Aviator Guy's Account Talk

[Aviator_Guy]

I read a disturbing report this morning around 5:00am (3-15-2011) that I haven’t seen reported prior on any news agency. The biggest threat according to the article was the loss of water around the old spent fuel rods that are located at each site. Those fuels rods are not inside a harden containment shelter like the active reactors. So, if they lose coolant and they did after the big Quake, they will burn and release radioactivity. Some of the old spent fuel rods are burning without any containment. The article also stated that was their biggest concern after the Quake since all of the Reactors automatically shut down on their own. But, the Reactors also lost coolant and they started to fail as well. The last word I had from the news on 3-15-2011 was that they also had their first confirmed explosion inside one Reactor and that it may have breached the steel containment shelter. If this is true, this is a major setback. My primary reason for bailing today was the article about the old spent fuel rods releasing radioactivity into the air without any containment. :worried::worried:

 

[tsptalk]

It's tough to know what to believe. Pro-nuke folks are playing this down, while anti-nukes are pumping the fear.

 

[crws]

I read a disturbing report this morning around 5:00am (3-15-2011) that I haven’t seen reported prior on any news agency. The biggest threat according to the article was the loss of water around the old spent fuel rods that are located at each site. Those fuels rods are not inside a harden containment shelter like the active reactors. So, if they lose coolant and they did after the big Quake, they will burn and release radioactivity. Some of the old spent fuel rods are burning without any containment. The article also stated that was their biggest concern after the Quake since all of the Reactors automatically shut down on their own. But, the Reactors also lost coolant and they started to fail as well. The last word I had from the news on 3-15-2011 was that they also had their first confirmed explosion inside one Reactor and that it may have breached the steel containment shelter. If this is true, this is a major setback. My primary reason for bailing today was the article about the old spent fuel rods releasing radioactivity into the air without any containment. :worried::worried:

What concerns me and co-workers is that they are using fire trucks in trying to keep the cooling areas full of water, and that they have evacuated all but 50 personnel out of 800. - Now being called: The Fukushima 50 - Heroes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/world/asia/15nuclear.html?_r=1
According to government statements, most of the 800 workers at the plant had been withdrawn, leaving 50 or so workers in a desperate effort to keep the cores of three stricken reactors cooled with seawater pumped by firefighting equipment, while the same crews battled to put out the fire at the No. 4 reactor, which they claimed to have done just after noon on Tuesday.

How do you contain such a massive problem using only 50 people, that likely have been working non-stop since Friday?
They will be honored.....

 

[Aviator_Guy]

What concerns me and co-workers is that they are using fire trucks in trying to keep the cooling areas full of water, and that they have evacuated all but 50 personnel out of 800. - Now being called: The Fukushima 50 - Heroes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/world/asia/15nuclear.html?_r=1
According to government statements, most of the 800 workers at the plant had been withdrawn, leaving 50 or so workers in a desperate effort to keep the cores of three stricken reactors cooled with seawater pumped by firefighting equipment, while the same crews battled to put out the fire at the No. 4 reactor, which they claimed to have done just after noon on Tuesday.

How do you contain such a massive problem using only 50 people, that likely have been working non-stop since Friday?
They will be honored.....

I cant imagine what it must be like for those brave workers who put their country before their own personal safety. They know their work will most likely be fatal, but they are pushing ahead and have my respect. Brave stock to say the least!!

I’ve read their biggest problem is how to keep the exposed fuel rods covered with water. I know they tried using a helicopter but that was called off due to the high levels of radiation. It looks like their plant is next to the ocean. I wonder if its possible to rig a hose using the sea water and just keep a direct stream on it. Or maybe attack it like they did with the oil rigs in the Gulf using remotely controlled water hoses?? I guess the very last resort is to bury it with sand and concrete?? I pray they get it under control soon for the sake of Japan!!:worried::worried:

 

[Aviator_Guy]

No “I” Fund FV on Fri... I’m finally taking the safety off and my finger is on the trigger... I think this could be a perfect storm...

 

[Sensei]

I don't think think I've seen you in the I fund before. What do you know that we don't?

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I don't think think I've seen you in the I fund before. What do you know that we don't?

Oh Yeah... I was wishing for a neg FV (no such luck) on the day I entered the International Fund... S&P Rating fears + BHOs silly statements just days after they reached a deal... I knew that would shake things up, thats my thinking... LOL... Plus I'm now confident the Plant in Japan is starting to sizzle a little less... It's going to take a ton of money to rebuild and that will help them dig out... Germany has their debt under control and the good ole Canada too... I just wish BHO would worry a little more about the USA and less about being able to fly around that fancy Air Force 1 for four more yrs... The problem isn't not enough federal revenue, its too much spending!!!! I still don't think they get it... LOL

Two days in the green since I pulled the trigger... WooHoooo...

