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In anticipation of Days of Future Past, I will be reviewing the original X-Men trilogy (and maybe Origins but I'd rather not acknowledge that one). Next is:
The first X-Men was a promising beginning for my favourite hero team's Hollywood career, but X-Men 2, also known as X2: X-Men United, is the X-Men film I truly wanted to see. This is the film where the stakes grow higher, the plot intensifies and every awesome mutant gets their time in the limelight. All is as it should be!
Bryan Singer's back and he goes stronger than ever. Rewatching this film during my X-Men marathon last weekend made me look forward to his return with Days of Future Past even more. 'Tis literally about time.
The movie opens with one of the coolest scenes in any of these films. A demonic teleporting creature, Kurt "Nightcrawler" Wagner (Alan Cumming), attacks the US president in the White House as Mozart's "Dies Irae" plays. We soon learn that this was a staged attack meant to give mutants a bad name. The president nevertheless inlists the help of Colonel William Stryker (Brian Cox), a man who claims to have a way of taking down mutant kind once and for all; a plan that involves the kidnapping of Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), the powerful telepathic leader of a group of mutants known as X-Men. We also find out about Stryker's past connections to Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who, as with the last film, is confused as to how he came to be. X2 clears things up somewhat.
After Xavier's mutant school is attacked and both he and Cyclops (James Marsden) are captured by Stryker, the remaining X-Men realise that they now share an enemy with their old foe Magneto (Ian McKellen). Thus, they eventually find themselves teamed up with Magneto and his right-hand babe Mystique (Rebecca Romijn), as well as Nightcrawler, who, being deeply religious, regrets all sins Stryker has made him commit. The rest of the team consists of Rouge (Anna Paquin), still lamenting her inability to touch others without harming them; weather queen Storm (Halle Berry); Bobby "Iceman" Drake (Shawn Ashmore); the fire-bending Pyro (Aaron Stanford); Wolverine of course and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), who fears that the powers of her mind are growing too strong. More on that in movie 3!
Stryker's scheme involves rebuilding Xavier's mutant-detecting "Cerebro" machine and force Xavier into using it to target and kill every living mutant on Earth, which he can apparently do. Xavier, however, is too powerful for Stryker's mind-control equipment. Thus, Stryker relies instead on his heavily disabled but immensely powerful mutant son, Jason (Michael Reid McKay), who has the ability to form strange illusions and manipulate anyone under the influence of one of these. They make for some of the most haunting yet cool scenes in the entire movie. Another important player is Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu), a mutant created by Stryker who's similar to Wolverine but perhaps even more ruthless. Also, Bruce Davison is back as Senator Kelly, but only as one of Mystique's disguises.
Much happens in X2, but it never feels like there's too much going on. It's a series of events that, as they should be, are tied together neatly and lead up to a spectacular climax that escelates in excitement and tension. Stryker trying to find the blue-prints for Cerebro, Mystique's clever attempts to bust Magneto out of his plastic prison, Bobby "coming out" to his parents as a mutant in a remarkable scene, Wolverine's enigmatic flashbacks, Jean's powers going haywire, the illusions Xavier has to endure in his subplot; all of this is interesting enough that the film remains highly entertaining no matter which of the subplots is focused upon.
It feels long, yes, but it doesn't feel long in a 2012 sort of way, but more of a Green Mile sort of way, where you feel that all the time is necessary and dedicated to fleshing out the characters, moving the storylines forward and giving pay-offs to previous set-ups. It helps that a great cast carries us through the film. Ian McKellen, once again, is delightful as Magneto, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine is great as ever, Rouge and Iceman make a surprisingly likable couple, Nightcrawler is fantastic, and I do very much like Stryker as a villain. He's the right amount of smart and cunning to pose a serious threat to the X-Men in spite of not having powers of his own.
On top of that, it feels like every character gets to do something important and memorable at some point in the film. I cannot think of a single major character in X2 that exists solely for the sake of fanservice, and isn't this why we love the X-Men? Seeing them use their wondrous variety of cool powers together to defeat some great evil? If you agree with this, I'm sure you'll also agree that X-Men 2 is the most enjoyable of the bunch (as long as you don't like X-Men Origins, we're good).
But of course, X-Men has always been about social commentary as well. Once again, 'tis in the form of symbolism, with mutant kind being discriminated against within the world of the film similarly to the homosexuals and minorities of our own society. Again, that scene where Bobby comes out as a mutant is immensely well-made and a spot-on depiction of what coming out can truly be like, for both you and your family.
X2 is fun, exhilerating, smartly written, increasingly exciting and an absolute blast to watch from beginning to end. It balances drama, comedy, action, horror and character development in a way that makes me sure that this is my favourite X-Men film.
Down below is my rating and a trailer. I must say, it's rather unusual too see a promo that lists the names of the characters instead of the actors… and still most likely has the same marquee value.


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After career year, Freeman at faster HR pace
Freddie Freeman's two-run homer in the Braves' win on Tuesday gave him a Major League-high 14 dingers through just 133 at-bats this season. On the way to hitting a career-best 34 homers last year, the 27-year-old Braves veteran notched his 14th home run on July 2, in his 302nd at-bat of the season.
Full article @ After career year, Freeman at faster HR pace
Source: MLB Atlanta Braves RSS

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I like their cuteness scale. I also think RAAAWWWESSOMME needs to be a permanent part of my vocabulary.
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The academy was first established in April 2005 with Red Shoes Academy for cheerleaders who entered their 1st competition in November 2005 where each team returned with a trophy for there routine, since this time the team has gone from strength to strength achieving even more and more trophies and winning national competitions and titles along the way.
Once off to this flying start in 2006 Hayley-anna Dancy Principal of the academy took over a smaller dance school in Lytham St Annes called Clifton Arts Theatre School (CATS), not wanting to leave the original name behind the two were combined hence the creation of today's academy Cats with Red Shoes.
September 2008 Cats with Red Shoes opened their own purpose built fully mirrored Studio's/gym and shop on Rear Highfield road and have now gradually build up all their equipment to include Olympic style gymnastic floor used for both gym and cheer, Beam, Vault, A-bars, tumble track, ballet bars and not forgetting smaller items such as dance ribbons, tambourines and maracas, etc for smaller ones.
In 2013 the students had began to learn skills and had built up a large show team which out grew the studio, there fore we applied for an extension, which at first was refused but then in June finally got passed, so come August the build of the new waiting area began, then Hayley and Sandy started to knock down the inside walls and remove the toilets etc, with not much time the studio re-opened after the summer holidays and success was made, the students and there families loved the new space.
In the academy we pride ourselves on our friendly atmosphere and love to welcome in new members, also consistency of teachers who are highly qualified with the Royal Academy of Dance, ISTD, UKA, British Gymnastics, BCA also linked with UKCA and LAMDA.
This all helps the students to progress faster. As the academy offers many styles of Dance, Gymnastics, Cheer and Drama, we can give every member the very best start in life wether they want to pursue a career on stage/TV or just grow in confidence and make friends.
Here at Cats with Red Shoes our members always attain great examination results in all styles including Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Cheerleading, Freestyle Disco and the latest edition Drama where all members came out from their first grade with the highest level possible.
The academy also have an elite show team who perform at the Blackpool Opera House twice a year and a junior team once a year and in October 2015 our elite show team performed at Disney land Paris and received high complements from both disney land backstage crew and members of the public. We do hope to return again in the future along with any other exciting opportunities that arise. Not forgetting our new up and coming junior team which are proving to be following the elites footsteps.
Along side our multi-award winning cheerleading squad (who's many trophies are on display in the academies waiting room) we also have our own medal winning artistic gymnast's and all round champions, who also train very hard as do our title winning Theatre Performers of the Year for ballet, tap and modern with the academy's trophy winning freestyle disco dancers.
Cats with Red Shoes are proud to say we have had many members go onto full time dance academies and theatre schools such as Preston Dance College, Bird, Moorland International Ballet Academy, Studio 76 and Hammond and our latest success is Branden Fowler who has secured a full scholarship for the prestigious Tring Park performing arts school in London and Royal Ballet School, he also been offered a fully paid place on there advanced classical program.
Our latest addition to our ever growing academy is 'Red Shoes Casting Agency'. We are proud to say our members both past and present are now performing in west end theatres and traveling the world dancing on cruise ships, along with featuring on CBBC, both in TV programs and adverts.
As you can see the academy has more than just classes to offer, so why not come and join us in our homely surroundings and waiting room!
Hope to meet you soon.
Bye for now 🙂
Branden at Tring with Principal of Cats with Red Shoes Hayley-Anna Dancy.
Madison and Imogen on CBBC.


