My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 20, 2008

A few days ago I included a post about Hulu.com, an Internet based TV/Movie site, which serves up exceptionally high quality video for those with high speed connections. (previous post) Each time I visit I find even more interesting segments, including a news clip from FoxNews tailored for Hulu. Since I had mentioned Presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s connections with Rev. Wright yesterday and embedded a video, I’ll include a news brief highlighting segments from Senator Obama’s speech dealing with the anti-American and racial remarks made by Wright. There is also a short segment toward the end highlighting Senator John “McCool” McCain as he travels in the middle east. (above right — my caption for the photo; do you have a better one?)

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Posted By RichC on March 20, 2008

I was chastised by one of my friends who supports Senator Barack Obama who suggested that I relied only on news sound bites. He asked if I would “archive” the entire 37 minute speech delivered in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008? He forwarded to me so I’ll include it even though I suspect it is probably in 1000 other places. (Ok Gene?) 😉

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Tags: barack, obama, senator, speech

Posted By RichC on March 19, 2008

Newsy couple of items from the last feel days — from politics to the economy. Here’s are the two biggies for March 2008.
First, the big news has been the offensive remarks associated with Democratic candidate for President, Barack Obama. The anti-American and racial messages from his long time pastor and friend, Rev. Jeremiah Wright have triggered a backlash of concern over Obama’s judgment and ties to the more radical element of African-American culture. (see video comment montage below) On Tuesday, Senator Obama delivered a speech attempting to distances himself the pastor of 20 years and dealing with the race issue which is still divisive in America. (NYTimes article) As an intelligent politician and excellent orator, Obama’s 30 minute speech was tailored to answer questions about race and is hoped by his supporters to put his campaign back on track. Current polling shows him significantly behind in the state of Pennsylvania, although his lead in delegate count still makes him the front runner for the Democratic nomination. USAToday shows Clinton and Obama neck and neck for the nomination.

On the Record montage of Rev. Wright

Second, the Fed has again made moves to stimulate our economy at the expense of the weak dollar. Adding more capital through any means they have, the Fed cut rates 75 basis points today; it isn’t going to make the dollar any stronger … at least in the short term. Current rates are at historically low numbers and match the lows of December 2004. The low 2.25 fed funds rate is hoped to salvage struggling banks and borrowers who have been too aggressive in both loaning and borrowing money. If you are a homeowner with higher rates and reasonable equity, now might be a good time to refinance your debt.

Reuters graphic

Release Date: March 18, 2008
For immediate release

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 2-1/4 percent.

Recent information indicates that the outlook for economic activity has weakened further. Growth in consumer spending has slowed and labor markets have softened. Financial markets remain under considerable stress, and the tightening of credit conditions and the deepening of the housing contraction are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters.

Inflation has been elevated, and some indicators of inflation expectations have risen. The Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters, reflecting a projected leveling-out of energy and other commodity prices and an easing of pressures on resource utilization. Still, uncertainty about the inflation outlook has increased. It will be necessary to continue to monitor inflation developments carefully.

Today’s policy action, combined with those taken earlier, including measures to foster market liquidity, should help to promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate the risks to economic activity. However, downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will act in a timely manner as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Frederic S. Mishkin; Sandra Pianalto; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh. Voting against were Richard W. Fisher and Charles I. Plosser, who preferred less aggressive action at this meeting.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 75-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 2-1/2 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, and San Francisco.

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Tags: fed, mp4, obama, wright

Posted By RichC on March 18, 2008

It’s wet outside … but I suppose it is better than more snow?

When our dog no longer has a place to do her business because the ground is so saturated, we’ve had too much rain! (Palm Treo 700p photo)
🙂
EDIT: Tinkering with a Twitter script in the right sidebar tonight. I’m sure the ‘widget’ will grow old, but for now the geek in me finds it interesting. A cellphone or other SMS client can send a text message which displays instantly in the box to the right. Also here’s an AP story after the heavy rains … noting that “The Great Miami River, west of Cincinnati near the Indiana state line, crested at 25.85 feet Wednesday at Miamitown. That’s the fourth highest level since 1959, when record-keeping began at that location.”

