For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: the food crisis:
- Farmers and food executives appealed fruitlessly to federal officials yesterday for regulatory steps to limit speculative buying that is helping to drive food prices higher.
- Bay Area Shoppers Asked To Limit Rice Purchases
- Gordon Brown responded to mounting concerns about the global rise in food prices by signalling that he might scale back Britain’s commitment to biofuels, which critics say has exacerbated the food crisis because land has been given over to grow crops for energy rather than food.
How serious do you think this "food crisis" is? How much of a factor is ethanol? How much is it being exacerbated by hedge funds and speculators driving prices higher much as what is happening in oil? Are there any solutions, or like any speculative bubble, does it just have to play itself out?
Comments Policy
IF it's a speculative bubble
April 23, 2008 - 09:19 ET by sarcasmoIt can "play out," but some people, like me, think there's strong, albeit ignored, evidence that it's inflation.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc, Corn is selling at
April 23, 2008 - 09:50 ET by Hunter12Sarc, Corn is selling at $4 plus per bushel. Ground that was being rotated between corn and beans is almost exclusively corn now. The price is driven by demand. The ethanol plants are the main drivers. Food prices are increasing becasue you don't get a break on the cost just becasue you want to feed it to cattle or hogs. I live in the corn belt and profit from high corn prices, but I still think ethanol is a stupid idea. Some of the things you don't hear is how much water an ethanol plant requires to process the corn into fuel. It's around 1/2 million gallons a day for a small plant. The energy in/ energy out ratio also doesn't make much sense. Maybe if we were using nuclear or solar energy, it would help. You are right that that it is inflation, but a "green" solution is causing the "red" ink.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
For me, inflation is caused by too much spending.
April 23, 2008 - 09:59 ET by sarcasmoAnd I only wish that "green" pork were the only waste involved. It's all the spending they do despite fiscally conservative words around election time.
But I especially object to the financial media's long term ignorance & name-calling campaign against the people who were blowing the whistle on manipulation since (at least) late in the Clinton administration. The final proof of blatant antilibertarian bias was when "professional" journalists somehow managed to ignore full page WSJ & Roll Call ads. Manipulated markets are not "free."
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Ogalala Aquifer
April 23, 2008 - 17:25 ET by Cool ArrowI wonder how much water corn requires vs wheat.
Most people think the Ogalala recharges, but it has been dropping for years.
♣ a seal
Isn't it just simple
April 23, 2008 - 09:33 ET by HelenSIsn't it just simple mathematics that if you take food to make fuel, someone somewhere is going to have less food? And isn't it more likely that a food based fuel is going to suffer the vicisitudes of weather, ergo supply, much more radically than does oil?
How ignorant does one have to be to believe that taking corn and stuffing it in your car is better for subsistance farmers and struggling third-world people than using oil?
Doesn't that just say that my desire for fuel to run my car is more important than the hungry tummies of little natives somewhere far away?
If you can't hear them cry, are they really dying of hunger?
The self-centered arrogance of the libs is brutal and evil.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
Helen
April 23, 2008 - 09:44 ET by Noel SheppardHelen,
Well, I think what folks in the '90s didn't foresee concerning ethanol was that you would be transferring any future energy price inflation into grains and food. Furthermore, it was likely impossible to presage that any energy inflation would result in farmers around the world replacing food croplands with biofuel croplands, thereby creating almost a triple-dip.
Finally, as these decisions in the '90s were occurring before that decade's stock bubble, I don't think political leaders and economists could have predicted how speculation would play into this.
I've been telling friends, family members, and clients for approaching ten years that we now live in a world of perpetual investment bubbles. Whether it's stocks, real estate, gold, oil grains, currencies, whatever, international "dollars" are all chasing return, and it's all based on momentum. As a result, probably for the rest of our lives, there will always be assets that are "bubbling."