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Not long after Tamerlan Tsarnaev bombed the Boston Marathon, investigative reporter Michele McPhee went looking for answers. What she discovered might just change how you think about our government and law enforcement forever.
More great content like this @ Politics & World Issues Front Page or you can Request Invite


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Run to Unlabel - A fundraising for "Unlabel to Understand", a Down syndrome Awareness Calendar project.
An abstract from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) website reads:
"Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children affecting in one in every 700 babies. There is no medical cure for this condition. However, an improved understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions have improved the quality of life of both children and adults with Down syndrome."
An abstract from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) website reads:
"Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children affecting in one in every 700 babies. There is no medical cure for this condition. However, an improved understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions have improved the quality of life of both children and adults with Down syndrome."
For the first time, a group of individuals, some of whom are parents of children with Down syndrome, are coming together to raise awareness of the needs, abilities, and potential of persons with Down syndrome (DS). They seek to drive inclusivity in all areas through sharing the stories of their children with DS.
The Down syndrome Awareness project was initiated by some mothers who have children with DS. These mothers seek to share their personal experiences - from being first told of their children's diagnosis, finding care and medical support, to seeking suitable pre-school and childcare arrangements. In general, many physicians, educators and members of the public are unaware of just how similar children with DS are, to typically developing children. Possibly due to outdated pre-conceptions from past experiences and publications, many are still stereotyping persons with Down syndrome as incapable, difficult and/or stubborn. These labels, among others, placed unfairly on children with DS, will only disadvantage them and prevent them from living life to its fullest potential.
As you would have read from the crowdfunding site here, the calendars printed will be given free at hospitals (neonatal and obgyn departments), obstetricians clinics, and selected pre-schools and childcare centres. We would like to use this calendar as a tool to educate our targeted audience, and remind them that our children are not defined by their diagnosis. For parents who have children with DS, and for parents-to-be who are intending to carry their babies to full term, we hope that this calendar with the stories they tell, will be a source of comfort and inspiration in their journey with their special children.
In support of this calendar project, a group of mothers have decided that for each S$50 donated, one of them will run 5km. The target is for a total of 300km to be covered. Just like running, caring for children with Down syndrome can be a daunting challenge for some individuals. However, we believe that with a community of support and motivation, the journey is do-able! Please support us and donate on this crowdfunding site here.
This page will be updated weekly or more often when we receive the donations. Introducing the group of mothers who will be putting in their very best for this fundraising project:
Angie started running 3 years ago with a goal of fulfilling her hubby's wish of running a marathon together as a couple. Since then, she began her run for love, love for run journey despite her initial inertia. Now, as a couple, they would like to contribute a part for this worthy cause to raise awareness on how precious each child is! As she is still recovering in strength, her hubby will be the main supporting runner. Angie blogs at Growing Hearts 123.
Hui Ing, who blogs at Ingspirations, is a busy mother of 3 and a Writing Coach conducting her own creative writing classes and online writing courses for Primary School children. One who used to dislike running, she went out for a jog 2 years ago during an extremely stressful period of her life and never looked back. Now, she runs to de-stress and enjoys the solitude of running alone - a time for her to reflect and recharge. She is glad to be able to play a small part by running in this fundraising effort.
Mary is mum to three little lambs. She advocates for Down syndrome at SpecialSeeds.sg and blogs at Simply Lambchops to preserve precious memories of their children. Talk to her about coffee and crocheting amigurumi and coffee and you'll see her eyes lit up with excitement.
She used to be a school cross-country runner but has stopped running due to plain laziness. She is picking up her running shoes for Run To Unlabel as a mom to a lovely girl who has Down syndrome and as a friend to all the parents she has met on this parenting journey. Support her in this fundraising cause!
Sharon, an avid runner, has been running long distances and marathons since 2008. Through running, she feels motivated, and it helps build her mental and physical endurance. Long distances running require a lot of hard work, determination, focus and consistency. She decided to be part of the running group in this fundraising as she hopes to help others through what she feels she is good at.
A mother of 1, Wanzhen started running in 2013 and has been passionate about it since then. Running is her way of boosting her energy levels and improving her body resistance. She hopes to use her strengthened stamina to help others who are in need.
The owner of this blog, Cynthia hopes that readers will support her and her friends in this fundraising project (as to why she decided to help organise this fundraising project will be a story for another day). Running has always been her one form of exercising and she has many friendships formed through running. She believes that running for people who possibly can't, we can show that support is everywhere.
Thank you all for the donations! We will work hard at getting the distances covered. Keep those donations coming in. :)
25 October 2016
|Mary from Simply Lambchops clocked 5km. Thank you!
|5km by Cynthia (ilovedefamily).
|Sharon ran 13km! Thank you!
27 October 2016
|Thankful to family support! Thank you Angie's hubby for clocking 10km!
|Rain or shine. Of course when there's a treadmill. 5km on a rainy day by Sharon. :)
|Mary ran with L. 5km each. Would love to give this boy a pat on the back!
28 October 2016
|10km for #RunToUnlabel by Sharon
29 October 2016
|Cynthia, Sharon and Wanzhen ran different distances, all based on their own ability, but not once not supporting one another.
|Little pumpkins joining Wanzhen on a 7km run!
|Never giving up, Sharon clocked in another 12km.
|Hui Ing ran 5km, after a hiatus from running. Supporting #RunToUnlabel!
|10km by Sharon
|5km by Cynthia
2 November 2016
|What a meaningful quote from Mary, as she runs 5km.
|Angie's hubby supported her and us by running 10km. Family matters, really.
|Pushing herself through the challenge, Sharon and her 10km.
4 November 2016
|Thank you Wanzhen for clocking 5km!
|5km in the afternoon by Sharon.
6 November 2016
|Another 10km by Angie's hubby!
|Cynthia ran 5km!
8 November 2016
|It's been raining and Mary is glad to be able to clock 5km when it is sunny.
|5km by Sharon.
9 November 2016
|Another push by Sharon, a 10km this time.
|Angie's hubby did a 5km.
|Rain or shine, always run. 10km by Sharon.
|When Sharon decided to #RunToUnlabel, she decided that she will push herself to help achieve our goals. 25km.
15 November 2016
|10km by Sharon
|3km by Cynthia
16 November 2016
|Runners run everywhere. 15km by Sharon
20 November 2016
|Sharon ran 11.7km!
|A fabulours 26km run by Sharon!
23 November 2016
|Despite nursing a knee pain, she tried to clock what she can. Here's Sharon's 7.4km.
24 November 2016
|6km by Angie's hubby!
|10.5km by Sharon!
5 December 2016
|Mary and Lucas each ran 3km. Loving it when a child puts his thoughts and love for a campaign.
|Starting off December with a 11km run by Sharon.
|Sharon ran 16km!
|Pushing herself when she decided to #RunToUnlablel. 18km by Sharon.
|11.5km by Sharon.
|PH also must run. 10km by Sharon.
|Sharon ran 10.6km!
|Ending the year with a 12km run by Sharon.
|6 km on a New Year! Sharon's really pushing herself.
|16km. I wonder how she does it at times. She = Sharon.
|Sending me her 5.8km.
|Then realised it was split into two. So here is the 2km.
|12.5km by Sharon.
|7km by Wanzhen, and poor girl tripped and fell along the way.
|17km by Sharon.
|Cynthia ran 3km.
|Angie's hubby ran 6.6km.
12 January 2017
|10km by Sharon.
Total distances covered : >484 km
Distances to be covered : 0 km
Distances to be covered : 0 km


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Saturday, November 24, 2007
Finished Project
Well have finished the whole set for my granddaughter. My first time at knitting, I did the booties and hat. Now I'm going to start the quilt. Wish me luck all.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Baby blanket
Well I have finished the baby blanket,am now putting the edging on the sweater,booties and hat.Started this morning on some crib pads and finished them. Next project will be the quilt,boy I hope I do it right. Got a great deal of info on the one I want to make. I posted that on a earlier date. Well here are some photos of the projects I have done.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
My Garden
Its now November and still no rain that we can really say, I have winterize my garden but guess what today it was in the 80's what the heck gives??? Oh well, do you realize I still have a praying mantis in my garden. It was living in my sunflower, then it moved to the bush beans. Now that I have taken down the bush beans and very carefully mine you, I thought I had lost it. But lo and behoe there it was on my camilla and still sits. Wonder why it just lurks here????
My granddaughter
My only granddaughter was born on November 4,2007. Her name is Mylie Susan born to my son Marc and lyllie. I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. I think she is the most beautiful baby, but I figure evey grandparent thinks this of their grandchildren. The only bad thing about this is they live in the east coast in New Jersey and I live on the other end in California. Soon I will get back there to hold my granddaughter for the very first time.
