Homeless encouraged to move into foreclosed houses - Telegraph: "In Miami, an anti-poverty activist group called Take Back The Land not only matches up the homeless with empty properties but provides them with second-hand furniture, cleaning supplies and gardening assistance.
Some property owners in Atlanta, where officials describe foreclosures as an 'epidemic', have gone so far as to pay homeless people to live in their abandoned homes as a security measure.
Meanwhile, poverty campaigners in Cleveland, Ohio, are negotiating with the city authorities to allow homes people to move into and repair empty, dilapidated homes.
'We're matching homeless people with people-less homes,' said Max Rameau, a co-founder of Take Back The Land."
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Coming to an HOA near you: the homeless.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
UNCOVERED: Federal Bailout Application Form
UNCOVERED: Federal Bailout Application Form
This is form EZ-CASH, so let's get those condos and HOAs applying ASAP.
This is form EZ-CASH, so let's get those condos and HOAs applying ASAP.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Local government nightmare | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Local government nightmare | The San Diego Union-Tribune: "the budget stress now felt in the state Capitol is about to become the norm for every last local government in California.
These governments – cities, counties, school, water and fire districts, redevelopment agencies and more – have been somewhat insulated from the revenue downturn so far because most are largely reliant on property taxes. These levies are lagging indicators of the economy's strength, since they depend on annual assessments and a drawn-out payment system. But beginning with the 2009-10 fiscal year, Beacon forecasts a plunge of more than 10 percent in property tax revenue."
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Think this won't have any impact on HOAs?
These governments – cities, counties, school, water and fire districts, redevelopment agencies and more – have been somewhat insulated from the revenue downturn so far because most are largely reliant on property taxes. These levies are lagging indicators of the economy's strength, since they depend on annual assessments and a drawn-out payment system. But beginning with the 2009-10 fiscal year, Beacon forecasts a plunge of more than 10 percent in property tax revenue."
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Think this won't have any impact on HOAs?
Deer gets revenge after hunter shoots him - Yahoo! News: "The buck rose up, knocked Goodman down and attacked him with his antlers in what the veteran hunter called '15 seconds of hell.' The deer ran a short distance and went down, and died after Goodman fired two more shots."
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Don't mess with Bambi.
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Don't mess with Bambi.
USATODAY.com
USATODAY.com:Cities cut back, citing shortfalls: "Battered by record foreclosures and falling tax revenue, cities are laying off workers, raising fees and closing libraries and recreation centers. 'Almost every city in the country is feeling the impact,' says Chris Hoene, director of policy and research at the National League of Cities. A survey in September found that city finance officers expect revenue from property, sales and income taxes to decrease 4.3% this year, Hoene says.
The problem will be worse next year, he says, because there is a lag between current economic conditions and when they affect city revenue. 'Local officials know that if things are tight now,' he says, 'tougher choices are coming.' The survey found that 79% of cities expect their finances to worsen in 2009."
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The housing boom comes full circle.
The problem will be worse next year, he says, because there is a lag between current economic conditions and when they affect city revenue. 'Local officials know that if things are tight now,' he says, 'tougher choices are coming.' The survey found that 79% of cities expect their finances to worsen in 2009."
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The housing boom comes full circle.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Retiree Havens Turn Younger to Combat the Housing Bust - WSJ.com: "At 'active adult' developments across the U.S., residents are debating whether to scrap the age restrictions that have helped define their way of life for almost five decades. Proponents of 'age desegregation,' as it's known in the industry, say opening the doors to people under 55 is the only way their once-idyllic enclaves can stay afloat amid a worsening economic climate."
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The lure of seniors communities mystifies me. I can't understand wanting to be surrounded by nothing but old people. But who knows...maybe in 10 years I'll change my mind and join the "Get off my lawn" demographic.
Lawsuit on political signs may help clarify confusion about HOAs
An opinion piece on the significance of the Colorado banning-signs-despite-a-state-statute case.
An opinion piece on the significance of the Colorado banning-signs-despite-a-state-statute case.
New Condominium Laws: A Lot to Digest - Business - MiamiHerald.com
New Condominium Laws: A Lot to Digest - Business - MiamiHerald.com
Some of the changes to the Florida Condominium Act.
Some of the changes to the Florida Condominium Act.
Research on mice links fast food to Alzheimer's | Science | Reuters
Research on mice links fast food to Alzheimer's | Science | Reuters: "LONDON (Reuters) - Mice fed junk food for nine months showed signs of developing the abnormal brain tangles strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease, a Swedish researcher said on Friday.
The findings, which come from a series of published papers by a researcher at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, show how a diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol could increase the risk of the most common type of dementia."
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I think anybody who ate as much fast food as they fed those mice would be dead long before dementia set in.
The findings, which come from a series of published papers by a researcher at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, show how a diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol could increase the risk of the most common type of dementia."
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I think anybody who ate as much fast food as they fed those mice would be dead long before dementia set in.
Credit card industry may cut $2 trillion of lines: analyst - Yahoo! News: "The U.S. credit card industry may pull back well over $2 trillion of lines over the next 18 months due to risk aversion and regulatory changes, leading to sharp declines in consumer spending, prominent banking analyst Meredith Whitney said.
The credit card is the second key source of consumer liquidity, the first being jobs, the Oppenheimer & Co analyst noted.
'In other words, we expect available consumer liquidity in the form or credit-card lines to decline by 45 percent.'"
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Merry Christmas, ho ho ho.
I suspect the big toy for Christmas 2009 will be hand-carved wooden soldiers. Carved by parent, that is.
RBS to be taken over by British government: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
RBS to be taken over by British government: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "LONDON (AP) -- The British government will take over Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC with a majority stake of almost 60 percent after the shareholders of the nation's second-largest bank shunned an emergency share issue."
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Just $31 billion, that's all. The bank's share value has dropped by 85%.
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Just $31 billion, that's all. The bank's share value has dropped by 85%.
David Holwerk: It takes an entire state to make a budget debacle this big - Bee Opinion Columns - sacbee.com
David Holwerk: It takes an entire state to make a budget debacle this big - Bee Opinion Columns - sacbee.com: "Yep, ultimately the blame for this mess falls on us, the citizens of the great state of California.
After all, we elected the governor and the members of the Assembly and Senate. We passed the various initiatives that have hamstrung the state's ability to deal with falling tax revenues. We elected a governor who simultaneously promised to cut taxes and end crazy deficit spending.
And now, with schools, community colleges and universities struggling, with the prisons overflowing, with truly needy disabled people likely to lose the support they depend on, with cities and counties broke, we can't seem to grasp the seriousness of the moment."
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Fred Pilot sent this along. It seems like a cliche to say, "we, the people, are ultimately to blame." But in this case it is just a fact. The people of California have voted directly for many of the measures that are destroying the state, they elected the representatives who are presiding over the annual budget debacle, and they seem unable to grasp that the ship is sinking.
The same could be said for the citizens of Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and a few other states that are facing insolvency with an oblivious public.
After all, we elected the governor and the members of the Assembly and Senate. We passed the various initiatives that have hamstrung the state's ability to deal with falling tax revenues. We elected a governor who simultaneously promised to cut taxes and end crazy deficit spending.
And now, with schools, community colleges and universities struggling, with the prisons overflowing, with truly needy disabled people likely to lose the support they depend on, with cities and counties broke, we can't seem to grasp the seriousness of the moment."
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Fred Pilot sent this along. It seems like a cliche to say, "we, the people, are ultimately to blame." But in this case it is just a fact. The people of California have voted directly for many of the measures that are destroying the state, they elected the representatives who are presiding over the annual budget debacle, and they seem unable to grasp that the ship is sinking.
The same could be said for the citizens of Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and a few other states that are facing insolvency with an oblivious public.
Fannie Mae Taps CFO: Former Hartford Finance Chief David Johnson - - CFO.com
Fannie Mae Taps CFO: Former Hartford Finance Chief David Johnson - - CFO.com
The article goes on to describe the major scandals that erupted at Cendant and Hartford when Johnson was CFO for those companies. I'm sure he just happened along at the wrong time. Both times.
The article goes on to describe the major scandals that erupted at Cendant and Hartford when Johnson was CFO for those companies. I'm sure he just happened along at the wrong time. Both times.
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford arrested on federal charges - Breaking News from The Birmingham News - al.com
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford arrested on federal charges - Breaking News from The Birmingham News - al.com: "A special grand jury for several months has been investigating county bond deals and Langford's financial dealings. Langford was Jefferson County Commission president 2002-06."
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Jefferson County is likely to file for bankruptcy protection.
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Jefferson County is likely to file for bankruptcy protection.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Op-Ed Contributor - What They Hate About Mumbai - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Contributor - What They Hate About Mumbai - NYTimes.com: "The terrorists’ message was clear: Stay away from Mumbai or you will get killed. Cricket matches with visiting English and Australian teams have been shelved. Japanese and Western companies have closed their Mumbai offices and prohibited their employees from visiting the city. Tour groups are canceling long-planned trips.
But the best answer to the terrorists is to dream bigger, make even more money, and visit Mumbai more than ever. Dream of making a good home for all Mumbaikars, not just the denizens of $500-a-night hotel rooms. Dream not just of Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai or Shah Rukh Khan, but of clean running water, humane mass transit, better toilets, a responsive government. Make a killing not in God’s name but in the stock market, and then turn up the forbidden music and dance; work hard and party harder."
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Impressive essay by an NYU journalism professor who is headed back to Mumbai to have a beer.
But the best answer to the terrorists is to dream bigger, make even more money, and visit Mumbai more than ever. Dream of making a good home for all Mumbaikars, not just the denizens of $500-a-night hotel rooms. Dream not just of Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai or Shah Rukh Khan, but of clean running water, humane mass transit, better toilets, a responsive government. Make a killing not in God’s name but in the stock market, and then turn up the forbidden music and dance; work hard and party harder."
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Impressive essay by an NYU journalism professor who is headed back to Mumbai to have a beer.
Lawyers call for international court for the environment - Telegraph
Lawyers call for international court for the environment - Telegraph: "Stephen Hockman QC is proposing a body similar to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to be the supreme legal authority on issues regarding the environment.
The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.
But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the 'right to a healthy environment'."
