Aviator Guy's Account Talk

[fabijo]

Unlikely, they aren't going to be any help with the economy.

I'm just going by what I thought I heard Obama say during debates and speeches. But I tried to look it up and found it was different sometimes.




At least it is clearer here. He focuses more on diplomatic options, but will not take the military option off the table.

 

[KevinD]

You mean, NO MORE OFF BUDGET!

Nope. I mean quit spending...period.


I can dream can't I? :laugh:

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I pulled back from stocks back into the G fund this morning. I just don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like a fight is brewing in Congress over printing more money for the auto companies. And companies like AIG still don’t get it when they flush down bailout money on extravagant office parties in Arizona. :blink:

About the only good thing that has come out of this mess is oil. The price of a gallon of gas in Los Angeles is 2.37!!!! I still don’t regret buying a Hybrid Prius this spring. It just means it costs even less to travel and every dollar saved in energy is good on my budget. Whenever the markets return, so will oil, so enjoy it while you can.

On the radio, they said return lines are getting longer at stores from people returning unopened impulse buying gifts. I purchased my wife a Sony book reader, she hasn’t gotten it yet, but when it arrives in the mail, I’m sure she will tear into it before I can return it. So, I guess I did my part on Christmas spending this year.

I have also noticed that the markets have been down in a huge way after the election. One of the major influences on the markets is confidence and it’s as if the president elect is in a cave hiding. Anyway, it will be interesting to watch how he positions himself to handle this current crisis. I think most people want him to take on a central position, but from his selection of Chief of Staff, it appears this is not the case. I guess time will tell. Good luck with your TSP investments. My year to date is around negative 40 by the close today!!!! YEOW…:embarrest:

Note: I have one more bullet in my IFT this month after COB today. If I see the markets take a dump of 7 percent or more, I may jump back into the market prior to the last day of trading this month. My goal is just to try and better the markets the best I can…Good Luck.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

The Question I seen posted on TSPTALK was should tax payers help the auto industry. After watching AIG throw lavish parties costing 300K shortly after receiving bailout money, I would say….. Hmmmmmm Not only No, but… Hell No….

Toyota developed a fuel efficient car approx. in the year 2000 and it has been a huge success. Did the big three develop something to compete? Nope… I can remember back in the 1970’s they made an attempt at it but failed. But, instead of keeping at it, they were content on just making most of their profits making large trucks, they inefficient but profitable.

One of my all time favorite cars was a 1991 Ford Escort. At the time, I was working for the Navy at NAS Oceana and wanted a small reliable work car that got good mpg. So, I clipped out a sales ad from Honda and the dealer sold me the newly designed Escort for a couple hundred dollars less. I drove the crap out of that car and never had a problem with it and paid just under 7K for it new. When I sold it, I put 80K miles on it and it got around 40mpg if you kept it under 70mph.

As far as I’m concerned my 2008 is not even a high tech car. The technology has been around for a long time. It just seems Toyota does a lot more R&D when they develop a car and understand why quality is important. It’s not unusual to see a Japanese Car with well over 100K miles on it. But, it’s also common for that same car to be in good working order despite high mileage. My oldest son still drives a 5 speed manual Toyota Corolla that I purchased back in 1999. That car has 180K miles on it and runs perfectly and gets 40mpg!!

I will attend the 2008 Los Angeles car show later this month and I have no doubt that Toyota will show off their new 2010 Prius that is expected to get 60-80mpg!! The only car that impressed me last year from the big three was called the “Volt”. Anyway, I don’t support sending money to the big three auto industry. Any money sent would disappear into a big bailout black hole!!

 

[airlift]

Is there any truth about a number of cost saving ideas that the U.S could have adopted when Henry Ford was King? Or are we on the path of re-inventing the wheel? How arrogant. Other counttries are taking advantage of us. Please understand that, if history is our witness, we have given away our most precious assets throughout the last 100 years. No wonder the Roman Empire Fell to unrecognizable proportions. Ignorance an Greed. Except that we find out 1100 years after the Fall of the Roman Empire and that we are somehow connected to European History.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

American CEO’s still don’t get it when it comes to bailout money… And a lot of senior Dems still don’t get it either… Check this article out on CNN… Now if the Ford CEO parked his private jet and opted to drive a 1973 Ford Maverick that had an engine that seemed to run forever, he would have my vote for bailout money.

I also think about the only American CEO that understands what being a true leader / businessman is all about is the CEO from Southwest Airlines… I don’t recall his name, but he understands that a CEO should be a leader and not a King or come off as that character out of Citizen Cane. So, do I want to send the big three 25 Billion tax payer dollars???.... Hmmmmmm… No Way Jose’

(CNN) -- Some lawmakers lashed out at the CEOs of the Big Three auto companies Wednesday for flying private jets to Washington to request taxpayer bailout money.

Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, left, and Ford CEO Alan Mulally testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.
"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. It kind of makes you a little bit suspicious."
He added, "couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here? It would have at least sent a message that you do get it."
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, asked the three CEOs to "raise their hand if they flew here commercial. Let the record show, no hands went up. Second, I'm going to ask you to raise your hand if you are planning to sell your jet in place now and fly back commercial. Let the record show, no hands went up."
The executives -- Alan Mulally of Ford, Robert Nardelli of Chrysler and Richard Wagoner of GM -- did not specifically respond to those remarks. In their testimony, they said they are streamlining business operations in general. Watch Nardelli ask for help »
When contacted by CNN, the three auto companies defended the CEOs' travel as standard procedure.
Like many other major corporations, all three have policies requiring their CEOs to travel in private jets for safety reasons.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

The two boneheads (Barney Frank & Chris Dodd) who got us into this mess are now supposed to get us out of it? I vote we have a 9/11 type commission to lay ALL the cards out on the table. I just don’t think the feds can print enough money and print it fast enough to get us out of this mess!

Congress Ready to Tap $350 Billion in Aid, Frank Says (Update2)
Email | Print | AAA

By Alison Vekshin
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said Congress will release $350 billion from the bank-rescue package after lawmakers, President- elect Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson agree to provide foreclosure relief and aid to automakers.
Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said he plans to introduce legislation with Senate Banking Committee chairman Christopher Dodd to release remaining funds in the $700 billion package next month. The bill will include conditions, including homeowner help and short-term loans for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, Frank said in a telephone interview today.

 

[RunningFool]

I somehow don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about those fellows (Barney Frank & Chris Dodd) economic abilities. They always seem to be making things up as they talk, somewhat clueless.

 

[350zCommTech]

The two boneheads (Barney Frank & Chris Dodd) who got us into this mess are now supposed to get us out of it? I vote we have a 9/11 type commission to lay ALL the cards out on the table. I just don’t think the feds can print enough money and print it fast enough to get us out of this mess!

Congress Ready to Tap $350 Billion in Aid, Frank Says (Update2)
Email | Print | AAA

By Alison Vekshin
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said Congress will release $350 billion from the bank-rescue package after lawmakers, President- elect Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson agree to provide foreclosure relief and aid to automakers.
Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said he plans to introduce legislation with Senate Banking Committee chairman Christopher Dodd to release remaining funds in the $700 billion package next month. The bill will include conditions, including homeowner help and short-term loans for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, Frank said in a telephone interview today.

The first $350B worked wonderfully. Lets go ahead and give them the rest of it and maybe more. It's Christmas after all.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I have noticed less foot traffic in the Los Angeles stores this holiday. I live in an area that hasn’t been slammed too bad by the real estate bust, but the reduced mall traffic is noticeable in my neighborhood.

I was looking to purchase a new computer at Best Buy and noticed the checkout lines were short. I’m currently out of stocks. I will probably continue to sit on the sidelines unless I see a huge spike down of 10 percent or more. I'm currently down 38.2% YTD, Yeow!!!... Good luck in your TSP investing!

 

[Guest2]

I have noticed less foot traffic in the Los Angeles stores this holiday. I live in an area that hasn’t been slammed too bad by the real estate bust, but the reduced mall traffic is noticeable in my neighborhood.

I was looking to purchase a new computer at Best Buy and noticed the checkout lines were short. I’m currently out of stocks. I will probably continue to sit on the sidelines unless I see a huge spike down of 10 percent or more. I'm currently down 38.2% YTD, Yeow!!!... Good luck in your TSP investing!

Just as the Drive-Thru window in restaurants have unlimited capasity,
so does our retail market by way of the internet. I wouldn't be the least
surprised to see record orders over cyberspace. That would be nice, huh.
Not just for Amazon, but for the Best Buys and alike. I wonder if the #'s
can be found anywhere? Anyway, If I based Retail on my own home Xmas
purchases, I can tell you this; It's been GiftCards and required gifts only.
Nothing for ourselves this year. That is, until we get some giftcards from
family. Maybe post xmas sales will be to the upside. Just a few thoughts.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

Just as the Drive-Thru window in restaurants have unlimited capasity,
so does our retail market by way of the internet. I wouldn't be the least
surprised to see record orders over cyberspace. That would be nice, huh.
Not just for Amazon, but for the Best Buys and alike. I wonder if the #'s
can be found anywhere? Anyway, If I based Retail on my own home Xmas
purchases, I can tell you this; It's been GiftCards and required gifts only.
Nothing for ourselves this year. That is, until we get some giftcards from
family. Maybe post xmas sales will be to the upside. Just a few thoughts.

When I'm out shopping, I really take note of what folks are buying and how big or small the crowds are. All I know is that you can't just keep throwing fed cash at the problem, especially to companies like the big three that can't make a profit.

