sexist.
Double standards + men are stupid = Won't happen anytime soon.
If we could imagine men getting into something considered for women would you be able to tell me with a straight face that no woman would make a sexist remark?
Play for fun. Play to win. Play for perfection. Play with friends. Play in another world. Why do you play?
Apprentice Member
Joined: 1/12/13
Originally posted by NorseGod
Exactly this.
Dam when I play a game there are a bunch of pixels running around looking like either male or female (or a bit of both if anime) and I have no idea who the player controlling them is or what they look like. Neither do I care unless we get chatting and group up regularly. Yes there are always trolls, and idiots, they go on the ignore list.
What games are people playing where all this sexism and bullying and general un-pc behaviour happens?
As for sexism in the workplace, I hardly think this is the forum for a reasoned debate on the subject.
Novice Member
Joined: 9/03/07
Originally posted by Sovrath
Look man, I tie my shoes myself every morning. I can at least expect a professional author to be precise with her words without me having to read between the lines.
"I will not play it nor any other MMO until they make it possible to obtain the best gear without forcing people to group up to do so." SwampRob
Hard Core Member
Joined: 11/07/11
Any fool can know. The point is to understand.
I am fairly certain that some female players know and take advantage of the fact that male players will be nicer to them / give them free stuff / be more willing to help.
Just saying we aren't the only criminals.
Play for fun. Play to win. Play for perfection. Play with friends. Play in another world. Why do you play?
Elite Member
Joined: 1/06/05
Originally posted by ScaryMonk
Except that this highlights part of the problem. Instead of you and others saying "really? people are being abused because of x, that' terrible" you instead attack the whole thing. I find that very telling.
Though the problem is a larger one and is more of a societal thing. As an example, the idea that "if a woman doesn't want to be harassed she shouldn't wear revealing clothing" seems silly as a woman should be able to wear whatever she wants. Having said that "the reality" is that if a woman wears revealing clothing then it's going to invite comment from those who just don't know how to behave.
In a perfect world she shouldn't have to make the decision to wear a head to toe frock over something she finds attractive but since this isn't a perfect world that decision is always there.
On the other hand, though there are women who get unwanted attention from dorks who never learned how to speak to people, there are women (and men) who look for drama and look for anything to give them legitimacy for being a victim. In other words, they like to use the victim card and perhaps put themselves in situations where they can eventually cry "I'm being oppressed".
The important thing is to be attentive to the legitimate compalints and be aware that there are others who want to define themselves as "victim".
Lastly, video games are played by people and nothing that people do ever resides in a vacuum. Behavior doesn't suddenly get better once someone logs in and says "I'm in a game and now all those pesky issues get left behind". People bring baggage with them wherever they go.
Novice Member
Joined: 12/02/11
I must admit, I must be out of touch since I do not know some of the referenced individuals or situations mentioned in the article.
With that said, simply surround yourself with people you can relate to and have the same principles. Don't expect to change every socially awkward and anonymous male on the internet in one fell swoop.
Enter a whole new realm of challenge and adventure.


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This week began with a major debate about the pricing model for the website. Registrations have been slow to get going (as expected), so we seem to have concluded that the only true way to test whether the idea will catch on is to make it a FREE access model.
This has been a tricky decision and has caused me many sleepless nights – attracting customers is certainly our primary aim, but with a free model we then need to work hard to create revenue streams from other sources. Still, it seems to be what people expect, so we have chosen to make the site free.
The 3 month trial period has been removed and everyone (including existing subscribers) can access all of the site's functionality without paying an annual fee.
Since it is storage which costs us money, we have decided to cap the storage limits within the free account to 150mb – this is ample to make a good, full lifeline, and further storage can then be purchased at a low rate to build more, fuller lifelines later.
This has caused much angst, so I hope it's the right decision for our existing and prospective customers!


