Friday, August 31, 2012

Energy Independence By 2020

SEARCH BLOG: ENERGY and ROMNEY

In last night's nomination acceptance speech, Mitt Romney set a goal of having the U.S. become energy independent by 2020. That's similar to John Kennedy's goal of putting a man on the moon... a huge leap of faith.

In the post "North American energy independence by 2020″, David Middleton gives all sorts of facts and figures that conclude that "Based on these numbers, North American energy independence could be achieved by 2027." Now that is North American, not U.S., energy independence. Still, that is directionally where Mitt Romney wants to take the U.S. [h/t Anthony Watts]

There are many issues to be resolved ... and quickly ... if the U.S. is to seek energy independence.

Export policy - would ... and could ... the U.S. restrict its exports of oil, coal, and natural gas to force consumption at the local level? Conversely, would the U.S. make it more difficult to import oil from beyond North America?
Regulation - can the Environmental Protection Agency regulations be reeled in? Can the regulatory and permitting processes be streamlined and accelerated?
Taxation - will tax code reflect energy policy?
Overcoming entrenched opposition - becoming energy independent is not simply a matter of resources development.

The fastest way to energy independence is:

Reversal of the coal-to-natural-gas conversions occurring under the Obama administration for the generation of electricity.
Expansion of nuclear powered electricity generation to augment coal as a substitute for natural gas.
Development of a natural gas infrastructure to fuel vehicles as an alternative use of natural gas rather than to fuel electricity plants ... combined with incentives to automotive manufacturers to expand their offerings for natural gas powered vehicles ... a decades-old technology that is primarily limited to fleets at present.
Expansion of oil exploration in federally-controlled lands/offshore.
Streamlining the judicial process to settle a myriad of blocking lawsuits that will come from those special interests who are philosophically opposed to these actions.

This is all possible under the heading "anything is possible." Is it probable or plausible? A better question is: will someone lead the way in the face of fanatical and often irrational opposition?

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009

Natural Gas Naturally

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2012

A Natural Solution To Energy Needs

2012 IS HERE

Romney: The American Dream Or The American Nightmare

SEARCH BLOG: ROMNEY

Last night, Mitt Romney painted a stark contrast between his vision of America and what he saw as Barack Obama's direction for America. You decide what you want:

2012 IS HERE

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Obama's Faded Poster - Change We Can Believe In

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA.

But you can always BLAME IT ON BUSH!

2012 IS HERE

The Wealthy Who Support Obama

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA

[read full article here]

2012 IS HERE

Paul Ryan Speaks At The GOP Convention

SEARCH BLOG: ROMNEY.

RELATED:

Don't Be Too Smug About How Much Better We Are Than Communist Dictatorships

No Surprise: U.S. Corporate Taxes Driving Businesses Abroad

2012 IS HERE

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

GOP Convention: Speeches Are Good But Specifics Are Better

SEARCH BLOG: ROMNEY.

I did not want to, but I did anyway... listen to the GOP convention speeches last night. Really, I had some recorded programs to watch, but my wife insisted on listening to the speeches. So here's my assessment of Ann Romney and Chris Christie's speeches... the other droning was not worth the effort.

Ann Romney is not a great public speaker, but she does pretty well for someone who is not called upon for that task too often. [image and video from CBS] There was a lot of nervous laughter at first. That's understandable. She pushed the importance of women and the sacrifice of women. That's a bit of pandering, but I'm sure she believes what she said and is, no doubt, correct. Then she settled down and talked about her marriage and how it was not a "story book" one, but rather one built around fidelity, integrity, and extremely hard work. She did not apologize for their success. Why should she? For those who have followed similar paths, there is never going to be an apology for success. She emphasized the positives that have come from their marriage... both personal and public... and only briefly alluded to their personal problems... cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Ann Romney doesn't come across as the girl-next-door college student anymore. That was decades ago. She comes across as a cool, tough partner who can smile and laugh... but a woman who won't accept the label of pampered and privileged. She's paid her dues and given back. Don't mess with her.

