Yesterday on my way to work I heard the sad tale of the Cascone's. They have a very nice home in Kansas city they adore, but it is an hour from where they work. So they felt it was time to sell and move closer. The only problem is they can't sell their home. That's right, they said they can't sell their home. News flash you can always sell your home. You just can't sell your home at any price you want. The Cascone's said they could hardly hold their heads up in the neighborhood because their house was so cheap, and still not selling. This is one of the most shallow and stupid comments I've heard on NPR (there is some stiff competition in that category). What was she embarrassed about? If their house has dropped in value so has all of their neighbors. And why should we feel bad for you. You are going to either stay in your home because you are too shallow or stupid to drop the price. Or you will drop the price sell the home, and then go buy a house from someone who also had to suck it up and make the same concessions as you. Do you honestly think your home is the only home that has dropped in value? As the price of your house starts falling so does the price of of the one you are going to buy. And to everyone else who is thinking life is unfair because they bought a house they couldn't afford and now it's worth a fraction of what you paid. All I can say is you should have listened to Alan Greenspan, or the Economist. Who have been saying the bubble is going to burst for years.
On a side note you will see that there is a line in the wikipedia article that says "The popular notion that, unlike stocks, homes do not fall in value is believed to have contributed to the mania for purchasing homes." This nearly echos what one of the most influential economist in my upbringing said years earlier. "Too many people see the housing market as a guaranteed investment, it is the one sure way that you can make a great return. This is exactly what people said about the stock market right before the great depression." -Merrill Kaey Gee (Thanksgiving dinner 2004)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Viva Vivian
Vivian Fisher, an original Austinite, has a host of unique abilities and characteristics which include but are not limited to the ability to function without sleep. Today she shares how she got started with her study program and gives us a few other insights to answer the question: "Who is Vivian Fisher?".
You follow a rigorous study program where you have a new topic each week, what made you start this?
I believe you should learn something new each day. You need to simulate your brain. There would be times would I be reading a book and I would read something I didn’t know about, and I would want to learn more about it, so that is how it started. Then friends would give me ideas of things to study. Knowledge is the only thing that you can take with you. And I also have always had the goal to be on Jeopardy.
What has been your favorite topic?
Once I studied Spaghetification that was a really fun word. I got it from Elizabeth Jefferies, she was talking about astronomy and I didn’t know what it meant. It became my second favorite word. I also have enjoyed studying history. And recently I studied the real McCoy and learned the different type. But as I study my favorites change.
Have your studies effected what you would like to do for a career?
It is a hobby for now. It hasn’t changed what I ultimately want to do. Growing up I had different Ideas of what I want to do. Paleontology and history, because you get to study, however there isn’t much of a career in that.
What would your dream job be?
My dream job would be a paleontologist traveling around the world digging up bones and figuring out how to put them back together. Dinosaurs have always intrigued me. Or there is what I am hoping to do, to work with people with special needs. I’ve always gotten satisfaction from volunteering. They are great people. You can learn so much from them and have a lot of fun.
Also, a Rock and Roll historian. I would love to listen to rock all day and study it. I love the stories behind the music.
You served a mission in Paraguay. How did this change the way you look at the world?
I realize how fortunate I am to live in the US. Paraguay is like entering the third world. They are indigenous people. Lots of nomads, the bigger cities are industrial but it is just a very different feel. But also they are very proud and humble at the same time. They are very open and giving, here we are more closed. I wanted to be more like that. They have a very strong work ethic there, which I admire a lot. I think I have been open to other cultures, and I learned a lot about another culture, which was very enjoyable.
The 08 elections are all over the news right now, what qualities would you like to see in the future president?
Honesty, integrity…someone who can lead the country. Someone the country can have faith in. It is dividing us. Someone who can bring us back together. It’s a very hard job, it’s a hard position to hold. I admire people who are willing to go out and try. They have to take a lot of criticism and then keep pushing forward.
Do any of the candidates meet those criteria?
I do like what I’ve heard about Ron Paul, I like him a lot. I like Romney. I don’t know how well they will do, but I have more trust in them then the other candidates at the moment.
Where do you see your self in 5 years?
