I might have mentioned something about Ron Paul's increasing influence in the GOP -- was it yesterday?

Oh no. this can't be good.

I was hoping for a James Bond Villain, not Luap Nor!

Heh, now the crazy uncle is talking about reaching across the aisle..

Is Gabriel trumpeting? Isn't this one of the signs of the end of the world?

What are these people THINKING?!?

Stop the world. I want to get off.

...

And then he [Ron Paul] reverses again crediting Obama for restoring, however unintentionally, Republican principles.

“Republicans now are conservatives again” since the election, he says. “They are more consistent in voting against all these spending [measures]. And I kid them, I say, ‘are you guys voting with me now or am I voting with you?’

“Of course, they would always complain when I voted against Republican spending.“

hmmm.
I don't agree w/ Ron Paul on many issues, but I do when it comes to voting against all of this massive spending.

More wisdom from The Uncle in Chief:

As for soon-to-be departing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Paul dismisses her supporters as "more establishment, conventional Country-Club type of Republicans.”

I thought it was the backwoods moose killing Republicans? What a moran.

Strange - I saw little in the article that backs up the strongly worded title. The closest it came was the quote "Republican House members are finally voting with him on spending measures." Not exactly a standing ovation for Paul from the GOP.

re: #5 Thanos

Heh, now the crazy uncle is talking about reaching across the aisle..

Hey - I like your post.
[Link: noblesseoblige.org...]

The Campaign for Liberty, the grass-roots organization that grew out of Paul's presidential campaign, has raised over $3 million since last June, attracting some 200,000 members.

argggg

Insanity is not restricted to this one issue but it is certainly pursued here.

As for soon-to-be departing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Paul dismisses her supporters as "more establishment, conventional Country-Club type of Republicans.”

I hear the Wasilla Open is scheduled for next month.

re: #6 Crimsonfisted

Is Gabriel trumpeting? Isn't this one of the signs of the end of the world?

What are these people THINKING?!?

Stop the world. I want to get off.

No! Stop the world and throw them off.

I am now a conservative without the R I guess. Sheesh. Luap Nor is batshit nuts.

Yikes. As I posted earlier, I am fearful of over correcting from the current administration - who would be the perfect candidate for that? Ron Paul. You know, he ran as a Republican to get elected - he is really a libertarian. Can't the RNC get up enough cojones to take the "R" away and make him stand -or fall - as an "L"?

re: #9 Liechtentrager

Strange - I saw little in the article that backs up the strongly worded title. The closest it came was the quote "Republican House members are finally voting with him on spending measures." Not exactly a standing ovation for Paul from the GOP.

Nor is there any mention of the REAL Enemy...the one БХО asked to Unclench their Fists.

re: #10 FrogMarch

Thanks! compliments and constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Glenn Beck and Fox News is pimping him and views.

re: #19 MJ

Glenn Beck and Fox News is pimping him and views.

Time to change the channel.

re: #15 pingjockey

no! Don't abandon ship! We take the ship back and make the interlopers leave!

re: #17 Macker

Nor is there any mention of the REAL Enemy...the one БХО asked to Unclench their Fists.

Because if Luap Nor makes one peep about his foreign policy stance, Republicans might remember why they hated him last year.

re: #13 solomonpanting

I hear the Wasilla Open is scheduled for next month.

Just down the road a bit in Palmer is a spectacular course.

And to think I encouraged libertarians to work for change within the Repub party and not waste votes on third party. I did not know they would take my advice and then actually take over - led by this fool.

Bet Uncle Ron is a doper too.

I wonder if there is such animosity on the left against Dennis Kucinich? I highly doubt it.

re: #26 LionOfDixon

I wonder if there is such animosity on the left against Dennis Kucinich? I highly doubt it.

That's because he is a Demo☭rat!

re: #28 taxfreekiller

And Kucinich gives it a good one?

re: #23 Bobibutu

Well, there ya go!

re: #16 ArmyWife

Can't the RNC get up enough cojones to take the "R" away and make him stand -or fall - as an "L"?

RNC. Cojones? Does not compute.

Being a country club Republican, I must go pick up the children from the pool. BBL.

My computer is having issues with LGF, I am off to investigate. It is loading slow, updating slow, just refreshhed the page, it is still not showing ratings, up/down ding etc.. Everything else on the computer is running fine! Just my favorite website is fucked! Damn it.

I think my view now is to encourage third parties...
Nazis
Commies
Losertarians

Segregate them.

If Ron Paul has an idea, that does not necessarily make the idea wrong.

That guy on the subway who "Must get this cheese to Washington!" at least gets off on the right stop now and then...

Outstanding. This is the kind of report that actually marginalizes the GOP, or what's left of it, precisely because there happens to be some overlap between fiscally responsible GOPers (who have finally realized that fiscal responsibility is truly necessary to get us out of this financial mess, and not the out of control spending we're seeing from the Democrats) and the Paulians and their "let's get back to the gold standard and oh, cut spending while we're at it" platitudes.

Auditing the Federal Reserve may make some sense to see where all the TARP monies are going and to see just how effective the government monetary policies are, but the rest of it is a pipedream.

The media will instead use this to paint the GOP as out of touch.

Instead of realizing that Paul and his crowd of sycophants are pursing an agenda that is on the far right fringe of the GOP that happens to have some overlap with fiscal conservatives and responsibility that comes along with having a fiduciary duty to taxpayers, he is being painted as being on the vanguard? Funny, but I've been calling for fiscal responsibility for longer than Paul. There are other GOPers, but none have the kind of profile that Paul built up with his ground game. Lovely.

re: #35 The Shadow Do

I think my view now is to encourage third parties...
Nazis
Commies
Losertarians

Segregate them.

Sholda' lumped religious zealots in there too.

re: #36 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

If Ron Paul has an idea, that does not necessarily make the idea wrong.

That guy on the subway who "Must get this cheese to Washington!" at least gets off on the right stop now and then...

True but he's bringing a lot of excess baggage with him that too many people are uncritically accepting as well.

WTF are they smoking? I think I want to avoid that crap.

Or any world where the words "Ron Paul" and "credible" are mentioned in the same sentence.

re: #36 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

If Ron Paul has an idea, that does not necessarily make the idea wrong.

That guy on the subway who "Must get this cheese to Washington!" at least gets off on the right stop now and then...

You're right that just because he has a good idea doesn't mean he's wrong. He's the wrong messenger, and he's also not exactly the first to call for fiscal responsibility either. He's just getting characterized as such, and this Politico report is suggesting that he's leading this charge.

How Ironic: We are supposed to accept a socialized health care plan from Ted Kennedy, when his health-care plan for Mary Jo Kopechne was "Let her Drown....."

As for another presidential run in 2012, “I don’t think that’s likely,” Paul says.

Excuse my asking, but what's his "Campaign for Liberty" for again? Is he propping up his son who if I remember correctly is or will be running for Congress?

re: #40 Steffan

WTF are they smoking? I think I want to avoid that crap.

Or any world where the words "Ron Paul" and "credible" are mentioned in the same sentence.

I've got two words. Barney Frank.

Whatever Paul's beliefs, the discussion on LGFB might be better advanced by avoiding the ad hominem attacks. How about making a case against him rather than just calling him crazy, a loon and a nut job?

re: #44 kansas

I'm just glad Barney Frank stays away from those 4th of July hot dog eating contests....he would probably win by a large margin of weiners....

re: #45 Nim Chimpsky

And if it's well established? ;)
Can someone tell me how this "go back to the Gold Standard" idea would work and if implemented would look like?

re: #46 LionOfDixon

I'm just glad Barney Frank stays away from those 4th of July hot dog eating contests....he would probably win by a large margin of weiners....

That thought calls for brain bleach. EEWWWW!

re: #42 LionOfDixon

How Ironic: We are supposed to accept a socialized health care plan from Ted Kennedy, when his health-care plan for Mary Jo Kopechne was "Let her Drown....."

Has anybody even read the health care "plan"? Hillary's plan made it illegal for a doctor to charge you as a private patient. I bet they still don't know what's in the cap and trade bill.

re: #49 kansas

I would not be surprised if tucked in someplace was a substantial outlay for research dollars devoted to finding ways to surgically remake Waxman's face and body so he does not so strikingly resemble a snarling rodent.

As for soon-to-be departing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Paul dismisses her supporters as "more establishment, conventional Country-Club type of Republicans.”

