RichC | November 30, 2012
Playing the tax game as a big business or 1%-er investor must be a challenging problem to have? [sarcasm] Here’s a Wall Street Journal op-ed commenting on Costco’s recent “early” dividend announcement. Uncertainly in the tax code, along with the credits, deductions and complexity, slows economic growth, deters job creation and demonstrates that the more […]
RichC | September 13, 2012
I’m finding a nutty pricing structure for for my morning newspaper and a questionable explanation (or lack of one) from Dow Jones in my attempt to renew my Wall Street Journal subscription. It sort of reminded my of a Twitter conversation last week on how Amazon sells some paperback and hardback books cheaper than they […]
RichC | August 20, 2012
Our Tivo records the 30 minute weekend broadcast of the Journal Editorial Report (JER) and I enjoyed hearing from the team that manages the Wall Street Journal’s editorial content. Generally the week’s review is a rehash, but the conservative oriented look at what was in the news is something I look forward to each weekend […]
RichC | July 20, 2012
Washington Wire By Dante Chinni Come January, either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will likely be president, but win or lose it looks like both men will be quite familiar with the highways and tarmacs of Ohio. Given their recent travel schedules, it almost seems that the president and presumptive Republican nominee should apply for […]
RichC | July 15, 2012
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation. The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering higher returns than other investments, in the form […]
RichC | July 10, 2012
Unless politicians “create an environment” that encourages risking capital and investing in American businesses, it will continue to be a struggle to grow our economy. I’m seeing more cities and counties running out of tax revenue and many more will be forced to declare bankruptcy unless thing change soon. Out of work and financially stressed […]
RichC | July 2, 2012
The struggling economy around the world is being noticed here in the U.S. as measured manufacturing output is falling again — LINK. (see graphic below) I’ve been hoping for a recovery from the recession, but this news this is not at all promising for jobs or a rebounding economy. Can the U.S. avoid a double-dip […]
RichC | June 13, 2012
No wonder the NYC George Washington Bridge toll is so expensive. “With extensive overtime, some toll collectors make more than $100,000, while salaries for several officers to $200,000.” Kudret Topyan saw something out of his 14th floor window last year that so excited him he set up a video camera to capture the action while […]
RichC | June 11, 2012
How challenging has it really been for families these past few years? Well if you’re in college or just starting out and able to pay the bills, finding work or able to keep borrowing for school … then you might not notice much (can you tell I’m talking with my college age son while he […]
RichC | June 6, 2012
WSJ article
RichC | May 26, 2012
Although the polls have risen for GOP candidate and presumed Republican nominee Mitt Romney, he still suffers an image problem. I’m not sure what it is …maybe he just looks too much like a politician? Some say he seems stiff or scripted; that he is out of touch with regular America. The talking heads paint […]
RichC | May 18, 2012
As a country, a nation and a generous people … we are heading down the wrong path when assistance programs fail to teach the value of a dollar [insert joke here about the “value” of a dollar] and instead teaches the next generation dependence on government. “Over the last four decades, our government has quietly […]
RichC | April 28, 2012
Airlines say they are warehousing hundreds of iPads and other tablet computers and e-readers left behind by travelers. Carriers try to reunite the devices with their owners but are often thwarted by the lack of ID tags, password protection and Apple Inc.’s reluctance to track down owners based on serial numbers. — WSJ Scott […]
RichC | February 27, 2012
The Dow once again inches past the 13,000 market, but somehow can’t quite close above this psychological level. For a few moments Monday, it looked like it was finally happening. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average failed yet again to close above 13000. The average ended down 1.44 points, or less than 0.1%, at 12981.51. […]
RichC | February 16, 2012
How much is too much social networking … and how will they all make money? Traffic to the website—which lets users create online scrapbooks to share images of projects or coveted products—has grown tenfold over the past six months. In January, the number of visitors on Pinterest.com was almost a third of that on Twitter.com. […]
RichC | January 23, 2012
