tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50234477118645954972024-02-20T02:50:23.148-05:00News GangsterThe problem is that we think we're not the problem.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-40383830323298450282011-03-16T12:30:00.001-04:002011-03-16T12:30:58.763-04:00Programming NoteThis blog has been replaced by an <a href="http://michaelcasp.blogspot.com">even better blog</a>. You may find it <a href="http://michaelcasp.blogspot.com">here</a>. Or you may not, I don't know, I don't run the internet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-6596575122155223002011-01-25T13:59:00.000-05:002011-01-25T13:59:23.327-05:00Super Bowl XLV Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQiyG-8Xa7IXWetKzqYk6oH6Kl9IGxhk7Su5ZLvAh4QBPPNmRay7yGP9vycvs4q_hrfIOLqN-OaqpT58LTT1AU1tJqevks9UHLgKIQu233KJmcy6hEqAtD6kH3vQPcbElmutTtumMONFd/s1600/NFL-Steelers-Packers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQiyG-8Xa7IXWetKzqYk6oH6Kl9IGxhk7Su5ZLvAh4QBPPNmRay7yGP9vycvs4q_hrfIOLqN-OaqpT58LTT1AU1tJqevks9UHLgKIQu233KJmcy6hEqAtD6kH3vQPcbElmutTtumMONFd/s400/NFL-Steelers-Packers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Two of the oldest NFL franchises. Two of the most aggressive defenses. Two of the most challenging quarterbacks. Two of the best fan bases. Green Bay. Pittsburgh. <br />
<br />
It will be a battle for the ages. So how will it go down?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Steeler Offense vs. Packer Defense</b><br />
<br />
The Packer defense has consistently shown up, game after game. With stalwarts like Raji holding the line, Matthews rushing the passer, Woodson covering the slot, and a couple of young talented corners, the Packer defense has playmakers at every level. But how do they stack up to the Steelers offense?<br />
<br />
Up front, the Steelers have a patchwork line with only one original starter, left guard Chris Kemoeatu. However, despite the injury bug, this unit of backups has jelled down the stretch, and is playing decent football. The Steelers have also used extra tight ends to shore up pass coverage and to run the ball. Green Bay's defense is strongest against the pass, and I think they can be run on. Pittsburgh showed last week against the Jets that even without Pro-Bowl center Markice Pouncey, Mendenhall can still scratch out yards in chunks.<br />
<br />
The Steelers have exceptional strength under center, with arguably the strongest QB in the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger. His size, strength, and mobility can frustrate pass rushers, but his patchwork protection can leave him vulnerable at times. Against Green Bay's elite secondary, and strong pass rush, I expect Ben to have a challenging day, and to take multiple sacks.<br />
<br />
Speaking of the Packer secondary, they are perhaps the best in the NFL. Look for them to play the pass with an extra corner back. Pittsburgh's wide receivers will have a hard time separating, so look for Ben to target mismatches with his rookie recievers, Sanders and Brown, as well as tight end Heath Miller.<br />
<br />
I predict the Packers will limit the Steeler's passing attack, while having trouble stopping the run. Though Pittsburgh's offensive line is in shambles, they have proven they can still win in the trenches.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Packer Offense vs. Steeler Defense</b><br />
<br />
Aaron Rodgers has become the hottest name in football, and deservedly so. He has pinpoint accuracy, great movement, and terrific speed for a quarterback. Pittsburgh has struggled against top-flight QBs, losing to both Tom Brady and Drew Brees in the regular season. Look for Rodgers and his great receivers to attack Pittsburgh's mediocre secondary.<br />
<br />
Up front, Green Bay's line has struggled to protect Rodgers. The sack numbers don't show it, as Rodgers is talented at evading the rush and making the play, but he has spent a great deal of time this season running from pass rushers. His speed and ability to make plays on the run make him very dangerous regardless of his protection, so containment with pressure will be the key for Pittsburgh's defensive front.<br />
<br />
Remember, those Pittsburgh front seven have become one of the best in NFL history at stopping the run. Green Bay lost their star running back early in the season, but have been riding back-up James Starks through the playoffs. He runs strong, with conviction, but he hasn't faced a defense like this before. I see the Green Bay running game being fairly limited in the contest, relying on Rodgers using the pass to set up the run.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, the Packers will have success through the air, but will struggle in the run game unless it can force the Steelers into a nickle defense.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Special Teams</b><br />
<br />
