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The 36% decline year over year decline in machine tools is rather irrelevant. So much mfg has been sent to Asia & China especially, there is hardly any need for it in the US any longer. Semis-- tech is still dead. These things are not coming back to bubble levels in the US, at least not in the near future. Only the ever spending consumer is keeping the US afloat for the time being. Machine tools and semis are a lesser indicator but the problem is nothing has taken their place. Anxiously awaiting this run up to go *POOF* in order to play the next one orchestrated by AG (why has he not been institutionalized yet?).
Santa-- doubtful Syria is stupid enough to harbor Saddam. Even more doubtful they would have the balls at this time. They must be pretty puckered just keeping bin Ladins cohorts for the time being. JMO
mlsoft-- a friend is a mfg & dist of fasteners for all industries. I talked to him today. He said business was not at the same level as SPLY. Not a very good indication of things to come as he usually comes out of slow periods prior to economic upturns...
augieboo-- ~~OT~~ OT~~ OT~~ gotta agree with you. Actually cnn has some real cuties too. One major exception-- Maria B! She USED to look good. Now she just looks USED. If her hair is not grease it is piled in the back like a rats nest. Those lips-- puffed up with silicon-- not like that used in boobs but like that in a tube to seal your windows. Some days she looks bad--- other days she looks like she was ridden hard by the 7th calvary and not put away but rode some more while wet! Even Buster would not find her attractive & that pooch of mine would diddle a snake if someone would hold it for him,,
ajtj99-- recently Gross apologized for being wrong calling the mkt direction. In late '99 I bought the Pimco Total Return fund for a swing trade. Darn thing has done nothing but go UP and pay a monthly div too. Soon,,, maybe. Those that look at him as a guru had their butt handed to them if they followed his advice and an apology will not bring those bux back.
west-- with all this info and your strong convictions,, how do you sleep at night? Do you have enough provisions in your bomb shelter for 2 decades? Is your ammo bunker full & secure? Perimiter mined? Such insight,,,,
George Cole-- only adding to junk by monthly div reinvestment. Very nice cap gains and still hitting around 11% div. A little volatility in LT corps but so much cap gains there too I have to hold for more int payments (7% - 8.5%). Will not find any of those for awhile. Will be looking at a new preferred (out 6/9 @ $25) paying under 8%. Lightened up on corps way too early-- kicking myself now.
Sojourner Smith-- OT~~ many will agree with you,, few will live in fear. Terrorism is a way of life in many countries, not all those people plan their life on negative possibilities. Guess what-- no one gets out of this world alive. Those that are afraid lead a pitiful life. The weak are what terrorists feed upon. Terrorists should be afraid that they will be found in Hell. It will sadly take more before the US population is ready to fight a no holds barred war on terrorism. Until then....................
westpacific-- probably NOT slaughtered. A temp drop only, the amount time until recovery is in question. IMO everyone knows it will happen again, just when. Maybe it will not be as bad as 9-11 the next time. I'm sure the person that sold me BRLB @ 2021 was a bit upset after following it to date (BTW it was sold @ 2525). Still, there are always those that enjoy buying high & selling low -- based on fear. Our population would severly drop due to heart failure if we lived with what the Isrealis do. Do you live in a bomb shelter?
Joe & Fred-- <<"I believe folks over 65 should get higher Social Security and free
medical including perscription drugs."<<< Long ago PA started the lottery. Those SENIORS on a very limited income receive prescriptions @ $6 a pop. The profits fro the lottery pick up the rest. It is a great program for those without the ability to pay. Actually, the threshold seems very low but the program has been working for a long time. Just depends on the amount of greed from each state what is done with revenues from all sources. Never did find out what my state is squandering those procedes on...
Great! She will look good in Orange after she does some modification with a needle & thread.
Hey TG ~OT~-- it would take more than just me & you. BTW,, there is a 'slight' diff between 150 mtrs & 250 mtrs. The reason bow thrusters were invented was to assist when parallel parking. Still, a couple cranes for downriggers and send the mate out to net our catch from a chopper. The fee we would need would be considered by some, even S M, to be excessive. Just bringing boats from the south home for lubbers afraid to do it themselves was often said to be excessive-- and that was prior to them seeing the expense bill.
Wonder if we could get Martha out of jail to be the chief cook & bottle washer. It would probably be required to sharpen the knives for her to clean fish-- is that a good idea? Still just think how clean she could keep the heads and there must be a bunch of them.
<<"Will they throw the book at her?">> One can hope so.
