My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 19, 2010

Yesterday’s repost concerning illegal immigration triggered a comment from a regular reader concerning his thoughts on drugs. His contention is that the narcotic trade significantly contributes to the more serious criminal activity on the US/Mexican border and throughout the country as it relates to the illegal alien population, and that if we would “legalize the drugs, then the cartels and the violence go away.” For argument sake I disagreed and responded in comment.

I’ve often argued the “legalize and tax” drugs position — for the sake of debate. I also believe making drugs openly and legally available isn’t good for our nation’s children, our society or for productivity. Even though I’m a “take responsibility” kind of guy … I know what hardcore addictive drugs can do to even productive and intelligent people … hey, I watch “House” … let alone ill-equipped and poorly parented young people.

If I believed the answer was to simply legalize marijuana alone … and that our problems would go away … I would be 100% in support (seeing ‘pot’ is less destructive than alcohol). Unfortunately I don’t believe the problem would be solved there … and that the business of illegal narcotics smuggling and violence would continue (I’m on the fence with the “gateway drug” argument).

Deep down its not the ‘drugs’ that are the problem … it is that those who seek money and power without a conscious will turn to whatever behavior is necessary to achieve their goals. They make risk/reward decisions and depending on their morals, will evaluate, then decide where to draw the line. It might be at prostitution, a farmer growing poppies or someone smuggling drugs and trafficking people; on the other hand it might be contracting for an assassins, being a crooked or oppressive politician and willing to accept or order genocide to remain in power. People eventually find their risk/reward tolerance and there are enough bad ones that we’ll still need to address it. In the case of drugs, I’d rather error on the side of infringing on someone ‘right’ to buy harmful narcotics than watching even more Americans strain public services while addicted or dying from their choice to buy drugs.

Interestingly with this fresh on my mind, Bill OReilly and Charles Krauthammer talked about the same thing …

Category: Politics | No Comments »
Tags: alien, commentary, comments, illegal, immigration, krauthammer, opinion, Politics

Posted By RichC on May 18, 2010

Oil is ‘cheap’ according to graphs depicting Unleaded Gasoline against the dollar this past year (right) and crude oil over the past two years (below). The crisis in Europe and lack of robust economic recovery worldwide is contributing to high inventories and the faltering Spring rally in oil. Lackluster demand aside, oil production countries remain slow to lower production, contributing to higher inventory and weakening prices. According to a WSJ article, “the market is again testing OPEC’s tolerance for a price slide.” June crude futures have slide 21%, ($18/ barrel) since the beginning of May after optimism that economies worldwide were on the mend.  Oil peaked at $87.15 a barrel on May 3rd and has been sliding since closing at $69.41 for June deliveries on the New Mercantile Exchange. Although a rally started the day, the reality of high stockpiles dampened the early bullish sentiment.

Category: Automotive, Aviation, Biodiesel, Financial | No Comments »
Tags: commodities, diesel, fuel, gasoline, oil, trading

Posted By RichC on May 18, 2010

Category: Politics | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on May 17, 2010

Category: Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: government, taxes

Posted By RichC on May 17, 2010

It seems much longer than a year, but the Palm based webOS smartphone has been out for almost 1 year  on the Sprint network. It has expanded to Verizon and recently to AT&T and is available through carriers in Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Irerland, Spain and France.

Still, between the recession ridden economy and stiff competition from Android devices and Apple iPhones, Palm is surviving, although has struggled financially. This struggle culminated in a sale to Hewlett-Packard — most seeing this as a good thing. Palm needed deeper pockets and more clout, and HP a way to expand their business. Many HP advocates view the acquisition of Palm’s webOS as a way to introduce up and coming tablet in a new segment of the computing market (HP Slate). It will compete head to head with Apple and their iPad, as well as their app store and may surface as the prefer technology for ereading. Personally, I think remaining competitive is going to continue to be an uphill battle, but after a year of improvements with webOS, I’ve been reasonably happy with it for a smartphone OS. The Palm Pre is a small, compact full featured, “physical” keyboard device … and is as good a multitasking device one can currently carry comfortably in a pocket.  Even thought the Android devices have made the biggest advances this year in my opinion, I’d have little problem recommending a webOS Palm Pre.

