A Review of Past Predictions

*sigh* I knew it was too good to last. Michael, you were doing so well at just placing your own opinions without attacking. I especially like the last paragraph. If you think sam should be taken to task about the very things that you are doing.... what exactly does that say about you?

The last paragraph really is a classic example of your hypocrisy Michael. But, I'm glad you're being open that you think people who disagree with you don't matter.

For my input I will just say: Flame away at Sam all you want, he deserves it as much as you. You are a perfect match.

But don't worry too much about it Michael, because SWNebr admits that he is also a hypocrite...so his accusing you of hypocrisy is....oh, what's that word. ;)

Mike - Just post a blog entitiled "I think I am right and I think Sam is wrong".

If we are going to stay on topic does that mean posting everything you have ever written that is wrong? That would take a few days......

Benevolus,

I think the word you are looking for is honest. I'm not surprised it doesn't occur to you.

You'd better be careful though or bigdawg will chastise you for being off topic.

SWNebr,

No that isn't the word...though the one I am thinking of does start with 'h'.

Benevolus,

As I said, I'm not surprised that you can't think honestly.

SWNebr,

Hypodermic...no, that's way off.

Hypothalamus...that isn't it either.

Hippocratic...no that's not quite right.

Definitely starts with a syllable that sounds like 'hypo' though.

*prefix not syllable

Benevolus,

You seem to be stating that Michael is not being a hypocrite in doing similar things in his blog as Sam does in his. Am I understanding you right? If So, how do you stand it? I for one wouldn't care to defend Sam in his hypocritcal ramblings even though I would be closer to his stance than say...Michael's. I would think that one as "moderate centrist" as you would have a hard time sticking up for Michael's hypocritical tendancies. But, maybe you have a higher tolerance for self-disgust than I do. Or perhaps you have less integrity than a small Chevallier such as myself.

P.S.

By the way. If the word you were looking for is Hypocritical the Prefix (or first syllable for that matter) doesn't sound like 'hypo'. It sounds like the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. If you were looking for a different word, please let me know. I am trying to figure out what 'hypo' word you would be thinking of.

Sir Didymus,

I am not sure what sort of strange logic lead you to the conclusion that I was sticking up for Michael, but I would suggest to you that clearly you have missed something.

SWNebr though sure was hypocritical though, wasn't he (thanks by the way, that was the word I was looking for)?

An admitted hypocrite criticizing someone else for being a hypocrite...makes a lot of sense I guess. If it looks like a duck and all that.

Benevolus,

Yep, we can smell our own kind. Don't you smell it?

SWNebr,

All I can smell is the 'you-know-what' you shovel around these discussions. I think your lack of genuine argument and engagement about a given topic, and your desire to troll around, trying to accuse people of character defects, masks the "smell" you refer to above.

How about some real arguments? The only thing I know about you is that you are a hypocrite and you don't know what being fair is...let's exchange some ideas, buddy.

"The economy is improving and people are starting to get jobs again."

That would be very nice, Michael, if only it were true. The January stats from the BLS showed a decline in unemployment.

The same statistical report showed that 1.2 MILLION people left the work force, in ONE MONTH. That is the largest drop in the labor force IN HISTORY!

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/record-12-million-people-fall-out-labor-force-one-...

That is, they are no longer counted because (1) they are discouraged and did not actively seek work recently (2) their unemployment eligibility ran out after 99 weeks (3)they are working part-time when they want fulltime work or (4) they went on Social Security disability (which has trended up in a big way since the Great Correction began in 2008).

"So as the labor force increased from 153.9 million to 154.4 million, those not in the labor force surged from 86.7 million to 87.9 million!"

Could it be the numbers are being fudged to help Obama's reelection campaign? With the portion of the population working at lower levels not seen in 30 years, you need to consider.

John Williams Shadow Statistics also computes unemployment and inflation the way the government did years ago when it favored honesty instead of propoganda. They are also available at the site link above.

Our government has some very good reasons to fudge the numbers, especially on inflation. If they report inflation at less than its true value, they benefit; with lower annual Social Security raises, with smaller increases in income tax brackets (which Reagan got indexed for inflation), with lower Cost of Living Adjustments for a whole host of government benefits and salaries. The COLAs throughout the economy are less because of the reported CPI. Less benefits to pay; more taxes to collect, a Win-Win for the Feds.

Please note that the straining of the statistics has been going on for several decades. Under Republican administrations, under Democratic administrations. All the time. If you think putting a D or an R in office will help, go ahead with it. I have lost faith in both.

Rosey, rosey, rosey. Totus est puteus.

Benevolus,

Perhaps I am missing something, but I believe a reasonable person could make the assumption that you are supporting Michael. Let me demonstrate my reasoning.