Sadly, as it pertains to commodities, such bubbles will now cause unnecessary inflation. As the hedge funds and traders make billions off of commodities rises, consumers around the world will suffer. Too bad. ns
Noel...regarding bubbles
April 23, 2008 - 11:40 ET by LionKingAre saying that right now we are in the midst of an oil bubble? That oil is extremely over-priced for no truly explicable reason?
If so, what do you forsee as the cure, i.e. the pin to burst the bubble?
LK
April 23, 2008 - 13:19 ET by Noel SheppardLK,
I think we're in a commodities bubble. Oil does indeed have some fundamentals in its pricing, but would be much lower without the speculative aspect. How much? I don't know. Maybe $50. Maybe more. Take a look at this chart:
Pay particular attention to the volume figures on the bottom. What do you see? Oil contracts on the NYMEX are trading 8 and 9 times as much as they did in 2000! 2 and 3 times as much as 2006. How much do you think that's impacting the price? Pretty significant, right?
Now, add in ALL the extra volume being traded in oil options, AND, now add ALL the volume being traded on ICE, the electronic exchange in London.
When you add ALL this extra demand up -- demand that has NOTHING to do with the actual USE of the commodity, but is PURELY speculative -- how much is it impacting price?
In the end, all this volume is creating a demand that has NOTHING to do with the actual fundamentals inherent in people buying and selling oil for consumption. How do we deal with this? Well, first, I think position limits should INCLUDE what trades on the ICE. Right now they don't. As such, a hedge fund in America can get around position limits by just buying on the ICE. This should be changed.
Furthermore, I think position limits should be different for speculators verses oil producers and users. Let's understand that the original reason for commodities markets -- the first was in Kansas City if my memory serves -- was so that farmers and food manufacturers could hedge against price fluctuations in the future. This was not initially intended to be for speculators per se.
Obviously, that's changed. However, given the size of these markets now, and the amount of money chasing return all around the world, I think commodities exchanges should rethink position limits for speculators to prevent the kind of parabolic moves -- and, hence, harm to the consumer AND the economy -- we've been seeing in the past couple of years.
I realize this doesn't fit well with my normal libertarian perspective, but there it is. ns
Damn, that is pretty solid
April 23, 2008 - 16:25 ET by BDDamn, that is pretty solid analysis Noel.
Even taking in to account new driving patterns in the third world, the rise of the number of contracts belies this as the direct cause since there would not be nine fold increase.
It's not inflation as we
April 23, 2008 - 09:34 ET by dscottIt's not inflation as we historically have known it Sarc. This is a speculative bubble created by the idiots in Congress and morons in Europe with the Ethanol mandate. If the mandate didn't exist, there would be no bubble. What we have here is an artifically produced shortage of gasoline and it's additive caused by legislative fiat. This is precisely the same incompetence via so called public policy that caused the housing mortgage debacle, politicians interfering with the workings of the market by demand lacks lending standards which artificially created demand and hiked prices.
IMO, we should do nothing and let the politicians in Congress take the heat for their utter incompetence in attempting to engage in a Centrally Planned Economy. In the coming months, the public will be so furious with the politicians, and their criminal enterprise of stuffing their supporters pockets with our money, that the hewn outcry will be for the repeal of the ethanol mandate and demand to end the AGW nonsense. This will discredit the liberals so thoroughly in the public mind it will take decades for them to recover their standing, in other words, the libs will have to wait for a new crop of gullible marks to play their con game.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
dscott
April 23, 2008 - 09:48 ET by Noel SheppardDan,
Don't agree. Congress should be immediately repealing the ethanol mandate. Watch how quickly commodities and oil prices collapse as soon as they do this. Watch how quickly farmers in this country -- and around the world -- replace biofuel croplands with food croplands. Watch how quickly all the momentum traders and hedge funds liquidate their commodities positions turning the current parabolas into hyperbolas!!!