Chris Christie is a very good public speaker. He is a Jake LaMotta of politics... direct, aggressive, don't-stand-in-front-of-me-with-your-bullshit kind of politician. He's not the prettiest politician in the place, but he knows how to get things done... and does it. He talked about "respect" and how it was more important than love. That somewhat contradicted Ann Romney's position, but she was talking about personal relationships and he was talking about political leadership. Christie was talking about earning respect rather than demanding it. He was talking about leadership by example rather than being a thug and intimidator. He was talking about ability, accomplishment, and character and pointing to Mitt Romney as an example.

Chris Christie has his faults. His weight makes one wince and wonder why a man who can accomplish so much in his home state can't manage his own health. But it wasn't his personal weight that mattered; it was the weight of his words. You can watch it below if you wish [video from ABC News].

But now that some of the preliminary speeches are over and we await the nominee's speech, the larger questions still remain: what specific changes will be recommended and pursued to right the Ship of State? Will we hear, "This is what President Obama has done and this is what we will do that is different and better." Or will we hear generalizations about "failed policies?" I can come up with a list of specifics and hope that Mitt Romney is prepared to do the same.

2012 IS HERE

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

55 In 25

SEARCH BLOG: AUTOMOBILES.

Well, almost 55....

U.S. announces tough new 54.5-mpg CAFE standard for vehicle fuel economy

[read more]

2012 IS HERE

Romney Economics Versus Obamanomics

SEARCH BLOG: ECONOMY.

When you hear that it doesn't make any difference which party is in power... a charge most often laid by the libertarians... you should take that with a large block of salt. Below is a paper from four prominent economists who beg to differ with that assessment. Via John B. Taylor of Stanford University:

Full paper below.

Romney Tax Reform White Paper

TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2012

Government Spending: Priming The Pump Or Draining The Well?

2012 IS HERE

Monday, August 27, 2012

Capitalistic Laborers' Excessive Profits From Their Work

SEARCH BLOG: ECONOMY.

One hears the left complain about excessive corporate profits. Corporations make money from the sale of their products or services... horrible! They are taking advantage of their customers! Why can't they sell their products and services for what it costs them... or a very, very small profit? That should be incentive enough.

Well, how about the workers? How many of them would be willing to work for just enough for subsistance? Just pay enough to provide the minimum amount of food to keep them alive and able to work... just enough to buy the minimum amount of clothes to keep them from being naked... just enough to rent a small shelter to keep the rain and cold away. Why pay so much that they can have money to spend on frivolous pastimes and unnecessary accumulation of material goods... or simply create a large stash? That's just allowing workers to gain excessive profit from their labors. At most they should receive a very, very small profit. That should be incentive enough.

What's good for the goose....

2012 IS HERE

2012 Election Spoiler?

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT.

Ralph Nader showed the way in 2000 when he cost Al Gore the state of Florida and the presidency. Will the Libertarians return the favor in 2012 with Gary Johnson? It seems that some Ron Paul supporters would rather have hell than purgatory. From reason.com:

16% Have Favorable Opinion of Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson

RELATED:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 02, 2012

Libertarians - Lose Not Join

2012 IS HERE

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Obama Says: I Built That Company For You

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA.

The leader of the "You didn't built that" country would take issue with the Ukrainian immigrant who built a company processing $10 billion worth of transactions annually:

Oleg Firer co-founded Unified Payments in 2007 at age 29. The company now processes $10 billion worth of transactions for 100,000 merchants a year, and it's growing quickly.

Unified Payments isn't alone, though. Despite the tough economy, the median three-year growth of 2012 Inc. 500 companies was 1,436 percent - the highest rate in the list's 31-year history, according to Inc. (More From CNBC: Secrets of Venture Capitalists)

When the list debuted, Firer, 35, was a boy living in Ukraine. He arrived in Brooklyn, New York, at age 12 and grew up in the borough's Brighton Beach neighborhood. He started his first business, a cell phone retailer, at age 17. His immigrant family didn't have much money when he was growing up; as a result, Firer focused on working hard.