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I wonder what position our multilateralist, internationalist, global-warming-believer incoming President will take on this.
The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.
But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the 'right to a healthy environment'."
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I wonder what position our multilateralist, internationalist, global-warming-believer incoming President will take on this.
Homo Ludens: ARCHITECTURE OF FEAR: "I am reading Mike Davis’s magnificently detailed Planet of Slums. \Davis describes two trends which have defined how people have lived in the last 30 or so years. The first is the inexorable movement of the world’s population from country to city. In 1950, there were 86 cities in the world; there are now more than 400. The urban workforce has more than doubled in my lifetime. Given the extraordinary numbers of people in every part of the world required to shift these percentages, this is one of the most extraordinary and exponential developments in human history. The second, which Davis iterates and reiterates in Planet of Slums, is as fundamental: the rate at which the richest in the world have got richer and, by consequence, the poorest have got poorer."
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The writer of that blog is a Mike Davis fan. Urban theorist Mike Davis is a Marxist who believes the world is in the late stages of capitalism. This means an increasingly intolerable division between rich and poor, and that in turn will lead to revolution by the proletariat against the bourgeoisie. Cities are the place for that to happen because that's where the contrasts between rich and poor are the most intense. Gated communities are the perfect example of fortified wealth, from his perspective. Not being a Marxist myself, I find him a bit overwrought, but he puts together the best examples of the worst situations.
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The writer of that blog is a Mike Davis fan. Urban theorist Mike Davis is a Marxist who believes the world is in the late stages of capitalism. This means an increasingly intolerable division between rich and poor, and that in turn will lead to revolution by the proletariat against the bourgeoisie. Cities are the place for that to happen because that's where the contrasts between rich and poor are the most intense. Gated communities are the perfect example of fortified wealth, from his perspective. Not being a Marxist myself, I find him a bit overwrought, but he puts together the best examples of the worst situations.
Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :
Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :: "Police yesterday seized approximately $170,000 worth of marijuana from a house at a gated community in East Trinidad."
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Those gates come in handy sometime.
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Those gates come in handy sometime.
The price of dissent on global warming | The Australian
The price of dissent on global warming | The Australian: "Global warming is part of a natural cycle and there's nothing we can actually do to stop these cycles. The world is now facing spending a vast amount of money in tax to try to solve a problem that doesn't actually exist.
And how were we convinced that this problem exists, even though all the evidence from measurements goes against the fact? God knows."
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David Bellamy is a scientist who has written 35 books. He has been a dissenter on the global warming theory since the mid-1990s.
Many people speak casually about this issue, accepting the conventional wisdom that of course we are destroying the planet. What they never take seriously is the consequence of that belief. If you believe in human-caused global warming, you should believe governments must immediately mandate radical changes. It may even be too late for any of that, if you listen to Al Gore. But that isn't what people say, or what they do. That disconnect between the theory people claim to believe in and their own actions suggests that maybe they don't really, truly, believe it in the first place.
In other words, maybe all of us, including Al Gore, are global warming skeptics.
And how were we convinced that this problem exists, even though all the evidence from measurements goes against the fact? God knows."
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David Bellamy is a scientist who has written 35 books. He has been a dissenter on the global warming theory since the mid-1990s.
Many people speak casually about this issue, accepting the conventional wisdom that of course we are destroying the planet. What they never take seriously is the consequence of that belief. If you believe in human-caused global warming, you should believe governments must immediately mandate radical changes. It may even be too late for any of that, if you listen to Al Gore. But that isn't what people say, or what they do. That disconnect between the theory people claim to believe in and their own actions suggests that maybe they don't really, truly, believe it in the first place.
In other words, maybe all of us, including Al Gore, are global warming skeptics.
The Gillette News-Record: Today
Convicted HOA fund embezzler now facing state charges after doing federal time: "She testified Wednesday that she wouldn’t have taken the plea deal in federal court if she had known she’d later face state charges. “I was assured there was going to be no state charges,” Deliramich said.
Local prosecutors waited until she finished her federal sentence before bringing state charges.
In his ruling, District Judge Michael “Nick” Deegan said there was no deal because there was never a meeting of the minds, or common understanding, between the two attorneys. Deegan believed both lawyers were telling the truth. This probably was a misunderstanding, he said.
The decision means the state can pursue its case against Deliramich. She has pleaded not guilty to 11 felony counts ranging from forgery to embezzlement. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in state prison for each count.
The charges came to light in 2003 when the homeowner’s board realized that four unauthorized loans had been made from First Interstate Bank. Deliramich, 56, allegedly forged board members’ signatures to obtain the loans."
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Another HOA embezzlement case--thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Local prosecutors waited until she finished her federal sentence before bringing state charges.
In his ruling, District Judge Michael “Nick” Deegan said there was no deal because there was never a meeting of the minds, or common understanding, between the two attorneys. Deegan believed both lawyers were telling the truth. This probably was a misunderstanding, he said.
The decision means the state can pursue its case against Deliramich. She has pleaded not guilty to 11 felony counts ranging from forgery to embezzlement. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in state prison for each count.
The charges came to light in 2003 when the homeowner’s board realized that four unauthorized loans had been made from First Interstate Bank. Deliramich, 56, allegedly forged board members’ signatures to obtain the loans."
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Another HOA embezzlement case--thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Mumbai photographer: I wish I'd had a gun, not a camera. Armed police would not fire back - World news, News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk: "But what angered Mr D'Souza almost as much were the masses of armed police hiding in the area who simply refused to shoot back. 'There were armed policemen hiding all around the station but none of them did anything,' he said. 'At one point, I ran up to them and told them to use their weapons. I said, 'Shoot them, they're sitting ducks!' but they just didn't shoot back.'"
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Police are hardly ever much use at the time a crime is happening. Most of the time (unlike in Mumbai), they are not around until after it is all over, so all you can reasonably expect from them is a good investigation. In Mumbai it seems that the police were slow to respond. Maybe they were shocked into passivity. The government eventually brought in the special forces types who did all anybody could expect, to the point where many of them lost their lives.
I agree with all the analysts who say we can expect this type of attack to be repeated, and there is no reason to think it couldn't happen in the US. How hard is it for a terrorist organization to arm ten people with illegal military weapons and send them into a shopping mall, hotel, restaurant, or train station? There are too many soft targets to protect. There is no way to place armed guards in all these places, let alone expect any better than what happened the Mumbai train station.
The only way to have an immediate response in these situations is to have a significant percentage of civilians licensed to carry concealed firearms. Many people blanch at that prospect, but there is no other way, short of turning the nation into a police state. D'Souza said it himself: "I only wish I had a gun rather than a camera."
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Police are hardly ever much use at the time a crime is happening. Most of the time (unlike in Mumbai), they are not around until after it is all over, so all you can reasonably expect from them is a good investigation. In Mumbai it seems that the police were slow to respond. Maybe they were shocked into passivity. The government eventually brought in the special forces types who did all anybody could expect, to the point where many of them lost their lives.
I agree with all the analysts who say we can expect this type of attack to be repeated, and there is no reason to think it couldn't happen in the US. How hard is it for a terrorist organization to arm ten people with illegal military weapons and send them into a shopping mall, hotel, restaurant, or train station? There are too many soft targets to protect. There is no way to place armed guards in all these places, let alone expect any better than what happened the Mumbai train station.
The only way to have an immediate response in these situations is to have a significant percentage of civilians licensed to carry concealed firearms. Many people blanch at that prospect, but there is no other way, short of turning the nation into a police state. D'Souza said it himself: "I only wish I had a gun rather than a camera."
Citiwire.net » In An Epic Fiscal Storm, New Strategies Sprout
Citiwire.net » In An Epic Fiscal Storm, New Strategies Sprout: "The recession is driving America’s city governments into an epic fiscal storm. Unlike earlier downturns, all three big revenue sources–income, property and sales taxes–are falling together. Cumulative budget shortfalls are already in the tens of billions and rising."
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Neal Pierce has been writing about cities for a long time, and he knows what he is talking about. He says to expect municipalities to make cuts in all services, including police and fire protection.
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Neal Pierce has been writing about cities for a long time, and he knows what he is talking about. He says to expect municipalities to make cuts in all services, including police and fire protection.
Luxury condo 'a bully building,' unit owners say | ajc.com
Luxury condo 'a bully building,' unit owners say | ajc.com: "Residents won’t gain control of Aqua’s homeowner association until Tivoli Properties, the developer, sells 80 percent of the units. A condo glut and consumer lack of confidence have slowed sales.
Until that threshold is reached, Tivoli and a company it hired, Fifth Street Management, are in charge.
“When we bought into this we assumed the homeowners would take over pretty quickly,” said Larry Smith, who with his wife bought a two-bedroom unit in September after living in a single-family home in Morningside.
“I feel it’s a bully building,” added Judy Toussel, who lives in a three-bedroom unit. “They refuse any input from a homeowner. A homeowner is nonexistent.”"
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That's not "bully" in the Teddy Roosevelt sense.
Until that threshold is reached, Tivoli and a company it hired, Fifth Street Management, are in charge.
“When we bought into this we assumed the homeowners would take over pretty quickly,” said Larry Smith, who with his wife bought a two-bedroom unit in September after living in a single-family home in Morningside.
“I feel it’s a bully building,” added Judy Toussel, who lives in a three-bedroom unit. “They refuse any input from a homeowner. A homeowner is nonexistent.”"
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That's not "bully" in the Teddy Roosevelt sense.
Sundown for California
Grim but not apocalyptic piece on the future of California. One main point is that the state has declined because the left wing of the Democratic party has taken over the state and they have run the richest state in the nation right into the ground. The author, Joel Kotkin, is a respected writer and not an ideological conservative. Here is the way he puts it:
"California’s shift to the Democrats had become inexorable and, with the fading of a GOP counterweight, influence within the party flowed to its more radical factions further to the political left. As a result, the state moved decisively away from the economic growth focus of Pat Brown. It seemed determined to wage war against its own economy. As pet social programs, entitlements, and state employee pensions soared, infrastructure spending—the hallmark of the Pat Brown regime and once 20 percent of the state budget—shrank to less than 3 percent.