Congress has the power to pop this bubble. It would be glorious. However, it's not going to happen, because much like Social Security, ethanol is a new third rail. ns
Well, I for one will be
April 23, 2008 - 10:05 ET by dscottWell, I for one will be turning up the voltage on that third rail, let's see how long Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the rest of the AGW supporting crowd can hold on while going into grand mal convulsions. Their approval ratings are still lower than George W Bush and will be in the single digits by the time this is over.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
WE NEED SUN SPOTS!!!
April 23, 2008 - 09:41 ET by HelenSThe Ice Age is Coming!
So much for global warming. Algore is going to have to learn a new song.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
I hate to say it,
April 23, 2008 - 09:45 ET by bassndudeI hate to say it, buttttt...I told ya so!
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
What about the waning Martian Ice Caps
April 23, 2008 - 13:41 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarI read about this a few months back but have not seen anything in the "media" since ... which is usually an indicator that there is something factual about it.
A web search has not returned much other than the NASA reports. Seems like the Sun would be the logical culprit. This must really chap the Warmist's buns because the ole CO2/Manmade crap just won't fly.
I'm waiting for the statement "Due to the Earth's increased reflective nature from the planet's warming it is causing the loss of the Martian polar caps."
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Democratic Gas Price Plan
April 23, 2008 - 09:47 ET by GothampcThe Democrats had a plan to lower gas prices. The only trouble is that it is lost in Nancy Pelosi's fantasy world.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-gop-challenges-pelosi-for-gas-price-plan-2008-04-22.html
Death Penalty article
April 23, 2008 - 09:51 ET by sarcasmoIn which, for once, I agree with the law professor. A bullet is less gruesome than today's ghoulish medicalized death penalty process. But I still like the idea of hanging even better -- reduce, reuse, recycle!! And viewing someone else's death shouldn't be a "comfortable" process, either! Hell, that's the point of the death penalty.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
The guillotine is fast and
April 23, 2008 - 09:59 ET by Dan The Man 2The guillotine is fast and efficient. We could even make it a spectacle with crowds paying to see it and dvd rights and sop on. Some of the more famous would really bring in the crowds and income. Heck I imagine tickets for teh famous executions would sell out quicker and be more expensive when scalped than a Hannah Montana concert.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
"...and be more expensive
April 23, 2008 - 10:37 ET by Hero Squad"...and be more expensive when scalped..."
Pun intended?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Did not see taht one, I
April 23, 2008 - 10:52 ET by Dan The Man 2Did not see taht one, I meant when the head hunters get through .. buying the tickets. They are pretty sharp when it comes to scalping.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
speculative buying that is
April 23, 2008 - 10:44 ET by dscottspeculative buying that is helping to drive food prices higher
Well, if that was the case in the US, such transactions would be publicly known via the Chicago Merc. We would know who and how much. I believe and please correct me if I'm wrong, much of the speculation is in the foreign markets where disclosure is not required. Let's add to this, that people like George Soros who are known currency and commodity speculators may have focused on oil, ethanol and corn as an arbitrage to the falling dollar and steady value of the Euro. Buying commodities in dollars in effect dumps dollars thus driving it's price down and conversely driving up the price of the commodity because a rising value attracks lots of investors creating more demand (bubble), then turn around and sell the commodity for Euros (which is rising against the dollar). Then sell the Euros to buy an ever increasing amount of dollars and ring around the rosey we go. It would be child's play for large investors like Soros to manipulate the foreign commodities markets by pulling this arbitrage.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
Oil prices. I read the
April 23, 2008 - 10:51 ET by bassndudeOil prices. I read the other day,can not remember where, that the reason Saudi's are not uping the output is because they are almost at peek production, now. Can't go much higher. The rising cost is due to increased demand, speculators pay more for the oil because they have to, to insure that they have the quanitys required for the market they represent. Refineries are shut down at this time. This is the time of year that they do their maintiance, replace pumps, piping, heaters and structures, ect.; Gas goes up. Ethenol is expensive to produce, and most gas is 10% ethenol today. Poof! High gas and oil. The solution is to open more exploration, (anwar0 and other known reserves and build 4 or 5 more refineries.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Twelve funny townhall cartoons.