After watching the TIVO-ed Journal Editorial Report this weekend, I pointed to a couple of photos I snapped with my Palm Pre and asked Brenda who they were. She commented that they were both of the WSJ’s Dan Henninger, just one when he was younger. I chuckled thinking something similar, but in actuality the younger […]
RichC | January 10, 2012
A WSJ article illustrated what economists monitoring the U.S. employment market have known, but have failed to communicate successfully; we as a nation are on a long-term trend of fewer decent paying middle class career jobs with dim prospects unless things change. (we deny it, make excuses and kick the can down the road just […]
RichC | December 10, 2011
After a few flurries and cold temperatures last night, we woke to the first ice on the small lake in front of our house this morning. Brrr … I’m not ready for winter yet. Preparing for Christmas on the other hand, is in full swing as I hauled home a tree last night finishing […]
RichC | December 4, 2011
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 I enjoyed an article that spoke to one of my weak spots in this weekend’s WSJ. Joe Queenan, in writing about ads promoting movies on the TV, reflected on how a realistic commercial for video game sucked him in. I’m in that same camp and find myself wanted to […]
RichC | December 3, 2011
China can’t sit back comfortably while watching the U.S. and Europe struggle to regain footing, as their economic struggle is showing vacant streets and stopped housing projects (click photo above for Reuters slideshow). China could be the third economic domino as the slowdown rolls west to east around the globe. Here in the U.S. we […]
RichC | November 21, 2011
The financial markets responded negatively Monday morning to the general conclusion that neither Europe or the U.S. can come to agreements over out of control spending. The congressional super committee charged with coming up with a solution telegraphed failure this weekend as neither Democrats or Republicans seem interested in compromising their positions. I ask you, […]
RichC | November 12, 2011
After reading a recent article in the WSJ discussing the tens of thousands of high paying energy sector and supporting jobs that would be immediately available if the Keystone XL pipeline project would be approved, its clear that politics are more important to President Obama that U.S. jobs. He must have decided that the votes […]
RichC | October 30, 2011
Every once in awhile a writer captures with clarity what I’m politically thinking — I wish I could communicate this clearly. Peggy Noonan. She is a very talented speech writer and opinion columnist and wrote a superb column for Saturday’s WSJ worth sharing and saving to my archive. The content referenced current politicians, but is […]
RichC | September 24, 2011
Although my question wasn’t answered as to how many are due to plummet to earth in the next few years, it is good to know that “more recent satellites are designed so that operators can bring them out of orbit and control their trajectory as they take the final plunge through the atmosphere.” With an […]
RichC | September 3, 2011
… we’ll just live on the boat (WSJ video below). Not supported video content
RichC | August 17, 2011
From “10 percent of users create 90 percent of Twitter‘s content” to “ICanStalkU.com” … there are a few good reason to read Sara Germano’s SmartMoney article. WSJThisMorning Sara Germano on Twitter Here’s a tip on paying attention when uploading photos from your smartphone: “… smartphone pics are embedded with GPS data, making it so easy […]
RichC | 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 […]
RichC | July 31, 2011
For many of us, getting a visual picture regarding the debate polarizing the country around the nation’s debt and deficit is helpful in understanding just how big the problem is. I found a WSJ graphic to be a clarifying example as to the gap between what we spend and what we take in as a […]
RichC | July 12, 2011
A recent article in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal highlighted what I already know about my line of work – the printing industry is losing jobs. Most of us working in printing and publishing business continue to struggle to stay a float and are wondering if business will ever come back. Thankfully I’m no longer a […]
RichC | June 30, 2011
Although Mr. Mossberg is rightly critical about some of the shortcomings regarding HP’s late entry into the tablet computing market with the webOS Touchpad, he had a few complements too (LINK). Clever Interface I like the interface a lot. Instead of a screen full of app icons, the main screen of the TouchPad’s operating system, […]
RichC | June 28, 2011
Last month I posted on a new start-up project raising funds for an engine oil analizer gadget … Lubricheck … and heard the @wsjthismorning radio spot/podcast talking about it.