Hopefully married and starting a family. As far as living I like it here in Austin so hopefully still here. I would like to have traveled a bit.
What other things do you like to see in your future?
Hopefully I would like to accomplish some of the goals on my to do list. I would like to have gone to the very top of the Austin capital (that is just one of them) I hope I am still studying regularly. Finish with school.
You follow a rigorous study program where you have a new topic each week, what made you start this?
I believe you should learn something new each day. You need to simulate your brain. There would be times would I be reading a book and I would read something I didn’t know about, and I would want to learn more about it, so that is how it started. Then friends would give me ideas of things to study. Knowledge is the only thing that you can take with you. And I also have always had the goal to be on Jeopardy.
What has been your favorite topic?
Once I studied Spaghetification that was a really fun word. I got it from Elizabeth Jefferies, she was talking about astronomy and I didn’t know what it meant. It became my second favorite word. I also have enjoyed studying history. And recently I studied the real McCoy and learned the different type. But as I study my favorites change.
Have your studies effected what you would like to do for a career?
It is a hobby for now. It hasn’t changed what I ultimately want to do. Growing up I had different Ideas of what I want to do. Paleontology and history, because you get to study, however there isn’t much of a career in that.
What would your dream job be?
My dream job would be a paleontologist traveling around the world digging up bones and figuring out how to put them back together. Dinosaurs have always intrigued me. Or there is what I am hoping to do, to work with people with special needs. I’ve always gotten satisfaction from volunteering. They are great people. You can learn so much from them and have a lot of fun.
Also, a Rock and Roll historian. I would love to listen to rock all day and study it. I love the stories behind the music.
You served a mission in Paraguay. How did this change the way you look at the world?
I realize how fortunate I am to live in the US. Paraguay is like entering the third world. They are indigenous people. Lots of nomads, the bigger cities are industrial but it is just a very different feel. But also they are very proud and humble at the same time. They are very open and giving, here we are more closed. I wanted to be more like that. They have a very strong work ethic there, which I admire a lot. I think I have been open to other cultures, and I learned a lot about another culture, which was very enjoyable.
The 08 elections are all over the news right now, what qualities would you like to see in the future president?
Honesty, integrity…someone who can lead the country. Someone the country can have faith in. It is dividing us. Someone who can bring us back together. It’s a very hard job, it’s a hard position to hold. I admire people who are willing to go out and try. They have to take a lot of criticism and then keep pushing forward.
Do any of the candidates meet those criteria?
I do like what I’ve heard about Ron Paul, I like him a lot. I like Romney. I don’t know how well they will do, but I have more trust in them then the other candidates at the moment.
Where do you see your self in 5 years?
Hopefully married and starting a family. As far as living I like it here in Austin so hopefully still here. I would like to have traveled a bit.
What other things do you like to see in your future?
Hopefully I would like to accomplish some of the goals on my to do list. I would like to have gone to the very top of the Austin capital (that is just one of them) I hope I am still studying regularly. Finish with school.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
SiCKO
That's right. It's what you have all been waiting for...my first movie review! Sorry I had to start with such a long controversial one, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do.
To get started I would have to say the people in the theatre reminded me of the Beverly hillbillies. Here we are in one of the nicest parts of Dallas, and at the beginning of the movie when a clip of President Bush was shown several people begain mocking loudly. "man what an idiot!", "Sheesh", "What a dumb #&%#@*". When I go to a documentary I assume I will be with people who are a little more educated than your average movie going crowd. But it seems Michael Moore has broken the stereotype and made documentaries accessible to the common man. Now you can get warnings--from the guy who yells „NO, DON’T GO IN THERE!“ before the hero enters the room filled with villains planning his ambush--telling you who in the movie is stupid and who is smart (this is useful, since many politicians may see this film and might need help trying to figure out that Moore doesn't like Bush). So even though I did not agree with Michael Moore’s opinions there are at least 25 credulous folks in Dallas that did.