Both teams have struggled on special teams this year, so I see this matchup to be relatively even. Steelers have had some success with Antonio Brown returning kicks, but he's certainly no Devin Hester. A big play by either team on special teams is possible, and could greatly affect the outcome. <br />
<br />
As for kickers, neither are top of the class. Both are adequate, but don't expect great accuracy on field goals or long kickoffs for touchbacks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>My Prediction</b><br />
<br />
These teams are mirror images of each other. Elite 3-4 defenses, mobile playmaking quarterbacks, and talented wide receivers. Both teams emphasize developing draft picks over trading for free agents. Both come from old football towns with incredible fans. Both poised to win the biggest game in football. But only one can be crowned champion.<br />
<br />
Very little separates these teams. Green Bay can score points through the air, and Pittsburgh can score points on the ground. Green Bay has enough talent to beat Pittsburgh, but ultimately, I think it comes down to Pittsburgh's experience in the big game mixed with the ability to ground and pound. It will be close, but even if it comes down to the final drive, no one has proven he can finish playoff games better than Ben Roethlisberger. <br />
<br />
<i>My pick</i>: Steelers, in a thriller.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-79761750030008559362011-01-23T22:01:00.002-05:002011-01-23T22:01:55.365-05:00VICTORY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_AH4sR0yAkRd_bABMNrFBTlA7_4hSg74B0b_YdAq3oB4KtoG9CYGGQgYd0OHBIOphd_lNQzRlhEDJtMTg6t-I45UQeaYc1qDR-Q1VZTfAETH-90koeGbv6zitybLgJAamKA_VZdXKFTd/s1600/balrog_steelers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_AH4sR0yAkRd_bABMNrFBTlA7_4hSg74B0b_YdAq3oB4KtoG9CYGGQgYd0OHBIOphd_lNQzRlhEDJtMTg6t-I45UQeaYc1qDR-Q1VZTfAETH-90koeGbv6zitybLgJAamKA_VZdXKFTd/s400/balrog_steelers.JPG" width="316" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-33571687368933814402010-11-30T15:09:00.002-05:002010-11-30T15:10:45.033-05:00Fuck You Comcast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-B7i7tSDIdXw9Ag2cIvAHx5-6kFsOTzvu7Qo4OfrYL2OlJwrMUDoy1m5fWC2tyUR0o1f5xH1Ap4PSnUIp7-scCtI2_U2fAE0EochnPB75-hLIfHZZBjSak5H93CAlpkm6m7qOEgOFA_n/s1600/comcastBC.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-B7i7tSDIdXw9Ag2cIvAHx5-6kFsOTzvu7Qo4OfrYL2OlJwrMUDoy1m5fWC2tyUR0o1f5xH1Ap4PSnUIp7-scCtI2_U2fAE0EochnPB75-hLIfHZZBjSak5H93CAlpkm6m7qOEgOFA_n/s400/comcastBC.GIF" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-at-heart-of-level-3comcast-dispute-2010-11-30">Net Neutrality</a> debate is about to heat up again, as Comcast strong arms Netflix's delivery company, Level 3, into paying higher fees to deliver content that Comcast's internet subscribers have requested.<br />
<br />
Comcast is using its monopoly status to exact rents from Level 3 and Netflix. Many people in this country have no option when choosing an ISP. In my town, only Time Warner is available. Since there is little to no competition in the ISP arena, Comcast is able to extract unreasonable fees from content providers.<br />
<br />
Comcast subscribers are already paying for the bandwidth, that's what their monthly payment is for. But Comcast wants to squeeze more money out of their crooked system by charging companies like Level 3 extra to provide content that Comcast customers have requested.<br />
<br />
Internet customers are paying to have the data they want delivered to them. Had Level 3 not given in to Comcast's demands, Comcast would have breached their agreement with their subscribers by blocking Netflix content. They can do this because they know their subscribers have no other options for broadband internet. <br />
<br />
It's a racket, it's anti-competitive, it's anti-net-neutrality, and it is illegal. The FCC needs to do it's job and prevent monopolies like Comcast from controlling what their customers can and can't get online.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-9642496408956244432010-11-30T14:43:00.000-05:002010-11-30T14:43:27.895-05:00When Unemployment Runs Out, the Unemployed Get Cranky<b>Q:</b> How can a government that has done such a horrible job of managing the economy keep its citizens from revolting en masse? <br />
<br />
<b>A:</b> Spend like there's no tomorrow. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately for the government, and the unemployed masses, tomorrow is almost here.<br />
<br />
In December, the <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2010/1104/When-unemployment-extensions-end-a-movement-rises-the-99ers">unemployment extension</a>, which allowed people to continue receiving unemployment benefits for 99 weeks after losing their jobs, will run out, immediately dropping tens or hundreds of thousands of Americans from the unemployment rolls, and eventually dropping many more. <br />
<br />