RichC | June 13, 2011
I’m just keeping my kids on their toes … and trying to stay one step ahead of their assumption that I’m just an old 52 year old fuddy duddy dad. Hey, I may not be doing all that much more cliff diving, but am probably in the top ten percent of 50+ year old “plankers!” […]
RichC | May 5, 2011
With the fascination of Seal Team Six’s operation in taking down Osama bin Laden, the timing of former Seal Team Six member’s Howard Wasdin’s new book couldn’t be better. He was interviewed by WSJ’s Lee Hawkins after the successful mission in Pakistan on Sunday and offers a little bit of detail one what it takes […]
RichC | April 27, 2011
Most of us understand computer tracking cookies and many users (and web browsers) to make easier for users to keep some of their information private. Obviously advertisers and content providers see your online information valuable (just as do physical store offering credit and ID cards for discounts, etc). The latest stories in the news have […]
RichC | March 16, 2011
Joe White wrote about $4/gallon gasoline this morning in the Wall Street Journal and wondered at what price Americans switch to subcompact car? While he acknowledged that we’re not quite as bad as we were during the 2008 spike, prior to domestic carmakers shifting to more fuel efficient engines and CUVs rather than SUVS, we […]
RichC | January 1, 2011
According to a Smartmoney.com article by AnnaMaria Andriodis, we could see states and counties increasing taxes on new technology such as cellphones and e-books. Unlike Uncle Sam, state and county governments are required to balance their budgets and as local sales taxes and both the real estate and income tax stream of tax revenue dwindle […]
RichC | November 30, 2010
“The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 88 points, or 0.8% to 10964 in early trading.” A glance at the headlines of the Wall Street Journal this morning leaves me even more sour than does the gloomy and rainy day … although the at least the rain we need. It seems no matter where one looks […]
RichC | September 13, 2010
In this weekend’s WSJ, Dan Neil’s full page article on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta highlighted design changes, some for “for pedestrian safety.” (see video below) The “safety” comments apply to more brands than the Volkswagen as design changes will apply to all new vehicle designs. Personally I see the “pedestrian impact” even more critical since […]
RichC | September 7, 2010
When I heard about a radical church protesting at US soldiers funerals 4 or 5 years ago (Westboro Baptist Church), it pained me having to think about families having to endure such cruelty. I wondered, “just what they were hoping to accomplish by this action?” Now, another radical church called Dove World Outreach Center in […]
RichC | August 12, 2010
For personal transportation miles-per-gallon watchers, like many VW TDI drivers I know, an article in Thursday’s WSJ that translated US based airlines fuel efficiency into automotive MPG standards, might be of interest. In the past, frugal flyers may have looked at the numbers in order to save a buck, but now more and more travelers […]
RichC | August 5, 2010
Once upon a time I thought I had our family’s banking and credit card use figured out … but between the bureaucrats sticking their noses into banking and the greedy bankers themselves wanting to make money hand over fist off the backs of the financially irresponsible like they did a few years ago, a wrench […]
RichC | August 2, 2010
Arthur Laffer wrote another piece in the WSJ that again draws attention to the focus some in congress are promoting — “tax the rich.” America would be wise to pay attention to previous administrations and history before once again heading down the path of high taxes and even higher taxes on the rich. Our country […]
RichC | July 12, 2010
The waste of money buying disposable razors moved me to an electric razor about a decade or so ago, and although the shave isn’t has close, the frustration of being down to my last razor has been worth the switch. Still, I enjoy the occasional freebee razor that shows up in my mailbox as a […]
RichC | May 5, 2010
According to an article in this mornings WSJ, the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard California paid between $30-40 million for a 1936 Bugatti 57SC, making it the highest ‘known’ selling price for a car. Posted via email from richc’s posterous
RichC | April 23, 2010
At some point in collecting and bookmarking websites for research and the organizational complexity that comes with doing it can be daunting. My XMarks synced bookmarks have become so unwieldy that I don’t even use them anymore – same for those I’ve archived with Delicious.com. I’ve turned to use an Instapaper’s “ReadLater” bookmarklet, a PDFit […]
RichC | April 22, 2010
What are you doing when you click the Facebook “Like” button? You might want to think twice before you divulge your taste to companies who might be interested in marketing to you … especially if you prefer your privacy. The social networking giant Facebook has a potential goldmine of user information that can be marketed […]
RichC | April 19, 2010
Although I’d like to see new jobs in our country, it sure would be nice if they were not on the backs of taxpayers. In a WSJ article this morning, cities looking to transform themselves into ‘green central’ are finding out that it isn’t easy and that they are pinning success on incentives from government. […]
RichC | February 23, 2010
After American citizens were heard ‘loud and clear’ during the Obama administration’s attempt last year to ram though health care reform, the President and a ‘agenda-driven’ liberal congress are planning to give it another go. In a feeble attempt to cloak the “retooled $950 billion health care plan” and continual expansion of government as “bi-partisan,” […]
RichC | February 21, 2010
After reading an article by Kathleen Hughes in this weekend’s WSJ, I just couldn’t help myself in reminiscing about where I grew up … they were wonderful memories for me – I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood. Nevertheless, noting the comment about digitally visiting home, I “re-experienced” memories from my childhood taking the […]
RichC | February 16, 2010
“Google, are you playing nice … or do you need a little parenting?” (WSJ Digits).