My first problem with the film are his choice of interviewees. He took many heart retching stories of all the Joe and Sallies in america. Now these stories are important they are the people that make up america. But his argument would have been more credible had he used some real sources. Why didn’t he speak with economist on what effect National Heath Care would have on the country? Why didn’t he talk to CEO’s of health care companies to see why they run their business they way they do? And if the insurance companies are making as money as Mr. Moore claims, why didn’t he advise the people to invest in their stock? Maybe then they would be able to afford the expensive health care these companies are denying. But I guess going with my comments in the previous paragraph, this movie really aims to be "for the people, by the people"...but is it actually "for the ignorant, by the ignorant".
Listening to all of his articles reminded me of a story I saw on FOX news about the rising gas prices. They couldn’t get a hold of anyone at the state energy department, so they decided to go to the street and ask "the people" what they thought. "There is no reason gas should cost this much", one astute gas buyer said, "We built the Alaskan pipe line, and we have plenty of resources this is just outrageous!" Wow, he is right, while we are at it there is no reason I should have to pay $500 for an iPhone. I mean we have had cell phones for years why should I have to pay so much for that one…I’ll tell you why. The same reason they can charge you $3 for a gallon of gas…because you will pay. My point is the average person doesn’t understand implications of small decisions like raising the price of gas…how can you expect an uneducated public to really understand something as complex as universal heath care? (At least now the uneducated have a place they can go to learn about the advantages of universal health care...other uneducated people). Sure I would like free health care too…but we need to talk to people who have really researched it before assuming it will fix all of our problems.
Second he mentioned Cuba's infant mortality rate being better than ours. Hmm, you are going to trust Cuba's statistics? I think those numbers are likely to be fudged, I would like to see a RELIABLE source on that one. Also you have to define „infant mortality“ it is defined differently in Cuba then it is here. Part of the reason it is so low in the US is we will try to save babies who are born premature. My niece was born 27 weeks into the pregnancy. In most countries (definitely Cuba) she would have been considered a still born. Thanks to a great hospital staff and the evil insurance company that flipped the bill, my niece is now 2 years old and is so healthy and active that it is hard for her parents to keep up with her. So our infant mortality rate may be lower on paper, but it is actually leaps and bounds above most countries…including Cuba.
But why we are talking about Cuba. He mentioned that Cuba sends more doctors to third world countries than any other western country. Where do you get that? I don’t want to take away from any of the great things that I am sure many Cubans do. But Cuba is still a second world country by most standards, but perhaps Mr. Moore is counting it as third so he can count all the work they do in their own country as a charitable endeavor. I mean really how many doctors are in cuba? I can’t imagine that they have that many to spare…but show me a source and then I’ll take that one back.
Finally Moore criticized the fact that Bush had passed a bill to put more money to drugs for the elderly. He claimed by doing so it just put more money into the „greedy“ pharmaceutical companies hands. Now I have to say I agreed with him on this one. It was stupid, we never should have given that money to them (especially since we don’t know have any where to get it from). But what he is proposing is giving even more! If we have universal health care now we aren’t putting a small amount of money into a few of their hands…we are putting a huge amount of money in a all of those same crooked politicians hands. Maybe in his next movie he will still put the amount pharmaceuticals donated floating over the heads of the congressmen and women, but I can guarantee next time the amounts will be much greater. He mentioned Hillary had been bought out by insurance companies to drop the universal health plan. Well now she is being bought out by the pharmacies…“Why is that?“ you ask. Once she has universal heath care it will be up to the government to decide what pills they will use in „their“ hospitals. And mark my words the pills that get chosen are going to be the ones coming from the companies passing Hillary and Obama the biggest checks.
Another point I would concur with him is how he demonized the American Medical Association. I really believe they are the biggest reason we have such high medical cost. Every year thousands of students get turned down from medical school. Many of these candidates are well qualified students, but the AMA strictly regulates the number of students that can be accepted. Why would they turn down so many qualified applicants. Because the AMA wants to be able to control the supply of doctors. That way they can also to an extent control the price…or their wages. The AMA argues they have to regulate it because we don’t want under-qualified doctors. Let’s face it, giving kids shots and listening to their heart beat isn’t rocket Science. Everyday we put our lives in the hands of engineers when we step into our cars, or onto an airplane, or up to the 30th floor in an elevator. We don’t need to regulate who gets an engineering degree. Schools can get more or less depending on funding, if one year they have 12 students who are all a success then the next year it is likely there will be 15 students getting funding. In medicine that isn’t the case. That would be one good thing about universal health care. It would get rid of the AMA, but I fear the beast that would take it’s place would be much worse.