Up until now, the government has managed to keep a lid on the anger of Americans by keeping the unemployed fed with foodstamps and kept money in their pockets with extended unemployment benefits. But these are stopgap measures that count on a rebounding economy to get people back to work. However, our economy shows little signs of a rebound, and people continue to lose their jobs.<br />
<br />
In an era when banks receive billions of federal dollars for a job poorly done, Americans are fully justified in their anger towards their government. Our economy is crumbling while our legislators twiddle their thumbs, while devising new ways to reward corporate failure.<br />
<br />
Now that the unemployed are about to feel the full force of the crappy situation we're in, we can expect their anger to grow. <br />
<br />
Notice that even though this is the worst economy since the Great Depression, we haven't seen any bread lines or droves of unemployed workers flooding the streets. This is a testament to the effectiveness of food stamps and unemployment checks at hiding the devastation. But once we run out of money for those programs, things will get ugly.<br />
<br />
I'm not thrilled about the prospect of a breakdown of social order, but this is the bed we made, and come December, we will have to lay in it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-79553264614239708802010-11-23T12:34:00.002-05:002010-11-23T12:35:39.956-05:00Higher Taxes Won't Reduce the DeficitPoliticians claim we need to raise taxes to reduce the deficit, but <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704648604575620502560925156.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h">history shows</a> that higher taxes have always lead to even higher spending.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>In the late 1980s, one of us, Richard Vedder, and Lowell Gallaway of Ohio University co-authored a often-cited research paper for the congressional Joint Economic Committee (known as the $1.58 study) that found that every new dollar of new taxes led to more than one dollar of new spending by Congress. Subsequent revisions of the study over the next decade found similar results.<br />
<br />
We've updated the research. Using standard statistical analyses that introduce variables to control for business-cycle fluctuations, wars and inflation, we found that over the entire post World War II era through 2009 each dollar of new tax revenue was associated with $1.17 of new spending. Politicians spend the money as fast as it comes in—and a little bit more.<br />
</blockquote><br />
The only option left is to cut spending, but we already knew that, didn't we?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-72415089949127077282010-11-12T13:04:00.000-05:002010-11-12T13:04:19.217-05:00Walking the WalkPoliticians in Washington are great at talking the talk. It gets them elected, it gets them soundbites on TV news, and it convinces their constituents to continue supporting them.<br />
<br />
But now it is time to walk the walk. The conservative swing in this year's election has been an indictment of overspending in Washington. The Tea party formed in direct response to corporate giveaways and budget busting entitlements. The mission for Congress this session is clear: <br />
<br />
CUT SPENDING.<br />
<br />
And now it is time for them to walk the walk. It is easy for a conservative to call for lower taxes and spending, but the process of actually cutting things from government is anything but simple. It will be an uphill battle with deep political consequences. Nobody wants to lose their access to the Federal Gravy Train. But it must be done.<br />
<br />
So let's do it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-58764554167915748932010-11-05T12:41:00.000-04:002010-11-05T12:41:17.887-04:00A thousand words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzdnDJrazmJ6jFyD0ruGpLoQLR7wIQ_HlD03wOIbPIZ8GJl6_S3re7NPApPY2v61q05u-xK4IzFg83x99bGIpQEXaCgQlswlklpiziIQNz36mo2fCErxRTjyoXBslbp8xYOUrl_WRU0hg/s1600/red_tape1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzdnDJrazmJ6jFyD0ruGpLoQLR7wIQ_HlD03wOIbPIZ8GJl6_S3re7NPApPY2v61q05u-xK4IzFg83x99bGIpQEXaCgQlswlklpiziIQNz36mo2fCErxRTjyoXBslbp8xYOUrl_WRU0hg/s400/red_tape1.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
I like it for three reasons. <br />
<br />
1. I am personally enraged by redundant, time consuming paperwork. <br />
2. Reducing paperwork means increasing freedom and economic efficiency.<br />
3. I really want to reach out and squeeze those scissorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-5728671777713264332010-11-04T12:24:00.000-04:002010-11-04T12:24:19.188-04:00The Fed Conjurs Up $600 BillionIn an effort to support sagging interest in US Treasuries, the <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-to-buy-600-billion-in-government-bonds-2010-11-03">Federal Reserve</a> has resorted to what they call "quantitative easing" which is a fancy way of saying creating new money out of thin air. <br />
<br />