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Why we can't have nice apps and how Apple could fix it
Yahoo! just bought my favorite camera app for iOS, Kitcam, and removed it from the App Store. It's not the first time a great third party app has been been bought. Google has bought many apps, from the Slide apps to Nik Software apps (including Snapseed) to Sparrow. Facebook has bought Instagram, the Sofa apps, and Push Pop Press. Hell, Apple bought Siri and many others themselves. Not every third-party app that gets bought gets removed from the store, even if it's bought by Apple's biggest software competitor, Google, or an up-and-coming ones, like Facebook. (Yahoo! hasn't announced a mobile OS competitor, and may not be in the organizational shape to do so any time soon, but would be crazy not to have a project ongoing.)
This is why we can't have nice apps.
That's the grossest over-simplification of the tensions and business realties and market conditions facing app developers, but for an end user, it's a rightfully indignant one.
At the same time Microsoft is getting what passes for their shit together, finally releasing Halo for Windows Phone. While these two things might not seem to have much in common, they both highlight a problem that could be solved in the same way.
With more diverse and audacious first-party Apple apps.
Apple already makes first-party apps, of course. Not only do they make the core iOS apps, but they make all their ecosystem apps like iBooks, iTunes U, Remote, Find my [Device/Friends], and their iWork/iLife apps. They don't make or produce any first-party video games yet, or a higher-end camera app (for example), and especially not anything that could be termed experimental, but all of those things could help none-the-less push forward the state of the art of mobile.
No doubt Apple is stretched well beyond their limits already, and sprinting to get iOS 7 and associated apps ready for this fall will take more than every ounce of will and effort they can collectively muster. So, the idea of putting even more app development on their plate might sound ludicrous, or dumb enough my keyboard should be confiscated.
But people far smarter than I'll ever be have already offered suggestions for this, from farming out implementation to former engineers and designers now independent, to using these projects as mini "staycations" for current engineers and designers who need a 20%-style break from the everyday.
Gaming could benefit the most, giving Apple apps they could use to not only compete with the Halo, Ingress, Mario, Grand Turismo, and other first party titles, but apps they could use to dogfood Game Center and all their gaming, physics, audio, and other API, existing and upcoming, private and public. (A great first-party Core Data sync app would be a great, confidence building move as well.) Boutique apps that do something novel and cool with music or photography, F1 racing or coffee, or whatever else, could delight not only users, but Apple alike.
It could solve a lot of problems in a lot of interesting ways. If the competition is seen as unfair to third-party developers -- something that already occurs with iWork and iLife -- they could be listed differently, or in alternate rankings, so they don't suck attention away from the indies.
And it would insulate iOS, and its user base, against not only all the best indie iOS apps getting bought and potentially yanked so often, but the talent drain that comes with it.
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Reader comments
Why we can't have nice apps and how Apple could fix it
While the fundamental reason is likely as you say -- that Apple is stretched -- they may also simply wish to void antitrust attention. Were Apple to jump into first party development with vigor, they may find themselves needing to become *far* more transparent on App Store policies, or even set up a strict firewall between the OS and App sides of the company, to avoid arousing the legal watchdogs. They payoff of first-party apps may not be worth that sort of headache.
As to the obvious counter "Apple does not have a monopoly in smartphones" -- true, but:
-- Not all types of antitrust actions require monopoly power. Even discounting use of private APIs and access to insider tech resources first party App developers would have, if Apple is competing against 3rd party apps and does not provably require its own products to go through the same App Store process as its competition, the DoJ could certainly bring a credible antitrust case under the Essential Facilities doctrine. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_facilities_doctrine ]
-- Monopoly depends on how you define the market. If the iOS software market is big enough on its own, investigators may find that enough to proceed.
I do not think Apple is likely to attract the DoJ even if they do what Rene says, but they might find the risk *just* credible enough that they would not want to upset their current wildly profitable setup.
Kitcam is gone?! WTF!
I've really hated this kind of crap since Google killed Sparrow right after I decided it deserved my $9.99. I channel my hopes towards Air Mail now, but the long-abandoned Sparrow still performs a bit better at this moment.