Unless that country club is a rifle range and/or hunting camp where the foxtrot did Uncle Ron pull that statement out of? And you only need one guess.

Just when I think I can run away and hide, as a beachcomber in Tahiti or the Marquesas, I realize that they're French.

/I'm screwed

As for soon-to-be departing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Paul dismisses her supporters as "more establishment, conventional Country-Club type of Republicans.”

"Country-Club," eh? No surprise, Dr. No has plenty o' money...

Among the remaining candidates who have filed financial disclosure reports, those reporting assets into the millions including Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat.

The Politico? Untrustworthy.

And, Ron Paul? A nut. Do you need a reminder?

re: #45 Nim Chimpsky

well - OK, but is it really ad ad hominem if he is, in fact, a loon? Just askin'

re: #1 Charles

I might have mentioned something about Ron Paul's increasing influence in the GOP -- was it yesterday?

Yikes! Forget 2012. With the opposition going down crazy-road, what are Zero's chances of getting the Twenty-second Amendment repealed in time for 2016? Not to worry, though, Republican trend-setters can still make money from health care supplements; maybe more so as Zero's policies destroy the actual health care industry.

re: #55 Shiplord Kirel

Yikes! Forget 2012. With the opposition going down crazy-road, what are Zero's chances of getting the Twenty-second Amendment repealed in time for 2016? Not to worry, though, Republican trend-setters can still make money from health care supplements; maybe more so as Zero's policies destroy the actual health care industry.

Remember O's been in office 6 months and his policies have exacerbated the situation. By 2016 Bush will look good again. He looks good to me right now.

I don't know why everybody here is down on Ron Paul....he's just doing his job, trying to get his message out......plus, those little oven things he hawks on TV are pretty cool....as was the Pocket Fisherman he invented.

re: #14 Cathypop

No! Stop the world and throw them off.

I like that very much.

T-shirt/bumpersticker-worthy

Words that should not be in the same sentence together:
Embrace and Ron Paul.

Great- when do the rest of the republicans become closet troofers?

No sooner does the representative from Texas’ 14th Congressional District, nicknamed “Dr. No” by his detractors, find himself embraced by mainstream Republicans (and even some Democrats) on domestic policy issues, then he pivots his focus to foreign affairs.

And even some Democrats.

"Republicans embrace Ron Paul on domestic policy."

not this Republican.

re: #57 LionOfDixon

I don't know why everybody here is down on Ron Paul....he's just doing his job, trying to get his message out......plus, those little oven things he hawks on TV are pretty cool....as was the Pocket Fisherman he invented.

Fuck that was funny....A month or so ago i was coming home from work and right in front of me was a pickup truck with 2 huge Ron Paul Stickers on the tail gate....I mean huge! I thought to myself.. Yup.Moved to Indiana.....Hello Hoosiers...Ron Paul...OMG

re: #57 LionOfDixon

I don't know why everybody here is down on Ron Paul....he's just doing his job, trying to get his message out......plus, those little oven things he hawks on TV are pretty cool....as was the Pocket Fisherman he invented.

I agree. The Pocket Isolationists is great. I have one in the glove compartment of my car.

The only possible good news to this is that there is no way that RP could win a general election. The silver lining is that if the GOP goes down this path, or the Huckabee path, it will make it possible to have an intelligent conservative party in America once again. The GOP will destroy itself completely - and out of the ashes of what is left of American conservatism, we might actually see the rise of a party that could be an intelligent counterweight to the Dems.

It is unfortunate that the GOP has decided to give the Dems carte blanche to another eight or twelve years in power before deciding to be sane, but apparently, nothing less than turning their party into a joke while singing an ignominious swan song will do.

Of course this is the best case scenario.

The worst case scenario is that we get a one - two - three knockout punch, where Obama sinks the economy and our military (after Bush and and the GOP accelerated the collapse) and in despair and frustration, Americans vote for someone psychotic like RP - that way with the economy in tatters, the republic can go next. This is of course how fascists take power.

The GOP leadership knows that their old politics as usual has become a laughing stock for the average American. Love him or hate him, W. and those perceived to be in his mold, are a joke to all but a dedicated few. Fair or not, they are in the common parlance a watchword for stupidity, save Cheny, who is generally perceived as evil rather than stupid.

When you look at their policy ideas, yes they oppose welfare for poor people, but not corporate welfare. The economics of spend and spend while lowering taxes, is no more sound than tax and spend. Of course, all of those high faluting, economists in the GOP, who are supposed to be the fiscally responsible ones, never quite figured that out. Given the dismal failure of the GOP while controlling the presidency and both houses, any sens of Republican financial savvy has become a joke.

In response to this, the GOP seems bent on something new - putting up people who are frightening jokes even to other conservatives. I think that some are actually hoping for that collapse so that they can be ushered in on a "make the trains run on time" platform.

Let's be clear, when you have people who want to push ID down your throat, or rewrite educational and historical standards to exclude figures that do not fit with one's politics, we are not talking about people who understand the notion of freedom. Intellectual freedom to them means their own freedom to tell you and others how to think. They are no different in thought process than any other totalitarian ideologue.

If the economy goes tits up, and the GOP successfully runs one of those, America as we know it, will cease to exist.

With all this attention, Paul will have even less time to devote to Trooferism.

Well, looky here:

Wikipedia on the Twenty-Second Amendment

.....several congressmen, including Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. José Serrano Rep. Howard Berman, and Sen. Harry Reid {moonbats all-SK}, have introduced legislation to repeal the Twenty-second Amendment, but each resolution died before making it out of its respective committee.

re: #59 Crimsonfisted
It kinda goes along with "Save the Earth....it's the only planet with chocolate"

Just because Paul and the GOP agree on opposing massive spending contained in bills no one has read just means both Paul and the GOP oppose massive spending contained in bills no one has read.

re: #53 SlartyBartfast

The Politico? Untrustworthy.

And, Ron Paul? A nut. Do you need a reminder?

Sorry couldn't watch the video for more than a minute and then I got sick to my stomach.
What a loon - A dangerous loon.

re: #64 HoosierHoops

This election cycle I plan to plaster the neighborhood with "Ron Popeil Revolution" plackards, just out of sheer revenge for last year.....

re: #69 Shiplord Kirel

Well, looky here:

Wikipedia on the Twenty-Second Amendment

Barney Frank has also fighting for the removal of the laws of logic and good sense.

re: #72 callahan23

Sorry couldn't watch the video for more than a minute and then I got sick to my stomach.
What a loon - A dangerous loon.

What up friend?

re: #74 HelloDare

Barney Frank has also fighting for the removal of the laws of logic and good sense.

That sentence was illogical and made no sense.

re: #76 HelloDare

That sentence was illogical and made no sense.

Then Barney Frank has won!

/teasing

re: #73 LionOfDixon

This election cycle I plan to plaster the neighborhood with "Ron Popeil Revolution" plackards, just out of sheer revenge for last year.....

LOL

re: #77 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Then Barney Frank has won!

/teasing

The difference between me and Barney is that I knew it made no sense.

The article linked is lacking much substance. It does mention voting against spending.

If that were the "influence" the GOP is taking from Ron Paul, then I'd be fine with that.

Ron Paul is loony, but to advocate against the handful of good ideas that he incidentally supports (personal liberties, spending cuts, etc.), would be loony too.

I think the only thing I can agree with paul on is ending the drug war. SHEESH.

re: #79 HelloDare

The difference between me and Barney is that I knew it made no sense.

Quite true

I suggest that any non-lib billionaires out there start putting their money into companies like SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace. We might need a rebel moon colony sooner than you realize.

re: #72 callahan23

I don't know which one produced more involuntary hurl reflexes; Maher or Paul....perhaps the sight of them together...yes, that must be it.

re: #75 HoosierHoops

What up friend?

Did a little tweaking on my avatar. Minor difference but it has come to mean a lot to me.
Support of the little 'satan'. /
Other than that I am fine. How are you doing my friend?

re: #63 redc1c4

"Republicans embrace Ron Paul on domestic policy."

not this Republican.

Nor this one either.

The Bronx, N.Y. GOP just nominated a Paulian for Borough President over my vehement protests. The good news is that she's going to lose, big-time.

re: #53 SlartyBartfast

The Politico? Untrustworthy.

And, Ron Paul? A nut. Do you need a reminder?