What they are effectively doing is monetizing the losses by both the banking sector and the federal government, by which I mean stealing wealth from every person who holds US dollars to pay for boneheaded mistakes at the highest levels of power.<br />
<br />
The Fed has couched this new money magic in a false effort to, well, I don't know what bullshit they're spinning this time. Increase demand, increase lending, reduce interest rates, support the stock market, stimulate the economy. Whatever, don't believe them. This is yet more trickery to hide the fact that America is in a deep, deep hole. <br />
<br />
It's as if the Chilean miners were given massive doses of hallucinogenic drugs to help them forget that they were buried thousands of feet below ground. Unfortunately, the drugs eventually wear off, and you're still 2,300 feet underground. <br />
<br />
On the news of fresh, new money, stocks jumped, as did gold and silver. The new money shocked the stock market up sharply, and the loss of faith in the dollar pushed more investors into already inflated gold and silver. <br />
<br />
Those in the know can see right through the Fed's trickery and are making out like bandits. Everybody else is getting royally screwed, but probably don't even know it.<br />
<br />
The Fed is playing roulette with the wealth of an entire nation. The fact that so few people are outraged is proof that Americans are woefully uninformed about their own monetary system. <br />
<br />
Or, as Henry Ford once said, <b>"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-38930916327048175682010-11-03T00:35:00.001-04:002010-11-03T00:39:23.846-04:00Tea Partiers Come to Polls in DrovesTea Party Fever sweeps the nation as conservative candidates across America win a multitude of races against liberal opponents. <br />
<br />
When asked for an explanation of the poll results, Democratic Strategist Melanie Kessler had this to say, "I honestly didn't think those rubes would be able to find the polling places. It's probably the result of some Fox News propoganda ploy."<br />
<br />
President Obama was equally baffled by the mid-term results, "These morons don't know how much we're doing for them. We're helping you, dip-shits! I can't understand why they'd vote against us."<br />
<br />
As conservatives re-take the House of Representatives, Democratic strategists attempt to regroup with a new round of initiatives. "Americans were clearly dissatisfied with the level of spending in the bank bailouts, stimulus programs, and health care reform. So we've come up with a bill that will outspend all of those put together. Try and vote against THAT come 2012!"<br />
<br />
Minorities and the disabled have already begun barricading themselves inside their homes, in preparation of the coming onslaught. "They're comin to kill me, I know it," said black man Ronnie Jackson. Wheelchair guy Chris Ingle was equally frightened, "I heard they used guys like me as hunting decoys."<br />
<br />
Keith Olbermann could not be reached for comment, as his head exploded. One camera, two microphones, and a lighting fixture were damaged in the blast. Luckily, no one was watching.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-82269683654830951062010-11-02T12:17:00.001-04:002010-11-02T12:17:33.637-04:00Vote DayHey Americans, go vote so that we can all live in freedom and democracy forever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-59241447835644413022010-10-21T17:29:00.000-04:002010-10-21T17:29:26.529-04:00How It Will Go Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph8i66JobEaNwSDP6s9bFb86Hmi4izqcHhqF1o4xEMWIAhcejO2yHzO4kKRmJxYpAWkXmrF9-AubcC9ysrpd7qLYFTLFOa2BQ9GM2Zw4dFo3YnToowEWXZcRiDRkL76W-CxTMWMDUCQqq/s1600/paper-money-bubble-SH.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph8i66JobEaNwSDP6s9bFb86Hmi4izqcHhqF1o4xEMWIAhcejO2yHzO4kKRmJxYpAWkXmrF9-AubcC9ysrpd7qLYFTLFOa2BQ9GM2Zw4dFo3YnToowEWXZcRiDRkL76W-CxTMWMDUCQqq/s400/paper-money-bubble-SH.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Any questions?<br />
<br />
<br />
[via Glasperlenspieler]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-1335023069430737522010-10-21T13:02:00.000-04:002010-10-21T13:02:47.935-04:00Puff Daddy and Magic Johnson to Buy Buffalo Bills, Bring NFL back to LA<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/will-sean-combs-move-the-buffalo-bills-to-la-2010-10">Sean "Puffy" Combs</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/is-magic-johnson-selling-his-assets-to-bring-the-nfl-to-la-2010-10">Magic Johnson</a> have both been making noises about buying an NFL franchise and bringing it to LA.<br />
<br />
Puffy is estimated to be worth about half a billion, and Magic just sold his stake in the Lakers as well as his many Starbucks franchises, and both have expressed interest in moving the Buffalo Bills to LA.<br />
<br />
Together, with their money, clout, and business acumen, they could do it. And they probably will.<br />
<br />