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Went to this informal argentinian (maybe uruguayan) BBQ place with my daughter and we had a great lunch.
Their "asado" (BBQ) was very good. I had their sirloin steak with a side of "russian" salad (sort of a potato salad). My daughter had a breaded steak sandwich with fries.
The steak, although ordered well done, was fully cooked and still soft to chew. It was very good.
My daughter's breaded steak overflowed the bread ( a large italian roll); she could onle half of it.
Their BBQ for 2 people (black sausage, italian sausage, skirt steak, sourbread and much more) looked great. They serve pastas and argentinian pizzas as well (the south american pizaa is different to the american; you should give it a try).
I wont tell you of the flan or crepe with "dulce de leche" we had, but they were goooood.
After the closure of another good, well known, argentinian BBQ place in Hollywood ("Beefeaters"), Kussifay is its perfect replacement.
They have two locations on Hollywood Blvd. I highly recommend it.
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Nothing says Christmas like a large group of Santas. And as we move in to the final leg of the holiday season, what could be better than taking one last look as the festive folks who participated in the annual Santa Run to benefit Legal Aid earlier this month. Kudos to the local firm of Faegre & Benson, which had the largest number of participants in the event, earning it the much-coveted "Santa Trophy."
Friday, December 21, 2007
'Tis the season
Posted by Mark Cohen, editor at 11:50 AM
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Home » Antique Hand Painted Furniture » Handpainted Antique Trunk
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Handpainted Antique Trunk
Hand Painted Screen Antique Decorations Antique Screens.
Gorgeous Antique Pink Porcelain Lamp.
Antique Parchment Hand Painted Jewelry Armoire.
Bf 7986 Antique Adam Style Hand Painted Chest Dresser By Butler Custom.
Hand Painted Screen Antique Screens Antique Decorations Gj G056.
Handpainted Antique Trunk.
Handpainted Antique Trunk.
Handpainted Antique Trunk.
Antique French Demi End Table.
Painted Furniture.
Handpainted Antique Trunk Reviewed by admin on Thursday, August 30, 2012 Rating: 4.5
Labels: Antique Hand Painted Furniture


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This event has been and gone!
Catch the next one:
Check out the info below for future tour dates, and track them to receive alerts when they tour near you
Never miss another 'Little Angels' show
One More For The Road Tour: Little Angels + Skin
Little Angels have announced that they will be embarking on a UK tour (their first in nearly 20 years) this December.
The 'One More For The Road' tour follows the band's reunion at this year's Download Festival. The band said: "As we walked off the stage at Download this year we all knew that we couldn't leave it at that. We always loved playing around the UK so to get the chance to re-visit some of our old stomping grounds, eighteen years later, is just great."
Joining Little Angels are another UK rock treasure, Skin.
Speaking on the upcoming tour, guitarist Myke Gray had the following to add: "The first tour that Skin ever did was supporting the Little Angels in 1993, it was an amazing time and the launch of our career. To be given the chance to do it all again is too cool for words! Good to see British Rock is alive and well!"
Little Angels
With four Top 20 albums under their belts in the early '90s, including breakthrough album Young Gods (1991) and the number one albums Jam (1993) and Too Posh to Mosh, Too Good to Last (1994), Little Angels called it a day in July 1994, playing their final gig to a sold out Royal Albert Hall in London. Toby Jepson, Bruce Dickinson, Mark Plunkett, Jimmy Dickinson and Mark Richardson reformed in 2012, making their long overdue return to a rapturous reception at Download Festival.
Little Angels tour dates
UK-based hard rockers Skin enjoyed six Top 40 singles during their first original run, which ended in 1998. After 11 years away all four of their original members reunited to record their fourth album, 'Breaking The Silence' in 2010.
Skin tour dates


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There is a large mirror in the corner of the studio where I teach yoga. It's just an ordinary mirror, but for a while, when I first started teaching yoga, it seemed to hold extraordinary power. I don't tend to look in mirrors more than when I'm getting ready in the morning. But this mirror seemed to draw my eyes to it when I walked in to ready the studio for my class. The first time I walked by it, and I glanced at myself, the fleeting thought of "my you look fat" floated passed my consciousness. I didn't give much thought to that pessimism, as I try very hard not to let negative self speak into my brain. However, the next time I went to teach, I found myself trying to avoid looking in the mirror, but I inevitably glanced over, only to have the voice in my head speak a little more loudly, a little more forcefully say, "wow, you're looking quite chubby." This scene repeated itself whenever I came into the studio to teach. Even though I didn't ask, this crafty, Snow White-esque mirror seemed to be telling me that I DEFINITELY was not the fairest of them all.
This "dialogue" from the mirror bothered me tremendously, not only because it seemed to broadcast negativity, but also because with everything going on the world, how could I be worried about whether I looked chubby or not? It caused stress on many levels. I thought I was above being influenced by what I saw in the mirror. I thought that with all my academic, as well as my yoga training, that somehow I was immune to the culturally imposed limitations placed on women's bodies. I didn't want to think about how I looked. I wanted to focus on bigger world problems. But, alas, my mind kept floating back to the perceived reflection. The mirror in the corner became an unbidden fixation. I considered turning it around when I walked in the studio so I wouldn't have to look at it. I considered covering it with a scarf. I considered removing it altogether! And then I decided to get real and take charge of this ridiculous phobia I had developed…of a mirror!
Women have their bodies scrutinized every day. We are either too fat, too skinny, too muscular, too flabby, too tall, too short, too white, too dark, too this, too that…Magazines, television, print media in general publish pictures of women that have an increasingly narrow "ideal" body type. Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D., researcher, author and international speak writes: "Advertising is an over 100 billion dollar a year industry and affects all of us throughout our lives. We are each exposed to over 2000 ads a day, constituting perhaps the most powerful educational force in society….Advertising creates a mythical, mostly white world in which people are rarely ugly, overweight, poor, struggling or disabled, either physically or mentally." Kilbourne goes on to write that most women in advertisements have perfect hair, little body fat and appear to have no pores. She states that Cindy Crawford once said, "Cindy Crawford doesn't look like Cindy Crawford." The photo shopping, air brushing and camera manipulation create an image of someone who doesn't exist…all in an effort to make women feel they are inadequate, ugly, undesirable so they will buy the product in the advertisement. It's real and it's hard to escape, even for the most diligent. The question becomes, what can be done to fight back against this insidious assault?
For starters, I would get rid of cable television. Television shows are a conduit for advertisers to create discontent, so you'll buy their products. Quit buying women's magazines. Spend your money on good books, yoga classes, and healthy food or put it in savings. Talk to your women friends about your feelings of inadequacy. Chances are, they feel it too, but sometimes it feels embarrassing to admit these feelings. If more of us disclosed these thoughts, perhaps it would be easier to quiet those lies that rattle around in our heads. Once you realize you're not alone, knowing other women are battling the same mindsets can make the fight against such feelings easier. There is always strength in numbers. Finally, begin telling yourself daily that you are beautiful, brilliant and awesomely amazing. Take charge of the mirror. Look yourself squarely in the eye and say loving words to yourself. You are not a number on the scale, you are not your dress size, you are not your hair or your skin or your nails. You are something much deeper. You are an exquisite, amazing creature who has so much more to do than worry about a reflection.
The mirror in the corner is still there and it still tries to tell me how I am not perfect. I'm learning to brush off its feeble attempts to reduce my being to a physical representation. When it throws out its negativity, I simply smile and remember to remember my true self, which is light, radiance and love. It's amazing how quiet it becomes when I gently replace its negativity with uplifting, healing and inspiring refrains. It can't keep up its assault in the face of positivity. I refuse to relinquish any more of my power to a bit of metal and wood. It ceases to have influence when I reduce it to its fundamental substance…because really, it's nothing more than a mirror in the corner.
Ignore the mirror in the corner. Keep Shining. Peace Out!


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Not only jihad, people could sit here and argue and counter the argument about issues like any issue by quoting religious texts and proving it is right to be wrong… and inversely. According to me "Religion is not prescribed; it is open for interpretation and is interpreted in a way that suits us best".
UPDATE On May 06 : Kasab gets death sentence.
I dont feel happy that a 20 something guy is dying, dont mistake it for sympathy. Just that it is not a nice feeling. Though it is not safe to keep him living. And it is cruel and inhumane to him too.


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Racing to Stop the Stigma – Interfaith Social Services' 5K
Interfaith Social Services' hosted their 43rd Annual South Shore Walk & 5K Race on April 29th; this record setting event for the nonprofit supported community members affected by mental illness and addiction.