"I got where I am because I wouldn't take no for an answer," said Firer, who now lives in Miami with his family and drives a Bentley to work. "I always remember where I came from and that I could end up back there with nothing." [source]

Yes, if it were not for the government Obama built, there would be no shovel-ready roads on which those transactions could travel.

2012 IS HERE

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Goodbye, Neil Armstrong

SEARCH BLOG: SPACE

You raised our imaginations to the stars with your first step on the moon.

2012 IS HERE

Friday, August 24, 2012

Romney Offers To Show Official Birth Certificate

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA and ROMNEY.

Mitt Romney offered to show his birth certificate. Obama campaign thinks that's not fair.

RELATED:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 09, 2012

What We Would Like To Hear: I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

2012 IS HERE

Conservation - The Law Of Unintended Consequences

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT

Big Brother knows best. From Nature:

Protected sea lions gorge on threatened salmon

A controversial cull of California sea lions in the Columbia River to conserve salmon may leave field open for a new predator.

Be sure to use those spiral CFLs for your home.

2012 IS HERE

Obama's Legacy: Hope Did Not Change Things For The Better

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA.

Via Breitbart:

2012 IS HERE

Thursday, August 23, 2012

What The H...???!!!

SEARCH BLOG: EDUCATION.

2012 IS HERE

Abortions

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT and SOCIETY.

The Rep. Akin abortion flap raises a question: what is the prevalence of abortions in the U.S.?

The U.S. Census Bureau, in its 2012 Statistical Abstract, presents the following:

[click on picture to enlarge]

For those opposed to abortions, there is some good news: the overall rate of abortions fell from 2.7% in 1990 to 1.9% in 2007... the last year for which data was available. For whites, the rate fell from 2.1% to 1.3%; for blacks, the rate fell from 6.4% to 4.8%.

Some try to make the argument that blacks are targeted for abortion because of their high rate relative to whites and other racial groups. The cause of high abortion rates among blacks is relatively straightforward: blacks engage in far more non-marital sex than other groups, have the highest rate of children born out of wedlock, and are the lowest socio-economic group. In other words, pregnancies among blacks are more likely to be unplanned and unwanted than other racial groups.

It would be a simple notion to say: blacks should become more responsible. Yes, that would be a nice solution to this social issue, but changing attitudes about a social issue among those who see no social issue is quite a challenge. Rather, one has to recognize that there has been a general collapse of the black sub-culture which is reflected in a number of "social issues": violent crime, single parent families, unwed mothers, and abortions. And the solution... "acting white"... creates a negative response among many lower socio-economic blacks.

One might argue that education efforts are showing some result as measured in the abortion rates for blacks. "Some" is different from "good" in the sense of comparative measures. There is a pattern of behavior that is self-destructive and self-perpetuating. Rather than arguing the morals or ethics of promiscuity, pregnancies by unwed females, or abortions as birth control, one should be discussing the social support system that enables and encourages the continuation of self-destructive and socially negative behaviors.

2012 IS HERE

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

70 Democratic Party Socialists - A Fungus Among Us

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT.

Not new news, but not publicized by the Democratic Party controlled press.

American Socialists Release Names of 70 Congressional Democrats in Their Ranks

2012 IS HERE

Top Obama Cabinet Member Sued Over Sexual Harrassment

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA.

It may not be as serious [to the Democratic Party controlled press] as Rep. Akin's gaffe about rape, but this interesting exclusive recently popped up its ugly head. Wonder why there is no outcry.

EXCLUSIVE: Top NY Homeland Security Cop Sues Napolitano; Alleges Obama DHS Officials’ Anti-Straight Discrimination, Demands for Oral Sex – “J-No Appointed Lesbian Girlfriend, ICE Chief of Staff Harassed Male Agents”

2012 IS HERE

Will Political Attitudes Toward Illegal Aliens Apply To Tax Cheaters?

SEARCH BLOG: IMMIGRATION and TAXES.