 

[Aviator_Guy]

 

[Aviator_Guy]

 

[Aviator_Guy]

Three days in the green with the International... WhooHoo.. If we didn’t have those IFT limits, I would be looking for the exit door soon... The TSP gods talked about starting up a Gold Fund and Real Estate Fund years ago, whatever happened with that??? I guess they are just happy to be saving all of that money by limiting their participants ability to perform more than a couple IFTs per month... I’m not sure who the board is working for, but it sure isn’t me...

 

[crws]

Are you still in the green for the I Fund?
USD seems to be in a declining channel for now, and I'm not sure there will be much favor in the near term.
The low was 71.88 in 4/2008.
EFA has recaptured all it's losses and then some.
Thoughts? I'm curious.
TIA

 

[Aviator_Guy]

I have a green buffer for the I Fund... My plan is to keep myself planted until early in May... Then, I will... "Sell in May & Go Away"... LoL

 

[mayday]

I have a green buffer for the I Fund... My plan is to keep myself planted until early in May... Then, I will... "Sell in May & Go Away"... LoL

"Sell in May and go play."

 

[tomcat22]

Just curious, but of the last six years, the month of May has been one of positive returns 4 out of 6 times. What else is driving the decision to get out of the market?

 

[Aviator_Guy]

Just curious, but of the last six years, the month of May has been one of positive returns 4 out of 6 times. What else is driving the decision to get out of the market?

I've never had much positive in my past history when it comes to May. I believe I lost about 6% last May 2010 and another 2 or 3% in June 2010... Yeow, that was pretty bad... Anyway, I'm focused on reaching my goal for COB 2011 which is only 3.1% more in the green from where I'm at COB April 25th... I'm only up about 5 to 6 for YTD, so I will play May on the conservative side...

I still have no faith in the administration doing anything that makes any financial sense, especially since an election is now on the horizon... They are going to do whatever it takes to stay in office... That means, reelect my administration and I will continue my current policy of... "ask not what you can do for your country, but what I can do for you"...

I will try to do a little research on the past May / June stock stats later this evening after I clean out the garage this evening... Spring Cleaning...Such Fun...

 

[Aviator_Guy]

Over 200 folks on TSP Talk beat the April “C” Fund... Outstanding!!!

 

[Aviator_Guy]

As they say in Kentucky, Osama had his shoes put away... This is Great News!!!

 

[Aviator_Guy]

With those limited IFT rules, I’m going to try and ride this one out. I did reach my year end goal yesterday, but today pushed me back under… I guess on a positive note, our Catch-Up Contributions and Regular TSP Contributions will be deposited at the end of the day on June 2nd vice COB June 1st ??

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

With those limited IFT rules, I’m going to try and ride this one out. I did reach my year end goal yesterday, but today pushed me back under… I guess on a positive note, our Catch-Up Contributions and Regular TSP Contributions will be deposited at the end of the day on June 2nd vice COB June 1st ??

But maybe those who's contribution goes to S might be happy with more shares at COB June 1st

I am not even sure what day mine goes it, some months it's the 2nd, some the 5th... just depends. I guess we'll see :suspicious:

 

[Aviator_Guy]

When I started working my civil service career back in 1985 at age 27, we didn’t have CSRS or FERS. Back then, congress was worried about Social Security going broke, so they required new Federal Employees pay into the SS System. I’ve been maxed out in the TSP since it started, but back then you could only put in 10% of your base. I really don’t think some of our new employees appreciate how lucky they are to be able to contribute 16.5K per year. Most of our new employees are ex military or right out of college in there 20's, so I try my best to convince them its a very wise thing to do especially when your young. It’s really tough to MAX it when you start out, but its amazing how quickly it builds up. If your new to Civil Service, you should crunch the numbers for yourself.

For example if you Max out, it’s completely feasible to save up to 1 - 1.5 Million before you reach 65. Fo most of my career, my pay was only GS11 and despite getting a very late start, I still think its a doable goal. I wouldn't recommend anyone count on SS being around for retirement income. SS is the biggest Ponzi Scheme and It doesn’t factor into my retirement planning at all. Good luck with your TSP accounts and have a great weekend. We’re taking the grandkids to the Los Angeles Zoo!!!