Jim Thome Hits 600th Home Run Monday night
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2011
Minnesota slugger Jim Thome become the eighth player in major league history to hit 600 home runs, connecting twice against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.
Recovering losses after politically triggered market meltdown
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2011
We’ve started off the week in a more upbeat fashion as the expectations are high for some kind of deal on Tuesday from the Europeans. Hopefully they’ll be able to sooth the jitters many are having over banking and Eurozone’s socialist mentality. I’m not holding my breath that they’ll be able the make the social programs cuts over on that side of the pond any easier than we can hear. Eventually the borrow and deficit spend now will sink even the most productive countries.
For now, stocks advanced leveling out last week’s losses. The Dow finished 213.88 points higher, or 1.9%, to 11482.90, which almost the high for the day. The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index ended with a 25.68-point gain and the Nasdaq Composite wsa up 47.22 points. For those long, it did feel better than last weeks decline.
Can we continue with the optimism or are we facing such slow growth that companies will sit on their cash rather than invest and hire? Personally all the talk about investors chasing dividend stocks rather than growth has me think the latter.
B-E-A-UTIFUL anchorage photo from the Chagos
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2011
Couldn’t resist dreaming of exotic ports of call and far away anchorages … this one is from the Chagos in the Indian Ocean (he archipelago has the largest expanse of undisturbed coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, as well as rare and endangered species of birds and other wildlife. There are strict conservation rules, which must be observed in order to preserve this unique sanctuary in its present state).
Another perfect day enjoying the cruising lifestyle in Chagos. This is our favorite picture of the boat in the place where we think ‘this must be as close to paradise as it gets’.
— Niel & Brycea. s/v Windchime from Cruising World blog
Our military, energy efficiency and alternative fuels
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2011
I’m archiving a bit from Jackalyne Pfannenstiel’s letter to the WSJ editor 
that was in the paper this past weekend which reflects my point of view when it comes to alternatives and efficiency in the U.S. military. Most of us know that all branches of the armed forces are making strides to lessen their dependency on oil, but not everyone has fully thought through the impact on implication if we aren’t efficient or independent from foreign source of fuel. Although I’m a supporter of having the best defense possible, I don’t believe we need to do it “at all costs,” or better put … while wasting money. I’m partial to the sentiment of Pfannenstiel’s letter, but her title in my opinion demonstrates that we are top heavy in Washington DC administrative staff and should have no problem trimming the militaries budget along with 90% of the federal budget – her title is: Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Equipment.
The Marine Corps, for example, is deploying Marine-tested, combat-ready renewable energy technologies in Afghanistan resulting in two patrol bases being operated entirely on renewable energy. Marine patrols that normally require a battery resupply every two to three days can now go three weeks between resupplies, extending their operational reach. For the Navy, new hull and propeller coatings, stern flaps and future engine modifications are going to save five million barrels per year at sea by 2020, again returning mission capability to our warfighters.
Alternative fuels are critically important as a hedge against the risk to a single source of energy, as well as a way to assure that we can continue to perform our mission. Domestically sourced, advanced drop-in biofuels that do not adversely impact food, water, or land use provide a significant opportunity for the department to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of fuel. Today, solutions exist, are being scaled and further driven toward economic parity that have substantially different implications than past generations of biofuels.
Energy efficiency, alternative fuels and energy technologies significantly enhance our combat capabilities. Having a unified position across the Department of the Navy, we can lead the nation toward a more independent, more secure energy future.
