I don't think it is just a lack of VC or the bullshit politics. Pittsburgh does have some VC and most cities have bullshit politics (have you ever been to Philly or Chicago?). By their very nature, Pittsburghers are very pessemistic about their town. We are always complaining and we never seem to have a positive attitude about what goes on in this town. We just don't give ourselves enough credit.
I think the problem is mainly one of attitude. The 70's and 80's beat down so badly on this town that everyone is afraid to take chances. And, those that do are considered weird. We are just to into our own cliques that we never consider a different point of view.
In a galaxy very, very, very, very, far away there lived a ruthless race of beings known as... Spaceballs. - Chapter Eleven - The evil leaders of Planet Spaceball, having foolishly squandered their precious atmosphere, have devised a secret plan to take every breath of air away from theyr peace-loving neighbor, Planet Druidia. - Today is Princess Vespa's wedding day. Unbeknownst to the princess but knownst to us, danger lurks in the stars above... - If you can read this, you don't need glasses.
While I have not seen "Loose Change", nor had the time to read your PDF. Here is another reference guide that pretty much shoots down the idea that a missle was used at the Pentagon:
Every time the New York Times or the Washington Post leaks about some secret program that is used in the war on terror, therefor invalidating it, I wonder to myself if they will take responsibility for the next terrorist attack.
Every time the White House leaks the name of a CIA Secret Agent, I wonder if they will take responsibility for that Agent's very life.
If you're talking to government officials, and there are leaks that potentially endanger lives of agents, and collaterally other agents in the field, you're going to get more than a sideways look from the governmet, as well you should.
At first glance, the Feds may not have the right to perform the search. Then again, IANAL, so I don't know if there is a difference from the case I cited above in comparison to the ABC News Blog.
So, based on your article, you are chasing returns? That can work for awhile I suppose.
Yep. I am. And, it will only be for a while. As I have stated before, after the US Market correction (which I expect to see before the end of August this year), I will return to the US Market.
60? While most days I FELL like I am 60 years old, I am actually 39 (. I am just playing a short term reallocation to protect my investments from the impending US bear market (which I expect to see soon). After the bear ends, I am putting all of my bond and money market allocation back into the Stock Market.
Correlations between international and U.S. have been running 80-90%? And there has been a huge run up in non U.S. investments, especially emerging markets?
Here is part of my reasoning. I have been investing 20% international (evenly split between Europe and Asia--mostly UK and Japanese companies) for 2 years. So, taking it to 30% international stock (again, mostly UK and Japanese companies) and 10% in an emerging market bond fund wasn't that big of a deal to me. Trust me, it's not like my 401K has millions of $ in it. And, I have at least 20 years before I can retire.
A long time ago, I read that US investors should put about 20% of their investments into overseas stock. For the rest of this year, I am increasing that overseas investment ratio because I believe China will continue to grow very quickly for the rest of this year before slowing down. The emerging market bond fund is strictly a diversification move on my part.
If, as I assume, we have a bear market before 2007 begins (meaning a 20% correction), I will then reduce my foreign investments and my US Bond holdings and put more back in the US Stock Market.
Based on that phrase alone, I assume that you are NOT 59 1/2 years old. So, do those skills include paying the 10% penalty for selling your 401K $ early?:)
Each chart includes the last 12 months. While whether or not this data is a bubble is indeed debatable, the fact is that the market has been on a strong long-term rise for at least the last year.
It sure does feel like 1998. That's why, this morning, I just moved almost all of my 401k out of US-based stocks. I am now invested at 40% Bonds, 40% International (stocks & some bonds), 10% Money Market & 10% US Stock. Note that even through the dot-bomb, I was running at 90% US Stock (thankfully, my 401K was so small back then that I didn't get hurt too bad).
I'm waiting for the correction (I believe it will occur before the end of this year). After the correction, I'll re-allocate.
Benjamin Franklin must be spinning in his grave...
This morning on NPR, they interviewed a guy from the CATO institute (not exacty a bastion of left-wing liberalism) who said that while the NSA program, on initial review, appeared to meet the letter of the law, it certainly wasn't implemented in the "spirit" of the 4th Amendment to the US Constitution.
I completely agree with this thought. It may or may not be a legal program, but whatever the legality, it is wrong on so many levels.
clean and elegent but feels empty at higher resolutions........feels like slashdot with collapsable menus and a more polished graphical experience
A little citrus. Maybe some strawberry. Mmm. Passion fruit, mmm, and, oh, there's just like the faintest soupçon of like, uh, asparagus, and, there's a, just a flutter of, like a, like a nutty Edam cheese.
"Sit on my face and tell me that you love me." --Monty Python
Drew: I'm thinking about taking that new chick from Logistics. If things go right I might be showing her my O-face.........You know: Oooooooh! Ooooooooh!