$9.99 for sparrow? It has never cost more than $2.99
Mac version :)
Gotcha, that makes sense.
Twice in a week. First Waze and now Kitcam. Waze won't get pulled anytime soon, but it will never be the same now that Google has its hands on it.
One potential positive since Yahoo picked up Kitcam is that it may reappear as a bundle into a souped up Flickr app. I can't imagine why else they would want a top quality iOS camera app right now. The two would seemingly make a good pair.
That some third party apps are so good that other companies want to buy them is not a business problem for Apple, it's marketing opportunity, however inconvenient it may be for that app's users.
I would rather Apple focus on hardware and core apps, and ditch all the extraneous ones. Apple trying to do everything for everybody by building games and everything else is a recipe for an unfocused company. How's that worked out for Microsoft? While they've put increasing energy into jumping into every latest trend, they haven't built an OS that anyone really wants since XP. I think the same will happen with Google sooner or later. I don't want it to happen to Apple.
Define your core business then do that (and only that) better than anyone else.


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NLZ10727 In Stock Absolutely No Delay on Personalization!
This stainless steel dog tag with cubic zirconia border features a wide bale, and over 3 dozen 1mm cubic zirconia lining the edges. The tag itself measures 1.5 inches long, and 1 inch wide, and is available on a chain in your choice of length: 18, 20, 24, or 36 inches. With its highly polished surface, this stainless steel dog tag with cz border, you can add bling to any outfit, without breaking the bank.
Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable.


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Bruce Irons has teamed up with Volcom's Amphibulator collection to create these Bruce Annihilator boardshorts, the ultimate in functionality for any serious surfer dude! Featuring 4-way stretch fabric and mesh flow-through panels for quick-dry ventilation and to prevent ballooning, you'll be performing at the top of your potential!
- 22" Outseam
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- Bruce Irons signature style
- Free-flow mesh panels provide quicker drying time & more efficient air/water flow
- Imported
- Modulator zip-fly technology
- Sewn-in bungee lanyard to hold keys or wax comb in pocket
- Side zip pocket with mesh screen for ventilation
- Tie front with four Volcom grommets
- Volcom embroidery
- Volcom Modtech Amphibulator series
- Volcom rubber logo tag
- Volcom Stone mesh panels
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Afghanistan needs to capitalize on the potential for greater trade with its Central Asian neighbours, especially given the current headwinds facing the Afghan economy. Particular promise exists for: energy trade; transit trade linking Central Asia with South Asia; and trade among border communities. However, at present trade relations are extremely limited and significant barriers to further integration remain including tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as transport and connectivity issues.
This issue of the Trade Insights series provides analysis of notifications submitted as part of the preparation for the implementation under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Fifteen economies in the Asia-Pacific region have already submitted Category A notifications, i.e., the list of substantive provisions they have either already implemented or are committed to implement by the time the Agreement enters into force.
Water is at the core of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth, affecting the livelihoods of billions.
This report comes from the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review, 17-20 November 2014, Bangkok.
Building resilience to disasters is increasingly being recognized as a priority area in order to protect hard-earned development gains in the Asia-Pacific region. The private sector alone is estimated to hold 70 to 85 per cent of the investment in most national economies and makes over $80 trillion worth of institutional investments globally on an annual basis. Clearly, any attempts to reduce the risk of disasters and build resilience will not work without the active participation of the private sector.
The current paper provides a review of natural disasters and their impacts in Asia and the Pacific by disaster type, subregion and level of development. The first section looks at the occurrence of natural disaster events. This is followed by an analysis of fatalities and economic loss in sections two and three respectively. The short-term consequences of natural disasters on the economy are also mentioned. The final section briefly discusses aspects regarding exposure and vulnerability of countries in Asia and the Pacific.