Stop the Washington DC gimmickry when it comes to taxes
Posted By RichC on August 14, 2011
I’ve been reading a few of the ideas being toss around by congress as a way to stimulate the economy and “create jobs” (as I recall that was job #1 about three years ago?) The school of thought for most Republicans (at least the last couple years) is to lower tax rates and cut both the size and excessive spending in Washington … as well as their borrowing. The conservatives at least believe lower taxes, reducing regulations and shrinking government is a the way to encourage the private sector to hire and companies to both locate and expand in the United States. Democrats have leaned to the Keynesian approach believing the government and Fed needs to take a more active approach in stimulating the economy. They also desire to advanced social programs as well as implemented and mandated new legislation requiring higher taxes in order to fund this philosophy. Unfortunately for all of us the last 3 years are proving that the later has not effectively pulled us out of our recession, created many “private sector” jobs, or stimulated the economy; it most definitely has not reduced our debt. Democrats say that the government didn’t simulate enough and need to raise more taxes in order to try more of the same.
I also notice that a few surprisingly liberal Democrats are actually suggesting selectively cutting tax rates … sort of a surprise … but one which would offer a “tax holiday” to U.S. corporations in order to repatriate overseas profits. New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer recommends that companies pay a lower rate that the current 35%, probably in the range of 5.25% for a year – hence the “gimmickry” hinted at in the subject line. The downsides is that while this may bring some cash back to the U.S., it isn’t an incentive for corporations to do anything with it … except perhaps increase their dividends? On the upside, the cash does come back to the United States. Job problem solved? I think not.
One flaw in the “if we bring cash back to U.S. we’ll create jobs” plan, is that corporations are already “sitting” on hoards of cash but have no reason to expand their U.S. operations due to 1) low demand in a slow economy, 2) uncertain taxes and regulations (think Obamacare) and 3) a workforce that is far costlier than their operations overseas. o, unless some longer term changes are made, just offering a tax incentive for global corporations is not going to be the change we need to create jobs and a robust world leading economy.
If congress is going to do something, they need to tackle this with some big changes … like restructuring and simplifying he tax code, reducing the excessive regulation saddling businesses large and small and dealing with the size and spending in Washington DC even if it means modifying entitlement programs (Dems) and making some cuts that impact our military (Repubs).
The U.S. Navy’s Carrier F-14s have been retired for 5 years
Posted By RichC on August 13, 2011
Every once in a while I look at the right hand column of my blog to see what interested me in previous years. I noticed The Navy catapults the last F-14 Tomcat post from back in the summer of 2006.
Has it been 5 years?
Changed our NetFlix plan
Posted By RichC on August 13, 2011
After noting the increase from Netflix back in June and being pretty frustrated at the “percentage” increase in price, we’ve still opted to stick with Netflix as a streaming only service. If the need arrives to see a new release, we’ll pick it up a Redbox or a local video store … perhaps encourage some new local entrepreneurs?
I wonder how many others either cancelled NetFlix or shifted to the $7.99 “streaming only” subscription … rather than paying the $15.98 for both streaming and DVD by mail?
Financial Markets: The roller coaster week that was
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2011
The week of August 7 – 12th
I shouldn’t have spent the day in my office watching the markets, but I did and thankfully it was a semi-relief to not see a selloff at the end of the day. For those who’s job it is to manage their client’s money (and handle their phone calls), they will head home to lick their wounds and question their line of work; for those who manage their own savings, it will be to shut down the computer, make excuses and find something mundane to do in order to take their mind off of this stressful week (I’m going to mow the lawn!)
For most long term investors who are saving for college or retirement the week was another reminder that trying to grow (or preserve) savings is not for the faint of heart. It isn’t easy and very few were are able to sell at a top and rebuy at a bottom or have picked the right mix in order to feel successful – as financial experts would suggest …“don’t even try.”
NEW YORK—U.S. stocks remained solidly in positive territory as an upbeat retail sales report trumped a weak reading on consumer confidence, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its first back-to-back gain in more than a month.
As one of the most volatile weeks in Wall Street history ended, the blue-chip index closed up 125.71 points, or 1.1%, to 11269.02, led by Boeing, which rose 4.4%. Hewlett-Packard gained 3.6% and Caterpillar rose 3.5%.