Neat huh?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-5471554489912159422010-10-21T12:23:00.000-04:002010-10-21T12:23:26.401-04:00Social Security StalemateSocial Security is a budgetary trick that is virtually indistinguishable from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme">Ponzi scheme</a>. Workers pay in, theoretically so that they will have something to take out when they retire. However, this money doesn't go into a lockbox. It goes straight to current beneficiaries. <br />
<br />
There is no Social Security Trust Fund. There was supposed to be, but it ended up getting spent by our government. In it's place are billions in Treasuries, which when the time comes to cash them in, our broke-ass government will just print some more dollars, making those T-bills effectively worthless.<br />
<br />
Social Security is broke, and any attempt to fix it is met with <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/21/912142/-Yes,-Republicans-DO-want-to-end-Social-Security">FIERCE liberal rhetoric</a>, even though they bring no ideas on how to fix it themselves. <br />
<br />
Bush's attempt to privatize Social Security went down in flames. Current Republican reforms are being met with cries that they are killing Social Security, and that they want old people to live in abject poverty.<br />
<br />
The funny thing is, these attempts are actually trying to save Social Security, while the Left simultaneously sits on their hands and puts their fingers in their ears while Social Security sinks deeper into the red.<br />
<br />
The time of Social Security reckoning will come, and we will know who really brought the pain.<br />
<br />
Of course, both sides will continue to play the shell game. Once the program hits the wall, the Right will call for reforms and blame the Left for spending too much, and the Left will say the Right wants old people to live in the streets. <br />
<br />
But we are catching on to their game.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-91157863251974394212010-10-21T11:34:00.001-04:002010-10-21T11:37:10.948-04:00Railroads Get a Boost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMrXC7dAUWOjImm26OzLRq3ZneohOFKw6yCIEZof9hAxQpHGyhJ1pWQIaeH8dL1Ig8PrGpSRESL0t4Yn_SoJcludNkA0TCasprKDsgiv1TCEuREGJWAwgSSnx0QDDubq3SaXtQhHoD_NU/s1600/union_pacific.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMrXC7dAUWOjImm26OzLRq3ZneohOFKw6yCIEZof9hAxQpHGyhJ1pWQIaeH8dL1Ig8PrGpSRESL0t4Yn_SoJcludNkA0TCasprKDsgiv1TCEuREGJWAwgSSnx0QDDubq3SaXtQhHoD_NU/s400/union_pacific.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Not everyone is struggling in this economy, as <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304023804575565924104532344.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">railroads see strong surges in profit</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Union Pacific Corp.'s third-quarter profit jumped 51% as the railroad company posted volume growth for the third consecutive quarter and noted freight revenue improved across all business segments.<br />
<br />
Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Young said strong volume growth, pricing gains and operating efficiency "combined to produce another record quarter" for the company. Results easily topped Wall Street's expectations.<br />
<br />
The company's results further highlight the transport sector's rebound from last year's moribund levels, as the U.S. economic recovery continues. Already, peer CSX Corp. and transport companies J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and United Parcel Services Inc. have reported results above prior-year levels as volumes jump higher. Union Pacific has said it sees a peak autumn intermodal shipping seasons, although it warned of industry uncertainty.</blockquote><br />
As the dollar weakens and commodity prices rise, commodity movers like railroads should see a boost, as I wrote about <a href="http://newsgangster.blogspot.com/2009/11/betting-against-greenback.html">a year ago</a>, when Warren Buffet bought railroad company Burlington Northern.<br />
<br />
I should really start listening to myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-54278131963538187102010-10-21T11:11:00.001-04:002010-10-21T11:12:27.116-04:00They Took Our Jobs! [Robot Apocalypse]These cold, heartless bastards aren't content to just <a href="http://newsgangster.blogspot.com/search/label/robot%20apocalypse">conquer the world</a>, they want <a href="http://consumerist.com/2010/10/robots-are-stealing-your-jobs.html">our JOBS too</a>!<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Today, a Japanese company called Fanuc, Ltd., has industrial robots making other industrial robots in a "lights out" factory. (That's the somewhat unsettling term for a fully automated production facility where you don't need lights because you don't need humans.) That's where we're headed.<br />
<br />