The educational system, closely aligned with the Democrats in the legislature, accelerated its secular decline. Once full of highly skilled workers, California has become increasingly less so. For example, California ranks second in the percentage of its 65-year-olds holding an associate degree or higher and fifth in those with a bachelor’s degree. But when you look at the 25-to-34 age group, those rankings fade to 30th and 24th.
Instead of reversing these trends, the state legislature decided to spend its money on public employees and impose ever more regulatory burdens on business."
Grim but not apocalyptic piece on the future of California. One main point is that the state has declined because the left wing of the Democratic party has taken over the state and they have run the richest state in the nation right into the ground. The author, Joel Kotkin, is a respected writer and not an ideological conservative. Here is the way he puts it:
"California’s shift to the Democrats had become inexorable and, with the fading of a GOP counterweight, influence within the party flowed to its more radical factions further to the political left. As a result, the state moved decisively away from the economic growth focus of Pat Brown. It seemed determined to wage war against its own economy. As pet social programs, entitlements, and state employee pensions soared, infrastructure spending—the hallmark of the Pat Brown regime and once 20 percent of the state budget—shrank to less than 3 percent.
The educational system, closely aligned with the Democrats in the legislature, accelerated its secular decline. Once full of highly skilled workers, California has become increasingly less so. For example, California ranks second in the percentage of its 65-year-olds holding an associate degree or higher and fifth in those with a bachelor’s degree. But when you look at the 25-to-34 age group, those rankings fade to 30th and 24th.
Instead of reversing these trends, the state legislature decided to spend its money on public employees and impose ever more regulatory burdens on business."
Obama's small donor base image is a myth, new study reveals | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times
Obama's small donor base image is a myth, new study reveals | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times: "Everybody knows how President-elect Barack Obama's amazing campaign money machine was dominated by several million regular folks sending in hard-earned amounts under $200, a real sign of his broadbased grassroots support.
Except, it turns out, that's not really true.
In fact, Obama's base of small donors was almost exactly the same percent as George W. Bush's in 2004 -- Obama had 26% and the great Republican satan 25%. Obviously, this is unacceptable to current popular thinking. But the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute just issued a detailed study of Obama's donor base and its giving. And that's what the Institute found, to its own surprise."
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Except, it turns out, that's not really true.
In fact, Obama's base of small donors was almost exactly the same percent as George W. Bush's in 2004 -- Obama had 26% and the great Republican satan 25%. Obviously, this is unacceptable to current popular thinking. But the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute just issued a detailed study of Obama's donor base and its giving. And that's what the Institute found, to its own surprise."
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News from The Associated Press
Tutoring the jocks in luxury at U. of Illinois: "CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- At the University of Illinois, being an athlete gets you access to a $6 million facility with oversized leather chairs and Oriental rugs.
But it's not a fancy country club - it's a tutoring center.
The Irwin Academic Services Center helps only about 550 of the school's 37,000 students. And places like this in schools across the country leave critics fuming."
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The longer I spend in academia the more convinced I am that intercollegiate sports are on balance an overwhelmingly negative influence on higher education.
But it's not a fancy country club - it's a tutoring center.
The Irwin Academic Services Center helps only about 550 of the school's 37,000 students. And places like this in schools across the country leave critics fuming."
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The longer I spend in academia the more convinced I am that intercollegiate sports are on balance an overwhelmingly negative influence on higher education.
Costumes optional at nudist meal
Costumes optional at nudist meal
If you are interested in a nudist gated resort community, this is the place for you.
If you are interested in a nudist gated resort community, this is the place for you.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Condo Crunch - washingtonpost.com: "More than two years into the housing slump, the challenges facing Washington's condos are mounting. Sales prices are falling and are not expected to stabilize soon. The number of condo owners not paying their association fees is rising along with foreclosure rates, creating a budget crunch weighing down many communities.
In the face of budget shortfalls, some associations are taking drastic steps to cope, including delaying maintenance and hiking monthly assessments. Others are setting aside part of their budget to cover delinquencies for a time or looking for ways to help owners catch up on payments."
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Slowly the media minds begin to pick up on what is happening. The invisible governments are in trouble all over the nation. State, county, and municipal governments are lining up for bailouts. But nobody is putting the whole picture together. What happens when condos and HOAs are struggling, non-federal governments are staring at looming insolvency, and the federal government is stretched thin to fund wars, corporate bailouts, and those tax cuts Obama promised almost all of us?
GPS guides Norwegian tourists into trouble in Rio - Yahoo! News: "RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Three Norwegian tourists came under fire and one was shot after the satellite navigation system in their car guided them straight into one of Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous slums."
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Wrong turn, wrong neighborhood. And apparently the bargain bin GPS system.
Fiscal Focus - Illinois Comptroller's Office
Fiscal Focus - Illinois Comptroller's Office: "Illinois’ state pension systems continue to be seriously underfunded with the latest calculations placing the unfunded liability at over $40 billion. As of June 30, 2006, the five pension systems primarily supported by the state (the Downstate Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), the State Universities Retirement System (SURS), the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS), and the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS)) had accumulated $103.1 billion in actuarial liabilities for pension, disability, and death benefits. The systems held assets valued at $62.3 billion leaving $40.7 billion in unfunded obligations, or a funded level of only 60.5%."
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One state--Illinois. $40 billion underfunded. You can find a similar situation in a number of other states.
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One state--Illinois. $40 billion underfunded. You can find a similar situation in a number of other states.
Pension Tsunami
Pension Tsunami: "That approaching wave of pension debt is bigger than it looks. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the multiple pension crises that are about to drown America's taxpayers."
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Here is a weblog that focuses on the impending pension fund debacle.
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Here is a weblog that focuses on the impending pension fund debacle.
HOA sues homeowners over signs
HOA sues homeowners over signs: "An election-season dispute between homeowners displaying political signs in their front yards and the Grand View subdivision’s homeowners association, who removed the signs, has spilled into the courts.
Six homeowners in the 198-home subdivision, northeast of Patterson and 28 roads, were served notice this week that the Grand View Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit against them in Mesa County District Court.
In late October, the association’s president, Tom Lowrey, removed several political signs from front yards. Lowrey said the signs were a violation of the HOA’s covenants, conditions and restrictions. Homeowners, many of whom replaced the signs in their yards after their removal, say they are protected under the Constitution and Colorado state law.
“After the election we took the signs out and thought it was over and done with, and then lo and behold, he served us these papers,” said Jim Rozman, a homeowner in the subdivision. “He (Lowrey) is on a one-man mission, it seems to me.”
The lawsuit requests a judge to award damages to the HOA in the amount of $15 per sign for every day the political signs were displayed in people’s yards."
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Imagine being a judge and having to spend your time on this. What I can't imagine is how an HOA officer could think this is worth a lawsuit.
Six homeowners in the 198-home subdivision, northeast of Patterson and 28 roads, were served notice this week that the Grand View Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit against them in Mesa County District Court.
In late October, the association’s president, Tom Lowrey, removed several political signs from front yards. Lowrey said the signs were a violation of the HOA’s covenants, conditions and restrictions. Homeowners, many of whom replaced the signs in their yards after their removal, say they are protected under the Constitution and Colorado state law.
“After the election we took the signs out and thought it was over and done with, and then lo and behold, he served us these papers,” said Jim Rozman, a homeowner in the subdivision. “He (Lowrey) is on a one-man mission, it seems to me.”
The lawsuit requests a judge to award damages to the HOA in the amount of $15 per sign for every day the political signs were displayed in people’s yards."
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Imagine being a judge and having to spend your time on this. What I can't imagine is how an HOA officer could think this is worth a lawsuit.
New land-use law's message: build near transit: "Many California planning and environmental groups are heralding the passage of legislation designed to address global warming by curbing suburban sprawl as a watershed moment, perhaps the state's most important land-use law in more than 30 years."
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SB 375 is supposed to be some sort of sea change in development policy, where California stops "sprawl." Build near transportation hubs, discourage driving, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save the planet. But here is one little wrinkle: "...there is a firm industry conviction that not all of the projected growth in California can be accommodated in multifamily urban properties, nor do all consumers want to live in such homes."
You got that right. Matter of fact, I suspect that not all that many consumers want to live in "multifamily urban properties," which are better known as condominium and apartment buildings. I'll go a step further and say that among families with kids, the percentage who want to get crammed into an LA condo is pretty small.
This is the left at war with the housing market. Most Americans don't want to live like people do in Hong Kong. There's nothing wrong with high density urban life, but if people don't have the taste for it they will be unhappy living that way, and there is no point premising development policy on unpopular options.
MUNI WATCH: Land-Secured Deals Ailing In Current Economy
MUNI WATCH: Land-Secured Deals Ailing In Current Economy: "NEW YORK --A developer in Florida this year reportedly used $409 million of tax-exempt bonds to build upscale golf course residential communities in 10 counties. The firm suddenly stopped payment on all of them as the battered housing market and tightened bank lending practices in the Sunshine State caught up with it.
The incident marks just one example of how the municipal bond market is feeling the pain and agony accompanying the current downturn, especially as it impacts a sliver of the market loosely known as land-secured deals.
'Tax increment financing deals have not done well in this environment because they are speculating on continued property tax increases,' which are anything but a given in this economy, said Matt Fabian, senior municipal market analyst for Municipal Market Advisors, based in Concord, Mass. 'I think these bonds are going to feel a lot more credit pressure.'"
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This is worth reading to understand how development strategies of municipalities--TIFs, CIDs, etc.--that once were sure things have now turned into potential disasters.
The incident marks just one example of how the municipal bond market is feeling the pain and agony accompanying the current downturn, especially as it impacts a sliver of the market loosely known as land-secured deals.
'Tax increment financing deals have not done well in this environment because they are speculating on continued property tax increases,' which are anything but a given in this economy, said Matt Fabian, senior municipal market analyst for Municipal Market Advisors, based in Concord, Mass. 'I think these bonds are going to feel a lot more credit pressure.'"
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This is worth reading to understand how development strategies of municipalities--TIFs, CIDs, etc.--that once were sure things have now turned into potential disasters.
FACTBOX-Ships held by Somali pirates | Reuters
According to this list there are at least 11 ships currently being held by pirates. Pirates. In the year 2008, the world has a pirate problem.
Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede
Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede: "A Wal-Mart worker died after being trampled when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island store Friday morning, police and witnesses said.
The 34-year-old worker, employed as an overnight stock clerk, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.
Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him."
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Homo economicus at his worst?
The 34-year-old worker, employed as an overnight stock clerk, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.
Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him."
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Homo economicus at his worst?
Rugged individualism, beer linked
Rugged individualism, beer linked: "In Hollywood lore, the lone cowboy tamed the Wild West with two six-guns by day and drank warm beer with both fists in dusty saloons at night.
That stereotype of the rugged individualist who enjoys tipping back a few might not be so off the mark, according to a newly published study by marketing professors at the University of Texas at San Antonio. They found that places where individualism is valued over the collective good also tend to be places where a lot of beer is consumed."
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So what does this tell us about life in common interest housing developments? Too much beer? Too little beer?
That stereotype of the rugged individualist who enjoys tipping back a few might not be so off the mark, according to a newly published study by marketing professors at the University of Texas at San Antonio. They found that places where individualism is valued over the collective good also tend to be places where a lot of beer is consumed."
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So what does this tell us about life in common interest housing developments? Too much beer? Too little beer?
KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Mike Tyson Has Run In With Las Vegas Police On Thanksgiving
KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Mike Tyson versus the Gate: "Action News Reporter Rikki Cheese was in the southern part of the Valley at Monarch Estates. Sources in the upscale gated community say that around 7:45am, Tyson drove up in a late-model black Escalade. He went to the visitor's gate, but instead of driving through the gate when it opened, he veered off and hit the closed resident's gate. Tyson reportedly backed up and ripped the gate down. Metro was called, and Tyson got a ticket. He was allowed back inside the home he was there to visit."
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They let him in? What is security for?
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They let him in? What is security for?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Inflation-adjusted U.S. house prices--graphs | Les Jones: "The graph shows the bubble taking off in 1998 and the market peaking in 2005-06. That latter date is generally considered the market peak by many sources.
Note that this graph completely contradicts the chirpy real estate agent advice that “home values always go up!” Home values tend to hold their value relative to inflation, which is no small feat. Your home also gives you a place to keep your stuff dry, which is something you can’t say about T-bills and mutual funds. However, significant appreciation relative to inflation was seen almost entirely in the housing bubble era.
We’re now in an era in which home prices are depreciating. Based on the graph above prices may have to decline an additional inflation-adjusted 15-25% to be back within historical norms."
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Take a look at these two graphs and you will see how the 1998-2005 boom and bust appear in historical context. Astounding.
Barack Obama forced to deny abandoning 'change' amid insider appointments - Times Online
Barack Obama forced to deny abandoning 'change' amid insider appointments - Times Online: "He [Obama] said he would be foolish, at such a “critical time in our history”, to pick people who “had no experience in Washington whatsoever”."
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Can't argue with that.
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Can't argue with that.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
ABC News: Cities Cut While Hoping for Government Aid
ABC News: Cities Cut While Hoping for Government Aid: "Think fewer libraries, fewer public works projects, fewer after-school programs, fewer police officers and fewer public employees overall.
Thanks to the whimpering economy, some city officials say such reductions will match their significantly smaller budgets. But they're also hoping the federal government will be able to ease at least some of the pain."
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I notice that there are no responses yet to the municipal requests for federal aid. Many cities are asking for bailout funds--Atlanta, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Detroit, and others--but so far the only actual commitments I have seen are to major corporations. What about the counties? What about the states? Illinois, California, New Jersey, and a few others are deep in the hole.
How can there possibly be a federal solution to all the different problems that created these governmental budget deficits?
Thanks to the whimpering economy, some city officials say such reductions will match their significantly smaller budgets. But they're also hoping the federal government will be able to ease at least some of the pain."
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I notice that there are no responses yet to the municipal requests for federal aid. Many cities are asking for bailout funds--Atlanta, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Detroit, and others--but so far the only actual commitments I have seen are to major corporations. What about the counties? What about the states? Illinois, California, New Jersey, and a few others are deep in the hole.
How can there possibly be a federal solution to all the different problems that created these governmental budget deficits?
Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: State of New Jersey Is Insolvent
Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: State of New Jersey Is Insolvent: "The state of New Jersey is insolvent. Bankrupt might be a better word. New Jersey is $60 billion in the hole on pension funding and the Governor is planning on skipping payments in a 'pension payment holiday' until 2012 so as to not increase property taxes."
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California, Illinois, New Jersey...how many more states are insolvent? I found this link on Instapundit.
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California, Illinois, New Jersey...how many more states are insolvent? I found this link on Instapundit.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Timeshare owners unknowingly aided PAC: "Timeshare owners in Florida and elsewhere were misled into donating to the political fund-raising arm of the U.S. vacation ownership industry while paying their regular property fees, according to a new federal audit report.
Tens of thousands of small contributions - most $3 to $5 - were collected by property management firms around the country and funneled to a political action committee set up by the American Resort Development Association....Auditors found the American Resort Development Association-Resort Owners Coalition PAC also violated other federal election laws.
Their report, focusing on the 2003-04 election cycle, says the PAC secretly raised and spent more than $1.8 million during that time. The PAC also accepted thousands of dollars of prohibited contributions from corporations and foreign nationals, it said."
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Cute. Doesn't say who they contributed to, but there are ways of finding that out. In the meantime, here is what they raised and shelled out in the 2008 election. They had receipts of $5.2 million and spent $4.1 through October 15.
COMMITTEE NAME RECEIPTS DISB CASH DEBT THROUGH
ARDA (PAC, ROC) $5,203,682 $4,178,867 $2,460,366 $0 10/15/2008
Tens of thousands of small contributions - most $3 to $5 - were collected by property management firms around the country and funneled to a political action committee set up by the American Resort Development Association....Auditors found the American Resort Development Association-Resort Owners Coalition PAC also violated other federal election laws.
Their report, focusing on the 2003-04 election cycle, says the PAC secretly raised and spent more than $1.8 million during that time. The PAC also accepted thousands of dollars of prohibited contributions from corporations and foreign nationals, it said."
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Cute. Doesn't say who they contributed to, but there are ways of finding that out. In the meantime, here is what they raised and shelled out in the 2008 election. They had receipts of $5.2 million and spent $4.1 through October 15.
COMMITTEE NAME RECEIPTS DISB CASH DEBT THROUGH
ARDA (PAC, ROC) $5,203,682 $4,178,867 $2,460,366 $0 10/15/2008
MyFox Lake Charles | Turkey Farmer in Sarah Palin Video Speaks Out: Brian Tomes told 'Inside Edition' he didn't realize he was in her shot.
'I thought they had panned in on her face…I did try and block the process,' he said.
Tomes has worked at the Triple D Turkey Farm in Palin's hometown of Wasilla for nine years. He offered support for the former vice-presidential candidate.
'The only thing I can say is, 'Don't mess with my governor!''"
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Right. Especially not while he has that knife in his hand. I have been waiting for that frozen turkey carcass to go up on Ebay but so far I guess it hasn't surfaced. Imagine what it would be worth. Maybe as much as that corn flake shaped like the state of Illinois.
'I thought they had panned in on her face…I did try and block the process,' he said.
Tomes has worked at the Triple D Turkey Farm in Palin's hometown of Wasilla for nine years. He offered support for the former vice-presidential candidate.
'The only thing I can say is, 'Don't mess with my governor!''"
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Right. Especially not while he has that knife in his hand. I have been waiting for that frozen turkey carcass to go up on Ebay but so far I guess it hasn't surfaced. Imagine what it would be worth. Maybe as much as that corn flake shaped like the state of Illinois.
Program Targets Consumer Spending, Mortgage Rates
Program Targets Consumer Spending, Mortgage Rates: "The Federal Reserve and Treasury moved today to boost consumer spending and lower home mortgage rates, committing up to $800 billion to make it easier for households to borrow money for cars, tuition bills and new homes as part of a broad effort to rekindle economic growth.
The new program puts the balance sheet of the country's central bank behind two critical but troubled parts of the economy -- consumer spending and housing. It is largely separate from the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, administered by the Treasury Department and focused on shoring up the country's financial system."
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It's about time. Good news at last. This money won't be used for mergers and acquisitions--except maybe acquisition of a plasma television or a home.
The new program puts the balance sheet of the country's central bank behind two critical but troubled parts of the economy -- consumer spending and housing. It is largely separate from the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, administered by the Treasury Department and focused on shoring up the country's financial system."
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It's about time. Good news at last. This money won't be used for mergers and acquisitions--except maybe acquisition of a plasma television or a home.
Ho, ho, nope! FGCU to limit holiday decor | news-press.com | The News-Press
Florida Gulf Coast University bans holiday decor | news-press.com | The News-Press: "FGCU administration has banned all holiday decorations from common spaces on campus and canceled a popular greeting card design contest, which is being replaced by an ugly sweater competition. In Griffin Hall, the university's giving tree for needy preschoolers has been transformed into a 'giving garden.'
The moves boil down to political correctness."
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The president wants to "observe the season in ways that honor and respect all traditions." How does that translate into banning all holiday decorations from all traditions?
The moves boil down to political correctness."
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The president wants to "observe the season in ways that honor and respect all traditions." How does that translate into banning all holiday decorations from all traditions?
Rainy forecast means mudslide threat in burn areas - Los Angeles Times
Rainy forecast means mudslide threat in burn areas - Los Angeles Times: "Rain is expected to reach Southern California tonight, raising fears among fire authorities over mudslides further damaging hillside communities already ravaged by this month's wildfires."
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If there are mudslides in occupied areas there could be a big wave of insurance claims and construction defect lawsuits to follow, many of them from CIDs.
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If there are mudslides in occupied areas there could be a big wave of insurance claims and construction defect lawsuits to follow, many of them from CIDs.
Monday, November 24, 2008
ESPN - Sources: Pacman Jones threatened with life ban by NFL commish Roger Goodell: "Adam 'Pacman' Jones may finally be down to his last chance."
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Deja vu all over again.
Fla. builders: Bank practices driving them to ruin: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Fla. builders: Bank practices driving them to ruin: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Home builders are being driven to ruin by 'extreme' banking practices adopted in response to the nation's financial meltdown, including calling in good loans, Florida builders said Monday.