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Posted By RichC on March 18, 2008

Wow … an 83 cents per gallon spread between unleaded regular gasoline and ultra low sulfur diesel. I ran out to Krogers (grocery store) last night and noticed the fuel prices again … as we all have been noticing lately. This 83 cents per gallon spread even starts make the diesel vehicle fuel economy benefit disappear. I can’t help but believe the latest dollar per gallon increase is bound to accelerate inflation … especially since the Fed pumps more liquidity into the market. The cost of products will soon be seen in the price of goods since diesel fuel is used in farms, construction and shipping.

As for reasons … here is what the Department of Energy has to say:

Why are diesel fuel prices higher than gasoline prices?

Until several years ago, the average price of diesel fuel was usually lower than the average price of gasoline. In some winters when the demand for distillate heating oil was high, the price of diesel fuel rose above the gasoline price. Since September 2004, the price of diesel fuel has been generally higher than the price of regular gasoline all year round for several reasons. Worldwide demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils has been increasing steadily, with strong demand in China, Europe, and the U.S., putting more pressure on the tight global refining capacity. In the U.S., the transition to low-sulfur diesel fuel has affected diesel fuel production and distribution costs. Also, the Federal excise tax on diesel fuel is 6 cents higher per gallon (24.4 cents per gallon) than the tax on gasoline.

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Posted By RichC on March 17, 2008

A friend of mine asked me where he could find television content streamed on his notebook computer when he was away from home, and I joked “get a Slingbox.” After thinking, I mentioned that most networks air their recent episodes online (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) and that I tried a service call Joost which I thought was the best service. (EDIT: removed the Joox link) BUT …

I was wrong — Hulu.com is better, and here’s why: tons of content. From television programing on demand to full length movies all in excellent streaming quality … even full screen isn’t too bad. Hulu is doing a fantastic job and best yet it is now out of Beta … so all you need to do is to sign up for a free account and check it out. You won’t be sorry. (I just enjoyed episode 1 (Pilot) of WKRP in Cincinnati – what you want, when you want.)

Hulu team at Launch – from their blog

Hulu’s ambitious and never-ending mission is to help you find and enjoy the world’s premium content when, where and how you want it. We hope to provide you with the web’s most comprehensive selection from more than 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more to deliver premium programming across all genres and formats, television shows, feature films, and clips. Watch full-length episodes of current primetime TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Office the morning after they air, classics like Miami Vice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and clips from Saturday Night Live, Nip/Tuck, and others. Hulu also offers full-length feature films like The Usual Suspects, Ice Age, Three Amigos!, and The Big Lebowski as well as clips from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Devil Wears Prada and many more. Hulu is free and ad-supported — available anytime in the U.S.

Hulu was founded in March 2007 and is a joint venture owned by NBC Universal and News Corp. In addition, Hulu has closed a $100 million investment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners.

Hulu’s small, but growing team is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a Research and Development team in Beijing, China.

Also … one can embed!

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Posted By RichC on March 16, 2008

Having lived in the Cleveland Ohio area for 13 years, and about 5 or so miles from Hinckley Ohio, I know what the “Turkey Vulture” means to this area … especially on March 15th.

Each year the annual return of the buzzards to Buzzard Roost (State Rd. & West Drive – see map) in the Cleveland Metroparks is a notable event. The story goes back almost a century and is tied to a legend about an 1818 Hinckley Hunt. The legend claims that after hunting the butchered game attracted the turkey buzzards to the area now known as Hinckley Township and permanently make their home in the ridges area along the Cuyahoga River valley each summer. (see Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

How well do you know Cleveland: Where is the above logo from — hint, look at the title of this post?
😉

In 1957, a Cleveland Metroparks Ranger, Walter Nawalaniec, commented to a Cleveland Press reporter that he had observed the buzzards returning to Hinckley on March 15th for six consecutive years and that another individual named Charlie Willard logged the event for 23 years. Interest grew and naturalists, ornithologists and reporters continued to repeat (and embellish) the story until people started to come from all over the state just to see the birds arrive on schedule. The township was unprepared in 1957 for hubbub that saw 9,000 people show up.

Since that original “Buzzard Day,” the township celebrates the event with a variety of exhibits, a pancake breakfast and craft event. Nowadays, the event is celebrated as a sign that spring has arrived as naturalist Robert Hinkle ‘clocks’ in the first buzzard to arrive … he is the official “Buzzard Spotter.”