The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index in late afternoon gained 8 points, or 0.7%, to 1181, led by industrial and consumer discretionary stocks. The index hasn’t had two consecutive sessions of gains since July 22.
The technology-oriented Nasdaq Composite rose 15.30 points, or 0.6%, to 2507.98.
Feisty Republican debate in Iowa Thursday night – 8/11/2011
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2011
Without too much expectation we watched the presidential hopefuls in the Republican debate last night and came away surprised. Several of the candidates in Iowa avoided the canned talking points and went out on a limb in presenting fresh and thoughtful ideas; almost all candidates convinced me that the field is far more qualified than expected. For the most part, the press had previously presented the field as “ho-hum” and as Newt Gingrich forcefully stated, spends too much time looking for “gotcha moments.” After last nights debate was over, the only on with a black-eye was one of the questioners Chris Wallace. In my “new” opinion, the GOP has a strong field and seeing President Obama’s track record I have no problem voting for any candidate from this group as a replacement.
In my opinion, the current front runner Mitt Romney continued to look presidential and handled himself as a leader. He was able to fend off any attacks on his record with a smile and gracious response. He was also able to make President Obama the target of his criticism rather than the other GOP candidates … probably appreciated by Republican voters who aren’t happy with excessive in-fighting. Although I enjoyed learning about each candidate during the back and forth attacks, it may take a little time for the bad taste in my mouth to disappear before I’d be supporting their “primary” campaign. I found it uncomfortable watching the midwestern “nice guy” Tim Pawlenty going after fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann … and vice-versa. Rick Sandtorium who presented several great points regarding the constitution and American history was far brighter than I previously gave him credit, but his back and forth with Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann had me cringing. On the other hand, the wildcard Ron Paul and his strong libertarian positions is definitely a different kind of Republican than the other seven who were on the stage.
As for Herman Cain and Jon Huntsman, both did a fine job and presented their ideas and reason they would be a better president than Obama … but they didn’t do enough to move their campaign to the top three, yet. As one of the candidates mention (I think Newt), there is still a long way to go in the primary and even those who have not declared their candidacy have plenty of time to enter the race … pointing to previous presidential primary runs. Point being is that a noted Texas governor Rick Perry has yet to declare his candidacy and has plenty of time to “sell” his campaign to voters.
Here’s my top 5 which I have unscientifically ranked base strictly on my observation: (my reasoning for ranking governors so high is that I would like a business-minded executive with actual experience in both the private sector and in politics)
Chucking at the perception of “4G”
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2011
In the tech and gadget world, few devices are attracting buyers like smartphones and their grown-up counterparts the “touchscreen” tablets. Besides deciding on which carrier offers the best price/service, consumers chose a mobile OS and the manufacturer of their device. One of the most confusing decisions we make is “4G” — a loosely defined higher speed connection for data. After reading a retrevo.com article it looks obvious that quite a few consumers who are forking over hefty dollars have no idea that they aren’t running at 4G speeds (particularly iPhone an Blackberry users). Another point I would add is that even users paying for 4G capable phones and service aren’t regularly using the higher data speeds due to a carriers footprint AND often times purposely in an attempt to preserve a phones battery life (turning off the phones 4G radio). How many smartphone owners do you know that are clueless?
A Third of iPhone Owners Mistakenly Think Their Phones Have 4G
Maybe the “4” in the iPhone 4 name gives iPhone owners (34%) the false impression that they already own a 4G phone but the fact is Apple doesn’t offer a 4G phone at the moment. Coincidentally, a suspiciously large percentage of Android and BlackBerry owners may be suffering from the same delusion. BlackBerry owners (24%) are almost as confused as iPhone owners since RIM doesn’t currently offer a 4G phone. At least some Android owners could be answering correctly as Android 4G phones like the HTC Evo 4G or Samsung Infuse 4G have been available for some time. If nothing else this large number of “misinformed” phone owners serves to emphasize the fact that consumers are quite confused about 4G.
via retrevo.com
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.