On a tinkering note, someone actually installed webOS on a Dell notebook …

Category: Cellphone, Computer | 2 Comments »
Tags: android, apple, hp, ipad, palm, slate, smartphone

Posted By RichC on May 16, 2010

I enjoyed the day working in the yard and found myself appreciating Brenda’s gardening talents. As the landscaping around our yard continues to mature and the varieties of different flowers bloom one after another all spring, all the hard work to plan, plant and tend is beginning to pay off. Today’s overweight Peony blooms were just too beautiful to pass by without snapping a photo with my cellphone (Palm Pre photos).

Category: Local, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: flowers, landscaping, Personal, photo

Posted By RichC on May 15, 2010

Sailing solo around the world in a small sailboat is an impressive feat for anyone and inspirational to those who love ocean adventure to say the least. It’s a combination of endurance, skill and luck for all who accomplish such an endeavor, but doing it when you are a 16 year old girl is indeed impressive (or some might say “crazy”). While I don’t disagree with those who question sailing around the world just for the thrill of breaking records, I’m both envious and impressed with Jessica Watson seamanship and abilities. Congratulations on becoming the youngest person to sail solo non-stop and unassisted around the world.

From her blog after completing a solo circumnavigation:

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Hi everyone just a really quick update to let you know I’m across the line and have had the most amazing day (mega mega under exaggeration!). I ended up crossing the line a few hours late, to a totally overwhelming welcome, way way beyond anything I’d ever imagined. It would take a very long time to tell you all about it, so I’ll save that for another time. Seeing everyone again and finally getting those hugs was really something special!

I’ll keep writing this blog for a little while, to tell you all about how I’m finding life back on land, but I have a feeling that there’s going to be just too much to tell so you’re going to have to wait for the book!

Thanks again to everyone who’s sent me a message and was thinking of Ella’s Pink Lady and I out there, It made all the difference.

Well that’s it from me because there’s fresh food to eat, more hands to shake and pretty soon a big non-rolling bed to sink into. What a day!

Category: Sailing | 2 Comments »
Tags: sailing, world record, youngest

Posted By RichC on May 14, 2010

Mahindra & Mahindra to be the first company to sell a small pickup truck made in India to the U.S. market. A company spokesperson announced that they intend to sell their compact diesel pickup truck here by the end of the year.

The company’s president of auto and farm equipment, Pawan Goenka, stated that the truck has been road tested according to the U.S. requirements and expects certification from the EPA no later than July. Production will be in India and should arrive in showroom by December 2010.

See WSJ article for more details on the announcement.

According to company specifications, the 2.2 liter common rail diesel is expected to return 30 mpg on the highway and have a payload capacity of 2765 lbs. (PDF spec sheet)

m&mpickupspecsheet

Category: Automotive, Biodiesel | 1 Comment »
Tags: diesel, india, mahindra, pickup, truck

Posted By RichC on May 12, 2010

Gold, the investment that rises when risk becomes too great has reached its highest level trading up on Tuesday and continuing to push record areas on Wednesday morning. The $1240 per ounce price has investor’s worried about markets and inflationary pressures. The stock market is opening higher today renewing a bit more confidence that the economy is improving and that last week’s drop was panic and not a reflection on business in the U.S.

Personally I think its a little to trendy to be buying gold during the moment of excitement, but those wanting it add it to their portfolio have a few options. ETFs are probably the most popular way and a couple of those with the most shares are GLD and IAU. Owning a share is like owning 1/10 ounce of gold.

Category: Financial, News | No Comments »
Tags: finance, gold, investing, trading

Posted By RichC on May 11, 2010

Category: Automotive, Volkswagen | 2 Comments »
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