I saw that when it originally aired. Once was enough. I wish more Tea Party folks and idiots in Congress playing footsies with him would remember this shit.

re: #81 ihateronpaul

I think the only thing I can agree with paul on is ending the drug war. SHEESH.

You and Ron can go share a doob, and then, uh, you know...make a plan or sumpthin'

bbl

re: #84 LionOfDixon

I don't know which one produced more involuntary hurl reflexes; Maher or Paul....perhaps the sight of them together...yes, that must be it.

Yeah, that must be it.
I actually tasted ...
Oh never mind.

re: #45 Nim Chimpsky

Whatever Paul's beliefs, the discussion on LGFB might be better advanced by avoiding the ad hominem attacks. How about making a case against him rather than just calling him crazy, a loon and a nut job?

The case has been made here over and over and over again with facts, links, data, etc. We are tired of it already.

re: #85 callahan23

Did a little tweaking on my avatar. Minor difference but it has come to mean a lot to me.
Support of the little 'satan'. /
Other than that I am fine. How are you doing my friend?

just kicking....Watching a good movie..Playing with my dog...He is ate up..
Hope today finds you well

re: #93 ArchangelMichael

The case has been made here over and over and over again with facts, links, data, etc. We are tired of it already.

Agreed. The consensus here has already emerged. I'll use facts and logic to try to ween people away from Luap Nor in real life, but here its enough to just mock him. He's a dangerous buffoon, unworthy of respect.

re: #96 Iron Fist

OT, and pissed off. I just got back from Wally World where they are not only out of ammunition in nearly every useful caliber (depends on whether you consider 45gr .223s to be useful, which I don't), but I have learned that they don't even stock 100W lightbulbs. Do they still make such an apparently rare creature? I do not know.

Courtesy of the eco-loving Democrats, I have no doubt.

Mother Gaia demands your presence in JoyCamp immediately!

re: #47 mrbaracuda

"Can someone tell me how this "go back to the Gold Standard" idea would work and if implemented would look like?"

Going on the gold standard would make it impossible for congress to tax via inflation, because try as they might, congress cannot legislate the physical quantity of gold.

I truly do not know when the gold standard became an example of looniness in so many people's minds. It's the other way around: believing that politicians should literally legislate the value of money, and that no problems will arise from that, is loony.

Abandoning the gold standard was the work of men who wanted to divorce Washington's spending power from reality.

I say all this as an advocate of the gold standard for about 22 years now, which is about 20 years longer than I ever heard of Ron Paul.

Another thorn in the side of the GOP.

Perhaps this will be the catalyst the GOP needs to do some serious house cleaning.

re: #45 Nim Chimpsky

I down-dinged you because there are several years of posts here proving Paul's association with 9/11 Truthers and Neo-Nazis. Some of Paul's libertarian ideas are acceptable, but only if you separate them from Paul himself.

In other words, Paul himself, ecce hominem, is the problem. And when ecce hominem is the problem, ad hominem is appropriate.

And in other bad news:

As Health Insurance Debate Looms, Budget Director Refuses to Rule Out Federally Funded Abortions

This might actually turn out to be good news though, since it can be used fire up socons behind opposition to ObamaCare and thus put pressure on Democrat congresscritters who say they are pro-life.

re: #99 gnargtharst

I truly do not know when the gold standard became an example of looniness in so many people's minds.

Uhhh..... maybe you should look into that. Try google.

re: #69 Shiplord Kirel

And there were moves to repeal the amendment so that Reagan could have a third term also. Whether or not term limits are a good idea, when either party has someone who they think might make it to three terms, they like the idea of removing the amendment, just as much as the opposite party hates it.

In that sense, there is a bi-partisan agreement.

Q.: What member of Congress has instituted more useless probes in the last 20 years?

A.: Barney's Frank.

OT
Ummmm, Is it just me? I am getting sick of Sotomayor's mug in the premium ads. I believe that we are being slowly driven to a minor breakdown on purpose.
/rant off

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

re: #99 gnargtharst

"Can someone tell me how this "go back to the Gold Standard" idea would work and if implemented would look like?"

Going on the gold standard would make it impossible for congress to tax via inflation, because try as they might, congress cannot legislate the physical quantity of gold.

I truly do not know when the gold standard became an example of looniness in so many people's minds. It's the other way around: believing that politicians should literally legislate the value of money, and that no problems will arise from that, is loony.

Abandoning the gold standard was the work of men who wanted to divorce Washington's spending power from reality.

I say all this as an advocate of the gold standard for about 22 years now, which is about 20 years longer than I ever heard of Ron Paul.

Apparently you are also incapable of doing simple mathematics and are under the impression that reverting to an industrial economy from a post-industrial one is somehow a good idea. The Gold Standard is completely unworkable in the modern world, despite the problems with fiat currency, the gold standard is not, and cannot be a solution... look elsewhere... think outside the box, its not 1789 anymore.

re: #106 LionOfDixon

Ewwww! Brain bleech, stat!

Whenever I see Ron Paul, I think of those shrunken apple heads.

Image: tvs5322_l.jpg

Image: 1353221_b07b_625x1000.jpg

re: #96 Iron Fist

What do you need 100W light bulbs for?

re: #96 Iron Fist

OT, and pissed off. I just got back from Wally World where they are not only out of ammunition in nearly every useful caliber (depends on whether you consider 45gr .223s to be useful, which I don't), but I have learned that they don't even stock 100W lightbulbs. Do they still make such an apparently rare creature? I do not know.

Courtesy of the eco-loving Democrats, I have no doubt.

Have you considered the twisty non incandescent bulbs, which are brighter, last much longer (and therefore cost less over their lifetime) and use much less power than 100 watts (which also costs you less)?

Is your measure of a bulb's utility how bright it is, or how much power it draws? Why not get a 25 watt bulb that is brighter than a 100 watt incandescent?

re: #110 Dark_Falcon

Sorry....but I must add the Barney Frank's stimulus package has gotten only limp support from the majority whip.....

This is what happens when astroturfing issues is successful.

re: #95 HoosierHoops

just kicking....Watching a good movie..Playing with my dog...He is ate up..
Hope today finds you well

I hope Winston got over his little accident from yesterday. I am very well, thanks.

Well folks, I have been through the computer and I can't find where to clear the browser cache, nor can I find a reload for LGF, I have refresh not reload. I may as well be on dial up as slow as LGF is running. BTW, this is the only place I'm having issues. If I can't resolve this, the next 8-10 weeks are gonna suck ass.

re: #113 mrbaracuda

What do you need 100W light bulbs for?

Interrogating.

re: #116 Sharmuta

This is what happens when astroturfing issues is successful.

And when no one listens to us warning about it like we have been for months.

re: #109 Iron Fist

Do such things even exist anymore? I thought that the Democrats had run all the pro-lifers out of the Party. It is difficult to think of any reason people seriously committed to the concept could stay in the Party.

Many Dems in the last two cycles ran saying they were pro-life, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania being one the most visible. Casey is an empty suit who'll vote as he's told, but some other Dems have been decidedly queasy about voting to have their constituent's dollars fund abortions. We could also use this issue to gain some Latino votes. Most Hispanics belong to churches that are firmly pro-life, thus giving us a way to counter any enthusiasm they might have for ObamaCare.

re: #114 LudwigVanQuixote

Have you considered the twisty non incandescent bulbs, which are brighter, last much longer (and therefore cost less over their lifetime) and use much less power than 100 watts (which also costs you less)?

Is your measure of a bulb's utility how bright it is, or how much power it draws? Why not get a 25 watt bulb that is brighter than a 100 watt incandescent?

For one thing, if you break one, you are SUPPOSED to have it cleaned up haz-mat style. They are made with mercury. Strange thats ok, when mercury in anything else is a big emergency.

re: #115 LionOfDixon

Sorry....but I must add the Barney Frank's stimulus package has gotten only limp support from the majority whip.....

SMACK!

re: #99 gnargtharst

There's nothing magic about gold. In 15th and 16th century Spain, its influx caused massive inflation and abandonment of productive enterprises.