April 23, 2008 - 10:55 ET by R D HelmThis should be good for a few laughs.
#'s 3 and 6 are my faves.
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
RNC meddling
April 23, 2008 - 11:03 ET by Clear thinkerRNC meddling again...
The RNC has asked the North Carolina GOP to stop showing a new commercial referencing Obama and Rev. Wright.
My hope is... the NC GOP tells the RNC to go to hell!
"Abstain from McCain"
Proceed with Caution
April 23, 2008 - 12:07 ET by GothampcAfter seeing the trouble that the DNC has given Michigan and Florida, you would think the RNC would be very cautious.
Oil v. AGW
April 23, 2008 - 11:33 ET by okiehawk44When it became apparent that there was no shortage of oil and that additional reserves and better production methods were being created yearly, the cry became greenhouse gas emmissions caused by burning oil.
Let's see now. If no more oil then we had to find alternatives immediately. Oops! We have plenty of oil so let's create another hoax scare (global warming aka climate change) so the world can't (or won't) use that oil.
Nice! Now we have food shortages AND energy shortages.
You know who to blame -- start blaming 'em.
FUNNY! You will love this
April 23, 2008 - 11:37 ET by Clear thinkerFUNNY!
You will love this one. I promise!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mc3GQmGGms
"Abstain from McCain"
And now, today's Shrub
April 23, 2008 - 11:43 ET by Roger the ShrubberAnd now, today's Shrub Report®:
Twenty-three years ago today, one of the biggest business blunders ever occurred.
Here's an update on the progress of the re-building of the Iraqi Army.
No, I do not think your story about facing Daredevil will stop you from getting you’re a$$ beat in prison, pal.
L.A.: a third-world city.
Twenty years ago today "Dark Side of the Moon" fell of the Billboard album charts after being on it for 741 consecutive weeks.
You want liberal media bias AND shoddy reporting? Here you go!
We are all still waiting patiently for the Democrat(ic)'s commonsense plan for the gasoline crisis. Somehow Europe has their crap together. As usual, the Left stands on their collective heads and tell the world its upside-down.
Attention worshippers at the altar of Global Warming, er, Climate Change: you might want to read this.
A Religion of Penis Update.
You would think the media would report something like Mookie's own family disowning him, wouldn't you? Thanks for the numerous bits of news today, Gateway Pundit.
Douchebag gets knocked out cold.
Speaking of douchebags…
Uh-oh, my man Carl Kolchak will not like this news.
It's time for a Balboa's Favorite Babe Update!
Today's birthdays are shared by three of television's greatest actors! One! Two! Three!
And, finally, The Top Ten end-of-the-world causes!
Poor Nat... Although, I'm
April 23, 2008 - 11:53 ET by balboaPoor Nat...
Although, I'm really concerned about her mental well-being, seeing the doofus she's apparently dating now.
and New Coke! I distinctly remember going to McDonald's with a buddy to get our first taste of New Coke and thinking...tastes an awful lot like Pepsi.
Who's the new dufus, Bal?
April 23, 2008 - 11:55 ET by Roger the ShrubberWho's the new dufus, Bal? Jar-Jar?
It might be time for you to make your move, bro!
No, this
April 23, 2008 - 12:56 ET by balboaNo, this goober:
http://www.nataliepo...
She's dating
April 23, 2008 - 20:59 ET by Roger the ShrubberShe's dating Rasputin?
Devendra Barnhart, a "folk artist".
According to Wiki: his vocal style has also been compared to that of Tiny Tim.
Wow.
Yeah, if that doesn't
April 23, 2008 - 21:02 ET by balboaYeah, if that doesn't haven't "overly self-important douche bag" written all over it, I don't know what does.
Ugh.
Matilda is calling you...
April 24, 2008 - 07:23 ET by Roger the ShrubberI'm telling you, Bal, this is your time to strike!
She is ripe for the plucking!
