[frookenhauer]

Sure, but people loose jobs every year...the percentage has increased sure...It may sound callous, but shit does indeed happen. I might loose my job tomorrow, but at least I'll have the benefit of knowing that the world will recover...

I'm kidding fella. It'll get better and if you're young smart and willing to look hard enough and even go below what you reckon you're worth or look further afield...There are always jobs out there.

I'm no longer young and smarts is a thing of the past so i'm screwed if I lose my job

[Cold Iron]

One day, frook, the world will end. And I'll say "I told you s...."

[HoosierDaddy]

Where's Nic been? I found his Chicken Little posts funny in a sick way.

I say this, and of course the world will go to shit tomorrow just to spite me.

[Shinrei]

Cold Iron, yesterday's returns does not promise tomorrow's gains.

Had you invested $10,000 in gold bullion in 1999, your initial investment would have grown to $33,754 by 12/31/08 – a 237.54% percent increase.

That same $10,000 investment in stocks of the S & P index would have lost $3,987. That’s a 39.87% loss.

(source; blanchard online). I'm not really familiar with this source (I googled it) so I'm only taking it at face value. But, I've read other pieces from sources I trust which talk about the overall performance of gold based on different indexes and comparisons. And what Frook said.

[HoosierDaddy]

Gold does well when people are worried about regular currency, right? I'd have to agree that those who put their funds into gold have done extremely well, up til now. I have a feeling that Gold will begin dropping soon as investors begin to speculate into a boom worthy stock-market again.

[Shinrei]

I agree completely! However, gold will continue to grow over the years. Its my hedge against inflation. I still think the 'recovery' will be a short lived 2 or 3 years though. If not, its still not a bad "safe" investment.

[frookenhauer]

CI...Until then can I continue to say one o' clock and all's well? I am really hesitant to say this and i've got my fingers crossed and I'm touching wood, but I do feel that we are over the worst of it and things will stop being so shite...Actually after writing that I want to delete it, but those voices inside my head might be right this time...especially considering Barclays hit 117p a share earlier this week and is now on 123.4 (god love the iphone and Bloomberg) its one of my pet shares...And the countdown to me putting my hard earned into the stock market is rapidly approaching the appointed hour. I must admit, i am still a bit scared, but fuck it, no guts no glory.

I agree, where is Nic?..I liked his rampant sandwich board mentality posts, brilliant.

personally, I'm not at all enamoured with the idea of investing in gold cos I just don't get it. At any time if the price gets too high the vaults of Fort Knox can be opened and ze Americans can manipulate the prices, a bit paranoid, but there you have it...which kind of goes against the free market rules and I've spent this long getting my head round how the stock market works and I'll be damned if spend a similar amount of time learning how to work the gold market...plus I don't sell gold futures.

Buy low, sell high, make a killing and shag hot women.

[Slow Ben]

Frook, you always write good stuff in here.


I'm going to talk to my financial advisor in the morning to start putting some money in. I agree its time to crawl out of the bomb shelter and get back in the game.

[Nicodimas]

Been busy lately.. buying a house at these interest rates.

Right now still waiting for the credit market to dissolve. It looks like it is getting closer..Right now they are cooking the books to avoid a crash. Citigroup posted a gain..of course they did we gave the 140 billion dollars.

The sad thing is this money is being Lost forever the way they are doing it.

The rumor is China is getting out of the dollar after we have spent so much as we were able to sell 50% less last month. This is forcing Bernake to "Print Money", Quanative Easing as they call now. I expect this will result in a war if they dump our money. A currency collapse will take three days roughly. Luckily we will have a big warning when Englands currency collapses BUY FOOD! At this point there may be no warning as they might have spent to much.

Either they default (wars are formed in such ways) or cut 50% of all goverment(civil war). Think about that with what the O man is telling you.

At least the banks will be okay. Well certain people at the top who are likely out of the states right now. They already did there exit strategy.

<<Still wondering where that 2 trillion was put.

Also:
Everyone in America right now should be thankful we have a strong ass military on so many levels. The things they are doing are beyond nuts. One that is really really well trained after fighting two wars.