This issue of the Trade Insights series identifies Asia-Pacific LDCs and LLDCs with export-portfolios and economies which are at greatest risk from the recent collapse in global commodity prices. Asia-Pacific LDCs and LLDCs account for less than 2% of global commodity exports and just 7% of Asia-Pacific commodity exports; however many these economies have export-portfolios which are highly concentrated in one or two major commodities: mainly crude oil, natural gas, aluminum, iron ore/steel, cotton and copper.
Migration has economic, social, environmental and political implications in both countries of origin and destination. There is growing recognition that policy interventions which foster a link between migration and decent employment can promote sustainable development. However, across Asia and the Pacific there is a lack of high-quality migration statistics which form the foundation for designing, monitoring and evaluating policies. Without detailed, disaggregated migration statistics it is impossible to determine the costs versus the benefits of migration-related policy interventions.
Water is vital to human lives, as well as fundamental to all development issues. Asia and the Pacific are facing serious challenges both in terms of the quantity and quality of water in sustaining its long term economic growth prospects and achieving sustainable development.
This policy brief, issued as part of the Trade Insights series, examines the evolving economic partnership between Japan and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and reviews prospects for the future in light of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.
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Before you take an online class, you should be confident about your computer and study skills.
Review the following list of requirements to assess your readiness to take online classes.
· I know how to connect to the Web using a web browser.
· I can navigate around the Web and know how to use search engines.
· I know how to send and receive e-mail.
· I know how to do basic word processing, including cutting and pasting.
· I know how to open, save, and manage files.
· I understand how to organize files (create, name, folder, attach, naming of versions)
· I can compress files and folders
· I have access to a computer 5-7 days per week.
· The computer I will use meets the basic requirements for online classes.
· I have 9-12 hours a week to work on EACH online class.
· I can motivate myself to log in to the virtual classroom at least 4 days a week.
· I have good reading comprehension and written communication skills, and I enjoy communicating in writing.
· I enjoy figuring things out on my own but am able to ask for help when I need it.
If you answered no to more than one of these requirements, an online class might not be right for you at this time.


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Wind: 0 mph
According to the dictionary (Merriam-Webster) privacy is: a) the quality or state of being apart from company or observation; b) freedom from unauthorized intrusion ("one's right to privacy"); and c) secrecy or a private matter.
Our Constitution is bullish on privacy and the right to be free of unwarranted searches and seizures, yet every day now we're hearing about more and more data gathering about us by our government.
Logistically, one has to wonder how NSA officials can possibly manage to wade through all of our phone records, our internet use and our emails without being buried in a digital deluge.
Legally, the government is hanging its hat on a FISA Court ruling relating to monitoring cellphones, internet and emails of citizens and others, which it refuses to make public. All FISA Court rulings are secret. No transparency there.
How disappointing that it should come to this – rather than strengthening our resolve to protect our constitutionally ensured rights, our fear of terrorism (or a government that uses our fear of terrorism as a wedge between us and our rights) has led us to turn the other cheek and mutter, "Well if you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide."
It's not about whether you're doing something wrong or right – the issue here is that we have a right and an expectation that some things are private. Whether planning a birthday party for a loved one, a bank robbery or an illicit assignation or a trip to the beach – there is a reasonable expectation that those conversations whether they take place by phone (landline), cellphone, email or an internet chat room are private.
Now that we know that NSA programs are tracking our digital interactions, do we need to wonder when unmanned drones will be flying over our homes, watching what we do in our backyards and living rooms? Will that be okay, too, as long as you're not doing anything wrong and don't have anything to hide?
The apathy with which the government spying revelations have been greeted is frightening. How and why is it OK to lose our freedom from unauthorized intrusion? It would not be OK for any of us to spy similarly on our neighbors, elected officials, former partners, current partners, spouses, children, etc. Why is it okay for the government to peer so personally into our lives?


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Continuing our theme from the last couple weeks, here is a recipe from Karen in our shipping department. This spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip would be a great one to serve for football games or as an appetizer at the parties this holiday season.