[Link: www.fleckensteincapital.com...]
"Prior to the arrival of copious amounts of gold and silver in the early sixteenth century, silver was reserved for large payments and taxes, while most transactions were done using barter and coins made of base metals. Gold was reserved almost exclusively to transact much larger purchases between the nobles. When the torrent of precious metal arrived, a slow and pervasive inflation took hold of Spain. While the poor suffered, the wealthy, who financed the overseas ventures, had massive profits and felt significantly better off. They were largely indifferent to slightly higher prices—especially because the wealthy chose to buy most everyday goods from the French using their incredibly strong gold currency. In France, the inflation took much longer to take hold and French manufacturing grew up all along the Spanish border. The French in turn were able to purchase most raw materials, including labor, at much-reduced prices from areas even further removed from Spain’s gold induced inflation. In this way, a creeping inflation slowly spread out over all of Europe, eventually even penetrating the eastern portions of Europe by the seventeenth century. We now export our inflation to the rest of the world as a result of our Federal Reserve printing too much money. It took over a decade, but inflation is now showing up in far- flung corners of the globe where it shouldn’t be expected.

Surprisingly, no one was concerned about the gradual hollowing out of Spanish production. No one worried that the poor were increasingly unable to afford the necessities of life. No one was concerned about the massive current account deficits that Spain was running with the rest of the world. No one cared that these deficits were financing the military buildup of Spain’s enemies. No one even seemed to notice the debt that Spain increasingly was building up. The prevailing view amongst all sectors of society was that the answer to all problems was adventuring to the New World and seizing precious metals. As the above ground stocks were rapidly depleted, the Spanish used Indian labor to mine very high grade veins near the surface. For the Spanish, the New World became the equivalent of the Federal Reserve’s printing press—the solution to all problems. However, things began to slowly turn for the Spanish. Precious metal shipments peaked in mid-century and by the late sixteenth century, the annual gold shipments began to decline—only to disappear almost all together by 1610. By 1630, even silver shipments went into a tailspin. As the ready source of purchasing power fell off, Spanish citizens refused to change their ways. To finance their lifestyle, they borrowed from abroad. At this time, the monarchy held considerable sway in all business affairs. It is estimated that around half of all economic activity was conducted for the account of the king. No one borrowed more from abroad than Charles V and his son Philip II."

re: #119 pingjockey

I had really bad problems for a few weeks. Once I disabled Norton antivirus the problems stopped. Maybe give that a try.

re: #104 Killgore Trout

"Uhhh..... maybe you should look into that. Try google."

You mean, I could use google to find out when and why so many people became unaware of the virtues of the gold standard?

Uhhh..... thanks KT of the many elipses, I'm actually already quite familiar with the history of the gold standard and the motives and theories behind its abolition. I meant: I don't know when in recent history so many began to associate it with bizarre ideas like so many of Ron Paul's. I suppose it comes from a fundamental ignorance about the topic, and an uncritical association between it and Ron Paul.

Ironic that folks would reflexively reject an idea that properly belongs to the Founding Fathers, in exchange for an idea advanced by FDR and Keynes, just because of an incidental association with a nut like Ron Paul.

re: #124 pbird

For one thing, if you break one, you are SUPPOSED to have it cleaned up haz-mat style. They are made with mercury. Strange thats ok, when mercury in anything else is a big emergency.

The amount of mercury you need to ingest to be toxic is vastly higher than the amount you would get if you licked the shards.

About the strongest argument you could make is don't let your pregnant wife clean up broken shards. Someone here who is a chemist, back me up on this please.

The Gold Standard is just a ploy. Ron Paul really wants to go back to the
Huge-Rocks-With-The-Hole-In-The-Middle Standard.

The size of the stones varies; some are as small as a few inches in diameter and weigh a couple of pounds, while others may reach a diameter of 12 feet and weigh thousands of pounds. A hole is carved into the middle of each stone so that it may be carried, either by coconut rope strung through the smaller pieces, or by wooden poles inserted into the larger stones. These great stones require the combined effort of many men to lift. Expeditions to acquire new stones were authorized by a chief who would retain all of the larger stones and two-fifths of the smaller ones, reportedly a fairly common distribution of production that served as a tax on the Yapese. In effect, the Yap chiefs acted as the island’s central bankers; they controlled the quantity of stones in circulation. …

re: #11 Thanos

argggg

Hey...you got sump'n against Liberty?

/

re: #127 Killgore Trout
Norton went bye bye a while ago. I'm thoroughly confused why it would just affect LGFs performance.

re: #99 gnargtharst

Thanks for trying, but I am still at a loss here. What would day to day dealing look like if this was implemented?

re: #108 ArchangelMichael

That's what I am thinking, even with my little understanding of economics. :L

re: #120 SasquatchOnSteroids

Interrogating.

And embroidery.

I need to see what I am doin....

OUCH!!!!

re: #128 gnargtharst

I suppose it comes from a fundamental ignorance about the topic, and an uncritical association between it and Ron Paul.

You can suppose whatever you want. Your ignorance is self inflicted and permanent.
/Yeesh, I hate debating Paulians.

re: #128 gnargtharst

A commodity is worth what people will pay for it. It's called a "market". Gold speculators want to drive demand by instilling fear. Without fear, there's limited demand for gold.

re: #132 pingjockey

Norton went bye bye a while ago. I'm thoroughly confused why it would just affect LGFs performance.

I don't know anything, but it occured to me that if all your cache was from LGF that perhaps that could affect how fast LGF loads????

re: #127 Killgore Trout

I had really bad problems for a few weeks. Once I disabled Norton antivirus the problems stopped. Maybe give that a try.

I don't have Norton. I ditched it ages ago.

re: #126 quickjustice

Great find, QJ! Another side-effect of Spain's influx of gold and silver was piracy. English pirates and privateers often raided Spanish treasure ships and silver ports. The famous "Golden Age of Piracy" started when a Spanish Treasure fleet was wrecked in a hurricane and English sea-wolves raided the Spanish salvage camp to steal its silver.

re: #96 Iron Fist

OT, and pissed off. I just got back from Wally World where they are not only out of ammunition in nearly every useful caliber (depends on whether you consider 45gr .223s to be useful, which I don't), but I have learned that they don't even stock 100W lightbulbs. Do they still make such an apparently rare creature? I do not know.

Courtesy of the eco-loving Democrats, I have no doubt.

What is Wally World?
I can buy 100W bulbs - WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot ...

re: #141 Sharmuta

Are you still having problems with LGF?

re: #118 callahan23

I hope Winston got over his little accident from yesterday. I am very well, thanks.

British Open is being decided right now...

re: #123 Iron Fist

So what do you propose? People who vote we stay with the current system essentially are saying to continue to allow Congress to legislate the worth of your bank account. I can't believe anyone ever thought that was a good idea, but people in general were much less informed 70-100 years ago (when our current taxation and monetary systems were put in place). What we have is bad, and returning to the gold standard is unworkable (I agree on that).

So what do you propose? I hear a huge vacuum on that issue from all sides.

I have no solution, yet. I will definitely admit that and have said so most times this subject comes up. I don't have a PhD in economics or anything. I do know that outdated ideas that can be shot down with 2nd grade math are definitely not the solution though. The quickest solution I can think of which would just be a band aid would be to force the Fed into a gold-price rule where the currency is not backed by gold, but their adjustment of interest rates is dependent on price movements of Gold. That may not even be a good idea either but it will control inflation if they stick to it, and it wont require us to roll back the clock and turn into an industrial economy again. It will also not require us to wish into existence 60% more Gold than has even been mined in all of history to cover the size of our economy.

This is my only idea at the moment, and I'm sure there 100 holes in it. Someone who knows this stuff inside and out, is not a Paulian gold-bug, and is not a shill for the current Fed system needs to work on this.

Paulbots used the tea parties to mainstream this "audit the fed" nonsense, and now it's being supporting in the halls of power....

And folks wondered why some were skeptical of tea parties.

I wouldn't mind going back to the gold standard......
As long as they open up domestic strip mining for it.

re: #128 gnargtharst

"Uhhh..... maybe you should look into that. Try google."

You mean, I could use google to find out when and why so many people became unaware of the virtues of the gold standard?

I believe in #128 he was talking about Ron Paul being a loony.

re: #139 pbird
No idea, ran a buncha searches to find the browser cache, apparently this HP computer running Bill Gates crap has never heard of a browser cache!

re: #143 reine.de.tout

Wally World is Walmart. I heard a commercial the other day saying Walmart supports health care reform. Union heads explode everywhere. Walmart and us on the same side of a political issue? EKKKKK!

re: #140 taxfreekiller

Al Gore is going to come for you.