From the Huffington Post:

Republican Immigration Policy Grab Bag Could Become Party Platform

On Tuesday, Republican party platform drafters agreed to include language calling for a foreign guest worker program that could provide more American businesses with a font of legal and willing employees.

Also included in the platform is a call to complete a border fence along the U.S.–Mexico line, an end of in-state tuition for undocumented students, a ban on policies that create sanctuary cites, and mandatory use of the e-verify database. Sanctuary cities are communities where police and other public officials are generally prohibited from inquiring about the immigration people's status unless absolutely necessary, while e-verify is a federal database used to verify workers' eligibility to hold a job in the United States. [full article]

So, it appears that the way our federal politicians now approach the "rule of law" is that if you have a large enough group ignoring the law, then the politicians feel compelled to ignore it, too. First the was Obama's "it wasn't your fault you were brought here" amnesty. Now the Republicans are concerned that following the law of the land might cost them votes among those who are not supposed to be able to vote, but who can't be identified because federal policy says that isn't very nice.

Well, just out of curiosity, what would be the response of politicians if say 50 million American citizens ... people who actually paid taxes... decided that they didn't like the way the federal government was spending their tax dollars and decided that they would not send in more tax dollars until the situation was "fixed." Would those politicians suddenly be concerned that those taxpayers would no longer vote for them and decide that it was time for them to support not following tax laws?

I think not.

RELATED:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009

Obama to Push Tax Forgiveness Bill as One Priority

2012 IS HERE

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Apple Now The Most Valuable U.S. Company Ever

SEARCH BLOG: TECHNOLOGY.

From The Wall Street Journal:

Apple Inc. surpassed Microsoft Corp. Monday as the largest U.S. company ever, measured by stock-market value.

Apple hit the new milestone—$623.52 billion—at a time when its influence on the economy, on the stock market and on popular culture rivals that of some of the most powerful companies in U.S. history: General Motors Co., whose Corvette and Impala typified a confident postwar manufacturing giant; Microsoft, whose technology heralded the arrival of the personal computer and the early Internet age; and International Business Machines Corp., whose buttoned-down rigor inspired rivals to reach for greatness.

That's an awful lot of iPhones and iPads and Macbooks. But it tells us something about how the U.S. has changed in the past few decades.

50-years ago, people bought cars for more than transportation. Cars were a statement about personal wealth and conferred status commensurate with the cost of the vehicle. Cars were customized and coddled. Sure, some of that goes on today... mostly with pickup trucks and small cars that make buzzing sounds... but most cars are now purely functional and functional is not sexy or demanding of a premium price.

30-years ago personal computers were new and made a statement about personal wealth and conferred status commensurate with the cost of the computer. Microsoft and IBM were computers... except for those odd Apple computers that the oddballs bought. If you were in business, you wanted IBM and Microsoft and you wanted them big and loaded so that everyone could be in awe of your computing prowess. Sure, some of that goes on today, but computers are now purely functional and function is not sexy or demanding of a premium price.

A few years ago, "smart phones" began to appear. There were a few who grasped the significance of this technology... the world at your fingertips anytime and anyplace. There were many manufacturers who made them functional and a great convenience, but being purely functional was not sexy or demanding a premium price over every other smart phone.

But Apple had a different vision of this so-called smart phone. It would be whatever you wanted it to be. If you wanted it to be a game board, it became one. If you wanted it to be a GPS unit, presto it was. If you wanted it to be any of thousands of things, Apple made it possible... by letting others do the work creating "apps" and make a little money and make the iPhone an unbeatable, sexy product by becoming thousands of products in one that, presto, demanded a premium price. And then they made it bigger and took away the phone feature and called it an iPad and, presto, they had a sexy new "tablet" that demanded a premium price. And sexy sells a lot of phones and tablets... it makes statements and that makes a lot of money.