Quincy, Massachusetts (May 18, 2017) – Depression. Addiction. Anxiety. These illnesses affect one in five adults every year. So why aren't more people taking about these health issues? Interfaith Social Services' hosted their 43rd Annual South Shore Walk & 5K Race on Saturday April 29th to get people talking about these issues and to raise funding for those in need of treatment. Hundreds of people filled the streets of Quincy and raised a record setting $35,000 for the organization.
The phrase "Stop the Stigma" was printed on almost all available surfaces at the event, from t-shirts to signs. The 5K and family fun festivities afterward all focused on supporting community members affected by mental illness and addiction.
"It is shameful that there are stigmas associated with addiction, depression and other mental health issues," said Rick Doane, executive director of Interfaith Social Services. "People talk openly about their struggles with ailments like diabetes and cancer. However, many keep mental illness under wraps. This race gives us an opportunity to proclaim that there is no shame in mental illness. We walk, run and rally with family, friends and others to show those who are suffering that they can hold their heads high, their community stands with them."
The 5K race followed a scenic and challenging course through Quincy's Squantum neighborhood. The Boston skyline and Dorchester Bay served as a picturesque backdrop for the course, which started and ended at The Kennedy Center in Quincy.
After the runners and walkers finished the race they enjoyed a Family Fun Celebration at The Kennedy Center. The festivities included a kids' Fun Run, raffles, music, a bounce house provided by Busy Bee Jumpers, air brush tattoos provide by Tribal Sun Entertainment and more. The New England Revolution Battalion (the street team for Revolution Soccer), WROR 105.7 and Dave & Busters provided additional games and prizes. Local restaurants, Unchained Pizza and Balducci's House of Pizza, provided lunch to all participants. Everyone also enjoyed frozen treats from New England Ice Cream. Runners relaxed with a neck and shoulder massage from Body Benefit Massage Therapy.
The South Shore Walk & 5K Race is supported by many local businesses, including Platinum level sponsors: Arbella Insurance, BMC HealthNet Plan, The New England Regional Council of Carpenters and Gold level sponsors: Makepeace Digital Imaging and Quincy College.
This year Interfaith is celebrating their 70th anniversary. "For seven decades we have been reaching out to families in need," said director Rick Doane. "Our New Directions Counseling Center is our oldest program. The Center is a safety net to make sure that anyone who needs it can receive care regardless of their ability to pay. Interfaith was founded when the South Shore was facing a crisis. Thousands of people were losing their jobs as the shipyards decreased production after World War II. Today our community is facing a different kind of crisis. Addiction has robbed our community of too many people; it has harmed too many families. During our 5K the community stood together and said to our friends and loved ones who are suffering, 'there is nothing wrong with reaching out for help'."
Interfaith welcomes donations to support their cause. For more information, or to donate, visit www.InterfaithSocialServices.org.


text:
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Wealth and Who Owns It?
"The robots owners and the ownership class in general could pay the bulk of the taxes." Laurie
Laurie's comments above from robots remind me of when Hiram's typical view, maybe it is a Liberal / Democratic Socialist view that America's wealth is the sum of the Public Net Worth and every citizen's Private Net Worth. And that all of it should easily accessible to fulfill the whims of society.
Here is a randomly selected piece on property rights.
Intro to Property Rights
From my more Conservative view the USA is a financially stable country that has many wealthy, capable, driven and smart citizens that work hard to keep it that way. I mean even our poor are middle class or rich on a global basis because of the welfare we distribute.
I will never understand why Laurie and folks like her think that people like Bill Gates owe society and her an even bigger cut of his wealth. Thoughts?
77 comments:
- Laurie said...
I will never understand why John and folks like him think that people like Bill Gates deserve 50 billion dollars..
- August 1, 2015 at 5:13 PM
- Laurie said...
For a large part of the 20th century the top tax rate was 70% or above. Maybe with the way the economy is rigged to benefit the 1% it is time to raise tax rates again. When you were a kid didn't you ever change the rules of a game to make it more fair?
When I did some quick research into how rich Gates is I came across this:
"And although Gates has given an astounding $38 billion to his charitable foundation, thanks to Larson, he's getting richer faster than he can give his money away.
His $81.6 billion is nearly $6 billion more than it was as of March 2014, when he was worth $76 billion, we reported at the time. And $76 billion was $9 billion more than he was worth in March, 2013."
If you were creating a game / economic system is this how you would design it to work?
- August 1, 2015 at 6:06 PM
- John said...
"change the rules of a game to make it more fair?"
I think the definition of "fair" is the problem here. Bill Gates and Microsoft literally changed our world. Some welfare Mom with 3 kids from 3 different Fathers just drains resources.
- August 1, 2015 at 6:35 PM
- Laurie said...
I am done with this topic as I am too disgusted by your contempt for the poor and worship of the uber rich. You have a very sick sense of what people are worth. Do you really believe one person deserve 400,000 times more income and 50,000,000,000 times more wealth than another?
- August 1, 2015 at 7:09 PM
- John said...
I believe you are missing the point of my belief system.
I have no contempt for the poor, I simply believe that people shall reap what they sew. Whereas you apparently believe that every person standing on American soil is owed food, clothing, money, healthcare, housing, phones, etc no matter what choices they make or actions they take.
I am happy to help anyone who wants to improve and contribute, however taking more from those who learn, work, save, invest, etc to support those who choose not to is what I deem as unfair.
- August 1, 2015 at 8:58 PM
- John said...
Let's follow your thoughts:
1. the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.
2. the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.
1. The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
2. The state of being despised or dishonored: was held in contempt by his former friends.
- August 1, 2015 at 9:30 PM
- John said...
You believe that I hold poor people in contempt, which of course I disagree with.
In fact I believe that I respect these individuals more than you do. I truly believe in them and their capability to improve their circumstances if they choose.
Whereas the Liberals seem to believe that these folks are incapable and need to be cared for like animals in a petting zoo. That is what I deem to be true contempt.
- August 1, 2015 at 9:59 PM
- John said...
I am still thinking on how to entice poor people to stop making poor decisions and start making wise decisions. And preferably encouraging the wealthy to give more to charities that are truly capable of helping the poor people to make better decisions.
Not our public schools that put the wants of Teachers before the needs of the poor kids.
Not our welfare system that believes handing out checks with no expectations for improvement is in somehow helping the people "escape poverty".
- August 1, 2015 at 10:27 PM
America's wealth is the sum of the Public Net Worth and every citizen's Private Net Worth.
What else could America's wealth consist of?
- August 2, 2015 at 7:08 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
John, I think "entice" is the wrong word. Starvation is a powerful motivator. Do I need to quote Ben Franklin's compassion again?
I will never understand why liberals insist that Bill Gates, who earned every nickel by creating and producing products that millions of people willingly buy, is evil, while the federal government, who takes in that much EVERY WEEK from the unwilling, and produces essentially nothing, is seen as perfectly virtuous.
- August 2, 2015 at 9:32 AM
- John said...
I think the USA produces and maintains something wonderful.
A secure country law controlled country with tons of freedoms.
The question is why does it cost so much and why do some citizens have to pay infinitely more than others to live here?
- August 2, 2015 at 11:17 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
Sorry, but I think the USA is a wonderful place largely in SPITE of its government, not because of it. We got along pretty darn well before modern liberals decided that they could run our lives better than we could ourselves. I remain of the opinion that we would all be better off with government half the size in power and spending as we now have.
- August 2, 2015 at 11:27 AM
- John said...
I am not sure about half, but I think we would better off spending about 20% less on government and the inefficiencies it creates.
Now to help people understand my "infinite" comment. The reality is that many citizens get more back from society than they contribute to society. I mean if a low income person in Minneapolis has 2 children in the Public Schools, receives a child tax credit, earned income tax credit, food stamps, etc they are definitely getting much more back than they are paying in. Thus their net contribution to our society is <$0.
Whereas Bill gates and other wealthy people do benefit from our country's stability, laws, etc just like the poor folk, however they will pay much more in than the government will pay them in credits, services, etc. Thus their net contribution to our society is much greater than $0.
Anything positive number (ie $1000) divided by $0 is infinitely more...
- August 2, 2015 at 12:14 PM
- jerrye92002 said...
I don't want to quibble numbers, but if numbers lead us to truth, so be it. Defense spending is about 22% of the federal budget. About 4% goes to support Congress, the courts, the diplomatic corps, and other essential bureaucracies. We spend another 6% covering interest on the national debt (which should be greatly reduced). That leaves about 2/3 for various forms of wealth transfer payments, which IMHO should not exist at all. Government has no business taking from one person to give to another. That's not "equality under the law" under any circumstance.