1/2 Cup Ranch Dressing
1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 to 1/2 Cup Frank's Hot Sauce or Buffalo Sauce (or your preferred brand)
1 (8 oz ) Package Cream Cheese Softened
1 (9.75 oz) Can Chunk Chicken
Combine ingredients then bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbling. The dip can be served warm or cold.
Dawnee, the executive assistant, makes this dish for get-togethers and recommends cooking this recipe in the slow cooker until ingredients are warm. She also had success using the buffalo sauce instead of the hot sauce to create her dip.
The dip can then be served with tortilla chips, pretzels or crackers.
Thank you for taking the time to look, if you have any questions, tips or comments please leave them in the comments below, we'd love to hear from you!
Tags: appetizers, buffalo chicken dip, Discount Ramps News, Yummy Recipes
0 Responses to Holiday Recipes – Buffalo Chicken Dip
Nice recipe, I definitely like the use of Frank's Red Hot sauce, a must use in any authentic chicken wing recipe. Have you ever thought of using a rotisserie chicken instead of the canned chicken? I feel it gives a little better texture and flavor than the canned stuff and is still less time consuming than baking or grilling it yourself.


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Hallowe'en is my all time favorite film.
No, Hallowe'en 3: Season of the Witch would be.
As for the original, I like to call it a thriller and not horror film.
I've never seen another film to date to capture that intense feeling that it gives.
The laundry scene outside at night with Nancy Lommis Keys.
Myers standing near the hanging plant in the curtains.
The corpse with the head stone.
And why, why did she go into that house!!!!!
Part 2 gets worse.
One, because it involves a hospital and 2 because needles are involved.
I fast forward a lot of part 2.
I can't stomach that stuff anymore.
Recently I bought this beat-up copy of Hallowe'en:A Retrospective where it shows you all first 3 film locations.
The Myers house was actually moved across the road and cut in half.
And where they filmed the movie you wouldn't walk there today because of the neighborhood going to pieces.
I wanna go to Loleta CA so badly to see Santa Mira and the Silver Shamrock factory.
I grew up on Hallowe'en and the only time I vomited was because my brother vomited first then I did because I seen him do it.
The Rob Zombie version is very mi-nute in comparison.
In a word, horrible.
And he's busting a gut to get part 2 out now.
If you visit the official website www.ohmb.net of Hallowe'en don't mention my name or you'll get banned for doing so.
They've banned me 4 times under different names too.
Tell me, how dos one get banned in the year 2009 from a Hallowe'en 3 website?
They're so sensitive to what you can say and if you don't agree with their opinion they shoot you down in flames.


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Script to parse cluster table of contents file
From Brandonhutchinson.com
I wrote the following Perl script to parse the Sun cluster table of contents file /var/sadm/system/admin/.clustertoc. Basically, I want to know which individual packages comprise any of the Sun metaclusters. The file can be tricky to parse, as metaclusters contain both individual packages along with clusters.
When run with no arguments, the script will return a list of metaclusters to query. e.g.,
$ ./parse_clustertoc.pl Usage: ./parse_clustertoc.pl metacluster Available metaclusters: SUNWCXall SUNWCall SUNWCprog SUNWCreq SUNWCrnet SUNWCuser $ ./parse_clustertoc.pl SUNWCXall (1054 package names follow for a Solaris 10 11/06 SPARC system)
My Perl programming may leave much to be desired.