* Which of those states tax food?
* Which of those states do not tax clothing?
Here is a list of states and their sales tax policies on food. Those without an asterisk tax the sales of food. As for clothing, I do know that Pennsylvania does not have a sales tax on clothing. I don't know of any other state that does not tax clothing, but I am sure that there are others.
Sales taxes might be regressive, but they do not discourage savings like income taxes do.
But, who can afford to create savings accounts in a high sales-tax state? Remember, regressive taxation means poor people pay a higher percentage in taxes than wealthy. If the poor are paying a higher percentage of taxes, that means they have less money to put into saving accounts. So, the wealthier will be able to save more, but the poor will still be without a savings account.
I would pay more in taxes to the state and local government if I lived and/or worked in Oregon or California.
The only way to really know if this is true is to keep track of your sales taxes expenditures and compare it to what you probably would pay in Oregon income taxes (I am NOT including California, because you probably would pay higher taxes there). As I understand it, the Feds now give a deduction on estimated sales tax expenditures. You could use the Feds tool to estimate your sales tax expenditures in WA, but there is a chance of error (don't forget to include OR deductions when you estimate OR taxes).
Jessica 6: A friend of mine went on carousel. Now he's gone.
Logan 5: Yes, well, I'm sure he was renewed.
Jessica 6: He was killed.
Logan 5: Killed? Why do you use that word?
Jessica 6: Isn't that what you do? Kill?
Logan 5: I've never killed anyone in my life. Sandman terminate runners. What's your name?
Jessica 6: Jessica.
Logan 5: You're sad enough. You're beautiful. Let's have sex.
The million dollar question is: Do you think the scriptwriters were actually PAID for this crap?
In California we actually get an income tax and a sales tax. Maybe they'll take the windfall and lower the sales tax? Yeah, right. Sorry, I'm old enough to remember when the sales tax was only 6%.
When my wife (who grew up in Florida) complains about PA Taxes, I remind her that we could always move to California. That usually shuts her right up.:)
Actually, PA has a 3.07% flat-rate income tax and a 6% sales tax (Philly and Pittsburgh have an additional 1% in sales tax). But, no sales tax on grocery-store food or clothing. The flat tax rate does make the state income tax form rather simple. When I was growing up, the state income tax form was barely larger than a 3"x5" card. Today, the form longer, but it's not nearly as confusing as NY or IL.
(I'm moving there from Pennsylvania, where the 3.07% state income tax is in addition to Pittsburgh's 3% city income tax)
I live in Suburban Pittsburgh. My job requires me to travel on long term contracts out of state. In thos contracts, I frequently pay taxes to the state I am working in. I can tell you from personal experience that Pennsylvania's state income tax compares very favorably to NY, NC, IL, SC, GA, MA, NJ, CT and MN. In fact, PA income tax compares favorably to most states (with the obvious exceptions of no-income tax states like WA, FL, TN, TX, NV, and NH -- I think those are the correct states).
The problem with states that have no income tax is that they usually have a high-sales tax and a sales tax tends to be regressive (some states tax food and clothing and that makes sales tax very regressive). Of course, I think states like FL and NV get their income from tourists and that's a whole different ball game.
As for Pittsburgh income taxes -- BAH!!! I used to work for the City. I moved out of the City as soon as my employment their ended. The problem with the City is that they refuse to face their biggest financial problem. And, that problem is the Public Safety Budget. It's about time the City shut down about 10 or 20 fire stations. Until they address the Public Safety Budget, I'll remain a suburbanite.
The key is that is't cheaper. It really doesn't have anything else going for it one way or the other
In my experience, the customer service at my old cable company was below the level I used to get at DirecTV and is also below the level I now get with Dish. And, let us assume that customer service is a 'subjective' ratinge (what is acceptable to you may not be acceptable to me). Even then, the price differential (combined with the improved reception of a Sat Dish) is large enough to be a deal killer. I can get free Local HD with my over-the-air antenna using DISH. Last time I checked Comcast, I had to pay to recieve Network HD.
If the price was the same, I'd pick the service with the TiVO instead of the generic DVR. I don't want any company that has contractual ties to the content providers to control the software on my set top box.
This makes no sense on two levels. First of all, the price is NOT the same (see above). Second of all, Tivo has a contract with DirecTV; and DirecTV is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox. In many ways, Tivo's relationship with DirecTV is "contracturally worse" than using a Comcast DVR, since Rupert Murdoch can control not only the network but the satellite dish that transmits the network. So, whether you pick Tivo, Comcast's DVR or DISH Network's DVR, you still have "contractural ties" to worry about. It appears the only choice you have for avoiding "contractural ties" is to build your own DVR.