I remember that infamous
April 23, 2008 - 21:54 ET by dscottI remember that infamous attempt to reformulate coke, and McD's attempt to eliminate the old coke from the menu. I told the cashier, if I wanted Pepsi, I would buy Pepsi, I want real coke, so I ordered Sprite instead.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
My apologies to Gotham and
April 23, 2008 - 11:53 ET by Roger the ShrubberMy apologies to Gotham and Helen for repeating their fine posts below!
No Worries
April 23, 2008 - 12:11 ET by GothampcNo worries. Dem incompetence is worth repeating.
Not even a problem. Some
April 23, 2008 - 12:31 ET by HelenSNot even a problem. Some things are worth repeating :o)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
hey there bigot boy:)
April 23, 2008 - 15:15 ET by TruthMongerI thought "mooslims" never spoke out against "islamic" terrorists...?
"You would think the media would report something like Mookie's own family disowning him, wouldn't you? Thanks for the numerous bits of news today, Gateway Pundit"
Also got this from Drudge today...
Al Qaeda chief slams Muslims for lack of support
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080422100510.qnl6rneq&show_article=1
give us your best excuses, bud...
As usual, you thought
April 23, 2008 - 20:52 ET by Roger the ShrubberAs usual, you thought wrong. You are truly mentally-challenged when you accuse me of saying Muslims never speak out against their own, using MY post and link as proof that I actually do? What a dumba$$.
Don't come to a gunfight armed with a penknife, Douchie.
Take your meds.
New Coke was a great idea
April 24, 2008 - 01:28 ET by Carl KolchakNew Coke was a brilliant idea.
Signed
The person who came up with the idea for the Herb Commercials for Burger King
D*mmit, Carl!
April 24, 2008 - 01:37 ET by R D HelmLOL-As I life-long Atlanta area resident, I was about to unload both barrels on you.
No sh*t, I was on my way to a serious stroke.
We here in Atlanta considered "New Coke" to have been a Soviet Plot of some kind.
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
To protect and...
April 23, 2008 - 12:42 ET by sarcasmoService. (Fair warning: Yech! The link's even more tasteless than the joke!)
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Truly, a work of fiction...
April 23, 2008 - 14:21 ET by Chris NormanLast night, I started a political thriller I purchased from a second hand bookstore (buying only new books is costing too much these days). On the first page, the writer describes the hero's meeting with Hillary Clinton (I suppose tosssing in "real" characters was supposed to make it more authentic). It described Hillary's sense of humor as being surprisingly warm and raucus - counter to her reputation suggested by the right. I knew then that this was truly a work of fiction - science fiction, even. I saw where this was all going and put it down for another book I purchased at the same time...
LOL Chris... You seem to
April 23, 2008 - 14:45 ET by bigtimerLOL Chris...
You seem to be having some rotten luck with your books lately when they come to politics being inserted...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt,It looks like there's no
April 23, 2008 - 14:57 ET by Chris Normanbt,
It looks like there's no difference in fiction books than any other media - the right are usually the bad guys and the left are the ones in the white hats. I don't know why any writer would want to turn off a good portion of his/her potential readership - but, then again, I never could figure out why Hollywood does that either. The only thing is, you can change the channel on your TV, but even if you stop reading the book, you can't return it for content (at least not a new book to the store). Thank goodness this was second-hand and was cheap...
BTW, I've been reduced to occasionally reading the Remo Williams action books, because although comic book style in their plots, they are written from a conservative point of view. Actually, they're fairly humorous and dead-on satirical in the way they portray the Left and the media.
You might want to try
April 24, 2008 - 07:52 ET by HelenSYou might want to try reading Jeffrey Archer. Incredible writer and not such a liberal stench about them. I've just read two and the plots are well thought out and the characters actually attract rather than repel.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
MSM Questioning McCain Health
April 23, 2008 - 15:22 ET by GothampcAlready questioning if John McCain is "fit" to be POTUS. What would they say about Franklin Roosevelt?
http://www.latimes.c...