My favorite is a junk bond fund-- HYF. Currently on the high side at $5 but has seen $10 during the bubble days. Currently pays $0.045 per share per month. I just reinvest the divs, hold some & trade it too. Current yield is 11.3%, on the low side for this issue.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=hyf&d=t
Also a couple RIETs I've held and traded that I still hold some of (but have climbed higher than my buy range in recent weeks, are SNH and especially HCN. at about 10% and 8% respectively. Most others have hit sell targets and are no longer held or have seen holdings drastically reduced. Purchases last month of DOW & SWK are still held,, but cap gains are being monitored.
~OT~~ <<"The lake is like glass.">> I'll take a 2' - 3' chop anyday. Nothing much edible except perch bite on those days. Glass surface means a fight for 'eyes,, deep riggers and Dipseys off boards way off the gunnels. Those are WORK days, <ggg>
mlsoft -- ~ot ~ OT~ <<"I covered my shorts today">> kept mine covered all day today as they have images of trout all over them. Once I wore a pair with mallards on them and they slightly uncovered when I bent over-- everyone thought that was funny except me.
Usually I will not touch any stock under $10 but for moths have been playing a penny from under 2 cents up to 4.5 - 6. Out way early last week @ 6 as it went to 8. Still I try and get 100K or so in lots of 5K - 15K and sell the same way. Just pays for bait & boat gas but real steady. Look at hdml if you get bored over the weekend. I'll be installing a new gps system if it is dry out.
HHMMmm-- more long targets hit today-- nothing close to a S/L as all but 2 issues were UP. I guess I need to spend more time on the lake. If there is no pullback soon to reload on I'll be nearly all cash. Now it seems I'm trading M-funds too. Who can hold them at these prices? Better question is who is buying at these prices?
The biggest question is shall I leave the lake to those that work all week tomorrow? Yep-- especially since we are looking for 9'ers. Must be that 'gale warning' that went up. Only 2'ers when I left with 74 jumbo perch and 2 eyes over 5# ea. Tough day--- maybe a little sunburn... Well,,,, better luck Mon!
Hey T G-- that is SOME DINGEY! A bit overkill for fishing-- cranes for downriggers? Battleships for planer boards? As for Lake Erie waves-- for anything under about 35' will almost always find the Atlantic more gentle. 6'ers of the Atlantic are gently rolling and far apart. On Erie those same waves are crashing whitecaps and there may be 2 under a 20' boat.
Still, for someone with a purpose for such a vessel 4.5 mil sounds cheap-- until you begin to think no matter the purpose it will need not only an overhaul but refitted. Doubtful too many vactioners would be willing to accept seamans quarters. Docking fees--- 1st FIND a dock that would accept this vessel while not under a military control.A bit of perspective-- a 26' commercial (charter boat) dock with utilities ran about $975 per month. The fuel bill & maint would be astronomical. My license was for only up to 150 meters-- nothing like this,, not the displacement tonnage either. You are correct,,, it is fun to explore the innards of any large vessel-- more fun on an old one and with the history of this one you would surely find some interesting "stuff' tucked in nooks and crannies that working sailors found.
In the mean time-- don't tell Dan I had to go out a couple miles today as it was impossible to keep the 3# - 5# bass off the lines. Water was terrible for walleye as it wass flat as a highway... so it was perch time.
Smart-- The little boat can help keep my sanity. Wifey is a teacher-- boat gets stored a few weeks after she goes back to work. There is a lot to be said about 'togetherness' but it is NOT all good...
Jumbo yellow perch were hit hard today only 2 miles off Ashtabula,,
Fred-- Last year the T-birds were selling quick @ $5K over sticker. Now-- about that much under. Still a very sharp car with a bit of power & good looks. I like the 3 TOPS!
PegnNJ--good luck in the furure. I'll keep buying Fords but will keep the old Jag and not buy a new one since F has them too.
tantal-- spent some time there. Never figured why anyone would live there. If the US were shaped like a man that would be his butt! Think Mexico would buy it back for more than $75?
brain-- OT~~ if you are interested in "FAST" you may be interested in a '70 Chevelle street rod. Nothing under the hood is stock. About $17K in the power plant that shows 735hp on the dyno. Pretty little black car that can be had for $25K,, maybe a tad less. Shes complete and ready for the street or track. Now 200 mph+++ will put your head back in every gear.
Zeev-- <<"allow corporations to deduct
dividends as they do interest.">> at this point there is little that will stimulate capex. Most sectors have excess cap and some have a huge amount. No one is going to buy new machinery, IT components, or build factorys when they have those items in excess now. They only spending for some time will be on required items that are no longer worth fixing and items that can increase productivity and/or reduce costs. AG may talk like he has ammo left but he is just like Visa sending applications to Gates everyday. Gates is about as interested in a 0% Visa card as mfg is in new equip. Any additional deductions to business would go to earnings (which would be nice) but even Gates may spend (or donate for others to spend) the divs recd.
ajtj99-- evidently you have not driven a Ford Explorer or truck recently. The last 5 vehicles purchased were Ford products & never went back to the dealer once (oil changes & minor repairs are done at a local independent). Anyone leasing falls into 1 of 3 catagories; A IRS regs permit a deduction, B they never thought WHO a lease is best for, the mfg or them, C they cannot afford a new vehicle & wish to drive one.The mfgs love to lease-- you rent the vehicle & take care of it (or they charge you more) & they get it back to sell again. Even at deflated prices on used vehicles they do not need to make much as the lease has paid a large portion of their costs. I used to trade them every 3 years. Now I buy a new one (or 2) every year or 2 and the kids take turns on the the last purchase. The OLD one they have been driving is usually sold outright. Some of these are 5 years old with 100K miles or more & not one has had a wattanty or other problem. They all run very quiet! No question, Honda & Toyota have come a long way since their arrival. I never found them comfy or felt as safe in them as I do other vehicles although I know they are very safe vehicles. The big 3 have been following them in one major way-- make 'em all the same just change colors. Most new cars look like colored eggs. Still, I do like my old Jag,LOL!
webster-- "where"... look who his buddy is,,LOL! Add in tons of cheap options, if the SEC would force options to be expensed these little surprises would not pop up. INTC is another of those that pig out on shares.
punkle -- yes,, but the buyers are out in force. Yesterday the parking lots were full. Today some were overfull. A trip to West Marine went OK,, but passed HD figuring to try LOW--no way I'd fight the 'shooppers'. Passed a farm & flea mkt with a huge pkg lot,, like the other places parking lot overfull. Seemed like a good day to cut grass and will go to those places after everyone goes back to work Tues.
mlsoft-- I agree with your comments. History from the '60s forward has not been good to education. More money is spent today babysittng than teaching in schools because of it. At present bussing may have some benefit as the only <<" neighborhood pride">> seems to be gang related. As for <<"parental influence and
involvement">> and concern,, there is none. A large percentage of parents are only concerned of someone keeping the delinquent safe and out of their sight for a period of time daily. The choice between disipline & learning vs no disipline and chaos has been made. They are not willing to control at home either. They are willing to pay much more for security guards than actual instruction. Some of these 'school kids' should be in reform school. Additionally, those kids that would benefit from special ed have been mainstreamed which forces more time to be spent in classrooms lowering the overall info avail to everyone. To make matters much worse the selective service draft has been eliminated. Go back a little farther in history to the Romans and wonder if the US is not on the same path... Enough of my rambleings,, good night sir,
Godfrey-- traded my '65 Mustang in on a '66 GTO ragtop-- now THAT was a GREAT car! Much more ROOM & ZOOM!
GodfreyDaniels-- <<"i live in perpetual culture shock at what the younger generation beneath me do not know">> WHY??????? I live in shock that people are surprised! The majority of parents have taken away all control from teachers and administrators. There is no disipline in school and none at home. Teachers are not permitted to scold or fail students. Those that WANT to learn cannot as teachers have no time to teach while attempting to maintain a safe environment. Drop the blame on parents that believe their darlings can do no wrong and are smarter than their teachers. Blame the boars and administrators for fearing lawsuits and the lawyers for bringing the rediculous suits to court. The younger generations are learning less -- wonder why you can no longer understand your doctor or why jobs are going overseas (besides low wages as that will very slowly change). There are only so many jobs at McDonalds for these kids and many will get a diploma and not be qualified to clean at MickeyDs!
Benj --~OT~ well, if you ever can get this way-- drop me a note. Always looking for company on the boat.
mlsoft-- I sincerly agree that ducks & geese deserve the same recipe! I found everyone was happy to accept a few ducks or a goose ready to be cooked. Could only give them to everyone ONE time. Once they found out just how good they were they would accept no more,,LOL! When my best friend & 1st mate died very young a short time back, fishing & hunting went on a cold backburner. Now that the kids are gone & I have lots of time-- I've begun again. This time it will be for the relaxation, solitude, and fresh fish and venison. Besides,, I have to be ready when my twin grandsons get old enough to ride the boat. Their father will not hunt but if they wish to (& I hope they do) then that will become my job too. I guess retirement has put a whole new outlook on many things--- and I'll take care of it,,, would not want to force anyone to take this job,, I'll do it! <GG>
My neighbor is & has been a dedicated fly guy for decades,, but if my truck is being loaded for the Lake he can smell it & drops the flyrod everytime. He never ate anything he caught for decades & did not know how to clean a fish. Now it is walleye 1st & flys second. He bought a fully loaded 18' boat for the small local lakes as he just does not have the confidence to be out miles & miles,,,,,,YET. My guess is that boat will not get to be 4 years old before he gets one more fitting to Lake Erie,, but will take the flyrod when weather has the water above 3' - 4'. He will not even go with me when it gets beyond 5' - 6'-- but that is certainly understandable. I do not go then either now as in the past I had only weekends and took the water as long as it was under 8' beyond 5 miles as 4' could be found closer to shore.
I have a little sign here that says God does not count days spent fishing in mans allotted time on earth,, so fish more!
Luck -- fishing & mkts
Cap
mlsoft-- actually some people will eat bass in early Spring. The cold water has their flesh firm. Still, all that work with a flyrod is beyond comprehension <ggg>. I'll take thr trolling method and if all else fails it is not a concern as the boat ride is relaxing. Also, 2 rods per angler with 2 baits each being trolled cover much more water than the fly guy can cover-- odds of a higher catch rate hang with the troller. Nothing like a box full of walleye on ice..... <g>. Then again, I'm an old retired guy with lots of time... wifey teaches so winters are peaceful,,, need to get away (often) when school is out to maintain that peaceful lifestyle.<vbg>.
Sherlock356-- ~OT~ the Grady is a fantastic boat. One of the best on the water & can take some mean water too. It is also one of the most expensive & do hold their value well. This time I dropped down to 22' as I can handle it & fish alone. The Grady, as are most beyond 22', are too much for 1 person except to pleasure ride in. Your choice of outboards are the same as mine would be-- but I prefer I/Os. I think with twins you will be happy with the 150s performance. Additionally they are a bit less expensive to purchase & run. You MAY also find the trolling speed with 1 more acceptable, or require a smaller drift sock (I found throwing the bags out more of a pain than 5 gal buckets,, less water taken up at the stern when bringing fish in). Merc 1st-- VolvoPenta not at all. I rarely drift but at times at is required if fish are slow hitting & hugging bottom. For riggers I prefer the Canon Mag 10. In water under 50' (lots of Lake Erie) they are less productive as the fish run to the sides as the boat passes,, therefore the planer boards or dipseys help as baits can be put far off port & starboard. Not sure how much "stuff" I know, but have gained a bit through being on the water a lot. I hold a masters ticket & guides license. The master is a tough one to get. The CG is strict and the testing tough. I ran charters for years as a means to help pay for my hobby. Although many captains are not often willing to help others most are in a tight group & help each other. Some of that I understand. If I'd send the lat/long fish were being hammered a fleet would converge on the spot & no one caught fish. If another capt was having a light box day I'd give them to him,, but coded. If you hit the #s provided you may be 20 miles inland-- but he would read them and still give me room where the others would be all but in my boat.
basserdan-- ~OT~~ NOPE, anyone can fish the Lakes. Many fish the piers & shoreline. Small boats are in the bays. Other than Erie, which can turn into a whores nightmare in less than an hour, an 18' boat with a 40hp can fish about anywhere. It's all in where one lives. I ran charters in the Atlantic, gulf, & Great Lakes for decades. This time I only bought a Lund Barron (22' alumin I/O) that I can handle alone. Those piching to bass or drifting for perch are in the same water-- just closer to shore, as those going for kings & eyes-- ALL are ordinary folk. When it comes to eating a catch-- perch (same with crappie) are great but a pain to clean. Bass are not edible compared to walleye,, same with kings & steelies. The smallmouth in Erie are overly aboundant,,, largemouth are scarce except in the local reservoirs, still not really tasty. The taste difference between bass & eyes has a lot to do with their preferred water temps and that also makes the meat less mushy. Additionally, eyes (like yellow perch) do NOT smell when being cooked. The filet from a 9# eye will be the size of a 12oz steak. Easy & quick to clean and remove all bones. I suggest to cook a king-- wrap it in foil along with butter inside & out. Add all prefferred flavorings. Cook on the grill-- 15 min per #. Then remove from the grill, unwrap, throw the fish away & eat the foil. Stuff is terrible. Yes-- we eat 9# walleyes. Those over 10# or 12# are often mounted.