In 20 years will Apple be the next General Motors or IBM? Hey, those corporations are still big, but not so sexy. They are functional. Maybe that's just the way of the world. We've gone from cars, to large computers, to small, powerful iEverythings. We've downsized our world to the palms of our hands. Maybe the next big thing is the removal of the real world to be replaced by a virtual world where we are not limited to things that can hold us or that we can hold. Maybe the next Apple is integrated with us, but makes everything sexy and lets anything be a statement that only we can perceive... and that will be the only thing we care about. Our own personal Matrix?

Everything else will be purely functional... and functional just isn't sexy or demanding a premium price.

2012 IS HERE

Monday, August 20, 2012

Text To Speech For Blogs

SEARCH BLOG: TECHNOLOGY

We're trying an experiment today. I've been a fan of speech recognition before it became really practical with today's powerful processors. But today's experiment is sort of the opposite. Rather than recognizing speech and handling commands, I've added a feature that recognizes text and speaks it.

There is a little player at the top of the blog that allows you to hear the text for each post. It is quite literal and reads everything... including the standard links on the bottom. But it might be useful for those with problems reading the computer screen or who just want the material presented to them without completely focusing on it.

As with any player, you can use the double arrows to skip to the next segment or go back to a previous one.

More information HERE.

2012 IS HERE

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Obama's Racist Message - "Romney Is A Racist"

SEARCH BLOG: OBAMA and ROMNEY

Politics is heating up with only three months to go until the election. Apparently, it is now racist "code" to use the words "angry" and "divisive" and "irresponsible" because these only apply to blacks. h/t The Ulsterman Report.

Yes, Romney is a racist because of "code" words. Yet the Obama administration refuses to mention anything about certain of its supporters who go well beyond what they perceive to be "code" words.

The Obama Justice Department thinks these kind of racial threats ... and actual voter intimidation ... are perfectly acceptable forms of political communication.

..."angry" and "divisive" and "irresponsible"... if the "code" fits....

2012 IS HERE

Friday, August 17, 2012

Think Like An Economist

SEARCH BLOG: UNEMPLOYMENT

This has been around for awhile, but somehow stays relevant. From an email I received today:

The Unemployment Rate

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment

rate in America.

ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.

COSTELLO: You just said 9%.

ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 16% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 16%?

ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.

COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the

unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!& nbsp;

ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be

counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work.

Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up.

And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the

unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that

would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you

don't look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%.

Otherwise it would be 16%. You don't want to read about 16%

unemployment, do
ya?

COSTELLO: That would be frightening.

ABBOTT: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there

are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking

for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down,

and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an economist.

COSTELLO: I don't even know what the hell I just said!

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like a politician.

2012 IS HERE

Thursday, August 16, 2012

R.I.P. Spc. Kyle McClain

SEARCH BLOG: MILITARY

Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff across Michigan for a 25-year-old Army National Guard soldier from suburban Detroit who was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

The order honors Spc. Kyle McClain, 25, of Shelby Township.
Authorities say McClain died Aug. 1 when an improvised explosive device went off in Salim Aka, Afghanistan. He was part of an engineering company based in Kalamazoo, and four other unit members were seriously hurt in the blast. McClain was promoted to sergeant on the day of his death. [full article]

He was a wonderful young man from a loving family. Our family had the honor and pleasure of knowing Kyle through our nephew and our son.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

President Obama Proposes Rational Discussion About Medicare and Medicaid

SEARCH BLOG: HEALTH CARE

But, but, but, but... that was TWO YEARS AGO! We can't be rational with an election at hand! h/t TrogloPundit

RELATED:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

Rep. Wyden Did Not Build That Plan

2012 IS HERE

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Sen. Wyden Did Not Build That Plan

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT

Via Legal Insurrection:

I did not build that plan.

No, it was his doppelganger.

2012 IS HERE

Regulations Protect Us From Evil Farmers

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT

From Reason:

Virginia Farmer Holds Party for Little Girls, Sells Tomatoes and Yarn, Gets Slammed With $15,000 in Fines

Katherine Mangu-Ward|Aug. 13, 2012 3:17 pm

Martha Boneta owns a small farm in Fauquier County, Virginia, where she recently hosted a birthday party for eight 10-year-old girls. They wore hats, picked veggies, and made goat's milk soap. The county says she should have obtain a license before hosting such an event and hit her with a $5,000 fine.