Overall the movie is entertaining, and brings up several good points. One of which I will add is the awful way that france and cuba are portrayed in the media. But before you join the 25 naïve film goers in Dallas you may want to take some time to think about it.
To get started I would have to say the people in the theatre reminded me of the Beverly hillbillies. Here we are in one of the nicest parts of Dallas, and at the beginning of the movie when a clip of President Bush was shown several people begain mocking loudly. "man what an idiot!", "Sheesh", "What a dumb #&%#@*". When I go to a documentary I assume I will be with people who are a little more educated than your average movie going crowd. But it seems Michael Moore has broken the stereotype and made documentaries accessible to the common man. Now you can get warnings--from the guy who yells „NO, DON’T GO IN THERE!“ before the hero enters the room filled with villains planning his ambush--telling you who in the movie is stupid and who is smart (this is useful, since many politicians may see this film and might need help trying to figure out that Moore doesn't like Bush). So even though I did not agree with Michael Moore’s opinions there are at least 25 credulous folks in Dallas that did.
My first problem with the film are his choice of interviewees. He took many heart retching stories of all the Joe and Sallies in america. Now these stories are important they are the people that make up america. But his argument would have been more credible had he used some real sources. Why didn’t he speak with economist on what effect National Heath Care would have on the country? Why didn’t he talk to CEO’s of health care companies to see why they run their business they way they do? And if the insurance companies are making as money as Mr. Moore claims, why didn’t he advise the people to invest in their stock? Maybe then they would be able to afford the expensive health care these companies are denying. But I guess going with my comments in the previous paragraph, this movie really aims to be "for the people, by the people"...but is it actually "for the ignorant, by the ignorant".
Listening to all of his articles reminded me of a story I saw on FOX news about the rising gas prices. They couldn’t get a hold of anyone at the state energy department, so they decided to go to the street and ask "the people" what they thought. "There is no reason gas should cost this much", one astute gas buyer said, "We built the Alaskan pipe line, and we have plenty of resources this is just outrageous!" Wow, he is right, while we are at it there is no reason I should have to pay $500 for an iPhone. I mean we have had cell phones for years why should I have to pay so much for that one…I’ll tell you why. The same reason they can charge you $3 for a gallon of gas…because you will pay. My point is the average person doesn’t understand implications of small decisions like raising the price of gas…how can you expect an uneducated public to really understand something as complex as universal heath care? (At least now the uneducated have a place they can go to learn about the advantages of universal health care...other uneducated people). Sure I would like free health care too…but we need to talk to people who have really researched it before assuming it will fix all of our problems.
Second he mentioned Cuba's infant mortality rate being better than ours. Hmm, you are going to trust Cuba's statistics? I think those numbers are likely to be fudged, I would like to see a RELIABLE source on that one. Also you have to define „infant mortality“ it is defined differently in Cuba then it is here. Part of the reason it is so low in the US is we will try to save babies who are born premature. My niece was born 27 weeks into the pregnancy. In most countries (definitely Cuba) she would have been considered a still born. Thanks to a great hospital staff and the evil insurance company that flipped the bill, my niece is now 2 years old and is so healthy and active that it is hard for her parents to keep up with her. So our infant mortality rate may be lower on paper, but it is actually leaps and bounds above most countries…including Cuba.
But why we are talking about Cuba. He mentioned that Cuba sends more doctors to third world countries than any other western country. Where do you get that? I don’t want to take away from any of the great things that I am sure many Cubans do. But Cuba is still a second world country by most standards, but perhaps Mr. Moore is counting it as third so he can count all the work they do in their own country as a charitable endeavor. I mean really how many doctors are in cuba? I can’t imagine that they have that many to spare…but show me a source and then I’ll take that one back.