The real bad is this:

Change for the worst
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll...&vote=00108
^ 6 Billion for stuff like Acorn and Planned Parenthood. More welfare stuff..

/sigh

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp...o/396960?cid=13

This post has been edited by Nicodimas: 26 March 2009 - 07:56 AM

[Cold Iron]

YAY! welcome back nic, we missed you

[HoosierDaddy]

Change for the worst? A cloture vote to end filibustering on a vote to expand educational opportunities and to increase volunteerism. Change for the worst?

That doesn't even make sense.

The second one: Or "sigh", is simply a link about what an OUSTED Hungarian Prime Minister said, and then about how the rest of Europe is chiding him for ridiculously overstating the criticism or saying the OPPOSITE.

Source material that actually helped your cause would make more sense here, Nic.

Also:

"War, huh, Good-god
What is it good for?
Scaring up conservatives!"

Back to the bomb-shelters!

[Cold Iron]

Save me some time and explain cloture and filibustering plox??

[HoosierDaddy]

Filibustering is a tool of the U.S. Senate, whereby a minority seeks to stall legislation it dislikes by often-times reading ridiculous material (like an encyclopedia) so that nothing can get done. It is a negotiation tactic used by the minority. Cloture, is a rule that overrides filibustering, and stops a senator from doing so, however it takes 60 votes to go to "cloture."

[Cold Iron]

Thanks HD. Although i am now more confused. Niccy you have some explaining to do.

[Shinrei]

THe dollar is freaking doomed. That is why gold is good.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. 2012 is my prediction.



And Frook, you don't need to do futures trading. Just buying physical bullion (just price compare at coin shops and online at places like Kitco) and investing in some gold stocks will do. My gold company shares are up across the board over 2008, despite everything else being in the shitter.

[Nicodimas]

Solar did amazing today. It's been my bet against the market. The prices on solar really crashed in the last year and living in Arizona all I see is growth in this sector. Well any green company with this congress and era of politics should do real well. I full expect the market to go down to 5000-->7000--->3500 is my prediction this year. If this happens you can make a good amount of money on it.

Bad thing is solar energy is not EMP durable at all like 99.9% destroyed so it will have problems getting to heavy I think in our infrastructure as I can't imagine the DoD would like that. We have lots of other issues when EMP starts going off also.

Did I menton read this book since you like reading:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076531758...;pf_rd_i=507846

Gold is a safe asset, but at most will triple. Some of the stuff in the market could like Frook said go up 20-30X. The problem is if they keep destroying the dollar...We are still only 10% in on the amount of money that needs to be written down.

The really bad part--I hear alot of talk about this now everywhere-ANGER on the next level-->
http://market-ticker.denninger.net/

Quote

Seriously, this is not "G" rated, or even "PG", and I can't even fairly call it "R" rated.

This is "XXX", and not for sexual content either.

Those of you reading this from the political space need to pay attention, because sentiment like this is showing up in more and more places, starting with "Hal Turner's infamous reference to "banker baseball" (think about it for a second and it should be obvious what was being referred to) a few weeks ago.

Justice is necessary here folks, and justice doesn't come in the form of multi-trillion-dollar bailouts to the big banks both here and abroad.

It would be one thing if this economic mess was all a matter of accident, but it wasn't. Far too much of this was simple fraud - promising things that the people doing the promising knew they couldn't possibly make good on, whether it was someone claiming to have $300,000 in income when they really made $50,000 or whether it was someone selling over $2 trillion in CDS backed by less than $100 billion in actual capital - without a hedge.

I have many times referred to anger rising in the American population, but this little screed on The Internet makes clear exactly how pissed off some people are getting.

I firmly believe that the law can be the best form of justice when people do really evil things, mostly because death at the hands of an angry mob is usually fast if brutal but life in prison always looking over your shoulder in the yard is a special kind of Hell.

What the politicians need to understand is that when the public's demand for justice rises as it has been for the last year or so you can't placate it by getting 50 people to return bonuses from AIG or by putting Madoff in prison.

