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Comments Posted By LFer

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THE GREAT AMERICAN CON

“The point of the hook is to seduce the entire population of the United States into believing that a country with a $14 trillion GDP is broke.”

I just want to add a data point to this. $14T GDP divided by 230M adults in the US is about $60K for every person over 18 years. In my part of the country $60K is a pretty good job. Makes you wonder what happened to all that money.

» Posted By LFer On March 16, 2011 @ 1:13 pm

Friday Music Thread – Favorite Films and Film Music

Phantom of the Opera? No, no, no. Try Phantom of the Paradise.

» Posted By LFer On February 25, 2011 @ 11:40 pm

Here is a wonderful indy film you’ll never see at the Oscars: Ink. Movies can be art and entertainment at the same time. Watch it on Hulu and enjoy.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBGeErufQdY]

» Posted By LFer On February 25, 2011 @ 9:12 pm

Dood, I really hope this is the song you meant to link to.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaVNfZWBVhQ]

» Posted By LFer On February 25, 2011 @ 8:16 pm

Chase, I enjoy movies too. It’s all those awards shows – Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Younameits – that I can’t stand. They’re such self-congratulatory BS, an entire industry participating in a giant circle jerk. Gag.

» Posted By LFer On February 25, 2011 @ 8:15 pm

All these award shows make me think of the song “Show Biz Kids” by Steely Dan.

“Show biz kids making movies
Of themselves you know they
Don’t give a fuck about anybody else

While the poor people sleepin’
With the shade on the light
While the poor people sleepin’
All the stars come out at night”

I apologize for being so cynical. I hope the folks who are into that stuff enjoy the show. It’s just not my cup of tea.

» Posted By LFer On February 25, 2011 @ 7:56 pm

Oil and Energy Facts

One thing that never seems to be discussed regarding oil prices is the deleterious effects of market speculation.

In the spring of 2008 the price of crude oil rose from about $85 to almost $140 in less than six months. During those six months the world’s oil production (supply) did not change appreciably. Likewise, the world’s consumption (demand) did not change appreciably. Yet the price jumped by nearly 60%. Clearly, crude oil prices are not driven by supply and demand, they’re driven by market speculation.

In my opinion, commodities speculation is a huge and growing problem for the entire world. Market speculation causes wild price fluctuations that are unrelated to the basic market principle of supply and demand.

Like it or not, the global economy runs on oil. When the price of oil skyrockets like it did in 2008, everything becomes more expensive. Everything. I believe the global economic meltdown late in 2008 was precipitated by this huge spike in oil prices. It had nothing to do with mortgages.

Weaning the world off of oil will require massive investments. I think the world needs stable oil prices to facilitate those investments. Oddly enough, it was deregulation that destabilized commodities markets. We need to re-regulate these markets and then embark on a Manhattan Project to develop alternative energy resources.

» Posted By LFer On February 23, 2011 @ 10:04 pm

Worth sharing….”The Disease called ‘Perfection’ “

I’m glad to hear you’re helping your child see through advertising. I wish more people did.

As you analyze commercials ask yourself and your son what the ad told you about the product. Usually the answer is nothing except that you need it to be “cool”. Or, relevant to the blog post being discussed, that you are in some way inadequate or imperfect without the product.

» Posted By LFer On February 16, 2011 @ 7:00 pm

Best movie ever. And, sadly, just as relevant today as it was then.

» Posted By LFer On February 16, 2011 @ 6:52 pm

I tend to believe, that media, NOT just the news media, but media in general; television shows, movies, advertisements,etc….(Hollywood and Madison Avenue) are really the culprits behind this unattainable zest for perfection.

This is the key. Turn off your TV. Howard Beale said it best.

Frank Zappa, a master of biting social commentary, also put it well.

I am gross and perverted
I’m obsessed and deranged
I have existed for years
But very little has changed
I am the tool of the government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you

I may be vile and pernicious
But you can’t look away
I make you think I’m delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozing out
From your TV set

You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don’t need you
Don’t got for help…no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold

That’s right, folks..
Don’t touch that dial

Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozing along on your living room floor

I am the slime from your video
Can’t stop the slime, people, look at me go

» Posted By LFer On February 16, 2011 @ 12:02 pm

The Failed History of Conservatism in America

Add this to your list:
Conservatives initiated and perpetuate marijuana prohibition.

» Posted By LFer On February 9, 2011 @ 5:57 pm

Democracy Is Not Broken

I have to say I agree with your thoughts about our two party system. The two major parties’ stranglehold on our government has been ruinous for the country. I’ve always hated the line that voting for a minor party candidate is throwing away your vote. Voting for someone other than the person you want in an elected office is the only way to throw away your vote.

One problem with the minor parties is that they are always shooting for the top. In the 2008 election I could choose from 8 or 10 different presidential candidates. For most other offices I had only two choices. I’d love to see a greater mix of political parties in the House and Senate but if there aren’t any Green or Libertarian or whatever candidates on the ballot, I can’t vote for them.

I wish I knew what the solution was.

» Posted By LFer On February 9, 2011 @ 7:02 pm

Time Out for O/T – Vol. 15

You can see Egypt from Alaska.
[img]http://www.stahlke.us/uploads/Alaska_Egypt.jpg[/img]

» Posted By LFer On February 12, 2011 @ 1:05 pm