Then he'd be coming back in a box. Iron Fist is smart, well armed and well prepared. Someone coming for him would briefly regret doing so, and then never feel anything thereafter.

/not advocating anything, just saying that IF is capable of taking care of himself.

re: #142 Dark_Falcon

Arrrrrh!

re: #149 ArchangelMichael

I mean 166% more gold... Theres $5 trillion in Gold that has been mined in all of human history. The US economy is $13.84 Trillion.

re: #130 HelloDare

LoL.

re: #129 LudwigVanQuixote

The amount of mercury you need to ingest to be toxic is vastly higher than the amount you would get if you licked the shards.

About the strongest argument you could make is don't let your pregnant wife clean up broken shards. Someone here who is a chemist, back me up on this please.

From energystar.gov:

Do CFLs contain mercury?

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.

Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent in the past year. Some manufacturers have even made further reductions, dropping mercury content to 1.4 – 2.5 milligrams per light bulb.

What are mercury emissions caused by humans?

EPA estimates the U.S. is responsible for the release of 104 metric tons of mercury emissions each year. Most of these emissions come from coal-fired electrical power. Mercury released into the air is the main way that mercury
gets into water and bio-accumulates in fish. (Eating fish contaminated with mercury is the main way for humans to be exposed.)

Most mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. EPA estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 14 percent – is released into air or water when it is
sent to a landfill, assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 290 million CFLs sold in 2007 were sent to a landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would add 0.16 metric tons, or 0.16 percent, to U.S. mercury emissions caused by humans.

How do CFLs result in less mercury in the environment compared to traditional light bulbs?

Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S. CFLs use less electricity than incandescent lights, meaning CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. As shown in the table below, a 13-watt,
8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent; a common light bulb type) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus avoiding 4.5 mg of mercury. If the bulb goes to a landfill, overall emissions savings would drop a little, to 4.0 mg.
EPA recommends that CFLs are recycled where possible, to maximize mercury savings.

....Never mind that mining for gold is really horrible for the environment.

re: #153 pingjockey

No idea, ran a buncha searches to find the browser cache, apparently this HP computer running Bill Gates crap has never heard of a browser cache!

Hm, I use Opera on a Linux machine and the cache is stuffed under my home folder, under Opera.

re: #108 ArchangelMichael

"Apparently you are also incapable of doing simple mathematics and are under the impression that reverting to an industrial economy from a post-industrial one is somehow a good idea."

Thank you Archangel, for your thoughtful reply. I had not recently considered the possibility that everybody who advocated the gold standard was incapable of simple mathematics.

(Of course there is the possibility that changes in wealth production, relative to changes in gold supply, would be reflected in a change in the price of goods. That, too, is an example of simple mathematics.)

"...The Gold Standard is completely unworkable in the modern world, ... the gold standard is not, and cannot be a solution..."

Your reasoned response is unassailable.

"...its not 1789 anymore."

Indeed.

re: #131 ShanghaiEd

Hey...you got sump'n against Liberty?

/

Yeah, whaddaya got?

//Rebel without a cause, etc.

re: #158 Iron Fist

Wally World would be Wal Mart. They don't stock 100W anymore. 90W is as high as it goes in the tiny section where you have the incandecents. I remember some noise about phasing out incandecents a few years ago, but I didn't pay much attention to it. This is what happens when you ignore government on even matters of seemingly trivial importance.

They've already come for your toilet.

Michael Steele, Reform the Primary Process.

...or we will see much, much more of this.

re: #137 Iron Fist

My garage. It has a single incandecent light as its only source, but what business is that of the State?

re: #114 LudwigVanQuixote

First off, the twisty flourecents aren'tas bright as the incandecents. But be that as it may, there are serious health concerns about the twisty flourecents. I have to put this light in using a fifteen foot long pole, and screw it in while standing directly under it. I wear glasses while doing it, which is fine for incandecents, but I don't want to get a face full of toxic chemicals and broken glass if the damned thing breaks.

Is that a good enough reason, Mr. Comissar of Illumination?

Whoa there, I'm not trying to pick a fight. And I am not trying to be a commissar of anything.

However, your health concerns about one of these things breaking are somewhat curious to me. Only the most moonbat ecofreak - who thinks that the word chemical always = bad would be scared of them. The linings of most incandescent bulbs are much more toxic than mercury. If you are scared of a broken bulb coming down on your head, you actually may have more to be frightened of from a toxicity point of view from the incandescent.

Of course, all toxic things are questions of dose.

As to the argument of being brighter, you are wrong. Just wrong.

My 13 watt bulb, in this room, produces 800 lumens compared to the 760 lumens produced by a 60 watt incandescent bulb. Further it has an 8,000 hour lifetime in comparison to a 1000 hour lifetime. Therefore, if you are really afraid of breaking bulbs in your garage when you install them, get one of these and you will have to risk your life changing lightbulbs less often.

re: #158 Iron Fist

Wally World would be Wal Mart. They don't stock 100W anymore. 90W is as high as it goes in the tiny section where you have the incandecents. I remember some noise about phasing out incandecents a few years ago, but I didn't pay much attention to it. This is what happens when you ignore government on even matters of seemingly trivial importance.

Never heard it called wally world. Where the hell have I been?

I use the odd twisty-looking ones in fixtures where I don't need enough to light to read. Otherwise, it's 100W bulbs. Can't read comfortably in the light from those twisty ones.

re: #159 ArchangelMichael

The entire supply of gold in the whole world will fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Assuming you want a "stable" currency, rather than a deflating one, you want a currency that can be expanded as the economy grows, and contracted as the economy contracts. If you tie the value your currency to a finite commodity like gold, you can't expand the money supply. In inflationary times that may sound like a good idea, but if you have the finite commodity as the economic measure of the value of expanding goods and services, you've created a perverse effect: the purchasing value of the currency increases (deflation), rather than remains stable.

Institutional deflation is a recipe for economic ruin over time.

re: #169 reine.de.tout

Never heard it called wally world. Where the hell have I been?

I use the odd twisty-looking ones in fixtures where I don't need enough to light to read. Otherwise, it's 100W bulbs. Can't read comfortably in the light from those twisty ones.

How about using halogen spot-lamps for reading they use up a lot yet they are bright as sunshine. Perfect reading light IMO.

re: #128 gnargtharst

Ironic that folks would reflexively reject an idea that properly belongs to the Founding Fathers, in exchange for an idea advanced by FDR and Keynes, just because of an incidental association with a nut like Ron Paul.

Perhaps because in the time of our founding fathers, it was an OK idea that worked, and now it's not. For a multitude of reasons. Regardless of reason why it would destroy our economy, there's this nasty "non-starter" issue that gold standard fetishists are either incapable of grasping, or are purposely ignoring.

This issue was discussed last night:

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

Here's the non-starter reason, with 2nd grade math:
[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs Poison Hundreds of Chinese Workers

Large numbers of Chinese workers have been poisoned by mercury, which forms part of the compact fluorescent lightbulbs. A surge in foreign demand, set off by a European Union directive making these bulbs compulsory within three years, has also led to the reopening of mercury mines that have ruined the environment.

Doctors, regulators, lawyers and courts in China - which supplies two thirds of the compact fluorescent bulbs sold in Britain - are increasingly alert to the potential impacts on public health of an industry that promotes itself as a friend of the earth but depends on highly toxic mercury.

Making the bulbs requires workers to handle mercury in either solid or liquid form because a small amount of the metal is put into each bulb to start the chemical reaction that creates light...

Tests on hundreds of employees have found dangerously high levels of mercury in their bodies and many have required hospital treatment, according to interviews with workers, doctors and local health officials in the cities of Foshan and Guangzhou.

Dozens of workers who were interviewed on condition of anonymity described living with the fear of mercury poisoning. They gave detailed accounts of medical tests that found numerous workers had dangerous levels of the toxin in their urine.

“In tests, the mercury content in my blood and urine exceeded the standard but I was not sent to hospital because the managers said I was strong and the mercury would be decontaminated by my immune system,” said one young female employee, who provided her identity card.

“Two of my friends were sent to hospital for one month,” she added, giving their names also.

“If they asked me to work inside the mercury workshop I wouldn’t do it, no matter how much they paid,” said another young male worker.