Your argument, however, for a perfectly flat tax, based on the idea that we all have equal opportunity and equal protection under the law, I think is a bit unrealistic. I actually support progressive taxes, simply because poor folks need every penny they earn and Bill Gates doesn't. BUT, that doesn't mean the poor folks are entitled to GET anything from Bill Gates and other taxpayers, nor does it mean that Bill Gates should pay a disproportionate PERCENTAGE of his income in taxes as he does now. My idea of a progressive tax is one in which everyone pays the exact same percentage, minus an exemption for the "poverty level." That is what the FAIR tax does, by the way (except it is levied on consumption, which is even MORE fair than on income, and it DOES include a small "guaranteed income" for those below poverty level). Here's how it works: Everybody-- from Bill Gates on down-- gets the sales tax on poverty-level spending "prepaid" in a monthly check. Everybody pays the exact same percentage on things they buy. Therefore, those below the poverty line actually end up with more money, after taxes. Those just above poverty pay taxes on the last few dollars of spending but with the rest exempted, their average tax rate is tiny-- 1% or so. Somebody spending at twice the poverty level (middle class, say), pays an equivalent of 50% of the nominal rate, and people spending millions asymptotically approach the full rate. It's perfectly progressive even though everybody pays exactly the same percentage. I don't have a problem with that, I applaud it.
All wealth belongs to those who earned it and that includes the IRS classification of "unearned income." There's no such thing, unless you count all the forms of welfare that governments create to redistribute and DESTROY wealth. Any cash/goods people receive beyond the value of what they produce is, in fact, destruction of wealth.
- August 3, 2015 at 9:08 AM
- Sean said...
"I am not sure about half, but I think we would better off spending about 20% less on government and the inefficiencies it creates."
Is this another picked out of the air number like your 33% of GDP number?
How, specifically, would you cut 20% in government spending?
- August 3, 2015 at 9:13 AM
- John said...
These folks seem to have a PLAN. Thoughts?
- August 3, 2015 at 10:04 AM
- Sean said...
Do you endorse these ideas?
I find it fascinating that you love to rip apart other people's ideas, but when asked for your ideas you link to something else without suggesting if you endorse it or not. What do YOU think?
- August 3, 2015 at 10:17 AM
It seems to me when you talk about cutting the federal budget, the first place to start is looking at what we spend money on, and how that money is spent. Here is a link to one explanation of the federal budget.
Would a 20% cut be applied to the entire budget? Or to just discretionary spending?
- August 3, 2015 at 10:31 AM
- John said...
It looks like I overstated the necessary cut.
To get to my 33% number we only need to keep "Total Government Spending" fixed for a few more years as the GDP grows. Unfortunately this means the politicians and bureaucrats will need to prioritize, shift money, cut someplaces, add someplaces, improve efficiencies, etc as some costs need to increase.
Isn't this what we hired them for?
- August 3, 2015 at 11:16 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
Another way of looking at expense reductions is Pareto's law, which says that 80% of the spending occurs in 20% of the categories. That says we need to start with entitlement reform, rapidly approaching 50% of the budget. Privatizing Social Security (phased in over 30-40 years) and turning Medicare and Medicaid into premium support programs administered by the States, would be a good start.
Hiram, there isn't enough "discretionary spending," even including defense that I don't think ought to be called "discretionary," to get much beyond 20% of the budget. You have to trim entitlements and I think, rather than the "meat axe" approach called for in some of the Cato line items, it ought to be done through reform of those programs. Same or more benefits, substantially lower costs. What's not to like?
- August 3, 2015 at 11:18 AM
- John said...
National Priorities Budget Basics
I am sorry for not doing a better job of answering your questions right now. I have been working hard on my "Honey Do" list and have little time for reading/blogging.
- August 3, 2015 at 11:19 AM
there isn't enough "discretionary spending," even including defense that I don't think ought to be called "discretionary," to get much beyond 20% of the budget.
I think there is, it just isn't politically acceptable to make them all there.
You have to trim entitlements and I think,
That may be so, but we must keep in mind that people are entitled to that spending. People aren't entitled to discretionary spending.
- August 3, 2015 at 11:46 AM
I don't think it's the job of elected officials to prioritize stuff. It's our job to prioritize stuff and the way we do that is elect people who share and will implement our priorities.
- August 3, 2015 at 12:03 PM
One of the things I believe but not one else seems to is that the size of government should be considered terms of the dimensions of the government itself, not in terms of money that passe through it. If you look at discretionary spending, it's mostly wealth transfer, from one group of people to another. Take Social Security. Does government really get bigger when someone files an SS claim? Does the government get smaller when a Social Security recipient dies?
- August 3, 2015 at 12:10 PM
- jerrye92002 said...
"That may be so, but we must keep in mind that people are entitled to that [entitlement] spending." -- Hiram
I'm sorry, but you are wrong. Courts have ruled that, for Social Security for example, you have ZERO "entitlement," even to the money supposedly in "your account." Congress can reduce or eliminate SS payments at any time, at will (but of course they won't). The only reason it is an "entitlement" is because that's what Congress likes to call things that run out of money on autopilot, so it's not their fault.
- August 3, 2015 at 12:35 PM
- jerrye92002 said...
"Does government really get bigger when someone files an SS claim?"
Yes, it does. The reason is because the government CONTROLS your access to your money. That makes them "bigger" not in expenditures but in impact on your life. BOTH need to be curbed, and denying them the money, say by privatizing SS, accomplishes both simultaneously.
- August 3, 2015 at 12:38 PM
- John said...
Looks like Jerry beat me to it...
"people are entitled to that spending"
Actually no. The court ruled long ago that payroll taxes are just a tax. A change in law today can alter the payments at any time. Just like a welfare or medicaid program can be changed. People may feel entitled to those benefits, however they are disbursed at the discretion of the current government. It would just be very unpopular to do so, thus no one takes action.
- August 3, 2015 at 12:42 PM
- John said...
I agree with you but differently.
"because the government CONTROLS your access to your money"
It is actually during the collection that Government is increased. Your salary could be ~15.5% higher, however the government has decided that it knows better how to use your money. Thus it removes the burden of what to save, where to invest, what insurance to buy, etc.
In essence, personal freedom shrinks and government control increases.
- August 3, 2015 at 12:48 PM
- jerrye92002 said...
That is why I keep arguing that the costs of these programs must be reduced by reforming the programs, rather than just cutting back. I believe it is possible to deliver the same benefits for some of these programs, at far less cost. In many cases this would be by removing them (at least partly) from federal government control.
- August 3, 2015 at 1:32 PM
I have to ask, if we are entitled to entitlement spending, why do we call it that? If entitlement spending is the same as discretionary spending, how can they be different? As far as what courts have ruled, currently we have a very activist set of courts, and I, quite frankly, have no idea what they will rule in the future. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to politicians explaining to me how the things they always told me I was entitled to in the past somehow are not.
"It is actually during the collection that Government is increased."
So when the government relinquishes that control, it gets smaller? Just a moment ago, I saw an argument that that we are not entitled to the money politicians say we are entitled to. Doesn't that argument make the government bigger? If we passed a law saying we are entitled to the money politicians love to say we are entitled to, wouldn't that make the government smaller?
- August 3, 2015 at 1:35 PM
- Sean said...
I won't believe that Republicans truly believe this is a crisis until they are willing to whack the benefits of current retirees. Because that -- if you really believe this is a problem that puts the future of our nation in doubt -- is what you would do. You wouldn't force our children and grandchildren to pay a bill run up by the current generations if you were truly serious about doing the right thing.
- August 3, 2015 at 1:44 PM
We mostly hear about the deficit from Republicans when Democrats are in the White House. We didn't hear about it so much when George Bush wanted to go to war with Iraq when the country was in recession, and should a Republican be elected president next year, I don't think we will hear much about the deficit as they ramp up the war with Iran.
- August 3, 2015 at 2:22 PM
- John said...
Politifact - No Right to Social Security
What we will get back is all in the hands of our current and future politicians... (ie government) We have no direct control over the money we have paid in for decades. The government will decide where it will be invested, when we will get it back, how much we will get back, who will get it, etc.
That is why I do not put it into my retirement planning... It will be a nice benefit if I get any of the hundreds of thousands of dollars back that I have paid in over the decades.
- August 3, 2015 at 4:42 PM
Really, the question is whether Social Security should be and should be treated as, an entitlement. Something the government owes us, or more precisely we owe each other. After all, the ancient case law could changed with a simple law.
The political question remains the same. Should entitlements, and by that's Medicare and Social Security, which are what Republicans call wealth re distributions and transfers, be included as government spending subject to the 20% cuts. As the charts show, if they are not, but if we consider these wealth transfers as part of government, then it's pretty much the case that we have to slash pretty much everything else government does.
- August 4, 2015 at 6:10 AM
- John said...
That is why it is important that we hold politicians of both parties accountable to solve this impending train wreck sooner than later.