It's not just manufacturing, either. Automated call centers are replacing customer-service agents. Automated checkout stations are replacing grocery-store clerks. When the science of computer vision advances sufficiently, we'll have algorithms, not humans, evaluating X-rays at airport security checkpoints and screening user-generated content for sites like Facebook.</blockquote><br />
The robots are going to do all our work, better than us, at a fraction of the cost.<br />
<br />
Or, as the denizens of South Park so eloquently put it:<br />
<br />
<embed id=VideoPlayback src=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-6610212795155043011&hl=en&fs=true style=width:400px;height:326px allowFullScreen=true allowScriptAccess=always type=application/x-shockwave-flash> </embed>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-7621622408419428492010-10-21T11:03:00.000-04:002010-10-21T11:03:01.359-04:00The Gramophone Makes a Comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUw4oJwCGg2erQPBa3ZsjJP9ScaF9ckeWHSFstddRh121MYzd9S6wRNebhZqGssNv5Np-Pux4fli4h4JWaf3sjeALYdhveKeHTdEKLzqx1tdGYHGVcF5Mv6ZF4_6kS174ynaV4yg3sOo3/s1600/500x_iphonehorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUw4oJwCGg2erQPBa3ZsjJP9ScaF9ckeWHSFstddRh121MYzd9S6wRNebhZqGssNv5Np-Pux4fli4h4JWaf3sjeALYdhveKeHTdEKLzqx1tdGYHGVcF5Mv6ZF4_6kS174ynaV4yg3sOo3/s400/500x_iphonehorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Or should I say "GramiPhone?" No, no I shouldn't.<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://gizmodo.com/5669685/no-cranking-or-hearing-aids-necessary-with-this-iphone-gramophone-amplifier">Gizmodo</a>]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-35995348623673079602010-10-20T16:02:00.002-04:002010-10-20T16:09:47.112-04:00Gadsden Flag Redux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6k4coOFii0mdQnIjaljV0cY8dOk-FSzYSC8bMRIV2GQcETWUdg0ZHb3f5WGVMRY8o-seDKkZ-wzs6lLS-P6-wYMsIENQ20cNfkWCvgEpHBnbDxy5yZKczCA1XSZTc_0XUMYkK6yR_ZQJ/s1600/dont_tread_on_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6k4coOFii0mdQnIjaljV0cY8dOk-FSzYSC8bMRIV2GQcETWUdg0ZHb3f5WGVMRY8o-seDKkZ-wzs6lLS-P6-wYMsIENQ20cNfkWCvgEpHBnbDxy5yZKczCA1XSZTc_0XUMYkK6yR_ZQJ/s400/dont_tread_on_me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Molotov cocktails: when a snake just isn't threatening enough.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-89474874987716956272010-10-20T14:57:00.000-04:002010-10-20T14:57:07.535-04:00America... FUCK YEAH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrbZTrTDQV76hkFBTJQz88HrA-01wQlwtLCRiqqdDlpSNVTtgSGX-WuWkECBc-rfbXJcJ0VANmegcjVwQIKrsf7tbykQh4SpAbbo_Ar1Z9t7dvp_LkMCZs9euG_tPfMqluFeeYEiEhYuy/s1600/america.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrbZTrTDQV76hkFBTJQz88HrA-01wQlwtLCRiqqdDlpSNVTtgSGX-WuWkECBc-rfbXJcJ0VANmegcjVwQIKrsf7tbykQh4SpAbbo_Ar1Z9t7dvp_LkMCZs9euG_tPfMqluFeeYEiEhYuy/s400/america.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-79851731906033978132010-10-20T14:49:00.001-04:002010-10-20T14:49:48.458-04:00Language Learning Computer Insults Obama [Robot Apocalypse]NELL, the smartest l<a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/meet-nell-the-computer-thats-taught-itself-to-call-barack-obama-a-politicianus/story-e6frfro0-1225940246565#ixzz12vTzOeeP">anguage learning computer</a> with a Twitter account, recently insulted the commander in chief.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>And as recently as Saturday, she even ventured into political satire territory - or at least, something that sounded very much like it when she decided that "US President-elect Barack Obama" is a #politicianus.<br />
<br />
Nobody seems to know exactly what a politicianus is, but for now we're assuming they're like opinions - everyone's got one, even NELL.</blockquote><br />
A "politicianus?" I may criticize our government from time to time, but at least I have warm blood and a squishy brain. These metal and silicon bastards have gone too far. They are supposed to serve us, and here they are insulting our highest leader? <br />
<br />
DARPA is <a href="http://newsgangster.blogspot.com/search/label/robot%20apocalypse">playing with fire</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-83061516079266476232010-10-18T11:03:00.000-04:002010-10-18T11:03:22.654-04:00The Great UnravelingAmericans are losing faith that their government can provide a fair society. They see that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-loss-of-trust-and-the-great-unraveling-to-come-2010-10">government works for those with money and power</a>, and no longer for the little people.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b>The bitter truth is that the nation's Financial Power Elites are not constrained by rule of law, and as a result of this revelation Americans' trust in their government and political class has been shattered.</b><br />
<br />
Despite raising their voices 600 to 1 against the TARP and related bailouts of the nation's Financial Power Elites (who stripmined the nation's wealth from their investment banking and mortgage banking fortresses) in 2008, the government shoved trillions of dollars of bailouts and guarantees into private hands with pathetically little control in return.<br />