Doctors at two regional health centres said they had received patients in the past from the Foshan factory of Osram, a big manufacturer serving the British market.

However, the company said in a statement that the latest tests on its staff had found nobody with elevated mercury levels. It added that local authorities had provided documents in 2007 and 2008 to certify the factory met the required environmental standards.

109˚ here now.
We're all gonna die!
Will you people please go out and buy a Prius, and a bunch of CFL bulbs?

re: #169 reine.de.tout

They're giving 'em away in NJ. I find that the cfls are actually easier on the eyes depending on where they fall on the light spectrum. Some are harsher than others, while newer lights have more natural lights.

I've got some PAR style CFLs that might save on electricity, but they don't have great lights, while some of my twisty bulbs do quite nicely.

re: #170 taxfreekiller

not one thing is trivial to these control freak environmental head cases

they will end up measuring your pee, your feces, and toe nail clippings

Woe unto the over use of waste disposal facilities.

Best guess a "excessive pee/feces" luxury tax of say 70% or so of income.

I KNOW someday they will control not only WHAT you eat, but also how much. I used to think that sounded like freaky future fiction, but not anymore. Someone is working on this. Obviously some of us need to be stopped!!!!

re: #172 quickjustice

Hmmm... two Olympic sized swimming pools? Gee, where's Auric Goldfinger when you need him to break into Fort Knox? /pussy galore (get your minds out of the gutter, that's the name of the character!)

re: #171 Iron Fist

Tell you what. You break one of the damned things open and cut you a big line of what is inside them if you want. I don't want to get a face full of it if I break one. With regular flourecents you can change them out without standing directly under it. There is a reason for that.

IF-

Wasn't trying to pick a fight. Just posting some data. I use them for a very simple reason. I don't like throwing my money down the toilet for no good reason.

re: #144 Killgore Trout

Are you still having problems with LGF?

No- it always takes me a half an hour to say something.

I have mostly CFL bulbs in my home now. I like saving money. I have no delusions of reducing global warming via CFL purchases.

Capitalist Pig!

re: #133 mrbaracuda

"Thanks for trying, but I am still at a loss here. What would day to day dealing look like if this was implemented?"

Thanks Mrbaracuda.

Day-to-day finances under the gold standard would likely look practically identical to current day-to-day. Most money circulates as credit or stand-in to actual currency. For example at lunch today, I used a debit card. under a gold standard, I would use my debit card, which would deduct from my bank balance. My bank balance would also likely be in the form of some sort of stand-in (like it is now), e.e., electronic, etc. But at some point, the actual money representing my money would be actual gold (or silver or platinum or whatever). Most day-to-day transactions would look identical to the present system, except that somewhere, eventually, the currency would actually *be* something other than a politician's wish.

Despite the recent comments you've seen, the "quanity" of gold is irrelevant, because if the total welath it represented increased, the same quantity of gold -- whether a pound or a million tons -- would buy that wealth, via a change in price. (This is what happens anyways wealth increases relative to the moeny supply.)

An upside to this is that a polotician could not simply declare a dollar bill to be 2 dollar bills, thereby devaluing everybody's dollar by half. It's taxation, but without the politically inconvenient act of actually collecting taxes.

re: #181 lawhawk

One of our other commentators is a Bond freak. She said Pussy Galore was a lesbian, which made Bond's seduction of her even more impressive!

Personally, I really liked the soundtrack-- Morricone, wasn't it?

re: #179 pbird

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

re: #176 HelloDare

OK, there is a giant difference between working in a CHinese factory, with Chinese ecostandards and health standards, and handling one of these bulbs.

I would be all for making them here safely and paying twice as much. I would still save money.

re: #175 Iron Fist

Don't I know it. Just remember to flush three times, and everything will be OK.

Doesn't that use just as much water if not more?

What if the government starts mandating ALL water-using appliances be low-flow?

They'll hafta' take my TELEDYNE WATER PIK shower head out of my dead, cold hands.

re: #177 Racer X

109˚ here now.
We're all gonna die!
Will you people please go out and buy a Prius, and a bunch of CFL bulbs?

103 and 12% humidity in ABQ...raisins and prunes

re: #184 Sharmuta

No- it always takes me a half an hour to say something.

Are you the English teacher in Ferris Bueller?

"In..... what..... waaaaayyyyy...... does.... the authors..... use of...... prison.... symbolize...... the protagonists...... struggle..."

re: #186 gnargtharst

In other words, you're admitting that the "gold standard" is deflationary.

re: #128 gnargtharst

Ironic that folks would reflexively reject an idea that properly belongs to the Founding Fathers, in exchange for an idea advanced by FDR and Keynes, just because of an incidental association with a nut like Ron Paul.

Not just the Founding Fathers, but also genuinely great modern minds like Hans Sennholz and Ludwig von Mises.

My husband studied at Grove City under Sennholz and has a degree in economics from GC. Ron Paul was influenced by Sennholtz. RP is crazier than loon on subjects other than economic theory. Maybe those without any background on the subject should step back a bit.

And I know that I'll be dissed for saying that. :)

re: #188 ArmyWife

Boob thread!

re: #179 pbird

I KNOW someday they will control not only WHAT you eat, but also how much. I used to think that sounded like freaky future fiction, but not anymore. Someone is working on this. Obviously some of us need to be stopped!!!!

Didn't FCBBHO chastize Americans during the campaign for eating what they want?

I broke one of those curly-Q light bulbs a while back. As directed by Mother Gaia, I called out the Haz-Mat team. They evacuated every living thing within 6 kilometers, except my lawn and my roses (which were contaminated). Then they encased the house in impermeable plastic sheeting, and buried it and all their contaminated gear (even their blackberries) under a 100 meter mountain of reinforced concrete and slapped me with a trillion dollar fine.

Ok, I made up part of that.

re: #195 quickjustice

Oh no! My reputation!

re: #174 ArchangelMichael

You quote Hayek; Do you know what Friedman had to say on this topic? I ordered his "Free to Choose" lately, which has not arrived here in Germany from the U.S. yet.

re: #182 austin_blue

IF-

Wasn't trying to pick a fight. Just posting some data. I use them for a very simple reason. I don't like throwing my money down the toilet for no good reason.

Don't throw your money down the toilet for *any* reason--these new Democrat potties won't take it down!

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

Fruit Loops and ice cream.

I'm no help at all, am I ?

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

I'm a lousey cook. I would probably pan sear them in butter, garlic and pepper and call it good. Trow some mirin on them and let them finish on low heat for a while.

re: #180 taxfreekiller

this Austin Blue is a true believer of all that is Al Gore

he says he is the only one in Austin Tx to sign up for the
3 times higher electric rate of the Green Energy from the
wind mills Austin Tx is pushing out in West Texas.

Dude, please. We signed up for Green Choice in 2000. We locked in at 2.85 cents per kilowatt hour for a decade. We are paying *less* than the average customer. Here's the chart:

[Link: www.statesman.com...]

And I am not a true believer in Al Gore. I am a scientist. I believe in science, that's all.

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

Chicken curry. It's on the stove now.

re: #202 SasquatchOnSteroids

Where is Mandy? She makes wonderful meals!

re: #197 Shiplord Kirel

finally...someone who can tell a good lie

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

I'm baking a 10-pound ham.

re: #184 Sharmuta

No- it always takes me a half an hour to say something.

That's not true. You have a rate of fire in the Gatling range.

re: #207 ArmyWife

Where is Mandy? She makes wonderful meals!

8-)

re: #188 ArmyWife

Marinate and serve in your favorite sauce. I like wine, garlic, and mushroom sauces.

re: #186 gnargtharst

So then, either the value of Gold goes up when the countries wealth increases.... seriously, please tell me you don't believe this.... or the gold standard creates massive deflationary spirals. Sounds like a great idea.

You also seem to not grasp that if you don't have balanced trade (which is something that no post-industrial economy *can* have) then all your gold goes BYE-BYE really fast to the countries that with industrial economies.

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

Hi, AW: My favorite chicken breast quickie is Baked Parmesan Chicken.

Dip breasts in garlic butter, roll them in mixture of 2/3 bread crumbs, 1/3 parmesan, with a heavy dose of thyme (optional). Bake at 375 degrees in heavily greased platter until golden brown. Somewhere around 45 minutes, depending on your oven.

re: #189 LudwigVanQuixote

OK, there is a giant difference between working in a CHinese factory, with Chinese ecostandards and health standards, and handling one of these bulbs.