You need to go get the bad guys - a lot of them - and try them in our public courts, with public indictments and public juries, and do it to enough of these malfeasors so that everyone "gets it" - if you pull this in the future, you WILL be brought to justice and punished, just like the guys who did it this time. Promises to do it "next time" won't do.

The people of this nation are rapidly coming to the conclusion that government is a willing co-conspirator in bed with the robber barons, and that, folks, is a place that I absolutely do not wish to see us descend to.

In that particular circle of Hell we can lose our nation's government. Let's not, instead choosing to indict, prosecute and imprison, ok?

(If you insist on reading the link, after having been warned and being willing to read a profanity-laced diatribe, click here.)
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/feature-ar...wall-street.php

PS: Be warned that some users on the forum have said they got an intercept from their anti-virus software on that link. I don't, but I run in a heavily-protected world against such things, including Spybot's "resident"... so click at your own risk.

On money being lost and you are paying for it! Dont you feel good they are just burning through taxpayer money on this:

Quote

The huge subsidy to banks hidden inside of Tim Geithner's public-private partnership program may already be leading banks to load up on securities they plan to sell at inflated prices.

According to the New York Post, Citi and Bank of America have been aggressively buying up Alt-A and ARM mortgage backed securities, sometimes paying more than the going rate of around 30 cents on the dollar.

....

Recently, securities rated AAA have changed hands for roughly 30 cents on the dollar, and most of the buyers have been hedge funds acting opportunistically on a bet that prices will rise over time. However, sources said Citi and BofA have trumped those bids.

There's nothing complicated about this at all.

Buy for 30 cents, sell to the PPIP for 50 cents, pocket a quick (and huge) profit immediately and nobody's the wiser.

Oops - now someone is the wiser.

Oh darn.

The reason ALT-A (liar loans) and Option ARM securities are trading at 20-30 cents on the dollar is that nearly all of those "loans" were either made to someone who lied about their income, couldn't afford the reset/recast payment and is underwater on their house (and thus can't refinance), or both.

When those loans default (and most of them eventually will, even if they're paying now) recovery is extraordinarily poor; 30 cents is likely just about right.

Get the BBQ Sauce.

This post has been edited by Nicodimas: 26 March 2009 - 09:32 PM

[Cold Iron]

Ah you've brightened my day nic. Thank you muchly.

You have some explaining to do about your last post though, maybe you should read the thread

[frookenhauer]

Ben - your faith in me is good, I am a financial adviser in RL and if you want to run anything by me just ask fella. Same goes to anyone. I am not a genius, but I have been known to give brilliant advice from time to time

Shin - Sure, I get it, but Gold is too easily manipulated and I fear the power that the USA can apply. What i meant by my mention of Futures is that i have no knowledge of trading in gold at all, actually that's not true, but its really just at a very basic level. I'm not saying its a bad investment, but while I do know that it is a great hedge against inflation, the real money is in stocks and shares and the fact that its all in the shitter makes me smell roses. I will however start taking a keener interest in the glittery stuff, don't want o be closing doors at this stage in my life. So much to learn, so little time.

Nic, as ever you are awesome, and you pop up whenever we call I refuse to say your name while on my own 5 times

Haha! one o' clock and alls well! ...fine its 1:32...

[Nicodimas]

Give Act passed.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll..._menu_111_1.htm


"Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted."
Vladimir Lenin

[HoosierDaddy]

Just in case you were thinking I was bullshitting about what the law does, it is below. And, just in case you needed more doubt as to the ability of Nic to interpret Congressional activity: This is a HOUSE ACT. Just like the earlier was a SENATE ACT. If the two are identical, then yes, they will go to the President for either Veto or Passage (or in certain cases inaction that we needn't worry about now). Odds are more likely that the bills differ in grammar and will go to a CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, wherein select members of HOUSE and SENATE members will reconcile differences. However, because this act is so... negligible I won't bother.

Quote

H.R.1388
Title: A bill entitled "The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, an Act to reauthorize and reform the national service laws."
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] (introduced 3/9/2009) Cosponsors (37)
Related Bills: H.RES.250, S.277
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 79 - 19. Record Vote Number: 115.
House Reports: 111-37SUMMARY AS OF:
3/9/2009--Introduced.

Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act or the GIVE Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NSCA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise the programs under such Acts and reauthorize appropriations for such programs through FY2014.

Revises under NSCA: (1) the School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs and Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service (Learn and Serve programs); (2) National Service Trust programs (AmeriCorps); (3) the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (4) the Investment for Quality and Innovation program.

Eliminates the current Community-Based Learn and Serve programs.

Establishes two new Learn and Serve programs: (1) Campuses of Service, which provides funds to institutions of higher education to develop or disseminate exemplary service-learning programs that assist their students' pursuit of public service careers; and (2) Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, which funds community service-learning opportunities for elementary and secondary, college, and graduate students as well as research into service-learning.

Includes among eligible AmeriCorps programs: (1) an Education Corps to address unmet educational needs; (2) a Healthy Futures Corps to address unmet health needs; (3) a Clean Energy Corps to address unmet environmental needs; and (4) a Veterans Corps to address the unmet needs of veterans and their families.

Creates AmeriCorps Opportunity Corps programs that include certain existing programs and new programs to: (1) increase community access to technology; (2) engage citizens in public safety, health, and emergency preparedness services; (3) mentor youth; (4) reduce recidivism by re-engaging court-involved youth; and (5) support the needs of veterans or active duty service members and their families.

Establishes an Education Awards Only program authorizing the Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation) to provide fixed-amount grants to programs that have approved national service positions, but no AmeriCorps funding.

Sets the National Service educational awards for full-time AmeriCorps, NCCC, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) participants at a level equal to the maximum available Pell Grant available to students under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Includes among needs to be met under the NCCC program, disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation, and urban and rural development.

Requires states to develop comprehensive plans for volunteer and paid service by Baby Boomers and older adults.

Directs the Corporation to plan pilot programs to: (1) better target and serve displaced workers; and (2) establish a centralized electronic citizenship verification system which would allow the Corporation to share employment eligibility information with the Department of Education.

Authorizes the Corporation to treat September 11th annually as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Establishes within the Investment for Quality and Innovation program: (1) a ServeAmerica Fellowships program providing fellowships to individuals chosen by states to participate in service projects addressing certain areas of national need; (2) a Silver Scholarship Grant Program providing scholarships to individuals age 55 or older who complete at least 500 hours of service in a year in an area of national need; and (3) an Encore Fellowships program providing one-year fellowships to individuals age 55 or older who serve in areas of national need and receive training to transition to public service employment. Makes ServeAmerica fellows eligible for national service educational awards.

Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to innovative and model service programs, including those for disadvantaged youth, youth under age 17, and potential recidivists.

Eliminates federal funding for the Points of Light Foundation.

Revises under DVSA: (1) the VISTA program; and (2) the Senior Corps, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent program, and the Senior Companion program.

Summary of the GIVE Act:

Gives priority in VISTA participant selection to disadvantaged youth and retired adults of any profession.

Authorizes new VISTA grant programs of national significance that provide poor and rural communities with: (1) services reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into society; (2) financial literacy and planning; (3) before-school and after-school services; (4) community economic development initiatives; (5) assistance to veterans and their families; and (6) health and wellness services. Eliminates the VISTA Literacy Corps, University Year for VISTA, and Literacy Challenge Grant programs.

Raises the minimum and maximum stipend provided to VISTA participants.

Prioritizes RSVP projects in specified areas.

Makes anyone 55 years of age or older eligible as Senior Corps volunteers.

Provides, under the Senior Corps demonstration program, incentive matching grants to Senior Corps programs that exceed specified performance measures, enroll most of their volunteers in outcome-based service programs, and increase their enrollment of Baby Boomer volunteers.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the number of AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC participants should reach 250,000 by 2014.

Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act - Establishes a Congressional Commission on Civic Service to provide recommendations to Congress on improving opportunities for individuals to volunteer or perform national service.

From Nic's same source...The Nic has no idea what he's talking about link...