Posted By RichC on March 15, 2008

When I heard about the passing of renown conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. on February 27th 2008, I started to reminisce about the impact he had on my life. I am able to put a finger on a few people who have played a significant role in developing my personality, my interests, my views and philosophies — some that I subconsciously emulate. (If not for Buckley, I doubt my blog would be called Desultory?) My parents of course were influential, my grandfather (namesake) who died before I was 10, a singer/songwriter and sailor (JB) encouraged my socially conscientious, a youth pastor (MK) who taught me to sail as a teenager and helped instill my faith and values … and William F. Buckley, Jr. Let me explain.

I learned of Buckley in 1976 while in high school through my passion for sailing by thoroughly enjoying his book Airborne. I was struggling to understand politics and where I fit into the rebellious youth movement that was happening all around me. I was sort of a “faux-rebel” … attempting to fit in while keeping my feet firmly planted in traditional, small town, America. Remember, it was the 1970s and our country was quite splintered. I, and many of my friends, found it challenging to figure out where we fit in after Vietnam, Watergate, the Oil Crisis and the rise of a radical Islamic movement Iran. (déjà vu) I found both escape and a helpful political footing from WFB while reading about his sailing adventure. He was my first exposure to conservative ideals and it has remained part of me ever since.
I began absorbing his conservative politics while in college and by the time Atlantic High was published 1982 my course was set. I was regularly reading WFB’s non-nautical writings and applying them to how I saw the world. I “attempted” to listen to his discourse whenever I could — one only has to listen too Buckley to understand what I mean by “attempted” — and easily found myself part of the Reagan revolution. Buckley’s ‘thinking’ contributed to my independent entrepreneurial spirit and desire to forge my own company in 1986. He triggered my desire to campaign for Reagan and I’ve been a solid supporter of conservative Republican principles ever since.

As mentioned, WFB influenced me outside of politics too. He inspired my wife and I to buy our first sailboat Brenich early in life; we spent our summers living and cruising within appropriate distances from work — I wouldn’t trade these pre-kid memories for anything. (summer 1985 below).

In reading “Remembering WFB” entries over at the National Review, Buckley will be missed by many, including me, yet I am grateful to his contribution to conservative politics and for his guidance in forming my political ideology. His passing has triggered me to pull his books off the shelf and evaluation my life and my dreams just a bit. I started by re-reading the third in the series of sailing books last night called Racing Through Paradise, A Pacific Passage and the reminiscing felt good. No regrets in my life, but as I approach middle-age (most say I’m past it), I do need a kick start so as not to slip into mediocrity.

EDIT June 2008:
I enjoyed seeing an article in Ocean Navigator that spanned a full page mentioning William F. Buckley, his sailing and contribution to the publishing world which included books, magazine and television. Here’s a larger ‘page’ image of the article that appeared in the May/June 2008 issue.

Category: Books, History, Memories, Obituary, Personal, Sailing | 10 Comments »
Tags: Books, memories, sailing, wfb, william f buckley

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2008

A few months ago mention the name Ikea would have meant very little to me. After an Ikea Store grand opening in my area today (North of Cincinnati), it is difficult to ‘not’ know about this Swedish company. For those of you living under the same rock I must have been under, this is very large European contemporary furniture store has a cult following. Shoppers in my area camped out just to be one of the first to get in the doors during the grand opening on March 12th.

The products found in this store are “ready-to-assemble” furniture which according to some can’t be found anywhere else. It requires some DIY skills to put together the furniture and a load your own cart, check yourself out and load your own vehicle. The model store offers tons of ideas and decorating tips with about everything needed to set up an apartment or phone.

Ikea was started in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad and got its name from the founder’s initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the Swedish farm and village where he grew up, according to the company’s Web site.

Category: Local, Shopping | 10 Comments »
Tags: idea, ohio, store, west chester

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2008

Speculators traded crude oil up to an all time high of $109 per barrel Tuesday morning while fuel stations in SW Ohio bumped gasoline prices up 20 to 25 cents per gallon. Most local stations in my area are matching each other at $3.45 per gallon for unleaded regular gasoline; this seems to have caught many by surprise and asking “what’s going on?”

A local poll by Cincinnati’s Local 12 News seemed to confirm the frustrations of those in my area. It is definitely taking a bigger bite out of our family budget and can only imagine how stressful these prices are for those who’s budget is already stretched. I wonder if prices are high enough to cause Americans to make some lifestyle changes?

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