#!/usr/bin/perl # This script parses the Sun cluster table of contents file and returns # individual package names for a given metacluster. Metaclusters contain both # invividual packages and clusters, so the table of contents file has to be read # twice in order to convert clusters into individual packages. # If a command-line argument is not given, return the list of metaclusters. my $clustertoc="/var/sadm/system/admin/.clustertoc"; my %metaclusters; my %cluster_members; my %package_members; my $seen_metacluster=0; open(CLUSTERTOC, "< $clustertoc") or die "Couldn't open $clustertoc for reading: $!\n"; # SUNWC cluster members are clusters that must be parsed to get the packages. # Any other SUNW cluster member is an individual package. e.g., # SUNW_CSRMEMBER=SUNWCzfs is an additional cluster # SUNW_CSRMEMBER=SUNWadmap is a package while(<CLUSTERTOC>) { # SUNWCmreq is an "internal private metacluster not installable by end users" next if /METACLUSTER=SUNWCmreq/; $metaclusters{$1}=1 if /METACLUSTER=(.*)/; if (defined($ARGV[0])) { # Is this the metacluster we're looking for? $seen_metacluster=1 if /METACLUSTER=$ARGV[0]/; if (/SUNW_CSRMEMBER=(SUNWC.*)/ and $seen_metacluster) { # SUNWC.* is a cluster $cluster_members{$1}=1; next; } if (/SUNW_CSRMEMBER=(SUNW.*)/ and $seen_metacluster) { # Anything else SUNW.* is an individual package $package_members{$1}=1; } # Exit the loop if we're at the end of the metacluster contents last if /^END$/ and $seen_metacluster; } } if (!defined($ARGV[0])) { print "Usage: $0 metacluster\n\n"; print "Available metaclusters:\n"; foreach (sort keys %metaclusters) { print "$_\n"; } exit 0 } # Loop through $clustertoc again, get the individual packages comprising # the %cluster_members clusters. open(CLUSTERTOC, "< $clustertoc") or die "Couldn't open $clustertoc for reading: $!\n"; my $get_packages=0; while(<CLUSTERTOC>) { if (/CLUSTER=(.*)/) { # Is this cluster part of our metacluster? $get_packages=1 if (exists $cluster_members{$1}); } $package_members{$1}=1 if /SUNW_CSRMEMBER=(.*)/ and $get_packages; $get_packages=0 if /^END$/; } foreach my $key(sort keys %package_members) { print "$key\n"; }


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I've got a bunch of bicycle bells here at the moment as we've wanted for some time to have these available in the webshop, and as with other things in the shop, I've specifically bought in those that we like. However, rather than just listing the bells, I decided we should do this well. Let's test them to find out how loud they are, and also have sound samples so that people can hear what the bells sound like. And here are the results, ranked in order of how loud they are from one metre away, and with recordings of each bell. Click on their pictures if you'd like to buy them:
|Widek 80 mm Ding Dong bell (€9.88)
|106 dBA
|"Ping" bell (€2.50)
|100 dBA
|Gazelle handlebar grip bell (€11.90)
|98 dBA
|Spanninga "Turning" bell (€3.09)
|96 dBA
|Classic Brass bell (€5.83)
|96 dBA
If you have space for it on your handlebars, the Widek Ding Dong bell gives the most sound (note that there are many copies available, and all that I've heard sound dull in comparison). It's rather subjective, but to me it also gives by far the best sound of the bells. Just listen to that sustain. The Ping bell, which is smallest and weighs just 20 g, is best for those with limited handlebar space or who are concerned about weight, but while the sound is loud, it has little sustain so is not really as effective as a traditional bell.
And for the geeks amongst us, this is how it was done.
I used my old Radioshack sound-level meter to find out how loud the bells were. Each bell was held one metre from the SPL meter. These tests were all done in the same way, so they are directly comparable with one another. However, because this was done indoors and with reflective surfaces (the wall and table) nearby, you would get different figures if you measured out in the open. Each bell was rung a few times in succession, as you might if you thought you were about to collide with someone. I think it's reasonably representative of what you might do if you were really trying to get someone's attention. With a single ring, the slow rise-time of the analogue meter missed the peaks. As a result, this helped the ping bell result more than the others. A single "ping" doesn't really sound louder than some of the quieter bells. The loudest bell subjectively with a single ring was definitely the ding dong bell.
In any case, the peaks were quite a lot louder than the figures here. By the end of the test, it was not only the bells, but also my ears that were ringing.