"Benevolus,

I think the word you are looking for is honest. I'm not surprised it doesn't occur to you.

You'd better be careful though or bigdawg will chastise you for being off topic."

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Sun, Feb 12, 2012, at 6:00 PM

To which you reply...

SWNebr,

"No that isn't the word...though the one I am thinking of does start with 'h'."

-- Posted by Benevolus on Sun, Feb 12, 2012, at 6:17 PM

See? It seems like you are stating that SWNebr Transplant is not being honest when he accuses Michael of being hypocritical. But, I must have been mistaken. Is it safe to assume that you do think Michael was being hypocritical in some of his statements?

Does a person that admits to being hypocritical at times not have the right to point out when someone else is being hypocritical? I would think that someone that can recognize his own hypocrisies would make a person pretty qualified to see it in others as well.

Benevolus,

"How about some real arguments...let's exchange some ideas, buddy."

"masks the "smell" you refer to above"

So you agree that you would be able to smell your hypocrisy if my "you know what" wasn't overpowering it huh? At least its a start.

What real arguments and ideas were you thinking of? The real ideas you expressed in your first post, completely unrelated to the blog? The one that looks an awful lot like "trolling around"? Let me refresh your memory.

"But don't worry too much about it Michael, because SWNebr admits that he is also a hypocrite...so his accusing you of hypocrisy is....oh, what's that word. ;)"

-- Posted by Benevolus on Sun, Feb 12, 2012, at 5:09 PM

Glass houses and whatnot

The problem is almost every poster around here is never wrong. Trying to have a discussion espousing differing views around here is a little like dealing with Locutus. I blame it on the trolls and flamers like Michael said.

See Michael, I've agreed with you twice now on one blog, must be some kind of record huh?

The problem is almost every poster around here is never wrong. Thats because there are two driving forces that all humans have, avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. We avoid pain by never admiting we are wrong and seeking pleasure by showing just how right we think we are, and seeing our words written to prove it. Hows that for being a troll?

Keda46,

GET THEE TO A BRIDGE!!!!

;)

Thats good! I like that, made be laugh. Just haven't figured out what scope to put on what rifle.

Sir Didymus,

Pointing out the irony of SWNebr's castigation of Michael does not inhere support of Michael...not even implicitly. One must make a fairly large leap in logic to move from my comment about SWNebr's admonitions, to 'great post Michael, right on'. So, no, I do not see your point.

You ask if I think Michael was being hypocritical in some of his statements...which ones, specifically?

"Does a person that admits to being hypocritical at times not have the right to point out when someone else is being hypocritical?"

Sure they have that right. I also have the right to point out the absurdity of someone who claims to be a hypocrite (and claims that everyone else is just like him) trolling on blogs calling people hypocrites. It is an exercise that can only be described as laughable.

SWNebr,

"So you agree that you would be able to smell your hypocrisy if my "you know what" wasn't overpowering it huh?"

No, I don't agree at all, but I would be better positioned to get such a waft if you weren't so preoccupied with calling everyone not right-of-center a hypocrite. Any serious self-reflection gets lost in the odiferous din of your attempts to amuse yourself. You are not unlike the boy who cried wolf in your love affair with hypocrisy. Strange indeed.

Benevolus,

I've admitted to hypocrisy at times does your logic mean I am center or left-of-center?

Funny you mention serious self-reflection. This seems like its heading back into the "everyone thinks himself fair" realm.

You've already agreed that even though I am flawed I can still point out other people's flaws so your "boy who cried wolf" theory is no good. I'm not pointing out hypocrisy that doesn't exist, maybe you don't know how that story goes.

It's too bad we aren't all as flawless as you after all you've never been a hypocrite, unless maybe someone wants to point out you criticizing people for "trolling" while trolling yourself.

Thank you for adding levity to my day.

SWNebr,

"You've already agreed that even though I am flawed I can still point out other people's flaws so your "boy who cried wolf" theory is no good."

Just because you can, doesn't mean I think you should. Sorry, the theory stands. You have flooded the market (maybe these are terms you will understand better), and the value of your admonitions of hypocrisy are rapidly losing value.

"...unless maybe someone wants to point out you criticizing people for "trolling" while trolling yourself."

Thing is, I am not trolling. I actually take the time to argue the topic, do research, provide links to that research, etc. I haven't seen you do anything like that.

Hence, you are trolling.

You are of course welcome, though. Levity is good. You make me laugh. Laughter is good too.

Sorry SWNebr, I missed this...

"I've admitted to hypocrisy at times does your logic mean I am center or left-of-center?"

No. Since I started posting on this board this fall, your modus operandi has been to call posters other than you, who are left-of-center, hypocrites...it is fairly obvious that you refer to yourself as a hypocrite for no other reason than to justify your constant desire to call anyone who is not situated right-of-center, a hypocrite.

Benevolus,

Your logic is flawed and accusations overbroad. I too have posted on specific topics, researched and cited support.

It's not my fault your information is incomplete, maybe you should do a little more reasearch and not go about making less than fully informed accusations.

I pointed out you making a trolling comment, you say you are not a troll, but when you think I make a trolling comment I am a troll, seem's like that H word appearing again.

Have you ever seen $1,000,000? Just because you haven't seen something doesn't mean it doesn't exist, to quote Charlie Calvin.

Given your persistence with a faulty analogy, I don't think you do know the story of the boy who cried wolf.

But I forget, you are in that group of posters who is never wrong, so maybe I should apologize for my impertinence in questioning your verbal incontinence.

SWNebr,

Saying my logic is flawed and demonstrating how are two very different things.

My information is not incomplete. I can rightly make the claim that the preponderance of your posts since this fall have been merely efforts at amusing yourself (by your own admittance) and have had on average had little to no substance. I define this as trolling.

The analogies above are flawless. You're entire schtick is based on calling certain people hypocrites. You find levity in this practice. The truth is a bummer.

Benevolus Webster,

As I said, you are one of the posters who is never wrong. It's amazing that so many people who are never wrong can disagree so much. By persisting in your folly you just continue to to compound it.

I hope you use better research methods for your schooling than you do here. Is fact in your program only based on what your perception of what has occured since you began the study, or do you refer to information beyond the filter of your direct observations?

About your flawless analogies (hubris anyone?). What is the story of the boy who cried wolf? Did he cry wolf everytime he saw one, and he saw them so often that no one believed him? By analogy that is what you claim my noting Michael's hypocrisy would make that story.

Anyway, I'll let you have the last word, since you always seem to need it.

Benevolus,

Thank you for the answer, but I am afraid I STILL believe you are something that begins with "D".

You know, as time goes by, your posts tend to disprove your 'moderate centrist' claim. So, if you want to call names and insult, that is fine, for it exposed you nicely. Please, twist more logic to attempt to prove me wrong. In struggling, you only bind yourself tighter.

Just thought I'd stop by to read some reasonable, educated discussion. Oops...wrong website I guess.

"the idea that Americans not only like but accept what Obama wants to do so"

Obviously....'The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11'

Americans Just LOVE this guy!!! Especially the uber-rich that keep spoon feeding his re-election campaign millions of dollars. You're such a fool. Change the D beside his name to an R, and you would have such disdain for this guy. Funny thing is, it wouldn't actually change who he his, nor his political view$$$. For the first time in history somebody actually went to the trouble in counterfeiting 'change', and made himself a VERY, VERY wealthy man.

SWNebr/Didy

Last word = yawn...

Bison is right, the three of us have dominated this blog with utter nonsense.

I will no longer engage in the pettiness that I have above. If you wish to persist amusing yourself, I will not indulge you.

With regard to debating an individual poster's hypocrisy/fairness/etc (including my own), to quote Michael: "I'm done."

I am sure there's greater comfort for you on Huffington Post site, where birds of your feather live.

I must say Mike, that I am dissappointed with this article. You have dipped down to Sam's level. Please revert back to the ways of simple analysis that you displayed in the last few of your posts.

.....cricket.....

This guy (^ up there) is disappointed with your "article." I can't say that I am. Spewing lies and promoting acts of TREASON is what you have become associated with. Good thing nobody ever reads this garbage...you wouldn't want to answer to us.

Market ran to obvious support of 1089. Looking for the S&P to rally to 1250 in early November.

Oil prices appear to have entered a new range basis West Texas. With the movement of oil from Cushing to South Louisiana the new range for West Texas Intermediate is between $80-120. That movement is for the Brent pricing that everyone else is getting except for Cushing (Canadian Tar Sands Crude is causing a glut at this one hub).

Sam how is Truck traffic these days? Staying busy or slowing? Have you been tempted to move to oil country?

Wallis

-- Posted by wallismarsh on Mon, Oct 10, 2011, at 6:25 AM

S&P indeed found a bottom and we are now at 1350. Oil also found a bottom slightly below $80 and we are now at $105.

"Spewing lies and promoting acts of TREASON is what you have become associated with."

Sam? Is that you?

bberry,

That would presuppose that Sam graduated from high school. ;)

Although for what it's worth, I don't think Michael promotes acts of treason or TREASON for that matter.

SWNebr,

You're right, but I was giving the benefit of a doubt.

I'm not sure where Bison got the treason part from?

Every time I see a news spot on TV about the increase in gas prices, I think about the CPI. The government tells us there's no inflation, but I see it everywhere.

Tell me if you see prices declining somewhere. Beef--alltime high. Gasoline--alltime high for this time of year. Food prices--alltime high (be sure to check the quantities, they are keeping some prices stable by using smaller containers. maybe the government guys haven't noticed that).

I will admit home prices have fallen, and they will continue to do so for years to come, with the huge oversupply in the market. Another fine government-created mess with subprime loans and NINJA (no income, no job, no assets, NO PROBLEM) loans. Houses got built, loans got made, people got houses, people are bankrupt, and the unpaid debts got passed on to the taxpayers--not the banks that made the loan--they got bailed out.

I also wonder why we don't hear so much about the price of diesel. It's higher than gasoline, and the trucks only get about 7 mpg (YMMV). That works out to over $.62 per mile driven. Yikes! How about those trucks hauling all the hay to Texas, hundreds of miles. 1,000 miles down and back = $620 just for fuel. Has anyone seen a loaded hay truck headed North?

Our government keeps on with the bailouts, and quatitative easing so price increases are no surprise. I just wish they would quit lying about the CPI, but I know they can't stop--either printing or lying. The same people regularly have a big show about raising the borrowing limit on the gov't credit card, too. Everyone knows they're gonna raise it, but we appreciate the pretense that they wish it wasn't so.

Inflation is the tax you pay for letting your government spend more than they take in. It shows up as price increases (really a disguised decline in the value of the currency).

Not that you or I ever get to vote on the matter.

I have personally met Sam, and he is a fine person. I can give him an unqualified endorsement for he still believes in personal responsibility and limited government. I realize he has probably caused some heart attacks and strokes among the liberal socialists around here--it's really hard work defending the indefensible, and that can lead to serious health problems.

I filled my truck up today in Fremont, Ca. $3.99 and that was unleaded and at a cheaper Velero gas station. Chevron and shell is well over $4.00 now. Just jumped up within the last few weeks. Came home and got on my motorcycle, looks like I'll ride it for awhile. What is gas prices there?

Had to fill my bike up today, premum at $4.449. For 4.714gallons it was $20.97 at union 76. I guess I can't ***** though, at least I have the weather on my side and was riding with t-shirt and no jacket

Keda46,

In Lincoln it's about 3.50 for regular, so I'd guess about 3.65 in McCook.

I have spent the last 9 months trying to figure out the next 20 year cycle in energy (I will be 65 in 20 years). I have come to the conclusion that with resource plays in the United States that it is possible that the US can be energy independent in 8 years if the United States Government will keep regulations status quo. How can we obtain the energy independence? By producing more oil and gas. No Solar, No wave, No Nuke - Just oil and gas.

Sometimes simple is the answer.

Wallis

JohnGalt1968

Good job of diluting the facts on who receives Federal Government Funds. Let's take a look from a little different perspective; we don't even need to bring political affiliation into the discussion.

During the 25 year time period 1981-2005, there were only three years 1981, 1982, and 1996 where Nebraska paid more in Federal Taxes than they received in Federal Spending. On average, Nebraska received $1.09 for every $1.00 paid in taxes.

Nebraska is not the only state receiving more than they paid in -- in 2005 there were only 18 states that actually had less than 100% return of their Federal tax dollars.

The drain on Federal funds has been going on for a long time John.

Page 27 of the following link gives the Nebraska historical data on Federal spending received.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/22685.html

The following link provides Federal Spending per dollar of Federal Taxes for all states FY2005.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html

Geezer, you did a great job of presenting what must be uncomfortable facts for those in Nebraska who think they are self-sufficient. Looks like 32 states get more from the Feds than they pay in.

That's the trouble with any democracy. Everybody wants a free lunch at the expense of everybody else, via the government. Pretty soon the free lunch costs so much the country goes broke. That will be playing out, first in Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Then Japan, and finally the good old USA.

It's just a matter of 5 or 6 years. Strap yourself in.

Meanwhile...

Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Finland, etc., are all doing fine.

These pains are attributable to demographic shifting, not so much government "free lunch". Greece, Italy (and Spain to some extent) have large numbers greying populations and a disproportionately small numbers of working age people to support retirees and children (i.e., dependent populations). As the baby boomers retire, the US will experience the same tension.

The trouble with many European countries is that the retirement age is set relatively young, which means that coverage begins earlier. The trouble becomes balancing the moral obligation to care for those who have contributed to a nation's economy for the better portion of their lives, and ensuring that our nation remains economically solvent. We can do both I suspect.