Finally Moore criticized the fact that Bush had passed a bill to put more money to drugs for the elderly. He claimed by doing so it just put more money into the „greedy“ pharmaceutical companies hands. Now I have to say I agreed with him on this one. It was stupid, we never should have given that money to them (especially since we don’t know have any where to get it from). But what he is proposing is giving even more! If we have universal health care now we aren’t putting a small amount of money into a few of their hands…we are putting a huge amount of money in a all of those same crooked politicians hands. Maybe in his next movie he will still put the amount pharmaceuticals donated floating over the heads of the congressmen and women, but I can guarantee next time the amounts will be much greater. He mentioned Hillary had been bought out by insurance companies to drop the universal health plan. Well now she is being bought out by the pharmacies…“Why is that?“ you ask. Once she has universal heath care it will be up to the government to decide what pills they will use in „their“ hospitals. And mark my words the pills that get chosen are going to be the ones coming from the companies passing Hillary and Obama the biggest checks.
Another point I would concur with him is how he demonized the American Medical Association. I really believe they are the biggest reason we have such high medical cost. Every year thousands of students get turned down from medical school. Many of these candidates are well qualified students, but the AMA strictly regulates the number of students that can be accepted. Why would they turn down so many qualified applicants. Because the AMA wants to be able to control the supply of doctors. That way they can also to an extent control the price…or their wages. The AMA argues they have to regulate it because we don’t want under-qualified doctors. Let’s face it, giving kids shots and listening to their heart beat isn’t rocket Science. Everyday we put our lives in the hands of engineers when we step into our cars, or onto an airplane, or up to the 30th floor in an elevator. We don’t need to regulate who gets an engineering degree. Schools can get more or less depending on funding, if one year they have 12 students who are all a success then the next year it is likely there will be 15 students getting funding. In medicine that isn’t the case. That would be one good thing about universal health care. It would get rid of the AMA, but I fear the beast that would take it’s place would be much worse.
Overall the movie is entertaining, and brings up several good points. One of which I will add is the awful way that france and cuba are portrayed in the media. But before you join the 25 naïve film goers in Dallas you may want to take some time to think about it.
Friday, August 10, 2007
A Slap in the Face
Now if this was posted any where besides the Economist I would say that it is an out right lie. I am still questioning the validity of it. But believe it or not it is still a slap in the face for american workers...less productive than france? Ouch!
But if we keep moving left the way we have been we won't be too different from our French friends anyways.
So my prediction...These silver spoon/loose wallet republicans get the spanking of their lives in this next election. Taxes jump, laws increase, today's freedoms become yesterday's news. Helping americans wake up and realize that Ron Paul wasn't so crazy after all.
But if we keep moving left the way we have been we won't be too different from our French friends anyways.
So my prediction...These silver spoon/loose wallet republicans get the spanking of their lives in this next election. Taxes jump, laws increase, today's freedoms become yesterday's news. Helping americans wake up and realize that Ron Paul wasn't so crazy after all.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Hannity Insanity
I recently saw an editorial from a brilliant young Economist who expressed several of the reasons why I don't like talk radio.
I often agree politically with Sean Hannity as a conservative but I am concerned that many use him as the primary source of information on political issues. On The Newshour With Jim Lehrer opponents engage in rational analysis of both sides of an issue with each receiving equal time to provide their arguments. This contrasts considerably from Hannity, who primarily demonizes and categorizes those of opposing views,uses political rhetoric and dogma, and forces his 'guests' into his narrow talking points with his yes/no questions or constant lambasting of questions. Such divineness and unproductive angry rallying may be entertaining but it stalls informed and open dialogue, prevents crucial advancement through compromise, and produces a more ignorant and angry electorate.
Gardner Gee
I often agree politically with Sean Hannity as a conservative but I am concerned that many use him as the primary source of information on political issues. On The Newshour With Jim Lehrer opponents engage in rational analysis of both sides of an issue with each receiving equal time to provide their arguments. This contrasts considerably from Hannity, who primarily demonizes and categorizes those of opposing views,uses political rhetoric and dogma, and forces his 'guests' into his narrow talking points with his yes/no questions or constant lambasting of questions. Such divineness and unproductive angry rallying may be entertaining but it stalls informed and open dialogue, prevents crucial advancement through compromise, and produces a more ignorant and angry electorate.