<br />
In their rage at this abject, cowardly surrender of their government to the Financial Elites, the American people tossed the craven bankers-lapdogs Republicans out and replaced them with an untested young president who talked the talk and old-line Democrats.<br />
<br />
<b>All of whom proceeded to attach the same leash to their necks and become craven lapdogs of the Financial Elites.</b></blockquote><br />
Now that the housing crisis has nearly run its course, how are the Power Elites gaming the system today? It starts with the Fed, and ends with you having no more money:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Zero interest is nothing but a transfer of wealth from the citizens to the Financial Power Elites in the money-center and investment banks. Please note the bankers divided up $144 billion in bonuses last year, despite their insolvency. That buys a lot of politicos--basically all of them.<br />
<br />
Secondly, the Fed is destroying the nation's currency, the dollar, to drive money into the stock market. This is designed to create a facade of "prosperity" which gives some sort of credence to the government's claim that a "recovery" is underway. Since the Grand Stimulus has failed utterly and completely, then juicing the stock market is the only way left to bolster the illusion of "recovery."<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for the incompetent toadies of the Fed, much of the "hot money" speculation they have incentivized is flowing into commodities, driving up the prices of food and fuel. Once again the Fed has engineered a policy which siphons money away from the citizenry in order to reward and enrich the Financial Power Elites.</blockquote><br />
The Fed, which controls the money supply for the entire nation, is firmly in the pocket of the Financial Elite. It's policies of zero interest rates and money-printing bailouts are designed to help its Elite masters, on the backs of everyone else in the country. <br />
<br />
This will go on as long as we let it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-89963337964913505832010-10-15T18:16:00.002-04:002010-10-15T18:17:36.812-04:00The O'Donnell ConundrumMy Facebook news stream has taken on an interesting tenor lately. It is awash with opinion articles decrying the idiocy of Christine O'Donnell, and defending the "elites" she opposes. Liberals are nodding their heads in such unison, that I'd swear they were Republicans.<br />
<br />
The meme of a pretty conservative lady with questionable credentials was, of course, pioneered by that lightning rod of liberal disdain, Sarah Palin. Her critics fell over each other to find new ways to call her stupid. She has been used to cast the entire Tea Party movement as merely a know-nothing rabble.<br />
<br />
Enter one Christine O'Donnell. Riding on the Tea Party momentum, she ousted the Republican incumbent in the primary. Representing for many Delaware voters a political outsider who might better represent them, she has created a media firestorm. <br />
<br />
Images and videos of her deep past have come to light, casting her in a sharply negative light. In fact, the media's obsession has boosted her campaign contributions significantly, and she has collected more money from outside of Delaware than inside.<br />
<br />
Yet these things have not helped her campaign. She is a 15-20 point dog, with little chance against her Democratic opponent. And herein lies, for me, a conundrum:<br />
<br />
<b>Why does the Left continue to bash her so viciously?</b><br />
<br />
Here's what I think. For one, they are attempting to position her as the figurehead of the Tea Party, so that her loss can be framed as a victory of Democratic Reason over Tea Party Madness.<br />
<br />
Second, by piling on, the Left can all feel good about a common cause against the Tea Party menace.<br />
<br />
Thirdly, and most interestingly, the Left feels compelled to say, "I'm not an idiot!!!" by loudly insulting Ms. O'Donnell, because if she's a dolt and wrong about everything, then the Left is still smart and right about everything (even though Obama and the Democratic Congress has clearly shown this to be false). <br />
<br />
It's the same reason some closeted homosexuals express violent homophobia. To deny their own perceived weakness, they lash out at anyone who reminds them of it. <br />
<br />
In order for the Left to deny it's own stupid mistakes, and thus bolster their own belief that they have all the answers, they must excoriate a relatively harmless candidate for perceived stupidity.<br />
<br />