Lenders are also hoarding federal bailout money while dissolving lines of credit and many times are simply eliminating construction financing, the builders say."
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This may all be true, but is it not also true that we are suffering from an oversupply of housing relative to the demand? If banks give construction financing to builders, new homes will go on the market and compete with the large supply of foreclosed homes that are being unloaded by those very banks. At least, that's the way it looks to me.
Lenders are also hoarding federal bailout money while dissolving lines of credit and many times are simply eliminating construction financing, the builders say."
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This may all be true, but is it not also true that we are suffering from an oversupply of housing relative to the demand? If banks give construction financing to builders, new homes will go on the market and compete with the large supply of foreclosed homes that are being unloaded by those very banks. At least, that's the way it looks to me.
Should we resurrect the Neanderthals? - By William Saletan - Slate Magazine: "The full genome of the Neanderthal, an ancient human species probably driven to extinction by the first modern humans that entered Europe some 45,000 years ago, is expected to be recovered shortly. If the mammoth can be resurrected, the same would be technically possible for Neanderthals."
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Sure. Let's get with it. As one New York Times fellow says, this would let us answer all sorts of interesting questions, such as whether Neanderthals could speak.
What could possibly go wrong?
New Florida condo law is about to take effect | HeraldTribune.com | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
New Florida condo law is about to take effect | HeraldTribune.com | Southwest Florida's Information Leader: "In a situation that might qualify as a 'be careful what you wish for' tale, several new Florida laws related to condominium insurance policies are slated to go into effect Jan. 1. The problem is they are essentially unworkable as currently written -- leaving many condo owners, community associations and insurance agents in a state of confusion about how to proceed.
At issue is a bill passed during the last legislative session, one which was pushed in large part by condominium associations looking to deal with a particular problem: how to deal with condo units that became damaged or destroyed inside, but whose owners lacked homeowner's insurance policies to fix them."
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What you wish for? Did the people of Florida wish for laws that are "essentially unworkable as currently written"? I kind of doubt that.
The problem being spoken of here is that under the new law, every condo owner has to buy insurance on his/her own unit. How enforced? Well, the association has to verify that they did so, and if the owner doesn't buy it the association pays for it and assesses the owner.
Sounds good. Unfortunately, though, the insurance industry doesn't sell insurance that way. The condo association can't buy these policies on the individual units. So the law is "unworkable" in the sense that the legislature has required associations to do something they are unable to do.
At issue is a bill passed during the last legislative session, one which was pushed in large part by condominium associations looking to deal with a particular problem: how to deal with condo units that became damaged or destroyed inside, but whose owners lacked homeowner's insurance policies to fix them."
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What you wish for? Did the people of Florida wish for laws that are "essentially unworkable as currently written"? I kind of doubt that.
The problem being spoken of here is that under the new law, every condo owner has to buy insurance on his/her own unit. How enforced? Well, the association has to verify that they did so, and if the owner doesn't buy it the association pays for it and assesses the owner.
Sounds good. Unfortunately, though, the insurance industry doesn't sell insurance that way. The condo association can't buy these policies on the individual units. So the law is "unworkable" in the sense that the legislature has required associations to do something they are unable to do.
George Soros warns 'hedge funds will be decimated' - Times Online: "Hedge funds will be decimated by the global financial meltdown and the crisis will wipe out as much as three quarters of the money they manage, George Soros, the billionaire investor, predicted in Washington yesterday."
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Soros has been about six months ahead of the curve so far, and I won't be surprised if he turns out to be right about the hedge funds.
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Soros has been about six months ahead of the curve so far, and I won't be surprised if he turns out to be right about the hedge funds.
Community Associations Institute (CAI): Press Room: Press Releases
Community Associations Institute (CAI): Press Room: Press Releases
Monica Sadler and Fred Pilot both sent me links to this CAI press release:
ALEXANDRIA, VA, NOVEMBER 24, 2008 – Community Associations Institute (CAI) announced today that the 29,000-member organization has joined the Fix Housing First coalition, a national effort to address the current housing crisis and broader economic downturn.
The Fix Housing First coalition brings together a variety of stakeholders—including homeowners associations, builders, manufacturers, suppliers and others—united by the concern that home prices and property values continue to decline dramatically across the country, affecting hard-working Americans everywhere.
The Fix Housing First coalition supports a stimulus package that effectively addresses the root of the current economic crisis—housing—by offering incentives to encourage Americans to buy homes again. Specifically, the coalition is urging Congress to adopt a meaningful, non-refundable tax credit and a mortgage rate reduction for all home buyers.
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There's a lot more, including some specific recommendations. I gather this coalition is mainly for lobbying purposes, to keep Congress and the president focused on housing. It will be interesting to see how deeply Congress digs into why the housing market boomed, collapsed, and started the chain reaction.
Monica Sadler and Fred Pilot both sent me links to this CAI press release:
ALEXANDRIA, VA, NOVEMBER 24, 2008 – Community Associations Institute (CAI) announced today that the 29,000-member organization has joined the Fix Housing First coalition, a national effort to address the current housing crisis and broader economic downturn.
The Fix Housing First coalition brings together a variety of stakeholders—including homeowners associations, builders, manufacturers, suppliers and others—united by the concern that home prices and property values continue to decline dramatically across the country, affecting hard-working Americans everywhere.
The Fix Housing First coalition supports a stimulus package that effectively addresses the root of the current economic crisis—housing—by offering incentives to encourage Americans to buy homes again. Specifically, the coalition is urging Congress to adopt a meaningful, non-refundable tax credit and a mortgage rate reduction for all home buyers.
-----------
There's a lot more, including some specific recommendations. I gather this coalition is mainly for lobbying purposes, to keep Congress and the president focused on housing. It will be interesting to see how deeply Congress digs into why the housing market boomed, collapsed, and started the chain reaction.
Police: Oregon panhandlers raking in the green | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | Local & Regional: "COOS BAY, Ore. - A police survey says panhandlers outside Wal-Mart in Coos Bay can make $300 a day. Inside, it takes a clerk a week to make that much."
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That's quite a daily take, especially when you consider that there is no withholding. But the benefits aren't so good. All things considered I'll stick with what I'm doing, but I have to admit this is tempting.
Diving: New York City Water Nightmare is an Underwater Gadget Lover's Dream
Diving: New York City Water Nightmare is an Underwater Gadget Lover's Dream: "A giant aquifer, completed in 1944, is leaking up to 36 million gallons of water a day. For New Yorkers, who on average use 150 gallons per day, that's unacceptable. Trouble is, fixing the leak involves some extreme diving, 14 tractor trailer trucks worth of gear, and a 24-foot room that divers will live in for a month, breathing helium.
The five-year, $22 million diving project is underway today, and that means six lucky divers are presently 700 feet beneath the NYC surface, trying to find where one of the bigger leaks is hiding. They're living in a 24-foot pressurized tube that includes 'showers, a television and a Nerf basketball hoop,' and they're breathing air that is 97.5% helium and 2.5% oxygen."
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This is a flippant story about a pretty amazing repair project.
The five-year, $22 million diving project is underway today, and that means six lucky divers are presently 700 feet beneath the NYC surface, trying to find where one of the bigger leaks is hiding. They're living in a 24-foot pressurized tube that includes 'showers, a television and a Nerf basketball hoop,' and they're breathing air that is 97.5% helium and 2.5% oxygen."
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This is a flippant story about a pretty amazing repair project.
Oberlin Council President Dave Sonner charged after shooting skunk that lived under his porch - Cleveland.com
Oberlin Council President Dave Sonner charged after shooting skunk that lived under his porch - Cleveland.com: "Oberlin - City Council President Dave Sonner grew tired of the pungent stench created by a skunk living under his porch. When the critter reared its head Nov. 7, Sonner shot it dead.
The shooting attracted the attention of police and prosecutors who have now charged Sonner with a misdemeanor crime."
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He should have used a bow and arrow.
The shooting attracted the attention of police and prosecutors who have now charged Sonner with a misdemeanor crime."
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He should have used a bow and arrow.
WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Few Will Cook Turkey This Thanksgiving
Few Will Cook Turkey This Thanksgiving: "While 82 percent of Americans plan to eat turkey this Thanksgiving, most will leave the cooking to someone else.
Only 30 percent of households will actually prepare a turkey on Thanksgiving Day, according to the NPD Group, a market research company.
NPD finds that typically two households are the guest of another on Thanksgiving Day, which amounts to an average of nine people at each Thanksgiving table, according to a release from NPD."
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70% of the nation's households go somewhere else. No wonder there is so much traffic.
Only 30 percent of households will actually prepare a turkey on Thanksgiving Day, according to the NPD Group, a market research company.
NPD finds that typically two households are the guest of another on Thanksgiving Day, which amounts to an average of nine people at each Thanksgiving table, according to a release from NPD."
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70% of the nation's households go somewhere else. No wonder there is so much traffic.
Obama skips church, heads to gym - Jonathan Martin and Carol E. Lee - Politico.com
Obama skips church, heads to gym - Jonathan Martin and Carol E. Lee - Politico.com: "President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since winning the White House earlier this month, a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors.
On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym.
Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners. "Because they have a great deal of respect for places of worship, they do not want to draw unwelcome or inappropriate attention to a church not used to the attention their attendance would draw," said the aide."
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So he goes to the gym instead of church to show his deep respect for churches, unlike Bush and Clinton, who showed their contempt for churches by going to church.
On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym.
Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners. "Because they have a great deal of respect for places of worship, they do not want to draw unwelcome or inappropriate attention to a church not used to the attention their attendance would draw," said the aide."
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So he goes to the gym instead of church to show his deep respect for churches, unlike Bush and Clinton, who showed their contempt for churches by going to church.
The speed trap set by your neighbour: Police recruit amateur army in crackdown on motorists | Mail Online
The speed trap set by your neighbour: Police recruit amateur army in crackdown on motorists | Mail Online: "Motorists will face amateur speed traps run by local volunteer groups in towns and villages across the country, it was revealed yesterday.
Under rules to be sent to police forces in the new year, bands of volunteers will be supplied with speed detection equipment and asked to use it to identify drivers exceeding limits in their area."
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Another example of municipalities acting like homeowners' associations?
Under rules to be sent to police forces in the new year, bands of volunteers will be supplied with speed detection equipment and asked to use it to identify drivers exceeding limits in their area."
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Another example of municipalities acting like homeowners' associations?
Bloomberg.com: Exclusive
BFed Pledges Top $7.4 Trillion to Ease Frozen Credit : "Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. government is prepared to lend more than $7.4 trillion on behalf of American taxpayers, or half the value of everything produced in the nation last year, to rescue the financial system since the credit markets seized up 15 months ago."
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At some point won't we have to say that capitalism is just a pretense for an economy that is run by the government?
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At some point won't we have to say that capitalism is just a pretense for an economy that is run by the government?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Needed: Network bailout? - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety: "It's D-Day for the broadcast networks.
They've been living on borrowed time for the better part of two decades, thanks to advertisers willing to toss in more cash each year even as ratings slowly trended ever lower.
But with the economy in a tailspin -- and the Big Three auto manufacturers, some of TV's best advertisers, near ruin -- the biz may finally have to pull the emergency cord."
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In our house nobody watches the major networks. I haven't seen an episode of a prime-time television show since the X-Files went off the air. Major sporting events are about it for me. I couldn't stomach a network news program to save my life. The kids watch the specialty children's channels for cartoons and Hannah Montana.
Sometimes I wonder who is watching all this programming. Apparently their numbers are dwindling. Soon it will be just that guy with the banjo from Deliverance.
White House says unaware of any Citigroup rescue talks | Reuters: "ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said on Sunday she knew of no talks going on between banking giant Citigroup and the federal government for financial aid."
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And yet we see stories to the effect that the plan is "near approval."
Maybe the headline writer should have said "Dana Perino says SHE is unaware of any Citigroup rescue talks."
Or maybe the headline is right, and President Bush is deemed inessential to multi-billion dollar bailout decisions.
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And yet we see stories to the effect that the plan is "near approval."
Maybe the headline writer should have said "Dana Perino says SHE is unaware of any Citigroup rescue talks."
Or maybe the headline is right, and President Bush is deemed inessential to multi-billion dollar bailout decisions.
City bankruptcies may signal trouble for California - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee
City bankruptcies may signal trouble for California - Sacramento Bee: "Rio Vista and Isleton face budget shortfalls and massive debt. Their leaders are looking at the same bankruptcy option that Vallejo chose in May.
If other cities follow suit, it may mean trouble across the state.
'The more that start talking about it, the more that start filing, investors will stop investing in municipal securities,' unless governments are willing to pay more in interest, said Matthew Fong, former state treasurer who oversaw California's finances in the wake of Orange County filing for bankruptcy protection in late 1994."
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Slippery slope?
If other cities follow suit, it may mean trouble across the state.
'The more that start talking about it, the more that start filing, investors will stop investing in municipal securities,' unless governments are willing to pay more in interest, said Matthew Fong, former state treasurer who oversaw California's finances in the wake of Orange County filing for bankruptcy protection in late 1994."
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Slippery slope?
Senate Democrat sees stimulus up to $700 bln | Politics | Reuters: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An influential U.S. Senate Democrat said on Sunday a large economic stimulus package of up to $700 billion was needed to lift the American economy out of its current downturn."
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Senator Schumer is speaking of an additional $700 billion, on top of the $700 billion already committed to restoring the health of the financial system.
You know, with $700 billion here, $700 billion there...pretty soon this will add up to a lot of money.
Fire pits latest to go on the city's chopping block | The San Diego Union-Tribune: "This is not the kind of city budget cut that brings out the big “D” words – devastating or draconian.
But San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders' proposal to snuff out the fire pits at city beaches to save $173,000 in maintenance costs has some residents wondering: Has it really come to this?"
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Good grief. People have been hanging out around those fire pits for generations. It is part of being young in California.
Worst of financial crisis yet to come: IMF chief economist
Worst of financial crisis yet to come: IMF chief economist: "The IMF's chief economist has warned that the global financial crisis is set to worsen and that the situation will not improve until 2010, a report said Saturday.
Olivier Blanchard also warned that the institution does not have the funds to solve every economic problem."
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He said that the investments being withdrawn from developing nations could be hundreds of billions of dollars, and "We do not have this money. We never had it." They spend one-fifth of its $250 billion fund over the last two weeks, according to Blanchard. I assume this means life could become much harsher in emerging countries over the next two years. We here in the West will have some hardship, but imagine how bad things will get elsewhere.
Olivier Blanchard also warned that the institution does not have the funds to solve every economic problem."
--------------
He said that the investments being withdrawn from developing nations could be hundreds of billions of dollars, and "We do not have this money. We never had it." They spend one-fifth of its $250 billion fund over the last two weeks, according to Blanchard. I assume this means life could become much harsher in emerging countries over the next two years. We here in the West will have some hardship, but imagine how bad things will get elsewhere.
The Obamas Walk Away from Public Schools (Cato @ Liberty)
The Obamas Walk Away from Public Schools (Cato @ Liberty): "When they move from Chicago to D.C., Malia and Sasha Obama will be moving from the prestigious private Lab School to the prestigious private Sidwell Friends school — Chelsea Clinton’s old stomping ground.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, it’s wonderful that the Obamas had such a broad range of public and private school choices available to them. What’s puzzling is that the president-elect opposes programs that would bring that same easy choice of schools within reach of families who lack his personal wealth"
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Not puzzling at all, and there is something wrong with it: hypocrisy. Democrats like Obama get massive campaign donations from the public school teachers' unions, in exchange for demanding more money from taxpayers to pay the teachers. They even criticize people who moved out of cities to find decent public schools for their kids. But send their own kids to public schools? Not a chance. Their support for public schools is only deep enough to get those millions of dollars in bundled checks from public school teachers.
Biden's kids went to private schools, of course, but Sarah Palin's kids attended public schools in Wasilla, according to this.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, it’s wonderful that the Obamas had such a broad range of public and private school choices available to them. What’s puzzling is that the president-elect opposes programs that would bring that same easy choice of schools within reach of families who lack his personal wealth"
---------------
Not puzzling at all, and there is something wrong with it: hypocrisy. Democrats like Obama get massive campaign donations from the public school teachers' unions, in exchange for demanding more money from taxpayers to pay the teachers. They even criticize people who moved out of cities to find decent public schools for their kids. But send their own kids to public schools? Not a chance. Their support for public schools is only deep enough to get those millions of dollars in bundled checks from public school teachers.
Biden's kids went to private schools, of course, but Sarah Palin's kids attended public schools in Wasilla, according to this.
The Uncertain Future of Common Interest Developments
Attorney Tyler Berding strikes again, with a carefully reasoned essay that a whole lot of public officials and developers should read. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
Update: Tyler Berding sent me an email explaining that there is a more complete version of "Uncertain Future" in book form, available as a .pdf file, here.
Attorney Tyler Berding strikes again, with a carefully reasoned essay that a whole lot of public officials and developers should read. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
Update: Tyler Berding sent me an email explaining that there is a more complete version of "Uncertain Future" in book form, available as a .pdf file, here.
Antelope Valley homeowners left hanging by developer - ContraCostaTimes.com
Antelope Valley homeowners left hanging by developer - ContraCostaTimes.com: "LANCASTER - The families who moved into Westview Estates were expecting to live in a lovely gated neighborhood of new homes, built on former farmland in this desert city.
But shortly after the first families - some paying up to $400,000 for a new home - moved in around spring 2007, they started noticing problems with the water systems.
Water stopped flowing in midshower, washing machines halted midcycle, or no water came out at all. Residents could not shower and water lawns at the same time, and fire alarms went off in the middle of the night.
Residents say problems with the water - not just the economy - have turned what was planned as a 425-home development into a ghost town where homes sit vacant amid graded dirt lots choked with weeds. Only 23 homes were sold before the developer walked away, according to residents.
Angry and feeling betrayed, the few residents left feel imprisoned in their problem-plagued homes that they cannot sell."
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I used to ride my dirt bike out in the desert that is Lancaster, and now it is all subdivisions. Living in a desert with no water supply is about as bad a deal as you can get.
But shortly after the first families - some paying up to $400,000 for a new home - moved in around spring 2007, they started noticing problems with the water systems.
Water stopped flowing in midshower, washing machines halted midcycle, or no water came out at all. Residents could not shower and water lawns at the same time, and fire alarms went off in the middle of the night.
Residents say problems with the water - not just the economy - have turned what was planned as a 425-home development into a ghost town where homes sit vacant amid graded dirt lots choked with weeds. Only 23 homes were sold before the developer walked away, according to residents.
Angry and feeling betrayed, the few residents left feel imprisoned in their problem-plagued homes that they cannot sell."
-----------
I used to ride my dirt bike out in the desert that is Lancaster, and now it is all subdivisions. Living in a desert with no water supply is about as bad a deal as you can get.
Remains of devoured planet discovered - 22 November 2008 - New Scientist: "A DUST cloud around a dead star may be all that's left of a planet that was eaten like a peach."
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Life imitates art.
Galactus!
Notable & Quotable - WSJ.com
Notable & Quotable - WSJ.com: "One of the things we clearly want to do with these prisoners is to have an ability to interrogate them and find out what their future plans might be, where other cells are located; under the Geneva Convention that you are really limited in the amount of information that you can elicit from people.
It seems to me that given the way in which they have conducted themselves, however, that they are not, in fact, people entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention. They are not prisoners of war. If, for instance, Mohamed Atta had survived the attack on the World Trade Center, would we now be calling him a prisoner of war? I think not. Should Zacarias Moussaoui be called a prisoner of war? Again, I think not."
-------------
Q. Who said that in 2002?
1. Dick Cheney
2. George Bush
3. Darth Vader
4. Attila the Hun
5. Eric Holder, Barack Obama's soon-to-be Attorney General
It seems to me that given the way in which they have conducted themselves, however, that they are not, in fact, people entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention. They are not prisoners of war. If, for instance, Mohamed Atta had survived the attack on the World Trade Center, would we now be calling him a prisoner of war? I think not. Should Zacarias Moussaoui be called a prisoner of war? Again, I think not."
-------------
Q. Who said that in 2002?
1. Dick Cheney
2. George Bush
3. Darth Vader
4. Attila the Hun
5. Eric Holder, Barack Obama's soon-to-be Attorney General
Halperin at Politico/USC conf.: 'extreme pro-Obama' press bias - Alexander Burns - Politico.com: "Media bias was more intense in the 2008 election than in any other national campaign in recent history, Time magazine's Mark Halperin said Friday at the Politico/USC conference on the 2008 election.
'It's the most disgusting failure of people in our business since the Iraq war,' Halperin said at a panel of media analysts. 'It was extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage.'"
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Yes, it was all of that and more. I think Halperin was comparing coverage of Obama to the coverage of the first Gulf War, which was also incredibly superficial and one-sided. The press did a whole lot of self-examination after that and took steps to avoid being manipulated by the government again. But here they did something different. It wasn't that they allowed themselves to be manipulated by a powerful government that had control of all the information. Here they did it all by themselves. It was a blatant double standard--refusing to examine Obama and Biden the way they have always examined other candidates. They were scrutinizing Biden himself until he became Obama's VP candidate, at which time the Media Cone of Silence descended over him as well.
This is a questionable approach on several grounds, including their own self-interest. If you look at the way newspaper readership has plummeted, you see an industry that was in free-fall even before the housing market tanked. People have more choices now, so I would think the national media would try to broaden their appeal instead of alienating almost half the population.
'It's the most disgusting failure of people in our business since the Iraq war,' Halperin said at a panel of media analysts. 'It was extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage.'"
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Yes, it was all of that and more. I think Halperin was comparing coverage of Obama to the coverage of the first Gulf War, which was also incredibly superficial and one-sided. The press did a whole lot of self-examination after that and took steps to avoid being manipulated by the government again. But here they did something different. It wasn't that they allowed themselves to be manipulated by a powerful government that had control of all the information. Here they did it all by themselves. It was a blatant double standard--refusing to examine Obama and Biden the way they have always examined other candidates. They were scrutinizing Biden himself until he became Obama's VP candidate, at which time the Media Cone of Silence descended over him as well.
This is a questionable approach on several grounds, including their own self-interest. If you look at the way newspaper readership has plummeted, you see an industry that was in free-fall even before the housing market tanked. People have more choices now, so I would think the national media would try to broaden their appeal instead of alienating almost half the population.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Huffington Posters shocked to discover where meat comes from: "SLAUGHTERED in the background!! Seemingly oblivious to the gruesomeness going on over her shoulder, she carries on talking for over three minutes. Watch the video below to see for yourself. Be warned, it's kind of gruesome."
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Palin went to a turkey farm to do the annual "Governor-pardons-a-turkey" schtick. Then she did an interview with local TV. In the background a guy kills a turkey and bleeds it out. Palin had her back to that but it was on camera. Now the New York Times and a bunch of other folks are aghast.
Maybe we have two kinds of people in this country: one that knows where meat comes from, and one that thinks it grows packaged on meat trees.
update: I had several conversations with people who were horrified by this episode. None of them is vegetarian. All of them will have turkey for Thanksgiving. One of them put it like this: "I don't want to see it." I respect vegetarians who think meat is murder and don't eat it. But if you eat meat but can't stand to see what is involved in making animals into meat, you have a little ethical problem that you should work out, instead of trying to arrange the world so nobody reminds you of it.
My Way News - Skull with built-in sauna turns heads in Austria: "VIENNA, Austria (AP) - An oversize skull with a built-in sauna is turning heads in the Austrian capital. The white walk-in structure - situated near a busy Vienna intersection - is known as the 'Wellness Skull' and also boasts a bathtub and shower. On either side of the neck, that is.
The eye-catching installation, which stands about 15 feet tall and is made of wood and synthetic material, is the brainchild of Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout."
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Looks comfy.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Celebs Sue Each Other Over Gated Road in Star-Studded Calif. Community | ABA Journal - Law News Now: "Both the plaintiffs and the defendants are a star-studded list in a lawsuit filed over a gated road between upscale two communities near Beverly Hills.
Among the plaintiffs are Samuel Jackson and Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, reports the Los Angeles Times. The defendants include Barry Bonds, Reba McEntire, Eddie Murphy, Sylvester Stallone and Denzel Washington.
At issue is whether the North Beverly Park Homeowners Association had a right to restrict road access to nonresidents of South Beverly Park, after decades of not doing so.
While residents have not been directly inconvenienced, their contractors, nannies and gardeners, among others, have had no choice but to take lengthy detours, according to the newspaper article."
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I wouldn't want to be on the other side of a lawsuit from Samuel L. Jackson. "I'm sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn't mean to do that. Please, continue, you were saying something about best intentions. What's the matter? Oh, you were finished. Well then, allow me to retort. What does my gardener look like?"
More California cities hurtling into fiscal void? - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee
More California cities hurtling into fiscal void? - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee: "When the city of Vallejo filed for bankruptcy protection in May, the logical question was: Is this a sign of things to come?
Now two more California cities – Rio Vista and Isleton – are considering bankruptcy protection as an option as they face large budget shortfalls and staggering debt.
While experts caution against ringing the alarm bells just yet, they do say tough economic times could push municipalities already on the brink over the edge."
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Yes, this is a sign of things to come. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Now two more California cities – Rio Vista and Isleton – are considering bankruptcy protection as an option as they face large budget shortfalls and staggering debt.
While experts caution against ringing the alarm bells just yet, they do say tough economic times could push municipalities already on the brink over the edge."
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Yes, this is a sign of things to come. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Fiction review: 'The Development' by John Barth
Fiction review: 'The Development' by John Barth: "'The Development' contains nine related stories set within a gated community in Chesapeake Bay country. Its residents, mostly upper-middle-class retirees 'in the dawn of the new millennium and the evening of their lives,' hold toga parties, have affairs, fret about their distant children and deal with suicides, hurricanes and Peeping Toms."
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Can't wait for the movie. Especially the geriatric toga party.
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Can't wait for the movie. Especially the geriatric toga party.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Vallejo's neighbors try to stay afloat
Vallejo's neighbors try to stay afloat: "The same budgetary nightmare that has shrouded Vallejo - a plunge in tax revenues coupled with rising employee costs - is playing out in the nearby cities of Fairfield and Rio Vista as well as other municipalities hard-hit by the foreclosure crisis.
Rio Vista is talking to bankruptcy attorneys while a 750-home development sits virtually abandoned. Fairfield just sliced 9 percent from its budget and is poised to slash 7 percent more. Earlier this year, Vallejo filed for Chapter 9 protection when faced with a $16 million deficit."
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Fred Pilot sent along this word of more doom and gloom from the former Golden State, now looking somewhere between tarnished and rusted shut.
Rio Vista is talking to bankruptcy attorneys while a 750-home development sits virtually abandoned. Fairfield just sliced 9 percent from its budget and is poised to slash 7 percent more. Earlier this year, Vallejo filed for Chapter 9 protection when faced with a $16 million deficit."
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Fred Pilot sent along this word of more doom and gloom from the former Golden State, now looking somewhere between tarnished and rusted shut.
Bloomberg.com: Opinion
Begging for Bailout Cash, U.S Cities Told to Go Fish: Joe Mysak: "You can't blame U.S. cities for eyeing the federal government's open vault and asking for a bailout, too. Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia and Phoenix have all asked in recent days for some of the Troubled Asset Relief Program billions. You can expect more to ask."
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And I don't think they will be getting it. But we shall see.
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And I don't think they will be getting it. But we shall see.
Newsblog | Bankruptcy talks begin in San Diego
Newsblog | Bankruptcy talks begin in San Diego: "Bankruptcy talks began, kind of, in San Diego Monday when City Council President Scott Peters invited public comment for a Tuesday closed-door hearing on whether it should be considered here."
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I don't think San Diego will go bankrupt, but they have some very serious budget problems.
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I don't think San Diego will go bankrupt, but they have some very serious budget problems.
Larger Inmate Population Is Boon to Private Prisons - WSJ.com
Larger Inmate Population Is Boon to Private Prisons - WSJ.com: "'We have serious concerns about for-profit prison companies because they are notorious for cutting essential costs that need to be provided to maintain a safe and constitutional environment for prisoners,' says Jody Kent, a public-policy coordinator for the ACLU's National Prison Project."
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Fred Pilot raises a good question: if prisoners in private prisons have constitutional rights, what about the inmates of the rest of the nation's private communities?
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Fred Pilot raises a good question: if prisoners in private prisons have constitutional rights, what about the inmates of the rest of the nation's private communities?
Former Obama opponent now suing to prove President-elect's citizenship | Breaking News, Weather, Sports and Entertainment for Georgia and South Carolina | Presidential Race Headlines
Former Obama opponent now suing to prove President-elect's citizenship | Breaking News, Weather, Sports and Entertainment for Georgia and South Carolina | Presidential Race Headlines: "According to a press release from the American Independent Party, former presidential candidate Alan Keyes and other members of the party have filed suit in California Superior Court in Sacramento to stop the state from giving its electoral votes to President-elect Barack Obama until documentary evidence is provided to prove Obama is indeed a natural born citizen of the United States."
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Time for some comic relief. Alan Keyes ran the worst Senate campaign in American history against Obama, which is why The One was able to cakewalk into the Senate a few years ago. Now Keyes is heading up this doomed attempt to prevent the California electors from voting for Obama on December 15.
I wonder how many Americans know that Obama hasn't been elected yet? Today that is a formality, but when the Constitution was written the idea was that we chose electors, and the electors chose whoever they thought would make the best President. Could be Pee Wee Herman under that system.
----------
Time for some comic relief. Alan Keyes ran the worst Senate campaign in American history against Obama, which is why The One was able to cakewalk into the Senate a few years ago. Now Keyes is heading up this doomed attempt to prevent the California electors from voting for Obama on December 15.
I wonder how many Americans know that Obama hasn't been elected yet? Today that is a formality, but when the Constitution was written the idea was that we chose electors, and the electors chose whoever they thought would make the best President. Could be Pee Wee Herman under that system.
Bailout For Builders—Are They Next In Line? - Realty Check with Diana Olick - CNBC.com
Bailout For Builders—Are They Next In Line? - Realty Check with Diana Olick - CNBC.com
The National Association of Home Builders says the nation's developers are feeling poorly.
The National Association of Home Builders says the nation's developers are feeling poorly.
www.dcexaminer.com >> Local News
www.dcexaminer.com >> Local News
I guess the District of Columbia could hop into that bailout line.
I guess the District of Columbia could hop into that bailout line.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Pirates anchor hijacked supertanker Sirius Star off Somalia coast | World news | guardian.co.uk: "The Saudi Arabia-owned supertanker hijacked by Somali pirates in a raid several hundred miles out to sea is understood to have anchored off the coast of Somalia."
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Fascinating example of private navies wreaking havoc. What to do? How about privatizing the response? It's right in the constitution: letters of marque and reprisal: Article I, Section 8: Congress has the power "To...grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;"
That means commissioning privateers to go get the scalawags and keep a portion of what they recover as their booty. I think you would get plenty of well-armed and well-trained volunteers, especially in this economy. Maybe a team of ex-SAS and Special Forces lads in a fast boat with a few Zodiacs and the proper hardware?
WildFires Force Snoop Dogg & Family To Evacuate Mansion :: Hip-Hop News
WildFires Force Snoop Dogg & Family To Evacuate Mansion :: Hip-Hop News: "Snoop owns a multimillion-dollar home in The Country Estates, an exclusive, gated hillside community in Diamond Bar, Calif."
----------------
But he is still a man of the street, y'all. Private streets, though.
----------------
But he is still a man of the street, y'all. Private streets, though.
Vice president, former AG, state senator indicted | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Vice president, former AG, state senator indicted | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "McALLEN, Texas — A South Texas grand jury has indicted Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges related to the alleged abuse of prisoners in Willacy County's federal detention centers.
The indictment criticizes Cheney's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and 'at least misdemeanor assaults' on detainees by working through the prison companies."
----------------
So privatization of federal detention centers leads to indictment of the VP?
The indictment criticizes Cheney's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and 'at least misdemeanor assaults' on detainees by working through the prison companies."
----------------
So privatization of federal detention centers leads to indictment of the VP?
City threatens blind woman over unpaid 1-cent bill - Yahoo! News
City threatens blind woman over unpaid 1-cent bill - Yahoo! News: "ATTLEBORO, Mass. – A 74-year-old blind woman was shocked when her daughter found a letter from the city saying a lien would be placed on her home unless she paid an overdue water bill.
The amount? 1 cent."
-------------
Fred Pilot sent this link to proof that the nation's municipalities are gradually morphing into HOAs.
The amount? 1 cent."
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Fred Pilot sent this link to proof that the nation's municipalities are gradually morphing into HOAs.
Florida pension fund loses a quarter its value - Yahoo! Finance
Florida pension fund loses a quarter its value - Yahoo! Finance: "TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's public employee pension plan has lost more than a quarter of its peak value, but Gov. Charlie Crist and other officials Monday said the fund is built for the long haul and there's no need to panic."
--------------
They only lost $38 billion, so what's the problem?
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They only lost $38 billion, so what's the problem?
Monday, November 17, 2008
From McMansions to modest - The Denver Post
From McMansions to modest - The Denver Post: "According to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, a market-research and analysis firm for residential real-estate development and new-home construction, the median square footage and median sales price for homes dropped from 2,000 square feet for $314,900 in the first quarter of 2008 to 1,876 square feet for $306,950 in the third quarter."
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Homes got 124 square feet smaller so far this year. Another couple of years and we'll all be living in phone booths.
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Homes got 124 square feet smaller so far this year. Another couple of years and we'll all be living in phone booths.
Borg warns of looming recession in Sweden - The Local
The bright side: recession is better than being assimilated.
Neighborhood Being Forced To Pay For Lawn Care - News Story - WFTV Orlando
Neighborhood Being Forced To Pay For Lawn Care - News Story - WFTV Orlando: "ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- An entire Orange County neighborhood is now being forced to pay for lawn care. The homeowners association in the Independence neighborhood in Winter Garden has decided to hire a lawn service for every homeowner.
It made the move because so many yards had grown out of control at foreclosed homes. The cost to each resident is $55 a month added to their $170 HOA fee."
------------
This is a new one. The developer still controls the association, and he is using his power this way. Fred Pilot sent the link.
It made the move because so many yards had grown out of control at foreclosed homes. The cost to each resident is $55 a month added to their $170 HOA fee."
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This is a new one. The developer still controls the association, and he is using his power this way. Fred Pilot sent the link.
Jindal: Something Is Wrong With The GOP, Face The Nation: Republicans Discuss The Future Of Their Party Following Election Losses - CBS News
Jindal: Something Is Wrong With The GOP, Face The Nation: Republicans Discuss The Future Of Their Party Following Election Losses - CBS News:"'As Republicans, we need to do three things to get back on track,' he said on CBS' Face The Nation. 'Number one, we have got to stop defending the kind of spending and out-of-control spending that we would never tolerate in the other side. You know, when voters tell us that they trust Democrats more to cut their taxes [and] control spending, that tells you something is wrong with the Republican Party. We've got to match our actions with our rhetoric.
'Number two, we've got to stop defending the kinds of corruption we would rightfully criticize in the other party. The week before the election, our most senior senator is convicted on federal charges - and that's only the latest example.
'Number three, we have got to be the party that offers real solutions to the problems that American voters, American families are worried about. We don't need to abandon our conservative principles; we can't just be the 'party of no.' We need to offer real solutions on making health care more affordable, on the economic challenges facing families, on the international threats.'"
-----------------
Government spending, corruption, and problem-solving. Fine. That will respond to the 40% of the electorate that votes on policy. But the other 60% of the electorate just leaves one party in power until things are going badly in the country, and then they vote for the other party.
So I think no matter what the Republicans do they are going to be waiting in the wings until the public loses patience with the Democrats. That means that policy areas such as housing will simply be run by Democrats, according to their priorities, for the forseeable future. That means high density housing in the cities and inner ring suburbs, and that means more CIDs.
'Number two, we've got to stop defending the kinds of corruption we would rightfully criticize in the other party. The week before the election, our most senior senator is convicted on federal charges - and that's only the latest example.
'Number three, we have got to be the party that offers real solutions to the problems that American voters, American families are worried about. We don't need to abandon our conservative principles; we can't just be the 'party of no.' We need to offer real solutions on making health care more affordable, on the economic challenges facing families, on the international threats.'"
-----------------
Government spending, corruption, and problem-solving. Fine. That will respond to the 40% of the electorate that votes on policy. But the other 60% of the electorate just leaves one party in power until things are going badly in the country, and then they vote for the other party.
So I think no matter what the Republicans do they are going to be waiting in the wings until the public loses patience with the Democrats. That means that policy areas such as housing will simply be run by Democrats, according to their priorities, for the forseeable future. That means high density housing in the cities and inner ring suburbs, and that means more CIDs.
Clean up foreclosed home, or city will - Las Vegas Sun
Clean up foreclosed home, or city will - Las Vegas Sun: "As a growing number of cities across the country are aggressively forcing owners of foreclosed and abandoned properties to clean them up, Las Vegas is going after them with the help of a three-year-old ordinance that, until recently, wasn’t much needed.
Under the law, Las Vegas’ Neighborhood Services Department oversees cleanups of decaying or ignored homes that generate neighborhood complaints. The city may water lawns or clean pools and go after the owners for the cost. If they don’t pay, they are slapped with $500-a-day fines."
------------
That's a hefty fine that should get the attention of these banks who own property and won't take care of it. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Under the law, Las Vegas’ Neighborhood Services Department oversees cleanups of decaying or ignored homes that generate neighborhood complaints. The city may water lawns or clean pools and go after the owners for the cost. If they don’t pay, they are slapped with $500-a-day fines."
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That's a hefty fine that should get the attention of these banks who own property and won't take care of it. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tulsa World: Inhofe: Cancel the 'blank check'
Tulsa World: Inhofe: Cancel the 'blank check': "WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said Saturday that Congress was not told the truth about the bailout of the nation's financial system and should take back what is left of the $700 billion 'blank check'' it gave the Bush administration.
'It is just outrageous that the American people don't know that Congress doesn't know how much money he (Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson) has given away to anyone,'' the Oklahoma Republican told the Tulsa World.
'It could be to his friends. It could be to anybody else. We don't know. There is no way of knowing.''"
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Hey, what are friends for?
'It is just outrageous that the American people don't know that Congress doesn't know how much money he (Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson) has given away to anyone,'' the Oklahoma Republican told the Tulsa World.
'It could be to his friends. It could be to anybody else. We don't know. There is no way of knowing.''"
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Hey, what are friends for?
Liberty Lakes Condominium Association: Food Drive A Success!
Liberty Lakes Condominium Association: Food Drive A Success!: "Thank you to everyone who donated to the 2nd Annual Liberty Lakes Condo Association Food Drive. Through a number of generous neighbors we will be delivering over 25 bags of groceries to the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry which is a huge sucess. Even through these difficult economic times this year many people opened their hearts and their pocket books to give to the less fortunate in our community. Thanks again to all who participated.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
The Liberty Lakes Condo Association Social Committee"
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And thanks to you! Good work.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
The Liberty Lakes Condo Association Social Committee"
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And thanks to you! Good work.
Are you an idiot to keep paying your mortgage?
Are you an idiot to keep paying your mortgage?
A columnist asks the ultimate question.
A columnist asks the ultimate question.
Europe’s Strangest Theme Park | Environmental Graffiti
Europe’s Strangest Theme Park | Environmental Graffiti: "When confronted with the issue of what to do with an ex-Soviet bunker in the countryside, an enterprising Lithuanian decided that some things should be left the way they are…
Welcome to 1984: Išgyvenimo Drama, otherwise known as Survival Drama in a Soviet Bunker."
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Mystery Reader sent this charming story. Sound like fun. Maybe they serve shoe leather soup for lunch.
Welcome to 1984: Išgyvenimo Drama, otherwise known as Survival Drama in a Soviet Bunker."
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Mystery Reader sent this charming story. Sound like fun. Maybe they serve shoe leather soup for lunch.
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