By the way, social security and medicare as they were, were not wealth redistribution devices. At least not too bad. People paid in premiums and got insurance and income, somewhat relative to what they contributed.
It was when they started to limit the benefits that could be received by higher income folks, and/or taxing those benefits that the program went astray. And now Liberals want to fix the funding issue by removing the contribution cap without providing more benefits.
If that happens, I think we should just scrap Social Security and Medicare and consolidate them into Welfare and Medicaid... At least we would be calling them what they had become. And then the benefits would all be means tested to ensure the people with money were not benefitting from the program.
- August 4, 2015 at 8:16 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
There seems to be this idea that reforming Social Security requires cutting benefits to current retirees. It is the big, fat lie that Democrats tell to scare senior voters about Republicans. It's a wicked lie because, without reforming the program, benefits WILL have to be cut sooner or later, even WITH the fiction of the SS Trust Fund in play.
Meanwhile, years ago in fact, bills were introduced to "phase out" Social Security in such a way that current and near retirees received full benefits (without breaking the bank), and younger workers had time to build MORE wealth in private accounts to which they were entitled. It took us 40 years for SS to get into this pickle; we can get out in another 40. Or we can have a bigger problem, if all we allow our politicians to do is promise to "protect Social Security."
- August 4, 2015 at 8:19 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
"...but if we consider these wealth transfers as part of government, then it's pretty much the case that we have to slash pretty much everything else government does."
Hiram has it right. SS and Medicare, without reform, are on track to consume ALL federal revenues in the not-so-distant future. The solution is to not consider these wealth transfers the proper role of government. Simple, eh?
- August 4, 2015 at 8:28 AM
- Sean said...
Any Social Security "reform" plan that involves a transition to "private accounts" is going to have hundreds of billions or even trillions of dollars in transition costs. They also fundamentally undermine the purpose of the program in the first place, which was to be a social insurance program.
Any such "reform" is inevitably going to be bead for future generations, because they are going to pay the transition costs for the bills run up by the current and previous generations and take on the market risk involved with turning SS into an investment program instead of an insurance program.
But it's perfectly in line with current GOP dogma which protects today's wealthy at the expense of future generations.
- August 4, 2015 at 8:49 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
Sean, you are making your prediction from a liberal point of view, while I am making mine from knowledge of the actual mathematics of such proposals and the experience of other countries that have made the transition.
Yes, the "transition costs" are large, but they are much larger if you want to keep the program as it is. Also, those costs would have been considerably smaller if they had been made when this was first proposed almost 20 years ago. Continued Democrat opposition has prevented it.
- August 4, 2015 at 9:08 AM
By the way, social security and medicare as they were, were not wealth redistribution devices. At least not too bad. People paid in premiums and got insurance and income, somewhat relative to what they contributed.
Insurance is a wealth redistribution scheme too. SS is and always has been a program that shifts wealth from one group to another, active workers to retirees. Whether or not that's good policy is certainly a disputable issue, but that's what the policy is.
- August 4, 2015 at 9:17 AM
- Sean said...
"Sean, you are making your prediction from a liberal point of view, while I am making mine from knowledge of the actual mathematics of such proposals and the experience of other countries that have made the transition."
How about a link to back that up?
"Continued Democrat opposition has prevented it."
Republicans didn't have the votes for it, either. The GOP controlled Congress when Bush proposed his plan and never brought anything to the floor for a vote.
- August 4, 2015 at 9:26 AM
- John said...
The solutions are very simple...
The desired benefit costs have increased faster than inflation/wages, so if we want to maintain these, the ~15% payroll tax should be increased. (ie ~18% or maybe 20%?)
Or if we want to keep paying the ~15% premium, then we need to reduce the benefit spend. (ie later retirement, less dollars, etc)
Not sure why folks resist these changes? The longer we wait the worse it gets.
- August 4, 2015 at 9:48 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
Folks resist these changes because we have demagogues who insist, like they insist about the public schools, that these government programs are the best solution and that any "reform" suggested is because "evil people" want to "destroy" these "wonderful" programs.
It's not true, of course. We now have people, Dems and Repubs alike, who think we should just raise the retirement age ("modestly") as a solution. My question is, why do we have a mandatory retirement age at all? With private accounts, you could have full control of your retirement account and, by contributing more than the minimum, you could set yourself up to retire early. If you enjoyed your job you could keep working and paying in only the minimum, knowing that, unlike SS, any excess would pass to your heirs.
Hiram is right-- SS and Medicare were supposed to be supported by taxes and "premiums," respectively. Now they are wealth distribution (and destruction) schemes.
- August 4, 2015 at 1:29 PM
- John said...
Unfortunately I agree with the Liberals that there are too many US citizens that we can not trust to save adequately or buy long term care insurance. We need this or a varied forced savings /insurance system in place. When those irresponsible people get too old to work, no one is going to put them on the street.
We just need to adjust either the benefits or the premiums ASAP.
By the way, we are waiting for a link to a site that describes your ideal new system.
- August 4, 2015 at 2:13 PM
- jerrye92002 said...
I wouldn't have thought a link was necessary-- it's a pretty straightforward proposal.
Here's one from the Cato Institute along those same lines, with a lot of history and supporting evidence:
Rod Grams' proposal is similar but with one great exception, and that is that the amount of your SS taxes you can "divert" to your private account increases as you talk about younger workers. For example, 55 and up continue to pay 100% and draw full SS benefits. 45-55 pay 75% and get 75% of benefits, 35-45 pay 50% and get 50%, under 35 are in the private system. ALL have the option of regular SS if they want it, though why you would I don't know. Also, two nice features of the Chilean system is the distribution of the existing trust funds into the private accounts based on "your share," and a government "top off" of your retirement account if you failed to save enough. The beauty of this phase out is that the people drawing the higher benefits die off as those who paid for and expect lower benefits enter retirement. The "transition costs"-- people still drawing high benefits while others pay in less-- is minimized. Also, in the Grams plan, Employers would continue to pay the 8% until the system fully transitioned, also covering the transition cost.
- August 4, 2015 at 3:37 PM
- John said...
Down Sizing SS Retirement
To keep it simple, the main difference is there is a real trust fund. And the participant can determine where some portion of the money is invested?
People would still be forced to put 15% into the program?
- August 4, 2015 at 4:29 PM
- John said...
- August 4, 2015 at 4:31 PM
"Folks resist these changes because we have demagogues who insist, like they insist about the public schools, that these government programs are the best solution and that any "reform" suggested is because "evil people" want to "destroy" these "wonderful" programs."
It's very important to understand that no government program is the "best solution". Quite honestly, the most common form of demagoguery I see is this idea that we should reject policies which are possible, feasible and beneficial, simply because they aren't the "best" or someone's notion of the "best". Almost invariably, these are attempts to prevent anything done at all, in ways to avoid the consequences that follow from doing nothing.
More specifically, there is nothing perfect about Social Security. It was designed to meed a specific historical situation of a kind that hasn't always been present since it was enacted, namely the depression. But I do note that after the great recession, and the subsequent discrediting of Wall Street and the investment community, we have a better understanding of the reasoning behind Social Security than we did in 2004, when many of those Wall Street bankers, asked the politicians who were in their pay, to entrust America's financial future to them. We can thank our lucky stars, and believe me it was a matter of luck, that that didn't happen.
- August 5, 2015 at 6:16 AM
- John said...
"the subsequent discrediting of Wall Street and the investment community"
I agree that they do have their faults, however please remember that if one did not sell their equities or home during the chaos which was created due to choices and actions taken by many groups of people. (ie Wall St, Mortgage companies, Mortgagees and government), they are likely much wealthier than they were in 2007.
I am much happier having some risk and more earnings... Than about cost of living earnings (ie no earnings) and very low risk.
That is why it would be good if people could choose a diverse portfolio for the money they put into SS. Or if there was an actual managed diversified portfolio, not just government bonds. I assume pensions carry more than just government bonds within their asset base.
Of course, how could the politicians have borrowed / spent those SS Trust Fund assets if the were invested elsewhere?
- August 5, 2015 at 9:48 AM
- John said...
Just curious... Do you look to invest your money in Mutual Funds, CDs, Bonds, Stocks, etc that underperform compared to other similar investment instruments?
Or do you work to put your money where it will earn the highest rate of return?
Or do you only buy government bonds?
- August 5, 2015 at 9:52 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
If people had invested their SS taxes in government bonds ONLY, they would likely be far ahead of the SS benefits they will receive. Especially if they die before or early in retirement. It's not a very good investment, and it's a worse insurance program.
- August 5, 2015 at 9:57 AM
"I agree that they do have their faults, however please remember that if one did not sell their equities or home during the chaos which was created due to choices and actions taken by many groups of people. (ie Wall St, Mortgage companies, Mortgagees and government), they are likely much wealthier than they were in 2007."