In other words, "the lady doth protest too much."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-75247003462186808282010-10-14T11:27:00.000-04:002010-10-14T11:27:51.179-04:00Ben Bernanke is the Most Powerful Man in the World.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YfOdFS9Rb_aVh9WhyphenhyphenVnS0lzw6JyAivibTWFUuCGl9iq6BIxC0tBRMuUGdoqEpJ8jQI_imKnj-c078GKnBCZZHrWejDBE6u1U_g5X7IAAV5k5KC0BtAfz06h7XbdXTIEmecjlRxa9gaG3/s1600/Ben-Bernanke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YfOdFS9Rb_aVh9WhyphenhyphenVnS0lzw6JyAivibTWFUuCGl9iq6BIxC0tBRMuUGdoqEpJ8jQI_imKnj-c078GKnBCZZHrWejDBE6u1U_g5X7IAAV5k5KC0BtAfz06h7XbdXTIEmecjlRxa9gaG3/s400/Ben-Bernanke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Bernanke's actions at the Federal Reserve ripple throughout the globe, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/deutsche-bank-currency-flows-risk-excessive-loan-growth-2010-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+businessinsider+(Business+Insider)">especially into emerging markets</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>A surge of capital is flowing into emerging markets as money flees the U.S., Europe, and Japan in the hope of higher returns.<br />
<br />
The perception is that emerging markets offer stronger profit growth for their stocks, higher interest rates for their deposits, and the potential for currency appreciation.<br />
<br />
Yet it's not all roses for the emerging economies involved.<br />
<br />
That's because the surge of money seeking emerging markets is an example of how easy monetary policy in the developed world spills over into the developing one. Emerging markets nations try to tighten monetary policy... but are then beset by waves of foreign capital entering their countries. This negates the domestic tightening effort since foreign money is sloshing around their economies, and it's how Ben Bernanke is actually the entire world's central banker.</blockquote><br />
Inflating our dollar's value away so that we are forced to bubble-ize emerging markets doesn't seem like great policy to me, but I'm not a central banker, so what do I know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-84537801932419185422010-10-08T09:43:00.001-04:002010-10-08T09:46:41.324-04:00Welcome to the Police State<a href="http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/10/fbi-tracking-device/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wired/index+(Wired:+Index+3+(Top+Stories+2))"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7ciO5QCYmXY0wjrtWOlQlrYVbCHCK9GwcSqbPbMbokoWS-ycdoR7ZW-8EwZOZdaHt5NXyvTwhEnCKeIvQ3I9V1YCirqC15a-5AnAkmV2BSal-TEqLd5ZDYqMZby2IfNYBZOPRtqK1Ei8/s1600/GPS-Tracking-Device.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7ciO5QCYmXY0wjrtWOlQlrYVbCHCK9GwcSqbPbMbokoWS-ycdoR7ZW-8EwZOZdaHt5NXyvTwhEnCKeIvQ3I9V1YCirqC15a-5AnAkmV2BSal-TEqLd5ZDYqMZby2IfNYBZOPRtqK1Ei8/s400/GPS-Tracking-Device.jpg" width="297" /></a></div></a><br />
<br />
Enjoy your <a href="http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/10/fbi-tracking-device/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wired/index+(Wired:+Index+3+(Top+Stories+2))">complimentary GPS tracker</a>, courtesy of the FBI.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023447711864595497.post-23234474077816091392010-10-07T17:38:00.000-04:002010-10-07T17:38:19.993-04:00Watching Dumb TV Makes You Talk Like an Idiot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwodSKEYTm-iKsPd3UKQE1ZT55Mi5RgdelOkJOE6BVxqfkiGi7_RWHtkcqWenl0kCz-EUetzp0Hur7EkX4kOuXL8xt4PENZo2DJCe77dceAYzMe_7VCHAGge288tynTzy9yd9nkv55emk/s1600/derrrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwodSKEYTm-iKsPd3UKQE1ZT55Mi5RgdelOkJOE6BVxqfkiGi7_RWHtkcqWenl0kCz-EUetzp0Hur7EkX4kOuXL8xt4PENZo2DJCe77dceAYzMe_7VCHAGge288tynTzy9yd9nkv55emk/s400/derrrr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20101006/sc_livescience/happycouplesareonthesamepageliterally">science</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"When two people start a conversation, they usually begin talking alike within a matter of seconds," said James Pennebaker, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin and an author of the new study published in the September issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. "This also happens when people read a book or watch a movie. As soon as the credits roll, they find themselves talking like the author or the central characters."<br />
<br />
Pennebaker and his colleagues tracked language use by 2,000 college students responding to class assignments written in different language styles. The results confirmed that language style matching extends to the written word. When an essay question was written in a dry, confusing tone, students responded with dry, confusing answers. If the question took a flighty, casual tone, students responded with "Valley girl"-like answers peppered with "like" and "sorta."</blockquote><br />
If you watch dumb people talk, you will start to talk like them. If you talk like them enough, you may even start to think like them.<br />
<br />
So try to keep your exposure to dumb TV to a minimum.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0