A Sony WMD6C "pro" walkman was used to make the recordings. I'm not a big fan of Sony, but this was always a splendid product. I found the quietest room in the house, and used a long microphone lead so that I could be at the opposite end of the room from the recorder. I did in in this way for two reasons. First because I wanted to get away from the fan noise of the computer - the walkman is much quieter and easily portable - and secondly because I liked the idea of playing with the walkman again. It's a great piece of equipment which I now rarely use. Yes, an analogue recording on a cassette, but not any old cassette deck. The recordings give a pretty good idea of the sound of each bell, though reproducing the sound at a level anything like so loud as in real life is actually quite difficult to do.
I'm not going to pretend I don't care about technical issues, around cycling or anything else. I don't think it's cool not to know stuff. I'm proud to be a geek...
This blog post can also be read on the DutchBikeBits,com blog.


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C&b Broadgate Hotels, London.
Hotels near C&b BroadgateThis HotelMap shows hotels near C&b Broadgate. C&b Broadgate is in the London area called City. Main attractions near C&b Broadgate include Broadgate Ice Rink, Tower 42 - Formerly Natwest Tower, Raven Row. The nearest station is Liverpool Street Tube Station. This C&b Broadgate HotelMap connects live to nearby hotels - showing you true room availability and the latest special offer rates directly from the hotels.
1 minutes walk from C&b Broadgate
91% of past customers recommend this hotel.
Located within arms reach of both Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations, is South Place Hotel, a luxury London hotel featuring three swanky bars and two top-notch restaurants. With newly furbished interiors designed by none other than Terrance Conran, the hotel boasts 80 deluxe bedrooms as well as five private dining and meeting rooms for those planning to do a bit of business. ...
Luxury Hotel
3 minutes walk from C&b Broadgate
90% of past customers recommend this hotel.
Housed in one of the great Victorian station hotels, this showstopper is a mixture of meticulous nineteenth century restoration and the glittering wit of Terence Conran's designers, with an incredible six-storey atrium the highlight. Rooms strike a perfect balance between beauty and functionality, while half-a-dozen bars and restaurants cater for your culinary needs round the clock....
4 minutes walk from C&b Broadgate
93% of past customers recommend this hotel.
From studio apartments to one and two beds, 196 Bishopsgate offers a full range of self-catering flats that give you more independence than a hotel. Apartments are well kitted out with all the electrical goods you could want or need including TV, hair dryer and iron. The kitchen area is also well equipped and comes complete with cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. To top it all Liverpool Stree...
6 minutes walk from C&b Broadgate
100% of past customers recommend this hotel.
Rez Apartments London are a family run, boutique property in the financial district of London. Located in the heart of The City and nearby to Hoxton Square and Shoreditch - renowned for their generous supply of trendy restaurants, cafes and bars - the apartments are ideal for both business and leisure. Liverpool Street Station is also just a few minutes away, providing easy access to central Lond...
To view London Hotels in a conventional list view we recommend LondonTown.com


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Apple introduces new EarPods headphones coming with the iPod Nano, iPod Touch and iPhone 5
Although they managed to leak out ahead of the iPhone 5 event, Apple has now introduced a new set of earbud headphones for iOS devices. EarPods, as they will be reffered to will come with all of Apple's new products such as the iPod Nano, iPod Touch and iPhone 5 as well, be available as a stand alone accessory.
As we all know, there has been many complaints about the included earbud headphones for a while now and as noted during the keynote, Apple has been working on these EarPods for the past three years now. The new EarPods will be made available for purchase starting, today.
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
Apple introduces new EarPods headphones coming with the iPod Nano, iPod Touch and iPhone 5
Sorry bro. Same price as previous model....$29.
$29 per the Apple site - http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD827/apple-earpods-with-remote-and-mic.
Or buy the iPod Shuffle for $49 & get a free pair.
The iPhone has been shipping with headphones for years too. Duh.
Coming from a BB user......I know. The next BB model will sell by the tens!
What makes us happy? Regular software updates, robust stock prices, and no breakdowns in service.
BB? Not so much....
Hopefully these will be more sweat-resistant than the current generation.