You have a 'when' that you want? Why do you even know when Lost is on and what network shows it? Your DVR should be protecting you from needing to know that.
Well, since I still haven't purchased a high-definition DVR, yes, I do have a need to know. I prefer to watch shows in HD (when it's available). And, until I purchase a high-def DVR, I will continue to worry about when Lost or 24 is on the air. Right now, my non-HD DVR serves as a back-up, for those episodes I miss.
Slashdot Mirror
This should help explain the rating.
I don't think it is just a lack of VC or the bullshit politics. Pittsburgh does have some VC and most cities have bullshit politics (have you ever been to Philly or Chicago?). By their very nature, Pittsburghers are very pessemistic about their town. We are always complaining and we never seem to have a positive attitude about what goes on in this town. We just don't give ourselves enough credit.
I think the problem is mainly one of attitude. The 70's and 80's beat down so badly on this town that everyone is afraid to take chances. And, those that do are considered weird. We are just to into our own cliques that we never consider a different point of view.
While I have not seen "Loose Change", nor had the time to read your PDF. Here is another reference guide that pretty much shoots down the idea that a missle was used at the Pentagon:
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/pentagon.htmExxon opened a new Gasoline Station down the street from my house. Should I submit that as a story?
Every time the White House leaks the name of a CIA Secret Agent, I wonder if they will take responsibility for that Agent's very life.
Nice argument, except for the fact that Reporters phone records have been found to be confidential by US District Court. This goes back to the case of Judith Miller and the NY Times, which was about someone at the White House allegedly leaking CIA Secret Agent Valerie Plame's name.
At first glance, the Feds may not have the right to perform the search. Then again, IANAL, so I don't know if there is a difference from the case I cited above in comparison to the ABC News Blog.
Yep. I am. And, it will only be for a while. As I have stated before, after the US Market correction (which I expect to see before the end of August this year), I will return to the US Market.
See this post for my explanation.
60? While most days I FELL like I am 60 years old, I am actually 39 (. I am just playing a short term reallocation to protect my investments from the impending US bear market (which I expect to see soon). After the bear ends, I am putting all of my bond and money market allocation back into the Stock Market.
Here is part of my reasoning. I have been investing 20% international (evenly split between Europe and Asia--mostly UK and Japanese companies) for 2 years. So, taking it to 30% international stock (again, mostly UK and Japanese companies) and 10% in an emerging market bond fund wasn't that big of a deal to me. Trust me, it's not like my 401K has millions of $ in it. And, I have at least 20 years before I can retire.
A long time ago, I read that US investors should put about 20% of their investments into overseas stock. For the rest of this year, I am increasing that overseas investment ratio because I believe China will continue to grow very quickly for the rest of this year before slowing down. The emerging market bond fund is strictly a diversification move on my part.
If, as I assume, we have a bear market before 2007 begins (meaning a 20% correction), I will then reduce my foreign investments and my US Bond holdings and put more back in the US Stock Market.
Canada has it's own currency? I thought it was the 51st state.....
Based on that phrase alone, I assume that you are NOT 59 1/2 years old. So, do those skills include paying the 10% penalty for selling your 401K $ early? :)
You know...if I could only find some sort of product, I bet that I could sell that product on this internet thingy and make some money!
We are NOT seeing a rise? Huh?
DJIA http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/intchart.NASDAQ http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/intchart.
NYSE Composite http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/intchart.
Each chart includes the last 12 months. While whether or not this data is a bubble is indeed debatable, the fact is that the market has been on a strong long-term rise for at least the last year.
It sure does feel like 1998. That's why, this morning, I just moved almost all of my 401k out of US-based stocks. I am now invested at 40% Bonds, 40% International (stocks & some bonds), 10% Money Market & 10% US Stock. Note that even through the dot-bomb, I was running at 90% US Stock (thankfully, my 401K was so small back then that I didn't get hurt too bad).
I'm waiting for the correction (I believe it will occur before the end of this year). After the correction, I'll re-allocate.
Sorry for replying to my own post, but I found a nice summary of the CATO Institute's concerns regarding this program.
This morning on NPR, they interviewed a guy from the CATO institute (not exacty a bastion of left-wing liberalism) who said that while the NSA program, on initial review, appeared to meet the letter of the law, it certainly wasn't implemented in the "spirit" of the 4th Amendment to the US Constitution.
I completely agree with this thought. It may or may not be a legal program, but whatever the legality, it is wrong on so many levels.
A little citrus. Maybe some strawberry. Mmm. Passion fruit, mmm, and, oh, there's just like the faintest soupçon of like, uh, asparagus, and, there's a, just a flutter of, like a, like a nutty Edam cheese.
Drew: I'm thinking about taking that new chick from Logistics. If things go right I might be showing her my O-face.........You know: Oooooooh! Ooooooooh!