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks fell, erasing most of last week’s advance, as a deteriorating outlook for corporate earnings offset expectations that government stimulus efforts will revive the economy.
Walgreen Co., the second-largest U.S. drugstore chain, tumbled 4.5 percent after first-quarter profit trailed analysts’ estimates. Monsanto Co. declined 7.2 percent as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said the recession will drive down earnings at the world’s largest producer of seeds. Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. climbed more than 1 percent after China cut interest rates and President-elect Barack Obama planned to step up a proposal to bolster the job market.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I use this web site to track gas prices. It has a really cool travel feature. You just type in where you’re starting and what city you’re headed to. Then you type in your car make model and year and it will automatically check the database to give you the best place to refuel for your trip. My kids spent the last week in Los Angeles and it saved them fuel costs. Check it out, it’s free!!

Los Angeles prices
http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx

Trip Calculator:
http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/tripcalculator.aspx

National Gas Price Database, just click on your area.
http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/price_by_county.aspx

 

[wv-girl]

I use this web site to track gas prices. It has a really cool travel feature. You just type in where you’re starting and what city you’re headed to. Then you type in your car make model and year and it will automatically check the database to give you the best place to refuel for your trip. My kids spent the last week in Los Angeles and it saved them fuel costs. Check it out, it’s free!!

Los Angeles prices
http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx

Trip Calculator:
http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/tripcalculator.aspx

National Gas Price Database, just click on your area.
[URL="http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/price_by_county.aspx"]http://www.losangelesgasprices.com/price_by_county.aspx[/URL]

Cool sight --Thanx AG

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I asked my oldest brother what he feared the most as a pilot. He told me birds, now I understand. He’s a retired USAF Lt. Col fighter pilot and now works for American Airlines as a 777 pilot with about 35 years of flying experience. I had a semi close call with some ducks once while flying my slow flying Piper Warrior, but managed to narrowly dodge them. And my oldest son actually hit a bird last year flying a Cessna 152, but it didn’t cause too much damage, just lots of feathers!

The water landing in the Hudson today was a totally awesome landing in the most difficult situations a pilot can face. The aircrew did an outstanding job of making an emergency water landing!! As of today, I will stop making fun of airliners made in Europe!!

 

[JTH]

The water landing in the Hudson today was a totally awesome landing in the most difficult situations a pilot can face. The aircrew did an outstanding job of making an emergency water landing!! As of today, I will stop making fun of airliners made in Europe!!

Agreed, it just doesn't turn out any better than this. I've lost track of how many times an Airline crashes, and everyone on board is found dead. Landing on the water at that speed and surviving is just amazing enough on its own, let alone the rescue effort involved. A whole lot of folks can say their training paid off.

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I read in the LA Times that California plans to suspend our 2008 California Tax Refunds!?!?!? I guess they figure that California tax payers are going to continue sending money to the state in the interim?? Let me think about that for a second…. Hmmmm, I don’t think so, not from this guy anyway!! Once I process my 2008 return, I will get an exact amount of my California refund… Then, I will proceed to HR Connect and halt all tax payments to the state of California until I receive the amount they owe me. Until that time, I will just receive my refund in two week payments until it’s paid in full!!! Once it’s paid in full and only at that time will I resume any tax deposits to CA land!!!

California controller to suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants
John Chiang announces that his office will suspend $3.7 billion in payments owed to Californians starting Feb. 1, because with no budget in place the state lacks sufficient cash to pay its bills.


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget17-2009jan17,0,4472460.story

 

[Aviator_Guy]

The specific details are starting to come out on the Stimulus spending plan. It looks like if you have an adjusted gross of < 150K you will get a 1K tax credit. If you’re paying college tuition, you will get a 2K tax credit!! I don’t support this Stimulus package at all since this money will strangle future growth. Fed spending is totally out of control.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123318847862026639.html

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I made a bet with my wife that the Pres will say uhhh, uhhh 24 times or more this afternoon… I guess the markets are not too positive over Pelosi pork on spending 30 million for mouse research in San Francisco Bay area?? You would think spending another 800 billion of tax payer money they can’t afford would have a positive effect on the markets?? Well, Joe said we have about a 70% it might work, so keep your fingers crossed…

 

[poolman]

I made a bet with my wife that the Pres will say uhhh, uhhh 24 times or more this afternoon… I guess the markets are not too positive over Pelosi pork on spending 30 million for mouse research in San Francisco Bay area?? You would think spending another 800 billion of tax payer money they can’t afford would have a positive effect on the markets?? Well, Joe said we have about a 70% it might work, so keep your fingers crossed…

His Wife say's Uhhh Uhhhhh Uhh Uh Uhhhhhh all the time to. :blink: