Happy New Year

What is the world?

It is a manifestation.

Of what?

Of God's Love.

All is a perfect manifestation of the infinite love and infinite power of God.

2009 was a perfect year.
I expect 2010 to be another perfect year.

World without end.

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut 1963

"Life will make fools of us all."

The amazing thing to me about end of the world stories is how starkly they contrast with the real world.

4 billion years and counting.

Is it likely the world will end soon, on our watch? Is it likely we will actually end the world with our little machines?

The over estimation of the power of man.

How vast is the cosmos. How tiny we are. There is no comparison.
The best choice is not to curse our fate. The best choice is to stand in awe.
Praise and thanksgiving.
We get it all for nothing. It is all free. Why should we demand more?

Be thankful for what is.

FEY

a. Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality: "She's got that fey look as though she's had breakfast with a leprechaun" (Dorothy Burnham).
b. Having visionary power; clairvoyant.
c. Appearing touched or crazy, as if under a spell.
2. Scots
a. Fated to die soon.
b. Full of the sense of approaching death.

The word "fey" generally denotes someone or something a little otherworldly, or magical, or fairylike. Sometimes it also refers to the power of seeing the future, often with the negative connotation of seeing death or calamity.
Someone who appears "fey" may seem to be a little crazy or under a spell. In literature I think of Hamlet's girlfriend, Ophelia. In Harry Potter there is Luna Lovegood.
Another meaning of "fey" is actually to be about to die. So Ophelia fits that very well.

Dollar Down Stocks Up

Why does that happen?

Simple reason really

A company has a value not dependent upon the value of its local currency. Thus, it is sort of an inflation hedge.

All other things being equal, if the dollar drops 50%, there would be a rise of 100% in U.S. stocks.

Just like a load of bread. If the dollar loses half of its value, then the $2 loaf of bread would become a $4 loaf of bread. A share of Microsoft would go up for the same reason.

Of course, the real world is a little more complicated, but the principle is the same.

TENNIS makes me feel better

58 years old
if I sit around and do nothing
I get a lot of pain
back pain
foot pain
neck pain
everything pain

but the more I run around
the less pain I get

tennis is a good one
very strenuous and taxing and lots of stress on the old skeleton

but I get less pain if I play regularly
I have heard that the best remedy for arthritis is exercise
I agree with that

Pride's A False Guide

what more can I say?

Taxes and Gold (TAX THE RICH) Progressive

Gold finally hit a little correction. It dropped 4% in one day to settle around $1,169. Still higher than I ever expected.

The Senate is looking at executive compensation again. This time for insurance company executives.
I find this to be very unreasonable. If a million dollar salary offends, the simple solution is to having higher marginal tax rates. Then we all win. The community gets more revenue from the taxpayer and executives don't get hurt by "price control."

Also, major tax loopholes need to be closed.
And one idea to help the little guy must be thrown in.
INCOME AVERAGING

It would not be fair to tax a windfall, like a lottery win, or the sale of a business, if it is a one time event, at the same high rates as annual incomes. The old income averaging allowed you to distribute windfalls over four years.
That would be fair.

Why Can't People Be Nice?

Human nature tends to be abusive.

Why send soldiers to Afghanistan?
How about 30,000 teachers?

Why is it always, "Do this or I kill you!"?

Bulldogs get a death grip on one another. Stubborn they will not let go.

Don't back down.

Don't settle or compromise.

No compromise.

What is there to negotiate if one party says, "I will not compromise."?