Here is a list of states and their sales tax policies on food. Those without an asterisk tax the sales of food. As for clothing, I do know that Pennsylvania does not have a sales tax on clothing. I don't know of any other state that does not tax clothing, but I am sure that there are others.
Sales taxes might be regressive, but they do not discourage savings like income taxes do.But, who can afford to create savings accounts in a high sales-tax state? Remember, regressive taxation means poor people pay a higher percentage in taxes than wealthy. If the poor are paying a higher percentage of taxes, that means they have less money to put into saving accounts. So, the wealthier will be able to save more, but the poor will still be without a savings account.
I would pay more in taxes to the state and local government if I lived and/or worked in Oregon or California.The only way to really know if this is true is to keep track of your sales taxes expenditures and compare it to what you probably would pay in Oregon income taxes (I am NOT including California, because you probably would pay higher taxes there). As I understand it, the Feds now give a deduction on estimated sales tax expenditures. You could use the Feds tool to estimate your sales tax expenditures in WA, but there is a chance of error (don't forget to include OR deductions when you estimate OR taxes).
Jessica 6: A friend of mine went on carousel. Now he's gone.
Logan 5: Yes, well, I'm sure he was renewed.
Jessica 6: He was killed.
Logan 5: Killed? Why do you use that word?
Jessica 6: Isn't that what you do? Kill?
Logan 5: I've never killed anyone in my life. Sandman terminate runners. What's your name?
Jessica 6: Jessica.
Logan 5: You're sad enough. You're beautiful. Let's have sex.
The million dollar question is: Do you think the scriptwriters were actually PAID for this crap?
When my wife (who grew up in Florida) complains about PA Taxes, I remind her that we could always move to California. That usually shuts her right up. :)
Actually, PA has a 3.07% flat-rate income tax and a 6% sales tax (Philly and Pittsburgh have an additional 1% in sales tax). But, no sales tax on grocery-store food or clothing. The flat tax rate does make the state income tax form rather simple. When I was growing up, the state income tax form was barely larger than a 3"x5" card. Today, the form longer, but it's not nearly as confusing as NY or IL.
I live in Suburban Pittsburgh. My job requires me to travel on long term contracts out of state. In thos contracts, I frequently pay taxes to the state I am working in. I can tell you from personal experience that Pennsylvania's state income tax compares very favorably to NY, NC, IL, SC, GA, MA, NJ, CT and MN. In fact, PA income tax compares favorably to most states (with the obvious exceptions of no-income tax states like WA, FL, TN, TX, NV, and NH -- I think those are the correct states).
The problem with states that have no income tax is that they usually have a high-sales tax and a sales tax tends to be regressive (some states tax food and clothing and that makes sales tax very regressive). Of course, I think states like FL and NV get their income from tourists and that's a whole different ball game.
As for Pittsburgh income taxes -- BAH!!! I used to work for the City. I moved out of the City as soon as my employment their ended. The problem with the City is that they refuse to face their biggest financial problem. And, that problem is the Public Safety Budget. It's about time the City shut down about 10 or 20 fire stations. Until they address the Public Safety Budget, I'll remain a suburbanite.
In my experience, the customer service at my old cable company was below the level I used to get at DirecTV and is also below the level I now get with Dish. And, let us assume that customer service is a 'subjective' ratinge (what is acceptable to you may not be acceptable to me). Even then, the price differential (combined with the improved reception of a Sat Dish) is large enough to be a deal killer. I can get free Local HD with my over-the-air antenna using DISH. Last time I checked Comcast, I had to pay to recieve Network HD.
If the price was the same, I'd pick the service with the TiVO instead of the generic DVR. I don't want any company that has contractual ties to the content providers to control the software on my set top box.This makes no sense on two levels. First of all, the price is NOT the same (see above). Second of all, Tivo has a contract with DirecTV; and DirecTV is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox. In many ways, Tivo's relationship with DirecTV is "contracturally worse" than using a Comcast DVR, since Rupert Murdoch can control not only the network but the satellite dish that transmits the network. So, whether you pick Tivo, Comcast's DVR or DISH Network's DVR, you still have "contractural ties" to worry about. It appears the only choice you have for avoiding "contractural ties" is to build your own DVR.
You have a 'when' that you want? Why do you even know when Lost is on and what network shows it? Your DVR should be protecting you from needing to know that.Well, since I still haven't purchased a high-definition DVR, yes, I do have a need to know. I prefer to watch shows in HD (when it's available). And, until I purchase a high-def DVR, I will continue to worry about when Lost or 24 is on the air. Right now, my non-HD DVR serves as a back-up, for those episodes I miss.
You forgot
9. Every time you have a problem with a Ferrari, you can fix it with a re-boot.