What I choose to remind myself is that if a lot of these people weren't holding the financial system hostage, they would be serving jail sentences right now. These folks came pretty close to wrecking the economy during the Bush years, and if really the American economy proved just a bit stronger and a bit luckier than the people whose actions were so destructive, well that's not something they should be given credit for.
You know we talk a lot about foreclosures. We don't talk so much about the millions of Americans who faced with hard times through no fault of their own worked and strived to meet their obligations and keep their homes. Why don't they get a little credit?
- August 5, 2015 at 10:32 AM
"Do you look to invest your money in Mutual Funds, CDs, Bonds, Stocks, etc that underperform compared to other similar investment instruments?"
I like stock index funds. Really, in terms of financial investments it doesn't really make sense to invest in anything else.
- August 5, 2015 at 10:34 AM
If people had invested their SS taxes in government bonds ONLY, they would likely be far ahead of the SS benefits they will receive.
I don't go to the track often, but when I do, sometimes I like to go up to the teller and ask if I can bet on a race after it's completed. So far, the answer has always been no, but I will let you know if the answer ever changes. Meanwhile here is a sure fire stock tip: Buy Microsoft in the year 1986.
- August 5, 2015 at 10:37 AM
- John said...
SS is more like long term care insurance or a pension... If you live a long time it is an excellent program...
So don't die early.
So you support buying stock index funds because they make you a better return than other options.
Yet you rail against companies and bankers who work hard to earn you those returns. Most of their compensation plans are set to drive them to increase the stock price for your benefit. As an investor your choices motivate those managers to make the choices they make.
"worked and strived to meet their obligations and keep their homes. Why don't they get a little credit?"
I am very happy that they did the responsible thing. However should we be praised for being responsible and paying the debt that we accepted of our own free will?
Or is this just what a good citizen does?
- August 5, 2015 at 11:03 AM
- Sean said...
"Most of their compensation plans are set to drive them to increase the stock price for your benefit. "
Yes, clearly history has shown that no one looks out for the average citizen quite like Wall Street does. we should thank them for their benevolent (and ever-increasing) control over our society.
- August 5, 2015 at 11:24 AM
Yet you rail against companies and bankers who work hard to earn you those returns
Those folks aren't Wall Street. Buying index funds is in fact, a way around Wall Street. The companies whose stocks comprise index funds were victimized by Wall Street's machinations, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, just like everyone else. I have talked to Wells Fargo bankers, to cite just one example, who explained to me how his bank was under a great deal of pressure to sell the toxic waste Wall Street was selling. They resisted the pressure, moetly, but others weren't so resistant or weren't so lucky.
- August 5, 2015 at 12:06 PM
- John said...
Please explain who you think "Wall Street" is.
Remembering that most of the companies in America are publically held by private citizens.
Just look at TIAA-CREF as an example. Or my favorite Vanguard.
- August 5, 2015 at 12:39 PM
- Sean said...
"Remembering that most of the companies in America are publically held by private citizens."
Sure, bust the vast majority -- 80% to 90% -- depending on which source or methodology you use are publically held by the top 10% of income earners. Those are the folks the large financial corporations are looking out for.
- August 5, 2015 at 12:54 PM
- John said...
Here is an interesting poll. Apparently half of Americans are scared to invest that way.
That means more people need to get educated.
Then they can take better advantage of what companies work towards to help those us who invest.
- August 5, 2015 at 1:13 PM
Wall Street is a place where financial products are created, bought and sold.
- August 5, 2015 at 2:57 PM
Remembering that most of the companies in America are publically held by private citizens.
Just a quick glance at google tell me that there are about 19000 companies in America that are publicly held. Another quick look at google tells me that there are 18 million businesses in America. I don't vouch for the exactness of either figure, but it's my guess that the vast majority of businesses in America and in the world for that matter are privately held.
- August 5, 2015 at 3:03 PM
- John said...
I assume you are correct based on quantity, but based on total market cap I think the ratio is significantly different. Especially when it comes to the BIG banks...
I am a very happy part owner in Bank of America. Thanks to a hint from my Dad, I bought in after the implosion. At the same time I bought VFH
- August 5, 2015 at 4:49 PM
I am not sure what the relevance of the public holding of companies is. The fact is, we often talk about the importance of s amall business to the economy. Many, many of those companies are privately held. Many very large companies are privately held. The vast majority of them aren't "Wall Street". Wall Street is just where there stock is bought and sold, assuming that it is. Assuming their stock is publicly traded.
- August 6, 2015 at 6:21 AM
- John said...
"These folks came pretty close to wrecking the economy"
The relevance to me is that for some reason Liberal citizens continue to blame some nameless boogeyman group for doing what we the stockholders and consumers want them to do.
Americans want the highest returns on their investments, and they want to buy the best quality, best performing, most reliable products / services at the lowest prices. And we have no qualms about changing our investment holdings, stores, services providers or product brand to attain these goals.
The then Liberal folks complain that Walmart does not pay well enough or that looking at in hindsight the mortgage companies/ banks accepted too much risk.
Just like the silly minimum wage argument... "Those American businesses should pay more and keep the jobs here in the USA, yet we the consumers will continue to buy from the best lowest cost global provider." How much of a hypocrite can the "Liberal Minimum Wage Union Environmental supporter" Foreign buying consumer be?
- August 6, 2015 at 7:36 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
I'm going to try to explain why the crash of '08 happened in a way that does NOT blame the big banks or "wall street" or "greedy capitalists"-- favorite boogeymen of the left. First, we had all of those subprime mortgage loans given to people with poor credit but favored by leftist government policy in the name of "equality" or somesuch. These loans got "guaranteed" (i.e. bought up) by the /government/, who then turned around and "commoditized" packages of these loans and sold them as "mortgage backed securities." All very good so long as housing prices continued to rise and people paid their mortgages, but that was not going to happen. We had a "bubble" in home prices (caused by all these new loans) that would burst when those loans adjusted and people couldn't make their payments. So, bankers did what government told them to do (make the loans & sell them to Fannie/Freddie), Wall Street brokers did what the government encouraged them to do (sell MBSs), and average investors toppled over. No guarantee the free market would have done better, but it seems more likely.
- August 6, 2015 at 8:37 AM
The problem wasn't risky loans. The problem was that Wall Street created financial instruments that made the risks impossible to evaluate. These instruments were then sold to unsophisticated investors, often with assurances from Wall Street that they were safe, assurances that Wall Street knew were false. When, as inevitably happens, some loans were defaulted upon, the purchasers of these instruments, who suddenly realized they didn't know what these instruments were worth, panicked which rendered banks and other financial institutions insolvent.
There are deeper problems here, problems for which both parties bear some responsibility. In our urge to deregulate, we allowed banks to combine their evaluation and sales functions, creating an unsustainable conflict of interest. We allowed the creation of these exotic instruments which were too complicated to understand. We allowed banks to distance themselves from the quality of the loans they originated, creating a moral hazard, which many of them couldn't or were unable to resist. One thing to note is that all these problems are inherent in capitalism which throughout history has been vulnerable to the boom and bust cycle we have seen in recent decades. The reason they have returned is that our current batch of politicians were born since the depression and have forgotten or never learned the issues the depression taught us.
- August 6, 2015 at 9:08 AM
- Sean said...
The problem with that theory is that Fannie and Freddie were small players in both the subprime and MBS markets. In 2006, Fannie/Freddie issued just 14% of subprime loans and only insured 24%, while their share of MBS had dipped to under 30%. And, as it turns out, loans originated by private companies defaulted at a rate 6x higher than those originated by Fannie/Freddie. (And, by the way, no one has yet been able to point me to an instance where a bank was forced by government regulators to issue a risky loan. They did so of their own accord, and many banks stayed out of the subprime market.)
We also need to remember that it wasn't just the bubble in residential housing that burst -- it also simultaneously happened in commercial real estate, student loans, and car loans, too. And there's not a Fannie or Freddie to be found there. Which speaks to the fact that the loose credit policies of the big banks played a primary factor in the crash.
- August 6, 2015 at 9:14 AM
- Sean said...
Not sure how anyone can read this and walk away without a feeling that these folks weren't knowingly doing wrong.
- August 6, 2015 at 9:18 AM
- John said...
The article reminds me of the Planned Parent videos. Someone taking snippets from years of history, and then assembling them to match their view of reality. Definitely worth considering, however it is unlikely the whole truth.
I have no doubt that that some brokers, mortgage houses, banks and investors did questionable things. The question is if they were illegal? And apparently Holder and Obama thought that they were not. At least not in the "send people to jail" way. Good thing the Democrats were in charge, or the Liberals would say the GOP was protecting the "criminals".