I would be all for making them here safely and paying twice as much. I would still save money.

Quite concur, except that Obama and his merry band would never allow that. They'd tie everything up in a web of red tape.

/assholes

re: #186 gnargtharst

So you will have the perverse effect which is talked about in #172. Not buying your agument.

re: #197 Shiplord Kirel

I broke one of those curly-Q light bulbs a while back. As directed by Mother Gaia, I called out the Haz-Mat team. They evacuated every living thing within 6 kilometers, except my lawn and my roses (which were contaminated). Then they encased the house in impermeable plastic sheeting, and buried it and all their contaminated gear (even their blackberries) under a 100 meter mountain of reinforced concrete and slapped me with a trillion dollar fine.

Ok, I made up part of that.

Yeah. Having government employess part with their Blackberries was a bridge too far.

re: #136 Killgore Trout

re: #136 Killgore Trout

"You can suppose whatever you want. Your ignorance is self inflicted and permanent...."

Thank you, Mr Trout, for that thoughtful response. I will ponder its substance.

"/Yeesh, I hate debating Paulians."

I do too. A difference between you and me though, apparently, is: I know when I'm doing it.

re: #216 Iron Fist

That is the joke about low flush toilets. By the time you've flushed them enough to get business done, you've spent more water than the equivalent old-style toilet. They really don't work as well (which should be the criteria such things are measured by), but god government knows better than you what you need in your life.

We have those in our office building now. Takes several flushes regardless. Such nonsense.

re: #212 quickjustice

Ok - I'm going with a modified Marsala - I don't like mushrooms. Ok, to the kitchen I go. BBL.

re: #216 Iron Fist

That is the joke about low flush toilets. By the time you've flushed them enough to get business done, you've spent more water than the equivalent old-style toilet. They really don't work as well (which should be the criteria such things are measured by), but god government knows better than you what you need in your life.

I wonder if you could get a plumber to install an old toilet in a new house.

re: #188 ArmyWife

speaking of, what is everyone having for dinner this evening? I need some inspiration using boneless chicken breast.

I slapped some turkey hen which I first marinated with oil and some curry onto an e-grill and had some peeled, boiled potatoes with yoghurt which I mixed with some garam masala and curry and a Thai sweet chili sauce. :)

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

re: #222 ArmyWife

Ok - I'm going with a modified Marsala - I don't like mushrooms. Ok, to the kitchen I go. BBL.

No mushrooms? Heresy, my dear! :)

re: #190 MandyManners

Doesn't that use just as much water if not more?

What if the government starts mandating ALL water-using appliances be low-flow?

They'll hafta' take my TELEDYNE WATER PIK shower head out of my dead, cold hands.

The Shower Massage shower heads from Water Pik is already low flow. (As long as you don't remove the flow regulator, a small, usually orange, device that is often placed in the coupler that attaches to the shower spout that comes out of the wall.)

I installed a shower cutoff valve on both showers in my home. I made a promise to myself when I got out of the Navy, I would never limit myself to a 5 minute shower again.

I don't think the article in Politico provides much support for its headline. In addition to that Federal Reserve audit bill (supported by a lot of Democrats as well) the only other evidence advanced in support of that headline is this:

Republican House members are finally voting with him on spending measures.

Seems like a pretty weak argument to me. The proposals that have been considered in this session of Congress are leading to record deficits, and they are coming from a President of the opposite party. Why wouldn't Republicans vote against them?

re: #224 MandyManners

I wonder if you could get a plumber to install an old toilet in a new house.

Not on the books.

re: #224 MandyManners

I wonder if you could get a plumber to install an old toilet in a new house.

not legally

re: #138 quickjustice

"A commodity is worth what people will pay for it. It's called a "market". Gold speculators want to drive demand by instilling fear. Without fear, there's limited demand for gold."

If, by "limited demand", you mean its been hoarded, coveted, mined, desired, and collected since the dawn of human history, then I agree.

re: #222 ArmyWife

Ok - I'm going with a modified Marsala - I don't like mushrooms. Ok, to the kitchen I go. BBL.

But Hobbits like'em very much.
You can't be a Hobbit then.

re: #228 CyanSnowHawk

The Shower Massage shower heads from Water Pik is already low flow. (As long as you don't remove the flow regulator, a small, usually orange, device that is often placed in the coupler that attaches to the shower spout that comes out of the wall.)

I installed a shower cutoff valve on both showers in my home. I made a promise to myself when I got out of the Navy, I would never limit myself to a 5 minute shower again.

My shower head puts out a blast of water that would take the hide off of an elephant.

re: #219 taxfreekiller

Iron Fist

If you push this lot, they will go just about any way or say any thing to defend the Green Way.

push a bit and see

Not me, bub. I hate low-flow toilets. If I ever get the money, I'll replace mine and pay to have its replacement imported. I'd actually save money, since I'd be flushing less.

re: #230 haakondahl

Not on the books.

re: #231 albusteve

not legally

Oh, for pity's sake. Turning workers into felons.

re: #214 ShanghaiEd

Hi, AW: My favorite chicken breast quickie is Baked Parmesan Chicken.

Dip breasts in garlic butter, roll them in mixture of 2/3 bread crumbs, 1/3 parmesan, with a heavy dose of thyme (optional). Bake at 375 degrees in heavily greased platter until golden brown. Somewhere around 45 minutes, depending on your oven.

That sounds good.
Mind if I grab that for Vol 2 cookbook?

re: #236 Dark_Falcon

Not me, bub. I hate low-flow toilets. If I ever get the money, I'll replace mine and pay to have its replacement imported. I'd actually save money, since I'd be flushing less.

Around here you can drive up to Canada and get a real toilet and install it yourself and get away with it. In a new house I suppose you would have to wait until after the inspections.

re: #149 ArchangelMichael

"The quickest solution I can think of which would just be a band aid would be to force the Fed into a gold-price rule where the currency is not backed by gold, but their adjustment of interest rates is dependent on price movements of Gold."

All this is, is a gold standard, without the step of taking actual physical possession of gold. You're essentially backing a gold standard here.

re: #234 MandyManners

My shower head puts out a blast of water that would take the hide off of an elephant.

One thing I love about my shower. Water Pressure.
Taking a shower at a hotel is pure hell. Like standing under a leaky pipe compared to home.

re: #235 Iron Fist

Sure. You could get one at an antique shop or salvage shop and get it installed in an existing home. I'm not sure about new construction, though. I don't know if they check that when they are doing the new home inspection (I had a friend who got in trouble over the width of a window in a house he had built) or not.

I'm not surprised. Just look at what those fucking, Commie bastards did to people who will have to spend a lot of money to retrofit their houses in order to sell them.

I've been pounding my keyboard for 20 seconds. Not good. bbl

re: #241 gnargtharst

"The quickest solution I can think of which would just be a band aid would be to force the Fed into a gold-price rule where the currency is not backed by gold, but their adjustment of interest rates is dependent on price movements of Gold."

All this is, is a gold standard, without the step of taking actual physical possession of gold. You're essentially backing a gold standard here.

There's no backing with a limited and finite resource, no wishing more gold into existence, no crazy deflationary spirals, no problem with trade imbalances that will wreck the economy... no it's not The Gold Standard. It's simply a set of criteria for when the Fed lowers or raises interest rates on fiat currency. That said, I'm sure there are problems with this I cannot see at the moment and would not advocate such a step unless someone with some credentials outside of kooksville did as well.

re: #246 Iron Fist

I'm hoping to dodge that one.

We might be able to do that. The chances of that bill making it through the Senate are not that good. It won't even be considered until after the August recess. My guess is that it fails for want of votes. Party discipline is not nearly as tight in the Senate.

re: #149 ArchangelMichael

I have no solution, yet. I will definitely admit that and have said so most times this subject comes up. I don't have a PhD in economics or anything. I do know that outdated ideas that can be shot down with 2nd grade math are definitely not the solution though. The quickest solution I can think of which would just be a band aid would be to force the Fed into a gold-price rule where the currency is not backed by gold, but their adjustment of interest rates is dependent on price movements of Gold. That may not even be a good idea either but it will control inflation if they stick to it, and it wont require us to roll back the clock and turn into an industrial economy again. It will also not require us to wish into existence 60% more Gold than has even been mined in all of history to cover the size of our economy.

This is my only idea at the moment, and I'm sure there 100 holes in it. Someone who knows this stuff inside and out, is not a Paulian gold-bug, and is not a shill for the current Fed system needs to work on this.

Here's one person's idea.....

theres a very easy way that can be achieved at the stroke of a legislative pen. Simply leave the current status quo as it is, but remove the legal restrictions on the use and free trading of gold bullion by and between anyone who wants to.

Then sit back and watch as 2 things happen.

1. Many people will start using gold as the basis for contracting and future debt settlement, ( not necessarily in actual ounces of bullion - it might be .....payment to be made 2 years hence, the USD/GBP/EUR equivalent of 20 ounces of fine gold at the ruling market price on that day),............ freely negotiated between the parties according to their own wishes, and

2. Over time, the fiat currencies that persist will all land up effectively indexed to gold at a range of floating discounts proportionate to their home territory's government propensity to debasement, or inflation.

voila - a de facto gold standard that will have emerged naturally from ordinary economic activity between people doing what seems most sensible to them .

Come to think of it, theres no reason why a range of commodities wouldn't emerge as effective parallell currency standards - platinum for instance - indexed against one another AND against the fiat currencies.

re: #248 ArchangelMichael

Seen #200 yet?

The only amazing thing about this right now is that I thought that the GOP meltdown would have hit the bottom a few months ago. I guess I really had no idea how far down the bottom is.

This is very, very, bad.

re: #253 Summer

At least now you know where the bottom is! But relax, there is little in support of the "embrace" in the article. It all hinges on other members of Congress supporting the audit bill Paul introduced.

re: #149 ArchangelMichael
Good afternoon all,

This discussion of a Gold Standard was brought up in an earlier thread (most likely because it would be impossible to have brought it up in a future thread), so I went to Wikipedia. The article on Gold Standards has several entries needing verification, so take heed. It is true that FDR took America off the gold standard in his first administration. The Bretton Woods system replaced it, which is somewhat like what AM posted above. Nixon abolished the BWS in 1971.

re: #255 taxfreekiller

Of some note regarding environmental head case rule as in California.

If say conservatives in say Kansas had Kansas broke on its ass via ledg. and mis use of the system, the msm would be living in the Gov. office, and 1,000 of them would be pouring over the books and accounts.

California fell off the cliff into bankruptcy, "crickets"

Lefties protect each other. We conservatives have find other ways to get our story out.

re: #240 Iron Fist

Everything that is not mandatory will be forbidden.

doing the o'l in and out

with a watch painted with yellow and red

re: #232 gnargtharst

"A commodity is worth what people will pay for it. It's called a "market". Gold speculators want to drive demand by instilling fear. Without fear, there's limited demand for gold."

If, by "limited demand", you mean its been hoarded, coveted, mined, desired, and collected since the dawn of human history, then I agree.

Will a hunk of gold be worth more or less during the likely inflation headed our way?

re: #174 ArchangelMichael

"... in the time of our founding fathers, it was an OK idea that worked, and now it's not. For a multitude of reasons. Regardless of reason why it would destroy our economy, there's this nasty "non-starter" issue that gold standard fetishists are either incapable of grasping, or are purposely ignoring."

I'm not sure which issue is the "non-starter". I'll assume you mean the the supply of gold is finite and, at today's prices, less than the totla of our current economy.

I've responded to this. The quantity of gold is irrelevant to its use as an objective store of value as a currency. Differences in the relative quantity of gold vs. wealth are simply reflected in prices. (Just as they already are anyway).

And regarding Hayek's references to "trade imblances", that issue has been respnded to many times and by most more eloquently than I am motivated to here; suffice to say, my position is that the issue of "trade imbalances" is 100% irrelevant to the merits of a gold standard.

re: #237 MandyManners

Oh, for pity's sake. Turning workers into felons.

Guilty felons, my little pretty.

re: #251 mrbaracuda

Seen #200 yet?

I haven't read anything from Friedman on it. I only quoted Hayek because he was saying it wont work anymore and he was of the Austrian school that advocates a Gold Standard. If any of the Von Mises crowd says that a gold standard probably wont work... well there you have it.

re: #215 Dark_Falcon

Quite concur, except that Obama and his merry band would never allow that. They'd tie everything up in a web of red tape.

/assholes

Quite concur, but, Wall-Mart would be one of the biggest things cheering that red tape on.

We will never have sensible - as in scientifically based - legislation on environmental issues as long as it is dictated by who has the most money, or the most popular ideology.

For the record, AGW is solvable with technologies that we have available - or in the very near term - and Cap and Trade does not do it. The thing that is most frustrating to me as a scientist when it comes to AGW and eco issues is that I have to talk politics all the time rather than science.

There are three simple things we could do.

1. Build safe fission reactors, about 200 of them. It is possible to build ceramic fuel pellets that make it physically impossible for a reactor to melt down. Have them run the way the Navy does it, not by an MBA who thinks that if half his customers die, he can double prices, and is therefore willing to cut corners and take risks.

2. Invest in better batteries. Right now, the biggest block to making electric cars, and solar or wind energy really practical is energy storage. We need about twice the energy density to really make the numbers add up. A recent battery was just developed at Argonne national labs that exceeds this requirement. If we put money into making this and other new battery designs practical for mass production we could completely remove our dependence on foreign oil.

[Link: www.anl.gov...]

3. Give massive tax incentives to companies, large malls, and private homes to install solar panels. With the new battery designs, you need something to store energy when the sun isn't shining, a homeowner or business could reduce costs from things like lighting and air-conditioning by a huge amount.

4. Invest in things like developing algae triangles. This is a device that uses industrial smoke and algae to trap carbon - and produce feed for animals at the same time.

[Link: web.mit.edu...]

By then using the harvest algae, we could reduce the carbon footprint tremendously, because you essentially get to burn carbon twice.

5. Stop confusing your hatred of Obama and Al Gore with AGW and then assuming that the science can't be true. I wish it weren't so, but the science is real and there is a serious threat. It is a solvable threat however. Unfortunately though, the politicians rarely get it. On one side we have the GOP and conservative types who think the best answer is to put their heads in the sand, pretend it isn't true and smugly yell at those who know it is.

On the other hand, we have left leaning types who believe that their ideological and political solutions are somehow better than scientific and technological ones.

Both sets will cause future generations to suffer because they are both stupid and arrogant enough to think that their pompous political wind-blowing and back room dealing can trump the laws of physics. They are wrong and we will pay for the fact we let them be wrong.

What is most agitating is that it does not have to be this way. All of those solutions listed could have been done for a fraction of the bailout and created thousands of American jobs, while staunching the flow of dollars to other often hostile governments.

BUt, when I talk to Dem types I hear how Obama knows best, and when I talk to GOP types I hear how there isn't a problem.

A pox on both of you. You are both working together to destroy the life we now enjoy.

re: #238 reine.de.tout

That sounds good.
Mind if I grab that for Vol 2 cookbook?

Reine: I'd be honored. Let me double check the cooking time and temp, as I'm going from memory.

It's the most taste for the least investment of prep time I've found yet.

re: #260 gnargtharst

How can you say the issue is irrelevant when ArchangelMichael has just explained that the Gold Standard would see our nation's wealth shipped overseas?

My Paulian Detector is starting to beep

re: #264 LudwigVanQuixote

I should have said five things

re: #263 ArchangelMichael

When Friedman's name didn't come to mind I thought of Mises first. Then I remembered watching a panel discussion with Ron Paul debating Charles Partee, member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors at the Mises Institute. It was a little strange, that's pretty much all I remember from it, heh. They got a youtube channel, in case you are interested (click the previous link and go from there).

re: #264 LudwigVanQuixote

We will never have sensible - as in scientifically based - legislation on environmental issues as long as it is dictated by who has the most money, or the most popular ideology.

Then we will never have sensible legislation, because legislation will always be about money and ideology.

re: #261 taxfreekiller

So, how to get Democrats to go for the gold standard once more.

Make Cap and Trade "carbon credits" only tradeable in gold .

We are not nearly intelligent enough to comprehend. They will just say it is so enough times until it is so.

re: #261 taxfreekiller

So, how to get Democrats to go for the gold standard once more.

Make Cap and Trade "carbon credits" only tradeable in gold .

I was thinking 'carbon credits' in Zimbabwe money, meself. lol!