Boneta also got slammed with two more fines for $5,000 each, one for advertising a pumpkin carving and another for violations in the small shop on her property. Boneta sells produce from her farm, as well as eggs, yarn, birdhouses, and local crafts. She sought and received a license for the shop in 2011, but the county now says she can't sell handiwork or produce from her neighbors under that license. [read more]

Tin tyrants.

2012 IS HERE

GM - Bailout Worked Almost

SEARCH BLOG: AUTOMOBILES

The Detroit News reports:

Treasury: U.S. to lose $25 billion on auto bailout

By David Shepardson

Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington -The Treasury Department says in a new report the government expects to lose more than $25 billion on the $85 billion auto bailout. That's 15 percent higher than its previous forecast.

In a monthly report sent to Congress on Friday, the Obama administration boosted its forecast of expected losses by more than $3.3 billion to almost $25.1 billion, up from $21.7 billion in the last quarterly update.

The report may still underestimate the losses. The report covers predicted losses through May 31, when GM's stock price was $22.20 a share.

On Monday, GM stock fell $0.07, or 0.3 percent, to $20.47. At that price, the government would lose another $850 million on its GM bailout.

The government still holds 500 million shares of GM stock and needs to sell them for about $53 each to recover its entire $49.5 billion bailout. At the current price, the Treasury would lose more than $16 billion on its GM bailout.

2012 IS HERE

This Sort Of Racist Gossip Would Be Condemned - If It Were White

SEARCH BLOG: RACIAL RELATIONSHIP

Via The Detroit Free Press:

Oh, You Too Good For A Sistah?! Black Men That We’ve NEVER Seen With A Black Woman

What?

2012 IS HERE

Monday, August 13, 2012

Supreme Court: Illegal Activity Should Be Rewarded

SEARCH BLOG: GOVERNMENT

This is what happens when the rule of law is replaced with ethnic sensitivity. We are a doomed nation.

2012 IS HERE

CO2 Cap and Trade

There is always an easy solution to every human problem—neat, plausible, and wrong.

Henry Louis Mencken (1880–1956)
“The Divine Afflatus,” A Mencken Chrestomathy, chapter 25, p. 443 (1949)

... and one could add "not all human problems really are."

It was beautiful and simple, as truly great swindles are.
- O. Henry

... The Government is on course for an embarrassing showdown with the European Union, business groups and environmental charities after refusing to guarantee that billions of pounds of revenue it stands to earn from carbon-permit trading will be spent on combating climate change.

The Independent (UK)

FEDERAL RESERVE & HOUSING

SEARCH BLOG: FEDERAL RESERVE for full versions... or use the Blog Archive pulldown menu.

February 3, 2006 Go back to 1999-2000 and see what the Fed did. They are following the same pattern for 2005-06. If it ain't broke, the Fed will fix it... and good!
August 29, 2006 The Federal Reserve always acts on old information... and is the only cause of U.S. recessions.
December 5, 2006 Last spring I wrote about what I saw to be a sharp downturn in the economy in the "rustbelt" states, particularly Michigan.
March 28, 2007

The Federal Reserve sees no need to cut interest rates in the light of adverse recent economic data, Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

The Fed chairman said ”to date, the incoming data have supported the view that the current stance of policy is likely to foster sustainable economic growth and a gradual ebbing in core inflation”.

