Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in foobarnow's LiveJournal:

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Sunday, January 18th, 2009
11:22 am	economic recant; fearing the Big D In December 2007 I stated, "financial advice for you yungin's  Here's some advice for you twenty somethings as to where to sock your savings.  And the answer is... Stocks!  Both global and domestic." My bad. I assumed that if the American economic engine would falter, the Chinese marvel would pick up the demand with their ever increasing middle class. Wrong. This went downhill fast.  In Spring of '08 I moving 3/4 of my stocks to cash positions (not that it was much, but I was overexposed).  In early fall I moved the remaining into cash. Now, I fear the worst.  There are no models for this current global economic condition.  Throwing money at it will not work, and may make things worse if no one supports the US debt which is skyrocketing.  The smartest economic minds do not know what to do to stop the downward spiral. This meltdown could be worse than the Great Depression.  The primary reason is that most American's are not familiar with poverty and want and are not prepared to weather it.  From optimist to pessimist.... Stay tuned. Current Mood: pessimistic (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, January 16th, 2009
6:28 pm	witness to history Current Mood: excited (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
11:02 pm	OMfG he did it. Current Mood: bouncy (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, November 1st, 2008
12:15 pm	election night festivities Anyone in the DC metro area interested in hanging out at Capitol Hill watering holes on election night to bring in the new era, hit me up. Current Mood: anxious (3 Comments |Comment on this)
10:33 am	only 3 days left and no implosion? I'm not stepping on sidewalk cracks being apprehensive that the Democratic nominee for president implodes as they have successfully done so in the past. wtf? Obama is running an EXTREMELY well organized and financed campaign putting the Republicans to shame. AND HE"S AN UNABASHED LIBERAL!!!!!  Even Clinton wouldn't admit it although he was/is, in his heart. Of course, the collapsed economy, two wars, and an idiot for a president have virtually handed the election to him on a platter.  He still could pull defeat from the jaws of victory as is the Democrats wont. I'm not sure if our country run into the ground is worth getting a Democrat into office, But I'll take it. Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: Morning Edition: Car Talk (Comment on this)
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
7:26 pm	this financial meltdown will give Obama the election... If it hadn't come along, the Republicans were on track to outfoxing him with the electorate (lies and pettiness: lipstick on a pig?). And McCain has no economic perspective (he has admitted to that in the past). Of course, once elected, he'll have no money to spend on the programs he promised to deliver (i.e. universal health care). But it would be awesome nevertheless. Current Mood: giddy (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
9:33 am	stuning financials as we become like China (yes the wheels have come off) Mark your calendar for the most tramatic shift in US government fiscal policy ever...  including the Great Depression. To witness the extent of government intervention means that economically at least, our unique brand of American capitalism drastically shifts more towards the centrally managed economy of China- centrally managed capitalism. Blame it on greed, deregulation, or globalization, our unique American identity as capitalists will never be the same again. Current Mood: nervous (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, July 24th, 2008
8:12 am	obama-mania This is f*cking awesome.... Finally we have a (presumptive) Democratic nominee who is setting the agenda and leaving the Repubs in the dust.   His international tour is a brilliant move designed to defuse the "he ain't ready to lead" initiative.  There *are* risks and he could yet fall flat, but he has to to this in order to convince that he has the chops to lead.  And honestly, count me as one of the doubters.  I mean 3 years ago he was in the Illinois state Senate!!! I tell you I see in his eyes a man of vision and destiny.  He has a calling and he is following that voice. Leadership none too late. Current Mood: giddy (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
12:23 pm	merely thankful... for those who've paid *any* price for our country.  Our identity as a country is difficult at times as we are a mix of various cultures and peoples.  However, a unifying factor stands out and that is the respect and awe for those who serve in the military. Far from perfect, but when called upon (right or wrong) to give of themselves, they do so. For that, I am humbly grateful and in awe.  Current Mood: thankful Current Music: Praeludium et Fuga in C, Bach (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, June 27th, 2008
6:42 pm	Gideon Bibles Gone? Not that I read it on a regular basis, however.  While in Florida for a week conference, I had a hankering for the Word and pulled open the night stand drawer in Miami, and lo... there was no Gideon's Bible!!!! For those not familiar with this phenomenon, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideons_International  After leaving the Hyatt, I was staying in a Hampton Inn in Orlando where I checked again, and... nope, no Gideon. Perhaps it has been viewed by hotel owners that not having a Koran, Gita, or <insert sacred text here> alongside the Gideon Bible is not politically correct or may offend people. None the less, count me as chagrined that the spiritual lifeline for many a traveler is no longer always there at the ready. Current Mood: curious (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 6th, 2008
12:43 pm	is another's love indeed capable... of activating "being" within the beloved?  If so, once active, how does the role of the lover evolve?  No longer dependency but now...? Current Mood: content (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, February 3rd, 2008