Gardner Gee
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Fishing with the boys.
"After I caught my first fish I just couldn't stop, I can't get enough!" - Tom Wright
Tom Wright is a 23 year old student dating the soon to be missionary Molly Lewis. He is gregarious with a capital G. He once mentioned that people "disappear to him" if he doesn't see them on a regular basis, so we asked him about that and what relationships mean to him.
People “disappear to you” when you don’t see them. How is this going to effect to your relationship with Molly when she leaves?
Boy that’s the question. I’ve given this a little thought. The word trepidation…is that the word.
With all of this moving around and people “disappearing to you” has this limited your ability to really become close to people?
No. It just makes distancing myself from them really easy.
You are a very gregarious chap, you are always in the thick of things and getting activities going? What is it that drives you?
First of all when you said "gregarious" I thought of the wand maker. But, the audience. I love to perform. Just give me a crowd.
That being said, do you have a dream job?
I did. I wanted to be a pilot. That didn’t work out. I wanted to be an intelligence officer in the air force. That didn’t work out either. So now…my ambition is really just to make money. That is all I have left of me.
Any idea on how you are going to do that?
Learn Arabic, and then do what Gavin says. Good plan
You are a very social person, but from our previous conversations it seems that you don’t have a lot of long term relationships. Are you worried about the effect that will have on a relationship with a wife?
Extremely!
So are you doing anything about it?
I would like to nip this problem in the bud by letting it work itself out.
What type of dreams do you have?
Sometimes I'm at school and I am naked…
Not those type of dreams.
My other types of dreams…I just want money. I want to have fun. I don’t want to be poor. Poor people have fun: police officers, fire fighters the EMT’s people that honk and say get out of my way. And I can’t do what I want and have fun, then I at least want to have lots of money. I also dream of being young and beautiful, my whole life. I will devote some of my time to my youth and beauty. Part of this involves Michelle Ferry, because she helps me run. Part of this involves Jesse Ormsby because he helps me get all of the stray hairs when I wax my stomach. I also want to be the prophet. And I would like a hair cut. I would like to afford one of everything. Barber, a maid, kids, and a lake in my back yard. And it has to have cat fish, and mino’s.
"Just enjoying the great outdoors." -Andrew TaylorAndrew Taylor is Tom Wright's best friend. He recently returned from a mission in the great city of Salt Lake. I was able to ask him several questions about what it was like tracking in the "greatest snow on earth!"
You served your mission in my heimat, the 801. I love the city like no other, but missionaries get to see a side of the city that most people don’t what did you like most about the SLC, and what things did you dislike?
I can almost honestly say that there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. I could knick pick and say if you aren’t going one direction you have to take side roads if you can’t take I 80, but it’s the grid system and it’s awesome…it’s inspired from God what can you say?
One of the things I loved was I served in the avenues, it was my only area without a car, there are some awesome mountain biking trails in the avenues our mission leader took us to some awesome trails. That was one thing I like the outdoor wilderness.
I served on the east side a lot, it was neat to see the really old neighborhoods and the old houses and the 100 year old trees.
How has your relationship or your view of the church changed since being home from your mission?
It’s interesting because my mission, didn’t really change my view of the church but I got a view of the church. I was a punk kid who didn’t know much. It gave me perfect examples of great wards and horrible wards, great bishops and horrible bishops etc. It will hopefully help me train other on how to become a great member.
Doctrinally speaking it was fun to serve in salt lake, because we had a wealth of information at our hands. Not only could we go to desert book, but we could talk to stake presidents that knew tons about the church. Some missionaries were even able to talk to people like Cleon Skousen. We were able to talk about and learn about things that normally other missionaries wouldn’t have the time or the resources to research. We loved to talk about deep doctrine…good times.
What is your greatest passion?
Sleep. Yet I don’t get to sleep till 1 AM and I have to be up at 7AM.
Harry potter.
Computer games.
Wait…just sleep.
Are you a lover or a fighter?
I’m a sleeper.
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