Related info:
Newsweek Fines
Forbes Fines
Forbes Morgan Stanley
- August 6, 2015 at 10:08 AM
- Sean said...
Wall Street has purchased its protection from prosecution through generous campaign contributions.
- August 6, 2015 at 10:15 AM
I would like to say I learned what I know about taxes and economics from some high falutin' text, Samuelson on Economics maybe. But the fact is, most of what I know or at least visualize I got from a movie called "The Wheeler Dealers" starring James Garner, based on a book by a guy who later became "Adam Smith" a well known commentator on market issues. In the movie, the Garner character explains the essence of capitalism which among other things, making sure than when a deal goes bad the government absorbs three quarters of the loss.
- August 6, 2015 at 10:26 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
"Not sure how anyone can read this and walk away without a feeling that these folks weren't knowingly doing wrong."
Well, sure, when you say it like /THAT/. But if there were real wrong-doing there would be indictments, yes?
"Wall Street has purchased its protection from prosecution through generous campaign contributions."
And by making one of the principals into the Treasury Secretary under Obama. The next obvious question is: Are all politicans corrupt at the outset, do they become corrrupt over time, or is there such a thing as an honest man? Be careful, the libertarians believe the first one.
- August 11, 2015 at 10:05 AM
Well, sure, when you say it like /THAT/. But if there were real wrong-doing there would be indictments, yes?
Just because something is wrong doesn't mean it's a crime. It doesn't even mean that there is civil liability. This is may be one of the areas where the scandal isn't that a crime has been committed, but that what has been committed isn't a crime.
"Are all politicans corrupt at the outset, do they become corrrupt over time, or is there such a thing as an honest man?"
Well, the assumed premise that all politicians are corrupt is certainly untrue, and that makes the question unanswerable as stated. The odd Virginia who is selling his office for a daughter's wedding or a Rolex is much more the exception than the rule. As it happens, I know a lot of politicians from both parties, and my experience is that they are hard working people performing a necessary but rarely thanked task. But they also work an environment which has certain rules and forces which they had little role in creating but which affects what they do. This is the case to some degree in just about any job or profession.
"And by making one of the principals into the Treasury Secretary under Obama."
Let's not let the Democrats off too lightly. The problem goes much deeper than a cabinet appointment. If I didn't hear any Republicans campaigning for tighter money back in 2004, I didn't hear any Democrats campaigning for it either. It was Bill Clinton who played a major role in the deregulation of the banks which proved so economically disastrous for us all. Mistakes were made, and the leaders of my party had a role in making them to say the least. But people are always in the process of making mistakes. Going forward, we need to ask, "Who learned from the mistakes we made?"
- April 30, 2016 at 7:20 AM
- jerrye92002 said...
Before we can set blame we have to ask what actually caused the problem, and needless to say that devolves into a partisan debate. I don't blame "deregulation" as much as I blame Fannie and Freddie for CREATING the investment vehicles that went kaput. And I'm going to blame the NEXT problem on the Fed's monetizing of that outrageous Obama debt. Hard to blame the banks or bankers for doing what government actively encourages them to do.
- May 1, 2016 at 8:12 AM
I don't blame "deregulation" as much as I blame Fannie and Freddie for CREATING the investment vehicles that went kaput.
That's a somewhat unusual charge. I don't recall Fannie and Freddie being blamed for creating the investment vehicles that went kaput, or at least kaput in the ways that were so damaging. The exotic instruments were created mostly by banks and investment firms.
Conservatives find it much easier than the rest of us who live in the real world to separate money and what it pays for. The debt level is increasing because we are getting older and the costs of aging must be paid for. The way, in theory at least, to stop those costs from increasing is slow the pace at which we get older. But conservatives aren't willing to do that.
" Hard to blame the banks or bankers for doing what government actively encourages them to do."
Actually, I find that to be something remarkably easy to do. Banks owe a fiduciary duty to their shareholders, not to the government. And it's also the case that banks have an extraordinary amount of influence on the government, so it is disingenuous to claim that they were just doing what the government wanted them to do.
- June 18, 2016 at 9:00 AM
I remember the world and the politics of 2004 quite well. What I don't remember is politicians campaigning on a platform of tightening money. I don't remember Republicans telling voters, "Elect us, and we will reduce your property values and make your property harder to sell. Elect us, and we will make it harder for young couples just starting out to buy their first house. I didn't hear George Bush tell investors to sell their stocks and run for the hills. I do, however, have a distinct recollection of Republicans telling us that we were becoming an "ownership society" and proclaim how wonderful it was that these wonderful investment devices were making it easier for the average American to own a piece of America. I do remember listening to Soucheray on KSTP radio proclaiming the wonders of a myriad of mortgage companies who were buying commercial time on his station. Soucheray is still around of course, but has anyone heard from those mortgage companies lately?
- June 18, 2016 at 9:07 AM


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tucker hit 4 months a couple of weeks ago and i thought i should probably document it here so i can look back and remember what he was like at this age.
this baby is just the sweetest thing. he has the sweetest little personality. he smiles all.the.time. (unless you are trying to make him go to sleep that is..) you literally just have to look at him and he will smile. i LOVE it.
he had his 4 month check up last week and weighted in at 15.5 lbs and measured 25 inches-putting him right at 50% for everything. it seems he may be a little more averaged sized that his sister who always hit right at 98% for everything :)
unfortunately, he has developed some inability to sleep more than 3.5 to 4 hrs at a time again. i do not know what to do with this kid! he was doing much better for about 6 weeks with only waking up once a night but lately it's just getting worse. i hear month 4 can be a time for sleep regression but i kind of just think he's becoming more aware of his surroundings and the fact that he is sleeping in a pack n play in the living room. i also think we are going to have to tackle the dreaded sleep training sooner rather than later. i'm kind of putting it off until we (hopefully!) move into our house in a couple of weeks and he will have a room of his own.
he has started rolling over pretty much any time he is put on his belly. he has also started to notice toys and grab onto them more often. he loves to have a thin blanket to hold on to and pull over his face. he has discovered his feet and will reach up to grab on to them as much as he can. he still doesn't care much for a pacifier but every now and then i can use it to help him get to sleep. he does love to suck on his fingers though.
he seems to be more aware of me and recognize me as a familiar face. which is sweet.
this baby is seriously cute and seriously sweet :)


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This 36 acre farm is perfect for the outdoors man! Great views of the mountains and approx. 300 feet on the Doe River! You can fish and hunt right out of your front door. Newly remodeled with hardwood & ceramic floors. Detached 1 car garage with 2nd story work shop. Have all your equipment stored in large tractor shed. Plenty of pasture, woods and river to occupy your time. All information contained herein is subject to buyers verification.


text:
Hi! :)
Sorry for disappearing for a while from here. And I think that I won't have a chance to write here soon, maybe until my winter holidays, starting at 24/12.
Next week will be so crazy - I have an exam at plant anatomy, two tests at German & typology of soil and vegetation, must translate and make a presentation about scientific paper at ecology (about aspen related beetles & bugs in Finland), write ten pages about mutations in genetics. And everything must be written and handed in next week.
And also there's this biomimicry project [we finally started thinking about everything for it, so have to analyze many materials & data] and work at botanical garden, so we'll have to spend 3 hours there next monday to learn something more about plants growing there. And my course work with counting and sorting such a big amount of beetles [must finish until New Year, as nothing is written yet, and this spring everything has to be ready].
And also today one of Latvian banks was closed, so there's no chance to get money these days or pay at shops with cards. And, of course, this is my bank - I wanted to buy many things, and now just have to wait, without knowing anything how and when I'll get my money back, and also I will have to make a new bank account for a money from university [and you can imagine how many people are everywhere, doing it, as this bank was popular].
So I don't know how I'll make it, as I'm totally down right now.
But everything will be ok, right?
Yeah, and also I've applied for a job at Lithuania for this summer [project for three years about habitats].
Have fun and take care.
Your Icegirl.


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A massive protest has been organised on May 23 by the Confederation of central government employees against the delay in implementing the allowance hike as per the revised 7th Pay Commission recommendations. The Confederation along with the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) has demanded that the government implements their demands at the earliest.
The protest is expected to a major one and will be held on May 23. The unions have been raising some core issues. It may be recalled that on July 11 2016, the NJCA had called for a mass strike after the committee of secretaries had failed to incorporate their concerns before the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report.
Read more at: http://www.oneindia.com/india/7th-pay-commission-massive-protest-on-may-23-here-are-the-demands/during-the-protest-the-confederation-would-make-a-host-of-demands-they-would-want-the-same-to-be-implemented-at-the-earliest-pf26528-2429240.html