Well,, <<"The average fisherperson, properly equipped and crafted, and all other things being equal and
while using artificial lures would doubtlessly catch their fill of kings and eyes. ">> not always. At times even charter captns come back without full tickets. The past few years have been real tough to fill the tickets on a charter with eyes. The average fisherperson will not be COMPLETELY, even if properly equipped. Experience and time spent on the water makes a huge diff on eyes. Kings-- one just must be properly equipped with less assortment. Have you priced 4 Cannon Mag 10 downriggers lately? Ya gotta be dedicated & not avg.
One problem-- I never go farther south than the Carolinas. I hate the heat. Two years in SEA took all that from me (no AC on the boat, but fans are required,LOL). I've seen Roach on some of the tourneys. Until I got my masters ticket & guides license it was possible to play as an amature. Rarely had the bux to play in the pro ranks,,, plus those guys do it for a living & all equip & fees are provided. There are many pros fishing bass & eyes now-- mostly by pitch & crank. I'm much more into trolling with dipseys, riggers, steel, leadcore, and/or flatlines. Less work- more fish.
I have a pair of Canon masts-- the singles. Prefer them as they mount to the gunnells instead of the bow. They are really appreciated when in waves over 5'. Not interested in equipment at present. My brother is a distributor / wholesaler of strictly fishing equip,,, a rather lg operation. Prices there are -- well lets say your local baitshop (and those from the distributor up to him) are all getting a huge slice of the pie.
Yes-- beads & spinners on crawler harnesses, but lots of plastic lures and metal spoons too.
Now-- let me know the next time you are coming north. Maybe we can get on Erie or Ontario, weather permitting. Since I'm retired I will hit the weekdays and leave the crowds as much as possible, therefore I'm often all by myself-- lotsa fun trying to keep boat control, cranking, netting, hardware, LOL! Always looking for company.
BTW-- ever see the size of any fishes brain? None are smart,, just instinct & reflex.
Now-- drop me a line & maybe I can give ya a call,, much more fun talking fishing than beating the keys until my (one) finger hurts,LOL!
Luck on the water & in the mkts
Cap
Sherlock356--~OT~ There is some steelhead fishing in the Erie tribs. Guys hit them with everything. Still, IMO most are 'snagged'. You guys using fly gear work too hard. I find it much more relaxing to troll 15mi - 25 mi offshore, no boats or lans in sight-- quiet. When a steelie grabs a line in my walleye setup he is cut loose-- terminal tackle & all as they can make a mess of the other 5 to 15 lines out-- even tangle downriggers. The bones & tarpin on a flyrod is still too much work. Fishing is supposed to be relaxing-- just never add the $$$ spent on boats & gear!
At times a lubber will go south to FL or ?? and decide he found the boat of a lifetime. Usually the salt has done more than he can guess-- AFTER the purchase the realization hits-- he is not qualified to bring it home,,, and would be afraid to try,,, so--- I get a call to bring her home. The Atlantic will be fished along the way-- unless it is brought up the Mississippi,,,, then a bit of time will be spent in the Gulf. All on a daily rate for me & the mate PLUS expenses. Not a bad way to go-- they fly us down, pay all the bills, and we get to fish during a leasurely trip home.
basserdan-- bass,, fight? LOL! Nothing but bait and certainly not any more edible than carp or freshwater drum. Just a trash fish-- Lake Erie is loaded with small mouth & it is easy to catch up to 5#ers all day-- the question is why would anyone want to?
porter-- I agree! The kings are getting hammer there now. I'll be up from Tues thru Fri. I do not like salmon or trout so friends & family will be happy when I get back. Walleye will be hitting in the central basin of Lake Erie soon-- those are the best eating fish in the 5# - 9# range. I generall run out about 30 miles (close to the Canadian border) and troll back. Gotta love it--
porter-- I do not think it is time to bail yet. Could be very soon,, but not yet. As each interest payment is recd (june & july) they will be lightened up, same with preferred stocks,, pricing is lightly mixed today-- certainly not enough to be concerned about. RBV will be 1st out. PD $25, today 26.85 & paying 7.25%. Better than a M-mkt and one can only trade so much,,, esp now-- just bought another boat. Time to hit the Great Lakes.. Kings are hitting hard in Lake Ontario..