11:05 am	subprime: economic Darwinism at work Cry me a river.... I'm tired of seeing sad stories of homeowners being foreclosed upon due to adjustable rate mortgages going through the roof.  Certainly it's sad, especially for those who depend upon intelligent decisions by heads of households but come on.... Did they read the documents they signed?  All of the terms are fully disclosed.  I mean there are thousands of individuals going through this crash.  Are these people replying to the Emails from Nigeria as well? The worst case is that they move back to apartments from whence they came.  That is not the end of the world. As for the lenders.  This is astounding.  The premier names in the financial industry were taken in by these subprime products.  Did anyone do research as to how these mortgages were granted (i.e. no financial background checks).  These banks are going to be, and will be subject to lawsuits by shareholders.  It is not an option for them to make sound financial decisions., it is their responsibility. Greed on all fronts has created this nightmare. The government should NOT bail out homeowvers or businesses involved in this debacle.  To do so means that they will simply be taken in my the next scam offering overnight riches for no money down. Anyone, especially businesses, to assume that home values would continue to escalate forever needs to retake economics 101. Continuing to prop up our economy artificially weakens it and prevents natural law from eliminating the weak/stupid/corrupt. Current Mood: confused (12 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
10:38 pm	Bill, just go away... please The recent Billary / Obama skirmishing helped me, at least, decide that I certainly didn't want to hear that shrill Clinton duo's voice emanating from the White House. Enough already. Obama for President Current Mood: disgusted Current Music: Panic: London Beckoned (14 Comments |Comment on this)
10:55 am	bin Laden is saying, "why didn't I think of that?" The rogue French trader who cost France's Societe Generale bank more than $7 billion by making bad stock market bets performed perhaps the greatest individual global economic impact in history.   There is increasing evidence that his frantic selling efforts roiled the European markets and aggravated the global meltdown over the last week.  It can also be argued that his actions triggered the Fed's 75 basis point rate cut which hadn't occured since the Great Depression. Unbelievable. How could this trader be performing these transactions unchecked in a system which is designed to be foolproof?  In addition, once discovered, the bank discovered other positions he has held which created additional selling pressure the following days.  (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/business/worldbusiness/26bank.html) bin Laden must be soooo jealous.  Talk about assymetric warfare.  His actions arguably wiped away billions of dollars from the ledgers of no doubt hundreds of millions of stock holders and pensioners.  O the power of automated markets globally linked.   This is a hella brave new world ladies and germs. Talk about impact. And he was considered "an unimpressive performer" by his reviewers. sacre bleu! Current Mood: astounded Current Music: tangled up in blue (Comment on this)
Saturday, December 29th, 2007
9:47 am	Condi's Screwup, Musharraf's Cunning and Bhutto's Martyrdom Amazing.... The lead story here is  Musharraf orchestrates Bhutto's assassination while blaming Al Qaeda.  Condi struggled and negotiated Bhuttos return.  Musharraf didn't want that return in the least as they are sworn enemies.  However, he couldn't refuse the American request (due to kickback, etc).  Therefore, he allowed her return, even resigned as head of the Army and scheduled elections!!!!! So he's looking like the benevelont dictator stepping down to allow the democratic process to occur. However, Bhutto cannot be allowed to run as she would win. A likely cultprit in waiting was Al Qaeda.  Their hatred for Musharraf and the US was only exceeded by their disdain for Bhutto. Following the assissination of Bhutto, supposed intercepted communications from Al Qaeda were revealed congratulating the "brave boys" on their success. Bullshit Where's the CIA/NSA's confirmation of these transmissions?  Certainly our ears are tuned to those frequencies listening for Bin Laden's activities.   Answer?  There is none because to introduce the fact that Musharraf was behind this would result in utter anarchy in the region. A perfect crime for Musharraf's team.   While Condi's lack of forsight resulted in Bhutto's slaughter.  Again, confirmation that intelligence is not equivalent to wisdom. Current Mood: pissed Current Music: Tangled up in Blue (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, December 21st, 2007
11:24 am	Happy Winter Solstice! For you of Druidic inclination....   Stonehenge, Winter solstice sunset Current Mood: somber Current Music: Sound of Silence (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, December 1st, 2007
11:35 am	financial advice for you yungin's  Here's some advice for you twenty somethings as to where to sock your savings.  And the answer is... Stocks!  Both global and domestic. Yup, the stock market will continue to rise at or greater rates than in the past.  There is talk of recession, falling dollars, and submprime meltdown.  However, the equity markets are now global and as long as new markets are developing, stocks will continue to appreciate. The future is global business.  American businesses are leading the charge.  China's marketplace will eventually eclipse ours as being the economic driver of global business.  The signs are everywhere.  The key to success in investing is to be ahead of the crowd.  Here's your chance. I predict that although a recession may actually hit the US, the markets will continue to advance.  There will certainly be volatilty and corrections, however, for long term appreciation, stocks hold the key. Take $1000, invest in a mutual fund or growth stock, and forget about it. Standard caveats apply :] Current Mood: geeky Current Music: The cranberries, Linger (7 Comments |Comment on this)
11:12 am	What Do You Have To Say? - What Makes Me Brave On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. What have you done that is brave? View 74 Answers  I laughed in the face of a guy who was holding me up with a gun in an alley in San Fran.  Of course, I had no money, hence my reaction. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
8:58 am	What has changed in Iraq? Smell of success? An estimated 1,000 people a day are returning across Iraq's borders having previously moving abroad to escape the violence, Iraqi authorities say.  from the BBC today. The number of suicide bombs and IEDs has dropped dramatically.  What's going on?  Did the surge work?  Did Gen Petraeus' strategy work? Whatever the reason, we should all (liberals and conservatives alike) be rejoicing. However, my paranoia creeps in... is this the calm before the storm?  The insurgents are not idiots, funding has not stopped, the war is far from over. Let's hope for the best and expect the worst. Happy T-day to all! Current Mood: ecstatic Current Music: NPR Morning Edition (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, October 13th, 2007
10:17 am	responding to Jeff's admonishment to write more... to wit  Current Mood: productive (Comment on this)