RichC | December 15, 2009
McDonald’s Corp. will soon start offering free wireless Internet access at its U.S. restaurants as part of the fast-food chain’s transformation from its hamburger roots into a hang-out destination. Starting in mid-January, McDonald’s will lift a $2.95 fee that it had charged customers for two hours of wireless Internet access, available at about 11,000 of […]
RichC | November 12, 2009
Seeing a Honda key used in a Wall Street Journal ad promoting classified auto listings made me chuckle — I’ve never noticed a Honda being advertised with the columns of Bentley, Ferrari, Maybach, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Maserati nameplates. Perhaps the recession is impacting auto selection of WSJ subscribers? 🙂
RichC | October 27, 2009
Some of us have built some interesting things in our garages … but Anthony Toth in Redondo Beach California tops most of us — he’s built a vintage Pan Am World Airways 747 cabin from the 1970s and 80s. His cabin replica comes complete with Pan Am logo swizzle sticks, napkins and salted almonds sealed […]
RichC | October 20, 2009
An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal highlighted algae based biodiesel as one of the “Five Technologies That Change Everything” recognizing that a new generation of biofuel made from nonfood crops is one of the more promising sources of energy. Snippet from WSJ Article: Researchers are devising ways to turn lumber and crop wastes, garbage […]
RichC | July 30, 2009
I’ve been noticing that the significant advertising campaign Palm has spent their capital on (as well as Sprint) hasn’t seemed to slow all that much since it received free-press “pre-release” remarks and articles. From full page ads, to billboards, the sharp looking smartphone has certainly seen the “Apple” treatment in the ad spaces. Even the […]
RichC | May 27, 2009
Day two of the All Things D D7 conference had Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher interviewing Evan Williams and Biz Stone of Twitter. The short on stage sit down offered one of the better reviews both the history and future thinking behind this fast growing social networking company (watch your audio volume in embedded video […]
RichC | April 18, 2009
I’m not a Type-A personality, nor do I frustrate easily, but that said, I do spend a significant amount of time on the road and appreciate being able to liberally use the throttle to get where I need to go … which in a diesel vehicle can still be pretty efficient. Thankfully, I haven’t noticed […]
RichC | April 15, 2009
Having lived in the Cleveland area in the 1980s and 1990s and remembering this event, it is puzzling why it has taking so long to deport John Demjanjuk a resident in Seven Hills, Ohio. It is good that we continue to track down war criminals, particularly those taking part in running Nazi death camps, but […]
RichC | April 11, 2009
With the release of the Sprint only Palm Pre “in the first half of 2009,” Sprint and Palm marketing dollars are starting to show up in a hefty advertising campaign. Besides the television commercial mentioned the other day, I noticed a full page ad prominently displaying the Palm Pre in Friday’s Wall Street Journal. Treo […]
RichC | March 12, 2009
This past week, folks on Twitter celebrated the birthday of popular actor, martial arts/fitness star and conservative political supporter Chuck Norris as he turned a very young 69 — Happy Birthday. (Chuck Norris search) In keeping with one of the curious trends started some years ago, fans began sharing the short “tough guy” jokes, or […]