Goth
April 23, 2008 - 18:49 ET by ThisnThatExcellent point. I heard about this after work today and I was wondering the same thing. MSM dishonesty still astounds me, the way they pick and choose which info to report and which to hide -- and then they think we don't know.
At least we have our answer now -- would Roosevelt have been elected if today's media had been present? Only if he was a Dim, is the answer. But apparently not if he is a war hero, and Republican. Injuries sustained in a prison camp don't count, according to the so-called elitists.
Hooray for sites like NB; and channels like Fox News (where I heard this this evening).
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
hello everyone!
April 23, 2008 - 16:49 ET by candanceI know I've been missing lately. Hubby's job transfered us to Richmond, VA and we just flew in Monday night. Hope to be back into my routine in a week or two.
Glad you're back. At
April 23, 2008 - 16:55 ET by dscottGlad you're back. At least you're south of the Mason Dixon line... <sarcasm>
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
Hey cd... I've missed your
April 23, 2008 - 17:11 ET by bigtimerHey cd...
I've missed your posts...thought maybe you were writing a best seller or something....
I'll be glad to see you regular around here again!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
candance, glad you're back.
April 24, 2008 - 00:00 ET by R D HelmI was beginning to worry.
And next time, young lady, you had better let your other family know what is going on, too.
So there. :-^)
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
Welcome back Candance
April 24, 2008 - 00:25 ET by shawn228Its nice seeing you here again. I hope you guys enjoy your new location.
Candance...
April 24, 2008 - 00:41 ET by JerYou've been gone? I didn't notice. [major sarc] Actually I had been thinking of filing a missing persons report on you and RJ.
Glad you're back and good luck with the move. Now if we can just find RJ we'll all be one big happy family again.
Jer
Jer.... I sure as hell
April 24, 2008 - 00:44 ET by bigtimerJer....
I sure as hell miss RJ...hope he shows up too...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Biofuels
April 23, 2008 - 17:16 ET by Cool ArrowI don't think the Dems (AGW group) care how many people die of starvation as long as they can feel good about doing their part to serve Mother Gaia.
♣ a seal
Carter claims State never warned against Hamas meeting
April 23, 2008 - 22:50 ET by nkviking75America's Worst Ex-President, one Jimmy Carter, is claiming that the State Department never warned him against meeting with Hamas on his recent trip to the Middle East. A quick search on Yahoo turned up this April 10th article from USA Today. That's a full week before Carter's meeting. It would have been difficult for any semi-sentient being posing as a statesman to miss the comments from State spread all over the media.
Take his passport away.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Trying to undue the damage
April 23, 2008 - 23:01 ET by bigtimerTrying to undue the damage that might of been brought upon him by this treasonous BS...in any form.
Why he plans on endorsing Obama soon...we can't have this now can we?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
It appears Tila Tequila is about to, a'hem, bust out.
April 23, 2008 - 23:41 ET by R D Helm:-)
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
RD
April 24, 2008 - 00:27 ET by shawn228Looks like you can use those things as life preservers. Nice having you back on a regular basis as well :-) Hope all is well in the new career path.
Thanks, shawn.
April 24, 2008 - 00:39 ET by R D HelmI miss all my friends here at NB very much, and I will pop in as often as I can, but I am seriously busy these days. I'll get more specific if this thing works out, but there are still a myriad of ways this could be derailed.
In any event, Rush will be here July 22, and I am going to go see them, even if it causes the whole planet to implode!
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
July 22nd, you say? Drat,
April 24, 2008 - 00:58 ET by JerJuly 22nd, you say? Drat, I think that's the day I'm cleaning out my garage.
Jer
Just realized the "Rush" you were referring to is the band and not Limbaugh. The garage can wait.
Jer, LOL.
April 24, 2008 - 01:07 ET by R D HelmDayem, sucks to be you, I guess. :-^)
Actually, they are going to be playing at the brand-new venue in Alpharetta (Encore Park).
From what I have seen on the net, it appears to be really nice, (although the trees out on the lawn may ultimately prove to be lightning magnets.) :-O
I gotta see Neal Peart pound out that killer drum solo of his just once more, as my life will not be complete otherwise. This very well could be their last major tour. :-(
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
OMG! Global Warming!
April 24, 2008 - 00:40 ET by bigtimerOMG!
Global Warming! Global Warming! (In the best Citizens Arrest! Citizens Arrest! Barney Fife imitation, for those of you old enough to remember)....
I saw a moth when going out to get wood on porch tonight!!! A moth...imagine that....a MOTH!
Global Warming is on it's way!
Night all, just wanted to throw that in..and it snowed til noon today to-boot!!!!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
'night, bt.
April 24, 2008 - 00:46 ET by R D HelmAnd stay warm, too.
LOL-I have the AC running as I write this.
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
Hey RD... ...AC you
April 24, 2008 - 00:50 ET by bigtimerHey RD...
...AC you say...
What's an AC?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt, I mean a pair of good,
April 24, 2008 - 00:56 ET by R D Helmbt, I mean a pair of good, old-fashioned Carrier freon-filled air conditioner units running.
LOL-Both upstairs and downstairs (I like to sleep in a cold room).
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
LOL RD... Yeah ...I seem
April 24, 2008 - 01:01 ET by bigtimerLOL RD...
Yeah ...I seem to remember using those once or twice in my life here and there...but now I've been used to the ol' SW....stands for swamp cooler...about one or two months a time of year...yesireee....GW is hitting us hard!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
The world's going... sane?
April 24, 2008 - 02:24 ET by CortillaenCurious about the common usage of "xtians" in place of "Christians", I stumbled across this article. It's a rather interesting read (note that the title and first paragraph are satirical) by someone with a surprisingly level head. I may not agree with their views in entirety, or even in majority, but it's nice to see there are some pagans/wiccans/witches/etc. that aren't overly busy deluding themselves or flying off to the moon. I can't help but wonder what a discussion with the author might be like.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
HsuGate Update: Hsu Could Face More than 200 Years in Prison
April 24, 2008 - 05:24 ET by BritcomSource: Staten Island Live
---
Communist vs. Statist '08
Q. Is Panamanian born John McCain a "Natural Born Citizen"
"King of Clubs" Al-Duri Reported Captured in Iraq, in US Custody
April 24, 2008 - 06:52 ET by BritcomSource: London Telegraph
h/t WorldNetDaily
---
Communist vs. Statist '08
Q. Is Panamanian born John McCain a "Natural Born Citizen"
Shock!: Hitler Doll on Sale in Europe, Toy Gas Chambers Planned
April 24, 2008 - 07:11 ET by BritcomSource: Daily Mail (UK)
h/t WorldNetDaily
[One wonders if emaciated Jew dolls ready to go into the toy gas chambers will also be in the offing.]
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Communist vs. Statist '08
Q. Is Panamanian born John McCain a "Natural Born Citizen"
As much as the thought of a
April 24, 2008 - 10:24 ET by Dan The Man 2As much as the thought of a Hitler doll similar to a Barbie is pretty disheartening, I support the freedom for tehm to do so. In Europe I am surprised they did such because all things Nazi are banned unless it is a historical reference. Just look at the comments and one says they hope it is banned. Can you imagine such a doll being banned for merely being a doll.
Freedom means sometimes having to put up with a Nazi doll or some idiot smoking or some mild cursing. Freedom does not mean freedom from being offended. The way to combat this is through freedom not to buy the product and complain to retailers who sell such, not by goverment which is what most of teh comments want.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Agreed, insta-banning all
April 25, 2008 - 00:09 ET by CortillaenAgreed, insta-banning all things Nazi isn't the way to deal with it. That said, I'd be tempted to buy the things for target practice, but maybe I'm just weird like that...
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi