Y2HH

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 23, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) But let's also note that there's a serious imbalance there...the labor costs issue should in normal times have begun to correct itself by the value of the Yuan increasing relative to the U.S. dollar given the size of the global trade deficit. The Chinese government is actively making sure that doesn't happen. A Christmas Miracle! I actually agree with Balta. Somewhere in the world, Kap just felt a disturbance in the force.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 01:17 PM) Except that's expensive and unnecessary. There are a few airports that could use expansion (in particular JFK, LGA, MDW) but by and large that isn't necessary. And since maintaining that kind of rarely used capacity is extremely expensive, that's just another way to make sure airfares go way way higher. That's ok, they can just charge 100$ a bag instead of whatever they charge now. All fixed.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 10:36 AM) http://finance.yahoo.com/news/November-hom...set=&ccode= WASHINGTON (AP) -- Home resales surged last month to the highest level in nearly three years, reflecting an extraordinary level of federal support that has pulled the housing market back from the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Buyers were racing to complete their sales before the original expiration date of a tax credit for first-time buyers that was scheduled to expire Nov. 30. Last month, Congress decided to extend and expand the credit to ensure the housing market could sustain its recovery. The Realtors estimated that about 2 million homebuyers have taken advantage of the credit so far and forecasts that another 2.4 million will use it by the middle of next year. First-time buyers made up about half of all transactions last month, driving sales up 44 percent above last year's levels, a record jump. Sales are now up 46 percent from the bottom in January, but down 10 percent from the peak more than four years ago. The median sales price was $172,600, down 4.3 percent from a year earlier, and up 0.2 percent from October. "Things are stabilizing," said Pete Flint, chief executive of real estate Web site Trulia.com. "There is a significant amount of buyer interest out there." November sales rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million, from a downwardly revised pace of 6.09 million in October. Sales had been expected to rise to an annual pace of 6.25 million, according to economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters. The inventory of unsold homes on the market fell about 1 percent to 3.5 million. That's a healthy 6.5 month supply at the current sales pace, the lowest level in three years. Besides the existing tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers, homeowners who have lived in their current properties for at least five years can now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they relocate. To qualify, buyers must sign a purchase agreement by April 30. Postponing the deadline could mean sales will drop during the winter months and recover in the spring. "Buyers have no sense of urgency now," said Gary DeRosa, an agent with ZipRealty Inc. in Seattle. I just bought my house in clearing about a month ago -- I'll be getting the 6,500 credit.

QUOTE (Real @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:40 AM) I see phosphor lag when I shift my eyes quickly from left to right, when there's a dark image on the screen with some bright white somewhere near the center or off-center, i see bright yellow "trails" I found it interesting because I also see the RGB rainbow trail effect on single processor DLPs, and some people don't/can't see that effect, so I'm marking it down to my eyes being more sensitive Also about the Pixel shifting, it doesn't work when you're using the screen as a secondary monitor via DVI>HDMI cable Only when you're using a true HDCP-compliant HDMI source like PS3, or watching cable. I still run the scrolling bars pattern after I finish playing a long game of Supreme Commander or whatever else game just to erase the temporary IR How new is your set? I have the new Samsung Series 8 Plasma and I've seen no effects from my xbox, etc. And my eyes are pretty sensitive having better than 20/20 vision -- but I still don't see these image flaws your seeing. Perhaps my eyes refresh rate is so much higher than yours I don't see it.

QUOTE (Soxy @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:14 AM) I have this theory let me know what you guys thing: There is a very strong negative correlation between believing in aliens and believing in global warming. That's because Aliens actually exist.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:21 AM) I think you need to get to know mr genius and his posts a little better. Not saying that as a slight against you, or him - just that... I think you need to know his posting style to understand what he's saying. Maybe so...but that's pretty clear as day that he thinks the rest of the world has everything figured out and we suck.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Dec 18, 2009 -> 07:07 PM) The rest of the world had figured it out, as they have been out of the recession for a while and are actually seeing job gains. There.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:15 AM) Just curious... who is it you guys think is saying that Europe is all rosy? Mr Genius. In a post above he said how the rest of the world had it all figured out and that's why they're already out of the recession creating new jobs. I just don't know where he got that info...because the rest of the world wishes it was true. Europe included.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:07 AM) Amen. That's part of my "global citizen" comment from yesterday. We have to be so much like everyone else that we tend to forget this is America, and I'd rather lead then follow. Oh, add Spain to that soon to be bankrupt list, also. While we are at it...add the UK, too. The UK is living in fear of a credit rating cut right now since they're in the same boat as Spain and Greece. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/10/u...edit-rating-cut Things are NOT as rosy over there as Americans seem to think.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 09:05 AM) You can still cycle planes in and out of gates. And if the airlines have to do that often enough (which costs them money), they will adjust. Its a pain for the airlines, but in this case, I don't feel badly for them at all. They put themselves in this position. Same. And I don't even like agreeing with NorthSideSox72.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 08:28 AM) But you see, it is cold precisely because of global warming. Don't you get it? Oh, I get it...

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Dec 18, 2009 -> 07:07 PM) The rest of the world had figured it out, as they have been out of the recession for a while and are actually seeing job gains. I'd really hate to break this news to you, but the rest of the world isn't out of the recession, nor will they be until long after we are. The worst is yet to come for them, which is what makes that statement even funnier. Let's see, with Greece nearing bankruptcy, the Euro has lost value over the last few weeks to the dollar, because investors know Greece is just the first. Many of the foreign countries that "figured it all out", invested billions into 3rd world nations in south america...who have basically told them, erm, sorry, but you're never getting that money back... You know, it continues to baffle me why Americans generally tend to think Europeans and "the rest of the world" have everything figured out...when it's actually the opposite. They often wait until the US sets fiscal policy before setting their own, so they can better equip themselves in case the US were to take any sort of drastic action.

QUOTE (Real @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 10:00 PM) Plasmas have their own downsides as well (image retention, possible burn-in if you're careless, phosphor lag, screen glare due to a glass screen) Plasmas do have a glare issue if you're the type that cant stare through an image, but instead stare at the surface of the image. Any glass screen will do this -- I don't have this problem, so I don't notice it. My iMac is similar. After using a glass screen I can never go back to the dull matte screens again. I love glossy screens, they produce a better image. Plasmas don't really have many burn in issues anymore unless you are beyond careless. Most modern plasmas come with pixel shift technologies that shift images around the screen without the users noticing every X number of minutes, preventing images from causing burnin. Phosphor lag is also a thing of the past. My plasma is .001 ms response...no LCD or LED comes close to that kind of response time. This is why fast motion looks superior on plasmas, it can actually keep up with the images on the screen.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 03:11 PM) I think its a good thing, even considering the logistical nightmare. For one thing, it forces the airlines and airports to be more realistic with gate allocations. For another thing, we aren't talking about all delays here, but 3 hour delays - and at that point, most people would rather have a 5 hour delay with some time in the airport and use of a bathroom, than a 4.5 hour delay entirely on a plane. I know I would. I agree, if they did proper gate allocations there is no reason for every gate to be full at the same time...EVER. There is no excuse for this and the only reason they do it now is because they can get away with it. And yes, yes, yes...I'd much rather spend extra time IN the airport than sitting on an uncomfortable plane.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 08:12 PM) So, in case you still were in the "They need to redo all those calculations because the scientists are evil!" camp, here's another version of it redone, including more data than the british Hadley Center typically does. It, of course, shows that the earth has warmed more over the last 60 years than the previous survey, not less. (The difference basically winds up coming down to how much detail you get on temperature records from the polar regions, which are screaming upwards in temperature) Frankly, it's a little cold out right now...so as far as I'm concerned a little global warming is a good thing.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 12:41 PM) Obama and the US DOT passed rule changes in the past few days, to protect flyers against unnecessarily long tarmac holds on passenger aircraft. 3 hours max is the short story, and there are further protections, and exceptions, as well. This is good, and has been needed for some time. This is a good thing, I'm happy to see this was done. I really disliked how the airlines tended to treat people stuck in delays, as if it wasn't already hard enough.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 11:50 AM) I wish Obama was more like past Presidents and wouldn't even try to improve how the government operates. Why he sets himself for being mocked is beyond my comprehension. I found this funny, since he is exactly like them.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 11:02 AM) Doesn't ban caps. They took that out at the last minute. As I said earlier regarding "cadillac plans" - they are now DOA. They're not going to collect s*** off of that. Premiums are going to go up, not down. Oh, wait, co-ops will stop that... BS. That's the lifeline - co-ops will take away from the private insurers. Y2HH, short term, insurance gets a small bone, but long term, they get screwed royally. Kap, I know exactly what's going on with the bill and how it will affect us -- they give us weekly updates. It's so convoluted that the fighting hasn't truly begun yet. The sheer amount of contradictions in the 2000 page bill will be opposite of what people are expecting. You'll all know what I mean in a year or so.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 10:36 AM) Just watch...something very close to the Senate is going to pass. THere's no stopping it now that Reid has 60, and everyone knows the Liberals are going to cave on the public option. And yes, the Dems cut a crappy sweetheart deal with the drug companies. It's a deal with the devil, but frankly, you and I both know it was necessary. There is no way the Dems could have won by taking on both the insurance companies and the drug companies. The insurance companies alone convinced how many thousands of Americans that this bill was going to kill their grandmother, put paid people out to organize riots, and did everything they could to rip the country apart to make sure it didn't pass. Double that if you include the drug industry. On the whole...cutting a crappy sweetheart deal with the drug industry to get an insurance reform bill passed still makes this a better place. I work for an insurance company, and we paid nobody anything to cause riots or organize in any way. And the bill Reid has doesn't do much of anything to private insurance, either. I hope you realize that...but apparently you don't. Heh. Aside from new intervention and fines that the government can start charging people and increased taxes...watch how much nothing really changes with this bill you want so badly.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 10:19 AM) I'd be more than happy to take on the drug companies too, as would most Dems. But considering how close-run this vote already has been...the political realities say it just can't be done all at once. If we didn't have to get 60 votes, it might well have been do-able over the Filibuster. I'd love a perfect bill, but Joe Lieberman and the 40 Republcians and Ben Nelson and Evan Bayh don't want one. Please do not ignore the fact that it was the dems that cut the sweetheart deal with the drug companies this time, and then protected them when they shot down the amendment to import foreign to increase price competition. They got support from big pharma for a measly 80 billion dollars, which won't help cover even 5% of this bill. I'd bet that will equate to 2% of phrama profits...probably less considering the added 40,000,000 customers they'll be getting. Oh, and this isn't over yet. The house is never going to agree to a bill without a public option. The senate is never going to agree to a bill with it. This is where politics will really rear it's ugly head and things will begin to fall to pieces.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 09:41 AM) Are you suggesting that Iraq should pay for a war that was, in part, to protect them from Cruel and Unusual Punishment? I agree! Why again did you urge us to help in Bosnia? Again the 8th Amendment would seem to apply. Why were we so outraged at Tienanmen Square? Was it because China did not tolerate Freedom of Speech? For the record, I wasn't outraged about Tienanmen Square. Not my country, not my voice. There is plenty for us to worry about here on our own ground...when we get this place running perfectly and everyone is eating fresh Lobster and Steak or whatever they love every single night, sleeping in a warm bed...then I'll start worrying about Tienanmen Square.

Very nicely done, btw.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 10:03 AM) Unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with you here...it's another part of the bill that could be a lot better, and probably will be at some point in the near future. But this is a "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" argument to me. Hell of a lot better to fix the individual insurance market now and fix the drug market later than to fix neither of them now and wait on the Republicans to fix it down the road. The problem is this is a pretty unique opportunity to change things -- but the fact is they're not going after the drug companies because they cut a back room deal with them...and you know it. Every US drug stock is way up or rebounding big time because of this. They're that much closer to another 40,000,000 customers. And the "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" is a terrible argument. This isn't even "good", let alone the mention of "perfect". EDIT: Hey, whaddya know, Pfizer just increased it's dividend 12.5% after cutting it by 50% months ago to buy up Weyth. Must be some good news for drug companies on the horizon!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 21, 2009 -> 09:58 AM) You know the thing that absolutely amazes me? The reason why we're even discussing "reimporting safe drugs from overseas" is that the pro-business faction who passed the drug company bailout bill in 2003 refused to consider that an option. Don't waste time reimporting drugs. We're a bigger purchaser than any overseas government or insurance company anyway, just stop using Medicare as a drug company handout and negotiate ourselves. Right, so instead we just give them another free pass an call it reformed! Hey, personally, I made money off of it -- I own BMY, MRK, and PFE stock...but you know what, I'd easily give it all back if they did something to keep drug prices affordable. They didn't. Instead, they attacked insurance companies and now we all act as if they were the only problem child in the health care industry.

My problem with all of this is that I thought "comprehensive reform" -- a buzz word used far too often in Washington -- meant they'd overhaul the way health care is handled from the individual, to the hospitals, the doctors, surgeons, nurses, etc...to the drug manufacturers creating affordable drugs and to the insurance industry to prevent them from playing the games they play. Basically, I thought it meant from the ground up. Instead what we got wasn't comprehensive at all...we got some reforms against private insurance...and nothing else. Again, I just don't get why I'm supposed to be happy with it.