July 21, 2007 My guess is that if there is an interest rate change, a cut is more likely than an increase. The key variables to be watching at this point are real estate prices and the inventory of unsold homes.
August 11, 2007 I suspect that within 6 months the Federal Reserve will be forced to lower interest rates before housing becomes a black hole.
September 11, 2007 It only means that the overall process has flaws guaranteeing it will be slow in responding to changes in the economy... and tend to over-react as a result.
September 18, 2007 I think a 4% rate is really what is needed to turn the economy back on the right course. The rate may not get there, but more cuts will be needed with employment rates down and foreclosure rates up.
October 25, 2007 How long will it be before I will be able to write: "The Federal Reserve lowered its lending rate to 4% in response to the collapse of the U.S. housing market and massive numbers of foreclosures that threaten the banking and mortgage sectors."
November 28, 2007 FED VICE CHAIRMAN DONALD KOHN

"Should the elevated turbulence persist, it would increase the possibility of further tightening in financial conditions for households and businesses," he said.
"Uncertainties about the economic outlook are unusually high right now," he said. "These uncertainties require flexible and pragmatic policymaking -- nimble is the adjective I used a few weeks ago."
http://www.reuters.com/

December 11, 2007 Somehow the Fed misses the obvious.

[Image from: CNNMoney.com]

December 13, 2007 [from The Christian Science Monitor]

"The odds of a recession are now above 50 percent," says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "We are right on the edge of a recession in part because of the Fed's reluctance to reduce interest rates more aggressively." [see my comments of September 11]

January 7, 2008 The real problem now is that consumers can't rescue the economy and manufacturing, which is already weakening, will continue to weaken. We've gutted the forces that could avoid a downturn. The question is not whether there will be a recession, but can it be dampened sufficiently so that it is very short.
January 11, 2008 This is death by a thousand cuts.
January 13, 2008 [N.Y. Times]

“The question is not whether we will have a recession, but how deep and prolonged it will be,” said David Rosenberg, the chief North American economist at Merrill Lynch. “Even if the Fed’s moves are going to work, it will not show up until the later part of 2008 or 2009.”

January 17, 2008 A few days ago, Anna Schwartz, nonagenarian economist, implicated the Federal Reserve as the cause of the present lending crisis [from the Telegraph - UK]:

The high priestess of US monetarism - a revered figure at the Fed - says the central bank is itself the chief cause of the credit bubble, and now seems stunned as the consequences of its own actions engulf the financial system. "The new group at the Fed is not equal to the problem that faces it," she says, daring to utter a thought that fellow critics mostly utter sotto voce.

January 22, 2008 The cut has become infected and a limb is in danger. Ben Bernanke is panicking and the Fed has its emergency triage team cutting rates... this time by 3/4%. ...

What should the Federal Reserve do now? Step back... and don't be so anxious to raise rates at the first sign of economic improvement.

Individuals and businesses need stability in their financial cost structures so that they can plan effectively and keep their ships afloat. Wildly fluctuating rates... regardless of what the absolute levels are... create problems. Either too much spending or too much fear. It's just not that difficult to comprehend. Why has it been so difficult for the Fed?

Friday, August 31, 2012

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

U.S. announces tough new 54.5-mpg CAFE standard for vehicle fuel economy

TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

WEDNESDAY, MAY 02, 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Friday, August 24, 2012

THURSDAY, AUGUST 09, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Monday, August 20, 2012

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Friday, August 17, 2012

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tin tyrants.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Can"t Find It?

Blog Archive

Climate Change - What Is and Is Not (Short List)

Science News

Price of Being Crude

Cost of Gasoline - Enter Your Zipcode or Click on Map

CO2 Cap and Trade

Tracking Interest Rates

FEDERAL RESERVE & HOUSING

About Me

Climate Comments

From The Heritage Foundation

Judicial Watch - Feed

Adm. Perry Would Have Agreed

Declaration of Independence

U.S. Statewide Temperature Records

You Get The Government For Which You Voted

What's Your Plan?

New Definition Of Constitutional Law

Current Weather

When will the economic turnaround occur?

In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress [THOMAS]

We would have been richer had there been no nature-induced recession

Ironic Words

From Watts Up With That?

U.S. Extreme Temperatures - Statewide Annual Records

Climate Science Versus IPCC

Climate Forcings - Consensus Without Knowledge?

Just Disregard The Sun Above Your Heads... It's The CO2 You Produce

Explaining Higher and Lower Temperatures

2008 = 1980

GOOD RESOURCE FOR BLOGSPOT PROBLEMS

Translate This Site